By Louis "Gramps" Cuneo
Americana and folk music singer-songwriter showcase, Gramps' humor, and mostly true historical and science-related trivia. Maybe a bit of myth-busting. Any imparted wisdom is strictly by acci
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The podcast currently has 10 episodes available.
I revisit my conversation with singer-songwriter, Aireene Espiritu. She's an inspiration and I just had to listen to more of her words and music.
A Questionable Podcast Production of Peaches Patio Presents
Regarding Americana music singer-songwriters, do you enjoy discovering and being moved by stories that include love, eclectic music, tragic loss of friends, banjos and amputations? Who doesn't? Well, Angie Heimann and Cas Sochacki, share such stories in this interview as The Blushin' Roulettes. Oh, did I mention they saved their dog's life the morning of the interview?
Angie and Cas, both beautiful humans, have been making Americana and Bluegrass music and traveling for a while now, separately and together. In the process they have collaborated with other beautiful humans in creating and curating a collection of songs that entertain as well as offer healing.
Mentioned in our conversation were quite a few names of musical friends and collaborators. You can learn more about them with these links:
The Blushin' Roulettes
https://blushinroulettes.com/
Michael McNevin
https://michaelmcnevin.com/
Pacific Songwriting Camp
https://songcamps.org/
Jay Brown
https://jaybrownmusic.com/
Aditi Sethi
https://aditimusic.com/
The Ladles
https://www.theladles.com/
The Appalalucians
https://theappalucians.com/
The Lazybirds
https://lazybirds.net/
A Questionable Podcast Production of Peaches Patio Presents
Meet Tommy Womack! I love this guy! He's an extremely talented musical and literary creative that let's you into his head and heart without filters. His head and heart, by the way, are very interesting places...you should visit the souvenir store on the way out.
Founder and front man for the 80'-90's rock band from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Government Cheese, Tommy shares a few stories about his time with his friends Billy Mack Hill, Joe Elvis King, and Skot Willis. Tommy shares intimate details in this credible rock history tome. The Cheese Chronicles. (Buy it at this link).
Note: I ate a lot of the other government cheese when I was a kid on welfare. It's great on white bread with the government peanut butter. Here's a cheesy tidbit. The U.S. government has 1.4 billion pounds of cheese stored in a cave underneath Springfield, Missouri.
But I digress...In this episode, Tommy shares stories of his early years, including the horrors of high school and how those formative years informed much of his musical and literary creations. His first books were written in junior high on a vintage typewriter that he says his preacher father stole from the church and brought home so his mother could get her GED. But there are so many more stories...
Tommy and I dropped a lot of names in this episode. They include several wonderful Nashville talents that you may want to (no, you should want to, dang it) learn more about. Here's the links:
Antsy McClain
Irene Kelly
Will Kimbrough
Marshall Crenshaw
Gary Talent
Joe Peters
Intro and outro music by The Ladles. Visit their site for music and shows. Their harmonies are heaven-like.
A Questionable Podcast Production of Peaches Patio Presents
When you hear about the music of a guitar virtuoso with a doctorate in philosophy, who cut his musical teeth performing and collaborating with singer-songwriter Al Stewart (“Year of the Cat”), you know you will be getting something wonderfully unique. In a career that has spanned a dozen albums and thousands of shows ranging from living room concerts to the Royal Albert Hall in London, Dave Nachmanoff has built a broad and loyal fan base and a unique niche as a performer and songwriter.
Touring, accompanying, and recording with his songwriting hero, Al Stewart, for over 15 years gave Dave the chance to get his own music out in front of tens of thousands of people and gained him international exposure and recognition. Over the years, he has shared the stage with a long list of legends of the folk and rock music worlds, including the likes of Alison Krauss, Steve Forbert, Firefall, John Wesley Harding, and blues legend Libba “Freight Train” Cotten (when he was ten years old). Dave continues to record and tour, playing well over a hundred shows a year in listening rooms, private house concerts, and at other events. He is focused on using his music to make a difference in the world and benefit concerts are an important part of that.
Dave's album, “Cerulean Sky”, was recorded with Grammy-nominated producer-engineer Bill Smith, who has worked with Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, and Yes, among others. The Cerulean Sky studio band included Michael Jerome and Taras Prodaniuk (Richard Thompson’s rhythm section), and Carl Byron on keyboards (Jackson Browne, Hot Club of LA). Dave’s writing has strengthened over the decades and many fans are calling the songs on “Cerulean Sky,” his best yet.
When not on tour, Dave is busy producing for other artists, teaching master classes around the US and working in his unique niche of writing and recording custom songs.
More information about Dave and friends mentioned in this episode is just a click away...
Dave Nachmanoff Website
Dave Nachmanoff Facebook
https://www.bandsintown.com/a/205935
"Must Love Dogs" Music Video
https://twitter.com/davenach
Some of Dave's friends and music colleagues:
Al Stewart
Michael McNevin
Elizabeth Cotton
Late for the Train - Dave Pascoe and Laura Benson
Pete Hamilton
Tim Renwick
Peter White
Who created my new jingle? Learn about them here:
The Ladles
Bandcamp: https://theladles.bandcamp.com/album/the-line
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladlesband/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/15Q1wF9PGy4MU0Q9iTU50m
A Questionable Podcast Production of Peaches Patio Presents
Angry Smoke
Stories from the fireground as told by Atlanta Deputy Fire Chief (retired) Joseph M. Tolbert. Joe regales us with first person accounts of four remarkable incidents during his career, incidents that he should NOT have been at.
Chief Joe Tolbert was born and raised in the City of Atlanta. He is a fifth generation Atlanta Firefighter. His Great-Great Grandfather began the family tradition of working in the fire service with the Atlanta Volunteer Fire Department in 1870.
Chief Tolbert joined the Atlanta Fire Department in 1972. He has served in every rank and capacity within the Atlanta Fire Department, up to and including acting Fire Chief. During his career he held ranks of Firefighter, Fire Apparatus Operator, Chief’s Aide, Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief, and Deputy Chief.
He earned degrees in Fire Science and Business Administration. He is a certified Fire Instructor, Safety Officer, Fire Investigator and Hazardous Materials Technician.
During his career, Chief Tolbert received numerous citations and commendations for heroism and bravery. These awards include the Phoenix Award, given by Mayor Andrew Young, and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, given by the late Congressman John Lewis.
Chief Tolbert retired from the Atlanta Fire-Rescue Department in 2005. He completed his career in the fire service as the Deputy Chief of Operations for the City of East Point., GA. He continues to operate the consulting firm he began in 1984, specializing in forensic fire investigations, fire modeling and incident management review.
For more music by the artists featured in this episode:
Antsy McClain - https://unhitched.com/
Dave Pascoe - https://www.lateforthetrainband.com/
Jaynee Thorne - https://jayneethornemusic.com/
A Questionable Podcast Production of Peaches Patio Presents
In this audio expedition, Abby K invited me to join her as she shares her musical journey and stories how her family and co-writers have shaped her music. The pandemic DID NOT slow her down. In fact, it seems it only served to feed her songwriting and singing talents.
Abby K draws upon many influences in her music from her childhood days in Kentucky and you can feel her down-home warmth. Then, after two decades in the Windy City, where she was exposed to the extremes of weather and musical inspirations, she moved her act to Seattle where she performs regularly, including Seattle's NW Folk Life Festival in 2017 and 2019. You can find out more about her tour dates here: https://abbykmusic.com/home#shows
So, when all of that comes together, what do you get? Music with honesty, clarity, harmony, and beauty. Abby’s sound is as green, lush and dramatic, as the Pacific Northwest and like Sarah Bernhardt. Her melodies are instantly hummable and imminently memorable, and her stories will hit you smack dab in the heart.
Some of the other inspiring singer-songwriters whose names you'll hear in this episode include those that Abby and I met at the Pacific Songwriting Camp - http://songcamps.org/
January 19–23, 2023 at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, California
They include:
The Paul Simon reference that Abby mentions is from Paul Zollo's book series, "Songwriters on Songwriting." https://www.amazon.com/Songwriters-Songwriting-Expanded-Paul-Zollo/dp/0306812657 Learn more about Paul at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-zollo-0a18b75/
Also, here's a link to the music video that Abby and her son created before he ran off to the other side of the country for college.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee_j9UMsUmU
"Mom's Old Room" is a poignant portrayal of discovery and surprise. You can find the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmRLKhoBsfk&feature=youtu.be
For more about Abby and her music, as well as musings and photos, you'll find these links helpful.
