Before the Lights

<p>The show to find out how they made their mark! </p>

Presley Tennant: California Country: The Rapid Rise of a Vocal Powerhouse

Send us a Text Message.Named after Elvis?? Find out! Hear about Horsetown, USA where you may see a horse in a drive thru instead of a vehicle. The story auditioning for a Christian Rock Group but kept getting cut until the mayor of Temecula, CA saw her and introduced her to them. She thought she was loud when in fact she has a powerful velvet soulful voice. Finding her way back to country after being in the pop genre, and the explanation of what California Country Sound is. Kelly Clarkso...

06-27
39:38

Dean Butler: Life Beyond Little House on the Prairie: Almanzo Wilder Actor

Send us a Text Message.The portrayal of Almanzo Wilder on Little House on the Prairie inspired a new memoir, Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond. Show begins with his upbringing in Northern California as a child acting as a cowboy, cherishing the simplicity of days gone by, like heating water on the stove. His journey into acting stemmed from experiences of bullying, leading to his breakthrough moment when he was first heard and seen.Securing his first major role as Michael Wagner ...

06-20
54:00

Louis "The Coin" Colavecchio: World's Greatest Counterfeiter told by Andy Thibault

Send us a Text Message.Co-Author of “You Thought It Was More” New Adventures of the World’s Greatest Counterfeiter begins by explain how he met Louis “the Coin” Colavecchio and if he wanted to be a made guy. Louis sold fake luxury brand sweaters, stole money from Catholics, and even did load frauds to purchase luxury sports cars from Italy! A master at creating casino chips/tokens, but where does one get this equipment? It took four years to perfect with coins for 36 casinos that were us...

06-13
33:55

Michael Fenenbock: Sinatra & His Music

Send us a Text Message.An expert in the music of Frank Sinatra’s music and all its components. The son of NFL star, Chuck Fenenbock talks about writing the book, “Fireworks Everytime He Touched the Ball."How his affinity for Sinatra began, a funny story seeing him in concert, & does he have a favorite song or albums. The lasting musical legacy of Sinatra that spans four different periods. See the links below to follow his podcast: Sinatra Matters that has over 60 episodes. The excell...

06-06
47:44

Louis Balestrieri: Operation Wasteland, Deep Undercover Documentary on Organized Crime

Send us a Text Message.Growing up in Brooklyn the Park Slope Area and later Massapequa Park he was associating with children of connected guys. Living in a cop family, he tells his humbled opinion between the police and organized crime. Learning to be loyal and respectful from mob guys and by the age of 21 he was driving a new Lincoln and hustling. Stories of Roy DeMeo and him being an opportunistic criminal. Did any of his previous jobs help him with being undercover? This transitions i...

05-30
51:24

Javier Pena: DEA Agent Who Tracked Pablo Escobar/ Expert in Medellin Cartel

Send us a Text Message.Javier tells going from small bust operations in Austin, Texas to ending up on the case of Pablo Escobar in Colombia. Out of the academy he was hoping for a bigger city but ended up in Austin. After applying to go to Mexico, he was given Colombia. The eye-opening experience of dealing with Pablo Escobar who was hiding drugs in fruit and humans which we ended up on one of the biggest cases in the world!Javier knew Pablo very well from all the studying he did such as his ...

05-23
35:47

Nick Christophers: Mob Expert & Author

Send us a Text Message.His journey begins with a childhood connection to a character from "The Outsiders," leading to a stint in a junior high gang. Amidst this, music and breakdancing emerge.His writing career began with a Greek publication that led him to mainstream. His path intertwined with his father's café near Kennedy Airport, frequented by mob figures. A youthful venture into bookmaking at 13 prompted questions from his father after finding a betting sheet. A brief flirtation wit...

05-16
35:59

Simon Kirke: The Drummer Who Defined Supergroup Bad Company/ Rock Royalty

Send us a Text Message.A renowned musician and drummer, known for his contributions to the iconic supergroups Free and Bad Company, reminisces about his childhood in rural Wales. Following a gig with a local cover band, The Manicas, he formed his own band, Heatwave where he did both vocals and drums that was inspired by Ringo Starr after watching him on television.His life took a pivotal turn when a coin toss determined his fate, amidst a looming deadline set by his parents. Transitioning thr...

05-09
38:42

Jody Lichtor: Beyond the Table: A Stylist's Tale in Food, Film, & Jewelry

Send us a Text Message.She boasts extensive experience as a food and prop stylist, with a vast array of clients. Her journey began as a young ballet dancer and was a creative child who eventually landed a career as a dental hygienist—a role she continues to fulfill today. Jody delves into her interpretation of beautification, which Tommy links to her involvement withvisual, performing arts, and design. As longtime member of Aging but Dangerous Women, “a movement focused on healthy aging and l...

05-02
44:12

The BTL Members Group Take the Spotlight

Send us a Text Message.Several members of Before the Lights assembled for a podcast, including some from my hometown, Streator, IL. Kelly Burgin from Northern California shares news about Family Dollar closing numerous stores, sparking a discussion with Missy Mital on its impact on zip code 61364, which boasts several dollar stores and transitions into a comparison of Dollar General versus Family Dollar. Larry Henry from Arkansas weighs in on his preference.After a brief discussion on the Che...

