Ric Chetter - From Radioland

Episode 373: Suburban Gangsters Author Michael Dineen

Organized crime has long been a fascinating genre in book form, even more so when the stories are true. Author Michael Dineen joins Ric in this episode to talk about his new book Suburban Gangsters. It's true because Michael lived every story told in this book. Treat this as a cautionary tale about what happens when one wrong decision sets up a series of bad decisions each one progressively worse than the last. It's a hair raising tale and Michael gives you a taste of what to expect within the pages of this riveting book.

NEXT WEEK: Brenda Taylor

Episode 372: Quality Time with William Bell

Truly one of the greatest Memphis musicians is up for a Blues Music Award celebrating his lifetime achievement in the field of blues and soul. He was there at the beginning of STAX and was there through the end. He is now re-united with STAX as Concord Music has acquired the label and all of it's holdings. He sat down with Ric & LJ to have a conversation about his storied career and a few great stories were told. The great William Bell called into the show and here it is as it aired. Also, Facebook sprung a leak and more than likely, your personal data got released to the public. 

NEXT WEEK: Who knows?

Episode 371: Ric Gets Shot & The City Champs

With the proverbial light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, Ric has scheduled his first Covid19 vaccination. In this episode, he tells you about some of the prevailing thoughts going around about the vaccine. Also, a conversation with The City Champs. Al Gamble, Joe Restivo and George Sluppick and their new album Luna '68. You'll hear some of the stories that came out of making this record and you'll hear a few select cuts. Plus, the whole notion of Doom Scrolling and how you should probably try to avoid that practice.

NEXT WEEK: A show & an interview

Episode 370: Upstream Downstream & Eddie Cotton

In this episode, Ric talks about the ups and downs of internet broadcasting thanks to a recent exploration into the numbers that drive the business of show business, analytics. The wild west of the internet is still very much without form or real function but the notion of content as king kind of gets turned on its end when you realize just what the real commodity of the internet is. The real lesson learned is this, just because you are "on demand" doesn't mean you are "in demand". Subtle, but quite accurate. Also in this episode, a conversation and music from Eddie Cotton, Jr.

NEXT WEEK: The City Champs

 

Episode 369: Airing Out The Cat & John D'Amato

When early spring rolls around to Memphis, it's time to let the cat out. In this particular sense, it means the two cats that live with Ric like to get outside. But there is a funny illusion to this practice. Also a conversation and new music with a long time friend of the show, John D'Amato. He joins the conversation via the miracle of the internet to debut some new music as well as some interesting tales from the studio. 

NEXT WEEK: Eddie Cotton

 

Episode 368: Memphis Ribs & Gina Coleman

For the first time in the history of this show, Ric took a week off. It wasn't planned. It was an accident. In this episode, Ric tells you what happens when your feet are behind you and you land on a curb. Right on your ribs. Not fun but, he is now a part of an interesting club of people who can never describe to anyone what it is like when the sauce comes off your ribs, so to speak. Also in this episode, a conversation with Gina Coleman from Misty Blues as well as a few tasty cuts from their latest collection of songs available now. 

NEXT WEEK: John D'Amato

 

Episode 367: The Big Thaw and Steve Hamm

It seemed as though most folks had a week off of everything thanks to the recent polar vortex. There were those who suffered with it more than others and it wasn't just a simple extra blanket on the bed kind of thing. In this episode, Ric takes a brief look at the damage done and the repairs being made. Also in this episode, he sits down with pilot and actor Steve Hamm to talk a bit about flying and acting as well as working through a pandemic.

NEXT WEEK: Gina Coleman and Misty Blues

Episode 366: Everybody Loves Leland Sklar

He's the bassist's bassist. He's toured with Phil Collins and Jackson Brown among many others and chances are, you have heard his work if you have listened to any classic rock. More than likely, his work is lurking in your record collection. Leland Sklar has worked on some 2,000 albums in his career. During the pandemic, he can be found on YouTube talking about some of the songs he's worked on and tells stories about the artists who have hired him. Also, Leland has a book out with absolutely delightful premise. He talks about it with Ric in this episode.

NEXT WEEK: Actor Steve Hamm

Leland Sklar's YouTube Channel

Episode 365: Jeff Krauss & Fan Room Live

There is something happening on the internet that shows us by example that some really good things can happen. Oddly enough, it took a pandemic to inspire such things however, you now have the chance to go one on one and also to be a part of group experience with a celebrity. It might be a movie star, a musician, comedian or even a professional wrestler. Jeff Krauss along with several others as well as Cedric The Entertainer have put together the opportunity for you spend some real quality time with some of your favorite people. The beautiful thing is that this doesn't end when the pandemic ends, the guys at Fan Room Live place to keep this going for quite some time. Also in this episode, Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the internet would like for you to have your data back.

NEXT WEEK: Leland Sklar

Fan Room Live

 

Episode 364: Cabin Fever with Rew Starr

If there is one thing to be said about the Covid 19 pandemic is that most people seem to have been coping with cabin fever fairly well. You could argue that artists in general would be the ones who would be having the most difficult time with the notion of being contained in their homes all this time. In this episode, Ric sits down with New York musician and artist Rew Starr and they talk about the impact a lock down can have on an artist. The good news is that Rew discovered something new about her self and has made her time inside much more bearable by being constructive. Also in this episode, you'll hear her band The Rewlettes and their version of the classic To Sir With Love and the story behind the recording and how their video was made. 

NEXT WEEK: Jeff Krauss with Fan Room Live