So Important!

Hello friends! Let's get ready for Baseball 2023 - it's going to be different! A pitch clock, limits on defensive tactics, more stolen bases - baseball might just be fun again! My guest is Adam Pohl - a veteran of the podcast who joined me waaay back in episode four, and talked about his role as the broadcaster for the Bowie Baysox, the Double A minor league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Adam still broadcasts games for the Baysox, but has also taken on an expanded role for the team, and has emerged as a regular broadcaster here in DC. As an observer of "thousands" of minor league games, including the last few years were many of these rules have been long instituted, there's no one better with whom to tackle this subject! Baseball will never be the same - and if you want to know what to expect this year, you've come to the right place! Thank you Adam and PLEASE subscribe to the show on our website, and leave a review on Apple - it matters! See you soon!

Greetings and welcome to episode 58! I had the great honor to talk with Esther Starobin, who shared her compelling story of surviving the Holocaust through a short-lived, British supported program called the Kindertransport  ("children's transport") that helped to evacuate Jewish children from Nazi Germany.  Only about 10,000 children were fortunate enough to participate in the program; Esther was one of them. Esther shares her amazing story, and also reflects on some lessons from her experience that are applicable today. The picture that accompanies this episode, by the way, shows a young Esther with the family that so generously opened their doors to her upon her arrival in Britain. Esther has told her story in the Holocaust Museum's First Person series of conversations with Holocaust survivors if you'd like to hear more; and you can learn about Esther here. And if you are interested in learning more about the Kinder Transport, here's a Wikipedia link. I have known Esther for many years and I know what a remarkable woman she is; I am very grateful to have the opportunity to share her story.  See you soon with a new episode, and thank you Esther for taking the time to speak with me. 

Umm..coffee...am I the only one that goes to bed thinking about how I'm just that much closer to having my first cup of coffee when I get up? Just me? No? Didn't think so! Almost EVERYONE loves coffee! But...how does that little coffee bean become that cup you may be enjoying right now? How did coffee become a global phenomenon? What's the history - including the dark side of the story, and what's coming? My great guest, Professor Jonathan Morris of the University of Hertfordshire just outside of London (full bio here), discussed all of these topics with me on this episode. Dr. Morris has written two books on the topic including Coffee: A Global History; co-hosts A History of Coffee, a fascinating (and widely available) podcast looking at coffee's evolution, and has important thoughts on how we can help improve conditions for all of the farmers and individuals that help get us our morning cup.  Great thanks to Dr. Morris, and thanks to everyone who listens - and while you're at it, go ahead and give the show a rating on I-Tunes, and all those good things! See you soon with a new episode, and enjoy this one with Dr. Morris!

Hello my friends! Had a great discussion with Dr. Alex Grand about how the comic book industry continues to evolve to meet changing consumer expectations, focused on the idea of comic book realism. Dr. Grand has authored Understanding Superhero Comic Books: A History of Key Elements, Creators, Events, and Controversies -  a  ground breaking book on how comic books have evolved, and continue to do. Absolutely fascinating conversation - with all my most geeky instincts coming to play!  Dr. Grand looks at how over time, comic books injected greater levels of realism into the story lines - in part thanks to Stan Lee, but actually reflecting a trend begun well before Spidey, the Fantastic Four, and the other seminal Marvel characters. This helped tell a good story, but was also essential to keeping the industry viable as readers' expectations evolved. We also talk about the industry today, where comic book characters are developed as intellectual property that must translate across an array of media, including movies.   A fascinating exploration - and you don't need to be a comic book geek to enjoy it. Dr. Grand has a great site on comic book history, and it was a great treat to chat. And by all means check out his really cool YouTube sight, chock full of GREAT videos! Enjoy, dear listeners - and see you soon (I promise) with a brand new episode!

Greetings! I had the great privilege to speak with Dr. Francesca Royster, professor of English at DePaul University, on her essential new book, Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions. Dr. Royster masterfully weaves the story of the relationship between blacks and country music, including the whitewashing of black artists for many years; the resurgence of black artists now making country music; and her personal journey as a fan of the genre, from the perspective of "queer theory and black feminism." Dr. Royster weaves it all together in a compelling narrative that is at once sobering, yet also very joyous in her appreciation of this wonderful music.  A number of songs are interwoven in the narrative; all come from the playlist, CURATED BY DR. ROYSTER HERSELF, that accompanies this episode. That can be found here:  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/18DVB3Y2KwI5rryJAMpt3a?si=8b3e321235c1417d I'm very appreciative that Dr. Royster not only spent time with me, but curated the playlist. Take some time to enjoy it - it's fantastic.  See you all soon with a new episode!    

Greetings everyone! Do you have 20 minutes to enjoy a GREAT story? This is how Sarah Bonner, her husband Tommy Bowes, and their partner, Allan Kresse, revitalized a cultural landmark right here in Maryland - and made it better than ever! Hank Dietle's Tavern was a much loved establishment with a loyal clientele - until it shockingly burned down in 2018. Sarah and her partners took over, reconstituted Hank's and turned it into a premier music venue at the heart of the local music scene. On any given night, you can go to Hank's and hear the best local - and increasingly national - music acts this town has to offer. And yeah, you sure as hell can dance there! It's an incredible transformation, and this is the story of how it happened! I love this story, and I love Hank's - it's a really fun and always lively place to go with great people, great music, and a great environment. What Sarah and her team did was truly remarkable, and I'm thrilled to share their story with all of you. And be sure to drop in when you're in the area! I'm always up for a trip to Hank's! In addition to Hank Dietle's terrific website, you can also check out Hank's on their Facebook page. And special thanks to Tommy's band - the Rock-a-sonics - for providing the opening and closing music for this episode, and to Alan Kresse for providing the excellent picture accompanying this episode!

Along with two colleagues, MIT Professor of Economics Joshua Angrist won the Nobel Prize in 2021 for their methodological contributions to the analysis of causal relationships - or put another way, using natural experimental methods to measure trends and seeking to understand outcomes than traditional, more familiar research methods. Dr. Angrist and I had a great talk about his important work, as well as the experience of winning the Nobel Prize itself! And I should add, we've known each other since High School - which made the conversation all the more engaging and entertaining. Yeah, we weren't the best students back then...but Josh's story is an inspirational one - from mediocre high school student to Nobel Prize recipient. So we talked about his journey, we reminisced a bit about the old times...but perhaps most important, Josh did an exemplary job breaking down his work into terms even I could understand. So enjoy our conversation, and I'll see you soon with a new episode of So Important: The Interview Podcast! A couple cool links:  Here's Josh's Nobel Prize lecture, and here's some background on this very impressive individual. Thank you, Josh!  