04-25
54:21

Chef Michael Reed- Seasoned Excellence: A Chef's Culinary Journey

Send us a Text Message.A renowned chef, both a James Beard Semifinalist and Michelin Recommended, who is the proud owner of not one, but two thriving restaurants—Poppy & Rose and Poppy & Seed—sets the stage by delving into the essence of garden-fresh ingredients, the core principles of flavors, and the indispensable role of quality kitchen tools.Before embarking on his culinary journey, he pursued studies at UCSB while also excelling in track & field, providing a diverse foundatio...

04-18
46:53

The History of the Tropicana Hotel & Casino Las Vegas with Historian Michael Green

Send us a Text Message.Renowned for his expertise in 19th-century history, Nevada & Las Vegas welcomes a distinguished historian to the show to delve into the rich history of Tropicana. Beginning our discussion with his experiences in Las Vegas and his tenure at The Valley Times, which intersected with organized crime, we segue seamlessly into his initial impressions upon hearing the name "Tropicana."Set to become the new home of the Las Vegas A’s baseball stadium, Tropicana has a storied...

04-11
39:39

Driven by Dreams: The Esteban Toledo Story

Send us a Text Message.The greatest male Mexican professional of all time with over 700 PGA Tournaments under his belt, graces our show to share his remarkable journey from humble beginnings – a childhood devoid of plumbing and adorned with dirt floors. He discusses the unwavering determination demanded on the PGA Tour, a path that emerged after a stint in boxing cut short by appendicitis, where he first learned of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez.His entrepreneurial spirit shone through as h...

04-04
39:45

Tony Cornero- The Admiral's Stardust: The Story of a Gambling Entrepreneur & Mysterious Death

Send us a Text Message.An infamous bootlegger and gambling tycoon, renowned for his role in creating the iconic Stardust Casino & Resort in Las Vegas, Tony "The Admiral" Cornero was a legendary figure. His entrepreneurial spirit led him from the humble origins of an Italian village to the bustling streets of America. Yet, his journey was marked by turbulence and intrigue.Born into hardship, with his family facing financial ruin, Cornero's early life was fraught with adversity. However, he...

03-28
26:00

Gabriel Key-The Cuban Cowboy: Miami's Rising Country Star

Send us a Text Message.The tale of the Cuban Cowboy hailing from South Florida unfurls with the melody of multiple instruments, a narrative that began in his youth when he stumbled upon a harmonica cascading from a pinata. Prior to embracing country rhythms, the beats of hip hop and rap coursed through his veins. However, a serendipitous encounter with line dancing at a country bar transformed his musical trajectory irrevocably, propelling him into the realm of professional line dancing.In ou...

03-21
28:26

Al Mancini- Neon Mohawk: A Taste of Las Vegas Through the Eyes of a Culinary Storyteller

Send us a Text Message.He indulges in eating, drinking, and storytelling, commencing with an exploration of whether law was his initial path, having attended Brooklyn Law School while also immersing himself in the Rock & Roll scene. His journey includes working at the iconic CBGB punk club in NYC, where he developed a fondness for certain bands and elucidates his reasons for favoring them.Fueled by a lifelong passion for food, he delves into the intricacies of fine dining, an expertise ac...

03-14
42:29

Brian Downes-Trailblazing Tales: Executive Director John Wayne Birthplace Museum

Send us a Text Message.The Executive Director of the John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winterset, Iowa, known for producing Buffalo Bill-style Wild West Shows, reminisces about the iconic figures of the old West and reflects on his sentiments towards modern Western movies. After spending a day with "The Duke" at his California home, he shares insights into John Wayne's character, a story about a memorable encounter for a lucky patron at a Utah bar. Is John Wayne's legacy resonating with t...

03-07
38:55

Cliff Panezich- Operation Stolen Base: From the Diamond to Deception

Send us a Text Message.From Dom DeMarco’s Pizzeria in Las Vegas, NV, we're joined by the founder of ICONic Clothing Brand & the mastermind behind Operation Stolen Base, a notorious sports memorabilia fraud. This former professional baseball player shares his remarkable career journey, including the staggering amount of money he never earned. Prior to Operation Stolen Base, he ran a legitimate business on eBay, detailing its evolution into forging signatures and his expertise in authentica...

02-29
53:37

Mia St. John- Beyond the Gloves: A Champion's Journey In & Out of the Ring

Send us a Text Message.She emerged as a five-time World Boxing Champion and graced the pages of Playboy, all while staunchly advocating for mental health awareness. Returning to her mother’s homeland for a championship bout, she delved into Tae Kwon Do and took up fighting in grade school to combat bullying. Her struggle with alcohol began at a tender age of 11, prompting her journey to sobriety, which now entails a daily structure to maintain her wellbeing amidst various disorders.The decisi...

02-22
29:02

Nick Parisi- Inside the Mind of Giuseppe Parisi: Mafia Confessions King of Bootleggers; Murder

Send us a Text Message.Giuseppe “Joseph” Parisi while sitting in his jail cell penned a diary that serves as the foundation for this intriguing narrative. The epic unfolds in Southern Italy, where 17-year-old Giuseppe embarked on a journey to America. As the year 1920 marked the onset of Prohibition, a wave of feuds swept the nation, and West Springfield, MA, was no exception. The catalyst? The murder of Carlo Siniscalchi, the King of Little Italy, at the hands of Giuseppe.This notorious even...

02-15
36:24

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