Keith Valcourt
The Washington Times
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Greg Evigan, who starred in William Shatner's 'TekWar,' on his lengthy career
At the recent Hollywood Show, an autograph convention in Los Angeles, formerly famous faces you hadn’t seen on TV or in the movies in years or decades met with their fans. Among them sat a still-ruggedly handsome Greg Evigan, who, unlike many of his peers, has never really stopped working. → Read More
Nick Heyward of Haircut 100 releases first solo album in 18 years
As leader of the '80s pop band Haircut 100, Nick Heyward brought his unique and deeply catchy songwriting genius to the world, with the band best remembered for the MTV hits "Love Plus One" and "Favorite Shirts." As a solo artist Mr. Heyward has released critically acclaimed albums of pure pop bliss, but then, 18 years ago, he retreated from the world of recorded music in the traditional sense,… → Read More
'Barney Miller' stars Hal Linden and Max Gail reflect on classic sitcom
In the pantheon of sitcom classics, “Barney Miller” stands head and shoulders above the rest. The only two remaining cast members, Hal Linden (Captain Barney Miller) and Max Gail (Detective Stan Wojciehowicz) chatted at The Hollywood Show about what made “Barney Miller” a classic and what they have been up to since. → Read More
Haley Reinhart of 'American Idol' releases album of '60s covers
We first met bubbly singer Haley Reinhart during season 10 of "American Idol," where she captured both the hearts of many and the third-place slot. After that Miss Reinhart went on to become an internet sensation by singing lead with the hipster collective known as Postmodern Jukebox. For her latest CD, Miss Reinhart takes an unexpected music travel back in time to the '60s with "What's That… → Read More
Miracle Legion singer Mark Mulcahy discusses new solo CD
When iconic "college rock" band Miracle Legion announced its 2017 reunion tour would also serve as its last, fans like myself were saddened thinking this would be the final time we got to hear the brilliance of desperately under-known singer/songwriter Mark Mulcahy and company. Mr. Mulcahy is hitting the road for a handful of intimate dates, which include a stop at the Sixth & I Historic… → Read More
Marian Gold, singer for Alphaville, discusses 'Forever Young' and new album
Alphaville lead singer Marian Gold is doing something he has done thousands of times before: pacing back and forth during vocal warmup exercises in the backstage bathroom of yet another concert venue. But tonight is special. → Read More
Prince and The Revolution joined by Stokley, who now has his own solo album
When Prince’s legendary band The Revolution reunited in 2017 to pay tribute to the late genius with a full tour, everyone was there: Wendy, Lisa, Bobby Z, Brown Mark and keyboard wiz Dr. Fink. But there was also a new face in the mix lending a hand — or a voice, actually — on some of the funkier falsetto jams. That was a young cat who was both inspired by and friends with Prince, and he too only… → Read More
John Waite: ‘Beauty in Imperfection’
For most artists the pre-show backstage waiting can be a tortuous affair full of pacing and anxious anticipation. Not John Waite. Today he transforms from soft-spoken Brit into a bona fide rock 'n' roll icon with voice still in prime form. Before his tour stops at Tin Pan in Richmond, Virginia, Wednesday and AMP in Bethesda, Maryland, Thursday, he spoke about purity in song, the joys of touring… → Read More
UB40 Legends to play Howard Theater in D.C.
