“It was just my heart was just going like, like 180 or something. It was just that, yeah, just crazy. But then kind of got used to it. You don't get as nervous anymore. Now it's just second nature.“ -James Brown describing the experience of first playing with Geoff Tate on Conversations with Calcaterra “We're not in it for the glory. We're just in …

“Art or humor can both be defined by taking two things that don't seem to be connecting and connecting them and making a third thing. And I thought, Man, that is really cool. That is an awesome quote.“ – Mike Steimel sharing a quote from a successful band manager on Conversations with Calcaterra “So kind of songwriting is and producing music, it's …

“Baseball was boring to me…I wanted to get up and down. I wanted to run and jump so Basketball was perfect for me. Now at 5’ 11” and white probably not the best choice looking back at it. I took my body to the limit.” – Mark Morrison on Conversations with Calcaterra “The odds…crazy! Three to 5 years to survive if you survive the surgery. 50/50 chan…

“One of my favorites was the metal trivia night. We had tons of people coming in, all cocky with their cool shirts. They left crying because they didn’t know half the answers.” – Rebecca Schaaf on Conversations with Calcaterra“His mad genius drew me to him. Made me fall in love with him a little bit.” – Rebecca Schaaf about Wil Pelly on Conversatio…

“There is no time to go over songs because they (Darren Vorel and Tom Higginson) literally drop them on me at the last second. So I gave up on learning the songs and found that just going into the studio is like F you guys. You’re going to get what you get. – Eric Vorel on Conversations with Calcaterra“I find all the things I’m immersed in that I d…

“People will give me a recording of a show but I don’t listen. Once I do I’ll realize how bad I am at this.” – Javier Mendoza on Conversations with Calcaterra“Because of Covid I don’t think I’ll ever want to play a show without a drummer anymore…because of playing at home all all the time, playing these live streams.” – Javier Mendoza on Conversati…

“There’s an old Disney joke...if you don’t want to work on Saturday, don’t even bother coming in on Sunday.” – Phil Johnston on Conversations with Calcaterra“I suspect Stay Puft (Marshmallow Man) has references back to King Kong also. We’re all fishing in the same pond.” – Phil Johnston on Conversations with Calcaterra“The protagonist is the one wh…

EP68 – Randy Burns (Music Producer, Engineer – Suicidal Tendencies, Megadeth) – Conversations with Calcaterra“It’s the only band I know that had jazz fusion guys come into a metal band and that set them apart.” – Randy Burns about Megadeth on Conversations with Calcaterra“Dave (Mustaine) looked at my credentials and said if he did Suicidal tendenci…

“Rock and Roll is not dead it’s just seemingly hard to discover. It’s hard to find now because there is so much else out there. It’s not just RGB anymore.” – Jason McEntire on Conversations with Calcaterra “I personally like being the least talented person in the room or at least feeling that way. I’m holding my own so if I’m the least talented per…

“Eddie Van Halen…he never did anything that didn’t sound like EVH. His voice was so unique.” – Jimmy Griffin on Conversations with Calcaterra“He’s the Bill Murray of guitar players.” – Eric Grossman about Eddie Van Halen randomly hanging out with fans. (Conversations with Calcaterra)“Dirty faced kid in a garbage can…I was like, Oh. I want to be tha…

“I was raised with a lot of self doubt, so... I walk out of work everyday and think...how can I get a little better?” – Tom Bober as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“If somebody is always sharing something that you have to question and crowd source for them because they haven’t done it themselves…whenever you see that person share an article…

“The world gets smaller and smaller the older you get so be careful.” – Steve Berry as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“A little story about being Sting’s…Sun.“– Steve Berry on Conversations with Calcaterra“I remember trying to be so artsy for 12 Angry Jurors…It didn’t work.“– Steve Berry as stated on Conversations with CalcaterraIn part two…

“I graduated college in 1988 and put out a half dozen resumes. My parents who had taken care of the education put out hundreds.” – Steve Berry as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“You know the saying. “Once a Hawk always a Hawk.” So in one sense of the world I’m still a lifer.” – Steve Berry on Conversations with Calcaterra“I Got Friends in L…

Ken talks to the creative team of indie comic classics; The Rough and Tumble, Dead Palace, The Butcher Queen and their upcoming series Butch Queen Planet of the Dead. Jim and Ben begin collaborating about a decade ago and talk about their creative process and influences. Check out their kickstarter and get in on some fun incentives. https://www.kic…

“1986 was when Dark Knight Returns came out. And that is probably the single greatest year in the history of comics. Cause, and if for no other reason than you could say Dark Knight returns and Watchman in the same year.” – Jeremy Bohannon as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“For 9 years I essentially ran a comic bookstore, which is in certai…

“I’m the writer who likes to show up as close to everyday. A friend in my writers group wrote a book about comedy screenwriting, he had a term called ass in chair which I’m an advocate of. You show up each day even if you don’t see output.” – Craig Nobbs as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“There’s talks about remaking Back to the Future. To …

“I will insist professional wrestling is storytelling!” – Jake Cowan as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“Just because you know how to run a $10 million dollar business in the profit world doesn’t mean you know how to run it in the non-profit world.” – Jake Cowan as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “I think I liked Morrissey less becau…

