Can You Forgive Her? by TROLLOPE, Anthony

28 year old percussionist Jonathan Gomez was born in Bogota, Colombia. There is no question as to why he has been able to take traditional Colombian music to popular venues around the US. His musical career began at the age of 5 at “Orquesta Sinfonica Juvenil de Colombia” then continued at the “Pontificia Universidad Javeriana” where he gained a better understanding of world music. He has performed in renown festivals such as Globalfest, Music of Colors (Detroit) and SXSW (Austin, TX) among others. He has also participated in the first Colombian musical presented at the Lincoln Center, “La Mas Grande Historia Jamas Cantada” and earned a Grammy Award with the Arturo O’farrill & his Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. Jonathan has an extensive career in the salsa scene in Colombia as part of “La Real Charanga”, recording two productions and taking first place in “Salsa al Parque” and "Jazz al Parque”. He has had the opportunity of playing and recording with many well-known artists such as Luisito Carrión, Luis Felipe Gonzalez, Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Kader Japonaise & Shwekey to name a few. Jonathan currently resides in New York City. 

Producer/Story teller Trina Bardusco Trina Bardusco is an American-Venezuelan producer and director with fifteen years’ experience translating global culture into award-winning content for American audiences. She is passionate about innovative storytelling, championing multiculturalism and aspirational content for women. Trina has written, directed, produced and or co-hosted a total of nine web series for and about women in both English and Spanish, including 500+ videos for Yahoo en Español that were sponsored by Procter & Gamble. An experienced bilingual brand liaison for agencies, and show sponsors, she understands the art of authentic contextual integration into US Hispanic and global programs.   She also co-pioneered HBO Latino’s original, award winning documentary series, Habla, that for over a decade has given a platform to Latinx living in the U.S. whose stories might otherwise not be heard.  Once a year, as a feature length documentary consisting of multiple interviews and community portraits, Latinxs from all walks of life, including dozens of celebrities, share their personal stories, reaching beyond the Latinx community to build bridges of understanding. Trina was a member of the White House Entertainment Consortium Collaborative Outreach Program under President Barack Obama.   Trina is honored to be in Free the Bid: an initiative advocating on behalf of women directors for equal opportunities to bid on commercial jobs in the global advertising industry.  In addition to her commercial work, Going Solo, a documentary series she created about travel for transformation, incubated as part of a 2017 yearlong fellowship at the Made in New York Media Center at the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP). She was the executive producer for the launch of Viva Voz, a nightly current affairs program for V-me, the first-ever national Spanish-language television network presented by public television stations, which reaches more than 70 million U.S. households. Trina created the first 140+ in studio installments, featuring high caliber Latinx guests in politics, entertainment and the arts. This included seven, hour-long community portraits shot on location about the Latinx experience in the U.S.  Trina began her career as a Fulbright Scholar of ethnomusicology in Spain in 1999 for her project, "Flamenco's Duende and Deep Song.” She soon traded the library for one of the first, readily available DV digital cameras, and started documenting gypsy flamenco singer, Luis Agujeta. This lead to her debut documentary, I'm the Tourist, distributed internationally and featured on HBO Latino. A proud alumna of Hunter College in New York City where she received a B.A. in Creative Writing and Spanish Literature, she graduated at the top of her class as a Phi Beta Kappa.

This episode is also available on i-Tunes and Google play. Isabela Raygoza is a music journalist and musician. She’s also a contributor for Rolling Stone Magazine, Remezcla, the Latin Grammys and different music streaming services. Isabela stopped by our studios and talked about the impact of Latin Music in 2018 in the US market. We also counted down Rolling Stone Magazine’s 10 Best Latin Albums of 2018 of which she was one of the contributing writers. We also talked about future trends and influential artists for 2019. Rolling Stone’s 10 Best Latin Albums of 2018 #10 Javiera Mena, ‘Espejo’ #9 Zoé, ‘Aztlán’ #8 Chini and the Technicians, ‘Arriba Es Abajo’ #7 Anuel AA, ‘Real Hasta La Muerte’ #6 Aterciopelados, ‘Claroscura’ #5 Gepe, ‘Folclor Imaginario’ #4 Balún, ‘Prisma Tropical’ #3 Ozuna, ‘Aura’ #2 Rosalía, ‘El Mal Querer’ #1 J Balvin, ‘Vibras’

