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I met Eddie Schwartz the first time in Hollywood in 1978. He had been signed by ATV Music who, at that time, was a major client of mine at Hollywood Central Recorders. ATV had flown Eddie into Hollywood to record a series of demos of songs he had written.For some odd reason Eddie had one song that the powers that be at ATV absolutely "did not" want Eddie to record. That song was "Hit Me With Your Best Shot".This interview tells the long road traveled by that tremendous hit and the results of Eddie's life from that point on.The lesson is....If you believe in yourself, never give up.An absolute "must' for any songwriter to hear.John Rhys-Eddins/BluePower.comThe Music on Part One:1)...."Hand Clappin' (Theme).... Red Prysock2)...."Hit Me With Your Best Shot"....Eddie Schwartz (HCR-1978)3)...."I Stand In Wonder"....Joe Cocker4)...."The Good Catches Up"....Lawrence Gowan5)...."All Our Tomorrows"....Eddie Schwartz6)...."Hand Clappin'" (Theme)....Red PrysockListen to....A Master Hitmaker And Pure Gentleman....Eddie S

This time IKE pulls no punches. He speaks about the record companies of the fifties and sixties and their ways of doing business. He talks about JERRY WEXLER and AHMET ERTEGUN at ATLANTIC. PHIL and LEONARD CHESS of CHESS RECORDS. The BIHARI BROTHERS at MODERN and SID NATHAN from KING RECORDS. (Ike's first contract at King Records paid him 1/4 of a cent per record sold. Outrageous by today's standards.) On the other side of the coin however; Ike reminds us that these companies were the standard bearers of Black music and were responsible for the giant steps that brought Blues and Rhythm and Blues to the forefront of American popular music and that without these independent record companies and the men that ran them, these genres may have died out completely. Ike speaks out about RAP and the negative values of the genre regarding African Americans. Parts 3 and 4 of a four part series.John Rhys/BluePower.com Listen to Part 3 | Listen to Part 4

BluePower is proud to present Part One and Two of an exclusive interview with the inimitable IKE TURNER. Hailed as the FATHER OF ROCK AND ROLL, Turner talks of the early days on the road, his influences and of the racial parameters Black musicians had to mind in the South. In this first hour of a four hour series, John and Jeanie attempt to uncover Ike's feelings regarding many topics. We think you will be surprised to find this man is "not" the ogre of which he has been made by the media. You will find that Ike Turner was one of the most gifted popular American musicians and contributed more to the world of popular music than even the experts realize.John Rhys/BluePower.comListen To Part One! Listen To Part Two!

This is a re-run from February 25th, 2007 During the late 1940s and the 1950s, there were a lot of records made that were a bit past the "blue"side....in fact, these records were downright "gray". So much so, that these records were banned in Boston.Now banned in Boston is just a term borrowed from the late twenties when there was an organization (which was housed in Boston) that literally banned books from entering public libraries and stopped these books from being sold in America.In the instance of these recordings however, it was white owned radio during these years which banned what they called "Race" music. Race music in the late forties was merely black music. That title did not change until a young editor from Billboard Magazine came up with a catchy phrase....the rhythm and blues. That man was Jerry Wexler and he would go on to produce some of the greatest rhythm and blues music of all time.This music spawned some of the greatest labels America has ever known. Atlantic, Atco, Chess, Checker, Argo, Ki

This time in 2006 was the last time I saw Bobby Pickett alive.When he came to the BluePower studio he told us he wasn't well and jokingly said, "We'd better make this a good show as it may be my last."I don't think it was quite Bobby's last show but very close. On the 25th of April, 2007, the world lost a wonderful human being and a gifted entertainer.I can't think of a better show for Halloween than this show featuring our dear departed friend....Bobby Pickett. _____________________________________________Ever since I've known Bob, I have marveled at his elegance of manner, his ultra-quick wit and his well focused insight to character. We have recorded dozens of commercials and a whole lot of bits together. (He as talent and I as engineer) Through hours of being on the other side of the glass, I gained a great deal of respect for this talented man's work.Forty-five years ago, a tiny record lable called GARPAX released a single (45 rpm record) to the world. The A side, written by Bob and Lenny Capeci is titl

Occasionally I run behind with new shows and for that, I apologize. However; there are always a plethera of shows looming in BluePower's background which I can substitute while I work on something new.This week, I am posting the BB King show I did several years ago. The reason being that it is a good show and quite informative. It speaks of BB's influences, which are significant for young guitarists. They were for me.Part One deals with the set up at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas where Mr. King was to perform. You get a definite idea as to what instruments BB uses in his ensemble; the set up etc. Good stuff to know.Then John interviews BB King....truly, one of the nicest men on the planet.Part Two deals with BB's musical influences as a young musician growing up. His influences may astonish you.Many thanks to my dear friend, Jim Cantale of ESI Event Services for his efforts on BluePower's behalf. I do hope you enjoy BB King Parts One and Two. Thank You,John Rhys-EddinsBluePower.comListen To BB King, Part One!