Eric McKenna Project

Filmed May 15th, 2019 at the Boogie Street Studios.

Also discussed is Jeff’s career in TV and weather which include 23 years with KDKA, 18 of those years as the station’s Chief Meteorologist. Additionally Jeff discusses the opportunities and challenges of Social Media and his favorite things about Pittsburgh.

Jeff also announced on the show that he had just been named the Winner of Best Meteorologist in Pittsburgh Magazine’s ‘Best of the Burgh’ 2019!

20+ year Rock & Roll Touring Professional, Guitar Technician Willie Gee

Filmed at the Boogie Street Studios on May 14, 2019, at the table with Eric is Willie Gee. Willie is a 20+ year Rock and Roll touring professional whose worked and toured the world with a long list of major acts however he is best known for his 15+ years serving as the guitar technician for Dave Mustaine of Megadeth.

Lively discussion as between Willie and Eric touching on the bands Megadeth, KISS, Soil, Zakk Wylde and BLS, Damageplan, Dimebag Darrell and Pantera, Lamb of God, Black Eyed Peas, Sex Pistols and others.

Also discussed is life on the road, travel abroad, differences in Rock crowds and fans based on the country, the change in the Rock and Roll experience now with Facebook, Instagram and social media, ‘van surfing’, finding safe food abroad, lip syncing and backing tracks used by bands, guitar companies, Wille’s enjoyment of Japan and it’s culture, the art of merging electricity with saran wrap and much more!

At the time of filming, Wille is out on the road with David Coverdale and Whitesnake and he took time out during Whitesnake’s Pittsburgh concert stop to film the show.

At the table with Eric McKenna at the Boogie Street Studios is Jennifer Ferris-Glick, co-owner of Illume Pittsburgh, a premiere holistic wellness hub!

Jennifer and Eric discuss Yoga, Meditation, Sensory Depravation Chambers, Cocoon Wellness Dry Pods, Aqua Steam Cocoon Pods, the Sound Lounge, Salt Chamber Therapy, LED Photobiomodulation and much more!

Fascinating stuff! What Illume Pittsburgh is providing the region is a holistic self-care hub for optimal health and healing.

Jennifer and Eric also take on the topic of minimalism and the effect social media has on the movement.

Pittsburgh songwriter, singer, hip-hop artist and rapper – Jordan York , sits at the table with Eric at the Boogie Street Studios for a fast paced and fun discussion!

2x Pittsburgh Best Pop Artist, Jordan is known for his Pittsburgh themed songs, and his involvement in helping many communities throughout the city. Jordan’s music has been heard on numerous radio and television outlets.

Jordan’s love for Pittsburgh is showcased throughout his music, which inspired him to create a song focused on Pittsburgh’s own, ‘Giant Eagle.’ York said his goal with his music is to inspire people and to create positivity within many communities. His single “Giant Eagle” tells the story of how shopping at Giant Eagle can be fun, and the importance of tradition. It’s a family fun song for all.

Jordan’s latest collaboration is with the legendary Jimmy Ross of the Jaggerz on the song entitled, ‘Blue Collar’.

Eric Hibler is a lifelong Pittsburgh native, MMA fighter, health and fitness enthusiast, passionate entrepreneur and of course, the founder of Pittsburgh Fight Club. ‘Hib’ sits down at the table with Eric McKenna at the Boogie Street Studios to discuss his life in fighting and entrepreneurship. Hib shares how he started fighting at a young age, the various disciplines he utilized through his development, mentors in his journey and his opportunity to train with some of worlds finest MMA fighters. Hib discusses how Pittsburgh Fight Club started humbly in his garage with a ton of neighborhood enthusiasm which led to the large gym complex which became Pittsburgh Fight Club’s home for many years. Hib touches on the history of MMA, cage fighting, the popularity of the industry and how the Pittsburgh Fight Club made their name in MMA by training actors and stuntmen including Tom Hardy. And years after competitive fighting, Hib continues to create and innovate through his project, ‘Hammer Flow’.

