Podcast appearances and mentions of Michael Bland

** PLEASE SUBSCRIBE ** Featured in Jam Fans Forum Episode 8: This is the show where expert panelists provide their top picks in various funk music categories. This time around, we are taking on the purple majesty topic of the 5 Top Prince Funk Songs of All Time. Making this Jam Fans Forum extra noteworthy is it's the first one standing alone, as previously it was presented as a special edition under the Where'd You Get Your Funk From? Umbrella. With that, there's a new opening, closing and theme music, so let us know what you think! Joining host Scott "DR GX" Goldfine are three esteemed Prince authorities who are all making their Jam Fans debuts: Chris Horton, a.k.a. Mr. Christopher, who for almost 20 years has run the Funkatopia website that was visited by Prince himself, and today includes a popular podcast with co-host Michael Bland, a radio station and music reviews; Duane Tudahl, an award-winning author who's written two of the most thoroughly researched books documenting Prince's prodigious 1980s studio sessions, as well as contributed to new deluxe reissue packages; Steve Grevious, a.k.a. Stevie G, co-host of Rickey Vincent's The History of Funk radio show as well as other KPFA content.  While new to Jam Fans, Duane Tudahl was featured on the TRUTH IN RHYTHM show, and Mr. Christopher can be seen on an episode of Where'd You Get Your Funk From? Check out those in-depth interviews to learn more about them. Thanks to all of them for keeping the funk alive!  Support Tudahl's current documentary project for the Baltimore band Crack the Sky. Find out more here: http://kck.st/438U66a Panelists' Picks Ground Rules: - Pick 5 top Prince/Symbol funk (not pop or rock, etc.) songs (no bootleg or Vault picks); no proteges - Panelists reveal their picks one at a time, explain why and allow others to react. - Picks are not shared ahead of time, so everyone experiences the reveals together. - Panelists compile alternates in case someone else names the same pick first. Thus, we will end up with 20 picks in total! - Picks may be shared in random or non-chronological order.  - Picks may be based more on personal preference than historical context. Go to https://funknstuff.net/jam-fans-forum-20-prince-funk-songs OR https://wp.me/p77e8T-3Jy to listen to and buy this episode's 20 top Prince Funk songs.  Be sure to like, comment, share and subscribe – and let us know other categories you would like to see covered. Also, share your own choices for the 5 Top Prince Funk Songs of All Time. RECORDED SEPTEMBER 2025 LEGAL NOTICE: All video and audio content protected by copyright. Any use of this material is strictly prohibited without expressed consent from original content producer and owner Scott Goldfine, dba FUNKNSTUFF. For inquiries, email info@funknstuff.net. Get your copy of "Everything Is on the One: The First Guide of Funk" today! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1541256603/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1541256603&linkCode=as2&tag=funknstuff-20&linkId=b6c7558ddc7f8fc9fe440c5d9f3c400

On the 4th day of November, we need a purple high. Join Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland as we discuss the Save the Date announcement from the Prince Estate for the 2026 Prince Celebration and what we might be able to expect, the Diamonds and Love bootleg drop, public feedback from the Purple Rain Broadway play, amusement parks, and much more.

Join Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland as they discuss the Grammy nominees, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, bands that are still not inducted, and other random topics.

Join Mr. Christopher and NPG legend Michael Bland as they reflect on the life of Jellybean Johnson who recently transitioned. Also, a brief discussion on the remastering of Around the World in a Day and expectations and early reactions.

Join Mr. Christopher as he unboxes the Deluxe edition of Around the World in a Day alongside NPG drumming legend Michael Bland. It's a first-hand reaction as Mr. Christopher avoided reading or viewing all online reviews and unboxings to have a complete surprise. We also discuss Record Store Day and the Because Sound Matters Purple Rain vinyl release.

Join Mr. Christopher and NPG/Soul Asylum drummer Michael Bland as they discuss the 50th anniversary of Parliament's Mothership Connection, the 11th anniversary of D'Angelo's Black Messiah, and also chat about their first vinyl memory and first album bought with their money. Plus tons of other topics including what it must be like to be famous and under total scrutiny, overtone singing, and the magic of nostrils.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland welcome celebrated Prince and the revolution keyboardist Lisa Coleman,. We discuss her early days, Joining Prince's band, writing issues, problems on the road, the amazing Wendy and Lisa albums, and so much more. It's a purple-licious show, but with the focus on the ladies.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland discuss what the Prince Estate is planning to release. We also discuss the user wish list and expectations around releases and what they want to see. A very lively discussion filled with hopeful, but realistic banter.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with Parliament Funkadelic's keyboardist Danny Bedrosian to discuss his new book covering P-Funk's 1975 where they dropped Chocolate City, Let's Take it to the Stage, and Mothership Connection. Then we reflect on the passing of D'Angelo and look back at his legacy. Then we close it up celebrating the 44th anniversary of Prince's Controversy released in 1981 and talk about the album track by track.

