This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Brian Newman: And what was it like in those early days in New York? I feel like it's kind of like cinematic, like being a musician, you're in New York City, in a big city, and you're hustling and playing gigs. That's what it sounds like to me, but maybe I'm projecting.

[0:12] Jason A. Coombs: No, Brian, that was it, man. I was. Craigslist was really big back then. So I was on Craigslist. Every day when I got up, I would go on Craigslist, search for Trump and avoid it.

[0:22] Brian Newman: And you avoided the Craigslist killer, I'm seeing.

[0:26] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, I think so. I think so. But I'm still here.

[0:32] Brian Newman: We are rolling. Okay, let's do this. What's happening? What's happening?

[0:36] Jason A. Coombs: Okay. Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Where the Light Lands, the podcast where we explore the moments, the people and the experiences that shape who we become. I'm your host, Jason A. Coombs. And today I'm thrilled to be joined by Grammy Award-winning trumpeter, vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader, Brian Newman.

[0:54] Brian Newman: I guess that's a very nice intro. Thank you, Jason.

[1:00] Brian Newman: Thank you very much. I always feel so awkward reading off people's accomplishments. They're just looking at me like...

[1:04] Jason A. Coombs: But you deserve your flowers.

[1:04] Brian Newman: Oh, thanks, baby. I haven't talked to many Grammy Award winners on a podcast for an hour. It's pretty incredible.

[1:09] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, man. Well, thank you. A little is a lot. Not without hard work and a lot of help from a lot of people around me. So it's always a good thing. It takes a village, they say, right?

[1:20] Brian Newman: Yes, it does.

[1:25] Jason A. Coombs: Originally from Ohio, Brian has built an extraordinary career through his passion for jazz and a great American songbook. He's collaborated with some of the music's most iconic artists, including Lady Gaga and the legendary Tony Bennett, and has performed on some of the world's largest stages. His newest album right here, Songs for Lonely Lovers, is a beautiful collection that celebrates timeless music while bringing his voice and perspective to it. Today, we're going to talk more, not just about your accolades and your amazing resume, but I want to start with growing up in Ohio. We were just talking before we rolled about...

[1:57] Brian Newman: I have another friend who grew up in Ohio. I was talking to you yesterday.

[2:00] Jason A. Coombs: He was from Akron, right?

[2:01] Brian Newman: Akron, yeah.

[2:01] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. LeBron James is booger up there, too.

[2:05] Brian Newman: He was saying just... Hey, Logan. How are you, Logan?

[2:07] Jason A. Coombs: Logan. Shout out to Logan.

[2:10] Brian Newman: But he was just talking about how growing up there, he didn't feel as supported as an artist, as an actor. Did you have a similar experience?

[2:18] Brian Newman: Yeah. I felt like... Listen, it was a great place to grow up. I love... My family's still there. It's a great town. Yeah, but I did feel like there were certain people that pushed me. One of my early band directors really pushed me in a great direction.

[2:29] Jason A. Coombs: What was their name?

[2:31] Brian Newman: His name was Timothy Yole.

[2:33] Jason A. Coombs: Timothy.

[2:33] Brian Newman: Timothy Yole. He's still around. I still talk to him every once in a while. He was cool, but he signed me up for my first jazz class. And then...

[2:36] Brian Newman: Yeah, but listen, you got a lot of no's. I got a lot of no's in Cincinnati, too. You think you're not going to do it or... Just discerning voices that you kind of got to drown out if you really want to live, follow your dreams and goals and hopes.

[2:53] Jason A. Coombs: Because there's just so much talk always, right? There's so much negativity out there, and you kind of have to stay focused.

[2:59] Brian Newman: Oh, and I felt like that lit a fire under me instead of like... People could take it either way. Either it's like, oh man, somebody told me I can't do it. I'm not going to do it then. Or it's like, you told me no. Oh, I'm doing it now. Now I'm going for it, even harder.

[3:13] Jason A. Coombs: Look at you now.

[3:14] Brian Newman: Yeah, it's been fun, man.

[3:15] Jason A. Coombs: This is your fourth album, if I'm not mistaken?

[3:16] Brian Newman: Yeah, about fourth or... Yeah, definitely. My fourth solo album.

[3:16] Jason A. Coombs: Fourth solo album.

[3:20] Brian Newman: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[3:21] Jason A. Coombs: Wow. So when did music first become more than just something that you enjoy? When was it something like you were like, oh, I think I want to pursue this? I want to learn the craft of this?

[3:30] Brian Newman: I think it started, Jason, when I was like... When I took that class for that Timothy Yole who signed me up for. I was misbehaving in class, kind of like...

[3:38] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, yeah? Like a class clown?

[3:40] Brian Newman: I didn't know what it was that I was doing at the time, but I was like improvising over like the concert band.

[3:45] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, wow.

[3:46] Brian Newman: So then I kept getting in trouble for that. So he signed me up for this class. And that's when I really like... I realized there was music like off the written page that like you could... This could be something that, you know, and I really have loved the improvisation, improvisational aspect of it all. And that really kind of lit me, lit a fire to... I know I said that already, but lit a fire to like listen to Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, some of the old 1930s stuff like Count Basie, early stuff like that, you know?

[4:13] Jason A. Coombs: Right.

[4:13] Brian Newman: And that really started that journey for me, probably around 11 or 12.

[4:18] Jason A. Coombs: Wow. So being that young and you're like listening to the greats, because I feel like when I was that age, I didn't know... You'd heard those names.

[4:25] Brian Newman: No, but thankfully for the guy, Tim Yole was there.

[4:27] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, he gave you real education.

[4:29] Brian Newman: I was listening to Pantera and Nirvana and Sublime and Blink-182, you know what I mean? It was the early 90s, so yeah, I was knee-deep in that too, you know?

[4:38] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[4:38] Brian Newman: Yeah, but it was... So I have those influences. That comes out a little bit later in my music, but yeah, that was all there. I was listening, I was skateboarding and snowboarding and, you know, getting into trouble, but then playing music and kind of kept me off the streets, you know what I mean?

[4:52] Jason A. Coombs: And was the trumpet your first instrument?

[4:54] Brian Newman: Yeah, yeah, totally, totally.

[4:55] Jason A. Coombs: Gotcha.

[4:55] Brian Newman: I picked it. I thought it would be easy because it had like three buttons.

[4:58] Jason A. Coombs: Right.

[4:59] Brian Newman: You know, it turns out it's not.

[5:00] Jason A. Coombs: Not at all.

[5:01] Brian Newman: It's like unforgiving beast that I love and hate like from day to day, you know?

[5:08] Jason A. Coombs: I love that. And how did you develop your vocal talents?

[5:12] Brian Newman: I started singing Chet Baker like when I was driving around and like, you know, like everybody in the shower and stuff like that. And then I didn't really start adding that into gigs until I was like in college and I started singing like a few songs here and there.

[5:23] Jason A. Coombs: Okay.

[5:23] Brian Newman: And then when I moved to New York, like there was... I started doing a lot of like variety shows and like burlesque shows and stuff like that. And there was like that MC category and like, and I knew I was singing a lot more than anyway.

[5:36] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, yeah.

