Shows
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsGet Busy Living. Get Busy Giving. with Erik “The Swede” LarsonAs much as unexpected and tragic loss tests the human spirit, sometimes it can become the catalyst for good. And that is exactly the mission that my friend, Erik Larson, has embraced after suddenly losing his best friend, Greg Kline, in August of 2020.Greg had a motto that he lived by, Get Busy Living, and Erik embodies all that is about getting busy living. But now, he’s also embodying getting busy GIVING.Erik Larson, who many refer to as “The Swede” because of his Scandinavian good loo...
2025-12-251h 05
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsThe Gray Club Chronicles with Rich GrayHuntington, Long Island - home to so many of the amazing people that I am lucky to call my friends and family - continues to create new bonds and new friendships. In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, I could not be more grateful for those connections. Thanks to a few of those lifelong friends, I’ve been recently connected to a fellow Huntingtonian, a fellow music-lover, fellow golfer, fellow genuinely happily married man and fellow father-of-three daughters. A friend that truly gets what it means to Get Busy Living. I’m proud and fortunate to call...
2025-11-271h 16
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsThe Great Debate with The Boys From BergenIn somewhat of an unconventional "studio" setting - namely a gutted former restaurant under renovation and equipped with only a table, a few folding chairs, a cooler of beer and an extension cord - 6 fellow music lovers travelled from across the Eastern Seaboard to Downtown Huntington to discuss and debate a subject that has been the hot topic among the group for over 6 years. "What are the Top-5 greatest American rock-&-roll bands of all time." Key word - American.No Stones. No Beatles. No U2. No Led Zeppelin (#sorrymeyers). The criteria as to what makes a band...
2025-11-061h 15
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsLife Inside the Grateful Dead’s Inner Circle with Dennis McNallyThis one was a big deal for me. My guest, Dennis McNally, isn’t just a reknowned author, music historian, and publicist, he’s someone I’ve long considered somewhat of a “celebrity” in my world. From 1984 to 1995, Dennis was the Grateful Dead’s publicist and part of the band’s inner circle.He’s written five books, including the classic Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead, and his latest, The Last Great Dream - How Bohemians Became Hippies and Created the Sixties. He’s married...
2025-09-251h 09
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & Friends50 Years of Love & Friendship with John “Dino” DeNataleMy friendship with John “Dino” DeNatale began in kindergarten over 50 years ago in the early 1970’s in Huntington’s own Flower Hill School. In this episode, John and I look back on our five decades of connection, the memories that shaped us along the way, and the big-picture lessons that we’ve learned and carried forward to this day.At the heart of our conversation is a simple truth: LOVE is all that matters.But before we dive into the big picture, Dino covers a few of his wilder days in the 90’s...
2025-09-1156 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsShooting Star: A Tribute to Jonny StaibIt’s a tall order to try to capture the true color and the complete character of my cousin, Jonny Staib, in one conversation. Which is why I chose to invite four guests on this episode of Exploring the Energy to help me paint the full picture of this amazing human being. I’m proud to introduce a select few of his closest friends and family - including brothers Timmy and Tommy Sheerin, my cousin Diana San Venero, and last but certainly not least, Steve “Sonny” Peer. Together we share our collective “Jonny Stories.”Timmy, Tommy, D...
2025-08-281h 20
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsSaddle Up with Kim & Gregg CarlinWhat a treat hosting one of the best and most beautiful couples I know, Kim & Gregg Carlin. Kim, being a southern girl and all, kicks off our conversation by sharing her love of country music and explains why she gravitates to the likes of Chris Stapleton, Toby Keith, George Strait, and Willie Nelson. She comes clean explaining that she’ll be at Madison Square Garden the night after our interview with “another man” seeing the Chris Stapleton concert. No worries of a Coldplay Kiss Cam moment though, since that other man is actually her son, Hamilton ;)...
