Episodes
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
Here's a great story from a young guy that has made himself a success story in the competitive job market of the music industry. Joe Haramut gave up a college university scholarship to opt for a life in the music business. He quickly found out that this business doesn't always go in the direction that you have imagined for yourself. Thinking he would graduate from The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences and go on to work in a recording studio, he found himself in the touring end of the business. He is happy with the change and is managing to work for national touring acts while continuing to write music, perform and record original material. Joe is currently working with me on the Chris Isaak Tour.
I have included some clips of Joe's original music in this episode.
This is a great interview to listen to if you are considering a career in the music biz.
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
Tim Aller has had many jobs in the music and touring business, he is a real pro. Tim is the Tour Manager for the Robert Cray band and is also the Manager for Robert under the Fitzgerald Hartley Management company.
I apologize for the background noise on this interview, but his office was the only place available at the time and it is a big open office.
Tim's story is very interesting journey from his early days as a drummer, then a studio recording engineer and drum/synth programmer and he is still moving forward and upward.
I have to thank Tim for helping me out and teaching me how to be a TM. I had a one day lesson from Tim when I got kinda forced into being a TM for Christopher Cross and David Benoit. He really helped me out with his knowledge.
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
I started working with Kenney Dale Johnson last October. He has an unusual drumming style that fits perfectly with Chris Isaak's music. He also sings harmonies a lot with Chris and they have a very tight blend.
Born in the small Texas town of Borger, he moved to Austin and eventually to San Francisco where he met up with Chris Isaak. He believed in Chris in the early years before Chris was a big star. He hung in there when their touring life was not so glamorous. Now, over 33 years later they are still rock'n together. Kenney also plays the part of Chris's sidekick like Ed McMahon was to Johnny Carson.
It's a real pleasure to work with Kenney and all the guys and girls in the Chris Isaak entourage. I hope you enjoy Kenney's story
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
Roly Salley has been the bass player in the Silvertone Band (Chris Isaak) for over 33 years. He has had an exciting career working with many artists and living the musican life with all of the complicated twists and turns in that come with that lifestyle.
I have featured Roly's original music in this podcast episode. Roly is a talented singer and songwriter.
I have been working with Roly since last October 2017. It has been a real pleasure getting to know him and listening to him play night after night, a really solid bass player and singer.
I really think you will enjoy getting know the real Rowland Salley. Check out his website: http://rowlandsalley.com
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
I met Michael at the beginning of his career with Jame Newton Howard. He became a very important cog in the complicated film scoring machine. I was recording and mixing for them during James's first dozen or so movie's. Michael was such a hard worker and he learned so much about scoring movies during that time that he became a very important part of getting these huge projects done.
Over the years, Michael went on to work with other great composers and worked on hundreds on films and TV episodes.
Michael's great love all this time was to be a drummer but the incredible time demands put on him working on film and TV scores he had to put that on hold. Now he is able to work as a drummer again but he is still involved with the film scoring.
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
Scott Plunkett has had an amazing career and has worked with some of the biggest names in the music business including some of my very favorite artists such as Michael McDonald, Don Henley, Boz Scaggs, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks and Chris Isaak. Scott has also been responsible to creating thousands of sounds, patches and samples for Yamaha and many other keyboard manufacturers.
I had the pleasure of meeting Scott many years ago when I was working for Michael McDonald and we have remained friends ever since. I am once again working with Scott on the Chris Isaak tour.
While Scott is very humble about his singing, I think he has a really cool voice. I have inserted three samples of his original music into this episode. I especially like his Prog-Rock song, "Reign of Tears" that I included in full in the middle section of this episode. I think my Prog Rock friends will really like it.
Scott has some great road stories to tell and I believe that everyone will enjoy listening to Scott tell his musical life story.
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
I am so very fortunate to work with so many talented people in my career. Not all are celebrities as I have been showcasing in my podcast episodes. I have been working with Dave Pallett since October 2017 when I came aboard the Chris Isaak tour. Dave is our Monitor Engineer and is a really good one. He keeps the band happy with the sound on the stage.
