Jason Crosby Interview - Part 2 ~ Episode 7

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with the multi-talented Jason Crosby.

Jason Crosby Interview - Part 1 ~ Episode 6

Joe Poletto talks with Jason Crosby. Over the past three decades Jason Crosby has toured and recorded with some of the biggest names in modern music, from Jackson Browne and Phil Lesh to Father John Misty and Jenny Lewis. Jason has performed at Madison Square Garden, the Grammy Awards, appeared on the Tonight Show and Austin City Limits. He has shared stages with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, and Outkast. Born and raised on Long Island, Jason discovered he had perfect pitch at an early age and he immersed himself in a world of classical music. With his school orchestra, he traveled the world; China, Russia, Australia, and Cuba. But during his teenage years, a fascination with rock, funk, jazz and blues began to take hold, and by the time Jason was in his 20s, he had landed a gig on the road with Grammy winning bassist Oteil Burbridge. Crosby would spend the next 30 years on the road performing with a Who’s Who of legendary artists on some of the world’s most iconic stages. Along the way he would relocate to California, sign with the artist collective Blue Rose and release his celebrated solo album ‘Cryptologic’ all while continuing his musical journey.

Greg Scarpa Jr. Interview - Part 2 ~ Episode 5

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Greg Scarpa Jr., son of the notorious hitman Gregory Scarpa. Joining him on this episode is Larry Mazza who was also a member of the Colombo family as he was a key member of the Scarpa family crew.

Greg Scarpa Jr. Interview - Part 1 ~ Episode 4

Joe Poletto speaks with Gregory Scarpa Jr., the son of the notorious hitman Gregory Scarpa. Greg Scarpa Jr. succeeded his father as capo in the Colombo family after his father contracted HIV AIDS following a contaminated blood transfusion in 1986. Scarpa Jr. was sentenced to 40 years in prison for racketeering and he was recently granted a compassionate release after serving 33 years.

Steve Forbert Interview - Part 2 ~ Episode 3

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Steve Forbert, the great American singer-songwriter from Meridian, Mississippi. Steve’s new record, ‘Moving Through America’ will be released on May 13th on Blue Rose. Let’s listen to Steve‘s new single called ‘Livin’ the Dream.’

Steve Forbert Interview - Part 1 ~ Episode 2

Steve Forbert is one of the few artists who can mesmerize a crowd with nothing but a distinctive voice, an acoustic guitar and his trusty harmonica slung around his neck. More than four decades have passed since Steve first made his way to New York City from Meridian, Mississippi. Steve’s debut album ‘Alive on Arrival’ became one of 1978’s most acclaimed records. Rolling Stone contributing editor David Wild recently reflected that “now or then he would be hard-pressed to find a debut effort that was simultaneously as fresh and accomplished” comparing it to “a great first novel by a young author who somehow managed to split the difference between Mark Twain and JD Salinger.” One track from that album, 'Grand Central Station March 18, 1977' earned Steve a spot on the 2014 Village Voice list of the 60 best songs ever written about New York City.

Heisman Trophy Winners - Marcus Allen & Tim Brown ~ Episode 1

Joe Poletto recently had the good fortune to sit down with Marcus Allen and Tim Brown. Both Marcus and Tim are Heisman Trophy winners and members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Marcus is considered one of the greatest goal line and short yard runners in NFL history. While with the Raiders he helped the team win Super Bowl 18 and he was the first NFL player to gain more than 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards during his career. Marcus has the distinction of being the only player to have won the Heisman Trophy and NCAA national championship, the Super Bowl, and be named the NFL and Super Bowl MVP. Tim Brown played college football for the Notre Dame fighting Irish. While at Notre Dame, Tim was named an All-American twice and won the Heisman Trophy in 1987, becoming the first wide receiver ever to win that award. Tim spent 16 years with the Raiders during which he established himself as one of the NFL’s greatest wide receivers of all time. Tim was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Westies - Billy Beattie & Ruby Stein ~ Episode 12

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Billy Beattie, founding member of the notorious Westies and Art Ruffles, FBI special agent in charge of the organized crime unit.

The Westies - Billy Beattie, Patty Dugan & Don Don ~ Episode 11

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Billy Beattie, founding member of the notorious Westies and Art Ruffles, FBI special agent in charge of the organized crime unit.

The Westies - Billy Beattie & Mickey Featherstone ~ Episode 10

The Westies reign of terror was largely built on the back of Mickey Featherstone‘s terrifying reputation. When strangers laid eyes on him in person the reaction was usually disbelief. That’s Mickey Featherstone? His larger than life notoriety often dwarfed his average physical stature. At 5‘7“ tall with wide blue eyes and a halo a blonde hair, Mickey looked more like an altar boy than one of the most feared men in New York City. Many people made the mistake of underestimating him and that only made him more dangerous. Mickey’s temper was infamous, even for an Irishman. He had a low boiling point to start with and if alcohol was involved, and it often was, Mickey had the potential to explode. Those who knew him in the neighborhood often crossed the street when they saw him coming their way. Yet to those closest to him, Mickey was kind, devoted and generous to a fault. This dichotomy was Mickey in essence. He was a man split down the middle constantly struggling to be both a good person and a good gangster. No one would’ve predicted but Mickey, perhaps the most dedicated member of the group, would eventually become the one to systematically dismantle their dynasty and put an end to the Irish Mafia in Manhattan once and for all.

The Westies - Billy Beattie - Billy Turns & Witness Protection ~ Episode 9

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Billy Beattie, founding member of the notorious Westies and Art Ruffles, FBI special agent in charge of the organized crime unit.

