Hi, I’m Rob Fried, and welcome to the Band Central Radio podcast for April 2025. This was recorded live at the WPKN studio in Bridgeport on April 28th. This show is our finale to 10 years of live broadcasting on WPKN 89.5FM.

Today you are going to meet percussionist and music producer Marcos Torres, Jr, local nonprofit leader Christine Paine from Team Woofgang and Band Central’s very own Paola Murphy, our Director of Operations.

Here’s the run of show… in the first segment we talk about the end of the Band Central Radio era with all our reflections, emotions and thankfulness.

Next we listen to my recent release, Abigale Is My Friend.

Then I provide an update on Band Central and interview Marcos about his background, what lights him up about performing, and his current projects. We conclude the interview with Marcos and me performing Jingo unplugged, live on air.

Then I interview Christine to understand a bit about her upbringing, the meaningful work she is doing with Team Woofgang and where her passion for helping people come from, and then conclude with reflective interview with Paola.

Thank you for listening.

Hi, I’m Rob Fried, and welcome to the Band Central Radio podcast for March 2025. This was recorded live at the WPKN studio in Bridgeport on March 24th.

Today you are going to meet guitarist and vocalist Fuzz, and local nonprofit leaders Susan Schnitzer from CIRI and Dan Sheehan from Connor Sheehan Fund

Here’s the run of show… in the first segment we talk about how one’s mission can often become more than what you do, but rather a deep part of who you are.

Next we listen to Fuzz’s latest song, Love Came.

Then I provide an update on Band Central and interview Fuzz about his background, what lights him up about performing, his current projects. We conclude the interview with Fuzz and me performing Sweet Dreams unplugged, live on air.

Then I interview Susan Schnitzer to understand a bit about her origin story and where her passion for helping refugees and immigrants come from, and then conclude with a fascinating interview with Dan Sheehan about the Connor Sheehan Fund, in memory of his son, whose mission is provide support for programs that help teens, their families, and schools to identify mental health issues and substance use disorders among young people.

Thank you for listening.

Hi, I’m Rob Fried, and welcome to the Band Central Radio podcast for February 2025. This was recorded live at the WPKN studio in Bridgeport on February 24th.

Today you are going to meet smooth jazz keyboardists Jay Rowe and nonprofit leader Amanda Meeson, exec director of Sterling Community Center.

Here’s the run of show… in the first segment we talk about the music and art that has most affected who we are as people … I’m calling this your “musical pastiche”

Next we listen to Jay Rowe’s latest song, That’s What I Know.

Then I provide an update on Band Central and interview Jay about his background, what lights him up about performing, his current projects and his nonprofit that helps the Milford School System, Smooth Jazz For Scholars.

Then I interview Amanda Meeson to understand a bit about her origin story and where her passions lie.

Thank you for listening.