Middle Class Rock Star

In this episode, I sit down with Denver musician, Seth Beamer. Seth plays in several projects around town and is best known as the guitarist for the indie rock quartet, Wildermiss. This is the longest episode of MCRS to date, and for good reason. Seth goes deep and gives a real introspection into his life, upbringing and spiritual musical journey. We also hash out for the first time why he quit th...

In this episode, Denver (soon to be Nashville) based singer-songwriter, Alec Ryan joins me in my bedroom for a... conversation about music... on a really nice interface (I'm a nerd). The "Ben Folds meets your favorite early 2000s Emo band-esque" songwriter recently released the first half of his debut album, Paper and Pen. In his own words, "I believe love is found in the pursuit of what sets your...

In this episode, I chat with grammy winning recording engineer, Clark Hagan. Clark has had an illustrious career all over the music industry. After graduating from CU Denver's music program, Clark found himself as the head engineer of a studio in Nashville. He got to work with many artists including Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel. After a serious car accident that put him in a coma for a week, Cla...

Alex Mackenzie-Low aka "A-Mac" is my guest this week. He is a true entrepreneur in the Denver music scene and beyond. He fronts his alternative/reggae/hip-hop/rock outfit, A-Mac & The Height and books/runs Spread The Word Music Festival, which happens every spring in Denver. In this episode, we talk about everything that goes in to running a music festival including liquor licenses, contracts and...

In this episode, I chat with singer/songwriter Patrick Armould. At just 17 years old, he has performed internationally and opened shows around the country for the likes of Joe Pug. He fronts the Colorado based band, Halleway and now also performs under the moniker, American Field Day. If you enjoy the episode, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. Episode Music: Little Man's World -...

Keyboardist. Singer. Drummer. Poker player. Dueling piano extraordinaire. Former wearer of the man bun. My roommate. All things that describe Grant Farm keyboardist, Kevin McHugh. In this episode, we hear Kevin's story in music from his teenage bands, to his 10 year college plan and what led to his joining Colorado-based cosmic americana group, Grant Farm. I also spend some brief time at the begin...

With qualities ranging from blues to jazz, country and americana, Cary Morin is perhaps one of the best finger pickers on the circuit today. He has been touring internationally for decades, including performances at Paris Jazz Festival, Winter Park Jazz Festival, Folk Alliance International and the Copenhagen Blues Festival. He's won many prestigious awards including an Independent Music Award for...

Celeste Di Iorio has been involved in many facets of the music business including routing tours throughout the U.S. and Europe, working with artists on branding, and creating CD release campaigns. She currently heads up Maple Street Music Agency, a company that serves as a manager and agent for the artists on the roster. Her current roster includes: Cary Morin, Ray Bonneville, Pura Fe, Ulali Proje...

It was an absolute pleasure having David Dondero on the show. He has been putting out records under his own name since the late 90s, and was named one of the "best living songwriters" by NPR's All Songs Considered. In this episode, we discuss David's history and life on the road, as well as Nic and David's shared love of Vic Chesnutt. Oh yeah, I should mention I had a guest host on this episode......

Portia Sabin is the President of Kill Rock Stars Records (Olympia, WA and Portland, OR) and is the host of The Future of What, a radio show and podcast about the music industry. I had the pleasure of chatting with Portia at her studio in Portland, and asking some questions about her extensive experience in the music biz. If you enjoy the episode, please let others know, subscribe or write a review...

My guest, Kai Turner, has been on the airwaves since 1991. During that time, 100's of artists have appeared on the show either via live performances or interviews. With "Strictly Blues" Kai Turner has created a show that has garnered a reputation for being upfront and blunt about the importance of Blues music in today's society. It's also worth mentioning that this interview was done in Kai's base...

This episode is a must listen for musicians! This week, I got to sit down with Alison Griggs, founder of Note 4 Note Accounting to talk about the tax season and what musicians can do to make their lives easier! S Corp vs. LLC, deductions for musicians and 1099 talk is all here. If you enjoy the episode, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. Contact Alison: Website: http://artistfina...

