Advertise on podcast: Three Song Stories

Theresa Girard crafted her own art education studying early 20th Century contemporary artists and had a career as a color expert and educator for a large manufacturing company. She staged and styled numerous photo shoots, large trade productions, and did program development from coast to coast.  As a painter, Theresa is represented by five galleries, including Gardner Colby Gallery in Naples and Jessica Hagen Fine Art in Newport, Rhode Island, and she has studios in Bonita Springs and Narragansett, Rhode Island She’s taught art and creativity classes for more than 30 years, and she’s founder of the "Support Women Artists" effort, which helps build awareness and connection for the work of all women artists - and provides support, funding, and projects & programs through a variety of nonprofits. SONG 1: "The Sound of Music" main theme from the 1965 film of the same name.  https://youtu.be/6f0T6UV-HiI?si=alkoD9iKjoYS8M16 SONG 2: “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King off the album Tapestry released in 1971. https://youtu.be/6913KnbMpHM?si=toKsjGr4Ju6FFL2V SONG 3: “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars https://youtu.be/kPa7bsKwL-c?si=tU5JmZHu0esmqN_X

Mary Bichner is an orchestral composer with synesthesia - the neurological condition that allows her to “see” splashes of specific colors in her mind’s eye when she hears their corresponding pitches. She recently finished her first full-length opera, called "The Memoirs of Antonina", inspired by Marie Antoinette. Mary stopped by our studio while she was in town for two concerts with the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall called “You’ve Got Mail: Musical Love Letters” with maestro Andrew Lipke. SONG 1: “Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s  Piano Concerto No. 23 in A, Movement II - Adagio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKWAQcDiR0o SONG 2: "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead from their 1997 album OK Computer. https://youtu.be/fHiGbolFFGw?si=lVB7WhrhNS__8gBz SONG 3: The Moody Blues - Question from their 1970 album A Question of Balance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP9iOqdxS8c

Eric Brown is a photographer based in Eastern North Carolina. He and his family moved there after he spent nearly 20 years traveling the world and working in the music industry out of Nashville. He is often back in Nashville or traveling for work, though his studio is where he spends most days working alongside his family. SONG 1: “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty off of his 1994 album of the same name. https://youtu.be/Kw8vBDk880k?si=FpF70-IkCWNafV_T SONG 2: “The Obvious Child” by Paul Simon...this the 1991 "Concert in the Park" recording in NYC's Central Park during his "Born at the Right Time" tour.  https://youtu.be/hhXMyW2ylgk?si=WArggyvdr5KEh0NN SONG 3: “Worry Too Much” by Buddy Miller from his 1994 album Universal United House of Prayer.  https://youtu.be/AQ1ugRQgP7g?si=rPcDIkbqwNheS8we

Benjamin Murray is an award-winning maker, how has made short films, commercials, and a few fun movies. 

 Dave Ritter is a founding member of the six-piece Toronto-based, two-time Juno Award winning indie/pop/folk/rock band The Strumbellas. They have put out at least six records over the years, and their song "Spirits" from their 2016 album Hope topped the Billboard Alternative Song chart for two weeks and got mainstream radio play in Canada and Europe, winning Single of the Year at the 2017 JUNO Awards. Their most recent record is Burning Bridges Into Dust. SONG 1: "Old Time Rock & Roll" by Bob Seger (& The Silver Bullet Band) off the album Sweet Summertime (Stranger in Town?) released in  https://youtu.be/PiHbcJ-RfoA?si=zXcrW8LpFaWTRJ8e SONG 2: "Coax Me" by Sloan released in 1994 on the album Twice Removed. https://youtu.be/CwIdvNY_vFY?si=znGHVea3HCyMkqog SONG 3: "Heroes and Villains" by The Beach Boys...this is off their "The Smile Sessions" compilation album and box set released in 2011. https://youtu.be/YyfU2_2G11g?si=LFLaKPwGoeH04pMA

Jimmy Keys is a Comedian and Musician who's career began in England in the town of Gravesend, doing band stuff with friends around the age of 12. He hit the road to Germany with friends when he was 20, and toured Europe in the early 70s as part of the backing band who played with many top soul artists from the States including Ben E. King, Eddie Floyd and Percy Sledge. Then he had a band that worked extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East which  was followed up by gigging on a cruise ship for more than a year.  Jimmy has also been the resident manic entertainer at the world famous “Henry VIII Pub” and the main headliner at the Southampton Princess Hotel.  SONG 1: “The Kids are All Right” by The Who off their 1965 album My Generation. https://youtu.be/LFQkuMWxdRE?si=FAVLL-Hj6DDQHg_j SONG 2: “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King released in 1962 on his album Don't Play That Song! https://youtu.be/hwZNL7QVJjE?si=h6SODdRU62Ctj2jV SONG 3: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers from their album How Do You Like It? released in 1963. https://youtu.be/OV5_LQArLa0?si=uIjOSLo_HAlGo8vT

Dan Navarro is a singer and has been a songwriter for artists including Pat Benatar (he co-wrote “We Belong”) The Bangles, Jackson Browne, The Temptations, Dionne Warwick and more. He's also a voice actor and singer. Most recently, he sang on six Lin-Manuel Miranda songs in the Disney Film Encanto. He’s also done voice work for Family Guy, American Dad, and for video games and TV commercials. Dan’s latest album, "Horizon Line" was produced by multiple Grammy®-winner Jim Scott who’s worked with the likes of Tom Petty, Wilco, and the Dixie Chicks.

Sandra Viktorova is a familiar voice to WGCU listeners and viewers - she joined us here in 2022 on the radio side as a host and then helped launch our TV news magazine program Southwest Florida In Focus as host and senior producer—the show won a regional Emmy in its first year and just recently went from one to five nights a week.  Sandra earned a National Edward R. Murrow award for her documentary film, Dream School: A Journey to Higher Ed, which follows the years-long journey of six high school students as they worked to earn a seat at some of America’s top colleges, Sandra has earned three regional Emmys for her work as an investigative and special projects producer with NBC/Telemundo in Miami. Sandra has also produced for several national news and entertainment programs at both Univision and Telemundo. AND she is owner of Viktorova Productions. SONG 1: “La Pollera Colorá” (The Brightly Colored Skirt) -  https://youtu.be/HEJtvN_oTzM?si=bHrjs2Tbbwxdzz6l SONG 2: “No Podras”  (You Won’t Be Able To) by Cristian Castro released in 1992. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ8mJgcsbw8 SONG 3: “(Theme from) New York, New York” - https://youtu.be/le1QF3uoQNg?si=GOEormRf9httkjwc

Gareth Rockliffe is a fine art photographer, filmmaker, songwriter, and creator of the award-winning short-film series called Contemplations, which blend his images and spoken words to explore themes such as love, loss, awareness, and connection. In recent years, that same reflective voice has found its way into his songwriting. SONG 1: Glenn Miller and his orchestra’s “Moonlight Serenade” released in 1944. https://youtu.be/9Ws6DdrDtyo?si=I5BZcKCwg6hmZvCh SONG 2: “On the Beach” by Chris Rea from the 1986 album of the same name. https://youtu.be/-yXVufG5oV0?si=6MW8jks8RRkyjebn SONG 3: Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” - it came out in 1988 on her self-titled album. https://youtu.be/AIOAlaACuv4?si=MvkaCOEfZhrlwN3i

Robert William Green, Jr. (Mr. Green)  graduated  high school in Shreveport, Louisiana with a full football scholarship to Morris Brown College in Atlanta. He transferred and received a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.  He came to Florida in 2003, and taught 7th grade World Geography at Bonita Springs Middle School before coming to Florida Gulf Coast University in 2005 as Parking Services Representative, and then Welcome Center Representative in 2011. If you ever stop to get a parking permit or directions, he is sure to tell you that you are his friend.

J Schwanke is Host & Creator of J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom, on PBS Create channels around the country. He’s been referred to by viewers as “The Bob Ross of Flowers” or even “The Mr. Rogers of Flowers”. He shows how to incorporate flowers into your life and enjoy a “flower lifestyle” - encouraging people to think beyond just arranging with flowers to crafts and recipes and beverages that include flowers. J also makes the Behind the Bloom podcast with his co-host RJ Pole - and he’s CEO of uBloom.com - it’s the online home of ‘Life In Bloom’ and the first online community for flower fans, created for enthusiasts and professionals. And he’s authored two award-winning books: “Fun with Flowers: Your Guide to Selecting, Arranging and Enjoying Beautiful Flowers” and “Bloom 365: The Essential Guide to Arranging Flowers Every Day.” SONG 1: “Red Roses for A Blue Lady”..this is the 1999 remastered and released on the ablum Rare Capitol Masters (Deluxe Edition) in 2016. https://youtu.be/j0nRUHECDxE?si=441PB9ZJIdEgZBja SONG 2: “Edelweiss” performed by Pink Martini and the von Trapps from their album Dream a Little Dream: Pink Martini & The Von Trapps released in 2014. https://youtu.be/JqzwjhZUtzw?si=n1DJRBtaQho9vFOV SONG 3: “Baby Elephant Walk” - composed by Henry Mancini for the 1962 film Hatari! - and interpreted here by Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra. https://youtu.be/uS9vE5BVDNM?si=yNC7VHEiXh9FVMNt

