It was wonderful to sit down at last with multi-BMI Award-winning composer, conducted, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, Bennett Salvay. Scheduled to join me on March 11th, 2020, I chickened as he and wingman, Pete George, had very r4ecnt;y 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 inspiration almost beyond compare. Playing keys, sax, and flute, Bennett began playing in his teens, his first professional gig was with Long John Baldry. he 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 hisself, 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 whimping 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

Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Bennett Salvay Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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 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

Kenny Aaronson Live On Game Changers With Vicki

'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 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

Barry Pearl Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

Eddie Martinez Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

James Lee Stanley Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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 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

Wendy Waldman Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

Mo Gaffney Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

Korel Tunador Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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 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

Carmine Rojas Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

Greg Mullavey Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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 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

Johnny Gale Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

John Waite Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson by Vicki Abelson

John Waite Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

Donny Most Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

Michael Gross Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelso

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

Phil Parlapiano Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Celebrity Maps to Success... people living their dream... the paths they took to get there

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Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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