[5:37] Brian Newman: And that really started my trajectory on singing. And then later, my good friend Joe Germanotta, who's Gaga's dad, signed me up for vocal lessons, actually paid for like my first five lessons with the same teacher that she studies with.

[5:52] Brian Newman: And a lot of beautiful, beautiful singers have studied with this guy, Don Lawrence. And he's just, he changed my whole life as far as singing goes. And just a beautiful cat and just was like, he's still, he's still, he's still, he's not teaching so much, but his son's teaching for him. It's like the third generation of vocal teachers in that family.

[6:10] Jason A. Coombs: That's pretty amazing.

[6:10] Brian Newman: Yeah. Don changed my vocal career and gave me, you know, good warmups and good, good practice and habits and all that kind of stuff.

[6:17] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. Good vocal health.

[6:18] Brian Newman: Yeah.

[6:19] Jason A. Coombs: Make sure you can sustain it.

[6:20] Brian Newman: And he's, that was a big thing with him. And, you know, it was like being able to sing better on the fourth night in a row than maybe the first, because you're getting stronger, you know, you're, you're, and you're taking care of it. You're warming up properly. You're singing properly, like, you know, using your, using your diaphragm and, you know, we could get into it. We could talk about that.

[6:37] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. That's boring.

[6:40] Brian Newman: No, it's important though.

[6:41] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. Oh, definitely. Oh, definitely. Cause I was, I was like hurting my voice, you know, and like, and like, it was, he saw, he solved all those problems. Really, really beautiful, man.

[6:51] Jason A. Coombs: I love that. Do you remember your first performance?

[6:54] Brian Newman: Oh man. Yeah.

[6:55] Jason A. Coombs: Back in Ohio?

[6:56] Brian Newman: Yeah. I remember being on like a cruise ship. Like my parents, we didn't do much of that kind of stuff. You know, we were very, very blue collar kind of vibe, you know, but like I remember when a cruise ship and I joined the talent contest and I played trumpet probably like 13 or actually probably like 12, but yeah, I started playing gigs after that summer, um, in Cleveland doing the, the jazz, like the, the camp that my Tim signed me up for.

[7:22] Brian Newman: Um, I started booking my own band at like a coffee house in town. And then later that turned into like a three nights a week at this like little Italian restaurant that I booked us at.

[7:32] Brian Newman: And I was always hustling gigs, always had gigs somewhere, you know, always trying to work, you know, and play with musicians that were better than me. I still do that and still try to hire musicians that push me to be a better musician, you know?

[7:43] Jason A. Coombs: Great. And how does that, how does that, this might be a stupid question. Someone who's not a musician who doesn't play gigs.

[7:47] Brian Newman: There's no stupid questions.

[7:47] Jason A. Coombs: No, but like, are you just putting out a call out? Like, Hey, I need, I need a, you know, a guitar, you need a bass player. And like, do people come audition for you? Like, how does it work?

[7:57] Brian Newman: Well, back then it was like, it was just people that were in the class with me that I went to school with. Yeah. There was like a bass player, a sax player that I liked that I was friends with and like a drummer that I was friends with. And then we played that and then we didn't really know any piano players back then really yet. So we played like trio, you know, with no piano and then, or guitar or whatever.

[8:14] Brian Newman: But yeah, but now, now there's just so word of mouth and even Instagram is great because you can really like hear somebody. If somebody is like, Oh, Hey, so-and-so's a great drummer. You know, you need, you're looking for a drummer, like check this guy out. And then you can go and look at all their live stuff. You can see their YouTube videos. You're like, Oh, you know, from the jump that like, they're a good musician or not, you know, or that, or maybe not that, but that you're a good fit. It might be a good fit musically, you know?

[8:41] Jason A. Coombs: Exactly, exactly.

[8:41] Brian Newman: Thank God for, that's like a good thing about social media.

[8:41] Jason A. Coombs: Oh yeah. So listen, there's a lot of bad stuff about it, but I think at the end of the day, it's, it's connecting us and it's still word of mouth at the end of the day, you know, it's like, everybody's just, it's all word of mouth.

[8:53] Brian Newman: Right. So what finally convinced you to take a leap from being a musician in Ohio, like doing that whole thing to like going to New York City? Cause I mean, I'm sure that's overwhelming to go from a small town.

[9:03] Brian Newman: It was, but I wasn't, I was so like, from the moment that I wanted, that I discovered like this American songbook and this like jazz traditions, American music tradition, like I wanted to be in New York City musician. I remember telling my parents, I was like, I want to move to New York someday and I'm going to do it.

[9:18] Jason A. Coombs: What was their response?

[9:18] Brian Newman: I'm sure back then they were just like, yeah, okay, whatever. You know what I mean? But like, they, they also knew that I had the drive and like, so later in life it came and I went to school in Cincinnati and then I actually dropped out in like 2003 and moved here. Same story as a lot of people, like 500 bucks a U-Haul first and last month security deposit paid, you know.

[9:36] Brian Newman: But it's funny, I just got my degree this semester.

[9:44] Jason A. Coombs: Really?

[9:43] Brian Newman: I just graduated from CCM. I know I had to take a, I had like 19 credits left. I ran into the Dean at some event in New York, you know what I mean? And like, I was like, Hey man, come on. We, we both had a few drinks and I was just like, Hey man, come on. What do I got to do to get my degree here? You know what I mean? Like he said, he said, look, how could I, how could I do this? And he, he agreed. And we ended up talking and a couple of years later, and then I finally, they passed me on all my music credits that I owed. And then, but I couldn't get out. I had taken English class. So it was like a 200 level. And thank you, Dr. Leah Rubinstein, Rubinsky, excuse me for, for, for passing me. I got an, I got an A on it. It's crazy. Online courses. It's nuts, Jason. It's nuts.

[10:29] Jason A. Coombs: I mean, that's not the best world ever living.

[10:29] Brian Newman: I know. Yeah. I think if I would've had online courses back in 99 and 2000, I would have maybe, maybe passed then, you know, maybe not though. It would have been very slow. So you probably would still be in class right now.

[10:41] Brian Newman: Oh my God. Yes. You remember. Oh my man. Oh my gosh.

[10:41] Brian Newman: Um, what was like in those early days in New York? I feel like, I think it's kind of like, it's like a cinematic, like being like a musician. You're like in New York, sitting in a big city and you're like hustling and playing gigs. That's what it sounds like to me, but maybe I'm, maybe I'm projecting.

[11:05] Jason A. Coombs: No, Brian, that was, that was it. When I was, I was like Craigslist was really big back then. So like I was on Craigslist every, every, every day when I got up, I would go on Craigslist, search for Trump and wanted the Craigslist killer.

[11:14] Brian Newman: Yeah. I think, I think so. I think so, but I'm still here.

[11:19] Brian Newman: But, um, you know, Craigslist, you just go on Trump player, wanted honestly, honestly how I met my wife, like through like a gig I took on Craigslist, got me into like doing like a burlesque show. And then I met Angie and, and like the years later, obviously we got married, but yeah, no, it's crazy. Craigslist was there and, and I was just hustling, man. Listen, I didn't have any money and there was no parents to ask money for. I mean, there was parents, but they didn't.

[11:43] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. And even if they do, or I wouldn't have, I wouldn't have asked them for anything. I wanted to do it on my own. So I just walked around the city in a suit in the heart heat of July and bullshitted my way into a, uh, uh, into a waitress, waitering job at this place called Agave down in the West village, which was close to the jazz clubs that I wanted to be near.

