353 - Felix Cavaliere

Felix Cavaliere is one of the greatest American musicians and songwriters. A legendary singer-songwriter synonymous with peace, love and happiness, Felix Cavaliere is a founding member of the Young Rascals, shortened to the Rascals. The songs are some of the best in popular recorded music: "Good Lovin'," "I've Been Lonely Too Long," "How Can I Be Sure," "A Girl Like You," and "People Got to be Free," which continue to get radio airplay to this day. Felix Cavaliere is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. A great performer you can see him and his band performing Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 8:00 P.M. at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia and Friday, January 10th at 7:00 P.M. at the Southwest Florida Event Center in Bonita Springs, Florida. Future concert dates can be found at felixcavalieremusic.com

#352 - Jeff Bridges Jan 06, 2020

Show notes

352 - Jeff Bridges

I have cherished all of the interviews I've been able to conduct through the years. How could I forget interviewing Jeff Bridges when I was just starting out? It was the spring of 2005. At the time I was listening to Jeff Bridges debut album "Be Here Soon," which is a great collection of atypical songs. I still love that record. At the time I was hosting a radio program on Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville and would spin his stuff. Jeff was kind enough to do this interview by phone. He's always been nice to me through the years and was more than patient with my fledgling show. I invite you listen.

#351 - Gary Adams Jan 03, 2020

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351 - Gary Adams

If you like true stories and the good old kind of country music, Gary Adams is about as great of an interview subject as you could get. An instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter, he is known as one of the famed Adams Brothers who are all involved in country music. He is heavily associated with the late Johnny Paycheck and the late George Jones having toured and worked with both. As a guitarist he also played for Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Johnny Marty Robbins, Charlie Walker, Little Jimmy Dickens, Paul Wayne and Barbara Fairchild just to name a few. As a songwriter, his work was covered by Johnny Paycheck and co-wrote one of the last songs recorded by Marty Robbins. Gary was even made into a cartoon appearing in the George Jones and Johnny Paycheck episodes of "Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus." It is a great honor and a privilege to welcome the great Gary Adams on The Paul Leslie Hour.

#350 - Susan Bennett Jan 01, 2020

Show notes

350 - Susan Bennett

It's a new year and a new decade. For the first episode of the New Year, we quite possibly the world's most recognizable and heard voice. Susan Bennett is a voice actor and singer who is the original voice of "Siri," the virtual assistant developed for Apple products. Susan Bennett's voice has been used by countless brands and services: Delta Airlines, GPS systems, phone systems, McDonald's, Papa John's and Macy's. She's been featured on CNN, the Queen Latifah Show and even read the Top 10 List on The Late Show with David Letterman. As a vocalist she's backed up the late Roy Orbison and the great composer Burt Bacharach. With her husband Rick Hinkle, she performs in the band "Boomers Gone Wild."

Not only does Susan Bennett have one of the most pleasant voices on the planet, but what she has to say is thoughtful and soulful. There is much to be learned from her. I am honored to have met her and share this interview we had together.

#349 - Bobby Braddock Dec 30, 2019

Show notes

349 - Bobby Braddock

It's the grand finale interview of 2019, the last one of this decade. Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, with a man who has been called "arguably the greatest country songwriter of all time." Dolly Parton called him a "songwriter's songwriter." One of only a few people to be an inductee all three of these "halls" of fame: the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the national Songwriters Hall of Fame. My guest Bobby Braddock has been writing songs for more than 50 years and continues to this day. Some of the artists who have recorded his work would include George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Tanya Tucker, Bill Anderson, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Paycheck, John Conlee, Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare, Nancy Sinatra, George Strait, Toby Keith, Bill Currington, Joe Nichols and Blake Shelton. Some of his songs are almost as famous as their singers: "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," "Golden Ring," and "I Wanna Talk About Me."

It is a great honor to present an interview with songwriter, record producer, and author Bobby Braddock, a man called "The King of Tears," by Malcolm Gladwell. It's a fascinating interview from one of the greatest storytellers to pick up pen and paper.

#348 - Bill Payne of Little Feat Dec 27, 2019

Show notes

348 - Bill Payne

After interviewing Shaun Murphy, Richie Hayward, Kenny Gradney, Sam Clayton, Paul Barrere, and Fred Tackett of Little Feat...I now bring you the grand finale with founding member Bill Payne, which I recorded backstage in Atlanta, Georgia before a great concert. He is considered one of the greatest rock 'n roll pianists around and the number of artists and bands he has worked with is astounding: Toto, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, James Taylor and may more. Some of you have heard him as a guest with Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band whom he has recorded with. In the interview we talked about the Little Feat album, "Join the Band" and also his solo album "Cielo Norte." Enjoy the interview with a very pensive and intelligent man. Bill Payne will inspire you as much as he did me!

#347 - Fred Tackett of Little Feat Dec 25, 2019

Show notes

347 - Fred Tackett

Fred Tackett is a guitarist, mandolinist and trumpeter with Little Feat. This interview was recorded and broadcast in 2008 in a 7-part radio series about Little Feat. A very talented man, his association with Little Feat goes back to the very beginning when he was friends with Little Feat founder, the late great Lowell George. He was always a friend of the band, contributing session work and songwriting. In 1988 he became a full-time member of Little Feat. He has recorded with artists ranging from Tom Waits, Ringo Starr, Jimmy Webb, Bob Dylan and the Allman Brothers. He is also a solo artist who has released his own albums and with the late Paul Barrere he performed in the acoustical duo Paul and Fred.

#346 - Paul Barrere of Little Feat Dec 23, 2019

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346 - Paul Barrere

Paul Barrere was a guitarist, singer and songwriter with the band Little Feat. Born July 3, 1948, he passed away October 26, 2019. This interview was recorded and broadcast on the radio in 2008. He was also a solo artist, and member of the Paul and Fred: The Acoustic Duo. He joined me by telephone to talk about his perspectives on the band Little Feat and "Join the Band," the album they were releasing at the time. His musical beginnings and memories were discussed in this interview.

#345 - Sam Clayton of Little Feat Dec 20, 2019

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345 - Sam Clayton

Sam Clayton has been a conga player and supporting vocalist with Little Feat since 1972. He was introduced to the band by his friend Kenny Gradney (with whom he had played backing Delaney & Bonnie). Sam Clayton was also the conga player with Jimmy Buffett before Ralph MacDonald. He joined us in this interview to talk about his musical life with both Little Feat and the Coral Reefer Band. He shared with us his influences, his thoughts on the Little Feat album "Join the Band." He shares memories of starting with Little Feat as well as reminiscing about the late great Ed Bradley.

#344 - Kenny Gradney of Little Feat Dec 18, 2019

Show notes

344 - Kenny Gradney

We recorded this interview with bassist Kenny Gradney backstage at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, Georgia. Kenny Gradney has been the bassist of Little Feat ever since the ‘Dixie Chicken’ album. A native of Louisiana, he replaced Little Feat's founding bassist in 1972. He has recorded and performed with a great number of artists ranging from Delaney and Bonnie, Warren Zevon, Bob Weir and many more famed acts. I hope you enjoy this interview with the congenial Kenny Gradney of Little Feat.