Tag Archives: Clay Howard

My Holiday or: A Happy Podfather

30 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Podcasting, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

Today I get to celebrate a holiday that many celebrate now but when I started there were a lot fewer. Today is International Podcast Day.

I have mentioned before that I have been podcasting longer than probably 98% people in the area and probably that much or more continuously. I started podcasting in 2007 when I was co-owner of a local comic book store. We only did about 5 or 6 that was even worth mentioning and it most of that was rehashing recorded conference calls with Marvel Comics execs. But, it was a start and wasn’t what I wanted to do. I wanted to do a radio show. I wanted to talk about pop culture. I still want to do radio. And, in a way, I do.

I started The Less Desirables with my pal Brian Attridge on February 3, 2010. You know that story. Eugene came along, Brian left, Caitlin came, Eugene left, Bruce came, Bruce left, Danielle came, Caitlin left, Bethany came. I’ve talked that ad nauseum by now. I wanted to do more than The Less Desirables, though. I wanted a whole network of podcasts, whether I was involved or not, perhaps just as an associate producer. Also, I wanted to get my “studio” out of my house and into a real business location.

So, in late 2012, Eugene and I moved all my stuff from my bedroom loft to a spot in the Chatham Building off of Fourth Street in WSNC. Soon after, in early 2013, I started producing both the Camel City News Hour hosted by Chad Nance and Fan Interference hosted by Ty Collins. CCNH lasted a few years and Fan Interference is still going today. Later in 2013, Nikki Miller-Ka, The BCPF and I started Tart & Tangy Triad, a food news podcast. That went until early 2016.

In February 2015, five years after starting The Less Desirables, Jon Lowder, Paul Jones, and I started The Beer Dads Podcast, after we were sitting at Small Batch Beer trying to decide what we were going to do a podcast about and I came in complaining about 3B, my son. We recorded it and Jon and Paul have become partners of mine. We have crossed the 200 episode mark.

In July of 2016, I recorded my first episode of The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast because I wanted another food podcast and had to rebut nasty comments about a critique of a local restaurant that I was actually a fan of. That is still going and I have had four co-hosts. Kelly Bone was my first, followed by Tim Johnson, then Ray Morgan. Ray is still with me and we have added Lea Metz to our lineup. I love them both being there. We will record episode 170 next week.

In late 2016, I started Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast with Jordan Keiper and we had a lot of drinking to do, for sure. We recorded into 2017 had to pause due to an illness in Jordan’s family. We are still on that hiatus, although Jordan and I have discussed, along with Danielle from TLD restarting it back up, but C-19 and other issues have kept us from doing that.

In 2018, along with “Jeff Evans” and Rory, we started Apartment 5B: Irrational Conversations with the Cool Breezes of Anytown, USA. We did that up to the pandemic, which JE’s wife was getting ready to have a baby, so we put everything on hold and we haven’t started back up.

In July 2019, Clay Howard and I started Beeswax Vinyl & More, a podcast that explored music in a different way. Clay’s schedule didn’t allow for him to do that long. I’m exploring other options for that. I haven’t given up on it. Stay tuned.

In February of 2020, Eugene B Sims started his long-awaited podcast, Wheeler’s Dog. He does two a week, one for the general public and one for his Patreon subs. I am an “associate producer” for that show. It’s all Eug, really. But, it is on my network.

And, finally, in July of this year, my “Kousins” Gary and Marvin and I started Asylum: The Tales from the Devereaux Diaries Podcast. We talk music but almost exclusively about our favorite band, KISS.

Also, I have produced a lot of podcasts for companies and clients. Forsyth Magazines, Blue Door Group, Phoenix Rising, Ring the Bell Realty, Center for Private Business, Dr. Shawn Ricks, and more are on the way in the next few months.

So, podcasting is now in my blood. I have done it so long and for so many that I’ve been christened, “The Podfather” and I love that title. I run with it and will continue to do so. So, to all my podcasting co-horts, whether they’re mine or not, to those in the community that do podcasts that I’m not part of but may have been inspired by (so I’ve been told) and to the people who listen to them, HAPPY INTERNATIONAL PODCAST DAY!!!!!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I think podcasting is here to stay.” – Adam Scott

The New List or: Back to the Grind

24 Thursday Sep 2020

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Salutations™!!

