Is Breakfast Included?

This week Bernie sits down with Amie Miriello & Vanessa Olivarez of Boys Club for Girls. They discuss how they began singing together, why they need to keep singing together, and their new self-titled album which is being released today. It is a combination of beautiful harmonies, great songs, and fresh air. You can get the album on all streaming platforms as well as buy tickets to their album release show on April 13th at The Basement in Nashville, TN. found.ee/boysclubforgirls instagram.com/boysclubforgirls

This week Bernie talks with The Nixons’ bassist, Ricky Brooks. Ricky breaks down what it was like being in The Nixons and how they went from being a cover band in their early days, to an all original band. He discussed everything from how they got signed to a major label to how he got fired and how The Nixons reunited in 2017. They also discuss Huver and the limited edition vinyl which was released last Friday through the DFW Legacy Series.  Huver's Wheatland LP:  Limited edition vinyl release thenixonsofficial.com

This week’s episode marks the beginning of our third season and for this one, we switched things up a little bit. I, Lisa, turned the tables on Bernie and put him in the hot seat for a change. We learned of his origin story and had a really great conversation. Bernie talked about where he grew up, how he got into the music industry, and what sparked the idea for this podcast. We also discussed some of our favorite episodes, and our new merch store! It was my first attempt behind the mic, we had a great time, and hopefully this will happen again from time to time.   Check out our store: isbreakfast.bigcartel.com

This week Bernie sits down with filmmaker TJ Hoffmann. TJ is the creator of a documentary called "Roadie: My Documentary" available now on Tubi and Amazon Freevee. The film spans TJ’s 20 year career as a roadie and takes you on the road and behind the curtain to hear real road stories told by real roadies. This is a must see for any fan of live music, maybe to understand just a little bit about what roadies do and what it really takes to make a live show happen.  roadiefilm.com

This week Bernie speaks with Dave Perez and Ross Rubio from the power trio, Big Story. Big Story just dropped their new EP, "Hot" which is available today on all of the streaming platforms. They took some time to talk about this new release, their new lineup, and the writing process for “Hot”. Bernie had a great time catching up with his old friends as they traded road stories, discussed influences, and covered the old “today's office” posts on social media!  orcd.co/hotep facebook.com/bigstoryofficial  youtube.com/channel/UCABxIETVVKErHP5_zBZn0xA

This week Bernie sits down with music photographer Frank White and metal singer Alan Tecchio. Frank and Alan came together to co-author a fantastic book called "Jersey Metal: A History of the Garden State’s Heavy Metal Scene Volume One". Their book offers a unique autobiographical perspective on NJ's Heavy Metal music history through photos, ads, interviews and band bios with a primary focus on the years 1969 through 1986. They talk about their history in the scene and why they decided to write the book. We also discuss some of their favorite bands, clubs and of course, breakfast!  jerseymetalbook.com

This week Bernie speaks with guitarist Michael Mroz. Michael plays Angus Young in the premiere AC/DC tribute band, "Back in Black". They discuss the band's past and talk about a brand new documentary which chronicles their journey over the past 20 years. The documentary, “My Stupid Tribute Band”, recently premiered on Amazon Prime Video and is available to stream by clicking here. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re missing out on a great band story!  backinblack.info  instagram.com/realbackinblack  instagram.com/mystupidtributeband  facebook.com/BackinBlack.info twitter.com/RealBackInBlack

This week Bernie sits down with music producer and engineer, Sterling Winfield. Sterling talks about his work with Pantera, his history with the band, and their current tour. Bernie also digs into his work as an audio engineer and finds out how Sterling spends his time these days. In other news, this is the 100th episode of our podcast! We are thrilled to have arrived at this point and would like to thank all of our listeners and guests for their continued support! facebook.com/sterlingwinfield

This week Bernie shoots the shit with radio host Greg "Spicoli" Reneau. Greg is an encyclopedia of all things rock and has a sharp focus on the local Dallas music scene. He is best known as an on-air personality at 89.3 KNON where he, along with Lee Russell, host the "Reckless Rock Radio" show. Greg and Bernie discuss DFW music, the Reckless Rock Radio show, and some of the differences between working with corporate and public radio.  recklessrockradio.com  KNON.org

This week Bernie sits down with Dallas-based guitarist, Ramiro Noriega. Ramiro plays Malcolm Young in the premiere AC/DC tribute band, “Back In Black”. He also plays in the Van Halen Tribute band, “Mean Street”.  They talk about Back In Black’s new documentary, “My Stupid Tribute Band”, which just premiered on Amazon Prime Video. The conversation then took an interesting turn toward struggles with depression, anxiety and not feeling good enough. Although this interview went a little differently than expected, Bernie and Ramiro really connected and had a great time. Watch the documentary on Amazon Prime by clicking here. backinblack.info instagram.com/realbackinblack facebook.com/BackinBlack.info  twitter.com/RealBackInBlack facebook.com/MeanStreetDFW

This week Bernie sits down with the former director of Artist Management at A&M Records, Al Marks. Al worked with A&M for over two decades and has also spent time at EMI, MCA, and 220 Entertainment. Now retired, he spends his time holding online auctions of rock & roll guitar picks and donates 100% of the proceeds to charity. Al has some amazing stories and tells us a few including one that involves the late great Jimi Hendrix!  ebay.com/str/musiccollectiblesfromsgcustom327

