Flies in the Kitchen

“Our theme music was composed by BJ Leiderman.” If you’ve tuned in to NPR over the last 44 years, the likelihood is pretty great that you have heard this on-air credit. It’s because when BJ sold his themes to NPR, he made it a part of his contract that he would receive spoken recognition for his work. Little did he know he’d become one of the most recognizable names on the network. BJ’s NPR credits include Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, Marketplace, Car Talk, and Science Friday. BJ has been in the music making business his entire life, and it encompasses much more than 30 second jingles (although he is damn good at them). In 2017, BJ released his debut album of original songs, entitled “BJ”, although that wasn’t his first choice. “Natural Public Leiderman” didn’t sit all that well with NPR’s lawyers, so he went with the more eponymous title. So much to share with all of you good folks! If you click on the album above (the NPR-approved version), you’ll be directed to his website where not only can you purchase this fine collection, he also has shared multiple fantastic videos of his songs, including a funky animated interpretation of “Walking Down The Street”, a boppy, upbeat song about getting dumped by his girlfriend and subsequently making his way to the top of the Empire State Building and jumping off the observation deck, plus all the adventures and observations on the way down. Yep, boppy. We talk at length about the album, the personal investment in the songwriting, where they come from, and what they draw their life from. We also talk about the purpose of music in "moving the needle", so to speak. Good, good stuff. He really is a deeply thoughtful and intentional songwriter and you know right away where he stands when you hear it. If you're an Ashvillian, check out the BJL in AVL group on Facebook that we chatted about. He's hoping to get the ball rolling for an in-person meet up -- mostly so he can get out from behind a computer screen and into the real world with real people! Oh, and if you are still unsure if you’ve heard his music on the radio, enjoy this video he put together a few years back. The most creative self promotional media I believe I’ve ever seen! [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4xr_i3aRxU]

Some of you may remember a few years back when I uploaded a reading of "The Velveteen Rabbit." That was a recording I had made for librivox.org, an online archive of literary works in the public domain, recorded by volunteers all over the world. Recently I recorded a few poems for an anthology they were putting together and I thought I'd share them with you. I hope you enjoy them! I've included the text below. The Indian Burying Ground - Philip FreneauIn spite of all the learned have said, I still my old opinion keep; The posture, that we give the dead, Points out the soul's eternal sleep. Not so the ancients of these lands— The Indian, when from life released, Again is seated with his friends, And shares again the joyous feast. His imaged birds, and painted bowl, And venison, for a journey dressed, Bespeak the nature of the soul, Activity, that knows no rest. His bow, for action ready bent, And arrows, with a head of stone, Can only mean that life is spent, And not the old ideas gone. Thou, stranger, that shalt come this way, No fraud upon the dead commit— Observe the swelling turf, and say They do not lie, but here they sit. Here still a lofty rock remains, On which the curious eye may trace (Now wasted, half, by wearing rains) The fancies of a ruder race. Here still an aged elm aspires, Beneath whose far-projecting shade (And which the shepherd still admires) The children of the forest played! There oft a restless Indian queen (Pale Shebah, with her braided hair) And many a barbarous form is seen To chide the man that lingers there. By midnight moons, o'er moistening dews; In habit for the chase arrayed, The hunter still the deer pursues, The hunter and the deer, a shade! And long shall timorous fancy see The painted chief, and pointed spear, And Reason's self shall bow the knee To shadows and delusions here. (More about this poem) Miracles - Walt Whitman Why, who makes much of a miracle? As to me I know of nothing else but miracles, Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan, Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky, Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the water, Or stand under trees in the woods, Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love, Or sit at table at dinner with the rest, Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car, Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon, Or animals feeding in the fields, Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air, Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, or of stars shining so quiet and bright, Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring; These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles, The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place. To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, Every cubic inch of space is a miracle, Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same, Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.To me the sea is a continual miracle, The fishes that swim—the rocks—the motion of the waves—the ships with men in them, What stranger miracles are there? (More about this poem as well as an extended version!) Little Orphant Annie - James Whitcomb Riley Little Orphant Annie’s come to our house to stay, An’ wash the cups an’ saucers up, an’ brush the crumbs away, An’ shoo the chickens off the porch, an’ dust the hearth, an’ sweep, An’ make the fire, an’ bake the bread, an’ earn her board-an’-keep; An’ all us other childern, when the supper things is done, We set around the kitchen fire an’ has the mostest fun A-list’nin’ to the witch-tales ‘at Annie tells about, An’ the Gobble-uns ‘at gits you Ef you Don’t Watch Out! Onc’t they was a little boy wouldn’t say his prayers,— So when he went to bed at night, away up stairs, His Mammy heerd him holler, an’ his Daddy heerd him bawl, An’ when they turn’t the kivvers down, he wasn’t...

