Roadie Free Radio

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026: JONO MANSON/Guitarist, Singer-songwriter/Producer/The Kitchen Sink Studios Nov 07, 2016

Show notes

If we're being honest, and I usually am, I was a big fan of a lot of the music that came out of the early 90's New York scene. While Hip-Hop was growing fast and the raw sounds of the Seattle scene were exploding across the country, there was another faction starting to pop on the lower east side of NY. Bands like the The Worm's, the Spin Doctor's, Blues Traveler, and God Street Wine would eventually go on to be household names thanks to pop-friendly hooks and serious MTV airplay, but in the beginning, they were just clawing out a living at places like Dan Lynch's and Nightingales. Jono Manson was at the center of the scene as both a fellow musician and a mentor to those looking to break-in. A Manhattan native, Manson knew from the tender age of seven that music was his calling, and the guitar would be his weapon of choice. I read a short profile about Jono in Mix magazine and knew when I booked my trip to Santa Fe, NM that I had to meet him and have him on the show. After nestling into the Santa Fe landscape, Jono has gone on to open a recording studio called The Kitchen Sink. Aside from being the owner, he also works as the studio's recording engineer, mixer and producer. Despite a jam-packed schedule Jono continues to work on his own music. He most recent album The Slight Variations, is a reflection of his four-decade long journey through the music industry. I hope you guys enjoy getting to know Jono Manson as much as I have, and please do not forget to check out his kick-ass new album.

025: HOWARD MASSEY/Author/ROADIE A Novel, Great British Recording Studios, Behind the Glass Oct 30, 2016

Show notes

Roadies, in this episode I am humbled to have had the privilege to sit down with prolific author, Howard Massey. With 16 books to his name, Howard is a man of many talents; engineer, producer, songwriter, and musician. Howard's deep knowledge and love of the business is rivaled only by the incredible respect his peers have for him. Not only was he ahead of the curve with his early titles breaking down the features of the Yamaha DX 7, but any student of the recording industry would be remiss not having well worn copies of Great British Recording Studios or both volumes of Behind the Glass on their shelves. Much of our focus was centered on his most recent effort and first novel, Roadie. Loosely based on Rolling Stones founding member Ian Stewart, Roadie paints a vivid picture of the less glamorous side of the music industry using many stories rooted in first hand experience that will keep you hooked until the end. Howard and I recorded this interview in a Ramada Inn ballroom where he proceeded to give me the low-down on the many different hats he has worn during his 40 year career in the music industry. Tune in to find out more about Howard's work as a magazine publisher and music journalist, along with his own stories about time spent on the road.

024: DAVID DANN/Author/Michael Bloomfield historian Oct 24, 2016

Show notes

For this weeks episode I had the pleasure of sitting down via Skype with Mike Bloomfield historian, David Dann. We recently spent time together up in Portland, Maine for a screening of the film that I co-produced called Sweet Blues: A Film About Michael Bloomfield, where Dann served as a moderator for the panel discussion. His passion for Bloomfield's playing and legacy has manifested into the creation of a website called MikeBloomfieldAmericanMusic.com which has given fans backstage level access into the life and career of the virtuoso. In this episode we touch on everything from the trials of sifting through fact and fiction when compiling first hand accounts, to how Dann became so interested in Mike in the first place. So strap in and enjoy our latest installment of Roadie Free Radio and be sure to keep an eye out for David's book on Bloomfield that hopefully will be on shelves in a year's time.

