Only In The Green Room

🎧 Listen + full episode, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/meels-interview Only in the Green Room interviews Mill Valley-raised artist. "Meels" after her Sweetwater stage set, discussing her local upbringing and current life in Pasadena living with her 86-year-old grandmother - after five years in New York and attending NYU’s Clive Davis Institute.

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/greg-loiacono-stingray-interviewIn this episode of Only in the Green Room, we sit down with Greg Loiacono & Stingray, a Bay Area super-group built on deep respect, serious groove, and a whole lot of joy. What started as a solo recording session for Greg Loiacano quickly turned into something much bigger when drummer Michael Urbano stepped in—and the chemistry was instant. Add longtime collaborator and powerhouse percussionist Vicki Randle, and Stingray was born.

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/jonathan-mchugh-interviewIn this episode of Tales From The Green Room, recorded backstage at the 2025 High Sierra Music Festival, the hosts sit down with veteran film producer, director, and music supervisor, Jonathan McHugh. Jonathan shares his experiences growing up in New Orleans, starting in college radio at WTUL, and his journey through the music and film industries leading to his current role as Hilton-Baldridge Eminent Scholar and Chair in Music Industry Studies at Loyola University New Orleans.

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/amy-helm-interviewFresh from bringing the spirit of the Midnight Ramble to the High Sierra Music Festival stage, Amy Helm sits down with the hosts for a moving and unflinching conversation about family, recovery, and carrying forward a legacy. Recorded backstage among the festival magic, this episode blends raw honesty with deep musical history.

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/andy-frasco-interview

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/sunshine-garcia-becker-interviewIn this episode, hosts Dennis Strazulo and Tami Larson explore the journey of Sunshine Garcia Becker (Furthur, Sunshine Garcia Band) on her mission to curate an all-female Grateful Dead tribute band, with the purpose of expanding the involvement of women as key players in the live music scene.

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more: https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/zachary-richard-interviewIn this episode the hosts engage in an enlightening conversation - and history lesson - with singer-songwriter, Cajun culture activists, and International recording artist, Zachary Richard. Richard first reflects on his deep ties with Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, CA - playing and hanging with Huey Lewis and Bob Weir - before musing on his touring experiences and unique cross-cultural identity as both an American and French Canadian artist.

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/river-jake-eckert-interviewIn this engaging episode restaurateur, music promoter, and local legend Chris 'Shaggy' Davis welcomes Tales From The Green Room and listeners to Day 2 of the 10th annual NOLA Crawfish Festival, a celebration that marries New Orleans' rich musical heritage with its vibrant culinary culture held at The Broadside New Orleans. The episode features an interview with rising star keyboard player/vocalist/singer song-writer, and band leader, 15-year-old River Eckert and his father, Jake Eckert. Father and son reflect on their musical journeys, from River's early days learning jazz and blues to Jake's extensive experience with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and his current gig with The New Orleans Suspects. The conversation, recorded after River's appearance at the NOLA Crawfish Festival and an hour before his next gig playing with George Porter, Jr., delves into the significance of familial legacy in New Orleans music, personal anecdotes about growing up around legendary musicians, and the impact of the city's supportive musical community.

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:In this episode of 'Tales from the Green Room,' we welcome the band Spafford in the green room at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, CA to discuss their origins, musical influences, and journey. The conversation covers the genesis of their unique band name, evolving from 'Officious Tortfeasor' to 'Spafford,' inspired by a close friend. Members, Brian Moss, Nick Tkachyk, Corey Schechtman, and Shon Gordon share personal anecdotes about their musical backgrounds, influences from legends like the Grateful Dead, and their approach to blending multiple genres seamlessly. They also delve into their experiences with sobriety on tour, maintaining family lives, and the significance of performing at iconic venues like Sweetwater. Additionally, the band reflects on their growth and success, largely credited to their dedicated fan community, the Spaffnerds, and serendipitous opportunities that propelled them into the national spotlight. All the while, hosts Dennis Strazulo and Tami Larson marvel at their first experience listening to the band and becoming instant fans!LinksSpafford Official Website Spafford - Mad World (Tears For Fears) | 1/14/24 | Pembroke, MA Sweetwater Music Hall

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/sam-grisman-interviewIn this episode of "Tales From The Green Room" Sam Grisman Project mainstays Max Flansburg and Chris English visit with hosts Dennis Strazulo and Tami Larson backstage at Terrapin Crossroads' Sunday Day Dream Vol. 4 in San Rafael, CA.

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/austin-de-lone-interviewThe Journey and Legacy of Sweetwater's Uncelebrated Icon - An Interview with the late Austin de LoneIn this interview, which took place in October 2022 before Mount Tam Media launched its Tales From The Green Room podcast, Austin de Lone sits down with host Dennis Strazulo to discuss his rich musical journey and his pivotal involvement with Sweetwater Music Hall, as the venue approached its 50th Anniversary. This is the raw recording of Dennis's visit with Austin for the purpose of writing a feature story on Austin for Mt. Tam Media's Mill Valley Living Magazine to celebrate that event. With Austin's recent passing, the recorded conversation was re-purposed to release as this special podcast episode, honoring Austin's lasting legacy.

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/grateful-guitars-interview In this episode of Tales From The Green Room, Mount Tam Media takes listeners backstage at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco during the Grateful Guitars Foundation Second Annual Benefit. Grateful Dead historian Dennis McNally shares some of his experiences with Jerry Garcia and his storied history with the band; David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) also reflects on his personal relationship and poignant moments with Garcia; Samson Grisman (Sam Grisman Project) and Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), interviewed together, engage in an entertaining conversation between two artists a generation apart, expressing their mutual respect for the other’s era; Jill Simmons (Brown Eyed Women) tells of her journey from the East Coast leading to an appearance on this bill; and rising superstar, 17-year-old Bella Rayne delves into her ascent to notoriety in the jam band scene. Artist manager and music industry vet, Jack Barton also shares his insights; and singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and multi-talented Alex Jordan makes a cameo while serving as music director for the show.

🎧 Listen + backstage photos, transcript & more:https://onlyinthegreenroom.com/episodes/stanley-jordan-sunday-daydream-interviewIn this very special episode of Tales from the Green Room - recorded backstage at Terrapin Crossroads’ Sunday Daydream Vol. 3 in San Rafael, CA on July 21, 2024, on what turned out to be the late Phil Lesh’s final performance - hosts Dennis Strazulo and Tami Larson sit down with legendary musician Stanley Jordan, Greg Loiacono (Greg Loiacano and Stingray, Mother Hips, and Jerry Saracini (Forgotten Space) all who shared the stage with Phil that day. The conversation is steeped in rich history and bittersweet emotions as the musicians reflect on their personal journeys, the profound impact of Terrapin Crossroads and the teachings of Phil Lesh