Podcast
Tony Mantor's : Almost Live..... Nashville
Hosted by Tony Mantor · EN
Nashville based veteran music producer Tony Mantor’s Almost Live… Nashville podcast takes its listener on a journey through the business of music and entertainment. Following the success and popularity of his top-rated podcast on Autism & Mental Health awareness - Why Not Me? - Mantor hosts thought-provoking conversations and behind-the-scenes stories from various celebrity guests from the world of music, television and entertainment. With more than 30 years as an accomplished music producer based in Nashville, Mantor welcomes a worldly guest list of musicians, actors and entertainers who share their unique stories about the roles they’ve played in creating and sustaining what we know as popular American culture. Conversations and stories that also give a deeper understanding on what it takes to achieve success in the entertainment industry for aspiring entertainers who are currently pursuing their own dreams of being a star someday. Whether listening for the entertainment or storytelling factor alone, or for tips on how his guests faced their life’s challenges, Almost Live… Nashville will have a story for anyone who has been a fan of popular culture in music, movies and television over the last few decades.
46episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Marty Wilde: The Rock & Roll Pioneer Who Helped Shape Music History
2d ago00:28:53Summary readyShow NotesRock & roll pioneer Marty Wilde joins Tony Mantor for a remarkable conversation about being at the birth of modern rock music and building a career that has lasted more than six decades.Inspired by the arrival of Bill Haley & His Comets and "Rock Around the Clock," Marty shares how one song changed the course of his life and launched him into the emerging world of rock & roll. From those early days to writing timeless hits and producing music for future generations, his passion for creating has never faded.The conversation explores songwriting, studio creativity, the evolution of recording technology, and why the emotional connection behind a song will always matter more than chart positions.Marty also reflects on writing iconic songs for his daughter Kim Wilde, including the international hit Kids in America, his love of rockabilly music, and his decision to return to his musical roots with a brand-new album.In This EpisodeDiscovering rock & roll through "Rock Around the Clock"The early days of rock music in Great BritainLearning from American rock and blues artistsThe importance of finding your own musical identityProducing music with authenticity instead of perfectionWriting timeless songs that connect emotionallyCreating hits like "Kids in America" and "Cambodia"Why demos sometimes capture the best performancesReturning to classic rockabilly with a fresh modern soundThe creative process behind songwriting and studio productionWhy music remains his greatest inspiration after more than 60 yearsThroughout the conversation, Marty offers thoughtful insights into creativity, longevity, and the pursuit of making music that stands the test of time. His love for songwriting and recording remains as strong today as when he first stepped into the studio.Whether you're a lifelong fan of classic rock & roll or a songwriter looking for inspiration, this episode is filled with stories, wisdom, and a deep appreciation for the power of music.Be sure to follow Almost Live Nashville for more exclusive conversations with the artists, songwriters, and creators who have shaped the soundtrack of our lives. INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. WildMantor Music BMI
SummaryJames Hood: Redefining Music Through Immersive Sound and Storytelling
2w ago00:22:37Summary readyShow NotesGrammy-nominated composer, producer, and immersive artist James Hood joins Tony Mantor for a fascinating conversation about pushing the boundaries of music and storytelling.From performing with legendary artists like The Pretenders and collaborating with icons including Jeff Beck, to creating breathtaking immersive experiences like Mesmerica and Astronomica, James shares how his career evolved from drummer to visionary composer.In this episode, James discusses the power of surround sound, the future of experiential entertainment, the impact of technology on music creation, and why authentic creativity matters more than ever. He also reflects on rebuilding after the devastating Los Angeles fires, finding inspiration through adversity, and creating music that connects with audiences on a deeply emotional level.Whether you're a musician, music lover, or simply fascinated by creativity and innovation, this conversation offers an inspiring look at one artist's relentless pursuit of meaningful experiences through sound.In This EpisodeJames Hood's journey from drummer to composer and producerPerforming with The Pretenders and working alongside legendary musiciansThe creation and success of Mesmerica and AstronomicaHow immersive entertainment is changing the way audiences experience musicThe importance of melody, emotion, and dynamic storytellingTechnology's impact on modern music productionWhy authenticity is the key to artistic successLessons learned from decades in the music industryFinding creativity after losing his studio in the Los Angeles firesAdvice for young musicians navigating today's industryWhy music should inspire reflection, imagination, and wonderJames Hood offers a unique perspective on where music is headed and reminds us that the greatest art doesn't just entertain—it transforms the way we experience the world.If you enjoy conversations with visionary artists and innovators, be sure to follow Almost Live Nashville for more exclusive interviews with the people shaping music, entertainment, and cultureINTRO/OUTRO: T. WildMantor Music BMI.
