Jorma Kaukonen Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

Let your fingers do the running to the play button. Please! One of the greatest, funnest, most illuminating conversations I’ve had the privilege to share, Jorma Kaukonen, iconic legend, musical hero, rock god, (I mean, come on!) exceeded all expectations and then some. 

From early days in Pakistan with one pop 45 to Ricky Nelson, and Buddy Holly, 15-year-old returning expat Jorma, took up guitar and soon was in his first band, The Triumphs, with bandmate, Jack Casady, still his bandmate and best friend today, 65+ years later. Beyond amazing. And the fact that they were rehearsing moments before Jorma and I went Live blows my mind. A testament to their ongoing greatness. 

We talked about Antioch, and not exactly being encouraged to return. Janis, and The Typewriter Tape, San Francisco, Monterey, Hendrix, Jerry, Marty, Paul, Grace, and Jorma’s nickname that became Jefferson Airplane - his invite to Jack Casady. Psychedelia, Surrealistic Pillow, the making of––in my top 5, and it was made in less than two weeks! Woodstock - getting in and getting out and Grace Slick’s unforgettable - “Good Morning, People.” What was unforgettable for Jorma. Goosebumps for me. 

Hot Tuna, how and why it started and continues to flourish. Jorma and Jack! The recent end of Hot Tuna Electric - the why - simple - not totally undoable. The Book, Been So Long - chock full of golden nuggets like those shared here. Years of teaching and concerts culminating in The Fur Peace Ranch, now sold, but will be picking up in Jorma and Vanessa’s new locale. 

To keep up with the indefatigable Mr. Kaukonen  https://jormakaukonen.com

The cherry on top of this chat that seemed to fly by in an instant was Jorma indulging this rabid Airplane/Surrealistic Pillow fan, playing his Embryonic Journey, with a fab Jack sidebar (see the Live comments) and then a gorgeous, Take Your Time, for his daughter.

This is one for the books. I’ll cherish it always. Because Jorma’s so important to me it was important that I do right by him. So grateful it was so much fun. I’m gonna be smiling for a long time to come.

Jorma Kaukonen Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 9/18/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3XowPt2

Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane & Hot Tuna Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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Iconic | Uk Garage x Guitar Type Beat

Breezy | Uk Garage x Guitar Type Beat

Awakening | Uk Garage x Guitar Type Beat

Ascend | Uk Garage x Guitar Type Beat

Written and arranged by Drew Gold
Performed by The Buddha Rats
Drew: Bass, acoustic and electric guitars

©2024 Drew Gold Entertainment, Inc. Published by ASCAP Music. All Rights Reserved.

Mellow In E Major

Post-election 2024 started out somber, weepy, and kind of hopeless for many of us. Thank goodness for my old pal, singer/songwriter/producer, Steve Postell. A long-time news junkie, he determined this day he was through. He pulled me and the rest of us out of the muck––back into the music, art, and the land of the living. 

We processed together a bit first and then shifted gears with Steve singing his My Parade, which perfectly spoke to his altered focus with an invitation for us to join him in acceptance, awareness, and gratitude of sorts. 
 He segued into great stories––his relationship with David Crosby and how Our House came to be, The Immediate Family, awaiting a possible Grammy nom this week for their amazing Denny Tedesco doc, how they came to be, and where they are now––when Steve first became aware of the section backing James Taylor, the moment that opened the door to the full circle back around with all of them––being compared to Jackson Browne to befriending and working with hiim––teen art class with Bob Dylan to coming thisclose to playing with him––producing and playing with so many of his heroes, and them playing with him––his current solo record deal, upcoming show, more Our House dates to come, Immediate Family dates as schedules permit… life is rich, life is good, even if we’re Walking Through These Blues––his spectacular song on his upcoming LP that he closed with. 

Steve and I go back to the heady days of the New York club scene in the 80s. I was booking the Rock 'N Roll Café on Bleeker Street, and Steve was fresh out of Pure Prairie League. I was RockStar struck. I booked him that day and have continued to for the past 35 + years wherever I went and whatever I did. When I had my book launch at The Federal in LA it was Steve’s Night Train Music Club I went to. As he always does, he put together a most kick-ass jam band. A rotation of the best players on the planet, some of whom comprise, with Steve, The Immediate Family. That’s another of Steve’s ongoing passion projects. 

I went into this evening a semi-paralyzed mess. I leave uplifted, reminded that friendships, music, work, fun, love, and service will see me through. Thanks, Steve! I trust you saved more than me this night. 

Steve Postell Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 11/6/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/4el9nU0

Steve Postell Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Laurence Juber Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

How life-affirming to be back Live with 2x Grammy Winner Laurence Juber. Laurence got us started with his Cobalt Blue. Loved it! What an extraordinary finger-playing guitarist. Gorgeous. 

We talked the LA fires, the Juber evacuation plan, fortunately not taken to fruition. Animals before guitars, his one-of-a-kind custom shop signature Martin, and a Les Paul were the two that made the cut. Laurence is doing what he can to help, performing at a series of gigs that will donate their proceeds, including Tuesday’s big fundraiser at The Canyon Club. 

Laurence talked with great pride about his two daughters, both achieving big things in the biz. He also spoke with great love and reverence of his wife, Hope, to whom he’s been married and a true partner in life and oft in art, for 42 years. It’s clear that it’s family first and creating for the Jubers. There’s no sitting around eating bonbons and watching the tube for this high-functioning family. 

