Spotlight Conversations

Marty Scott, 'George Harrison' of Beatles tribute band 'Liverpool Legends' talks tours, McCartney and how George's sister Louise kick-started the band 16.06.2026 17min

Today I'm in the studio with Chicago native Marty Scott, who plays George Harrison in Liverpool Legends, a world-renowned Beatles tribute band. The group, hand-picked by Louise Harrison, the sister of George, is the Grammy nominated band - famous for its note-for-note musical accuracy for literally every Beatles tune from the Magical Mystery Tour! (Get concert info at Liverpool Legends). Marty fills us in on everything you ever wanted to know about this amazing tribute band, from its history ...

Texas storyteller Mike Vance talks Lone Star State history with his new 'Duckworth Historical Crime' book series 20.05.2026 8min

In the big state of Texas today with local Houston-based historian and storyteller Mike Vance. A leading voice in Lone Star State history, Mike comes from 16 year media career in stand-up comedy and broadcasting and always manages to seamlessly mix in his comedy and deep historical research with his writing - with entertaining reselts! His recent books (a diverse catalog of 13!) cover true crime, regional Texas history, sports history and humor. Bring your love of Texas to the podcast studio ...

Writer Amy Ephron talks writing style, building characters and her new book Unseasonably Cold 19.05.2026 17min

In Los Angeles today with acclaimed author, journalist and screenwriter Amy Ephron (A Cup of Tea: A Novel of 1917 and One Sunday Morning) talking about her tenth novel Unseasonably Cold - which chronicles the mysterious disappearance of a popular socialite who vanishes without a trace - set against the backdrop of 1939 New York. Join us as Amy discusses everything from her unique writing style, creating characters, to growing up in one of America's most celebrated, close-knit litera...

Houston entrepreneur Pete Owens talks concerts, community and his new venue Coffee House Houston 14.05.2026 11min

In the Houston studio today local entrepreneur Pete Owens, talking about his new concert venue Coffee House Houston. Not just any venue however; this place is happening and Pete is here to tell you why! The volunteer-run nonprofit organization has brought a whole new vibe to the community - by bringing in live music and arts to the heart of Houston. Along with info about upcoming singer-songwriter acts such as Marshall Crenshaw and Joe Ely, Pete explains how his new and intimate live music se...

Award winning writer Annie Zaleski writes about the one-of-a-kind "Goddess of Pop' icon known as Cher 22.04.2026 9min

Visiting with journalist Annie Zeleski (Lady Gaga: Appplause; Pink: Raise Your Glass) about her new book 'I Got You Babe: A Celebration of Cher'. Featuring a forward by Cyndi Lauper, Annie writes in depth about the fearless, down-to-earth "Goddess of Pop": how Cher started in the entertainment business, key moments in her life and career; her 50-year friendship with fellow diva Tina Turner, the Bob Mackie "revenge dress"for the 1998 Oscars; and let's not forget the video the U.S.Navy wi...

Emmy Award winning music journalist Alan Light on why we love Fleetwood Mac in his new book 'Don't Stop' 21.04.2026 10min

In the studio today with rock journalist Alan Light, who drops by to talk about his new book 'Don't Stop - Why We (Still) Love Fleetwood Mac's Rumours' (available now wherever books are sold) and I gotta say, prior to this interview, I had my studio turntable rockin' with every Fleetwood Mac/Buckingham Nicks song ever made! The former senior writer at Rolling Stone and author of The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen; Let's Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain and more, talks about t...

Texas writer Mike Vance talks laughter and sports in his new book 'Comedians Talking Baseball' 25.03.2026 11min

It's the start of baseball season and what better way to bring in this American rite of passage than to invite a writer to the podcast to talk about - you guessed it - baseball! Writer Mike Vance's new book 'Comedians Talking Baseball' features 40 professional stand-up comedians (including Robert Wuhl and comedy celebs from Seinfeld, Saturday Night Live, and The Tonight Show) sharing poignant stories about comedy and baseball. Mike writes about personal memories, jokes, and true baseball hist...

Bass player George Bunnell of Strawberry Alarm Clock talks new music, psychedelic music, and their swingin' gig at Whisky A Go Go 26.02.2026 13min

Revving up the 'way back machine' today with one of my fave 60s rock groups Strawberry Alarm Clock (Incense and Peppermints; Rainey Day Mushroom Pillow) with bass player for the band, George Bunnell! We start off talking about their new album 'Monsters' (and catch their follow up tune 'Blow Your Mind', also available at their website). Listen in as we talk about the early days of their music (where did the band's name come from you ask?), working with the late Ed King (who went on to work wit...

Talent agent Albert Bramante of Bramante Artists talks performance, AI, voiceovers and how getting out of your head will help at your next audition 03.02.2026 18min

In the Big Apple today to chat with the smart and savvy talent agent Albert Bramante of Bramante Artists - and he covers it all when it comes to the present AND future state of the voiceover industry! Not only is he a hypnotherapist, he also holds a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology (his dissertation - "Correlation between Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy, Personality, Fear of Success, and Self-Defeating Behaviors of Performing Artists" from Walden University), so with all that understanding of how a per...

Actor Phil Proctor and Writer Samuel Warren Joseph talk comedy, film and their new children's book 'The Magic Maze Trilogy' 06.01.2026 28min

Starting the New Year with more than a few laughs with two talented entertainers, who've written a new children's book 'The Magic Maze Trilogy': actor Phil Proctor (founding member of the Grammy nominated Firesign Theatre; Window of Opportunity, God Help Us - AND he's also the voice of 'Howard' on the animated series Rugrats!) along with writer Samuel Warren Joseph (Off Your Rocker, Campaign, Window of Opportunity, Duck Tales, Dennis the Menace). Join us as we discuss their new book, how they...

