Absolute Talk!

The time to talk music is here with my friend and amazing Blues musician Eran Troy Danner! This week we'll look back at how he started his career in music along with the albums he has released over the years including some behind-the-scenes stories that pull back the curtain on the recording biz! Not only that, we look back at some legendary names of songs and artists from the ol' days of country and blues that really connect with us and why.

One of the funnest interviews to present to you featuring the very talented dance pro Victoria Andromalos-Dale from Pennsylvania!! We'll look back at her dance path in the beginning to now with West Coast Swing, what she likes the most about that particular genre, and future dance goals of 2020. And speaking of genres, she lets us in on what she likes most about blues music as well as a variety of things outside of the dance world that may crack me up a bit or two, just saying! And just like the title says, this interview literally took two days to record from before to after midnight as well as my very first dance video watch-along from Philly Swing Classic....sort of.

We continue to look back on my high school play from 20 years ago, "Damn Yankees" with my friend Marilyn Derr (Lester)! She and I talk about her time then, including what it was like playing the reporter Gloria Thorpe, backstage stories, cast notables, the songs and the challenges that came along doing the musical. Also, we go through the timeline of the story as well that we remember. A fun baseball musical comedy/movie that was also a 1955 book created by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross that we have to give credit to creating. Thanks to those two for fusing theatre and baseball together to making one "Home Run" of a masterpiece!!

It was 20 years ago that I got to be a part of a fun baseball musical called "Damn Yankees" during my junior year in high school. Joining me this week to reflect back on everything are none other than the music coordinator John Mobilio and the director Sonya Stemmer. We'll discuss why this musical was picked, how Sonya got the directing gig along with her first impressions of the cast. Also, we share how I got the roles of postmaster, baseball player and announcer, with a TON more behind the scenes and memories you have to check out!

For this episode, Tammy Rosen joins the podcast looking back at her different journeys of dance, life, travel, hobbies and more! We also look up some fun facts we couldn't pass up from our experiences in different states along the northeast. And even some fun memories from our times related to the fact that this interview took place last year at Swustlicious that was a blast to enjoy!!

As we continue to roll on, Victor and I share our two cents on music and things to know as a DJ that are very important especially if starting out. Also, he lets us in on a very special momento that has stayed with him to this day figuratively and literally that you have to tune in to hear. Many more laughs and fun questions from a great conversation between two Deejays!

For the first time ever, West Coast Swing DJ and Emcee Victor Loveira joins the podcast! In the first of this two-parter we take a look back at his journey from how he got his start as a DJ to his first time commanding the floor as an MC and now as a co-event director for Trilogy Swing. Also, he shares how he met the love of his life Stephanie along with his time living in Texas to the Carolinas and everything in between.

This week the talented David Hähn joins the pod as we look back at his road of travel and dance. And speaking of which, you have to hear the interesting story of how he first got started in west coast swing dancing that will surprise you. Also he knows the Hebrew sign language and we'll talk about an interesting story he had in France along with some honorable mentions and other fun stuff that are worth and ear or two!!

It's a special birthday edition of AT! as this year I bring to you more unaired extras from past and future episodes. You'll get to hear what was left out from interviews featuring Chris Coogan, Simona Gizdarska, "Mystery Guest", Terry Roseborough, Eddy V, Lou Colella, and Jackie Lo. It's a mixed bag of fandom, fun, and very serious stories that are very worthwhile that I know y'all enjoy!!

This week "Sexy Chocolate" Terry Roseborough is back on the podcast for another great Q&A episode!! We want to thank our friends and his students back at his hometown of Tulsa, OK for sending us your questions in which we enjoyed diving into from our perspectives. We both had a blast and hopefully you guys do too!!

Joining me this week is none other than the amazing jazz pianist Chris Coogan. We look back on his musical journey from when he first learned to play the piano, discovering his passion for jazz music and what he loves about that genre the most including his insight about it. We'll also look at the bands he was a part of including the "Chris Coogan Quintet" to his trios band and more. Plus, there's so many celebrities he got to meet and perform for including the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Joanne Woodard, Paul Newman, Bette Midler and even getting to play the music for Alex Trebek on Jeopardy! at Madison Square Garden!!

