Billy Joel, John Fogerty, Bassist David Santos Kills Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson I was so looking forward to catching up with bassist David Santos after almost 40 years. Insane in itself! The sit-down stunningly exceeded my expectations. What crazy fun! David regaled us with story after story… starting with gigging for me on Bleecker Street, doing weddings, The Ringo AllStar Band, sans Ringo, with Billy Preston, Lou Gramm, Mark Farner, Felix Cavaliere, Liberty DeVito, Mark Rivera, Randy Bachman, and a backup singer named Wendy Moten who would change and share his life. They’re a rare rock n’ roll romance success story, today, 30+ years later. David took us through his 3ish years with Billy Joel, how he got the gig, and how he lost it, 13 years with John Fogerty, how he got it and then lost it, Melissa Etheridge, 7 years, how it got it and lost it, Fleetwood Mac, 1 day, how he got it, lost it, 5 yrs with Crosby, Stills, & Nash, getting it, losing it - does there seem to be a pattern here... yup, hysterically summed up each time. Sure, it’s funny now, in retrospect, as David has great perspective, self-awareness, good humor, and humility. He’s amassed wisdom to add to his formidable talent, perseverance, and ambition. And he always lands bass up! Unlike me, who literally did an unintended mic drop. As was pointed out, this meaty conversation had comedy, drama, romance, intrigue, horror, heart, and life lessons galore. I could have talked to David all night and still have wanted more. And more, I’ll get. We have a face-to-face reunion in the reals with Wendy and Snuffy in Nashville coming up. Can you imagine the music those three could make? Don’t know if that’s on the menu, but do know we’ll be seeing Wendy at the Grand Ole Opry, and sharing great local eats! What a way to ring in my next year! David Santos Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 10/8/25, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FB & YouTube Links in the Comments Replay here: http://bit.ly/46TQ3M4 and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGNYDGbnpE4&t=3s

Nestor Carbonell Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Nestor Carbonell has it all. A beautiful wife, great kids, a wildly successful career spanning three plus decades, which is hotter than ever, with two hit shows streaming (The Morning Show on Apple TV, and Pulse on Netflix), a brand new film in theatres (Motherland), a sparkling Emmy award (for Shōgun), his first feature about to be cast, an episode of Law & Order to direct, and a beard being grown for a greenlit new movie he’s soon to shoot. That’s just part of the story. What he also has in abundance is humility, accessibility, warmth, kindness, sweetness, and he’s hotter than ever to gaze upon, too. Those insanely dark-rimmed eyes, which he swears are natural, sans “paint” (my new favorite word for make-up), thank you, Nestor, are awfully fun to feast upon, too. He’s the whole enchilada, and I say that with all due respect, and the Harvard grad is due a lot! We’ve been having a Nestor Carbonell film festival over here for the past week, and barely scratched the surface. Last night alone, we watched Motherland, also available to rent at home, The Dark Knight, which I hadn’t seen since it dropped, what a star-studded extravaganza that is, with a brilliant Heath Ledger in his final film, and, the latest episode of The Morning Show, where Nestor’s Yanko continues to evolve before our eyes, as does the show. Tonight we’ll get back to our Lost binge; we haven’t even gotten to Nestor’s run yet. I’m exhausted just watching the guy. How the hell does he manage it all? This conversation spoke to Nestor’s easy, self-effacing generosity of spirit. We touched on his parents, his background, early education, that crazy college, finding acting, how he broke in and through, the work, some tricks of his trade, meeting his bride of two decades, Shannon Kenny, her talents, can’t wait to read her All Is Not Lost (on order!), managing career and kids, the sacrifices, getting through the pandemic, how it’s changed him, the work, and the world, and, at each turn, he asked about me––quite a guy. As versatile and compelling as he is on screen, is as focused and charming as he is in life. Nestor’s an anomaly. The total package. If something’s missing, I missed it. How fun to keep watching and looking. Nestor Carbonell Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 10/1/25, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FB & YouTube http://bit.ly/48cr1dw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIWkX8ksNhk