Ian Mahan is a singer/songwriter, producer and avid Chicago Cubs fan. Besides the latter, we're on good terms. In this episode, we discuss our mutual love for baseball, licensing your songs for film and television and Ian's plan to pack up and head to Nashville. His newest single, Forever in Your Heart is out on Spotify and all other music outlets. Check out the links below to follow him on social...

Jenny has her S&%T together. I mean, she sent over a resume before coming by for the interview. Who does that? Jenny does. An accomplished singer/songwriter, a vocalist with a degree from Belmont in Nashville, lots of experience as a singer in various different bands and growing up in a town nobody has heard of somewhere in Indiana are all things that Jenny boasts proudly in her multi-page memoir....

After growing up in Colorado, Samuel Lee moved to Nashville to continue pursuing a career in music. His endeavours include touring internationally performing original music, performing in the college circuit and working as a sideman for label artists in Nashville. He also plays regularly with Olivia Rudeen, who was my guest back on Episode 3 of this podcast. He also has tons of famous friends.. I...

Rachel was three. I was two (and a half). My family had just moved in across the street from hers. At the time, there was only one other house in the entire neighborhood. It wasn't long before the two of us were inseparable and accomplishing great feats such as building unstable houses out of scrap wood in the empty lots around us, and attending snakes birthday parties without invitation. We've bo...

John Tuck started his professional career playing trumpet in a military band. From there, he began working at the dueling piano franchise, Howl At The Moon. He worked his way up in the company and also met his future wife, Amy. Amy and John now run their own dueling piano company called Colorado Keys. You can check them out at the links below. Colorado Keys Website: https://coloradokeys.com/ Insta...

Tyler Grant has a world of experience in the music industry. He's won first prize in the flatpicking competition at Winfield, toured as a lead guitarist with Abigail Washburn, Drew Emmitt, and The Emmitt Nershi Band and is going on a decade strong with his own project, Grant Farm. In this episode, we learn about Tyler's story, as well as why Grant Farm failed to cut one of my songs on their last r...

Chris Kresge (aka Chris K aka Goat) has been involved in the Colorado music scene in just about every way possible. He produces a radio program that broadcasts to 24 FM frequencies statewide, does consulting work for municipalities, festivals and artists, and fronts his own band, Goatz!. For local artists out there, this episode is filled with great insight and information regarding gigs, PROs, an...

I was very excited to have Richard Harris on the podcast this week. We chatted in his hotel room in Broomfield, CO where he was staying for the Durango Songwriters Expo. Richard was signed to Peer Music LA at the expo 11 years ago, and is still writing for them. He has had his songs placed in all kinds of movies, television shows and commercials and has had billboard hits as well, including "Meet...

Nic has been one of my best friends since I met him six years ago. He is an acclaimed harmonica player who has sat in with the likes of Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Jason Ricci, John Nemeth and Ronnie Baker Brooks. He also is a brilliant songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist who is influenced by artists like Daniel Johnston, David Dondero and Ray Bonneville. We had a fun conversation that hit on a...

In this previously untold story of rock n roll, I sit down with Tyler Paul Glasgow to talk about his musical upbringing and experiences with his band, Places. This special episode also serves as the premiere of Tyler’s first single under his own name. You can be the first to listen to his song, “Heaven” at the end of the show. Songs: “The Fire” - written by Tyler Paul Glasgow; performed by Places...

Olivia Rudeen is a phenomenal Colorado raised, Nashville based singer/songwriter. She was signed to her first publishing deal at the Durango Songwriters Expo right out of college, and has been writing, collaborating and performing in Nashville for the last five years. One of her most notable placements to date is getting her song, "As The Crow Flies" performed in the CMT television show, Nashville...

This week's episode is a sit down with multi-faceted live sound engineer, Anthony Catalano. Anthony and I met in pop/rock ensemble my freshman year at CU Denver back in 2009. We've had a great relationship ever since that has led to multiple recording projects and other endeavours. He is the perfect example of a "Middle Class Rock Star," managing every curve and turn and doing whatever it takes to...

Austin based blues/rock/soul duo, The Greyhounds have been at it since 1999 when Anthony Farrell answered an ad in LA Weekly that Andrew Trube put out looking for a keyboard player. Since that time, the then LA now Austin based musical duo has released several of their own albums, have written songs that have been performed by the likes of Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, and have served as member...