Funkatopia Live

Funkatopia Live

Podcast by Funkatopia

Episodes

June 25, 2025 86 mins
Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with the Time Band featuring Jellybean Johnson, Monte Moir, Tori Ruffin, and Ricky Freeze Smith to discuss their history with Morris Day and the Time, their Masterclass, and plenty of behind the scenes stories.
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Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland welcome Indian bassist Mohini Dey to chat about her current touring schedule, her past, her upbringing, childhood challenges, religion, space in music, cathartic performances, and much more.
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June 10, 2025 169 mins
Mr. Christopher sits down with Funkatopia co-host NPG drummer Michael Bland to discuss the 2025 Prince Celebration taking place in Minneapolis and Chanhassen, MN. We discuss the new music coming, the Celebration panels, unreleased music heard, plans for video releases, the rebirth of the NPG Music Club, and much more including addressing a few "Mr. Funkatopia" shout outs from Londell McMillan during the Vault Session panel and the ...
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Join Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland as they sit down with all of the members of The Family including St. Paul Peterson, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson, Susannah Melvoin, and Eric Leeds. We discuss new FDeluxe music, the Prince Celebration performance and a wealth of purple stories. Then we top off the night with a surprise visit from New Power Generation (NPG) members Morris Hayes and Tony Mosley to share even more unheard sto...
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Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit with Philip Lassiter and Shelby J to discuss his new album Soul of the World and debut a new track. Plus Damon D joins to talk about his Minneapolis dance class. Then Mr. C and Michael chat about the upcoming Prince Celebration in Minnesota, the pricing, the events, as well as the external events in and around Minneapolis area.
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May 14, 2025 64 mins
Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit with the iconic trombonist Fred Wesley who was an integral part of the sound of James Brown, Parliament Funkadelic, the JB's, the Horny Horns, and many collaborations from Abraham Inc. to Van Morrison.
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May 7, 2025 77 mins
Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with funk maestro Cory Wong to discuss his history, Prince's influence, the Fearless Flyers, Vulfpeck, ADHD, working with Michael Bland, and so much more.
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Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland welcome Tower of Power drumming legend David Garibaldi to discuss his time with Tower of Power, his near death experience with a train, the true story behind the 777-9311 drum track, his retirement, and what he's doing now.
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Mr. Christopher and NPG drummer Michael Bland discuss the 40th anniversary of Prince's Purple Rain follow-up, Around the World in a Day. We also discuss how we've dealt with the loss of Prince 9 years later. Plus plenty of rabbit holes.
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April 16, 2025 66 mins
Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with bass gawd MonoNeon to discuss his upbringing, his wardrobe, the sock, Prince, the album he worked on with Prince (Black is the New Black), inspirations, and much more. Tune in and vibe out.
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Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down to discuss the interview with MonoNeon and of course, in their usual style, it diverges into a full blown show that has very little to do with MonoNeon and all about Prince's legacy and whatever else they discuss. Which is everything purple.
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Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland discuss the newly released information on the Prince Celebration 2025. We talk about the pricing, the bands, the events, the hotels, transportation, and more. Including a visit from a special guest.
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March 24, 2025 91 mins
Mr. Christopher and Michael Bland sit down with music luminary Thomas Dolby. We talk about his breakout success in the 80's, From his side projects, his hits like Hyperactive and She Blinded Me With Science, chilling with Michael Jackson, friendships with XTC's Andy Partridge, working with Todd Rundgren, and so much more.
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Mr. Christopher and Funkatopia co-host Michael Bland discuss Prince, the Prince Celebration. Joni Mitchell, Meshell Ndegeocello, and tons of New Power Generation questions for Michael.
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March 11, 2025 110 mins
Prince and the Revolution keyboardist Dr. Fink joins Mr. Christopher and NPG drummer Michael Bland in an extremely loose and rare interview discussing Rick James, drugs in the 80's, working with P. Diddy, Revolution memories, arrests, touring, the future, and so much more.
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Michael Bland returns to Funkatopia Live to discuss more on the cancelled Netflix Prince documentary, the 2025 nominations for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, plus other highly notable bands that still haven't been nominated. PLUS. we also discuss the new list for Record Store Day 2025 and much more.
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Mr. Christopher sits down with Patavian and Danny Bedrosian of George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic as they release Patavian's new album The Red Balloon. Patavian is the granddaughter of funk icon George Clinton and is married to long time Parliament Funkadelic keyboardist Danny Bedrosian. We discuss her family history, her poetry used for this album, and also dissect the new music track by track.
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Jesse Johnson returns to Funkatopia to help Mr. Christopher celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jesse Johnson's Revue. Jesse breaks down the history, the stories behind each track, instruments being used, and so much more including his take on the Netflix Prince documentary cancellation.
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February 11, 2025 75 mins
NPG drummer Michael Bland returns to Funkatopia to discuss the cancellation of the Netflix Prince documentary, Kendrick Lamar's Superbowl performance and more.
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February 2, 2025 122 mins
Mr. Christopher sits down with Funkatopians to chat about the 2025 Grammys including the highlights and lowlifes. Prince's Lifetime Achievement Award, Quincy Jones tribute, Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. announcement regarding the inclusivity changes and overhaul of the Grammy electorate, the big winners and losers, and much more. Also, upcoming events in Minnesota.
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