Icon Fetch

Iain Matthews fronted the influential British band, Fairport Convention for their first three albums before embarking on a solo career that's lasted almost 60 years. With Matthews Southern Comfort he scored a hit cover version of Joni Mitchell's “Woodstock” in 1970, had a solo hit in 1979 with “Shake It,” and the Eagles' borrowed his arrangement of the Steve Young song, “Seven Bridges Road” for their live album. After saying he was done making solo albums, here he is with How Much is Enough, on Sunset Boulevard Records.  Whether this is his last, who knows?  But it's damn good to hear him again.

The dB's, originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, issued a pair of albums in the early Eighties that were at times both jangly and melodic, and quirky and inventive. Unfortunately, neither album saw a release in America at the time - instead getting issued by the UK label Albion. Now, over 40 years later, they're issuing the dB's debut record, Stands for Decibels, on Propeller Sound Recordings, streaming, CD, and for the first time ever in the US, vinyl. From the band, we chat with singer/guitarist Peter Holsapple, who talks about what went into reissuing this lost classic, recorded on a shoe-string budget over 4 decades ago, and the clever packaging of the CD. He also reveals plans for their second album, Repercussion, to get reissued as well.Holsapple toured with R.E.M. as a multi instrumentalist in the 1990's. He talks about watching the band's interview on CBS Sunday Morning, commemorating their induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

The Fabulous Thunderbirds are an American treasure, formed in Austin, Texas in 1974, the band developed an infectious blend of blues and rock that hit pay dirt with songs like “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap it Up” from 1986. The group is celebrating their 50th anniversary with the release of Struck Down, their first new material in eight years.  The record features contributions from big name artists like Billy Gibbons, Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal and Elvin Bishop.  The one constant over the 50 years has been powerhouse vocalist Kim Wilson. He tells us why he thinks this is the band's best album to date, plus how he hooked up with the famous guests on the album.

Tommy James has sold over 100 million records, and his impressive string of hits continue to live on in movies, TV shows and commercials - "Hanky Panky," "Mony, Mony," "I Think We're Alone Now," "Crimson & Clover," "Crystal Blue Persuasion," and many more.  His excellent autobiography, "Me, the Mob and the Music" is one of the greatest music books ever written, and is in preproduction to be turned into a major Hollywood movie and Broadway musical.James was our very first guest on Icon Fetch back in April of 2010.  In our new conversation, he gives us updates on the movie, book and musical.  Plus, he talks about unearthing his very first recording, "Long Pony Tail," that even predates "Hanky Panky" by two years.  He also discusses recently recording songs by the Beatles and Supremes.He also discusses his weekly radio show, "Gettin' Together with Tommy James" on Sirius/XM.Tommy James is currently on the road - tour dates and more information can be found at tommyjames.com 

Marshall Chess has a long history in the blues.  His father, Leonard, was one of the co-founders of Chess Records, the influential record label responsible for exposing the music of artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Sonny Boy Williamson to larger audience.  Marshall produced the trailblazing Electric Mud from Muddy Waters, and the Howlin' Wolf Album, both were attempts to reinterpret the blues to then current psychedelic rock era.  He was the first president of Rolling Stones Records, and worked on several films, including Cadillac Records, which was based on his family's record label. Now comes New Moves - The Chess Project, several decades in the making.  Once again, Marshall is reinterpreting the music his family helped nurture, this time for the modern age.  With Keith LeBlanc producing, they've assembled a top-notch collection of musicians, reimagining songs by Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter and more. Marshall also has a YouTube Channel celebrating the Chess history, and a podcast, where he tells many of the great stories of his life. 

Tom Rush pretty much pioneered the folk movement of the early Sixties, issuing his debut album in 1962.  He's also credited with putting compositions by Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor on album for the first time, with his LP The Circle Game in 1968.  We talked with Tom back in 2018 when he issued his album Voices. Well, he's back with his first new record in five years out called Gardens Old, Flowers New.  He talks about how he unearthed one of the songs on the new album from a live recording from 50 years ago. Also, how he wrote a song for his daughter when she was young (now she's grown up), and how he never intended that one to be on an album. He also talks about Rockport Sundays, a program he started during Covid, where he invites many of his musical friends to play and tell stories.

Memphis musician Van Duren was the subject of a recent documentary called Waiting: the Van Duren Story, available to rent at most streaming services.  Omnivore Recordings released an excellent summation of Duren's career in the form of the documentary soundtrack, then issued his first two solo albums in 2020. Next up is Cartwheeling: Live in Memphis, showcasing Duren and his underrated band, Good Question, recorded in an intimate setting amongst friends and family back in 1992.Duren talks about events leading to the concert and why the tapes lay dormant for over 30 years. There's a lot of humor in many of the songs.  He also reveals why they chose to cover "Got To Get You Into My Life."Duren also tells a great story about having Ringo Starr show up at one of his gigs.