[12:02] Brian Newman: Um, yeah, try, you know, at least. And that ended up changing later. I don't really play at any of those places, but, um, but, but back then it was, it was a great start, you know? So it was a lot, man. Listen, struggle. It was like hustling, you know, it was like for years, for years, like a good five or six, seven, seven years before I was able to do music full-time, you know? And even while you're doing all these great things, it's just like, you're still, you know, I was still bartending. I was still, I worked for a moving company. I drove film cars. I did, I sold plasma, which was terrible. I sold flugelhorns. Like I wanted anything I could do to stay in New York was what I was going to do. You know what I mean? And still, you know, and you kind of have to, like,

[12:46] Brian Newman: Even now, it's like you have to have that kind of hustle mentality. If you really want to be here, you have to do whatever it takes to be here. If you're not coming from endless amounts of money, if your parents aren't paying for your apartment and whatnot, you have to. If you really believe in yourself and your art and you want to make art, what else are you going to do? You've got to juggle that. Go back home?

[13:05] Jason A. Coombs: Right. No, I was never going back home. That would have been like... My mom, I just talked to my mother today on the phone, and she was like, when are you coming home? You need to move home. She says she's got a very Ohio accent. I can't do it anymore. I love you, Mom. I love you. I'm just busting your chops if she listens to this. I hope she does. Hey, Mom.

[13:24] Brian Newman: Hi, Mom. She's funny. She'll call me. She's like, how do I listen to your podcast? How do I listen to this? How do I find this? I was like, Mom, I'll send you the link.

[13:32] Jason A. Coombs: Because you have your own podcast.

[13:33] Brian Newman: We do. Yeah, me and Angie do. What's up?

[13:35] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, shout it out, please.

[13:37] Brian Newman: Showing Off with Angie and Brian. Yeah, it's fun. Talk to great musicians, and artists, and photographers, and fashion designers, all sorts. It's good to spread love. You know what I mean? All about love.

[13:51] Jason A. Coombs: Exactly. I feel like I'm all about inspiration. I'm all about community, inspiration, and I want to learn from people that I admire.

[13:59] Brian Newman: No, it's very cool that you're doing this, man. I listened to some of your stuff. I really love it. It's really an honor to be here today, and thanks for having me.

[14:06] Jason A. Coombs: It's an honor to chat with you.

[14:07] Brian Newman: Yeah, man. In those early days of New York City, was there ever a time when you were like, not sure if this was going to work out?

[14:15] Brian Newman: Like 1,000 times.

[14:16] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[14:16] Brian Newman: Like 1,000 times. And even now, you get knocked down, and you get back up. I don't know. I haven't really changed my way of thinking, or feelings about who I am, or where I am in life. Because it really doesn't matter. I want to go farther, and I want to be a good person. You know what I mean? I want to be a better human every day. I want to be a better father every day, a better husband every day. You want to be a better musician every day, and just continue to push and strive. I feel like the same kid that moved here back in 2003. You know what I mean?

[14:49] Jason A. Coombs: Definitely.

[14:50] Brian Newman: I don't think creative people lose that childlike—

[14:54] Jason A. Coombs: I would hope not. I think if I did, I would be like—

[14:56] Brian Newman: Creativity, imagination. You got to keep it going, man. Otherwise, it's not fun, and your audience can feel that. You know, it's like if you're jaded and pissed off, then the audience is going to be jaded and pissed off, too, because they can't deal with you.

[15:10] Jason A. Coombs: It's very true. It's very true. Energy and aura is real.

[15:13] Brian Newman: Exactly. When I came in, your energy was so beautiful, even though you were on a Zoom call. I saw the smile, and I was like, oh, this is going to be fun. We're going to have a good day. Sorry, Alan. I've got to get back on the mic. I'm sorry.

[15:27] Jason A. Coombs: Shout out to Alan for running the sound.

[15:29] Brian Newman: I know, Alan. He's our podcast daddy.

[15:31] Jason A. Coombs: And the video.

[15:34] Brian Newman: Alan Steele's a theater podcast.

[15:36] Jason A. Coombs: I love it. I love it.

[15:38] Brian Newman: So, eventually, all the hard work pays off. I mean, you're a testament to that, right?

[15:42] Brian Newman: It definitely does, and then you've got to continue to work to stay there, I feel like.

[15:48] Jason A. Coombs: Not reinvent yourself, but constantly put more.

[15:51] Brian Newman: Somebody told me a long time ago that your career is like building a house out of bricks. Someday, you may put 500 bricks in there. Someday, you might put none. Someday, you put one, but at least you're building that strong foundation of a beautiful house out of brick that you can, not out of straw or sticks like those other little pigs.

[16:14] Jason A. Coombs: I love that.

[16:15] Brian Newman: And I feel like that goes back to what you're saying about just always learning, always trying to be better, right?

[16:19] Jason A. Coombs: Totally.

[16:20] Brian Newman: Always trying to grow your house.

[16:22] Jason A. Coombs: Maybe you're putting more rooms in.

[16:24] Brian Newman: Yeah, put in an addition. Maybe a swimming pool. Who knows?

[16:26] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, exactly. It's good.

[16:29] Brian Newman: That's so true. And I also love what you said about just being a good person. And I think it's very clear that you're a good person, right? That people believe in you, like your teacher.

[16:40] Brian Newman: And you said that Mr. Germanotta paid for your first couple of lessons.

[16:44] Brian Newman: Yeah, which was so helpful at the time. I was just like, I didn't have a lot of money. It was like my daughter just was born. It was like a crazy time, you know what I mean? But yeah, I think that, and honestly, all the greats that I've been able to be around, all of their kindness and humility, I've seen that in them. Not that I was acting different before, you know what I mean? But you see these people act like that, and it's just like, oh man, shit, these guys are regular people just like us. They're just trying to do what they're doing. They love music. They love human beings. And that's the vibe, you know what I mean? Whether it's the sound technician or the queen of England, you're going to treat them the same way and have the same respect and reverence, you know what I mean?

[17:27] Brian Newman: I was listening to an interview with Ava DuVernay, the filmmaker, and she was talking about every day when she's on set, she goes up to every single person from the crafty person to the PAs to the DPs, and she says, good morning.

[17:40] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, try to learn their names and say hello, you know what I mean?

[17:42] Brian Newman: I'm the same way, and I think that's really important, you know what I mean? That's something that seems obvious that you should do, but so many people don't do that, or you don't expect somebody at their level to do that.

[17:52] Jason A. Coombs: To do that, yeah.

[17:53] Brian Newman: Right. I love that. I love that about a lot of the artists that I've worked with, and I like to be that way myself, you know? Because that's what we're here for. We're here to take people out of their own lives for a minute, in the music and in the moment, and whether it's after the show, to make them feel good about being there and about the experience, and just having a good experience, all-around experience, not just musically, you know? Spiritually, whatever it is, you know what I mean?

[18:24] Jason A. Coombs: Orally.

[18:25] Brian Newman: Orally.

[18:26] Jason A. Coombs: Orally, yeah.

[18:28] Brian Newman: It's not the right word, but you know what I'm saying?

