Roadie Free Radio

Latest Episodes:

056: NITE BOB/Legendary Sound Engineer/Steely Dan, The New York Dolls, Iggy & The Stooges, Aerosmith Jul 24, 2017

Show notes

After nearly 45 years in the music industry it's safe to say that Robert "Nite Bob" Czaykowski does indeed deserve the legendary status that is usually bestowed upon him. He's been at the intersection of Right Place/Right Time so often, his stories at times seem unbelievable, but, as he himself confesses; "I may not be able to remember my hotel room number, but I can tell you details about shows." Nite Bob and I sat down in Studio 2 at SIR Studios NYC, for a lengthy chat that barely scratched the surface of a resume that includes Emerson Lake & Palmer, The New York Dolls, Iggy and the Stooges, Aerosmith, Rich Robinson, Steely Dan, Ace Frehley, and Kiss, with a variety of job titles including tour manager, production manager, amplifier voicing designer, author, sound engineer, production coordinator, and road manager.

055: BOBBY TIS/Guitar tech/Monitor Engineer/Tedeschi Trucks Band/Derek Trucks/Swamp Raga Studios Jul 17, 2017

Show notes

The trust between an artist and his or her crew is something that takes time to build. It's a sacred thing. Bobby Tis, guitar tech and monitor engineer for the Tedeschi Trucks Band, has fostered that trust for close to 10 years. I spent an evening with Bobby at a recent gig in Simsbury, CT, and the level of camaraderie and closeness amongst the band and crew was certainly palpable. Bobby learned his craft from a long list mentors including his father Bobby Tis, Sr., well respected amongst studio engineers, and Brian Farmer, longtime guitar tech for Warren Haynes. Bobby's love of what he does day in and day out keeps him going whether he's on tour or engineering a session at Swamp Raga studios, Derek and Susan's home studio in Florida, where Tis lives with his family, just down the road.

054: LOUIS ROSANO/Louis Electric Amplifiers Jul 10, 2017

Show notes

If you haven't plugged-in and tried a guitar amplifier from Louis Electric Amplifiers yet, I urge you to find the nearest one and do so right away. For the last 25 years, Louis Rosano has been hand-building his amplifiers in a small garage in Bergenfield, New Jersey, these amps have pleased the some of the industry's heavyweights, from Keith Richards and Ron Wood, to Warren Haynes, Danny Gatton, Anna Popovic, Jackson Browne, Jorma Kaukonen, Hubert Sumlin, and Arlen Roth. I sat and talked with Louis in his shop, right next to the house his Grandparents bought in 1923. It was a beautiful day, the garage door was open, he treated me to a fantastic espresso, but most importantly, I fell deeply in love with his Deltone Reverb Amplifier.

053: REBECCA WILSON/Monitor Engineer/Fishbone, Wilco, The Dalai Lama, Nanci Griffith, The Bangles Jul 02, 2017

Show notes

Rebecca Wilson is steadfast in her belief that the best way to learn is by doing. No fancy schools, no debt load to carry, just basic hard work, and being passionate about following your dreams. After just one night of doing monitors at a club for Fishbone, the band decided to pluck Rebecca from her club gig and take her on the road with them. A few days later, she found herself behind the mixing desk at Red Rocks. With a healthy dose of self-deprecation, a humble attitude, and a singular focus to please her artists, Rebecca can now be found providing audio support for His Holiness, The Dalai Lama.

052: ROBERT SCOVILL/FOH Engineer/Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Rush, Prince Jun 26, 2017

Show notes

It was at a Supertramp concert when he was 13 years old where Robert Scovill got his first glimpse of a FOH soundboard, and since that day, he's followed his insatiable passion for live music all the way the top of his field. Known and well-respected by many of his peers, Robert has been mixing sound for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for an incredible 23 years. Prior to his post with Petty & Co., Robert was at the helm for many notable rock bands including Rush, Def Leppard, Prince, and Alice Cooper. As the Senior Specialist for live sound products for Avid Technologies, Scovill is at the forefront of the migration into digital live sound reinforcement, and is a two-time recipient of the distinguished Parnelli award for Sound Reinforcement Engineer of the Year. Join us in the lounge of his crew bus where I caught up with Robert at the Xfinity Center in Hartford, CT.

