The City's Backyard

Tri state area Comics Linda Marcus Smith  along with resident Joe Pontillo  have fun chatting it up on this episode talking about their love for comedy, the arts, and what to expect from their upcoming shows in the  area and their show together coming up soon in WESTPORT, CT!   -Comedy Night at VFW Post 399 on Friday July 17th .  Doors open at 7pm. Show at 8pm.  Plenty of free parking. - Featuring...

CROSSFIRE HURRICANE, New York's top Rolling Stones tribute band, captures the essence of the iconic rock group with their thrilling performances. They bring the timeless anthems of the Stones to life, embodying their energy and spirit on stage.  From the raw energy of "You Got Me Rockin" to the soulful melodies of "Angie" every song is faithfully recreated, promising and i...

With a degree in Speech Arts from The American University in Washington, DC, Jimmy Fink got his first job in New York radio at WABC-FM… a summer job that eventually turned into a 13-year stint at WPLJ, the ABC owned NY flagship station in the 70s & 80s.  Over the years he has  worked for ABC, CBS, and NBC, NPR, Rolling Stone Magazine, HBO, Cinemax, and syndicators like United Stations Radio Ne...

On this episode we chat with Marc Alan, a lover of the arts and Director of Marketing at Factory Underground Studios in Norwalk about Make Music Day!  From Marc: Hello friends, I just wanted to share some news, in case you haven't heard. I am producing the first ever Horace Silver Jazz Fest in Norwalk, and the first one is set for Sunday, June 21, 2026 (coinciding with Make Music Day) It&apos...

Upcoming Events ********************** JUNE 2026 *************************************************** WESTPORT VFW: Saturday, June 13 465 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT (203) 227-6796 Doors open at 7:00pm *************************************************** GREEN KNOLL: Sunday, June 14. ON THE PATIO! 645 US-202, Bridgewater NJ 908-526-7090 3:00 Showtime .************************************************...

Born on June 3, 1982 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Davey Jones brings the rich musical heritage of the Deep South to every stage he steps on. A true multi-instrumentalist, Jones is best known for his searing guitar playing but also masters drums, piano, bass, organ, and more — often performing and recording nearly every instrument on his releases himself. Drawing from Southern Rock, traditional Blu...

We check in with Scott Smith from The North County Band! The North County Band delivers a distinctive blend of New England Country and Americana, pairing thoughtful songwriting with seasoned musicianship. Formed by a Chicago-born songwriter and a Texas fiddle standout, the group brings together some of Connecticut’s most versatile players to create a sound rooted in storytelling, harmony, and high...

This episode is about the debut of the Paul McCartney & WINGS exhibit at The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio! Liz Hines, widow of DENNY LAINE from  WINGS talks about the opening debut since she was responsible for lending her late husband Denny Laine's guitar and Wings memorabilia! Wings former members Laurence Juber and Steve Holley were there to celebrate the opening alo...

Fred Hostetler is an indie artist, American musician, singer/songwriter, and author who has worked with major artists including Johnny Winters, Graham Parker, the Knack, Billy Squier, Jeff Beck, and Grammy award winning producer Jack Douglas. Along with Karen Lawrence he founded the highly acclaimed southern California blues band Blue By Nature. His style, while grounded in blues and Americana tra...

If you love rock music you will love rock art from Robert Abriola! He is a multidisiplinary artist and designer driven by a lifelong pursuit of visual storytelling! Over a 40+ year career in the creative services industry he has worked across a wide range of disciplines as both a designer and art director!  He is best known for his award winning work in the music industry at EMI/Universal Music Gr...

This week's guest is NEW YACHT CITY, a band that plays Yacht Rock! On this episode we chat with Manish Nag the keyboardist and leader of the band about  what Yacht Rock means to it's fans!  If you love Steely Dan, Toto, Christopher Cross, The Doobies, Ambrosia and more you will love this band! Check them out for a fun time that you and your friends will always remember!  For more info on...

Biography of Crispin Cioe Saxist/songwriter/producer Crispin Cioe has left an indelible imprint on American/ British roots and pop music, through his work as a soloist (viz. sax solos on James Brown’s “Living in America”, “Love & Money” by Bronski Beat, etc.), being a charter member of the esteemed Uptown Horns (recording/tours with icons like the Rolling Stones, Solomon Burke, Tom Waits, Ray...

