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 IslandShe’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=alkoD9iKjoYS8M16SONG 2: “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King off the album Tapestry released in 1971.https:

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=RKWAQcDiR0oSONG 2: "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead from their 1997 album OK Computer. https://youtu.be/fHiGbolFFGw?si=lVB7WhrhNS__8gBzSONG 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_TSONG 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=WArggyvdr5KEh0NNSONG 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=zXcrW8LpFaWTRJ8eSONG 2: "Coax Me" by Sloan released in 1994 on the album Twice Removed. https://youtu.be/CwIdvNY_vFY?si=znGHVea3HCyMkqogSONG 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_jSONG 2: “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King released in 1962 on his album Don't Play That Song! https://youtu.be/hwZNL7QVJjE?si=h6SODdRU62Ctj2jVSONG 3: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers from their album How Do Y

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=bHrjs2Tbbwxdzz6lSONG 2: “No Podras”  (You Won’t Be Able To) by Cristian Ca

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=I5BZcKCwg6hmZvChSONG 2: “On the Beach” by Chris Rea from the 1986 album of the same name. https://youtu.be/-yXVufG5oV0?si=6MW8jks8RRkyjebnSONG 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=441PB9ZJIdEgZBjaSO

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 recor

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=-ATcIXWxXx0UHCtaSONG 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-frZkmSONG 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

 Pam James has been a part of the WGCU Public Media team and family since 2013 - he’s been our Executive Producer of Content since 2020, leading our different teams across media platforms including radio and TV and how it all becomes digital these days. She began her career in 1995 as a TV producer for Kansas City Public Television (now KCPBS) where she created award-winning documentaries, magazine stories, interstitials, and promos, as well as producing live fundraisers for TV broadcasts like pledge drives and auctions. SONG 1: “Afternoon Delight” by the Starland Vocal Band from their self-titled album released in 1976. https://youtu.be/_dsn0zKSpMk?si=EYLb-sNJVC99F3lESONG 2: “The Other Shoe” by Old 97s from their 1995 album Wreck Your Life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr5_pDqQO_MSONG 3: ”Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)” from Hamilton  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqj0vylZAF4

John Joyce is host of the Solid State Podcast, it’s a weekly program devoted to all things tech. Born and raised in Fort Myers, John founded the computer firm Republic Technologies, while in college, and eventually merged it with CRS Technology Consultants to form one of this region’s largest IT firms which he is now CEO and Co-Owner of.His partnership with the IT Disaster Resource Center brought connectivity back to Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian, helping first responders access areas and people in need of assistance. SONG 1: "Fly Me to the Moon" - Frank Sinatra with Count Basie And His Orchestra recorded in 1964.https://youtu.be/ZEcqHA7dbwM?si=Su_nbKODkZTNZSCwSONG 2: "Give Life Back to Music" - Daft Punk from their 2013 album Random Access Memories.https://youtu.be/Kwt3LZBc-44?si=bkNciErMVw_nebb2SONG 3: The Main Title Theme to "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" by Jeff Russo released on the Season 1 Original Series Soundtrack in 2023. https://youtu.be/SA1EnPz5onU?si=X-6wo9U6LP8ZtP7F

Jen Chapin was born and raised in New York in Huntington, Long Island - the daughter of Harry and Sandy Chapin. Over the years has produced a bunch of albums of her own music, including Open Wide, Linger, Ready, and Reckoning. She also put out a tribute album called ReVisions: Songs of Stevie Wonder. Recently she’s been performing with the J.Chapes Jazz Band which includes her husband, jazz bassist Stephan Crump.Over the decades she’s served on the board of directors for WhyHunger, that’s the nonprofit co-founded by Harry Chapin in 1975.Jen is also a high school history teacher in Brooklyn, New YorkSONG 1: “The Ocean” by Led Zeppelin from their 1973 album The Song Remains the Same.https://youtu.be/H8bVaTW6UCU?si=H9gF8Qka2ENganiVSONG 2: “I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)” by Stevie Wonder from his album Talking Book released in 1972. https://youtu.be/VfDZNwJ3jVU?si=o2U3ySrqE0XChFuYSONG 3: “Teach Me Tonight” by Nancy Wilson released in 1960...it was the first song on her album Something Wonderf

A return to the very first (Pilot) episode of Three Song Stories with Co-creator, producer, and sometimes host, Richard Chin Quee. Richard is FM Station manager at WGCU where he and Mike Kiniry make Three Song Stories, and this episode was the prototype for our show, today.

Janine is an artist who has worked on The Power of Myth with Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell, and she did network work for shows including 20/20 and The View and things on PBS. She also produced a 4-hour watercolor course with renowned watercolor artist, Charles Reid.A trip to Italy in high school illuminated her love for travel and experiencing other cultures. While living in Victoria, BC she entered the world of media production and video editing. She worked for the CBC and also became a specialist in editing dance videos for Quebec stars, where she once edited puppet music videos for Chicken Minute on The Learning Channel.In the year after Hurricane Ian Janine decided to focus on her visual art and joined a community that supports artists, launched her website, arpeggioart.com, and began exhibiting at art fairs across Southwest Florida.SONG 1: Kate & Anna McGarrigle's “Complainte Pour Ste Catherine” from the album Kate & Anna McGarrigle released in 1976. https://youtu.be/k-xR6s9zyWY?si=Mk6mELqfKB9g