Steve Richards talks to Mark Farner. Closer to My Home” is the long-awaited, new album from legendary guitarist and singer/songwriter Farner. Bridging past and present, the grit of industry and the calloused hard work of a rural man, “Closer to My Home” champions Farner’s multi-faceted artistry. Celebrating the 55th anniversary of the iconic hit “(I’m Your Captain) Closer To My Home” the album is highlighted with a re-record, finding Farner in exactly the same form as 1970.
As one of the founding members, lead singer, lead guitarist, and wrote more than 90% of the Grand Funk music catalog, Farner has always been known as the energetic driving force on stage, the engine that pulled the original Grand Funk Railroad to the top of the charts. From his soulful voice and power rock riffs, to fueling the Funk with his atomic stage presence. His story and his imprint on music starts with Flint and since 1969 from his humble beginnings and a blue-collar outlook, Farner has captained a global crusade for love, peace and freedom and became a rock ‘n’ roll icon. “Closer to My Home” is on Righteous Rock Records and is distributed by MVD Entertainment Group and is available via vinyl and CD.
Steve Richards talks to Michael Wilton co- founder and guitarist for Queensryche. Queensryche plays at The Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday November 19. Queensryche will be playing The EP and The Warning in their entirety at this show. ( photo courtesy of Unchained Management, Music and Media).
Steve Richards talks to original Kansas guitarist Richard Williams. With a legendary career spanning five decades, KANSAS has firmly established itself as one of America’s iconic classic rock bands. This “garage band” from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide.
Composing a catalogue that includes sixteen studio albums and five live albums, KANSAS has produced eight gold albums, three sextuple-Platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, Best of KANSAS), one platinum live album (Two for the Show), one quadruple-Platinum single ‘Carry On Wayward Son,’ and another triple-Platinum single ‘Dust in the Wind.’ KANSAS appeared on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the ‘70’s and ‘80’s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan. ‘Carry On Wayward Son’ continues to be one of the top five most played songs on classic rock radio, and ‘Dust In the Wind’ has been played on the radio more than three million times.
Kansas will be at The Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium in Spartanburg, SC on Saturday November 16. ( Photo Credit: David Carstens).
Steve Richards talks to Vixen drummer Roxy Petrucci. There is only one all-female rock band from the 80’s that has sold over a million albums, had six # 1 videos on MTV and had four songs in Billboard’s top 100. Vixen was founded in St. Paul, MN by high-schooler guitarist Jan Kuehnemund. The desire to achieve rock star dreams like so many before her, Jan took her group to Hollywood but soon retooled the line-up, which included; vocalist Janet Gardner, drummer Roxy Petrucci, and Bassist Share Ross (Pedersen). This year a new chapter began with the addition of Rosa Laricchiuta (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) stepping into lead vocals with Janet Gardner pursuing other ventures. Rosa rounds out the finely tuned line-up bringing powerful vocals to Vixen’s catalog of crowd pleasers. Vixen will be at The Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg this Sunday (8/25/24).
Steve Richards talks to Jeff Keith from Tesla. Tesla will be at The Mountain Music Festival this weekend in Gatlinburg. Jeff started singing at 24 years old while drivin’ a semi truck delivering rock and septic tanks in the mountains of Northern California. He sang in a band with his brother called “Troubleshooter” before joining Frank Hannon and Brian Wheat in 1983 in their cover band called “City Kidd” which was later named “TESLA.” He was born in Texarkana and grew up in Northern California as well as Idabel, Oklahoma, where he graduated High School and majored in FFA (Future Farmers of America) before moving back to Georgetown, California, a small mountain town in the Sierras. JK won a singing contest and was introduced to the guys through some friends who knew the band. Despite his lack of experience at the time, it was his unique and raspy voice that caught the band’s ear.
