BIG NEWS FOR MIDDLE CLASS ROCK STAR! We're now reaching 25 FM frequencies throughout Colorado. More info in the episode! This week I'm welcoming back 45 year Colorado radio vet, Chris K., who has lots of interesting tidbits in the midst of this pandemic. If you'd like to hear our first conversation, check out episode 7: King of Colorado Music Radio, Chris K (Goat). Chris K, who also goes by the name, Goat, has been a known radio personality in Colorado since 1977. That's right, this man lived th...
Nov 12, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Alex Rhodes is my guest today on the pod. We first met up for coffee (tea for me, I hate coffee) about a year and a half ago. He had a collection of songs recorded and wanted to bounce ideas back and forth about what to do next. The songs are great. The lyrics are great. The vibe is there. Now what? I ask myself this same question every time I do anything. To top it off, Alex is working on growing his music career alongside being a good husband and father. As if "making it" wasn't hard enough, t...
Oct 30, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Julia Mendiolea is my guest today to start off what some might call, "Season 3." I don't technically divide this show up into seasons, but I do take a break every summer. Julia and I go back. Wayyy back. About as far back as a musician in their twenties can go. We met the very first day of college as aspiring music majors at the University of Colorado at Denver. She moved to Denver from the small town of Green River, WY (coincidentally, I'm writing these very show notes in Green River) and was t...
Oct 15, 2020•1 hr 24 min
It was great catching up with my old friend, Megan Burtt. I first became aware of her music when she was a guest speaker at CU Denver's weekly convocation (a required class for all music performance majors) back in.... 2010? Over the last decade, she has established herself as one of the best songwriters in Denver and around the country. She has won lots of awards for her performances and writing including: Rocky Mountain Folk Festival, Kerrville NewFolk Competition, Mountain NewSong Competition...
Jul 10, 2020•1 hr 9 min
My guest this week is Boulder-based singer/songwriter and performer, Shanna In A Dress. The first paragraph of her bio is a perfect introduction: "Shanna in a Dress is your quirky best friend who refuses to wear pants. She says what everyone is thinking but no one else will say and you'll get an uncensored journey of clever humor and heartbreak with a hefty side of entertainment at her shows. This witty wordsmith is known for making audiences laugh and cry, sometimes in the same song. Think Jaso...
Jul 02, 2020•1 hr 22 min
If you're looking for a wholesome average rock concert, don't go see Andy Frasco & The U.N. The first time we met, I sat in with his band at Globe Hall in Denver. I was the opening act and during his set, his keyboard broke. He didn't seem to dwell on it too much. Instead, he kindly asked me if I would set mine up and hop on stage with the U.N. The show didn't stop or anything to set up my keyboard. I just jumped up and started playing. Within a couple of minutes, I had beer dumped on my hea...
Jun 25, 2020•1 hr 9 min
This episode has something for music lovers and musicians/songwriters alike. I chat with Fran Snyder, founder of Concerts In Your Home and the Listening Room Network. Both are sites dedicated to bringing quality listening room concerts to fans. If you're a music lover, you can sign up on the site to host house concerts. If you're a musician, you can fill out an application to become a part of the network of musicians. Careful though, songwriters! Only 30% of applicants get accepted on their firs...
Jun 18, 2020•1 hr 14 min
To start the podcast, I share a few brief thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement and also share a passage from previous podcast guest, Anthony Farrell of Austin-based band, The Greyhounds. This episode was originally supposed to air on June 4, but we decided to push it back one airing date to June 11 to join with our brothers and sisters in the music industry in support of Black Out Tuesday. #theshowmustbestopped My conversation this week was with Portland recording artist, Isabeau Waia'u W...
Jun 11, 2020•1 hr 42 min
A long overdue conversation with my buddy, A.J. Fullerton. We met several years ago at a Colorado Blues Society function at the Buffalo Rose in Golden, CO. He wasn't yet old enough to hold a beer and I barely was (and likely taking full advantage of the opportunity). I don't recall thinking I'd see him around much, but we kept bumping into each other around town and at various shows/gigs. Since we met, he's been touring nonstop. Everything from breweries, to restaurants, to house concerts, to bi...
May 30, 2020•1 hr 7 min
I can't believe I finally got invited on my own show. It only took almost two years! Singer/Songwriter and MCRS alum Patrick Armould (also knows as American Field Day) approached me a few months ago about interviewing me for my own show. I was flattered and we had a lot of fun with it! Patrick does the opening monologue and sets it all up. Then I come on and we BS about music for an hour. I timed this episode to come out now because it coincides with the release of my new EP, Wicked Dreams. You ...
