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PODCAST

Big Conversations, Little Bar

Mutual Broadcasting System LLC

Hosted by Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, get up close and personal with fascinating people who live in and visit the Coachella Valley and have made an impact on the region"s economy, culture and global appeal as a leading tourism destination. Many thanks to our outstanding listeners from throughout the Golden State, North America and around the world. And, a very special note of gratitude to our friends Skip Paige and Kate Spates for hosting us at Little Bar in Palm Desert, CA, and to the fine

music music interviews

All Episodes

51:00

Karen Devine, Television Journalist | Behind the...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/10/05

What keeps a journalist asking tough questions after decades on television? KESQ anchor Karen Devine joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Shaun LaBelle, music producer and host of the Shaun LaBelle Show on 100.9FM The Patriot, for a conversation about reporting, resilience, and building a life in the Coachella Valley. Recording at Skip Paige’s Little Bar, Karen reflects on her Palm Springs Walk of the Stars honor, mentoring reporters, and the investigations that helped families find answers. She

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01:00:00

Billy L’Amour, Drag Performer | From Ballet to Drag,...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/09/28

From ballet stages in Japan to cabaret spotlights in Palm Springs, drag entertainer Billy L’Amour has built a life around performing. Billy joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Melanie Blue, at Skip Paige’s Little Bar to share the artistry behind the glamour. Hear how injuries prompted a career reinvention, why a Montreal commitment took priority over pursuing RuPaul’s Drag Race, and how love helped fuel a return to the stage. Billy also reveals the inspiration behind the name, the joy of reuniting

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49:00

Cheryl Bentyne, Musical Artist | Jazz Harmonies,...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/09/21

From singing with her father's dance band at fourteen to spending 44 years with The Manhattan Transfer, Cheryl Bentyne has stories worth pulling up a stool for. She joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Fred Bronson, music journalist for Billboard, on Big Conversations, Little Bar to revisit the audition that changed her life, the precision behind Birdland, and the thrill of performing with Ella Fitzgerald. Cheryl shares memories of Grammy wins, international success, and the musical trust that kept

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56:25

Tom Snyder, CEO, Animal Samaritans | Saving Pets,...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/09/14

Animal welfare, affordability, creativity, and community service converge in a lively conversation with Tom Snyder, CEO of Animal Samaritans. He explains to host Patrick Evans why overcrowded shelters, rising veterinary costs, and pet “petflation” are putting families under pressure, while outlining financial assistance, free spay-and-neuter programs, rescue efforts, specialty veterinary care, and the organization’s plans for expansion. Guest co-host Terry Ray brings humor and personal experience,

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57:00

Luke Yankee, Playwright & Producer | Broadway...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/09/07

Playwright, director, actor, professor, and producer Luke Yankee joins the corner booth for a lively journey through a remarkable theatrical life. He shares memories of growing up as the son of acclaimed actress Eileen Heckart, where family friends included Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Ethel Merman, Mary Tyler Moore, and other entertainment legends. Yankee reflects on finding his own creative voice, directing his parents, learning from Broadway great Hal Prince, teaching emerging playwrights, and

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01:02:44

Linda Gray, Actress | Breaking Barriers, Defying...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/08/29

Television icon Linda Gray kicks off a new season joining Patrick Evans and Randy Florence in the corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar for a candid, funny and revealing conversation about a career built on persistence, curiosity and refusing to accept other people’s limitations. Gray recalls her early modeling days, the famous legs behind The Graduate poster, hundreds of commercials and the nerve-racking leap into dramatic acting. She shares how Norman Lear expanded her perspective through a

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01:10:00

Big Conversations Hits 150 Episodes of Stories,...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/04/06

On this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, the tables turn as legendary Coachella Valley journalist Bruce Fessier steps in as guest host to celebrate the podcast’s 150th episode milestone. What follows is a lively, heartfelt, and often hilarious look back at three years of unforgettable conversations, iconic guests, and behind-the-scenes moments that defined the show. From celebrity encounters and emotional interviews to unexpected revelations and

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01:00:00

Baratunde Thurston, Media Entrepreneur | Balancing...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/03/31

On this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, Patrick sits down solo with media entrepreneur and digital thinker Baratunde Thurston for a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation about technology, identity, and community. Randy is away due to a family loss on this episode. The discussion takes on an intimate tone as Baratunde shares his perspective on artificial intelligence, warning not of machines taking over—but of humans becoming too machine-like. He

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01:04:00

Eric Frankson, Musician & Humanitarian | Music,...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/03/24

On this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, the hosts welcome musician and humanitarian Eric Frankson for an inspiring and deeply human conversation. Eric shares his journey from professional musician and piano bar performer to becoming a driving force behind local outreach efforts helping unhoused individuals in the Coachella Valley. Through his work with Well in the Desert, he has helped provide tens of thousands of meals, clothing, and essential

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59:00

Legendary Journalist Hank Plante Reflects on Truth,...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/03/17

