We are Live at Redding Beer for Octoberfest with Live Music, Great Beer, and Fun! First we chat with Brewmaster Dave Balsir about their new beers on tap! We hear from Greg Woolf from Westport's  Accidental Breakdown and then we head to Sono to check in with The Breakers from Boston...the awesome Tom Petty Tribute band. We talk with lead singer Chris Chartier and also Tommy Booth backstage from The Sono Collection in Norwalk, CT!

    On the early morning of September 11, 2001, walking through lower Manhattan, New York City, Ethan Isaac saw something unfold before his eyes that would alter the course of his life. He would later capture his experiences in a song called “Into the Sunlight.” The song found its way to the offices of Armed Forces Entertainment, and so began a mission for Ethan and his band that continues to this day: bring music and fun to an audience of some of the most die-hard music fans Ethan has met; the soldiers of the US millitary.

  To date, Edisun has performed for US troops in over 20 countries, including tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, among many other places around the world where no band would typically choose to play.  For Ethan Isaac, who never forgot his experience of fighting through the soot, smoke, and ash to escape Manhattan on the morning of 9-11, perhaps all of this was inevitable. The band's efforts to boost troop morale have garnered media attention world-wide, with Edisun's story being featured on ABC World News Tonight, and in a wide array of publications including The Wall Street Journal, New York Post and Rolling Stone Magazine. 

On the 20th anniversary of 9-11 comes Edisun's story featured in Bulletproof Wings, a documentary now available on Tubi. Special thanks to film director Lory Ambrosini of Lo Ambro Films, Amanda Ozment, our producer and editor, and our entire production team at Factory Underground Studio. 

https://www.edisunmusic.com/

We talk with the lead singer of The Smokin Rockets Sal Assenza, otherwise known as John Lemmon from his Beatles tribute band days!

As you know, Long Island gave birth to so much musical talent, notably Billy Joel and the multi-platinum band The Stray Cats who found their home in Massapequa. With the desire to showcase the music that has been a part of mainstream radio for audiences of all ages around the world, now comes Long Island's new "Atomic Rock Band"...The Smokin Rockets.
Founding member, Johnny Lemmon (guitar/vocals) has performed internationally in the pop music scene for more than 30 years with The Merseybeat Beatles Tribute, which has graced the stage for audiences worldwide. As an entertainer, guitar player, and singer of 50's & 60's Rock, Pop, Surf –any music from that era, he’s a tone junkie that loves eclectic music others won’t attempt to play. He’s been blessed to perform in many national and regional television and radio shows as well as arena concerts. He has played famous stages worldwide with his own music projects as well as accompanying many legendary music icons.

The trio captures the early days of guitar rock bands with an Atomic mix of 1950’s and 1960’s Rock & Roll, Surf & Rockabilly driving beats that will surely make your feet move.

Smokin Rockets will take you on a rock journey of the very best guitar bands of the atomic age. With the genius of Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins, Duane Eddie, The Ventures, and many others. The Rockets re-captures all the tonal energy long replaced by computers and digital technology. Listen to the magic as The Smokin Rockets take this era to new heights when they add their energetic pure rock twang with cutting edge musicianship. This trio’s contagious enthusiasm brings back the very best of this amazing era! To book Smokin Rockets contact Radioactive Talent and be sure to visit their website below!

https://www.reverbnation.com/thesmokinrockets

We chat with two amazing artists that will truly knock your socks off! Christine Olhman otherwise known as "The Beehive Queen" and Tom "The Suit" Forst! Both musicians not only know each other but will play on the same stage this September at The White Plains Performing Arts Center for a night of great music and fun! You may know Christine from The SNL band....and if you do not know who Tom Forst is...well you do now! Listen to these  two fantastic musicians as we have a blast throughout the interview with a lot of laughs plus we hear some of their tracks! They really both know how to rock! After listening to Christine and Tom  you may just decide you want to get tickets to their upcoming show in Westchester County, New York on September 18th at 7pm! Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez with opener Tom Forst make a fantastic double bill for a night of entertainment! We love having them in The City's Backyard on the podcast to talk about their music and their upcoming show! Click on their website links below to find out more about Christine Ohlman and Tom Forst! The Beehive Queen and The Suit truly know how to put on a great show! 

https://www.christineohlman.net/

https://www.tomthesuitforst.com/

 Academy/Golden Globe Award winners Franke Previte & John DeNicola were down to the bottom of their bank accounts in 1987 when their lives changed forever.

The Dirty Dancing original soundtrack spent 18 weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart and 230 weeks in the Top 30. As one of the greatest selling soundtracks of all time, the film became an iconic classic almost as soon as it hit the theaters in 1987...33 years later the Dirty Dancing brand is a cultural phenomenon.

Knowing the feeling of being hungry, Previte & DeNicola felt since their lives have been musically rewarded  they have been donating thousands of dollars to charity.

 When their Dirty Dancing friend  Patrick Swayze passed they contacted Swayze's wife Lisa and decided to donate proceeds from the sale of the "Dancing Dancing: The Original Demos" to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in memory of Patrick.

 "Dirty Dancing: The Original Demos" features the original recordings (with Franke on lead vocals) of "(I've Had The Time Of My Life" + 'Hungry Eyes" . These original versions are what Patrick & Jennifer filmed their Dirty Dancing dance sequences to.

 When the pandemic invaded our world Franke & John felt it was important to revive a couple of their previous songs from the last century in order to help heal those  in need through the power of music..

 While on a groundbreaking summit in Russia in 1989  Franke co-wrote "One World" with another American along with two Estonians...originally recorded by Earth Wind & Fire Previte realize how the song fits in today's world of pandemic and social injustice...and hence a new recording was released with all proceeds being donating to several non-profits.

 DeNicola's new pandemic relevant version of  "Hungry Eyes"  along with "One World" have been shown recently at several drive-in theaters...including a recent food bank fundraising screening of Dirty Dancing.

The Oscar Winning Duo recently amassed High Charted "New" Songs on AC Radio...

One World and Hungry Eyes.....

 Their songs have been raising awareness and funds to support  pandemic and social injustice causes.

https://www.oneworldoursong.com/

https://www.taylorsimonking.com/

https://www.omadrecords.com/

We go to the city's backyard of New Jersey this episode and check in with Rob Malave "the Robert Plant" of Black Dog! We talk about the new Zeppelin documentary coming out soon, we chat about other Zep tribute bands, the music of Led Zeppelin and future shows coming up in September for Black Dog!

This script below was taken  from their website  http://www.blackdogzeppelin.com/

Follow Black Dog on Facebook and Instagram! https://www.facebook.com/BlackDogZeppelin

Then as it was, again it shall be
  Led Zeppelin shook the world of rock & roll for little more than a decade, but their legacy lives on stronger than ever. Masters of creativity and diversity, their music covers such a wide range of styles and genres that they are difficult to define. Their collective talent remains unmatched and unchallenged.  There will never be another Led Zeppelin.  Their songs are still aired regularly, and their recordings are being bought in droves by new generations, but fans of the band still crave the raw energy of a live show.  Enter Black Dog.  Black Dog proudly pays tribute to the mighty Led Zeppelin with an extensive catalogue of songs comprised of classic masterpieces like "Dazed and Confused", "Heartbreaker", and "Stairway to Heaven", as well as the less heard  B-sides to satisfy the more discerning fans.  A complete acoustic set recreates an intimate setting with mandolin and custom tuned guitars played on stools, bringing to life songs like "Going to California", "Friends", and "That's the Way".  The show also includes extended versions that recapture the true live experience such as The Song Remains the Same's "Whole Lotta Love", complete with Page's magical Theramin solo!  The members established the band in early 2000, and they are all accomplished musicians with considerable experience. Black Dog is the definitive Led Zeppelin tribute band.  Keeping the music of Led Zeppelin Live!

We go to the city's backyard of Danbury, CT and The Hamptons with 90's pop sensation Samantha Cole! At the age of 19 Samantha had some success in the music biz as a signed pop singer! She was the first artist signed to Universal Records! Timing is everything as Samantha says in the interview! She worked with Richard Marx, Nile Rodgers, 98 degrees and had a hit single called "Love Me Love Me" with Shaggy! We chat about her time in the limelight in the 90's and what it was like to be a celebrity pop singer. We talk about how life has changed for Samantha after getting married and moving to Danbury and then having children and becoming a fulltime mother of three! We find out what motivated her to have a  comeback after all these years plus we hear a couple of her latest releases "Together Again" and "Send My Angel"!!  We find out what motivated her to write these new songs and also why she decided to become a celebrity voice coach who now owns her own business and recording studio!

https://celebrityvoicecoach.com/
https://www.facebook.com/celebrityvoicecoach

It is no secret that the pandemic has been rough on the restaurants all over America and especially NYC and it's suburbs! We go to the backyard and speak to a couple of guys that know the business well and we get tips on the best restaurants make the adjustments needed to rise above the rest!  We chat with small business regional director of SBGA, Craig Forster and Donnie O'Donoghue,  manager of Gallagher's Steakhouse in New York City!!

Craig can be reached at [email protected]

To make a reservation at Gallagher's Steakhouse or find out more information log onto:
 https://www.gallaghersnysteakhouse.com/

It's the debut of Acoustic Rock Happy Hour at the new Wall Street Tavern in Norwalk across from  The Wall Street Theater! Live music from Nelson on the patio as we chat with owners Bryan Malcarney and John D'Agostino about the tavern and how great it is that they are becoming a part of the community! We find out how they are making their home in Norwalk with the customers and theater goers and why they chose a rock n roll theme and atmosphere! Tune into this live podcast where we interviewed both owners on Wall Street Tavern's patio!

http://wallstreettav.com/

The Fillmore East Podcast Documentary Series Part 4! We chat with Jane Bernstein a staffer from the Fillmore East office who was also the "candy chick" then promoted to working in the office with Bill Graham and also became a full timer at the box office! We also chat and hear stories from a regular spectator Mimi Botscheller!  The Fillmore East closed this summer 50 years ago in 1971! Mimi has great stories about the "broom closet" at the Fillmore East and how she made friends with Vinny from The Hells Angels which always got her to the train safely after she attended many shows!  Also Jane tells us how she viewed Bill Graham as a legendary promoter in the concert biz and talks about her memories as a staffer! They both saw a lot of shows there.... so tune in for a fun trip back in time from the drugs  in the broom closet to the the candy for sale at The Fillmore!


In the future Kenjamin Franklin at Radioactive Talent Inc. will have a website that will feature various Fillmore East interviews...including the 12 part Amalie R. Rothchild(unofficial Fillmore East photographer) video interview...taped at the exact location of the Fillmore East! (Amalie is interviewed as well in Part 2 of this podcast documentary series) If anyone would like to be on the mailing list to receive  Fillmore East updates you can email Ken at > [email protected] ...he can also be reached on Facebook.