Episodes
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TOP TALENT with JAMI D FOREVER YOUNG MUSIC AND BACK PAGES OF BOB DYLAN TRIBUTE
Meeting Bob Dylan at age eight on a Woodstock lawn is one heck of a "how it started" story. Jami D of Forever Young-The Music and Back Pages of Bob Dylan joins TOP TALENT to talk about her lifelong connection to the legend and how she’s brought a 10-piece Dylan tribute to life. She also floored…
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TOP TALENT SWEET BABY JAMES -JAMES TAYLOR TRIBUTE ARTIST BILL GRIESE
There's always "Sunny Skies" when I get to see his "Smiling Face" online saying that he is coming to the Capital Region to perform his amazing tribute to legendary artist James Taylor. He is "Sweet Baby James-the Ultimate James Taylor Tribute Artist Bill Griese. Nationally recognized as the...
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GRATEFUL DEAD TRIBUTE BAND SHAKEDOWN CITI'S DAVID MENDELSOHN
Wow-how can you possibly pay the ultimate tribute to such an iconic band -well, INSTITUTION -as the Grateful Dead? You can see them Sat Mar28th at Lark Hall, Albany at 7:30pm. But listen to this podcast and findi out about this incredible group of NY based musicians led by an amazingly...
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TOP TALENT WITH RICHIE- YACHT LOBSTERS TRIBUTE WITH DAVID MENDELSOHN
David Mendelsohn is- to coin a phrase that I think I might have invented- a RMM- real morphing musician. He definitely knows how to adapt to “changing marketing conditions” in music. He has been everything from a cruise ship lounge singer to wedding band member to BIG BAND ,GOSPEL BAND cofounder,...
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TOP TALENT KENNY ROGERS TRIBUTE ARTIST ALAN TURNER
Fear not, country music lovers – THE GAMBLER RETURNS with this ULTIMATE KENNY ROGERS TRIBUTE ARTIST, ALAN TURNER. He is coming back the the Cohoes Music Hall on March 22nd. Not to be missed. (And this podcast is not to be missed. You will learn a very important lesson here-- if you are ever to be...
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TOP TALENT WITH RICHIE- GUEST ERIK FIDEL FROM FAB FOUR BEATLE TRIBUTE BAND
He's the talented RINGO in the Ultimate tribute to the greatest band in music history. He's multi-instrumentalist Erik Fidel of the internationally acclaimed, Emmy winning FAB FOUR. Playing at the Hart Theatre at the EGG, ALBANY NY on Fri Mar 6th @ 7:30 PM. Not to be missed! What kind of...
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Rick Schuler: Rocky Mountain High — The Authorized John Denver Tribute
Rick Schuler, the endorsed John Denver tribute artist, heads up the ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH EXPERIENCE, where he discusses his career, the inspiration behind his music, and his album Colorado — which features John Denver hits alongside original songs. This episode explores Rick’s beginnings,...
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TOP TALENT A MAN NAMED CASH Tribute with ERIC HOFMANIS
In this episode, I speak with Eric Hofmanis who has starred nationally in A Man Named Cash: THE OFFICIAL TRIBUTE ACT FOR Johnny Cash ,and is appearing at the time of this writing for 2 nites at the Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, NY on 2/28, 3/1. Go to mystrandtheatre.org for tix! Things we…
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OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN GREASE TRIBUTE WITH SABRINA PLAISANCE-SIA
SABRINA PLAISANCE-SIA is a Las Vegas Headliner, 2024 & 2025 Josie Music Award Tribute Artist of the Year Nominee and much more. She and Dan Sia, husband, drummer and musical arranger, put together this incredible tribute to the late great 80's icon OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN and also honors the classic...
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LEGEND, THE JOURNEY EXPERIENCE TRIBUTE BAND"S ED BORNT -TICKET GIVEAWAY!
Did you hear the intro? That was Garret Lechowski from Harvest and Rust, the Neil Young Experience. If you're a Neil fan, take a listen on your favorite podcast App! This time My talk is with the Ed Bornt, manager and lead guitarist of this incredible tribute band LEGEND, THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY...
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Top Talent Harvest and Rust Neil Young Tribute Band's Garrett Lechowski
My talk with lead singer, Multi instrumentalist and manager Garrett Lechowski about Harvest and Rust Neil Young Tribute Band coming Friday, Jan 16 to Cohoes Music Hall. Their website for ticket and appearance information http://www.neilyoungtributeband.com Hear a sample:...
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JAMES TAYLOR TRIBUTE ARTIST BILL GRIESE
A SWEET discussion with "Sweet Baby James" Tribute artist Bill GREISE. He resides in Nashville but has become nationally recognized as a top James Taylor tribute artist. Copyright restrictions prevent me from playing any of the songs here, but you can see and hear samples below. He is appearing...