The Blues Magoos Peppy Castro Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson There’s fun, and then there’s spending two hours with The Blues Magoos Peppy Castro! He’s lived a rockers’ life to covet and then some! The Who, Hendrix, Dylan, Jefferson Airplane, JOHN LENNON for Gd’s sake! Stories, stories, stories, one better than the next. He drove a Beatle in a Beetle! Who can say that? Skipping school and playing the Night Owl in the village when he was 14. 14! When Jimi used to stop in and jam, when Bob would roam the streets with his guitar, when Richie Havens would just wander in… doing the Jack Benny Show with Henny Youngman and Morey Amsterdam firing schtick in the green room, doing The Smother’s Brother’s Comedy Hour with Tommy trying to join the band, touring with The Who and Herman’s Hermits and The Who were the middle act! An insane story about Micheal Botlon, about getting the role in the original production of Hair on Broadway, doing jingle after jingle - with one I’m still singing… we talked Phoebe Snow, Laura Branigan, Buzzy Linhardt, Jay & The Americans, The Turtles with beloved Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, Tommy James, Lou Cristie, Joan Jett, on and on, and on! FAB! FAB! FAB! Forty years in the making - we could’ve screamed across the street at each other in the 80s. I did visit his penthouse once, but thought it was elsewhere. There may or may not have been a lotta pot involved. The antidote to today’s latest crazy… this thing right here. Just hit play. It’s the joy button. Promise! The Blues Magoos Peppy Castro Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 9/17/25, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FB & YouTube Replay: http://bit.ly/46d9CA0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI5Mbp2uy8U&t=2169s

Bette Sussman Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Keyboardist, composer, musical director, Emmy winner, Bette Sussman, is a dear friend, a Scorpio almost twin sista, crazy talented, grows her food, cooks delectably, rocks hard, leans left, which is right, cares about humans and other living things… what more could you want in a person? What fun to talk about life, the day to day, how it’s changed, how we’ve changed, the passions that remain, new hobbies, new music… a gig next Tues, 9/16 doing the music of Burt Bacharat with loads of other brilliant musicians, and a just dropped yesterday doc about the vocalists and music behind Chaka Khan, you can catch Crafting The Sound on YouTube. We dished the genius of Cissy Houston, Bette was her MD for five or so years, with a young backup singer named Whitney, who came into her own and took Bette with her in her heyday, for 11 plus years, before the fall, and segued with an intro from Marc Shaiman to 11 plus years with another Bette. Midler. Close with all of her musical collaborators, but especially this one, until a nasty fight in Vegas. Our Bette tells it, as well as the redemption and sweet closeness they again share, as recently as last week. Great story there. We hear about Cyndi, friends, but not so easy, and a really rough and awful end with Patti LuPone. 

We talked about sessions, industrials, touring, and mutual friends Will Lee, Steve Ferrone, and Keb Mo. Bette’s played with loads more. I have little doubt we could have talked for another 1:45 and not gotten to all of them. Reminiscent of pre-pandemic days, I was so relaxed and cozy, it felt like we were sitting in Bette’s kitchen together. I could almost taste her perfect homegrown heirloom tomato and smell the sauce she cooked from its harvest. Next visit at Bette’s place, and we feast! Can’t wait! Bette Sussman Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 9/10/25, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FB & YouTube http://bit.ly/3VIud93 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpXhSh3Ula8

Liberty DeVitto Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Sitting down with iconic Billy Joel drummer, Liberty DeVitto, after a too-long three-year hiatus was fantastical! Friends since the 80s, I never get enough of Lib’s stories and his spectacular storytelling. Hot off the heels of being a major player in the current HBO/MAX Billy Joel doc, And So It Goes, Lib caught us up and filled in the blanks. Over the course of five interviews spanning the last decade, pieces of the story have been uncovered; today, Liberty put them all together. How did Billy’s once fierce loyalty wane, replaced with a detached coldness? The reasons stated in the doc, only part of the story. We got the deets, including turning down George Martin in favor of his band, refusing a ride to McCartney’s 911 recording session when there wasn’t room for Lib in the car, and to an ill-shared secret spilled by Lib’s then wife to Billy’s then wife, Christie. Liberty’s sobriety sobering, and a joy killer to Billy. How the end came down without a word to their longtime bandmates, Russell Javors and Doug Stegmeyer, perhaps responsible for the latter’s demise. And how, sometime later, the same fate awaited Liberty. The truth about his lawsuit and why he fought. Elizabeth Weber, Billy’s first wife and manager’s support, and why she finally chose to speak up and set the record straight. Lib talked about his and Billy’s 15-year silence following their 30-year collaboration, their reconciliation, and their ongoing renewed friendship, as Billy faces serious health issues. We got the scoop on his meeting Beatles, Ringo and Paul, playing with them - full circle from their inspiring his life’s path. Karen Carpenter, Carly Simon, The Beach Boys, Phoebe Snow, Ronnie Spector, just a few he’s shared a studio and or a stage with. How, with Billy’s blessing, the original Billy Joel Band, Liberty, Richie Cannata (gratefully recovered from a life-threatening aortic dissection), and Russell Javors, carry on as The Lords of 52nd Street, and how his Slim Kings are amassing a huge following, dropping a new record, and readying to tour. He’s got a gorgeous wife, a happy marriage, four thriving daughters, and two grandchildren; he’s sober. Life is good! Mine’s better with Liberty in it. Adore the man! Liberty Devitto Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 8/27/25, 5 PM PT/ 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FB & YouTube http://bit.ly/4mV01nn https://www.youtube.com/live/9q2bOQD6ZuM