We talked about Laurence’s early days and influences, clarinet his first instrument, finding guitar, and learning to read music in a day. He claims. everyone was doing it. His dream was to be a session player, and he quickly realized it in Abby Road Studios with the likes of George Martin. He gigged around with innumerable bands, quite happy to be doing so, until Denny Laine made that fateful connection. Auditioning with drummer Steve Holley, their lives both changed that day when Paul McCartney asked what they’d be doing for the next few years. A childhood fantasy realized, until a pot bust in Japan. 

Laurence spoke of his solo work, lots more session work,  segueing to TV, which led him to some work with a guy named Snuffy, and ultimately to scoring and composing… writing two musicals with Hope, one, the ever popular, Gilligan’s Island: The Musical.

There was a Grammy with Sir Paul for Rockestra, the first instrumental Grammy, and his solo arrangement of The Pink Panther Theme earned him a second Grammy.

Laurence has played on innumerable hits, some he’s found out about years later reading about them. He’s an amazing man with incredible talents. This was a much-needed soul-filling reminder of all that’s good and right with the world during troubled and turbulent times. He took us out with guitar perfection. 

Click here for all that’s Laurence Juber laurencejuber.com including info on where to purchase his own coffee blend, and download his latest, A Day in My Life. Or grab the vinyl! 

Laurence Juber Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 1/22/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/42oDeZq

Laurence Juber Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson & Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

What do you get when you Zoom with three amigos from Texas who go back over 50 years? A whole lot of fun, rock stories galore, and a ton of love. The Grammy, Emmy, BMI, and Blues Award Winning trio of Snuffy Walden, Tony Braunagel, and Terry Wilson took us back to the 60s in Houston, playing at the Cellar, a strip club in Houston, Tony and Terry off with Johnny Nash and Snuffy off with Stray Dog to open for Emerson, Lake and Palmer. They all ended up in London, there was Rabbit, Paul Kossoff, Free, Back Street Crawler, Pete Townshend, and Eric Burdon for all of them, at least twice. Some great war stories along the way… there was Michael Ruff, some crashed cars and trashed hotel rooms. 

Tony took us through his time with Rickie Lee Jones, Bonnie Raitt, and The Blues Brothers backup band, leading to be an actor and musician on According to Jim. Snuffy getting Chaka Khan, Donna Summers and then segueing to TV, Thirty Something and The Wonder Years, his first foray in––both Emmy-winning shows that year, leading to the West Wing and his own Emmy. Terry partnering with Teresa James in music and in life, their Grammy nod, his song-writing, producing through his latest for Back Street Crawler’s Terry Slesser which reunited him with Tony and Terry. 

They’ve shared many stages and sessions over the years, but it’s their rock-solid friendship borne in decades-long history that sweetens their song. What a joy to be in their joy. A great time was had by all. Lucky me and you to be a fly on that wall. 

Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson & Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 3/19/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streaming Live on my YouTube & my Facebook 
Replay YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ArHgeUrToc&t=194s
Replay FB here:
https://bit.ly/4bNq8b2

Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson & Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Nile Rogers of Chic Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

This sit-down with my old friend, multiple Grammy Winner, Rock & Roll Hall Inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist, Nile Rogers, is SOLID GOLD… more like triple platinum. Even though we never exchanged more than a few words in the handful of times he graced my jams back in the day, there was always DHM (deep hidden meaning), as there always is with Nile. This day, we got to that and so much more. STORIES! Oh my lord, No one tells ‘em like Nile. Case in point, his tome, Le Freak, may be the greatest memoir I’ve read. I could not put the thing down. When was the last time I read a book cover to cover in less than 24 hours? A rare score on Amazon these days, Nile’s assured he’ll be updating and republishing. It’s a MUST-read for music fans, flower children, and anyone who loves to sink their teeth into a great story, well-told. 

Nile covered his very humble early days, his barely older than him mother, the drugs, the bi-coastal extended family, the moves, the schools, early influences from Coltrane to The Beatles, flute to clarinet to guitar… how Bernard Edwards got him to the Hitmaker Strat and chucking, which has become synonymous with Nile’s style. We talked the DHM, the breakdown, the Chic magic as well as the music during and since… producing the top of the top for Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, still winning Grammys and kicking it with Daft Punk, Beyonce, and Cold Play, to name but a few, 750 MILLION albums worth. Say what? 

We got the sweetest stories about Michael Jackson… a funny with Keith Richards, a Grace Jones impression, and a scary story about Nile’s coke psychosis leading to him bottoming out and getting clean and sober. 31 years worth and counting…

That Nile was able to do all that he’s done, and it’s Herculean - aside from the massive number of hits, the films he’s scored, the shows he’s played, there’s the We Are Family Foundation, Chairing the Songwriters Hall of Fame, receiving the 2024 World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award for his extraordinary efforts to make the world a more peaceful, equal, and inclusive place… Nile is a humanist, a gentle soul with a heart of platinum like the records that line his walls. 

I’ve always admired, respected, and adored Nile. After reading Le Freak, and spending this time with him, I cherish him all the more. What a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man!   Nile Rogers of Chic Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 4/2/25, 11AM PT, 2 PM ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook and on my YouTube 
FB Replay here:
https://bit.ly/4cmPP2u

YouTube replay here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q875x2lVyLE

Nile Rogers of CHIC Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

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