Friggin Fabulous Radio

I had the opportunity to interview Mindy Weisberger at Word Books in Jersey City, and we had a Blast! Her book, "Rise of the Zombie Bugs" is fascinating and terrifying! It's  full of examples of actual Zombie Bugs! Yes, they do exist folks!  Her hard cover book is available at Word Book Sellers in Jersey City and at the links below. Audiobook also available!   https://bookshop.org/p/books/rise-of-the-zombie-bugs-the-surprising-science-of-parasitic-mind-control-mindy-weisberger/0108628738b9b952?ean=9781421451350&next=t   https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798331935825-rise-of-the-zombie-bugs?bookstore=bookshoporg    

I sat down with Helene Stapinski, author of "Five Finger Discount, A Crooked Family History" at Word Booksellers, 123 Newark Avenue in downtown Jersey City on 12/8/2014. The book chronicles her experiences with her family growing up in a gritty Jersey City in the early 1970's as well as the political corruption over the years and lots of other history. **It's now 2025, more than 10 years later, and there is some spooky "Foreshadowing" in this interview. I had a blast sitting down with Helene for this one! I will be doing another intereview at Word Bookseller new location in October (more info very soon). Word is now at 29 McWilliams Place in Jersey City. Check out all of Helen's work here: https://helenestapinski.com/    

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Glen Coleman, author of the new book Teaching In The New Crazy, which is a fascinating look at the state of Public School education in the United States today, and where we may be headed in the future.  I spoke with Glen about the challenges of teaching in this very stressful time and we also talked about his musical carrer, AI and a few other things! Glen's book is available on Amazon at the link below. Please purchase and leave a review! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDKR52CQ/ref=sspa_dk_offsite_brave_1 And please subscribe to Friggin Fabulous Radio on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, etc., and please check out the web site here: https://www.frigginfabulousradio.com/ And Friggin Fabulous Produuctions for Voice Overs, Audio & Video Production, Podcast Production, Audio Mastering, Tape Transfers and more! www.frigginfabulousproductions.com Thank you for your support!    

Award winning host of the podcast "Now What With Carole Zimmer" and NPR Reporter, Carole Zimmer, sat down to interview Linda Danz, author of "A Birdhouse In Brooklyn" for Friggin Fabulous Radio. Carole and Linda discuss Linda's novel, which takes place in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, and is a story of the lives of disparate people brought together by circumstance. They also talk about the book publishing industry, how to self publish, age discrimination, how to re-invent yourself and more! http://abirdhouseinbrooklyn.blogspot.com/ http://www.amazon.com/Birdhouse-In-Brooklyn-Linda-Danz-ebook/dp/B00ODD5GD6

Gary Van Miert is the fearless leader of "The Sensational Country Blues Wonders." His twangy mix of Gospel and Country Blues music has been a crowd pleasing staple of the North Jersey/NYC music scene for many years now. During the pandemic, Gary reinvented himself and became "The Psychedelic Cowboy." His new album "The Adventures of a Psychedelic Cowboy" is a fascinating mix of Country Blues and Psychedelic Rock. I sat down with Gary Van Miert to talk about the making of his album, the future of live music and breathing. Download and preview the new album on Band Camp, Spotify, and anywhere else you get  fine music!

Gary Van Miert has been a fixture around the North Jersey/NYC Music scene. His band, The Sensational Country Blues Wonders play an eclectic mix of Country Blues, Gospel and Old Time Rock & Roll. We connected via Skype for a really engaging interview! Their new album, which includes Gary's original tunes, has been getting lots of attention on various music charts and many spins on radio stations all over the world! Download and preview the new album "The World Will Break Your Heart" on CD Baby, Band Camp, Spotify, iTunes and wherever you get your fine music!  

Did you know that Jersey City has it's own Shakespeare Theater Troupe? In fact, they are in the middle of a three part performance of Richard II. The final episode airs Sunday, July 19th at 7pm, and all episodes are available for streaming and download here: https://www.shakespeare-at.org/ I had an engaging conversation with Sean Hagerty about the star studded cast, Radio Plays and Podcasting and how he fell in love with Shakespeare plays.

Every once in a while, I hear a Hip Hop artist that really excites me. Tra1n is currently that artist! The adept writing, smooth singing, jazzy, soulful music and his brilliant, bassy delivery make for an amazing mix, and the production is phenomenal! I was able to have a really intriguing socially-distanced conversation with Tra1n at Friggin Fabulous Studios. You definitely want to add this one to your iTunes and Spotify play lists!  

Part2: Sid Whelan is an enthusiastically and unapologetically old-school and eclectic songwriter, singer, bandleader and guitarist who has earned praise for his well-crafted lyrics and his harmonically rich guitar voicings. He has studied songwriting with Grammy-winning artists Steve Earle and Chely Wright. He was also lead guitarist with various world music acts including the Lijadu Sisters and later Afroblue.  I had the honor to master his new album, "Waiting For Payday", and the pleasure to sit down with him for this two part interview!