Greetings friends! I had a great conversation with graphic design artist Michael Kronenberg on the various ways that Batman has been portrayed over the years. It's really interesting to track Batman's evolution, particularly in light of how his persona  evolved not only in comic books, but also in movies and other media throughout the years. This is a classic "I feel like I've only skimmed the surface" episode, but we had fun talking and I'm grateful that Michael spent some time with me.  Michael Kronenberg is the right guy to talk to. He co-authored and designed The Batcave Companion (co-authored with Michael Eury), is a seminal collection of essays on the Caped Crusader. He is an award winning artist/graphic designer for the Film Noir Foundation and TwoMorrows Publishing, and he is the creator/designer of the boxing magazine RINGSIDE SEAT. Michael has designed magazines, books, and DVD/Blu-Ray movie releases for publishers worldwide.  Just as an additional note, I interviewed Michael for my blog many years ago on the art of film noir. Check out the link - we had a terrific time chatting! Thanks to all, and hope you enjoy the episode. See you soon!

Greetings friends. Today we're talking with Randy Schmidt, who wrote the definitive biography of Karen Carpenter who, along with her brother Richard, was one half of the immensely popular 1970s musical ensemble, The Carpenters. Everyone knows the Carpenters. For me, they were just that "pop act" that I didn't pay much attention to, and didn't really have any thoughts about one way or the other. Then I saw a video of Karen drumming...then I started listening to some of the music and realized what a golden voice she had...and I started thinking about her sad and untimely death in 1983 due to complications from Anorexia Nervosa. By this time, I had Karen Carpenter on my mind, and I wanted to know more about this truly amazing singer.  I turned to Randy Schmidt, who has written the definitive biography of Karen, entitled Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter. Randy has written on a number of performers, but it's his work on Karen Carpenter that has struck a chord with so many, and I'm so pleased he came on the show. And...we had an AMAZING conversation.  We talked about how the Carpenters came to be, their beautiful music that often transcended the traditional pop format with which they're often associated, and the circumstances surrounding Karen's death. I know you'll find yourself enraptured in Karen's story - just like I was. It's a special conversation, and a bif thank you to Randy for sharing his insights with me.  See you soon with a new episode. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this one.

It's episode 50 folks! And to help celebrate this milestone, I'm joined by four alumni of the So Important Podcast: Mike Edison (episode 28), Gary Graff (episode 5), Jim Wilson (episode 7), and Chris McKittrick (episode 23) - four great guests convening to discuss a topic near and dear to all of our hearts: the late, great drummer of the Rolling Stones, Mr. Charlie Watts, who passed away last August. It's rare for me to have more than one guest, but the conversation was well worth it. Jim Wilson is a professional musician whose solo work reflects his deep love of the band. Chris has written a book on the Stones' early days, detailing their love of New York City. Mike Edison wrote the book on Charlie - quite literally. And Gary Graff is a widely published, internationally acclaimed music critic out of Detroit. What a crowd! We had a great time talking about a man who was one of the world's greatest drummers - celebrating his life, his music and his enduring legacy. It doesn't get better than this! Enjoy this special episode. Share it. Go to Apple Podcasts and give the show some love. We've made it this far  and I hope you enjoy this milestone episode as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Love you all, see you soon, peace out. Thank you for your continued support! Monte

Greetings friends! Appropriate for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, I spoke with retired Brigadier General Ty Seidule about his remarkable book, Robert E. Lee and Me:  A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause, which was just published in paperback and which is currently Amazon's number one release in American Civil War Biographies. The book is an important history, but it's also a highly personal memoir of how one man, raised in and respectful of the deep traditions of the South, came to view the Civil War as about slavery only, and to see Robert E. in a very different light than he did as a young man.  Ty brings a historian's perspective on what we as a nation must do to overcome racial bias in this country. And the book is all the more remarkable in light of Ty Seidule's own backstory. He is a retired United States Army brigadier general, the former head of the history department at the United States Military Academy, the first professor emeritus of history at West Point, and the inaugural Joshua Chamberlain Fellow at Hamilton College. He brings a deep appreciation and understanding of history to the story, as well as a compelling narrative about his own journey. Thank you to Ty Seidule for sharing your story with us. It is a compelling call to action, and I appreciate your taking the time to speak with me.  See you soon with....EPISODE 50!

Greetings friends and fans of the So Important podcast! It's the holiday season, and I thought a story of inspiration was in order. And our guest on this episode is very inspiring, to say the least. Spend a little time with Amy Edelstein, who discusses her lifelong personal journey to attain a higher level of spirituality and one-ness with the world - but also to translate her life's lessons into helping others deal with life's stresses and traumas. She has run programs for inner city youth in Philadelphia, written numerous books, and hosts her own podcast. Amy is an award-winning author, and her most recent book, Adventures in Zanskar: A Young Woman's Solitary Journey to Reach Physical and Metaphysical Heights, chronicles her solitary, 500 kilometer trek in the early 1980s, when she undertook a months-long trip through the remote, westernmost corner of the Tibetan plateau that had just been opened to travelers. It's hard to envisage taking a journey like Amy describes; the fact that she did it in her early 20s makes her story all the more impressive and inspiring. We discuss this journey extensively and for the record, Amy's book has become my go-to gift for the holiday season! I know you'll find Amy's story moving, elevating, and so inspiring in these often-challenging times. Thank you Amy for spending time with me, and I'll see everyone soon for a new episode of So Important: The Interview Podcast!

I had the great pleasure of speaking with Suzanne Romero, the Founder and President of the George A Romero Foundation in Pittsburgh, PA.  Suzanne established the Foundation to secure George's great legacy, and as its comprehensive website makes clear, the Foundation is accomplishing this in any number of exciting ang meaningful ways. We talked about how the Foundation is supporting independent filmmakers, its relationship with the University of Pittsburgh, where all of Romero's films are archived as part of the University's Horror Studies Collection, George's special relationship with another Pittsburgh horror icon, the great Bill Cardille - and of course, the films themselves, and their place in the cultural zeitgeist. Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead - these are all classic films appreciated by anyone who likes a good scare. But dig deeper, and you'll appreciate the cultural and social commentary within these films, reflecting George's deeper vision and compassion for humankind. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with Suzanne, and help share his legacy. See you soon with a new episode of So Important. In the meantime, I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation with Suzanne!

