Journey to the Stage with Bryan Frazier
Bryan Frazier 95 episodes Jun 22, 2026
Journey to the Stage features conversations with musical icons and independent artists across genres, styles, and eras. Host Bryan Frazier explores the winding pathways taken by musicians, artists, composers, and songwriters. Each episode highlights a guest's current projects while starting the journey at the beginning. The show focuses on the personal and creative routes that lead performers to the stage.
Episodes
Ep 94: Peter Case- Singer, Songwriter
When the Plimsouls song “Million Miles Away” was featured on the Valley Girl movie soundtrack, it brought the band national attention with a song that helps define a generation. Peter Case, one of the founding members of the Plimsouls, continued to write great songs and developed a solo career marked with great story telling, honesty, and a no-frills approach to music. Peter has a BRAND NEW live a
Ep. 93: Grant Batson- Pipe maker, carpenter, farmer
Grant Batson is a true artist. He is a musician, songwriter, carpenter, farmer and gifted pipe maker. In a deviation from my typical purely musical guest, Grant and I sat down on a recent afternoon to talk about the art and process of making a smoking pipe by hand. Over our respective favorite tobaccos, Grant and I discussed the ins and out of pipe making, and ventured into other topics like fathe
Ep. 92: Andrew Peterson- Singer, songwriter, author
On a beautiful Spring afternoon, Andrew Peterson hopped of his riding mower, took a break from tending to his homestead in Nashville, and sat down with me for a wonderful conversation about life and songs, Christ and gardening, novels and Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Rabbit Room and Wendell Berry, clarity and mystery in music, and many other topics. Andrew is a multi-faceted artist who is a singer-s
Ep. 91: The End of America
The End of America is an incredibly talented trio who No Depression Magazine says is making the best 3-part harmony since Crosby, Still & Nash. These three artists make music individually under their own names, but something magical happens when they weave their voices together in rich and mesmerizing harmony. With a name derived from a Jack Kerouak poem which means going to the edge, to the
Ep. 90: Hunter James and the Titanic
Hunter James of Hunter James and the Titanic and I had a wonderful conversation of his musical journey, along with his band that is creating some of the best indie music today. The band has captured the sound and soul of Laural Canyon where arguably the richest music in American music history was created. Not only do we dig into song discussion and writing, we listen to some of the great music Hun
Ep. 89: Petra Vocalist John Schlitt
Petra is BACK and so is John Schlitt! John sits down with Journey to the Stage to chat about Petra's BRAND NEW album "Hope," their first in over 20 years. John shares about how the idea of the album came about and how it was shaped in the studio. We discuss specific songs and John shares which is his favorite. The reception and Billboard charting, along with the bands plans were among the many oth
Ep. 88: The Afters vocalist, Josh Havens
And we're BACK! After a bit of a break I am extatic to be back hosting the podcast that I love! I cannot imagine a better interview to kick things off with again than with this really great chat that I had with Josh Havens, vocalist and songwriter for The Afters.
Two friends met while working as baristas in a Starbucks. They soon discovered some great commonalities- faith, a love for music, and a
Ep. 87: Sean McConnell- Singer, songwriter, producer
Sean McConnell is a wonderfully gifted artist. His songs have been sung by artists like Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Christina Aguilera, Buddy Miller, Rascal Flatts, Plain White T's, Brad Paisley, and others. Behind the songs recorded by these artists, is an songcrafter who is deeply thoughtful and introspective. Combined with his talents, these traits create songs that resonate to the heart and s
Ep. 86: The Rick Florian Interview. Part 2
In this second and final segment of my interview with White Heart vocalist, Rick, Ric, Rikk, Riq, Ricke, Rhic, Rikcq, Ricque Florian we dig into how the band would painstakingly polish their songs before heading to the studio, and the time Rick didn't want to sing a line from a huge White Heart song. Rick and I talked about how he went from driving a truck for a Michael W. Smith tour to trying out
Ep. 85: White Heart singer Rick Florian (Mark Gersmehl surprise appearance!) Part 1
I began listening to White Heart in about 1986, nearly 40 years ago. There is much to love about them. As a fan of well written songs, White Heart has always been in the upper echelon for me. Add top notch musicianship, arranging and production, lyrics that truly touched my soul—add the voice of my guest today, and it’s easy to see why this band meant and means so much to me and so many others.