SummaryGeorge Thorogood: Bad to The Bone, the Blues, and the Stories Behind a Rock and Roll Legend
3w ago00:29:00Summary readyShow NotesRock and blues legend George Thorogood joins Tony Mantor for a candid conversation about a career that has spanned decades and continues to inspire generations of music fans.From his early days studying the blues legends who shaped his sound to becoming one of rock's most recognizable performers, George shares the stories behind the music, the challenges of staying authentic, and the moments that defined his remarkable journey.The conversation explores the unexpected success of "Bad to the Bone," his recent induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame, life on the road, the evolution of the music industry, and why performing live still fuels his passion.George also opens up about family, legacy, overcoming disappointment, and the importance of giving audiences everything he has every single night.This episode is filled with humor, wisdom, and unforgettable stories from one of rock's true originals.In This EpisodeThe blues legends who influenced George's guitar styleThe surprising story behind "Bad to the Bone"His induction into the Musicians Hall of FameHow classic rock radio transformed his careerWhy live performance has always come firstTouring Europe and continuing to perform worldwideThe evolution of music from vinyl to streamingThe story behind his signature Epiphone guitarFamily, legacy, and giving back through charityStaying motivated after decades in the music businessWhy he believes you're only as good as your last performanceAdvice for anyone chasing a dream: "Find another wall until one cracks." https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__conta.cc_417u5Tg&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=XEporPxybqP9gZ8FtlvO5frIjBq7Jq73gQrvKUXe06Y&m=SojJMWOYQqDNezfByrTrmLHaiQFjm0c59R6jE-bLpGaVIt9VNMSfruGIy3H4Q8kS&s=BcaOgn7thaTqtlVFIy6B8ukuKs_vBOOWv20Q4LhuVPE&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__i.craftrecordings.com_gtd-2Dbaddestshow&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=XEporPxybqP9gZ8FtlvO5frIjBq7Jq73gQrvKUXe06Y&m=SojJMWOYQqDNezfByrTrmLHaiQFjm0c59R6jE-bLpGaVIt9VNMSfruGIy3H4Q8kS&s=XO-bcg3E399j0WCBf3C2-UEI0ebsn8P42W4X29591y4&e=Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering George Thorogood for the first time, this conversation offers an inside look at the passion, perseverance, and authenticity that have made him a rock and blues icon.Don't forget to follow Almost Live Nashville so you never miss another great conversation with the artists and entertainers shaping music and culture today.
