The Artist Matters

Welcome to episode 62. Time to tune up some instruments. Today’s guest has done so much for the music education community on Long Island and his name is Peter Freeman.
Peter is the principle trombone and President for the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a member of the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra and has played with the South Shore Symphony and the Band of Long Island. He is a retired High School Band Director and Administrator of Fine and Performing Arts from Long Island, New York. An alumnus of Penn State, Peter was Baritone Horn Rank Leader for the Blue Band, principle trombone in the Penn State Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and was the conductor of the basketball pep band. In addition to teaching, he was President of Nassau (County) Music Educators Association and the Nassau County Chapter of the New York State Council of Music Administrators.
Currently, in addition to performing and teaching privately,  Peter is the founder and administrator for “The Trombone Place”, a Facebook Group created to teach and motivate beginner through intermediate trombonists and their teachers. He is also the composer of “For Our Heroes”, a piece of music designed to be performed live and completely socially distanced by musicians of all ages and ability levels.
Pete is the humble husband to his wife Joann and the proud father to Jeanette and Billy (both wonderful trombonists in their own right!)
Thanks again to Laurie Ann Davis for introducing us. I know you will enjoy this chat with me and Peter Freeman.

Welcome to Episode 61. Today we have yet another incredible guest referred to me by the one and only, Laurie Ann Davis. He’s an actor, performer, writer, director and just one talented guy, Tony Walker.
He’s been acting since his days at Hicksville High School, class of 88. He’s also performed for Clare Rose Playhouse, Plaza Theatre, Broadhollow Theatre, as well as some independent films.
In the mid 90’s, Tony started working with Murder 4 U - a dinner theatre troupe and stayed with them until they closed in the early 2000’s.
From 1998-2002 , he also worked with V.O.I.C.E.S. - a troupe that performed dramatic readings. He played the lead (Utterson) in The Strange Case Of Dr Jeckyll & Mr Hyde, the Phantom in the non musical version of Phantom Of The Opera and several other shows.
Back in 2002, Tony was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. The tumor was in his right leg. It took a few years to get through that. He lost his job, marriage and his right leg. But he learned how precious life is, so Tony made all sorts of changes. Changes he wouldn’t have made if it wasn’t for the cancer.
From 2002-2012, he directed, wrote, performed and booked shows for Drop Dead Comedy, a dinner theatre troupe performing murder mystery shows.
From 2012-present, he continued with the dinner theatre through Knock Em Dead Comedy, which also featured game shows and other custom comedy shows.
In 2018, The Knock Em Dead Comedy Radio Show was born. The show streams on govsradio.com out of Governors Comedy Club. In May of 2019, Tony also became the Program Director for govsradio.com and still has that job.
Just a few days before the quarantine, Tony made his stand up comedy debut at The Brokerage Comedy Club in Bellmore, NY.
This man is not afraid to expand his creative palette and try something new. His story was so exciting and inspiring. I has such a blast and I know you will too.
Enjoy my chat with Tony Walker.

Today we have Michael Jess Alexander. He is a writer/author who began his journey in Utah. He has always been a fan of the horror genre thanks to scary movies and books, like a Nightmare on Elm Street, the Goosebumps series and the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series. It wasn’t until his teen years that he decided to try his hand at writing his own fiction. He thought he’d pursue writing as a full-time career, but ended up becoming an English teacher for the last 10 years.
In 2018, he got back into a writing groove for himself and published 2 short stories. This led to “Boarded Windows, Dead Leaves” Michael’s first anthology featuring those 2 short stories, plus 7 other tales. He explores the supernatural and mysterious. Werewolves, vampires and zombies. And so much more. The book is set to be released later this July by Spooky House Press, run by a previous guest, Robert Ottone. Grateful he connected us.
There’s lots more, so let’s get into this and enjoy my chat with Michael Jess Alexander.

Welcome to episode #59. Today, we have my 2nd youngest guest (My granddaughter still hold the title of youngest). But this young man has accomplished a lot in his 15 years on this planet. He is actor, Alexander Jameson.
He began doing pageants at 9 months old. Mom and dad saw a little spark in him when he would memorize and recreate scenes from his favorite TV shows. He began modeling at the age of 4. He got his first lead role in a student film when he was 5. At the age of 8, he landed a role on an episode of The Michael J Fox Show. When Alexander was 10, he landed a role that he’s most recognized for - the son of Q on Impractical Jokers. He has also had the honor of being on Saturday Night Live. He worked with a previous Artist Matters guest, Chris Roach on Kevin Can Wait. Through him, Alexander met guest #1, Laurie Ann Davis and took her class to improve his craft.
He even had an audition for a Ron Howard movie.
He offers up great advice about handling rejection. I’m telling you, this young man is on his way. It was an honor to be his first ever interview. So, please enjoy my little conversation w/ Alexander Jameson.

