Hi there.. this is Frankie.. The Frankie and Johnny Music Hour is on Hiatus and will return in September. Please enjoy the archived shows at www.blogtalkradio.com/frankie–johnny

Please join the Unstoppable Frankie Picasso and Co Host Wendy Allyn on the Frankie and Johnny Music Hour Monday, April 12th, for the Frankie &Johnny Music Hour, www.blogtalkradio.com/frankie–johnny at 8:00 pm est when our guests are The Therapy Sisters.

THE THERAPY SISTERS  - Austin’s gem of a Therapeutic, Self-help Musical Duo!

Welcome to the wacky and wonderful world and music of the Therapy Sisters, aka “The Sissies” or the “T-Sissies”.  Maurine McLean (bass & witticisms)

and Lisa Rogers Lisa Rogers (guitar, ukulele & gumption)are two amazing women making up this duo and what sets their music apart is their mission for having lots of fun and making people laugh as they think about life, mortality, relationships and absurdity. They are not immune to the American obsession with self-help and therapeutic solutions. Music and laughter produce the altered state they seek, so the band serves as remedy, confessional, and the audible blog of their lives.

Their musicianship and talent for songwriting is evident and full-flavored with the humor, insight and relevance they pour into each and every song.  They influence each other, co-write and compete for “Song most likely to get stuck in your head”!

With a whopping 9 CD’s recorded, The Sissies are planning their 10^th to be done by the end of 2010.  They’ve played in the U.S. coast to coast in clubs and coffeehouses.  Their farthest gig from home was a Peace festival in East Germany the year the wall came down.  Vying for strangest gig are the performance at the El Paso bowling alley cafeteria and the cruise ship shows for the Journal of Nursing Jocularity.  In the running for best gig are the musical evenings we split with the Austin Lounge Lizards at Austin’s Cactus Café and concerts at a Unity Church in Ventura, California.  But then that leaves out the benefits for a Mexican orphanage in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and also the time we played on a flatbed truck in a parade in Provincetown.  Another of the duo’s alter-ego ensembles is a Spanish language band, Las Gabacha-chas. Here, the band covers cha cha cha’s of the 1950’s and 60’s as well as assorted originals.

In their words, “It’s all been wacky and wonderful, and after 9 recordings and 400,000 miles on 2 vans, we have settled into performing steadily in central Texas, with occasional forays to New England or south of the border.  The Chilean earthquake foiled our Spring in Santiago tour, which had to be postponed till 2011.  We’ve played garage sales, menopause parties, funerals and weddings, and the occasional grocery store opening.  Playing makes us feel good and we hear that feeling is contagious!”

April seems to belong to the Ladies  on the Frankie and Johnny Show and I can't think of a better musician and role model  to start off the month then one who has been writing and playing music for over 45 years, than  the incredible talent of Kate Taylor.

At 60, Kate has just released her latest album entitled Fair Time , a CD that  contains all new origial songs that are mostly an autobiographical journey. Coinciding with the release of the album is a DVD biography of Kate entitled Kate Taylor: Tunes from the Tipi and Other Songs From Home that is beautifully filmed, produced, and directed by her daughter Liz Witham. Included in the film is some great color footage of UNC and downtown Chapel Hill from the early sixties. There is also an array of photos and film clips of the entire Taylor family growing up.

The only daughter of Isaac and Trudy Taylor, Kate grew up  amidst her 4 brothers in Chapel Hill  living in an incredible home designed by two of the most acclaimed architects of 1950s modern houses, George Matsumoto and John D. Latimer and freely roaming their 28 acre property . All the siblings were blessed with musical talent and  eventualy made their way to Martha's Vineyard , the centre of art, music and bohemia to pursue music.

Many of the song  on Fair Time are an autobiographical record of Kate's  life beginning with her growing up in Chapel with her four brothers and you can hear this on  the tracks, Sun Did Shine (On Carolina), but mabye even more so on the tune called Chapel Hill-Billies.

You may remember Kate's debut album was released in 1970,called Sister Kate, which  her famous brother James Taylor helped her to record as it was produced by his friend  friend and manager Peter Asher.
 The album is a masterpiece and tour de force of great songs, with back up musicians including Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, her brother James, J.D. Souther, and Bernie Leado. In 1976 brother James produced her excellent second album, Kate Taylor.  This album features a duet with James of It's In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song), originally a 1962 hit for Betty Everett. This is the only top-forty single Kate has had in her career.  In 1978 Kate went to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to record her third album, It's In There and It's Got to Come Out, produced by Barry Beckett and using the famed Muscle Shoals Sound rhythm section.  In 1999 her husband Charlie brought her and James together again to record a beautiful rendition of the Robert Burns 1788 poem, Auld Lang Syne, which was long ago made into song. It was subsequently issued on Kate's 2002 album, Beautiful Road.