Dave lives in Edmonton Canada, born in the UK. He has worked for many great artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Dido, Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, Tracy Chapman, Loreena McKennitt and many others. Dave worked with several of these artists on their very first tours and has some very interesting insights about working with new artists that are not used to performing live.
Dave's hobby is writing songs, singing and recording them. He does a lot of his recording while on the road. I have featured some of Dave's music in this podcast.
It has been a real pleasure to work with Dave as well as all the band and crew on the CI tour.
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
Jan Mengeling is the current Production Manager for Chris Isaak. I did this interview last December but didn't get around to it until today. Last week I published my interview with Bobby Herr who was sitting in for Jan and he is now working with Fleetwood Mac.
Back when I conducted his interview he was PM and Guitar Tech. He has come back to the Chris Isaak tour as PM and is no longer the Guitar Tech. Jan is a great guitar player and has been in several bands. He emigrated to the US from Mainz Germany to work in this business. He has found his way over the years to be very good at being a Production Manager. We are fortunate to have him.
Jan tells us how his path led him to where is today. Through the years he has worked with many famous bands and guitar players proving that you never know exactly what this business will take you.
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
I had the pleasure of working with Bobby Herr this last month. He filled in as Production Manager for the Chris Isaak tour. He is a true Professional. He makes this work look so easy with his relaxed attitude. Bobby's credit list is long and impressive. He is leaving us to start this years Fleetwood Mac Tour that may last up to two years. He has been with Fleetwood Mac for 15 years.
He got his start working for Jan & Dean and went up from there working for The Beach Boys, Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Hiroshima, Boz Skaggs, Michael McDonald, Tower of Power, Steve Perry, Wheezer, No Doubt, Dan Fogelberg, Alanis Morissette, Christina Aguilera, Sheryl Crow, Lionel Richie, and Jennifer Lopez.
Bobby has worked as a Production Manager, Tour Manager, Stage Manager, Guitar Tech and even worked as a Promoter Rep. He has done it all and is very good at any task put before him.
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
"Young Gun" Scott Taylor knows where he is going and he knows how he’s going to get there. I met Scott when I got hired to mix FOH for Chris Isaak. Scott was the Sound Image Rep taking care of audio set-ups for the tour. Shortly after I was hired, Scott became the Stage Manager as well as handling the audio duties and he has been doing a spectacular job. Scott wants to do many things in this business. He wants to mix FOH, be a Production Manager on big tours and he surprised me with his songwriting and singing abilities. I used some of Scotts music on this episode for the intro and outgoing bumpers. Now I am surprised he hasn’t really persued that too. While in the business for only nine years, Scott has learned a lot and is a sponge for learning new things. He asks questions and respects the older more experienced guys in the business. This is something that I really respect about Scott. Instead of being jealous of people in higher positions, he wants to learn all he can from us. I think he knows that his time will come and he wants to be the best.
Scott is NOT inexperienced. He is a proud graduate of the “Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences” and has been on the road with Bush, Linkin Park, Richie Sambora, No Doubt, New Politics, Young The Giant, Cher Lloyd and others as you will hear in this episode.
Scott has his own website and blog too can check out at Tayloredtouring.com
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
I just started working with Ken Stacey this year when Ambrosia started calling me to mix their shows. I have been very impressed with Ken's vocals. He's a real pro. You don't have to take my word for it. He is in high demand for his vocal talent. Ken has toured with Bobby Caldwell, Elton John and Ambrosia. He was all set to be on the giant but ill fated Michael Jackson tour, but after rehearsing for months with the MJ band, the world came tumbling down on all involved. Ken also worked on American Idol, coaching the young singers and writing vocal arrangements.
If you are a young singer or musician hoping to get into the music business, this interview is a must listen for you. Ken really tells it like it is and has a lot of advice for you.
In this interview, Ken tells an amazing story about his time in the Elton John Band. I am not going to give it away here, you will have to listen to hear what Ken did...
