The Strangest Gig

The Rev. Shawn Amos has had an extraordinary life and career in the music business. His father Wally Amos, best known as the delicious genius behind the Famous Amos cookie brand, was also a successful talent scout (the first black talent scout in the country to be exact) working with the likes of Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Simon & Garfunkel and many more. So you could say that the music business is in Shawn's blood. Shawn forged his own path, working his way up as an A&R man for Shout! Factory! and Rhino Records. Among the many great artists he worked on records with include soul singer Solomon Burke, Herb Alpert, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Matthew Sweet, and the late great Quincy Jones, who sadly passed away shortly after we recorded this interview. Also an acclaimed author, Shawn's book "Cookies & Milk" was awarded the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Youth/Teens! And on top of all that Shawn is a accomplished blues musician and singer/songwriter. His latest albums include the funk-inspired joyful blues album "Soul Brother No. 1" and a live album of 13 Rev classics entitled, "Vivir En España". Recorded on a recent tour of Spain. We get into all that and more in this fascinating conversation with The Rev. Shawn Amos. www.shawnamos.com . . Come check out my band, Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout, at the legendary Longhorn Ballroom in south Dallas on Fri. Dec. 6, 2024. We'll be opening for Marc Broussard. Tickets at: www.chrisjnorwood.com/shows . Follow The Strangest Gig on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/thestrangestgig 

Our guest this episode is comedian Paul Varghese. Paul has been making people laugh all across the country for over 20 years, but got his start Dallas and still calls Dallas home. He's opened for such comedic luminaries as the late great Joan Rivers and Dave Chapelle as well as many others. We talk about how Paul got his start in the business, what it was like to work with those legends, the effects of cancel culture on the industry, and whether or not we're in a "comedy boom". And finally Paul tells the story of working a college gig that got over shadowed by a build-a-bear workshop next door; and the story of a working-the-crowd assist from Back To The Future's Biff Tannen. Be sure to check out Paul's new stand-up special on YouTube, releasing late 2024. . Follow The Strangest Gig on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thestrangestgig . The Strangest Gig is hosted by Chris J Norwood www.chrisjnorwood.com www.facebook.com/chrisjnorwood www.instagram.com/chrisjnorwood

My guest this episode is Jason Hays. Jason is the SVP of Brand Experience for The Great State Fair Of Texas, which means (among his many responsibilities) he is in charge of booking the music acts; of which there are 80+ local and regional. We talk about the rich musical heritage as well as the current and future stellar musical acts that the fair has to offer. The State Fair Of Texas starts Fri. Sept 27 and runs through Oct. 20.

The Strangest Gig is back from summer hiatus with our wonderful guest, keys player extraordinaire Chad Stockslager. Chad has been a member of a number of prominent DFW bands, most notably the last ten years with Hard Night's Day (DFW's preeminent Beatles tribute act), as well as with the rowdy county group The King Bucks, and most recently with The Bastards of Soul. We get into the differences between playing in tribute bands versus original bands. Also, Chad tells some stories of his time in the King Bucks, backing up the legendary Wanda Jackson, as well as the rowdy times that occurred during their Monday night residency at Adair's Saloon. We also talk about Chad's latest creative venture.

Our guest this episode comes from the other side of the business. Diana Cox is the Vice President of Kessler Presents, the managing company behind The Kessler Theater, The Heights Theater, and the newly reopened Longhorn Ballroom. We had a fascinating conversation and Diana had some really great insight and advice for younger musicians trying to get booked at these storied venues. She also had a few  great stories about some of the stranger musician rider requests. As well as what it was like getting some classic and historical music collectibles delivered to their offices.

Ken Bethea, lead guitarist for the rock band (don't call them a country band) Old 97's, is our esteemed guest this episode. We get into the early days of the Deep Ellum scene as well as the early days of the so-called "alt-country" scene. We also discuss the veracity behind the long held rumor of the Old 97's vs. Whiskeytown beef. And finally we hear the true story of when Ken and the guys finally first got to play the historic Red Rocks venue, BUT as a three piece and without Rhett Miller their lead singer, who decided to try and fly in day of show. Did he make the gig?! You'll have to tune in to find out! "American Primitive" by Old 97's is OUT NOW!  www.old97s.com