The Westies - Billy Beattie - Mickey Spillane & The Westies Gang ~ Episode 8

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Billy Beattie, founding member of the notorious Westies and Art Ruffles, FBI special agent in charge of the organized crime unit. Hell’s Kitchen of the 1970s and 80s, the long impoverished Irish slum on Manhattan’s west side, under the gloomy shadow of the Vietnam war and an economic recession, the dreamy enthusiasm of the 1960s was met by the stark reality of the 70s. The neighborhood offered few opportunities. Those who lived there were trapped by generations of poverty and low level crime, loansharking, gambling and even kidnapping. During the 70s and 80s the community was navigating a particularly dangerous period. Residents faced the highest crime rates in the city’s history and the influx of lethal strains of heroin and crack cocaine, the new drug on the scene. Generations of families had grown up among the same fourteen city blocks, a hardscrabble insular population where loyalty to each other and distrust of outsiders unified the criminals and blue-collar workers that called the place home.

The Westies - Billy Beattie - The Early Years ~ Episode 7

Joe Poletto speaks with William Beattie, aka Billy Nice Guy, about life as a former Westies gang member turned federal informant. Billy reflects on his past in the notorious Westies gang, a brutal crime syndicate active in the 1960’s-80’s in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen.

From an introduction made by his long time friend Tom Sheer, Joe Poletto was introduced to Art Ruffles, special agent in charge of the FBI’s organized crime unit in charge of the Gambino, DeMeo and Westies cases. Through his work in the Westies, Art secured Billy Beattie and another Westies member Mickey Featherstone into the witness protection program. Through Art, Joe was able to meet Billy.

This podcast series explores Joe’s conversations with Art and Billy. Sadly, both passed earlier this year.

The Westies were the most notorious and final generation of Irish American gangsters to rule Hells Kitchen during the 70s and 80s. Unlike the deeply entrenched and invulnerable Omertà of the Italian Mafia, the Westies followed no rules. Their’s was an era of disorganized crime, a chaotic and violent reign of terror on Manhattan’s west side. Hells Kitchen had long been dominated by Irish hooligans, but the Westies fearless brand of terrorism gained them widespread notoriety that spread far beyond the neighborhood, eventually catching the attention of the media, the Italian Mafia and all levels of law enforcement, from the local police precinct to the FBI.

Under the direction of Jimmy Coonan, the gang’s ambitious and ruthless leader, the Westies branched out from normal rackets to become serious players in the crime underworld of New York City.

Larry Mazza - Prison Time ~ Episode 6

In this final part of the series, Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Larry Mazza, former Colombo family member, heavyweight bookmaker, and Greg the Grim Reaper Scarpa‘s right hand man. This is a dark story about a decent young man who loses his way, who gets seduced by a lifestyle that was the dream of most Brooklyn wannabes. Larry was a natural bookmaker and he became a Colombo hitman who plotted 25 murders and pulled the trigger on four of them.

Larry Mazza - Greg Scarpa Sr. ~ Episode 5

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Larry Mazza, former Colombo family member, heavyweight bookmaker and Greg the Grim Reaper Scarpa‘s right hand man. Greg Scarpa is quite possibly the most prolific killer in mob history. His trademark is to put one behind his ear to make sure the victim is finished off. Greg Scarpa marches to his own beat.

Larry Mazza - Greg Scarpa Sr. & Relationship with Greg ~ Episode 4

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Larry Mazza, former Colombo family member, heavyweight bookmaker, and Greg the Grim Reaper Scarpa‘s right hand man. This is a dark story about a decent young man who loses his way, who gets seduced by a lifestyle that was the dream of most Brooklyn wannabes. Larry was a natural bookmaker and he became a Colombo hitman who plotted 25 murders and pulled the trigger on four of them.

Larry Mazza - Wiseguys, Hollywood & Sport Betting ~ Episode 3

Over the next four episodes Joe Poletto will be talking with Larry Mazza, a former Colombo family member, heavyweight bookmaker, loanshark and Greg the Grim Reaper Scarpa’s right hand man and closest confidant. Larry was seduced first by an older woman who was the second pseudo-wife of the Grim Reaper and then finally by the life itself.

After serving a 10 year sentence, Larry went on to write a book called “The Life,” where he pulls back the curtain on the hidden world of La Cosa Nostra. Larry exposes the criminal society of the New York Mafia, a world based on deceit and greed and he gives insight into learning that his mentor Greg Scarpa was an FBI informant for over 30 years.

The Mother Hips ~ Episode 2

For over 30 years the Mother Hips have crisscrossed America creating their own form of gritty rock ‘n’ roll with evocative storytelling that many have dubbed California soul. Here’s an interview with founding members Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono.

The Mother Hips ~ Episode 1

Originally signed by Rick Rubin while still just students at Chico State, The Mother Hips have spent three decades at the forefront of a new breed of California rock and roll—one equally informed by the breezy harmonies of the Beach Boys, the funky roots of The Band, and the psychedelic Americana of Buffalo Springfield—The Mother Hips have established themselves as “one of the Bay Area’s most beloved live outfits” says the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Through countless headline shows, massive festival appearances, and dates with everyone from Johnny Cash and Wilco to Lucinda Williams and The Black Crowes. The New Yorker lauded the band’s ability to “sing it sweet and play it dirty,” and their new record to be released on December 3rd is yet another example of their music firmly rooted in gritty rock and roll with the kind of evocative storytelling that The Mother Hips do best.