https://www.facebook.com/abbykmusic/
https://twitter.com/AbbyKMusic
https://www.instagram.com/abbykmusic/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2jDwWJkX6uqKtbl6BlYyjh?si=4SRrWyzkRR-NG_l42xjyWQ
A Questionable Podcast Production of Peaches Patio Presents
A wide ranging conversation with singer-songwriter Joe Peters, PhD. Joe has released over a dozen CDs of original songs. He grew up in the American Midwest during the 1960s and 70s, and his songs hearken back to a time when the youth of the planet sought the experience of peace, love and adventure, and expressed this search in their music. He spent many years studying, traveling and working overseas, returning to the U.S. in 2006 to embark on a full-time career in music. Joe's nature-based background, his study of Eastern philosophies and his scientific bent all inform my songwriting
Joe is the former president of the Songwriters Association of Midnorth Indiana. His music has been frequently featured on folk radio stations around the nation and abroad, both broadcast and online. His song, Sail Away won the first Blooming-Tunes songwriting contest in 2009 (Bloomington, Indiana). His original musical slide show, Root of the Matter, is featured on the website of Catholic Relief Services, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Find Joe's music online:
And, to learn more about the other artists mentioned in this podcast...
Dawn Ellerbeck
https://dawnellerbeck.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=preYvRiuX08
Michael Kelsey
https://michaelkelsey.com/
Michel McNevin
https://michaelmcnevin.com/
A Questionable Podcast Production of Peaches Patio Presents
Just in time for Christmas, singer-songwriter Aireene Espiritu is our featured guest. She shares her origin story and the motivation that drives to her help heal our world through music.
She was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States at 10 years old, growing up in the third culture: the old country, the new country and a blend of both worlds. Mainly influenced by listening to Alan Lomax's field recordings from the South and growing up listening to her uncles' Filipino folk guitar fingerpicking, her music is reminiscent of front porch storytelling, of ghosts and the living, times of laughter and tears. She tours solo as well as with her band as Aireene & The Itch.
Her fifth album, Back Where I Belong (2016), pays tribute to the great rhythm and blues artist Sugar Pie DeSanto. Also included are her favorite American and Filipino folk songs produced produced by Little Village Foundation, a non-profit label founded by venerable blues keyboardist Jim Pugh. The album has received positive recognition and reviews from KQED's The California Report, San Francisco Chronicle, Living Blues and No Depression magazines. 4.5 out of 5 stars review All About Jazz.
A Color-Coded Symphony is her latest project which premiered at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum in 2017. This performance piece is a musical experience connecting the audience’s ethnic origins to rhythms of the world and whose aim is to nurture curiosity and openness towards other cultures through music.
We also hear from Tom Smyth, the co-host of St. Nick of Niles, an annual music event that he, along with singer-songwriter Michael McNevin, have created for the last 12 years to benefit the City of Fremont's "Giving Hope" program.
A Questionable Podcast Production of Peaches Patio Presents
On this, the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, I talk with long time friend and former firefighter colleague, Dr. Henry T. Christen. But for those of us that have known him for a half-century, we just call him Hank. Hank shares his stories, both tragic and amusing, through his tapestry of words. Both a public safety professional and expert and a life-long academic, he has also been known to , well... 'make shit up.' But, not during this hour-long episode. This hour is about truth and feeling.
You will also hear the wonderful music of singer-songwriter Antsy McClain. He was kind enough to allow me to to use his often thought-provoking and very often witty lyrics and melodies that you find yourself humming for days. You can find more of his music, as well as his art and writing at www.unhitched.com. I highly recommend that you check it out. Oh, and take a moment to hear and sample his latest critically acclaimed album, "Late Bloomer."
A Questionable Podcast Production of Peaches Patio Presents
In this first episode (and maybe the last) you'll meet Laura Benson and Dave Pascoe. They are the two founding members of Late For The Train, an indie-folk string group rooted in American folk and bluegrass music. Based in Northern California, these extremely talented singer-songwriter, musicians provide a playful and poignant musical experience that uplifts your spirit and rouses your soul. And Gramps needs that! Learn their origin story and how much Dave is into sustainable farming. You'll also hear about Laura finding "her people." Most importantly, learn the difference between a violin and a fiddle.
Gramps also talks to himself. But in this case, he calls his 18-year old self who just signed up for the Selective Service in 1969. 1969 Lou is a bit suspicious, and rightly so.
And then, of course, there is the wombat.
A Questionable Podcast Production of Peaches Patio Presents
The podcast currently has 10 episodes available.