Daniel Webster is one of the country's leading experts on addressing the threat of gun violence in this country. As the Director of the Center for Gun Violence Prevention and Policy at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Webster focuses on the public health aspect of addressing this epidemic.  I  am grateful that Dr. Webster joined me to talk about this important topic. Dr. Webster's biography is impressive, and I've shared it below for your perusal.  This was an illuminating, important conversation, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to share it with you. I admit, the public health aspect of controling gun violence is not one I had thought much about; it's clearly time to think about it a whole lot more.  Thanks to Dr. Webster, and I hope you enjoy our conversation. See you soon!   Daniel Webster, ScD, MPH is Bloomberg Professor of American Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health where he directs the Center for Gun Violence Prevention and Policy. Dr. Webster is one of the nation's leading experts on the prevention of gun violence and has published widely on the impacts of gun policies on homicides and suicides, the diversion of guns for use in crime, community violence prevention, youth violence, and intimate partner violence. He is the lead editor and a contributor to Reducing Gun Violence in America: Informing Policy with Evidence and Analysis (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013). He is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice's Working Group on Violent Crime. Webster's research has informed policies to reduce gun violence at the local, state, and federal level. His awards include the American Public Health Association's David Rall Award for science-based advocacy (2015), Baltimore City's Health Equity Leadership Award (2016), Pioneer Award from the Injury Free Coalition for Kids (2017), and Johns Hopkins University Distinguished Alumni Award (2017).

Hello friends! I contacted Dr. Raymond Doswell to talk about the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Doswell is the museum's Vice President and Curator and brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the topic. We talked about the museum for quite a while - but what makes the conversation especially meaningful is that Dr. Doswell spent some time at the start of our conversation discussing the Negro Legues themselves - how they contributed to American culture, the opportunities they provided to black ball players who were shut out of the major leagues, and their enduring importance in American societal development. It was a great conversation, and I'm so pleased to have the chance to share our talk with all of you. And our conversation provided a meaningful context when we turned to discuss the Museum itself.  Here's a link to the museum - it's a great site and worth checking out. I've gotta get to that place - it sounds fantastic! And be sure to check out the podcast, widely available, hosted by the museum's president, Bob Kendrick, entitled Black Diamonds. It's one of my favorities. Energy and enthusiasm - and great depth of knowledge - abound! See you soon with a new episode, and hey, get on over to Apple and give us a good rating - it's always appreciated! Monte     

Hey gang! Had a very fun conversation with Richard Adler, who knew - and played with members of - the seminal punk band The Ramones. We talked about the early days, as the band was just getting started - and Richard has great stories to tell. He also brings a great perspective to the table. A long-time veteran of the music business, Richard tells some great stories of the early days, in particular with his good friend and original Ramones drummer Tommy Erdelyi - aka Tommy Ramone - and the Ramones guitarist, Johnny Ramone. But of course, Johnny was just John Cummings back then!  I'm very grateful for Richard for spending some time with me; we could have talked for hours. I'm sure you'll enjoy hearing about the early days of one of the most important, and musically enduring bands, in history.  See you soon with a new episode!   Monte

What's it like to be a first round pick in baseball's annual draft? What's it like to be facing incredibly lofty expectations - including from a coach who says you "walk on water" - when you're just a teenager? And what do you do with yourself when the pressure is just too much, and things just dont work out?  Well, here's what my guest today, Mr. Chad Hermansen did: he took his experiences and developed a program to help young athletes deal wtih the mental pressures of athletics. Chad could have walked away from sports altogether, but instead he dedicated himself to helping young athletes overcome performance anxiety and handle the mental side of the game. It's an extraordinary story, and Chad was kind enough to share his story with us on this episode. His insights into how he took his personal experience and turned it into something good for so many young athletes is compelling, and frankly inspiring.  I'm grateful that Chad spent some time with me. If you're interested in learing more about Chad's program, The Mental Edge, you can do so here; you can also e-mail Chad directly at chad@legacysportsclubhouse.com.  Special tip of the hat to the guys at the Bucs In The Basement podcast. I heard Chad on their show, and I just said to myself, that's a guy I've got to talk to. If you love baseball, and especially Pirates baseball, check out their podcast. It's a good one! See you soon, and feel free to rate and review us at Apple and other fine carriers of this podcast! Monte

Greetings friends! We're rolling along...presenting our second episode since returning from a shot break. And what a show it is! David Wilson is an IT consultant with the United States Agency for International Development, in Washington DC. But he is also a dedicated Revolutionary War reenactor, and that's what we talk about today. David gives us a presentation on revolutionary war reenactment, and in his presentation and our subsequent conversation, he shares his thoughts on the importance of this activity in helping us learn from, and appreciate the lessons of, this important part of history. David is a member of the First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line. He has thought deeply about revolutionary war reenactment as an integral method for helping us learn from history in an engaging and at the same time, entertaining way. It's a great listen, and I appreciate David spending some time with me. See you soon with a new episode of So Important: The Interview Podcast. In the meantime, I sure would appreciatet it if you went to apple and gave us a rating and review. See you soon!. 

Greetings Friends! Returning from hiaitus with a terrific conversation with Dr. J. Brian O'Roark on Superhero Economics! Dr. O'Roark developed an approach to teaching economics to his students at Robert Morris University - just outside of my hometown of Pittsburgh - by relying on popular culture, and in particular superheroes, to convey complex economic ideas in ways that students and others can relate to and understand, and indeed apply in their everyday lives. Dr. O'Roark is a pioneer in this field; he has written numerous articles on the topic, including this terrific overview, edited a definitive book on the topic that is available at Amazon and I'm sure wherever economic and other academic books are sold; and is the author of Why Superman Doesn't Take Over The World: What Superheroes Can Tell Us About Economics. Dr. O'Roark has won numberous awards for his teaching, and is truly an innovater in the field of education.  I know you will enjoy our conversation - and if you do, don't be shy about going to Apple podcasts and leave a review and a rating! It's always appreciated. And let me just note my great appreciation for Dr. O'Roark, who was so generous with his time.  See you soon with a new epiosde of So Important: The Interview Podcast!

