Get the FUNK Out with Ira Israel's expertise in Psychotherapy and Mindfulness!

If you missed Ira Israel on today's show, you can listen here.

ABOUT IRA ISRAEL
Ira Israel is a Psychotherapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Yoga Therapist, and E-RYT500. He has Master of Arts degrees in Psychology, Philosophy, and Buddhism and Hinduism. Ira is the author of Mindfulness for Urban Depression and Yoga for Depression and Anxiety. For more information please go to Optimum Integral Wellness
To read Ira's blogs please go to the Huffington Post
 www.iraisrael.com

Nita Whitaker LaFontaine on Get the Funk Out!

Nita Whitaker LaFontaine joined me today on Get the Funk Out! What a pleasure and a privilege to hear  about how Nita met Don, their love and life together, details about the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab at the Screen Actors Guild, and how she wrote her latest book Finding my Voice.

Nita also shares invaluable advice for those of you in funk and how to pick yourself up and find your way out. You can hear the entire show here.

Dad/Dude/Author Dan Zevin joins me Monday June 18th to talk about his latest book, his love of Costco, and his tricked out Minivan!

What a week for author/Dude/Dad Dan Zevin! Thursday featured in USA Today, Sunday in the NY Times, and then...Monday morning featured guest on my show "Get the Funk Out!" That's right 9am on KUCI 88.9fm, Dan talked about his latest book, his love of Cosco, and his tricked out Minivan, which I have to admit looks like a pretty cool ride. We stream live on www.kuci.org.

Find out more about Dan Zevin by visiting www.danzevin.com

If you missed Dan, you can listen to the entire show here.

Arlene Dawn Kole of The Koles joins me Monday on the Get the Funk Out Show!

Arlene Dawn Kole of The Koles joined me Monday June 11 on the Get the Funk Out Show! If you missed her, you can listen to the entire show here.


About Arlene Kole

Arlene and her husband Bill Kole have been together for over 30 years and have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Relocating to Los Angeles in 1992, Arlene worked 3 jobs and sang sessions, nightclubs and weddings while Bill got their music business up and running. They truly embody the American dream as their hard work has manifested as a successful production business and commercial studio.

Arlene Kole graduated the vocal program at the prestigious Grant McEwan College jazz school in Edmonton, Canada. She has sung hundreds of sessions for television, records, and commercials. In the late 80’s she had the honor of seeing a composition penned by herself and husband Bill performed by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (of Procal Harem fame). Arlene embarked on her solo career in 2006 and her 2008 debut CD has been met with critical acclaim as has her live show.

In her relatively short singer songwriter career, Arlene Kole has made a tremendous impact on the singer songwriter scene. In fact, the December 2009 issue of Music Connection Magazine named Arlene in their HOT 100 list of the top live acts in the nation. Art of the Song, the nationally syndicated radio program featured Arlene and her debut album in a one hour show that they say is their most responded to and successful show to date. Viv Nesbitt, co-host says:

“We simply weren’t prepared for what we received in the mail. Arlene Kole’s debut CD “One Day” stopped us in our tracks. The lyrics, the arrangements and instrumentation are amazing, but it is the voice that grabs your heart with the gentle firmness of an artist, mother, bombshell blonde and says “Listen, I have something to say. Brilliantly produced by her husband, Bill Kole supports with elegant production and astounding lyrics. This team is non-stop musicality and heart.

"One Day" chronicles the life of a wife, parent, and the eventual plight of us all: growing older in a society that prizes youth. Most importantly, as the title implies, Arlene sends an inspiring message of hope to those who have given up on their dreams, whatever the reason. The dedication on her record says it all:

"This music is dedicated to women everywhere. To wives, mothers and girls like me…those seeking to redefine themselves while being told that their best years are behind them. To all who have dreamed of “one day…” This is that day. This is one day."

Arlene’s second release features her family and the strong musical support of Jim Rolfe & Wyatt Stone. As stated on the CD liner “The funny thing about this record...it was originally a collection of songs that we performed life. However, with the addition of Wyatt it started taking on an interesting life of its own. With now four lead vocalists, a beautiful instrumental song from Jimmy and a couple of cover tunes, this album has truly earned the moniker “Odds & Ends.”

