Queen City Music Podcast

Well, here we are 100 episodes deep into the QCMP. I'm proud to have been spotlighting our local Charlotte music scene since 2017 by speaking with musicians, artisans, business owners and others who make up our music community. This month I'm speaking with Tina  "The 1 Civilian" CEO of Tap In - Music & Entertainment LLC. Tap In is known for hosting local music showcases, open mics, and networking...

If you've been listening to the QCMP over the years you know I like to speak with people from across the musical spectrum.  This month is no different as my guest is Stan Cocheo, host of the internet radio show Musical Conversations. Stan has spoken to a wide range of artists from local Charlotte musicians like our friend Peyton Velligan to international stars like Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull. S...

This month on episode 98 of the QCMP I'm talking with guitarist Mike Prescott. You may know Mike best for his amazing guitar playing with The Hawthornes - a genre bending group whose music is hard to classify. Mike's unique sound and broad range of influences make him one of Charlotte's shining voices on six strings.  _________________________________________________ Mike Prescott Website The Hawt...

This month on episode 97 of the Queen City Music Podcast I'm sitting down with singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Payton Rose Velligan for what is the longest episode of the QCMP to date. You may recall Payton was on the podcast back in 2020 with her band mates in Irrashional - which was episode 31 to be exact. However, in the last 6 years Payton has been doing so much that I wanted to m...

This month on episode 96 of the Queen City Music Podcast. This month I'm speaking with guitarist Edward Crowther who is quickly making a name for himself on the Charlotte scene. He's a musician unafraid of wearing his influences like a badge of honor and his music reflects the true spirit of rock 'n' roll. Edward was kind enough to sit and talk about his journey as a young musician navigating the...

2026 is off to a great start and on this episode 95 of the QCMP I'm pleased to be speaking with my friend singer/songwriter Kristi Ormand. Kristi has released several new singles recently and fronts the cover group StellaRising. I sat down with her discuss her musical history, the release of new music and who this Stella person actually is...   ________________________________________________ Dona...

To kick off 2026 and this episode 94 of the QCMP I'm speaking with members of Charlotte's most notable cover group - Coconut Groove Band. The group formed in the late 90's and have developed a broad repertoire of songs which spans decades as well as genres. The band's deep catalog, along with their dedication to musical excellence has earned the Coconut Groove Band an impeccable reputation in the...

This month on episode 93 of the QCMP I'm speaking with local music legends The Spongetones! The group formed in 1979 from a desire to play the music of the Beatles and other artists of the 1960s they admired. Their music can best be described as "Power Pop" highlighted by jangly guitars and Beatlesque vocals. Although their lineup has slightly changed over the years - the current lineup of Jamie H...

This month on episode 92 of the QCMP I'm speaking with Rick Thurmond from Confluence. If you are not familiar with Confluence, it is the must-attend annual gathering for music professionals, artists, and industry leaders across the Carolinas and the Southeast. Confluence was held here in Charlotte in October from the 8th - 11th. There were guest speakers and panel discussions during the day and ev...

This month on episode 91 of the QCMP I'm speaking with self-trained composer Sean Michael Smith. Sean has an interesting background as a metal musician, with a foot in the classical realm. His first symphony "The Wolf" is to be performed on October 24th by the Charlotte Civic Orchestra at the Dale F. Halton Theater. A symphony is quite an ambitious work for a new composer, especially when it is th...

This month on episode 90 the QCMP has its first rountable! We're talking the business of music as a local musician. Host Matthew Ablan is joined by Ephraim Scott Sommers, Pam Taylor and Nicholas Rhodes. It's an interesting discussion between four musicians who are navigating the Charlotte scene.  Featuring the songs "Man Enough" by Ephraim Sommers, "Mountain" by Pam Taylor and "It All Depends on Y...

This month on episode 89 cover artist Philip Funderburk who can be found tickling the ivories as a soloist and dualing pianist. Philip digs into his background as a pianist, what brought him to Charlotte and a whole lot more! __________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP _________________________________________________ Philip Funderburk Instagram Facebook Reverb Nation ___________...