Sid Whelan is an enthusiastically and unapologetically old-school and eclectic songwriter, singer, bandleader and guitarist who has earned praise for his well-crafted lyrics and his harmonically rich guitar voicings. He has studied songwriting with Grammy-winning artists Steve Earle and Chely Wright. He was also lead guitarist with various world music acts including the Lijadu Sisters and later Afroblue.  I had the honor to master his new album, "Waiting For Payday", and the pleasure to sit down with him for this two part interview!

Chrissy Roberts has been enchanting audiences in NYC and New Jersey for many years and has recently played Stanhope House in Stanhope, New Jersey, White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, The Bottom Line in NYC and many other clubs. She’s also been a featured performer at the NJ Folk Project. Her new album, "Songs on the Fire Escape" is a sweet potpourri of Folk, Rock, Jazz and more and it's one of my favorite albums of the year. Buy it now at CD Baby!    

I met Mary Solberg five or six years ago in Manhattan's West Village when I was booking Path Cafe and Caffe Vivaldi. I was blown away by her voice and style and booked her as soon as I could and did my first Friggin Fabulous Radio interview with her a few years back. Her new EP, "Just Enough Time" is a triumphant production featuring many of the people in the NYC Rock and Folk scene. It covers everything from short term relationships to the frustration of text "ghosting." Mari travels back and forth from her hometown of Oslo, Norway to New York City as often as she can and usually plays a few shows when in the NYC area. You can find her music on iTunes, Spotify and all the other places you find quality music.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Sean Hagarty of Shakespeare@(at) Artistic Director Sean Hagerty is pleased to announce the inaugural season of Shakespeare@, launching with a production of HAMLET, with performances beginning Thursday, March 28th. Opening is set for Sunday, March 31st at Grace Church Van Vorst (39 Erie Street, Jersey City - a five-minute walk from the Path Train). Directed by Sean Hagerty, HAMLET is set against the stunning architecture of Grace Church Van Vorst, offering a suspenseful reverence, aided by the masterful storytelling of a cast of veteran and rising stars of stage, television and film. Tickets, priced at $25, are available at shakespeare-at.org.

Critically acclaimed author, Gray Basnight is a good friend of mine and a former co-worker in NYC News Radio. His new novel, "Flight of the Fox" is a fascinating "run for your life" thriller that tells the story of College professor Sam Teagarden, who stumbles upon a decades-old government cover-up when an encoded document mysteriously lands in his in-box, followed by a cluster of mini-drones programmed to kill him.  Gray and I talk about his writing career, legalization of Marijuana, the current state of affairs throughout the world and more! Download his "Flight of the Fox" and all his other works here: https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Fox-Gray-Basnight/dp/1946502618

I've been a fan of Sylvana Joyce &The Moment for years now. I booked them at Path Cafe and The Algonquin Seaport Theater in Manhattan a while back and I finally got a chance to play on stage with them at my Birthday Bash at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City on 4/6/18. I sat down and talked to Sylvana about her new album, Heavy Head, her "Grand" showmanship, songwriting while walking, the current live music scene and lots more. Check SJ&TM on Spotify, iTunes and anywhere else you find great music!

I rarely get to interview musicians who's albums I've played on and mastered, so sitting down with Terry Haman was a real thrill! Terry has been a staple in the Jersey City music scene for many years now, and is one of the most talented singer/songwriters in the NYC/North Jersey region. I met Terry about 10 years ago when he came to play at my open mic and we quickly became best friends. He started out as a solo artist, but now has an incredible band with the likes of Ralph Capasso, Josh Mizrucchi and Jeff Sutton. His new album "Suburbia Drive" is a masterpiece. I suggest downloading from CD Baby as soon as you're done reading this blurb...

The first time I heard the Sun Berry Tonics I couldn't email them fast enough to get them to play one of my shows. These young ladies have an immense amount of soul, incredible harmonies, wonderful originals and a command of the standards. I suggest checking out this Brooklyn duo live whenever possible!  

Ross Sandler is one of the funkiest and funniest Mofos I know-not to mention super talented!  His new album "Don't Stop" is guaranteed to make you move your feet and is good for the soul as well. The songs are brilliantly arranged, thanks in no small part to Ross and John Roccesano. I had the double pleasure of mastering this project and sitting down with Ross. You can purchase this stellar EP here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rosssandler  

JC Friday's Play List-Part 3 REVISED: Jersey City is one of the most culturally diverse and ever ex!panding cities in the country, but did you know that it's home to one of the most amazing original music scenes? This play list was created for "JC Fridays" a quarterly, city wide, muti-event showcase of local artists, musicians and other creative types and featured some of the most talented song writers and performers in JC. It's all brought to you by The Bowers Gallery and Art Space at 107 Bowers Street in Jersey City, Art House Productions (among others) and Friggin Fabulous Productions: http://www.frigginfabulousproductions.com/ Enjoy

JC Friday's Play List-Part 3: Jersey City is one of the most culturally diverse and ever expanding cities in the country, but did you know that it's home to one of the most amazing original music scenes? This play list was created for "JC Fridays" a quarterly, city wide, muti-event showcase of local artists, musicians and other creative types and featured some of the most talented song writers and performers in JC. It's all brought to you by The Bowers Gallery and Art Space at 107 Bowers Street in Jersey City, Art House Productions (among others) and Friggin Fabulous Productions: http://www.frigginfabulousproductions.com/ Enjoy!