Musicians to interview

Marlene Hutchinson, BSBA, CTC, instructor, musician, published author, producer and founder of Marlene’s Music, developed a simple method of learning to play guitar that has influenced and inspired guitarists around the world! Her popular Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!® program, as seen by millions on PBS, has been featured on CBS, NBC, NPR, Acoustic Guitar, the Women’s International Music Network, several news publications and is a 2014 Player’s Choice Award nominee. She is the author, producer and host of several DVDs, books, articles, seminars and workshops, as well as the creator and host of her celebrated podcast, Tips For Guitar Playing Success. Beginning in 2022, Marlene, a RYT200 Yoga Alliance certified instructor, will present YoGuitar – Yoga for Guitarists. www.marlenesmusic.com

Susan Ruth began her career as a performing artist and songwriter in Seattle, Washington, where she garnered multiple performance, and writing awards for her albums how to say goodbye and Surfacing to Breathe, and served on the NARAS (Recording Academy - The Grammy people) Board of Governors as a Songwriter Governor. In 2006, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, penning songs in multiple genres, including: pop, country, rock, AC and Euro dance for artists such as Reba McEntire, Lonestar, Erdem Kinay, O'Shea and The United, among others. In 2014, she released her album All I Ever Wanted Was Everything. Susan’s songs have been featured in motion pictures, including Life on the Line and After Life, as well as in the television series MTVs Road Rules and Real World. In July of 2016, Susan founded and began hosting the human interest, purpose-driven, award-winning Hey Human podcast. It has since gained momentum and worldwide attention for its open-minded conversations ranging in topics from science, technology, religion, art, economics and politics to humanism, philosophy, gender and race. Susan is an accomplished abstract painter. Her work is sought-after by collectors, and the majority of her paintings are commissions acquired in advance. Self-taught, she is the third generation grandniece of painter Carl Gutherz, notable member of the American Symbolist movement of the late nineteenth century, whose works hang all over the world. Susan is a sketch writer, and screenwriter. She wrote and directed her first short film, “The First” (in post-prod) and completed the Second City Conservatory program. she’s currently working on her first feature film. Susan has paneled on topics of creativity, crowd-funding, empowerment, communication, independent music, story, humanism, adversity, and finding one's voice for; Act Like a Girrrl, New Millennium Music Conference, FEMMUSIC, Union College, Seattle Film Summit, the Tennessee Higher Education Initiative, MusiCares, RADD, Pujols Family Foundation, and Sunrise Children Services.

The author of JFK & The Muckers of Choate and two books of humorous non-fiction, What's So Funny About Looking for a Job? and Oh, Brother! Scott Badler has also published numerous essays, comedic articles and short fiction. Previously, he taught humor writing at Harvard and Emerson College. He currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I'm an award-winning and Amazon best-selling author, and an award-winning editor. As a writer, I've been an Award-Winning Finalist in the 'Fiction: Short Story' category of the International Book Awards. As an editor, a book I compiled won the 'Best Anthology' category of the Saboteur Awards. I'm also a drummer, playing in rock bands called Little Villains and Airbus.

Kamau Kenyatta is an author, speaker, and professor. His area of expertise is African American Studies. As a Business Culture Coach, 
he works with inclusive organizations that want to increase profits by penetrating African American markets using his Culture Connection Formula. His latest book, The White People Show: How to Understand Racism and Still Be Wrong About It, is an Amazon best seller in three categories.

Judy Rodman is a seasoned veteran of the music industry with over 5 decades of experience. Her multifaceted career includes that of award-winning singer, songwriter, vocal coach, and studio producer. Her journey is a story of resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving entertainment landscape. Having weathered the changes in the industry, Judy's experiences range from chart-topping successes to moments of hitting the wall, and then reinvention. Her expertise spans both sides of the glass in the recording studio - from being a session singer, recording artist, voiceover talent, and vocal arranger, to a primary role as producer or supporting role as vocal producer. Judy was named 'Best Vocal Coach' by 'Nashville Music Pros,' 'Vocal Coach In Residence' by Voice Council Magazine, and the 2023’s Best Vocal Coach in Nashville by DistinguishedTeaching.com. Her musical footprint includes esteemed awards like ACM's and Billboard's 'New Female Vocalist' and BMI's 'Million-air' award for her song 'One Way Ticket (Because I Can)'. Her compositions have found synch placements as well. A published author, Judy contributes articles to various industry magazines and websites, and has developed several singing and speaking courses in disc and video designed to deliver major gains in vocal ability, delivery impact, and vocal health for singers and speakers whose messages matter. Through her 'All Things Vocal' blog and podcast, Judy shares insights and practical wisdom. As public speaker, she is an advocate for responsibility in the arts and professional, protective mentoring of talent. Judy’s students and recording clients have appeared on The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Letterman, Degeneres, Madison Square Garden, The Voice, American Idol, America's Got Talent, Grammys, CMA, ACM & MTV Awards Shows, New York Times Best Seller list. Presently, Judy is the vocal coach for the cast of a new animated Disney show slated to air in 2024. She is also co-creating with playwright Darren J. Butler the new musical 'Runaway Home'. The show garnered standing ovations in 2023 at two staged readings in NYC with a cast including notable actors Melissa Gilbert and Michael Park, and they hope to take it to full production in 2024. Based in Nashville with her husband John, Judy finds joy in nurturing her freshwater aquarium alongside her ongoing teaching, writing, and studio work. She is a member of professional organizations SAG-AFTRA, AFM, BMI, and NATS. Got a question for Judy? Contact judy@judyrodman.com