Purple Highs: Chronicling The Days Of Wild: Recent Episodes
Paisley Nights
Purple Highs documents the people who went to Prince‘s Paisley Park Studios in Minnesota. Hosted By Mark Bonde and Prince‘s longtime DJ, Dudley D.
Listen to Adrian Crutchfield as he takes you on an incredible journey from the back risers of Paisley Park for his first audition, to the spotlight on the Arsenio Hall's Show. In this interview, Adrian shares his firsthand experiences of working alongside Prince and how he helped Prince form the NPG Hornz.
This podcast is an absolute must-listen for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the extraordinary world of Prince. Prepare to be enthralled by Adrian’s stories and unique insights.
And if that's not enough, Adrian reveals the reason why Prince told him they were performing at George Lucas' wedding! Get ready for an unforgettable ride through the musical legacy of a true icon from someone that lived it.
While there were other schools for animation and visual design, Tefft Smith II was beckoned to Minneapolis after high school to Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) because of its proximity to all things Prince. That proximity brought him to the center of Prince Universe as he became a regular at the parties and performances Prince had at Paisley Park throughout the mid-to-late nineties.
After completing his degree at MCAD, Tefft left Minneapolis for the sunshine of Los Angeles to begin his career in animation and visual effects. In California, he continued to follow Prince closely, attending his performances throughout California.
In this Purple High episode, Tefft Smith connects you to the Prince world of the '90s and beyond. From attending parties at Paisley Park to receiving phone calls from Prince himself. His unique perspectives along with his appreciation for the creative process provide great insights into Prince and his work over the years.
Tefft is a co-founder of "Opsis" where he works with his team to provide animation and visual design on major Hollywood projects. His passion for Prince continues to this day and includes the creation of amazing visual effects for Purple High's dance parties and live streams.
Purple Highs journeys to the "Bean Cave" for an interview with Jellybean Johnson, the
drummer of The Time.
Johnson shares stories from his 50+ year in the Minneapolis music scene, discusses how he acquired his nickname "Jellybean", recounts times with Prince, and much much more.
Full of insights and revelations, this episode is cooler then Santa Clause and leaves listeners hoping Purple Highs is able to make another visit to the Bean Cave for a part 2!
Heidi Vader, who grew up in south Minneapolis just a few miles away from Prince's high school, has been a devoted follower of the legendary musician since his Dirty Mind days. In this podcast, she shares stories of her experiences watching him perform on the Triple Threat Tour, at First Avenue, and at Paisley Park.
Following Prince's passing, Heidi established the Purple Playground, a non-profit organization run by fans that pay homage to Prince's legacy through an Academy of Prince music program. This program provides teenagers with the opportunity to learn about Prince, collaborate with the musicians he worked with, and make original music.
We believe that Prince would have appreciated the program and encouraged you to explore it at https://www.purpleplayground.org/.
Listen to Purple Highs to learn more about Heidi and her passion for preserving Prince's legacy.
Ever wonder how the bathroom at Prince’s house on Galpin was painted? Or what it was like to be a part of those Erotic City parties at Glam Slam? And what about Prince riding a trike?! We can’t make this stuff up and neither can our guest. Gina “Kim” Hyatt brings you into the Prince universe with stories from the days of wild on the latest episode of Purple Highs.
"To the Darkness, let there be light. To my sound man, turn up my voice real tight" - Prince
As front-of-house sound for Prince over the course of 16 years, Scottie Baldwin (aka "Scottie P") was a master of making Prince and his bands tight during live performances. As a part of the Minneapolis music scene, Scottie discusses his days as a drum tech in the Minneapolis clubs like Glam Slam and Bunkers and how that got him connected to Prince. His experiences at rehearsals, after-shows, tours, and more are covered on this Purple Highs interview. His position at the soundboard gave him a unique perspective on Prince, his legacy, and the music industry. Hold on to your wigs as Scottie helps us chronicle the Days of Wild.
