This is, for now, the last Mumcast from Phoenix AZ. It's back to our studio next time! While rummaging about in my dad's stuff, I found a CD, mastered from old vinyl, of my high school jazz and concert bands. They were quite good. Our directors, Herman Matlock and Raymond Grivetti, were superb music educators, the kind every school should have.

It's school time again. Does your school district support the teaching of art and music? I suggest you lobby like hell if they do not. I had unforgettable learning and personal experiences via band in Hobart, Indiana. Everyone should have that opportunity.

This podcast contains 2 pieces from the jazz band, and ends with a patriotic classic from the concert band and choir. They are from 1970-72. Ancient stuff, kids. No cable, no cell phones, and we rode our pet Dino to school!

In 2016 so far, we have seen the deaths of a big group of iconic creative people in the music, arts, and entertainment worlds. This episode addresses the stories of three comedy icons who passed on to the Big Stage this year: Doris Roberts, Gene Wilder, and Garry Shandling. Each of these people have left huge marks on their corners of the entertainment business, and have left behind numerous shining examples of their genius which will live forever. Produced with crude tools in the Arizona heat, this one ends with music from our band, Dr. Fine & d'Gleet.

Lisa Parrish Parker and Anne Roscher Parks are two very different artists. Lisa's exhibit at Tippecanoe Arts Federation contains pieces inspired by the found objects of which they're made, and by the artist's desire to bring meaning to those objects. She puts together various elements and portrays a variety of emotions. She recently learned about fractal art, also represented in the exhibit, titled Perceptions of Time and Space, that runs until September 9th (some examples here). She let us in on her process for creation, and we interviewed her while she was in the process of assembling her exhibit.

Anne Parks is a painter, with a background in art and art education. She works from her West Lafayette home, and produces beautiful paintings that reflect her love for nature, and the animals and structures found therein. After leving her job at Purdue, Anne dedicated herself to creating art that makes her happy. It is very artful work, that is also accessible to the consumer. She spoke about the importance of art education, and about her motivaton and inspiration. Find her art at anneparksart.com

Friends are great. Talented ones are a bonus! My friend, John Frigo, is an artist, illustrator, music aficionado, and so much more. His art work is well known in the Lafayette, IN area. Many have seen his very cool posters for shows put on by the Friends of Bob music co-op, of which John is still a member. We discuss how the music coop works and has really helped the music scene locally. We discuss the roots of John's work (you can find some samples of his work here on the Friends of Bob Facebook page), and his influences artistic and musical. Among those was Mad Magazine, a favorite of mine as well. John once went on a quest to produce a Drawing a Day, which is tougher than you think. He talked about that experience and his love of passing on his knowledge and love for all things art.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Beatles. Ed Sullivan said those words, and popular music was never the same. We all know the legendary prowess and reach of the group, and of Lennon/McCartney's songbook. There are an incalculable number of cover versions of that magical Beatles portfolio. Our buddy Keith Austin, former radio colleague, ad exec, musician, and Beatles fan extraordinaire, joined us for a discussion of the Beatles tunes, and we examine a tiny fraction of what's out there, from the ridiculous to the sublime. And we end with a spaced-out spaceman sing/talking a classic. It's fab, it's gear, it's a hoot!

Rick Siler is the force behind the Rickerrocker.com team, covering local music events and venues. Rick is sponsoring the main stage at the Music Matters Festival in Darlington, IN on August 5-6 (details here). The fest features 11 bands over the two nights, some of whom have been on this podcast, and some we don't know. It's the brainchild of guitarist/songwriter/band leader Jason Wells, who is also the dad of Gibson Wells, a spectacular teen guitarist, and his not-to-miss band The Edgars. We also touched on some tips for putting your band's name out there, from social media to the proper press kit contents. Rick had a great notion about what keeps bands from pushing themselves, a notion I never had considered. We concluded with one of the festival bands, the Down Low Kickers, who will give you a perma-smile.

What a night! The GLMLive Songwriting Contest was a huge success. Curt Yeoman's awesome Lafayette venue hosted 12 songwriters and their friends for a night of good original music. A tough one to judge for John Bower, Nicky Rood, and Jason Wells. Song subjects varied from walkin' blues, faith, death, and Pokemon Go (that's right: songwriter Cheryl Fletcher went there).The third place winner, Summer, is 16. The first place winner, Jay Thoennes, is 15! Makes you feel good about music's future. Second place finisher Jessica Collasto, a promising writer with an angelic voice, is resurrecting her music interest after some time out for parenting. Our good friends Joe Peters, Kenn Clark, and Brady Joseph brought good songs and their top-notch talents to the scene. A really good night, musicians, audience and venue. As our winner's tunes were mostly hot out of the oven, we'll wait to bring them to you once their published and recorded. So this time we conclude with an instrumental piece by me.

This is a reprise of our chat with Curt Yeoman, proprietor of GLMLive venue, where a songwriting contest is happening on 7/20. We spoke to songwriters Nicky Rood and Jason Wells about winning songwriting. This will get you ready for the event, as well as providing some interesting points of view on songwriting. Concludes with music from Ms. Rood.

This episode features music from 3 bands/artists that have been on the show and one who hasn't yet. A little gift for whatever device you play things on. First up, from Bellingham, WA, is The Walrus, lead by my friend and former Hoosier, Chuck Dingee.

The Walrus are known for their stellar classic rock and Beatles covers, along with originals. The tune is called "Gaia"

Pat McClimans, formerly from Indiana, now based in Portland, Oregon spoke with us on an episode about his new release "Friends". Pat is a powerhouse guitar player, singer, composer, and producer. His tune is called "I've Got a Feeling".

The Prannies have been around the Midwest for years, and have accumulated a large following for their sometimes pointed, sometimes funny, always engaging style. Their most recent release is called "Did You Mean 'Panties?'" We shared the cut entitled "Hey Pal" (a personal favorite).

One of our earliest interviews was with Jeff Lageveen of SpaceWords, a heavy-duty, all-star laden, rockin' crew that continues to amass fans and impress critics wherever they go. The tune is "Bury"

There. Stick that in your playlist and play it! Hope you enjoy.

 About David Corley's album Available Light, Nuvo Magazine said, " The album is a product of a 30-year cross-country odyssey of self-exploration, one of those rare moments when a lifetime of experience comes to bear in a single album you have to hear. It is that experience which shines through, particularly in his gritty, road-worn voice, which he uses to bring the movie of his life into vivid technicolor". 

 David got his start in Lafayette, IN, but through hard work, learning, traveling and perserverance with a little luck sprinkled in, he now, in his 50s, is touring Europe and Canada with a hit release, plus an EP out there, and a second release on the way. The story is interesting, as is the music, sampled here.