In the Flamingo Lounge with Rockabilly Greg

Jen Karlis & James Brennan from Not Normal joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on June 12 2025 to share their story and music off of their first EP, "Furnish the World". Not Normal is a high-energy rock band composed of four dynamic, multi-instrumentalist frontpeople-turned-family who embrace both an unpredictable future and a lovable sense of nostalgia. Driven by electrifying guitar riffs, powerful vocals, and an unapologetically goofy spirit, they're on a mission to bring catharsis, beautiful mayhem, and fun back to the Buffalo music scene. Their debut EP, "Furnish the World", turns the chaos of a world falling apart into something raw, something loud, and something worth holding onto.

This week's guest, Davey O., is a Buffalo -born songwriter whose work has been praised by Music Critic Jeff Miers as having "a journalist's eye for detail and poet's ear for the well-turned observation". For two decades, Davey has honed his craft, creating deeply introspective Americana that speaks to the human experience rather than political or social themes. His songs are raw, honest, and completely devoid of insincerity, each one a vivid soundtrack for the listener's imagination. Armed with his Gibson guitar and a tireless work ethic, Davey brings his captivating stories and songs to audiences across the U.S. His dedication has earned him significant recognition, including a New Folk Finalist selection at the Kerrville Folk Festival and opening slots for esteemed artists like Ellis Paul and Suzanne Vega.   Davey joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on June 9, 2025 and shared his music and stories.

This week's guest In the Flamingo Lounge, David Cloyd, is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, known for his emotive and intricately layered compositions. His upcoming record, Red Sky Warning, due June 6th, is highly anticipated, following the success of singles "Ocean Of Hours" and "Drive With Me," which garnered significant press and Apple Music placements. A self-made artist, Cloyd recorded his 2009 debut, Unhand Me, You Fiend!, in his 9x9-foot Brooklyn apartment. This album reached #1 on eMusic and led to TV placements. His talent further blossomed with reinterpretations of Radiohead and Paul McCartney, expanding his devoted audience. Now based in Buffalo, where he also founded Hook & Ladder Records, Cloyd continues to carve out a unique space in indie music, with his work often drawing comparisons to artists like Radiohead and Peter Gabriel while maintaining his distinct artistic voice. David sat down with Rockabilly Greg on may 28, 2025 to talk about his music, and share a few tracks off his latest record, Red Sky Warning.

Armand John Petri stands as a versatile figure in the music industry, excelling as a producer, engineer, and performer. His impactful work includes producing, engineering, and pre-producing five seminal Goo Goo Dolls albums, from Jed through the breakthrough Dizzy Up the Girl. Petri also lent his expertise to 10,000 Maniacs, engineering or producing Candy Everybody Wants, Love Among the Ruins, and Earth Pressed Flat. His diverse portfolio further encompasses engineering or production credits for The Splat Cats and a significant number of Manowar albums. With an impressive catalog of approximately 110 albums, his contributions have been recognized with five multi-platinum and three gold record awards, as well as a Dove Award. Beyond these notable collaborations, Armand has worked with a wide array of renowned artists, including Sixpence None The Richer, where he served as both personal manager and producer for three of their albums, and the duo John & Mary. His dedication to nurturing local talent is evident in his production work with around 60 bands, and his global reach extends to collaborations in over 50 studios worldwide. His foundation in music was laid at SUNY Fredonia, where he studied Music and Sound Recording. A year into his studies, he embarked on a full-time touring career as the drummer for the show group Life. Returning to Fredonia, his senior project album, aptly named The Rods, secured a recording contract with Arista Records. His performance experience includes European tours and engagements on cruise ships. Demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit, Armand assembled and produced his own group, Ara Nova, which signed with Refuge Music Group. He has also held the position of staff producer at Pure Metal Records and has directed numerous music videos, showcasing the breadth of his creative talents.  Armand joined Rockabilly Greg in the Flamingo Lounge on May 20, 2025 for an interesting conversation on his storied career.

Buffalo Music Hall Of Fame member Jim Wynne visited the Flamingo Lounge on May 14, 2025 where he shared his musical stories and some special music. Jim studied music theory and composition at Villa Maria College while taking Bass lessons with Jim Kurzdoerfer and Piano lessons with Leola Erftenbech. He has performed with Dave Constantino, Jony James, Gamalon, Lance Diamond, Ike Smith, Richie Derwald, and Muse. He is currently playing Bass with The Tony Tripi Band, The Grateful Dead All Stars, and The Jim Wynne Band. He also plays piano with JJ Swing. Jim also produces and records music for vocalists, bands, and songwriters. He has been recording as a session musician for Robbie Takac and Justin Rose at GCR Studios since it opened. He has participated in many Veterans Benefit concerts and Wings Of Hope concerts for the purpose of helping people in the community when they need it most. Jim is also a music instructor available for guitar, piano, and bass guitar lessons. His curriculum is centered on technique, ergonomics, ear training and transcribing notation for the purpose of learning music that the students enjoy.

VØYAGR emerged as a passion project led by singer-songwriters AJ Jabaji, Rachel Josey and drummer John Morano. Drawing inspiration from artists like Wild Rivers and Donovan Woods, their sound fuses folk and country influences, featuring poignant lyrics that explore themes of faith, loss, and relationships. In addition to new music in 2025, the band will be opening for Jason Aldean and Brantley Gilbert at the WYRK Toyota Taste of Country, and showcasing at the North by Northeast (NXNE) Music Festival in Toronto. Their latest EP, "Go On & Get Out," is streaming now.   The band visited the Flamingo Lounge on May 13, 2025 and shred their stories and music.