2025-08-1342 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsTrusting the Universe with Robyn PrayMy relatively new friendship with Robyn Pray is undoubtedly a result of the universe connecting the two of us. Here’s how that happened and why this episode means so much to me.In the summer of 2023, I received a very kind and somewhat mysterious note from a name that I didn’t recognize, though I did recognize the sender’s address - Keeseville Free Library in Keeseville, New York. Admittedly not being an avid reader or library-goer, I thought to myself “who and why is anyone from any library reaching out to me?”Turns out, Robyn h...
2025-08-0753 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsA Fireside Chat with Villanova Wildcat Peter RussellI was honored and proud to host yet another member of the Villanova Wildcat Crew, my friend Peter Russell. To say that Peter and I have a few things in common would be an understatement and it wouldn’t do our friendship justice. First and foremost, we both appreciate energy, and we embrace the people that exude positive energy, starting with two of the most beautiful souls in the universe, Rainer “TITAN” Jenss and Tom Staib. God rest both of their souls.Peter shares how he became a Wildcat and what thos...
2025-07-311h 07
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsTruckin’ to Charleston with Lilly Jo StaibNow in their 20’s and all having left the nest, it’s not often I get to spend extended one-on-one time with my daughters. This is why this episode is so special to me.A few weeks ago my youngest daughter, Lilly, and I embarked on a 12+ hour roadtrip from our home town of Greenlawn, Long Island to Charleston, South Carolina where Lilly will join her sister, Hannah, and call it home for a while. Along the way, Lilly shares what she’s been up to since graduating from University of Delaware in May of...
2025-07-2443 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsPodcaster, Author, Entrepreneur, Music Lover, Family Man, Friend & Neighbor - Dan PashmanThe title may be a bit of a giveaway, but unlike all previous episode show notes where I share a preview of the content, in this very special episode, I invite listeners to learn about my guest, Dan Pashman, by tuning in and finding out Dan’s amazing story for themselves. In other words, I’ll keep you in suspense!Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!Anything’s Pastable https://www.sporkful.com/anythings-pastable/ The Sporkful https://www.sporkful.com/Mission Impastable https://www.sporkful.com/tag/missio...
2025-07-171h 00
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsInaugural Episode, Live from U.S. Brews with Gunny & Nud & CompanyIt was intentional and by design that the official rebrand of the podcast from Grateful Dad & Friends to Exploring the Energy w/ Anzo & Friends kicked off at a local, music-centric brewery, aptly named, U.S. Brews. What better place to explore the energy?!In the inaugural episode, I’m joined by U.S. Brews owner & founder, Brian “Gunny” McGunnigle and Paul “Nud” Schmitz, with special cameo appearances by Kevin “Camper” Campion, Billy “Vic Thrill” Campion, and Billy “Mad Larry” Ryan. We start by sharing the story behind the rebranding of the podcast and why I ch...
2025-07-101h 01
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsUnpacking The Notes With Jason DarbyI've known Jason Darby for over 45 years, and while we've long shared a deep bond through our love of family, golf & tennis, and music, I was still surprised by the depth of his knowledge when it comes to the guitar—and especially his passion for legendary players like Eddie Van Halen, Nuno Bettencourt, and Keith Richards, to name a few.Our conversation kicks off with a trip down memory lane, back to the late ’70s on the Bay Hills Beach tennis courts, where a young Jason was my tennis “pupil.” From there, we fast for...
2025-05-221h 08
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsA Conversation with Mr. Michael “Sketchy” RiceCirca Fall 1982, I first met Mike Rice in Huntington High School’s 9th-grade math class, where we became fast friends and “partners in crime.” In fact, it turns out it wasn’t until we sat down on this Thursday afternoon in February ‘25, some 43years later, that we discovered our connection goes back as far as 1974, when we shared the same kindergarten class in Flower Hill Elementary School.Fast forward to 2025, Mike (aka “Sketch”) brings us back to his early days growing up “south of 25A” In Huntington and being inserted into the Huntington Bay party scene and the broader edginess of what wa...
