Tim Tunes

Send us a textFull disclosure. My wife, Marcy, went to High School with Barry Polisar. They were friends and Barry would sometimes play his songs for her. So, when we went to Marcy's 25th high school reunion I was able to put a face to the name. Marcy had made me aware of Barry and his success as a writer and performer. Frankly, I was more than a little jealous of Barry and his success, making his living as a songwriter and performer. I have been writing songs since high school and had had piddling success. So, I purposefully didn't really pay much attention to Barry's successes as his career progressed.Boy, what a mistake. Consequently, I wasn't sure of what to expect when I went to interview Barry at his home. What I found was a most gracious and talented person who clearly had worked hard and deserved all the success he has achieved. Barry's story was so interesting and had so many twists and turns, I couldn't help but be charmed by the man.This is part 2 of my conversation with Barry Louis Polisar, a renowned singer/songwriter, performer, poet and author of books for both kids and adults.  If you haven't listened to part 1, I strongly suggest that you do so before listening to this episode.  In part one we introduced Barry and found out about his early years, his origin story, and his career as a songwriter, singer and performer of children's songs. As we ended the last podcast, Barry had just been censored from performing at most of his usual schools. In this episode we'll find out what happened and how Barry's career expanded into movies and ads. And we'll hear about some of Barry's prose and poetry. Then, finally, we'll hear about what's next for this talent. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Send us a textImagine that you write and perform your own children's songs. For years you have been performing these songs in various schools and school systems across the country. Songs that you wrote and have been playing in the same schools for years. And then imagine that someone in the school system suddenly decides that your songs are not appropriate for children because they encourage bad behavior. Then another school system hears about it and they ban you and your songs as well? Soon the entire country is reconsidering their take on your brand of children's songs. What happens next? What do you do? Where can you turn? Pura Vida. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes podcast. In his episode we'll be interviewing Barry Louis Polisar. Barry is a renowned singer/songwriter, performer, poet and novelist. His career spans almost 5 decades and has so many twists and turns we'll need two episodes to fit them all in. In this episode we'll discover Barry's beginnings: how he started and what led him to success he's had as a writer of children's songs. So, sit back, buckle up and come along for the ride. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Send us a textHow do you summarize the life work of an artist? How do you condense and focus on the essentials of an artist's entire career? Especially when confronted with a body of work as large and varied as Tret Fure's. Like her namesake The Furies, Tret is sometimes angry, beautiful, and dark. A warrior whose flaming sword is her voice – and whose shining shield is her wit and the inventiveness of her writing. She comes flying in on her guitar steed ready for battle with red eyes speaking truth to power and exposing hypocrisy. And yet, Tret always gives us hope, a path through the madness of our world. And I like to think that this is largely due to the love and support of her family. I mean, isn't it our families and friends that keep us all from going off the rails? I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. Welcome to part two of two episodes where we'll continue our interview with the multi-talented, Tret Fure. In this episode we'll discuss Tret's advocacy, her family and what's next for the talented singer songwriter performer teacher and pet portraitist. If you haven't listened to Part One, I highly recommend that you go back and give it a listen before listening to this episodeTret has asked for donations to No Child Goes Hungry as her preferred charity. Please consider making a donation.Also you can contact Tret directly through her web page tretfure.com if you'd like to attend one of her classes or want to go on one of her songwriting trips or would like a personal guitar and/or songwriting lesson or would like a portrait of a cherished pet.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Send us a textThis episode's artist career spans the decades since the early 70s all the way to today. With 18 albums and hundreds of songs, she has continued to grow and evolve over the years. Her talent and advocacy are second to none. To say she is prolific is an understatement. One of the hardest working people I know, she continues to record, tour and teach, live and online. From the first time I met Tret Fure long, long, ago I fell in love with her voice, her guitar, and her song writing. A lot has changed since then so let's cut my intro short and get on to the interview. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. Welcome to part one of two episodes where we'll interview the celebrated and talented singer/songwriter, gardener, and puppy painter, Tret Fure. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Send us a textNext up in the Reverb series is #4.  I've combined my second episode 1-2 Friends, published on September 8th of 2021, with episode 3-5 Dottie Lou- Fable and Fact published on August 19th of 2022.  This reverb episode includes the songs, “Fallen Angel”, “Hard Road”, and “Dottie Lou”. The next section is my conversation with Dottie Lou, and a solo guitar and voice version of the song. At the very end is a mashup of all the different versions and bands with whom I've recorded the song.  Support the Show.Please consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Send us a Text Message.Waaay back in August of 2018 I was attending a Livingston Taylor songwriting and performing retreat at Boston University. We spent the day working on our songs and performance with Liv, Vance Gilbert and Melissa Ferrick. After dinner we all got our instruments and had an informal song swap in the main meeting room. This was kind of a round robin sort of thing where each of us would play a song and then the next person would play and so on. There was one guy who had been pretty quiet during the workshop, a little standoffish if I'm to be honest. So, I was pretty astonished when it came his turn to play. He pulled out his Martin and sang a great song, well performed. That person is Tod Pronto. I was impressed with Tod and started following his progress as he opened for Liv and Jonathan Edwards and other folk greats. Then, I found his Sunday morning 9am streaming show, Coffee with Tod on YouTube or on Facebook. Then, I found out that he also has a regular cartoon, Midlife Thesis, that is published every week. I mean, what can't he do? I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes podcast. In this episode we'll interview dear friend and accomplished singer/songwriter/cartoonist Tod Pronto and listen to three of his songs recorded live during our visit. Support the Show.Please consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Send us a Text Message.Over the past three interviews and five episodes, I was beginning to get the feeling that we were drifting too far afield of the original intent of this podcast. That is writing and performing songs. However, each of our subjects are song writers. Mark Baxter our Vocal Behaviorist has been writing songs all along since he started in rock bands in the last century. Yaron Gershovsky, band leader of the Manhattan Transfer, is constantly writing and publishing new, original songs. And Debra Monk, our star of stage and screen, early in her career, collaborated on the songs for the Tony nominated “Pump Boys and Dinettes” and other musicals. So, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I hadn't wandered too far from my original purpose. All these people are legitimate songwriters. This is often what the life of the songwriter is like. Precious few can live off their songwriting talent alone. Now, I'm not a rich person. Oh, I do Ok, and I don't really lack for anything, but I don't have a lot of disposable income. So, I've decided to sort of pay back these three with the only currency I have. I've written three new songs. Each one of the three subjects inspired a different song. Today we'll hear those songs and follow the process of their creation.Welcome to the 50th episode of the Tim Tunes podcast. Begun on a whim almost three years ago, I started with the stories and recollections of my best songs. I thought I'd be done once I made through the first batch. But episode after episode, I managed to find some songwriting or performance-based content to share with you listeners. In this episode we'll explore three recently written songs that were inspired by the subjects of this season's podcast. If you haven't listened to episodes 5-1 through 5-5, I suggest you go back and give them a listen to better appreciate these songs. Support the Show.Please consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with Debra Monk. If you haven't heard part 1 then I highly suggest you do so before listening to this episode. You won't want to miss the stories of how she developed Broadway and off-Broadway shows with the likes of Kander and Ebb and Steven Sondheim, not to mention a few shows and songs she helped to write.In this episode,  we'll discuss Debra's experience on the Kander and Ebb and Holmes musical “Curtains”. Then we'll discuss a little more about Debra's TV and Movie career, followed by her advice to actors, what she is doing currently and what the future may hold. So, plug in your ear buds and get a flagon of your favorite beverage as we continue our conversation with Debra.Support the Show.Please consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Hey cherished listeners, Tim Rose here. In case you haven't already heard, I've re-releasing some of my previous episodes as I have discovered that these episodes are posted in mono as opposed to stereo. Now prepare yourself for this Tim Tunes Reverb episode in stereo!In this episode of Reverb I've combined episode 1-7 Romantic Love, published on October 8th of 2012 with episode 1-10 Platonic Love published on October 29th of 2012 and called it simply “Love Songs”. This reverb includes the songs, “True Love”, “I Needed Somebody”, “Lazy Love”, “I Will Always Love You”, “Love Flows”, and What we make It”. Here we go!Support the Show.Please consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

