Will Lee Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Head to head with the DNC, two news junkies didn’t walk into a bar but did get lost in conversation and fun. It’s easy when one of them is Grammy Winner, crazy talented, lovely, humble human, Will Lee.

It’s been a few years and a world of changes since last we spoke, this time focusing on the road to sobriety, many moons ago, what led there, the price of using, meeting Paul Schaffer, a relationship that changed his life, the two of them holding the distinction of being on Late Show With David Letterman from day one with The World’s Most Dangerous Band, until the final days with the CBS Orchestra, also giving Will the world’s record for the longest-running bassist on late-night television.  Will talked about the original band of 4, Hiram Bullock, Steve Jordan, how and why it morphed, some standout moments… Warren Zevon’s last show, Will’s MacArthur Park with Jimmy Webb… his hero, Ringo, making an appearance… Beatlemania, period. Where it all started for Will, The Ed Sullivan  Show, the Fab Four, all of whom Will would come to play with, even John in unique fashion. An incredible story about Paul, a Hofner, and a call from “P,” and how his Fab Faux came to be. Will’s account of how he conquered Revolution #9 and playing The White Album, heretofore never heard by Beatles sound engineer and producer, Geoff Emerick. Crazily, I was there that night- the story has a bittersweet postscript. We talked about Will’s new single, It’s All Too Much, and his new video, Hey Shorty, and how that came to be, why he’s off to Japan tomorrow and the fame he found there.

I’ve known Will for decades… with each that passes, I adore him more. He’s a rare success, who’s gotten to play with just about everyone, all of his heroes, night, after night, year after year, for 33 of them, and everyone it seems, without exception, loves and respects him. It’s a life well-lived filled with gratitude and appreciation, which makes it all the sweeter.

He closed with The Beatles, I Will…how damn fitting, Will! 

For all things Will www.willlee.com 

Will Lee Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 8/21/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3SUv19Z

Will Lee Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Ritch Shydner Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Well, that was a first! On the road with Ronna and Ritch Shydner as they traveled from Florida back home to North Carolina. Literally, in the car, in the fading light, in rural Georgia, with intermittent signal. It was as much a surprise to me as to you! Kinda like doing an interview in a disco with strobe lights. Trooper Ritch didn’t want to cancel even though he was in the midst of family tragedy, having very recently lost his dad, and was out of state with his mom to help. I knew all that, the driving adventure, not so much. Please forgive the challenges and appreciate the funny that Ritch is even in the midst of this! 

We talked the swing states as they drove through one, the DNC, new hope, sugar addiction, intermittent dieting, the no-matter-what club for drinking and drugging that just doesn’t work with salt and sweets. Ritch’s very early standup days, whilst in law school, getting the degree but opting out, what joy for his parents! Trying LA, choosing NY, the crowd he came up with, the clubs he came up in, in the stand-up 80s heyday, meeting Carol, doing his first Carson, still high, hitting bottom, a Mark who saved him, and then we lost him, again literally, just when we were about to hear a GREAT story… so… there will be a Part 2, for sure! 

Safe travels, you two. Heartfelt condolences. Thanks for being willing. Next time Ritch will be sitting still in a well-lit room where we can see his whole handsome face. Sendng love. Apologies to all who hung in and those who din’t… we’ll make it up to you! 

Most remarkable… even with all of this- Ritch was still HYSTERICAL! 

Ritch Shydner Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 8/28/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here: 
https://bit.ly/3T9afn8

Ritch Shydner Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Ritch Shydner Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson - Part Deux

Ritch Shydner could come back every week and we’d never run out of things to discuss, it would always be entertaining, and he’d always be funny. Co-host! There are no accidents. Losing his signal last week on the road in Georgia was a blessing. We got a Shydner double dip.

This conversation with the standup comedian who holds the distinction of making a dozen appearances on Carson’s Tonight Show, as well as numerous appearances on Letterman and Leno, had fabulous stories about the former and the latter, Sam Kinison, their 80s NY road trip before Sam’s superstardom, and how their debauchery almost cost Ritch big time, Roseanne, who handed Ritch his segue from front of the camera to writer, Jeff Foxworthy, a natural after only a few weeks of standup, who created a new joke form, Bill Maher, and True Story, Mike Binder, and Miind of The Married Man, and Robert Klein who shared a most unlikely kinship… there were gems aplenty. 

But, it was Ritch’s poignant, heartfelt recounting of his parents’ 72-year marriage, his father’s drinking, his mother’s rolling pin, the silent years after graduating law school and choosing comedy, Ritch’s redemption, and then getting sober, making amends, his father following suit on both, and the shift in their relationship for the 36 years that followed until just last month when his dad was transitioning this earthly world. Moving, beyond words… and, funny!

I so enjoyed every word, every moment, with this self-aware, humble, wildly intelligent - emotionally as well as intellectually, ever-evolving, hysterically funny man. Do I need a reason to have a Part 3? 

Ritch Shydner Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson - Part Deux!
Wednesday, 9/4/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3MA59wu

Ritch Shydner Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson - Part Deux!

Rumer Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

It had been too long, too many years, since I’d last seen Rumer, whom I first heard about through our mutual friend, the late, J Marshall Craig a decade ago.  As soon as I had my first taste I became obsessed with her and made it my quest to have her sing in my living room.  I saw her perform at a benefit concert for Jeff Jones about 10 yrs ago and vowed to make it happen. A great friend and collaborator of the late, beloved PF Sloan, Rumer oft lived across the country and abroad, I met her at last at PF’s memorial 9 yrs ago, just after he’d performed in the living room. Rumer and I became fast friends and I’ve listened to her in heavy rotation almost non-stop since. We came thisclose to her appearing at Women Who Write in 2016, and it’s taken all this time to get her on Game Changers… good things come to those who wait. 

We went deep today, fittingly on 9/11. First, into Rumer’s past. Her humble beginnings, at the time, one of seven siblings. A secret revealed long ago, which led to unwarranted shame, and an ongoing almost unfathomable generosity. The origin of her name, another sweet, and loving familiar story. Adele, the 16-year-old down the street who had the record deal that Sara sought, La Honda, her early band, the years, the hard work, finding the right producer and manager, and grit determination that finally paid off. Her platinum debut album, Seasons of My Soul, which garnered her numerous Brit and MOJO Award nominations and a couple of wins. Performing in the UK with Dionne Warwick and meeting her musical director, Rob Shirakbari, who would become Rumer’s partner in music and life, Elton John became enamored of her talent, an oh-so-sweet story there! Touring brought her to the United States, where she began a long ongoing collaborative relationship with Burt Bacharach, to the White House to sing for the Obamas, to Jimmy Webb to sing his P.F. Sloan, and ultimately to sing it with the man himself, so important to this day as we ready to vote, to Daryl Hall and his Daryl House, great story about that, an email from Richard Carpenter, after being likened to his sister for years, a series of albums, motherhood, moving to Arkansas, a visit back to LA, where last we met, first giggling like girls in my car and then at a party at Stephen Bishop’s, her Nashville Tears, then back to the UK. where she, husband Rob, and son, Denny, currently reside, and where Rumer will be performing her now Triple Platinum, Seasons of My Soul, to a Sold Out crowd, and soon, a new album, with her 9/11 song, will drop. Rumer shared her September 11th story, and I, mine. 

I’m so grateful to have had this reunion with Rumer, a treasured friend, and an artist I adore to my core, who gives me goosebumps every time I hear her sing. Her Slow remains in my top 5 of all time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvYUfwMBCrU. Her duet of I Can’t Go For That with Daryl Hall is unforgettable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzr6mvDar30 as is her cover of his Sara Smile - that her first given name is Sara, just makes it that much sweeter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh7y--Mc7kk.

Rumer has the voice of an angel and the soul of one.

Rumer Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 9/11/24, 1 pm PT, 4 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3MIVDaA

Rumer Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

Narada Michael Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

Wow! I’ve seen hundreds of photos, loads of videos - I’ve never seen Narada  Michael Walden in an orange bowler. When was the last time I wore orange? InSync! From the first moment to the last, what a glorious, grateful, exuberant lovefest. Narada is as passionate, fun, inviting, and accessible as his music. 

