Join us this week as we celebrate 5 years of the podcast! It has already been five years since the inception of The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music, & we've had quite a wonderful run of guests over the years. Today we welcome back the very first guest on the show, the one & only Mike Portnoy! After reflecting on podcast highlights & the years since its beginning, Mike gets into discussing his remarkable journey in the music sphere - from the initial struggles of forming a band to navigating his return to Dream Theater, to the transformation of the music business over the decades. Portnoy & Jay Jay's relationship serves as an inspiring testament to the importance of enduring friendships and collaborations, and the importance of community in the ever evolving music industry. Tune in for a must listen episode, as we celebrate 5 years of the podcast, & what's to come - only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

This week, after the news of Bob Weir, we're revisiting Jay Jay's previous conversation with guests Justin Kreutzmann & Mark Pinkus. This episode is a must listen for all Dead Heads!

Justin is a director, & the son of legendary Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann. Justin has worked on a large catalogue of projects with music legends such as Pete Townshend and The Who, Motley Crue, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Emmylou Harris, Mavis Staples, & last but not least - The Grateful Dead. He has worked as an editor & producer on a wide variety of music documentaries & programs - including Long Strange Trip, Let There Be Drums, Backstage Pass & Dead Ringers: The Making of Touch of Grey.

Mark Pinkus is president of Rhino Entertainment, and he is the official General Manager of Grateful Dead Properties. He has access to the Dead's extensive vault — a superfan's paradise with thousands and thousands of tapes — and handles the production and release of the music contained within.

Tune in to hear these 3 discuss all things Grateful Dead - from producing their most recent documentary, to each member's unique character & style of playing, & why the Dead have had such a huge impact on multiple generations. Justin discusses how his dad being a member the Dead has impacted his life & career, & Mark discusses his special working relationship with the Dead. Jay Jay tells stories of seeing the Grateful Dead perform growing up in New York, & the impact that their musical connectedness had on his playing.

Don't miss this one of a kind conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

2025 has been quite the journey - in this week's episode, Jay Jay is joined by his producer Matthew Mallinger to reflect on the past year. Jay Jay & Matthew discuss milestones & musical highlights - talking about the ups & downs throughout the year; looking back on favorite guests, & some of their favorite performances. Matthew's insights contribute to this retrospective analysis, & he talks about his recently released record ' Beyond the Flowered Gates,' along with his current artistic projects. Jay Jay gets into the year ahead & what's to come Twisted's Reunion - ending on a hopeful note, talking about how permanent & meaningful of an impact that music can have on listeners across the globe. Don't miss this unique year end recap, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

This week, Jay Jay welcomes an old friend of his - special guest Paul McGowan of PS audio. Jay Jay recounts his first encounter with PS Audio equipment, as they get into a broader discussion about the evolution of audio technology over the years. Paul shares his journey from a young engineer to the president of a leading audio company, detailing the challenges he's faced in a market that's constantly evolving. They reflect on the impact that digital technology has had on the music landscape, discussing the rise and fall of various formats & how consumer tastes have influenced their development. Paul talks about PS Audio's dedication to service & community for audiophiles, as their conversation sheds light on both the technical aspects of sound reproduction and the culture that exists within the audio community. This episode is a must listen for audio files; don't miss their conversation - only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! 

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger 

Join us this week for an episode that will always be timely to revisit - as we relisten to Jay Jay's conversation with Rickey Medlocke, who's known both as a rock n roll legend and a prominent voice in advocating for Native American rights. Jay Jay & Rickey's history goes as far back as Twisted Sister does - to 1973 - and they've remained friends ever since. Rickey is best known as being the frontman & guitarist for the band Blackfoot, as well as an original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He's of Lakota Sioux and Cherokee ancestry, and was inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He's heavily involved in supporting the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Movement, and national efforts to end all violence against American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women, which you can learn more about via the links below:

www.niwrc.org

www.rickeymedlocke.com/never-run-out-of-road

Tune in to hear all about Jay Jay & Rickey's deep history that goes back over 50 years, as Rickey discusses how he's been one of the faces of Southern Rock for decades, and set the standard for the genre.

Don't miss this conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

A special thank you to our new sponsors, Dimarzio Pickups and Tonequest Report.

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

Tune in this week for part II of Jay Jay's conversation with audio expert Adrian Low! Adrian is not only a distinguished audio expert and the owner of Audio Excellence in Canada, but also happens to be one of Jay Jay's favorite audio influencers / reviewers. They delve into the disparity between contemporary listening habits and those of previous generations & reflect on how the allure of high-fidelity systems has waned, with convenience often being prioritized over audio quality. Adrian talks about the challenges faced in rekindling interest among youth, who tend to gravitate towards earbuds and computer speakers rather than traditional stereo systems. These 2 discuss the deep value that the appreciation of hi-fi audio can bring to the listener, & how accessible hi fidelity equipment holds the ability to inspire a new era of musical engagement among younger audiences. Don't miss part 2 of their conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

Join Jay Jay this week as he welcomes audio expert Adrian Low onto the podcast. Adrian is not only a distinguished audio expert and the owner of Audio Excellence in Canada, but also happens to be one of Jay Jay's favorite audio influencers / reviewers. They delve into the disparity between contemporary listening habits and those of previous generations & reflect on how the allure of high-fidelity systems has waned, with convenience often being prioritized over audio quality. Adrian talks about the challenges faced in rekindling interest among youth, who tend to gravitate towards earbuds and computer speakers rather than traditional stereo systems. These 2 discuss the deep value that the appreciation of hi-fi audio can bring to the listener, & how accessible hi fidelity equipment holds the ability to inspire a new era of musical engagement among younger audiences. Don't miss part 1 of their conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger 

Tune in this week for part two of Jay Jay's conversation with special guest Steve Guttenberg! These 2 dive straight back into the world of audio, & what it really is that makes great sound systems tick. Steve is an audio expert - with an extensive history both as a salesman and a reviewer. Steve & Jay chat about learning to appreciate sound quality through jazz music, and the importance of understanding depth, soundstage and transparency in audio. They reminisce about their wide range of experiences they've had with different audio gear – from the highs of discovering amazing speakers to the lows of dealing with equipment that just doesn't cut it. Whether you’re a music lover or just curious about audio, this episode is a must listen! 

Don't miss this episode, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger 

This week, tune in to join Jay Jay as he welcomes Steve Guttenberg to the show, as they they explore the vibrant world of audio and the profound impact music has had on their lives. Jay Jay takes us back to the days when he fell in love with music through his gigantic stereo systems. They delve deep into what being an audiophile really means, and how it’s about more than just the equipment; it’s about the experience of fully immersing oneself in the music. Steve sharing anecdotes from his years in the industry, & swaps stories with Jay about their favorite records, concerts, and the gear that has shaped their musical experiences overtime. This episode is a must listen for all audio files & music lovers - don't miss part I of this conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! 

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger 

This week, Rudy Sarzo returns for the second half of his recent conversation with Jay Jay to share more about his storied career, full of unforgettable experiences and legendary encounters over the years in the rock scene. The episode kicks off with Rudy reminiscing about the various bands he's played with, diving into some wild tour stories. Rudy reflects on the emotional impact of losing musical icons, particularly with the recent loss of his dear friend & collaborator Ozzy Osbourne. His heartfelt insight reveals a deep respect and admiration for the artists he’s worked with, & the lifelong bonds that are formed in the world of music. Don't miss this conversation - only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! 

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger