Journey to the Stage with Bryan Frazier

15/06/2025

Brian Wilson once said Carol Kaye was the greatest bass player on the planet. She played on several huge Beach Boys songs. I interviewed Carol for nearly two hours, which went on to become some of my most listened to podcast episodes. I reached out to Carol today to see if she’d be up for a brief chat so I could get her thoughts on the passing of Brian as well as chat about her being honored by the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence. She’s in the process of moving so the timing isn’t great right now, but I’m hoping we can chat once she settles into her new digs. 🤞 PS she’s 90 years old and still going!

04/06/2025

Artists and others, what do you think about this? Does it resonate with your approach to music?

19/05/2025

📣🌟NEW EPISODE: Sean McConnell singer, songwriter, producer. (Links below)

Sean McConnell is a wonderfully gifted artist. His songs have been sung by artists like Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Christina Aguilera, Buddy Miller, Rascal Flatts, Plain White T's, Brad Paisley, and others. Behind the songs recorded by these artists, is an songcrafter who is deeply thoughtful and introspective. Combined with his talents, these traits create songs that resonate in the heart and soul.
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Sean and I discuss his brilliant new album, "Skin," and so much more. If you are a fan of Sean's music, I believe you will love this interview. If you don't know Sean's music, I know you will once you've listened to this.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-the-stage-with-bryan-frazier/id1569949936?i=1000708116896

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5pVLcwS9hqKmsXxDXbFa5e?si=dlRe6OAGQn2PyOyWy6OchQ

Every artist has a story. Every story has a beginning. Journey to the Stage explores the winding pathways traveled by musicians, artists and songwriters, to gai…

29/04/2025

📣🌟NEW Episode: White Heart Vocalist Rick Florian Interview Part 2 (links below)

In this second and final segment of my interview with White Heart vocalist, Rick, Ric, Rikk, Riq, Ricke, Rhic, Rikcq, Ricque Florian we dig into how the band would painstakingly polish their songs before heading to the studio, and the time Rick didn't want to sing a line from a huge White Heart song. Rick and I talked about how he went from driving a truck for a Michael W. Smith tour to trying out for the band, aided by his friendship with his college buddy, Geoff Moore. We covered other topics and by playing a game to test Rick's recall of White Heart lyrics.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-the-stage-with-bryan-frazier/id1569949936?i=1000705366344

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Co98oVW0HzELkNOW9bX19?si=hncIroosS86hcspv0KNLKg

15/04/2025

I came across these pictures of my step uncle, County Music Hall of Fame songwriter, Hank Cochran and one of his dearest friends, Willie Nelson. Before Willie made it big, he was living in Hank’s garage. These two songsmiths would stay best of friends until Hank passed away.

15/04/2025

📣🌟NEW Episode: White Heart vocalist Rick Florian with a surprise appearance by White Heart keyboardist and vocalist Mark Gersmehl! PART 1. Links below.

I began listening to WH in about 1986, nearly 40 years ago. There is much to love about them. As a fan of well written songs, White Heart has always been in the upper echelon for me. Add top notch musicianship, arranging and production, lyrics that truly touched my soul—add the voice of my guest today, and it’s easy to see why this band meant and means so much to me.
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Rick Florian was the lead vocalist for White Heart for 12 years, 8 albums, helped the band reach their pinnacle with his powerful, clean and sincere voice, HIGH energy performance and a heart that loves his Savior.
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This interview, in so many ways, did not go as planned- and I LOVE it. With White Heart keyboardist and vocalist, Mark Gersmehl (or Gersh as his friends call him) making a surprise appearance, I just let the conversation run its course.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-the-stage-with-bryan-frazier/id1569949936?i=1000703436366

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5IJu4jQbmOFOslWojhjo3E?si=fhMfiV6hS8aVsKGysx10_Q

02/04/2025

Happy (late) 90th birthday to the Queen of Bass, the legendary member of The Wrecking Crew, Carol Kaye. I had the great fortune of conducting the most comprehensive interview she’s ever done. Links below. Available on Spotify and all platforms

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-the-stage-with-bryan-frazier/id1569949936?i=1000633848167

