The Music Scene with Dave Cudrak

With front man Jeff Selby's lead vocals at the helm of the band's melody-driven roots fusion, The Quixote Project takes listeners on the scenic route with the country bounce and soulful undertones of Americana, Blues, Folk, and Rock. Jeff and Brett are my guests on the latest episode. Check it out!

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Michael Schuster is a South Jersey Goth Folk singer/songwriter and former rapper who likes to blend genres in a way that is uniquely his own. You can hear it all in his new full length album which will be released on August 27th!

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Ben Rogers (aka BB Rogers) is a South Jersey Singer/Songwriter who is all about positivity and celebrating music for the gift that it truly is!!!! Ben describes his style as Folk Punk and writes from the listeners perspective. Both Ben and I love to talk so once we got started it was difficult to stop. Enjoy!!!

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Eric Henriksen is a South Jersey singer/songwriter and cover artist originally from New York. His jazz influences bring a different kind of flavor to the cover songs he does. If you're into conversations about guitar stuff, you'll love this episode!

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Stefanie Heaney and her husband created Stef's Cereal Bar to initially help provide much needed sustenance to concert goers at music festivals. It has now expanded to other parts of the area as well. The best part is that everything at the cereal bar is FREE! Learn all about it on the latest episode of The Music Scene with Dave Cudrak!

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Jay Bragg has successfully carved his own space in the very competitive scene in Nashville. His experience has given him an in depth point of view when it comes to the Nashville Music Scene. In this conversation we talk all about the good, the bad, and the ugly view from Nashville, which happens to be the name of his very popular series on Instagram and Substack.

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Michaelsongs returns to talk about new venues, a new live album, and everything else he's got going on!

https://www.michaelsongsofficial.com

Listen to Full Episodes from The Music Scene Podcast on one of the below links: 

The Music Scene Podcast:

https://shows.acast.com/the-music-scene-with-dave-cudrak

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IEWlTyfvNZq3ZiW6qPMxr?si=ArqXsaXeQdWu5M5hwaUa7Q

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-music-scene-with-dave-cudrak/id1773586073

For more information about me, Dave C...

Noop is a singer/songwriter based in New Jersey. He's spent time in California and New York where he learned how to hone his craft through relationships and life experiences. Forever a student of life, Noop is just as curious about music as he is repairing and rebuilding everything from music gear to a vintage BMW.

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Ben Jaffe is the touring guitar player and backing vocalist for Kacey Musgraves. He is also an LA based sing/songwriter who collaborated with Theo Katzman for Ben's latest solo album Songs for Agreement which is available on Bandcamp. We talk all about it and have some laughs along the way.

Listen to Full Episodes from The Music Scene Podcast on one of the below links: 

The Music Scene Podcast:

https://shows.acast.com/the-music-scene-with-dave-cudrak

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IEWlTyfvNZq3ZiW6qPMxr?si=ArqXsaXeQdWu5M5hwaUa7Q...

Christian Santiago is a south jersey guitar player and music teacher who is part of the Amy Elizabeth Band.

Listen to Full Episodes from The Music Scene Podcast on one of the below links: 

The Music Scene Podcast:

https://shows.acast.com/the-music-scene-with-dave-cudrak

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IEWlTyfvNZq3ZiW6qPMxr?si=ArqXsaXeQdWu5M5hwaUa7Q

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-music-scene-with-dave-cudrak/id1773586073

For more information about me, Dave Cudrak, please check out one of the below links: 

With over 2 million subscribers on YouTube, Dovydas has carved out his own space in the global music scene. Originally from Lithuania, his first taste of fame was when he appeared on Lithuania's Got Talent. After moving to America he has solidified himself as one of the most entertaining musicians in the world. His art captures the human experience with real people, real interactions, and real talent. It was a pleasure speaking with this modern day icon. He even gives us an acoustic performance of Make It On My Own, and it's amazing to listen to.

Listen...

Mike Gordy is a south jersey singer/songwriter and former owner of Westville Brewery. We talk all about his brewing days as well as what he has going on in music.

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Matty Lacovara is a singer/songwriter in South Jersey. He's super popular around the Open Mic scene and is currently doing some old school recording. He's also a veteran and helicopter repairman. Hear all about it in this episode!!!

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I've know Jay Runyon for a number of years. She performs all over South Jersey and a solo acoustic act as well as a duo, and as part of her new band. She is also a core member of Fierce & Fretted as well as a business owner is the creative design space. Here all about it in this episode of The Music Scene with Dave Cudrak.

Listen to Full Episodes from The Music Scene Podcast on one of the below links: 

The Music Scene Podcast:

https://shows.acast.com/the-music-scene-with-dave-cudrak

Tinyade is a Philadelphia-based singer, born in Michigan, raised in Malawi, whose music blends pop, soul, and ambient genres like you've never heard before. She has a new album coming out on May 1st, 2026 centered around emotional healing and perseverance.