So pleased to chat with Bruce Pegg, who wrote the definitive biography of Chuck Berry back in 2002. The title says it all: Brown Eyed Handsome Man: The Life and Hard Times of Chuck Berry. It's available on Amazon, and wherever great books are sold.  Chuck made some of the most important and enduring music in American  history. Yet he never seemed to recognize the extent of his own contributions; he usually toured with a pickup band hired by the club or outlet; and he just couldn't stay clear of the law. Racial incidents that he experienced in his youth seemed to scar him significantly, and while he played right up to his 88th birthday in 2014 - just three years before his death, Chuck lived in relative obscurity and  carried a huge chip on his shoulder - right to the end.  We barely skimmed the surface here, but it was a real pleasure for me to talk with Bruce and I think you'll enjoy learning about this enigmatic, but extremely important, figure.  Bruce's web site is worth reading; lots of great insights and the man can write. And the book is so good, I read it twice! So go give it a shot!   See you soon with a new episode. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy!  

Hello friends! It's been a busy time so I apologize in the lag since our last episode...but here we are, back and fresh as ever, with my GREAT conversation with Michelle Dresbold, who is one of the world's preeminent handwriting analysts. We talk about her important work supporting law enforcement, her upcoming book, and many other aspects of her fascinating career. And...well she even analyzes me!  Michelle has an extraordinary website - you can really experience the full breadth of her work there and it's highly recommended. And we talked about her book, Sex, Lies, and Handwriting, on the show - and you can find it right here on Amazon! We had a lot of fun chatting, and I hope you enjoy the episode as well - and as always, if you have a minute to drop a few stars and a favorable review on Apple Podcasts, it's very appreciated!

Hello friends, and welcome to this episode of So Important: The Interview Podcast! We're talking today with Esman Kurum, an authority on the cinematography of film noir - the seedy and fatalistic movies that, during the 1940s and 1950s, were often exceptionally beautiful and expressive, with great care and attention to "painting with light," in the words of the great film noir cinematographer John Alton. We talk about Alton and the great cinematography associated with the genre, but we also talk about the music, the characters, the unique storytelling - all the things that made these movies so special.  Esman joined me from Paris and we had so much fun discussing the aesthetics of film noir - and I learned a lot! Check out his blog and enjoy our conversation, and I'll see you soon with a new episode! And of course, don't forget to drop in on I-Tunes and give a little rating and review - it's really appreciated!

Hello everyone and welcome to a very special - and very personally meaningful - episode of So Important: The Interview Podcast. This is the compelling, and in the end uplifting, story of Dr. Yolanda Avram Willis, who survived the Holocaust during World War II, in Greece. The story of the Holocaust in Greece is not as familiar as the story in other parts of Europe. But in fact, almost all of the Jewish population of that country was wiped out. This is the remarkable story of how Yolanda survived, thanks to the ingenuity of her father, and the many Christian Greeks who helped the family.  I have known Yolanda for decades and I am so glad finally to have the chance to help tell her story. I am joined by her eldest son, Mr. Marty Willis, whom I have known since the 1960s; and because we were fortunate to have Yolanda visit my Temple in 2018 and tell her story, we are able to intersperse excerpts of her talk into the conversation. Yolanda told her story in a 2017  book entitled A Hidden Child In Greece: Rescue in the Holocaust. It is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other fine booksellers. It's a compelling read and highly recommended! Thank you Yolanda for sharing your story, and thank you Marty for your great insights and for all your help in making this happen. And special shout out to Aaron Zitner, who recorded Yolanda's talk in 2018.  See you soon and if you find the episode to be special, please give the show a rating and good review on Apple Music. Thanks! 

Hello friends! We're back with the great Steve Hackett, member of Genesis during that band's classic era in the 1970s, creator of well over 25 solo albums, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to discuss A Genesis In My Bed, his long-anticipated autobiography that was almost a decade in the making. Steve talks about what led him to the guitar, his time in Genesis, his prodigious career as a solo performer, and lessons learned from a unique and fascinating life. And I'm happy to report, much improved sound from last time! Steve's book will be published in July, but you can pre-order it here. It's also available for pre-order on Amazon. The book is a good one! And thanks to Steve and his U.S. promotion company, Chipster PR, for all their help in making this interview possible.  Enjoy! New episode soon!

Sister Rosetta Tharpe. A trailblazer; an exuberant and charismatic performer from the 1930s all the way to the 1970s; and a wicked electric guitar player. This amazing woman was raised in, and remained loyal to, her gospel roots throughout her entire life and career; yet she took the secular music world by storm in the 1950s - and had a major, and largely under appreciated, influence on the birth of rock and roll itself. This is her amazing story, as told by the author of the great Rosetta Tharpe biographer, Dr. Gayle Ward. Dr. Wald's book, Shout, Sister, Shout: The Untold Story of Rock and Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, is the definitive accounting of the life, music and influence of this truly groundbreaking performer. It's available here on Amazon, and if you want to visit Gayle's informative and entertaining website, you can do so here. The book is a classic, and I can't recommend it enough! Dr. Wald is a professor of English and the Chair of American Studies of American Studies at George Washington University in Washington, DC. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and I'm sure you will too. Thank you, Gayle, for your great generosity of time and insights!

Hello friends!  In December, 2019, David Montgomery, Staff Writer for the Washington Post Magazine, wrote an in-depth article on President Trump's proposal for a new branch of the military, to be called the Space Force. In preparing the article,, which can be accessed here, Montgomery evolved from a skeptic over the value of the Space Force to a supporter. A topic of interest to me personally, I reached out to David to talk about Space Force - how it came about, what it's intended to do, and what the international community might do to promote stability and the peaceful exploration of space. And we talked about the abiding allure of space, and the great men and women dedicated to carrying out the Space Force mission.  Very grateful to David for his time and thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. I hope you do too, and see you soon with a brand new episode of So Important: The Interview Podcast!

Hello friends! Who's up for a second episode in a row...about Baseball?? I talked with  Mitchell Nathanson, Professor of Law at Villanova University and the author of numerous books and articles on the subject of baseball, about his new book on the one and only Jim Bouton, whose 1970 book, Ball Four, was a rite of passage for fellas like me! It was a must-read as a kid, known for its honest and very revealing look at the life of a major league baseball player. But it turns out Bouton's significance goes well beyond that - and that's the topic of Mitchell's book. Mitchell was granted access to Jim's extensive archival material that supported the writing of Ball Four and got to know Jim Bouton and his family personally. The result is a book that will prove to be unique and invaluable, in what it brings to the table about an extraordinary individual.   You can learn more about Professor Nathanson and his many books and publications on his excellent website, and you can follow Mitchell on twitter at @MitchNathanson. His book can be ordered on Amazon here.  And a tip of the hat to Mitchell - thank you so much for chatting, and I am looking forward to reading Bouton: The Life of a Baseball Original!

