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PODCAST

String Band Sessions

Welcome to String Band Sessions, the official podcast of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band tradition! Be sure to stay updated as we release new episodes throughout the year, featuring stories, interviews, and inside looks at all things String Bands.

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All Episodes

00:21:59

Episode 17 - Moms of Mums: Colleen Kudrick

String Band Sessions ·

2025/11/14

Our final guest in the "Moms of Mums" series, where Jim Donio chats with the mothers of String Band captains, is Colleen Kudrick, whose son Jake is Captain of the Duffy String Band. Among the String Bands, Colleen is the only mother who is also a musician marching behind her son as Captain. Colleen shares the heartbreaking, and ultimately heartwarming, story of the sudden loss of her husband, Duffy's former Captain Ted Kudrick, in October 2017, which led to Jake becoming the youngest

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00:11:31

Episode 16 - Moms of Mums: Paula Tilley

String Band Sessions ·

2025/11/07

Our next guest in our new "Moms of Mums" series, where Jim Donio chats with the mothers of String Band captains, is Paula Tilley whose son Austin is Captain of the Aqua String Band. Paula was actually the inspiration for this series after she posted photos of Austin on Facebook with the caption..."I just love watching you do what you love!" Of course, we had to explore how much a mother's support and encouragement means to their children as String Band leaders.

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00:12:41

Episode 15 - Moms of Mums: Joann Walton

String Band Sessions ·

2025/10/31

Our next String Band Sessions podcast series is entitled "Moms of Mums," where Jim Donio will be chatting with the mothers of string band captains. The love, support and pride that mothers give to their families is like no other. When it comes to the Mummers, you may find a mom who enthusiastically cheers from the sidelines or at home, takes care of everyone with food and drink, pushes props as a marshall, makes costumes and sets, or is a marcher or musician herself. Our first guest is

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00:43:25

Episode 14 - How Are the String Bands Judged?

String Band Sessions ·

2025/10/10

Episode 14 of String Band Sessions podcast is a Special Episode that answers the question..."How Are the String Bands Judged?" Host Jim Donio speaks with Judging Committee Chairman Louis Speziale, who delivers a master class in the current judging process, as well as reliving his experience in real-time following the 2025 Parade that resulted in an unprecedented tie for 1st Prize between the Quaker City String Band and the South Philadelphia String Band. Lou also shares some of his

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00:46:24

Episode 13 - Putting It Together: John Wernega

String Band Sessions ·

2025/10/03

Episode 13 of String Band Sessions podcast continues our series "Putting It Together" as host Jim Donio chats with experts about how they contribute their unique talents to help the bands complete their productions. In this episode, masterful arranger John Wernega shares his musical journey as a veritable "one man band." We learn about his early string band career as a member of the Broomall String Band and the Polish-American String Band, and how he came to weave together the

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00:29:55

Episode 12 - Putting It Together: David Rigler

String Band Sessions ·

2025/09/26

Episode 12 of String Band Sessions podcast continues our new series "Putting It Together" as host Jim Donio chats with experts about how they contribute their unique talents to help the bands complete their productions. In this episode, costume and set designer David Rigler shares his professional background and experience bringing his visions to life for many Mummers groups. We get to see glimpses of his work, including Hegeman String Band's 2013 "Just Imagine" and Aqua

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00:20:25

Episode 11 - Putting It Together: Jim LoSasso

String Band Sessions ·

2025/09/19

Episode 11 of String Band Sessions podcast begins our new series "Putting It Together" as host Jim Donio will chat with experts from make-up & masks, costume & set design, music arranging, and costuming about how they contribute their unique talents to help the bands complete their productions. In this episode, make-up and mask maestro Jim LoSasso shares his 40+ year journey of literally changing the face of Mummery. His stroll down memory lane includes glimpses back at Greater

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00:12:15

Episode 10 - Live at New Year's in North Wildwood 2025

String Band Sessions ·

2025/09/12

In Episode 10 of our String Band Sessions podcast, Jim Donio brings us interviews and highlights from the New Year's in North Wildwood Parade on September 6. He chats with fans, a member of Durning String Band, iconic costumer James May, and young future Mummer Jaxon McKelvie, whose dad Ryan is a member of the South Philadelphia String Band. We end with the Fralinger String Band playing their 1984 1st Prize-winning "The Jokers Are Wild" theme to honor former member Pete Cammarota who

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00:47:24

Episode 9 - Concept to Creation: Ferko & South...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/08/29

