Paul McCartney

Thursday, March 6, wasn’t just another “day in the life” of KCSN/Los Angeles’ Program Director Sky Daniels. Upon arriving at the radio station yesterday, there was a message that Paul McCartney wanted to speak with him.

The message turned into a surprise interview with McCartney that included the music legend’s thanks to the station for regularly playing songs from his latest album, “New,” his thoughts on The Beatles’ 50th anniversary and more.

“Paul’s call was so thoughtful, I found myself fighting back tears,” Daniels said. “He told us how his friends all loved the station. They told him that KCSN was playing a number of songs from ‘New’ and he simply wanted to say thanks.”

The call originated with a dinner McCartney had with friends the evening of March 5 following a video shoot he had in Los Angeles for the song “Early Days” on his new album. McCartney’s friends had regaled him with stories about KCSN and how the station had been an active supporter of the album. The former Beatle called his label, Hear Music/Concord Music Group, and asked how he could contact the station to say thanks.

That call to Daniels turned into an hour-long interview with McCartney that covered a variety of topics, including the emotional wave brought on by The Beatles’ 50th anniversary, his appreciation for the multiple Grammy Awards he recently won and his pleasure working with what he called a “real band” with his longtime touring group made up of Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson, Wix Wickens and Abe Laborial Jr.

McCartney told Daniels he was excited to begin work on a new project, doing the music for a new animated film.

“It’s like being a kid, getting to play with some of the most creative people in the world,” he said.

McCartney confided he still gets thrills when fans tell him how much his music means to them.

“When people tell you that you wrote the ‘soundtrack to their life,’ that’s pretty meaningful,” he said.

Daniels echoed that sentiment.

“When Paul McCartney’s friends sing the praises of KCSN, and he feels compelled to listen and reach out to say thanks, it validates the support of our members and the hard work of our staff,” he said. “It really is a statement that radio can still touch hearts and minds, even those of the greatest songwriter of our time.”

A listener-supported public radio station and a service of California State University, Northridge, 88.5-FM KCSN offers a 24-hour, commercial-free blend of rock, alternative, indie, soul, blues and Americana. The station features such artists as Arcade Fire, St. Vincent, Bruce Springsteen, The Smiths, Haim, Rosanne Cash, and, yes, Paul McCartney. The station’s programming also is available online at KSN.org.

Listen to the interview with Paul McCartney.

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