WELCOME TO THE SHOW
My name is Steve Owens and I meet a lot of people; sometime in my travels, sometimes in my own home town. Several times (quite by accident), I have stumbled into what I consider to be fascinating stories. So after way too many got away, I decided to start recording them. Some of these conversations will be fascinating ONLY to me. Some will be fascinating to you too. In the end, I guess this podcast is just an excuse for me to get to travel, meet, and talk to more people. So if you are so inclined…
Walk with me, down Fascination Street!
Recent Episodes
James Paxton – Actor (Last Train to Fortune) / Musician (Love, Pax)
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James Paxton
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know James Paxton. James is an actor, a musician, and an artist. In this episode, we chat about all of those things and more. We discuss his dad, Bill Paxton, and how James got sick with E. coli while attending NYU for journalism. James tells an amazing story about how the Entourage character Vincent Chase got his name and even regales me with the story of making the tile for Phil Collins’ house! We touch on his experience on the set of Texas Rising, and then we have a surprise special guest drop in to say hi. After that, it’s back to the action where we discuss James’ feature film debut ‘Boogeyman Pop’ and why it still sits on the shelf at Blumhouse. James tells me about the hush hush secret that he had to keep when he was the voice of the son on the HULU hit show ‘How I Met Your Father’ and why he had to keep it a secret. Of course, we discuss his new film ‘Last Train to Fortune’ and working alongside Malcolm McDowell. Nest, we dive into James’ musical career. He is part of two bands, ‘Flamingo Dogs’ and ‘Soundaze’, plus he lets me play a song from his solo project ‘Love, Pax’. You’re gonna dig it!
Throwback: Chris Ballew – Musician (The Presidents of the United States of America / Caspar Babypants)
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Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with Chris Ballew from the ground breaking 90s band The Presidents of the United States of America. Chris first appeared on the show on 7.18.22
It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited!
Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!
Chris Ballew
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Chris Ballew. Chris is a musician and founding member and lead singer of the alternative rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. Chris is also known as Caspar Babypants; catering music for parents and kids to enjoy together. In this episode we chat about why he was drawn to music, touring as a band member with Beck for 2 tours, forming The Presidents, managing huge hits like Peaches, and Lump, and some of the strangely stringed instruments he has played in those songs. He shares stories about Sir Mix A Lot, Beck, Madonna, and even a great story about Kurt Cobain’s GHOST! We talk about he second, third, and now fourth musical incarnation; including Caspar Babypants, writing music for tv, film, and commercials, and his latest project, ethereal music. All of this and more, Chris HAS to com back!
Follow Chris on social media:
Insta: @ChrisBallew
Check out his music at: ChrisBallew.org & Babypantsmusic.com
Lauren Lucas – Singer / Songwriter
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Lauren Lucas
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Lauren Lucas. Lauren is a singer songwriter originally from South Carolina, and currently living in Nashville, Tn. In this episode, we chat about her growing up in South Carolina and making the move to Nashville. We also discuss the craziness of her being signed to a publishing deal as a teenager; having never written a song! She shares some of her inspirations, and some of the amazing artists that she has opened for on regional and national tours. I ask her why she decided to attend Belmont University, and how she ended up teaching songwriting at that same school. We briefly talk about some of the bands and acts that she has been part of, or associated with. Naturally we do a deep dive into songwriting and the importance of learning to co-write. Lauren graciously lets me play one of my favorite older songs of hers, and then later on I get to play her newest release! Finally, we get into how she came to be part of the writing team that composes all of the music and interstitials for the Netflix sitcom Leanne. (The voice you hear sing the theme is Lauren’s). If you have a chance, check out Lauren’s podcast ‘The Happiest Hour Podcast’, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Throwback: John Kapelos – Actor (The Breakfast Club / Sixteen Candles / Seinfeld)
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Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with actor John Kapelos, the janitor from The Breakfast Club!
John first appeared on the show on 6.24.24
It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited!
Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!
John Kapelos
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know John Kapelos. You may know John as ‘Carl, The Janitor’ from the 1984 cult classic film: The Breakfast Club; but he is so much more than that! In this episode, we chat about him spending nearly a decade with Second City, his experiences on some of the greatest John Hughes films, and even his time as ‘The Sniffing Accountant’ on Seinfeld. We discuss how the show must go on, even after his father unexpectedly passed. John reveals the moment he found out that Emelio Estevez was the son of Martin Sheen, stories from the set of The Breakfast Club, and his scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off that got cut. As if all of this improv comedy and hall of fame acting isn’t enough, John Kapelos also put out an album! It is called “John Kapelos: Too Hip For the Room”; and he lets me play a track from it. I think you’re gonna dig it!
John is a consummate professional, and he gets honest and vulnerable with me in this interview. I appreciate him for letting go, and not holding back. If you have a chance to see John in a play, or singing, or in television and film; I highly suggest you check him out. In everything he does, he BRINGS IT!
Brandon Violette – (Stretch Armstrong / T.O.T.S. / Cars: Lightning Racers / CoCoMelon Lane)
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Brandon Violette
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Brandon Violette. Brandon is a screenwriter for several children’s animated television shows including: Stretch Armstrong, T.O.T.S., Cars: Lightning Racers, and the co-creator of the kid’s show CoComelon Lane. In this episode, we chat about how his love of making up stories as a kid led to him writing television shows for kids. He has worked on some of the biggest shows in children’s programing. Brandon shares the story of how he got hired at Hasbro and worked his way up to writing for Stretch Armstong. Then he tells me how that job led him to write for T.O.T.S. and then springboarded him to the co-creator position for CoComelon Lane! Obviously, we discuss how the opportunity to study at the Beijing Film Academy presented itself just as he was finishing up his degree in the US. We touch a little bit on his time in China, and what he learned from being immersed in that culture. We trade stories of being terrified by international travel, before we dive into his career in animation. From Hasbro’s animation studios to Netflix shows, to Disney & Pixar; Brandon has earned his laurels. One of Brandon’s more recent endeavors is his podcast. The Story Series Podcast was born out of the idea that writers could get together and share their experiences so that other writers, and future writers could learn some of the tricks and traps along the path of their chosen careers. His podcast is just over a year old and has nearly 60 episodes. Even as a non-writer, I really enjoyed getting to peek behind the curtain with some of the best screenwriters working today. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts.
Throwback: Mario Andretti – Driver Of The Century (F-1, Nascar / IndyCar)
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Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with worldwide racing legend Mario Andretti.
Mario first appeared on the show on 5.3.21
It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited!
Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!
Mario Andretti
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Mario Andretti. In this episode Mario and I chat about what brought his family to The United States, and how he and his twin brother Aldo got bitten by the racing bug. He shares some of his favorite memories of his driving career (which spanned from 1959 to 2000). We talk about some of the automotive innovations that started in racing and are now on every passenger car made; He also tells me what it was like to win the Daytona 500, The Indy 500, and the Formula One World Championship. Finally, we close the show out talking about his post racing businesses which include a winery, and the nationwide Andretti Indoor Carting and Games entertainment complexes. (I do challenge him to a race at the one near my house!)
Mario is a legend and a national treasure, who has made a name for himself all over the world in his sport as well as his compassion and generosity. It was a great honor to speak with 3 time US Driver of the Year, US Driver of the Quarter Century, and Driver of the Decade.
Follow Mario on social media:
Twit: @MarioAndretti
Insta: @AndrettiMario
FB: Mario Andretti
Mario’s website: MarioAndretti.com
Jeffrey Biegel – Classical Concert Pianist (Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue)
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Jeffrey Biegel
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Grammy winning classical concert pianist, and national treasure Jeffrey Biegel. In this episode, Jeffrey and I chat about his learning how to play piano from some of the greatest teachers in the history of the instrument, what he chose to go the classical route instead of a more pop focus, and some of his inspirations. Jeffrey shares stories involving Billy Joel, Morton Estrin, Lalo Schifrin, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, the late Neil Sedaka, Liberace, Peter Tork, the late Richard Lewis, Lucy Arnaz Luckinbill, Lucille Ball, Dan Lauria, Barry Manilow, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Peter Boyer. This episode is a walk down Memory Lane, as well as Fascination Street! We discuss some of the orchestras and symphonies Jeffrey has played with and continues to play with. Then we talk about some of his own projects, and why they are so important to him. Jeffrey shares some insight on projects like: Waltz of Hope I & II, Reflection of Freedom (JFK), Reflection of Equality (MLK), Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue, The Millenium Project, and so much more. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to Jeffrey for sitting down with me on his way to teach a Master Class in Wichita. Thank you, Jeffrey, you are a MENSCH!
