From Akron & Beyond Podcast

If there’s one person in the local music scene who is a Rock Star, it’s Akron’s own Jeff Hardy. None other than critic Chuck Klosterman has compared him to Marc Bolan. ‘Nuff said! He’s known for numerous bands, including CD Truth, Zero Defex, and, of course, the World’s Greatest Christmas Band, Missile Toe.   In this episode, Nick and Bob talk with Jeff about his early years, his many bands, future projects, the struggles and fun of the Rock Life - and you won’t be surprised - it’s a lot of fun.  Don’t miss this one! Listen this Thursday, May 2, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks to Brad Savage) 

Whether shredding on guitar, or writing a song a day, no musician in Akron currently is busier or more accomplished than Dave Rich. Not surprisingly, he is the 2024 Arts Alive Award Winner for Outstanding Artist in Music! In this episode, Nick and Bob talk with Dave about his early inspirations, and his work with the legendary band Houseguest, Surf Rock dynamos The Beyonderers, and his current project, supergroup Dave Rich and The Enablers (who are enabling his prolific output of new songs). And, we also discuss the important work that Dave does in the Recovery community as Director for Strategic Initiatives at BrightView. It’s a great episode - Don’t miss it! Listen Thursday, April 18, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or anytime as a podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, and now on YouTube - Wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks to Brad Savage)

A major component of the Downtown Akron area is, of course, the University of Akron. And a key player in the planning and design aspects is Jason Segedy.  An Akronite through and through, in this episode Nick and Bob learn about Jason’s love and long involvement with our community.   After many years as planning director for the City of Akron, Jason is now Planning Manager for the University of Akron, his main focus currently being the renovation of the landmark Polsky Buliding. Lots of good stories and hope in this episode! Listen on Thursday, March 28, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks to Brad Savage)

Nick and Bob have been doing our From Akron & Beyond show for over a year now, always with Program Director and Afternoon Host Brad Savage in the studio with us, making sure the microphones work, adding the right music, and editing out (most of) our flubs…. But just Who IS this Brad guy?  What’s his story? Exactly what do we REALLY KNOW about this guy? So, on this episode, we begin our ”Inside The Summit FM Series”, with an in depth interview with guest Brad Savage! And don’t forget - This is Pledge Week at The Summit FM!  This is the perfect time to renew (or begin) your membership to your favorite radio station! Listen this Thursday, March 21, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts!  

Located at 923 Bank Street in Akron is one of the coolest places in town - The Bomb Shelter.   A truly unique store, the Bomb Shelter sells (and buys) all sorts of vintage items, from clothes, to furniture, to vinyl albums, to… Well, frankly everything! In this episode, Nick and Bob chat with Bomb Shelter owner Kevin Royer, and discuss his devotion to preserving Akron’s history, the joys (and perils) of collecting, and how Kevin got into such an interesting business in the first place. Tune into The Summit FM, 91.3, this Thursday, March 14 at 10 pm, or listen anytime later on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks to Brad Savage!)

From the late glory days of newspapers to the internet, Malcolm Abram has been writing about local and national music scenes for decades.  First known to Northeast Ohio readers from his work at the Akron Beacon Journal, he now is a Music and Entertainment writer for Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer. In this episode, Nick and Bob talk with Malcolm about his career, and how the news and music industries have radically changed over the years. Lots of insights - and great stories! Tune in to The Summit FM, 91.3, this Thursday, March 7 at 10 pm, or listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks to Brad Savage!)  

In this episode, Nick and Bob pay tribute to some notable musicians whom you may - or may not - realize were from right here in Akron.  Some surprises, and a lot of great music! Tune in to The Summit FM, 91.3 this Thursday, February 29, at 10 pm, or listen later on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud (for complete songs), or wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks to Brad Savage!)

The homegrown Akron company, EarthQuaker Devices has become world-renowned for their innovative and quality guitar and effects pedals.  Founded in 2004 by Jamie Stillman and Julie Robbins, their products are used and highly valued by musicians such as Paul Simon, Coldplay, the Black Keys, among thousands of others. In this episode, Nick and Bob visit with CEO Julie Robbins.  We learn about their history, innovative pedals, community involvement, and plans for the future. An Akron phenomenon, they have truly “gone beyond” to amazing success. Tune in to The SummitFM, 91.3, this Thursday, February 22, at 10 pm, or later listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks to Brad Savage!)

In this episode, Bob and Nick visit with Howard Parr, Executive Director of the historic Akron Civic Theatre.   A beautiful living landmark of Akron’s Downtown, we discuss its fascinating past and it’s vibrant present and promising future. There are many interesting anecdotes and funny stories along the way! Tune In Thursday, February 15 at 10 pm to The Summit FM, 91.3, or check it out later on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud , or wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks to Brad Savage) 

Mark Windt, born in Cleveland, later a resident of Holland, and now back in Ohio, performs under the name Kramies.  Have you heard of him?  We hadn’t. But Patrick Carney of the Black Keys has. So has Jason Lytle of Grandaddy. Kramies has performed with Spiritualized, Yo La Tengo, and Calexico, and currently is on tour with Tyler Ramsey of Band Of Horses.   In this episode, Bob and Nick visit with Kramies, learn about his interesting career and listen to some of his evocative dream pop.  And we discuss the current weirdness of the music business, how difficult and yet simultaneously easy it is to develop an audience, and get your music heard. Note: Kramies is also a very funny fellow, and this is a particularly interesting episode! Tune in Thursday, February 8, at 10 pm to The Summit FM, 91.3, or listen anytime on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks to Brad Savage)

The Nightlight Cinema is a true gem in Downtown Akron. Showing acclaimed new films, interspersed with occasional classics and popular favorites from the past, the Nightlight provides the most comfortable and enjoyable theatre experience a movie lover could hope for.  In this episode, our guest is Jenn Kidd, Executive Director of the Nightlight Cinema. We learn about Jenn’s background and career, the founding of the Nightlight, and challenges faced running an indie theatre.  And we celebrate their remarkable success, which has resulted in an exciting campaign to have a second screen at the Nightlight!  

In this episode, we pay another visit with historian and archivist Calvin Rydbom, this time with a focus on historical and iconic buildings from the industrial era of Akron.   Listen this Thursday, January 25 at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or anytime later on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts! (Thanks to Brad Savage!)

What are your all-time favorite albums?  For music geeks, this is an impossible question to answer.  And yet…. It’s fun to try! In this episode, Bob and Nick dig deep into this futile task, and each conjure up their own respective Top 10 Lists.  Is there some competition at play?  Absolutely! And now, after leaving the first half with five albums to go (that’s called a “cliffhanger”), here’s Part 2 of our two-parter, and a lot of fun. Play along at home! Listen on The Summit FM, 91.3 on Thursday, January 18 at 10 pm, or anytime later on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts!

What are your all-time favorite albums?  For music geeks, this is an impossible question to answer.  And yet…. It’s fun to try! In this episode, Bob and Nick dig deep into this futile task, and each conjure up their own respective Top 10 Lists.  Is there some competition at play?  Absolutely! This is the first of a two-parter, and a lot of fun. Play along at home! Listen on The Summit FM, 91.3 on Thursday, January 11 at 10 pm, or anytime later on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts!

NIck and Bob are back with new shows!  For our first one for 2024, we are visited by rap artist Floco Torres.  One of the most dynamic and engaging performers working today, in this episode we dig deep into Floco ‘s roots and inspirations, learn more about his solo and Free Black projects, and get his insights on the challenges faced by independent musicians in the marketplace.  Available to listen on The Summit FM, 91.3, Thursday, January  at 10 pm or later anytime on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts!

It’s that Most (insert adjective that applies to you) Time Of The Year!  Bob (Cratchet) and  (Saint) Nick happen to love the Yuletide, and for this episode have each chosen some seasonal favorites, and in the spirit of generosity have invited Brad Savage to join in on the fun with a song of his own ! Listen this Thursday, 12/21 at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts! Also, this special episode will be repeated on Christmas Day, December 25! We hope you enjoy the holiday season.

What role does public art play in our community?  It can beautify, and while sometimes be subtle, other times it can challenge and inspire. In this episode, Nick and Bob speak with two persons directly involved in these creative issues.  From the Massillon Museum of Art, Executive Director Alexandria Nicholis Coon and Operations Officer (and artist) Scot Phillips discuss the planning, creation, and implementation of public art in our community.

We left the first part of our terrific discussion with Christopher Butler just as we were getting to his joining Tin Huey (call it a “cliffhanger”!).     Part 2 begins there, moves on to his successful creation of (and adventures with) The Waitresses, and ultimately ends up with his many current projects, his support of the local music scene, and his new studio and arts space in Kenmore.      More great stories and interesting insights - Don’t miss it!   You can listen this Thursday, 8/31 at 10 pm on The Summit FM 91.3, or later anytime on Apple, Google, Spotify, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts!

 On this episode, Nick and Bob are visited by the internationally renowned collector and seller of rare photographs and manuscripts, Akron’s own Andrew Cahan.  An accomplished photographer himself, Andy shares interesting anecdotes about his encounters with the famous and not so famous, though none surpass the story of his own career and the fascinating paths it's taken him on. Listen at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or anytime as a podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts!

The Kenmore area of Akron has a long and storied history, but in recent years, it had fallen on hard times.  But currently, due to the tireless efforts of community activists and a vibrant arts scene, Kenmore is thriving. How did such a transformation come about? In this episode, we talk with Tina Brode Boyes, Jim Ballard, and Corey Jenkins, all who have been at the forefront of the Kenmore Renaissance.  A story of hope, that can be applied to other areas.  Don’t miss this compelling episode! Listen this Thursday, 11/30 at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or anytime as a podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbean, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts!