Backstage Pass Radio

• S9: E1: Kristen Kelly - Silence Finds Its Voice

  Let Us Know What You Think of the Show!Date: July 9, 2025Name of podcast: Backstage Pass RadioS9: E1: Kristen Kelly - Silence Finds Its VoiceSHOW SUMMARY:Meet Kristen Kelly, the knife-carrying Texas singer-songwriter whose journey from small-town volleyball player to Nashville recording artist defies all expectations. In this raw and revealing conversation, Kristen takes us behind the music to share the remarkable story that shaped both her life and artistry.  Growing up on 10 acres in Lorena, Texas, with a musical family heritage including her grandfather Sterling Kelly (a country singer-songwriter), Kristen first found her way to music through an unexpected opportunity while bartending during college. What followed was a winding path through the Texas music scene that eventually led to a Sony Nashville record deal in 2011, touring alongside legends like Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, and Alan Jackson.  Kristen courageously shares her experience as a child sexual abuse survivor, revealing how writing poetry to process her trauma ultimately transformed into songwriting that connected with audiences. This healing journey has inspired not only her music but also her advocacy work through her restaurant Storyville Texas and her newly launched podcast "Something We're Saying," where she creates space for others to share their truths.  Music aficionados will appreciate the behind-the-scenes stories of co-writing the Texas chart-topper "Down in Flames" with Brandon Jenkins and Stoney LaRue, working with legendary songwriter Paul Overstreet, and the 12-year journey to finally release her complete "Warrior" album that Sony had shelved. Kristen also reveals exciting news about her upcoming live album recorded at the Floribama and her song "Drink Myself Out Of Love With You" impacting Texas radio.  Through every high and low, Kristen demonstrates what it means to lead with love and find purpose through pain. Subscribe to hear more conversations that illuminate the human experience through the power of music and storytelling.Sponsor Link:WWW.ECOTRIC.COMWWW.SIGNAD.COMWWW.RUNWAYAUDIO.COMBackstage Pass Radio Social Media Handles:Facebook - @backstagepassradiopodcast @randyhulseymusicInstagram - @Backstagepassradio @randyhulseymusicTwitter - @backstagepassPC @rhulseymusicWebsite - backstagepassradio.com and randyhulsey.comArtist(s) Web PageInstagram - @kristenkellymusicFacebook - @kristenkellymusicWeb - www.kristenkellymusic.comCall to actionWe ask our listeners to like, share, and subscribe to the show and the artist's social media pages. This enables us to continue pushing great content to the consumer.  Thank you for being a part of Backstage Pass Radio Your Host,Randy Hulsey 

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• S8: E10: Rikki Rockett (Poison) - Greatest Hits and Hardest Battles

  Let Us Know What You Think of the Show!Date: June 35, 2025Name of podcast: Backstage Pass RadioS8: E10: Rikki Rockett (Poison) - Greatest Hits and Hardest BattlesSHOW SUMMARY:What happens when death stares you in the face, and you not only survive but thrive? Rikki Rockett, the original drummer of hair metal legends Poison, takes us on an extraordinary journey through his remarkable life both on and off the stage in this candid conversation.  With disarming honesty, Rikki shares the terrifying moment when what seemed like a simple sore throat turned into a stage four cancer diagnosis with just a 10% chance of survival. His miraculous recovery through an innovative immunotherapy clinical trial not only saved his life but also transformed his perspective completely. "You can have 99 problems, but if you have a medical problem, you got one," he reflects, explaining how facing mortality taught him to value time above all else.  Long before his health battle, Rikki's musical journey began in Pennsylvania with a $50 drum set and dreams of rock stardom. He takes us through Poison's early days hustling on the Sunset Strip, revealing the ingenious guerrilla marketing tactics they employed—from personally thanking fans at venue exits to strategically writing about themselves in club bathrooms. These authentic connections helped Poison stand apart in the overcrowded LA scene of the 1980s.  Beyond his rock credentials, Rikki unveils his fascinating life as a fourth-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and paranormal investigator. His approach to urban legends and ghost hunting reflects his thoughtful nature, seeking the historical facts behind myths before exploring any supernatural elements. "I think 98% of it is BS, but that 2% is truly amazing," he explains, showing the same curiosity that's driven his diverse passions.  Looking ahead to Poison's 40th anniversary in 2026, Rikki shares plans for a major tour with all original members intact—a remarkable achievement in the often-fractured world of rock bands. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering his story for the first time, Rikki Rockett's tale of resilience, creativity, and constant reinvention will inspire you to approach life's challenges with both determination and wonder.Sponsor Link:WWW.ECOTRIC.COMWWW.SIGNAD.COMWWW.RUNWAYAUDIO.COMBackstage Pass Radio Social Media Handles:Facebook - @backstagepassradiopodcast @randyhulseymusicInstagram - @Backstagepassradio @randyhulseymusicTwitter - @backstagepassPC @rhulseymusicWebsite - backstagepassradio.com and randyhulsey.comArtist(s) Web PageInstagram - @rikkirockettFacebook - @thereallrikkirockettYoutube - @theposiondrummerCall to actionWe ask our listeners to like, share, and subscribe to the show and the artist's social media pages. This enables us to continue pushing great content to the consumer.  Thank you for being a part of Backstage Pass Radio Your Host,Randy Hulsey 

