The Artist Drop Podcast

The Artist Drop

Matt Helbling
The Artist Drop Podcast makes it fun and easy to discover new musical artists from all walks of life. In this show Matt Helbling interviews musicians from diverse backgrounds and musical tastes. You'll hear the stories behind some amazing artists and get to listen to some of their music. Matt will make sure the conversation is fun, organic and engaging, no pre-written scripts here. As a musician himself, Matt loves to discover and listen to new music all the time. He also enjoys digging deeper to find out what motivates and inspires artists to create their music. The Artist Drop exists to connect musical artists with new audiences and to help music lovers discover more music to love. You'll gain an even better appreciation for the art of music and the people who make it happen through our shows. So grab a drink and a comfy chair and enjoy The Artist Drop!
Miss Freddye Stover - The Lady of the Blues in Pittsburgh, PA
Known as The Lady of The Blues right here in Pittsburgh, PA, Miss Freddye has been performing and recording the blues, gospel and soul for 30+ years. She's received numerous awards and nominations  for her soulful and powerful performances of originals and blues standards. Despite being so prolific in her musical career, she also has a full-time day job! I don't know how she does it all but I'm glad she does. Did I mention that she has 2 bands! YES, 2 bands! Wow!Miss Freddye's Blues Band andMiss Freddye's Home Cookin' BandJoin us as we talk about how she got started singing in church, what she's doing now and where she'll be going on tour very soon! Hint - it's not on this continent!Miss Freddy graciously allowed me to accompany her on guitar while she sang an original song and two great covers. You won't want to miss out on hearing her beautiful voice so be sure to listen to the end!LINKS:http://missfreddye.com/  - For lots of great info, upcoming shows, info on her bands, and morehttps://www.facebook.com/MissFreddyeConnect with us! www.theartistdrop.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistDropEmail: [email protected]
Feb 3, 2023
1 hr 15 min
Rebel Revolver - Rockers in the heart of Bellevue, PA - Part 2 of 2
We're back for part 2 of my interview with Rebel Revolver band members Adam, Andrew, Patrick and Abe for more laughs and behind the scenes stories of how they create their music. In this episode you'll hear 2 more rockin' tunes performed on location at 565 Live in Bellevue, PA. Plus, you might even hear a jingle or two! These guys rock and they laugh a lot so get ready to rock.  .  .  . and laugh!Rebel Revolver band members:Adam Seymour: GuitarAndrew McMurray: VocalsPatrick Riley: DrumsAbe Seymour: BassFor more info on my guests, check out their linktree:https://linktr.ee/rebelrmusicDon't forget to check out their music video of "Shake It Out" on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Vep1frFmnXQConnect with us! www.theartistdrop.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistDropEmail: [email protected]
Dec 29, 2022
31 min
Rebel Revolver - Rockers in the heart of Bellevue, PA - Part 1 of 2
Part 1: Meet the band & learn a little about them, hear some music, enjoy some bloopers!In this episode, you'll meet the four young guys who make up the rock band Rebel Revolver, based right in my home town of Bellevue, PA. These guys had me rolling in laughter most of the night.  By the end of our time together I felt like we'd known each other for years. In fact, I'm pretty sure they ran the interview while I did my best to control my laughter! You'll get to hear them perform some of their rockin' tunes and plenty enough bloopers to enjoy at the end of this episode. Hear their stories (most of them hilarious and somewhat conflicting!) about how they formed the band, came up with their unique name and landed their first gig. You'll also get to hear how they created their own secret sauce: The Rebel Revolver sound.  Yes, these guys are hilarious, but they're also very intelligent and well spoken young men with lots of creative ideas and a great team work ethic. Rebel Revolver is more than a band of young dudes just having fun, these guys are close friends first and foremost. Combine their deep friendships, uncanny senses of humor and a shared love of music and you get one heck of a distinct sound and electrifying live performance, you get Rebel Revolver!Get ready to rock.  .  .  . and laugh!Rebel Revolver band members:Adam Seymour: GuitarAndrew McMurray: VocalsPatrick Riley: DrumsAbe Seymour: BassFor more info on my guests, check out their linktree:https://linktr.ee/rebelrmusicDon't forget to check out their music video of "Shake It Out" on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Vep1frFmnXQConnect with us! www.theartistdrop.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistDropEmail: [email protected]
Dec 12, 2022
51 min
Stampede Interview Part 2 w/ a Tribute Song To our Veterans & LOTS more musc!!
