The “Songs and Stories” podcast ran from 2006 through 2020 as a series of informalshop talk, promo, and live performances between Michael and other independent songwriters.
The entire archive of shows is available to listen on demand. How to listen:
- Scroll down and click on links to any of the episodes. Each one includes a description, related links, and the audio.
- Subscribe in iTunes or with the Sticher app,. All the episodes are posted, and you can download any fo them. And if or when Michael reboots the series, you can subscribe for free, and new episodes will be downloaded to your device automatically.
- Tune into KC Cafe Radio (Saturdays at 9:00am Eastern).
The episodes. Click the titles for more details on each:
- Songs and Stories #191: Dayan Kai Returns with “To Be Free”
/ March 13, 2020
Our returning champion (and frequent podcast guest) Dayan Kai talks about his new solo acoustic record, recorded from his home in Maui.. - Songs and Stories #190: The Carolyn Sills Combo’s “Return to El Paso” / December 20, 2019
Carolyn Sills and Gerard Egan of The Carolyn Sills Combo talk about their new EP, “Return to El Paso,” an exploration of Marty Robbin’s “El Paso” in a five-song EP. - #189: Me and My “New Best Friends” on KPIG Radio / November 21, 2019
Michael and band (His New Best Friends) in a recent appearance on KPIG’s live music show. Includes a performance of the new holiday single, “No More Tequila For Santa” and a cover of Rodney Crowell’s
“Still Learning How to Fly”. - #188: Nashville’s Renee Wahl / November 11, 2019
Nashville’s Renee Wahl talks about how she moved from a twelve-year military career to a life as a full-time songwriter in Nashville. - #188: Mira Goto Splits Her Time Between Santa Cruz and Nashville / August 6, 2019
Local writer Mira Goto discusses how she’s currently dividing her time between playing locally, and cowriting in Nashville. - #186: Gurf Morlix Discovers A Shade of “Impossible Blue” / June 17, 2019
One of our “returning champions,” Austin producer/songwriter Gurf Morlix, makes his third visit to the podcast to discuss his latest independent release. - #185: Christie McCarthy Talks About “The Big Picture” / May 11, 2019
Local songwriter Christie McCarthy talks about her latest release, “The Big Picture,” and previews the show with her band, The Wielders, coming up at Kuumbwa Jazz Center on May 31st. - #184: The Coffis Brothers Return to the Podcast / March 18 2019
Local favorites return to the show to discuss their in-the-works, upcoming release, produced by Tim Bluhm of The Mother Hips. - #183: Keith Rayburn and Highway / Feb 15, 2019
Keith Rayburn talks about the father-song recording effort that became his debut solo CD, “Highway”. - #182: Songwriter Henry Chadwick and Marlin Fisher / Jan 10, 2019
Santa Cruz songwriter and producer Henry Chadwick talks about his years as the drummer in The Coffis Brothers and his debut full-length record, now available on colored vinyl. Because vinyl is still a thing. - #181: Songwriter Lauren Wahl / Oct 20, 2018
Santa Cruz songwriter Lauren Wahl talks about her influences, her band Simply Put, and the plans for her next record. - #180: Michael Gaither and His New Best Friends” / Sept 28, 2018
Host Michael Gaither and the new “His Best Friends” band are interviewed and play live on KPIG Radio. Songs include “Somewhere I Went Right,” “It’s Nothing Personal,” and a cover of Tom Petty’s “Learning to Fly”. - #179: Nancy Cassidy’s “River’s Rising” / Aug 24, 2018
Bay Area songwriter Nancy Cassidy talks about the literal and metaphorical themes running through her new release, “River’s Rising”. - #178: Steve Fulton” / July 27, 2018
Another “songwriting retreat” interview, this time with Boise producer/songwriter Steve Fulton. - #177: Larry Diehl / July 12, 2018
An on-the-road visit with Roseville songwriter Larry Diehl, smack dab in the middle of a songwriting retreat in northern Idaho. - #176: Richard Newman’s “Surfers and Shapers” / May 7, 2018
Santa Cruz filmmaker Richard Newman and Associate Producer Barry Pearlman talk about their new documentary,”Addicted to Joy: Surfers and Shapers, The Larry Fuller Project,” that profiles board builders, along with surfing history and culture. - #175: Jesse Daniel / April 13, 2018
Santa Cruz honkey tonk favorite discusses his upcoming debut record AND his upcoming cross-country tour with his new band - #174: “The Sweet Potatoes” / March 8, 2018
LA acoustic trio The Sweet Potatoes talk about and play from their new release, “Headin’ Home”. - #173: “Live Songs From Episodes Past” / January 19, 2018
Live performance highlights from past episodes features tunes from Blackie Farrell, Gurf Morlix, Martha Groves Perry, Keith Greeninger, Chuck McCabe, and The Coffis Brothers
- #172: “Michael Gaither & Steve Kritzer on KPIG” / December 8, 2017
Host Michael Gaither and pal Steve Kritzer play songs from their new records, “Hey Karma” and “Right Where I’m Supposed to Be” and talk about their upcoming dual-release shows. - #171: Jeffrey Halford’s “lo Fi Dreams” / September 26, 2017
Jeffrey Halford talks about his Texas roots, his California upbringing, and his newest record, “Lo Fi Dreams” - #170: “All In Good Time” with Rhan Wilson / August 9, 2017
Santa Cruz producer/arranger talks about his new book, “All In Good Time” - #169: “Gurf Morlix Returns with The Soul and The Heal” / June 30, 2017
Austin songwriter/producer Gurf Morlix makes this third visit to the podcast and talks about his new release “The Soul and the Heal”. - #168: “Greg Kihn is ReKihndled“ / April 19, 2017
Bay area favorite Greg Kihn talks about songwriting, his latest release “Rekihndled”, and his gratitude for surviving rock and roll. - #167: “Russell Brutsche’s Bucket of Gold“ / February 13, 2017
Santa Cruz songwriter/painter Russell Brutsche talks about his latest release, “Bucket of Gold” - #166: “Jonathan Foster and Miracle Mile Records” / January 1, 2017
Songwriter Jonathan Foster talks about his latest release,
Help Me Run and what led him to form the indie label, “Miracle Mile Records”