A graduate of the prestigious Carnegie-Mellon University Fine Arts program, Megalis can not be described in one word. He has developed animation projects for Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, PBS and Warner Brothers , has directed award winning TV commercials, hosted a morning radio show on the legendary WMMS in Cleveland and co wrote and directed a feature film that won “Best Feature Comedy” at the New Hope Film Festival. Tom Megalis’s films have been shown at Sundance, Hiroshima Animation Festival, New York Film Festival and Annecy in France. An award winning filmmaker, Tom Megalis has won numerous NEA Fellowships and a Heinz Endowment Grant.

Tom’s art work has been seen in multiple group and solo shows and is collected internationally. He is often commissioned by private buyers from around the globe and most recently has been commissioned to produce multiple large scale pieces for Choolaah, a national restaurant chain. In addition, Megalis has illustrated a top selling book that was written by his internet sensation son Nicholas Megalis. Published by Regan Arts.

Tom’s at the table with Eric in the Boogie Street Studios. The conversation is fast paced and fun! Tom touches on his processes he employs in the creation his Art, his years as a stand up comedian, the claymation projects, his voiceover work, his adventures in film and his hilarious encounter with Mister Rogers. And of course – there are the stories. As only Tom can share!

Mia Tarducci is a professional Artist and Designer who is based in Pittsburgh. Since 2009, her bold, large-scale fine art paintings have been exhibited at galleries and museums throughout the United States. Mia’s work is collected globally, seen in movies and television productions, and featured in national publications. Today, she creates new, personally-driven artwork alongside custom commissions for private clients, as well as select furniture, lighting, and textile designs.

Mia sits down with Eric at the Boogie Street Studio to share her unique journey in Art as well as to discuss a host of Art related topics including inspiration to create, personal drive and validation, copyright protection, gallery shows, commissions and much more. Mia also shares what she loves about Pittsburgh, it’s people, food and culture.

Pittburgh’s largest selling designer is Brookline native, James Houk. James originally planned on spending his career in sports, first as a pro fighter and then as a strength conditioning coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, James had a passion for painting and art. And when a buyer from American Eagle asked if he could translate his art into clothes, James took the risk and joined the industry.

From Barney’s New York to gift bags at the Grammys and Academy Awards, James stature continued to grow in the fashion industry. Most of his work is with high-end retailers and partners however James designs for Forever 21 and FashionNova.

All designs from James include a personal meaning to him. He focuses on the history and traditions of Pittsburgh in designs. While Pittsburgh lacks high-end retailers, James has always promoted Pittsburgh through is work. His denim line, Big Chief, includes metal from abandon steel mills. James has also collaborated with the Andy Warhol Foundation on a Warhol inspired line.

September 22nd, 2015 is ‘James Houk Day’ in the City of Pittsburgh as proclaimed by Pittsburgh City Council.

Recorded April 3d, 2019, LIVE at the Boogie Street Studios, at the table with Eric is Sir Freddy Kowalo and he’s back for Round 2! Fred is a Pittsburgh native who, for more than 20 years, has toured the world multiple times in the role of Guitar Technician for Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society, Shinedown, Alice in Chains, INXS, TSO and Medadeth. Fred shares plenty of road stories with artists he has worked directly for including Zakk Wylde, Dave Mustaine, Chris Broderick, Jasin Todd and many others. Fred also shares his experiences living and working ‘on the road; touring. The pitfalls of working and – eating – while in India. Having his ego shattered in an out of the way, Dublin bar. Bungee jumping in Vegas. Missed private plan opportunities. Working and appearing in the movie ‘Rockstar’. And much, much more. A relaxed and fun conversation with one of the Music Industry’s true gems, Sir Freddy!

Recorded April 1st, 2019, LIVE at the Boogie Street Studios, at the table with Eric is Sir Freddy Kowalo, Part 1. Fred is a Pittsburgh native who, for more than 20 years, has toured the world multiple times in the role of Guitar Technician for Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society, Shinedown, Alice in Chains, INXS, TSO and Medadeth. Fred shares plenty of road stories with artists he has worked directly for including Zakk Wylde, Dave Mustaine, Chris Broderick, Jasin Todd and many others. Fred also shares his experiences living and working ‘on the road; touring. The pitfalls of working and – eating – while in India. Having his ego shattered in an out of the way, Dublin bar. Bungee jumping in Vegas. Missed private plan opportunities. Working and appearing in the movie ‘Rockstar’. And much, much more. A relaxed and fun conversation with one of the Music Industry’s true gems, Sir Freddy!