True House Stories® Youtube & Spotify Video Podcast

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TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ LEROY GOMEZ | SANTA ESMERALDA # 127

Santa Esmeralda is a French-American disco group formed in the 1970s. The group had hits with its remake of the 1960s hits “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” and “House of the Rising Sun”.

Santa Esmeralda featured original lead singer Leroy Gómez in 1977-1978 and singer Jimmy Goings from late 1978 until 1983. Gómez rejoined the group in the 1990s.

The band was formed in 1977 by French producers Nicolas Skorsky and Jean Manuel de Scarano, singer-songwriters who launched a label with the aim of producing artists who would record their compositions.

Upon meeting singer Leroy Gómez in Paris, the duo recruited him for the group’s first record, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, which debuted on the independent French label, Fauves Puma. A sudden success in Europe, the record was picked up for worldwide distribution by Casablanca Records and the rest is history. Leroy will come on True House Stories and share it all.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ TREVOR FUNG # 141

House Music and Balearic DJ & Music Producer. Trevor started DJing in Ibiza in 1982, in a club called Amnesia. There, he was instrumental in shaping the Balearic sound that would inspire Britain’s Acid House revolution. By ’87 – ’89, Trevor was playing.

TREVOR FUNG began his DJing career at 16 and was quickly earning a reputation for his taste and knowledge of both UK and American Soul Funk and Jazz. In 1983 through his European tastes and connections, Trevor was invited to play at Amnesia in Ibiza to spin his now mixed style of dance music. On Trevor’s return and throughout the mid eighties he teamed up with long time friend Paul Oakenfold to set up a club called “The Funhouse” playing similar sounds from his Ibiza experience alongside the popular Hip Hop and Go-Go sounds of that time.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MARK JAMES # 140

“Unquestionably one of the Australian dance music industry’s most recognisable and iconic figures, Mark James has been in the game for over 20 years. His company Future Entertainment was launched in the early 90’s and is one of Australia’s most successful event company’s.

Having pioneered and revolutionised the OZ market with brands like Summadayze and Future Music Festival attracting hundreds of thousands of punters,he is also responsible for putting on some of Australia’s first dance parties back in the 80s,with DJs like Sasha and Carl Cox appearing well before they were the household names we know & love today, he has also brought some of the world’s most respected club brands to the Aussie shores, inc Gatecrasher, Godskitchen, Renaissance ,Global Underground,MOS and more.Mark has maintained a massive career as a DJ/producer achieving world wide hits since 1992.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ PAUL SCOTT # 139

Paul was born with music in his bones. His parents notice earlier on when their pots and pans went missing. He experimented with multiple instruments including the drums, organ, guitar and bass guitar. He would spend an ample amount of time studying each instrument in his youth until he became skilled and old enough to earn a spot playing in a popular local band. Although Paul marched in the High School band and the New York Skyliners Senior Drum and Bugle Corps, (too young to be there), he never had a continuous or complete course to learn to read music.

With an impeccable sense of rhythm and syncopation, moving from musical instruments to turntables was a natural transition. Paul became a popular DJ in high school and college until he earned a position at Club Sensations as a resident DJ. Paul obtained a full-time song writing and engineer position working at Sensations Studios. At Club Sensations, Paul co-produced Jomanda’s “Make my body Rock” and Turntable Orchestra’s “Gonna Miss Me”…

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ TALL PAUL # 138

Tall Paul, is one of the stalwarts of the UK music scene, rocking dancefloors across the globe for nearly 30 years. He started DJing as a teenager, spinning vinyl for private parties at his family’s venue, the legendary club, Turnmills. As the popularity of House music grew, Paul was at the forefront of London’s renowned pirate radio station scene, with shows on the infamous Touchdown FM & Sunrise FM.

After securing a residency at notorious all-nighter Trade in 1990, Tall Paul soon found himself in demand across the UK, playing at all the big clubs that made UK clubbing history. From The Gardening Club, to Cream, Golden, Gatecrasher, Gods Kitchen, Clockwork Orange, Malibu Stacey’s, Ministry of Sound, The Gallery, Tall Trees, Colours, the list is endless. From this launch pad, Paul’s popularity grew exponentially and saw him become a fully paid up member of the global DJ tribe, playing to audiences across the U.S., Ibiza, Canada, Japan, South America, Asia, India, Dubai, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and of course, all over Europe…

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MARK KNIGHT (TOOLROOM RECORDS) # 137

Mark Knight’s revered stature within the world of electronic music world is already assured. With a career that stretches across three decades, highlighted by his innovative work as a DJ, producer, and the force behind Toolroom Records, Knight’s journey is marked by significant milestones and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of house music. Mark Knight’s revered stature within the world of electronic music world is already assured. With a career that stretches across three decades, highlighted by his innovative work as a DJ, producer, and the force behind Toolroom Records, Knight’s journey is marked by significant milestones and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of house music.

A key milestone in Toolroom’s recent history is its recognition as Beatport’s biggest-selling label in 2023, a testament to its forefront position in the electronic music scene. This achievement underscores Toolroom’s unwavering commitment to quality and its pivotal role in shaping the tastes and trends within the house and tech house spheres…

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ANDY VAN & JOHN COURSE # 136

Biography Andy Van
Andy Van is one of the vibrant Melbourne club scene’s most influential figures thanks to more than a decade as a top flight DJ, his role as one of the founders of the Vicious Vinyl label and his production and remix work. Along the way he’s remixed Norman Cook and Pendulum’s ARIA Award-winning oma? and notched up some major worldwide club hits, most notably Blackout’s “Gotta Have Hope”, before striking gold with Madison Avenue.

Biography John Course
John Course has been a leading DJ and figure in Australian dance music for over 15 years. During the late 80’s and early 90’s, John was primarily associated with the Chevron nightclub where he was resident at successful nights like Sanction and Insanity.

During this period he also won the Victorian DMC Mixing Competition twice and played at Chasers, one of Melbourne’s first clubs to embrace the emerging house music sound with John being one the first local DJ’s to champion its cause…

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ GORDON MAC # 135

The Godfather of Dance Music, Gordon Mac is a highly innovative and successful entrepreneur. He was the first person to succeed in taking a pirate radio station to legalization in the UK, the youngest ever Managing Director of a radio station (1985-1997) and is renowned for creating the Kiss FM brand, Britain’s first dance music station.

Gordon was the mastermind behind the establishment of the Kiss network, an essential to London’s music scene, its franchise and Kiss TV, which expanded the brand to national audience level. At the point of his departure, the company was worth £40m.

In 1998 The Radio Academy awarded Gordon the John Peel Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio alongside successors such as Kenny Everett, Richard Park, Chris Tarrant and John Peel to name a few…

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ SMOKIN JO # 134

Smokin Jo is one of the most talented DJ’s to emerge from the British dance music scene, her undeniably cutting-edge sound has carved her a niche in clubland.

Jo has had a truly successful career and 35 years of experience, she has played at numerous renowned venues around the world, including Space/Hi (Ibiza and Miami), Fabric (London), Womb and Aghea (Tokyo), Panorama Bar (Berlin), Warung (Brazil), and Pacha, Crobar, and Vinyl (New York).

She is the only female DJ to have won DJ Magazine’s DJ of the Year Award. In recent years, she has played at events such as Glastonbury, Glitterbox at Hi Ibiza, Defected Croatia Festival, Pacha Ibiza, Cream Weekender, Clockwork Orange, and Fabric. She has also appeared in a documentary for Ministry of Sound and headlined the Ibiza Space final opening and closing parties…

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ PAUL OAKENFOLD # 133

“Pete Tong said it perfectly: getting a release on Perfecto is like a badge of honor,” Paul Oakenfold recalls. “A dance music badge of honor! Those words really meant a lot to me as we began to consider how to properly pay tribute to Perfecto’s first three decades as a record label.”

Pete Tong, of course, is dance music’s longtime tastemaker supreme – but don’t just take Tongy’s word for it: in 2003, none other than the late Queen Elizabeth bestowed an award on Oakenfold on behalf of the British Empire as a “Pioneer of the Nation” for his contributions to dance music. All aspects of that legacy are coming together with “Perfecto 30”: a expansive series debuting in 2023-2024 spanning unique global events, musical releases, and exclusive artist/DJ performances that reflect not just 30-plus years of the Perfecto imprint’s success, but the goalpost-moving achievements of Oakenfold, Perfecto’s co-founder and figurehead, as well…

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ LF SYSTEM # 132

LF SYSTEM are DJ /Production outfit and West Lothian, Scotland natives, Conor Larkman and Sean Finnigan. Purveyors of the finest Disco infused house music, the Scottish duo broke out in 2022 with the omnipresent sounds of their anthemic single “Afraid To Feel?

Larkman and Finnigan first met while playing football against each other as teenagers on rival teams. However it was only later when they reconnected whilst out at Scotland’s nightclubs that they truly bonded over their shared love of the music. This led to them playing B2B DJ sets and very soon they established themselves on the Scottish DJ circuit with regular stints in Glasgow and Edinburgh clubs such as FLY and Sneaky Petes…

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ NORRIS DA BOSS WINDROSS (GODFATHER OF GARAGE) # 131

Norris Da Boss Windross, has been actively part of the UK Dance scene for 30 years, commended for his creative mixing skills as a DJ Producer and the creator of the brand UKG for the Awards ceremonies at Hammersmith Apollo ( Late 2000) and the Brixton Academy (2001) celebrating UK House & Garage which were both followed with 30 date national club tours stamping the name into the minds of all UK Garage lovers.

Norris’ passion for music began from an early age, raised in club culture with his family (mum) running a nightclub from the age of 9 sculpted his love of nightlife and dance music.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DJ SPOONY (BBC RADIO) # 130

True House Stories Lenny Fontana interviews Dj Spoony who is a Presenter for Global Premier League TV| International, a high-profile DJ from the UKG Scene and BBC Radio presenter. Here in is this interview you will hear how his start began and how the Dreem Team where formed.

The Dreem team, consisting of him and Mikee B and Timmi Magic, was founded in 1996 by Pirate Radio, and were instrumental in developing the UKG sound. They presented radio shows on Kiss 100 (1997–2000) and BBC Radio1 (2000–2003).

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MC CREED # 129

Lenny Fontana interviews One of the Godfathers of Garage, MC Creed on True House Stories. MC Creed story began watching the famous program Yo MTV Raps while living in Canada. This show gave him the idea and push to become a rapper. When he returned back to UK, Creed discovered the new sounds of acid house in the late 1980s and was totally hooked.

The lifestyle for him from that moment clubbing day and night from house to house, nightclub to Club. As the U.S. House Music Sound grew popular in the early 1990s it opened a lot of opportunities for DJs and vocalists. This gave him the idea to try the mic and the rest is history.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ WH0 # 128

Lenny Fontana & True House Stories interview UK duo The Wh0, originally masked in mystery from 2018, the deiced to unveil their faces in 2023 on the MistaJam Capital Radio Show and soared to global music success. With a Grammy nomination, and 70M+ streams, they’ve firmly established themselves in electronic music’s forefront.

In this podcast the two members talk about they’re upbringing and their entry in the music business. In the studio, Wh0’s prowess shines through, producing tracks for Ten City, Anton Powers of Ministry of Sound, Example, Idris Elba, Kah-Lo, and more. The Wh0 Plays & Wh0 Worx Records release music bi-weekly, establishing them as fresh musical tastemakers in the industry.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ LEROY GOMEZ | SANTA ESMERALDA # 127

Santa Esmeralda is a French-American disco group formed in the 1970s. The group had hits with its remake of the 1960s hits “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” and “House of the Rising Sun”.

Santa Esmeralda featured original lead singer Leroy Gómez in 1977-1978 and singer Jimmy Goings from late 1978 until 1983. Gómez rejoined the group in the 1990s.

The band was formed in 1977 by French producers Nicolas Skorsky and Jean Manuel de Scarano, singer-songwriters who launched a label with the aim of producing artists who would record their compositions.

Upon meeting singer Leroy Gómez in Paris, the duo recruited him for the group’s first record, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, which debuted on the independent French label, Fauves Puma. A sudden success in Europe, the record was picked up for worldwide distribution by Casablanca Records and the rest is history. Leroy will come on True House Stories and share it all.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ROLAND CLARK # 126

Roland Clark is an Artist, Vocalist, Producer and DJ. He has gone under the aliases Jesus Jackson, Digital Pimps, Dark Clark, South Street Player, and is also a founding member of the dance music project Urban Soul “Alright”. One of the many projects he has been involved in is “Flowerz” by Armand van Helden, from the album 2 Future 4 U from 1998, as well as delivering his writing and vocal talents to the likes of Todd Terry, Duke Dumont and Katy Perry.

He was featured on two of Fatboy Slim songs, “Star 69” and “Song for Shelter”, both of which sample part of Clark’s song “I Get Deep” and feature on Fatboy Slim’s 2000 album Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars. In 2017, “I Get Deep” was once again sampled in “Swish Swish” by Katy Perry. His 2006 song “Running on Sunshine”, which he performed using the Jesus Jackson alias and co-recorded with Fatboy Slim, has appeared in various ABC programming such as Grey’s Anatomy and Men in Trees.

Roland Clark was part of one of the biggest Afro House Shows with Producer / DJ Black Coffee. His voice stands out and is a massive part to the dance music scene. Come check out New Jersey Houses Finest share his story with us on the show.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ROBERT COLEMAN (RLA AUDIO) # 125

Robert Coleman, a Sound Technician, Seamster, and a man of many talents worked for one of the greatest sound installation companies owned by the late sound designer Richard Long out of New York City. RLA & Associates helped change and create the soundscape of what was to become the new benchmark in New York City and the world.

RLA became the leaders of “The Heavy Disco Sound” and set the mark with two main clubs as there testing ground and lab. One being the Paradise Garage, who’s DJ Larry Levan helped Richard as well with modifications and designs of the speakers and the other famous club Studio 54 which both opened in the year of 1977. Richard Long’s sound company known as RLA went on to do many big installations around the world, won many awards for its devastating mammoth look and of course Hi Fidelity sound that became synonymous with nightclub owners and its patrons.

People would say when you experience an RLA sound system, its “Bass in your Face”, “Highs in your Eyes” with the use of Bertha Bass Boxes with The Levan Extensions and JBL Bullets Tweeters Flying in the Chrome Z-Array’s. Robert will give us the inside history of all the day to day from that momentous time through this interview. We are so humbled to be able to bring someone of his caliber here on True House Stories that can share the Richard Long Story

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DJ SUPA D # 124

Coming from a musical background DJ Supa D started djing at the age of 13. He has evolved from genres such as Jungle, Garage and House music where he has been engrossed since 2003 to present day. At 16, DJ Supa D started a weekend job in his local record shop, Wired 4 sound in Hackney, which kept him up to date with the latest sounds.

By 2004/5 DJ Supa D started making a name for himself in the underground scene and began djing in clubs nationally. In 2006 Supa D was approached to compile his first major CD for Jet Star Records called, ‘Timeless Anthems, (The Soulful House Experience)’. He then went on to bring out compilations with Rinse FM in 2007 and 2010, then with Ministry of Sound in 2009.

DJ Supa D has captivated a wide range of followers throughout his career and continues to do so as he travels the world DJing in places such as Miami, Jamaica, Amsterdam, Denmark, Paris, Ibiza, Cyprus, Malia, Crete, Antigua and Dubai with many more locations scheduled. DJ Supa D is also joint owner of a record label called ‘SOTU’, (Sounds of The Underground), which was set up by a close friend, DJ Pioneer in 2012.

The future is looking bright for the label with a few releases circulating the underground House scene and forthcoming releases which are set to cause a storm. DJ Supa D has rebuilt his studio and is currently focusing on his production skills with future releases scheduled to hit the scene very soon, so watch this space because DJ Supa D is back with a vengeance.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ BURRELL BROTHERS # 123

The development of deep house into a global force during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s also owes much to a pair of near-identical twins from New Jersey, Reginald (AKA Rheji) and Ronald (aka Rhano) Burrell. Talented musicians who had been playing in bands since they were 12 years old, the Burrell twins released an unbelievable amount of music between 1988 and 1993.

While their output was varied (they had strong links to New York’s new jack swing, R&B and hip-hop communities, and were often employed as producers or beat-makers), Rheji and Rhano became best known for a trademark style of polished, musically rich deep house that drew just as much inspiration from New Jersey garage, soul and jazz-funk as it did from the work of Larry Heard and his Chicago contemporaries. In this episode they explain the working environment and the upstart of NuGroove Records.

Its one of the very few interviews where the brothers spoke speak about there rise to fame in the R&B and Hip Hop World with many huge hits to back them up. The brothers are extremely talented and are trailblazers in many ways.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DE HOFNAR # 122

De Hofnar is one of the founders of the melodic deep house/tropical house genre. This made him a streaming millionaire. His talent was also seen by the fathers of the day-to-day dance music. Tiësto, Laidback Luke, Pete Tong and Armin van Buuren asked De Hofnar to make official remixes for them. Come check out the superstar of one of the biggest genre’s share with all of us his success and secrets to his rise to fame.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ JOVONN # 121

A native of Brooklyn and current resident of Queens (New York), Jovonn has been active in the music scene since the age of 10. Supported by his mother, a keyboard player; and father, a guitar/bass player, who were aspiring R&B singers; he was nurtured with a solid musical foundation. Jovonn began his career as a Hip-Hop DJ at the age of 14 and started spinning records at those infamous New York block parties of the 80s where he was introduced to the growing New York House music scene, hanging out in seminal Brooklyn clubs such as Sapphires, Club Saturn and Club Serene.