Celebrated Drummer for Prince, Michael Bland reflects on his time with Prince as he tackles new projects.  

Mr. Christopher and NPG legend Michael Bland welcome Eric Rogers of the Paisley 5 & Dime, an online purple auction house and community that specializes in Prince memorabilia and artifacts. We'll show and discuss some of the most rare items from Prince's long and storied career.

Mr. Christopher and NPG legend Michael Bland to showcase their 20 favorite debut albums from a wide variety of music styles. Funk, neo-soul, rock, and more are all celebrated in this temporary visit into the music minds of the Funkatopia Live crew.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland discuss the remastering of Around the World in a Day and discuss other purple topics, plus a surprise guest appearance by celebrated Prince photographer Steve Parke.

This engaging episode features an insightful conversation with Mayda and Michael Bland, who delve into their artistic collaboration and the genesis of their musical partnership. The dialogue begins with a recounting of the pivotal moment that brought them together, highlighting the chance encounter that led to Michael discovering Mayda's unique sound. They discuss the formation of Sonic Matrimony, their production company, which embodies their commitment to fostering innovation and creativity in their musical endeavors. Michael articulates his philosophy on music production, emphasizing the significance of being actively involved in the creative process as a means to achieve authenticity in their work.As the episode unfolds, the focus shifts to their recent EP, “Stereotyping,” where both artists provide a comprehensive overview of the creative journey behind the project. Mayda reflects on her artistic evolution, sharing insights into her songwriting process and the influences that have shaped her musical identity. The dialogue also touches upon the intricate arrangements and instrumentation that characterize their work, revealing the thoughtful collaboration that went into crafting each track. Their upcoming performances are discussed, showcasing their dedication to engaging with audiences and the importance of live music in their artistic expression.Furthermore, the conversation takes a deeper turn as Mayda and Michael candidly share their experiences navigating the challenges of the music industry. They reflect on the competitive landscape of the Twin Cities, a region rich in musical talent, and discuss the strategies they employ to distinguish themselves amidst the burgeoning local scene. Their insights into the collaborative nature of the Twin Cities music community reveal a supportive network of artists committed to mutual growth and artistic exploration. Ultimately, this episode serves as a celebration of their artistic journey and an exploration of the vibrant musical landscape they inhabit.Takeaways: During this podcast episode, Michael Bland elaborated on his production company Sonic Matrimony, emphasizing its focus on hands-on music creation rather than traditional label dynamics. Mayda shared insights about her musical journey, highlighting the significance of collaboration with Michael Bland, which has greatly influenced her artistic development. The duo discussed their experiences within the Twin Cities music scene, noting its rich diversity and the challenges of standing out amidst a plethora of talented musicians. Listeners were treated to a preview of Mayda's upcoming performance, scheduled for February 8th at the Uptown Bar and Café in Minneapolis, showcasing her latest musical endeavors. Michael's unique perspective on the music industry was revealed, particularly how he navigates challenges while maintaining creative integrity and collaboration with various artists. Mayda's songwriting process was explored, emphasizing her ability to weave everyday experiences into compelling lyrics that resonate with listeners, showcasing her unique artistic voice. Links referenced in this episode:MySpace.com/maytamillercdbaby.com/maydamillercdbaby.comCompanies mentioned in this episode: Sonic Matrimony CD Baby MySpace Bless the Nation Halloween Alaska New Congress Doomtree Clique Prince Jonas Brothers Todd Rundgren

Funkatopia hosts Mr. Christopher and NPG legend Michael Bland have an open discussion about the challenges with new Prince releases in a posthumous world. From rabid fans to misinformation to what you can probably actually expect. Plus, we open the phone lines to let the audience chime in to share what they would like to see. It's an action packed purple geek out session Free 4 All.

