Not So Famous in NJ - Coffee Talk and Candid Conversations With Lucille

If you've ever been to Barnacle Bill's for the great food, you may be surprised to learn that it's keeping live music alive in NJ, thanks to owner Todd Sherman. That's because Todd's real love is music. Not only does he give local musicians a place to do their thing; he also is quite accomplished himself as a musician and composer. We spoke back in 2020, and I'm reviving it because he's such an interesting guy.

Can you become a rock legend if you grew up on country music and tipping cows? NJ took the Kansas out of Glenn Alexander, and in part 2 of our conversation (because I just couldn't make it any shorter!) he explains how the music he grew up with had so little to do with the path his chose. Oh. And I did my best to embarrass him (and I think I succeeded!).

Glenn Alexander isn't a household name. . . but you've certainly heard him play. His guitar riffs are legend, but his ego is all but hidden in his humble demeanor. From Southside Johnny to Peter Gabriel to Bob Dylan, those "in the know" know he is the cat to call when you need an awesome . . . may I say?. . . guitar god.

Five years ago I interviewed a young chap who was making a living as a musician. A week ago I attended his latest album release party at Asbury Lanes, and wow! I can't rave enough about his band, We Used to Cut the Grass. 
We talked about Frank Zappa's influence on his music - and Zappa's misogyny - as well as his attitude toward different music genres, from rap to classical to country. His opinions might surprise you!
Here's a link to Cody's YouTube channel. Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/user/vestibulemusic/about 
 
Pardon the background noise. It was during Covid so this interview was conducted outside. 

Back in 2020, I was interviewing people on my deck, maintaining a nice, safe distance. One of the first was bassist Chris Plunkett, a founding member of Line Drive and the guy who was half of their groove. And like Paul McCartney, Chris started as a guitarist and became a bass player almost by default. 

In my second interview with North Jersey shore artists, Lynn McKittrick and I talk about what makes a great chef.

Don't let Oria Alexander fool you. She's not just a singer. Her debut CED, titled “Yellow Paint,” was completed before her 17th birthday and featured 13 original songs.She recorded her first album singing a duet with legendary soul rocker, Southside Johnny, and had written and sung her own compositions all around the world. . .in addition to being an accomplished flutist. But she still sang with me!
www.oriamusic.net

He may downplay his success, but Pat Guadagno is probably the perfect example of a local musician who has found his place in the music industry. His unique sound and creative reinterpretations of some classic rock puts him in a category of his own.
In this episode, one of my best from 2020, we talk about his collaboration with Big Joe Henry, his short lived stage career and his thoughts on the music industry today. You'll even get a chance to hear him in action!
This was recorded outside, during Covid, so the audio quality isn't great. . . but the interview is!

Nika Stewart  isn't just an actor or a singer in a rock band or a video producer or a writer. She's also probably the only person you'll meet who believes that that getting cancer was something to celebrate. But she just may convince you.

If you've been in theater or seen a production in NJ, there's a good chance you've rubbed shoulders with Kathy Reed. As the woman who practically invented dinner theater in NJ and made murder mystery dinners a real "thing," Kathy has launched more acting careers than she can count, including Middletown's own Billy Van Zandt.