2025-05-081h 09
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsHeart-to-Heart With Fellow Canterbury Saint, Justin RubinMy friend of 50+ years, Justin Rubin, joins me and shares his recent experience facing the L.A. Wildfires and how the fires have affected his closest friends in the surrounding areas, and how L.A. is rising to the occasion as they enter the rebuilding process. He relives his journey of his early days at Canterbury School when his world was rocked by the loss of his brother, Greg, from a brain tumor in 1984, followed by the loss of his sister, Carolyn, in 2004 from the same type of brain tumor that took Greg, exactly 20 y...
2025-04-241h 16
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsA Look Behind The Curtain With Will RetherfordGrateful Dad & Friends would not exist if it weren’t for my guest, Will Retherford, who founded and owns the Tulsa-based production company, Citizens of Sound. I have my friend Lawrence Zarian - who some of you may know from his regular appearances on The Kelly Clarkson Show or from his podcast, You Are Beautiful With Lawrence Zarian - to thank for connecting us. Although it’s my GUESTS who are the focus and who provide the content, Will does the behind-the-scenes heavy lifting by recording every episode in real-time, mixing, editing, and publishing each G...
2025-02-2748 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsLove Stories - With Lindsey & Will and Anzo & MargsLove really IS in the air as we approach Valentine’s Day. On today’s episode, I’m joined by the love of my life, my bride Ms Margs, and our friends, Lindsey Janes and Will Derasmoto, to celebrate their love and to toast to their recent engagement! The conversation includes the story of how, despite the age gap and despite being in different phases of life during the early days of their relationship, they became the couple that they are today. Similar to Margs and my story, in VERY short order, Lindsey & Will pulled off “The Trifecta” b...
2025-02-131h 08
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsRiding The 2025 Energy Train With Dave “Fetts” FetterolfThe Energy Train keeps rolling with an unforgettable guest: Dave “Fetts” Fetterolf. A dynamic personality with boundless energy, Fetts is a man of many talents—insane athletic ability, a battery that never quits, a wildly successful career, and his most important role of all - husband and proud father of three.In this episode Fetts opens up about his journey, sharing how he overcame dyslexia to earn a spot at Cornell University, where he played Division 1 tennis and met his wife, Erica, on their very first day of freshman year.He rev...
2025-01-3052 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsRinging In 2025 With Film Producer and Music Lover, John “Johnny Gowanus” HenneganKicking off Season 4 and ringing in 2025 with a cool cat that has widened my musical lens TENFOLD, Mr. John “Johnny Gowanus” Hennegan. Although I’ve known John since the early 80’s and we’ve run with the same group of guys over the years, I had zero clue just how broad his taste in music is, so a big shoutout to Erik “Swede” Larson for suggesting I invite John to be a guest on GD&F in the first place! You were 100% right, Swede! John reminded me just how much Run DMC and The B...
2025-01-161h 16
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsA Conversation With Another “Wise Old Owl,” My Friend, Mr. Tom WhiteSimilar to Season 2, Episode 1 when I sat down with Doug “Pops” Smith, who I like to refer to as a “Wise Old Owl”, in this episode I have the pleasure of connecting with a friend that I consider in the same first-class league, Mr. Tom White. Tom and I met when I first called on the five-generation Italian food products company, Pastene & Co, soliciting their label business back in the early 2000’s, and although he was a client for the next 15+ years, first and foremost Tom remains a friend and confidante. We share common bonds that i...
2025-01-0249 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsSAY YES. DON’T WAIT. A tribute to Rainer Jenss with Tim “Tmac” McGuireI don’t always subscribe to the notion that “everything happens for a reason,” but as the universe would have it, the recent loss of a mutual friend, Rainer “TITAN” Jenss, has reconnected me with a gentleman that I am now proud to call one of my closest friends and confidants, Tim “Tmac” McGuire. Among many of his distinguished designations, Tmac is the youngest of 8 children, a Villanova Wildcat alum, husband, and father of three, president of the National Merit Scholar Association, lifelong Deadhead and avid music fan. Ti...
