for the LOVE of Music with Sara Troy and her guest John Armato, on air May 31st.
The Drummer Loves Ballads is the debut album of John Armato. Featuring extraordinary music, musicians and moods, it was produced and engineered by some of the industry’s top talent. The album was designed to be a new soundtrack for lazy Sunday afternoons, romantic evenings, and melancholy midnights, but you’ll swear it’s a long-lost jazz favorite.
Featuring more than 25 musicians, including the legends Houston Person and Warren Vaché, The Drummer Loves Ballads is a story more than 40 years in the making. From intimate quartet settings to sweeping orchestral arrangements, it is as rewarding to listen to closely as it is relaxing to listen to casually.
From Christmas toy drums to first lessons, from his first professional gig to a tour of Russia, drums have been John Armato’s constant companion. He has played clubs and concerts from New York City to Napa Valley and was a member of the trio behind Lisa Henry, a winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Jazz Competition.
While the beat and burst of high-energy drums captured his attention early on, it was the swish and sizzle of ballads that captured his heart. It was always about the beauty, not just the bang. (As a kid, after seeing Buddy Rich repeatedly on the “Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” Armato asked his parents for an album by the drum legend for his birthday, but “one with a whole band playing, not just a bunch of drum solos.”)
Forty years ago, Armato played one of his first jam sessions. That’s where the story of The Drummer Loves Ballads — and the album itself — begins.
A Kansas City native, New York City ex-pat, and now a Sacramento resident, Armato appears on the CDs “Claudette,” by Sacramento vocalist Claudette Stone and “Comfort” by Texas praise singer Lisa Bloecher. The Drummer Loves Ballads is his first release as leader.
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Ignite your heart and soul with Sara Troy and her guest Dr Linda Salvin, on air from May 31st
Dr. Linda Salvin is a metaphysical clinician and psychic with powerful healing abilities. She combines her scientific background with her spiritual gifts into a unique holistic method that will assist you on your life journey and help you find the answers to your most burning questions.
From My Heart to Yours
You wouldn’t have known me for the person I am today. In 1981, I survived commercial airplane crash. As I was sliding down the plane’s emergency chute, I my first of three out-of-body, near-death experiences leaving me out of my body for four months. This marked the beginning of my psychic and spiritual transformation. I have lived to tell you my story.
In 1982 while driving my car, a fire truck hit me. I had another out-of-body experience. Then in 1984, I totaled a car and had the White Light experience. While I was spinning in my car, the light when through my head and roof of the car and I heard a voice. I was given the choice to live or die. From this, I had a new connection to the other side.
It took me 12 years to embrace the gifts I had received and insight I was given. Once I accepted it, my life changed, my career was born and I began helping people on their life journey.
I became a healer after surgery in 1991 and awakened to being a medium, communicating with those on the other side following more surgery in 1996. My life journey is proof that sometimes God has a higher purpose for us than we originally envision. I believe we are all a part of the big spirit in the sky. We all walk in unison if we just stop, watch and observe. Connect with the birds, trees, people, stars, and energy. Find the synchronicity…even when it’s turbulent, it’s all about Love.
Dr. Linda Salvin is an integrative spiritual consultant and metaphysical clinician with a Ph.D. in Metaphysics. She combines a scientific background in epidemiology with her psychic abilities. If you are seeking answers about love, finance, career, relationships, spiritual guidance, health, or wellness, you can book a session for a psychic reading with Dr. Linda Salvin, or consider Wicks of Wisdom—her signature spiritual candle magic.
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Ignite your heart and Soul with Sara Troy and her guest Ann. K. Frailey, on air from May 24th
OldEarth Melchior Encounter, an epic sci-fi saga about humanity’s survival in a hostile alien world.
A.K. Frailey became a widower seven years ago, left to raise her eight children on her own. She knows what it is like to have to navigate through challenges and find a way to survive and thrive. This sense of self-reliance filters into her fantastical books, in particular, her successful science fiction tales. Her newest book, the fifth in a series, OldEarth Melchior Encounter, has received strong reviews since it was released this fall.
