Sound Matters with Tom Leu

Being from the Midwest, northern IL/southern WI, specifically, and playing in rock bands myself for over 30 years, I know quite a bit about the local and regional music scene from that area, and from the era of the '80's and '90's that I came up in. Author Theron Moore knows much "more"... Theron has written a terrific trilogy of books called "All My Friends Are Rock Stars" about the local and regional music scene from a few key Midwest cities, and has compiled his intimate artist interviews into a compelling series of books that are must-reads for fans of music history everywhere...

Inside the Interview:
04:36 - About the "All My Friends Are Rock Stars" trilogy of books...
05:26 - Theron's background as music journalist & author...
06:11 - The Midwest music scene, the "best" era of music, & music snobs...
07:42 - The unique purpose & focus of the books...
09:45 - About Armed Vision's story in Theron's books...
11:50 - Some of the many featured interviews in "All My Friends Are Rock Stars"...
15:18 - The ultimate reason why these books were written...
17:03 - A future documentary about "All My Friends Are Rock Stars?"...
19:03 - Theron's last question to artists in his books, posed to him...

Connect with Theron Moore:
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/theron.moore

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"Highlights & Hits" episode #055 features a triple-header of guests with Tom returning live in the WROK studios in Rockford, IL. First up is Tom's interview with Rob and Matt from the band Drama Queen. Next is Tom's conversation with both Kevin McCarthy from Rockford's Local Music Scene, and longtime Rockford musician, and multi-RAMI winner, Pat Doherty celebrating the one year anniversary of the RLMS segment on the Sound Matters show. Finally, Tom's concluding interview with Chuck and Ringo from Rockford's RIPT rounds out this special episode...

Guests:
00:15-14:36 - Drama Queen band: www.dramaqueenrocks.com

17:00-32:03 - Kevin McCarthy & Pat Doherty: www.facebook.com/rockfordslocalmusicscene

32:06-47:57 - RIPT band: www.facebook.com/riptfromrockford

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I came across Joel Moutray from The empower_good Podcast via the great expanse known as the internet, and was really taken by his passion and enthusiasm for putting and positivity out into the world (which also happens to be a foundational purpose of this show...). Joel joins me on Sound Matters to talk about the genesis of the podcast, the good reasons why he's producing it, being a lifelong learner, contribution and selflessness, and much more...

Inside the Interview:
01:00 - The mission of Sound Matters & perhaps The empower_good Podcast by proxy...
02:00 - Why do an "Episode 000" of the podcast, and what is that all about?
07:42 - What's the overview and vision of the podcast?
11:20 - Why go to all the "trouble" to publish a podcast?
15:00 - How do you balance wanting to be altruistic (selfless) and building a brand/business?
21:03 - What's an area that Joel needs to improve in to grow and achieve?
25:15 - What can people do when they get out of balance with work/life?
29:32 - Current books and/or podcast recommendations?
31:43 - What would be your first question if you were interviewing you?
34:37 - What do some people misunderstand about Joel Moutray?

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Connect with Tom:
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The 2nd conversation with serial entrepreneur Phillip Ryan Block from Independent Ear Productions, Block Media Group, and additionally now... The Open Heart Collective.

Inside the Interview:
01:35 - About Ryan & Tom's first Sound Matters interview...
02:20 - Big news about Independent Ear Productions...
05:15 - The philosophy behind Block Media...
07:37 - What is "documenting" and why does Ryan do it?
10:34 - What is the "The Open Heart Collective"?
12:12 - What topics and dynamics are hit on and happen within the OHC?
14:19 - Mental Health, the music business, and entreprenuers...
15:21 - How to find out more about Phillip Ryan Block...

Connect with Phillip Ryan Block:
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/phillipryanblock

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Connect with Tom:
👉🏻https://solo.to/tomleu
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The 4th in-depth conversation with Michael Sweet from Stryper about the band's latest release, God Damn Evil, the inevitable controversy the band has always endured, social media's pros and cons today, Michael's perspectives on continually putting out new material three decades into his career, upcoming projects, dealing with haters and critics, and much more...

Inside the Interview:
01:53 – On being busy, consistently creative, & getting diagnosed with ADHD...
05:56 – About the latest Stryper album, God Damn Evil
07:37 – On the perception & controversy of the new album's title...
11:47 – Why to some people have to be so fundamental & judgmental? 
13:17 – On social media's pros & cons & proliferation in today's world...
18:56 – Michael's perspective on band's writing & recording new music...
24:48 – Michael's upcoming plans for all of his musical projects...
27:24 – On handling, confounding & challenging the critics... 
32:02 – On staying inspired, driven, and productive...

