R&b Legacy Podcasts

First of four podcasts behind the making of Studio Rio Presents the Brazilian Connection.

Producer: Joyride Media Reccomended: Bill Withers catalog

“I look cool but on the inside I’m a nervous wreck” – Nick Ashford.  As they began their career as performers, Nick and Valerie found some challenges in appearing on stage, as Nick details in this podcast.  “In the early years, I was just uncomfortable.  They would put towels around me I’d sweat so much […]

The story of Bill Withers continues with the artist, himself, thinking back to the the making of his debut album.   The record was produced by legendary R&B keyboardist Booker T Jones.  In an odd twist, the backing band was most of the Booker T & the MGs, but with Steven Stills subbing for Steve Cropper.  […]

Nick and Valerie describe their years as songwriters with Motown, and the moment when they asked Berry Gordy for a “divorce,” so they could become artists themselves.  It turned out to be the best of both worlds, as they would frequently return to work with various Motown artists, while continuing to grow as performers themselves. […]

The music of Bill Withers can definitely speak for itself as a timeless collection of songs, perfect for 1971 with it’s mix of gritty southern R&B, introspective and politically charged lyrics, and even a touch of Woodstock hippie vibes.   But his debut album, “Just as I Am” has a very underrated role in the […]

For part 2, Ashford and Simpson discuss how they first got introduced at Motown.   They almost ran out before the meeting started, so thank got they stuck around.   This piece includes bits of Nickolas and Valerie’s own performances of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “You’re All I Need to Get By” from their new […]

Every Friday in February, find out why Bill Withers is just as he is.  In a rare interview, Bill discusses his career as a groundbreaking singer/songwriter.  He mostly focuses on his 1971 debut “Just as I am” – a classic album that features hits like “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Grandma’s Hands.”  His low-key mix of […]

We launch our 28 days of Black History series with the first of four segments on legendary songwriting duo Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.  These two have been responsible for many of the biggest r&b hits of the last 40 years – including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” “I’m […]