In this interview, A.K. will talk about:
How she explores humanity’s search for a creator and the meaning of existence
Why she shows the conflict between humanity’s need for God and our desire to be God
The price of evil in family and society. What truly defines family?
Examines marriage, parenthood, and the purpose of our vocation. Is our role in life something we choose — or are we born into it?
What inspires her to write a whole new world, with its very existence on the line
How she balanced a writing career while raising eight children on her own
A. K. Frailey, an award-winning author of a historical sci-fi and science fiction series, short story collections, inspirational non-fiction books, a children’s book, and a poetry collection, has had 15 books published in the past decade. Her novels expand from the OldEarth world to the Newearth universe—where deception rules but truth prevails. Her non-fiction work focuses on the intersection of motherhood, widowhood, practicing gratitude, and rediscovering joy. As a teacher with a degree in Elementary Education, she has taught in Milwaukee, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Wood River, and was a teacher trainer in the Philippines for The Peace Corps. She earned a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing for Entertainment from Full Sail University.
Ann has won two course director’s awards in Episodic & Serial Writing & Film Screenwriting and was Valedictorian when she received her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing. She made finalist in the Tuscany Press Writing Contest, was a two-time winner for the Catholic Writer Seal of Approval, received an Honorable Mention in the Hollywood Book Festival, and was made runner-up in an Indie publishing contest. A widower, Ann home-schooled all eight of her children. She manages her rural homestead with her kids and their numerous critters. In her spare time, she serves as an election judge, a literacy tutor, and secretary/treasurer of her small town’s cemetery. She resides in Fillmore, Illinois.
Ann’s work ranks among the best.” — Movie Director and Producer Cary Solomon
“Blending of historical fiction and science fiction…Frailey creates compelling characters.” — Publishers Weekly BookLife
“Frailey writes in a crisp, lean, and richly detailed style, building a fascinating, absorbing world.” — Blue Ink Review
“In the tradition of some of the greatest stories in the genre, Frailey takes a page from our current world issues and weaves it into an intriguing story of global and personal conflict.” — NB Thrilling Films 2 Inc. 2nd Assistant Director Ben Hrkach
“Epic trials forge epic heroes,” says Frailey. No, she wasn’t talking about herself, but about the themes in her books, where people of ancient times struggle to find meaning in a world dominated by evil choices. While managing their own conflicts, aliens fight for their place in human events.
To check out her stories, novels, inspirational books, and her film and television scripts, please visit
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support on Patreon.
Mental Health Awareness with Sara Troy and her guest Shanell Parrish-Brown, on air from May 24th
GIFTS IN BROWN PAPER PACKAGES,AN EMOTIONALLY HARD-HITTINGCOMING OF AGE STORY BASED ONHER REAL LIFE TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY
The Narrative’s No Holds Barred ThemesOf Domestic Violence Tie In PerfectlyWith the Author’s Dedicated Work OnBehalf of The Safe Center of Long Island (TSCLI),A Non-Profit Serving Nassau County, NY
Drawing courageously from painful experiences of her childhood while embracing and sharing her hard-won self-truths for the first time, author S.P. Brown’s powerful debut novel Gifts in Brown Paper Packages has earned out of the box acclaim and success – including debuting at #1 in three categories on Amazon within the first 72 hours of its Christmas week release.
Driven by the powerful, often harrowing but ultimately life affirming and triumphant narrative of 17-year-old protagonist Kyrie, the emotionally impactful book ended its second day at #38 in the highly competitive “New Releases Coming of Age” category and #1 “Musical Reference” due to the author’s inclusion of both old school and contemporary artists (from Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell to Deniece Williams, Lauryn Hill, Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars) as the soundtrack to Kyrie’s experiences. Currently, it is also ranked on the Kindle Store’s Black & African American Christian Fiction list.