[18:31] Jason A. Coombs: We get it. It's a word now.

[18:32] Brian Newman: It's a word now.

[18:33] Jason A. Coombs: Orally.

[18:34] Brian Newman: Orally. Like A-U-R-A.

[18:35] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, like your aura, but your good aura.

[18:38] Brian Newman: Yeah, I don't know. I'll cut that part, will you?

[18:41] Jason A. Coombs: All right.

[18:42] Brian Newman: No, I like that. Keith, tell us about what it was like to be nominated for a Grammy, and then to win. Many of us won't have that experience.

[18:54] Brian Newman: It was for records that I did with Gaga and Tony Bennett, and just to be a part of those. I mean, like you said earlier, this takes a village. There's so many people that are working on those records, but it's just a great team of people, from the sound engineer, Dave Bennett, to Gaga, to Tony, to the band, you know what I mean? And the arrangements that we did, the arrangements that the other cats did, and Tony's band. And it feels really great. And then to be able to play some of that stuff at the Grammys that year was really... What year was that, 2018?

[19:25] Brian Newman: That was for the Love for Sale record. So that was like... I mean, it was right after the pandemic. I feel like it was 2022, I think. I don't know. It feels like... I don't know. Everything after the pandemic feels like 25 years ago.

[19:39] Jason A. Coombs: Like a blur, right?

[19:40] Brian Newman: Right. It feels like just yesterday, or 25 years ago.

[19:42] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, exactly, exactly. That's so wild. That's so wild. But, you know, yeah. I don't know. The accolades are nice, but it's like... Even when we were making the Cheek to Cheek record, Tony was talking to Gaga and us. He was talking about, like, oh, we gotta do Cole Porter record. And that happened like 10 years later. Not 10 years later, but a long time later, they were already talking about the next thing.

[20:08] Jason A. Coombs: Right.

[20:08] Brian Newman: You know? So it's like, that's what we're focused on. We're focused on the future, you know?

[20:12] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[20:12] Brian Newman: Even this record. We put this out. I'm already done with my second, two more. So it was like, we're setting up... We're always ahead. We're going to keep putting them out. Keep putting them out.

[20:21] Jason A. Coombs: Gotcha. Maybe you can share a little bit, because I know people see the awards at big stages and see, like, you work with Lady Gaga, which is a huge icon. You work with Tony Bennett.

[20:28] Brian Newman: Yeah.

[20:30] Jason A. Coombs: Legend. Like, you know, like... But maybe... What is something people don't see about the journey? Or maybe some sacrifices, something you had to sacrifice to get where you were? Or maybe something that's not as glamorous, right?

[20:41] Brian Newman: Yeah, I mean, listen, it's...

[20:42] Brian Newman: On the up and up.

[20:43] Brian Newman: Yeah, it's definitely not always glamorous. You know what I mean? I think that, like, you know, me and Angie always say, it's like, one day you're on the red carpet. Next day, you're, like, cleaning toilets. You know, like, not specifically, but, like, your entertainment business is a fickle beast. You know what I mean? So you're always going. You know, that's what comes back to always, you know, being ahead of the game, trying to find... To have the next thing lined up.

[21:07] Brian Newman: Yeah, and keep pushing yourself to do more things. But yeah, no, listen, it's always fun. Being able to do... Even when you're, like, you know, I tell the boys in the band sometimes, I was like, listen, we don't get paid to play. We get paid to, like, travel and wait for the plane and wait for the bus. You know what I mean? Like, it's like...

[21:24] Jason A. Coombs: A lot of waiting.

[21:24] Brian Newman: Yeah, a lot of stuff. Like, yeah, totally. Sit backstage and wait for the show and go to rehearsal and, you know, do all these things. Like, the actual music part of it is the part that's, like, just freeing.

[21:34] Brian Newman: Yeah, but sometimes it's a lot of stress. I mean, you know, last couple years ago, we were doing, like, the Harlequin album and we were playing in Vegas with Gaga for her 30-piece orchestra show. So, you know, we're doing that and then doing studio stuff during the day and then playing my show late night in Vegas. So it was like a, you know, 16, 17-hour days for, like, a couple months. You know what I mean? Like, so that gets... It's always fun. Because, like you say, you pinch yourself. Because you love it. You're like, shit, I love this. I'm going to the studio again today. It's awesome. But, you know, it's like...

[22:04] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, but it's a lot.

[22:04] Brian Newman: It's a lot. But you have to bring on fumes towards the end.

[22:06] Jason A. Coombs: Toward the end, yeah. You need a break every once in a while.

[22:09] Brian Newman: Yeah. Yeah, so I think there's not really a downside. Sometimes I miss fun things with my daughter. You know what I mean? Because I have a gig that I got to do. Or, you know, that I can't... I got to do it, so I might miss something. But, you know, I'm present a lot with her all the time. And we always do fun things. And we're always trying to go on... We're always doing adventures.

[22:27] Jason A. Coombs: How old is she?

[22:28] Brian Newman: She's 10. She just turned 10. Singing, dancing, feeder, all that stuff.

[22:32] Jason A. Coombs: All that stuff. Dance competitions.

[22:34] Brian Newman: Yes. Dance, dance, dad. I'm a dance dad.

[22:36] Jason A. Coombs: Following in her parents' footsteps.

[22:38] Brian Newman: We're not trying to push her. We're just letting her do what she wants to do. You know what I mean? Like, my parents didn't push me. They bought me a trumpet. That was very nice of them, you know? Good luck, kid.

[22:48] Jason A. Coombs: Do you think being a dad and being a husband has changed your artistry in any way over the last...

[22:53] Brian Newman: Oh, for sure, man. I think, you know, first, like, marrying Angie, too, just changed my whole, like... She's... Angie Pontani, if anybody knows Angie Pontani. She's a wonderful burlesque dancer, producer. She just consulted on the Gypsy with Camille Brown for all the burlesque stuff.

[23:10] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, my gosh, yes.

[23:10] Brian Newman: Yeah. Which is crazy. That's the first burlesque dancer since Gypsy to consult on a Broadway...

[23:16] Jason A. Coombs: That's wild.

[23:17] Brian Newman: ...on a Broadway play about... on a Broadway production of Gypsy.

[23:20] Jason A. Coombs: Right, right.

[23:21] Brian Newman: You know? Wow. I mean, you ask... You got to ask the professional about it.

[23:25] Jason A. Coombs: Right.

[23:25] Brian Newman: And Camille was wonderful in the play. I mean, that's such a great...

[23:28] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, she's amazing, man.

[23:29] Brian Newman: She's phenomenal. And another one who's, like, down to earth and cool as heck and, like... Oh, she was great, man. She invited us to the party uptown, and it was just... We just had such a good time with all her family and friends and just very... Made us feel like home. So Camille, we love you, too.

[23:43] Brian Newman: She's so sweet. Every time I see her, like... Because we do, like, you know, Red Carpet stuff here and there, and she's always just, like... Just thoughtful and kind and, like, always stops and remembers, you know? That's, like, makes you feel special. She remembers you, you know?

[24:00] Jason A. Coombs: But that's what we're talking about. It's, like, that being... That's the key to the longevity in life and being a good human being and, like... So anyway, back... Angie really changed my life in that respect. Gave me a lot of perspective and just, like, helped me out with my career and, like...

