Live2cre8

Fred Satterfield is a Grammy & Dove Award-winning drummer, and graphic Illustrator. Fred was the Oak Ridge Boys' drummer for 20 years, winning 2 Grammy's, 2 Music City News Awards for Band of the Year, 1 CMA Award (along with 7 other nominations), and contributing to 35 Top 40 Hits including 25 #1's. He's made 4 appearances at the White House for 3 sitting Presidents, and 25 appearances on the Tonight Show. In additional to his musical acumen, Fred is also an accomplished illustrator, having produced more than 4 dozen coloring books for Dalmation Press, and numerous album covers for Benson Publishing. He is currently illustrating the graphic novel versions of C.G. Cooper's popular Corps Justice Series.   We cover a ton of fascinating topics in this episode including:   • Starting as a professional touring drummer at the age of 15 • Causing a Secret Service incident at the White House while testing out the bass drum • Entertaining Ringo Starr on the Tonight Show • Having Jay Leno open for the Oak Ridge boys while he was an up-and-coming comic • How the Oak Ridge Boys helped pioneer HBO's concert series • Getting sponsored by Pearl Drums after having his own drums stolen  • Playing jingles in New York City for a series of commercials with Larry Bird • Recording the theme songs for the '84 Olympics • The mechanics, logistics, and creative requirements of playing on a studio recording sessions • The pros and cons of using click tracks in the studio • How being in the right place at the right time led to a career transition as an illustrator • Breaking into the graphic design business by designing Jimmy Buffett's first tour t-shirt • Learning the proper mindset to be a successful creative professional by studying Kenpo Karate with Elvis Presley's head of security • And so much more!

Manny Cuevas was born into fashion design royalty. He began working with his father - the renown designer Manuel - at the age of 6, designing for and dressing everyone from American Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and both George Bushes - to music royalty such as Liberace, Johnny Cash, The Rat Pack Elite, John Lennon, Dolly Parton, Roy Rogers, The Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Jackson Five, David Lee Roth, Kid Rock, Jack White, and Kenny Chesney - to Hollywood icons like Marlon Brando, John Wayne, Jack Nicholson, John Travolta, and Sylvester Stallone, to name a few. After being approached in 2005 by Alan Tucker (who helped Calvin Klein create and launch "Calvin Klein") about creating a ready-to-wear line, Manny has developed into a global fashion force of his own. He's headlined fashioned weeks in New York and Mexico City, and his signature clothing line "Wear it Out by Manny" can be found in stores and boutiques around the globe.  Manny designed the suit that Johnny Cash was laid to rest in.   We cover a ton of cool topics in this extended episode including:   • Getting started in his dad's shop at the age of 6 by digging leather scraps out of the trash and sewing them together • Working with Country Music elite like Johhny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Little Jimmy Dickens, Marty Robbins, and Porter Wagoner • Being bounced on the knees of Salvador Dali as a child  • When major designer labels knock off your designs • Being mentored by Alan Tucker, co-creator of Calvin Klein • How taking big, unheard-of risks paid off in big ways headlining fashion weeks in New York and Mexico City • Working in the shadow of his father, Manuel, and the challenge of making a name for himself • Designing Bob Dylan's stage outfit for his concert in front of the Pope at the Vatican • A run-in with Sylvester Stallone as a kid • Learning lessons about how a man should talk to a woman by watching Ronald speak to Nancy Reagan • And SO much more!

David Petersen is an American linguist and language creator. He has studied over 20 "Earth" languages, and created more than 40 artificial languages for tv and movies, including Dothraki and Valyrian for HBO's hit show Game of Thrones, based on George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire..   Additionally, David has created the languages for Thor: The Dark World, Syfy's Defiance, CW's Star-Crossed and The 100, Dominion, Penny Dreadful, The Shannara Chronicles, Warcraft: the Beginning, Doctor Strange, and Emerald City.    He is the author of Living Language Dothraki and The Art of Language Invention, and is the co-founder of the Language Creation Society.   We cover a lot of fascinating topics in this episode including:   • JRR Tolkien's contribution to modern language creation • The workflow of sound development between himself and Hollywood show creators • Winning a language creation contest to land his first job with Game of Thrones • The linguistic rules and framework for creating a "realistic" fake language, and what makes a made-up movie language sound fake • Why language creation is living art that is never finished • Why the languages from Star Wars were all "crappily" done • The process of teaching an actor how to speak a new language  • The Game of Thrones character he thinks speaks the best Valyrian • And so much more!