I've known about David Wilcox since I first heard "East Asheville Hardware" back in the mid 90's working at a summer camp. I was absolutely captivated and delighted at what I was listening to, and knew that this was something that I needed to pay more attention to, being a budding songwriter myself. What followed was a few decades of wonder and inspiration at the levels of depth to which a songwriter can go when it comes to communicating an idea. David is in a realm all to his own, and you get a good sense of this right off the bat in this episode. Please do yourself a favor and make some time in your day to explore davidwilcox.com for loads of music, events like workshops and retreats, his tour schedule, and even a way to find which song can cure that which ails ya. David is part of that sweet "Asheville Contingent" including David LaMotte, Barbie Angell, Chuck Brodsky, and Jamie & Ian Ridenhour, all of whom you can catch up on from previous episodes. I was really hopeful to speak with David at some point, and I was fortunate to catch him at a good time, just before a big week in Oregon (Sept 26 - Oct 1), when he will be teaching at the Americana Song Academy at Camp Sherman and performing at the Sisters Folk Festival. Go if you can! I hope it’ll be as soul-enriching for you as this chat was for me Some of David’s music featured in this episode include “The Soul of It”, “Tattered Old Kite”, “The Beautiful”, and the one I teased you with at the beginning of the episode, "The View from the Edge", which can be experienced here, in his official video. Much, much more can be found at his website.

Y'all. This woman right here has a story to tell, and it is massive. I met with her a week ago today (as of the uploading of this episode), and we chatted about her brand new memoir "Looking for Innocence", as well as a whole lot of other things, and there were still topics we left out. So I encourage you to do your own research and find out as much as you can about Paisha, and follow what she's up to (spoiler - it's a lot). Here are a few things we talked about for you to check out: Paisha's Bandcamp Page Her Youtube Music Page Melissa McFadden: Walking the Thin Black Line Edie Driskill's Podcast, The Future of Policing in Columbus Betty Lavette: A Woman Like Me American History Maker (And Paisha's Cousin's Aunt!) Margaret Peters Also, Here are a couple of pictures of Paisha's Pottery: As well as a video of her Tiny Desk Concert submission featuring her song, "The Chicken or the Rent"

Eric and I first crossed paths when I made my way to Espresso Yourself Music Cafe, in Powell, Ohio, for an open mic night shortly after moving to Ohio. I consider myself really fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience the community and great vibes from EYMC before it closed in 2012. Eric and I talk a good bit about all that, plus a lot more. I met up with him at his farmhouse just out of town, where he spends his days gardening and tending to his bonsai trees. Eric is a great songwriter with a great story, and I'm excited to share it with you. Not all stories are sunshine and roses, though, and this one has its share of stormy weather. But it was a great talk, I liked the direction it took, and I hope you will too. Check Out Mr. Eric's Music here, and find out what he's up to these days. You can also hear music from his band from a few years back, Chittenden Hotel -- which we never even got a chance to talk about!

