The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music

This week, we're revisiting an episode in which the focus is on Jay Jay's remarkable health journey & surviving prostate cancer, with special guest Dr. Samir Taneja. Dr. Samir Taneja is a urologist & surgeon who performed Jay Jay's prostate cancer operation in 2018. Jay Jay discusses why he finds it so important to educate yourself on any health concerns that are affecting your life, & shares his experience in doing so himself. Dr. Taneja shares his insight on prostate cancer diagnosis & methodology, and discusses the decisions that individuals who are diagnosed with prostate cancer have to weigh, differences between various treatments currently available, & why he finds active surveillance to be so important. Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

Founding member, lead singer, lead guitarist, and individual who wrote more than 90% of the Grand Funk Railroad music catalog - legendary Mark Farner - is this week's guest on the podcast! Farner has always been known as an energetic driving force on stage, the engine that pulled the original Grand Funk Railroad to the top of the charts. From his soulful voice and power rock riffs, to fueling the Funk with his atomic stage presence. Hear all about his story and his imprint on music, starting back in 1969 from his humble blue collar beginnings back in Flint. For years, Farner has captained a global crusade for love, peace and freedom as a rock ‘n’ roll icon. Today, more than 60 years later – Farner commands the stage with the same intensity performing epic hits that defined a generation – “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)”, “Bad Time”, “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “Foot Stompin’ Music”, “Heartbreaker”, “Rock & Roll Soul”, “Locomotion”, “Mean Mistreater” and “We’re An American Band”. Tune in to hear about Mark's upcoming release, tour dates & much more - only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

Tune in this week for part II of Jay Jay's conversation with Julien Velard! Julian digs into his greatest influences & how they've impacted his career as a song writer. They discuss the cultural impact that Billy Joel has had over the years, the current state of commercial songwriting, & the learning the craft of how to hold a crow'd attention. Julian is a classic entertainer, combining piano-driven songwriter sensibility and razor-sharp comedic timing. Jay Jay & Julian are old friends - Jay Jay used to manage Julian, & both of their histories & careers are deeply rooted in New York. Hear how they reconnected recently in Los Angeles, their history together, & all about Julian's music ongoing projects - from live performance to his new upcoming record. Don't miss this conversation, only on the Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

The fantastic songwriter & pianist Julian Velard is this week's guest on the podcast! Julian is a classic entertainer, combining piano-driven songwriter sensibility and razor-sharp comedic timing. Jay Jay & Julian are old friends - Jay Jay used to manage Julian, & both of their histories & careers are deeply rooted in New York. Hear all about how they reconnected recently in Los Angeles, their history together, Julian's music ongoing projects - from live performance to his new upcoming record. Don't miss this conversation, only on the Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

Tune in this week for part II of Jay Jay's conversation with Legendary Rock & Heavy Metal bassist Rudy Sarzo. Rudy has been the go-to bass player to call within these genres for decades, tune in this week to hear all about why - discussing everything from his upbringing to some of the keys to artistic longevity. Rudy is a professional recording and performing artist with a global career spanning over 40 years. As a member of Ozzy Osbourne’s band, from March 1981 to September 1982, Rudy toured the world in support of the “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary Of a Madman” records. As a member of Quiet Riot, from September 1982 to January 1985, Rudy recorded the multi-platinum albums “Metal Health”, the first Heavy Metal debut to reach #1 on the Billboard charts and “Condition Critical”. During this period he headlined massive worldwide tours, appeared on numerous MTV videos and was voted #1 Bassist in Circus Magazine for 1983. Rudy's list of accomplishments goes on, playing with Whitesnake, DIO & countless others. Rudy's legacy & impact on the music industry continues to grow - be sure to keep up to date on his performances, & don't miss this conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