This episode is also available on i-Tunes and Google play. Grammy award winning engineer and musician Andy Averbuch stopped by our NYC studios to talk about his career in the music industry. Andy is currently working with Grammy award winners Mariachi Flor De Toloache and is also the co-founder of the virtual reality company Endless Riff. We talked about his recent trip to Uruguay to collaborate with celebrated South American band No Te Va A Gustar. Draco Rosa, Jorge Drexler among other iconic Latin American artists. We also spoke about his experience working with musician/producer Camilo Lara founder of Mexican Institute Of Sound who has been involved in projects such as the Pixar movie Koko and the film Birdman. Andy in the center with the girls of Mariachi Flor De Toloache

This episode is also available on i-Tunes and Google play. On this episode of the East Side Punks podcast music producers Roman Rojas and Fran Cathcart talk about musicians in the New York City subway. They also re-visit an interview of music producer Jamie Propp and his record Subplay that featured some of the best performers of the New York City subway. We also listened to a couple of songs played live by subway performer Mariko Morimoto. Music Producer Jamie Propp, Subplay Musician Mariko Morimoto

This episode is also available on i-Tunes and Google play. On this episode of the Eastside Punks podcast we interviewed primatologist/rock n’ roll photographer Tracy Ketcher. After working for nearly eight years in primatology and extensive travel, Tracy Ketcher has generated a photographic catalog that is both eclectic as well as diverse.  Having directly cared for gorillas (including Koko the gorilla) housed in foundations throughout the western world, Tracy was able to capture striking images of one of our nearest genetic neighbors.  Now Tracy has focused her lens on a different kind of animal: the Rock Star.  Currently, Tracy primarily shoots live music performances and high end special events in and around the New York metropolitan area.  Tracy has involved herself in the music scene where she has been documenting the work of some of today's most influential Artists.  Her unique images capture the raw power that these performers exhibit.  Most recently, Tracy has photographed artists and talent such as Alice In Chains, Justin Bieber, Slash, Elvis Costello, 311 and Patti Smith.  She has contributed work to several published books, commercially released DVDs and has been appeared in many leading publications including Rolling Stone, The Huffington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Live Nation's  online entities, Metal Hammer, Metal Edge, Bass Player, Time Out New York & The Philadelphia Enquirer, among others.

Creative Director Danilo Alvarez, currently working at Discovery Channel NYC This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play. On this episode of the Eastside Punks Podcast Roman Rojas and Fran Cathcart talk about the process of what it takes to produce music for advertising. We also look back at an interview of veteran creative director Danilo Alvarez and his experience producing music for tv commercials. Some of the agencies Danilo has worked for include: Yates World Wide, Disney’s Yellow Shoes, Accent Marketing, Young & Rubicam, and D Exposito & Partners. Danilo is currently creative director at Discovery Channel in New York City. Danilo Alvarez under water somewhere in the World.

Left to right: Roman Rojas and Juan Carlos Barguil of Sunflower Entertainment. This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play. Juan Carlos Barguil is a veteran music publisher and partner in the digital record label/publisher Sunflower Entertainment. In his years in music publishing he has worked with some of the biggest innovators in the music industry. Juan Carlos still runs Sunflower Entertainment with Jamar Chess in partnership with Spirit Music, one of the largest independent music publishers in the US.

Mariachi Flor De Toloache, the very first all female Mariachi band. This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  2017 Latin Grammy winner Mireya Ramos of Mariachi Flor De Toloache came by the studio to co-write a song with Roman Rojas and Fran Cathcart of the Eastside Punks. We took this opportunity to interview her for our podcast. About Flor De Toloache: Latin Grammy Nominees Mariachi Flor de Toloache make New York City history as its’ First and Only All­-Women Mariachi Group. Founded in 2008, Mariachi Flor de Toloache is lead by singers Mireya I. Ramos (founder) & Shae Fiol (founding member). Reminiscent of the early days of mariachi the group started as a trio, Harp, Violin and Vihuela. Today, Mariachi Flor De Toloache performs as a full Mariachi ensemble. The members hail from diverse cultural backgrounds such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Italy and the United States. This defines their unique flavor and sound. The result of this cultural bouquet is an edgy, versatile and fresh take on traditional Mexican music. They coalesce as would a band of sisters, with a grace and vibrant beauty that casts a spell over their audiences not unlike the legendary Toloache flower still being used in Mexico as a love potion. While working to preserve centuries old traditions of Mariachi, their melange of the traditional and the modern pushes the boundaries of the genre and brings Mariachi music to new audiences. Mireya Ramos of Flor De Toloache getting her first Grammy in 2017.  Over the course of the last few years, Mariachi Flor de Toloache’s performances have illuminated world renowned stages in Europe and India. In November 2015, the group embarked on an extensive European and U.S tour as the opening act of Black Keys’ singer Dan Auerbach’s new band, The Arcs. After performances to sold out audiences in the UK, Germany, Holland, Italy, France, they continued to captivate crowds in the U.S. at legendary venues such as First Avenue in Minneapolis, The Vic in Chicago, Terminal 5 in New York, DC 930 Club and Nashville’s Ryman Theater (The Grand Ole Opry). A spring 2016 West Coast Tour performing as part of / and opening for  The Arcs, including dates such as the Coachella Festival also took place. Mariachi Flor De Toloache’s critically acclaimed self-titled debut album received a Latin Grammy nomination for “Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album” in 2015. Sharing the podium with legends Pedro Fernández and Aida Cuevas was an embrace from the Latin Music Community. The group’s live performances were praised by Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, The New Yorker, GQ Magazine, The New York Times. Following a highly praised NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert”,  their collaboration with rock supergroup The Arcs landed them on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and BBC 2’s Later with Jools Holland. Ran by NYC Salsa powerhouse Los Hacheros’ leader, Jacob Plasse, Chulo Records, the home of the band’s new record “Las Caras Lindas” was also the connecting bridge between Mariachi Flor De Toloache and The Arcs, with whom Flor De Toloache recorded “Yours, Dreamily,” released in the fall of 2015. Also recently released were collaborations and featured appearances of Flor De Toloache on Chicano Batman’s new album “Freedom is Free”,No Te Va Gustar‘s new album “Suenan Las Alarmas”, Luba Mason’s new record “Mixtura” – produced by Jimmy Haslip and Luba Mason. More releases included three collaborations with Fania Records recorded and filmed live for the legendary label. The group is currently ready to go on tour in support of their new record “Las Caras Lindas” released by Daptone distributed New York City based Chulo Records. The tour will included dates with the iconic Mexican superstarsCafé Tacvba, as well as a Day of the Dead run with Latin Grammy Winners La Santa Cecilia and Mexrissey.

This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  On this episode of the Eastside Punks Podcast Roman Rojas and Fran Cathcart reverse rolls, from interviewers to interviewees! Veteran music business manager Abner O. Monegro guest hosts the Eastside Punks Podcast and interviews Roman and Fran. 