Steve Richards talks to Roger Earl, original member of Foghat. Foghat’s journey began in 1971 when Lonesome Dave Peverett and Roger Earl left Savoy Brown to start their own band. In 1975, they released Fool for the City, an album that included the hit song “Slow Ride.” This track became a huge success and is still one of the band’s most recognizable songs. The success of “Slow Ride” was followed by 1977’s Foghat Live, a multi-platinum album that solidified their place on the worldwide music map. Over the years, Foghat has earned eight Gold Records, one Platinum Record, and one Double Platinum record. Foghat will be at The Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg this weekend.
Steve Richards talks to Quiet Riot bassist Rudy Sarzo about the late Randy Rhoads, playing with Ozzy and his one phobia. Quiet Riot will be at The Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg this Saturday (8/24).
Steve Richards talks to Mark Kendall, guitarist and co- founder of Great White about how he started the band with the late Jack Russell, how the band got it’s name, and working on new material for a new Great White album. Great White will be at the Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg this Friday night (8/23/24).
JB talks to Bill Payne from Little Feat about their new album, “Sam’s Place” featuring Sam Clayton covering Willie Dixon’s “You’ll be Mine.”
Band photo credit: Hank Randall.
Steve Richards talks to original founding member Don Brewer from Grand Funk Railroad. Don talks about starting out in Flint, Michigan in the late 60’s and what it was like to play at Shea Stadium in New York and sell it out faster than The Beatles in the early 70’s. Grand Funk’s THE LOCO-MOTION TOUR 2024 will be steaming into Greenville at The Peace Center on May 2 and at The Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on May 31.
Steve Richards talks to Ian Hill from Judas Priest about the new album and upcoming tour. Judas Priest will be at PNC Music Pavilion on May 14.
Steve Richards talks to Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon about the upcoming summer tour with Train and his memoir. REO Speedwagon will be in Knoxville on Wednesday March 27 and Spartanburg on March 29.
JB talks to Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blackfoot about his new single. Lynyrd Skynyrd plays in Greenville on March 14 and Knoxville on March 15 with ZZ Top.
JB talks to 38 Special founding member Don Barnes. 38 Special will be at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino on March 15.
JB talks to Artimus Pyle from Lynyrd Skynyrd about his new album “Anthems” which honors the music of Skynyrd.
Steve Richards talks to Joseph Williams from Toto. Joe talks about how he ended up in TOTO, the resurgence of the song “Africa” and his famous father, prolific film composer John Williams. Toto and Journey are at The Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville on February 14.
Crystal talked to JY of STYX about 2 shows coming to town and what he enjoyed most about touring across North America.
James Young of STYX talks to Crystal from Mountain Mornings about their show next Friday Night at Harrah’s in Cherokee and their next tour with Foreigner this Summer with special guest John Waite.
How to get tickets this year to Xmas Jam if you’re local! Rick & Crystal chat with Warren Haynes about this year’s ROCKIN’ Line Up!
Rick & Crystal talk to the founding member of the Doobie Brothers, Pat Simmons. They are currently on their 50th Anniversary Tour. We learned that Pat lived in the destroyed area of Lahaina in Maui and they are hoping to put together something to benefit those affected by the wildfires soon.
Steve Richards talks to Marc Labelle from Dirty Honey, the next generation of Classic Rock.
The release of Dirty Honey’s single “Won’t Take Me Alive” comes in tandem with the final leg of Dirty Honey’s “California Dreamin’” UK/European headline tour, the band’s third in the past two years, comprised of sold-out headline shows, and support slots with KISS and Guns N’ Roses. Dirty Honey will launch the first leg of their 2023-24 world tour in North America this month, supporting Guns N’ Roses (including the Charlotte show on August 29), and then they will play headline dates in October/November/December. And the new album will be out this fall too.
For more on Dirty Honey tour dates click HERE.
Steve Richards talks to Rick Springfield about his new album “Automatic.”
105.9 The Mountain presents Led Zeppelin 2: The Live Experience at Salvage Station on the indoor stage this Thursday July 21, 2023. Steve Richards had a chance to talk to lead singer Bruce Lamont.