Ri
Ep. 84: The Fernando Ortega Interview
For decades Fernando Ortega has written and recorded songs and hymns that are filled with profound spiritual truths, great doctrine, that are arranged in beauty and sung with authenticity. I had the pleasure of chatting with Fernando on a Spring afternoon to talk about his latest EP, "For All the Saints," which is a collection of wonderful songs that are congregational in composition and arrangeme
Ep. 83: Pure Prairie League's Mike Reilly
Pure Prairie League, along with bands like The Eagles, helped create the Country/Rock blend that launched in the early 1970s. Along with the genre defining hit, "Aimee," Pure Prairie League has cemented its legacy by creating a catalogue of music that has stood the test of time and has built an immensely loyal fan base. PPL is back with its first new album in 20 years with "Back on Track," and it
Ep. 82: Jesse Terry- singer/songwriter
Jesse Terry is one of those artists that stopped me in my tracks. From the first time I played his new album, "Arcadia," I knew I had stumbled upon a very special artist. Jesse's songwriting is simply incredible- both melodically and lyrically. Add to those things a voice that is beautiful, and you have truly found something special.
It was a pleasure to chat one lovely afternoon with Jesse as we
Ep. 81: Interview with Russ Taff pt. 2
There are interviews, and there are interviews. This is a conversation that I will never forget. In this concluding portion of my chat with Russ Taff, we pick up where we left off in part one, where I asked Russ if his 1987 self-titled album was a cry for help.
These two episodes with Russ will go down as one of the most impactful interviews I've ever done. I am thankful for Russ' authenticity
Ep. 80: Interview with Russ Taff pt. 1
No one in the world has a voice like Russ Taff. With 6 Grammys to his name and more Dove Awards than one could count, Russ has nothing left to prove in the world of music. With all of that success to stand on, Russ has recorded an album that is as real as it gets. "Cover Story" is raw, beautiful and powerful.
Russ and I chatted for almost two hours late Fall 2024 as he began the final stages of p
Ep. 79: Burn the Jukebox
Burn the Jukebox have been burning up the internet for the last few years and have made a name for themselves by playing some of the best Rock and Pop songs of the past few decades. This group of highschoolers caught the attention of music lovers by rocking songs from everyone from Hendrix, to Journey to Lady Gaga. As now-seasoned musicians and artists, Burn the Jukebox is writing their own powerh
Ep. 78: Phil Keaggy & Malcolm Guite discuss their new album!
I had the pleasure of sitting with Phil Keaggy and Malcolm Guite and discuss their brand new collaborative album, Songs and Sonnets. This special album is filled with the masterful poetry of Malcolm Guite, whose recitations add life to the the words he penned. The beautiful music Phil Keaggy created for each poem doesn't act as a mere backdrop for the poem, but it helps to create the atmosphere fo
Ep. 77: Interview with Petra legend, Bob Hartman pt. 2
Bob Hartman is one of my heroes and it was a tremendous honor to conduct such an extensive interview with him. We begin part two of this interview talking about how Bob tracked down John Schlitt, which would lead to John joining the band. Bob and I discuss a wide variety of topics including songwriting, the very precarious early Schlitt years, the impact of Petra's ministry and so much more. The a
Ep. 76: Interview with Petra legend, Bob Hartman pt. 1
In part one of this in-depth conversation with Petra founder, Bob Hartman, we talk about Bob's early influences and the guitarists that captured his attention as a young musician. Bob talks about his faith journey and the bands he played in before founding Petra. As we work our way through Petra's style adaptation, we dig into the challenges of writing for a new audience. Bob share some of the maj
Ep. 75: The dB's (Peter Holsapple & Will Rigby)
The dB's may not be a household name in the mainstream of Rock, but for those that enjoy the alleyways and cul-de-sacs of popular music, The dB's stand with a handful of other bands that unintentionally helped start a new genre of music.