2024-12-191h 20
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsLove Is Real, Not Fade Away with John MacarioIn the spirit of Thanksgiving, show the ones you love just how much they mean to you, and share your appreciation and gratitude for the gift of life, the gift of love, and the gift of energy that we all share. Thank you ALL for the gift of YOUR love and our collective friendship.Nobody embodies the mindset of gratitude more so than my friend, John Macario. Though John and I have yet to meet in person, we recently connected via a communal, music-centric group that we both belong to on social media. I was struck by...
2024-11-281h 17
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsA Rare and Different Tune with Beau CarinoTo those that know him, the man needs no introduction. For those that don’t, his name is Beau Carino and he’s the founder of one of Long Island’s hottest live music venues, Beau’s Bar, in the village of Greenlawn. For nearly 20 years, Beau has attracted some of the finest talent in the area, ranging from young guns like Dog In A Pile to veteran guitar virtuosos like Jeff Matson, lead singer and guitarist for Dark Star Orchestra. In Season 3, Episode 8 Beau takes us back to his early days when h...
2024-11-1455 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsLife, Loss and Love, with Austin Koerner and Hope StaibWith the exception of a select few cameo appearances by my previous guests’ significant others, this is the first episode where I sit down start-to-finish with a young couple, none other than my daughter, Ms. Hope Staib, and her significant other, Mr. Austin Koerner. Hope and Austin share their story, and their musical tastes and interests, and they reveal what’s on the horizon as Austin aims to become a firefighter and Hope looks to keep our five-generation family business relevant. Austin explains how he is coping with the loss of his mother, Jamie, after she lost her fight...
2024-10-3156 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsRocking Against Hunger, The Extraordinary Story of Syd MandelbaumS3, E6 begins with the story of the Mandelbaum family in the late 1930’s and 40’s, and includes the harrowing tale of those family members who miraculously survived the holocaust, and the tragedy of those family members who didn’t. He describes the day his Aunt Regina saved his mother from certain death during the Nazi “selection process” in 1942 and how that one single act of courage ultimately saved generations to follow.Syd recounts how he became inspired by the events of the holocaust to feed the hungry, to serve the impoverished, and to fight bias...
2024-10-171h 19
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsCompleting The Trifecta With Billy CampionTo complete the “Campion Brothers Trifecta”, I was beyond stoked to host Mr. Billy Campion, otherwise known as Young & Tender Willoughby, or The Captain, and in later years, Vic Thrill. For those that know Billy, founding member and front man for The Bogmen, you’re in for a real treat in this episode. For those that don’t know The Bogmen, or Vic Thrill, you’re in for a real treat in this episode. Billy takes us back to his early days growing up as the youngest of six children, all of whom were...
2024-10-031h 01
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsTexas Talk with Mark HamerOn S3, E4 of Grateful Dad & Friends, I’m proud to host a friend who could easily have a career in radio, one of my closest music, golfing, and paddle tennis wingmen, Mr. Mark Hamer. Mark takes us back to his Texan roots and shares how and when he discovered his love of “music with an edge”, including The Clash, Traffic, Talking Heads, Mott the Hoople, and of course, the good ol’ Grateful Dead. Tune in as he tells his story of taking his 90-year old parents to a Dead & Company show… in a...
2024-09-191h 27
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsOne More Saturday Night With The Peer FamilyOn the final day of Dead & Company’s 30-show residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, I was honored to sit down with Huntington natives and fellow Deadheads, brothers John and Tommy Peer and Tommy’s son Thomas Peer. We spent our time together reminiscing about the multigenerational Peer + Staib family bond, the Huntington shenanigans that we shared together and a few war stories of old. Tommy & John brought us back to the glory days of when the Peers and Staibs were roommates post-college at their legendary animal house on Carly Avenue...