Talking with Ted Widmer, editor for Paul McCartney's new book 'Wings: The Story Of A Band On The Run' 16.12.2025 9min

Historian and biographer Ted Widmer is the editor of Paul McCartney's new book "Wings: The Story Of A Band On the Run' - is not only a vivid account of Paul's music after the Beatles broke up, but it's also about his second act of life on the road - and in the studio - with his new band Wings. As a respected historian and writer, Widmer shapes McCartney's story into an engaging narrative (I couldn't stop reading it!) with personal stories of the beginnings of Wings to the cultural and s...

Vocalist Nick Heyward of British pop band Haircut 100 talks music, the 80s and touring with Howard Jones 09.12.2025 8min

Nick Heyward, frontman of Haircut 100, is currently touring the US alongside Howard Jones as part of Jone's 2025 'Dream Into Action" anniversary tour, and Nick stops by the studio to talk 80's music, tourning with Howard and more! Nick discusses all the excitement at the start of the tour, held at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, along with talk about the classic Haircut energy style of music he and his bandmates are famous for! Listen in as we discuss the band's early hits from the ...

Kody Frederick from Julien's Auctions discusses the 'Played, Worn & Torn' auction featuring cool collections of legendary rock stars 20.11.2025 9min

In the studio with Kody Frederick, Director and Head of Marketing at Julien's Auctions, and we are talking about a special 'Played, Worn & Torn' auction featuring the personal collections of Adam Clayton, Kirk Hammett and Tommy Lee (just imagine if U2, Metallica and Motley Crew all in one concert!! Whew!) The auction takes place November 20 and 21 ONLY (limited time) with not only memorabilia from the above mentioned rockstars, but the auction also features over 800 pieces of music and st...

USAF fighter pilot Michelle 'Mace' Curran talks Thunderbirds, courage, and her new book 'The Flipside' 20.11.2025 10min

Welcome back subscribers! We are flight deck ready in the studio today for my interview with Michelle 'Mace' Curran, the second woman in history to serve as lead solo pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds! Courage and strength is the focus of our interview today - and with 2,000 hours of F-16 flying time, Michelle knows what really leads up to that character trait of 'being brave' in her new book 'The Flipside'. We discuss how her book shows you how to convert fear into big time cou...

Television personality Rhonda Shear revives her late-night cult classic 'Up All Night' and tells why glam and camp make life oh so better 30.10.2025 10min

Hanging out in Florida today with the always entertaining comedienne, television personality and actress Rhonda Shear! It's a few days before that last night in October, and let me tell ya - the holiday just got a whole lot more thrilling when Rhonda starts talking about the all-new revival of 'Up All Night'. Join me when I sit down with Rhonda - aka THE Scream Queen - as she talks about her 'reVAMPed' Halloween edition of her iconic ’90s aforementioned TV hit, now streaming exclusively on K...

Big Stir Records dish ghoulish freaky music fun with their new double LP 'Chilling, Thrilling Hooks and Haunted Harmonies" 14.10.2025 17min

In Los Angeles today with Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko of Big Stir Records, who have created the ultimate Halloween mix 'o music! Listen in as we talk about their full on, freaky music double LP "Chilling, Thrilling Hooks and Haunted Harmonies"! This ultimate Halloween soundtrack, with loads of spine chilling audio, blends into spooky vibes with irresistible rock 'n' roll charm that you'll want to hear again and again. Featuring tracks from Librarians With Hickeys, The Spongetones, Straw...

Secret Monkey Weekend in the studio with their new CD 'Lemon Drop Hammer' and why Chris Frantz (Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club) is listening 16.09.2025 20min

In North Carolina today to talk with indie pop rock band 'Secret Monkey Weekend' and yes, if you are taken in by the name, wait till you hear their story - it's even better! Jeff Hart (formerly of Jeff Hart and The Ruins) has now teamed up with his step-daughters Ella Hart and Lila Brown Hart, put together some new music, and came up with a new album 'Lemon Drop Hammer'. As they bring in new fans while wrapping up their summer tour on the east coast, they've also brought in fans in the music ...

Houston's tech house band darkEntity talks music, club DJ's and their new single 'Rewind' 09.09.2025 14min

Back in Houston today to talk with Michael Casiano and Andrew Rubio, who make up the dance music band of darkEntity. Their story - college students' planning to compose music and maybe do some music scoring - turned out to change a little - ok A LOT - to being club DJ's and going the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) route! Listen in as we talk about their music, how they started, how being a DJ in a club is not anything like being a DJ at a radio station (right?!) plus hear about their new single...

Musician Chris Church with Big Stir Records talks about his North Carolina roots, new albums, and songwriting inspiration 27.08.2025 11min

Just outside Lenoir, North Carolina today to chat with singer/songwriter Chris Church, who's been a part of the global pop indie rock music scene for over 30 years. Inspired by Carolina bands The dB's and Let's Active from Winston-Salem, Chris's diverse path to the songwriting studio comes together in his new CD 'Obsolete Path', which we talk about inside the interview. We also discuss his earliest musical influence: his grandfather playing with bluegrass legend Doc Watson (what a introductio...

Christopher 'Play' Martin of hip-hop duo 'Kid 'n Play' talks music, Hall of Fame inductions and the bonds of friendship 20.08.2025 10min

In Queens today, talking with Christopher Martin, also known as 'Play' from the successful hip-hop group 'Kid 'n Play'! Christopher shares the stories about their contributions to a vibrant musical genre of hip-hop, which brought not only great music from the duo - 'Fun House', 'Rolllin' with Kid 'n Play' and 'Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody' - but who could forget those cool movies like 'House Party' and of course 'Class Act'. We talk about music and the early days, too, including his childhood meet...