In this conversation, I speak with Peter Holsapple and Will Rigby about their music journey, the re-release of their album 'Repercussion', and their experiences
Ep 74: Debby Campbell on the Life & Legacy of Glen Campbell
As the oldest daughter of Country superstar Glen Campbell, Debbie Campbell had a special insight into her father's life and journey in a way that no one else did. In this insightful conversation, Debbie talks about her life with her dad that included many days on tour. She helps us to see Glen when he was off stage, away from fans and away from the spotlight. We spend time chatting about how her d
Ep. 73: Sara Horner on the Life & Legacy of James Horner
James Horner composed music for over 160 films during the course of his remarkable career. Among his many works are music scores for some of the biggest films in Hollywood history, like Avatar and Titanic, and epic films such as Braveheart and Glory. But beyond all of the big movies; beyond the multiple Oscars, Grammys, Golden Globes and countless other awards, was a quiet and private man who was
Ep. 72: The Bryan Duncan Interview pt. 2 (with Phil Keaggy surprise visit!)
In this final segment of my extensive interview with Grammy Award winning vocalist and songwriter, we wade into some deep waters. Bryan shares his thoughts as he looks back at the time when he was in the upper echelon of the CCM world. We discuss how Bryan felt like an outsider amongst most of his pears; there is a surprise guest appearance by the legendary Phil Keaggy that made both of us Bryans
Ep. 71: The Bryan Duncan Interview part 1
Grammy Award winning songwriter and vocalist Bryan Duncan has had a 50+ year career that began in the Jesus Movement. His seminole group, The Sweet Comfort Band, helped launch modern CCM. After going solo in the mid 1980s, Bryan's soulful vocals, songwriting skills and fun personality, helped him to reach the upper echelon in the CCM world. In this in-depth two-part conversation, Bryan and I cover
Ep. 70: Jenn Franklin- Singer/Songwriter
Jenn Franklin is an indie artist that everyone needs to hear. Simply put, Jenn is one of the best indie songwriters and vocalists I have come across since I have been hosting Journey to the Stage. With a powerful voice trained in Rock bands, Jenn can bring a great sense of strength to a song. Along with that potency, Jenn has spent considerable time behind the piano crafting songs that are filled
Ep. 69: Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul, and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary, the iconic folk trio of the 1960s, achieved remarkable success and left an indelible mark on the American music landscape and social conscience. With their rich and unforgettable harmonies and lyrics that led the charge for societal change, they became the voice of a generation, producing timeless hits like "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Leaving on a Jet Plane." Their influence e
Ep. 68: Composer Bear McCreary
Over the last 20+ years, Emmy Award winning composer Bear McCreary has created a beautiful, powerful and impressive body of work that spans across media forms. With sprawling musical diversity, Bear has composed for video games, television and film, becoming one of the most sought-after composers in Hollywood.
Bear's credits include "The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power," "The Walking Dead," "Ba
Ep. 67: Dirty Loops Bassist Henrik Linder
In this exclusive one-on-one interview with Dirty Loops bassist extraordinaire, Henrik Linder, we cover a lot of musical terrain. Henrik and I chat about his development as a musician who started on piano at age 4 through today as Henrik has become known for his great skill and innovation on the bass. Our conversation was filled with Dirty Loops history, working with Cory Wong, tour life, the writ
Ep. 66: The Staudt Brothers
This may be the debut album of the Staudt Brothers, but these Texas gents are musical veterans. Their new album, "Livewire Priest," is filled with songs that are road tested and built on a foundation of memorable hooks, gritty guitars, powerhouse vocals, and a rhythm section that is taking no prisoners. Produced by fellow-Texans Zack Kibodeaux, Greg Essington and Kyle Smith of Blue Water Highway,
Ep. 65: Jonathan Dinklage- RUSH and Hamilton Violinist
Jonathan Dinklage is a world class violinist and violist who has recorded and toured with some of the biggest and most talented artists of our time- with names like David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and many more. His dream gig was being invited to tour with RUSH as part of the band's string ensemble for their Clockwork Angels tour. We chat about being the lead violinist on Broadway's HAMILT
Ep. 64: Salt of the Sound
Salt of the Sound have been making some of the most beautiful music I've come across in the last several years. The husband and wife duo, Ben and Anita Tatlow, continue to create music for prayer, contemplation, worship and meditation.
