From Akron & Beyond Podcast

Nick and Bob continue their random discussion of memorable album covers. With lots of terrific music! Listen Thursday, June 19, at 10 am on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime wherever you get your podcasts. ...

In this episode, Nick and Bob once again court controversy with their selection of the Greatest Album Covers Ever!  (Well, some of them, anyway).  And needless to say to add, this gives us another opportunity to play some awesome music! Listen Thursday, June 11 at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks Brad Savage)

In this episode, Nick and Bob catch up with Judges Linda and Tom Teodosio. We learn about their busy and accomplished lives, many interests, and plans for the future. And we remember their late daughter Andrea Rose, whose life they celebrate through the Andrea Rose Teodosio Memorial Foundation. It was our pleasure to speak with this remarkable and giving couple. Listen Thursday, June 5, at 10 pm,...

Pure Pop with influences from such odd bedfellows as The Monkees and The Residents (No, really!), this talented duo’s albums on the Big Stir label have been garnering rave reviews and airplay on the BBC. And they’re from Akron! Tune in this Thursday, May 29, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, to hear their story - and a lot of cool music!

Continuing our tribute to the late, great David Thomas, Nick and Bob are joined by Robert Kidney of 15 60 75 Numbers Band. Robert shares memories of his encounters and friendship with Thomas, over many decades. Lots of music! In which we focus on the second half of Thomas’ work with Pete Ubu, and various side projects. Listen Thursday, May 15, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime, whe...

In this first of a two-parter, we celebrate the work of a true American original.  This episode covers Thomas’ early life, Rocket From The Tombs, through the seminal early albums of Pere Ubu. Nick shares his personal encounters with Thomas and the band, and the huge influence they had on music locally - and far beyond. Listen Thursday, May 1, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime, wher...

Back in 1970, inspired by the success of Woodstock, a couple of enterprising Akron lads decided to bring a rock festival to Akron. Filled with peace and love, featuring bands such as the Byrds, Canned Heat, the Rascals, Alice Cooper, and others,  the Piper Rock Festival would be one of the biggest concert events ever to happen in NE Ohio…. That is, until “The Man” got word of what was happening….....

The Hi-Fi’s were one of Akron’s most steady and beloved bands, featuring the terrific songs of Chuck Keith and the lead guitar wizardry of Denny Coyle.  But in one terrible week, everything changed. In this episode we talk with Rich Roberts, Tren Houseman, and Harvey Gold about the band and its legacy. Listen on Thursday, April 17, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime wherever you get...

The much-anticipated Akron History Center opens on Saturday, April 5th.  Just in time for the City’s Bicentennial, we talk with Dave Lieberth.  No one knows Akron and it’s history better than Dave.  In this episode , we discuss the planning and commitment necessary to make the History Center a reality.  Lots of great Akron stories ensue! Listen Thursday, March 27, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3,...

If you’ve been to Downtown Akron lately, you’ve noticed the eye-catching, appealing window displays and artful design and use of public spaces. This is the work of Curated Storefront, an innovative approach to adding art and excitement to our urban landscape. In this episode, we talk with Operations Director Julian Curet about their mission and future projects.   ...

This year, the legendary 15-60-75 (aka The Numbers Band) celebrate their 55th anniversary as a working band.  Kicking things off is a March 8th concert at the Kent Stage. To celebrate the occasion, we visit again with Robert Kidney, Jack Kidney, and Terry Hynde to discuss the band’s origins, the current state of the group, still writing new material, and their relationship to their audience. It’s...

In this, the first of a two-parter, we go “Beyond” to the Motor City and San Francisco (among other places) with our guest John Bellas. John is one of the nation’s premier experts on vintage Rock posters, and he has the collection to prove it. How he built his collection, and his tips on how and what to look for, are all part of this fun conversation.

We welcome back Akron Diva Tracey Thomas as she celebrates two major career milestones: Her new album “Words Can’t Save Us Now”, and the release of her memoir “Little Miss Akron”! Both the album and book were done with the support of singer/songwriter/honkytonker Ryan Humbert, who also joins the conversation. “Words Can’t Save Us Now” is classic Tracey, featuring new original songs, and great cove...

