The Bandwich Tapes

• Bo Bice: From American Idol to Serving American Heroes

  In this episode, I sit down with singer Bo Bice for a real conversation about life in music, overnight fame, and what it means to grow up and grow wiser without losing your love for the art. Bo walks me through his American Idol journey, from sleeping on the convention center floor at auditions to waking up one day and realizing he could not walk down the street without being recognized. We talk about the grit it takes to survive beyond the television spotlight, the reality of the music business, and all the unglamorous moments that shape you as a working musician.Bo shares stories from his early days playing around Alabama and Muscle Shoals, loading his own PA, sleeping in the back of his vehicle after gigs, and learning from the characters he met along the way. We get into the music that shaped him, from Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers to Prince, the Eagles, and John Prine. We also talk about how digital tools and artificial intelligence have changed the landscape, and why live music still feels like the heartbeat of it all.Later in the conversation, Bo opens up about faith, family, and purpose. He talks about putting God first, the peace he has found in his walk with Christ, and how learning to forgive himself has changed how he experiences his life and career. He also shares his passion for serving veterans through music and through new approaches to healing things like pain, anxiety, and PTSD, and he mentions a new project focused on herbal and cannabinoid therapy launching in 2026. We even touch on his recent appearance on the game show The Floor with Rob Lowe.I also share a bit of my own story, including my time on Star Search as a teenager and my first year of sobriety. We compare notes on growing up in the South, getting older, and trying to keep our side of the street clean while still chasing the things we love. This one is honest, warm, and full of the kind of perspective that only comes from a lot of miles and a lot of music.Music from the Episode:Keep On Rollin' (Bo Bice)Remember Me (Bo Bice)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].

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• David Garibaldi: The Art of Groove and Listening

  In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with one of my musical heroes, David Garibaldi. We talk about what he’s been up to since stepping away from Tower of Power, playing with Roger Smith’s group, staying active with new projects, and continuing to practice every day. David describes the drums as an endless landscape, and hearing him talk about still learning and exploring after all these years is truly inspiring.David reflects on how imagination and curiosity remain at the center of great playing, even in a world overflowing with online content. The core never changes: you still have to follow what lights you up, spend time alone working through the “suck zone,” and develop your own voice.One of the most meaningful parts of our conversation is David’s look back at his legendary partnership with Rocco Prestia. He talks about their immediate chemistry, their deep listening, and the intuitive way Rocco responded to the drum articulation and phrasing. His stories about Rocco’s unorthodox technique and unmistakable feel are as insightful as they are moving.We also dive into the culture of Tower of Power, the constant rehearsing, the tight arrangements, the expectation that everyone listens, contributes, and functions as a team. David explains how “Tower 101” shaped new members musically and personally, and why the band sounded the way it did.David shares memories of his time in the Air Force Band, how concert percussion study helped shape his ear, and how returning to the Bay Area after his enlistment led him directly into the musical world that would define his career. He also talks about his current work as a teacher and his upcoming “living book” project with Hudson Music, which he’ll continue adding to over time.This conversation was an absolute honor for me. David has influenced generations of drummers, myself included, and getting to hear his perspective firsthand was something I won’t forget. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.Music from the Episode:What is Hip? (Tower of Power)Squib Cakes (Tower of Power)Oakland Stroke (Tower of Power)Soul Vaccination (Tower of Power)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].

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• Chris DeChiara: Rock Roots, Classical Depth, and the Power of Listening

  In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with percussionist Chris DeChiara, whose musical journey spans from teenage rock bands to drum corps, classical training, and ultimately, more than two decades with the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, D.C. I first discovered Chris after hearing him on a Classical Breakdown episode, and I was blown away by his playing, his sound, and the way he talked about percussion. I reached out immediately, and I’m so glad he agreed to come on the show.Chris and I discuss how he found his way into classical music later than most, and how that discovery completely altered the direction of his life. We explore how drum corps shaped his sense of time and listening, as well as the pressure of performing high-level percussion parts night after night. He recounts the story of joining the Navy Band just before 9/11, and we discuss the weight and responsibility of performing military funerals and ceremonial duties at Arlington.We also delve into his book on Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, which originated from a graduate school paper and evolved into a comprehensive research project during the pandemic. Hearing how he approached the timpani part, the historical context, and the self-publishing process was fascinating. From there, we discuss what it truly takes to balance drum set and orchestral percussion, the challenge of leading time within a large ensemble, and the mindset shift required to blend, anticipate, and adapt depending on one’s position on stage.Chris and I share a love of the Beatles, so of course, we dive into why those songs are so deceptively complex. Chris also fills me in on what his life looks like now: performing with the Alexandria Symphony, gigging with his long-running band Dr. Fu, playing in tribute acts (including an Iron Maiden tribute), teaching at Catholic University, and tackling a Britney Spears musical mainly played on a sample pad.This is a rich and wide-ranging conversation filled with great stories, thoughtful musical insight, and an inside look at a fascinating career in percussion. I had a great time talking with Chris, and I think you’re going to enjoy this one.Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected] music: "Playcation" by Mark Mundy

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• Jake Banfield: From Basketball Dreams to Country #1s

  In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with Jake Banfield, a singer, songwriter, and performer with deep Oklahoma roots who turned a career-ending basketball injury and the stillness of quarantine into a brand-new life in music. Jake and I discuss his new album, Open Bars, how growing up in small towns influenced his writing voice, and why moving to Nashville after writing stints in LA sharpened both his craft and his confidence.We delve into co-writing versus writing for himself, channeling mental health into honest songs, and how his genre stew, encompassing country, pop, hip-hop, and classic rock, manifests across the record. We also get into the wild growth on social media, the rush of hearing crowds sing his songs back, and the surreal moment of hitting #1 on country radio in Australia, with tours abroad now on the calendar.To learn more about Jake, visit his website.Music from the Episode:Open Bars (Jake Banfield)Lasso (Jake Banfield)Still Feels the Same (Jake Banfield)Thought of You (Jake Banfield)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].

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• Alwyn Robinson: The Sound of “Marshall”

  In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with drummer, singer, and songwriter Alwyn Robinson, whose story travels from East Texas to Boulder, Colorado, and now to Brooklyn, New York.You may know Alwyn from his work with Leftover Salmon or his performances with Billy Strings, but now he’s stepping forward with a new solo album called Marshall, out Friday, November 14. The record is a beautiful reflection of what Americana means to him, rooted, soulful, and full of texture.We discuss the importance of process, navigating grief and self-care, learning to be still, and how these inner lessons have shaped his growth as both a musician and a person. We also get into the making of Marshall, his collaboration with Bridget Carney (Lake Street Dive) and Andrew Ibanez, and how he’s learning to find his own voice as a frontman.Music from the Episode:Carrying On (Alwyn Robinson)Nose on the Grindstone (Alwyn Robinson)Gentle on My Mind (Alwyn Robinson)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected] music: "Playcation" by Mark Mundy

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