This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  Music producer/composer Roman Rojas and singer songwriter Sharin Toribio of www.eastsidepunks.com go back in time to a 2007 interview with legendary Grammy Award winning musician/composer/arranger John Benitez. They also listen and react to some of the commercial music Roman Rojas produced a few years ago with John Benitez and talk about his incredible contribution to the arts.  About John Benitez - acoustic and electric bass Grammy award-winning bassist John Benitez, born in Rio Piedras Puerto Rico, started playing gospel music in church at the age of thirteen. Already a gifted musician, John began his formal education at “Escuela Libre de Musica” followed by study at the University of Puerto Rico and later the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music with master bassist Federico Silva. By age nineteen, John was the first-call bassist in San Juan's thriving Jazz and Latin music scenes. He performed with, among others, such well-known artists as Chick Corea, Lucecita Benitez, Batacumbele, Lalo Rodriguez, Cuco Peña, Roberto Roena, and Justo Betancourt. In his early twenties, he toured with Batacumbele to Columbia, South America where he continued to play and study music. Always in demand, John was asked to play with some of the top names in the country like Joe Madrid and often accompanied international touring artists like trumpeter “Chocolate” Armenteros. In 1993, John move to New York and attended the City College of New York where he studied with the legendary acoustic bassist, Ron Carter and later with the contra bass guitarist Anthony Jackson. His education, however, was not limited to formal classroom study. John learned on the bandstand performing with some of the finest Jazz and Latin musicians including, Wynton Marsalis, Tito Puente, Michele Camilo, Dave Valentin, Eddie Palmieri, Bobby Watson, David Sanchez, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Danilo Perez, Kenny Kirkland, Will Calhoun, Vinny Valentino, Chucho Valdez, Don Pullen, Dave Samuels, and Mongo Santamaria, to name just few. He recorded with Roy Hargrove's Crisol band (whose recording, “Habana,” was awarded the Grammy for best Latin jazz performance in 1997), David Sanchez (the Grammy nominated, “Obsesion”) Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Antonio Hart, the Tropi-Jazz All Stars, the Mingus Big Band, the Caribbean Jazz Project, and Eddie Palmieri. John has participated in two instructional videos with master percussionist Giovanni Hildalgo and Cuban drummer Ignacio Berroa. He can also be seen on the national tv and cable shows, Good Morning America, The Today Show and BET On Jazz. As a sideman and a featured special guest, John has performed in all of the major jazz festivals and venues around the world including Turkey, Jordan (where he played for the royal family), South America, Canada, Norway, Finland, and all over Europe. John was chosen by the United States Information Agency and the Kennedy Center to represent the United States as a Jazz Ambassador on a tour of South America. John has played and recorded with some of the finiest Jazz, Latin, and R&B musicians and has learned something from each and every one of them. This diversity of influence and experience is reflected in his latest project and first recording as a leader, “Descarga in New York,” released in August 2001 on Khaeon World Music. Together with his Trio (the gifted pianist/composer Luis Perdomo and the powerhouse drummer Dafnis Preito) and special guest percussionist, Richie Flores and the tenor saxophonists Ravi Coltrane, John has created a strong musical statement which highlights his prodigious talents as a bassist--both acoustic and electric-composer, arranger, and and producer. Benitez was the bassist on Ray Barretto’s last record “Standards Rican-ditioned,” in 2006, which was a set of jazz standards performed by an all Puerto Rican ensemble, which incidentally included the late Hilton Ruiz on piano. Although Benitez is extremely fluid in the jazz idiom, he excels at interpreting the rhythms and styles of his native Afro-Caribbean region and the entire Pan American music book. As he puts it himself, “For me it's all the same, one great dance music, all the Caribbean, South America and New Orleans are but an extension of African music, music with that special bounce. That's what I like the most.” John Benitez, an excellent example of a true musician, an educator, artist, gentleman and a spiritual human being.

This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  Roman Rojas of Eastsidepunks had an amazing conversation with singer/songwriter Sharin Toribio.  A little about Sharin.  Tampa, Florida native and student vocalist Sharin Toribio began performing at age six, composing at age nine, and earning awards and accolades in her teens. When she was 20, she was diagnosed with stage IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She survived seven months of chemotherapy and clinical trials and today is cancer-free. Shortly after Toribio recovered, she decided to study music full-time and in 2009 she enrolled at Berklee, where she has been a voice principal and where she will graduate this week with a degree in music business/management. Her musical influences come from country music, Latin pop, and gospel music, and she cites several vocalists as models, including Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Lauryn Hill, Juan Luis Guerra, and Martina McBride. She released an EP, Quiero, in December 2011. Toribio has a song featured on the college’s latest release, Music Production and Engineering Projects 2013, which features 18 tracks recorded by Berklee students at the college recording complex at 136 Massachusetts Avenue. Download more music and read the liner notes from the disc at Bandcamp.

  This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  We had the pleasure of interviewing Karolina Rose, an amazing up and coming indie artist in our New York City studios.  About Karolina Rose: Karolina Rose is a Polish-American singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, NYC. She was born and raised in Philadelphia to Polish parents and is musically inspired by Kate Bush, Debbie Harry and Madonna. Karolina made the decision to quit her career in the investment industry last year in order to commit to making music her full-time profession. Karolina released her first single ‘Move With Me’ in February 2017. In 2018, Karolina released two singles 'Goodnight, Mr. Moon' and 'Going to Berlin' ahead of the release of her upcoming debut EP INVICTA, available on August 24, 2018. The project was produced by LA-based producer Andros Rodriguez (FATM, Shakira).   Karolina Rose is having her INVICTA prerelease show at the iconic Mercury Lounge on August 18, 2018 at 7pm.

