TOP TALENT WITH RICHIE

TALENTED BROADCASTERS: BOB CUDMORE

This was a particular thrill for me, having been interviewed on Bob Cudmore's hugely successful nite time radio show back in the early 80's on AM powerhouse, WGY radio in Schenectady, NY. (there's audio to prove it, as you will discover by listening.)  So I figured -what better way to bring full closure, and shake things up in my gastrointestinal tract at the same time than to nervously attempt to interview the master! 
 Bob is a legendary columnist, author and broadcaster-turned-podcaster.. His interesting show, the HISTORIANS can be found at www.bobcudmore.com or on SOUNDCLOUD.com.  
  If you are a radio groupie as I am and remember hearing him back then, you will enjoy this talk.  We discuss radio, some of his famous guests, his beginnings, college days and much more .  
 
 My website BTW is www.hirerichie.com 
 I'm on Facebook @richiephillips 
Join my FB LIVE PIANO BARFLIES and it will let you know when the next live piano bar nite will take place.  I play your favs, and also include some home made parody songs too... 
(I wish my mom were here to hear this - she loved listening to Bob and nite time radio shows)
 

SEAN MCMASTER PT 2 -WITH CAST OF SEAN AND RICHIE SHOW

We continue the conversation and former cast members of the Sean and Richie morning show pop in to reminisce.
The morning show (mullti-award winning, I might add) was on WGNA radio in Albany NY from 1999-2016.  
 Please refer to part one's show notes for more detail.   
 
 

SEAN MCMASTER-FORMERLY OF SEAN AND RICHIE SHOW PT 1

This episode is very very different in SO many ways.  For one, it's become a 2 parter, because once we got going there was no stopping.
For the uninitiated, Sean was my partner for 17 years on radio station WGNA in Albany, NY, between 1999 and 2016.  We were the SEAN AND RICHIE SHOW, and  pretty much a #1 rated morning show for all that time -even winning a national CMA award! 
Sean was in the "big chair", and I was cohost, sidekick, or however you want to categorize it.  
But we had a big ensemble cast of characters along the way (back in radio's heyday when the business could afford such a thing), so my idea was to interview Sean and have these folks pop in as surprise guests.  
If I listed all the things that went wrong here, your eyes would start to bleed from strain, so I will spare you.  But through the magic of editing, I think I got it under control.  
Here is part 1 - ENJOY! (which you DEFINITELY will if you were a listener, and I hope my explanations throughout are enough for  if you were not... )
 
 

JOHN KING- TALENTED COUNTRY MUSIC ARTISTS

A quote from Apple Music best describes my next podcast guest
"Playing modern country music with an undercurrent of rock and roll energy and a commitment to entertaining the crowd"
  His talent and business savvy has really propelled him as a singer songwriter in Nashville.  He's written a number one hit for Randy Houser, co-written songs for Hootie and the Blowfish and others, and has several smash hits of his own - including the current hit. "Try Saying Goodbye",received an ASCAP Songwriting Award (no small accomplishment) and his song "Tonite Tonite" was the theme for NBC's Thurs Nite Football! 
   I had the privilege of meeting him back in the days during my co-hosting duties on the SEAN AND RICHIE SHOW on WGNA radio here in Albany NY .  He let me accompany him on piano live on the air, and it's one of my best memories.   I was very lucky to snag him for this podcast during the downtime he's experiencing along with the rest of us.  
   What keeps him busy?  What was it like playing in those bars in Nashville waiting to be discovered?  Who threw $100 in his tip cup one nite not knowing that it was a big country star who did it?  How did he end up being represented by Reba's management company?   These and more cool stories on this episode of TOP TALENT.
 
  His website is www.johnkingcountry.com.  His music is available on all streaming platforms and through his website .  He's also on Facebook and Instagram at John King 
   
   Want to be part of a FACEBOOK LIVE PIANO BAR? Songs, parodies, trivia and more?  Join my group--- RICHIE'S FB LIVE PIANO BARFLIES.... Will keep you posted on the next one!! 
   My website is www.hirerichie.com 
   I'm on Facebook @richiephillips and @rhyminrichiephillips 
   I'm on Twitter @rhyminrichie
   

AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST MADISON VANDENBURG RETURNS

I absolutely LOVE having her on. Amazing talent--a super nice, humble and appreciative person.  We're lucky to have her here in the Capital Region of Upstate New York (although with her talent, she might not be here for too long! )
 
We talk music, the challenges of the business, and she debuts a new song that is DYNAMITE, and really personal - titled "18".  It's available on all the streaming platforms and she also has a lyric video on YouTube -- link here https://youtu.be/l7tpFn9WLWc
We also surprised her with her number one fan.... 
I think you'll really enjoy this one... 
Thanks to her manager Adrian for helping me set this all up.. 
My Facebook page is @richiephillips
My email is Richie1077@gmail.com - if you would like to be on my mailing list to remind you of future podcasts, please shoot me yours! 
 