The Cowsills are the original family band - formed in 1965, they hit pay dirt with their smash, “The Rain, the Park and Other Things” in 1967. Other hits followed, including “Indian Lake,” “We Can Fly” and “Hair.” They even were the basis for the hit TV show The Partridge Family. After some time apart, the group reformed in the early 90's and has been playing and recording ever since. They've been a fixture on the Happy Together tour for almost a decade, and they just released a brand new album called Rhythm of the World last year. Now, comes A Christmas Offering from the Cowsills. Two of the songs date back to 1992, “Christmastime (Song For Marissa)” and “Some Good Years.” These two songs are joined with a brand-new, acapella version of “Winter Wonderland” - and the EP is now available digitally from Omnivore Recordings. We chat with Susan Cowsill about how Christmas is the favorite holiday of the Cowsill family, the origins of these "lost" holiday tunes, and the prospects of new Cowsill material in 2024.

In her early twenties, Canadian-born Sue Foley trekked down to Austin, Texas and quickly immersed herself in the fertile blues scene there. Since then, she's released 15 albums, garnered tons of awards, including Traditional Blues Female Artist from the Blues Foundation - an award she's taken home three years now.Her latest record is a homecoming of sorts - Live in Austin Volume One takes her back to her roots, recorded at the legendary Continental Club, now out on Guitar Woman Records.We talk about how she went high quality for the recording of this live album, digging back into her roots for some of the songs she chose, and the prospects of a Volume Two coming soon.

Paul Reed Smith is a name synonymous with guitarists worldwide. His PRS line began in the mid Eighties, and ever since then, has produced 1,000's of high-quality instruments. If you've ever played one, you just know. Well, what you might not know is that Smith is also a musician in his own right, who's played with the likes of Santana and the Doobie Brothers. Smith has assembled a group of highly-respected musicians into Eightlock. Featuring three drummers, three guitarists, a bassist, and powerhouse vocalist, Mia Simone Davis, they're issuing their debut album called Lions Roaring in Quicksand, on Steele Records. We talk to Paul about how he assembled this unique lineup of high-caliber musicians, the challenges in recording and playing live with three drummers, and why they chose to cover "War" by Edwin Starr.He also talks about what got him into playing guitar as a young teen.

Danny O'Keefe's best known song is “Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues,” which cracked the Top Ten in 1972. Jackson Browne put O'Keefe's song, “The Road,” on his hugely-successful Running on Empty album. O'Keefe's compositions have been covered by a wide range of artists, from Elvis Presley to Miranda Lambert, from Andy Williams to Ben Harper. His new album, Circular Turns, now out on Sunset Boulevard Records, covers the period from 1999-2017, which saw O'Keefe collaborate with the likes of Bob Dylan, Michael McDonald, Bill Braun, and Fred Knoblach. He also reimagines some of his best songs of the past, like “Angel Spread Your Wings” and “Magdelena.” In addition, there's a second disc featuring an intimate live performance recorded in 2016. O'Keefe talks about what led to this new compilation, and the stories behind some of the songs, including a "collaboration" with Bob Dylan. He also touches on growing up in Washington state and learning from producer Arif Mardin.

Roaring out of New York City comes Popa Chubby with his unique blend of blues, rock and soul. Born Ted Horowitz, he cut his teeth on the late Seventies' NY punk scene, even joining Richard Hell & the Voidoids for awhile. He issued his first album in 1994, and he's never looked back - 38 albums to his credit. For his latest album, Live at G. Bluey's Juke Joint NYC, Chubby took an unique approach: do a live record in a studio, and invite only 50 friends. The result feels like you're onstage with the musicians. Chubby decided to let those friends help pick some of the songs, resulting in an eclectic mix of hits and rarities, some he hadn't played live in years.No overdubs, just Popa Chubby and band, as it happened. We chat with the guitar slinger, who was in the middle of touring Germany during our talk, about stretching out on some of the songs, interacting with the great musicians, and how he feels about rap music and its lineage to the blues.

