VHC (Vibes, History & Culture)

In this episode of VHC, I'm taking you on a ride into a local NC music festival event that took place back in May, the Uptown Block Party in Uptown Shelby, NC. I will be sharing with you some live performances from two local NC bands, The ACE Party Band and the Too Much Sylvia Band.

In this episode, I got a chance to chat with Samuel Chambers! He is an amazing creative on the rise from Florida and he is very passionate about storytelling including the powerful and creative story from his latest work called “Timid Bunny”! We discussed that, including what inspired his work and some of his favorite movie soundtracks and more.

In this episode, I got a chance to chat with internationally-acclaimed musician, composer, producer, author and trumpeter, Ben Neill, who is also the inventor of the Mutantrumpet, a hybrid electro-acoustic instrument. Ben shares how the Mutantrumpet was developed along with his musical journey and musical influences that inspires his music today. Song Credits: “Nature Loves Courage” by Ben Neill

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with John Cousins, who is from the finance and business world, but has an eclectic and amazing background in music as well. He also shares his musical knowledge and great love for music and the journey that has led him to.

In this episode, we’re continuing the celebration and commemoration of Black Music Month as well as commemorating the Juneteenth holiday and celebrating the life, music and legacy of Sly Stone of Sly & The Family Stone. We are diving deep into the rich history of Afrofuturism in music. From the innovated musicianship, musical lyrics, sound and onstage aesthetic and performances of the great bands and artists of the 60s and 70s like Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sun Ra and others and their contributions to the look, feel and sound of Afrofuturism. Song Credits: “Love Music” by Earth, Wind & Fire ℗ 1978 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment “Flashlight (Instrumental)” by Parliament-Funkadelic ℗ 1977 UMG Recordings, Inc. “Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly & The Family Stone ℗ 1973 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment “Africa Talks to You (The Asphalt Jungle)” by Sly & The Family Stone ℗ Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment “Blue Soul” by Sun Ra ℗ 2014 Enterplanetary Koncepts

In this episode, as we kickoff Black Music Month celebrating the contributions and legacy of black artists and musicians, we’re taking a deep dive into the music, artistry and legacy of The Pointer Sisters. We’re exploring this legendary family vocal group and their unique artistry and genre bending career and impact on the music industry and beyond. Song Credits: “Jump (For My Love) Instrumental” by The Pointer Sisters ℗ 1983 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment “Yes We Can, Can” by The Pointer Sisters ℗ 1973 Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. “Faith” by Kirk Franklin & God’s Property ℗ 1997 B-Rite “He’s So Shy” by The Pointer Sisters ℗ 1980 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

In this episode, I had a chance to chat with local Charlotte, P.S. Farewell original from Long Island, New York. We talked about his musical journey and upbringing as well as his musical influence and finding community in the Queen City music and creative community and so much more! We even had a special guest jump into the conversation. Song Credits: “Internet” by P.S Farewell

In this episode, I’m chatting with musicians, Jeff Niebuhr and Heath Cobb who meet in college at Auburn University where they started a college band in the late 1980s. After a couple of years together with their college band, Jeff and Heath went their separate ways and about 30 years later, the two came back together to form the musical duo, Hecojeni. Hear Jeff and Heath share their musical journey from those college band days to forming a musical duo and much more.

In this episode, I had a chance to chat with Owen Ó Súilleabháin, singer, musician, poet and storyteller who comes from a family of Irish musicians. We had an amazing, spirited and fun conversation as Owen shared incredible gems about the rich history of Irish music and its impact on the world and so much more.

It’s the SECOND ANNIVERSARY EPISODE OF VHC (Vibes, History & Culture)!!! And we’re celebrating this special anniversary with a look into The Chautauqua Institution, the grand summer retreat and program for adults and youth geared in depth conversation on religion and politics as well as cultural hub of artistic expression in music, dance, theater and art. And the values of The Chautauqua falls right in line with the values of VHC of bringing together through exploration and conversation of music, art and culture!

In this episode, I had a chance to chat with South Bronx, NY native and hip-hop artists, Kevin “King” Ortiz who shares his story of his musical journey, influences and the work he does to give back to his local community and so much more. Song Credits: “FAKE!” by Kevin King ℗ 2024 Kevin King “Goyard/Gatling” by Kevin King ℗ 2024 Kevin King

In this episode we are taking a journey into the history and evolution of the musical artform of “The Music Video”. From the early iterations of it in the early 20th century to the experimental stages of it during the 1960s and 70s to the launches of networks MTV, BET and VH1 to the evolution of music videos in the internet and social media age! NOTE: Features exert from MTV’s 1983 interview with David Bowie

In this episode, I had another great and fun conversation with author, trans activist and music enthusiast, Amethysta “Ami” Herrick on her love and passion for music, especially psychedelic rock, sharing her amazing gems and history of the music and artists, as well as other important topics.

In this episode we are chatting with Canadian singer, songwriter, musician and author, Emm Gryner about her musical journey including working with music greats like David Bowie! She also shares some personal struggles and overcoming that while finding her own voice and helping other artists and singers find theirs.

In this episode of VHC, we are concluding our commemoration of Women’s History Month by taking a look into the incredible groundbreaking and trailblazing career of jazz pianist, vocalist, actress, performer and civil rights activist, Hazel Scott.

In this episode of VHC, we are celebrating Women’s History Month by paying homage to the late Angie Stone. We’re taking a journey into Stone’s beginnings in singing gospel at her hometown of Columbia, SC to her being part of the trailblazing hip-hop girl group The Sequence as well as some electro funk groups to being part of the Neo-Soul Movement in the late 90s and early 2000s and more. SONG CREDITS: "Funk You Up" by The Sequence ℗ 1979 Sugar Hill Records, a label of Rhino Entertainment "No More Rain (In This Cloud)" (Instrumental) by Angie Stone ℗ 1999 BRM "Girlfriends Theme" (Instrumental) ℗ 2001 Grammnet Productions "I Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Instrumental) by Angie Stone ℗ 2001 BMG Music LLC

In this episode of VHC, I had a chance to chat with sound engineer, classical musician and artists, Dalila Mya (aka Mya Project) about her musical journey including diving into the genre of electronic music, other great gems and much more! Song Credits: “Lost in Words” by Mya Project / from the album – "Dystopia" ℗ 2024 “Rain” by Mya Project / from the album – "Dystopia" ℗ 2024

On this episode, we're chatting with writer, editor and author, Sarah Seltzer on her book, "The Singer Sisters", an amazing story about a musical family, two generations of women musicians. Along with that, we also discuss the ties in the family story of the book including the history of women in music in the past as well as the present.

In this latest episode, we're speaking with our guest, Ann Kittredge, a lifelong performing artist. From Broadway to Off-Broadway to Cabaret! Performing on in major venues across the country, working with top producers and directors throughout her career. I got a chance to chat with the singer about her work on stage as well as her recording career which includes her latest album, "Romantic Notions" along with some great gems.

In this very special episode of VHC in our conclusion of our celebration of Black History Month! We are speaking with DJ, international renowned speaker and author, Amani Roberts as talk about his latest book, "The Quiet Storm" that chronicles the rich history of R&B groups. We also talk the history of R&B and Soul music in the past & present and a lot more.