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
I met Bob Whyley a long time ago when Michael McDonald performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 1993. I was Michael's FOH Mixer, so my job was to be in the control room and make suggestions to the Tonight Show mixer. I was not allowed to touch anything but to act more like a music producer. Bob and I hit it off from the start and I came back to the show several times with other artists in the same role. Sometimes I came down just to sit and watch him work.
It is amazing to see how much goes on behind the scenes at a show like this. Through Bob, I was hired to be the "Fill-In" PA Mixer when the regular mixer took vacations or called in sick. I had a great time doing that job.
Bob has had a very long and interesting career doing many different jobs in the industry even working as a radio personality. When you listen to this interview, you will be blown away at how Bob got his start and at such an young age.
Bob has always been very supportive of me and my career and we have remained friends fo all these many years since we first met. Glad to know Bob.
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Rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
You have heard him play many times. He is all over the movies and television shows that you watch on a regular basis. Brian Kilgore is an extremely talented percussionist who I have known and worked with for many years. He has a massive collection of ethnic percussion instruments as well as all the usual orchestral and hand percussion instruments in his collection.
Brian started out as a drummer when his parents surprised him with his first drum kit that his parents bought from family friends for fifty dollars! As his career progressed, he discovered his love for percussion. He worked his way into the film and TV music business. This is no easy task to become a first call musician in this very competitive click. Brian says that it was his tenacity and his unwillingness to give up that got him there.
All the music clips that you hear under this interview were composed and performed by Brian Kilgore.
Brian has a very interesting story to tell. I am happy to know Brian as a friend and musician.
Thanks for listening.
rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
Jamey Tate is an amazingly talented musician. I met Jamey when working with David Benoit. Not only can he play the drums and read music cold, he can also write music, work as a Musical Director, arrange music and much more. Besides being a major talent, he is a genuine good guy. Always respectful of his touring partners while having great sense of humor.
Jamey hired me several years ago to mix the Spotlight Awards show while Jamey was the Musical Director and wrote all the music for the show and arranged the whole thing.
He has worked with many top artists over his long career and I think he has the talent to climb much higher.
This interview is a must for any young drummers out there that are planning to make a career as musician. Jamey has all the answers for you right here.
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rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
This is a very special interview for me. I worked for John Tesh for about 12 years, recording and mixing well over thirty projects.
In the beginning, we made several records that were really inventive and exploring music styles like ELP, Yes, Pink Floyd etc. When the radio station, "The WAVE" became popular and Yanni was big, Johns music style became more "New Age" or "World Music". John was very popular and his records were successful to the point where we were doing big tours and selling lots of records. I picked out a few music clips from the early records and a couple from the Red Rocks project and put them in this podcast. (with John's permission of course)
My Nickname "Rossaround" actually came from some of the early sessions I did with John. I was a newlywed, and when my wife would call the studio, she would say "is Ross around". After several times, John coined the nickname, "Rossaround".
His Crown Jewel was the "Live At Redrocks" PBS Special which won me a Gold Record and an Emmy Nomination for "Best Sound Mixing For a Musical Special. We did other full length music videos in Europe, and in the Avalon Ballroom in Catalina.
During those years I was a friend to John and his wife Connie Sellecca and we watched each others children grow up. We enjoyed the work we did together and the money was still very good in the music business. The last project I did for John was 'A Deeper Faith" in 2002. After that, John's career took him into the Christian Music world and we parted ways. This was the same time that the music business took a nosedive and everyone was scrambling for work and wondering if we would ever be able make a living in this business again.
My years with John really made me a better engineer as he always thought BIG and "out of the box". He was always full of energy. Keeping up with John was a challenge. As you can hear in this interview, John has no lack of energy.
We had a good time reminiscing the good old days and it was good to see John, Connie and their son, Gib.
I hope you enjoy what I have put together here.
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rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
We continue now with Martin's story. If you enjoyed last weeks Part-1, your going to love Part-2. Martin goes in depth with his stories about working with great artists and tells how he almost lost his eyesight permanently, ending his career forever. Fortunately, with great doctors and the benefit of today's technology, Martin is still out on the road dazzling the audiences with his stellar work.
