You are in for a special treat today! I've got to do an exclusive phone interview with David Ball, the last living member of Uncle Walt’s Band, as well as a special guest, country music singer/songwriter Gary P. Nunn.  

Uncle Walt's Band was an important cult band, which has influenced so many musicians in the US. After releasing the anthology and expanded versions of their self-titled debut and its follow-up, An American in Texas, Omnivore Recordings released a re-imagined version of Recorded Live — now titled Recorded Live at Waterloo Ice House. 

Recorded Live at Waterloo Ice House helps paint a bigger, wider picture of Uncle Walt’s Band in their prime, and certainly in their element. I've listened the album on repeat, the 21 tracks are so powerful, not missing any of the authenticity and originality since their original performance in 1982. 

First I talk to Gary P. Nunn about his memories of Uncle Walt's Band and how they influenced his music. Then David Ball and I chatted for one hour about what it was like when the band was active in Austin. He shares memories and stories of their live performances, rehearsals, recording sessions, and creating with his two late bandmates, Walter Hyatt and Champ Hood. 

I feel honoured as this is the only interview David Ball has done to promote the re-release of their live album, and I hope you enjoy this conversation with a true Texas legend.  

“We loved playing live. You put us on the record, and you can’t see us!” - David Ball 

Today, I’m joined by American vintage pop singer/songwriter, Kat Edmonson. there’s something very special about her voice, and Kat’s music is unlike anything we’ve had on the show before.

We talk about her career, how she found her love for music, and how she ended up singing such a unique genre.  Next Kat sings us two songs from her new album ‘Dreamers Do’, leaving me speechless. 

Finally we talk about food, Kat’s love of cooking and the different foods we love from around the world. 

“I noticed music very much as a kid. It affected me and I started to hear music in my head, so when I would feel an emotion it was accompanied by music.” - Kat Edmonson  

In this episode I’m joined by American singer, songwriter and philanthropist Hilary Roberts. 

Hilary captures attention powerfully, and at times I almost forget I’m supposed to be interviewing her! She’s honest, open, extremely likeable and has a fascinating story to tell.

She tells me about her struggles with addiction and abusive past, and how she was able to overcome these and become a successful singer. 

We talk about the foundation Hilary started to help others with similar struggles, and how moving to Dallas helped her to get better. 

Then we talk about her career, how she got into singing, and the new songs she’s recorded that are ready for release...

“I never thought that I could experience life with joy, freedom, peace, relief, and have a healthy intimate relationship because of what I’d been through. But it is through getting help that I have a life which is beyond my wildest dreams.” - Hilary Roberts  

I'm excited to welcome Reginald Ballard on the show today! He is a character actor and comedian best known for his roles as Bruh-Man in the sitcom Martin and W.B. on The Bernie Mac Show. 

He starred in many other TV shows such Veronica Mars, The Parkers, Sister, Sister, Bones, ER, and films such as Menace II Society, I Love You To Death or The Workout Room. 

He has a big life event happening to him at the moment - he shares the story of how he is getting a kidney from his wife, who has turned out to be a perfect match for him in every sense since high school. Talk about love!

He also shares hilarious stories from decades of his work on television and film, involving late River Phoenix, Richard Roundtree and other big screen celebrities. We've had a great laugh together, and I can't wait to see him on TV again in another great role. 

I got my master’s degree from the Martin show, and my PhD from The Bernie Mac Show. - Reginald Ballard

Washington and Lesley Ho, the stars of ‘House of Ho’ on HBO MAX, share with us how it is having a camera crew follow your every move.

Today, I’m joined by Hayley Orrantia, best known for her role of Erica Goldberg in the ABC comedy series The Goldbergs. 

Hayley does more than acting - she also starred in the first series of The X Factor as a member of Lakota Rayne, a country-pop girl group. 

She tells me about her journey through fame, what it’s like being on the set of The Goldbergs, and how much being on the show has influenced her life. 

We also talk about how Hayley got into acting, how real cooking shows are, and what new projects she has in store for us.

“I don’t know how I get to work with so many cool people.” - Hayley Orrantia  

Today, we’re joined by Leigh Nash, the American singer and songwriter, best known for being lead vocalist for the pop band Sixpence None the Richer. 

She tells me how she found her passion for music, what it’s been like touring on the road with her music, and how the 1990s iconic song ‘Kiss Me’ launched her career. 

Leigh also places a lot on her faith and it was really easy to feel connected with someone like her. We end the chat by talking about what the future for Leigh holds, and why she treads lightly online...

“You don’t know what you don’t know until you know it.” - Leigh Nash

Today, we have a special double-billed episode where I interview the owners of two of the best takeaway restaurants in Austin, Rosen's Bagels and Tso Chinese Delivery. 

First up I have Tom Rosen, the owner of Rosen’s Bagels on the show.  He tells me about what inspired him to make a bagel business, what separates a good bagel from a bad bagel, and what the process of bagel-making involves. 

Next, I’m joined by Min Choe and Angell Tsang, who run Tso Chinese Delivery.  They explain how Chinese food varies across the world, why they chose to focus on deliveries, and the innovative new delivery method they have rolling out…

“I made an ideological commitment to the double-side seed bagel.” - Tom Rosen 

“We don’t need a tip to incentivise good service, they give good service because they’re good people.” - Min Choe  

There’s not many things Austin is missing, but it’s never had a proper soccer stadium. That is till now, with the new stadium scheduled to open in March.

Today, we’re joined by President of the Los Verdes Club Gaby Navarro and Co-Founder Andrew Urban to discuss what the future for soccer in Austin looks like. 

With any great soccer team, you need a great club behind them to cheer them on. Los Verdes ATX is an independent supporters group of Austin FC with the aim to make the games as fun as possible. 

We talk about how they set up the club and the stadium, the different projects the club is involved with, and the benefits there are to being a member of the club.

I’m already a member, and as soon as this pandemic calms down I can’t wait to be at the stadium with all the other fans...

“I like tacos on game day because you have to save room for beer.” - Andrew Urban  

Today I'm joined by Marcus Collins from The Texas Tenors, a fantastic singing group that blends opera, pop and country music in unique vocal arrangements.

The Texas Tenors, whose other two members are JC Fisher and John Hagen, were formed in 2009 in order to audition for America's Got Talent. They made it to finals of Season 4 of the show, and became the highest ranking vocal group in the show's history.

They also won three Emmys, and until the pandemic hit, were touring extensively all across the US and performed for the tens of thousands of fans.

Marcus got me laughing hard in this interview, shares hilarious stories about their experience on America's Got Talent, performing with David Hasselhof, and being mentioned by Barbra Streisand at a private dinner party.

If you are not familiar with these guys, check out their performances on YouTube, I promise you've never heard anything  like that before...

"It’s not about making money right now, it’s about getting at least a little entertainment to the folks so they can forget about all this." - Marcus Collins