Horn Podcasts: Well, there’s the MelloCast … (a shameless plug)

Today we welcome a new contributing author, Al Perkins.

The Internet. It’s vast. Really, REALLY vast. There’s so much to see on the Internet, and it’s not only a feast for the eyes! Thanks to the popularity of MP3 devices, Podcasts have a strong and colorful life in Cyberspace. For those who don’t know, a Podcast is the equivalent to a radio show that you listen to or download from the Internet. But unlike a radio show, a Podcast can stick around forever.

Though there are literally hundreds of thousands of Podcasts to listen to on the Internet, Horns and Podcasts have never been the best of friends. One or two popped up for a few minutes, but a little Podcast about the Mellophone seems to be the one that keeps on going. But it’s not all about the Mellophone.

The MelloCast was born over four years ago through the collaboration of Al Perkins (owner of Al’s Mellophone Page and Al’s Tenor Horn Page), Scooter Pirtle (owner of The Middle Horn Leader) and jazz Horn and Mellophone player Mark Taylor. The idea was a weekly forum discussion about the Mellophone. But due to personnel changes, listener requests and, frankly, running out of ideas, topics began to cover the entire middle-brass spectrum including the Tenor Horn and French Horn. On board currently are Misters Perkins and Taylor, San Francisco Renegades Brass Instructor Chris Nalls, and some guy from Arizona named John Ericson. Being that all of us play French Horn, Tenor Horn and Mellophone, the focus can easily not only shift from instrument to instrument, but encompass topics that are valuable to any brass player or musician in general. Special guests have included a film composer, music librarian, documentary director, two mouthpiece manufacturers and some of the biggest names in Drum Corps.

Granted, new episodes don’t come out as often as we’d like, but what exists is a lasting legacy of instruction, information and (sometimes) fun. There are over 120 episodes available, with no sign of stopping.

Listenership is small but loyal. If you haven’t tuned in yet, give it a listen – and stick around for a few episodes. And always stay to the very end for outtakes!

The MelloCast