Featuring songs from their second album, Heartsong, and fourth album, Saints In The Light. – In Frontline Rewind episode 79, Executive Producer Adel Meisenheimer continues her conversation with Scott Frankfurt, of Street Called Straight. Listeners will recognize many names of musical heroes, friends and clients he has worked with since the 1980’s. The show features tracks from “Heartsong”, recorded on Frontline Records by this pop husband-wife artist duo, with guest appearances from some very accomplished musicians. “Pick Up The Pieces” is a duet with Jody Moreing-Frankfurt and Philip Bailey, of Earth Wind and Fire, a group Scott still works with. Listeners hear a humorous story about the time Howard McCrary came to work on their track, “To Save You”, which happened to use a song in the intro that he wrote for Gospel great, Shirley Caesar. Jody, who passed away in 2006, truly looked forward to heaven and many of her songs reflect it, including those on two albums released after Frontline Records: Well In The Wilderness and Saints In The Light. Scott Frankfurt Studio in Los Angeles provides an exquisite recording environment. Scott’s experience, skill and humility has attracted many notable, famous musicians and artists, too numerous to name here. Sergio Mendes was there the day before Scott opened his door and heart to the Rewind crew. The Studio is no longer private and he will work with those who are “doing it for the right reasons”. Listeners will learn more about the reasons that motivated the music of this artist couple.
Featuring songs from their Self-Titled debut album, Street Called Straight. – In Frontline Rewind episode 78, Executive Producer Adel Meisenheimer subs in for host Les Carlsen and interviews Scott Frankfurt, half of high-tech husband and wife pop duo, Street Called Straight. The other half, Jody Moreing Frankfurt, passed away in 2006, but Scott does a wonderful job of taking listeners through this dynamic couple’s spiritual, musical and relational journey. Listeners get to hear the progression from secular success, to salvation, to Sunday church, to CCM recordings on Frontline Records. Before marrying Scott, Jody had a record deal and secular success, including the writing of a song called “Danny” recorded on pop singer Tiffany’s debut album that sold over 11 million copies in 1987. Listeners will hear about her relationship with Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac. Stevie Nicks almost wasn’t! Scott, a drummer, keyboardist and sound designer, started writing songs with Jody in the late ‘80s. Their first Contemporary Christian Music album, “Street Called Straight”, was one of the first in that market to be programmed digitally in 1991, thanks to Scott’s extraordinary tech talent. This episode includes songs with Jody’s unmistakable voice from the first album, complete with intros, recited lyrics and tech secrets straight from the artist.
Featuring songs from Moment of Clarity, Disgruntled, produced by Lanny Cordola, and American Standard, Produced by Mike Knott, Engineered by Gene Eugene. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 77, host Les Carlsen continues his conversation with rapcore group, Every Day Life (EDL), during a reunion rehearsal, 15 years after their last album. Listeners are treated to a couple live performances from that gathering and more of the juicy details behind some of their most controversial songs. Members Tedd Cookerly, Carl Weaver, Eric Wilkins and Jim Rupe share insights, but lead singer, Cookerly, is particularly transparent. He calls himself “a kid on welfare”, claims “everybody tolerates Tedd” and explains how EDL used their music as a voice for people who were searching for a commonality. Songs they wrote expressed empathy for victims of church vanity, rape, those who were belittled and youth who suffered from depression. Songs discussed in the episode were recorded on “American Standard” (Frontline) and “Moment of Clarity” (KMG). Tedd’s colorful narration includes a story of how Allan Aguirre (Scatered Few) prevented him from punching the lead singer of a Christian band during a concert. Another time he threatened to punch the nose of a Focus On The Family article writer. (Tedd often went looking for fights with those he believed disrespected friends and other Christian music pioneers.) Listeners will want to hear all the tales. Tedd even explains where babies come from!
Featuring songs from Moment of Clarity, Disgruntled, produced by Lanny Cordola, and American Standard, Produced by Mike Knott, Engineered by Gene Eugene. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 76, host Les Carlsen walked into a SoCal studio to sounds of rapcore by the pioneering group, Every Day Life (EDL), and talked with them about their unique combination of rap and metal, formulated in 1992. The show opens with a live 2016 rehearsal performance that will convince listeners EDL still has their chops! Tedd Cookerly, Carl Weaver, Eric Wilkins and Jim Rupe explain the thrill and fright of creating something new and the challenges of recording their improvisational, impromptu style. Lanny Cordola, producer of first Frontline album, “Disgruntled”, made it “shinier” than the group envisioned. Mike Knott produced, and Gene Eugene engineered, second release, “American Standard”, named for the toilet manufacturer, which continued their raw social criticism. Cookerly admits some lyrics included swear words, which didn’t seem to bother the record label, but many Christian bookstores were ruffled by lyric and controversial content, pulling CDs from the shelves. Ironically, EDL’s song, “Salt Circles,” was nominated for a “Hard Music” Dove Award in 1999. This conversation and reunion performance is rare and exclusive, something you don’t hear every day.
