SPECIAL EPISODE: STRONGWRITER OFF THE CHART - - Today's episode features my interview with actress/singer/teacher ILENE GRAFF. She is a Grammy-nominated recording artist best known to audiences as Marsha Owens, the mom on the long running ABC comedy Mr. Belvedere. Some of the topics we discussed were Ilene's television, stage and singing career, her thoughts on auditions and her own acting roles, and the story of how she created a Grammy-nominated album with her husband, composer Ben Lanzarone. Also covered in the show as a public service: A unique and timely cause when Ilene, along with a handful of celebrities, took part in a campaign to help frontline health workers. Entrepreneur Meggie Jones and her company which produces Nutrient Body Soak (www.NutrientSoak.com) set out to donate $50,000 worth of her product and other requested essential items to frontline workers in New York. We continued on to talk about singing, which led to Ilene's wonderful workshops called MAKING THE SONG YOUR OWN. And finally we recap one December Saturday night where my wife and I attended the Ilene Graff Holiday Show. All in all, it was a real pleasure to meet and talk with this wonderfully talented entertainer. I know you'll enjoy it, too. Original airing April 22, 2020https://www.IleneGraff.com/www.StrongWriter.com

Today's episode features incredible guitarist and songwriter HAMISH ANDERSON from Melbourne, Australia. At 28 years old with two EP's and two albums to his credit, Hamish has been riding a wave of successful music-making and concert gigs, taking him around the world. The latest album 'Out Of My Head,' although released in May 2019, still had plenty of steam to propel his tour into the summer of 2020. Then came a worldwide pandemic, forcing most of our countries to go into isolation, and in turn forcing Hamish to cancel dates until who-knows-when. So we talked about that, along with a spotlight on the songs from 'Out Of My Head' and the most relevant single "World's Gone Mad." Please enjoy the insight and humor exhibited by this charismatic artist as we spend some time together talking music. Despite having the whole Pacific Ocean between our two worlds, technology allowed me the opportunity to virtually extend my hand in friendship. I hope you'll enjoy his bluesy rock-driven musical style as well. http://www.hamishandersonmusic.com/

In today's episode, I met a very special woman who crafts the most intriguing art in the form of alternative pop songs. ELLEN STARSKI is an imaginative singer songwriter whose musical compositions are dreamy and often dramatic. She showcased eleven of these songs into her sophomore project, SARA'S HALF FINISHED LOVE AFFAIR, and was all set to play a couple of promotional gigs... only for a worldwide pandemic to put those plans on hold. However, the album, scheduled to drop in May 2020, is the subject of a lot of our conversation, along with Ellen's story. We discussed songwriting, our creative well-being and keeping one's attitude in a positive place, even during times of trepidation. To be specific, our talk took place at the beginning of stay-at-home directives stemming from coronavirus, and Ellen imparted a sense of realistic optimism that you are sure to find comforting. And listening to her music is a sweet getaway from any anxiety, and with some tracks, it brightens the mood. Ellen Starski's album has become one of my favorites, and I hope you will enjoy hearing some of the tracks and getting acquainted with this charming and brilliant artist. http://www.ellenstarski.com

The slightly satirical content warning heard at the start of each episode genuinely applies today as I talk music and life with singer songwriter musician COLIN KYFFIN. Indeed, there will be "motivational language" but regular listeners know that it is de riguer for all of my featured guests to inspire listeners with their story. Colin shared stories of his journey through the L.A. music scene starting with the early seventies. His ambitions and dreams were enkindled at Columbia Records with the signing of his band Fresh Air and the recording of an album on which Colin played guitar and pedal steel. He and I discussed a just a few of the characters who he had the honor to know and work with: Producers (Terry Melcher, David Kirschenbaum, Sonny Knight, Jack Gold) to session players (Lee Sklar, Jim Keltner, Hal Blaine, Glen D. Harding) to artists (Alan O'Day, Mark Lindsay, Richie Furay). However, it is Colin Kyffin's music in the present day which holds court, starting with "TO LIVE ANOTHER DAY" inspired by friends and family stricken by cancer and their brave and determined battles. Then we discuss the follow up, "WE'LL SEE" which is an introspective but optimistic alternative rock tune about facing life's challenges and changes. Finally, Colin gives some positive and meaningful advice which you are sure to take to heart. Please take time to enjoy the experience and songs of my newest friend Colin Kyffin!https://www.colinkyffinmusic.com/

In today's episode, I invite you to savor the musical life of piano based singer and songwriter KATE MILLS. She creates lovely songs with honest lyrics and tells stories from the most recent years of her life with her debut album 'EACH BITTERSWEET DROP.' Kate was raised in Bucks County Pennsylvania and is currently settled in laid-back Astoria, Queens in New York with her husband Joey, but the sound of her album suggests something different. This young woman's musical psyche seems to hail from an earlier time in 1970's Southern California, an era and place I know well since I lived through it. She indeed was inspired by that emerging league of iconic Laurel Canyon singer-songwriters a la Linda Ronstadt, influences brushed with a touch of Dan Fogelberg and all blended together with modern artistry and production styles. As you will learn, Kate's songwriting is autobiographical and poetic, sometimes imbued with feelings she experienced as a social worker. She briefly shares how the escalation to creating her first record was nearly halted due to a debilitating digestive disease which was treated in a timely matter. Happily, she has completed and released this gorgeous project, and as you listen to us chat, I hope you'll enjoy Each Bittersweet Drop.http://www.katemillsmusic.com

Today's episode features a soulful blues artist whose eponymous JASON LEE McKINNEY BAND has been hitting all the right chords with critics and fans alike for about a decade. Jason Lee McKinney is not only a talented singer and songwriter; but having achieved a DBA, MBA and a BA, he also a doctor. And he plays one on stage. In any case, Jason is a hard working busy man, striving to find the proper balance to serve both his family and his professional avocation. The road connecting the two is I-40, where he makes regular drives between Nashville and Memphis, which can take almost 3½ hours. He and I discussed his musical journey, his philosophical reasoning, and his home life, which is complete with four kids and a lovely wife who happens to be a marriage counselor (he is destined to "never win an argument.") His current album 'PIECES' is so special that I featured a lot of it in this episode. I hope that you will enjoy some "Good Old Soul" and honest conversation with this well-rounded musical artist! https://www.jasonleemckinneyband.com

Today's episode puts the spotlight on a young female singer-songwriter who has toured the country, busked in Galway, Ireland, and yet she hasn't drifted far from her island. What I'm referring to is EMILY MURE's hometown on Roosevelt Island in New York City, the setting in which she and I began to narrate her story. When we get to the part where we discuss her musical career, you are undoubtedly going to enjoy what you hear. For the last decade, Emily has released three folk-flavored albums of her own material and appears to have a solid following within that genre. This year, 2019, she decided to share something different. "Sad Songs and Waltzes" is a six-track EP of cover tunes from a handful of artists who influenced her, such as Radiohead, Coldplay, Wilco, and Willie Nelson, who happens to be the original artist of the title track. I really enjoyed having Emily as my featured guest, not only for her undeniable talent, but also for her convivial personality and insight as a performing songwriter. Take a listen and you will hear what I mean. Please enjoy! http://www.emilymure.com

Today's episode features a man who wears many hats in the entertainment industry. ANSON WILLIAMS earned a special place in the hearts of TV viewers as Potsie Weber on the ABC-TV series 'Happy Days.' After ten seasons in front of the camera on that hit show, Anson continued with many endeavors, including a very successful career directing behind the camera. It was an honor to have Anson as my featured guest to discuss all that and more! You'll get to hear him relive some memorable moments in his career, such as a the day Robin Williams debuted on the show as Mork From Ork. You'll also learn why after 'Happy Days', he decided to not make a singing career his priority. However, to Anson Williams, all those wonderful things pale in comparison to a product that he developed in collaboration with his late uncle Dr. Henry Heimlich ... ALERT DROPS' It is a natural wake-up aid that is sprayed on the tongue to make you alert and prevent a tragic automobile accident, and is, to quote Anson, "the most important thing I've ever done!" Information is below with a link. Plus Anson will give some great inspiration and advice. Enjoy the show, everybody!More info on Anson and Alert Drops at www.alertdrops.com

Today's episode features a self-proclaimed troubadour who, though born and raised in Ireland, is a longtime resident of the Boston area. He is songwriter/musician BOB BRADSHAW and he spent some time sharing his life and songwriting knowledge which was enhanced by the famed Berklee College of Music. He and I talked in detail of his new concept album 'QUEEN OF THE WEST' set for release on September 27, 2019. If you enjoy so-called Americana or country folk music, then you'll enjoy a sneak preview of many of his tracks. I enjoyed Bob's friendly and humble nature, and I know you're going to have a great time listening to the conversation and music! For more info on Bob, go to www.BobBradshaw.net

It's always a great thrill to hear a great band whose star is rising and starting to shine, and then getting to share it by getting the story from one of its founding members. The blues-based band, SOUTHERN AVENUE, is born out of Memphis and raised lovingly by its guitar player and prominent songwriter ORI NAFTALY. He spends some time with me to discuss his band and new album "KEEP ON," but not before he shared his own story. Ori hails from Israel, growing up in towns near Tel Aviv, the last being Even Yehuda, and finally came to the United States in 2013. This was after successfully establishing himself as blues artist with his own Ori Naftaly Band. But he got down to serious business in the states after settling in Memphis, which is where he met singer Tierinii Jackson and her sister TK, and with a couple more members, formed Southern Avenue by 2015 and is not looking back. You'll hear all this from Ori as well as tracks from the album, including the title track. I know you're gonna like it. Enjoy!https://www.southernavenuemusic.com/