Game Changers With Vicki Abelson: Recent Episodes
Vicki Abelson
How is it possible that one human being can be a gifted artist, a world-class savvy collector, a stellar actor, skilled director, and a masterful storyteller, whilst being gracious, funny, self-possessed, and humble at the same time? If that’s not the work of the gods, what is?The quality of Federico’s conversation defied Mercury Retrograde and the moon void. His screen may have been wonky for a few moments, but his glorious remembrances flowed on. From his earliest years in Napoli surrounded by his talented siblings, Federico knew at 3 what he wanted to do. And it wasn’t aspiring to be a key player on one of the greatest shows to ever hit television screens. That was an afterthought. A later manifestation. Earning a full scholarship and his BFA from the School of Visual Arts in NY, Federico never had a day job or a Plan B. He’s had more than a few Plan As - all successfully and respectfully executed. We got a little show and tell with a great George Burns story, how he segued from commercial art to commercial film and television, auditioning for a role he’d never get that eventually led to the life-changer. We got the whole Sopranos audition story complete with a David Chase rarity, prior long-held James Gandolfini admiration, how he landed it, the classes and work in theatre that schooled him, all the while continuing with his art craft to mind-blowing proportions. More show and tell with his latest portrait, of frequent collaborator Chazz Palminteri, that I would’ve sworn was a photograph until it was almost pressed against Federico’s screen. The lips, the smile, the hair, the eyes, the ‘tude, captured as only a rarely gifted artist could. We talked Federico’s multitude of upcoming films in various stages of production… Bad News on The Doorstep with the aforementioned Palminteri, which will be the first to drop, Into The Black with beloved Cathy Moriarity and Peter Green, Lupo, a true-crime story, and Three’s Company Too, where Federico is directing as well as starring. There’s a gallery show of his portraits in the works and Sopranos appearances, which you can keep up with on his IG.
The Hollies, The Cavern, meeting his wife at a Hendrix Concert and marrying her on his 21st birthday because… well, I let him tell you, his family foibles, the drinking, more drinking, getting sober, advice on drugging from Keith Richards, hysterical, and the creme de la creme with Richard McArthur Park Harris, worth the price of admission. There was some singing here and there, including a bissel, There’s a Kind of Hush. Speaking of bissel, Peter’s got more Yiddish than I do. The story of his nuptials with his French, Jewish bride in a Roman Catholic church is pure Peter. From the man who gave us, I’m Into Something Good, Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter, I’m Henry VIII, I Am, Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat, Listen People, No Milk Today, we got a treasure trove of bliss. It just doesn’t get better than this! Peter Noone Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, June 3rd, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With a gazillion-dollar smile, easy, absolutely effortless charm, Tony Award-winning Cady Huffman took this adoring fan and turned me into an even bigger one (who knew that was possible), and dare I say (she said), a friend. Sigh A masterful storyteller, without even trying, I was delightfully mesmerized, hanging on her every word. Her remembrances of Bob Fosse, auditioning for him, being cast by him, dancing with him (WHAT!), and drinking beside him, left me breathless. Tommy Tune, another genius, and The Will Rogers Follies, her first Tony nomination, her most vivid remembrance of finding out is about the guy she woke up with. So damn human at every turn. I love this woman! And of course, her Tony turn, also winning the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics’ Circle Award, for The Producers, where I first witnessed Cady’s stunningly sexy, adorable Ulla, the last preview before opening night. The show against which I’ve measured all others. To date, none have exceeded the laughs, the spectacle, and the non-stop thrills. In a word, it was… perfection! Cady told us about Susan Stroman, Mel Brooks, Nathan Lane. and our mutual friend, Wendy Waring, still in Cady’s world today. We talked Kay Cole, Samantha’s director and OG of A Chorus Line, who sang, At the Ballet, which could have been Cady’s theme song for many of her days, La Cage Aux Folles, her first Broadway play, the wild backstage antics, and auditioning for Cy Coleman, hysterical! Dame Edna! Steel Pier, Sting! We talked about growing up in Santa Barbara, early family struggles, her first play and her first line, ballet, opera, and Cady mastering each. Her brother Linus, childhood friends Anthony Edwards, Eric Stoltz, and the incredible Kathleen Wilhoite, my long-time grown-up pal. Before we signed off, we talked the reals… aging, food, booze, programs, Ozempic, and a little-known side effect that worked for the good. Cady Huffman is living my life. My childhood dream life. Better than I could have ever imagined. Tonight, I got to live it vicariously through her. Thank you, Cady, for that, for everything!Cady Huffman Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, April 15th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm EThttps://youtube.com/live/DmE_USj-UkE
I’ve known comedian/writer/animal activist Elayne Boosler for a couple of decades, but there’s so much I didn’t know! We got loads of juicy bits from the woman who pioneered stand-up comedy for all who followed in her wake. From her earliest days at The Improv in New York, a waitress/hostess, who needed Andy Kaufman’s help to differentiate the brown drinks, to her love/hate relationship with proprietor, Bud Friedman, swooning over 20-year-old Richard Lewis, MC’ing without an act or a net, singing and then not thanks to now partner Andy, who Elayne credits with teaching her “everything.” Tom Waits? Who knew! We got a great story there. Robin Williams, to Bill Siddons, her husband of 30 years, with whom she shares a home in Italy, and a great line to sum up the current state of their union. We got lots on Italy, the when, where, why, and how.Elayne was always a must-see for me whenever she appeared on TV, and hugely impactful when I tried my hands and feet at standup. I could never be as smart, but she gave me permission to let my sass shine. A fan for decades, it was a pinch-me moment when we met on the Facebook and became instant friends. It translated to the reals not long after, over pizza in New York, and sometime after that, with Elayne gracing my living room for Women Who Write. It’s taken 10 years to get this sit down, she was well worth the wait. Despite a couple of tech glitches, I adored every moment, and I’m so grateful for all the laughs, so needed now. I’m about to do a YouTube Elayne deep dive and continue to lose myself in her brilliant shine.Elayne Boosler Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, April 8th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Emmy-winning screenwriter, the divine Ken Levine, was today’s guilty, not guilty pleasure. Rushing off for a next-to-last dress rehearsal before tomorrow’s sole preview, we got a good, healthy dose of the funny, as Ken is wont to do. Guilty Pleasures, his 10th published full-length play, opens this Friday at the Westchester Theatre in Los Angeles for a four-week run. An adult entertainment, no, not that kind, the show’s disclaimer says, “Please note this play is intended for mature audiences, as it contains strong language and sexual content.” Ken adds, no nudity, but I know from experience it’ll be loaded with laughs. Bonus, my pal, Marshall McCabe, is one of the four stars. One of the most successful humans I know, cross-genre, Ken is a multi-award-winning writer of such shows as Cheers, MASH, Frasier, The Simpsons, and Wings. He’s directed over 60 TV episodes and has co-written the movie, VOLUNTEERS, starring Tom Hanks and John Candy; he’s been a radio DJ and the play-by-play voice of the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and San Diego Padres. Ken’s hosted Dodger Talk for eight seasons, has hosted his own successful podcast, and wrote one of the 25 BEST blogs, as says Time Magazine. Currently, Ken’s a contributing cartoonist to the New Yorker Magazine and a globally successful playwright. Guilty Pleasures has been enjoying a two-year run in Prague! Why is he focused on the stage instead of the screen when clearly the financial benefits of the latter so greatly surpass the former? Ken tells it. As always, Ken reminded me how wonderful it is to laugh. A much-needed break from the current madness. I could sure use some more. I’ll be heading to the Westchester Theatre this weekend to indulge in some of Ken’s Guilty Pleasures (link in the comments). I’ll be using code Heywestchester for a $5 discount on the $25 tkts. Hell, it’s cheaper than a movie with real live actors making magic just feet away. There’s nothing like Live theatre. Except ballet and opera, but don’t tell Timothée Chalamet.Ken Levine Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, March 11th, 3 pm PT, 6 pm ETStreamed Live on my FB, YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL8RAHvWdfQ
Following his triumphant return to Dancing With The Stars and this week’s Hollywood Squares, this marks Tom Bergeron’s return to Game Changers. One of our first and most oft-recurring guests, Tom, remains one of my favorite humans. What a joy to spend time in his good company. We got the moment-to-moment behind the scenes of Tom’s return to DWTS, with Tom and me, and I’m guessing most watching, getting emotional all over again. The response from the audience and all present for the taping of the 20th Anniversary Show was love and goosebumps all around. Tom recounted what caused his demise at the show, gave us info that the powers that be didn’t have, his surprising reunion with Sean Spicer, his about-to-be reunion with Bobby Bones, and how Tom contributed to his returning his Mirrorball trophy, Tom’s thoughts on the current hosts, the celebrities, and what he thinks about the current format. For my money, bring the guy back! Leaning young is one thing. No one has come close to being as entertaining. Tom also gave us the skinny on his Hollywood Squares reunion and how he at first led the contestant to defeat, ultimately bringing her to victory and getting his amazing Gilbert Gottfried impression in. He told us about his long relationship with Whoopi, rekindled recently on The View as if no time had passed, and a warning from dear friend, Carl Reiner, to be careful about Whoopi’s beau. We touched on the current Reiner family horror and how fortunate Carl missed it. There were fabulous stories about his great friendship with “Bill” Shatner, Dick Van Dyke, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, his disastrous Emmy gig, his triumphant Emmy wins, and the ongoing philanthropy that led to the Critics’ Choice Association awarding him the first Sam Rubin award.Tom’s been pivotal in my world for the past 17 years. We touched on the when, where, and whys through the years. As with this show, all the ones before, and pretty much everything he’s ever done, Tom’s downright delightful, warm, and hysterically funny. It’s impossible not to adore the man. In these insanely troubled times, Tom’s the antidote. Tom Bergeron Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 2/4/26, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM EThttps://youtube.com/live/k5_GV2j-lHo
Sons, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Alison Krauss, to Eric Clapton. We got the skinny on all of them, plus Jerry’s chance meeting with Sir Paul, a seemingly scary Ry Cooder, recording in Abby Road, dinner with Clapton and Ron Wood, how he met his bride of 17 years, parenting 4, grandparenting 7, loving all of them, all of it, except the night of extreme excess that led to his sobriety. Bonus, he also played us out, as only dobro master, Jerry Douglas, could. I knew when Snuffy and I spent an evening in Nashville recently with Jerry and Jill that he’d be a great guest, as with his playing, he exceeded all expectations.Jerry Douglas Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 1/14/26, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM ET
Nestor Carbonell Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonNestor Carbonell has it all. A beautiful wife, great kids, a wildly successful career spanning three plus decades, which is hotter than ever, with two hit shows streaming (The Morning Show on Apple TV, and Pulse on Netflix), a brand new film in theatres (Motherland), a sparkling Emmy award (for Shōgun), his first feature about to be cast, an episode of Law & Order to direct, and a beard being grown for a greenlit new movie he’s soon to shoot. That’s just part of the story. What he also has in abundance is humility, accessibility, warmth, kindness, sweetness, and he’s hotter than ever to gaze upon, too. Those insanely dark-rimmed eyes, which he swears are natural, sans “paint” (my new favorite word for make-up), thank you, Nestor, are awfully fun to feast upon, too. He’s the whole enchilada, and I say that with all due respect, and the Harvard grad is due a lot!We’ve been having a Nestor Carbonell film festival over here for the past week, and barely scratched the surface. Last night alone, we watched Motherland, also available to rent at home, The Dark Knight, which I hadn’t seen since it dropped, what a star-studded extravaganza that is, with a brilliant Heath Ledger in his final film, and, the latest episode of The Morning Show, where Nestor’s Yanko continues to evolve before our eyes, as does the show. Tonight we’ll get back to our Lost binge; we haven’t even gotten to Nestor’s run yet. I’m exhausted just watching the guy. How the hell does he manage it all? This conversation spoke to Nestor’s easy, self-effacing generosity of spirit. We touched on his parents, his background, early education, that crazy college, finding acting, how he broke in and through, the work, some tricks of his trade, meeting his bride of two decades, Shannon Kenny, her talents, can’t wait to read her All Is Not Lost (on order!), managing career and kids, the sacrifices, getting through the pandemic, how it’s changed him, the work, and the world, and, at each turn, he asked about me––quite a guy. As versatile and compelling as he is on screen, is as focused and charming as he is in life. Nestor’s an anomaly. The total package. If something’s missing, I missed it. How fun to keep watching and looking. Nestor Carbonell Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 10/1/25, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FB & YouTubehttp://bit.ly/48cr1dwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIWkX8ksNhk
The Blues Magoos Peppy Castro Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonThere’s fun, and then there’s spending two hours with The Blues Magoos Peppy Castro! He’s lived a rockers’ life to covet and then some! The Who, Hendrix, Dylan, Jefferson Airplane, JOHN LENNON for Gd’s sake! Stories, stories, stories, one better than the next. He drove a Beatle in a Beetle! Who can say that? Skipping school and playing the Night Owl in the village when he was 14. 14! When Jimi used to stop in and jam, when Bob would roam the streets with his guitar, when Richie Havens would just wander in… doing the Jack Benny Show with Henny Youngman and Morey Amsterdam firing schtick in the green room, doing The Smother’s Brother’s Comedy Hour with Tommy trying to join the band, touring with The Who and Herman’s Hermits and The Who were the middle act! An insane story about Micheal Botlon, about getting the role in the original production of Hair on Broadway, doing jingle after jingle - with one I’m still singing… we talked Phoebe Snow, Laura Branigan, Buzzy Linhardt, Jay & The Americans, The Turtles with beloved Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, Tommy James, Lou Cristie, Joan Jett, on and on, and on! FAB! FAB! FAB! Forty years in the making - we could’ve screamed across the street at each other in the 80s. I did visit his penthouse once, but thought it was elsewhere. There may or may not have been a lotta pot involved. The antidote to today’s latest crazy… this thing right here. Just hit play. It’s the joy button. Promise! The Blues Magoos Peppy Castro Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 9/17/25, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FB & YouTubeReplay:http://bit.ly/46d9CA0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI5Mbp2uy8U&t=2169s
Bette Sussman Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonKeyboardist, composer, musical director, Emmy winner, Bette Sussman, is a dear friend, a Scorpio almost twin sista, crazy talented, grows her food, cooks delectably, rocks hard, leans left, which is right, cares about humans and other living things… what more could you want in a person? What fun to talk about life, the day to day, how it’s changed, how we’ve changed, the passions that remain, new hobbies, new music… a gig next Tues, 9/16 doing the music of Burt Bacharat with loads of other brilliant musicians, and a just dropped yesterday doc about the vocalists and music behind Chaka Khan, you can catch Crafting The Sound on YouTube.We dished the genius of Cissy Houston, Bette was her MD for five or so years, with a young backup singer named Whitney, who came into her own and took Bette with her in her heyday, for 11 plus years, before the fall, and segued with an intro from Marc Shaiman to 11 plus years with another Bette. Midler. Close with all of her musical collaborators, but especially this one, until a nasty fight in Vegas. Our Bette tells it, as well as the redemption and sweet closeness they again share, as recently as last week. Great story there. We hear about Cyndi, friends, but not so easy, and a really rough and awful end with Patti LuPone. We talked about sessions, industrials, touring, and mutual friends Will Lee, Steve Ferrone, and Keb Mo. Bette’s played with loads more. I have little doubt we could have talked for another 1:45 and not gotten to all of them. Reminiscent of pre-pandemic days, I was so relaxed and cozy, it felt like we were sitting in Bette’s kitchen together. I could almost taste her perfect homegrown heirloom tomato and smell the sauce she cooked from its harvest. Next visit at Bette’s place, and we feast! Can’t wait!Bette Sussman Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 9/10/25, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FB & YouTubehttp://bit.ly/3VIud93https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpXhSh3Ula8
Liberty DeVitto Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonSitting down with iconic Billy Joel drummer, Liberty DeVitto, after a too-long three-year hiatus was fantastical! Friends since the 80s, I never get enough of Lib’s stories and his spectacular storytelling. Hot off the heels of being a major player in the current HBO/MAX Billy Joel doc, And So It Goes, Lib caught us up and filled in the blanks. Over the course of five interviews spanning the last decade, pieces of the story have been uncovered; today, Liberty put them all together. How did Billy’s once fierce loyalty wane, replaced with a detached coldness? The reasons stated in the doc, only part of the story. We got the deets, including turning down George Martin in favor of his band, refusing a ride to McCartney’s 911 recording session when there wasn’t room for Lib in the car, and to an ill-shared secret spilled by Lib’s then wife to Billy’s then wife, Christie. Liberty’s sobriety sobering, and a joy killer to Billy. How the end came down without a word to their longtime bandmates, Russell Javors and Doug Stegmeyer, perhaps responsible for the latter’s demise. And how, sometime later, the same fate awaited Liberty. The truth about his lawsuit and why he fought. Elizabeth Weber, Billy’s first wife and manager’s support, and why she finally chose to speak up and set the record straight. Lib talked about his and Billy’s 15-year silence following their 30-year collaboration, their reconciliation, and their ongoing renewed friendship, as Billy faces serious health issues. We got the scoop on his meeting Beatles, Ringo and Paul, playing with them - full circle from their inspiring his life’s path. Karen Carpenter, Carly Simon, The Beach Boys, Phoebe Snow, Ronnie Spector, just a few he’s shared a studio and or a stage with. How, with Billy’s blessing, the original Billy Joel Band, Liberty, Richie Cannata (gratefully recovered from a life-threatening aortic dissection), and Russell Javors, carry on as The Lords of 52nd Street, and how his Slim Kings are amassing a huge following, dropping a new record, and readying to tour. He’s got a gorgeous wife, a happy marriage, four thriving daughters, and two grandchildren; he’s sober. Life is good! Mine’s better with Liberty in it. Adore the man! Liberty Devitto Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 8/27/25, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FB & YouTubehttp://bit.ly/4mV01nnhttps://www.youtube.com/live/9q2bOQD6ZuM
The Cowsills Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWhat’s better than sitting down with your old friend and childhood hero, Bob Cowsill? Being surprised when Paul and Susan Cowsill join him. Us. What fun! The Cowsills (Hair, The Rain, The Park, and Other Things, We Can Fly), currently out on The Happy Together Tour, are the real-life Partridge Family, upon whom the show was based. A fan since the 60s, they adorned my walls and turntable. I love them.Bob Cowsill holds the distinction of having the most viewed video on my YouTube channel, over 203K views and counting, daily, years after its release. Bob's Women Who Write appearance, middling for the late, great Ed Asner, with incredible opener, James Morrison, of 24, was a KILLER! It was an instant classic, timeless, not to be missed! It'll make you happy, happy, happy, as no doubt this 4th sitdown with the always ridiculously entertaining, funny man and the second with the lot of 'em will. We talked about their watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, and the impact they had on Bob and Bill, their first two failed record deals, some oddly named group, Simon & Garfunkel, who bested them. The third deal was the charm with The Rain, The Park & Other Things written for them. How Mom, Paul & Susan each joined the brothers. How Hair came to them, thank you, Carl Reiner...how pleasing their fans, whether on The Happy Together Tour, which they've opened for 11 years, or on The Flower Power cruise, which they do annually, is their primary purpose. They always play their hits and love doing so.We talked about their new releases, Rhythm of the World, Global, and the upcoming The Cocaine Drain, and their long-awaited a cappella album. If you're lucky enough to catch one of their bi-monthly Cowsills gigs, you might get to hear Is Your Love Alive, or other previously unreleased gems. But you can bet you'll hear their classics and some great covers. They are now and have always been crowd pleasers, and that includes sitting down with them. They're open, fun, clearly love each other, and have infectious enthusiasm for what they do and life in general.As always, whether at one of their shows or chatting, I had a ball. I trust you will, too.The Cowsills Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 8/20/25, 2 PM PT, 5 PM ETStreamed Live on my FB & YouTubehttp://bit.ly/3JpW8rBhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcTbAcaLw1Q
Bradley Whitford Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonIt was a sweet reunion when 3 x Emmy-winner Bradley Whitford of The West Wing was surprised and serenaded by composer Snuffy Walden, with the show’s Emmy-winning theme. They share quite a bit of history, having also done Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Last night Snuff and I binged the pilot episodes of both shows and were astounded by how timely they still are. Bradley and I discussed his storyline in that first West Wing, which could’ve been ripped out of today’s headlines. We also talked about Studio 60 and the irony of Danny Trip’s confession to Matt Albie, played by Matthew Perry, about his drug slip. Bradley’s emotional remembrance of the show, its cast, and specifically Matthew’s comedic brilliance, and the pocket of sobriety for Matt that allowed for some of his best work. Bradley ain’t no Hollywood fluffernutter. Of progressive Quaker stock, his father, who worked at an insurance company, was the local president of Planned Parenthood before it was political, his mother was an outspoken advocate, and his brother, a conscientious objector. Talk about an unusual childhood, he has an 85-year-old sister. Bradley came from a loving, functional home, and still became an actor. Now that’s an anomaly right there. We did a deep dive into the state of the union. Thoughtful, passionate, and in solution, Bradley puts his activism where his mouth is. We talked Trump, Musk, Kennedy, gender affirming care, Biden, Kamala, Hillary, Iran, immigration, how art will not save us, only politics will. And yet much of Bradley’s art is political. We spoke about The Handmaid’s Tale from innumerable angles. For me, arguably perhaps the greatest show ever on television, and his Commander Lawrence, is probably the most layered, complex character he’s portrayed. We talked about Elisabeth and their earlier connection in The West Wing, Anne Dowd, and how her spectacular performance inspired Margaret Atwood’s writing, The Testaments, for her. Bradley was far more interested in talking about current affairs and how essential it is that we do more than talk than he was in talking about his work. But we did squeeze in some time to discuss For Worse, the indie feature his bride, Amy Landecker, wrote, directed, and stars in alongside Bradley. His respect, love, and admiration to Amy are adorable to behold. Making the festival circuit and winning awards along the way, I can’t wait to see the film loosely based on their romance. I’m a fan. A great, big avid Bradley Whitford fan. The last time we met, it was at a big Hollywood soiree. He was equally as open, personable, unaffected, opinionated, and accessible as he was this day. As much as I adore his work, I’m grateful as hell for his humanity and advocacy. I hope to consider “What would Bradley do” a whole lot more moving forward. And speaking of hope, he has it in abundance… mix that with some fun, his learned recipe’s secret sauce, and there’s good reason to trust that there are better days ahead. It’s up to us, all of us, to make it so. This should be essential viewing for anyone in fear and despair. Bradley Whitford Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 6/25/25, 2 PM PT, 5 PM ETStreamed Live FB Replay http://bit.ly/4lv7rfX& YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFMXr8g9yyY&t=187s
Decades later, as if no time had passed, bassist Kevin Jenkins came to call. I met Kevin in 1986ish, when he was playing with Cyndi Lauper at the height of her fame. He had stopped in to the Rock ’N Roll Cafe, sat in, and graced our small stage. Big man on campus, he was pop-rock royalty. Girl just wanted to have fun, so with my Cafe cohort, Steve Principe, we headed to The Stone Pony to catch Kevin with Cyndi. About a decade later, I’d meet up with Cyndi as Upper Westside mommies… but I digress. Kevin continued to come around and sit in, most notably with my beloved Phoebe Snow and Matt Sorum from Guns & Roses, at the Cafe Wha.From Tokyo’s Budokan to London’s famous Albert Hall to NYC’s Madison Square Garden - Kevin’s played them all, with the aforementioned Cyndi Lauper, and Enrique Iglesias, Taylor Dayne, Vicki Sue Robinson, Graham Parker, Lamya, Tom Rush, Maxwell, Roberta Flack, Debbie GIbson and, most recently, Grammy® nominated blues queen Shemekia Copeland, who he’s been with 2005. We talked about them all, as well as the music that influenced him, how he got started, how one meeting led to one gig, which led to another. When imbibing started to interfere, Kevin got sober 38 years ago. We discussed that journey, too. We discussed his highlights, opening for Clapton and Michael Jackson, as well as loss, and love. Kevin filled us in on his solo efforts, Step Inside and True Groove, as well as his latest, She: A Tribute to Joni Mitchell, which will be released in November. Humble and unpretentious to a fault, it was a delightful stroll down memory lane with loads of new info and great stories along the way. Kevin is just as I remember him, except even better. Wisdom, experience, and a clear mind have added to the mix. Adore the man, love his playing, respect his humanity. Kevin Jenkins Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FB Kevin Jenkins Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FB http://bit.ly/4kG0LeKAnd YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eup_wy0SJlM&t=2985s
Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonHappy Happy Joy Joy, that’s spending time conversing with our good friend, Leland Sklar, who’s made it all about the bass with everybody on everything, from Phil Collins, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Billy Cobham, Carole King, Hall & Oates, Crosby Stills, & Nash, Barbra Streisand, Joe Cocker, Toto, Lyle Lovett, and the list goes on and on, and on, and on… over 2500 + albums worth. I’m exhausted typing this. How the hell does he do it? An activist, Lee’s stood up, spoken out, and paid the price innumerable times. A voice of clarity, passion, and reason, we got into it big time… the LA protests, the insanity surrounding them, the terrifying regime, our hope for Newsom, the unknowing of how to stop it, or how it will ultimately shake out… the fires, the transition back to living post the pandemic. Of course, we did talk music too. Respects to Brian Wilson and Sly Stone, Lee having played with the former, and influenced by the latter… how health has befallen so many heroes, Phil Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond… and the wonder of Leland, currently doing 3 hr concerts with Lyle, still standing. That boy has good genes. Levis. The ongoing and upcoming big tour with Lyle and the sad putting aside, for now, of The Immediate Family. We talked about the lads, his brothers, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, and Steve Postel, what makes that band so rockin’ special, we talked about James Taylor, Peter Asher, who Lee holds responsible for launching his career, Phil Collins, and his amazingly talented son, Nick, Toto, Stevie Nicks, his book, Everybody Loves Me, which I’m blessed to be in, and Lee’s marriage that has endured for 54 years and counting. Lee’s one of the most universally adored musicians for his playing, his humanity, his humor, and his great big heart. I adore him. Who doesn’t? Well, maybe a couple of fools on Capitol Hill. The man’s a marvel. Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FB https://bit.ly/4dZz0LxAnd YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU7luUSTrRU&t=22s
We were Live with my good friend, 2x Emmy nominee, Gary Stockdale. What a joy after a long void. Pre-pandemic, it seems we saw each other everywhere, and often. COVID changed life. A lot. We talked about that and how both of us have Facebook Lives born out of necessity. You’d think with our combined expertise, it would be smooth sailing. You’d think. Tech glitches messed with Gary’s fine art… his singing/playing and songwriting, which we were challenged to present, but Gary persevered and did treat us to two songs from his new musical, Showstopper, and an a cappella treat to take us out that I won’t spoil. Gary took us back to his early days in Glendale, musical theatre at LA City College, his mentor Henry Mancini, Penn & Teller for whom he scored for 25 years. There was Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Aristocrats, Spongebob Square Pants, and lot of Gary music along the way to discuss. Even with the challenges, it was a fun, relaxed ride down Gary’s memory lane. The kind of conversation that happens between friends. Lovely. And Gary’s voice… I don’t know how it’s possible, but he sounds even more incredible than ever. What a gorgeous voice, and what an amazing songwriter! After a particularly crap day, this time with Gary truly healed my weary soul. Gary Stockdale Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 6/4/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FB & YouTubeLinks in the commentsFB Replay here:https://bit.ly/4kV1oB1YouTube Replay here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkMYA_Qfz7E
Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Part 2Rosemary Butler has sung with everyone on every song I love. Pretty damn close. In this, our 2nd sitdown, Rose picked up where we left off, post Paul & Ringo, The Rolling Stones, and Three Dog Night - see Part 1 for those fab stories, and took us through Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, The Section, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald (her first student, who taught her to create her own unique voice), Neil Diamond (on his Christmas album… to which Neil said, I’m Jewish, why am I doing this) Joe Cocker, Johnny Mathis, The Bish, Willie Nelson, David Lindley (the most fun), Warren Zevon, Alan Parsons, Don Henley, Bruce Springsteen (when he was sleeping under the Jersey pier with his guitar), Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell (her idol), and Paul Simon. Rosemary’s voice intermingles magically with all of them. Stories, stories, more stories about hero after shero. Peter Asher, she credits with opening the doors. Teaching and sharing what she’s learned and what she knows, you too can study with the master - reach out at RosemaryButler.com. And, catch her Live with The Tribe at their 10th anniversary celebration at The Canyon Club in L.A. where it all started. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to traverse a career and a life brilliantly lived. The road, the buses, the food, the fun, and the hit music her iconic voice is synonymous with. Can I ever hear Running on Empty and not think of her… no way. Love the Rosemary Butler!Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Part 2Wednesday, 5/21/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my Facebook & YouTubeReplay Links:https://bit.ly/3Fj8Sythttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgO9MJHZNj4
Alan Zweibel Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonLive from the Zoom Room, it’s Alan Zweibel! It was so great to jump back in with the fabulous, funny, and fun Emmy Winner.Alan took us back to his earliest days in the biz, how he made his way in, the first joke he sold, still funny! The Catskill Mountains, Morty Gunty, Freddie Roman, Rodney Dangerfield, maybe his first collaborator… with whom Alan comes full circle, presently. Doing standup with Billy Crystal, leading to years of collaboration, being discovered by Lorne Michaels… SNL, Alan’s game changer. Gilda, a partnership made in heaven - how Roseannne Roseannadanna and Emily Latella came to be, Belushi, Ackroyd, the current film, Saturday Night, where it felt right, where liberties were taken, how it felt to have someone play him. Co-creating It’s The Garry Shandling Show with Gary, how they worked together. Writing Lunatics with Dave Barry, long distance, For This We left Egypt with Dave and Adam Mansbach, and a great story about how that friendship and collaboration began. Broadway with Billy and with Martin Short, and the cute, sweet note after their encounter at the SNL 50th reunion. Alan’s current collab with Barry Levinson, how that started and where it is today, that full circle Rodney story coming to fruition currently… and through it all, Robin. Alan’s love and wife since the early SNL days… and his most fruitful collaborator. Alan’s devotion to his family is what stories are made of, as is his work ethic, resiliency, tenacity, and talent. His storytelling is what good conversations are made of, served up with laughs, lots of them. What an inspiration! Loved every minute of this. And I sure did need the eggs. Alan Zweibel Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 5/14/23, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live Links in the commentsReplay on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1uvKClTYdY
Nile Rogers of Chic Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson This sit-down with my old friend, multiple Grammy Winner, Rock & Roll Hall Inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist, Nile Rogers, is SOLID GOLD… more like triple platinum. Even though we never exchanged more than a few words in the handful of times he graced my jams back in the day, there was always DHM (deep hidden meaning), as there always is with Nile. This day, we got to that and so much more. STORIES! Oh my lord, No one tells ‘em like Nile. Case in point, his tome, Le Freak, may be the greatest memoir I’ve read. I could not put the thing down. When was the last time I read a book cover to cover in less than 24 hours? A rare score on Amazon these days, Nile’s assured he’ll be updating and republishing. It’s a MUST-read for music fans, flower children, and anyone who loves to sink their teeth into a great story, well-told. Nile covered his very humble early days, his barely older than him mother, the drugs, the bi-coastal extended family, the moves, the schools, early influences from Coltrane to The Beatles, flute to clarinet to guitar… how Bernard Edwards got him to the Hitmaker Strat and chucking, which has become synonymous with Nile’s style. We talked the DHM, the breakdown, the Chic magic as well as the music during and since… producing the top of the top for Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, still winning Grammys and kicking it with Daft Punk, Beyonce, and Cold Play, to name but a few, 750 MILLION albums worth. Say what? We got the sweetest stories about Michael Jackson… a funny with Keith Richards, a Grace Jones impression, and a scary story about Nile’s coke psychosis leading to him bottoming out and getting clean and sober. 31 years worth and counting…That Nile was able to do all that he’s done, and it’s Herculean - aside from the massive number of hits, the films he’s scored, the shows he’s played, there’s the We Are Family Foundation, Chairing the Songwriters Hall of Fame, receiving the 2024 World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award for his extraordinary efforts to make the world a more peaceful, equal, and inclusive place… Nile is a humanist, a gentle soul with a heart of platinum like the records that line his walls. I’ve always admired, respected, and adored Nile. After reading Le Freak, and spending this time with him, I cherish him all the more. What a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man! Nile Rogers of Chic Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 4/2/25, 11AM PT, 2 PM ETStreamed Live on my Facebook and on my YouTube FB Replay here:https://bit.ly/4cmPP2uYouTube replay here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q875x2lVyLE
Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson & Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson What do you get when you Zoom with three amigos from Texas who go back over 50 years? A whole lot of fun, rock stories galore, and a ton of love. The Grammy, Emmy, BMI, and Blues Award Winning trio of Snuffy Walden, Tony Braunagel, and Terry Wilson took us back to the 60s in Houston, playing at the Cellar, a strip club in Houston, Tony and Terry off with Johnny Nash and Snuffy off with Stray Dog to open for Emerson, Lake and Palmer. They all ended up in London, there was Rabbit, Paul Kossoff, Free, Back Street Crawler, Pete Townshend, and Eric Burdon for all of them, at least twice. Some great war stories along the way… there was Michael Ruff, some crashed cars and trashed hotel rooms. Tony took us through his time with Rickie Lee Jones, Bonnie Raitt, and The Blues Brothers backup band, leading to be an actor and musician on According to Jim. Snuffy getting Chaka Khan, Donna Summers and then segueing to TV, Thirty Something and The Wonder Years, his first foray in––both Emmy-winning shows that year, leading to the West Wing and his own Emmy. Terry partnering with Teresa James in music and in life, their Grammy nod, his song-writing, producing through his latest for Back Street Crawler’s Terry Slesser which reunited him with Tony and Terry. They’ve shared many stages and sessions over the years, but it’s their rock-solid friendship borne in decades-long history that sweetens their song. What a joy to be in their joy. A great time was had by all. Lucky me and you to be a fly on that wall. Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson & Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 3/19/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreaming Live on my YouTube & my Facebook Replay YouTube here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ArHgeUrToc&t=194sReplay FB here:https://bit.ly/4bNq8b2
Jim Vallely Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Sitting down with Emmy and WGA award winner, Jim Vallely was a cozy, comfortable, fun, and funny hang. He even told us a joke joke, on request. It’s one he’s been “testing” as part of a sociological experiment of sorts. Win/win, we got a laugh with a lesson.Who knew that having a seizure in 6th grade would lead to a career as a TV comedy writer. Jim takes us through and it makes perfect sense. This accountant studying student just happened to sit next to the right guy at an NYU audition, ask his mother the right question on the right day, marry the right girl, move into the right apartment, partner with the right actor/comedian, Jonathan Schmock, become 1/2 of The Funny Boys comedy team, appear on Johnny Carson, co-star on the sitcom, Double Trouble, and then write on The Golden Girls, one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. Brotherly Love, Ladies Man, Action, Two and a Half Men, My Wife and Kids, The John Larriquette Show, Till Death, Extended Family, as well as Arrested Development, for which he garnered 4 Emmy nominations, and the aforementioned awards, followed. Jim was an executive producer and co-creator with Will Arnett and Michael Hurwitz of Running Wilde on Fox. There’s more.Jim tells a great Carl Reiner/Alan Brady story, tells us how the real Kramer, Larry David, Bill Maher, Callie Khouri, Chris Thompson, Don Reo, Mitchell Hurwitz, Will Arnett, and Jay Mohr factor into his story, gives us the before, during, and after of his career milestones, and speaks with great pride and tenderness about the great loves and joys of his life, his talented wife, Maggie, and his successful daughter, Tannis.We talked about our friends, Taylor Negron and Ron Zimmerman. There is no friend like Jim. His love, devotion, and care for Ron, was a gift he gave all of us who loved him. Jim’s a tender-hearted, special man. And boy, is he funny. A very funny boy, indeed! Jim Vallely Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 3/12/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my Facebook & YouTube Replay here:https://bit.ly/4iCKgPq YouTubehttps://www.facebook.com/vickiabelson/videos/937526015211102
Benny Harrison Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson What fun to sit down and catch up with keyboardist, singer, songwriter, producer, Benny Harrison, who I’ve known for 5 decades. There was so much I didn’t know. Benny gave us the back story––growing up mixed race from hard-working parents who may or may not have been on the wrong side of the law, but who taught him strong work ethics and appreciated immediately and encouraged his musical gifts.When his brother sold his piano, Benny turned lemons into lemonade, practicing at a local school which garnered him his first professional gig with Henry Gross, which led him to sing onstage with Michael McDonald. When I met up with him, he was sitting in with Mason Reese, and then Phoebe Snow sat in with Benny and The Spydrs. A kickass player and entertainer, Benny was in regular rotation at all the clubs I booked back in the day. Benny tells a great story about a night at Spo-Dee-O-Dee’s and a couple of huge surprise special guests. Benny has played with Vernon Reid; Corey Glover; Joe Walsh; Elvis Costello; Simon Kirke; and Charlie Drayton, among many others and for four years his Spydrs were the house band at The China Club’s famed Monday nights where Bruce Willis, Rick James, Steve Stevens, Linda Perry, Eddie Vedder, Billy Idol, and whoever was in town, would sit in with the band. We talked with mutual zeal of our love for the place, those nights, that time. Benny has been active with Veterans who are either suffering from PTSD, alcohol, drug abuse, or homelessness, in a program called Voices of Valor. It's a 9-week process to write a song with the Vets who have served our country. He produces and creates the musical/harmonic part of the process, and then takes the Vets into a recording studio, where they can experience the process. He shared a most moving sweet story of a silent woman’s transformation. Working on an upcoming Documentary, Back Up Front, it tells the story of players including him who started out in front, worked the backline and are once again stepping out front.Benny’s upcoming album, Pages, drops April 14th. He had planned to perform a couple of the tunes with his producer, Mike Ciro, but that didn’t pan out. He treated us to a few little tastes with an unmiked guitar. A few tech challenges, but as with all things Benny went with it, eventually singing a capella. He’s a pro! To get the album, be at The Bitter End for the album release, and for all things Benny go to BennyHarrison.com. I got an advance listen- it’s fab! I adore my dear friend. It was such a treat to get lost in time and tales with this talented, resilient, fun, and passionate, pal. Benny Harrison Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 3/5/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtfBeq7CsGg&t=3s
Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Part 1Astrologer Zoe Moon warned it was gonna be a crazy day. I read that first thing this morning but forgot about it until 4:45 pm when things started going sideways. What could have been a non-show disappointment, turned into a delayed, technical bit of a mess, but ultimately delightful chat with the incomparable Rosemary Butler. Just the appetizer for what is sure to be a delightful feast when next we meet, Wednesday, March 26th, promptly Live @5! Instead of what I thought would be a quick hello, sorry, see you next time, Rosemary delighted with some choice stories about where she came from, her two all-girl bands, The Ladybirds and Birtha, opening for The Stones, great stuff there from the Beatles fan who eventually did get to sing with her hero, Paul, who inspired her to be a lefthanded singing bassist, through sheer Moxie, thanks to Kenny Loggins and Peter Asher, a funny Three Dog Night/Chuck Negron tale, a wonderful Ray Charles invitation, Bonnie Raitt, who she credits with changing her life, but we barely scratched the surface there as we did with Jackson Browne. Rosemary has sung, toured, and recorded with everyone who's anyone... Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, to name a few more - those stories and lots more when Rosemary comes back, under more ideal conditions, feather in hand, with her adorable exuberance to amuse and delight us! In addition to being an iconic backup singer whose memorable riffs have scored my life, Rosemary is a renowned vocal coach and gigs regularly. For all things Rose rosemarybutler.comShe's beautiful, adorable, has lived a life dreams are made of, with a voice that'll deservedly live forever. Can't wait for more. Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Part 1 Wednesday, 2/26/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my Facebook Replay here:https://bit.ly/3XmsoQp
John Fugelsang Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Stop everything! John Fugelsang, a Drama League-nominated actor, comedian & host of Tell Me Everything on SiriusXM, is one thought-provoking, gracious, informed, intelligent, sexy liberal! And boy did fill the hour with passion and hope. With informed insight, John offered us tools when dealing with the maga faux Christian right, which will be expounded upon in his upcoming book, Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back The Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, which will be published this August by Simon & Schuster. We talked this election, John and my belief, or disbelief, I should say. We talked 47, Musk, RFK Jr, Bush, Clinton, Sanders, Obama, Kamala, Vance… there’s meat on these here bones. The son of a nun and a Franciscan brother, quite the story in itself (and John tells it so well), his break from traditional religion at a very early age and his reason for it, which I found particularly compelling, how he got started in the business of show, first making money at it at the ripe young age of eleven. How stage took him to stand-up, and then interviewing. Hearing about what he describes as hs novice 4 hours with George Harrison, where George played on air for the last time, four songs he’d never played on air, and then jetting off to London the next day to interview Paul. Oh my lord! We rounded out the hour discussing our mutual passion for Bob Dylan, John’s 60+ concert experiences greatly different than my one. Our mutual love and admiration for A Complete Unknown, John’s certainty that Timothée will garner an Oscar, and perhaps Edward Norton as well. Me, not so much, even after voting for both of them for SAG Awards today. John is a funny, provocative, thrilling conversationalist. I had a spectacular time in his good company. I highly recommend giving this a watch as an antidote to the current crazy. John Fugelsang Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 2/19/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/4350OLc
Mark Metcalf on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonAs if sitting down twice with Animal House’s Mark Metcalf was not enough (it wasn’t), thrice was the charm. And, I suspect, just the beginning of many more conversations to come… and that’s exactly what this was… a conversation. Sparked by Mark’s just-dropped memoir, Tim Tim Timmy, which is at once gut-wrenching, heart-stopping, terrifying, life-affirming, informative, entertaining, and inspiring, we talked about suicide, family dysfunction, addiction, mental illness, the differences… Asperger’s, ADD, depression, neurodiverse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar, being on the spectrum, and how one size doesn’t fit all. How a proper early diagnosis can change the course of a life, prematurely ending Tim’s and giving space for Mark’s son Julius to thrive way beyond expectations. We talked about Mark’s life choices, and how they impacted his brother, his marriage, his son, and his career. How a misstep may have led to a seasoning, a reasoning, his ultimate redemption. The beach in Gaza was not lost on us, the scary insanity crept in more than once. We touched on the current state of the business too, self-tapes, and the horror of it all. With a quick streaming recommendation. In the end, it came down to love, responsibility, willingness, and action. That works at home, with our work, and with our nation. I’m hopeful. I’m inspired. I’m better informed. And I adore, even more, Mr. Metcalf. Treat yourself to Tim Tim Timmy. In this dumbed-down mess of times, it’s a smart, sophisticated, thought-provoking, yet accessible and non-putdownable enticing read. https://www.amazon.com/Tim-Timmy-Mark-Metcalf/dp/B0DQ6M7XTV?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER Mark Metcalf Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 2/5/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/4aV1vJ2
John Conte Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson What crazy fun to sit down with my old dear friend, bassist John Conte, whom I hadn’t seen in decades. How is it possible that he appears to have aged barely a day? Seriously! John took us back to childhood days, his jazz-singing mother, Rosemary, his early days on guitar, and his brother Steve at first on drums. Their first band when John was 8 or 9, their early songwriting, including John’s first song, Maryanne, Sittin on a Log, which he gave us a little taste of. He was a boy with a dream of playing arenas with rock stars. He told us how they flipped instruments, with John choosing bass. His college days, jazz-infused, where he gigged around with stellar players like Terence Blanchard. We tripped down memory lane, where we met, in the md-80s at The Rock ’n Roll Cafe on Bleecker Street, 1/2 of The Brothers of Conte, as I affectionately came to call them, with his brother Steve, they were weekly regulars whenever their schedules allowed. John was in Blood, Sweat & Tears, his first major gig, at the time, and told us all about that. Great stories there, including playing Madison Square Garden. Not bad for a 23-year-old. During their tenure at the Rock ’N Roll, late one rainy night they brought in their friend, Phoebe Snow, a life changer for me who had been a diehard fan since high school. The Phoeb’s and I became fast friends, and I have the boys to thank for that as well as for years of amazing live music there, and at Spo-dee-o-dee’s, Woody’s, RockGirl, The Marquee, The Cafe Wha, True Blue and The China Club, where they were also a part of my RockGirl Jam Band. A stellar bassist, with an easy temperament and oh so easy on the eyes, it was always a joy when John was around. I made him tell his requisite Chuck Berry story. At that same time, the Conte brothers, as part of The Hudson River Rats, were laying the foundation for much of the session and road work that was to follow. Like Finding himself in the studio with Tony Visconti and David Bowie. John’s description of hearing Bowie vocalize in his ear gave me goosebumps. He talked about laying down tracks with Peter Wolf and Ian Hunter, getting to jam with loads of his heroes. The Conte Brothers connected with Kyf Brewer and Company of Wolves were borne. They did some showcases, got signed, did a tour with Richard Marx, and foreshadowed John’s future, one with Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes.John talked us through touring with Joan Osbourne (beautiful words here), Roseanne Cash, and Southside Johnny choosing him in 2007, a gig that would take him through to present day. There was a short tour with Billy Joel during his 2012 comeback with our friend, Tommy Byrnes, lovely to hear John’s take on it, and great stories about his tenure playing with The Disciples of Soul, the house band for the American Music Honors where he got to play with honorees, Jackson Browne, Mavis Staples, John Mellencamp and Dion, as well as host, Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt. John’s shared the stage with Bruce numerous times before, memorably for an impromptu 45-minute set with Southside. John’s recounting of that and of playing with Peter Frampton (and Sheryl Crow) at the Sandy Hook Promise Benefit is another moving, goosebump-inducing tale. I loved every single second with my old friend. It’s thrilling to see how his life has played and continues to play out. The young boy living his dream. Southside Johnyy’s future may be unsure, but John’s certainly isn’t. He’s always got multiple projects cooking, his own music in the works - check him out here johnconte.bandcamp.com and here Facebook.com/johncontebass I just adore the boy. He’ll always be a rockboy to me and damn, he sure still looks like one.John Conte Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson *Wednesday, 1/29/25, 1 PM PT, 4 PM ET*Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/4hbKHj6
Laurence Juber Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson How life-affirming to be back Live with 2x Grammy Winner Laurence Juber. Laurence got us started with his Cobalt Blue. Loved it! What an extraordinary finger-playing guitarist. Gorgeous. We talked the LA fires, the Juber evacuation plan, fortunately not taken to fruition. Animals before guitars, his one-of-a-kind custom shop signature Martin, and a Les Paul were the two that made the cut. Laurence is doing what he can to help, performing at a series of gigs that will donate their proceeds, including Tuesday’s big fundraiser at The Canyon Club. Laurence talked with great pride about his two daughters, both achieving big things in the biz. He also spoke with great love and reverence of his wife, Hope, to whom he’s been married and a true partner in life and oft in art, for 42 years. It’s clear that it’s family first and creating for the Jubers. There’s no sitting around eating bonbons and watching the tube for this high-functioning family. We talked about Laurence’s early days and influences, clarinet his first instrument, finding guitar, and learning to read music in a day. He claims. everyone was doing it. His dream was to be a session player, and he quickly realized it in Abby Road Studios with the likes of George Martin. He gigged around with innumerable bands, quite happy to be doing so, until Denny Laine made that fateful connection. Auditioning with drummer Steve Holley, their lives both changed that day when Paul McCartney asked what they’d be doing for the next few years. A childhood fantasy realized, until a pot bust in Japan. Laurence spoke of his solo work, lots more session work, segueing to TV, which led him to some work with a guy named Snuffy, and ultimately to scoring and composing… writing two musicals with Hope, one, the ever popular, Gilligan’s Island: The Musical.There was a Grammy with Sir Paul for Rockestra, the first instrumental Grammy, and his solo arrangement of The Pink Panther Theme earned him a second Grammy.Laurence has played on innumerable hits, some he’s found out about years later reading about them. He’s an amazing man with incredible talents. This was a much-needed soul-filling reminder of all that’s good and right with the world during troubled and turbulent times. He took us out with guitar perfection. Click here for all that’s Laurence Juber laurencejuber.com including info on where to purchase his own coffee blend, and download his latest, A Day in My Life. Or grab the vinyl! Laurence Juber Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 1/22/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/42oDeZq
Jimmy Vivino Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson It had been six long, 4 1/2 COVID years since last I sat down with my old friend, multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, and long-time musical director for Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Vivino. It was like coming home. Almost the same age, we have many shared (unbeknownst to us at the time) memories of concerts at The Filmore East, Watkins Glen, the glory daze of the NY club scene, and a bounty of mutual friends. Talk about being in one’s comfort zone. Jimmy talked growing up in New Jersey, his carpenter trumpet-playing father, his talented brothers, Jerry and Floyd, and how they began and evolved - he talked Conan, Laura Nyro, Phoebe Snow, Donald Fagen, John Sebastian, Al Kooper, Levon Helm, The Allman Brothers, Albert King, Tom Petty, Prince, Bruno Mars, Michael McDonald, Johnny Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Stevie Wonder, Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, John Sebastian, The Dead, The Band, Harry Shearer, Paul Shaffer, whom he credits as his mentor, Leader of the Pack, Broadway, Ronnie Spector, Felix Cavaliere, The Rascals, Frankie Valli, Slash, Sly Stone, The J. Geils Band, Elvis Costello, and the James Brown and Friends Set Fire To The Soul with Aretha, Robert Palmer, and Joe Cocker, that he orchestrated. Incredible stories all around, and this special is available on YouTube… wow - Snuff and I just watched it. Spectacular.We talked about COVID and Jimmy joining Canned Heat, currently touring with them, and Bill Murray, as well as still doing shows with Will Lee and The Fab Faux. His first all-original album, Gonna Be 2 of Those Days, is due to drop in February, signed copies are available for pre-sale at jimmyvmusic.com He treated us to a track to close the show.Life is busy, busy. busy… just the way Jimmy likes it. And so do we who follow and adore him. I so enjoyed every second of this. Jimmy needs to write a book and get all these stories down. He knows and has played with everyone. Such fun! Jimmy Vivino Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 12/11/24, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/49vuRwT
Bruce Vilanch Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson We were Live with 6x Emmy Winner, Bruce Vilanch, even though he only stakes genuine claim to 2 of them, he’s got 6. Well, he was awarded 6, he gave one to his mother, one to his manager, one to his business manager, and he’s got 2 in his possession. They all still count, Bruce. And they’re all deserved. This human has brought so much joy, and so much laughter to audiences around the globe for decades. Bruce has written for 24 Oscar broadcasts, was head writer for 14 of them, and collaborated with hosts such as Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, and Billy Crystal, we talked about all of those: fun with Whoopi, outsider Dave, magic with Billy, and the infamous Rob Lowe/ Snow White monologue, difficult Ellen, no surprise there, wildness with Jack Palance, apologies from James Franco, great stories, all! We talked the Hollywood Squares, which brought Bruce front and center - put him on camera, made him a celebrity, helped him land Hairspray and his star turn as Edna Turnblat on Broadway… how the show worked, great tales about Little Richard, Garth Brooks having the funny, Whoopi, again, John Davidson hosting and the adlib that brought the house down, or was it? Starting as a child actor, always funny, writing the funny for the Chicago Tribune, meeting Bette Midler, a relationship that has spanned 55 years and has been a game and life changer. Writing for Joan Rivers, Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams, Roseanne, Nathan Lane, and pretty much everyone else in Hollywood. The pandemic kept Bruce busy - his book, It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time, drops March 4th and is available for pre-order now https://www.amazon.com/Seemed-Like-Bad-Idea-Time/dp/0914091921 he wrote the book for the Dolly Parton musical, Here You Come Again, which has enjoyed successful runs across the states and is currently readying a run in London’s West End. Bruce is featured in Studio One Forever, about America’s first iconic gay disco, streaming now on Prime. Bruce is everywhere and has done everything. Indefatigable and talented beyond compare, Bruce can get inside the head of just about anyone - be them and make them funny. Funnier. What a gift. He’s a treasure. I adore him and I’m damn grateful he never stops working. Do us all a continued favor, Bruce, stay busy!Bruce Vilanch Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 12/4/24, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3BdtJ4d
Foreigner guitarist Bruce Watson was having a better hair day, finished his crisp white shirt with a black jacket (I’d intended to do in kind with mine, but I was rushing and couldn’t get my cuffs through my sleeves), and surrounded himself with cool guitars and warm lights. Rockstar! I dig the cut of his jib. Almost as much as I appreciate how accessible, down-to-earth, humble, and lovely he is. Not a likely combination, but oh, so charming. And entertaining! What a great storyteller! Bruce took us through his extraordinary ancestry. The Watsons have been Valley Boys since the 1600s. Not! But they have been in America since then, in LA since the 1890s or so… likewise, his mother’s people, from Cork. Great story there - how and why they got here. We got the skinny on where the passion started - The Monkees - Hey Micky - and Creedance- the dream - to be a rockstar - his first band, Eragon, that no one, including me, could say correctly, covering The Eagles and Zeppelin - hysterical day jobs, great stories there, his first big gig touring with Toto’s Bobby Kimball, then Patty Smyth with Rod Stewart, then Rod hisself. Bruce, although not a “reader,” was getting lots of session work for film, TV, and commercials, one of which was producing a spot with B.B. King- what a poignant, moving story. Recording with a very young Christina Aguilera, her break out, What a Girl Wants, and just out of the box, Sara Bareilles’ Love Song, through Bennett Salvay meeting composer W.G. Snuffy Walden, and giving them just what they needed for their Friday Night Lights, getting the call to fill in for an ill Mick Jones - a temp gig - Bruce was busy, enjoying session work, his home and his family, with no intention of touring - then getting extended… again and again… finally joining Mick and becoming a permanent member of Foreigner. The Rockstar young Bruce dreamt of being realized in full force and boy does he wear it well. A killer player, he’s got the hair, the moves, and the clothes, and I got him to tell us where he shops. I wanna hit the stores with him. It’s all about how he puts it together. Bruce Watson is all that… and a jumbo bag of Cheetos. Talent, looks, genuine sweetness, and fun. Rockers, please take note… you can reach the pinnacle, look amazing doing it, and still be a mensch. Be like Bruce!Bruce Watson Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 11/20/24, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/48YTzp0
It turns out it’s not all about the bass when talking with my hero, iconic legend, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Jack Casady, of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna. We did a deep dive into Jack’s family history, which is documented back to 1600s America on one side. There’s Irish, there’s Jewish, smoked whitefish on Sunday mornings whilst being raised Protestant. There are stories aplenty of Jack’s father with whom he shared a passion for music and a complicated relationship. Jack found a banjo and a guitar in their attic, where his musical journey began. Jack shares the details, suffice it to say, his solid work ethic, intelligence, talent, and perhaps his penchant for alcohol took root here. Unlike his father, Jack got to live his passion, and got sober 34 years ago. Bravo, sir! He tells a most poignant tale with a prop of losing his father thisclose to a lovely milestone. One of many very moving moments shared today. Jack took us through his early musical influences and experiences, and a couple of non-musical ones like his paper route… he spoke of Danny Gatton, meeting Jorma, how he went from guitar to bass, the invitation to join Jefferson Airplane, in my top 5 bands of all time, what that was for him creatively - those days, San Francisco, those people, Signe, Marty, Paul, then Grace, Skip, Spencer… and the lifestyle, going club to club, playing and supporting each other, The Dead, Big Brother, Jimi, and recording Voodoo Chile, and the impact Mitch Mitchell had on the music, Jimi, and on Jack. We talked The Filmore, West, and East, the special pull of New York, Woodstock, how that went down for Jack & Jorma, and the aftermath… Hot Tuna, how and why… he and Jorma and why it still works almost 60 years later… SVT, The Starship, KBC… teaching at Fur Peace Ranch, and now virtually - you too can study with Jack! He played Somebody to Love on his signature Diana and almost made me cry, and, at my request, his iconic White Rabbit riff, in my top 5 songs of all time and the reason I picked up a bass 40 years ago. Speaking of Diana, Jack spoke of their life together and their fight to keep his wife alive after her cancer diagnosis. He was visibly overcome and still for a few moments when speaking of her passing over a decade ago. The bright side, he announced he’s betrothed to Debra Evans, who was part of Diana’s care team. Lots of full-circle moments, Jack shares a birthday with my son, Harry. We’re all connected, aren’t we? This was a dream come true for this Airplane, Hot Tuna, loving, bass-playing wanna-be. One for the books. If someone had told me when I was a girl in Queens playing the grooves off Surrealistic Pillow that I would one day sit down with Jack (and Jorma), I would’ve wanted what they were having. I was probably already having it. And look at us now, all three, clean and sober. This old girl is grateful beyond words for this wondrous day with Jack. Jack Casady Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 11/13/24, Noon PT, 3 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/4hOGeUs
Post-election 2024 started out somber, weepy, and kind of hopeless for many of us. Thank goodness for my old pal, singer/songwriter/producer, Steve Postell. A long-time news junkie, he determined this day he was through. He pulled me and the rest of us out of the muck––back into the music, art, and the land of the living. We processed together a bit first and then shifted gears with Steve singing his My Parade, which perfectly spoke to his altered focus with an invitation for us to join him in acceptance, awareness, and gratitude of sorts. He segued into great stories––his relationship with David Crosby and how Our House came to be, The Immediate Family, awaiting a possible Grammy nom this week for their amazing Denny Tedesco doc, how they came to be, and where they are now––when Steve first became aware of the section backing James Taylor, the moment that opened the door to the full circle back around with all of them––being compared to Jackson Browne to befriending and working with hiim––teen art class with Bob Dylan to coming thisclose to playing with him––producing and playing with so many of his heroes, and them playing with him––his current solo record deal, upcoming show, more Our House dates to come, Immediate Family dates as schedules permit… life is rich, life is good, even if we’re Walking Through These Blues––his spectacular song on his upcoming LP that he closed with. Steve and I go back to the heady days of the New York club scene in the 80s. I was booking the Rock 'N Roll Café on Bleeker Street, and Steve was fresh out of Pure Prairie League. I was RockStar struck. I booked him that day and have continued to for the past 35 + years wherever I went and whatever I did. When I had my book launch at The Federal in LA it was Steve’s Night Train Music Club I went to. As he always does, he put together a most kick-ass jam band. A rotation of the best players on the planet, some of whom comprise, with Steve, The Immediate Family. That’s another of Steve’s ongoing passion projects. I went into this evening a semi-paralyzed mess. I leave uplifted, reminded that friendships, music, work, fun, love, and service will see me through. Thanks, Steve! I trust you saved more than me this night. Steve Postell Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 11/6/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/4el9nU0
Dan Navarro Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson They say you can never go home- they didn’t have their old pal Dan Navarro on their show––took me right back to shared memories with Chloris Leachman in the living room, the Mets winning a 2015 playoff game at Dodger Stadium (unlike today), seeing Lori Lieberman at The Grammy Museum, Mike Finnegan at The Levitt Pavilion, NAMM hangs, my book launch, a 12 Step meeting, good food, a few of these here shows before and during the pandemic… It’s always warm and comfy as if no time has passed. We touched on Dan’s early days, his creative parents, his famous cousin, Dave, a horrific family tragedy, starting out on horns, finding his voice, literally, writing songs, being a singing waiter at The Great American Food & Beverage Company, with a host of others who found success, including Eric Lowen, who would become his partner, and begin their relationship co-writing the iconic, We Belong, and selling it to Pat Benetar, before it came to have a life of its own, putting out 12 albums, touring for decades, also writing for the Bangles and others, before Lowen’s untimely death. Dan, through it all, also voiced TV shows, including The Family Guy and American Dad, still to this day, as well as over 100 commercials, sang in the films Happy Feet, two Ice Age pictures, Rio, The Lorax, to name just some. The secret to his success? Go for it. Persistence. The only answer is “Yes.” It’s worked pretty well for him. Dan told innumerable stories to exemplify his point. A man of service, Dan has served as SAG-AFTRA’s National Vice President of Recording Artists/Singers, and is still on the board, he is a Trustee of the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund, is a member of the Mechanical Licensing Collective’s Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee, and is on the board of the Artists rights alliance, and recently spoke before the House Judiciary Committee on AI, where, in solution, he has been quoted requesting, the 3 Cs: Consent, Credit, Compensation. Dan treated us to a passionate We Belong, and a gorgeous Rose In the WIndow, his collaboration with the late Preston Sturges from his latest album, Horizon Line. This time with Dan was heartwarming and soul-filling and will stay with me for a long time to come. Being in Dan’s good company is always inspiring, always fun, even if we are in the midst of our Mets/Dodgers rivalry. Go Mets! Dan Navarro Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 10/16/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3Y3DiKq
Dee Wallace Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Dee Wallace has been a literal life changer for me, let alone a game changer in the business of show and as a self-creation healer. We signed up for a session as soon as I got off the interweb tonight. I’ve been employing Dee’s techniques since first we met at Women Who Write in 2011. I got refresher courses every time she came back to the living room and the numerous times she’s guested on this show in its various incarnations. I realized today, looking back and listening to a couple of our past shows, that I’ve manifested almost everything I was working on with her guidance. A couple of desires remain, so tomorrow I’ll resume in earnest the practice I’ve been somewhat lax with since I got happy. With close to 300 screen credits to her name, including The Howling, Cujo, 10, and most notably, her starring role in E.T. (I can’t NOT watch it when I see it’s on), Dee was more recently featured in the remake of Rob Zombie's Halloween, has made recurring appearances on 9 -1 -1, has 11 projects in post as I write, and another two dozen films and TV roles since last we met three years ago. Dee is indefatigable! Her countless television credits include starring roles in over twenty Movies of the Week and four hit television series, including Sons and Daughters, Grey's Anatomy, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Ghost Whisperer, a recurring role on My Name is Earl, and the Amazon young adult hit, Just Add Magic. We talked about pretty much none of them— other than a great story about E.T… Steven Speilberg, and Dee, using her tools and being in the moment. There’s also a great story about Cujo, Dee’s favorite role, and the film we’re gonna hunker down with tonight, armed with a little new knowledge. What we did focus on was how to manifest what we want. Dee helped a listener get clarity to move forward, once again helped direct me, offered hope on the impending election, and how each of us can strengthen the collective consciousness on a daily basis. The hour is ripe with gems of practical application. Dee shared how it’s worked and continues to, in her life… how the tools graced her with motherhood and now a beloved grandchild, and why she’s as busy as ever - not at all slowed by her age, or the state of the business. Dee conducts a live (call-in) internet radio show and offers monthly webinars on a variety of self-creation subjects. She invites us to join her with our questions. She also conducts private sessions from her home by phone. For more info: https://iamdeewallace.com We’re in! I’ll be doing my Dee routine daily and shall report back with my progress. Suffice it to say my life is a world of better than it was when I met her. And, yeah, I’m saying she helped me manifest it. My gratitude abounds! Dee Wallace Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 10/9/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3U707f1
My crush on William Katt began decades ago with the tumbling blonde spirals of Tommy Ross in Carrie, the close-cropped Sundance, to the shorter golden curls of Pippin… it wasn’t just the hair, of course… that face, the smile, his voice… the whole damn package. Like millions of other baby boomers, he had us swooning for years. How lovely to sit down with Bill, these almost 50 years later, to discover he’s still got that boyhood charm, mischievous sense of fun, with just a teeny touch of bad boy (note him playfully admonishing his wife when she sneaks into the “set.” And, the au courant platinum do, and facial hair he’s currently sporting still make him a handsome standout. That’s the trivial superficialities - but, what do you expect when you’re talking about a movie star heartthrob? Well, there is the laid-back, easy-going, real as-beans, straight-shooter, who was crazy fun to chat with and get his inside perspective on his parents, actors, Bill Williams (Kit Carson) and Barbara Hale - loved to learn that she was also funny- Betty White funny, and inspired at least one woman to great professional heights, on Angie Dickenson, his first TV co-star, his passion for theatre, always, working with Bob Fosse, and Ben Vereen, Auditioning for George Lucas, to play Luke Skywalker with Kurt Russell as Hans Solo - doing a great job, instead being cast by Brian DePalma in his seminal work, Carrie, alongside his friend, and perhaps for a brief moment something more, Amy Irving, visited on the set by Steven Spielberg, perhaps where that all began, alongside beloved Nancy Allen (who is responsible for connecting me with Bill, making this conversation possible), John Travolta, Betty Buckley, Piper Laurie, Cissy Spacek-some great stories there, we talked about The Greatest American Hero, and the risk back then of going from film to TV, working with Robert Culp, and Connie Selleca, House, and George Wendt, great Sci-Fi with The Man From Earth, why he no longer does theatre, does only good films for friends, like last years’ Pursuit with John Cusack and an upcoming film with Alfred Molina. We talked about music throughout his life, bands in high school, playing clubs later on, a pop hit, lots of musical theatre culminating with Pippin and Fosse, and a musical about and working with, Randy Newman, which his love for came out his pores when describing, to his current passion Jazz project.William Katt is a Renaissance man. We already know he looks great in tights. What FUN!!!! Wiliam Katt Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 10/2/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3Y9jGGa
Narada Michael Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wow! I’ve seen hundreds of photos, loads of videos - I’ve never seen Narada Michael Walden in an orange bowler. When was the last time I wore orange? InSync! From the first moment to the last, what a glorious, grateful, exuberant lovefest. Narada is as passionate, fun, inviting, and accessible as his music. We talked about his first paper drumkit at 5, how he watched, listened, and learned from his heroes. How the soul sounds of Detroit shaped him, how it’s all soul sounds. From his first band at 11 to the Mahavishnu Orchestra, which would change his life in all ways… adding prayer. mediation, service, and Narada to his name, gifted by his guru, Sri Chinmoy, thanks to John McLaughlin, and of course, the music, following in Billy Cobham’s big footsteps, touring with Jeff Beck, then recording Wired with him, writing “material” for the album, the full circle back to Beck a decade ago and the story behind their masterpiece version of Little Wing. Ah me! How playing transitioned to producing, inspired by Quincy Jones to service other artists, and the superstar women he championed to great heights - Aretha with their Grammy Song of The Year, Freeway of Love, Whitney with their 6 number one hits including their Grammy Winning Album of the Year, Mariah, with musical knowledge to match her musical chops. We talked our friend, Allee Willis, Keith Moon, Ringo, Jaco, Carlos, Sting, Trudy, Stevie, Marvin, Cissy, his last tour with Journey, and how his devotion to his wife and children brought him home. This very morning Narada was up at 6 readying his kids for school and then driving them there. This interview was held early so that he’d be home when they got home. Quite a man. Respect.For a taste of what Narada himself is up to musically, check out his The More I Love My Life https://bfan.link/the-more-i-love-my-life with Sting, Carlos, and Stevie, I can’t stop listening! It seems to so sum up this man of grace. And while you’re at it, watch this - and tear yourself away, if you can! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9UQbf_VoQI Perfection! Jeff, Narada, and Rhonda, do Jimi proud.This is a man as comfortable with pop, soul, funk, rock, and blues as he is with fusion. Brilliant with them all. Loving and appreciating them all, and, as his audience, I’ll gratefully follow him to any of them. I loved every second in Narada’s most excellent company. Grateful girl!Narada Michael Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 9/25/24, 1 pm PT, 4 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3XYFsfJ
Jorma Kaukonen Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Let your fingers do the running to the play button. Please! One of the greatest, funnest, most illuminating conversations I’ve had the privilege to share, Jorma Kaukonen, iconic legend, musical hero, rock god, (I mean, come on!) exceeded all expectations and then some. From early days in Pakistan with one pop 45 to Ricky Nelson, and Buddy Holly, 15-year-old returning expat Jorma, took up guitar and soon was in his first band, The Triumphs, with bandmate, Jack Casady, still his bandmate and best friend today, 65+ years later. Beyond amazing. And the fact that they were rehearsing moments before Jorma and I went Live blows my mind. A testament to their ongoing greatness. We talked about Antioch, and not exactly being encouraged to return. Janis, and The Typewriter Tape, San Francisco, Monterey, Hendrix, Jerry, Marty, Paul, Grace, and Jorma’s nickname that became Jefferson Airplane - his invite to Jack Casady. Psychedelia, Surrealistic Pillow, the making of––in my top 5, and it was made in less than two weeks! Woodstock - getting in and getting out and Grace Slick’s unforgettable - “Good Morning, People.” What was unforgettable for Jorma. Goosebumps for me. Hot Tuna, how and why it started and continues to flourish. Jorma and Jack! The recent end of Hot Tuna Electric - the why - simple - not totally undoable. The Book, Been So Long - chock full of golden nuggets like those shared here. Years of teaching and concerts culminating in The Fur Peace Ranch, now sold, but will be picking up in Jorma and Vanessa’s new locale. To keep up with the indefatigable Mr. Kaukonen https://jormakaukonen.comThe cherry on top of this chat that seemed to fly by in an instant was Jorma indulging this rabid Airplane/Surrealistic Pillow fan, playing his Embryonic Journey, with a fab Jack sidebar (see the Live comments) and then a gorgeous, Take Your Time, for his daughter.This is one for the books. I’ll cherish it always. Because Jorma’s so important to me it was important that I do right by him. So grateful it was so much fun. I’m gonna be smiling for a long time to come.Jorma Kaukonen Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 9/18/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3XowPt2
Rumer Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson It had been too long, too many years, since I’d last seen Rumer, whom I first heard about through our mutual friend, the late, J Marshall Craig a decade ago. As soon as I had my first taste I became obsessed with her and made it my quest to have her sing in my living room. I saw her perform at a benefit concert for Jeff Jones about 10 yrs ago and vowed to make it happen. A great friend and collaborator of the late, beloved PF Sloan, Rumer oft lived across the country and abroad, I met her at last at PF’s memorial 9 yrs ago, just after he’d performed in the living room. Rumer and I became fast friends and I’ve listened to her in heavy rotation almost non-stop since. We came thisclose to her appearing at Women Who Write in 2016, and it’s taken all this time to get her on Game Changers… good things come to those who wait. We went deep today, fittingly on 9/11. First, into Rumer’s past. Her humble beginnings, at the time, one of seven siblings. A secret revealed long ago, which led to unwarranted shame, and an ongoing almost unfathomable generosity. The origin of her name, another sweet, and loving familiar story. Adele, the 16-year-old down the street who had the record deal that Sara sought, La Honda, her early band, the years, the hard work, finding the right producer and manager, and grit determination that finally paid off. Her platinum debut album, Seasons of My Soul, which garnered her numerous Brit and MOJO Award nominations and a couple of wins. Performing in the UK with Dionne Warwick and meeting her musical director, Rob Shirakbari, who would become Rumer’s partner in music and life, Elton John became enamored of her talent, an oh-so-sweet story there! Touring brought her to the United States, where she began a long ongoing collaborative relationship with Burt Bacharach, to the White House to sing for the Obamas, to Jimmy Webb to sing his P.F. Sloan, and ultimately to sing it with the man himself, so important to this day as we ready to vote, to Daryl Hall and his Daryl House, great story about that, an email from Richard Carpenter, after being likened to his sister for years, a series of albums, motherhood, moving to Arkansas, a visit back to LA, where last we met, first giggling like girls in my car and then at a party at Stephen Bishop’s, her Nashville Tears, then back to the UK. where she, husband Rob, and son, Denny, currently reside, and where Rumer will be performing her now Triple Platinum, Seasons of My Soul, to a Sold Out crowd, and soon, a new album, with her 9/11 song, will drop. Rumer shared her September 11th story, and I, mine. I’m so grateful to have had this reunion with Rumer, a treasured friend, and an artist I adore to my core, who gives me goosebumps every time I hear her sing. Her Slow remains in my top 5 of all time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvYUfwMBCrU. Her duet of I Can’t Go For That with Daryl Hall is unforgettable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzr6mvDar30 as is her cover of his Sara Smile - that her first given name is Sara, just makes it that much sweeter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh7y--Mc7kk.Rumer has the voice of an angel and the soul of one.Rumer Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 9/11/24, 1 pm PT, 4 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3MIVDaA
Ritch Shydner Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson - Part DeuxRitch Shydner could come back every week and we’d never run out of things to discuss, it would always be entertaining, and he’d always be funny. Co-host! There are no accidents. Losing his signal last week on the road in Georgia was a blessing. We got a Shydner double dip.This conversation with the standup comedian who holds the distinction of making a dozen appearances on Carson’s Tonight Show, as well as numerous appearances on Letterman and Leno, had fabulous stories about the former and the latter, Sam Kinison, their 80s NY road trip before Sam’s superstardom, and how their debauchery almost cost Ritch big time, Roseanne, who handed Ritch his segue from front of the camera to writer, Jeff Foxworthy, a natural after only a few weeks of standup, who created a new joke form, Bill Maher, and True Story, Mike Binder, and Miind of The Married Man, and Robert Klein who shared a most unlikely kinship… there were gems aplenty. But, it was Ritch’s poignant, heartfelt recounting of his parents’ 72-year marriage, his father’s drinking, his mother’s rolling pin, the silent years after graduating law school and choosing comedy, Ritch’s redemption, and then getting sober, making amends, his father following suit on both, and the shift in their relationship for the 36 years that followed until just last month when his dad was transitioning this earthly world. Moving, beyond words… and, funny!I so enjoyed every word, every moment, with this self-aware, humble, wildly intelligent - emotionally as well as intellectually, ever-evolving, hysterically funny man. Do I need a reason to have a Part 3? Ritch Shydner Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson - Part Deux!Wednesday, 9/4/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3MA59wu
Ritch Shydner Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWell, that was a first! On the road with Ronna and Ritch Shydner as they traveled from Florida back home to North Carolina. Literally, in the car, in the fading light, in rural Georgia, with intermittent signal. It was as much a surprise to me as to you! Kinda like doing an interview in a disco with strobe lights. Trooper Ritch didn’t want to cancel even though he was in the midst of family tragedy, having very recently lost his dad, and was out of state with his mom to help. I knew all that, the driving adventure, not so much. Please forgive the challenges and appreciate the funny that Ritch is even in the midst of this! We talked the swing states as they drove through one, the DNC, new hope, sugar addiction, intermittent dieting, the no-matter-what club for drinking and drugging that just doesn’t work with salt and sweets. Ritch’s very early standup days, whilst in law school, getting the degree but opting out, what joy for his parents! Trying LA, choosing NY, the crowd he came up with, the clubs he came up in, in the stand-up 80s heyday, meeting Carol, doing his first Carson, still high, hitting bottom, a Mark who saved him, and then we lost him, again literally, just when we were about to hear a GREAT story… so… there will be a Part 2, for sure! Safe travels, you two. Heartfelt condolences. Thanks for being willing. Next time Ritch will be sitting still in a well-lit room where we can see his whole handsome face. Sendng love. Apologies to all who hung in and those who din’t… we’ll make it up to you! Most remarkable… even with all of this- Ritch was still HYSTERICAL! Ritch Shydner Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 8/28/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here: https://bit.ly/3T9afn8
Will Lee Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonHead to head with the DNC, two news junkies didn’t walk into a bar but did get lost in conversation and fun. It’s easy when one of them is Grammy Winner, crazy talented, lovely, humble human, Will Lee.It’s been a few years and a world of changes since last we spoke, this time focusing on the road to sobriety, many moons ago, what led there, the price of using, meeting Paul Schaffer, a relationship that changed his life, the two of them holding the distinction of being on Late Show With David Letterman from day one with The World’s Most Dangerous Band, until the final days with the CBS Orchestra, also giving Will the world’s record for the longest-running bassist on late-night television. Will talked about the original band of 4, Hiram Bullock, Steve Jordan, how and why it morphed, some standout moments… Warren Zevon’s last show, Will’s MacArthur Park with Jimmy Webb… his hero, Ringo, making an appearance… Beatlemania, period. Where it all started for Will, The Ed Sullivan Show, the Fab Four, all of whom Will would come to play with, even John in unique fashion. An incredible story about Paul, a Hofner, and a call from “P,” and how his Fab Faux came to be. Will’s account of how he conquered Revolution #9 and playing The White Album, heretofore never heard by Beatles sound engineer and producer, Geoff Emerick. Crazily, I was there that night- the story has a bittersweet postscript. We talked about Will’s new single, It’s All Too Much, and his new video, Hey Shorty, and how that came to be, why he’s off to Japan tomorrow and the fame he found there.I’ve known Will for decades… with each that passes, I adore him more. He’s a rare success, who’s gotten to play with just about everyone, all of his heroes, night, after night, year after year, for 33 of them, and everyone it seems, without exception, loves and respects him. It’s a life well-lived filled with gratitude and appreciation, which makes it all the sweeter.He closed with The Beatles, I Will…how damn fitting, Will! For all things Will www.willlee.com Will Lee Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 8/21/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3SUv19Z
Josh Sussman on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWhat fun, as I expected! What edutainment, that I couldn’t have anticipated! We got the inside scoop on the differences of the pre and post-pandemic biz scene from SAG Award Winner, Josh Sussman. Fascinating, insightful, delightful! Booking his first audition for My Crazy Life, playing Tom Green’s best friend, Derek, who ironically, my wasband worked with on The New Tom Green Show back in those days, and for the past 20+ years has been one of Tom’s best in the reals… Josh took us from his last in-person audition, for Mr. Mayor, with Ted Danson, which he also booked, and which was delayed due to the COVID craziness, resuming at the height of the pandemic with full protocols in place, and how different that experience was from Glee, where freedom reigned supreme. How once the show dropped and fame hit, watching some of the actors change, perhaps not for the better. From the Suite Life of Zach and Cody, Drake and Josh (different Josh), Wizards of Waverly Place, Warren the Ape, Josh was scoring so many shows, he had to turn down commercials, a luxury most actors no longer seem to be facing. Post-pandemic and strike, there’s less work, and what there is seems to be harder to score. Who’s getting the gigs and how? Josh’s booking odds were crazy high, he’s still doing pretty well considering the rumblings of others I’ve heard lately who’ve yet to score from a self-tape. Josh is currently filming a role he garnered from one. Not to say it came easy. The auditions have been way fewer and farther apart and the bookings have been as well. Josh’s pre-pandemic audition discipline which served him so well, doesn’t quite translate completely to this virtual new world. But, he’s working on that and finding his way. Josh took us from receiving his sides to delivering them, and the steps he takes to stand out. As a self-tape newcomer, I ate his wisdom up. Josh had early COVID and lost his smeller, no lasting effects there… he found love… lasting effects there… he’s thoughtful, kind, hard-working, and very, very funny. I so enjoyed every moment of this and will cherish the take-aways. JB Self-Tapes, you’ve been plugged. Be like Josh. Memorize. Turn it around quicker than quick. Find a way to be different. And stay positive, even when you don’t much like it. Can’t wait to see this film he’s working on, whatever it is. And may this year see him co-starring with Muppets... in something... anything! Come on!Josh Sussman on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 8/14/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/4dLOLnZ
Cathy Moriarty Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonGirl Crush! I’ve had one for years on Academy Award Nominee, Cathy Moriarty, now after spending a virtual hour with her, forgetaboutit! I always knew she was an incredible actress, whether making me laugh or cry, but, what an amazing woman… mother, daughter, loyal friend, and pet rescuer. We talked the Bronx, where we both come from, Alexanders, our mothers, gratefully still with us, Cathy’s pre-Pesci discovery acting days… high school drama, plays, dinner theatre, no agent, no professional training, but grabbing stage time wherever she could, auditioning and then a bathing suit contest to win a coveted pair of shoes that would change her stars. The trifecta at 17, the beforementioned Pesci, DeNiro, and Scorcese––Raging Bull. Her first film which led to that Oscar nod, on-the-job master classes, and a friendship with her character’s namesake that would last the rest of Vikki LaMotta’s lifetime. Neighbors. Belushi’s last film. Ackroyd’s kindness. All Cathy learned about comedy from them. Soapdish, how she almost didn’t get it, who almost did, one of Cathy’s favorite films for so many reasons. A horrible car accident, getting back to work… Kindergarten Cop, Forget Paris, Casper, Speilberg, Eric Idle, Copland, Stallone, more DeNiro, Analyze That, and how easy they are together. Despite all the work, Cathy’s so un-Hollywood. Unfazed by celebrity and stardom, she dreamt of being a great actress not a movie star. A mother, who loves to cook, and thanks to Marty’s mother (Scorcese) she prides herself on making the best sauce and meatballs around, she’s also a savvy businesswoman who’s owned a few restaurants and very successful pizzerias. We’re regulars at the Encino location. There was so much more to talk about than we had time for - there’s a slice of pizza in our future… I have witnesses! What started out as respect, and adoration… I adore, more! Cathy Moriarty on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 8/7/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3YDw0PC
Greg Mullavey on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWhen one of my life’s heroes walks off the screen into the reals and supersedes all expectations, that’s a home run. So goes it with Mary Hartman Mary Hartman’s, Greg Mullavey. I got a taste interviewing him on the Zoom a few years ago, but this go ‘round witnessing him honoring his craft onstage at The Garry Marshall Theatre as Jules Feiffer, in The People VS Lenny Bruce, being eyeball to eyeball sans screens for the first after the show, sharing a warm hug, and culminating with this chat, a master class on auditioning, acting and keeping it real, on screen, on stage, and in life, well, wow!We talked Greg’s early days, his pro-basball playing father, a Red Sox, a White Sox, who went on to coach the Dodgers, first in Brooklyn then in LA which got Greg to Hollywood and transitioned him from stage to screen and back again. A late bloomer, first appearing onstage in the Army post his philosophy degree, 100+ shows later from Broadway to stages across the country to Los Angeles, most recently reprising his role as King Lear, Off-Broadway, 25 years later, and hoping to do so yet again. We talked acting school - his cronies, Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper, and Harry Dean Stanton, and how a certain someone scored an Easy Ride… his first TV role opposite Telly Savalas, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman––Louise Lasser, Norman Lear, Mary Kay Place, Dabney Coleman, Martin Mull, Fred Willard… Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice and how both went over with his folks… meeting Meredith MacCrae, their high profile marriage, his Broadway debut (the thrill), opposite Mia Farrow, co-starring off-Broadway with Marlo Thomas, iCarly and a new generation and his ongoing important theatrical collaborations with lawyer Martin Garbus and playwright Susan Charlotte shining a spotlight on human rights. We talked health, well-being, supplements, COVID, how he met Ariana, his partner of 25ish years, and why they made it legal. Greg’s still starring on stage appearing on screen, coaching young actors, with no evidence of slowing down. And he’s still learning lines - King Lear, for heaven’s sake. I’ll have what he’s having! I adored Greg Mullavey before I met him - now getting to know this talented, whipsmart, inspiring, warm, kind, generous, compassionate man, I adore, more! Greg Mullavey on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonSPECIAL TIME Wednesday, 7/24/24, 1 pm PT, 4 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/4ddycRR
Peter Onorati Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonSO FUN! Spending time with Peter Onorati is like going out in the bright sunshine after a month in a dark cave. Such joy! We talked Italy and the wondrous vacation he treated his immediate family to visiting their extended family in towns I’ve never heard of and can’t begin to pronounce. But, I wanna go! Then there was Ravello, Positano, SWAT recognition, Rome, truffles, and a funny one that once made it home. There’s funny all over the place with Peter. A great story about Peter’s first son’s birth and his callback for Goodfellas - how he made the audition his - HISterical! And, a master class on how to make the audition yours… mine… ours… and some brilliant tips on acting, and reacting, in general. He disappeared for about 2 1/2 minutes when his laptop died but came back with so much more fun.Getting blacklisted by Les Moonves, the ER debacle, to Cop Rock, the best, as a non-singing actor hired to die, singing his ass off and becoming the central character of this historic iconic, ahead of its time, classic. Closing with a Miss Yvonne, Lynne Stewart, request, Peter regaled us with his mother/wedding story -so timely as I ready to be the mother of my daughter the bride. I’ll be shutting up now. What a great time. Someone, make him the updated, somehow related Columbo! He’d kill it! And SWAT, get hip, his fans want him back! And so do I. Any time!Peter Onorati on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 7/15/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3LtP8HL
Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonLemonade! That’s what you get when you take a brilliantly talented, supportive beau, and the greatest, most fun-loving, and devoted co-commiserators on the planet and mix them together on what could have been a rough one. My gratitude is boundless. What fun this was! It helps when said Beau is Emmy Award-Winning Composer, Snuffy Walden, even though we didn’t really go there. From piano to trombone, finding guitar, playing strip clubs, to living in a park with his roadie, Aphrodite in Denver to fronting Stray Dog, opening for Emerson, Lake & Palmer around the world, a near-miss with me in ’74, drinking and debauchery, recording Songs in The Key of Life with Stevie Wonder, earning a platinum record, being in the passenger seat when Stevie drove––oh yes, he did; playing with Dave Mason, Donna Summer, Chaka Khan when she was breaking I Feel For You, touring with Eric Burdon, two times, and having an epiphany, thanks to longtime friend and bandmate, Michael Ruff, which would change, and save, his life. We focused on Snuffy’s playing, rock years… check out this Stray Dog front and center https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sbEdHgb2OoThirty Something, The Wonder Years, The West Wing, an Emmy Award, a dozen other Emmy nominations, 51 BMI Awards, representing over 100 TV shows followed. It’s all in the great Mark Maxey doc, Up to Snuff. https://www.amazon.com/Up-Snuff-W-G-Snuffy-Walden/dp/B09T2BN8W4Thanks for the thoughtful understanding, enthusiastic encouragement, sweet words, and unyielding support y’all showered us with. Special thanks to the sweetness that is Snuffy. How blessed am I? Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonTUESDAY, JULY 9th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreaming Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3LeoZwG
Oh, what crazy fun! Melanie Taylor who’s sung with pretty much everybody who’s anybody is such an absolute blast, joy, whip-smart, street-smart, soulful, intuitive, talented, informative, unabashedly opinionated and dare I say… right… at least, right on! We started with traveling the world, and how Mel’s work, touring, has enabled her to do so, more to the point, how to pack, and what… I was schooled! A girly girl influenced by her stylin’ grandmother, Melanie’s got it all going on, even when she only takes one medium suitcase and a backpack for a month! A theatre major dancer, a twist of fate/favor changed the course of Melanie’s life. She insisted she doesn’t plan. Singing was not on the program. As they say, life’s what happens when we’re busy making other plans. And what a life she’s living. From Disney to the Righteous Brothers, a Bette Harlette, backing up her fan crush, John Mayer, gushing onstage with Elton, caroling with Barbra, backing Chaka, Donna Summers, a surprise which led to being the first female to record and tour with Aerosmith, to her ongoing gig with Barry Manilow… and those are just the few we covered - and Mel’s got great stories about all of them! Wise words on so many topics… “Music helps you to remember and helps you to forget.” I love that! The 30 Feet From Stardom backup singer will be front and center headlining her gig on Thursday, July 18th, at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Los Angeles. We’ll meet you there! https://www.ticketweb.com/event/melanie-taylor-the-diva-diaries-catalina-bar-grill-tickets/13614933I LOVE this woman! Generous, present, supportive, kind, and fun, always fun! I’m gonna watch this again, take notes, and get out my Amazon! Melanie Taylor Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 7/3/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3RV5aOG
Tom Bergeron on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWhat a blast to sit down again with the just honored inaugural recipient of The Sam Rubin Award from The Critics Choice Association and Emmy-Winner, Tom Bergeron. The humble humanitarian was as funny and feisty as ever regaling us with one show biz gold story after another and commanding us to Google what he deemed unworthy of repeating (why he left the “dancing show”). He actually scooped it on this very show almost two years ago to the day. We started with Tom’s current FLiRT with COVID, other than some residual fatigue, in under two weeks, thankfully, it’s in the rear-view. His daily routine, well, most of it anyway, and how structure affords him freedom. We talked his and Lois’s favorite and current binges, Midsomer Murders and The Veil, for two, and favorite people. Carl Reiner, how they met, and how their friendship developed, likewise, Dick Van Dyke, and William Shatner… or Bill, as he calls him, with whom he has a show optioned - oh please let it get made so we get to be a fly on their snarky friendship wall! He told a great story about Mel Brooks and Bill Cullen.We talked his early years - high school - as a DJ - interviewing Larry Fine and Moe Howard and surprising and delighting his classmates. His crush on “my nun,” and his surprise many years later. Getting a morning show, and then, a weekly children’s TV show, which ultimately led to…Hollywood Squares - fabulous stories about Whoopi, Simon, Gilbert! Sad sweetness about his America’s Funniest Home Videos compadre, Bob Saget, and losing John Ritter. Tom mostly slid over “the dancing show” this go-‘round, other than his extreme gratitude and readiness after 15 years to be done with it. He said he’s done with hosting - but admits, you never know if the exact right thing were to come along… but, he’s enjoying retirement. For now. He’s writing, a novel… about 500 words a day, and he likes his characters… who knows what’ll come. I’m putting my money on that Shatner/Bergeron bromantic comedy! Come on boys, with the state of the world, we could sure use the laughs.I adore this man, touched to the core that he remembered my Samantha when talking about his. They’re both getting married. Mazel Tovs all around! Here’s to friends who show up every two years and always bring their A game. I’ll be smiling for days.Tom Bergeron on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 6/26/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/4bookDg
Thaao Penghlis Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonLooking as fit, youthful, and handsome as ever, thrice Emmy nominated, Thaao Penghlis, was a model of class, sophistication, charisma, and information. As has always been the case, the conversation flowed and the time flew. We talked about Thaao’s travels to Egypt and Greece, how to best visit his family’s homeland, The Lost Treasures, his podcast, his passion for cooking, his first appearance on a cooking show, and what he cooked, the recent drop of the paperback of his Seducing Celebrities One Meal At A Time, why he’s no longer on Days of Our Lives, and the illness that he faced without fear, with grit determination to best, which indeed he did. Diagnosed with colon cancer early in the pandemic, Thaao, who’s spent his life with extreme discipline––a Mediterranean diet, little to no junk food, regular exercise, daily meditation, yet he was predisposed to the disease which took his mother. With the same no-nonsense directness, Thaao faces everything in life, he took on his illness and beat it into remission, with the support of loving friends, which he credits with helping him get through the six months of hellacious chemo and radiation, where trim to begin with Thaao dropped 50 pounds. You’d never know any of that to look at him today. When last we met almost two years ago he was not quite on the other side of it but not yet ready to talk about it. Leave it to Thaao to use his challenge to be of service to others discussing it openly, including a suggestion that might ease the path for others now facing treatment. As is Thaao’s style, even this conversation was done with great good humor… culminating with a fabulous story about Robert Redford which got cut short when Thaoo’s battery died. Suffice it to say it has a happy ending with “Bob” as he calls him, being gracious and familiar. Yes, Thaao's first cinematic starring role was in John Avildson’s, Slow Dancing in the Big City, followed by Ken Russell's, Altered States, with William Hurt, and as Dame Edna’s love interest in Les Patterson Saves the World. He also played the lead, Nicholas Black, in the television series, Mission: Impossible, and starred in several mini-series, including, Tribe, Memories of Midnight, and Under Siege. We talked about none of that. We stayed focused on his current events, the projects Thaao’s working on now with a new writing partner, and his aspiration to produce as well. The weight’s back on, he’s working out thrice weekly, and throwing his fabulous dinner parties. oh please invite me! Spending time with Thaao is like a feast for the soul - where every course is new, exciting, and delicious, and at the same time, comforting, and familiar. Thaao Penghlis Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 6/19/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here: https://bit.ly/3KXmSNn
Susan Seidelman Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonI’ve been desperately seeking Susan Seidelman for 14 years… some things, some Susans, are worth waiting for! Loved every second with this film maverick whom I’ve admired since we were both kicking around Greenwich Village, kinda “bad girls,” who looked, good. There’s so much common thread (well, except the whole success thing), as Susan points out when we traded books, do all Jewish girls from New York have the word “Mother” in their subtitles? That’s how I finally got the affirmative nod. Susan’s memoir, Desperately Seeking Something: A Memoir About Movies, Mothers, and Material Girls, drops on June 18th, a few days after my mother’s birthday. Fitting. I’ve been flying through it, unable to put it down, and rewatching Susan’s classics. How many times have I seen Desperately Seeking Susan, Madonna’s first and best film role, how Susan fought for her, Roseanna, how she struggled a bit with her, lessons learned, and success beyond imagining. Smithereen’s, Susan’s first film, was also the first American Independent feature to be screened at Cannes. We get back and front story here. Casting Wren, some hardships turned into blessings. Making Mr. Right... her casting and why… and She Devil - which featured Meryl Streep’s first comedic role, and Roseann Barr’s first feature. Meeting Meryl for the first time… Sex and The City, where Susan directed the pilot and the first 3 episodes… with Susan, so many firsts! We didn’t even get to the latter today (but, it’s in the book!) there were so many films to mine! We talked about how she came to film and squeezed in a few more… Cookie, Musical Chairs, and The Boynton Beach Club, her mother’s original idea which Susan honed and ran with. All of Susan’s films break ground, spin things around, and are ahead of their time. Both Wren (Susan Berman) in Smithereens and Susan (Madonna) in Desperately, open the films with selfies for starters… I mean, come on! Susan Seidelman is important. As a woman, a filmmaker, and now as an author. Treat yourself! Stream her films and race to Amazon and preorder her fabulous memoir https://bit.ly/3RjlWqbn you’ll get the heart and soul behind each of her treasures. Susan’s writing is open, vulnerable, and as riveting as her movies. Susan Seidelman Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonSPECIAL TIMEWednesday, June 12, 2 PM PT, 5 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3RpsoMH
Toto’s Joseph Williams Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonHold the line! What a way to reenter this arena - with arena rockstar Joseph Williams of Toto! I had the best time - can’t stop smiling. Joseph could not have been more accessible, personable, humble, willing, thoughtful, informative… entertaining, and warm––like a fuzzy blanket on a cool summer night. Just loved every minute. I watched quite a few interviews with Joseph to get to know him a bit before sitting down with him. All that I saw were centered around the music of Toto and Joseph’s solo work––the songs, the musicians, the concerts. Fascinating! I wanted to know about the kid, the son, the man, the artist, the vocalist, the composer, who thrived, who struggled, who acted out, who cleaned up, and that’s exactly what generous Joseph gave us, no holds barred, no lines held, as it were. From his earliest days with his dad, John Williams, making genius in the other room, his actress-singer mother, Barbara Ruick, turning life into songs, he and his siblings performing on cue for their parents’ esteemed party guests, and forming their first band, together, picking up his first drink, finding mischief, getting busted, breaking bones, boarding school leading to his first gig… jingles, Vegas, Star Search - one story better than the last - to auditioning for Toto - how he got it, what it meant - how he lost it - what he did to ensure that it would never happen again - composing, scoring- working with a guy named Snuffy, guesting with Toto and Bobby Kimball, rejoining the band in 2010, now he and Lukather the two remaining old guard… full circle - still touring - and miraculously still a Novid! I easily could have chatted with Joseph for hours more. Can’t wait till September to see Toto at The Hollywood Bowl and to celebrate Joseph’s 64th birthday. He’s sober, a grandpa, a good son, making great music, and living his dream. He’s honored his legacy. Bravo! Standing O! Joseph Williams Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, June 5, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/4aNmOKJ
I’m filled to the brim with love, compassion, and inspiration. I so enjoyed every moment in Lydia Cornell’s most excellent company. A strong, talented, generous, capable woman, who knows who she is, where she’s been, and where she wants to be, allowing for godshots that may alter her future at any turn, AFI Best Actress nominee and People’s Choice Award winner Lydia, best known for her starring role in Too Close for Comfort, is all that and a standup comedienne, writer, director, public speaker, and activist. We went back to Lydia’s early days in El Paso Texas, her Russian father, and challenging mother… the haircut, the Barbies, the boys, oh my! Moving to Scarsdale, starring in High School plays, college in Boulder., Colorado, and Hollywood by way of the music biz, Caribou Ranch…. some great stories there… Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Dennis Wilson, Henry Diltz, dating Paul Stanley and Donnie Most, and how her naive approach to breaking into the biz, worked! On her third audition, she landed a starring role on a hit TV show and garnered the fame she sought. Loads of TV shows and films followed, including co-starring with James Earl Jones right after shooting that first pilot. We talked about drinking, drugging, dieting, and the trouble they brought… getting sober, surrender, releasing resentments, recovery, and the innumerable gifts they continue to bring. Lydia’s won acting, directing, and writing awards, as well as the Southern California Motion Picture Council's Golden Halo Lifetime Achievement Award, and the first Elizabeth Montgomery Humanitarian Award. It’s the service she does every day as a woman in recovery that perhaps makes the greatest impact. A screenplay Lydia wrote 20 years ago is finding its place now, and the book she started years ago is also readying to bloom. Lydia’s loving her life, writing, and loving with Larry––acting and looking perfect seeming less and less important. I’m loving this Lydia more than ever if that’s even possible. Lydia Cornell Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, April 17, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3vNhZTr
Rick Vito Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWhat a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon. Grammy-nominated guitarist, singer, and producer, Rick Vito, probably best known as a member of Fleetwood Mac, was a sunny delight, hisself. Coming to us Live from Franklin TN, following the release of his recently dropped latest album, Cadillac Man, we wiled away the hour talking his tastes… The Stones, Duane Eddy, BB King, his passions, Jimi Hendrix, Peter Green, his custom guitars, and his history… a 41-year marriage, two great kids, starting out with Delaney and Bonnie and Eric Clapton, what a story there! Moving to LA, crashing with Todd Rundgren, Something/Anything? Could I have played that album more freshman year? John Prine’s Common Sense… oh please! An all-time favorite! Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, with our friends Russ Kunkel and Kootch, Bob Seger, and that idea of Rick’s to play slide on Like a Rock, a tasty choice that would become an iconic anthem for Chevrolet and a generation. A great story about meeting John Fogerty, playing with Leon Russell, touring with Tina Turner, picking it up with Mick in the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band with Rick Vito, and getting nominated for a Grammy, and the last great show before the pandemic alongside Christine McVie (in her final performance), Billy Gibbons, Pete Townsend, David Gilmour, Bill Wyman, John Mayall, and a host of other musical luminaries in Mick Fleetwood & Friends Celebrate the Music of Peter Green concert filmed in London in 2020. We were treated to a glimpse of one of Rick Vito’s Soul Agent Signature Custom Designed Art Deco Guitars which is available from Reverend Guitars. This pink beauty with black and white piping, Rick designed to have attributes of a Gibson, a Fender, and a Gretch. Rick’s new album, Cadillac Man, is available now and has been on heavy rotation in the Snicki Mobile. I’m just loving it. A lotta rock n roll, heavy on the R & B. You can get yours here: https://www.rickvito.comIt’s easy to see why Rick’s been in demand by so many diverse and stellar artists. He’s a stunning talent, who plays from his soul, leaving space between the notes, and warmth within his smile. I can’t wait to hear and see more! Rick Vito Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, April 10th * SPECIAL TIME1 PM PT, 4 PM ET*Streamed Live on my FacebookReply here:https://bit.ly/3vMHQuv
Hal Linden Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonDoes it get better than this? Someone’s gonna have to prove it to me. Wow, what a time with Hal Linden! As nice, charming, handsome, and tall (well, I’m guessing on the last), as his Barney Miller, Hal was all that and a hefty bag of Cheetos. Absolutely age-defying - I want to see his birth certificate. It’s unfathomable that he’s 93. Still dashing, his voice strong, mind sharp, wit crackling, and his talent will be on display next weekend in Flat Rock, co-starring with Marilu Henner in Ed Weinberger’s, The Journals of Adam and Eve. I wanna go! Road trip?Hal took us through his early days, one of six cousins, all professional musicians, he a clarinetist first, classically trained, in the musicians union at 15, then the sax called, a hysterical story there, the army, and then the theatre… to hear Hal tell it, it all makes sense. From summer stock to Broadway as an understudy in Bells Are Ringing with Judy Holliday. I won’t dare ruin that story. It was 8 years of understudying, and standing in, which led to his Tony-winning starring role in The Rothschilds. Please do yourself a favor and watch Hal sing “Sons,” as seen on the Ed Sullivan Show, his clear ticket to Tony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnztP3vCRko Breathtaking. And then we got to the meat. Barney Miller. How he got it, what he gave up. The gamble he took. The payoff. We talked the original cast in the first failed pilot and the magical one that replaced it. We talked characters, chemistry, and process. How much Hal was in Barney, how much Barney in Hal. And, the part he turned down afterward, without even looking.We had two degrees of Kevin Bacon without the Kevin and without the Bacon, all over the place… from our Bronx beginnings to raising our kids on the UWS of Manhattan and then LA, to Marilu and Ed, but most of all, the Catskills and the crooner. Hal started out in the Borscht Belt with his band at the Paramount Hotel. My father started out at the same hotel as an MC. Years later, after Hal’s Broadway and TV fame, my dad lived a dream, introducing Hal, one of his heroes, and opening for him at the Yiddish Theatre in New York. It was one of the highlights and great joys of his career. They were both handsome as heck, charming as can be, and smooth as silk singers. Hal still is. My dad is up there smiling this eve. Larry Katz, this one’s for you.Thank you, Hal. This will go down as one of the highlights and great joys of my career, and I’ll forever be grateful. But why on a bad hair day?!?Hal Linden Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, April 3, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/43IJ6eE
Warren Ham Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWhat an absolutely delightful sit down with multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Warren Ham. As much as I was blown away seeing him do his thing (s) Live with Ringo and his All Starr Band, singing lead, background vocals, playing flute, sax, harmonica, keyboards, and percussion, I’m exhausted just typing it, let alone watching him work the entire multi-level stage, I was equally impressed chatting with him. What an engaging, fun, open, self-effacing, lovely, ridiculously talented, accessible, human. Warren started us with his family’s gospel group, recording his first album at 5. What a slacker! Country music and mandolin with his guitar-playing older brother Bill followed. While Warren sang and played harmonica with every garage band in Fort Worth, Bill was playing on TV on The Sonny & Cher Show, paving the way for things to come. Bloodrock and three albums followed and then dueting with Cher for three years in Vegas and meeting… well, pretty much everyone. From Vegas to Kansas- the band not the place, great story there, and a whole lot more instruments added to Warren’s repertoire, plus stadiums…Donna Summer, on and off for years, Amy Grant, Toto, another great story there, Olivia Newton-John, lots of great stories there, including a couple about a guy named Travolta. Always professional, there were years of consumption, and then 15 years ago, sobriety, when Warren claims, his life shifted for the better in all ways. A fortuitous Facebook message led to a Beatle, he’s spent ten years with Ringo, his greatest gig of all, doing double duty with Luke on Toto, too. There’s a 42-year marriage, in rock years beyond miraculous, and two amazing kids, check out son Robert’s wonderful short film on Warren, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muxaj-HOGBE, daughter Rachel Talbot has over a million followers on YouTube - the apples don’t fall far… It’s stunning to consider not only all that Warren can do, and does, but also that he does it all, brilliantly. And, he can dance. And act. Is there anything this man can’t do? Odds are crap on that. Warren Ham Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, March 27, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/4cKTmYa
Butch Patrick Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWhat a fun chat with Butch Patrick, aka Eddie Munster, who’s warm, easy and so comfortable in his skin that it’s impossible to not feel like an old friend coming home. Butch makes everyone in his path feel seen, heard, and important. What a gift. We talked about current events… living in Arkansas, his Munster Mobiles, getting out and meeting his fans, his girlfriend, how they met, and how they keep it going. And we went back… how a 7 yr old got his start in film, had a career in TV, and at the age of 10, a starring role on one of the most iconic and endearing television shows of all time. Thank goodness Bill Mumy took a pass. There are no accidents. This was Butch’s path. We talked Fred Gwynne, Al Lewis, Yvonne De Carlo, The Cowsills, and The Monkees, and his amazing episode and time shooting with them at the height of all of their fame. There were crazy days and trouble. Pot, booze, and drugs, and then, 13 years ago, getting sober. Butch’s ease and commitment to his sobriety, and helping others. It’s a beautiful thing. The upside of the pandemic is that it led the way to interview celebrity gems who live far away. I hope one day to meet Butch in the reals and feel his great energy sans a screen between us, but I’m grateful as hell for these opportunities to spend time getting to know this once boy who gave this girl so much childhood joy, and as a man, moves through the world with so much kindness and grace.Butch Patrick Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, March 20, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReply here:https://bit.ly/43rAjh4
Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonI got to sit down again with bassist extraordinaire, Rudy Sarzo... Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, The Guess Who, Blue Oyster Cult - who's also a modern-day humanist, animal rights activist, author, mentor, CG artist, and an evolved, spiritual, gentle soul. And what a time it was!Originally from Cuba, we talked Rudy's early days, his family's struggle to get here, and the struggles they continued to face when they arrived. Barely speaking the language, work shortages, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Kennedy Assassination, to the shining light of the Beatles, which shifted almost everything. Rudy's foray into music... Kevin Dubrow, the original Quiet Riot, a partial cover band at the time doing some originals, Ozzy Osbourne, the fame, booze, and the crazy, Randy Rhoads, who opened the doors, filled the world with magic and then took the joy when he left way too soon, Frankie Banali, more Quiet Riot, Metal Health, Whitesnake, the girls, more fame, Blue Oyster Cult, The Guess Who, now joyfully back with Quiet Riot with bandmates handpicked by the originals. We talked Rudy's marriage, it'll be 40 years this June, a herculean accomplishment for anyone, for a rocker on the road, stunningly amazing! This is a man who honors his commitments. All of them. Sober 26 years, he found program and solutions during the pandemic and finds himself a changed man in so many ways. And this, a changed world. Rudy is deep and we went deep about music, healing, the communal experience... I feel richer, calmer, saner, and more centered having spent time in his grounded and assured presence. He's not only a monster bass player of the highest caliber, he's also a highly evolved human of a most admirable order. I feel like I just spent an hour plus with a Zen master and I'm somehow better for it. What a gift he is.Rudy Sarzo Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, March 13, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/43db1Dv
OMG, where has George Schlatter been my whole life? I could've been a contenda!George Schlatter relishes the accidents and has made a career and created a legacy spinning them into comedy gold. Sock it to me! Here comes the judge! Look that up in your Funk and Wagnells! It’s not everyone who creates language that becomes part of the lexicon. 25x Emmy Nominee, 3x Emmy Winner, Golden Globe WInner, Producers Guild Winner, and Directore’s Guild Man of the Year, George Schlatter is all that and so much more. A television icon, I’m beyond thrilled to have had this opportunity to chat and get to know him with y’all. Creator and producer of Laugh-In, for that alone he should be canonized, George changed the face of television. He also created and produced Real People, produced the first 5 years of the Grammy Awards plus series and specials starring Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Eddie Murphy, Cher, Elton John, Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Liza Minnelli, Michael Jackson, Doris Day, Jonathan Winters, Richard Pryor, Shirley MacLaine, Bill Cosby, Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Dinah Shore, Nat King Cole, Placido Domingo and scores of others. George Schlatter created and for 15 years produced the American Comedy Awards.Most recently, George produced a comedy collection for Sirius Radio and Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate for Netflix.Besides his work in television, George has been honored for his showmanship and involvement in many charitable causes. To further his support of comedy and the people who perform it, George has become an active supporter and Board Member of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York. He's donated much of his material to them and they've named their theater, The George and Jolene Brand Schlatter Theater, in his honor.George’s book, Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy, which dropped in July, is a feast for show biz and comedy lovers. I devoured it. And he shares so many gems from it with us here, from the creation of Laugh-In, finding Goldie, Lily, Artie, Judy, Henry, Ruth, Dan, and Dick, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Robin Williams, Lucy, Steve Lawrence, Judy Garland, Cher, Diana Ross, more, more, more!https://www.amazon.com/Still-Laughing-Comedy-Creator-Laugh/dp/1951213793We had a near-miss encounter 37 years ago when he was producing Comedy Club and I was visiting my Laughter Company Improv cohort, Bob Nelson. I didn't let him get away from me this time! Where has George Schlatter been my whole life? No matter, he's here now. And that's no accident!George Schlatter Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, March 6, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here: https://bit.ly/49LIQ0L
Federico Castelluccio of The Sopranos Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonI knew Federico Castelluccio, Furio Giunta, on the Sopranos, is a crazy talented artist on screen and canvas, is charming, easy on the eyes and ears, but damn! I was unprepared for one of the most fascinating, spectacular conversations I’ve had to date. I know little to nothing of the art world beyond what I like. Federico made it all sound so straightforward and accessible. He demystified his process of collecting, making so much sense, and almost making it sound… simple! Alas, I’m well aware it’s so not. Federico’s decades of study, his photographic memory, and his passion paved the way for finds, well, one so extraordinary… sweet dreams are made of these. What joy to ask if it would be possible to view a piece of his work only to discover that the photograph behind him was not a photograph at ‘tol, but rather a charcoal Federico had done. The beauty of the library behind him, from the rich orange wall, gold frames, and perfectly weathered green bookcase, to when Federico swung the camera ‘round so we could glimpse the fine art that surrounds him, and his studio in the distance filled with eye candy worthy of a Florentine museum. And that was before we even touched on The Sopranos. Federico jumped into that, from his audition, taking a bold risk, despite the odds, the waiting, his callback, reaping the payoff, and most unusual words from David Chase, more waiting, to discovering he’d gotten the three-episode part, which swiftly grew to three seasons. He talked James Gandolfini, Vincent Curatola, Michael Imperioli, Vincent Pastore, Joey Pants, Aida Turturro, Larraine Bracco, Eddie Falco, the whole musbucha! There were fabulous stories of all, including beloved Burt Young. We talked about Federico’s segue to directing, from award-winning shorts, where he also starred and produced, to his feature film debut, The Brooklyn Banker, which starred David Proval another Soprano pal, and Paul Sorvino.Every single word was infused with enthusiasm, passion, and delight. It’s hours later and I still haven’t stopped smiling. This is edutainment of the highest order. Federico Castelluccio, a true Renaissance Man, has a new #1 Fan. Federico Castelluccio Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, February 28, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3Ifp2GW
Rock ’N Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Byrd Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonHanging out with Rock’N Roll Hall of Famer, Ricky Byrd, is like going home. Back to the days… when we were both in a daze. I was booking the Rock 'N Roll Café on Bleecker Street, Ricky was already a rockstar, center stage as lead guitarist with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, playing those iconic riffs in the fab MTV Music Video Days... when there were ashtrays on restaurant tables, and MTV played music videos. Just found a great pic of Ricky and Elliot Easton sitting in on our tiny stage in ’87ish. All those years ago, and yet how fun to have seen Elliot play live last week with The Immediate Family and Zoom tonight with Ricky. One big difference, both Ricky and I are sober. 36 years for him, and the last many, being of service and giving back with his time, and his music. His current passion, partnering with AllSober.com to aid those struggling with addiction to gain inspiration from their sober heroes. He treated us to his Ain’t Gonna Live Like That No More to punctuate the point. Ricky received the Drug-Free Heroes Award, presented by the Foundation For a Drug-Free World, The Faces and Voices 2019 Voice of Recovery Award, and the 2019 Italian American of Distinction Award, presented by Governor Cuomo, for his work in recovery. This Rockboy walks his talk. Old friends, it was an easy breezy walk down memory lane, littered with one-liners, and rim shots. Ricky may be a rocker but he’s a Borscht Belt comic at heart. Fabulous stories about touring with Graham Parker, Roger Daltry, and Ian Hunter, the thrill of playing THAT riff from All the Young Dudes, having Simon Kirke of Bad Company behind him hitting those beats, backing Brian Wilson, sitting next to MeatLoaf watching his hero Jeff Beck, both of them weeping. We talked quite a bit about Beck, and Townshend, Eddie Van Halen, John Mayer, Albert King, the old days of the Filmore East, The Academy of Music, the Humble Pie, J Geils Band, and Black Oak Arkansas show we both were at when we were babies. Speaking of the Babys, we talked John Waite, Ricky’s old, my new friend, and his hysterical speech whilst being inducted into the Rock ’N Roll Hall of Fame with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. Why she didn’t much react behind him, and looking past the front row where Paul and Ringo, his raison d’etre for becoming a musician sat with Funk 49s, Joe Walsh. And then, sharing the stage with them - and his great interactions with both Paul and Ringo. Ricky’s fan love for his heroes is so relatable and fun to witness. Ricky’s Rhapsody in Blues - An Instrumental Tribute to Jeff Beck is spectacular as are his other WIcked Cool released singles, Louanne, Alien, and Glamdenic Blues, and they’re available here: https://www.rickybyrd.com We got the story behind each and why he requests we download rather than stream. I did as soon as we got off the interweb. I adore my old friend. I so enjoyed every second and every word of this conversation. It was such a treat to spend time again in his great company. Ricky Byrd Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, February 21, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3uwdsUQ
Simon Kirke of Bad Company Live on Game Changers With Vicki I was Live with Simon Kirke, co-founder of Free and Bad Company, two of the greatest rock bands in history. A huge lifelong fan, it was a thrill to sit down and hear how it all went down, including how Snuffy, a guitar player kinda close to my heart, ended up playing on Free’s Heartbreaker. We heard about Simon’s very humble beginnings with neither running water nor electricity, talk about building character, his transistor radio, listening to big bands, pre-Beatles, making his own drumsticks, and finding his way back to London from the countryside with a time limit to make it and joining Paul Kossoff’s Black Cat Bones just under the wire. How they formed Free, All Right Now, the song that made them, and perhaps, destroyed them. The unrelenting touring, and then Kosoff’s unrelenting drugs. How the band evolved before imploding. Ultimately, in part, morphing into Bad Company, one of the greatest straight-up rock bands of all time with Simon co-writing its anthem. He’s the only member of the band to be in every lineup since its inception, including the band’s last tour. We heard about them all. Thrilling!I so love Simon’s solo effort, All Because of You, written for Maria, his wife of 6 years. Reminiscent of Roger Daltry for me, it’s in heavy rotation in my kitchen. He’s guested on recordings by Wilson Pickett, Jim Capaldi, and Ron Wood, and has toured with Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band. The best with the best. We heard great stories about Chuck, Ringo, Peter Frampton, Jack Bruce, Dave Mason, and of course, Kossoff and Rodgers. We talked at length about addiction––the drinking, the drugs, the debauchery, some great stories there, and recovery, tried more than once, and how it was too long ago for Kossoff. But, has gratefully stuck for Simon, who is doing much to give back. Simon works with Road Recovery, aiding teens to get and hopefully stay sober, is on the board of a Rehab facility, Right Turn, and is in the process of writing a Rock Opera about recovery with its CEO. Simon fears with Paul Rodgers’ health issues, this is the end of Bad Company after 50 years. He’s scored a few films and looks forward to a lot more of that in his future, mirroring another musician turned composer we know who’s fared pretty well. They say, be careful meeting your heroes. No worries here. Simon Kirke exceeded all my very high (but sober) hopes, as a person and a rock star. What fun! Can’t Get Enough! Simon Kirke Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, February 7, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/42vW0w0
James Morrison Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonHow fortuitous that my first show back after an 8-week hiatus was with the stunningly soulful James Morrison––actor, writer, filmmaker, musician, husband, father, fellow, and stellar human. James was Chicken soup for my post-COVID soul. Discovering just before we went on the air that my treasured friend, Christinna Guzman had passed from cancer opened the door to an emotionally charged conversation about relationships…parent/child, James’ son, Seamus, is a brain cancer survivor… love partnerships, how James and Riad have thrived through their 35 years together, including through their son’s illness… art, which Christinna championed, and shared with me and oft shot for me, including my Women Who Write Literary Salons, and these Game Changers talk shows, where James has read and sung numerous times and Christinna and I bore witness. To honor her and James’ talents, James gifted us with a reading from his show, Leave Your Fears Here, sang, at my fervent request, his brilliant, Selfish Man, about a certain someone who continues to refuse to not grab the headlines, and then read from his brand new show, Satan’s Wild Animal Circus of Agony: A Five Ring Memoir, a most meaningful piece about his father’s end of life. Powerful, moving, important. We talked about sobriety and recovery, a passion James and I share, about adapting, growing, changing, and allowing space to be wrong. We talked about his and Riad’s documentary, Showing Up, an unprecedented look at the audition, with some of our most accomplished working actors reflecting on the process and how it affects them. Nathan Lane, Sam Rockwell, Eli Wallach, and Kristin Chenoweth are a few of those interviewed. I just watched it again and I’m rethinking this whole return to acting thing. It’s a wonderful film, raw and moving, and so damn honest. Like James himself. I adore this man and every moment in his exceptional company. I’ve said before, sitting down with 24's Bill Buchanan, AKA, James Morrison, is like wrapping myself up in my softest, warmest, coolest, comfiest, cutest, silkiest pajamas, and settling in for an easy, breezy, fun, loving, memorable night. This one had the added bonus of being a bear hug of support, comfort, and grace. I’m forever grateful for his friendship. For all things James: jpmorrison.comJames Morrison Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, January 31, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/42kBBKq
Vincent Curatola of The Sopranos Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonI’m not sure how it’s possible to meet a person once on Zoom and feel like they’re a treasured friend that I’ve known forever, but that’s exactly how it is with Vincent Curatola, aka Johnny Sack of The Sopranos, whom before meeting I feared would whack. Me. On this our second sitdown we talked how a businessman who’d nary graced a stage in a few short years under the tutelage of acting coach Michael Moriarty, took on Law & Order, then wrote and starred in his own short film, Dearly Beloved, co-starring Tony Sirrico, and then was soon his Sopranos co-star. Vincent shared the story of that relationship, his casting, and how the work played out. We talked about the Mafia as if there is such a thing, David Chase, James Gandolfini, Ginny Sack, and Sydney Pollack. We talked about acting, how I’ve never caught him doing it, how he was trained, and how he trains, the upcoming reinvention of his short film Dearly Beloved, and his mother, father, grandmother, and Maureen, his dearly beloveds. Vincent’s a warm, thoughtful, whipsmart, entertaining fellow, a great storyteller, whose company I can’t get enough of. Hoping to Zoom into one of his acting workshops one day soon, rehone that skill, and just maybe he’ll write in a fake aging blonde in that upcoming remake.One thing I know for certain, I’m anxiously awaiting his next screen role and our next interaction on Instagram. Love the man! Vincent Curatola Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, December 6th, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here: https://bit.ly/3NhcHoN
Lori Lieberman Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonBeing with Lori Lieberman, the very first musical guest at Women Who Write, and the only artist to perform at every WWW location over the past decade-plus is like going home. Five years since our last midday soiree, it was so wonderful to reconnect and catch up. We got the unabridged Killing Me Softly scoop, from its inception with Lori’s pen on a napkin at a Don McLean show, to it getting fleshed out with her managers, Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, her recording it, getting airplay, Roberta hearing it, Lori making the rounds credited as a collaborator, then written off, and finally getting vindicated only recently. There’s lots more to the story, all fascinating and aided greatly by its mostly happyish ending. Lori’s first five albums and self-imposed hiatus that followed. Motherhood, Joe Cali, falling in love and finding her way back to the music. 20 albums later, her latest releases, The Girl and The Cat, her most emotional and personal work to date, Lori told us why, and Truly, a departure for Lori, a deep dive into the American Songbook, with a unique revisit of the before mentioned Killing Me Softly. You haven't heard it until you've heard Lori sing it. And sing it and kill us she did! She also treated us to her track, Switzerland, although Zoom prematurely derailed it. Lori’s readying for her 3rd Carnegie Hall concert, on December 10th, at 2 pm. In the tri-state area, or gonna be? It’s a must!Link for tkts: https://www.carnegiehall.org/.../Afternoon-Concert-with... 30% Discount code: LAL 43749For all things Lori, including her music, visit : lorilieberman.comI love this woman so much. What fun this was! She’ll remain in heavy rotation in my living room. Lori Lieberman Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, November 29th, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/47XjI5M
Steve Lukather Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonHold the Line! Steve Lukather may be a bonafide rock star, but he’s also down-to-earth, self-effacing, self-aware, open-minded, hearted, reflective, enthusiastic, passionate, thoughtful, generous, and perhaps sweetest of all, a fanboy like us of his heroes. From the 6-year-old boy blown away by The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, George’s guitar specifically, to the grown man who came to play and friend not only George, but Paul, and closer than close with Ringo, his “boss” for the past decade. Fab stories of all three, not to mention much about Steve and then Jeff Porcaro, David Paich, with whom he began being a serious musician whilst still in high school. Stories about Steely Dan and their various incarnations, one which almost included him, Boz Scaggs, his first major gig, the formation of Toto, sessions, sessions, and more sessions, Dean Parks, Ray Parker, Jim Keltner, Larry Carlton, touring, alcohol, drugs, wild times, Michael Jackson, Thriller, Eddie Van Halen, Elton John, solo albums, his latest - Bridges https://bit.ly/40I9PH2 which is in heavy rotation in my kitchen, and his memoir, The Gospel According to Luke https://bit.ly/3QFLPPZ an unputdownable, crazy fun read. Just like Luke himself. The time flew. I feel like I’ve known him forever. And, like all great things, left me wanting more. Steve Lukather Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, November 15, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/47eCXbf
Marshall Herskovitz Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonMasterclass! I’ve had many stimulating, fascinating, brilliant, talented, fun guests. None more so than writer, director, and producer, Marshall Herskovitz. There’s a reason this human has won more Emmy, Golden Globe, Writers Guild, Directors Guild, Peabody, and Humanitas Awards than I can count… not to mention an Academy Award nomination. Wow, just wow! You don’t get all those awards for writing, creating, and making great television and movies without being a great storyteller, and boy is Marshall that! From his eighth-grade short story to his first attempt at filmmaking, AFI––miracle-ing his way in, meeting Ed Zwick the very first day––a partnership that would change both their lives and all of ours… Snuffy’s specifically and significantly. We talked thirtysomething from throw-away lack of interest to the cataclysmic creative shift in what was possible on series TV. From Day 1 to the present commitment to the reboot usurped by the pandemic. Marshall and Ed are still passionately committed to seeing it through to air and I don’t doubt with these two at the helm it will come to pass. Marshall talked about My So-Called Life, Claire Danes, Special Bulletin, and the NBC backlash on his Emmy-winning debut, Jack the Bear, Dangerous Beauty, The Last Samurai, and Tom Cruise––wonderful inside scoop there. Likewise, DiCaprio and Blood Diamond. We talked Marshall’s environmental activism and seemingly sensible solution and concluded with the political race and what 2024 may hold. A rare guest I didn’t know going in, Marshall quickly felt like a dear treasured friend. The conversation was effortless, exciting, insightful, and inspiring. Loved it!Can’t wait for more… on and off the screen. Marshall Herskovitz Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, November 8, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/40yB9aE
Today I got to hang with Ed Begley who makes me laugh and think and feel and want to do better and be better.7x Emmy Award Nominee - St Elsewhere, Better Call Saul, Best In Show, Saturday Night Live, Spinal Tap, Mary Hartman Mary Hartman, Going South, She Devil, My Three Sons, The Dating Game, oh yes he did… even winning a date to Australia… we talked them all and then some… Nicholson, Brando, Streep, Cindy Williams, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby, Charles Manson, John Belushi, Harry Nilsson, Harry Dean Stanton, Lorne Michaels, Michael Richard’s… Ed Begley Sr, the Chinatown connection, addiction, recovery, slips, righting wrongs, and righting so much right. A power of example in so, so many ways. We talked his just dropped sure to be a bestseller, To The Temple of Tranquility… and Step On It! The book’s a provocative, oft shocking, thrilling peek behind the Hollywood scene… get his book… and step on it… you’ll be so glad you did. https://bit.ly/40gzHtbEd’s humble, honest to the max, self-effacing, and self-aware… and he knows absolutely everybody! Ed walks his talk... an environmental hero... a loving husband and father... an amazingly supportive friend who suits up and shows up whenever, wherever he’s needed to better the world or help a friend, Unless he’s working, and with Ed, that happens a lot.I so adore, admire, and respect this man. Loved every second!Ed Begley Jr. Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, November 1, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebookhttps://bit.ly/3FJjh2U
Steve Porcaro Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonI loved every second with 3x Grammy Winner, founding member of Toto, Steve Porcaro. A down-to-earth sweetheart of a guy who just happens to be one arm of the iconic legendary musical Porcaro family. These ain’t no lip-sinking, TV frontmen, the Porcaros define chops. World-renowned drummer, Joe, who left sticks and skins around, brother Jeff, who picked them up and banged them to new heights, Mike who segued to bass, and Steve who found his passion and his niche with keyboards, programming, and sythns. Separately, and together they made musical history. We talked beginnings influences, The Beatles, Keith Emerson, from playing school proms to clubs with David Paich, Hungate, and Lukather, to Boz Skaggs to Toto, Bobby Kimball, Hold The Line, Rosanna, Arquette, and the song, success fulfilling all childhood dreams and then some. Sessions and side work for all of them, Bette Midler, Chaka, Earth, Wind & Fire, Quincy Jones, which led to Micheal Jackson and Human Nature on Thriller, thrilling! There was James Newton Howard, playing and scoring for film and TV… Justified. Leaving Toto, rejoining Toto with new appreciation. Drugs, alcohol, and loss took their toll, solo work, Someday/Somehow, collaborations, Allee Willis, writing with his daughters, The Covid Kid, doing what he loves, where he loves. A life well being lived and art continuously created. I really really like this man, and his music. Grateful for this opportunity to get to know.Steve Porcaro Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, October 11, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReply here:https://bit.ly/3ZUQBxu
David Jackson Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWhat a delight music legend David Jackson is. No surprise. I was warned by his legions of loyal fans, most of whom are his brilliantly talented contemporaries. This was fabulous fun, topped perhaps by pre-fed stories with lots of misinformation which paved the way for the truths, which proved to make it all even more fun. So what if David wasn’t actually at Columbia Studios when George Harrison hid the pot from the cops, he told great story! Who cares if David was with Cher in DC, not the Chateau Marmont when she got a call from Jimmy (President Carter), not Henry Kissinger, or when he was offered his own show after being a regular on The Andy Williams Show he didn’t turn it down, it just… well… he tells it... and then some… and then some more. Great stories, all. We hear about Hoyt Axton and how they wrote Ringo’s No No Song, and Three Dog Night’s Joy To The World, and what happened to David in both, there’s the Chambers Brothers, Bo Diddley, Jackson Browne, John Denver, Sonny, and Sonny and Cher, Glen Frey, Jimmy Buffett, a GREAT story about Roger Miller and Glen Campbell, The Bohemian Grove, what that gentleman’s club is really all about, and his upcoming trip to Marrakesh to play and… play. What a life. Well lived, still living to the max. This man is damn delight. Top to bottom, start to finish. I can’t wait for his return to the States and his Friday nights at The Write Off Room with The Deductions. Till then I’ll be hitting his Bandcamphttps://davidpjackson1.bandcamp.com/album/first-waltz?fbclid=IwAR1FNNSEtyXUFWpxRjACYgs2844fFTyteIwhZUcxmpW0YxaBvfMngJfS_nk.David Jackson has a new huge fan. raises handDavid Jackson Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, Sept 27th, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/45ZpZ0l
Live from Los Angeles, it was Wednesday eve. Loved spending it with Television Academy Hall of Famer, Laraine Newman. I was a little down-and-out post-new Moderna vax, but thanks to Laraine, I swiftly forgot all about it. She took us through her early childhood, finding her place with the funny. From neighborhood street plays, and school theatre with classmate Paul Reubens, to becoming a founding member of The Groundlings with her sister, Tracy Newman, to Lorne Michaels and Lily Tomlin discovering her for a special which then led to Saturday Night Live. Arriving in New York to some trauma, the SNL experience, characters that transitioned, writers, castmates, running with Gilda, feeling left out with Garrett, drugs, American Hot Wax, Stardust Memories with Woody, a Beatle, the Stones, better drugs, 5 years later, always working, voicework becoming the thing. Motherhood and mazel, Celebrity Autobiography to her audible memoir, May You Live in Interesting Times, available here: https://bit.ly/48opI8M. I savored every moment. Whip-smart, brilliantly funny, and deeply insightful, I cherish Laraine’s talents & her friendship. I adored spending this time in her good company. Brava! Laraine Newman Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, Sept 20th, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3Zu0D8y
Anthony Fedorov Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonI’m still smiling and I’m not sure I’m gonna stop any time soon. What a blast I had with American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov. It’s been a minute since last we met and Anthony is even more spectacular than I remembered.He opened the show with That Someone, his new song from his new musical, Proud Marys. I loved it! Can’t wait till Sunday when he does it in person at his long-awaited return engagement at the Catalina Bar & Grill. In LA? Please join me! https://bit.ly/3LkJTusHey We talked Anthony’s early childhood in Russia, his scary, years-long medical situation, hoping to talk, let alone sing… and for a living… to worldwide acclaim… crazy! The trauma of getting out of the country and then getting to the USA sans English. The obstacles Anthony has overcome in his young life are astounding, his accomplishments are as well.We talked the American Idol journey, Simon’s advice that changed his life and career, meeting his Idol, Marc Anthony, barely noticing J.Lo, Ellen, or Mariah Carey. Great story! And, the aftermath which led him to the theatre, something he’d never considered, but where he spent the next many years and thrived from off-Broadway in The Fantastics to most recently in Love Actually Live at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. How the hell did I miss that? We talked about the three, count ‘em three musicals Anthony has in various stages of development. Artist, activist, singer/songwriter, dad, and lovely human, everything Anthony does is with intention to impact positive change in the world.Anthony closed with his first monster hit song, I Poop, inspired by fatherhood and a diaper changing. Another great story! It’s garnered over 22 million streams to date. Not counting the 20+ I’ve added in the last hour. Tell Alexa to play it for fun and… well, it’s paying the rent! Anthony has the voice of an angel and writes killer pop/rock songs with lyrics that are socially and politically important. He’s a beautiful man to behold, hear, and hold dear. And damn, he’s sweet and fun! Hope to share the Fedorov experience with y’all on Sunday at the Catalina Bar & Grill. Anthony Fedorov Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, Sept 13th, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3r6hDVE
Steve Conte Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWhat a great time, as always, when old pal Steve Conte sits down to chat and sing. That voice! Those songs! The stories! Steve played his latest Coolest Song in the World, Fourth of July, co-written with Andy Partridge of XTC, which was a dream come true for Steve and anyone fortunate enough to hear it. He opened the show with that tune, and then almost at the close, after hearing the back story of his admiration, their meeting, growing friendship, and how it bloomed into co-writing 5 of the songs on Steve’s upcoming LP coming soon from Little Steven’s Wicked Cool Records, and the particulars of this one in particular, after a bit of coaxing, we got to hear it again, with new meaning and appreciation. It’s not oft such an opportunity presents. Worthy. And rockin’ fun! Steve, who started out on drums, courtesy of his obsession with The Beatles, and Ringo, had a couple of great tales about that, how he switched to guitar, bouncing brother John to bass, exactly where his gift belonged, Steve’s first album, first concert, and how that led to his greatest onstage experience. No spoilers here… Nor to his second, third, well, his top five. Suffice it to say, he covered playing with Chuck Berry, singing with Paul Simon and Art Garfunkle, the Everly Brothers, opening for Alice Cooper, getting huge gigs without auditions… joining The New York Dolls, and Michael Monroe, whom after 13 years, he still tours with today, being produced by Todd Rundgren… and the songs that keep pouring out of him, many of which have garnered Coolest Song in the World on Little Steven’s Underground Garage. Steve Conte is one of the coolest guys in the world, with one of the greatest rock voices I've ever heard. Steve was a rotating regular at every club I booked and was part of my After Midnight Rock Jam for years. I just can’t get enough. Fortunately, I don’t have to, and neither do you. For all things Conte, including his latest single go to: https://stevecontemusic.com/You can check out his latest Coolest Song in the World here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6PB0I5jkLg&ab_channel=SteveConteNYCSteve Conte Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWednesday, Sept 6th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/48ifSWb
Max Gail Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
What a thrill it is when someone whose work I admire, adore, and respect exceeds all my expectations as a human. Max Gail, actor, director, advocate, songwriter, two-time Emmy Award Nominee, for Barney Miller, and two-time Emmy Winner for General Hospital did just that. Spending time in his most excellent company felt like a giant hug, like going home.
Max took us back to his childhood homes in Detroit and Florida, his six siblings, five of whom are twins, including his twin sister… crazy, the music his father instilled in him, his academic science “nerd” education, the songwriting, with rhyming lyrics of which he treated us to a delicious taste, backing into acting, a gift from his mother, co-starring in the original stage production of One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest as Chief Bromden in San Francisco, and reprising the role in his New York stage debut. He did his first film role in Dirty Harry, small parts on TV, and in commercials, till he got to Barney Miller, his Game Changer. You have to be smart to act dumb. Max with the masters mastered it. We talked about a lot of things along the way… acting, writing, auditioning, failing, scoring, native Americans, marriage, fatherhood, grandfatherhood, a later-in-life surprise, DC Cab, Belushi, Whiz Kids, 42, Alzheimer’s, General Hospital… Max, always fascinating, thoughtful, and delightful.
I loved every moment, and I’m so grateful to have gotten this opportunity to know Max a bit and to discover his heart is as huge as his talent. No wonder he’s so beloved, by his fans, of which I’m one, as well as just about every actor I know. Deserved! As much as I adored Max Gail before this sit-down, multiply it a gazillionfold. What fun! And boy, does he know to close. I still have goosebumps.
Max Gail Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, August 30th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3OWqb9i
taken years to get Danny Kortchmar alone in the Game Changers guest seat, having paid us a couple of previous visits with his Immediate Family brothers. This Danny is kinder, gentler, and oh, so fun. He’s been leaning more and more in this direction to my view since falling in love with Lisa Roy, even after surviving the devastating loss of her life. She was the love of his, and it appears she did him a world of lasting good. Danny will be the first to admit he can be serious and… cranky. No sign of that guy this evening… just great stories of some of the greatest musicians of our time, from one of them, all wonderfully, entertainingly, told. We may have even heard a few previously undocumented firsts… starting as a kid discovering early rock ’n roll, to very soon playing it, summering on Martha’s Vineyard, and the early teenage friendship that would change his life. Jamie, as Kootch calls James Taylor, who talked him into some questionable behavior, then blamed him, classic! Not something I’d imagine or associate with sweet baby James. Their lifelong friendship, their musical collaboration, how it started, and why it ended. Meeting, working, and loving Peter Asher, Lou Adler, Carole King, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Waddy Wachtel, Linda Rondstadt, and Jackson Browne. The story behind Somebody’s Baby. We talked about his extensive successful producing career (although he has a caveat which was fascinating to hear) - including Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Toto, and his extensive collaboration with Don Henley, the great and the tough of it. There are no endings with Kootch. Once family, always family. He remains close to all of them. And speaking of family, Danny spoke to the birth, development, and current state of affairs of The Immediate Family, his beloved creation. His frustration with the pandemic’s impact and the conflicting work schedules of his brothers doesn’t dampen his passion for their new album yet to drop, and their soon-to-be-released brilliant Denny Tedesco documentary, Immediate Family. There is remorse that Waddy Wachtel’s commitment as Stevie Nick’s musical director, a position he’s held for 25 years will keep him from 5 scheduled live shows, but Danny did drop some news… The Cars Elliot Easton will be jumping in for those shows, certainly softening the blow.
This time with Danny was a joyous romp through the musical soundtrack of so much of my life. His songs, and his playing, are forever etched in my heart and soul. The man sure do know how to rock ’n roll. Good God!
Danny Kortchmar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, August 16th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3KKfuFL
Percussionist Luis Conte- I love him! What a delightful sit down with this young man who escaped Castro’s Cuba to meet The Beatles and ended up playing with everybody else. Fabulous stories about his homeland, hitting Hollywood, Rockin The Boat, The Supremes, Doc Severinsen, hitting the big time with Madonna at the height of her day, Phil Collins at the height of his and the last 20 years with James Taylor. That’s not to mention Elton, Rod Stewart, Clapton, Chaka, Barbra, Randy Newman and way too many more to mention. I loved every single second with this warm, charming, fun, talented, Scorpio brother man.
More please!
Luis Conte Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, July 26, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on the Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/43HtS8b
Tony Braunagel Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
What a long great trip it’s been. Grammy and Blues Music Award Winner, Tony Braunagel, took us through his early days in Houston, playing nightclubs at 15 with soul bands, to connecting with a certain Snuffy Walden and Terry Wilson a few years later, playing together on and off over the next 50 + years, including next Wednesday at The Write Off Room with the amazing Teresa James.
