Mumcast: The Rick Mummey Show

Sheeza is a 4-piece band that performs in the midwest. Claire and Courtney Tchoula of that band stopped by. We discussed their approach to their music, which includes originals and an eclectic list of covers. As musical and off-stage partners, they have forged a harmonious relationship that informs their music. They have performed numerous benefits, including for Pride and Bernie Sanders. Those performances demonstrate their commitment to issues beyond music. They're a band you should know. Follow them on Facebook and get to a Sheeza gig now! To whet your appetite, they performed a couple new items in our cozy little DIY studio. Enjoy.

Jill Ditmire, who many of you know from her days on WLFI in Lafayette, and from WFYI radio and TV in Indianapolis is a broadcaster, author, producer, writer...But wait! There's more! She is involved in a project on Facebook Live which includes interviews and pieces done from a variety of locations. The FB project will also present live musical and radio theater productions. It will be a fully interactive, very in-the-moment program that is sure to engage the audience in a new way. We talked about the project, her various other projects, her interest in wine culture and more. And we conclude with music from Joe Peters with Mike Kelsey.

Hans and Brittany Rees have played at the taste before with other bands and with their band Frank Muffin. They'll be performing on the Digby's Stage Saturday 6/18 at 8:20pm. They'll be playing a unique mix of covers, as well as their own originals. They have been on the scene a long time, and they're a do-not-miss band wherever they perform. We spoke to them about performing for large crowds, the writing process, the growth of our local arts community, and more. We heard an original called, "In Fond Memory of Al", which is not about anybody in particular. Interesting, right?

Taste of Tippecanoe is a music, art, and food fest in Lafayette IN, and has been going for 35 years. It is a major fund raising event for the Tippecanoe Arts Federation(TAF), which advocates for the arts in 14 Indiana counties. Downtown Lafayette fills with food vendors offering tastes of their wares, artists showing off their work, and some of the finest musicians in the Midwest and beyond. We spoke to TAF executive director Tetia Lee, about TAF's mission, thee importance of the funds raised by the Taste, and the job of maintaining and improving the area's arts scene. Ouur other guest, Richard Fudge, spoke about his work with Friends of Bob music co-op, the state of our music scene, and his band, the Prannies, playing their first Taste. We shared a tune from the Prannies' recent release "Do You Mean Panties?" called "Gladiola". Part two will sample more music you'll find at the Taste.

3 Lane Hill play what they call "Americana Rocknroll with a Fishin' Pole". A unique description of a real good band based in the Lafayette area. They've been at it for a while, and their new release is their first time in the studio, and the first project recorded at Chris Voglund's Lo-Dough Studios. To pick one up, check out the 3Lane Facebook page, buy one at a gig for $10, or $13 by mail to Mike Tripodi 3327 Crawford St., West Lafayette, IN 47906. We sampled the release with a tune called "Riverside". You can hear the river, the critters, and a cold one being opened! Take a trip up 3 Lane Hill sometime, perhaps July 23 at the Down the Street Bar in Monticello, IN. Tell 'em we sent ya.

Win big with your music! On this episode, we were joined by Curt Yeoman, who operates GLM Live, a music venue in Lafayette IN that was made for musicians. They'll be hosting a songwriting contest on July 20, with some great prizes for the winner, including cash, a Fender guitar, studio time with Mike Kelsey, and songwriting lessons from Nikki Rood, a top notch songwriter. Nikki will be a judge that night, as will smokin' guitarist/songwriter Jason Wells. They joined us, along with Curt, to talk about what they look for in a song and composer. Curt had details about the venue and the contest. Nikki contributed this week's song, a real beauty.

Prince on songwriting:"Sometimes I hear a melody in my head, and it seems like the first color in a painting. And then you can build the rest of the song with other added sounds. You just have to try to be with that first color, like a baby yearns to come to its parents. That’s why creating music is really like giving birth. Music is like the universe: The sounds are like the planets, the air and the light fitting together." On this Mumcast, it's part one of a two part discussion on songwriting. I am emceeing a songwriting contest in July (the subject of part two), and decided to see what people think makes a great song. This episode quotes listeners from social media, and some great artists opinions culled from interviews. We spoke to singer/pianist/songwriter Lee Anna Crane Atwell about her process, and sampled a beautiful song of hers, "Dreamer's Lament", on which she's backed on guitar by phenom Mike Kelsey. It's all about what makes a good song, and what makes a song good.

John Bower aka Johnny BHive is a treasure of a songwriter, now spending most of his time in Nashville. He talked about that town, and its diverse music scene.We discussed his personal growth, how the ups-and-downs have impacted his writing, and how changes in the music industry have changed his approach to the business. He shared with us the process by which he and his partner write songs, and about the decision-making process to take a country direction with his new release "Through My Eyes', and we heard a sample from the album called "Remember Me", a song inspired by his experience in a failed relationship. I call it "country with depth". You will too.                        

