Ric Chetter - From Radioland

Released during the Memorial Day weekend, Ric wishes you a happy weekend even though he has an issue with a certain broadcasting corporation. Despite all of that, Ric sits down with Natalie and making his first appearance on this show, LJ from Radio Memphis in The Morning and the three of them have a conversation with Texas bluesman, Hamilton Loomis. You'll hear some great music and hear how Hamilton spent a lot of time with Bo Diddley. Also, Ric goes a little too far regarding a certain side effect from wearing headphones all the time. NEXT WEEK: Mark May

If you were to put together a show like this, one of the things you have to consider is how to get the thing out there for the public to find. It's not terribly labor intensive but there are some things that have to be done. One such thing is the agreement to certain "terms of service" of the platform you are submitting your show to. That is perfectly reasonable and expected. Then, there is iHeart Radio. It used to be your show would have to be approved to be on their platform. Due to certain reasons (as Ric explains in this episode), this show was never submitted to them. However, they have decided to just pick it up and run the thing. Without asking. Plus, they can run an ad in front of it for their own profit. So a pirate got pirated, by the same people who killed FM radio. Also on this episode, a conversation with Marcella Simien along with some of her music. NEXT WEEK: Ask not for whom the bell tolls.

If you have ever spent any time around the genre of the blues, you'll know who Blind Mississippi Morris is and what he brings to the blues. In this episode, Ric sits down with Morris to talk about how he came to the blues, how he found music and what it was like growing up blind in a segregated Mississippi. For some in those days, what you were born into set the path you would likely follow for the rest of your days. There would be a lifetime of hard labor and a simple hand to mouth existence with little opportunity to improve your life or your situation. Morris found a way out through the gift of music and how that very first harmonica of his would be the ticket to a path that would take him around the world along while meeting and working with some of the best of the business. It's no wonder when you listen to Blind Mississippi Morris, you can easily call him one of the best in the business as well.  NEXT WEEK: There are rabbits in the hats.

While driving between the studios, Ric encounters a cool weather phenomenon. After thinking about it, he remembers the weird term for it and wondered how it even makes sense at all. Along the way he muses about how if it didn't happen in Frayser (Memphis suburb), it didn't happen anywhere else. Plus a conversation with Colorado blues artist A.J. Fullerton. Also, Apple's latest trick to stop Facebook from being so nosey. Zuckerberg is pissed and most of America doesn't care. NEXT WEEK: Blind Mississippi Morris 

As Bobby Rush will tell you, his name is not Bobby Slowdown. It took a pandemic to get Bobby Rush to stay in one place for more than a day. One of the hardest working guys in the blues, Bobby Rush will tell you what he's been up to with the pandemic and what plans he has after this thing is over. Along the way, he'll tell you about his iconic name and why everyone refers to him as Bobby Rush and not Bobby or Mr. Rush. Plus, you'll hear how he got his start and the education he got from Elmore James among many others. NEXT WEEK: A.J. Fullerton  

Nova Rex was once named as one of the top 50 metal bands of the 1980's and they are still rockin'. Although the pandemic has slowed things down, they are planning on being back out on the road this summer. Bassist Kenny Wilkerson sat down with Ric to talk about the rock and roll world, his influences and some stories from the road. Apparently, there were some really wild times when they came through Memphis. Also, Kenny has a new book out featuring recipes from other musicians. All the proceeds from the sale of this book goes to a worthy cause and you will hear all about it in this episode. Plus, Ric has vaccine news and an update from the Studio C food bank. NEXT WEEK: Bobby Rush  

It is that time of the year when the single most offensive thing happening in the back yard is an oak tree. Also, Ric & Natalie sit down with Chicago bluesman John Primer to have a chat about his long and storied career spanning at least 86 albums. Not to mention the fact he can remember everything that ever happened to him. Fascinating stories, great laughs and some music from one of the best in the business. NEXT WEEK: Kenny Wilkerson of Nova Rex  

Organized crime has long been a fascinating genre in book form, even more so when the stories are true. Author Michael Dineen joins Ric in this episode to talk about his new book Suburban Gangsters. It's true because Michael lived every story told in this book. Treat this as a cautionary tale about what happens when one wrong decision sets up a series of bad decisions each one progressively worse than the last. It's a hair raising tale and Michael gives you a taste of what to expect within the pages of this riveting book. NEXT WEEK: Brenda Taylor

Truly one of the greatest Memphis musicians is up for a Blues Music Award celebrating his lifetime achievement in the field of blues and soul. He was there at the beginning of STAX and was there through the end. He is now re-united with STAX as Concord Music has acquired the label and all of it's holdings. He sat down with Ric & LJ to have a conversation about his storied career and a few great stories were told. The great William Bell called into the show and here it is as it aired. Also, Facebook sprung a leak and more than likely, your personal data got released to the public.  NEXT WEEK: Who knows?

With the proverbial light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, Ric has scheduled his first Covid19 vaccination. In this episode, he tells you about some of the prevailing thoughts going around about the vaccine. Also, a conversation with The City Champs. Al Gamble, Joe Restivo and George Sluppick and their new album Luna '68. You'll hear some of the stories that came out of making this record and you'll hear a few select cuts. Plus, the whole notion of Doom Scrolling and how you should probably try to avoid that practice. NEXT WEEK: A show & an interview

In this episode, Ric talks about the ups and downs of internet broadcasting thanks to a recent exploration into the numbers that drive the business of show business, analytics. The wild west of the internet is still very much without form or real function but the notion of content as king kind of gets turned on its end when you realize just what the real commodity of the internet is. The real lesson learned is this, just because you are "on demand" doesn't mean you are "in demand". Subtle, but quite accurate. Also in this episode, a conversation and music from Eddie Cotton, Jr. NEXT WEEK: The City Champs  

When early spring rolls around to Memphis, it's time to let the cat out. In this particular sense, it means the two cats that live with Ric like to get outside. But there is a funny illusion to this practice. Also a conversation and new music with a long time friend of the show, John D'Amato. He joins the conversation via the miracle of the internet to debut some new music as well as some interesting tales from the studio.  NEXT WEEK: Eddie Cotton  

For the first time in the history of this show, Ric took a week off. It wasn't planned. It was an accident. In this episode, Ric tells you what happens when your feet are behind you and you land on a curb. Right on your ribs. Not fun but, he is now a part of an interesting club of people who can never describe to anyone what it is like when the sauce comes off your ribs, so to speak. Also in this episode, a conversation with Gina Coleman from Misty Blues as well as a few tasty cuts from their latest collection of songs available now.  NEXT WEEK: John D'Amato  

It seemed as though most folks had a week off of everything thanks to the recent polar vortex. There were those who suffered with it more than others and it wasn't just a simple extra blanket on the bed kind of thing. In this episode, Ric takes a brief look at the damage done and the repairs being made. Also in this episode, he sits down with pilot and actor Steve Hamm to talk a bit about flying and acting as well as working through a pandemic. NEXT WEEK: Gina Coleman and Misty Blues

He's the bassist's bassist. He's toured with Phil Collins and Jackson Brown among many others and chances are, you have heard his work if you have listened to any classic rock. More than likely, his work is lurking in your record collection. Leland Sklar has worked on some 2,000 albums in his career. During the pandemic, he can be found on YouTube talking about some of the songs he's worked on and tells stories about the artists who have hired him. Also, Leland has a book out with absolutely delightful premise. He talks about it with Ric in this episode. NEXT WEEK: Actor Steve Hamm Leland Sklar's YouTube Channel

There is something happening on the internet that shows us by example that some really good things can happen. Oddly enough, it took a pandemic to inspire such things however, you now have the chance to go one on one and also to be a part of group experience with a celebrity. It might be a movie star, a musician, comedian or even a professional wrestler. Jeff Krauss along with several others as well as Cedric The Entertainer have put together the opportunity for you spend some real quality time with some of your favorite people. The beautiful thing is that this doesn't end when the pandemic ends, the guys at Fan Room Live place to keep this going for quite some time. Also in this episode, Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the internet would like for you to have your data back. NEXT WEEK: Leland Sklar Fan Room Live  

If there is one thing to be said about the Covid 19 pandemic is that most people seem to have been coping with cabin fever fairly well. You could argue that artists in general would be the ones who would be having the most difficult time with the notion of being contained in their homes all this time. In this episode, Ric sits down with New York musician and artist Rew Starr and they talk about the impact a lock down can have on an artist. The good news is that Rew discovered something new about her self and has made her time inside much more bearable by being constructive. Also in this episode, you'll hear her band The Rewlettes and their version of the classic To Sir With Love and the story behind the recording and how their video was made.  NEXT WEEK: Jeff Krauss with Fan Room Live  

There is something to be said for a good old fashioned history lesson and that is exactly what is on tap for this episode. Taken from a previously aired broadcast, this conversation celebrates the anniversary of the book It Came From Memphis by Robert Gordon. During this talk, there are a couple of great stories from the book as well as Robert's thoughts about who would direct this story if it were ever to be made into a movie. Also in this episode, you'll hear some music that accompanies the book as it is likely the only book that has a varied soundtrack. Plus, Ric tells you about who will be visiting Radioland in the coming weeks. NEXT WEEK: Rew Starr

It's always a good time when you get to have the chance to have a conversation with a well known musician. Especially when the conversation involves a lot of laughs, tunes and some wild stories from the career of Peter Parcek. Buddy Guy once said of Peter, "You're as bad as Eric Clapton & I know Eric Clapton." As Peter will tell you, that remark is an amusing double edged sword. You'll also hear about his time in the UK and all of the people he has played with through the years. Also in this episode, you'll hear some cuts from his brand new CD Mississippi Suitcase. For more on Peter and to get his new disc, you can find it all at his website right here. NEXT WEEK: Robert Gordon returns.

Recently a conversation was had with guitarist Robben Ford. Over the years Robben has played with quite the list of artists like; Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmy Witherspoon and Miles Davis. He's also appeared on several other artists' albums including Creatures of the Night from KISS two albums from Joni Mitchell. He was even invited to play the guitar solo for the Steely Dan song Peg. Robben has been nominated five times for the Grammy and has been named one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century by Musician magazine. He sat down with Ric, Natalie, Gerald and Mark for a great conversation and to play a few records of his own. NEXT WEEK: Peter Parcek