Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley

Marva King Reveals Stories of Prince, Stevie Wonder & Her New Music

1.2K views · 1d ago · 51:22

Marva King joins Joe Kelley on Musicians Reveal for an unforgettable conversation about working with Prince and Stevie Wonder, her remarkable musical journey, and exciting new music.

Topics: Welcome to Musicians Reveal · Marva King's No. 1 Soul Hit with Stevie Wonder · Recording with Stevie Wonder · Where to Find Marva's New Music · International Success and Her Solo Career · Upcoming UK Performances and New Album

Prince Was My Mentor — Andy Allo Reveals Their Musical Bond

2.9K views · 1w ago · 13:10

Prince Was My Mentor — Andy Allo Reveals Their Musical Bond Singer-songwriter Andy Allo shares rare firsthand memories of working with Prince, recording at Paisley Park, and discovering the musical genius behind one of the most influential artists of all time.

Topics: Andy Allo remembers Prince · Her first performance with Prince · Life with the NPG Hornz · Meeting Prince and discovering his music · Telling her family she'd joined Prince's band · Recording at Paisley Park

George Duke Remembers Jef Lee Johnson & Reflects on His Legendary Career (2013)

623 views · 2w ago · 30:44

In this rare 2013 radio conversation, legendary keyboardist, composer and producer George Duke joins the Upper Room with Joe Kelley at WVOF 88.5 FM to remember his friend and musical collaborator Jef Lee Johnson. Recorded during a tribute to Johnson, the conversation features George sharing deeply personal memories of their friendship, recording sessions, and years of touring together.

Topics: George Duke — Opening Hook · Original 2013 Radio Introduction · Learning of Jef Lee Johnson's Passing · Music as Comfort and Healing · Jef's Final DreamWeaver Sessions · Miles Davis and "Ripple in Time"

Thomas Lockett on Slave's Return, Classic Funk & the Band's Legacy

2.2K views · 3w ago · 50:32

SLAVE RETURNS! Thomas Lockett joins Joe Kelley on Musicians Reveal to share the emotional story behind the legendary funk band's return to Dayton, Ohio, and the stage. After years of planning, Thomas Lockett and fellow Slave member Floyd Miller assembled a new lineup to bring the group's unmistakable funk sound back to its hometown.

Topics: Slave Returns to Dayton · Rebuilding the Legendary Funk Band · An Emotional Hometown Reunion · Protecting Slave's Musical Legacy · Mark Adams and the Slave Bass Sound · A Dream Dayton Funk Tour

Melvin Riley on Ready For The World, Prince & Making Music Without AI

24K views · 4w ago · 43:14

Melvin Riley of Ready For The World joins Joe Kelley on Musicians Reveal for an in-depth conversation about his new double album No AI, the origins of Ready For The World, “Oh Sheila,” “Love You Down,” Electrifying Mojo, Prince, Luther Vandross, Morris Day and The Time, Jellybean Johnson and more.

Topics: Melvin Riley — No AI & authenticity · Welcome to Musicians Reveal · The new No AI double album · Independent music & Universal distribution · Stevie Wonder, Prince, George Clinton & influences · Electrifying Mojo breaks Ready For The World

Michael Bland: How Prince Offered Me a Job at 19

2.7K views · 1mo ago · 4:16

Guest: Michael Bland

Michael Bland was 19 when Prince asked him, “You looking for a job, son?” He thought Prince was simply complimenting his drumming—until the phone rang at his parents’ house. In this episode of They Were There: Firsthand Music Stories, Michael tells Joe Kelley how jam sessions led to an invitation to Paisley Park, an unexpected job offer, and the call that made it official.

Leon Ware: “I Met Berry Gordy Before Motown Existed”

336 views · 1mo ago · 5:25

Guest: Leon Ware

Leon Ware met Berry Gordy before Motown existed. In this 2008 archival conversation with Joe Kelley, the legendary songwriter, producer and artist recalls meeting Gordy during Detroit's early music scene, years before Ware's work would become intertwined with some of the biggest names in soul and R&B.

Topics: Leon Ware's early days in Detroit · Meeting Berry Gordy before Motown · Returning to Detroit · From driving a cab to Motown · His first songwriting contract · The Isley Brothers and his first gold record

Philip Lassiter: Prince Told Me “Let’s Make History”

1.7K views · 1mo ago · 18:53

Guest: Philip Lassiter

Philip Lassiter remembers the extraordinary experience of working with Prince — from his first meeting at Paisley Park to Prince telling him, “Let’s make history.” Lassiter shares how Andrew Gouché helped open the door, what happened when he first came face-to-face with Prince, and how Prince reacted after hearing Philip’s Dreams album.

Topics: How Philip Lassiter Got the Call for Prince · Meeting Prince at Paisley Park · Prince: “Let’s Make History” · Making History at Montreux · Giving Prince His Dreams Album · Joe Kelley Remembers Seeing Prince at Mohegan Sun

The System on Bernie Worrell, Melle Mel & Funk Legends

681 views · 1mo ago · 7:21

The System’s David Frank and Mic Murphy share stories about some of the legendary artists who helped shape funk, R&B and hip-hop. In this 2020 conversation with Joe Kelley, David Frank recalls meeting his keyboard hero Bernie Worrell and discusses George Duke, while Mic Murphy looks back on his early days around Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Melle Mel and The Sugarhill Gang.

Topics: The System on their musical heroes · Bernie Worrell · George Duke · Early hip-hop memories · Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five · The Sugarhill Gang

Philip Lassiter: The Six-Month Audition for Prince's Band

1.1K views · 1mo ago · 54:22

Guest: Philip Lassiter

Philip Lassiter joins Joe Kelley on Musicians Reveal for a wide-ranging conversation about his extraordinary musical journey — from growing up in a preacher’s household and developing his skills as a trumpet player and arranger to working alongside Prince as horn arranger and section leader.

Topics: Philip’s First Meeting with Prince · Meet Philip Lassiter · A New Album and “Shoes” · Building the New Record · Supporting Artists Through Bandcamp · Growing Up in a Preacher’s Home

Chris Calzone Is Burning the Midnight Oil | Funk, Prince & Going Solo

688 views · 1mo ago · 26:25

Chris Calzone returns to Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to celebrate the release of his new album, Midnight Oil. Chris takes us inside the making of the record, why he prefers handling much of the creative process himself, and how he blends funk, rock, soul and electronic influences into his own sound. He also talks about the meaning behind Midnight Oil, the songs that challenged him most, his bass and guitar work, and bringing these songs to the stage.

Topics: Chris Calzone on Midnight Oil · Why it's called Midnight Oil · Bringing the funk · Nova crashes the interview · Chris's favorite songs on the album · Blending different musical influences