TOP TALENT WITH RICHIE

Meeting Bob Dylan at age eight on a Woodstock lawn is one heck of a "how it started" story. Jami D of Forever Young-The Music and Back Pages of Bob Dylan joins TOP TALENT to talk about her lifelong connection to the legend and how she’s brought a 10-piece Dylan tribute to life.   She also floored me by asking if I wanted to be their guest musician to play one of his songs at the Woodstock Playhouse on Sunday May 24th as they celebrate Dylan's 85th birthday!  How do you think I responded?.."Sorry I'm busy?"  So I will be there!  Hope to see you!.   Tix at the link below.. https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/pan-american-dance-foundation-inc-dba-woodstock-playhouse/69a34a93e2e18310502f1035/tickets?fbclid=IwRlRTSARvKPNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR6y2lDldPhi4Pq6UqgyG8i5vHNuya5BS1QpOTKTXhy7zvZA1vhy6dgKj5amtQ_aem_4cRiRlXcmTx3oeZbqYMB9A#/productions-view New! I now have the podcast audio on YouTube @ Top Talent Richie.. ! Easy-peasy to find! Hear a sample of their performance... https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL47gZ9xNcmkGwHI2HobKGA8OB_fzGPuIh&si=AcF_UipHlgND4gHT    SAMPLE http://www.foreveryoungmusicofdylan.com   Woodstock Playhouse, 103 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498 7-9pm    #toptalentpodcast,#bobdylan,#foreveryoungmusicbackpagesbobdylan    

There's always "Sunny Skies" when I get to see his "Smiling Face" online saying that he is coming to the Capital Region to perform his amazing tribute to legendary artist James Taylor.  He is "Sweet Baby James-the Ultimate James Taylor Tribute Artist Bill Griese.  Nationally recognized as the definitive JT interpreter.  This is my second time speaking with him, and I think he will agree that it's never an "interview" per-se, it's more of a musical B.S. session (in a very good way).  You will see!  We talk music, James' unique guitar playing so difficult to emulate, Bill's work ethic in recreating the sound, why he will never be able to escape the comparison of his voice to James, and much more!  Bill also has a solo career under his own moniker, and has a new album out called "Closer To Home" that you can find on all the major services.  www.sweetbabyjamesofficial.com  Check out all of my past episodes on all major services @Top Talent Richie!  @toptalentrichie on Facebook  @rhyminrichie on Instagram  @TOPTTALENT RICHIE on Youtube to see samples of Tribute Artist's work too.  my website!  www.rhyminrichie.com  #toptalentrichie,#tributebands,#sweetbabyjamesbillgriese,#billgriese,    

Wow-how can you possibly pay the ultimate tribute to such an iconic band -well, INSTITUTION -as the Grateful Dead?  You can see them Sat Mar28th at Lark Hall, Albany at 7:30pm.  But listen to this podcast and findi out about this incredible group of NY based musicians led by an amazingly multitalented singer, guitarist and arranger-David Mendelsohn (yes—the same Mendelsohn who I interviewed with the Yacht Lobsters, an equally amazing Yacht Rock band! ).  These guys are dedicated, top notch singers and instrumentalists!   So join us as we take a deep dive into the immense catalogue that the Dead racked up in their several decade run, and we discuss the nuts and bolts of putting together the ultimate tribute to the ultimate jam band. Whether you are a Deadhead or a casual appreciator, you’ll really enjoy the knowledge that David has about Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir (who recently passed) and the rest.  (but will he reveal part of his set list at Lark Hall, Albany on Sat.Mar 28th? ....hint-YES!)  More at shakedownciti.com #gratefuldeadtribute,#shakedownciti,#toptalentrichie,#bobweir,#jerrygarcia,#phillesh      

David Mendelsohn is- to coin a phrase that I think I might have invented- a RMM- real morphing musician.  He definitely knows how to adapt to “changing marketing conditions” in music.  He has been everything from a cruise ship lounge singer to wedding band member to BIG BAND ,GOSPEL BAND cofounder,  THE YACHT LOBSTERS YACHT ROCK TRIBUTE  AND..get this .. GRATEFUL DEAD tribute band SHAKEDOWNCITI cofounder and more!  He definitely has worn different hats, and for the band I’m speaking to him about, his hat is a Captain’s Hat!    The guy is a living YACHTOPEDIA of information (yes, another of my terms, thank you very much) .      Do you think you know alot about the genre?  Oh yea?  OK, smarty pants… what does YACHT ADJACENT mean? How would you define NYACHT Rock?  Can a Yacht Rock band get away playing “Paradise by the Dashboard Light?”  Hey, I didn’t know there was a science to this thing either.  But face it. we all love the music, whether you wince at the name or not, and we get into it heavy as you can see.   Please enjoy this and all of the talks I have racked up with these very TOP TALENTED tribute acts.   Want to hear a sample of Yacht Lobsters?                      BOTH HERE  www.youtube.com/@TOPTALENTRICHIE How bout his Grateful Dead Tribute Band ShakedownCiti?