Listen to Full Episodes from The Music Scene Podcast on one of the below links: 

The Music Scene Podcast:

https://shows.acast.com/the-music-scene-with-dave-cudrak

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IEWlTyfvNZq3ZiW6qPMxr?si=ArqXsaXeQdWu5M5hwaUa7Q

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/p...

In our 100th episode I take a look back at all the episodes that came before and talk about some of the highlights and challenges that we've had over the last year and a half. Thank you for your support!

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Shawn and Maureen Corcoran are a duo that now goes by the name of Iron and Oak. They were formally part of The Squirrels, which were formerly The Indigo Squirrels. Originally from South Jersey, they have moved to Nashville and are in the midst of recording a new EP at the legendary Dark Horse Studios. We talk all about it and have lots of laughs during the process.

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Joey DiTullio is a South Jersey Singer/Songwriter, Producer, Multi-Instrumentalist, and Recording Engineer who's been doing music full time since he was 14 years old!!!! This conversation covers it all from his music journey, philosophy, psychology, his wife blowing up on TikTok and everything in between. Check it out!!!

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Kevin Tran is a multi-talented South Jersey singer/songwriter with lots going on from playing bass in the Original Artist Circuit (OAC) house band, to being part of a new cover band project, to releasing his own solo music. On top of that he is also an accomplished videographer! We talk all about it in this episode of The Music Scene with Dave Cudrak. Check it out!

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In this episode, Amy Elizabeth discusses the upcoming Tuckerton Porchfest, a vibrant community music festival in New Jersey. She shares insights on organizing the event, the importance of community involvement, and how Porchfest fosters local culture and networking.

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The Garden Roads is what happens when good songs demand to be heard—and a drummer decides to front the band.

Tim Malcarney had a stack of rich, melodically driven songs written with longtime collaborator Evan McIntyre, from Philly’s The Silence. The tracks were recorded and shaped through separate home studio sessions by Malcarney and McIntyre, then mixed and polished by Pete Rydberg at 1935 Studios in Philadelphia. The finished tracks were well-crafted and undeniably catchy—the duo knew they were onto something.

But with McIntyre based in San Diego, performing the songs live wasn’t possib...

Johnathan Sellers is a self-proclaimed hippie working in all kinds of projects and making all kinds of music. He's a very talented musician with a heart of gold. Our conversation covers everything from song writing to psychedelics. Check it out!!!

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Connor Choi is an acoustic artist who incorporates a range of influences into his music, from 90s grunge to psychedelic rock. His unique sound is characterized by intricate guitar work and the use of experimental pedal techniques. With a passion for songwriting and performance, Connor continues to evolve his music while staying connected to his roots.

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Matt Williams who goes by the stage name, The Williams Boy, has lived a full life both personally and musically. From being on welfare as a kid to having multiple offers from Nashville. He's also funny as hell! We had so much fun talking that this turned out to be the longest episode yet. Stick around for 3 songs at the end.

Listen to Full Episodes from The Music Scene Podcast on one of the below links: 

The Music Scene Podcast:

https://shows.acast.com/the-music-scene-with-dave-cudrak

Spotify: https://open.s...

In this insightful interview, renowned guitarist and Berklee College of Music educator Tomo Fujita shares his philosophy on life and guitar playing, emphasizing the importance of quality, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Discover how his approach can transform your practice, performance, and outlook on life.

In addition to Tomo demonstrating some of the key components of his book, Guitar Wisdom, he also tells some stories of when he was John Mayer's guitar teacher and sheds some light on what it's like to be a YouTube educator with over 650,000 subscribers!

This interview was a dream come...

Chris Ricco is a gigging solo acoustic musician in southeast Pennsylvania. He is primarily a cover musician but does a lot of writing and has a very special project coming soon that is reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska album.

In this engaging interview, acoustic musicians David Cudrak and Chris Ricco share their journeys, techniques, and insights into the world of solo performance, songwriting, and gigging. Discover how they build their setlists, craft original songs, and navigate the challenges of balancing music with everyday life.

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Steve Dee is a South Jersey singer/songwriter, host of two opens mics, a member of the Grateful Dead tribute band Crickets and Cicadas. He has a tremendously wide range of musical taste and is a blast to talk to! Check out a performance of two of his songs from his latest EP at the end of this episode. They're awesome!!!

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If you're a musician and ever thought about gigging and need some insight on how to book your own shows, this is the episode for you. Joe Grasso is a local South Jersey musician who probably gigs more than anyone I know. He has played a significant role in my success as a gigging musician by answering all of my questions when I was first getting started and providing invaluable insight.

In this conversation, we talk about his journey to becoming a full-time performer in South Jersey. We discuss the importance of networking, the role of open...

