Join Karyn for an inspiring conversation with Dean Summers, a seasoned musician and entrepreneur, as he shares his journey from childhood guitar passion to leading tribute bands like Smokin' Renegade: a tribute to Boston and Styx, Forever Foreigner, plus his new Tribute Band "Rosanna" : a tribute to Toto. Discover how he balances music, business, and family, and how pandemic innovations led to his remote collaborations and new musical projects.

00:00Introduction to Dean Summers

01:12The Early Years: Musical Beginnings

04:46Evolution of Musical Style

07:38Balancing Family and Music Career

10:49The Battle of the Bands Experience

13:45Forming Virgin Vinyl and Moving to Florida

17:34The Impact of COVID-19 on Music

20:50Creating Dean Summers and Friends

27:07Building a Community Through Music

29:09Joining Tribute Bands and New Opportunities

31:18The Challenge of Mastering Tribute Band Material

36:47Expanding the Tribute Band Repertoire

41:43Concert Experiences and Musical Influences

46:15Balancing Life, Music, and Family

52:10Personal Growth and Gratitude

https://www.facebook.com/SMOKINaTributetoBOSTON

https://smokinrenegade.com/home

https://www.youtube.com/@deansummersfriendsremotemu4270

https://youtu.be/gvJwuzpkrmY?si=rtLjwY1UR-LOoo3w

In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Mike Goodwin, owner of Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton, FL; a venue that has become a home for live music in South Florida.

Mike shares his journey from working in the restaurant and bar industry to creating a space that blends craft beer, great food, and live music seven nights a week. He talks about being a keg party enthusiast to curating a community-focused live music venue.. What began as a vision to offer something different has grown into a vibrant hub for musicians, tribute bands, and music lovers alike. Discover how he creates diverse music experiences, supports local artists, and builds a vibrant community hub that celebrates authenticity and creativity.

This conversation explores what it takes to build and sustain a live music venue, the responsibility of creating a stage for artists, and the role spaces like this play in fostering connection and community.

00:00Introduction to Crazy Uncle Mike's

03:11The Origins of Crazy Uncle Mike

05:54Building a Unique Venue Experience

09:01Community Engagement and Live Music During COVID

11:51Innovations in Live Streaming and Artist Support

15:11The Art of Booking Talent

23:58Behind the Scenes of Running a Live Music Venue

27:07Personal Insights and Date Nights

30:52Musical Preferences and Inspirations

32:03Unforgettable Moments in Business

33:44Community Impact and Engagement

36:09Transforming a Venue's Image

39:20Creating Memorable Experiences

42:03Handling Customer Expectations

44:10Unexpected Encounters and Identity

47:50Crafting Unique Beers and Experiences

49:24The Art of Live Streaming and Promotion

51:59The Essence of Crazy Uncle Mike's

https://crazyunclemikes.com

https://www.instagram.com/crazyunclemikes/

https://www.facebook.com/crazyunclemikes

https://www.youtube.com/c/crazyunclemikes

In this engaging conversation, Karyn Rosenberg interviews Rich Friedman of Crazy Fingers, a prominent Grateful Dead tribute band. They explore the origins of the band, Rich's musical journey, and the dynamics of being part of a long-standing musical community. Rich shares personal anecdotes about his experiences on the road, the impact of the Grateful Dead on his identity, and the challenges of keeping the music alive. The discussion also touches on themes of loss, legacy, and the importance of community in the music scene.

https://www.instagram.com/crazyfingerssoflo

https://www.facebook.com/crazyfingersband

https://www.crazyfingers.net/

In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg interviews members of The Peakles, a Beatles tribute band from Portugal. They discuss their unique approach to performing Beatles music, their individual musical journeys, and the dynamics of being in a band. The conversation explores the impact of The Beatles on their music, the challenges of selecting a setlist, and their aspirations for future performances including participating in Beatles on the Beach in Boca Raton, FL. The band members share personal anecdotes about their experiences on stage and the joy of connecting with audiences.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to The Peacals

05:00The Band's Origins and Members

11:07Musical Journeys and Influences

19:54The Beatles' Impact on Music

29:58Life on Stage and Audience Interaction

42:06Setlist Selection and Performance Dynamics

49:56Future Aspirations and Dream Venues

56:00Personal Music Preferences and Closing Thoughts

https://www.facebook.com/ThePeakles.TheBeatlesTribute/

https://www.instagram.com/peakles/

In this episode of "Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives" host Karyn Rosenberg speaks with Daniel Hartwell, the creator of Beatles on the Beach, about his journey in festival production, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the importance of community and positivity in the music industry. Daniel shares his unique vision for the festival, which goes beyond just music to create a vibrant experience for attendees, and discusses the impact of The Beatles on culture. He also offers valuable advice for aspiring promoters and emphasizes the significance of setting goals and pushing through challenges.

https://beatlesonthebeach.com

🎧 Episode 4

In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Billy Alexander — songwriter, producer, and guitarist of the Rush tribute band YYNOT — for a thoughtful conversation about influence, evolution, and what it really means to carry a musical legacy forward.