Laureen is a Billboard-charting songwriter with artist cuts across multiple genres. After graduating from Fort Myers High School, she earned her college degree and a master’s degree before moving to Amish country, where she worked as a Teacher of the Deaf. A prolonged personal health crisis ultimately prompted a pivot toward songwriting, leading her to Nashville. The very first song she wrote in Nashville, co-written with acclaimed artist Cindy Morgan, was recorded by Grammy-nominated, Platinum-selling, and Dove Award-winning group Point of Grace. Since then, her songs have earned international chart recognition, secured placements in television, and helped establish her as a sought after versatile and well respected authentic voice in contemporary songwriting. Laureen’s songs have been recorded by many artists across Pop, Americana, Indie, Country, Bluegrass, and Christian genres—with several landing on global Billboard charts - and her songs have found homes from Los Angeles TV productions to Nashville recording studios—including a release by Olivia Newton-John that she co-wrote with Beth Nielsen Chapman.  She founded The Flynn Smith Collective in 2022 - it’s a global network of more than 60 artists and 40 producers from LA, Nashville, and abroad who provide songs for TV, film, and brand placements.  Laureen is also an author who turns her lullabies into children’s picture books - the first was Lollipops and Ice Cream and the most recent is Sleepyhead Animal Wishes…AND she co-founded Bear Hug Boxes with her twin sister…they donate bears, blankets, and books to children navigating trauma.

Larry Ford (father of episode 75 guest Seth Ford) is a Grammy winning gospel singer who’s found audiences all over the world because of his truly commanding voice. Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Larry’s work has taken him to 49 of the 50 states -- and to as far away as South Korea and South America. He's also sang the National Anthem for the Boston Red Sox or Tampa Bay Lightning.  Larry has attracted a legion of admirers who appreciate his clear, powerful tenor voice and utter sincerity. In 2003, he won a Grammy for Best Southern Gospel Recording. His arrival to the world stage was as a featured soloist on the Gaither Music Homecoming Series, which consistently ranks in the top of Billboard Magazines music charts, and which we heard a song from in Seth’s episode. 

Marlin Miller is publisher of Plain Values, a quarterly magazine dedicated to the notion that faith-centered simple living within community is still possible today. Through it, he and his wife Lisa also operate the nonprofit Room to Bloom - they raise money to help families adopt kids with Down Syndrome and special needs.  They also founded Juneberry Hill Schoolhouse - a multi-age, inclusive homeschool co-op one room schoolhouse they built on their homestead using parts of a schoolhouse that dates back to 1850. SONG 1: "Tea of Sympathy" by Jars of Clay from their 1997 album Much Afraid. https://youtu.be/3u5BjMQ2LcE?si=-ATcIXWxXx0UHCta SONG 2: "Called Home" by Over the Rhine from their 2013 album Meet Me at the Edge of the World. https://youtu.be/NfTQCgX0lwM?si=IuEuUIMZOj-frZkm SONG 3: "Hold My Hand" by Sam Burchfield from his album Graveyard Flower released in 2020. https://youtu.be/UJoTHzzkj2c?si=l5x_EMi92z-RXbSm

Matt Ross is an entrepreneur, author, and media executive. From 1989 to 2005, Matt led some major radio brands, including: New York’s Classic Rock Station, Q104.3 - and and its Hip Hop Station, Hot 97. He then invested in and became CEO of School of Rock. Under his leadership, School of Rock grew from 5 locations to 55. In 2012, Matt founded One River School in Englewood, New Jersey with a mission to “Transform Art Education.” Today, One River School operates fifteen schools in six states with plans for substantial growth in the coming years. He also works to support organizations that build communities for adults with autism, and he’s a champion of artists and arts-based organizations. His first book, “Grow or Fold: Transform Yourself in Midlife and Beyond” is set to release in mid-January. SONG 1: “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away from The Beatles” from their album Help! released in 1965.SONG 2: “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson Five (The Jacksons?) released in 1970 on their album Third Album.SONG 3: “It’s Not My Cross to Bear” by The Allman Brothers from their self-titled album released in 1969.