SummaryJonathan Antoine On Stardom And Staying Grounded
Jun 900:24:24Summary readyWe sit down with Jonathan Antoine to talk about the moments after Britain’s Got Talent that reshaped his life, from sudden global attention to a deeper understanding of success. We get honest about doubt, adrenaline, family support, and why music still feels like the strongest bridge between people. • recording a new album from a home studio and sharing release details • the chain of life-changing moments from a standing ovation to international gigs • redefining success as persistence and long-term audience connection • living with self-doubt while performing and using music as emotional shelter • staying grounded after shows through meet-and-greets and quiet comedowns • how the music industry changed from traditional paths to online careers • resisting pressure to change and evolving at a personal pace • blending styles across classical crossover and beyond while staying authentic • advice for up-and-coming singers in the attention economy • legacy, being remembered, and quick “Between The Beats” favorites If you haven't already, take a quick second to tap the follow button. It really helps the show reach more people who love music and entertainment. INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. WildMantor Music BMI
SummaryVictoria Perks On Fuzzbox Fame And The Book That Sparked A New Era
May 2600:26:51Summary readyWe sit down with Victoria Perks to trace how Fuzzbox went from Birmingham school friends “forming for a laugh” to chart success, touring, and a legacy that still surprises her. We talk honestly about sexism, branding, major-label pressure, and why she’s still building new projects through music and well-being work. • Fuzzbox’s origin story, reunions, and the biography that opens a new chapter • Where the name “Fuzzbox” comes from and why it landed differently in the US • The reality of being an all-girl band in the 80s, including misogynistic interview culture • Pride in being musicians who play instruments and in Birmingham’s creative roots • Indie freedom versus major-label resources, costs, and image fights over styling and promo • Growing up fast, managing “branding,” and how fame changes the day-to-day • Fan stories that show how music can spark real life change • What to listen to first, plus “we made it” moments like the charts and Top Of The Pops • Touring health, protecting your voice, and the grind behind the glamor • What’s next: 40th anniversary plans, festivals, book events, and the BuzzFox solo project If you haven't already, take a quick second to tap the follow button. It really helps the show reach more people who love music and entertainment. INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. WildMantor Music BMI
SummaryRichard Hewson’s RAH band: Journey From Bedroom Demos To Global Streams
May 1900:29:02Summary readyWe sit down with Richard Hewson, the creative force behind the Ra Band, to trace how an under-credited arranger turns frustration over fees into a self-made recording legacy. We get the real stories behind “Clouds Across The Moon,” Abbey Road sessions, vintage studio gear, and what it feels like to be rediscovered through Spotify and TikTok decades later. • arrangers paid a fee without royalties, pushing Richard toward writing his own songs • building early Ra Band tracks as a one-person “bedroom band” on multitrack tape • jazz influences shaping a pop sound, plus the Paul McCartney connection that opens doors • turning an “international operator” memory into the sci-fi story of “Clouds Across The Moon” • writing lyrics by creating a story scene, starting with simple phrases and expanding them • “Messages from the Stars” going viral on streaming and reigniting the back catalog • receiving the Roland SH-5 as a first synthesizer and sticking with vintage gear • analog warmth vs digital sameness, plus why hiss and tape feel “timeless” • favorite string arrangements and the craft of writing orchestration by hand • Abbey Road memories, Phil Spector’s massive orchestra request, and McCartney’s reaction • praising session musicians as the real heroes who can nail anything first take • seeing the Ra Band performed live by his son and a nine-piece touring lineup • where to find the music on major platforms and hopes for a vinyl run If you haven't already, take a quick second to tap the follow button. It really helps the show reach more people who love music and entertainment. INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. WildMantor Music BMI
SummaryHoward Jones On Synths, Stardom, And Staying Authentic