From Bulgaria to Boston, Simona makes her way to AT! We look back on her overall journey from Bulgaria to the states including the story behind that. While there, we'll look at her time from living in NY to places such as North Carolina, Maryland and ultimately Boston. Also we'll look at how she pursued a career working with kids, meeting the love of her life Corbin, and how she got started in dance! Also we have a "Special Cameo!" that you don't wanna miss!...and no I don't mean the "Bulgarian Treat!" haha.

Could she be the biggest Mayer Hawthorne fan ever!? In honor of his birthday yesterday, Jackie Lo returns to the pod as we talk about one of the biggest independent musicians in the business today. We'll dive into the music he released as both a solo artist and as one half of the duo "Tuxedo" with Jake One. This includes the collaborations from such tracks as "Do It" with Pitbull to "Crime" with Kendrick Lamar. Plus, we'll discuss leaving the independent label "Stones Throw Records" to the major labels of "Universal Republic" & "Vagrant", and why he went back. Also please note this was recorded last year, but I will update you towards the end of the show what he has going on since then. Also, if you would like to check out more of his great content from tours, music to merch and more, check out MayerHawthorne.com

Eddy V, Lou Colella and I are back again this week to cover the second half of Wrestling That Was 2019! In this episode we cover our favorite props, the "Best Damn Tag Teams"...if that gave anything away haha, the best rivalries, breakout wrestlers and other cool notes. But also we give our takes on the Wednesday Night Wars between AEW and NXT, and what we expect in the future as they move forward! Also don't forget afterwards to check out Eddy V. YouTube Show starring him and directed by Lou!

This week on the pod, Eddy V, Lou Colella and myself sit down to reflect back on the world of professional wrestling from this past year. Amongst some of the topics are: Best and worst matches, worst finishes, best babyfaces (heroes) and heels (villians). Also, we'll look at who cut the best promos on the mic that we thought were absolutely memorable! Also don't forget afterwards to check out the Eddy V. YouTube Show starring him and directed by Lou!  

Today I recap my amazing weekend at Countdown Swing Boston from a FUN photo shoot to interviews to dancing on the main stage. Also some honorable mentions from the interviews I did last year to what I have in store this year. Also my thoughts about 2020 from dancing, DJing and where this show may go next, but I can't spoil too much.

We start off the new year with my outdoor chat featuring dancer and photographer Alyssa May Schoeller! We'll look back at how she got into photography along with the dream job she almost got to do for real. Also we go through her journey from line dancing to west coast swing and what she enjoys the most along with travel and a lot more to cover!! If you would like to check out some of her upcoming photography, check out AlyssaMayPhoto.com

Today, for the final episode of 2019, Absolute TALK! is teaming up with "Fans of the Forge" for the first ever crossover special! We'll look at the behind-the-scenes of their Youtube/podcast show along with how they all first met. Also we dive into some "Forged In Fire" talk, "Knife or Death", favorite guests, and a lot more into the world of bladesmithing! Also, if you would like to see their show including the video of this interview, it will be available on their Fans of the Forge Youtube channel.

There were a lot of great interviews throughout 2019, but there were some extras for whatever reason left out of the final cut. So I decided to include em all in the second ever "Bonus Audio Extras" episode where you get to hear unaired clips from past interviews including, Madeline Marie Hunt, "Tomdog" Morse, Terry Roseborough, Victoria Locke, and Kyle Ducham. It's a variety of conversations that I know you will all enjoy with a lot of laughs and fun!!

Joining me for the first time on the pod is none other than the "Well-Traveling" westie Kyle Ducham as she came prepared with chocolates and a journal for a fun, impromptu Q&A episode. We'll look back at her journey of dancing from ballet to west coast swing and everything in-between as well as the places she's traveled along the way. Also, we'll find out why she got the name Kyle in the first place, both the real and not-so-real reason haha!! And from her, I answer some questions that she wanted to know about me from a variety of topics that you have to hear!