The Cowsills Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson What’s better than sitting down with your old friend and childhood hero, Bob Cowsill? Being surprised when Paul and Susan Cowsill join him. Us. What fun! The Cowsills (Hair, The Rain, The Park, and Other Things, We Can Fly), currently out on The Happy Together Tour, are the real-life Partridge Family, upon whom the show was based. A fan since the 60s, they adorned my walls and turntable. I love them. Bob Cowsill holds the distinction of having the most viewed video on my YouTube channel, over 203K views and counting, daily, years after its release. Bob's Women Who Write appearance, middling for the late, great Ed Asner, with incredible opener, James Morrison, of 24, was a KILLER! It was an instant classic, timeless, not to be missed! It'll make you happy, happy, happy, as no doubt this 4th sitdown with the always ridiculously entertaining, funny man and the second with the lot of 'em will. We talked about their watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, and the impact they had on Bob and Bill, their first two failed record deals, some oddly named group, Simon & Garfunkel, who bested them. The third deal was the charm with The Rain, The Park & Other Things written for them. How Mom, Paul & Susan each joined the brothers. How Hair came to them, thank you, Carl Reiner...how pleasing their fans, whether on The Happy Together Tour, which they've opened for 11 years, or on The Flower Power cruise, which they do annually, is their primary purpose. They always play their hits and love doing so. We talked about their new releases, Rhythm of the World, Global, and the upcoming The Cocaine Drain, and their long-awaited a cappella album. If you're lucky enough to catch one of their bi-monthly Cowsills gigs, you might get to hear Is Your Love Alive, or other previously unreleased gems. But you can bet you'll hear their classics and some great covers. They are now and have always been crowd pleasers, and that includes sitting down with them. They're open, fun, clearly love each other, and have infectious enthusiasm for what they do and life in general. As always, whether at one of their shows or chatting, I had a ball. I trust you will, too. The Cowsills Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 8/20/25, **2 PM PT, 5 PM ET** Streamed Live on my FB & YouTube http://bit.ly/3JpW8rB https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcTbAcaLw1Q

Bradley Whitford Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson It was a sweet reunion when 3 x Emmy-winner Bradley Whitford of The West Wing was surprised and serenaded by composer Snuffy Walden, with the show’s Emmy-winning theme. They share quite a bit of history, having also done Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Last night Snuff and I binged the pilot episodes of both shows and were astounded by how timely they still are. Bradley and I discussed his storyline in that first West Wing, which could’ve been ripped out of today’s headlines. We also talked about Studio 60 and the irony of Danny Trip’s confession to Matt Albie, played by Matthew Perry, about his drug slip. Bradley’s emotional remembrance of the show, its cast, and specifically Matthew’s comedic brilliance, and the pocket of sobriety for Matt that allowed for some of his best work. Bradley ain’t no Hollywood fluffernutter. Of progressive Quaker stock, his father, who worked at an insurance company, was the local president of Planned Parenthood before it was political, his mother was an outspoken advocate, and his brother, a conscientious objector. Talk about an unusual childhood, he has an 85-year-old sister. Bradley came from a loving, functional home, and still became an actor. Now that’s an anomaly right there. We did a deep dive into the state of the union. Thoughtful, passionate, and in solution, Bradley puts his activism where his mouth is. We talked Trump, Musk, Kennedy, gender affirming care, Biden, Kamala, Hillary, Iran, immigration, how art will not save us, only politics will. And yet much of Bradley’s art is political. We spoke about The Handmaid’s Tale from innumerable angles. For me, arguably perhaps the greatest show ever on television, and his Commander Lawrence, is probably the most layered, complex character he’s portrayed. We talked about Elisabeth and their earlier connection in The West Wing, Anne Dowd, and how her spectacular performance inspired Margaret Atwood’s writing, The Testaments, for her. Bradley was far more interested in talking about current affairs and how essential it is that we do more than talk than he was in talking about his work. But we did squeeze in some time to discuss For Worse, the indie feature his bride, Amy Landecker, wrote, directed, and stars in alongside Bradley. His respect, love, and admiration to Amy are adorable to behold. Making the festival circuit and winning awards along the way, I can’t wait to see the film loosely based on their romance. I’m a fan. A great, big avid Bradley Whitford fan. The last time we met, it was at a big Hollywood soiree. He was equally as open, personable, unaffected, opinionated, and accessible as he was this day. As much as I adore his work, I’m grateful as hell for his humanity and advocacy. I hope to consider “What would Bradley do” a whole lot more moving forward. And speaking of hope, he has it in abundance… mix that with some fun, his learned recipe’s secret sauce, and there’s good reason to trust that there are better days ahead. It’s up to us, all of us, to make it so. This should be essential viewing for anyone in fear and despair. Bradley Whitford Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 6/25/25, 2 PM PT, 5 PM ET Streamed Live FB Replay http://bit.ly/4lv7rfX & YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFMXr8g9yyY&t=187s