In Disney's 1967 masterpiece "The Jungle Book", the most powerful scene is when Mowgli is powerless to revive his bear friend Baloo after fighting so bravely to protect him. Bagheera the black panther steps in to comfort the boy by reminding him of perhaps the most powerful truth in the universe when he says, "Greater love has no one than he who lays down his life for his friends." These words were first spoken of our truest Friend Jesus, and can rightly be spoken of our many brave veterans. That's why I'm so glad to share part 2 of this interview with you.In this episode you'll hear their beautiful tribute to veterans in their song "Unknown Soldier" sung on location. Plus, they also shared several tracks from their upcoming album to share with you. This episode is packed with great original music and some closing words from each of my guests. I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy what they have to say and I bet you'll be itching to hear more of their music!In honor of the countless thousands of brave veterans who gave their lives and time to serve all of us in the USA, I present the conclusion to our interview with some special bonus music!If you'd like to see Stampede perform live, check them out at Tequila Cowboy on Pittsburgh's North Shore November 10-12. Bring a toy to help Stampede support "Toys for Tots" and enjoy great live country music!Stampede will also be performing at Sportsman's Paradise in Cooks Forest on November 26th!Here’s the whole band:Paul Baker drumsBob Lunieski bassJay Pereira Keys Austin Parsons vox & guitar Alyssa Greenfield vox Tyler Greenfied guitar vox  Mike Walker Sound and Production Check out their webpage here for their full schedule of upcoming live shows: www.stampedepa.comInstagram: @stampede.paFacebook: www.facebook.com/stampedepaConnect with us! www.theartistdrop.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistDropEmail: [email protected]
Nov 10, 2022
27 min
Stampede Country Band Members - Interview and LIVE music w/ Tyler & Alyssa Greenfield & Austin Parsons
Wow! This episode is a 3 for 1 deal! I sat down with three  members of the country band Stampede: Tyler & Alyssa Greenfield and Austin Parsons. We enjoyed a great time of talking and laughing together and I got to hear three songs performed on the spot. I could not believe my ears! Their harmonies were out of this world. I want to introduce you to these remarkable folks whose band is taking off, stampeding across the Western PA music scene with their heavenly harmonies and tight band. You'll get to know my guests a little better AND hear some of their music. This is part 1 of our interview which includes lots of great talk and two on the spot performances. Part 2 will be released for Veterans Day 2022 on November 11 and will include one more on the spot performance and a few of their recorded songs from their upcoming new album.These folks really love country music and they also strongly support our brave veterans. You'll hear more about this in the second part of our interview. If you'd like to see them perform live, check them out at Tequila Cowboy on Pittsburgh's North Shore November 10-12. Bring a toy to help Stampede support "Toys for Tots" and enjoy seriously great live country music!Stampede will also be performing at Sportsman's Paradise in Cooks Forest on November 26th!Here’s the whole band:Paul Baker drumsBob Lunieski bassJay Pereira Keys Austin Parsons vox & guitar Alyssa Greenfield vox Tyler Greenfied guitar vox  Mike Walker Sound and Production Check out their webpage here for their full schedule of upcoming live shows: www.stampedepa.comInstagram: @stampede.paFacebook: www.facebook.com/stampedepaConnect with us! www.theartistdrop.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistDropEmail: [email protected]
Nov 3, 2022
1 hr 17 min
Rick Hayden: School Music Teacher by Day, Smokin' Hot Jazz Performer by Night!