In the vibrant world of music, few stories resonate as deeply as that of the Koosmans, an acoustic punk duo that has captured the hearts of many. With their unique sound and engaging performances, they share not just their music but also their journey, marked by passion, creativity, and camaraderie.

At the heart of the Koosmans’ sound is a commitment to simplicity and authenticity. The duo, consisting of Rudy Kuzman and Franny Kuzmin, often strips their music down to its core, using just a snare drum and an acoustic guitar. They recall a pivotal moment when th...

Marla Cannon-Goodman is a highly successful Nashville country music songwriter, known for writing number one hits like Lee Ann Womack's "The Fool", Tracy Byrd's "Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo" and Rodney Atkins "Cleaning this Gun". Marla also has writing credits on "Don't Make Me" (Blake Shelton) and "Unfair Weather Friend" (Willie Nelson/Merle Haggard). She has also written songs for Eric Church, Sammy Kershaw, Billy Currington, and Sara Evans. She's the daughter of famed producer Buddy Cannon, and we get a little bit of his story as well!

Marla's Performances:

The Antler Sessions #2<...

In this episode of The Music Scene with Dave Cudrak, I sit down with Fred Maul. Fred is a south jersey singer/songwriter and guitar player. Not only is Fred a gigging solo acoustic musician but he is also a key member of the band Grass Fedz. Grass Fedz just released an EP called Dungeon Demos and it's an absolute banger! Make sure you go check it out.

In this episode we cover all of Fred's background from first leaning how to play guitar, to joining the marines, to playing in his current band. Fred and...

Keywords

Smash Palace, Stephen Butler, music industry, Quincy Jones, new album, local music scene, passion for music, social media, music evolution, Pierre Robert

Summary

In this conversation, Stephen Butler of Smash Palace discusses the band's history, the challenges of the music industry, and the release of their latest album '87. He reflects on the impact of Quincy Jones on their name change, the importance of local music scenes, and the evolution of music over the years. Butler emphasizes the need for passion in music and the necessity...

Shay Arthur & Michaelsongs along with Chuck M are the cofounders of the Original Artist Circuit (more commonly known as the OAC). Together with Double Nickel Brewing they are building a community for original music in South Jersey. They are celebrating 1 full year of putting on monthly showcases of musicians playing only original music. In this episode we get the full rundown of how it all came together as well as a couple of special announcements. We also get both acoustic and full band versions of Lightening is a Bottle and Sound which are the opening and closing songs that the...

Jim Wible is the singer and front man of the hugely popular South Jersey cover band Shot of Southern. Leaning into the immense popularity of country music in South Jersey they draw some of the biggest crowds in the area. So much so, that every member of the band was able to give up day jobs and focus on music full time. Jim and I discuss what it's like to be at a Shot of Southern show, traveling as far as San Francisco for a gig, and upcoming shows in Killington, Vermont. Really fun conversation!!!!

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The Jims consist of Jim Brennan and Whiskey Jim. The self-proclaimed human mixtape fill south jersey venues on a regular basis performing the hits as well as the songs behind the song. In this episode we reminisce on making (and sending) mix tapes before streaming was a thing, what makes a good cover song, original music, and everything in between. We also get two song for the performance so stick around to the end. You won't regret it!!!

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Cam Narimanian is a Philly based singer songwriter with amazing chops on multiple instruments. His style is completely his own and he's a hard working musician with a new album coming out very shortly. We get two songs from him at the end so stick around for his performance!

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Texas Leggs are a South Jersey rock band with deep roots in the South Jersey music scene. Not only are they a productive band in their own right but each member of the band are part of multiple music projects all over the South Jersey area. Texas Leggs is currently working an a new full length album which should be available in early 2026. We get two performances from them at the end of the episode to be sure to stick around for that.

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Russ Knight is a Singer/Songwriter playing gigs all over South Jersey and the Philadelphia area. He's also an 8th grade English teacher and him and his wife just had a daughter in 2025. He just released a single called Nostalgia which he plays at the end of this episode along with an older song called Dead Man's Song. They are both fantastic. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

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Jeremy Lister is a Nashville singer/songwriter, vocalist, artist, and owner of Blister Hot Sauce. He is a backup singer for Post Malone on his 2025 and 2026 Big Ass Stadium Tour. He has also had many of his songs appear in movies and television shows. A few of his songs have also been recorded by Alison Krauss and others. We get into all of it during this episode. Not only do we talk about his music career but we also dive into overcoming addiction, taking up running, and making the best hot sauce I have ever tasted! I had such a...

Eric Bauberger is a musician, life coach, and a certified strengthening and conditioning specialist combining music and mental health in just about everything he does. Eric is passionate about mental health, physical and emotional well-being, and incorporating music where appropriate.

After the tragic loss of his sister he decided to create a Rock Opera which is currently being released in singles as part of a larger project. Stick around for the end of the conversation when we get to hear the yet-to-be-released single Dancing Is The Point. Headphones are recommended for this one.

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