Formed in 1974 in Boulder, Colorado, Firefall had several big hits on AM radio in the 1970's with “You Are the Woman,” “Just Remember I Love You,” and “Strange Way,” but also were known for their excellent musicianship, which got them played on FM radio, with tracks like "Cinderella," and "Mexico." The band's latest project, Friends and Family, puts a unique twist on the tribute album. Firefall's former and current members have played with many other bands over the years - so you get songs by the Byrds, Spirit, Heart and the Flying Burrito Brothers. They also tackle songs by bands that they toured with, like the Doobie Brothers and Poco. Ultimately, these versions were recorded with the idea of adding something different to the arrangements, turning these familiar tunes into Firefall classics. We talk again to founding member, Jock Bartley, about the care that went into choosing each song and why they were chosen. He also reveals that a Friends and Family 2 is already in the works.

From New Jersey comes the Cucumbers, who had a college radio hit with “My Boyfriend” in the mid-Eighties. The band was part of the Hoboken music scene, which included bands like the Bongos and the dB's. The two constants in the band are the husband and wife team of Jon Fried and Deena Shoshkes, and they have a brand new album out called Old Shoes, and what I love about it is that what made them so great 40 years ago, that quirkiness, is still thankfully intact.We chat how they were able to pull in the services of their son, Jamie, to play drums, but they had to do it quickly. Shoshkes also talks about how her husband decided to play banjo on the album. She also tells us a great story about how she was gifted a guitar from producer Nile Rodgers.

Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88's have been playing their unique brand of “rock a boogie” for some 40 years now. Back in 2017, Woods issued a career-defining album, Friends Along the Way, featuring a stellar lineup of guests, including Van Morrison, Taj Mahal, Ruthie Foster, Maria Muldaur, Elvin Bishop and many others. Problem was, his record label at the time had just decided to focus only on videos, leaving this great album without an audience. Now, he's regained the master recordings and has reissued the album and added five bonus tracks. He and his Rocket 88's are out on the road promoting the reissue.We chat with Woods about how the project got rolling with a "yes" from Van Morrison, plus how he took up residency at the piano bar during the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise

Nashville transplant Maia Sharp has written songs for folks like Cher and Tricia Yearwood, and produced the likes of Art Garfunkel. Her last album, Mercy Rising, was one of our favorite albums. In our review, we called it the “best thing she's ever done.” So, here we are with the followup, her 9th solo album, entitled Reckless Thoughts.She talks about how much fun it was to co-write her catchy, new single, “Kind,” with Dean Fields and Melinda Leigh Smith. How she adds some of the tasty “extras” to her songs in her home studio.She also tells us about how she got involved with Songwriting With Soldiers, where she meets with a veteran or family member, and writes a song about their story.

One of the most recognizable figures in all of rock music, Ian Anderson has led Jethro Tull since it's inception in 1967. With over 30 albums to their credit, selling upwards of 60 million, the band is in rare company. The band just issued a brand-new album, called Rock Flute, and now Anderson is readying the 7 Decades tour, coming to a city near you. Ian talks about how he gets ready for a tour, how he assembles a setlist in each town, and how, surprisingly, he actually books the travel himself. He touches on the creation of his band's latest album, as well as his opinion of AI technology. He also reveals the three Jethro Tull songs he feels he needs to play at every show.

From St. Louis comes Beth Bombara, who's been releasing her own music for about 15 years now. Her latest album, It All Goes Up, is her strongest to date, full of sonic textures and infectious melodies. In her own words, the new project is an attempt to bring in “more light, more hope.” The songs range from the infectious "Everything I Wanted," to the heavy rocker "Give Me a Reason." The album was assembled with her longtime collaborator, Kit Hamon, and features frenetic guitar playing from Sam Golden, as well as a guest appearance by John Calvin Abney.

You may not know the name Raymond Scott, but you've probably heard his music. Many of his compositions have been used, over and over, in the Warner Brothers' Looney Tunes cartoons over the years. Raymond Scott Reimagined is a collaboration between the Quartet San Francisco, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, and the acapella group, Take Six.Gordon Goodwin did new arrangements of Scott classics like “Powerhouse,” and “Toy Trumpet.” In addition, with the help of the Raymond Scott estate, an unfinished composition, “Cutey and the Dragon,” was completed by Goodwin, and included on this set. Goodwin has won four Grammy's, including Best Instrumental Arrangement for Disney's The Incredibles.He talks about how he went about retooling these great compositions for the modern age, working with all the great musicians. We also chat about a recent collaboration with Patti Austin on For Ella 2, and a forthcoming piano duets album where Goodwin plays both parts himself.