In this conversation that is near to my heart, Anita shares about the musical and life journey they have been on. Touched by a period of heartache and uncertainty,
Ep. 63: The Dream Syndicate's Steve Wynn (pt. 2)
In this final segment of my extensive conversation with singer/songwriter Steve Wynn, we spend time talking about The Baseball Project, Steve's upcoming memoir (coming in August 2024), his upcoming solo album (also releasing in August 2024) and the shear power of early Dream Syndicate live performances (and much more!).
One thing that has become crystal clear to me since Steve and I spent nearly t
Ep. 62: The Dream Syndicate's Steve Wynn (pt. 1)
The Dream Syndicate is one of the few bands that have been a part of starting a new movement in the Rock world. With equal doses of The Velvet Underground, Black Flag, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, The Dream Syndicate helped create what would later be known as Alternative Rock. In this two part conversation, Steve Wynn and I track his personal musical journey, through his first band at 9 years old, al
Ep. 61: Emmaline- Alternative R&B and Jazz Vocalist
Emmaline is an artist who can take a song decades old and bring it to life with her magic touch in arranging and sultry vocal delivery. Beyond adding a fresh coat of paint to the great songs of a bygone era, Emmaline writes songs that are fresh and exciting, yet are laced and graced with the feeling of musical nostalgia; songs that will put in a Jazz club of days gone by.
In this delightful conver
Ep. 60: Shannon Clark and the Sugar
There are some bands that when you hear them for the first time, they just stop you in your tracks and draw you in. That's what happened the first time I heard Shannon Clark and the Sugar. I was honored to be joined by Shannon Clark, the bands vocalist and principle songwriter, for a great chat about music, struggle, and life.
Shannon and I talk a bit about the band's history and how personal l
Ep. 59: Malcolm Guite- Poet, Professor and Priest (Part 2)
Malcolm Guite is truly a delight to speak with, which made interviewing him a thing of beauty. In this second and final segment, Malcolm and I converse about the film adaptations of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit books, Malcolm shares one of his own beautiful sonnets, and much, much more.
I hope those who listen will find this insightful and encouraging. If you have not listened to Part 1, you
Ep. 58: Malcolm Guite- Poet, Professor and Priest (Part 1)
Malcolm Guite is a man of many facets. He is a poet with a deep appreciation for the classical form and higher realms of language. Equal parts songwriter, author, ordained priest in the Church of England, avid reader and academic, Malcolm brings these beautiful colors into one of the most fascinating conversations I have had on my podcast.
Malcolm and I cover a wide range of topics with one of th
Ep. 57: Maia Sharp- Singer, songwriter, producer
Veteran singer-songwriter Maia Sharp proves once again that she has great songcrafting and storytelling skills with her latest album, "Reckless Thoughts." Maia has written for artists like Trisha Yearwood, Bonnie Raitt and Cher. I first became familiar with Maia's work when she teamed up with Buddy Mondlock to help write and record an album ("Everything Waits to Be Noticed") with legendary vocalis
Ep. 56: James Horner Remembered with Horner Vocalists Ron Hicklin and Sally Stevens
In this special episode, Sally Stevens and Ron Hicklin give us insight into the creative world of James Horner like very few can. Ron and Sally began working with James in the early 80s as studio vocalists and vocal contractors and their voices can be heard on so many Horner scores like Glory, Apollo 13, Sneakers, Jumanji, Casper, Red Heat, and many more.
The stories my guests tell, paint an intim
Ep. 55: Beth Bombara- Singer/Songwriter
Beth Bombara is a wonderfully gifted singer, songwriter, musician and storyteller. While she has drawn comparisons to Aimee Mann and Jewel, she brings her unique voice that paints her songs with authenticity and warmth. Those traits shine brightly in and through the conversation we shared on a Fall afternoon.