Emily Scripps and Peter Kern from Tsavo Highway visited the Flamingo Lounge on May 1, 2025. An engaging conversation along with music ensued. There are also special outtakes at the end of the episode. Quickly gaining recognition in the indie rock and jam scene for their engaging live performances and heartfelt songwriting is Tsavo Highway, a Buffalo-based band consisting of Emily Scripps – lead vocals/various percussion, Christian Dobosiewicz – guitar, Peter Kern – guitar/background vocals, Brian Calisto – bass/background vocals (Buffalo, NY), and Brian McMahon – drums. The band has shared the stage with an impressive lineup of national acts, including Andy Frasco and The U.N., Spafford, The Magic Beans, Shira Elias (Cool, Cool, Cool), Micheal Angelo Carubba (Remain In Light, and Cool, Cool, Cool), J.WAIL Live Band featuring Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), Kito B. (Particle), and Scott Hannay (Mihali Band), yam yam, Thank You Scientist, Underground Springhouse, Seven Teller, and good trees river band. In 2023, they were honored with “Best New Band” and “Best Vocalist” in the AllWNY Awards, cementing their presence in the Western New York music community. The band made their debut with the EP “Pit Stop” in May 2023, followed by their single “Find a Way” that following December, which was featured in outlets such as NYS Music, Last Day Deaf, and Modern Neon. These releases laid the foundation for their distinctive sound and growing presence. Most recently, the band unveiled four singles (Buffalo Girls, V Day Song, Introspect, and Marco Polo) leading up to their highly anticipated album, Circles, released January 21, 2025. Filled with dynamic jams, emotional storytelling, and a fresh energy, the album reflects the band's growth and is already generating buzz in the indie and jam music scenes. Their goal is simple: to create memorable experiences through authentic performances and a shared love of sound.

This week, we're talking with a cool young band making some serious waves (and noise!). Say hello to 8/10: Jason Wrona on guitar, Zack Punturiero on drums, and Wren Andrews on the synths. These guys have a great story – they met at the music mall, sharing practice rooms and eventually forming this awesome trio. They got their start playing parties, friend's houses in basements and under porches where they strive to achieve unique sounds. While they're now hitting the stage, their core remains in the joy of improvisation and making music together. The trio joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on April 10, 2025 to talk about how they met and got their sound. They shared to songs, “Mommy” and “Trijangle” which can be heard at the end of the episode.

In 2015, years after setting aside her larger musical dreams to dedicate herself to raising a family, multi-talented singer/songwriter DeeAnn DiMeo is back to create her legacy. Her latest album “It's My Time”, currently receiving National airplay with Neal Sapper, New World n Jazz and featuring three original songs amidst a mix of folk, pop and jazz classics, is the latest manifestation of the Niagara Falls, NY native's renewed vision of her life. DeeAnn visited the Flamingo Lounge on April 8, 2025 to tell her remarkable story, and give us a glimpse into her new single “Simply Beautiful”.

Hailing from Buffalo, NY, this week's guests, Mike Geraci and Christian Lee from The Abruptors—weave a tapestry of ska, reggae, and rocksteady, infused with lyrical depth and authentic emotion. Since their 2015 inception, they've navigated the complexities of emotion, fear, relationships, and the inevitable disasters of life. Their latest album, "Everything You Know Is Wrong," released through Asian Man Records, showcases their unique blend of heartfelt storytelling and infectious rhythms. Rounding out the band is Toni LaMantia and Alex Schultz. Mike and Christian visited the Flamingo Lounge on March 27, 2025 and shared their stories and two tracks from their new record.

This week's guest, Thom Jennings, joined Rockabilly Greg in the Flamingo Lounge on march 24, 2025. Thom is an award-winning music writer and aficionado specializing in classic rock music. With an unwavering passion for the genre, he has spent the last 15 years delving into the timeless sounds that defined an era and capturing the essence of legendary artists through his insightful writings. Driven by his thirst for knowledge, Thom spent his youth scouring record bins in Western New York for any and all information about his favorite bands. That led to a passion for live music.  In 2008, Thom was an established freelance op-ed writer for the Medina Journal-Register; he had the opportunity to cover a classic rock concert series in Lockport, NY. That morphed into a weekly music column for the Lockport Union Sun & Journal and the Niagara Gazette. Thom is currently the longest-tenured music writer for a daily newspaper in Western New York. Beyond his writing endeavors, Thom has also hosted podcasts, panel discussions, and presentations at historical societies.  His latest project is Missing Man – The Vince Welnick Story, is a six-part podcast series exploring the life and career of the late keyboardist. The podcast delves into Welnick's musical legacy, his struggles, and the lasting impact he had on those who knew him. In addition to his work as a writer and speaker, Thom has performed stand-up comedy and is an actor and host for The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery, where he blends his passion for storytelling with interactive entertainment.

This week's guest, Cathy Carfagna, Joined Rockabilly Greg in the Flamingo Lounge on March 19, 2025. Carfagna, a 30-year veteran of Western New York's music scene, began her musical journey as a child, progressing to piano lessons and diverse band experiences. In the 1990s, she toured with the folk-pop duo Jazzabels, earning critical acclaim and releasing two albums. She also contributed to bands like the French Ticklers and Voice of Cheez. Her recording "If You Lose An Angel" was featured in the Oscar-nominated film "Nebraska". Since 2014, Cathy has been active in MusicalFare's Premier Cabaret and has participated in various theater productions, including "Late in the Evening: The World According to Paul Simon."

