TOP TALENT WITH RICHIE

To Tip Or Not To Tip w/ Guest- Yono’s Dominick Purnomo

Take a tip and listen to this episode!  This one discusses the very controversial move by NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo to end the "tip credit" - the ability for restaurants to pay less of a "minimum wage" than others  to servers being that they accept tips.   
We open with a RHYME-A-TORIAL from yours truly, and then we will speak to noted Albany restauranteur Dominic Purnomo - co-owner of the iconic YONO's Indonesian restaurant in downtown Albany, NY (info at www.yonos.com)
He will give his thorough take on the subject, and you will come away really understanding both sides of the dilemma...  
 
P.S.  If you enjoyed the musical part, this is the kind of thing I can do for YOUR next event - perform some stand-up keyboard comedy, DJ for dance music if needed,  and can  include a custom-written song about someone in your organization (retiree, employees of the year, etc)   
  Examples and testimonials at www.hirerichie.com 
  There is a video of this song on my YouTube channel (forgive me-- just playing with my slideshow software)     https://youtu.be/GXjtsrs3-0U
 
 

Top Albany Area Country Artist: Mark Pierre

Time to celebrate LOCAL musicians - the folks who go out and beat the bushes day after day (correction: nite after nite)- playing and singing their hearts out - carrying the torch for the musical genre they love.  In this case, we are talking about country music.  
This gentleman is an old friend, and I totally respect his dedication to country music -especially the classic variety.   In an odd way, I'm not sure I would have ever gotten involved with country radio had it not been for him.  Take a listen and we will explain! 
We talk music, songwriting, family, his new gig as frontman for the locally iconic BACK 40 BAND, and much, much more. 
Although I actually should have interviewed his fantastic wife Lisa to find out how she put up with him all these many moons, I will wait on that as I now bring you my discussion with local singer, songwriter and finacial guru-  MARK PIERRE. 
Find out more about where he and his band will be appearing at https://www.b40band.com/

Top New Country Artist : Dustin Collins

His debut hit "Cold Dead Hands" was  number one on the country charts.  Not bad for an independent artist!
I had a great discussion with him about his controversial new song and his upcoming album "It's Been Awhile".  
 
It's definitely "been awhile" since we spoke last (Actually we've NEVER spoken before!).  Check out this in depth "audio bio".
 
More info about him at www.DustinCollinsmusic.com aand DustinCollinsmusic on Facebook

The Phil Vassar Interview: Country's PIANO MAN

This one was a special thrill. I DEFINITELY took it to THE TOP of the country music business with this guy!  
 
He came on our morning radio show in Albany NY years ago (he looks alot younger, and I had hair).   A few years after that, we had a country music festival in Saratoga, NY, and he invited me to go onstage and accompany him while HE sang!  How surreal was THAT? 
 
I never forgot how friendly and generous he was of his time.  But it didn't end there.  He gave me 45 MORE minutes in between his busy schedule for this podcast.  
 
If you know his songs, you'll love this.  If you are a musician, he digs a little deeper into his process of writing, his musical influences,  and keyboard technique as well. 
 
His newest smash hit is "Fall Crazy" and you can hear it here 
He also has a new TV series coming out on Fox TV -  Songs from the Cellar.  Watch for it! 
More info at www.philvassar.com
 
 
    SHAMELESS PLUG - BTW  I'm going to be at the Eden Cafe on Fri, July 20 and Fri Nov 2, in an intimate piano bar setting -for a special Country Nite! (I'll be attempting some of his songs among others old and new.  
  Info here 
 

GUEST: COUNTRY NEWCOMER ADAM RUTLEDGE PLUS RICHIE'S "BRO COUNTRY SONG"

Adam Rutledge is a dynamic country newcomer managed by superstar songwriter/performer Phil Vassar.  I was lucky to get a quick chat with him.  (Apologies in advance for the slightly irritating hiccups, pops and clicks due to a less than optimum phone connection.  If I had my way, I would have called him and done it again, but didn't want to push my luck.  I was happy to have the chance to talk to him)   We discuss his debut album RUNWAY, his first single "Love Kickin' In", his interesting Phil Vassar connection, and we will check the accuracy of info posted on the interwebs about him (some turned out to be true - and some?  WOW! WAYYYY of base.)  
I am also chomping at the bit to speak with Phil himself.  He has agreed to come on, and will let you know definitely when that happens!
 
