The Songs and Stories Podcast

Dayan Kai is one of this podcasts returning champions. He was a guest waaaaaay back in episodes #25 and #26 (with musical pal Steve Uccello), then dropped in with Keith Greeninger in  episodes #85 and #86, and then we caught up with him in solo mode in episodes #129 and episode #162. Dayan's become a really close pal over the years - even coproducing my "Starlite..." and "Hey Karma" records, and a podcast visit is a good excuse to document a nice long talk, and post it for posterity. If you don't know, Dayan was born in Maui HI but raised locally in San Juan Batista - there's even a wonderful song about it, of course. He moved back to his native Maui seven (yes, seven) years ago, but he makes frequent trips here to the mainland, often teaming up for a west coast run with Keith and mixing in a few solo shows. His new release is "To Be Free," a wonderful, sparse, but very rootsy and rockin' new album that was engineering by Keith at Wind River Studios. The entire project is just Dayan and his guitar, and is (intentionally) a perfect representation of what you'll get when you go to a solo Dayan. In this interview, we talked about his various music projects, his latest musical adventures ping ponging back and forth to the west coast from Hawaii, and what might be in store for his next musical project (hint: solo ukulele.) You'll find "To Be Free" (and all of Dayan's records) at dayankai.com, CD Baby, iTunes, and Spotify.

Oh, is THIS going to be a fun one. Carolyn Sills and Gerard Egan, of the The Carolyn Sills Combo, first visited this podcast in 2013 – see “Songs and Stories #131”. We talked about their journey to Santa Cruz, how they ended up at Santa Cruz Guitar Company (who makes the last guitar you’ll ever need – honest), and the process they went through to record their first record as this full band, The Carolyn Sills Combo (a fine band that also features Jimmy Norris on drums, Charlie Wallace on pedal steel, and Sunshine Jackson on harmony vocals and percussion.) Six years later, they’re back with their third project, and it’s something special: “Return to El Paso” is a five-song EP that takes Marty Robbin’s groundbreaking “El Paso” and builds songs around the characters in the tune, giving them each a bit of backstory and more detail. (Even the getaway horse gets his/her own tune, on the frolicking “Hold Your Horses” near the end of the album. Carolyn says this all started with a single line, “I’m not crying – I just have jalapeno in my eyes,” that she kept writing in her notebooks. She finally asked herself, “who would say this?” Feleena from “El Paso” came to mind. Then she and Gerard realized there was more to it, and this collection of songs were slowly born. “Return to El Paso” is very ambitious and very cool. It works. Tip: Once you buy the record – and you should – give a close listen to Marty Robbin’s “El Paso” and read this analysis of the story before diving into the Combo’s five songs. It’ll give you an extra appreciation for what they’ve done here. (That Feleena. She was a piece of work.)Since I talked to them about their move to Santa Cruz in our last visit, I wanted to go WAY back this time. In this outing, you’ll learn how they met in college (they were music pals for a year before the romance evolved – it’s a wonderful story) and eventually began playing music together. (Check out their early band, Boss Tweed. It’s also amazing.) “Return to El Paso” is available as a download, a CD, and a vinyl release at carolynsills.com. As an added bonus, the vinyl release includes three songs from their last record, “Dime Stories Vol. 2” on side two of the record. This podcast includes “Feleena,” from “Return to El Paso” and “Buffalo Bill’s Lament,” from “Dime Stories Vol. 2” (and side two of their new vinyl record.)

Here’s a fun bonus episode for the month. KPIG Radio has always been very kind to me. They’ve played my music, had me on the air to promote my shows, and most recently (in March of this year), I officially joined the crew. I’m a fill-in DJ (with lots of opps to fill in), and I’m maintaining their web site and social media content. Life is good. Recently, me and most of my New Best Friends band were guests on “Please Stand By,” their live Sunday morning show. We were on to remind folks about our big show at The Ugly Mug cafe later that week. We played live versions of my song “Hey Karma,” a cover of Rodney Crowell’s “Still Learning How to Fly,” and premiered our new holiday tune, “No More Tequila For Santa” on KPIG for the first time. Fun fact: As of this post, “No More Tequila For Santa” is available for download and streaming on  Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and all your favorite digital platforms. Big thanks to guest host Eric Parsons, for the great fun interview. We talked in detail about playing solo vs fronting a band, and dug through the ins, outs, and whys of doing a podcast like this. Much appreciated.

