My guest today is Australian guitar legend, educator and studio owner, Jim Kelly. Jim has firmly established himself as a leading Australian contemporary jazz and blues guitarist, composer and educator whose reputation goes well beyond Australian shores. In 1975 Jim co-formed CROSSFIRE – Australia’s most celebrated jazz fusion group. From 1975-87 Jim perfected the rigorous demands of the recording studio and became a highly sought-after session player performing on countless jingles, documentaries, film scores plus pop and jazz artists’ albums. Jim also performed and recorded with Australian artists Kerrie Biddell, Renee Geyer, Johnny Farnham, Debbie Byrne, John English, Tommy Emmanuel, Erana Clark, Don Burrows, James Muller and Dale Barlow, to name but a few. The 90’s saw a change of lifestyle for Jim with a move to Northern NSW to lecture at Southern Cross University, Lismore where he was Head of Guitar Studies for 17 years. Jim has since resigned from full-time academia and now runs a recording studio from his home – TONE RANGER STUDIO. He has produced many fine albums and has quickly achieved the reputation of becoming a world-class Producer and Mixing/Mastering engineer. Jim is a musician dedicated to the art of improvising, composing, performing and teaching and is always searching for new ways to expand his musical horizons. So ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for Mr Jim Kelly. This conversation was recorded 16/12/2020. Intro music: Heaven Scent - Jim Kelly (Ya Gotta Love the Drummers). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal. Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you. The Gig Life Podcast: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter

My guest today is Brett Garsed. A guitar virtuoso, Brett is renowned for his work with John Farnham and is also well known for his hybrid picking technique and legato-style guitar playing. “Brett Garshred,” some call him. Brett takes us through his musical journey, including the John Farnham gig, his time with the band Nelson, and collaborations with drumming legends like Virgil Donati, Bobby Rock, Gerry Pantazis, and Dennis Chambers — plus much more. Check out Brett's "Hybrid Picking" and "Legato" educational material at Guitar Vivo Check out Horizon band. You can find more info on Brett at his Facebook and Instagram This conversation was recorded 25/06/2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gift back to The Gig Life PodcastYour support is very much appreciated. Thank you.FollowLeave a review The Gig Life Podcast

My guest today is Ali Foster. From growing up in Western Sydney with a musical family, to earning stripes in jazz at the Con, hitting the road with the Hussy Hicks, playing with Beccy Cole, and sharing practice sessions from the back of her van — Ali’s journey is all groove and grit. Life on tour, journaling for clarity, and learning to swing from the ride cymbal up, Ali’s the real deal. For more info on Ali, check out her Instagram This conversation was recorded 04/06/2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gift back to The Gig Life PodcastYour support is very much appreciated. Thank you.FollowLeave a review The Gig Life Podcast

First published in 2021, A Few Gig Tales is coming back! Check out this previous episode in the popular series.    This is A Few Gig Tales #2. Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes? In this sub series of The Gig Life Podcast, you will hear some interesting tales, stories, anecdotes of life on the road, stage and studio, told by the musicians and artists that were there. Sometimes the names will be changed or removed to protect the innocent and guilty. Todays episode features 3 tales. First up is Virginia Lillye with a story about a chance meeting at Frankies Pizza in Sydney.Followed by Tony Azzopardi's tale of a Sydney underworld figure.And finally, Fran Kora tells of a trippy encounter in Amsterdam. Warning. Some of these stories contain adult themes, drug use and some rather bright language, so listener discretion is advised. For more info and past episodes of The Gig Life Podcast featuring Virginia, Tony and Fran, visit thegiglifepodcast.com or search in your favourite podcast app.  Also check out: Kora:  https://www.facebook.com/KoraOfficial Virginia Lillye: https://www.virginialillye.com.au/   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Gift back to The Gig Life Podcast by Buying me a Coffee The Gig Life Podcast: Website Instagram Facebook  Twitter  

My guest today is Chris Kamzelas A guitarist from Sydney, Chris first came onto my radar back in the early 2000s as he was part of the Australian Idol band. He was also in the first band of The Voice Australia. Since then he’s gone on to play with everyone! Back in 2019 we did a guitarists roundtable podcast which Chris was part of the panel. Currently part of Russel Crowes band, The Gentleman Barbers, he also plays around town in The Rocking Byrds amongst others, and he has some new music out. A song he wrote about his father called Song for Angelo. Check it out. For more info on Chris, check out his Instagram and Facebook. This conversation was recorded 21/05/2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Buy Me a Coffee to gift back.Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.FollowLeave a review The Gig Life Podcast

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes? In this sub series of The Gig Life Podcast, you will hear some interesting tales, stories, anecdotes of life on the road, stage and studio, told by the musicians and artists that were there. Sometimes the names will be changed or removed to protect the innocent and guilty. Todays episode features 3 tales:First up is Phil Ceberano and his story about a talented dancing hero.Followed by Fab Omodei and his story about an interesting experience in a theatre show band pit.And finally, Victor Rounds shares a career highlight involving Paul and Linda McCartney and front lawn chill session. Warning. Some of these stories contain adult themes, so listener discretion is advised. For more info and past episodes of The Gig Life Podcast featuring Phil, Fab and Victor, visit thegiglifepodcast.com or search in your favourite podcast app.      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal. Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you. The Gig Life Podcast: Website Instagram Facebook  Twitter  