Featuring music by Les Carlsen, Oz Fox of Stryper, Scott Blackwell, Street Called Straight, Paul and Faith Jackson, and the Ray Conniff Singers. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 75, host Les Carlsen will get everyone in a jolly holiday spirit with his Christmas Special Extravaganza! Calls are made to Bloodgood members and friends who chat and choose one of their favorite songs, and Les kicks off the show with a song he wrote for the occasion. Listeners will be surprised by Michael Bloodgood's selection. Guitarist, Paul Jackson, and wife, share a duet of "Baby It's Cold Outside" from their indie release. Conversation with Oz Fox covers a variety of topics, including a popcorn maker, new Stryper album in the works, Hookers For Jesus and the miracle of love and humility of the Christmas story, which leads into "Feliz Navidad", recorded by Oz himself. Long-time friend, Don Cromwell, chose "Little Drummer Boy", so Les chose a Frontline recording by Scott Blackwell, featuring Sandra Stephens, from "A Myx'd Christmas". Les calls Executive Producer, Adel Meisenheimer, who has a favorite collection called "Frontline Presents: Christmas", of course. Many of the artists included have been guests on the Rewind show. Though they are all her favorites, "What A Wonderful Night" by Street Called Straight, closes the hour. The conversations and eclectic song selection are sure to make you smile. Merry Christmas from the Frontline Rewind crew!
Part 2 features music from Tame The Volcano, and Escape From The Fallen Planet. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 74, host Les Carlsen continues his musical interrogation of Crumbacher members Stephen Crumbacher, Dawn Wisner Johnson and Jimmy Wisner. Stephen talks about the beginning days of Frontline, including the surreal experience of driving around his musical idol, Terry Taylor, looking for potential studios. In the show, listeners are wowed by acapella intro to “Glowing In The Dark”, off INCANDESCENT, the song that gave the group their signature sound. Acapella intro also kicks off “Speechless” from TAME THE VOLCANO, which Jimmy admitted was a favorite. These intros were from memory -no cheat sheets, folks- in amazing harmony! Stephen provides the inside scoop for his concept album, ESCAPE FROM THE FALLEN PLANET. It was the ‘80s! Broken down van or bus, causing them to nearly miss their sets, Stephen’s mom making outfits, Jimmy wearing girl’s clothes and hair styles that reflected the times, were the norm for this keyboard-heavy pop group from Southern California. The episode closes with an emotional solo piano version of “Once More (For The Band)” off TAME THE VOLCANO, which was Stephen’s farewell song, a gift to the group, even before the decision to stop performing was final. Listeners may tear up a bit.
Part 1 features music from Incandescent, Escape From The Fallen Planet, and Thunder Beach. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 73, host Les Carlsen gets together with Crumbacher members Stephen Crumbacher, Dawn Wisner Johnson and Jimmy Wisner, and into their "party in a box" pop-dance style. Stephen talks about breaks he got in the early 1980's when he submitted a demo tape to Maranatha! Music, which lead to a track on MRC and Broken Records compilations, which lead to their 3 albums released on Frontline Records: Escape From The Fallen Planet, Thunder Beach and Tame The Volcano. The group's multi-keyboard style was attractive to Ojo Taylor of Undercover, who produced the first tracks. They also surprised Ojo when all three members gathered around a studio microphone and belted out their epic harmonies. In this episode, listeners are treated to an acappella intro of "Interstellar Satellite". Stephen wrote Crumbacher's deep lyrics, with Biblical foundation. In fact, he provided scripture references supporting each song, which is why their music is timeless. The three original members are kind of timeless too, attending the same High School in Southern California and their families are still close today. Listeners get to experience the harmony of their relationship and vocals in this rare interview.
