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INTERVIEW: Coming off ‘SNL,’ Bruno Mars Plans on Sticking With Music… For Now

October 23, 2012 in audio, bruno mars, exclusive, interview, rrs video, saturday night live, victoria's secret with 0 Comments

Bruno Mars may be receiving rave reviews following his hosting gig last weekend on “Saturday Night Live,” but the singer still isn’t taking himself too seriously.

“Yeah, this is my launching pad,” a somewhat serious Mars said on 95.5 PLJ’s “The Ralphie Show,” before veering off. “I’m out of the music business. Me and Tom Hanks are doing a movie.”

Hanks, who happened to be in New York on a promotional tour of his own, ended up lending a cameo to Mars’ “SNL” episode – to which the “Grenade” singer admitted he was nervous about. All kidding aside, Bruno revealed he would only consider pursuing a film career if it happened organically.

“Music is my thing man,” he said. “I’ll leave the acting to the pros.”

Mars doesn’t know what spurred Lorne Michaels and company to ask him to host the legendary show, but thinks it worked out well. It also serves as a perfect kick off of touring to promote his new album, Unorthodox Jukebox, due out December 11. Now that the album is finished, Mars can concentrate on press for the LP, such as the aforementioned “SNL” gig and his forthcoming performance on the “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.”

“Yeah, we got asked to do that,” Mars said. “That’s gonna be fun!”

When asked if he was looking forward to meeting any of the models, Mars froze, before eventually answering the question in a round-about way.

“I’ve seen the show before and I’m excited for the way they put the show’s together and how good the stage looks; more important than the beautiful women,” Mars said, with a straight face no less.

“I’m lying!” Mars exclaimed only seconds later to a room full of laughter. If there was ever a time Mars was going to get serious, that clearly was not going to be it.

INTERVIEW: Adam Levine Insists He Has ‘Nothing But Love’ for Christina Aguilera

October 18, 2012 in adam levine, audio, barack obama, christina aguilera, exclusive, interview, maroon 5, the voice with 0 Comments

Adam Levine seems pleased with Maroon 5’s journey – from breaking out with 2002’s Songs About Jane to gaining more momentum in 2007’s It Won’t Be Soon Before Long and then almost losing it all on the 2010 release of Hands All Over. Certainly thanks to the success of “Moves Like Jagger” and this year’s Overexposed, it is easier for Levine to look back fondly on the ride.

“Listen man, it’s a long, weird road being in a band,” Levine explained on “The Ralphie Show.” “We kept treading a line between were we a pop group or were we trying to be a regular alt-rock band? Yunno, we just didn’t know what we wanted for a minute.”

To Maroon 5’s credit – the band figured it out. Not to mention, Levine’s overall involvement with NBC’s “The Voice” hasn’t hurt the cause. The aforementioned “Moves” collaboration with his fellow coach Christina Aguilera proved to revive the group’s popularity. Aguilera will depart after this third season to focus more on her music career. If anything, Levine won’t miss the media-manifested drama between the two.

“I never liked that sh-t,” Levine stated rather bluntly. “I’ll be the first person to say that we had our share of issues in the beginning but I love that girl. Yunno, we’ve been through a lot. We came out the other end as friends and I’ve always got nothing but love for Christina.”

Levine went on to describe what was reported about the two as, “petty, despicable bullsh-t” in publications he called, “god awful.”

The lead singer was just as candid about which candidate he is backing in this year’s presidential election. The last time Levine called in to “The Ralphie Show” was in 2008 on behalf of President Barack Obama.

“I’m gonna do whatever the hell I can (to help President Obama) because if he doesn’t get elected I’m f-cking moving,” Levine claimed. “I’d rather you be president that f-cking Mitt Romney, and I barely know you.”

Levine might be better suited for the position – if you believe those “god awful” publications, he certainly has “binders full of women.”

INTERVIEW: Aerosmith ‘Toxic Twins’ Seem Closer Than Ever

October 17, 2012 in aerosmith, american idol, audio, exclusive, interview, Joe Perry, steven tyler with 1 Comment

It seems the Toxic Twins are back and as strong as ever. The coincidence is that the latest issue to drive them apart – Steven Tyler’s involvement on “American Idol” – may have been what brought them back together.

“I didn’t have anything to give Steven as a present because I’ve already given him everything that I could think of that I know he likes,” Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry told me regarding his cameo on last season of “Idol.” He played guitar on “Happy Birthday” for the 64 year-old Tyler. “That’s the kind of thing you give your brother.”

Tyler confirmed to Perry that he had no idea his fellow “bad boy from Boston” would be showing up on stage that night.

“What do you give a guy that’s got everything?” asked Tyler. “It was quite the moment, man. It was beautiful. It kind of took all the bad vibes and the whole business that was going on at the time and made it be okay.”

Perhaps it also sheds a little more light on how the tumultuous duo was able to link up with their other band mates to release Aerosmith’s first studio LP in eight years on November 6 and extend its current “Global Warming Tour” through the fall.

