A Conversation with Al Di Meola – HuffPost 4.21.11

Mike Ragogna: Hello, Al. Al Di Meola: How are you doing? MR: I’m doing okay. You? AD: I’m not bad. We just finished two nights in Boston, and we’re on our way to Albany on a tour bus right now. Things are going great. We’re playing the music from the new record that just got […]

Al Di Meola – HuffPost 4.21.11

Mike Ragogna: What is your advice for new artists? Al Di Meola: It’s a difficult time right now because CD sales are not what they used to be, so you have to work the internet quite a lot, and there are some advantages there. I tell guitar players listen to your favorite players and try […]

A Conversation with Yellowjackets’ Bob Mintzer – HuffPost 4.21.11

Mike Ragogna: Bob, is it “Yellowjackets” or “The Yellowjackets”? Bob Mintzer: Oh, I don’t know. (laughs) Somehow, we arrived at Yellowjackets-maybe just to conserve energy. Frequently people ask what the significance is in the name “Yellowjackets” and honestly, there isn’t much. The band kind of morphed out of a Robben Ford band in the late […]

Billy Currington – HuffPost 4.21.11

Mike Ragogna: You’ve had so much success with your first four albums that I have to ask what advice would you give to new artists? Billy Currington: Well, for someone searching to be a country artist, I would say that it’s not 100% necessary to live in Nashville, Tennessee, but you should consider moving there […]

Yellowjackets’ Bob Mintzer – HuffPost 4.21.11

Mike Ragogna: Being such an experienced performer and musician, what advice would you give to aspiring artists right now? Bob Mintzer: Well, first and foremost, for any artist is to work on your art and make it strong and honest. Study whatever vocabulary you are using to the point where you really have the wherewithal […]

A Conversation with Billy Currington – HuffPost 4.21.11

Mike Ragogna: Billy Currington, you just released a new single, “Let Me Down Easy.” But first, how are you? Billy Currington: I’m doing really good, man. How are you? MR: Doing well, thanks. So, you’ve got a new music video attached to this song? BC: Yeah, it just kind of came together at the last […]

Mike Ragogna’s 2.0 – 20110419 – America’s Gerry Beckley

A Conversation with The Belle Brigade’s Barbara & Ethan Gruska – HuffPost 4.19.11

Mike Ragogna: Barbara and Ethan Gruska, you have a terrific new, self-titled album, and there are moments where your sound is like Simon & Garfunkel meets Fleetwood Mac. Are they among your influences? Ethan Gruska: We definitely are influenced by Fleetwood Mac, we like Simon & Garfunkel, but most of our influence is from Paul […]