Decades later, as if no time had passed, bassist Kevin Jenkins came to call. I met Kevin in 1986ish, when he was playing with Cyndi Lauper at the height of her fame. He had stopped in to the Rock ’N Roll Cafe, sat in, and graced our small stage. Big man on campus, he was pop-rock royalty. Girl just wanted to have fun, so with my Cafe cohort, Steve Principe, we headed to The Stone Pony to catch Kevin with Cyndi. About a decade later, I’d meet up with Cyndi as Upper Westside mommies… but I digress. Kevin continued to come around and sit in, most notably with my beloved Phoebe Snow and Matt Sorum from Guns & Roses, at the Cafe Wha. From Tokyo’s Budokan to London’s famous Albert Hall to NYC’s Madison Square Garden - Kevin’s played them all, with the aforementioned Cyndi Lauper, and Enrique Iglesias, Taylor Dayne, Vicki Sue Robinson, Graham Parker, Lamya, Tom Rush, Maxwell, Roberta Flack, Debbie GIbson and, most recently, Grammy® nominated blues queen Shemekia Copeland, who he’s been with 2005. We talked about them all, as well as the music that influenced him, how he got started, how one meeting led to one gig, which led to another. When imbibing started to interfere, Kevin got sober 38 years ago. We discussed that journey, too. We discussed his highlights, opening for Clapton and Michael Jackson, as well as loss, and love. Kevin filled us in on his solo efforts, Step Inside and True Groove, as well as his latest, She:  A Tribute to Joni Mitchell, which will be released in November. Humble and unpretentious to a fault, it was a delightful stroll down memory lane with loads of new info and great stories along the way. Kevin is just as I remember him, except even better. Wisdom, experience, and a clear mind have added to the mix. Adore the man, love his playing, respect his humanity. Kevin Jenkins Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FB Kevin Jenkins Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FB http://bit.ly/4kG0LeK And YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eup_wy0SJlM&t=2985s

Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Happy Happy Joy Joy, that’s spending time conversing with our good friend, Leland Sklar, who’s made it all about the bass with everybody on everything, from Phil Collins, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Billy Cobham, Carole King, Hall & Oates, Crosby Stills, & Nash, Barbra Streisand, Joe Cocker, Toto, Lyle Lovett, and the list goes on and on, and on, and on… over 2500 + albums worth. I’m exhausted typing this. How the hell does he do it? An activist, Lee’s stood up, spoken out, and paid the price innumerable times. A voice of clarity, passion, and reason, we got into it big time… the LA protests, the insanity surrounding them, the terrifying regime, our hope for Newsom, the unknowing of how to stop it, or how it will ultimately shake out… the fires, the transition back to living post the pandemic. Of course, we did talk music too. Respects to Brian Wilson and Sly Stone, Lee having played with the former, and influenced by the latter… how health has befallen so many heroes, Phil Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond… and the wonder of Leland, currently doing 3 hr concerts with Lyle, still standing. That boy has good jeans. Levis. The ongoing and upcoming big tour with Lyle and the sad putting aside, for now, of The Immediate Family. We talked about the lads, his brothers, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, and Steve Postel, what makes that band so rockin’ special, we talked about James Taylor, Peter Asher, who Lee holds responsible for launching his career, Phil Collins, and his amazingly talented son, Nick, Toto, Stevie Nicks, his book, Everybody Loves Me, which I’m blessed to be in, and Lee’s marriage that has endured for 54 years and counting. Lee’s one of the most universally adored musicians for his playing, his humanity, his humor, and his great big heart. I adore him. Who doesn’t? Well, maybe a couple of fools on Capitol Hill. The man’s a marvel. Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FB https://bit.ly/4dZz0Lx And YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU7luUSTrRU&t=22s