This is the last episode our "Concept to Creation” series. Jim Donio discusses band background and history and plans for 2026 with South Philadelphia String Band Presentation Director and Theme Chairman Jim Browne, and Theme Co-Chairman Jay Nestor, who give us a preview of their Aladdin spinoff “Cave of Wonders” and Joseph A. Ferko String Band Music Director Matt Gibson, and Theme Coordinator Justin Fayette, who share how they’ll combine trains with 70s Disco, Funk and Soul music in their “Soul

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00:36:46

Episode 8 - Concept to Creation: Durning & Quaker...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/08/15

This episode of the String Band Sessions podcast continues our "Concept to Creation” series. Jim Donio speaks with Durning String Band Vice President & Theme Chairman Gary Pisarek and Presentation Director Steve Palys about their version of a Beauty & the Beast “Be Our Guest” theme; and with 2025 co-reigning champion Quaker City String Band Executive Vice President and Theme Chairman Chris Roetz about their “Fun House” production. Check out our previous episodes and watch for new

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00:47:39

Episode 7 - Concept to Creation: Polish American &...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/08/08

This episode of the String Band Sessions podcast continues our "Concept to Creation” series. Jim Donio speaks with Polish-American String Band Captain Nick Magenta and his brother Tim (who designed the costumes) about their lumberjack theme; and with Fralinger String Band Music Director Dave Zagorski and Presentation Director Bob Thiel about their undersea production. Check out our previous episodes and watch for new episodes every Friday.

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00:34:28

Episode 6 - Concept to Creation: Uptown & Jersey...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/08/01

This episode of the String Band Sessions podcast continues our "Concept to Creation” series. Jim Donio speaks with Uptown String Band’s President Thor McLaughlin about their history and their upcoming Hollywood production; and with Jersey String Band brothers, Captain Pat Walton and Alex Walton, about their history and their upcoming 1950s theme. Check out our previous episodes and watch for new episodes every Friday.

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00:31:58

Episode 5 - Concept to Creation: Greater Kensington &...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/07/25

This episode of the String Band Sessions podcast continues our "Concept to Creation” series. Jim Donio speaks with Greater Kensington String Band’s President Mike Kavchok, and Drill Master Matt Krohn, about their jungle presentation; and Woodland String Band’s Musical Director AJ Ford, III about their 100th Anniversary New Orleans Mardi Gras production. Check out our previous episodes and watch for new episodes every Friday. Share with your friends and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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00:29:09

Episode 4 - Concept to Creation: Hegeman & Avalon...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/07/18

This episode of the String Band Sessions podcast is the next in our series "Concept to Creation” where host Jim Donio chats with band leaders to discover how they are bringing their themes for the 2026 Mummers Parade to life. This week we meet Hegeman String Band Captain Kelliann Gallagher and President Ryan Echols to hear about their Las Vegas casino theme; and Avalon String Band’s Theme Chairman & Drill Master Jeff Crompton previewing their bakery theme. Check out our previous episodes and

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00:27:37

Episode 3 - Concept to Creation: Duffy & Aqua String...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/07/11

The next episode of the String Band Sessions podcast is the first in our new series "Concept to Creation." Host Jim Donio will be interviewing representatives from all 14 String Bands to go behind-the-scenes and get a preview of their progress on planning and developing their concepts for the 2026 Mummers Parade. This week we chat with Duffy String Band Captain Jake Kudrick about their music store theme, and Aqua String Band's Drill Master & Production Manager Ed Maminski and

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00:56:20

Episode 2 - Live from the 2025 Luau Palooza

String Band Sessions ·

2025/06/18

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Association’s new “String Band Sessions” Podcast. Our host Jim Donio, who will be returning to the broadcast booth for the 2026 Mummers Parade, spent the day at last Saturday’s Luau Palooza at Seaport Pier in North Wildwood interviewing band captains, members, fans, friends, and family for this special episode. Upcoming episodes this Summer will preview bands’ behind-the-scenes planning for New Year’s Day 2026!

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01:07:50

Episode 1 - The Debut

String Band Sessions ·

2025/05/08

Welcome to the debut episode of String Band Sessions, the official podcast of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band tradition! 🎭🎷We’re kicking things off with a major announcement: Jim Donio is returning to the broadcast booth as a color commentator for the 2026 Mummers Parade, marking the historic 125th anniversary of the parade — and the 250th anniversary of the nation.Jim brings a rare, all-encompassing perspective to the parade. As a former marcher with Hegeman String Band, costume designer,

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