So The Story Goes with Brian Chartrand

John Willis puts down his bass for a moment and comes by the crib armed only with 24 ounces of iced coffee and his easy laugh. He shares his origin story set in the great white north of Flagstaff where he was raised on a steady diet of Beatles, Rolling Stones, and the blues. He chats about his stint at Berklee, his many years touring with various bands (including with his brother), our mutual love...

Bass man Dylan Thomas stops by for a little chat. We hear stories about a young Dylan hearing Led Zeppelin for the first time, joining his bass playing dad on gigs at an early age, Jaco's influence, and meeting Bo Diddley in the studio. We find out how porn stars can increase your tips if you busk on Mill during a porn star convention. You know, all sorts of cool stuff. We also hear about his new...

Philly's own Johnny DeFrancesco hops on a call with me. We talk about growing up in PA in a very musical family, finding the blues, his decision to join the military out of high school, his teaching gig at Berklee, how 9/11 changed the course of his life, meeting Ike Turner, and so much more. If you enjoy hearing two grown men laugh a whole bunch, this episode is for you. Find out more about Johnn...

Bill Dutcher; the man, the myth, the OH born son. Singer/songwriter, guitar guru Bill stops by for a zoom chat. We chat about the beginning, the middle, and the future. We rap about gear, we rap about process, we rap about loop pedals. This cat has been busy. Stay sharp. Find out more at https://billdutcher.com/

Multi-instrumentalist, roots blues singer/songwriter Eric Ramsey stops by for a chat and brings an extra beer in his cooler for me (because he is a gentleman). We dig into his early years in Kansas, his college years at ASU, his career as an electrician, how he came back to music, our shared love of the Grateful Dead, his songwriting process, and he shares a live version of his song "Cocoon." Do y...

Piano man Daniel Byers stops by to enjoy a hot cup of joseph and a chat on an abnormally cloudy day in Phoenix. This cat has a story to tell; from his formative years in Nashville, his trek to ASU, to starting Palo Brea, and the hell of a year he had in 2021 (you thought YOU had a year?). Through all the trials and tribulations, the wins and losses, he is still out there finding pure joy in making...

Drummer Tony King stops by in some fresh kicks to have a little chat. Tony grew up here in Phoenix . He shares some musical memories of his youth, how he came to the drums, his time at ASU, and his professional career which spans over a decade. He shares his first concert experience, his passion for shoes, and he drops some hilarious one-liners from his favorite movies. Enjoy this one, friends.

Smooth jazz sax player and hobby farmer Jermaine Lockhart makes the long trip from Coolidge, AZ to Phoenix to have a chat. We talk about growing up in Cleveland, OH, growing up in a musical family, why he moved to AZ, his new passion for farming, his collaboration with the great George Benson and his new EP. We also discuss his tune "Honey Dew." For more information on Jermaine, please go to https...

Arizona's own Tanner Siegfort stops by to chat about the drums and his booking company Groove Booking. He schools me on the intricacies of "Butt Rock." He takes us way back to his early drumming days and what inspired him to find that instrument. What he did during the pandemic to stay active and creative and we share booking, war stories. Find out more about Groove Booking at https://www.groovebo...

Mark Vander Ark, avid music fan and DJ, stops by the crib before work to discuss all things music. We talk about how we met many moons ago, how he helped shape my music career (hello, the Sweet Remains?!), how he came to music, how he consumes it, and how and why he became a DJ. Lets just say he's been curating the vibe for years now. Tuck in friends. Mark, meet everyone. Eveyone, meet Mark.

If you know Mikel, you know that he is the real deal. He is authentic as the day is long. He is a product of AZ but has red dirt country music flowing through his veins. Do you want to know how he got to the guitar? Do you want to know how the Sugar Thieves started? He's a songwriter, band leader, father, and so much more. He also shares his tune "Fat Lip Mama Blues." Dig this friends. Find out mo...

Drummer Dowell Davis joins the party! Born in DC, with stints in NYC, Louisiana, and now Phoenix, Dowell shares his story. The music that inspired him, his journey to the drums, his deep philosophy on music, and tales from the road. Cat's got a story, boy! Buckle up friends.