This week's guest in the Flamingo Lounge, Anthony Casuccio, is not only the President of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, but he was recently inducted as a member of the Class of 2024. Anthony visited the Lounge on March 10, 2025 for a great conversation on his music and the ins and outs of getting your music noticed.  Anthony Casuccio was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He graduated from Williamsville East High School in 1987 and went on to pursue his passion for music. Anthony holds a degree in Sound Recording Technology, which he obtained in 1991 from the prestigious Tonmeister program at SUNY Fredonia. He holds a Master of Science degree from Buffalo State College. This solid foundation laid the groundwork for his illustrious career in the music industry. Professor Casuccio began working at Villa Maria College in 2005 and is currently Chairperson of the Music Department.  Anthony Casuccio's solo career is a testament to his passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to music. As he continues to create, his melodies resonate across continents, leaving an indelible mark on the indie music landscape. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

David Michael Miller hung out with Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on March 12, 2025, playing and talking about his music. David Michael Miller, founder, lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for Miller and The Other Sinners, is a well-established musician in the Western New York music scene, for 6 years fronting the band, Dive House Union.  David has shared the stage with artists such as Tedeschi Trucks Band, Steve Miller Band, Joe Bonamassa, Jonny Lang, Gary Clark Jr., Bobby Blue Bland, Jimmie Vaughan, Shemekia Copeland, Eric Gales and many others.  He represented the WNY Blues Society in 2013 and 2014 at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis  in both the Band and Solo/Duo categories.  He continues to participate in the Blues in the Schools program in Western New York.  In 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, he was presented with the best Male Blues Vocalist Award by Buffalo's Night Life Magazine.

Trimania is back and we kicked off Season 7 with Operations Manager, Lauren McLaughlin, and Special Events & Development Coordinator Sydney O'Shei, from Buffalo Arts Studio. Buffalo Arts Studio is a 20,000 sq foot art center established in 1991 to provide safe and affordable studio space and impactful exposure for visual artists while also offering arts education and meaningful arts access for the entire community. In the late 1990s, the largest and most ambitious art party was created as a fundraiser for Buffalo Arts Studio, Just Buffalo Literary Center, and Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, all organizations housed in the newly redeveloped Tri-Main Center. The event was aptly named “Trimania” as a play on its Tri-Main Center location, its tri-annual schedule, and its support of three area cultural organizations. Trimania took the randomness of chance encounters with art and music to a new level with the support of their landlord Tri-Main Management, who provided access to almost every inch of the 600,000 square-foot Tri-Main Center. After Just Buffalo Literary Center and Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center moved out the Tri-Main center, BAS continued holding the tri-annual fundraiser. After a 7-year hiatus due to covid, the much-anticipated fundraiser is back for its reboot! 

This week in the Flamingo Lounge, it's a family affair with father and son Richard and Richie Derwald. Recorded on February 25, 2024. Richard "Dixie Dee" Derwald, a musician, composer, vocalist, and recording artist, has been active in the music industry since 1957. His career began amidst the explosion of rock and roll, a genre he passionately pursued.  During high school, Richard balanced musical ambitions with aspirations of becoming a professional wrestler. He played upright bass and played on extended gigs at the Knickerbocker Lounge located on the Niagara St. corner of Arthur and then at the Capri Lounge also on Niagara St. Simultaneously, he trained at the YMCA, befriending wrestler Steve Stanlee (Mr. America), who mentored him both in the gym and on the mat.  This chance encounter led to a wrestling opportunity in Rochester, where promoter Pedro Martinez offered Richard regular bookings.  This propelled him toward his wrestling goal, leading him to leave the band and dedicate himself to the squared circle. Richie Derwald, a versatile performer, has consistently reinvented himself throughout his career. Beginning with country music tributes in local clubs, he then explored rock with The Memphis Flames, embracing a glam rock persona. The Nightwing Showband era saw him tackling diverse genres, from Las Vegas tributes to light jazz, culminating in opera training and performances at upscale venues. After a Las Vegas residency, Richie created his critically acclaimed "Live from Las Vegas" show, touring with Sandy Hackett's showcase. A subsequent stint with Whitestar Tours showcased his tribute artistry, alongside his wife Debbie. The pandemic halted his touring, but Richie channeled his energy into "Comfort Through Creativity," promoting art's mental health benefits. His original song "Changes" received acclaim, leading to a video series addressing mental fitness. Overcoming a stutter, Richie now speaks publicly about his personal struggles with depression, using performance and humor to inspire hope. Dr. Katherine Ansuini calls him the "Poster Child for Experiential Learning." Today, Richie partners with Nels Ross in "The Up Guys," delivering inspirational presentations blending Ted Talks and "America's Got Talent" elements.

On February 26, 2025, Megan Brown (vocals), Grace Lougan (guitar) and Josh English (drums) of the Rock band “Grosh” joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge to talk anout their new album “Start Again” and the upcoming album release show thatwas held on March 7, 2025 at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo NY. Absent from the conversation was Dylan Hund (bass). Hailing from Buffalo, New York, “Grosh” is a genre-blending powerhouse that effortlessly melds hard rock, blues, and funk into a unique sonic experience. Awarded "Best Local Original Music Act" by Buffalo Spree, the quartet recently recorded their latest album at the iconic Sonic Ranch in Texas, solidifying their place among the region's musical elite. With a live presence as electrifying as their studio recordings, “Grosh” delivers a visceral, unforgettable performance, leaving audiences captivated by their raw energy and undeniable talent.

Alex Cousins joined Rockabilly Greg “In the Flamingo Lounge” on February 17, 2025. Alex is a 21st-century musician and performing artist, excelling as a virtuoso cellist. Despite a late start at 14, he soloed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra just three years later, winning the 2014 Young Musicians Scholarship. A 2020 Peabody Conservatory graduate with a Masters in Music, Cello Performance, Alex blends classical training with pioneering work on the electric cello. After graduating from the Peabody Conservatory, Alex returned to Buffalo where he immersed himself in amplified music, electronics, songwriting, and the electric cello, playing in various local bands from 2022-2024, spanning genres including alternative rock, folk, blues, and pop/indie rock. A seasoned session musician and educator, Cousins mentors young musicians and has recorded with artists including Robby Takac from the Goo Goo Dolls. He regularly performs in Buffalo Public Schools, demonstrating the versatility of acoustic and electric cellos. His collaborations include JoAnn Falletta, Marin Alsop, Leon Fleischer, The Eagles, and he has performed at venues including Kleinhans Music Hall, KeyBank Center Arena, SXSW Festival, and the Music is Art Festival. In 2025, Alex launched "Strings Unbound: An Evening with Alex Cousins," showcasing the electric cello as lead instrument. His seven-piece band will perform reimagined popular music covers from the past 50 years, debuting at The Caz in Buffalo on April 17, 2025.

