Women (and Legends) Who Really Rock! with Carmen Milagro  

Show Notes

• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 10/12/2009 5:12 AM UTC

  Sometimes you just have to improvise…even while on the air!
  

  Blog date 10/11/09:

   

  Last Friday’s (10/9/09) Women and Legends Who REALLY Rock! Show featured our own “WICKED” drummer, John Mader, my friend, colleague, drummer extraordinaire, music instructor and the ONLY man I know who would stand up to Ray Charles…

   

  Although I had prepared thoroughly with over 30+ questions somehow, the interview took on a life of it’s own and we ended up with great stories, good questions and simply a great time but I never got to talk about so many things so I guess, John will have to come back in 2010.

   

  Below is a paraphrased excerpt of the interview:

   

  Carmen Milagro: Today’s guest is our very own, bay area drummer, John Mader, perhaps best known for his work on many of major theatre productions that come to San Francisco…musicals such as, Wicked for example. Before we speak with John I’m going to play a song that he plays on called Once in a Lifetime by Patti Austin to give you a musical insight into part of this versatile musician’s style featuring John Mader on Drums. John has enjoyed a rich and varied career playing drums for many top artists and Broadway musicals.  He has worked with other Grammy Award winning artists such as Pat Benatar, Booker T. Jones (Booker T. and the MGs), The Family Stone as well as chart toppers Steve Miller, Lenny Williams (Tower of Power) and Stephen Jenkins (Third Eye Blind).  In the summer of 2008, John had the privilege of playing New York’s Lincoln Center paying tribute to James Ellis, Fred Wesley, and Martha High.

   

  John Mader:  Well, actually Carmen I should mention that the tribute in NY’s Lincoln Center was a tribute to the late James Brown featuring original members of his band… James Ellis, Fred Wesley, and Martha High…

   

  Carmen Milagro: I have to say thank you for correcting me on the air, I guess if I could fire an intern for giving me wrong copy, oh wait, I AM my own copywriter….(and that’s apparently, when I threw out most of my prepared notesJ

   

  So John, how old were you when you began playing music and how did you begin your musical career?

   

  John Mader:  I was 6 years old and I’ll never forget, I watched a 3^rd grader play the drums to a song while on stage for a talent show with a little suitcase phonograph and that was it man, I was hooked! I went home and begged my parents for a drum set and luckily, my father was a musician, so that was it!

   

  Carmen Milagro: Who’s your biggest critic?

   

  John Mader: Myself

   

  Carmen Milagro: Who was your biggest supporter at the beginning of your journey, throughout and who’s your biggest supporter now?

   

  John Mader: My parents, all my teachers, especially those in the public school system of course things were different back then and now my wife, Wendy!

   

  Carmen Milagro: How do you want to be remembered when you’re time on this earth is through?

   

  John Mader: For having a deep pocket.

   

  Carmen Milagro: What advice would you give other musician’s on how to deal with criticism from others?

   

  John Mader: Pass

   

  Carmen Milagro: Who are your heroes or any “legends” who have been a major influence your life? And why?

   

  John Mader: Dennis Chambers because NOTHING rattles him and he is just constantly in the zone! All the music teachers who took an interest in my personal development and Ray Charles for teaching me to stand up for myself…

   

  Carmen Milagro: Now would you tell us about your Ray Charles story? You said “it’s a good but not so flattering story”…

   

   

  (Curious to learn the whole story listen to the whole "connectedness" themed interview? (sans my notes and 33 prepared questions) you can download this interview and ALL previous ones at blogtalkradio.com/carmen-milagro OR the are also available on Itunes podcasts!)

   

   

  As I wind down for the night, I just want to say thank you John! You give good, FUN interview John Mader!! I LOVE your Ray Charles story! I can’t believe it’s been 8 years that we met!

   

  Personal note to self:

  Saturday 10/17 THE CARMEN MILAGRO TRIO with Jara Queeto (Blue Bone Express) on Keys and featuring our musical director Rich Armstrong (Cold Blood) on Trumpet guitar and vocals at Carlos Santana's Maria Maria Restaurant Mill Valley, CA (6:30 - 9:30pm) Early dinner reservations are family friendly!

  For more Carmen Milagro information go to http://www.milagromusic.com
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  • "John Mader"
  • "Wicked"
  • "Ray Charles"
  • "Patti Austin"
  • "James Brown"
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