People & Profiles

Al Kamara was born in a tiny impoverished village in Liberia — no utilities, no running water, no schools, no hospitals. One of 21 children, his mother arranged for his “adoption” by a businessman at the age of 10. He entered a world where he would learn to read and write, travel with “foster parents” […]

For more than 30 years Paul Wayne has been the opening act for many top stars, including Jay Leno, Patti LaBelle, Richie Havens, and so many more. He shares his story, songs, and anecdotes about his experiences over what has been a very successful career.

Michael Mwenso has come a long way to Newport Jazz. He’s a native of Sierra Leone, spent most of his childhood in London and later moved to New York City. His band, Mwenso and the Shakes’ calls Harlem home, although members come from far and wide, including South Africa, Jamaica, Madagascar, France and Scotland. Mwenso […]

The Newport Folk Festival is known for recruiting the best folk, blues and roots artists every summer. The Festival also excels at discovering emerging talent. Indeed, established stars like Brandi Carlile, Hozier, Amy Ray and Dawes got a boost from Newport Folk early in their careers. This year, we had a chance to speak to […]

Ron Carter is perhaps the most influential bassists in jazz history, with some 2,500 albums to his credit. From 1963 to 1968, he was a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, was named Outstanding Bassist of the Decade by the Detroit News, Jazz Bassist of the Year by Downbeat magazine, and has earned two Grammy […]

Dopey Lopes knows a little about rock and roll. The Newport-based musician began playing in 1987, as founder and front man of Two Guys and Another Guy, his band that opened for acts like the Neighborhoods, the Meat Puppets, and Verbal Assault. He toured the East Coast in the 90’s and recorded two albums, Welcome to […]

Troy Ramey, a graduate of Rogers High School in Newport and a top 12 finisher on Season 12 of NBC’s The Voice, joins me on this edition of What’sUp Radio to chat about his music, what life has been like after The Voice, and to give us a preview of what folks can expect at […]

Louie Escobar, co-owner of Highland Farm in Portsmouth, joined me today on What’sUpNewp Radio on AM 1540 WADK Newport to chat about all that’s happening at his farm, Rhody Fresh, and Escobar’s Corn Maze, which opens for their 19th season at 4 pm today. For more information on Escobar Corn Maze, visit www.escobarfarm.com. Listen What’s Up […]

The daffodils have come and go, we thought what better time than now to catch up with John Hirschboeck, Daffodillion Project Director, to discuss what we should do with our daffodils, find out where he is with his mission to plant one million daffodils, and to ask him about those yellow chairs across from Easton’s […]

With Memorial Day Weekend here and a string of nice weather forecasted for the next few days, it finally feels like summer has made its way to Newport.  After a long winter and a grey, overcast spring season, the Vitamin D will be welcomed with open arms. A few of my favorite things once the […]

It was a jam-packed edition of What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WDK on Wednesday. Joining Ryan Belmore and Frank Prosnitz for the first 30 minutes was historian, author and former Belcourt Castle owner and resident, Harle Tinney. Here we heard all about what Harle has been working on and get a few details on […]

Bahjat Shariff was born in war-torn Lebanon. He left his country and family behind when he was 18, and with 300 in his pocket arrived in Los Angeles, where he would enroll in Citrus College. Bahjat, who continues our “Bridge to the Future” series, has been recognized by the New England Patriots for his charitable […]