What is it that makes one a star? Is it talent? Is it perseverance? Or is it just plain hard work? Perhaps it's all three. We'll discuss this and much, much more in this episode's conversation with Debra Monk.When I was studying Theater in College at what is now Frostburg State University in Frostburg, MD. Our Acting teacher, Dr David Press, would give us acting exercises to perform. Often, he would hold up the example of how Debra Monk, or Deb, as he called her, performed a particular exercise as the best example of how to perform that exercise. Debra was a senior then when I was just a freshman, so our paths did not cross very much when we were there. Over the years, I heard of her success, first on TV getting an Emmy for her performance as Andy Sipowicz's wife in NYPD Blue. Then, while visiting Dr. Press, he told me of her shows on Broadway. I looked her up and told her I was coming to see her in the play Curtains on Broadway. She met me after the show and graciously gave me a backstage tour. Later, while she was performing Laughing Wild, a two person show with Christopher Durang in Boston, I met her for lunch and to talk about old times.  Two years ago, for Episode 3-6, I asked if she wanted to contribute a message to my acting mentor and our mutual teacher, Dr. David Press. She sent me a glowing tribute which was just wonderful. So, earlier this year I contacted her about an interview, and she agreed to sit with me.I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes podcast. In this episode, part 1 of 2 of our interview with Debra Monk, we cover multiple topics: from how she got into the business, how she approaches her work, and stories from her career. So, assume your favorite podcast listening position as we delve into the life and times of a true American Treasure.Debra has asked for donations to her favorite charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Just click on the link to find out more and make a donation.Support the Show.Please consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Hey cherished listeners, Tim Rose here. In case you haven't already heard, I'm re-releasing some of my previous episodes as I have discovered that these episodes are posted in mono as opposed to stereo. So, I bit the bullet and ponied up for the stereo version. Now prepare yourself for this Tim Tunes Reverb episode in stereo!Originally released in October of 2021, Funny Songs remains my most popular episode, so I couldn't wait to give it the Reverb treatment so people could finally hear their favorite funny songs how they were intended to be heard. As a bonus. I've included five other funny songs from my Sarcasm and Aging episodes from season 1. Support the Show.Please consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

