John Vento

Curtis and the Shakerz PARS588

Curtis and the Shakerz to bring the blues to episode #588. Interview Segment 1 with Curtis and the Shakerz Where did the Shakerz part of the band name come from? How did the band come together and how long have you been together? How do you record? track? one takes? What is your favorite venue to play at? You come across a DeLorean and can go back in time to follow 1 band around for a year… Your music idol sits down on a bench beside you, what one question do you ask? Interview Segment 2 What would you sell your soul to the devil for? What is the odd thing that you include into your rider? If you could play with any musician, anywhere; who and where? What is coming up next for Curtis and the Shakerz? Where can the listeners find you?

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Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival PARS577

John Vento joins Bill on episode #577 of the Pennsylvania Rock Blues Show to talk about the Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival and more. Featuring music from: The Bail Jumpers, John Vento, Miss Freddye, ZMW, Nied’s Hotel Band Interview Session 1 – Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival and Corbriwoodstock John, before we get too deeply into the Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival, can you tell us a little bit about both Band Together Pittsburgh‘s and the Autism Society of Pittsburgh’s missions and programs? How did this annual event start? The event takes place on Saturday July 31st and Sunday August 1st at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center. What musicians will be taking part in the fundraising event? How can our listeners purchase tickets? What if they cannot attend, but would like to make a donation? Let’s talk about another benefit show that you host, Corbriwoodstock. Can you tell us a little bit about the benefactor, Allegheny Clean Ways. How did Corbriwoodstock get its start? This event takes place on Saturday September 4th and Sunday September 5th at one of the coolest venues I’ve ever been to, your backyard. How did you end up with a full concert stage at your house? What bands will be participating this year? How can our listeners purchase tickets to Corbriwoodstock? Interview Session 2 – John Vento’s Endeavors There’s a lot to get out of the way before we discuss John the musician, so let’s move on to your “All Volunteer” listening room, Steamworks Creative. How would an artist schedule a show there or take part in one of the open stages? I’m sure I’m barely touching upon all the things that you’re involved in in the music scene, but let’s talk about John Vento the solo artist and frontman for the Nied’s Hotel Band and the Bmen. How often do you get to play out with your busy schedule? The B-men in particular specifically for charity events, how did that come about and how can a charity get them involved? I have to fit one normal PA Rock show question in: Who is your Dave Grohl? (what famous artist would you like to get up on stage with and perform one of their songs?) What does the future hold for John Vento and all his ventures in the music scene? 2021 Scheduled LINEUP Saturday 7/31 Pavilion Stage 1:30 – 2:15  Band Together PGH Performers 3:00 – 4:00  Soulful Femme 5:00 – 6:00  Jim Donovan & The Sun King Warriors 7:00 – 8:15  Billy Price Band 9:00 – 10:15  Joanna Connor Roots Stage 2:15 – 3:00  Kip London 4:15 – 5:00  Cherylann Hawk 6:15 – 7:00 Chet Vincent Sunday 8/1 Pavilion Stage 1:30 – 2:30  Bill Toms & Hard Rain 3:30 – 4:30  Blue Spectrum Band 6:00 – 7:15  Vanessa Collier Band w/ special guest – Laura Chavez 7:45 – 9:15  Anthony Gomes Roots Stage 2:30 – 3:30  Band Together PGH Performers 4:45 – 6:00  Clinton Clegg’s “Mon Hound”   I cannot attend but would like to donate send a check to: Band Together Pittsburgh 364 Freeport Rd. Pittsburgh, Pa 15238 Attn: John Vento

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Brad Abbott PARS576

Brad Abbott joins Bill for his third go-round with an interview on Build the Scene. You’d think there wouldn’t be anything to talk about, and you are wrong, very wrong. Featuring music from A Common Crown, Anxiety at Best, Brad Abbott, Brian Genovesi, Winter’s Descent, Homicide Black, Curtis and the Shakerz Interview Segment 1 with Brad Abbott You recently played at the AK Valley Park, LLC, in what I believe was their first show. That’s just a few miles from me, how would you describe the experience? What is AIR Promotions and how can people get involved? You’ve been running an open mic at Bella Terra Vineyards, when do those happen and how can musicians sign up? You’re a bit of a content creator yourself, tell the about your 3 series, Late Night Sessions, Song Stories, & Gear Stories. I saw that 2 of your songs are moving up the charts at WRGG, one of them being the song Long Nights, please give me your best Song Stories segment and tell me about the song. Interview Segment 2 If money was no object, what band would you invite to play a BBQ at your house? If you were standing at a cross roads waiting for the devil, what would you be trying to trade your soul for? Who is your Dave Grohl? If years from now, they make a documentary about Brad Abbott, who should play you? There is a secrets section on your website, what are you hiding?

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Modern Fossils PARS532

On episode 532 of the Pennsylvania Rock Show, Modern Fossils make their debut to talk about the band and their album “Incredible Edibles”. Segment 1 with Modern Fossils Where did your band name, Modern Fossils, come from? If there was a catastrophic event that erased almost all the humans off the earth, which Modern Fossils song should survive and help with the repopulation of the Earth? Tell me about an embarrassing moment that someone else in the band had on stage? If you were headlining a worldwide tour, what bands from the Pittsburgh Scene would you take with you to open? If you could open for any band in the history of music, what band would you want to open for and why? If you could sit down on a bench for 1 hour and speak to a musician, but only ask them one question, who would you talk to and what would you ask? If I was flipping through a social studies book, why would I find Modern Fossils in it? Who would be your “Dave Grohl”? If you were on tour and I was following you around, what would the soundtrack to our trip be? Segment 2 with Larry, Billy, Danielle, & Brendon Do you have any shows coming up? If someone was trying to book you, how would they do that? Besides not having shows, how else has the pandemic affected your band? What is something your fans would be surprised to learn about you? If I were to play one of your songs backwards, what would we hear? What is something that you absolutely love about the music scene and something you hate about it? If you band was secretly a group of superheroes, what superpower would each of you have? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOmM2OjfKNk

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Adam Fitz PARS488

Adam Fitz was raised on the music of seminal songwriters that resonated through his blue-collared, childhood home on Chicago’s South Side. The likes of Tom Waits, Van Morrison and John Prine shaped his taste and inspired Fitz to write honest songs and find his soulful and emotional voice. As a performer, Fitz and his band frequented historic Chicago clubs starting in 2005 when he released his debut album. Segment 1 Adam starts out by talking about his stage name. What brought Adam to the Greensburg/Pittsburgh area? How would you compare the 2 music scenes? Adam talks about being intentional, towards moving through the scene. For a Song – Adam’s unsigned video series is discussed for a bit. We learn about the song, After Party. Segment 2 Where can the listeners find your music? If I were to find you in my social studies book, what would that lesson be about? If there was an apocalyptic event, which one of your songs would you want to survive for the remaining humans to listen to, and why? If you could sit on a bench for a hour and talk to any musician for an hour, who would you choose? What would you want to learn from them? If you could go back in time and follow any musician around to learn from, who would you follow, when, & why? If you could erase an album from your memory and hear it for the first time, which album would it be? why? If I tagged along on a tour with you, what would the soundtrack of our trip be? If you had to name 2 or 3 bands from the 90s on a worst of list, who would you choose? If you could open for any internationally touring band who would you open for and where?

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LIVEBURGHSTUDIO PARS461

Bill chats with Chris Leya of LIVEBURGHSTUDIO LIVEBURGHSTUDIO is a venue, tour house, studio, you name it. This is Episode 461! Liveburghstudio Segment 1 What is LIVEBURGHSTUDIO and how did it come about? How do bands contact you? Is there a backlog to play at the studio? Are there any fees? We had a conversation about John Vento and his endeavors, including Corbriwoodstock. We talked about how Bad Custer and Smokey Bellows recorded at the studio. We talk about venues for a bit, too. Segment 1 Where is LIVEBURGH located? What is the capacity of the house? Conch shells?

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Rock Charities

One thing that I have always admired about our local music scene is the bands’ willingness to give back to the community through benefit concerts. In this episode, I am joined by special co-host A Pro Radio‘s John “The American Hilljack” Lane. John is not only a staunch supporter of the Akron and Western PA Local Scene’s but he is the front man of Akron’s The Hellfire Club. John has played in a ton of charity shows, so we’ll be using his experience as the background for our show. Tune into this episode to learn more about these shows and why musicians are so willing to help out. John Vento, Chris Dittman, and Ozz all joined us in this episode to talk about their respective shows and charities. Rock for Life 17 Back in April we did a show on the history of the Rock for Life Concert Series, be sure to check it out as well. Donations can be made at the Leechburg Moose 102 located at 102 Market St. Leechburg, PA 15656. Mary Ann Vento Memorial Concert aUGUST 21, 2016. John Vento from the Nied’s Hotel Band joined us to discuss the Mary Ann Vento Memorial Concert that benefits the Lupus Foundation that will be held on August 21st at the Baja Bar and Grill in Fox Chapel, PA. Suggested Donation: $10. If you aren’t able to make the show but want to make a donation, please visit the Nied’s Hotel Band website today. Party for the Preemies August 27, 2016 Chris Dittman of the bands Flashback & Rokbot joined us to chat about the Party for the Preemies on August 21st at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille featuring Wexford School of Rock House Band, ZuZu Petals, Slant 6, Flashback, Bon Journey, and Torn & Frayed. The show has a 7pm start time with an $8 cover. It benefits Zoe’s New Beginnings. A Concert for Anna September 2-4th Ozzy chatted with us about A Concert for Anna’s lineup and history. He also gave us some incite into Brittany Zilka’s current situation and how much this concert will help her in her fight with Uterine Carcinosarcoma. The Charities Rock for Life Concert Series Lupus Foundation Zoe’s New Beginnings A Concert for Anna Rock for Life It is the mission of Rock for Life to provide financial support to needy individuals residing in Western PA who are suffering from life threatening diseases. Rock for Life sponsors music festivals and other music-related and general fundraising events to raise the monies necessary to support its purpose. Recipient(s) of support will be determined annually, utilizing selection criteria guidelines as adopted by the Directors. Financial support may be provided to a needy individual or a non-profit organization that supports the mission of Rock for Life. Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania The Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania has a history of service since 1975 and has provided funding for local and national lupus research. The Foundation also provides comprehensive patient services, including support groups and education and awareness activities. For up-to-date information about lupus or to learn how you can help, visit www.lupuspa.org. Zoe’s New Beginnings Zoe’s New Beginnings is a pittsburgh area based non profit organization dedicated to helping parents of premature babies during their first few days at home. We supply the parents with a basket of essential needs. This was created after our daughter, Zoe Joan, was born 8 weeks premature in 2007. We learned along the way the struggles of raising a premature child, and are now making it our mission to help equip future parents for what lies ahead. Zoe is now a healthy 3-year old beautiful, very intelligent little girl, but still deals with problems due to prematurity. If you need someone to help you through this, you are not alone! We want to help YOU in any way we can A Concert for Anna In April 2008, Anna Lee Piroch was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The original Concert For Anna was put together by the local music community, of which Anna was an avid fan, as a way to help her pay her bills while she was unable to work as she battled the disease. Anna knew of the show to be held for her over Labor Day weekend 2008, and looked forward to attending. Sadly, in August 2008, Anna succumbed to the disease… But the music community would not let her spirit die. They came together in an incredibly moving act of kindness and held the show in her honor. When all was said and done, 17 bands had graced the stage that weekend, as well as numerous local businesses donating prizes, etc., and paid for Anna’s funeral expenses. That spirit of generosity and kindness in our local music community lives on in honor of our lost sister Anna, as a continual way to help others in our area in her name. Please help us every Labor Day weekend as we make a difference in someone’s life and ease the struggle that unfortunate circumstances can bring.

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