Bands To Fans

I interviewed singer-songwriter Stephanie Sammons. We discussed: - Her new album, "Time and Evolution" - The challenge of being an empath and a songwriter - Studying with Jonatha Brooke - "I have a runnning list of interesting observations, things that move me, things that resonate with me" - The lyric "I don't want to die, but I don't want to live like this" - And more

I spoke with singer / songwriter JM Stevens. We discussed: https://jmstevens.net/

I finally got to do an in-person interview with bassist John Pierce of Toto. We discussed: - How learning to play the drums has influenced his bass playing - Playing with Toto drummer Shannon Forrest - His quest to play less and make each note more meaningful - Sessions with Huey Lewis, Mick Jagger, and Tom Petty - Toto's "With A Little Help From My Friends" album - And more

I interviewed Cassius King of Cassius King and The Downtown Rulers. We discussed: - Their album "Last Call For The Blues" - A dream 25 years in the making - "A giving musician is always trying to make the song better without necessarily standing out." - The wonderfully gritty song "Bettern Man Blues" - How his offstage, behind-the-scenes work influences his on stage performance - And more

Drummer Mike Portnoy likes that they did not road test the new The Winery Dogs songs before recording them.

Cris Cohen interviews Will McBride of the Will McBride Group. They discuss: Bands To Fans bandstofans.com

Cris Cohen interviews John McCutcheon. They discussed: bandstofans.com

Cris Cohen interviews ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro. They discuss: BandsToFans.com

Cris Cohen interviews percussionist Daniel de los Reyes of the Zac Brown Band. They discuss: Recorded January 27, 2023

Cris Cohen interviews singer-songwriter Danny O'Keefe. They discuss: Danny O'Keefe's website: https://dannyokeefe.com/ --- Bands To Fans: Project administration and content marketing for professional musicians

I interviewed bassist Jett Beres of Sister Hazel. We discussed:Recorded February 10, 2023

Cris Cohen interviews bassist Billy Sheehan. They discuss: Recorded October 2022 bandstofans.com

Cris Cohen interviews Dennis Diken of The Smithereens. They discuss: - Their new release, "The Lost Album" - The emotional aspect of listening to the late Pat DiNizio singing on these tracks - "Playing for the song is the best approach a musician can take." - Being influenced by drummer Buddy Saltzman, best known for his work with the Four Seasons - "It's like you are having a dialogue musically" - And more Interview recorded September of 2022

Cris Cohen interviews Mike Portnoy of The Winery Dogs. They discuss:bandstofans.com

Cris Cohen interviews Lawrence Gowan of Styx. They discuss: - "The beauty of a band is that it is the essence of a combined spirit." - Styx's influence on Lawrence and his influence on Styx - His onstage, theatrical sense of fun - The special moment during a concert in Toronto performing one of his solo tunes with Styx - The challenges and unexpected benefits of finishing the album "Crash Of The Crown" remotely - His performance of Rush's "Limelight" in concert as a tribute to Neil Peart - And more

Cris Cohen talks with drummer Sandy Gennaro (Cyndi Lauper / Joan Jett) about his new book, "Beat The Odds (in Business & Life)". They discuss: - Surviving and thriving even in an environment as unstable as the music business - Belief, Enthusiasm, Attitude, Tenacity, Service - Applying the lessons of the book in the internet age - And more

Cris Cohen interviews Graham Sharp of Steep Canyon Rangers. They discuss: - The new song "Sweet Spot" and its serving as a sendoff for Woody - Lyrics like "Too early to call / too late to call sober" - Performing "Be Still Moses" with a symphony and Boyz II Men - Meshing his banjo playing with Steve Martin's banjo playing (Yes, that Steve Martin) - "Try to love your way through the hardest situations" - And more

Cris Cohen interviews John Pierce of Toto during the band's tour stop in France. They discuss: - Playing outdoor venues during record heat waves - Songs that were not big in the US but that are huge in Europe - He and Steve Lukather: Living out the dreams they had when they were kids - And more (recorded in July of 2022)

Cris Cohen interviews Barrett Smith of Steep Canyon Rangers. They discuss: - What it is like to join this band as a new member - How getting his Master of Arts degree in Counseling has altered the way he communicates in everyday life and as a musician - Really committing himself to the bass after joining this band - The challenges in covering James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James" - And more

Cris Cohen interviews Jason Adamo. They discuss: - The creation of the Brett Young song “Beautiful Believer” - His New York subway singing education - His song "Raleigh Nights" - The allusions to his mother in both the songs and the artwork of his album "Looking Glass" - And more