We talked about his first paper drumkit at 5, how he watched, listened, and learned from his heroes. How the soul sounds of Detroit shaped him, how it’s all soul sounds. From his first band at 11 to the Mahavishnu Orchestra, which would change his life in all ways… adding prayer. mediation, service, and Narada to his name, gifted by his guru, Sri Chinmoy, thanks to John McLaughlin, and of course, the music, following in Billy Cobham’s big footsteps, touring with Jeff Beck, then recording Wired with him, writing “material” for the album, the full circle back to Beck a decade ago and the story behind their masterpiece version of Little Wing. Ah me! How playing transitioned to producing, inspired by Quincy Jones to service other artists, and the superstar women he championed to great heights - Aretha with their Grammy Song of The Year, Freeway of Love, Whitney with their 6 number one hits including their Grammy Winning Album of the Year, Mariah, with musical knowledge to match her musical chops. We talked our friend, Allee Willis, Keith Moon, Ringo, Jaco, Carlos, Sting, Trudy, Stevie, Marvin, Cissy, his last tour with Journey, and how his devotion to his wife and children brought him home. This very morning Narada was up at 6 readying his kids for school and then driving them there. This interview was held early so that he’d be home when they got home. Quite a man. Respect.

For a taste of what Narada himself is up to musically, check out his The More I Love My Life https://bfan.link/the-more-i-love-my-life with Sting, Carlos, and Stevie, I can’t stop listening!  It seems to so sum up this man of grace. 

And while you’re at it, watch this - and tear yourself away, if you can! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9UQbf_VoQI Perfection! Jeff, Narada, and Rhonda, do Jimi proud.

This is a man as comfortable with pop, soul, funk, rock, and blues as he is with fusion. Brilliant with them all. Loving and appreciating them all, and, as his audience, I’ll gratefully follow him to any of them. I loved every second in Narada’s most excellent company. Grateful girl!

Narada Michael Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 9/25/24, 1 pm PT, 4 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3XYFsfJ

Narada Michael Walden Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

My crush on William Katt began decades ago with the tumbling blonde spirals of Tommy Ross in Carrie, the close-cropped Sundance, to the shorter golden curls of Pippin… it wasn’t just the hair, of course… that face, the smile, his voice… the whole damn package. Like millions of other baby boomers, he had us swooning for years. How lovely to sit down with Bill, these almost 50 years later, to discover he’s still got that boyhood charm, mischievous sense of fun, with just a teeny touch of bad boy (note him playfully admonishing his wife when she sneaks into the “set.” And, the au courant platinum do, and facial hair he’s currently sporting still make him a handsome standout. That’s the trivial superficialities - but, what do you expect when you’re talking about a movie star heartthrob? Well, there is the laid-back, easy-going, real as-beans, straight-shooter, who was crazy fun to chat with and get his inside perspective on his parents, actors, Bill Williams  (Kit Carson) and Barbara Hale - loved to learn that she was also funny- Betty White funny, and inspired at least one woman to great professional heights, on Angie Dickenson, his first TV co-star, his passion for theatre, always, working with Bob Fosse, and Ben Vereen, Auditioning for George Lucas, to play Luke Skywalker with Kurt Russell as Hans Solo - doing a great job, instead being cast by Brian DePalma in his seminal work, Carrie, alongside his friend, and perhaps for a brief moment something more, Amy Irving, visited on the set by Steven Spielberg, perhaps where that all began, alongside beloved Nancy Allen (who is responsible for connecting me with Bill, making this conversation possible), John Travolta, Betty Buckley, Piper Laurie, Cissy Spacek-some great stories there, we talked about The Greatest American Hero, and the risk back then of going from film to TV, working with Robert Culp, and Connie Selleca,  House, and George Wendt, great Sci-Fi with The Man From Earth, why he no longer does theatre, does only good films for friends, like last years’ Pursuit with John Cusack and an upcoming film with Alfred Molina. We talked about music throughout his life, bands in high school, playing clubs later on, a pop hit, lots of musical theatre culminating with Pippin and Fosse, and a musical about and working with, Randy Newman, which his love for came out his pores when describing, to his current passion Jazz project.

William Katt is a Renaissance man. We already know he looks great in tights. 

What FUN!!!! 

Wiliam Katt Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 10/2/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3Y9jGGa

Wiliam Katt Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Dee Wallace Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

Dee Wallace has been a literal life changer for me, let alone a game changer in the business of show and as a self-creation healer. We signed up for a session as soon as I got off the interweb tonight. I’ve been employing Dee’s techniques since first we met at Women Who Write in 2011. I got refresher courses every time she came back to the living room and the numerous times she’s guested on this show in its various incarnations. I realized today, looking back and listening to a couple of our past shows, that  I’ve manifested almost everything I was working on with her guidance. A couple of desires remain, so tomorrow I’ll resume in earnest the practice I’ve been somewhat lax with since I got happy. 

With close to 300 screen credits to her name, including The Howling, Cujo, 10, and most notably, her starring role in E.T. (I can’t NOT watch it when I see it’s on), Dee was more recently featured in the remake of Rob Zombie's Halloween, has made recurring appearances on 9 -1 -1, has  11 projects in post as I write, and another two dozen films and TV roles since last we met three years ago. Dee is indefatigable! Her countless television credits include starring roles in over twenty Movies of the Week and four hit television series, including Sons and Daughters, Grey's Anatomy, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Ghost Whisperer, a recurring role on My Name is Earl, and the Amazon young adult hit, Just Add Magic. We talked about pretty much none of them— other than a great story about E.T… Steven Speilberg, and Dee, using her tools and being in the moment. There’s also a great story about Cujo, Dee’s favorite role, and the film we’re gonna hunker down with tonight, armed with a little new knowledge. 

What we did focus on was how to manifest what we want. Dee helped a listener get clarity to move forward, once again helped direct me, offered hope on the impending election, and how each of us can strengthen the collective consciousness on a daily basis.  

The hour is ripe with gems of practical application. Dee shared how it’s worked and continues to, in her life… how the tools graced her with motherhood and now a beloved grandchild, and why she’s as busy as ever - not at all slowed by her age, or the state of the business. 

Dee conducts a live (call-in) internet radio show and offers monthly webinars on a variety of self-creation subjects. She invites us to join her with our questions.  She also conducts private sessions from her home by phone. For more info: https://iamdeewallace.com We’re in! 

I’ll be doing my Dee routine daily and shall report back with my progress. Suffice it to say my life is a world of better than it was when I met her. And, yeah, I’m saying she helped me manifest it. My gratitude abounds! 

Dee Wallace Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 10/9/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3U707f1

Dee Wallace Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Dan Navarro Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

They say you can never go home- they didn’t have their old pal Dan Navarro on their show––took me right back to shared memories with Chloris Leachman in the living room, the Mets winning a 2015 playoff game at Dodger Stadium (unlike today), seeing Lori Lieberman at The Grammy Museum, Mike Finnegan at The Levitt Pavilion, NAMM hangs, my book launch, a 12 Step meeting, good food, a few of these here shows before and during the pandemic…  It’s always warm and comfy as if no time has passed. 

We touched on Dan’s early days, his creative parents, his famous cousin, Dave, a horrific family tragedy,  starting out on horns, finding his voice, literally, writing songs, being a singing waiter at The Great American Food & Beverage Company, with a host of others who found success, including  Eric Lowen, who would become his partner, and begin their relationship co-writing the iconic, We Belong, and selling it to Pat Benetar, before it came to have a life of its own, putting out 12 albums, touring for decades, also writing for the Bangles and others, before Lowen’s untimely death. Dan, through it all, also voiced TV shows, including The Family Guy and American Dad, still to this day, as well as over 100 commercials, sang in the films Happy Feet, two Ice Age pictures, Rio, The Lorax, to name just some. The secret to his success? Go for it. Persistence. The only answer is “Yes.” It’s worked pretty well for him. Dan told innumerable stories to exemplify his point. 

A man of service, Dan has served as SAG-AFTRA’s National Vice President of Recording Artists/Singers, and is still on the board, he is a Trustee of the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund, is a member of the Mechanical Licensing Collective’s Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee, and is on the board of the Artists rights alliance, and recently spoke before the House Judiciary Committee on AI, where, in solution, he has been quoted requesting, the 3 Cs: Consent, Credit, Compensation. 

Dan treated us to a passionate We Belong, and a gorgeous Rose In the WIndow, his collaboration with the late Preston Sturges from his latest album, Horizon Line. 

This time with Dan was heartwarming and soul-filling and will stay with me for a long time to come. Being in Dan’s good company is always inspiring, always fun, even if we are in the midst of our Mets/Dodgers rivalry. Go Mets! 

Dan Navarro Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 10/16/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3Y3DiKq

Dan Navarro Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

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

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

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

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