Sunday, December 30, 2018

Interviews by Aaron S. Robertson

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I have a background in freelance journalism and online marketing and publishing. Following are a number of my more noteworthy interview credits through the years, interviews that would have more of a regional or even national interest. I hope you enjoy - a lot of neat history, interesting facts, meaningful advice, and fascinating stories here.

Branscombe Richmond, Hollywood television and film actor; stuntman. September 2011.

Aaron talks with Branscombe Richmond and others involved in the film "Born to Ride" at the Marcus Ridge Cinema in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Dr. Terence Roehrig, professor, U.S. Naval War College; Korea expert. December 2011.

Dr. Roehrig was one of Aaron's political science professors when he was a student at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. An expert on Korea, Dr. Roehrig took some time out to share his insights on North Korea following the passing of its leader, Kim Jong-il.  

Carl Giammarese, lead singer, The Buckinghams; singer and songwriter. December 2011.

A big fan of The Buckinghams and good music in general, Aaron talks with the front man of a band from Chicago that first broke into the national spotlight during the latter half of the 1960s with hits like "Kind of a Drag", "Don't You Care", "Susan", and "Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song)". 

Alyssa Bolsey, filmmaker; director, The Jacques Bolsey Project. December 2011.

Alyssa Bolsey and her team are working on a documentary about her great-grandfather, who died in 1962 nearly broke and unknown, despite his significant contributions to the world. Among other ideas and inventions, Jacques Bolsey invented the Bolex movie camera.

Godfrey Townsend, New York-based guitarist and singer. January 2012.

Godfrey Townsend is an accomplished musician and singer whose credits include the Happy Together Tour, Hippiefest, the Sons of Cream tour, and a birthday tribute show each year in honor of Eric Clapton, among many other projects. Clapton's own guitar tech has stated that Godfrey Townsend has "...Clapton down better than Clapton!"

Carl Bonafede, legendary Chicago radio personality, band manager, music promoter, record producer, and booking agent. January 2012.

Doug "Cosmo" Clifford, drummer, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Creedence Clearwater Revisited (CCR). June 2012.

CCR produced some of the best rock to come out of the late 60s and early 70s, and their music is engrained in our culture to this day, appearing in countless movie soundtracks, commercials, television shows, and on radio stations all around the country. In 1995, original CCR members Clifford and bassist Stu Cook, friends since childhood, formed Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and the band continues to record and tour all over the world, churning out the classics that generations of fans have come to know and love.

Mark Dawson, lead vocals and bassist, The Grass Roots. September 2012.

Aaron talks with Mark Dawson, who became lead singer of 60s greats The Grass Roots after Rob Grill's passing in 2011. Mark is also an accomplished solo artist who will have his second solo album out soon, entitled, "Making Noise."

Chris Szebeni, lead singer, Boxkar. November 2012.

Aaron catches up with the lead vocalist of Wisconsin's very own, Boxkar. This band from Wisconsin's Fox Valley has gone on to, among a host of other accomplishments, win multiple Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) awards, play The Viper Room (twice), record at the Goo Goo Dolls' studio, and perform in front of a crowd of thousands and thousands of people at the 2005 Presidential Inauguration of George W. Bush - the only unsigned band to perform at that Inaugural.

Rebecca Romney, rare books expert and occasional guest on Pawn Stars. February 2013.

Rebecca manages the Las Vegas location of Bauman Rare Books and occasionally appears on the hit TV show, Pawn Stars, where she lends her expertise and insights.

David White, founder, Danny & The Juniors; singer and songwriter. April 2013. 

Aaron interviews the founder of the popular '50s-'60s doo-wop group, well-known for its hits, "At the Hop", "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay", "Pony Express", and "Twistin' USA". Having co-written "At the Hop" and written "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay", David went on to have a successful songwriting career outside of the group, as well, leaving his mark on music enjoyed by new fans over five decades later.

Stu Cook, bassist, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Creedence Clearwater Revisited (CCR). July 2013.

Woodstock performer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer shares with Milwaukee-area journalist his thoughts on our city, influences, hobbies, advice to aspiring musicians, what it’s like to be a part of one of the greatest bands in rock history, a special upcoming anniversary, the age of iTunes, and a whole lot more.

Follow-up with Mark Dawson of The Grass Roots. October 2013.

In the fall of 2012, Aaron had the wonderful opportunity to conduct an extensive interview with Mark Dawson, the lead singer and bassist of The Grass Roots, as well as a talented solo artist. But so many exciting things have come his way since that interview just a year prior, that Aaron felt compelled to do a brief follow-up with him to see where he’s at with some of these exciting projects and developments. Enjoy!

Mark Hall-Patton, administrator of the Clark County Museum and occasional guest on Pawn Stars. May 2014.

The administrator of the Clark County Museum discusses his love for learning, the show’s origins and what it’s like working on it, Howard Hughes, advice for those looking to enter the profession, classic rock, and so much more.

Jefferson Grizzard, guitarist and singer. June 2014.

Up and comer recently out with his second album discusses his broad musical interests, his recent European tour, how he got started in the business, Wisconsin’s famous cheese, musicians he’d love to work with, and a whole lot more.

Samantha Lukens, Designer and MFA Candidate. September 2014.

Inspired by an accident a number of years back that could have proven truly tragic, graphic designer and long-time friend of this author is on a noble mission to educate people about health insurance with her master’s thesis. 

Follow-up with Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams, September 2014. From the article, "Harvest Fair This Weekend at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds." 

Among other bands in a great lineup, The Buckinghams perform Saturday; a brief interview with lead singer Carl Giammarese.

Paul Spiegelman, New York Times best-selling author and culture executive. January 2015.

Sought-after speaker, TV guest, author, contributor to a number of popular business magazines, and now fellow team member to this author, discusses the importance of organizational culture and what it truly means to have a values-driven business.

Bill Turner, former lead guitarist for Bill Haley and His Comets in the 70s; Front man of Blue Smoke

A look back at the 70s resurrection of 50s rock 'n' roll by a guitarist who worked alongside one of the great legends there at the very beginning. Plus, thoughts on Chuck Berry, meaningful advice for aspiring musicians, and a whole lot more.

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