Years later clubs such as The Loft, The Choice, Snobbusters and Zanzibar, solidified his full commitment to House music. Exploding onto the house scene in 1991 with his second release, “Turn and Runaway” on Warner Bros. Records, (which reached number 10 on the Billboard chart and catapulted Jovonn on to the global scene) He then went on to set up his first record label, Goldtone Records, in the early 1990’s via Emotive Records (label compilation dropped on clone last year) and since then has produced more than 500 records in the House, R&B, Hip-Hop and Neo Soul genres, not to mention film scores and soundtracks although his true love has always been House music.

A pioneer of the NYC, New Jersey, 90’s house sound, he’s produced many classics with releases such as as “Back In the Dark”, “Garage Shelter”, “I Can’t Make Up My Mind”, “I Wanna Go To A Club” that all contain Jovonn’s distinctive vocal delivery and trade mark production, as the man says himself ‘gritty sounds, hard kicks, jazzy chords and a phat bassline’. Other releases in Jovonn’s impressive discography include ‘Something About this Love’ (on WestEnd Records), “The Spirit” album (on Track Mode), and the “Blaque House” album on Code Red. More recently he’s delivered releases on prestigious labels such as Dogmatik, Objektivity, Deeply Rooted House and Apollonia, showcasing his talents to a new audience of house music lovers.

Jovonn launched his new label venture Body N’Deep in 2017 via clone distribution, dedicated to releasing the hottest deep and raw underground house tracks from Jovonn and his crew of producers and vocalists including tracks from legendary artists such as Karizma, Delano Smith and Louie Vega. His recent album ‘Timeless’ was released and received great reviews from DJ’s and Press, showcasing Jovonn’s trademark new jersey sound. Look out for a busy release schedule throughout 2020 on Body N’Deep and a new Jovonn album later in the year.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ROBERT CLIVILLES (C&C MUSIC FACTORY) # 120

Robert Clivillés was a resident DJ in club Better Days in the late 1980s. David Cole was the resident keyboardist there and the two became firm friends. In the late 1980s, Clivillés and Cole were active in the groups 2 Puerto Ricans, a Blackman, and a Dominican and the 28th Street Crew. At the time, they were the driving force of the short-lived Brat Pack. The duo were also responsible for the formation of pop group Seduction, for whom they wrote and produced a string of top-10 hits.

They contributed to the career of former Weather Girls vocalist Martha Wash, who at the same time was one of the lead vocalists for the dance act Black Box. In 1990, Clivillés and Cole released a single featuring later C+C Music Factory rapper Freedom Williams, called “Get Dumb! (Free Your Body)”, as The Crew. The duo’s biggest success, however, was the group C+C Music Factory, which became a worldwide sensation in 1991. After the death of his partner David Cole in 1995, Robert Clivillés continued to keep the C+C legacy alive through his own production work. In 1995, he released a solo single under the name C+C Music Factory, called “I’ll Always Be Around” (#1 Billboard Dance/Club Play), on MCA Records.

This was the final #1 Dance/Club Play hit for C+C Music Factory. An album titled C+C Music Factory was released by MCA in 1995 in Europe, but didn’t come out in the US. This was the final studio album of new material to be released under the C+C Music Factory name. The same year, Columbia/SME Records released Ultimate, a greatest hits collection featuring a compilation of remixes and album versions of C+C Music Factory’s Sony Music Entertainment singles.

Two singles were released in conjunction with the album: “I Found Love” (#13 Dance/Club Play), and “Robi Rob’s Boriqua Anthem” (#29 Dance/Club Play), which featured Spanish-language reggae artist El General. In October 1996, Clivillés released an album of new material under the name Robi-Rob’s Clubworld.

The first single from the project, “Shake That Body”, featured emcee Ya Kid K, formerly of Technotronic. The second single, “Reach”, was a collaboration with Hex Hector, and featured vocals from longtime C+C vocalist Deborah Cooper. This was the final recording to include piano tracks recorded by the late David Cole. In the 2000s, Clivillés worked with the group MVP, releasing two studio albums with the group.

In 2010, C+C Music Factory reformed, with Eric Kupper stepping in to replace Cole. In May 2015, Clivillés made his debut on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart with the song “Set Me Free”, featuring vocals by Kimberly Davis of the band Chic. The music video for “Set Me Free” makes reference to Clivillés’ father’s suicide. In June 2021, Clivillés produced and released the song “Yo Soy Latino (Vamos a Bailar)” by Latinos Del Mundo.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ BOOKER T # 119

Grammy Nominated Booker T is one of the UK’s most prolific and respected House music producers and DJ in the industry, who has enjoyed widespread success on the commercial and underground scenes. Since his first forays into House music back in the Late 80s, Booker T has delivered a steady stream of quality releases and top artists remixes as well as firing up the decks at some of the world’s best clubs.

As one of the UK’s finest producers, Booker has given the dancefloor some incredible vocal anthems including LZ Love “See The Light” on Slip N’Slide and Kathy Wood’s “Give Me Joy”, and his remixes of Usher, Sounds Of Blackness, the All Saints’ worldwide smash “Never Ever”, which won him ‘Remix Of The Year’ at the Underground Dance Awards (1999, and Jody Watley’s “Off The Hook” are still being played today. Versatile, passionate and always looking to innovate, Booker T, writes his own rules in production and keeps if fresh on the decks with his latest Exclusive productions, edits and remixes. There is so much more to this man.. come sit with us and learn what it takes to rise to this fame.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ PHIL FULDNER # 118

One of Germany’s longest-serving DJs and producers, Phil Fuldner is a Kosmonaut. In other words, he belongs to that elite group of performers — such as Tom Novy, Eniac, and DJ Moguai — who’ve signed on with Germany’s ultra hip Kosmo Records label. Fuldner first hit the big time in 1997 thanks to the single “The Final” — a remake of the old “Captain Future Hymn.”

A massive success on dance charts all over Europe, the release was a tandem effort with DJ Moguai, with whom Fuldner has had a long association dating back to the pre-Kosmo times. In 1998, he had a go at covering the retro-classic “S-Express” — the theme to the S-Express TV show — and the result was yet another dance chart topper in Germany. During the next couple of years, Fuldner was busy in the studio producing and remixing a host of popular compilation albums, working with such big names as Timo Maas, Judge Jules, and Yves Deruyter.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ SIMONE DUMORE (FOUNDER DEFECTED RECORDS & GLITTERBOX) # 117

A very candid interview with the main man responsible for some of the biggest house music hits in the game, Simon Dunmore of Defected Records and Glitterbox Recordings. Listen carefully on how he explains his rise in the music business. There are key notes to work and live by that he shares with all of us. Simon’s journey through the music industry to head of Defected was a journey through various subcultures. While working in a London dry cleaners, being sent to a textile course in fashion college in Derby exposed him to the more electronic, danceable side of the post-punk and New Romantic sound.

Venturing deeper into the club scene back in London, he found a new community in the soul scene that would be the canary in the mine for the house music starting to cross the Atlantic. Nights like Nicky Holloway’s Doo at the Zoo and Special Branch (including a trip to Ibiza in 1986) and a pivotal Soul weekender in, of all places, Berwick-On-Sea, lit the flame of a lifelong devotion to the soulful end of house that burns to this day.

A DJ since 1983 (“I’d been making a lot of mixtapes, admittedly mostly for girls, when one day I was asked to play someone’s birthday party”), Simon threw himself into DJing and the soul scene: writing for magazines, building a database for his hand-lettered and photocopied ‘London Soul Circular’, organising buses from the suburbs to parties and events around the country. A job at Record & Disco Centre in London’s Rayners Lane saw him receiving promos from labels hoping he would hype their records to influential customers like Record & Mirror writer James Hamilton.

Another customer, Cooltempo A&R Steve Wolfe, gave Simon a job doing club promotions, plugging club DJs whose feedback would inform the dance charts that were the bedrock of a track’s journey from record bag to radio play. Soon Simon was suggesting better records to sign or remixes to pursue, and when Wolfe left the label, Simon applied and got his job, later repeating the process when Wolfe left new home AM:PM. In the famously cut-throat and hedonistic 90s record industry, Simon took his time to find the right records to launch his new position with AM:PM, but a string of extraordinary releases including Ultra Nate’s ‘Free’, Alcatraz ‘Give Me Luv’, Mousse T’s ‘Horny’

and MJ Cole’s ‘Sincere’ quickly made his name. When Ministry Of Sound – whose compilation CDs were not just dominating the electronic music sales but also effectively defining the culture – offered him the chance to set up his own label (just as a takeover of AM:PM by Universal was decimating the team he loved working with), the die was cast. Defected Records was born on January 1st 1999 and has now coming on its 25th Anniversary better than ever.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MARK LONDON # 116

MARK LONDON is considered a pioneer of the electronic music scene since 1988 in the US. His industry credits have earned him a GRAMMY NOMINEE as a producer and band member of INTERSTATE signed to DJ Icon Armin Van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold and the industry respect from every aspect of dance music professionals for over 25 years. Mark’s DJ Destinations have included Asia, South Africa, Europe, South America and every major city in the US.

Having traveled the world touring with ICON’S DJ’s Paul Oakenfold & Carl Cox for over 10 years puts Mark’s star power in a league of his own. Mark’s marketing firm MIXOLOGY AGENCY for the last 15 years has major Cache with leading national brands Bacardi, House Of Blues, Red Bull, Fiji Water and World Famous Nikki Beach. Additional EDM branding has been featured in Documentary’s & TV show via media giants Universal, ITV, Netflix & Google. Mark’s also has celebrity DJ status spinning for Industry music Icon Elton John, chef Icon Wolfgang Puck, Actor heartthrob Rob Lowe and legendary band U2 Sundance Film Festival along with Annual LA FASHION WEEK runway events as music director to elite designers.

Mark’s relationships within the record business makes him a successful A&R man that has lead to many successful licensing deals with heavy weights Warner Bros, Ministry Of Sound, Global Underground, Perfecto Records & Universal Music. His dance music appeal has claimed numerous Billboard number one spots for artist such as Gloria Estefan, Alanis Morissette and Chaka Khan. Catch Mark amazing DJ Sets LIVE or Online via his residency’s from Korea, Miami, Las Vegas, to Hollywood to feel THE BEAT…

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MERLIN BOBB # 115

Merlin Bobb has been a music veteran within the entertainment industry for over two decades, from radio to major labels to founder and CEO of his own music entertainment company. His remix and engineering work on various hit records, and his track record for discovering and breaking talent in a diversity of music genres has made him recognized and well respected throughout the industry.

Merlin developed such multi-platinum superstars as Missy Elliot, En Vogue, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, Brandy, and Keith Sweat. Zomba/Universal Music Publishing, New York, NY Executive Consultant Artist Branding /A&R 2007-Present Responsible for creating and securing cross-branding opportunities, corporate sponsorships, endorsements, creative marketing and major events for the companies roster of artist. A&R responsibilities consist of finding and securing new deals with artist, songwriters and producers.

Roun’ Table Entertainment, President & Founder 2005 – Present Established and founded Roun’ Table Entertainment; merged with Cash Money Records. Roun’ Table is distributed through Universal Music Group. Elektra Entertainment Group, Executive Vice President, Head of A&R 1995 – 2005 Headed A&R department and its roster making Elektra Entertainment one of the top labels in the music industry.EEG’s profit and market share exceeded those of any prior years. EastWest Records, Senior Vice President / Co-Founder / Head of A&R 1991 – 1995 Founding member ; Launched one of the most successful labels of the early 1990’s;Key player in the development of the label as a leading pop/urban component of Warner Music Group.

Within two years East Weast was the #1 label for urban/pop music. Atlantic Records, Vice President of A&R / Department Head 1986 – 1991Headed the A&R department,taking Atlantic’s urban music department from the #11th place to #1 in the industry. WBLS (107.5), Music Director 1983 – 1986 Helped establish the station to #1 ratings overall in New York. During the course of his extensive career in the music industry, Merlin Bobb has signed and developed various artists which are considered stars and super stars in today’s popular music arena. These are just a few of the artists and the number of albums his signings have sold. His signings have sold over 45 million.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DISCO DONNIE # 114

Donnie “Disco Donnie” Estopinal, Founder & CEO of electronic music promoters Disco Donnie Presents. Disco Donnie is considered one of the godfathers of U.S. electronic dance music, evolving over the past 27 years to become one of the top dance music promoters globally.

From his early days in the 1990s New Orleans dance scene, Disco Donnie coupled eccentricity with ingenuity to create elaborately themed parties that charmed patrons, garnered an international following, and unwittingly became a catalyst for a national debate over the First Amendment right to expression. Donnie will discuss how he built DDP and its commanding influence on developing electronic music in North America, as well as the state of electronic music following the COVID-19 global pandemic.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ NICK HUSSEY # 113

Nick Hussey started his Dj career at the infamous Hacienda after parties at the Kitchen in Manchester before a successful career Djing at some of the worlds most famous clubs from Moscow to Miami, Italy to Ibiza. Many Mancunians will remember Nick from his residencies at Prague 5, Berlins, Loaf and Paradise Factory as well as his music productions and remixes.

Nick Has produced many Manchester artists including Ultracynic, Bowa, Luvdup, Rhythm of Life, Rachel Mcfarlene, Part-E, Emotion, Sweet Mercy and many more Nick has recently been the resident Dj playing to 5000 a night at the huge Zero Gravity Beach & Night club in Dubai and Plaza Beach & Awqa Mist in Marbella. He is currently signed to Defected Records,CR2 & King Street New York as an artist. Check out him giving you all the inside trek.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ CINIMIN # 112

Born and raised in the small town of Benoni, South Africa, The Cassim brothers Kyle and Austin have been obsessed with House music since they were young boys. Growing up in a household driven by dance, disco and house music it was inevitable that they would become Djs. But being a Dj wasn’t enough – they wanted to play their own music – music that they believed in, music that awakened their souls. Thus, in 2015 CINIMIN was born. A House music duo that would headline the likes of Ultra South Africa, H2O Africa, Rage Festival, Sabor Festival (Mozambique) and close to all night-clubs and events in Southern Africa.

In the last 4 years they have won a DMA (Dance Music Award) for ‘best dance record of the year’ and they have had not one, but 4 top 40 radio hits. Their recent hit “DURO” reached number 6 on the national top 40 on 5fm – South Africa’s most loved commercial radio station. There are many dance Djs and producers around the world, but what makes CINIMIN really stand out is their infectious energy and passion on stage. Whether they are playing to 50 people or 14000 people, they have this way of connecting with the crowd.

Their synergy and relationship behind the CDJs is unmatched. The way they move in synchronicity and play with the crowd is something you have to witness in person If you have ever heard a CINIMIN record before you would know that it was made with one purpose in mind – TO MAKE PEOPLE DANCE! Every track that the boys write is made with the intention to make the dance floor shake!

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ CRAIG BARTLETT (LAMERICA) # 111

Craig Bartlett has been on a mission to spread the Soulful House message all over Wales and beyond! LAMERICA has grown in popularity since its inception in 1998. LAMERICA has built up a reputation for promoting real house music. The glamorous house night has gone from strength to strength. The vibe is friendly, educated, and second to no one! The music policy is real house music, from sweet soulful house to urban jackin house and everything in between. Founder and still promoting and dj’ing at every event Craig Bartlett 54 years young.

Craig Bartlett began DJing in 1990, being a Resident at the only two nights dedicated to house music in Cardiff at the time. In 1993 when a brand new concept “Spice Of Life” was born Craig was asked to be involved. This night changed the face of clubbing in Wales introducing the city to a wider audience and it also meant that guest DJ’s knew where it was, (Cardiff that is). Craig has since played all over Wales and West. Craig has been fortunate enough to travel extensively spreading his Soulful House Ethos around the world at such places as Club 13 and Propaganda, Moscow, Club Terrarium, Bon Bon, Estonia, Poland, Norway, the Ukraine and Babylon, Izhevsk, King Karmehena Club, Frankfurt, Denmark, Take 5, D club, Switzerland, Club Goa, Rome and Soul on the Beach for the past three years at the Winter Music Conference in Miami.

More recently Columbia, Brazil, Switzerland, regularly appearances in Ibiza at the infamous Space Terrace, Es Paradis, Bora Bora, Pacha, El Divino and Es Vive Hotel. The people who have influenced Craig over the years and who have ultimately led him into the DJ profession are MAW, Frankie Knuckles, David Mancuso, Larry Levan, David Depino, Ron Hardy, Danny Tenaglia, Junior Vasquez and Joey Llanos Tony Humphries, Bobby & Steve, Terry Farley, Lenny Fontana, and Rocky & Diesel to name just a few. Craig has been very fortunate to play alongside a lot of his idols and feels very lucky to have his dreams realized. Come listen to him share his story of the last 25 years and what it takes to strive to be at the top and keeping the winning formula.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ PAUL IBIZA # 110

Paul Ibiza is the man responsible for bringing the world the legendary records label Ibiza Records, he is the promoter that organized cutting edge events Fantastic Ibiza, Jungle Splash and MC Convention to name but a few. More recently Paul aka Digital Niyabinghi has been producing “Jungle Dub” and taking his Digital Niyabinghi Sound System on tour. Although Paul could be labelled as a Producer, Promoter, DJ, Label owner, Paul simply describes himself as an entrepreneur within the music industry. Paul got started in the rave business in 1988 around the time of events such as Sunrise and Genesis were putting on raves in fields and warehouse in the London region.

