TOP TALENT with Richie Phillips

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
 
 

TOP TALENT WORLD COVID 19 SYMPOSIUM

Although a very serious topic, I will admit this was an amazing experience to be able to undertake- a Zoom conference with great friends from Spain, England,  a newcomer from Atlanta, Georgia (who was in Finland for a year studying) , and here in Albany, NY.
Kelly Jo Hearsey is a photographer and "Super Recognizer) for law enforcement.  Her husband Glenn installs and maintains cash register systems for restaurants and pubs. Both live in Buckinghamshire, England. Don Dworkin is a working musician from the Albany, NY area originally, and now living in  Madrid, Spain.  All 3 are longtime friends.
Dana Haberling's name was given to me by my niece, Kiti Phillips.  Dana is studying for her degree in epidemiology in Atlanta, but studied abroad for a year in Finland.
All of them give a  different "take" and amazing insights into the Covid pandemic from their experiences from where they reside,  and guarantee this will be a fascinating podcast to take a listen to.  
The podcast ends with a bit of levity -  a love song I wrote for Social Distancing.  
There's actually a "video wall" video to go with this featuring talent from the Albany, NY area, including local tv personalities and Albany's Mayor! 
Here is the link https://www.facebook.com/rhyminrichie/videos/10222743260194107/
My website BTW is www.hirerichie.com 
Coming soon - FACEBOOK LIVE PIANO BAR- every other Thursday- 7:30PM taking your requests!   @richiephillips
 

Road Warrior Roundtable 2 - Carmen Lookshire, Jeff Brisbin, Joe Kulewicz of Skeeter Creek

Another great discussion under less-than-happy circumstances.  
We talk to Carmen Lookshire, Jeff Brisbin, and Joe Kulewicz of Skeeter Creek about how these popular Albany Area, Capital Region musicians are dealing with being unable to pursue their live performances.
But we do talk in the positive as well and describe how they are coming up with clever alternatives in spite of the coronavirus. 
Here is how you can follow these TOP TALENTS online:
www.carmenlookshire.com 
on Facebook @CarmenTheSinger
www.jeffbrisbin.com 
Joe Kulewicz at www.skeetercreek.com 
on Facebook @Skeeter Creek
My website (looking for a custom song for that special someone?  Info is on there!, along with booking info, some parody songs, nostalgic old photos etc... 
www.hirerichie.com 
on Facebook @Richie Phillips or Rhyminrichiephillips 
Check out ALL the episodes on here ! (42 and counting).  
 
PS I also include a short calendar of upcoming Facebook Live events featuring other Albany Area musicians ( at the end of the podcast)
Please be safe, and if you love someone - KEEP YOUR DISTANCE (weird seeing those two thoughts together! ) 
 
 
 

Road Warrior Roundtable 1- Erin Harkes, Chris Dollard, Sonny and Perley

If you are fans of these TOP TALENTS-  Erin Harkes, Chris Dollard, Sonny Daye and Perley Rousseau- and there are PLENTY of them in Albany's Capital Region and beyond, I ask that you take 1/2 hour or so of your time and listen to this discussion.
 We all need entertainment and music in our lives, and these folks have been impacted bigly from this horrific pandemic.   They discuss their trials and tribulations here and possible things they are doing in the positive.  (And yes, you'll get some chuckles along the way) 
 This is Roundtable discussion 1- there will be more! 
  To follow them and support them:
  www.erinharkes.com  and click on the Patreon page to help her out 
ChrisDollard on Facebook 
ChrisDollardmusic.com 
Sonnyandperley.com
Sonnyandperley on Facebook

MARK FLEISCHER -BETTY BOOP, POPEYE, AND HISTORY OF ANIMATION

 
Mark Fleischer is the grandson of renowned animation pioneer Max Fleischer, and CEO of Fleischer Studios in California. .  Our connection here is that Max's sister was my brother Bill and my grandmother.  So this is a thrill in many ways to connect with him.  
Thanks again to Ginny Mahoney Max’s granddaughter) for connecting me with Mark in the first place.  It made for a fascinating look into the creations and inventions of Max and his brothers.
 
Go to www.fleischerstudios.com for extensive detailed history and archived cartoons!  
 
 
I dedicate this podcast to all my family members who are branches of this big tree...(I’ll never get to them all......apologies in advance..).  but they include..
 
Ethel (Max Fleischer’s sister) and Ben Phillips (grandparents)
Their 3 Kids and spouses:  Morton and Rosalind Phillips  (mom and dad), 
Larry and Phyllis Phillips (aunt and uncle)
Paula and Maurice Seide (aunt and uncle)
 
THEIR KIDS AND SPOUSES in order of the couples above...
 
Morton and Rosalind Phillips:
RICHIE AND DORRIE PHILLIPS
BILL AND KAREN PHILLIPS
 
Larry and Phyllis Phillips:
DIANE AND DR MARK STENCLIK
NANCY AND MERRICK GOTLIB
DR. PAUL PHILLIPS
 
Paula and Maurice Seide
STEVE AND SUSAN SEIDE
ARLENE AND GEORGE NELSON
 
AND TO THE MANY KIDS OF THOSE KIDS, THEIR SPOUSES AND THEIR KIDS......
 OMG -What did I get myself into!
 
Thanks to my brother Bill Phillips, our son Ben Phillips, niece Jessica Lorenz  and nephew Tyler Phillips, and cousin Steve Seide for contributing questions.  I know my nephew Matt Phillips would have but is in the weeds covering the stock market debacle..
Please enjoy the podcast and I would appreciate if could subscribe and even leave a comment.  It helps greatly!  
And one more thing - if you are planning a function and want entertainment (live keyboards with vocals or recorded music- DJ style.)...go to www.hirerichie.com
 

SANGAH NOONA- PIANIST EXTRAORDINAIRE

This lady is EXACTLY what this podcast was created for.. to expose people to Top Talent..and SANGAH NOONA is IT!  Originally from South Korea, and now living in the Washington D.C. area, Sangah shows us how she has mastered the’88’s on YouTube and Facebook each week as well as in hotels in D.C. , and has a massive fan base to show for it.  (and she can now add ine more to that!)
I stumbled upon her one night accidentally  by Googling “BEATLES PIANO”.  Her interpretations absolutely mesmerized me personally, and she plays EVERY genre imaginable.... Although I focus more on Albany NY area talent, I just HAD to make an exception.  Search her name on YouTube and sit back and you’ll see what I mean...And if you check it out on Sundays, you’ll see her LIVE taking requests! But before you do all that, please take a listen and share if you care!  ( I even wrote her a theme song because “NOONA” rhymes with where I live.. NISKAYUNA!). I couldn’t resist as I am now a HUGE fan, and you will be too!