2024-09-051h 00
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsIn High Gear At The Sphere With Paco KevilleIn my second trip of the summer to catch Dead & Company at Sphere in Las Vegas, I was honored to host my friend of 40+ years, fellow Canterbury “Saint” (term used loosely), avid Deadhead, and all around amazing human being, my cohort Paco “Pac” Keville. By the grace of God, Pac has recovered from a near-death car accident only a few short weeks prior and was firing on all cylinders when we sat down together at The Venetian. He brings us back to his early days growing up in San Francisco, to his decision to trade the familiar comforts of the Bay...
2024-08-2249 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsMy Friend of the Devil, Tommy MillsTo kick off Season 3, I’m joined by lifelong friend and fellow Deadhead, Tommy Mills, with a special cameo by his better half, Ms Karin Mills. Karin proved to be an integral part of my conversation with her husband in that she served as “fact checker” for the tales being told, and I’m proud to report that Karin confirmed that all but one of the reported antics were, in fact, accurate. Well done Karin!Similar to two of my previous guests, Doug “Pops” Smith and Rob “Monkey Man” Diestel, Tommy and I share a brotherly bond h...
2024-08-0855 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsSeason Two: A Look BackBIG thanks to all my guests on Season 2, it was an honor and a privilege to have hosted each of you! I loved my field trips to record the remote interviews in Charlotte, Hilton Head, and Las Vegas as well. Special shoutout to the Citizens of Sound team behind the scenes that help me create each episode of Grateful Dad & Friends - Will & Charis Retherford, and Leslie Dinsmore. You all ROCK! Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us! #IFE https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357
2024-07-2510 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsGoing Full Circle With John BuckholtzIn the closing episode of Season 2, I have the privilege of hosting fellow Huntington native and fellow Deadhead (and the only friend I know that calls me “Enzo”:), Mr. John Buckholtz, who I call Johnny B. Together we cover our glory days in the early ‘80’s at the The Bay Club on the shores of Huntington Bay and we share how we’ve stay connected over the years through our mutual love of the Grateful Dead, and more recently through Johnny B introducing me to the music of Pearl Jam. I’m even a new member of Pearl Jam’s fan orga...
2024-07-111h 02
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsChiming In From Sin City With Garvin HammerOn Day 2 of my recent pilgrimage to Las Vegas for the Dead & Company shows at Sphere, I sit down with the person that I have proudly seen the most concerts with over the years, fellow Canterbury School alum and lifelong Deadhead, Mr. Andrew “Garv” Hammer. Garv and I take a walk down memory lane revisiting life at boarding school, exploring the bonds that the class of ‘86 (my crew) and the class of ‘85 (his crew, affectionately known as The Bakers Dozen) had back in the day. Having the memory of an elephant, Garv brings us back to the highlights of his 100...
2024-06-2740 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsGoing Old School With Geoff ShafferSomehow, it took 8 months and 23 episodes of Grateful Dad & Friends before I was succesful in securing an interview with a Canterbury prep school friend. In Season 2, Episode 10, I have the pleasure of sitting down with the first friend I met at Canterbury back in the fall of 1983, lifelong Deadhead and all around amazing human being, Mr Geoff “Shafe” Shaffer. Me having entered Canterbury in my sophomore year and Shafe having entered a year earlier in his freshman year, he was not the newbie that I was, and he quickly connected me to a group of friends from across the co...
2024-06-1346 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsCampfire Chronicles with Chris CampionThe man needs no introduction, but for the few that don’t have the pleasure of knowing him, I’ll go out on a limb and introduce my friend. On Season 2, Episode 9, I proudly host Mr. Christopher John Campion, aka Campy, aka Old Sea Dog, aka Lights, aka America’s Guest, aka Marketing Genius, aka Jermaine Jackson. For any Huntington native, the Campion name is widely known and for good reason. Chris takes us back to his early days when he discovered his love music and his passion to perform. He recalls the evolution of his earliest band, Column 13...
