On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I am honored to speak with my friend, Maria Howell. Maria and I met years ago and played in the Livin' Large band. She is one of my favorite singers and people on the planet.

Maria was born in Gastonia, North Carolina, and graduated from Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She worked as a jazz singer and made her film debut in The Color Purple (1985). Later, she began appearing in film and television. She lived in Okinawa, Japan, from 1995–2001.

In the 2000s, Howell returned to the United States and made guest appearances on television series such as Drop Dead Diva, Army Wives, The Game, Necessary Roughness, and The Vampire Diaries, and well co-starred in films including Daddy's Little Girls (2007), Mississippi Damned (2009), The Blind Side (2009), and What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012). In 2013, Howell played Seeder in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Also in 2012, she was cast in a recurring role in NBC's post-apocalyptic series Revolution as Grace Beaumont. In 2013, she played Ida Hayes in the Lifetime comedy-drama Devious Maids.

From 2016 to 2018, Howell played Lt. Theresa Hawkins in the Bounce TV prime-time soap opera Saints & Sinners. In 2019, she co-starred opposite Kristin Chenoweth in the Hallmark Channel Christmas film A Christmas Love Story. In 2021, she had a recurring role in the BET+ thriller series Sacrifice.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please get in touch with me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com. Please tell your friends about the show.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I'm thrilled to welcome my longtime friend and phenomenal percussionist, Michael LaMattina. Michael and I go way back when we first met at the District Honor Band in Georgia. Our shared passion for music saw us performing together in various ensembles throughout high school, setting the stage for Michael's illustrious career.

Now, Michael holds the prestigious position of Principal Percussionist with The Dayton Philharmonic and serves as the Director of Percussion Studies at Miami University. He conducts the Miami University Percussion Ensemble there, bringing his expertise to the next generation of musicians. With the DPO, Michael dazzles audiences through classical programs, pops concerts, chamber music, ballet, and opera. His summers are equally dynamic as he steps into the role of principal percussionist with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra.

Michael's impressive resume includes past roles such as Principal Percussionist with The Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, Principal Timpani & Percussion with The ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, and Principal Percussionist of the

Canton Symphony Orchestra. He's also showcased his talent as a Section Percussionist with the Erie Philharmonic and an Associate Section Percussionist with the Columbus Symphony. Beyond these roles, Michael has performed with the Cincinnati and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras.

Michael's academic credentials are equally remarkable. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music degree from Cleveland State University. His formative years were further enhanced by attending the Music Academy of the West in 1997 and being a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in 1998.

Join us as we dive into Michael's journey from our humble beginnings in school bands to his distinguished career. We'll explore his experiences, the nuances of his various roles, and the vibrant world of percussion.

Be sure to check out Michael’s YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelLaMattinaPercussion

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com. Please tell your friends about the show.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I am thrilled and honored to sit down with the incredible Luke Bulla, one of my all-time favorite instrumentalists and vocalists. Our conversation is a deep dive into his remarkable musical journey and the experiences that have shaped his illustrious career.

Luke's life has been steeped in music from an early age. At age four, he began touring and singing with his family band and took up the fiddle at seven. His prodigious talent quickly became evident as he went on to win the National Fiddle Contest in Weiser, Idaho, six times in his respective age categories. At sixteen, he made history by becoming the youngest winner of the Grand Champion division. By age ten,
Luke had already made a mark at Nashville’s Grand Master Fiddle Championship as the youngest top-ten finalist.

In the spring of 1999, Luke moved to Nashville, diving headfirst into a full-time music career. His early years in Tennessee were marked by his stint with Ricky Skaggs’ band, Kentucky Thunder, where his exceptional fiddle playing earned him his first Grammy Award. Following this, he joined the John Cowan Band. He performed and recorded with a host of renowned artists including Brandi Carlile, Jim Lauderdale, Darrell Scott, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, and many more. His collaborations read like a who’s who of the music industry, featuring names such as Bryan Sutton, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Shawn Colvin, Tony Rice, Chris Thile, Peter Rowan, Patty Griffin, Glen Phillips, Rodney Crowell, and Earl Scruggs.

Luke was a perennial instructor at Mark O’Connor’s fiddle camps during his early years in Nashville. Alongside his long-time friend Casey Driessen, Luke founded the band Wisechild, which toured briefly with John Mayer and Counting Crows. He also played a pivotal role in the band W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration), a collaboration that included notable members like Sean Watkins, Glen Phillips, Sara Watkins, Benmont Tench, Pete Thomas, Greg Leisz, and Davey Faragher.

In 2009, Luke released a solo EP featuring a stellar lineup of musicians, including Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, and Aoife O’Donovan. That same year, he joined Lyle Lovett’s Large Band and toured full-time with them until 2023.

In 2015, Luke co-founded the Bluegrass/Americana record label, Pure Music | Nashville, with music and business executive John L. Heithaus. The label released his LP, Who Loves You Better, in May 2016. Recorded at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Nashville studio and produced by Grammy winner Bryan Sutton, the LP showcases Luke's extraordinary musical talent.

Join us for an enriching discussion as we explore Luke's diverse musical influences, his approach to songwriting, and the incredible journey that has led him to where he is today. This episode is a celebration of his enduring contribution to music and his unwavering passion for his craft.

Music from the Episode:

Luke Bulla - Temperance Reel (Luke Bulla/Guy Clark/J.R.Stuart)
Luke Bulla - Who Loves You Better (Feat: Sarah Jarosz) (Lyle Lovett)
Luke Bulla - On the Turning Away (David Gilmour and Anthony Moore)
Luke Bulla - Tie Me Down and Set Me Free (Luke Bulla/J.R.Stuart)

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com. Please tell your friends about the show.

The theme song, "Playcation", was written by Mark Mundy.