Bands To Fans

I interviewed Laura Arias and Andrew Stern of the band 3 Pairs of Boots. We discussed: Being artists that do no fit neatly into a box or category / Their new album, Boot Scootin' (To be released 9/27/24) / Their songs "Dark Sun Rising" and "My American Boy" / How the work of classical composers have influenced their country - rock - Americana creations / The similarities between creating a great dish in the kitchen and creating a great song in the studio / And moreBands To FansI help professional musicians tell their stories.Social media, eBooks, interviews, editing, co-writing

I interviewed Barrett Smith and Graham Sharp of Steep Canyon Rangers. We discussed: Their album Morning Shift / The song "Ghost of Glasgow" / Their very collaborative songwriting and song recording process / The influence new member Aaron Burdett has had on the band / The instrumental "Old Stone House / Handlebars / Chimney Rock” / The dark, intense song “Second In Line (Junior)” / And moreBands To Fans:Website: https://www.bandstofans.com/Blog: https://blog.bandstofans.net/Download our e-books: https://www.bandstofans.com/ebooks.html

I interviewed Peter Holsapple of The dB's. We discussed:The re-release of their influential debut album, Stands For deciBels.How he has changed as a musician since the album was first released and how he is the same."Without The dB's I could not have gotten as far in this business we call music."How growing up in Winston-Salem, NC influenced him as a rock musician.The interesting guitar solo he did on the track “Judy”.And more.

I interviewed Dean Roland of Collective Soul. We discussed:Their new album, Here To EternityThe decision to release a double albumRecording at Elvis Presley's house in Palm Springs, CAWalking the line between exploring new territory and going off courseAnd more

I interviewed singer-songwriter Stephanie Sammons. We discussed:- Her new album, "Time and Evolution"- The challenge of being an empath and a songwriter- Studying with Jonatha Brooke- "I have a runnning list of interesting observations, things that move me, things that resonate with me"- The lyric "I don't want to die, but I don't want to live like this"- And more

I spoke with singer / songwriter JM Stevens. We discussed:His new album, Nowhere To LandThe lyric “I heard you sneaking in / Guess you forgot to WD40 the hinge” The Gibson J45 guitar he wrote about in the song "Cherry Sunburst" Also being the album producer and mixer And more JM Stevens website: https://jmstevens.net/

I finally got to do an in-person interview with bassist John Pierce of Toto. We discussed:- How learning to play the drums has influenced his bass playing- Playing with Toto drummer Shannon Forrest - His quest to play less and make each note more meaningful - Sessions with Huey Lewis, Mick Jagger, and Tom Petty- Toto's "With A Little Help From My Friends" album- And more

I interviewed Cassius King of Cassius King and The Downtown Rulers. We discussed:- Their album "Last Call For The Blues"- A dream 25 years in the making- "A giving musician is always trying to make the song better without necessarily standing out."- The wonderfully gritty song "Bettern Man Blues"- How his offstage, behind-the-scenes work influences his on stage performance - And more

Drummer Mike Portnoy likes that they did not road test the new The Winery Dogs songs before recording them.

Cris Cohen interviews Will McBride of the Will McBride Group. They discuss:The new single, "Hit Song".Embracing irony in songwriting“I’m not a love song writer.”Opening for StyxThe influence of Elvis CostelloHow he prefers a guitar tone that sings rather than growlsAnd moreBands To Fansbandstofans.com

Cris Cohen interviews John McCutcheon. They discussed:His new album with Tom Paxton, "Together"Co-writing songs via ZoomIntertwining hope and heartbreak in the song "Ukrainian Now"Writing lighter tunes like "Same Old Crap"And morebandstofans.com

Cris Cohen interviews ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro. They discuss: His new album, "Grateful"Playing rock songs on the ukulele versus playing songs written for ukulele"Embrace being a lifelong learner"His cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"The challenge of creating loops live during the concertAnd moreBandsToFans.com

Cris Cohen interviews percussionist Daniel de los Reyes of the Zac Brown Band. They discuss:The album "The Comeback"The song "Don't Let Your Heart"Meshing with drummer Chris FryarPercussion instruments that resonate even when they play baseball stadiumsAnd moreRecorded January 27, 2023

Cris Cohen interviews singer-songwriter Danny O'Keefe. They discuss:Having his songs recorded by artists such as Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings, Jackson Browne, and Alison KraussHow he can "feel sad songs coming before they even get to be songs."His new album, "Circular Turns"And moreDanny O'Keefe's website: https://dannyokeefe.com/---Bands To Fans: Project administration and content marketing for professional musiciansVisit the Bands To Fans website: https://www.bandstofans.com/Subscribe to the newsletter: https://bandstofans.substack.com/Download our ebooks: https://www.bandstofans.com/ebooks.html

I interviewed bassist Jett Beres of Sister Hazel. We discussed:The 20th anniversary of the album "Chasing Daylight"Why this is his favorite Sister Hazel albumThe song written in a hot tubHow the role of the bass in a song mirrors his role in the bandWhat he learned from getting a degree in Architecture that applies to his work as a musicianAnd moreRecorded February 10, 2023

Cris Cohen interviews bassist Billy Sheehan. They discuss:The new Talas album, "1985"With live performing, "If you think, you stink.""Chaos on a leash"The two songs that made him pull his car to the side of road so he could listen more intentlyAnd moreRecorded October 2022bandstofans.com

Cris Cohen interviews Dennis Diken of The Smithereens. They discuss:- Their new release, "The Lost Album"- The emotional aspect of listening to the late Pat DiNizio singing on these tracks- "Playing for the song is the best approach a musician can take."- Being influenced by drummer Buddy Saltzman, best known for his work with the Four Seasons- "It's like you are having a dialogue musically"- And moreInterview recorded September of 2022

Cris Cohen interviews Mike Portnoy of The Winery Dogs. They discuss:The new Winery Dogs album "III" (release date: 02/03/2023)Playing with bassist Billy Sheehan"Everybody in this band has chops for days, but it is not about flexing them at all times."How his Winery Dogs drum kit is WAY scaled back compared to the ones he used with Dream Theater and Liquid Tension ExperimentAnd morebandstofans.com

Cris Cohen interviews Lawrence Gowan of Styx. They discuss:- "The beauty of a band is that it is the essence of a combined spirit."- Styx's influence on Lawrence and his influence on Styx- His onstage, theatrical sense of fun- The special moment during a concert in Toronto performing one of his solo tunes with Styx- The challenges and unexpected benefits of finishing the album "Crash Of The Crown" remotely- His performance of Rush's "Limelight" in concert as a tribute to Neil Peart- And more

Cris Cohen talks with drummer Sandy Gennaro (Cyndi Lauper / Joan Jett) about his new book, "Beat The Odds (in Business & Life)". They discuss:- Surviving and thriving even in an environment as unstable as the music business- Belief, Enthusiasm, Attitude, Tenacity, Service- Applying the lessons of the book in the internet age- And more