[24:13] Brian Newman: I love that. I still bounce, like, email... If I get an email that I can't respond to without emotion, I send it to her first before I... You know, it's like that old... Abraham Lincoln said... I don't know if this is true, but he said he used to write a letter. If he felt like he was, like, going off at the handle, he would write a letter and then he would put it in his drawer and then he'd read it the next day. And if he still felt like he hadn't sent it, then send it. He said he never sent... Barely ever sent those letters.

[24:39] Jason A. Coombs: Wow.

[24:40] Brian Newman: So... But anyway, Angie... Angie just... She's great. She's a wonderful, wonderful person and great mother, great partner and just changed my life, man.

[24:47] Jason A. Coombs: It's good stuff. I love that.

[24:49] Brian Newman: Thank you for sharing that.

[24:50] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, man. No, but she's not here, so, you know, I can't tell her the truth, you know?

[24:54] Brian Newman: Even with all that you've done, you've just released your fourth solo album.

[24:55] Jason A. Coombs: It's true, man. You remember me?

[24:56] Brian Newman: Yeah, she's so cool, man. You're, like, hanging out with Audra McDonald. Like, why are you... How do you remember me?

[24:59] Brian Newman: Yep, yep. Here it is.

[25:00] Jason A. Coombs: And CD.

[25:01] Brian Newman: I was, like... CD, I know. You showed me this. I got so pumped because we were talking about... It's like, I love music and I love physical media. I remember going, like, being a kid and going to Circuit City and we talked about FYE.

[25:13] Brian Newman: Yeah, man. And, like, getting the CD and, like, opening it up and reading the booklet and the lyrics and, like, seeing the thank yous. It was just an experience that we don't get anymore.

[25:22] Jason A. Coombs: Totally don't get it anymore.

[25:23] Brian Newman: So we're going to do some vinyl in the fall, too, for all your vinyl files.

[25:27] Jason A. Coombs: Is that how you say?

[25:29] Brian Newman: Vinyl files?

[25:29] Jason A. Coombs: Vinyl files?

[25:30] Brian Newman: Vinyl file?

[25:30] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[25:31] Brian Newman: Sounds weird.

[25:33] Brian Newman: Sounds weird. I don't know if either one of us is saying that right, but vinyl, audiophiles, audiophiles. Vinyl lovers. We came up with two new words on this podcast. I love that for us. Come on. It's a good journey for us. But this is so exciting that you just released this. Maybe you can share a little bit of inspiration behind this.

[25:50] Brian Newman: Yeah, man, listen. Songs for Lonely Lovers is just a collection of like some of my favorite heartbreaking songs of the American Songbook. Smile. Yeah, and some great ones that my favorites from Tony Bennett. You know what I mean? He was such an inspiration to me before I knew him and getting to work with him was such another inspiration and such a great learning experience. But the songs and the way that he sung these songs and the way that Gaga sings these songs too and all the old greats that just they know the lyrics. They make it a part of themselves.

[26:24] Brian Newman: Yeah, they know how to interpret. Yeah, totally. Make you feel like they wrote that song. Exactly. You never tell that they didn't. They know what that heartbreak feels like because they've experienced it or they put themselves in those positions. So it's a fun. It's a lot of couple great duo tracks with my good friend Caelan Cardello who is a Juilliard grad pianist, wonderful piano player and great guy. And then another Juilliard cat, Russell Hall, Captain Bessé Suave they call him. He's an amazing bass player. And Nolan Byrd who's been playing drums. We've been playing together for like almost eight or nine years. So it's a really fun record. We did it all live in the studio in Teaneck, New Jersey in two days.

[27:06] Jason A. Coombs: And you did this whole thing in two days?

[27:06] Brian Newman: Two days, yeah. Did like maybe one or two takes of each tune and we just took the best and we didn't fix anything. We left it all on the tape, you know what I mean?

[27:22] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[27:22] Brian Newman: Because I feel like that I've done other records that are heavily produced and obviously you take live takes. We don't really track, you know what I mean? I try to do everything live. But this one specifically we did just live straight to the board and just get all the band banter, I guess you would call it, all those kind of feelings. And it's a fun record. It's a very fun record. It's a beautiful listen too. It's like a ride. It's a nice hour and a half. I was doing stuff around the apartment. I was doing stuff around the apartment and I was like setting on the background music. This is good music. I feel like we're kind of missing that these days. Not to sound like a boomer or something.

[28:01] Jason A. Coombs: No, you don't sound like a boomer.

[28:07] Brian Newman: I don't know. Is there a melody here? Why are the songs 90 seconds long? I don't know what's happening. Totally, man. There's some great music and the songs are such good quality. You have a great voice.

[28:18] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, thank you, man. I didn't know you were an actual singer. When Lisa introduced me to you, I thought you were a trumpeteer and a band leader. I was like, this guy's singing.

[28:26] Brian Newman: Oh, thanks, man. Thank you. Yeah, a lot of years of practice. Both practice, still practicing, still trying to get better, trying to get tighter, you know what I mean?

[28:33] Jason A. Coombs: Great. Yeah, man. Is there one or two songs on the album that kind of feel like the heart of the project?

[28:37] Brian Newman: I really love Who Can I Turn To, which is just Leslie Bracuse. I'm saying that right. And Anthony Newley's song. And honestly, we talk about the Rat Pack and all this stuff, but Sammy Davis Jr. was my favorite of all time. I love Frank, I love Dean. Obviously, I love Tony Bennett. But as far as... I didn't really feel like Tony wasn't part of the Rat Pack, but Sammy was singing, dancing, amazing drummer, musician, and sang his ass off. And when I first heard him sing that song, that was like... Because all these old songs, the greats have sang them a thousand times, and they've been recorded a thousand times, so bringing something new to it is difficult, but you just want to bring your heart to it.

[29:26] Jason A. Coombs: Exactly. You know what I mean? I feel like that's what they did, and that's what we're doing. Just start with what the lyrics are, right? You're telling a story.

[29:32] Brian Newman: Totally. And the other one on there was Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

[29:35] Jason A. Coombs: Opener.

[29:36] Brian Newman: The opening single. Those are both the two singles, but Boulevard was just a tragic tale of the downtrodden. It always reminded me of New York City. They talk about gigolos and gigolettes and how they hide your tears from regret. You know what I mean? You're going to party tonight and do all these things. Tomorrow, you're going to regret it. But that's part of the journey, and especially for me in New York, I was down and out and drinking and hanging out. You know what I mean? I was focused on my career, but yeah, you had to toe that line of falling on your face and working jobs you didn't want to work because you wanted to do your music. There's a lot of that angst in this record, for sure, even though I don't feel like that much anymore.

[30:21] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, yeah. But it's still a part of you, right?

[30:24] Brian Newman: Yeah, oh, for sure, man. It's part of your growth and what makes the music come. You won't know about the blues until you have your heart broken or stuff like that, so you've got to get it all in.

[30:42] Jason A. Coombs: And you spent most of your career honoring classic jazz and standards and making it feel contemporary, right? Why is it important to keep this music alive for younger generations?

