Live, Uncut & Unscripted Conversations With
"Musicians You Should Know
MUSIC ON THE COUCH
Live, Uncut & Uncensored Conversations With
"Musicians You Should Know"
SHOW ARCHIVES
NOVEMBER 2013
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SHOW # 186 - 11/04/13
JIM ALLCHIN
Jim Allchin joined me. Jim has a brand new album entitled Q.E.D. His story is one of a bluesman indeed. Born and raised in a small house in the middle of farmland in Florida, he sometimes missed school because crops needed to be harvested. From there, he became a world recognized leader in Computer Science and software. He worked at and started a couple of small companies before joining Microsoft in 1990. Through it all, he had music.
His new album, Q.E.D., is “at the forefront of contemporary blues” — recorded in 5 different studios (4 in Seattle) and one in NYC. Jim and I talked about his life and how he continues to embrace his music.
BLUES411 REPORT - Segment Begins At The 34:20 Mark
First Monday of the month, Jimi sat and talked about the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, his upcoming plans for music and much more. Always a good time with Jimi!
MUD MORGANFIELD - COUCH KID NEWS - Segment Begins At The 1:06:15 Mark
The worst thing that could happen to a musician is to lose control of your music, your livelihood...This has happened to Mud Morganfield and he stopped by to discuss this issue. He also wanted fans to know that he will not sign a copy of the album in question Blues Is In My Blood and, though it makes him sad to turn down a fan, he feels compelled to not give credence to this illegal album. Listen and hear how much it hurts this incredible musician.
JOANNE FISH - MR. HANDY'S BLUES - Segment Begins At The 1:27:17 Mark
Joanne Fish is a film-maker and she is currently working on a Documentary about W.C. Handy. In 2007 Joanne completed her award winning documentary on the “Queen of Rockabilly” Wanda Jackson, entitled The Sweet Lady With The Nasty Voice, won “Best in Show” at the Oklahoma City Film Festival, a Cine Golden Eagle Award, and was an official entry at over 20 other film festivals. She won an Emmy award for Class Acts a documentary about Los Angeles’ first public High School of the Arts, and has received seven Emmy nominations for her work. Joanne and I discussed her career and talked about Mr. Handy’s Blues. From the financing to the obtaining information and interviews. Find out more about this woman and her desires to honor Mr. Handy.
SHOW # 187 - 11/11/13
BETH MCKEE - COUCH KID NEWS
'Couch Kid' Beth McKee first Sat On The Couch in June 2011. Tonight she stopped by to talk about her new project and the Kickstarter Campaign she is using to fund it.
CHEYENNE RAE & THE MIDNIGHT RAMBLERS - Segment begins At The 6:15 Mark
Cheyenne Rae is the leader of Miss Rae & The Midnight Ramblers. Until recently, she was based in Winnipeg, MB, but has moved back to Edmonton before her planned departure for France in October of 2014. In 2012, she won the Harvest Moon Songwriting Contest and then performed on their festival stage. She has recently put together The Midnight Ramblers consisting of Vince Andrushko on Guitar, Tom “Twisty” Fodey on Bass and Dan Levasseur on Drums. I chatted with Rae about her life and how someone so young can have such an old soul, while we listened to tunes from the album Big Boned Woman.
PHILIP SAYCE - Segment Begins At The 47:36 Mark
Philip Sayce joined me. Philip grew up in a home where classic rock & blues ruled. By the time he was 16 he was sneaking into bars to hear various bands including Jeff Healey. For four years Sayce played with Healey, traveling the world and learning to play the big stage. He also spent time in Uncle Kracker’s Band before joining Melissa Etheridge for four years.
He just released his fourth album Steamroller and it proves again that Sayce can work an axe.
Philip and I discussed his career so far and where he is heading in the future.
HOLLAND K SMITH - Segment Begins At The 1:32:11 Mark
Holland K Smith comes from the state of Texas where guitar players are born. His fourth album Cobalt was just released and Anson Funderburgh is in the Producers chair again. I sat with Holland and we explored his childhood and teenage years and then into his career. An interesting man and a talented musician.