Along with chatting about her journey as an artist and musician, we dive into her latest
Ep. 54: Denny Tedesco- Director of ”The Wrecking Crew” and the NEW film, ”Immediate Family.”
In 2008 Denny Tedesco took the world of music storytelling by storm with the release of the multi-award winning film, "The Wrecking Crew." That hit film told the story of a group of elite studio musicians in Los Angeles that played on countless smash hit songs and albums for every huge artist you can name. As the son of Tommy Tedesco, who is the most recorded session player in history and was part
Ep. 53: Robin Taylor Zander
Singer-songwriter, Robin Taylor Zander, son of Cheap Trick vocalist, Robin Zander, took advantage of the instruments he grew up around by learning to play a variety of them. Spending summers on the road with his dad and soaking in the sonics of Rock from his earliest days helped form RTZ into a songwriter with an exceptional sense of melody and songcrafting. As a touring member of Cheap Trick, whe
Ep. 52: Carol Kaye- The Comprehensive Interview Pt. 2
In this final segment of my in-depth conversation with the Queen of Bass Guitar, Carol Kaye, we chat about her work with Motown, which was kept very quiet and we examine some of Carol's most iconic bass lines and how they were created. Carol talks about how her intro to "Wichita Lineman" was an accident in some respects. I get Carol's thoughts about what it was like to work the biggest artists and
Ep. 51: Carol Kaye- The Comprehensive Interview Pt. 1
Carol Kaye is a towering musical legend who's considered to be one of the most prolific bassists in Rock and Pop music history. With over 10,000 recording sessions under her belt, and an integral part of The Wrecking Crew studio musicians, Carol recorded with them all- The Beach Boys, Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, The Righteous Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel (to name a few), and helped give birth
J1Q #1: What was it like to sing with Elvis?
Very few people had the distinct pleasure of singing with the King of Rock n' Roll, Elvis Presley, but both of my guests DID! Ron Hicklin and Sally Stevens are two living legends in the vocal world. Many have heard of "The Wrecking Crew" studio musicians who played on endless smash hits on some of the greatest music ever made. Sally and Ron, and their respective team of vocalists are the equivalen
Ep. 50: Phil Keaggy (Part 2)
In this concluding portion of my in-depth conversation with legendary guitarist and artist, Phil Keaggy, we cover a wide range of topics. We talk about what makes his playing style unique, what it was like to meet and play music with Paul McCartney, and what Phil prefers these days to being on the road. The conversation moves to things like when Phil feels most creative, what advice would he would
Ep. 49: Phil Keaggy (Part 1)
This UpClose and Personal conversation with legendary guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer, Phil Keaggy, is truly one of the greatest I've had since starting Journey to the Stage. Phil has won 7 GMA Dove Awards and has been nominated for multiple Grammys. Our chat is filled with laughs and wonderful storytelling by one of my great musical heroes. We cover lots of ground in Part 1 of this ext
Ep. 48: Florence Dore
Florence Dore and I sat for a great conversation about her journey as a singer, songwriter, author and professor. Florence's latest album, "Highways and Rocketships" is a delightful blend of Rock, Americana and Folk. The songs are wonderfully crafted, filled with melodic hooks, superb musical performances, and Florence's lovely voice and creative lyrics. With production and creative assistance by
Ep. 47: John Schlitt (Part 2)
In the final segment of the UpClose & Personal conversation with multi-Grammy and multi-Dove Award winning vocalist, John Schlitt, we dig into the Petra years. From his arrival as Petra's new vocalist and working with power producers, John and Dino Elefante, John peels the curtain back and and gives us unfettered access to what went on behind the scenes. We touch on some of Petra's biggest alb
Ep. 46: John Schlitt (Part 1)
In Part 1 of this Upclose & Personal conversation with multi-Grammy and multi-Dove Award winning vocalist John Schlitt, we spend considerable time walking through his formative years and the impact of bands like The Beach Boys and Beatles. Long before he was the vocalist of the most powerful and impactful band in Christian Rock history, John found success in the Rock band, Head East, where drug an
Ep. 45: Jaimee Harris
Jaimee Harris isn't merely a rising star in the Americana-Folk-Singer/Songwriter universe. With the release of her new album, 'Boomerang Town," Jaimee steps up to the mic and stakes a claim among her peers and shows that she stands shoulder to shoulder in storytelling, melody-making and song crafting, with many of those whom she looks up to.