This month on episode 88 rap artist Big Greg also known as PLK "The Punch Line Kid"stops by to talk. Big Greg can best be described as "genre less" and has been cited as one of the most diverse artists in the south. Not to mention he's received accolades from: Charlotte Music Awards, Carolina Music Video Awards (CMVA) and Indie Grind Music Awards (IGMA) to name a few.  Equally at home in the studi...

This month on episode 87 of the QCMP I'm speaking with bassist Desmond McDonald who recently finished a tour with blues/rock guitarist Eric Gales. Dez fills us in on his music background, what attracted him to the bass, plugging into the Charlotte music scene, the pressure of jumping into a tour and a whole lot more.  _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP ___________...

This month on episode 86 of the QCMP vocalist and good friend Tara Taylor stops by to discuss her musical history, plugging into the Charlotte music scene and the various groups she performs with.  _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP _________________________________________________ Tara Taylor Instagram Facebook Buffet and Beyond __________________________________...

This month on episode 85 of the QCMP local cover artist Matt Stratford stops by to discuss his musical background, the local Charlotte scene, live sound and lots more! _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP _________________________________________________ Matt Stratford Instagram Facebook Chunky Daddy _________________________________________________ Matthew Ablan we...

This month on episode 84 of the QCMP I'm speaking with Nathan Harris. Nathan is multi-talented and is a touring and session guitarist as well as a singer/songwriter. His recent release is the EP Moving On.  _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP _________________________________________________ Nathan Harris Instagram Facebook _________________________________________...

This month on episode 83 of the QCMP I'm pleased to be speaking with independent artist Joe May. You may remember Joe from episode 40 of the QCMP when he was on with several band members from his Pluto Gang. This month Joe is back talking about his dive into being a solo artist, his new single, upcoming album and studio Alta Mira. _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCM...

Happy New Year and I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you. This month on episode 82 of the QCMP Greazy Keyz is back and this time in the studio! The last time he was featured on the podcast was back in 2020 on episode 33 and we needed to do a virtual interview as the pandemic had just started. He's had a lot going on in these few short years so I've asked him back to fill us in! _____________...

This month on Episode 81 of the Queen City Music Podcast Matthew speaks with guitarist Troy Conn . The two talk about Troy's musical history, performing, working with like minded musicians, teaching and navigating social media! _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP _________________________________________________ Troy Conn Website Instagram Facebook ________________...

This month on Episode 80 of the Queen City Music Podcast Matthew speaks with Flame Tides . A melodic heavy groove duo featuring Hayley Moran and Rocketman McNeely. The duo discuss how they came together, navigating the Charlotte scene, what defines their sound and a whole lot more! _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP ________________________________________________...

This month Matthew talks with DJ Citron. Citron talks about the history of DJ'ing - what it is and what it's all about, how he became a DJ, a run down of the Charlotte scene, and a whole lot more! _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP _________________________________________________ DJ Citron Website Instagram Facebook _______________________________________________...

This month Matthew talks with Charlotte native Nicholas Rhodes who works under the moniker "The Raven & The Road". The two discuss Noicholas' journey in music from jazz to rock, from ensemble to solo performer guitar teaching, his podcast and much, much more! _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP _________________________________________________ Nicholas Rhodes Websi...

This month on Episode 77 Matthew speaks with Douglas Armstrong owner of Midwood Guitar Studio. It's been some time since Douglas was last on the podcast, but he's back to update us on what's been happening at MGS.  _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP _________________________________________________ Sponsor Midwood Guitar Studio ____________________________________...

This month on episode 76 of the Queen City Music Podcast host Matthew Ablan speaks with Patrick "PJ" Justice and Warren Wheless founding members of the metal band Fault Reset. The guys discuss how the band came together, the song writing process, the local metal scene, the "in's and out's" of harsh vocals and so much more! _________________________________________________ Donate to the QCMP ______...