My first impression of Dre Peace was a wall of sound that almost knocked me over.. Which would have been embarrassing since I was sharing a stage with him at an event called Music in the Round. I had to know more about this guy just from the music and poetry coming from his mouth. Afterwards I learned a bit more about his story that locked it in for me. I had to get this guy on the show. So I am beyond excited to share this conversation with you. Here is a link to the Facebook Live video that Dre's manager was able to capture of his performance of "Change", which we chat a lot about. I had a few issues including it on this page, so feel free to follow the link to watch it. There was a lot of reverb in that room, so it was hard to hear all the words, so I've included the lyrics below, along with a version performed by Dre and Liquid Crystal Project. (Along with a couple other videos you will enjoy!) I had a great time chatting with Dre, and man, does he tell a good story. The hits don't stop coming either, even while I'm finishing up the editing of this episode, and you'll understand what I mean if you listen to the end! [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGhZi_aj7Uk] "Change" Written by: Dre Peace 2019 I felt my brother's pain today. He left his good intentions and loving nature, at the side of his youngest brother's body; at the corner of systemic racism and generational poverty. As I recall the words of my former world religion instructor, and how much "I wanted to believe that we were all the same." No matter which creeds have divided us or somehow hidden their agenda to bring us together. If there's no difference there's no change. Things will stay the same. And still the media will say there's no rain and we're all wet. No matter what they say. Whatever comes your way, just makes you stronger for today. You're not alone, cuz we're all wet. Or if he is alone. Yelling to a sky of white stars and black backdrops. Where they are the forefront and we are the endless, massive void striving for the revenge of our ancestors' work. Where his mother worries if he may not return from that trip to the corner store. Where high foreclosures and CPD are more important than FICO scores and IRAs. I said I wonder if the regression is truly neutral? Is our experience so isolated? But it feels so big. But it feels so deep and wide and present, and empty and low and negligent, and selfish and repetitive, and out of control. How could this happen? And you mean to tell me he's not getting sentenced and my baby! And she was a good person and he had a daughter, and that was his youngest brother. And today we call upon the prayer warriors, the soldiers, the lovers, the army, the unknown, the peacemakers to rise up and defend our existence with light. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRcFuV67v0w] [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82CulAz5P8c]

TJ George has been very busy. He has been workin on a pretty epic project for, well, to hear him say it, several years now. It is finally coming to life, as of January 7, 2022. TJ is a songwriter here is Columbus, and his new album, "Heroes and Legends" will be an achievement that he has been working towards for a long time. We got to sit in my living room and chat about it, along with a bunch of other great stuff, including the magic of cul de sacs, being young and fearless, and following (or not following) one's dream. You can find TJ at, yep, you guessed it, www.tjgeorge.com. You'll be able to buy the new album there, but if you're in Columbus, try and make it to the Release Party on Jan. 14. It'll be at Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza in Worthington, one of Columbus's finest venues for live intimate musical performances in a listening (and delicious) environment. Get your tickets here, and join the discussion at the Facebook Event Page. And of Course, he's all over the place to listen, like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music.

I was home from college on a fall break in 1997 when I found out John Denver had died in a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean. It wrecked me. This brief tribute will explain a little bit of why. Also, here is the video from the recording I shared in the episode, along with another one I filmed in my sister's treehouse last summer to the sounds of the forest choir.

I first met James Houston when I decided to start learning karate in my mid-20s, living in a small, southwestern Virginia town along the New River. I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up for karate, only that it seemed like there was a good blend of experience, and I knew that I wouldn't be the only one who had no idea what he was doing. We began each class with what is known as the Dojo Kun, five statements spoken aloud, each beginning with the number 'one', presumably to indicate equal importance. It went like this: One. To seek to attain perfection of character. One. To live with politeness and discipline. One. To honor the code of ethical behavior. One. To strive for excellence through efforts. One. To refrain from impetuous conduct. It was really what drew me in, initially, the idea that this morality code was primary, just as much, if not more important, than the physical conditioning and fighting. More Miyagi Do as opposed to Cobra Kai, you might say. In the two years that I studied with James, I not only was in the best physical shape of my life, I had more focus and intention with how I wanted to pursue life. As the years went by, I stayed connected with James, and saw that he became very involved in film and television, beginning with stunt coordinating, working as an extra in films, and eventually producing and starring in his own television shows, namely 'Stars, Stunts, Action', where James and his crew meets and chats with some pretty cool people (Danny Trejo, Lou Ferrigno, Martin Kove - Speaking of Cobra Kai) while demonstrating and explaining some of Hollywood's greatest stunts, and 'Culture Shock', where he accompanies Rich Manley around the world bridging culture gaps with magic and illusion.. Both of these shows can be currently seen on Tubi and Apple TV. There's a new project in the works too, 'Fallen Cards', but there's not much he can say about that yet... So make it one of your Google Alerts! So as much fun as it would be to chat with him about all this, it occurred to me that while martial arts encompasses many traditions of fighting and physicality, it also does contain the word "Arts", which got me thinking, how does this work together? It was a great chat and I think you'll enjoy it. See the trailer for Stars, Stunts, Action and Culture Shock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb2VJihu3l0 https://vimeo.com/441175758 Also new today is some new music to open the show. Big thanks to Spencer Ayscue who helped put that all together. You'll hear more of his music during the episode, some from his backyard with just him and a guitar, and some from his latest recording with his band, Migrant Birds. Find them on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube, as well as other places (including Spencer's personal YouTube channel.) Thanks all, it's good to be back around, and I'm excited to be bringing back some great conversations to share with you.

Loss is a weird thing, isn't it? The day I recorded this, I had found out a friend had died. Just out of the blue. Hit by a truck while running. It was a big blow. I had already decided on a topic, and on its face, it seems like the wrong direction... But really, my friend Jeff was one who lived a life of gratitude. And I'll miss him. This episode will be the last of this series. I have had a good time doing it, and I probably will do more, eventually, and I have an idea for a theme. I'll keep you posted on that, so stay tuned. Keep Creating! I will.

Speak when you are angry, and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret. - Ambrose Bierce As I write this, I have 34% left on my laptop, and I'm getting on a plane in 2 hours. I'm heading out to my next job, in Burbank California, and this has been a real challenge keeping my eyes open long enough to finish this post. Boy, will I be excited to sleep on the plane! I will however, miss the cool morning walks I've been taking here in Indianapolis. It's where I've been recording these short episodes I've been bringing you, and I have one more to share next week. This one, however, is about Anger. I'm finding that it's not taking much for me to get angry about things happening in our world. I'm also finding that it isn't as easy to describe what anger is, as it is to describe what it is not. I learn a bit of a lesson today, in what is best when it comes to dealing with anger. Maybe it'll strike a chord with you as well. See you in California. Hey, maybe I'll find an even cooler place to take walks and chat with you guys. Be Well. What is your meaning of anger? Some say anger is a wasted emotion, Id argue that anger is why we are free from Hawaii to the Atlantic Ocean Some say anger only breed’s violence and hate, I disagree; anger is the reason for every revolution to date Some peoples anger burns hot and takes control, Mine kept chilled, a reptilian soul A warm blooded mammal with a cold reptilian soul, Trying to make sure anger is used correctly from the far east to the close to home west. Einstein dared to solve Mc squared. So I will teach y’all to be angry, sharpened teeth bared Then you will be taught, How to teach. For anger with out purpose is for naught I fight for change, Till I stand limp on the big bad mans firing range Some say anger is for those with nothing left I say anger is the beating behind this planets chest Some say anger is for outcasts and bums. Yes anger is for outcasts. The too short the too tall, the too smart the too dumb The too fat the too skinny, the too poor the too rich Anger is for outcasts and bums. Some say anger is a wasted emotion, yet for me, anger drives me when I write these poems -Selena Irulan

In 1983 a movie came out with a star studded cast, including Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, and the two 1980s teen heart throbs pictured above, Ralph Macchio and C. Thomas Howell. The movie was called "The Outsiders", and it featured a couple of rival gangs in 1965 Tulsa Oklahoma, the Greasers and the Socs. This episode takes a little look at a specific scene in that movie that has stuck with me my whole life (well, the last 33 of it years anyway). It instilled in me a sort of philosophy of living, as well as a budding interest in poetry. I've included the scene below so you can watch. Prepare for the shmaltz. It was a sweet moment in the film, for a couple of kids who were hoping for better things in their futures. Who doesn't want to look ahead to good things? Is Robert Frost suggesting that it's all futile? Nothing good will ever last? Is there such thing as hopeful anticipation? Is it even practical? I ponder these things in the parking lot. In case you haven't gotten your fill of schmaltzy 80's drama soundtrack music, here is the original recording by Stevie Wonder, of the song, "Stay Gold" Oh, incidentally, I thought I’d share my morning’s sunrise, complete with the empty football stadium.

