TOP TALENT WITH RICHIE

 In this episode, I speak with Eric Hofmanis who has starred nationally in A Man Named Cash: THE OFFICIAL TRIBUTE ACT FOR Johnny Cash ,and is appearing at the time of this writing for 2 nites at the Strand Theatre  in Hudson Falls, NY on 2/28, 3/1. Go to mystrandtheatre.org for tix! 

Things we cover: 

Do you REALLY have to sound exactly like the one you are paying tribute to in a Tribute Act?  (Is he wearing black for this interv...

SABRINA PLAISANCE-SIA is a Las Vegas Headliner, 2024 & 2025 Josie Music Award Tribute Artist of the Year Nominee and much more.  She and Dan Sia, husband, drummer and musical arranger, put together this incredible tribute to the late great 80's icon OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN and also honors the classic movie GREASE with a full band accompanying her stage act.  Lucky for us in the Capital Region,THE OLIVIA SHOW! OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN &...

Did you hear the intro?  That was Garret Lechowski from Harvest and Rust, the Neil Young Experience.  If you're a Neil fan, take a listen on your favorite podcast App!   This time My talk  is with the Ed Bornt, manager and lead guitarist of this incredible tribute band LEGEND, THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY EXPERIENCE.  Take a listen, and you'll hear what it's like trying to recreate the sound of this iconic band.  Can you even come CLOSE to...

A SWEET discussion with "Sweet Baby James" Tribute artist Bill GREISE.  He resides in Nashville but has become nationally recognized as a top James Taylor tribute artist.  Copyright restrictions prevent me from playing any of the songs here, but you can see and hear samples below.  

He is appearing here in the Capital Region of Upstate NY at the Cohoes Music Hall on April 5th   Check here for tix!  

Video: https://youtu.be/Q0MwK8rx...

It doesn’t take brain surgery to figure out who she’s related to!  Correct! She is the daughter country legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette.  She was also show consultant on the heart wrenching  bio pic “George and Tammy” .  

Georgette is appearing in Glens Falls, New York at the wood theater for an “Up Close  and Personal “ Performance on Sunday, October 29 at 3 PM.  Tickets are still available at this writing at www.woodtheate...

Think you or somebody you know has an amazing talent?  The "IT" factor?  Well here's your chance to shine.  INTERNATIONAL TALENT SHOWCASE is here in ALBANY ON TUES OCTOBER 17TH AT THE DESMOND HOTEL IN ALBANY!  Founder SHARON MCCARTHY is my guest, and will give you all the information in case you are wondering what they are looking for.  You can be 4 years old, and you can be 80ish  They take anyone in between!   

Take a listen!  I ...

Fun, informative interview with the incredibly TALENTED  NANCY HAYS - Actor, "Come Dance With Me" singer-songwriter, international line dance hitmaker and much much more.  Ready to appear as of this writing at the the Wood Theatre in Glens Falls for an incredible tribute (with her daughter Mary Hefferman) to Judy Garland and Lisa Minelli's 1964 London Palladium show.  That is happening on 10/22.  The evening before she is at  Glens...

Fascinating talk with the man who's the BACKBEAT of this EMMY AWARD-WINNING  Beatle tribute band- THE FAB FOUR. He is multi-instrumentalist Erik Fidel.   We talk influences, how he prepares (musically and visually) for the gigs,  how he learned to play a right handed kit left handed (Like the master does), and much much more.  If you've never seen them live, you are missing a masterful recreation of the greatest rock group in histo...

Great, fun conversation with an icon from perhaps the most prolific and productive era in country music..the 90’s…singer songwriter Billy Dean .

Billy Dean is a multi award-winning country, singer songwriter.

We delve into his career, his new projects, and most importantly..why everyone in his family is either named Billy or Dean or any combination!    Www.Billydean.com for more info

My website to book a gig  and hear current and ...

REPEAT EPISODE -  THIS EPISODE ORIGINALLY AIRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT WAS ERASED ACCIDENTALLY.  I AM REPOSTING IT This incredibly talented high school student not only is a skilled pianist, but also composes and ARRANGES as well.  Her mother, Anne, entered her into a national talent contest on PBS organized by famed child prodigy ETHAN BORTNICK. And yes...SHE’S A FINALIST!!!  After listening to this interview, I’m sure you’re goin...

ENCORE EPISODE... Originally aired in 2019 but was accidentally erased.  

A fun 45 minute chat with old friend and TOP TALENT- musician, songwriter, and arranger EDDIE KILLGALLON. We talk music, songwriting, how he made the move from the Albany area to Nashville way back when, how “timing and preparation” helped, how George Strait propelled a song he co-wrote to the number one spot on the Country charts, his role with EDDIE MONTGOM...

Yes..that happened… An unbelievable opportunity to speak with a country music icon…Multi-Award winning singer and actor Randy Travis and his amazing wife Mary who has become, due to his unfortunate stroke several years ago, , his defacto spokesperson..and what an amazing job she does…   

 They make it work, and with great humor besides.    There is a backstory to getting this chance to chat with them, and it’s briefly explained...

Part 1 of a 2 Part Podcast on our experiences performing in association with the UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL RANDY TRAVIS SHOW here in Glens Falls NY and Laconia New Hampshire-8/26-27,2023 - part of Kevin Richards Productions.  Mark and I were "warm up acts" and the duo of Martin and Kelly are best described as "Co- Headliners" along with the legend himself! 

More infö at MartinandKellymusic.com and same on socials. 

Mark Pierre on FB 

L...

In this episode I pay tribute to a TOP TALENTed Tribute Artist -Pennsylvania native Doug Delescavage - of the PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM TRIBUTE BAND .  I happened to catch their act here in July 2023 at the Mohawk Harbor, part of the River Casino complex in Schenectady NY.  Don't miss them if they come your way in the future!  Wow! 

Here we discuss his impressive training, he talks about his day  job --, I try (and fail miserably) to st...

A little sidestep from my normal musical topics--I wanted to explore talent in another medium- PHOTOGRAPHY.  I happened to see this man's work on Facebook where he expertly colorizes old photographs from downtown Troy way back when. A must see! 

John Bulmer is my guest.  We talk tips, tricks, artificial intelligence, the death of the digital camera (or maybe not) and other topics .   

Check out JohnBulmerPhotography on Facebook to ...

We continue with my series of Top Talented Tribute Artists.  This time Scott Townshend, aka THIRSTY BURLINGTON as Cher!!!  We discuss not only the process of transforming into this icon onstage, but also the trials and tribulations of growing up, gender identity, and we also should mention that Thirsty has a movie---aptly entitled THIRSTY - available on Tubi TV, Hulu and other services.  I happened to see it myself and it is powerf...

Another in my series of Tribute Acts episodes.  This time we feature two TOP TALENTS.. Jenna Sue and Bill McGrath, two Albany area musicians taking on the persona of the great Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash for their final performance of their TRIBUTE SHOW  SAT. APRIL 8 at the LITTLE VEGAS WEDDING CHAPEL AND THEATRE in ROTTERDAM NY.   Call 518-419-1334 for reservations.  

FYI.. I’ve also done Billy Joel and Joni Mitchell Tribute ...

"Why did you climb that mountain? Because it was there". You've heard the saying.  Well, this was a real stretch on my part.  To try to put music to someone else's lyrics.  Especially if it's a computer's!  This was very bizarre, but I would love you to listen.  Plus a discussion (with myself) over the pros and cons of this new transformational technology.

 Try ChatGPT for yourself.    Right now it's free..              chat.openai...