It would be easy for Todd Morgan & The Emblems to follow the often tread cover band path, but it has raised the bar with songwriting influenced by rockabilly, jazz, Big Band, and rock. Todd Morgan discusses his influences, and the band’s third recently released CD, “Sweet Pretender.”
Category Archives: music
Independent radio and education
Corporate radio is struggling, and for good reason. Listeners are demanding variety, and finding it online or via satellite. How can people hear their favorite types of music (with unlimited artists), and support their local community? Dennis Newhall of Sacramento’s K-ZAP and Joe Parente of Process Theater, Inc. discuss their joint effort in bringing back a local favorite radio station of pub rock and blues into non-profit status, and assisting students with learning the evolving craft and technology of radio, and what the media has to offer in the future.
Cigar box guitars and ukeleles
Cigar box guitars are a blast to build and play, from actual cigar boxes to jello molds to auto parts. Will King of Cigar Box Nation talks a little cigar box guitar building 101.
Prison blues and kazoos
Why should real prisoners have all the fun? Captain Rufus T. Whizbang (Neil Hillel) and the Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo Band and Temperance Society, Ltd. have entertained thousands of people around California and Nevada with their wacky musical presentations and skits. Rubber Ducky, anyone?
Rap and students
Andre Justice (“AJ”) loves the ladies, and loves to rap. He also happens to have cerebral palsy, so he needed a little assist to achieve his musical goals. He approached Amaru Yawo-El (“Düc”), a special educational assistant at Luther Burbank High School, who also performs hip hop. The power duo have recorded some tracks, and plan on assisting other students with learning disabilities to sing, perform, and record rap with their Anybody Can Rap (ABC-Rap)
Cowboy music and heritage
Do you know the difference between cowboy music and country music?
Ron Scoffield has always had a connection with the Old West. He repairs/restores horse drawn carriages and stagecoaches (in fact, he participated in the Bicentennial Wagon Train), and plays guitar while singing cowboy music. During the summer, his Red Mule Ranch hosts Cowboy Campfire Nights, which offers cowboy music, cowboy poetry, and a BBQ. Ron’s brother, Gary, was in town to join him on stage, so I sat down with both of them as they sang a couple of songs, and shared their stories.
Appalachian dulcimers and heritage
The Appalachian dulcimer’s unique sound resonates on a cellular level with those of Irish or Scottish heritage, and is just plain lovely to the rest of us. Robert Scott of Where Ravens Fly discusses the history of the instrument, and plays a couple of songs on a Appalachian dulcimer he designed.
Whistlers and Music
What instrument does the human voice share the same range? With the approach of St. Patrick’s Day, Whistler Hall of Fame inductee Milt Briggs whistles a few Irish tunes, and provides a little insight into the life of a competitive whistler.
Motown and Movements
Motown and that “Motown sound” continues to be a powerful influence on musicians and songwriters, and it’s just plain fun. Motown on Mondays (“MOM”) is truly a party for all ages, with 18 current locations, and looking to spread the joy into Europe. This week, I speak with a few of the Sacramento Motown on Mondays gang – Ginnie Jester, Chris Hopkins, and DJ Epik – about this unique ongoing event.
Roots and tunes
South Sac Jooks‘ American root music start the new year off on a high note (pun intended.) We talk a little about the history of root music, and the Jooks play a couple of tunes with harmonica, guitar, washboard, and string bucket bass for instruments.
Conversation Accessories 