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GEORGETTE JONES -SINGER SONGWRITER AND AUTHOR
It doesn’t take brain surgery to figure out who she’s related to! Correct! She is the daughter country legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette. She was also show consultant on the heart wrenching bio pic “George and Tammy” . Georgette is appearing in Glens Falls, New York at the wood theater for…
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TOP TALENT SCOUT SHARON MCCARTHY
Think you or somebody you know has an amazing talent? The "IT" factor? Well here's your chance to shine. INTERNATIONAL TALENT SHOWCASE is here in ALBANY ON TUES OCTOBER 17TH AT THE DESMOND HOTEL IN ALBANY! Founder SHARON MCCARTHY is my guest, and will give you all the information in case you are...
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NANCY HAYS JUDY GARLAND TRIBUTE SHOW
Fun, informative interview with the incredibly TALENTED NANCY HAYS - Actor, "Come Dance With Me" singer-songwriter, international line dance hitmaker and much much more. Ready to appear as of this writing at the the Wood Theatre in Glens Falls for an incredible tribute (with her daughter Mary...
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REPLAY:THE FAB FOUR TRIBUTE BAND’S ERIK FIDEL--AKA RINGO
Fascinating talk with the man who's the BACKBEAT of this EMMY AWARD-WINNING Beatle tribute band- THE FAB FOUR. He is multi-instrumentalist Erik Fidel. We talk influences, how he prepares (musically and visually) for the gigs, how he learned to play a right handed kit left handed (Like the master...
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COUNTRY STAR BILLY DEAN
Great, fun conversation with an icon from perhaps the most prolific and productive era in country music..the 90’s…singer songwriter Billy Dean . Billy Dean is a multi award-winning country, singer songwriter. We delve into his career, his new projects, and most importantly..why everyone in his...
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TOP TEEN TALENT - CAROLINE SKREBUTENAS
REPEAT EPISODE - THIS EPISODE ORIGINALLY AIRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT WAS ERASED ACCIDENTALLY. I AM REPOSTING IT This incredibly talented high school student not only is a skilled pianist, but also composes and ARRANGES as well. Her mother, Anne, entered her into a national talent contest on PBS...
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EDDIE KILLGALLON- TOP NASHVILE TALENT
ENCORE EPISODE... Originally aired in 2019 but was accidentally erased. 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...
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COUNTRY LEGEND RANDY TRAVIS AND WIFE MARY…
Yes..that happened… An unbelievable opportunity to speak with a country music icon…Multi-Award winning singer and actor Randy Travis and his amazing wife Mary who has become, due to his unfortunate stroke several years ago, , his defacto spokesperson..and what an amazing job she does… They make…
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Martin and Kelly and Mark Pierre -Randy Travis Show Performers
Part 1 of a 2 Part Podcast on our experiences performing in association with the UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL RANDY TRAVIS SHOW here in Glens Falls NY and Laconia New Hampshire-8/26-27,2023 - part of Kevin Richards Productions. Mark and I were "warm up acts" and the duo of Martin and Kelly are best...
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Elton John Tribute Artist Doug Delescavage
In this episode I pay tribute to a TOP TALENTed Tribute Artist -Pennsylvania native Doug Delescavage - of the PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM TRIBUTE BAND . I happened to catch their act here in July 2023 at the Mohawk Harbor, part of the River Casino complex in Schenectady NY. Don't miss them if they come...
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Photographer John Bulmer- Colorizing Troy, NY
A little sidestep from my normal musical topics--I wanted to explore talent in another medium- PHOTOGRAPHY. I happened to see this man's work on Facebook where he expertly colorizes old photographs from downtown Troy way back when. A must see! John Bulmer is my guest. We talk tips, tricks,...
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Thirsty Burlington Cher Tribute Artist
We continue with my series of Top Talented Tribute Artists. This time Scott Townshend, aka THIRSTY BURLINGTON as Cher!!! We discuss not only the process of transforming into this icon onstage, but also the trials and tribulations of growing up, gender identity, and we also should mention that...
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JENNA SUE BILL MCGRATH DOLLY AND JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE SHOW
Another in my series of Tribute Acts episodes. This time we feature two TOP TALENTS.. Jenna Sue and Bill McGrath, two Albany area musicians taking on the persona of the great Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash for their final performance of their TRIBUTE SHOW SAT. APRIL 8 at the LITTLE VEGAS WEDDING...
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Guilty!--I Wrote a Song with CHAT GPT
"Why did you climb that mountain? Because it was there". You've heard the saying. Well, this was a real stretch on my part. To try to put music to someone else's lyrics. Especially if it's a computer's! This was very bizarre, but I would love you to listen. Plus a discussion (with myself) over…
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STEVE AZAR -COUNTRY ARTIST AND PHILANTHROPIST
This was a special thrill and honor to have this gentleman on here. You know him from the number one country hits "I Don't Have To Be Me Til Monday", and "Sunshine" plus many others. Time to catch up with this TOP TALENT to find out what he's doing down in Mississippi - you may be surprised to...
