Live, Uncut & Uncensored Conversations With
"Musicians You Should Know
MUSIC ON THE COUCH
Live, Uncut & Uncensored Conversations With
"Musicians You Should Know"
SHOW ARCHIVES
JUNE 2014
Click On Image To Listen To Show
SHOW # 220 - 06/02/14
DEXTER ALLEN
Dexter Allen grew up in Mississippi and began playing guitar at age 12. After years of performing in Gospel Groups, Dexter began playing blues and R&B and landed a gig with Bobby Rush. Dexter's new album, Bluez Of My Soul, is comprised of 11 original tunes with special guests sprinkled throughout. Dexter and I sat and talked about his life growing up in Mississippi and how Bobby Rush brought him into the Blues and what he has done since.
An fun, intelligent man, Dexter and I had some laughs throughout the interview. We also learned about the Z Dexter uses.
BLUES411 REPORT - Segment Begins At The 48:15 Mark
Chefjimi joined me with the Blues411 Report for June. We talked BMAs, Bakers Dozen, upcoming festivals and more.
KELLEY HUNT - Segment Begins At The 1:15:54 Mark
Kelley Hunt was born in Kansas City and immersed in the sounds of blues, R&B, roots rock, jazz and Gospel and the music has never stopped. Kelley has recorded 6 albums, the latest entitled The Beautiful Bones, a collection of 12 songs all written or co-written by Kelley.
I got a chance to speak with this talented woman who just loves music. Listen to her talk about music and you can hear it in her voice. We discussed the journey she has taken and where she is headed in the future.
SELWYN BIRCHWOOD - COUCH KID NEW MUSIC
Segment Begins At The 2:03:33 Mark
Selwyn Birchwood came by foor his third visit after debuting in March 2013 and sharing his thoughts during the 2014 IBC Preview Shows. On this visit, he brought his Alligator Records debut, Don't Call No Ambulance, a week before it drops! Selwyn and I talked about his life since his IBC win in 2013 and how it has impacted his career. We also discussed upcoming shows and Selwyn's enthusiasm for playing for his fans.
SHOW # 221 - 06/09/14
TALL CITY BLUES FEST
Music On The Couch is a Festival Partner with tall City Blues Fest. Lisa Grissom, co-founder and Producer of The Tall City Blues Fest Presented by Mazda Midland/Odessa came by to talk about this 4 year old festival that takes place on July 25, 26 and 27 in Midland, TX
We discussed the origins of the festival and the acts that will be appearing this year. Lisa told us about the educational sessions they have lined up for this year's festival and the NEW Sunday Gospel Brunch. Tall City Blues Fest Presented by Mazda Midland/Odessa. We will be web casting from the Festival on July 25 and 26.
SADIE JOHNSON - Segment Begins At The 29:10 Mark
I first met Sadie Johnson three years ago at the International Blues Challenge. She and her older sister Sam were there as part of the Youth Showcase with their band The Sad Sam Blues Jam. Since that time, Sadie had grown tremendously as a guitar player, even being inducted into the "Brotherhood Of The Guitar" in the last year. I chatted with Sadie about her new band, The Sadie Johnson Band, and what her life has been like since she joined TBOTG.
Sam, who was sitting quietly in the background then jumped onto the phone call while we discussed the ladies involvement with The Blue Star Connection and the festival they began last year The Bedford Blues & Brews Festival, that supports this great organization.We listened to three new songs from the band and talked about a new upcoming album.
DAVE KELLER - COUCH KID NEW MUSIC - Segment Begins At The 1:24:00 Mark
Dave Keller comes by with his new release, Soul Changes, the followup to his Best Self Produced Winning CD, Where I'm Coming From. I chatted with Dave about what he has been up to since he first joined me back on April 16, 2012 and his recent nomination for a BMA for Soul Blues Album.
SHOW # 222 - 06/16/14
JOSH HOYER & THE SHADOWBOXERS
Out of Lincoln, NE comes Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers. Though Josh has been playing music in bands and solo and doing session work etc for years, this new band is less than 2 years old and have already earned their way to the 2014IBC in Memphis and been named 2013's Best Soul/R&B at the Omaha Entertainment Awards. Josh came by to talk about his career and the new album and shortly before we spoke he was an eye-witness to his first tornado funnel! We discussed his musical journey which had him traveling the US in his 20's seeing the country and learning the music of the different regions.
WEB SITE FACEBOOK PAGE
BAD BRAD & THE FAT CATS - Segment Begins At The 49:30 Mark
Brad Stivers represented the Colorado Blues Society at the Youth Showcase for the IBC in 2012. Now, Bad Brad & The Fat Cats are building reputation for high-energy Blues and winning fans across Colorado, Texas and beyond after hitting the finals stage at the 2014 IBC.
Their new album, Take A Walk With Me, is a collection of 12 originals and includes guest performances by some top Blues musicians around. Brad and I talked about his finding the blues and the recent move to Austin and where he and the band are headed.
THE NIGHTHAWKS - COUCH KID NEW MUSIC
Segment begins At The 1:32:40 Mark
Mark Wenner first sat with me in November 2012, tonight he came by to talk about the new album by The Nighthawks, 444. Which drops on Tuesday, June 17. This Washington, DC based band has been sharing their music for over 40 years and they continue to bring us fresh, cool blues with the new album. Mark and I discussed the recording of this album, the song selections and their upcoming tour while we sampled some tasty tunes from the album.
ANDY T-NICK NIXON BAND - COUCH KID NEW MUSIC
Segment Begins At The 2:06:14 Mark
Andy T & Nick Nixon's first visit was in April 2013, and tonight they came back with their latest album, Livin It Up, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed BMA nominated debut, Drink, Drank Drunk. We talked about the songs on the album and the time in the studio with producer Anson Funderburgh and their upcoming summer tour which will include 2 performances during the Waterfront Blues festival.
BLUES411 SPECIAL REPORT - CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL
Segment Begins At The 2:36:45 Mark
Chefjimi Patricola from Blues411 called in from O'Hare Airport to give us a report on the Chicago blues Festival. He spoke about the different stages and acts he got to see during the weekend and all the great photos from the "Eyes of Blues 411", Ms Leslie Joseph. We always appreciate Jimi sharing his travels with us earthly mortals!
SHOW # 223 - 06/23/14
JOEL DISILVA - COUCH KID NEWS
Joel DaSilva from JD & The Howl first sat with me back in March 2012. He stopped by to talk about their upcoming tour and gave us some tour dates...Couch Kids can do that!
JANIVA MAGNESS - Segment Begins At The 4:50 Mark
Janiva Magness has earned 6 Blues Music Awards including the BB King Entertainment Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Contemporary Female Artist Of The Year (multiple times).
Her newest album, Original, which officially drops on June 24th is an 11 song collection of incredible tunes that will gain her even more praise and awards. Janiva took her seat and shared with us her life and the different influences that have shaped her life and career. We talked about her seeing Otis Rush at 14 and how that evening is still deeply engrained in her as a person and as a performer. She told of the night in 2006 when she won her first BMA for Contemporary Female Artist Of The Year and she shared her feelings about the night before her new release and everything that has led up to this day.
WEB SITE FACEBOOK PAGE
RAOUL & THE BIG TIME - Segment Begins At The 1:08:05 Mark
Raoul And The Big Time have released 4 albums and their fifth is entitled, Hollywood Blvd.
Out of Toronto, Canada this band brings an energetic mix of "Toronto-Chicago-Hollywood Blues" mixing the sounds of Chess Records and West Coast Jump. Hollywood Blvd has a stellar list of guests with 8 originals and 4 covers. Bandleader Raoul Bhaneja and I spoke about his life and career, balancing his acting, his music and his family skillfully and still wanting more.
WEB SITE FACEBOOK PAGE
CARMEN GRILLO - Segment Begins At The 2:07:20 Mark
Carmen Grillo spent many years with the legendary Tower Of Power and is currently performing with Sons Of Champlin. But A Different World is all Carmen. A Different World, released near the end of 2013 is chock full of blues rock with touches of jazz thrown in and Carmen has enlisted many of those he has played alongside over the years to bolster his songs. 12 tracks, 4 of them instrumental, the album mixes originals and covers seamlessly.
Carmen and I discussed his career, of playing with many wonderful artists over the years and now working on his solo career as he continues to foster the careers of many through his studio in California.
WEB SITE FACEBOOK PAGE
SHOW # 224 - 06/30/14
ELAM MCKNIGHT - COUCH KID NEWS
Elam McKnight first sat on The Couch as a member of Big Black Hand. He is also President and co-founder of the West Tennessee Blues Society came by to tell us a little bit more about their Blues Society and their upcoming event on July 12th.
PORK CHOP WILLIE - Segment Begins At The 5:46 Mark
Pork Chop Willie is led by singer-guitarist Bill Hammer and violinist Melissa Tong. The band is fueled by grooves, grit, honesty and passion as well as a unique blend of down-home and uptown musicianship.. Mississippi Hill Country Blues mixed with a whole gumbo of other sounds. Their debut, Love Is The Devil, dropped the beginning of June and it is causing waves of accolades throughout the Blues World.
JENNA & HER COOL FRIENDS - Segment begins At The 48:49 Mark
Out of Knoxville, TN comes Jenna & Her Cool Friends is a 7-piece collection of talented musicians all with one thing in mind...make music that makes people happy. Their latest release, I'm What You Get, is a collection of 11 originals. I got to speak with Jenna (Vocals and percussion) and Keith Ford (Acoustic guitar, vocals) and Kevin Redding (Drums) about their individual travels to where they met, how they met and what it has been like since they joined forces in 2010.
SHAWN HOLT - Segment Begins At The 1:34:53 Mark
Shawn Holt is the son of legendary Blues Legend Magic Slim. He continues the tradition of the Teardrops...high-energy, hard driving sounds. It is all evident on the BMA Award winning album, Daddy Told Me. Shawn came by and we talked about his growing up with Magic as his dad, how Shawn began his musical career, the frustration he felt at one point in his life and his now sharing the legacy of his dad while building his own successful career.
DAVE FIELDS - COUCH KID NEW MUSIC - Segment Begins At The 2:14:50 Mark
Dave Fields first sat on The Couch in October 2012 and he came by with his New Music, All In, which drops today! We talked about what Dave has been up to and about the recording of the album.