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-the-stage-with-bryan-frazier/id1569949936?i=1000635518794

18/03/2025

📣🌟NEW EPISODE: The Fernando Ortega Interview (links below) Fernando Ortega Music

For decades Fernando Ortega has written and recorded songs and hymns that are filled with profound spiritual truths, great doctrine, that are arranged in beauty and sung with authenticity. I had the pleasure of chatting with Fernando on a Spring afternoon to talk about his latest EP, "For All the Saints," which is a collection of wonderful songs that are congregational in composition and arrangement.
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What I most loved about my time in conversation with Fernando, was getting to know him. I found Fernando to be genuine and open. We discuss his upbringing and how the experiences of his childhood have become colors he can paint with today in his music, his journey as a musician, songwriter and singer, and so much more. If you love Fernando's music, I believe you will enjoy this meaningful conversation.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-the-stage-with-bryan-frazier/id1569949936?i=1000699475931

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xpH5meeU0YgBAOav4sPKw?si=3L08lwtWSmStya3x9ftskg

17/02/2025

📣🌟NEW Episode: Singer-songwriter Jesse Terry (links below)

Jesse Terry is one of those artists that stopped me in my tracks. From the first time I played his new album, "Arcadia," I knew I had stumbled upon a very special artist. Jesse's songwriting is simply incredible- both melodically and lyrically. Add to those things a voice that is beautiful, and you have truly found something special.
It was a pleasure to chat one lovely afternoon with Jesse as we talked about his journey as an artist and family man. During our chat we play a wonderful song from "Arcadia" titled "Burn the Boats." It is a standout song on an album full of standouts.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-the-stage-with-bryan-frazier/id1569949936?i=1000693034070

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CKbwazlOQwpDQWBTbhWip?si=gvUPfBhzR8SwSCslSgD8eQ

28/01/2025

📣🌟New Episode! Interview with Russ Taff
(Links below)

No one in the world has a voice like Russ Taff. With 6 Grammys to his name and more Dove Awards than one could count, Russ has nothing left to prove in the world of music. With all of that success to stand on, Russ has recorded an album that is as real as it gets. "Cover Story" is raw, beautiful and powerful.

Russ and I chatted for almost two hours late Fall 2024 as he began the final stages of producing his new album. What transpired was a conversation that was brutally honest, filled with stories of Russ' past, stories that helped shape the man who Russ is today. In this first of two segments of our conversation, we begin by talking about the new album, which get released on January 31, 2025!

Russ and I discuss the brutal childhood he had and the alcoholism he would later battle as an adult.

This episode, parts 1 and 2, are filled with hope and redemption. The transparency Russ exhibits has helped countless others have the boldness and freedom they needed in order to open up about their own stories and struggles.

A big thank you to Russ. We shed some tears together, and laughed together in this episode.

Part 2 will be released on Monday February 3, 2025.

Buy a download of "Cover Story" or on vinyl at www.RussTaff.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-the-stage-with-bryan-frazier/id1569949936?i=1000685621131

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7b2PiEpNTBskSkChKMDKlm?si=41DpDMKlSF2X4h-g-HeaJw

27/01/2025

Congratulations to Trevor Kowalski!

08/01/2025

In memory of Peter Yarrow, a wonderful singer and songwriter. Noel spent time talking about his lifelong friend, Peter, and the song he wrote for Peter’s wedding, “The Wedding Song (There is Love).”

📣🌟 NEW Episode: Noel Paul Stookey
(Links below)

In this most memorable conversation, Noel and I cover the span of his life, from learning what harmony is by singing as a child with his father, through the highs of Peter, Paul, and Mary, to his wonderful solo career. We spend time chatting about singing at the Lincoln Memorial when Martin Luther King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. The highlight is being treated to a special performance of "Wedding Song (There is Love)"
Noel is one of my musical heroes, whose voice has been part of my life for as long as I could remember, and it was a great honor to have such a delightful conversation with him.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-the-stage-with-bryan-frazier/id1569949936?i=1000662287883

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DRGQkVG4TEmWeRloSo2D3