This is my talk with L.I. husband and wife team Barbara and Ken Oranskywho pooled their TOP TALENTS and started their own INTERNET RADIO STATION-  called NY TALENT MEDIA.  Wow!  What a task to take on....   You have to give them credit!  They actually have 4 different genres that you can listen to!  We find out how they did all this, what their mission is, and how YOU as an independent struggling musician can FINALLY get your music heard in a format that really supports talent looking to get valuable exposure!   (I also threw in a little musical commentary at the end on a subject that I'm sure bugs you as much as Barbara, Ken and I --ANNOYING TELEMARKETER CALLS !    Their website is www.nytalentmedia.com to learn how you can submit your music . Mine is www.rhyminrichie.com     ENJOY, and please leave me a comment and subscribe!!  I appreciate it!!!   

TOP TALENT with Richie Phillips

NY TALENT MEDIA - NEW INTERNET RADIO STATION!

Stop what you are doing!  Would you like to hear a piano virtuoso? What if I told you he was only going into the 9th grade as of this writing?  His name is PAUL BRAULT, and in my endless quest to find and raise awareness of talent young and old either living or coming to Albany, NY's Capital Region, well- I happened to be in the right place at the right time - a piano store!  It was in www.hiltonpianocenter.com where I heard this amazing talent do his thing..  I won't blab on here - details are in this episode.   He also has a YouTube channel if you want to hear more.   Thanks to his dad, Bernard for bringing him in!  My first impression is that you could tell by meeting him that he (and I'm sure his mom and the rest of the family)  are REALLY in Paul's corner musically which is so great to see.  OK - on with this episode. And if you want to see an entire 18 minute performance, check out his Facebook Live show that he did from this piano store... https://www.facebook.com/1352726092/videos/2878143842437136/   Do you have someone with incredible talent?  Send me something! He/she/they could be the next guest! richie1077@gmail.com.  or like me on FaceBook @richiephillips                                              @rhyminrichie on Instagram and Twitter

PAUL BRAULT -TOP TEEN PIANIST

This was a particular thrill for me, having been interviewed on Bob Cudmore's hugely successful nite time radio show back in the early 80's on AM powerhouse, WGY radio in Schenectady, NY. (there's audio to prove it, as you will discover by listening.)  So I figured -what better way to bring full closure, and shake things up in my gastrointestinal tract at the same time than to nervously attempt to interview the master!   Bob is a legendary columnist, author and broadcaster-turned-podcaster.. His interesting show, the HISTORIANS can be found at www.bobcudmore.com or on SOUNDCLOUD.com.     If you are a radio groupie as I am and remember hearing him back then, you will enjoy this talk.  We discuss radio, some of his famous guests, his beginnings, college days and much more .      My website BTW is www.hirerichie.com   I'm on Facebook @richiephillips  Join my FB LIVE PIANO BARFLIES and it will let you know when the next live piano bar nite will take place.  I play your favs, and also include some home made parody songs too...  (I wish my mom were here to hear this - she loved listening to Bob and nite time radio shows)  

TALENTED BROADCASTERS: BOB CUDMORE

We continue the conversation and former cast members of the Sean and Richie morning show pop in to reminisce. The morning show (mullti-award winning, I might add) was on WGNA radio in Albany NY from 1999-2016.    Please refer to part one's show notes for more detail.       

SEAN MCMASTER PT 2 -WITH CAST OF SEAN AND RICHIE SHOW

This episode is very very different in SO many ways.  For one, it's become a 2 parter, because once we got going there was no stopping. For the uninitiated, Sean was my partner for 17 years on radio station WGNA in Albany, NY, between 1999 and 2016.  We were the SEAN AND RICHIE SHOW, and  pretty much a #1 rated morning show for all that time -even winning a national CMA award!  Sean was in the "big chair", and I was cohost, sidekick, or however you want to categorize it.   But we had a big ensemble cast of characters along the way (back in radio's heyday when the business could afford such a thing), so my idea was to interview Sean and have these folks pop in as surprise guests.   If I listed all the things that went wrong here, your eyes would start to bleed from strain, so I will spare you.  But through the magic of editing, I think I got it under control.   Here is part 1 - ENJOY! (which you DEFINITELY will if you were a listener, and I hope my explanations throughout are enough for  if you were not... )    

SEAN MCMASTER-FORMERLY OF SEAN AND RICHIE SHOW PT 1

A quote from Apple Music best describes my next podcast guest "Playing modern country music with an undercurrent of rock and roll energy and a commitment to entertaining the crowd"   His talent and business savvy has really propelled him as a singer songwriter in Nashville.  He's written a number one hit for Randy Houser, co-written songs for Hootie and the Blowfish and others, and has several smash hits of his own - including the current hit. "Try Saying Goodbye",received an ASCAP Songwriting Award (no small accomplishment) and his song "Tonite Tonite" was the theme for NBC's Thurs Nite Football!     I had the privilege of meeting him back in the days during my co-hosting duties on the SEAN AND RICHIE SHOW on WGNA radio here in Albany NY .  He let me accompany him on piano live on the air, and it's one of my best memories.   I was very lucky to snag him for this podcast during the downtime he's experiencing along with the rest of us.      What keeps him busy?  What was it like playing in those bars in Nashville waiting to be discovered?  Who threw $100 in his tip cup one nite not knowing that it was a big country star who did it?  How did he end up being represented by Reba's management company?   These and more cool stories on this episode of TOP TALENT.     His website is www.johnkingcountry.com.  His music is available on all streaming platforms and through his website .  He's also on Facebook and Instagram at John King         Want to be part of a FACEBOOK LIVE PIANO BAR? Songs, parodies, trivia and more?  Join my group--- RICHIE'S FB LIVE PIANO BARFLIES.... Will keep you posted on the next one!!     My website is www.hirerichie.com     I'm on Facebook @richiephillips and @rhyminrichiephillips     I'm on Twitter @rhyminrichie    

JOHN KING- TALENTED COUNTRY MUSIC ARTISTS

I absolutely LOVE having her on. Amazing talent--a super nice, humble and appreciative person.  We're lucky to have her here in the Capital Region of Upstate New York (although with her talent, she might not be here for too long! )   We talk music, the challenges of the business, and she debuts a new song that is DYNAMITE, and really personal - titled "18".  It's available on all the streaming platforms and she also has a lyric video on YouTube -- link here https://youtu.be/l7tpFn9WLWc We also surprised her with her number one fan....  I think you'll really enjoy this one...  Thanks to her manager Adrian for helping me set this all up..  My Facebook page is @richiephillips My email is Richie1077@gmail.com - if you would like to be on my mailing list to remind you of future podcasts, please shoot me yours!   

AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST MADISON VANDENBURG RETURNS

“SHIRT MEETS MASK- IT’S A SHMASK!”. Any questions?  That says it all.  A mask connected  to the shirt so your kids (or you)  don’t forget it or lose it!  BRILLIANT!    I happened to see the ad for this on Facebook and thought it was GENIUS.  And no, it doesn’t fit my original podcast idea of featuring Albany area musical talent....but I wanted to get this out there in these terrible times. Hey— talent is talent, no matter what the area of expertise.    I contacted owner and mother of 3,  KARRINE NISSIM , and we had a great chat about her inspiration (uh..3 kids...what do you  think?..DUH!)  They are also available for adults to order.   To order...www.shmask.com    

TALENTED SHMASK INVENTOR KARRINE NISSIM

This was the audio from my first video podcast with a great, talented group of guys from the ELECTRIC CITY CHOROUS in Schenectady, NY.   Of course this was recorded during the ongoing pandemic, so there is no way to get them to harmonize in sync during a Zoom call, which was disconcerting, but we had a great conversation nonetheless.    How do you keep a chorous going when they're all disconnected like this?  We also get into the history of the group, their techniques, and at the end they tell you how you can get involved if by chance you would like to join.   Their website is http://www.electriccitychorous.net and they are @electriccitychorous on Facebook  My website, btw is http://www.hirerichie.com   I am @richiephillips on Facebook  This podcast is done on my own time and on my own dime.  If you would like to sponsor it, I would definitely welcome any help.  Please feel free to email me at Richie1077@gmail.com for details.      

TOP HARMONIZERS - ELECTRIC CITY CHOROUS FROM SCHENECTADY NY

“With patience, persistence, passion, prayer and POSITIVITY, you can  achieve ANYTHING” (including hiking 46 area mountains!). Yep, she did that too!That’s Paula Fidalgo’s mantra!   So If you’re in a “funk” lately-be it from the result of the pandemic or anything else in your life right now..take a listen to this episode.  It runs a little long, but I kept it all in so you can hear her enthusiasm toward life.  Hopefully it will rub off.  You too might end up climbing 46 high peaks.  For more info, plus to view her own interviews, Pauls is  on Facebook and YouTube  @positivitywithpaula.     My contact info: richie1077@gmail.com www.hirerichie.com To hear latest song parodies...      @richiephillips on Facebook and YouTube     

THINKING POSITIVE WITH PAULA FIDALGO

A fun 45 minute chat with old friend and TOP TALENT- musician, songwriter, and arranger EDDIE KILLGALLON.  We talk music, songwriting, how he made the move from the Albany area to Nashville way back when,  how “timing and preparation” helped, how George Strait propelled a song he co-wrote to the number one spot on the Country charts, his role with EDDIE MONTGOMERY OF MONTGOMERY GENTRY in light of the terrible tragedy claiming the life of Troy Gentry, and tons more.     He also gave me the EXCLUSIVE on a brand new song that I’m going to play a portion of.  Not to be missed.  Very very timely with a vitally  important message ..

