393 - Liz Sheridan

Today’s a great day because it is Liz Sheridan’s birthday. I’m bringing out this interview with her in celebration. She is most known for her role as Helen Seinfeld, mother of Jerry Seinfeld in the hit sitcom “Seinfeld.” Liz Sheridan is an actress and the author of the book “Dizzy and Jimmy: My Life with James Dean, a Love Story.” The book tells the story of her love affair with the late actor James Dean. Liz Sheridan’s father Frank Sheridan was a classical pianist and her mother Elizabeth Poole-Jones was a concert singer. Her show business beginnings were in dance. Liz Sheridan’s first major role was on the show ALF, as nosy neighbor Raquel Ochmonek. Originally broadcast on the radio, here is our interview with the very talented and very sweet Liz Sheridan!

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.

#392 - Alex Harvey Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

392 - Alex Harvey

On this particular show we’ll be celebrating the songwriter Alex Harvey. Mr. Harvey was born in 1947 and passed away on April 4, 2020. A singer-songwriter, performing and recording artist, he is most known for the hit songs he wrote "Delta Dawn," (recorded by Tanya Tucker and Helen Reddy) "Reuben James," (recorded by Kenny Rogers) "Hell and High Water" (recorded by T. Graham Brown). Kenny Rogers had a particular love for Alex Harvey's songs and recorded 18 of his songs, including "Making Music for Money" also recorded by Jimmy Buffett. The songs he wrote recorded in excess of 50 million copies. Other artists who interpreted his work include Sammy Davis, Jr., Dusty Springfield, Henry Mancini, Andy Williams, Eydie Gorme, Peggy Lee, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Billy Ray Cyrus and so many others.

As a performer and recording artist he had a devoted following. I found interviewing him to be an uplifting experience. He had a good spirit and was known as a loving person. I hope you enjoy this interview we did and that it inspires you to listen to some of his great songs.

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.

#391 - Sheldon Harnick Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

391 - Sheldon Harnick

On this particular sojourn, we welcome one of the renowned lyricists in musical theatre, Sheldon Harnick. Originally from Chicago he is regarded and revered as a legendary songwriter. A lot of his most beloved work he cowrote with composer Jerry Bock. Possibly the most beloved and famous musical he worked on would be Fiddler on the Roof, which debuted on Broadway in 1964. "Fiddler on the Roof" was the first run in theatre history to go more than 3,000 performances.He has written with some of the greatest composers ever, not just Jerry Bock, but also Richard Rodgers, Joe Raposo and Michel Legrand. Some of Harnick's other musicals you may know of would include Fiorello, She Loves Me, Tenderloin. For those who are interested, there have been recordings of him singing his songs. The Kingston Trio, Sarah Brightman.

Join us as we venture Into the mind of a lyrical genius, right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

#390 - George Shapiro Apr 03, 2020

Show notes

390 - George Shapiro

This interview George Shapiro gave is glorious. He is one of the most influential talent managers in entertainment and a television producer. He's represented the best of the best and some of the funniest people in history: Jerry Seinfeld, Carl Reiner, the late Andy Kaufman and others. George Shapiro produced the television show "Seinfeld," called by many the greatest sitcom of all time. With his late partner Howard West, he formed Shapiro/West Productions, a successful management and production company.

George Shapiro is instrumental in bringing entertainment and comedy to the masses and credits a lot of his worldview to his beginnings in The Bronx. Talking to him feels like grabbing coffee or lunch with an old friend. He is an amalgamation of energy and optimism with a joyful perspective that the world needs. He's right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

#389 - Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

389 - Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny

It was just the other day I asked the question on Facebook, what is your all time favorite instrumental song, you’re all time favorite instrumental tune. There were more than 200 comments. I appreciate every single answer. There were some good ones, great answers and some that I wasn’t familiar with. One answer came up quite a few times. It was mentioned by Wayne Myers, Jef Bredemeier, Cameron Hunter, Quinn Loggins and Barron Ruth so far. It’s a very famous tune. It’s been covered masterfully by a lot of acts…some of the acclaimed versions were recorded by the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Larry Carlton, Jake Shimabukuro, Jeff Beck, The Ventures, my favorite of course is the original… by Santo & Johnny. It’s probably one of the most well known, beloved, played instrumentals of all time. NO exaggeration. You know the song. You’ve heard it. I remember seeing or hearing it in a Publix commercial and being mesmerized. It’s been in movies, on television shows, it’s probably playing somewhere in the world right now!

