TOP TALENT with Richie Phillips

Meeting Bob Dylan at age eight on a Woodstock lawn is one heck of a "how it started" story. Jami D of Forever Young-The Music and Back Pages of Bob Dylan joins TOP TALENT to talk about her lifelong connection to the legend and how she’s brought a 10-piece Dylan tribute to life.   She also floored me by asking if I wanted to be their guest musician to play one of his songs at the Woodstock Playhous...

There's always "Sunny Skies" when I get to see his "Smiling Face" online saying that he is coming to the Capital Region to perform his amazing tribute to legendary artist James Taylor.  He is "Sweet Baby James-the Ultimate James Taylor Tribute Artist Bill Griese.  Nationally recognized as the definitive JT interpreter.  This is my second time speaking with him, and I think he will agree that it's...

Wow-how can you possibly pay the ultimate tribute to such an iconic band -well, INSTITUTION -as the Grateful Dead?  You can see them Sat Mar28th at Lark Hall, Albany at 7:30pm.  But listen to this podcast and findi out about this incredible group of NY based musicians led by an amazingly multitalented singer, guitarist and arranger-David Mendelsohn (yes—the same Mendelsohn who I interviewed with t...

David Mendelsohn is- to coin a phrase that I think I might have invented- a RMM- real morphing musician.  He definitely knows how to adapt to “changing marketing conditions” in music.  He has been everything from a cruise ship lounge singer to wedding band member to BIG BAND ,GOSPEL BAND cofounder,  THE YACHT LOBSTERS YACHT ROCK TRIBUTE  AND..get this .. GRATEFUL DEAD tribute band SHAKEDOWNCITI co...

  Fear not, country music lovers – THE GAMBLER RETURNS with this ULTIMATE KENNY ROGERS TRIBUTE ARTIST, ALAN TURNER.  He is coming back the the Cohoes Music Hall on March 22nd.  Not to be missed.  (And this podcast is not to be missed.  You will learn a very important lesson here-- if you are ever to be an opening act for a major country icon, always be polite.  You NEVER KNOW what can happen to yo...

He's the talented RINGO in the Ultimate tribute to the greatest band in music history. He's multi-instrumentalist Erik Fidel of the internationally acclaimed, Emmy winning  FAB FOUR.  Playing at the Hart Theatre at the EGG, ALBANY NY on Fri Mar 6th @ 7:30 PM.  Not to be missed! What  kind of preparation goes into "channeling" the Beatles? Was Ringo really that good of a drummer?  We discuss... How...

Rick Schuler, the endorsed John Denver tribute artist, heads up the ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH EXPERIENCE, where  he discusses his career, the inspiration behind his music, and his album Colorado — which features John Denver hits alongside original songs. This episode explores Rick’s beginnings, endorsements from John Denver’s inner circle, his touring schedule, and the enduring appeal of John Denver’s m...

 In this episode, I speak with Eric Hofmanis who has starred nationally in A Man Named Cash: THE OFFICIAL TRIBUTE ACT FOR Johnny Cash ,and is appearing at the time of this writing for 2 nites at the Strand Theatre  in Hudson Falls, NY on 2/28, 3/1. Go to mystrandtheatre.org for tix!    Things we cover:  Do you REALLY have to sound exactly like the one you are paying tribute to in a Tribute Act?  (...

SABRINA PLAISANCE-SIA is a Las Vegas Headliner, 2024 & 2025 Josie Music Award Tribute Artist of the Year Nominee and much more.  She and Dan Sia, husband, drummer and musical arranger, put together this incredible tribute to the late great 80's icon OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN and also honors the classic movie GREASE with a full band accompanying her stage act.  Lucky for us in the Capital Region,THE O...

Did you hear the intro?  That was Garret Lechowski from Harvest and Rust, the Neil Young Experience.  If you're a Neil fan, take a listen on your favorite podcast App!   This time My talk  is with the Ed Bornt, manager and lead guitarist of this incredible tribute band LEGEND, THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY EXPERIENCE.  Take a listen, and you'll hear what it's like trying to recreate the sound of this iconi...

My talk with lead singer, Multi instrumentalist and manager Garrett Lechowski about Harvest and Rust Neil Young Tribute Band coming Friday, Jan 16 to Cohoes Music Hall.    Their website for ticket and appearance information http://www.neilyoungtributeband.com Hear a sample: https://youtu.be/oueMWJICl9o?si=7_7DAZlJ3_u6YjYl

A SWEET discussion with "Sweet Baby James" Tribute artist Bill GREISE.  He resides in Nashville but has become nationally recognized as a top James Taylor tribute artist.  Copyright restrictions prevent me from playing any of the songs here, but you can see and hear samples below.   He is appearing here in the Capital Region of Upstate NY at the Cohoes Music Hall on April 5th   Check here for tix!...