023: JASON SPOONER/Guitarist, Singer-songwriter, The Jason Spooner Band Oct 16, 2016

Show notes

For this week's interview I travelled up to Portland, Maine for a conversation with my old schoolmate and friend, Jason Spooner. Equipped with a DIY mentality, Jason has gained acclaim throughout the United States for his soulful blues-rock sound. Growing up, Jason was influenced greatly by the singer-songwriter LP's and 8-tracks of the 70's in his dad's collection. With inspiration from the likes of Paul Simon, Jim Croce, and Stevie Wonder, he began playing guitar and writing songs. Once he hit college, Jason was able to spend some time studying in Europe where he would busk on the streets of London, and perform in folk and blues clubs around Spain. Some time later, he would go on to form The Jason Spooner Trio and together they would record his debut album, Lost Houses. Four albums later, Jason is constantly on the move playing shows either on the festival circuit, with the likes of Michael Franti, or at local venues with his travelling band. Jason continues to work diligently as an independent artist creating his own way in the music industry. So folks, if you ever get the opportunity to catch one of his shows, do yourself a favor and go listen to the smart and soulful tunes of Jason Spooner.

022: MATT UMANOV/Owner, Umanov Guitars NYC Oct 09, 2016

Show notes

With a passion for both tinkering and music, Matt Umanov opened up his first guitar store in 1963 and has not stopped since. I had the privilege of sitting down with Mr. Bleecker Street himself, and we covered topics ranging from Marijuana use to Buck Owens, to Jazz. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, it was clear from a very young age that Matt had a talent for understanding the inner mechanics of things, as well as the passion to explore any musical genre that came his way. His curiosity would drive him to pursue a future as a guitar maker and repairman. During his teenage years, Matt worked doing final setups at the Guild Factory in Hoboken while taking notes from master luthier John D'Angelico. At the age of 18 he was already a well-established guitar repairman having gained a reputation admired enough to have clients such as Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton seek out his talents. Some decades later Matt is still known to be one of the best in the business. His Greenwich Village shop has become an iconic New York establishment known for serving everyone from neighborhood kids to A-list celebrities. Matt's dedication not only to his craft but to music as well has made him one of the most sought after and respected names in the guitar world. So what are you waiting for? Get your ass in the car and go pay Umanov a visit at his world famous shop, Matt Umanov Guitars. Tell him Larry sent you.

021: MARK SNOW/Composer/The X-Files Oct 03, 2016

Show notes

You guys are in for a treat with this week's episode. I had the privilege of sitting down and interviewing my long time family friend, Mark Snow. As a career television and film composer, Mark has lent his talent to some of the industries biggest hits. A Brooklyn native, Mark developed an affinity for music during his time at The High School for Music and Art where he gained acceptance as an oboe player. Upon graduation Mark moved on to Julliard where he would meet and become roommates with fellow future composer Michael Kamen. Based on a mutual love for contemporary music, the pair would go on to form the band the New York Rock N' Roll Ensemble in the late 60's. Blending elements of both rock and classical music, the band gained success rapidly and were signed to Atlantic Records by non-other than Ahmet Ertegun himself. After five albums together, the band split-up, and following the advice of his high school sweetheart and wife, Glynn Daly, Mark moved his family out to California with only $1000 between them. Since moving out west, Mark's has gone on to score for some of televisions most popular shows such as Falcon Crest, Pee Wee's Playhouse, and of course, The X Files. His hard work has paid off, garnering him 19 Emmy nominations, a nomination for a César Award, and winning over 35 ASCAP awards. Mark Snow's impact is palpable, with a career that has spanned four decades and shows no signs of slowing.

020: FELA DAVIS/FOH Engineer/Christian Mcbride, Panic At The Disco Sep 26, 2016

Show notes

How does one go from folding airbags for Honda and deboning chickens in South Carolina, to being Christian McBrides FOH audio engineer? To answer that question you are going to have to check out today's interview featuring Fela Davis. At a young age Fela knew she wanted to be involved in creating great sounding music. A career placement test in the 8th grade fortified her dream of pursuing a future as an audio engineer. After graduating high school, Fela went on to graduate with an Associates degree from Full Sail University. The long journey that followed would go on to include, working as a stage hand for House of Blues, production manager for South Florida Jazz Series, Assistant Fleet Manager for Bandago and technician for Clair Wireless and Intercom. In between those gigs are thousands of miles of desire to keep growing and learning. Fela now how has her own media production company with business partner Denis Orynbekov called 23db Productions. The company is based in New York City and specializes in "making big sound in an intimate setting". Enjoy this interview with one of the hardest working women in the music industry.

