Music
**The Paul Leslie Hour**

For 22 years, The Paul Leslie Hour has been about one thing: helping people tell their stories. From legends of arts and entertainment to today’s cultural voices, Paul Leslie brings conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. New episodes every week.

Latest Episodes:

#633 - Tony Butala of the Lettermen Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

#633 - Tony Butala of The Lettermen

The Tony Butala of The Lettermen Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

This episode features a free-form interview Paul had with vocalist Tony Butala. Butala has been the lead singer for The Lettermen since 1958. Tony is now the sole founding, original member. As you’ll hear in this interview, Tony Butala has a unique outlook on life. You’re going to enjoy listening!

Hey, did you know that you can help keep The Paul Leslie Hour going? There’s a lot that goes into perpetuating and archiving all of these many interviews. You can keep the show going by going to thepaulleslie.com and then click on “Support the Show,” Thanks to everyone who is contributing!

Now let’s get into the interview. Here’s Paul Leslie with the legendary Tony Butala of The Lettermen.

The Paul Leslie Hour is a talk show dedicated to “Helping People Tell Their Stories.” Some of the most iconic people of all time drop in to chat. Frequent topics include Arts, Entertainment and Culture.

Support The Paul Leslie Hour by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-paul-leslie-hour

#632 - Bob Gaudio Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

#632 - Bob Gaudio

The Bob Gaudio Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

On this episode, we present an interview with Bob Gaudio, Hall of Fame songwriter and founding member of the Four Seasons. Bob is one of America’s most successful and celebrated songwriters. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame has said that “The Four Seasons” were the most popular rock ‘n roll band before The Beatles.

Gaudio is also a record producer, and former keyboard player and vocalist, but he’s perhaps best known for his songwriting. He wrote “Sherry” the first #1 hit for The Four Seasons, along with “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and many others.

Through the years, Bob Gaudio’s songs have been recorded by other artists like Nina Simone, Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack, Barry Manilow, The Temptations, Diana Ross and Frank Sinatra.

Did you know The Paul Leslie Hour is made possible by listeners just like you? Want to help keep these interviews going? Go to http://www.thepaulleslie.com and click on "support the show." Thank you to everyone who is contributing.

Now, let's get into the interview right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Support The Paul Leslie Hour by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-paul-leslie-hour

#631 - Herb Reed of The Platters Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

#631 - Herb Reed of The Platters

The Herb Reed of The Platters Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

We dug through the archives to pull out an interview that was thrilling. This is an interview with Herb Reed, founding member of the legendary vocal group: The Platters. They just don’t make groups like that anymore. Herb Reed was born in 1928 and passed away in 2012, but in those years he took the stage to sing for countless people. And the records made by The Platters stand the test of time.

Did you know what makes the broadcast of these precious interviews a reality? Well, it’s folks just like you. Go to thepaulleslie.com and click on support the show. Thanks to everyone who is contributing.

And now we take you back to that day, when Paul was honored and humbled to speak with Mr. Herb Reed, the man who helped found and named…The Platters.

#630 - Jimmie Vaughan Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

#630 - Jimmie Vaughan

Jimmie Vaughan is a special guest on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Jimmie Vaughan is one of the blues leading purveyors, practitioners and players. He's one of the foremost guitarists, a one of a kind singer, a gifted songwriter and recording artist.

His 5-CD box set "The Jimmie Vaughan Story" is out now, and contains a great variety of material. Check it out on lastmusic.co.uk and on jimmievaughan.com

It's great to get some of the Jimmie Vaughan story on this episode... directly from Jimmie Vaughan himself!

#629 - Connie Francis Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

#629 - Connie Francis

Connie Francis brings in 18 years of The Paul Leslie Hour.

She is one of the most electrifying and illuminating singers the world has ever known. Connie Francis is in a class by herself. She is one of the most prolific recording artists and has sang in several languages (English, German, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, Japanese).

She is one of the great all-time concert draws. Since her 1958 debut LP "Who's Sorry Now," Connie Francis has one of the most impressive recording careers ever.