Well, it happened. Eight years after they published the last Top 500 Albums of All Time, Rolling Stone Magazine has released a fresh, brand new list. I will admit I haven’t read through it yet. But, I do plan on making a comparison between the 2012 list and this 2020 list and filling the gaps of listening. I am prepared to complain about some missing or knocked off. I am also prepared to question what the heck “they” were thinking. This was brought to my attention by Clay Howard as a joke, I think. But, it’s not joke to me. I will keep you informed on how that goes, as well. You know I have to blog about it, so… here’s your warning shot. It’s the only one you get.

Until tomorrow, and back to the list we go…
Scorp out!

—
“We received and tabulated Top 50 Albums lists from more than 300 artists, producers, critics, and music-industry figures (from radio programmers to label heads, like Atlantic Records CEO Craig Kallman).” – Rolling Stone

Sounds Like Saturday or: A Little Different Approach

09 Saturday May 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today, I’m not posting any video. Today, I’m posting about a (gasp! yes another) fundraising effort by the musical folks of WSNC. I’ve talked about Dale Cole and the Virtual Village a few times and they have been on The Less Desirables a few times. DC&VV put together a compilation of area musicians, with much thanks to Steven Jones for putting it together. If you look through the list you will find a few names that you’ve heard me talking about on this blog or have heard on TLD, either live or via the music section.

DCVV

Names like: Clay Howard, Steven Jones, DC&VV, GORyanGO (Matt Weiser, part of VSS and has been a guest on TLD a few years back), Whiskey Foxtrot (guests just last year), Doug Davis (yes, that Doug Davis), Joshua West, Lee and Susan Terry & the Near Strangers (the first live musical artists ever on TLD), Jukebox Rehab (a few months back), Patrick Ferguson, Brad Ward (a friend and member of the TBD Referral Group), Audrey Muck (with her husband Eric, whom I’ve talked about a lot, she was on WFDD, is part of VSS, they owned Augustine’s, has been on TLD, etc), James Vincent Carroll, and #25, a little tune you may have heard from someone named Timothy G Beeman II. You may have heard it a few times because I’ve played it on here a few times. It is the last song that I’ve written, to date and that’s 10 years ago. Wow.

Anywhat! You can listen to all of it for free but I strongly encourage you to purchase the compilation. It’s only $20 and proceeds go to WSNC service industry workers. We all would appreciate it. We are Winston-Salem Strong, Winston Strong, We Not Me, Support Local, We Are All In This Together!! Click here to hear it and purchase it, if you’re so inclined.

Until tomorrow, Winston-Salem Strong!
Scorp out!

—
“The Virtual Village Compilation showcases the talents of local musicians who are stepping up to help others.” – Dale Cole & The Virtual Village

 

Now Normal Chronicles or: The Temple

10 Friday Apr 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 31st anniversary of The Cult’s Sonic Temple album. And, it’s not every day that I get to play a video that I was in. But, this was my pals Clay, Chad, Lee and Neal doing a whole Cult set in Greensboro a couple of years back. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I was thinking. What I’ve been missing. I’ll tell you truthfully, well. She’s coming close now. Oh, I can feel her. She’s getting close to me. And I never, yeah.” – “Fire Woman” (Astbury/Duffy)

Now Normal Chronicles Podcast Edition or: Zooming

06 Monday Apr 2020

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Salutations™!!

I recorded three podcasts today. The Man Who Ate the Town, which I do every Monday, with Ray, Lea (who does Winston-Salem Strong with me) and Daniel Butner from Carrabba’s Italian Grill. We talked about the “list” and all the cool and good things that Daniel is doing. ZoomLogo_112b8a4

Then, Bethany, Danielle and I pre-recorded The Less Desirables, which will be released on Wednesday. We talked about the crisis and how it is affecting us.

Finally, Clay and I recorded episode #4 of Beeswax Vinyl & More. I’m going to post that (along with Wheeler’s Dog’s latest) tomorrow.