TALENTED SHMASK INVENTOR KARINE NISSIM

“SHIRT MEETS MASK- IT’S A SHMASK!”.  That says it all.  A mask connected  to the shirt so your kids (or you)  don’t forget it or lose it!  BRILLIANT!
   I happened to see the ad for this on Facebook and thought it was GENIUS. I contacted owner and mother of 3,  KARINE NISSIM , and we had a great chat about her inspiration (uh..3 kids...what do you  think?..DUH!)  They are also available for adults to order. 
 
 If this isn't "Shark Tank"material, I don't know what is, although she seems to be selling them like hot cakes on her own, especially in the NYC area- ever since she was on the Today Show with it.
 
I wanted to help in some small way here, because I just though it was so ingenious.   What a great holiday gift!  Please take a listen and share it.. 
BTW,  she was kind enough to offer 20% off by using the coupon code Richie20.  To see all the items, go to www.shmask.com 
  . 
 
   

TOP HARMONIZERS - ELECTRIC CITY CHOROUS FROM SCHENECTADY NY

This was the audio from my first video podcast with a great, talented group of guys from the ELECTRIC CITY CHOROUS in Schenectady, NY.
 
Of course this was recorded during the ongoing pandemic, so there is no way to get them to harmonize in sync during a Zoom call, which was disconcerting, but we had a great conversation nonetheless. 
 
How do you keep a chorous going when they're all disconnected like this?  We also get into the history of the group, their techniques, and at the end they tell you how you can get involved if by chance you would like to join.
 
Their website is http://www.electriccitychorous.net
and they are @electriccitychorous on Facebook 
My website, btw is http://www.hirerichie.com 
 I am @richiephillips on Facebook 
This podcast is done on my own time and on my own dime.  If you would like to sponsor it, I would definitely welcome any help.  Please feel free to email me at Richie1077@gmail.com for details.  
 
 

THINKING POSITIVE WITH PAULA FIDALGO

“With patience, persistence, passion, prayer and POSITIVITY, you can  achieve ANYTHING” (including hiking 46 area mountains!). Yep, she did that too!That’s Paula Fidalgo’s mantra!
  So If you’re in a “funk” lately-be it from the result of the pandemic or anything else in your life right now..take a listen to this episode.  It runs a little long, but I kept it all in so you can hear her enthusiasm toward life.  Hopefully it will rub off.  You too might end up climbing 46 high peaks. 
For more info, plus to view her own interviews, Pauls is  on Facebook and YouTube  @positivitywithpaula.
    My contact info:
richie1077@gmail.com
www.hirerichie.com
To hear latest song parodies...
     @richiephillips on Facebook and YouTube 
 
 

TALENTED EDUCATORS - FUTURE CHALLENGES DISCUSSED

In this one, we gather up several very talented educators to discuss changes to the teaching profession and survival strategies in the era of Covid-19.
 We have two teachers from Albany's Capital Region - Jamie Pink and Tracy Trainor, a local guidance counselor, Lexie Phillips, and educator from Brooklyn, NY, and my niece, Jessica Lorenz. 
There is also a little warning for all teachers put to music at the top of the episode  from yours truly...
 Some of the discussions:   Recess- Will that go away?  How about the lunchroom?  Assembly programs?  Teaching styles - how will it change when you are instructing kids on Zoom vs face to face?  This and much more..  
Also , if you go to my Facebook page @richiephillips - I have some clips of songs written by Jamie and Tracy's students in Jefferson Elementary and Menands School,   The third clip is from Lexie Phillips' school -Carroll Hill in Troy during my "Reading, Writing and Rhyming" songwriting program - something I did for over 20 years during my "stint" as a morning radio cohost.   
Enjoy! 

LIVE HAIRCUT INTERVIEW WITH TALENTED STYLIST CHAZ

For those who are still hesitant, what is it like to get your haircut in the age of Covid?  I found out.  I actually did this interview during an actual haircut with Albany veteran stylist "Chaz" from UPPER CUT.  You'll hear some buzzing and clipping sounds.  It's all real. And so is our discussion.  What precautions are being taken?  Is it really all that different than before? (I'll already tell you- YES- have you ever had your temperature taken in a salon before?) 
I also included a song I wrote the last day of my raggedy look.  I'm sure some of you can relate! 
Here's his contact info.  I highly recommend him.  Very cautious (being of the same age bracket!) 
1729 Central Ave
Albany, New York 12205
Phone
(518) 869-8155
 
Status
Today 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
 
Hours