Part two features music from Shout’s second album In Your Face – Frontline Rewind host Les Carlsen exclaims, “These are the best tour stories I’ve heard”, as he continues an interview with original Shout members, Chuck King (in person) and “virtual” Ken Tamplin (in Hawaii). Listeners are entertained with topics like: stolen clothes from a dressing room, speeding tickets in every state, train stop in the middle of Germany demanding money or else, and a 26-foot long sandwich Ken gave to KLOS radio to get music played. Ken’s eating habits were the cause of many awkward situations. Chuck states that Ken needed to eat every 15 minutes –“like a duck.” Ken’s need to stop landed the long-haired rockers in Grandma’s Southern Cooking (Grandma is not the image one would expect) and trapped them in the middle of a tornado while stopping at a “choke and puke” diner in Pennsylvania. The guys laughingly credit Frontline Records as the reason for the stories. If a tour budget had been provided, they wouldn’t have been speeding from state to state in a broken down van, struggling to pay transportation and food costs. Rockin’ tracks from It Won’t Be Long and In Your Face are weaved in between stories. Pure entertainment!
Join us in the green room for interviews with guitarist George Ochoa (Recon, Worldview), vocalist Rey Parra (Sacred Warrior, Worldview), drummer Glen Mancaruso (Vengeance Rising, Die Happy), guitarist Doug Thieme (Vengeance Rising, Die Happy), bassist Rog – Join us in the green room for interviews with guitarist George Ochoa (Recon, Worldview), vocalist Rey Parra (Sacred Warrior, Worldview), drummer Glen Mancaruso (Vengeance Rising, Die Happy), guitarist Doug Thieme (Vengeance Rising, Die Happy), bassist Roger Dale Martin (Vengeance Rising, Die Happy), L/A and Travis from Chaotic Resemblance, Bill Roxx, and Les Carlsen (Bloodgood).
Part one features music from Shout’s debut album It Won’t Be Long. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 70, host Les Carlsen gets together with Shout member, Chuck King, in person and “virtual” Ken Tamplin from his home in Hawaii. The guys share wild tour stories and insights about songs they co-wrote for albums, It Won’t Be Long and In Your Face. Contemporary Christian rock music fans might recall that Chuck was originally the guitarist for Frontline artist, Idle Cure. Listeners hear how Chuck and Ken met. (Includes Ken hawking equipment through Recycler in order to eat.) They ended up forming a new group and signing a contract with Frontline. We learn of Ken’s decision to turn down a very lucrative secular band to honor his commitment with Frontline. Shout recordings often featured guitar solos by Frontline artist, Lanny Cordola (House of Lords, Magdallen), who started giving Ken guitar lessons at age 16. Ken shares a humorous story of this early time with Lanny and how they developed as friends. Listen to his crazy solo on the hit song, “Shout”.
In Pt. 2 Sandra and Allegra share about their time with Lanny Cordola and how they ultimately came to have their own solo albums. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 69, executive producer, Adel Meisenheimer, continues her conversation with Sandra Stephens and Allegra Parks. These ladies sang background vocals for Jon Gibson, Scott Blackwell, Lanny Cordola and other Frontline artists. Though it has been about 25 years since they wrote, recorded and toured hit songs, they still recall them and treat listeners with acappella intros and even a new Rewind intro. The episode focuses on Sandra’s participation with Lanny Cordola in various projects he produced for Frontline Records –and we do mean “Various”! Sandra’s deep appreciation and gratitude for this eclectic artist/producer is rooted in lessons communicated that “This is who you are, and this is who you can be musically.” In the 1990’s and even to this day, when Lanny asks Sandra to write or sing on a project, she doesn’t hesitate to show up. The show takes us from Reggae Worship II, to Blues For The Child to a far-out trans music album, Symbiotica, where listeners can learn to recognize Sandra’s soulfully low, modern R&B, jazz-influenced, pitch-perfect voice. Sandra released her first solo album titled He Can and it is a must-have CD! Listeners get a little taste of it. Allegra also released a solo album in 2014 titled Just To Praise and Worship You, and a track from this exciting Gospel-flavored project closes the show.
Rewind Recap Finale hi-lights 12 guests performing live renditions of songs from the '80s and ‘90s Christian music scene. Line up includes Michael Knott, Freedom of Soul, Deliverance, Jon Gibson, Bloodgood, Altar Boys, Recon, EDL, 12th Tribe, SFC, Preac – In Frontline Rewind episode 80, the crew wraps up 6 years of radio/podcast entertainment and closes a chapter on a program featuring music and memories from a variety of recording artists. Rewind Recap Finale hi-lights 12 guests on the show performing live renditions of songs they recorded in the ‘80s and ‘90s Christian music scene. It is difficult to choose material from 79 episodes and over 40 artists in a 1-hour recap episode, but here is the line-up: Michael Knott, Freedom of Soul, Deliverance, Jon Gibson, Bloodgood, Altar Boys, Recon, EDL, 12th Tribe, SFC, Preachas In Disguise and Lanny Cordola. Original host, Brian Healy (founder of Dead Artist Syndrome), proposed the show to Adel Meisenheimer (whose company owns and manages Frontline Records catalog and others) and deemed her “Executive Producer”. His radio voice and DJ experience created a fun, some-what professional, experience as he presented playlists introducing or reminding listeners about music of artists in mixed genres. Due to health issues, Healy could not continue. But in Episode 32, Les Carlsen (lead singer of Bloodgood) was a guest host and then agreed to full-time, launching his “reality TV” style, getting together with artists in an interview/music format. Friendships were made and bonds created between Rewind crew and artists. Listeners were treated to stories from musical and spiritual journeys, live performances, commentary for musical works and updates on current activity from the Frontline family. It is bittersweet to announce the Finale of Frontline Records Rewind and our hope is that many benefited. Episodes can be enjoyed for generations on FrontlineRecords, YouTube and iTunes. Thanks for your support! Scotty… call the limo. We’re outta here!