When we were recording TLD, I mentioned that I was going to ask for sponsorships for a year’s subscription to the full-on version of Zoom. The one that doesn’t cut off parties of three or more after 40 minutes. I have more control over rooms and more control over what goes on. It will help my business greatly as I can use it to record podcasts from anywhere. Danielle sent me the money almost immediately and I turned around immediately and purchased the paid version. So, from this point on, at least until April of next year, every TLD Network podcast that is recorded using Zoom will be “sponsored by Bull’s Tavern.” She’s awesome.

So, let’s do a podcast. Got an idea and don’t want to leave your house? No worries. Let’s do it remotely. Send me a message and let’s set this up.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Simplified video conferencing and messaging across any device.” – Zoom

Early Bird Special or: Claymir

24 Monday Feb 2020

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Salutations™!!

I was in my studio this morning at 715a and with the exception of about 35 minutes, was in there until 515p. I was working on a political ad for TV and online as well as The Man Who Ate the Town. Add the “Big Job” and I’m worn out. Tomorrow is the “big job’s” culmination so it’s almost over for this year. Today is the 45th anniversary of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti album. It is one of my faves from Zep and has a ton of great songs on its 2xLP set. Probably the biggest “hit” on the album was this song (at least in my eyes/ears) and this cover is done by one of my favorite humans, Mr. Clay Howard, and his amazing “rock spectacles.” Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace like thoughts inside a dream. Here is the path that led me to that place; yellow desert stream. My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon. I will return again. Sure as the dust that floats high in June when movin’ through Kashmir.” – “Kashmir” (Bonham/Page/Plant)

Sounds Like Saturday or: Somebody Call the Police

21 Saturday Sep 2019

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 40th anniversary of Cheap Trick’s Dream Police album. I got to perform my favorite song from this album when VSS did the Live at Budokan a few years back. But, other than Clay Howard, I don’t think anyone touches Robin Zander trying to sing these songs, so, instead of a cover, here’s the real deal. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Hey, it’s me again. Plain to see again. Please, can I see you every day? I’m a fool again. I fell in love with you again. Please, can I see you every day? You didn’t know what you were lookin’ for ’til you heard the voices in your ear.” – “Voices” (Nielsen)

Sounds Like Saturday or: The Gig That Wasn’t

14 Saturday Sep 2019

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Salutations™!!

Last night we were supposed to do our set of Springfield songs but the Forsyth County Sherrif’s department of the Village of Clemmons had other plans. So, here’s a bit of what you missed with us not playing.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Cause every man sees in the younger man the hope. Every woman sees in the younger girl the dream. Everybody lives the pride and passion of the young. From the womb to the tomb we will remember what it means.” – “Celebrate Youth” (Springfield)

Affair of the Hard or: Don’t Talk to Blisters

06 Friday Sep 2019

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Salutations™!!

Today, I picked up my bass guitar for the first time in over a year. Yep. A year. I love playing bass. I love when I play with my friends. What I don’t love is learning songs and I don’t like rehearsals. Both are necessary evils, though. And I get that.

Rick-Springfield_2010-10-20_photoby_Adam-Bielawski

©Adam Bielawski

So, I picked up the bass to learn ten Rick Springfield songs to play with Clay for Friday Night Music Club next week. Springfield isn’t known for complex tunes, necessarily. But, what is difficult is keeping up with all the changes. That’s really the hard part.

To make matters worse is that outside of “Jessie’s Girl,” there’s not a lot of tablature of his songs. To non-musicians, that means someone has taken the time to do music notation, including what fret on what string and so on, for us. I don’t necessarily have to have that, but being as I’m a year out of practice, it was harder for me to pull down the progressions. Of the ten songs, I have seven of them that I feel confident that I can pull off for rehearsal (ugh) on Tuesday. The other three, I’m not even familiar with so that’s going to be a little more difficult. One of those has no bass at all. It’s all synths and it’s arpeggio sequencing (the synth is set up to play these automatically). But, Clay wants me to make up a bass line from that. I can’t even figure out what key it’s in. whine-stomp-moan

I spent 3 hours playing these songs yesterday. I had to use a different method that before because I’m out of writable CDs. So, I had to play through my stereo system and have my bass amp there to play out loud. I decided to stand instead of sit because I sit way too much. I ended up getting over 7000 steps yesterday. About 5500 of it was from this. This means that I learned songs, I got exercise, I sweat like I was on stage, my feet hurt, my back hurts, my shoulder hurts, even though I have a light bass, and I feel good about it. So there.