You can find RUNWAY on iTunes and Spotify.  His website is Adamrutledge.com
SHAMELESS PLUG DEPT:
I am doing a Country Piano Bar nite at a cool little venue:  the  EDEN CAFE, 269 Osbourne Rd, LOUDONVILLE, NY on Fri July 20th.  Will be singing some old, some new tunes  and some original novelty ditties  as well as brushes with  country artists from my WGNA radio days. So it's a nite of singin', playin' and name droppin'.  I hope you'll join me!  Special guest musicians and pals Jennifer Goodwin and Paul Byrd will join me as well!
Starts at 7:30PM (dinner menu and drinks available)  You can get tickets here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brushes-with-country-fame-with-piano-man-rhymin-richie-phillips-tickets-45972760765?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
 
 
PLANNING A WEDDING? CONFERENCE? PRIVATE FUNCTION?  DJing  and keyboard comedy at your service! http://www.hirerichie.com.  On facebook @rhyminrichie

A SONG FOR SEARS AND MEMORIES OF MY PARENTS' STORE

On this episode - Let's call it TOP GRIPE - Very upset over the closing in our area of my favorite chain store, SEARS.  Hard to believe it's gone.  And of course that got the mind wandering to the days of my parents' "mom and pop" store on Eastern Long Island in the town of Mattituck.  That one closed YEARS ago....  so I have a few anecdotes about that.  
 
My song, "Goodbye Sears" is also a video (as I mess with my homemade green screen studio).  Would love you to check that out as well on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVCXKwcIcXATneuDsMu2nmA
Looking for entertainment for your next event? Conference? Business function?  Retirement party?  Wedding?  Email me!  Richie1077@gmail.com or check out my website at www.hirerichie.com  I have tons of samples and testimonials.
 
Other contact info:  
www.facebook.com/rhyminrichie 
www.instagram.com/rhyminrich
Oh, and one more thing.  PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST SO I CAN LET YOU KNOW WHEN OTHERS COME OUT (sorry to yell.....) 
 

SONG FOR SARATOGA PLUS STORIES OF THE NIGHT CLUBS OF THE 1920's with guest STUART ARMSTRONG

On this episode I have written a Song for Saratoga based on information given to me by fellow Facebook folk. Thanks for playing along!
 
Also, guest Stuart Armstrong has studied the famed Saratoga Lakehouses of the 1920s-50's.  These were old nigh tclubs that featured some famous entertainers like Bing Crosby, Desi Arnaz and the like.  Interesting history of these places that pursued gambling and copious liquor consumption despite the strict laws of the time.  
 
 

RICHIE'S NOT SO SMART HOME SONG plus Guest LOREAL LAVIGNA

This podcast features "Top Tech" - how it can be incredibly helpful (especially to people with special circumstances) but also we touch on the problems it causes - especially in my case.  So much so that I wrote a song about my attempt to rig up a "smart home".  
 
"NOT SO SMART HOME" SONG - words and music ©2018 Richie Phillips   All Rights Reserved
 
                                   EVENTS MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST
 
Come see Loreal Lavigna sing with  Kyle Bourgault Band 8/11 at Brunswick Elks
https://www.facebook.com/LorealLavigna
 
John me at Wheatfields Pub Clifton Park Fri June 8th 6-9pm at the piano in the bar
 
Also doing a little Keyboard Comedy for  - BISTRO NITE A get-together for wedding and business professionals - May 22nd 6PM at Birch Hill Catering off i-90 in Castleton.   Also featuring comedian Greg Aidala and author Lorraine Toth.
 
 
But THAT’S NOT ALL!   Eden Cafe 269 Osbourne Rd Loudonville Fri July 20  7:30-9:30pm
“Brushes with Country Fame” Nite with stories of country stars I’ve met and the songs that made them famous.  
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brushes-with-country-fame-with-piano-man-rhymin-richie-phillips-tickets-45972760765?aff=es2
I’m ALWAYS looking for a booking!  If you are planning an event, check out www.hirerichie.com for ideas, testimonials and samples.  
 

NEWS 10 METEROLOGIST STEVE CAPORIZZO

A fun. Many times emotional interview with veteran chief meteorologist Steve Caporizzo from News 10 ABC in Albany, NY.  (The emotional part comes when he talks about his passion for pets and the abuse he has witnessed).  He also gives a fantastic explanation for the flukey weather we have experienced in the northeast this past winter.  You “science geeks” will love it!
A fantastic guy on and off camera, and a longtime friend that I was thrilled to have on.
 
This is my longest podcast to date, but we were so happy to be able to talk freely without the confines of conventional broadcast time constraints, and I think you’ll get to know him even better because of it!

THE TOP -GEOVANNY SANTAMARIA/VISIT TO AMAZON GROCERY STORE WITH JANET MANUTA

My first "2 parter". 
 
PART 1
Geovanny Santamaria is an amazing educator and Latin band frontman from NY.  We talk about teaching, we play clips from his incredible band GENERACION SIN ROSTRO, and much more. Great guy-fun interview.
Check out their website at http://www.gsrband.org/#about
 
PART 2
WE'RE GROWING!  I finally hired a TOP "woman on the street" reporter!  (Well, "hired" is a strong word)  Actually, we have friends, Janet and Lou Manuta, who moved to Seattle recently. And with recent news of the opening of AMAZON GO - a grocery store with no checkout line (cuz they gots no checkout at all!), I thought it would be cool to find out more about it, so Janet kindly volunteered to take a ride and become our eyes and ears. 
SEE PHOTOS ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE - @richiephillips