Sometimes, the long way around turns out to be the straightest path. Nashville’s Renee Wahl came from a military family and served 12 years in the air force. Then with a physics degree in hand, she eventually became a teacher. But since the age of six, Renee had been playing and writing music. She eventually worked her way to a position near Nashville. Music was always in the background – and in her crosshairs – and rightly so. These days she’s a full-time, touring songwriter. Renee has a classic country voice, and she’s armed with an admittedly dark sense of humor (which often balances well with her Nashville cowriters). She’s on the road – a lot – either with her full band, the Sworn Secrets, or just her her percussionist David Strayer. (Touring as a duo a drummer as her side person enables them to play either small, intimate rooms, or put some volume behind it for larger venues.) I met Renee a few months ago when she was a guest on KPIG radio’s live music show “Please Stand By”, and I was cohosting. Renee makes frequent trips to the west coast, so we decided to meet the next time she was in town for a proper, lengthy sitdown chat. In this interview, we chat about touring logistics, how the meaning of a song can change as you’re performing it, and how we as songwriters are in the pursuit of “micro-cents” (a term I just learned) in today’s world of streaming music platforms. This episode includes “Meds,”, off Renee’s latest release, “Cut To the Bone” and live take on her song “Me Before You”, also off her new record. You can purchase and download Renee’s songs from iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

Mira Goto chats about splitting her time between Santa Cruz CA and Nashville TN and how she's using social media to take her music to the next level. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Austin, Texas songwriter/producer Gurf Morlix talks about his latest (his tenth) solo release, "Impossible Blue". Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

>Songwriter Christie McCarthy talks about recording "Big Picture," her latest (and fourth) release of original material, recorded in Santa Cruz, CA. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

>Jamie and Kellen Coffis of The Coffis Brothers and the Mountain Men talk about their new record, produced by Tim Bluhm of bay area favorite The Mother Hips. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

>Keith Rayburn talks about the father-song recording effort that became his debut solo CD, "Highway". Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

>Santa Cruz songwriter/producer Henry Chadwick talks about his full-length debut release, "Marlin Fisher" (avail only on colored vinyl). Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Santa Cruz songwriter Lauren Wahl talks about her influences, how her band Simply Put came together, and plans for her next record. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

The host gets interviewed for a change! Michael's new band, Michael Gaither and His New Best Friends, appears on KPIG radio for a live interview and performance. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Bay Area songwriter Nancy Cassidy talks about the literal and metaphorical themes running through her new release, "River's Rising". Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

A chat with Boise, ID singer, songwriter, producer Steve Fulton. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

I recently met up with Roseville CA-based songwriter Larry Diehl at a songwriting retreat in northern Idaho. We talked about his latest release, "Close to the Soul" while we discussed what kind of songs come out during a weeklong retreat. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Filmmaker Richard Newman talks about his new documentary, which profiles board builders, professional surfers, and looks back on the history of the sport and culture. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Jesse Daniel talks about - and plays from - his self-titled debut record. Heartfelt honky tonk by way of Santa Cruz. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