Throwback: Damon Wimbley (A.K.A. Kool Rock-Ski) Rap Icon (The Fat Boys)
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Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with guest Damon Wimbley A.K.A. Kool Rock-Ski from the legendary hip hop / rap group The Fat Boys Kool Rock first appeared on the show on 1.23.23It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited!Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!
Kool Rock-Ski
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Damon Wimbley. You may know Damon by another name… Kool Rock-Ski from the legendary rap group The Fat Boys. That’s right Streetwalkers! I got to chat with none other than old school rap and hip hop LEGEND Kool Rock-Ski! In this episode we chat about how he met and formed The Fat Boys, what made their music unique & groundbreaking, and what it was like to be part of the birth of a new genre of music. All along the way we discuss other hip hop and rap pioneers like: Furious Five, Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, Kurtis Blow, LL Cool J, and even Everlast. Kool Rock talks about the time he met Rick James at Studio 54 before he was even old enough to drink! Kool Rock tells us about his previous podcast 360 Rock Live, and whether or not it will make a comeback. I ask him what the hell “Brrr stickum” means, and there is a fun story behind that. We learn all about the annual Classic Hip Hop and R&B Cookout in NUYC every summer and what the purpose of it is. I find out at the very end that there is currently a petition to get The Fat Boys inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and what Streetwalkers can do to help make it happen. Finally, Kool Rock lets me play his newest musical venture: Hush by Kokane Featuring Kool Rock Ski. This is a little boy’s dream come true. Thank you so much Kool Rock!
SIGN THE PETITION TO GET THE FAT BOYS INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME:
https://www.change.org/p/nominate-the-legendary-group-the-fat-boys-into-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame
Ryan Sinn – Punk Rock Bassist (The Distillers / Former Angels & Airwaves)
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Ryan Sinn
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Ryan Sinn. Ryan Sinnott is the bass player for the pop punk band The Distillers, and the founding bass player for the pop punk band Angels & Airwaves. In this episode, we chat about how he came to be a bass player in the first place, and how important it is to him to maintain the structure of the role of a bass player. We talk about the fancy flourishes and fills that some bass players get overly enthusiastic about, and how there can only be one Les Claypool! As Ryan is bound by an NDA, he cannot really discuss his time with Angels & Airwaves; so instead, I tell him about the first time I heard that debut album. It was a magical experience for me and one that I remember to this day. Next, we dive into where I first heard his band The Distillers, and how he came to be part of that project. He does let me play that first song by The Distillers that caught my attention (thank you Ryan). Ryan is a certified audio engineer, and he does explain why he felt the need to go that route, and he gives some less expensive shortcut tips for anyone out there who wants to go to audio engineering school. Lastly, we discuss some of the interesting paydays that come along with songs being selected for video games. The Distillers had a song on the video game Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4. Follow Ryan and follow The Distillers everywhere and tell Ryan you heard him on Fascination Street Podcast!
Throwback: Don McLean – Music Legend / American Icon (American Pie)
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Hey Streetwalkers.
This is a throwback episode with American music icon Don McLean. Don’s first appearance on the show was 8.13.21 It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!
Don McLean
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Don McLean. Legendary singer / songwriter; Don is most known for his super smash hit AMERICAN PIE, which was released FIFTY YEARS AGO this year! In this episode, Don and I chat about: some of his songs, his new and upcoming projects, including: a new album of originals, a new album of covers, a new documentary, a play, a movie, and a new children’s book called “American Pie: A Fable” which drops in October. Then he tells us about the true story behind the hit song “Killing Me Softly”; which is not his song, but has a very interesting connection that I bet you didn’t know about. Don was kind enough to let me play some of his classic songs during this episode, as well as one of the covers off of his new album of covers called “Still Playin Favorites”. Be sure to check out his website for upcoming tour dates (covid permitting). Don McLean is a legend, a brilliant poet and songwriter; but more importantly, he was a super king and generous to me! Enjoy this conversation with a LEGEND. Follow Don on social media: Twit: @DonMcLean Insta: @TheDonMcLean FB: Don McLean (Musician) Website: DonMcLean.com