In 1980 an unlikely collective of Brits from Birmingham helped bring reggae to a mainstream audience around the globe. In 2014 the trio came back together to reclaim their moniker and rightful place in music history. Now dubbed "UB40 Legends", the group featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue has returned to recording albums like 2014's "Silhouette and 2016's "Unplugged." → Read More
Alison Moyet to play D.C.'s Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
It all started with YAZOO (known as Yaz in the U.S.) a synth pop duo comprising former Depeche Mode keyboard wiz Vince Clarke and singer supreme Alison Moyet. After the duo split, Miss Moyet released many superior albums, and her live duet with Paul Young at Live Aid remains a highlight of the '80s super benefit concert. Since then she has never stopped recording and touring, including her… → Read More
Doobie Brothers guitarist Patrick Simmons says new album may come out in 2018
Through nearly five decades The Doobie Brothers has remained a force in the world of Southern-tinged rock ‘n’ roll. Through all the ups and downs, the breakups and reunions, only one member has been there the whole time: guitarist and singer Patrick Simmons, who continues to lead the Doobie Brothers as they head on a massive co-headlining summer tour with fellow rock lifers Chicago — a tour that… → Read More
Sevendust singer Lajon Witherspoon discusses 20th anniversary of debut album and tour
To mark the two-decade anniversary of their self-titled debut album, Sevendust is hitting the road to play that original opus in order. Before the band hits up Rams Head Live! in Baltimore on Wednesday, I caught up with singer Lajon Witherspoon to talk about the joy of looking back and why you may catch him antiquing when he’s not on stage. → Read More
Los Straitjackets releases album of Nick Lowe covers
Anyone who has ever seen a Los Straitjackets live show will notice a few things. First, there are the sharp suits and ties the band members all wear. Second is the stellar musicianship, with band playing surf rock-inspired instrumentals (think Dick Dale and The Ventures) with a precision and expertise not seen in most groups. The masked musicians are coming to the capital this weekend, playing… → Read More
Clare Grogan of Scottish '80s band Altered Images on writing new music
Of all the bands to come out of the New Wave movement of the 1980s, none appeared to be having more fun than Glasgow, Scotland's Altered Images. In 1987 the original lineup of Altered Images faded from the musical landscape -- or so it seemed, until Clare Grogan reactivated the band in 2004 as an all-female group to play a series of 1980s-themed festivals. At a recent stop in Los Angeles, Miss… → Read More
Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor on the band's reunion and new CD 'Paper Gods'
Duran Duran burst on the scene in the early 1980s with their groove-heavy sounds and stylist good looks. After disbanding and reforming in 2001, the band has its first top 10 album in decades, the infectiously modern “Paper Gods.” Drummer Roger Taylor discussed why he left, how he returned and how he made peace with being known as “Roger from Duran Duran.” → Read More
Ricky Skaggs joins Ry Cooder and Sharon White for bluegrass tour
Ricky Skaggs, whose 40-year career has brought him 14 Grammy Awards, 8 CMA Awards, 9 ACM Awards and millions of fans will play as part of Cooder-White-Skaggs, a newly formed powerhouse bluegrass combo, at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Mr. Skaggs discussed the benefits of touring with your wife, how the trio came to be and his love of bluegrass. → Read More
Toadies drummer Mark Reznicek on the band's stripped-down tour, album 'Heretics'
The Toadies has just released a CD, “Heretics,” which features drastic reworkings of their best-known songs played on acoustic guitar, mandolin, electric piano, bass and drums. They’ve even included an unlikely cover of the Blondie classic “Heart of Glass.” Toadies founding member and drummer Mark Reznicek checked in before the band’s show at The Birchmere Monday to discuss the new CD, how… → Read More
Kellita Smith interview: Discusses 'The Man in 3B,' Bernie Mac, Jamie Foxx
Best known for playing Bernie Mac’s beautiful yet tough wife Wanda for five seasons of the the hilarious “The Bernie Mac Show,” Kellita Smith is a very funny lady known for sitcoms and “Sharknado 3.” She appears in ” “The Man in 3B,” which opens Friday. → Read More
Joshua Radin discusses Ellen DeGeneres’ invite to play her wedding
Thanks to luck, randomness and unexpected (and unasked for) help from Ellen DeGeneres, Joshua Radin has released six well-received, top-selling albums, and his songs have appeared in a hundred-plus TV shows, films and commercials. Not bad for a guy who started his music career at age 30. → Read More
David Cook of 'American Idol' returns with new CD 'Digital Vein'
As the winner of season seven of "American Idol" in 2008 David Cook became a household name with his good looks and mainstream rock tunes. Two solid albums followed, but then Mr. Cook sort of disappea → Read More