Join us this week as we celebrate 5 years of the podcast! It has already been five years since the inception of The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music, & we've had quite a wonderful run of guests over the years. Today we welcome back the very first guest on the show, the one & only Mike Portnoy! After reflecting on podcast highlights & the years since its beginning, Mike gets into discussing his remarkable journey in the music sphere - from the initial struggles of forming a band to navigating his return to Dream Theater, to the transformation of the music business over the decades. Portnoy & Jay Jay's relationship serves as an inspiring testament to the importance of enduring friendships and collaborations, and the importance of community in the ever evolving music industry. Tune in for a must listen episode, as we celebrate 5 years of the podcast, & what's to come - only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

This week, after the news of Bob Weir, we're revisiting Jay Jay's previous conversation with guests Justin Kreutzmann & Mark Pinkus. This episode is a must listen for all Dead Heads!

Justin is a director, & the son of legendary Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann. Justin has worked on a large catalogue of projects with music legends such as Pete Townshend and The Who, Motley Crue, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Emmylou Harris, Mavis Staples, & last but not least - The Grateful Dead. He has worked as an editor & producer on a wide variety of music documentaries & programs - including Long Strange Trip, Let There Be Drums, Backstage Pass & Dead Ringers: The Making of Touch of Grey.

Mark Pinkus is president of Rhino Entertainment, and he is the official General Manager of Grateful Dead Properties. He has access to the Dead's extensive vault — a superfan's paradise with thousands and thousands of tapes — and handles the production and release of the music contained within.

Tune in to hear these 3 discuss all things Grateful Dead - from producing their most recent documentary, to each member's unique character & style of playing, & why the Dead have had such a huge impact on multiple generations. Justin discusses how his dad being a member the Dead has impacted his life & career, & Mark discusses his special working relationship with the Dead. Jay Jay tells stories of seeing the Grateful Dead perform growing up in New York, & the impact that their musical connectedness had on his playing.

Don't miss this one of a kind conversation, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger

2025 has been quite the journey - in this week's episode, Jay Jay is joined by his producer Matthew Mallinger to reflect on the past year. Jay Jay & Matthew discuss milestones & musical highlights - talking about the ups & downs throughout the year; looking back on favorite guests, & some of their favorite performances. Matthew's insights contribute to this retrospective analysis, & he talks about his recently released record ' Beyond the Flowered Gates,' along with his current artistic projects. Jay Jay gets into the year ahead & what's to come Twisted's Reunion - ending on a hopeful note, talking about how permanent & meaningful of an impact that music can have on listeners across the globe. Don't miss this unique year end recap, only on The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond the Music!

Produced & Edited by Matthew Mallinger