Okay, I’m off to bed, early.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Fais l’amour avec moi. Viens dormir, mon amour. Je t’aime donne moi ton coeur ce soir” – “Don’t Talk to Strangers” (Springfield)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/3/19

04 Sunday Aug 2019

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Salutations™!!

I had a Cobras game yesterday but we made sure we made our way to Underdog Records. Jonathan had battled a bug this week and we wanted to check in on him, yes, but we also wanted to add to our collection. Jonathan was bouncy and chipper. We like seeing him like that. He was extra jokey and just being himself. I think he needs a vacation. A real one. But, here’s the haul!

David_Gilmour_self-titled

©Harvest/Capitol

  • Janet Jackson – The Velvet Rope — #259 on the RS list. Janet had just renegotiated her Virgin Records contract (to the tune of $80M) which was the biggest record contract at the time (1997). The album touches on self-image, sexuality, same-sex relationships and depression, just to name a few. It’s a good album. New.
  • Beck! – Odelay — #306 on the RS list. This album was more for The BCPF than me, but I do enjoy it. It’s not my favorite Beck album but it’s still pretty righteous. It’s got a lot of Hip-Hop aspects and that’s probably because the Dust Brothers (John King and Michael Simpson) are the producers. Basically, if it’s an instrument (outside of drums), Beck is playing it, all other aspects were done by the Dust Brothers. New.
  • David Gilmour – David Gilmour — The BCPF asked, “David Gilmour, like Pink Floyd David Gilmour?” and then he started singing and playing. Yes. That David Gilmour. What sounds like lost Floyd tracks come right before their hugely successful The Wall and some of the pieces morphed into ideas on that album. It is a good album and I enjoyed listening to it. I prefer Pink Floyd, but this was good. VG.
  • Steve Miller Band – Fly Like An Eagle — Les Paul’s godson has a fantastic album here. It’s #445 on the RS list. I love the title song, “Take the Money and Run” and “Rock’n Me.” And, as much as I don’t care for blues music, there are moments on this album that are awfully bluesy and I like it just fine. VG+.
  • Various – Red Star Sounds Volume 1 Soul Searching — Amel Larrieux + The Roots, Erykah Badu, Glenn Lewis, Macy Gray, Jill Scott, India.Arie, Nelly Furtado and more. Not usually our cup o’tea but we’ll take it! VG++.
  • Paul Kelly And The Messengers – Gossip — Actually the band is Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls but North America and Europe releases were changed to “…And the Messengers” to escape racist interpretations. The Coloured Girls part was taken from Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” Other than that, I really know nothing about Paul Kelly or his various backing bands. He’s apparently pretty big in his native Australia. VG+.
  • Paul Kelly And The Messengers – Under The Sun — Really, the same as above. This was the next after that one. VG+.
  • Various – Music From Do The Right Thing — This was a great film and just because of that, I bought this. That’s really the only reason. I didn’t even look at the tracklisting. VG.
  • Various – Tequila Sunrise – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack — Clay and I talked about this on Monday during our Beeswax Vinyl & More session. He had gotten it on cassette the week before because of one song and I said that I had passed it up on vinyl at Underdog. He said I should get it. I did. I’ve never seen the film so I don’t know anything else about it. VG+.
  • Joe Jackson – Body And Soul — A mix of pop and jazz and salsa, which isn’t what I think of when I think of Joe Jackson, but I do look forward to listening to it. VG+.
  • The Connells – Darker Days — Their debut album. I didn’t get this from Underdog Records, but from Clay who simply said, “give this to your wife. I know she’d want it.” He then gave a commentary about it and although I haven’t heard it, The BCPF had and she agrees with you, Clay. We’ll leave it at that. VG/VG+.

It was a good haul, I think. Again, we just enjoyed being in there with Jonathan and a few other of our friends. And, there were a lot of people coming in which is a great thing. Listen to each new The Less Desirables episode to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. Use Discogs to catalog your collection, keep track of what you do or don’t have, buy and sell on the Marketplace and use the awesome “random grab” feature.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Bottles and cans and just clap your hands and just clap your hands. Where it’s at. I got two turntables and a microphone!” – “Where It’s At” (Beck/King/Simpson)