Backstory Sessions
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160 episodes
Hello Backstory fans! In this special episode we first jump into some of the traditions and trivia regarding Easter. From egg hunts and sugar-loaded candies to family meals, we reflect on diverse Easter traditions. Matt talks about Easter facts, exploring the origin of the Easter Bunny and the production of the iconic candy, Peeps. Tune in for this fun Easter special garnished with laughter, nostalgia, and a dash of heated debates. We also welcome the return of Rick Cosnett to the podcast, who starred as Eddie in 'The Flash,' where he discusses the evolution of his character, challenges faced on the set, and memorable experiences during the series run. Rick talks about Eddie's transformation from a supervillain to a superhero, the emotional ending of the series, and how these reflected his own personal growth. We also discuss navigating the unpredictable landscape of industry interviews and performing dangerous stunts. Explore Rick's journey across contrasting roles, varying projects, surreal surroundings, and his unwavering love for acting that led him from Australia to the US. We uncover Rick's dream of portraying many diverse characters, his passion for the theater, and his ambitious web series project 'The Vacluse Daily.’ Experience his star-struck moments, expectations for future projects, and excitement for upcoming seasons of 'Palm Royale' and "911". The episode is filled with laughter, vivid storytelling, and reflections.
Hello Backstory fans! In this entertaining episode of Backstory Sessions, we have a discussion about Cat's social media adventures, the exciting venue and timing updates of her murder mystery event 'Murder on the Mountain' and an update on the upcoming pitch event for the unique mobile dinner theatre, 'Mystery Meets'. We also reveal some details about our upcoming Easter episode, which includes a special guest Rick Cosnett. We also have a discussion about the interesting phenomenon of the upcoming solar eclipse, with the odd decision of school closures during the event, eclipse viewing practices, and whether eclipse glasses have an expiration date. As the episode winds down, we share some exciting future plans, including launching the new Backstory Sessions website, (finally) with an online store, new merch coming, and expanding our social media presence. We also share a sneak peek into Cat's upcoming drama play "Boxes", an exploration of Matt's SubStack writings plans, as well as the idea for a new podcast. We celebrate our milestone of five years working on Backstory Sessions, and for this achievement, we express our gratitude for the support of you, our loyal listeners.
Welcome to another engaging episode of Backstory Sessions, where we dive into the musical journey of Carrie Martinelli, the keyboard player, singer, and one of the songwriters of the band, Shell Games. Starting with the story behind the band name, Carrie shares the evolution of her music, from childhood piano lessons to performance experiences on stage, and a visit to a psychic. Carrie shares personal tales that formed the backdrop of her musical evolution. From a setback that tested her self-confidence to a serendipitous reunion with piano that rekindled her passion for playing and creatin.The discussion goes beyond music, revealing her love for science, a story of unrequited love, and artistic cynicism. Carrie also shares her career transition from a science background to pursuing a passion for music. She discusses her experiences as part of a predominantly female band, tackling stereotypes in a male-dominated industry, and reveals the influence of social media on her journey. Learn about the band's upcoming album, their creative process influenced by varied musical genres, and hear about lessons learned over years of artistic endeavor. The conversation offers encouragement with wit, and exemplifies the joy and challenges of embracing one's true passion.