Although Paul actually got started in 1988 his journey started way before in the early 80’s in the days of Soul II Soul and Paul Anderson among other house and warehouse parties which is where Paul was first influenced by the Reggae and Soul played at these parties then known as or “Blues” or “Shebeens” (Shebeen being the Irish term for an illicit bar or club where excisable alcoholic beverages were sold without a licence). In 1989 Paul was involved in organising the ‘Freedom to Party’ rally in Trafalgar Square which aimed to relax licensing laws in order to allow nightclubs to stay open longer. Paul then started promoting the ‘Fantastic Ibiza’ raves in Goods Way, Kings Cross with DJ’s such as Carl Cox, Colin Dale, Kenny Ken, Grooverider.

Many of these weekend long parties were attended by upwards of 3000 people and did not always have an entry fee but rather the money was made by donations and drinks sales. After the Police attention was getting excessive due to overcrowding both inside and outside the venue in Kings Cross, Ibiza records was born in 1989 after Paul went to the Balearic Island of Ibiza and ended up breaking his leg. While Paul was immobile he started learningPaul Ibiza how to produce music using Cubase on the first Ataricomputers capable of sequencing music along with an Akai S950 sampler and Spirit mixing desk. Soon Ibiza Records would set up their offices and studio in Hornsey, North London. When Ibiza records first begun they were making Techno, Hardcore and House types of music, coupled with Dub & Reggae influences the music now known as Jungle emerged which Ibiza Records was championing along with labels

and artists such as Shut up and Dance, Rebel MC, Reel 2 Reel and a Guy Called Gerald. Ibiza Records went on to establish a number of successful spin off labels such as Boxbase, Highly Blessed, Hard Plastic, Three Lions, Kemet, 3rd Party, Limited-E. Paul also opened up a record shop ‘Ibiza Records’ in Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London in the early 90’s. In 1994 Jungle Splash was born and still continues to this day. Paul’s vision for Jungle Splash was to showcase the best of Jungle music much like an exhibition for the scene. Jungle Splash has moved from many venues over the years such as The Rocket complex in Holloway, Roller Express, The Mass and is currently held at Jamm in Brixton, London.

In 2003 Paul promoted the MC Convention event convention under the ‘Highly Blessed’ brand in conjunction with Mc Shabba and Skibadee. The event met with some resistance from some people that thought putting the focus on the MC’s as opposed to DJ’s was bound to ensure that the event would flop. To the contrary, all tickets to the event at the Stratford Rex sold out and MC Convention toured Birmingham, Cardiff, Southampton and Essex. Paul’s latest innovation is the new sound he calls “Jungle Dub” and has been touring with his own Digital Niyabinghi Sound System which goes back to the roots of Jungle and Dub.

The Sound System features artists such as Winston Runtingz, Uncle Dugs, Junior Dangerous, Ragga Twins, Potential Bad Boy, Terry T, MC Moose, Beefy and Daddy Nature and of course Paul ‘Digital Niyabinghi’ himself.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ STEVE SILK HURLEY # 109

Steve Silk Hurley also known as J. M. Silk (for “Jack Master Silk”), is an American club DJ, house music producer, and songwriter. From 1985 to 1988, he had four top-10 singles on the US Dance chart, including the number-one hit “I Can’t Turn Around”, all released in collaboration with Keith Nunnally as J. M. Silk. With “Jack Your Body” (number 25 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play), he topped the UK Singles Chart in January 1987 as a solo artist, while one of his later compositions, “Work It Out” from 1989, brought him his fifth top-10 record on the US Dance chart (at number three).

To date, Hurley’s last charting single is “The Word Is Love (Say the Word)”, also known as “Silk’s Anthem of Life” by The Voices of Life, which peaked at number 26 in 1997 in the UK. Steve Hurley is a four-time Grammy Award nominee; two times as Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical (in 1999 and 2000), and twice for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical (in 2002 and 2003). Come listen to a real life legend share his life in the music industry.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ TERRY SPAMER # 108

You wouldn’t normally expect a club night in a northern UK city to be an hotbed for the emerging UK house music scene, but Deja vu in Hull was hailed as a pioneer of house music in the UK by legendary clubbing bible Mixmag, it was also named no1 club night in DJ Magazine and has received many accolades over the years and was voted by clubbers the best night in the north. Deja Vu has now been running for over 30 years and even today manages to secure the hottest talent around. Bookings in the last few years have included Patrick Topping, Camelphat, East End Dubs, Hot Since 82, Jackmaster, Darius Syrossian. Seb Zito, Sonny Fodera, Solardo, Luik Van Dijk, Dimitri from Paris, Waff, Alan Fitzpatrick, Ben Hemsley, Wheats, Rossko, Wheats, Skream, Lauren Lo Sung, David Penn, Ben Sterling to name but a few.

They’ve also hosted house music royalty such as Masters at Work(Kenny Dope & Louie Vega), David Morales, Sasha, Carl Cox, Pete Tong, Todd Terry, Marshal Jefferson, Bob Sinclar, Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, Kerri Chandler, Sandy Rivera, Lenny Fontana and so many more. Terry Spamer is the man behind the brand and its success. Listen to him share what he did over 30 years to make Deja Vu become one of the most talked about party brands in the UK and Ibiza. Staying power speaks volumes and he is not finished yet. He is working on producing high quality large events today in Hull.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DJ DISCIPLE # 107

“The Beat The Scene The Sound” follows DJ Disciple and his story of how DJ’s, Promoters, Fans and others from a diverse communities transformed House Music from a DIY project into an international sensation amidst the tumult of 1980s and 90s era NYC. Disciple and many other DJs sought to regain a footing in the USA, but that only became possible with the rise of commercialized EDM. This book shows what is possible when you bring people together and what can unravel when you split them apart.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ GEORGIE PORGIE # 106

There’s a certain type of DJ/ artist to emerge from Chicago, having been raised around the rawest and purest forms of House and Dance music. These roots cement themselves within the cities‘ residents, and form a continual source of inspiration for those who seek it. George Andros or Georgie Porgie or GP as he is known across the globe, is no exception. An accomplished DJ, Artist, hot singer songwriter, record producer, an independent dance music recording mogul and one of the hottest dance-music remixers to emanate out of Chicago, Illinois.

There is no disputing the fact that Georgie Porgie is a multi-talented international recording star who owns the longest running dance labe in America! Georgie’s contributions to the Dance industry earned him the title of “The Ambassador of Dance Music.” Billboard Magazine in 2010 named Georgie Top 10 Dance artist of the Decade. He has had over 35 #1 records in over 18 countries and has sold millions of records through out his career! Georgie has produced and remixed some of music’s most prolific names including Michael Jackson, Spice Girls, Janet Jackson, Barbara Tucker, Mary J. Blige, Dawn Tallman, Linda Clifford, The Chi-lites feat. Marshal Thompson and Suzanne Palmer to name a few.

His own productions like “Life Goes On”, “Love Is Gonna Save The Day”, “Sunshine”, “Can You Feel The Sound” , “Love One Another” and many more have earned him Global success! His Mix Show can be heard in over 20 Countries around the World! Currently he is touring the World as a DJ and a Singer which brings a whole new element to the decks and stages. Very simple…Georgie is the REAL DEAL! Come check out him share his life with us on True House Stories….

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ RICKY MORRISON # 105

Ricky Morrison has been breaking beats since it all began in ’86. Genuinely one of the most influential producers & DJ’s in the UK house scene from its original days in the early eighties. He is also one half of the dance music production and remixing duo, M&S. Their biggest hit was ‘Salsoul Nugget (If You Wanna)’. He has earned a reputation for delivering big performances and big records, and is set to release a wave of new material in 2020/21.In 1984 a young Ricky Morrison began spinning at London’s infamous ‘Dance Wicked’, promoted by SOUL II SOUL, and went on to be resident at ‘HIGH ON HOPE’ with the legend that is now Norman Jay MBE.

Two of the UK’s most seminal dance clubs was a hell of a start and Ricky established a name for himself within the exploding house scene that developed into the monster it is today. Ricky has gone on to play at many of the best clubs in the world, on every continent, and very much has a style of his own that stands him out from the crowd, a style that saw him play the main room at the Southport Weekender five years in a row as the event was returning to its soulful roots in the late 90’s. Also a regular at the Ministry Of Sound, Fabric & Pacha, Ricky developed a sound for the big rooms these venues offered that filled the space without betraying his soulful roots.

This made Ricky a valuable commodity as the US House scene took off and many promoters of previously underground events began taking over the High Street needing a DJ that could cross over the soulful sound to a bigger audience. Ricky’s style is unique and unlike the majority of the UK’s soulful house fraternity, often described as a US sound with a British twist, and anyone who’s heard him play will associate with this summary. He was so influenced by the sound coming out of the US that, in 1991, he quit his day job as a computer engineer and opened London’s legendary ‘Catch A Groove Records’ in Soho and this exclusive access this gave him to new material simply added to his effectiveness and reputation.

Ricky has played alongside an almost comprehensive who’s who of the DJ superstars that shaped today’s dance music. DJ’s he has played alongside include…Tony Humphries, Louie Vega, Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Kenny Carpenter, Todd Terry, Erick Morillo, Terry Hunter, C.J Mackintosh, Danny Rampling, Tedd Patterson, C&C Music Factory, Roger Sanchez, Pippi, David Harness, Paul Trouble Anderson and much much more!

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ SAM DIVINE (DEFECTED RECORDS) # 104

Sam Divine is a DJ that knows exactly what to play and when to play it. The hours she spent rifling through vinyl in the warehouse of Chemical Records, where Sam once worked as a house buyer, gives her an insurmountable understanding of the genre. Having played nearly every club in Ibiza – including residencies at Ushuaia, Amnesia and Sankeys – and landed at top-end festivals, there are few who can offer a house music education like Sam Divine. Last year, she racked up over a hundred gigs and is well on track to exceed that in 2017, having already hit up the likes of Europe, North America and Asia. And her reputation for energising a dancefloor has been acknowledged by her inclusion in Pete Tong’s Selector Series for Radio 1.

A late starter, Sam took up DJing at 21 – learning to mix in her mum’s garden shed. Her breakthrough came soon after with a DJ competition and landed her first residency at a club in Weston-super-Mare, where she was also the main booker, while also working in record stores. In 2005, after swapping Bristol for Ibiza, Sam became a vital component of San Antonio’s west end (where this year she makes a triumphant return as a resident for Defected at Eden) and has spent every season on the White Isle ever since. During this time, Divine also began working with Defected, who in 2009 signed her to their artist roster. A weekly warm-up at Mambo ensued, opening for legendary names like Kenny Dope and Frankie Knuckles, as well as hosting the weekly Defected Radio show that currently holds the #2 spot on iTunes in the UK Music Podcasts chart.

The real turning point, however, came when she played We Are FSTVL in 2013. “I dropped a mix the night before and everyone went mad for it; the tent went from nothing to one-in-one-out within half an hour,” she explains. “After that, the bookings just went nuts.” With her tireless work ethic, this summer, Sam will play Tomorrowland, Eastern Electrics, Defected Croatia, SW4, and Creamfields. This year also marks the 10-year anniversary of La Vita, the annual DJ charity night that she helped to launch and has so far raised £35,000 for Breast Cancer Research.

Sam also launched her own label D-Vine Sounds back in 2015, which this year she will showcase with a stage at We Are FSTVL, dates in Ibiza and a boat party at Defected Croatia. Recently, Sam has also begun to flirt with production; her first major release, a remix of garage anthem ‘Flowers’ with production partner Curtis Gabriel, hit #1 on both Traxsource and Beatport. Last year’s ‘Confessions’ was her first release on Defected, while her ‘Sam Divine In The House’ compilation featured further productions and went #1 on iTunes’ Dance chart.

This summer she dropped ‘In Da Nation’ EP with Cassimm on DFTD. Sam Divine’s work ethic has seen her more than earn her stripes on the scene. A dedicated army of fans now spreads across the globe as her uplifting house sets captivate audiences everywhere she takes to the booth. With an unwavering love of music and tireless dedication to her craft, Sam is living proof you can achieve pretty much anything you set your mind to – and no one can hold her back.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ BOBBY SHAW # 103

Bobby Shaw’s start in dance music began in 1977 as a bartender in the highly successful discotheque, The Barefoot Boy. There he became close friends with DJ Tony Smith and was fortunate to experience and hear the likes of disc jockeys Roy Thode, Vince Michaels, Larry Sanders, and Wayne Scott, to name a few. During this tenure, he also got to know dance promoters such as Ray Caviano, Ken Friedman, Billy Smith, Alan Mamber, Starr Arning, and Rita Heyer. In 1978, Shaw’s passion for music led him to seek a job within the dance community and he was able to land a mail room position for Ray Caviano at TK Records.

While at the label, Shaw assisted on notable acts as Voyage, Peter Brown, The Ritchie Family, T Connection, Beautiful Bend, KC and The Sunshine Band, Jimmy “Bo” Horne, Anita Ward, and Bobby Caldwell.Bobby’s old mentor, Ray Caviano, was rewarded with a custom dance label, RFC Records, which was distributed through Warner Bros. Records and Shaw joined him in 1979 as a regional promotion person. Although Caviano was later dismissed from his role, Shaw stayed on at WB until 1984. While there, he promoted future dance music classics from Gino Soccio, Change, Kraftwerk, Laid Back (discovering and mixing the classic 12″ White Horse), The Time, Prince, Chaka Khan, Patti Austin, Janice McClain, Stargard, Talking Heads, and the Tom Tom Club.

Perhaps most noteworthy though was his relationship with Madonna as he helped guide her through the early stages of her career with Michael Rosenblatt and Mark Kamins. Shaw helped set up Madonna’s early club gigs and was her promotion person for the early masterpieces Everybody, Physical Attraction, Holiday, and Burning Up. In 1984, MCA Records’ executives Richard Palmese and Jheryl Busby took notice of Shaw’s work at Warner Brothers and they created a national dance music promotion manager’s position for him.

He remained there until 1998 and during that time span he became the first corporate vice president of dance music promotion at any label. Shaw’s experience was the backbone for bringing such luminaries as Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Dan Hartman, Bronski Beat, New Edition, Stephanie Mills, Fine Young Cannibals, The Jets, Londonbeat, Colonel Abrams, and Tracy Lords to the dance floors of the world.

In addition, Shaw became the only record company executive to ever win the AIR competition as he took that honor in 1986. In 1999, Shaw started his own promotion company, Bobby Shaw Promotions and he is doing it still today. As well he is involved with a Weekly Twitch Show under the name BobbyPromo. His shows are quite delightful and each show is like a history lesson when you listen to the music he chooses and you experience watching him.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MELBA MOORE # 102

Melba Moore began her recording career in 1967, cutting the track “Magic Touch” which was left unreleased until 1986. In later years it became an enormous track on the Northern Soul Scene, eventually leading to Moore performing it live in 2009 at the Baltic Soul Weekender 3 in Germany north of Hamburg. In 1967 she began her performing career as Dionne in the original cast of the musical Hair along with Ronnie Dyson, Paul Jabara and Diane Keaton. In 1975 Melba Moore signed with Buddha Records and released the critically successful R&B album, Peach Melba, which included the minor hit, “I Am His Lady”.

The following year she scored her first significant hit with the Van McCoy penned “This Is It “, which reached the Billboard Hot 100, the top-20 position on the R&B chart, and top-10 in the UK, becoming her biggest success in that country. In 1976 she scored her third Grammy nomination with the R&B ballad “Lean on Me”, which had been recorded originally by Vivian Reed and later by Moore’s idol Aretha Franklin who recorded the song as a B-side to her 1971 hit “Spanish Harlem”. The song is most notable for Moore’s extended long note at the end. In 1983 she re-recorded the song as a tribute to McCoy, who had died four years earlier.

Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Moore struggled to match the success of “This Is It” with minor R&B/dance hits. However, her hit ‘Pick Me Up, I’ll Dance’ released in May 1979 produced by McFadden and Whitehead and released on Epic Records did have considerable UK disco success, reaching UK chart position 48, along with a further hit that same year, also produced by McFadden and Whitehead with a cover version of the Bee Gees’ hit “You Stepped Ito My Life”, which reached the top 20 on the R&B charts and 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1982 Moore signed with Capitol Records and reached the top 5 on the R&B charts with the dance-pop / funk single “Love’s Comin’ at Ya”, which also hit the top 20 in the UK (on EMI America EA 146) and became a sizable hit in some European countries for its post-disco sound and followed by “Mind Up Tonight”,

which was another top 40 hit in the UK reaching position number 22. A string of R&B hits followed, including 1983’s “Keepin’ My Lover Satisfied” and “Love Me Right”, 1984’s “Livin’ for Your Love”, 1985’s “Read My Lips”—which later won Moore a third Grammy nomination (for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance), making her just the third black artist after Donna Summer and Michael Jackson to be nominated in the rock category—and 1985’s “When You Love Me Like This”. Moore has been married once and has a daughter. Melba Moore was engaged in a four-year relationship with television star Clifton Davis during the early 1970s. Davis later admitted that the relationship failed due to his drug abuse and mistreatment of Moore.