This week's guest, Ed Croft, joined Rockabilly Greg via Zoom on February 12, 2025. Ed began his music career in New York City subways with blues icon Carolina Slim, leading to local gigs with his rockabilly band, The Moonshiners. He earned a Bachelor's in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia (2013), where he studied with local masters and performed with Yo Yo Ma. Even before graduating, he launched his touring career, spending two years each with celtic rock band The Town Pants and bluegrass group The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers. While touring, Ed earned his Master's from Bowling Green State University, studying with renowned musicians and performing with artists like Mike Stern and Dave Samuels. Now based in Buffalo, NY, he's a prominent figure in the local music scene. As a freelance bassist, Ed has collaborated with Buffalo jazz greats and Buffalo Music Hall of Fam inductees, alongside national and international acts including Tom Roberts and Tia Brazda. He's a consistent award-winner, claiming the JazzBuffalo Poll for Best Acoustic Upright Bassist from 2017-2023. In 2018, he received both the Rising Star and John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year awards, the first to achieve this dual honor. Ed currently holds the record for consecutive wins in any JazzBuffalo poll category.

Hailing from Buffalo, NY, F.A.R. is a seasoned band formed by college friends Ethan Fox, Drew Azzinaro (a celebrated jazz guitarist), and Eamon Rayhn. Over the past decade, they've built a reputation for their eclectic, soul-drenched performances throughout the Northeast, playing over 150 shows annually. They have released two albums: "FAR Trio Volume 1"  in 2019 and "Ordinary Moments"  in 2022, recorded with legendary producer Scott Petito. Their latest album showcases 14 original tracks, offering a diverse range of sounds from organic and soulful to raunchy and blues-tinged. The band has graced stages at prestigious venues like the Northwest Jazz Festival, the Carnegie Jazz Festival, The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, Shakti Lounge, So Far NYC, etc., and countless other venues and halls together. Ethan, Drew and Eamon joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on January 15, 2025.

Danusia "Beatz" Nowak-Riffel and Dave Riffel, visited the Flamingo Lounge on January 12, 2025 to talk about their music and provide excerpts of some brand new music that is still in Post-Production Danusia and Dave have been in a musical and life partnership since their 2003 high school band "Besides the Obvious," have built a thriving career in Western New York. Danusia, a renowned drummer mentored by the late Teddy Reinhardt, is known for her groove and collaborations with local greats like The Beard and the Bird and Grace Lougen. Dave, a multi-instrumentalist and producer, complements her with intricate backing tracks and a passion for fostering creativity. Together, they co-own a production studio at the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center, supporting local musicians since 2013. They co-founded Music Garden Sessions, a virtual concert series, and Dave is releasing his debut solo album in 2025. Married with a son, they continue to inspire and uplift their community.

Seamus Gallivan is the 150th guest on In the Flamingo Lounge. He joined Rockabilly Greg On January 22, 2025 for a lively conversation about the local community and connecting people and communities. Seamus is a social connecter who has lived in a majority of Buffalo's council districts and worked in every single neighborhood. A founding force behind the likes of Larkin Square, Slow Roll Buffalo, and the campaign of India Walton for Buffalo Mayor, his latest venture is Reconnecter, which provides stories and events for social connection.  Seamus had a backdoor entry into the music business. He began careers in both baseball and journalism while still a high school student, working at every level of professional baseball including the Buffalo Bisons along with organizations in Florida and Texas. While back in Buffalo between stints with baseball teams in Texas, he was a preschool teacher of Declan Miers, son of longtime Buffalo News music writer Jeff Miers, forging a bond that led him to become a freelance contributor to the News beginning in 2003.  Seamus stayed on regular assignment for The Buffalo News even after returning to Texas in 2005, covering the local music scene and previewing visits from touring acts, many of which were based in or passing through Austin. While working in baseball there, he joined the review staff of NPR affiliate KUT Radio, and cofounded the annual Reckless Kelly's Celebrity Softball Jam, which over 10 years donated nearly a half-million dollars to local charities.  Upon repatriating to Buffalo in 2009, Seamus founded The Good Neighborhood, often “gathering for the greater good” at music clubs such as the Sportsmens Tavern, Nietzsche's and Mohawk Place with a cause for every concert as well as a daily website covering community. This venture led to invitations to be a founding part of Larkin Square and Slow Roll Buffalo, the former celebrated in a 2012 Buffalo News column that described him as an “omnipresent culture maven.” After Larkin and Slow Roll became the bulk of Seamus' work for the better part of a decade, Reconnecter is both a return to and evolution of the purpose of The Good Neighborhood, and music remains at its heart - his free weekly email, the Buffalodown, includes “Musings on Music,” a concert-heavy list of upcoming community events, and links to conversations on music as a force for social connection. 

This week's guest In the Flamingo Lounge, Rob Lynch joined Rockabilly Greg on January 9, 2025. Rob is a triple threat – Educator, Artist and musician. Always looking to wear more hats, Rob has worked as a contributing reviewer for the Buffalo News, a hat model for Buffalo Spree Magazine, a guerrilla gardener, Block Club leader, Half-Marathon runner, a maker of travel films and was featured in a 2015 ad campaign for Excelsior Orthopedics. In 2017 he founded Lilac Park in Downtown Niagara Falls, NY. He kids you not. Rob, an award-winning session drummer, has worked with many renowned artists including Peter Case, Gurf Morlix, Al Tinney and 10,000 Maniacs founders/members John and Mary, just to name a few. Rob has also enjoyed recording with Hussalonia and Jonathan Hughes on their separate solo projects as well as a yearly recording project of non-traditional Christmas songs known as Robot Holiday.  Working along with Matthew Sagurney as The Solo Roths, they produce large scale improvisational paintings, often in front of an audience – most recently at the 2024 Music is Art Festival. Both Rob's paintings and The Solo Roth's works are held in numerous private and public collections nationwide, and have been exhibited in Western New York and beyond through solo and group shows.