NPG keyboardist Tommy Barbarella joins Mr. Christopher and NPG drummer Michael Bland to catch up on music history, learn new stories about each other, talk about gear, and so much more.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with celebrated photographer Allen Beaulieu, the man responsible for the infamous photos of Prince's most genius eras including 1999, Dirty Mind, Controversy, and many others. Note, that this is a very visual show, so apologies to audio only listeners, but there are enough stories to warrant this journey.

Jesse Johnson does his final interview ever (?) with Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland talking for over 3 hours on a variety of topics including playing inside of Paisley Park, new music, COVID, conspiracy theories, iPhone vs. Android, and much more including claiming that this will be his last interview that he will ever do. That means you HAVE to listen.

Guitarist Mike Scott sits down with Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland to discuss his humble beginnings and his decision to stay in Minneapolis which led to his work with Prince, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and beyond.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with Maya McClean. While she was mostly known for performing with her sister with Prince as The Twinz, she now shares her journey to becoming a spiritual life coach, life on her own, working with Prince, and much more including her upcoming album Awakening. She also graces the show with a full performance of her song Waterfall. It's a super spiritual mind journey of discovery for herself that she wants to share with the world.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with the legend behind the scenes Jerry Hubbard. He has been a solid pillar in the Minneapolis music scene from childhood. He's played with Prince, The Time, The Family, Jesse Johnson, was on Michael Jackson's label and so much more. Take a deep dive into Minneapolis music history as we discuss Minnesota's deep musical history discussing bands like Grand Central, the original Sonny Thompson version of The Family, Flyte Tyme, Alexander O'Neal, Morris Day, and so much more. Hold your nose, because it's a baptism of Minneapolis music and it's about get funky in here.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with the Time Band featuring Jellybean Johnson, Monte Moir, Tori Ruffin, and Ricky Freeze Smith to discuss their history with Morris Day and the Time, their Masterclass, and plenty of behind the scenes stories.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland welcome Indian bassist Mohini Dey to chat about her current touring schedule, her past, her upbringing, childhood challenges, religion, space in music, cathartic performances, and much more.

Mr. Christopher sits down with Funkatopia co-host NPG drummer Michael Bland to discuss the 2025 Prince Celebration taking place in Minneapolis and Chanhassen, MN. We discuss the new music coming, the Celebration panels, unreleased music heard, plans for video releases, the rebirth of the NPG Music Club, and much more including addressing a few "Mr. Funkatopia" shout outs from Londell McMillan during the Vault Session panel and the stories that sparked it. All this and way more than we deserve in an almost 3-hour packed show.

Join Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland as they sit down with all of the members of The Family including St. Paul Peterson, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson, Susannah Melvoin, and Eric Leeds. We discuss new FDeluxe music, the Prince Celebration performance and a wealth of purple stories. Then we top off the night with a surprise visit from New Power Generation (NPG) members Morris Hayes and Tony Mosley to share even more unheard stories from the road and new events for the band.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit with Philip Lassiter and Shelby J to discuss his new album Soul of the World and debut a new track. Plus Damon D joins to talk about his Minneapolis dance class. Then Mr. C and Michael chat about the upcoming Prince Celebration in Minnesota, the pricing, the events, as well as the external events in and around Minneapolis area.

In 2020, author Michael Bland introduced is to Dray Quintero and his fight for freedom in “The Price of Safety.” Now, he's bringing that story to a close with his final book in the trilogy, “The Price of Freedom.” Here's a look at the story: It's 2047. The rebellion has been crushed. The Agency is reestablishing control.  Rebel leader Dray Quintero languishes in his cell, struggling against his captors' manipulations. His daughter Raven's cries torment him at night. He has doomed them both.  In this interview, Michael talks about the events that have brought us to this moment. He shares Dray's growth as a character and if he's wound up in the place where Michael thought he would. Michael talks about growing the story from one novel to three, and how he mapped out the trilogy. Michael is far from done when it comes to writing and talks about the possibility of a spin-off or two. We go into his books being nominated or presented with more awards than we can count in one episode, and just what else lies in store.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit with the iconic trombonist Fred Wesley who was an integral part of the sound of James Brown, Parliament Funkadelic, the JB's, the Horny Horns, and many collaborations from Abraham Inc. to Van Morrison.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with funk maestro Cory Wong to discuss his history, Prince's influence, the Fearless Flyers, Vulfpeck, ADHD, working with Michael Bland, and so much more.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland welcome Tower of Power drumming legend David Garibaldi to discuss his time with Tower of Power, his near death experience with a train, the true story behind the 777-9311 drum track, his retirement, and what he's doing now.