Hello friends,  Well, we should be deep into the baseball season by now...but life had other ideas, and here we are approaching May with no start of the season in sight. Not to worry...I've been talking with some TOP NOTCH guests to help fill the void, beginning with one Jeremy Newberger, the CEO of Ironbound Films, who talked with me about his fantastic documentary, Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel. If you haven't seen the documentary yet, you should! It is an uplifting tale of grit, and giving it everything you've got - even when the odds are conspiring against you.  This is the story of the team that represented Israel in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, and who progressed through the tourney well beyond anyone's expectations - except their own. It is the story of how these players bonded through their Jewish heritage, and how they took the Classic by storm when everyone had dismissed them. It's a great story, as only Jeremy Newberger, who directed the film, can tell it - with passion and enthusiasm, and great love and respect for these very human players.  Big news: The film will be released on DVD in early May - and you can preorder it right here! If you want to learn more about Ironbound Films, make sure you check out their website, and here's the official trailer for the film. Enjoy the show, PLEASE go to Apple podcasts and give a good review and rating for the series, and I'll see you soon with a new episode! Go Bucs! Monte

Hello friends and welcome to a new episode of So Important! My guest is Mr. Benny Becker, an investigative reporter focused on issues in the Appalachian region of the United States. Benny is compassionate, thorough, and incisive - as his many stories on the challenges faced by the towns and people of Appalachia bear out. This is the story of Benny's journey, and we also talk about some of Benny's most recent stories.  It was a great pleasure to speak with Benny, and I urge everyone to read his stories, and spend a few minutes hearing what he has to say. Here's a link to his website, as well as a direct link to his most recent reporting on clean water issues in West Virginia. And here's a nice link to many of Benny's stories.  I hope you enjoy this episode, and I am grateful to Benny for speaking with me about his fascinating, and important, work.  See you soon with a new episode of So Important!

Well my friends, I notice that I tend to describe every episode as "very special," but this one is for sure. I talked with legendary Guitarist Steve Hackett, who was the guitar player in Genesis from 1971 to 1977, when they were at the height of their progressive rock powers. There is nothing like the early, pre-pop music of Genesis, and along with Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins (who did ok for himself btw), Michael Rutherford, and Tony Banks, Steve was a big reason why that is the case. He has gone on to record over 25 solo albums and he continues to tour to this day. I saw him and his stellar band a couple nights ago and it was a truly transcendent experience. SEE HIM! Special thanks to Steve for his time and while the audio quality wasn't quite as good as I would have liked, a number of audio engineers, including David Martin in the DC area and Trebor at the Audacity Windows Forum site, helped significantly to improve it - which I really, really appreciate. Ultimately there was only so much that could be done, but thanks to these guys it came out ok. And special thanks to my wife Nancy, who had to endure my obsessive work on this particular episode! You will find a number of musical excerpts sprinkled throughout the show. With a musician as accomplished as Steve Hackett, one should look for any opportunity to let the music speak for itself. So, that's what I did. I created a special playlist for those who want to hear each of these songs in their entirety, as well as a few others curated for the show. Here's the link:  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/56ilQhAtzQI6gDXgYeWKbh?si=-mY7gEQCQ9ePGzNfuyKa5Q Check out Steve's website, and don't forget to check for tour dates. It's an amazing show and you owe it to yourself to see a true master of the craft in action.  See you soon with a new episode, and THANK YOU STEVE HACKETT!

In 1937, the Nazi regime in Germany foreclosed upon a building in the heart of Berlin that was owned by Dina Gold's family. They received significantly less than market value in return. This is Dina's amazing and inspirational story of all that she did to see that justice for her family was served.  This is a story of determination, commitment, and conviction, and never giving up when the cause is just. Dina's story is an inspiration for all of us, and here it is in her own words.  Dina's book about her effort can be found here, on Amazon, or wherever great books are sold. Dina also maintains a website dedicated to her story, and a Facebook page that is informative and always interesting. Thank you, Dina, for spending time with me, and sharing your amazing story!

Hello friends! Today we're talking with Mike Edison on his new book, Sympathy For The Drummer: Why Charlie Watts Matters. Mike and I share a deep and abiding love for Mr. Watts, the drummer of the Rolling Stones. There are few like him in the rock and roll world, and as Mike and I agree, the world is a MUCH better place with him in it. As Keith Richards says, without Charlie Watts, there's no Rolling Stones. A point on which Mike and I heartily agree! I love Charlie Watts, and I love this book. And I loved talking with Mike about our favorite drummer. As Mike notes, the Stones were smart enough to hire a jazz cat as their drummer - and the rest is history. I know you'll love hearing from Mike about why Charlie Watts matters! Here's a link to the book on Amazon, and here's a link to Mike's website which has oodles of good stuff worth checking out. And for you play along at home types, here's a playlist I put together featuring some of Charlie's best songs. All the songs that Mike and I discuss - and many others - are on the playlist! BONUS: Mike and I discuss the Stones' 2016 masterpiece, Blue and Lonesome, featuring covers of classic blues songs. Here's a playlist with all of those songs, as well as the original recordings. Enjoy every minute! If you've got a second, please like us on I-Tunes and leave a nice review, and share the episode with your friends. All those things help and are appreciated.  See you soon, and thank you, Mike!

All - had a wonderful conversation with Steve Pindar, the Founder of Roberto's Kids, a charitable organization dedicated to building social and community responsibility - through baseball! The organization is named, as you may have guessed, after the great Pittsburgh Pirate, Roberto Clemente. Roberto was a legendary ballplayer, and a great humanitarian as well. We talked about Roberto, how he inspired Steve's organization, and the great work that Roberto's Kids does, all around the world, to meet its mission.  You may recall that last year at this time, we talked with Karen Struble Meyers about the Fred Rogers Foundation, and the relevancy of Fred's message to this day and age. So I thought that the time was right to find inspiration in another Pittsburgh icon, and that's what you'll hear about today. But something else also inspired the timing of this episode. It was 47 years ago almost to this day when a small plane carrying Roberto, and loaded with supplies for the survivors of a devastating earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua, crashed and killed Roberto and the plane's crew. So the timing was right to remember Roberto, and all that he did to make the world a better place.  Here's a link to Steve's organization, Roberto's Kids. It's worth checking out, and it's great to meet folks like Steve so dedicated to making the world a better place.  Thanks, and see you soon. In the meantime, have a great New Years and enjoy the holiday season!  