Bill Payne, along with Lowell George, formed Little Feat in the early 70's, blending elements of rock, country, blues and New Orleans funk, into an immediately recognizable sound. The band's second album, Sailin' Shoes and their third, Dixie Chicken, have recently been given the deluxe treatment - expanding to triple album sets, including the remastered album, bonus tracks and outtakes, and revelatory live footage. Payne is currently on the road with Little Feat, who later on in the fall will be doing The Albums Tour, choosing one of those two albums and playing them in their entirety each night. Bill has also played with the Doobie Brothers, members of the Grateful Dead and Leftover Salmon.He also talks about writing his memoir, which he hopes to have completed by next year.

Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriting Demos (out now from Stax/Craft Recordings) is a treasure trove of lost soul & R&B recordings from the 60's and early 70's, many of which have never been heard before. Cheryl Pawelski personally had to comb through literally hundreds of hours of recordings in search of these hidden gems. It's a project two decades in the making. The result is a 7-disc set full of surprises - you get nascent versions of songs we know, like “Respect Yourself” and “(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right.”But the real thrill is the set's final three discs: 66 songs that were never released by anyone. Pawelski was working for Concord Music when she began this endeavor. That was 17 years ago. She now runs Omnivore Recordings.We discuss the detective work that went into the project. How she managed to wade through the massive amount of random recordings in search of these soul nuggets. She also talks about attending the box set premiere in Memphis with many of the surviving artists on this collection. Pawelski also give us insight into upcoming releases from Omnivore.

Multi Platinum, Grammy-award winning producer-guitarist Pete Anderson is probably best known as Dwight Yoakam's guitarist from 1986 to 2003. During that time, the duo helped reshape the face of country music. Anderson's worked with a variety of artists, from Lucinda Williams and Michelle Shocked to the Meat Puppets and Roy Orbison. He's taken a lifetime of musical knowledge and experiences, and distilled it into a new book, How To Produce a Record: A Player's Philosophy For Making a Great Recording - out now from Jessee Lee Music.Anderson gives tips that can be applied whether you're in a large studio, or your bedroom.

Like a lot of us, Peter Case found himself with lots of time on his hands during the pandemic. A piano in his living room beckoned him and he started to write songs, a throwback to the rhythm & blues, and boogie woogie he heard as a kid. The result is Doctor Moan, 11-songs, stripped down, without drums, mostly led by his pounding piano.Case was part of the seminal punk band the Nerves in the late 70's, before forming the Plimsouls, who had an MTV hit with “A Million Miles Away,” and a spot in the 80's teen classic, Valley Girl. Since the mid-80's, Case has led an eclectic solo career that's seen him garner three Grammy nominations and lots of accolades. All of his past seeps into the pores of this new, sparse offering, available from Sunset Blvd Records.We chat with Case about how playing the piano during lockdown took him back to his roots as a kid. He also talks about a new documentary about him that should see widespread release soon.

Savoy Brown was one of the longest-running bands of the British blues rock movement. Formed in 1965 by guitarist Kim Simmonds, the band enjoyed sold-out shows, and hit albums on the Billboard charts. The lineup changed, but Simmonds remained constant for 57 years, until his passing in December of 2022. At the time of his death, he had just completed his 42nd album, called Blues All Around. Now, that final word from Savoy Brown is being released through Quarto Valley Records. We welcome in the two remaining members of Savoy Brown, Pat DeSalvo on bass and Garnet Grimm on drums.They talk about working with Simmonds while he was undergoing treatment; he was still giving instructions on how he wanted things to sound from the hospital. They also talk about how he had to adapt his way of playing guitar to accommodate his declining health. Pat and Garnet also reveal possible plans for even more unreleased Savoy Brown material.

Robin McAuley's career has spanned five decades - Grand Prix, Far Corporation, MSG, Survivor, solo records and more recently, the excellent supergroup Black Swan. In fact, the last few years have been some of his most productive to date. He's back with a brand new solo album called appropriately, Alive. He tells us why this album rocks a little harder than the last, and also why there's push and pull between songs like “Alive” and “Dead as a Bone.” He also recently celebrated a big birthday, and reveals plans for the next Black Swan album. Alive comes out Feburary 17 from Frontiers Music

Dar Williams first garnered attention with her song, “When I Was a Boy,” from her album, The Honesty Room, almost 30 years ago. Since then, she's issued nine more studio albums, collaborated with many artists, and written several books. Her latest is How to Write a Song That Matters from Hachette Books, to which fellow songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter says “The wisdom and the lessons she shares will illuminate not only the world of songwriters but anyone who seeks the sustenance of a creative life and practice.”Williams tells us how she went from writing her own songs to teaching others how to write their songs. She reveals that, even if you don't play an instrument, you can still compose a song. She also discusses ways to positively critique other songs, and how to start an open mic.