EDDIE KILLGALLON- TOP NASHVILLE TALENT

His name is Joe Ventura - Venue owner, investment counselor, musician, morning show host - even ACTOR!!  Actual name of his interesting venue? -  EDEN ADVISORY SERVICES LLC AND CAFE.  Yes- it's the business world's definition of a reverse  mullet-- his business is "Party in the FRONT" (his cafe) and" Business in the BACK" -where he services clients with investment counseling..  Fascinating idea, wouldn't you say?     We unpack how this idea originated, and delve into many other topics, including how he has handled the pandemic and inventive ways to keep his talent showcase going!       The Eden Cafe is located at 269 Osborne Rd, in Loudonville    Website: http://www. edenasc.com    You can catch his morning broadcast weekdays at 7:45 am on his Eden Cafe  or Joe Ventura facebook page         You can visit MY Facebook page @richiephillips to hear latest song parodies and upcoming piano performances    My website is http://www.hirerichie.com    Interested in having a song written for your special event?  I can do that and email it to you to brighten someone's day. email me for info   Richie1077@gmail.com          

TALENTED VENUE OWNERS- JOE VENTURA AND HIS EDEN CAFE

In this one, we gather up several very talented educators to discuss changes to the teaching profession and survival strategies in the era of Covid-19.  We have two teachers from Albany's Capital Region - Jamie Pink and Tracy Trainor, a local guidance counselor, Lexie Phillips, and educator from Brooklyn, NY, and my niece, Jessica Lorenz.  There is also a little warning for all teachers put to music at the top of the episode  from yours truly...  Some of the discussions:   Recess- Will that go away?  How about the lunchroom?  Assembly programs?  Teaching styles - how will it change when you are instructing kids on Zoom vs face to face?  This and much more..   Also , if you go to my Facebook page @richiephillips - I have some clips of songs written by Jamie and Tracy's students in Jefferson Elementary and Menands School,   The third clip is from Lexie Phillips' school -Carroll Hill in Troy during my "Reading, Writing and Rhyming" songwriting program - something I did for over 20 years during my "stint" as a morning radio cohost.    Enjoy! 

TALENTED EDUCATORS - FUTURE CHALLENGES DISCUSSED

For those who are still hesitant, what is it like to get your haircut in the age of Covid?  I found out.  I actually did this interview during an actual haircut with Albany veteran stylist "Chaz" from UPPER CUT.  You'll hear some buzzing and clipping sounds.  It's all real. And so is our discussion.  What precautions are being taken?  Is it really all that different than before? (I'll already tell you- YES- have you ever had your temperature taken in a salon before?)  I also included a song I wrote the last day of my raggedy look.  I'm sure some of you can relate!  Here's his contact info.  I highly recommend him.  Very cautious (being of the same age bracket!)  1729 Central Ave Albany, New York 12205 Phone (518) 869-8155   Status Today 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM   Hours     

LIVE HAIRCUT INTERVIEW WITH TALENTED STYLIST CHAZ

Although a very serious topic, I will admit this was an amazing experience to be able to undertake- a Zoom conference with great friends from Spain, England,  a newcomer from Atlanta, Georgia (who was in Finland for a year studying) , and here in Albany, NY. Kelly Jo Hearsey is a photographer and "Super Recognizer) for law enforcement.  Her husband Glenn installs and maintains cash register systems for restaurants and pubs. Both live in Buckinghamshire, England. Don Dworkin is a working musician from the Albany, NY area originally, and now living in  Madrid, Spain.  All 3 are longtime friends. Dana Haberling's name was given to me by my niece, Kiti Phillips.  Dana is studying for her degree in epidemiology in Atlanta, but studied abroad for a year in Finland. All of them give a  different "take" and amazing insights into the Covid pandemic from their experiences from where they reside,  and guarantee this will be a fascinating podcast to take a listen to.   The podcast ends with a bit of levity -  a love song I wrote for Social Distancing.   There's actually a "video wall" video to go with this featuring talent from the Albany, NY area, including local tv personalities and Albany's Mayor!  Here is the link https://www.facebook.com/rhyminrichie/videos/10222743260194107/ My website BTW is www.hirerichie.com  Coming soon - FACEBOOK LIVE PIANO BAR- every other Thursday- 7:30PM taking your requests!   @richiephillips  

TOP TALENT WORLD COVID 19 SYMPOSIUM

Podcast focusing on musical talent either residing in or coming to Albany's Capital Region by CMA award winning morning radio host Rhymin' Richie Phillips

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TOP TALENT with Richie Phillips

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