As promised singer/songwriter Shannon Curtis stops by the studio for an interview and live performances. She was playing Mick's the night of the interview and we had a great time talking about her music, touring and car wash excursions. She performed two songs for the show and was a true delight to chat with. Her show at Mick's that night was also a treat for everyone who attended.

Music:

"Cannonball" by Your 33 Black Angels
"Don't Call Me" (live) by Shannon Curtis
"Paris Can't Have You" (live) by Shannon Curtis
"Boomerangs and Seesaws" by Shannon Curtis

Can you believe it's episode 60!?! Thank to everyone for all the support and especially to my wonderful guests who have been on the show and come in to play live in the studio.

This episode, singer/songwriter Susan Gibson stops by the studio before her show at Mick's. She talks about writing, her career and plays a couple tunes for us. She is currently on tour supporting her new record "New Dog, Old Tricks."

Susan Gibson was the lead singer for the alternative country band, The Groobees, and is the writer of the Dixie Chicks hit "Wide Open Spaces"

Susan Gibson's "Wide Open Spaces" was a massive hit for the Dixie Chicks and her platinum calling card to fame. Last year's Outer Space re-established the Austin area resident in the ranks of popular singer-songwriters and reaffirmed her determined direction down heartfelt highways. – Margaret Moser - Austin Chronicle

“New Dog, Old Tricks” recaptures and reinvents two songs co-written with ex-bandmate Scott Melott. Look for a hauntingly desperate but utterly timely delivery of “Miles City,” a song so cloaked in despair that it clings to the listener long past the last note. The frustrated communicator comes out in “Walls Come Down,” a moody piece with a pop/rock edge. Both songs represent the versatility of Gibson’s songwriting prowess and underscore the “huge emotional growth” she’s undergone since the Groobees disbanded. “New Dog, Old Tricks” reflects what others will say has been a circuitous route to her own good fortune, but Gibson has gotten there, nonetheless, and listeners will be thankful for it.

Music:

"Eyesore" by Amelia
"Cloud 9" (Live) by Susan Gibson
"Last Word" (Live) by Susan Gibson
"Start Over" by Susan Gibson (off of "New Dog, Old Tricks)

In this episode, I wanted to showcase a few artists that will be coming to Mick's Music Bar here in Omaha. A couple of these artists will be stopping by the studio the day of their show to perform a couple in studio songs and chat about their respective tours.

But what I realized is, that locally, this doesn't do anything to help promote the show here in Omaha. So, I brought in my friend Michael Campbell (Owner of Mick's Music Bar) and we put together a show that would give you a little preview of what to expect from these fine performers. This way, you can hear the music, then see them live at the show this weekend.

I would encourage everyone who loves quality music (and if you listen to this podcast then you probably do) to check out Mick's schedule and stop in for some great performances. Many of the artists that he books are extremely popular on either coast and tour nationally, so I am hoping that we are a cool enough town to show the same kind of support. Get off your asses and hear what you have been missing.

I hope to do a few of these kinds of episodes so that all my listeners can get exposed to some new music and get a taste of the artists that are coming through town, here and across the nation.

Music:

"Killing the Blues" by Riverside Anthology
"Perfect World" by Susan Gibson
"Don't Call Me" by Shannon Curtis
"Paris Can't Have You" by Shannon Curtis
"Push Me Pull Me" by Shannon Curtis

Mick's Music Bar Online

On this episode, I am joined by my daughters Maggie and Kendall. We talk about how bored they are with the summer (are you kidding?) and about how much they are looking forward to going back to school. We play a couple bits that they have helped me with over the course of the show, such as Maggie's "tone" promo and Kendall's Homers Records promo. They're pretty good on the mic and might have a good chance to grow up and become big stars. That is if they ever learn to clean their room...

Music:

"My Kick Ass Life" by Adam Marsland
"Don't Hold It Against Me" by Leesha Harvey
"Hold On" by the Jonas Brothers

Flight Metaphor joins me in the studio for an interview and a couple of songs. The band has a debut album on the horizon as well as a CD release show. They were nice enough to bring in chips and salsa. Maybe I should require all my guests to bring in snacks! Or booze...

Flight Metaphor on Myspace

Speaking of booze, here is the drink that changed our summer. The Tom Collins. Thanks to guest Darren Keen of the Show is the Rainbow. We found this recipe and have been drinking them ever since.

2 shots gin
1 shot lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
lots of ice
---put into shaker and shake the shit out of it to dissolve the sugar. Strain into collins glass filled with ice.

---Add 3 oz of club soda. Garnish with slice of lemon. Enjoy.

Music:

"I'm Dungeons You're Dragons" by The Alligators
"Flat OnYour Face / Slagathor" by Flight Metaphor

Darren Keen joins me in the studio with a round of Tom Collins for this latest episode and brings a demo of his new record. We talk about how this local musician did things his own way and took his act, The Show Is The Rainbow all over the world and back. This one man show consists of Keen, his computer, and a video screen. He creates all his music and performs to tracks live while projecting his own home made video behind him.

His show is known for its artistic craziness with Keen sometimes sporting a shirtless chest and a single mic while engaging the audience with his beats and thrashing movements in front of his videos as he explores the deepest connection between himself and his music. A TSITR show can, and sometimes does, involve some levels of nudity, bloodshed, altered state of minds, screaming, dancing, bewilderment and most often enjoyment.

We explore subjects such as touring, the state of our local music scene, recording, hookers, blow, and pregnant whores.

Music:

"I Am The Secretary" by Beep Beep
"Gothic Cajun" by The Show Is The Rainbow
"Mother and Son" by The Show Is The Rainbow

This episode I am joined by Filmstreams creator Rachel Jacobson and friend Orenda Fink. We enjoy some wine and martinis while talking about how Rachel brought to life the indie theater even though some thought she was crazy. She found an eager audience, financial donors, enthusiastic friends and a venue that turned her dream into reality. Together the three of us talk about that long road to succesful stability in a creative feild that can often times feel like a roller coaster ride.

Music:

"Stars" by Rue Royale
"Ha Ha" by Mates of State

Filmstreams website
Orenda Fink online

Hola mi amigos! Welcome to Episode 54! This episode I feature an interview with Roger Clyne. You might remember him from a little band from Arizona called the Refreshments, but for the last 10 years, it's been Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers that have been taking fans by storm. He is returning to the Big O on July 10th and once again rockin' the Waiting Room in support of "Turbo Ocho," an album where the band holed up in a house in Mexico to write and record 8 songs in 8 days.

Speaking of storms, locals may know that Omaha also got rocked by a severe storm the other night. Never have seen anything like that in my life. Fucking maddness!

The Omaha scene is in a 2-page spread in the latest SPIN Magazine. Check it out and see just how cool we are.

Music:
"Mess" by Flight Metaphor
"I Do" by Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers

I have some fantastic guests coming up on the show with a few shows being released within a few days, so keep checking back and better yet - subscribe to the podcast. Leave your comments and / or call the show and leave me a message.