May 1200:24:58Summary readyWe sit down with Howard Jones to talk about the long arc of an electronic pop career that stays grounded in optimism, craft, and real human connection. He shares how he balances evolving music technology with live performance energy, and why authenticity is still the thing audiences can feel. • writing new music while still touring and chasing the next creative spark • blending great playing with smart technology for a powerful live show • building songs around big questions like love, meaning, and being human • how “Things Can Only Get Better” comes from thinking about singalongs • staying relevant by staying true to values like kindness and self-belief • what analog gear still does that software cannot fully copy • the 1985 Grammys moment that helped legitimize synth-based music • why the stage forces you into the present moment • learning from early fearless performances and bringing that spirit back • underestimating “No One Is To Blame” and watching it grow with fans • the near-miss record deal choice that changed everything • favorite synth pick and the message he hopes lasts for decades • turning a power cut into a once-in-a-lifetime show memory If you haven't already, take a quick second to tap the follow button. It really helps the show reach more people who love music and entertainment.INTRO/OUTRO: T. WildMantor Music BMI
SummaryThomas Dolby On Touring, Storytelling, And Staying Ahead Of Music Tech
May 500:24:28Summary readyWe sit down with Thomas Dolby to talk about touring with a full band, reshaping classic songs, and telling the stories behind a career that spans synthpop, songwriting, production, and music technology. He shares why emotion matters more than gear, how constraints can sharpen creativity, and what it takes to keep reinventing yourself without losing your voice. • touring plans and building a show around memoir-style storytelling • why great production starts with song and arrangement • musical “magic” and the shared human response to harmony • the many versions of 1980s music and the darker reality behind the nostalgia • using radio hits as a gateway to deeper, longer-lasting work • analog vs digital shifts with distribution as the real disruptor • why limitations can push invention and stronger decisions • chasing new horizons from samplers to AI without a “user manual” • founding Beatnik and the logic behind MIDI and samples on the early web • polyphonic ringtones and building mass-market music tech • staying an acquired taste and creating without chasing charts • teaching creativity by removing shortcuts and forcing originality • why inside-out performance matters more than copying trends • a final push to see the new live direction while there’s time Before we jump in, if you haven't already, tap the follow button. Take two seconds to do that now. It really helps the show reach more people. INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. WildMantor Music BMI
SummaryJuliet Dawn: Songs of Strength, Hope and Healing
Apr 2800:28:08Summary readyJuliet Dawn's Journey: From Trauma to Triumph In this episode of Almost Live Nashville, host Tony Mantor speaks with Juliet Dawn, a former X-Factor contestant and performer at the Royal Albert Hall. Juliet shares her remarkable journey of overcoming decades of trauma, including abuse, miscarriages, and health issues, with the help of her Christian faith. Despite immense personal hardships, she has channeled her struggles into her new album 'Born To Be', aimed at providing hope and healing. Juliet also discusses her path in the music industry, her ventures into writing, and her plans for the future, including her aspirations to tour and connect deeply with audiences through her compelling music and poetry. Introduction to the Podcast Meet Juliet Dawn: From X-Factor to Royal Albert Hall Juliet's Journey Through Trauma and Healing The X-Factor Experience Opening a Boutique in Cornwall Juliet's Musical Evolution and Future Plans How to Follow Juliet Dawn Conclusion and Final Thoughts INTRO/OUTRO: T. Wild Mantor Music BMI
SummaryHue and Cry: The Evolution of Brothers in Harmony
Apr 2100:26:38Summary readyPat Kane of Hue and Cry on New Single “Stronger,” Post-Post-Punk Authenticity, and Keeping Imperfection in the Music Host Tony Mantor introduces his podcast Almost Live Nashville and welcomes Pat Kane of Hue and Cry, the late-1980s duo known for blending pop, jazz, and sophisticated songwriting, including the hit “Labor of Love” from Seduced and Abandoned. Kane discusses promoting the new single “Stronger” and an upcoming album (out March 29), describing it as an optimistic electronic departure that reconnects with the band’s earlier electric phase while keeping their “post post-punk” core. He cites influences including The Human League, jazz, big bands, and classic soul, and reflects on unexpected success, the political-romantic metaphor and production of “Labor of Love,” and the intensity and intuition of writing with his brother Greg. Kane shares lessons about empathy in the music business, moments of renewed visibility via Grand Theft Auto and TV, resisting commercial pressure, valuing authenticity amid AI, embracing machine quirks in recording, and where to find the band online. 01:51 New Single and Album 02:28 Post Post Punk Vision 03:21 Influences and Sound 04:21 Breakout Success Stories 05:41 Why Labor of Love 06:38 Brothers in the Band 07:27 Hard Lessons in Music 08:21 Pop Culture Comeback 10:53 Staying Authentic 12:31 Start With Stronger 13:43 Fighting for Art 15:13 What Keeps Fans Hooked 16:22 Songs That Heal 18:09 AI and Real Performance 20:20 Machines and Happy Accidents 23:34 Advice for Creators 24:28 Stadiums vs Intimate Gigs 25:25 Where to Find Hue and Cry 26:25 Final Thanks INTRO/OUTRO: T.Wild Mantor Music BMI
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