On Tour with Brian Ray

We cover a lot of topics in this last Aftershow of Season One — we revisit the premise for the show, the role of the Sideman vs Frontman, the massive success that Spike and others have had as Sidemen — and why Brian chose the path he did. We talk about why its okay to “fake it till you make it” in the music business and what you do when a vital instrument like the keyboard goes out during a show. We also chat about the FORCE that was Freddy Mercury and the longevity of his music, now being sung famously by Adam Lambert. Finally, we hit the downside of fame when it comes to papparazzi and press, what really happens in that lag between sound check and show time… And we give you a behind the scenes peak into the making of this show with a clip from the cutting room floor from Spike’s interview.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we meet up Spike Edney, keyboardist for the band Queen for 37 years. We touch his early days with the BoomTown Rats and Duran Duran and we hit everything you want to know about Queen: Spike’s crazy audition, “or lack thereof”… the heyday with Freddy Mercury and what the band really did at After Parties, which will definitely surprise you. We get a peak into the private life of Freddy and the evolution of Queen since his passing with Paul Rogers and now Adam Lambert. We wrap Spike’s best “NO” story — not from an audition, but from Fidel Castro and the most hysterical On Tour travel story ever; you’ll get to hear how: a war, chickens, black market gas and sleeping in barns somehow fit together. To learn more about Spike, Queen and SAS Band, go to: https://www.queenonline.com and http://www.sasband.comFor behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In previous Aftershows we dabbled in how sex, drugs and rock n roll all go hand and hand but in this episode we tackle it head on… From Matt’s coke running days, to the fairly hedonistic parties, to people going missing on tours, to the stories of those who survived addiction and to those who sadly did not, like Velvet Revolver and Stone Temple Pilots front man, Scott Weiland …. in contrast we cover a lot of hysterical moments in Matt’s interview, including the remarkable partying ability and work ethic of Slash and Keith Richards and examine if there is any red underwear left in the world after Matt Sorum fulfilled his show day superstition. To learn more about Matt, his new music, his charities and to order his book, follow him social media: @MattSorum on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter To preorder his book go to: https://rarebirdlit.com/double-talkin-jive-hardcover-limited-edition-vinyl-signed-by-matt-sorum/For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World famous drummer, Matt Sorum, defines “Rock n Roll Excess” and he has the wild stories to prove it. Matt takes us behind the scenes into what it was like touring with Guns N’ Roses during their heyday. We get into the surreal back to back world tours during their massive success of double album "Use Your Illusion", along with the parties, the exhaustion and the aftermath. Though seemingly enough for one lifetime, Matt shares how the wild ride continued with GRAMMY winning band Velvet Revolver. We get a candid look the highs and lows through his years in the music industry, Matt’s early days making ends meet smuggling cocaine across the border and how his audition with The Cult came just in time.To learn more about Matt, his new music, his charities and to order his book, “Double Talkin’ Jive”, go to his social media: @MattSorum on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterTo pre order his book, "Double Talkin’ Jive” go to: https://rarebirdlit.com/double-talkin-jive-hardcover-limited-edition-vinyl-signed-by-matt-sorum/For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we hear Brian’s thoughts on PRINCE getting booed off stage in Anaheim Stadium while opening for The Rolling Stones, a concert Brian was also opening for with Etta James. We talk about his untimely death and how his insane work ethic may have contributed and Mandi shares two personal stories about the great impact Prince’s talent and music have on audiences and artists alike. We end with Brian's thoughts on Leroy’s stories about Rammstein and Lady Gaga and his final moments with Etta James before she passed. To learn more about Leroy and to check out all the amazing shows he’s designed for the biggest names in music, go to his website: http://www.leroybennett.comFor behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's impossible to do a show about the biggest tours in the world without talking to the people who design them, who bring the entire experience to life. Leroy Bennet is the production and lighting designer for most of the biggest names in music. Spending 15yrs with PRINCE, he also become a close friend. Nothing is off limits in this interview — Roy gets candid about the early days and the bootcamp production atmosphere, the backstory behind designing some of the most edgy live performances, the Purple Rain phenomenon, Prince’s untimely but eerily predicted death and downtime at Paisley Park with the “off stage” Prince. We wrap with some amazing stories about the Rammstein and how they pull off the massive pyro shows, we get a peak into the world of Lady Gaga and talk about some of Roy’s most cringeworthy production moments and how to get through them. To learn more about Leroy and to check out all the amazing shows he’s designed for the biggest names in music, go to his website: http://www.leroybennett.comFor behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we get into why Eva’s famous father and British Rocker, Kim Gardner may not have wanted to see her follow in his footsteps, Brian’s advice for kids passionate about the music industry on taking the opportunity vs finishing school and how important it is to read music. We get into how musicians have an uncanny ability to compartmentalize on stage when dealing with something traumatic off stage and Etta James life advice to get anyone through that situation. The importance of bonding with your band off stage and dive a little deeper into just how was possible for Eva to get her head stuck in bass drum…. To learn more about Eva and to check out her new music, go to her website: evagardner.comFor behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Though she is the daughter of British Rock Royalty bassist Kim Gardner, Eva Gardner was never encouraged to pursue a career in music. She paved her own way and has played along side some of the most badass women in music: Cher, Gwen Stafani and