In this episode we'll interview Yaron Gershovsky. As bandleader for Manhattan Transfer for 44 of their 50 years, he has a treasure trove of knowledge and experience around performing and composing which he will share with us on this episode. Get ready for a fun ride as we discuss his origins, career and what's next.In the spring of 2006, I was in a production of the musical “City of Angels” by Cy Coleman, David Zipel and Larry Gelbart with the Burlington Players in Burlington, MA. The musical is a story about a novelist whose book is adapted into a movie and about the entire LA movie scene. As the novel is turned into a screenplay the movie moves further and further away from the novel's original purpose and meaning.  This causes a sort of schism in the mind of the novelist where he ends up having arguments with his lead character. There are lots of transitions from reality to scenes from the movie and so forth. At any rate, I was a part of a quartet that served as kind of a chorus that commented, amplified and clarified the action of the play, as choruses do. The whole play had a sort of film noir feel about it and the music for the chorus was very challenging jazzy close harmony type singing. I noticed that the vocal arrangement was written by one Yaron Gershovsky. I was curious about this fellow, so I Googled him. Now back in 2006 Google was primarily a search engine and not the GOOGLE that it is today. But regardless, I found out that Yaron was the band leader of Manhattan Transfer. That made so much sense in the context of the sound of the arrangements. Skip ahead to the early twenty teens. I was at Sculler's, a jazz venue in Boston, to see Manhattan Transfer when who should I see walking down the hall toward me but Yaron himself. I introduced myself to him and told him that I had sung the Bass part in a production of “City of Angels”. In his quiet, understated way he looked at me and, I assume referring to the difficulty of the part, said, “I'm so sorry.” So began our acquaintance.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Hey cherished listeners, Tim Rose here. In case you haven't already heard, I'm re-releasing some of my previous episodes as I have discovered that these episodes are posted in mono as opposed to stereo. So, I bit the bullet and ponied up for the stereo version. Now prepare yourself for this Tim Tunes Reverb episode in stereo!If you missed the first time around with Ted Onulak then you missed a treat. In addition to our conversation with the irrepressible Ted, there are recordings of a few of his original songs as well as bootlegs of his band playing live at Madam's Organ in Adams Morgan in Washington, DC where Ted and his band Exit 10 continue to play on Monday nights. I've combined both episode 3-2 and 3-3 into a continuous conversation. EnjoySupport the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Back in the ‘60s and early ‘70s I lived in a suburb in Maryland just over the line from Washington, DC. As it happened when we moved there in 1964, the neighborhood was largely white. Around 1969 I started forming Rock Bands with my friends. We listened to top 40 and played the songs we liked, and could play. I was only 15 at the time and was too young to play in clubs, but that would come later.When we first moved in only about 5% of the neighborhood was non-white. Over the next 7 years the neighborhood became almost completely black. Now, I had no problem with this except that crime began to rise. I was almost mugged twice. A neighbor was shot by undercover police when he pulled out a gun as they stopped him one night, not a block from my house.While I was away at college, my parents decided to move to a different place. Almost everyone I knew from the old neighborhood had moved away. The old neighborhood just – dissolved.So, you'll see why this episode speaks to me as we continue our discussion with Mark Baxter – Vocal Behaviorist as he tells us his origin story. How a kid from New Jersey winds up as one of the premier voice consultants and teachers in the world.I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes Podcast. This episode is Part Two of my interview with Vocal Behaviorist, Mark Baxter. If you haven't listened to part one, I highly suggest that you do so before listening to this episode. Mark lays out his philosophy and methodology in part one. In this episode Mark will tell us about his struggles to find his path and how he developed his dream.This is Mark's site where you can contact him and find his free voice lessons - voicelesson.comSupport the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Singing is your birthright. Everyone can sing. Some of us are wounded by our experiences, by the negativity of others, and believe we can't sing. But all of us can sing. Singing is a window to the soul. Singing with others provides a depth of emotion that is rarely, if anywhere else, experienced. Group singing can be joyful or happy, smiling or laughing as you sing. Or it can be deeply sad or mournful, empathy is built into our nature. Grief is especially powerful when expressed in song.It's not just regular people who have negative thoughts and practices around singing, it's also professional singers. Most of us have been told at one time or another that we are not good singers. And that sinks in, even if we deny it.  So where can a quality singer turn if they need help with their singing voice? We're about to find out in this episode.I'm Tim Rose and welcome to Season, I can hardly believe I'm going to say it, 5 of the Tim Tunes Podcast. Today is our forty-second episode. This season we'll feature in-depth interviews with performers and music professionals. We'll speak with musicians, singers, band directors, and service providers. We're starting this season with a pair of podcasts that features Mark Baxter, vocal behaviorist. I'll let Mark explain what that means. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Imagine, if you will, sitting down to listen to some music and having a computer create, on the spot, a great song with meaningful, heartfelt lyrics. With melodies and harmonies that soar and lift us up. This is the promise of songs generated by Artificial Intelligence.  But I'm here to report, we aren't there yet. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes Podcast. In this special Christmas episode we'll attempt to write and record three original Christmas songs using Artificial Intelligence. So, relax, have a seat in our sleigh while we listen to Christmas of the FUTURE, Future, future...Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