[30:52] Brian Newman: Well, totally, because I think our influences are different. What we were talking about earlier, the same time I'm listening and learning about Chet Baker and Miles Davis, I'm listening to Pearl Jam and Thin Lizzy and all these rock bands and all these great bands in the 90s. Nirvana had those influences, too, so to bring those in to the music now, which is like the last record we did was all Nirvana and Bruce Springsteen and Thin Lizzy and all those greats, but this one, I wanted to go back to because those influences are important. I feel like they're all part of... First of all, this great American tradition has informed all the music we listen to today as it is, so it's like this old Broadway tunes and black American music has been the forefront of everything, and even Taylor Swift and everything you listen to today all comes from that.

Elvis and all that all came from before, you know what I mean? It was all been done already, so to hold on to that, the tradition is super important to me, but to push it forward while making it accessible to everyone, because I think jazz, not to get on like another thing like, oh, all these kids, you know what I mean? But jazz to me doesn't really describe what we do, or it doesn't... And it can be a negative connotation for people that don't really know about it. It's like if you say, oh, jazz, that's... That's something different that's not... But if you're presented to it, I don't have to change the content to present it to you in a way that you're going to appreciate it, you know? So that's my two cents. Just got to respect your tradition, push it forward, and that's it. That's really it.

[32:27] Jason A. Coombs: And then you're introducing this music to the new generation, because I learned...

[32:30] Brian Newman: Totally.

[32:31] Jason A. Coombs: I was a big Whitney Houston fan when I was a kid. I mean, still am a big Whitney Houston fan.

[32:35] Brian Newman: Still, of course, who's the best?

[32:36] Jason A. Coombs: But I learned about Aretha Franklin from listening to Whitney Houston. Same thing, I loved Christina Aguilera when I was younger, and I got introduced to Etta James, because I was listening to them, and they were sharing that music, too. And I'm like, oh, I want to learn more. I want to expand my palette, you know?

[32:52] Brian Newman: Yeah, no, you're absolutely right. And that goes back to what you were saying, too, about this lineage of this music just comes... It comes all the way from the beginning, you know what I mean? From these old Broadway songs, right into the mainstream America.

[33:05] Jason A. Coombs: Right. So if you could go back in time, or maybe not go back in time, but if you could bring young 12-year-old Brian and have a conversation with him, is there something you want to share with him? Advice you want to give him?

[33:24] Brian Newman: I would just tell him to keep doing it, man. Just not to worry so much, you know what I mean? I feel like I spent a lot of years in New York just like, fuck, what am I going to do? You know what I mean? I got to do this, I got to do that, I got to make this happen. And I would have told myself just to relax, everything's happening for a reason, karma is a thing. You know, like fate is a thing. I mean, fate is a thing, but you can't just sit around and wait for it either. You have to be proactive and put the things in your mind that you want to happen to pro... What is that word? I'm not thinking, but you know what I'm saying, too.

[33:58] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, manifestation.

[34:00] Brian Newman: Manifestation, exactly, exactly.

[34:02] Jason A. Coombs: Speaking of manifestation, is there an artist or a project you want to manifest with us today?

[34:08] Brian Newman: Oh man, I would love... Let's see, what would I want to do? What do I want to do?

[34:12] Jason A. Coombs: Collaboration?

[34:13] Brian Newman: I would... Oh, collaboration.

[34:15] Jason A. Coombs: Anything.

[34:17] Brian Newman: I love Ray. Ray's been killing it.

[34:19] Jason A. Coombs: Oh my gosh, yes.

[34:20] Brian Newman: I love her band, I love her whole vibe is just so classic and she's got a great voice and just a great... Her orchestrators, her arrangers, they're phenomenal. I'd love to play with her, but I'm trying to think what else I would do. If I had a time machine, I'd do a lot of things.

[34:39] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, but as far as collaborations, and I would love to play with an orchestra someday at Carnegie Hall. Let's manifest that.

[34:46] Brian Newman: Let's manifest that.

[34:47] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, I'd love to do that.

[34:48] Brian Newman: Right down the street or up the street, I guess.

[34:50] Jason A. Coombs: Exactly, exactly. I've practiced enough already. How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

[34:56] Brian Newman: Yeah. I think of that saying every time I'm up here, you know what I mean? It's like you walk into... Even being in New York for this long, 23 years, 24 years, it's like walk past all the Broadway plays and all the signage and to be in Times... It's crazy. I know as New Yorkers, we avoid it, but it's always nice to be here.

[35:16] Jason A. Coombs: No, I come here a lot because we've recorded here, but sometimes I'm just like, this is such a magical place.

[35:22] Brian Newman: Oh, it's never lost on you, right, Jason?

[35:24] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[35:25] Brian Newman: You're still in awe of this crazy place that you live.

[35:28] Jason A. Coombs: How fortunate we get to be here.

[35:30] Brian Newman: It is. It's not lost on us.

[35:31] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, it's truly incredible. I think it's easy, especially... I don't like that I do this, but I get down on myself about things or worry about things like you're saying, stop worrying so much. But sometimes...

[35:45] Brian Newman: But everybody does though, Jason. I feel like that's something that they got to understand. It's like no matter where you are, even if you're Ray or Lady Gaga or Tony Bennett, something is happening in your life. There's always something going on and some way to get down on. So don't get down on yourself. I know it's hard. Anyway, I totally cut you off.

[36:05] Jason A. Coombs: No, no. I appreciate that. I need to hear that. But being in New York sometimes, I'm just like, this is like magic. And little me would dream about this. Little me would dream about sitting down with a Grammy Award winner.

[36:19] Brian Newman: Thank you, man. Regular dude.

[36:21] Jason A. Coombs: Being in a studio in the middle of Manhattan, so I don't take it for granted. And I appreciate you saying that.

[36:27] Brian Newman: No, Jason. And sometimes that brings me out of the... A good drive over the bridge and seeing Manhattan will bring me out of any funk. You know what I mean? Like you're coming home on a plane and you see the city or you're driving on the bridge. It's like, oh man, there's the skyline. Shit, that's... I can't believe we live here. This is crazy. You know what I mean? It's crazy.

[36:45] Jason A. Coombs: And I know you grew up in Connecticut. So you were born here, right? You grew up in Connecticut and you've been back and forth, but being here, this is the best place.

[36:53] Brian Newman: Well, I remember just like always coming in as a kid to see a show.

[36:56] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[36:57] Brian Newman: You know? And like, oh, one day I'll live here.

[36:59] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, yeah.

[37:00] Brian Newman: So it's pretty amazing at the end of the day.

[37:02] Jason A. Coombs: So cool, man. Well, you're doing it. That's great. We're here.

[37:04] Brian Newman: Thank you.

[37:05] Jason A. Coombs: We made it. We made it. We're in Times Square on the 17th floor.

[37:08] Brian Newman: Right. With Alan Seals over there.

[37:11] Jason A. Coombs: With Alan Seals, baby. That's good. Yeah. I love it.

[37:15] Brian Newman: Um, how has your definition of success changed over the years as we're talking about, you know, just growing and, you know, being here in this moment and being in New York City?

