VHC (Vibes, History & Culture)

In this episode of VHC, I'm taking you on a ride into a local NC music festival event that took place back in May, the Uptown Block Party in Uptown Shelby, NC. I will be sharing with you some live performances from two local NC bands, The ACE Party Band and the Too Much Sylvia Band. 

In this episode, I got a chance to chat with Samuel Chambers! He is an amazing creative on the rise from Florida and he is very passionate about storytelling including the powerful and creative story from his latest work called “Timid Bunny”! We discussed that, including what inspired his work and some of his favorite movie soundtracks and more.

In this episode, I got a chance to chat with internationally-acclaimed musician, composer, producer, author and trumpeter, Ben Neill, who is also the inventor of the Mutantrumpet, a hybrid electro-acoustic instrument. Ben shares how the Mutantrumpet was developed along with his musical journey and musical influences that inspires his music today.

Song Credits: “Nature Loves Courage” by Ben Neill

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with John Cousins, who is from the finance and business world, but has an eclectic and amazing background in music as well. He also shares his musical knowledge and great love for music and the journey that has led him to.

In this episode, we’re continuing the celebration and commemoration of Black Music Month as well as commemorating the Juneteenth holiday and celebrating the life, music and legacy of Sly Stone of Sly & The Family Stone. We are diving deep into the rich history of Afrofuturism in music. From the innovated musicianship, musical lyrics, sound and onstage aesthetic and performances of the great bands and artists of the 60s and 70s like Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sun Ra and others and their contributions to the look, feel and sound of Afrofuturism. 

Song Credits:

“Love Music” by Earth, Wind & Fire ℗ 1978 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

“Flashlight (Instrumental)” by Parliament-Funkadelic ℗ 1977 UMG Recordings, Inc. 

“Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly & The Family Stone ℗ 1973 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

“Africa Talks to You (The Asphalt Jungle)” by Sly & The Family Stone ℗ Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

“Blue Soul” by Sun Ra ℗ 2014 Enterplanetary Koncepts

In this episode, as we kickoff Black Music Month celebrating the contributions and legacy of black artists and musicians, we’re taking a deep dive into the music, artistry and legacy of The Pointer Sisters. We’re exploring this legendary family vocal group and their unique artistry and genre bending career and impact on the music industry and beyond. 

Song Credits:

“Jump (For My Love) Instrumental” by The Pointer Sisters ℗ 1983 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

“Yes We Can, Can” by The Pointer Sisters ℗ 1973 Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

“Faith” by Kirk Franklin & God’s Property ℗ 1997 B-Rite

“He’s So Shy” by The Pointer Sisters ℗ 1980 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

In this episode, I had a chance to chat with local Charlotte, P.S. Farewell original from Long Island, New York. We talked about his musical journey and upbringing as well as his musical influence and finding community in the Queen City music and creative community and so much more! We even had a special guest jump into the conversation.

Song Credits: “Internet” by P.S Farewell

In this episode, I’m chatting with musicians, Jeff Niebuhr and Heath Cobb who meet in college at Auburn University where they started a college band in the late 1980s. After a couple of years together with their college band, Jeff and Heath went their separate ways and about 30 years later, the two came back together to form the musical duo, Hecojeni. Hear Jeff and Heath share their musical journey from those college band days to forming a musical duo and much more.

In this episode, I had a chance to chat with Owen Ó Súilleabháin, singer, musician, poet and storyteller who comes from a family of Irish musicians. We had an amazing, spirited and fun conversation as Owen shared incredible gems about the rich history of Irish music and its impact on the world and so much more.

It’s the SECOND ANNIVERSARY EPISODE OF VHC (Vibes, History & Culture)!!! And we’re celebrating this special anniversary with a look into The Chautauqua Institution, the grand summer retreat and program for adults and youth geared in depth conversation on religion and politics as well as cultural hub of artistic expression in music, dance, theater and art. And the values of The Chautauqua falls right in line with the values of VHC of bringing together through exploration and conversation of music, art and culture!