Tony told great stories about Johnny Nash, London, Rabbit, Bob Marley, New York, Ahmet Ertegun, Paul Kossoff, Back Street Crawler, opening for Foreigner, Kansas, and Robin Trower, LA, Eric Burdon, thrice over the years, including producing three of his albums, Michael Ruff, Katy Segal, Rickie Lee Jones, Bette Midler, Etta James, 8 years with Bonnie Raitt when she rose to superstardom, Buddy Guy, Keb Mo, The Blues Brothers, he’s still doing those gigs, 8 years on According to Jim as a player and an actor, Taj Mahal with whom he still plays in the Phantom Blues Band, winning that Grammy, Lyle Lovett, Robert Cray, producing dozens of artists including the before mentioned Taj.
Tony’s got at least a half dozen projects currently on his plate, in addition to playing with as many bands. Busy, busy man. Lucky, lucky us.
Love this crazy talented man behind a drum kit, on a mixing board, a Zoom screen, or hanging in life. Always a treat. As is his girlfriend Stephanie’s, Delassa… yummy, healthy chocolate.
Tony Braunagel Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, July 19, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/46To9Pt
Singer/songwriter, Tony-nominated, film &, TV star, writer, director, producer, author, 1st Star Search Winner, Sam Harris, is a real person with real issues and we talked… real. About struggles with weight, Sam’s conquered his, losing upwards of 30 pounds in recent months, and he told us how he’s done it. Inspiring! We talked about life, as it is now, post pandemic, for him, Danny, and their son, Cooper, and the toll it took on each of them. Sam, hasn’t sung publicly in two years, and he explains why, although, he did close the show with a chilling Donny Hathaway covered tune, inspiring goosebumps.
Sam took us back to his Oklahoma childhood, his encouraging, talented, yet, tough father, leaving home at 15, gaining success, how he chose that Star Search victory song, Patti LaBelle’s reaction to Sam doing her rendition of Over The Rainbow, great story there, developing some bad habits––alcoholism, and a food disorder for two, getting sober and healthy, choosing love and parenting at the height of his success, and juggling it all, whilst penning a best-seller, turning it into an award-winning show, and a film, and then writing a novel, now in development.
In spite of COVID related dysphonia, and the pandemic wreaking havoc, Sam appears handsomer and happier than ever. He reflects a dynamic, sparkly optimism and inner calm, at the same time. A beautiful thing to behold.
This was lively, lovely, conversation with an artist whose primary purpose is to serve. He certainly achieved that this evening. I loved every single second. And, I sure do love Sam!
Sam Harris Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, July 12, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on The Facebook Replay here https://bit.ly/46JuiO6
Jason Scheff Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Rock Star! Jason Scheff’s got the chops, the voice, the lineage, the career, and the hair! And I’m not sure he could be a more lovely, gracious, humble guy. As if thirty years with Chicago weren’t enough, Jason takes us through that experience from the rumors, the auditions, the close race, getting it, the faux pax, righting it big time, the glories of it, the joys, to why he left three decades later.
We started with his dad, the iconic bassist, Jerry Scheff, who’s played with countless legends and is one himself. Jason told amazing stories about Jerry and the Fifth Dimension, Elvis, and The Doors. Mind-blowing, and fantastic!
He spoke of some of his other champions and heroes, his mother, a singer, who made him a pro at 16, Elton John, Bobby Caldwell, Robert Lamm, getting sober, Bill Champlin, David Foster, Tamara Champlin, the all-stars Todd Rundgren, Christopher Cross, Micky Dolenz, and Joey Molland with whom he performed The Beatles White Album, my lord, do I want to see the replay of that! Generation Radio (I butchered that) the supergroup Jason put together with Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, with Deen Castronovo of Journey, who returned there, now replaced by superstar drummer Steve Ferrone.
Jason spoke of his love and devotion to his beloved Tracy and their kids, the hardships and losses they’ve endured and weathered together, and they’re great like for each other. Having just had the great good fortune to see Jason perform at Summerfest and then meet his bride, I got to witness this rockstar in action and then bear witness to what a fabulous couple they are.
Jason and I talked for well over two hours and it felt like a minute. What a great, great, time, and… he sang… just a little, but still! I loved every moment and can’t wait to hear about the next chapters, and hear and see them performed, as well.
Jason Scheff Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, July 5, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3D2hmp2
CJ Vanston Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
I could have laughed all night and still have laughed some more! What fun! Composer, producer, songwriter, keyboardist, CJ Vanston––great bit on his name to start, had me laughing to tears story upon story. Oh boy, I needed the eggs.
From his musical beginnings, locked in and listening to his dad’s cool jazz band through the floorboards, burning an oven full of their pot at age 4, the tales kept coming, one topping the next… convincing a young Richard Marx to keep and record what would become his biggest hit, when all he wanted was to sell the thing… working with Prince, sorta, blowing away Barbra… Streisand, that is… and Dolly Pardon, seemingly not impressing Don Henley, CJ making a choice that cost him but ultimately made him, and Don coming back around through Katey Segal… how Russ Kunkel introduced him to Christopher Guest, changing everything, leading to touring with Spinal Tap and scoring his films, touring and recording with Joe Cocker, a story about Ringo worth the price of admission (let’s pretend there is one), and absolute gem, likewise the opening for Jeff Beck and saving his ass, literally. We close with a fab story about Jeff Porcaro, and his storied history with Lukather and Toto, too.
The time flew. I sit here hours later, still smiling. What a joyful journey. Can’t wait for the Spinal Tap Final Chapter and that Denny Tedesco collaboration. More Caucasian Jeff, please!
CJ Vanston Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, June 28th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3JCKMxt
Cheri Oteri Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Fun, fun, fun, and more fun. A long-time huge fan of Cheri Oteri’s work - I’m now a huge fan of the human. I loved every second in this Emmy nominees’ great company. As animated as Cheri is on screen, she’s all that and a truck full of fun in conversation. From early days in Philly imitating soap actors, her nana, and Laura Ingall’s, aspiring to rock stardom, landing at A& M Records in publishing and promotion, moonlighting studying at The Groundlings, eventually making the company, until her manager insisted she quit her day job and focus on auditions. Her first gig… Saturday Night Live! Getting there with fellow Groundling, Will Ferrell, soon to be joined by Chris Kattan, Cheri tells the tale of the journey in all his magnificence. From her audition (Jennifer Coolidge was also part of their Groundlings entourage), her callback, the character she brought with, Rita! And how she worked Joy Lipton in, writing her own sketches, writing with Will, how the cheerleader came to be, Morning Latte, how in her first season a number of A&M artists appeared on SNL––Sting, and Blues Traveler for two, hysterical there, how this non-impressionist to hear her tell it, started doing them, beginning with Barbara Walters. Great story and insights there. Judge Judy, more fun there. Moving on after five years to that Emmy nod on Just Shoot Me! Cheri’s delight with that process, we jumped to her current passion project, which she wrote and is set to roll in September with our friend Mark Maxey producing––potential actor strike permitting.
My takeaway… Cheri’s fantastical! I have added appreciation for her craft and the laughs. She’s crazy talented and downright delightful. I can’t wait to see all that comes next. And. I wanna be her best friend.
Cheri Ann Oteri Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, June 21st 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on The Facebook https://bit.ly/42UUoL0
AJ Benza Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
We couldn’t sit further apart on the political spectrum, or how we approach and present what we do, and yet columnist, TV correspondent, talk show host, actor, author, award-winning producer, and podcaster, AJ Benza, is a cherished friend. What we do share is a quest to tell the truth, a platform to do it, a passion for writing, and a great appreciation for celebrity and the people we admire.
Starting with today’s scoop––Johnny Depp helping Amber Heard, as AJ long ago predicted he would, AJ dished us some Harvey Weinstein, I winced more than once during that, Chris Noth, Michael Jackson––a story he broke––some sweetness about Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Gabe Kaplan, his acting class audition and how a young Carrie Fisher came to his aid, his SNL near-disaster saved by next week’s GC’s guest, Cheri Oteri, and Jimmy Fallon, and how Seinfeld and Bowie made it a memory to savor forever… he got current again with Jamie Fox and his take on what’s going on there… an anti-vaxxer he blames the vaccine, a COVID crazy, I blame the virus. We talked AJ’s disbelief in social distancing, masking, and vaxxing, but hey, he’s had COVID 4 times, and he was open when I expressed my cautiousness in observing all of those, and not having had the thing to date. We discussed his transition to his new life, with work, location (s), and love. Albeit not always graceful, he’s doing his best with righting things on all fronts.
I like the guy. I respect his fearlessness even when he’s scared, his ability to find the way in, his resourcefulness, moxie, commitment to his work, and, his talent. AJ’s a gifted writer and storyteller.
I’m damn grateful to know AJ and count him as a friend. He was under the weather today and rather than cancel last minute he showed up for me, for us. And, as a long-ago publicist and longtime reader of gossip columns, or what we used to call “rags” back in the day, thanks for the countless hours of provocative entertainment.
AJ Benza Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, June 14th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/444QEYp
Korel Tunador Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonIt was such a treat to sit down again with treasured friend, Korel Tunador. I’ve sure missed him. Crazy talented and oh, so fun, quintuple threat––guitar, keyboards, sax, accordion, and vocals, Korel, who’s been playing with Rob Thomas the last many years, spent a dozen + with the Goo Goo Dolls, toured with Katy Perry, and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Wicked Wisdom, and prepped to tour with Hanson, filled us in on how he got each, how the experiences played out, from never making it on the road (the latter) to the Ted Lasso almost religious experience he’s currently living with Rob Thomas and company. Now focused on vocal coaching - pros to unknowns, Korel took us on his journey from piano at 5 in Pittsburgh to stadiums and TV. Explaining how anyone can sing… on key, and learn to harmonize… it’s all about patience and perseverance. Even me? I may have to take him up on that. Korel’s primary instrument of choice is his voice. As if to punctuate the point, he treated us to his new, emotive, Drain on Me, the also new, You Belong to Me, not sad he said, yet it also brought a tear… and Korel’s closer, his classic, The Town of Artichoke, which left me giddy, and flying high, as it always does. One of the sweetest humans on the planet, Korel’s played my living room thrice, and was part of the Women Who Write extravaganza produced by Mike Nesmith at the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur. I’ll be forever grateful to Zoe Moon for connecting us, and for Zooms like these that reconnect us even when he’s busy as hell, and miles away. If you’re a pro on the road looking to up your vocal game, or a layman like me, considering how lovely it would be to shock your loved ones and whip out an unexpected harmony or two, Korel can be reached @koreltunador.com - few funner to hang with for any reason.Korel Tunador Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, May 24th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here :https://bit.ly/3q6hpge
Friends who used to be 30 Something, Wingnuts, and Field of Dreamers, lend me your ear (s), and your eyeballs. Emmy-winner Timothy Busfield is a scream! His Burt Lancaster alone is worth the watch. Hysterical, and right on point. Tim’s amazing bride, Melissa Gilbert joined us for a sec, she’ll be back! But she was a big part of the conversation––how they met, and where––great story. I love how he loves her, and her, him. Their togetherness is epic. We talked how they do it, handle challenges, and resolve them, so quickly. Merging their families - both married for the thrice time… co-parenting and grandparenting, building a home, and a life. Ain’t love grand. We talked Tim’s early years in Michigan, his mother, her challenges, his father, and his. Tim getting the bug after seeing Burt Lancaster on the big screen, and going full circle co-starring with him in Field of Dreams so many years later––the challenges of that film. First, theatre out the wazoo… Actors Theater of Louisville to Circle Rep… being Matthew Broderick’s understudy on Broadway in Brighton Beach Memoirs and never getting on - Trapper John, getting an actors education, Nerds, Stripes, thirtysomething, his first gig with a guy named Snuffy, turns out there are 10 so far, 12 with Melissa’s… starring on Broadway for Sorkin, Sports Night, The West Wing, Studio 60 on The Sunset Strip, his two theatre companies intended to serve the young - the guppies did he call them? Being of service a major theme throughout. Turning down hosting SNL, thrice, auditioning for it without knowing, giving up the drink two weeks ago, how and why… his latest, The Cleaning Lady, and more importantly, his next binge with Melissa and their morning flight to Florida. We talked for almost two hours, from LA to Michigan to Upstate NY and the UWS…. and I could have talked all night. Ridiculous fun. Down to earth, open, warm, thoughtful, helpful, funny, loving, fun, fun, fun. Do they come more likable than Tim? You’ll have to prove it. Timothy Busfield Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, May 17th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3IjV5WJ
Michael Ruff Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonIn his first ever interweb interview, perhaps interview period, 3rd Zoom of his lifetime, and that includes 2 with his family, multiple Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter, BMI Award and Cable Ace Award winner, Michael Ruff, tried to be a little ruff, deflecting and avoiding answering questions about his past but ultimately, answering my questions he did. Even the really tough ones. And the password was FUN! I’ve had a bit of a run with bad boy musicians who are a tad unpredictable and contrarian- I love a good challenge. Well, I’m actually getting too old for that shit, but Michael’s worth it. HIs story hasn’t been told. Research for the show came up with a bio he’d written himself on his website, or had written for him, a few brief liner notes on a couple of videos, and 3 really short blogs, I mean really short. The end. No Wiki, no articles, no interviews for background. I was tightrope walking without a net of any kind for the first time myself and after getting over the initial shock of his response to a question being, “No, I don’t wanna…” That’s not an exact quote, fyi, I’m too fatigued to try to find the moment, at the moment, it’s also the first time in 7 years I didn’t stay up no matter how late and write liner notes, on the same night as the show, ever. Consider this a cherry breaking for both of us. Too harsh? For a man who values honesty seemingly above almost all else, except maybe love, I think he can take it. See his story about how he, with the help of his higher power to hear him tell it, saved and changed Snuffy’s life for good.For someone who’s never done a Zoom podcast, Michael had arguably the best sound and set up of any guest I’ve had the privilege to sit down with––pointing up how much work I have to do on my own deal. Also pointing up his greatness, what makes him a one-of-a-kind brilliant artist, worth everything and anything. He displayed that brilliance tinkling throughout and featured on his new, as yet unreleased, Nobody But You, his classic, I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know, my favorite, Wishing Well, and a taste of the brand new, Beautiful Children. sigh We talked about being born in Utah, Connecticut, Boston, Upstate New York, The Bitter End, The Flying Jib, At My Place, Hawaii, a bounty of musicians who populated them, playing with Rickie Lee Jones, MDing Chaka Khan, bringing in the Snuff, being brought into Laura Brannigan by the him, Eric Burdon, Clive Davis’s pass, his Warner Brothers deal, Bonnie Raitt covering his Cry on My Shoulder on Nick of Time, self sabotage in work and in life, and the work to right that latter wrong. HIs massive love of his wife, his kids, his grandkid, his Island, its people, his music, faith, and his life. Michael’s jazz… an improvisation…his artistry, his impromptu, in the moment, in his skin, funny, irreverent, genius… fun, complicated, incomprehensible for its difficulty, made to look easy, is the stuff that makes him a treasure I hope he gifts us more of in the days and years ahead. A short west coast tour in June with John Cruz approaches. Dates here: JohnCruz.com We’ll be there with massive smiles on. My takeaway - underneath the self-assured confidence Michael is a man who cares very much about pleasing, with his art, his craft, his life––he gives his very best. Even when he tries to withhold, he shares without filter. I’m even more enamored now, even if I did have to work for it.Michael Ruff Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, May 10th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3MgM0iL
Like fine wine gaining depth, strength, and taste with age, so is Grammy-winning comedian, actor, writer, director, cannabis activist, Tommy Chong. After a lifetime of adoring this man and his art, having spent countless hours laughing over and over and over again at his funny, I’ve been struck by his warmth, generosity, intelligence, centeredness, spirituality, self-awareness, business acumen, and intuitive good sense, since first meeting him in the parking lot of a Chinese restaurant 3 years ago. This Tommy––a pandemic, a book, tango lessons, massive product output, and some health issues later, I found to be even more thoughtful, profound, emotional, and vulnerable. I sit here reflecting, very moved. What a beautiful thing.Before we went Live we talked about last weekend’s Willie Nelson 90th Birthday Celebration and why he and Cheech weren’t there. Of course, they were asked! A work conflict prevented it - but man! That’s the only topper I could imagine for those 2 nights. Talk about a match striking weed heaven! We began with his drop-dead gorgeous wife Shelby, who continues to defy age and gravity. It’s inconceivable that this knock-out has been with Tommy for 50+ years and they have a 50-something daughter to prove it. His respect, adoration, and appreciation of her after all these years is admirable and enviable. We talked at great length about Tommy's very humble beginnings, his mother's illness leading him and his siblings to a year plus in a children's home. Returning to his own with nary electricity, let alone a telephone, or a toy. They made their own. Thus, the imagination. And, he played house with the girls, hour after hour, day after day. Thus, the beginning days of honing his improv skills. From his early career as a guitarist, getting signed by Berry Gordy, discovering the Jackson 5, following them on the bill, writing a hit, having it covered by the Supremes, owning a club, seeing The Committee, and redirecting himself to Improv... how Cheech and Chong began. Tommy takes us through those very early daze, to Up in Smoke, landing with the iconic, Dave's not here!We talked about his getting erroneously busted, copping a plea, and doing the time because it was something he was meant to do. Being of service, the I Ching, redirecting thought, seeing things through, and getting them done. We talked pot, of course... as a medicinal tool which he claims, along with traditional treatment helped him beat cancer, twice. His cannabis business, which almost and may still go public, and his thoughts on the state of politics and what has to happen. What I came away with is if I could accomplish what Tommy has and continues to, I’d still be smoking the whacky weed. Nah! Not for me. But damn, the man has done so much and had such enormous success, with all the weed. How the hell does he focus? I’m sitting here sober as a straight grandma and I’m distracted and paused at every turn. There was a certain wistful sadness underlying the stories and the funny. A man in the third chapter, as I believe he called it, accepting that the best is in the past. I trust there’s more greatness and creativity to emerge. And, who knows, maybe he’ll save the very best for last. With Tommy’s energy, passion, and vitality, it’ll no doubt be a long way away. Thomas Chong Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, May 3rd, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3nqWSC0
Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonThere are no accidents. House stand-in as he so aptly named hisslef, Emmy-Winning Composer, Snuffy Walden, was just what the doctor ordered. Live from the dining room, with Rufus for the most part chillin’ between us, Snuffy got down, got real, letting us in as he seamlessly weaved through music, alcoholism, geographics, hitting big, breaking bad, highs, lows, getting sober, switching gears, success beyond his imaginings, the pandemic abyss, to slowly stepping back out amidst life’s challenges. From piano to trombone, finding guitar, playing with BJ Thomas at 14 and strip clubs at 17, DJing, to living in a park with a roadie, Aphrodite in Denver to fronting Stray Dog, rocking like hell, and opening for Emerson, Lake & Palmer around the world, a near-miss with me in ’74, drinking and debauchery, recording Songs in The Key of Life with Stevie Wonder, earning a platinum record, being in the passenger seat when Stevie drove––oh yes, he did; playing with Dave Mason at the peak, Chaka Kahn when she was breaking I Feel For You, touring with Eric Burdon and having an epiphany, thanks to longtime friend and bandmate, Michael Ruff, which would change, and save, his life. With all his success before, a few years later, without experience or training, he scored Thirty Something, then The Wonder Years, both Emmy nominees their first year, then meeting Sorkin and doing Sports Night, and then The West Wing, where he won that Emmy with his iconic main title, and then a dozen other Emmy nominations and 51 BMI Awards, representing over a hundred other shows… then the pandemic slowdown to almost shut down, and a recent rebirth doing what he loves and loving what he’s doing, committed to turning up the joy in the monitors, because of and in spite of recent news. Snuffy’s humility, humanity, and heart soar in his words and music. His dedication to being of service, hIs talent, and his sweetness, are ongoing inspirations to me and countless others. I neglected to say Happy Passover. Historically I’ve been a second-nighter, and this year is no exception. Tomorrow, Snuffy will be attending his first Seder. Hide the Manischewitz. From both of us.Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, April 5th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here: https://bit.ly/3mbZT8I
What a smile! What a sweetheart! Oh yeah, Walfredo Reyes Jr. is also a spectacular drummer/percussionist. Seeing Wally in action last month killing it with Chicago, and then meeting him afterward clinched that he’s the trifecta. This time with him on Game Changers makes clear all three, even if he didn’t lift a stick or slap a cajón.Wally brought his A+ game, treating us to stories about his musical royal family. From his maternal grandfather, his brilliant and accomplished father, Walfredo Reyes Sr., who played with Josephine Baker, Louie Bellson, Bobby Darin, Dionne Warwick, and Debbie Reynolds to name a few, and passed on the percussion/drummer whiz gene to his talented son, who also played with Debbie Reynolds, as well as Ricki Lee Jones, Richard Marx, Sergio Mendes, Smokey Robinson, Boz Scaggs… but we got the stories about his time with Santana, Traffic, then Steve Winwood, Lindsay Buckingham and how he got to Chicago, with a little help from his brother, Daniel, of the Zach Brown Band.We talked Wally’s serendipitous twist with Chicago, this band he adores and has been a part of for 13 years - the woman he loves and met thanks to them, how the pandemic thwarted their wedding but not their marriage, their idyllic life off the beaten trail, Wally’s passion for all music, his influences, heroes, side projects, his amazing kids, and perhaps a few dreams he’s yet to live. I have no doubt he’ll manifest them. Wally’s career has run the gamut of every conceivable genre of music and he’s seemingly mastered them all. As he has the gift of grace, kindness, warmth, passion, enthusiasm, and genuine charm. My heartfelt apologies for being under the weather and careless setting up the Live––last week’s title still haunting the space, and after 4 hours of trying discovering there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. I owe Wally big time for this, and for that drum/percussion solo, he shares with Ray Yslas in the Chicago show. Wow. Just wow! Chicago tours 8 months of the year, please do yourself a favor and don’t miss them, and check out all the other cool stuff in Wally’s World. For all things Walfredo: walfredoreyesjr.comI had such a great time with Wally! Come for the fun, stay for the inspiration. Walfredo Reyes Jr. Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, March 29, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here: https://bit.ly/3nuQdXk
Barbara Feldon Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonThe best? Certainly none better. I’m not sure anyone has ever exceeded my very high expectations greater than Barbara Feldon did this day. As much as I admired and adored Get Smart’s Agent 99 for her sophistication, intelligence, knowingness, sly, perfectly delivered humor, demure yet smoldering sexiness, and downright gorgeousness… Barbara is all that, and a truckload of Cheetos. It was so overwhelmingly powerful and thrilling to deep dive with this wise, self-effacing, self-aware, thoughtful, beyond-imagining age-defying beauty, I was filled to the brim with emotion, electricity, excitement, and enlightenment. I got answers to questions I’ve been seeking for years, and I just used more adjectives than I did in my entire novel. That’s what Barbara’s done to me. In the middle of her unputdownable just-dropped memoir, Getting Smarter, I had intended to speedread it but found I couldn’t skip a word, and I can’t wait to finish these liner notes so I can return to it and find out how this woman who played a spy, thought she was married to one, a sexy Frenchman named Lucien (or was he), long before she donned his real-life trench coat on TV. Their more dramatic than fiction love story will make a spectacular streaming series someday soonish, I have little doubt.Of course, we talked Don Adams, Mel Brooks, Buck Henry, and the genius that was Get Smart... how she got it, what led her there––that sexy commercial she purred through, Colleen Dewhurst, George C Scott, The Man From Uncle, what the actual experience was for her, the real rapport between her and Don, and how it shifted 20 years later, Dean Martin––swoon, Laugh-in, and writing––how as a tool it saves and evolves her and how it’s become her life’s work. How love has shaped her life and her work. An hour and a half of Barbara was simply not enough. I was so fired up, after the show, I called to say a quick thank you and we ended up chatting for another half hour. She’s such a warm and generous soul. It was an absolute love fan fest with someone I feel like I’ve known forever and hope I will. Enough! Back to the cone of silence for me to finish reading Getting Smarter. If you wanna get smarter, hit this bit.ly/3FKjljg and jump into Barbara’s beautifully written, as exciting as a spy novel, memoir. As much as I loved and looked up to Agent 99 as a girl, I adore Barbara Feldon even more. Please don’t miss this one. Wow, what a woman! Barbara Feldon Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, March 22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3JBC9CA
Happy Happy Joy Joy. Well, Happy Happy Paula Paula. That’s how it feels whenever Paula Poundstone’s around. It was another grey rainy day in SoCal, but the sun was sure shining on the interweb. I laughed pretty much non-stop, my cheeks hurt, in the good way, and a drop of water or two squirted out mine eyes, again, in the best possible way.We talked Paula’s care back out in the world and on the road for well over a year and a half now. Doing loads of gigs, flying everywhere, she’s more cautious than this COVID crazy, masks’ everywhere, and I mean everywhere (some crazy funny stories), and she thankfully remains free of the dreaded thing. We talked health care. For Paula that would be Diet Pepsi, Hostess donut gems, Ruffles potato chips, about 300 situps, and a long walk with her two dogs, as well as caring for her ten cats, to whom she may now be allergic. With Paula, everything’s funny––including her take on parenting, parental controls, her TV viewing, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, MSNBC, getting guests for her podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone (except, we do), best guest, worst guest, recurring bits, self-taping an audition. Through the years Paula remains fearlessly honest, unassumingly humble, and downright HYSTERICAL. I’m not sure a sentence goes by without garnering a genuine laugh-out-loud guffaw. I love and adore this quicker, sharper, and brighter-than-lightning, firecracker. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating––Paula may just be the funniest person on the planet. Long may she play! With us. For all things funny and Paula https://paulapoundstone.comDon’t miss her Academic References! PAULA POUNDSTONE Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWed, March 15, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/40fI0nX
Stanley Livingston Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonConsidering we were kids together, so what if he didn’t know it… Stanley Livingston and I opened with the health report. Remarkably fit and boyish for his 72 years, where the hell did the time go? Stan’s used it well. Some fun revelations––from his mother’s pre-maternal career to his first wife’s like vocation, a great story about James Edwards, more will be revealed, starting his TV life in a wooden box, how a swimming lesson opened the door, working with Doris Day, Debbie Reynolds, Mary Tyler Moore, Charles Bronson, a starring role with Jackie Cooper, Ozzie Nelson, giving him his game-changing break, guitar lessons from Ricky, scoring My Three Sons, with huge box office movie star, Fred MacMurray, crusty lunch companion, William Frawley, Don Grady, who his mother greatly aided, and his real-life brother, Barry, with an already burgeoning career of his own, signing on to the show as his adopted brother during a 5 show arc in the third season. The 2nd longest-running show in the history of television, currently still replaying 62 years later. Working with Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward, The commercial he didn’t get when the run ended, skills learned behind the camera opening new doors, writing, directing, and producing. Stan’s current passions––his production company, also The Actors Journey Project, teaching the business of show business, about to drop online shortly, and his online art gallery, where you too can own a signed Livingston. For all things Stanley Livingston: stanleylivingston.com It was a childhood dream come true to sit down with Chip and discover he’s just the same down-to-earth real guy that he played on TV. Fun! Stanley Livingston Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWed, March 8, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay link :
Eric McCormack Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWill and Vicki. The virgin Walden/Abelson voyage. If you’re gonna break the almost 3 yrs to the day pandemic Zoom streak, and do a first Live in person from the new digs, how better than with handsome, charming, fabulous, Emmy, SAG, and GLAAD Award Winning, Eric McCormack? Couldn’t be done. If you’re gonna look into a set of eyeballs, share rarefied air, lotsa laughs, and some snacks, well…it doesn’t get better than this. Thank you, Loren Gold for putting up with my incessant begging and pleading and making this happen. Exceeding all expectations, Eric was easy, expressive, talented (he did accents, impressions, and sang a teeny bit), and crazy fun. Stories, stories, and more stories, one better than the last. When we wrapped and Eric’s fab assistant, Michelle Loparo, said some of said stories were new to her, well, score! From his early days in Toronto, school plays with David Furnish, no, really! Day jobs at Baskin Robbins, and a gas station, his father’s secret revealed, childhood heroes and how one blew Eric’s adult mind, five years doing Shakespeare in rep, breaking into TV, Lonesome Dove, meeting his unlikely perfect partner, manifesting his highest dream––auditioning for James Burrows, landing the part that would change his life, Will and Grace fun, bringing childhood imagings to life… Freddy Mercury, Barry Manilow, Elton John, starring on Broadway in The Music Man, turning serious… Travelers (Netflix- 3 seasons to binge), the upcoming, Departure (Peacock), Slasher (AMC), The Other Black Girl (Hulu) the acclaimed Drinkwater (Canadian Prime, soon here), plus another Broadway turn, The Cottage, directed by his great friend, Game Changers alum, Jason Alexander, coming this summer, and, as if that t’weren’t enough, two podcasts soon to drop, one, Eating Out, with his pal, Steven Weber, a Women Who Write alum, and Just Jack and Will with his great friend Sean Hayes. I’m exhausted typing it, let alone this indefatigable man living it all, no doubt, brilliantly. There are more stories, unmentioned. Tasty treats reenacted to delight. I’m still basking in the glow, wondering how I’ll ever Zoom again. Eric McCormack has ruined me for pandemic worry. What a way to break free. Whee! Eric McCormack Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWed, March 1, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here: https://bit.ly/3J5qyN5Video and photos by Snuffy Walden
What a glorious reunion with the brilliantly talented prolific songstress, Harriet Schock, who wrote the Grammy-nominated #1 hit, Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady, and her stunningly talented, vocal accomplice, Andrea Ross-Green. It was thrilling to hear them again in perfect harmony with new songs from Harriet’s upcoming album, Paintings (the title track she treated us to is an absolute killer), as well as the mash-up of her Ain’t No Way to Treat A Lady and One Time Lover. We were also treated to my request, Over and Over, one of my all-time favorite Schock classics, and My Now, a new tune from her soon to drop, Paintings. We went back to Dallas, her musician doctor father who encouraged her with all his heart, coming to LA, the heartbreak that inspired that #1 hit, being covered by The Partridge Family, Helen Reddy, Manfred Man, Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Roberta Flack, to name just some, her films with Henry Jaglom, ongoing songwriting workshops which attract the creme de l creme in LA and now with Zoom, from around the world. Harriet’s system she maintains is full-proof. Her scores of talented, thriving students offer proof. Come in with nothing, leave with a song. A well-crafted, good one at that, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner. Interested? Contact Harriet at HarrietSchock@gmail.comIn addition to Harriet’s new album, there’s an upcoming show at The Coffee Gallery, A Lifetime Achievement Award, Gary Lynn Floyd’s new album, Present Schock: The Songs of Harriet Schock, and Tom Solari’s documentary, Hollywood Town, The Harriet Schock Story. I’m exhausted typing it. I adore this woman and her music. Harriet and I appeared in Henry's The M Word and spent countless Tuesdays over the last decade sharing creative adventures and miracles at Women Who Write, where Harriet also performed at least a half dozen times. It was fantastic to catch up with this treasured friend and be treated to her magnificent music. Ditto Andrea! Harriet Schock Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWed, February 22nd, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3Kz680g
Teresa James & Terry Wilson Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonThey may sing the blues but they sure make me happy. Grammy nominees Teresa James and Terry Wilson treated us to our first live mini-concert in Game Changers history. And it was spectacular! With their brand new album of reimagined Beatle songs, With a Little Help From Her Friends, which debuted at #9 on the Billboard Blues chart at the fore, the last third of the show was devoted to cuts from said album, and one of my favorites of theirs, Don’t Make A Habit of It. Joining them was longtime Rhythm Tramps guitarist Billy Watts (Eric Burdon, John Mayall), and drummer, Richard Millsap (currently touring with John Fogerty). Special thanks to Louie Kovic for making it happen. Celebrating Teresa’s nomination for Contemporary Female Blues Artist of the Year, from The Blues Foundation, we talked their early years in Texas, separately and eventually together. Terry, who goes back with my beau, 50+ years, then London calling and forming Back Street Crawler with Paul Kosoff (Free) and John Bundrick (The Who), to playing with Eric Burdon, which Teresa eventually did as well. There were lots of bands, sessions, and tours for both, with parenting taking precedence for a number of years, limiting Teresa’s roading for a spell. She recorded with Eric Burdon, Spencer Davis, Tommy Castro, Stephen Bruton, Randy Newman, Neil Diamond, and many others and performed with Levon Helm, Lloyd Jones, Delbert McClinton, and Eric Burdon & the Animals to mention just a few, and did many before-mentioned sessions. A gifted and proficient songwriter, composer, producer, and bassist, Terry never stops working and creating. Numerous albums for different artists are currently in the works and another upcoming kick-ass studio album with Teresa and the Rhythm Tramps will drop in September.Teresa James and The Rhythm Tramps play regularly in LA. For upcoming shows, music, and access to all things James/Wilson visit TeresaJames.comThese folks are the real deal. The music, the songs, that voice. WOW! I could listen to them all day. And many days, I do! Teresa James & Terry Wilson Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWed, February 15th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3ItqyWS
Larry Amoros Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonFor a good time call Cheryl, or watch this. I literally laughed til I cried. Larry Amoros, head writer for Joan Rivers, Joy Behar, Rosie O'Donnell, and Barry Manilow, tore down my house, and boy, did I need the eggs. Is there anyone funnier? Larry’s story about Bea Arthur alone! Holy cow, HYSTERICAL! A genius standup, I’m tempted t say it’s all in the delivery, but it’s not. He’s got gems, about Joan. Johnny Carson, Jane Fonda, Rosie, Joy, Barry, Mel Z Lawrence, the Catskills, his mother, Melissa Rivers, the Espys, Palm Springs… funny, funny, funny! I had the best time. We also talked drinking and drugging, bottoming out. getting sober, recovery, being of service. and even that was funny. It was also heartfelt, sincere, humble, just beautiful. I love Larry! Larry Amoros Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWed, February 8, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3xaTpss
Dean Parks Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonDean Parks has played with everyone on every album ever recorded. Close. His discography is so long I had to take rest breaks as I was scrolling. How many did we get to? Well, we polished some of the gemstones. A 5-year-old with a steel guitar, he was playing with the big boys at 6. Clarinet followed, and saxophone, which he still plays brilliantly, before focusing on guitar, where he is lord and master of the sessions. Starting with Sonny and Cher, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions (in my top 10 of all time), Songs in the Key of Life, spectacular memories there, meeting Snuffy Walden and the years of work he did with him, Jimmy Webb, Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, The Jackson Five, great fun there, Crosby, Stills and Nash, then Crosby and Nash, then Croz, having just rehearsed for an upcoming tour before his passing. Lovely feelings recounted. Touring with James Taylor, as his hands when he broke his, and the challenges of that. Lyle Lovett, and the wonderfulness there, Teresa James, Herbie Hancock, The Fabelmans… the man hasn’t stopped since he started, nor has he ever had to choose even a temporary alternative to his talent and his passion. With no end in sight, if you’re in LA you can catch him live at The Baked Potato. If not, just turn on your radio––songs past, present and no doubt well into the future will be featuring the skilled, soulful, spectacular virtuosity that is Dean Parks.Dean Parks Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWed, February 1, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3JQFIH1
Dean Parks Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonDean Parks has played with everyone on every album ever recorded. Close. His discography is so long I had to take rest breaks as I was scrolling. How many did we get to? Well, we polished some of the gemstones. A 5-year-old with a steel guitar, he was playing with the big boys at 6. Clarinet followed, and saxophone, which he still plays brilliantly, before focusing on guitar, where he is lord and master of the sessions. Starting with Sonny and Cher, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions (in my top 10 of all time), Songs in the Key of Life, spectacular memories there, meeting Snuffy Walden and the years of work he did with him, Jimmy Webb, Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, The Jackson Five, great fun there, Crosby, Stills and Nash, then Crosby and Nash, then Croz, having just rehearsed for an upcoming tour before his passing. Lovely feelings recounted. Touring with James Taylor, as his hands when he broke his, and the challenges of that. Lyle Lovett, and the wonderfulness there, Teresa James, Herbie Hancock, The Fabelmans… the man hasn’t stopped since he started, nor has he ever had to choose even a temporary alternative to his talent and his passion. With no end in sight, if you’re in LA you can catch him live at The Baked Potato. If not, just turn on your radio––songs past, present and no doubt well into the future will be featuring the skilled, soulful, spectacular virtuosity that is Dean Parks.Dean Parks Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWed, February 1, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3JQFIH1
Paul Williams Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonIt’s been 9 yrs since Grammy, Golden Globe, Oscar Winner, and Hall of Famer, Paul Williams, graced my living room. That’s almost as long as it’s been since I began campaigning to get him to do this. Worth the wait! And then some. Putting aside Paul’s decades of accomplishments, the dozens upon dozens of his songs that weave through the fabric of our lives, continue to move us, and break our hearts––for me, just today, crying in the shower singing along to, I Won’t Last a Day Without You… plus all of the film scores he’s composed, his TV and movie appearances, chairing and presidenting, over ASCAP, his efforts for MusicCares, and his unwavering and indefatigable devotion to his sobriety, recovery, and being of service to others. I have yet to meet anyone so adored by absolutely everyone, pretty much all with a story of how he’s impacted their lives with his art and his heart.There are gorgeous tidbits here, not all pretty, some of poor behaviors as an artist, a father, a worker, a partner, a son, a human, and then fabulously stunning stories of redemption, most notably with his daughter and mother––get out your hanky… all thanks to sobriety, and the program which he credits as saving him, in all ways. And, which he continues to pay forward, every day in just about every way. Paul talked about Sinatra, Daft Punk, his writing partner Roger Nichols, The Carpenters, and The Big Amigo. This conversation is richer than the Kardashians, Zuckerberg and Musk’s joint checking account. Entertaining as all get out, with a great big heaping portion of truth, insight, honesty, humility, spirituality, wisdom, and just plain crazy fun. Paul’s been a gift to us in more ways than I count - arbitrarily mark this - a gazillion and one. Paul Williams Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWed, January 25, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3WDoUpE
Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonIt’s always a stupendous no BS joy to sit down with bassist, and humanitarian extraordinaire, Leland Sklar. Does absence make the heart grow fonda, does familiarity breed an easy intimacy that translates to free-flowing fun? I’m gonna say, “Yes.” This was a gas! In the best possible way. Lee filled us in on his festival fall. Well, the film festivals for Denny Tedesco’s doc, Immediate Family, were total triumphs, but Lee’s lack of self-care whilst promoting it landed him in ER with a brain bleed, damaged hand, facial stitches, and an oral reconstruction surgery degree to add to his resume. Ouch, what a story! The film however is blissfully sensational! We talked about Lee’s YouTube Channel, only two years in the making with over 215K subscribers, new videos dropped daily, and bi-weekly clubhouse, which has created community and camaraderie. Leave it to Leland. We got the story behind Lee’s Everybody Loves Me, a photo collection of “birds” as it were, in which I’m honored to be included, how The Immediate Family came to be, got their name, and we got a sample from their soon to drop new album, Skin In The Game. Waddy’s Whole Lotta Rock ’N Roll, is just that. My lord these boys can rock. It’s one thing that Lee’s amongst the greatest players of all time, the fact that he’s also one of the nicest, smartest, and funnest is win, wn, win! Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers with Vicki AbelsonWed, January 18, 6 pm PT, 9 pm ETStreamed Live on The FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3XEDbTD
Live with The Cowsill on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonThere’s so much wonderfulness and fun packed into this 1:15 Live, I’m woe to break it down and give any spoilers. Suffice it to say we talked about their avid, loyal fans, me being one, since kneesocks, their group dynamic, how the 7 came and went, family auditions, oh yes they did, how the harmonies stack, how the songs on their new album, Rhythm of the World, got written, recorded, and out there in spite of the pandemic and a stroke of someone’s bad business, the hero who saved the day, meet & greets, how they genuinely love their fans and invite all to join them, even when they’re eating, their podcast, Peter Noone for one, The Flower Power Cruise this March, another Happy Together Tour this summer, and always, Bob, Susan, and Paul, loving being together, whether taking a “snow day,” continuing to thrill their fans and make musical magic, or just chatting it up with the likes of me. I’ve been blessed to present Bob a few times over the last decade, and stay close sending him the constant onslaught of comments that still post almost daily from his visit to my living room for Women Who Write years ago. I’ve met Susan a few times and attempted more than once to wrangle her here, Paul I’ve only gandered onstage till today, yet they all felt like family almost instantly. It’s who they are, what they do. I adore these three, all The Cowsills family, and have put in my request to be adopted. Rhythm of the Worldhttps://cowsill.com/home/music/rhythm-of-the-world/TheCowsills Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 1/11/23, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3QzHCwT
Today Live! Steve Ferrone, most prominently known as the drummer in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, is also a former member of the Average White Band and has recorded and performed with Duran Duran, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, Slash, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Bee Gees, Scritti Politti, and Johnny Cash. Steve’s also appeared on recordings by Brian May, Anita Baker, George Benson, Jonathan Butler, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, Christine McVie, Peter Frampton, Jeff Golub, Rick James, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Freddie King, Tracy Chapman, Pat Metheny, Steve Winwood, Michael W. Smith, Paul Simon, and Jaco Pastorius, will be in the house! His house, but Zoomin' with us.Already a legend when I was booking rock clubs in New York back in the days, I was in a daze and don’t think we ever spoke, but I was always aware whenever he was around by the admiring ruckus surrounding him.There were a number of near misses through the years, finally meeting him at one of Steve Postell's gigs some years ago, and then at Will Lee’s a few years later. I pounced, as is my wont. We had a great time on here in 2019- and broken Thanksgiving bread of late, and so look forward to sitting down again with this man who has sat behind innumerable rock heroes, and, is one hisself. Stephen Ferrone Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 12/28/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreaming Live on my Facebookhttp://bit.ly/2y47ZCi
We talked and walked through Kevin’s childhood, early days of steel drums, french horn, to guitar… architecture, bands, playing parties, selling flowers, Papa John Creach, sessions, his first deal and album as Kevin Moore at 41, to two years later being nominated for a Grammy as Keb’ Mo’… four more Grammy victories, currently awaiting his night at The Staples Center… do I hear six?We talked about his songwriting––lots of honesty, humility, self-knowing… where his philanthropy and activism began, a ready-to-go draft dodger, his one ask - to meet Taj Mahal, and boy, did he meet him. Working with Darius Rucker and his awe for Hootie & The Blowfish, telling their truth. Kevin sharing that he likes to be uncomfortable with his lyrics-brilliance that is his. We talked his spiritual path, and if he prays- “everything out of my mouth is a prayer.” Wow. He gracefully credits Depak. I smiled so big and so much for so long… for the entire 1:35:29 broadcast, my face hurts. In the good way. The very best way. I loved this. I love Keb’ Mo’. I reckon I’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t. Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 12/28/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3YUmTYo
How fun to sit down with a young old friend and catch up after a long pandemic pause. Olympian, Tai Babilonia, is as beautiful, luminescent, gracious, inspiring, perseverant, focused, and fun as she ever was. The World Figure Skating Champion, and 5x U.S. Figure Skating Champion, was as fearless in retelling milestones in her life as she was living them. From great triumphs to heartbreaks, big and small, Tai’s acceptance of her lot, no matter what, no doubt helped carry her from one victory to the next. Her gratitude for her good fortune, her love, and respect for her parents, her brother, and her son are admirable and enviable.We talked about Tai’s journey on the ice––thank God for Mabel Fairbanks who took a very young Tai and forced her hand into Randy Gardners––beautiful story there bookmarked with the pages being written with loving care, overseen by Tai and Randy to honor her. From the ’76 Olympics to the 5 US Championships, to being only the 2nd Americans to win the World Championship, to the nightmare that ended their Olympic dreams in ’80, starring in the Ice Capades and working feverishly in the years following… the toll it took, the drinking, the bottom, sobriety, back out there, more drinking, her marriage, her beloved son, her engagement to David Brenner, insights there into her and him, two stories - Bill Cosby and Chris Botti, and the strength in her sobriety that stuck, a show at the forum that led to coaching Jack Nicholson’s daughter and then Denzel’s. No name dropper she, this is all just part of her glamorous story. There’s so much humanity, and hard truth here to balance it. Conversing with Tai feels like coming home… comfortable, effortless, warm, and affectionate. I loved every second.Tai Babilonia Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 12/21/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3FQm7Tk
Jason Alexander Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWow! Just wow! I’ve loved Jason Alexander since Pretty Woman, and in everything, I’ve seen him in since. He somehow managed to exceed my high hopes and great expectations as a human, a storyteller… a mensch! Such a huge fan, I was anxious that I’d muck it up being in awe. His smile as soon as he entered the Zoom room set me at ease, and his open willingness allowed the conversation to never cease flowing. It would be impossible to cite a favorite “part.” Each story a gem. From his family of NOVIDS (love it!) how they coped, continue to, how he met his wife, adorable story, the secret of their 40-year martial success as Jason has come to see it––magnificent, I’ve replayed that part thrice already, his parents, how he shifted his dream from magic to show biz, fabulous story there, landing his first Broadway show at 19, Sondheim and Hal Prince, please! The Rink with Liza and Chita, an inspiring tale to take forward, a terrific story about scoring Pretty Woman with a little help from a movie star new friend, and getting Seinfeld, amidst fierce competition. Creating George, changing George, Larry David, Jerry, Julia, and Michael, the group dynamic, Curb, and then we jumped to Jason’s upcoming podcast, Really No Really, with Peter Tilden, dropping in February on iHeart and then available wherever you get your podcasts. There was so much more to discuss but the time was flying. Jason agreed to come back and offered to in February to coincide with the drop. Gonna hold him to it. Hours later, I still haven’t stopped smiling. I got so much out of this time with Jason, much food for thought, and takeaways all over the place. The topper is that it was such exuberant fun. As much as I admired and adored Jason before, it’s that much more having spent this time in his great company. This is a gift to us. Happy Festivus! Jason Alexander Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 12/14/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here:https://bit.ly/3PIT4pHAll BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available oniTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1flatunein bit.ly/2gGeItjAlso on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
John Waite Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonJohn, no Waite-ing! Hot on the heels of his just-dropped doc, the ridiculously talented insanely handsome activist, humanist, and gifted storyteller, made time for us this morn prior to his concert tonight in Atlanta, which is being recorded for a Live album no less. As if Georgians didn’t have enough to celebrate this day. I certainly did. It was more than worth waking up at the crack of dawn after watching the Warnock runoff victory speech last night and then John Waite - The Hard Way (streaming as of yesterday on Prime), for another opportunity to sit down with this treasured new friend. As has come to be fashion, the conversation exceeded all expectations. Speaking of fashion, this forever stylish, nattily well-dressed man was interviewed for the doc for four days, as was, without ego, his emotions as real and raw as his unusual for him casual appearance, relinquishing all control of the shoot and the final product to the filmmakers. We talked at length about what made it into the film, and perhaps more interestingly, what didn’t. There’s a book there, and we encouraged him to write it. Although the doc, shot during the lockdown, speaks of John’s passion for the road, the popstar before us this day spoke more of what his life might look like as enters the next phase. We talked The Beatles, their influence, and then the reality of playing with one. Being a part of Ringo’s All-Star Band and the mixed blessing of it, and how a walk-by with Paul was just too much of a good thing. We touched on the Babys, Bad English, but we focused on John, his childhood in Lancaster, and his perhaps not too far in the future, return there. All-in-all, it was a thoughtful, provocative, evocative hour in the company of an extraordinary man, ridiculously easy on the eyes, ears, soul, and heart. I can’t Waite for more. John Waite Live on Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonWednesday, 12/7/22, 11 am PT, 2 pm ETStreamed Live on my FacebookReplay here: https://bit.ly/3hbaC0HAll BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available oniTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1flatunein bit.ly/2gGeItjAlso on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen NotesThanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.comNicole Venables now of Hiroshi Beverly Hills Hair Design, for the best tressed.And, Blue Microphones
Paging Steven Spielberg! Actor Gregory Harrison's real-life story as the first moral conscientious objector needs to be told. And boy did he tell us here. I'm left in awe, mortified, inspired, and grateful, to name but a few adjectives I'm feeling.
A gifted storyteller as well as thespian, singer, songwriter, and producer, I've known Gregory for years, we've sat down a number of times, but he's always more provocative, informative, fascinating, and passionate than the time before.
Trapper John MD, Falcon Crest, Razorback, Logan's Run, Sisters, One Tree Hill, Gregory starred with moi in The M Word, well he was starring, I was mostly standing. Starting out as the leading man of a feature film, Gregory backed his way into starring on television, on Broadway, and back again. Of late, Gregory starred in The Lion in Winter at The Laguna Playhouse, great story how that came to be, is two years in on General Hospital, his first soap, I have no idea how he does it, yet Gregory managed to demystify it, he's recurring on Chesapeake Shores, just shot a couple more episodes of 9-1-1, and the independent feature, Jimmy & Carolyn, which Gregory feels is his best work yet. That's saying a lot. He starred in The Family Man and is a family man himself, married 41 years, to the same woman, the proud and loving father of 4, and grandpa to three. A Vietnam vet, an outspoken activist, and a spiritual soul, whose personal standards for his own humanity are seemingly beyond mortal, Gregory’s beyond lovely and crazy easy on the eyes. This, like him, is all wins. Can't wait for more.
Gregory Harrison on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 11/30/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3udaJvo
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables now of Hiroshi Beverly Hills Hair Design, for the best tressed.
And, Blue Microphones
Wendy Liebman and Jeff Sherman Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
I could have talked to Wendy Liebman and Jeff Sherman all night and still have asked for more. What fun! With the advantage of knowing each other for some years, the conversation was animated, spontaneous, and effortless.
We talked about the curse of Ventura Blvd and two life-altering accidents pre-pandemic, readying these happy-to-be-home-together lovebirds for what lay ahead. We discussed PTSD, emotional trauma, panic attacks, acceptance, and healing. Armed with great ‘tude and an attentive husband, Wendy weathered what could have been a disastrous 14 months with grace and resolve. And, managed to be productive, as did her caretaker, who did basically everything, and I do mean everything for much of the time. Jeff also managed to stay productive. What the hell was I doing? Binging Netflix, eating crap, and well, this thing right here.
We talked grandkids, dogs, masks, travel, theatre, vaccines, and how one Jeff took as a kid impacted musical theatre in perpetuity. We got a behind-the-scenes track of his doc The Boys, about his father and uncle, the Sherman Brothers, masterful prolific hitmakers, and their actual relationship away from the music and the biz.
Wendy, a psychologist in the making, gave us the skinny on the seemingly random turn that turned her life around and led her exactly where she was intended to be. Her random, hysterical, off-the-cuff comments bring home the point. The woman was made to make us laugh. And boy did she. Jeff’s no slouch neither. I won’t tip my favorite line of the night, but I did just quote it with credit!
They jointly filled us in on how they met. Cute, as they say in the movies. Their romance would make a great one.
Jeff brought it home with a great Monkees story, how he and Micky became best of friends, and how he almost orchestrated TV history. I offered my history with them. Two uber Monkee fans, fanning out.
You can catch Jeff’s Doc, The Boys, on Disney + and Wendy’s Too Tall For TV, on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Liebman-Taller-TV/dp/B00IXWFON0
Time flew and we barely scratched the Liebman/Sherman surface. I foresee a Part 2 in our future. Loved every single second.
Wendy Liebman & Jeffrey Sherman Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 11/9/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3DVjFdB
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables, now of Hiroshi Beverly Hills Hair Design for the best tressed.
And, Blue Microphones
Peter Tolan Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Oh please! That was just too much fun. Nirvana for this fan girl to catch up with 14-time Emmy Nominee, and two-time winner, Peter Tolan. In the midst of a Rescue Me re-binge, if you've never seen it or it's been years, do not pass go, run. Please. Brilliant, real, hysterical, terrifying, it's perfect TV. In my all-time top 5.
Peter, bless him, is opinionated and fearless in recounting people, events, and choices, which makes for great conversation and interweb TV.
We started with his recent collaboration with Norman Lear, Guess Who Died, which did just that. With that loaded deck, it’s crazy that NBC pulled the plug. But, it dealt with older folk… who wants to represent them. Us. Hmmm.
We talked his early days in theatre, sketch, cabaret, his early collaborations, a running theme throughout his career… from Linda Wallem, Garry Shandling, Dennis Leary, Billy Crystal, Paul Reiser, and the before mentioned Norman Lear, the man keeps good company. He earns it… and demands it. Breaking almost every rule, from his first spec script landing him a staff writing gig on that very show, unheard of, to getting producing credit before he earned it, an unearned Emmy as he calls it… to earning every one of those other 13 nods, and the nest Emmy Statue he took home.
Fascinating, fun conversation about Carole Burnet, Murphy Brown, getting The Larry Sanders Show, connecting on The Job, creating and making Rescue Me, Analyze This with an intimidating Robert DeNiro, the Mad About You update, Helen Hunt, and the creative crisis Peter found himself in, just pre-pandemic, when two of his babies were thrown out with the bathwater.
All-in-all, a lotta laughs, of course, there were… look at the man’s credits… a lot of insight, intelligence, and clarity. Damn, I had a good time. Enough of this, I have Season 3 episode 10 waiting for me.
Peter Tolan Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 11/2/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3Wq9OVk
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables, now of Hiroshi Beverly Hills Hair Design, for the best tressed.
And, Blue Microphones
Oh.My.God! Maggie Wheeler brought the smart, the empathetic, the funny, great inside stories, and even a song. A very inspiring one. Spectacular all.
How has Maggie spent her COVID staycation? In service, as she has been for 17 years as the creator/director of Golden Bridge Choir, and now, since the start of the pandemic, Together In Song, a worldwide choir of voices, where everyone is encouraged to create community and sing.
We got the scoop on her break in Lorne Michaels’ The New Show, her hysterical audition to win the slot, Johnny Carson, her mom’s memorable note, Henry Jaglom building her first starring film role, casting her ex, an unknown David Duchovny, who, as a result, soon after shot to stardom, Ellen, a love fest, and what went south there, Suddenly Susan, also going south, damn those vivacious redheads, but which led to her being available for Friends, her one-off as Janice turning into a ten-year run–– where the voice came from, the Oh. My. God. and that laugh! Matthew Perry, his brilliance, and his struggles, very soon to come to light in his about-to-drop memoir. Everybody Loves Raymond, the leading role showrunner Phil Rosenthal wanted and fought for her to have, why she didn’t get it, and the featured part he wrote for her instead. Maggie’s pragmatic yet forever optimistic, a champion for her family, and friends, causes big and seemingly small, putting her vast gifts where her talented, hysterical, voice is.
I loved every minute reunited with this sweet, funny woman, who’s always doing, giving, being her best, making music sing in the midst of this pandemic.
In LA… there’s a benefit concert this Sunday… info on it, and all things Maggie https://maggiewheeler.net
Maggie Wheeler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 10/18/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3TkaAkU
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
Wow. Just wow! As great as it was to sit down with my old pal, renowned drummer, Sandy Gennaro, in August, today may be a game changer for me.
Sure, we talked career… Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Bo Didley, Johnny Winter, Pat Travers, but this time we dug deep into his personal relationships with each of them, their style of banding or bonding as it were. Fascinating. Great stories, all.
The highlights for me were talking about Sandy’s 38-year marriage and what makes it still thrive, joyfully. Lessons learned there. He said exactly what I needed to hear. Likewise, when discussing what prompted his latest career shift, much like the seemingly simple random act of kindness that prompted his life-changing gig with Cyndi, a more recent momentary act of thoughtful, attentive, generosity, led to a whole new beginning as a speaker and author, which is exploding with rewards. I paid Sandy’s example forward, immediately following the Live, whilst speaking at a meeting of entrepreneurs. Not seeking any return or reward, one came totally out of left field. It works when I work it.
Once again this time with Sandy was thoughtful, insightful, inspiring, motivating, and crazy fun.
Seeking a little push in the right direction? Check him out here, and read Sandy’s Beat The Odds in Business & Life. You can get a signed copy with a pair of sticks, at https://sandygennaro.com/beat-the-odds-products/ - Not surprisingly, Sandy gives good signage!
Adored every second of this.
Sandy Gennaro Part 2 Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 10/12/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3yAWxiH
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
Sitting down with Thaao Penghlis is like feasting on 12-courses––each extraordinary, unique, flavorful, and delicious. I was delighted, entertained, and schooled… on history, health, healing, art, travel, cuisine, culture, manners, and sophistication.
Thaao took us through his latest odyssey to discover the truth about Homer’s, his latest commissioned piece of art, and the dinner party to celebrate, Enrique Senis-Oliver, the world-renowned artist who created it, which I did not attend due to COVID fear… crabmeat, filet mignon & rack of lamb, oh my! Thaao spoke of his many world travels, the lands, people, and cultures that pull him, and why… reincarnation, perhaps a partial explanation of some of his passions, his upcoming podcast, and his new book, daily disciplines––habits which enrich and inspire, family, thoughts for his future, and the not so surprising binge or two he’s indulged during the pandemic.
I’d learn a lot more in life if all of my teachers were as easy on the ears, eyes, mind, heart, and soul as Thaao. I could listen to him for hours. We barely discussed his long and successful career, which allows for the big life he leads, because that big life is so damn fascinating. Inspired by his self-care I indulged in a healthy meal post-broadcast, and I’m determined to recommit to my daily meditation practice, daily workouts, and, long-form writing. I’ll be healthier, more productive, and thinner if I imagine––what would Thaao do, a lot more often.
Blessed to have spent the time in his good company.
Thaao Penghlis Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 10/5/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3EmZ3g2
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolkeof Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venablesof Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
Marcus Eaton Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Live from Florence Italy, singer/songwriter, easy on the eyes and ears, Marcus Eaton, treated us to a mini concert and great conversation. When David Crosby describes you as, "one of the best young singer-songwriters in America - maybe even the world, brilliant musically, brilliant lyrically, and he just plays guitar like God on a good day,” then invites you to tour, record, and co-write with him, and plays on your album… well, it doesn’t get much better than that. And yet, it does. Add to that composing the soundtrack of David Crosby: Remember My Name, and, opening for Bob Dylan, and Dave Matthews, to name two, his own, Versions of The Truth (https://www.marcuseaton.com/music), which Crosby joined him on for some, Invisible Lines, and his new album tentatively titled 'What Is Real' set for release this year.
Marcus started us off with my request of his Better Way, reminiscent of Sting, but oh, so Marcus. We talked about his first trip to Italy, accompanying Roy Mcalister, a renowned luthier, who connected Marcus with his protege, Allessio Guarnieriri, who along with Marcus’ ideas and suggestions created his signature guitar, a masterpiece, the Guarnieri ME. On it, Marcus treated us to his brand new, Something True, Obvious, some crazy in the best way, slap playing, a bow rendition of The Last of the Mohicans, which went viral on TikTok and closed with a smoldering cover of Sting’s Fragile.
There were great stories about growing up in Idaho surrounded by a musically gifted family, getting signed, hitting the road, hungry, literally, a near-miss opportunity in late March 2020 to open for huge heroes, derailed by the pandemic, and finding his soul and his feet in Italy, the land of his heritage, surprising at first glance.
Marcus is an original, one-of-a-kind, take my breath away athletic guitarist, with an evocative voice, and provocative songs––he’s handsome as heck, a gifted fine artist, and well, the whole package is pretty spectacular. I encourage you to Spotify the hell outta him.
I call him "Football." If I had to guess his occupation, well… I've not seen too many singer/songwriters who look quite like this, nor have I heard any who sound like this. Marcus is as easy on the ears, mind, heart & soul as he is on the eyes.
SCORE!
Marcus Eaton Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 9/21/22, 1 pm PT, 4 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3UZK95t
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolkeof Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venablesof Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
It’s always a warm delicious treat to sit down with James Lee Stanley. There’s a reason he’s opened for everyone from Bonnie Raitt, Art Garfunkle, Bill Cosby (before we knew), Robin Williams, Dionne Warwick, Robin Trower, and Steven Wright for 3 years. His 50+ years of friendship and musical partnership with Peter Tork were covered from start till two days before Peter’s passing when he was felled by rare cancer under his tongue. Shockingly, James survived his own bout of tongue cancer months later, when his beloved wife Evelina suggested an endoscopy, without cause. James was back performing mere months later. Last September, days after sitting down with us here, James fell off his roof, for the first time not under the watchful eye of his Evelina, broke his back, was airlifted for surgery, took no pain meds, and did a concert two weeks after surgery. This is a substance- sans substances.
James treated us to a solo rendition of All I Ever Wanted, one of the many songs he and Peter recorded together. Just today he posted a video of them performing it: https://youtu.be/9VmeUvSYS1A. James also treated us to fab, funny, apropos, Wake The Flock Up, one of my favorite cuts from his All Wood And Doors, Moonlight Drive, and to the ink just dried, brand new, Carnival. Gorgeous vocals and stunning guitars are James’ trademarks.
We talked about his All Wood And Stones, Doors, and Led series, what inspired it, the players who’ve graced it, his upcoming album, his 36th, the documentary, The Opening Act – The Extraordinary Journey of James Lee Stanley directed by documentarian Gary J Katz (Badfinger, Humble Pie, Steve Marriott, Manassas), which has received a Peoples Choice Award, was in the London Lift-Off Film Festival and was accepted into the LA, Chicago, and Atlanta Film Festivals, awaiting judging.
James Lee always leaves me wanting more. Fortunately, I know exactly where to find it JamesLeeStanley.com
James Lee Stanley Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/21/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3S68rJ5
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolkeof Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venablesof Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
Whaddya get when you put 5 rock icons and a rockstar filmmaker together on a Zoom screen… besides a ridiculously hip Brady Brunch, Hollywood totally not Squares scene? Nirvana - sans Kurt. Sitting down with The Immediate Family, Danny Kortchmar (Kootch), Leland Sklar, Waddy Wachtel, Russell Kunkel, and Steve Postell, plus documentarian, Denny Tedesco, could have been a chaotic mess, instead. like the brilliance that pervades their music and art, the time flew like smooth jazz, only more like great rock ’n roll… cause that’s way more fun.
We talked current events, their upcoming album, tentatively titled, The Best Record Ever Made, the one cover they’ve covered, to be the first single, their hitting the festivals now documentary, Immediate Family, featuring James Taylor, Keith Richards, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, and Stevie Nicks, to name some, touring in real-time, with Lyle Lovett and Stevie Nicks, and the toll COVID is taking, upcoming shows in Los Angeles at all the Canyon Clubs in November (for the dates, ask Steve), how they first assembled 50 years ago, became The Section, and how they reassembled, added Steve and became The Immediate Family. Denny gave us insights into the making of the movie, and the boys tossed out favorite parts.
For anyone who grew up with or now listens to rock ’n roll, these players define the music of our generation. Pretty much every record in heavy rotation on my turntable through the years was graced with their genius. And now, the brothers come together front and center, featuring not only the hits they helped create, but new songs that will no doubt blaze a similar trail. They rock like hell and together they may just be the best rock ’n roll band any of them has ever been a part of.
Check out the doc preview: https://immediatefamilyfilm.com/ I can’t wait for the thing. I love these guys so damn much as people and as artists. Still flying from the time spent in their collective good company, and I haven’t boarded a plane in 3 years. Long live rock!
The Immediate Family Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 9/14/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3RJOiIp
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venablesof Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Productss for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Peter Riegert Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Stories, stories, and more stories, one better than the next, all fantastical! Peter Riegert exceeded my high expectations and that’s an exceedingly tall order.
Somehow 2 hrs and 45 min flew by in an instant, yet at the same time, we got to know so much about Peter, his life, his work, his thoughts, his heart, and his art.
From the Bronx boy playing stickball to marching with Martin, who had a dream, to an underachieving student, teacher, and waiter, Bella Abzug, to improv, War Babies to Peter’s first resume and headshot––hysterical story! From Off-Broadway, a Marx Brother, to Mamet, aligning lives and love with Bette Midler, Mash, Coma, to the game changer, Animal House, how he got it, so many stories from there to here… Bette, F. Murray Abraham, Tom Matheson, John Belushi, Karen Allen, Mark Metcalf, Chilly Scenes of Winter, John Heard, an Academy Award nomination, Crossing Delancey, Amy Irving, the pickle man––a chick magnet, Local Hero, how that came to be, what it meant to him, crazy stories, one of which brought a tear or two to both our eyes. Burt Lancaster, with whom he shared a long ago historical memory, to Tony Soprano and how James Gandolfini allowed Peter a searingly horrifying yet graceful exit from The Sopranos to Succession and the Amazon crime drama he begins filming on Friday.
We hit highlights of Peter’s work, dug deep into the man, and I hope, gained a new friend. As accessible and fun as Animal House’s Boon, as charming and emotional as Crossing Delancey’s Sam, and as savvy, transformative, and thoughtful as Local Hero’s Mac, Peter Riegert is a warm, complex, fiercely talented human whom I’ve adored since first sight, and respect and appreciate even more now. This time with him was a gift. He's a mensch beyond measure. I so needed the laughs and the eggs.
Peter Riegert Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 9/7/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3QojuLN
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
Sandy Gennaro Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
I feel like I went “home.” Sitting down with Sandy Gennaro after a 30-year abyss was a walk down the wild side of memory lane and just crazy fun. Having a bunch of our old cohorts from back in the day along for the ride made it that much funner.
Sandy took us from Staten Island, getting ignited by The Beatles, local giggin’ and day jobs to LA, meeting an idol, erring’ at a major audition, helping said idol get that gig, Michael Boloton - not a misspelling, before he was Bolton, Pat Travers, playing arenas, to playing with an unknown Cyndi Lauper, who exploded on their first tour, getting that gig thanks to Sandy’s kindness to a stranger. A recurring theme in his story. Great stories along the way, opening for Queen for months at the height of it all, The Monkees, Davy, and Micky, solo as well, Joan Jett… we got stopped there, the time flew and Sandy had another show to do.
We talked family, his marriage which has thrived for 30+ years, his daughter living her dream, she’s had a great teacher, and Sandy’s been a masterful manifester. His recently dropped, Beat the Odds in Business & Life, which is filled with more great stories, how he did and does what he does, and how we can, too. You can get a signed copy with a pair of sticks, at https://sandygennaro.com/beat-the-odds-products/ - Sandy gives good signage! It’s how his career kind of began. It’s all in there.
There was much laughter, smiles from face end to face end, warm remembrances, an all-around great time. There’s so much more to talk about - we’ll be back. Part Two is promised. Part 1s don’t get better.
Here’s the discussed video of Sandy on Carson playing Stump The Band https://bit.ly/3q0L0Ey - killer!
Sandy Gennaro Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 8/31/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3R84Fyn
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
Liberty DeVitto Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
I can’t stop smiling. How I adore Liberty DeVitto, and would even if he wasn’t one of the greatest drummers of all time––Billy Joel's, iconic partner in music for 30 years.
I’ve known Lib for 30-something years and every time I see him it’s better than the last. Like fine wine, except neither of us is having any––unlike how it was when we met. We talk about that - his climb to stadium rock, the magnums of red, throwing up on his shoes––before Billy, Mitch Ryder, Vanilla Fudge, meeting Billy, Stevie Nicks, Only the Good Die Young, what Lib brought to it, love and their marriages, and marriages, and marriages, Richie Cannata, Russell Javors, Doug Stegmeyer, The Billy Joel Band, how Billy gave up an enormous opportunity out of love, loyalty and respect for them, and how it fell apart after 30 years of stellar music, fame & friendship. Sobriety, perhaps contributing to Lib’s demise.
We talked about the silence between them in the years that followed, Lib’s resurrection, NYC Hit Squad with Ricky Byrd, The Lords of 52nd Street with the original BJ band, his bestselling memoir, https://amzn.to/2CP8qrg, an upcoming book about Santa https://amzn.to/3dS13li, and, his girls, girls, girls. Wife, daughters, and a new baby granddaughter, that is. The reconciliation with Billy, the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Band— playing and getting inducted into the Long Island off-shoot, and being featured in the rock doc, Hired Gun.
