The Musician's Shed Podcast

What does it take to leave a comfortable local music scene and completely reset your standard of excellence? In this episode of The Musician’s Shed , host Samar Newsome connects with the incredible New York-based trombonist and septet bandleader Mariel Bildsten. From her accidental start picking up the trombone at ten years old just to hang out with friends in Santa Barbara, California, Mariel cha...

In this deeply emotional, full-circle second half of Episode 20, host Samar Newsome continues his conversation with his high school music teacher, mentor, and "music dad," Dr. William Y. Farley Jr. Transitioning from their early history, this session tackles the profound psychological, spiritual, and intellectual realities of running a music program. Dr. Farley peels back the layers on h...

In PART 1 of this incredibly special, full-circle episode of The Musician’s Shed , host Samar Newsome sits down with the man who served as the spark for his own musical and educational career: his high school mentor and "music dad," Dr. William Y. Farley. From growing up in a musical church household in South Jersey—likened to the "New Jersey Jacksons"—to a surprise five-year s...

In this powerhouse episode of The Musician’s Shed , Samar Newsome sits down with the multi-talented James "Biscuit" Rouse . Known across the industry as the ultimate pocket drummer, a soaring vocalist, and a master musical director, Biscuit breaks down his incredible journey from the woodshed to the world stage. From driving the rhythm section for Ms. Lauryn Hill and executing high-stake...

In this episode of The Musician’s Shed , Samar Newsome sits down with a living legend of the horn section: Dave "Doc" Watson . If you’ve ever danced to the "Apache" beat or felt the soulful swell of an Alicia Keys ballad, you’ve heard the work of Dave Watson and Chops Horns . With a career spanning over four decades, Dave has navigated the evolution of music from the birth of H...

In this soulful and rhythmic episode, Samar Newsome sits down with world-class drummer Jeremy Warren . From his humble beginnings in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the high-stakes stages of New York City and his current impact in New Jersey, Jeremy shares the blueprint of a career built on versatility. Whether he’s keeping time for legendary jazz icons or providing the backbone for hip-hop royalty like...

In this compelling episode of The Musician’s Shed , host Samar Newsome sits down with versatile guitarist Misha Joseph . The conversation maps out Misha’s expansive journey—not just across genres, but across the globe—detailing his evolution from a young dreamer in Uzbekistan to a seasoned professional in the American music scene. Key Discussion Points Roots in Uzbekistan: Misha shares memories of...

In this episode, Samar Newsome sits down with the man who turns every track into a masterclass: Aaron Monroe , better known as Mr. Lab . Aaron’s journey is a testament to what happens when raw talent meets relentless curiosity. From the high-energy drum throne of the church to the cutting edge of global Afro-pop and the inner circle of icons like Missy Elliott , Aaron breaks down the "Lab res...

In this episode of The Musician's Shed , host Samar Newsome welcomes the brilliant Peter L. Powers . Peter wears many hats: he’s the Musical Director at Christ Church USA , a professional bassist and keyboardist, and an accomplished film composer. We discuss: Leading the Band: The unique challenges and rewards of being a Musical Director for a major ministry like Christ Church USA. The "...

What does it take to go from a dedicated student of the craft to sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in the music industry? In this episode of the Musician’s Shed Podcast , host Samar Newsome welcomes the incredibly talented guitarist Walt Williams . Known for his versatility and impeccable timing, Walt dives deep into his personal development as a musician and the pivotal moments tha...

What does it feel like to step onto a Broadway stage when theater is literally in your DNA?  This week in The Musician’s Shed , host Samar Newsome welcomes the incredible Jennie Harney-Fleming for a conversation that bridges generations of musical excellence. Jennie isn’t just a Broadway powerhouse ( Hamilton , The Color Purple ); she is part of a legendary theatrical lineage. Her father, Ben Harn...

What happens when classical training meets soulful innovation? You get The Violin Diva . This week in The Musician’s Shed , host Samar Newsome sits down with the incomparable Charisa Dowe Rouse . From prestigious concert halls to high-energy contemporary stages, Charisa has carved out a unique space in the music world that is entirely her own. In this episode, we go beyond the music to discuss the...

The lights of Broadway are bright, but the path to getting there is often paved with grit, grace, and a whole lot of heart. This week in The Musician’s Shed , host Samar Newsome welcomes the phenomenal Carrie Compere for a soul-stirring conversation about life on and off the stage. Carrie is a powerhouse talent known for her unforgettable roles in Broadway’s The Color Purple , Holler If Ya Hear Me...

In this episode of The Musician’s Shed , Samar Newsome sits down with the incomparable Ms. Syreeta Thompson , known to the world as the "Trumpet Lady." Syreeta isn’t just a musician; she is a force of nature who has shattered glass ceilings in the male-dominated world of brass. From her early days "woodshedding" to find her signature tone to commanding the world’s biggest stage...

The Blueprint for Longevity with Dana Sorey In part 2 of this episode of The Musician’s Shed , Samar Newsome sits down with a true titan of the industry: Dana Sorey . If you’ve listened to Gospel or R&B in the last two decades, you’ve heard Dana’s work. As a multi-Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Award-winning producer, songwriter, and musical director, Dana has shaped the sound of legends. But today...

The Blueprint for Longevity with Dana Sorey In part 1 of this episode of The Musician’s Shed , Samar Newsome sits down with a true titan of the industry: Dana Sorey . If you’ve listened to Gospel or R&B in the last two decades, you’ve heard Dana’s work. As a multi-Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Award-winning producer, songwriter, and musical director, Dana has shaped the sound of legends. But today...

In this compelling episode of The Musician’s Shed , host Samar Newsome sits down with the versatile pianist and composer Jerry Compere to explore the intersections of classical training, commercial production, and scoring for major streaming platforms. The conversation centers on Compere’s journey from a child prodigy to a Peabody Award-winning composer, offering a masterclass in the versatility r...

In this soul-stirring episode of The Musician’s Shed , Samar Newsome sits down with the multi-hyphenate vocal powerhouse Jeremiah Abiah . Known as both a world-class vocal coach and a "voice healer," Abiah shares his unique philosophy on what it means to truly own your sound. Whether you’re a bathroom belter or a seasoned pro, this conversation peels back the layers of vocal performance...

What is the secret to staying relevant in the music industry for decades?  On this episode of The Musician’s Shed , host Samar Newsome sits down with industry heavyweight Vince Jackson . A true jack-of-all-trades, Vince is a prolific Producer, Keyboardist, Musical Director, and Mixing Engineer whose credit list reads like a Hall of Fame induction. From working alongside Wyclef Jean to contributing...

In this discussion, Al Carty breaks down his journey from a young gospel musician in the Bronx to becoming one of the most in-demand bassists and Musical Directors (MDs) in the world. He moves beyond simple technique, focusing heavily on the "soft skills" of the music business: professionalism, preparation, and the "musical intuition" required to survive in high-pressure pop en...

On this episode of The Musician’s Shed , we are joined by a rising force in the music industry who is redefining what it means to be a modern keyboardist and producer: Dave Drake . Already garnering Grammy nominations and producing viral hits, Dave has quickly transitioned from a talented student of the game to one of the most in-demand creatives in R&B and Pop. We sit down to trace the breadc...

Inside the Process: From The Shed to the Grammys with Dave Drake On this episode of The Musician’s Shed , we are joined by a rising force in the music industry who is redefining what it means to be a modern keyboardist and producer: Dave Drake . Already garnering Grammy nominations and producing viral hits, Dave has quickly transitioned from a talented student of the game to one of the most in-dem...