Hello Backstory Fans! Join us for yet another fun episode, where we are catching up with the amazing singer-songwriter Mackenzie Phipps. Talking about her latest song, written as a tribute to truck drivers, "18 Wheels", Mackenzie reveals the story behind writing it, We touch upon a myriad of topics which include new sound equipment, our surge in listenership from Ghana and Nigeria, and some random items from the Backstory Facebook group. Ranging from their funnily divergent preferences on food to agreeing that all chocolate is great, it's a fun chat filled with laughter, and memories. We also talk a bit about a new project, "Heart-Shaped Box", and talk about the significance of St. Patrick's Day. Mackenzie walks us through her journey, and reveals what she's been up to since last we chatted. A move, new music, and new opportunities are all discussed, as well as her small-town roots give listeners a view into her life these days.. She also shares a funny story of a chance encounter with one of her idols. Buckle up and join us for a heartening deep dive into Mackenzie's world. Follow her on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to see her ascent as a rising star in the country music scene.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode, join us as we commemorate 50th anniversary of the iconic sitcom, "Happy Days." Sharing our personal experiences, we pay tribute to the enduring impact the show has had and reminisce about some moments we remember about the show. Alongside recognizing the milestone of surpassing 50,000 downloads for Backstory Sessions, we have a great chat with Don Most, known for his portrayal of the memorable character Ralph Malph. Discover the interesting tale behind the legendary "Happy Days" from one of the individuals who brought the show to life. The episode traverses initial meetings, friendships fostered, and what went into creating a show that holds a special place in American television history: From the actors' backgrounds, their iconic roles, the improvisations that became the show's essence, and the love for music that played an integral part in their lives. This episode offers a rare look into Donny Most's life beyond the small screen, tracing a his journey from growing up in Brooklyn to a distinguished career in arts. Don shares his surprise and delight at reactions from fans discovering his hidden talent in singing. Balancing his love for arts against a potential career in engineering, he candidly discusses his career path. From his increasing acting opportunities to his strides in music and aspirations to explore songwriting, you'll enjoy this fun episode!
Hello Backstory Fans! Jump into the world of performing arts with today's incredible guest, Broadway star Tamra Hayden. Experience a mix of humor, inspiration and passion as Tamra reflects on her evolutionary journey from holding her first guitar to gracing the acting stage. In this episode, you'll get a rare glimpse into the compelling world of musical theater, and be introduced to Tamra’s unique approach of lacing every project with a pinch of hilarity. Expect heartwarming stories, pursuing ambitions and insights into future projects all wrapped up in laughter and enlightenment. Discover a captivating conversation rooted in passion and talent. From early interests in music to her acting roles, journey alongside Tamra as she explores her connection to music and opens up about her personal journey with unexpected twists and turns. Engage with Tamra's tales of collaboration, her journey into acting, and refreshingly honest glimpses into her life. Follow her as she shares her experiences of auditions, personal tragedy, and resilience in the face of adversity. Walk with her as she discusses finding a balance between solitary creativity and fruitful collaborations. This love-filled narrative is not just a captivating episode; it's an emotional journey bearing testament to Tamra's drive and dedication. Pull up a seat and dive into this beautiful story of the old and the new, the innate and the learned, as you listen to her unique backstory.
Hello Backstory fans! Join us for an exciting episode, as we delve into the love story of country music artists, Bobby Tomberlin and Tess Frizzell, who discuss their respective musical journeys filled with shared experiences, challenges, triumphs, and how their paths crossed in Nashville. Amid their professional struggles, they highlight the importance of mutual respect, authenticity, and the transformative power of shared experiences in deepening their bond. The story unfolds further, taking us on an intimate journey through their career milestones, hilarious mix-ups and dating experiences, illuminating how their shared love for music intertwined with their romantic ties. Through candid discussions of their life together, career achievements, and shared memories, you'll glimpse how their love transcends the chaos of the entertainment industry, strengthening through trials and tribulations, and provides a refreshing blend of humor, love, and realism. Also, we talk about Cat's experience with the "Dear Juliet" club in Verona, Italy, and Victorian-era practices like pinning bay leaves to your pillow to attract love. An interesting backstory of Necco candy hearts, and the probably best forgotten tradition of "Vinegar Valentines" are also discussed. We hope you enjoy this sweet and fun episode!
Hello Backstory fans! In this sweet episode, we explore the remarkable love journey of John and Robin Berry. From a chance meeting in a small Georgia club to a strong and enduring marriage of almost 36 years, this episode unveils their extraordinary love story. Recalling their earlier years,, John, a quiet country singer, and Robin, a vibrant health and education student, share their unique path of defying conventional norms, making their relationship work amid the challenges of long-distance dating, the pressures of an aspiring music career, and the ups and downs of being first-time parents on tour. Though faced with hardships, the couple’s deep bond, shared values, and their faith in each other held them together. This episode gives listeners insight into their lives, detailing how they manage to maintain a strong family, home, faith, and a mutual love for music while keeping their personal lives and music careers in balance. Dive into this heartwarming tale of an enduring relationship, filled with laughter, struggles, triumphs, romance, and life lessons. This episode is the celebration of love in its purest form through the eyes of John and Robin Berry.
