Interviews with interesting people
Producer, promoter and clarinetist, Beth Fleenor is involved in Seattle’s cultural life. She embraces both the business and performing sides of music and the arts. She composes and thinks while on a 7-10 mile per day walk. She says it keeps her both physically and mentally fit. Beth survived a tough childhood by immersing herself in music. Who knew music could save your life?
Paul Kemmish usually has a bass in his hands. He’s equally at home with the bass guitar or bass fiddle. And if you wonder how he got so good or how he spends his days that’s easy: he practices. That’s what working musicians do.
Doug LeBow is a producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and recording artist for Disney Publishing Worldwide. He grew up in the NE, lives in the SW. Along his journey, he worked as a sign language interpreter, used the money he made from scoring industrial movies for General Motors to go back to school, graduated from the Grove School of Music, and is a minister.
This is the story of how a kid from Boston learns to play the trombone, moves to Nashville and becomes an arranger, composing and producing. He’s done a lot of work for cruise lines and theme parks. But he’s also worked with Aretha Franklin, Hank Williams Jr, BJ Thomas, Kirk Franklin, Sara Evan and Sting. To visit John’s site, click here.
Grammy award winner, Victor Vanacore started playing piano professionally in his teens. Now as a Pops conductor, he directs an entire orchestra, which a playing gigantic instrument composed of multiple talents and different personalities. Getting them to all work together is the high-wire act of music. Victor tries to make his arrangements fun for the audience and challenging for the orchestra. He also has been musical director for many great singers, including Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis and Ray Charles. For more about Victor click here.
If you want to play blues guitar, you need Anthony Stauffer’s StevieSnacks. Every week there’s a new lick to learn. Anthony has a degree in electrical engineering, so it’s not surprising that he finds fingering is like an engineering problem: little components can be added together into more complex patterns. His advice is to do what you do best. Others might come along and do it better but until they arrive get out your slide rule, pick up your guitar and keep going. For more on Stevie Snacks click here.
In Paris, France and Orlando, Florida, Disney is opening a new attraction this summer: Cars2. While you watch the stunt car preshow, you’ll be listening to Rob Pottorf’s music. He’s done scores for theme parks, movies and TV. He managers to do it by working work and not living in Hollywood. You can do it too. All you need is a ukulele, a Fender Rhodes and an enormous amount of talent. And did I mention the brain tumor? Check out Rob’s studio and music. Click here.