This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  Singing as a portrait with Steven Tyler on a Skittles commercial, winning the Abe Olman Scholarship, playing Peter Parker on an off Broadway show in New York City, writing the theme song for one of Telemundo Deportes World Cup 2018 shows, collaborating with an ex FC Barcelona soccer superstar on a song, Travis Nilan seems to do it all! We sat down with Travis who happens to be one of our producers/writers here at Eastside Punks and talked about his career in music. 

New York City based musician Mariko Morimoto This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  Even before Mariko Morimoto was handed her first acoustic guitar at 15, she knew she wanted to pursue music. Although she spent the first five years of her life in Japan, Mariko grew up in the suburbs of Boston, where she was lured and encouraged by the local music scene. She began actively songwriting during her high school years, and her took her aspirations to New York soon thereafter.  Throughout her college years, Mariko gained a tight following in the local music scene. She competed at various band battles and was voted by the student body for top slots at countless popular campus events. During her four years she shared the stage with notable artists Lifehouse, Pitbull, and the Gin Blossoms. She has also performed at prominent venues throughout Boston and NYC, most notably at The Middle East, Harpers Ferry, Spike Hill, and The Bowery Poetry Club. Mariko’s upcoming 6-track EP entitled On With the Show is expected to be released this Spring and will be available on iTunes. Co-produced and audio engineered by Alex Sterling (David Carradine, John P. Hammond, Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas) On With the Show also features the work of lead guitarist Armand Hirsh (John Mayer).  With edgy and aggressive tracks like “Trick or Treat,” to the candid ballads of “Hold on,” On With The Show provides listeners with a well-rounded display of her talent. With the combination of her honest, soulful singing and her upbeat, catchy rock riffs, Mariko proves that her music is just as original as it is entertaining. 

This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  On this episode of Eastside Punks Podcast music producer Roman Rojas and music business manager Abner Monegro talked to Max Bolotov, VR Account Director and Executive Producer at Koncept VR In New York City. KVR is one of the top virtual reality production companies in New York. Some of their clients include: Conde Nast Traveler, Broadway's Aladdin, Broadway's School Of Rock, Cavit Wines, Covia, New York Times, Jay Leno's Garate among others.  We've had the pleasure to produce music for several of Koncept VR projects. Some of the projects we produced music for include: Conde Nast Traveler, Cavit Wines, World Vision and Innovasea.  Enjoy the interview!    

Adam Stoler performing with Richard Bona  This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  We spent time with musician Adam Stoler and we talked about his life on the road and life experiences that have shaped his music.  Not just another sideman, Adam continues to break barriers through his own work as a performer, guitarist, producer, and his continued cross-genre artistry and collaborations with top artists around the world. Recruited by Grammy Award winner Richard Bona at age 23, Adam Stoler has since established himself as a highly sought after guitarist, composer/arranger, producer, and music collaborator whose stylistic flexibility and enthusiasm speaks for itself. In addition to traveling to far reaches of the globe as the guitarist in the Richard Bona Group, Adam has toured and/or recorded with Pop/Singer-songwriter Matt White, Keiko Matsui, one of the best selling female jazz artists in the world, and the Grammy nominated R&B group Les Nubians. His playing has been featured on countless radio and television broadcasts around the world including NBC'sAmerica's Got Talent, Voice of America, NPR, Radio France, the CBS Early Morning Show, and on commercials for companies including Macy's, Avon, Toyota, and Wachovia.  In the spring of 2013, Adam made his off-Broadway debut performing on stage in the NYTimes Critic’s Pick F#%king Up Everything, and subbed in the pit orchestra and on-stage in the 2014 4x Tony Award nominated Broadway musical "The Bridges of Madison County".  He is also featured in Italian cabaret songstress Giada Valenti's television special "From Venice With Love" which on dozens of PBS stations in 2015 and will continue along side a US tour in 2016. In addition to all his collaborations, Adam continues to pursue his own song writing and performing as a solo artist.

Boris Muñoz is currently the opinion editor at the New York Times Español.  This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  Boris Muñoz is a fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard. He is a Ph.D in Hispanic American Literature from Rutgers University. Author of several books, including La ley de la calle, testimonios de jóvenes protagonistas de la violencia en Caracas (Fundarte,1995) and Despachos del imperio (2008). He co-edited with Silvia Spitta, Más allá de la ciudad letrada, Crónicas y espacios urbanos (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2003). In 2000 he received the Fellowship of the Humanities Institute at Dartmouth College? and the First Accésit of the Premio Internacional de Periodismo Fernando Lázaro Carreter in Madrid. He was and Editor-in-Chief of Nueva Sociedad and Editorial Director of Exceso magazine, and contributes regularly to Gatopardo magazine, and Prodavinci.com.  Muñoz is currently the opinion editor for The New York Times in Español. 

