The ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan Gatenby

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From June 1, 2021: Chris Matthews, former host of MSNBC's Hardball, became a member of our Three-Timers club when he called in for a fun and lively chat about his memoir, This Country: My Life in Politics and History.

ABOUT CHRIS MATTHEWS

Chris Matthews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit, Jack Kennedy-Elusive Hero, Tip and the Gipper-When Politics Worked, Kennedy and Nixon, and Hardball. He is the former host of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews.

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From May 24, 2021: Chelsea Clinton called in for a chat about her podcast, In Fact with Chelsea Clinton.

ABOUT CHELSEA CLINTON

Chelsea Clinton is an outspoken advocate for those who need it most. She uses her voice, platform - and unique life experience - to address issues of human rights, public health, the environment and climate change, and to combat the spread of misinformation, particularly online. Chelsea is vice chair of the Clinton Foundation, teaches at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia, holds a doctorate in international relations at Oxford University examining the first decade of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria and is the co-author of Governing Global Health: Who Runs the World and Why? with Devi Sridhar. She is also the author of several children's books including the #1New York Times bestselling She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World, and the co-author of The Book of Gutsy Women and Grandma's Gardens with her mom Hillary Clinton. Chelsea lives with her husband Marc, their children Charlotte, Aidan, and Jasper, and dog Soren in New York City.

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From October 5, 2020: The Reverend Al Sharpton discusses his book Rise Up.

ABOUT THE REVEREND AL SHARPTON

Rev. Al Sharpton is the host of MSNBC's "PoliticsNation" and the founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), one of the leading civil rights organization in the world. With over 40 years of experience as a community leader, politician, minister and advocate, the Rev. Al Sharpton is one of America's most-renowned civil rights leaders. Sharpton also hosts the nationally syndicated radio show, "Keepin' It Real", which broadcasts in 40 markets, five days a week. He resides in New York.

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From August 26, 2022: United States Senator Patrick Leahy, currently the chamber's longest-serving senator and President Pro Tempore, called into the show for a talk about his memoir, The Road Taken.

ABOUT PATRICK LEAHY:

 The last of Congress's "Watergate Babies," Patrick Leahy was elected to the United States Senate in 1974 and is currently its most senior member. Leahy was born in Montpelier, Vermont, and grew up blocks from the State House. Senator Leahy is currently the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He served for twenty years as chair or ranking of the Senate Judiciary Committee where he remains as the most senior Democrat. He is also the most senior Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee where he previously served as Chair for seven years. Senator Leahy has been married to Marcelle Pomerleau Leahy since 1962. They have a daughter, two sons, and five grandchildren. The Leahys live on a tree farm in Middlesex, Vermont.

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Consumer advocate and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader called into the show on June 10, 2020 for a fun chat about his book Ralph Nader and Family Cookbook.

ABOUT RALPH NADER

Ralph Nader first made headlines as a young lawyer in 1965 with his book Unsafe at Any Speed, a scathing indictment that lambasted the auto industry for producing unsafe vehicles. The book led to congressional hearings and the passage of a series of automobile safety laws in 1966. Nader also went on to found a wide variety of organizations, all aimed at advancing corporate and government accountability. 

An author, lecturer, attorney, and political activist, Nader was cited by The Atlantic in 2006 as one of the one hundred most influential figures in American history; Time Magazine has called him the "US's toughest customer"; and in 1974, a survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report rated him as the fourth most influential person in the United States.

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From December 10, 2014, U.S. Senator John McCain visited the show to discuss his book Thirteen Soldiers.

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We once again open the nearly filled to capacity Big Wakeup Call Vault and go back to 2020 for a fun conversation with radio legend Cousin Brucie. Brucie introduced the Beatles and others to America as a DJ on WABC in New York City.  Brucie was promoting his new radio show, back at WABC for "Saturday Night Rock & Roll Party ."