Evoking some difficult experiences from her own childhood growing up in Harlem, Brown uses the fictional character of Kyrie as a vehicle to reflect on her ability to overcome the trauma of domestic abuse and somehow, miraculously, turn her physical and emotional survival into a triumphant and thriving life. The New York based author wrote the hard-hitting, flashback driven coming of age narrative over the course of one year while working her demanding high profile job as Vice President, Employment Counsel for a major entertainment conglomerate, often in quiet stolen hours in the middle of the night after her three children (now ages 14, 17 and 23) were in bed.
The breathtaking journey chronicled in Gifts in Brown Paper Packages hinges on a single question. In the wake of another emotionally and physically abusive episode with the person she refers to as “Man,” should she take the leap through her bedroom window into the unknown? Leaving her mother and young brother behind, she has no idea if she can make it on her own, but choosing the risk of the streets seemed like a better option than staying. With no plan but survival, Kyrie’s story is driven by strength, personal growth, a journey to self-awareness and ultimately acknowledging her deepest truths.
The theme of Gifts in Brown Paper Packages ties in perfectly with Brown’s dedicated involvement with The Safe Center of Long Island (TSCLI), a non profit agency comprehensively serving the needs of victims of domestic violence and inner personal trauma in Nassau County – and the only organization in the county providing free services to child and adult victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking. In addition helping to raise funds for a Capital Campaign project to build an expanded new safe house facility, she has served on the nominating committee for the past two years, with the goal of helping to identify diverse talent for TSCLI’s Board of Directors; she is currently their only African American Board Member. In 2020, Brown was named Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. She has agreed to become President of the Board in May 2022.
“For many years, I felt a lot of guilt and shame associated with those stories and felt like sharing them in my professional circles as a lawyer and even in my social circles wouldn’t engender real respect,” Brown says. “Eventually I realized my truth and that every part of my background, including the terrible, painful memories, served a purpose and informed what I consider this fabulous end product. That strength and resilience came from my path. It’s not necessary for readers to know the real life experiences versus the instances where I employed creative license or drew from other’s real life experiences.
“The point of the book,” she adds, “is to inspire readers to look at their lives with the proper lens, and allow those hard knocks and terrible experiences to ultimately work towards defining greatness in them as opposed to defeat. Those lessons don’t always show up beautifully adorned. Sometimes you have to dig through the ugly wrapping to discover the strength within the package. Everyone experiences difficult trials in their lives. The difference between a person who rises above them and succeeds and the one who doesn’t is perspective.”
S.P. Brown’s out of the box acclaim and success with her first novel Gifts in Brown Paper Packages is stunning proof that wherever we may be in our life’s journey, it’s never too late to embrace, share and inspire the world with our inner truths – no matter how raw and painful they may be and how vulnerable they make us feel.
Drawing from some difficult experiences of her own childhood growing up in Harlem, the author uses the fictional character of 17-year old Kyrie as a vehicle to reflect on her ability to overcome the trauma of domestic abuse and somehow, miraculously, turn her physical and emotional survival into a triumphant and thriving life. The New York based author wrote the hard-hitting, flashback driven coming of age narrative over the course of several years while working her demanding high profile job as Vice President, Employment Counsel for a major entertainment conglomerate, often in quiet stolen hours in the middle of the night after her three children (now ages 14, 17 and 23) were in bed.
In the first 72 hours of its Christmas week release, Gifts in Brown Paper Packages debuted at #1 in three categories on Amazon, including ending the second day at #38 in the highly competitive “New Releases Coming Of Age” category and #1 in “Musical Reference” due to her dynamic inclusion of both old school and contemporary artists (from Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell to Deniece Williams, Lauryn Hill, Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars) as the soundtrack to experiences. Currently, it is also ranked on the Kindle Store’s Black & African American Christian Fiction list.
Of the dozens of five-star customer reviews posted so far, perhaps this says it best about the book’s enduring impact on its readers: “I truly enjoyed following Kyrie’s journey through life and how she was able to overcome everything that life threw at her. Reading this story and enjoying every page as much as I did has reconnected me with my love for reading. I cannot wait for more from S.P. Brown.”
The breathtaking journey chronicled in Gifts in Brown Paper Packages hinges on a single life changing question. In the wake of another emotionally and physically abusive episode with the person she refers to as “Man,” should she take the leap through her bedroom window into the unknown? Leaving her mother and young brother behind, she has no idea if she can make it on her own, but choosing the risk of the streets seemed like a better option than staying. With no plan but survival, Kyrie’s story is driven by strength, personal growth, a journey to self-awareness and ultimately acknowledging her deepest realities.
Kyrie’s experiences are sometimes amusing, often shocking and so real and intense that it almost reads like a memoir rather than fiction. Along the way, she learns how to embrace the life lessons (gifts) that strife, struggle, perseverance and the tackling of overwhelming challenges can ultimately grace us with, if only we’re open to seeing life’s hardships that way.
The theme of Gifts in Brown Paper Packages ties in perfectly with Brown’s dedicated involvement with The Safe Center of Long Island (TSCLI), a non-profit agency comprehensively serving the needs of victims of domestic violence and inner personal trauma in Nassau County – and the only organization in the county providing free services to child and adult victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking. In addition to helping to raise funds for a Capital Campaign project to build an expanded new safe house, she has also served on the nominating committee for the past two years, with the goal of helping to identify diverse talent for TSCLI’s Board of Directors; she is currently their only African American Board Member. In 2020, Brown was named Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. She recently agreed to accept the role of President of the Board beginning May 2022.
Brown laid the foundation for her emergence as an influential first time novelist back in 2009, when she began writing fantasy fiction at night to, as she says, “assuage an undeniable creative itch to write something other than corporate policy and emails chock full of legal advice.” Her choice of genre was inspired by her childhood passion for books, and particularly stories that took her mind far from the day to day dark reality. She wrote seven chapters in six months and received incredible encouragement from her long ago literature professor at Hunter College, where Brown earned her BA in Human Communications. But then, for whatever reason, she got a crippling case of writer’s block and shut down.
As a person of deep faith, the author has come to trust that God sets us on certain paths for specific, sometimes mysterious reasons. In Brown’s case, her creative output was on the back burner for years until a lawyer friend who was running a program at the DA’s office for youth development and community reentry of former felons, invited her to audit a writing program – some of whose attendees were formerly incarcerated felons. Though she attended as an observer, she felt challenged when the facilitator asked, “What is your ‘Day One’ story if you had to talk about a specific time in your life? What is the lightbulb moment your life was changed?’”
She felt prompted to share some of her experiences with the group, and the sense of catharsis she felt led her to write what ultimately became the first chapter of Gifts in Brown Paper Packages that night on the plane en route to a conference. After she had written four or five entries, Brown made the decision that she would develop it into a novel written from a third person perspective, telling parts of her story, with fictionalized elements, through Kyrie’s eyes. For a time, she was concerned about writing explicitly about the domestic violence she endured in her youth, but ultimately decided that the narrative could have tremendous impact on others. She felt it was an important part of her life, even though her life had not historically been defined as a domestic violence survivor.
“For many years, I felt a lot of guilt and shame associated with those stories and so felt like sharing them in my professional circles as a lawyer wouldn’t engender real respect,” Brown says. “Eventually, I realized that my truth is characterized by every aspect of my background, including the terrible, painful memories, which served a purpose and informed what I consider this fabulous end product. I acknowledged that strength and resilience came from my path. It’s not necessary for readers to know the real life experiences versus the instances where I employed creative license or drew from other’s real life experiences.