019: STEVE WALSH/Monitor Engineer/Rob Zombie, Blink-182, The Foo Fighters, Tommy Lee, Maroon 5 Sep 19, 2016

Show notes

What's up roadies? This week's cure for your case of the Monday blues is brought to you by monitor engineer to the stars, Steve Walsh. A 20-year industry veteran, Walsh has worked with some of rocks biggest names including but not limited to; +44, Blink-182, The Foo Fighters, Tommy Lee, and Maroon 5. Thanks to a little white lie nearly 20 years ago, Steve landed his first gig as a monitor engineer for Moby. After a few years on the road with Moby, Steve packed up, headed west to Los Angeles, and linked up with none other than Tommy Lee for Never a Dull Moment. Steve has since gone on to work with many other big name bands including one of Roadie Free Radio's all-time favorites, The Black Crowes. Nowadays, you can find Steve on tour as monitor engineer for Rob Zombie. Walsh certainly has a knack for combining the artist's ideal sound with what ultimately is best to come out of the speakers during the show. It's the combination of a great ear and some kick ass people skills that have given him such a respected name in his field. Kick back and listen to the story from Steve himself, and Pay respect to one hard working roadie.

018: CHARLIE KARP/Guitarist/Buddy Miles, The Dirty Angels, White Chocolate Sep 11, 2016

Show notes

This installment of Roadie Free Radio is coming to you straight from the sound studio of long time Rock 'n Roll veteran, Charlie Karp. A man who has been through it all, Charlie landed his first big gig at the tender age of 16, thanks to a chance encounter at the Filmore East. That fateful night would introduce Karp to Buddy Miles. Charlie would go on to tour, write, and record for Miles over a period of two years. Did we mention all of this happened before his 20th birthday? After leaving Miles, Karp went on to form White Chocolate with longtime friend David Hull on the bass. It was after the band reformed under the name The Dirty Angels and gained greater success with Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye that they were able to play with Aerosmith on the Double Live Bootleg Tour. The decades that followed would bring countless other projects his way. He has written songs for the likes of Joan Jett and Joe Perry, and also has the credit of producing one of Rocks great bands, Ram Jam, of Black Betty fame . Additionally Karp is an EMMY award-winning music producer for various sports networks and documentaries. After all of this time you can still find Charlie playing at local venues with he and Danny Kortchmar's band, Slo Leak and the Name Droppers. One of my favorite parts about watching this guy perform, is the ear to ear grin that shows he is still having just as much fun playing as he did over 50 years ago.

017: DAVID KOLTAI/Entrepenuer/Guitarist/Pigtronix, Supro USA Sep 05, 2016

Show notes

Musician. Entrepreneur. Hustler. I think those are three good words to describe David Koltai. And just so we're clear, I mean hustler in the best sense of the word. When I arrived at the Pigtronix/Supro office in Port Jefferson, NY, David was juggling several calls, pausing shortly in between to confer with any of his staff who poked their head in for a quick word. You don't get to be the head of not one, but two burgeoning companies by resting on your laurels or resting at all for that matter. Spending time at the office you definitely get the sense that a new idea could be around the next corner and you won't want to miss it. Before my interview with David I'd never played a Supro amplifier, and frankly, I knew even less about them. I'd seen some around, and started hearing about them from friends of mine, but the history, tone, and legend, was honestly totally lost on me. I had a chance to spend some time with the Black Magick and I'm totally hooked. It was like a Fender, but not. I can't quite describe it. It just had a little something extra that made the amp sing. David and his partners started Pigtronix with the goal of taking classic analog sound and pushing it into the future, and with multiple Guitar Player Editor's Pick awards and a growing list of endorsements from top bands and musicians, it's clear there are no signs of slowing down. This is even more evident with the acquisition and manufacturing of the resurrected Supro brand. David's love and enthusiasm for what he does is contagious, so buckle-up and enjoy the ride.

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