Listen In FULL interviews

I do love discovering...and in this case, it’s extra, MIGHTY, and extra FINE. I talked with THE MIGHTY FINE lead singer and main lyricist Brook Thompson. A splendid human being, growing up before our very eyes...I say that because of what you will hear here. Brook himself has come to realize that time is a precious thing...and we (you, me, him!) hadn’t oughta waste it. We did this over the Skype machine on March 31, 2014; he in California, me in Michigan. And it was a mighty find! -Frank

I’m not sure if a day goes by since this interview, that I haven’t thought of it fondly. Andrew McMahon was full of life and thoughts and energy and positiveness that our time with microphones filled me with hope. And that music, no matter how poppy, or how cool, can be filled with more purpose than most would give it credit. I so completely loved this conversation with the lead singer and main lyrics for Jack's Mannequin (can you tell?), and I hope you get an inkling. This was recorded in a greenhouse at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI on August 31, 2011. -Frank

I was pretty excited to meet and talk with Ben Burnley. I, of course, had heard Breaking Benjamin all over the radio about then...but hadn’t heard anyone talk about his lyrics. The stuff he was moving from his insides to our collective insides. I think you’ll like what Ben has to say. He’s reminded me of me at times. Frustrated, but mostly curious how we make it in this life. Through ups and through downs. This was recorded on the tour bus prior to the Breaking Benjamin show in Ft. Wayne, IN on January 20, 2010. -Frank

This interview starts great and ends great...and the middle is pretty awesome too. Peter Furler, one time leader man of the Newsboys, could have taken "highway predictable," yet he chose an exit toward material reduction. Now, as you will soon hear, I am captivated by this...because I think I want to minimize, after living a life of accumulation. The only pile I want to add to now is more interviews with more rock stars. Peter’s the type of person who uses words born out of the center of his chest. One more reason I respect this man from down under... This was recorded in Muskegon, MI on August 8, 2012. -Frank

Honesty is not super high on many people’s priority lists. But it is for Burton C. Bell and myself...when we open up microphones. He’s like, one of those guys, who seems to look forward to our chats. I think he gets me. And he seems refreshed to feel like someone’s diving into his world. Or maybe the words I should be using is “diving into his work.” But it feels bigger than that. You could take what you hear from Fear Factory and paint it dark...but that’s shortchanging the songs...or maybe yourself. You’ll have to listen [in] to this wholeness. Recorded before their concert in Grand Rapids, MI on November 26, 2013. -Frank

Nice to set up an interview with Dan Haseltine from Jars Of Clay. He’s always been generous with his time…and forthright with his thoughts. No different here. We meander in and around and through their release INLAND (and you’re gonna love the “going INLAND with your oar” story). We recorded after their concert at The Intersection and before a trip to Founders…in Grand Rapids, MI on October 28, 2013. And we shut the place down. -Frank

When I received the Hell Or Highwater record, I was in a funk. I didn't want to listen to anything, didn't think anybody else got what I was doing. And I certainly didn't need to hear another side project...in this case, some dude from Atreyu. But I did listen. And I listened [in]. I am sooo glad I did. Brandon Sallers hit me where I was empty. I'm not saying these songs filled me up...but they made me decide wallowing was not the answer. So I am thankful to Brandon, for seriously rocking on purpose and taking the time to dive into said purpose. This was recorded on August 9, 2013 because I had to speak with this man who wasn’t afraid to expose his soul. -Frank

I feel like saying, “you know, I loved my last conversation with Dave Barnes sooo much...I just had to reconnect.” So while that is true, I think I was more excited to dive into his record GOLDEN DAYS. I thought is more about love in the micro sense, but that’s my small mind thinking (or maybe not). Turns out, it right in the heart of where life is at for me...and probably for a lot of people. So I would suggest that makes it more macro. We recorded this in our separate home studios while connecting via Video Skype on late in the afternoon on February 19, 2014. -Frank

Haven't met a man before or since who cares as deeply as Walter Trout. Something inside of him, that the road should have squashed, remains. He remains committed to his craft. He remains hopeful. He remains filled with soul. He remains a man who still sees the world, and thinks music can heal it...can heal us. Try to argue with that! There's not a rock star whose worth his or her guitar playing salt that doesn't look up to Walter. His career is peppered with legends. This was recorded in Auburn Hill, MI on March 24, 2011. -Frank

Bo and Bear Rinehart. Brothers in spirit. I tell you, there’s a Needtobreathe train that left Possom Kingdom in 2006 and they have been traveling down the tracks...whistle stopping around the world. The great thing now is they’re a national freight train carrying a cargo of lyrics and music that will shine light into any tunnel. They have such perspective on how we all live, from gravel roads to the high rise condos. Here, I say thank you to Bo for the time (again) before their soundcheck at Calvin College in MI on 11.2.13. -Frank