“This is the first record that I can think of in a long, long time where everybody is really excited about it in the band,” Perry noted. He has no problem referring to Music from Another Dimension as Aerosmith’s best yet. “I’d say we’re our own biggest fans so we’re also our own biggest critics.”

Seems not too much has changed from those crazy days of touring in the 70’s and 80’s… but some things are different.

“There are some substances that aren’t back there that used to be,” said Tyler – in a more matter-of-fact than joking manner – about the scene at the show these days. “It’s just so crazy. Everybody wants the backstage ticket. It’s pretty cool.”

And for the first time, Steven Tyler actually came across understated.

INTERVIEW: Wayne Brady Not in Favor of Romney’s Plan to Cut PBS Funding

October 10, 2012 in audio, exclusive, interview, Mitt Romney, PBS, wayne brady with 0 Comments

Wayne Brady didn’t get a chance to watch the first presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. When I told him about Romney’s plan to cut subsidies for programs like PBS, I wasn’t sure if Wayne Brady was gonna have to choke a… you get the idea.

“As a child of PBS, I really say that a lot of what I learned in life as a kid, I learned from watching PBS,” explained Brady, who called in to “The Ralphie Radio Show” to promote his improv-comedy tour. “You would just think that someone who wants to run this country would want America to have the best and brightest.”

While Brady was clearly not pleased with the Governor’s stance on the issue, the comedians alluded to an even greater problem he has with the Romney campaign.

“If you take music out of schools, and then you’re going to try and snatch away PBS, he wants a nation full of drones,” Brady concluded. “I guess coming from Romney, that might be apropos.”

It didn’t surprise me that a conversation with Wayne Brady would be wide-ranging given the variety of work he has accomplished in his career. While maybe best known for “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and that infamous sketch on “Chappelle Show,” Brady is also an actor, singer, and current TV host of the game show, “Let’s Make A Deal.”

“Even after all these years I’ll get stopped on the streets, ‘Hey man I love ‘Whose Line’ and c’mon, you really didn’t make all that stuff up? Tell me man, I’m your buddy,” Brady explained. “First off, I just met you 6.8 seconds ago, so I probably won’t confide in you. And secondly, yes, it’s all improvised.”

And yes, people still want Brady to say, “the line,” – the rhetorical question he asks while playing himself as a pimp in a skit on “Chappelle Show” when he wonders aloud if he will have to choke a prostitute.

“It was a funny sketch; it’s in the Museum of TV History as one of the best sketches of all time so you can’t ask for anything more than that,” he said, while also stating that he will not repeat the line to a stranger who approaches him. “Now I’m doing something else. And leave me alone, while I’m in the bathroom. I’m not going to say that while you’re standing next to me, and I’m peeing.”

INTERVIEW: Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas Can’t Wrap Her Head Around Impact of ‘The Fierce Five’

September 28, 2012 in audio, exclusive, Gabby Douglas, interview with 0 Comments

Tiger Woods did it for golf. Michael Phelps did it for swimming. And you could now argue that in that same vein, the U.S. National Gymnastics team has transcended its own sport with its accomplishments. The result is similar to that of Woods or Phelps stardom, as a whole new crop of fans flock to the table while a new generation is inspired to hop on the uneven bars.

“It still feels so surreal,” said Gabby Douglas in an interview on “The Ralphie Radio Show.” The “Fierce Five” teammate called in on behalf of Nintendo 3DS, her first major sponsorship since the Summer Olympic Games. “I do know the impact that we made but I just can’t wrap my head around it quite yet.”

The gymnast, who is the first American to win gold in both the individual all-around and team competitions at the same games, understands that because of her and her teammates’ success, there are girls in gyms across America hoping to be, “the next Gabby Douglas.”

“Have fun in what you do, and love what you do,” Douglas advised those who are looking to follow her footsteps. “Go after your dreams.”

Douglas did just that – leaving her home in Virginia at age 14 to train with renowned gymnastics coach Liang Chow. This past summer, she became the first African-American gymnast in Olympic history to win the individual all-around gold medal. Now, she finds herself in places she only could have dreamt of a few years ago, like the MTV Video Music Awards.

“We were all so happy to be there and so honored,” Douglas gushed. Her and her fellow “Fierce Five” teammates walked the red carpet, introduced Alicia Keys, and mingled with celebrities. “I didn’t get to meet Lil Wayne but I met Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Miley Cyrus.”

INTERVIEW: Steve Aoki Thinks Mitt Romney Doesn’t Support Dance Music

September 28, 2012 in audio, barack obama, exclusive, interview, Mitt Romney, Steve Aoki with 0 Comments

Steve Aoki is using his platform as one of the world’s biggest DJs for a greater cause: to help get out the vote. But while Aoki did travel to the Republican National Convention to spread this message, he pulls no punches as to who he’d like people to vote for in this year’s presidential election.

“I want to make sure that Obama gets re-elected,” Aoki said. “I have a strong feeling that a lot of people that are in college or younger voters feel the same way.”

The record producer cited President Obama’s views on pro-choice and stem cell research as two reasons behind his thought process – then trailed off the hot topic trail.