We were Live with my good friend, 2x Emmy nominee, Gary Stockdale. What a joy after a long void. Pre-pandemic, it seems we saw each other everywhere, and often. COVID changed life. A lot. We talked about that and how both of us have Facebook Lives born out of necessity. You’d think with our combined expertise, it would be smooth sailing. You’d think. Tech glitches messed with Gary’s fine art… his singing/playing and songwriting, which we were challenged to present, but Gary persevered and did treat us to two songs from his new musical, Showstopper, and an a cappella treat to take us out that I won’t spoil. Gary took us back to his early days in Glendale, musical theatre at LA City College, his mentor Henry Mancini, Penn & Teller for whom he scored for 25 years. There was Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Aristocrats, Spongebob Square Pants, and lot of Gary music along the way to discuss. Even with the challenges, it was a fun, relaxed ride down Gary’s memory lane. The kind of conversation that happens between friends. Lovely. And Gary’s voice… I don’t know how it’s possible, but he sounds even more incredible than ever. What a gorgeous voice, and what an amazing songwriter! After a particularly crap day, this time with Gary truly healed my weary soul. Gary Stockdale Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 6/4/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my FB & YouTube Links in the comments FB Replay here: https://bit.ly/4kV1oB1 YouTube Replay here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkMYA_Qfz7E

Tracy Newman Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson by Vicki Abelson

Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Part 2 Rosemary Butler has sung with everyone on every song I love. Pretty damn close. In this, our 2nd sitdown, Rose picked up where we left off, post Paul & Ringo, The Rolling Stones, and Three Dog Night - see Part 1 for those fab stories, and took us through Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, The Section, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald (her first student, who taught her to create her own unique voice), Neil Diamond (on his Christmas album… to which Neil said, I’m Jewish, why am I doing this) Joe Cocker, Johnny Mathis, The Bish, Willie Nelson, David Lindley (the most fun), Warren Zevon, Alan Parsons, Don Henley, Bruce Springsteen (when he was sleeping under the Jersey pier with his guitar), Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell (her idol), and Paul Simon. Rosemary’s voice intermingles magically with all of them. Stories, stories, more stories about hero after shero. Peter Asher, she credits with opening the doors. Teaching and sharing what she’s learned and what she knows, you too can study with the master - reach out at RosemaryButler.com. And, catch her Live with The Tribe at their 10th anniversary celebration at The Canyon Club in L.A. where it all started. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to traverse a career and a life brilliantly lived. The road, the buses, the food, the fun, and the hit music her iconic voice is synonymous with. Can I ever hear Running on Empty and not think of her… no way. Love the Rosemary Butler! Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Part 2 Wednesday, 5/21/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook & YouTube Replay Links: https://bit.ly/3Fj8Syt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgO9MJHZNj4

Alan Zweibel Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Live from the Zoom Room, it’s Alan Zweibel! It was so great to jump back in with the fabulous, funny, and fun Emmy Winner. Alan took us back to his earliest days in the biz, how he made his way in, the first joke he sold, still funny! The Catskill Mountains, Morty Gunty, Freddie Roman, Rodney Dangerfield, maybe his first collaborator… with whom Alan comes full circle, presently. Doing standup with Billy Crystal, leading to years of collaboration, being discovered by Lorne Michaels… SNL, Alan’s game changer. Gilda, a partnership made in heaven - how Roseannne Roseannadanna and Emily Latella came to be, Belushi, Ackroyd, the current film, Saturday Night, where it felt right, where liberties were taken, how it felt to have someone play him. Co-creating It’s The Garry Shandling Show with Gary, how they worked together. Writing Lunatics with Dave Barry, long distance, For This We left Egypt with Dave and Adam Mansbach, and a great story about how that friendship and collaboration began. Broadway with Billy and with Martin Short, and the cute, sweet note after their encounter at the SNL 50th reunion. Alan’s current collab with Barry Levinson, how that started and where it is today, that full circle Rodney story coming to fruition currently… and through it all, Robin. Alan’s love and wife since the early SNL days… and his most fruitful collaborator. Alan’s devotion to his family is what stories are made of, as is his work ethic, resiliency, tenacity, and talent. His storytelling is what good conversations are made of, served up with laughs, lots of them. What an inspiration! Loved every minute of this. And I sure did need the eggs. Alan Zweibel Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 5/14/23, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live Links in the comments Replay on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1uvKClTYdY