The video of 11-year-old Prince has gone viral this past week. Matt Liddy, a WCCO producer, gives details on how he found the clip in the station’s archives and how the story that was aired came to be. If you don’t already, this interview will make you believe in miracles.
It's been a while and the world has changed. So has our name. The mission remains the same.
After seeing Prince in Tokyo for the first time Miho was hooked on his sound and wanted more. Learn how that show starts her on a journey to Minneapolis that would change her life forever on this episode of Paisley Nights.
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
Happy New Year! Mark Bonde and DJ Dudley D talk about the 1999 NYE taping at Paisley Park from Paisley Park.
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
The first time through the doors of Paisley Park and Rich Benson witnessed one of the most epic live recordings in Purple history. While that show wasn’t televised he was at one that was.
Learn how he was drawn to Minneapolis by Prince and what he’s learned about Prince by living in Minneapolis. He almost got his camera confiscated and tried to get his own tour one day out front of Paisley Park.
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
Dudley D tells you about talking to Dave Chapelle in 2017 about his 1995 Paisley Park gig. Mark tells you why he thinks "Days of Wild" is the best Prince song ever and Dudley D concurs. So many stories. So much fun. Hold on to your wigs!!!!
How did people find out about all those Paisley Park parties back in the day? Jonathan Carter was instrumental in it all and can remember the URL to prove it. He has stories on top of stories on top of stories. Hold on to you wigs people!!!
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
Does Mark remember his 1st time seeing Prince perform at Paisley Park? Of course, he does and his story is "fantastic"!
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
Serah Sauser tells us that when the light was turned off at The Rogue Prince was coming. Hear how Prince fell for her when they first met and all about the videos she danced in that never hit the streets. This is a can't miss episode with great stories galore!
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
Episode 7 celebrates the birth of Prince and the influence he had on his fans. It also tells the story of how DJ Dudley D became his DJ. Learn how Dudley kept the mix so tight at that first gig that Prince interrupted him while he was mixing to ask him a question. Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
Samantha Mccarroll-Hyne's mom would not let her go to a Paisley Park dance party until she was 10 years so she missed out on the early 2000 parties. She more than made up for it later in life as she was able to participate in many epic performances including one that had Madonna as a guest. Listen to hear her story and how she met Prince in an unlikely place.
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
Mark Bonde & DJ Dudley D recap the last episode and talk about the NPG Store in Uptown. Mark is also looking for the "Gold Experience" jacket in size Large. Please let us know if you can help him locate one.
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
Deon Anderson got into Prince at a very young age and has deep roots in Minneapolis. She might have "missed out" on some of the events surrounding Purple Rain but definitely made up for it later in life spending countless nights at Paisley Park.
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
Mark Bonde & DJ Dudley D recap the first two episodes, talk about the "Wild Sign", Lenny Kravitz & Prince dancing and more.
Bill Wensel spent decades in the Minneapolis music scene and saw Prince perform hundreds of times. Here how Prince propelled his artwork, copied his dance moves and much more in this episode.
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast
As the master of cool, Prince, unlike any pop star of his day would open the doors of Paisley Park to his fans. For close to three decades he invited fans from near and far to shows, to listen to new music and to dance the night away. Over the years many became fixtures at the parties as they ingrained themselves in the Paisley scene. Returning again and again, these "Paisley Heads" were true blues and their lives have been forever changed by the man, the music and the community that emerged.
These were "regular" people that experience extraordinaire things. These stories have laid dormant until now. This podcast intends to give them life by giving a forum where the memories can be shared. We seek to put these stories on wax so history will know what happened on those beautiful Paisley nights.
Co-Hosted by Mark Bonde a long-time Paisley Head and DJ Dudley D (Dustin Meyer) Prince's long-time DJ at Paisley Park.
Neither The Prince Estate nor Paisley Park museum is affiliated, associated, or connected with Paisley Nights Podcast