I remember talking to Doyle Grisham, well known as the steel guitarist in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. He said he loved playing that song and it always got a great reaction. Talk about being influential too. You know the Stephen King movie Sleepwalkers, the song also influenced the Beatles song “Sun King” appeared on the Abbey Road album.

Johnny Farina likes to be identified only as Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny because he likes to remember his legacy. He and his brother Santo Farina composed and recorded the song “Sleepwalk,” which is the most famous instrumental song of all time. In the world of the steel guitar, Santo & Johnny are legendary!

It was a real honor to talk to Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny and I hope one day soon we get the chance to talk again.

#388 - Marshall Chapman Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

388 - Marshall Chapman

Marshall Chapman is one of the absolute greatest American songwriters and a one of a kind vocalist. I had pursued an interview with her for years, and finally an interview took place in Decatur, Georgia at Eddie's Attic. Her album Big Lonesome was one of the greatest albums released in 2011 and was a memorial to the great songwriter Tim Krekel. She had also released a book entitled "They Came to Nashville." Chapman has released acclaimed studio and live albums and has written songs recorded by everyone from Irma Thomas, Jimmy Buffett, John Hiatt, Tanya Tucker, Ronnie Milsap and others.

#387 - Tim Krekel Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

387 - Tim Krekel

Originally broadcast on the radio many years ago, the Tim Krekel interview is being brought out now. This is an interview recorded in the hotel room of Tim Krekel prior to a performance he did with Marshall Chapman and Tommy Womack. A man from Louisville, Kentucky, he was born October 10, 1950 and he passed away June 24, 2009. Tim Krekel was a singer, songwriter, guitar player and by all accounts a very kind, sweet man.

He was a very unique recording artist and had a unique sound that was a nice blend of rock, country, some blues and what they now call Americana. Krekel wrote songs that were recorded by other people: Alan Jackson, Crystal Gayle, Martina McBride, Patty Loveless, and he also toured with Jimmy Buffett as a member of the Coral Reefer Band. he wrote a song with Jimmy Buffett called Morris’ Nightmare that appeared on the iconic live album "You Had To Be There!" He wrote with a lot of great songwriters: Marshall Chapman, Matraca Berg, Danny O’Keefe and others.

I hope you enjoy this interview with a great artist who has left us all with incredible songs.

#386 - Arthur Hamilton Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

386 - Arthur Hamilton

This is a rare and in-depth interview with Arthur Hamilton, legendary songwriter of the standard "Cry Me a River," along with other songs like "She Needs Me," "Sing a Rainbow," and "Rain Sometimes." Recorded in May of 2016, this interview was originally broadcast on the radio. Hamilton's songs have been recorded by the likes of Julie London, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Barbra Streisand, Diana Krall, Andy Williams, Bobby Darin, Nina Simone, Bette Midler, Marvin Gaye, Shirley Horn and countless others. It's a great interview from a master songwriter! It's here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

#385 - Pablo Dylan Returns Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

385 - Pablo Dylan Returns

The interview was supposed to happen in person, while Pablo Dylan's tour with Mod Sun. The international Coronavirus pandemic caused the tour to be delayed. Pablo Dylan is a singer-songwriter, performing and recording artist. The stories he tells are enthralling and the melodies are different and alluring. His debut full-length album "Notes from Columbia" was released February 21, 2020 and is a listener's delight. We spoke by phone to discuss the album and other topics including what's been on everyone's mind. Tune into The Paul Leslie Hour.

#384 - Tommy Emmanuel Mar 20, 2020

Show notes

384 - Tommy Emmanuel

The road lead me to Birmingham, Alabama at the Lyric Theatre. I was with Tommy Emmanuel in his dressing room interviewing him and you are invited to hear what transpired. Tommy Emmanuel has composed, recorded and performed music that really captures the imagination. Born in Australia in 1955, his music has resonated with people of all ages around the globe. He is a respected guitarist, a songwriter, interpreter of songs, a performer and recording artist. An interview with Tommy Emmanuel was requested by both the listeners, but also by other musicians. He has an album coming out this may simply entitled Tommysongs. That's one word. Listen to an interview with a humble, inspiring, and very energetic musician. Ladies and gentlemen, it's a great pleasure to welcome the one and only Tommy Emmanuel, Certified Guitar Player!