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 Sansone to produce Trapper's new album.  Trapper and I dig into his musical journey and how he...

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 how that trait has helped them maintain an audience. We dive into deep topics like grief, the...

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 episode, Jon, my dear friend and former bandmate, talk about how Jon found his way as musician,...

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 roughly ten years away, a chance meeting of singer/songwriter Jeff Arundel would reignite Dan's...

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 is beauty in embracing grief. Glen opens up about how the community that formed online around his...

"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 blast of a conversation, the band discusses what it's like playing to a packed venue in support...

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 parenthood. We chat about his various bands, that along with the Altar Boys, includes Full...

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. Thundermother have made a name for themselves as a powerhouse Rock band that takes no prisoners. We...

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 Michael was a cowriter and guitar player. Lions & Ghosts' first album, "Velvet Kiss, Lick of the...

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 soul. Ben is a gifted songwriter and has a voice that is simultaneously smooth and gritty, the...

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 careers of those two great talents cannot be overstated.  Along with Tommy Simms and previous...

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 Ghosts," a collection of wonderfully-crafted songs with echoes of Laurel Canyon reverberating...

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 morning to streets of snow and cold outside, and the latest Beatles album under the tree! This will be...

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 the title track, "Not in a Bad Way") and chat about their backstories. If you love acoustic...

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 recorded on albums with that famous group of world class studio musicians. Ron's group provided the...

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 extensive study into the life and career of arguably the most famous music and movie star the world...

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 early 90s with Pat on vocals, and how it sat until recently when it was made ready for release. We...

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, and soloists.    The music Trevor creates is soul-stirring and evocative, filled with nostalgia...

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 decades as a recording artist, we discuss the documentary film that Rain made. Her film, "The...

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 vocal delivery, songcrafting and beautiful production. It was a joy to sit with May and learn about...

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" after decades apart. We spend time chatting about his incredible visual art and discuss what...

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 great conversation that music lovers will enjoy. We play two songs from his brand new album titled,...

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 story song, "The Voyage of the James Caird," which tells the real life story of a voyage gone...

This is a MUST listen episode if there ever has been one. Sally Stevens has a voice you know, has worked on films you have seen, and can be heard in TV shows you have seen. 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 Williams, Alan Sylvestri, Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner, Danny Elfman and so many...

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 to her great song, Tennessee, and get the song's backstory. If you are a fan of music with...