051: ERIC AMBEL/Guitarist/Producer/Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Steve Earl, The Del Lords Jun 19, 2017

Show notes

This week I sit down with guitarist/producer Eric Ambel in Brooklyn to mine through the finer points of a career built on desire, attitude, and talent. After all, you don't get to play with the likes of Joan Jett or Steve Earl by pigeon-holing yourself into one style. An accomplished guitarist, producer, and club owner, Eric's journey in the music business may have started in the mid-west and taken him around the world, but his heart has been firmly planted in NYC since the mid-80's. With a career like his, we did a lot of bouncing around, so buckle-up and get ready to learn from one of the greats.

050: BILL HANLEY/JOHN KANE/Sound Engineer/Woodstock, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Newport Folk Fest Jun 12, 2017

Show notes

What better way to celebrate the 50th episode of ROADIE FREE RADIO than to have legendary sound engineer Bill Hanley join me from the stage at Daryl's House Club. An innovator, leader, and rebel, Hanley is responsible for so many advancements in the area of live sound reinforcement that he's known affectionately as the "father of festival sound." Based in Medford, Massachusetts, Hanley Sound Corporation handled audio responsibilities for the Remains, The Newport Jazz Festival, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and most notably, the Woodstock music festival of 1969. Also joining us is author & filmmaker John Kane, who has devoted the last several years to researching and documenting the many incredible accomplishments that Hanley achieved over the course of his prolific career.

049: PAUL MARCARELLI/Actor/Filmmaker/Verizon, Sprint, Clutter, The Green,The Royal Road Jun 04, 2017

Show notes

As an actor, your lucky if you get one job that hits and puts you on the map. If that job happens to be a successful commercial, count yourself as really lucky. Paul Marcarelli has done it twice. For fourteen years he was the iconic face of Verizon who asked the question "can you hear me now?" and now, in a historic and unprecedented move, he's back, representing mobile phone giant Sprint. Not one to rest on his commercial success, Paul has poured himself into filmmaking as a writer/producer. Clutter, The Green, I Am Divine, and The Royal Road, have all helped to cement Paul's career as a serious filmmaker garnering festival awards, major distribution deals, and critical success.

048: NATHAN BARR/Composer/The Americans, The Son, True Blood, Cabin fever, Hostel May 29, 2017

Show notes

Nathan Barr is a composer's composer. Not only does he love to compose and write music, he is passionate about the instruments that he plays, and seeks out the most unique and original instruments with which he creates his unforgettable compositions. Nate has already amassed more than 34 film credits to his name, numerous hit television shows including True Blood, The Americans, The Son, and Sneaky Pete, and is under construction on his dream studio, which will soon house the original Wurlitzer Theater organ from 20th Century Fox that he has been restoring for the last four years. Join me as Nate and I wind our way through his incredible career guided by vision, determination, and talent.

047: SEAN QUACKENBUSH/FOH Engineer/Brandi Carlile, Robert Randolph, Matisyahu, KT Tunstall May 22, 2017

Show notes

One look at Sean Quackenbush's resume and it's clear to see that not only has his work ethic paid off, but obviously he's got the talent, drive, and the ears, to back it up. Sean's career started at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in upstate New York. One fateful night, while mixing FOH for Robert Randolph & the Family Band his whole life changed, and he's been on the road with an incredible list of artists ranging from Brandi Carlile and Matisyahu, to KT Tunstall, Ben Harper, O.A.R., the Experience Hendrix Tour, and Daryl Hall & John Oates. Join Sean and I as we talk about fatherhood, the road, and learning on the job from some legendary roadies.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected