Jonny’s Secret Stash

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 73 with Cam Mammina From Slim Gypsy Baggage and Bonehawk

Cam Mammina has been playing guitar since he was about 8 years old and recording music since his teens.  He is one of the founders of Slim Gypsy Baggage and a recent addition to Michigan based Bonehawk.  When he is not selling real estate or playing music, he can be found taking care of business at his awesome new bar/food/music concept called Sideyard in Sawyer, MI.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 72 with Tim Vanderlin from Chester Brown and Stealin the Farm

Tim Vanderlin is a long term guitar player.  Of the three bands he's played in during his life, he continues to play with two.  Chester Brown was formed in the early 2000s when Tim was just learning the guitar.  20 years later, he joined Chester Brown guitarist Mike Knealand at his side project, Stealin the Farm.  Now, Tim gets to play extended jams and create on the fly all the time.

When Tim is not actually performing, he is busy organizing Chester Brown's annual festival, Brown Town. On its 12th year, Brown Town features all the best local jam bands in a tranquil setting along the Tippecanoe River in Northwest Indiana.  Listen in to Tim's stories of getting started as a musician, his guitar set up, and what it takes to put on a festival every year.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 71 with Scott Hildebrand

When Scott Hildebrand was visiting a friend in Berlin a few years ago, he got the itch to perform on a street corner (commonly referred to as "Busking").  He got the audience to sing along and throughout the song he heard a beautiful voice coming from the back.  It was Lila.  He invited her up to sing with him and the rest is history.  Since then, the couple have travelled the world playing and recording their music; Scott won the Acorn Theater Singer songwriting competition in 2021 (they wouldn't let Lila into the country because of Covid restrictions); he began writing a book about busking; and Scott & Lila are back at the Acorn on Friday August 29 to play their beautiful music together.  Check them out!

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 70 with Jillian Speece and Nathanial Hoff of The Bergamot

Jillian Speece and Nathanial Hoff are living their best lives.  They tour around the country playing their heartfelt music with their band, "The Bergamot" and have the secondary effect of bringing people together.  6.5 years ago, they began filming a documentary called "State of the Unity".  They finished the movie earlier this year and began their tour of the movie at various film festivals.  It turns out that just getting accepted to present your film at a film festival is a huge achievement; they keep winning prizes.  Check out our conversation and don't miss your opportunity to see their movie.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep. 69 with John Ragusa from Mulebone

John Ragusa is a multi-instrumentalist who plays various wind instruments (flute, mini trumpet, mouth harp) with singer, songwriter and guitarist, Hugh Pool.  Together, they are the blue duo known as Mulebone.  Check them out on July 9 at the Livery in Benton Harbor.

Jonny’s Secret Stash- Ep 68 with Adam Conley, Dan Moore, and Marcus Safirt

Dan Moore from the Dan Moore Band started out as a drummer (and even travelled with a drum corps group after high school); Marcus Safirt from Stealin the Farm also joined Adam Conley and I.  The Three of them had the chance to back up Jim Belushi a few weeks ago when Jim came to town to play some blues to some investors in a venture Jim is starting in Harbor Country.  I was lucky enough to get to sit down with them to talk about their experience, their music, and the local music scene.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 67 with Adam Conley and Howie Wiesjahn

Great to have Adam back on the show.  Howie is a drummer who has played with Tree and the Beer Hippies.  Most recently, both of them provided back up to Jim Belushi for a blues set at a private gig in Buchanan.  

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 66 with Brian Barber

Brian Barber is a musician and sound engineer.  He's a little unusual in that he avoids live performances, but his music is no less creative.  He has incorporated his love of sound engineering into his love of music composition and is creating music using advanced mixing tools.  Check out the show and look out for his new creations coming your way.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 65 with Rob Lemon and Randy Rogers

Rob Lemon has been playing the drums for more than 40 years.  This is Randy's 5th time on the show.  They are back with Bone Naked and this is their debut.  Glad to get a chance to talk with them and looking forward to their upcoming shows.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 64 with Kait Rose

Kait Rose is a singer/songwriter from Kalamazoo, Michigan.  She has been singing, playing guitar, and recording music since high school.  She is releasing her next album, "Balance", in August at an album release party at Bell's Brewery, but before that she is coming to the Acorn Theater and The Livery during the second week of July.  Check out her music on Band Camp and don't miss her Harbor Country shows.