Steve Richards talks To Mark Rivera.
While most successful sidemen are lucky to spend a decade in the music business, multi-instrumentalist Mark Rivera is working on his fifth.
Best known as Billy Joel’s saxophonist as well as Musical Director for Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band, Rivera has shared the stage with some of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s greatest performers, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Tony Bennett, Sheila E., Joe Walsh, Hall & Oates, and Peter Gabriel.
Rick and Crystal talk to Vivian Campbell with Def Leppard
Rick & Crystal talked to Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard about their new album release Drastic Symphonies.
Rick and Crystal talk to Asheville’s own Warren Haynes
Warren Hayes talks about his busy schedule including 2 shows at Asheville’s Salvage Station and the release of his new album coming in June.
Alice Cooper @75 by Gary Graff
Pythons, guillotines, stage blood…Alice Cooper is widely considered the godfather of shock rock thanks to his inventive concoction of vaudeville, horror film conceits, and three-chord rock ’n’ roll. In Alice Cooper at 75, veteran rock journalist Gary Graff shows you this rock icon through the lens of 75 career accomplishments, events, and partnerships.
About the Author
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist based in Detroit. He is a regular contributor to the Billboard, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Media News Group, Ultimate Classic Rock, Consequence, and other publications, as well as to radio stations in Detroit and Milwaukee. He is the co-author of Neil Young: Long May You Run, Rock ‘n’ roll Myths: The True Stories Behind the Most Famous Legends, and Travelin’ Man: On the Road and Behind the Scenes with Bob Seger, editor of The Ties That Bind: Bruce Springsteen A to E to Z, and the series editor of the MusicHound Essential Album Guides. He is also co-founder and co-producer of the Emmy Award-winning Detroit Music Awards. Graff lives in Beverly Hills, Michigan.
New Jersey-based rockers SKID ROW are one of the most successful acts in the early 90’s and quickly became a predominant force in the genre. Their youth, ambition, and knack for writing catchy songs helped attract a worldwide following. Since their debut album SKID ROW has generated multi-platinum success and massive radio hits such including “18 and Life”, “Monkey Business”, I Remember You” and “Youth Gone Wild” to their latest album The Gang’s All Here. Skid Row has a show in Greensboro at Piedmont Hall on March 25, 2023. Steve Richards had a chance to catch up with original member and bassist Rachel Bolan.
Photo Credit: Chuck Arlund
Steve Richards talks to REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin. REO will be at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Event Center on Friday February 3.
Photo Credit: Randee St. Nicholas.
Rick and Crystal talk to JY (James Young) of STYX
Rick & Crystal talked to JY (James Young) of STYX ahead of their show at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Event Center on 1/7/2023.
Rick and Crystal talk to Jeff Baxter.
You’ve heard his extraordinary and captivating guitar playing thousands of times – on groundbreaking, multi-platinum albums by Steely Dan (a band he co-founded) and the Doobie Brothers (with whom he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), and on countless smash hit songs and albums he’s participated in. But the one place you haven’t heard the exceptional talents of guitarist Skunk Baxter is on an album where he gets the opportunity to focus on the personal…a record all his own.
Jeff has a new solo album out too, Speed of Heat, on BMG/Renew Records. For music fans of all stripes, Speed of Heat will prove well worth the wait. The 12-song album is a riveting & rewarding musical experience that features originals co-written by the guitarist and his keyboardist/producing partner, CJ Vanston, as well as inspired versions of some of the great classics. Along the way, Baxter is joined by special guests such as Michael McDonald, Clint Black, Jonny Lang and Rick Livingstone, each of whom adds their own unique and remarkable musical talents to the project’s brilliant sonic mosaic.
Rick and Crystal talk to E- Street Band Member and Actor Little Steven.
Little Steven is the host of The Underground Garage heard Sunday nights from 10pm- Midnight on 105.9 The Mountain.