Hey everybody! I have something pretty cool to share with you. I've decided to give myself a little break from producing the full episodes of Flies in the Kitchen, because I've been out of town a lot working a contract job that has long hours. My time has really just gotten chewed up (That wasn't the pretty cool part). I wanted to put something out there for you guys though, so I've decided to take some inspiration from Robbie Schaefer and his "Walk With Me" Podcast he's been sharing with his Patreon Community. In it he takes morning walks along bike trails, riverside paths, and other scenic and beautiful sounding locations, sharing thoughts and perspectives about a number of important topics of meaning. I also have been taking early morning walks, in the parking lot where I'm working (night shift), and so when I listened to his podcast yesterday morning, while I was walking, watching the sun come up, I decided, hey, why can't I do something like that? Be warned, it's not as serene as Robbie's, you'll mostly hear interstate traffic. But I enjoyed it. So, during my semi-sabbatical, I'll be putting out a series of a few mini-episodes, checking out parts of the Human Condition that help us through times of struggle. All those things that navigate us through our moments, those elements that work together to build and shape us. It will include something creative, either a song or a poem or a writing of some sort, because art is a balm. Art is a connector, a way to communicate when words fail us. Art has a way, as Picasso reminds us, of washing away from the soul the dust of ordinary life. Today, I'm starting with the positive. I could probably do a whole series on Laughter, but I've managed to keep it to 16 minutes. That picture up there is of my dear, long time friend, Jen W. I talk about her in this episode, and I figured this photo will help out. A lot. Laughter is an interesting and confounding thing. Why do we laugh? How does it happen? What's the purpose? Well, sorry, I don't really answer those questions, but there is an important element to laughter that we could all learn from. I mention this professor, Dr. Robert Provine. This video he is featured in is long, but such a great look at laughter! Check it out! Oh, and I promised a picture of my niece and nephews' treehouse. It really is an outstanding feat of Arborological Architecture. I bet you're picturing yourself inside on that mattress now, huh? Can't you just hear the crickets? Can't you? Peace.

Lately I've been looking at a lot of my Facebook memories, and being amazed at how oblivious we all were to what life would look like just one year later. Large groups closely gathered around tables, no masks, sharing pizza, and laughing. So much laughing. It will be interesting to see the memories as March approaches, and the gradual realization of what we would be getting ourselves into. Boy, did we have no earthly idea. This episode is almost like a throwback, although instead of a year earlier, it's about four months earlier (although it almost feels like a year). Right in the earlier stages of COVID-19, the new concept of "social distancing", some folks choosing to wear face masks - before it was a requirement, and self-quarantine. And this is what Barbie Angell was in the beginnings of. She was self-quarantining before it was cool. We chatted back in early April, when I was busting out a group of four interviews from North Carolina to share with you. This was early on, when there were 20,000 deaths from the disease (as opposed to today's 149,000), and 516,000 cases (as opposed to 4.3 million). It was pretty scary then, but oh how clueless we were what we were getting into. And if that weren't enough, George Floyd had yet to be killed (for a $20 bill), and his death had yet to spark the largest string of protests that would solidify 'Black Lives Matter' as the largest civil rights movement in the history of this country. So yeah. April. Those were the days....? I SAY ALL THAT TO SAY THIS! Barbie and I obviously didn't get to chat about the real issues happening in our world right now, in this moment, in July, 2020, when this episode is released - the many important and relevant things that are taking this country (and this world) by storm. We did, however, talk about a lot of really good things, though. Important things. Things like currency, and the exchange that happens between artist and receiver, why we do the things we do as artists, and how hard it is to put a dollar sign on it. Plus all the parts of our lives that lead us in the direction of our art, the beginnings of that relationship between us and the art that comes from us, and the events that shape us, and mold us into who we are. And that's the other thing I want to mention. Barbie has not had the easiest ride on this bus. Over her life she has experienced significant amounts of physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual violence at the hands of multiple people. It's a topic that is hard to talk about for most, but Barbie has come to a place where not talking about it has become more of a burden than keeping it to herself. And this is why there is a bit of a content advisory here. This episode does include some pretty open and raw discussions and descriptions of psychological, emotional, and sexual violence. If this topic is difficult in a way that you just simply have no space for right now, then this episode may not be for you. I will say though, Barbie has been a pretty bright light on many darkened paths for those who have had this kind of violence done to them. The way she creates her poetry, her art, and her style is unlike anything I've ever seen, and I had a great time chatting with her about it. Barbie has a hard time promoting herself, so I will do it for her. You can support her incredible artistry by becoming a supporter on Patreon, buying her book, Roasting Questions (She said it was at Malaprops in Asheville, but I couldn't find a link to it. Feel free to call them up and ask, if you want to keep it local), or simply throwing a little cash in the ol' Paypal. It helps to make a starving artist a little less starving. And please check out her Blog! You will find lots of cool things to keep you occupied, including the amazing story and poem about Sheila Shine that we chat about at length.