Sandra and Allegra sing intros to songs, share studio and tour stories and relate experiences as background singers for Frontline artists. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 68, executive producer, Adel Meisenheimer, hosts the show, interviewing Sandra Stephens and Allegra Parks. It’s a full hour of Girl Power! These ladies sang background vocals for Jon Gibson, Scott Blackwell, Lanny Cordola and other Frontline artists. Though it has been about 25 years since they wrote, recorded and toured hit songs, Sandra and Allegra still recall them and treat listeners with acappella intros. Sandra shares how a Jon Gibson song changed her life and moved her to make a commitment to Christ. Soon after, she and Allegra had an opportunity to exchange vocal technique lessons from Jon for their background vocal work on a track. Nice barter! Then he recruited them for vocals on almost every track of “Forever Friends”. Listeners will want to tune in closely to hear their amazing vocal contribution. The ladies are forever friends and fans of Jon Gibson and expound on his exceptional singing, intense recording techniques and endearing personality. After writing with Jon, the ladies met with Scott Blackwell, who presented a cassette tape with his house dance music and commissioned them to write lyrics for it. Sandra relates how lyrics poured out and Scott never said “no” to her lyrical ideas, exercising a “no rules” process. The episode includes a couple tracks from “Walk On The Wild Side”, the first album on which they collaborated. Sandra and Allegra toured with Scott and Jon simultaneously, hitting about every state in the USA. Boy do they have some stories!
In Part 2 Fred talks about how he learned the scriptures and demonstrates a fresh way created for memorizing the Word by paraphrasing it into rap verses. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 67, host Les Carlsen continues his conversation with Fred Lynch, founding member of P.I.D. (Preachers In Disguise) and Preachas. In Part 2, Fred talks about how he learned the scriptures and demonstrates a fresh way created for memorizing the Word by paraphrasing it into rap verse. Fred provides background story for songs recorded on Frontline Records releases, The Chosen Ones and Born With A Gift. Listeners learn about some innovative recording techniques originated by P.I.D. and other pioneer artists, like a compilation of loops by various rappers on “Holy Roland Patches” and abstract structure on “Abstruction”. It was popular for artists to borrow or “bite” loops from other hip-hop artists. Fred reveals one time when they got busted in a magazine review for doing it. In closing, Fred talks about his desire to mentor and train young MCs and rappers to use “flow” as a discipleship medium. He gives listeners a taste of “The Script”, his scripture translation of I John into verse-by -verse rhyme. Fred also travels to public schools with the organization, Rachel’s Challenge, and speaks with students about a life of compassion and kindness. Listeners will enjoy getting to know this man with a big smile and even bigger heart.
In Part 1 Fred talks about losing talent competitions, getting signed to Graceland Records, winding up in a room with a dancing Jimmy Kempner at Frontline, and how he eventually found his flow as a rapper. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 66, host Les Carlsen gets together with Fred Lynch, founding member of P.I.D. (Preachers In Disguise) and Preachas. He takes listeners back to the beginnings of Holy Hip-Hop and kicks out some old school rhymes. Fred talks about the Bible nerd and street kid dynamic of group members and how it sometimes created hard lessons. Details are revealed about an early tour experience that includes a gun, swagger and being black-balled by white evangelicals. Though the group didn’t win a talent contest hosted by Graceland Records in 1987, label owner, Caesar Kalinowski, was impressed and signed the teenagers. Frontline Records purchased the albums Back To Back and Here We Are, originally released on Graceland. In this episode, Fred provides background story for selections on these albums. Fred states that rap is “the language of the coming of age”. Of course Hip-Hop artists don’t always see eye-to-eye on execution and say of some: “Dat ain’t rap!” But on this episode, listeners will definitely hear authentic rap from a pioneer artist who still flows!
Les talks about his rich history as a cast member of Hair, a singer in early hard rock bands, recording the latest Bloodgood album, his new project Carlsen Cromwell, and the 90 minute monologue he memorized for the play he is touring called St. John in Ex – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 65, Executive Producer, Adel Meisenheimer, interviews Les Carlsen. She asks what Les was doing before he became famous as host of the show (haha). Listeners will hear about his dynamic musical history, including a star role in the Broadway musical, “Hair”, and how he transitioned from sex, drugs and Hair to a Christian heavy metal band, Bloodgood. Since writing, singing and recording albums with Bloodgood on Frontline Records in 1986-1990, his musical and theatrical journey continues. In 2013 Bloodgood independently released “Dangerously Close”. Les collaborated with long-time friend, Don Cromwell (bass player for Eddie Money, Air Supply), releasing the album “The Lucky Side”. And in 2016 he has been memorizing a 90-minute monologue for the play, “St. John in Exile”, which opened in October and will be touring the country. In closing minutes of the episode listeners are treated to a snippet of the play, as performed by St. John himself, with Bloodgood standard, “Seven”, playing in the background.
In Part 2 Mark and Steve talk about growing as artists and pushing each other to their limits. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 64, host Les Carlsen continues his conversation with Idle Cure members, Steve Shannon and Mark Ambrose. Part 2 includes back-story for songs included on the band’s 3rd and 4th Frontline albums, 2nd Avenue and Inside Out. 2nd Avenue is Steve’s favorite album. It has an aggressive rock feel and guitar experimentation, including putting a Marshall amp in the bathroom, with microphone in the toilet, for a unique sound in “If You Mean It”. Steve’s vocals were taken to a new level, as Mark wrote songs that intentionally challenged him. Mark continued to write in-your-face lyrics on the album. In 1989 the song, “Pray”, was the #1 CCM charting rock song in the USA –the entire year, and nominated for a Dove Award. Inside Out is a conceptual album that examines delicate spiritual topics like pornography, abortion and hypocrisy. It also includes worshipful, “Holy Mountain”, a brilliant re-write by Mark that almost didn’t make the album. The song describes the worship experience, influenced by the Old Testament story of Moses meeting with God on Mount Sinai.
In Part 1 Mark and Steve talk about all that went into finding their own original sound during the making of their first and second albums. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 63, Steve Shannon and Mark Ambrose, of Idle Cure, captivate host Les Carlsen and listeners with stories of band history, song inspiration and an angel appearance in Paris. Songs introduced are from their albums, Idle Cure (1986) and Tough Love (1988). Mark talks about how they hit a wall and almost gave up on the writing of their trademark song, “Breakaway”. Not only was the song a chart-topping hit, it enticed Mark to stay with Idle Cure, in spite of earning his recent accounting degree from USC. Steve tells the story of how radio and distribution execs didn’t believe he sang vocals on “Take It”, because it was so mellow and different from others. Well, Steve did back then, and he sings an intro for the song on Rewind! Listeners also learn how the name “Idle Cure” was selected from a name search contest conducted by Frontline Records. The band has a rare treat –a limited supply of vinyl albums (still sealed) of their original debut self-titled album. Check out Idle Cure FaceBook page for purchase details.
In Part 2, 12th Tribe members share rich testimonies and favorite songs from their latest album "Tha G Hits". – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 62, conversation continues with12th Tribe founder, David Portillo, and current members. Host Les Carlsen asks them to share their story and introduce favorite songs from the new indie album, “tha G Hits”. Listeners will be in awe as Eric (DJXRAY) humbly reveals his entertainment industry repertoire as DJ for Ellen Degeneres, undefeated DJ in battles representing the USA and performing with Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. He finds more satisfaction with 12th Tribe. Young tribesman, Simon, tells of his journey of acceptance and how he now fits the group and a new life of service. Carlo (The Realist) escaped death after a gang-related stabbing and credits prayers of his Grandmother and the promise that all things are possible with Christ –even redemption of a poor street kid. Stories and songs from “tha G Hits” provide a constant message that 12th Tribe members are forever changed! As the crew would say, “Check it out!” During the interview session, 12th Tribe performed “G Hits Mash Mix”.
In Part 1 David takes us back to the days before Christian Rap was welcomed by the church and hits us with some old school rhymes. – 12th Tribe founding member, David Portillo, gets his latest crew together for an interview with the Rewind crew. David shares his journey of being a 15-year-old rapper performing for crowds of senior citizens, to rubbing elbows with The Newsboys and P.O.D., and recently taking his 15-year-old son on tour.