Doug "Cosmo" Clifford was the drummer for legendary rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival. He and bassist Stu Cook formed Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and helped keep that great music alive on the concert circuit. Since recently retiring, he's continuing to go through his "Cosmos Vault," releasing tapes that he made over the years with his musical buddies.His latest release is California Gold, a collaboration with Derek and the Dominoes' vocalist Bobby Whitlock. The tracks also feature the great Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass.Clifford talks about how he and Whitlock came together, and how, unfortunately, the project never took off. He also give details on the newly released Live at the Royal Albert Hall concert movie from CCR, which is available now to stream on Netflix.

The Cowsills are the original family band. Formed in Rhode Island, the group started out with a trio of brothers: Bill, Bob & Barry, but eventually grew to include brothers John and Paul, sister Susan and mother Barbara. They had big hits with “The Rain, the Park and Other Things,” “Indian Lake,” and “Hair.” The Cowsills were the inspiration for the hit TV series The Partridge Family. Then, years later, the group got their own documentary, “Family Band,” which is available on streaming services.At a time when division is at an all-time high, we need some of that familial harmony once again to bring us together. The Cowsills have regrouped for their first new studio album in almost 30 years, called Rhythm of the World, from Omnivore Recordings.We talk with founding member Bob Cowsill on how he, brother Paul and sister Susan, put this new album project together, with the trio of them writing the bulk of the songs. He reveals how one song was inspired by a saying from Howard Kaylan of the Turtles, another was written about how Hurricane Katrina affected their family.

The Smithereens, formed in 1980, with their unique brand of back-to-basics rock n' roll, seemed the polar opposite of what was being embraced by radio and MTV at the time. Yet, the band became quite popular on both college radio and the fledgling video network, scoring hits with “Behind the Wall of Sleep,” “Only a Memory,” “A Girl Like You” and others. At the dawn of the Nineties, several bands, including Nirvana, began to cite the Smithereens as a major influence on the burgeoning grunge scene. Ironically, Capitol Records dropped the band because they wanted to focus more on grunge bands. In 1993, the band entered the studio without a label, self producing for the first time in many years, laying down a bunch of tracks that were shelved when they signed a new record contract with RCA, eventually issuing A Date With the Smithereens. Now, almost 30 years later, these recordings get a proper release as The Lost Album, from Sunset Blvd Records.We talk with guitarist Jim Babjak about sifting through these 30-year old recordings, and also what's next for the Smithereens.

Omnivore Recordings has become a music fan's dream reissue label. They've done archival releases from the likes of the Beach Boys, Big Star, Raspberries, Jellyfish, Laura Nyro, and NRBQ, just to name a few. Their latest batch of fall releases is diverse: Bakersfield Gold - a two-disc set featuring every Buck Owens' song to hit the Top Ten; Dean Torrence & Friends - The Teammates, tracing the history of the other half of Jan & Dean; and Rhythm of the World - the first new studio album in 30 years from the Cowsills.We chat with label co-heads Cheryl Pawelski and Brad Rosenberger and get insight into how these releases originated, plus what formats they'll be available on. In addition, they give some details on what the label is cooking up next.

If Elvis Presley and the Beatles had a baby it would be Dwight Twilley - that's how one writer described the Tulsa, Oklahoma native, who had top 20 hits with 1975's “I'm on Fire,” and 1984's “Girls.” Twilley has made a career out of making great melodic rock which some call “power pop.” His music continues to be used in popular culture, like his song, “Looking For the Magic,” which was featured prominently in the 2011 horror film You're Next. Sandwiched among those successes is the album Wild Dogs from 1986. Produced by Val Garay, who helmed big albums from the Motels and Linda Ronstadt, the record contains some of Twilley's strongest material of his whole career. But, things got derailed when the head of his record label got indicted on payola charges. Now, Iconoclassic Records has finally put this underappreciated album back in print, including bonus tracks. Twilley talks about working with Kim Carnes on the song, "Hold On, and teaming with partner Phil Seymour one last time for "Shooting Stars." He also tells us how soon we should expect new material from him.

They were the first white group signed to Atlantic Records, the Rascals blazed a trail with what became known as “blue-eyed soul,” with legendary hits like “Good Lovin,” “Groovin,” and “How Can I Be Sure,” but also created songs like “People Gotta Be Free,” which are still socially relevant more than 50 years after they were written. At the heart of the band was singer and organist Felix Cavaliere, who has just written a book - Memoir of a Rascal: From Pelham, NY to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. He talks about his early days in Joey Dee & the Starlighters, how the Rascals got signed to Atlantic Records, and how they found "Mustang Sally" before Wilson Pickett.