Nile Rogers of Chic Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson This sit-down with my old friend, multiple Grammy Winner, Rock & Roll Hall Inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist, Nile Rogers, is SOLID GOLD… more like triple platinum. Even though we never exchanged more than a few words in the handful of times he graced my jams back in the day, there was always DHM (deep hidden meaning), as there always is with Nile. This day, we got to that and so much more. STORIES! Oh my lord, No one tells ‘em like Nile. Case in point, his tome, Le Freak, may be the greatest memoir I’ve read. I could not put the thing down. When was the last time I read a book cover to cover in less than 24 hours? A rare score on Amazon these days, Nile’s assured he’ll be updating and republishing. It’s a MUST-read for music fans, flower children, and anyone who loves to sink their teeth into a great story, well-told. Nile covered his very humble early days, his barely older than him mother, the drugs, the bi-coastal extended family, the moves, the schools, early influences from Coltrane to The Beatles, flute to clarinet to guitar… how Bernard Edwards got him to the Hitmaker Strat and chucking, which has become synonymous with Nile’s style. We talked the DHM, the breakdown, the Chic magic as well as the music during and since… producing the top of the top for Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, still winning Grammys and kicking it with Daft Punk, Beyonce, and Cold Play, to name but a few, 750 MILLION albums worth. Say what? We got the sweetest stories about Michael Jackson… a funny with Keith Richards, a Grace Jones impression, and a scary story about Nile’s coke psychosis leading to him bottoming out and getting clean and sober. 31 years worth and counting… That Nile was able to do all that he’s done, and it’s Herculean - aside from the massive number of hits, the films he’s scored, the shows he’s played, there’s the We Are Family Foundation, Chairing the Songwriters Hall of Fame, receiving the 2024 World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award for his extraordinary efforts to make the world a more peaceful, equal, and inclusive place… Nile is a humanist, a gentle soul with a heart of platinum like the records that line his walls. I’ve always admired, respected, and adored Nile. After reading Le Freak, and spending this time with him, I cherish him all the more. What a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man! 

Nile Rogers of Chic Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 4/2/25, 11AM PT, 2 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook and on my YouTube FB Replay here: https://bit.ly/4cmPP2u YouTube replay here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q875x2lVyLE

Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson & Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson What do you get when you Zoom with three amigos from Texas who go back over 50 years? A whole lot of fun, rock stories galore, and a ton of love. The Grammy, Emmy, BMI, and Blues Award Winning trio of Snuffy Walden, Tony Braunagel, and Terry Wilson took us back to the 60s in Houston, playing at the Cellar, a strip club in Houston, Tony and Terry off with Johnny Nash and Snuffy off with Stray Dog to open for Emerson, Lake and Palmer. They all ended up in London, there was Rabbit, Paul Kossoff, Free, Back Street Crawler, Pete Townshend, and Eric Burdon for all of them, at least twice. Some great war stories along the way… there was Michael Ruff, some crashed cars and trashed hotel rooms. Tony took us through his time with Rickie Lee Jones, Bonnie Raitt, and The Blues Brothers backup band, leading to be an actor and musician on According to Jim. Snuffy getting Chaka Khan, Donna Summers and then segueing to TV, Thirty Something and The Wonder Years, his first foray in––both Emmy-winning shows that year, leading to the West Wing and his own Emmy. Terry partnering with Teresa James in music and in life, their Grammy nod, his song-writing, producing through his latest for Back Street Crawler’s Terry Slesser which reunited him with Tony and Terry. They’ve shared many stages and sessions over the years, but it’s their rock-solid friendship borne in decades-long history that sweetens their song. What a joy to be in their joy. A great time was had by all. Lucky me and you to be a fly on that wall. Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson & Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 3/19/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streaming Live on my YouTube & my Facebook Replay YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ArHgeUrToc&t=194s Replay FB here: https://bit.ly/4bNq8b2

