From Akron & Beyond Podcast

The Piper Rock Festival with Ernie Passeos

Back in 1970, inspired by the success of Woodstock, a couple of enterprising Akron lads decided to bring a rock festival to Akron. Filled with peace and love, featuring bands such as the Byrds, Canned Heat, the Rascals, Alice Cooper, and others,  the Piper Rock Festival would be one of the biggest concert events ever to happen in NE Ohio…. That is, until “The Man” got word of what was happening…..A classic tale of idealism, bureaucracy, money, rain and mud, the Piper Rock Festival is the stuff of legend. As is our guest, Ernie Passeos!  Well known in the area for his Harley-Davidson dealership and community good works, Ernie was one of those idealistic entrepreneurs trying to bring the good vibes to Akron in 1970. Join us for a hilarious and fun look back, and ahead, with the remarkable Ernie Passeos!

“Remembering the Hi-Fi’s”

The Hi-Fi’s were one of Akron’s most steady and beloved bands, featuring the terrific songs of Chuck Keith and the lead guitar wizardry of Denny Coyle.  But in one terrible week, everything changed. In this episode we talk with Rich Roberts, Tren Houseman, and Harvey Gold about the band and its legacy.Listen on Thursday, April 17, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime wherever you get your podcasts!

“The Akron History Center (with Dave Lieberth)

The much-anticipated Akron History Center opens on Saturday, April 5th.  Just in time for the City’s Bicentennial, we talk with Dave Lieberth.  No one knows Akron and it’s history better than Dave.  In this episode , we discuss the planning and commitment necessary to make the History Center a reality.  Lots of great Akron stories ensue!Listen Thursday, March 27, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime wherever you get your podcasts!

Curated Storefront

If you’ve been to Downtown Akron lately, you’ve noticed the eye-catching, appealing window displays and artful design and use of public spaces. This is the work of Curated Storefront, an innovative approach to adding art and excitement to our urban landscape. In this episode, we talk with Operations Director Julian Curet about their mission and future projects.
 
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15-60-75...at 55!

This year, the legendary 15-60-75 (aka The Numbers Band) celebrate their 55th anniversary as a working band.  Kicking things off is a March 8th concert at the Kent Stage.To celebrate the occasion, we visit again with Robert Kidney, Jack Kidney, and Terry Hynde to discuss the band’s origins, the current state of the group, still writing new material, and their relationship to their audience.It’s a revealing conversation (with lots of music). Don’t miss this one!Listen Thursday, February 27, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime wherever you get your podcasts!

The Art of the Poster with John Bellas, Part 1

In this, the first of a two-parter, we go “Beyond” to the Motor City and San Francisco (among other places) with our guest John Bellas. John is one of the nation’s premier experts on vintage Rock posters, and he has the collection to prove it.How he built his collection, and his tips on how and what to look for, are all part of this fun conversation.

“Little Miss Akron” - Tracey Thomas Shepard with Ryan Humbert

We welcome back Akron Diva Tracey Thomas as she celebrates two major career milestones: Her new album “Words Can’t Save Us Now”, and the release of her memoir “Little Miss Akron”!
Both the album and book were done with the support of singer/songwriter/honkytonker Ryan Humbert, who also joins the conversation.
“Words Can’t Save Us Now” is classic Tracey, featuring new original songs, and great covers of some of her favorites.  The book is a highly readable look at her life - “Little Miss Akron” is an honest, funny, complex, and moving memoir.
We delve deep into both on this revealing and fun episode!
Listen to The Summit FM, 91.3, this Thursday, January 23 at 10 pm, or later wherever you get your podcasts!

“From Punk to Paris: Award Winning Graphic Novelist John Derf Backderf, Part 2”

Our in-depth conversation continues!
Listen to The Summit FM, 91.3, on Thursday, January 16, at 10 pm, or later, wherever you get your podcasts!
 
 

From Punk to Paris - Award Winning Graphic Novelist John Derf Backderf, Part 1

Nick and Bob welcome in the new year with an expansive two-part interview with Akron’s own Derf Backderf!In these episodes, we do a deep dive into Derf’s youth in Richfield, his pursuit of art as a career, working as a comic artist for newspapers and magazines, his popular strip “The City”, on through his breakthrough as an internationally successful graphic novelist. Amongst other topics, we discuss “Punk Rock and Trailer Parks”, “Trashed”, Derf’s life-changing “My Friend Dahmer”, the acclaimed “Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio”, and get a sneak peek at his forthcoming epic project….The Bank, press rooms, controversies, health challenges, his working methods - It’s all here, in Derf’s most extensive interview yet.  Don’t miss this one!

The Appropriately Named Laura Smiley

Our “Getting to Know The Summit FM” Series continues as we chat with Sales Director and On-Air Host Laura Smiley.  We talk with Laura about her path to radio, her many diverse interests, and (of course!) her deep love of music.  Nick and Bob learn a lot, and so will you!Listen this Thursday, December 5, at 10 pm on The Summit FM, 91.3, or later anytime, wherever you get your podcasts!