At the very peak of the Hippie movement, here comes Sha Na Na to remind everyone that “Rock n' Roll is Here to Stay.” They were the second to last performers at Woodstock, opening for their friend (and fan of the band) Jimi Hendrix. After that prime slot, the band went on to high-profile gigs at the Fillmore, best-selling albums, and even a hit TV show in the mid-Seventies. Sha Na Na ushered in a rock revival that continued with the films American Graffiti, Grease (which they were featured in), and the long-running TV show Happy Days. 20 years after their Woodstock performance, Sha Na Na, along with other performers of the original festival, gathered in California for a reunion concert. For the first time, that historic event has been put on DVD as Sha Na Na's Woodstock: 20 Years After from Liberation Hall. It's also available on CD and download.We talk with founding member, drummer & vocalist, Jocko, from the the band. He walks us through the crazy path Sha Na Na took from college vocal group to the Woodstock stage in just a few short months. He also gives his memories of that crazy festival, and the reunion concert that followed.

Nicki Bluhm hails from Lafayette, California. The singer/songwriter released her first album in 2008. She also was a a part of Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers. Her latest project, Avondale Drive, deals a lot with making a fresh start in life - after a divorce and a relocation to Nashville, Bluhm is ready to make music on her own terms. The new album was produced by Jesse Noah Wilson and features guest appearances from folks like AJ Croce, Oliver Wood, Eric Slick and Jay Bellerose. After listening to her previous work, we think it's her strongest album to date.Note: the chirping you hear throughout the interview is a baby duck that decided to make friends while Bluhm was talking!

Sass Jordan hit pay dirt in the early 90's with rock radio hit albums like Racine and Rats, and songs like “Make You a Believer” and “You Don't Have to Remind Me.” But, she also garnered a Juno award in 1989, and even portrayed Janis Joplin in an off-Broadway musical.While Covid was raging, Sass issued her first all-blues album called Rebel Moon Blues to critical acclaim. Now, she's put together another collection, some originals, some covers, called Bitches Blues from Stony Plain Records.We chat with Sass about playing live in a post-Covid world - how both musicians and the audience need to relearn how to have fun. Plus, how she dug back to her childhood to pick some of the songs on her new record.

They were the first Queen tribute band: Killer Queen was formed in 1993, just a year after Freddie Mercury's passing, and they've been celebrating the legacy of Queen ever since. We chat with frontman Patrick Myers about what got him to form the band in the first place, plus admiring Freddie's moves, and how timeless Queen's music really is. Amazingly, Killer Queen has managed to play some of the very same places that Queen did back in the day.Killer Queen is making a stop at Fraze Pavilion in Kettering on Wednesday, June 29th.

Seth Walker has been issuing music for almost a quarter century. His albums have charted on the blues, Americana and folk charts, showing his diversity as an artist. His latest release, I Hope I Know, is his 11th album, once again produced by longtime collaborator, Jano Rix. We discuss why he chose to relocate from Nashville to Asheville, NC, how an end to a relationship mixed with the worldwide pandemic caused him to look inward, and his excitement of playing overseas.

Michigan born singer/songwriter May Erlewine has been putting out her own music for almost 20 years. She's also released music with the Sweet Water Warblers. Her music has been covered by many artists, including Sawyer Fredericks, who performed her song, “Shine On,” on NBC's The Voice. Her brand new album, Tiny Beautiful Things, deals a lot with the connections between people - something sorely missing during the worldwide Pandemic. In her own words, she says “this album is an invitation to connect with the many ways that love appears in our lives."We talk with Erlewine about the challenges of recording the album remotely. She also gives us the inspiration behind many of the songs on the new record.

Black Swan, a hard rock supergroup featuring Robin McAuley of MSG, Jeff Pilson of Dokken, Reb Beach of Winger and Matt Starr of Mr. Big. The band issued their debut album in 2020 called Shake the World, now they're back with their sophomore release, Generation Mind, once again recorded at Pilson's home studio in L.A.McAuley talks about how Jeff Wayne's musical of War of the Worlds inspired one song, while Jack the Ripper inspired another.

Australia's Hoodoo Gurus have spent the last 40 years blending Troggs'-inspired garage rock with Beatles' soaked melodies done with a New York Dolls' sneer. The band were darlings of college radio during the eighties, and even scored a #1 Modern Rock hit with “Come Anytime,” in 1989. During the pandemic, the guys found themselves on a creative streak and the result is their 10th-long player, Chariot of the Gods, and it's some of the best work they've ever done. We chat with frontman Dave Faulkner about why the large gap between albums, how a drunken night inspired one of the new songs, and the difficulty scheduling a tour during the pandemic.

