Jonny’s Secret Stash

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 86 with Naomi Ashley and Ralph Baumel from The Real Pretenders and the Naomi Ashley Band

Naomi Ashley got her start in music after moving to Chicago and working in Comedy Improv.  Initially, her songs were part of the joke and then she got serious in her writing.  She gave up improv and began playing folk/country music in the early 2000s and since then has issued at least two albums and is getting ready to go into the studio to make another.  In 2018, Ralph Baumel saw her perform a Pretenders song on stage and something clicked.  They formed the Real Pretenders and have been delighting audiences since.  Check them out at the Acorn Theater on May 28 performing the entire Pretenders "Learning To Crawl" album and Lucinda Williams 1996 album, "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road." 

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 85 with Jim Peterik from The Ides of March

Jim Peterik is a true legend.  He formed the Ides of March in 1964 at the age of 14 while attending high school in the western suburbs of Chicago.  They had their first big hit when he turned 16 and then in 1970, their song "Vehicle" hit number 2 on the Billboard chart.  This lead to him opening for some of the huge bands of the time, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers, and Led Zeppelin.  In 1973, The Ides of March took a hiatus and he formed the band Survivor.  In 1990, he returned to his roots with the Ides of March and they have been playing ever since.  In almost 60 years of being a professional, he has written approximately 5,000 songs (many cowritten for others) and has collected 100s of vintage guitars.  A very interesting guy for sure; check out the show! 

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 84 with Brian McClure

Brian McClure is the Irish music expert around Harbor Country.  He learned to play the violin as a kid and played in the school orchestra, but it wasn't until a local bar asked him to play Irish songs that he dug back into his past, taught himself irish songs, and began playing.  Since he moved to the area approximately 3 years ago, he has made music his full time gig.  Look for him on most weekends playing at the bars, breweries, and wineries around harbor country.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 83 with Kofi Baker

Kofi Baker is on a mission.  Some musicians are happy to play other's music as a tribute to the original musician.  Kofi has worked most of his life to hone his drumming skills to honor the legacy of his father, Ginger Baker.  From the early age of 3 when his father first began teaching him to drum to the present where he has brought together outstanding musicians to carry on the legacy of his father's music, Kofi worked hard to learn everything his father could teach him and is taking it to the next level.  It wasn't an easy path, but he has come through it with grace and honor.  Looking forward to seeing him play at the Acorn Theater on February 3.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 82 with Ron Spears and Dino Jackson

What a pleasure to have my old friend Ron Spears on the show with the awesome and talented Dino Jackson.  Ron and Dino recently formed a duo (as yet unnamed) to play blues standards.  We were fortunate enough to hear them play "Freight Train" and "How Long Blues."  Don't miss their appearance at the Acorn Open Mic on January 13.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 81 with Brian Barber

Very happy to have my old friend Brian Barber back on the show.  Got to hear his newest song, "Hollow", which he is planning to release in February with an EP of other songs.  Look for it on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, or wherever else you get your music.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 80 with Wayne Gillon from Skirt

Matthew "Wayne" Gillon is the multi instrumentalist drummer from the band Skirt with musical influences ranging from Hip Hop to Reggae.  He played for years with local band, Midwest Hype, and then moved to San Diego, CA where he honed his guitar skills only to decide that what he really wanted to do was be a drummer.  After connecting with Nate and Kyla Webb at an open mic in Michigan City, they decided to form the band Skirt.  Check them out at the Acorn Theater on New Years when they open for the Edgar Wilbury Experience. 

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 79 with Kyla Webb from Skirt

Kyla Webb began her career as an actress where she was perpetually typecast in school plays as the "little sister" or "neighbor".  She began to shine when she started doing variety shows where she could show off her witty writing and stage banter.  She really hit her stride, however, when she formed her band Skirt with members of Midwest Hype and other friends who she met at the open mic at the Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City, IN.  Her next step is to begin recording an album and taking her band to the next level.  Don't miss her at the Acorn on New Years where she will be opening for the Edgar Wilbury Experience.  She can also be seen most Tuesday nights at the open mic at the Shoreline.

Jonnys Secret Stash - Ep 78 with Abbie Thomas

Abbie Thomas has been playing music since she was a little kid, but it took the birth of her own child for her to realize that the corporate life was not for her and she should be playing music all the time.  She has since released an album, an EP, and just released a single of White Christmas (just in time).  Look out for her collaboration this spring with the Elkhart, Indiana symphony orchestra.

Jonny’s Secret Stash Ep 77 with Buddy Pearson from Freak Johnson and BP3

Buddy Pearson is a working jazz bass player from South Bend, Indiana.  From funky to traditional, he gets opportunities to do it all.  He has been playing as Freak Johnson and the Buddy Pearson 3.  Check him out with Freak Johnson at Leroy's Hot stuff in December 16.