Comedy Night @ The VFW Westport - Friday April 24th! Doors at 6pm Show at 8pm! PLENTY of Free parking! Featuring 4 great comedians! Host Matt Zako from The City's Backyard Podcast, Jeffrey Paul,  John Kenneth, and Teddy Smith who is the headliner and regular residency comic JOE PONTILLO! Location: 465 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880 Laughing Gas Comedy and The City's Backyard Podcas...

Get ready for some serious blues-rock, because BEYOND 1969 is dropping their new original album, Comin' Back To The Blues April 24th, 2026!  This isn't just any blues album, it's packed with raw passion, thanks to the incredible lineup in this killer blues-rock band!  Our special  guest on this episode is Tom Forst (The Suit): He's not just "The Suit" he's a blue...

CARRYING on THE LEGACY Growing up in the Money family, Jesse and Dez were immersed in music from the very beginning. Sharing the stage with their father wasn’t just a performance — it was an education, a bond, and a blueprint for what it means to live a life rooted in passion and authenticity. Those moments taught them more than just the craft of music — they learned connection, resilience, and th...

Our guest is classic rock legendary drummer "Corky" Laing from Mountain! Mountain was one of the last bands to play the legendary Fillmore East before it's closing and famous for their song Mississippi Queen!  In this episode Corky talks about coming back to Westport, CT (where he used to live) to play The Westport VFW on Saturday April 11th with The Ten Grand Band as a featured gue...

Eliot Lewis spent almost 20 years with Hall & Oates and is always a blast to chat with as one our favorite regular guests on the podcast...he was also on the TV show Live From Daryl's House playing with some of top artists in the music industry.... and before all of that he was in the Average White Band!  Upcoming shows in the backyard of NYC: Eliot Lewis in concert at Factory Underground...

While it would be easy to categorize the work of OTIS as Southern Rock, being from Kentucky, their musical background is much broader. In addition to being guided by the classic rock giants of the 1960s and 70s era, the members of OTIS draw inspiration from true greats—people like Muddy Waters, Leadbelly, and the artists of Motown—to create their own unique rock and roll sound. With Boone Froggett...

James Barnes — known to audiences throughout the region as JB — carries the blues in his blood. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in New Jersey after his family moved east in 1965, he grew up steeped in the sound and spirit of the music. On his father’s side, JB traces his lineage back to Mississippi, the wellspring from which so much of this tradition flows. Those “Mississippi Roots” became mor...

Special Guest Elizabeth Hines the widow of the late Denny Laine from Paul McCartney and WINGS and earlier The Moody Blues talks about her take on the film and her late husband's career with WINGS. Man on the Run is a 2025 documentary film directed by Morgan Neville about the life of Paul McCartney from his formation of Wings through the 1970s. McCartney is credited as an executive producer. T...

 "A wonderful guitar player and great songwriter " - Steve Miller      "Curry is the next guitar hero" - Peter Frampton      Acclaimed singer-songwriter Matthew Curry returns with his new album ONE FOR THE RIDE , a dynamic and heartfelt collection that showcases the full range of his musicianship -- from fiery, virtuostic guitar work to intimate, emotionally rich songwriting. T...

May Pang is our guest this week on The City's Backyard Podcast! Few people knew John Lennon as intimately as May Pang. Pang was Lennon’s lover during the infamous “Lost Weekend” which lasted 18 months. During this creative time for Lennon, Pang took candid photos of Lennon in a comfortable, relaxed environment. Matt Zako interviews May about her relationship with John Lennon, her documentary...

We check in with our friend Dan Halen from MULLETT! He talks about what makes this 80's tribute band fun and why they stand out from other tribute bands out there! They are playing locally in Old Saybrook, CT and Norwalk, CT soon! Since 2010, Mullett has stood as the nation’s definitive 80’s rock-and-roll powerhouse! This isn't just a tribute; it’s a high-voltage time capsule. By fusing...

Prognosis The American Pink Floyd has been performing the  music of Pink Floyd with incredible album accuarcy for 15 years both in the USA and internationally Known for their elaborate lights, lasers, and video projections Prognosis The American Pink Floyd is considered to be the best and most accurate ​Pink Floyd experience. On this episode we talk with keyboardist Rob Russell from Prognosis!  UP...

 We are going out to TENNESSEE to chat with Chris P. James is their front man. He plays keyboards and guitar and harmonica. Writes great songs too. He wound up with the Burrito Brothers in 2009. He was offered and accepted a record deal to make a new Burritos album in 2010 by the group that would trademark the name “Burrito Brothers” and would enable them to continue performing and recording as Th...