On this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, award-winning journalist Hank Plante shares an extraordinary career journey from copy boy at The Washington Post to one of television news’ most respected voices. He reflects on covering the AIDS crisis in San Francisco, where his reporting helped inform and save lives during one of America’s most challenging public health emergencies. The conversation dives into unforgettable interviews with presidents,

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59:00

Jimmy Steinfeldt, Photographer | Capturing Rock...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/03/09

On this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, music photographer Jimmy Steinfeldt shares the incredible journey that took him from a simple Minolta camera to photographing some of the biggest legends in rock and entertainment. Jimmy explains how a cross-country trip sparked his passion for photography and led him into the electrifying world of concert photography. Over the decades he captured unforgettable images of artists like Prince, Keith Richards, Rod

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01:05:00

Ron Nyswaner, Filmmaker | From Small-Town Dreamer to...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/03/02

Filmmaker Ron Nyswaner joins Patrick Evans and Randy Florence on this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar for an engaging and emotional conversation about his remarkable journey from a tiny Pennsylvania town to the heights of Hollywood. He reflects on the early break that changed his life, the mentorship that shaped his career, and the making of landmark projects that helped redefine cultural conversations. The discussion explores the courage behind creating Philadelphia, the realities of

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01:00:00

Miss Jane Guy, Performer | Comedy, Tap, and Showbiz...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/02/23

In this lively episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence, the hosts welcome performer and tap dance powerhouse Miss Jane Guy for a wildly entertaining conversation packed with humor, showbiz history, and behind-the-scenes stories. From her upbringing in a theatrical family in Melbourne to building one of Australia’s largest tap dance communities, Jane shares the winding path that led her to Palm Springs. The trio dives into the origins of the cult-favorite

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57:00

Brian Ray | Inside A Legendary Musician’s Desert Roots

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/02/16

Recorded in the corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert, this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence blends local pride with big-league music history. The hosts open with a playful recap of an unexpected onstage moment at the McCallum Theatre for Patrick, then welcome musician Brian Ray—best known as a member of Paul McCartney’s band since 2002. Ray shares how he became deeply involved with the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre restoration, including

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01:00:00

Nelda Linsk | Palm Springs Glamour, Modernism, And...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/02/09

Step into Palm Springs history with a conversation that feels like slipping into a poolside cabana in 1970. This episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence welcomes Nelda Linsk—soon to be honored as First Lady of Modernism—for stories spanning fashion, philanthropy, architecture, and the golden era of desert social life. Nelda shares the behind-the-scenes truth of Slim Aarons’ legendary “Poolside Gossip” photo shoot at the Kaufmann House: no stylists, no makeup

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49:00

Scott Coulter & Michael Childers: Stories From The...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/02/02

From the corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar, the conversation swings from karaoke dreams to the real work of building a thriving arts scene. Singer-producer Scott Coulter shares how his company, Spot-On Entertainment, grew from performing to creating concert experiences for orchestras and performing arts centers nationwide—plus how the Palm Springs Pops Orchestra and Plaza Theatre programming are bringing fresh energy downtown. Photographer-producer Michael Childers adds Hollywood history,

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42:00

Tommy Fields | From Farm-Town Guitarist To Hollywood...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/01/26

Recorded at Skip Paige’s Little Bar, this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence welcomes musician, actor, and award-winning composer Tommy Fields for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, career pivots, and life in the desert. Tommy shares how growing up in small-town Indiana led to guitars, garage bands, and a leap to Los Angeles with little more than a one-way ti cket and a dream. He reflects on early hustle—music school, odd jobs, and club

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01:09:00

J.R. Roberts | How A Shuttered Landmark Became Palm...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/01/12

From the coveted corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert, Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence turns to one of Palm Springs’ biggest preservation wins: reopening the Plaza Theatre as a public venue. Architect, preservationist, and former city council member J.R. Roberts recounts how a shuttered landmark nearly became a gutted nightclub, then survived COVID uncertainty and post-pandemic construction inflation. He explains how a pivotal $5 million

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01:06:00

Sharon Lawrence, Actress | From Broadway To Sci-Fi...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2026/01/05

Recorded live from the cozy corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert, this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence explores the many chapters of an artist’s life—from musical theater beginnings to iconic television moments and beyond. Actress Sharon Lawrence joins the conversation to revisit career milestones, including her memorable work on NYPD Blue and a fan-favorite turn as Amelia Earhart on Star Trek: Voyager. She shares how a family

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01:03:00

Melanie Blue, Actress & Instructor | Improv Lessons...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/12/22

From the coveted corner booth at Skip Paige’ Little Bar, this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar dives into how improvisation can reshape the way we communicate, create, and connect. The conversation traces a winding artistic path—from Chicago theater roots and a self-directed college experience to global adventures that tested resilience and deepened empathy. Along the way, the Melanie Blue shares with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence how improv and acting strengthen each other: acting adds

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161 results

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