This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring our own podcast host and trumpeter John Snell, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "Getting to know John Snell"
Who is the man behind the microphone? You've been asking for a long time, 12.5 years and 138 episodes in fact, and today's the day: it's time to put John Snell himself on the other side of the bell! John is the steadfast presence at Bob Reeves Brass, from the shop to the studio to the numerous conferences and events he attends every year. Many of you have met him in person over the years, and with our increasing number of video episodes, you have a better sense for what he's like. Yet his story has only emerged in bits and pieces over all that time and all those episodes, and warrants the spotlight just as much as any of the wonderful guests who have stopped by the podcast since 2013. And who better to interview John than the gregariously awesome Vinnie Ciesielski, who was himself a guest on The Other Side of the Bell, Episode #93 back in September of 2021. Vinnie and John chat about how John grew up to follow in the footsteps of his professional trumpet-playing father, Keith Snell, yet forged his own path through his education, musical styles and interests, before a sudden complete career U-turn that proved to give him another solid professional foundation, alongside his continued passion for music. And behind it all, for the past 20+ years, there's been Bob Reeves Brass. John talks about first meeting Bob and being taken under his wing, before returning with a law degree in hand to rescue the business, provide stability for Bob and his wife into retirement, and maintaining Bob's principled approach to business and customer service. Thank you to Vinnie for encouraging the idea and bringing this episode to life, and thank you to all of our wonderful listeners and viewers for your continued support. Don't forget to share this and other episodes with your friends in the trumpet world and beyond, and send us your thoughts and feedback! Email John at
[email protected] Episode Links:
- Bob Reeves Brass website (bobreeves.com)
- Bob Reeves Brass store (trumpetmouthpiece.com)
- Bob Reeves Brass on Instagram
- LA Lawyers Philharmonic (lalawyersphil.org)
- Vinnie Ciesielski website (trumpetvinnie.com)
- Vinnie on Facebook
About John Snell: John Snell is co-owner of Bob Reeves Brass, where he has been a vital team member since 2001. After an extensive apprenticeship, he became the company’s lead valve alignment technician, personally working on thousands of instruments. Since 2010, John has also managed the business, guiding its growth while maintaining its reputation for uncompromising craftsmanship. An accomplished trumpet player, John has performed with ensembles including The California Brass Ensemble, The California Brass Quintet, The Northridge Brass Quintet, the San Bernardino Symphony, and as lead trumpet in the Big Band of Barristers - a busy big band made up of lawyers, judges, and law students. He hosts three popular podcasts -
The Other Side of the Bell,
The Trombone Corner, and
The Horn Signal - interviewing top brass musicians worldwide. John regularly presents clinics on trumpet, equipment, and mindset across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Australia. About Vinnie Ciesielski: Attending Towson University in Maryland, Vinnie Ciesielski majored in music performance on trumpet. Vinnie has years of experience playing and touring all over the world and has a wealth of studio knowledge and creativity! Since coming to Nashville in 1992, Vinnie has played on thousands of recordings with artists such as Taylor Swift, Josh Groban, Demi Lovato, Grace Potter, Jimmy Buffet, Kirk Franklin, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Toby Keith, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Jon Pardi, Alison Krauss, Steven Tyler, Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Keb Mo, Zach Brown Band, Lyle Lovett, Travis Tritt, Tracy Byrd, Smokey Norful, Shirley Ceasar, Rance Allen, Donald Lawrence, The Clark Sisters, Tanya Tucker, Glenn Frey, T.D. Jakes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Gregg Allman, Delbert McClinton, Nuno Betencort, Marcus Scott (Tower of Power) Johnny Taylor, Bobby Blue Bland, Via Con Dios, Martina McBride, Don Was and many more. He has performed live with artists such as Brian May, Bruce Springsteen, Jason Scheff, Gladys Knight, Randy Newman, Kid Rock, Keith Richards, Jimmy Buffett, Paul Simon, Sting, Tony Bennett, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Kenny Rogers, Shelby Lynne, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The O'Jays, Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Shawn Colvin, Eddie Floyd, Booker T. and the MGs, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Bob Hope, Frankie Valli, Sheryl Crow, Adrian Belew, Bruce Hornsby, Michael McDonald, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles and The Beach Boys. He has also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The CBS New Years Eve Bash, The Road, SoundStage, Disney and Universal TV specials, Nashville Now, Music City Tonight, Austin City Limits, Grand Old Opry, Rosie O'Donnell, Ellen's Really Big Show, Crossroads, The Huckabee Show, The Dove Awards and The Stellar Awards. Vinnie has performed on numerous Radio, Internet, TV and Movie soundtracks and Trailers, and has also performed with the Nashville Symphony, Chattanooga Symphony, Orchestra Kentucky, Nashville and Knoxville Jazz Orchestras. Well known in the performance and recording community, Vinnie's resume includes work on right at 7000 recording sessions and counting. Vinnie has also appeared on and contributed to 50 plus Grammy-nominated and 25 plus Grammy-winning recordings in every decade since the 1990's, and dozens of Stellar and Dove Award nominated and winning recordings.