This week Bernie sits down with guitarist and bass technician, Aidan Mullen. Aidan currently looks after Rick Savage of Def Leppard. In the past, Aidan has played with artists such as Eddie Money and Collin Raye. He has also worked for Y&T, Aerosmith, Metallica, and a host of other bands. Aidan shares stories of his career, including one from his time with Metallica where the band’s history was changed. Aidan is a master of his craft, as well as a great guy who has seen and done it all. He’s even a Realtor so give him a call, if you need help finding your dream home!  rockingmusiccityrealtor.com

This week Bernie speaks with self-proclaimed “guy who does a lot of stuff“,  Riki Rachtman. Riki is primarily known as an MTV VJ who hosted "Headbangers Ball" and as the former owner of the world-famous Hollywood-based nightclub, The Cathouse. He was a host on the radio advice program Loveline, as well as with NASCAR, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and multiple VH1 shows. In addition to all of this, Riki just finished five sold out shows of his one man spoken word tour, “One Foot in the Gutter”.  He and Bernie talk about how great it was to be out on the road, how he got there and where he’d like to see the show go in the future.  CathouseHollywood.com

For this week's episode, Bernie and I took a road trip up to Connecticut and sat down with musician, engineer, and producer, Richard Hilton. Richard is the keyboardist for the band "Nile Rodgers & Chic", and has worked with Nile for over 30 years. We spoke about Richard’s work with Nile, David Bowie, Duran Duran and both Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan, and barely scratched the surface. Richard has seen and done it all and has the receipts to prove it. hiltonius.com

In this week's episode, Bernie flies to Vegas to meet up with his good friend and fellow guitar technician, Greg Howard. Greg tells us about his early career working for bands such as DAG and Cry of Love, all the way through to working for larger artists like AC/DC, Green Day, Sheryl Crow, and Aerosmith! We also talk about 3 Monkeys Amps and 3 Monkeys Solderless, companies that Greg and his partners started to provide reliable components for touring musicians.   3monkeyssolderless.com

This week Bernie speaks with Dallas based artist and graphic illustrator, Jennifer Wallace. He and Jennifer discuss her work as a graphic designer and what led to her unique style of painting. Jennifer also indirectly designed the album cover art for for Alice Cooper’s “Live from the Astroturf” album, and she fills us in on how it all went down.  jenniferwallaceart.com

This week Bernie sits down with photographer and videographer, Arthur Gonzalez. Arthur talks about what it was like growing up in Roswell, New Mexico (👽) and how he ended up making his way to West Texas. He explains how he got into the music industry by learning all aspects of production, and we talk about his music career as a ghost guitar player. Arthur pretty much does it all, and he was a lot of fun to talk to!  instagram.com/officiallyarthurgonzalesig

In this week’s episode Bernie speaks with an amazing philanthropic caregiver who goes by the name Just Knate. Knate has made it his personal mission to be kind and lend a helping hand wherever possible. If you’ve seen his videos on TikTok and Instagram, then you already know he’s making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate and unhoused. Bernie had a great time learning about Knate, how he started this mission, what keeps him going, and what his plans are for the future.  tiktok.com/@justknate instagram.com/just.knate justknate.com

This week Bernie sits down with his boss and superstar bass player, John Taylor! Duran Duran was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and just two days before the ceremony, John and Bernie got together for this conversation. They discuss what this event means to the band, their extra-special Las Vegas Halloween show, and what it’s like finding balance within the band. They also get really serious and try to nail down the differences between lunch and brunch.  lnk.bio/DuranDuran duranduran.com

This week Bernie chops it up with Einar Pedersen III. Bernie and Einar work together on the current Duran Duran tour where Einar is the production manager. Einar is also an accomplished bass player who’s been a member of the Dan Band and has spent over 10 years touring with Kelly Clarkson. They talk about growing up in Texas with bands such as Kings X and The Galactic Cowboys, the many angles of the music business, and why Texas has spawned so many great musicians.  instagram.com/einarchy

This week Bernie shoots the shit with songwriter and frontman for Evel Frehley, Terry Glaze. Evel Frehley is a DFW area supergroup comprised of Glaze on vocals, Tommy Roberts on guitar, Taz Bentley on drums, and Kinley Wolfe on bass. Terry and Bernie talk about their new release, "Budokan" and what EF has in store for 2023!   evelfrehley.com

This week Bernie sits down with the founder of Idol Records, Erv Karwelis. Erv talks about his time working with Triple X, Sony, and Geffen, and then how he went on his own to start an independent record label. Idol Records will soon be celebrating their 30th anniversary! We had a great conversation about the music business and why Erv still enjoys doing it after all these years. idolrecords.com facebook.com/idolrecordsgroup instagram.com/idolrecords twitter.com/IdolRecords    youtube.com/user/idolrecords

This week Bernie sits down with an old friend, Christi Clark. Christi is a Dallas-based artist who talks about how she started her unique form of art, how it's challenging to see her creations considered “real art”, and why it’s so hard for her to take a compliment. She also tells us about her upcoming exhibition which will be taking place on Halloween weekend at The Epic in Grand Prairie, TX.  instagram.com/christi_uninhabited  facebook.com/Christiclark2003

This week Bernie sits down with radio broadcaster and writer Gordon Keith. Gordon is most recognized for his long standing role as a morning drive time radio host on KTCK SportsRadio 1310 & 96.7FM “The Ticket” in the Dallas area. He also writes a column for the Dallas Morning News and is often featured on WFAA, the local ABC affiliate. Bernie and Gordon chat about their common interests in Muhammad Ali, Duran Duran, and Joe Lewis/Joe Frazier. They also discuss the often overlooked problem of Black Sabbath gatekeeping.  gordonkeith.com  youtube.com/user/thegordonkeithshow twitter.com/gordonkeith  instagram.com/actualgordonkeith twitch.tv/actualgordonkeith

This week Bernie speaks with jewelry designer and drummer, Mario De La Cruz. Mario talks about his start in Brownsville, TX, where he originally wanted to become a percussion instructor. After playing in a band and working with Celebrity Cruise Line, Mario went on to find his calling in jewelry making and created De La Cruz Signature Designs. It’s a great conversation and we hope you enjoy it!  delacruzjewelry.com instagram.com/mariodelacruzjewelry

This week Bernie sits down with the multi-talented Sara Abrams. Sara is a singer, songwriter, and bassist for the NY based, death metal band Daughter Chaos. She is also a skilled guitar technician who works out of Main Drag Music in Brooklyn, and in the little free time she has, you'll find her making handcrafted soap! Sara and Bernie discuss her music career and her travel path through Los Angeles, Sweden, Philadelphia and how it all ultimately brought her to NYC.  instagram.com/sara_abrams_ facebook.com/daughterchaos  saradacraft.com

This week Bernie sits down with independent artist Humza Sohail. Humza is a filmmaker, actor, and comedian living in Brooklyn, NY. They discuss his early exposure into comedy, how he got into filmmaking, and moving to a new city in the middle of a pandemic. Humza also helps us understand what it was like for him to grow up as an immigrant child from Pakistan in a post 9/11 America.   instagram.com/shahrukhconman youtube.com/watch?v=l5QerSUMN_Y  vimeo.com/673052061

This week we sit down with expert guitar tech and my good friend, Gert Marckx. Gert is based out of Belgium and in this week’s episode he walks us through the start of his career in the live music industry and how it led him to looking after one of the most famous guitarists in the business. Yes, we are referring to the "Hitmaker" himself, Nile Rodgers! We also discuss iconic venues, some of our favorite cities, and what Gert likes for breakfast.  gertmarckx.com

This week we have the pleasure of sitting down with Nate Dawson. Nate is a guitar technician, a stage manager, and a production manager… he really does it alll! I caught up with Nate on a day off and we dove into his history in the music business, our love of music, and our love of touring. Nate is probably one of the nicest guys in the business and it has been great touring with him. instagram.com/the_natedawson

This week we sit down with the amazing Roy Bickel. Roy introduced motorized rigging to the concert industry in 1974 while on tour with Jethro Tull. Roy talks about his amazing career, beginning with his roles as a professional waterskier and human cannonball, his work with Disney, and then making his way into live music with the likes of Elvis, Kenny Rogers, Kiss, Reba McEntire, and more. Roy changed the game and is considered the FIRST rock and roll rigger. It was and honor and a pleasure to spend time with him. If you enjoy going to live concerts, then this episode is for you.  etcp.esta.org

This we we talk with my good friend Marko Hajdinovic. Marko runs a successful LED lighting business and is the owner of a company called Hammersmith that makes excellent basses. Marko and I talk about how we met, his various endeavors, our favorite movies, and of course breakfast. I hadn’t seen him in four years and it was great to catch up with an old friend!

This week we speak with William Brennan and Logan Sidle from New Haven, CT, who are collectively known as Robot Monster! In early 2020, Will and Logan used IG and Tiktok to unleash a series of viral videos of them playing venues like backyards and wrecking yards, quickly catching the attention of thousands of followers (including Skrillex, and Fred Durst). Soon, producer Jaquire King (Buddy Guy, Kings of Leon, Tom Waits) threw them into a studio, and before long, their debut album was released on all streaming platforms. They have recently announced a tour with The Bronx and Drug Church but they took a little time to chat with me about how it all started and where it’s going. Will and Logan are ready for whatever comes next, and it couldn’t have happened to two nicer guys! https://open.spotify.com/artist/5hUuP1ezGGEm6JSUdFcA9t?si=9y3t7I9SQpCbd1pJE7toVQ https://www.robotmonstermusic.com/

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Davies Baird. Davies is an independent promoter representative who handles live events, but more importantly, he’s one of my best friends. I met Davies almost 30 years ago and we have been through it all together. We share some stories of our past, talk about how we met, and hear about his gig as a promoter rep. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

This week we sit down at Dallas’ own Three Links with bassist extraordinaire, Fatima Thomas. Fatima takes us on a journey through her early bass playing days and move to Texas. We learn her story, from happiness to heartbreak, and then on to a new chapter with HESS and Flickerstick. Fatima is a fighter and she’s ready to take on whatever comes her way! instagram.com/fatimaplaysbass instagram.com/flickerstick_official instagram.com/caseyhe55

This week we have the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Grammy Award winning engineer, and dear friend, Joshua Blair. Josh is a Berklee College of Music graduate and has worked with some of the biggest artists in the world such as Adele, Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson & Duran Duran. We had a great conversation, he told some fascinating stories, and we found out what he likes for breakfast.  joshuablair.com instagram.com/rocket88_au

This week we had the pleasure of spending time with Pembe Tokluhan. Pembe is an event specialist who handles all aspects of event production including tour management, production management, and backstage coordination. She shares her amazing story with us and brings us up to speed on her events company, Petok Productions. Petok Productions provides a directory of women, trans, and non-binary professionals to match with various backstage roles. Pembe’s enthusiasm is addictive, and I’m grateful she took the time out of her busy schedule to do this interview with me.  linktr.ee/Petok_Pem

On today’s show we sit down with my friend and fellow backline technician, Ozzie Henderson. Ozzie is a synthesizer programmer and keyboard technician who has worked with such artists as Stevie Wonder, The Gorrilaz, Sarah Brightman, and Duran Duran. We start off with talking about his early days in Hackney, then we discuss a bit about his photography and his latest endeavor, owner of Curated Frames.  instagram.com/ozziehenderson curatedframes.com

This week we sit down with London-based audio technician, guitar player, and all-around nice guy, Felix Threadgill. Felix and I have been on the road together for about three months and I wanted him to be on the podcast as soon as I met him. We chat about this gig, his band Recoba, and his love of the game of cricket!   instagram.com/recoba_official

In this week’s episode we sit down with the extraordinary Jeffrey Bryant. Jeffrey is our wardrobe manager on the Duran Duran tour and also designs a lot of the band’s stage clothing. In our conversation he takes us from his teenage years, designing clothes for himself and his friends during the punk movement, all to way through to designing clothes for The Pet Shop Boys, Mick Jagger, and Tina Turner, among others. He and his work have appeared in a multitude of TV commercials, music videos, and films. Jeffrey is quite possibly the most creative and talented person I know, and I was honored that he made the time to chat with us.  instagram.com/10jwork

This week we sit down to shoot the shit with my good buddy, Chris "Hollywood" Miller. Chris is a monitor engineer who I’ve known and traveled with for the past six years, and he’s one of the most stand-up guys I know in the business. In our conversation we discuss his intro to recording, landing his first production gig, and how he literally ran off and joined the circus! Chris is great guy who’s always willing to lend a hand, and I'm grateful he spent time on his day off to chat with me.

In this week’s episode we sit down with my good friend Kevin “drum master” Bell. Kevin has worked as a drum tech in this industry for 36 years. We discuss his early days working for session drummers, how he got his first gig on the road, and how he (and I) both ended up working with Duran Duran for the past 12 years. Kev and I have had countless conversations about life, music, and sometimes nothing at all, and now you get to listen in on one of them!

This week we sit down with my friend Fred Burke. Fred is a fellow backline technician, based out of Dublin Ireland. He has worked with acts such as One Direction, Robbie Williams, Hozier and Duran Duran, among others. Surprisingly, he doesn't play an instrument and has no social media! Our interview gets deep and we have a great conversation about work, life, and the popular misconceptions about what life is like on the road.

This week sit down with singer and songwriter Peter Sinclair! Peter is based out of Wortham, TX and he recently released his debut album, The Freestone Man. We get into his (relatively) short but impressive career so far - his songwriting, touring, and his relationship with country legend Billy Joe Shaver. Peter is a young and amazing talent who I’m sure we’ll be hearing about a lot more in the future.  linktr.ee/petersinclair

This week we sit down with lighting technician, and artist, Denise Simpson. Denise was born and raised in the live music industry. She tells us stories about watching show production as a child and and what it's like to work in the many different facets of live entertainment. Denise is super humble and talented, and is definitely an asset to any production she is a part of!  instagram.com/dsimpson_lites

In this week’s episode we chat with my good friend and talent buyer, "Big Mike" Rios. Mike and I talked about his early days of living in San Diego, how he learned about the industry, and how he started booking shows. Mike also shared with me why after 30 years of booking bands in Dallas for his company IRock Entertainment, he has decided to give it all up!   instagram.com/irockent5566

In this week’s episode we sit down with singer, songwriter, bassist, producer, and artist generally known for fronting progressive metal bands, Jason McMaster. That’s right, I’m talking about Pastor McMaster from the Church of Disaster himself! 33 years ago this week, Jason and his band Dangerous Toys released their self-titled debut album. Jason shared stories about starting his career in Texas, his time with both Watchtower and Dangerous Toys, and the work he does today with School of Rock.  jasonmcmaster.net 

American Graffiti, One Day at a Time, So Weird, Orange Is the New Black - the list goes on and on. That’s right, this week we link up with Mackenzie Phillips! We talk about her early days of getting into acting and how she found her passion, doing what she's doing now. She currently works with people battling addiction and eating disorders at Breathe Life Healing Center in West Hollywood, California. Mack is a unique soul who has weathered many ups and downs, but has come through it all shining like a star!  instagram.com/mackphillips