Hello friends, and welcome to a special thanksgiving-day episode! Little surprise here for ya - decided to talk about something interesting and important to me - the birth of rock and roll drumming! Have some fun listening to how the backbeat - the basis of rock and roll drumming - came about. Lots of great music here...and get to know Earl Palmer (pictured), DJ Fontana, Clifton James, and many other greats who developed the feel and sound of early rock drumming. I had a lot of fun putting this episode together, and I hope you have a lot of fun listening! And here's a playlist of full versions of all the songs played in the episode, plus a few others. Enjoy! Don't forget to get to I-Tunes and leave a nice review, tell your friends about the show, and have a great thanksgiving! See you soon and enjoy!   Monte

Welcome friends! We're back from a short hiatus and talking with Moshe Engelberg - our first repeat guest - about his recent book, The Amare Wave: Uplifting Business by Putting Love to Work! Moshe talks about an alternative business model to what we're used to - and has the numbers to back up his arguments! It's fair to say that I've known Moshe a very long time...and I always appreciate his positive, and affirmative approach to overcoming the challenges we all face, every day. This is the ethos he brings to his subject, and I am so happy to have the chance to share his thoughts with you! Moshe led his strategic consulting firm Researchworks, Inc. for almost thirty years. He now leads workshops, speaks regularly at both large and more intimate gatherings, provides leadership consulting to businesses looking for new ways of moving forward, and of course he is diligently spreading the word about the Amare Wave.  He's an inspiring individual, and a true friend of the show! You can pre-order Moshe's book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and elsewhere, and you can contact Moshe at connect@theamarewave.com. He's very personable! I hope you enjoy our conversation and thank you, Moshe!

In the midst of the Cold War, when the United States and the Former Soviet Union had - literally - tens of thousands of nuclear weapons pointed at each other, there were nonetheless efforts to find areas of cooperation.  One such area was Scientific Cooperation, where many of the scientists, engineers, and other experts who helped build nuclear weapons found ways to cooperate, in order to perhaps defuse tensions, keep lines of communication open, and advance scientific discovery in the name of advancing common interests.  Dr. Gerson Sher was in the midst of such efforts for many years, and has written a truly seminal - and fascinating - book about his experience. The book is entitled From Pugwash to Putin: A Critical History of U.S. - Soviet Scientific Cooperation, and it tells an amazing story from a man in the midst of such efforts. Gerson talks about what the work was trying to achieve, some of the great characters involved in these efforts, and lessons learned for pursuing such cooperation today - a vastly different international environment.  Gerson's book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and everywhere else that quality books are sold. I highly recommend that you check it out!  Other news department: As many of you know, our little podcast has been expanding its reach lately. In addition to most podcast carriers, Apple, and other sources, So Important! is now available on Stitcher, Google Play, and the great Spotify! So please do subscribe and spread the word, and if there's a platform where you'd like to see us, let me know!  Special episode in the works for episode 25 - watch this space! Thank you for being a loyal listener, and welcome to our new ones! We talk to a variety of folks here, and we keep it short! So tune in, tell your friends, all those good things! Spread the Word! Thank you Gerson!

Hello friends! Had a great conversation with Christopher McKittrick on his new book about the Rolling Stones and their career-long relationship with New York City! I thoroughly enjoyed the book and could have chatted with Christopher for hours - like me, he's a dyed-in-the-wool Rolling Stones fan. He also resides in and loves New York City, and had lots to say about the relationship between the city and the Stones. A fun talk and a GREAT read! Christopher is a prolific writer - a good place to start is on Amazon, where you can check out his Author Central Site. His website is worth a look too - a great place to learn more about our guest.  And hey, if you aren't familiar with the Rolling Stones and just gotta learn more...well, do a google search and if you're lucky, something might come up! Thank you Christopher, and I hope everyone enjoys our conversation! Monte

Greetings friends,  I'd like you to meet Dr. Ben Canha, who has written a PhD dissertation on a critically important, and absolutely fascinating, topic: how humor can play a role in helping to treat the opioid crisis in America. Dr. Canha teaches nursing at the University of Maryland. He also spent many years working on addiction treatment issues at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Canha has observed for years how humor can play a role in helping folks deal with addictive health issues; he is one of, if not the, first to apply this to the opioid crisis specifically. I greatly appreciate Ben spending time with me, and I have great admiration for the work he is doing. I think after hearing our conversation, you will too.  Thank you again, Ben! NOTE: You may have noticed that I rarely spend time at the beginning or end of the episode asking you to go to I-Tunes and give the show a good review. And new listeners may note that there is no such plea at the end of this broadcast. In short, I don't want to detract from the guest. But I do want to mention how important that is, and ask that if you enjoy the broadcast with Ben, you give the podcast a good review, share with a friend or two, and pass along to those that may be interested. It's easy to share, and it means a lot. Thank you!

Well, it's Memorial Day Weekend, and that means baseball! Join me in talking with Cesar Brioso about his recent book, Last Seasons In Havana: The Castro Revolution and the End of Professional Baseball in Cuba."  Cesar is a digital producer for USA Today Sports, where he served as baseball editor from 2003 to 2004, and traces his lineage to Havana - a topic we briefly discuss at the end our conversation. The book is an absolutely fascinating read, chronicling how the revolution brought an end to professional baseball in Cuba - but never dampened the passion of the Cuban people for the game they dearly love. The book is filled with unforgettable characters and anecdotes, and we barely skimmed the surface in our talk - so that means, you gotta read the book! And you can purchase it on Amazon and just about everywhere.  You can check out the facebook page for the book, and follow Cesar on Twitter at @cbrioso - a great way to keep up with Cesar's guest appearances. It's a great book, and please do check it out! Thank you, Cesar! And may I make a plea to listeners everywhere to follow the podcast, give it a good review in I-Tunes, all those good things. I usually don't push on all that in the podcast itself, but it's important and appreciated. Thanks!    