It's a great pleasure to welcome a legend who somehow manages to remain humble. The legendary Connie Francis is right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

#628 - Oleg Frish Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

#628 - Oleg Frish

The Oleg Frish Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Oleg Frish is a unique personality. He is a TV and Radio host, a singer, a journalist and a peppy, sunny, positive man. Oleg was born in the former Soviet Union and during his childhood fell in love with American music.

20 years ago he came to the United States to embark on a career in television and radio. He started his TV show "Time Out" on NTV, a leading Russian TV channel headquartered in the United States. Through the years he interviewed the likes of James Brown, B.B. King, Connie Francis, Engelbert Humperdinck, Paul Anka, Al Martino, John Kander, Petula Clark, Whoopie Goldberg and Gloria Gaynor.

Many of his program's guests noted his passion for singing and encouraged him to record an album. Backed by the Patrick Williams Big Band, his album BRING ME SUNSHINE is a collection of songs from the great American Songbook. Patrick Williams arranged and conducted both of Frank Sinatra's Duets albums. The album was recorded at the Capitol Studios in LA.

We invite you to listen to our interview with Oleg Frish, right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

#627 - Jim Collins Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

#627 - Jim Collins

Jim Collins is a special guest on The Paul Leslie Hour.

The guest on this episode of The Paul Leslie Hour is one of country music's top songwriters. Jim Collins is a Nashville based, Texas born hit songwriter. Collins is a singer, live performer and recording artist, but is perhaps best known for the songs he wrote that were recorded by other artists. You may recognize some of Jim Collins' wildly successful songs.

Kenny Chesney recorded "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven," "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy," among others. Collins co-wrote "It Just Comes Natural," the title track of George Strait's album. Collins wrote "Big Green Tractor" recorded by Jason Aldean, "Yes for Chad Brock.

Some of the other artists to record his songs include Gretchen Wilson, Terri Clark, Montgomery Gentry, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Dwight Yoakam, Don Williams, Ronnie Milsap and so many others. This episode is a great look at a writer of some truly remarkable songs.

Jim Collins is right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

The Paul Leslie Hour - Helping People Tell Their Stories is a talk show with new episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Some of the most iconic people of all time drop in to chat. Frequent topics include Arts, Entertainment and Culture.

#626 - Tommy Hunt Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

#626 - Tommy Hunt

The Tommy Hunt Interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Tommy Hunt is an American soul/Northern soul singer. Formerly a member of the legendary vocal group The Flamingos, he sang on the hit song "I Only Have Eyes for You."

At the time of this interview, Mr. Hunt was living in the United Kingdom. These days Tommy Hunt is a songwriter and hopes to return to the United States someday to sing for his home country.

Tommy Hunt is one in a million. Enjoy his interview, right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

#625 - Charles Pope of the Tams Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

#625 - Charles Pope of The Tams

The Charles Pope of The Tams interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

The Tams are one of the greatest vocal groups of all-time! Known for their hit songs like “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy”, “What Kind of Fool”, and “I’ve Been Hurt,” the group was founded in Atlanta, Georgia more than 50 years ago.

This interview with founding member Charles Pope was originally broadcast over the radio. It was recorded at the Pilgreen's restaurant, just south of Atlanta. The interview documents his career and life in music with the fabulous Tams.

Charles Pope passed away in 2013. The interview has been remastered for your listening enjoyment. Thank you for listening.

#624 - Otis Williams of The Temptations Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

#624 - Otis Williams of The Temptations

The Otis Williams special is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour.

Dr. Otis Williams is the sole surviving founding member of the world famous vocal group The Temptations. The Temptations are a huge part of American music, now celebrating 60 years. They're still going strong!

With legendary performances and some of the most recognizable records ever, the Temptations are always a thrill. This year is now exception. Otis Williams and Smokey Robinson recently joined forces on the terrific single "Is It Gonna Be Yes or No." Check it out, it's fantastic.

This interview was originally broadcast on the radio prior to The Temptations and the Four Tops performing in concert in Atlanta, Georgia. I'll never forget being able to interview this legendary artist. Enjoy the interview!