Steve Feldman is an Emmy award winning director who has worked with talent as varied as Bill Nye, Linda Ellerbee, Bill Maher and Elmo for PBS, CBS, Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, MSNBC and Discovery. His work on “Sesame Street” earned him an Emmy Award, while his work with “Barney and Friends,” “The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss," "The Nick News," and “The Christopher Lowell Show” contributed to nine other Emmy awards and nominations. Steven’s other credits include "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," "Lazy Town," and the debut musical theatre production for Walden Media, "Rock Odyssey."   In addition Steve has produced and directed documentaries on prison life for MSNBC and is currently developing a documentary feature examining the life of David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam”. He is the Executive Producer of “The Breakdown” debuting this spring on DanceNetwork.TV.   Recently, Steve directed and produced six short films for Sesame Workshop’s Military Initiative. Additionally he directed a tablet-based television series for pre-school children, "Charlie and Company;" produced video content and provided design supervision for “Nowdebatethis.com," a teen debate website that wrangled with the question: “Who was the better President, Washington or Lincoln?” He has produced web content with acclaimed flautist, Sir James Galway, and directed a twelve episode science series for AMS Pictures in Dallas, TX. He just finished producing a series of videos teaching applied mathematics to young children, for Hammer, Inc. Steve also teaches Film and Television courses at Lipscomb University in Nashville.   We cover a ton of interesting topics in this episode including:   • The unique skill set required to be a Sesame Street puppeteer • What all goes into shooting an episode of Sesame Street, and how he changed their directorial style • Hilarious pranks at the annual Sesame Street staff Christmas party • Why 95% of the Creative Process in film & tv is done at casting • Who really runs the show on a film or tv set, and what Producers and Executive Producers actually do • Why artists and creative types often work across many different fields and platforms • How storytellers store creative ideas, and why someone would pay $25K for a napkin  • Why a balanced life and getting out of your comfort zone are essential to the creative process • Advice for playwrights, screenwriters, and actors • The different types of acting methods, and a funny story about Lawrence Oliver and Dustin Hoffman • Steve's favorite directors in Hollywood and why • And SO much more!

"It's not about having facts. It's about having ALL the facts."   Karl Hein, a.k.a. Karl Koppertop is in international performing magician, lecturer, and creator of illusions. He has appeared on The Pete Holmes Show, and his ideas have been featured on America's Got Talent and Penn & Teller's "Fool Us." He has authored numerous instructional DVDs and done seminars for elite magic organizations in dozens of countries including the world famous Magic Castle.   We cover a lot of fascinating topics in this episode including:   • The differences between closeup magic, stage magic, and tv magic • The many different ways to go about creating the same illusion • The many skills and components beyond sleight of hand that go into crafting an effective illusion, including choreography, music, lighting, script writing, joke writing, and interpersonal interaction • When magicians play pranks on each other.... • Karl's ideas about Penn & Teller's "Fool Us" • Performing on the Pete Holme's Show • The problem with revealing the secrets behind how tricks are done  • The differences between just performing magic and actually creating it • On being torn between the desire to understand how everyone's tricks work and retaining the awe and wonder of a viewer • The secrets and essentials for being a successful creative professional • And so much more!

Nicole C. Mullen is an award winning Gospel Recording Artist, songwriter, and dancer/choreographer. She's won 7 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards including 2 Female Vocalist of the Year honors, and received 2 Grammy nominations as well. Mullen is the only African American artist to win the Dove Award for Song of the Year ("Redeemer"), and in 2011 was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.  In addition to her her solo career, Nicole has also toured as a backup singer for Christian artists like Michael W. Smith, the Newsboys, CeCe Winans, and Amy Grant.  Nicole established an international mentor group for girls called "The Baby Girls Club," where she mentors girls worldwide through the arts.  We cover a lot of cool topics in this episode including:   • Singing back up for Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, The Newsboys, and many more, and doing dance choreography for Amy Grant • Learning the daily habits it takes to be a professional singer • The role her personal faith plays in the creative process • The importance of learning the basics before improvising in the studio or on stage • The ultimate advice for aspiring singers and songwriters  • The importance of taking your time in the songwriting process - don't be afraid to spend a year if that's what it takes! • And much more!

"I think if you're nice to people, willing to do anything and work around the clock, you can get through doors that most people can't." - Kyle Saylors    Kyle Saylors is an award-wining and critically-acclaimed filmmaker, producer, and cinematographer. He has directed and produced projects as wide-ranging and diverse as FOX NFL promos, numerous MTV and BET chart-topping music videos with the likes of Master P and Snoop Dogg, and thought-provoking documentaries with global impact such as "Veil of Tears." He and his brother Kenny are the founders of Sailors Brothers Productions, and their work has been featured on, and in, Fox News, Newsweek, BBC, Time Magazine, NY Times, LA Times, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Forbes, Huffington Post, Indie Wire, Charisma, and Christianity Today, among others.   This interview was a little different than previous ones because I tried to just let Kyle talk instead of peppering him a with a thousand questions. Filmmaking is all about storytelling, and Kyle has lots of them to tell. And even if I had questions written down, I forgot to ask a lot of them because I was so engrossed in the stories!    We cover all kinds of ground in this episode including:   • Learning film editing by bleeping movies from the video store because he wasn't allowed to watch films with swearing as a kid • The non-traditional path of going from ditch-digging at TBN studios to lead camera operator for a national show • How he once "accidentally" ended up as head of security for the World Cup  • Covering football for NBC Sports from the Dallas Cowboys sideline • Using a late night chance encounter at Denny's to launch into shooting rap music videos for Snoop Dogg, Master P, SIlkk the Shocker and C-Murder • The challenges of getting a feature film made relying on funding from Middle Eastern terrorist organizations • Learning to accept that failure is just part of the creative process  • How "awful" it is filming Ferrari and Maserati commercials in Italy (poor guy!) • How brothers who never went to film school and didn't know anything about lighting could create a cutting-edge style by just figuring out what "looked cool." • The value of breaking rules in the creative process • The power of storytelling to change policy at the government level • And so much more!

Kenny Dobbs is a professional basketball player, International Slam Dunk Champion, and the man LeBron James calls "the greatest dunker in the world." He's been a youtube sensation for years, and has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, NBA TV, as well as the new TNT show The Dunk King. His spectacular feats of aerial creativity have garnered him sponsorships from Sprite and Nike. Kenny has toured with the NBA and Sprite as a celebrity dunker, performing in front of sold out stadiums during Halftime Shows, Celebrity Games, and NBA All Star Weekends (where he is frequently brought in as a creative consultant for the NBA players). His amazing dunk moves were used as the inspiration for the dunks featured in the NBA 2K13 video game. Kenny is also a motivational speaker, using his foundation "Uprise Youth Movement" to empower youth of all ages with a challenging, yet empowering message of hope. We cover a lot of ground in this episode including:   • Growing up around drugs, alcohol, gangs and crime; landing in jail at 17, and making the decision to turn his life around • The value of taking stock of your life, writing down your goals, and being honest with yourself about whether or not the things in your life are helping you achieve them • Breaking down huge, audacious goals into smaller, bite-sized goals in order to get a plan of action • The sacrifices you have to make when you have a dream you're dead set on accomplishing • Using his past to make recommendations on effective substance abuse and gang prevention, receiving $3 million in grants to create a Youth Advisory Counsel, being appointed chairman for the state of Arizona, and being invited to Washington to speak to legislators • Breaking into big time Slam Dunk events after getting discovered at a local event by Shaquille O'Neil's cousin • Winning the LeBron James-hosted dunk contest at NBA All Star Weekend in Orlando with Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant watching, and being offered a tryout with the Dallas Mavericks • Learning about training and work ethic from Adrian Peterson  • The value of looking at the bigger picture when dealing with injury • Getting creative inspiration from Dominique Wilkins and Vince Carter • The power of mental barriers, and what it takes to overcome them • Kenny's influence on the current crop of NBA dunkers, and how he's brought in as a creative consultant for them • How a lack of creativity, and an emphasis on props and gimmicks nearly ruined the NBA dunk contest • The subtle techniques Michael Jordan employed to make dunks look more impressive • Investing your time on bettering yourself, rather than wasting it on entertainment

Kevin Harmon is the President and CEO of Brisa International and the creator of the EcoTech Complex, a revolutionary Next-Generation technology in Green Energy, Wastewater Treatment, Water Desalination, Waste-to-Energy, Recycling, Conventional Power Generation, Biofuel Production and Bio-product Synthesis. Kevin is behind the invention of over 400 patented or patent-pending technologies that are reshaping the way humans interact with the planet.   In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:   • How Kevin combined several existing technologies into a solution that removes waste, pollution, and other harmful byproducts • The incredible uses of algae as a biofuel • The "mad scientist” approach to creativity and invention • The future of green energy and why it’s important to our planet • Practical solutions for treating waste and creating clean water • How creativity can spring up late in life • And SO much more!

Laura Duksta is a New York Times bestselling author who believes through the power of love, and with an attitude of gratitude, anything is possible. Laura lost all of her hair to Alopecia Areata at the age of 11. It took her many years to love herself and to allow others to love her. She quickly realized that she would never trade having hair for the lessons of love, compassion and understanding for herself and others that she’s experienced. She’s come to know that our biggest challenges can blossom into our biggest blessings, and has embraced the power that comes from being yourself.   Laura knew from a young age that she was meant to travel the world, meet her brothers and sisters, and spread the message of love. She is now fulfilling this mission through her books, school programs, music and inspirational talks. I Love You More, originally self-published, has now sold over 800,000 copies and is available in six languages. Her second book You Are a Gift to the World flips over to The World is a Gift to You and encourages us to love and care for ourselves, one another, and the world we call home. Her third book I’ll Hug You More is due for release in January 2017.  She has been featured in USA Today, as one of "10 Individuals Making a Difference in South Florida" in Boca Magazine, in several creative anthologies, as well as on and in dozens of TV, radio shows, blogs and articles. In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:   • Traveling the world spreading the message of love • The great messages for adults hidden in children’s books • Hiding her Alopecia for years, and then embracing it • The personal origins of “I love You More" • Writing, rewriting, rewriting again, and still more rewrites! • The challenges and rewards of self-publishing • Avoiding “set formulas” for writing, and finding what works for you • And SO much more!  

David Litwin is a business owner, consultant, graphic designer, fashion designer, scriptwriter, artist, author, and public speaker. In the early 2000s, David turned his small design agency startup, Pure Fusion Media, into a multi-million dollar business in under 2 years, and has worked with companies like IBM, Sony, Hewlett Packard, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Pacific Bell.  David has combined all his skillsets and passions together in his new book, CRE8TVE SUCCESS, which teaches any business owner or independent business leader how to capitalize on the Right Brain attributes of the artist, poet, scriptwriter, designer and musician, to produce greater business success and the strongest of referrals. David has spoken at numerous conferences, churches, schools and summits on issues of creativity, theology and strategic thinking. In this episode, we cover a TON of ground including:   • Left brain versus right brain artistry, and how people can learn to move between both • Learning how to draw what you see rather than what you think you see • Why the barrier to creative entry is virtually nonexistent with modern technology  • Creating synoptic pathways and training the brain to learn anything • Faking his way into the graphic design industry • The challenges of running a successful business as an artistic-minded person • Why left-brained people need to learn to think creatively • The value of going on a 2-year long media fast • And SO much more!

Alex Boyé is a powerhouse vocalist, artist, and actor. He started his musical career in London as the lead singer for the European boyband, Awesome. Awesome signed to Universal Records Europe and released three singles from their debut album Rumors, which made the Top Ten on various pop charts throughout Europe. Selling over half a million CDs, they performed shows alongside numerous superstars, including Bryan Adams, The Backstreet Boys, George Michael, Simon and Garfunkel and MC Hammer.   Since moving to the States, he has been a soloist with the prestigious Mormon Tabernacle Choir and appeared on America's Got Talent to rave reviews. Alex is perhaps best known for his Africanized covers of modern pop songs - first appearing with The Piano Guys' in their rendition of Coldplay's "Paradise" ("Peponi") -  and his massively popular music videos have garnered over 300 MILLION views on youtube! In 2015 he won Youtube's "Cover Song of the Year" award for his rendition of Frozen's "Let it Go." Alex recently made his debut at the world-renowned Royal Albert Hall, opening for Olivia Newton John, and realizing a childhood dream.   In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:   • How being a backup dancer for George Michael at the MTV European Awards influenced the decision to become a singer • What it was like being in a boy band, and the challenges of practicing your faith as a pop star • The value of professional songwriters, and the importance of having that Hit Song • The America’s Got Talent experience, and winging it through the auditions • How an opportunity with The Piano Guys kickstarted the Africanized pop songs style • The importance of perseverance and attitude  • The Magic Formula for a successful Youtube channel • Collaborations with Marie Osmond, and future plans to break into Nashville's Country music scene  • And SO much more!