Legendary Rock & Heavy Metal bassist Rudy Sarzo is this week's guest on the podcast! Rudy has been the go-to bass player to call within these genres for decades, tune in this week to hear all about why - discussing everything from his upbringing to some of the keys to artistic longevity. Rudy is a professional recording and performing artist with a global career spanning over 40 years. As a member of Ozzy Osbourne’s band, from March 1981 to September 1982, Rudy toured the world in support of the “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary Of a Madman” records. As a member of Quiet Riot, from September 1982 to January 1985, Rudy recorded the multi-platinum albums “Metal Health”, the first Heavy Metal debut to reach #1 on the Billboard charts and “Condition Critical”. During this period he headlined massive worldwide tours, appeared on numerous MTV videos and was voted #1 Bassist in Circus Magazine for 1983. Rudy's list of accomplishments goes on, playing with Whitesnake, DIO & countless others. Rudy's legacy & impact on the music industry continues to grow - be sure to keep up to date on his performances, & don't miss this conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

This week's episode is a tribute to the Late Great guitar legend John Mayall, who passed away this last week. Joining Jay Jay to honor Mayall's legacy are two of the world's greatest living Blues guitarists, Joe Bonamassa & Rocky Athas. Tune in to hear these 3 discuss how John Mayall's groundbreaking guitar playing impacted both themselves & the music industry as a whole. Mayall is often referred to as the 'Godfather of the British Blues;' hear Jay Jay, Joe & Rocky discuss why - from his tone & songwriting, to the legacy he created with the Blues Breakers & taking Eric Clapton under his wing. Rocky shares favorite stories from their friendship & playing together over the years in the Blues Breakers. Put on a Blues Breakers record today to honor John - & don't miss this conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music. Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

One of the most iconic Rock Drummers of all time, Carmine Appice, is this week's special guest on the podcast! Carmine's 60+ year career has landed him in both the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame & the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame. He's been an integral member of a long list of amazing groups, including everyone from Vanilla Fudge & Cactus (who he is a founding member of) to Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Ozzy, Pink Floyd & Blue Murder. This episode is a must listen for all drummers & musicians - Carmine discusses his storied career & his influence as one of the foundational hard rock drummers - as him & Jay Jay get into the evolution of rock and metal, and who they consider to be the most influential bands during the early years of 'Heavy Metal.' Cactus just released a brand new album this summer, titled 'Temple of Blues – Influences & Friends' on Cleopatra Records. The album is available now on digital platforms, CD and as a double vinyl album. The new album contains reimagined versions of some of Cactus’s most legendary songs with the current band and guests putting a new spin on these bad-ass tunes that are among the heaviest of heavy blues-rock ever recorded. Don't miss this conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! Edited & Produced by Matthew Mallinger

Viral sensation & violin virtuoso Nina DiGregorio is this week's guest on the podcast! Nina is a classically trained violinist, bass player, writer/arranger, and vocalist, but is most well-known for being an innovative performer on the electric rock violin, as well as a music business mogul and entrepreneur. She has performed as a soloist and string arranger with some of the biggest names in the business. She arranged and performed strings with The Killers for President Obama and was featured on a recent album. She can also be seen featured on the Beyonce I am...Yours live performance DVD and both David Foster and Friends DVDs, which include Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Boz Scaggs, Peter Cetera, and Charice. Nina's list of accolades & performances goes on - & in addition to her live & recording work she is a one of a kind entrepreneur who has become widely popular through her live show in Vegas, & virally through her amazing covers of rock tunes. Tune is to hear all about her background & the story of carving her own path within the music & entertainment industries - don't miss this conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music! Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

Part II of Jay Jay's conversation with Dean Delray is this week! Don't miss the latter half of their conversation to hear them share killer stories & invaluable insight into the worlds of music & comedy. In this half of their conversation, Dean delves further into the world of comedy, from its current state to his experience hanging out at the Comedy Store back in the 80s. He shares the story of coming back to comedy later in life after being a touring musician - beginning at an open mic in 2009, after which he hasn't stopped stand up since. They talk about the importance of discipline within your craft, the impact that their influences have had on them & list their all time favorite records. Don't miss this conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger