S2 Ep14: That's So Cincinnati: Estimable John Morris Russell, Cincinnati's Grammy nomination, Meg Whitman and 'Yes, Virginia,'

John Morris Russell's passion and energy is unparalleled year-round – and especially at Christmastime.

The Cincinnati Pops conductor joins That's So Cincinnati podcast to discuss all sorts of things, including:

The Pops' recent Grammy nomination and his celebration on an airplane

World renowned violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and smartphone usage at concerts

The importance of including all people in the Pops

The Pops' holiday traditions and concerts, including a special Christmas message from JMR at the end of the episode

Here's a sampling of JMR's in-depth That's So Cincinnati interview, talking about the Mutter's Cincinnati performance this year being interrupted by a woman recording it with her smartphone.

“The concert hall, Music Hall, is my church," Russell said. "It’s a sacred space where people gather to experience something together at the same time. And man, you’ve got to be in the room where it happens. ... Bringing in that inanimate object that takes some sort of electronic copy, it spoils the moment right there for all of us – and it really demeans that moment.”

You do not want to miss this fun and lively chat with a man who has helped make Cincinnati one of America's great cities for the performing arts. 

Listen to JMR's full interview on That's So Cincinnati for free by clicking on the Audioboom icon at the top of this article or by subscribing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio and other listening platforms.