In this week’s episode we sit down with hard-working singer/songwriter Caleb Grant. Caleb hails from Dawson, TX, and in this episode he walks us through his time as a solo artist as well as a sideman. He opens up about getting sober and shares his new outlook on life and his plans for the future!   instagram.com/calebgrantmusic

This week we chop it up with Michael Briggs of Civil Audio located in Denton, Texas. We discuss how Michael got his start recording music, what led him to join Lorelei K as full-time member of the band, and what life was like on their recent west coast tour. Michael has a very busy schedule but he made the time to talk to us about the things he loves to do.  linktr.ee/michaelbriggs

In this week’s episode we sit down with filmmaker Gavin Elder. Gavin takes us through his evolution as a filmmaker and discusses working with such renowned artists as Duran Duran, David Lynch, AC/DC and David Gilmour, among others. He has had an incredible career which spans decades and he just keeps growing and honing his craft. Gavin and I were both on location in Los Angeles and I’m grateful he took the time to meet up and have this conversation with us.  heyluke.com instagram.com/gavin_elder

This week we sit down with author, musician, and legend hunter, Lyle Blackburn. Lyle is considered one of the leading experts on the Beast of Boggy Creek, and has written several books about sightings of unknown creatures (and other legends). He has narrated three documentary films: Terror in the Skies, The Bray Road Beast, and The Mothman of Point Pleasant for which he was also executive producer and co-writer. I had a great time talking with Lyle and learning all about cryptozoology!  lyleblackburn.com

This week we sit down with Lighting Designer extraordinaire, Vince Foster. Vince shares some wonderful stories about getting his start in the industry, working for his heroes, and watching the industry change while adapting to it. I have worked with Vince for 11 years and was honored he took the time to sit down to do this interview with me while we were out on the road.

This week we talk to the multi-talented Dahlia Knowles. Dahlia is a tattoo artist and hairstylist, but most well known as the lead singer of the dream pop band, Lorelie K! Dahlia and I talk about her early days playing house shows, her new album "Swimming Pool Eternity", and her producer Michael Briggs. She also gets into what it’s like to be a transgender female in the music business and a bit about her transition. lorelei-k.bandcamp.com/album/swimming-pool-eternity

This week we sit down with my good friend Jude Dyllan Martinez. Jude is a songwriter and producer based out of Ennis, TX. We had a great conversation, talked about playing in a band, the Nashville writing process, and the lessons learned on his journey from an artist to a songwriter.   instagram.com/judedyllan  facebook.com/JudeDyllan

In this week’s episode we sit down with the artistic director at Dallas’ Kessler Theater, Jeff Liles. Jeff has done it all in the music industry and he shares some interesting stories about his early days at Theater Gallery in Deep Ellum. I have wanted to sit down with Jeff for some time now, we barely scratched the surface, but it was well worth the wait!  thekessler.org  instagram.com/kesslerxplus

This week marks the first anniversary of our podcast and we’re closing out our first season the same way we started it - with a badass female artist! Jalesa Jessie aka Chief Cleopatra is an independent artist based in Austin, TX who is currently making waves in the industry. We talked about her upbringing, her fascination with drummer Jon Theodore, and her moves to Austin. Her hard work is finally paying off and today she releases her new EP, “Luna”. Check it out!  thegrowmanagement.com/artists/chiefcleopatra solo.to/chiefcleopatra

Chaz Knight was a legendary part of the Dallas radio scene during the 90s and early 2000s. We recently sat down and had a great conversation about his stints at 97.1 and 105.3, The Local Show, and his band Red Leather. Chaz shared some great stories and life lessons, and he didn’t hold back.   www.reverbnation.com/RedLeather   editmycredit.net

In this week’s episode we sit down with Russ Hewitt. Russ is a Flamenco artist who recently released a single called “Chasing Horizons,” featuring Nuno Bettencort of the band Extreme. We talk about Russ’ early days studying classical guitar, playing in rock bands, and recording his debut album with his all-star band.   linktr.ee/russhewittmusic

This week we sit down with Brittany Elliott and Johnny Araya. Brittany is a tattoo artist based out of San Antonio, TX, and Johnny is a former guitar tech who has worked for bands such as Slayer, Danzig, and Misfits. Together they own The Haunted Chapel which designs unique enamel pins, stickers, and one-of-a-kind heavy metal coffee tables!   bztattoo.com thehauntedchapel.com

For this week’s episode I drove back to my hometown of Corsicana, TX to sit down with head coach Monica Aldama, star of the Netflix series Cheer! Nothing was off-limits with “the queen”; she answered all of my questions about Cheer, Dancing With the Stars, and her brand new book “Full Out”. I had a great time catching up with my former classmate and I hope you enjoy our conversation.  linktr.ee/MonicaAldama

This week we chat with director and independent filmmaker, Justin Powers. Justin recently released a documentary, “Everything is A OK” which covers the Dallas punk scene from the late 1970’s to the early 2000’s. It features interviews with The Nervebreakers, Riot Squad, Loco Gringos, Pumpin Ethyl and tons of others! We talk about the making of the movie, how the pandemic helped him focus on editing, and what he’s up to now.  dallaspunkdoc.com instagram.com/fringemedia