This episode's guest comes to you from the other side of the globe. Originally from Dallas, singer/songwriter Vanessa Peters has released several highly acclaimed albums and has done some extensive touring stateside using what she calls, "accidental chutzpah" to book her own shows. Now she makes Italy her home. We talk about her new album, "Flying On Instruments", what the transition to overseas life was like for this ex-pat, and also how some things get lost in translation. Like when a confused Italian tour manager told Vanessa's guitar player to "tocco le palle". www.vanessapeters.com

This episode's guest is one, Sean Russell, lead singer and songwriter for the Fort Worth bands Cut Throat Finches and The Nancys. We have a really fascinating conversation about the state of the local scene and the state of the local music fandom. Sean had some really great insights on the topic. We also hear the insane story of one of Sean's early bands playing during a puppet show in a pirate bar for an unofficial showcase at SXSW...as will happen.   www.cutthroatfinches.com The Nancys

Musician/songwriter/producer extraordinaire John Pedigo is a busy man! If you've been around the DFW scene for any length of time, you know his work. Beginning with his early bands Slick 57 and the Boys Named Sue, later on to touring the country and Europe as one half of the country/folk duo The O's, and also as his solo project Pedigo's Magic Pilsner. John has also produced legendary bands like the Old 97's as well as future legends like Joshua Ray Walker. After we recorded this episode John went on the play Jimmy Kimmel Live as a member of Walker's band. On this episode we talk about a potential new/"old" band, and the current state of the local music fandom. And finally John tells the story of an O's European tour, and their antics which caused a local tour manager to rethink his career.

Marc Solomon and Amy Curnow have been running the music school Zounds Sounds in the DFW metroplex for 18 years. We hear about enormous impact they've made on the music community through their teaching and the anniversary party/concert they're throwing showcasing new an old students and teachers at The Granada Theater on November 21. We also hear about the origins of their band Charming Gardeners and what it's like performing as a couple. And finally Marc tells a hilarious gig story about the time a lit Rick James very emphatically and eagerly talked his way into sitting in with Marc's band at a club in LA. www.zounds-sounds.com www.charminggardenersmusic.com  

Our guest this episode is Kelsey Rae. Kelsey and I reminisce about our time together in Vocal Trash playing fairs and festivals across the country. Including performing during a riot, chain-smoking clowns, and dismissing requests for NSYNC from Justin Timberlake's mom. Kelsey has been performing on stages since she was 5 years old. First in the musical theaters off-Broadway, then as a member of the theater/stage show Vocal Trash for 20+ years, which is where she and I first met. As a part of Vocal Trash she has traveled the world performing and spreading the message of environmentalism and global healing. She now leads her own stage show called 2B1 World (Rhythm and vibrations through music and dance to help heal the world). Kelsey tells us what's it's been like performing in far off destinations and getting to work with youth to inspire change. www.KelseyRae4Peace.com

The man with a million bands, John Dufilho, is this episode's guest! You may know him from The Deathray Davies, or you may know him from The Apples in stereo, or you may know him from Motorcade, or you may know him from Clifffs, or you may know him from Corner Suns, or any other of the amazing bands John has been a part of. An insanely talented musician, singer, songwriter, and producer, John also tells about his newest solo venture as John Buffalo and the circumstances surrounding the writing and recording process for the new album, out this November. And finally we hear a harrowing tale from John that involves near certain death...and a sandwich. 

The Strangest Gig podcast is back from summer hiatus! This month's guest is local DFW music luminary Jeff Liles. Jeff currently works as the artistic director for Kessler Presents. He was also a member of legendary Dallas bands Cottonmouth, TX and Decadent Dub Team, the later of which was featured on the famed "The Sound of Deep Ellum" compilation put out by Island records in the late 80s. If there were a Mount Rushmore of the Dallas music scene, Jeff would be on it. We were honored to have him on the podcast.  www.kesslerpresents.com

Denton musician Spencer Wharton, a.k.a. The Wharbaby, stops by to talk about his band The Infamists and how keeping a band together for 10+ years, especially in Denton, is pretty damn impressive. We also hear the story of how he saved his best friend from a couple of swingers at a biker bar. Check out his bands The Infamists and Spencer Wharton & The Static Creatures.

DJ/Producer Jay Sustain stops by to fill us in on what the gigging scene is like as a DJ. To use vinyl or not to use vinyl. How to pump up a crowd. And how the wrong song choice at a wedding can really ruin someone's day!  www.JaySustain.com