Stories from the Stage with Joey Sommerville and Peter Stroud

Kindred spirits and newly found friends, Joey Sommerville (also known as Papa J, trumpeter extraordinaire) and Peter Stroud (legendary guitarist) sit down with Tom. Each artist offers their perspective on creativity, mortality, and friendship —all the while celebrating the power of music to heal and augment the human experience. Hear Peter’s uncanny connections to getting the gigs with Pete Droge, Sheryl Crow, and Don Henley and listen to the lyrics inspired by a parting friend, Ike Stubblefield, in Joey’s developing new single, See You on the Other Side.

Peter Stroud is Sheryl Crow’s guitarist of 22 years and serves as her Music Director. He has also toured or recorded with Don Henley, Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Nicks, Shawn Mullins, Pete Droge, and founded his own band, Big Hat. Outside of performance, Peter is a co-founding partner with Artistory, a company offering deep-dive metrics data for the music industry and fan engagement through social media. He formerly co-founded 65amps, a manufacturer of high-end “boutique” guitar amplifiers.

Papa J has solidified his place in music history, transforming his sound and genre over the years. An iconic contemporary jazz trumpet player, Joey was hearing another kind of music in his head, a “New Sound” informed by years of performing with blues legends and jam band superstars, including BB King protégé Big Joe Burrell and mega band Phish. Papa J has collaborated with celebrated artists, including Earl Klugh, Marion Meadows, Jeff Bradshaw, Bob Baldwin and he has four solo albums. Joey is an active community servant, including serving on the Board of Directors of the How Big is Your Dream Foundation, an Atlanta based charity that provides music education programs to students in underserved communities.

Song Credits:

Might As Well Be You, 2019, Written and Performed by Joey Sommerville, Produced by Joey Sommerville and Martin Guigui

Airplane Mode, 2021, Written by John Stamp, Performed by John Stamp featuring Peter Stroud

A Feather in the Breeze, 2012, Performed by Big Hat

A Prayer for Peace, 2002, Performed by Joey Sommerville, Produced by Sojo Music Inc.

Covered by an Underground Umbrella, 2021, Written by Kevin Kinney, Performed by Peter Stroud (Guitar), Ike Stubblefield (Hammond B-3), Robert Kearns (Bass) and Fred Eltringham (Drums), Mixed by Nick Didia