This week's guest In the Flamingo Lounge, Yod Crewsy, recorded on January 4, 2025, is a former guitarist with the Splatcats, founding member of the legendary garage rock and roll band the JackLords and band leader of the Dark Marbles. Yod opened for Roy Orbison at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo with the JackLords in 1989.  Other infamous moments include him opening for the Ramones at Fredonia State College with the revved-up punk band the SplatCats.  His most recent achievment was the airing of recent recording of "Runaround" from his "Brit-Pop Faves" CD on Little Steven's Underground Garage on SiriusXM.

This week's guest In the Flamingo Lounge is author and Kenmore native, Jerry Kranitz. Jerry recently published a memoir "Putt-Putt Abuse" of his days growing up in Kenmore NY in the 1970's. He is also the author of "Cassette Culture: Homemade Music and the Creative Spirit in the Pre-Internet Age".For 18 years he published the Aural Innovations space rock web zine and podcast. Jerry is a freelance writer who has contributed to Shindig! magazine, and his essays have accompanied archival reissues. The memoir includes It includes a chapter gushing about his Rock n Roll passions: Concerts at Shea's, Century Theater, Niagara Falls Convention Center, the AUD, and Summerfest at Rich Stadium. It also includes memories of Talas, Big Wheelie and the Hubcaps, and other amazing bands at He & She's and crate digging records at Play It Again Sams, Cavages, and 3:00 am sales at Record Theater. Jerry and I had a great conversation about his days in Kenmore and his recollections of music venues and concerts he attended. Jerry joined me virtually on December 7, 2024.

This week's guest, Grace Vesneske, joined Rockabilly Greg “In the Flamingo Lounge” on August 18, 2024. They talked about her beginnings managing events to her current status as a behind-the-scenes force in the Music industry.  Grace brings her unique blend of creativity, strategic vision, and passion for positive change to every project she undertakes. With a deep appreciation for the arts and a commitment to community and social responsibility, Grace seamlessly combines her love for music with her dedication to making a difference.  As a seasoned professional in the music business, Grace has honed her skills in talent management, event coordination, and experiential activations. She has a keen eye for coordinating events and a knack for crafting innovative strategies to elevate events while staying true to the vision. A visionary entrepreneur with a passion for creating unforgettable moments. As the proud co-owner of Buffalo Iron Works and co-founder of Twenty6 Productions, Grace has built a reputation for transforming ideas into extraordinary experiences. From the outset, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish a venture dedicated to curating seamless and remarkable events and then co-owner of her favorite community spot, Buffalo Iron Works! From day-to-day operations to developing programming, she has a hand in all departments.

Professional Drummer Founder, The Damone Jackson Outcome Music Educator & Mentor Damone “A-Miracle” Jackson is a drum set specialist and percussion teacher living in Western NY. Damone graduated from Villa Maria College in 2014 with a B.A. in Music Performance and a concentration in jazz. He has won several awards, including Best Blues Drummer in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 by the Buffalo Music Awards. Recently, Damone has been on tour in South America and Europe playing shows and teaching master-classes. He is thankful that music has provided the opportunity to play with many truly fine musicians in the Buffalo area as well and all over the world. Damone gigs extensively throughout Western New York and is one of the area's most in-demand drummers for both live shows and studio work. Currently, he is the drummer and founder of The Damone Jackson Outcome. Also plays drums periodically for the Dave Matthews Tribute Band.

Music is an essential part of our culture and live venues allow fans, who are the lifeblood of the music industry, to experience the music in a way that they cannot through recordings.  This week, get ready to tee up some serious music talk as I'm excited to welcome back to the podcast, valued sponsor and Managing Partner of Golf Operations at Diamond Hawk Golf Course and Pub, Don Papaj. When we last connected, we were on location at 'The Hawk' witnessing the transformation of a clubhouse into a vibrant live music venue. It was a bold move, a risky play, but one that speaks volumes about the power of music. Don visited the Flamingo Lounge on December 6, 2024 where we talked music and took a deeper dive and explored the world of live music, venues, and community.

This week's guest, Mr. Conrad, joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on November 19, 2024. Mr. Conrad, a lifelong lover of blues, rockabilly, and swing, has been immersed in the music scene since his early teens. Inspired by legends like Big Joe Turner, Bill Haley, and Chuck Berry, he dove deep into the genre's history, discovering influences like T-Bone Walker. A pivotal moment came in 1969 when he saw Jerry Lee Lewis perform, inspiring him to pick up the piano. After gaining experience in local bands, he joined the East Side music scene in Buffalo, jamming with renowned musicians like Eli Hall and Count Rabbit. This exposure honed his skills and instilled a deep understanding of the music's emotional core. In the 1980s, Conrad formed Mr. Conrad and The Excellos, gaining local recognition. However, his ambition led him to Austin, Texas, where he collaborated with renowned musicians like Keith Ferguson. He later moved to Los Angeles, further solidifying his reputation as a talented guitarist and performer. Now back in Buffalo, Mr. Conrad continues to share his passion for blues and rockabilly, captivating audiences with his energetic performances. His deep knowledge of the genre and his dedication to the music make him a true legend in the Buffalo music scene.