Life is grand, better than ever. Lib is happy and grateful. And so much damn fun! Couldn’t adore him more. Sitting down with Lib is like going home and being with family. The one you dig.
Liberty DeVitto Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 8/24/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3PTcDK1
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
Loren Gold Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Sitting down with Loren Gold, keyboardist for The Who, and Chicago, both, currently (WHAT!), not to mention a close treasured friend, was win, win, win. Such easy fun.
In the coming days, Loren will be out with both bands. Talk about a bounty of riches. Deserved. We talked about how this craziness came to be, from auditioning for Roger Daltry in 2009, and then, after 3 years of touring with him, being invited to join The Who. Great stories here. Seeing Loren with them at The Hollywood Bowl at the end of 2019, was arguably the best, or at the very least, one of the greatest concerts I’ve ever been lucky enough to see made better still because of Loren. COVID wreaked havoc with both those gigs, only to find it created an opening with Chicago. That whole journey was great to hear. From 6 yr old Loren, forced to take piano lessons, to 15 yr old Loren, knowing that was all he wanted to do, high school bands and day jobs to touring with Tiffany, Hilary Duff at the height of her fame, becoming her musical director, then in kind for Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and Taylor Hicks, opening for Kelly Clarkson, and The Doobie Brothers to name but two. All roads leading… to The Who. Who knew!
A pop culture junkie, he still thrills meeting his musical and television heroes and seems to become best friends with all of them. Only knowing Loren for 3 1/2 years, it’s easy to see why. I already count him as one of my nearest and dearest.
Insanely talented, he treated us to a couple of musical interludes, great stories, and to his fab company. I love Loren, and by the outpouring of messages from his fans and fan clubs (plural), I’m not alone. If you’re a Loren, Chicago, or Who fan, and who isn’t, check your local listings, he’ll be here, there, and everywhere. I wait with bated breath for his return with The Who, to the Bowl on November 1st. Hope I’ll see some of you there.
Loren Gold Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 8/17/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3Pxd2BN
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
Can you top this? Yes, we can. How the hell is it possible that this sitdown with The Sopranos Richie Aprile aka David Proval, will go down as one of the most entertaining shows yet? It shall. WOW. What fun. Great stories. Crazy coincidences. More great stories.
As if it wasn’t enough that David’s mother and I share the same family name, and she has the same country of origin as my grandma with the same name, we’re both New Yorkers, David went to Yeshiva, my father taught Yeshiva, our paths crossing about a decade ago while filming Henry Jaglom’s The M Word with Michael Imperioli, post their work in The Sopranos, pre ours at Women Who Write and Game Changers.
Thanks to the suggestion of my new good friend, Mark Metcalf, who also middled last week’s stupendous sitdown with Tim Matheson, I know David’s extensive body of stellar work, Mark added technicolor. I jumped at his suggestion to invite David. My gratitude to both of them is boundless. What fun! I know I said it before, but it bears repeating.
From his grandma and the Yiddish theatre, school plays, Uta Hagen, to Scorcese and Mean Streets, thanks to his friend, Jon Voight, how he got it—DeNiro, Keitel, Pavlo Hummel, again thanks to Voight, which led to Nunzio, a hysterical story about filming with Jack Gilford, Elliot Gould, and James Caan, which included more great stories about James, to the other James… Gandolfini. David’s audition(s) for The Sopranos, so much great stuff there, moving from mobster Richie Aprile to a Rabbi in The West Wing, Teri Garr, Richard Dreyfus, coaching Eddie Murphy, an insanely great story there, a Drama Desk Nomination, Innocent Blood, John Landis, Don Rickels, hysterical stuff there, meeting Sinatra, and sitting down with him, a fan, wow, Everybody Loves Raymond, Italy, and his personal discontent… all straight talk, with loads of laughter and a few tears. I loved every single second, especially when his wife of 46 years, Cheryl, joined the conversation from the other room.
Forget cowbell. More David Proval!
David Proval Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 8/10/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3QyEmjX
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
If you look up “fun,” it’ll take you right to this thing right here. Exceeding my high expectations, Tim Matheson is even more gorgeous, charming, intelligent, animated, accessible, and fabulous than I could’ve imagined. Don’t think I’ve ever had more fun at 11 in the morning.
Squeezing us in on a busy day of meetings, and a table read for Netflix’s #1 smash, Virgin River, which Tim both stars in, and oft directs, he was relaxed, gave us his full attention, energy, passion, and focus, and, what a treat it was after all these years of adoring him.
We jumped into Animal House, how it went down, how he got it, what almost was, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Peter Reigert, Karen Allen, Mark Metcalf, who, thanks to his extreme kindness, introduced me to Tim, making today possible.
We circled back through this Burbank boys’ start, My Three Sons, Leave it to Beaver, voicing Jonny Quest, the Western years, Bonanza, The Virginian, co-starring with Kurt Russell in The Quest, opposite Henry Fonda, and Lucille Ball in Yours, Mine and Ours, studying at every turn, including a year of Improv, leading to the big stretch, comedy and portraying the good bad boy, working with Landis and then Speilberg and again Belushi in 1941. All the while absorbing and honing his craft, whilst learning from the masters.
We talked The West Wing, composer Snuffy Walden, our 2 degrees, Aaron Sorkin, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Martin Sheen, Tommy Schlamme, the brilliance, professionalism, and frenetic pace.
With our time swiftly waning we touched on This Is Us and landed on VIrgin River, currently readying to roll on Season 5, as I and many binge the just dropped Season 4.
I could’ve talked with Tim all day and still have longed for more. What a great spirit! Such joie de vivre, not to mention ridiculously easy on the eyes, ears, and I suspect, all five senses.
Put it all together- it was FUN! Two thumbs way up.
Tim Matheson Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 8/3/22, 11 am PT, 2 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3JsAJK5
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
50 years ago yesterday, Ray Parker Jr. and I were in the same room… well, it was Madison Square Garden, he was 18, playing with Little Stevie Wonder, who was opening for The Stones, and, it was Mick’s birthday. That’s some cool shared history… I, a mere speck in the story am claiming my seat. Today was not quite so historic, yet any time in Ray’s company is a huge treat. Add IIFC Award-Winning Filmmaker, Fran Strine to the mix, whose documentary, Who You Gonna Call, about Ray, just dropped, and well, it gets even more special.
We talked about how they met on Fran’s previous doc, Hired Gun, which also featured Ray, and where the idea for WYGC was borne. Ray’s story was just too big to not tell. Known internationally, cross-generation for Ghostbusters, there’s so much more to the story. Growing up in Detroit, police brutality firsthand, playing the clarinet and the sax, how he got his first guitar, and his 10,000 hours before he hit 13 when he had his first big gig with The Spinners. Crazy. Barry White, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, and Bill Withers, followed, while he was still a kid. How Stevie changed his life, how his mother motivated him, moving to LA, doing his own thing, getting no credit for his Grammy-winning #1 You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, Raydio, his hit, Jack and Jill, to Ghostbusters––a last minute do or don’t get paid stroke of genius. This story is at the heart of Who You Gonna Call, but like Grammy-Winning Hollywood Walk of Famer Ray, there’s so much more to the story. I loved the doc and this time with these two exceedingly talented and charming men.
You can catch the film on Prime and Peacock https://www.amazon.com/Who-You-Gonna-Call-Ultra/dp/B0B2Q4FCX7 Run! It’s that good.
Ray Parker Jr. & Fran Strine Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 7/27/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3OKtPRn
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones
I’ve had the great good fortune to sit down with innumerable heroes. Not sure anyone is more beloved by… everyone… than Ed Begley Jr. Notes and messages flooded in before, during, and after the Live. Besides being a gifted actor in all genres, 7x Emmy Award Nominee, Ed’s a spectacular human who walks the talk like no one I’ve ever known.
We addressed the Covid, how it impacted his life, and career––not much it turns out, the man who never stops working, didn’t! Even getting the virus recently barely slowed him down. Ed’s miraculous one-hour post-Paxlovid cocktail “cure” is hopeful and inspiring. Currently, on the air in Better Call Saul, and Young Sheldon, Ed’s got an exciting film in the can he couldn’t yet talk about, a memoir in the works with a hinted-at story alone worth the price of admission, a film he’s about to say, “yes” to, and, a promised Part 2 here with us.
We went back to Ed’s youth, his Academy Award Winning brilliant father, Ed Begley, a conservationist of a somewhat different variety who instilled in Ed the activism he’s carried forth with gusto from the first Earth Day to today… with everything from the car he drives, the food he grows and eats, the home he built, the products he uses, we’d be hard pressed to find Ed cheating on his beliefs, anywhere. His unwavering commitment to being of service was modeled by his beloved sister.
A hysterical walk down memory lane, from his first gig (My Three Sons at 10!) to the rocky next 6 years––HA! Partnering and killing with Michael Richards, yeah, that one, to opening rock shows for 18 thousand people, to the drinking and pot, which had gotten quite excessive, to how he gave it up and got sober 42 or is it 43, years ago. Scratching the surface of his brilliant career with The In-Laws, his relationship with Alan Arkin and Peter Falk, when the clock struck 6.
A promised Part 2 awaits, and I promise, I shan’t let it slip.
Ed is a human to admire, adore, emulate, and if lucky, hang with. I cherish this time with him, and all time with him, and can’t wait for more.
Ed Begley Jr. Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 7/20/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3yOz6S0
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Steve Postell Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Singer/Songwriter/Producer, Steve Postell and I go way back to Bleecker Street in the heady daze of the New York club scene. He's played every club I've booked and guested on every show I've hosted and produced. Whenever we see each other we pick up right where we left off, as comfortable as a pair of favorite faded jeans, and yet, still exciting and new.
Incredible songwriter, amazing guitarist, with the voice of an angel, Steve treated us to a mini-concert sprinkled throughout, from his latest pearls to his golden gems.
A first long-awaited music lesson at 8 with his first guitar, which he outgrew the first week, to his first gig for $25 when he was 13, how an art class with Bob Dylan may have changed his life, to solo gigs, Broadway touring companies, to Broadway itself, with Patti Lapone’s Evita, jingles, record deals, Pure Prairie League, his own bands, recording, engineering, producing, New York to LA, The Night Train Music Club, first meets with Leland Sklar, Waddy Wachtel, Russ Kunkle, and Danny Kortchmar, and how the Immediate Family was born. Danny Tedesco’s upcoming doc on them, featuring players Steve idolized, who are now cohorts and friends… James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Carole King… playing with Michael McDonald, David Crosby, and most recently, Kenny Loggins, around a campfire and on stage, plus his sold-out show at McCabe’s. Steve’s living his dream, always putting in the time with disciplined daily practice, an indefatigable work ethic, and extraordinary talent.
Old friends are treasures. This gifted one, a gift to us all.
Steve Postell Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 6/29/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3I39ncU
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Martha Bolton was Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Now that’s edutainment! Emmy-nominated comedy writer Martha Bolton was only Bob Hope’s first female staff writer, has only written 13 musicals, 88 books, including her latest, Dear Bob… Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with The GIs of WWII, co-written with Linda Hope, only has 13 musicals out there, a few running right now, wrote for Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller, has won a Golden Scroll Merit Award for Fiction, and has been nominated for a Dove Award, and a WGA Award… what a slacker!
How this woman does it… ‘splained here. Self-taught, disciplined beyond fault, up at 3 am, writes most hours of every day, and loves what she does. We got the skinny on Bob, as a boss, a comedian, an American, and a human… George Burns, Johnny Carson, Milton Berle, Danny Thomas, Sonny & Cher, Joan, and Phyllis. Simply fabulous! Talking to a comedy writer is fun.
Can’t wait to read the book. https://amzn.to/3HMoHuv
Talking to a comedy writer is fun.
Martha Bolton on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 6/22/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3zRWf8u
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Tom Bergeron Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
There’s nothing like sitting down with an adored friend who’s made his mark being in the moment, Live, without a net. Emmy-winner, Tom Bergeron, is my kinda guest. Whip-smart, emotionally intelligent and evolved, hysterically funny, a generous to a fault humanitarian, and oh, so laid back, and easy (don’t tell Lois). This isn’t our first rodeo - it just keeps getting funner.
We got the Tom’s eye view of Dancing With The Stars, from his hiring to his firing (of his own creation- scooped to us on a past Game Changers), the judges, his co-hosts, the pros, the celebs––the joys and the not-so-much ones, dramatic moments, inside dish, to the current state of streaming affairs… could a return be in his future? I hope sure hope they’re smart enough to do so, if he wants it. We talked The Masked Singer, behind the scenes with his crooning Taco, America’s Funniest Home Videos, Bob Saget, Hollywood Squares, Whoopi, Henry Winkler, meditation, and his tome, I’m Hosting As Fast As I Can, which debuted in my living room as Tom himself debuted as Women Who Write’s first man, oh those were the days. We talked improv and radio and how Tom honed his skills to get so damn great at this impromptu thing. The book he’s dropped, not in the stores, from his life, the first reading of that debuted last time here, too, what he’s binging, his dark turn in The Messenger, available at TomBergeron.com, and his film in development conceived over lunch with his now co-producer, William Shatner.
This time with Tom was soul-filling and laughter-fueled. If only it could power my Honda. Forget cowbell. More Bergeron!
Tom Bergeron on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 6/15/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3mX5GLW
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Stuart Pankin on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
There are no accidents and no mistakes. A cancellation led to a speedy opportunity, that I’m so grateful to have had. Five-time nominated and CableAce Award winner for HBO’s, Not Necessarily The News, Stuart Pankin, originally scheduled for August, jumped in tonight, and what an absolute joy!
We talked about the early days, how this constantly working actor never had to have a day job, with one short exception, funny story here. From Columbia University to theatre from off off off, to repertory, Shakespeare in the Park, how fellow sword carrier, Kevin Kline changed his stars, to Lincoln Center… landing in the land of LA with a bit of TV work, some unemployment, and then a handful of years later, the game-changer, anchor and player on the award-winning, Not Necessarily The News. Over 300 television appearances and loads of movies followed. We talked his co-starring role in Fatal Attraction opposite Michael Douglas, Hollywood Knights with Robert Wuh, Striptease with Demi Moore, Arachnophobia, and Honey We Shrunk Ourselves with Rick Moranis, Curb with Larry David, Trapper John with Gregory Harrison, and his current VOD, Deep In The Forest, and the soon to drop, Our Almost Completely True Story, great stories, all!
I love when artists I adore are just as wonderful humans, Stuart Pankin is all that, and a truckload of Cheetos. What fun!
Stuart Pankin on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 6/8/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay: https://bit.ly/39lNkkF
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
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What to do when in the midst of unfathomable national tragedy, and your guest is 5 x Emmy Winner, Alan Zweibel, one of the funniest humans on the planet? Face the elephant in the room head-on. We discussed how comics and monologists deliver on a day like this, and what is verboten? From there we moved into personal, current COVID crisis, where listener Julie Warner, Billy Crystal’s co-star in the film, Mr. Saturday Night, informed us we were depressing (she was playing… Alan is never is anything less than hysterical), and then we segued into his latest co-creation with Billy, Here Today, about an aging comedy writer whose memory is fading due to dementia. Har har har dee har har. Well, the story that inspired the film is crazy funny, as is Alan’s telling of it. It was all comedy gold from there, covering Alan’s many of Alan’s most memorable collaborations, more on Billy from the early 70s standup days to their Tony-winning Broadway smash, 700 Sundays. The first sold joke to Morty Gunty (still a winner today), and other Borscht Belt favorites, to Larry David bombing at The Improv, Lorne Michaels recognizing his gift and hiring him in the very first wave of Saturday Night Live, where Alan’s collaboration and friendship with Gilda Radner yielded iconic characters and moments, week after week, year after year, the trajectory of their relationship thru till her untimely end, where he wrote for her, yet again… his collab with Garry Shandling and their multiple Ace Award-Winning co-creation, It’s The Garry Shandling Show, and the evolution of them… to writing Lunatics with Dave Barry and then For This We Left Egypt with Dave and Ada Mansbach, the definitive Haggadah in my house, to Alan’s Bunny Bunny, his love letter to Gilda from page to stage, and his latest, Laugh Lines, My life Helping Funny People Be Funnier, which spans 50 years of fab stories, one after another… my favorite tonight, and it’s such a Sophie’s Choice with the wealth presented, is Alan’s college poetry “recital.” I was crying. In the good way.
This time with Alan was chicken soup with noodles, matzah balls, and latkes, for the pandemic, crazy-world weary soul. Warm, flavorful, sizzling, and delicious… with a side of hysterically funny. Perfection!
Alan Zweibel on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 5/124/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3GhWz1v
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
The Waltons Michael Learned on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson - Part 2
What’re another 14 minutes and a little hysteria between friends? The anticipation of the marvelous Michael Learned makes the slightly bumpy start a small price to pay for her delightful self.
We picked up where we left off Monday and double-backed a little. Growing up on a farm, preparedness for Olivia Walton, paying back her childhood candy debt, her spy father, exhausted mother, being the oldest of 6 sisters, all but one with unusual names, boarding school, moving from dance to drama, meeting Peter Donat, initially riding his coattails, becoming the first lady of ACT Theatre, then divorce, The Waltons, and award-winning success. Missing her own kids, getting bored, leaving, then Nurse, another Emmy, complaining, regretting, back to the theatre, and eventually, TV. Second Acts, and her upcoming leading role on Ryan Murphy’s Jeffrey Dahmer series, tentatively titled, Monster.
We circled back to Michael’s memoir, which I shall continue to encourage her to pen… type, just write! There’s a lifetime of experiences, challenges, successes, bottoming out and then soaring, making errors and learning, a beautiful love story that’s surrounded her for 33 years following years of abuse, sobriety, and recovery, of which she is most humble.
Warm, open, accessible, amiable, and oh so loveable, I enjoyed every moment in this iconic mom’s most excellent company and will carry forth wanting more Michael!
Michael Learned on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson - Part 2 Wednesday, 5/18/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Replay here: https://bit.ly/3sKq72c Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3sKq72c
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Michael Learned on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Hello full moon lunar eclipse mercury retrograde whatever the hell made this a day from tech hell. Didn't matter! Michael Learned was gracious, lovely, fun, accessible, and wonderful. In spite of only being able to hear parts of her conversation, I loved every word I got, and even the ones I didn't. Fabulous woman that she is, she agreed to come back this Wednesday (May 18th) same bat time, same bat place.
We did get to talk about her childhood, how the girl named Michael probably came to have that name, her mysterious father, living in Austria, $ for candy, finding theatre, Bill Ball, and ACT, her screen test for The Waltons, her Eskimo on set, getting sober, why she wanted to leave... we scratched the surface of the 4 x Emmy winners stint on that iconic show, and her recent award-winning turn in Second Acts, and her soon to drop starring role in Ryan Murphy's Monster, about her character's live-in grandson, Jeffrey Dahmer. We touched on COVID, Michael is casual more than crazy, and there is so much more to discuss, and... I just need more Michael. She's terrific! See you Wednesday, Live @5. Michael will be back home, on her computer, and all will be right with ur internet convo. Mercury, turn around already.
Michael Learned on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Monday, 5/16/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3MkVHLJ
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Jay Kogen on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
So fun to spend time with the funny. Four-time Emmy award-winning writer/producer, Jay Kogen ~ The Simpsons, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, Malcolm in The Middle, Tracy Ullman, to name but some. 2nd generation in the Kogen entertainment empire, son of Arnie, The Bob Newhart Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Dean Martin Show, and father to Charlie, who while still in High School performed an original song at The Kennedy Center, we talked the father/son dynamic from both sides now. Not sure Jay could be a prouder papa or a more beloved son. Arnie, one of the most successful comedy writers of his generation, paved the way for the legacy Jay carries forward. Beginning as a tyke, Jay was on set, garnering small roles in his father’s shows, with stars in his eyes and ambition to act. He did for a while, adding stand-up and then Improv which he continues to this day. You can catch him this weekend if you’re in LA. Jay’s passion for performing has not diminished an iota, even if it’s not his bread and butter.
We talked the pandemic slowdown and its effect on the business and the work––hard to fathom with all the projects Jay’s currently cooking and shopping. From his first earned $5, to selling jokes to Harvey Korman at age 10, his father kind of eviscerating his first attempt at script writing (deserved, says Jay), to PA’ing on The Garry Shandling Show, getting encouragement from Garry and Alan Ziewbel, enough to try his scriptwriting hand again with his partner Wally, which landed them a gig at The Tracy Ullman Show, which begat The Simpsons, simultaneous offers from Seinfeld and Frasier, choosing neither at first and why, loving Malcolm in The Middle, not so much the iCarly reboot, great stories of family and the business of show.
Aside from enormous talent, there’s great love, humanity, and service. The Kogen upbringing and home life sound pretty idyllic. Jay exudes joy and gratitude, giving back by teaching and personally mentoring young writers.
Entertained and inspired, I’m left wanting to create more, laugh more, give more. I sure miss life as it was… this time with Jay reminded me how fun it can still be. Even if it is on Zoom.
Jay Kogen on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 5/11/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3PidULC
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Are you kidding me! I suspected from the first email from Mark Metcalf that we were gonna have fun, but wow! This time with Mark exceeded all my high hoped-for expectations.
The Maestro, The Master, yes, but for me, Mark has always been Neidermeyer. Even when he’s appearing in Ally McBeal, Hill Street Blues, One Life to Live, Oscar, Jag, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Seinfeld, Star Trek Voyager, Mad Men, that smug bad boy always shines through and makes me smile. Now, having met him, engaged with him, he's all of the above and so much more.
I must see him do Shakespeare. On stage. And watch, once again, his brilliant, Chilly Scenes of Winter. As well as the doc about him: The Appeal of Being Typecast by Hollywood | The New Yorker Documentary https://bit.ly/3xwSvbr
We talked Animal House, of course, lots on John Landis, Belushi, a great story about Donald Sutherland, how he got there, what he did once there, and the fun, the fun, the fun. Mark told great stories about Mike Nichols, Herbert Bergdorf, Uta Hagen, Jack Nicholson… I want more! We barely scratched the surface, not even touching Twisted Sister, Buffy, his restauranteur days… I honored my promise to cease after an hour, but have him back, we shall. He assured. I trust he is a gentleman of his word. What a lovely, fun, intelligent, thoughtful, accessible man. More soon. Promise.
Loved him before, adore him now more.
Mark Metcalf on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 4/13/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3uE49ix
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Yes, Cathy Ladman is a renowned standup comedian, won the American Comedy Award for Best Female Standup Comic, has made 9 appearances on The Tonight Show, 5 on the Late Late Show, has been featured on Modern Family, Curb, Everybody Loves Raymond, Pretty Little Liars, had a recurring role on Caroline in The City, appeared in The Aristocrats, Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead… to name just some… we talked of none of them. We took a deep dive into Cathy’s upcoming show, “Does This Show Make Me Look Fat,” and the impetus behind it. We discussed at great length about Cathy’s eating disorder, what sparked it, how it developed, and how her 36 years in recovery have served her. We talked my food obsession - always at the fore, always on a diet, including now, and what’s really going on with the eating for her, and me.
Then we got fun… her first love, too juicy and fabulous to drop here… how his meteoric career started (her suggestion) and how hers did too. Influences and heroes. How the roads appeared and were taken, and some of the peoples she met along the way.
It was a stupendous conversation wth a highly introspective, intelligent, creative, and hilarious woman I adore more and more as the years and our time together roll on.
Must see internet TV if you’re moved to feel and funny.
Catch Cathy’s, “Does This Show Make Me Look Fat,” June 3, 4 5, in Los Angeles. Info @ cathyladman.com soon after to be everywhere, I trust. What a talent, what a woman!
Cathy Ladman on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 4/6/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3KkbR78
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Vincent Pastore on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
I usually know our guests... it's always a little nerve-wracking to meet someone for the first time Live on the air. Before we even hit the interweb airwaves, I felt like I'd known Vinny forever and he was one of my dearest friends. That's a gift.
I still can't believe how much fun that was. It seemed with every sentence we were discovering another mutual friend. From Vin's rock n' roll daze, as the purveyor of the Crazy Horse, extra work, Law and Order, Goodfellas, Carlito's Way, scoring a major role opposite Alan Arkin in The Jerky Boys, Gotti, to the game changer, Big Pussy in The Sopranos… stories, stories, stories… James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli, Steve Schirripa (his cohorts in Conversations with the Sopranos - coming soon to a city near you), Tony Sirrico, Aida Turturro, Al Pacino, Robert Deniro, Cathy Moriarity, Armand Assanti, Tony Danza, Marilu Henner, theatre, his Broadway debut in Bullets Over Broadway (which I saw), Woody Allen, Chicago with Aida Turturro, teaching at HB Studios, studying with Bill Hickey (me too), Gangster Squad, his band, also coming soon to a venue near you, Celebrity Apprentice, One Life to Live, General Hospital, Birthday Cake with Paul Sorvino, streaming now (I’ll be watching tonight!), Spinning Gold, about Neil Bogart, and Don Q starring Armand Assante, both in the can, and his upcoming Gravesend, also starring Chazz Palminteri and Fran Drescher, there was what to talk about. Including real-life wiseguys, pizza, and stuff that goes south.
I had the best time. Still high, and I ain’t smoked in years. That makes one of us. I adore this man. He’ll be back!
Vincent Pastore on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 3/23/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3iui58f
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
John Waite on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Ridiculously talented, socially conscious, funny as hell, and easy on the eyes, the return of John Waite was well worth the waite. How I adore this man, artist, human. Damn, he's fun.
With the mid-April release of his upcoming EP, Anything, his rendition of the tragically timely again, Masters of War (contained within his brilliant cover design), dropping as a single today on all streaming services, except Spotify, his activism for Ukraine––The Babys, busting the charts with his #1, chart-topper, Missing You, Bad English, Alison Krauss, Ringo Starr, great stories with Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, Sheila E, Bowie, Stevie Wonder, humble beginnings, his heroes, getting sober, his art, writing, and being back out on the road and in life again––the hour and a half with this sharp-dressed man, flew by.
I'm still high, and I've been straight and sober for years. John's a worthy substance of choice, and boy does he have substance. I got a new drug and happy hangover.
John Waite on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Friday, 3/18/22, 2 pm PT, 5 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3CXH8d1
For all things John: JohnWaiteWorldwide.com
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
It just doesn't get better than this. Who knew that International Woman of Mystery, Frau Farbissina, Mindy Sterling, whom I met for a minute once, would in an hour, feel like my sister. That I like! Love! This was so much fun!
We harkened back to the beginning, her Catskill entertainer dad (like mine), school plays, playing Peep-Bo in The Mikado (me 2!) to community theatre (yup), moving to LA, from commercials to Improv (yes) to The Groundlings, where she met Mike Myers, to Austin Powers, her game/life changer to the third power. Such fun stories about the process, the accent, the screaming & Mike, iCarly, The Suite Life of Zach and Cody, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Grace and Frankie, inside with Jane and Lily, The Goldbergs— the scoop on Wendi McLendon-Covey, George Segal and Jeff Garlin. We talked memory, mommying, pandemicing, traveling, comic con’ing with no mask (what?!?), eating and binging, the other kind.
I could have talked all night, and still have laughed through more. I love this woman!
Mindy Sterling on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/9/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3vRp3Mk
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
I know of no one savvier about getting it done and moving forward than actor, director, inventor, innovator, mentor, treasured friend, and Golden Globe Nominee for Happy Days, Anson Williams. Anson's wisdom has been invaluable to me, and he shared loads of it with us. And, fantastic stories––how he created opportunities as a kid, and then with Garry Marshall, Ron Howard, Steven Speilberg, QVC, the IPs he’s developing now, and his lifesaving, Alert Drops, created with his 2nd cousin Henry Heimlich. Anson shared about the people who’ve shaped and inspired him, and a couple of examples of how he’s paid it forward––something he’s done all of his life and continues to do to this day, including wisdom for me––for us––shared here. Like, how to get off the couch and out of pandemic quicksand, the value of perceived failure, the three most important words (and why they are), and give what you want to get… these were just a few of the life tool gems Anson shared.
Anson leads by example, just yesterday he was awarded Best Director for Viral Vingenttes by the Crown Point International Film Festival. The film also won Best Narrative Feature and Best Ensemble. Along with Donny Most, Anson’s long-time best friend since Happy Days, Anson won The Best Acting Duo Award from the International Short Film Festival for Harvest Time, which he also directed. Anson never lets grass grow, he’s always got all the burners cooking.
Thanks to his not so gentle nudges, this show and I, continue to shift. I always hear Anson in my head nudging me forward. Today, thanks to the power of his example of mentorship, I tried something new, broke my routine, to shake things up and move forward. Oh, I still complained, but progress, not perfection.
I couldn’t love and adore this man, more. I’m inspired anew and trust you will be, too.
Anson Williams on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/2/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my FB Replay here: https://bit.ly/3tsuiz8
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
I reached out to Roslyn Kind to uplift and inspire. I knew she’d deliver, but at the time I didn’t know it’d be personal. I came into the conversation feeling weary and listless. Within minutes my energy and mood soared. What a positive, focused, bundle of joy, this gorgeous, talented, dynamo is.
Committed to her calling, as was revealed to her in a past life regression, Rozzie heals with her stunning voice, and her loving, kind, compassionate words.
Yes, we talked about her sister Barbara Streisand, their brother and mother, her nephew Jason Gould, Elliot Gould, her first album, cut as she was removing her high school graduation gown, her game-changing performance on Ed Sullivan, appearing on Broadway, and TV, her great work on The Nanny! But, we focused on her humanity, how’s she’s coping in this crazy world, politically, pandemically, nutritionally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Filled with hope, and committed to making a difference, Rozzie’s steadfast diligence and discipline for her own well-being make her quest to better the world seem… doable. She does it with her music––her cover of Laura Nyro’s Save The Country is a timely, sexy, urgent, call to action. https://bit.ly/3gU4aas, and by walking her talk, in ways big and small. On the world stage, and one to one. Since the broadcast, I’ve been bombarded with messages and emails of stories of Rozzie’s thoughtfulness. Random acts of kindness that no one else sees, which earn her nothing, except, a ticket to heaven, which she maintains can be right here on earth if we’d just love each other.
I love Rozzie. And, thanks to her fine example, I’m feeling more loving towards everyone. Except the idiot, and Putin, on that, we agree.
Rozzie is Brooklyn’s best chicken soup for the pandemic weary battered soul––warm, tasty, and guaranteed to make you feel better. Help yourself to an earful.
Roslyn Kind on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 2/16/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3gRUJIU
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
We only had David Bowie's Piano Man, Mike Garson, for 45 minutes, but boy did he make every second count. His stories, golden treasures, were matched by the mastery of his impromptu music.
I first saw Mike play on the Diamond Dogs Tour, where Bowie soared above the audience in a cherry picker to sing Space Oddity. Here, 47 years later, Mike told the tales of that tour (and Ziggy Stardust) with Mick Ronson, Luther Vandross, David Sanborn, Carlos Alomar, and bookended the show with an original Bowie Variation of said song––stunningly beautiful, soulful, and emotional. I’m still a bit teary.
From backing Mel Torme, Gregory Hines, and hundreds of singers in the Catskills starting at 14, studying with Herbie Hancock and Stan Getz amongst other jazz icons, to an 8-week gig with David Bowie that endured through 40 years, 150,000 hours of playing has sure paid off.
Mike’s classical training to the fore, he treated us to a few improvised gems weaved betwixt sensational stories––how he started, got the gig, played it differently every time with David’s blessing, how Aladdin Sane got so avant-garde and insane, playing with Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, composing with Trent Razor for film and TV, recent gigs with Duran Duran and Def Leopard to name but two, Mike’s Symphony Healing Suite, which evolves and continues, giving back what he’s learned––teaching––improv for one, a skill he says can be learned.
A most inspirational, educational, and enjoyable Game Cha-Cha-Changers, which left me wanting more. Luckily, Mike continues A Bowie Celebration (virtually through the pandemic) with other original band members. The rendition I saw at the Orpheum in 2019 was killer.
I sit here moved, missing David, grateful as hell for Mike.
Mike Garson on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 2/9/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3LnFqWg
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
When you’re writing with Ringo, lunching with Linda (McCartney), sharing royalties, and frolicking with the Friends, life doesn’t suck. Such is the earned, charmed life of Peabody and Emmy-winning television writer and producer, longtime Rolling Stone writer and editor, New York Times best-selling author, and prominent pop culture commentator, David Wild. When Dylan requests you, Prince plays privately for you, Van Morrison runs from then succumbs to you, life doesn’t suck.
David worked at Esquire straight outta Cornell, was hand-picked by Jann Wenner to be the editor, and then wrote countless stories for the cover of The Rolling Stone, segued to television, where David’s written and produced well over a hundred high profile TV specials including all of The Grammy Awards (since 2001), all of The CMA Awards (since 2002), as well as countless other award shows and network specials, including The Academy Awards, and The Emmy Awards, garnering nominations and an Emmy win hisself.
David’s written jokes for Jon Stewart, best-selling books with a Beatle, liner notes for The Stones, traveled with McCartney… the man has stories, and boy, does he know how to tell ‘em! We get a truckload of great ones.
Up thisclose and personal with pretty much every one of my musical heroes––add John Prine, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty to the heady mix… why is David Wild living my life? Cause he’s the multi-instrumentalist of writing–– he does it all, humbly, affably, albeit brilliantly.
A treasure trove of non-stop crazy fun for anyone who loves music and the people who make it, damn, I had a good time. I think I’ll play this one again.
David Wild on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 2/2/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3olHJPM
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
So what's 9 years between a star and a stalker? George Wendt was worth the wait and then some. It's been a rough week, a rough month, a rough two years... this time with George was the antidote to the heavy crap that's overshadowed seemingly everything. George was fun, hysterical, surprising, a little shocking, informative, self-effacing, entertaining, and a whole lot of other great adjectives.
For a man whose future was based on “What won’t I hate?” he sure made good for himself. 6 Emmy nominations, three starring roles on Broadway, innumerable screen and stage appearances from high Art, to schtick, George’s iconic, NORM! to his Chicago Super Fan, The Bears! George is cross-generationally cherished, and beloved. And, it’s deserved. What a damn delight.
Got the pandemic blues? Treat yourself to some “TV star who’s also just a regular guy.” One who had a 0.00 GPA at his dad’s alma mater, slept on the streets of some of the world’s most exotic cities, swept floors at Second City to becoming one of the most iconic characters of all time. There’s an 18:36 video on YouTube of just Norm’s hysterical entrances.
I sure am grateful for this, today. FUN!
George Wendt on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson TUESDAY, 1/25/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3FZXhhV
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Hot, hot, hot, and it t'weren't global warming. Actor, producer, singer, songwriter, Constantine Maroulis, who rocketed to stardom on American Idol (I met him in the green room at his first appearance on The Tonight Show that season), filled us in on the before, during, and after, even singing us a bit of his audition for Simon & company.
Always passionate, fun, and full of energy, Constantine gave us the skinny of growing up with a talented older brother (and sister), playing sports, doing theatre, and fronting a band, wanting and doing it all. Before Idol fame, he'd already gotten his Equity card and toured with Rent. Humble ending there led to the life-changing opportunity that he seized big time. Such great insights into the behind-the-scenes. His premature departure (placing 6th) was all part of his master plan in a way, he used being an underdog to his advantage anyway. In a big way.
Starring on Broadway in Rock of Ages and garnering a Tony Award, followed - as well as more Broadway, playing and recording rock, doing Tony-nominated work as a producer of Broadway’s revival of Deaf West's Spring Awakening, TV and independent feature appearances, he's got a new Broadway show he's working on, a new album, Until I'm Wanted (love Try), recorded during the pandemic, and he's out there performing and accessible. He's vaxxed, boosted, and thrilled to be out there.
For all things Constantine, his music and appearances: https://www.constantinemaroulis.com/
His beautiful, articulate daughter, Malena, joined us for a bit, a chip off the ol’ gorgeous and got-it-all block.
As he did the first time we sat down on my radio show 5 years ago, Constantine made me feel like an old friend. The conversation was warm, flowing, easy, and fun. Such a joy, this RockBoy, especially appreciated in this COVID crazy time. Both my thumbs, way up!
Constantine Maroulis on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 1/12/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3tosn0i
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Do not pass Go, do not collect $200, just hit play. Now. Please. Teen idol, Willie Aames, shares heart, romance, love, sensitivity, thoughtfulness, emotional intelligence, great ideas, humility, humanity, forgiveness, speaks of destiny, success, bottoming out, addiction, recovery, reinvention, study, diligence, persistence, getting everything, losing it all, rebuilding, and, in the end, winning… Winnie. One of the greatest love stories ever told, coupled with one of the most sobering tales of abuse and excess which took an overachiever and kicked him to the curb.
From TV screens at 9 - The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, The Odd Couple, Medical Center, hanging around soundstages with Lucille Ball and John Wayne, to co-starring on Family, Eight is Enough, Zapped. Paradise, Charles in Charge, to Bibleman, Willie had it all and then was suddenly uncastable. An injury led to Oxycotin which led to losing everything–– money, his marriage, children, his home… and how he rebuilt his life, studying, training, and becoming a financial investor, to cruise ship director, full circle back to writing, and acting, coupled with the destined love of his life—happier than he’s ever been. Winning with Winnie.
I loved every second of this time with Wille, there are so many takeaways. I’ll be listening to this again, and again, and will remain forever thankful to now count Willie Ames as a friend.
I’ll introduce ya.
Willie Ames on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 1/5/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3JNyMrF
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Powerfully empowering. Wow, did today pack a perfect pre-New Year punch. Emmy- nominated Dee Wallace, iconic mom in the iconic ET, author, teacher, dancer, and actress in film, television, and on stage, gave us the perfect pandemic prescription for jumpstarting 2022. As detailed in her just dropped spiritual bestseller, Born https://amzn.to/33XgjZ2, Dee chronicles how to give birth to a new you. A new me. And boy is the current me happy to hear it. Dee gave us the basic roadmap, and cited examples in her own life, in my life, and a couple of the viewers, as well. It was a life-changing Gamechangers. I've already put into play Dee's methodology and feel focused and empowered. I've been employing Dee's Self-Creation techniques for a decade or more, my resolve and discipline fade and then renew with each visit in Dee's great company. May I hang onto it this time. Born will reside on my night table to keep me there.
With over 250 screen credits to her name, including, The Howling, Cujo, 10, and most notably her starring role in E.T... I can’t NOT watch it when I see it’s on. Dee was more recently featured in the remake of Rob Zombie's Halloween. Her countless television credits include starring roles in over twenty Movies of the Week and four hit television series including, Sons and Daughters, Grey's Anatomy, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Ghost Whisperer, a recurring role on My Name is Earl, and the Amazon young adult hit, Just Add Magic. The woman has 9 projects in post-production as I write.
Dee's authored five books on the subject of self-creation: including Conscious Creation, and Bright Light. Her sixth, the above-mentioned, just dropped, Born, which expands the concepts of the Law of Attraction exponentially simplifying everything you think you know about the power of Self-Creation. It's a blueprint for progress.
In addition, Dee's releasing a BuppaLaPaloo & the I LOVE MEs the most powerful little bear on the planet - children's book. The lessons of BuppaLaPaloo books are centered on self-love, empowerment, choice, and action for children at the beginning stages of defining themselves, which define their lives. Oh had I had that then.
Dee conducts a live (call-in) internet radio show and offers monthly webinars on a variety of self-creation subjects. She conducts private sessions from her home, by phone. I'll be setting up an appt on Monday. Gonna start the new year focused on happiness, good health, and success. For more info, and to contact Dee https://iamdeewallace.com/ I for one, can't get enough. More cowbell. More Dee!
Dee Wallace on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/29/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3pBN7PB
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Third time is the charm! Twice scheduled to grace my living room pre-pandemic, what a Thanksgiving gift Academy Award and Golden Globe Winner, George Chakiris is. Perfectly timed. Ridiculously easy on the eyes, he defies the passage of time and is as gracefully humble in word and deed as he is gliding across a dance floor, or the streets of the barrio, as the case may be.
Forever, Bernardo, we dove into a multitude of his other films, from his first, singing with a boys choir opposite Katherine Hepburn in Song of Love, to background dancer alongside Marilyn Monroe, Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosalind Russell, and Cyd Charisse, to name but a few. Taking his first dance class at 19, he did over a dozen films almost immediately, and went from gypsy to starring in the London production of West Side Story, as… wait for it, Riff. George had not only never acted, he’d nary taken an acting class, and yet in short shrift, he was earning an Oscar, as Bernardo opposite Rita Moreno, in the winningest musical of all time, besting Montgomery Clift, Peter Falk, George C Scott, and Jackie Gleason. A multitude of dramatic films followed, starring opposite Yul Brenner, Charlton Heston, Gene Kelly, Richard Widmark, and Yvette Mimieux, which names but a few.
Fabulous stories about fabulous women, Judy Garland (genuis), Liza Minelli, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, Shirley Jones, Natalie Wood, Elaine Stritch, and a great one about Elvis.
As taken with all of the above as I think we’d be, George’s refreshing humility is a gentle kiss to Hollywood glitz and glamour. Speaking of glitz, George parlayed his talent from the silver screen to sterling silver Jewelry, featuring necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more. BLING! I was shocked to discover he not only designes the gorgeous pieces, he silversmiths them into reality. Perfect holiday gifts for that very special someone. You? I’ve got my eye on one or two. georgechakiris.com
I’m currently devouring George’s memoir, My West Side Story, with story upon story of the movie and all that is George Chakiris’s delicious life. https://amzn.to/30OeD36
These have been challenging days. Spending time with gorgeous George fills my gratitude jar to the rim. Just in time.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Please pardon the sound at the top of the show. Tech issues glitched the glitz.
George Chakiris on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 11/24/21, 6pm PT, 9pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3oVgkUl
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
What fun and gorgeousness! Time flew with two-time Emmy-nominated actress, Lee Purcell, and, world’s collided all over the place. It is a small world, after all.
From her runway days at three (I know!), Native American ancestry, multi-generational military mantle, to dancing, singing, regional TVing’, Lee went on to best 500 hopefuls, handpicked by Steve McQueen hisself (who mentored Lee in all things life, career & fitness––sweet surprise story there), to co-star with Kirk’s son, fairly green, Michael Douglas. Lee later co-starred with Kirk, and they’re not her only father/son dynasty co-stars. Not a bad place to start. Follow that teaming with Orson Welles, earning an Emmy nomination alongside Mark Harmon, and then another co-starring with Beau Bridges, and father Lloyd. In fact, Lee had lots of Bridges. Hysterical. Old friends with Jeff and his later girlfriend, Candy Clark, well, there are stories then and now, there, too. There’s Malcolm McDowell, Chadwick Bostwick, Jon Voight, a brand spanking new, Nicolas Cage, in Valley Girl (his first feature film), and that’s barely scratching the Lee Hollywood leading men, surface. The most guest-starring roles on Murder She Wrote, and loads of other TV appearances, cross-genres.
We talked fabulous friends, Donny Most, Anson Williams, Geri Jewell, Roslyn Kind, Joey Travolta, and his important inclusion film, Carol of the Bells, and the wondrous Donna Pescow––how we connected, and how those soul sisters found each other and just knew.
What a delightful, easy, breezy sit down with this stunning, age-defying beauty, who managed to manifest her dreams and continues to do so. Looking forward to her upcoming, Chocolate Is Not Better Than Sex. You’re telling me.
Lee Purcell on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 11/17/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streaming Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3oAG6gt
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
What a gift to be able to look iconic drummer Russell Kunkel in the virtual eye and say, thank you. A lifetime fan, I’ve seen and heard Russ play more times than I can begin to count. His beat literally weaves through the musical Tapestry of my life (see what I did there). Add to that, a sweet, gentlemanly, romantic soul, he's all that and a bag of sticks.
We started with The Immediate Family and came back around, full circle.
I honored the time promised (it's Russ's last night with his beautiful bride for a spell, so we kept it to a tight hour), and he kindly indulged a few personal questions about Leah Kunkle (Cass Elliot's sis), his kids, Nathaniel, Elsie, Owen, Carly Simon, Nicolette Larson, and how he met his beloved, Shauna. Love that Leland played a hand without a bass in it.
Of the almost uncountable iconic recordings and tours that Russ has played on, we started with John Stewart (Daydream Believer) of The Kingston Trio, where Russ claims to have been schooled by the talented consummate professional. And where he was discovered by Peter Asher, which for Russ was a game, and a life-changer. We talked James Taylor and Sweet Baby James, where Russ met Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, and Craig Dorge, soon to be known as The Section, Carole King and Tapestry, Jackson Browne and Running on Empty, Joni Mitchell and Blue, Waddy Wachtell and Warren Zevon, Stephen Stills and CSN&Y, Carly Simon, Stevie Nicks, getting a call from Asher to grab his gear and head to CBS, cor what turned into a 7 hour recorded jam with George Harrison and Bob Dylan, which led to playing on Dylan’s New Morning, a one-off with Barbara Streisand, a many off with Neil Diamond, of whom Russ has great affection and admiration and shared a lovely story, B.B. King with Carole King, 15 yrs with Lyle Lovett, the who, what, where, when and how of the making of The Immediate Family, adding MVP (according to Russ), Steve Postell, their EPs LP, Denny Tedesco’s much anticipated upcoming doc on them, joining Carole King as she was inducted into the Rock ’N Roll Hall of Fame, their current tour, about to east coast it, returning to the Canyon Club on Dec 19th where I hope to be front row center. Well, with my hip thing and the pandemic, more likely, an isolation booth with walker access.
With all the above, we barely scratched the Kunkle disc surface. And yet, I’m Russ sated. For now. Such a gifted talent, a gentlemanly humble soul, with a romantic spirit… ah… I think I need a cigarette.
I hope to approach life the way Russ does the drums… listening more and allowing for space.
Adore the man and all of his music.
Russ Kunkle on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 11/10/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3ocrofk
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Sometimes all that glitters is gold. Actress, dancer, philanthropist, pisser, Ruta Lee, is one bodacious, bawdy broad, absolutely gorgeous, inside and out.
This was not the time to be having a bad hair day and wardrobe issues. Sitting across the virtual desk from this stunner I felt like an ill-kempt man. I couldn’t take my eyes off the perfectly coiffed and made-up woman whose lipstick never lost its luster through an hour of conversation, whilst mine disappeared faster than Florence Griffith-Joyner at the starting gate. And yet, Ruta, at every turn, was warm, inclusive, and oh so kind to me. Literally giddy with her attention, I consider my ass well kissed.
And, what a conversation it ’twas! From her earliest days in Montreal with her adoring Lithuanian parents who sacrificed everything to get their Ruta to Hollywood. Dance lessons, acting classes, and live theatre swiftly led to teenage Ruta being featured on The Burns and Allen Show, The Adventures Superman, to starring in the Academy Award Nominated, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Ruta talked about Frank Sinatra and how he unknowingly led to her casting in Witness for the Prosecution, and then knowingly her starring role opposite him and the rest of the Rat Pack in Sergeants 3. Frank, Dean, Sammy, and Peter, oh my! We got stories! About meeting Marilyn, sitting across the table from Elizabeth Taylor (with whom she later co-starred in Sweet Bird of Youth), Milton Berle, and John Wayne. What a story that is! Meeting Debbie Reynolds with whom she shared 50 years of great friendship and philanthropy. The Thalians, a huge part of both of their lives which has changed more lives than can be counted. Playing charades with Lucy, getting Clint, being adored by George Burns, kissing more Hollywood stars than you can shake a stick at, and getting the reveal on who were two of her favorites. sigh
We talked Perry Mason, High Rollers, and Alex Trebeck, Match Game, Hollywood Squares, Johnny Carson, leaving us with a tear, yet we barely scratched the Ruta surface. There’s a promised Part 2 in both of our futures.
As soon as I mentioned her recently dropped memoir, Consider Your Ass Kissed, https://amzn.to/3mB2ZAy she hit it back to me, giving a nod to my, Don’t Jump. Generosity seeps from this woman’s pores. I can’t wait to dive into her juicy tome. What a life she’s lived and continues to savor, and wow, can this woman tell a tale.
I’ll be volunteering at the Ruta Lee fan club, devouring her book, jumping to schedule another sit-down, and, I hope sharing many more moments and belly laughs with this Hollywood glamour puss. Ruta Lee defies age and gravity. I’d kill to have what she’s having.
Ruta Lee Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 11/3/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/2ZPJACWv
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
It was a long time coming! After meeting Denny Tedesco at NAMM two years ago, having seen his unforgettable, moving, stellar film, The Wrecking Crew, I jumped. Scheduled BC (Before COVID), at long last, here we finally were.
Denny had completed most of the interviews (Carole King, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, and Linda Ronstadt to name but a few icons weighing in on The Section (Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkle, Waddy Wachtel, and Danny Kortchmar), for his upcoming doc on thier The Immediate Family (with relative youngin’ Steve Postel), as a sort of followup to his doc, The Wrecking Crew, when we met. He was heading to Sundance just before the pandemic hit. Undeterred by the inerminable shut down, Denny’s managing to complete the film, getting a masterfully produced iPhone self tape from Keith Richards, remote interviews with Stevie Nicks and Lyle Lovett, and sitting down, with caution and testing with the boys, themselves. How I can’t wait to see it! This collective has played on most of the soundtrack of my life. And I kinda love them all as musicans and peoples.
Denny discussed at length his father, famed session guitarist Tommy Tedesco, where he came from, and how he came to be perhaps the most recorded guitarist, ever. We did a deep dive into The Wrecking Crew, and why, when Tommy was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Denny quickly started filming his father, and the rest of the Crew.
Sweet side bar for me, Tommy was the guitarist with Happy Kyne And The Mirthmakers on Fernwood 2Night, at the top of my must see TV back in the day. Here, a taste of Tommy Tedesco as Tommy Marranuchi https://bit.ly/3GtPt9N ❤️
We talked about Denny starting out not as a musicain, but as a set director on the film Eating Raoul, producing at Comedy Channel and the 2000 Academy Awards with Billy Crystal and his current producing gig, the 2nd season of Hanging With Doctor Z, featuring Dana Gould, as Dr. Z, who interviews Jeff Garlin, Dave Foley, Bobcat Goldthwait, Patton Oswalt, Steven Webber, Will Forte, Penn Jillett, Maria Emily Bamford, Al Yankovic, Paget Brewster, Hank Azaria, to name some.
Denny gave a sneak peek into his next doc, something completely different… ponzi scam, anyone?
Warm, fun, and easy, with fabulous tales from the front and back, Denny was a total joy after a particulary rough day. This is gonna be my happy revisit for a long to come. Just thinking about it makes me smile. Broadly.
Denny Tedesco Live on Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/27/21/, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3jFQlOD
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for the best dressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
It was wonderful to sit down at last with multi-BMI Award-winning composer, conductor, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, Bennett Salvay. Scheduled to join me on March 11th, 2020, I chickened as he and wingman, Pete George, had very recently flown (and boy were their arms tired), and the COVID threat was ever-growing. Two days later we were in lockdown. Here, 19 months later we be. Some things, and people, are worth waiting for.
Bennett was working on the Linda Ronstadt doc, Linda and The Mockingbirds, with Jackson Browne, a follow-up doc to Linda Ronstadt: The Sound Of My Voice, which Bennett scored, which won the Critics Choice award for Best Music Documentary of 2019, when the crazy hit. We talked about the projects Bennett's completed during the pandemic, including a new feature, Bonded as well as various and sundry other projects. What makes it all so stunning is that he's doing all this, as well as playing, keys and golf, fishing, all after a nearly fatal accident which affected... well, no spoilers. Please watch. Bennett's resilience, courage, and gratitude saved the man, the music, the links, but has cost some fish their lives. And, is an inspiration almost beyond compare.
Playing keys, sax, and flute, Bennett began playing in his teens. His first professional gig was with Long John Baldry. Bennett had a hit with Bang Bang, but it was working for Garry Marshall that turned out to be the game-changer. At 21, Bennett was hired as a PA (translation:: gofer) for Garry Marshall's shows. Within months he was the music coordinator for Mork And Mindy, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, where he segued to composer. He jammed with Robin Williams, arranged a singing Anson Williams, and Lenny and the Squidtones, where as fate would have it he would meet guitarist, one day to become a close friend, and an Emmy-Winning composer himself, Snuffy Walden, who, after a string of smash hit sitcoms, including Full House, and Perfect Strangers, moved Bennett into hour-long drama with their collaborations on Friday Night Lights, Providence, and Early Edition, to name but three.
There were films to score, the Jeepers Creepers series, #1 at the box office, The Wolf of Wall Street, five James Keach docs to date, as well working with The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Rob Zombie, Motley Crue, and continues to work extensively with Cheap Trick.
Bennett Salvay has stories to spare, perseverance to admire, and talent out the wazoo. I'll be thinking twice about complaining and wimping out on anything, any time soon.
Bennett Salvay Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/20/21/, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here https://bit.ly/3nceg9u
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Stories! Man does my old pal, Kenny Aaronson, have them, and, he was in them when their monster hit, Brother Louie, was #1. I love rock ’n roll, and savored every word of Kenny’s incredible career from Dust with Marky Ramone, to his current gig with The Yardbirds, a 50-year dream come true. There’s so damn much betwixt and between and stories for all of it. How he got each gig, highlights, and how they came to a close. Playing with Hall & Oats before they hit huge, opening with them for Lou Reed, suing Tommy Motolla to get paid, that takes balls, but nearly as much as when Mick called and asked Kenny to audition for The Stones. Kenny’s interactions with Keith are… well, one for the book, and I heard it made Keith’s. Google was wrong about Hendrix but not about Ginger Baker, hanging with Cream, Beck, Rod Steward in ’68, amazing reminiscences. Playing with Leslie West, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Graham Parker, great until it was time to get paid, recording with George Harrison, Rick Derringer, opening monster concerts for Aerosmith, Foreigner, Boston, Frampton during Frampton Comes Alive. There was HSAS with Sammy Hagger, before Van Halen, Bob Dylan, for Christ’s sake, John Eddy with our pal, Louie Appel, to present day with The Yardbirds, his favorite band when he was a kid, full circle to being a years-long member. Steve Kimock has his attention and talents as well now. Back to less structured jamming days, like back where Kenny started. He’s diggin’ doing what he loves and at this stage leaving the rest.
There’s a damn good reason Kenny was named Bassist of The Year in ’88 by Rolling Stone. I’ve seen him slap that bass in many incarnations through the years––no one’s more fun to watch, or funks it out, better.
I love this man. It’s all about his bass, and his balls. So damn fun.
Kenny Aaronson Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/13/21/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3AEF5Ib
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
'Twas Doody, no shit! Barry Pearl, my fab new friend was such a delight, tonight. Grease is the word, and Barry’s got lots of ‘em. Great stories about Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Jeff Conaway. We talked his beginnings from tap class in Lancaster Pa to the original Bye Bye Birdie on Broadway at 11, and then Broadway’s Oliver with The Monkees Davy Jones, right after, where I saw him! I was but a little girl, my first Broadway show, literally life-changing. Great story about the cast on Ed Sullivan, with The Beatles. What! There was C.P.O. Sharkey, starring Don Rickles, a humbling story, also, life-changing, Barry’s this time. The National Tour of Grease before the movie, where Travolta played Doody and Barry, Sonny. We talked Days of Lives, and The New Love American Style, both recurring roles. Oliver again, Fiddler on the Roof, and the important work he’s doing this very day.
There were a few stump the geezers, where Barry and I searched for names of people and shows… kind of hysterical how that happens. With help, we got them all. Such fun. We came back to Broadway, The Producers, to TV’s Grease: Live, and the original cast’s just pre-pandemic appearances. So many great stories along the way with lots of overlap of people we both know.
Barry’s a mensch. A very talented one. One of a handful to survive Carnegie Mellon’s relentless cuts, he’s the real deal in his art and in his life. So happy to be getting to know him and to share this time with him with youes.
Barry Pearl Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/6/21/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3FnmrYW
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
What a treat to meet the artist behind more cross-genre iconic licks than I can count. Fellow Bronxite, Eddie Martinez, surrounded by platinum records, without a trace of a New York accent, was fun, whip-smart, thoughtful, articulate, inclusive, with stories to spare. Inspired by the Beatles, Hendrix, and Beck, Eddie started out when his neighbor, Nile Rogers, lead him to his first professional gig with Mother Night. Eddie took us through his time with LaBelle, game-changer, rocker, Nona Hendrix, Blondie, at the height of their heyday, cross-over to jazz with Lenny White and then Stanley Clarke and George Duke, She’s The Boss, with Mick Jagger, getting to play with Beck, and at Live Aid, Tina Turner, his years with Robert Palmer, so many gold nuggets there, Addicted to Love to Simply Irresistible, Run DMC (Guitar World ranked Eddie’s contribution to Rock Box Number One on its list of The Top Uses of Guitar in Hip Hop, David Lee Roth when he was it, with Crazy From The Heat. We talked his time with Joe Cocker, Lou Reed, meeting John Lennon and Yoko (playing with her), then Ringo, playing with Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, we would’ve needed hours to get through his complete discography.
Eddie’s solo album, Akosua, is a mind-blower. The cut, Majestic, with his killer vocals to match his thrilling guitar, is on heavy rotation in my kitchen. The LP is a masterful treat, available on iTunes and Amazon Music.
Loved every moment in Eddie’s good company. Heartfelt thanks to Carmine Rojas for introducing me to his old, my new, dear friend. Eddie Martinez is a rarity in rock, and in life––brilliantly talented, knowledgeable, sweet, gracious, gentleman. A gem.
Eddie Martinez Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/29/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/39OnrGT
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
James Lee Stanley is chicken soup for my pandemic weary soul. I’m talking Grandma Katz’s soup, the most flavorful, soothing, healing, and delicious. I was having a kinda funky day, an hour and a half in James’ good company… hearing his stories, listening and watching him play, was just what the doctor ordered.
There’s a reason this man has opened for everyone from Bonnie Raitt, Art Garfunkle, Bill Cosby (before we knew), Robin Williams, Dionne Warwick, and Robin Trower, to name just some. His 50+ years friendship and musical partnership with Peter Tork was covered from start to bottom when Peter was felled by rare cancer under his tongue. Shockingly, James survived his own bout of tongue cancer months later, when his beloved wife Evelina suggested an endoscopy, without cause. James recounted the discovery, cause, treatment, and his miraculous, speedy recovery to health, singing at a gig a mere few months post-surgery. He detailed the diet to boost his immune system and, from which he lost 35 pounds, and has kept it off for two years. That alone makes this worth the listen. But there’s so much more from this man who opened for Steven Wright for three years at the height of his fame, great story there, has released 35 albums, so many stories there, wrote a musical, appeared on Star Trek Deep Space 9 for five years, we didn’t even get to that.
James treated us to a haunting new one, Heart in Amber, nothing like hearing the origin of a song, Moonlight Ride, from his All Wood And Doors, and a Stanley classic, When Love Comes Knocking Around, which I can’t stop singing. Happens every time I hear it.
We talked about his upcoming album, All Wood And Led with Dan Navarro, and the Gary J. Katz (who made docs on Badfinger, Humble Pie, Steve Marriott, Manassas) documentary, The Extraordinary Journey of James Lee Stanley, making festival rounds currently and soon to drop.
The man could always play, sing and entertain the crap out of us, he’s looking and sounding better than ever. Looks like the year and half forced hiatus served in its fashion.
I feel so damn good in the wake of this time with James. Two thumbs and all other digits way up.
A treasured friend and a gem of an artist, you can find all of James’ music at JamesLeeStanley.com - I for one, after hearing him again want more, more, more.
James Lee Stanley Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/22/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/2Wa0yus
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Iffn' you missed the fabulousness that is Wendy Waldman - tada! So what if it took years - this was the perfect moment. On the eve of the high holy day, two Jewish girls being of service, as Wendy put it. Happy New Year! This was indeed a joyous celebration of life and art. What a glorious sit down with the singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, recording artist, Grammy nominee, and multi-platinum-selling hitmaker.
Our conversation ran the gamut from indigenous agriculture, early COVID, childhood influences, Taj Mahal, for one, Fred Steiner, her wildly successful composer father, early days in LA, waiting on line behind Jackson for her moment in the spotlight, getting an ovation, touring first as a solo, becoming We the youngest member of the Warner Bros. brain trust - a group of artists who were known for their innovative approaches to music. The pack included Maria Muldaur, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, Captain Beefheart, forming Bryndle with Karla Bonoff, Andrew Gold, and Kenny Edwards. Opening for Linda Ronstadt, moving to Nashville in the early days, how Fishing in the Dark came to be, and then Wendy played it. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Garth Brooks had huge hits with it, but there ain't nothing like hearing a song from its source.
Passionate, generous, thoughtful Wendy, acknowledged and praised pretty much every artist who’s crossed her path as a musician, songwriter, producer, human. She’s about collaboration in all that she does, and it shows in her vast body of work.
At my request, she sang her Wild Bird. Goosebumps. Wendy is one of those rare vocalists, like Laura Nyro (IMO), at the top of the top, who chills and thrills. And, she Saved The Best For Last, taking us out with her Grammy-nominated platinum hit for Vanessa Williams. Ain’t nothing like the real thing- the source of the creation.
I loved getting to know Wendy. Adore her even more now. I savored every second - thrilled to share this up close and personal with youes.
Wendy Waldman Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/15/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3990QVh
For all things Wendy:https://wendywaldman.com
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
So lovely, so chill, to sit down with actress, comedian, writer, activist, Mo Gaffney.
We talked about the recall... VOTE, please, Californians... the unimaginable in Texas, the 4 yr mess that's spilled all over us, COVID craziness, vaccines, the cost of the unvaccinated to all of us, work in the time of corona, binging food and TV, reading, writing, no arithmetic!
How it started at 4, it was always there... improv, The Kathy and Mo Show, San Diego to New York, Off-Broadway, Obie Awards, Ab Fab, Tracey Ullman, Mad About You (then and now), That 70s Show... motherhood, sobriety, to what's next.
A coupla white wominz sittin' around chattin'. Always stimulating, illuminating, and fun with Mo.
Mo Gaffney Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/8/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3E0GEmr
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
From forced piano lessons at 8 to adding multiple instruments through the years, including his voice, to studying with Dave Stroud (who's worked with Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Kelly Clarkson, for a few), Korel’s developed his own style of teaching voice, his great passion. He explained how it’s possible to teach pitch and harmonies, and says, yes, pretty much everyone can be taught to sing. He does so on Zoom. You can connect with him and find all things Korel here: koreltunador.com A devoted husband and father, more time coaching on screens (guitar as well) and less time touring suits him. The pandemic, in a way, supported his decision, made before COVID became a 4 letter word. As much as Korel loves playing, husbanding, parenting and teaching are his primary focuses. For now. He sure does love playing with Rob Thomas and the band he’s created. I sure do love sitting down with this funny, smart, sweet, versatile artist.
Korel treated us to two beauteous tunes, Total Surprise, which was a surprise choice, he said he hasn’t played it in years, and his Breaker. Simply gorgeous. Korel ain’t bad, neither.
Grateful for his friendship, Korel’s a loyal and generous friend. He’s played multiple times at Women Who Write, even venturing to Big Sur, to serenade us. I’ll be forever grateful to Zoe Moon, for connecting us. I adore the man. It was so fun to spend a coupla of hours in his great company, I forgot for the time I was alone in my home. Chicken soup for my pandemic weary soul.
Korel Tunador Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/1/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3jyVhWa
He's all about the bass. And, keys, who knew? Carmine Rojas has dug the groove on so much iconic music of our time. Not sure I've ever seen more gold and platinum records in one room.
I’ve been circling Carmine’s orbit since the streets of Bleecker and the Club of China. There were jams, loads of mutual friends, attempts to get him on this show, A Bowie Celebration show at his invitation, some Facebook messages, but this is the first time we’ve had an extended conversation in all these years. Now that we’ve chatted, it seems there were more than a few concerts we both attended a gazillion years ago growing up in NY, too.
A long time coming, Carmine was worth the wait. What a glorious and gracious human. We had a most animated conversation about his rock through his ages. He’s cross-genre’d all over the place, and we touched on much of it. Touched on, because, with a playlist like Carmine’s, long and deep (that’s what she said), it could take days.
We started with the kid from Brooklyn Heights, who picked up a bass at 13, self-taught to play and read, went from his teenage band to opening for The Who with LaBelle at 19. Not bad. We talked those early days, touring with Nona Hendrix, and then Europe with Nektar. Keyboards with Sam Moore, hello, to the wonder of stadium touring with Bowie. Does it get any better than that for a bassist from Brooklyn? Well, it sure stayed great. Amidst his years with the icon, there was a year touring with our friend, John Waite, at the height of it all, with Missing You, and Julian Lennon’s debut albums and tours, as bassist and Musical Director, landing for about 15 years doing the same double duty for Rod Stewart. How many rock icons does it take to screw in a lightbulb? I don’t know but I bet Carmine’s playing bass for them. Years with Joe Bonamassa on his rise to fame was next, to A Bowie Celebration which was so rudely interrupted by the pandemic.
Sprinkled throughout we got stories about playing with Keith, and Mick, separately. Dear Charlie, which did not include playing, but very cool nonetheless. Brushes with McCartney and Beck (first brush that is), also separately, which took our heroes’ breath away. Tina Turner, Ron Wood, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Herbie Hancock, lots of Nile Rogers, Peter Frampton, Steve Winwood, Carole King, Billy Gibbons, Peter Gabriel, Phil Ramone, Ian Hunter… damn! That’s just we what covered… there’s so much more. Hmmm… Part 2?
I had such a relaxed, fun, good time in Carmine’s most excellent company. He introduced us to his four best girls, gave us a look around, opening his studio, his mind, and his heart. I have great admiration and adoration. COVID cautious (he’s one of us!) I can’t wait for this to blow over and catch ABC’s next tour.
Days like today remind me how lucky I am to do what I do… almost as lucky as when I got to do it in person. Soonish again, for all of us, I hope.
Carmine Rojas Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/25/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3mvpCa1
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Some dreams really do come true. It may take 40+ years, but SO WHAT?!? Greg Mullavey, Greg Mullavey was worth the wait. A die-hard Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman fan, who missed nary a one of the 325 episodes, which in 1977, pre VCRs, and COVID, when I actually had a life and did stuff, required some effort and diehard devotion, spent today in fangirl heaven. Best part, Greg exceeded all of my very high expectations. Having heard how lovely he is, witnessing his grace first hand, his exemplary social conscience, his authenticity, warmth, thoughtfulness, intelligence, off-the-charts talent, and generosity of spirit moved me… more like blew me away.
We talked about Fernwood, of course. His audition with Louise Lasser, to being cast by creator Norman Lear and director, Joan Darling… Mary Kay Place, Dabney Coleman, Graham Jarvis, Dody Goodman, the genuine laughs and fun of it all. We circled back to growing up in Buffalo NY with his major league ballplaying father, Greg Mulleavy, a White and Red Sox, to coaching the Brooklyn and then LA Dodgers, playing baseball himself, only discovering theatre in the Army, where everything turned on a dime. Greg tells the tale with passion and flare. Starting out in theatre in NY, working his way to Hollywood, parts on Bonanza, and loads of other shows before landing as Tom Hartman, the career and life changer. Studying, always studying (still today), in-class with Nicholson, Hopper, and Harry Dean Stanton, meeting Meredith MacRae, their idyllic love story which played out off-screen and on. His father-in-law, Gordon MacRae, hot tubing with Jennifer Jones, working with Natalie Wood, Richard Burton, Mia Farrow, how approaches the work, and teaches it to others. Throughout Greg’s great storytelling he pulled out dialect after dialect, all delivered flawlessly, without effect. Such mastery of craft. I can’t wait to witness his return to the stage, post-pandemic. Out here auditioning, I sure hope he lands something worthy of his talents with lotsa meat. I wanna watch and savor. Greg’s acting is high art. So is his humanity.
Food for the COVID crazy soul, Greg shared his health regimens––supplements, nutrients, and meditation, to his thoughts on masking and vaxxing. He’s the whole package, brains, heart, soul, and talent out the wazoo.
For this fangirl, I’m floating over the rainbow tonight. Tom Hartman lives! More importantly, so does Greg Mullavey.