[37:27] Brian Newman: Oh, man. I think success has changed for me just because I feel like I wanted different things when I was younger. Maybe I thought, you know, I want to famous this and this. You know, all this crazy stuff. You think about that when you're younger. But then as a father, as a husband, it's like I want to just keep doing more music and being able to raise my family in New York and do the fun things that we like to do. And that's really like the that's the just keep building on that. You know what I mean? It's like putting those bricks on the house. You know, it's like this success is I'm extremely successful because I have a beautiful family and I'm able to, you know, we're not millionaires I can do, but we can do fun things. You know what I mean? Like and we can we can spend time together. You know what I mean? I don't know. It's like I look back at my own growth and my upbringing.

[38:19] Brian Newman: You know, my dad was working all the time. We had good times together, but you know, he was working. You know what I mean? Like, and that's hard to... So I try to be more, you know, and I want to be better. Every generation wants to do better than their parents did for them, you know? As great as my parents raised me, I'm not saying anything about that. Yeah, you know, I want to be present. I want to be there. I want to see those cool things that she's doing and, yeah, just have fun, man. Chart your course for adventure. So, yeah, it's very... I'll keep being successful as long as I got those guys. Exactly, good stuff. You get to wake up every day and be an artist. Exactly, exactly. Totally, man, it creates... Yeah, totally, man, and just live the way I want to live. You know, that's the success for me, you know, right?

[39:05] Jason A. Coombs: Well, so we always almost end the interview. I can't believe how fast it goes. You're easy to talk to, Brian.

[39:13] Brian Newman: Great, great.

[39:16] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[39:18] Brian Newman: That's not true. That's not true.

[39:22] Jason A. Coombs: Movies kind of end every episode with a similar question, and it's kind of what the theme of this show is, right? With a light lens. Do you remember the moment where the light landed for you when things changed in your career and it kind of elevated your career or maybe in your personal life? Something happened that took you to the next level for sure?

[39:39] Brian Newman: I definitely remember it. I mean, I was still waiting tables and bartending, but I remember when... I remember Gaga. We were just sitting in St. Jerome's, this bar that I used to bartend at. She used to go-go dance at. They used to throw a party there. I'm not a Lower East Side back in the day before all the fame and all, I mean like the record, the fame and all that stuff. Yeah, and she was like, "Hey, do you want to do the Today Show?" Oh no, this was like she had done the record. Anyway, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm fucking up.

[40:02] Jason A. Coombs: No, you're good.

[40:02] Brian Newman: She had done the record already and she was like, "Hey, do you want to do..." which was the fame, right? Which is the same, the first one. She was like, "Hey, do you want to do..." I think it was... the thing was that Bad Romance and all that. There was a Fame Monster. Hey Monster. So it was Fame Monster era. Okay, I'm sorry. We get Ellen Snip-snap. I remember I was sitting at the bar. She had come out with Fame Monster.

[40:30] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[40:30] Brian Newman: And she started coming, sitting in with me on my gigs at Dwayne Park at the Plaza Hotel. Yeah, and then I remember she asked me, "Hey, do you want to do the Today Show with me? I think I'm gonna do like 'Someone to Watch Over Me' to open up the Today Show thing." And I was like, "Absolutely." You know, I couldn't do what I was like, "What am I gonna say? Of course?" Yeah, we had known each other from the bar for years. I've been seeing her sing and she'd been coming... Anyway, yeah, and she's always amazing.

[40:59] Brian Newman: But yeah, but so it's been like months went by. I didn't hear anything, so I was like, "Oh shit, I'm not doing it. I guess it's cool." It was just a late night, and then we get a call and I went and did that, and that was like... that was so cool. I mean, you get up at like 4 in the morning, go to the Today Show. You know, like that was just crazy to me seeing all the people. My parents drove overnight to come and see it. You know what I mean? Like, yeah, I literally told... I was like, "Please don't." You know what I mean? Like, I can't be worried about where you guys are in Times Square when I'm trying to focus on it. Like, I love you, mom and dad. I love it. But though they came anyway, they didn't bother me. They were great. Not that they would, you know, no.

[41:37] Brian Newman: But I remember seeing that and like just being on there and like then seeing it on TV and just like that was like... that was really cool, man. And that whole bar down there like kind of changed my whole... like I'm not to talk about this for him for, you know, I don't want to beat the dead horse, but like I moved to New York. I was bartending, waiting tables, a manager at a restaurant, was doing all these things, and I found that bar, St. Jerome's, and started hanging out with their... a friend of mine was working there from my old hometown in Cleveland, and it was just an old-school rock and roll bar. But I walked in there and I was like... I'm in a suit because I'm coming from my manager job at the restaurant where I'm hanging out, and like there's like fashion people in there, like young, you know?

I mean, like we were all in our early 20s, but all these people, like not all, but a lot of these people was like a great artist hang. I love that, like whether it was like fashion, music, you know, media, because that media was like blowing up, was starting at the time, you know? So it was like this was like 2005, six, you know, seven, and all this stuff was like Facebook, MySpace, so this is all taking off.

[42:36] Brian Newman: And the land was the first change. Yeah, in the first place I was like, "Oh man, I can just be myself." Like I don't have to fit into this like jazz box that like the jazz community kind of puts you in. You know, if you want to call it a community, you know what I mean? But it's like you... I can do whatever I want. I can bring jazz to the Oak Room at the Plaza or do a burlesque show or play at a rock and roll club. Like it doesn't matter as long as I make this accessible. Like so that... that's when I found the light. Like that whole era, like that 2005, six was like, "Oh man, I'm gonna start singing this stuff. I'm gonna do some rock songs. I'm gonna play trumpet wherever I want." So, you know what I mean?

Like it was that... that was the changing for me. I think I always knew what I wanted to do, but I didn't know how I was gonna do it or what exactly that was gonna... I knew it was me, New York musician, but that was the only goal for me. Yeah, and then once I got here, I was like, "Okay, now what do I want to do and how am I gonna get there so I can make money off this?" Yeah, not have a nine-to-five.

[43:30] Jason A. Coombs: Right, and you're doing it.

[43:34] Brian Newman: You continue to do it. Well, thanks, Jason. There's you too, man. It's good stuff. You and this album is out, and you got the next one lined up already?

[43:41] Brian Newman: Yeah, we're gonna probably... I don't know what we're gonna come out. We got a live at the Cafe Carlyle record that we're gonna put out soon. Yes, we did another one all live to tape. This is all the analog 2-inch tape down in Austin, Texas with some great musicians down there, and that's like... that has like Danzig on it and like Sting and the Police and like all sorts of great stuff on that record.

[44:05] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[44:05] Brian Newman: Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jason. Thank you so much for having me. So fun to meet you.

[44:09] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, we could talk for another hour.

[44:09] Brian Newman: I know, totally, man. Totally. But before we go, I always like to do this segment called "Scoring in a Moment." Okay, let's do it. So if you're like for a movie right now, you're gonna tell me what song would be playing during these moments in your life.

[44:21] Brian Newman: "Flight of the Bumblebee."

[44:25] Jason A. Coombs: Oh!

[44:25] Brian Newman: Yeah, right? Oh, you're right now or like... okay, I'll prompt you. I'll prompt you. Okay, 'cause I'll do it. We'll play during your opening credits of your movie.

[44:31] Brian Newman: Opening credit? Maybe like just doing a scene of like Ohio. Like, I don't know what it will be, but yeah, it would probably be like some sad old Chet Baker song, like probably like, you know, longing for something better. You know what I mean? Like, not that it wasn't bad. I had a great childhood, but I was longing for something different.