“It’s a weird incestuous relationship with me and The Killers (band).” – Patrick Lawrence as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“I watch the Oscars and I wonder when is that job going to fall into my lap. When am I going to be able to do that?” – Patrick Lawrence as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“Unlike music, where there is almost a t…

“All the initial films were lessons in managing disappointment.” – Marlon West as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“I’m just trying to spark conversation. I’m a guy who makes cartoons for a living not a hard core advocate or anything like that. I felt it was something to do to have a conversation for a solid year.” – Marlon West as stated on …

“El Monstero is the monster truck version of Pink Floyd…It’s as if Pink Floyd had seen a KISS concert before becoming Pink Floyd.” – Jimmy Griffin as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“You’ve got to love to do it (play music) if you want anybody else to be interested in you doing it.” – Jimmy Griffin as stated on Conversations with CalcaterraW…

Thumbnail art by Alex Johnmeyer“One of my favorite quotes that I have read is your future self is talking shit about you.” – Steven Walden as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“The argument is if Leonardo DaVinci was alive today would he be making film.” – Henryk Ptasiewicz as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“Every artist should be on C…

“I hate to write but I love having to have written…that’s the biggest bunch of crap I’ve ever heard.” – Craig Hawksley as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“I wish I would have had guys like me now to help me write then. To give me advice that it took me 40 years to learn…the hard way.” – Craig Hawksley as stated on Conversations with Calcater…

“62% of all bankruptcies in the United States are related to medical bills.” – Tim James as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“You have all the power to turn your health around, to get your energy back…to lose the weight. It’s not some mystical deal. You just drink water, clean out your gut and your organs and you put some good nutrition in yo…

“The idea of starting tomorrow is a lie.” - Adrian Todd Zunica as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra“Do not move to LA unless you have a project.” - Adrian Todd Zunica as stated on Conversations with CalcaterraAdrian Todd Zuniga is the author of the debut novel, Collision Theory (Rare Bird Books), which will release on April 17, 2018. He’s the…

“Tomorrow is the busiest day for everybody.” – Sylvester Chisom as said on Conversations with Calcaterra“Never let laziness be the reason why you didn’t get something done!” – Sylvester Chisom as said on Conversations with Calcaterra“You don’t have to be great to get started but have to get started to be great!” – Sylvester Chisom as said on Conver…

“You heard of people who are farm strong? You start by picking up a calf every day and then at one day you’ll be picking up a cow.” – Eric Grossman“A 1000 mile journey starts with one step.” – Eric Grossman“Eating is one of my joys in life and I’m not going to deprive myself, but I put in the work!” – Eric GrossmanEric Grossman has always been fit …

“I ain’t complain, I’m explainin.” – The Smash aka Asher Benrubi“The best education is from the University of Doing It!” – The Smash aka Asher Benrubi“Honor God, help people. If you’re helping people you’re honoring God.” - The Smash aka Asher BenrubiJoin Ken on this milestone episode as he travels with Asher Benrubi on a journey through Rock and R…

“You’re only as good as your last meal.” – Joe Sanfilippo“You can’t qualify your life as successful just because of finances.” – Joe SanfillippoJoe’s career in the restaurant business began at the age of 11 when he filled in at one of his uncle’s restaurants on New Years Eve as a busboy. He enjoyed the tips and working with family, a group of broth…

“A large cross represented a person who had died of cancer and a small cross represented those who were battling cancer. There were way to many crosses out there.” – Tony West“People said you’re a television cameraman, what do you know about nuclear waste. Well I’m learning. You have to learn.” – Tony WestHow much industrial waste has been dumped i…

Baseball is as American as apple pie is the old saying and people all over the USA are excited for opening day especially St. Louisans who pride themselves for their sports fandom especially for the beloved Cardinals. Opening day in St. Louis feels like a holiday and it highlights the change of the seasons to spring. This nuanced sport, America’s p…

“I love the pull yourself up by your bootstraps philosophy but that implies that you have boots.” – Jason Cleaveland“We've created so many barriers to entry for the for these low-level entry-level jobs that were people are really doomed to life a life of poverty.”- Jason Cleaveland“So many times what happens is they lose that hope after going to 10…

“For me the idea that I was wanted in life is to be a sports voice of the city. In my profession of sports writing, few things are more enamored than the guy or girl who writes something that everybody reads. Who says something everybody hears, that’s pretty cool.” – Benjamin Hochman“In the Willie McGee chapter in The Big 50 Cardinals I interviewed…

“The whole origin for doing this project was…it gives us an excuse to explore the city. Learn more stuff around us and hopefully be better St. Louisians or just people in general because were going out and exploring something.” – Matt Sims“Well it's important to think about that the "24 hour news cycle is a new thing in journalism. It used to be th…

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear. It takes a couple of attempts to push through the fear to realize you can!” – Matt Hodel“If you don’t know where to start…it’s forward. Just go! Start…continue!” – Matt Hodel“On working with other people – “I think a lot of times it’s just planting seeds and the weird thing is that just because you…