My guest today is Ben Todd. From Adelaide and from a long family line of drummers, Ben spent 13 years with Cirque du Soleil as drummer and musical director and these days plays with Dojorise, The Superjesus as well as other theatre shows including Beauty and The Beast which he is currently on. Be also has a podcast./YouTube channel called Drummers Perspective.For more info on Ben, check out his Instagram and Facebook. This conversation was recorded 01/05/2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click here to tip The Gig Life Podcast.Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.FollowLeave a review The Gig Life Podcast

Yo, Stevie Taylor here. A little bonus episode for you today. As you may know, I was born and raised in a small town in Wairarapa region on NZ called Masterton. Recently I was invited onto a local Wairarapa radio show called Everyday People on Arrow FM. Hosted by Camille Watkins. If you want to hear a little bit about my early days back there in NZ and how we got to be where we are today, keep listening. Hope you dig it. Check out the video here.  This conversation was recorded 05/03/25 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal.Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.FollowLeave a review The Gig Life Podcast

My guest today, well he’s no stranger to the show. Hamish Stuart is back. Hamo’s first appearance on the show was back in early 2020, and he was also part of the Stevie Gadd Spotlight episode panel. Ep 77. Hamish Stuart Ep 97. TGLP Spotlight - Steve Gadd He’s back to talk about what’s he’s been up to, including working with Jim Moginie, Rob Hirst, Jade MacRae, Don Walker and a bunch of others. Always fun hanging with Hamo. I hope you dig it. Check out Hamish's instagram This conversation was recorded 20/04/2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal.Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.FollowLeave a review The Gig Life Podcast

My guest today is Tim Baltes. Tim is a drummer and producer from Wisconsin in the US who now lives in France. You may know Tim from his kooky and whacky instagram page timbofromkeno, but I got to know who Tim was through his Drumless Tracks on Bandcamp. A wonderful resource for drummers. In this conversation, we talk about all of that and more. Hope you dig it. More info on Tim: Tim Baltes - Linktree This conversation was recorded 14/03/2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal.Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.FollowLeave a review The Gig Life Podcast

My guest today is Andy Bickers. Andy is a saxophone player, originally from New Zealand and now living in Australia. From NZ bands Backdoor Blues Band, Smokeshop and Netherworld Dancing toys, to a long time association with Midnight Oil, a few Eagles gigs here and there, to just recently coming off the road with Cold Chisel on their 5-0 tour…Andy is a session saxophonist, jazz to the roots but a rock n roll attitude. This was an awesome hang. Hope you dig this conversation.More info on Andy: Ander Bickers on Instagram This conversation was recorded 25/02/2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal.Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.FollowLeave a review The Gig Life Podcast

My guest today is Sydney Drummer, Dom Cabrera. You may have seen Dom play with 3PerCent, Jess Mauboy, Conrad Sewell, Sexy Sunday Jam, Milan Ring and many others. Dom is endorsed by Sonor Drums and Ufip cymbals.More info on Dom: Facebook Instagram This conversation was recorded 31/01/2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal. Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you. The Gig Life Podcast

My guest today is the mighty Mark Williams. A lot of you have most likely heard Mark's smash hit Show No Mercy which was pretty massive in the 90s, and he had another big hit in NZ in the 70s with Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life, but there are many other facets to Mark career. He’s a great song writer, he’s been a session singer, and back up vocalist for the likes of Jenny Morris, Ian Moss and many others. Did you know that he sang the original version of the Home and Away theme song? For the last 18 years, Mark has been the lead singer of Dragon, which he was asked to join in 2006. After 50 years in the music industry, Mark has come full circle and a half and to celebrate his mighty career, he’s putting on a show on November 28th at The Bridge Hotel Rozelle called Mark Williams. - “Now and Then”Mark’s daughter Taylor B-W is the support act doing her own set of Pop RnB and drum n bass.For more info on Mark, check out the links Facebook Instagram Wikipedia This conversation was recorded 03/10/2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal. Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you. The Gig Life Podcast

My guest today…well, this is something a bit different. The Kumpnee is a band that I have been a part of since 2011. The history of the band goes back much earlier than that. We are 5 kiwis, based in Australia that wrote and played some pretty awesome music. We came close to hitting the mark of success together but fell short. But through all that we remain close and the music we made is there, its magic to us, and it’s there, for you, forever. Listen to us dissect where we are from, what we did, how we did it and where we are now. The Kumpnee is Ronnie Lavender, Josh Gage, Gino Hawkins, Huia Ratapu and Stevie Taylor. The Kumpnee on facebookThe Kumpnee on Spotify This conversation was recorded 10/03/2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click here to securely donate or tip The Gig Life Podcast via PayPal. Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you. The Gig Life Podcast