Frets with DJ Fey

Straight From the Hat – The Return of Ben Vaughn

Send a textBack in 2022, I talked with Ben Vaughn, whose music and radio show I’ve been a fan of for years. Ben has enjoyed a great career as a performer, songwriter, composer for film and TV, and record producer. He’s produced records by Ween, Arthur Alexander, and Charlie Feathers, and also collaborated with Alan Vega, Alex Chilton and Los Straitjackets. His songs have also been recorded by artists including Marshall Crenshaw, The Morells, and Deer Tick. Needless to say, Ben Vaughn has encountered some colorful characters in his musical journey. His friend Laura Pochodylo, who works for Sun Records in Nashville, wrote the names of those colorful characters down and placed them in a hat. Names like Jonathan Richman, Arthur Alexander, Willie Nelson, Nancy Sinatra and more. So, what do they do with those names? Laura selects a few at random and Ben relives the stories—no pre-planning, no filter —just telling it like it was, straight from the hat. The new podcast is called, of course, Straight from the Hat and on today’s episode of Frets, I happily welcome…the return of Ben Vaughn.This is my second interview with Ben Vaughn. Check out my 2022 interview here.Songs featured in this episode:“Quote Unquote” by Ben Vaughn“Asking for a Friend” by Ben Vaughn“My Reservation’s Been Confirmed” – a Herman’s Hermits song (one of my favorites) covered by Ben and written by Charles Silverman, Derek Leckenby and Keith HopwoodListen to Straight From the Hat here.Find music by Ben Vaughn here.Save on Certified Pre-Owned ElectronicsPlug has great prices on refurbished electronics. Up to 70% off with a 30-day money back guarantee!Euclid Records – Buy and sell records.A gigantic selection of vinyl & CDs. We’re in St. Louis & New Orleans, but are loved worldwide!Find or Sell Guitars and Gear at ReverbFind great deals on guitars, amps, audio and recording gear. Or sell yours! Check out Reverb.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Thanks for listening to Frets with DJ Fey. You can follow or subscribe for FREE at most podcast platforms.And now, Frets is available on YouTube. There are a lot of fun extras like videos and shorts and audio of all episodes. Subscribing for FREE at YouTube helps support the show tremendously, so hit that subscribe button! https://www.youtube.com/@DJFey39 You can also find information about guitarists, bands and more at the Frets with DJ Fey Facebook page. Give it a like! And – stay tuned… Contact Dave Fey at davefey@me.com or call 314-229-8033

Bob Collum – Expat Singer/Songwriter and Leader of The Welfare Mothers

Send us a text“Wasted Wonderland” serves as the title of a great compilation of songs by Bob Collum. A singer-songwriter and guitarist, Bob grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, then spent a couple years in Chicago before making a big change. In 2001, he moved to the UK. Bob’s music had already been getting airplay in Europe and not long after moving there, he formed The Welfare Mothers. He also made a lot of friends and connections in England’s music community. The list of artists Bob has supported include Dave Alvin,  Ron Sexsmith, The Handsome Family, John Wesley Harding, Robbie Fulks, Marshall Crenshaw, Alejandro Escovedo, Amy Rigby, Robert Earle Keen, and Wilko Johnson. He continues to write, record and perform with his current group, simply referred to as…The Bob Collum Band. His music is great – It’s UK Americana, but you can hear slices of Western Swing from his time in Tulsa and hours spent at Cain’s Ballroom, but also Buddy Holly-esque rockabilly. Stay tuned for – an interview with Bob Collum.Photo by Graeme Bunyan. Check out Graham’s work here.More info about Bob Collum is available at bobcollumusic.comBob’s music on Bandcamp can be found here.Save on Certified Pre-Owned ElectronicsPlug has great prices on refurbished electronics. Up to 70% off with a 30-day money back guarantee!Find or Sell Guitars and Gear at ReverbFind great deals on guitars, amps, audio and recording gear. Or sell yours! Check out Reverb.comEuclid Records – Buy and sell records.A gigantic selection of vinyl & CDs. We’re in St. Louis & New Orleans, but are loved worldwide!Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Thanks for listening to Frets with DJ Fey. You can follow or subscribe for FREE at most podcast platforms.And now, Frets is available on YouTube. There are a lot of fun extras like videos and shorts and audio of all episodes. Subscribing for FREE at YouTube helps support the show tremendously, so hit that subscribe button! https://www.youtube.com/@DJFey39 You can also find information about guitarists, bands and more at the Frets with DJ Fey Facebook page. Give it a like! And – stay tuned… Contact Dave Fey at davefey@me.com or call 314-229-8033