When I was a teen, I had a paper route delivering the Washington Post. My paper route wasn't near my house so the route distributor, that's the person that delivers the papers to the paperboy, would drive me and my friend Charlie up to our routes. After we were done, he'd come back and pick us up and take us home. But while we were waiting for him to pick us up, we'd read the paper as there was sometimes a paper or two left over. Of course, we always went right to the comics and when the comics were done there was a syndicated column by investigative reporter Jack Anderson. Anderson, a Pulitzer prize winning Morman republican muckraker, was equally hard on the left and the right. After that we'd turn over to the editorial section to decrypt the latest political cartoon from Herblock. Then, we'd seek out the latest Art Buchwald column. Art was kind of the printed version of Jon Stewart. A more political Dave Barry, if you will. Growing up in the DC area would have a profound effect on my worldview and sense of humor.I try not to be political, in a “I'm this party or that party” sense. I try to be apolitical, which is becoming harder and harder as the world changes. I am a proud registered independent waiting for candidates to convince me to vote for them. I try to vote for the person I like who tells me what they are going to do, in real terms, not in vague generalities. I'm much more interested in why I should vote for someone than why I shouldn't vote for the other candidate. That I can decide for myself. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes Podcast. In this episode we'll cover three songs that are arguably political in nature. The first song satirizes the US government's involvement in South America in the 70s, the next song is my reaction to our post 9/11 invasion of Iraq, and the last song laments our loss of liberty because of these events. So, get comfy as we delve into the world of politics.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

When people ask if the lyrics or the music comes first when writing a song, I say, "Yes, it's both". It's very seldom that I'll have the concept of the song and the lyrics written before I start writing the music. Songwriting is a messy business. You bring together a bunch of disparate things into a cohesive whole and the process can be a little convoluted. It becomes more complicated as you add others to the process.Also, you can't be too critical of what you are doing at this point. As Paul McCartney famously sang in outtakes from the song “Yesterday”, “scrambled eggs”. Paul used “scrambled eggs” as a placeholder until he had a better word. Had Paul been very critical of what he was writing he may have abandoned the song, and we wouldn't have the song “Yesterday”. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes podcast. This is part two of our songwriting sessions with Greg Chastain founder and president of Voices of Hope. Listen in now as he and I  write and record a song together about Greg and his mom. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

In this episode I'll interview old friend and Voices of Hope founder and president Greg Chastain in preparation for writing a song together. Greg has not only been a musical influence, including Musical Theater, but he has also inspired me and many others to donate our time and skills in a very worthy pursuit.When I was about 25 years old, I did this prosperity workshop thing. Mainly because I wasn't very prosperous back then. I was lucky if I could afford toothpaste, much less rent. One of the exercises we did was to write down our life goals. One of my goals was to be a philanthropist, a ludicrous desire considering my financial state at the time. Working with Greg has helped me realize that goal.I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes podcast. In this episode and in following episodes we'll interview Greg Chastain and then write a song together.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

In this episode we'll be doing something a little different than usual. I recently gave a live online concert of nine songs. It was a mix of old songs that have never been in any of my podcasts, new songs that I have never performed and requests from donors and patrons. It features 9 original songs which in order are:Little EyesAs In LoveAnd Then I RememberThe You of YouDon't Hate MeNot TrueMiracleEye Nu U WudChunkyWhat follows is the recording of that performance.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

It's with mixed emotions, some sadness, and some relief, that we come to Part 5 of the Waiting Room set of podcasts. I'll admit I'm somewhat relieved to be at the end of this journey, but also a little sad that I'll have to work harder to put together the next podcast. You see, it's been relatively easy for me to crank these sessions out as most of the content was already written and recorded. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. This episode is the fifth and final episode in the serialized version of The Waiting Room. If you have not listened to season 4 episodes 1-4, I suggest you stop and go back and listen to those episodes before listening to this one. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