Marc Hunt, a 2012 inductee in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on November 18, 2024. Marc has performed on, produced and engineered over 100 local recording sessions including the “Goo Goo Dolls” and more. Marc studied guitar and piano at Berklee College of Music in Boston.  As a performer, Marc has been nominated for several local music awards. He is a former member of the band “Bobo” and “The Pillagers” and is currently a Bass Player at “The Cloves”. Interestingly, Marc spent many summers playing a deputy and outlaw for Fantasy Island. Marc is an educator active in the community and has been published in musical education magazines and journals. Marc was a Stage Technician for Walt Disney World Entertainment in Orlando where he handled staging lighting and audio equipment along with mixing for live theatre. Marc was owner and chief engineer of EarCandy Audio, a studio that catered to local artists. He was Chief Engineer for Chameleonwest Recording Studios. He is a member of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) and is a certified ProTools engineer. He started the EDGE Sessions with Rich Wall.  Marc is active in the community and is an original board member of Music is Art and is a Teacher of Video Production & Recording Arts at Erie 1 BOCES Calspan.

This week's guest, local music legend George Puleo, visited the Flamingo Lounge on November 14, 2024.  From his early days with Gamalon and the Need to his recent work with Haiku and the Damone Jackson Outcome, George's impact on the local music scene is undeniable. George is also the owner of Apples and Oranges Records and Tapes, located on Delaware Ave in Kenmore NY.

Get ready to rock out with this week's guest, Kevin Sampson! This 20-year Buffalo music veteran has been tearing up stages with bands like The Innocent Bystanders, the Jealous Unknowns, and First Ward. As a multi-talented musician, Sampson is a force to be reckoned with, whether he's performing with Kevin Sampson and the Night Shift, Shutterhead, or The Safety Meeting. In 2021, he took his passion for music to the next level by opening Jack Rabbit, a killer rock 'n' roll club in the Elmwood Village. A true supporter of the local scene, Sampson is always out and about, attending and hosting shows. Sampson joined Rockabilly Greg on November 11 In the Flamingo Lounge for a great conversation and a provided a special track special track from "Kevin Sampson and the Nightshift" called "Nothing to Lose".

This week, we welcome back a familiar face to the Flamingo Lounge: my best friend and musical partner, Steve Metivier. While we've previously interviewed each other, this time we'll delve deeper into Steve's musical journey, including his other project, "Crosswinds." And as a special treat, Steve recorded an original song that he wrote as a response to 9/11 entitled "Bridge" exclusively for the Flamingo Lounge, which we'll unveil at the end of the session. Steve joined Rockabilly Greg in the Flamingo Lounge on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 after performing at Bristol Village as part of Rockin Robin's "Music to Remember WNY" program.

This week's guests  Fuzzy Thurston and Matt Mackiewicz from Fuzzy & The Rustbelts, joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on October 17, 2024. Fuzzy & The Rustbelts are an All American Band rooted in the music stylings of country, folk, and rock 'n roll. Since 2019, from Fuzzy & The Rustbelts have produced several releases with singles, “That Sweet Song” (2019) and “Perfect” (2021) both garnering a significant amount of local, national, and international attention from various media outlets. The band were the winners of the 2019 106.5 WYRK Taste of Country Riser Competition, and were voted 2020, 2021, and 2022 Best Country Act at the All WNY Music Awards. Over the years from Fuzzy & The Rustbelts have shared stages and festivals with national touring artists including Mitchell Tenpenny, Maddie & Tae, Rodney Atkins, Gary LeVox (Rascal Flats), Miranda Lambert, Alison Krauss, Bonnie Raitt, and Willie Nelson. In 2023, Fuzzy debuted a solo acoustic EP titled, “Stories & Ballads”. It consisted of five songs written over the course of a few years to include additional tracks detailing the origins of each individual song. Throughout the EP, Fuzzy focused on topics revolving around personal freedom, faith, death, and mental illness. After a brief hiatus, Fuzzy & The Rustbelts reemerged and released several singles in the summer of 2024 in order to promote the release of their second LP titled, “Out West”.

This week's guest, Guy Pelino joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on October 7, 2024. Guy has been a music lover all his life and started banging the ivories at about 5 1/2 – and loved the magic of Mozart. But, then came the Beatles, Stones and Kinks and got himself a Stratocaster. A '52 Les Paul replaced that beautiful guitar soon after.    He has been gigging in bars and clubs and other venues since he was 15 and has had the honor of playing with some incredibly talented folks from coast to coast.    In late 1981 I came off the road and pitched some original tunes to his old friend from the sixties, Bruce “Could Be” Moser. Bruce connected Guy with Terry Sullivan and he joined the band that became the Edge first and then The Restless. We each signed a 10 album contract with Mercury/Polygram and recorded our first record with producer Eddie Kramer who brought us Jimi Hendrix and so many others.  Bruce and Doug, of Could Be Wild, made a lot of great things happen including an outstanding session with the incomparable Ed Stasium.   Guy played with The Enemies from 2000-2024 concurrently with The Evictors and several  other bands.  

Buffalo is not only a hub for talented musicians but also a thriving center for music-related businesses. In the Flamingo Lounge this week is Creative Content Producer Kaley Lynch and CEO Shaun Masavage from Zealot Interactive who joined me on October 2, 2024. Zealot Interactive is a Buffalo-based company that's putting guitar education at the fingertips of people across the world. The company's guitar education ecosystem includes the Fret Zealot app - known as the “Netflix of guitar education” - with lessons for guitar, bass guitar, and ukuleles. The platform also works with the optional Fret Zealot LED system, which is paper thin and attaches to the fretboard of any full-size guitar and acts as a visual aid for lessons and songs - helping the user to learn quicker. The Fret Zealot platform currently includes over 4,000 video lessons, over 100 courses, 250,000 song tabs, every chord and scale, and 60 different tunings. 