“The point of the book,” she adds, “is to motivate people to look at their lives through the proper lens, and allow those hard knocks and terrible experiences to ultimately work towards cultivating greatness in them as opposed to defeat. Those lessons don’t always show up beautifully adorned. Sometimes you have to dig through the ugly wrapping to discover the strength within the package. Everyone goes through difficult trials in their lives. The difference between a person who rises above them and succeeds and the one who doesn’t, is perspective.”
“I am proud of the story I tell in Gifts in Brown Paper Packages, and the way I was able to put it together,” the author says. “In line with all the musical references, I truly feel there is a melody in the way it was written. What will make me the happiest is if the book is exposed to the masses and people get something out of it and feel inspired. I am so grateful for all the wonderful feedback I have received thus far, and I want to put myself in the position where I have more opportunities to speak to people who need to hear it. I want Kyrie’s story – and ultimately my own – to touch people and make an important difference in their lives.”
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support on Patreon.
“for the LOVE of Music” with Sara Troy and her guest Jason Shand, on air from May 24th
I think every artist obviously has their own method for coming up with a good tune. Everyone has their own inspirations. So on that note – no pun intended- I guess if I were to give advice to some young up and comers trying to craft a good song, I’d say to go with your gut… to go with what you’re feeling… to go with what inspires you, because in my opinion, if you do that, it’s coming from an authentic place, and for art to be good, it’s got to be authentic.
Personally, I draw from my life experiences or the life experiences of people I know, or people I may not know first hand, but may observe. I’m inspired by that slice of life, that human connection. Now for me, these slices of life most often go hand in hand with a melody, a bass line, perhaps a lyrical hook, that may evoke an emotion tied to an observation… and the next thing you know, this observation… this inspiration… has given me the tree trunk/main hook of a song, and what follows are the branches/verses that flesh themselves out. Sometimes it’s the other way around with the branches first becoming well defined, followed by the tree trunk… the main anchor of a song suddenly staring you in the face!
There is no real formula… except that I’m drawing from a situation… a storyline… I’m drawing from something that inspires me. It’s very rare for me to come up with anything good when I try writing for the sake of writing with no emotional impetus/connection to spark me.
I truly believe that when you go with your gut… when you go with your feel… when you go with your instinct, when you are inspired from that authentic place, tap into that and the universe will eventually give you something back. That goes for life as an artist/songwriter and I think that also goes for life in general as well.
Not all things that are good are inspiring when it comes to a great song. Extreme sadness/depression, anger, confusion, jealousy, hatred… these emotions have given me great material. Don’t run away from these negative feelings. Confront them, dissect them, and turning them into some poetic expression will probably be cathartic.
‘The Petty Narcissist’, the title track of my new album, without going into personal detail, is an example of a song about a relationship of mine and it was written from a place of enormous pain. It was an extremely cathartic experience for me to write and finish that song and I was able to let all that pain go afterwards. It was healing. And I got one of my best songs out of it!
So to wrap this all up and to bring things back full circle in regards to being an artist/songwriter – go with your gut… go with what you’re feeling… go with what inspires you, because in my opinion, if you do that, it’s coming from an authentic place, and for art to be good, it’s got to be authentic.
ABOUT THE NEW CD:
??The Petty Narcissist, is Jason Shand’s second full length album after 2015’s Because of Zeeva.
“My goal with this 14 song collection was to make a substantive personal pop album that not only catered to this new single driven era, but also catered to the old school of having a full length album where each song flows into the other taking the listener on a sonic journey. There are no fillers on this album. With all fourteen songs – from the 6:36 ‘Seeing You’ opener to the 2:49 ‘Oh Fábio’ closer – being substantive pop singles that flow from one song to the other, taking the listener on a sonic story telling ride, I’d like to think I succeeded.”
Five years in the making, The Petty Narcissist dropped worldwide on January 21, 2022.
LISTEN TO JASON’S NEW SONG XFACTOR, CLICK CHART TO HEAR THE SONG
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