Tom Mirenda knows orchids. He is the Chairman of the American Orchid Society's Preservation Committee and he has traveled the world investigating, and talking about, the many species of orchids that inhabit our planet. Currently living in Hawaii - a great launching point for investigating the world's orchids - Tom has been a mainstay of the Orchid community for many, many years. He worked for over 15 years as the Orchid Collection Specialist at the Smithsonian Institution, and until recently was the leading Orchid authority at the Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Garden on the "Big Island," a locale notably lush with all manner of orchids. Tom writes extensively for Orchids magazine and other orchid-focused publications, and he has co-authored a book on orchids, entitled The Book of Orchids. As I said, the man knows his orchids!  Tom and I talked extensively about the beauty and attraction of the orchid, and the important work Tom is undertaking to help preserve orchids in light of climate change and other factors. It was a pleasure speaking with Tom. I learned a lot, and I hope you do as well! In addition to the links provided above, you can keep up with Tom on his Facebook page and his book is widely available, including on Amazon. I hope you enjoy my chat with Tom - I certainly did! Thank you Tom, and thank you everyone for listening!

Hello and Welcome! My guests today are Lisset Diaz and Miguel Comas, two members of the terrific young band, the Sweet Lizzie Project. These guys have a story to tell! Some time ago, PBS went to Cuba to learn more about the music scene there. That led to the migration of Lisset, Miguel, and the rest of the Sweet Lizzie Project band to the United States. Here's the amazing story of how it happened! I saw the band at a small house party about two months ago and I was instantly hooked. The band resides in Nashville, and their music uniquely reflects influences from both residences. Yet it is unequivocally and uniquely their own and I can't recommend it enough. Diaz is a powerhouse of a singer; Miguel Comas produces their music, and adds his signature lead guitar to the mix; and together they lead this young band that you need to learn more about.  And here's your opportunity! The songs you'll hear are Something, from the debut album Heaven, and their recently released duet with Raul Malo and the Mavericks, entitled Flower's In The Seed. Diaz is a truly unique stylist as these songs attest; but make sure you check out the entirety of the Heaven album. It's been in my heavy rotation for some time now, and for good reason! And a new album, entitled Technicolor, is coming soon! You can find all of it on their comprehensive website. They also have a Facebook page and they're on Instagram. And check out the first rate videos for both Flower's In the Seed and Turn Up The Radio - a true classic, as we discuss on the show. Both - and many others - can be found here. Thank you Lisset and Miguel for joining me. And to all of you who like the show, please share it, rate it, and all those good things. In the meantime, enjoy getting to know the Sweet Lizzie Project!

I had the great pleasure of speaking with Dennis and PJ Aubrey about their wonderfully unique life's work - visiting the great Romanesque and Gothic churches of Europe, and brilliantly photographing and writing about - and now also podcasting about - their efforts. What started out as a hobby has turned into a spiritual adventure for the Aubreys, who have visited over 900 churches to date. What a treat it was to chat with Dennis and PJ.  You owe it to yourself to check out their great work. Their photography is regularly exhibited worldwide, and their website - and in particular, their blog - provide wondrous excursions to a different time, where these churches were the centerpiece of rural and urban communities alike. The photographs on their social media sites, along with the carefully crafted accompanying text, and worth checking out - though you may find yourself unable to stop enjoying all that the sites have to offer. The Aubrey's blog, entitled Via Lucis: Photography of Religious Architecture (or, the way of light), is an essential site to check out. The Via Lucis website is a great overview of the Aubrey's work; and while you're at it, check out Light and Stone, the new podcast! All take you to a different world, in the capable and caring hands of Dennis and PJ.  And oh yes, there is indeed a Facebook page! I hope everyone enjoys the podcast, and thank you again Dennis and PJ!

Kat Murti is the founder and CIO of Feminists for Liberty, a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading the ideals of libertarian feminism. The organization's motto is "anti-sexism and anti-statism, pro-markets and pro-choice." Kat and I talked about the organization, its objectives, and about libertarian feminism - the organization's underlying philosophy. As listeners know, we don't talk politics on this podcast, but policy is fair game, and Kat's perspective on a number of issues is worth hearing. I appreciate that Kat spent some time with me, and I hope you enjoy our conversation.  Kat is a media presence. Check out the Feminists for Liberty Website, as well as the organization's Facebook page to learn more about Kat and her work. And you can follow the organization on Twitter.  Hope you enjoy the episode, and thank you again, Kat!

Rabbi Chuck Diamond is the former Rabbi at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, where on October 27, 2018 a lone gunman massacred eleven congregants. His only rationale was that he "wanted to kill Jews."  Rabbi Chuck joined me to share his story. He knew the slain personally, he is a native of he neighborhood where the slaughter took place, and he was a prominent spokesman in the aftermath of the massacre. He is a man of great wisdom with a unique perspective on the events in Pittsburgh, and I am very appreciative that he spent a few minutes with me.  In 2017, Rabbi Chuck founded his own community, Khalila La La, dedicated to providing a unique Jewish experience in the Pittsburgh area. You can learn more about Khalila La La, and support Rabbi Chuck's inspirational work, here at the official website. Rabbi Chuck also spoke at Temple Emanuel in Kensington Maryland recently, and an article in the Washington Jewish Week about Chuck's talk can be found here.  Thank you Chuck, and thank you dear listener.  Monte

Hello everyone,  I had so much fun putting this episode together!  I chatted with Stacy Godfrey, a long-time fellow fan of the band Genesis, and a co-host of the terrific podcast, Tabletop Genesis. Listening to her podcast, it became obvious to me that she would be fun to chat with. Why? Well, we both came to Genesis in very different eras of the band's history (me in the progressive 1970s, Stacy in the more pop-focused 1980s). Yet both of us spent time discovering, and learning to appreciate, all of the band's music and I knew that would be fun to talk about. It  was! And...we make some recommendations! I recommend some great Genesis songs from the 1980s that old stalwarts like me might appreciate. Stacy, in turn, highlights some of her favorites from the 1970s for those mostly familiar with the more pop-focused version of the band in the 1980s. And as a special Awesome So Important! Bonus, here's a link to a spotify playlist with almost all the songs we discussed: Stacy and Monte's So Important Genesis Playlist! And here's a link to the Tabletop Genesis Website as well as the Facebook Page - highly recommend you check it out!   Thank you again, Stacy! Enjoy!   Thank you Stacy, and I hope everyone enjoys our conversation about one of the all time greatest bands in the history of music!

