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046: JOHN ALPER/commercial director/singer-songwriter/ Abby Layne May 15, 2017

Show notes

Sometimes our path in life is laid out right before us to follow, and sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. However, if we're lucky, divine intervention may just come along and nudge us this way or that, setting us on a path that leads to a career that we love. For director and singer/songwriter John Alper, those nudges have come more than once. After thirty-plus years in the film business as a highly sought-after commercial director, John is now crossing over and back to his first love; music and songwriting. Along with singer Abby Layne, he's chasing the muse, one song at a time.

045: MIKE BRAM/Drummer/Jason Mraz, The Weight Band, Johnny Nicholas, Cindy Cashdollar May 07, 2017

Show notes

It only takes a few seconds of watching Mike Bram play drums to know how much joy it brings him. The same can be said of talking to him about music and the incredible journey he's been on since he climbed behind his first kit at just five years old. While Mike has spent the last several years on tour with Jason Mraz as both his drummer and musical director, it hasn't stopped him from being kept busy by the likes of Cindy Cashdollar, Willie Nelson, Zac Brown, Joss Stone, G. Love and Special Sauce, and Johnny Nicholas, to name just a few. Currently, you can catch Mike behind his Gretsch Brooklyn series drum kit on the road with The Weight Band, performing the songs of the Band, with Jim Weider, Marty Grebb, Brian Mitchell, and Albert Rogers.

044: CHAS SANDFORD/Producer/singer-songwriter/guitarist/John Wait, Stevie Nicks, Roger Daltry Apr 30, 2017

Show notes

What do all great songs have in common? Most likely they tell a great story. So it's no wonder Chas Sandford is an award-winning, multi-platinum selling songwriter and producer, he also happens to be an amazing storyteller. A chance encounter with Ike Turner in an alley in Englewood, CA is all it took to set Chas on his way as a force in the recording industry in the early 70's, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The self-proclaimed "Forrest Gump" of the music industry has certainly had quite a ride, with a who's who list of talent including Ike Turner, Rick James, Chicago, Roger Daltry, Stevie Nicks, John Waits, Rick Springfield, Jimmy Barnes, Don Johnson, and Harry Belafonte.

043: MYRON HART/Guitar tech/Jorma Kaukonen, Hot Tuna Apr 23, 2017

Show notes

You don't get to be Jorma kaukonen's guitar tech without possessing serious skills. But more than skills, you need the right temperament. Myron Hart II has just the right blend of confidence, humility, and talent, and that has kept him close to Jorma's side for the last several years. Myron grew up in a musical family, a stones throw from the Fur Peace Ranch, and learned the business from watching his father, Myron "Pete" Hart of the Hart Brothers and the luthier behind Buckeye Mandolins. I caught up with Myron during some downtime in between dates with Hot Tuna.

042: PHIL YARNALL/Graphic Designer/Jimi Hendrix, The Magpie Salute, ACDC, Tedeschi Trucks Apr 16, 2017

Show notes

Logos, posters, album covers, these are just a few of the items that leave an indelible mark on us; visually imprinting the look or vibe of a favorite band, book, or movie. Phil Yarnall, accomplished designer, and Tyler School of Art graduate, is the artist behind many such memorable creations. Not afraid to get his hands dirty and dig into the work, Phil has created incredible imagery for the Jimi Hendrix estate, Doyle Bramhall II, Rich Robinson, The Magpie Salute, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Janis Joplin, Ten Ton Mojo, and many others. When he's not creating iconic images he can be found working as a roadie for his son's band, Gilbert.

041: COURTNEY TAYLOR/FOH Engineer/Far East Movement, Stephen Marley, Pharrell Williams Apr 10, 2017

Show notes

FOH engineer and 2 x Grammy Nominee producer Courtney Taylor is a hard man to track down. Every other week he flies from his home in Southern Florida to work overseas, and in between, he's either working for someone else, DJ'ing, or planning his next move. Through Patience, Focus, and Passion, he's amassed an incredible roster of clients including, Far East Movement, Stephen Marley, Pharrell Williams, Burning Spear, Common, Steel Pulse, and N.E.R.D.

040: RANDY BROWN/DrumTech/The Magpie Salute, Todd Rundgren, Moby Apr 02, 2017

Show notes

It's not uncommon for someone to start their career working at a place like SIR in New York City and end up on the road. That's exactly what happened to Randy Brown. He met Roberta Flack while manning the stages at SIR, and the next thing he knew, he was traveling the country. Thousands of miles later, Randy is still hard at work, bringing his own special brand of enthusiasm and loyalty to the likes of Todd Rundgren, Moby, The Magpie Salute, and Meatloaf, just to name a few. Join me as Randy and I look back on a career spanning thirty-one years with no signs of slowing down any time soon.

039: JOE RUDGE/Music Supervisor/Beasts of the Southern Wild, Patti Cake$, Long Strange Trip Mar 27, 2017

Show notes

Joe Rudge was born to be a music supervisor. It's literally in his DNA. His father is famed Rolling Stones manager Pete Rudge, and his step-father was the iconic film director Elia Kazan. So you see, the apple most certainly has not fallen far from the tree. If you need a moment to research the above names, please do so, because only then will you realize the imprint that these two careers had on Joe's life, and why his fate was sealed at just 4 years old. Joe's career is still blossoming, but here is just a short list of the incredible projects he's been a part of: Brick, Room, Blue Valentine, Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Big Sick, Patti Cake$, and the forthcoming Grateful Dead documentary; Long Strange Trip.

038: LAITH AL SAADI/Guitarist, singer, songwriter Mar 19, 2017

Show notes

To witness the fury that is Laith Al Saadi's guitar playing is to truly behold something special. And when he sings, you can literally feel his growl in the bottom depths of your soul. Touch, tone, and talent, only begin to describe Laith, who has spent most of his years carving out a loyal following from his Michigan roots, before ultimately wowing new legions of fans on season 10 of NBC's The Voice in 2016. Join Laith and I as we discuss the inner workings of THE VOICE, the simplicity of the Fender Telecaster, and his completely genuine love of music.

037: JOE MAGISTRO & KATRINE OTTOSEN/The Magpie Salute, Rich Robinson, CallMeKat, Prophet Omega Mar 12, 2017

Show notes

I first met Joe Magistro and Katrine Ottosen in the Summer of 2014 while they were both on tour with Rich Robinson. The gig was in Patchogue, NY, and the trailer hauling all of their gear had broken down in New Jersey on the way to Long Island. It was hot, the band was late to the venue, and we all had to pitch in to help get them set-up in time for the show. It was awesome! Joe and Kat opened for Rich, playing music from Joe's solo project, Prophet Omega, and I was an instant fan. A short while later, I discovered Kat's solo work, CALLmeKAT, and I was equally hooked. Currently they are both on tour with The Magpie Salute, and took a quick break from playing to catch-up with me at their home in the Catskills.

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