Heroes, Icons & Superstars - Danny Artese

“In my world he was bigger than Madonna, and bigger than Cher, and bigger than Liza, who coincidentally are all women whose makeup he had done.”

Photo by Jason Falchook

Heroes, Icons & Superstars

--- This episode is available on your local radio station, PRX and below via The Moth Player. It will be published on Spotify, Apple and iHeart on 3/26/24 ---

In this hour, stories of meeting one's idols, storytellers encountering the very people they've always wanted to meet. A signature turns into a mentorship, a chance to write a song for a revered musician, and heroes within the home. This hour is hosted by Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media, the producer of this show.

Valerie Walker has a chance encounter with a life long idol.

Songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman makes music with a country music icon.

Danny Artese gets not only a signature but a mentor when he attends a book signing.

Elyse McInerney learns her hero may be a lot closer to her than she realized.

Bassist Christian McBride gets a chance to play with a Jazz legend.

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Stories in this Episode

06:34
Ruby Bridges’ Influence

by Valarie Walker

Valerie Walker has a chance encounter with a life long idol.

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13:09
Nothing I Can Do About it Now

by Beth Nielsen Chapman

Songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman makes music with a country music icon.

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05:56
Call Me, Heartbreaker

by Danny Artese

Danny Artese gets not only a signature but a mentor when he attends a book signing.

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04:45
Letters from Fairyland

by Elyse Mcinerney

Elyse McInerney learns her hero may be a lot closer to her than she realized.

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11:21
The Gig

by Christian McBride

A young musician gets a once in a lifetime shot at the big time.

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The music in this story

  • The Drift - Uncanny Valley
  • Percussions - Wolof
  • Willie Nelson - Nothin' I can Do About It Now
  • Derke Fiechter - Fairy Magic
  • Medeski, Martin and Wood - Shine It
  • Christian McBride - Little Sunflower