Greg Mullavey Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/18/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3AVl3K4
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
I knew I was about to be face-to-face with five-time Grammy Nominee, producer, composer, arranger, vocalist, and guitarist extraordinaire, Johnny Gale, for the first time in three-plus decades, when I was booking rock, and Johnny was playing it, back in the heady daze of the New York club scene. What I didn't know is that we actually met five decades ago. What?!? Earlier today, listening to an interview Johnny did recently, at the tail end, more than an hour and a half in, he mentioned his friend, Vinny Graffeo. I knew Johnny was from Queens. I lived in Queens. My boyfriend in 1970, Vinny Graffeo lived in Queens. Could there be another guitar/bass player at that time, in that place, with that name? I screen-shared some pics. Turns out no. We shared the same Vinny. Upon seeing the pics, Johnny recognized 15 year old me. What a way to kick off a conversation.
The fun didn’t stop. We talked the early days, the music he was listening to, his ascent to playing, the bands, the gigs, the players, from Vinny and Marty Miller (another crazy story) to Leslie West, Waddy Wachtel, Angel Rissoff, Gene Cornish, Phoebe Snow, Cyndi Lauper (he was her boyfriend), Ronnie Spector, Darlene Love, Elvis Costello, Ringo Starr, Little Steven, Aaron Carter (huh?), his own Gale Force (awarded Best Guitar Record of The Year by Guitar Shop Magazine, upon its release in ’94), to music directing and playing on Boardwalk Empire, Vinyl, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Irishman, to A Bronx Tale on Broadway.
We came full-circle back to Doo-Wop, the music which transfixed him as a kid, and has been one of his major gigs for the past 20 years, with Kenny Vance and The Planotones.
What an amazing and varied career Johnny’s fashioned, without once having a job/job or formally studying. He schooled and mastered his craft in the school of hard knocks, having plenty, alongside his many victories.
As easy to talk to as an old friend… he kinda is one. From Bayside to Bleecker Street, we’ve shared air, friends, music, and memories. Mourning the loss of the stupendous Mike Finnigan this day, and learning of the premature passing of childhood beau, Vinny, it was warm, fun, and comforting to be in Johnny’s great company. What a trip!
Please give his stupendous Daddy Long Legs a listen. https://bit.ly/3lWD4TS
Johnny Gale Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/11/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3iFPnSM
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Days don’t get much happier than spending them in Donny Most's good company. What fun this was!
Don ran the gamut from how he got to be Ralph Malph on Happy Days, not the role he auditioned for, turning it down, and getting a persuasive bump from Garry Marshall; backtracked to The Jolson Story and how it changed his life. His training and launch with a Borscht Belt revue, which crazily I saw, his sleepaway camp best friend who a few years later became my longtime boyfriend… more Happy Days––the show which became family, and a traveling softball team, his relationships with each of his costars, close encounters with his baseball hero, and his singing and acting idols; becoming a director, theatre, and finding his way back to his original passion, singing standards, recording Mostly Swinging and performing in venues around the map. In LA, you can catch Donny (I can’t help it!) at Catalina Jazz Club, on Saturday. August 14th. Stick around after the show for a warm, friendly, hello. I trust he’ll be happy to sign a CD, too. Not sure I know anyone nicer. Donny previewed his current and upcoming projects, 8 of them! What pandemic?!? From Pastor to Polygamist, the roles are widely varied. Lost Heart and MBF (aka Man’s Best Friend) are streaming now on Amazon.
Loved every minute with this wonderful human I adore. The conversation was as smooth as the songs he sings. Both my thumbs way up!
Don Most Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/28/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/377KpY8
Days don’t get much happier than spending them in Don Most’s good company. What fun this was!
Don ran the gamut from how he got to be Ralph Malph on Happy Days, not the role he auditioned for, turning it down, and getting a persuasive bump from Garry Marshall; backtracked to The Jolson Story and how it changed his life. His training and launch with a Borscht Belt revue, which crazily I saw, his sleepaway camp best friend who a few years later became my longtime boyfriend… more Happy Days––the show which became family, and a traveling softball team, his relationships with each of his costars, close encounters with his baseball hero, and his singing and acting idols; becoming a director, theatre, and finding his way back to his original passion, singing standards, recording Mostly Swinging and performing in venues around the map. In LA, you can catch Donny (I can’t help it!) at Catalina Jazz Club, on Saturday. August 14th. Stick around after the show for a warm, friendly, hello. I trust he’ll be happy to sign a CD, too. Not sure I know anyone nicer. Donny previewed his current and upcoming projects, 8 of them! What pandemic?!? From Pastor to Polygamist, the roles are widely varied. Lost Heart and MBF (aka Man’s Best Friend) are streaming now on Amazon.
Loved every minute with this wonderful human I adore. The conversation was as smooth as the songs he sings. Both my thumbs way up!
Don Most Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/28/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/377KpY8
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
What a delight going Live with actor, and friend, Michael Gross. A pro, he handled the intro whilst I dealt with FB frustrations. We touched ever so briefly on the pandemic, jumped into Michael’s humble beginnings in Chicago, as a lower middle class, parochial school-going alter boy, raised by a fair-minded before his time, father, and a fearless, creative, impromptu mother who inspired and gave permission to Michael and his younger, one day to be SNL success-story, Mary Gross. With a mid-western work ethic, a chance role in High School as the comic relief in Oklahoma at an all-girls school wetted Michael’s thespian tastes as well as his awareness of where the girls “are.” Pre-med, in a commuter college, he soon found his way to the stage, getting his MFA at Yale School of Drama, which led to three years in Louisville Rep, Regional Repertory, Yale Rep, before finding his way to NY, with dollars saved and the ability to say, “no.” Like to co-starring with Richard Gere in what would be his first Broadway play… or did he? Great story there. Great stories everywhere. Ali McGraw, Sidney Lumet, Cloris Leachman (A Girl Named Sooner), Woody Allen, John Carpenter, Sylvia Sidney, Jason Robards, Bette Davis, Angela Lansbury… how he got to Hollywood, Family Ties, his one day wife, Elza, who negotiated his first contract there for the other side, his next, on his side, and how that success led to his being able to say “no,” in Hollywood. There were loads of “yes’s,” Tremors! All 7 of ‘em, and the TV show, and why that appealed. We touched on Grace and Frankie, The Affair, and left a plethora of other outstanding work for another day.
I cajoled to get Michael, while on vacation with his bride in New Mexico, to agree to this chat. I’ll give him a week and let the Part 2 cajoling, I mean charming, commence.
Easy, humble, yet self-assured, crazy talented, exceedingly smart, forward-thinking, and fair-minded (both of his parents shining through him), it was mostly great entertainment and laugh-out-loud, fun.
I adore this man, and the fine human and artist he is. He brings as much authenticity to the conversation as he does to his work, and that’s saying something.
Michael Gross Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/21/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3iwFa9W
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Had a great time chatting and getting to know Mr. Squeeze, Phil Parlapiano. From the meaning of his name, and how he got his nickname, what he did over his pandemic staycation, his grandma's guidance, to his first keys, early influences, not The Beatles... at first, pre-teen gigs, touring with Joan Baez, his first big gig at 22, his deal at Geffen, John Prine, 9 years with JOHN PRINE, sigh, Elvis Costello, Jon Bon Jovi, Iron Butterfly, placing music and scoring film, and appearing on it (he's on the shortlist when they want accordionist)... Barry, Shameless, Titanic, sessions, and his ongoing current gig with Kiefer Sutherland, recording, and touring... the man's a multi-instrumentalist on multi-platforms. Talent. Smarts. And, oh so fun.
Phil took us out with his, The Road Is Not My Home. You can find Phil and his music at parlapiano.com and on iTunes and Spotify. He's FAB, on everything.
Phil Parlapiano Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/14/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3wEb2yo
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Sitting down with 24's Bill Buchanan, AKA, James Morrison, is like wrapping myself up in my softest, warmest, coolest, comfiest, cutest, silkiest pajamas, and settling in for an easy, breezy, fun, loving, memorable night.
I didn't know James when he graced the living room, and Women Who Write, not yet 7 years ago, since then he's become a cherished friend, and my appreciation of his talents and craft keeps growing exponentially.
We talked sobriety, recovery, family, grave illness, losing faith, spirituality, adjusting, life in Alaska, the Beatles, making music, finding theatre, ACT, apprenticing, repertory theatre, day jobs, New York, losing his mother, getting his first film gig, stripping to no music and silent applause, auditioning, the big break that was 24, more auditioning, loads of work, on stage and screen, partnering with his wife, Riad Galayini, co-directing and producing Showing Up, an unprecedented look at the audition, with some of our most accomplished working actors reflecting on the process and how it affects them. Nathan Lane, Sam Rockwell, Eli Wallach. Kristin Chenoweth… (uniquely brilliant, you can find it here http://www.showingupmovie.com).
James played his stupendous and insightful, I'm a Selfish Man, read Robert Burns poem, To A Mouse, in the superb Scottish he's been mastering during the pandemic, showed the piano he took up in recent months, shared how he patiently debates and sometimes alters opinion on The Twitter, and told the tale of his one-man show, Leave Your Fears Here, nudging this slacker to get with it, already and get back to creating.
James is divine inspiration––a multi-talented artist committed activist, adoring and devoted husband and father, and a generous and loving friend. I can't wait to see what he does next... and then sit down and chat about it.
James Morrison Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/7/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3wvllEY
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt Love using my Yeti X!
Chatting Live with long-time friend Eddie Ojeda of Twisted Sister was like going home... and after all these years I just discovered we're both Bronxites.
Loved chatting about the early years, the first guitar, being inspired by the Beatles, he was a Paul, a few years later, a thisclose encounter with John, SPX to Twisted Sister, the successes and the "if only." From clubs to stadiums, to wedding band and back again, ending the touring reign on top, once again headlining stadiums.
We talked Eddie's Twisted Hot Sauce, it's fab, you can get it here: twistedhotsauce.com, his appearance on Chopped, moving to Nashville to be close to his son and first grandchild, daring a flight west to walk his daughter down the aisle, losing the quarantine 15 (already, damn!) by eating healthy, less and earlier, and leaning into his passion for bike riding (as in bicycle - he once considered going pro), and, what he's binging, a surprising choice.
Looking young, fit, and fab, he's a goddamn inspiration. Forever grateful for his kindness and friendship.
Eddie Ojeda Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 6/30/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/367JqH3
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
@NIcole,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Steve Conte is a jumbo slice of Rock 'n Roll Heaven. We got treated to his latest single, Recovery Doll, a recent Coolest Song in the World on Little Steven's Underground Garage, the B side, Rock And Rye Queen, and, Gimme Rockaway, which was not only another Coolest Song in the World, it also placed in the top 5 for Coolest Song of the Year, on the heels of Ian Hunter, and The Monkees. He's in my top rock voices of all time.
Steve was chicken soup for the crazies soul, one of us, he shared how the Conte's have been faring these past 16 months- with creativity, caution, and grace, it appears.
We heard stories, his classic Chuck Berry, Tiny Tim, thanks, Postell, Paul Simon, Prince, David Clayton Thomas, Michael Monroe, David Johansen... starting out on drums, thanks to Ringo, with his brother John, on guitar, swapping to that, taking front and center, John on bass, backing their jazz singer mother, Rosemary... his first road gig, in Blood, Sweat & Tears, his own, Company of Wolves, Willy DeVille, The New York Dolls, to present tense with his upcoming videos, singles, and album, on Little Steven's Wicked Cool Records.
Always a treat to be in the company of this talented friend with lots of shared history. Such great fun!
Steve's music is available here: https://steveconte.bandcamp.com/music
And for all things Conte: http://stevecontenyc.com/site/
Steve Conte Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 6/23/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3wSt80q
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
It's been a long ride with singer/songwriter/producer, Steve Postell. We go back to Bleecker Street in the heady daze of the New York club scene. I was booking the Rock 'N Roll Café and Steve was fresh outta Pure Prairie League. I was RockStar struck. I booked him that day and have continued to for the past 30 + years wherever I went and whatever I did. When I had my book launch at The Federal it was Steve I went to. He put together the most kick-ass jam band, as he always does. Steve has the distinction of being the one musician who's played every single venue I've booked. How lucky am I?
We talked about Steve's early days as a kid being mesmerized by his mother's record collection and a guitarist in the park, knowing that was what he wanted to do. From lessons with his early mentor, Richard Nieves, who trained him on guitar, reading music, and singing simultaneously, to Mannes School of Music... playing Broadway, sessions, Pure Prairie League, his own record deal, Little Blue, producing with Steve Ferrone, and John Jones, Night Train Music Club, where he assembled the best of the best, to The Immediate Family, the culmination of his life's work, and dream come true.
There are great stories about Dylan, who inspired him, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, David Crosby... meeting Lee Sklar, then Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, and Waddy Wachtel... and how lightning struck.
This angelic voiced angel sang for us, played for us, including some slide guitar, and took us through the non-stop career of a successful working artist.
Real-time comments from past bandmate, Dan Hickey and current, Leland Sklar, made the whole deal that much more fun.
My heart is full. I loved every minute.
Steve Postell Live On Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 6/16/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/35s7Lqu
(This is Steve smiling)
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
SCORE! Pure joy! #DonnaPescow is, even more of a dream than I'd hoped. The woman is hysterical! #SaturdayNightFever #Angie #EvenStevens #OutOfThisWorld #GreatStories #Travolta #FUN #GameChangersWithVickiAbelson Replay here: https://bit.ly/3g9e5JH
It's such a joy when those I've adore and admire exceed expectations. Ka-ching! Donna Pescow is, even more, a dream than I'd hoped. The woman is hysterical! I loved the non-stop laughs, coupled with great showbiz stories, and thoughtful reflection of the work, and the people.
From Miss Sing at Sheepshead Bay HS to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, to a Best Supporting Actress Award by the New York Film Critics Circle, tearing up the dance floor and the silver screen alongside John Travolta in the iconic, Saturday Night Fever, to starring in Angie, garnering a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress and a People's Choice Award nomination; starring in Out of this World, being the first lesbian character portrayed on a soap opera with All My Children’s Dr. Carson in the 80s, to co-starring on Even Stevens, where she earned three Emmy nominations. There were loads of other roles on stage and screen, we talked The Love Boat, and Gavin, Trapper John, and Gregory Harrison, I forgot to ask about The Sopranos, merde! But we did dive deep into Saturday Night Fever, director John Badham, Travolta, acting alongside him, dancing with him, then and now, the car, the bridge, the obsession, the boobs, Karen Lynn Gorney, Joe Cali, Paul Pape, The Bee Gees, Andy Gibb… great stories about Garry Marshall, Robert Hayes, Garry Marshall, Burt Reynolds, Robert Hayes, finally playing Rizzo in Grease with Barry Williams, Belinda Carlisle, and Casey Kasem, her longtime husband, Arnold, dieting, COVID, working again, dining again, and being downright adorable!
Loved every moment, and hope this is the beginning of more, more Donna onscreen, and in life. What a joy! She was worth the years wait, and then some!
Donna Pescow Live On Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 6/9/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3g9e5JH
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Fantastically fabulous time with two-time Emmy Award Winner (for those amazing Billy Crystal Academy Award shows which he talks about), Robert Wuhl, actor, writer, producer, director, perhaps best known as the creator and star of HBO's long-running series, Arli$$, talked about the creative freedom the show afforded him to delve into topics which intrigued him, way before their time, why he cast Sandra Oh, how he came to sing Volare as Newbomb Turkin The Hollywood Knights, starting out in stand up, coming up with Seinfeld, Larry David, Paul Reiser, selling jokes to Dangerfield right outta the gate, Madonna, Flashdance, and what a difference one line can make, Good Morning Vietnam, Robin Williams, Bull Durham, Kevin Costner, great stories about how Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, not first choices got their parts, how his iconic line at the mound was borne, Tim Burton's Batman, Michael Keaton, Nicholson, more great stories, Paul Newman, Blaze, Paul's favorite joke, working with DeNiro, opening for Estelle Reiner... stories, stories stories, one better than the next. It was an absolute delight, as it always is in Robert's good company. From dogs, Paris, to food in the pandemic... I loved every moment, so enjoyed the laughs. I needed the eggs.
Robert Wuhl Live Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 6/1/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3fKKC91
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Unmasked! Post-apocalyptic pandemic blues in Eb may have started and ended the show (with Tristan Cappel), but it was joy, joy, joy, with bass boy, Leland Sklar, my first face-to-face guest since a year ago February. What a great segue back to a semblance of normalcy. It felt so right, so dyn-o-mite. Sorry.
We jumped into the book, Everybody Loves Me, an idea without a plan a mere 15 months ago, now seen pretty much 'round the world, in spite of the shutdowns. My copy now adorns my coffee table, almost in its entirety. It's a massive collection of Lee's signature, people flipping him off––celebrities, musicians, sports heroes, and regular folk like me. Lee showed and told a passel of fab stories surrounding some of the pics, from The Highwaymen (Willie, Merle - another great story on him, and Kris), to Steven Tyler, Sean Penn, Art Garfunkel, Jay Leno, Allee Willis ❤️, his parents, a nun, three winos, Kevin Bacon, on and on, oh yeah, Stephen Bishop... to one pic which didn't make the cut, but there's another great story there.
We talked career... from start to present, from small clubs as a kid to James Taylor, before he was a thing, who coined the name, The Section, of Lee, Kootch, and Kunkel, Carole King, from band keyboardist to superstar, Linda Ronstadt, Phil Collins, Bernie Williams, Lyle Lovette, The Tonight Show more times than he can count, Jim Nabors, Lawrence Welk, Paul Williams, Peter Asher, Leave it to Beaver, The Wrecking Crew, and The immediate Family... how it began, where it is and where it's going. Danny Tenesco's upcoming doc, a new video about to drop, the album in the fall, new music being recorded at Jackson Browne's Studio, tours being planned west and east... and baby steps back to living.
This live in the living room was momentous for many reasons, prime among them, eyeball to eyeball, hugs aplenty, Tristan got to jam with the master, I got a special delivery on my book (you can get yours here: LelandSklarsBeard.com), I got to hear live music being played… Live, and, I got to hang with a beloved friend and share it with Samantha and her beau. Still in the afterglow. And, what a show!
Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, May 12th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on The Facebook Replay link: https://bit.ly/3vX4PNO
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Thanks to Rick Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
I like the comedy with my Rock 'n Roll. Hall of Fame'r Ricky Byrd, delivers brilliantly on both counts. Great stories of his heroes in both worlds. Watching them as a kid on Ed Sullivan, to sharing jokes and cokes at The Pines Hotel coffee shop with Freddie Roman, Dick Capri, and Mal Z Lawrence, to sharing a stage with Stevie Wonder, Joe Walsh, Billie Joe Armstrong, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr, all at the same time. Full circle.
I met Ricky Byrd back in the daze… when we were both in a daze… I was booking the Rock’ N Roll Café on Bleecker Street. Ricky was already a rockstar, center stage lead guitarist with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, playing those iconic riffs in the great MTV Music Video Days. Ricky has recorded, toured, and/or has performed with Roger Daltrey, Ian Hunter, Southside Johnny, Mavis Staples, Brian Wilson, Alice Cooper, Paul Shaffer, Smokey Robinson, and so many others, but we got stories about the above mentioned. As we did about Don Rickles, Frank Gorshen, Ron Wood, Keith Richards, Peter O'Toole, My Favorite Year, Hurricane Sandy, Robert Plant, getting sober, recovery, recovery music groups, recovery coaching, and counseling, creating and making music which supports the cause, and, rocks like hell. Following his solo albums, Lifer and Clean Getaway, his Sobering Times just dropped wide and has already garnered two hits on Little Steven's Underground Garage and one Coolest Song in The World. To get a signed copy of the CD and some Byrd swag and for all things Ricky https://www.rickybyrd.com/
In 2017, he received the Drug-Free Heroes Award, the Faces, and Voices 2019 Voice of Recovery Award, and the 2019 Italian American of Distinction Award, presented by Governor Cuomo. So very proud of this rockin' pal.
Basically an old Borscht Belt Jew at heart, this RockBoy is all about making music, helping people get sober, reading Dorothy Parker, laughing at Phil Rosenthal, and Entenmann's chocolate anything.
As a sober woman in recovery, Ricky’s plight, his passion, his stories, and his hair, are close to my heart. We now party like it’s 1869. My kinda fun.
Ricky Byrd on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 5/5/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3tp6PwT
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Candy Clark, part deux, looking fab as always, adding some much appreciated Hollywood glamour for the pandemic weary.
We got Candy's take on Sunday's Academy Awards, and her three trips down the red carpet, her first an unknown in the nosebleeds with binoculars, then with her beau, Jeff Bridges (see what I did there), when he was nominated for The Last Picture Show, and then he with her when she was nominated for American Graffiti.
We got the naked skinny on Bowie, as The Man Who Fell to Earth, Candy and he over and under the covers, and his later sweet surprise, Jeff Beck shaking and fanning to meet her, and their subsequent friendship, he likes her, he really likes her. We talked George Lucas, and Candy's tenacity to land that role, her Oscar campaign, and getting the uncut Bowie classic restored and out there. The woman determined gumption. We got some David Lynch, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marjoe Gortner, Angelina Jolie, and George Clooney. All great reminders of what once was and will be again.
A burger outdoors at the Smokehouse awaits... can't wait till it's screenings and soirees with our fab friend.
Candy Clark on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 4./28/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: ]https://bit.ly/3vmXZ3S
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Regardless of the innumerable technical challenges, this was one of my favorite shows in 4 yrs. Comedian, @RitchShydner is affable, warm, hysterically funny, evolved, intelligent & downright entertaining as fuck. #GameChangersWithVickiAbelson Replay: https://bit.ly/3tIukSi
Grateful! Regardless of the innumerable technical challenges with the new Zoom interface, presenting to Only Me on the Facebook, thrice, despite being posted Public, the absence of notifications, the ridiculous beginning when we did finally just go for it anyway, this was one of my favorite shows in 4 yrs. Comedian, Ritch Shydner is affable, warm, hysterically funny, evolved, intelligent, and downright entertaining as (I'll take Seinfeld's advice and not go blue) all get out (ugh). Ritch exceeded all expectations, and, knowing him, mine were high. BAM! He took the stresses of the day and washed them the fuck away. Ooops.
We talked love and marriage, third time's the charm, addiction alcoholism, sugar blues, using the funny to cope, sitting down to law school, standing up, for the life he loves. Art Carney, Red Skelton. Robert Klein, George Carlin,.Richard Pryor, Carson, Leno, beforementioned Seinfeld, came up a deserving lot, Larry David Larry Miller. Bill Maher, Carol Liefer, Kathleen Wilhoite, Paul Reiser, Jeff Foxworthy, Roseanne, Don Rickles, Rodney Dangerfield, Sam Kinison, Bob Nelson, The Ramones, Married With Children, The Idolmaker, I Killed, Kicking the Ashes (or Holes if you’re a lame host), and Artemus Ward, the first standup comic, and his wife, the first American sex symbol. Fun, all!
I can think of no better cure for the pandemic blues… hours later I’m still high, and I’m sober. Ritch is happy sauce, no sugar, no guilt, no booze.
All of my thumbs WAY up.
Ritch Shydner on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 4/21/21, 5 pm PT/8 pm ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3tIukSi
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Forgetaboutit! I thought I was going to be sitting down with one of the most prolific drummers to ever pick up sticks... yeah, there's that, there's also wisdom out the wazoo. I'm talking mind, body. spirit, health. Kenny Aronoff shared strategies for living, working, solutions, tools, suggestions. Wow. This here is packed with passionate guidance. We did get to his career. The players, the stories! Wow, x 2. The kicker, he's easy, entertaining, and fun! I want Kenny to be my life coach. Under his tutelage and example, I can imagine what would be doable. Guessing I'd lose the weight, get buff, publish a few books, finish my screenplay, sell it, get on a legit platform, and make some coin. Oh, Kenny... this guy's on fire, 18 hours a day, seven days a week. I want his focus.
We got Kenny's 8 Steps to Healthy Living, his 3 Cs, his 3 As to stay relevant... and then we got to the music. Where he started, why and how, John Cougar, John Fogerty, McCartney, Ringo, Jagger, The Stones, Sting, Joe Walsh, Elton John, BB King, Steve Lukather, Don Was, Tom Hanks, Don Henley, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Kennedy Center Honors... one story better than the next.
Kenny managed to bring his skill to the mix without a stick or a kit. Thrilling.
This is rich, deep, and somehow, after two-plus hours, left me wanting more. He'll be back!
Kenny Aronoff on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 4/14/21, 5 pm PT/8 pm ET Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3acrQEc
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
comedian, Mike Rowe on the show.
We have two degrees all over the place and yet our lives had barely intersected. I wanted to know everything about this funny, successful man who's worked steadily and passionately doing what he loves throughout his life to the present. Mike's got two shows currently running on Netflix, The Trailer Park Boys, where he was nominated for two Gemini Awards, and Paradise PD, which is in its 3rd season. Futurama's available on Hulu. How many writers/producers have all that going on at once when there isn't a pandemic.
We talked early discovery of the funny, the comedians who influenced him... gigging at NASA and almost choosing that, doing sometimes a dozen standup sets in a night up and down New York's Upper West Side back in the heyday, hysterical young Larry David stuff, he did a great Dangerfield, with a surprise ending, a heart-warming Henny Youngman story, shifting gears to sitcom writing, a funny early George Clooney incident, a crappy Kenny G tale, happy days on Coach, not so much on Becker and 2 Broke Girls, segueing into animated TV, Matt Groening making him the cool dad, Futurama making everything possible, digging in and digging it all up for his wonderfully written, heartfelt, exceedingly entertaining memoir, A Funny Thing: How The Professional; Comedy Business Made Me Fat and Bald. https://amzn.to/3fS5Guz I'm loving it! Two well-drawn thumbs up for it and for Mike Rowe.
Mike Rowe on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 4/7/21, 5 pm PT/8 pm ET Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3cYP6Hx
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
It's been a long time coming, and it'll be a long time not gone. Sitting down (and standing up) with long-time friend, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, arranger, vocalist, and NY Blues Hall Of Famer, Jeff Pevar, was worth waiting for. Amazing stories spanning the whole of his illustrious career. Paul McCartney Beatles inspired, with a sweet story that goes full circle, from Michael Ruff who launched him with Rickie Lee Jones, Ray Charles, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Joe Cocker, Crosby & Nash, to CSN to CPR, Bette Midler, Laura Nyro, Carly Simon. Loggins & Messina, another sweet full-circle story, to soul brothers and creative partners, Steve Postell and Danny Kortchmar. Jeff played a couple written with David Crosby and caught us up to current events, his first solo album, From the Core to the Anthem, his five-song EP with his wife and love, Inger Nova Jorgensen.
We talked zen and the art of rock ’n roll maintenance. Jeff’s a spectacular example of seizing opportunity and running with it. It was a lovely, fun, oft funny, inspiring conversation, loaded with gems. A great way to shake off the pandemic blues.
Jeff's info: www.pevar.com Live Stream archive: newbohemialive.com Inger’s art: ingernovajorgensen.com
Jeff Pevar on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/24/21, 5 pm PT/8 pm ET Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/31jgQzU
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Lisa Lynn and LynFit Nutrition
A special day🍀, with a special person 🕶, in a special place 🇫🇷, warranted a special time 🕜. Funny, fab, and the furthest thing from faux, Grammy-winning bassist, Will Lee, took us through his stellar, illustrious and industrious, career… growing up in Texas with musical parents, transformed forever upon seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, who changed, and in part, made, and make his life. From drummer at 12 , giggin’ for $6, trumpet, french horn to bass, landing his first major gig with his dream, Dreams––alongside the Brecker Brothers and Billy Cobham… to his snowballing session sensational career… playing with Bette Midler and her musical director, Barry Manilow, before he made the young girls cry, playing with Carly Simon. Chaka Khan, Barbara Streisand, the late, great, Hiram Bullock, and, alongside Paul Schaffer, from the very first Late Night with David Letterman, to the very last Last Show… and, in time, playing with all four Beatles, whilst co-creating the definitive Beatles band,The Fab Faux. And so much more in between, and continuing.
We talked COVID, of course, he’s been there, done there, and is living cautiously with his bride, Sandrine, and mother-in-law, in the south of France. Writing, recording, sharing suppers and game shows, his pandemic life, blessed. Will’s talent, perseverance, warmth, and humility made it like sitting down with an old friend. Right.
Chill as smooth jazz, deep as gospel soul, as fun as rock ’n roll, It was, he is, très magnifique!
More on Will can be found at www.willlee.com
Will Lee Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/17/21, 1:30 pm PT Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/30UfD1O
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks, Toni Vincent for compositing my screen shots.
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Lisa Lynn and LynFit Nutrition by Lisa Lynn
Sitting down with actor, writer, director, historian, Marine, sweetheart, great friend, Jim Beaver, is always a treat, today perhaps even more so... reunited with a treasured, entertaining friend, what better way to spend a pandemic evening?
We started there, how Jim, Sara, and Maddie have been managing this past year... more COVID careful than crazy, but certainly still, Sympatico.
We got into life... and work... from education and early career goals, complete with some hysterical self-realizations, enlisting in the Marines out of spite, some more self -realization hysteria there, early jobs, more fun.... for us, writing, early literary and then TV success, and then, opportunity meeting preparedness and his acting break, his long-held dream, with Norman Jewison and Bruce Willis. Lots of work and then the career game-changer, Deadwood, to the life-changer, Supernatural.Highlights from Dexter, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul, his decades-long quest to tell the definitive story of Superman, George Reeves, and the three roles he's keen to conquer.
Antidote for the pandemic weary... this thing right here.
Jim Beaver on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/10/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/38wK0zM
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Lisa Lynn and LynFit Nutrition by Lisa Lynn
What better way to celebrate vaccine efficacy than with old friend, hysterical, thoughtful whip-smart, actor/comedian, Eddie Pepitone. I spent the afternoon watching his latest comedy special, For the Masses, available on Amazon Prime, which the New York Times called the funniest stand-up special of 2020––no argument here. When was the last time I continuously laughed out loudly during this damn pandemic? Eddie and I went there––from current non-shopping practices, a life-threatening excursion to procure organic grapes, ripe for the freezing, his bubble of two, virtual standup sans live audience for a year, a couple of TV shoots with lots of testing... the creepy agoraphobia threatening to cripple many of us if we don't get back in the world soon, and his vaccine envy. "LA is up to mimes. Ventriloquists are next, and then comics."
Eddie took us on his journey from a pretty serious childhood to the discovery of his funny. Not your set-up punchline comic, Eddie made his way through the underground clubs, honing his unique to one, persona. Him. Ranting, authentic and raw. There were day jobs, "I worked in more restaurants than I ate in," for years before his break came with regular appearances on Conan, as the heckler, a character which has become his iconic trademark. He's been the subject of an award-winning documentary, The Bitter Buddha, appeared in innumerable sitcoms and comedy shows has had occasional stints on TV dramas, of which he hopes for more, and has appeared across the globe hitting the stage and being Eddie.
Eddie will be cyber headlining The Nowhere Comedy Club on March 24th. Grab your tickets here: http://bit.ly/2PBbrlr - for other things Eddie: eddiepepitone.com
It was such a sweet way to spend a COVID weary evening. I feel happy, sated, and grateful. What's better than a smart and funny human... one who isn't a pedophile. We talked Woody, too.
Eddie Pepitone on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/3/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/2O2Kg2n
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Lisa Lynn and LynFit Nutrition by Lisa Lynn
Peter Onorati, how I adore thee... let me count the ways... amazing actor, great storyteller, sweetest of humans... loved every moment in his good company.
It was a challenging race to show time post last-minute tech issues - all over the place - but once we went Live there was no way not to sit back and enjoy this wonderful conversation from Peter’s wild fabulous family from Naples to New Jersey. Not only the stories but Peter enacting them out for us. His grandfather (and DeNiro) my favorites. Early days in the real deal football and wrestling, to an MBA and a serious corporate gig, never imagining himself an actor, to how he landed there, met his bride, thrived, first on Kate & Allie in New York, Goodfellas, where he charmed Scorses to win the part, DeNiro, Liotta, making his way to LA, where commercials led to Cop Rock, an iconic gem, way before its time, starring in Civil Wars, Murder One, guest spots, guest spots, everywhere, perhaps most famously in Sex & The City, getting black-listed, working with Pacino, S.W.A.T., Mom and This is Us, all in the pandemic… raising three great sons, his marriage a loving success, improv, writing, cigars, and fitness… but it’s his grandfather… that’s the story which KILLS me.
It was an intense day, Dodger Stadium in the early AM for my 2nd shot, concern of possible side effects which might impact the show, alarms gone wild in my house for ab hour requiring outside help (Bring on the Lysol), Peter’s computer saying no, moments before the Live… all forgotten in an instant. I still bask in the fun.
Can think of no better way to warm ones’ heart and soul on this chilly winters night.
Peter Onorati on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 2/17/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3s1p7Uy
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Lisa Lynn of LynFit Nutrition by Lisa Lynn
So fun. So easy. Loved it. Love him. Fantastical post-impeachment trial much-needed joy with Emmy Winner, Tom Bergeron. How I adore this man. The long-time host of Dancing With The Stars told us what happened. I haven't watched since, you? The first man to grace Women Who Write in its inaugural year, where he read aloud from his just stopping, I'm Hosting as Fast I Can, for the first time, we had another cherry- breaking––Tom read from Drive Time, his new book in progress. As with everything Tom, it's funny and wonderful.
We talked about some favorite people and favorite moments, Carl Reiner, Dick Van Dyke, Cloris Leachman, Florence Henderson, Howard Stern, Peter Marshall... career highlights from DJing at 17 to daytime TV, Hollywood Squares, winning Emmys, Candy Jar with Helen Hunt on Netflix, a dark turn in the short, The Messenger, and what he hopes for his future.
Sitting down with Tom is visiting with an old cherished friend - the funny one! Was I ready for some of that in the middle of all this.
Tom Bergeron on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 2/10/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/3qcbMYW
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables, of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Lisa Lynn of LynFit Nutrition by Lisa Lynn
I’ve been a candy fan all my life, I’ve been a Candy Clark fan almost as long. Her Academy Award Nominated performance as Debbie Dunham in American Graffiti is unforgettable.
We started with a few tech issues. It was worth the little time and frustration for the great stories and fun which followed.
We talked vaccines, pandemic protocols, adjusted living, shopping, eating, to making new friends in th midst of it. Candy's got her neighbors, I've got the COVID crazies.
We touched on the lunacy but focused on hope.
Candy walked us through her humble beginnings in Texas, where her life’s ambition was to be a secretary/ receptionist. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Modeling brought her to NY for a visit. Before touching down she decided to stay. With $40 in her pocket, she made it work. Her acting career began with director John Houston, opposite Stacy Keach and Jeff Bridges, who became her live-in boyfriend. All while she was insisting, “I just want to be an extra!” Words no one else has said, ever.
There’s the whole American Graffiti story––she told us all about it, from audition to shoot, to Oscar nomination, to the red carpet with her beau Jeff, to the reading of her category. Fab!
We started to talk about Bowie and The Man Who Fell To Earth, but we'd been yakking a good while, and Candy wisely decided to save it for next time. So.... stay tuned for Part 2.
Candy's one of my favorite people to run around with… been missing her muchly. It was so great to see her GORGEOUSNESS and ketchup.
Such fun in the time of corona. Sans the beer.
Candy Clark on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 2/3/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/2YHx1G3
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj YouTube https://bit.ly/36G906C
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Lisa Lynn of LynFit Nutrition by Lisa Lynn
Sensational storytelling from actor, activist, veteran, sober, surfer, husband, father, grandpa, success story on celluloid and in life, Gregory Harrison. And, the whole gorgeousness thing.
We talked his Catalina upbringing, playing baseball and the guitar. A medic during the Vietnam War, stationed in Germany, he set a precedent as the first non-religious conscientious objector. A medic, he set the stage for Trapper John MD, which launched him to stardom. We touched on Logan's Run, Sisters, Henry Jaglom's The M Word, where we met, his Broadway debut in Steel Pier, his just before the pandemic stage turn starring in The Lion in Winter, his current first soap spin in General Hospital, and why it took him so long. Returning to work on 9-1-1, after 8 months of stay-at-home like a good COVID crazy, new hope, and good sleep with the new president. As fabulous as all of that was to hear, it's Gregory's telling of meeting his wife of 40 years on Battle of The Network Stars, the sexy start, to his cocaine-fueled bottom, and what brought him there, to getting sober at Betty Ford and finding his worst nightmare unfold before his eyes. And ours. 34 years sober, his humility, honesty, and self-awareness lead to one of the best "shares" I've yet to hear.
Grace, gratitude, inspiration, and fun were served up in heaping portions. Like a great meal, I leave happy, sated, and wanting more.
Easy on the eyes, heart, and soul, I adore this man.
Gregory Harrison on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Thurs, 1/27/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/3qVQT4i
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and @kevin Kevin Walt
Lisa Lynn of LynFit Nutrition by Lisa Lynn - helping people and me, look and feel better... and thinner!
This was one of the greatest shows I've had the privilege to present, in a heavily stacked pack of fabulous. I can't believe how much fun I had with Eliza and Eric Roberts. Even though we opened talking about the pandemic, and the idiot's response to today's Impeachment, the terrorism at his hand, and the threat of next week's violence, once we moved past the weighty issues of the day, we eased into a nothing short of glorious conversation. This couple so love, revere, and enjoy each other, and the load of work they do, even in the midst of this craziness. Eric has 56 projects currently filming, in pre or post-production, procured by miraculous Eliza, who also oft co-stars, handles tech, teaches actors, and steers Keaton Simons' her uber-talented sons' career. I'm exhausted thinking about it all, they live it daily, on top of being stellar humanists who stand-up for worthy cause upon worthy cause and help launch young, up and coming talent. They're a one-of-a-kind, spectacular couple.
We got the story behind Another World, King of the Gypsies, Star 80, Bob Fosse, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Mickey Rourke, Runaway Train, Jon Voight, The Dark Knight, Dr. Who and Stalked By My Doctor. Eliza, actress, casting director, teacher, manager, took us through her wildly successful showbiz family, All in The Family, Animal House, how these two lovebirds met and forged an empire of successes with kindness, compassion, and grace.
It was great to laugh, learn, and be inspired. I adore these two, and always love their good company. Tonight, it was an anti-corona elixir. Wanna smile, a lot... watch!
Eliza and Eric Roberts on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 1/13/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/2XAtTv8
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Lisa Lynn of LynFit Nutrition by Lisa Lynn
We went back in for more. Had such a spectacular time with iconic dynamo, Waddy Wachtel, Zoom couldn't handle the energy and booted us off... we came back and had Waddy two times, and it wasn't enough. As promised, here he's back for Part 3... stories, stories, more stories, with this artist whose music's scored our lives.
From a career which has spanned decades, tonight we focused on Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards, and the X-Pensive Winos, check out this killer video of their Eileen, https://bit.ly/3gVYE6s – I've watched it about dozen times since Waddy shot me the link an hour ago. It just doesn’t get any more rockin' - well, except maybe when you get current. Passion project for all of them, The Immediate Family, with Lee Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, and Steve Postell, crazy-ass rock 'n roll that just doesn't better. Their latest video, New York Minute, is perfection, on every level –– https://bit.ly/3ml8dwY – the fact that there's 50 years of playing history between these monsters of rock, with the gem add-on of Postell, they're exactly where they want to be... if only this pandemic thing would get out of their way. Not that it's stopping them--playing out live is on hold, but new music and videos will continue to drop https://bit.ly/3ml8dwY –– a Denny Tedesco doc is well underway –– Waddy and company are living their dream. Joy to the world, and this girl.
Waddy Wachtel on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/16/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/37o0Ss6
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj YouTuube https://bit.ly/34gcJ9R
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables, of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Lisa Lynn of LynFit Nutrition by Lisa LynnNutrition
Epic show with my old pal, iconic child actor, Mason Reese. We spanned Mason’s emergence into his Cleo Award-Winning showbiz career, from age 4 to co-hosting the Mike Douglas Show at 7, passing on Johnny, teaching himself the drums, meeting his idol, Buddy Rich, seeing Sinatra, cultivating Eddie Murphy, Nathan Lane, and Robert Townsend, with his actress mother, loads of talk show appearances, a self-titled sitcom pilot, a student thesis film for Brett Ratner… to the rock years, from playing and hanging at Heartbreak, The China Club, The Rock ’N Roll Cafe, for me, Spo-Dee-O-Dees, to owning his own club and restaurant, and shooting his dream show. Stories, stories, stories, of the people and friends he met along the way. Many, like me, have been around for decades. There’s (in no particular order) Bruce Willis, David Bowie, Phoebe Snow, Dan Wells, Michael Learned, Julian Lennon, Harry Chapin, Eva Gabor, Michael J. Fox, Gordon Lightfoot, Anthony Michael Hall, Stallone,Billy Idol, Cher, and Camilletti…so much info, so much fun!
Great input from the Live audience, thanks Doug Kleiman & co for your suggetions and remembrances.
I feel like I time-machined back to simpler, funner, daze… i can almost hear the jam, smell the bud, and taste the slice.
Mason Reese on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/9/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/374twyc
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Fat loss expert @LynFitNutrition https://lynfit.com
Did I need the laughs and boy did I get them. An hour + of pure joy. Comedian, actor, and writer, Mark Schiff, was Jewish penicillin for the COVID weary soul. Mark's appeared on The Tonight Show, 11 times, 6 with Johnny, and he tells the stories, and they're fab. He told us about doing Letterman, Leno, touring with Seinfeld, which he's done for the past 15 years, the gift Jerry gave him, wow! Plus a couple of great Jerry stories. Lots of hysterical stories of his journey from dropout to headliner. Starting out in the Bronx, in Yeshiva, reformed, finding booze, pot, and losing school, Mark followed his passion played the hustle, found his groove, sobriety, and success.
Mark shared a few tales from his first book, “I Killed: True Stories of the Road from America’s Top Comics," co-written with Rich Shydner, and available here: https://amzn.to/2Vt2eei and talked about his productivity in the time of corona, writing his 2nd book, a collection of essays he's written mostly during the pandemic, published first in The Jewish Journal.
Loved every minute in Mark's hysterical self-effacing, self-aware, intelligent, good company. I had a great time. So needed, and appreciated.
Great stories, big laughs, warm fun.
Mark Schiff on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/2/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/2L3wUB9
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Productsfor tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Waddy Wachtel, part Deux. Zoom kicked us off, but they couldn't keep us off. Waddy picked up where we left off... being managed by Bud Cowsill... deals falling away... getting unmanaged by Bud Cowsill... from bands to sessions... Warren Zevon, The Everly Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, meeting Lee Sklar, Russ Kunkel, and Danny Korthcmar, game-changing for all of them. Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards... to The Immediate Family... where we barely skimmed the surface. They'll be a part 2... check that, a part 3. Part 1 link, below... Waddy, the early years. Loved every moment with my new favorite Queens boy.
Waddy Wachtel on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Part 2 Wed, 11/25/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook
Replays:
Part 1 https://bit.ly/3o0PxDI
Part 2 https://bit.ly/33kbWUJ
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Guitarist, producer, and composer, Waddy Wachtel’s career has spanned decades from The Everly Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt, Randy Newman, Don Henley, and Jackson Browne - to playing and writing with Keith Richards in the X-Pensive Winos - to his recent work as musical director, lead guitarist and vocalist for Stevie Nicks, through to his current and passion project, The Immediate Family, with Lee Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, and Steve Postell. This Part 1 (Zoom kicked us off, but we came back, Part 2 link below) started with current events––the COVID. Waddy's one of us. On to his early years, spotting a guitar at age 5 and knowing that was what he wanted to do before he'd even held one. Waddy seems to have imagined to reality a bounty of his dreams. He told of school... what school... one, we shared... crazy. Starting to rise... a couple of times, before hitting LA... we end this part with his manager, Bud Cowsill... and pick it up on Part 2.
Loved this so much, there'll be a Part 3, very soon. Adore my new friend, Waddy, a lifetime of gratitude for his brilliance.
Waddy Wachtel on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Part 1 Wed, 11/25/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replays:
Part 1 https://bit.ly/3o0PxDI
Part 2 https://bit.ly/33kbWUJ
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
What a delicious way to spend a corona evening. Talked food, COVID, working out & of course, music.= with @RayRayDrums percussionist with #Chicago who’s also played with #Aretha #StevieWonder #WillieNelson #PaulStanley #JenniferLopez #ChristinaAguilera @PattiLaBelle #Prince #StevieNicks #TheBackStreetBoys- more. Cross genres & generations. . #Ray Yslas on GameChangersWithVickiAbelson 11/18/20 Replay in my thing
What a delicious way to spend a corona evening... we talked food... COVID... parenting... working out... supplements... and of course, music. Ramon Yslas, percussionist with Chicago, has played with icons, boy bands, pop stars, artists––cross genres, and generations.
A great storyteller, we got behind the scenes with Chicago, his beloved, ideal gig, with great serendipity, Paul Stanley, another current ongoing gig, back through his history, from drums to percussion with Latin artists to The Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera, working with Stevie Nicks, Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Jennifer Lopez, commanded to watch her ass. Great tales, all.
Loved getting to know this passionate, exuberant, commited, talented artist, and stellar human. Can't wait to be down front center to watch him action with Chicago as soon as this shitshow lifts.
Check out a couple of creatively engineered current videos with Ray doing what he does so damn well!
Chicago: https://fb.watch/1RHkGwg_1e/ https://fb.watch/1RGZsovMFX/
Jonathan Butler : https://youtu.be/sExt8gssYoE Featuring: Marcus Miller, Maysa, Dave Koz, Rick Braun, Will Kennedy, Jeffrey Osbourne, Arlington Jones and Ray Yslas
Ramon Yslas on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 11/18/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here https://bit.ly/2HdHbcf
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
How lucky I was to have happened upon Randy Coleman by chance. He's quickly become one of my favorite singer/songwriters, and people.
We talked COVID, finding the good in the midst of it... spiritual practices, starting a book club, going Live, working on a new album, and gracing us with a taste of one of the tracks, St. Theresa (In My Lover's Eyes). Loved it.
From Randy's beginnings, growing up in a house filled with music, his older sister, a child prodigy, who had an old guitar, going on the set of 9 to 5 and On Golden Pond, with his dad, Dabney Coleman, following in his father's footsteps, studying to be an actor, more to emulate The Blues Brothers, but pulled, forever pulled to the music.
Managed by Doc McGee, he opened for Bryan Adams and Def Leppard, and The Who, at The Hollywood Bowl. But, it was his cover of Bohemian Rhapsody, which has to date, garnered 9 + million views and counting which was Randy's game-changer. His fan base is forever growing, for his covers as well as his originals. A tour of Quebec canceled due to the pandemic, on the safe horizon.
Randy treated us to this Song For My Dog, and took us home with a dual musical surprise for moi.
It's been a week. So grateful for this lovely respite with this beautiful and talented man. Soothing, joyful soup for my aching soul.
Follow Randy on IG for music lives @randycolemanmusic
All things Randy here: randycolemanmusic.com
Randy Coleman Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/28/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/2HNpdNW
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Now that's what I call early afternoon delight. Crazy fun with Harry Shearer, who was just as lovely as he is funneeeee!
The Emmy-winning actor for his work on The Simpsons was laid back, tuned in, and willing to follow me everywhere. From his young early show biz days working with Jack Benny to Abbott and Costello, and Richard Burton, what? We talked the Credibility Gap, where he teamed with David Lander and Michael McKean. A lot fruit's been borne from that framily tree. Laverne & Shirley, Fernwood & America 2-Night, Fred Willard, Martin Mull, Norman Lear, SNL, two times, not so much like, either time, Spinal Tap, the most fun ever, well maybe along with the Mighty Wind. Working with Fred and Catherine O'Hara, Albert Brooks, Lorne Michaels, who told him he was his first "Jewish" boy cast hire, For Your Consideration, to The Simpsons, where he'e been for 32 years and 23 or os so characters later, garnering an Emmy-award.
We crammed a lotta great in, before Harry's off to do a Porch Concert in New Orleans this afternoon at 3:30 PT, with his beloved fastastically talented wife, Judith Owen, and hot stuff percussionist, Pedro Segundo. https://www.facebook.com/officialjudithowen/
About to drop on October 30th, The Many Moods of Donald Trump (insert laugh here), is Harry's latest passion project. An album crammed with the funny and spectacular musis, and musicans. It swings. He's been dropping some advance videos, you can gain access to all here: https://harryshearer.com/
Here's hoping he'll come back for more chat, impressions, and maybe a song or two. Damn, I'm in a great mood. Some things, and people, are worth waiting for.
I'll be watching this again.
Harry Shearer Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/21/20, Noon PT, 3 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/37uo48w
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
It's raining rock icons! Sitting down with The Immediate Family, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel Leland Sklar, Russell Kunkel, & Steve Postell, icons, heroes... I was surrounded by almost my entire record collection in the Zoom room. Collectively, they've played on pretty much everything, period. James Taylor, Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards, The Stones, Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, Graham Nash, Neil Young, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Randy Newman, Brian Ferry, Don Henley, Phil Collins... on and on, and on...
Loved hearing how they each arrived at the party, their mutual admiration - love, and respect... how they're living their ultimate dream to be front and center together in a band of their creation-how they're thriving in the pandemic, in spite of it all. What they're doing now and what's coming soon... their EP, Slippin’ And Slidin’ will be released this Friday, the 16th, and they'll be performing live on the StageIt this Saturday, the 17th. You can RSVP and purchase your ticket at http://stageit.com/TIFAdmin/88918.
Waddy and Steve, on the clock to turn in an upcoming Immediate Family CD, not to disappoint, joined Lee, Russ, Danny and I for some meet and greet crazy fun. And Kootch played! All in all, a sensational time with spectacular rockers who ensure that all I wanna do is dance.
The Immediate Family Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/14/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/2Iox70e
All BROADcasts, like podcasts, also available on iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions , the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http:// www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Visit The Immediate Family online: Band home page: https://www.immediatefamilyband.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheImmedFamily Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheImmedFamily Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimmedfamily/
Don't get me started! Off the rails! Original #Wings drummer, #DennySeiwell - #PaulMcCartney #JanisJoplin #JoeCocker #JamesBrown - Played Live- GREAT stories! #GameChangersWithVickiAbelson Replay here: https://bit.ly/3iEOmXC
Don't get me started! Off the rails! Original Wings drummer, Denny Seiwell, from the little three year old drummer boy, playing in the service during the Vietnam War, jazz clubs in NY, sessions, sessions, sessions, which led to... a Beatle. How he got the Paul McCartney gig, Ram, including Denny playing Live... to Wings, the gigs, the fun... Denny played live again... to leaving... sessions, sessions, sessions... Janis Joplin (posthumously), James Brown, Art Garfunkle, Joe Cocker, to name just some, to the current, TBear and Route 66, and his beloved, Denny Seiwell Trio. Check out Reckless Abandon, and Boomerang (https://dennyseiwell.com/denny-seiwell-shop/). D.enny took us out playing Live again, leaving me sated, blissful and ready for Kamala. Loved every second, love the man.
Denny Seiwell Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/7/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3iEOmXC
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
I don't even know where to begin. Zane Carney is a brilliant guitarist, singer/songwriter, actor, tech wiz, gamer... and his mind! Dare I say, genius? I do. A seeker, he's always asking questions, and he actually listens to the answers. Zane puts the knowledge into action, sans ego, bettering himself, and all in his wake, at every turn. I'm blown away. Literally, mind, heart, and spirit, blown! I knew his music, and I've had enough dealings with him to know how personable, enthusiastic, demonstrative, kind, thoughtful, and lovely he is. Put all that together and the time spent in his good company was like a warm, sweet, cleansing bath, which for two hours washed away and healed six months of pandemic virus.
We talked Zane's tenure as a seven-year-old to start, co-star on Dave's World with Harry Anderson, his crazy talented family, picking up a guitar at ten to catch his quickly rising, two years older brother, Reeve, getting good enough, fast enough, to be out touring with major artists while still a teen.
The GRAMMY® nominated guitarist, co-founded CARNEY, who slew LA with sold-out residencies, was chosen to play Bono and The Edge's music in Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, was hand-picked by John Mayer to join his band, which was a game-changer moving forward, giving him the cred and visibility which he continues to parlay in his solo career which soars, in spite of having had a vocal chord defect, and a years-long debilitating fatigue disorder. The youngin is indefatigable, unstoppable, forever learning, growing, and reinventing. Just days before the world as we knew it shut down, Zane reconnected to acting and was scheduled to star in an LA production of Hair.
Corona don't scare and won't stop him. Zane's created a thriving and ever-growing pandemic proof platform for his passions: music, gaming... connecting, another of his magnificent gifts. Zane makes whomever he's addressing the most important person in the world at that moment. Having been on the receiving end of that for these two hours, it's pretty heady stuff.
And, he played. His ass off! Originals, I Want to Have Faith Again, and I Love You, at my request, had virtual lighters igniting all over the interweb... as did a cover, requested by our friend, Snuffy Walden. I'll leave that as a closing surprise.
Zane Carney is in heavy rotation in my kitchen, and now in my head and heart. I'll be keeping him close... you can too. He streams Live, nightly. Lucky us. For all things Zane https://www.zanecarney.com
Apologies for my tech woes... working on it. My queendom for a crew, and a blue president.
Zane Carney Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/23/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/30484Wo
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.co
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
So great to be Live with keyboardist/vocalist for The Who, and now, treasured friend, Loren Gold. Loren's played the living room multiple times, backing up both Anson Williams and Donny Most, for two - Happy Days! Not sure I know anyone who appreciates 70s and 80s TV more than Loren. We’ve sat down, and run around, it's always fun. Quintessential Loren… seeing him man the keyboards and backup vocals for The Who at the Hollywood Bowl last October, arguably the greatest concert I’ve yet to see… and that’s saying something. Loren’s been with The Who since 2012 and has played with Roger Daltrey since 2009. Ridiculously accomplished, talented, humble, Loren grew up in Palo Alto with older siblings and music-loving dad who turned him on to The Beatles, The Stones, and The Who, foreshadowing his inevitable future. From a High School band to LA clubs, working as a messenger by day, Loren paid his dues with diligence and focus. Once the great gigs started, he parlayed one into the next… from Hilary Duff to Taylor Hicks to Roger Daltrey to The Who. That’s just crazy right there. So many sweet stories. And, he played. Some Beatles, Queen, originals, and, sigh, The Who. He currently splits his time with The Who and playing with Rita Wilson. An easy-going sweetheart with crazy talent, he's modeling safe entry back to living for this COVID crazy. Always love every moment in his good company.
Loren Gold Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/9/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3k3Hxjo
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Peter And Paul Cartoons.
How do I love Lee, let me count the ways… Leland Sklar, one of the most storied and successful musicians to ever grace a stage or session, was back in the virtual living room and kicked COVID ass. Passionate, intelligent conversation on the travesty that is the idiot in the chief, censorship, getting creative, his soon to drop coffee table book, named here publicly for the first time, playing alone in the pandemic, daily commitment to his YouTube channel to provide meaningful content and music, currently, socially distancing and masking to record with The Immediate Family: Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, and Steve Postel; as well as with Judith Owen with Pedro Segundo.
We went back to his early days, an award-winning child protege on piano, who became a bassist when his school orchestra needed one. Some things are just meant to be... James Taylor changed his life, The Section a huge part of his life, Carole King, Billy Cobham, Phil Collins, Jackson Browne, The Wrecking Crew, the upcoming Denny Tedesco doc, an upcoming album and EP, merching, his fine art, we were all over his highly productive, successful, life.
What fun, even if it t'weren't the time of corona. I adore this brilliant, fine human. Grateful as hell he graced our interweb.
Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 9/2/20, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/31Y4sXv
Screenshot by Gigi Shapiro Kulick
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
And, Peter And Paul Cartoons.
It's only taken us 35 years to sit down and have a conversation, but it was worth the wait. Bette Sussman and I yakked for two hours and the time flew with nary a moment of dead air.
Bette's served as Musical Director/Pianist for Cissy Houston, Bette Midler, Whitney Houston, Carly Simon, Darlene Love, Patti LuPone, Rev. Al Green, Martin Short, and so much and many more. We talked about all of them. I forgot to ask about Carly, but she did come up. Bette's worked with pretty much everyone and had great stories about all of the above, plus Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Keb' Mo', Cyndi Lauper, Paul Schaffer, Cher, and unbeknownst till tonight shared experience with then-President Bill Clinton, running for senate Hillary (we both have the pics to prove it), Nathan Lane, the beforementioned Cher, DeNiro, Cruise, Affleck, Paltrow, the list goes on... so fun to reminisce it. We talked Allee and The Color Purple, Waitress, playing the Garden to the World Cup. Gold Records, I forgot the Emmys! Bette's Diner... surviving COVID in NY when it was rampant, to the shows we're binging now. Loved every second. Can't wait till we're on the same coast and pick it up in person.
Bette Sussman on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/26/20, Live @5pm PT Live on The Facebook Replay link here: https://bit.ly/31ya3Ds
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses, like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Toni Vincent and, Peter And Paul Cartoons.
Pedro Segundo, just what the corona doctor ordered. Killer percussionist, drummer, beautiful soul, Pedro treated us to magnificent sounds, gentle humility, and a heartfelt message about human connection through music. From classical to jazz, Pedro studied, honoring his gifted craft with the passion and unique vision he presents through it.
Ever since seeing Pedro at NAMM, I’ve been obsessed. I couldn’t take my eyes or ears off him. Pedro is the embodiment of dynamism. Equally, at home behind 18th-century-style kettle drums and a five-piece drum kit, Pedro makes every object he touches a channel for his incredible musical energy.
Pedro’s been the house drummer for Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club for the past 10 yrs. He’s toured Europe, North America, and the Far East with Dennis Rollins Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, as guest timpanist with Sir Neville Marriner, Murray Perahia, and Joshua Bell and more recently with his own Solo Segundo, Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio, Judith Owen, and his Hammond Organ and Drums duo with Ross Stanley.
We talked Judith, Harry Shearer, Lee Sklar, Marcus Eaton, his early days in his native Portugal with his talented pianist/vocalist, sister, their supportive parents, studying there, and then in London. Making his way to America, falling in love, and manifesting his childhood dream.
Pedro's music can be found here: https://spoti.fi/3aIsrwc & http://www.pedrosegundo.com/
Grateful for a soulfilling hour of gentle gifts.
This GC 's & Pedro's closing tune are dedicated to Flo Lawrence, another beautiful soul who left us this day.
Pedro Segundo on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/19/20, Live @5pm PT Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3aEC4fD
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj YouTube https://bit.ly/31aIvny
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
And, Peter And Paul Cartoons.
Chicken soup for the COVID soul. Seventy minutes in heaven with impressionist, comedian, actor, icon, John Byner. A hero of mine for as long as I can remember, he exceeded all my hopes, as a talent and a human. What a lovely, lovely man. I suspect his fabulous attitude had much to do with his wonderful career and the spectacular life he lives. He appreciates and cherishes it all. John's a power of example.
We talked his early days at The Vanguard in the Village, getting his first TV break on a Merv Griffith talent show and then, Ed Sullivan, for John, a life changer. He treated us to his iconic Sullivan impression with Topo Gigio, including my favorite, "Kiss me goodnight, Eddie." Swoon. Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Georgie Jessel, Walter Brennan, John Wayne, Johnny Mathis, Mel Torme... a comic feast. John talked about Get Smart, The Carol Burnett Show, Hollywood Squares, Soap, hosting Something Else, The John Byner Comedy Hour, Bizarre, Super Dave writing his memoir, Five Minutes, Mr. Byner! https://amzn.to/2PMQdO2 which just dropped. Filled with great showbiz and real life stories, it's a wonderfully entertaining, well-written read by a master storyteller.
I loved every second in John's good company and will cherish this time with him, always. It's the antidote to the corona blues.
John Byner on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/12/20, Live @5pm PT Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/2XXxvb1 YouTube https://bit.ly/2ClTfFW
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones. Thanks, Blue and Kevin Walt
For an hour + I forgot there's a pandemic and that I haven't heard live music in 5 months. Liberty Devitto filled the air and my heart with rock 'n roll. One of the greatest drummers of all time, Billy Joel's, Liberty Devitto, now bestselling author of LIBERTY, Life, Billy & the Pursuit of Happiness (https://amzn.to/2CP8qrg ) sat down and banged it out with me. We talked Billy, of course, the reconicliation, the angry years, the beginning, 30 yrs of crazy fun and brilliant creativity, to growing up and cooling down. We talked his whacky, wild, family of origin, his beautiful successful daughters, and his baby, at 3, a Beatles aficionado ... Vanilla Fudge, touring with Mitch Ryder as a teen, arenas, stadiums, Steve Winwood, The Lords of 52nd Street, Richie Cannata, Russell Javors, NYC Hit Squad and Clean Getaway with Ricky Byrd, Little Kids Rock, writing a bestseller and now playing Drive-ins, the new not normal concert venues.
Affable, entertaining, warm and real, I love this man, and can't wait to see him and hear him play again.
Liberty Devitto on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/5/20, Live @5pm PT Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/30wpb3P
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj] YouTube https://bit.ly/3fFCljr
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Spectacular chat with Butch Patrick, from pre-Eddie Munster... a cute sister and a charming mom helped pave the way to his first film at 7, with Eddie Albert, Jane Wyatt, and Soupie Sales, on The Two Little Bears. His resume is a time capsule of my youth. We talked about his guest starring roles on Ben Casey, Bonanza, My Favorite Martian, Mister Ed, Rawhide, The Real McCoys, and General Hospital, leading to The Munsters. The fun there with mentors Al Lewis and Fred Gwynne, and movie star at the time, Yvonne DeCarlo. How life changed and led to roles on My Three Sons, I Dream of Jeannie, and a week on The Monkees having the time of his life. Passing on a starring role in unknown George Lucas's American Grafitti, missing the draft by thismuch... partying himself into some troubled times, becoming a pop star with Whatever Happened to Eddie Munster, which led to MTV's Basement Tapes. Some more partying and trouble followed, leading to gettting sober and finding his niche. He's survived cancer, is COVID comfortable... he knows who he is, and is Butch Patrick comfortable. I loved every minute, and am more than a little thrilled to have spent some time in the company of my childhood Munster adoration. Such fun. Corona be damned!
Butch Patrick on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/29/20, Live @5pm PT Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/33eL7Sy
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones. Thanks, Blue and Kevin Walt
Sam Harris, singer/songwriter, Tony-nominated, film &, TV star, writer, director, producer, author, 1st Star Search Winner, gave his all, as that's all he knows how to do. What a spectacular time. Opening with song, at my beg-quest, he picked the perfect COVID lead-in and treated us to the skinny on his just dropped, The Substance of All Things, which I am in the middle of, and must hurry through this recap to jump back in. It's masterfully written, thrillingly engaging, moving, disturbing, and immensely entertaining. Sam treated us to a delicious read of the prologue, goose-bump city. I love having my own experience with words, but I will be buying the audiobook when it lands.
Sam took us through his beginnings, Oklahoma, an outcast with a gift, through his triumphant life-changer, being the inaugural winner of Star Search. There's Lucy, Sammy Davis Jr., Whitney Houston, Liza, Sinatra, Billy Holiday... stories, stories, stories. Plus, current events! In addition to his just dropped novel, he sold a TV show, and is COVID adjusting and in promotion, and, his film. HAM: A Musical Memoir, is readying to stream. This man doesn't let a little pandemic keep him down.
Sam's blessed to be sharing corona with his beloved husband, Danny, their son, Cooper, and a couple of cute canines. His life is good. He knows and appreciates it all.
What a gift to spend the time in Sam's great company. Damn, I adore him. Now. back to reading his book.
The Substance of All Things https://amzn.to/321wu4z
Sam Harris on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/7/20, 5pm PT/ 8 pm ET Live on The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3gJ8Z4z
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt
Timely, inspiring, powerful, conversation from today's arrests to the need for protests, new thinking, actions, and much more conversation, with actress, activist, and advocate, Monica Horan Rosenthal of Everybody Loves Raymond. Monica walks her talk and has in big ways for years. From Inner-City Arts, where's she's a fierce advocate and facilitator for arts in the schools, The Rosenthal Theatre, which is a creative home for innovative and diverse performance, education and artist engagement which seeks to nurture and illuminate the creative spirit of young people and adults by enabling them to create, present and experience new work, Homeboy Industries, working alongside Jane Fonda, producing Deaf West Theatre, and championing a young Barak Obama while still a senator, are just some of her passions.
We talked her path as a young girl outside Philly, with a forward-thinking father, going to Hofstra and a fated meeting with another alum, a Mr. Phil Rosenthal. Great stories about their parents, kids, and how their life made its way to the TV screen repeatedly.
I adore this vivacious, intelligent, compassionate woman. She's a power of example. I aspire to do as she does, and it wouldn't suck to have what she's having. Check out Somebody Feed Phil, season 3, streaming on Netflix for a taste.
Monica Horan Rosenthal on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 6/3/20, Live@5 pm PT On the Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3gNgrfT
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones, love my Yeti X. Thanks, Blue and Kevin Walt.
We're so lucky he's so funny. Wow, that was fun! Somebody Feed Phil's Phil Rosenthal started at the top, of his life that is... taking us from being 5 yrs old and only wanting to make people laugh, hating Hebrew school, getting the leads in his High School and college plays, surely destined to be a star, but... working odd jobs, co-writing and co-creating a smash stage show (which ran for decades), but screwed Phil royally... heading to Hollywood to be a star... not so much. To hear Phil tell there've been lots of failures, and disappointments, downtime... and yet... there was Coach which led to Everybody Loves Raymond, which Phil got on his terms through his moxie, then to Russia and Exporting Raymond which put him at last in front of the camera... then some failed pilots, culminating in his life's dream... all the things he loves... travel, family, food, and the funny. Season 3 of Somebody Feeds Phil debuts on Netflix this Friday, May 29th. If you missed seasons 1 and 2, no matter. You can watch these in any order, and I trust, seeing one, you'll want to savor them all (BYOF).
Everybody loves Phil. With damn good reason.
Phil Rosenthal on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 5/27/20, Live@5 pm PT On the Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/2TLfM4A
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones. Thanks, Blue and Kevin Walt.
Wanna forget there's a pandemic? No one funnier or more fun than American Comedy and Cable Ace Award Winner, PAULA POUNDSTONE. The time flew... talking COVID, Trader Joes, being a Sanitation worker, dogs, Mo specifically, cats, all 12 of them, which she names, albeit with some effort, mask tests, nirvana eating, cutting back, losing weight - now, really? Yes, she is. Reading to her daughter, now, sleeping on the bus, then, bleaching her frequently touched surfaces, memory issues, stress, Sister Bertrille hair, that would be me, Silkwood showers, me again, missing talking in front of people and mingling with them afterward, busy-ing the time with her podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone, prepping a game show, the idiot in chief, whom she believes is faking the hydroxychloroquine thing for profit, skills being learned in the time of corona, changing lightbulbs, making cameos ... being funny. Always being funny. For two hours I forgot. Everything. How I adore this human.
You can find all things Paula, here: https://paulapoundstone.com
Paula Poundstone on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 5/20/20, Live@5 pm PT On the Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3bTVTON
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Everything happens for a reason, as it's meant to. Tech challenges allowed actress, author, self-creation healer, Dee Wallace, to see us, not vice versa. We pushed on. Perhaps it was for the best, as she suggested. No distraction getting lost in her magnificent blue eyes or gazing at her adorableness. We heard her words, powerful beyond imagination. Dee provided tools for all us to joyfully live beyond our dreams, with love. And it's simple.
She channeled and told me my dream is close at hand... she's not said that to me before in all the years I've known her. She told Sharon Daniels Rothberg fairly specifically the success which awaits her... and told Carol Soskin how to move past a creative block, and Carole Garcia a personal one. Dee gave us all a tool to be happy and successful. inspiring, heart-filling, empowering. I feel like a gazillion bucks. And sweet viewers, Dee said it was one of the best sessions she's done. She loved it, too.
