Roadie Free Radio

After nearly 45 years in the music industry it's safe to say that Robert "Nite Bob" Czaykowski does indeed deserve the legendary status that is usually bestowed upon him. He's been at the intersection of Right Place/Right Time so often, his stories at times seem unbelievable, but, as he himself confesses; "I may not be able to remember my hotel room number, but I can tell you details about shows."...

The trust between an artist and his or her crew is something that takes time to build. It's a sacred thing. Bobby Tis, guitar tech and monitor engineer for the Tedeschi Trucks Band, has fostered that trust for close to 10 years. I spent an evening with Bobby at a recent gig in Simsbury, CT, and the level of camaraderie and closeness amongst the band and crew was certainly palpable. Bobby learned h...

If you haven't plugged-in and tried a guitar amplifier from Louis Electric Amplifiers yet, I urge you to find the nearest one and do so right away. For the last 25 years, Louis Rosano has been hand-building his amplifiers in a small garage in Bergenfield, New Jersey, these amps have pleased the some of the industry's heavyweights, from Keith Richards and Ron Wood, to Warren Haynes, Danny Gatton, A...

Rebecca Wilson is steadfast in her belief that the best way to learn is by doing. No fancy schools, no debt load to carry, just basic hard work, and being passionate about following your dreams. After just one night of doing monitors at a club for Fishbone, the band decided to pluck Rebecca from her club gig and take her on the road with them. A few days later, she found herself behind the mixing...

It was at a Supertramp concert when he was 13 years old where Robert Scovill got his first glimpse of a FOH soundboard, and since that day, he's followed his insatiable passion for live music all the way the top of his field. Known and well-respected by many of his peers, Robert has been mixing sound for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for an incredible 23 years. Prior to his post with Petty & Co....

This week I sit down with guitarist/producer Eric Ambel in Brooklyn to mine through the finer points of a career built on desire, attitude, and talent. After all, you don't get to play with the likes of Joan Jett or Steve Earl by pigeon-holing yourself into one style. An accomplished guitarist, producer, and club owner, Eric's journey in the music business may have started in the mid-west and take...

What better way to celebrate the 50th episode of ROADIE FREE RADIO than to have legendary sound engineer Bill Hanley join me from the stage at Daryl's House Club. An innovator, leader, and rebel, Hanley is responsible for so many advancements in the area of live sound reinforcement that he's known affectionately as the "father of festival sound." Based in Medford, Massachusetts, Hanley Sound Corpo...

As an actor, your lucky if you get one job that hits and puts you on the map. If that job happens to be a successful commercial, count yourself as really lucky. Paul Marcarelli has done it twice. For fourteen years he was the iconic face of Verizon who asked the question "can you hear me now?" and now, in a historic and unprecedented move, he's back, representing mobile phone giant Sprint. Not one...

Nathan Barr is a composer's composer. Not only does he love to compose and write music, he is passionate about the instruments that he plays, and seeks out the most unique and original instruments with which he creates his unforgettable compositions. Nate has already amassed more than 34 film credits to his name, numerous hit television shows including True Blood, The Americans, The Son, and Sneak...

One look at Sean Quackenbush's resume and it's clear to see that not only has his work ethic paid off, but obviously he's got the talent, drive, and the ears, to back it up. Sean's career started at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in upstate New York. One fateful night, while mixing FOH for Robert Randolph & the Family Band his whole life changed, and he's been on the road with an incredible l...

Sometimes our path in life is laid out right before us to follow, and sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. However, if we're lucky, divine intervention may just come along and nudge us this way or that, setting us on a path that leads to a career that we love. For director and singer/songwriter John Alper, those nudges have come more than once. After thirty-plus years in the film busin...

It only takes a few seconds of watching Mike Bram play drums to know how much joy it brings him. The same can be said of talking to him about music and the incredible journey he's been on since he climbed behind his first kit at just five years old. While Mike has spent the last several years on tour with Jason Mraz as both his drummer and musical director, it hasn't stopped him from being kept bu...

What do all great songs have in common? Most likely they tell a great story. So it's no wonder Chas Sandford is an award-winning, multi-platinum selling songwriter and producer, he also happens to be an amazing storyteller. A chance encounter with Ike Turner in an alley in Englewood, CA is all it took to set Chas on his way as a force in the recording industry in the early 70's, and he shows no si...

