Pilzer Pod

This is the second and last part of my discussion with this unique, intelligent, and talented artist.  Here, we discuss some of the issues involved with being a touring artist, his instruments, and more.

This is the first part of a two part interview with a truly remarkable musician and man.  He has combined artistry with technique and created a unique take on the blues.  He is also very thoughtful about his career and the path he has chosen to take. 

My eldest son, Josh, is a professor of ethnomusicology at the University of Toronto.  He and I have often discussed the concept of taste.  How it is that some of us like music that is often far outside our cultural norm while others who share our background may hate the music we love.  We sat down to talk about this and Josh, with an applicable academic background and having been a musician most of his life, has some important thoughts on the issue.  Enjoy

This is the continuation and final installment of my discussion with Nashville song writer and performer David Olney.  He is a masterful writer, a dynamic performer, and offers a valuable perspective on songwriting.  For me, David is the gold standard of songwriting.  Who else could write a love song between the Titanic and the Iceberg, or from the perspective of the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem, or in the voice of tree that conquers the elements that seek to destroy it? 

As some of you know, I have been recording audio for many years.  I started with four tracks to cassette, went to 1/2" eight track, then digital tape to computer based. The great debate has been between advocates of digital and those who believe in analogue for all time. Recently, I have been recording with a 1/4" four track tape machine (Tascam A3440) and an analogue board. This podcast gives some of what I have learned from the experience.  

This is the second and last part of my interview with bass player Ethan Pilzer. The response to the first part has been enthusiastic, so I wanted to get this second part up quickly.  In addition to being my son, his notable achievements include playing bass for a whole bunch of artists from Big and Rich to Jewel.  Ethan describes the life of a working Nashville musician and comments on the state of music and the music business.

Ethan Pilzer, who happens to be one of my sons, has been a professional bass player in Nashville since he was a teenager.  He has been the band leader for "Big and Rich," Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and Jewel among others.  He has played on many recordings and has spent years on the road. Ethan has seen enormous changes in the way music is produced, played, and sold in his years in Nashville.  His view is that of a working musician with some popular artists in  Music City and it is a very different perspective than many of us get to see. This podcast is in two parts.  This is part 1.

This podcast is a discussion about music, musicians, instruments, and how all of these reflect, and sometimes propel, our lives.  Jay Pilzer is an author, guitar player, guitar dealer, and songwriter.  He has a Ph.D. in history from Duke University and has been involved with music since he was fifteen (he is way older than that now). This first episode in an introduction to what this is all about and why it exists.