The Bandwich Tapes

In this episode, I sit down with bassist and vocalist Keith Horne, and it feels like reconnecting with a player I’ve admired for decades. I talk about the first time I experienced Keith live in 1996, when I was a freshman at Belmont University, and he was on the road with Peter Frampton. I still remember the impact of his touch, time, and musical confidence. From there, Keith and I dig into how his musical life started as a kid playing bluegrass with his dad, how flatpicking shaped his speed and articulation, and why being a multi-instrumentalist gave him an unusually complete view of the bandstand. We talk about his left-handed approach to playing guitar, how he learned guitar upside down, how he originally played drums left-handed, and why he eventually switched to a right-handed kit to survive the reality of shared backlines and sit-ins.Keith tells some incredible stories about chasing complex instruments, including the moment he finally found a left-handed pedal steel, how watching great steel players for years taught him the mechanics before he ever owned one, and how quickly he was able to apply that knowledge once the instrument was in front of him. We also trace the exact moment bass became his leading voice, when a bassist in his dad’s band left his instrument at the house, and Keith quietly learned it without telling anyone, then shocked his dad by switching instruments mid-gig at age twelve and never looking back. That leads to a bigger conversation about why starting on drums is a superpower for a bassist, how it teaches you the unspoken communication between rhythm section players, and why Keith’s time feel became one of his calling cards, including a compliment from Dennis Chambers that still stands out as one of the biggest of his life.Keith and I go deep on the singing bassist problem, how to keep vocals expressive while staying locked on bass, and how harmony singing often becomes the secret weapon that gets you the gig. He shares how his range and high harmony work opened doors, how constant performing strengthened his voice over time, and how he learned to shift between full voice and falsetto through heavy gigging and demanding material. We talk about the artists and songs that shaped his bass worldview, from Earth, Wind & Fire and Verdine White to Bernard Edwards, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Chuck Rainey, and Jaco. Keith tells the story of hearing Stanley Clarke for the first time and having his entire concept of the instrument explode overnight.A significant highlight is Keith’s time in the Virginia fusion band Secrets, a band he calls the best musical situation he’s ever been in. He tells the story of sitting in on Jeff Lorber’s Tune 88, getting a standing ovation for a bass solo, and then immediately being offered the gig. We talk about how quickly great players elevate your musicianship, how his first night in the band was also Carter Beauford’s first night, and the feeling of instant chemistry that made it seem like they’d been playing together forever. Keith also shares stories of opening for the Yellowjackets, becoming friends with Jimmy Haslip, and the surreal mirror-image moment when the band watching their soundcheck saw an upside-down bassist and an open-handed drummer and realized they were looking at a parallel-universe version of themselves.From there, we follow Keith’s move to Nashville, living with the Wooten Brothers early on, playing jam nights seven nights a week, and building a reputation fast because he could authentically cover multiple genres on demand. He breaks down how his first major Nashville gig came through the Stockyard, leading to Tanya Tucker, and how the road unfolded from there with Waylon Jennings, Peter Frampton, and Trisha Yearwood, including singing Walkaway Joe with Trisha and what it’s like to work with singers so accurate they can survive monitor failures in arenas without losing pitch. We also spend time on Hot Apple Pie, the magic of that record, why it still sounds fresh, and the frustration of how label shifts and industry timing kept the band from reaching the level the music deserved.We wrap with what Keith is doing now in Florida at the Orange Blossom Opry, what makes the venue unique, how the band tailors its opening set to match each headliner, and why the schedule can be intense during the season but still sustainable because the owners take care of the musicians in a rare way. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about musicianship, time feel, harmony, career longevity, and the kind of stories you only get from someone who has genuinely lived on bandstands for decades.Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].

In this episode, I sit down with drummer Paul Stewart for a conversation that starts with how music can connect people across oceans and turns into a deep dive on taste, touch, craft, and the long arc of a career. Paul and I talk about how I first discovered his band The Feeling years ago from a CD a friend handed me after a gig, and how that one listen turned into a long-term appreciation for the songs, the playing, and the production. Paul shares why so many musicians connected with that sound, and how their work pulled from both the 70s world of Supertramp, 10CC, Elton John, and Fleetwood Mac, and the deeper 60s roots that fed that era, like The Beatles, The Stones, The Kinks, and The Zombies. We get into drum sound, why that thuddy, dead 70s tone fits their music so well, and how those choices shaped the identity of the recordings.Paul walks me through his origin story, from being hooked on drum sound as a kid, to getting his first kit at 12, to saying yes to every playing opportunity he could find. He tells an incredible story about a middle school teacher who stayed late after school so Paul could get extra time in the drum room, and we zoom out on how mentors, parents, and supportive educators change the course of a life. From there, we talk about preparation, professionalism, and the responsibility you carry in an ensemble, including how the anxiety of being underprepared can be its own lesson in why doing the work matters. Paul also shares a regret he has about not keeping his reading chops sharper, and why playing along with records became his true north as a drummer.We dig into influences from both sides of Paul’s musical world, from rock and early Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine, to the cassette tapes an uncle sent that opened the door to jazz, funk, fusion, and players like Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, and the Tower of Power world. Paul explains how the UK acid jazz scene became a significant pull, and how an acid jazz band at music college eventually evolved into The Feeling. We also talk about what it’s like working with major artists outside the band, including how touring logistics can lead to local musicians being hired, and how surreal it can be to play iconic songs with legendary voices while still remembering they’re just musicians on stage doing the same job.A meaningful part of our conversation is about performance anxiety, stage fright, and the emotional extremes musicians ride before, during, and after gigs. We talk honestly about confidence, coping, and what it means to choose a healthier path, and we acknowledge that even global superstars can struggle with fear right before walking on stage. Paul and I also reflect on the approaching anniversary of The Feeling’s first album, how those songs were originally recorded as a weekend friends project without any expectation of success, and how playing them now carries twenty years of growth, finesse, and perspective while still honoring the original parts that make the songs work. We close with what Paul has been up to recently, including work with Anastacia, Paul Young, The Voice UK, and the broader creative world around the band, and why music remains a powerful source of joy, balance, and hope for people everywhere.Music from the Episode:Never Be Lonely (The Feeling)Everyday and All of the Night (The Feeling)Sun Won't Shine (The Feeling)I Want You Now (The Feeling)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].

In this episode, I sit down with percussionist Doug Perkins for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with a few personal connections and quickly opens up into a bigger discussion about music, teaching, and the kind of “improbable events” that can change a person’s life. Doug and I talk about our shared link through LSU and Brett Dietz, and Doug tells the story of how he learned bass guitar in the eighth grade to get into a jazz band, which led to rehearsals at home, a punk band with Brett called The Septic Kreptics, and a deep early education in groove, feel, and listening. We dig into the teachers who shaped Doug’s path, especially Jack DiIanni, and why fundamentals, sound, and real-life performing situations became such a foundation for everything that came next.Doug shares how his background in drum set and bass informs the way he plays and teaches, especially when it comes to music like Steve Reich, where micro-groove, ensemble feel, and knowing your role inside the bigger texture are everything. We also talk about how students learn now, how algorithm-driven listening can shrink context, and why so many young musicians feel pressure to avoid mistakes when everything can feel like a permanent record. Doug explains how he actively teaches context, lineage, and listening, and why basic production skills matter more than ever, including signal flow, microphones, sound reinforcement, and the simple confidence that comes from knowing how to set up a PA or wrap a cable correctly.From there, Doug takes us into his world at the University of Michigan, where he helps lead a large percussion studio with a faculty team that spans orchestral playing, contemporary music, improvisation, and drum set. We talk about the balance between performing and teaching, and how parenting an 18-year-old college student has changed the way he supports first-year undergrads. Doug also tells the story of his long relationship with composer John Luther Adams, including how a formative early experience with Strange and Sacred Noise eventually led to performances in the Alaskan tundra, floating stages in Central Park, and outdoor concerts where the audience hikes in and the environment becomes part of the piece. We wrap up with what’s ahead for Doug, including significant projects, collaborations, performances, and the ongoing joy of bringing students into real work that proves their “crazy ideas” can matter in the world.Music from the Episode:Nagoya Marimbas (Steve Reich, composer - Todd Meehan & Doug Perkins, marimbas)XY (Michael Gordon, composer - Doug Perkins, percussion)Strange and Sacred Noise (John Luther Adams, composer - Morris Palter, Rob Esler, Steven Schick, & Doug Perkins - percussion)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].

In this episode, I sit down with bassist Jeff Picker to talk about the winding road from jazz to roots music, and how his time with Ricky Skaggs became a real-world education in feel, note choice, and serving the song. Jeff shares how he went from New York to Nashville, how that Skaggs connection opened doors at the Opry, and why bluegrass bass is simple in concept but not easy in execution.We also dig into electric country bass and the influence of players like Joe Osborn, including what it means to think about voice leading, “flop” bass, and why subtle choices can be the difference between good and great. Jeff explains how he approaches being a hired gun, adapting to different bands, and why your individuality comes through without forcing it.Finally, Jeff walks me through his solo records, what pushed him to start writing, how the first project gained traction on SiriusXM, and what it was like working with Victor Krauss as a co-producer. We wrap by talking about sessions, life as a working musician in Nashville, the Opry staff band, and the reality of raising a puppy while keeping your calendar full.To learn more about Jeff, visit his website.Music from the Episode:The Winds of Spring (Jeff Picker)Ricky's Run (Jeff Picker)Night Terrors (Jeff Picker)The Unfinished Path (Jeff Picker)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I reconnect with conductor and educator Aaron Kula, who shaped my summers in the Chautauqua Youth Orchestra at the Chautauqua Institution in New York in 1994 and 1995. We talk about what it means to trust young musicians with major repertoire, including the time we took on Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, and what that experience taught me about preparation, accountability, and confidence. Aaron shares his philosophy for building ensemble culture: learning every student’s name, holding individuals responsible while serving the collective, and making the rehearsal process both rigorous and engaging. We dig into how his multi-genre musical life, from classical training to folk and ethnic traditions, and his deep connection to Jewish music, shaped the way he hears rhythm, style, and culture inside the orchestra. Aaron also explains how conducting changes when moving from the concert stage to ballet, how tempo becomes a real-time collaboration with dancers, and why a conductor has to know when to lead, when to release, and when to stay out of the players’ way. This conversation is equal parts music, mentorship, and reflection, and a reminder that the seeds teachers plant can continue to grow for decades. I’m grateful for the chance to say thank you, and for the lessons from those summers that still guide how I work with students and teams today.To learn more about Aaron, visit his website. Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].