Our in-depth conversation continues! Listen to The Summit FM, 91.3, on Thursday, January 16, at 10 pm, or later, wherever you get your podcasts!    

Nick and Bob welcome in the new year with an expansive two-part interview with Akron’s own Derf Backderf! In these episodes, we do a deep dive into Derf’s youth in Richfield, his pursuit of art as a career, working as a comic artist for newspapers and magazines, his popular strip “The City”, on through his breakthrough as an internationally successful graphic novelist. Amongst other topics, we dis...

Our “Getting to Know The Summit FM” Series continues as we chat with Sales Director and On-Air Host Laura Smiley.  We talk with Laura about her path to radio, her many diverse interests, and (of course!) her deep love of music.  Nick and Bob learn a lot, and so will you! Listen this Thursday, December 5, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime, wherever you get your podcasts!

In this this episode, we talk with publishing veteran, raconteur, and all-around Man About Town, Ronald Koltnow. An Akron native, now living in Boston, Ron has long been interested (ie, obsessed) with our area’s nationally known delicacy: Barberton Fried Chicken!  So much so that he literally wrote the book about it. Exploring its Serbian origins, the immigrant community that popularized it, and y...

Rock ‘n’ Roll drummer turned entrepreneur, Danny Basone has for years been a major player in downtown Akron.  There was The Lime Spider, a club which featured both National and local bands, and has become legendary for many great shows.  Then, the Lockview, which remains one of best bars and restaurants in town. And now, he’s opened United States Potato Service, a truly unique new eatery. In this...

Maybe you know him from his radio show/podcast REVOLT INTO STYLE. Or from his bands Rainy Day Saints, Death of Samantha, or currently Dave Swanson’s Mystery Airship…. But you’ll really know Dave after our two-part deep dive conversation with one of NE Ohio’s most respected musicians and knowledgeable fans. If Rock can be a religion, then Dave Swanson is high priest! LOTS of great music in this one...

Nick and Bob chat with Kenny Lambert, whose journey from addiction through recovery has resulted in his becoming an in-demand clothing designer, starting his Just A Dad From Akron business in Kenmore, and being a respected community leader. His commitment to helping others - and how he got there, is a truly inspiring story, and we go deep in this episode. Listen Thursday, October 17, at 10 pm on T...

For over 30 years, Kenmore Komics and Games has been a fixture in Kenmore, and a destination for comics fans from all over Northeast Ohio.  John Buntin is the person behind the magic.  Nick and Bob discover that running Kenmore Komics is similar to a record store - you have to have a passion for the business, deep knowledge of the genres, and good relationships with your customers. Lots of fun gee...

One of the most creative, talented and eclectic musicians working in NE Ohio today is Jacob Trombetta.  Producer-Filmmaker-Guitarist-Keyboardist-Pedal Steel Guitar Player…. Well, you get the idea!  He’s played with Six Parts Seven and Richard Buckner, and leads an untold number of bands and artistic projects, including Glenn Lazear, Phantom Lease, Horses 4K, and his most recent endeavor Greening. ...

One of Akron’s most talented and busy musicians is saxophonist extraordinaire Justin Tibbs. Whether playing on other musicians’ dates, recording, composing, arranging, or leading his own group JT’s Electrik Blackout, Justin Tibbs has established himself as a force to be reckoned with. In this episode, Nick and Bob talk with Justin about his life, inspirations, and goals, as he negotiates the chall...

          In this episode, Nick and Bob continue to ponder the musical artists and bands who had a particular affect on the “Akron Sound” of the late 1970’s/early 1980’s. Lots of great music - too much for one episode!  Listen to Part 2 on Thursday, August 29, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!

“Influences & Inspirations, Part 1” In this episode, Nick and Bob ponder the musical artists and bands who had a particular affect on the “Akron Sound” of the late 1970’s/early 1980’s. Lots of great music - too much for one episode!  Listen to Part 1 on Thursday, August 15, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, YouTube, or wherever you get yo...