This week we sit down with artist, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Kellindo Parker. Kellindo is lead guitarist and collaborator with Janelle Monae. We met up at Dallas’ Three Links which set the vibe for a great conversation! We discussed his famous uncles (Maceo and Melvin Parker), jammin’ with Prince, what he’d order for breakfast, and so much more.  kellindo.com instagram.com/therealkellindo

In this week’s episode we have the pleasure of chatting with my friend Kenny Barnwell. Kenny is a guitar tech / production manager based out of Tampa, Fl, and ALSO an actor, published author, entrepreneur, and a concert promoter! I’ve been wanting to interview Kenny for a while now and our schedules finally lined up. He takes us through his incredible journey in the entertainment industry, from hardships to successes, we talk about it all!  youtube.com/c/KennyBarnwell freedommusicevents.com

This week we sit down with John Zaskoda, the production manager for Billy Bob's Texas also known as “The Worlds Largest Honky Tonk.” Located in the Ft. Worth Stockyards, Billy Bob's host some of the biggest names in music entertainment as well as regional acts and up-and-comers. John walks us through what a normal day looks like for both small and big shows. We talk about the various jobs he’s done (and excelled) in the past, and what he’s doing now outside of Billy Bob’s. facebook.com/dirtypoolmusic

On this week’s episode we sit down with Dallas based country singer, Big Joe Walker! We talk about what it was like for him growing up playing piano and how he tried to create a trio out of a duo with his best friend and drummer, Chris Johnson. Joe gives us his thoughts on songwriting, shares a story about the time he was covered in pizza at a Pat Green show, and tells us all about his upcoming album, Countryversal, produced by Jon Jon Traxx.   bigjoewalker.com

On today’s show I sit down with my friend and Duran Duran co-worker, Phil Kemp. Phil is a fellow guitar tech who got his start in this business working for Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders) and the story of how he landed the job is even more unbelievable! He also tells me about the time Phil Collen (Def Leppard) played his custom Jackson guitar live, who else he’s toured with, and what he loves about being a guitar tech.  instagram: @philipkemp13

This week we talk to Ian Rendall, founder of The Guitarwrist. The Guitarwrist is a nonprofit organization which repurposes guitar strings donated by artists to make amazing jewelry. 100% of the profits go to a charity of the artist’s choice. Ian talks about how he started The Guitarwrist, the string treatment process, and what he has planned for the future!   theguitarwrist.co.uk

In today’s episode we sit down with a guitarist and songwriter who I've known for the better part of 30 years, Ted Levin. Ted heads up a trio called Sweet Crooner who play all the hits from the 50’s and early 60’s. In our discussion, Ted tells us a few stories of what brought him from NYC to Texas, what it’s like playing in the Dallas metal scene and about the time he auditioned for Marilyn Manson.  tedlevin.bandcamp.com/releases  instagram.com/sweetcrooner

In this week’s episode we have my good buddy Tim Craven on the show. Tim is a former FOH engineer and tour manager who now spends the majority of his time working out of his home studio. He chats to us about his career with NFL Films, mixing Slayer, and the time he spent with Chuck D! We even talk a little bit about our time on the road together.  timcravenmusic.com

Today we sit down with my friend and singer/songwriter, Ben Danaher. Ben is a writer of “sad songs” and takes us through what it’s like to be an independent artist in Nashville. He discusses touring with national artists and breaks down the merch split. Ben also shares a hilarious Waffle House story, what it's like to tour and how he's just making it happen!  bendanaher.com

In episode 37 we venture out to the City of Angels to check in with guitarist Nick Emde aka Cultprit. Nick plays with the industrial rock band Contracult Collective and we sat down to chat after their recent performance at the Welcome to Rockville Festival. Nick and I have been friends for a long time and I wanted to find out what he’s been up to (musically) over these last few years. I ended up finding out so much about him I didn’t know! I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I did having it.  instagram.com/contracultofficial

In this week’s episode we have the pleasure of chatting with the multi-talented Noelle Jordan! Noelle is a graduate of Howard University and works in the live music industry as a lightning designer, stage manager, backline technician and digital media producer. Noelle is a strong advocate for mental health and hosts a podcast called “What’s Up Roadie, How You Doin?” which puts a spotlight on this overlooked topic.  breedcreativity.com/whats-up-roadie-series  youtube.com: what's up roadie, how you doing?