Mr. Christopher and NPG drummer Michael Bland discuss the 40th anniversary of Prince's Purple Rain follow-up, Around the World in a Day. We also discuss how we've dealt with the loss of Prince 9 years later. Plus plenty of rabbit holes.

What inspires a company's commitment to community support and engagement? Michael Bland, Capital Project Stewardship Leader at Celanese, illustrates how their proactive approach led them to The Rose, supporting its mission through donations and involvement. From providing much-needed chemo kits to actively participating in community events, Celanese has become a partner rather than just a donor. Their employees, driven by values and empowered by the organization, strive to make a profound impact in the community. Key Questions Answered 1. What is Michael Bland's role at Celanese? 2. What does Michael enjoy most about his job at Celanese? 3. Can you explain what Celanese does as a company? 4. How did Celanese first become involved with The Rose? 5. What kind of community support has Celanese provided to The Rose? 6. Who did Michael Bland dress up as for the Shrimp Boil's 80s costume contest? 7. How did the Celanese team participate in the Shrimp Boil event? 8. What was the significance of the survivor's quilt mentioned in the episode? 9. How does Celanese view its role in community involvement, according to Michael Bland? 10. What is the "Keep the Mobile on the Road" program mentioned by Dorothy Gibbons? Timestamped Overview 00:00 "Breast Health Podcast: Community Support" 04:48 Celanese's Commitment to Community 07:11 Dressing as Slash and Axl, 1986 09:44 Affordable Shrimp Fundraiser & Community Event 14:15 Shared Enthusiasm Impresses New Visitor 16:51 Breaking Silence for Early Detection 21:09 Underestimated Support Logistics 22:13 Mobile Repair Fundraiser Program 25:14 Donations Support Trauma Recovery ProgramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with bass gawd MonoNeon to discuss his upbringing, his wardrobe, the sock, Prince, the album he worked on with Prince (Black is the New Black), inspirations, and much more. Tune in and vibe out.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down to discuss the interview with MonoNeon and of course, in their usual style, it diverges into a full blown show that has very little to do with MonoNeon and all about Prince's legacy and whatever else they discuss. Which is everything purple.

Michael Bland is a musical powerhouse who calls the Twin Cities home. He is best known for his tenure as the drummer for Prince, but he has been a part of so many great moments in Twin Cities music. This Saturday, Bland will be diving back into the music of Prince for a show titled “New Power Generation – A Tribute To Prince." The show is this Saturday at the Hopkins Center For the Arts at 8pm. Bland connected with Jazz88's Sean McPherson to talk about his approach to Prince's music and his familial connection to his fellow New Power Generation bandmates.

Michael Bland is a musical powerhouse who calls the Twin Cities home. He is best known for his tenure as the drummer for Prince, but he has been a part of so many great moments in Twin Cities music. This Saturday, Bland will be diving back into the music of Prince for a show titled “New Power Generation – A Tribute To Prince." The show is this Saturday at the Hopkins Center For the Arts at 8pm. Bland connected with Jazz88's Sean McPherson to talk about his approach to Prince's music and his familial connection to his fellow New Power Generation bandmates.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland discuss the newly released information on the Prince Celebration 2025. We talk about the pricing, the bands, the events, the hotels, transportation, and more. Including a visit from a special guest.

Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with music luminary Thomas Dolby. We talk about his breakout success in the 80's, From his side projects, his hits like Hyperactive and She Blinded Me With Science, chilling with Michael Jackson, friendships with XTC's Andy Partridge, working with Todd Rundgren, and so much more.

Mr. Christopher and Funkatopia co-host Michael Bland discuss Prince, the Prince Celebration. Joni Mitchell, Meshell Ndegeocello, and tons of New Power Generation questions for Michael.

Prince and the Revolution keyboardist Dr. Fink joins Mr. Christopher and NPG drummer Michael Bland in an extremely loose and rare interview discussing Rick James, drugs in the 80's, working with P. Diddy, Revolution memories, arrests, touring, the future, and so much more.

Michael Bland returns to Funkatopia Live to discuss more on the cancelled Netflix Prince documentary, the 2025 nominations for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, plus other highly notable bands that still haven't been nominated. PLUS. we also discuss the new list for Record Store Day 2025 and much more.

NPG drummer Michael Bland returns to Funkatopia to discuss the cancellation of the Netflix Prince documentary, Kendrick Lamar's Superbowl performance and more.