Welcome to episode #58. The “One Life To Live” saga continues. We have another guest who worked on that show. His name is Alan Needleman. He worked in TV for 40 years. Starting in payroll for ABC, he worked his way up the creative ladder. He eventually became Stage Manager on “One Life To Live”. He met and worked with two previous guests : Laurie Ann Davis and Bruce Cooperman. His duties included: working with actors and extras, being a direct representation for the Director when they weren’t on the stage floor and making sure everything runs smoothly on the set. He even won some Daytime Emmys; some with Bruce too. Alan also had the district honor of working for ABC at the 1984 Winter Olympics. The story he shares about that experience is incredible.
Through it all, he always treated people with kindness and respect. Qualities that can get lost in show business. He states it so simply that he doesn’t want to be ashamed of the person looking back at him in the mirror. We need more of that in the world.
Such an enjoyable interview that I know you’ll get a lot out of. Enjoy my chat with Alan Needleman.

Welcome to episode # 57. Today we have Bruce Cooperman. He was a cameraman on the soap opera, “One Life To Live” for 15 years, then another 16 years as a Director of the show. During that time, he won 2 Daytime Emmys. When the show went off the air, Bruce was able to keep working. Doing camera work for major sporting events, the 2016 Democratic and republican conventions, “The Chew” for 5 years and currently the Tamron Hall Show.
This was such a treat. You are going to learn so much about what goes into creating, filming and directing a soap opera (or daytime drama, if you prefer). Bruce offers an incredible wealth of stories and info, I know you’re going to enjoy this.
Take a listen to my chat with Bruce Cooperman.

Welcome to Episode # 56 with Jeweler, Designer, Podcaster, Entrepreneur - Tracy Matthews.
Her passion for design started as a child, dreaming of creating wedding gowns. When she took her first jewelry fabrication class as a college elective, the seed was planted.
Tracy started her first jewelry business as a hobby, designing for bridal parties, friends and families.
In her twenties, she quit her day job to pursue the dream full time. And her first legitimate brand, Tracy Matthews Designs, Inc. was born. Over the years, her collection was sold in over 350 retail outlets all over the globe (ABC home, Sundance Catalog, Bloomingdales, Anthro). Celebrities enjoyed her work (Orlando Bloom, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, David Cooke). And plenty of media coverage (InStyle, Lucky, Real Simple, TV Shows and Movies)
She has even won some awards: Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion (2006) and JCK Rising Star (2007)
Unfortunately, in 2009 she had to file for bankruptcy. Feeling like a failure, Tracy abandoned her jewelry design ambitions. She attempted yoga and some other paths, but couldn’t resist the creative tug to go back into jewelry design. She gathered up all her courage and started over, with a new perspective. And her business is truly thriving.
Speaking of that word, “Thrive” -Tracy launched a podcast called Thrive By Design supporting designers and makers with business, marketing and lifestyle strategies. And she also has Flourish and Thrive Academy, helping jewelry designers attract lifelong customers.
I’m telling you, this woman is crushing it and I am so blessed to have been able to chat with her. Such a great voice for us creatives. Her slogan says it all - community and collaboration over competition.
Enjoy out conversation.

Welcome back to our regularly scheduled program, everybody. Today, we have a long-time from I’ve been wanting to have as a guest for awhile - Bob Parillo. He is a paint party artist, drummer and karaoke DJ, to name a few.
Bob has always enjoyed painting and was inspired by painters he saw on TV. Took to it, like a natural.
His artistic interests led him to take up drumming. Was in his high school band, which performed at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY.
We met in 2001 when he and his soon-to-be wife, Vanessa were running NY Karaoke. I’d follow them wherever they went because they were friendly and fun and had a great selection of music.
In 2015, it was time for a pivot. They decided to try a new venture - paint parties. And within a few months, their business, Happy Little Brushstrokes was born. Bob has done small parties, parties with as many as 100 attendees all over Long Island and the NY area.
The business has grown steadily and kept Bob pretty busy (which is why it was difficult to schedule an interview with the man).
Unfortunately, during this pandemic, paint parties aren’t being scheduled. But Bob has created an online, virtual painting experience to keep the business going.
I am so glad we got to catch up and learn more about his creative journey. Enjoy my chat with Bob Parillo.

Just thought I'd come on and update all of you on how I'm doing. Even pay a little tribute to the late James Lipton and answer his famous questionnaire. Enjoy!

It has been some time. Glad to be back and bring you my first guest since February. She is Nancy Norbeck.
Nancy is a writer, creativity coach, singer, actor and podcaster.
She came from a family that encouraged creativity. Her mother played the flute. Her brother liked to sketch. Both her parents sang in choirs. Nancy joined them when she was 4 years old. She performed in school plays too. But she really enjoyed books. And soon found herself writing her own stories. Nancy even wrote fan fiction stories for “Doctor Who”.
She did take a break from writing for several years, but felt the tug and went back. Nancy go her MFA from Goddard. From that experience came her first novel, “The Silver Child”.
Then, Nancy took a pivot and became a creativity coach through Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching.
And Nancy took another pivot and started her own podcast, Follow Your Curiosity. Similar to this show, her podcast features many creative types on their journeys and why they do what they do.
It was an enjoyable connecting with her and listening to my “sister podcaster”.
Enjoy my chat with Nancy Norbeck.