There's a lot of good country music coming from from Poetry, Texas - and one resident of this small town outside of Dallas - singer/songwriter Scott Sean White - proves it with his new CD 'Call It Even'.  A veteran songwriter (and 'writer's writer') this native Texan talks about working within the Nashville songwriting community; his musical career which started with gigs in R&B and disco to eventually country music; his songwriting inspiration, and why country singer (and Houston native) Jack Ingram is one of Scott's biggest fans!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

It's all about those early radio days in Houston as I sit down with one of the first members of  the Texas Radio Hall of Fame - Andy Waldrop. Working all across the big state ofTexas - including legendary stations KIKK AM/FM and KULF to his current gig at Houston Radio Platinum (and his show 'Solid Gold Sunday') the man with nearly 50 years of broadcasting stories talks about those first days working at the college station at the University of North Texas to landing his first radio gig at KIKK in Houston; his work in both Country and Top 40 radio formats, his love of radio operations and engineering; working with other legendary broadcasters like Joe Ladd, Pam Ivey and Rowdy Yates (to name a few!); and how he gets more nervous speaking to a few people in a staff meeting than he ever did speaking to millions of listeners on the radio! Bring along your Texas swagger and join in!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

My guest today talks about his very storied media career which started in the military, then over to news radio, and eventually led him to his new job as a screenwriter. J. Scott, an award winning broadcast journalist for WQDR 94.7 in Raleigh NC, has written a very special screenplay for the  movie Koko (available on Amazon Prime), about a man who wants to marry his dog. I know, right? But the challenge to write this screenplay was worth every  moment for J., a former US Navy journalist who left a successful news anchoring job in radio to find an equally successful new career in writing for the silver screen. Grab the popcorn and boxes of Junior Mints and tune in! 

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

Heading over to San Marcos, Texas today for my interview with base player Bill Whitbeck of the Robert Earl Keen Band. Bill is in the studio to talk about his Texas roots - growing up in La Porte, how he was inspired to play the bass; and later to jamming with John Lee Hooker, George Strait and Steve Marriott, frontman for Humble Pie; how he joined Robert and his legendary band and the band's new music. Bill also talks about his work with the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame House Band - and jamming with Roseanne Cash, Ry Cooder, Elvis Costello and more on stage. Bring her prickly pear margaritas and tune in!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

I finally get a chance to sit down in the studio and talk all about music with singer/songwriter Rod Abernethy. The former guitarist for Raleigh based rock group 'Arrogance' talks about what inspired his new CD "Normal Isn't Normal Anymore" (written ironically before the pandemic) and about winning at both the The International Acoustic Music Awards and The Bob Dylan Contest from American Songwriter.  Rod also talks about his transition from touring with a band to scoring music for gaming companies and film; the real stories behind his songs; working with Raleigh based musicians Don Dixon, Marti Jones, The Smithereens, Marshall Crenshaw and John Teer of Chatham County Line; plus how much of his music success started right after an appearance on that infamous talent show StarSearch! 

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

The always entertaining television and radio personality Ernie Manouse of Houston Public Media is my guest this week - and with his many broadcast stories, he really is 'King of the Houston Airwaves'! The multiple Emmy Award winning broadcaster talks about his new show on Houston Public Media called 'Town Square with Ernie Manouse' - a program developed as a result of COVID 19; his 15 year run with television program 'InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse'; along with a few interesting backstories from his very successful nationally syndicated Downton Abbey inspired talk show 'Manor of Speaking'. He also discusses what he brings to the creative process (including his own personal method of interviewing); his ongoing stage gig with actor Al Pacino; how a large shirt and a paper clip brought him national fame as a co-host with finance expert Suze Orman, and why a small reel to reel tape recorder started his love of show business. Tune in and enjoy!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

Are you a voice talent? A podcaster? Both? Join me in the studio as I talk with Canadian voice talent Matt Cundill, owner of The Sound Off Podcast, a successful podcast about broadcast. We talk about social media, talent agents and industry leaders...but we don't stop there - we also discuss the changing world broadcasting, his personal start as a voice talent (and his early mentors like voice talents David Tyler, Jamie Watson and  Broadway Bill Lee of CBS FM in New York); transitioning from the world of radio to voiceover, his tips on building a successful voiceover career, and how the pandemic has changed how talent (and clients) view a home studio. We also mention voiceover conference VO North, the possible future of podcasting (it might be bright - wear shades); and North American baseball teams (Blue Jays? Expos? Red Sox?) that are his faves. Bring your shiny headphones to the booth and listen in!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

This week, it's all about the business of radio with legendary broadcast executive Phil Zachary, Market President of Saga Communications in Portland, Maine. From his early days as a DJ at college radio station WAAF in Boston (a station he later managed for Entercom), to programming gigs across the country including Voyager Communications' WRDU and Curtis Media's WQDR in Raleigh, Phil not only gives his own personal view of the changing broadcasting business, but we also discuss his career with the Boston Red Sox Radio Network; how the Ed Sullivan Show and The Beatles inspired him to follow his media career; dinner with The Rolling Stones; and the back story about his love of vintage cars. Tune in and enjoy!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

Today I'm in the studio with singer/songwriter Thad Cockrell and his amazing story of how one song, heard at one moment in time - in a hardware store no less - by The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, brought Thad's song "Swingin'" to the number one spot on iTunes, and introduced millions of new fans to his  CD ''If In Case You Feel The Same". A North Carolina native who attended Wake Forest Seminary, this down to earth musician talks about making music during the pandemic;  the day he heard he was going to be a guest on The Tonight Show (and what it was like playing with house band "The Roots"!); working with Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes; his start in the Raleigh, North Carolina local music scene with Chris Stamey of the dB's, and so much more. 

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

It’s life in Hollywood as I visit the vivacious team of Drake & Gelder - actually entertainment journalist Grae Drake and actor Steve Gelder - talking about all things showbiz and working together in the entertainment industry. Both discuss what brought them to Los Angeles: Steve and his stand up comedy, acting (Mixed Nuts; The Interview); and filmmaking; and Grae working as a movie reviewer for CNN, Rotten Tomatoes  and MovieFone. Find out about their take on the "art of being creative", the changing landscape of Hollywood during the pandemic; their unique movie review skills (watch out best worst films!) and Grae's very cool youtube channel, The Grae Area. Enjoy!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...