Please join the Unstoppable Frankie Picasso and co host Wendy Allyn as once again do the Texas Two Step all the way to Texas to meet up with the incredible songwriting and singing talents of Nancy Scott, Monday, March 29th at 8:00 pm est on the Frankie and Johnny Music Hour., www.blogtalkradio.com/frankie–johnny

Says Nancy
"I think songwriters could think of their songs as their bios/history.  They paint a picture of where we’ve been – when and where they were conceived and our interpretation of life’s situation at that time.  “Both Sides of Me” written in a cabin in Tennessee thinking about life, “Lost in Austin”, my first year in Austin, “I Awoke” on a picnic table camping at Lake Travis,  “The Fish Song” after a night of partying and philosophizing with an interesting woman named Mel, and more recently Inner Peace, lookin out my window in Cedar creek tx, thinking about life"…

Nancy Scott has been performing her original songs for over 35 years, mostly in Texas, but also in other parts of the country.  Her first album, yes, vinyl, released in 1987, “has a collection of tunes that many a popular, big name artist would give their eye teeth to own.  Check out Both Sides of Me."  Belle, Music City Texas, March 1992. Her next recording, HeartPrints in Clay (Reminiscent Records), released September 1995, was produced and co-arranged by Betty Elders and carefully put together by a culmination of talented Austin musicians.  The songs in this collection represent a more serious, yet ever hopeful side of Nancy's soul.  Her songwriting continues to evolve as she is currently working on a new CD.

Nancy's songwriting style varies from folk to blues blended with a touch of country and rock and her talent has not gone unacknowledged or unnoticed.  She was included in the top ten songwriters in the Austin Music Umbrella Songwriter's Contest in 1983, performing in the first round picks at the 1989 Kerrville Folk Festival's New Folk, and honorable mention for two of her songs in the 1990 Billboard Songwriters contest.  Her entry in the 1995 Spree Songwriter's Contest was included on a compilation Spree Select CD.  She attended the National Women’s Music Festival in 2004 and was selected from open mic participants to play on the Sunday Stage and more recently performed on the day stage in 2007.

Please join the Unstoppable Frankie Picasso and co host Wendy Allyn on Tuesday, March 22 for the Frankie & Johnny Music Hour , www.blogtalkradio.com/frankie–johnny at 8:00 pm est.

This week you will meet two bands..
Shannie- Shan + Annie = ShAnnie A duo comprised of Shan Kowert and Annie Acton. They formed in 2005 and released their debut cd in 2007, which received a nomination for Vocal Duo at the 2008 Texas Music Awards. "Eclectic Americana Folk"… that's what some are saying about this duo. Their voices are clean and soothing, and the music is beautifully accompanied by a 12 string accoustic guitar. It's the chemistry of these two people that will not only lure you in, but keep you wanting more.

Noah Earle= Noah Earle was born in Topeka, Kansas, "a good place to dig potatoes." Surrounded by a musical family, he absorbed various strains of influence. His musical involvement began in early childhood when he would listen to the traditional country and country-gospel music that his family would play and sing at their gatherings. Between the ages of about 5 and 18 he underwent classical training for piano, voice and fiddle (his grandpa said "never let anybody call it a violin"). By the age of 10, he had decided that he wanted to write songs, like his uncle and grandfather. Throughout this time, he was also exposed to blues and jazz by his dad and uncle, both of whom performed in a number of bands. From these surroundings Noah has emerged as a formidable solo artist, displaying unmistakable talent through his deft and varied guitar style and an agile, soulful approach to his singing.

Others have been quick to recognize Earle's talent. In 2006 he won the solo category of the Kansas City Blues Challenge and was a finalist in the International Blues Competition in Memphis. More recently, he was chosen as a New Folk finalist at the renowned Kerrville Folk Festival in 2007.
Earle's first release for MayApple Records, Postcards From Home, found him focusing his songwriting solidly in the Americana vein. His second, This is the Jubilee, slated for release in January of 2010, represents an evolutionary leap toward greater confidence and stylistic originality.