has currently been with PINK for over a decade. Eva shares why she turned down the opportunity to play with the legendary band, The Wallflowers and how being told “no” was the best thing that ever happened to her. Eva opens up about the devastation she was experiencing when she finally got the opportunity to fulfill her dream and in contrast, shares her most embarrassing moment on stage which might be the most hysterical tour story of all time. To learn more about Eva and to check out her new music, go to her website: evagardner.comFor behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Producer Mandi Wimmer gets Brian’s take on Davey Johnstone's legacy to Rock n' Roll with the perfect union of Elton’s remarkable singing and piano playing and Dave’s masterful guitar riffs that lead to so many hits. They chat about how its possible for Elton to go from very shy to larger than life on stage and the importance “trust” plays in longevity of bands. Not to be missed, they cover two hysterical stories about the times Brian met Her Majesty The Queen, once standing next to Elton John cracking jokes and the other next to Ozzy Osborn. They wrap up with the great bonding moment Brian had with Etta James, what do when things go horribly wrong on stage and how to adjust to “normal” life after a long tour. For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With one of the longest running “sideman” gigs in the industry, Davey Johnston shares his first meeting with a young, shy Elton John, how early trust propelled them into playing together for 50 years and what it was like watching the rise of a super star throughout that time. Davey takes us through it all, his early days playing the pubs in Scotland to his surreal and terrifying transition playing in Los Angles with his idols, as well as unbelievable backstage, on stage and after party stories with John Lennon. To learn more about Davey, check out his social media: @DaveyJohnstone on Facebook and Instagram For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode you’ll find out what the band Toto, the hit song “Rosanna,” and a hot tub all have in common, what bands really go through to come up with the perfect name, the story behind Brian’s so called “little” audition at the Super Bowl for living legend, Paul McCartney’s, band and the breaking points that lead both he and Steve Lukather to sobriety. For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian sits down with long time friend, Steve Lukather, founding member of Toto and 5 time Grammy Award winner as they rehash their early days playing together and the paths their lives have taken since. They cover it all — how the name “Toto” came to be, Steve’s session work on some huge hits many may not know he was involved in as well as his touching moments with Paul and Linda McCartney and George Harrison. Steve opens up about his sobriety and how it saved his career, he shares his take on the Weezer “Africa” cover, his genuine friendship with Ringo Starr and the full story behind that time he accidentally snubbed the King of Pop. To check out Steve’s new music go to: https://www.stevelukather.comOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.comFor behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to interact with us, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we chat about some crazy Dr. John moments from both Brian and Chuck Leavell, and the story behind the good luck charm Brian wears during every show. We get into The Allman Brothers and the tragic passing of Duane Allman and in contrast, we hear the full, and hysterical, version of the time Brian did not get the gig with Tina Turner, as well as one of Brian’s most embarrassing moments playing under the Eiffel Tower.  We also touch on Chuck’s side job as a tree farmer that just earned him a national award and documentary film that features interviews with over 80 musicians with a combined 58 Grammy Awards.  Check out Chuck's website: https://chuckleavell.com for his new music and the film: Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man at: https://www.chuckleavellthetreeman.com For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter On Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just as he was contemplating if music was the right path, Chuck reveals how his 30 year gig with The Rolling Stones came in the nick of time, as well as the most embarrassing moment of his career while on tour with Eric Clapton. Chuck takes us back to how he got his start with The Allman Brothers, how Dr. John’s voodoo magic may have brought him years of good luck and ends with a hysterical conversation in the gym with Paul McCartney. We also touch on Chuck’s side job as a tree farmer that just earned him a national award and documentary film that features interviews with over 80 musicians with a combined 58 Grammy Awards. Check out Chuck's website: https://chuckleavell.com for his new music and the film: Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man at: https://www.chuckleavellthetreeman.comOn Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.comFor behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to interact with us, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On "The Aftershow", producer Mandi Wimmer, dives deeper into Brian Ray’s interview with Orianthi to get his take on Orianthi’s experiences with Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper and being bullied for her dream to be a musician. Brian shares how the Miami Dolphins are responsible for how he and Orianthi first met and how this podcast, "On Tour with Brian Ray", came to be.  Check out Orianthi’s music at: https://iamorianthi.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Ray sits down with Orianthi Panagaris as they go deep into her final days rehearsing with Michael Jackson just before he passed, her time backstage and on stage at the Grammys with Carrie Underwood, her crazy encounters with possessed elevators, swords, and boa constrictors while touring with Alice Cooper and that time a rabbit almost stood in the way of her record deal with Jimmy Iovine at Interscope Records. Though Orianthi has a booming solo career and has played on stage with the greatest musicians of all time, her story wasn't always so glamorous, we learn how she grew up being bullied in Australia for her dream to be a musician, but her perseverance paid off when she found herself spontaneously on stage with Carlos Santana as a teenager. Check out Orianthi’s music at: https://iamorianthi.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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