In September 1974, Moore married record manager and business promoter Charles Huggins. Moore and Huggins divorced after 17 years of marriage in 1991. In 1999, Huggins filed suit against Moore claiming that she had publicly defamed him by stating that he abused her economically. Melba Moore has described herself as a “born-again Catholic” and listen to her share the rest of her story right here on True House Stories.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ROBERT KOOL BELL (KOOL & THE GANG) # 101

Robert “Kool” Bell is one of the founding members of the legendary Pop/R&B group Kool & the Gang, the seven-time Grammy award-winners who also earned many American Music Awards.

A multi-platinum-selling group and the most sampled band of all time, Kool & the Gang has sold over 80 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of generations with 25 Top Ten R&B hits, 9 Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums. This legendary man will share his life with us on True House Stories and as well promote his new Champagne Brand called Le Kool.

Listen to share the inside story of the how the band started and everything in between. He is an icon and you will hear how he discovered new talent and helped launched them into the stratosphere.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ KATHY SLEDGE / LEGENDARY LEAD VOICE OF SISTER SLEDGE # 100

Kathy Sledge joins Lenny Fontana on our Special 100th Episode (The legendary lead vocalist of Sister Sledge), which is a triumphant celebration. Watch and listen how she shares what her work life was like in the beginning of her career and the balance of family life in “The First Female Band” to ever do it, and they became a huge success. You will even hear how Kathy talks about the particulars going on in her family, with the control over the usage of the name Sister Sledge and how she was forced to stop singing the iconic songs for over 20 years.

You all will know her as the lead singer of those familiar tunes such as “We Are Family”, “Thinking Of You”, “Frankie” and “Lost In Music” Now you can listen to her share her story starting from a young child to today. When Kathy hears the word “No” she thinks of what’s next and repositions herself to succeed no matter what. Kathy Sledge is the youngest and a founding member of Sister Sledge, an American vocal group which is made up of her sisters that was formed in 1971.

After achieving success beginning in the late–1970s thru the mid–1980s with Sister Sledge, Kathy embarked on her solo career in 1989. Kathy Sledge has had several hits on the International Pop and Hot Dance Music Club Play Chart, including “Take Me Back To Love Again”, which hit #1 in 1992. Now get a history lesson on how “We Are Family” does not apply to family harmony.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ EDX # 099

Maurizio Colella talks about his life in the beginning of his career around the 1990’s as a young aspiring hip hop DJ that fell in love with Techno and American Garage House Music. He played around with music in high school and with growing up in Switzerland he was able to experience the huge DJ talent coming into play gigs in his city. This aspired him to want to make records and DJ in the night clubs helping to shape the EDX brand that would become famous later around the world. Over the past few years, EDX has made a name for himself in the international EDM scene, headlining the world’s finest clubs and festivals to crowds in excess of 60,000 – from Miami to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, São Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Taipei, all the way to Sydney.

The chart topping Switzerland-based DJ/Producer has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Axwell, Benny Benassi, Kelis, Deadmau5, Armand Van Helden, Bob Sinclar, Kool & The Gang, Kaskade, Armin Van Buuren, Steve Angello, Dubfire and many others. His remixes have been consistently featured on various DJ charts such as the DMC Buzz, Cool Cuts and Beatport and was even ranked in the TOP 3 of Beatport’s Best Progressive House Artist alongside Deadmau5 and Eric Prydz. His involvement in the music industry began at an early age, but it is his consistent work that has made EDX an exemplary success story.

He launched his weekly radio show ‘No Xcuses’ on SIRIUS XM’s Electric Area Channel and spent summer 2011 holding a residency at the world’s number one nightclub – Space, Ibiza. EDX has continued his success into 2012 with the release of his debut album, ‘On The Edge’. He has spent about 2 years working tirelessly to create this 14 track magnum opus featuring some of the most incredible vocalists in the genre; including platinum selling artist Nadia Ali, Sarah McLeod, Tamra Keenan, Hadley, Sam Obernik, John Williams and Jerique.

‘On The Edge’ has already resulted in the hit single “Give It Up For Love” feat. John Williams and future anthem “This Is Your Life” with Nadia Ali. With ‘On The Edge,’ EDX’s musical vision finally came to fruition, yet he still aspires to evolve as an artist and further his already prolific career. In 2013, EDX has manifested new dimensions in his production without diminishing the strong connection to his roots. In his collaboration with Leventina for their track “The Sun,” and their remix of Helvetic Nerds’ “Blood Pressure,”

‘EDX brought out a more clubby style that was widely supported by some of the most esteemed artists in the industry: David Guetta, Afrojack, and Avicii, among many others. In the midst of his work with Leventina, he pleased new and old fans alike by revitalizing the classic EDX progressive sound on songs such as “Sunset Miracles”(Spinnin’), “Touched”(Toolroom), and “Blessed”(Toolroom). Additionally, his most recent offering out on his own Pinkstar Records label, “Hazed,” has led him to explore sonic frontiers fit for the new age of dance music. The highlight of his career was winning a Grammy Nomination for his remix. Listen to EDX share his life story right here on True House Stories.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MR.C # 098

The original OG of Holloway Road in London Richard West shares his life from the beginning. West was born in London in 1965. He started MCing in the London clubs aged 16 and earned a reputation as a fast-talking, vivacious rapper working with LWR radio’s Ron Tom, Jasper the Vinyl Junkie and Jazzy M. He joined with Colin Faver and Evil Eddie Richards to become resident rapper at Camden Palace. Mr C recorded his first house track with Eddie Richards as Myster-E, “Page 67”, which was released in August 1987.

This inspired West to become a DJ in late 1987. He has since organized, promoted and been resident DJ at: Fantasy (1988), Base (Dungeons 1989), Release (1991), Harmony (1992), Drop (1993), Cyclone (1994), Vapourspace (1994 and 1995), Flavour (The End, 1995 and 1996), Subterrain (The End, 1995–2002), Superfreq (worldwide 2002–present) and Super Disco Freq (LA, 2010–present).

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JIM SHAFT RYAN # 097

Jim Shaft Ryan begins his journey from school learning how to play the Bass Guitar, the same Bass Guitar Paul McCartney played. Jim and his brother Michael start a band and the dream was to become Rock Stars. As chance would have it they begin to start to sell clothing in their own Boutique Shop in Birmingham.

While involved in the fashion side of the business early on, they are approached by promoters who are selling tickets for Rave Events. The Ryan brothers start selling tickets to these huge events which spark the idea for them to begin putting events on as well. Learn how Jim begins with his Dj Career and how The Chuff Chuff brand is born in the mid 1980’s.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ERIQUE DIAL # 096

In 1988 Erique Dial aka E-RAZE played keyboards & made the samples on what may be considered his most successful work, RAZE “BREAK 4 LOVE” a single which sold 3 Million units world wide Re released 5 times by Champion Records between 1988-1994 breaking Top 30 each time. He comes from a very well educated background of musicians from the likes of Parliament and Vaughn Mason. Erique Produced & co wrote RAZE’s “All 4 Love” the final RAZE single in 1990 fea. Lady J & The SEC which went straight in at 28 on the National Chart.

Erique Produced & co wrote “Let It Move U” under the name ESTB fea. MC Principal on the Famous Rap Hits Compilation, ZYX Records, Germany which featured LL Cool J, MC Hammer & SNAP moving 500,000 units. Listen to him share his story right here on True House Stories.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ FISH GO DEEP # 095

Fish Go Deep are Irish house dons Greg Dowling and Shane Johnson. As DJs, the pair have been spinning records together since the late eighties, holding down a residency at “Sweat” in Cork for over a decade until November 2001. These days you can catch them at their weekly Go Deep residency in Cork in between guest slots at club nights in mainland Europe, South Africa and North America.

As Fish Go Deep, their productions have been released on Defected, Innervisions, Brique Rouge and Gourmet as well as their own imprints Ork and Go Deep. In 2006 they had their biggest record to date, ‘The Cure and the Cause’, a collaboration with vocalist / lyricist Tracey K which was licensed to UK house stable imprint Defected Records.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TOM SILVERMAN (TOMMY BOY RECORDS) # 094

In this episode on True House Stories, watch Tom Silverman share his humble beginnings from his time at college to becoming The Musical Director of the radio station up in Maine and making his way down back to New York City to collect all the promos from the record labels.

When he graduated from school with his degree, he tried to land a job in his trained profession but destiny had another road for him. Here he talks about starting Dance Music Report with a $5,000.00 loan and learning his way through the disco business and as well helping to shape the next parts of the music business through his column.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BOBBY & STEVE (GROOVE ODYSSEY) # 093

Acclaimed DJs, pioneering promoters, long running radio presenters, record producers and business partners in the iconic Groove Odyssey brand, Bobby & Steve have reached legendary status in the soulful house and disco scene. Marking 34 years in the industry in 2019, the duo is also celebrating 10 years of their brand Groove Odyssey with partner Michael Hughes. With a residency at the world-renowned Ministry of Sound and Groove Odyssey hosting the main stage at the mighty 51st State Festival as well as their 3rd year of the GO Ibiza weekender and further dates being announced, this is set to be a remarkable year for Groove Odyssey.

In addition to this, their eagerly anticipated debut artist album will be released at the end of 2019, and includes collaborations from Leroy Burgess, Duane Harden and Barbara Tucker amongst others. And with their long running prime time show ‘Groove Odyssey Sessions’ on HouseFM.net, Bobby & Steve are in demand now more than ever. In 2016 the connoisseurs of house were honored to be invited as the first international guests to play at the Chosen Few festival in Chicago, where they were presented with a lifetime achievement award in front of 40,000 house heads. On this momentous event they were quoted as saying “to play and receive that award in Chicago where House music began, was truly an overwhelming spiritual experience”. Pioneers of soulful house since 1984, the inimitable twins Robert and Stephen Laviniere were born and bred in London’s East End.

They started their career at a time when the landscape of London’s nightlife was changing forever, and the rare groove movement was on the cusp of explosion. The boys were instrumental figures in the eighties warehouse party scene, playing their favorite soul, funk and disco music alongside fellow stalwart DJ’s such as Norman Jay, Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson, Jazzy B and Trevor Nelson. In 1985 Gordon Mac’s (then pirate) radio station Kiss FM launched. A mouthpiece for the scene, Mac approached the twins, offering them a weekly slot and for over ten years their trailblazing Zoo Experience show was the stations longest running specialist show. Broadcast each and every Friday night between the hours of 10.00 pm and 12.00 am, it was a hotbed of exclusive tracks and remixes.

Not only did their show give many of today’s most recognized DJ’s and labels their first opportunity to be heard on the UK’s airwaves, in turn it allowed their faithful listeners the opportunity to hear new releases from significant UK and American labels, DJ’s and producers. Alongside their radio show, the twins began their, now somewhat legendary, Klub Zoo night, originating at Munkberry’s and later at the Soho Theatre. Famed for its mix of classic soul, disco and rare grooves, devoted followers would flock to the club each week to hear their favourite Salsoul, Prelude or Philadelphia International tracks. However, a trip to New York at the tail end of the eighties marked a major turning point in the futures of Bobby & Steve.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ VOCAL BOOTH WEEKENDER EDITION # 092

In October 2022 DJ Andy Ward organized a gathering called Vocal Booth Weekender. Andy had asked if I would come and have a discussion panel at his event. We lined up some of house music’s top talent. Each one of these guys on the panel are giants in their own right. We all spoke in front in of a live audience. Dj / Photographer Colin Williams recorded the discussion and now we are blessed to present it to you on True House Stories. The panel of luminaries are as follows Victor Simonelli, Maurice Joshua, Eric Kupper and Sunlight Square.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ BORIS # 091

DJ Boris NYC.. It’s all about the music. New York stalwart and beloved DJ, Boris, lives by that statement each and every day. He is a man wearing many hats; one as a touring DJ, another as a producer dynamo and lastly as a label boss of Transmit Recordings. A career forged over decades of long nights in the Big Apple’s most revered rooms. From the infamous Roxy to Crobar to the once dominating Pacha NY on 46th Street, Boris maintained a following so devout, so loyal they were truly ‘Believers’.

Pioneering a music movement in a city filled with those who have so little time to pay attention, Boris has been a production powerhouse when not performing for the masses. He’s been tapped by industry leaders such as Carl Cox for his label Intec, Dubfire for his label Sci-Tec, Paco Osuna and his Mindshake records, amongst countless others.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ CRAZY P # 090

Todd and Baron formed the band after meeting at the Nottingham University. The band’s sound incorporates soul music, disco and house music. By 2002 the band expanded to include bassist Tim Davies, percussionist Mav Kendricks, and vocalist Danielle Moore. Todd explained the origin of the band name: “A flat mate of mine had a record called ‘loco pinga’ which roughly translates to Crazy Penis, we were going to call ourselves loco pinga but once we told people that, they liked crazy penis better for the shock value.”

They were signed by Manchester label Paper Recordings and have since released six albums and several singles, starting with “Digging Deeper” in 1996. They built up a strong fanbase in Australia where they have toured several times.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ COLIN HUDD # 089

He began his DJ career in the early 1970s, playing soul music, with residencies at the likes of The Monica, Wings, Goldmine & Flicks. It was at Flicks where he started playing house music. He then became resident DJ at Spectrum, and it was his success there alongside Paul Oakenfold that led to him becoming one of the tour DJs for U2. Listen to him share his humble beginnings

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BENNY SOTO # 088

For Benny Soto, it began, as it has for many New York club land veterans, with a visit to 84 King Street in downtown Manhattan. He says, “I had already been going out, but the first clubbing experience that really mattered was the Paradise Garage…just walking in there, it looked different, it sounded different, it felt different. As soon as I walked in, I knew I was home.” For Soto, then a poor kid from the South Bronx, the Garage opened up a whole new world. It was through the club that he met, and befriended, the late Keith Haring, eventually serving as the iconic artist’s studio assistant. It also expanded his aural horizons:

“Because of the way that Larry Levan played,” Soto says, “I became more musically open-minded.” But perhaps importantly, the Garage provided an avenue for escape. “Back then, I didn’t have much joy in my life,” he admits, ‘Clubbing gave me a way to get away. Places like the Garage, though they were primarily gay, were so inclusive; it didn’t really matter who you were, what mattered was the freedom that you could find there.” And that feeling—that passion for freedom, both musically and personally—would set Soto on a path that has led to a lifetime in club land. He had no idea that it would also lead to a career, but even in those early days, he recalls, “I was very curious. If I was at a club, I would be checking out the sound and looking at the lights, trying to see how it all comes together -it was like a Broadway show, except the show was the crowd itself.”

Eventually he secured a gig doing odd jobs at another iconic address, 6 Hubert Street, only blocks away from the Garage. The spot had once housed Area and Club Shelter; during Soto’s time there, it was Vinyl, home to the iconic Body & Soul. It was Body & Soul resident Danny Krivit who convinced Soto to take the next step. “He said to me, ‘I think you should be a promoter. People like you, and you have great energy. You’d be good at it.’ Of course,” Soto adds, “I had no idea what ‘being a promoter’ even meant!” Listen to him tell you what he learned and how you should be..

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DR.PACKER # 087

Dr Packer is an alias of West Australian DJ/Producer ‘Greg Packer’ set up for Remixes & Edits of mainly retro music such as 70’s , 80’s , 90’s Soul , Disco , Funk , Hip Hop & Reggae , Greg although known more for ‘Liquid Drum & Bass’ regularly plays sets of ‘Old School Funk , Disco , Hip Hop Etc’ purchasing his first record in 1982 at the age of 10 ‘Grandmaster Flash

– The Message’ whilst still living in the UK (Northampton England) greg grew up listening to his mothers disco records (had no choice really) as a child in the 70’s it wasn’t uncommon to hear music such as ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ or ‘And The Beat Goes On’ played in the house so the disco thing really was his first introduction to music , records became his life and has collected approx 25,000 over the years… Shortly after whilst still living in the UK greg was exposed to a record label called ‘Street Sounds’ ran by ‘Morgan Khan’ he began collecting the ‘Electro Series’ and ‘Street Sounds Series’ and a regular follower of ‘Mike Allen’s – Capitol Radio’ show in London ,

he was a full blown ‘B-Boy’ and Hip Hop Junkie , he even won a breakdancing competition in ‘Lowestoft England’ back in 1985 Moving on to the 90’s shortly after emigrating to ‘Perth Western Australia’ greg purchased his first pair of decks in 1989 making this year his 28th year behind the decks , in 1991 he won the WA DMC’s and defended the title in 1992 but by this time greg preferred Club Dj-ing and longer sets rather than a 5 minute scratch battle routine…

Greg then moved onto ‘Jungle & Drum & Bass’ music in the early 90s and often regarded as a pioneer of that sound in Australia winning many awards and went semi global touring (UK , Europe , Asia , New Zealand & Australia) several times playing alongside heavyweights such as ‘LTJ Bukem & Carl Cox’ to name a few… In 1998 Greg took up production and set up his own studio running his own label ‘Interphase Music’ He produced over 100 tracks & remixes under the name ‘Greg Packer’ and was signed to many other labels in the UK & USA including LTJ Bukem’s’Good Looking Records’

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ HARRY ROMERO # 086

Harry Romero, better known as Harry “Choo Choo” Romero of Columbian decent, is a true American DJ, Record Producer and label owner of Bambossa Recordings . Harry Romero is linked with the label Subliminal with the late Erick Morillo and Jose Nuñez, with whom he also produced and remixed several tracks, as ‘Constipated Monkeys’, ‘The Dronez’ or ‘Ministers De La Funk’. Listen to him talk about his humble beginnings in New Jersey on Part 1 of True House Stories.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MAN PARRISH # 085

Man Parrish talks about his early beginnings from being an adopted kid living in Brooklyn to beginning to find his way into music. Parrish is a native New Yorker] of Italian descent. He attended the High School for the Performing Arts and the Academy for Dramatic Arts (NYC) as a teenager. He moonlighted as a non singing, onstage “extra” role in several operas at the Metropolitan Opera House in Manhattan.