This week on the Frankie & Johnny Music Hour, Host Unstoppable Frankie Picasso get's up close and personal with FATHEAD's Band Leader Al Lerman to the stage, on Monday, March 8th at 8:00 pm on the Frankie and Johnny Music Hour, www.blogtalkradio.com/frankie–johnny 
 

FATHEAD is one of the Canada's most popular blues roots acts and it's no wonder, these guys ROCK!!!

Since their debut gig in 1992, FATHEAD, has been tearing it up on the North American festival circuit ever since – winning over new fans every time they play – making FATHEAD one of the country's top roots acts.

Signed to the world renowned ELECTRO-FI RECORDS' imprint, the band has won two JUNO AWARDS (Canada's "GRAMMY") for "Blues Recording Of The Year". Their latest release is called "WHERE'S THE BLUES TAKING ME", (available February 2010).

That they have been described as a Blues Tour De Force comes as no surprise. Georgia-raised lead singer JOHN MAYS has had a storied career that began in the Southern gospel tradition, crossing over into Doo-Wop, R&B and Blues, not to mention a stint with the Godfather Of Soul JAMES BROWN.

Hooking up with band leader AL LERMAN (harp and saxophone) in Toronto some years later, FATHEAD's core has remained constant since forming; offering ace musicianship, soul stirring harmonies and incendiary live performances.

The writing tandem of Lerman and bassist OMAR TUNNOCH has produced a large body of work that has enjoyed time on the US, European and Canadian music charts. Guitar ace TEDDY LEONARD and iconic drummer BUCKY BERGER round out FATHEAD's sound, infusing elements of funk, soul, and R&B into their strong blues backbone.

FATHEAD is truly an original band with a sound immediately recognizable as their own. They have a ball wherever they play and it shows!  Audiences LOVE THEM!

A Saskatoon native Suzie Vinnick  now lives in Toronto and is gracing the city and country with her gorgeous, powerful voice while performing with a sweet mixture of engaging candidness and unparalleled musicianship.

Suzie was nominated for a 2009 JUNO for her 3rd album, Happy Here, produced by Juno-Award winning singer/songwriter Stephen Fearing. She was nominated for two 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA’s) and has also won 6 Canadian Maple Blues Awards – 4 for Female Vocalist of the Year in 2009, 2008, 2006 and 2003; Bassist of the Year in 2006 and she shared Songwriter of the Year with Rick Fines for their 2006 release, Nothing Halfway.

Suzie also won 1^st place in the Blues Category of the 2009 Unisong International Songwriting Contest for her cowrite “Sometimes I Think I Can Fly”

She  has been featured nationally on CBC Radio on Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Café, and has performed across Canada and the US, and for Canadian Peacekeepers in Bosnia and the Persian Gulf.

Suzie performs powerfully as a solo act or with her tasteful side players, as a duo and band with Rick Fines, and is also a member of the groups the Marigolds (with Gwen Swick and Caitlin Hanford of Quartette) and Betty & the Bobs.

Suzie’s latest release is entitled, Happy Here which was produced by Stephen Fearing.

www.suzievinnick.com

QUOTES

"I really like your work…”

 Gordon Lightfoot 

"An engaging performer…"

The Globe & Mail

Stuart McLean, Vinyl Café, CBC Radio (on Suzie’s album, HAPPY HERE)

“Her solo work jumps genre barriers with the ease of an Olympic hurdles champion… She's equally at home

in folk, blues, pop and country, and has come up with her best work yet here”

Kerry Doole, Exclaim Magazine

(on Suzie’s album, HAPPY HERE)

“One of the greatest voices in Canada!!”

Elaine Overholt; vocal coach to Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, Catherine Zeta-Jones

“One of my favorite singers.”

Holger Petersen, CBC’s Saturday Night Blues

“A wonderful collection, there’s simply not a weak moment to be found on “Happy Here”. From beginning

to end, it’s a delightful slice of pop perfection … very highly recommended!”

John Taylor, www.blogcritics.org

If you enjoy songwriting as an art form, you will want to tune into The Frankie and Johnny Music Hour on Monday, February 22nd, at 8:00 pm est, www.blogtalkradio.com/frankie–johnny because  Frankie and Wendy will be going to Texas to  visit with two singer-songwriters, Joel Melton and Michael Fracasso. 
Both artists make Austin, TX their home and in this city where world-renowned music festivals abound and where a thriving community exist to  support those  musicians, these two songwriters stand out as true originals!  You’d be hard-pressed to meet two songwriters who are any more genuine or talented for crafting a story  that will take you on a  melodic and imaginative journey through a song. 

And these songwriting talents could stand alone, but they don’t stop there! 