This episode is dedicated to Ken Calcaterra Sr.“I believe that we are here to contribute love to the planet each of us in our own way.” – Bernie Siegel“Mother Theresa said that she would not attend an antiwar rally, and the people who invited her were very upset, but she said to them, “If your ever have a peace rally, call me.” – Bernie Siegel“I’d …

Step into the world of Songbird Café a unique St. Louis listening experience modeled after the Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café. Ken sits down with Songbird founder and curator Steve St. Cyr to discuss some of Steve’s favorite moments from the past five years of Songbird Shows on the eve of the events sixth anniversary.Check out what listeners have …

“Everybody knows us, the Molina brothers in the Major Leagues…this man, this dad we had was our Hall of Famer!” – Bengie Molina“All of us were pulling for each other, and we battled our butts off out there! We wanted to be very special, we wanted to do it! Sometimes you don’t have that in the family – Bengie Molina on three brothers as World Series…

“This podcast is an exercise in not being perfect” says recovering perfectionist Ken Calcaterra. Amen brother.Fresh off his documentary Emmy, video storyteller, podcast host and my buddy Ken Calcaterra and I interviewed each other just for kicks. We determine: Larry deserves as much as Bono – Old guys still want to rock – Creative’s wouldn’t be hur…

“We’re going to raise hell…responsibly! – Jeff Stevens (Entrepreneur/Creative) – Well Being Brewing Company“Because of the speed of communication the standard of perfection really isn’t there. It’s more about trying shit! – Jeff Stevens (Entrepreneur/Creative) – Well Being Brewing CompanyJeff Stevens is one of the forces behind America’s first non-…

McAnallen and Son. When you meet Ray McAnallen, he’s one of those guys you don’t forget. Cigar, beard, Hawaiian shirt, that certain swagger – is he a private eye in a Carl Hiasson book? A Lost Jimmy Buffet keyboardist who missed the tour bus? Nope, Ray is a St. Louis Ad man. And what you see is what you get with Ray - he’s been part of the St. Loui…

Content, motion, sound and swagger. Antidote is the remedy to rock. Michael Francis and Ryan Bury started their production studio 8 years ago. It was small and scrappy and defined by a peculiar little space and very good work. They’ve since grown up and grown out. With a vast and beautiful new space, new look and feel and a fresh sensibility they’v…

“Music along with love is probably the most powerful force in the universe and I think it has the power to change lives!!!” – Connor Weinstein (Singer/Guitarist) – Next Door to the Moon“The most meaningful aspect of being a musician is making an emotional connection with someone who hears your song!” – Connor Weinstein (Singer/Guitarist) – Next Doo…

Fathers Day Special – Cbabi Bayoc takes on the art of being a dad. Cbabi Bayoc's artistic work mixes caricature, realism, portraiture, and compassionate observation to create an important and remarkable narrative of the African American family experience. In fact, a few years ago he painted a finished work every day for a year on the subject of fat…

“The theory behind it all is to shine a light on the St. Louis music scene. I’m of the mentality that if one succeeds we all benefit.” – Shane Presley – Rock Paper Podcast“People hit me up all the time…how do I do a podcast? I want to do it and I’m like, do it! Grab a mic and do it and have some fun.” – Shane Presley – Rock Paper PodcastHow does a …

“Life is collecting experiences and that’s literally my job!” – Tony Rehagen - Journalist“I think that the definition of success is when work becomes fun and a lot of people never get to experience that. I feel extremely fortunate that I have.” – Tony Rehagen - JournalistIs what we know as print journalism dying in the age of the internet? Has the …

Recovering Creative Director. Chris Aguirre leads the Recovery Revolution. After nearly 20 years of sobriety and a few years out of the ad business, Chris Aguirre found himself at the point in his life where something had to give. His own battle with depression and social anxiety mixed with a creative’s dark cynicism had pushed him out of the ad bu…

“If you want to build a fan base do it by caring about that fanbase!” – Ryan Gaughan, Among Criminals – La Capitana“Holding yourself accountable to other people is the best muscle to start holding yourself accountable! – Ryan Gaughan, Among Criminals – La CapitanaHow many musicians do you know who would consider turning down a record deal to teach …

Check out the Schwinn Varsity Trailer here. NSFW. https://vimeo.com/213769266Summer, 1977. Two teenage boys set out on a bicycle journey in an epic search for freedom, America, and a dumpster full of discarded Porno mags. A little "Stand By Me", a little "Dazed and Confused" and a Whole Lotta Love, writer/producer Richard Eschenroeder has had "Schw…

“There’s these two knuckleheads on the couch telling the editors what to do, that’s when I realized I wanted to be one of those guys," says Joe Bishop on the moment he realized he wanted to be an agency creative. Since then he and his compadres have been creating some of the more famous and infamous (Quadracorn!) work to come out of the St. Louis a…

Art is one’s legacy. When we create art a piece of our soul is infused in the work and when we leave this planet it remains for others to cherish our energy.Jimmy Smith affectionately known as Jimmy Buckets based on his prowess behind a drum kit (and sometimes plastic construction buckets) left this world in February of 2017 due to reported heart f…