[44:39] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[44:39] Brian Newman: Yeah, it would probably be like "New York, New York," maybe that. Maybe like... I know that's a little cheesy, but you know what I mean? Yeah, it's a little... you know, but yeah, definitely. Yeah, let's go with "New York, New York." How about?

[45:02] Jason A. Coombs: Okay. How about on that cruise ship when you're playing trumpet for the first time?

[45:11] Brian Newman: Probably like that... that was probably like... I think I played "All of Me." That was the song that always...

[45:11] Jason A. Coombs: "All of Me"?

[45:15] Brian Newman: "All of Me." Oh, yeah. Why not? Take all of me.

[45:23] Jason A. Coombs: Leaving Ohio for New York.

[45:23] Brian Newman: Oh, I couldn't wait to get out of there. It looks like... let's go with Nirvana.

[45:35] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, "Lounge Act."

[45:38] Brian Newman: All right. Did you fly? You drive?

[45:38] Brian Newman: Oh, we drove in a U-Haul. Yeah, I met a girl in Ohio. We decided to move to New York. Yeah, didn't work out, but we lived together for like six months. She... we split the rent for a little while, you know? It helped me get me here, you know? And everything was cool. We parted separate ways. It's good.

[45:58] Jason A. Coombs: What I love that.

[46:00] Brian Newman: Speaking of women in your life, a song I played when you first met your wife before she became your wife.

[46:05] Brian Newman: "What I Love That." I have dreamed.

[46:09] Jason A. Coombs: Oh!

[46:09] Brian Newman: It's that beautiful Frank Sinatra. Yes, that's her song. Yes, that was our wedding song too.

[46:14] Jason A. Coombs: Really?

[46:15] Brian Newman: Our wedding dance. How have you been married?

[46:15] Brian Newman: We bid us be 14 years in February.

[46:20] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, it's been a minute.

[46:20] Brian Newman: A minute, a minute. I love that. I actually dropped her while we were dancing.

[46:27] Jason A. Coombs: Oh no!

[46:27] Brian Newman: I spun her at our wedding. I spun her and I stepped on her dress. I'm not the best dancer. I'm really not. We tried to best like we're doing like a waltz. I know my... I got like... I'm like six foot four. My long legs are like... I'm a little gangly. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. And she won't let me ever forget. But there's a video. There's a great video and a great picture of like her cousin, her cousin Brucey DJ'd and he got like smoke all over the floor, so it's kind of wet. I'm not gonna say Brucey might be your fault too.

[46:59] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[47:01] Brian Newman: But yeah, I spun her out of this fun and like I totally dropped her and she was... yeah, I ripped her dress. It's okay. She had a costume change.

[47:10] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[47:10] Brian Newman: I love you, babe. I'm sorry.

[47:13] Jason A. Coombs: Then I'm gonna confirm this. Lady Gaga's your daughter's godmother.

[47:13] Brian Newman: Yeah, totally.

[47:19] Jason A. Coombs: How about the song that played when you asked her to be your daughter's godmother?

[47:19] Brian Newman: Oh, let's see. What song would that be? "I'll Get Happy."

[47:24] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, yeah.

[47:30] Brian Newman: That one or... yeah, that... yeah, it's a great one. Yeah, we had a great... that was a great day. The whole family came, all the German on us came up to the church, and you can actually watch the baptism. It's very Godfather-esque.

[47:42] Jason A. Coombs: It's in "Five Foot Two."

[47:45] Brian Newman: Yeah, it's in "Five Foot Two," the whole dog, the whole thing. It's... Sis is in there and everybody's in there. Oh man, it's a... but they did... they got like... we're still friends with the guys that shot it in there. It was like they were like literally like the Godfather scene. No one was... no one was whacked.

[47:53] Jason A. Coombs: No, you don't have to say.

[48:01] Brian Newman: It was a very joyous day. It was a very joyous day. I'm gonna have to get the full footage in there.

[48:06] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, totally, man. Y'all totally bad. It was such a happy time. It was a happy time. Oh, how about after winning a Grammy?

[48:11] Brian Newman: Well, what do we do after that? What do we play after that? We went to... I was trying to think what we play like, um... It's so hard. I know these are tough ones. "Love for Sale."

[48:21] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, yeah.

[48:28] Brian Newman: "Have trumpet will work. Love for Sale."

[48:34] Jason A. Coombs: And how about right now, this chapter of your life right now?

[48:34] Brian Newman: Yeah, I feel like I'm going into my summer vibes. Yes. So like we're... this is my life. This is my life. This is my last... I got one more gig tonight. Now we're doing some private events over the summer, but like I'm taking some time off. Good, and with the family and doing some traveling and beach time. So I got to put that... I got to put that soft rock on from the 80s and late 70s. Let's just go with Boz Scaggs, "Lowdown."

[49:01] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[49:01] Brian Newman: Yeah, we need it. Oh, exactly, exactly.

[49:04] Jason A. Coombs: Oh my gosh, Brian, where can people find you if they're just discovering you for the first time?

[49:08] Brian Newman: Yeah, website, Instagram, all the giving, all the social medias. Website's easy, BrianNewman.com, B-R-I-A-N and Paul Newman, like Paul Newman, N-E-W-M-A-N. And that's my website. Then my Instagram is BrianNewmanNY. Sometimes people call me Brian Newman, Brianne New Manny, but it's Brian Newman NY, New York. There's a guy in Chicago that has my name and he won't sell it.

[49:34] Jason A. Coombs: Come on, Brian Newman from Chicago.

[49:34] Brian Newman: No, I don't want to buy. He's a kid. Oh, he got it before me. I was like, "Man, I'll give you a dollar for every one of your followers." Said no. I was like, "Three grand." Yeah, it's okay. Sorry, Brian Newman. It's all right, right. BrianNewmanNY, and then that's it there. You'll find that's Spotify, Spotify, Brian Newman too, Apple Music, Tidal, Geese, or whatever. I don't even know how many people are... and you can buy a CD on my website too if you want to buy the physical CD, some other swag. We got stickers, we got koozies. Oh my gosh, I brought all the t-shirts. I brought me so much swag today.

[50:08] Jason A. Coombs: Oh man.

[50:10] Brian Newman: Koozie, drinking again, koozie for the summertime. Yeah, I love that. Songs for Lonely Lovers. Listen to it today. Let me know your favorite track.

[50:20] Jason A. Coombs: Yes, you're a Brian fan and just tuning in to me, Jason. We're the Light Lands. You can find us on social media at Where the Light Lands Pod. I'm Jason A. Coombs on all the social media things. We're the Light Lands Pod. I'm Jason A. Coombs on all the social media things. We're the Light Lands Pod. I'm Jason A. Coombs on all the social media things. Where the Light Lands Pod.com. I love it. I love it.

[50:39] Brian Newman: Thank you, thank you.

[50:39] Jason A. Coombs: Oh man, thank you so much for having me, man. It was beautiful, beautiful stuff.

[50:46] Brian Newman: Thanks, guys. You got to autograph it for me. I'm so... I appreciate that. Thank you, thank you.

[50:55] Brian Newman: Thank you, guys.

[50:56] Brian Newman: Thanks for listening.