Parrish left home at the age of 14 and was a member of the extended family that converged nightly at Studio 54, Anvil and other night spots around NYC. His nickname, Man, first appeared in Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. Andy Warhol gave him the name “Man”. His early live shows at Bronx hip-hop clubs were spectacles of lights, glitter, and pyrotechnics, which drew as much from the Warhol mystique as the Cold Crush Brothers.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ MEME # 084

Dj Meme who real name is Marcello Mansur born and raised in Rio de Janeiro Brazil began to DJ at age 11 and started remixing in 1986. He began his journey working at a Radio Station editing commercials and adding the music to the station. He somehow was able to persuade the Brazilian Record labels to try him out for a remix. Well, the rest was history his remix was added on every station in Brazil and from there overnight DJ Meme was household name in the Brazilian Dance Pop Market. He speaks about his production style and how he began from Disco to beyond.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JOE CAUSI # 083

“Brooklyn’s Own” Joe Causi is among New York’s legendary disc jockeys. He has been a staple in New York radio since the late 1970’s. Raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Causi can truly claim to be one of ‘Brooklyn’s Own. ‘ He takes what his hometown has given him from the street and shares it with his radio audience. Come listen to how it all began for him on Disco 92 WKTU FM and the birth of disco. He is currently on the air on New York Radio in WCBS Fm 101.1 He will give you the ins and outs of what it takes to make it.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JOE SMOOTH # 082

Joe Smooth was a self-taught musician and started creating original music at the age of 12. During his teenage years, he began to make a name for himself as a DJ in the underground Chicago House Music scene. He is credited as essential to the creation of house music as a genre and the revival of the culture surrounding it. During his 20s he became an essential DJ for any viable club in Chicago.

Smooth gained international acclaim with the release of his late 1980s tracks “Promise LAnd” (featuring Anthony Thomas), “They Want to be Free,” and “I Try.” He is best known for “Promised Land,” which spoke of how humans, as brothers and sisters, should unite in love and thrive in paradise. Joe Smooth’s song has been covered several times and is still played today.

Originally released in 1987, it peaked at No. 56 in the UK singles Chart in February 1989, following the Top 40 success of a cover version by The Style Council. An album of the same title became available in 1988, and a music video was produced for the single. A follow-up album, Rejoice, was released in 1990, which featured the hit single “They Want to be Free.”

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DAVE BEER # 081

The man behind the iconic brand Back 2 Basics speaks about his life from quitting high school and becoming a roadie. Come listen to one of the greatest promoters from the 1990s golden era of house music lay it all out on his rise to fame and being part of the New York City Club scene. His vision was to take a part of the New York Club scene and import into the UK and he did it and very well at that. Beer’s obsession with the punk-music scene saw him become a groupie, hitching up with punk band The Clash.

As a keen Photographer, he captured many exclusive shots of the bands he followed incorporating them into art projects at college. His persistence on the tour circuit led to his first proper role as a roadie and later as tour manager for bands including That Petrol Emotion, The Ramones, Ghost Dance, The Utah Saints, and The Sisters of Mercy who he lived with at the time. During a spell with Stourbridge noisemeisters, Pop Will Eat Itself, Beer found himself working on the 1987 Def Jam Records tour that included Public Enemy, Ll Cool J and Run – D.M.C., but life as a tour manager would soon takes its toll.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MIKE DUNN # 080

Chicago house music legend Mike Dunn, has been DJing and producing music for over twenty years. Hailing from Englewood, Chicago, Mike started out DJing at the local block parties that took place playing disco, funk, soul and prototype Chicago house tracks. “I was one of the first cats bringing two reel-to-reels and spinning with them at the parties. I was bringing out two Pioneer 707s, doing the Hummingbird, Jacks, The Courtyard, etc.

I’d bring a drum machine, too. I would make tracks right then as the party was going. Way before my guys Daft Punk and all of them were doing live gigs, I was doing that at the basement parties – just bringing drum machines and doing everything live.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ KEN WALKER AKA KEN@WORK # 079

Ken@Work is the alias of Melbourne DJ & Producer Ken Walker. Ken shares with us his beginnings from starting in grade school as a disco DJ. His first chance of playing music for a crowd was when his school had a dance and he was put to the task to spin the music.

He finds a nitch with a South African DJ living in Melbourne that had all the new promos from USA. This is how he figures out what direction of music he is going to play and how to mix it. He then is working as a stage hand on the live circuit around Australia and this is the first taste where he works with bands from USA, and Europe.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ NICKY SIANO # 078

In 1971, at the tender age of 16, Nicky Siano getst his first DJing gig at The Roundtable in New York City. In February 1973, he opened The Gallery in Downtown Manhattan with his older brother Joe Siano. New Yorker Magazine called it “one of the five most visually breathtaking nightspots of its time”. The Gallery was, alongside Macuso’s Loft and The Paradise Garage, one of the three most important clubs in New York’s 1970’s underground disco scene. Both Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles worked there before they both started there DJ careers.

Knuckles had said in other interviews that he and Levan “spent a lot of the time hanging out in the booth, watching Nicky’s every move. He pretty much taught us what we were doing.” Nicky in this part shares with us his family life and what happened to him during his adolescent years that changed his life forever.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ STEVE RAINE # 077

Steve Raine vowed from day one that Hard Times would bring the USA’s underground House elite over to the UK at a time when they were still honing their skills in their homeland. He came up with the plan around the pool in Miami at WMC in 1992. It was this introduction of what we all now recognize as ‘House Music’s legends’ that lit the Hard Times fire that still burns. Steve is back again with new plans, new parties, new music releases. Watch out there is no stopping him now.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JON MANCINI # 076

Jon Mancini is Scotland’s most well-known house DJ. He was the key to the successful Street rave parties at the Ayr Pavilion back in the early 90’s. He then moved on to the short lived but legendary Kitsch club nights. He now resides at the Arches for all the Colours events. He has played alongside every name DJ that the UK has to offer & has featured on Pete Tongs Essential Selection with a few guest mixes. Jon hosted the Colours Mix on Friday nights for 3 years on Radio Clyde, and is, in our opinion the best dance radio presenter in Scotland.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MARK FARINA # 075

Mark Farina born in Chicago, Illinois, USA is an American disc jockey and musician, known for Chicago House Music, Acid Jazz and Downtempo works. His notable releases include “Mood” (KMS Records, 1989) and the Mushroom Jazz series (OM Records, 1996–2011), and is also known from the house compilations EL Divino. He is primarily identified with the House Music scene based in San Francisco, California. He starts out in High School learning the craft of how to DJ. Eventually gets his hands on a pair of Technics Turntables and he begins to start to work at a club in Arizona while at college.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JABIG # 074

JaBig shares with us his life as a young man in Africa and making the transition of moving to Canada. His DJ career begins with teenage dances and two stereos. He teaches himself the art of blending vinyl, CD’s and cassettes. The most important part in the beginning of his music journey was the selection of music. He always wanted to have all the right music that would make the people happy. This he feels is his strongest asset as to why people love his mixes on Youtube. He so well loved on the internet come listen to why he has made it.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ CHAD JACKSON # 073

Chad Jackson sits with Lenny Fontana and discusses in this episode how he started his life in the music with piano lessons. He also was dancing a lot at all the big events in the northern scene. He begins his music career as a record collector and following the dj’s. He befriends Manchester DJ Greg Wilson and the rest is history.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ KAYPER # 072

Kayper sits with us on True House Stories and explains how she became a DJ from being a drummer. She gets her humble beginnings from her brother purchasing two Technics 1200 and just learning on her own. She even explains how her name Kayper came to be from her school days. She gets a call from a friend who was promoting a student night at Ministry Of Sound and her big break and she is then offered a residency at the club. One thing leads to another and against all odds she goes against her family to pursue a DJ Career in the UK.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ CRYSTAL WATERS # 071

Crystal Waters a true icon in house music speaks about her humble beginnings from a young child and being exposed to some of the greatest musicians because of her dad who was a famous jazz musician. She toured with her dad as a young artist and was able to get an education of what it is like to be an artist. As she finished college she takes a job with the State, at the Parole Board.

Hungering to write music she hooks up with a keyboard player and they begin to start writing demos on a 4-track recorder. She then proceeds to go to a music conference in her hometown and is attracted to the Basement Boys because of their leather jackets that they were sporting at the time. She hands them her cassette demo and the rest is history. “Gypsy Woman” is created and a deal is signed. Crystal shares with us how her life changed from that moment the single dropped and became a huge pop hit.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JOHNNY “D” DE MAIRO (HENRY STREET RECORDS) # 070

Johnny D De Mairo in part 1 speaks about his start from his older sister introducing him to disco music and then in 1979 walking into a roller rink and hearing this music as well at the teen disco. At that moment he knew his life changed and wanted to be part of this music thing. He finds Disco and it becomes everything. His young professional career starts as a mobile DJ and it so happens that he asked to DJ at a Sweet 16 for the sister of DJ Danny Cole. That is the big door opener to his first night club Plaza Suite in Bay Ridge Brooklyn.

He begins as Danny’s Light man. One night Danny steps away from the booth at 12am and gives Johnny his first professional break spinning at the club for two hours and everything from that moment changes instantly.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ RAY PINKY VELAZQUEZ # 069

Ray Pinky Velazquez gets his start from his father being the manager of an equipment famous Electric Shop called Leonard’s Electrics back in the 1970s. The owner of the Brazilian Disco called Ipanema spoke to Ray’s dad and Ray’s father advised the owner to try his son out for the DJ position. Well to say the least Ray went to the tryout and the rest is history. Come listen to this legendary Disco DJ tell it all.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ROWETTA SPECIAL SHOW # 007

Rowetta who is considered true musical royalty in our music business. Against all the odds of growing up rough, she pursues a musical career. Her adult life begins very young being married at age 16 and having two kids before she is 18. She tells it all from being a battered young wife to the front lead singer of the Happy Mondays. A very special Sunday Edition and a must watch for women to see that against it all you can overcome any obstacles with faith and hard work.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JENS LISSAT # 068

Jens Lissat explains his young life as a child in Hamburg Germany. His mom was a DJ who played at a afternoon tea dance with one Gramophone. His older sister has a huge influence on him and since she was seven years older she was already up on the new sounds of disco.

She was bringing home new music that he was listening to and Jens personally was more into Glam Rock. His sister takes him to a new club and he sees an American DJ for the first time from New York at the Trinity Club. He has to find out what exactly the DJ was doing with the slip cueing and all. This sets him on his journey to learn how to beat match and make his way into becoming a resident DJ. Listen to him explain it all in detail.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ RON CARROLL # 067

Ron Carroll joins us on True House Stories for a special tell all no holds bar deep interview. He is a true Chicago native and a huge contributor to the house music scene. His humble beginnings start with school dances and throwing house basement parties. He even creates a house basement party that becomes huge in the South Side of Chicago where he was inviting guests DJ’s such as Lil Louis and Gene Hunt. Ron was destined from day one for success and you will learn how he makes it become his destiny.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DARRYL PAYNE # 066

Darryl Payne with his six decades of music tells it all right from his start in 1976 and helps tell a story how he battled the beast of the music industry. A true David and Goliath story in the real life. He began his career working for the discos in New York as a promoter and with his experience as a drummer he started to go into the studio and create demos in the beginning of the disco era. Come listen to him lift the hood and tell it all.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ PEDRO MONDESIR # 065

Pedro Mondesir the promoter behind the successful brands of Garage 416 and Break 4 Love shares with his life before being a club promoter. His humble beginnings are influenced by his older brothers and his parents music selection. In the late 1980s he is invited to a few parties and the life long career would begin because of the first moments of experience clubland and loving it.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ERIC MARTIN (TECHNOTRONIC) # 064

Eric Martin one of the co-founders of Technotronic shares with us in this episode what life in the UK was like in the 1980’s and 90’s. He speaks candid about surviving on the streets of London and his quest to make a better life for himself through music.

He would spend countless early mornings talking to bouncers, DJ’s and dancers coming out of the night clubs to learn about the music business and how to work in nightlife. He hooked up with DJ Jaffa who gives him a helping hand to getting one of his first deals done that starts to get him in the musical production direction. He explains about the sampling issues and the problems that arose in the beginning and working with the early midi studio technology. Eric explains the theory of how hip hop runs in parallel with early house music.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ FREDDY BASTONE # 063

Freddy Bastone in part 1 shares his beginning from playing a flying V Guitar and the true admiration of rock music and sharing the appreciation of all types music with his mom and dad. His DJ career begins back in 1979 with his first vinyl purchase of Herb Albert’s “Rise” and he begins to play at parties and the move to clubs starts to takes off from there. He also shares how his job at Danceteria begins. This is a true NYC story.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JAZZY M # 062

Jazzy M the DJ, Record Label Owner and Record Shop retailer shares his history from the beginning of hearing the neighborhood DJ at his local wine bar to making his way as a dancer on the floor. His next steps are making his way to working at the shop and making his way to pirate radio. He gained a huge following due to pirate radio and breaking all the new house music that was just beginning.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TIM LAWRENCE # 061

Tim Lawrence the writer, DJ, professor and journalist sits with True House Stories and explains when his path crossed with house music and how he found the soundtrack that would change his life forever during The Summer of Love in 1988. The Hacienda was the first club he ventured too and loved the pulsating sounds coming from the speakers and from that point he was hooked.

His journey takes him to University in London and finds out about this party at The Gardening Club with DJ Chris Rhythm Doctor playing New York Style House Music all night. As he is working towards his degree in journalism, he loses his mother and father within months apart but dancing to house would be the pseudo healer. As he is finding his way through House Music and learning more and more about the players behind it.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DANNY TENAGLIA SPECIAL SHOW # 006

Danny Tenaglia starts his beginnings in Williamsburg Brooklyn listening to Motown, Rock and Philly International sounds that was being played on the radio during that era. Born in the 1960’s and one of the younger of his siblings he lived through the musical changes of the1970s and music to him was everything. With his aunt inspiring him with her piano playing he tries to learn different instruments but he finds it is not for him.

So, he starts to work out on how to be a DJ. Through his older brother he is able to start playing at a neighborhood bar with a dance floor and this is around 1975-1976. His older cousin brings an 8-Track tape mixed by Queens DJ Paul Casella, this is where Danny decides to call the number on there to reach out to him and asks to meet him. Paul becomes an important mentor by showing Danny the ropes of what it is to be a DJ from mixing and hunting for the right music at certain record shops in Brooklyn. Listen to Danny share how his first jobs experience as a teen.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DAVE DARLINGTON # 060

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ NICK HALKES # 059

Nick Halkes, if anyone has the luck of the Irish or just making the right decisions, this man made his way from listening to disco music as a teen to becoming such an important part of the music industry. Listen to him explain how his phone call to WBLS changes it all.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MOUSSE T. # 058

Mousse T. the super German Dance Music producer, talks about his beginnings in music from learning to play the organ as well to being inspired by Donna Summer and Giorgio Morder’s “I Feel Love” which was a totally new electronic sound in the late 1970’s. Mousse T shares what family life was like growing up and his father dreams that he had planned for him.

Mousse T makes a huge decision to proceed forward with the music career and because of his choice he is rewarded with huge success.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BOB BLANK # 057

Bob Blank, known as the producer, musician, engineer and owner of Blank Tapes Studios NYC, talks about his humble beginnings working his way up from being a full-fledged engineer working for other studio owners around New York City and as well-being a session guitarist.

He is pushed into a situation where he needed to fill a void and decided to open up his own studio at 22 years old and called it Blank Tapes Studios purchasing a Fairchild Console which he had to build and repair. His first initial work is with New York City Charanga Bands recording Salsa and as he starts to get his experience working with all these bands as he gets a chance to start to work on Disco Music.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ KYM MAZELLE # 056

Kym Mazelle shares with the viewers on True House Stories her humble beginnings that start as a young girl from Gary, Indiana. The same place as Michael Jackson and the The Jackson 5 lived and started their careers as well. We find out that she grew up on the same street where Steeltown Records had the recording studio and rehearsal space. So, she witnessed The Jackson 5 going from a band she saw thru the window of the studio and watch them transform to a hit sensation on The Ed Sullivan Show.

As she grows up, she pursues all avenues of the music industry taking on internships and working for very prominent people in the music business. She also did tour management in the beginning for Loleatta Holloway and DJ International Records. Kym shares with us how her recording career began. Listen to her as she has a wealth of knowledge that is priceless.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ FELIPE ROSE (FORMER ORIGINAL NATIVE OF VILLAGE PEOPLE) # 055

Felipe Rose the native from the original Village People sits with us and shares his humble beginnings on how the music found him. His father is from the original Indian tribes of South Dakota and his mother is of Puerto Rican and Italian descent. With that mix caused fire and Felipe was born. His mother grew up in New York City and was involved in modeling, dancing and singing in the New York City Scene.

