From Akron & Beyond Podcast

What role does public art play in our community?  It can beautify, and while sometimes be subtle, other times it can challenge and inspire. In this episode, Nick and Bob speak with two persons directly involved in these creative issues.  From the Massillon Museum of Art, Executive Director Alexandria Nicholis Coon and Operations Officer (and artist) Scot Phillips discuss the planning, creation, an...

  We left the first part of our terrific discussion with Christopher Butler just as we were getting to his joining Tin Huey (call it a “cliffhanger”!).     Part 2 begins there, moves on to his successful creation of (and adventures with) The Waitresses, and ultimately ends up with his many current projects, his support of the local music scene, and his new studio and arts space in Kenmore.      Mo...

 On this episode, Nick and Bob are visited by the internationally renowned collector and seller of rare photographs and manuscripts, Akron’s own Andrew Cahan.  An accomplished photographer himself, Andy shares interesting anecdotes about his encounters with the famous and not so famous, though none surpass the story of his own career and the fascinating paths it's taken him on. Listen at 10 pm on...

The Kenmore area of Akron has a long and storied history, but in recent years, it had fallen on hard times.  But currently, due to the tireless efforts of community activists and a vibrant arts scene, Kenmore is thriving. How did such a transformation come about? In this episode, we talk with Tina Brode Boyes, Jim Ballard, and Corey Jenkins, all who have been at the forefront of the Kenmore Renais...

Episode 26:  “Tales of the Rock & Roll Life with Frank Secich” On this episode, we welcome consummate rocker Frank Secich, as he regales us with stories from his days playing with the innovative Youngstown power pop band Blue Ash, the Dead Boys, Stiv Bators Band, Club Wow and the Deadbeat Poets. Many of these stories can be found in Frank’s two excellent memoirs: CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE and hi...

Big news! The FROM AKRON & BEYOND Podcast with Bob Ethington and Nick Nicholis is now available on all platforms!   Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Google, SoundCloud - You name it!   Thanks to The Summit FM and all of our listeners for making this happen.  How better than to celebrate than with a two-parter featuring….. Chris Butler, Part 1 Christopher Butler, a true polymath - songwriter, producer,...

In this special episode (the second of another two-parter!), Bob and Nick are joined by Jade Dellinger and Bob Lewis.  Jade is co-author (with David Giffels of the definitive history THE BEGINNING WAS THE END: DEVO IN OHIO - and Bob Lewis was there at the beginning.  In fact, much of the worldview and philosophy of the band, the very theory of De-Evolution, was formed by Bob Lewis, which ultimatel...

In this special episode (the first of another two-parter!), Bob and Nick are joined by Jade Dellinger and Bob Lewis.  Jade is co-author (with David Giffels) of the definitive history THE BEGINNING WAS THE END: DEVO IN OHIO - and Bob Lewis was there at the beginning.  In fact, much of the worldview and philosophy of the band, the very theory of De-Evolution, was formed by Bob Lewis, which ultimatel...

In this episode, Bob and Nick take a trip down the Memory Lane of Hell as we reminisce about shows we played that went terribly wrong, or gigs we attended that went completely off the rails…..  Available anytime on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts!

15-60-75.  The Numbers Band.  For over 50 years, brothers Robert Kidney and Jack Kidney have led one of the most compelling and original groups anywhere.  Built on their deep love of the Blues, incorporating free flight Jazz and Rock power, there truly is no one else like them. In this, the second episode of a two-parter, Bob and Nick dig deep with Robert and Jack into how they’ve honed and mainta...

15-60-75.  The Numbers Band.  For over 50 years, brothers Robert Kidney and Jack Kidney have led one of the most compelling and original groups anywhere.  Built on their deep love of the Blues, incorporating free flight Jazz and Rock power, there truly is no one else like them. In this, the first episode of a two-parter, Bob and Nick dig deep with Robert and Jack into their inspirations, the pre-N...

He’s been named the “The Bard of Akron” by nothing less than the New York Times!  When talking “From Akron & Beyond”, no one fits the bill better than author/educator/rocker/home renovator David Giffels.  His books have chronicled family, history, the Akron Sound, amongst many other topics.  In this, the second of a two-parter, Nick and Bob join David on a deep look through his varied and succ...

He’s been named the “The Bard of Akron” by nothing less than the New York Times!  When talking “From Akron & Beyond”, no one fits the bill better than author/educator/rocker/ home renovator David Giffels.  His books have chronicled family, history, the Akron Sound, amongst many other topics.  In this, the first of a two-parter, Nick and Bob join David on a deep look through his varied and succ...

In this episode, Nick and Bob go beyond with Fred Karm, whose Hoppin’ Frog brewery has won international acclaim for his many innovative and delicious beers.  Meanwhile, in Akron he maintains both his brewing operation and his brewpub, with many tasty food options. A man of many interests and accomplishments, don’t miss this special FROM AKRON & BEYOND featuring Fred Karm!

For years, Ryan Humbert has been a mainstay in the NE Ohio music scene, as a performer, songwriter, and producer.  He has reached a new pinnacle of success with his band The Shootouts, whose third album STAMPEDE has climbed the Americana charts, featuring such stellar guests as Marty Stuart, Jim Lauderdale, and Asleep At The Wheel, amongst others.  Performances at none other than the Grand Ole Opr...

Just in time for kickoff, Bob and Nick talk with Frank Stams about his years playing with Bernie Kozar under coach Bill Belichick, and he shares his thoughts and predictions for the upcoming season.

Akron vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and music-archivist Jimi Imij joins Bob and Nick for Akron music talk and more!

Nick and Bob create a legendary episode as original members of The Brambles wander by for chat, flashbacks, and loads of music-talk.

Jim Carney, a living, local legend, invades the studio for talk with Nick and Bob about newspapers, music, and Akron music history.

More love 'for the record' as Nick and Bob 'talk tunes' with record aficionado Scott Shephard.

It's 'record store day' on the podcast as Bob and Nick talk vinyl with Square Records owner David Ignizio.

In this episode, Bob and Nick sit down with Akron music fan, and rampant car collector, Myron Vernis!

In this episode, Nick and Bob chat with Akron music legend, author, and historian Calvin Rydbom.

Bob and Nick continue their conversation about Akron music and beyond with the one and only Harvey Gold!

In this two-part episode, Nick and Bob have an in-depth chat with iconic Akron music legend Harvey Gold!