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• S8: E9: Liz Spencer - From Silence to Stage

  Let Us Know What You Think of the Show!Date: June 11, 2025Name of podcast: Backstage Pass RadioS8: E9: Liz Spencer - From Silence to StageSHOW SUMMARY:"My ability in music kind of made me stand out," reveals singer-songwriter Liz Spencer in this candid conversation about finding her musical identity. From playing melodies by ear on a toy piano at age four to becoming a full-time musician after a decade-long silence, Spencer's journey is both heartbreaking and triumphant.  The New England-based artist shares how cancer and the loss of her best friend silenced her creative voice for ten years until an unexpected connection with actor C. Thomas Howell reignited her passion through acting lessons that transferred to music. "Once the floodgates opened and I was able to write again, I realized that I can't ever not do this," Spencer explains, describing the moment she committed to music despite the fears and perfectionism that had held her back.  Spencer discusses her recent single "Losing Hand," a powerful anthem born from relationship deception, and her duet "Annie" with fellow New England musician Nick Bossy. She reveals the challenges of balancing performing with songwriting, having played over 80 shows last summer while still developing her catalog. Now working on "3000 Miles," a song about the geographical distance between her and her husband before their paths crossed, Spencer continues to push herself toward greater vulnerability in her writing.  What emerges most clearly is Spencer's evolution from concern about external validation to creating authentic music for herself first. "I decided that this is for me and this is what I want to do," she says of her musical rebirth just three years ago. For anyone who's ever set aside a passion only to rediscover it later, Spencer's story serves as powerful inspiration to follow your creative instincts regardless of timing or perfection.  Check out Liz Spencer on Instagram @lizspencermusic and experience her captivating blend of storytelling and soulful performance that proves it's never too late to claim your artistic voice.Sponsor Link:WWW.ECOTRIC.COMWWW.SIGNAD.COMWWW.RUNWAYAUDIO.COMBackstage Pass Radio Social Media Handles:Facebook - @backstagepassradiopodcast @randyhulseymusicInstagram - @Backstagepassradio @randyhulseymusicTwitter - @backstagepassPC @rhulseymusicWebsite - backstagepassradio.com and randyhulsey.comArtist(s) Web PageFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizspencermusicInstagram: @lizspencermusicCall to actionWe ask our listeners to like, share, and subscribe to the show and the artist's social media pages. This enables us to continue pushing great content to the consumer.  Thank you for being a part of Backstage Pass Radio Your Host,Randy Hulsey 

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• S8: E6: Graham Bonnet & Beth-Ami Heavenstone - The Legend and the Forever Friend