NPG drummer Michael Bland joins Mr. Christopher to break down Prince's Love Symbol album track by track. But as always, we have MANY stories and funky rabbit holes including a discussion on Questlove, Canadian funk nights, and much more.

Visit Michaels Site: https://mcbland.com Be A Better YOU with AI: Join The Community: https://10xyou.us Like this? Subscribe to our newsletter at https://thinkfuture.com Get AIDAILY every weekday. Subscribe at https://aidaily.us --- In this episode, Michael Bland introduces himself as an award-winning science fiction author who has published the first two books in a trilogy, with the third book on the way. Inspired by his father's love of astrophysics and his own passion for sci-fi, Bland's novels explore a future 25 years ahead, where technology is deeply woven into daily life, ensuring no crime goes unsolved. However, the protagonist uncovers the dark side of this tech—surveillance and control of the population, raising critical questions about privacy. Bland discusses the impact of social media and shortened attention spans on the publishing industry, emphasizing the need for engaging, fast-paced stories with cliffhangers to retain readers' interest. He expresses concerns about AI-generated content being passed off as original work but acknowledges AI's potential as a research tool and for tasks like summarization, while maintaining that the human creative process is essential in storytelling. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of fiction, with the rise of formats like flash fiction and serialized novels. Despite these trends, Bland remains optimistic about the enduring appeal of traditional novels for immersive storytelling. He concludes by inviting listeners to connect with him and learn more about his work through his website, https://mcbland.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinkfuture/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinkfuture/support

We discuss all of the details we have for the Prince Celebration in June 20-24, 2024 including events, hotels, flights, and more. PLUS we welcome Mayte Garcia (1:20:25) to chat about the Live4Love Charities Bowling event on June 6, and also Michael Bland (1:52:30) with a post 2gether concert review and feedback on their historic concert where he joined forces with Sonny T, Tommy Barbarella, Levi Seacer Jr., Tony Mosley, and so many more.

Today's guest makes me feel like royalty. It's drummer Michael Bland and he has worked with some of the best in the business. But before that, he played in school and found out he had perfect pitch! Finding that out helped solidify his decision to be a musician. But his parents weren't exactly thrilled about the idea and pushed him to have a backup plan. That is, until Prince called the house looking for Michael. This started a trend of Michael being offered jobs on stage in the middle of jams. Michael was the drummer for The New Power Generation during a time where Prince was reinventing himself. But Prince isn't the only high profile artist Michael has worked with. There's Paul Westerberg, Chaka Khan, Maxwell, Nick Jonas, & Soul Asylum.  Michael relays some behind-the-scenes stories about Prince, Paisley Park, and The Paisley Park Power Trio, among other things. And that ties in to a new project he's working on with long-time collaborator, Sonny Thompson called (Br)others. They have a single coming out and are playing a show with a lot of The New Power Generation. Check Michael out @michaelblandofficial & @brothersmusic2024 on Instagram. Check out Brothers Forlife on Facebook. And look for Soul Asylum on tour this summer with Our Lady Peace, Live, & Stone Temple Pilots. Look for us @PerformanceAnx on socials. Love us with the gift of coffee at ko-fi.com/performanceanxiety. Or buy something with our logo at performanceanx.threadless.com. I had a wonderful time with Michael Bland on Performance Anxiety on the Pantheon Podcast Network. Check it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the iconic date of 3/19, we get the blessing of a 2nd visit from Michael Bland and Sonny T to answer more deep probing questions. And we also welcome special guest BrownMark as he checks in to let us know about his special Houston event with Prince Day Houston and Craig Alexander.

We sit down with two music legends Sonny Thompson and Michael Bland. Both of them have shared the stage with Prince's New Power Generation, but they have plenty of stories of their own becoming legends in their own right. We talk about musical history in Minneapolis before Prince became a household name, Michael's work with Soul Asylum, dispelling vault myths, and so much more.

“Cream (Take 2)” is the latest previously-unheard track to come from forthcoming Prince & The Power Generation album reissue Diamonds & Pearls. Released on Thursday (September 7), the song was unveiled from “Prince's legendary vault,” with performances from Power Generation drummer Michael Bland, bassist Sonny Thompson, keyboardist Tommy Barbarella, guitarist Levi Seacer, Jr. and percussionist Kirk Johnson. The song was originally released as the erotic “Cream,” also the last Prince single to make the Billboard Hot 100.