Reliving My Youth

I catch up with April Harris-Holmes, who was a member of the female-group Seduction. April talks about how she got involved in the band, who had four top-40 hits, including the number-one dance hit "Two to Make it Right". Their video for "Heartbeat" was directed by a big-time Hollywood director, she tells me which one. April now runs Keeping You Sweet, a baked goods company specializing in all natural and gluten free desserts. keepingyousweet.com

I catch up with Erika Eleniak, best known for her roles in Under Siege, The Beverly Hillbillies and Baywatch. Her first movie role was in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. She tells me how she got that role and her experience working with Steven Spielberg. Erika was featured in Playboy five times and discusses how one of her spread made it into Under Siege.

I catch up with the multi-talented Jeff Russo, guitarist in Tonic, as well as an Emmy-winning television composer for Fargo. He has also composed for Legion, The Night Of and Star Trek: Discovery to name a few. We talk about the difficulties of balancing his time with the band and his TV work. Jeff tells me which Star Trek score is his favorite.

I catch up with actor/director Keith Gordon, who famously played Rodney Dangerfield's son, Jason, in Back to School. Keith tells me about working with Dangerfield. Keith had roles in Jaws 2, Christine and The Legend of Billie Jean. Keith has directed some of the biggest TV shows of the past few years (Dexter, Better Call Saul, Homeland). We discuss the differences between directing for motion pictures and television.

I catch up with Tony Lewis of The Outfield who recently released his solo album, “Out of the Darkness”. Tony talks about the process making the album and losing his longtime friend and bandmate John Spinks. We talk about The Outfield’s iconic song, “Your Love”, and its lasting appeal.

I catch up with singer/songwriter Joe “Bean” Esposito, who has had a very memorable career. He wrote Donna Summer’s “Bad Girls” and sang “Heaven Knows” with her as a member of the Brooklyn Dreams. Joe is best know for his cult hit “You’re the Best” from the Karate Kid. He also co-wrote “Hearts on Fire” from Rocky IV.

I catch up with Dave Bickler, former lead singer of Survivor, who just released his solo album, Darklight. Dave talks about putting the album together. Dave fronted Survivor for their biggest hit, “Eye of the Tiger”. He tells me how the song came about and how it catapulted the band into stardom. Dave was part of one of the biggest advertising campaigns in history, Budweiser’s “Real Men of Genius”.

I catch up with Daphne Maxwell Reid, who played Aunt Viv on the later seasons of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. She tells me why she originally turned down the chance to audition for the role. She talks about the time that Donald Trump guest starred. Daphne talks about her experience at Northwestern University and what she is up to now.

I catch up with Chris Duffy, the lead singer of Waterfront. The band had a big hit back in 1989 with “Cry”. Chris fills me in on what he’s been up to and why the band released just their debut album before breaking up. Waterfront reunited a few years ago and released “Ghosts of the Good”.

Jon Lamoreaux from The Hustle podcast joins me as we count down our top five covers of 80’s songs.

I catch up with Vince DiCola, who composed the music for both Rocky IV and Transformers: The Movie. Vince tells me how he landed both iconic movies. He collaborated with Frank Stallone on the Staying Alive soundtrack. Vince has a big show coming up on September 20th at the Whiskey a Go Go in Los Angeles.

I catch up with musician Andy Chase (Ivy), who fills me in on what he’s currently up to. Ivy formed in New York City back in the 90’s. They had their music featured in a lot of television shows, movies and commercials. Andy talks about how important the Farrelly brothers were to Ivy’s success.

I catch up with legendary voice actor Larry Kenney, who voiced Lion-O on the original Thundercats. Larry talks about the legacy of the show. For over 30 years, Larry provided voices for the Imus in the Morning program. Some of them included Elvis, General Patton and President Nixon. Larry talks about working with the I-man. He also voices cereal favorites Sonny the Cuckoo Bird and Count Chocula. Larry tells me which other cereal favorite he almost voiced.

I catch up with impressionist Jim Meskimen, who can now be seen as George Washington in a Geico commercial. As a professional actor for nearly 30 years ,Jim has appeared in the films Apollo 13, The Grinch, Frost/Nixon, The Punisher, Not Forgotten, There Will Be Blood and many others. Some of Jim’s TV credits include Friends, Whose Line is it, Anyway?, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Castle, Lie to Me and Rules of Engagement.

I catch up with Greg Evigan, who starred in BJ and the Bear and My Two Dads. Greg tells me how he got involved in the business and which popular 80’s show he turned down. Not only is Greg a talented actor but he’s also a talented musician, having sung the theme song to both shows. He recently collaborated with Chromeo on their latest album. We talk the cult classic, DeepStar Six and working with William Shatner on TekWar. Talent runs in the Evigan family, as his daughters have acted and his son is a successful music producer/songwriter.

I catch up with Marion Ross, who played one of the most beloved mothers in television history, “Mrs. C” on Happy Days. Marion recently released her memoirs, My Days: Happy and Otherwise. We cover her entire career, pre and post Happy Days. Marion is such a sweetheart!

I catch up with Gordon Deppe, lead singer of the Canadian band, Spoons. The band had hits in their country with “Romantic Traffic”, “Tell No Lies” and “Arias & Symphonies”. Their biggest hit in America was “Nova Heart”. Gordon talks about how Nile Rodgers decided to produce their third album, Talkback. Gordon is currently touring with A Flock of Seagulls.

I catch up with singer-songwriter Andy Kim, who co-wrote one of the biggest songs in pop history, “Sugar,Sugar”, performed by The Archies. Andy had his own hits with “Rock Me Gently” and “Baby, I Love You”. Andy talks about coming to New York from Montreal as a teenager. He collaborated with Kevin Drew from Broken Social Scene on his latest album, It’s Decided. Andy talks about how that came about. He was recently inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame.

I catch with Moe Berg, the lead singer and songwriter of The Pursuit of Happiness. Their debut single, “I’m an Adult Now”, hit number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and number six on the Modern Rock charts. Moe talks about how they got legendary producer Todd Rundgren to produce their debut album, “Love Junk”, which is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary.

I catch up with Nick Richards, lead singer and founder of Boys Don’t Cry, who had the hit single “I Wanna Be a Cowboy” in 1986. The song peaked at number 12. Nick talks about making the song and why it stayed at 12. From 1983-91, Nick owned the Maison Rogue recording studio in London. Some of the biggest acts like Tears For Fears, Wham!, Queen and Duran Duran recording there. Nick shares some great stories.