Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley

Originally recorded in 2009, Marva King discusses recording and performing with Prince during the lead-up to Lotusflow3r. She shares stories about Prince's perfectionism, rehearsals, Liv Warfield joining the band, previewing Prince's groundbreaking website, touring with Stevie Wonder, producing her own music, and the release of her album Grown and Sexy. A fascinating snapshot of Prince's world jus...

Few people witnessed Prince's digital vision as closely as Sam Jennings. Working with Prince from 1998 through 2007, Sam helped design the official websites, the groundbreaking NPG Music Club, album artwork, tour books, and many of the online experiences that connected Prince directly with fans years before streaming became the norm. Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley talks with Sam about: • Working...

From the Musicians Reveal Radio Archives comes a rediscovered conversation with legendary guitarist Jesse Johnson, originally recorded in 2009. After years of searching, this interview was finally recovered while digitizing decades of cassette archives. Jesse reflects on his remarkable career, his groundbreaking work with The Time, his solo success, and his experiences surrounding Prince and the M...

Jazzhole founders Marlon Saunders and Warren Rosenstein join Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to discuss their latest album Moonlight Mile , recording at the legendary Muscle Shoals studio, touring with Stevie Wonder, Randy Brecker, New York's vibrant music scene and the band's remarkable 32-year journey together.

Singer, songwriter and producer Sekend joins Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to discuss his musical journey from Dallas to Berklee College of Music and ultimately to recording with Kanye West, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Kirk Franklin. He shares stories about Sunday Service, studio sessions, Motown, performing the National Anthem, and building his own career as an artist

From the Upper Room archives, Joe Kelley welcomes Shel Riser of Sonnyboy for an in-studio interview and live performance recorded in 2004. Shel discusses his move to Minneapolis, performing with Maserati, working with Malia Franklin, the Prince-era music scene, building Sonnyboy, and life as an independent artist. The episode also includes live acoustic performances recorded in studio. Part 1 of a...

Singer, songwriter and former New Power Generation vocalist Elisa Fiorillo joins Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley. Elisa discusses her new single "Clear Blue Skies," performing with the Minneapolis Funk All-Stars, memories of Prince, the surprising advice Prince gave her as a songwriter, her upcoming memoir Purple Tapestry, and the next phase of her musical journey. She also shares stories about r...

Bobby Moon and Paul Pablo Thomas of Spellbound join Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to discuss more than three decades of friendship, music, creativity, and independent artistry. The conversation explores the band's origins, musical influences, songwriting process, live performances, the changing music industry, and their latest release, Life 101 . Originally recorded in 2026.

Originally recorded in 2007. Joe Kelley welcomes Gary Hines, founder and leader of Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness. Gary discusses the group's album Kings and Queens: Message Music From The Movement , the lasting influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., attending King's funeral, growing up in Yonkers, New York, and the rich musical history of Minneapolis. The conversation also explores An...

Originally recorded in 2005, Joe Kelley welcomes legendary drummer, guitarist, producer, and founding member of The Time, Jellybean Johnson. In this rare radio archive, Jellybean reflects on touring with Prince during the Musicology era, the discipline and rehearsal standards that made Prince's bands legendary, the unique artistry of the Minneapolis Sound, and his work with Ronnie Baker Brooks. He...

Rainiere Martin joins Joe Kelley on Musicians Reveal to discuss her incredible journey from giving up on music for 20 years to becoming one of the nation's premier Donna Summer tribute performers. Rainiere shares how years of rejection led her away from singing, the unexpected opportunity that changed her life, building the acclaimed Forever Donna tribute show, performing on the Ultimate Disco Cru...

In this 2007 radio archive, Joe Kelley speaks with Rose Ann Dimalanta (RAD), keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter, and former member of Prince's New Power Generation. RAD discusses working with Prince, performing "When Doves Cry" in stadiums around the world, John Blackwell's role in connecting her to Prince's camp, Bay Area funk influences, touring, independent music, and the making of her album Eas...

On air since 1982 — long before podcasts existed. In this radio archive from 2003, Joe Kelley talks with percussionist, vocalist, bandleader, and former Prince collaborator Estaire Godinez about her album Live From The Dakota and the vibrant Minneapolis music scene. Estaire reflects on performing with George Benson, recording live at The Dakota, building a Latin-funk sound, and working alongside a...

