Spotlight Conversations

Singer-songwriter Parthenon Huxley is in the studio talking about music, songwriting, journalism and more, including his early work with North Carolina music legends Mitch Easter, Jamie Hoover and Don Dixon; working with 'The Blazers' and his own 'Ridiculous Band'; to leaving the Chapel Hill area to make the move to New York and LA, eventually signing with MCA and Columbia Reco...

In Hollywood today with Troy Carlton, who talks about his new film ' Birdies The Movie ', shot entirely in North Carolina (and now available on Amazon Prime). The Raleigh native sits down in the studio and talks of how his independent movie about "a washed up golf phenom who gets hired as the pro at a decaying country club where catching a buzz is par for the course" really beg...

In the studio with award winning Alysson Bourque, author of the Alycat Series of children's books . The series has gained loyal followers both in the United States (where her books were included in the Swag Bags at the Oscars AND the Grammy's!) and an equally strong following in the United Kingdom, with the support of Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, who chose Alysson's book ser...

Offering sage advice with real life stories on transitioning, former MIX 101.5 FM (Raleigh, North Carolina) morning guy (now author) Bill Jordan discusses his book "Embrace the Boom" which in his words '"empowers, encourages and inspires my fellow members of the Baby Boomer generation"' (and read the special introduction from Duke Men's Basketball coach Mike Krzy...

It's no easy feat becoming a bestselling author, but in today's episode, Elizabeth Spann Craig proves that with determination anything is possible. We discuss her new book - " A Notion to Murder ", part of her Southern Quilting Mystery series (available now on Amazon) along with  other novels including " A Dash of Murder " (from the Myrtle Clover Mystery series) and &...

For many in the voiceover world, Bob Souer is known as 'The Second Nicest Guy in Voiceover" , and after spending time at his studio in Pittsburgh, I finally found the true story of how he got that brand started (with a shout out to fellow voice pro and marketing guru Doug Turkel ) Listen in on how Bob's start in radio, combined with a childhood love of books and performance, has pav...

Amanda Lamb, veteran reporter for award winning NBC television station WRAL in Raleigh, NC stops by the studio to talk about her new book "No Wake Zone", one of many books (in different genres) she's written while covering hard news for the station.  Here's an interview that gives an honest look at journalism, including the business of writing books and writing blogs (and her c...

My guest today is audiobook narrator Todd Waites , who explains what really happens in the studio when recording an audiobook. And he's here to say - it's not that easy! Sure, it seems like so at first, but Todd takes us on a step by step audiobook process - from the first audition to final chapter recording - where you finally understand the time and energy it takes to make a successful...

In Texas today along with all its history, as told by the master Texas history storyteller, writer, stand-up comic, screenwriter, radio guy and author Mike Vance . His new book 'Getting Away with Bloody Murder:J.B. Brockman, the best Criminal Lawyer in Texas' (available now on Amazon) describes the life and times of Brockman, who rose from 'shady character to preeminent defense atto...

In the studio with Houston's man behind the camera - Al Torres of Al Torres Photography . As a sought after photographer for newsmakers around Houston, Al talks about how he captures those famous photos of television and media personalities through his unique camera lens. The photographer for Media Alliance of Houston and the Star Awards Gala (April 14, 2022 at the Post Oak Hotel) discusses e...

In Dallas today with radio personality Ted McKay, known as 'The Rock Professor' at Dallas rock radio station Lone Star 92.5. Now retired from a successful career in radio (including gigs at WRDU and WZZU in Raleigh, NC), The Professor discusses rock music and audiences; traditional radio and internet radio; life after radio and believe it or not class reunions, all told in his own down t...

Settling into the studio today with Houston radio and marketing guru Joe Pogge, creator of Strike Marketing . Joe talks about the 80's morning radio days in Houston (one of his first radio gigs was Marketing Director at The infamous Q Morning Zoo); audiences and great morning radio show formulas; promotion backstories (like that early viral marketing campaign of 1986 involving The Houston Roc...

On today's episode, it's all about Vegas baby! I'm in the studio with the ‘Spotlight Conversations podcast theme song creator' (yup, I just added a new title to his list of achievements), the veteran musician Mark Sparrow. From gigs in Las Vegas to touring with rockers The Romantics, Molly Hatchet and Rick Derringer; then off to create signature music for slot machines (in Vega...