This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  We sat down with writer David Swinson to talk about his new book "Crime Song",  the follow up to one of The New York Times top 10 best crime novels of 2016 "The Second Girl". We also talked about his involvement in music, film, as a D.C. detective and his experiences with luminaries such as  Dr. Timothy Leary, John Waters and Jim Carroll among others.  David Swinson began his career at the height of the punk rock movement in the early 1980s. After attending California State University as a film major, he booked and promoted punk rock and alternative music at Fender’s Ballroom, Melody Dance Center and Bogart’s Nightclub in Long Beach, California. Swinson also started a Wednesday night evening of conversation and spoken word at Bogart’s with luminaries such as Hunter S. Thompson, Dr. Timothy Leary, John Waters and Jim Carroll. After several years of booking, promoting, as well as developing lasting relationships with such people as Timothy Leary and Hunter S. Thompson, it was a natural segue to develop and co-produce Sound Bites from the Counter Culture for Atlantic Records in 1990. This spoken-word compilation featured writers, orators and politicians, including Thompson, Leary, Carroll, Abbie Hoffman, and Eugene McCarthy. Billboard called the album “essential listening.” In 1990, while having drinks with Timothy Leary and friend Bill Stankey, an idea for an offbeat buddy film entitled “Roadside Prophets” was conceived. The film eventually found a home with FineLine Features and was distributed theatrically by New Line Cinema. The film starred John Doe (of the band X) and Adam Horovitz (of the Beastie Boys) and featured Timothy Leary, John Cusack, David Carradine and Arlo Guthrie. Over the past few years, “Roadside Prophets” has become a cult classic among young viewers. In 1994, Swinson pursued another passion – law enforcement. He returned to his home base of Washington DC, where he joined the Metropolitan Police Department. Swinson began his career as a police officer in uniform. He was then assigned to the Gun Recovery Unit as a tactical officer. Shortly after that, Swinson was assigned as a plainclothes/undercover officer, targeting narcotics and crimes in progress. In 1998, Swinson was assigned to the Third District Detectives Office as an investigator, where he covered offenses ranging from burglary and armed robbery to homicide. In 2000, he was promoted to detective and was eventually assigned to the department’s Special Investigations Bureau/Major Crimes, and was the lead investigator in the District of Columbia for investigating serial burglaries, high profile cases and organized criminal operations related to narco-fencing. Swinson is a highly decorated member of the Metropolitan Police Department, having received numerous awards including the department’s prestigious Detective of the Year Award for 2003; Meritorious Service Medals for significant, outstanding and sustained achievements; Achievement Medals of Honor for a significant case investigation and several Department of Justice, United States Attorney’s Annual Law Enforcement Awards for significant case investigations. He has also received two major awards from Target Corporation for outstanding community service.

This episode is also available on on i-Tunes and Google play.  In the wake of Anthony ourdain's unexpected passing we are dedicating this episode to him and his work.  We sat down and talked to Robert Rose the producer, on camera talent and creator of the TV show Raw Travel TV.  Raw Travel is a grass roots, independently produced syndicated television series that is currently in its 4th Season and can be viewed in the United States on 160 broadcast affiliates.  The show currently ranks as the #1 rated authentic travel show on commercial TV in the United States.  Raw Travel is unique in that it is independently produced and financed and focuses on socially conscious travel. It showcases the growing wave of socially and environmentally conscious travel, while celebrating the self-discovery that authentic travel and experience among other cultures can bring. The show incorporates eco-tourism, voluntourism (traveling volunteers), adventure sports, underground music, authentic culture, food, tradition and much more. Executive Producer and Host, Robert Rose, navigates through an unpredictable world of travel to locations off the beaten path. In the process Rob & crew connect with a variety of colorful locals. Raw Travel invites viewers to get rid of their fears, break out their passports and take a journey to “meet the neighbors.” Real, ordinary people having trans-formative, life changing experiences through thoughtful, authentic and raw travel.