  Fear not, country music lovers – THE GAMBLER RETURNS with this ULTIMATE KENNY ROGERS TRIBUTE ARTIST, ALAN TURNER.  He is coming back the the Cohoes Music Hall on March 22nd.  Not to be missed.  (And this podcast is not to be missed.  You will learn a very important lesson here-- if you are ever to be an opening act for a major country icon, always be polite.  You NEVER KNOW what can happen to your career.  (Listen to this episode, you'll understand!) See samples of his work and others that I've interviewed that's goodwww.youtube.com/@toptalentrichie  www.ultimatekennyrogerstribute.com for Alan's website  Mine- www.rhyminrichie.com     

He's the talented RINGO in the Ultimate tribute to the greatest band in music history. He's multi-instrumentalist Erik Fidel of the internationally acclaimed, Emmy winning  FAB FOUR.  Playing at the Hart Theatre at the EGG, ALBANY NY on Fri Mar 6th @ 7:30 PM.  Not to be missed! What  kind of preparation goes into "channeling" the Beatles? Was Ringo really that good of a drummer?  We discuss... How did Erik learn all the different drumming styles that Ringo was required to do? Fascinating.... The workout routine Erik does To prevent muscle damage from all those gigs!   A great lesson to drummers who might want to hear this!. Plus much more Beatle fan boy type talk... 1 hour with him was like 5 minutes to me! www.thefabfour.com  https.theegg.org      

Rick Schuler, the endorsed John Denver tribute artist, heads up the ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH EXPERIENCE, where  he discusses his career, the inspiration behind his music, and his album Colorado — which features John Denver hits alongside original songs. This episode explores Rick’s beginnings, endorsements from John Denver’s inner circle, his touring schedule, and the enduring appeal of John Denver’s music. Listeners learn where to find Rick’s music, upcoming show details, and intimate stories about John Denver’s legacy and influence on Rick’s life and performances. If you are listening beforehand, he is appearing  at the Troy Music Hall for a 3 PM show on Friday Feb 28th, 2026. Tix on their website.   Rick's website is www.RickSchulerMusic.com  Take a listen to him here https://youtu.be/vINLin5APRQ? Mine, btw is www.HireRichie.com If you  like what you hear here (hear here?), please LIKE and subscribe so we can  continue paying tribute to the TRIBUTE ARTISTS.   I have a ton more on there  at TopTalentRichie on all your favorite platforms!  #rickschuler,#johndenver,#johndenvertribute,#tributeacts,#rockymountainhightribute,#toptalentrichie,#rhyminrichiephillips,

 In this episode, I speak with Eric Hofmanis who has starred nationally in A Man Named Cash: THE OFFICIAL TRIBUTE ACT FOR Johnny Cash ,and is appearing at the time of this writing for 2 nites at the Strand Theatre  in Hudson Falls, NY on 2/28, 3/1. Go to mystrandtheatre.org for tix!    Things we cover:  Do you REALLY have to sound exactly like the one you are paying tribute to in a Tribute Act?  (Is he wearing black for this interview?) We explore possibly different points of view on that subject.   Is life on the road the same for a Tribute act?  Sounds like it’s just as grueling! -Listen and you will discover.  How did he get this gig in the first place?  Fascinating how it happened.   Want to see a sample of his act? YouTube - Promo, Live videos and Shorts [email protected] Website - Photos, Show Dates and More      

SABRINA PLAISANCE-SIA is a Las Vegas Headliner, 2024 & 2025 Josie Music Award Tribute Artist of the Year Nominee and much more.  She and Dan Sia, husband, drummer and musical arranger, put together this incredible tribute to the late great 80's icon OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN and also honors the classic movie GREASE with a full band accompanying her stage act.  Lucky for us in the Capital Region,THE OLIVIA SHOW! OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN & GREASE TRIBUTE Band is appearing Fri MARCH 27TH WOOD THEATRE GLENS FALLS at 7 pm.  It is a Kevin Richards Production, and they do it up big there.  Tix at woodtheatre.org.   Take a listen to this episode.  She really explains what it's like to perform this show, including costume changes, how she captured Olivia's voice, her insistence on traveling with a full band ( no musical tracks here--just live, breathing musicians!) and we delve into what made Olivia such a fantastic artist. I totally enjoyed talking to her, and now am hopelessly devoted. (bad pun--what else would you expect from me?) Her Website :OliviaNewtonJohntribute.com Check out a sample of Sabrina's work here The Olivia Show Promo Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO3O1MIV3Aw Jolene Duet:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5uUX5SoNSA   #sabrinaplaisancesia,#olivianewtonjohntribute,#tributeacts, #toptalentwithrichie,#tributeactpodcasts    

Did you hear the intro?  That was Garret Lechowski from Harvest and Rust, the Neil Young Experience.  If you're a Neil fan, take a listen on your favorite podcast App!   This time My talk  is with the Ed Bornt, manager and lead guitarist of this incredible tribute band LEGEND, THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY EXPERIENCE.  Take a listen, and you'll hear what it's like trying to recreate the sound of this iconic band.  Can you even come CLOSE to STEVE PERRY'S incredible range?  Well, Michael Medesma does a damn good job of it!  Go to my YouTube Channel and hear a demo for yourself, but if you are in the midst of listening to the episode, PLEASE COME BACK!  We are giving away 2 pairs of Tix to EACH of 2 shows- Fri Feb 27th, 2026 at Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes NY, and 28th  at the Glove Theatre in Gloversville, NY.  ,but you have to listen for the secret 2 word password and send it to me at [email protected].  Winners will be drawn Feb 11th on my FB page @richiephillips.   There ya go!  Enjoy this episode.  Many more tribute acts to come here in our Capital Region and I'm out to talk to them all!!!   There are many others on my Top Talent with Richie podcast .  Wherever you get your podcasts!!    https://youtu.be/wDejaiKxMOI?si=hh-SSWSS7t1wycw2     Legend Ultimate Journey Demo