Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives

In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, Karyn Rosenberg sits down with members of Afterimage: a Rush tribute band dedicated to honoring the music, precision, and spirit of one of progressive rock’s most legendary bands.Joined by founder and bassist Vic Montello, guitarist Hernando “Chato” Vazquez, and drummer Mark Ellis, the conversation explores their individual musical journeys, the evolution from Vic’s earlier Rush tribute band cRush into Afterimage, and what it takes to bring Rush’s complex music to life on stage.Together, they discuss the chemistry and trust required to perform this catalog, the influence Rush has had on their lives as musicians and people, and the passion that continues to drive them to keep this music alive for audiences today.The conversation also touches on the excitement and emotion surrounding Rush’s return to touring with drummer Anika Nilles stepping into an almost impossible role following the legacy of Neil Peart. The band shares their thoughts as musicians and lifelong fans on what it means to witness this new chapter in Rush history with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.00:00Introduction to After Image: A Rush Tribute Band02:00Victor's Musical Journey: From Beatles to Rush11:05Hernando's Path: From Flamenco to Rock14:25Mark's Drumming Origins and Influences18:57Mark's Experience with Yngwie Malmsteen20:12The Band's Dynamic and Member Introductions27:12The Importance of Fun in Music33:11The Legacy of Rush and Its Impact on Fans34:36Anticipation for the Upcoming Rush Show37:00Thoughts on Anika as the New Drummer39:31Nostalgia and Legacy of Rush40:32The Future of Rush and New Music45:21Dream Venues and Aspirations48:05First Concert Experiences51:13Post-Show Rituals and Reflections53:43Connecting with Fans and Social Media Presencehttps://www.afterimageband.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Afterimagerush/

Join Karyn for an inspiring conversation with Dean Summers, a seasoned musician and entrepreneur, as he shares his journey from childhood guitar passion to leading tribute bands like Smokin' Renegade: a tribute to Boston and Styx, Forever Foreigner, plus his new Tribute Band "Rosanna" : a tribute to Toto. Discover how he balances music, business, and family, and how pandemic innovations led to his remote collaborations and new musical projects.00:00Introduction to Dean Summers01:12The Early Years: Musical Beginnings04:46Evolution of Musical Style07:38Balancing Family and Music Career10:49The Battle of the Bands Experience13:45Forming Virgin Vinyl and Moving to Florida17:34The Impact of COVID-19 on Music20:50Creating Dean Summers and Friends27:07Building a Community Through Music29:09Joining Tribute Bands and New Opportunities31:18The Challenge of Mastering Tribute Band Material36:47Expanding the Tribute Band Repertoire41:43Concert Experiences and Musical Influences46:15Balancing Life, Music, and Family52:10Personal Growth and Gratitudehttps://www.facebook.com/SMOKINaTributetoBOSTONhttps://smokinrenegade.com/homehttps://www.youtube.com/@deansummersfriendsremotemu4270https://youtu.be/gvJwuzpkrmY?si=rtLjwY1UR-LOoo3w

In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Mike Goodwin, owner of Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton, FL; a venue that has become a home for live music in South Florida.Mike shares his journey from working in the restaurant and bar industry to creating a space that blends craft beer, great food, and live music seven nights a week. He talks about being a keg party enthusiast to curating a community-focused live music venue.. What began as a vision to offer something different has grown into a vibrant hub for musicians, tribute bands, and music lovers alike. Discover how he creates diverse music experiences, supports local artists, and builds a vibrant community hub that celebrates authenticity and creativity.This conversation explores what it takes to build and sustain a live music venue, the responsibility of creating a stage for artists, and the role spaces like this play in fostering connection and community.00:00Introduction to Crazy Uncle Mike's03:11The Origins of Crazy Uncle Mike05:54Building a Unique Venue Experience09:01Community Engagement and Live Music During COVID11:51Innovations in Live Streaming and Artist Support15:11The Art of Booking Talent23:58Behind the Scenes of Running a Live Music Venue27:07Personal Insights and Date Nights30:52Musical Preferences and Inspirations32:03Unforgettable Moments in Business33:44Community Impact and Engagement36:09Transforming a Venue's Image39:20Creating Memorable Experiences42:03Handling Customer Expectations44:10Unexpected Encounters and Identity47:50Crafting Unique Beers and Experiences49:24The Art of Live Streaming and Promotion51:59The Essence of Crazy Uncle Mike'shttps://crazyunclemikes.comhttps://www.instagram.com/crazyunclemikes/https://www.facebook.com/crazyunclemikeshttps://www.youtube.com/c/crazyunclemikes

In this engaging conversation, Karyn Rosenberg interviews Rich Friedman of Crazy Fingers, a prominent Grateful Dead tribute band. They explore the origins of the band, Rich's musical journey, and the dynamics of being part of a long-standing musical community. Rich shares personal anecdotes about his experiences on the road, the impact of the Grateful Dead on his identity, and the challenges of keeping the music alive. The discussion also touches on themes of loss, legacy, and the importance of community in the music scene.https://www.instagram.com/crazyfingerssoflohttps://www.facebook.com/crazyfingersbandhttps://www.crazyfingers.net/

In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg interviews members of The Peakles, a Beatles tribute band from Portugal. They discuss their unique approach to performing Beatles music, their individual musical journeys, and the dynamics of being in a band. The conversation explores the impact of The Beatles on their music, the challenges of selecting a setlist, and their aspirations for future performances including participating in Beatles on the Beach in Boca Raton, FL. The band members share personal anecdotes about their experiences on stage and the joy of connecting with audiences.Chapters00:00Introduction to The Peacals05:00The Band's Origins and Members11:07Musical Journeys and Influences19:54The Beatles' Impact on Music29:58Life on Stage and Audience Interaction42:06Setlist Selection and Performance Dynamics49:56Future Aspirations and Dream Venues56:00Personal Music Preferences and Closing Thoughtshttps://www.facebook.com/ThePeakles.TheBeatlesTribute/https://www.instagram.com/peakles/