“You can’t even really imagine Mitt Romney supporting dance music,” he told me.

Did someone say, “New campaign slogan?”

INTERVIEW: DMX Returns With First Studio LP in 6 Years; Donates First Week Sales to 9/11 Victims

September 18, 2012 in audio, dmx, exclusive, interview with 0 Comments

It has been six years since rapper DMX released a studio album prior to dropping Undisputed last Tuesday. While the “Ruff Ryder” has not lost his bark, it definitely seems as if he is more deliberate with his bite.

“Music always evolves and morphs into different things,” X said in explaining his stance on the current state of hip-hop. The rapper called in to “The Ralphie Radio Show” last week. “At the same time, man you got young minorities who are successful. Not only that person, but I’m sure he has a crew with him… that’s at least 10 people with a job, doing something positive. Whether I approve it or not, I’m glad that they’re successful in what they’re doing.”

The emcee, born Earl Simmons, is not just talking a big game. His new disposition has kept him out of trouble with the law for over a year, and afforded him the time to write and record his latest LP.

“I’m just focused on my music again,” he said. “To have it taken from me, I learned to appreciate it as much as I do now. When I went in for this album, I felt like I did when I recorded my first album. I was hungry for it. I wanted it. I needed it.”

Certainly fans that discovered DMX with 1998’s It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot are happy to hear him rapping instead of reading about him on TMZ. But now in 2012, there are a whole new generation of hip-hop fans that may know X more for those headlines. The rapper notes that he was not influenced by a potential new audience when recording this album.

“The beauty in the truth is that it’s timeless,” X said. “It will reach every generation, as long as you keep it the truth.”

DMX believes his new music can do just that. The rapper released the album on September 11, and will donate his proceeds from first week sales to 9/11 victims and families. X also briefly commented on his still-in-progress gospel music album. The New Yorker said the LP is “definitely coming” and is “pretty much done.”

INTERVIEW: Gym Class Heroes’ Disashi Calls Band’s Success ‘Surreal’

September 14, 2012 in 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, audio, Disashi, exclusive, gym class heroes, interview with 0 Comments

You could call Gym Class Heroes an underdog before “The Papercut Chronicles II.” Prior to its release, the band only had one bona fide hit record to its name with the Patrick Stump-assisted “Cupid’s Chokehold.” GCH added three to that list with “Stereo Hearts,” “Ass Back Home,” and “The Fighter.” What makes the feat more impressive is the era in which it was accomplished: Gym Class Heroes have found a way to cut through all of the dance music on pop radio. Guitarist Disashi Lumumba–Kasongo cited two reasons for the success.

“One, us being true to ourselves as a band and as people,” Disashi said. “And two, the fact that the kids growing up today and people who are grown up already, want to hear more than just one kind of music.”

Check out my full VMA video here.

INTERVIEW: ‘Idol’ Joshua Ledet Claims Jimmy Iovine Was ‘Fake’ on TV

September 14, 2012 in american idol season 11, audio, exclusive, interscope, interview, Jimmy Iovine, Joshua Ledet, rrs video with 1 Comment

Of the four judges/mentors on “American Idol,” Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine usually played the role of “bad cop,” offering up at times brutally harsh critiques of performances. Season eleven top three finalist Joshua Ledet didn’t bother to listen.

“I didn’t pay attention to Jimmy,” Ledet admitted on “The Ralphie Radio Show.” “It was fake. I just listened to the judges.”

After mentioning that Iovine often complimented the R&B singer, Ledet elaborated on why he didn’t care for the record executive’s TV persona.

“I just find it quite odd that there were people on the show that gave great performances and the judges thought they were great and the audience and the whole world thought they were great and he was the only one that thought it was horrible,” Ledet said. “It’s obvious that stuff was done for TV.”

Ledet said that off camera, Iovine was as nice as could be. And yet despite not enjoying his critiques, the singer would not rule out signing with Interscope.

“I just sing, I just sing,” he said of his future plans. “It doesn’t matter if I sell or not. As long as I can make real music and good music and people can listen to it. If people don’t like it at the end of the day, I think that’s their problem and they should just switch and listen to something else but I just like to make real music.”

INTERVIEW: ‘Idol’ Erika Van Pelt to Return to Rhode Island Post-Tour

September 14, 2012 in american idol season 11, audio, Erika Van Pelt, exclusive, interview, rrs video with Comments Off

“American Idol” season eleven finalist Erika Van Pelt did not forget her roots, and she’ll be returning to them soon.

“I’m letting my lease run out in Massachusetts and I’m actually moving back to Warwick (RI),” Van Pelt revealed on “The Ralphie Radio Show.” “I can’t really say exactly what it is yet, but I’m going to be doing some work with Alex and Ani.”

The Ocean State-based jewelry company will be enlisting the help of the “Idol” singer for new jingles and other commercial-related services. Other than that, Van Pelt will be working on a new album, independently.

“I don’t have a label or a management contract as of right now,” she said. “But I do want to make a record, and I know if I have to fund it independently, I totally will. I’ll do more DJ gigs; whatever I have to do to make that happen.”

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