Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Jon Solo

Jon Solo is a major talent. And I am proud to say is based in South Carolina. His music is both catchy and full of musicality. Like me, he holds a deep reverence for Brian Wilson and The Beatles. Yet, he also has influences from his work in Jazz and other genres. Jon is also a producer and has recorded a variety of other artists under the banner of his production company Solosounds. He is currently putting the finishing touches on his new CD release Pop Junkie. I recently had the opportunity to do an interview with Jon and he revealed his thoughts on his career in music with a measure of eloquence that reflects the heart and soul of this multi-talented musician.



Monday, June 16, 2008

Kevin Pickens


Kevin Pickens is a man of many talents. He is a successful businessman and is also a gifted songwriter; producer; multi-instrumentalist, and published author. Kevin will be giving business advice to musicians and other artists on future episodes of The Reedy Beat.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Kell Whiteside


Kell Whiteside is an independent film maker and musician. He is a man of many talents who brings a positive message to all his artistic endeavors. Based in the upstate of South Carolina, Kell is a dreamer and has the vision to see his dreams through. His latest film project is entitled "My Perfect Sin". He also has a CD currently in release, under the name The Rebel entitled "We the People".

Episode Eight of The Reedy Beat Podcast: Kell Whiteside

www.kolobusent.com

Monday, May 26, 2008

Zachary Williams

19 year old pop composer Zachary Williams, heavily influenced by the compositions of Brian Wilson, attempts to bring the notion of pop as serious, artistic music back. The 3 chord rock song, while often enjoyable, is on the outskirts of music's possibilities. Along the lines of George Gershwin and Brian Wilson, Zachary Williams feels pop music infused with an advanced level of musicality will never be dated. Williams is currently in the studio working on his batch of piano based compositions.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Christoph Kresse


Christoph Kresse is an internationally award winning professional bagpipe performer. He is currently located in Greenville, SC where he performs and competes throughout the Southeastern US. Christoph is a native of Hamburg, Germany and relocated to Greenville in 2001 with is wife, Stephanie. Ever since he has established himself as a professional musician and artist throughout the Southeast.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Mike Singleton


Mike Singleton is an accomplished poet, author and film maker. He has a rare insight into the mystery of the human soul and heart. His short film "In This Corner" has been featured in several film festivals and he distributes the film, along with spoke word recordings of his poetry, as an independent artist.

Mike shares with us his muse and three of his poems in this podcast.

Monday, March 31, 2008

David D. Hudson


David D. Hudson is a Christian singer/songwriter from Greenville, SC.   His music is positive and filled with hooks. He talks the talk and walks the walk as it were.    I have had the pleasure of working with David on several projects and can attest to the fact that he is filled with genuine inspiration and a God-given talent for song writing.    

David has an open and unique faith in his God and seeks to bring his message of love and grace to the public.

You can visit his website at www.thearmour.com to learn more about the man and his music.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Existant


Existant is a new Upstate South Carolina band. The members are: Jason Bodson (Lead Singer and Rhythm Guitar); Vince "Rukh" Seabrook (Drummer) and James Heaton (Lead Guitarist and Gadget Master). The group draws inspiration from such artists as Chris Cornell, Dave Grohl, Jimi Hendrix, Counting Crowes, and Van Halen. Yet, the primary focus of this trio is not to do the "bar band/covers thing" but rather to create original music . They are serious young musicians who are in it for keeps. In speaking to them for the latest podcast, I was most impressed by their sense of purpose and poise. Their sound is unique and we wish them all the best as they work toward the dream. Visit them At www.existantband.com and www.myspace.com/existantband

Episode Three of the Reedy Beat Podcast: Existant

Monday, March 17, 2008

Jean Calvert


Jean Calvert is a Greenville, South Carolina based jazz and blues singer. Her voice has been compared to such greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, June Christy, and such current singers as Dianna Krall and Jane Monheit. Her vocal stylings go from swingingly hot to sultry cool. She is a well-seasoned vocalist who draws on a variety of genres to create her unique sound. I think the best phrase that describes Jean is that she is "a natural."

Jean has been a fixture on the regional jazz scene and learned her craft in the music bastion of New York City. We are indeed most fortunate that she chose to bring her major talent home to the upstate SC.

Visit http://www.myspace.com/jeancalvertandcompany to learn more about this gifted singer.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

The Late Great Mickey Fowler


Mickey Fowler was a Greenville, South Carolina based musician who passed away in December 2007. Beginning his music career back in the 1960's, Mickey personified the outlaw style of country music and blended that with the feel of true Rock and Roll. Before Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings broke away from the sterile Nashville sound in the early 1970's, Mickey was playing outlaw country in bars across the upstate of South Carolina. He was a great friend of Toy Caldwell of Marshall Tucker fame and they often played together whenever Toy would come home from the Tucker band tours of the world.  Country star, Aaron Tippin, himself a Greenville County SC native, would often cite Mickey as an inspiration.

I had the pleasure of working with Mickey on some of the songs on his self-titled CD in 2001. I was most impressed by his ability to put pure sentiment and soul into whatever song he sang. Mickey was the type of musician who could pick up a guitar and sing song after song and never forget a lyric. The man was a walking catalog of tunes. To me, that is the embodiment of what a singer should be. He was the 'real deal'. The cowboy hat fitted him perfectly. He came from the source of the music and crossed the river after living the life he conveyed in his music.

Mark McAfee, who produced Mickey's CD and is a superb musician in his own right, recently sat down with The Reedy Beat and gave an interview about the life and times of this unique individual.

Episode One of The Reedy Beat Podcast: The Late Great Mickey Fowler