You don't get to be Jorma kaukonen's guitar tech without possessing serious skills. But more than skills, you need the right temperament. Myron Hart II has just the right blend of confidence, humility, and talent, and that has kept him close to Jorma's side for the last several years. Myron grew up in a musical family, a stones throw from the Fur Peace Ranch, and learned the business from watching...

Logos, posters, album covers, these are just a few of the items that leave an indelible mark on us; visually imprinting the look or vibe of a favorite band, book, or movie. Phil Yarnall, accomplished designer, and Tyler School of Art graduate, is the artist behind many such memorable creations. Not afraid to get his hands dirty and dig into the work, Phil has created incredible imagery for the Jim...

FOH engineer and 2 x Grammy Nominee producer Courtney Taylor is a hard man to track down. Every other week he flies from his home in Southern Florida to work overseas, and in between, he's either working for someone else, DJ'ing, or planning his next move. Through Patience, Focus, and Passion, he's amassed an incredible roster of clients including, Far East Movement, Stephen Marley, Pharrell Willi...

It's not uncommon for someone to start their career working at a place like SIR in New York City and end up on the road. That's exactly what happened to Randy Brown. He met Roberta Flack while manning the stages at SIR, and the next thing he knew, he was traveling the country. Thousands of miles later, Randy is still hard at work, bringing his own special brand of enthusiasm and loyalty to the lik...

Joe Rudge was born to be a music supervisor. It's literally in his DNA. His father is famed Rolling Stones manager Pete Rudge, and his step-father was the iconic film director Elia Kazan. So you see, the apple most certainly has not fallen far from the tree. If you need a moment to research the above names, please do so, because only then will you realize the imprint that these two careers had on...

To witness the fury that is Laith Al Saadi's guitar playing is to truly behold something special. And when he sings, you can literally feel his growl in the bottom depths of your soul. Touch, tone, and talent, only begin to describe Laith, who has spent most of his years carving out a loyal following from his Michigan roots, before ultimately wowing new legions of fans on season 10 of NBC's The Vo...

I first met Joe Magistro and Katrine Ottosen in the Summer of 2014 while they were both on tour with Rich Robinson. The gig was in Patchogue, NY, and the trailer hauling all of their gear had broken down in New Jersey on the way to Long Island. It was hot, the band was late to the venue, and we all had to pitch in to help get them set-up in time for the show. It was awesome! Joe and Kat opened for...

My guest this week is friend and filmmaker Bob Sarles of Ravin' Films. Editor, producer, and rock music historian with some incredible credits to his name, Bob and his business partner Christina Keating, work on a variety of unique projects throughout the year and I am humbled that he took time out from his busy schedule to share his journey with me and impart some of his wisdom with us.

30 years as a live sound technician. 25 years as Pearl Jam's dedicated Monitor Engineer. Several years teaching, mentoring, and empowering the next generation of women in audio. Tune in and found out how Karrie Keyes turned a teenage love of Southern California's Punk Rock scene into a lifelong career of touring with some of the industry's biggest bands including Soundgarden, Fugazi, Sonic Youth,...

If you know what you want to do, and you get bitten by the bug of your chosen field, nothing can stop you. Even though bassist Tanya O'Callaghan was bitten late, she made up for lost time by hustling and working constantly to master her instrument. Several short years later, Tanya has carved an incredible international career for herself as an in-demand artist in the studio and on the road. These...

Our trip to Miami may have been cancelled due to the recent snowstorm in the Northeast, but that didn't stop me from getting my interview with Grammy-winning mixer Tom Lord-Alge. Between Tom and his older brother and record producer Chris, they have a staggering number of credits in the record business in careers that span roughly 35 years, and includes artists such as Live, Santana, U2, The Rolli...

No guest this week, but join me as I wax nostalgic about Marc Ford and the Magpie Salute, updates about our Indie Go Go campaign, the GroundUp Music Festival, Plato, and future guests. If you get a chance, check out my new series, The Machine, co-hosted with my good friend Adam Lerner: www.brooklynphotoworks.com.