The Paul Leslie Hour

Author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong is on The Paul Leslie Hour to talk about her book SEINFELDIA: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything. This interview was originally broadcast on FM radio. Upon picking up a copy of USA Today, I was astonished to read it has been more than 30 years since the first episode of Seinfeld aired on television. The show is a huge influence on the popular culture even today. For those who like to dig deeper, this interview could inspire you to never look at the show the same way again!

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Sonny Throckmorton is a singer, songwriter and recording artist. He's had more than 1,000 songs recorded by country artists. Throckmorton is very influential and an inductee in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. In addition to his own records, some of the greatest artists of all time have recorded his songs: George Strait, Merle Haggard, Moe Bandy, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Conlee and others. In 2019, Willie Nelson released the album "Ride Me Back Home," the title cut written by Sonny Throckmorton. Sonny is a delight to speak with and a great interviewee. I talk with him about his creative life and his many songs as well as his most recent album entitled "A New Kind of High." It's only here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

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Seth Sikes is bringing his show entitled "The Songs That Got Away" to Feinstein's/54 Below in New York City at 7:00 PM on August 14, 2019. Sikes is sensational and will be singing many of the classic songs popularized by Judy Garland as well as many of the songs she would have possibly recorded, but never get a chance to. The young and talented Sikes will be backed by a seven-piece band making for a night you will never forget.

I was informed about the concert by Scott Gorenstein, who is my primary source for all news. Seth Sikes checks in only on The Paul Leslie Hour and I even conned him into singing a little. Listen to Seth Sikes share his story right here and then be among one of the fortunate members of the audience at Feinstein's/54 Below.

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Johnny Clegg has passed away, I think he was perhaps South Africa’s most famed musician - an internationally known singer-songwriter, dancer, recording artist anthropologist, activist. Born on June 7, 1953, he died the other day July 16, 2019 at 66 years of age. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. One of the few performing and recording artists to defy segregation laws during the 1970s and 1980s in South Africa. Clegg performed with his bands Juluka and Savuka. He combined his music with the studies of anthropology and frequently mixed English and Zulu lyrics in the same song. Artists as diverse as Joan Baez and Jimmy Buffett covered his material.

I was supposed to interview Johnny Clegg in person when he was on tour and had an Atlanta date. Something came up and the interview was conducted by telephone. Clegg had just released an album entitled “Best Live & Unplugged at the Baxter Theatre Cape Town.” It’s a short, but information filled interview. Listen to this interview as we remember this great artist, Johnny Clegg.

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To be in the presence of Chris Walters is to be around one truly unique artist. He is a New Orleans born pianist, vocalist, songwriter, composer and recording artist. This is Chris Walters second interview with Paul Leslie, but this time sees the added benefit of a song performance. Walters has a new record out, the 2019 "Whisper & Howl."

It's a soulful, freewheeling thought exchange with Chris Walters and it's right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

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Nashville-based rock and roller MOTE (a.k.a. Joe Schneider) is a special guest on The Paul Leslie Hour. His latest release, the 2019 7-song EP is entitled "Get the Door." The new single "World Wide Love" has been gaining listenership and acclaim.

MOTE checks in from England and it's a short, but meaningful conversation on The Paul Leslie Hour. Let us know what you think!

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Lee Adams has always been a writer, but it was the Cole Porter musical “Kiss Me Kate” that greatly intrigued the young Lee and soon he was writing lyrics.  Meeting  composer Charles Strouse led him to a partnership and the two went on to write some of the most enduring songs in theatre.

The lyrics of Lee Adams are here to stay. He's right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

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Almost every single American and countless people around the world have heard the music of composer Charles Strouse.  The word “legendary” is not too strong of a word to describe Mr. Strouse and his incredible melodies.  An inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Theatre Hall of Fame, Strouse has written the scores for over 30 stage musicals including 14 for Broadway as well as 5 Hollywood films, 2 Orchestral works and an opera.  His songs like “Tomorrow” (from Annie) and “Put On A Happy Face,” and “A Lot of Livin’ To Do” are recognizable in an instant.  

Here we find the composer speaking very candidly about his life and what it means to be an artist.  The music of Charles Strouse has made a very positive mark on the world and the fact that the greatest performers in recorded music such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick, Jr., Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, and Duke Ellington have chosen to record and perform his songs is a testament to the quality of his work. One of his greatest songs of his would be “once Upon a Time” which has become something of a standard.

The music of Charles Strouse  will always be heard  and his name will forever be among the greatest composers of our time. It's right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

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Martin Charnin has passed away, he was an absolute giant in the world of American theatre. In this interview conducted a few years back, he talked about his life as a lyricist in the American theatre as well as the songs he has written for notable people such as Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett and Rod McKuen.

Charnin was the original lyricist-director of “Annie,” which played 2,377 performances in it’s original Broadway run. He went on to write lyrics and direct many musicals.  As an actor, he appeared in over 1,000 appearances of “West Side Story” on Broadway and on the road. He wrote, directed and produced nightclub acts for such personalities as Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson, Mary Travers and Leslie Uggams. Martin Charnin was also the Artistic Director of the SHOWTUNES! Theatre Company in Seattle, Washington. Martin Charnin remained vital and active, working until the very end.  

It was great to delve into the mind of one of theatre’s true icons. I ask that you join me in remembering him. I hope you enjoy listening to our interview.

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Michael Steed is a film and television director & producer and our guest on this episode of The Paul Leslie Hour. Steed has worked on such shows as the James Beard Award-Winning The Mind of a Chef (PBS) and the Emmy Award-Winning Anthony Bordain: Parts Unknown (CNN). He's created content for the Travel Channel, A&E, Bravo and Netflix. In association with the Zero Point Zero production company, he directed Season 2 of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.

We discussed his cinematography background, his college ties to Atlanta and his work with Anthony Bordain. In particular this interview focused on the most recent season of David Letterman's talk show. Michael Steed was at every theatre taping and on-location shooting. A man with great perspective and humility, get to know him right here on The Paul Leslie Hour.

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