Though closer to the beginning of her adventure than man
Ep. 44: Blue Water Highway
Blue Water Highway stands at the top of the list of bands I have come across in the last several years, so it was a real honor for me to sit down with founding members Zack Kibodeaux (primary vocalist and multi-instrumentalist) and Greg Essington (multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, would-be zombie apocalypse survivor).
In this fun and insightful conversation, we dig into the band's origins, their r
Ep. 43: Stephen McCarthy: Multi-instrumentalist, Songwriter, Vocalist.
Stephen McCarthy has been at the leading edge of genre creation, a claim few can make. With the founding of The Long Ryders in the early 80s, the band was helping lay the foundation for what would eventually be called "Americana." Stephen walks us through the rise, fall, and return of The Long Ryders. We dig into the band's BRAND NEW album, 'September November," and play the song, "Seasons Change,
Ep. 42: Trapper Schoepp- Americana Singer/Songwriter
Trapper Schoepp is a musical force to be reckoned with. His brand new album, "Siren Songs," is his strongest effort to date, and was recorded in the Cash Cabin, a retreat and private recording studio built by the legendary Man in Black, himself, Johnny Cash.
With fourteen songs in hand, Trapper arrived at the fabled cabin with Jayhawks multi-instrumentalist, John Jackson, and Wilco basset, Pat Sa
Ep. 41: Glen Phillips (part 2)- Toad the Wet Sprocket, solo artist
This is part two of a very in depth and open conversation I had with Glen Phillips. In this portion of our chat, Glen shares what led to the demise of Toad the Wet Sprocket and how those relational patterns have changed in a way that allows the band to stay together after reforming. Glen shares about how the band sought to differentiate themselves from their contemporaries in the music world and h
Ep. 40: Jon Shabaglian- Singer/Songwriter, Founder of Psalmist Mission
Jon Shabaglian is an award winning singer, songwriter and recording artist, with a growing catalog of soul stirring albums. For decades Jon has been writing, performing and recording music that reflects and reveals the heart of God. With a voice filled with overtones of Soul and R&B, Jon continues to write music that is often anthemic, often poignant, and always beautifully exulting.
In this episo
Ep. 39 Dan Murphy of The Scarlet Goodbye, Soul Asylum
As a founding member of multi-platinum selling Soul Asylum, and super group, The Golden Smog, which features members of Wilco, The Jayhawks, Big Star and Run Westy, Run, Grammy Award-winning Dan Murphy has spent decades creating a catalog of great music. Despite his success, in 2012 Dan put his guitar in its case and walked away from music, citing burnout and a lack of joy in playing. After rough
Ep.38 Glen Phillips (part 1)- Toad the Wet Sprocket, solo artist
It was an honor to connect with one of my favorite vocalist, songwriters and lyricists, Glen Phillips. Glen is the voice and principal songwriter for Toad the Wet Sprocket, a band he helped form when he was just 15. This "Upclose & Personal" special interview is filled with an honest and open dialogue about the early years of the band, how critics impacted Glen, and the realization that there
Ep. 37: Sir, Please
"Sir, Please" is a brilliant band whose days of making a splash on the musical scene are just getting started. In a Journey to the Stage first, I was joined by the entire band, which includes twins Shane (vocals) and Josh (bass) Cronin, Michael Leese (guitar) and drummer David Kohn. We dig into the band's origin story and all the fun and challenges that come with developing a unique sound. In this
Ep. 36: Mike Stand of the Altar Boys and Altar Billies
Singer, songwriter and guitarist, Mike Stand has been making music for over four decades. When the Altar Boys brought their anthemic brand of righteous punk to the So. Cal. music scene in the early 80s, their fans knew they had found something special. In this most memorable conversation, Mike and I trace his musical journey through the tragedies and triumphs, from his childhood, to adulthood, to
Ep. 35: Thundermother (Founder, Guitarist Filippa Nässil)
I had the pleasure of catching up with Thundermother's founder and guitarist, Filippa Nässil, as she sat in a Swedish pub, fresh from returning from the road, where her and her band toured the United States with Rock legends, The Scorpions.
Filippa and I chat a bit about her path as a musician and songwriter and discuss the joys of touring the world with one of the most iconic bands in Rock. Thun
Ep. 34: Michael Lockwood- Producer, Guitarist, Songwriter.
Michael Lockwood has had a long and fascinating musical career. He has worked with artists like the late (and former spouse) Lisa Marie Presley, Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, Carly Simon, Susanna Hoffs and many more, as a songwriter, producer, touring or studio musician. This one-time son in law of Elvis Presley had his first foray into the musical spotlight with his band, Lions & Ghosts, where Mic
Episode 33: Ben Balmer- Americana Singer/Songwriter
Ben Balmer and I had such an enjoyable chat, and I hope you thoroughly enjoy it. Ben is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist of great talent. His harmonica playing drips with great emotive resonance and brings a unique feel to his music. Ben's new album, "Honky-Tonk Macbeth" is truly worth checking out. Its songs are flavored with Americana, the Blues, and just enough twang to stir the
Episode 32: Wayne Kirkpatrick- Multi-Grammy, and Tony Award winning Songwriter, Producer, Playwriter.
With several decades in the music industry, Wayne Kirkpatrick has had a monumental career that shows no signs of slowing down. In the early 80s, Wayne formed partnerships and friendships with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith and would go on to co-write with both of them for many years and many albums, helping to write some of the most popular songs in the CCM space. The impact Wayne has had in the c
Episode 31: Wayne Everett- The Lassie Foundation, Prayer Chain, solo artist
Wayne Everett is a gifted multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter with a musical history that spans decades. He has been an integral part of bands like The Prayer Chain, Starflyer59, The Lassie Foundation and CUSH- all bands that have made incredible music but are criminally underexposed. As a solo artist, Wayne has written and recorded two solo albums, the latest of which is titled, "Two
Episode 30: Christmas with the Smithereens album preview (Drummer Dennis Diken)
I was overjoyed to welcome back to the artists throne the one and only Dennis Diken! Dennis and I chat about the rerelease of the wonderful album, "Christmas with the Smithereens." Dennis takes us back in time and shares stories about the songs they selected, recording and the what this album means to the band, both then and now. We play a couple of tracks and talk about waking up Christmas mornin
Episode 29: Ryvoli- Modern Folk Duo
I had the distinct pleasure of chatting with the lovely and talented Jenn Whiteman and Samantha Ayers of the modern Folk duo, RYVOLI. These friends and musical partners have created a melodically stunning new album titled, "Not in a Bad Way." The album is filled with beauty and carries an intimate sound and feel, making it easy to fall in love with. We play a couple of songs ("Oleika Sunset," and
Episode 28: Ron Hicklin- Legendary Vocalist
You might not know the name Ron Hicklin, but you certainly know his voice. Ron and his singing group, "The Ron Hicklin Singers," sang on over 100 #1 hit songs with artists like Sinatra, Elvis, Dean Martin, Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand, Ringo Starr, Glen Campbell, Michael Jackson, The Carpenters, and many, many more. His group is considered "The Wrecking Crew" of vocalists, and frequently record
Episode 27: Rescuing 70s Elvis with John Jackson
The Elvis Presley of the 1970s long ago achieved caricature status. The Elvis impersonators and the Pop Culture icon of the true Elvis have little in common. In this Special Edition of Journey to the Stage, Rock n Roll historian, John Jackson, helps us dismantle the ever shortening narrative of 70s Elvis that has been reduced to the point of excluding most of the highlights. With his vast and exte
Episode 26: The Smithereens (Drummer Dennis Diken)
As a 35 year fan of the music of The Smithereens, it was a genuine pleasure to chat with founding member and drummer, Dennis Diken. We discuss the path the band has traveled, navigating the heights of success and the sadness of losing singer an band mate, the late Pat Dinizio. Dennis and I spend most of our time discussing The Smithereen's brand new album (out now!!!), which was recorded in the ea
Episode 25: Trevor Kowalski- Composer
