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Podcast

Bobby Cressey, Organist (San Diego Padres) / Solo Artist / Might Untouchables (Part 2)

October 30, 2022 by KC Editor 1 Comment

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In Part 2 of our interview with Bobby Cressey, we talk about his jazz and ska projects, composing, tips for younger players and a whole lot more. Part 1 can be found here.

 To listen / watch:

  1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
  2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Bobby’s album: Cali Native 

The Mighty Untouchables Top 40 Cover Band

Toto as musical inspiration

Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra (Bandcamp — YouTube)

Lessons learned as a player

Keeping it exciting when playing lots of the same gigs

How Bobby learned his career may not be in classical music

Tag a keyboard player: Jim Alfredson, Ric’key Pageot

Desert Island Discs: Miles Smiles – Miles Davis, Shine soundtrack – David Hirschfelder / Various Artists, Head Hunters – Herbie Hancock, Toto IV – Toto, If That’s What It Takes – Michael McDonald.

Pimp your band T-Shirt – Shaguar (Canada)

Buy a keyboard related shower curtain (or something else!)

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn .

We also have a listener survey that helps us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a finely oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month and receive bonus content

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.  

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Bobby Cressey, Jim Alfredson, Mighty Untouchables, Miles Davis, Ric’key Pageot, Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra

Bobby Cressey, Organist (San Diego Padres) / Solo Artist / Mighty Untouchables (Part 1)

October 22, 2022 by KC Editor 1 Comment

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Bobby Cressey is a jazz musician, composer and organist with the San Diego Padres baseball team and San Diego Gulls ice hockey team, amongst other gigs. In part 1 of this interview we dig deep into the baseball side of things, as well as covering Bobby’s formative years. Part 2 of the interview can be found here.

 To listen / watch:

  1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
  2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Bobby’s website

Developing a passion for music and scoring the gig as organist with the San Diego Padres

Why Baseball is a big deal in the US and the role of the organist (here’s a great history of it)

Differences in organists around the league

Josh Kantor – Boston Red Sox

A typical game day for an organist

Bobby plays Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Dealing with song requests (and requests to have a go at playing the organ!)

Los Angeles is Burning – Bad Religion

Not Bobby Cressey but here’s Freebird played on organ

Playing organ at ice hockey (San Diego Gulls)

Dr. Dre – Still D.R.E.

Keeping in touch with other sports organists

Bobby’s rig at baseball games

A deep discussion of Bobby’s organ rig and the Electone D-80

As an aside: Electone Museum website

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn .

We also have a listener survey that helps us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a finely oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month and receive bonus content

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.  

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Bobby Cressey

David Bridie, Not Drowning Waving / My Friend The Chocolate Cake

October 12, 2022 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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David Bridie is one of Australia’s most lauded songwriters and he happens to be one very good keyboard player as well. We speak with David on his career across multiple bands, solo albums and film and TV work. If you’re hungry for some excellent varied and substantive music, do listen to some of David’s work in the links below.

To listen / watch:

  1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
  2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):

George Telek

Not Drowning Waving – Tabaran

Not Drowning Waving – Crazy Birds

David Bridie – Act of Free Choice (the song)

My Friend The Chocolate Cake – A Midlife’s Tale

My Friend The Chocolate Cake – Jeffrey Smart (Silver City)

David Bridie and John Phillips – The Sleep of Rhythm

My Friend The Chocolate Cake: Uncle Bill’s Paddock

Archie Roach – Jamu Dreaming

Christine Anu – Stylin’ Up album

David’s go-to keyboards

Tag a keyboard player: Karen Vogt

Conway Savage – When The Moon is Gone

Desert Island Discs: Court and Spark – Joni Mitchell, Spirit of Eden – Talk Talk, Quasimodo’s Dream – The Reels, The Correct Use of Soap – Magazine (David sings on a cover of a brilliant song from that album), Sorousian – Tio.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn .

We also have a listener survey that helps us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a finely oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month and receive bonus content

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Photo by James Henry – © James Henry Photography

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Archie Roach, Christine Anu, Conway Savage, David Bridie, George Telek, John Phillips, Karen Vogt, My Friend The Chocolate Cake, Not Drowning Waving

David Rosenthal, Billy Joel / Rainbow / Robert Palmer / Enrique Iglesias (Part 2)

September 15, 2022 by KC Editor 1 Comment

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In this second of two parts (see Part 1 here), David Rosenthal continues the discussion on the fascinating journey that’s been his musical career.

To listen / watch:

  1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
  2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab): 

Auditioning for the first big gig with Rainbow

Rainbow – Stone Cold (San Antonio 1982)

Preparation and over-preparation

David’s amazing on-stage train wreck story

Artists who have been big influences: Yes (Close to the Edge) / Emerson, Lake and Palmer / Rush (Moving Pictures) / Tomita / Uriah Heep 

Who inspired David to buy his first synth

Playing with Happy the Man

Suggestions / tips for players wanting to make a career in the industry

Quick Fire 10 questions with a Billy Joel bent.

The blessing and curse of perfect pitch

(Some of) David’s favourite Billy Joel songs

Another great train-wreck story, this time in Rome Italy.

No Man’s Land – Billy Joel

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn .

We also have a listener survey that helps us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a finely oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month and receive bonus content

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Billy Joel, David Rosenthal, Enrique Iglesias, Rainbow

David Rosenthal, Billy Joel / Rainbow / Robert Palmer / Enrique Iglesias (Part 1)

September 8, 2022 by KC Editor 1 Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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In this first of two parts (Part 2 is here), David Rosenthal joins us to talk about his amazing career, including nearly 30 years as Billy Joel’s keyboard player. As you’ll hear, that’s only one aspect of what continues to be an amazing career in music.

To listen / watch:

  1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
  2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

2022 and continuation of Billy Joel’s amazing residency at Madison Square Garden

Having nearly 90 songs ready to go on a keyboard rig

Billy Joel’s You May Be Right  / Led Zep Rock and Roll combo

Billy Joels’ River of Dreams / Dancing in the Street combo

The experience of playing 110 times (and counting) at Madison Square Garden

Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen: Tenth Avenue Freeze Out and Born to Run

Billy Joel and Tony Bennett – New York State of Mind

Billy Joel and Bryan Adams – Summer of ’69

Billy Joel and Paul McCartney at Shea Stadium – Let It Be

The secrets to success of working with Billy Joel for nearly 30 years

56 shows in 56 nights in 56 cities with Robert Palmer

Discussion of David’s A, B and C keyboard rigs

David’s dual career as synth programmer and rig designer

Setting up Roy Bittan and Charlie Giordano’s re-designed E-Street Band rigs

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn . We also have a listener survey that helps us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you. To help us keep the podcast running like a finely oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month and receive bonus content

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Charlie Giordano, David Rosenthal, Paul McCartney, podcast, Rainbow, Robert Palmer, Roy Bittan, Tony Bennett

(Extra) Paul Gildea and Glenn Reither talk Music Business

August 5, 2022 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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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 music industry subjects for a number of educational institutions.

Glenn Reither is a keyboard player and saxophonist also with Icehouse, but has played with a large roster of artists as well. Glenn has also been a previous guest on the show – check out his episode here. Between Paul and Glenn, you get a rollicking, insightful discussion into a range of topics, so enjoy! 

This is bonus content that was provided to our Patreon supporters and we hope you enjoy it as much as they did.

To listen / watch:

  1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
  2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

 Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):

Paul and Glenn in action together on stage

Glenn playing with Jon Stevens

How Glenn and Paul make a living in music

The importance of diversification

The ‘saturation’ of the music industry

The death of the stadium rock band

The source of future growth in streaming

How to succeed in stock / library music

The opportunities in gaming and music

The tyranny of choice and curated playlists

The renaissance of music festivals

Risk management, touring and COVID-19

Glenn’s guitar amps built from vintage radios

Exclusivity / geographical radius clauses for bands

Fuzzy / wishful thinking when entering the music industry / being careful what you wish for

The modern session musician is at home

RadioActive Band (Canada) 

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a finely oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month and receive bonus content

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Glenn Reither, Icehouse, Jon Stevens, Little River Band, Paul Gildea