We will both be back out on the road in June with Alan Parsons. Come out and see the show!
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rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com -
rossaroundbackstagepodcast.com
I have been working with Martin Thomas on the Alan Parsons Live shows since 2012. He never ceases to amaze me with his beautiful lighting designs an impeccable timing. We have had some great times on the road both as friends and as the FOH team. Martin has worked with many great artists including Todd Rundgren, Jill Scott, Maxwell, D'Angelo, Foreigner, Diana Ross, and Erykah Badu.
Originally from New York, he transplanted to Arizona chasing the dream of becoming a touring Lighting Designer. He has certainly made his dream come true as he is in high demand because of his boundless talent. Martin does not do the ordinary. He is always coming up with unique lighting designs and is able to adjust when things are not what he expected at load-in.
Martin has had a long and interesting career. Listen to him tell his story from the beginning up until now. This interview was recorded a couple months ago and Martin is currently on the road with Todd Rundgren. We will be getting together again in a couple weeks for a few Alan Parsons shows.
I thought about editing this down to a single episode, but I thought his life story was to interesting and important to throw any of it away. Please come back next week for episode 2 when Martin tells us in depth about his work with Alan Parsons and Todd Rundgren and also tell us how he almost lost his ability to work as an LD forever.
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JT Mollner is an up and coming American film maker. Born in Las Vegas, he had big plans as a young boy be a novelist. He was influenced by Stephen King and other writers of that genre. As he grew up he discovered acting and realized that acting was just brick in the road toward becoming a director of feature films. He has studied all the great film makers and studied all the films he could possibly watch. After making several Short Films and getting awards and accolades for his work, he finally got his wish and made his first feature film, Outlaws and Angels.
In my interview with JT, I learned that there are a lot of similarities in the film business and the music business. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to your art to succeed.
This my first podcast episode that is not about the music business. I hope you will enjoy this story. Please Subscribe, Like, Share and Comment.
PS: JT is my Nephew. His mother is my sister, Ginnie Mollner. I have watched JT grow up and go through the hard work to get to this point. I am very proud of him and I believe he will be a huge success as a great American Filmmaker. -
Burleigh Drummond is one of the founding members of the 5 time Grammy Nominated band, Ambrosia. Along with David Pack, Joe Puerta and Chris North they formed the band in 1970. They had a string of hit sons; How Much I Feel, Biggest Part of Me, You're the Only Woman, Holdin' On to Yesterday, I Just Can't Let Go, and other great songs very popular in the Prog Rock world. They have been through some changes over the years but they are still touring and making great music together. I was lucky to have been introduced to the band many years ago while doing engineering work for David Pack. Recently I have been doing some FOH mixing for Ambrosia and it has been a lot of fun and musically rewarding. Burleigh is a very humble guy who is a very talented drummer, percussionist, songwriter, singer and producer. His bandmates include Joe Puerta, Chris North, Mary Harris, Ken Stacey, and Doug Jackson.
If you get a chance to see them live, you will not be disappointed.
Listen to Burleigh tell the whole story of how Ambrosia got started and how their career progressed over the many years they have been together.
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Tyson Leonard AKA TROPO is a very talented Violinist, Artist, Producer, Songwriter, Audio Engineer, Stage Manager etc.
I met Tyson on a Jeff Bridges tour we did together several years ago. Recognizing Tysons many talents, I hired him to work with me on the Alan Parsons Live shows. Tyson has worked on the AP tours as Stage Manager, Monitor Engineer and this last year, Tyson has been featured playing violin on stage with Alan.
Tyson produces his own records performing as TROPO as well as many other artists. Tyson also plays live, sometimes with a band and sometimes with only his computer at many EDM festivals around the world.
He started his musical journey very early in life learning the violin and eventually teaching himself other instruments allowing him to record and produce his own music.
You can easily find TROPO's music on line.
Tyson is a truly dedicated to the art musician who has sacrificed possible fame to be true to his art. I am happy to know and work with Tyson on a regular basis.
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