What happens when the end is near, and we and our loved ones are faced with the decisions on how to end a life? What if the patient is incapacitated? How do we make those final decisions for them? Do we have the courage and the presence of mind to do the right thing? Are we acting in the best interests of the patient, or are we acting in our own selfish interest?  Play time is over. Things are about to get real.I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes podcast. Welcome to the penultimate episode of my musical “The Waiting Room”. This is the fourth installment of the five-part serialized version of the musical. If you haven't listened to parts 1-3, I highly suggest that you go back and listen to those episodes before listening to this one.In this episode we'll cover three scenes as we rush towards our conclusion. The comic relief is over. It's time to deal with some of the darker aspects of this topic. In this episode we'll see how grief affects us, sometimes long after a person is gone. Then, we'll watch as one of our characters deals with the end of life of a loved one. Then finally, we'll get a dream view into the mind of our incapacitated loved one to see what they would want. So, buckle up as we dive in.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Here in the US, getting access to medical care can be very expensive and confusing. In this episode we hope to help you navigate and understand access to our health system. Then hear a positive view on all the cancer research going on. Then after the act break, we'll come back with a look at the diagnosis part of treatment.I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes Podcast. This is Part three of the podcast version of my musical “The Waiting Room”. If you haven't listened to parts one and two, I highly suggest that you do so before listening to this episode. Otherwise, you may be confused as to what is going on. In this episode we'll listen to three scenes and their accompanying songs – the first scene is a discussion on how medical services are provided in the US, the next scene is an uplifting anthem to the hope for a cure, and after a short intermission, we'll take a look at the run-around that some patients endure during their diagnosis. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

What happens when things spiral out of our control? How do we react? Do we deny that there is problem? Do we get angry? Do we try to make deal with God? Or do we do all of the above? We'll try to find out some of those answers in this episode. I'm Tim Rose and this is Part Two of the podcast version of my musical “The Waiting Room”. I you haven't listened to part One, I highly suggest that you do so before listening to this episode. Otherwise, you may be confused as to what is going on. In this episode we'll listen to three scenes and their accompanying songs – the first scene covers the anger we feel when we discover that there is nothing we can do to alleviate a situation, the next scene is a little comic relief as we poke fun at death, and the last scene of this episode our character turns to God for some help. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Welcome to Season 4 of the Tim Tunes Podcast. We're starting this season with a serialized set of podcasts that encompass the music and script from my musical, “The Waiting Room”. In this episode we'll cover three songs from the show. The first song establishes what the show is about. The second gives us a little bit of a look ahead and the last song digs into what the experience is like. Back in the mid-nineties a friend told me that he had been diagnosed with cancer. At that point he was one of those “husband of a wife's friend” kind of friends. It was around that time that we started playing golf together. We would ride to the games together and that gave us a time to talk. Alone, without the wives or children or other relatives in the car with us we were able to relax and talk about what was going on with each other in a “safe” space. My friend and I didn't believe in the same things politically, but that never interfered with our ability to be friends. It was as if this safe space was more important to us than winning any argument over some philosophical or political point. I should mention that my friend didn't usually speak very much when others were around. He was noted for his reserved character. He was a sort of self-made renaissance man in the sense that he could fix anything, mechanical, not emotional. He recently passed away and now I think of him often. In 2010, I joined a group called Voices of Hope. This is a group of singers, actors, dancers, musicians, and crew who perform to raise money for cancer research and to support those who are going through the cancer journey. My friend was well into his second cancer diagnosis, and I began to form an idea as to how to help Voices of Hope, or any fundraising group, raise money by creating a set of songs around this journey. It was then that I got the idea to make this set of songs into a musical. So, I set about writing the songs in the early 2010s and seeing if I had enough material for a show. I decided to go with the “Jukebox” format where different characters sing their songs. Some of these songs are thought pieces where we are taken out of the action of the play and into the mind of the character and other pieces occur in the present within the action of the play. In casting about for some kind of plot or organizing principal, I hit upon Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' five stages of grief. Both of my parents had recently passed away and I had personally experienced this. So, the five stages denial, anger bargaining, depression and acceptance, became the first organizing principle for the show.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

