ClarkCast Podcast: A podcast about life, love, music, and the pursuit of being awesome

My good friend and St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School teacher, Elizabeth Mink, joins us on the ClarkCast Podcast. She's a diehard Swiftie and big-time Jonas Brothers fan. Elizabeth once told me a story about the Jonas Brothers that was 20 minutes long with no interruptions. Can she top her record? 

Styk lead singer Lawrence Gowan is on the ClarkCast Podcast. From LawrenceGowan.com:Lawrence Gowan is a multi-talented musician and performer known for his electrifying live shows and soaring vocals. With a career spanning over five decades, Gowan has established himself as one of the most dynamic and versatile performers in the music industry. With his soaring vocals, virtuosic keyboard skills, and signature showmanship, he has captivated audiences around the world and established himself as a true icon of the music world. Whether he is performing one of his hit songs or showcasing his impressive range with a cover, Gowan never fails to leave a lasting impression and leave fans begging for more. With his boundless energy, passion, and talent, Lawrence Gowan is a true master of the stage and a true icon of modern music.With over six solo albums and accolades including Juno and SOCAN Classic Awards, plus an impressive run with Styx since 1999, Lawrence Gowan's solo career is a thrilling musical journey filled with hit songs, captivating live performances, and endless creativity. With a unique blend of pop, rock, and classical influences, Gowan has carved out a musical style that is all his own and captured the hearts of audiences around the world. His soaring vocals and virtuosic keyboard skills have made him a fan favorite, and his electrifying live shows are legendary. Whether performing his own chart-topping hits or putting his own spin on classic covers, Gowan's solo career is a testament to his talent and showmanship. With a tireless passion for his craft and a commitment to excellence, Lawrence Gowan is a true force to be reckoned with in the world of music.At the age of nineteen, he earned an ARCT in classical piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, in Toronto. Upon graduation, he enjoyed modest local success with the band Rhinegold from 1976 to 1981.Lawrence Gowan's first album, "Gowan," was released in 1982 and marked the beginning of his successful solo career. The album showcased his unique blend of pop, rock, and classical influences, and featured his soaring vocals and virtuosic keyboard skills.His 1985 album Strange Animal was his commercial breakthrough in Canada, spawning the hit singles "A Criminal Mind", "(You're A) Strange Animal" and "Cosmetics". The Juno award winning music video for "A Criminal Mind" was an innovator in the use of Rotoscoping, and inspired A-ha's music video for "Take On Me".Some of Lawrence Gowan's biggest hit songs include: "A Criminal Mind", "Moonlight Desires", "Dancing on My Own Ground", "Strange Animal", "Lost Brotherhood", and "Cosmetics". These songs showcase Gowan's unique blend of pop, rock, and classical influences, and have earned him a dedicated following of fans and critical acclaim. With their catchy melodies, soaring vocals, and powerful instrumentation, these hit songs continue to captivate audiences and solidify Gowan's place as a true icon of modern music.Lawrence Gowan joined the rock band Styx in 1999, taking over as the lead keyboardist and vocalist. His addition to the band brought a new energy and musical direction to Styx, and he has been a regular member of the group ever since.

Robert St. John is a chef, author, philanthropist, father, husband, and much moreSt. John has spent four decades in the restaurant business. Thirty-six of those years have been as the owner of the Crescent City Grill, Mahogany Bar, Branch, Tabella, Ed’s Burger Joint, The Midtowner, and Loblolly Bakery in Hattiesburg, MS, and Enzo Osteria in Ridgeland, Mississippi. His Gulfport spot, The Downtowner, is set to open soon.St. John is the author of thirteen books, including An Italian Palate, which was written in Europe while St. John, his wife, and his two children traveled through 72 cities, in 17 countries, on two continents for six months.