May 21, 2020•1 hr 12 min
In this episode, I chat with Nashville-based songwriter/artist/producer, Randall Kent. I was fascinated throughout our entire conversation because Randall in large part comes from the licensing side of the industry. He has collaborated with countless artists and his music has received over 60 film and TV placements to date including a track on NCIS and the official trailer for Berlin, I Love You. On May 1, Randall put out a 6 track EP under his own name entitled, Carry On. The release leans towa...
May 14, 2020•59 min
In this episode, I interview Submit Hub Founder and CEO, Jason Grishkoff. We talk all about submit hub and why blogs are still relevant in todays music industry. Plus (for those watching on YouTube) Jason helps me submit one of my songs on the site. This is an extremely informative episode for musicians, bloggers, instagram influencers and entrepreneurs. Because we screen share and Jason shows us how to use Submit Hub step-by-step, I do highly recommend watching this episode on YouTube. It can b...
May 08, 2020•1 hr 16 min
**This episode features the premiere of "Sunday Afternoon" at the end of the interview** Float Like A Buffalo is quickly becoming a household name in Denver and beyond. The 7-piece funk/rock outfit put out their rookie full-length in 2019, and since then has performed on pretty much every major stage in Denver metro including: Red Rocks, Levitt Pavilion, and The Gothic Theater. They were also crowned "Best Funk Band" in Denver Westword's 2019 Music Awards. This is the most people I've ever had o...
Apr 30, 2020•51 min
In a world where quarantine has become the new normal, Sarah Shuel and Alyssa Montaño have successfully launched a large scale "virtual music festival." I know... eight weeks ago the very mention of this sort of thing would have been laughed out of the room by music industry professionals. Yet, it has become our reality for the present and who knows for how much of our future. Just hours after the quarantine began, Alyssa and Sarah put together the very first Rocky Mountain Virtual Music Festiva...
Apr 23, 2020•43 min
This is a long overdue conversation with my good friend, Dan Cable. He's the host of a weekly music podcast based out of Portland, OR called, Dan Cable Presents. He also co-hosts a new podcast called, Bible Buds with past MCRS guest, Andrew Harrison. Along with his podcast (which has played host to the likes of KT Tunstall and Noah Gundersen) Dan has worked as a promoter, consultant and a writer for Vortex Magazine. He is a major influencer in the Portland music scene. This is a collaborative ep...
Apr 16, 2020•1 hr 22 min
The Movers & Shakers are a high energy rock & soul band out of Denver, CO. They've been making noise (not just literally) both in the local scene, as well as on the national stage. They've won the right to represent the Colorado Blues Society in the International Blues Competition in Memphis, TN the last two years. During their most recent visit in January of this year, they made it all the way to the semi-finals. They also recorded an album at the famed Sun Studios in Memphis last year....
Apr 02, 2020•1 hr 50 min
I've known Tony Mason for quite some time. He was one of, if not the first person to put me in a real venue as a college student at CU Denver. A lot of local musicians can say that about Tony. He started off by putting together shows under his promotion company name, Tone Dynamix, and ended up as the senior talent buyer for Larimer Lounge, Lost Lake and Globe Hall. Recently, Tony informed the Denver music community that he'd been offered a new position booking for the Gas Monkey venues in Dallas...
Mar 20, 2020•1 hr 13 min
Fair warning, this is probably my longest monologue yet. I try to keep 'em short and sweet, but I had a lot to say this week. If it's not your thing, skip ahead to about the 10 minute mark. Nic Clark is my first repeat guest on MCRS. His first appearance was in episode 5. We tired not to repeat too much, so feel free to go back and check out that interview as well. Nic was also a co-host when I interviewed David Dondero (on NPR's list of best living songwriters) in episode 17. Nic has enjoyed su...
Feb 27, 2020•1 hr 13 min
Cass Clayton's latest release, Play Nice spent several weeks atop the Roots Music Report Top 50 R&B Album Charts and is receiving rave reviews from press outlets all over the world. Perhaps Onstage Magazine gives the best elevator pitch: "[her] singing oozes of smoke and honey while her slide guitar playing is simply badass." Cass grew up mostly in western Nebraska before ending up on a spiritual journey and living in an Ashram for a year at the age of 20. She eventually moved to Denver wher...
Feb 14, 2020•1 hr 15 min
Chase Wessel's musical journey will keep you on the edge of your seat. From a trumpeter on scholarship at UNC, to a sound person, to a Music Business Major at CU Denver, to a couch surfer, to doing backlines on Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel.... did you catch all that? That's just some of what Chase did before joining The Levitt Foundation in California and eventually moving to Denver to help open Denver's Levitt Pavilion and become its talent buyer. Levitt Denver puts on 50 free concerts each s...
