The words of Derek Dick first entered the public consciousness nearly 40 years ago.  After reaching worldwide success, Dick, better known as Fish, set out on a solo career. As he releases his 11th solo record, the stunning Weltschmerz , he is ready to retire from the music business.   Due to a technical issue, the beginning of my introduction was cut from the recording. Below is the full introduction:  I cannot overstate the importance of today’s guest in my life.  His words have been a part of my life since I was 14 and are directly responsible for the name of this website.  He is about to release his 11 th and final solo record entitled Weltschmerz .  It is an honor and a pleasure to welcome Derek Dick, better known as Fish. Please press the PLAY icon below for the MisplacedStraws Conversation with Fish:                                                   On changes to his retirement plans - I t's really weird, I'm actually taking a gap year from my retirement. You know, it&

 There are legends and there are icons.  For over 50 years, William Shatner has been an American icon.  Beginning with the original Star Trek in 1966 and continuing through shows like TJ Hooker and Boston Legal Shatner's acting career is well defined.  However, music has always been a big part of his life, and he is about to release his 6th record, simply titled The Blues.  The record is filled with special guests and Bill recently took some time to talk about it.  Please press the PLAY icon below to listen to the MisplacedStraws Conversation with William Shatner: On having Ritchie Blackmore and other guests on the record - Ritchie Blackmore is Deep Purple, he was heavy metal, and he's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Candice Night does some of the vocals as well on that number, "The Thrill is Gone". She too is a great artist. It means so much to have somebody like Ritchie Blackmore play this BB King classic. I don't have the words to convey how honored I am tha

 Chances are that if you listened to music over the past 30+ years then you've heard Derek Sherinian.  Whether it was playing with Alice Cooper or Joe Bonamassa, as part of Dream Theater, Black Country Communion, or Sons of Apollo, or on his own solo records, Derek has done it all.  He's about to release his new solo record, The Phoenix , and took some time to talk about it. Please press the PLAY icon below for the MisplacedStraws.com Conversation with Derek Sherinian: On the gap between 2011's Oceana and 2020's The Phoenix -   I thought it was time to take a little time off. And then I formed, in 2016, Sons of Apollo with Mike Portnoy, and most of my creative was going towards that band. And then about 18 months ago I just felt an urge to make another solo record because it's been a while and I got a new solo deal and started writing some ideas and called Simon Phillips up, who's been a longtime collaborator and partner on five of my past records. And we, over

 It's not easy to carve your own path when you are the son of a legend, but Simon Collins is doing just that.  Son of legendary Genesis drummer Phil Collins, Simon is about to release his 4th solo record, Becoming Human , and took some time to talk about it and his career. Please press the PLAY icon below for the MisplacedStraws Conversation with Simon Collins: On the sound of Becoming Human -  I wanted to explore two distinct styles of music, really. I'm a big electronic music fan. I think that's pretty obvious from my debut album through all my albums, it's definitely a through-line there. But also I am a fan of Progressive Rock as well. And I think this album really is a kind of a cross-pollination of the two. I mean, obviously, there's different influences that come with the album as well.  Of course, it is a mixed bag in that sense. But I'd say I specifically hired Robbie  Bronnimann  and he's the guy I produced the album with,  he produced mixed and m