Billy shares how his passion for music began at a young age, shaped early on by bands like Kiss and Rush. What started as admiration eventually became identity, guiding him not only into tribute performance, but into writing and producing original music of his own.

Together, Karyn and Billy explore the emotional and technical demands of playing Rush live, the importance of authenticity on stage, and why YYNOT is committed to performing without backing tracks. They talk about camaraderie within the band, the creative flow behind songwriting, and how balancing music with real life keeps everything grounded.

Billy also reflects on his upcoming single, “Enemy,” a song that explores themes of human connection and understanding, and offers encouragement to aspiring musicians navigating their own path.

This conversation honors Rush’s legacy through a Rush tribute band YYNOT while celebrating the ongoing journey of creating music that feels both borrowed and deeply personal.

https://www.instagram.com/b1gtralexander/

https://www.instagram.com/yynotband/

https://www.billyalexander.net

https://www.facebook.com/billyalexandermusic

https://www.facebook.com/YYNOTBAND

What does it really take to bring the raw, chaotic, funk-driven energy of the Red Hot Chili Peppers to life on stage?

In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Cameron Dergham, founder and guitarist of The Chili Poppers, a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band and Remake Yourself, an Incubus tribute band. Cameron is known for delivering faithful, high-energy performances that capture the spirit of RHCP and Incubus.

Cameron shares how his passion for the Chili Peppers evolved from admiration to embodiment — and what it means to honor a band whose music is equal parts chaos, precision, vulnerability, and fire. He also talks about his other project as the lead singer of an Incubus Tribute band, and how he balances his gigs and work/family life. Together, they explore identity, musicianship, stage presence, and the deeper meaning behind paying tribute while still living an authentic creative life.

This episode is about funk, intention, and the art of showing up fully — night after night — for the music that changed everything.

https://www.instagram.com/thechilipoppers/

https://www.facebook.com/TheChiliPoppers

https://www.instagram.com/remakeyourselftribute

🎧 Episode 2 – The Pretender? Never. Harley Mitchell Is the Real Deal

In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg sits down with multi-instrumentalist, content creator, and all-around powerhouse Harley Mitchell.

From the Foo Fighters tribute band Foo Fight to her original releases “Here I Am” and “Spin,” Harley brings a fierce sense of authenticity to everything she does — whether she’s on bass, behind a drum kit, rapping with bOunce, or connecting with her 40K+ TikTok followers.

In this conversation, Harley opens up about:

• How she found her creative voice through tribute and original music
• What it means to “borrow notes” but stay rooted in her truth
• The challenges and joys of being a woman in multiple music spaces
• And the deeper identity work that comes with being both a performer and a creator

From high-energy shows to introspective songwriting, Harley is a reminder that honoring others' music doesn't mean losing your own story — and in her case, it’s only made hers louder.

🔗 Follow Harley Mitchell https://harleymitchell.com

🎵 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@harleymitchellofficial?lang=en

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/harleymitchell/?hl=en

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/HarleyMitchell

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/harley.mitchell.16/

Foo Fight: Foo Fighters Tribute Band https://www.facebook.com/tributefoofighters/

🎧 Episode 1 – The Night Billy Joel Showed Up: A Conversation with Tony Monaco of Turnstiles

In this debut episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Tony Monaco — pianist, singer, and frontman of Turnstiles, a South Florida-based Billy Joel tribute band.

Tony shares how his musical path began with a childhood love for guitar, evolved through jazz and original touring bands, and ultimately led to his deep connection with Billy Joel’s music.

And then… something extraordinary happened. At a recent Turnstiles performance in Wellington, Billy Joel himself showed up.

Tony reflects on that once-in-a-lifetime moment, how it felt to play for the Piano Man, and how his own identity as a tribute musician has been shaped by years of passion, purpose, and authenticity on and off the stage.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to bring someone else’s music to life — and still stay true to yourself — this conversation is for you.

To connect with Tony Monaco and Turnstiles: The Ultimate Tribute to the Music of Billy Joel

https://turnstilestributeband.com/about-us

https://www.facebook.com/thebillyjoeltribute

🎧 Trailer – Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives

Hosted by Karyn Rosenberg, LCSW

In this trailer, get a feel for what Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives is all about.

Psychotherapist and music lover Karyn Rosenberg takes you behind the scenes with tribute band musicians, photographers, venue owners, and other creatives keeping the music alive. But this isn’t just about performances — it’s about meaning, identity, and the real lives behind the sound.

If you've ever connected deeply with a song, seen yourself in someone else's story, or felt the pull of purpose in unexpected places — this podcast is for you.

Follow @KarynLCSW on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes clips.