King, Sun, Motown & Stax - all independent record companies that helped shape the course of popular music. Another such label, 415 Records, emerged in the late Seventies out of San Francisco. Originally, the company just covered the burgeoning punk movement that was happening there, but eventually they expanded, releasing an album by psychedelic pioneer Roky Erickson, then landing videos on MTV with Romeo Void, Translator and the Red Rockers. All of this is documented in Disturbing the Peace - 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave written by Bill Kopp from HoZac Books. Kopp is a lifelong collector, musician and journalist who's first book was called Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to the Dark Side of the Moon.We chat about how he tracked down almost 100 interviews for the book, how he obtained much of the photos, band posters, etc, that help flesh out the story, and the relationship 415 had with Columbia Records that had mixed results at best.

Matt North spent his 20's living and working in LA, writing screenplays, starring opposite James Woods in 2000's Dirty Pictures, and was a guest on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He also became a in-demand session drummer, working with Maria McKee, Peter Case, Blondie Chaplin of the Beach Boys, and others. Eventually, North relocated to Nashville and began working on his own songs. We first talked back in 2017 for his debut solo record, Above Ground Fools. Now comes Bullies in the Backyard, again recorded in his home studio with help from some of his Nashville friends.The album was recorded during a seven-year court battle with his local school system in Nashville over the treatment of his son, who has special needs. North seems to get inspiration for his songs from just about anywhere - from hiding things on the “Top of the Fridge,” to lamenting the high cost of sporting events in “Burial Grounds.” He also tells us how the pandemic actually helped him record his new album.

Marshall Crenshaw's 40 plus year career has included ten studio albums, a US top 40 hit in 1982 with “Someday, Someway,” some collaborations, and some movie appearances. Crenshaw recently regained the rights to several albums he released originally on the Razor & Tie label. We talked to him in 2020 for the first in that series, Miracle of Science. Now comes the reissue of #447. The eleven song album is arguably one of his most adventurous, and is augmented by two newly recorded tracks issued on his own Shiny Tone label.He talks about his struggles with major labels and how being on a smaller one gave him the freedom to do the things he really wanted to do. He also gives us a preview of Deluxe Editions of his first two albums, coming later in the fall.

The Memphis duo of Loveland Duren is made up of singer/songwriter Vicki Loveland and multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Van Duren. Both are veterans of the Memphis scene, with Loveland playing with the likes of Albert Collins and Isaac Hayes, while Duren played with Big Star alum Chris Bell & Jody Stephens before releasing solo material, and with his group, Good Question. The pair teamed up for their debut, Bloody Cupid in 2013, followed by Next in 2016. Now, after literally traveling the world, then not being able to travel due to the pandemic, the pair is back with their most-focused album to date, Any Such Thing.We chat with the duo about what is was like to visit Australia, while on a promo tour for Duren's documentary, and how they managed to keep the album cohesive, despite having to record at several locations.

Orleans, formed in Woodstock, New York in the early Seventies, found success in the middle part of the decade with “Dance with Me” and “Still the One.” Founding member John Hall left in the late Seventies, scoring a Rock Radio hit with “Crazy (Keep on Falling)“ with his John Hall Band in 1981, while the rest of Orleans hit with “Love Takes Time” in 1979. Hall became a US Representative for New York's 19th Congressional District from 2007 to 2011. He documented all of this in Still the One: a Rock n' Roll Journey to Congress and Back. Now, Hall and his band mates in Orleans have put together their first-ever holiday album, called New Star Shining, which even features former lead vocalist Larry Hoppen on a couple of tracks.We chat with John Hall about piecing the album together over email while COVID was raging, and the origins of the songs, some of which date back over 20 years. He also talks about the story behind "Half Moon," a song he and his ex-wife, Johanna wrote for Janis Joplin.

Sue Foley has been putting out music for the last 30 years, issuing a remarkable 16 albums in that time. She hails from Canada, but spent her formative years in Austin, soaking up the scene and playing with a host of legendary artists. She's won a Juno Award, many Maple Blues Awards, and most recently, A Blues Music Award in 2020, garnering the Koko Taylor award in the Traditional Blues Female category. When the pandemic hit, she grabbed her musicians and hunkered down in a Texas recording studio. The result is Pinky's Blues, named after her pink paisley Fender Telecaster, it's some of the rawest, most immediate music she's ever laid down. She's also hitting the road to play the album for the people.She talks about working again with her friend, Jimmie Vaughan, on her song "Hurricane Girl," plus recording several interesting music videos for the new record, and how she's put together some basic, "how to" guitar playing videos on YouTube.