A slight twist on the podcast today as I combine media and technology and chat with tech savvy Michael Farnum, Chief Techology Officer at Set Solutions , and the Founder/President of  HOU.SEC.CON , the Houston area information security conference. This IT pro talks Network Security (staying safe on line); what you can do about spam calls and emails; the ongoing relationship between media and techn...

Radio personality and community advocate Irish Dave (Dave O'Connor) is in the studio this week, bringing along his lighthearted humor to stories about growing up and starting his broadcasting career in Dublin, Ireland to making the brave move to radio in the United States (South Bend Indiana no less, home of the Fighting Irish - true story!). The afternoon show host at WAOR talks about his Am...

A holiday visit to North Carolina this week as I visit with Founder and Executive Director of Theatre In The Park Ira David Wood III . The beloved character actor, who for 48 years has played the part of 'Scrooge' for the theatre's musical production o f 'A Christmas Carol ' in Raleigh, talks about how his East Carolina roots combined with his love of reading Shakespeare a...

It's happening in Nashville this week as I interview musician Webb Wilder, the inspiration for the private eye character in the book 'Webb Wilder - Last Of The Full Grown Men" a book series with two stories in the series: "The Doll" and "Mole Men" . We talk about the writers of the book, Steve Boyle and Shane Caldwell; Wilder's love of country and rock music...

In the studio is journalist David Menconi, former music critic for the Raleigh News & Observer and the 2019 North Carolina Piedmont Laureate . The Texas born writer who's written features and profiles for the New York Times, Salon and SXSW World, discusses his new book "Step It Up and G0: The Story of North Carolina Popular Music, from Blind Boy Fuller and Doc Watson to Nina Simone a...

He's back! My official booth announcer, voice talent Joe Szymanski is in the studio today to talk about the business of voiceovers, his family, fishing and carburetors (although not necessarily in that order - and yes, he is that versatile!) The veteran voiceover artist known as Joe The Voice Guy , discusses the changing world of voiceover, marketing your voice brand, auditions, voice style a...

Houston radio legend and entrepreneur Dayna Steele has done it all: written books, organized The Space Store for NASA , and rocked the airwaves of KLOL Rock 101 in Houston; she’s now taking on roles as Broadway producer, actor and more with her  play "The Woman in the Mirror" (based on her book) which will premiere in Houston the first two weeks in November.  Dayna's "dark upli...

Bringing the studio to Oregon with the infamous 100.7 WMMS morning show host Jeff Kinzbach , who has taken his show on the road with wife Patti and trust me, they are loving every minute! The legendary broadcaster, who hosted the morning show with Ed 'Flash' Ferenc at The Buzzard for 20 years, resigned from radio, put a few things in storage, sold the house, and instead of buying a ticke...

Texas Radio Hall of Famer and SiriusXM radio personality Ron Parker is in the studio with me today, talking about radio up and down the dial - and every city in between! Ron discusses 60's and 70's music, those 80’s radio promotions with MTV, his stint at ABC Radio Networks in Dallas; programming KKBQ and KLDE in Houston; along with gigs at KFRC in San Francisco, WLS Chicago and WCBS FM...

So when you're a screenwriter with over 15 million views on YouTube, you gotta have a lot of good advice about writing, and my guest today does just that! Meet Marc Isaacs , writer for the very successful comedy short film ' First Timers ', who talks about the incredible success of the sex comedy plus working with fellow Houston native and film director Gilbert Sosa. Marc also discu...

Audiobooks. Just about everyone is recording one. But have you thought about what it takes in producing and narrating an audiobook? My guest Curtis Michael, a successful audiobook narrator for Romance and Young Adult fiction, talks about what it's like behind the scenes (yes, we said that!) in this week's podcast. Currently teaching students drama and theatre at an international school i...

In Hollywood today talking with American voiceover actor Beau Weaver , talking about how he made the challenging transition from a career in radio personality (KILT and KULF/Houston; KFRC/San Francisco; KHJ/Los Angeles) to voice actor; becoming one of the pioneers of satellite broadcasting as an original member of the air staff for 'Transtar Radio Network'; the backstory of his first pro...