On today’s show I catch up with my old friend and fellow tech, Detrick Lowman. Detrick is the long-time stage manager & drum tech for the band, The Roots. He’s also the Senior Music Coordinator for Late Night with Seth Myers - which makes him one of the busiest guys in the business! Despite working two jobs, he made time to chat with me and break down a typical day in his life. We shared a couple stories and he let us know that it’s okay to fly to Italy and back in 52 hours!   instagram.com/technation_215  facebook.com/DeeKLow

In today’s episode I sit down with my friends Jon “Sully” Sullivan & Adam Nañez of Sully Guitars. I visited Little Elm, TX where we met up at their shop. They walked me through what it was like at the beginning of Sully Guitars. We also discuss what artists helped put them on the map, my favorite Sully model: the Custom Series Concorde, and what Sully Guitars have in store for 2022!  sullyguitars.com

This week we sit down with the multi-talented, Austin-based bassist, Ben Post! Ben plays bass guitar and keyboards for the band Mass Minor and bass guitar for the Dallas-based Duran Duran tribute band, Wild Boys. Ben and I talk about Mass Minor’s current vinyl release, some of his bass heroes, as well as the resurgence of that classic 80’s sound!  massminor.com  facebook.com/massminormusic

In this week’s episode, I sit down with my good friend and Pat Green FOH engineer, Braxton Henry. We reminisce about Braxton’s early days of being an audio engineer, some of the bands he has toured with, the difference between live and studio settings, and my fear of flying! facebook.com/braxton.henry.7

In this week’s episode I have lunch with none other than former WBC Hall of Fame boxing champion, Christy Salters Martin aka “The Coal Miners Daughter”! Christy's story is the subject of "Deal with the Devil", the second episode of the Netflix five-part docuseries "Untold". She talks to me about a future biopic that is being worked on and we discuss our opinions on the current state of professional boxing! Christy also talks about Christy’s Champs, her nonprofit organization that brings awareness to and assists victims of domestic violence. I’ve been a fan of Christy’s for years and it was honor to sit down with her.  christymartinpromotions.com  Christy's Champs

On this week’s show we sit down with Toby Lawhon. Toby is lead singer and founder of the band, Marquis of Vaudeville! MoV is known for their extravagant Vaudevillian-inspired shows like A Clockwork Wonderland: Through Aether & Mysterium. They have had their music featured in multiple TV series’s such as Charmed and Dexter. Toby shares his story of how he started playing guitar, joined his first band and then was immediately thrown into major label showcasing!  marquisofvaudeville.com

This week we have the pleasure of sitting down with the multi-talented, bassist, author and producer, Dino Monoxelos! Dino, better known to most as the “Ampeg Guy”, talks about his time with Ampeg amplifiers, how he feels working with some of his favorite artists and the four educational bass books he published.  monotunesmusic.com

In this week’s episode we’re talking to Kevin Bludso! Kevin is a sixth generation pit master from Compton, CA and is also the owner of Bludso Bar and Que. You may also know Kevin as a judge on the Netflix series American Barbecue Showdown. Join us while we talk about all things BBQ, and he gives me a stern talking to about my pancake habit!  barandque.com  @kevinbludsobbq

In this week’s episode we sit down with Dennis Mollan, founder of Protone Pedals. He and I get into what it’s to run a boutique pedal company, what it’s like working with “famous” artists, and the strange story of how we met!  protonepedals.com

On today’s show I sit down with my good friend, Mike Warren, aka Metal Mike. Mike is a fellow guitar tech who is currently on the road with Breaking Benjamin. We talk about how we both got our start working with the same artist. We also eat tacos and break down some popular misconceptions about what life is like on the road.  instagram: @cowboy4d2

This week we talk to former tour caterer and current poker room chef, Rene Rodriguez! Rene talks about his time on the road with the likes of ZZ Top, Pantera, and most recently Garth Brooks! Rene walks us through the ins and outs of being poker rooom chef and shares some great stories!   facebook.com/rene.rodriguez.92505956

On this week’s show we talk to Page Hamilton of the band Helmet! Page played with David Bowie on The Hours Tour in '99, and tells us why he credits that experience with saving his life. He also talks about his family, his friends and of course, Helmet!  pagehamiltonmusic.com  helmetmusic.com

This week we’ve got comedian George Redd Speaks on the show. George is a former TV/Radio personality and he talks about finding his calling in stand-up comedy. His stories are inspiring, crazy, scary and (of course) funny, and he’s currently killing it in the Texas comedy scene! Prison didn’t stop him, it only made him stronger and he’s not done yet.  facebook.com/GeorgeReddSpeaks/

Today we catch up with Vaden Todd Lewis of The Toadies. The Toadies are kicking off a tour in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Rubberneck and they’ll be playing the entire album, front to back! It’s actually the 27th anniversary, but who’s counting? We talked to Vaden about the recording of that album and follow up with what he’s currently up to. thetoadies.com  thelooptx.com

This week we catch up with Nashville-based blues guitarist, Lance Lopez. We cover a lot of ground in this episode. Lance talks about being a sideman for Johnnie Taylor & Lucky Peterson, his solo career and playing with the late Buddy Miles (Band of Gypsys). He also shares how he has struggled with drugs and alcohol and really opens up about his recovery.  facebook.com/LanceLopezBand

On today's episode we interview master guitar builder, Gabriel Currie. Gabe talks about working at G&L guitars alongside the legendary Leo Fender as well as the founding of Echopark Guitars. We cover the Clarence, we cover the Downtowner and we cover how a couple of guys from Aerosmith helped put Echopark on the map! echoparkinstruments.com

In this week’s episode we’re talking to guitar whiz Neil Swanson. Neil explains how a guitar contest took him from playing local Dallas clubs to standing onstage at the Hollywood Bowl with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, and much, much more!  neilswansonofficial.com

