EPISODE 47: KATE PIERSON
Kate Pierson is one of the lead singers and founding members of the world's greatest party band: the B-52's. Formed in 1976 in Athens, Georgia, the B-52s (originally Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson & Ricky Wilson) have sold over 20 million albums and are known for such classic songs as: Rock Lobster, Private Idaho, 52 Girls and chart topping hits Love Shack, Roam and Deadbeat Club. Impossible to categorize, the B-52s emerged during the post-punk underground music scene in the late 70s, and went on to become worldwide superstars in the 80s, thanks to MTV and the success of their album Cosmic Thing which soared to the top of the Billboard Album Chart. In this conversation, Kate talks about the night the B-52's was formed, how Rock Lobster was written, losing Ricky Wilson, and where the real 'Love Shack' is.
Kate Pierson is one of the lead singers and founding members of the world's greatest party band: the B-52's. Formed in 1976 in Athens, Georgia, the B-52s (originally Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson & Ricky Wilson) have sold over 20 million albums and are known for such classic songs as: Rock Lobster, Private Idaho, 52 Girls and chart topping hits Love Shack, Roam and Deadbeat Club. Impossible to categorize, the B-52s emerged during the post-punk underground music scene in the late 70s, and went on to become worldwide superstars in the 80s, thanks to MTV and the success of their album Cosmic Thing which soared to the top of the Billboard Album Chart. In this conversation, Kate talks about the night the B-52's was formed, how Rock Lobster was written, losing Ricky Wilson, and where the real 'Love Shack' is.
EPISODE 43: JIM WEIDER
Dubbed ‘Master of the Telecaster’, Jim Weider is a guitarist, best known for his tenure with Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee: The Band. He joined the group in 1985, (replacing Robbie Robertson) and for 15 years toured internationally and appeared on numerous albums, films and videos with original members Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko. Throughout his career, he’s played and recorded with Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Dr. John, Los Lobos, Mavis Staples, Bob Weir and Taj Mahal, among many others. His albums include Percolator (2005), with the Jim Weider Band: Remedy, with Jim Weider & the Honkeytonk Gurus: Big Foot, and with Jim Weider's Project Percolator: Live at Boothbay Opera House, Live at Olde Mistick Village Performing Arts Center and Live at Mystic Blues Festival 2013.A master of classic telecaster and traditional blues slide guitar techniques, he’s admired for his distinctive tone, improvisational prowess and mesmerizing guitar solos. He is one of a select group of musicians to have an endorsement from Fender, and has built an international reputation among fellow musicians worldwide. For more info about Jim, visit jimweider.com
EPISODE 36: JEFF ALLEGUE
Guitarist Jeff Allegue was born in Amityville, NY and began his classical training at the age of 10. A founding members of The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, he played bass with the group for 12 years and appeared on their multi-platinum selling albums “Christmas Trilogy” and “The Lost Christmas Eve", as well as their newest release "Night Castle". He was awarded 2 platinum and 4 gold records from the RIAA for his work with them. Early in his career, his band “The Tallboys” appeared on MTV which led to their appearance on “Star Search,” where they won three consecutive shows and placed in the finals. He went onto work with Jive recording artist Amie Miriello and Taylor Dayne, with whom Jeff toured for many years throughout the country. His latest instrumental guitar album "The Lovely Savages" is available on iTunes or anywhere digital music is sold. Currently, Jeff is a member of the hugely popular Long Island-based band New Life Crisis along with singer/songwriter Paul Mahos, and drummer Steve O'Brien. In this conversation Jeff talks about starting out in the 80s, (MTV and Star Search), what he does to stay in shape, why his classical training informs everything he plays, and how each instrument (bass, acoustic and electric) allows him to express different aspects of his musical self. Plus-- many live studio performances, solo and with his son Grant.
EPISODE 35: CHARLES STROUSE
Charles Strouse is a 3-time Tony Award winning Broadway composer and lyricist. His first musical was the hit show Bye, Bye, Birdie, with lyrics by his longtime collaborator Lee Adams. Bye, Bye, Birdie won Strouse his first Tony Award and was considered the precursor of the rock musical. He went on to write Golden Boy, starring Sammy Davis Jr, Applause starring Lauren Bacall, (which won him his second Tony), and in 1977, he adapted a comic strip for the stage, creating the hit musical Annie, for which he won his third Tony Award, two Grammys and several Emmys for the television adaptations.In this conversation, Charles Strouse explains what it means to "sweat" over a piece of music, and why it's important to both let go and find the "reason" behind each note. Also, he talks about how accepting the childlike qualities in his music allowed him to find his voice as a composer, and what he's learned about love: "If you love somebody and want that love back, you've got to make them feel like they're doing their best work."
EPISODE 34: SOPHIE B. HAWKINS
Sophie B Hawkins is a Grammy nominated and multi platinum selling recording artist, known best for her singles: As I Lay Me Down and Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover. She's released 9 albums and has sold over 9 millions records worldwide.In this conversation, a wide range of deep existential subjects are covered- from self acceptance and addiction to creativity and the spiritual journey. Tune in to hear Sophie talk about her battle with the music business and why leaving Sony Records was such a risk, what your own music can teach you about yourself and how one song can change your life.