SHAUN MURPHY - COUCH KID NEW MUSIC - Segment Begins At The 2:18:00 Mark
‘Couch Kid’ Shaun Murphy first Sat with me in October 2012 and tonight she returns with her brand new album, Cry of Love. I was totally stoked when I heard Shaun would be here the day the album actually drops. Then, last week, she went and took home the top honors at The Blues Blast Awards for Best Female Blues Artist and Best Contemporary Blues Album…double score for this incredible woman with a voice that melts steel.
SHOW # 188 - 11/18/13
BILLY THOMPSON BAND
Billy Thompson has been playing guitar since he was 18 and was lead guitar for the Broadway show Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues and for Tony Award winning playwright Keith Glover’s Bluesical, Thunder Knocking on the Door. He represented the the DC Blues Society at the IBC in 2009 and his last album, A Better Man was nominated for a 2012 Blues Blast Music Award for Contemporary Blues Album. Billy sat with me and talked about his journey from North Carolina to Louisiana to California and now West Virginia. His new album is entitled Friend and we listened to songs and discussed the recording of the album.
BOBBY MURRAY - Segment Begins At The 44:40 Mark
Bobby Murray was a bandmate of Robert Cray in high school and their seeing Albert Collins perform at their high school graduation became a stepping point for both. Bobby spent two decades performing in Etta James' backup ensemble and in her recording band. He also performed with Albert Collins on and off for over 20 years. He has a new album out entitled, I’m Sticking With You and it contains all originals from Bobby. I got the opportunity to sit an chat with this incredible musician who has been entertaining for years and nice to see him making a new beginning.
MONKEY JUNK - Segment Begins At The 1:33:00 Mark
Monkey Junk’s 2011 label debut, To Behold, won them the 2012 Juno Award as Blues Album of the Year. Over the last 5 years, they have earned 15 Maple Blues Awards including Electric Act Of The Year for 4 straight years. Their new album is entitled All Frequencies and I sat with Steve, Tony and Matt, from their hotel room in Chicago as they are in the middle of their tour. We talked about their quick rise and the new sounds they are introducing.
SHOW # 189 - 11/25/13
BUCK 69
From Toledo, Ohio comes the band Buck69. Led by father & son, Tom & Alex Clawson, they are 2 of the three guitarists in this Blues-Rock-Roots Band. Their debut album, When She Whispers Your Name was a 2008 Grammy Finalist and they have just released the follow-up, No Medicine Like The Blues. Tom and I sat and talked about his growing up with a desire for music...the decisions he made along the way and how he and his son began Buck69 and what they are hoping to accomplish in the future.
JEFF STRAHAN - Segment Begins At The 46:50 Mark
Jeff Strahan comes from a small town in Texas and always loved music. His desire to be able to record what he wanted, anytime he wanted had him becoming a lawyer along the way.
He gave that up to follow his passion and that is playing guitar AND piano AND vocals AND songwriting…and he does them damn well! His new album, Monkey Around is full of great southern rock, blues, roots and folk all rolled into a solid sound. So sad that we lost this incredible talent less than 2 months later.
URSULA RICKS - Segment Begins At The 1:31:00 Mark
Ursula Ricks has just released her debut album, My Street, produced by David Earl and Steve Gomes. Ursula’s songwriting abilities are evident on the eight originals that grace My Street and her vocals are stellar throughout. Ursula and I spoke about her career and how it took her until now to record her first album, while we listened to cuts from My Street.
JASON WELLS - COUCH KID NEW MUSIC - Segment Begins At The 2:09:40 Mark
Jason Wells originally Sat On The Couch back in March of 2013 and we discussed his leaving the business world for music full-time and his album Inside. Jason returned to The Couch with his new album. The album is entitled The Modern Vintage Movement and Jason and I discussed his last year and the recording of the new album while we listened to tunes from it.