A Conversation with Jason Flom – HuffPost 9.5.14

Mike Ragogna: Jason, let’s catch up on you. You were recently honored by Russell Simmons, Michael Bloomberg and all these folks from the Simmons Art For Life Foundation. Let’s go into that first. What was the award for?

Jason Flom: I think it was really for the general work that I do. I haven’t done a ton of work on the arts side, but I have been involved for over 20 years trying to reform the criminal justice system. I’m a founding board member of the Innocence Project, I’ve been on the boards of the Drug Policy Alliance and Families Against Mandatory Minimums for a long, long time. As you know, Russell is involved in that stuff, too, on the drug side specifically–The Rockefeller Drug Laws. He and I have worked together on certain initiatives and gotten to know each other as a result of that. He made a very beautiful speech in the event talking about the work that he had done in that area. I’m also on the board of The Flom Foundation, which helps gifted disadvantaged youth, so there’s a connection there with Art For Life. Interestingly, my daughter bridges the gap, too, because she teaches a theater class in Rikers Island.

A Conversation with Keb’ Mo’ – HuffPost 9.4.14

Mike Ragogna: Hey Keb’, how have you been since our last chat? Keb’ Mo’: I’ve been good. I’ve been on the road, doing the road thing, having fun, playing music. MR: You’re touring with G. Love, right? What kind of shenanigans have you two gotten up to? KM: [laughs] Shenanigans? G. Love is way cool […]

A Conversation with William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up’s Ishmael Herring – HuffPost 9.4.14

Mike Ragogna: Ish, you and Jesse Holt joined forces on “In The Streets” for the Blind Boys Of Alabama. First off, relative to the song’s topic, please would you go into your history and relationship with Jesse? Ish Herring: I spent six years on the streets of Los Angeles. Jesse came into a circle of […]

A Conversation with Warren Cuccurullo – HuffPost 9.4.14

Mike Ragogna: What was your vision when creating The Master? Warren Cuccurullo: Initially I thought we’d have my ambient guitar loops and he would sing & play over them. Some lovely relaxing soundscapes with the haunting sound of sarangi. When I saw his reaction to certain acoustic pieces I previewed for him I knew we would […]

A Conversation with Richie Kotzen – HuffPost 9.4.14

Mike Ragogna: Richie, whose idea was it to put together a Richie Kotzen Essentials collection? Richie Kotzen: It really came from the label. I wasn’t planning on doing it. I would’ve done another Winery Dogs record or a solo record or whatever. There’s this big demographic of people that come up to me and are like, “Wow, […]

A Conversation with Mikey Wax – HuffPost 9.3.14

Mike Ragogna: Mikey, what’s the story here? No really, what’s your history, you know, what got you into music, training, support, previous incarnations…? Mikey Wax: I was in fifth grade, and there was a show and tell. I didn’t have anything cool to show off, but I really wanted to impress the girls and all […]

Mercy Alliance’s Joe Rathbone – HuffPost 9.3.14

Mike Ragogna: What advice do you have for new artists? Joe Rathbone: My best advice is to make great records no matter what it takes, no matter how rough the business is being to you, no one can take that product away and you owe it to yourself to make excellent music and not settle. […]

A Conversation with Eddy Faulkner – HuffPost 9.3.14

Mike Ragogna: Eddy, you seem to have just started. What’s all this about how “I Won’t Give Up”? Eddy Faulkner: Mike, yeah, so I started four years ago in 2010. Since then, I’ve played numerous shows around the northern Virginia/DC area at places such as Jammin’ Java [Vienna, VA], The Ramshead [Annapolis, MD], IOTA Club […]