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On this episode, we open the vaults and revisit my 2019 chat with the legendary William Shatner, who was promoting a local screening of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” on the big screen, followed by a live conversation with the one and only “Captain James T. Kirk.” 

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On this episode, Gaby Dalkin, NY Times Bestselling Cookbook Author, Chef & Creator of  "What’s Gaby Cooking" joined the show to discuss summer grilling.  Gaby was also joined by Josh Archibald from Tillamook, who shared some ideas on cheese pairing and more.

Then I'm joined by Paco Lomeli, firefighter and paramedic for Station 16 in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles.  Paco and the station crew are featured on "LA Fire and Rescue," airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

This episode of The Big Wakeup Call is supported by YES Cacao, chocolate powered by botanicals. YES is organic, raw, wild-harvested cacao blended with function-specific formulas including "Brain Power," "Endurance," and "Bliss Out." YES is dark, wild harvested cacao.  Shop now at https://www.yescacao.com

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From August 3, 2020:   Dave Mason and friends have taken the downtime during quarantine to remake one of Mason's most iconic and heavily covered songs since its release in 1968 - "Feelin' Alright." Dubbed "Dave Mason and the Quarantines," the group's new song features Mason singing along with Mick Fleetwood, Sammy Hagar, Michael McDonald, and The Doobie Brothers: John McFee, Tom Johnston, John Cowan, and Pat Simmons. Dave's longtime drummer, Alvino Bennett, also lends a hand as does Pat Simmons Jr., Pat's son, joining in the fun.

ABOUT DAVE MASON

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason's career spans over half a century and encompasses producing, performing and song writing. Fans and critics alike hail Dave as one of the most talented songwriters and guitarists in the world - which is why he is still performing over 100 shows a year to sold-out crowds. 

Mason has been playing guitar most of his life. By 15, Dave had founded two bands: The Deep Feeling and The Hellions. At 18, the Worcester, England native teamed up with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood to form the legendary band Traffic. At 19, Mason penned the song "Feelin' Alright". The rock anthem, first recorded by Traffic and then covered by dozens of other artists (including Joe Cocker), cemented both Dave's and Traffic's legacy and had a profound influence over rock music that continues today.

Mason left Traffic in 1969 to pursue a solo career in the US. Dave has penned over 100 songs, has 3 gold albums: Alone Together, Dave Masonand Mariposa De Oro and a platinum album Let it Flow, which contained the top-ten single "We Just Disagree".

In addition to cranking out hits, Dave has performed on or contributed to a number of famous albums, including: The Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet, George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, Paul McCartney and Wings Venus and Mars and Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland. Mason is featured playing acoustic guitar in "All Along the Watchtower" on Electric Ladyland, a favorite in Dave's live shows!

Dave, a prolific artist in his own right, has collaborated with an enviable list of the who's who in the music industry. Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Rita Coolidge, Delaney & Bonnie, Leon Russell, Ron Wood, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, and Jim Capaldi, just to name a few. In addition to his own productions, Mason's distinctive work is featured on numerous gold and platinum albums such as:

Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland "All Along The Watchtower" (acoustic guitar) and "Crosstown Traffic" (vocals)

George Harrison All Thing Must Pass (various tracks)

The Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet "Street Fighting Man" (shehnai and mellotron)

Paul McCartney and Wings Venus And Mars "Listen To What The Man Said" (guitar)

Graham Nash Songs For Beginners

David Crosby & Graham Nash, Graham Nash David Crosby

Dave Mason & Cass Elliot (Mamas & Papas) Dave Mason & Cass Elliot

The Spencer Davis Group "Somebody Help Me", "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "I'm A Man" (vocals)

Fleetwood Mac Time(guitar, vocals)

Eric Clapton Crossroads (guitar)

When Dave is not touring, he spends his time writing and producing music in his home studio, as well as tirelessly supporting philanthropic efforts for Rock Our Vets, a non-profit he co-founded.