It doesn’t take brain surgery to figure out who she’s related to!  Correct! She is the daughter country legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette.  She was also show consultant on the heart wrenching  bio pic “George and Tammy” .   Georgette is appearing in Glens Falls, New York at the wood theater for an “Up Close  and Personal “ Performance on Sunday, October 29 at 3 PM.  Tickets are still availabl...

Think you or somebody you know has an amazing talent?  The "IT" factor?  Well here's your chance to shine.  INTERNATIONAL TALENT SHOWCASE is here in ALBANY ON TUES OCTOBER 17TH AT THE DESMOND HOTEL IN ALBANY!  Founder SHARON MCCARTHY is my guest, and will give you all the information in case you are wondering what they are looking for.  You can be 4 years old, and you can be 80ish  They take anyon...

Fun, informative interview with the incredibly TALENTED  NANCY HAYS - Actor, "Come Dance With Me" singer-songwriter, international line dance hitmaker and much much more.  Ready to appear as of this writing at the the Wood Theatre in Glens Falls for an incredible tribute (with her daughter Mary Hefferman) to Judy Garland and Lisa Minelli's 1964 London Palladium show.  That is happening on 10/22.  ...

Fascinating talk with the man who's the BACKBEAT of this EMMY AWARD-WINNING  Beatle tribute band- THE FAB FOUR. He is multi-instrumentalist Erik Fidel.   We talk influences, how he prepares (musically and visually) for the gigs,  how he learned to play a right handed kit left handed (Like the master does), and much much more.  If you've never seen them live, you are missing a masterful recreation...

Great, fun conversation with an icon from perhaps the most prolific and productive era in country music..the 90’s…singer songwriter Billy Dean . Billy Dean is a multi award-winning country, singer songwriter. We delve into his career, his new projects, and most importantly..why everyone in his family is either named Billy or Dean or any combination!    Www. Billydean.com for more info My website t...

REPEAT EPISODE -  THIS EPISODE ORIGINALLY AIRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT WAS ERASED ACCIDENTALLY.  I AM REPOSTING IT This incredibly talented high school student not only is a skilled pianist, but also composes and ARRANGES as well.  Her mother, Anne, entered her into a national talent contest on PBS organized by famed child prodigy ETHAN BORTNICK. And yes...SHE’S A FINALIST!!!  After listening to t...

ENCORE EPISODE... Originally aired in 2019 but was accidentally erased.   A fun 45 minute chat with old friend and TOP TALENT- musician, songwriter, and arranger EDDIE KILLGALLON. We talk music, songwriting, how he made the move from the Albany area to Nashville way back when, how “timing and preparation” helped, how George Strait propelled a song he co-wrote to the number one spot on the Country...

Yes..that happened… An unbelievable opportunity to speak with a country music icon…Multi-Award winning singer and actor Randy Travis and his amazing wife Mary who has become, due to his unfortunate stroke several years ago, , his defacto spokesperson..and what an amazing job she does…     They make it work, and with great humor besides.    There is a backstory to getting this chance to chat with t...

Part 1 of a 2 Part Podcast on our experiences performing in association with the UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL RANDY TRAVIS SHOW here in Glens Falls NY and Laconia New Hampshire-8/26-27,2023 - part of Kevin Richards Productions.  Mark and I were "warm up acts" and the duo of Martin and Kelly are best described as "Co- Headliners" along with the legend himself!  More infö at MartinandKellymusic.com and sam...

In this episode I pay tribute to a TOP TALENTed Tribute Artist -Pennsylvania native Doug Delescavage - of the PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM TRIBUTE BAND .  I happened to catch their act here in July 2023 at the Mohawk Harbor, part of the River Casino complex in Schenectady NY.  Don't miss them if they come your way in the future!  Wow!  Here we discuss his impressive training, he talks about his day  job -...

A little sidestep from my normal musical topics--I wanted to explore talent in another medium- PHOTOGRAPHY.  I happened to see this man's work on Facebook where he expertly colorizes old photographs from downtown Troy way back when. A must see!  John Bulmer is my guest.  We talk tips, tricks, artificial intelligence, the death of the digital camera (or maybe not) and other topics .    Check out Jo...

We continue with my series of Top Talented Tribute Artists.  This time Scott Townshend, aka THIRSTY BURLINGTON as Cher!!!  We discuss not only the process of transforming into this icon onstage, but also the trials and tribulations of growing up, gender identity, and we also should mention that Thirsty has a movie---aptly entitled THIRSTY - available on Tubi TV, Hulu and other services.  I happene...

Another in my series of Tribute Acts episodes.  This time we feature two TOP TALENTS.. Jenna Sue and Bill McGrath, two Albany area musicians taking on the persona of the great Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash for their final performance of their TRIBUTE SHOW  SAT. APRIL 8 at the LITTLE VEGAS WEDDING CHAPEL AND THEATRE in ROTTERDAM NY.   Call 518-419-1334 for reservations.   FYI.. I’ve also done Billy...