OLIVIA NACHTIGALOlivia from Western Canada began dancing at age four. She danced competitively for the Mattierin School of Irish dance in Edmonton and won many titles, including top-5 finishes at the World championships. She attended the Riverdance Summer School in Dublin in 2019, and her dream came true when she was asked to join the 25th Anniversary Show in 2020. She has since toured North America, Europe, the UK, and China, as well as countless other countries. She is incredibly grateful to Riverdance and looks forward to continuing her journey with the show.Riverdance 30 will be at the Beau Rivage June 5-7. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Don Barnes joins us on a special episode of the ClarkCast Podcast. For more than 50 years, Don has been a vocalist and guitarist in the legendary 38 Special. The band recently released its first album in 20 years, "Milestone," and is currently on the road for the 38 Special - Milestone 50 Year Legacy Tour.Don talks about his relationship with the late great Ronnie Van Zant, finally releasing his "lost" solo album, the early days of MTV, and much more.38 Special will bring the Milestone 50 Year Legacy Tour to the Beau Rivage in Biloxi on Friday, Oct. 9, as part of the annual Cruisin' The Coast: America's Largest Block Party. Tockerts go on sale May 1 at Ticketmaster.com.

My good friend Tori Bishop lives in The Pass with her three daughters. My former next-door neighbor, Tori, is a former event planner and was one of the co-owners of the popular brand "Gulf Coast Mom." Tori is a motivational speaker and author. She's a lovely human being, and I'm glad she's my friend.

When I met Micah Green, he was a young journalist fresh out of Mississippi State. We worked together in the newsroom of the Commercial Dispatch in Columbus, Mississippi, under the tutelage of the legendary Birney Imes III.Today, Micah is a well-accomplished journalist who, along with his wife, Kayla,  manages Gulf Coast Media in Baldwin County, Alabama, and The Sumter Item in Sumter, South Carolina. He has often been published in the New York Times and is a team member of  The Raw Society.The Greens live in Gulf Shores with their dog -- I think its name is Patches. Or maybe it's Kevin? I don't know. It's a cute dog, though. Micah was raised in Laurel, Mississippi -- there's another fact about him. 

Eve Elias Bauer is the owner of Studio E, a popular dance company in Long Beach. She recently launched a dance clothing line, Leap. For almost 20 years, Eve has been the Regional Director for the American Heart Association. She's also an amazing human being and one of my good friends. Eve Bauer is on the ClarkCast Podcast.

My good friend and Kiln native Father Braxton Necaise, Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Long Beach and Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Biloxi, discusses faith, growing up in Hancock County, and much more on this episode of ClarkCast.

Walfredo Reyes Jr., the legendary percussionist and drummer, is my guest on the ClarkCast Podcast. Currently the drummer for Chicago, we discuss our love for Steve Gadd and Jeff Porcaro, his love for the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and why a not-so-spicy gumbo is the best gumbo.

Angelica Espinal is a lovely soul. She's a wife, mother of three boys, Catholic, and a small business owner. She is a partner in Stella Maris Gifts, located at 118 Davis Ave. inside Davis Drugs in Downtown Pass Christian. A woman of faith, Angelica shares her secrets to how she stays awesome.

On a very special ClarrkCast Podcast, Charlie Boy drops by to talk about music, life, his love for the band Gorillaz, and how he stays awesome!

On a very special episode of ClarkCast, Jeff's friend the legendary John Oates stops by to discuss his new album "Oates."

My friend and Judas Priest lead singer Rob Halford joins us on the ClarkCast Podcast to talk about touring with Judas Priest, the passing of his friend Ozzy and much more!

Chapter 3: My dear friend Christy Elias joins the ClarkCast Podcast! Christy talks about starting the Gulf Coast Mom brand and Studio E Dance Studio, as well as her family, friends, and faith. And she tells us how she stays awesome.

On this chapter of ClarkCast, my guests are my good friends Shannon and Octavio Arzola, owners of Pop Brothers and Tavi's. We discuss how Shannon's hair always looks great, the time we took Octavio to a concert that he hated, and how they stay awesome. ClarkCast is on the air!

My good friend Kelsey Moran, musician and owner of the Ugly Pirate in Bay St. Louis, talks about music, loving Steely Dan, and how she starys awesome.