John McFee – From Clover to The Doobie Brothers and Jackdawg

Send us a textJohn McFee formed San Francisco-based band Clover in the ’60s. Their first, self-titled album on Fantasy came out in 1970. Several years later, they came to realize some key people in the UK pub rock scene were big fans of their music. Nick Lowe, Brinsley Schwarz and also drummer Pete Thomas, who called Clover to see if they would audition for the up and coming Declan MacManus, who would soon change his name to Elvis Costello. Clover got the gig, backing Elvis on My Aim is True and John McFee’s great guitar work is what you hear on all the classic tracks like “Alison” and “The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes”. John also played steel guitar on Van Morrison’s Tupelo Honey and St. Dominic’s Preview. The long list of artists he’s contributed guitar, pedal steel and vocals for includes Carlene Carter, Nick Lowe, Emmylou Harris, The Grateful Dead, and Boz Scaggs. In ’79, John McFee was asked to join The Doobie Brothers, replacing Jeff Baxter. He also formed Southern Pacific with Keith Knudsen of the Doobies and Stu Cook of Creedence. In the ’90s that trio became Jackdawg. The release of their fantastic self-titled album was delayed due to the death of their manager. A CD release was temporarily available in 2009, but the album was out-of-print for years. That is, until now. Tune in to my interview with singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist, John McFee.Photo: Courtesy John McFeeThe classic Jackdawg album is available on vinyl, CD and also digital through Liberation Hall. Purchase options are here.Save on Certified Pre-Owned ElectronicsPlug has great prices on refurbished electronics. Up to 70% off with a 30-day money back guarantee!Euclid Records – Buy and sell records.A gigantic selection of vinyl & CDs. We’re in St. Louis & New Orleans, but are loved worldwide!Find or Sell Guitars and Gear at ReverbFind great deals on guitars, amps, audio and recording gear. Or sell yours! Check out Reverb.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Thanks for listening to Frets with DJ Fey. You can follow or subscribe for FREE at most podcast platforms.And now, Frets is available on YouTube. There are a lot of fun extras like videos and shorts and audio of all episodes. Subscribing for FREE at YouTube helps support the show tremendously, so hit that subscribe button! https://www.youtube.com/@DJFey39 You can also find information about guitarists, bands and more at the Frets with DJ Fey Facebook page. Give it a like! And – stay tuned… Contact Dave Fey at davefey@me.com or call 314-229-8033

Maia Sharp – Embracing Her True Self With Her Great New Album “Tomboy”

Send us a textMulti-instrumentalist Maia Sharp has written songs for the likes of Cher, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal and Art Garfunkel, just to name a few. Hailing from L.A., Maia is currently based in Nashville, often collaborating with many musicians and songwriters in that creative community. She also collaborates often with her dad, three-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter and guitarist Randy Sharp. Randy’s songs have been recorded by artists including Linda Ronstadt, Delaney Bramlett, Glen Campbell, Tanya Tucker, Edgar Winter, the Dixie Chicks, Emmylou Harris, and of course, Maia. Tomboy is Maia Sharp’s 10th solo album and her musical talent is on full display. In addition to her wonderful vocals and guitar, Maia, who’s played saxophone for years, supplied a very cool sax solo on “Edge of the Weatherline”, one of many great tracks on the record. Stay tuned for my talk with the very talented Maia Sharp.You can find out more about Maia Sharp and also purchase music at maiasharp.comPhoto by Emma Lee. Check out her work here.Save on Certified Pre-Owned ElectronicsPlug has great prices on refurbished electronics. Up to 70% off with a 30-day money back guarantee!Euclid Records – Buy and sell records.A gigantic selection of vinyl & CDs. We’re in St. Louis & New Orleans, but are loved worldwide!Find or Sell Guitars and Gear at ReverbFind great deals on guitars, amps, audio and recording gear. Or sell yours! Check out Reverb.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Thanks for listening to Frets with DJ Fey. You can follow or subscribe for FREE at most podcast platforms.And now, Frets is available on YouTube. There are a lot of fun extras like videos and shorts and audio of all episodes. Subscribing for FREE at YouTube helps support the show tremendously, so hit that subscribe button! https://www.youtube.com/@DJFey39 You can also find information about guitarists, bands and more at the Frets with DJ Fey Facebook page. Give it a like! And – stay tuned… Contact Dave Fey at davefey@me.com or call 314-229-8033

Bauhaus, Tones on Tail, Love and Rockets and Ashes and Diamonds - an Interview with Daniel Ash

Send a textDaniel Ash, along with Peter Murphy and brothers Kevin and David Haskins, formed Bauhaus, a band who were pioneers of goth rock. Their debut single, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” is considered by many to be the first record of the gothic-rock genre.   They released five studio albums, and during that period, Daniel and Kevin formed the post-punk band Tones on Tail in the early 1980s. In 1985, David Haskins, now as David J, rejoined his  Bauhaus bandmates, minus Peter Murphy, and they became Love and Rockets. Where Bauhaus was known for its gothic sound, Love and Rockets’ had a brighter, more pop feel. They enjoyed a succesful run in the ’80s and ’90s, touring internation-ally and were featured prominently in the glory days of MTV. And now, Daniel Ash, along with drummer Bruce Smith of Public Image Ltd. and bassist Paul Spencer Denman who backed Sade, is back. The band is Ashes and Diamonds. The atmospheric sound of their debut album, Ashes and Diamonds are Forever, is fantastic. It releases October 31st and according to my talk with Daniel, the Halloween release is “appropriate”. He was such a pleasure to talk with and I think you’ll enjoy…my interview with Daniel Ash.Photo by Regan Catam @raygun1111Ashes and Diamonds Are Forever is available through Cleopatra Records. Get yours here.Save on Certified Pre-Owned ElectronicsPlug has great prices on refurbished electronics. Up to 70% off with a 30-day money back guarantee!Euclid Records – Buy and sell records.A gigantic selection of vinyl & CDs. We’re in St. Louis & New Orleans, but are loved worldwide!Find or Sell Guitars and Gear at ReverbFind great deals on guitars, amps, audio and recording gear. Or sell yours! Check out Reverb.comDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Thanks for listening to Frets with DJ Fey. You can follow or subscribe for FREE at most podcast platforms.And now, Frets is available on YouTube. There are a lot of fun extras like videos and shorts and audio of all episodes. Subscribing for FREE at YouTube helps support the show tremendously, so hit that subscribe button! https://www.youtube.com/@DJFey39 You can also find information about guitarists, bands and more at the Frets with DJ Fey Facebook page. Give it a like! And – stay tuned… Contact Dave Fey at davefey@me.com or call 314-229-8033