What is it that makes us who we are? What defines us as a person? Is it our nature or something that we learn that determines who we are? Are we who we think we are, or are we who people perceive us to be? Does it matter? I mean, who cares?Several months ago I attended my high school graduation and I couldn't help but notice that the essential thing that made each person who they are was still there. As I talked to person after person I was struck how the themness, the core thing, that made them them had not seemed to change. I'm not sure I can define it either. It's very elusive, difficult to define and difficult to describe  In this episode we're back to our original format. We'll listen to three songs about character and what it is that makes us who we are. We'll look at a song about one of my defining characteristics, a song about an old character in my life, and, finally, a song about what makes us, us. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this episode is Part 3 of my Tim Tunes podcast “Songwriting – East Tennessee Valley” where you follow along as I write and record a new song. If you have not listened to Parts 1 and 2, I highly encourage you to go back, give it a listen and then come back and listen to this episode. Welcome back, listeners. Over the last two episodes you've looked over my shoulder as I wrote the song “East Tennessee Valley”. So far, we've completed the basic structure of our song, then we refined and defined it better by creating a lead sheet, writing an arrangement and then recording that arrangement. In this episode well add vocals, and maybe a few other bells and whistles to our recording. Then, we'll mix down the recording, make the master mix of the song and, finally, publish it on the web Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Welcome back, listeners. Last time we looked at the Inspiration, the Hook, and the Body of my new song “East Tennessee Valley”. We have the basic structure of our song, the verses, and the bridge, and we made a scratch recording at the end of our last session. In this episode we'll create a beginning and an ending for the song. Then, we'll create a lead sheet and get down to committing to the lyrics, chords, and melody.  Then, we'll add other musical instruments. Next, we'll move into the studio and record our  arrangement of  the song.If you haven't listened to the last podcast, I strongly suggest that you do that before listening to this part.That podcast can be found here:https://timtunes.buzzsprout.com/1850193/11923811Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

For me Songwriting is never the same twice. Different parts of the song come to me at different times and in different ways.  In this episode you'll follow along as I reveal my process for writing the song – East Tennessee Valley. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Sometimes there are teachers in our lives that are so influential that we can't imagine our lives without their influence. When I was in high school, trying to figure out what to do with my life, I thought that by going to college and studying theater I could improve my stage presence and my performance as a musician. What I got was so much more than I bargained for. In this episode, we are speaking with Dr. David R. Press, teacher, director, and actor extraordinaire. Dr. Press was instrumental in teaching me how to approach an artistic project, how to analyze and interpret a subject, and how to create and perform a work, simply and with honesty. We'll also hear short stories and tributes from a few of Dave's other students. Dave has asked that you please consider donating to the Alzheimer Association at alz.org Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Hello, Tim Tuners, we're back with Season 3 Episode 4 – Charlie Phelps, MD Musician to Physician. This conversation is with dear old friend Charlie, AKA, Dr. Charles Phelps MD. Charlie is one of my oldest friends. He's one of those friends that when you get together with them it's almost as if no time has passed. You immediately fall back into old familiar patterns and that unspoken understanding of each other comes flooding back, like putting on an old comfortable pair of shoes. I recently spoke to Charlie at his home in his music room. His Fortress of Solitude, his Sanctum Sanctorum. Here, he listens to music and sometimes he builds the amplifiers that he uses to listen to the music.Charlie has asked for donations to the following charities in lieu of compensation for participating in the podcast. Just click on the link to donate: Doctors Without Borders - Every day, Doctors Without Borders teams deliver emergency medical aid to people in crisis, with humanitarian projects in more than 70 countries.Public Radio Stations - PBS and our member stations are America's largest classroom, the nation's largest stage for the arts and a trusted window to the world. In addition, PBS's educational media helps prepare children for success in school and opens up the world to them in an age-appropriate waySupport the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

 Dottie Lou has long been one of my most popular songs. Every band I play in wants to play it. Everyone who plays the song wants to meet Dottie. Today we'll break down the song and try to discover what makes it so popular and, we'll have a little chat with Dottie Lou Crisp, herself. Live and in person. And catch up with her and what she's been doing with herself the last 30 years or so.I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll dive into the song Dottie Lou and speak with the lady herself. Dottie has asked that you donate to the Winchester Virginia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. You can do so here:https://winchesterspca.org/donate/If you want to donate to support this podcast then you can do so below. Thanks for your support!Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

This episode is part two of a conversation with old friend Ted Onulak. A man of many talents, Ted is an accomplished saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter, blues harpist, and band leader. His band, Exit 10, can be seen in Washington DC on Monday nights at a venue called Madam's Organ in Adams Morgan. We'll hear more bootleg clips from the night before our talk. This episode is a continuation of that conversation, recorded the next day. If you haven't heard part one of this interview I encourage you to do so. In this episode we'll talk about performing and playing live. Then Ted will detail how he conceived, wrote, produced and recorded his song Threnody. We'll end on a philosophical note with a bit of a sonnet Ted wrote.Ted is a 1st generation Ukraine-American and has asked that you reach out to United Help Ukraine on Facebook or type unitedhelpukraine.org in your browser to donate.https://unitedhelpukraine.org/donate-to-help-save-the-people-of-ukraineIf you want to donate to support this podcast then you can do so below. Thanks for your support!Support the showSupport the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

This episode is part one of a conversation with old friend Ted Onulak. A man of many talents, Ted is an accomplished saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter, blues harpist, and band leader. His band, Exit 10, can be seen in Washington DC on Monday nights at a venue called Madam's Organ in Adams Morgan. I went there to hear the band the night before our talk. The conversation for this episode was recorded the next day.I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode Ted Onulak will tell us the story of two of his songs and we'll discuss songwriting, performance and life, in general.Ted is a 1st generation Ukraine-American and has asked that you reach out to United Help Ukraine on Facebook or type unitedhelpukraine.org in your browser to donate. https://unitedhelpukraine.org/donate-to-help-save-the-people-of-ukraineIf you want to donate to support this podcast then you can do so below. Thanks for your support!Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Welcome to Season Three, Episode One of the Tim Tunes Podcast. As promised, we are using a new format for this season that includes interviews with some of the people that were most influential to me along the way. This episode features an interview with my wife Marcy, arguably the most influential of all of my influencers and who is still influencing me to this day! Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll interview my wife Marcy Dobrow Rose and look at some of the songs she's been a part of along the way. In lieu of specifying a particular cause that Marcy would like you to donate to, she has asked that we all be kinder to each other and more civil in our discourse and actions towards each other.If you want to donate to support this podcast then you can do so below. Thanks for your support!Support the showSupport the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

In dark times it's important to remember that this too shall pass. This episode is focused on positivity and features three of my most positive songs. It's important not to forget the strides that we have made in the last 50 years Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll cover three of my most positive songs that celebrate admiration for another person, anticipation of what's to come and finally a declaration of hope for the future.This is the last episode of season 2 so I'll be taking a month or so off from producing this podcast. When I come back I'll be featuring a new format with some interviews with some of the biggest influencers in my life and some episodes that focus on specific projects or processes.If you want to donate to support this podcast then you can do so below. Thanks for your support!Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Although dying is something that all of us will do, few have lived to talk about it. We don't like to talk about it in any meaningful way except to say, I hope I, you, they, them, don't die. So much of our time is spent avoiding death that we never really examine it. It's like were driving down the road of life with a blindfold on.Humor is one way of dealing with, slash, avoiding grief. So, it's not surprising to find grief and humor all mixed together Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll cover three songs on death and dying – the first song is a jazzy vocal that looks at grief from an Elizabeth Kubler-Ross perspective, the next song looks at dying from the perspective of the person who is dying, and the last song gives us advice on what to do when we feel that death is funny.This episode is also a fund raiser for “The Voices of Hope” a Boston based group that I perform with from time to time to raise money develop cures for cancer. Please give if you can at https://www.vohboston.org/how-to-help/Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

This episode is all about the notes. These are all instrumental tunes so I'll keep the talking to a minimum. I mean, what is there to say anyway? There will be copious notes on each of the songs in the transcript section of my Buzzsprout site .I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll cover instrumental compositions that I've written over the years. Sit back and enjoySupport the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

In my personal vocabulary, the difference between belief and faith is that belief is based on observable facts and faith is based on, well, a hope for something to be true. Now, I'm not minimizing the importance of faith. Having faith is vitally important. But faith that is unchallenged is just the unconditional acceptance of something that you accept as fact because you were told to. To me, the object of faith is to believe something that cannot be proven, is true. Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll cover three songs that involve faith – first, we'll hear a song about lost faith, the next song is a prayer from someone who's last resort is faith, and then we'll have a little fun with faith.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Dreams are funny things. They flee from our heads almost the moment we wake up. Sometimes we may catch a fragment of a dream as we awaken. Or we may remember the entire dream for a moment, only to have it slip away. Then there are those rare dreams that stick with you. In this episode we'll listen to songs that were inspired by dreams. Not just dreams as in wishes, like I've always dreamed of being an astronaut kind of dreams but sleeping dreams. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes podcast. In this episode we'll cover three songs that are about dreams or were inspired by dreams – the first song is a rocker that started off as a pretty ballad, the next song is about a lack of dreams, and the last song is a horror mystery folk song, inspired by a dream.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Angst has gotten a really bad rap. Angst is different from your garden variety depression or ennui in that angst includes an element of hope. It's sort of like the suffering that is required to get to a goal. Or something that is endured because it will be better on the other side. Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll cover three songs about how my generation's hopes and visions were changed and challenged through the years – the first song questions what it is that holds us back and keeps us from doing what need to do, in the next song deals with keeping faith while trying to effect change against insurmountable odds, and the last song is about the duality of the forces of survival and creativity.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Ok, Ok I got the message. It's obvious that people like funny songs. Not that I'm one to pander, but… Who am I kidding? I am one to pander, especially when it's so obvious that my listeners like to listen to my funny stuff. A quick analysis shows that over a quarter of all of my streams come from season 1 episode 9 - Funny Songs. Unfortunately, some of my funniest songs are in my least viewed episodes. To rectify that situation, I decided that this episode will be a collection of funny songs from those most neglected episodes. I know some of you are thinking “clip scenes” episode and you'd be right. It's easy for me and entertaining for my audience. So, I reached out to the Tim Tunes Podcast Group on Facebook for suggestions on what to include. If you don't like these songs, please complain to them. For all of my regular listeners, I apologize in advance. I've also included a few new tunes for you to enjoy. I hope you get at least a little chuckle, giggle, snort or guffaw.I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll cover four songs that are funny and have been laughed at by real people in live audiences – the first song is a little ditty about my mother's Maiden Name, followed by a poke at our medical coverage process in the US, then a little tune about the facts of life, and, finally, a little lecture on the nature of truth and reality. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

In this episode we'll take a deep dive into one of my most popular songs. We'll discover what sparked the song, talk about some of the adventures with the song, and dig into why this song is special, and how and why it's changed over the years. You know when you think something is one thing and then it turns out to be something entirely different. Like, when you anticipate going on vacation someplace special and when you get there it's nothing like what you thought it was going to be? This episode is kind of like that.Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. We're going to examine the genesis and evolution of one of my oldest songs. We'll talk about how the song came about, the concept of the song and the evolution of the song over time.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Ho-ho-ho, Merry Christmas. Christmas Time is upon us and all around us. You can't ignore it. From my perspective, it's best just to dive right in. It can be glorious celebrating the birth of Jesus. God gave us his son, so I got you cufflinks. Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes Christmas Special pod cast. In this episode I'll cover several Christmas carols and talk about Christmas over the years. Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

While I am loathe to give advice, especially unsolicited advice, I love to give advice in a song. It's probably my passive-progressive way of discussing something I really don't want to talk about. Or, maybe it's just a way to focus attention on a topic. Whatever the case, I do seem to like giving advice in a song. Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll cover three songs that give advice – the first song is advice I got from my father, the next song is advice I gave long ago to my friend and lover, and the last song is advice I gave to my son.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Everybody loves the blues. Which is kind of odd considering that the blues are viewed mainly as sad songs, full of pain and anguish. Maybe we feel better because that poor person has it worse than me. A little schadenfreude goes a long way. Blues songs contain all kinds of emotions and concepts including joy and humor.  Hi. I'm Tim Rose and welcome back to the first episode of season 2 of the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll cover three blues songs that I've written and a blues “jam”– the first song is a blues rock song I wrote for my wife, the next song is a little jazzy blues vamp, the third song is a close harmony jazz blues comedy song, and the last song is a 12 bar blues Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Platonic love, as opposed to Romantic love, is love without benefits. Platonic Love is the love of parents for their children. The love between siblings and the love between friends. It can also be the love for a group, a concept or a cause. Love of country, of culture or religion are also examples of Platonic love. It can even be for the love of mankind. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll cover three songs that include Platonic love Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Writing a funny song is a lot like writing a joke. You never really know if it's funny until you play if for people. It's best to play it for a crowd because some will get it and some may not. Laughter is infectious. It's like yawning. If several people laugh, then other people will start laughing as well. It's human nature. We can't help ourselves. Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll cover three, hopefully, funny songs. We start off with and a love song of a different sort, followed by a song about vacations and finish with my anthem to passive aggression.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

The Egyptian book of the dead states that to speak the name of the dead is to bring them back to life. Many who pass stay in our hearts and minds long after they are gone. Some people are so iconic and important to our personal mythologies that they live on in our behavior, our opinions, our affect and even in our physical qualities. Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode the three songs that we'll examine are told in memory of those who have passed Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

I believe it was Sir Paul and not St. Paul who wrote, “You'd think that people would have had enough of silly love songs. I look around me and I see it isn't so.” Indeed. Romantic love, as opposed to platonic love, includes an element of sexual intimacy. Sort of a love with benefits, if you will or, if you won't. That is the question Romantic love, as in the songs of this episode can be serious or celebratory or playful. Romantic love isn't just about ballads either. Hi. I'm Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we'll discover three songs about romantic love – first, a song about mature romantic love, then a rock anthem to show gratitude for love, and the last song is just a slow sexy, jazzy, love ballad.Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.

Sarcasm is considered one of the lowest forms of humor. Essentially, sarcasm is when you take the opposite point of view on something to show its flaws. The root of the word sarcasm comes from an ancient Greek word meaning the tearing of flesh, as if by looking under the skin the truth is revealed. It is often considered a lower form of humor as it is usually cruel as it ridicules the target. For instance, in “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift, he proposes that since there is such a surplus of Irish babies that they be used as food. I mean, he wasn't serious, right?Support the showPlease consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link aboveOr, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:https://www.patreon.com/timtunesAnd get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.