The Electric Vibe Podcast

In this episode of the Electric Vibe podcast, hosts Harlan "Hucky" Austin, J David Silva, and Kurt Hoffman welcome Dr. Yahuru Williams, a distinguished scholar on the civil rights and black power movements. The conversation explores the significance of cultural figures like Prince in Black history, the impact of music on societal issues, and the importance of mentorship and community resilience. D...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, hosts Kurt Hoffman and J David Silva discuss the recent 2026 Grammys, reflecting on its significance in today's music landscape. They explore the role of award shows as platforms for social commentary, touching on the controversies surrounding artists like Billie Eilish and Bruce Springsteen. The conversation also highlights the importance of community...

Sometimes the best conversations happen when you throw the script away. In this episode of The Electric Vibe Podcast, we let the conversation flow — talking music, favorite albums, the weather, life, and all the things that come up when good brothers sit down and vibe. Then one question changed everything: 👉 “Were you ever in the studio with Prince while he was recording?” That opened the door to...

In this episode of The Electric Vibe, we sit down with Paul Peterson for an honest, insider conversation that goes beyond the headlines. This isn’t a Wikipedia interview. Paul opens up about growing up in a musical family, when music first felt personal to him, and how he really found his way into The Time. We talk about being young, talented, and suddenly inside Prince’s world — navigating creati...

Protecting Prince wasn’t just a job — it was a responsibility few could handle. In this new-season episode of The Electric Vibe, Kurt and J interview Harlan “Hucky” Austin, who served as a bodyguard for Prince during some of the most iconic moments of his career, including the Purple Rain era. Hucky opens up about the realities of protecting an artist whose fame, creativity, and influence reached...

Join J David and Kurt (with a special introduction from Hucky) as they recap 2025's recordings and adventures of The Electric Vibe Podcast. From episode triumphs to handling certain challenges, J David, Kurt and Hucky give thanks and appreciation to their guests, their international fan base and their supporters for an incredible year. Looking forward to 2026, the guys hint also hint of the exciti...

Join J David and Kurt on the Electric Vibe Podcast as they dive into the vibrant world of music with Lawrence "LAW" Worrell. From his roots in Brooklyn to sharing the stage with legends like George Clinton and Amy Winehouse, Law's journey is a testament to passion and perseverance. Discover the stories behind the music, the influence of funk, and the legacy of icons like Jellybean Johnson. Tune in...

Join us on The Electric Vibe as we pay tribute to the life, music, and enduring legacy of the legendary Garry “Jellybean” Johnson (1956-2025). In this special episode, we honor the pioneering drummer, guitarist, and producer who was a cornerstone of the Minneapolis Sound and a beloved brother in the Prince and PRN alumni family. From his early days with Flyte Tyme to becoming the original and only...

n this special episode of The Electric Vibe Podcast, Harlan “Hucky” Austin and Kurt Hoffman sit down with legendary tour manager Alan Leeds — the man who helped shape the careers of Prince, James Brown, and D’Angelo. Our brother J David Silva couldn’t join us for this one, but he’s here in spirit as we dive deep into the stories behind the music, the moments, and the legacy of three of the greates...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe podcast, J David Silva speaks with Jillian Soto-Marino about the Vicki Soto Memorial Fund and the upcoming 13th Annual Vicki Soto 5K. They discuss the preparation and logistics behind the event, the importance of community support, and the legacy of Vicki Soto, who lost her life protecting her students during the Sandy Hook tragedy. Jillian shares insights into...