Arlene & The Koles believe that the heart of a society is reflected in the value they place on art. Your support is what allows them and other artists to continue creating and bringing a quality experience to the venues they play and the music they create.

Please support your local arts programs and LAWIM for there “Young Talent Night Program” so that children and teens have the opportunity of discovering the joy of creating and expressing themselves through the arts. Art nourishes the soul while inspiring us all to see the good in the world and in ourselves.

Encourage art. Buy art. Support your local artists and arts programs.

Arlene Kole & The Koles music is available on itunes, CD Baby, Reverbnation, and the website at www.arlenekolemusic.com

Psychotherapist Bonnie Katz joined me to talk about funks, mindfulness, stress, The Conscious Actor and more!

 Had a great time chatting with Psychotherapist Bonnie Katz on my show Monday May 21 on KUCI 88.9fm - streaming live on www.kuci.org. We talked all about stress, funks, mindfulness, the Conscious Actor, and more. Great show for all you actors, over-thinkers (definitely me), stress cases (okay, that would be me, too), people who are too tough on themselves (uh, yes, me again).

LISTEN to the entire show here

For more info about Bonnie, please visit: www.bonniekatz.com

Kelly Zirbes, blues/rock powerhouse, joins me on Get the Funk Out!

The incredibly talented Kelly Zirbes joined me this morning on my Get the Funk Out Show at 9am pst May 14, 2012! I have spent many a show cranking up her music and it was great having a chance to chat with her. If you missed the show, you are lame! No, just kidding. You can redeem yourself by listening here.

ABOUT KELLY
Kelly Z, a Folk singer with a heart for Rock and Blues, recorded her first demo CD, 'Kelly's Lot', and never looked back. She was always a late bloomer and music was no exception. Next 3 CDs were 'Live at The Troubadour',  'Stop And Make A Difference' and 'Trio'. During that time Kelly and "the Lot" headlined local festivals, toured regionally and went on 2 national tours while playing a variety of styles.

After lots of national radio airplay, they released their next 2 releases 'Come To This' and 'The Light' which were also played in Europe and sold worldwide. Playing for charity became a norm for the band starting in 1999 after Kelly realized that music and giving back made a good match. Kelly’s Lot has been featured on many media outlets for her music and for the charity work she has embraced. These include ABC Perspectives, Channel 4 in Milwaukee, Rock City News, LA times, Pasadena Weekly, Independent Songwriter Magazine, Mixdown Magazine, The Debra Duncan Show, Good Morning Texas, The Gordon Keith show and Fox TV Houston.

Since many Kelly's Lot fans were encouraging her to play more Blues Kelly started composing songs in that direction which was a natural for her and the band. Fellow band mate and co-songwriter Perry Robertson added his Southern Rock flair and the Kelly's Lot Blues sound was on it's way. After a couple more years they began booking more blues festivals including The Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland Oregon, the Big Fish Blues Festival, Maxson Roadhouse, The Santa Clarita Blues Festival and the Pasadena Blues Festival. Recently they have opened for Tommy Castro, Shemekia Copeland, Marcia Ball, John Mayall, Curtis Salgado and have hosted blues events for charity. With the help of European fans and friends they toured across Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands and France during the last 3 years and recorded a live CD  'Live In Brussels'. It was just released in October 2011 while the band plans their 4th European journey.

Singer/songwriter/percussionist Stacy Robin joins me on today's show!

You know that song, "I just wanna bang on my drum all day?" Well, listening to Stacy play her drums would inspire anyone! Today, I had a chance to talk to Stacy about her back story into music, how she balances work, her music, and everything else in between (anyone want to adopt some of her cute dogs?!).

ABOUT STACY
Accomplished singer, songwriter, percussionist and front woman Stacy Robin concocts a rich, simmering alterna-pop melting pot of engaging rhythms and etherial sounds. She seasons this delectable mix with passionate vocals and soulful introspection.

LA weekly: "Stacy Robin belts it with aplomb.” — Amy Freeman

Music Connection: "Stacy Robin soars" — Dan Kimpel

INK 19: “Stacy Robin sing[s] with beauty and grace" — Kyrby Raine

Find out more by visiting: www.stacyrobin.com

If you missed today's show, you can listen to it here.