A SWEET discussion with "Sweet Baby James" Tribute artist Bill GREISE.  He resides in Nashville but has become nationally recognized as a top James Taylor tribute artist.  Copyright restrictions prevent me from playing any of the songs here, but you can see and hear samples below.   He is appearing here in the Capital Region of Upstate NY at the Cohoes Music Hall on April 5th   Check here for tix!   Video: https://youtu.be/Q0MwK8rx0qY Audience Reviews: https://sweetbabyjamesofficial.com/reviews [Booking: https://sweetbabyjamesofficial.com/book]   Also included in the podcast is a song I wrote rhyming all of the pill commercials you see on TV .    PILLSONG ©2024 Richie Phillips.  All Rights Reserved   Want me to write a musical tribute for someone's  special occasion?  Go to my website and order a "Pick-Me-Up Parody"    #toptalentrichie #tributeartistsalbanyny#sweetbabyjames #jamestaylortribute #jamestaylor #sbj #jt #walkingman #billgriese #tributeshows #tribute #tributeshow #cohoesny #cohoesmusichall #albany #albanyny #albanyevents 

It doesn’t take brain surgery to figure out who she’s related to!  Correct! She is the daughter country legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette.  She was also show consultant on the heart wrenching  bio pic “George and Tammy” .   Georgette is appearing in Glens Falls, New York at the wood theater for an “Up Close  and Personal “ Performance on Sunday, October 29 at 3 PM.  Tickets are still available at this writing at www.woodtheater.org.  we talk about her parents’ and her music, the making of the bio pic and much more.. She also speaks her mind and minces no words about how country music has become almost unrecognizable……at the conclusion I have included a slightly snarky musical commentary I wrote about “bro country” song lyrics that I penned one day on while on the air…. ENJOY!   MY WEBSITE.  WWW.HIRERICHIE.COM EMAIL Richie1077@gmail.com

Think you or somebody you know has an amazing talent?  The "IT" factor?  Well here's your chance to shine.  INTERNATIONAL TALENT SHOWCASE is here in ALBANY ON TUES OCTOBER 17TH AT THE DESMOND HOTEL IN ALBANY!  Founder SHARON MCCARTHY is my guest, and will give you all the information in case you are wondering what they are looking for.  You can be 4 years old, and you can be 80ish  They take anyone in between!    Take a listen!  I also am debuting a new song that rhymes all the annoying pill commercials you see on TV.  It's at the end of the episode. My website btw is www.hirerichie.com for all your musical needs for your next event  (Need a song written for that special someone?  I can do that!  Samples on my site ... 

Fun, informative interview with the incredibly TALENTED  NANCY HAYS - Actor, "Come Dance With Me" singer-songwriter, international line dance hitmaker and much much more.  Ready to appear as of this writing at the the Wood Theatre in Glens Falls for an incredible tribute (with her daughter Mary Hefferman) to Judy Garland and Lisa Minelli's 1964 London Palladium show.  That is happening on 10/22.  The evening before she is at  Glens Falls Stomp,  Temple Beth El Marion Ave, Glens Falls with a 7PM  Line Dance Show!  To see clips of this upcoming show go to www.judylizatribute.com Or go to Soundcloud.com under Nancy Hays and look for Dean Richards interview to hear more of her singing.    Looking for entertainment for your next meeting or private event?  Piano bar sing-a-long nites, song parody show ( I can write you a custom song for that special someone) and more at. www.hirerichie.com     

Erik Fidel is ”Ringo” in The ULTIMATE BEATLES TRIBUTE BAND--THE FAB FOUR- Take a listen to a fun and informative look into what it is like to represent one of the 4 Mop Topped ICONS literally all over the world ---They’ve been there and he’s here to tell you all about it.

Great, fun conversation with an icon from perhaps the most prolific and productive era in country music..the 90’s…singer songwriter Billy Dean . Billy Dean is a multi award-winning country, singer songwriter. We delve into his career, his new projects, and most importantly..why everyone in his family is either named Billy or Dean or any combination!   Www.Billydean.com for more info My website to book a gig  and hear current and past parodies www.rhyminrichie.com    

REPEAT EPISODE.. WAS ACCIDENTALLY ERASED SO AM REPUBLISHING

ENCORE EPISODE... Originally aired in 2019 but was accidentally erased.   A fun 45 minute chat with old friend and TOP TALENT- musician, songwriter, and arranger EDDIE KILLGALLON. We talk music, songwriting, how he made the move from the Albany area to Nashville way back when, how “timing and preparation” helped, how George Strait propelled a song he co-wrote to the number one spot on the Country charts, his role with EDDIE MONTGOMERY OF MONTGOMERY GENTRY in light of the terrible tragedy claiming the life of Troy Gentry, and tons more. He also gave me the EXCLUSIVE on a brand new song that I’m going to play a portion of. Not to be missed. Very very timely with a vitally important message ..