What does it take to stay in one of the most successful touring bands in music history for more than four decades? In this episode of Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley , legendary bassist Stephen Jay shares stories from his remarkable career with Weird Al Yankovic, discusses the creative process behind parody music, reflects on the explosive impact of MTV, and explains why music remains the ultimat...

In this rare 2004 archive interview, legendary drummer John Blackwell discusses the loss of his daughter Jia, the creation of the Jia Kennie Blackwell Memorial Scholarship, and the support he received from Prince, Larry Graham, family and friends during one of the most difficult periods of his life. Blackwell also reflects on: Prince and the Musicology Tour The New Power Generation The Rainbow Chi...

For more than four decades, Joe Kelley has interviewed the musicians behind some of the most influential music ever created. In this special roundtable edition of Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley , six legendary members of the Minneapolis music community come together to celebrate the legacy, history, and future of the Minneapolis Sound. Joining Joe are St. Paul Peterson, Jerome Benton, Dr. Fink,...

Author, roller skating legend, community leader, and creator of the Rollo Shuffle, Kenny "Rollo" Davis joins Joe Kelley to discuss growing up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the influence of Challenger astronaut Ronald McNair, overcoming addiction, recovery, family, faith, and the inspiring journey detailed in his book Life At The End Of The Tunnel .

Recorded just days after the passing of James Brown in January 2007, legendary tour manager Alan Leeds joined Joe Kelley for an emotional tribute to the Godfather of Soul. Leeds shares memories from his years working alongside James Brown, discusses Brown’s final days, reflects on his influence on Prince and funk music, and tells remarkable behind-the-scenes stories from music history. A powerful...

Son Of Pearl joins Joe Kelley to discuss the influence of Prince, the Minneapolis Sound, funk musicianship, groove, creativity, and carving out an authentic musical identity. From eclectic funk roots to modern artistry, this conversation explores the lasting impact of one of music’s most influential eras. Hosted by Joe Kelley — on air since 1982, long before podcasts existed. #Prince #SonOfPearl #...

Singer-songwriter and global recording artist Jann Klose joins Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to discuss his upcoming album Future Trap , songwriting, Broadway, Prince, vinyl culture, and the evolving music industry. In this wide-ranging conversation, Jann reflects on growing up between Germany, Kenya, South Africa, and the United States before building his career in New York City. He also share...

From the Musicians Reveal vault: a rare 2001 conversation with Dr. Fink of Prince & The Revolution. Long before podcasts existed, Joe Kelley was interviewing the artists, musicians, and creative minds behind some of music’s most legendary recordings and performances. In this radio archive interview, Dr. Fink reflects on music, performance, creativity, and his experiences during one of the most...

Author, DJ, educator, and music historian Amani Roberts joins Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley for an in-depth conversation about the power, passion, and lasting impact of legendary R&B groups. Amani discusses his new book The Quiet Storm: A Historical & Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion & Pain of R&B Groups , exploring the stories behind iconic acts including New Edition, Th...

In this rare 2014 radio archive interview, Elisa Fiorillo of Prince & The NPG joins Joe Kelley alongside guitarist Tyler Reese to discuss their Dease & Reese project Life In 20 , working with Prince, touring, songwriting, Berklee College of Music, Pat Metheny, and balancing life on and off the stage. Elisa shares stories about rehearsing with Prince, performing with Shelby J and Liv Warfie...

On air since 1982. Interviewing artists for decades—long before podcasts existed. Legendary wardrobe stylist Abby Franklin joins Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to share unforgettable stories from inside the worlds of Prince, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, Drake, Katy Perry, and more. Abby reflects on working alongside Prince for over a decade—from Musicology and One Nite Alone to the legendary 21 Ni...

Before streaming became the standard, Prince was already rethinking how artists connect directly with fans. In this rare archive interview, the designers behind his Lotusflow3r website — Scott Addison Clay and Anthony Malzone — share what it was like working directly with Prince to create one of the most ambitious digital music experiences of its time. Originally recorded in 2009, this conversatio...