2024-05-301h 15
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsA Visit With MomAfter a little nudging to get her past her hesitation to be on a guest on my admitedly music-centric podcast, I was honored to host none other than my mother, Ms. Edie Staib. Mom shares her story of how Al Staib swept her off her feet back in 1960 despite her being engaged to her high school sweetheart at the time, and how they were married less than a year, and went on to live a love story lasting over 55 years. She explains how she felt about her three children becoming Deadheads in the 80’s and how all she want...
2024-05-1655 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsFrom One Musician To Another w/ Mike “Comfort" O’RourkeI have the pleasure of introducing Mr. Mike “Comfort” O’Rourke to the world on Episode 7 of GD&F. Back in the early 1980’s, I was “Kathy and Tom’s little brother, Anzo” to Comfort but over the years he and I began to forge our own connection through our mutual friends, a shared love of music, and the occasional paddle tennis game. Comfort takes us back to the early days when Southern Rock was king in the 70’s, followed by the likes of Van Halen in the 80’s, and the indie tribal sound of The Bogmen in the 90’s, the indie...
2024-05-091h 02
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsSearching For The Sound With Dave & RustyHailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, these two gentlemen have become my newest wingmen, and although we’ve yet to meet in person we’re quickly bonding through our comradary and our shared love of music. Listen as Dave Dulaney takes us back to his first show in ‘74 and shares his recollections of the Grateful Dead’s legendary Wall of Sound, and describes his “BD” Before Dead and “AD” After Dead perspective on life. His wingman, Rusty Phipps, is the first taper that I’ve had the privilege of hosting on GD&F and was the source of countless pristine master reco...
2024-05-0249 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsCarving out time with Carly StaibI was fortunate to share some very special quality time with my gracious and beautiful niece, Ms Carly Marie Staib. Carly recalls her recollections of “Loud Music Fridays” with the family, her first concert seeing “Uncle Billy” Joel, a Taylor Swift concert with Dad, and later Dead & Company. She explains how she faced and CONQUERED an unexpected and debilitating auto-immune condition called Myasthenia Gravis “MG” that struck when she was in her teens. Thanks to modern medicine and the grace of God, and with MG behind her, Carly then dove in to a career with L’Oréal where she has rise...
2024-04-1847 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsDiving in with DudleyJoin my BFAM Chris Kline aka Dudley and I as we share war stories from back in the day, including “Black Wednesday” in 1983, summers “dragging hose” the late ‘80’s, backpacking through Europe in late 1990, discovering “The Meadows” in the early ‘90’s, and recapping a few of the countless laughs we had along the way. Dudley reveals that in addition to his love of The Rolling Stones, he’s also a closet Richard Marx and The Outfield fan. We dive into the darkness of 2020 and share how we’re coping with the untimely losses of each of our brothers, Greg and Tom. We explore...
2024-04-1147 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsTasty Tidbits With Bobby RoganFellow avid golfer and devoted music lover, Bobby Rogan, joins me in the studio and recalls how the music of the 70’s shaped his musical tastes before he evolved into a Deadhead. We touch on the “glory days” on the golf course and we highlight how golf and music connects us through thick and thin. Bobby explains how he is facing a recent and unexpected health challenge that is making him truly appreciate each and every day. In other words, he’s Getting Busy Living. Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us! #GBL #IFE...
2024-03-281h 02
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsLong Strange Trip with Kevin CampionThere are few Huntington families that are as musically gifted and universally loved as the Campion family. In Episode 2, I’m privileged to sit down with Kevin Campion, lifelong Deadhead and current lead singer for Huntington’s own Soghat. Kevin takes us back to the late 70’s when he got on the bus, and explains how today he pays tribute to his late brother, “Hollywood Bob”, by sitting in as the front man in Bob’s Grateful Dead cover band, Skeleton Crew, in Southern California. We paint the picture of just how much a select few Jerry ballads m...
