Let Us Know What You Think of the Show!

Date: May 28, 2025
Name of podcast: Backstage Pass Radio
S8: E6: Graham Bonnet & Beth-Ami Heavenstone - The Legend and the Forever Friend


SHOW SUMMARY:
Rock legend Graham Bonnet and bassist/manager Beth-Ami Heavenstone invite listeners into their world for an intimate conversation about music, recovery, and what's next for the Graham Bonnet Band. Fresh from battling COVID-19, the pair reflects on the unique challenges vocalists face—a sentiment Bonnet captures perfectly when he states, "The voice is the hardest instrument to play... the guitar is easy compared to this."

The conversation weaves through exciting announcements about their upcoming live DVD recorded at the historic Whiskey a Go Go, a venue deeply meaningful to both artists as their first performance space together. Fans will be thrilled to learn about the band's fourth studio album in progress, featuring a special collaboration with Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson. Bonnet shares his creative process, including a touching tribute song to the underappreciated guitar virtuoso Rory Gallagher, revealing the thoughtful songwriter behind the powerful voice.

Some of the most compelling moments emerge when Bonnet opens up about his remarkable past—from his early connection to the Bee Gees (his cousin Trevor Gordon was originally part of the group in Australia) to his heartfelt remembrance of drummer Cozy Powell, whose 1998 passing still visibly moves him. The emotional gravity in Bonnet's voice as he recalls seeing two rainbows touch the hillside after learning of Powell's death demonstrates that behind the legendary rock persona is a deeply feeling human being who treasures these connections.

Between European tour preparations, managing multiple projects, and their life together raising chickens in LA, Bonnet and Heavenstone offer a refreshingly authentic glimpse into their world. Their playful banter and surprising personal revelations—Graham's unexpected love for figure skating and Antiques Roadshow, Beth-Ami's bird watching hobby—create a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes listeners feel like they're sitting in their living room. Whether you've followed Graham's career for decades or are discovering his extraordinary voice for the first time, this conversation captures the spirit of a rock legend who remains humble, creative, and utterly passionate about music.

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Backstage Pass Radio Social Media Handles:
Facebook - @backstagepassradiopodcast @randyhulseymusic
Instagram - @Backstagepassradio @randyhulseymusic
Twitter - @backstagepassPC @rhulseymusic
Website - backstagepassradio.com and randyhulsey.com

Artist(s) Web Page

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Your Host,
Randy Hulsey

Let Us Know What You Think of the Show!

Date: April 30, 2025
Name of podcast: Backstage Pass Radio
S8: E5: Lorraine Lewis - (Femme Fatale / Vixen) - Sunset Strip Survivor


SHOW SUMMARY:
From jumping out of classroom windows in Albuquerque to commanding stages worldwide, Lorraine Lewis embodies the fearless spirit of rock 'n' roll in its purest form. In this candid, high-energy conversation, the former Femme Fatale and Vixen vocalist pulls back the curtain on her remarkable musical journey that began with Linda Ronstadt covers in local bands and led to the glitz and mayhem of the Sunset Strip during hair metal's heyday.

With disarming honesty, Lorraine recounts how she assembled Femme Fatale through sheer force of will, sharing both the exhilaration of being signed to MCA Records and the frustrations of never quite reaching the platinum-selling status she envisioned. Her reflections on why some bands exploded while others stalled reveal the complex interplay of talent, timing, and industry support that defined the era.

The conversation takes unexpected turns as Lorraine discusses her recent collaboration with Foreigner's Lou Graham (a dream thirty years in the making), her successful career as a television casting director, and her latest venture into OnlyFans, which she approaches with the same unapologetic authenticity that's defined her entire career. At 66, she dismisses conventional limitations, declaring, "The older I get, the more fearless I am."

What emerges is the portrait of an artist who has weathered industry upheavals without losing her passion or perspective. Lorraine's infectious laugh punctuates stories of rock star encounters and personal reinventions, offering wisdom on survival and self-reinvention in an industry notorious for chewing people up. "I've had the most fascinating life/career ever," she reflects, with the conviction of someone who's still writing exciting new chapters.

Subscribe to hear more unfiltered conversations with the personalities who've shaped rock history, and follow Lorraine's current projects at LorraineLewisRocks across all platforms.

Sponsor Link:
WWW.ECOTRIC.COM
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Backstage Pass Radio Social Media Handles:
Facebook - @backstagepassradiopodcast @randyhulseymusic
Instagram - @Backstagepassradio @randyhulseymusic
Twitter - @backstagepassPC @rhulseymusic
Website - backstagepassradio.com and randyhulsey.com

Artist(s) Web Page
Lorraine Lewis - Facebook

Call to action
We ask our listeners to like, share, and subscribe to the show and the artist's social media pages. This enables us to continue pushing great content to the consumer.

Thank you for being a part of Backstage Pass Radio

Your Host,
Randy Hulsey

Let Us Know What You Think of the Show!

Date: April 2, 2025
Name of podcast: Backstage Pass Radio
S8: E4: Julia Lage (Bass Player - Vixen / Smith/Kotzen) A Magnificent Musical Migration


SHOW SUMMARY:
Julia Lage's musical journey crosses oceans, genres, and expectations. The current touring bassist for iconic all-female rock band Vixen opens up about her unexpected path from classical beginnings to rock stardom.

Growing up in São Paulo, Brazil, Julia's first musical love wasn't the bass but the flute. Attending an arts-focused Waldorf school, she developed her ear playing classical instruments but failed an orchestra audition because she couldn't sight-read. This disappointment became a turning point when her mother introduced her to rock music – Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith – opening a world of possibility that would shape her future.

By 17, Julia was touring Brazil with a successful band for 13 years, playing to massive crowds (once performing for 2.5 million people!) and appearing on major TV shows. But despite commercial success, she felt creatively unfulfilled. Her life transformed when she met guitarist Richie Kotzen (now her husband), leading to her relocation to Los Angeles and fresh musical opportunities. Through connections and remarkable talent, she joined Vixen in 2021, collaborates with Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Richie in their Smith/Kotzen project, and creates compelling solo material in her home studio.

What shines through our conversation is Julia's authenticity and genuine passion. While discussing her various projects – including upcoming Vixen music, Smith/Kotzen's new album featuring her bass on five tracks, and her solo singles – she reveals the challenges of balancing creative work with the business side of music. Her advice to aspiring musicians comes from hard-earned wisdom: know what you want to accomplish, focus on that path, and pursue it with genuine passion.

Follow Julia's musical adventures on all platforms under Julia Lage (L-A-G-E) and discover why this classically-trained flautist-turned-rock-bassist continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Sponsor Link:
WWW.ECOTRIC.COM
WWW.SIGNAD.COM
WWW.RUNWAYAUDIO.COM

Backstage Pass Radio Social Media Handles:
Facebook - @backstagepassradiopodcast @randyhulseymusic
Instagram - @Backstagepassradio @randyhulseymusic
Twitter - @backstagepassPC @rhulseymusic
Website - backstagepassradio.com and randyhulsey.com

Artist(s) Web Page
www.julialage.com

Call to action
We ask our listeners to like, share, and subscribe to the show and the artist's social media pages. This enables us to continue pushing great content to the consumer.

Thank you for being a part of Backstage Pass Radio

Your Host,
Randy Hulsey