Episode 26: BJ Leiderman
Flies in the Kitchen
“Our theme music was composed by BJ Leiderman.” If you’ve tuned in to NPR over the last 44 years, the likelihood is pretty great that you have heard this on-air credit. It’s because when BJ sold his themes to NPR, he made it a part of his contract that he would receive spoken recognition for his work. Little did he know he’d become one of the most recognizable names on the network. BJ’s NPR credits include Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, Marketplace, Car Talk, and Science Friday. BJ has been in the music making business his entire life,...
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Special Episode: Poetry Share!
Flies in the Kitchen
Some of you may remember a few years back when I uploaded a reading of "The Velveteen Rabbit." That was a recording I had made for librivox.org, an online archive of literary works in the public domain, recorded by volunteers all over the world. Recently I recorded a few poems for an anthology they were putting together and I thought I'd share them with you. I hope you enjoy them! I've included the text below. The Indian Burying Ground - Philip Freneau In spite of all the learned have said, I still my old opinion keep; The posture, that we give the dead,...
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Episode 25: David Wilcox
Flies in the Kitchen
I've known about David Wilcox since I first heard "East Asheville Hardware" back in the mid 90's working at a summer camp. I was absolutely captivated and delighted at what I was listening to, and knew that this was something that I needed to pay more attention to, being a budding songwriter myself. What followed was a few decades of wonder and inspiration at the levels of depth to which a songwriter can go when it comes to communicating an idea. David is in a realm all to his own, and you get a good sense of this right off the bat in this episode. Please do yourself a favor...
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Episode 24: Paisha Thomas
Flies in the Kitchen
Y'all. This woman right here has a story to tell, and it is massive. I met with her a week ago today (as of the uploading of this episode), and we chatted about her brand new memoir "Looking for Innocence", as well as a whole lot of other things, and there were still topics we left out. So I encourage you to do your own research and find out as much as you can about Paisha, and follow what she's up to (spoiler - it's a lot). Here are a few things we talked about for you to check out: Edie Driskill's Podcast, American History Maker (And Paisha's Cousin's Aunt!) Also, Here are a...
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Episode 23: Eric Ahlteen
Flies in the Kitchen
Eric and I first crossed paths when I made my way to Espresso Yourself Music Cafe, in Powell, Ohio, for an open mic night shortly after moving to Ohio. I consider myself really fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience the community and great vibes from EYMC before it closed in 2012. Eric and I talk a good bit about all that, plus a lot more. I met up with him at his farmhouse just out of town, where he spends his days gardening and tending to his bonsai trees. Eric is a great songwriter with a great story, and I'm excited to share it with you. Not all...
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Episode 22: Dre Peace
Flies in the Kitchen
My first impression of Dre Peace was a wall of sound that almost knocked me over.. Which would have been embarrassing since I was sharing a stage with him at an event called Music in the Round. I had to know more about this guy just from the music and poetry coming from his mouth. Afterwards I learned a bit more about his story that locked it in for me. I had to get this guy on the show. So I am beyond excited to share this conversation with you. Here is a link to the Facebook Live video that Dre's manager was able to capture of his performance...
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Episode 21: TJ George
Flies in the Kitchen
TJ George has been very busy. He has been workin on a pretty epic project for, well, to hear him say it, several years now. It is finally coming to life, as of January 7, 2022. TJ is a songwriter here is Columbus, and his new album, "Heroes and Legends" will be an achievement that he has been working towards for a long time. We got to sit in my living room and chat about it, along with a bunch of other great stuff, including the magic of cul de sacs, being young and fearless, and following (or not following) one's dream. You can find TJ at, yep, you guessed it, . ...
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Remembering John: 12/31/1943 – 10/12/1997
Flies in the Kitchen
I was home from college on a fall break in 1997 when I found out John Denver had died in a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean. It wrecked me. This brief tribute will explain a little bit of why. Also, here is the video from the recording I shared in the episode, along with another one I filmed in my sister's treehouse last summer to the sounds of the forest choir.
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Episode 20: James Houston
Flies in the Kitchen
My old karate Sensei James Houston is a well versed Martial Artist, a stunt coordinator, actor and producer, for television and film, and a hero in his little hometown of Floyd Virginia. At least I like to think he is.
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Elemental Series, Episode 04: Gratitude
Flies in the Kitchen
For the fourth and final episode of my brief 'Elemental' series, I'm talking a little about gratitude, and what that looks like from the perspective of one guy (me) whose friend died the morning of recording, from being hit by a truck while running.
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When Chuck Brodsky was 21, he made a decision that he was going to follow his passion to become a songwriter who tells stories that matter. He hitchhiked from his hometown in Philadelphia to San Francisco and never looked back.
I've been wanting to chat with Chuck for a long time. His songs have always held my attention because of their raw, honest, straightforward storytelling. His style is very much his own, but based on some early heros, like Bob Dylan, and his ability to weave great long narratives into music.
We talked a lot about craft here, about how you can write a song that isn't about you, but clearly describes who you are. About paying attention and being mindful of the little moments that are important, and have an impact. To essentially just be who you are, for your own sake, and not to fit into a pre-designed mold that you might expect others to expect from you.
Unfortunately, there was a lot we never really got to chat about in this episode. There is just so much to talk about, and so little time. I really don't often have an idea of how these chats will go, so the way they happen is very organic. Consequently, large elements of careers are left out, like Chuck's yearly tours to Ireland that he leads, the ever growing collection of baseball ballads and his performances and inclusion in multiple baseball halls of fame (including National and Cincinnati), as well as being inducted last year into the Philly Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. I also didn't get to ask Chuck about the inclusion of "Bill & Annie" in an episode for the insanely popular podcast "Welcome to Nightvale." I suppose you'll just have to get to know him, too. I'm going to attempt to steer you in the right direction to get a real sense of the kind of songwriter Chuck is.
I suppose a good place to start would be with the songs you heard and the ones we talked about on the episode.
(click on the 'bc' to check out the entire album, as well as all of his albums, on bandcamp)
The Baseball Ballads by Chuck Brodsky
Tell Tale Heart by Chuck Brodsky
Letters In The Dirt by Chuck Brodsky
Letters In The Dirt by Chuck Brodsky
Two Sets (Live) by Chuck Brodsky
As well as the ones we made quick reference to:
The Baseball Ballads by Chuck Brodsky
Them And Us by Chuck Brodsky
Subtotal Eclipse by Chuck Brodsky
There are likely some I forgot to include, but here is a great start! Spend a day and just catch up on Chuck's collection of songs, and then follow him over at Facebook or Twitter to find out where he'll be next. Of course his website is always a good place to park it too. You know, park it, like you would on a plush chair on the freeway.
