VHC (Vibes, History & Culture)

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.

In this episode of VHC as we continue the celebration of Black History Month, we have our first guest for Season Three! We're chatting with hip-hop artist, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles, Kimeyo who has been in the hip-hop industry for years and has just launched a new project working alongside his sons who following in his footsteps. Here Kimeyo's story and more great gems!

In this episode of VHC, in the continued celebration of Black History Month, we’re taking a look into another unique musical artform of “Shedding” where musicians jam on in the most creative and innovate ways. Whether if it’s barbershop quartets, Jam Bands and other percussionist/drummers and other musicians. The art of shedding has deep roots in the musical traditions of the African-American church and the old “woodsheds” where musicians would go to practice and sharpen their skills. Audio Credits: Chris Edwards Ministries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb0ubbwp3sQ&t=42s Berklee Chops, Volume 2 / Berklee College of Music / Best Drummers Shed Session https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4JPm6gbd8A

In this episode, we continue the launch of Season Three and the celebration of Black History Month, with a deep dive into the historic career, music and impactful legacy of opera singing great, Marian Anderson. Songs featured: "Ave Maria" by Marian Anderson ℗ Originally Recorded 1936. All Rights Reserved by BMG Music Also featured: Marian Anderson's performance at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939

VHC is back!!! We’re kicking off Season Three with our celebration of Black History Month with a deep dive into the history and legacy of Tap Dancing. Exploring the greats of this fascinating art form from Master Juba to The Nicholas Brothers to Gregory Hines to Savion Glover to now Ayodele Casel and more. Small Insert from: CBS Morning report from Michele Miller aired August 26, 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs6VlGZ7jNc

In this Season Finale of Season Two of VHC, I'm taking the time to reflect on the amazing season we've had. From the live music events to the topics, artists and songs explored. We'll also discuss some challenges that have led to some new opportunities and new discoveries in my creative process.

In this episode before the Season Two Finale, we are taking a deep dive into some folk music history and share some of the early 20th century folk songs and folklore that were gathered and recorded by literary great, documentary filmmaker and anthropologist, Zora Neale Hurston. SONG CREDITS: “Don't Let Your Deal Go Down Blues” by Charlie Poole ℗ 1925 Columbia Phonograph Co. “Kumbaya” by The Plantation Singers ℗ 2024 Boone Hall Plantation OTHER CREDITS: Folk Songs recorded by Zora Neale Hurston Website link: The Florida Memory website, State Library & Archives https://www.floridamemory.com/learn/classroom/learning-units/zora-neale-hurston/documents/audio/#:~:text=The%20track%2Dlining%20rhythm%2C%20%22,a%20sawmill%20in%20Polk%20County

In this episode, we are taking a journey into the “Gospel Pipeline” to R&B and Soul, exploring the gospel roots of R&B, Soul, Pop and Hip-Hop artists, specifically those who are the epitome of that, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin. Song Credits: “Nothing But the Righteous” by The Mighty Clouds of Joy ℗ 1962 UMG Recordings, Inc. “Stomp” by Kirk Franklin – God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation ℗ 1997 B-Rite “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe ℗ 2011 Originally Released © Airline Records “Think” by Aretha Franklin – Aretha Now ℗ 1968 Atlantic Recording Corp. “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” by Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You ℗ 1967 Atlantic Recording Corp. “Say a Little Prayer” by Aretha Franklin – The Atlantic Albums Collection ℗ 1968 Atlantic Recording Corp. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Aretha Franklin – Soul Queen ℗ 1971 Atlantic Recording Corp. “Young, Gifted & Black” by Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted and Black ℗ 1972 Atlantic Recording Corp. “How I Got Over” by Aretha Franklin – Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings ℗ 1972 Atlantic Recording Corp. Manufactured and marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company “Is My Living in Vain” by XSCAPE – Hummin' Comin' At 'Cha ℗ 1993 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT “Understanding” by XSCAPE – Hummin' Comin' At 'Cha ℗ 1993 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT “It Don’t Have to Change” by John Legend & The Stephens Family – Get Lifted ℗ 2004 Getting Out Our Dreams and Sony Music Entertainment “Is My Living in Vain” by The Clark Sisters – Is My Living In Vain ℗ 1980 Sound of Gospel Records “I’m Every Woman” by Whitney Houston – The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album ℗ 1992 Arista Records LLC “You Give Good Love” by Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston ℗ 1985 Arista Records LLC “All the Man that I Need” by Whitney Houston – I'm Your Baby Tonight ℗ 1990 Arista Records LLC “Run to You” by Whitney Houston – The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album ℗ 1992 Arista Records LLC “Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)” by Whitney Houston – Waiting To Exhale ℗ 1995 Arista Records LLC “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston – The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album ℗ 1992 Arista Records LLC “When You Believe” by Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey – The Prince Of Egypt ℗ 1998 UMG Recordings, Inc. “Joy to the World” by Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife ℗ 1996 Arista Records LLC

In this episode, we are diving into the history of "Beefs" in Hip-Hop music history, from The Roxanne Wars of the mid-1980s to the intense East Coast/West Coast rivalries, particularly the “beef” between Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. of the mid-90s to the present day "beefs" including the most recent between rappers, Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Song Credits: “Roxanne, Roxanne” by U.T.F.O. ℗ 1984 Select Records “Roxanne’s Revenge (Street Version)” by Roxanne Shante ℗ 1984 Pop Art Records “Roxanne’s Revenge” by Roxanne Shante ℗ 1985 Pop Art Records “The Real Roxanne” by U.T.F.O. ℗ 1985 Select Records “Woman to Woman” by Shirley Brown ℗ 1974 Truth Records/Stax Records “From His Woman to You” by Barbara Mason ℗ 1975 Westside Records “Bite This” by Roxanne Shante ℗ 1985 Pop Art Records “Who Shot Ya?” by Notorious B.I.G. ℗ 1994 Atlantic Records/Bad Boy/Arista “Hit Em Up” by Tupac Shakur (feat. The Outlawz) ℗ 1996 Amaru Entertainment, Inc., under exclusive license to Interscope Records “Control” by Big Sean (feat. Jay Electronica and Kendrick Lamar) ℗ 2013 GOOD / Def Jam “Family Matters” by Drake ℗ 2024 OVO, under exclusive license to Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. “6:16 in L.A.” by Kendrick Lamar ℗ 2024 Self-released “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar ℗ 2024 Interscope Records, Inc.