CJ Vanston Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

I could have laughed all night and still have laughed some more! What fun! Composer, producer, songwriter, keyboardist, CJ Vanston––great bit on his name to start, had me laughing to tears story upon story. Oh boy, I needed the eggs.

From his musical beginnings, locked in and listening to his dad’s cool jazz band through the floorboards, burning an oven full of their pot at age 4, the tales kept coming, one topping the next… convincing a young Richard Marx to keep and record what would become his biggest hit, when all he wanted was to sell the thing… working with Prince, sorta, blowing away Barbra… Streisand, that is… and Dolly Pardon, seemingly not impressing Don Henley, CJ making a choice that cost him but ultimately made him, and Don coming back around through Katey Segal… how Russ Kunkel introduced him to Christopher Guest, changing everything, leading to touring with Spinal Tap and scoring his films, touring and recording with Joe Cocker, a story about Ringo worth the price of admission (let’s pretend there is one), and absolute gem, likewise the opening for Jeff Beck and saving his ass, literally. We close with a fab story about Jeff Porcaro, and his storied history with Lukather and Toto, too.

The time flew. I sit here hours later, still smiling. What a joyful journey. Can’t wait for the Spinal Tap Final Chapter and that Denny Tedesco collaboration. More Caucasian Jeff, please!

CJ Vanston Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wed, June 28th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on The Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3JCKMxt

Cj Vanston Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Steve Porcaro Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

I loved every second with 3x Grammy Winner, founding member of Toto, Steve Porcaro. A down-to-earth sweetheart of a guy who just happens to be one arm of the iconic legendary musical Porcaro family. These ain’t no lip-sinking, TV frontmen, the Porcaros define chops. World-renowned drummer, Joe, who left sticks and skins around, brother Jeff, who picked them up and banged them to new heights, Mike who segued to bass, and Steve who found his passion and his niche with keyboards, programming, and sythns. Separately, and together they made musical history. We talked beginnings influences, The Beatles, Keith Emerson, from playing school proms to clubs with David Paich, Hungate, and Lukather, to Boz Skaggs to Toto, Bobby Kimball, Hold The Line, Rosanna, Arquette, and the song, success fulfilling all childhood dreams and then some. Sessions and side work for all of them, Bette Midler, Chaka, Earth, Wind & Fire, Quincy Jones, which led to Micheal Jackson and Human Nature on Thriller, thrilling! There was James Newton Howard, playing and scoring for film and TV… Justified. Leaving Toto, rejoining Toto with new appreciation. Drugs, alcohol, and loss took their toll, solo work, Someday/Somehow, collaborations, Allee Willis, writing with his daughters, The Covid Kid, doing what he loves, where he loves. A life well being lived and art continuously created. 

I really really like this man, and his music. Grateful for this opportunity to get to know.

Steve Porcaro Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, October 11, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET 
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Reply here:
https://bit.ly/3ZUQBxu

Steve Porcaro Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

Gary Stockdale Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Celebrity Maps to Success... people living their dream... the paths they took to get there

New tracks tagged #Keyboardist,