The Strangest Gig

Ep. 34_Getting Paid In Weed_Isaac Sloane

Our guest this episode is Isaac Sloane. Isaac fronts the band Isaac Sloane & The Sound Brigade, a blues/rock/psychedelic/jazz/fusion band based out of Denton. A relative newcomer to the scene Isaac and band have already logged countless shows all across the metroplex and have even earned nominations for Best Blues Band and Best Guitarist by the Dallas Entertainment Awards. Isaac tells some inspiring stories of his dedication to the gig, like walking with his gear three miles to the venue after near totaling his car and leaving it on the side of the highway. AND going straight from the ER to the stage after a suffering a heart attack, with medical bracelet still on his wrist. And finally we hear the hilarious story of when Isaac and the Sound Brigade, in a scene reminiscent of something you'd see on "Almost Famous", played a supposed "peace" festival and got paid in bags of weed.

https://isaacsloaneandthesoundbrigade.com/

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Come see Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout May 30th at the Doublewide in Dallas with Austin soul powerhouse Tomar & The FCs.

https://www.chrisjnorwood.com/shows

Follow Chris J Norwood on Instagram: @chrisjnorwood

And Facebook: @chrisjnorwood

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Follow The Strangest Gig on Instagram: @thestrangestgig

Ep. 33_You’re My Dude_Tre Nagella

Our guest this episode is 4x Grammy award winning audio engineer, mixer, and record producer, Tre Nagella. He has worked with such artists as Kirk Franklin, Ed Sheeran, Blake Shelton, Lady Gaga, and Travis Scott to name a few. Tre describes himself as a Music Entrepreneur. In addition to his career as an engineer/mixer/producer, Tre is also a co-owner of the world class recording studio Luminous Sound Studios in Dallas. And recently Tre has stepped further in to mogul side of the business by starting his own record label. He had some really great advice for younger artists about what a record label might be looking for, as well as great advice for anyone starting out in this business called music. And finally he had some great stories about what it's like working with some of the biggest stars on the planet, including the surprising item that Lil Wayne had on his rider. www.trenagella.com . Follow The Strangest Gig on Instagram: @thestrangestgig . . - The Knockdown Dragout (The Exhibition), the bonus EP of alt versions, demos, and a live track from the debut album by Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout drops on Mar 28.  - follow us on Instagram: @chrisjnorwood - follow us on Facebook: @chrisjnorwood

Ep. 32_Total Mayhem_Rob Garner

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.

www.buddymagazine.com

(Thanks to Maureen Womack at Rabbit Hat Promotions for her help in setting this interview up.)

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Ep. 31_Jambaloo_Corey Pond & Joe Morrison

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.

www.spune.com

www.jambaloo.live

 

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www.chrisjnorwood.com

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Ep. 30_When The Fight Breaks Out, Stay On The Bandstand_Charlie Peacock

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

Ep. 29_Remember Your Light_The Rev. Shawn Amos

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.

www.shawnamos.com

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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 

Ep. 28_Where'd You Get The Bear_Paul Varghese

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

www.chrisjnorwood.com

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Ep. 27_The Music Of The Great State Fair_Jason Hays

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.

Ep. 26_Smoochin And Such_Chad Stockslager

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.

Ep. 25_James Brown's Robe_Diana Cox

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.