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Birmingham native Chuck Leavell has played with some of the greatest rock musicians of the last 50 years including The Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, John Mayer and others. For the last thirty years he’s been the pianist and music director for the Rolling Stones. He’s set to go on tour with the Stones beginning June 21st. Greg Bass of Boutwell Studios recorded a conversation with Leavell in March during a visit to Birmingham Southern College during which he talked about music and about his other passion, tree farming.

We did a lot of sessions over the years with Topper Price. Those of you that remember Topper will hopefully enjoy this discussion about him, where we play some of his music and talk to some of the people that he worked with. -Mark

Recently, the car wash broke off my antenna. Since then I’ve driven around looking at everyone in cars, on the street, and in the air.  I’m challenging everyone to do the same, at least for one day and think about what you saw.  Expressions, weird hand gestures, animals wearing clothes, it’s out there on the streets and in cars. Look, stare, record what you saw on your phone and send it to me. Van

A conversation with Whitney Hamilton about her new film, Union screening at Sidewalk Film Festival Sat, August 25 at 2:45.

All you ever wanted to know about Soccer (but it’s called Football) from a Bona Fide Brit, Ian David!  Lane & Van quiz him, he quizzes them, new slang is added to everyone’s vocabulary… England GOAL!

Sensory deprivation.  Two isolated voice booths, floating in space and one month with non-stop dialogue from a friend.

We can all agree that Courtney Haden had a brain composed of limitless knowledge, uncanny reasoning ability and the kindest heart of any alien being living on Earth.  He also gave freely of his time to anyone, anytime.  Which is how we arrived here at the first meeting of The Boutwell Studios Philosophy Club recorded on May 27, 2016. One day a few years ago a Russian ballet teacher came into the studio to edit some music.  He asked, “Does Courtney still work here?”, I replied that he was at lunch but yes he does work here.  The man’s gaze shifted from my eyes to a memory, a moment, any number of possible punchlines and stories.  Then he looked back to me and replied, “Courtney…heh-heh…” and walked away.  How perfectly true.  Courtney…heh-heh.

Y’know, you’re always right on EVERYTHING…if you just believe in yourself.  Lane & Van deal with the complexities of friendship and the worst ideas in the world.

Dennis Edwards, a native of Fairfield, Alabama, spoke with Greg Bass at Boutwell Studios about his life and career in music in February 2016. Edwards and The Temptations were inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. He died in Chicago February 1 2018 in Chicago. He was 74.