04.11.11 California Diner - 'Skip Heller Interview!

Skip Heller is a veteran of several music scenes. I wouldn’t be doing him justice if I told you that he makes some of the finest, most honest, straight-up country music out there today. And I’d absolutely be understating things if I told you that his swingin’ little trio plies the waters of Americana, rockabilly, and even jazz. No, it would be more honest if I told you that he does all these things, and more, effortlessly. And that’s in no small part due to his ravenous appetite for anything that sounds good. His style is pretty much a crossroads of American music. This accomplished Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter/guitarist made his Sacramento debut this past Saturday at the wonderfully eclectic Shine Cafe, in the heart of our downtown area. He was joined onstage by Debora Iyall, of Romeo Void fame. The night was magical and electric, as electric as acoustic can be! Skip’s had a pretty amazing career, and he reveals an encyclopedic knowledge of American music since, well, 1776, and we had a chance to talk about it at the very same Shine Cafe before the show. Check out the ambiance--espresso machine, doors opening and closing, background conversation, and cars zooming by. Skip has played with everybody who’s anybody on the L.A. Americana/rockabilly scene. Among his friends are Billy Zoom (X), Ray Campi, and the legendary entrepreneur Rockin’ Ronny Weiser, founder of Rolling Rock Records. One of Skip’s notable gigs was playing guitar on the road with the amazing NRBQ, filling in for Johnny Spampinato, at Terry Adams’ request. It takes talent, and the ability to play any one of over 300 songs at a moment’s notice, to keep up with this band. And talent is one thing Skip has plenty of. He sings with a rich baritone voice, and makes a beat-up old Alvarez guitar sing beautifully. He’s a little bit country, and a little bit rock and roll. He sings heartbreaking songs about love, and tells stories that really make you feel like you know my old, and his current, stomping grounds of Los Angeles. Skip is putting the finishing touches on his next album, Foolish Me. We’ll meet him in this week’s show, and hear a few examples of why his music should be on your radar. www.skipheller.com www.shinesacramento.com If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the California Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com. This note also appears in the News section on the home page of RechargedRadio.com. See you then! Chef Mike mike(at)rechargedradio.com MN2BDNC Lannie Flowers - Turn Up Your Radio Emily Zuzik & Tim Lefebvre - E-Vill Dylan Walshe - Your Belly Not Mine In Between Echoes - Breeze On By Laurie Biagini - Leave Me Alone Onward Chariots - Seven Miles Away Paul Butler - Wrong Side Of Desire The Scratch - Alcohol's A Depressant Sparklejet - Let's Behind That Place Skip Heller – I Used To Love California Skip Heller Interview Skip Heller – The Man I Used To Be Skip Heller – Tracy Lee Nathan Brooks - Change Sarah Stanley - When I Lose My Heart Sweet Sweet Concorde - Armadillo Man 50ft Woman - Ice Cream Man The Taters - Such A Good Day Maxi Dunn - Why Do I Want You? Blake Jones & The Trike Shop - Send The Band To Liverpool Joseph Swidenbank - What Did You Want? Rob Bonfiglio - Blow Me Away The Handcuffs - Miss You on Tuesday Kaz Murphy - Midnight Fire Vegas With Randolph - The Better Part Kyro (with Lindy LaFontaine) - This Too, In Time, Shall Pass Tom Alford - Shiloh Fearless Vampire Killers - Fearless Vampire Killers