Her background as a musician was influenced by Salsa and Jazz. His mother would host party’s week to her at her home and musicians such as Mongo Santermaria and other Salsa greats would be there as well. Growing up in Brooklyn, Felipe would soon as he became old enough start to dance and sing in night clubs. He is discovered by producer Jacques Morali from Can’t Stop Productions who also managed to help create The Ritchie Family.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ PAULETTE # 054

Dj Paulette story begins with her mom being a singer and club owner. While she was pregnant carrying Paulette she went into labour on stage and finished her whole set with the band and delivered Paulette and her Identical twin sister Paula. Born into a family of eight siblings and parents who were music lovers which played a huge influence on Paulette’s career in music. She learned to play violin, piano and saxophone. Paulette wound up playing violin in orchestra until age of 15. She started clubbing at the tender age of 15, her music collection is very eclectic but a true representative of her personality. Melody, vocals and bass lines were key to her sound – music to make you dance!!

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ALISON LIMERICKE # 053

Alison Limerick known for being very honest, totally open and with her extremely dry sense of humor makes this show so incredible. Hear about how Covid has affected Alison and the potential effects this pandemic could have on Alison’s vocal talent.

Alison Limerick was born into a live music family and jazz was the mainstay! The love of contemporary music all begins with the purchase of the first 7 inch of The Jacksons with the song “ABC” Alison, as a young child, attended dance class that she used that opportunity to sing while dancing for London Contemporary Ballet. Alison learned by herself how to train her voice by watching others around her to reach her full musical potential.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MARK RILEY # 052

Mark Riley is an American journalist, come watch and listen on how he shares with us his humble beginnings finding a whole new life in the New York City night club scene from the very early days as a young man. He explains in this episode his day-to-day responsibilities as a radio journalist at WLIB. Mark is introduced to David Mancuso’s The Loft from fellow close friends and from there his whole musical life changed.

The way he heard music and experienced it would never be the same. He became lifelong friends with many that frequented the same clubs he did. At The Loft he meets another young DJ that changes the scene forever Larry Levan. Listening and watching Mark explain everything is like a who’s who, and history lesson all wrapped up in one.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MAURICE JOSHUA # 051

Grammy Award Winner for best remixer sits down about his life in the music industry. Starting from learning how to play Woodwind Instruments during his school days to becoming a Club DJ and forming a partnership with Hula Mahone.

He takes us on his journey from the start of producing records for Trax Records Chicago, to writing his first huge hit called “This Is Acid” under the artist name Maurice. Touring the USA as a successful recording artist and the world for three solid years. He comes back to Chicago and begins his remix career under ID Records and Steve Silk Hurley. Listen to him share the success of what it took to become that sought out Remixer / Producer.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BILLIE RAY MARTIN (ELECTRIBE 101) # 050

Billie Ray Martin born in Hamburg from a working-class family, from the young age of two Billie had already started to begin singing. Growing up in an area of Berlin, Billie’s mother worked as a bartender and met The Beatles at the bar she was working and was living the red-light district music lifestyle. At age 5 she knew she would be famous. Billie was destined for London, listen to her interview on how the night club scene grew whilst she was in the UK with the new sound of House Music.

Billie Ray Martins vocals can be hard on releases from Mark Moore’s S- Express and also, she was the lead vocalist for Electribe 101. Electribe 101 toured around Europe supporting Depeche Mode after the album was released. She will share her experience on the hostility they faced as an opening band for Depeche Mode.
Billie Ray Martin shares her experience working with Electribe 101 and because of her success with both S-Express and Electribe 101 with scoring chart hits she appeared numerous times on the UK Show Top of The Pops. Hear about how Manager Tom Watkins tried to break up Electribe 101 and then the group was dropped from there recording contract.

After leaving Electribe 101, Billie was unemployed but made various demo vocals including her super hit „In Your Loving Arms” which was then signed 2 years later because of a live gig in London she performed at and the record executives from Magnet Records were in attendance. That signing landed a huge successful record in the USA with Junior Vasquez’s Remix and WKTU FM 103.5 FM playing “In Your Loving Arms” which then became a huge him in the USA. Billie was catapulted into the limelight for her vocal abilities and wound-up living in New York for a moment. Hear Billie’s very honest outlook about the new digital world of music and how corrupt it is. Watch out for Billie’s brand new single released on Friday An unreleased Frankie Knuckles – ‘’Hiding For the Night’’ by Electribe 101, and 3 other albums due for release later this year.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ULTRA NATÉ # 049

Ultra Naté – ultra savvy. Hear Ultra’s take on the covid pandemic from a medical perspective- probably the best outlook on such a troublesome time which has severely impacted the music industry and arts. Ultra Naté lays out how she has evolved to keep in tune with how the future land lies. Hear about the pitfalls of signing contracts in the music industry and how Ultra has ‘fallen up’ from those times. She shares with us her beginnings from a club kid to singer and locking her first contract down to becoming a superstar in dance music from the late 80’s into the 1990’s
Ultra Naté explains of how one of her biggest singles called “Free on Strictly Rhythm was made and her signing her deal with the hottest dance music record label of that time.

She shares with us how hard it can be when a major label basically says to you are on the wrong side of 25, making out that you are too old to be in the game. Well, she took the advice and turned it around quick and in turn built her own empire which ensured her rightful place in the business. The entire part of the process was handled with love and as she is blessed to have a fantastic management. Ultra speaks about making the transition into becoming a international DJ and creating her party called Deep Sugar and the success it is. She closes what her music life will be in the next few months to two years.

TRUE HOUSE STORIE W/ CERRONE # 048

On this episode of True House Stories we are joined by legendary French Drummer, Producer, DJ Marc Cerrone. Cerrone shares with us his humble beginnings with the start of receiving his first drum set from his mother to working with his first group in the early part of the 1970’s called The Kongas. He also gives us the inside story of how he made his drums be the most important part of the recording and working on the songs such as “Love In C Minor”, “Give Me Love” and “Supernature” and how they became a big part of the American Dance Music culture.

Cerrone explains how important the role of the arranger was especially with his songs and the role Don Ray played in the Cerrone sound.
Cerrone wraps up the interview by sharing his memory of being introduced to Dick Clark on American Bandstand and how that changed his life in such a huge way. He also talks about when he stepped into producing theatre shows and writing for many superstar artists. He truly is in essence a huge success and he talks about his role as now the DJ more than the drummer.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ LINDA CLIFFORD # 047

Linda Clifford is an American R&B, disco and house music singer and actress, who scored hits from the 1970s to the 1980s, most notably “If My Friends Could See Me Now”, “Bridge over Troubled Water”, “Runaway Love” and “Red Light”. In this segment she shares with us growing up in Park Slope Brooklyn New York, and all her beginnings with finding music and making her way through grade school and then onto the stage. Listen to how she begins her life on the road gigging starting in the Catskills New York and crossing the county finally ending up in Chicago meeting the man of her dreams at the famous Playboy Club in town.

Linda Clifford shares with us how she was able to achieve her recording contract with Curtom Records based out of Chicago and the start of her recording career. She goes into detail what it was truly like working alongside singer / songwriter Curtis Mayfield and his staff. The first album release is of cover tunes of the era and this was truly the beginning but the second album is where things really take off. Listen to her tell you how she began her touring life playing all the successful clubs like Studio 54, Red Parrot, Paradise Garage and traveling abroad.

Linda decides to take a break from the club and stage life and leaves the industry to take on a more important role, motherly duties. She is blessed to have a wonderful marriage with her husband of over 43 years and raises two beautiful kids into fine adults. She returned to the stage during the children’s teen years for different track dates at clubs around the USA. Finally she is called by Martha Wash to join the new group “First Ladies of Disco” and she has been performing ever since along with Norma Jean Wright. Come watch the full story.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ FRANKIE FONCETT # 046

We are joined by the legendary London UK Dj Frankie Foncett. His Caribbean roots come from the island of Trinidad. His start in music was in the 1970s being introduced to groups such as Commanded, James Brown and the JB’s, Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye. His cousin Tony had a huge hand in helping Frankie learn about disco, bringing mix tapes back from New York City Radio Station, Disco 92 WKTU with DJ Ted Currier in the mix. Frankie also talks about how important Reggae sound was in the days of the early night clubs and how the music with its heavy bass lent to the excitement of the Carnival sound and the dub culture.

Rapper Kurtis Blow, DJ Davy DMX was also a huge inspiration with his hip hop mixes around 1982 with his style of cutting and scratching. During this time this is where he meets a young DJ Paul Trouble Anderson who at the time was known as “Trouble Funk”. Frankie begins as the warm up dj at the Electric Ballroom for Paul Trouble. As his time in London starts to begin in the music business he picks up jobs at record shops and ends up at Black Market Records and here he becomes famous with all the DJ’s of the time being able to take care of them with their rare grooves.

Frankie Foncett shares about how he is becoming a tastemaker in London. Record promoters would bring Frankie there new tracks because of his power as the DJ/Selector and the sheer force of being able to sell records at a high rate in the shop. He discovers the Danny Rampling Shoom party and as the drug culture is beginning in the clubs and House Music is starting to be the music of the clubs. Frankie also was involved as an A&R man for Black Market Records and he talks about how he passed on Frankie Knuckles production of “Tears when he heard it early on. He makes his way from the reggae sound system culture and begins to work with DJ Norman Jaye Mbe at the party High On Hope and they create a huge story hosting many top artists to perform like Loleatta Holloway and other dance music vocalists of the time. Frankie now becomes nicknamed Frankie Black Market because of his work behind the counter at the store as well.

He works with Astoria Promoter Nicky Holloway and is getting courted many gigs. Even Dj Paul Oakenfold asks Frankie to stand in for him at the Spectrum as he takes time off and visits New York. Frankie’s DJ style is part New York and Chicago with a UK twist and he is gigging all over London and is becoming quite in demand now. This lends him to become a producer and sought out remixer working on artists such Lisa Stansfield and so many that went on to become multi-platinum artists because of his remix sound. Ministry of Sound awards a residency to Frankie and he makes another story at one of the greatest clubs in the world and changed the sound of his night towards the sound coming from the likes of Mood 2 Swing, Funky Green Dogs, Daft Punk, and enjoys a residency for 3 good years.

As with every good thing he decides to take a break and leaves the industry and starts a new career in the Fashion Industry. Even in fashion the passion is there to succeed and has done very well. He is now finding his way back as the DJ and is being soughted out now as one of the Golden DJS of the greatest dance era, house music. Watch out for Frankie Foncett as he rocks your night club.. he is on fire.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BRUCE FOREST # 045

DJ Bruce Forest who was destined to work in medicine winds up quitting and pushes forward to work in the music industry. He was always one step ahead of the game and became the resident DJ at The Better Days Disco replacing the legendary DJ Tee Scott. He shares with us in this part his beginnings of playing music in the late 1970’s in Syracuse New York learning the craft and shaping his skills at the club in town. His Wednesday night gig became so busy they moved him to prime time Saturday nights.

Bruce Forest apart from the other DJ’s of that time. He was very scientific in how he approached everything that he used multiple sound sources such as Keyboards, samplers, drum machines and effect units to remix records live in the club. At Better Days Disco this is were he meets David Cole who regularly played the keyboards live alongside Bruce as he DJ’d. Bruce and the club was hugely responsible for breaking some of the first house tracks to come out from Steve Silk Hurley around 1983, which was way ahead of its time before other clubs and DJ’s even picked up on them. Learn about how Bruce met his beloved wife Mitzy who he has been happily married to.

Bruce shares the story of the recording of Loleatta Holloway from her live performance at the club and how the tape was stolen, copied and how Junior Vasquez released it as Ellis D. Steve Silk Hurley, Francois Kevorkian, and David Morales were such inspirations to Bruce. Bruce eventually leaves the music industry and turns his sights to the internet in the early 1990s and helped developed brands such as Netflix, Vimeo and the internet. This man is a true legend so catch the show to hear all about Bruce Forest’s journey. Tune in to find out why…

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ HIPPIE TORRALES # 044

Hippie Torrales joins True House Stories to share with us the behind the scenes of making his way into the dj world. He starts from buying a Marvin Gaye Record and from there makes his way through grade and middle school and becomes in charge of the audio and video projectors. The journey starts with him being able to go to his first disco in Newark back in the early 1970’s and the quest begins to learn how to play records from watching another dj from back in the day. The chance opens up for him to play his first NYC residency at the original Limelight in New York City. Listen to Hippie explain how it was to play on Thorens Turntables and witness DJ Richie Kaczor at Hollywood’s Discoteque in NYC.

Hippie Torrales becomes one of the most sought after DJ’s in the New Jersey area because of Club Dock’s in the late 1970’s. His famous trick was to let two records mix for long periods without touching them. He is brought in to open the Famous Club Zanzibar in 1979 that was formerly known as Abe’s Disco in Newark New Jersey. As his career spans into the 1980’s he begins his remix career and helps make The Clark Sisters Song called “You Brought The Sunshine” on Westbound Records a huge hit through his remix. He later hooks up with another label in the beginning of the house music movement called Music Village Recordings and produced and write a song called “Your Gonna Miss Me When I am Gone” which went on to sell millions of copies overseas. He is also responsible for helping Rosie Gaines have a huge dance hit and tours the world as a guest DJ and is still ever strong today. Great story by such a humble artist.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MICHAEL PROCTER (RIP) FRIENDS SPECIAL SHOW # 005

We celebrate the life of one of the most recognizable voices in soulful house music, Michael Procter. Babou who runs her group page called Babou’s House shares her life experience with him as the entertainer, the father of their daughter and his best friend. She was also responsible for his management. Babou shares this special interview with Dj Spen, Tony Carassco, and Keith Kemper.

Tony Carassco speaks about his remix of “I Got Love” and his personal relationship with Michael Procter and his manager Babou. He shares his life behind the music from the early days of electronic music to what he is doing. Keith Kemper shares his background in dance music, he is also an accomplished keyboard player, remixer and label owner. Keith played the keyboards on Lenny Fontana Remix which is a banger. DJ Spen closes out explaining the process of grabbing this hot track and the admiration he holds for Michael and Babou.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ RICHARD EARNSHAW # 043

This first part listen to the producer remixer dj and owner of Duffnote Records Richard Earnshaw talk about his humble beginnings from Piano instruction to getting his first production signed. He also shares his life at the present moment dealing with covid and the struggle of trying to keep everything together. He shares with us his first keyboards and key production tips. A very well in-depth interview by one of the UK’s most sought after producers in the soulful music genre.

Richard Earnshaw explain the process of production and how he goes about making new tracks. You will catch the story behind his first signed production to Soulfuric Records called “People Are People” and the difference of running a record label in the streaming age versus the golden era of vinyl. His production plans for the future and the process of picking productions from other producers to sign to Duffnote Records.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ALEX LOWES (SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER) # 042

One of the most sought out promoters in soul and dance music steps into the hot seat. Alex Lowes who used to be in his former life a crisis events planner for the council in the town he lived found soul music as his savior. Coming from the Northern Soul Scene and a huge supporter of The Wiggan and Blackpool Events found playing music as a DJ his saving grace. He talks about how he created Southport Weekender back in 1987 and decades later how it all is still going. Listen to what it takes to be a successful promoter in today’s music industry.

Alex Lowes shares with us back in the old days how he would travel to the USA to search for the top A list talent and offer to them to the original Southport Weekenders. He also touches on his new venture coming up called Beautiful People and his successful Suncebeat parties in Croatia and all the fun times they had at those events. Alex is hopeful that things will start to turn on again in the near future, post covid. He also reminisced about the Manor Borne days and how all the great lineups he had on those Sunday parties. We wish him the best in his next ventures.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ DISCIPLE # 041

David Banks professionally known as DJ Disciple shares with us his family life and the success his brothers had in the music industry and in the church. Listen to Disciple explain his beginnings from being bussed to school in a different area of Brooklyn to becoming a drummer and then off to becoming a DJ and his start on College radio.
Disciple in this episode explains how his dad wanted him to become an accountant.

Well to say the least he had other plans. The journey goes further and he begins to DJ at the NYC Underground Club called The Choice. His popularity at the same time is growing on radio which translates to many offers to DJ around the New York and New Jersey. As he is playing all these great parties the UK comes calling and the jump across the pond begins and the gigs keep on flowing.

He is involved in a lot of major tours and is the first to many new places where dance music is discovered. He was also on an airplane that nearly crashed which changed his whole outlook on life. This forced him to make some course corrections with his life. Listen to this segment to get the whole life story of Disciple. It’s truly historical!

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ NICKY HOLLOWAY # 040

Nicky Holloway’s connection with music began as soon as he was born. Growing up on a boat and witnessing bands such as Pink Floyd playing live, Nicky got into DJing and started his own events in 1985 at The Royal Oak with Giles Peterson and Pete Tong as his residents before they became super DJs. Nicky was renowned for his events in quirky venues such as the natural history museum, London zoo to name just a few. Nicky talks about his experiences in Ibiza with Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold and playing at venues such as Cafe Del Mar before Ibiza became popular.

Hanging out with Bono from U2, Kylie Minogue at the Milk Bar, Nicky was the first event promoter to bring Todd Terry and David Morales to the UK. Nicky was always one step ahead of the game. Hear how he was able to put on a surprise show with Sister Sledge whilst they were touring in the UK. Irvine Walsh asked Nicky Holloway, Paul Oakenfold and Danny Rampling to be part of a film about Ibiza – how did it all go so wrong?

Nicky talks about the beginnings of house music in London. How he helped transitioned the sound of London from Hip hop to house music. As in the beginning of the dance scene there was no other “Dews” that played this style of music. A whole new movement was born from it and what came was “The Summer of Love” He is the first promoter to bring Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May and David Morales.

