Myth vs. Craft

Austin-based photographer Todd V. Wolfson recounts how attending an Alice Cooper concert as a 13-year old changed his life. He describes Austin, Texas in 1979 and why he moved there. He tells us why he thinks he’s had so much success working with musicians and shares his approach to photographing people. Lastly, he dives into the advent of digital photography and how it’s deeply affected him in both positive and negative ways.

Austin-based photographer Todd V. Wolfson recounts how attending an Alice Cooper concert as a 13-year old changed his life. He describes Austin, Texas in 1979 and why he moved there. He tells us why he thinks he’s had so much success working with musicians and shares his approach to photographing people. Lastly, he dives into the advent of digital photography and how it’s deeply affected him in both positive and negative ways.

Guitar great Pete Thorn tells us about growing up in Edmonton, Canada, moving to Los Angeles to attend Musicians Institute and what he values most from the year he spent there. He looks back at what he learned working with Frank Simes and how he felt after signing his first record deal. He describes the ingredients that he thinks have made his demo videos so successful, his experiences being on the road and his assessment of the music industry today. Lastly, he shares how he aspires to continue growing as an artist.

Guitar great Pete Thorn tells us about growing up in Edmonton, Canada, moving to Los Angeles to attend Musicians Institute and what he values most from the year he spent there. He looks back at what he learned working with Frank Simes and how he felt after signing his first record deal. He describes the ingredients that he thinks have made his demo videos so successful, his experiences being on the road and his assessment of the music industry today. Lastly, he shares how he aspires to continue growing as an artist.

World renowned drummer Jimmy Chamberlin reviews his musical upbringing and career. He tells us about his siblings’ eclectic music collection, his first few bands—including a polka band—and how he worked as a carpenter for a few years. He shares stories about The Smashing Pumpkins, the role each member played in the band and why he and Billy Corgan continue to work together to this day. Jimmy also describes the creative outlet he finds in playing jazz and the overlaps he sees between music and technology.

World renowned drummer Jimmy Chamberlin reviews his musical upbringing and career. He tells us about his siblings’ eclectic music collection, his first few bands—including a polka band—and how he worked as a carpenter for a few years. He shares stories about The Smashing Pumpkins, the role each member played in the band and why he and Billy Corgan continue to work together to this day. Jimmy also describes the creative outlet he finds in playing jazz and the overlaps he sees between music and technology.

The multi-talented G. Love shares great stories and insights into his musical career. He tells us about being a street musician in Philadelphia and Boston, how he met his drummer Jeff “The Houseman” Clemens and how he felt when he got his first record deal. He looks back on his career and how he might have done some things differently (or maybe not). He discusses his approach to songwriting and how he’s finally learning how to slow down. He shares his take on the impact of the Internet and technology on musicians and takes us through his daily routine when he’s on the road.

The multi-talented G. Love shares great stories and insights into his musical career. He tells us about being a street musician in Philadelphia and Boston, how he met his drummer Jeff “The Houseman” Clemens and how he felt when he got his first record deal. He looks back on his career and how he might have done some things differently (or maybe not). He discusses his approach to songwriting and how he’s finally learning how to slow down. He shares his take on the impact of the Internet and technology on musicians and takes us through his daily routine when he’s on the road.

Powerhouse guitarist & songwriter Philip Sayce goes deep about his musical journey and aspirations. He reminisces about sneaking into blues jams at Toronto clubs, the time he spent in Jeff Healey’s band and how he launched his solo career. Philip sheds light on the dark corners of the music industry and stresses the importance of staying true to oneself.

Powerhouse guitarist & songwriter Philip Sayce goes deep about his musical journey and aspirations. He reminisces about sneaking into blues jams at Toronto clubs, the time he spent in Jeff Healey’s band and how he launched his solo career. Philip sheds light on the dark corners of the music industry and stresses the importance of staying true to oneself.

Jazz drummer Scott Laningham tells us about the role music has played in his life. He walks us through his musical upbringing and his adventures at the University of North Texas music school, moving to New York with Mitch Watkins, (nearly) touring Europe with Leonard Cohen and how he ended up living and playing in Austin, Texas. He also expounds how the Internet has affected musicians (and audiences) and explains how his musical ambitions have evolved over time.

Jazz drummer Scott Laningham tells us about the role music has played in his life. He walks us through his musical upbringing and his adventures at the University of North Texas music school, moving to New York with Mitch Watkins, (nearly) touring Europe with Leonard Cohen and how he ended up living and playing in Austin, Texas. He also expounds how the Internet has affected musicians (and audiences) and explains how his musical ambitions have evolved over time.

Jazz luminary Dr. James Polk sits down with me to review his musical career. He shares fascinating stories about his childhood in Texas, his first professional gig at age 13, being a high school band director in a segregated school, prejudice and discrimination in the South and his time in the Ray Charles Orchestra. He also shares his perspective on jazz appreciation as well as the current state and future of jazz.

Jazz luminary Dr. James Polk sits down with me to review his musical career. He shares fascinating stories about his childhood in Texas, his first professional gig at age 13, being a high school band director in a segregated school, prejudice and discrimination in the South and his time in the Ray Charles Orchestra. He also shares his perspective on jazz appreciation as well as the current state and future of jazz.

The legendary Mike Campbell covers a number of topics that include how his father influenced his appreciation of music, the cultural impact of The Beatles’ performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, his approach to songwriting, the decision to leave the University of Florida to join Mudcrutch, how he collaborates with Tom Petty, fronting his club band The Dirty Knobs, his perspective on artistic evolution, his thoughts on recording & producing music and how his favorite new guitars compare to his vintage instruments. He also talks about his involvement with the Tazzy Animal Rescue Fund, which is a non-profit that rescues dogs, gets them medical attention and helps them find good homes, often with veterans who suffer from PTSD, are physically injured or simply need the companionship that only a dog can provide.