Pat McClimans, extraordinary guitarist, excellent interview Pat McClimans is a Midwestern boy who lives now in Portland, Oregon. In his home region, Pat fronted a number of successful bands, and is wowing folks in the Northwest now. He has a release out now entitled friends, which will be available on iTunes soon, and can be found here, on a pay-what-you-will basis. It's a good collection of pop and rock tunes, influenced by Pat's love of certain styles and artists he reveals on the podcast. He talks about the recording process in general, and about the two songs on the podcast "Toe the Line" and "Then and Now". He's a tremendous guitarist. Run to your device and get these songs, and catch Pat either in Portland, or at Lafayette Indiana's Taste of Tippecanoe (info here)

WindSync are an amazing wind quintet that perform worldwide, including with our own Lafayette Symphony. The Houston Chronicle calls them"chamber music revolutionaries". They have clearly earned that title with their stunning performances of classical masterworks and commissioned pieces. They travel the world carrying out their mission to educate and entertain, and to bring new blood and fresh ideas to chamber music. Anni Hochhalter is the French horn player in this group. She gave us a sense of what it's like to be trailblazing, performing, and teaching as part of this breathtakingly talented crew. They'll perform May 21st at Long Center as the Lafayette Symphony celebrates the anniversary of Holst's " The Planets"

This episode was recorded in Sun City West, near Phoenix, AZ. My parents have lived there for 14 years. At the time of this recording, my mother, an angelic soprano, was in hospice, and entering the final stages of her life. I knew she'd want me to go about my biz uninterrupted, so I decided to interview my incredibly talented nephew, Cecil Mummey, son of my brother Kevin and his partner Lynn Slobodien. He recently wrote, directed and starred in a musical based on a popular children's book, "Wonder". This fella is amazing. And BTW, if you are ever going to be interviewed, watch and listen to my daughter Sara (a future guest) and 10 yr old Cecil. Music from Brent Laidler. Find his podcast here p.s.-We did this on a laptop mic, android phone, and Wavepad on a PC. Interview in hotel room Those two youngsters in the picture are Marilyn and Bob Mummey, my parents. Look how in love they are. Mom passed 4/17/16. She will be missed.  

Nicholas Palmer is a busy, busy man. He is music director for the Lafayette (IN) Symphony Orchestra, along with the Charleston (SC) orchestra. He has guest conducted throughout the world and is a regular at a number of festivals worldwide. He has received rave reviews for his work everywhere, including with the Lafayette Symphony. We spoke to Nick about how he manages all the travel, and the differences and similiarities of the various places he works. We also discussed some upcoming LSO events in detail, and provide a music sample of one of the artists coming soon, called WindSync. Good episode for the classical music aficionado and the newbie!

Wow. Just wow. The SFJAZZ Collective, an all-star crew from San Francisco, are an amazing group of really fine musicians. They are band leaders and solo artists as individuals, and all bring unique gifts to their projects. Their current outing is "The Michael Jackson Project", featuring their unique take on the King of Pop's landmark tunes. Bassist Matt Penman talked to us about the band's rehearsal and arranging process, their educational outreach, and the amazing caliber of his colleagues. They perform 4/07/16 at Loeb Playhouse at Purdue. Check out the podcast, then see the show. And tell 'em we sent ya.    

Rickerrocker.com is a website that discusses our local music scene, and is a template for the kind of coverage any local music scene needs. Rick Siler is the proprietor. He spoke to us about his start as a music writer, and his particular tastes in music, which are quite broad. He talked about the importance of coverage to up-and-coming bands and artists, and says that open mic nights can be a treasure trove of undiscovered talent. We also got Rick to tell us what he'd include in a Classic Rock Starter Kit, for those who want to re-boot their music collection, or be introduced to this music genre. Rick's kit included Zeppelin, Hendrix, roots blues, and more. We conclude the episode with the debut of a David Corley tune "Blind Man" from his upcoming release "Lights Out". Find David info and music here. David is a Lafayette-born songwriter, and is really popular in Europe, where he is now touring.

In this second of a two-part interview Scott Greeson opens his heart and tells us fascinating stories, along with guitarist Kevin Ludwig. Listen to Scott's account of writing and recording music after the death of his wife Janet, and a miraculous tale of the guitar she gave him. The guitar left and returned, through an amazing set of circumstances. We hear an instrumental piece from Scott and Kevin, along with a piece from their band. It's good music, well-made, and the stories of its inspiration are not-miss stuff!

Scott Greeson is a nice guy. And he's doing well pursuing his music goals. And that's...nice. Scott and his band, Trouble With Monday, have played large and small venues around the region for years, including side stages at major shows and festivals. The music is Americana, and quite often an homage to his home in Indiana. We talked to Scott about his creative process, and about his involvement with a songwriter's association he co-founded, which every music scene should have. And Scott played live for us. He will be playing at a venue called GLM Live very soon, and we have details.

Tomeka Reid is a wonder. She plays jazz at the highest level, has an internationally-renowned classical trio. She teaches, she writes, she fronts a jazz quartet of highly sought-after musicians! She's performing March 4 in Lafayette, and we caught up with her to talk about the rewards of being a busy musician and teacher, and what to expect from her set coming up. A piece from her recent quartet album is shared, as well. Enjoy this interesting musician and her incredible music.

The band SpaceWords will be sharing the bill with Moe., Umphrey's McGee, Ani DiFranco and more this May at the Summer Camp Music Festival in Illinois. On this episode we spoke to musician Jeff Lagaveen, drummer for the rising young band. Jeff spoke to us about his beginnings, influences, the creative process, and, in a phone update, his thoughts on winning a place at that big festival. Don't miss the SpaceWords tune we play called "Bury".

What does your town need to fix it's music scene? We talk about that and more with journalist Tim Brouk, who writes for media portal thinklafayette.com on a variety of subjects of local and national interest. We talk about the ingredients needed for a healthy scene, what Tim would like to see done with the Super Bowl halftime! Tim tells us his pick for Lafayette's best band and more.

On this episode, we'll look back at previous episodes, with some clips from interviews with Dr. Will Miller, Kelly Hogan of Flat Five Chicago, and more. If you're new to the program or haven't heard all the episodes, this will catch you up.