Roadie Free Radio

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016: ROGER SADOWSKY/Luthier/Sadowsky Guitars NYC Aug 29, 2016

Show notes

Roger Sadowsky is very clear that he never wanted his business to feel like a factory. The world in which he builds his instruments should feel more like a workshop than anything else. Wandering through his shop, past the several workstations occupied by his master builders, it's clear that he has succeeded. Since striking out on his own in 1979, Roger has built a loyal and dedicated following who not only seek out and swear by his instruments, but also look to Roger for his expertise and care in making their instrument the best it can be. Marcus Miller, Ben Mckee, Walter becker, John Abercrombie, Willie Weeks, Will lee, Jason Newsted, Tal Wilkenfeld, Darryl Jones, and Verdine White. Those are just a few of the players listed as Sadowsky artists. I had a the great pleasure of sitting with Roger in his showroom in Brooklyn, and hearing about his incredible journey from his early days apprenticing with luthier Augie LoPrinzi, and the path that has lead to the legendary "Sadowsky Sound."

015: RACHEL MR. SOUNDLADY RYAN/FOH-Monitor Engineer/The Tallest Man On Earth, The Strokes, PHOX Aug 22, 2016

Show notes

It's no secret that for years the "road" has been a male-dominated workplace. However, that's quickly changing, and women like Rachel Ryan are forging new and indelible paths, demonstrating their might and talent, making way for a new generation of roadies. Mr. Soundlady, as Rachel is otherwise known, is a force to be reckoned with. As I dug around researching women in the audio field, her name kept popping up, and I couldn't help but be struck by her enthusiasm, her passion, and judging by her resume, her talent. An NYU graduate from California, Rachel has already logged an impressive amount of experience. She had the good fortune to have residencies at both the East and West coast Knitting Factories, Brooklyn Bowl, and has been on the road as both FOH engineer and monitor mixer for the likes of The Tallest Man On Earth, The Strokes, PHOX, Silversun Pickups, and is still the first and only woman to intern at Radio City Music Hall. In between the endless hours and concert halls Rachel has decided to go back to Graduate school to study Library Sciences. Badass indeed.

014: MIKE FRATANTUNO/Music Composer/Bassist/The Black Eyed Peas, Transcenders Aug 15, 2016

Show notes

I've known Mike Fratantuno for a while now. We met as he was making the transition from founding member and bass player with the Black Eyed Peas, to scoring music for various high-profile film and television productions with his bandmates Brian Lapin and Terence Yoshiaki, also former members of the Peas. The Black Eyed Peas was a fruitful time for Mike, Brian, and Terence, as they honed their skills and forged a bond together that would eventually lead to the creation of their company, Transcenders.tv. "Let's Get It Started","Request + Line", and "Where Is The Love", featuring Justin Timberlake, are but a few of the #1 hits for the Peas that the trio collaborated on. Since then, they have worked extremely hard building a formidable reputation in the entertainment business from their studio in Marina Del Ray, where they create original, innovative scores to accompany such television shows as GOSSIP GIRL, MADAME SECRETARY, BLACKISH, and popular films SUPERBAD, THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, AND FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL. Mike was kind enough to join me in the barn and share his love of the bass guitar, hip-hop, and stories from the road.

013: STEVE KATZ/singer-songwriter/Blood, Sweat, & Tears Aug 07, 2016

Show notes

Growing up in the '70's, Blood, Sweat, & Tears was definitely on heavy rotation in our house. "Spinning Wheel," "What Goes Up," "Sometimes in Winter"; these tunes are etched in my memory. I can't even tell you how many times my mom sang verse after verse of "God Bless the Child" to both my sister and I. The fusion of Jazz, Rock, and a horn section may not seem like that big a deal today, but back in the late '60's it was certainly a novel idea, and the legacy that Blood, Sweat, & Tears have left in their wake is nothing short of phenomenal. Steve Katz was at the center of it all. Not only was he a founding member of the Blues Project, he studied guitar with none other than Dave Van Ronk and the Rev. Gary Davis. He crossed paths with Bob Dylan, produced seminal albums for Lou Reed, and his love affairs are too numerous to mention. His amazing journey is all chronicled in his current book; BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS, MY ROCK 'N ROLL YEARS, IS STEVE KATZ A ROCK STAR? I sat with Steve on the porch of his home in Kent, CT., where he shared his tale of love, heartbreak, and redemption in a career that spans over 50 years.

012: HARVEY CITRON/Luthier/Citron Guitars Jul 31, 2016

Show notes

In all honesty, I didn't know much about Harvey Citron before our interview. I had met him at a few random events in Woodstock, NY, but we never had an opportunity to get to know each other. And, I knew nothing about his guitars or basses. As I prepped to sit down with him, I quickly picked-up on the care, precision, and thought that he brings to each instrument and to each new design endeavor that he approaches. We had an opportunity to meet at his home, and later, I got to strum a few of Harvey's guitars. Needless to say, I am now a huge fan! Harvey has been building guitars, basses, and pickups since 1974. In 1975, he co-founded Veillette-Citron, and was a frequent reviewer for Guitar Player, Bass Player, and Guitar World magazines. These are just a few of the players that use Harvey's instruments: Jimmy Vivino, Donovan, John Sebastian, Steve Swallow, and Bo Bice, to name a few.

011: ALEX SALZMAN/Prodcuer/Ace Frehley, Alan Menkin, Arlen Roth, Sam Butler Jul 25, 2016

Show notes

"Record with John Lennon." That was Alex's response when I asked him what the future holds for him. Thing is, if he had the chance, he would probably be the kind of producer Lennon would want. I've seen Alex in action in his studio Starr Ridge, in Brewster, NY., and he never stopped moving during the entire session. It was inspiring to say the least. In this episode, producer, engineer, composer, and mixer, Alex Salzman, shares his unique upbringing in Russia, and the incredible musical journey that has led him to work with the likes of Broadway composer Alan Menkin, Arlen Roth, Ace Frehly, and Sam Butler, to name a few.

ROADIE FREE RADIO 010 PT2: CINDY CASHDOLLAR Jul 18, 2016

Show notes

I first met Cindy Cashdollar when I was shooting the documentary film BRASS, GLASS, & STEEL: THE MAKING OF ARLEN ROTH'S SLIDE GUITAR SUMMIT. She was in the middle of a small tour with Sonny Landreth, and they were stopping in to record a few tunes with Arlen at Starr Ridge Studios in Brewster, NY. She was gracious, professional, and incredibly focused. A few months later, I saw Cindy was at a small club in Vermont, The Red Foxx Inn. She was still on tour with Sonny, and seeing her live was incredible. If you haven't caught her yet, find the next gig and get to it. Cindy was kind enough to have me at her home, where we kicked back on a gorgeous afternoon and reminisced about her career and being grounded by her parents during the Woodstock festival. She is proof that hard work and persistence pays off, as is evident by the long list of people she has played with; including Ryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Dave Alvin, Rod Stewart, Albert Lee, Asleep At The Wheel, Marcia Ball, Jorma Kaukonen, Leon Redbone, BeauSoleil, Daniel Lanois, Redd Volkaert, & Peter Rowan.

010 PT1: CINDY CASHDOLLAR/Lap Steel/Slide Guitarist/Ryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Asleep At The Wheel Jul 18, 2016

Show notes

009: PETER MOSHAY/Producer/Engineer/Hall & Oates, Barry Manilow, Journey, The Cars, Curtis Mayfield Jul 11, 2016

Show notes

When I told people Peter Moshay was a guest on the show, the immediate reaction was "wow!" Right away it was evident that Peter has earned the respect of his peers and colleagues in the industry, and that he is held in high esteem by those that have crossed paths with him. Either as a producer, mixer, engineer, tech or consultant, Peter has worked with everyone from Barry Manilow to Journey, Kenny Loggins, Quiet Riot, The Cars, Fishbone, and Curtis Mayfield. But most notably, he has spent the last 25 years as an integral part of the Hall & Oates powerhouse duo. I caught up with Peter at Daryl's House Club in Pawling, NY where we sat at the bar and talked about life, his lessons learned from three years of touring with Barry Manilow, and his longstanding friendship and tenure with Daryl Hall. Oh yeah, and how much he hates when Hollywood glamourizes Roadies!

008: JIM WEIDER/Guitarist/The Band, The Levon Helm Band, Project Percolater Jul 04, 2016

Show notes

Sometimes I have to pinch myself at how lucky I am to spend time with my guests and Jim Weider is no exception to that rule. Jim's roots in American music run deep, and his fifteen-year tenure with the Band helped to cement his status as a Master of the Telecaster guitar. Come hang with Jim and I in his man-cave as I learn more about his amazing career. Go to Jim's website to check his current tour schedule with the Weight Band: jimweider.com.

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