Andre Cymone returns to Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley for an in-depth conversation about his upcoming album Resurrection of Funk, the inspiration behind bringing funk back to center stage, and the stories behind his newest music.

Andre reflects on growing up in Minneapolis, the legendary Grand Central days with Prince, Battle of the Bands memories, songwriting, producing, and why he believes funk deserves a new generation of appreciation. He also discusses mentoring younger musicians, producing Jody Watley, working with The Girls, memories of Pepe Willie and Jellybean Johnson, and his plans to take Resurrection of Funk on the road.

If you're a fan of Prince, the Minneapolis Sound, classic funk, bass playing, songwriting, and music history, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Long before Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley, Taja Sevelle joined me in the studios of Upper Room with Joe Kelley on WVOF 88.5 FM for this in-depth conversation from 2002.

Taja reflects on her years with Prince and Paisley Park, recording her debut album, collaborating with Nile Rodgers, becoming an independent artist, songwriting, creativity, and where her career was headed at the time.

More than two decades later, this conversation offers a fascinating snapshot of an artist who forged her own path after one of the most recognizable chapters of her career.

If you enjoy conversations about Prince, the Minneapolis Sound, and the artists who helped shape that musical era, you'll enjoy this rare archival interview.

Topics include:

• Prince and the Paisley Park years
• Recording her debut album
• Working with Nile Rodgers
• Independent music and creativity
• Songwriting
• Life after Paisley Park
• Future projects

🎥 Watch the complete video interview on the Musicians Reveal YouTube channel

https://youtube.com/@MusiciansReveal

One photograph. One Prince song. One unforgettable story.

In Part 2 of our conversation, Steve Parke shares the unforgettable story behind the photograph that inspired "Welcome 2 the Dawn," offering a rare glimpse into Prince's creative process and the unique relationship they shared during Steve's years as Prince's art director and personal photographer.

Steve also discusses additional behind-the-scenes memories from Paisley Park, Prince's creative instincts, photography, and the collaborative environment that produced some of Prince's most memorable visual work.

If you enjoyed Part 1, this episode continues the journey with even more stories that only someone from Prince's inner creative circle could tell.

About Steve Parke

Steve Parke worked alongside Prince for 13 years as his in-house art director, illustrator, designer, and photographer. During that time he contributed to album artwork, photography, stage design, promotional materials, and countless creative projects while documenting Prince both on and off stage. He is also the author of the acclaimed photography collection featuring hundreds of images from his years working with Prince.

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Discover exclusive interviews with Prince associates, legendary musicians, producers, songwriters, and industry insiders sharing the stories behind the music.

Steve Parke spent more than 13 years working alongside Prince as his art director, photographer, designer, and creative collaborator. In this exclusive episode of Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley, Steve shares remarkable behind-the-scenes stories from Paisley Park that only someone inside Prince's inner circle could tell.

Steve discusses how he first met Prince through Levi Seacer Jr., designing the Graffiti Bridge album cover, creating tour books and stage designs, becoming one of Prince's photographers despite having no digital photography experience, and what it was like collaborating with one of music's greatest creative minds.

You'll also hear stories about:

• Working with Prince for more than 13 years
• The creation of the Graffiti Bridge artwork
• Rare Paisley Park memories
• Prince's creative process and perfectionism
• Designing iconic tour books and stage productions
• Photographing Prince behind the scenes
• The truth behind popular Prince fan myths
• Personal memories that continue a decade after Prince's passing

If you're a Prince fan or love hearing firsthand stories from the musicians and creatives who helped shape music history, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe to Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley for exclusive interviews with legendary musicians, producers, engineers, photographers, and the people behind some of the greatest music ever created.

Originally recorded in 2009, Marva King discusses recording and performing with Prince during the lead-up to Lotusflow3r. She shares stories about Prince's perfectionism, rehearsals, Liv Warfield joining the band, previewing Prince's groundbreaking website, touring with Stevie Wonder, producing her own music, and the release of her album Grown and Sexy.

A fascinating snapshot of Prince's world just before one of his most ambitious releases.

Few people witnessed Prince's digital vision as closely as Sam Jennings.

Working with Prince from 1998 through 2007, Sam helped design the official websites, the groundbreaking NPG Music Club, album artwork, tour books, and many of the online experiences that connected Prince directly with fans years before streaming became the norm.

Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley talks with Sam about:

• Working alongside Prince every day

• The creation of the NPG Music Club

• Designing Musicology, 3121, and other projects

• Prince's vision for the internet and artist independence

• Creative challenges behind Paisley Park projects

• Stories that reveal how Prince approached design, technology, and innovation

This interview offers a fascinating look at one of the most innovative periods of Prince's career from someone who helped build it.

From the Musicians Reveal Radio Archives comes a rediscovered conversation with legendary guitarist Jesse Johnson, originally recorded in 2009.

After years of searching, this interview was finally recovered while digitizing decades of cassette archives.

Jesse reflects on his remarkable career, his groundbreaking work with The Time, his solo success, and his experiences surrounding Prince and the Minneapolis music scene.

Musicians Reveal Radio Archives features restored interviews originally recorded over four decades, preserving the stories of Prince associates, funk legends, and R&B artists.

Originally recorded in 2009.

Restored and presented by Joe Kelley.

Jazzhole founders Marlon Saunders and Warren Rosenstein join Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to discuss their latest album Moonlight Mile, recording at the legendary Muscle Shoals studio, touring with Stevie Wonder, Randy Brecker, New York's vibrant music scene and the band's remarkable 32-year journey together.

Singer, songwriter and producer Sekend joins Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to discuss his musical journey from Dallas to Berklee College of Music and ultimately to recording with Kanye West, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Kirk Franklin. He shares stories about Sunday Service, studio sessions, Motown, performing the National Anthem, and building his own career as an artist

From the Upper Room archives, Joe Kelley welcomes Shel Riser of Sonnyboy for an in-studio interview and live performance recorded in 2004.

Shel discusses his move to Minneapolis, performing with Maserati, working with Malia Franklin, the Prince-era music scene, building Sonnyboy, and life as an independent artist. The episode also includes live acoustic performances recorded in studio.

Part 1 of a two-part conversation.