In this week’s episode, we go on location to The Kessler Theater in Dallas, TX to catch up with Jamie Lin Wilson! Jamie tells us about getting her first guitar, learning to write songs and being inspired by Natalie Maines. She also shares stories about raising kids on the road and helpful restroom tips while traveling in a van! As an added bonus, we get to hear snippets of her lovely singing voice.  jamielinwilson.com

In episode 17 we sit down with guitarist Kevin Sciou, also known as “Frenchie”. Kevin grew up in Nimes, France and came to the US without speaking a lick of English. However, his talent and ability spoke volumes and opened the doors to playing with artists such as Jack Ingram and Shooter Jennings. Check out his story and find out what he's working on next. bluesdestroyers.com   facebook.com/guitarfrenchie

In episode 16 we sit down with Katie Scott & Bayleigh Cheek of Red Zeppelin Records. Red Zeppelin Records is an independent record store which opened during the 2020 pandemic to an amazing response! You’ll hear the story of how they built their store and followed that up by starting their own independent record label.   redzeppelinrecords.com

In episode 15 we talk with legendary bass player, Rudy Sarzo! Rudy has played with Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot and Whitesnake… just to name a few. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, starting with how he grew up in Cuba to hitting the big time in Los Angeles. Rudy describes how moving to the US and seeing The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show impacted his life’s trajectory.  www.godpsmusic.com/pages/rudy-sarzo

In Episode 14, we sit down with independent recording artist Casey Hess. Casey and I discuss his start in music, as well as his time with Doosu and the Burden Brothers. He also brings us up to date on his new solo album, Goddess Built! instagram.com/caseyhe55

In episode 13, we sit down with Lord Tracy singer Terry Glaze. Terry talks about his time with Pantera, forming Lord Tracy and also about his current project Evel Frehley! terryglaze.com

In Episode 12 we sit down with independent filmmaker, Erin Devany. Erin and I discuss horror movies, music videos, film festivals and maneuvering through a pandemic.  allhallowsproductions.com

In Episode 11, we sit down with fellow Texan native, Erin Stevenson! Not only do we talk about how has Erin spent time as a back up singer to the stars (Duran Duran, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams... to name a few) but we also get into her solo career, which is blowing up right now!  erinstevensonmusic.com

In Episode 10, we sit down with the legendary Ian Moore. Ian and I had a really great conversation about his 30+ year career as an artist. We also discuss singing, songwriting, vulnerability, mental health and Mexican food.  ianmoore.com

In Episode 9, we sit down with drummer and breast cancer survivor, April Samuels. I have known April since the 90’s and she has played in, managed and booked bands all over the Dallas/Fort Worth area. April shares with us how the combination of her breast cancer diagnosis and her passion for drumming led her to developing her own nonprofit organization, "Breast Cancer Can Stick It!”  breastcancercanstickit.org

In episode 8, we sit down with singer/songwriter Matthew McNeal from Fort Worth, TX. Matt takes us through his dynamic career as an independent touring and recording artist. As an added bonus, we get to hear him play “All For Nothing” (just for us)! matthewmcneal.com matteblacksound.com

In Episode 7, we talk with Gil Divine of Divine Noise. Gil shares why he started building instrument cables and how it led him to develop his own company, Divine Noise. We also talk about Portland’s best pizza, diving with great white sharks and Tony Orlando!  thedivinenoise.com

In Episode 6, we sit down with Patty Palazzo of Punk Masters. Patty goes into how her company got started, the inspiration behind some of the her t-shirt designs and how she started working with a certain well-known bass player.  punkmasters.com

In Episode 5, we sit down with Mark C. Merchant of Higher Truth Tattoo. Mark shares stories from his 27-year career as a tattoo artist and we discuss music, mantras, life and friendship.  markcmerchant.com highertruthtattoo.com

In Episode 4, we sit down with singer and guitarist Kevin McGuire of The Gama Sennin. I first met Kevin in 2016 when we worked together on the Duran Duran tour. In this week's episode, he takes me through the writing and recording processes of his new album and shares some great stories from those sessions! instagram.com/dr_m__11 instagram.com/thegamasennin

In Episode 3, we sit down with Sheldon Dingwall of Dingwall Guitars. We talk about his early years of building guitars and how that led to him starting Dingwall. I hope you dig it!

In episode two, we sit down with Holly West of Zepparella to discuss her transition from an in-demand Texas hairdresser to an in-demand bass player. Holly has accomplished so much in 10 years, it's hard to believe she is self-taught and only started playing in 2011. She'll take us on a journey from Love Stricken Demise, her first band, to current day with Zepparella. We also find out how she stayed busy this past year with her YouTube channel, podcasts, bass clinics, starting her own clothing line and even hot sauce.  hollywestmusic.com youtube.com/c/HollyWestMusic youtube.com/c/Zepparella

In episode one, we sit down with Leah Lane, lead singer and guitar player of Rosegarden Funeral Party. Leah tells us about her first tour, how she formed the band and how this last year has affected them. She goes on to cover how they've stayed busy with their "Invested in Nostalgia" and "Take Cover" YouTube series, as well as releasing the "At the Stake" EP.