Big Conversations, Little Bar

Recorded at Skip Paige’s Little Bar, this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence welcomes musician, actor, and award-winning composer Tommy Fields for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, career pivots, and life in the desert. Tommy shares how growing up in small-town Indiana led to guitars, garage bands, and a leap to Los Angeles with little more than a one-way ti cket and a dream. He reflects on early hustle—music school, odd jobs, and club gigs—before finding his lane writing for TV, film, and commercials, including a fast-paced world of two-to-five-week scoring deadlines. The hosts dig into his inspirations, from Back to the Future-era orchestral storytelling to the quirky magic of Danny Elfman, and Tommy breaks down his writing process between piano and studio. He also tells the unreal story of nearly becoming the lead singer of Velvet Revolver, and why life ultimately steered him toward composing.Takeaways:A small-town upbringing can still lead to big creative careers with persistence.Moving to L.A. required hustle: school, odd jobs, and immediate band work.Film/TV scoring often runs on intense deadlines—sometimes just two weeks.Tommy’s process starts with script themes, then moves between piano and studio.Classic composers shaped his approach: strong themes and scene-by-scene storytelling.Rock-band experience can translate into scoring, as many composers began in bands.He nearly fronted Velvet Revolver, but the band chose a different direction.Desert living helps balance high-pressure work with a calmer day-to-day rhythm.#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #TommyFields #Musician #Actor #FilmComposer #TVScoring #MovieScores #VelvetRevolver #DannyElfman #JohnWilliams #IndianaToLA #DesertLife #CreativeProcess #NikkiBoyer

Recorded live from the cozy corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert, this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence explores the many chapters of an artist’s life—from musical theater beginnings to iconic television moments and beyond. Actress Sharon Lawrence joins the conversation to revisit career milestones, including her memorable work on NYPD Blue and a fan-favorite turn as Amelia Earhart on Star Trek: Voyager. She shares how a family steeped in storytelling shaped her voice, timing, and love of performance, and why ensemble work can feel like a “mind meld.” The discussion widens into how Hollywood has changed—from 20-plus-episode seasons to today’s streaming landscape, industry contractions, and new vertical storytelling formats. Lawrence also highlights her advocacy through SAG-AFTRA Foundation programs, including emergency assistance and literacy outreach. Warm, funny, and thoughtful, it’s an energizing start to the new season—complete with bar banter, theater shout-outs, and plenty of heart.Takeaways:A live, laughter-filled kickoff to a new season from the Palm Desert corner booth.Sharon Lawrence reflects on NYPD Blue, including Sylvia’s arc and lasting impact.A deep dive into her Star Trek: Voyager role as Amelia Earhart—and fan culture.Early career roots in musical theater and how stage experience builds confidence.Growing up in a broadcasting, storytelling family shaped her voice and timing.Why acting “competition” is about fit and subjectivity—not winning or losing.TV’s evolution: fewer episodes, more platforms, mergers, and shifting audiences.Behind-the-scenes union work: SAG-AFTRA Foundation support, grants, and literacy.#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #SharonLawrence #ActressInterview #PalmDesert #PodcastEpisode #NYPDBlue #StarTrekVoyager #AmeliaEarhart #Broadway #HallmarkMovies #SAGAFTRAFoundation #StorylineOnline #McCallumTheater #EntertainmentIndustry

Last May, Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence, featured one of our most popular episodes ever. Patrick and Randy dove deep into the poignant yet humorous journey of Molly, a woman who faced terminal cancer with remarkable strength and a quest for self-discovery. Nikki Boyer, the creator of the podcast and television series "Dying for Sex," shared intimate stories and insights from her friendship with Molly and how their podcast evolved into a powerful TV series. They discuss the complexities of love, sexuality, and the importance of living life fully, even when faced with difficult circumstances. Through laughter and tears, the episode highlights the beauty of friendship and the courage to embrace one’s desires. As we prepare for the holidays, if you missed it, check out this enlightening conversation that challenges societal norms around sex, health, and life’s fleeting moments. This episode is presented in part by the McCallum Theatre and Skip Paige's Little Bar.Takeaways:• Molly's journey of self-discovery after a terminal cancerdiagnosis.• The importance of advocating for one’s health and gettingsecond opinions.• How humor and friendship can transform the experience offacing death.• Nikki's emotional connection with Molly and her influence onher life.• The evolution of the "Dying for Sex" podcast into atelevision series.• Challenging societal taboos around female sexuality anddesire.• The healing power of self-acceptance and love in the face ofadversity.• The significance of sharing stories to foster connection andunderstanding.#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #McCallumTheatre #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #DyingForSex #NikkiBoyer #EmotionalJourney #Friendship #CancerAwareness #Sexuality #SelfDiscovery #Podcast #TelevisionSeries #LifeAndDeath #Empowerment #Storytelling #MentalHealthOriginally Released: May 26, 2025