To sign up for Dee's webinar on May 27th, or book a private session go to IAMDEEWALLACE.COM and check out her TED talks on YouTube for additional guidance. Loved this so much. Adore Dee!
Dee Wallace Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, May 13th, Live @5 pm PT On The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/2T42cc5
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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Grateful for Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of the Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Blue Microphones, we love our new Yeti X. Thanks, Blue and Kevin Walt.
And Peter And Paul Cartoons.
We were Live for the first successful COVID edition of Game Changers with a guest. And what a guest she was. Birthday Person, Writer, Producer, Cindy Begel, whose credits include: Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Joanie Loves Chachi, The Jeffersons, Head of The Class, Alice, Married With Children, Mama's Family, The New Leave It To Beaver, The Days & Nights of Molly Dodd, The Martin Short Show and most recently the Muppet Babies on Disney Channel, and, Ed McMahon to my Johnny... was sensational. The birthday part was unknown bonus! If you've been watching the daily LIve you know how funny Cindy is, and boy did she live up to my hype. We got stories about Lucy, Carol Burnett, Robin Williams, Garry Marshall, Penny Marshall. Cindy Williams, Linda Lavin, and Bill Cosby, pre #METoo but #MeTooish. Talked Cindy into opening her BF's birthday gift on the air, gloves, fear, and all. And, of course, we talked the days COVID news and had a visit with her fab mom, Roberta. Spectacular fun in the time of corona.
Thank you, Be.Live!
Cindy Begel on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 4/29/20 Wed, 4/29/20, Live @5 pm PT On The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3bSb3VJ
Cindy Begel on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 4/29/20 Wed, 4/29/20, Live @5 pm PT On The Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3bSb3VJ
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My guest tonight was COVID-19. Game changer, if ever there was one. We talked about whether we think we'll forever be changed. Will we ever shake hands again, good question on the thread. Will we be cooking more moving forward? When will we feel safe to mingle? Gather? Go to a Live event? Kiss? Have... sex? When will we be in the mood? How's your mojo through this? Non-existent, or oddly stimulated? COVID-19 wasn't in the living room with me (spots through fingers), but we talked about the conflicting advice? What do we believe? Heed? What are we doing differently? What's caution and what's crazy? IS there crazy in this time of corona? We compared notes and made some sense of it together. Loved the conversation, your thoughts... and your good company. Thanks for shooting the shit with me.
Game Changers Live with Vicki Abelson AKA Shooting the Shit With Vicki Wed, 3/25/20, 7 pm PT. 10 pm ET
Live on the Facebook Replay here https://bit.ly/2UA2WWA
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of the Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And Blue Microphones, we love our new Yeti X. Thanks Blue and Kevin Walt.
I was Live, shooting the shit. Stop! #ToiletPaperCrisis ~ Had a lovely time connecting and chatting (Ms. TalkAlot) with y'all about how we're navigating the new normal... which it turns out is no longer 98.6 for many of us. Shared strategies... Zoom meetings for recovery of all kinds, workshops, business, support- in fact, join us on Zoom every Tuesday at 11 am PT for the Women Who Write Support Group... you don't have to be a writer, and maybe not even a woman... checking with the consensus...hit me up for deets... what I know for sure is that Facebook, Facetime, Zoom, calls, texts, and emails are saving me, gracing me, and giving me a strong sense of love, support, connection, and community, whilst I sit alone in my pajamas. Shared some stories, y'all did too, through the thread... please continue to add additional ideas and suggestions. The Facebook isn't enabling me to throw Watch Parties anymore to continue these... guess I'll just keep doing 'em. Leaving the home studio set, so I'll see you the next time I put some damn make-up on. Nobody wants to see iffn' I don't. Just put myself down again, stopping that shit. Dee Wallace gave me great suggestions in a phone session this week on self-creation. I've put one of the big ones in action and immediately reaped benefit. As to the rest... on it! Here's to caring and loving ourselves (oxygen mask over our own face first) so we can love and care for everyone else. I'm here for youes. If I can be of service, please let me know, as long as it doesn't involve money, cooties, or leaving my kitchen. I'm learning how much that still allows. Wishing you perfect health, miracles, joy, laughter, love, connection, and ease in the days to come. Thank you for gracing my life with your time, attention, and good humor. #Grateful
Game Changers Live with Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/18/20, 7 pm PT. 10 pm ET Live on The Facebook
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The BROADcast is brought to with loving support from Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of the Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Anson Williams' Alert Drops
And Blue Microphones, we love our new Yeti X. Thanks Bue and Kevin Walt.
Went Live with this week’s guest. Me. Went solo, exercised social distancing. Shared info, not spit... what I’m doing, thinking, trying, for mind body and soul… and got loads of great feedback from y’all- please add to this thread anything you’re doing, reading, or hearing. THIS IS NOT an endorsement of anything - take what you like and leave the rest… I am not telling anyone what to do, just saying what I’m doing, not saying anything is fact, or true, just what I’m hearing and reading. And, there’s some great stuff added on the thread that I’m going to add to my deal. Thanks to all who shared the time, it meant the world to connect and ease the isolation of living alone. It’s heart, mind and soul-filling connecting. So very grateful for youes. If you weren’t with us Live, there’s some worthy sharing of information. Again, take what you like and what makes sense, and leave the rest. This was pure joy in the midst of the unfathomable. I have so much love for y’all. Thank you for blessing my life. I pray we all stay safe, healthy, sharing, and connected.
Game Changers Live with Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/11/20, 7 pm PT. 10 pm ET
Live on The Facebook Replay Link: http://bit.ly/33bDdHD
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of the Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And Blue Microphones, we love our new Yeti X. Thanks Blue and Kevin Walt.
Some things and people are worth waiting and bending for. Only once before in 3 1/2 yrs have we changed the time of the Live Broadcast. The first for Norman Lear. No explanation needed. The second, today with Tommy Chong. No explanation needed. Wow. Just wow. After a lifetime of adoration for his art and the funny, my affection and respect were amplified a gazillionfold by the grace of the man himself upon first meeting in the parking lot of a Chinese Restaurant a few weeks ago. He agreed without hesitation to this, came through, and will forever be cherished. Tommy was warm, generous, intelligent, spiritual, fascinating and so fun. Looking into his eyeballs for two and a half hours was a trip I may never return from.
We talked at great length about Tommy's very humble beginnings, his mother's illness leading him and his siblings to a year plus in a children's home. Returning to his own with nary electricity, let alone a telephone, or a toy. They made their own. Thus, the imagination.
From his early career as a guitarist, getting signed by Berry Gordy, discovering the Jackson 5, following them on the bill, writing a hit, having it covered by the Supremes, owning a club, seeing The Committee and redirecting his own to Improv... how Cheech and Chong began. Tommy takes us through those very early daze, to Dave's not here, Up in Smoke, to today, and the film they're developing currently.
We talked about getting erroneously busted, copping a plea, and doing the time because it was something he was meant to do. Being of service, the I Ching, finding God, asking the universe, redirecting thought, seeing things through, and getting them done. We talked pot, of course... an afterthought actually. My addiction, his choice. He gifted me with sealed Tommy Chong Cannabis, which I shared with young Hayden. Mine shall remain unopened.
Being a son, a brother, a bandmate, a comedy partner, a director, a writer, a father, and a husband. And is he that. He and Shelby have been together for 50 years, which seems insane as she looks 35. Truly. Gorgeous creature. Tommy is not only a grandfather, he's a great grandfather, thanks to Rae Dawn's son.
This was one of the most relaxed, chill conversations I've had, let alone on camera. Loved every damn second, and Tommy, without hesitation, agreed to come back to the living room for Women Who Write. I believe him. I adore him.
Catch a taste. He's a contact high.
Tommy Chong Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/4/20, * 1ish pm PT, 4ish pm ET ***
With Hayden George
Live on The Facebook http://bit.ly/2y47ZCi
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This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of the Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And Blue Microphones, we love our new Yeti X. Thanks Bue and Kevin Walt.
We went Live with Pamela Des Barres, legendary groupie/author/journalist and got groupie schooled––I’m With The Band, The GTOs, Groupie Therapy… unabashed and unapologetic, Pamela started out as a "normal," good girl––there was Elvis, Dion and then The Beatles, she eventually met all of them. What's a groupie? Pamela defines, and then explains how she gained access and, her code. There's great love, affection, and stories for days about Captain Beefheart, Zappa, Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Jim Morrison, Bob Dylan, Elvis, The Byrds, Waylon Jennings, Paul Reubens, Don Johnson, Woody Allen, Michael Richards, Robert Plant, Allee Willis, her husband, the Marquis, Michael Des Barres, being a mom, writing books, her dolls, her rock tours, her workshops, her podcast, the book she can't discuss in the works, and a book about her spiritual path to follow.
You can find all things Pamela https://pameladesbarres.com/ Read her, listen to her, love her. It's easy.
Pamela Des Barres Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 2/26/20, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With Pete George Live on The Facebook http://bit.ly/2y47ZCi
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This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of the Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And Blue Microphones, we love our new Yeti X. Thanks Blue and Kevin Walt.
Oh please! It doesn't get funner than this! Screenwriter, bestselling author, Gigi Levangie Grazer dishes like no plater I know. We talked wasbands (Brian Grazer), Fred Silverman, Julie Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Debra Messing, Tinder, a sexy Frenchman, third time being the charm, Stephen King, finishing, optioning, moving on, success, having a "normal" life, kids, cooking, living life to the full. I'll have what she's having, or just keep inviting me over to bask in it, please. I LOVE HER. What fun. My blowdryer blew up before the show, and the Mophi overheated the camera during the show... but here's the meat. NO carbs, plenty of phat. None on Gigi.
Gigi Levangie Grazer Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 1/19/20, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Show replay : http://bit.ly/2HGTB96
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of the Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And Blue Microphones, we love our new Yeti X. Thanks Bue and Kevin Walt
We were Live with RIchard TBear. As his friend Mike FInnigan might say, what a life! We talked Belushi, his Joe Cocker, The Blues Brothers, SNL, getting blasted, Wired, Woodward, that fatal night, getting blacklisted... RIchie Havens starting him off, Allee Willis (weeps) and writing for Cher, getting sober, John Prine, Steve Goodman, oh hell yeah! Opening for The J Geils Band and getting balled, not in the good way, turning it around, The Doobie Brothers, Edgar Winter, the Fillmore East, Stephen Stills, Loren Gold, Alvino Bennett, Snuffy Walden, producer Tony Braunagel, who stopped by and shared a story about TBear's upcoming album, Fresh Bear Tracks, soon to be released, Baron Marx, of RCA, also on hand, related to the Marx Brothers, with the eyebrows to prove it, RIchard's beloved Nina and all she inspired... TBear played us in with his hit, Sunshine Hotel, and took us out with I'm betting another (I haven't stopped singing it), from his upcoming LP, Love to be Lonely, written with loving guidance from his Nina. This show is dedicated to her memory, and Evelyn Turk, her mother, who passed this very day. May the music soothe and heal TBear's tender, talented, soul.
Richard TBear on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 2/12/20, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Live show replay http://bit.ly/2UOZvwD
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Special thanks to Blue Microphones, and Birthday Boy, Kevin Walt, for our fabulous new Yeti X #DontWeSoundaFine
We were Live with Australian pop sensation, Daniel Aranda. I'm so moved by his forthright, kind, moxie, his music, and his activism. He played, a lot, his music, and some Beach Boys, which he loves. He's played with a few and credits the Facebook. Such an impressive artist and person. Daniel's the first Westerner to perform in a slum in Uganda to raise money to house the homeless. He’s sweet, cute, and 23. 23! Say what? He's going places. Back to Australia tomorrow, no doubt everywhere else soon.
Daniel Aranda Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay link http://bit.ly/2GZEY0k
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
We were Live with 6x Emmy Winner, Bruce Vilanch. Oscars, Tonys, Grammys, Emmys! He's written for all of them. EGOT adjacent! We talked Bette, Barry, and Billy, to peoples who don’t have B names... Jane Fonda, Sidney Lumet, Kay Ballard (ooo, that's a B) who gave him his first break, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Johnnie Carson, Robert Wuhl, Paul Lynde, Neil Simon, Ann-Margret, Jack Palance, Whoopi, Harvey Fierstein, Carol Channing, Carol Lynley, Keanu Reeves,. Johnny Depp, John Hughes... from sleep-away camp to Broadway... girls to men... straight-up gay sidestepping the war; journalist, comedy writer, to inhabiting a square, a Hollywood Square, which landed Bruce upfront and off-center. Bruce tells loads of fabulous stories and was fearlessly honest and thoughtful. And, at the eleventh hour, we got a joke-joke.
Bruce has written for just about everyone and every show. He makes Hollywood and Game Changers, funnier and funner.
Bruce Vilanch Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 1/29/20, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full Show replay here: http://bit.ly/3aTr8KB
We had nightmarish tech issues. It’s on YouTube sans interruption and blur - also comments and likes, but... far better viewing - http://bit.ly/2GCwOuM
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
We went Live with Lee Sklar one of the most storied and successful musicians to ever grace a stage or session, and holy hell! Kicking off the show with a kick ass Phil Collins tune... we launched into everything Leland... how he started... where he went, and loads of the inbetween. Meeting James Taylor, being managed by Bill Graham, The Wrecking Crew playing for him, and a few years later playing with them, weekly. Billy Cobham, playing with James, Carole King, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, forming The Section... Tapestry... meeting Paul the McCartney one, playing with Barbra, the oft misunderstood, TV with ex-manager Mike Post, lots of TV, loads of sessions, the world then, the world now, The Facebook, how it works and how it hurts, players to love, memories to cherish, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, from Wembley to pub clubs, all he wants to do is play... Jackson Browne, Phil Collins- getting goosebumps, every night...NAMM, Reba, Clint, Cocker, Ronstadt, Garfunkle, Stills, Nash and the Crosby... without rhyme but with plenty of reason, we talked his art, his preferences, passions, kitsch, friends lost and treasured... we were all over the place... a crazy fun ride landing us back to the bottom... it's all about his bass... a great Lyle Lovett tune, That's Right (You're Not From Texas) brought us close to home... Judith Owen... The Immediate Family (with Kunkel, Kortchmar, Wachtel and Postell) , the upcoming album, and the Denny Tedesco upcoming doc... loved every single precious second. Gifted player, beautiful person. What a treasure this time was. Grateful and thoroughly entertained. Thank you, Sklar, sir.
Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 1/22/20, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/2TOL0Zu
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Have I heard a better storyteller? I'd be hard pressed to name them. Larry Hankin took us through initial audition to shooting Breaking Bad and the follow-up film, El Camino ... from casting director, to creator/director, Vince Gilligan, to stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, with excruciating honesty. Getting Barry, working with Bill Hader whom he loves, an actor's director who just let him go... as did Woody Allen, the lessons learned doing Annie under John Houston, director's who over direct... starting in stand-up and within 6 months, a long time to Larry, opening for Woody Allen, being managed by his Jack Rollins, opening for Miles Davis, The Loving Spoonful, being on the road and running into and watching Carlin, Pryor, Lenny Bruce, and them, him. Being arrested during his set for being "dirty," auditioning for Second City with Robin Williams, forming The Committee, success growing at each turn, leaving to make a friends film, his rent unpaid in his two month absence leading to him losing everything, including his home. With movie money in hand he chose to be and remain homeless for the lessons learned. Wow. Penny Marshall giving him a TV break, Garry Marshall not diggin' their jam...his audition for Escape From Alcatraz and how his role with Clint was determined... Hells Angels, writing, returning to stand-up. a very short, fantastical reading from his The Loopholes Dossier https://amzn.to/2ToSy4K about homelessness - a magical journey through the mystical mind of a fearless maniac. He's not really I just like how that read. But, he was almost murdered. Thrice. We get one of those stories in detail. This is Mr. Heckles? Yup, that too... we didn't even go there other than in the promo. Larry Hankin, direct, generous of his experience, an open, fascinating book. Now, that, this, is entertainment.
Larry Hankin Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson, Wed, 1/15/20, 7 pm PT, 10
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: http://bit.ly/2NuVN74 pm ET
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
We went Live with James Gadson, one of the most recorded drummers in R&B history: Bill Withers, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Beck, B.B. King, Thelma Houston, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Joe Cocker, Paul McCartney, Donald Fagen, Kelly Clarkson, Phoebe Snow, Ray Charles, Melissa Manchester, Jose Feliciano, Aaron Neville, Rickie Lee Jones, Boz Scaggs, Natalie Cole… stories about them all. Got educated about some of my heroes— more than a few surprises about superstars––like Sir Paul, and Stevie. Of Seal, James said, he had to put his feelings in his pocket. Robert Palmer had a hit with one of his tunes much to James’ surprise. Self taught, James didn’t start playing drums till he was 21 and taught himself to read music after that. Born to a drummer father who wanted something other than music for his son. James’ done him more than proud.
Live from his LA studio, with a mixing board he got from Smokey Robinson, James played a couple of originals, works in progress, soon to be released - that voice! Those songs! Romantic, sexy, and socially relevant. James is iconic. A legend. Honored to have had this time, this experience.
James Gadson Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 1/8/20, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay: http://bit.ly/36E1J55c
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
We were Live with Terry Wollman, from piano lessons and the clarinet to music director/guitarist/producer/composer. Terry opens the show with his version of The Little Drummer Boy. For a couple of Jews sittin' around the table talking, he spread a lotta holiday cheer from his Christmas album, A Joyous Noise. Next up current events... I love the smell of impeachment in the evening... spider bites... ouch... Terry takes us on his journey... performing with Billy Preston, Al Jarreau, Keb’ Mo’, recording with Melissa Manchester, producing Tony Bennett and Dick Van Dyke, working with Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, Mel Brooks, and George Shapiro on If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast to George's just dropped on HBO, The Bronx USA, with their song, Da Bronx, is on the Oscar shortlist. Being of service... a career high with Stevie Wonder, to his bride, Melanie Taylor, a Bette Harlette for almost a dozen years, now singing with Barry Manilow, most recently on Broadway, did a session today with The Who's Loren Gold, who was scheduled to play the living room yesterday and will be with us on Jan 28th...it's a small world after all... Melanie started her career doing tenure at Disneyland. She and Terry THROW IT DOWN... kill two tunes... and so much more coolness - warm, fuzzy and perfect for the holidays. Terry’s dad, an educator, imparted: “Whatever you want to do in life, be the best you can be.” Clearly, he taught him well.
Terry Wollman Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/28/19, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With Ron Frederick
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: http://bit.ly/2sFdx8c
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegon
I listened to alternative R & B songstress & guitarist, MALIA, who's got over 4 million streams and a million fans, all day long, and I'm still listening. Fascinating woman, with wisdom and success, mostly due to her gratitude and happiness––oh yeah, there's that brilliant talent thing. Pretty much self-taught, this self-proclaimed late bloomer is breathtaking. Tough start, broken heart, hitting bottom, law school ambivalent, finding music, and bliss. Deep truths and tasty tunes filled the hour. Have a watch. Give a listen. MALIAvibes.com Fall in love––with the music and the human. She's a star.
Maila on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/11/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Ron Frederick
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/34e9WLs
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and beregular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Ridiculous fun chatting with Lainie Kazan at Connie Stevens house... what? I know! Lainie talked growing up in Brooklyn, Erasmaus High with Barbara, who she would soon understudy in Funny Girl, and is that a fabulous and ultimately funny story... starting out as a dancer, then singer, first acting experience was at camp, where her drama counselor was... wait for it... Anne Bancroft. Hello? A few years later, she and fellow Hofstra pal, Francis Ford Coppola would be the girls and boys drama counselors, respectively... there's lots about Francis, who remains beloved, Michelle Lee, friends since girlhood, nightclubbing... Dean Martin, Sinatra, and oh boy is that a story! Posing innocently, nightclubbing again, running her own club... the rough years... really rough... Francis coming to her rescue, my favorite movie, My Favorite Year, meeting Peter O'Toole, great story! Producer, Mel Brooks, changing her life... Joe Bologna, and Renee Taylor, lifelong friends, that unforgettable episode of the Nanny... being a mom, and a grandma, how she got My Fat Big Fat Greek Wedding, and unexpectedly scored huge. Animated, fun, funny, passionate, warm, there aren't enough adjectives in my vocab to paint the picture of this adored conversation. I LOVE HER
Lainie Kazan on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/4/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: http://bit.ly/2Pg6Qkt
YouTube without blur here: http://bit.ly/2rXKvjE
YouTube replay sans comments but without blur here: http://bit.ly/2rXKvjE
Lainie Kazan on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/4/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook http://bit.ly/2y47ZCi
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and beregular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
So much fun and music with singer/songwriter/guitar man Carlos Calvo. He talked about starting to play at 3 1/2, being self-taught music reader, taking classical guitar lessons at Carnegie Hall, coming out to LA to attend the Music School... early gigs, no plan B, no non-music jobs, ever, great Stevie Wonder stories, segueing into teaching, gave Maroon 5s Adam Levine his first guitar lesson at age 10 and continued to teach him through High School and Adam's first record deal... teaching Jonah Hill, and playing a bit of one his tunes... teaching Joe Perry's son, Neil Diamond's too, spending holiday dinner with the, Pamela Adon's daughters... being called to teach guitar to actors who needed to play on film... to Californication, where he worked on set for years, teaching a passionate David Duchovny how to play and working it on to the show... all the while doing his own singer/songwriter band thing (he treats us to a few of his own), what's exciting him now... pairing music and Jack... black that is. Loved every minute with this crazy talented, humble, mensch of a man, I'm blessed to have as a friend.
Big thanks to Ron Frederick and Crystal Husband, the Music Muse, for stepping in for a working Pete George, making the funny in Vegas. There this week... check him out and say hello.
Carlos Calvo, Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 11/19/19, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
Live on The Facebook Full Show Replay http://bit.ly/2rbYqSW YouTube http://bit.ly/2XCJo52
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
I was more than a little intimidated to sit down with 6x Grammy Winning, Oscar Nominated renown jazz trumpeter and composer, Terence Blanchard. I’m jazz challenged. I’d forgotten the warm, present, enthusiastic, sans ego, great storyteller with amazing tales I heard speak last year at a BlacKkKlansman screening, In personal conversation he was all that and a can of Gaga. Did we have fun! We talked Terence’s latest film, Harriet, it’s star Cynthia Erivo, New Orleans, his opera singing dad, playing piano, jazz, Katrina, losing family photos, Wynton, Branford, Art Blakey, Lionel Hampton, trumpeting, Spike Lee, the Lakers, scoring, Shawshank Redemption, composing an opera, and another, being a first, Malcolm X, Hendrix, Hancock, Lady Gaga, work ethics, mentors and mentoring, education, preparation, professionalism, thriving kids, current projects, winning Grammys, being nominated for an Oscar, playing jazz in a stadium, how it all feels... lots of his learned wisdom and a suggestion of his own, “Don’t be the headache.” Terence was a gas, in the best possible way. Loved every moment.
Terence Blanchard, Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 10/30/19, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full Show Replay http://bit.ly/2qbmZiN
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Productsor tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Crazy fun with Robert Wuhl. We talked Newbomb Turk, Mike Binder, Fran Drescher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tony Danza, all discovered in The Hollywood Knights, alongside Robert, its star. How could we not, it's arguably still his most talked about role. We talked Good Morning Vietnam and Robin Williams, their friendship, Bill Durham, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, neither first choices... and who was... Batman, and Michael Keaton, Clean & Sober and Jack. There's only one. Robert does a great impression. We talked Tom Hanks and DeNiro and the parts they didn't get. Writing the Oscars alone with Billy Crystal and winning the Emmy... doing it again with Bruce Vilanch and Marc Shaiman, winning again. Oh, hello, Jack Palance. We talked Arli$$ and Sandra Oh, Assuming the Position and Paul Revere, our mutual close old friend, restuaranteur, DeNiro partner, Drew Nieporent, being a foodie, Paris, Italy, his much missed pal, Glenn Frey, and their project left hanging with his untimely tragic passing... the book in the works... another Assume to come... a storytellers storyteller... Robert was passionate, hysterical and informative; like his 3 voting rules for the Oscars... and where that iconic line from Bill Durham came from... come on, come in, it's fun!
Robert Wuhl Live Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 11/6/19, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/2JWQyeF
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj YouTube http://bit.ly/2NOJPV9
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Productsor tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Ridiculous fun with Grammy Winner, Tony Braunagel.
As funny as he is stick gifted––great stories, he even acted some of 'em out. That High School Dracula, and the According To Jim gig paid off, big time. Man, is this boy entertaining.
Tony blew out of here post show to hook up (not that way) with Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi for a Blues Brothers gig... poor guy. Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones, Etta James, Robert Cray, Bette Midler, Taj Mahal... does his life suck.
Check this funny rockboy.
Tony Braunagel, Live Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 10/16/19, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: http://bit.ly/2MjyL2K
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of the Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products or tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
It just doesn’t get much better than this. Marcus Eaton, who David Crosby said is, “… a really brilliant writer. Brilliant musically. Brilliant lyrically. And he just plays guitar like God on a good day." Having borne witness, I say, Amen.
Marcus, who composed the score of the recently released, critically acclaimed doc, David Crosby: Remember My Name, and has recorded, toured and written with David, as well as opened for Dylan - that would be Bob, Dave Mathews, Jewel, Train, played with Seal and Flea to name but some––is gifted beyond my description. After seeing him at a stupendous Jeff Young gig, and now hearing and watching him play quite a bit here, he’s quickly become one of my favorite guitarists. The rest of the package, singer/songwriter/artist/human/fashionista is right up there with it. And, he makes one fine cup of joe. Thus, my… frenetic exuberance. Yes, let’s blame that. Ears, eyes, heart, soul, mind blown, in the best possible ways.
Marcus shares his story, growing up in a gifted family in Idaho, his father, Steve Eaton, a successful hit maker for The Carpenters and many others, operatic grandparents, and filmmaker brother, AJ Eaton, who when introduced to Crosby, so impressed him, he invited him to chronicle his story. Introduced by a mutual friend and hitting it off immediately, Marcus and David’s work together soon began with Crosby gifting Marcus with a Roy McAllister acoustic guitar, leading to Marcus Eaton signature edition. With a style and sound reminiscent of Ed Sheehan and Sting, Marcus leans in and does an amazing cover of Fragile on his upcoming EP, Invisible Lines, soon to be available in amazingly packaged vinyl. Marcus treats us to a taste of it, opens the show with Better Way, from his Versions of The Truth, his most requested tune, Fiona, Handed Down, which he gifted to the Peregrine Fund, a non-profit which conserves threatened and endangered birds of prey, a passion of his, dating back to his childhood obsession with Falcons, and bits of numerous other musical tastes and treats. His strumming, picking, percussing––astounding. There’s talk of his musical obsessions (Victor Wooten for one), touring tales, his love of Italy… Guarnieri guitars, finding an exact locale in Venice in time to finish a painting years ago begun… it’s a show packed with passion, playing, and wonder. I loved every second.
Marcus’s music is easily accessed here: https://www.marcuseaton.com/music
Marcus can next be seen Live at Women Who Write, on Tuesday, Oct 29th, at 11 am PT. In LA… come!
Marcus Eaton Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/9/19. 7 pm PT
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Show Replay here: http://bit.ly/2q2SWJT
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
The show must go on… cause I’m a neurotic, Jew with OCD. L’Shana Tova! I hadn’t missed a BROADcast since starting, July 12th in 2016. When I found out late last night that our scheduled guest, Lainie Kazan, was under the weather, I thought I’d take my first Wednesday off and watch some TV… at about 6:10 pm tonight I realized I couldn’t do it. There are a core of lovely peoples who show up here each week, no matter who the guest, and what the hell, I decided to be here for youes, and for creature of habit, me, who struggles with change. I had such a lovely, relaxed time, sans agenda, just chatting with y’all. Don’t think there’s anything too important contained within… it was just… nice. Thanks for taking the ride with me and being so damn attentive and lovely.
Shoutouts to the insanely wonderful and generous Zoe Moon, Rick Smolke, Nicole Venables, Anson Williams, Pete George, Crystal Husband, every artist who's lent their brilliant talents, and every beautiful soul who's shared the experience.
Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 10/2/19, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET
Live on The Facebook Full Show Replay http://bit.ly/2oHzt0k
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj YouTube http://bit.ly/2oJGg9U
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products or tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
If you weren't Live with us and 2019 Grammy Nominees, Teresa James and Terry Wilson (Best Contemporary Blues Album - Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps; Here in Babylon), about 15 minutes into the BROADcast, the camera shut down under heat distress in the studio built for 2, which four of us and a whole lotta instruments were crammed into, closed door, no windows, sans A/C, as it was making a racket… a gift in a way, as it was hotter than hades in there… a few more minutes and you might’ve read about us in the morning paper. Show abruptly halted was a major bummer for all. I was singing the blues without a Grammy nod, until we picked up at the baby grand in the cool living room. It was worth the disruption. Pete and I had a great time hearing tales of Teresa and Terry’s early years in Texas… then on the road––with Jimmy Reed & Lightnin’ Hopkins––making music in London, New York, first apart, and then together, landing in LA. Through soccer mommy and daddying, parenting and PTAing on the same day as singing with Huey Lewis at night.. touring the world together playing music with Eric Burdon… making great, great, music of their own, treating us to a bunch of tunes, a few spectacular ones of theirs, a Burdon classic, and a Jodi Siegel/Danny Timms tune which I love their version of, and they played at my request. We got a sample from their upcoming album, Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps LIVE, dropping Oct 25th… we were schooled on best protocol for procuring music for the artist. Please check their sites first, and download… from iTunes or get it from CD Baby… musicians make less than a penny from Pandora and Spotify. We talked about the biz some, what it takes to be an artist in this digital age. Mostly, they told great stories… it was so much fun. I love these people as much for their talent as for their beautiful souls. It was only a second real meeting, but they made us feel as if we'd known them forever. Instant family. Please give a watch and make your day. I know it will again make mine.
Teresa James and Terry Wilson Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson, Wed, 9/25/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Show replay here: http://bit.ly/2mMgwZA
For a crisp HD version, sans comments and blur YouTube https://youtu.be/XX1IXKCqero
Then check out: Part 1: The early years & Grammy “Acceptance” Speeches http://bit.ly/2lTAvVZ
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products or tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
We were Live with Billy Idol drummer, Erik Eldenius, who killed it Monday at The Fonda Theatre, backing up Billy, Jack Black, Gavin Rossdale, Juliette Lewis, and everyone else he played with. I call him a full-body drummer, the way he attacks his kit. A monster. In the best possible way. We chatted about growing up Swedish, say what... yup, Swedish is his first language... getting his first kit at 4, playing Kiss, and then many years later playing a festival with Gene and Paul looking on... his first tour... session work, Cher's wondrous ass, touring with Donna Summer, his years playing with Billy, who's making a huge resurgence... playing with Steve Stevens, Jeff Young and Jackson Browne... don't let the mohawk fool you. Eric’s a sweetheart of a guy. He smells good, too.
Here doing his thing, backing up Billy on Monday, with Dave Navarro, Carmine Rojas, and Billy Morrison. http://bit.ly/2kGWZJy
Erik Eldenius Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson, Wed, 9/18/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Samantha Rae
Live on The Facebook Full Show Replay http://bit.ly/2mm3MZn
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
What was I thinking, or not thinking?!? How did I not make clear that we preferred to go to his place, where keys abound, so that we could have the best of the best, keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter, Mike Finnigan do his thing?!? How exactly?!? We opened with the video of his What a Life, with The LA Blues Alliance. It’s killer. I’ve been watching it in heavy rotation for weeks. We closed with the debut of Mike’s music video of a Merle Haggard cover, which has yet to be recorded, nor seen before publicly, and it’s sensational! But, as soon as we turned off the camera and left the cyber air, Mike started singing his a capella ass off. There’s nothing like the Live thing. Opportunity missed. We’ll have to have back at Chez Finnigan.
What Mike did do was talk his days with Hendrix, Etta James, Joe Cocker, Johnny Cash, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Dave Mason, Cher (I know), Taj Mahal, Maria Muldaur, kd lang, Manhattan Transfer, Bonnie Raitt... getting loaded, getting sober, being politically educated and active, mixed bands, segregation... giving up the sure thing... no plan B... he was fascinating and fabulous. A musicians musician, beloved by everyone who knows and plays with him, he’s a feast for the heart, soul and ears.
Mike Finnigan Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/11/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full Show Replay http://bit.ly/2k8GPIm
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
The Live feed is wonky, for a clear view without blur there's this: YouTube http://bit.ly/2lZJ9Cb
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products or tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
We went Live with multiple Emmy award winning writer/producer, Jay Kogen ~ The Simpsons, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, Malcolm in The Middle, School of Rock, and what a fun ride it 'twas! Had a blast and learned so much about the business of show. Jay has fabulous stories of getting there, being there, and working to stay there. Great humility, huge talent, terrific suggestions. Tales of Tracey Ullman, The Simpsons, James L Brooks, writing for Homer, choosing between Frasier and Seinfeld and landed at The Single Guy. Say what? Back to Sophie's choice and choosing Frasier, and why... Brad Hall, Larry David, Mike Meyers, Garry Shandling, 3 act structure, film school, Jonathan Silverman, his comedy writing, Emmy-winning, one less than Jay, dad, Arnie Kogen, Dean Martin, Totie Fields, Jan Murray, Carol Burnett, Michael Palin, The Tonight Show, Bob Newhart, The Groundlings, Jon Lovitz, Phyllis Katz, Tracy Newman, rhyming the damn improv. He even does Hank Azaria doing an Al Pacino impression. Crazy, high energy, fun!
And be sure to order Charlie Kogen's debut album, Songs From The Front Seat http://bit.ly/2lDk13M
Jay guarantees you'll love at least 4 songs, all 10 probably, or you can write and bitch to him at JayKogen@aol.com - aol, really Jay? Two words, Gmail!
Jay Kogen Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/4/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full replay here http://bit.ly/2jZxx1h
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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The Live feed is wonky, for a clear view without blur there's this: YouTube http://bit.ly/2lZJ9Cb
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products or tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Fabulous conversation with Obie Award winner, Drama Desk and SAG Award nominee, Jason Butler Harner, who's about to co-star with John Slattery in neXt on Fox. You may remember him from Ozark, Ray Donovan, The Blacklist, Scandal, Alcatraz, Changeling, Bernhardt Hamlet… screens large and small, stages from Broadway to the Geffen... here with stories of Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Janet McTeer, Sarah Paulson, Colleen Dewhurst, Ben Gazzara, Clint Eastwood, Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Geri Jewel.. and how he's managed to be a working actor for 20+ years. No Plan B. He had sage wisdom––the world reflects back to you what you give––you have to encourage yourself to fail, and he’s invented a couple of pretty interesting words, humbly and ignariant, which he ‘splaines. He didn't get naked but he did peel off lotsa layers. #Inspiring
Jason Butler Harner Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/28/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Full Show replay http://bit.ly/2ZxreRx
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products or tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Great fun with Golden Globe and Emmy Winning writer, producer, director, Cindy Chupack. We talked her just dropped Netflix feature, Otherhood, the ten years and effort it took to get to screen, and the people who brought it to life: Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette and Felicity Huffman for three... Jake Hoffman, unbeknownst to me ~ Dustin's son... the close encounter with Meryl Streep.
From elementary school poet to working writer's rooms, oft with her partner, the sole women... Coach, Everybody Loves Raymond; choosing a lesser money, less secure, less visible Sex and The City... chasing it, thanks to an assist from Phil Rosenthal, and landing it... the happy fruitful years which followed... Modern Family, Divorce, I'm Dying up Here. The feel of each. Walking through some unknowing insecurity to direct her first feature, and leaving space to see it all the way through... to the bucket list which remains.
Loved every moment. I chose the kitchen, why? Cindy's writer's apartment living room faces the Marina. Next time. I have no doubt they'll be one from this prolific writer... oh yeah, we also talked her two Modern Love entries, her two books, and the essay which changed her life. Informative fun. Now that's edutainment.
Cindy Chupack on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/21/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/2NpxZ5w
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products or tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Wisdom, inspiration, and guidance from actor, writer, director, producer, Peter Paige, who chartered his course and did the work to live his dreams… even a few he didn’t realize he had.
Growing up always moving, and starting over, he became a keen observer of human behavior. Finding his way in drama club, conservatory at Boston University, regional theatre, always doing the work, his best, securing his future and his next step forward. Using his fears to drive himself, there were signs from the universe that he was on course. Landing his first TV role on Suddenly Susan, from his first audition. From activist to actorvist, besting Billy Porter and many others to land the role of Emmett in Queer as Folk, groundbreaking television and a career making star turn. He didn’t get the role of Jack on Will & Grace but did land a guest appearance on the show, and later lost a few gigs for being “too much like Jack.”
From actor to writer/director to Showrunner, Peter went on to co-create The Fosters, and currently, Good Trouble. Where the ideas were sparked, and which of his hats speaks loudest to his heart.
Great storytelling from a great storyteller. Watch for the wisdom. Stay for the fun.
Peter Paige on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/14/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Peg Farber-Burr
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/2Z5Tyda
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products or tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
From unknowing to extreme fandom in five easy minutes. For those in the know, this is a given. For those not, the opening of the show, where pianist composer, Mike Lang treats us to his Rural State of Mind, makes the case in certain terms. The man is a musical genius. From his gift at the keys, to his vast knowledge, expertise, finesse and collections, he’s a gift.
I had the great good fortune to attend a Jazz concert at Zipper Concert Hall, two weeks past. Great good fortune and jazz in the same sentence have not oft been uttered by me. I went specifically to hear Mike, who trusted friend, writer and long time Women Who Writer, Cindy Begel, raved about. Mind blown!
Mike’s recorded more than 2000+ film scores and played with Ray Charles, story told. Aretha Franklin, story told. Marvin Gaye, in absentia, InSync, Frank Zappa, Barbara Streisand, stories told. John Lennon, with May Pang, joined by Harry Nilsson and… Cher. I know. Only John took Yoko’s call. The results surprising. Story told. Mid-show, Mike treated us to his masterful Mandela, Deborah Pearl crooned Since I Fell For You.
There’s a great story about As Good As it Gets, Jack Nicholson, James L Brooks and Hans Zimmer (who loved this show’s promo post. Thrilling) and how Mike was put to the triple test. Mike talked Henry Mancini, Phil Spector, and closed the show with his mashup of Southern Nights and Come Rain Or Come Shine. It shown.
Now that’s edutainment.
Mike Lang on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 8/7/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/31nuaBj
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
While the Democrats were debating, I was going flat hair to flat hair with 6 time Emmy Winner, Dan O’Shannon. I believe the victor is clear. He has more height, and 6 other Emmy nods. Whilst running the room at Cheers, barely 30ish, the boss of our Tracy Newman, he coined the phrase, “I’m sorry, was that out loud?” I didn’t believe it either, but it’s documented. I know. From a lightning bolt moment at the age 8, Dan made the decision that the next day he was going to make people laugh. It may have been hit or miss for a few years, but it’s been hit after hit since. From Cheers, Newhart, to Fraiser, that’s quite a story, to Modern Family…. Dan shares suggestions on what to do, and what not to do, if you’re new in the writer’s room. Fueled by his father’s disbelief, Dan set out to prove him wrong and boy, did he ever. Too bad about the Jaguar, pops. Getting serious about the funny, Dan took us through his standup self discoveries to segueing to TV and killing it, his only prep, 3 spec scripts. Bringing us up to speed with his current gig, Seth McFarlane’s The Orville, I felt stupidly unaware, but, In my defense, it’s not yet on Dan’s IMDB or Wiki, so how’s a girl to know? We talked Ted Danson. Kirstie Alley, George Wendt, Bob Newhart, pissing people off, Fred Willard, Ty Burrell, Brooke Shields… and Mrs. Jesus. That’s fun! He’s authored two books to date, you can find all things Dan here http://www.oshannonland.com He claims to be a grandfather, but he still looks like a very young Harry Anderson to me. Night Court, anyone? For someone who’s known exactly what he wanted as a grade school kid, he’s manifested it all and is currently reflective and uncertain about where to lean next. Maybe… nothing? He’s earned it, but I don’t believe it. Not for one silly second. Speaking of silly, Dan channels his early Idol, Jerry Lewis, a couple of times. Now that’s edu-tainment.
Dan O’Shanon on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/31/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Harry Abelson
Live on The Facebook Show replay here http://bit.ly/2Yi30i7
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Sandy Helberg, an original Groundling, sure's got the gift of the gab. From his early days coming over from Germany, there's his dad, who survived the camps and took over Toledo Ohio, boasting about his son, Spielberg's partner, not, Gopher on Love Boat, sorta; a great story teller, no doubt. Sandy sure is. The whole family's doing it... like his brother, the doctor. Not. But practicing. You can't make this shit up. Well, you could, but it wouldn't be as funny. Stories about Mel Brooks, Rick Maranis, Jeff Goldblum, Laraine Newman, Lorne Michaels, Lily Tomlin, Freddy Mercury and Queen, Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr... being the dad of the Big Bang's Simon Helberg, his casting director wife, Harriet, and their granddaughter, Lily, who they adopted and are raising as their daughter. There's booze, drugs, lies, neglect, great love, and the funny, always the funny.
Sandy Helberg Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson, Wed, 7/24/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Michael Kohl
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/2GpqOWj
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolkeke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Fred Willard’s a national treasure. Spending time with him in his kitchen reminiscing about how he got to Fernwood 2 Night, and all that followed was a thrilling joyride. There’s no way to begin to assess the gazillions of laughs he’s responsible for. In my house alone. We talked about fun at Phil’s with current Emmy Nominee, Phil Rosenthal, Second City, Ace Trucking Company, Fernwood 2-Night, Martin Mull, Norman Lear, Charlton Heston, Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, Spinal Tap, Roseanne, Tom Arnold, Laverne and Shirley, Lenny & Squiggy, Saturday Nigh Live. John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, Devo, Bob Newhart, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, WALL-E, Real People, Albert Brooks, Burt Lancaster, Milton Berle, Modern Family, Everybody Loves Raymond, Peter Boyle, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Charles Grodin, Elvis, Mama Cass, Jeffrey Ross, Anne Frank, God… so so much more... our combined memories were a tad challenged and took some charades-like effort to land a name, but Fred’s recall of people and situations were priceless. Who better to tell stories than one of the greatest improvisers to ever partake of the art. No one. Period.
Fred Willard on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/17/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/30OWBIl
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Doing this show is always life-affirming, fun, and thrilling for me. Tonight I got all that, plus touched to my core. Sam Harris went balls to the walls and deep to the feet. Alright, shitty metaphor, shoot me. From the left. That's my good side. Yes, Sam, it's still all about me. Except this glorious time we spent together. As promised truths, heretofore kept private, came out in a thoughtful, loving pour. There was Liza, Frank Langella, being parented, parenting, falling in love, living with love, drinking too much, thinking too much, darkness, sadness, hitting the depths, and soaring to stupendous heights. There was great wisdom. "There is no obstacle we can't give our way out of." Sam ‘splains. I’ll be applying it. And, this Star Search, first ever champion, Tony nominated Broadway star, multi-platinum selling recording artist, star of screens large and small... while readying for his closeup in his latest star turn, the premier of his film, HAM: A Musical Memoir, based on his bestselling book, then play, which won the Ovation Award for Best Musical and Best Actor... gave from his kishkas, and this Oklahoma goy boy knows what that word means, and boy is he proudly, and adorably, Jewishy. The play was filmed live at the Pasadena Playhouse and its world premiere will be on July 23rd at the Outfest Film Festival in Hollywood. Tickets here j.mp/SamHamMovie ~ I'll be there. Join me, woncha? In the meantime, I'm going back here... so much to relish and take-in. Did I mention he sings? Oh hell yeah... at the last, right into my eyes, and my soul. swoon I could not adore this man more.
Sam Harris on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/10/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: http://bit.ly/2Sfw8jZ
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Crazy fun with Alvino M. Bennett who's played with everyone from Muddy Waters, Minnie Riperton, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Bryan Ferry, LTD, to Dave Mason, and so many more along the way. Starting as a 10 yr old in inner city Chicago, playing in the drum and bugle corps, club gigging at 12, say what?!? Having a manager and playing pro by 14, Alvino told great stories, and included so many of the players beyond the front men and women he hit the stage and studio with. He listed his favorite drummers, starting with his soulful biggest influence, Buddy Miles, Talked of how he found his groove at the super Dome with LTD, when given direction during a sound check, what it felt like to play the first song he wrote for 100K people with Bic lighters, how the dancing of the Four Tops and the Temptations influenced his style to this day, how he learned to read music, play piano, and guitars, write music, and produce. Playing The Tonight Show with Stevie Wonder, who gifted Johnny, and with Sheena Easton, and what touring with her was like…. likewise with Chaka and Bryan Ferry. How he met Dave Mason and that journey 16 years later. The dream to play with Clapton, live. He played a few great original tracks, Dream Lover, an instant favorite, with the great Jonathan McEuen, he shook his thang, his bling is a whole other thing. #Want ~ Loved every minute.
Alvino’s music can be found on iTunes. Check it. His special thanks to GRETSCH Drums, PAISTE Cymbals, and VATER Sticks.
Alvino Bennett on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 7/3/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George Assist by Hayden George Check out his Nectar Ink graphic tees www.nectarinkapparel.com
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/2JpdBxo
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
If you love the rock 'n roll, and who doesn't... Mitch Miller! (That story here.) Steve Resnik, creator, curator, and owner of the West Coast Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame Museum, and human encyclopedia of rock 'n roll, takes us through his growing up in Chicago in the 50s and 60s, coming alive as kid with the birth of said, rock 'n roll, walking us through the early days to the glory days. First as a passionate, obsessed listener and appreciator, to college radio program director, interviewer, where Stevie Wonder, Jim Morrison, and Led Zeppelin are a very few of his successes, and one of his perceived failures. Steve lived Cameron Crowe's life in Almost Famous, only more gloriously. The Whiskey and The Troubadour were his home. He saw, met and partied with everybody, and I mean everybody who was anybody. Hendrix, Joplin, Wonder, oh my. One of the great record promoters hisself, he worked alongside the greatest in his eyes... stories of Clive Davis, Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, John Lennon, and the beforementioned Jim Morrison and Stevie Wonder... those two tales... WOW!
We'd planned to be downstairs in the 45 room, where Steve has every single which charted from the day 45s were created in '55 thru to their extinction. Unfortunately, the vinyl is downstairs in the basement to keep them cool, and sadly the WiFi was too erratic to trust. So we'll do a raincheck with our Stump Steve, where he can locate any 45 within 20 seconds and play it. I'll have to get one of those portable hotspots for the fun.
Prior to the interview, thanks so much Rob Barnett for inviting me to his party at Steve's a few months ago, Steve quizzed me on my credits. Greatest victory for me, I was able to answer Steve's sudden rapid fire Live questions and was given a nod of approval from one who knows the score. My father would be so proud.
Wildly, Pete's uncle, Don George, was an A&M rep out of Cleveland when Steve was the VP and attended a party in the very room where we did this conversation. Love the small world stuff.
This was rock 'n roll edutainment to the gazillionith degree. We was schooled! Loved every second.
Steve Resnik on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 6/26/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here http://bit.ly/2NsexGy
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
We had no fun at all when Sara Niemietz paid us a call nose grows How does a 20 something take on playing a young Carol Burnett opposite Linda Lavin on Broadway, Wanda in Carl Reiner's Enter Laughing at the Annenberg, sing with BJ Thomas at The Grand Ole Opry, do Ellen at her invitation, record with Richard Marx, co-write with Melissa Manchester, be a regular player on Glee, appear on Providence and Gilmore Girls, sing with PostModern Jukebox, tour the world, partner with Emmy winning composer, Snuffy Walden, to get not only her voice, but her music heard and seen, with over 24 million views on her YouTube channel, and still have time to devour Dostoyevsky, brussel sprouts and pizza, speak and sing fluent Mandarin, learn a bissell Russian, and still look and act like a fun-loving kid?!? It's called being Sara Niemietz. Hear about it all, how she did it, how she lives it, and hear that girl blow the roof off my rental. Yowza! This show comes with a fun back guarantee.
Sara Niemietz on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 6/19/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/2MXAywU
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions , the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Sitting down with 24’s Bill Buchanan, James Morrison, was an entertainment, an edutainment and a spiritual revelation. Warmth and wisdom on art, humanity and life. I’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful person. Easy on the eyes, ears… did I mentioned he played… WOW! His Selfish Man has been on heavy rotation in my brain on my device since he played it last night. I cannot stop singing it. Lucky for all, I’m alone. Great pickin’, amazing singing, and stupendous storytelling. James’s adherence to being of service in all that he does in life and art, serves him, and all who are graced in his presence. And, he’s so fun! From a childhood in Alaska and Utah surrounded by addiction, he came to terms with his own. 38 years sober, there’s nothing self-righteous in his recovery, it’s generosity of actions and spirit, all the time. From theatre to TV spots: X-Files, Frasier, The West Wing, to being featured on Private Practice, 24, the newly reimagined Twin Peaks, and loads of others along the way… James has been a working actor since commuting to it at 21. Partnered with his wife, Riad Galayini, he co-directed and produced Showing Up, an unprecedented look at the audition, with some of our most accomplished working actors reflecting on the process and how it affects them. Nathan Lane, Sam Rockwell, Eli Wallach. Kristin Chenoweth… James and company make a case for how the process of preparing and presenting at an audition serves likewise in life. Committed to his craft, his son, his music and art, James is a humanist and activist, putting his actions where his mouth is. A one-man show is in the works. James will be treating Women Who Write to a taste on August 27th. Catch it live on the Facebook. I can’t wait for more James. A taste is not nearly enough. I highly recommend staying abreast of all his wonder on FB and at http://www.jpmorrison.com. I have profound love and admiration for this man. What a gift and a pleasure.
James Morrison on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 6/12/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Full show replay http://bit.ly/2ZkhnP5
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
We went Live with Grammy nominated recording artist, sitcom (Mr. Belvedere), film (Ladybugs with Rodney Dangerfield), and Broadway star (I Love My Wife), plus author, Ilene Graff. She’s done it all, successfully. We dug in... Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Glenn Close, Harry Connick Jr, Tony Roberts, Bob Uecker, Christopher Hewett, Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams, Penny Marshall... and it was crazy fun.
Ilene Graff on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 6/5/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/2WdEGs0
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Little House on the Prairie's Alison Arngrim, NY Times bestselling author, stand-up comedian, activist, and TV history's #1 one bitch, according to Vanity Fair, was in the house. Nellie Oleson, the girl America loved to hate… is actually... nice… funny... and fun! A sweetheart. Shhhh… An advocate against child abuse following her own violation, an Aids activist, following the death of Steve Tracy, her Little House on-screen husband and co-star, is a… good person. Don’t tel! You ruin her jam. Alison’s memoir, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated chronicles her journey, as does this show, where she was forthcoming about starting in show biz at age 5, being a “has been” at 11, and then scoring the role of a lifetime at 12. Her industry family’s reaction to her perceived “failures” and soaring successes, the internal struggles, her mom’s iconic work as Casper the Friendly Ghost, Gumby and Davey of Davey and Goliath. Her manager father who’s clients included Liberace and Debbie Reynolds… nailing Nellie, working with Michael Landon and the Bonanza drinking and smoking crew, her close friendship with Melissa Gilbert in spite of their onscreen animosity… 7 years of being on top of the world as her character explored the depths… standup comedy, world renown, activism with passion and commitment, falling in love and staying there… that’s the real Nellie… I mean, Alison. What a trip she is with an inexhaustible spirit. So, so much fun.
More Alison here http://www.bonnetheads.com
Alison Arngrim on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 5/29/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook http://bit.ly/2y47ZCi
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
There aren't too many people who rock like my old pal, Steve Conte. This boy sings his ass off, and plays, like hell. In the best possible way. In town for Samantha’s graduation (surreal and fabulous), we were Live from New York. From my hotel room. Where the room was so cramped, and the hotel so unaccommodating, they wouldn’t loan me a second chair, thus the interview from my bed. Not as obscene as it sounds, or looks, Harry and Samantha were a few feet away. Steve opened the BROADcast with his OK DJ, a Coolest Song in the World on Little Steven’s Underground Garage… one of three of Steve’s solo work to earn that distinction. He also sang his Gimme Gimme Rockaway, also in the top five for the year, his Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked in Tonight, was beaten only by Springsteen for the top spot of the year. Steve sang and played with such passion and gusto, the kids and I were waiting for the front desk to call, or send someone to bang on the door to tell us to shut the fuck up… it didn’t happen, even through rousing renditions of Maggie May and Mercedes Benz. Although, at breakfast, Samantha and I overheard someone say they thought Rod Stewart was in the room next to them. Steve told great stories of Chuck Berry, David Johansen, Phoebe Snow, Paul Simon, Ringo, and so much more about the daze! It was all great fun, and oh, so sweet to see the rocker turn soft when speaking of his boys. RockBoy turned dad, suits him, but in no way softens his rocker edge. Steve and his bass-playing brother, John, played every venue I booked through the years. Loved this reunion… sharing the time, and, my bed. coughs
Steve Conte on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 5/22/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Harry Abelson
Live on The Facebook http://bit.ly/2y47ZCi
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
From Comedian Tommy Moore: “This interview is a MUST SEE, after some pleasantries and shout outs it has the most intense, compelling, and riveting stories of courage and determination, wonderful people and horrible people, and obstacles of every kind, all told with remarkable humor, understanding, and compassion...Worth every minute of your time...God Bless Geri Jewell.”
One of the most heart-warming, soul-filling, fun-having, sit downs I've been blessed to experience. Geri Jewell, the first visually disabled actor to be a series regular (Facts of Life, Deadwood) and co-star in the about to drop, Deadwood The Movie (we got an exclusive), HBO. May 31st, has insight, passion. faith, balls, smarts, courage, loyalty, vulnerability, depth, faith, intuition, love, and is one stupendous storyteller. From diagnosis to special ed, following her passion and living her dreams... years long letter exchanges with her idol, Carol Burnett, the meeting, with just lost Tim Conway, too… from standup to sitcom, being discovered and transformed by visionary, Norman Lear, being swindled by a wolf in sheep’s clothing, abused and used, meeting her teen heartthrob, David Cassidy, as he was fanning her, fooling Phil Donahue, David Milch, my new hero––rediscovering Geri. Twice. His timing impeccable. Chronic pain, pills, surgeries, she’s been broke and broken, defying the odds, again and again and again, always with great good humor. Her treasured sister and best friend, Gloria––a monkey, a promise. if Geri can retain her faith, and unwavering belief that she will manifest her goals, so can I dammit, and, so can you. #Inspired #moved #transformed
Geri Jewell on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 5/15/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook http://bit.ly/2y47ZCi
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Stupendous chat and mini-concert with Grammy nominated Harriet Schock, songwriter of the Gold and Platinum selling Helen Reddy smash hit, Ain’t No Way To Treat A Lady. Harriet opens the BROADcast with it, joined by her longtime harmonizer, Andrea Ross-Greene. It’s an extended version, a Suite mashup with another of her hits, One Time Lover, Nothing like hearing the songwriter sings their own song. Recording artist, performer, actress, author, teacher, fab womanz, Harriet, has written hundreds, thousands (?) of songs, covered by Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Roberta Flack, Manfred Mann, and Nancy Wilson, to name but a handful. She’s written for TV and film, five of Henry Jaglom’s movies alone, and collaborated extensively with Emmy-winning composer Misha Segal as well. She shares her creative process, how she did it all, and how she can help us do it, too. Harriet is the definitive songwriting teacher in LA. She’s created a method, begun when she was teaching at USC, and has perfected it over the years working with some of LAs greatest singer/songwriters.
Maddening in and out static (don't blame Pete) for the last few minutes of the show... go to HarrietSchock.com for access to her amazing catalogue of music. A stalwart, almost since the beginning regular at Women Who Write, she’s appeared thrice over the past ten years. Look for her return very soon. I LOVED every moment in her good company. Her music and lyrics thrilled.
Harriet Schock on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 5/6/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay: http://bit.ly/2JrD5fr
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj YouTube https://youtu.be/Rhpbnho5Y_o
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Jeff Young's got great stories about his years playing with Jackson Browne, his thoughts before; the night with Bruce Springsteen, the year and half with Sting and its surprising to me sidebar; Bonnie Raitt, Steve Ferrone, Will Lee, The Apollo- seeing Sly, James Brown, Redd Foxx there; R & B, the blues. jazz, London calling, Cream, Traffic, Chris Wood; Larry Hagman (I know), Jan Michael Vincent, Bill Withers, Donald Fagen, Steely Dan, Tracy Chapman, Dylan, Paul Simon, Hendrix, Eric Burdon and The Animals, above The Beatles and The Stones... come on, that's a lotta stuff.
He sings a couple too. One he wrote for Ray Charles. Pete hops in.
Learned a lot about a musician I've oft heard play, a man I barey knew, and hopefully now have garnered a new treasured friend.
Jeffrey Young on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wed, 4/24/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/2IUniq5
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
What a gas (the good kind) we had with Coco Gemma Dolenz. Great stories about how she got her name, her brother Micky, their folks, the music, the movies. the Restaurant, Circus Boy, peroxide, The Monkees, what she learned from Peter, Mike, and Davy; The Beatles, John and George, Nilsson, Harry and Zak, Billy Bob Thornton, Dolenz & Daughters, Dolenz Delights, Etsy… music, food, a cookbook, salads, the human spirit, Religious Science, standards, recording new music, Cole Porter, singing with Micky, with Micky and Davy, with The Monkees, and currently with The Mike and Micky Show, Good Times, It’s Not Easy Being Green, Papa Gene’s Blues, sweaty palms. … so much more... and, there was singing! And, so much fun!
Coco Gemma Dolenz Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 4/24/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/2L4dH1C
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Special thanks to Kevin Walt for our Blue Yeti kicking sound ass
One of the greatest storytellers I've had the joy of spending time with, Peter Onorati is a gas! The good kind. As great an actor as he is, bringing truth, depth and unique flavor to every character he portrays, he brought that plus incredible warmth, humanity, and loads of the funny. And, funny people. I feel like I interviewed his whole family.... and Bobby DeNiro. Peter made it so easy… each question sparked a multitude of tales, one more astonishing and entertaining than the next… his grandfather’s secret, his mother’s master manipulation, from football to wrestling to wrestling naked with Kim Cattrall on Sex And The City, the actual Sopranos, fantastic Cop Rock stories, from Kathleen Wilhoite to Mike Post, Steven Bochco, who transitioned him to leading man, Civil Wars and Mariel Hemingway. Starting out at Ford Motor Company, getting an MBA and kicking ass at McCall’s Magazine, a sales and marketing maven, he brought those skills and business acumen to his new career - first improv, where he met his bride of 30 years, Jeanette Collins, a glorious Emmy Award winning writer, then to standup, commercials, Goodfellas, where he finessed Scorsese, Kate and Allie, and off he went. We got current with This Is Us and S.W.A.T. and talked his fitness, “The gym is the only place I go where my goal is to leave.” But go he does, and boy does it show. WOW, what a specimen. What an actor, what a human! Suzy Soro, I owe you big time for the connection. Beyond this show, these are people I hope to know. Thanks Lynne Stewart, I felt like you were in the room with us. And what good company that is. I had a phenomenal time, before, during and after the cameras rolled. From the first moment we said hello, Peter was an incredibly easy person to get to know. Does it get any better than that? Yes, add Pete George.
Peter Onorati on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 4/17/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay https://bit.ly/2DlHlco
For the video without the blur https://youtu.be/WhxseNNycOg
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Special thanks to Kevin Walt for our Blue Yeti
Some things, some people are worth waiting for. Rob Bonfiglio is certainly one. From the opening moments of the show, Rob kills the title track of his recently dropped masterful power pop CD, Trouble Again. A Philly boy, Rob takes us through the junior high school band that wasn’t, the teacher who opened the door to jazz which became Rob’s passion, Berklee College of Music, Wanderlust his first signed band, who just happened to open for The Who. Stop! He speaks of the meeting and courtship of his soon to be bride, Carnie Wilson––their early days in Philly, mmove to LA, the rebirth of Wilson Phillips with Rob as guitarist and musical director, having babies, being grossly manipulated and misrepresented on Celebrity Wife Swap, to fulfilling a long held dream to join Brian Wilson’s Band, which he did this past year, playing guitar and singing high lead Beach Boy vocals on many of the songs he’d come to appreciate as melancholy genius from the iconic Pet Sounds. A life well-lived, most impressive is the man he is.
Scheduled last month, the Facebook had been down all day… we didn’t call it until moments before Rob was to jump in his car. When he commits, he shows up. Period. As proven when he headlined Women Who Write in January in spite of having a nasty cold. “There’s no illness in show bizness.”
The first time I met Rob he was playing guitar for Nick Guzman’s house concert. I never would’ve guessed in that moment the magnitude of his career. This night he was a supporting player, a sideman, albeit a brilliant one, as he was at the recent Wild Honey concert, and the two before that. He’s humble and gracious… dare I say. always?
We talked his early obsession with Kiss, his days in Boston and New York, Peter Asher, Ken Sharp, Mackenzie Philips (his mishpucha), Al Jardine, John, Bob and Susan Cowsill, Will Lee, Zak Nilsson, Nick Guzman, The Flower Power and '70s Rock & Romance Cruises from which he just returned and a slew of jazz greats who’ve inspired him.
Rob’s before-mentioned recently dropped CD, Trouble Again, ranked #1 on Marcus Blake's Album picks for 2018 is in heavy rotation in my kitchen. Oh my lord how I love it. And him. He has mad talent, a sweet and gentle soul, and is damn easy on the eyes.
Loved, loved, loved the time.
Rob Bonfiglio on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 4/10/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full Show replay https://bit.ly/2VARNUx
You can get Rob's music @RobBonfiglio.com
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and r begegular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Roslyn Kind is a revelation. This showbiz talk show was easy on the biz, and the show. Spirituality, unconditional love, self-love, inclusion, past life regression, visitations, meditation, familial love, uniting, healing, living life’s calling, going with the flow, and, saving the country were in heavy rotation.
Of course we talked about the music––and that voice! Oh lord that voice! Ed Sullivan and her first album at 18… Broadway. Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, sister Barbra Streisand, nephew Jason Gould, the three of them singing and touring together; brother-in-law Elliot Gould, her talented and tough mama, her brother, niece and other nephew, the grands… for Rozzie, family is paramount. People are paramount. As if to illustrate the point, she brought along her close friend, David Zimmerman, who filled in some blanks, and finished a few sentences. Their familiarity and comfort with each other was sweetly adorable.
We talked about a past life, her transformative meditation practice (https://bit.ly/2CWIqYd) her current single, the Laura Nyro classic, Save the Country, (must see video here: https://bit.ly/2VjL5Cm get it here : https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/roslynkind3) as much about the message as the music.
We talked fun stuff… Dark Shadows, Ebinger’s blackout cake, hot dogs, pizza and Chinese food, none of which she allows herself any more… learning to sing harmony thanks to Barbra and Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Yiddish, and finding her way in music, and in life.
Rozzie’s yellow hazel eyes are stunning and mesmerizing. I apologize for monopolizing them, she’s a connector and goes soul to soul with every word. And please call her Rozzie. Barbra coined it when she was a little girl, and she’d like to use it and have it stick.
Singer and entertainer for sure, she’s all that and a behemoth bag of Cheetos, although she’d eat nary a one. After the show we chatted almost as long as we did on air. I loved every second with this brilliantly talented, spiritual, empathic, healer. Here’s to more… much much more, Rozzie.
Thanks Anson Williams for encouraging me, Harlan B Harlan Boll for connecting me and Pete and David for sharing the joy.
Roslyn Kind on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 4/3/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: http://tinyurl.com/y2ekzru2
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Special thanks to Kevin Walt and Blue Microphones for our fabulous Yeti.
Glee’s Josh Sussman is impossible to miss with his unique look which oft likens him to a possible Art Garfunkel son or a very young, much hipper, Larry Fine, in hair only. A Gleek, I recognized him immediately at a social soirée, bumping into him a couple more times over the past few years. Our interactions were brief, friendly, and perhaps a tad awkward. I didn’t anticipate this… one of the most enjoyable, easy, refreshing, inspiring, thought-provoking and fun conversations I’ve had. I knew there had to be a lot to him to garner the success he’s achieved, working consistently since starting, racking up an impressive list of credits, for a young man. Josh appeared in a number of shows my kids were addicted to, from the Suite Life of Zach and Cody, Drake and Josh (different Josh), Wizards of Waverly Place, Warren the Ape, to award-winning, mega-hit, Glee, which we watched together all through its run. From his beginnings as a Yeshiva student in Teaneck, NJ, Josh, obsessed with The Muppets, decided that he wanted to get into the TV screen to inhabit their world. I have no doubt his determination coupled with his hard work and impeccable work ethic manifested that dream. He still hasn’t met the actual Muppets, although he has met their masters. It’s only a matter of time. Josh appreciates the process––meticulous preparedness, from what seems simple, like knowing his lines (interning in a casting directors office early on, he learned that many, don’t), mapping out the location in advance to eliminate added stress, being on time and ready to roll, knowing when to speak and when to get out, being nice, not gossiping, be willing to go to any lengths, “Pain is temporary, film is forever.” He tells great stories to illustrate the point, like getting ridiculously drunk so he could throw up on actor/filmmaker, Chris Bergoch, in Tangerine. Josh didn’t add, but I will, being crazy talented has sure helped. He walked into Glee to do a small part in one episode, the second of the first season… he lasted five.
He speaks with great admiration of Selena Gomez, the late Cory Monteith, Darren Criss, and Ryan Murphy. Lea Michele, well, she thought he was hot for her, so…
Josh talked about rejection, in work and in life, about parts and girls he didn’t get… Bumble––dating, not dating, and being in the friend zone. He shared his mantra learned from Sylvester Stallone in Rocky Balboa, “It’s not how hard you hit, but how hard you can hit and keep getting up.” It’s clearly serving him. He sure knows how to book, I have no doubt the right girl will appreciate and beckon.
There’s pearls of wisdom sprinkled throughout. Josh Sussman is one impressive fellow, available for film. TV, and dates. And, I trust, one day soon he’ll score the coveted gig, appearing with his beloved Muppets.
Josh Sussman Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/27/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook https://bit.ly/2UlGZMU
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Special thanks to Kevin Walt and Blue Microphones for our fabulous Yeti.
Some things, some people, are worth waiting for. Steve Ferrone, may have forgotten us once, but he more than made good. The drummer who held the pocket for 25 yrs with Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, 8 yrs with the Average White Band, 6 with Clapton, many with Chaka, Duran Duran, countless other icons… tells almost all… well, a lot. Meeting Tom, the journey, from the Super Bowl to the Hollywood Bowl, how he heard he’d lost him. Meeting George Harrison, Michael Jackson, Clapton, he playing experience with each, getting saved by early influencer, Ringo… Phil Collins, playing with Prince… Jeff Golub, introducing pal Will Lee, Mr. Fab Faux, to a Beatle. Stevie Winwood, Bowie, Nile Rogers… from tap dancer at age 3 to self-taught sultan of the skins, opening for The Who at 12, Steve’s amassed 25 yrs of sobriety through the unlimited offerings, attends a meeting every day, at 7:30 am no less… that’s some kind of commitment from a rocker who works mostly at night. 4 kids, 9 grandkids, 4 wives, 2 significant others and a lotta peaches in his pear tree. The man has stories and boy can he tell them. Justified gratitude rules his day, the man is doing what he loves ~ he lives to play and plays to live. Life is good. Life is fun. I sure had a blast going along for the ride. And the music! Lots about the music. Here the video Steve speaks of Prince joining in at the Rock Hall - a behind scenes blow by blow of that iconic While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
Stephen Ferrone on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 1/30/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Hope and Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full Show Replay here: https://bit.ly/2Oif1fa
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Special thanks to Kevin Walt and Blue Microphones for our fabulous Yeti
We couldn't go Live, and I wasn't about to throw Rob Bonfiglio under the Facebook, but it's been 136 straight Wednesdays... so, Kelsey and I recorded a little show about disappointments, whilst smiling. I sure missed y'all tonight.