Hello friends! A new year is upon us...and as the holiday season proceeds, it's hard not be a bit reflective. Is there more we can be doing to help bring folks together, to encourage tolerance and patience, and respect for each other's feelings? I think there is, and for this special episode, I went right to the source. Karen Struble Myers is the Associate Director and Director of Development and Communications at the Fred Rogers Center For Early Learning and Children's Media, on the campus of St. Vincent's College in Latrobe, PA. Karen and I talked about how the Center is implementing Fred's vision through a number of programs dedicated to Fred's vision; we talked about Fred's legacy, and we talked quite a bit about the relevance of Fred's message today. it was an inspiring talk and I am so pleased to share Karen's great words and insights. Fred has an inspiring message and maybe we can all take a minute to reflect, and think about what Fred teaches us today. There is a link to the Center below. It's a wonderful website and I encourage you to take a look. I want to thank my loyal listeners and welcome new ones. I hope you are enjoying all the great guests and I promise you there are more to come. Please help spread the word about the Podcast. This would be a GREAT episode to share and of course, a kind word and rating on I-Tunes is always appreciated. Anyway, best to everyone, happy holidays, and have a great new year. See you soon!  http://www.fredrogerscenter.org/  

I had the great pleasure of speaking with Monte A. Melnick, the former tour manager of the legendary rock band, The Ramones. For over 20 years the Ramones toured the world playing to adoring and loyal audiences; but it is only now, over 20 years after their retirement, that their contributions to music are fully appreciated. Monte was there throughout the duration of their career and brings a unique perspective to what made this band tick  through think and thin, good times and bad. It was an honor to talk with Monte about the legacy of this legendary band.  Monte has written a classic book about the band and his time with them, and I highly recommend it. The book, On The Road with The Ramones, is a great read and can be found here:  https://www.amazon.com/Ramones-Monte-Melnick-Frank-Meyer/dp/1606710206/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543688724&sr=8-1&keywords=Melnick+Monte For those who would enjoy seeing a little bit of the Ramones in action and at their best, here's a little clip. 14 songs in 26 minutes! It doesn't get better than that! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp3zaeOyL7Q&t=128s And finally, here's a great way to get familiar with their songs - a classic collection of hits. If like me, you prefer to hear actual albums, you can't go wrong with their first or third. But this collection will get you started:  https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ramones+mania+full+album Thanks again to Monte, and I hope everyone enjoys this episode of So Important!  

Hello everyone! I talked with Tosh Berman, an influential and beloved member of the Los Angeles literary scene, on his new book entitled, Tosh: Growing Up in Wallace Berman's World. This book is a masterful story of growing up as the son of the well-known artist Wallace Berman, who is often referred to as the creator of Assemblage Art and was a beloved figure in the early "beatnik" or hippie scene in California. Tosh recounts his unique childhood and talks openly about the cavalcade of luminaries that visited his home, his father's influence in the art world, and the impact of Wallace's untimely death on the young Tosh.  Tosh: Growing Up in Wallace Berman's World is published by City Lights books, and is a beautifully written, honest, and endearing memoir of a unique upbringing. The book will be available on Amazon and directly from the publisher. You can learn more about Tosh's book, and Tosh himself, here: http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100746120&fa=description Thank you, and enjoy the show!    

Hello all,  As I mention in the introduction to this episode, this podcast is a little bit different than the norm, in that we don't just focus on one topic, but we focus on people. My goal is to give all kinds of people the opportunity to talk about something interesting, or important, to them.  Often our topics are lighthearted, perhaps biographical, perhaps cultural, perhaps chatting with a respected teacher about his philosophy, or a musician about their craft. But sometimes we tackle serious issues, such as Poverty. Or, as in this episode, mental health awareness.  Jonna Murphy is a remarkable individual. She has had to deal with mental health issues in her own family, and she had made it her mission to become an authority on this topic, and to help others find the help and expertise to find help for themselves or a loved one, if there is a need. She has great insights into mental health and I think we all benefit from hearing what Jonna has to say. I salute Jonna's bravery for talking about such a difficult issue, and I thank her for sharing her great, and very practical knowledge about this topic.  I encourage you to share this episode with any and all who may find it inspiring, or who may be looking to take a first step toward addressing this difficult issue. And Jonna, thank you again.  If you'd like to connect with Jonna, please contact me at somportantpodcast.gmail.com. In the meantime, Jonna has shared some key links and I am happy to share them with you, below.  Thank you for listening and thank you, Jonna.  From Jonna Murphy:  Here are some very educational links related to serious mental illness - specifically bipolar and schizophrenia.    Over the years both NAMI and NIMH have provided us with a wealth of information.   This is just a start, there are many other links as well. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia   https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder  

So, this one is special to me.  I first saw Barrence Whitfield and the Savages perform in the 1980s and I have loved Barrence and his music ever since. Led by Barrence and long-time guitarist Peter Greenberg, the Savages put on a full-assault rock and roll attack every time. Describing their sound is never easy. The Savages build their sound on a garage band foundation, adding old-time rock and roll, hard rocking rhythm and blues, soul, and whatever else works to create the classic Savages sound. And at the heart of it all is the Savages full-throated, no-holds-barred lead singer, Barrence Whitfield. There's nothing like the Savages sound, and we discuss their sound extensively in our discussion. It was a great privledge to have the chance to talk with Barrence - a consummate musician and performer whom I have admired for so long a time.  You can learn more about Barrence at his website:  http://barrencewhitfieldsavages.com Or visit his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BarrenceWhitfieldSavages/ And of course, the music of the Savages is widely available on Amazon and elsewhere, including from Bloodshot Records at: https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artist/barrence-whitfield-savages The songs you'll hear on this podcast are Pain and I'll be Home Someday, from the Savages' most recent release, Soul Flowers of Titan, as well as Mama Get The Hammer and Bloody Mary, two Savages classics. Because a great part of appreciating Barrence is the live experience, I went with the version off of the great Live Emulsified album - check it out at: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Emulsified-Barrence-Whitfield-Savages/dp/B005G6QR1E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537635053&sr=8-1&keywords=Barrence+Whitfield+Live+Emulsified I hope you enjoy my conversation with the great Barrence Whitfield!        

Hello everyone! Had a fun conversation with Edwin Heijmen on one of my very favorite topics - film noir! And we talked about the B-Movie variety - the films made by the major studios to fill out double features in the 1940s and 1950s, or the films made by the so called "Poverty Row" production houses. Made on a dime, cheap sets, no-name actors...all these challenges often led the film makers to find innovative ways to get around these constraints, often resulting in some absolute classic films. And just for you, Edwin and I give a shout out to some of our favorites!  Check them out, and I hope you enjoy our conversation. I did! Edwin has a blog, entitled Reviews From the Bottom of the Barrel, where he writes about all things film noir. Great reading! You can find it at:  http://rftbotb.blogspot.com/ And just remember: sometimes fate, or some  mysterious force, can put the finger on you or me for no reason at all!       And hey...see you at the movies!