A visit with LA-based acoustic trio The Sweet Potatoes, along with tunes from their new record, "Headin' Home". Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Live performance highlights from episode past including songs from Gurf Morlix, Blackie Farrell, Keith Greening, and Martha Groves Perry Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Michael Gaither and Steve Kritzer play from their new CDs, “Hey Karma” and “Right Where I’m Supposed to Be” live on KPIG radio. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Bluesy songwriter Jeffrey Halford talks about his Texas roots, his California upbringing, and his new record, “Lo Fi Dreams”. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Santa Cruz CA musician/author Rhan Wilson talks about his new book, “All In Good Time” and his new band, Jazz the Dog. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Austin producer/songwriter Gurf Morlix plays from and talks about his newest release, “The Soul and The Heal”. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Bay area favorite Greg Kihn talks about songwriting, his latest release "Rekihndled", and his gratitude for surviving rock and roll. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Santa Cruz songwriter and painter Russell Brutsche talks about - and plays songs from - his latest release, "Bucket of Gold". Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Jonathan Foster talks about "Help Me Run", his latest Americana release, and what led him to form Miracle Mile Records, an indie label out of Redding CA. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Martha Groves Perry talks about her journey from classically trained musician to her new singer/songwriter release "Something Good". Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Songwriter Nancy Cassidy talks about her new release, "Heart of a Song," which was born out her time performing in rest homes and for Bread and Roses events. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Kevin Welch talks about the beginnings of the Americana genre, touring The Dead Reckoners, and the songwriting retreats from his Texas hill country home. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Once a staple on the Santa Cruz music scene, Dayan Kai moved back to his Maui home a few years ago. We catch up on latest projects and hear some of his music. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Santa Cruz local favorite Scott Cooper talks about his third CD, "Batik In Blue". Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Host Michael Gaither becomes the interviewEE for a switch. Includes live performances of songs going on the new CD. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

A chat with the SLO gypsy jazz swing tango folk wild classical outfit about their new record, "Ebb and Flow". Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Interview and music highlights host Michael Gaither's recent radio appearances. And a new song about Red Skelton. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Former UCSC Psychology professor turned international recording artist Michelle Chappel talks about "Call Me Crazy," her new (and eighth) record. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Legendary songwriter Blackie Farrell talks about his long-awaited debut and plays "Sonora's Death Row" live on the show. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

A kitchen-table chat with Candian-born songwriter Dan Frechette and Monterey Bay violinist Laurel Thomsen. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

A kitchen-table chat with Mark and Cindy Lemaire. Mark discusses his unique playing style, which sounds like open tunings, and how Cindy's amazing harmony combines with his to sound like one voice. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

A post-concert chat with New York songwriter Amy Rigby about living and touring abroad, returning home, and what she plans for her next solo record. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

A visit with Producer/Musician Robert Berry, talking about the December People which merges classic rock with Christmas and holiday songs. Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

A chance to hear Michael himself interviewed for a change. Includes live performances of "Hang It Up" and "Where'd the Time Go?" played live on KPIG Radio". Details at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Revisiting a 2012 interview with the late (and amazing) Audrey Auld. Includes songs from her final releases, "Tonk" and "Hey Warden". See the notes and links to go with this episode at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Cosy Sheridan talks about her latest release, “Pretty Bird,” using alternate tunings, and teaching in folk music camps. See the notes and links to go with this episode at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Candadian songwriter Kenny Butterill discusses - and play songs from - his third CD, "Troubadour Tales". See the notes and links to go with this episode at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Austin producer/songwriter Gurf Morlix discusses his latest, "Eatin' At Me" and legendary songwriter Blackie Farrell talks about his long-awaited debut album. See the notes and links to go with this episode at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Revisting a 2005 interview with Mary Gauthier about the craft of songwriting, along with news about Michael's latest videos and other website items of note. See the notes and links to go with this episode at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

A kitchen table chat with composer and songwriter Ernest Troost. He's won an Emmy AND a Kerrville New Folk award, and he wrote the score for "Tremors". See the notes and links to go with this episode at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Will Kimbrough talks about his new CD, "Sideshow Love" and his past "day jobs" of playing with Todd Snider and Rodney Crowell. See the notes and links to go with this episode at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

Brigitte DeMeyer talks about her new release, "Savannah Road", and what it's like working with Will Kimbrough, who's also in this interview. See the notes and links to go with this episode at http://www.michaelgaither.com.

A quick look at host Michael Gaither's upcoming shows and podcasts, along with a recent radio appearance on KZSC radio in Santa Cruz, CA. See the notes and links to go with this episode at http://www.michaelgaither.com.