Richard Hilton, Nile Rodgers and CHIC

July 24, 2022 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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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:

  1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
  2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):

Nile Rodgers and Chic Live

Working with Nile Rodgers

Playing guitar with Eric Clapton

How and why Chic are ‘loaded with love and forgiveness’ for each other

Historical division of keyboard duties in Chic with current line-up and previous line-ups (Russell Graham, Phillipe Saisse, Katreese Barnes)

Rich’s rig

Chic Live at the Budokan 1996

Admiration for Kerry Minnear, Steve Winwood, Elton John, David Bowie

Jump They Say – David Bowie

Working with a Synclavier for Bowie

Gentle Giant – ‘Proclamation’ Official Fan Video

Working with Ric Ocasek

Ric Ocasek – Rockaway (from Fireball Zone)

Rich’s tips for upcoming players (highly recommended listening)

Tag a keyboard player: Cory Henry

Cory Henry playing the Harpejji

Rich’s obsession with the Roli Seaboard (and chamber music)

Desert Island Discs: Meet The Beatles – The Beatles, Are You Experienced? – Jimi Hendrix, The Inner Mounting Flame – Mahavishnu Orchestra, A Love Supreme – John Coltrane, Debut: The Clef / Mercury Duo Recordings 1949-1951 – Oscar Peterson

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a finely oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month and receive bonus content

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: David Bowie, Elton John, Nile Rodgers, Rich Hilton

Chris Norton, Cirque Du Soleil and Zappa Plays Zappa

July 11, 2022 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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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:

  1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
  2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

What it’s like auditioning for Cirque Du Soleil (and getting the gig nine years later!)

Cirque Du Soleil: Axel

Timely cues or death!

Zappa Plays Zappa

Peaches En Regalia

Michael Whalen episode talking Zappa’s Synclaviers

Auditioning for Zappa Plays Zappa by making a video playing G-Spot Tornado

Playing with Chick Corea and Rachel Flowers

Chick Corea on a Viscount VIntage Vibe piano

Rachel Flowers plays ‘Montana’ with Zappa Plays Zappa

Tips for new players

Composing for film and TV

Composing for video games

Tag a keyboard player: Ty Bailie

Desert Island Discs: Either / Or – Elliott Smith, Whatever and Ever Amen – Ben Folds Five, A Wizard A True Star – Todd Rundgren, Waiting for Columbus – Little Feat, Joe’s Garage – Frank Zappa. Runners-up: Toy Matinee – Toy Matinee, Original Soundtrack – Undertale

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a finely oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month and receive bonus content

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Chick Corea, Cirque Du Soleil, Dweezil Zappa, Frank Zappa

Francis Capistrano, Narf Sounds

June 18, 2022 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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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 listen / watch:

  1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
  2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Busselton, Western Australia

How justifying the purchase of a gold Kronos led to Narf Sounds

Kronos Enthusiast Workshops (KEW) Facebook Group

Salacious performing live

The Baker Boys Band

Why cover band players may be better players than originals players

Tag a keyboard player: Luke Edwards (Rocky IV Training Theme)

Desert Island Discs: Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite – Maxwell, Hunting High and Low – a-ha, Songs from the Big Chair – Tears for Fears, Power, Corruption and Lies – New Order, 1984 – Van Halen.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a finely oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month and receive bonus content

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Francis Capistrano, Narf Sounds

(Extra) Paul and David Play The Quick 10

June 12, 2022 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

Just a little fun, originally provided to our Patreon supporters and now for your viewing pleasure. We fire ten questions at each other, as we do to our guests on the podcast.

Enjoy!

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Nord, X-Stands

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  • Bobby Cressey, Organist (San Diego Padres) / Solo Artist / Mighty Untouchables (Part 1) on Bobby Cressey, Organist (San Diego Padres) / Solo Artist / Might Untouchables (Part 2)
  • Bobby Cressey, Organist (San Diego Padres) / Solo Artist / Might Untouchables (Part 2) on Bobby Cressey, Organist (San Diego Padres) / Solo Artist / Mighty Untouchables (Part 1)
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