JOEL MELTON - Having learned to play guitar from his father, Joel Melton began his career in music very early.   Playing parties, small gatherings and wherever music could potentially enhance life, you’d find Joel with his guitar entertaining the crowd.  Joel credits the Blue Door and owner/promoter Greg Johnson in Oklahoma City for nurturing his unique craft of songwriting.  It was here where Joel met and performed with other great Americana/Roots musicians like Jimmy Webb, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Kevin Welch and of course, Michael Fracasso.  As a result of these influences and a desire to focus on songwriting, he moved to Austin, TX in 2004.  Since then, Joel’s music has been selected for use by Bravo Network on one of their shows titled “Tale Lights” and also on the PBS station KCNT at a special Fort Hood dedication by returning Marines from Iraq.  Joel is a master at entertaining and story-telling; performing comes as natural to him as breathing and though he could be content with his own success, Joel enjoys listening and encouraging other songwriters. Whenever requested, he willingly and unselfishly gives of his time and creative talents, whether it’s through collaboration, sharing resources  or just simply through generous and always kindly guidance and mentoring.  Joel has filmed and screened two documentary films “The Journey” and a movie about Texas songwriters “There’s Something in the Water”.  One of his inspirations for this film grew out of befriending fellow songwriter, actor and composer Alton Watson.  It was from this friendship that Joel and Alton created and host the annual “There’s Something in the Water” songwriting festival held in Regency, Tx each spring.   This festival has been dubbed by folks as far as California and Michigan as, ‘The longest half-day festival around!’  and if you’re a fan of homegrown music in a non-pretentious, warm and comfortable atmosphere, then this festival is not to be missed!

MICHAEL FRACASSO – Born to Italian immigrants in the town of Mingo-Junction, Ohio, Michael’s father worked the steel mills and his parents grew vegetable gardens and made their own wine to compliment authentic, home-cooked Italian meals.  Along with listening to music on the AM radio shows, Michael would sometimes travel with his family to the Country Music Jamboree held in W. Virginia and it was here where Michael saw his first concert, country legend Kitty Wells.  As a young adult, Michael too would work the mills in the summer before going away for college in Ohio and Washington state and later, his travels brought him to Greenwich Village, NY where he learned the art of songwriting.  In 1990 Michael moved to Austin, Texas “with everything that would fit in the back of my Volkswagen Rabbit, which was mostly my guitars”.  Fracasso is a badass folkie with a sweet Italian tenor and has been compared to legendary singers Roy Orbison and Gene Pitney. Michael truly is a “songwriter’s songwriter” and is well respected and admired as such.  He was voted best new artist upon his arrival in Austin by Third Coast Music Magazine.  Michael Fracasso has recorded and toured with artists such as Charlie Sexton, Lucinda Williams and Patty Griffin and recently, Michael has songs on “Ribbons of Highway: Tribute to Woody Guthrie”. His seventh CD, Red Dog Blues(May 2007) was number one on the Americana Charts in Europe and throughout his songwriting career, he has toured extensively in the US and Europe.   In addition, Michael combines his love for singing/performing with that of cooking!  He is available for house concerts where he will cook up a wonderful gourmet Italian meal for you and your guests and after dinner, wow them with his amazing songs/performance!  Wherever Michael is performing, if you can get to one of his shows, you need to GET THERE!!.. and be ready to escape into pure musical magic by one of the true masters of his craft!

Join the Unstoppable Frankie Picasso on Monday, February 15^th for the Frankie and Johnny Music Hour at 8:00 pm on www.blogtalkradio.com/frankie–johnny,  with my special guest, two-time Juno nominee, author and singer/songwriter bluesman Danny Brooks.

When Canadian blues rocker Danny Brooks was 15 years old, his father gave him a choice: give up his budding fascination with the devil’s music, or get out of the house. Danny decided to run off with the devil. Before he did, he soaked up all the inspiration he could by watching touring American blues legends like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker play a theater in his native Toronto, then hit the road to play — and live — his own blues.

These days, his music is still as rockin’ and soulful as ever, but he now uses his potent voice and songwriting chops in the service of contemporary gospel. His records, including It’s a Southern Thing, Soulsville: Souled Out ’n Sanctified, Rock This House and No Easy Way Out, are testament to the healing power of faith and rock ’n’ roll, as is his recently published book, Miracle for Breakfast

Danny sings the straight Gospel with a sound based in Rock & Roll, Blues, Soul, Country and Gospel and a one-of-a-kind voice that is instantly grabs you