Yes..that happened… An unbelievable opportunity to speak with a country music icon…Multi-Award winning singer and actor Randy Travis and his amazing wife Mary who has become, due to his unfortunate stroke several years ago, , his defacto spokesperson..and what an amazing job she does…     They make it work, and with great humor besides.    There is a backstory to getting this chance to chat with them, and it’s briefly explained at the beginning.   To give you an idea….I and several others had the once in a lifetime opportunity to sing his own hits right there with him on the stage!  I will never forget that, and will never forget this super special episode… they were so down to earth that by the end of my working with them, I wanted to invite them for dinner!  Lol SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MASTERMIND OF THE SHOWS THAT I AND  OTHERS WERE INVOLVED WITH…KEVIN RICHARDS of KEVIN RICHARDS PRODUCTIONS. He is also on this episode along with coordinator Cheryl Howe who did so much behind the scenes work with these shows at the Charles R Woods Theatre in Glens Falls and the Colonial Theatre in Laconia NH..      Absent here was Mark Petrie who also did amazing work on these gigs!

Part 1 of a 2 Part Podcast on our experiences performing in association with the UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL RANDY TRAVIS SHOW here in Glens Falls NY and Laconia New Hampshire-8/26-27,2023 - part of Kevin Richards Productions.  Mark and I were "warm up acts" and the duo of Martin and Kelly are best described as "Co- Headliners" along with the legend himself!  More infö at MartinandKellymusic.com and same on socials.  Mark Pierre on FB  Let me write and record a special song for your special someone !  PICK-ME-UP PARODY INFO AT                             www.hirerichie.com                          RhyminRichie on Socials 

In this episode I pay tribute to a TOP TALENTed Tribute Artist -Pennsylvania native Doug Delescavage - of the PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM TRIBUTE BAND .  I happened to catch their act here in July 2023 at the Mohawk Harbor, part of the River Casino complex in Schenectady NY.  Don't miss them if they come your way in the future!  Wow!  Here we discuss his impressive training, he talks about his day  job --, I try (and fail miserably) to stump him with  Elton Trivia questions, and  you even get a free mini piano lesson here for all you folks just starting out .   His website if you'd like to hear clips and see his stage setup is www.philadelphiafreedomtribute.com.

A little sidestep from my normal musical topics--I wanted to explore talent in another medium- PHOTOGRAPHY.  I happened to see this man's work on Facebook where he expertly colorizes old photographs from downtown Troy way back when. A must see!  John Bulmer is my guest.  We talk tips, tricks, artificial intelligence, the death of the digital camera (or maybe not) and other topics .    Check out JohnBulmerPhotography on Facebook to see his incredible work.   At the end of this, I am debuting a song where I dip my toe into the world of A.I. myself.  I had Chat CPT write the lyrics to a song explaining" how much I love playing my piano". I put music to it and produced it with harmonies etc just for "you know whats and giggles".  It's toward the end of the episode.   Hey--speaking of that--looking for a piano?  Digital? Acoustic? Hybrid?.  I know just the place..... HILTON PIANO CENTER, COLONIE CENTER ALBANY.    Check out his website at www.hiltonpianocenter.com  or Bob@hiltonpianocenter.com .

We continue with my series of Top Talented Tribute Artists.  This time Scott Townshend, aka THIRSTY BURLINGTON as Cher!!!  We discuss not only the process of transforming into this icon onstage, but also the trials and tribulations of growing up, gender identity, and we also should mention that Thirsty has a movie---aptly entitled THIRSTY - available on Tubi TV, Hulu and other services.  I happened to see it myself and it is powerful to say the least.     Thirsty is appearing at the Charles Woods Theatre in Glens Falls on 4/15/23.   I hear there are a handful of tix left!!! Call the box office or go to Kevin Richards.com for this and all his upcoming shows - including Randy Travis on 8/26...I will be one of the opening acts!!  Here is a clip if you would like to see a"Cher"  performance    https://youtu.be/guEC4fDPLXE                                     SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION  Planning a wedding, private party, retirement party, anniversary party, corporate event?  Live and recorded music is available from yours truly.   SPECIAL OFFER!  BOOK A 3 OR 4 HOUR PARTY BETWEEN NOW AND SEPTEMBER FIRST 2023--and I will  write and perform a song parody about that special someone at your event.  You also get a recorded copy of the song.  (THE PARTY CAN BE ANYTIME, BUT YOU HAVE TO BOOK IT BETWEN NOW AND SEPTEMBER)   For testimonials and other information -  www.hirerichie.com - all my contact info is on there.   Enjoy the podcast!!    