Jim Vallely Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Sitting down with Emmy and WGA award winner, Jim Vallely was a cozy, comfortable, fun, and funny hang. He even told us a joke joke, on request. It’s one he’s been “testing” as part of a sociological experiment of sorts. Win/win, we got a laugh with a lesson. Who knew that having a seizure in 6th grade would lead to a career as a TV comedy writer. Jim takes us through and it makes perfect sense. This accountant studying student just happened to sit next to the right guy at an NYU audition, ask his mother the right question on the right day, marry the right girl, move into the right apartment, partner with the right actor/comedian, Jonathan Schmock, become 1/2 of The Funny Boys comedy team, appear on Johnny Carson, co-star on the sitcom, Double Trouble, and then write on The Golden Girls, one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. Brotherly Love, Ladies Man, Action, Two and a Half Men, My Wife and Kids, The John Larriquette Show, Till Death, Extended Family, as well as Arrested Development, for which he garnered 4 Emmy nominations, and the aforementioned awards, followed. Jim was an executive producer and co-creator with Will Arnett and Michael Hurwitz of Running Wilde on Fox. There’s more. Jim tells a great Carl Reiner/Alan Brady story, tells us how the real Kramer, Larry David, Bill Maher, Callie Khouri, Chris Thompson, Don Reo, Mitchell Hurwitz, Will Arnett, and Jay Mohr factor into his story, gives us the before, during, and after of his career milestones, and speaks with great pride and tenderness about the great loves and joys of his life, his talented wife, Maggie, and his successful daughter, Tannis. We talked about our friends, Taylor Negron and Ron Zimmerman. There is no friend like Jim. His love, devotion, and care for Ron, was a gift he gave all of us who loved him. Jim’s a tender-hearted, special man. And boy, is he funny. A very funny boy, indeed! Jim Vallely Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 3/12/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook & YouTube Replay here: https://bit.ly/4iCKgPq YouTube https://www.facebook.com/vickiabelson/videos/937526015211102

Benny Harrison Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson What fun to sit down and catch up with keyboardist, singer, songwriter, producer, Benny Harrison, who I’ve known for 5 decades. There was so much I didn’t know. Benny gave us the back story––growing up mixed race from hard-working parents who may or may not have been on the wrong side of the law, but who taught him strong work ethics and appreciated immediately and encouraged his musical gifts. When his brother sold his piano, Benny turned lemons into lemonade, practicing at a local school which garnered him his first professional gig with Henry Gross, which led him to sing onstage with Michael McDonald. When I met up with him, he was sitting in with Mason Reese, and then Phoebe Snow sat in with Benny and The Spydrs. A kickass player and entertainer, Benny was in regular rotation at all the clubs I booked back in the day. Benny tells a great story about a night at Spo-Dee-O-Dee’s and a couple of huge surprise special guests. Benny has played with Vernon Reid; Corey Glover; Joe Walsh; Elvis Costello; Simon Kirke; and Charlie Drayton, among many others and for four years his Spydrs were the house band at The China Club’s famed Monday nights where Bruce Willis, Rick James, Steve Stevens, Linda Perry, Eddie Vedder, Billy Idol, and whoever was in town, would sit in with the band. We talked with mutual zeal of our love for the place, those nights, that time. Benny has been active with Veterans who are either suffering from PTSD, alcohol, drug abuse, or homelessness, in a program called Voices of Valor. It's a 9-week process to write a song with the Vets who have served our country. He produces and creates the musical/harmonic part of the process, and then takes the Vets into a recording studio, where they can experience the process. He shared a most moving sweet story of a silent woman’s transformation. Working on an upcoming Documentary, Back Up Front, it tells the story of players including him who started out in front, worked the backline and are once again stepping out front. Benny’s upcoming album, Pages, drops April 14th. He had planned to perform a couple of the tunes with his producer, Mike Ciro, but that didn’t pan out. He treated us to a few little tastes with an unmiked guitar. A few tech challenges, but as with all things Benny went with it, eventually singing a capella. He’s a pro! To get the album, be at The Bitter End for the album release, and for all things Benny go to BennyHarrison.com. I got an advance listen- it’s fab! I adore my dear friend. It was such a treat to get lost in time and tales with this talented, resilient, fun, and passionate, pal. Benny Harrison Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 3/5/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtfBeq7CsGg&t=3s

Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Part 1 Astrologer Zoe Moon warned it was gonna be a crazy day. I read that first thing this morning but forgot about it until 4:45 pm when things started going sideways. What could have been a non-show disappointment, turned into a delayed, technical bit of a mess, but ultimately delightful chat with the incomparable Rosemary Butler. Just the appetizer for what is sure to be a delightful feast when next we meet, Wednesday, March 26th, promptly Live @5! Instead of what I thought would be a quick hello, sorry, see you next time, Rosemary delighted with some choice stories about where she came from, her two all-girl bands, The Ladybirds and Birtha, opening for The Stones, great stuff there from the Beatles fan who eventually did get to sing with her hero, Paul, who inspired her to be a lefthanded singing bassist, through sheer Moxie, thanks to Kenny Loggins and Peter Asher, a funny Three Dog Night/Chuck Negron tale, a wonderful Ray Charles invitation, Bonnie Raitt, who she credits with changing her life, but we barely scratched the surface there as we did with Jackson Browne. Rosemary has sung, toured, and recorded with everyone who's anyone... Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, to name a few more - those stories and lots more when Rosemary comes back, under more ideal conditions, feather in hand, with her adorable exuberance to amuse and delight us! In addition to being an iconic backup singer whose memorable riffs have scored my life, Rosemary is a renowned vocal coach and gigs regularly. For all things Rose rosemarybutler.com She's beautiful, adorable, has lived a life dreams are made of, with a voice that'll deservedly live forever. Can't wait for more. Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Part 1 Wednesday, 2/26/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3XmsoQp

John Fugelsang Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Stop everything! John Fugelsang, a Drama League-nominated actor, comedian & host of Tell Me Everything on SiriusXM, is one thought-provoking, gracious, informed, intelligent, sexy liberal! And boy did fill the hour with passion and hope. With informed insight, John offered us tools when dealing with the maga faux Christian right, which will be expounded upon in his upcoming book, Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back The Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, which will be published this August by Simon & Schuster. We talked this election, John and my belief, or disbelief, I should say. We talked 47, Musk, RFK Jr, Bush, Clinton, Sanders, Obama, Kamala, Vance… there’s meat on these here bones. The son of a nun and a Franciscan brother, quite the story in itself (and John tells it so well), his break from traditional religion at a very early age and his reason for it, which I found particularly compelling, how he got started in the business of show, first making money at it at the ripe young age of eleven. How stage took him to stand-up, and then interviewing. Hearing about what he describes as hs novice 4 hours with George Harrison, where George played on air for the last time, four songs he’d never played on air, and then jetting off to London the next day to interview Paul. Oh my lord! We rounded out the hour discussing our mutual passion for Bob Dylan, John’s 60+ concert experiences greatly different than my one. Our mutual love and admiration for A Complete Unknown, John’s certainty that Timothée will garner an Oscar, and perhaps Edward Norton as well. Me, not so much, even after voting for both of them for SAG Awards today. John is a funny, provocative, thrilling conversationalist. I had a spectacular time in his good company. I highly recommend giving this a watch as an antidote to the current crazy. John Fugelsang Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 2/19/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/4350OLc

Mark Metcalf on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson As if sitting down twice with Animal House’s Mark Metcalf was not enough (it wasn’t), thrice was the charm. And, I suspect, just the beginning of many more conversations to come… and that’s exactly what this was… a conversation. Sparked by Mark’s just-dropped memoir, Tim Tim Timmy, which is at once gut-wrenching, heart-stopping, terrifying, life-affirming, informative, entertaining, and inspiring, we talked about suicide, family dysfunction, addiction, mental illness, the differences… Asperger’s, ADD, depression, neurodiverse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar, being on the spectrum, and how one size doesn’t fit all. How a proper early diagnosis can change the course of a life, prematurely ending Tim’s and giving space for Mark’s son Julius to thrive way beyond expectations. We talked about Mark’s life choices, and how they impacted his brother, his marriage, his son, and his career. How a misstep may have led to a seasoning, a reasoning, his ultimate redemption. The beach in Gaza was not lost on us, the scary insanity crept in more than once. We touched on the current state of the business too, self-tapes, and the horror of it all. With a quick streaming recommendation. In the end, it came down to love, responsibility, willingness, and action. That works at home, with our work, and with our nation. I’m hopeful. I’m inspired. I’m better informed. And I adore, even more, Mr. Metcalf. Treat yourself to Tim Tim Timmy. In this dumbed-down mess of times, it’s a smart, sophisticated, thought-provoking, yet accessible and non-putdownable enticing read. https://www.amazon.com/Tim-Timmy-Mark-Metcalf/dp/B0DQ6M7XTV?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER Mark Metcalf Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 2/5/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/4aV1vJ2