Episode 84: Composer, pianist, arranger, producer – Stephen Edwards

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Composer, arranger, producer, Stephen Edwards is on the show! With more than 175 soundtrack and composer credits to his name, Stephen is one of Hollywood’s most productive composers. He’s also written classical compositions, most notably his Requiem For My Mother, which received performances both at Carnegie Hall and the Vatican. Stephen is a great guy, and there’s a lot to learn about, here! Enjoy!

Episode 83: Singer, producer, composer – Ron Dante

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Singer, producer, composer, Ron Dante is my guest this week! You know him as the voice of the Archies and their smash-hit single, “Sugar Sugar.” But did you know that he co-produced, along with the Schuberts, the Tony Award-winning musical, Ain’t Misbehavin’? Or that he produced NINE of Barry Manilow’s albums? Or that he was the editor of the Paris Review for almost a decade? Or that he’s writing and producing a new musical with Rupert Holmes?? Me neither! But I do now- and you will too, when you hear all the details, right here on LWAG! Enjoy!

Episode 79: Conductor, composer, professor – John Alexander

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Choral titan, John Alexander is my guest this week. This was a very personal chat for me- John was my champion all through college, giving me most of the tenor solos and giving me my first professional opportunities as a singer. He’s the real deal, and I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did!

Episode 75: Composer, conductor, arranger- Victor Vanacore

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Victor Vanacore has worked with some of the biggest names in the history of pop music- Michael Jackson, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole and many, many others. In 2004, Victor won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for, “Over the Rainbow”, on the Ray Charles album, “Genius Loves Company”, which won eight Grammys, including Album of the Year. Victor’s upcoming project, la Sorgente, comes to the Ford Theater on Oct. 8 and features arias set to the poetry of Pope JP II. Victor is a fascinating man, and we had a terrific, long, personal conversation, spanning his fascinating life- from nuts to bolts. Thanks for listening- Enjoy!

Episode 73: Jasper Randall

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Jasper Randall is my guest this week! Jasper is one of the very few titans of Hollywood vocal music in the world, having worked on COUNTLESS blockbuster soundtracks over the last two decades- little films like Frozen, X-Men, La-La Land, and the upcoming movies, It, Pitch Perfect 3, Cloverfield, etc, etc, etc… Jasper sings, conducts, and is also a fine composer, currently in residence with the Los Robles Master Chorale. This is a great interview for folks wanting to get to know the man behind the curtain, and RARE peak into the peculiar, mysterious and sometimes secretive business of Hollywood soundtrack production. Enjoy!

Episode 72: Moira Smiley

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The talented and lovely Moira Smiley is my guest, this week! Not only talented and lovely, Moira is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer whose music can be heard on feature films, BBC & PBS television programs, NPR, and on more than 60 albums. We play, “Bring Me Little Water, Silvy” all the time around the house while we sing to our kids. It may be the Chicken Tikka Masala of her catalogue to all you deep-cuts-only die-hard Moira fans, but hey- I never get tired of Chicken Tikka, so sue me. Anyway- welcome back, thanks for listening, and enjoy!

Our Final Summer Break Flashback: John Powell

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Composer of over 50 blockbuster soundtracks, including the upcoming beloved animated tale, “Ferdinand” and, “HAN SOLO”!!! Yup, it’s John Powell, y’all! Enjoy!

Summer Break Flashback: Jeff Beal

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Jeff Beal!! One of my favorite humans is making his re-appearance for my Summer Flashback extravaganza! Jeff is everywhere- I honestly don’t know how he does it all, and he really does do it all (unlike some other film composers we know who shall go unnamed). Jeff and his lovely wife, Joan are proof that you can be fun, considerate, open and genuinely nice and still be wildly successful in Hollywood. Enjoy our chat, and thanks for listening!

Summer Break Flashback: Tony Silvestri

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Happy summer, y’all! For this week’s episode of my Summer Flashback Series, I’ve got poet, scholar, professor and all-around great guy, Tony Silvestri on the show! We had this chat a year ago, but it’s every bit as relevant as it ever was- we talk about life, death and everything in between- Enjoy!

Summer Break Flashback: Michael Nielsen

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Today, for my Summer Break Flashback series, Ninja Tracks composer and guitarist, Michael Nielsen, is my guest! Michael is a great guy, and I guarantee you know his music… Forza 6/7 and Splinter Cell for XBOX, independent film scores and just about every major motion picture trailer you’ve heard in the last ten years. He’s also got a terrifically entertaining YouTube channel called “Big Hairy Guitars”, where he reviews all sorts of guitars, pedals and gear, so make sure to check it out- Enjoy!