Spirit Show #32 - November 8th
GUEST - The Burgeoning
Tonight On The Spirit Of Woodstock 69 Radio Show With Artie Kornfeld
The Burgeoning’s name represents their musical M.O.; they are a fresh take on what rock means in this generation’s musical landscape. The Philadelphia-based band’s never-ending pursuit of adventure and self-discovery drives their signature brand of pop
influenced indie rock. The four-piece is made up of brothers Logan and Alex Thierjung on vocals and bass respectively, lead guitarist Mark Menkevich, and drummer Brandon Bradley.
The band’s sound is a mixture of the varied musical influences of its members. Logan’s admiration of trailblazing British indie rock manifests in his crunchy guitar riffs and, at times, delicate vocals while Brandon’s propulsive drumming is a result of his tenure performing with church groups as a teen. Mark’s guitar melodies reveal his love of all things Beatles, and Alex’s rumbling bass lines pay homage to the 90’s alt-rock giants who
formed the genre.
After a well-received 2014 debut EP Love Alchemy, Life Algorithm 
The Burgeoning released their six track followup Loud Dreams on Oct 7th. It was produced, recorded and mix
by Ted Richardson @TedAudio
Spirit Show #31 - November 1st
GUEST - Frankie B
Spirit Show #30 - OCTOBER 25, 2016 - GUEST - The Empty Pockets
Quirky and charismatic, The Empty Pockets craft rootsy, often-cerebral and always-catchy Americana rock ‘n roll with a smack of Texas saloon and a taste of Motown soul.
It was a scorching Chicago summer in 2006 when long-time friends Josh Solomon, Danny Rosenthal and Nate Bellon officially became a band. After recording their first original demo, the boys starred in a 2007 theatrical production of the Buddy Holly Story which served as a showcase for the new group. The band attracted the attention of local morning show personality Scott Mackay (WLS-FM) and the show’s success lead to a tribute album and critical acclaim in print, along with television and radio appearances. Playing as Buddy Holly and the Crickets each night was a rock and roll roots education that left an indelible mark on The Empty Pockets’ music, focusing their sound on driving rockabilly grooves thick with rhythm and blues, and thoughtful melodies and harmonies in classic pop song structures.
With the Buddy Holly buzz, the boys went back in the studio to complete an album of their original music. They released "Under the Bed" using early band name, “Josh & the Empty Pockets,” at the beginning of 2008 – a fun, multifaceted album so full of catchy refrains that Nickelodeon licensed the album in it‘s entirety for the shows; iCarly, Zoey101 and Drake & Josh. Produced by industry veteran Rick Fritz (Brian Wilson, John Mellencamp), the single “Fall Right Now” tells the story of a young romance that almost too eagerly becomes true love.
Josh’s muse for “Fall Right Now,” Erika Brett, was soon asked to join the band and the new foursome, now simply “The Empty Pockets,” headed into another studio session, this time for a holiday duet. While on their first tour, The Empty Pockets' single, "Baby It's Cold Outside” – a spirited mash-up of two holiday classics – hit radio with airplay on over a hundred markets nationwide peaking at #25 on the Medibase AC Chart. The band toured extensively, including a showcase at SXSW, piquing the interest of legendary manager David Spero (Joe Walsh, Cat Stevens, Dickey Betts) who added the band to his roster in late 2009.
In 2010, The Empty Pockets had a breakout year, sharing the stage with Jennifer Hudson and Rock 'n Roll Hall-of-Famer, Buffalo Springfield’s Richie Furay and headlining historic venues like the House of Blues Chicago. Their song, “Take Me,” about the conflict in Afghanistan was featured in award-winning documentary, “Patrol Base Jaker.” Energized by these opportunities, the band has toured relentlessly since, opening for comedian George Lopez and artists like Grammy-winning Dickey Betts, Dave Mason, and Kansas, sharing the bill with stars like Jason Mraz, Jimmy Cliff, and FUN., all while recording and releasing two EP’s: “Introducing The Empty Pockets” and “A Holiday Staycation,” both of which received substatial national airplay on Triple-A and Hot AC radio stations.
Having recently finished their first full-length album in the studio they built with their bare hands, The Empty Pockets pride themselves on delivering what they call, "handcrafted rock and roll." These new songs showcase the group's rich, analog sound, as well as the skillful musicianship, fearless singing and spirited showmanship true to their performances onstage. Catch the band as they travel the country in their van, The Pocket Rocket.
Spirit Show #29 - OCTOBER 4th
GUEST - Vanessa Hill
Join the conversation this Tuesday October 4th at 8pm with blues singer Vanessa Hill. She will be discussing Music We Stand that is taking place at Campus 805 in Huntsville, AL on October 15th.
She will be appearing at MUSIC WE STAND which is a Music Seminar and Songwriters’ Showcase focused on helping Artist take the "Big Step"
MUSIC WE STAND is where Indie Artists, Songwriters, Musicians and Professionals in the Music and Entertainment Industry will Meet Up! Remember that day October 15th.