Rick Hayden of RLH Entertainment is an amazingly talented Jazz Saxophone, Flute & Clarinet player. He can play any music placed in front of him without any problems! He uses his gift to inspire and teach his Knox Area School students more than just how to be great performers. He instills in them a love for music while drawing them up to higher levels of discipline and commitment. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know Rick a little better, especially since I get to jam with him once in a while at 565 Live in Bellevue, PA. Rick has become to me "My favorite music teacher I never had!" I know you're going to enjoy this casual interview we shared together. Rick is a great conversationalist and a very pleasant guy. So, get ready to meet Rick Hayden: School Music Teacher by Day, Smokin' Hot Jazz Performer by night! Here are some links to Rick’s  live performances:https://www.instagram.com/p/CfskmfTNYDeeMqgSyv1SoELxlt_TUhSJ0plIEY0/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=https://www.instagram.com/p/CgBNwMUM2Dsb4ujvUhDjZi7aAUjqKv9WiT3iAE0/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=https://www.instagram.com/tv/CgYLVm1lg1-gli43BsO8bOByFgclmjbZnPJsxc0/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=For more info:Check out Rick's Instagram: @rlhentertainmentConnect with us! www.theartistdrop.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistDropEmail: [email protected]
Oct 11, 2022
47 min
Julio Rivera of River and Root - Blues Guitarist in Pittsburgh, PA - This dude has soul!
Our guest for this episode is a very talented blues and rock guitarist who also has a great blues singing voice. Man, this dude has soul! He teams up with his wife Sara, well known jazz guitarist Mark Lucas and percussionist/drummer Brad Root in the band River and Root. You're going to love this guy! He's down to earth, very smart and a dedicated performing musician who knows how hard it is to work a day job while playing out at clubs on a regular basis.  His band plays out at clubs all over the Pittsburgh area on a regular basis and they even had the sweet opportunity this past Spring to open for an exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center. He and his band mates know how to rock the house! You have to check them out if you're in the Pittsburgh, PA area. There's lots more to learn about our friend Julio Rivera, so grab a cool drink, sit back and get ready for The Artist Drop podcast with our special guest Julio Rivera.Some links and info on Julio and his band River and Root:Instagram handle for more info @rivernrootmusicLink to their performance at the opening of The Carnegie Science Center's exhibit - Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the Worldhttps://www.instagram.com/tv/Cd0_MXRF_YY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linkInstagram handles for all band members: @boricuabluesman  @broot_412 @mlguitar17 @sarabeth_pghConnect with us! www.theartistdrop.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistDropEmail: [email protected]
Sep 4, 2022
57 min
Naomi Ruth Allen - "Queen of Nairobi"- Multi Talented Vocalist & Actress
 Join me for an engaging conversation with an amazing young lady who goes by the stage name Queen of Nairobi. Born in Pittsburgh PA as Naomi Ruth Allen, our guest has done more in her 25 years of life than many people could imagine. She has met and talked with Denzel Washington at length while competing in the prestigious August Wilson Monologue Competition. Not only did she win this competition and a very generous scholarship, but she did so with her stellar performance of the Rose dialogue from "Fences".  Denzel congratulated her after the competition and. . . . ooops,  listen to this episode to hear more!Our special guest has also met and conversed with other stars, including Jennifer Hudson and acclaimed director Kenny Leon. Naomi released her first single Drownin' in 2016 as a senior in High School at The Barack Obama Academy of International Studies. This soulful song explores and expresses the emotions that so many young women feel as they're coming of age in an often unaccepting world.  You can listen to this track and another unique single called Blue in this podcast. If that's not enough, Naomi is also a gifted 3D artist who creates one of a kind art that you have to see! She's been nominated for Pittsburgh City Paper's "Best Poet" and "Best Visual Artist". She's also actively partnering with 1Hood media to use her musical gifts for community activism. Find out more at https://www.1hood.org/Find out more about Naomi, the Queen of Nairobi, by checking out her website: www.queenofnairobi.net Instagram: @_queenofnairobiFacebook: Queen of NairobiBe on the lookout for her upcoming album release "Mood Ring" and travel along with Nairobi as she explores the colors of emotions on a musical journey through her life experiences. Nairobi is available for singing, rapping, acting, spoken word, directing, song writing, and painting. Connect with us! www.theartistdrop.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistDropEmail: [email protected]
Aug 22, 2022
1 hr 8 min