In this episode of "Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives" host Karyn Rosenberg speaks with Daniel Hartwell, the creator of Beatles on the Beach, about his journey in festival production, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the importance of community and positivity in the music industry. Daniel shares his unique vision for the festival, which goes beyond just music to create a vibrant experience for attendees, and discusses the impact of The Beatles on culture. He also offers valuable advice for aspiring promoters and emphasizes the significance of setting goals and pushing through challenges.https://beatlesonthebeach.com

🎧 Episode 4In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Billy Alexander — songwriter, producer, and guitarist of the Rush tribute band YYNOT — for a thoughtful conversation about influence, evolution, and what it really means to carry a musical legacy forward.Billy shares how his passion for music began at a young age, shaped early on by bands like Kiss and Rush. What started as admiration eventually became identity, guiding him not only into tribute performance, but into writing and producing original music of his own.Together, Karyn and Billy explore the emotional and technical demands of playing Rush live, the importance of authenticity on stage, and why YYNOT is committed to performing without backing tracks. They talk about camaraderie within the band, the creative flow behind songwriting, and how balancing music with real life keeps everything grounded.Billy also reflects on his upcoming single, “Enemy,” a song that explores themes of human connection and understanding, and offers encouragement to aspiring musicians navigating their own path.This conversation honors Rush’s legacy through a Rush tribute band YYNOT while celebrating the ongoing journey of creating music that feels both borrowed and deeply personal.https://www.instagram.com/b1gtralexander/https://www.instagram.com/yynotband/https://www.billyalexander.nethttps://www.facebook.com/billyalexandermusichttps://www.facebook.com/YYNOTBAND

What does it really take to bring the raw, chaotic, funk-driven energy of the Red Hot Chili Peppers to life on stage?In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Cameron Dergham, founder and guitarist of The Chili Poppers, a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band and Remake Yourself, an Incubus tribute band. Cameron is known for delivering faithful, high-energy performances that capture the spirit of RHCP and Incubus.Cameron shares how his passion for the Chili Peppers evolved from admiration to embodiment — and what it means to honor a band whose music is equal parts chaos, precision, vulnerability, and fire. He also talks about his other project as the lead singer of an Incubus Tribute band, and how he balances his gigs and work/family life. Together, they explore identity, musicianship, stage presence, and the deeper meaning behind paying tribute while still living an authentic creative life.This episode is about funk, intention, and the art of showing up fully — night after night — for the music that changed everything.https://www.instagram.com/thechilipoppers/https://www.facebook.com/TheChiliPoppershttps://www.instagram.com/remakeyourselftribute

🎧 Episode 2 – The Pretender? Never. Harley Mitchell Is the Real DealIn this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg sits down with multi-instrumentalist, content creator, and all-around powerhouse Harley Mitchell.From the Foo Fighters tribute band Foo Fight to her original releases “Here I Am” and “Spin,” Harley brings a fierce sense of authenticity to everything she does — whether she’s on bass, behind a drum kit, rapping with bOunce, or connecting with her 40K+ TikTok followers.In this conversation, Harley opens up about:How she found her creative voice through tribute and original musicWhat it means to “borrow notes” but stay rooted in her truthThe challenges and joys of being a woman in multiple music spacesAnd the deeper identity work that comes with being both a performer and a creatorFrom high-energy shows to introspective songwriting, Harley is a reminder that honoring others' music doesn't mean losing your own story — and in her case, it’s only made hers louder.🔗 Follow Harley Mitchell https://harleymitchell.com🎵 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@harleymitchellofficial?lang=enInstagram https://www.instagram.com/harleymitchell/?hl=enYouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/HarleyMitchellFacebook https://www.facebook.com/harley.mitchell.16/Foo Fight: Foo Fighters Tribute Band https://www.facebook.com/tributefoofighters/

🎧 Episode 1 – The Night Billy Joel Showed Up: A Conversation with Tony Monaco of TurnstilesIn this debut episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Tony Monaco — pianist, singer, and frontman of Turnstiles, a South Florida-based Billy Joel tribute band.Tony shares how his musical path began with a childhood love for guitar, evolved through jazz and original touring bands, and ultimately led to his deep connection with Billy Joel’s music.And then… something extraordinary happened. At a recent Turnstiles performance in Wellington, Billy Joel himself showed up.Tony reflects on that once-in-a-lifetime moment, how it felt to play for the Piano Man, and how his own identity as a tribute musician has been shaped by years of passion, purpose, and authenticity on and off the stage.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to bring someone else’s music to life — and still stay true to yourself — this conversation is for you.To connect with Tony Monaco and Turnstiles: The Ultimate Tribute to the Music of Billy Joel https://turnstilestributeband.com/about-ushttps://www.facebook.com/thebillyjoeltribute

🎧 Trailer – Borrowed Notes, Authentic LivesHosted by Karyn Rosenberg, LCSWIn this trailer, get a feel for what Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives is all about.Psychotherapist and music lover Karyn Rosenberg takes you behind the scenes with tribute band musicians, photographers, venue owners, and other creatives keeping the music alive. But this isn’t just about performances — it’s about meaning, identity, and the real lives behind the sound.If you've ever connected deeply with a song, seen yourself in someone else's story, or felt the pull of purpose in unexpected places — this podcast is for you. Follow @KarynLCSW on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes clips.