Neil Pond is an award-winning entertainment journalist, film critic, and the managing editor of Parade magazine. He previously served as editor in chief of American Profile magazine and as editorial director of the nation’s two leading country music publications, Country Weekly and Country Music. Neil has been an on-air commentator for CNN, the BBC, VH-1 and CMT, and is a recipient of the Media Honors Award, the highest journalistic decoration bestowed by the Country Music Association. Neil is voting member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and his weekly movie reviews appear in national newspaper syndication, on Rotten Tomatoes and on his website neilsentertainmentpicks.com.  When he's not wearing his magazine or movie hats, he plays drums in the 80s cover band Max Headroom. In this episode, we cover a ton of ground including:   • Interviewing Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn as his first professional assignment • Why there was pushback about doing music videos for some Country music artists • The Oak Ridge Boys’ unique choices in swimming attire on the French Riviera • How journalism has changed over the years, and the rise of Entertainment Journalism • Visiting with Hank Williams Jr. in Montana • The types of questions that are important to flesh out in an interview • Garth Brooks instructing on the proper way to tuck in a shirt • Being offered your very first joint from Willie Nelson, having Tammy Wynette make biscuits for you, and unusual sightings of Chuck Norris in Randy Travis’ driveway • And SO much more!

"Rainworks gives people a reason to look forward to rainy days! It's going to rain anyway. Why not do something fun with it?" Peregrine Church is an artist and inventor. His two favorite things are 1) creating novel things, and 2) making people smile, and his current business, Rainworks, combines both by creating uplifting street art that appears on rainy days. Peregrine launched Rainworks with a massively successful viral Kickstarter campaign, and rain activated art can now be found popping up in cities all over the world. (If you're in Seattle and want to collaborate, let him know via twitter: @CreateToConnect)   In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:   • Superhydrophobic Coating as a gateway to street art • The difference between “artist” and “creator" • “Analog art” and using elements of nature to create works of art  • Why optimism makes everything better • Why doing things is better than not doing things • The logistics of creating a Rainworks street art piece • Great advice for crowdfunding campaigns • And so much more!

Andy "The Magic Man" Segal is a 4-time Artistic Pool World Champion, a 7-time ESPN Trick Shot Magic Champion, a 6-time Masters Champion, and a 2-time - and currently reigning - US Open Champion. He's also a member of the Screen Actors Guild, appearing in films such as Spider Man 2 and The Dictator, and tv shows such as Person of Interest and Boardwalk Empire.    In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:   • The importance of a supportive family when quitting a Wall Street career to pursue a passion • Performing, Showmanship and his background in magic • How trick shots help in standard pool competition  • Parlaying billiard success into Hollywood success • What makes a great trick shot, and how Andy comes up with new ideas • Using trick shot pool for corporate conventions and sales  • Using billiards as a fun way to teach math • The ethics of hustling other players • The evolution of trick shots over the years, and where it’s headed • And SO much more!

Alonzo Bodden is a comedian and actor, and the winner of Season 3 of Last Comic Standing. He is a regular on NPR’s “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me” and “Comedy Congress,” as well as being a panelist on the Game Show Network’s “Mind of a Man.” In 2011, he starred in the comedy special “Who’s Paying Attention” on Showtime, released a DVD, and hosts a podcast of the same name.That same year, he was a panelist on the syndicated show “Inside the Vault,” and voiced the character of Thunderon in the Power Rangers movie. Bodden has also hosted Speed Channel’s “101 Cars You Must Drive,” and “America’s Worst Driver” on the Travel Channel.   Alonzo has appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” and “The Keenen Ivory Wayans” show, "Comedy Central Presents," and "It's Showtime at the Apollo". His film credits include “Scary Movie 4,” “The Girl Next Door,” and “Bringing Down the House” starring Steve Martin and Queen Latifah.   Alonzo has traveled around the world entertaining USO troops from Iraq to Greenland.   In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:   • How a career training airplane mechanics led to comedy • What Last Comic Standing meant to his career, and the behind-the scene “reality" of reality shows • The influence of Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Lewis Black, Kathleen Madigan, Bill Cosby, Damon Wayans, George Wallace, George Carlin, Steven Wright, Robin Williams and more • Why he focuses on topical humor, and where he gets his material from • The difference between joke-stealing and parallel thought • How stand-up comedy leads to film and television roles, and the competition between comedians for network sitcoms • How long it takes to hone material to get it ready for a stand-up TV special • What he thinks about the current election cycle and other current events in terms of comedy • And SO much more!