He also brought Dj Hippie Torrales to sing his hit song called “Your Gonna Miss Me When I Am Gone” known under as Turntable Orchestra. He hosted many artist as well as Tyree Cooper and Sister Sledge so public performances were very important for him to put on stage. He also touches how he rose to the top in the club scene and how it all came tumbling down. Nicky shares about drug addiction and making a complete turnaround and his focus today is to get this double set album ready for the world. As covid ends he is set to play music again and is ready to take on the DJ World and make his mark as a hit making producer this time around.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BRANDON BLOCK & ALEX P # 039

True House Stories with Lenny Fontana and the super fun duo Brandon Block and Alex P is an absolute must see. Check out this show to hear all of the crazy stories these world renowned DJ pair were involved in during their years of DJing and partying in clubs around the world. Hear all about the mayhem they created during their time playing in Ibiza and why Brandon had to return to the UK.

Learn how the party life affected Brandon health wise.
Alex and Brandon talk about their famous Kiss Fm London show. The guys explain how they first met each other and how they became one of the greatest DJ teams from the beginning of house music in Ibiza. They share how it all began at Space and all the escapades that followed. The most important part for this team was that they wanted to bring something to Ibiza and not just take it away. Come and listen to the fellas spill the beans.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ RALPHIE DEE # 038

Ralphie D’Agostino aka DJ Ralphie Dee opens up the interview from his humble beginnings of learning about music through watching the famous Television program called The Ed Sullivan show. He shares his life growing up as a young kid in Bensonhurst Brooklyn. The drums were his instrument of choice and rock music was the sound of the times. Ralphie discovers disco music through pre mixed 8 Track tapes and starts to learn the process of becoming a DJ.

Dj Ralphie Dee is preparing to start playing in Discos in this segment. He is talking about the early part of the 1970s. Ralphie is hired to play at a bar on Coney Island Avenue called the Drift Inn and shares his first experience of visiting Odyssey 2001.

In this segment he gives you the backstory of the club and how he is offered the job to DJ at the club and how the movie Saturday Night Fever is created and filmed at the club. He also shares about how strong the Italian Mafia muscle and how things had to be cleared before you proceed with shooting this famous movie. Ralphie Dee speaks about meeting actor John Travolta at the set of filming Saturday Night Fever.

The installation of the famous dancefloor at Odyssey 2001 that would make its debut for the first time on the big screen. He also has a small part as an extra in the movie and here he explains how the premier of the movie is announced and how Ralphie’s life is about to change overnight. The club and Ralphie become a household sensation and the stress of being famous begins as the movie hits the theatres worldwide.

He also takes us on the spiral downwards as disco crashes and some of the misfortune he experienced over the years and how he worked through it all and made the right changes to survive the times. He speaks a lot of truth and very candid about dealing with lifelong depression and finding happiness in the end.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ASHLEY BEEDLE # 037

The story starts with Ashley Beedle sharing his humble beginnings. He takes us down memory lane on how he visited his first Discotheque back in the 1970s. His first drum machine and listening to artist Gil Scott Heron as a teacher and his beginning of his DJ career in dance music with the Reggae influence.

In this second part Ashley takes us behind the scenes of meeting Norman Jay at The Notting Hill Carnival and starting to be booked at his first solo DJ gigs. He explains how “New Jersey Deep” was created and the feeling of hearing his records played at Sound Factory in New York City with DJ Frankie Knuckles thanking him for making such a great record. He also has his first chart super hit with Talking Heads lead vocalist David Byrne with the song called “Lazy” and being invited to perform on Top of the Pops.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TEDDY DOUGLAS (BASEMENT BOYS) # 036

In this Segment Teddy discovers songwriter and diva vocalist Ultra Nate’. The Basement Boys begin to work with Major Labels such as Warner Brothers, Eternal, MCA and Mercury Records. The first trip to London when he signs “Its Over Now” and meets Norman Jay.

A music conference and a cassette is handed to the guys and Crystal Waters is discovered. Crystal writes the “Gypsy Woman” Song for Ultra Nate album and it released as Crystal Waters. Dj Danny Tenaglia breaks the record out at the Winter Music Conference and not to far after it goes Gold. Basement Boys are the hottest commodity in the game and Teddy wants to follow Motown Records and make it a family business with the same.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ A DANCER IN PARADISE # 035

In this first segment you get an history lesson of how the Paradise Garage was erected. Oscar Reyes, Archie Burnett and Mikey Jones talk about life in the beginning with the construction parties, the club politics and the demographic and styling of what made the club what is was and the beginning of DJ Larry Levan inside the New York City Nightclubs and all the surrounding nightlife. Listen to how they speak about John Jellybean Benitez and The Funhouse Nightclub.

Listen to Oscar Reyes, Archie Burnett & Mikey Jones explain about the membership process and what was like to become a core member of the club. Listen to how DJ Larry Levan controlled everything in the room and turned up the heat in every way with his message in the music. As the club grows the needs of the people are met and the mystique is created and the word spreads worldwide as you need to experience it. The first club to have record pool parties and the involvement of Mel Cheren from West End Records. A moment were Grace Jones is yelling at Larry Levan and share the dangers and excitement of New York City in the 1970’s and 1980’s and what Michael Brody’s Vision of the Club and the success it had.

Summing up on the landscape changes and the coming of the end of an era. Sharing a moment at the Red Bull Music Block Party and the Famous BBC Radio 6 Legends Of The Dancefloor Documentary about the Second Anniversary at the club that aired in 1979. The guys share highlights from different nights at the club, with fantastic performances by Loleatta Holloway and Grace Jones. Listen to them speak about the closing of the hottest club in New York City, The Paradise Garage. The closing weekend and the final goodbye of Paradise Garage.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TYREE COOPER (AWESOME SUPER SUPER TROOPER) # 034

Tyree Cooper the awesome super dupa producer, grew up in Chicago, starting out as a top Basketball Player but left to focus on music producing and Djing. Tyree began working with Mike Dunn but after a disagreement they initially parted ways but reunited at an event called Earthquake for freestyle battles which attracted over 500 people to the shows, packing out the club and the overspill of revellers took to partying on the streets outside. In the years of 1984 till 1986 these were Tyree’s most prominent production years.

Chicago House music was his vibe and Tyree became a legend on the drum machine Roland TR-808. Tyree was turning out 4 tracks per night whilst continuing to work during the day, he worked 12 hours per night in the studio. Tyree was signed to DJ International Records and they would pay him $50 per drum beats and was even told by Larry Sherman of Trax Records that his music sucked! All of the tracks he produced were credited to Rocky Jones and all of his tracks according to management were not selling. Little did Tyree know that he had produced some huge hits but was never truly informed. Luckily for Tyree his hit record contracts were just 2 years long so to this day, he actually owns most of his music.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ CARL COX SPECIAL SHOW # 004

We welcome Carl Cox to the show and he begins to explain how he is managing with the pandemic. He also tells us about the show he created called “Cabin Fever” and shares with us his humble beginnings on his first steps from playing Classical Piano to purchasing a sound system and his rise in the music industry.
Carl Cox speaks about the his album FACT and how he became the resident DJ , and opening and closing DJ for Space Ibiza from direct orders of Pepe Rosello and Fritz.

Listen to him explain how Space closed its doors forever and get the inside track to the events that led to up to it. Another monumental moment was BBC Radio 1 and Pete Tong coming to Ibiza, this event was the creation of “The Space Terrace.” When Space Ibiza closed in 2016. The last track Carl played was Angie Stone “I Wish I Missed You”. Carl also explains his personal position on the vaccination and what club life will possibly be like when we all come back. He is in the middle of writing an autobiography called “Oh Yes.. Oh Yes!”

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BIRDEE # 033

By no means a newcomer – but a fresh face on the disco scene, over the course of the last decade Birdee has been extremely active in the dance music world – playing the most prestigious venues and festivals around the globe, collecting support from the world’s biggest players, and even picking up an award for Best Breakthrough DJ at London’s Fabric. His music is supported by a veritable who’s who of dance music:

DJs as diverse as Groove Armada, Purple Disco Machine, Horse Meat Disco and Claptone have all been spinning his tracks, while radio support has also been outstanding – as a matter of fact, Pete Tong recently opened his show with Birdee’s most recent single Start The Weekend. Birdee began his career producing Breakbeat tracks and his first visit to the London at the music & Media exchange was a turning point in his career, when he began DJing. His 1st disco track was signed by Andy Williams and since then Birdee has had many more immense tracks signed to prestigious labels such as Midnight Riot and Seamus Haji’s Big Love.

Birdee currently has 4 tracks in Traxsource Top 100 Nu Disco chart and has held on to #1 position in the chart with ‘What You Need’ for the past 2 weeks. Hear about how Birdee has survived over the pandemic and what he has in store for us all from his time spent in the studio during lockdown. Expect many more superb remixes and original releases from this incredible producer coming out very soon, so watch this space! Birdee is on point and is rocking the Nu- Disco scene with his music and hopes to travel the world to DJ again, once lockdown is over.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ VICTOR SIMONELLI # 032

Tune in to hear from Lenny Fontana ’True House Stories’ as he discovers how Marsha Stern and Robbie Leslie became involved in music and their biggest influences. Hear about how Robbie, Marsha and Roy Thode met each other whilst Robbie was waiting in a restaurant / club in Florida. Discover where this friendship took them! Listen as Marsha talks about her memories of hanging out with Roy Thode.

What happened when Marsha and Robbie moved to New York, the epicenter of night clubs and music scene that they both became in solved in? Playing at clubs such as Studio 54,The Saint and 12 West hear their stories about the amazing times they spent partying. This then continued both for Robbie as a DJ and Marsha as a light technician. Learn from Marsha how a piano type light control was designed and how she expressed herself with music and lights to absolutely bring the 2 sensations to truly mesh.

Take in the memories as both guests share how their younger involvement in the music industry has continued to take them to such great levels since the Disco Days in NYC. In this interview you will hear all the stories of the hottest clubs in NYC in there 1970’s and 80’s from 2 incredible people in the industry as they lived and breathed this life.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MARSHA STERN & ROBBIE LESLIE # 031

Tune in to hear from Lenny Fontana ’True House Stories’ as he discovers how Marsha Stern and Robbie Leslie became involved in music and their biggest influences. Hear about how Robbie, Marsha and Roy Thode met each other whilst Robbie was waiting in a restaurant / club in Florida. Discover where this friendship took them! Listen as Marsha talks about her memories of hanging out with Roy Thode.

What happened when Marsha and Robbie moved to New York, the epicenter of night clubs and music scene that they both became in solved in? Playing at clubs such as Studio 54,The Saint and 12 West hear their stories about the amazing times they spent partying. This then continued both for Robbie as a DJ and Marsha as a light technician. Learn from Marsha how a piano type light control was designed and how she expressed herself with music and lights to absolutely bring the 2 sensations to truly mesh.

Take in the memories as both guests share how their younger involvement in the music industry has continued to take them to such great levels since the Disco Days in NYC. In this interview you will hear all the stories of the hottest clubs in NYC in there 1970’s and 80’s from 2 incredible people in the industry as they lived and breathed this life.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ FREDDY TURNER # 030

Growing up in a family of 8, all day Freddy Turner was exposed to music by groups such as The Supremes, The Temptations… Learn about how Freddy Turner’s career in the fashion industry began, and how moving to NYC, enabled him to meet icons such as Eveyline Champagne. Despite this full-time career in fashion, Freddy’s passion was music and he went to his local record ‘Rock n Soul’ shop religiously.

Hear the story of Freddy Turner’s first track which went on Top of The Pops and reached #14- Hear the story of why this track was pulled down. Leaving fashion in 1992, Freddy took on DJing full time and played at some incredible venues worldwide- Switzerland being his main stay. DJing, record producing and working on vocals and working at Mixmag, Freddy was 100% a face on the scene. Listen to how Freddy, Dwayne Harding and Barbara Tucker produced one of the biggest tracks ever “Stop playing with my mind@ – Daryl ………

was invited to record vocals. Experiencing a very competitive industry, hear about how Freddy encountered the pitfalls of working in the music industry. Discover the pitfalls of record contracts and how it affected Freddy’s career. What are Freddy’s plans for the future and listen to his take on new music that are being re-edited without permission.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ SPEN SPECIAL SHOW # 002

Dj Spen takes us on his walk from being a Hip Hop DJ Sensation with forming a group called Numarx back in 1983 to working on production in the early days of the 1980s. He is known as a Rapper MC in the group. Hear him speak about the Milli Vanilli single “Girl You Know its True” and the success and the pain of it all. Listen to Spen take you as he takes you on his journey from Hip hop to when he finds house music through the Disco Lane.

He worked with Basement Boys and created a whole new sound in dance music with Jasper Street Company and then forged to create Code Red Records, where he helped launch and create Gabrielle and other such artists. Finally on to his final creation with Quantize Records which is a plethora of great artists and steady promising releases. Hear him talk about his album and all the future releases.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ GRAEME PARK # 029

Graeme Park’s roots began working in a record shop in Nottingham He was 1st invited to DJ early 80s after the club owner saw potential. This club was called The Garage and later renamed Kool Kat. Getting a job on The Tube as a researcher, Graeme witnessed Madonna’s first ever appearance in uk at the Hacienda which was filmed for the show. Graeme pursued his dream, DJing weekly at the Hacienda with friend Mike Pickering until 1997. Graeme then moved to super club Cream when The Hacienda closed and was also asked to do regular spots at The Ministry of Sound. In this interview learn about Graeme’s time in New York, his experiences as a DJ and his standpoint moments.

Travelling around the world until 2004, Graeme lived a dream but one he never took for granted. The next step for Graeme was remixes which he did with his good friend – Mike Pickering. Hear the funny story of when Graeme was warming up for his absolute inspiration-Todd Terry!!! Over the last 5 year, Graeme has been working on an immense live show- Hacienda Classics which will hopefully start soon after Covid.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JOHN LEEE (IMAGINATION) # 028

Leee John learned music during his school , his first success in music landed when he went to New York and received his 1st signing with “Worldwide Records” BODY TALK was Leee’s 1st track and became a huge hit. At the same time Leee was also performing as a DJ. and did acting and appeared in various shows. Moving on, Trevor Horn, manager to Grace Jones then signed Leee on R&B- a label made specifically for Leee’s music.

Ash Ford & Simpson were a really big influence to Lee.It was after Body Talk he joined up with Imagination. Appearing on Top of the Pops was a great opportunity to show off their talent for live music. Hear about Leee’s time when he was invited by Larry Levan to go to to NYC to play at a club- Zanzibar During this time, hear Leee’s encounter singing to Marvin Gaye in his dressing room.

Hear how Leee what was vital in how he produced his music and the important ingredients needed inhis track. Hear Leee’s take on his track Instinctual which David Morales remixed this track and how it helped him evolve the next genres at from DJs and Producers such as Arthur Baker, Eric Kupper, Ben Liebrand – New York Latin American sound.

Discover how Leee felt hearing the responses to his music from other inspiring producers in Leee’s life. Lee has written 9 documentaries and continues to follow his acting career too. How has Leee managed to work through lockdown? What are Leee’s thoughts about the changes in technology and evolution of digital producing and using samples of old music in today’s music industry? Discover Leee’s feelings about taking his tracks and sampling parts.

Find out Leee’s next plans in music and acting and what are the plans for imagination. Superb show of one of the most hugely respected vocalists in the industry. What a legend, what a ‘True House Stories’ show.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DAVID MORALES # 027

With a real passion for music in his veins from a very young age, from very humble beginnings, David Morales was destined to follow his dream and took the opportunity to play music at any given chance. David’s very first gig was playing at the Loft for Lulu His first regular Djing spot started at Ozone Layer where Lulu was the hostess. Still working a job in a restaurant, David was hands on at promoting his events playing legends such as colonel Abrahams at his shows.

In the end he became so busy with his music, it meant quitting his day job. David was fortunate to meet Mike Brady from Paradise Garage and was invited to play at this incredible NYC club in 1983, where he invited legends such as Captain Black and Jocelyn Brown to the party.

Having never experienced using turntables which were the regular go to at Paradise Garage, experiencing their capacities completely blew David away. He was hooked. With huge names currently on the lineup at Paradise Garage -no one yet knew of David….

But they soon would!! In 1989, David first came to the UK for DMC – to his amazement, he was welcomed with open arms by his British fans and was also hugely respected in Italy too. Nicky Holloway and Pete Tong invited David to play at Estoria, only 40 minutes into his set, he was asked to stop playing just as he was getting into his set, for Jomanda to perform!!

David set up Defmix productions but with very little direction, experience and to just be landed in the midst of music industry, he had to learn the business very quickly in order to succeed.

Remixing is where David found his fortune in the industry. Frankie knuckles and David worked on so many remixes, in fact rewriting entire tracks and even changing the titles of the tracks, David simply received a flat fee and did not gain the recognition he deserved. Mariah Carey “Dream Lover”, was his 1st superstar track remix.

At first, he questioned the track due to it being extremely commercial (at the same time rejecting remix work for legends such as David Bowie) this remix became one of the songs David Morales is so famous for. David also had the incredible opportunity to work with Todd Terry, a born musician, no need for any equipment – the SP1200 was the weapon!! Having worked on remixes for Michael and Janet Jackson, you would expect David to be living the high life – the truth is it involved signing non disclosures, bag checks etc.