Back in 2013, photographer Lisa S. Johnson released 108 Rock Star Guitars, and it was a unique book. She photographed some of the most hallowed guitars in history from the likes of Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Keith Richards. But, she went a step further, often zooming in on a worn fretboard, or flipping the guitar over to see sweat stains on the back of the body. By focusing on each guitar as a piece of art, it gave us a deeper appreciation for both the instrument, and the artist who played it. Now, Johnson is back with another one, Immortal Axes, Guitars That Rock, and she's captured some great ones, among them, the guitar Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock, Duane Allman's Les Paul, Kurt Cobain's smashed but repaired Strat, even John Lennon's acoustic that he played during his “Bed In For Peace.” The 388, full color, hardback book is out from Princeton Architectural Press and would make a great gift for any guitar enthusiast. We talked how Johnson tracked down many of these guitars, including one of her idols, Joan Jett. Plus, we talk Peter Frampton, who wrote the foreword, and Suzi Quatro, who penned the Afterword, and how the two are related.

Artwork in music is mostly an afterthought these days. A small, thumbnail photo shows up when we stream a song from our phone. But, for decades when vinyl was king, album covers played a crucial role in the success of a record. Think about what Sgt. Pepper or Led Zeppelin IV or Dark Side of the Moon would be without the packaging.Bob Heimall was responsible for creating some of the most iconic LP art from artists like the Doors, Carly Simon, Jim Croce and John Lennon, and he showcases it in his book, Cover Stories – Tales of Rock Legends and the Albums That Made Them Famous.He talks about taking a job with Elektra Records and almost immediately dealing with Jim Morrison and the Doors. He also tells us how he helped Carly Simon, who was a brand new artist at the time, develop her image. He also talks about having to put together albums from Jim Croce and John Lennon after both passed away.

Jefferson Starship has gone through a lot of changes over the years. First, rising from the ashes of the previous Jefferson Airplane, it was a vehicle for Paul Kantner, Grace Slick and David Freiberg. Over the years, and numerous lineup changes, the band scored many hits, like “Miracles,” “Count on Me,” “Find Your Way Back,” and “Jane,” which was co-written by Freiberg. The band is currently out on the road in support of their brand new album called Mother of the Sun, and from the band, we welcome David Freiberg and vocalist Cathy Richardson.We talk the new album, which features several nods to the past, including a brand new song, "It's About Time," co-written with Slick, and another song written by former vocalist Marty Balin. The album also features a live version of "Embryonic Journey," a song dating all the way back to the Jefferson Airplane days.

Chris Hillman is one of the unsung heroes of popular music. Starting out as bassist for the Byrds, the band was part of the American answer to the Beatles, electrifying the lyrics of Bob Dylan on “Mr. Tambourine Man,” but showing they could write trailblazing material of their own in songs like “Eight Miles High.”Hillman introduced Gram Parsons to the band and their all-country Sweetheart of the Rodeo was the result. Hillman followed Parsons to the Flying Burrito Brothers, also took part in the Stephen Stills-led Manassas, recorded some solo records and eventually found surprising success on the country charts with the Desert Rose Band in the 1980's. Hillman chronicled all of this in Time Between – My Life as a Byrd, Burrito Brother and Beyond from BMG Books, now out in paperback, and as an audio book, narrated by the author, from Random House Audio.He talks about recording little snippets of songs he was involved in exclusively for the audio book. He also tells us about a pivotal session he did with Hugh Masekela that helped give him confidence as a musician. And, he discusses the anniversary concert for Sweetheart of the Rodeo.

Before the mid-90's success of the Wallflowers, Jakob Dylan and Tobi Miller were part of the Bootheels, a quartet led by bassist/vocalist Luther Russell. Although the group's time was short – they only played a handful of gigs, they left behind some incendiary music – documented in 1988: the Original Demos from Omnivore Recordings.Russell later formed the Freewheelers before joining Big Star drummer Jody Stephens in the Those Pretty Wrongs. Bootheel drummer Aaron Brooks would later work with Moby, Lana Del Rey and others.We chat with Russell about the crazy circumstances that led to the forming of the band, how their rehearsal space evolved into a small, but packed-out concert venue, and why the Replacements were such a huge influence on the group. He also talks about upcoming projects, both solo and with Stephens.