The Keyboard Chronicles

We talk with two master Australian musicians about the music business and the challenges musicians face making a living in the 21st Century. Paul Gildea is a guitarist who has played with Icehouse for decades, as well as being guitarist with Little River Band, Rick Price and Vika and Linda Bull to name just three. Paul also happens to be an accomplished music educator, teaching and coordinating mu...

Richard Hilton has had one rich, ongoing career as a keyboard player and producer.  This career and dedication to the craft has created a great musician with an amazing outlook on life and music more broadly.  To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel Disc...

Chris Norton arguably has been part of two of the more stressful gigs a keyboard player can be involved in: band leading a Cirque Du Soleil show and playing as part of Dweezil Zappa’s Zappa Plays Zappa . Chris has not only manage to pull off both with aplomb, but has a career full of highlights and lots more on the horizon. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio...

Francis Capistrano is an accomplished keyboard player who survived a decade or more in music retail. That alone makes him a great guest, but he’s also CEO of Narf Sounds, a company that makes sound packs for cover band musicians. As weekend warriors ourselves, we couldn’t resist catching up with Francis for a wide-ranging discussion that covers a lot more than his sound offerings. To l...

Martin Rebelski AKA Rebelski  is a UK based keyboard player and producer. As you’ll hear, he manages to hold down three diverse touring roles (Doves, Echo and the Bunnymen and Peter Hook and the Light), plus production of his own work. He’s a busy guy with some great insights for every keyboard player. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, o...

Toby Hounsham is the keyboard player and newest member of the iconic band The Stranglers. We cover plenty of Stranglers territory plus Toby’s previous work with Rialto and Mungo Jerry to name two. And then there’s Toby’s other job as a fully qualified music therapist. A wide-ranging discussion to say the least.  To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio...

Mike Schmid has been part of Miley Cyrus’ core band for fifteen years. In addition, Mike has worked with numerous artists including The Chainsmokers and Troye Sivan to name just two. We talk everything from stadium gigs to playing tips and a little bit of gear talk to boot. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video...

We talk some more with Jim Daneker about his sideline as creator of the Backstage Pass products. This is bonus content that was provided to our Patreon supporters 30 days ago and we hope you enjoy it as much as they did. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube C...

Brother Paul Brown has been playing keyboards with The Waterboys for well over a decade, and as you’ll hear that is one of many strings to his bow. In his inimitable style, Brother Paul covers an enormous amount of ground that will make you want to see him play when he’s next in your town. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: wat...

Dave Ross is keyboard player with what is arguably one of the world’s most well known cover bands, The Hindley Street Country Club  (HSCC). We talk to Dave about his wider career in music, how HSCC rocketed to the success it’s currently experiencing, and future plans. We also talk gear of course! To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Vid...

Time for some fun, when we test Matt Goodluck’s prog knowledge ( we also interviewed Matt here ). This is bonus content that was provided to our Patreon supporters 30 days ago and we hope you enjoy it as much as they did. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our Yo...

In Part 2 of our interview with the inimitable Rubén Valtierra ( Part 1 is here ), we hear more about Rubén’s career, upcoming work and his take on our stalwart desert island discs and tag a keyboard player questions. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTub...

Rubén Valtierra plays keys with the inimitable and iconic Weird Al Yankovic. In Part 1 we hear about Rubén’s chops as a musician and his general approach to life, you’ll understand why he’s been at the top for such a long period of time. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and pre...

Jim Daneker plays keys with Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant, composes for film and TV and even creates his own sounds sets for a number of platforms. To say he’s busy and talented is an understatement, and Jim provides some great insights across his wide ranging experiences. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video...

In our first Great Debate we talk to Matt Goodluck, prog rock obsessive (check out Matt’s bio below). The topic is obviously prog rock, the debate occurs on multiple fronts, including what makes good prog rock, who the true greats are and even some gear talk. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video or check it and...

It’s hard to overstate the career Lisa Coleman has had to date. As a solo artist, part of iconic duo Wendy and Lisa and as a core member of The Revolution, Lisa Coleman has some brilliant insights that everyone can learn something from. As Prince said of Lisa: “she plays Mozart, she’ll be funky”. With a special guest appearance from Lisa’s lovely greyhound dog! To lis...

Josh Weinstein is a composer, arranger and keyboard player and teacher of music history. In this bonus episode ( Josh was featured in Episode 35 ), Josh and our own Paul Bindig talk everything Pink Floyd, particularly the joys and challenges of recreating Pink Floyd’s music in a tribute band context. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Pink Froyd (Faceboo...

Geoff Downes not only co-founded a pioneering group in the late seventies, but he’s also a core member of two other iconic groups that continue to go strong. And that’s just the start. Geoff covers a lot of ground in this interview and we take the opportunity to delve into the latest album release from Yes. To listen, click on the player above or listen on YouTube: Links to content men...

Tom Brislin plays keyboards for Kansas and has also toured with other icons such as Debbie Harry, Meatloaf and Yes. As you’ll hear, Tom has some great insights on his career to date that inspired us and will hopefully inspire you. We even have a fun chat about whether Meatloaf’s work could be described at ‘Pop Prog’. You’ve been warned! To listen, click on the player...

Oliver Wakeman has had a prolific career to date, with lots more on the horizon. Oliver talks his latest release with Clive Nolan, his musical upbringing and even a bit of tech and train-wreck. To listen, click on the player above or listen on YouTube: Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):   Oliver Wakeman and Rodney Matthews Nolan and Wakeman – Why Do You...

Josh Weinstein is a composer, arranger and keyboard player and teacher of music history. We talk everything from US East Coast vs West Coast gigging differences, why you don’t hear Billy Joel on the radio on the West Coast, music history and even a bit of gear!  Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab): Josh’s Love and Alcohol album   RAM ON: 50th Anniver...

In one of the wider ranging conversations we’ve ever had, we speak with Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated keyboardist and composer Michael Whalen. As you’ll hear, that is only two strings to his bow and Michael has some fascinating insights into the music industry and making a living from music in the digital age. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):...

Veronica Lewis is a great player in the early years of what looks like will be an amazing career. Veronica tells the story of her discovery of the blues and boogie woogie, her work to date and her thoughts on her future. Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):   Katie Webster Veronica plays live (2019) History of Beale St Barbara Blue at Silky O’Sullivan&#821...

Alan Hewitt has had a mammoth career in film, TV and live performance. As the current keyboard player for The Moody Blues as well as leading his own band , Alan has a huge ongoing career to reflect on.  Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):     Alan Hewitt & One Nation – We’re One Nation Duffy King Billy Ashbaugh Alan performing with The Moody Blu...

Alan Clark was a pivotal member of Dire Straits throughout the majority of that band’s career. As you’ll hear, it was just one of many interesting experiences for a keyboard player with a storied, ongoing career. To listen click on the player above, or to listen on YouTube: Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):   Trevor Horn Alan’s Blog History...