2024-03-2157 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsA Conversation With A Wise Old Owl…aka “Pops”Season 2, Episode 1 of Grateful Dad & Friends kicks off with a conversation with a gentleman who is a true treasure to me, and who reminds me of my own father, His name is Doug Smith. To those who know him best, his real nickname is Pops, but for the sake of adding context to the conversation, I consider him as wise as they come and therefore will also refer to him as a gentle, yet Wise Old Owl. He was kind enough to host me in the comfort of his home in...
2024-03-1454 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsSeason One A Look BackBefore I recap Season 1 of Grateful Dad & Friends and provide a brief glimpse of Season 2, it may prudent to share why I launched this podcast in the first place.The purpose of GD&F is to be a gift. A gift to my guests, and a gift to their friends and family. Let me explain….A few years back, on my way to Lake Champlain, I was driving with my parents and I had an opportunity to “interview” my father about his 35-year experience in the family business. I recorded that conv...
2024-02-2907 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsBringing It Home With My GirlsWell, it doesn’t get much better than wrapping up the first season of Grateful Dad & Friends by sitting down with the four most special women in my life - Margs, Hannah, Hope and Lilly. The ladies share their earliest recollections of music, and my daughters reveal some secrets about how they really felt about Grateful Dead music way back when. We challenge Margs by testing her uncanny ability to name-that-tune and the girls then put me to the test in their own way by having me name-that-year. They each share the songs that have...
2024-02-2238 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsFlashback to ‘72 with Richard SuttonIn Episode 11 of GD&F, lifelong music-lover Richard Sutton gives us a firsthand peek into the buildup to the Grateful Dead’s August 27th 1972 benefit concert in Veneta, Oregon to help save the nearly bankrupt Springfield Creamery. In what would turn out to be one of the Dead’s most legendary performances, Richard was behind-the-scenes working with the Kesey family & friends in the sweltering 100+ degree heat helping prepare the venue for the band and estimated 20,000 people who would ultimately be in attendance. Richard describes his life on the road leading up to the epic ‘72 concert in fascinating detail. He paints...
2024-02-151h 18
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsOn the road with DSO keyboardist, Rob BarracoWhat a treat to have Long Island native and longtime keyboardist for Dark Star Orchestra, Rob Barraco, join me on Episode 10 of Grateful Dad & Friends! We cover when Rob “got on the bus” in ‘72, through his musical collaborations with among others, Freddie Jackson, The Zen Tricksters, Phil & Friends, The Other Ones, The Dead, and Dark Star Orchestra. He shares his insights into his long strange trip and his current life on the road. Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us! #IFETruckin' https://music.apple.com/us/albu...
2024-02-081h 15
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsConnecting with my confidants TJ Staib & John GulinoIn Episode 9, I sit down with two of my closest confidants - my nephew and DWS wingman, TJ Staib, and our COO and friend, John Gulino. We explore the backstory of how in less than five years TJ evolved to become the president and 5th-generation in our family’s 159-year legacy, DWS Printing & Packaging. We retrace John’s lifelong love of music and do a deep dive into when and why he took a major leap-of-faith in 2006 and decided to join DWS and subsequently helped the Staib’s take the company to new levels of prosperity and success. We talk a...
2024-02-0145 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsExploring the Energy w/ Kathy Staib and Rainer “TITAN” JenssIn Episode 8, I had the extremely privilege of having the true definition of “friends + family” join me in the studio, namely my friend Rainer Jenss aka TITAN, and my sister Kathy Staib. Learn about TITAN’s year-long trip around the world with his family, his insights into what makes music the common bond among friends and family, his battle against what he calls an “unfriendly disease” and how he’s fueling his creative juices by painting his materpiece via his multi-media memoir. Listen as Kathy takes us back to her first Grateful Dead experience with our brother, Tom, by her side, h...
2024-01-2544 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsThe Ryan Brothers Get Busy LivingHosting my two guests on Episode 7 of GD&F was a HUGE treat for me, and those guests are brothers, Brendan and Billy Ryan. I grew up only a pitching wedge away from the Ryan family and have known them my entire life. I admire Brendan & Billy on many levels, but mostly because they are simply amazing human beings. The musical talents that they explore in the band they formed with Bill Campion, PJ O’Connor, Mark Wike, and Clive___ in the late 80’s called The Bogmen are simply a bonus. The sound of a Bogmen show is...