– security was paramount, not quite the fairytale you would have imagined. Donna Summer was David’s absolute no 1 idol and working with Jocelyn Brown was, yet another dream come true – to David, Jocelyn was an incredible legend he never imagined he would ever work with. Much to David’s dismay he was arrested in Japan during his career. How was that for David??

At 57 years of age – truly mortifying, listen to David’s very raw and open account of coping in a Japanese prison where no-one spoke his language and all of his basic rights were taken away. An experience that will live with David forever but taught him about the importance of the implicity of life – Health and Freedom.

One of the memories David has about this true horror was when a prison officer recognized David and played his music – which really helped him get through this ordeal. What an unimaginable situation to be catapulted into -the uncertainty and fear was a truly horrific experience for this world-famous legend.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DERRICK MCKENZIE (JAMIROQUAI) # 026

Derrick McKenzie you would probably initially tune in to hear about his Jamiroquai fame, but ’True House Stories’ reveals so much more about the man behind the drums of one of the world’s greatest bands in the history of music. Learn how Derrick first picked up his mum’s coat hangers at the age of 5 years old and started to rock out a rhythm.

His dad’s music was pivotal to the music he grew to love. Still rocking the coat hangers at the age of 10, he started a band with his friends and practiced relentlessly with coat hangers on his mum’s stool which he used as a makeshift drum kit. Derrick had an amazing talent for rocking a rhythm, self-taught he played purely by feeling the vibe and practiced religiously to perfect his techniques.

At the age of 15 he joined a band ‘Pure & Simple’ and pulled in his first semi pro gig. He continued with this band for a couple of years working a lover’s rock style – soulful style with an old school reggae vibe which really set the foundation for Derrick’s future in the music industry. As any parent would dread, Derrick asked for a drum kit, and was told to get a job and buy it himself.

Determined Derrick, went off to work at Marks & Spencer, and he managed to fulfil his dream, saving £400 and purchasing his first basic drum kit. During the 80’s, Jazz funk became Derrick’s new genre of choice having discovered bands such as Incognito, Brand New Heavies, Beggar & Co. Derrick joined a band called ‘Tranzyence’. Disco was in his veins though, Derrick had a real love for funk deep down in his soul and was inspired by bands such as Blood Stone, Brass Construction, Donald Byrd, Patrice Rushen.

Up against more popular genres, Derrick still hadn’t quite hit the success he was destined for. It was a tough getting gigs as Derrick was still very young and inexperienced, but he never gave up. He continued to feel that overriding passion for drumming, continuing to work early shifts to ensure he could always make time to practice drumming in the afternoons.

Determined to follow his dream, Derrick joined ‘Candyland’ -5 piece indie dance band who worked hard to get gigs, sending demos to record labels and music mags and pulled in a weekly residency at a club in London.

The band recorded an album which resulted in a 5-week tour across America. At this point Derrick thought he had finally made it in the industry, still not knowing what his future held. Moving on to a pop band ‘Freaky Realistic’, lasting 6 months , he then joined ‘Urban Species’ a rap outfit signed to ‘Talking Loud Records’ where he toured the UK and Europe as part of the rhythm section.

Not completely feeling the hip hop vibe, Derrick landed himself an audition for a band he had never heard of. A band that would change his life forever. After 2 long days of auditioning, Derrick was invited to became the drummer for the incredible band ‘Jamiroquai’.

Watch this truly remarkable show and hear what the future plans are for Jamiroquai, learn about how Derrick has continued to work during lockdown and remain a very significant name on the scene by working for Mi-House Radio and producing his own disco / funk music and collaborations with other amazing producers in the music industry. Derrick McKenzie is a ’True House Stories’ legend. Always determined to follow his dream and never giving up hope, he is an inspiration to us all.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ FARLEY & HELLER # 025

Farley & Heller (Terry Farley & Peter Heller) both begin their humble beginnings at the start of the Acid House Movement. They both Dj and happened to work separately at Danny Rampling’s famous Shoom night in the 1980’s. In this interview you will hear them talk about their big club hit with Diva vocalist Loleatta Holloway and how they were responsible for creating the huge house banger track called “Ultra Flava”. Terry Farley and Steven Hall are both responsible for running a successful brand-named Junior Boys Own.

Terry Farley went on to create a successful club night in London called Faith and published a very successful magazine as well. Pete Heller in his own right had a huge hit with Big Love and together they toured the world as international Dj’s. Come listen and learn about the UK clubbing history and how it entangles with the US Clubbing scene.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ SNEAK SPECIAL SHOW # 001

There has been a lot of controversy about DJ Sneak and his stance about the music industry recently which has caused a real stir. Sit back and watch the reasons why DJ Sneak has been so vocal recently. DJ Sneak gives us a very raw, honest and open insight about the reasons for his opinions. This show demonstrates how DJ Sneak has come to these conclusions with very valid points and gained the respect back of an entire nation from his ’True House Stories’ show tonight.

DJ Sneak has been honest, open and shown how hard he has had to work in the early days of his career, which is so far away from how it is today. Instead of allowing himself to be controlled by social media and music platforms, DJ Sneak spoke to Lenny Fontana about how he is going back to his roots and Respect to him for his decisions. This is one truly incredible insight into DJ Sneak – watch it, listen to him speak from the heart and then make your judgment about his recent outbursts.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BEN LIEBRAND (GRANDMIX) # 024

‘True House Stories’ of Ben Liebrand with Lenny Fontana gives a fascinating insight about how the music scene has advanced since the 1980’s and the reasons why. Ben Liebrand grew up in the Netherlands and played such a huge role in the way the music scene advanced and continued to build over the next 4 decades. Learn in this interview about how Ben’s fascination for technology and amazing ear for music and why it was so pivotal in the advances in DJing and music production.

Ben’s passion for technology and belief on creating his music from scratch without the involvement of external input is the reason he is so creative and has led to over 800 incredible productions and remixes. This is a truly fascinating interview about Ben’s input in changing the entire music scene helping it to progress throughout the last 40 years and still be pivotal to today’s sound.

Discover how Ben Liebrand’s career started by chance in a club in 1978 and how he progressed very quickly to playing peak slots in clubs in Holland due to his discovery of beat matching which is still how DJs play today.

Discover how Ben worked on remixes with amazing bands such as Salt n Peppa, Pet Shop Boys and Human League. Lenny Fontana uncovers the story of how Ben Liebrand’s skill for beat matching led to DJing on Dutch radio and how this new technique was so pivotal to how music is played on radio and in clubs to this day.

Ben explains the differences between producing original tracks versus remixing, and his stance on different genres of music throughout his lifetime. Ben fully embracing digital progression and gives his about his opinions about analogue versus digital evolution. Such a huge instigator due to his never-ending excitement for advances in technology and equipment, Ben explains his excitement about why he embraces this.

Ben has been working in the industry for 42 years now and it is clear to see how he played such a huge part in the evolution of music taking us through 4 decades of multiple musical genres and hoe he adapted to these changes but has also experienced many pitfalls along the way. Tune in to find out all about these tough times and how Ben is still such a huge leading figure in the industry.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ GREG WILSON # 023

Being on the scene at the same time as Lenny Fontana, this is a fascinating discussion with Greg Wilson about the UK versus USA music scene with 2 of the most knowledgeable artists in the music industry. One of the UK’s greatest DJs & Producers -Greg Wilson speaks about how he became a face in the underground UK music scene in the 70s and beyond.

Learn about how Greg was part of the disco, jazz, electro funk and hip hop scenes and how he moved on to producing re-edits due to the difficulty of obtaining remix work. A truly spectacular story with a UK legend – this is a show packed full of undocumented stories of Greg Wilson.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ LOUIE VEGA (MASTERS AT WORK) # 022

‘True House Stories’ brings you the legend Louie Vega – one of the world’s most successful music producers and DJs worldwide. As a classically trained musician, discover Louie’s roots – nights spent at the Paradise Garage, working in a record pool, meeting Jocelyn Brown, Jellybean Benitez which had a huge impact on Louie’s music productions. Making and breaking his own records and for other artists such as Todd Terry.

DJing at Studio 54 and working through a variety of genres including disco, hip hop and house. Taking to the road, Louie played in Japan, UK – playing for Norman J and meeting artists such as Carl Cox, Paul Oakenfold and Paul trouble Anderson. Setting up Masters at Work with Kenny Dope to further his later productions.

Working with Don Welsh and Barbara Tucker, Louie’s career went from strength to strength – becoming a resident at Elite. Relentless studio time due to his passion of making music, playing at the Sound Factory from 92-97 and networking with industry people such as Frankie Knuckles and Gladys Pizarro from Strictly Rhythm.

Within months the club was packed out and was so pivotal to his next steps in the industry. This is where Louie truly found his place and tapped into his own zone of music. DJing with David Cole who played live keyboards during Louie’s set. In addition, having George Benson singing a live impromptu set. Learn about how Nuyorican Soul emerged and the story behind this new moniker. Louie Vega – one of the most iconic, yet humble artists out there, tune in and listen to this absolutely immense journey of a ‘True House Stories’ legend.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TONY PRINCE (DMC WORLD) # 021

The Prince who actually meets the king – Elvis Presley!! Tony Prince -he sang and danced with Paul McCartney. He partied with Queen prior to their 1st album release promo’d on radio Luxembourg. Tony set up Mixmag and now runs the World Famous DMC World DJ Championships and DMC Magazine. Soon to set up a brand-new Radio Station – Radio DMC. A ‘True House Stories’ legend.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JOHN MORALES # 020

Tune in and hear about this absolute legend as he worked to produce some of the biggest, most pivotal songs in house music. Creator of the Whistle Song – Listen to how he worked with legends such as Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Mark Kamins and Rupaul and the stories behind Eric’s legendary productions. Discover how he formed Director’s Cut. A truly inspiring story that needs to be heard!! Tune in now and hear exactly how to add that magic into your productions.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ERIC KUPPER # 019

Tune in and hear about this absolute legend as he worked to produce some of the biggest, most pivotal songs in house music. Creator of the Whistle Song – Listen to how he worked with legends such as Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Mark Kamins and Rupaul and the stories behind Eric’s legendary productions. Discover how he formed Director’s Cut. A truly inspiring story that needs to be heard!! Tune in now and hear exactly how to add that magic into your productions.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BYRON STINGILY (TEN CITY) # 018

A very raw in-depth discussion with Byron stingily about his career in the music industry. Listen to his stories of his inspirational producing partners Marshall Jefferson and CeCe Rogers. Discover the difficulties faced producing house music in the pop industry. So many stories, so many memories. Tune in and enjoy the journey of Byron Stingily with Lenny Fontana.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ THE RITCHIE FAMILY # 017

The Ritchie Family were the very first female disco group who have the most incredible ‘True House Stories’ to tell. In this episode, they speak very honestly and openly about the trials and tribulations of record deals. They reveal many unknown facts such as working with legends such as John Lennon no less and how it was touring the world.

This is a must watch for all of you that respect and follow the original disco acts. So many unheard before stories about the success of The Ritchie Family as well as the many pitfalls they faced along the way.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ERIC MILLER AKA E-SMOOVE # 016

In this show, Lenny Fontana is joined by Chicago’s House Legend – E Smoove for a no holds barred interview on becoming a successful DJ and Producer in the heart of the House Capital – Chicago. He tells it all from the humble beginnings to his rise to fame and the artist pseudo names like “Thick Dick” on Subliminal Records.

Listen to him tell the stories of working on remixes for Michael Jackson and many other countless pop artists. Expect the shocking truth about record deals, the competitive world of dance music in Chicago and how to make a name for yourself in the music industry. Warning: This is a very raw, honest and open interview that will blow your mind!!

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ LOVE TO BE # 015

Join the legendary Lenny Fontana as he unveils The untold story behind the UK Superclub Love 2 Be, Sheffield on ’True House Stories’ . Expect the unexpected as we welcome the founder of Love 2 Be – one of the biggest, most successful clubs in the North of England since 1995 – guests Tony Walker and Marc Dennis to the ’True House Stories’ hot seat!! Now running their own label – Trimtone Records, Tony and Mark really have worked hard and are still continuing their success to this day. How do they do this?

All will be revealed!! This is an absolutely epic show, packed full of memories, the highs and lows of running a Superclub and maintaining its reputation with lots love and laughter plus the trials and tribulations along the way.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ GLADYS PIZARRO (STRICTLY RHYTHM RECORDS) # 014

Gladys Pizarro known for her golden ears and killer instinct helped shaped the humble beginnings of house music. The songs that she signed to her former label Strictly Rhythm Records are all known classics. Today she is in the middle of shooting a documentary called “Gotta Have House” and is the owner of her new label called Launch Entertainment. How fitting the name is since she helped launch a lot of the house music royalty that is revered today. A must watch episode.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ KATHY BROWN # 013

This episode we are joined with diva vocalist NYC Vocalist Kathy Brown. She has earned a huge name in soulful house music with a string of successful hit records and a story to match. Taking us from the beginning in Gospel Music to R&B and Rap. She shares how she discovered house music and how she has not looked back since. Kathy explains dealing with the highs and lows of being in the music business and how to stay relevant.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ K-KLASS # 012

This episode has to be one of those incredible interviews. Norman Jay MBE walks us through his life’s path from a young boy discovering music from his father and then to become the very popular and well sort out DJ in the 1980s and even through today. His story is moving and there may eventually be a full movie made about it. Tune in to catch this True House Story by one of UK’s Elder Statesman.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JKRIV # 011

This episode we are joined by Jason Kriv one of the founding members of the House Music Band Tortured Soul on Central Park Records take us on his journey in the music business. Finding and making his mark as a successful record producer, remixer, and dj.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MARK LOWER # 010

This episode we are joined by one of our younger heroes in disco house music, French DJ Mark Lower. You can listen how he takes us on his rise to fame from a young boy and playing his first ever dance music set at age 12 in a Northern French Club and all the way to signing one of his first big tracks to Nervous Records NYC. A fantastic heart felt warm story.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ SEAMUS HAJI (DEFECTED RECORDS) # 009

Todays Episode we sit with Dj/Producer/A&R Man Of Big Love / Defected / Glitterbox Seamus Haji. He shares with us his start in the early 1980s known as Dj Slick to his rise in the house scene as Dj Seamus. Come check out his story on the road to success and the pitfalls.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ NORMAN JAY (MBE) # 008

This guest has to be one of those incredible interviews. Norman Jay MBE walks us through his life’s path from a young boy discovering music from his father and then to become the very popular and well sort out DJ in the 1980s and even through today. His story is moving and there may eventually be a full movie made about it. Tune in to catch this True House Story by one of UK’s Elder Statesman.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ANDY WILLIAMS AKA YAM WHO? # 007

This edition we speak with the man behind Qwestlife, Yam Who, and Midnight Riot Records founder Andy Williams. He shares with us his rise to fame and how he created the label that is so strong today. One of the biggest indie labels in the UK for dance and disco music. A must watch.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TONEY LEE # 006

Lenny Fontana interviews Brooklyn Born Artist Toney Lee. Toney shares his stride to Reach To The Top and his life story in the music industry and how music has changed through social media and what he did to survive the times. A very inspiration video and the message is extraordinary.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ D.C. LARUE # 005

This weeks edition we bring you the vocalist producer and writer, DC Larue. He is a true diamond from the disco era and he was blessed to be involved with many different artists such as the Disco Queen Donna Summer and to work alongside huge industry giants such as Neil Bogart the owner from Casablanca Records. His story is the who’s who of the disco industry and here shares how his iconic release “Cathedrals” came to life.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ CE CE ROGERS # 004

On this weeks edition Lenny interviewed CeCe Rogers where he takes us on a journey of his beginnings in dance music and making the transition from R&B and becoming a highly sorted artist in the House Music Game. Come listen to CeCe Rogers share his story with Lenny Fontana.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ NATASHA KITTY KATT # 003

On this edition of True House Stories we are joined with a young starlet named Natasha Kitty Kat who is being interviewed by NYC DJ Lenny Fontana on the True House Stories Program. MIss Kitty Kat takes the time to share with us her life as a teenager and how she found her love for soul and R&B and sharing this with her biggest fan her dad.

She has been blessed to play for great events such as Glitterbox, Southport Weekender and many other huge clubs around UK and Europe. She is a true inspiration for the woman wanting to take a chance and going after there dreams. A fantastic interview and inspiring.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MICHAEL GRAY # 002

The guest on this edition of True House Stories we are joined with Michael Gray being interviewed by Lenny Fontana on the True House Stories Program. Michael takes the time to share with us his life as a teenager and how he found his love for soul and R&B music eventually making his life path in the music business. He is responsible for many hit records including “Weekend” and all the remixes as one half of Full Intention. Listen to this Grammy Nominated Artist explain it all from the pitfalls to the successes. A great interview and a must watch.

TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MARSHALL JEFFERSON # 001

In the hot seat is no other than Chicago Record Producer DJ Marshall Jefferson who is known as “The Godfather Of House Music” In this two hour interview he tells you about all his life in dance music and sharing his secrets and rise to fame. A no holds barred interview conducted by NYC DJ Lenny Fontana with his new weekly program called “True House Stories” Get the popcorn and pour a drink this is worth seeing.

PARTNER

LENNY FONTANA | KARMIC POWER RECORDS | KARMIC POWER PROMOTION | HOUSEBUGS RECORDS

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In these interviews, the guests talk about topics that they have never been discussed before.