Latest Posts
Part 2 – Featuring the Music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David
We’re back today with Part 2 of our program featuring the music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Performed by the very talented Kenny Watson and Chuck Shermetaro. We’re at my house again featuring Burt Bacharach’s own Steinway piano on which he wrote many of his hits…some of the greatest music of...
From Bacharach’s Piano to My Stage: A Musical Journey – Part 1
If you’ve followed me in my musical career you’ll know that I’ve been a fan of Burt Bacharach’s music. I’ve invested myself in his melodic structures and arrangements. So much so that I was compelled to purchase his Steinway piano which originally resided in his father’s New York apartment. This...
Collaborations in Melody: Volume 1
I’ve always considered myself a songwriter, but I’ve also had lots of help from many great talented people. They include artists, co-writers, lyricists, arrangers, and producers. I’d like to share with you my original material. Much of it has been utilized by television shows and movies, but some...
Throwback Interview With Virtuoso Brass Musician Walter White
Here’s a throwback to part 1 of my interview with virtuoso Brass musician Walter White. While Bryan Cranston gets most of the attention for his character’s namesake on Breaking Bad, Walter is an amazing talent who is proficient in all brass instruments; from trumpet, to the flugelhorn, to...
Is It Possible That Singer / Songwriter James Taylor Has Talented Siblings?
Life is often stranger than fiction. People ask me If my stories are fictitious. I assure you, they are all 100% true. Is it possible that singer/songwriter James Taylor has talented siblings? Check out what happens when a phone call is thought to be a prank, but ends up being completely real. Is...
An Unexpected Featured Guest
Life is often stranger than fiction. People ask me If my stories are fictitious. I assure you, they are all 100% true. My band and I used to play all sorts of gigs back in the days; Weddings, Bar-Mitzvahs, and various dinners. We were often the band of choice, as we played a variety of music from...
Music, Baseball, and Ernie Harwell
Life is often stranger than fiction. People ask me If my stories are fictitious. I assure you, they are all 100% true. After an introduction by mutual friend and WJR host John Delle-Monache, Ernie and I wrote a variety of music together. Our song "Tiger, Tiger" made steady radio rotation in 1984...
How do you introduce somebody who needs no introduction?
Life is often stranger than fiction. People ask me If my stories are fictitious. I assure you, they are all 100% true. How do you introduce somebody who needs no introduction? A man with a voice familiar to millions who listened to him nightly as the voice of their beloved baseball team, and a...
Swingin’ Times in the 60s – True Tales from a Detroit Musician
Life is often stranger than fiction. People ask me If my stories are fictitious. I assure you, they are all 100% true. The '60s were interesting times. Detroit was brimming with new music, between all the various Motown acts and emerging artists like Bob Seger. They were also trying times for up...
Life Is Often Stranger Than Fiction
People ask me If my stories are fictitious. I assure you, they are all 100% true. I first got into the music business back in 1971. During the early years I had a difficult time trying to convince ad agencies that I could write music for their client's products. Even the local companies would go...
My Humbling Encounter with Quincy Jones
Life is often stranger than fiction. People ask me If my stories are fictitious. I assure you, they are all 100% true. This one left me particularly red in the face. In the early ‘90s I was invited to a luncheon with the Metro Detroit ad community, of which I have been a part of for 40-some years....
April 24th is the day of remembrance for the Armenian Genocide
April 24th is the day of remembrance for the Armenian Genocide. We’re observing the day by presenting a solemn rendition of “The Freedom”, the first movement of An Armenian Trilogy as performed by Associate Concertmaster Kimberly Kennedy of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. 2024 marks 109 years...
Am I a real singer?
I’ve recorded my own voice thousands of times over the course of my career. Does that make me a “real singer”? Or is that just “fake news”? You tell me. Click this link to check out my rendition of the classic “Pure Imagination,” and my entree into being a “vocalist.” Check out our additional...
To Sing or Not to Sing
“I thought it was a dangerous idea since I’ve never sung anything for serious consideration during my career,” Dan Yessian laughed. That is the question I faced when my producer, Ohad Wilner, said I should sing our cover of “Pure Imagination”. So Yessian sang. I hope you'll visit our rendition of...
What is Stride Piano?
What is the definition of the word “stride”? “To walk with long steps, with vigor” So how does it apply to the piano? There are many pianists who’ve incorporated that word into their technique and performance. Names like Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, and Fats Waller might come to mind. Here’s our...
This Interview Blew My Mind | Emmet Cohen
Here I’m talking to Emmet Cohen: a master pianist, educator, and a walking encyclopedia of jazz. I found him to be fascinating beyond words because the man is not all about himself…it’s about the music, the people, and the joy of sharing. I think you’ll find our discussion to be inspirational....