Campus 805 (Stone Center) 2620 Clinton Ave. is Huntsville's Newest Entertainment Venue. Go to MusicWeStand.com and sign up now
VHillMusic - Music We Stand Publishing - BMI 2015
SPIRIT SHOW #28 - 09.27.2016
Rick Shaffer founding member of The Reds©
Rick Shaffer is a founding member of the Philadelphia band, The Reds©, whose first album on A&M, self entitled THE REDS, was produced by David Kershenbaum. It highlighted the band's impressive sound — a blend of Rick Shaffer's guitar and Bruce Cohen's keyboards into an interestingly textured drone, short guitar and keyboard figures, rising then disappearing back into the drone, while Shaffer's voice provides the punch and definition for their overall sound. The album was supported with live appearances with The Police, Joe Jackson, Blondie, The Ramones, The Psychedelic Furs, and Public Image. An EP, GREEN WITH ENVY, followed featuring The Doors song, "Break On Through," which suggests some of the band's roots. (Universal Music digitally re-released The Reds, and Green With Envy, August 2012.) In 1980 A&M released a compilation album, Propaganda, that included tracks from The Reds, The Police, Joe Jackson, The Granati Bros, Bobby Henry, Shrink, David Kubinec, and Squeeze.
● After leaving A&M, The Reds® went forward with two indie albums, STRONGER SILENCE and FATAL SLIDE (Stony Plain), that continued The Reds® sound, receiving critical acclaim internationally.
● They next recorded a tense and powerful album for Sire/WB entitled, SHAKE APPEAL(digitally re-released by Warner Music, April 2013), produced by Mike Thorne (Blur, Soft Cell, Wire). This forcible record led the band to work with director/producer, Michael Mann. Mann incorporated numerous songs by The Reds® into episodes of Miami Vice, then hired Shaffer and Cohen to write songs and score for two motion pictures, "Band Of The Hand" (Tri-Star) and "Manhunter" (De Laurentiis), based on the novel "Red Dragon." Soundtrack albums from both films were released on MCA, a Manhunter CD, with an added Reds® track, “Jogger’s Stakeout,” was released in 2010 by Intrada Records, followed by Universal Music digitally releasing both albums in 2012.
The Spirit of Woodstock 69 Radio Show
Hosted by Legendary Producer Artie Kornfeld
Artie Kornfeld is the son of a New York City policeman and his wife (Irving & Shirley). Brought up in the early 50s in Levittown, NY, Kornfeld's family constantly moved and he attended six different schools, learning the lessons of the world through the song lyrics played over the radio. Artie Kornfeld would soon live his American dream and become the guiding force to what is now known as "The Woodstock Generation".
Co-creator and sole promoter of Woodstock 1969, Artie Kornfeld was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1942. The man who would later be deemed "The Father of Woodstock" would go on to become one of the most respected composers, publishers, producers, managers, and promoters in the history of rock and roll.
Artie got his first guitar in 1956 and learned a few chords that were pretty much universal at the time. He soon found himself with a record deal and on stage with Dion and the Belmonts with The Skyliners singing backup. Kornfeld would further his music career by attending Adelphi College and American University where he met Cass Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas.
After a few more fortuitous music connections, Kornfeld began his enterprise of writing the most Cashbox top 100 of any song writer. Kornfeld became the vice president of Capitol Records in his early 20s, making him the youngest to hold the position and the first vice president of rock and roll ever. By 1966, Kornfeld had written over 75 Billboard charted songs and participated in over 150 albums. In 1969, Kornfeld left Capitol records to co-create The Woodstock Music & Arts Festival.
Spirit Show #25 - Shaun Murphy
Hailing from the Midwest, Shaun has had and continues to have an illustrious career, starting from the play Hair on Broadway to signing with Motown, on to working with Bob Seeger, (to the present) Eric Clapton, Little Feat, Bruce Hornsby, The Moody Blues, and many more. A 3X Grammy nominee, now releasing her 7th solo CD, It Won’t Stop Raining, she continues to grow and expand her audience.
I found my way to the Blues stage at the first Ann Arbor Blues Fest, and was completely smitten. Getting to play at such an important milestone festival had my head spinning. That was my awakening to the Blues, and I couldn’t have been among a better line-up: Son House, Muddy Waters, BB King, Freddy King, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and the list went on and on.
Solidified into the Detroit music scene, I found my calling, but it was to be a bit illusive, while I continued my music education over the years, I was also free to pursue another of my loves, acting, where I was able to snag two different life changing musical plays: Hair and Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band On The Road, appearing in both of the Broadway productions. Having been in Hair afforded me the opportunity to land a recording contract with Motown Records, along with Meatloaf, to record the our duo album Stoney And Meatloaf.