Today I'm in sunny Galveston, Texas talking about baseball, voiceovers and radio with legendary Bob Ford - the voice of the Houston Astros! From his early days as the teenage announcer at Pony Colt Stadium and Sea-Arama Marineworld; to those first radio DJ days in Houston; how he got his start into the promo voice world with advice from then co-worker (and now ESPN sports journalist) Hannah Storm; along with stories from inside the Astros' Public Address Announcer booth. Bob also talks about his voice work at Fox Sports SW and SiriusXM, plus the lowdown on getting into the voiceover business. Bring your love of the game - and your headphones - to this entertaining episode!

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 I'm in Dallas visiting with New Country 96.3 radio personality Al Farb - and we talk about all things family, radio and country music! As grandson of  bigger than life Houston real estate developer Harold Farb, Al fondly recalls a home life  filled with not only music, but how his grandfather's sense of show biz inspired Al to follow a career in broadcasting. Currently  a morning show radio host, Al sits down and discusses fave country artists like Luke Combs, Locash and Priscilla Block; how podcasts will play a big part in the future of radio; his love of karaoke (he's already convinced me to start practicing lol); the real differences between Houston and Dallas and much more. Bring along a cold one 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...

Hanging out with television spokesperson and legendary WRDU 106 rock radio legend Bob Robinson this week. Bob talks about how he used those oh so famous words of "radio transferable skills" to become a brand spokesperson for television commercials  - and creating his own video company Blade Brilliant. With a unique perspective about art and life, he discusses the challenges of working from home and being a stay at home dad; how he got the name "Bob the Blade" (even I was surprised - and I worked with him!) and the day to day creative process of making videos and making money. 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...

Remember record stores? Spending days on end crate digging for your fave vinyl album? Listening to a special in-store concert - with a limited edition vinyl release party afterwords?  Meet Michael Kurtz, co-founder behind Record Store Day, an annual event of independent record store owners who celebrate this unique culture of music listening worldwide. The Billboard Magazine's Executive of the Week talks about putting his ideas in motion for the first Record Store Day with Metallica (at their  neighborhood record store, Rasputin Music);his start in North Carolina and his own brush with fame with the band "Three Hits"; how a passion for music led to his being knighted in France; and his future goals for helping local musicians and their communities. Bring along those headphones 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...

Launching Season 3 of Spotlight Conversations is Billboard (and Radio and Records) music journalist Sean Ross, who has covered all genres of music and radio formats in the broadcast industry. The current VP of music and programming at Edison Research talks about his weekly online newsletter on Radio Insight called "Ross on Radio" (and discusses a topic called the "Lost Factor" - why some songs are hits for radio for a short time, and then never heard of again). We also talk about what he has in store for his  "Ross on Radio" newsletter in 2021; what makes a radio station "Station of the Year"; the changing scene of radio music formats (and listening habits); plus we discuss our personal frontrunners of the "Lost Factor" music scene, including my fave, the Buckingham Nicks solo LP.  Sigh. I could spend the day talking to this guy! Tune in, bring a cup of whatever 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...

With the hospitality business struggling because of COVID19 - and restaurants closing across the country, today's episode talks about generosity, a world renowned chef and helping others. In the studio with me this week is CultureMap Houston Food Editor Eric Sandler. He gives the inside story about celebrity chef David Chang winning the $1 million prize on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and how David's win benefits the Southern Smoke Foundation (the nonprofit created by Houston chef Chris Shepherd which provides money to restaurant workers in crisis). Eric also talks about the restaurant industry in Houston, his  love of game shows plus lets me in on what restaurant has the best tacos in Houston. Bon appetit!

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 my guest is the always entertaining Doug Harris, CEO of Noisemaker Communications in Houston. A master of promotion, branding and marketing worldwide, Doug talks about growing up in the Lone Star State, his love of performing from an early age (including - true story - beating out another Houston legend, childhood friend Dennis Quaid in a talent contest); creating legendary events as Promotion Director with Rock 101 KLOL, along with branding and developing the stations' equally legendary talent lineup of Stevens and Pruett, Dayna Steele, Grego, Outlaw Dave and more. The new Executive Director of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame has advice for entrepreneurs, discusses his storied campaign career outside of radio, and talks about movies and the Houston Film Critics Society. It's a 'real big small town' slice of Texas you gotta hear. Bring a margarita 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...

Versatile composer Joe Wehunt talks about creating and writing the theme music for the Carolina Panthers;  writing music for televised sports, football stadiums and the truth behind sonic branding. He also describes film scoring, music for commercials and political ads; plus how his inspiring new jazzy holiday CD 'Guitar for Christmas' began in his studio during the pandemic back in March. Tune in - and bring eggnog!

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 talking with author Holly George Warren, about a rock and roll story that lives on in her book called 'Janis: Her Life and Music'. From Holly's home in upstate New York, the North Carolina native talks about growing up in Asheboro, listening to rock music during the early days of radio, her love of history; writing for Rolling Stone magazine and her many books about music. She also discusses how and why she wrote about one of the most famous women in rock and roll - and what she discovered about Janis, her family in Port Arthur, and the people who loved her. It's a story about one of the icons of rock music - and one you don't want to miss.  

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...

We're in Tulsa today with country music radio personality and Houston native Jenny Law, who talks all about radio, community, family and  music; her 'I'm packing it all in and moving to Los Angeles' story; her eventual return to radio; her love of the Astros and the Dodgers (yes, you can love both teams - she has the stats); plus what it's really like to be on a tour bus with kids while sharing a meet and greet with country stars. She also talks about the very cool 'Bikes for Kids' event this Christmas.  Bring eggnog 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...