Steve Vai – HuffPost 3.3.11

Mike Ragogna: What advice do you have for new artists? Steve Vai: You see, I’m really against teaching my techniques necessarily because it doesn’t matter. My techniques are me, and people who are interested in knowing what I do and playing like me, that’s fine and great. (But) people want to discover their own self […]

Graham Parker – HuffPost 3.3.11

Mike Ragogna: Do you have any advice for new artists? Graham Parker: I never really took any advice so that’s my advice. Don’t listen to old geezers like me. (laughs) My advice to songwriters is to not listen to anyone in record companies like Mike Ragogna. Do your own thing and just take their money. […]

J. Cole – HuffPost 10.3.11

Mike Ragogna: What advice you have for new artists? J. Cole: Man, I would say, “Take your time.” I just got my first numbers in. I just got a call with the incredible numbers that I sold on the first day, so I’m just buzzing right now. That’s incredible first day and first week numbers […]

– Mike Ragogna’s 2.0 – 20110302 – The Civil Wars

John Popper – HuffPost 3.1.11

Mike Ragogna: John, how were you “discovered”? John Popper: Well, it depends at which point. I was in my high school jazz band as the third trumpet player because I had been playing harmonica in the school parking lot. I was in the remedial class. They were going to put me in a school for […]

A Conversation with John Popper – HuffPost 3.1.11

Mike Ragogna: What’s up with “The Duskray Troubadours”? John Popper: Well, it occurs to me that it’s like another fancy name like “Blues Traveler.” It’s a color and a term for a wandering person. Duskray really describes a color I saw in New Mexico at dusk that is just gorgeous. I was thinking it would […]

– Mike Ragogna’s 2.0 – 20110223 – John Waite

At 8 AM on Friday, Mike talks with John Waite, best known for his huge hits, “Missing You” and “Change”.He first came to be known for being the bassist and lead singer for the British rock group, The Babys. He has since gone on to a successful solo career. His new album, “Rough & Tumble” […]

Susan Werner – HuffPost 2.25.11

Mike Ragogna: What advice do you have for new artists? Susan Werner: Put yourself at risk. The old poet Robert Frost said, “Make the poem save you.” Go so far out on a limb that you’re not sure you can get back. Say something that makes you a little bit uncomfortable, makes your audience uncomfortable. […]