I first met David LaMotte at a weekend retreat in the WV mountains where he was performing. He and his newly-wed wife Deanna were there, and it was fun hanging out with them both. As it goes, though, with many traveling gigging musicians who bounce around the world bringing music and great joy to thousands, my memory of the moment was a little more vivid than his. On the night of his performance, after most everyone had retired to their respective cabins, David and a handful of us hung out of the porch of the camp lodge with a few guitars and just made some music. It was pretty grand. And this is David. Behind the professional touring musician, he really is one who yearned and still years for close community, regardless of whether that community is filling a theater, a church, a concert hall, or a campfire. He has spent his career trying to build and nourish that community, through 12 albums, three books, two trios, a massive move to Australia to study Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Brisbane, developing a non-profit organization dedicated to the enrichment and education of children in Guatemala, countless workshops, seminars, weekend retreats, & online gatherings, marching and speaking out in movements for peace and social justice, welcoming rich conversation and thoughts on navigating difficult times through his 25-episode Crowdcast "Sustaining our Spirits" series, and on and on and on. Finding the time to pick David's brain on everything I'd like is obviously a daunting if not unachievable task, at least in the time frame we generally have for these kinds of things. I picked his brain on a few things, though, and I hope you enjoy the conversation we had. I really did. I also got a chance to chat with David's 11-year-old son Mason, about his passion of playing Celtic fiddle and the kind and supportive community he found in a weekly "Celtic Jam" in their town. That was a fun talk too. You can find all things David at www.davidlamotte.com. Also, something that might interest you is becoming a part of David's Patreon Community, which I can say from experience, really is true community, which isn't always easy to nourish and grow over a webcam. Lastly, Abraham Jam's "Braided Prayer" documentary will be arriving later in 2020, but in the meantime, here is the trailer to whet your appetite. Find out everything you ever wanted to know about the dynamic trio and buy their music at www.abrahamjam.com. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gEkPr_SMDg]

Deep among the rolling hills and misty mountains of Western North Carolina lives a charismatic young man who has already, in his first 20 years on earth, managed to release 3 albums and 5 professionally produced music videos, sharing with the world music that is complex, rich, intense, vulnerable, cathartic, energetic, and gently explosive. This kid is Ian Ridenhour, and I'm really excited to finally get a chance to sit with him and pick his brain a little. Ian has been playing music since before he knew what music even was. All he knew was that that spoon and that pot made a sound that shook his little musical genius into being, and it hasn't stopped since. I have so much to share with you on here, so I will stop yammering and start sharing. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on his shows, in person or virtual. He has a website where you can buy his music and merch, and a YouTube channel where you will find a whole mess of videos, including the ones we chatted about during our conversation. Conveniently below!  And of course, Ian's appearance on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." He puts the 'Mental' in Mental Math. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksHwZeIhJcQ]

When Chuck Brodsky was 21, he made a decision that he was going to follow his passion to become a songwriter who tells stories that matter. He hitchhiked from his hometown in Philadelphia to San Francisco and never looked back. I've been wanting to chat with Chuck for a long time. His songs have always held my attention because of their raw, honest, straightforward storytelling. His style is very much his own, but based on some early heros, like Bob Dylan, and his ability to weave great long narratives into music. We talked a lot about craft here, about how you can write a song that isn't about you, but clearly describes who you are. About paying attention and being mindful of the little moments that are important, and have an impact. To essentially just be who you are, for your own sake, and not to fit into a pre-designed mold that you might expect others to expect from you. Unfortunately, there was a lot we never really got to chat about in this episode. There is just so much to talk about, and so little time. I really don't often have an idea of how these chats will go, so the way they happen is very organic. Consequently, large elements of careers are left out, like Chuck's yearly tours to Ireland that he leads, the ever growing collection of baseball ballads and his performances and inclusion in multiple baseball halls of fame (including National and Cincinnati), as well as being inducted last year into the Philly Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. I also didn't get to ask Chuck about the inclusion of "Bill & Annie" in an episode for the insanely popular podcast "Welcome to Nightvale." I suppose you'll just have to get to know him, too. I'm going to attempt to steer you in the right direction to get a real sense of the kind of songwriter Chuck is. I suppose a good place to start would be with the songs you heard and the ones we talked about on the episode. (click on the 'bc' to check out the entire album, as well as all of his albums, on bandcamp) The Baseball Ballads by Chuck Brodsky Tell Tale Heart by Chuck Brodsky Letters In The Dirt by Chuck Brodsky Letters In The Dirt by Chuck Brodsky Two Sets (Live) by Chuck Brodsky As well as the ones we made quick reference to: The Baseball Ballads by Chuck Brodsky Them And Us by Chuck Brodsky Subtotal Eclipse by Chuck Brodsky There are likely some I forgot to include, but here is a great start! Spend a day and just catch up on Chuck's collection of songs, and then follow him over at Facebook or Twitter to find out where he'll be next. Of course his website is always a good place to park it too. You know, park it, like you would on a plush chair on the freeway.

This is a first. My buddy Zach Whitney loves the woods. He loves to go hiking in the woods whenever he can. So I thought it'd be fun to take a walk with Zach and record a conversation about music, mindfulness, and nature. Three things I knew he knows a thing or two about. It was a really great talk and I hope you enjoy it. Zach is a thoughtful and intentional songwriter with a growly and gruff exterior... I've always loved my side conversations with Zach, and I really wanted to pick his brain. He ended up picking mine just as much. Which I didn't mind. Have a listen to some of Zach's tunes. I've included the three from the episode: "Front Porch Music", "How the World Came About", but also "More Like The Wind" (or "More Like The Moon", however you're feeling at the time). Honestly, there are so many songs... You really need to check out his Soundcloud. Be sure Keep up on his Brothers (Me & Little Brother?) shows, ESPECIALLY at First Fridays at Gabby's Place, his solo shows, his Songwriter Rounds, Open Mic at the Tree Bar, and all the rest of his happenings on, by following him on all the Internets, too. He's on: Facebook, at TheZachWhitneyShow Instagram, at ZachWhitneyMusic and.... I guess that's it. Hey, he leads a simple life. Works for me.

I met Jeromy when he was hired as the Production and Technical Coordinator at the church I was going to, and started noticing his really great eye for capturing moments on film, both in photos and video. He had such a great ability to connect with every single person he pointed a camera towards, and I wanted to know how he did it. We met in his apartment for a nice laid back chat about his trip to Iceland with only 35 and 120mm film, how he connects with his subjects, especially the ones who are the most vulnerable, and the philosophical questions he asks himself whenever he sets his eye up to the viewfinder. We talk for a good long time about the man in the photo there, who Jeromy decided he would like to keep anonymous for the purpose of this podcast, because the man's story is a hard one, and Jeromy wanted to be sensitive to that. So don't be alarmed when the audio goes out whenever you hear a spot where you think should hear a name. Such a great time with Jeromy, I hope you follow him everywhere.... Well, virtually, that is... He's on Instagram, @jeromylaux, and at his website, at lauxcreative.com Here are a few more pics that might make more sense while listening. Also turns out I didn't know him as well as I thought I did, but we get that out of the way in the first 15 seconds of the convo. Oh yeah, here are a couple of pics from Jeromy's 8th grade trip to DC. An amazing eye for a little guy! (and a little fuzzy capitol building) Music used for this episode includes excerpts from "The Park" and "Looks Like Rain", by great local songwriter, JT Hillier. Find him here. The FITK theme music was written and performed by me, and the FITK logo was designed by Sean Goodwin.

Photo by Laura Goyer This one's exciting for me. When I was in college 20 some years ago, I was brought by a friend to a small, standing room only bar with a bunch of 20-somethings crowded in very tight numbers, waiting for this band to come out. I was promised I would love this band. So, when they came out and instantly put forth some of the tightest three and four-part harmony that I had ever heard, with an energy that should be illegal, my attention was forever theirs (and still is). All the 20 somethings started jumping up and down and screaming the lyrics to every song this band played. They were just awesome. This band was Eddie From Ohio, a four piece folk bank from ... Northern Virginia (that's another story for another day). Picture this: Center stage, belting out the highest notes, is Julie Murphy, who would soon become Julie Murphy Wells, much to the heartache of fawning male college student fans. The master percussionist in the back's name is Eddie Hartness (He's not from Ohio, stop asking). He focuses a lot on hand drumming in those earlier days, but will eventually add more and more percussion as the years go on. There are two guys up front, playing a couple of Takamine acoustic guitars (at least in those days), one of whom adds harmonica pretty often, and switches over to bass while wisecracking about rival universities -- that guy is at stage left is Michael Clem, and the guy on stage right, seeming like the most technical yet the most introverted one of the bunch, is Robbie Schaefer, with whom I will be speaking in roughly 24 years, on this crazy sci-fi platform called Facetime. https://youtu.be/1v1w52ixw-M Cellar Sessions: Eddie From Ohio November 2nd, 2017 City Winery New York Full Session Robbie has been making music a long time. Starting as a 7-year-old asking his parents for a guitar, and later with his childhood buddy (and future EFO Bandmate) Michael Clem singing songs about girls and ... well ..., girls in their pre-formative and less-concerned-with-storyline years, he has since brought his meaningful and smart songwriting style Light Years ahead of his time. There's a reference there. You'll get it in a minute. We chat about a lot of really neat stuff, how he started out with (and eventually gave up on) guitar lessons, the little, unexpected, non-consequential seemingly unrelated events that seemed to fall into place throughout his life, the development of an initiative to bring music to children in places torn apart by war and violence, to gathering a lifetime of experience with his own father and their complicated relationship to create a full scale musical, called (here it is), Light Years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz8wrsk-C6M Robbie and Bobby Smith getting all father and son on each other. So yeah. We talk about that, and a lot of other things that I didn't know (and a few that he didn't know until recently). His newest project he is working on is the music for a brand new play called the Blue Poppy, which tells a story that is not only mind blowing, it needs to be told and heard. Robbie has a more in depth description of "Burst the Silence", the opening number of 'Light Years', on a podcast episode accessible only on his Patreon page. For as little as $5 per month, you can get access to content not available anywhere else, like the aforementioned podcast (including demo recordings and final cut -- the context really matters, and adds so much to the song), videos of new songs, updates on The Blue Poppy, thoughts and musings, and so much more. There's really a lot of good stuff there. If you really want to get more into the head of Robbie Schaefer, this is a great way. And if you want to have something to listen to on repeat while you shake your head in amazement and wipe tears from your face, head over to the ol' Amazon and pick up "Sounds Like Home: Songs From The Musical Light Years" Finally, I'm realizing as I write this that two years...