Jan 23, 2020•1 hr 8 min
Since I started this podcast in August of 2018, I've had an ongoing list of people I want to interview. Ryan Chrys was one of the first people I wrote on that list, and we finally made it happen! I have a lot of respect for Ryan as he's someone who after years of performing in different bands, is still pounding the pavement and touring heavily as if he is to be forever 22 years old. It's hard to be a DIY touring musician, but Ryan and his band (Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts) continue to play w...
Jan 09, 2020•1 hr 3 min
This is a sit down with my old friend, Andrew Harrison. Andrew and I met in middle school. He moved to our Colorado suburb in 7th grade and brought his wavy California hair, long board, checkered shoes and electric guitar with him. We'd never seem anything like it. We became fast friends and through the years have more or less stayed in touch through our mutual pursuit of music. He currently lives in Portland, OR and has an enviable home studio where he records his projects, Blue You and Brother...
Dec 20, 2019•59 min
In this episode, I chat with Denver country music mainstay, Buckstein. We chat about his time as an American Idol contestant, his long standing run at the Grizzly Rose, and what it's like to be a bandleader with your own name on the cover. Things got personal as we laughed and shared mimosas all morning. He even fixed my toilet after the interview! What a guy! This is a must listen for country music fans, bandleaders and anyone who likes a good conversation. If you enjoy the episode, please let ...
Dec 12, 2019•1 hr 54 min
In this episode, I sit down with Denver musician, Seth Beamer. Seth plays in several projects around town and is best known as the guitarist for the indie rock quartet, Wildermiss. This is the longest episode of MCRS to date, and for good reason. Seth goes deep and gives a real introspection into his life, upbringing and spiritual musical journey. We also hash out for the first time why he quit the Andy Sydow Band back in 2017. We've remained great friends and our talk is one of the best and mos...
Nov 28, 2019•2 hr 12 min
In this episode, Denver (soon to be Nashville) based singer-songwriter, Alec Ryan joins me in my bedroom for a... conversation about music... on a really nice interface (I'm a nerd). The "Ben Folds meets your favorite early 2000s Emo band-esque" songwriter recently released the first half of his debut album, Paper and Pen. In his own words, "I believe love is found in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. Paper and Pen is a collection of stories about love." In our conversation we chat abo...
Nov 14, 2019•1 hr 12 min
In this episode, I chat with grammy winning recording engineer, Clark Hagan. Clark has had an illustrious career all over the music industry. After graduating from CU Denver's music program, Clark found himself as the head engineer of a studio in Nashville. He got to work with many artists including Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel. After a serious car accident that put him in a coma for a week, Clark moved back to Denver in 2002. Since then he's worked as a producer, studio engineer, live sound e...
Nov 03, 2019•1 hr 6 min
Alex Mackenzie-Low aka "A-Mac" is my guest this week. He is a true entrepreneur in the Denver music scene and beyond. He fronts his alternative/reggae/hip-hop/rock outfit, A-Mac & The Height and books/runs Spread The Word Music Festival, which happens every spring in Denver. In this episode, we talk about everything that goes in to running a music festival including liquor licenses, contracts and finding venues and sponsors. We also get an insight into touring as a DIY artist. Near the end o...
Oct 04, 2019•53 min
In this episode, I chat with singer/songwriter Patrick Armould. At just 17 years old, he has performed internationally and opened shows around the country for the likes of Joe Pug. He fronts the Colorado based band, Halleway and now also performs under the moniker, American Field Day. If you enjoy the episode, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. Episode Music: Little Man's World - Halleway: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/halleway9 Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Ka...
Sep 24, 2019•49 min
Keyboardist. Singer. Drummer. Poker player. Dueling piano extraordinaire. Former wearer of the man bun. My roommate. All things that describe Grant Farm keyboardist, Kevin McHugh. In this episode, we hear Kevin's story in music from his teenage bands, to his 10 year college plan and what led to his joining Colorado-based cosmic americana group, Grant Farm. I also spend some brief time at the beginning of the episode reflecting on the first 20 episodes of the podcast, and my recently hacked insta...
Sep 24, 2019•1 hr 30 min
With qualities ranging from blues to jazz, country and americana, Cary Morin is perhaps one of the best finger pickers on the circuit today. He has been touring internationally for decades, including performances at Paris Jazz Festival, Winter Park Jazz Festival, Folk Alliance International and the Copenhagen Blues Festival. He's won many prestigious awards including an Independent Music Award for Best Blues CD (Cradle to the Grave), 2018 International Songwriting Competition Honorable Mention, ...
Sep 24, 2019•56 min