The pride of Tucson, Steff Koeppen pops by for a splash of white wine and a little chat. This singer/songwriter, piano player shares her musical journey which started at a very early age, by the way. We talk about how she manages singers dystonia, what she did to stay creative during COVID and shares her tune "Corner of the World." Find out more at https://steffkoeppen.net/

A-list drummer John Lewis carves out an hour in his day and sits down for a chat. This beautiful, gentle soul shares his early years in LA playing drums and setting up his studio, regales me with stories of the road, what led to his move to PHX, we talk about this incredible musical community in Phoenix and we share a few laughs. When your water heater dies, John's the guy to call. Seriously... a...

While back East on a recent visit I was able to sit down with my folks and rap about music. While neither of them are professional musicians, they both had very interesting stories to tell of how much shaped their lives and they shared some great early memories of music over the years. I'm so grateful for them being so supportive of my musical journey. Check out this adorable chat.

Brainerd, MN's own Patrick Andrew regales me with early stories growing up in lake country, how Paul Bunyan shaped his career, his move to Minneapolis, his first record deal, meeting Wierd Al in a parking garage, getting his degree in social work at ASU, his connection to Cougar Town, Paisley Park, and how he got connected to Vinyl Station. He's cool. Deal.

Arizona native Singer/Songwriter and vocal looper extraordinaire Holly Pyle stops by to discuss her early years singing, her time at NAU, her journey back to Phoenix, her band House of Stairs, and she shares a new track from her new project. We also talk about how 2020 was a rather busy year which included moving to Los Angeles. Just try to slow this woman down! I dare you. Find out more at https:...

Pianist, sax player, philosopher, book keeper Ted Belledin stops by to talk shop. We talk about his early years in Memphis, moving to outside of Philly, his time in Rochester, the delicacy of the Garbage Plate, and how he made his way to Phoenix. We also talk about how he made it through the pandemic and his New Orleans inspired band NOLAZ. Ted is a gentle soul with mounds of talent and he has a s...

Alison and Nick, co-creators of 528 Live, stop by for a little chat. For those unfamiliar, 528 Live was a concert series that took place in downtown Phoenix in response to the shut down of basically all live music in March 2020. They opened up their front porch and their hearts to their neighborhood and live music community and presented 33, covid responsible/outdoor live performances until they w...

Grammy Award winning bass player, entrepreneur, author, highly sought after session musician, and band leader Mel Brown makes an appearance and demands a taste! We discuss his early years in Denver, how he was a bass player before he ever held a bass in his hands, his early fascination with Rush, his very first paid gig, his deep love of rap, and how technology inspires and pushes his creativity,...

Pianist, band leader, singer, and MC Dan Lovelock stops by for a little chat. We talk about his early years in Florida growing up in a musical family, his time performing on a cruise ship with his mom, dad and uncle, how he landed in Vegas and subsequently Phoenix, and how massage therapy training got him through the "the great pause."

Guitar ninja and Arizona native Sturgis Waters brings whiskey! We discuss all sorts of things including his start as a drummer, his deep love of Paul Simon's "Graceland," how the theme song to the A-Team might have ended his piano career, our love of early 80s television, how being an Eagle Scout and a fan of MacGyver made him the musician that he is today, and he shares the one liner that he drop...

Ann Arbor, Michigan's own Todd Chuba, drummer extraordinaire, makes an appearance. We talk about early influences, his approach and philosophy to drumming, we deep dive into subdivision, why he loves Weather Report, how he made his way to ASU, and his subsequent professional career as a first call drummer here in Phoenix. He also shares the three things you need to judge a gig on. Spoiler alert, o...

New Jersey native, singer/songwriter Bryan Marscovetra stops by the house and discusses his early musical memories building drum sets out of ice cream tubs and paper plates, shares a miserable experience eating pizza in Naples, Italy, we go on a deep, deep dive into our shared love of Pearl Jam and their record Vitalogy, and we discuss our work on his song "It'll be Alright."

Lifelong drummer and Ayr, Scotland's own, Roy Cameron stops by with his deliciously endearing brogue for a quick chat and a sip of some mediocre wine. We talk about his early influences, his formative years at MI in London, and how love brought him to, of all places in the world, Florida. We touch on his gigs at Disney, how he got to Phoenix, his tours opening for Rob Thomas with Vinyl Station, an...