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The strangest gig I‘ve ever played: true tales from the studio and the stage. Hosted by Chris J Norwood. Each episode Chris interviews a different musician to hear the stories about all the strange, weird, wild, wacky, terrible and/or amazing gigs we have to take in order to make it as freelance and gigging musicians.
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Our guest this episode is Rob Garner. In addition to being a supremely talented bass player, Rob is also the Editor and Publisher of Buddy Magazine, The Original Texas Music Magazine. Rob also holds the esteemed designation of being a "Texas Tornado". We get into what print music journalism and physical media look like in today's digital age, as well as how important it is and what it means to the health of the local music scene. We also hear a harrowing tale of the total mayhem that occurred during a Rigor Mortis show at the old Theatre Gallery in Deep Ellum.
(Thanks to Maureen Womack at Rabbit Hat Promotions for her help in setting this interview up.)
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Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Happy New Year! Our guests this month are Corey Pond from Spune Productions and Joe Morrison from Mullen & Mullen Law Firm. They stop by to talk about the first annual Jambaloo; a free, week-long live music event in the DFW area from February 2-8, 2025. 4 venues, 8 days, 25 showcases, and100+ bands. We also hear their prospective, as avid music fans, on the importance of a vibrant local original music scene and how it should be supported. And we hear about Corey's encounter with the very paranoid lead singer of Modest Mouse, Isaac Brock.
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Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
6x Grammy award winning producer, Charlie Peacock has had an almost 50 year career in the music industry. His new memoir, "Charlie Peacock Roots and Rhythm: A life in music" comes out February 4, 2025. On this episode of The Strangest Gig, we get into just a few slices from that storied career. Including his time as an artist in the early years of CCM, before it was even called CCM; his work as a producer for such platinum selling acts as Switchfoot and The Civil Wars; and starting his own label Re:Think Records. We also hear the hilarious stories of when he worked with the legendary Al Green on a song for a Christmas compilation and also when his band got shook playing the worst gig ever at a wave pool in New Braunfels, TX. And finally the story of opening at the Roxy in New York for a, at the time, not widely known band from Southern California, who performed in nothing but tube socks! "Charlie Peacock Roots and Rhythm: A life in music" is available for pre-order NOW! www.charliepeacock.com . . Please follow The Strangest Gig on Instagram: @thestrangestgig Follow host Chris J Norwood on Facebook & Instagram: @chrisjnorwood Or visit his website at: www.chrisjnorwood.com
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
The Rev. Shawn Amos has had an extraordinary life and career in the music business. His father Wally Amos, best known as the delicious genius behind the Famous Amos cookie brand, was also a successful talent scout (the first black talent scout in the country to be exact) working with the likes of Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Simon & Garfunkel and many more.
So you could say that the music business is in Shawn's blood. Shawn forged his own path, working his way up as an A&R man for Shout! Factory! and Rhino Records. Among the many great artists he worked on records with include soul singer Solomon Burke, Herb Alpert, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Matthew Sweet, and the late great Quincy Jones, who sadly passed away shortly after we recorded this interview.
Also an acclaimed author, Shawn's book "Cookies & Milk" was awarded the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Youth/Teens!
And on top of all that Shawn is a accomplished blues musician and singer/songwriter. His latest albums include the funk-inspired joyful blues album "Soul Brother No. 1" and a live album of 13 Rev classics entitled, "Vivir En España". Recorded on a recent tour of Spain.
We get into all that and more in this fascinating conversation with The Rev. Shawn Amos.
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Come check out my band, Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout, at the legendary Longhorn Ballroom in south Dallas on Fri. Dec. 6, 2024. We'll be opening for Marc Broussard.
Tickets at: www.chrisjnorwood.com/shows
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Follow The Strangest Gig on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/thestrangestgig
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Our guest this episode is comedian Paul Varghese. Paul has been making people laugh all across the country for over 20 years, but got his start Dallas and still calls Dallas home. He's opened for such comedic luminaries as the late great Joan Rivers and Dave Chapelle as well as many others. We talk about how Paul got his start in the business, what it was like to work with those legends, the effects of cancel culture on the industry, and whether or not we're in a "comedy boom". And finally Paul tells the story of working a college gig that got over shadowed by a build-a-bear workshop next door; and the story of a working-the-crowd assist from Back To The Future's Biff Tannen. Be sure to check out Paul's new stand-up special on YouTube, releasing late 2024.
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Follow The Strangest Gig on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thestrangestgig
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The Strangest Gig is hosted by Chris J Norwood
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
My guest this episode is Jason Hays. Jason is the SVP of Brand Experience for The Great State Fair Of Texas, which means (among his many responsibilities) he is in charge of booking the music acts; of which there are 80+ local and regional. We talk about the rich musical heritage as well as the current and future stellar musical acts that the fair has to offer.
The State Fair Of Texas starts Fri. Sept 27 and runs through Oct. 20.
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
The Strangest Gig is back from summer hiatus with our wonderful guest, keys player extraordinaire Chad Stockslager. Chad has been a member of a number of prominent DFW bands, most notably the last ten years with Hard Night's Day (DFW's preeminent Beatles tribute act), as well as with the rowdy county group The King Bucks, and most recently with The Bastards of Soul. We get into the differences between playing in tribute bands versus original bands. Also, Chad tells some stories of his time in the King Bucks, backing up the legendary Wanda Jackson, as well as the rowdy times that occurred during their Monday night residency at Adair's Saloon. We also talk about Chad's latest creative venture.
Tuesday May 14, 2024
Tuesday May 14, 2024
Our guest this episode comes from the other side of the business. Diana Cox is the Vice President of Kessler Presents, the managing company behind The Kessler Theater, The Heights Theater, and the newly reopened Longhorn Ballroom. We had a fascinating conversation and Diana had some really great insight and advice for younger musicians trying to get booked at these storied venues. She also had a few great stories about some of the stranger musician rider requests. As well as what it was like getting some classic and historical music collectibles delivered to their offices.
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
Ken Bethea, lead guitarist for the rock band (don't call them a country band) Old 97's, is our esteemed guest this episode. We get into the early days of the Deep Ellum scene as well as the early days of the so-called "alt-country" scene. We also discuss the veracity behind the long held rumor of the Old 97's vs. Whiskeytown beef. And finally we hear the true story of when Ken and the guys finally first got to play the historic Red Rocks venue, BUT as a three piece and without Rhett Miller their lead singer, who decided to try and fly in day of show. Did he make the gig?! You'll have to tune in to find out!
"American Primitive" by Old 97's is OUT NOW!
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
This episode's guest comes to you from the other side of the globe. Originally from Dallas, singer/songwriter Vanessa Peters has released several highly acclaimed albums and has done some extensive touring stateside using what she calls, "accidental chutzpah" to book her own shows. Now she makes Italy her home. We talk about her new album, "Flying On Instruments", what the transition to overseas life was like for this ex-pat, and also how some things get lost in translation. Like when a confused Italian tour manager told Vanessa's guitar player to "tocco le palle". www.vanessapeters.com