Jonny’s Secret Stash

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 63 with Johnny Iguana from The Claudettes

Johnny Iguana began playing classic piano at a young age.  He gravitated to Punk Rock and then an uncle introduced him to the blues. He set an intention and suddenly found himself playing with Junior Wells and his band and then Otis Rush.  Johnny's piano playing has been described as Punk/Blues; regardless of the genre, it is completely authentic and original.  In 2013, he and drummer Michael Caskey released their first Claudettes Album, which was entirely instrumental.  A few years later they welcomed Zach Verdoorn on bass six and Berit Ulseth on vocals and that is the magical combination they are sticking with.  Check them out at the Acorn Theater on May 7!

Jonny’s Secret Stash -Ep 62 with Abe Partridge

Abe Partridge is a singer songwriter from Mobile, Alabama who has taken a different path to the music world.  He was a fundamentalist preacher in Kentucky for 9 years and was inspired by Son House to find a new way to express himself.  He began writing songs and painting pictures to release the negative feelings he had.  After returning from the Air Force in the middle east, he entered a singer songwriting contest where, despite it being his first time performing in front of people, he made it to the finals.  That led to a collaboration with a producer that resulted in his debut album in 2018 and a visual art career.  He has since toured Europe, released another album, and is putting the final touches on his third album.  Check him out at the Acorn Theater on Friday April 29, where he will also be displaying his visual art work.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 61 with Joe George

Joe George is a singer songwriter from Chicago, but that does not even begin to tell the story.  A graduate of the Berklee Colege of Music in Boston, he has played in punk bands, written scores for movies, toured all over the world, started the Red Room in Bucktown with his cousin, produces and writes with other musicians, and creates video content for Reverb's You tube channel.  He is coming to the Acorn Theater on April 30 to release his newest album!  Don't miss it!

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 60 with Mike Struwin

Mike Struwin is a local singer songwriter who has been playing and writing songs since he was 13.  He has been involved in bands such as Hammertoe and Steamboat, but is keeping it simple with his latest band called the Mike Struwin Band (which JSS interviewees Mike Nelson [Ep 8] and Matt Sypian [Ep 1]).  Check him and the band out at the Livery on April 29 and also at the Acorn Theater on July 20.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 59 with Rodney Mills, Scott Ovens, and Mike Balmes from the Resurrection Blues Band

The Resurrection Blues Band is a three piece band (can you say Power Trio) based out of Harbor Country.  Rodney Mills on Guitar and Vocals, Scott Ovens on drums, and Mike Balmes on bass.  Keeping the blues alive with their original tunes.  Don't miss their show at the Acorn Theater on April 2 where they are opening for The Erly.

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 58 with Beth Bradfish

Beth Bradfish is a sound artist, currently in the process of curating an installation at the Chicago Cultural Center.  She began playing piano at the age of 7 and became quite accomplished; she studied music theory and piano through high school and into college.  It was at that point that she pivoted and became a folk singer travelling around Europe during her sophomore year of college.  She then took more than 20 years off of music while she pursued other interests and a career.  Fast forward to 2013 when she went back to school for music theory, getting both a bachelor's degree and MFA in Music.  Her symphony composition career morphed into an interest in natural sounds and thus began her work as a sound Artist.  You'll just have to listen to get a real sense of her art.  :) 

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 57 with Josh Shilling from Mountain Heart

Josh Shilling is a songwriter, singer, and piano player.  He began playing piano at a young age at the level where he got to play gigs  before the age of ten.  In 2007, he joined Mountain Heart (which had been around since 1998) and immediately found success.  In his first few months, he played at the Grand Ole Opry and went on tour opening for Lynard Skynard.  In between runs with Mountain Heart, he spends his time writing songs, doing session work, and collaborating with other musicians.  Don't miss Mountain Heart's show at the Acorn Theater on April 10, 2022. 

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 56 with Ron Spears

Ron Spears has been playing guitar since he was 15.  He took a little break after he got married and built his French Wine import business.  In 2010, he got his old Martin repaired and began playing again with purpose.  He now teaches guitar and practices 2-3 hours a day.  He currently play jazz with as a duo and with a big band out of New Carlisle, IN.  Welcome back to Ron (he was on episode 22).

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 55 with Robert Rolfe Feddersen

Robert Rolfe Feddersen is the hardest working man in show business (to borrow a phrase).  Lead guitarist and singer of the 90s hard rock band Loudmouth, he transitioned to solo work with his singer percussionist wife Teri Ann and they have not looked back.  Together, they play 150 shows a year at breweries and wineries from Wisconsin to Michigan.  They make every show a party and Bob is getting ready to release his 10th album of original music.  He has written over a hundred songs, each one from the heart.  

Jonny’s Secret Stash - Ep 54 with Tony D’Annunzio, the director of the Movie ”Louder Than Love: The Grande Ballroom Story”

Tony D'Annunzio is the director and producer of the documentary movie, "Louder Than Love: The Grande Ballroom Story", which is being shown at the Acorn Theater on February 11, 2022.  Open from 1966 to 1972, the Grande Ballroom was modeled after the Filmore West in San Francisco and featured musicians from MC5 and The Stooges to The Who and BB King.