Onstage and Backstage Podcast

Ho ho ho. Alonso Duralde, author of Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas, joins Off the Meter radio host Jimmy Failla as they discuss Christmas films and nearly-Christmas films. This episode has been re-edited and reposted on the Onstage and Backstage podcast with permission of Off the Meter radio program.    About the Book Don't waste another second of your valuable holiday time on another boring Christmas movie. Film critic Alonso Duralde highlights the best – and worst – movies of the Yuletide season with this fun and informative film guide. Whether you're looking for the classics, family favorites, holiday horror, Christmas-themed crime epics, or the most wonderfully awful cinematic lumps of coal, Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas will point you and your rental queue in the right direction.  About the Author Alonso Duralde is the author of 101 Must-See Movies for Gay Men. He has written about film for MSNBC.com and the Advocate, among others, and programmed film

Kenny Aronoff, author of Sex, Drums, Rock 'n' Roll!, sat down with Drummer's Resource to talk about the book in addition to his passion for playing, stories from his career, and more.      About the Book Sex, Drums, Rock 'n' Roll!, with a foreword by Rush drummer Neil Peart, and researched and developed with Jake Brown, takes readers on Aronoff's amazing journey from the small New England town where he watched the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 to performing alongside Paul and Ringo on a television special 50 years later. Along the way it chronicles an uncommon career in which the excesses of the rock 'n' roll life are always tempered by his core personal and professional values. About the Author KENNY ARONOFF is one of the most famous and hardest working rock 'n' roll drummers performing today. After four decades behind the kit playing with John Fogerty, John Mellencamp, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Jon Bon Jovi, and many others, as house d

Martin Aston, author of Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache, sat down to discuss the book with BBC World Service Newshour.      About the Book Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache is not only the first book to tell the story of how music "came out" but to the first to shed light on these hidden pioneers alongside their famous counterparts. Author Mark Aston's ambitious and comprehensive narrative unfolds over a hundred years, against a backdrop of social and political shifts, as gay liberation transmuted into LGBTQ rights, pushing for visibility and equality, from 1920s liberalism through to the closet of postwar years, the eventual breakthroughs of the '60s, the permissive '70s, the mainstream invasion and AIDS crisis of the '80s, and the advances of the '90s and noughties. Aston also documents the retrogressive steps in Russia and parts of Africa, where songs bravely encapsulating the LGBTQ experience signify how the journey from illegality and bigotry to freedom is far from over. A

Kenny Aronoff, one of Rolling Stones', 'Top 100 Drummers of All Time,' can now add author to his repertoire with the release of Sex, Drums, Rock 'n' Roll! In the whirlwind of press surrounding this release, he sat down with Tim Barnicle and Harry Hill of the 'How I Got Here' podcast. The trio discussed Aronoff's early years, career, and new venture as an author and speaker.      About the Book Sex, Drums, Rock 'n' Roll!, with a foreword by Rush drummer Neil Peart, and researched and developed with Jake Brown, takes readers on Aronoff's amazing journey from the small New England town where he watched the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 to performing alongside Paul and Ringo on a television special 50 years later. Along the way it chronicles an uncommon career in which the excesses of the rock 'n' roll life are always tempered by his core personal and professional values. About the Author KENNY ARONOFF is one of the most famous and hardest working rock 'n' roll drumme

Maynard James Keenan along with Sarah Jensen took a moment with Mark Rotella of Publisher's Weekly to discuss their joint effort and latest Backbeat Books release, A Perfect Union of Contrary Things, for the PW LitCast.   About the Book A Perfect Union of Contrary Things is the authorized biography of musician and vintner Maynard James Keenan. Co-author Sarah Jensen's 30-year friendship with Keenan gives her unique insight into his history and career trajectory. The book traces Keenan's journey from his Midwest childhood to his years in the Army to his time in art school, from his stint at a Boston pet shop to his place in the international spotlight and his influence on contemporary music and regional winemaking. A comprehensive portrayal of a versatile and dedicated artist, A Perfect Union of Contrary Things pays homage to the people and places that shaped the man and his art. About the Authors SARAH JENSEN grew up in rural Michigan in a family of storytellers. A write

Pearl Jam has been nominated for the 2017 Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame among the likes of 19 other artists including: Janet Jackson, Journey, Tupac, and Electric Light Orchestra. Tom Harkins, co-author chatted with Meltdown on WRIF (Detroit) to discuss Pearl Jam FAQ. Listen to the interview below.   About the Book In Pearl Jam FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Seattle's Most Enduring Band (May 2016, Backbeat Books, $19.99), authors Thomas Edward Harkins and Bernard M. Corbett explore the entire arc of the band's career, from their pre-Pearl Jam days to the present. Each of 30 chapters explores a different aspect of Pearl Jam's fascinating history. About the Authors THOMAS EDWARD HARKINS is a media ecologist and former adjunct professor who spent ten years teaching undergraduates at NYU's Steinhardt Department of Media, Culture, and Communication, and a year at Adelphi University. The two-(nearly three!)-time New York University alumnus now works as a freelance writer and editor in his native Brook

Michael Jackson a name that will cemented in history forever. Kit O'Toole, author of Michael Jackson FAQ,sat down with Steve Ludwig of Classic Pop Culture to discuss the book in addition to how Michael revolutionized modern music and pop culture.   About the Book Michael Jackson FAQ (takes a fresh look at Jackson's four-decade career, covering his work in three acts – the Jackson 5, the Jacksons, and his solo years. Along the way, O'Toole reveals details such as Michael's earliest musical influences; the Jackson 5's start on the Steeltown label; the key players truly involved in the group's discovery; Michael's transformation in to a prolific songwriter; his explorations of genres, from soul to disco to pop and hip hop; the tours, videos, and notable television appearances; his best-selling albums (Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous); outtakes and obscure tracks; and more. About Kit O'Toole Kit O'Toole is a freelance writer who has written about rock, jazz, and R&B for

AC/DC FAQ author Susan Masino shared her account of her three decade friendship with the band on The Slacker Morning Show (101 The Fox, Kansas City) listeners. With AC/DC playing in the background, this fast paced interview took listeners along with Susan on a stroll down memory lane   About the Book Featuring 37 chapters, AC/DC FAQ chronicles the personal history of each of the band members, all their albums, tours, and various anecdotes. Rebounding from the tragic loss of their singer Bon Scott in 1980, AC/DC hired Brian Johnson and went on to record Back in Black, which is now one of the top five biggest-selling albums in music history. Taking a seven-year break after their album Stiff Upper Lip, the band came back in the fall of 2008 with a new album, Black Ice, and a tour that ran from 2008 through the summer of 2010. Once again breaking records, AC/DC saw the Black Ice Tour become the second-highest-grossing tour in history. T

Bruce Scivally, sat down with Patrick Phillips of Pop Culture Tonight for the Halloween segment, 'Monsters of Pop Culture,' to discuss the little known facts and history of Count Dracula.    About the Book Dracula FAQ unearths little-known facts about both the historical and literary Dracula. The 15th-century warlord Vlad III, known as Vlad the Impaler and Dracula (son of the Dragon), became a legendary figure in his native Wallachia. Four hundred years later, Irish author Bram Stoker appropriated Dracula's name for a vampire novel he spent seven years researching and writing. About Bruce Scivally Bruce Scivally is the author of several books on film history, including James Bond: The Legacy, Superman on Film, Television, Radio & Broadway, and Billion Dollar Batman. After spending 22 years working in the film industry in Los Angeles, he moved to Chicago, where he teaches scriptwriting and film history classes at the Illinois Institute of Art—Chicago and Columbia College. About Pop Cultu

Jeff Cioletti, author of Beer FAQ, sat down with Christopher Khan of Happy Hour Radio. The interview covered how he got into beer, his inspiration for the book, and more. Listen to the interview below.    About the Book Beer FAQ features insight not only on how it's made, but how it makes the journey from the brew house floor to the drinker's glass. The book offers a touch of history, a bit of globetrotting, and a look at the companies and enterprising individuals leading the modern brewing renaissance. It also offers a nostalgic look at beer's evolving role in pop culture – from advertising to television to movies – over the past century.  About Jeff Cioletti Jeff Cioletti is an internationally recognized beverage writer, having served as editor-in-chief of Beverage World magazine and written articles for a variety of publications, including Draft and All About Beer magazine. He is also the author of the book The Year of Drinking Adventurously and writer/producer/direct

Shelly Peiken, author of Confessions of a Serial Songwriter, was on the Hometown to Hollywood podcast with Bonnie Wallace. Shelly discussed the songwriting process, being an artist, todays music industry, advice to younger songwriters. The podcast is available below, click play to hear what they had to say!     About the BookConfessions of a Serial Songwriter is an amusing and poignant memoir about songwriter Shelly Peiken's journey from young girl falling under the spell of magical songs to working professional songwriter writing hits of her own. It's about growing up, the creative process – the highs and the lows, the conflicts that arise between motherhood and career success, the divas and schemers, but also the talented and remarkable people she's found along the way. It's filled with stories and step-by-step advice about the songwriting process, especially collaboration. And it's about the challenge of staying relevant in a rapidly changing and youth-driven world. Shelly Peike

Just in time for the release of Eight Days a Week, Ron Howard's documentary about the Beatles in America, Chuck Gunderson spoke with Publishers Weekly about his spectacular two-volume set on the subject, Some Fun Tonight! The Story of How the Beatles Rocked America: The Historic Tours 1964-1966. Listen to the interview below! About the BookSome Fun Tonight! The Backstage Story of How the Beatles Rocked America: The Historic Tours of 1964-1966 is a comprehensive two-volume set which gives you a city-by-city synopsis of the group's activities as they traveled the United States and Canada for their groundbreaking series of concerts. From San Francisco's Cow Palace show on August 19, 1964, through their last-ever live performances at that city's famed Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966, these books cover the music and the madness that characterized the Beatles' three North American tours. With hundreds of photographs and images of rare memorabilia, it is truly the definitive reference for w

Bob Carlin, the author of Banjo: An Illustrated History spoke with Michael Stock on WLRN Radio about when he first got interested with the banjo, how long the book took to research and write, and lots more! Listen to the interview below!   <> About the BookThis book offers the first comprehensive, illustrated history of the banjo in its many forms. It traces the story of the instrument from its roots in West Africa to its birth in the Americas, through its coming of age in the Industrial Revolution and beyond. The book profiles the most important players and spotlights key luthiers and manufacturers. It features 100 "milestone instruments" with in-depth coverage, including model details and beautiful photos.               Bob Carlin is an author, researcher, radio and record producer, and one of the best-known clawhammer style banjoists performing today. With over 100 articles for music magazines such as The Fretboard Journal and Bluegrass Un

Tom Harkins, one of the authors of Pearl Jam FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Seattle's Most Enduring Band spoke with Nick Digilio on WGN Radio. He spoke about the Pearl Jam and their return to Wrigley Field, the books, and lots more! Listen to the interview below!   About the BookPearl Jam FAQ is what the British refer to as a "spanner," covering the entire arc of the band's career, from their pre-Pearl Jam days to the present. Each chapter explores a different aspect of Pearl Jam's fascinating history. You will read about the members' successes, failures, and tragedies in earlier bands. You will learn the band's origin story and the unusual manner in which they came up with a name. We will go inside the studio and analyze each of their albums in turn. We will hit the road with the band as Pearl Jam sets out to conquer Seattle, the West Coast of the United States, and then the entire world.               Thomas Edward Harkins is a media eco

John Breglio, author of I Wanna Be a Producer: How to Make a Killing on Broadway...or Get Killed, was interviewed on WAMC Radio. He spoke about his background as a entertainment lawyer, why revivals work so well, and lots more. Listen to the podcast below and let us know what you think!   About the BookPart memoir, part handbook, I Wanna Be a Producer is a road map to the hows and wherefores, the dos and don'ts of producing a Broadway play, written by a Broadway veteran with more than 40 years of experience. This comprehensive and highly informative book features practical analysis and concepts for the producer – and is filled with entertaining anecdotes from Breglio's illustrious career as a leading theatrical lawyer and producer. Breglio recounts not only his first-hand knowledge of the crucial legal and business issues faced by a producer, but also his experiences behind the scenes with literally hundreds of producers, playwrights, composers, and directors, including such theatre luminaries as Mi

Chuck Gunderson, the author of Some Fun Tonight! The Story of How the Beatles Rocked America: The Historic Tours 1964-1966 spoke with Dave Hodgson host of The Daily on Talk Radio Europe. He spoke about what you can find inside the book, the Beatles performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, and lots more! Listen to the interview below!   About the Book Some Fun Tonight! The Backstage Story of How the Beatles Rocked America: The Historic Tours of 1964-1966 is a comprehensive two-volume set which gives you a city-by-city synopsis of the group's activities as they traveled the United States and Canada for their groundbreaking series of concerts. From San Francisco's Cow Palace show on August 19, 1964, through their last-ever live performances at that city's famed Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966, these books cover the music and the madness that characterized the Beatles' three North American tours. With hundreds of photographs and images of rare memorabilia, it is truly the definitive reference for what i

Trevor Tolliver, author of You Don't Own Me: The Life and Times of Lesley Gore, spoke with Tony Peters of Icon Fetch. They spoke about Lesley Gore's life, Trevor's friendship with her, and lots more. Listen to the entire interview in the podcast below!   About the Book1963 – tail fins were in, sock hops were hot, and a fairytale white knight was president. That summer, sixteen year-old singer Lesley Gore released her debut single, "It's My Party," propelling her to Number One on the charts. For the next several years, the crowned Princess of Pop dominated the radio with a string of hits including "Judy's Turn to Cry," "She's A Fool," "Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows," and the rousing anthem for independence, "You Don't Own Me," making her the most successful and influential solo female artist of the 60s. But beneath the bubblegum façade was a girl squirming against social and professional pressures to simply be herself and to forge a future where she could write and perform music beyond the trappi

David Bushman and Arthur Smith, authors of Twin Peaks FAQ: All That's Left to Know About a Place Both Wonderful and Strange spoke with Byron and Ben hosts of Twin Peaks Unwrapped. They spoke about the what you can find in the book, fans of Twin Peaks, and more!   About the BookTwin Peaks FAQ will guide longtime fans and the newly initiated through the origins of the series, take them behind the scenes during its production, and transport readers deep into the rich mythology that made Twin Peaks a cultural phenomenon. The book features detailed episode guides, character breakdowns, and explorations of the show's distinctive music, fashion, and locations. With a sometimes snarky, always thoughtful (but never dry or academic) analysis of Twin Peaks' myriad oddities, mysteries, references, and delicious insanity, Twin Peaks FAQ is a comprehensive, immersive, and irresistible reference for experts and newbies alike.               David Bushman is a tel

Tom Harkins, one of the authors of Pearl Jam FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Seattle's Most Enduring Band spoke with Bob Guthenberg, host of The Rock Show. He spoke about the book, Pearl Jam's music and concert experience, and lots more! Listen to the interview below!   About the BookPearl Jam FAQ is what the British refer to as a "spanner," covering the entire arc of the band's career, from their pre-Pearl Jam days to the present. Each chapter explores a different aspect of Pearl Jam's fascinating history. You will read about the members' successes, failures, and tragedies in earlier bands. You will learn the band's origin story and the unusual manner in which they came up with a name. We will go inside the studio and analyze each of their albums in turn. We will hit the road with the band as Pearl Jam sets out to conquer Seattle, the West Coast of the United States, and then the entire world.               Thomas Edward Harkins is a media

Deke Sharon, author of the new book The Heart of Vocal Harmony, spoke with Jacki Lyden, host of weekends on All Things Consideredt. He spoke about his work on Pitch Perfect, and how he got into a cappella. Listen to the interview below to learn more!     About the BookThe Heart of Vocal Harmony is not just for a cappella groups – it is also for vocal harmony groups, ensembles, and choirs at all levels, with or without instruments. In addition to the process, the book features discussions with some of the biggest luminaries in vocal harmony: composers, arrangers, directors, singers, and groups – including Eric Whitacre, Pentatonix, the Manhattan Transfer, and more!               Deke Sharon is a cappella's most prolific arranger and producer, with credits ranging from Pitch Perfect to The Sing Off. Most recently, he can be seen on Lifetime Television's Pitch Slapped. All Things Considered  is the most listened-to, afternoon drive-time, n