Welcome to Opium Western Radio. In this first episode, Dane Mulligan and Steve Froese sit down with Kimberly Henrie to introduce themselves, the band, and the podcast. Two musicians with decades of stories between them — from USO tours in Korea to Bill Haley's original Comets to the night at Waxie O'Shea's that proved Opium Western was something real. This is where it starts.
TIMESTAMPS
[00:00] Welcome to Opium Western Radio
[00:01] Introductions — Dane Mulligan, Steve Froese, and Bryan Lawson
[00:02] Playing resort towns — the Branson conveyor belt
[00:04] How long has Opium Western been a band?
[00:05] What the name Opium Western actually means
[00:07] Spaghetti Westerns, Tombstone, and the gritty Western vibe
[00:08] Rock vs. Western — what kind of band are they really?
[00:09] The blues element — and the haunted piano in the corner
[00:10] Steve's background — Penny Gilley, USO tours, Korea
[00:13] Bill Haley's Comets, Barry Williams, Jay Osmond, and the road to Opium Western
[00:14] How Dane and Steve found each other
[00:15] The night at Waxie O'Shea's that changed everything
[00:16] Making people dance to classic rock — why it matters
[00:18] The difference between a musician and an entertainer
[00:19] Playing to an audience of one
[00:23] How Dane and Steve play off each other on stage
[00:24] Steve's Kiss origin story — the Paul Lynde Halloween Special, 1976
[00:27] Dane playing guitar and bass simultaneously — how and why
[00:29] Make Me Love You — how it came together
[00:32] People talk with their feet — how to read a room
[00:33] What future episodes will look like
[00:35] Where to find Opium Western live
[00:36] Make Me Love You — the Easter eggs, the Jesus Christ Superstar line, and the Roxanne moment
[00:39] More music coming — Over the Top, Dwight Yoakam, and the full album plan
[00:41] Bryan Lawson preview — and why you should come back for Episode 002
TOPICS COVERED
Origins of Opium Western — the name, the concept, the band
Playing resort towns and tourist destinations
The danceable element of classic rock — Hendrix, Zeppelin, and groove
Steve's career — USO tours, Branson tribute shows, professional musicianship
The difference between a musician and an entertainer
Playing to an audience of one — connecting personally at scale
Dane playing guitar and bass simultaneously
Make Me Love U — the recording process, Easter eggs, and spontaneous moments
Reading a room and playing to the audience
What's coming — more music, the full album, and Bryan Lawson
LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED
Opium Western — http://opiumwestern.com
Make Me Love U — available on YouTube
Waxy O'Shea's, Branson Landing — the gig that started it all
Mansion Studios — recording studio used for Opium Western
Chris Omardian — producer/engineer (son of Michael Omardian, Steely Dan)
Penny Gilley — country artist, cousin of Mickey Gilley; Steve's early touring connection
Bill Haley's Comets — Steve performed with original members in Branson
Paul Lynde Halloween Special,
1976 — Steve's first Kiss experience
The White Stripes / Jack White — inspiration for Dane's guitar and bass approach
Opium Western:
Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass
OpiumWestern.com
For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]
Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.