This week at Skip Paige’s Little Bar, Patrick Evans & Randy Florence welcome acclaimed entertainer Lucie Arnaz for a deeply personal, lively, and often hilarious conversation. Lucie opens up about her new book, Lucy and Desi: The Love Letters, a poignant collection of her parents’ intimate wartime correspondence, digitized and preserved over decades. She shares candid stories about family life behind the scenes, including the joys and heartbreaks of growing up in a legendary household. From early Hollywood history to the creation of the documentary Lucy and Desi, Lucie describes what it means to safeguard her parents’ legacy while forging her own remarkable career. She also reflects on marriage, motherhood, performing in top venues, near-misses like Grease, unforgettable moments on the Oscars stage, and her upcoming performances in Palm Springs. Heartfelt, funny, and full of rich storytelling, this episode is a must-hear for fans of theatre, TV history, and genuine human connection.Takeaways:How Lucie discovered, preserved, and curated 47 intimate letters between her parentsThe surprising emotional tone and “love language” within Lucy and Desi’s early relationshipNever-before-heard insights about their marriage, divorce, and co-parentingThe multi-decade journey that led to creating Lucy and Desi: The Love LettersThe myths and misinformation fans often spread online—plus Lucie’s humorous reactionsCareer stories from Broadway to game shows, including near-casting in GreasePersonal reflections on marriage, parenting, and balancing a creative lifeDetails about Lucie’s upcoming concerts, book events, and her ties to Palm Springs#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #LucieArnaz #LucilleBall #DesiArnaz #LucyAndDesiLoveLetters #PalmSpringsArts #ClassicHollywood #CelebrityInterviews #PurpleRoomPalmSprings #PlazaTheatrePalmSprings #BroadwayStories #DocumentaryFilm #EntertainmentPodcast

Music industry veteran Eddie Gilreath pulls up to the Corner Booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar to trace an extraordinary journey from Philadelphia’s sound to global stages. With hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, he recalls faking his first bass gig at 14, serving in Panama during tense Cold War days, then rising through Motown and Warner Bros. to help break artists like the Spinners and George Benson. Eddie shares inside stories about working with icons including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Curtis Mayfield, and more—plus why some of the most memorable moments happened offstage. He talks about smashing industry barriers as a pioneering Black executive, his “Black Music Is Green” initiative, and how streaming has rewritten the rules for new artists. It’s a masterclass in music, marketing, and humanity from a man who quietly shaped the soundtrack of our lives. From basement rehearsals to boardrooms, Eddie’s story is funny, candid, and deeply inspiring.Takeaways:How a missing bass player at a Philly cabaret accidentally launched Eddie’s music career at 14.Serving in Panama during a volatile Cold War era and keeping music alive even in a combat zone.Moving from musician to executive, rising through Motown and Warner Bros. during the heyday of soul and pop.The strategy behind breaking acts like the Spinners and George Benson, including the massive success of Breezin’.Becoming the first African American national sales director and vice president at Warner, and refusing to be pigeonholed into “just” Black music.Intimate, often funny stories about working with legends: Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Cher, George Clinton, and more.Creating the “Black Music Is Green” initiative and using hard data and retail relationships to open doors for more Black professionals in the business.Reflections on Broadway cast albums, the streaming-era music economy, and why Eddie hopes his legacy is simply that he “did the right things.”#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #EddieGilreath #MotownRecords #WarnerBrothersRecords #MusicIndustryLegends #GeorgeBenson #RayCharles #CurtisMayfield #MichaelJackson #RecordBusinessHistory #BlackMusicIsGreen #PhiladelphiaSound #PanamaVeteran

This Big Conversations, Little Bar episode spotlights a life steeped in swing, storytelling, and the American Songbook. Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome guest Billy Stritch who shares how a Houston kid with a portable cassette recorder became a New York mainstay—shaping shows, accompanying legends, and commanding intimate rooms like the Purple Room and Birdland. He recalls opening for Mel Tormé at Carnegie Hall, meeting Princess Diana after a Royal Albert Hall performance, and the serendipitous piano-bar moment that led to decades of collaboration with Liza Minnelli. We hear about London’s Crazy Coqs, the curated Cast Party at the McCallum Theatre, and the electric connection only a small cabaret can deliver. His pandemic livestreams—65 consecutive weeks—kept creativity alive and a community together, proving music’s power to sustain and unite. From early influences (Gershwin, Ella, Nat King Cole) to arranging, Brazilian flavors, and unforgettable stages, this conversation celebrates craft, friendship, and the joy of bringing a room to hush with a single chord.Takeaways:The magic of small rooms: intimacy, faces, and instant connectionSerendipity at a piano bar sparked a 25-year creative partnershipPandemic livestreams built community and kept the music—and rent—goingCast Party thrives in New York and a curated McCallum Theatre seriesCareer highlights include Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and Hollywood BowlInfluences span Gershwin, Ella, Nat King Cole, bossa nova, and moreStories of working with icons like Liza Minnelli and Tony BennettMusic as a unifier in divisive times—and a lifelong calling#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #BillyStritch #LizaMinnelli #PurpleRoom #Birdland #CastParty #TonyBennett #LindaLavin #CrazyCoqs #RoyalAlbertHall #AmericanSongbook #PalmSprings #JazzPiano

Legendary maître d’ Brian Ellis pulls back the velvet rope on five decades at Melvyn’s and the Ingleside Inn, where stars, moguls, and locals mixed like martinis as he opens up on this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence from the corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert.. From overbooked New Year’s Eves to Sinatra’s rehearsal dinner, Ellis recounts how front-of-house finesse, unflappable charm, and a well-timed “wave” could turn chaos into magic. He remembers iconic entertainers like Nino Fontana, explains why the Sunday Jam became a civic ritual, and shares why Mel Haber’s old-school rules kept the lights glowing and the legends returning. Ellis also reveals the craft behind saying yes to special requests, the rare moments that warranted an 86, and the human kindness that happened off the record. Finally, he updates us on life at Hotel Paseo and his forthcoming memoir packed with signatures, photos, and jaw-dropping tales. It’s a sparkling masterclass in hospitality, Palm Springs history, and the art of making every guest feel like a headliner.Takeaways:Five decades at Melvyn’s made Ellis the ultimate Palm Springs gatekeeper.Sinatra’s rehearsal dinner at Melvyn’s put the venue on the map.Sunday Jam crowds became a valley ritual requiring deft crowd management.Mel Haber’s “say yes” ethos—and selective 86ing—shaped service culture.Nino Fontana’s showmanship (and breaks!) inspired unforgettable lounge lore.Quiet philanthropy surfaced in stories of kindness from famous patrons.Classic tableside dishes and upselling sustained quality and profitability.Ellis now brings that front-of-house magic to Hotel Paseo—and to his memoir.#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #BrianEllis #MelvynsPalmSprings #InglesideInn #PalmSprings #MelHaber #FrankSinatra #NinoFontana #SundayJam #HotelPaseo #McCallumTheatre #CelebrityStories #RestaurantLife #MaitreD

This episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence dives into how passion, persistence, and service shape a life in film and community. Our guest Teddy Grouya—founder of the AmDocs Film Festival—traces a path from UCLA film studies and foreign-exchange days in Denmark to a State Department posting in Australia, then back to Hollywood and ultimately to creating a globally respected documentary and animation showcase. He explains how AmDocs curates 200+ films, hosts meaningful industry events, and consistently earns top marks from filmmakers. We explore why strong documentaries need more than talking heads, the surge of docuseries on streamers, and the hunt for that elusive story “hook.” He shares personal projects—from a Vivaldi passion piece to the heartfelt short Memory Collector—and his work restoring Palm Springs’ Plaza Theatre. Plus: volunteer opportunities, premieres, and how great festivals are built like great films—one dedicated department at a time.Takeaways:A global path: Denmark exchange student → UCLA → State Department in Australia.AmDocs screens 200+ titles and prioritizes real industry networking.Festival success = curation, community, and nightly experiences beyond theaters.Submissions: generally completed within three years; 70-mile premiere radius.Docs should avoid “talking heads” fatigue—use dynamic visuals and archives.Memory Collector spotlights returning lost VHS memories to families.Vivaldi project began with curiosity and became a documentary narrative.Call for volunteers: drivers, theatre teams, and social media helpers.#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #TeddyGrouya #AmDocsFilmFestival #DocumentaryFilmmaking #InternationalRelations #DanishLanguage #PlazaTheaterRestoration #FilmFestivalNetworking #PalmSpringsCulture #MemoryCollector #UCLAFilmStudies #AustraliaEmbassyExperience #CoachellaValleyIndependent #AmericanDocumentaryAwards