This week's guest, Craig Gordon, a lifelong musician and luthier, visited the Flamingo Lounge on September 26, 2024 for an interesting conversation on the proper methodologies of building and fixing guitars. Craig was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. His early passion for acoustic guitar led him to explore a variety of musical genres, from folk and rock to jazz, classical, and experimental. With a natural curiosity for how things work, Craig discovered Juan Roberto Guitar Works, a workshop where he built his first guitar at 16. After studying music at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, Craig moved to New York City to pursue a career as a musician and composer. He toured internationally with Oscar Schlemmer's Bauhaus Dances in Europe and Japan, and Ragabash Puppet Theater throughout the Northeast and became involved in the Anti-Folk scene in the East Village. In 1998, Craig moved to Buffalo and started a family. While temporarily working in construction, he continued to play music with local musicians. In 2012, Craig returned to luthiery by enrolling in the Roberto Venn School of Luthiery. After working as a guitar tech for Guitar Center, Craig opened his own “real” shop, attached to a marvelous high-end acoustic guitar shop in Black Rock, The Fretted Buffalo.

This week's guest In the Flamingo Lounge, Dave Ruch, Visited the Flamingo Lounge on September 17, 2024. Dave is a versatile musician and historian whose work has been showcased on American Public Media, in Emmy-winning documentaries, and on stages across North America and the U.K. Dave is also a dedicated educator, sharing his passion for traditional music in elementary school classrooms across the Northeast. Dave is a former Public Scholar for the New York Council for the Humanities (now Humanities NY), writer for The Huffington Post, and a member of the Canal Society of New York State and the New York Folklore Society. Beyond his professional pursuits, Dave enjoys playing music around town. In recent years, he's been touring extensively with his band, “Organ Fairchild,” bringing his unique sound to audiences across the Eastern half of the United States.

Get ready to “rock around the clock” this week as I'm thrilled to welcome to the Flamingo Lounge, the legendary Hubcap Ladies. These incredible musicians were a cornerstone of the iconic Buffalo band, Big Wheelie and the Hubcaps and visited the Flamingo Lounge on September 19, 2024 to talk about their days with the band and their reunion show which was held on Sunday, September 29, 2024. Known for their electrifying performances and timeless 50s and 60s retro sound, Big Wheelie and the Hubcaps captivated audiences across North America and Canada. With five LPs under their belt, including a highly coveted Christmas album, and several hit singles, their legacy continues to shine bright. This week I'm honored to have Linda Delorey, Carol Jean Swist, Judy Teitleman, and MaryLou Saur in the Lounge. These incredible women have been a part of the Hubcaps' journey at various points, contributing their unique talents to the band's iconic sound. Sit back, relax, and give a warm Flamingo Lounge and enjoy a trip down memory lane with the Hubcap Ladies!

This week's guest In the Flamingo Lounge is virtual production & design instructor at Erie 1 Boces, Calspan, Jae D. Bieger. Jae joined Rockabilly Greg in the Flamingo Lounge on September 4, 2024. Jae D. Bieger started his career as a performer in the 90's and after chasing the elusive hit single turned his sights on Berklee College of Music, earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in music production and technology. He roamed the country with his wife and 2 dogs for a few years cutting his production teeth from Portland Maine to Los Angeles California and everywhere in between. When in Buffalo he'd take front of house gigs at local clubs and random roadie calls for national touring artists in the area. He settled back down in Buffalo taking a regular gig with Indigo Productions and joined the Hall family at Sportsmen's Tavern as front of house and periodic studio dates in Sessions, the studio next door. Jae continued to freelance his production services through virtual sites, editing podcasts, short films, doing post-audio and other random projects in an effort to refine his craft and build his reputation.  Today, Jae is still with Indigo and is the video director / LED tech for the Artpark Summer Concert Series and the arts, a technical assistant at Suny Niagara, and full-time instructor of Virtual Production and Design at the Calspan Career & Technical Center, and the chief engineer at Black Rock EPS, where he produces the studio series, “Live From Black Rock.” 

Allison Mitchell from Velvet bethany visited the Flamingo Lounge on September 7 to talk about her view on life and music. Born from dreams and dissonance in 2014, Velvet Bethany is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Allison Mitchell. Joined by Nathan Weise and Kameron Plotner in 2023, the band crafts music that transcends genre. Allison's lyrics, inspired by the vivid landscapes of her dreams and nightmares, explore worlds existing between the cracks of reality. Imagine each world as a unique harmonic frequency, bleeding into the next. Velvet Bethany's sound reflects this exploration, weaving through various influences while staying true to their rock and roll roots. Their goal? To write a song that resonates with everyone, one head-banging anthem at a time. Catch their latest sonic adventure on the album “C'est Bon!”

This week's episode explores the next generation of talented artists. We pursued the musical journey of four high school students from the Buffalo (Ken-Ton) area who are involved in their respective music programs. From songwriting workshops to band practice sessions, we explored the ups and downs of pursuing a musical dream while balancing school, friends, and life's other demands. 

This week's guest, Judd Sunshine, visited the Flamingo Lounge on August 21, 2024. Judd is a pianist and vocalist with over 30 years of experience as a professional musician and entertainer. An extensive repertoire of well-known popular music from the 40's to the present as well as special styles such as children's music, jazz standards, classic rock, blues, country, and bluegrass music makes him the perfect fit for any occasion.  From 1976-1984, Judd was a member of The Pointless Brothers Band. They presented a mix of bluegrass, swing, acoustic rock, and originals music presented with humor and arranged w/ intricate lead lines and 4-part harmony. They recorded an EP on the legendary BCMK Records. He currently books talent and performs through his company, Sunshine Productions. 

This week's episode is for all the audiophiles out there. And yes, there will be math. This week's guest, Chief Engineer at Harmonic Resolution Systems, Mr. Michael Latvis, has over forty years of engineering and product development experience with a specialty in vibration, noise, and control systems. Prior to founding HRS in 1999, Mr. Latvis held a number of key positions with industry leading companies. These positions included Design Engineering, Engineering Management, and Business Development Management positions. Mr. Latvis has six issued patents related to shock, vibration isolation, and high-performance audio products.  He has worked for a number of leading companies on the development of isolation products for audio systems, commercial aircraft, military aircraft, industrial applications, and missile defense systems.  Mike sat down with Rockabilly Greg on August 1, 2024, to discuss audiophile equipment and the types of gear Harmonic Resolutions Systems engineers and produces.  

This week's guest, Mike Pinelli, founder and lead guitarist and vocalist from Kickstart Rumble, brings some high-energy rockabilly into the Lounge. Mike visited the Flamingo Lounge on August 15, 2024 to talk Rockabilly music and about our experience seeing Stray Cats live in concert at Artpark on August 13, 2024.   Kickstart Rumble is an All-American Rock and Roll band with a sound that blends a potent mix of country twang, rock 'n' roll swagger, and a relentless percussive drive. With a whirlwind of rebellious energy, their music transports audiences back to the rebellious spirit of the 1950s while injecting it with a modern-day adrenaline rush. Playing originals and songs from yesteryear including covers from Elvis, Stray Cats, Eddie Cochran, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, Kickstart Rumble delivers its own brand of music with a vintage sound.

This week's episode celebrates the timeless art of barbershop singing and pays tribute to the legendary Buffalo Bills Barbershop Quartet. Peter Hart, a remarkable 45-year member of the Barbershop Harmony Society (formerly the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, or SPEBSQSA and now the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on July 24, 2024 to talk about the Bills Quartet and Barbershop singing. Peter brings a wealth of information as his barbershop journey began in 1972 with the Chorus of the Genesee. He joined the Amherst, NY Chapter Friends of Harmony Chorus in 1979. We'll also delved into the history of the 1950 SPEBSQSA champions, the Buffalo Bills Barbershop Quartet. We focused on the quartet's baritone, Dick Grapes, whose talent was instrumental to their groundbreaking success in 1950. To cap off the episode, we revisited a special 2008 conversation between Dr. Jim McDonnell and Mr. Dick Grapes talking about his experience with the Bills Quartet.

A member of Buffalo's rock royalty, singer/songwriter Alison Pipitone has fanned the rock flame since the mid-1990s. Her devotion brought standing as “high priestess” of the Buffalo rock scene and membership in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.   Alison picked up the guitar at 18 and launched her career in the 1980's with The Monas in LA. When the grunge movement took hold of the West Coast scene in the 1990s, Pipitone returned to Western New York and launched her career as a solo artist with 1995's "Life in the First Person".   Since 2005, she's fronted the Alison Pipitone Band, winning awards and releasing four albums including her latest album "Best Things" which came out in May of 2024. Their music blends thought-provoking lyrics and catchy hooks with pure rock energy. And that's just the tip of the iceberg, kids.   Allison joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on July 11, 2024.

This week's guests, Tyler Rzemek (Drums), Jason Wright (Guitar) and Mike Jacobs (Bass), from the DIY punk rock legacy band “On the Cinder”, joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on July 9, 2024.   Together, they combine a hard nosed work ethic for touring and releasing music with a focus on sincerity in their lyrics and a complexity in song structure. With several national tours and various excursions through Canada, "On The Cinder" have claimed the road dog status, while keeping an eye on things in Western New York by hosting and promoting local shows in Buffalo and Rochester, NY.   They recently released their third full-length LP Heavy - "Handed" via Flower House Records.

This week's guests, joined Rockabilly Greg in the Flamingo Lounge on June 19 2024. Michael Mcauley and Aaron Duffy, are two of four dudes from one of Buffalo's exciting new bands: “The Midnight Feature”. United by friendship both old and new, they bring the heat with their self-titled debut EP "The Midnight Feature". This summer's hottest soundtrack features everything from screamin' Soul to soft n sweet. Currently available out in the wild, you'll find a song that will rock or groove you.  The midnight Feature has performed at Nietzsche's and Mowhawk Place and have been featured on WBFO's “The Bridge”.

Buffalo's own "Almost Seamus" visited the Flamingo Lounge on June 9, 2024 for a great podcast session and the recording of 3 music videos by my friends at Nickel City B-Sides!  This traditional Irish & eclectic Celtic band features three people & only two last names.  Award-winning vocalist and instrumentalist Kate Clark, has played fiddle for over 30 years and has brought her talents to numerous Buffalo bands and the local theater stages. She teaches music in West Seneca  Jayson Clark, Kate's husband and Almost Seamus's resident audio engineer, ensures good-sounding recordings and lays down the rock-solid rhythm on bass. Jayson's an award-winning lighting designer and teaches lighting at Niagara University. He shares his love of music festivals with, Kate, and two daughters. Rounding out the band is Scott Panfil, Kate's brother and a multi-instrumentalist who contributes vocals, guitar, accordion, and more. Scott teaches music at Frontier, has a wife and two children and has been a member of multiple Buffalo bands.

This week's guest, Eric Tyrone Crittenden, visited the Flamingo Lounge on June 26, 2024. "Critt" donned a pair of Elvis glasses and a leigh from the Elvis bust in the Lounge and engaged in an engaging episode full of insight and laughter. Critt has over 25 years as a touring performer under his belt, sharing the stage with the likes of Bob Weir and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, Sinbad the Comedian, Michael Franti, G-Love & Special Sauce, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and so many more. He is an Award-Winning Multi-Instrumentalist, Entertainer and highly-respected Music Educator in Buffalo NY where he performs and dedicates his career to the local music scene and the youth in the community. He is also Co-Founder of IMAGE Urban Arts Workshop, CEO of CRiTT Presents and Co-Founder of the Buffalo Music Club.