  Let Us Know What You Think of the Show!Date: May 28, 2025Name of podcast: Backstage Pass RadioS8: E6: Graham Bonnet & Beth-Ami Heavenstone - The Legend and the Forever FriendSHOW SUMMARY:Rock legend Graham Bonnet and bassist/manager Beth-Ami Heavenstone invite listeners into their world for an intimate conversation about music, recovery, and what's next for the Graham Bonnet Band. Fresh from battling COVID-19, the pair reflects on the unique challenges vocalists face—a sentiment Bonnet captures perfectly when he states, "The voice is the hardest instrument to play... the guitar is easy compared to this."  The conversation weaves through exciting announcements about their upcoming live DVD recorded at the historic Whiskey a Go Go, a venue deeply meaningful to both artists as their first performance space together. Fans will be thrilled to learn about the band's fourth studio album in progress, featuring a special collaboration with Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson. Bonnet shares his creative process, including a touching tribute song to the underappreciated guitar virtuoso Rory Gallagher, revealing the thoughtful songwriter behind the powerful voice.  Some of the most compelling moments emerge when Bonnet opens up about his remarkable past—from his early connection to the Bee Gees (his cousin Trevor Gordon was originally part of the group in Australia) to his heartfelt remembrance of drummer Cozy Powell, whose 1998 passing still visibly moves him. The emotional gravity in Bonnet's voice as he recalls seeing two rainbows touch the hillside after learning of Powell's death demonstrates that behind the legendary rock persona is a deeply feeling human being who treasures these connections.  Between European tour preparations, managing multiple projects, and their life together raising chickens in LA, Bonnet and Heavenstone offer a refreshingly authentic glimpse into their world. Their playful banter and surprising personal revelations—Graham's unexpected love for figure skating and Antiques Roadshow, Beth-Ami's bird watching hobby—create a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes listeners feel like they're sitting in their living room. Whether you've followed Graham's career for decades or are discovering his extraordinary voice for the first time, this conversation captures the spirit of a rock legend who remains humble, creative, and utterly passionate about music.Sponsor Link:WWW.ECOTRIC.COMWWW.SIGNAD.COMWWW.RUNWAYAUDIO.COMBackstage Pass Radio Social Media Handles:Facebook - @backstagepassradiopodcast @randyhulseymusicInstagram - @Backstagepassradio @randyhulseymusicTwitter - @backstagepassPC @rhulseymusicWebsite - backstagepassradio.com and randyhulsey.comArtist(s) Web PageCall to actionWe ask our listeners to like, share, and subscribe to the show and the artist's social media pages. This enables us to continue pushing great content to the consumer.  Thank you for being a part of Backstage Pass Radio Your Host,Randy Hulsey 

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• S8: E5: Lorraine Lewis - (Femme Fatale / Vixen) - Sunset Strip Survivor

  Let Us Know What You Think of the Show!Date: April 30, 2025Name of podcast: Backstage Pass RadioS8: E5: Lorraine Lewis - (Femme Fatale / Vixen) - Sunset Strip SurvivorSHOW SUMMARY:From jumping out of classroom windows in Albuquerque to commanding stages worldwide, Lorraine Lewis embodies the fearless spirit of rock 'n' roll in its purest form. In this candid, high-energy conversation, the former Femme Fatale and Vixen vocalist pulls back the curtain on her remarkable musical journey that began with Linda Ronstadt covers in local bands and led to the glitz and mayhem of the Sunset Strip during hair metal's heyday.  With disarming honesty, Lorraine recounts how she assembled Femme Fatale through sheer force of will, sharing both the exhilaration of being signed to MCA Records and the frustrations of never quite reaching the platinum-selling status she envisioned. Her reflections on why some bands exploded while others stalled reveal the complex interplay of talent, timing, and industry support that defined the era.  The conversation takes unexpected turns as Lorraine discusses her recent collaboration with Foreigner's Lou Graham (a dream thirty years in the making), her successful career as a television casting director, and her latest venture into OnlyFans, which she approaches with the same unapologetic authenticity that's defined her entire career. At 66, she dismisses conventional limitations, declaring, "The older I get, the more fearless I am."  What emerges is the portrait of an artist who has weathered industry upheavals without losing her passion or perspective. Lorraine's infectious laugh punctuates stories of rock star encounters and personal reinventions, offering wisdom on survival and self-reinvention in an industry notorious for chewing people up. "I've had the most fascinating life/career ever," she reflects, with the conviction of someone who's still writing exciting new chapters.  Subscribe to hear more unfiltered conversations with the personalities who've shaped rock history, and follow Lorraine's current projects at LorraineLewisRocks across all platforms.Sponsor Link:WWW.ECOTRIC.COMWWW.SIGNAD.COMWWW.RUNWAYAUDIO.COMBackstage Pass Radio Social Media Handles:Facebook - @backstagepassradiopodcast @randyhulseymusicInstagram - @Backstagepassradio @randyhulseymusicTwitter - @backstagepassPC @rhulseymusicWebsite - backstagepassradio.com and randyhulsey.comArtist(s) Web PageLorraine Lewis - FacebookCall to actionWe ask our listeners to like, share, and subscribe to the show and the artist's social media pages. This enables us to continue pushing great content to the consumer.  Thank you for being a part of Backstage Pass Radio Your Host,Randy Hulsey 

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