Trevor Kowalski is a composer, pianist and arranger of immense talent, and it was an honor to have this most memorable conversation as the coda of Season 1 of my podcast. Trevor's music has been streamed over one hundred million times, and music he has in various films and videos have been listened to over one billion times. He has worked with award-winning filmmakers, game developers, orchestras,
Episode 24: Rain Perry- Singer/Songwriter
Rain Perry and I sat for delightful chat about her brand new album, "A White Album." This album is a wonderful collection of songs filled with powerful storytelling and melodic beauty. We play two songs from the album and spend a bit of time talking about the story they tell, which is a fascinating portion of our time together. Along with creating a lovely catalogue of work spanning over two decad
Episode 23: May Erlewine- Singer/Songwriter
May Erlewine graced the artist's throne for a delightful chat about her brand new album, "Tiny Beautiful Things." May is songwriter that has many colors on her pallet ranging from Soul to Folk to Singer-Songwriter and much in between. Those influences are referenced throughout her beautiful album, bound with a cohesion from her lovely voice. Listeners will be drawn in by May's warm and intimate vo
Episode 22: Chris Taylor- Singer/Songwriter, Visual Artist
Chris Taylor is a San Antonio based musical and visual artist of exceptional talent. With a vast catalogue that starts in the early 90's, Chris is the hardest working man in Rock n Roll. Chris is a friend and I was honored to have him on as a guest. We walk through his earliest musical efforts, the formation of his band 'Love Coma," his extensive work as a solo artist and reformation of "Love Coma
Episode 21: M Ross Perkins- Singer/Songwriter
M Ross Perkins is a multi-instrumentalist, and singer/songwriter, who draws the best of psychedelic rock sound into the modern age. His song crafting has been compared to that of Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney and Harry Nilsson. With an incredible sense of melody and a novel approach to songwriting, the result is music carries the soul of the 60s without being mere revivalist. M Ross and I had a gre
Episode 20: Graeme James- Singer/Songwriter
New Zealand singer/songwriter, Graeme James and I sat for a chat about his lovely new album titled, "Seasons." Graeme (pronounced gray-um) really is a brilliantly gifted songwriter and performer. There is a heart and soul to his music that I find captivating. We play and chat about two songs from "Seasons," "The Sea of Infinite Possibilities" which about the birth of his little girl, and a great s
Episode 19: Sally Stevens- Iconic vocalist, actress and songwriter.
This is a MUST listen episode if there ever has been one. Sally Stevens has a voice you heard on many of the most beloved film scores and TV shows ever made. She has recorded and/or toured with the biggest stars including Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Burt Bacharach, Ray Conniff, Dean Martin and many more. Sally has worked with Hollywood's greatest film composers like John Wi
Episode 18: Caitlin Rushing- Singer/Songwriter
Caitlin Rushing was a delight to chat with. She is a singer-songwriter with a story to tell. We PREMIERE her BRAND NEW single "Why You Gotta," a first for Journey to the Stage. We dig into how Caitlin has sold most of her belongings so her and her husband can live a mobile life as they see the country and play for her growing fanbase along the way. We talk about her journey as an artist and listen
Episode 17: Slow Crush (Vocalist/Bassist Isa Holliday)
I was thrilled to be joined by Isa Holliday, lead vocalist and bassist for Belgian shoegaze band, Slow Crush. In a matter of a few years, Slow Crush has developed a solid international following with their dreamlike, swirling, sound. Isa and I chat about the band's new album, "Hush," and play two great songs from it. We discuss a bit of the band's journey, how they developed their sound and have s
Episode 16: The Whitmore Sisters (Bonnie & Eleanor)- Americana Rock artists.
Sisters Eleanor and Bonnie Whitmore are accomplished musicians, singers, songwriters, instrumentalists and artist apart from each other. Eleanor and her husband Chris Masterson comprise the harmony rich group, The Mastersons, and Bonnie has forged her career as a rockin' solo artist. While Bonnie and Eleanor grew up singing together, their separate journeys as artists did not give them space to wr
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