Category Archives: Podcast
Tony was influenced at a young age by his older brothers who brought home and memorized records of the great singers like Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Tony Bennet and others. He started performing in high school and soon began getting booked in small clubs around the area. I no time, Tony was doing bigger and more prominent local venues, as well as getting booked into other cities. His versatility in musical styles is impressive as he mixes swing and big band arrangements with popular songs from the fifties to the present.
Tony Viviano links:
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Featured guests on episode 7 of A Concert Pitch are Myles Kelly, Chuck Wade, and Mike Ehrhard, members of the band, Rockin’ Chair, a band made up of members of two St. Louis bands from the seventies, Mesa and Nickles. Rocklin’ Chair is a reunion band that celebrates the music of bands like Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, the Band, the Allman Brothers Band, and coming up this Thanksgiving weekend, they’ll be playing two concerts showcasing the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and The Eagles. On Friday, November 27th they’ll be doing a tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. On Saturday evening, the 28th, the show will be a tribute to The Eagles.
Win tickets to Rockin’ Chair’s Thanksgiving weekend concerts at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza (Enter before 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 25th):
Rockin’ Chair links:
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Javier Mendoza links:
- Javier Mendoza’s website
- The Forsaken Documentary, featuring Javier Mendoza’s song, “The Forgotten” which earned a Telly Award for Best Music Score.
- Facebook page
- Twitter page
- YouTube page
- Javier Mendoza on MyPro.social
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Dave Beardsley is Co-founder of the National Blues Museum
Dave Beardsley is arguably the greatest advocate for Blues music in the St. Louis area. In my interview with Dave, he tells the story of his rapid climb to the top of Blues promotions that began with him being asked to provide medical services for a Blues festival. Dave is co-founder of the National Blues Museum in St. Louis, the opening date for which was announced a few days after this interview was recorded. We’ll also hear Dave tell about the museum’s genesis and what we can expect to see when it opens on April 2nd at 615 Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis.
The interview also covers his involvement in Blues education in public schools, St.Louis’ rich Blues history, and how that legacy is being carried on by young Blues musicians.
Relevant Links:
Tagged:bluesnational blues museum
Tagged:bluesnational blues museum
More information about Terry Jones Rogers:
Regarding her role in Matilda, Natalie explains that she is a swing, an understudy of all the women in the ensemble, filling in for others adult female actors on personal and sick days.
Natalie graduated from Webster University in 2007 with BFA in Musical Theater. Since then moved to New York and started auditioning and acting in regional theaters. The eventually joined the cast of Billy Elliot the musical for a few years, and had other regional acting jobs before starting on the current Matilda tour.
In the interview we also discussed her dream of opening her own theater company some day, what it means to return to perform in the Fox Theater, and some memories of her experience acting as a child and youth at The Muny.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical runs at the Fox Theater from October 21st to November 1st. Tickets are available on the Fox Theater website.
The second interview segment in this episode features a conversation with Stan Gill, keyboard player with St. Louis-based blues band Kingdom Brothers.
The interview begins with Stan introducing the members of the band, and then describes his development as a musician and how he got started playing in bands right after high school. Then he takes us through his early college years when he spent more time playing music than studying, and ending up being a roadie for seventies rock band Head East. He describes his six years with the band when he eventually had the important responsibilities of stage manager, including interesting points about what takes place behind-the-scenes with a touring band.
The interview continues with Stan recalling bands he played with after his time with Head East, his return to college to graduate and his career as a school teacher. The remainder of the conversation includes a more in-depth look at Kingdom Brothers, their participation and the 2015 International Blues Challenge and his views on St. Louis as a blues town.
More information about Kingdom Brothers:
More information about Pat Liston:
I’ve known Steve for about three years, covering and photographing his performances for FreeConcertsSTL.com. Earlier this month, I met with him for the interview at the Hanger Grill in Chesterfield Valley, just before a scheduled gig there.
In the interview we discussed the band’s beginnings, how the Beatles influenced popular music in the 60s and beyond, how he got started in music, his work as music arranger, being a member of the Bob Kuban Band, the importance of music education, and other subjects related to music performance.
For more information:
A Concert Pitch Podcast
- Episode 19 — Adam Jaschek, Whitaker Music Festival
- Episode 18 — Todd Mosby
- Episode 17 — Darren George of Mirage Entertainment
- Episode 16 — Tyler Stokes of Delta Sol Revival
- Episode 15 — Peter Martin Jazz Pianist
- Episode 14 — Vincent Golomski of Fanfare
- Episode 13 — Songwriter Steve Williams
- Episode 12 — Randy Mayfield
- Episode 11 — Tim Callihan
- Episode 10 — Dave Brubeck
- Episode 9 — Joe Mancuso
- Episode 8 — Tony Viviano