2024-01-181h 22
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsTed Talk (nope, not that Ted Talk ;)My guest on Episode 6, Ted Bahr, is in many ways to me a true inspiration on how to follow your vision and create the life of your dreams. After working in corporate America for more than a decade, then building (and selling) two start-up companies, Ted decided it was time to start a new chapter and weave his passion for music and his appreciation for art into one reality. Introducing…The Bahr Gallery, where some of the most unique, rare and beautifully framed music posters adorn the walls. Iconic psychedelic artwork from the likes of Wes Wilson, Stanley Mouse...
2024-01-1150 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsIntroducing "Monkey Man"I like calling my closest friends by their nickname and my guest on Episode 5, Rob Diestel, is no exception. Rob and I share many bonds, and one of them is a LOVE of the Rolling Stones and Monkey Man from the Stones’ 1969 release, Let It Bleed. Rob isn’t just “Rob” to me, he’ll always be Monkey Man. But there’s more to the story than that. Find out what some of MM’s other interests and talents are outside of the world of Mick & Keith, including the project that he is unveiling in 2024 that has b...
2024-01-0434 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsA conversation with Cornell Bouse, also known as “Keith”Technically, this gentleman is my cousin-in-law, but to me he’ll always be more a brother than a distant relative. Sit back and enjoy our conversation as we uncover Cornell’s many interests, talents, and his unique musical tastes. Talents that include being a skilled handyman, an automobile aficionado, a defense attorney, real estate expert, and lead singer of Long Island’s own Beach Drive. And find out why more often than not, I call him “Keith.” Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!Links: https://music.ap...
2023-12-2846 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsOn the bus with David McQuaidIn our third episode of GD&F, we’re joined by Deadhead and Dallas native, David McQuaid. By a simple twist of fate, my daughter, Hannah, and I had the good fortune to meet David and his family tailgating outside their psychedelically painted tour bus, Sugaree. David paints a vivid picture of how he, his wife, and grown children tour the country on Sugaree taking in the sights and sounds along the way. Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us! Links: https://www.instagram.com/sugareebu...
2023-12-2142 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsCatching up with Cary CraneIn the second episode of GD&F I connect with my friend of 25+ years, Cary Crane. A lifelong Deadhead, devoted family man, and wildly successful businessman, Cary is a true mensch. He brings us back to his early days seeing the band at the closing of the Fillmore West and Summer Jam at Watkins Glen. He recounts his career in his family’s juice business that he ran with his brother for 40 years, and how his life is treating him following the sale of the company and his exit in 2017. We wrap up by sharing a few classic “Cary sto...
2023-12-1441 min
Exploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsInaugural episode of Grateful Dad & Friends with Fred Weiss In the first episode of GD&F, I’m honored and proud to welcome my friend, fellow Deadhead, and all around amazing human being, Fred Weiss. Join us as Fred takes us back to the early 70’s when he got on the bus. He shares his memories of a firsthand encounter with promotor, Bill Graham. He brings us inside Winterland in the Fall of ‘78 with the Dead in a post-Egypt groove, and describes Jerry’s “pure beauty” on a Stella Blue that he’ll never forget. He shares what matters most to him in life and offers some insights into what’...
2023-12-0741 minExploring the Energy with Anzo & FriendsTeaser: Grateful Dad & FriendsWelcome to Grateful Dad & Friends! GD&F is a series of conversations with host and lifelong Deadhead, Andy Staib, and his friends and family touching on the common threads that bond them together - namely their shared love of music, family, friends, life, and the Grateful Dead. The show was born from the notion that music helps keep us all connected throughout our collective long strange trip. We all have a story to tell. Here are a few of those stories. Join us and let’s see where the energy takes us! #IFEhttps...
2023-11-3000 min