Hello Backstory fans! Relive the unforgettable love stories of Backstory Sessions in this engaging Valentine's Month episode. The episode takes a deep dive into the complex narrative of love, offering some Valentine's Day trivia and an interesting backstory of the oldest known Valentine The episode continues with a captivating journey into a charming love story that evolves from friendship into a significant romantic relationship. Our friend Masyn, in her 3rd podcast with us, recounts her tale with vivid memories that discuss the transformation of her relationship with Nathaniel, challenging predefined romantic norms and sharing a love story that is as complex as it is beautiful. Through a series of intimate anecdotes, Masyn and Nathaniel explore their whirlwind romance, from casual church meetings to a profound connection, leading up to a magical proposal set amidst the festive backdrop of Christmas trees. Each moment of their journey is sketched in detail, making their story a testament to love's instinctive knowledge. They dive further into their love story discussing their grand wedding, their strategies for effective communication, and the little quirks that uniquely define their relationship. The couple's strong foundation of love and faith mixed with an understanding of each other's perfections and imperfections, makes this episode an incredible exploration of companionship, future plans, aspirations, and the wonderful balance in their relationship. This episode is a heartwarming insight into the beauty and complexities of love and evolving relationships.
Hello Backstory Fans! We are back with the start of Season 11! In this episode, we welcome back the iconic drummer and musician, Artimus Pyle, in a long discussion about his journey, filled with unexpected turns and intriguing stories. From surviving plane crashes and recording his exciting new project, "Anthems", to be released on Feb 2nd, to the pain of losing his friend and former bandmate Gary Rossington last year, Artimus reveals it all. Explore the incredible journey of this iconic artist, learn about some of the intricacies of the music world, and get an inside look into the process of recording the album ‘Anthems’ to honor the Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy. It is an emotional rollercoaster ride through Artimus's experiences - from interactions with renowned artists like Dolly Parton, Sammy Hagar, and Ronnie Dunn to name a few, to dealing with the sometimes harsh realities of life on the road with the Artimus Pyle Band, and grappling with personal and professional trials. Find out how and why he rerecorded some of the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd hits to appeal to long time fans as well as new audiences and the legacy he wishes to uphold in the world of timeless music. You will recognize Artimus's resilience as he shares his journey against health challenges, including cancer and a heart attack, his commitment to a healthy lifestyle, legal challenges encountered in the music business, and his future plans in this engaging episode. This is a compelling tale of a musician shaped by adversity but driven by his unwavering love and passion for music.
Merry Christmas Eve Backstory fans! This episode marks the end of a long season 10 for us. .It is also our 150th episode. We look back at the year, and talk about a few of the highlights, and look ahead to the coming year in this episode. We also talk with our friend Mikey, who has been on the podcast previously. He catches us up on everything he has been doing. It's a story you don't want to miss, as he has had a hell of a year. We want to wish you all a happy holiday season where ever you are, and hope the new year brings you all the good luck and love you could want. We will see you in a few weeks with more great episodes! Merry Christmas everyone!
Hello Backstory Fans!..In this episode we bring you a wide ranging conversation with singer/songwriter Will Wesley. Will has been performing for a long time, touring with his band, and recording. He takes on the Brenda Lee Chistmas classic “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree”, putting his own spin on it. Find out why he chose this song, and all about his interesting backstory. Will loves being on stage, and creating music, and it shows in this great episode!
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode we talk to actor Gene Farber. Gene has appeared on tv, in movies and does voice over for video games. Born in Belarus, and moving to the US as a young man, he almost always is cast as the villain, and enjoys playing that role. Find out why in the episode, along with many other interesting things about our great guest!..His new movie, Abigail, has just been released. We hope you enjoy the episode!
Hello Backstory Fans! Join us for this episode where we chat with the amazing Lacy J Dalton. Lacy talks with us about her career, and the work involved with being in the music business as an independent artist. She also talks about some of her charity work, her love for animals, "16th Avenue" some of her influences, and the subject of her recent Christmas video, "Carl the Christmas Dog". Her passion for animals and music are at the forefront of this interesting episode that we hope you will enjoy.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we first reveal some of the things that have been happening recently that we mentioned on our last episode. A few surprises for us in this busy time of year. We also sit down with singer/songwriter Savannah Dean Reeves, and chat about her path from singing in the car with her mom, to playing at the Hard Rock in Cancun, heading out to California for the Voice, and playing locally in Kentucky.. Savannah is developing a following around Kentucky and beyond with the help of her new song, "Bet on Me", which she plays a little of for us in this episode.. We hope you enjoy it! We also want to congratulate Savannah on her upcoming graduation from college. Find out where she is going next..