Eulyn is a film and television costume designer. A former model from Cape Town, South Africa, Eulyn made her way to the States after college and worked on commercials for Nescafe and M&M's.  She did the costume design for the 2012 horror film The Collection, and has spent 6 seasons's on AMC's hit zombie show, The Walking Dead, the most popular tv show in cable television history.   In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:   • Working as a model and costume designer in South Africa  • The specific skills required to be a costume designer (it’s WAY more than just shopping and sewing!) • The importance of reading the script, researching, and communicating with the director and actors • Innovative ideas for creating Zombie clothing, and the challenges of dressing 500+ Zombies • Creative names for bodily fluids paint colors • The camaraderie between cast and crew on The Walking Dead   • How the actors’ real world personalities can influence costume choices • The secrecy around the final episode of Season 6 and who Negan killed • And SO much more!

Carol Kline has been an author, editor, and ghostwriter for more than 20 years. During that time, she’s co-authored a dozen books with some of the world’s top transformational leaders - including Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame, and also Marci Shimoff, Lisa Nichols, and Gay Hendricks. Five of those books went on to become New York Times bestsellers. Carol has sold more than 5 million books and her work has been translated into 30 languages.   Inspired by her experience writing Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul in 1997, Carol became deeply involved in animal rescue work and helped run and build an animal shelter called Noah's Ark Animal Foundation in Fairfield, IA. She now lives in Ojai, California with her husband and one very elderly dog gentleman.   In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:   • How daily meditation contributed to the writing process • How she got mixed up with Jack Canfield in the first place • The value of self esteem and standing up for yourself • The challenge of getting the left brain and right brain to work together, and how   much practice goes into becoming a great writer • How to craft a compelling, emotional and visceral story • The importance of not editing while getting all your ideas out • Carol’s “magic brain supplement” for creative types • And SO much more!

Martin Molin is a Grammis (Swedish Grammy)-nominated composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, inventor and engineer. He is a founding member of the band Wintergatan ("The Milky Way"), and the inventor/creator of the Wintegatan Marble Machine. The unveiling of the Marble Machine video quickly went viral, and has amassed more than 23 million views on youtube.   In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:   • Sweden’s incredible extracurricular music programs • “Mistreating” regular instruments to create new sounds • The marriage of inventor, engineer, carpenter, mad scientist and musician • The importance of redundancy and stress testing in the building process • The challenge of transporting the Marble Machine and using it in live shows • The historical origins of programmable/mechanical instruments from the 19th century • The logistics of creating the Marble Machine music video • And SO much more!

David "Z" Rivkin is a Grammy-winning record producer, engineer, mixer, and writer who has an ability and knack for finding and developing independent, cutting-edge artists into hugely impactful stars. David has hand his hands on some of the most iconic songs from the 80's, and is probably most well known for his long-standing collaborations with Prince, including hits like "Purple Rain" and "Kiss," but he's also contribute to award-winning albums by Etta James, Billy Idol, and Bo Deans, to name a few. He produced the #1 single "She Drives Me Cray" by Fine Young Cannibals. And he was also a member of Lipps, Inc, with whom he had a #1 hit with "Funkytown." David is widely regarded of one of the original innovators of the signature Minneapolis sound that artists like Prince mastered, and just about everyone else tried to copy.   In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:   • Learning recording and engineering techniques by the seat of his pants out of necessity • Meeting Prince and creating that signature Minneapolis “80’s sound” with drum machines and synthesizers that everyone tried to copy  • The importance of experimentation in the studio • How he made that hyper pop snare sound on Fine Young Cannibals “She Drives Me Crazy" • Using conscientious choices versus “happy accidents” while recording  • Prince’s prolific songwriting, and how he’d write 30 songs to get 1 good one • Must-have recording gear in the studio • How he’ll work in any musical genre except dub step  • The differences between analog and digital studios, and embracing the new technologies • And SO much more!