Tim Tunes

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What is it that makes one a star? Is it talent? Is it perseverance? Or is it just plain hard work? Perhaps it’s all three. We’ll discuss this and much, much more in this episode’s conversation with Debra Monk.

When I was studying Theater in College at what is now Frostburg State University in Frostburg, MD. Our Acting teacher, Dr David Press, would give us acting exercises to perform. Often, he would hold up the example of how Debra Monk, or Deb, as he called her, performed a particular exercise as the best example of how to perform that exercise. Debra was a senior then when I was just a freshman, so our paths did not cross very much when we were there.

Over the years, I heard of her success, first on TV getting an Emmy for her performance as Andy Sipowicz’s wife in NYPD Blue. Then, while visiting Dr. Press, he told me of her shows on Broadway. I looked her up and told her I was coming to see her in the play Curtains on Broadway. She met me after the show and graciously gave me a backstage tour. Later, while she was performing Laughing Wild, a two person show with Christopher Durang in Boston, I met her for lunch and to talk about old times.

Two years ago, for Episode 3-6, I asked if she wanted to contribute a message to my acting mentor and our mutual teacher, Dr. David Press. She sent me a glowing tribute which was just wonderful. So, earlier this year I contacted her about an interview, and she agreed to sit with me.

I’m Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes podcast. In this episode, part 1 of 2 of our interview with Debra Monk, we cover multiple topics: from how she got into the business, how she approaches her work, and stories from her career. So, assume your favorite podcast listening position as we delve into the life and times of a true American Treasure.
Debra has asked for donations to her favorite charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Just click on the link to find out more and make a donation.

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Hey cherished listeners, Tim Rose here. In case you haven’t already heard, I’m re-releasing some of my previous episodes as I have discovered that these episodes are posted in mono as opposed to stereo. So, I bit the bullet and ponied up for the stereo version. Now prepare yourself for this Tim Tunes Reverb episode in stereo!
If you missed the first time around with Ted Onulak then you missed a treat. In addition to our conversation with the irrepressible Ted, there are recordings of a few of his original songs as well as bootlegs of his band playing live at Madam’s Organ in Adams Morgan in Washington, DC where Ted and his band Exit 10 continue to play on Monday nights. I’ve combined both episode 3-2 and 3-3 into a continuous conversation. Enjoy

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Over the past three interviews and five episodes, I was beginning to get the feeling that we were drifting too far afield of the original intent of this podcast. That is writing and performing songs. However, each of our subjects are song writers.
Mark Baxter our Vocal Behaviorist has been writing songs all along since he started in rock bands in the last century. Yaron Gershovsky, band leader of the Manhattan Transfer, is constantly writing and publishing new, original songs. And Debra Monk, our star of stage and screen, early in her career, collaborated on the songs for the Tony nominated “Pump Boys and Dinettes” and other musicals. So, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I hadn’t wandered too far from my original purpose. All these people are legitimate songwriters. This is often what the life of the songwriter is like. Precious few can live off their songwriting talent alone.

Now, I’m not a rich person. Oh, I do Ok, and I don’t really lack for anything, but I don’t have a lot of disposable income. So, I’ve decided to sort of pay back these three with the only currency I have. I’ve written three new songs. Each one of the three subjects inspired a different song. Today we’ll hear those songs and follow the process of their creation.

Welcome to the 50th episode of the Tim Tunes podcast. Begun on a whim almost three years ago, I started with the stories and recollections of my best songs. I thought I’d be done once I made through the first batch. But episode after episode, I managed to find some songwriting or performance-based content to share with you listeners.

In this episode we’ll explore three recently written songs that were inspired by the subjects of this season’s podcast. If you haven’t listened to episodes 5-1 through 5-5, I suggest you go back and give them a listen to better appreciate these songs.

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Back in the ‘60s and early ‘70s I lived in a suburb in Maryland just over the line from Washington, DC. As it happened when we moved there in 1964, the neighborhood was largely white. Around 1969 I started forming Rock Bands with my friends. We listened to top 40 and played the songs we liked, and could play. I was only 15 at the time and was too young to play in clubs, but that would come later.

When we first moved in only about 5% of the neighborhood was non-white. Over the next 7 years the neighborhood became almost completely black. Now, I had no problem with this except that crime began to rise. I was almost mugged twice. A neighbor was shot by undercover police when he pulled out a gun as they stopped him one night, not a block from my house.

While I was away at college, my parents decided to move to a different place. Almost everyone I knew from the old neighborhood had moved away. The old neighborhood just – dissolved.

So, you’ll see why this episode speaks to me as we continue our discussion with Mark Baxter – Vocal Behaviorist as he tells us his origin story. How a kid from New Jersey winds up as one of the premier voice consultants and teachers in the world.

I’m Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes Podcast. This episode is Part Two of my interview with Vocal Behaviorist, Mark Baxter. If you haven’t listened to part one, I highly suggest that you do so before listening to this episode. Mark lays out his philosophy and methodology in part one. In this episode Mark will tell us about his struggles to find his path and how he developed his dream.
This is Mark's site where you can contact him and find his free voice lessons - voicelesson.com

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Ok, Ok I got the message. It’s obvious that people like funny songs. Not that I’m one to pander, but... Who am I kidding? I am one to pander, especially when it’s so obvious that my listeners like to listen to my funny stuff. A quick analysis shows that over a quarter of all of my streams come from season 1 episode 9 - Funny Songs. Unfortunately, some of my funniest songs are in my least viewed episodes. To rectify that situation, I decided that this episode will be a collection of funny songs from those most neglected episodes. I know some of you are thinking “clip scenes” episode and you’d be right. It’s easy for me and entertaining for my audience. So, I reached out to the Tim Tunes Podcast Group on Facebook for suggestions on what to include. If you don’t like these songs, please complain to them. For all of my regular listeners, I apologize in advance. I’ve also included a few new tunes for you to enjoy. I hope you get at least a little chuckle, giggle, snort or guffaw.
I’m Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode we’ll cover four songs that are funny and have been laughed at by real people in live audiences – the first song is a little ditty about my mother’s Maiden Name, followed by a poke at our medical coverage process in the US, then a little tune about the facts of life, and, finally, a little lecture on the nature of truth and reality.

Support the show

Please consider making a one time donation via the Paypal link above
Or, consider becoming a monthly subscribing patron of the show here:
https://www.patreon.com/timtunes
And get lots of extra documentation and music associated with the show.