Another in my series of Tribute Acts episodes.  This time we feature two TOP TALENTS.. Jenna Sue and Bill McGrath, two Albany area musicians taking on the persona of the great Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash for their final performance of their TRIBUTE SHOW  SAT. APRIL 8 at the LITTLE VEGAS WEDDING CHAPEL AND THEATRE in ROTTERDAM NY.   Call 518-419-1334 for reservations.   FYI.. I’ve also done Billy Joel and Joni Mitchell Tribute Act interviews.  Links below.. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-phk69-11e9e80 https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-sp4mm-11e435e   HIRE ME TO PLAY KEYBOARDS OR DJ YOUR NEXT WEDDING, RETIREMENT, ANNIVERSARY, CORPORATE EVENT ,OR BIRTHDAY PARTY , MENTION THIS PODCAST, AND I WILL WRITE A PERSONALIZED “PICK ME UP PARODY” EITHER PRE RECORDED OR PERFORMED LIVE.  ($199.00 value!)  www.hirerichie.com/contact to get more info    

A conversation with myself over this new technology that everyone is blabbing about. Included is a ditty I wrote myself “ CHAT GPT SING-ALONG”,and then the one I really want your opinion on. I asked it to write me the lyrics to a song about how I love my piano. Then I put music to it and harmonies. Would love you to hear it!

 This was a special thrill and honor to have this gentleman on here.  You know him from the number one country hits "I Don't Have To Be Me Til Monday", and "Sunshine" plus many others.  Time to catch up with this TOP TALENT to find out what he's doing down in Mississippi - you may be surprised to learn that he now is the author of the Mississippi state song- plus lots of other cool goings-on.   His newest album is MISSISSIPPI REUNION, but there are many others to choose from.  He hosts a huge podcast called "IN A MISSISSIPPI MINUTE" which is also repeated on talk radio shows throughout his state (in fact, he asked ME to be a guest on his!   But I digress.  Hope you enjoy this one... I certainly did. www.steveazar.com for more on this TOP TALENT  My website btw is www.hirerichie.com.   Thanks for listening, and thanks for the questions that were submitted! 

Is it possible that there is a choir group that you can join with no experience and no need to even audition? Yes! It’s called ROCK VOICES! Plus you get to sing awesome music… Nate Altimari is my TOP TALENTED guest-Director of the Capital Region chapter.   This is such a great community service. I think you’ll enjoy the conversation.. If you’d like more information about the group.. Nate@rockvoices.com   BTW.. At the end of this podcast I also include a little ditty that was written  20 years ago… It’s called Dog Shampoo…TRUE STORY! And I did this live on the air as part of my crazy job on WGNA ALBANY as part of the SEAN AND RICHIE show. Just a little bit of nostalgia…. My website btw is http://www.hirerichie.com. There’s old show photos, shots with some of the artists I had the pleasure of meeting and services I can provide for your next event …plus testimonials……   See ya next time…

Mark Pierre has always had at least one foot firmly planted in the country music genre for all the years I've known him (we used to be neighbors!) . Successful Investment adviser by day/ country singer and songwriter by nite!  He has played for countless audiences in our area here in Upstate NY.    Mark has been chosen by show producer Kevin Richards, along with talented singer Jenna Sue and yours truly to perform at the "UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL RANDY TRAVIS SHOW" here at the Charles Woods Theatre in Glens Falls on 9/11/22. We are performing Randy's hits right in front of the man himself, as he is unable to for medical reasons.   You are probably listening to this after the fact, but I wanted to have a talk with him as I have already done with Jenna and Kevin. (those episodes are right below this one) .   We talk Randy, music in general, and a very interesting story how he actually pounded the pavement himself in Nashville and got VERY CLOSE to having one of his songs released.!

Jenna Sue is one of the artists, along with Mark Pierre and yours truly performing at a show we are doing honoring the great Randy Travis here in Glens Falls New York on 9/11. This was recorded right after a practice for our version of “I Told You So”…   

My talk with Capital Region country radio legend KEVIN RICHARDS and his new venture …an UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL concert with RANDY TRAVIS and other famous 80’s and 90’s country artists to be named.  I also have an exciting role in this show… playing and  his hits right in front of him!   Gulp….