Step inside the world of Mychael Gabriel on this episode of Electric Vibe! 🎙️ Known for his close ties to Sheila E. and his deep connection to the Prince legacy, Mychael shares powerful stories about life in the Purple Universe, the lessons he learned working alongside legendary artists, and how those influences shaped his sound today. In this conversation, we explore: 🎵 Mychael’s journey growing...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, hosts Hucky, J David and Kurt interview Craig Rice, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry known for his work with Prince and Pink Floyd. Craig shares insights into his early life, his journey into the entertainment world, and the experiences that shaped his career. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of working on iconic projects like P...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, hosts Harlan Huckie Austin, Kurt Hoffman, and Jay David Silva welcome John McKee, a former editor of UK music magazines and author of "Prince, A Sign of the Times." The discussion delves into McKee's journey of writing his first book, exploring Prince's life and the making of the legendary album "Sign of the Times." The conversation offers unique insig...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, Monty Moyer, the original keyboardist of The Time, shares his journey through the Minneapolis sound, his experiences touring with Prince, and the dynamics of being part of a competitive yet collaborative band. He discusses the importance of rehearsals, the camaraderie among band members, and the realities of touring life. Monty reflects on his transiti...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, Dr. Fink shares his experiences from recent performances, insights into the Sign of the Times concert film, and memories from the 1987 tour. He discusses the emotional impact of the film, the camaraderie among band members, and the technological innovations that shaped live performances. Dr. Fink reflects on the significance of fan interactions and the...

Celebrating the IMAX release of Prince's iconic 1987 concert film, "Sign O' The Times," J David, Hucky and Kurt are joined by film director Albert Magnoli, trumpet player Matt "Atlanta Bliss" Blistan and Hayley Drinkall (manager of the beloved, late, Cat Glover) for an insightful, fun and poignant discussion of the film and its lasting cultural impact. Sharing behind the scenes anecdotes and intim...

On this exciting episode of The Electric Vibe Podcast, JD, Kurt, and Hucky are all back together, as we also welcome back musician, producer, songwriter, and entertainer, Morris Hayes, to the show. From his upbringing as a young church performer, to forming his first bands, to working with international superstars such as Prince and The New Power Generation, Taj Farrant, Maya McLean, Whitney Houst...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe podcast, host JD Silva interviews world-class musicians Elisa Fiorillo and Philip Fortenberry. They discuss their upcoming show, "The Classics with Class," in Las Vegas on August 20, 2025, their musical chemistry, the importance of keeping classic music alive, and the joy of mentoring young artists. The conversation highlights their collaborative process, the s...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, hosts JD Silva and Kurt Hoffman welcome back Michael Koppleman to discuss his group and new release, "Nobody From Nowhere." The conversation delves into Michael's creative process, the dynamics of his band, and the emotional depth of his lyrics. They also explore the impact of AI and streaming on the music industry, Michael's musical influences, and hi...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, hosts JD Silva and Kurt Hoffman welcome back Michael Koppleman to discuss his group and latest release, "Nobody From Nowhere." The conversation delves into Michael's creative process, the dynamics of his band, and the emotional depth of his lyrics. They also explore the impact of AI and streaming on the music industry, Michael's musical influences, and...

In this episode of The Electric Vibe Podcast, hosts JD Silva and Kurt Hoffman welcome Sam Jennings, a multi-talented graphic designer and artist known for his work with iconic musicians like Prince and Pearl Jam. The conversation explores Sam's journey in the graphic arts, his unique collaboration with Prince, the evolution of online music distribution, and the impact of streaming on artists today...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, we delve into the monumental influence of Ozzy Osbourne on the music world. Join us as we pay tribute to the legendary Ozzy, exploring his role in pioneering the heavy metal genre with Black Sabbath, alongside Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. With special guests John Gallagher of Raven and Josh Schwartz of A Sound of Thunder, we discuss Ozzy's...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, we delve into the monumental influence of Ozzy Osbourne on the music world. Join us as we pay tribute to the legendary Ozzy, exploring his role in pioneering the heavy metal genre with Black Sabbath, alongside Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. With special guests John Gallagher of Raven and Josh Schwartz of A Sound of Thunder, we discuss Ozzy's...

In this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, hosts Kurt Hoffman and JD Silva welcome back Eric Rogers, the creator of Paisley Five and Dime, to discuss the upcoming 35th anniversary celebration of Prince's Graffiti Bridge. They explore the evolution of event promotion, the importance of personal interactions with fans, and the logistics involved in organizing such events. Eric shares insights int...

n this episode of the Electric Vibe Podcast, hosts J David and Kurt welcome R&B and soul musician Martin Kember. They discuss Martin's musical journey, his connection with audiences, the evolution of songwriting and production, and the impact of AI and autotune on the music industry. Martin shares insights on performing live, his influences including Prince, Earth, Wind & Fire, George Mich...