Well, we didn't go Live, but after the video uploaded I hosted a Facebook Watch Party, previously unbeknownst to me... and what fun... got to interact in real time. Can't figure out if there's a way to grab a link from it to attach here... that's where all the "real time" in fake time comments are. A bummer, salvaged. Thanks so much for watching with Kelsey and me, youes fine peoples.
Rob will be with us, Wed, April 24th, same bat time, same bat channel. I hope...
Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/19 - Recorded not live cause the Facebook was broke
With Kelsey Djupstrom
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Thanks to Kevin Walt and Blue Microphones for our beloved Yeti
We were having so much fun with our friend, Tracy Newman, we broke the internet. Or, Mercury is retrograde… or FB’s Live feed’s a whore. We jumped into the show with Tracy singing arguably my favorite of her tunes, Fire Up The Weed, coughs then got right into her Emmy win with co-writer, Jonathan Stark, and the stories around that ground-breaking coming out episode of Ellen, and the politics and personalities behind it, when BAM! We were thrown outta cyberspace. We revisited the conversation here, on our second attempt, but to hear that great Newman tune, it’s up top here https://goo.gl/cA3DZa .
Tracy opens this edition with her Carpool song, another gem. More Ellen/Emmy insights followed…. did you know if you’re not a star you gotta pay for your lady? Worth the $300+ bucks, Man, is she a beauty. Ridiculously heady to hold. Tracy’s Peabody Award ain’t no slacker either, even if that one cost another couple of hundred. Who knew?
We went back to childhood, her sister Laraine, and brother Dutch––twins. I didn’t know that, neither. Tracy started as a folksinger, did the Greenwich Village scene, also performing in the comedy clubs, where she got a taste for the funny and dated an unlikely fellow, landed an even more unlikely manager, and, a spot on The Tonight Show. A show biz nightmare sent her back to LA where she took up Improv with Laraine, and a group of funny others, founding The Groundlings, where Laraine was plucked for SNL––fun story there. Tracy spent years performing and teaching and at soon to be writing partner Jonathan’s invitation, wrote a script which got them staff positions at Cheers. Not a bad place to launch. Bob, starring Newhart, The Nanny, and Ellen followed, leading to them creating According to Jim, which was a game changer to an already stellar career. Great success and years later, Tracy returned to folk singing and has been living the life she loves ever since. Her current passion is her company, Run Along Home, which produces her CDs for kids. You can find them and her sensationally funny and oft moving tunes for grownups here www.tracynewman.com and www.runalonghome.com.
There are a couple of other musical treats, a song for her sis, and loads of great stories about Johnny Carson. Ricky Jay, Skitch Henderson, Lily Tomlin. Lorne Michaels, Bob Newhart. Ed McMahon, Rodney Dangerfield, Fran Drescher, Ellen… and Tracy wants me to tell you, she meant narcolepsy. You’ll know when you get there.
The time literally flies. Tracy’s a multi-faceted, multi-talented treat. This loaded slice of Newman’s a feast of fun.
Tracy Newman on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 3/6/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://goo.gl/7B4VvZ
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Our fab Blue Yeti microphone, thanks to Kevin Walt
Who’s Gold
We went Live on the road to the magnificent home of keyboardist/vocalist for The Who, Loren Gold - Roger Daltrey, Kenny Loggins, Kelly Clarkson, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, musical director for Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff, Taylor Hicks... ridiculously accomplished, talented, humble, Loren’s grateful for it all, with only nice things to say about everything and everybody. Growing up in Palo Alto with older siblings who turned him on to The Beatles, The Stones, and The Who, foreshadowing his inevitable future. From a High School band to LA clubs, working as a messenger by day, Loren paid his dues with diligence and focus. Once the great gigs started, he parlayed one into the next… from Hilary Duff, to Taylor Hicks to Roger Daltrey to The Who. That’s just crazy right there. So many sweet stories, one of Pete Townsend he’s never told before. He currently splits his time with The Who and playing with Rita Wilson. Great Tom Hanks tale. And man can he play. He takes us in and out with his tasty mastery; he’s easy and delightful, all the way through. Loved every moment in his good company. And I learned something valuable. In the immortal words of Aaron Burr, I want to talk less, smile more.
Loren Gold on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 2/27/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George Live on The Facebook
Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2IJ1Tkc
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Special thanks to Kevin Walt and Blue Microphones for our fabulous Yeti
Loren Gold’s Sitting In Blues Piano and Rock Piano Backing Tracks , Improv Lessons, Book & Online Audio & Software https://amzn.to/2TgGO4T
This show was not what I anticipated. Rather than spend the evening with the American Comedy and Emmy Award winning comedian, Craig Shoemaker, discussing his stand up, TV, and film career, we spent the time diving deep about behaviors, addiction, recovery, healing through laughter––even when there’s nary a joke to be found––there’s none needed. The mere act of laughing, even forced, is a mood changer, not only for the person guffawing, but for all in their path, as well. We tried it on.
Vanna White, Merv Griffin, Bill Maher, Cheech and Chong, Farrah Fawcett, Eric Roberts, Billy Crystal, Will Miller, Nancy Allen, Rachelle Carson… some exclusive stories, never before shared, divulged… some secrets told, theirs, and his.
We discovered we both spent time in the Laughter Company, near-missing. Craig replacing Eddie Murphy and me, Rosie O’Donnell. Crazy.
Our mutual sobriety and varying opinions, perhaps swayed through open hearts and minds. How we’re dealing with our kids’ drinking (Happy 21st, Samantha, who was having her first legal cocktail, as Craig and I spoke), and Craig’s kids. The Champion gene… how to shine light on the darkness of others, and ourselves.
Letting go, getting grateful, persistence, resilience… The Wizard of Oz as a metaphor of life. Laugh, an acronym - Love. Acceptance, Understanding, Gratitude, Humility… and how to apply each.
Sounds heavy and dry… it t’wasn’t. We laughed like hell. I leave with new tools as a takeaway. I love surprises.
The sound was great thanks to our new Blue Yeti, and Kevin Walt. Oh please Facebook, clear the visual blur. Please.
Craig Shoemaker on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 2/20/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Harry Abelson
Live on The Facebook Show replay here: https://bit.ly/2ElaVzD
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Hoodlum to boxer, painter. writer, Marine, lover, to iconic, Academy Award-nominated actor, Burt Young, has lived a life bursting with color, much like one of his stunning works of art. From the soaps to Chinatown, Nicholson, to a fateful meeting with a young, then unknown, Sylvester Stallone, who wrote a part with him in mind, Burt was the only actor who didn’t audition and earned more than the writer, director, and star himself, in Rocky. Paulie a role which would come to define him. Where did Burt end and Paulie begin… it’s a fine line… one he would draw 6 times, culminating in Rocky Balboa, perhaps the sweetest of the lot since it’s first beginnings.
Starting out stealing watches, dropping out of our mutual alma mater. Newtown High School, Burt joined the Marines at 15, with his father’s more than blessing, he helped him… to get young Burt off the streets and out of trouble. There were 18 pro fights, undefeated, an exhibition with Mohammed Ali, his hero, which Burt won, to falling for a broad who wanted to study with Lee Strasberg. To get the girl, Burt got in and joined Marilyn Monroe, who he dated, and Jane Fonda… I’ll let Burt tell that one… Strasberg’s words to the shy, quiet, Burt are prophetic. Burt set out to prove him right. From The Pope of Greenwich Village, Once Upon A Time in America, Back To School, The Sopranos.. way too much work to mention. Co-starring with Nicholson, Duvall, Roberts, Alda, Dangerfield, Caan, Gandolfini, Giammitti… the list far too long to list… the women… Talia Shire, for one, together for 11 years, much to Sly’s chagrin… to his current Valentine who he’s off to NY tomorrow to woo… there have been quite a few. He likes them young for their bravery and their… tune in for that.
A soft-spoken sweetheart of a man, Burt’s internal portraits run as rich as those he paints on canvas.
Loved the time we spent… look to forward to his visit to the Living Room for Women Who Write on March 26th. For those of you across the pond, Burt will be at the Liverpool ComiCon on March 9th and 10th. Not sure I’ve met anyone warmer and more welcoming. Go say hello, He gives great hug. And talk… fascinating, multi-talented, multi-faceted man whose success thrives on his ongoing drive, currently 9 new projects in the can, and I suspect from his knowing confidence that he’s got what to share. Impossible to not adore the man. Why try.
Burt Young on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 2/13/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2BxBNL6
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
I love surprises. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more thrillingly unprepared for the fabulousness that was about to unfold. Fleaxatarian (he ‘splains), actorvist, Esai Morales, is a revelation. I knew I adored his work from Bad Boys, La Bamba, NYPD Blue, to Ozark, with so much fineness in between… but it’s the man––the human––the passionate, quite brilliant, committed, inspiring, humble, real, self-aware, loving, sensitive soul, who blew me away. For 2 hrs and 16 min, Esai was spellbindingly entertaining, informative, enlightening, and gottdamned exciting, I don’t need to mention easy on the eyes… isn’t it just a ridiculous given? For the first 30 minutes we’re mostly in a Facebook Live blur, and for another 3 minutes or so, the audio is compromised as we were firsting with our brand spanking new Blue Raspberry mic, and didn’t quite know how to set it. Sorry about that, chief. The remaining hour and 50 min are as smooth as Easi. He's so worth struggling through the first 30 for. We talked growing up in Brooklyn, the Bronx, his union activist mother setting the stage; starting out as a Mexican Jumping Bean, to The Sound of Music, The High School of Performing Arts, managing a building for free rent, scraping pennies, to co-starring with Sean Penn in Bad Boys and going to the movies with him, watching him see himself on the big screen in Fast Times at Ridgemont High; being wanted to play Ritchie Valens, but choosing to play Bob. Loving him, and all of his characters, finding the good, the humanity, their worth, even drug kingpin, Del in Ozark––a role he earned the hard way, working for it. What an inspiring story that is. We talked a little politics (go Marianne Williamson!), vaccines, Alzheimer’s, John Lennon, The Beatles, our friend Mitch Weissman, the original fake Paul in Beatlemania, who, Esai promised to come sing Beatles with at Women Who Write. There were nods to Lance Simmens, Tai Babilonia, Liberty Devitto, Candy Clark, Burt Young… we talked faith, and Esai’s proclamation: “Don’t let failure define you, let it refine you.” How I love that. And him. When he did his 4 Hispanic Hs, and the lines which separate Chicano from Nuyorican-well, it’s a blast. I loved every second, even if he isn’t the Esai who matched with me on Tinder 4 yrs ago… that story too. I could have sat there for another 2 hrs, and still have begged for more. We still talking Game Changers? I digress.. we did quite a bit of that as well. Above all that, come for the fun, the tears, the love. So much of all of the above.
Esai Morales on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 2/6/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Pete George
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2RHVftW
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
The Wizard of Oz. Noy. There’s no man behind the curtain. He’s the real deal. A working musician since the age of 13, a session musician no less, he took his native Israel by a rock/pop/jazz storm, a recognized part of their hit talk show house band by his early 20s. He’s been killing it worldwide since.
No drinks, no drugs, fastidious practice, make the man, and the musician. With 10 albums of his own, Oz has played with just about everybody. Including his heroes. Getting to play rhythm guitar on Walk This Way with Steve Tyler and Joe Perry, one highlight. I saw him kill Get Out Of My Life Woman with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top two weeks ago, https://bit.ly/2CHkDu3
We talked his yellow brick road, and how he’s found his way home, doing what he loves, and loving it.
Jazz may be one of his things, but he loves pop, rock and the blues and has mastered and is in demand cross-genre. Playing an Elton John tune with Sting another highlight, and with Cyndi Lauper for the Dalai Lama- does that story have a punchline. There’s also been Chris Botti, Harry Belafonte, Clay Aiken, Toni Braxton, Phoebe Snow, Nile Rogers,The Allman Brothers, Allen Toussaint, Eric Johnson, Don Was, Nelly Furtado, Jennifer Hudson, Don Henley, Michael Buble, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Sting, Steve Perry, Allison Krauss, and Foreigner, for Chrissakes!
Almost all of our guests are friends; I was a bit trepidatious having barely met Oz recently. What a great pleasure to find him warm, easy, affable, generous, thoughtful, helpful, humble, and fun. The only drag was not having an amp so we could sample his gifts. We can here: http://www.oznoy.com/discography/ Loving his band Ozone Squeeze.
I was schooled, edu-tained, and happy. What’s better than that? Well, besides that…
Oz Noy on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 1/23/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
Special thanks to Emme Geissal
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2Hv80rX
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Before we went Live Fritz Coleman spent an hour hanging with me and my kids, watching their videos, offering accolades and suggestions, when requested, praising and encouraging, Twice nominated for Humanitarian of the year, the man’s a mensch, a giver. LA’s definitive weathercaster, with a 37 year tenure at it, Fritz spoke of “lucking” into the day job which has afforded him pursuit of his creative passions: stand up and his one-man shows, one of which garnered a half hour phone call from Marlon Brando hisself, another, an audience with Kirk Douglas, who was in the audience. He’s appeared 8 times on The Tonight Show, with Johnny, Joan, and Jay, won 4 Emmy Awards, served in the Navy, is 35 years sober, a dad, a grandfather, a wise and beloved soul, adored by all who know him, he’s funny, funny, funny and applies lessons learned and a daily discipline to continue thriving, and help others.
His current show, Defying Gravity, a dissection of his life over 50 is playing to sold-out crowds. If an opportunity presents to see it, Fritz’s standup, or a meet, anywhere, seize it. The man is comedy gold, human platinum.
Fritz Coleman on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 1/15/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Samantha Rae
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here https://goo.gl/aYHe2r
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
I got an education from a Nuyorican––right there, I’d never heard the term before. Felix Angel Solis is a revelation––on the Fountain Theatre stage as Eddie, in the Pulitzer Prize-winning, The Cost of Living, where he blew my mind and moved me beyond compare (I immediately set out to track him down), to his thoughts on acting––actors as musicians, the script the sheet music, “actioning,” “referencing,” not giving what they’re looking for, offering something different. Seeking characters who care about something. All explained with fascinating analogies to life. His twice a day meditation practice, where thoughts are encouraged to run and play… adaptive energy, how we let go. New York theatre, the Labyrinth, The Cherry Lane, being directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, twice. Getting tracked down not just by me, but Pacino, too. Crossing over to film and TV… series regular work on Law & Order, The Good Wife, The Following, NYC22 for Jane Rosenthal and Robert DeNiro; Subway Token Films, his joint production company, whose first film made the Tribeca Film Festival––street level miracles––saying yes to everything, and no to nothing, And yes he said to coming to perform for us at Women Who Write.
As passionate as Felix is In performance is as passionate as I am to watch him do it, on any medium. Warm, humble, spiritual, insightful, resourceful, instinctual, inspiring and delightful, This time, this man, is so rich, I’ll be rewatching this more than once.
Felix Solis is a revelation as an actor and as a human. Mind blown watching him on stage, mind blown sharing this life experience.
Director of Photography Christinna Guzman
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2QBEMXo
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
What better way to ring in the New Year than with the Begley’s. We went Live from their magnificent, green home, where the banter was playfully brisk, hysterically funny, and full of love. Married 18 yrs, together 25, they met 28 yrs ago. The stories around all of that are priceless. As are the stories about them working together (NYBD Blue, Living With Ed, Begleyesque), and, how they tell them. Their take on he said/she said is hysterical.
We talked about their environmental activism and how each of them came to it. Rachelle named after Rachel Carson, the mother of the movement, and for Ed, the smog. They’re still fighting it today. As improved as it is, this past summer was at it’s worst in 20 years. Ed gives practical tips on what we can do: use public transportation and bike whenever possible, if possible, weatherstrip our homes. LED lights. Recycle, eat vegan, grow your own, compost, and clear our kitchens and bathrooms of toxins - they even have their own line of all natural products which can be found here: https://begleyliving.com.
And there was the business of show… how Christopher Guest and The Best in Show, changed Ed’s career… Spinal Tap. A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, Ghostbusters, Goin’ South, St, Elsewhere, a life changer, Ed’s surprising early improv partnership; Nicholson, Streep, Lithgow, Fred Willard, Martin Mull, Danny Coleman, current projects, Young Sheldon, The Cool Kids, Lake Bell’s. Bless This Mess… and the Curb he’s about to shoot this week, saying goodbye to Super Dave––Bob Einstein: Rachel, from Atlanta to England, NY, Canada, to LA… theatre to Falcon’s Crest to the show she’s currently pitching, another vehicle for her and Ed… infotainment. As this was edutainment… wisdom. Willingness, and suggestions, all housed in fun, fun, fun! Could not love these two who walk their talk. more.
Ed Begley Jr. & Rachelle Carson on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 1/2/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
Director of Photography Christinna Guzman
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2s779mQ
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
The year in review––mine. Gratitide–– more me––I'm naming names.
Tonight's scheduled guests, Jeffrey Sherman and Wendy Liebman regretfully postponed for medical reasons. Wishing Wendy Godspeed, whatever the hell that means... what I mean is a miraculous swift healing. Dj, my banner maker is out of town, so getting a fill-in guest without the proper signage seemed unfair. Take the week off? Why not. We're smack in the middle of holiday season. But... we've yet to miss a week in the now 125 weeks we've been doing this and I'm all about streaks and day counts... so...
This was a reflection––noting progress, manifestations, and a bit of an infestation of poor choices leading to better ones.
We talked about setting intentions... the three step manifestation process, and the one-step do better, be better thing.
On 2 1/2 hrs of sleep, I had fried brain, no eggs, no bacon. The Facebook was having "issues." On again, off again, soft focus, is unintended and annoying as fuck. But, the beat went on, with some lovely peoples sitting in live, and now you... not so live, but, very alive.
Merry Happy Everything.
Next week, less me, more guest (s).
Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/26/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Christinna Guzman
Live on The Facebook http://bit.ly/2y47ZCi
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
It took 2 1/2 yrs to nail down Norman Lear, a force of nature beyond compare at any age... at 96, in his Sony offices, where he still reads, develops, writes, produces daily, it's unfathomable. Norman’s worth waiting for. A four-time Emmy Winner, Academy Award Nominee, Peabody Award Recipient, American Humanist Award Winner, National Medalist of the Arts, Kennedy Center Honoree––Norman’s a goddamn national treasure. The maverick who changed television, our thinking, and in so doing, our behavior, reflected back on his neglected childhood, his service bombing Berlin, facing his humanity, where his dream started and how it morphed into who he soon became. Why Norman’s championed women, always; missing Penny Marshall and what’s her name Fisher. Our friends Paul Hipp, and Phil Rosenthal, and why real Jews order Langers #19 without the cheese. He took us through the creation of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Fernwood 2 Night, Sanford and Son, sorry Redd Foxx, we all had a brain freeze; All in The Family, his father, Jesus, the original meathead, Edith losing her faith, and how they struggled for her to get it back; who inspired Maude, and why Norman was driven to create her; why the Jeffersons were important, likewise, why One Day At A Time was then, and is again, now. His passion project, Guess Who Died, and his determination to see it successfully find its senior voice and represent. The boxes of files he’s currently sorting through of ideas once developed, mining for gold to give life to today. The foolishness of the human condition which drives him to write, to create… the spark which translates to genius over and over and over again. To see that spark sparkle just as bright today when I suggested he write a woman like his mother, one many can relate to, who we’ve yet to see on TV, and to see Norman’s wheels begin to turn in that moment… it’s thrilling to anticipate whatever he’ll next spawn.
This was an unforgettable day––an honor, a pleasure, I will cherish forever. Much longer live Norman Lear!
Norman Lear on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/19/18
Director of Photography Christinna Guzman With Samantha Abelson
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2R4dvBv
Paul Hipp’s Happy Birthday to Me for Norman, with Norman https://bit.ly/1SGt87P
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Arriving at actor, author, collector, world-traveler, chef, and scholar, Thaao Penghlis’s home was a feast for the senses. Magnificent art and artifacts from the entrance to the john, where an enormous, gorgeous, Peter O’Toole as Lawrence oversees the proceedings. Next visit, I hope, a feast the belly––hIs lentil white bean soup recipe had Christinna and I salivating. Thaao lives his life to the full, doing and being his best at whatever he’s approaching at that moment.
From his childhood in Australia, enmeshed in everything Greek, to struggling to eat in New York where he assisted his mentor in the art world, selling to an adoring Jackie Kennedy, Claudette Colbert, Sir John Gielgud, to finding his way to the stage and then film, despite being told he should never act; first forJohn Avildsen, fresh off his Rocky triumph, in Slow Dancing In The Big City, for Ken Russell in Altered States… some stories there! A volatile Russell, difficult William Hurt, and a banished Paddy Chayefsky. A rapist in The Bell Jar, finding his way to the soaps, General Hospital and Days of Our Lives, where an Emmy nomination and a years-long stint awaited him.
Along the way he collected, cooked, traveled, went Indiana Jones discovering hidden treasures, and amassing knowledge and life wisdom.
“If you want to see where you’re going, take a look at who crossed your path.” Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Omar Sharif, are a few who crossed his.
“Life is about becoming the seeds you plant.” Thaao’s continues to flower spectacularly. HIs second book, Seducing Celebrities One Meal At A Time https://bit.ly/2Ggp0kZ dropped, with a third on cultures and cuisines in the works. A Renaissance man if ever there was one.
And boy is he pretty. It serves him. As he serves all who come in his path. Ethics, persistence, fearlessness, food, fashion, travel, surviving 7 soap deaths… stories… FUN!
Thaao Penghlis on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/12/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
DP Christinna Guzman
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2CaHy21
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
A rare guest I didn’t know prior to sitting down here, what a revelation and a treat to meet Fred Melamed. Lovely from the start, I was unprepared for his brutal humility, fierce self-reflection, and unflinching honesty. A fascinatingly unique conversation focused on how life affected his work, and his work affected his life.
The Coen Brothers award-winning A Serious Man star talked being adopted, his producer father and visits to the Car 54 set; his unmothering mother, Chanukah as resistance and how it applies today; falling into acting and earning his way into Yale Drama with David Alan Grier, “Fran” McDormand & John Turturro; Broadway at 25 in Amadeus and the severe stage fright he battled nightly; not enjoying theatre, backing into voice acting, where great success followed until that market dried up, leaving the husband and father of two autistic boys panicked, until a call from Joel Coen, perhaps thanks to “Fran,” changed his life. As little as he liked working on the stage, he loved (s) film acting and took to screens big and small. Seven Woody Allen films, Lady Dynamite, In A World; Fargo, Curb, Suspect… over 100 films and TV shows later, with a few soon to drop… notably an Apple TV original with Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Anniston and Steve Carell.
The man has not stopped working, or self-examining. Learning the difference between happiness and comfort; shifting perspective and choosing joy, and gratitude, in his quest to be his best. From my vantage point, he’s doing a damn fine job.
I was provoked to think, to feel, to reach, through every moment. This time worthy and wonderful.
Fred Melamed on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/5/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Christinna Guzman
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2SrxOpk
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
“Isn’t life fun?” Asks George Shapiro, mega manager of talent in the business of show. It sure is when he’s around. This BROADcast comes with a funny back guarantee. Stories, stories, stories, songs, cheers, accents, impressions––but it’s the stories––his partner, Howard West, friends since they were children; his uncle Carl (Reiner) coming home from the war, George’s hero for his service, before fame and the funny; his own military service as a trained killer (say what?!?) to saving a WAC; Carl with Mel Brooks, being Carl and Mel: his biggest regret; his worst negotiation; the mailroom at William Morris, agenting to breaking away, following Bernie Brillstein in personal management; Andy Kaufman, the unabridged story; Taxi, Tony Clifton, the contract (s), Elvis, Robin Williams, his extreme act of friendship and fun; Milos Forman, this show a love letter to Jim Carrey for bringing Andy back to life; Jerry Seinfeld, “When you see a comedian you like, it’s the closest thing to falling in love.” The career they built together: George talked Emmy, Peabody, and Golden Globe award-winning, Seinfeld; Larry David, how it came to be; American Express, Comedians in Carss Getting Coffee, and, in spite of initially refusing to name next season’s guests, he dropped a few, moments later. Phil Rosenthal, the foodiest in foodyism; Somebody Feed Phil, and Phil, the best of the best; back to Carl, Mel, Dick Van Dyke, Norman Lear, Kirk Douglas, and If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast––to be released on DVD mid-December. (It’s hysterical.) Julia Louis Dreyfus’s Mark Twain acceptance speech; young comedians he loves; trusting his instincts, always.
@George_Shapiro. Manager and producer of the funny. Thankful for the work he’s done, the man he is, and the joy he’s brought. Grateful he let me steal this precious 1:29:12 from him. #Priceless
Thank you, Aimee Hyatt!
George Shapiro on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 11/28/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Christinna Guzman
Live on The Facebook Full show replay https://goo.gl/sZVYBD
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and beregular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Giving thanks for an awe-inspiring chat with Emmy Winning composer, Snuffy Walden. With 13 nominations, 50 + BMI Awards, a lifetime achievement award, being the subject of Mark Maxey’s documentary, Up to Snuff, starring Martin Sheen, Aaron Sorkin, and Eric Burdon, currently kicking ass on the awards circuit, and garnering 21 of them to date––the secret to this man’s success seems to be in the “Yes.” He says it, does the work, and gains richly deserved acclaim. Over and over again.
Playing with BJ Thomas at 14; fronting Stray Dog, rocking like hell, and opening for Emerson, Lake & Palmer around the world; drinking and debauchery, recording Songs in The Key of Life with Stevie Wonder, earning a platinum record, and being in the passenger seat when Stevie drove––oh yes, he did; playing with Dave Mason at the peak, Chaka Kahn when she was breaking I Feel For You, touring with Eric Burdon and having an epiphany which would change his life. Sobriety. “I really feel like God took a damaged soul out of me and put in a fresh one.”
With all of his success before, a few years later, without experience or training, he scored Thirty Something, then The Wonder Years, Sports Night, The West Wing, where he won that Emmy, and dozens upon dozens of others. Thirtyish years later, taking on Sara Niemietz, getting back on stage and in the studio, as a player and mentor.
Snuffy’s humility, humanity, and heart soared throughout our time… in his words and music.
A man of supreme talent, wisdom, and integrity, Snuffy’s willingness and vulnerability spark genius. Baring his soul, laying it open, informs everything he plays, and lives.
I’m inspired to do better, be better having spent the time with him.
Snuffy Walden on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 11/21/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Christinna Guzman
Live on The Facebook Full show replay https://bit.ly/2DDq1R3
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and beregular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
It’s Always Sunny with Pee Wee’s Miss Yvonne, Lynne Stewart. When have I laughed this hard for this long… is there anyone cuter… more good-natured… with more fun stories? From Ricky (Richard) Dreyfuss who proposed in the 4th grade, to junior college BFF Cindy Williams, all three going on to do American Graffiti with another pal, Harrison Ford, hello… auditioning for an uninterested George Lucas, meeting Candy Clark and MacKenzie Phillips, cheerleading for Jack Nicholson, very early days at The Groundlings with Tracy & Laraine Newman, Sandy Helberg, Paul Reubens aka Pee Wee Herman, who would change her life; Phil Hartman, and their years-long working and playing relationship; Robin Williams, Laverne & Shirley, Garry Marshall, Penny Marshall, Jumping Jack Flash, Harry Anderson, his daughter, Comedy Bang-Bang, Bridesmaids, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy. Maya Rudolph, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia; how to cry. how to keep working, and, with Lynne around, how to stay laughing. What a time ’tis was!
Lynne Stewart on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 11/7/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Christinna Guzman
Live on the Facebook Full Show Replay https://bit.ly/2JNoBo6
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
No matter how many times I sit down with Filmmaker Henry Jaglom, he’s always got a slew of new and stupendous stories to tell. This time he shared more than a few which he said he’s never told before, and they’re doozies.
Raised by sophisticated, successful parents, Henry’s mother encouraged his love of theatre, nurturing his creative, empathetic nature, in contrast to his father’s keen business acumen. Showbiz called. First as a comedian with his pal, Ritchie Pryor, then as an actor (Gidget, The Flying Nun). He gave up comedy when Richard was funnier and acting when his friend________ scored the part he was up for. I can’t ruin it… it’s too good. He was asked by Bert Schneider to do an edit on Easy Rider. How that came to be, and who his editing partner was, is, well, great stuff.
There are girlfriends Georgia Brown, Karen Black, Brenda Vaccaro, Tuesday Weld, Natalie Wood… a first told story about his meeting Dudley Moore and then introducing him to Tuesday. Meeting Orson Wells. How their friendship began, the films they did together, the meals they shared for years, recently transcribed in Henry’s, My Lunches with Orson. There’s Peter Bogdanovich, Paul Mazursky, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Jessica Walter, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Bob Rafelson, Hal Prince, the impactful director, whose name slipped for the moment… winning an Oscar, producing anti-war shows with Jane Fonda, painting the sign for the Original Improv, sketching his friends before they were famous, and now getting a book deal for that art. His films, 21 of them. With a dream for 4 more, he explains why. And a book, 19 years in the writing, with an offer, made to anyone who comes up with the perfect title.
If you love movies, and who doesn’t… and the people who make them, this time with Henry will thrill.
Henry Jaglom on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 3/28/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Christinna Guzman
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2qiEqdM
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
I came into tonight a huge Amy Aquino fan. I left loving her a gazillion times more. How is that even possible. We started with Bosch. If you’ve yet to watch this stupendous Amazon series, pick up your remote right now. Well, after you check out Amy here… lots of behind the scenes there… here, and everywhere. From Working Girl, Moonstruck, Freaks & Geeks, Brooklyn Bridge with Marion Ross, who’s celebrating her 90th and will be doing so with us at Tuesday’s Women Who Write, and, hopefully. If Amy can slip away from filming, she’ll be with us, too… From PA to Harvard, pre-med, I know, to Yale grad school with Courtney B. Vance and Patricia Clarkson to MN, to non-stop working actor… stage and screens large and small. The girl who was too busy killing school and life to watch TV, Amy’s not just guested on dozens and dozens of shows, she’s had recurring roles on just about all of them, four at once, at times. From ER, Picket Fences, Everybody Loves Raymond, Felicity… on and on and on. From SAG vice-president to assisting to mobilize and facilitate the SAG-AFTRA merger, Amy’s a woman of superior intelligence, conscience, and talent. I have never, ever caught this woman acting. Technically savvy, Stylist and costumer, Craig Ames, remembered a trick she taught them a million years ago on a show they did together… a little white close to the face reflects light… I wore some for both of us. Amy shared a little nugget she picked up from Lindsay Wagner, the secret of her Oscar night lemon bars, and, her neighbors’ dog Jackson, who almost stole the show.
What’s next? If Amy has her way, a role on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Her best friend, and series co-star, Tony Shalub, has been doing his part to help. Amy Sherman-Palladino, something tells me this Amy Aquino's gonna win this. I can’t imagine anything this powerhouse can’t find her way to do.
Amy Aquino on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/24/18, 7pm PT/ 10pm ET
With Christinna Guzman
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2qbFz6G
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Candy Clark Of American Graffiti Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson by Vicki Abelson
We could’ve talked all night and I’d still have wanted more. Thoughtful, generous, revealing, insightful, and oh so fun, legendary, Grammy Winning bassist, Will Lee, took us on a thrill ride through his stellar, illustrious and industrious, career… growing up in Texas, seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan and that very night blowing the dust off his untouched drums and deciding he was going to be a musician. For Life. He made good on that choice. From playing his first gig in a parking lot and getting paid $6 to do it; playing in six bands a night, six days a week, to landing his first major gig with his dream come true, Dreams––alongside Billy Cobham… to playing Bette Midler’s first tour with theretofore unknown Barry Manilow; playing with Ace Frehley, Chaka Khan, the late, great, Hiram Bullock; alongside Paul Schaffer, from the from the very first Late Night with David Letterman to the very last Last Show… some of his favorite Letterman memories: singing a featured MacArthur Park, backed by a full orchestra and Jimmy Webb, the yearly Darlene Love, Baby Please Come Home––the first time in sweatshirts with the 4 piece World’s Most Dangerous Band, to the last, formal extravaganza; Jay Thomas, Warren Zevon, James Brown! Session work, his ongoing life’s blood. Getting loaded then getting sober, 33 years ago, playing through it all. There was praise for Bernard Fowler, Tommy Allen, loving memories of Geoff Emerick, who was at Will’s Fab Faux gig this past Saturday night, where I was blessed to be, just three days before he passed. Will talked Beatles throughout, shared some Ringo insight, how he prepped Revolution 9 as a newlywed, the upcoming Fab Faux Beacon gig celebrating George, and a few other projects he’s orchestrating which are close to his heart and celebrated his beloved Sandrine’s IPA Award for her book, Nudescapes. And then, he played, and sang… so chill… so Will. I couldn’t adore the man more. Humble, focused and true.
Will Lee on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 10/3/18, 7pm PT/ 10pm ET With Jason Reid DP Christinna Guzman
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2Oycqk2
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Nudescapes: Private Dreams in Public Places https://bit.ly/2y1fLOY
We were Live with The Goddess of Love. The Petite Flower, The Aphrodite of the Accordion, The Fashion-Plate Saint, The Princess of Panty Shields, The Empress of Elvis Impersonators, The Judy of Judyism, Judy Tenuta... and she was HYSTERICAL!
Judy talked about Ladies of the Night which she did with Paula Poundstone, Rita Rudner and Ellen Degeneres, who back then said, "I want to do TV." Now that's manifesting! She talked Emo Philips, Jay Leno, Steven Wright, Sam Kinison, and Arsenio, who were there in the early days. And Tom Dreesen who walked her through it. George Carlin who took her out on the road to open for him, Diet Dr. Pepper, oh the money! Winning the first American Comedy Award, thank you George Schlatter; Joan Rivers whom she adored, Dr. Ruth, Cher, Donnie and Marie, Olivia Newton John, Susan Lucci, Katherine Hepburn, James Stewart, Walter Cronkite, and Mohammed Ali... he's who made her starstruck.
Coming up a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Fame, November 7th, on her scorpio birthday; and independent feature, and, working towards a show of her own, Judy's Love Goddess Boat?
What a gas! In the good way. More energy than Richard Simmons on speed, more slogans than the 12 Steps on steroids.
Crazy, crazy, fun. It did happen!
Follow her on Twitter @JudyTenuta and on Instagram @JudyTenuta and get your daily dose of Judy.
Judy Tenuta on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/26/18, 7pm PT/ 10pm ET
With Jason Reid DP Christinna Guzman
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2xSv5fY
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Fun doesn’t get funner. Cathy Ladman may be on I’m Dying Up Here, but she’s anything but. Whether she’s talking about her trip to Israel and her first boyfriend, the smitten Jerry Seinfeld, whom she convinced should try his hadn’t at stand-up, or, when on his set, she spontaneously broke into a Nichole and May routine with Mike Nichols; doing The Tonight Show multiple times and getting panel with Johnny…Arsenio, Dick Cavett, writing on Roseanne, being a regular on Caroline in The City, Larry Miller, Judy Orbach, George Wallace, Jimmy Brogan, Carol Leifer, Richard Belzer, The Comedy Store, Modern Family, White Oleander, Michelle Pfeiffer, Renee Zellweger… currently appearing in Jews, Christians and Screwing Stalin at The Matrix Theatre in LA with 5 performances remaining, (https://bit.ly/2p40gRJ) Monday a benefit for beloved comedian, Carrie Snow… and, Does This Show Make Me Look Fat, Cathy’s one-woman show about her struggles with anorexia. A shoutout to our good friend Ed Crasnick, doing his best to assist his teenage girl suffering from the disease, and to Cathy, for shining her light on it.
Cathy Ladman on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/12/18, 7pm PT/ 10pm ET
With Jason Reid DP Christinna Guzman
Live on the Facebook Full show replay link here https://bit.ly/2p2UrUr
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
We went Live on location with Marion Ross of Happy Days at The Happy Days Farm (it's embroidered on the towels!) and boy was it a happy day. What a exuberant, joyful, animated, articulate, observant, resilient, inspiring, determined, passionate, lovely, funny, and oh, so fun powerhouse of a woman! Marion talked The Fonz, Ron Howard, Anson Williams, Donny Most, and, Tom Bosley (not so happy). How Garry Marshall used softball to unite, unify and promote the cast; Audrey Hepburn, Cecil B. DeMille, Jack Lord (also not so happy), Dick Sergeant, Alaska, Germany, Minnesota, finding true love at 60 (yes!), and her mother, who encouraged supported, and nudged Marion to go be an actress. Wonderful stories told by a delightful storyteller bathed in wisdom and conviction. Her memoir, My Days, Happy and Otherwise executed with David Laurell is available here https://amzn.to/2MJZHe1 and she’ll be sharing tales from that front, Clark Cable, Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, oh my, at Women Who Write on Oct 30th. Can’t wait for more Marion.
Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wed, 9/5/18, 7pm PT/ 10pm ET
With Jason Reid Director of Photography Christinna Guzman
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2NRojhs
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
I knew Michael Lally was an award-winning poet, a screenwriter, playwright, TV and movie actor, an author of now 30 books ~ his latest, Another Way to Pay, a collection of his poems from 1960-2017 (with a cover photo shot by Gus Van Sant), and, a documentary, Michael Lally: I Want To Call It Poems, currently being shot, including during tonight's show. I knew Michael was a hipster when it was cool to bel, knew he knew the coolest of the cool and was counted amongst them, knew that pretty much all of the artists I know regard him as the greatest living American poet... that he's sober, and created a space for writers which I've been a direct beneficiary of. What I didn't know is that upon our first meeting (earlier tonight) it would feel, seem as if, we'd known each other forever. Michael's ease with himself and others, his self-effacing self-awareness, his life, his stories... would transfix throughout the broadcast, and through a Part 2 due to a freakish tech glitch. He talked about love... two out of three of his wives. An hour plus wasn't time enough time to get that present. The man has lived! He talked about his anger, his cockiness, how it served and how it didn't. He talked about Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Michael O'Keefe, one-time love and lifelong friend, Karen Allen, his love affair with Academy Award Winner, Penelope Milford. Michael talked about his first love and how intolerance of bi-racial couples thwarted them, he sexual fluidity, his commitment to raising his children as a single father. His tenure in the Air Force, blackout drinking, starting out playing in jazz clubs, working as a fix-it guy... all the while writing every day and producing an insanely fantastical enormous body of work. He treated us to a taste. I want more.
You can get your Another Way To Play here: https://amzn.to/2on7akq
And help actualize the documentary here: gofundme.com/lallydocumentary
Worthy!
Michael Lally on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success, Wed, 8/29/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Samantha Rae
Live on The Facebook https://bit.ly/2PProji
Part 2 continues here: https://bit.ly/2PK1cXv
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Liberty and I could've both used a cocktail at the top of the show, but we laughed instead. I thought Mercury went direct. Yo. A few tech glitches couldn't stop the force that's Liberty Devitto.
Drummer for Billy Joel for 30 years, Lib's been on 150 million albums sold, while between touring and recording with Billy he was running off with Stevie Nicks, The Beach Boys, Karen Carpenter, Phoebe Snow, Meat Loaf, and countless others.
Lib shared how Only The Good Die Young did not become a reggae song... thanks for that Lib, and how Moving Out was born.
There's a great Steve Winwood yearbook Story. Lots about Ringo who sparked him, and then Dino Danelli, of The Rascals.
Liberty took us through his High School band, where meeting girls was the incentive... passing Bill Joe, as he was called then, nightly, aware of each other's bands, but not friends, until Billy requested a New York drummer (rock speak for "hits hard.") Liberty was the man. How he got the gig.. and how he kept it, and then shockingly lost it without a word.
What's happened since and what's going on now for the 68-year-old daddy of a 1 1/2 yr old baby girl. His daughter Torrey who’s killing it on Chicago Med, another about the go out with Fleetwood Mac, a Nurse to be... and a baby who's marching. Not bad daddying right there.
We talked The Slim Kings, Clean Getaway and The Lords of 52nd Street.
Liberty's created drum riffs which are indelible in millions upon millions of minds... he's taken a few liberties, too.
One of the greatest drummers who's ever picked up the stix, having seen him play innumerable times, I can say he's my pic with confidence. The man's a killer... and a lover, a husband, a daddy. a friend... such worthy time, diggin' in.
Liberty Devitto on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 8/22/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Samantha Rae
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://goo.gl/iCNQZJ
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Jack McGee cameth! Funny, funny, funny... great stories, great storyteller, what fun. Just what the doc didn't order #NoDrugs #BothSober One of my favorite actors, from one of my favorite (maybe my favorite) shows of all time, Rescue Me, was in the house. We talked Dennis Leary, Peter Tolan, Lenny Clarke, and Steven Pasquale, yes, Jack I listened to him sing on YouTube, WOW. Loved him on Rescue Me... and now, this. Touched on The Fighter, talked NYPD Blue, a Broadway audition at age 8 against a 6 yr old redhead named Ron Howard... walking down the exact same alley 61 yrs later to make his Broadway debut opposite Denzel Washington in The Iceman Cometh. We talked about the Bronx, being in the NYFD, practical wisdom about getting agent. We talked Slappy, Jack's bride and true love, and he crooned her a tune. Still smiling... happy time! Shouted out Jimmy Smagula ~Jack wants to take singing lessons! Liberty Devitto, next week's guest, and new friend Pete George, who embodies generosity and kindness.
Jack McGee on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 8/15/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Samantha Rae
Live on The Facebook Show replay link here: https://bit.ly/2PcIjfq
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Oh how I loved spending time with James Lee Stanley, a one of a kind, gazillion threat: amazing songwriter, stupendous voice, charming, handsome, smart, funny... fabulous! And, oh the life he's lived. A pro at 16 with a recording contract and friends like Cass Elliot and Peter Tork, before the Mamas and Papas and The Monkees... Henry Dilz, early advocates Les Paul, Bill Graham, a 10 album recording contract with Wooden Nickel (RCA), Jerry Weintraub... starting his own label, Beachwood Recordings, the first artist to record a Stephen Bishop tune, having hits of his own, running around with author Tom Robbins who put him in a book or two, the inside on how Peter became a Monkee, and Graham Nash joined Crosby & Stills, sharing Billboard raves with Queen, Loggins & Messina, and Alvin Lee; opening for Bonnie Raitt, Robin Williams (a mensch), Steven Wright (for 3 yrs), missing opportunities, Seinfeld, Jermaine Jackson, making opportunities, all over the place. An Emmy, Cable Ace Award-Winner, who's always earned his living doing what he loves... from arenas to intimate clubs, playing 300 gigs a year, for years, being reunited with Sheila E in my living room, having not seen her since he hired her to play percussion, long before Prince, his upcoming collaboration with Dan Navarro... there were shoutouts to Birthday Boys Liberty Devitto & Don Most, Wendy Liebman, gigging tomorrow night (8/9) with Arsenio Hall... and songs! James opened the show with his brand spanking new, rockin' Live It Up Now (my new theme song?), a mid-show surprise, updated for today's trying times, and closed with his, fantabulous, Let's Get Out of Here. Adored every moment.
James Lee Stanley on Vicki Abelson's TheRoadTaken Wed, 8/8/, 7pm PT /10 pm ET
With Samantha Rae
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2nldOai
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
When Anson Williams comes to call, I’m newly inspired, informed, and fantastically entertained. My years-long mentor, time spent here 'splains why. Anson's all about moving forward, focusing on what we do have, not what we don't; finding the diamond in the rough on the table in front of us and mining it for all it's worth. Throughout the BROADcast, Anson demonstrates through his life experiences, the essence of why I created this show... how to successfully merge creativity and commerce... which, still eludes me. Dammit. But, I'm blessed to have Anson in my corner, helping to steer my ship. A listen here as he guides me through my current travails I trust will inform others, pray tell, you, too. Iffin' you don't need such things, if you're already banking coin, stay for the stories. Not only a Golden Globe Nominee for his work on Happy Days, Anson, a Humanitis award-winning writer, award-winning director, who's amassed major product marketing successes, and, is a mensch to the max. We talked talent... Jules Galli, Michael Imperioli, Ron Howard, Garry Marshall, Steven Allan Spielberg, Henry Winkler, Don Most, his daughter, Hannah Williams, kicking viral ass; his uncle, Henry Heimlich, who inspired Anson's latest marketing coup, Alert Drops ~ saving lives, and making Anson his heavily invested money back after a past failed attempt ... his marketing genius at play at age 9, parlaying it at 12, scoring again and again through his sheer will, moxie, and indefatigable determination to see things through to completion, and win (A very Garry Marshall lesson: finish what you start!), accepting that failure is a necessary part of the journey, where there are no mistakes, only challenges to strengthen our resolve, to reset our drive, to get us where we're going. The man is a force. A benevolent, generous, impatient, resourceful, brilliant, no-nonsense, get-it-done, and I'll help you get yours, too, sage. I love him sanely, and I'm excited to share him with youes.
Anson Williams on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 8/1/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Samantha Rae
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2Mcb2zb
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Jimmy Brogan, consummate comedian, took us through the glory days of stand-up with Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Larry Miller, Carol Liefer, Dennis Wolfberg… what it took to make it his life. Connecting to Hillary Rollins, which connected him to her father, Jack Rollins, who fortuitously became his manager (other clients included Woody Allen, Robert Klein, Letterman,. Billy Crystal - not bad company) and changed his life. He did The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, who was already a fan of his, starred in the ABC sitcom Out of The Blue, where he also guested on Happy Days and Robin Williams kicked off his sitcom. He became closeasthis with Jay Leno, becoming his go-to guy, which landed him a gig on The Tonight Show, working with Jay and booking the comedians, becoming the power broker of TV funny. There was the standoff with Oprah, the battle of wills for a raise, the every Sunday night gigs at The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach opening for Jay, which he’s done for 26 yrs through to present day. We had 2 degrees of separation all over the place. And, Louise and Jimmy have…. history. Informative, entertaining, fun. Great stories, great man, great life.
Jimmy Brogan on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 7/25/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2v7iKTE
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Dianna Miller Feeney Counseling & Consulting LLC - The Change Group - A substance use disorders group specifically designed for the professional. www.dfeeneycounseling.com
Fantastic stories from AJ Benza ~ JFK Jr, Nicholson, Depp, Fallon, Joan Rivers, Winona Ryder, Tori Spelling, SNL, Seinfeld, the one I shall not name, Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade, Harvey Weinstein, Chris Cornell, Rocky Balboa, the demise of newspapers... we agree on next to nothing, but his balls to walls straight talk is always crazy fun!
AJ Benza on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 7/18/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Samantha Abelson
Live on The Facebook Full replay here: https://bit.ly/2mvW37Y
Aj's moving, coming of age memoir, '74 And Sunny https://amzn.to/2uxoMh5
Fame is a Bitch Podcast https://apple.co/2zOe5f3
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Days don’t get happier than this. Don Most ~ it’s ok with him if we call him Donny… sings and swings! Oh boy does he! He opened and closed the show with song ~ cool standards, and it just doesn’t get any better. Don went Inside Happy Days, great stories about Henry Winkler and his creation of the Fonz, Ron Howard, Robin Williams, Garry Marshall, his stronger than ever friendship with Anson Williams ~ his journey as a 9 yr old from Bklyn to hitting the stage and falling in love… from camp at Shrub Oak with my old boyfriend Ira to performing in the Catskills, commercials, TV and film, serious actor, to iconic comedic television… back to the stage, TV, more film, award-winning directing, to rediscovering his passion for singing, performing with an orchestra, a new CD, a new film, his upcoming show at The Catalina Club for WeSpark ~ cancer support of the highest order under the direction of his former co-star, the gorgeous inside and out, Nancy Allen, & pretty much everything in between. What a dollface. To know Don is to love him. One of the most glorious, fun hours I’ve lived.
Don at The Catalina Club, July 29th for WeSpark https://www.facebook.com/events/395410454284108/
D Most, Mostly Swinging https://www.amazon.com/D-Most-Mostly-Swinging-Donny/dp/B01N98TQB0
Don Most on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 7/11/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on The Facebook Full Show Replay Here: https://bit.ly/2L8HKRg
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com
Oh My God! She said it. More than once. Maggie Wheeler was hilarious! We talked Friends, Matthew, Jennifer, Ellen, Suddenly Susan, being a Jewish girl as opposed to being a Jewess, sexy redheads, the powers that be, Seinfeld, and having Larry share her ranking whilst shooting her screamingly funny, Curb… we got the LOL, too. There was Everybody Loves Raymond, and, Maggie (and I) loves Phil, and Jeremy… her old boyfriend, David Duchovny, I know. The X-Files, Californication, and Henry Jaglom making Someone To Love based on her life, where she played her in her life, with the before mentioned, now ex, Duchovny. Being on Johnny Carson…Lorne Michaels, The Golden Bridge Choir, A Course in Miracles, Marianne Williamson, voiceovers, radio, lots of voices, stories, tons of fun! I love her!
Maggie Wheeler on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 6/27/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2KhLpQk
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Crazy fun with Oscar, Grammy Nominee, Stephen Bishop. We were voyeurs in his amazing home which houses Gold and Platinum Records, the back off the guitar John Belushi smashed in Animal House––signed by the entire cast, a pic of The Beatles, signed by The Beatles; a huge painting of Hendrix, ridiculously cool stuff everywhere. Nothing cooler than Stephen, who’s written over 650 songs… say what…. he sang one of his latest, Almost Home, the theme of the new Benji Movie on Netflix, the first song he ever wrote, a song sung with his first band, The Weeds, his version of a Jagger song, the theme of Animal House, and, the song he sang in the film, plus, the Theme of Tootsie, Separate Lives, and, oh yes, On and On! Hell yeah! Plus, Blue Window, from his latest CD, Blueprint. More than a mini-concert, with stories, stories, stories… Bette, Barbra, Whitney, Clapton, good friend of both of ours, James Lee Stanley, who was the first to record a Stephen tune, Art Garfunkle, who had Stephen sing on his version of my wedding song, a great Belushi story, his manager, Robert Ellis, married to Diana Ross, who was later my boss man, his recent tour of the Philippines, which has led to an upcoming documentary, It Might be You. Links below to the trailer, to Stephen’s book, Songs in The Rough, with amazing originals of huge hit songs from amazing artists; and, to his website, where you can find the keys to his kingdom, tour info, music, and merch. Special thanks to Liz Kamlet for making it all easy. Grateful for every moment.
Stephen Bishop on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 6/20/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2ytL08a
Stephen's Doc Preview https://www.youtube.com/watch
Stephen's Tour Schedule https://www.stephenbishop.com/tour
Stephen's Website https://www.stephenbishop.com
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
The only answer is “Yes.” Dan Navarro’s creedo which has served him well, and, saved my ass more than once. With 24 hrs notice Dan stepped in, swung away and gave it 110%, as he always does. Opening the show with the beauty, Let it Ride, from his newly dropped solo CD, Shed My Skin, he told stories… Barry Cowsill swoon, Hanson, Cameron Dye, Deborah Pearl, Severin Browne, his cousin Dave, The Bangles, and, of course, his longtime collaborator, creative and performing partner, Eric Lowen who passed of complications of ALS in 2012, forever changing Dan’s life, in innumerable ways. He did a little Javier Bardem, talked Family Guy, and closed out the BROADcast with a mini-concert, two killer cuts from his new CD, not to be missed, and, his mega-hit for Pat Benatar, We Belong, currently featured in the box office smash, Deadpool 2. Nothing like Dan the creator performing his song. We laughed like hell, had a ball, but alas, no tightie whities, or whacky blackies. Next time.
Dan Navarro on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 6/13/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2MqBkxX
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
They just don't come cuter than Kathleen Rose Perkins. As fabulous as her Carol Rance on Episodes, Kathleen's all that, and then a lot! Hysterical, gorgeous, adorable, warm, accessible, authentic and fearless. I adore her even more than I did binging five seasons of her, tracking her down and getting an instant "Yes." We talked growing up in Michigan with her creative PE teacher dad, four brothers, and supportive, encouraging mom... starting out wanting to be a CEO and kind of becoming one, or playing one, sort of on TV. Musical theatre in college and rep to moving to Hollywood, working day jobs and lying to sneak off to auditions. Working with Ben Affleck in Gone Girl, Brad Garrett in 'Till Death, Jay Mohr in Gary Unmarried, to Matt LeBlanc and John Pankow in Episodes. The British cast, mad love for Tamsin Greig who shared the screen with for five seasons, maybe four lines with Mr. LeBlanc... her longtime love, Christopher, creator, and showrunner of Merlin, going into their 2nd season, their story to pilot, which Kathleen broke into the business in, playing herself... what?!? And, her decision to create and write her own vehicles, currently in process. I cannot get enough of this vivacious, charismatic, crazy fun girl, who I feel like I've known forever. I sure hope I will. Fun, fun, more fun!
Kathleen Rose Perkins on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 6/6/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2kRn70G
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
And Anson’s Williams’ Alert Drops, saving lives while people drive. Natural and drug-free, https://www.alertdrops.com
Emmy-winning, writer, producer, performer, Larry Wilmore is a rare guest I hadn’t met before, yet, within moments in his good company I felt as if we’d known each other forever, Starting with Obama and the White House Correspondents Dinner controversy––for everyone except the president––Larry gave us his eye view. Barack got it, he felt the love. It would be tough not to. Warm, open, direct, hysterical, thoughtful, intelligent, passionate, and intent on being understood, Larry is a master communicator, who’s synthesized what works for him, and what doesn’t, and, he’s enthusiastic to share the wisdom. Patient and generous, he orchestrated each point with care, and great good humor. We talked where he started, where he’s been and where he still wants to go. CNN, Cosby, In Living Color, Jon Stewart, The Daily Show, The Nightly Show, Eddie Murphy, Phil Rosenthal, Richard Benjamin, Black-ish, Insecure, Black on The Air were covered, as were Larry’s two great passions, being a father, and being in show biz. There are take-away tools aplenty and lots and lots of laughs along the way. I loved every moment. Emmy-winning, writer, producer, performer, Larry Wilmore is a rare guest I hadn’t met before, yet, within moments in his good company I felt as if we’d known each other forever, Starting with Obama and the White House Correspondents Dinner controversy––for everyone except the president––Larry gave us his eye view. Barack got it, he felt the love. It would be tough not to. Warm, open, direct, hysterical, thoughtful, intelligent, passionate, and intent on being understood, Larry is a master communicator, who’s synthesized what works for him, and what doesn’t, and, he’s enthusiastic to share the wisdom. Patient and generous, he orchestrated each point with care, and great good humor. We talked where he started, where he’s been and where he still wants to go. CNN, Cosby, In Living Color, Jon Stewart, The Daily Show, The Nightly Show, Eddie Murphy, Phil Rosenthal, Richard Benjamin, Black-ish, Insecure, Black on The Air were covered, as were Larry’s two great passions, being a father, and being in show biz. There are take-away tools aplenty and lots and lots of laughs along the way. I loved every moment.
Larry Wilmore on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 5/30/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on The Facebook Full show replay here: https://bit.ly/2LKVdQi
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
And
Anson Williams' Alert Drops, saving lives while people drive. Natural and drug free, https://www.alertdrops.com
How many nights as a teenager did I sit in my room in Queens, watching The Mod Squad, dreaming of being Peggy Lipton… tonight I kinda was-ish––Michael Cole’s wing woman. As much as I adored Pete Cochran, I love Michael Cole, more… his warmth, sensitivity, empathy, humanity––he was overcome with emotion more times than I can count. He jumped into every story he told, acting out each one… and, did so with passion and conviction. He spoke at length, and in depth, of his tough and troubled childhood, his devotion and love for his mother and brother––the alcohol, which he started, oh so young, and which was his constant companion though homelessness, insane success, and the in the in-between… the genuine soul connection with Peggy and Clarence, which carries forward to this day… starring in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, and his unusual preparation… how he went from zero to 100 in a moment… the pain he’s carried about his father, and is releasing with his son thanks to the love of Shelley, who changed everything. The angry young man, who always loved with all his heart, to the gentle soul who sobered up, fathered up, and shares a magical romance with his beautiful bride of 23 ish years. Every time he laughed, smiled, I saw that gorgeous teen idol before me. Ridiculously grateful I got to live this day… can’t wait to have him back at Women Who Write and share him with the babes. I Played The White Guy just dropped. If you’re not going to be in living room June 26th and get a signed copy, you can grab it here https://amzn.to/2IIsVUx
Michael Cole on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 5/23 7 pm PT
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2LsfA4u
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
A quintuple threat––guitar, keyboards, sax, accordion, and vocals, Korel Tunador's a ridiculously talented sweetheart who put the doll in Goo Goo. From a small town outside of Pittsburgh to Berklee College of Music, Korel's always been a musician, with no Plan B. In bands since high school, Korel treated us to a couple of tunes from his early days and one of my favorites from his spectacular solo CD, No Tomorrows. Breaking (kind of) with pop's Hanson (MMMBop), to Jada Pinkett Smith's heavy metal Wicked Wisdom, the Goo Dolls, Katy Perry, and then back for another 12 or so years with the Goo Goos, living the stuff rockboy dreams are made of... playing the Grammys, The MTV Awards, Red Rocks, Stadiums, MTV Unplugged... Abby Road... meeting McCartney... Korel's now refocused on making his own music to follow his brilliant, The Early Mourning, and, his passion for teaching, primarily voice, after studying with his mentor, legendary vocal coach, Dave Stroud, who's worked with Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake and Kelly Clarkson, for a few. Korel's working with some insanely accomplished musicians, and looks forward to getting into it with many more. There's science in the craft, and Korel's got the goods and the genius to spare and to share. "Practice makes permanent, so do it with intention, and be present." Words he heard and lives by. Love, love, love this guy––his talent, and his humanity.
For all things Korel https://www.koreltunador.com
Korel Tunador on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 5/9/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Harry Abelson Filling in this week for Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2GmVeG5
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/
Jules Galli. What an inspiring example of talent, grace, vision, artistry, service, sensitivity, intelligence, gorgeousness–which, as stunning as he is, is far from just a handsome face... the rest of him ain't bad neither. Soulful, empathetic, passion-driven, he may truly, have it all.
Opening the BROADcast with the title cut from his just dropped EP, Without Your Love, even just sitting there in a chair, Jules is riveting. Closing the show with his latest, The Beginning. Wow, just wow, can't wait till he records it.
How does a 24 yr old French immigrant enmesh himself with the best of the LA music scene in just a few years? Be great. be gracious, play, play, play, and, connect. Like with our good friend Steve Postell, who produced a track, and opened the door to his joining the Tribe... LA's philanthropic musical creme de la creme who've raised loads of money for LA's homeless.
Shot in the home Jules shares with his family, we got to visit with his lovely mother and celebrity chef father, who chefs for James Burrows, and Bruce Springsteen for two, and who received a text from Patti Scialfa while we were there, offering help to Jules. Nice.
Wise way beyond his years, Jules is a rare treasure.
More Jules, including his music and self-created merch art, http://www.julesgalli.com/merch/
If you have an opportunity to see Jules Live, please go. You're welcome.
Thanks to Brian Chatton, Karen and Dennis Nadalin for the introduction.
Jules Galli on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 5/9/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here https://bit.ly/2ryZ615
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolkeof Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
America's Funniest Host, Tom Bergeron, was, as always, an easy, affable, adorable, fantastical guest. Great stories from an amazing storyteller who continues to challenge himself creativity every time he picks up a mic. What other TV host is so present, in the moment, trusting of himself, and, trusted by the networks to let the funny rip, off the cuff, every single show. That would be Tom.
As a 16 yr old broadcaster he tracked down Larry Fine, interviewed him, and from Larry got to Moe Howard––are you kidding me? I'm not. Tom spoke of his early radio days, stretching beyond DJ'ing, creating his own niche, bringing Tom to everything he did, and does, from radio to morning TV, to hosting Hollywood Squares, winning an Emmy, America's Funniest Home Videos for 14 years, Dancing With The Stars for 12 years and counting, winning another Emmy... co-hosting the Emmy's, and turning that not so great adventure into another funny. He's been a rare male to sit in for Whoopie and co-host The View, was the first man to guest at Women Who Write, has a just dropped movie, with Helen Hunt, Candy Jar now streaming on Netflix, a darker series, The Messenger, he's shopping, and, the just this Monday launched latest season of DWTS, which will be short, and with Tom, sweet and salty. My favorite combo.
Spending time with Tom is always a treat and inspiring push to be all I can be and try... harder. I adore this man!
Tom Bergeron on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 5/2/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/2HMLxC9
Video and photos shot by Harry Abelson
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
On the road to PAULA POUNDSTONE'S house we were greeted by the sound of drums (Paula), her 15 housemates, Lucy, Desi, Bogie, and The Three Stooges benches, and, a few tech issues. And the password is... we finally got it, got online after a bit of a sweat, mine. The video is a tad compromised... oh lord let this be a bandwidth issue... but it doesn't really matter. God is she funny!
"I'm a slow reader. I can read a current event and by the time I finish it's history."
We talk Paula's very interesting sleeping habits, her first rave comedy review (Kindergarten), to her just received nominations for two Audie Awards: Best Humor AudioBook, and, Best AudioBook of the Year, hell yeahs, for her The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness. Then we talked a ton of stuff in between. Her 40th High School reunion, working at the salad bar, her first open mike, and her second, the comedy boom in the late 70s, Boston, San Francisco, Robin Williams, Letterman, SNL, Carson... how she crafts her act... her focus... and a dream which remains...
Paula's freestyle jam is as fun, and funny, as it comes. I adore her.
PAULA POUNDSTONE The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 4/25/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Show replay here: https://bit.ly/2HsTJre
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Comedy gold! Paul Provenza took us on a thrill ride through comedy from his earliest memories of stand up on Ed Sullivan, afternoon talk shows in the 60s, Klein, Carlin, to Davi, the early days of The Improv... the funniest of the funny Aristocrats, Penn, TV sitcoms, the earliest days of Comedy Central to The Green Room, Set LIst... to his current passion project, a documentary about sexual abuse which is... hysterical. Yup. Who but Paul could pull that off?!? Put it all together and this man who created his own degree, his own club scene, theatrical success, television shows, a one-joke movie, this innovative talented creative is all in for the work. Monetary rewards have come... he's used them to finance his dreams. Dollars don't drive him, his passions do. His just filmed arc on I'm Dying Up Here will no doubt lead to the next gig, and the one after that, enabling him to continue to make his own cutting edge, game-changing, great art.
Motivating, inspiring, damn entertaining!
Paul Provenza on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 4/18/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Show replay here https://bit.ly/2qJLQXn
Pics and video shot by Louise Palanker and Harry Abelson
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Katzapalooza! Spectacular show with one of the most generous, gracious, informative, fun guests, ever. Barry Katz barely mentioned himself, it was all about how to help us, the listeners, still seeking. And, about others... those he respects, admires, and why he puts himself all in for those he believes in. He knows at the first handshake... hmm... wonder what he can tell from a hug. I loved every second of this. I cannot recommend spending your time here, enough.
Whether you're in "the business," in real estate, a house painter, Lyft driver, be an A. Invaluable advice on moving forward from one who's living his dreams at the paramount of success. Barry Katz maps the path on this special edition of The Road Taken. Very little about Barry, he generously made it all about you, and me. How to get there, and win.
From the amazing Will Lee, "Vicki, I'm glued to this Barry Katz episode more than the others I've seen & you've had some great ones! This is life-changing. Thanks for doing what you do. XXX"
A little background since we didn't even scratch the Katz surface... did I mention I was born Vicki Katz... what towels we would've had. Barry owned the Boston Comedy Club in NYC, when I was a young (shuddup) standup. While I was messing around, Barry was nominated for an Emmy, and, is a Grammy-nominated tv-film-record producer, podcast host, and talent manager who helped launch the careers of Dave Chappelle, Nick Swardson, Darrell Hammond, Wanda Sykes, Frank Caliendo, Jim Breuer, Whitney Cummings, Bill Bellamy, Jay Mohr, Melissa Villasenor, Felipe Esparza, Jim Gaffigan, Tracy Morgan, Louie CK, Anthony Clark, Bill Burr, Marc Maron, and Dane Cook. Barry's brokered 100 tv development deals, created 3 tv shows, and executive produced over 50 different stand-up specials, documentaries, scripted Industrseries, reality shows, including 7 seasons of Last Comic Standing. There is SO much more to his story... current events for one, he hosts Industry Standard, his own wildly successful podcast, with 250 shows in the proverbial can. What a powerhouse, and what an encourager of others.
I've "known" Barry kinda, a little, but I'm gonna hound this guy to be my friend. What a stupendous human.
Barry Katz. on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 4/11/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Replay here https://bit.ly/2v9IzWE
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Who you gonna call… me, please.
Ray Parker, Jr., swoon.
We talked growing up in Detroit, racial injustice, police brutality first hand, playing the clarinet and getting tired of blowing. I know. Ray’s first gig with The Spinners, to going on the road with Stevie Wonder, at 18 ~ without having to audition! Craziness… I saw that tour! Little Stevie Wonder opened for The Stones, with Ray on guitar and David Sanborn on sax. What a band, what a concert! What stories Ray has to go with it. One girl, one ticket, two girls, two tickets, three girls, three tickets. The boy was busy! Ray moved to LA, started playing on records, and played with… everyone. Those were the daze. Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, getting ripped off writing You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, which won the Grammy, and Ray didn’t get his due credit. But, other than that it’s been a pretty sweet ride. We talked about his successful marriage, 24 yrs and counting, four sons, one making music in the studio while we were there. This is a good man. And what a musician. He played licks throughout, and a little bit of that iconic song, with Louise and I on gang vocals for “Ghostbusters”… which Ray pointed out, he never sings in the song. Coming soon, a movie ~ Who You Gonna Call, a book of the same name, and Ray hopes, his own TV show. Hell yeah. He couldn’t be more charming, and damn, is he sexy!
Ray Parker Jr. on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 4/4/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker Big thanks to Fran Strine
Live on the Facebook Replay here (with Facebook Live blurry tech issues): https://bit.ly/2EolRJS
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
I don't even know where to start... Henry Jaglom has lived a life beyond my imagination. He's shared intimate relationships with Orson Welles, Jack Nicholson, Bob Rafelson, Bert Schneider, Natalie Wood, Georgia Brown, Tuesday Weld, Peter Bogdanovich, and those are just a few he spoke of here. Who suggested Davy Jones for The Monkees, helped edit Easy Rider, directed Orson's last filmed performance, got Nicholson, already a star, in his own first film... Henry did. Actor (Gidget, to name one) stand up comic, partnered with Richard Pryor, or Ritchie, as he calls him, playwright, screenwriter, author, filmmaker, artist... with stories around each. One better than the next... to his current passion projects, Train to Zakopane, which will have its theatrical release in May and, his upcoming memoir… The Third Stone on the Second Row, A Family Memoir, And A Brief History of the Jewish People. Henry is a fascinating, prolific man, who has spent his life and his career celebrating women. His films revolve around them. Us. He even cast me in a couple of them. Fiercely intelligent, passionate, volatile, empathetic, compassionate, tender-hearted, and intense, this time with Henry was fascinating, fun, and topped with the best cherry.
As we were readying to wrap, Louise shared the news which was blowing up my iPhone while we were filming. My daughter, Samantha, whose highest dream is to perform on Broadway, lived it, as we shot. She was chosen to sing the song of her choice from Waitress, and, with the band, cast, and audience bearing witness, she made her Broadway debut, and killed it! Is there a greater gift for a mother? I got to share her performance with Henry and Louise who hooted, cheered and cried with me. Or, maybe I cried enough for all of us. https://bit.ly/2E3JJlu
Apologies for the delayed start for those with us Live, and the inexplicable lack of crisp focus of the video. It was clear as glass through the lens. We're unsure if it was a Facebook issue, as they altered the Live platform this week, or if it was a connection issue. Although, neither was evident in the short promo we shot just prior. Alas, Henry's words rise above the glitches. Rich, easy, listening.
Henry Jaglom on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 3/28/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook https://bit.ly/2Gm6AuV
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Photo by Adrian Carr on the set of The M Word
On this rainy, snowy, soulstice eve, we gots what’ll warm you, @Syd Straw, singing Casually, with @Louise Palanker on back-up, moving in to talk, Jack Straw who sang 7 1/2 Cents to Doris Day in Pajama Game, to Mr. Bill Thomas, a teacher who changed Syd’s life, right here in my hood, at my kid’s High School., a mother with a spine-tingling voice, to CBGBs where we must have banged into each other at least a gazillion times, to a happenstance at The Bitter End to meet Anton Fier, and join The Golden Palominos at the time with Jack Bruce and MIchael Stipe, WHAT… standing in line at The Comic Strip with Gilbert Gottfried and Jerry Seinfeld and singing back-up for Pat Benatar… there’s plenty of life lessons and soul attached. And, she sings us out with Paper Mache from Pink Velour
https://sydstrawmusic.bandcamp.com/album/pink-velour-2009
Syd Straw on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 3/21/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Replay link here: http://bit.ly/2pvp2dR
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
If there’s a kinder, sweeter, more adorable, generous, fabulous human than Nancy Allen, I haven’t met them yet. Crazy fun talking about everything from her challenging upbringing in the Bronx, to the High School of Performing Arts, dance, a bad/lucky break, commercials, Carrie, Brian DePalma, John Travolta, Betty Buckley, Sissy Spacek, PJ Soles, Piper Laurie, 1941, Steven Spielberg, John Belushi, Tim Matheson, a scary fire, Dressed to Kill, Michael Caine, Keith Gordon, Emma Stone, to WeSpark, Nancy’s life’s passion, where she uses her skills, talents and celebrity to enhance the lives of cancer patients and their friends and families with extraordinary free programs. What a woman! The time flew. Couldn’t love her more.
Nancy Allen on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 3/14/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Replay link http://bit.ly/2phU0Fk
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing.quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Grammy and Tony and Emmy, oh my! Allee Willis, from the hatcheck at Catch A Rising Star to being inducted into The Songwriters Hall of Fame, Allee tells all, and no one tells it better. Live from Allee's Queendom of Kitsch, she talked Laura Nyro, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Cher, Carrie Fisher, Patti LaBelle, Lily Tomlin, Clive Davis, Verdine & Maurice White, Barry Manilow, Motown, Detroit, Andy Kaufman, Elayne Boosler (the nicest)... so many stories from there and here, she covered a ton of 'em. Beyond fun. Crazy, fabulous, fun!
Allee Willis on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 3/7/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker Live on the Facebook
Full replay here http://bit.ly/2IdUy7Z
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Shot by Louise Palanker
From Glendale, CA when it was a sundown town… I had no idea what that was, Gary Stockdale tells all. No African Americans, Chicanos, or Jews, oh my! Is that really possible? Guess so. With no plan B, Gary’s life and living has been all music, all the time. From $20 a night at The Comedy Store to singing at The Oscars with Mary J Blige this Sunday night, Gary, twice Emmy nominated, has spent years on the tube with Penn & Teller, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Cop Rock, where his scene’s been immortalized and made hip again thanks to Beavis and Butthead, to being naked in a hot tub with Ron Jeremy (no, please no) while Tracy Lords got prudish. Mentored by Henry Mancini (Michael Nouri, we talked about you and Hank, too), he sang about Teenage Daughters, and closed with his just dropped, You Don’t Know, from his current charting, Keep Letting Go. Did I mention he sings on the Justin Timberlake/Chris Stapleton video for their current hit, Say Something? Yup, that, too.
Gary Stockdale, on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 2/28/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here: http://bit.ly/2FcBV5B
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Shot by Louise Palanker and Harry Abelson
David Wild is living my life. If you love music - Dylan, Ringo, Paul, George, Mick, Keith, Tyler, Diamond, Bono, Petty, Sinatra - & the funny - Chapelle, Idle - stories, stories, more stories - the best! I swears. Riveting, goosebump-inducing, incomprehensible, jaw-dropping, up thisclose and very personal with all my heroes–– David has lived the life of my dreams (almost everyone's?!?). His story about how Linda McCartney changed his life, alone, is worth all. Let alone Paul and David's sons. And Neil Diamond and his mother... please! Almost Famous is a snore fest compared to this music journalist's life. David kicked my ass. In the good way. Wanna be happy.?!? Walk this way.
David Wild on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 2/21/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Replay here http://bit.ly/2CcTqli
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
HIStory making screenwriter and filmmaker, Chris Bergoch, was an entertaining, inspiring, informative, funny, Valentine. His host was a starving, manic, maniac, but he overcame. Ignore me and focus on this wunderkind, who starting making movies at age 9, with his mother behind the camera. There was never a Plan B. From NYU’s Film School to Greg The Bunny on Fox, starring Eugene Levy, Seth Green, and Sarah Silverman, to Indies: Starlet, Snowbird, Tangerine (guerrilla shooting on iPhone 5s), winning loads of awards along the way, leading to his current multi-award-winning feature (55 and counting), The Florida Project, earning Willem Dafoe, an Oscar nomination––Chris is laser-focused on telling the stories which intrigue and thrill him. Universal truths prevail through the mouths of babes who inhabit welfare hotels, trans hookers searching for their pimp, taxi drivers looking to score something they won’t find at home––all seeking what they don’t have. And, love. This is a man who writes what he sees, and through his exploration, comes to know. Chris offers invaluable insight on preparation, process, the pitch, collaboration, fearless pursuit of creative excellence, and authenticity, on screen, and off. Living his dream. I loved every minute of this, got so much out of it––if only someone would’ve fed me some of those chocolates and shut me up. Chris makes it worth putting up with me.
Chris Bergoch on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 2/14/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
With Louise Palanker
Live on the Facebook Video replay here http://bit.ly/2BvjS8t
Video & pic by Louise Palanker
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com
We're lucky he's funny... and adorable, and smart, and knows a lot about a lot of things... And yes, he's won an Emmy, Peabody, WGA and James Beard Award, has the most successful translated show of all time (Everybody Loves Raymond is receiving the Guinness Award tomorrow) ~ Netflix's Somebody Feed Phil's, Phil Rosenthal shares his favorite places, kid (only kidding), cheap eats, life advice (Ed Weinberger: "Do the show you want to do, because in the end they're going to cancel you anyway."), childhood favorite TV shows, why arts in the schools are essential, how the young actor became a writer, how Phil and his friends created their own platform––a little show which ran (is still running?!?) for decades, how James L Brooks fulfilled Phil's long-held dream, how a kid who ate shoe leather steak and canned vegetables had his life changed by a dish of pasta with garlic, and, why he's so passionate about travel, food and sharing. "I want you to have what I'm having. I want you to travel and share this experience, and I want to share the love that I have for this experience, and these people, because the food and the humor is only the way to get to the people." People don't come better than Phil. I'll have whatever he's having.
Phil Rosenthal on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 2/7/18, 7 pm PT
With Louise Palanker Live on the Facebook
Full show replay here: http://bit.ly/2BKXyc4
Video and pic by Louise Palanker
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
One of the most heartfelt, grateful, stupendous stories of a life well-lived... actor Michael Nouri, from untrained amateur to starring on Broadway with Julie Harris and being schooled by a pro in his early 20s, turning down Sam Peckinpaw to do this little film called Flashdance, which changed the world... break dancing and fashion for two... starring on Broadway again with Julie Andrews and then, Liza Minelli, handpicked by Blake Edwards, with a song crafted just for him by Henry (call me Hank) Mancini... a load of superlative work on stages and screens, starting with Goodbye Columbus, co-starring with Ali McGraw and Richard Benjamin... being hand-picked by Billy Crystal to be the only one to ever play DiMaggio (in 61*), straddling TV, Movies & Broadway, way before it was cool... his life's not so secret, secrets, shared... gratitude, peace, heart, and, how he does it. Plus, pearls of wisdom.
Loved every second of this. One for the books. He needs to write one.
Michael Nouri on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success, Wed, 1/31/18, 7 pm PT/10 pm ET
Live on the Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/2rWZdaq
With Louise Palanker
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Lydia, oh Lydia! Too Close For Comfort’s Lydia Cornell, gorgeous, inside and out, took us through her life, from Texas to Scarsdale to Colorado to Hollywood. A little girl with passion and vision who found a way to live her dream. We talked drugs and booze to sobriety, and recovery; obsession with appearance to striving to focus on what’s truly important. From business to music, to television, trying to please, sexual abuse of power, verbal abuse to be beautiful, the power of other’s opinions, creating our own path, writing our own projects; women directors, Lydia herself an award-winning one, Greta Gerwig, Mark Harmon, Elton John, Henry Dilz, Caribou Ranch, Jane Fonda, Gregory Harrison, Peter Tolan, Norman Lear, Ted Knight, Phil Rosenthal… mutual friend, Hubert O'Hearn, who introduced us… the conversation bubbled and flowed as the champagne once did.
Lydia Cornell on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, 1/24/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
Live on the Facebook Full show replay here http://bit.ly/2Dxtg9S With Louise Palanker
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Amazing conversation with the always entertaining Jim Beaver, who talked current events, growing up in Texas unfocused, doing a load of theatre, and then the life changer... there were two... and a lot of stories. Jim speaks of his heroes, and why they are, and, the one who fell from grace for lack of grace. What it took to get "there," what he thinks it takes... precious takeaways applicable to pretty much everything ... read, study, never be the reason something goes south, never hold up the action (post-show he added, preparedness. Be ready.) We talked Deadwood, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Justified, Supernatural, Tom Hanks, John Wayne, Norman Jewison. What's next... a new play at Theatre West, a comedic western, The Night Forlorn, Or, Waitin' On Godsford. Coming in March. Spending time with Jim is always time well spent.
There were shout-outs to Birthday Boy Rick Smolke, Ricky Byrd's new CD Clean Getaway, intended to help kids stay sober, with The Coolest Song of the week on Little Steven's Underground Garage.
Jim Beaver on Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, Jan 17, 7 pm PT/10 pm PT
Live on The Facebook Video replay link here: http://bit.ly/2ETfWwV
With Louise Palanker
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
“A great visit with two friends. Vicki Abelson took us on a perfect ride through Doug Herzog's career. From the backstreets of Jersey to Emerson & through the glory days of MTV, Comedy Central and more at CNN, ET, Fox, USA & as our fearless leader for all the MTV Networks....Doug’s unending instinct to bring together the best producers and staff with undiscovered breakthrough talent, and brave original ideas co-created the culture and changed TV forever.” ~ Rob Barnett, Audible, CBS Radio, MTV
Thank you, Rob. Thrilling words, which mean the world coming from you. And, you saved me having to write a recap. LOVE!
“Such a great, fun, interesting interview with Doug Herzog! It was really fun to watch even though my name didn't come up once! New writers (and old ones for that matter) make sure you stick around for the pitch advice from Doug. it's great stuff, and he would know. Thanks Vicki!” ~ J.R. Havlan, 8x Emmy Winner, The Daily Show
Doug Herzog, The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success 1/10/18
Live on the Facebook Replay http://bit.ly/2Dl1TAs
With Louise Palanker
Photo and video by Louise Palanker with assist by Samantha Rae
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Steve Postell is man of music. So, we started with some. His. Other than a couple of weeks driving for a car service at 19, before starting his 2-year stint playing on Broadway (Evita with Patti LuPone & Mandy Patinkin) Steve has earned his living doing what he loves. Sparked by Dylan. Bob. Who, unbeknownst to him, shaped the life of his 16 yr old co-art-class student. Stories... does Steve have stories... he's played with seemingly everyone. Within minutes of meeting Steve, fresh out of Pure Prairie League, I booked him at The Rock 'N Roll Café, and continued to for the past 30 + years through his rise as a singer, songwriter, session playing, composer, producer. He's got three major CDs about to drop, Daniel Kortchmar's solo debut of his hits for everyone else, sung by hisself, featuring David Crosby, Michael McDonald, Leland Sklar, Jackson Browne, James Taylor Russell Kunkel & Waddy Wachtel. Dan Navarro's upcoming CD, and Steve's own effort aided by David Crosby & John Oates for two. He's got a Netflix doc running currently which he scored, and Robert Redford narrates. Yes, they were in the studio together. Swoon. And, he's got wisdom to share about how to do it. Be good. Get it out there. Network So much has been right place, right time. Inspiring! He played a little more, closing with a magnificent tune from his upcoming disc. Loved every moment of this and assure you will, too.
The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success. Replay here: http://bit.ly/2COHVhC
Photo and video by Louise Palanker with assist by Samantha Rae
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
I can’t even process how fantastical and forthcoming Eric Roberts is, how open and honest Eliza is, how much love, reverence, affection, and respect they share... how they live and work in unison within that love and respect. We got stories! Holy shit! The truths behind The Pope of Greenwich Village, “juicy,” Eric’s word ~ trudat. Bob Fosse, Mickey Rourke, The Killers, sister Julia, daughter Emma, Dr. Drew, Dr. Who... just tune in... I promise, worthy. Eric speaks to why it works, how it works, Eliza makes it work. Portrait of a brilliant artist, and the talent and savvy of his partner... marijuana addiction, family estrangements, reunions, and one which wasn’t. Just tune in dammit! Enlightening entertainment. Fabulous fun.
The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success. Facebook LIve Video Replay here: http://bit.ly/2CfOoSg
And, on YouTube http://bit.ly/2Cj3JS0
Photo and video by Louise Palanker
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik ImpressionsImpressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
We went Live with Keaton Simons and WOW! Sang his ass off... opened the show with When I Go, over 5 million views on YouTube, over 1.5 mil listens on Spotify... Killed it! Gave us the backstory of growing up with his dad, Jimmy, who created Moonlighting and Malcolm in the Middle. His mother, Eliza, who married Eric Roberts, and holy shit, did life get CRAZY. Keaton tells all... George Clooney was his babysitter... Say what?!? David Duchovny, before anything, playing with Chris Cornell, Santana, Cold Play... Bryan Cranston using Keaton's song for a Malcolm in the Middle... He sang again... my favorite, my life, Other Side... more stories... growing up with his younger sister in a house without a parent when Keaton was 16 and Morgan 13... what a life..: and yet, Keaton is educated, grounded, spiritual, focused, talented, successful, evolved... and forgiving. With wisdom to share. What a show! Closed with his tune about inspiration... and boy does he have that going on.
Keaton Simons on Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success
Live on The Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/2kwLEIq
With Louise Palanker
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
Wow, did we get into it with writer/producer(7th Heaven, V.I.P., Action, The Simpsons), performer, Ron Zimmerman... Cher, Jodie Foster, Ryan O'Neal, Bill Maher, Larry David, Gilbert Gottfried, The Simpsons, Mueller, Moore, Doug Jones, Al Franken, Woody Allen, the great Alan Zweibel, his presidential bid, the 10 Commandments, Joe, Biden, Obama, what it takes to make it in this town, first, you gotta be here and you gotta do the work. A lot of work. And of course, we laughed.
With Louise Palanker
Ron Zimmerman on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success 12/13/17, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
Live on the Facebook Replay here http://bit.ly/2nZNkyi
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
And, Nicole Venables of The Ruby Begonia Hair Studio, for tresses like the stars she coifs, or regular peoples, like me. Shuddup! http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
It's beginning to feel a lot like X-Mas. Is there anything more fun than interviewing Ed Asner in his house, surrounded by his look-a-like dog, cat, bird, daughter, granddaughter, Scott, whilst he eats pizza, drinks Ice, takes a pee break, and coughs his ass off, while singing Old Man River, schools us on history, tenacity, repeatedly curses me out, orders Louise around, and charms the pants off of us. Not quite, Matt Lauer. And, I got to sit on Santa’s lap. Sweetest grouch ever... he wore the Santa hat for the whole show. Sweet! I’ll be reading his Grouchy Historian once I finish swooning from the greatest inscription, ever. I cherish this person. I'm in awe of his talents and humanity. This night was a gift beyond measure.
Vicki Abelson’s The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Live on The Facebook Nov 29, 2017. 7 pm PT/10 pm ET Live on The Facebook
Replay here: http://bit.ly/2zQV0Zm
With Louise Palanker
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The Grouchy Historian: An Old-Time Lefty Defends Our Constitution Against Right-Wing Hypocrites and Nutjobs http://www.simonandschuster.com/…/Th…/Ed-Asner/9781501166020
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, of Chicago, where Ed went to college and became an actor ~ the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
My grateful Thanksgiving offering… promise it’ll make your day, even more than the stuffing.
Just as I don't have a favorite kid, Samantha, I don't have a favorite show, this. Not. But, it sure is up there.
Gregory Harrison, Trapper John MD, Sisters, The Middle, Logan's Run, The Harrad Experiment (you're welcome, Michael), to name very few, after going full Franken, offered up absolutely stellar conversation, filled with jaw-dropping, amazing stories. And, what a storyteller.
Opened the show with my Parisan romance, swoon, jumped into Gregory growing up on Catalina Island, Edgar Harrison, Aimee Semple McPherson, Al Franken, the Vietnam War, being a medic, being a non-religious concientious objector, Louie CK, Battle of the Network Stars, marriage that lasts, and why it works, cocaine, Betty Ford, recovery, Trapper John, Jason Robards, political activism, Richard Chamberlain, Centennial, believing he can do anything, what’s right and what’s wrong, what’s good and what’s bad, what’s true and what’s false. Living in gratitude all day, every day. And the #1 takeaway - Gratitude is saying yes. Powerful reminders. Inspiring as hell. Hey, I can do that. Can too. So can you.
The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, Nov 15th, 7 pm PT/10 pm ET
Live on The Facebook Replay here http://bit.ly/2zvSmId
With Louise Palanker
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Photo by Harry Abelson
We went Live with American Idol finalist, Anthony Fedorov, maybe the nicest, most evolved human I’ve had the pleasure to get to know. Anthony sees only the good, the best, in everything, and everyone. Not a negative word, not a one. Precious take-away––every suggestion is an opportunity for growth, constructive criticism (think Simon) helps construct a better person, a better artist. Humble, self-aware, comfortable in his skin, and, self-confident, in a mature, realistic, measured, true sense. We talked reality competition show, American Idol, A-Z. Start to finish. Before, the during, and, the aftermath. And, man, does he have great, dishy stories, I’m talkin’ great. Paula, Simon. LL Cool J, JLo, his hero Mark Anthony (funny story!), Ellen, Leno, Patrick Landon, Constantine, Carrie, getting restyled, Craig Ames (my stylist), you’d be so great on one of these shows. We talked Russia, being pronounced dead, a tracheotomy when he was a toddler, which was supposed to silence him forever, a mom who gave her all and fought for him. Inspiring out the wazoo. Topper, he sings, WOW. He’s now the artist he dreamt of being when he was a “singer.” His word. Honored to know this gracious man. I’m a better person in his presence. Wonder if I can borrow him 18 waking hours a day… Crazy fun and maybe, life-changing show. Thank you, sir!
The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, Nov 15th, 7 pm PT/10 pm ET
Live on The Facebook Replay here http://bit.ly/2yKPqDk
With Louise Palanker
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Photo by Harry Abelson
Went Live with Chris Browning (Westworld, Supergirl, Sons of Anarchy, Cowboys & Aliens), who's killing it, and, some peoples, with Robert Patrick in the just dropped, Last Rampage. Chris, also scary as fuck on Ray Donovan, whilst in life he could not be sweeter, or more thoughtful. He’s led an unusually harrowing life in the midst of celebrity success. We talked the before, during, and current happy aftermath, with a man who not long ago had nothing, and now seemingly, has it all. Promise this is not a story you've heard before. From athlete to actor to I don't wanna tell you and ruin it... listen. Really. Great Christian Bale story, Michael Caine, Will Smith. Russell Crowe... none more interesting than Chris hisself.
The Road Taken on The Road Wed, Oct 25th, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
Shot Live on Facebook With Louise Palanker
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Video replay http://bit.ly/2iA7Bs4
The Road Taken was on the road. Went Live with Hit Makers, Jud Friedman & Allan Rich… Multiple Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe Nominees. Living their dreams with passion and success. Had the best time with them! Great stories! Informative, inspiring, fun! First week in the ZinnaTV hiatus as they build new studios. We had a tech glitch at the top. Sorry for the abrupt beginning.
The Road Taken on The Road Wed, Oct 18th, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET
Shot Live on Facebook With Louise Palanker
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Video replay without the opening glitch, but still in vertical mode, sorry. Full screen helps. https://youtu.be/iRoG7pSk-P4
Video replay with opening craziness, also in vertical mode, but kind of fun. Full screen helps. http://bit.ly/2yzYwpg
Saul Rubinek (Unforgiven, Wall Street, Against All Odds, True Romance, Frasier, Curb), talked the Coen Brothers, Warehouse 13, Ticket To Heaven, his father giving up his career in Yiddish Theatre, Saul giving up his off-Broadway leanings, the thriving Canadian theatre, and then film scene, his connection to community, knowing himself, being true to himself, and, gifting his audition... the not so secrets of his success.
Plus, a sneak of Ali Handal & Patricia Bahia's new ERA Anthem with your not so humble host on gang vocal.
The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, Oct 11th at 7 pm PT Live on ZinnaTV and on The Facebook
Video Replay here: http://bit.ly/2wPIm7q
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With Louise Palanker Produced by Brant Thoman Associate Producer Jake Belcher
This week's show is sponsored by Ultimate Jam Night at The Whisky, Tuesdays at 8 pm, Live on zinna.tv/
And, by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Had the best time with Sam Harris - Tony Nominee, first winner of Star Search––the original life changing televised talent competition show. We talked Michael Jackson, Liza, Liz, Sammy, Oklahoma, Broadway, how winning Star Search changed his life, writing, how to make the day flow, priorities, passion, tools, success as a human and an artist. Loved every second of it. Wanna go back and watch myself... jewels shared! And, he SANG!
The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, Sept 27th, 7 pm PT/10 PM ET Live on ZinnaTV and on The Facebook
Live Video Replay here: http://bit.ly/2wyMpoE
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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With Louise Palanker Produced by Brant Thoman Associate Producer Jake Belcher
This week's show is sponsored by Ultimate Jam Night at The Whisky, Tuesdays at 8 pm, Live on zinna.tv/
And, by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
In LA? More Sam, next Fri and Sat, Oct 13th & 14th at The Catalina Club. Not to be missed! What a guy! What a performer!
Went Live with Rudy Sarzo - we talked Cuba, Kennedy, The Beatles, topless bars, porn palaces, Bill Mumy,Randy Rhoads, Quiet Riot, sleeping on the floor, Ozzy, losing Randy, rejoining Quiet Riot, re-finding joy, writing it all down in his book, Off The Rails... Hired Gun, Liberty Devitto, being married for 30+ years... it’s all about being responsible, trust, being his best self, taking care of each other, and... love. What an inspiring, talented, lovely man. With a beautiful soul, which evolves as much as his fab hair.
The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Wed, Sept 27th, 7 pm PT/10 PM ET Live on ZinnaTV and on The Facebook
Replay here: www.facebook.com/vickiabelson/vid…/?type=3&theater
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
With Louise Palanker Produced by Brant Thoman Associate Producer Jake Belcher
This week's show is sponsored by Ultimate Jam Night at The Whisky, Tuesdays at 8 pm, Live on zinna.tv/
And, by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Sat down with Dee Wallace, beloved mom from E.T., thriver and survivor of extreme horror in Cujo, The Howling, in life... non-stop working actress, a passel of projects currently in post, always relevant, funny, warm and lovely... Dee's also an Author, Radio Personality, and Spiritual Healer. She offered me a morning ritual years ago, which I've employed every day since... I don't yet have it all, but I'm grateful as hell for what I do have.
We talked Seinfeld, Netflix, Leno, Super Dave, E.T., Cujo., Stephen King, Speilberg, the other Steven, Fritz Coleman and Jimmy Brogan and how I messed that shit up, money, self love, abundance, how to lose weight, gain money and love. It was a love fest. Love the Dee.
I love myself, so I won't say, what's up with my hair... and my shirt... I'm way too sexy for that shit. I digress...need to watch the show, stat!
Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Live, Wed, Sept 20th, 7 pm PT http://zinna.tv/
And, Live on my Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/2w8NTpm
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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With Louise Palanker Produced by Brant Thoman Associate Producer Jake Belcher
This week's show is sponsored by Ultimate Jam Night at The Whisky, Tuesdays at 8 pm, Live on http://zinna.tv/
And, by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printin, the best people, people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Went Live with Lori Lieberman. Don McLean inspired Lori to write a poem, which became Killing Me Softly. When Roberta Flack heard Lori’s recording on a plane she jumped! The rest is record-breaking history. There’s a story there. She told it, she played it. Goosebump city! We talked DonMcLean, Roberta Flack, The Fugees, Saturday Night Fever... there are takeaways. Lots of 'em. And, I love her.
Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Live, Wed, Sept 6th, 7 pm PT http://zinna.tv/
And, Live on Facebook Replay here: http://bit.ly/2gIRrbf
With Louise Palanker Produced by Brant Thoman Associate Producer Jake Belcher
This week's show is sponsored by Ultimate Jam Night at The Whisky, Tuesdays at 8 pm, Live on http://zinna.tv
And, by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
Went Live on the Facebook with Emmy Winning funnyboy, Alan Zweibel... SNL, It's Garry Shandling's Show, David Letterman, Curb... FUNNEE! What a mensch! So fun to talk about Gilda, Billy, Larry, Steinberg, Marty, Lorne, Letterman, Barry... stories, stories, stories... he may not be a stand-up, but, man is he funny! And, takeaways worth their weight in Grandma Libby's matzah balls (rocks!).
We talked process... intention... how the hell he does it... success after success... TV, and Books, and, Plays... oh my! Alan's my kinda guy. . Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, 8/30, 7 pm PT/10 pm ET Facebook Live Video BROADcast replay here: http://bit.ly/2el1dje
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Video and Photo shot by Samantha Abelson
On location! Live from New York in Honey's den with Eddie Ojeda of Twisted Sister. I love this man. We've known each other forever... haven't seen each other in a couple of decades... and yet, it's as if no time's passed. Had a great time... even though I couldn't remember what city I was in. #redeye
And, we were tech challenged.
We talked Twisted Sister, Twisted Hot Sauce, The Beatles, Olympic biking, wedding bands, cover clubs to stadiums... fun!
Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Live, Wed, Aug 23rd, 7 pm PT/10 pm ET
Live on the Facebook Replay here http://bit.ly/2w0hJ1C
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This BROADcast brought to you by Eddie Ojeda's Twisted Hot Sauce https://twistedhotsauce.com
We went Live with Larry Hankin… Bizarro Kramer on Seinfeld, Mr. Heckles on Friends, Old Joe on Breaking Bad… we talked Larry David, Woody Allen, Jack Rollins, Clint Eastwood, Escape From Alcatraz, Penny Marshall, Laverne and Shirley, Jaws, and how to lose “Friends” by being Bizarro Larry. Great stories, fabulous storyteller.
Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Live, Wed, Aug 16th, 7 pm PT http://zinna.tv
And, Live on the Facebook Replay here http://bit.ly/2whl7pw
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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With Louise Palanker Produced by Brant Thoman Associate Producer Jake Belcher
This week's show is sponsored by the Ultimate Jam at The Whisky, every Tues at 8 pm PT on ZInna.TV
Photo by Louise Palanker
It was 7 yrs in the nailing to get Peter Tolan to say, "Yes." An Emmy Winning hero, for The Larry Sanders Show... Rescue Me (in my top 5 of all time). Add to that Murphy Brown, another Emmy… Home Improvement, The Job, Ellen… how about the little film, Analyze This?!? Analyze That! I analyzed him On The Road Taken… we got to the meat of how the hell this guy does it… over and over and over again. We talked Garry Shandling, Norman Lear, Jeffrey Tambor... He cracked open his tool box and shared his tricks of the trade. Which are absolute treats.
Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Live, Wed, Aug 9th, 7 pm PT http://zinna.tv/
So sorry. this podcast ends abruptly. For the full show... Which was Live on the Facebook Replay here http://bit.ly/2vopKeV
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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With Louise Palanker Produced by Brant Thoman
This week's show is sponsored by the Ultimate Jam at The Whisky, every Tues at 8 pm PT on ZInna.TV
Photo by Louise Palanker
We went Live with the fantastical Michael Gross, of Family Ties, Tremors 1, 2, 3 and 4, How I Met Your Mother, and Anger Management. A peach of man, we dig deep with my tools to get at his. He brings tremendous humility and humanity to his work. What are the secrets of his success? He shares 'em. Continually challenging himself, for one.
Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success. Live, Wed, August 2nd at 7 pm PT.
Live on ZinnaTV http://zinna.tv/ Relay here http://bit.ly/2uYF6bv
And,, on Facebook Replay here http://bit.ly/2uYoznA
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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With Louise Palanker Produced by Brant Thoman Associate Producer Jake Belcher Photo by Louise Palanker
This week's show is sponsored by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
Here's.... ED! And he was fantastic. Tools out the wazoo! Ed shares the secrets to his success... and, I'm stealing 'em. Whether you're still seeking your fortune, or, already made yours dozens of times over, Ed's approach to life and his work is emulating worthy. He's as good as it gets.
From St. Elsewhere, Ghostbusters, Six Feet Under, Arrested Development, Better Call Saul, Portlandia, Grace and Frankie, to the new Hulu series, Future Man, to name but a very few, the man is everywhere, all the time... more than that, he walks his talk... an environmental hero... a loving husband and father... an amazingly supportive friend who suits up and shows up. Could not love him more.
Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Wed, July 26th at 7 pm PT.
Live on ZinnaTV http://zinna.tv/
And, on my Facebook Replay here http://bit.ly/2ePOsQZ
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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With Louise Palanker Produced by Brant Thoman
This week's show is sponsored by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
Photo by Louise Palanker
I love Julie Warner. She co-starred in Mr. Saturday Night with Billy Crystal, marrying his Buddy Young Jr., I flirted with Buddy, 10 years earlier on SNL. We have crazy 2 degrees all over the place. Add Doc Hollywood, Nip/Tuck, Dexter and loads of other great work, Julie's managed to live her dream... how the hell did she do it? We shared tales about Billy and Julie shares the secrets of her success.
Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success Aired live on ZInnaTV and The Facebook 7/19/17 at 7 pm PT
Watch the replay http://bit.ly/2vlj00E
This week with Emme Geissal Produced by Brant Thoman Photo by Linda Abse
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Sponsored by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
Jack McGee, one of my favorite actors, from one of my favorite (maybe my favorite) show of all time, Rescue Me, in the studio. Jack's IMDB is longer than Trump's nose. The Fighter, Moneyball, Crash, NYPD Blue, to name but a very few. Fantastic, amazing conversation, and, he sang! Loved every minute.
Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken, Live, Wed, July 12th at 7 pm PT.
Live on ZinnaTV And, on my Facebook
Replay here: http://bit.ly/2tgzUeD
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
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With Louise Palanker Produced by Brant Thoman
This week's show is sponsored by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
Photo by Linda Abse
Our first Live show on ZInnaTV was a great time.
Rachelle Carson-Begley was an ideal first guest. The actress (Falcon Crest, Boston Legal, NYPD Blue, State of Grace, Eight Simple Rules), activist, environmentalist, was crazy fun. Where the fuck was Ed? Unscheduled late call shooting on Future Man for Hulu. He'll be with us Wed, July 26th. Gave us more time with his gorgeous girl.
Their Podcast, Begleyesque, with celebrity friend guests, on iTunes, is a must-see for anyone who cares about our planet... and, the funny.
With Louise Palanker. We were blonde on blonde on blonde. Produced by Brant Thoman
To view the videocast: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154862204617737&id=730442736&_rdr&pnref=story
Also Available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
BROADcast debuts 6/28/17
Bonus BROADcast! It's not every day I chat with a Marquis. An actual blueblood. Michael Des Barres reeks education and sophistication. He's also a Movie Star, a TV Star, a Rock Star, and currently, a DJ, on Little Steven's Underground Garage.
A one-time junkie who married, perhaps the most celebrated groupie of our time, Michael's a sober, devoted, father, and ex. A true renaissance man, he speaks with authority on philosophy, art, music, film, theatre, celebrity, and Pinkberry.
From To Sir with Love, NCIS, Nip/Tuck, Roseanne, Seinfeld, Northern Exposure, St. Elsewhere... signed by Jimmy Page, himself. replacing Robert Palmer to front Power Station, and at Live Aid no less, had a massive hit with Obsession, helped found Rock Against Drugs... the man is a glass all full, dynamo... gracious, charming, generous, intense.
Our conversation began a tad challenging for me but very quickly evolved into one of the most thoughtful, fascinating, emotional, informative, delightful chats I've had to date. I was moved, entertained, and, schooled. Michael evoked laughter, tears, and left me motivated as hell to do more, be more, know more. Loved it. It was church.
I recorded this show with the intention of banking it to use as needed... our weekly promise, already fulfilled. But I just couldn't sit on it. Michael's too damn good. And bad. In the good way.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound edited by Justin Lebens
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
BROADcast debuts 6/24/17
Guido the killer pimp. Ralphie, the killer. Period. Joe Pantoliano, aka Joey Pants, scared me.
Joey's appeared in innumerable iconic films of varying genres. His work includes : The Idolmaker(a personal favorite), Risky Business, The Goonies, La Bamba, Midnight Run, Bad Boys I and II, Empire of the Sun, The Fugitive, The Matrix, Memento, and Daredevil, to name but some. Most notably perhaps, his Ralphie in The Sopranos, which earned him a best-supporting actor Emmy.
A New York Times bestselling author, when I asked him to read at Women Who Write from his 2nd book, Asylum, chronicling his personal battle with depression, with each question he asked, I began to sweat. I’d hate to get whacked because of my lousy cooling system. He ended up being one of the warmest, earnest, most real and accessible guests we’ve had.
Now, some years later, when I emailed him to ask him to guest on TRT, he shot me his digits and picked up the phone as if we’d spoken the day before. He was cooking dinner for his daughter just before our conversation. How can a guy like that scare me?
Joey's an open book about his family, career and his battle with depression. He's worked hard at all of them to make them work. He's the founder of No Kidding Me Too ~ The Celebrity Advocacy- To eliminate the shame & obliterate the blame of brain dis-ease. Thoughtful, inspiring, and funny as hell.... the conversation digs deep and soars with levity.
He's got a load of work in various stages of production... fan favorite Sense8, and the just dropped, Random Tropical Paradise, which hit theatres last week, to name but two.
A lovely, albeit sometimes scary, man, I adore him. You will, too. Or, at least pretend you do... ya know... for your own good.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound edited by Justin Lebens
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
BROADcast debuts 6/20/17
Enviable view... as I write, Chris Johnson is spending his nights staring into the glorious, celebrated, backside of Jennifer Lopez. A hired gun, Chris has sat behind, and supported, Rihanna, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Seal, Patti LaBelle Nelly Furtado, Anastasia, and Fantasia... to name but a bunch.
Self-taught, discovered playing drums in church at 17, Chris's first professional gig was being discovered by American Idol's musical director Rickey Minor... winged from LA to NYC's Beacon Theatre, playing with a band for the first time in his life, backing up gospel star, Donnie McClurkin for the first time when the stage lights came up. Chris, a fearless, talented, musical genius, does the work and gets it done.
I met Chris at the advance screening of Hired Gun, an independent feature set to drop in theatres throughout the country June 29th, for one night only. Not to be missed by anyone who loves rock and the rockers who make it... starring the sidemen who oft steal stadium and arena stages from the front men we came to see... their stories are important, entertaining, and inspiring.
We get Chris's in-depth tale of a yougin' who grew up without hearing the forbidden music... creating his own ambitious process of mastering it... swiftly!
Chris Johnson is my newest hero.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound edited by Justin Lebens
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
BROADcast debuts 6/13/17
Discovered by Robert DeNiro at 17, Domenick Lombardozzi, has barely stopped to breathe. Currently, he has three projects in various stages of production.
I met Dom at Phil Rosenthal’s movie night a couple of years ago when they were working on The Winklers. I'm not sure if it's our shared Bronx heritage, or if it's just Dom's way, but every time I see him it's like hanging with famiily. This conversation, a case in point.
Best know as Herc in The Wire, Dom began his career handpicked by DeNiro to be Nicky Zero in A Bronx Tale. He straddles both sides of the law, criminal to enforcer… he’s bared his buns, literally, on Entourage, has appeared on NYPD Blue, Oz, Law & Order, 24, was a series regular on Breakout Kings, Boardwalk Empire, The Adventures of Mr. Clown, and can currently be seen on Rosewood and Sneaky Pete.
On the big screen, Dom appears in Bridge of Spies, The Wannabe, and The Gambler to name a few. The man is always working.
I so admire the actor, adore the man, and am excited to share this journeyman's journey with you.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound edited by Jon Mattox
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
BROADcast debuts 6/6/17
I met Eddie years ago in NY… we did a Comedy Central pilot together, and, he gave one of the most explosively hysterical performances Women Who Write has ever witnessed
They call him the Bitter Buddha, a modern day cross between Jackie Gleason, Don Rickles, and Eckart Tolle.
Eddie’s had recurring roles on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and has appeared on The Life and Times of Tim, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Sarah Silverman Program, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Last Comic Standing, Chappelle’s Show, Love, The Goldberg’s, Maron, Community and Brooklyn Nine-Nine to name a bunch. Eddie was also featured in the film, Old School.
An accomplished dramatic actor, Eddie appeared on Law and Order: Criminal Intent, The Beat, and Now and Again.
First and foremost a stand-up comic, Eddie appears regularly at The Improv, Caroline’s on Broadway, Largo at the Coronet, and both the LA and NY Upright Citizens Brigade Theaters.
A Great Stillness, Eddie's first Live Comedy Album was recently released, and his, In Ruins- Live in Brooklyn, can currently be seen on Netflix.
I was surprised by Eddie's thoughtful, spiritual, vulnerable willingness to go deep in our conversation. And, of course, he's hysterical. I adore this wild, funny man.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound edited by Jon Mattox
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
BROADcast debuts 5/29/17
Teen heartthrob, actor, pop star, author, activist… what's struck me most about this man I’ve adored since childhood is what a lovely and fine human he is.
Paul Petersen began his career as a Mouseketeer, then appeared in Houseboat with Sophia Loren and Cary Grant, achieving stardom playing Jeff Stone from 1958 to 1966 on The Donna Reed Show. A pop star as well, Paul had hit records with She Can't Find Her Keys, Amy, Lollipops and Roses, and My Dad. And boy do I have a story!
Turning to writing when acting work became scarce, Paul published 7 novels in one year. An overachiever at everything's he's done.
Following the suicide of former child star Rusty Hamer, Paul founded A Minor Consideration, to improve working conditions for child actors and to assist in the transition between working as a child actor and adult life, whether in acting or in other professions. Most recently, reaching out to Erin Moran, just prior to her death. Thanks to his efforts, innumerable lives have been changed... and, saved.
This is one of my favorite conversations... ever, filled with wisdom and compassion. I respect and adore this man.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound edited by Jon Mattox
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
BROADcast debuts 5/23/17
I met Chris Lemmon on The Facebook. We had an instant, easy rapport, and affection. He’s been warm, loving, generous, honoring me with brilliant words for Don’t Jump, and, willing at first utterance when I have a request.
Son of the late, great, iconic, actor, Jack Lemmon, the resemblance both in appearance and voice are almost unnerving.
A gifted pianist, Chris followed his father's acting footsteps appearing onstage, on television, in Duet and Open House, and, in films, appearing with his father in Airport '77, That's Life! and Dad.
Also a screenwriter and author, Chris adapted his, A Twist of Lemmon, to the stage. The show, which has garnered rave reviews, is being performed by Chris coast to coast.
This is a heartfelt conversation, searching for Chris in the Lemmon. I adore this lovely man, and trust you do, or, will, too.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound edited by Jon Mattox
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
BROADcast debuts 5/16/17
Quadruple threat Cameron Dye's has starred in film, TV, theatre, is a renowned musician, singer/songwriter, and, he's hot. Wait, that's way more than four.
At UCLA, Cameron found a kindred spirit in fellow aspiring thespian Tim Robbins, and became a founding member of the Actors Gang, the groundbreaking theater company that would go on to become a beloved Los Angeles institution with a mission of creative public service.
Cameron's had major roles in Valley Girl, and National Lampoon's Joy of Sex. He appeared on Frasier, MAS*H, Bones, The Mentalist, and Quantum Leap. And, had a recurring role on Smallville. Currently, he can be seen in the smash, Feud.
Cameron’s band The Matchfingers, are a regular fixture of the Hollywood club scene. His original songs have appeared in The Apocalypse and Scenes From The Goldmine. He also starred in the latter film.
Our conversation... we go deep. Really deep. And, of course, we laugh.
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound edited by Jon Mattox
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
BROADcast debuts 5/9/17
Hysterically funny, whip-smart(are whips smart?) and painfully self-aware, there's nothing that doesn't sparkle with the Cathy Ladman spin.
Cathy tells all... at least most... her teenage romance with Jerry Seinfeld from Long Island to Israel and back again... demanding panel on The Tonight Show, facing off with Roseanne, and her struggle with anorexia, which has led to her most heart-wrenching, albeit hysterical work, yet.
Cathy made 9 appearances on The Tonight Show, 5 on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, had her own HBO "One Night Stand" comedy special, and was awarded the American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand Up Comic.
Film credits include, Charlie Wilson’s War, The Aristocrats, White Oleander, What Planet Are You From? My Fellow Americans, and Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead. Her TV roles include a recurring role on Pretty Little Liars, NCIS: LA, Mad Men, Brothers and Sisters, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Everybody Loves Raymond. She had a recurring role on Caroline in the City, and was a regular panelist on Politically Incorrect, and, was a repeat guest on Comedy Central classic, Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist.
Cathy did a successful run Off-Broadway in, The JAP Show: The Princesses of Comedy; she and HBO developed her solo show, Scaredypants, and she excerpted her new show, Does This Show Make Me Look Fat? for a TEDMED talk.
Funny and fabulous... we laughed... a lot. You will, too. Promise. Did I mention I love her?!? Like crazy.
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Lindsey Lack Sound edited by Jon Mattox
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com
BROADcast debuts 5/2/17
You don't have to like music, drummers, or Billy Joel, to love Liberty DeVitto. Who the fuck doesn't love music, drummers, and Billy Joel?
Liberty is best known as the long time drummer for Billy Joel, which spanned 30 years. In addition to his work with Billy, Liberty's also been an active session and touring musician working with Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Nicks, Rick Wakeman, Bob James, The Beach Boys, and Meat Loaf, to name but a few.
A drummer’s drummer… he, along with Sax player Richie Cannata and the rest of the Billy Joel Band, were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
Liberty is an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in underserved public schools throughout the USA.
Along with Billy Joel Band members, Richie Cannata, and Russell Javors, Liberty formed The Lords of 52nd Street and play their original hits. Additionally, along with Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Byrd, of the Blackhearts, Liberty plays with the NYC Hit Squad and Ricky’s Clean Getaway.
More than all that, Liberty's a gas. Funny, great storyteller, devoted father and husband, and fabulous human being, we had a blast and laughed a shitton.
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Lindsey Lack Sound edited by Jon Mattox
This week's show is sponsored by Cindy Wright of Coif Salon and Studio www.facebook.com/CoifSalonandStudio/
BROADcast debuts 4/25/17
Spending time with Donny Most, aka, Ralph Malph, IS Happy Days. Warm, open, thoughtful and fun, Donny, maintains his teen spirit- infectious sweetness. Two degrees of craziness, I reconnected Donny with his childhood camp bud, who doubled as my boyfriend (see Cloris Leachman), coveted his first show-biz gig, and share mad love for his lifelong best friend, Anson Williams. Maybe that 'splains why I feel like I've known him forever.
Donny had a recurring role on Glee, as well as starring roles in the indie film, The Yankles, and Chez Upshaw, starring Kevin Pollack and Illeana Douglas. Other film credits include ED TV, Jonathan Demme's, Crazy Mama, and The Great Buck Howard, starring John Malkovich. Donny's guest starred on Men Of A Certain Age, Star Trek: Voyager, Yes, Dear, The Crow, Sabrina, Sliders, Dark Skies and The Family Guy. Don's directed (dropping the "Donny" for the serious stuff)three features, The Last Best Sunday won the Telluride Indiefest, and his Moola, with Treat Williams and Daniel Baldwin, won the Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award.
Donny's returned to his first love, singing standards, and tore the roof off of my house at a recent Women Who Write. Catch him live at Jazz clubs across the country, grab his albums, upload him from iTunes... check out his videos. What a cutie!
1 minute Quik Quip Preview of the show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtIbRDgffl0
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Lindsey Lack Sound edited by Jon Mattox
This week's show is sponsored by Cindy Wright of Coif Salon and Studio www.facebook.com/CoifSalonandStudio/
BROADcast debuts 4/18/17
A long time fan of Grammy & Oscar Nominated singer/songwriter, Stephen Bishop, we met briefly after one his concerts a couple of years ago. I commenced begging and pleading to get him in the living room for Women Who Write. He was willing to come, as long as he didn't have to sing. The only AM singing he does is at 1 AM, 3 AM, even 5 AM. Well, no problem at 8 pm... when we recorded this here. Warm, easy going, engaging, and so fun, Stephen treats us to a private concert of current, about-to-be-hits, and a medley of his monsters... On and On, the theme songs to Tootsie and Animal House, Separate Lives, and Save it For a Rainy Day. He sounds amazing. And, what great stories he tells about playing privately for Barbra, Bette, and Jack. One of my favorite shows, ever, I'll be coercing him to the living room for sures.
Check out his new CD, Blueprint, produced by the brilliant, Jon Gilutin. http://stephenbishop.com/shop/index.html
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Lindsey Lack Sound edited by Jon Mattox
This week's show is sponsored by Cindy Wright of Coif Salon and Studio www.facebook.com/CoifSalonandStudio/
BROADcast debuts 4/11/17
Recipient of the 2017 Herb Sargent Award from the Writer's Guild of America, Steve O'Donnell spent 13 years as head writer for David Letterman. Spending moments with him is enough to understand why. The man is FUNNY. And, lovely.
Steve also spent a couple of years on The Chris Rock Show, The Man Show, re-teamed with its co-host as head writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live, also, The Bonnie Hunt Show. Seinfeld, and The Norm McDonald Show.
An inspiring and incredible human... sweet and funny. We laugh... and laugh! We just met, but I feel like I've known him forever.
Two minute Quik Quip Preview https://youtu.be/8VyuZLBKafU
Full show also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Lindsey Lack Sound edited by Jon Mattox Banner by Dj Markuson
This week's show is sponsored by Cindy Wright of Coif Salon and Studio www.facebook.com/CoifSalonandStudio/
BROADcast debuts 4/3/17
Dishing Oscars and so much more with 6 Time Emmy Winner, Bruce Vilanch ~Oscars, Emmys and Tonysm oh my! Writer of jokes for gazillions...including: Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal (Bruce helmed his famed, brilliant Oscar shows), Roseanne Barr, Rosie O'Donnell, Paul Reiser, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, and Robin Williams, to name but a few. Performing himself, from Hollywood Squares, his one-man show, "Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous," to starring as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray on Broadway. And, my living room(Women Who Write). Bruce Villanch puts the fun in funny wherever he is and whatever he's doing.
Bruce talks Bette, Whoopi, Barry, and what the hell happened at this year's Oscars, from the cringe-worthy to the sublime––an insider's view.
We had a blast. Join us woncha!
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Celebrity Road Maps to Success
Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Lindsey Lack Sound edited by Jon Mattox Banner by Dj Markuson
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Coif Salon in Studio City www.facebook.com/CoifSalonandStudio/
BROADcast debuts 3/28/17
Recorded some weeks ago, I held on to this gem, not knowing why... until Saturday, when Chuck Berry passed. Old pal, Steve Conte, who's got one of the greatest rock voices of all time (he was Paul Simon's vocal stand-in for years) has played with just about everyone throughout his career, has a classic Berry story, which he shares here. Time has come today.
Steve’s first road gig, was touring with Blood Sweat & Tears in the mid-80s, right around the time I began booking him on Bleecker Street in NY. From there Steve played with J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf, the beforementioned Chuck Berry, toured with Billy Squier, Willy Deville, Eric Burdon, was a member of reformed New York Dolls and has shared the stage with an innumerable number of his heroes from Sam Moore, to Springsteen. Steve’s been writing for, recording and touring with former Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe for the past six years, supporting Guns & Roses, The Foo Fighters and Motorhead.
Steve's solo debut, The Steve Conte NYC Album, included a tune, OK DJ, which earned him the #2 Coolest Song of the Year, behind Bruce Springsteen, on Little Steven's Underground Garage... members of the Foo Fighters, Alice Cooper, Mott The Hoople, The Wallflowers, , Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, to name a few, joined Steve on the album.
But, it’s Steve’s own "covers" album, International Cover-Up. currently enjoying much airplay on Little Steven's Underground Garage and the opening track, "Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight" which was voted #5 Coolest Song Of The Year, behind The Monkees and Ian Hunter, which signals what will no doubt be the solo recognition he’s long deserved.
Check it. Check him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJTHWDgHYgI
It's thrilling to see this day come for one of my all-time favorite rockers. It's been a lotta years. So fun to sit down and catch up.
This week's show is sponsored by MP84 Video and Photo Archiving. Get your old VHS tapes transferred to video swiftly, and inexpensively. (310) 753-5799
Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Dj Markuson
Also available on:
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tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Part 2 of my interview with Peter Bogdanovich focus's on Orson, Cassavetes, Tatum, Peter's director's cut which surprised him the most, his upcoming book, his next movie and the film he promised to finish.
I left the studio for the first time to sit down with Academy Award-winning writer/director, Peter Bogdanovich. Wouldn't you? Time flew during our intimate conversation. So much so that this will be another first... a two-parter. He could've talked all night and I would have still wanted more. I knew about The Last Picture Show, What's Up Doc, Mask, and Paper Moon... there's so much more I didn't know. A master class which feels like easy entertainment. This will go down as one of my life's great memories. Thrilled to share it with youes.
So grateful to Stacey Souther for running remote sound and making this possible.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Celebrity Road Maps to Success Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Stacey Souther Sound Editor Jon Mattox
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Coif Salon in Studio City www.facebook.com/CoifSalonandStudio/
BROADcast debuts 3/14/17
I left the studio for the first time to sit down with Academy Award-winning writer/director, Peter Bogdanovich. Wouldn't you? Time flew during our intimate conversation. So much so that this will be another first... a two-parter. He could've talked all night and I would have still wanted more. I knew about The Last Picture Show, What's Up Doc, Mask, and Paper Moon... there's so much more I didn't know. A master class which feels like easy entertainment. This will go down as one of my life's great memories. Thrilled to share it with youes.
So grateful to Stacey Souther for running remote sound and making this possible.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Celebrity Road Maps to Success Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Stacey Souther Sound Editor Jon Mattox
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Coif Salon in Studio City www.facebook.com/CoifSalonandStudio/
BROADcast debuts 3/8/17
One the most delightful conversations I've ever had... Nancy Allen is as adorable to chat with as she is to behold. A fellow Bronx girl––kindred spirit, she went to the school I coveted––there's a story!
Nancy’s first film was The Last Detail with Jack Nicholson’s as his reluctant date… what a way to start a career… from there she went on to Carrie, coupled with John Travolta, who she reteamed with in Blow Out. Dressed to Kill earned her a Golden Globe Nomination. Nancy was nominated for Saturn Best Actress Awards for The Philadelphia Experiment and Robo Cop. Another dozen-plus movies followed, plus appearances on television on The Commish, Judging Amy and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit to name a few.
Nancy serves as executive director of the weSPARK Cancer Support Center. It's now her life's work. One of our Women Who Write sisters recently found great comfort there. What an inspiration!
We had so much fun. Promise, it's contagious.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Celebrity Road Maps to Success Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Jon Mattox
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Coif Salon in Studio City www.facebook.com/CoifSalonandStudio/
BROADcast debuts 2/28/17
One of the most recognizable voices in the world, Shadoe Stevens' been the host of American Top 40 - broadcast to an estimated 1 billion listeners a week. Share, Shadoe! Currently, he's the voice of the Antenna TV Network, and the new Craig Ferguson series for the History Channel, "Join or Die." He was also the voice of Ferguson’s “The Late Late Show.”
Shadoe's voiced countless commercials and has appeared on 90210, starred in two series for CBS: spent four years on "Dave's World," and two different versions of “Hollywood Squares.”
Shadoe created and launched the most successful rock station in the country, KROQ-FM” in Los Angeles, and KMET-FM, the most successful Album Oriented Rock station of the 70’s and 80’s-
Nothing like hosting a talk show host. Great storyteller with great stories.! He's FUN!
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Celebrities Who've Merged Creativity And Commerce Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Jon Mattox
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's show is sponsored by Coif Salon in Studio City https://www.facebook.com/CoifSalonandStudio/
BROADcast debuts 2/21/17
Who's running the show? Well, if it's a great comedy, good chance it's Mike Royce. Showrunner of the reimagined One Day At A Time currently streaming on Netflix, the stupendous Men of A Certain Age, and, Luckie Louie... plus Emmy-nominated writer, and exec producer on Everybody Loves Raymond. The man knows how to do this. I've known Mike since a gazillion years ago, when he was the main MC, introducing Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Louis CK and Ray Romano, nightly at NYC’s Comedy Cellar. Clearly great at it, as he's written many of the latter's shows.
60 + second Quik Quip Preview https://youtu.be/5Lu2y-38Rjk
Also available on: iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
BROADcast debuts 2/13/17
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Jon Mattox
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com/
Paula Poundstone, American Comedy, and Cable Ace Award Winning Comedian. The funny does not get funnier.
60 second Quik Quip Preview https://youtu.be/aqEYxQXspc4
Also available on: iTunes http://apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher http://bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein http://bit.ly/2gGeItj
BROADcast debuts 2/7/17
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Jon Mattox
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. http://quikimpressions.com/
Preorder Paula's HYSTERICAL, The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness http://amzn.to/2jXutla
When the world's gone mad, we need Mo.
Actress, comedian, writer, activist, Mo Gaffney, is a two-time Obie winner, a regular on Absolutely Fabulous, That 70s Show, Mad About You, and a host of other performances on television and film. We talk career path, the state of the union, and, what her activism looks like. And, of course, we laugh. Because, Mo's funny! Even now,
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com/
Also available on:
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Jon Mattox
60 Second Quik Quip https://youtu.be/oysKNlKaRLU
Five-time Emmy Nominee, Will Durst, finds the funny in these terrifying times. Thoughtful, insightful, delightful conversation with the man The New York Times called, "Quite possibly the best political satirist working in the country today." The Los Angeles Times said, "He’s an equal opportunity offender with a restless mind and delicious sense of language. Where most comedians give us attitude, Durst brings style and has one thing in common with the best: a sense of moral outrage." He spills his beans, his guts, and I spill my kishkas. We laugh!
This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com/
Also available on:
iTunes http://apple.co/2dj8ld3 Stitcher http://bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein http://bit.ly/2gGeItj
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken Produced by Louise Palanker Engineered by Dj Markuson Sound Edited by Jon Mattox
I met Ricky Byrd back in the daze… when we were both in a daze… I was booking the Rock’ N Roll Café on Bleecker Street. Ricky was already a rockstar, center stage with Joan Jett ~ Blackheart lead guitarist, playing those iconic riffs in the great MTV Music Video Days. Ricky Ricky has recorded, toured and/or has performed with Roger Daltrey, Ian Hunter, Southside Johnny, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Mavis Staples, Billy Squier, Darlene Love, Ronnie Spector, Brian Wilson, Steve Miller, Graham Nash, Don Felder, Alice Cooper, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zant, Mick Taylor, Dion, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Bramlett, Billie Joe Armstrong, Bill Medley, Paul Shaffer, Smokey Robinson and many others. Two years ago Ricky was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. An honor which befalls the very best, and the very few.
More importantly, 29 years ago, he got sober. For the past 9 years, using music to help others follow in kind has been his life’s passion, and now, his work. Ricky Byrd’s Clean Getaway, a non-profit he started, provides concert events, music outreach sessions, and early education and prevention programs, to raise awareness about the disease of addiction and to provide resources for those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction.
More info here: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rickybyrd
As a sober woman in recovery, Ricky’s plight and his passion are close to my heart. We now party like it’s 1869.
Basically an old Borscht Belt Jew at heart, this RockBoy is all about rock, bling and egg creams.
We talk rock, rock stars, getting high, and getting straight. A lotta laughin' was goin' on...
Produced by Louise Palanker Engineered by Dj Markson Sound Edited by Charles Sydnor
This week's show is sponsored by Coif Salon in Studio City.
Also available on:
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
and
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Columnist, TV correspondent, talk show host, actor, author, award-winning producer, Aj Benza, created his successes and parlayed one to the next. We dish about his moxie, hustle, and his ongoing reinvention.
A great storyteller, he shares behind the headlines of Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, to name but two.
We laugh. We learn.
Produced by Louise Palanker Engineered by Dj Markson Sound Edited by Georg Brandl Egloff
This week's show is sponsored by MP84 Video and Photo Archiving. Get your old VHS tapes transferred to video swiftly, and inexpensively.
Also available on:
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
and
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Carole Bayer Sager... Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy Winner for Song of the Year, which she wrote with Burt Bacharach, has written over 400 songs, She wrote the Broadway musical They're Playing Our Song with Marvin Hamlisch and shared her life as well the music with both collaborators. Her just dropped Best Seller of the same name is a raw to the bone revelation of her life behind the glamor and success.
We talk men, mother, music, food, celebrity, highs, lows, heartache, and, finding happiness. Fun and forthcoming, we laugh a lot, but, there's meat on these bones.
This week's show sponsored by MP84 Video and Photo Archiving. Get your old VHS tapes transferred to video in time for the holidays. 310-753-5799.
Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Edited & Engineered by Dj Markson
Also available on:
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
and
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
This week's guest, Alan Zweibel, an original writer on Saturday Night Live, It's Garry Shandling's Show, and Curb Your Enthusiasm... funny behind Gilda, Belushi, Crystal. From his first joke to his latest and a load of the in between... he made us howl!
This week's show sponsored by MP84 Video and Photo Archiving. Get your old VHS tapes transferred to video in time for the holidays. 310-753-5799.
Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Edited & Engineered by Dj Markson
Also available on:
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
and
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Constantine Maroulis rocketed to stardom on American Idol, went on to star on Broadway in Rock of Ages and Jekyll and Hyde, was Tony and Drama League Award nominated, respectively, and continues to thrive as an actor and singer. We talk about how overnight success came, what it felt like, how it changed him and his life, and, how he's one of the very few to parlay it into an ongoing successful career. How we came to meet... and, he sings to us. Yowza!
Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Dj Markuson
This week's show sponosred by Quik Impressions. The best printers with the best customer service. quikimpressions.com
Also available on:
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj short
Actor, author, activist, and friend, Evan Handler, at his relaxed best, with open heart and fiercely intelligent mind, talking career, miraculous recovery from grave illness, and the road ahead in this "new normal."
This week's show sponsored by MP84 Video and Photo Archiving. Get your old VHS tapes transferred to video in time for the holidays. 310-753-5799.
Produced by Louise Palanker Sound Engineer Dj Markson
Also available on:
iTunes http://apple.co/2dj8ld3
Stitcher http://bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein http://bit.ly/2gGeItj short
Howard Kaylan, lead singer of The Turtles, the Eddie half of Flo and Eddie... starting wih Zappa's Mothers of Invention, went on to record nine albums of their own, host their own radio show, and then Howard wrote Shell Shocked... http://amzn.to/2eOGrdf and read a piece at Women Who Write just before it dropped. We had a lot of stuff to talk about. This man is fun and funneeeeee.
This week's show sponsored by Quik Impressions. The best printers with the best customer service. http://quikimpressions.com/
Also available on iTunes http://apple.co/2dj8ld3
Illeana Douglas has appeared in some of the greatest movies of all time, Goodfellas, Cape Fear. starred in Grace of My Heart, created Easy to Assemble, wrote the smash, I Blame Dennis Hopper... and so much more. We talk about where she came from, how she did it, and what still drives her...
Orginally aired on Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken, Tues, Oct 25th, 6 pm PT/ 9 pm ET on The Conversations Radio Network.
This week's show sponsored by Quik Impressions. The best printers with the best customer service. http://quikimpressions.com/
Archived shows on available on iTunes http://apple.co/2dj8ld3
And, on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/vickiabelson
Produced and engineered by Justin Lebens
NY Times Bestselling Author, They Call Me Supermensch, Shep Gordon ~ talking rock, food, pot, and crazy coincidences... like running into each other in the reals at Nobu in New York, the day after the BROADcast, even though Shep lives in Maui and I live in LA. Fun! So is the show. Come, laugh with us. Creator of RockStars and RockStar Celebrity Chefs, from Alice to Emeril.
Originally aired on Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken, Tues, Oct 18th, 6 pm PT/ 9 pm ET.
This week's show sponosred by Quik Impressions. The best printers with the best customer service. quikimpressions.com
Also on iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3
Quik Quip Preview https://youtu.be/AYby7IOzd8Y Video by Samantha Abelson
Bob Cowsill of The Cowsills... Hair, The Rain, The Park And Other Things... the real life Partridge Family, upon who the show was based. Bob's Women Who Write appearance was KILLER... the most YouTube hits by far, still receiving comments, almost daily. This show is also FAB!
Originally aired on Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken, Tues, Oct 11th, 6 pm PT/ 9 pm ET on the Conversations Radio Network.
This week's show sponosred by Quik Impressions. The best printers with the best customer service. http://quikimpressions.com
Also on iTunes http://apple.co/2dj8ld3
Quik Quip Preview https://youtu.be/JuZdt3N8VxI Photo and video by Louise Palanker
Saturday Night Live Alum, Gary Kroeger, currently running for the Iowa House of Representatives, talks about the climb, his lifelong associations with Julia Louie Dreyfus and Brad Hall... how they broke the big time and how that led him back home to run for public office. And, we laugh. A lot.
This week's show sponosred by Quik Impressions, The best printers with the best customer service. http://quikimpressions.com
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken, originally aired, Tues, Oct 4th, 6 pm PT/ 9 pm ET on Conversations Radio Network.
Now Archived shows are available on iTunes http://apple.co/2dj8ld3
Produced by Justin Lebens
Tom Bergeron, host of Dancing With The Stars, America's Funniest Home Videos, the first man to grace Women Who Write 8 yrs ago and change our history, sat down and dished... as he mapped his path. There was laughter! Lots! Mr, In The Moment, brings the funny to everything he does... that's one of the not secrets of his success.
47 Quick Quip Edited by Louise Palanker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0QkAX_Swsg
This week's show sponosred by Quik Impressions, The best printers with the best customer service. http://quikimpressions.com
Phil Rosenthal, creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, one of the most successful sitcoms of all time, and THE most successful sitcom in Russia (Phil documented that transition in his hysterical, Exporting Raymond), is one of my favorite human's on the planet. My go to guru for where to eat anywhere in the world.... his, I'll Have What Phil's Having (streaming on Netflix), combines his passions for human connection, the funny and the yummy, and is not only a great food show, it's one of the most entertaining shows on television. Ever. Period. We talk about how this aspiring actor from New York shifted gears to become a Writers Guild Award, Peabody Award, and a James Beard Award, Winner, living his dreams. And, why he carries Springsteen's picture in his wallet.
Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken
43 Second Quick Quip Preview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPjdJ6N6Cdk
Sponsored in part by Gina L. Mulligan's, Remember the Ladies http://amzn.to/2d1QqL3
Photo by Sonja Sones
Craig Bierko star of UnReal, Cinderella Man, Scary Movie 4, Tony Nominated for The Music Man, bares his heart, soul, spirit & silly... with plenty of charming loveliness as he navigates the way through his successes and, other stuff.
How did a white Jewish girl from Detroit write arguably the most successful funk song of all time?!? How do I know?!? Wait... I do... funfabulous replay with Grammy and Tony Winner, Allee Willis, Slap-happy thrilled to have sat down with brand-spanking new Tony Award Winner for The Color Purple. Allee wrote September, Boogie Wonderland, the theme song for Friends, and, a gazillion other hits. She has great stories, is a fantastical storyteller. Such a fun chat!
Drew Nieporent, New York's Most Influential Restaurateur... https://www.linkedin.com/…/nycs-most-influential-restaurate… Robert DeNiro's partner in all things food... Multi-James Beard Award Winner, Restaurateur of the stars... Nobu times many, TriBeCa Grill, and The #1 Best New Restaurant in NY, Batard. Drew's knowledge of music matches the food thing. One of my oldest and closest friends, we got into how the hell he's done it. Big fun.
The brilliantly funny, Wendy Liebman, maps the steps which led her to The Larry Sanders Show, The Tonight Show, Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, her own Showtime special, Taller on TV, and America's Got Talent. And, we laugh. A LOT. I adore her. Who doesn't?!?
Renaissance man, Robert Wuhl, from Hollywood Knights, Good Morning, Vietnam, Tim Burton's Batman, Field of Dreams, to his own genius, pioneering HBO series, Arli$$, to his current Ipso Facto Podcast...winning two Emmys for writing the Academy Awards... the Billy Crystal ones. I know, talks the talk of the walk he walks. He's been dishing the smart & funny since writing for Dangerfield back in the day and killing the late night talkshow circuit himself. This was FUN! And funny.
Best known for his roles on Supernatural, Deadwood and Justified, Jim Beaver's IMDB gave me scrollers cramp… guest shots and recurring roles on everything from Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul to Dexter. Writer, director, actor, marine, sweetheart… there was lots to talk about… and he’s such a great storyteller, smart as shit, and entertaining as hell. So, we yakked for 90 minutes. The take-away is gold.
Photo by Louise Palanker
Emmy & Golden Globe nominated actor, Rob Morrow, sat down with me and discussed his journey from high school drop-out to artist living his dreams… humble beginnings, an unlikely mentor… to a plethora of opportunities. How being a “yes” man has paid off.
Photo by Linda Abse
Original air date: 8/1/16
Anson Wiliams pays tribute to Garry Marshall, who changed his life and affects his every day… and, shares how he blends creativity and commerce. And, there's me, me, and more me. I know. And, we laugh. A lot.
“The whole thing about instincts and feelings….. and listening to our guts, it's sort of like the difference between being a leader or a follower I loved the whole thing, and you were right on top of it actually one step ahead of him one of the best interviews I've heard!!!" ~ Rhonda Rae Feury
Photo by Linda Abse
He was my BOYFRIEND! #delusional. We did have a scene together in The M Word. Did, too. Michael Imperioli came to call under the light of the full moon. Aaahoo... and swoon and sexy talk. Well, that would be me. Chris-ta-fer!
We talk his path... personally, professionally, and spiritually. And we laugh. A lot.
Photo by Andrea Ross-Green
"It's very cool how your segment was about how he had achieved what he has so far and "the road taken," rather than just a discussion about his accolades. The comment about getting lost in his eyes cracked me up haha. It's funny because as I was listening, I had a list of questions in my head that I wanted to ask, but the way he spoke of his career, family, and passions was so engaging that I completely lost sight of what I was thinking haha. He's a stand up guy and I hope he comes back. Really a great show last night, Vicki!" ~ Eric Keegan
My first hosted radio show with guest Michael Nesmith, blazing the airwaves with GoodTimes, arguably the best Monkees album, maybe ever, and, his cuts, Me and Magdelena, and I Know What I Know, amongst the best of his recorded music. That's saying a lot. We talk about what sparked his passion as a young lad and what sparks it today. The journey of The Nez. Please join me and producer Justin Lebens, Emmy Winner for the Foo Fighters Sonic Highways from Ridgerock Studios in the beautiful Hollywood Hills on Conversations Radio Network.
Photo by Peggy Flynn Glenn
Sponsored by Shelly Peiken, Confessions of a Serial Songwriter http://amzn.to/2dDrLu6
