Chuck Magid & Christian Ryan: Great Musicians, Great Radio Hosts
Two of the bands playing this weekend’s inaugural A Feast of Funk and Soul Food have several things in common. They are both from Orlando. They both seamlessly blend rock, funk soul and blues. They’re both quintets.
And each has a member who doubles as a radio DJ!
The two bands in question are Leisure Chief and The Groove Orient. Here were the summaries we offered earlier:
The Groove Orient, an excellent quintet from Orlando, have been throwing down great rock shows at festivals and concerts all over, including a great set at Orange Blossom Jamboree, another at Purple Hatter’s Ball, and a tour that took them to Colorado and back this summer. The Groove Orient are Chuck Magid on guitar and vocals, with Harry Ong (lead vocals, bass), David Vanegas (percussion, bass, vocals) and Aaron “Bucky” Buckingham (drums). The band’s secret weapon is Tommy Shugart, a wizard on Hammond B3 organ, electric piano and guitar.
Another great Orlando quintet, Leisure Chief, are masters of funk, jazz, hip-hop and much more. Leisure Chief are Derek Engstrom (drums, vocals), Chris McMullen (bass, vocals), Keegan Matthews (organ, Rhodes, keyboards), Christian Ryan (alto & bari sax, vocals), and Jordan Garno (guitar). They too have been regulars at SoSMP at events such as Hulaween, Purple Hatter’s Ball and Summer Splashdown.
So who are these multi-faceted musicians who also have weekly radio shows on WPRK 91.5 in Winter Park FL? (wprk.org)
One is Chuck Magid, leader of The Groove Orient. He has done his program, called Green Eggs and Jams, Tuesdays from 10 AM to noon. Magid describes his experience there:
“I found out about WPRK in my junior year at Rollins College. I thought it was the coolest, best-kept secret at the school. I’ve had a show ever since. It’s been about four years now that I’ve had my show. My show really highlights music that I respect and appreciate. I try to play new releases as well as set up interviews. I’ve recently interviewed Oliver Wood of the Wood Brothers and Drew Emmitt of Leftover Salmon as well as Paul Levine of Suwannee Hulaween.
I try to give people something they won’t hear on your average radio station, something that isn’t main stream that still has a strong following. I play a lot of Medeski Martin and Wood, Gov’t Mule, Gary Clark, Jr., Soulive, the new Eric Krasno CD, Wolfmother, Bright Light Social Hour, String Cheese, My Morning Jacket. They are all in the regular rotation.
And I love WPRK. It’s therapeutic for me to go and listen to music for two hours. And I am so grateful for the opportunity to do so.”
A recent addition to the airwaves is Christian Ryan, the man who performs in or plays with nearly a dozen bands (probably more), including Leisure Chief, Holey Miss Moley, A Thousand Wolves, Bengali 600 and Joose. His show follows immediately after Chuck’s from noon to 2, and it is called The Secret Stash with Christian Ryan. Ryan plays music and offers up excellent interviews with musicians from a wide variety of styles, including many of his woodwind favorites. His website show description:
“As a musician who is active among several scenes in the local community, Christian Ryan presents a variety show that touches on music’s impact in the area. Conducting in-depth interviews, show highlights, scene round-table discussions, genre themes, and fan involvement, Christian will include areas of musicians’ experience that isn’t often seen in public eye. This includes how musical groups form, the creative process, the successes/challenges, life on the road, and various other related topics. In addition to musicians, he features dialogue with many individuals at venues, educators, producers, journalists, local entrepreneurs, and other entertainment industry professionals, all while playing tasty musical goods along the way!”
Since Ryan’s official start this past September, he has interviewed: Karl Denson, Chris Bullock (Snarky Puppy), Martin Perna (Antibalas), Chris Cortez (co-founder of Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts), Christopher Belt (founder of Accidental Music Festival), Evan Taylor Jones, Joshua Jauz (ShowsIGoTo & Locus of Chiron) and Three Star Revival (Knoxville, TN).
One more thing. Their names both start with CH!
CHeck out CHuck and CHristian on the radio — and at A Feast of Funk and Soul Food — Leisure Chief Friday 7:30 – 9:00 PM and The Groove Orient Saturday 7:30 – 9:00 PM. MusicFestNews will see you there!