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Connect with Tom:
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"Highlights & Hits" episode #051 features a double-header of guests. First up is Tom's interview with the Phantom Regiment's Kyle Jacobson talking about the acclaimed drum and bugle corps' past, present, and future. Tom also talks classic rock band line-up changes and substitutions, touring, and reunions with Mitch Brechon from Rockford's Suite Oblivion. Show #051 concludes with Tom's signature Sound Matter Moment...

Guests:
01:01-13:10 - Kyle Jacobson from the Phantom Regiment
Phantom Regiment: www.Regiment.org

15:03-29:47 - Mitch Brechon from Suite Oblivion
Suite Oblivion: www.SuiteO.com

“It was a privilege to be on the Sound Matters Show. I was impressed with how fast my email as responded to, and I was impressed with the quick communication I received. Everyone I met at the studio was very welcoming and very friendly. I very much enjoyed talking to Tom because he covered everything I came on the show to talk about. Tom was well prepared to discuss the Phantom Regiment with me, and I appreciated how interested he was in our organization. Interviewing with Tom was a great time.”

– Kyle Jacobson, the Phantom Regiment

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Connect with Tom:
👉🏻https://solo.to/tomleu
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Episode #050 features Tom's commentary about the milestone 50the episode of the Sound Matters show. Tom reflects back on the show's evolution since its debut in January of 2017, and expansion moving into 2018 and beyond. Tom is joined by good friend and longtime radio host, Riley O'Neil for an insightful conversation about the show's unique format that blends the best of music, communication, and motivation topics and content.

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Connect with Tom:
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Tom's guest appearance and conversation with Joel Moutray on the Empower_Good Podcast.

Connect with Joel Moutray:
Website: www.empowergood.org
Instagram: www.instagram.com/empower_good

Connect with TOM LEU:
Websites: www.TomLeu.com | www.16Imaging.com
YouTube: www.talkshiFt.tv
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tomleu (@tomleu)
Official Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/tomleu2
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tomleu (@tomleu)

Support the show

Connect with Tom:
👉🏻https://solo.to/tomleu
👉🏻https://facebook.com/tomleu
👉🏻https://instagram.com/tomleu

Episode #049 features Tom's interview with comedian, actor, author, radio and television personality, Jim Florentine. Jim is best known for co-hosting "That Metal Show" on VH1 Classic, as well as voicing several characters on the popular show "Crank Yankers." Jim hosts a popular podcast called "Comedy Metal Midgets" since 2011, and has a radio show on Ozzy's Boneyard channel on Sirius/XM. The conversation hit on many topics including the writing of Jim's first book, his observations and rants about social media, the start of his comedy career and work in radio, perspectives on music, his take on dating in today's climate of heightened sexual harassment awareness, what keeps him motivated, dealing with haters, "That Metal Show updates," and what advice he'd give his younger self. Jim is an avid music lover, particularly within the hard rock and heavy metal genres, and frequently makes music references and analogies when discussing his own career journey. Jim has a great outlook on managing his career, and sustaining long-term success as an entertainer.

Inside the Interview:
01:39 – On how it feels to be a first time author & the publishing process...
03:43 – Highlights of bits in the new book "Everybody is Awful, Except You"...
08:18 – On Jim's early days coming up as a comedian & working in radio...
09:59 – Anything in Jim's music collection that might surprise people?
11:30 – Story in the book on Jim's run-in with the Scorpions back in the day...
13:58 – Jim's take on all the recent sexual harrassment allegations...
16:45 – What keeps Jim going & motivated after all these years...?
17:32 – On handling the critics & haters...?
18:40 – Most underrated comic currently...?
19:17 – "That Metal Show" updates...
20:48 – The most challening "That Metal Show" guest & why...?
21:46 – What advice would Jim give to his younger self...?
24:17 - What's projects are up next & on the horizon for Jim Florentine?

"I had a great time on the Sound Matters show. Tom is very funny and prepared with good questions. Can't wait to go on the show again!”

– Jim Florentine>> www.jimflorentine.com

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Connect with Tom:
👉🏻https://solo.to/tomleu
👉🏻https://facebook.com/tomleu
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Tom's guest appearance and conversation with Phillip Ryan Block on the Open Heart Collective webcast.

Connect with Phillip Ryan Block:
Website: www.independentear.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/phillipryanblock
Twitter: www.twitter.com/P_RyanBlock
Instagram: www.instagram.com/phillipryanblock

Connect with TOM LEU:
Websites: www.TomLeu.com | www.16Imaging.com
YouTube: www.talkshiFt.tv
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tomleu (@tomleu)
Official Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/tomleu2
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tomleu (@tomleu)

Support the show

Connect with Tom:
👉🏻https://solo.to/tomleu
👉🏻https://facebook.com/tomleu
👉🏻https://instagram.com/tomleu