The Weird Gig Podcast

Jon Berger is a drummer/percussionist on the NYC theater scene.  Jon plays many different genres of music but his touring and live theater bio is vast and most recently crisscrossed the country with the Roy Orbison /Buddy Holly hologram tour.

Jon and I discuss the balance of shows and family.

What’s under your Kilt?

And ….Jeff Goldblume?

But first, Jon’s weirdest gig story.

I’m calling it, In the mood for Bossa Nova.

You can find out more about Jon on his website. www.jonbergerdrums.com

We’re taking the show out with a live recording of Diana Hickman at NuBlu in NYC with Jon on drums. The song is called, Quite Like This.

Other music used in this episode is the Glenn Miller Band- In The Mood

We’re celebrating our 12 episode of the season with my special guest, music director and pianist Taylor Peckham.

On today's episode, we talk about becoming friends on the Broadway show, Jersey Boys.

Taylor and I discuss a weird gig about chairs. Yes, you heard right. Songs about chairs.

His weird gig trip to Budapest, Hungary,

And the “pinch me moment” of working on music in NY with Alex Lacamoire.

But first, Taylor’s tells his weirdest gig story titled...

“Are some gigs beyond saving?”

Taylor’s original song "Get Funk’d" is the underscoring music for this episode. Performed by Taylor, along with Jacob Chidester on guitar, John De Simini on sax.

MORE ABOUT TAYLOR...

Taylor is a music director, arranger, producer & keyboardist originally from San Diego. Whether playing keys for a backyard wedding or conducting orchestras on Broadway, Taylor has been lucky enough to build a career spanning pretty much every kind of music project imaginable. Now settled back in San Diego, Taylor is splitting his professional time between a new career in tech and various music projects.

The Weird Gig Podcast song is performed by Patrick Williams, Vance Okraszewski, and Kara Kesselring

“Please be advised that this broadcast is intended to include a fair report or summary of commentary by one or more independent content providers. Any opinion expressed during this broadcast does not necessarily reflect the views of anyone else involved in conducting or presenting these interviews.”

On today’s show, I sit down with Bill Overton. Bill is a woodwind player as well as guitarist and vocalist. In addition to playing jazz and big band gigs in both New York and Chicago over the years, Bill was also a music educator. His latest recording is called “Only Love Can Do That, released in 2018.

Bill and I talk about Gilbert Godfrey, solo saxophone gigs, and a love for Jimmy Webb’s music.

But first, sit back and enjoy Bill’s weirdest gig story. I’m calling it The Rifleman.

Underscoring music on episode #11

The Theme song from The Rifleman TV show

Johnny Crawford- Your nose is gonna Grow

Glen Campbell sings Jimmy Webb- Sun Shower

Bill Overton- Rainy Night in Georgia (written by Tony Joe White) 

Bill Overton's Youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaWCend78xg

Today’s guest is the host of the Discovery Science podcast Curiosity Daily, Ms. Ashley Hamer! In addition to podcasting, Ashley is a professional tenor sax player playing jazz, pop, and funk.

On today’s show, Ashley and I talk about Bill Nye the science guy, and all things podcaster,

If she could have lunch with anyone living or dead, who would it be? 

and whoa, it’s weird being a lady on the music scene!

But first, Ashley tells the tale of her space themed, weirdest gig. I’ll title this story…Alien’s landed on New Year’s Eve.

You can find out more about Ashley on our https://weirdgig.com website!

Istvan is a long time member of the dynamic alternative music scene and a fantastic singer/songwriter as well as a clever children’s music artist.

He has a new podcast for kids and families called Istvan’s imaginary podcast.

We’ll talk more about it as well as the release of his upcoming original kids album called Evie the Queen of the Insects but first, Istvan tells the tale of his weirdest experience on a gig. The title of this story is: The Hot Dog Party. 

Istvan was in an alternative band called Woo Woo Stick.  

Find out more about Istvan on his Youtube page:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJenXaOFWNh6Z2zr1dcniag

https://www.audible.com/pd/Istvans-Imaginary-Podcast-Podcast/B08K57LWK1

Website:

https://www.istvansongs.com/iip

Episode #8

Chris Greene is one of Chicago’s finest jazz, and pop/rock saxophone players. His successful jazz quartet plays original compositions and he’s been a musician on the vibrant Chicago scene for decades.

On today’s show, Chris’s weird gig story involves touring in a Dave Matthews cover band, things getting wild in Winona, performing on the TV set of Empire, and his 5 points system for accepting a gig.

I’m calling Chris’s story, “Just give the band free drinks.”

Underscoring music on today’s show has been an except of Ant’s Marching by the Dave Matthews Band, and Chris Greene’s original song The Crossover Appeal (uno mas) &  Blues for Dr. Fear performed by the Chris Greene Quartet.

You can find out more about Chris on his website. chrisgreenejazz.com

And on our weird gig.com website.

On today’s episode Vance and Patrick sit down together to reminisce about playing in the hottest Chicago 90’s cover band together.

Later in the show..

What is Vance’s recurring music anxiety dream?

Also a famous pentagon gig and Vance talking about the ear worm that is our Weird Gig Podcast Theme song.

Vance's awesome arrangement of the Dave Matthew's song Satellite performed with Chicago musician, Dan Myers.  

Mitch Towne is Omaha's premiere Hammond organist for R&B, funk, blues, and jazz.  Mitch tells his weird gig story about a strange "pick up band".  We also chat about almost awesome gigs, the University of Iowa, podcasts, anxiety dreams, and the best homemade wedding gift.  

Underscoring music by Mitch Towne's trios live at The Jewell in Omaha, NE. 

Songs:  Eighty One & OGD Road

Jeremy Kahn is one of Chicago’s busiest pianists, dividing his time between jazz venues, pit orchestras, and recording and teaching studios. 

Chicago pianist Jeremy Kahn's story takes improvising to a new level.  He also talks disasters in a theater pit, Donny Osmond, and pandemic creativity.

Robin's tales include a strange story of a very private party, a tragic casino gig and cruise ship life.

More about Robin....

Transplanted to rural WI, I commute and perform in my native Chicago(when there's not a pandemic raging...).

A working musician since 1987. Pianist and vocalist, solo or with ensemble.

Up until his untimely death in 2004, legendary Chicago Jazz bassist, Thomas Kini and I collaborated, performing together.

Employed as a Cruise-ship pianist for 15+years compelled me to learn even more about Jazz history through performing Musical Tribute Sets honoring: The Gershwin's; Cole Porter; Elton John; Burt Bacharach; Frank Sinatra; The Carpenters and Nat King Cole.

As a youth, I studied Classical Piano at American Conservatory of Music and Jazz as an adult with, Chicago based Skip Green.

Stylistically I look to George Gershwin's rules of composition as a guide: “melodic, nothing neutral, utter simplicity and directness.” A favorite quote from Nadia Boulanger is: “ Your music can never be more or less than you are as a human being.”Herbie Hancock: “ If you have the strength to keep trusting yourself, you'll be OK.”

Influences: Manfredo Fest, Stevie Wonder, George Duke, Carmen McRae..

Earning a living playing “customer service” music at local Chicago venues ( Drake, Pump Room, 95th Signature Room) I've “kept my creative toe in the water” composing originals.

My fifth release, Good New Days (2020) Danceable poetic Jazzy Sophisti-pop originals..... Music that lives near my heart.

All songs on Good New Days I composed to encourage myself...... Good new day means: “today is tomorrow's good old day so it's a good new day.... reminding me to appreciate the moment.”