Hello Backstory fans! Its almost that time of year again and we are getting set to enjoy Thanksgiving here in the US. Immediately after is Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, 2 of the biggest shopping days of the year, so we put together a list of gift ideas to help you out with your post turkey holiday shopping. We searched for some fun and interesting gifts, and present you with this year's list in this fun episode. We don't share lists with each other before the episode. What will be on our lists this year? Who will have the more useful, or least practical gift? Have a Listen and find out!
Hello Backstory fans..It has been a long time since we originally did this, but in this episode, we take a crack at the random question generator again, as well as give a few updates on some things. Its a fun episode and we hope you will enjoy learning a bit more about what makes us tick.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we talk with Chase Carson of Unity Allies. Chase offers his vision and motivation for starting this venture, and what he hopes to achieve in the future. An interesting episode with an equally interesting young man. IAbout Unity Allies - We are a nonprofit organization. Unity Allies mission is to educate, promote, and integrate diversity and inclusion work into everyday lives to the benefit of our youth, our economy, and our community. We offer a range of services to any entity (such as schools, businesses, individuals) from coaching and mentoring, workshops, guest speaking, and a new service we are excited about, the unification analysis. We are also constantly partnering with other entities to form programs, host events, and much more. To learn more about our organization, our vision, and how we can help you, visit our website at www.unityallies.org
Hello Backstory fans! Happy Halloween! In this episode we talk with Abbey Smith, who works at the St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida. Abbey tells us about the many spirits that inhabit the lighthouse and grounds, and some of the strange things that have happened there. From things flying off walls to people getting backrubs, the lighthouse has its fair share of unexplained things going on. Its an interesting episode to make your hair stand up, and just perfect for this time of year.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we talk with songwriter Jennifer Adan. Jennifer has been writing songs since 5th grade, and that has led to a long career in Nashville, writing for artists such as Blake Shelton. we chat with her about her beginnings, and trace the path through today, find out her songwriting process, what it’s like to work with other songwriters, and find out what she’s up to now. We hope you enjoy this really interesting episode with Jennifer.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we bring you a great story about actress, comedienne, and singer Rose Marie. Perhaps best known for her role as Sally on the Dick Van Dyke Show, and a regular on the classic game show The Hollywood Squares, Rose Marie had a long and varied career in show business. Her daughter, Georgiana Guy- Rodrigues, aka "Noopy", sits down with us to talk about her mother's early years as a child star, Vegas, Gangsters, Sinatra, and many more stories from her youth. Noopy recalls the famous people that she crossed paths with, and the home life of her parents, hanging out in the early years of Las Vegas, etc. Its a sweet and nostalgic episode told by someone who lived through the early days of television, and her mom, Rose Marie, who blazed a trail for many women who came after her. We hope you enjoy this great episode.
Hello Backstory fans!..In this episode we chat with actor/musician Courtney Gains!..Courtney returns to share details about his new EP called "Safe Haven", just released. We chat about the making of this project, his love for music, and whether he considers music a hobby, or a second career. He also gives updates on what he has been up to recently outside of music, and in the time since we last interviewed him. We hope you enjoy this great episode with an equally great guest.
Hello Backstory Fans! Join us for another fun episode about Mystery Meets. Cat started this business as a traveling mystery dinner theater venture. In this episode we talk about writing, and how much of what is written is based on the writer. We also talk to Kim Miller, one of the actresses in Mystery Meets, and Brooke Stansbury, who is also an actress involved with Mystery Meets.. Kim cowrote the last script "The Reveal, and also the newest offering from Mystery Meets, called "The Game of Homes" Brooke acted in "The Reveal, and is connected to the production of the newest play in a unique way, as she reveals here. Find out Kim and Brooke's favorite moments working on "The Reveal"' as well as what drove them to join the cast of Mystery Meets. Also, who is the Persistent one of the group? Its an interesting look at the writing process, and what it takes to do dinner theater,
Hello Backstory Fans! In this interesting episode, we chat with author Stephen Jarchow, who co-wrote a new book about Artificial Intelligence. AI has been around for quite awhile, and we talk about its origins, and some of the more recent events related to its evolution. The story is really fascinating, and there is so much promise in the development of AI. But, as with any new technology, there are also downsides. We talk about all of these topics as well as what we can do to limit the downsides. Stephen gives an interesting look at what our collective futures could look like in an episode you don’t want to miss.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we take a look at the path of Jonathan Cilia Faro, who grew up as an orphan in Italy, and made his way to America. He transformed his love for opera into a music career of his own, and is combining his talent for singing with his love for cooking.. His new album, Romantico, traces his path around the world over the past 16 yrs We talk with Johnathan about his amazing story, that has many twists and turns. We get his take on the popularity of opera, and what inspired him to combine his love for cooking with opera. We also talk about how Matt's recent trip to India went. Please enjoy this interesting and different episode. From Jonathan Cilia Faro bio: Jonathan Cilia Faro was born in Sicily. He began studying music at the age of 9, learning both accordion and piano. The young musician found his voice during a music lesson, a nun saw his potential and encouraged him and taught him about the beauty and power of music. Jonathan was 9 years old when he heard a record of La Boheme sung by Luciano Pavarotti and his love for Opera was born.
Hello Backstory Fans! Join us for an interesting look at the life at baseball player Rickey Hill. From Rickey’s Bio: All Rickey Hill ever wanted to do was play professional baseball. That Hill was born with a degenerative spine disorder that had doctors doubting he'd ever walk normally was just an obstacle in his mind. Hill, who was signed in 1975 by the Montreal Expos, played four seasons in the minors before his body gave out. Rickey’s brother wrote the story about Rickey’s life as a testament to his drive and inspiring story to have a record of his accomplishments, which was recently made into a movie called “The Hill”. Rickey recounts the story of how the movie came to be, and talks about a few things depicted in the movie, as well as his younger years before signing with the Expos.It’s a great episode we hope you will enjoy!
Hello Backstory Fans!..in this episode we talk with actor, writer, producer and director, Vince Lozano. Vince has a really interesting backstory of how he excelled in sports, was lured to California, started street dancing, and ended up in film, and on tv. Vince is a man who believed in himself, and that he could do whatever he set his mind to, and then did it. He has appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean, and numerous other projects. We chat with him about Pirates, one of his newer projects: Trauma Therapy: Psychosis, the importance of having a plan B (or not), along with other topics. We also chat about how to pronounce Caribbean, our own thoughts on having a plan B, and more. We hope you enjoy this great episode with our interesting guest, Vince Lozano.
Hello Backstory Fans!..in this episode we sit down with JP Pennington from the band Exile. JP was on his way to Nashville to play at the Opry, and chatted with us on the way there during this interview. We talk about the 60th anniversary of Exile, thier new album, “A Million Miles Later” and the single, “Rough Around the Edges”. We talk about the Opry, alittle about the new album, and get some backstory about the band through the years, and JP’s thoughts on playing “Kiss You All Over” all these years later. It’s always a pleasure to talk to JP, and hear updates on Exile, and what’s happening with their long and amazing career.
Hello Again Backstory fans ! We are back, and welcome you to Season 10! We are happy to return, and have missed doing the weekly episodes for you, although it's nice to take time off now and then..In this episode we talk about a few things we have been up to, and Cat talks about Mystery Meets, and the business she started.. We also talk about concerts, India, and weight loss, along with a few other topics. We also talk about things we have planned for Season 10! We hope you enjoy this episode and look forward to bringing you more great backstories in the weeks ahead!
Hello Backstory fans!.. welcome to the final episode of Season 9..We have had some great guests this past season, and tonight I’d no different. We chat with singer and songwriter Risha Allen. Risha has a pretty unique story of being a teacher for many years, and then a move to a new state gave her a chance to teach music, work with kids, further her love of writing her own songs, and going viral on social media. It’s a great episode you won’t want to miss with this amazing woman. We hope you enjoy it, and we will see you all in a few weeks with more great backstories!