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ROCK VOICES WITH NATE ALTIMARI
Is it possible that there is a choir group that you can join with no experience and no need to even audition? Yes! It’s called ROCK VOICES! Plus you get to sing awesome music… Nate Altimari is my TOP TALENTED guest-Director of the Capital Region chapter. This is such a great community service. I...
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Mark Pierre -Randy Travis Show Performer
Mark Pierre has always had at least one foot firmly planted in the country music genre for all the years I've known him (we used to be neighbors!) . Successful Investment adviser by day/ country singer and songwriter by nite! He has played for countless audiences in our area here in Upstate NY....
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JENNA SUE - TOP VOCAL TALENT
Jenna Sue is one of the artists, along with Mark Pierre and yours truly performing at a show we are doing honoring the great Randy Travis here in Glens Falls New York on 9/11. This was recorded right after a practice for our version of “I Told You So”…
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KEVIN RICHARDS AND RANDY TRAVIS SHOW IN GLENS FALLS NY
My talk with Capital Region country radio legend KEVIN RICHARDS and his new venture …an UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL concert with RANDY TRAVIS and other famous 80’s and 90’s country artists to be named. I also have an exciting role in this show… playing and his hits right in front of him! Gulp….
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TOP TALENT NEWS ANCHOR/JOURNALIST JOHN GRAY
Not often do I get to interview an INTERVIEWER,EMMY AWARD-WINNING newscaster, journalist and author JOHN GRAY. John is a veteran news anchor here in Albany NY on NEWS 10 ABC. When he's not covering the pressing events of the day, he's burning the midnite oil writing newspaper columns and books!…
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BILLY JOEL TRIBUTE ARTIST JOHN COZOLINO
Interesting discussion with another traveling tribute troubadour…His name is JOHN COZOLINO, and he fronts a BILLY JOEL tribute band called THE RIVER OF DREAMS TRIBUTE SHOW. He is coming to our Capital Region area on April 1st, 2022. You most certainly will be hearing this later…Big shoes to...
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JONI MITCHELL PROJECT’S KATIE PEARLMAN
Talk about a PROJECT! How would you like to be in charge of recreating the iconic sound of superstar singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell? Well , Singer, Songwriter KATIE PEARLMAN took on the challenge and the results are pretty darn impressive. the JONI PROJECT is coming to Cohoes Music Hall here in...
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NY TALENT MEDIA - NEW INTERNET RADIO STATION!
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...
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PAUL BRAULT -TOP TEEN PIANIST
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…
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TALENTED BROADCASTERS: BOB CUDMORE
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...
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SEAN MCMASTER PT 2 -WITH CAST OF SEAN AND RICHIE SHOW
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.
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SEAN MCMASTER-FORMERLY OF SEAN AND RICHIE SHOW PT 1
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…
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JOHN KING- TALENTED COUNTRY MUSIC ARTISTS
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…
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AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST MADISON VANDENBURG RETURNS
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…
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TALENTED SHMASK INVENTOR KARINE NISSIM
“SHIRT MEETS MASK- IT’S A SHMASK!”. 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. I contacted owner and mother of 3, KARINE NISSIM , and we had a great chat…
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TOP HARMONIZERS - ELECTRIC CITY CHOROUS FROM SCHENECTADY NY
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…
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THINKING POSITIVE WITH PAULA FIDALGO
“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...
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TALENTED EDUCATORS - FUTURE CHALLENGES DISCUSSED
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...
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LIVE HAIRCUT INTERVIEW WITH TALENTED STYLIST CHAZ
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....
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TOP TALENT WORLD COVID 19 SYMPOSIUM
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...
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Road Warrior Roundtable 2 - Carmen Lookshire, Jeff Brisbin, Joe Kulewicz of Skeeter Creek
Another great discussion under less-than-happy circumstances. We talk to Carmen Lookshire, Jeff Brisbin, and Joe Kulewicz of Skeeter Creek about how these popular Albany Area, Capital Region musicians are dealing with being unable to pursue their live performances. But we do talk in the positive…
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Road Warrior Roundtable 1- Erin Harkes, Chris Dollard, Sonny and Perley
If you are fans of these TOP TALENTS- Erin Harkes, Chris Dollard, Sonny Daye and Perley Rousseau- and there are PLENTY of them in Albany's Capital Region and beyond, I ask that you take 1/2 hour or so of your time and listen to this discussion. We all need entertainment and music in our lives…
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MARK FLEISCHER -BETTY BOOP, POPEYE, AND HISTORY OF ANIMATION
Mark Fleischer is the grandson of renowned animation pioneer Max Fleischer, and CEO of Fleischer Studios in California. . Our connection here is that Max's sister was my brother Bill and my grandmother. So this is a thrill in many ways to connect with him. Thanks again to Ginny Mahoney Max’s...
About this show
Podcast originating from the Capital Region of Upstate NY and featuring talent in and around the region. A focus on Tribute Acts
Hosted by
Richie Phillips
Categories