EPISODE 31: CORKY LAING
Drummer Corky Laing is best known for his work with the hard rock band Mountain. Born in Montreal, he began his career with the famous soul doo wop vocal group The Ink Spots, before joining the band Energy, produced by a young Felix Pappalardi. In 1969, he left Energy and joined Pappalardi and guitarist Leslie West in Mountain, (replacing N.D. Smart). Along with Cream and Blue Cheer, Mountain would become "one of the seminal power trios in modern heavy psychedelic rock music." (-AllMusic.com) The band broke up in 1972, but has reunited several times and is still active today. Corky Laing has recorded and performed with Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, The Allman Brothers and many more legendary rock artists. He has been credited as the drummer responsible for turning the cowbell into a rock n' roll staple. In this conversation Corky talks about how being the youngest of five children led him to the drums, Keith Moon's influence, the road, drumming as a primal instinct, the importance of listening, and how drumming is "the most beautiful choreography you can do without standing up".
EPISODE 29: DIANNE REEVES
Dianne Reeves is a 4-time Grammy Award winning jazz singer, known for her improvisational prowess and unique jazz and R&B stylings. She is the only singer to have won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance three consecutive times. Her most recent album Beautiful Life was released in February 2014. The album showcases Reeves’ sublime gifts by melding elements of R&B, Latin and pop within the framework of 21st Century jazz. “At its essence,” says Reeves, “Life is beautiful, and I wanted to celebrate that which is too often overlooked.”In this conversation, Dianne talks about her earliest influences, discovering her own style and what her mother taught her about living her best life.
EPISODE 26: DUNE LOCAL
Dune Local's original trio, vocalist Tristeen Caravella (T. Kissy) and drummer John Loetscher of Hampton Bays, and guitarist Austin Quinn of East Quogue are long time friends who grew up together on Long Island. In the last few years, Chris Hamilton joined the band on bass, and they began writing music together. Dune Local has been described as a harmonic blend of the best of rock, reggae, blues, & hip hop funneled into a powerful and unique sonic experience. Their eclectic style brings a little something for everyone to the table. Last year, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning producer Cynthia Daniels signed Dune Local to her independent music label, MonkMusic Records, and they're currently working on their second album. Tune in to hear the band talk about their eclectic sound, how working with Cynthia Daniels has enhanced their music, and where they see themselves going. PLUS-- two in-studio performances. Follow them online at dunelocal.com
EPISODE 22: G.E. SMITH
G.E. Smith is one of the most in-demand blues/rock guitarists in the world. He got his break in the late 70s backing Dan Hartman before joining Hall & Oates as their lead guitarist for six years. TV Viewers know him best as the Music Director for Saturday Night Live, where he lead the band between 1985 and 1995. He's toured with Bob Dylan and Roger Waters, and has played with everyone from Mick Jagger to Tina Turner to David Bowie to Jimmy Buffet. In 2007 he celebrated the launch of his GE Smith signature Fender Telecaster. Tune in to hear G.E. talk about the SNL years, what it was like to be married to Gilda Radner, how the Hall & Oates song Maneater came to be, and why he loves being a sideman. Plus- a live, in-studio performance.
EPISODE 19: ROBERTA FLACK
Roberta Flack is one of the greatest songstresses of our time. Known for her classic #1 singles "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly With His Song", "Where Is The Love" and "The Closer I Get to You", she remains the only solo artist to have won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year two consecutive times. Tune in to hear Roberta Flack talk about how her classical music training influenced her as a songwriter and performer, how she discovered Killing me Softly (and what she thinks of the Fugees' version), and what she thinks about the state of pop music today.
EPISODE 17: JUDY CARMICHAEL, PART II
Part 2 of my conversation with Judy Carmichael, who is known as one of the world’s leading interpreters of stride piano and swing. A protege of Count Basie and Sarah Vaughn, the New York Times has described her as “astounding, flawless and captivating”. She’s toured the world— playing everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice— and has performed private recitals for Rod Stewart, Robert Redford and President Clinton. Judy is also the host and producer of Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired, which airs on National Public Radio as well as Sirius XM. In this second conversation, Judy Carmichael talks about how she decided to start singing, what inspired her to create her show Jazz Inspired, how she approaches her interviews as a jazz musician and why she thinks of her show as her rebellion.
EPISODE 16: JUDY CARMICHAEL, PART I
Grammy nominated jazz artist Judy Carmichael is known as one of the world’s leading interpreters of stride piano and swing. A protege of Count Basie and Sarah Vaughn, the New York Times has described her as “astounding, flawless and captivating”. She’s toured the world— playing everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice— and has performed private recitals for Rod Stewart, Robert Redford and President Clinton. Judy is also the host and producer of Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired, which airs on National Public Radio as well as Sirius XM. Tune in to hear Judy Carmichael talk about the moment she feel in love with jazz, her fight to be taken seriously in a male dominated jazz world, how Count Basie and Sarah Vaughn influenced her as a musician, and why she thinks she does look like she plays.
