John Schaefer

What do you think of Stephen Sondheim’s work? Tell Soundcheck.

I missed the first wave of ska in the 60s, but like almost everyone in the 70s I knew reggae because of Bob Marley.

Every parent eventually faces the question, “Why is the sky blue?” from their kids. I heard it this past weekend from my 14-year old daughter.

What do you think of the teen idol phenomenon? Tell Soundcheck.

Do you have a favorite independent label – one whose taste you generally trust? Tell Soundcheck.

Do you find program notes helpful before hearing a concert or a recording? Tell Soundcheck.

Has music made your visit to the dentist any easier? What did you listen to? Tell Soundcheck.

Which country do you think has the better musical theater, the U.S. or the U.K.? Tell Soundcheck.

Have you ever been a tour manager? Or a musician with a tour manager horror story? Tell Soundcheck

Will you miss Malcolm McLaren? Will music? Tell Soundcheck.

Do you have a favorite use of the vocoder in music? Tell Soundcheck.

Most people, especially those of us living in large urban environments, would say that we like to take a break from all the noise. And most of us would be wrong.

What’s your favorite baseball music – to hear, or to sing? Tell Soundcheck.

Do you like live music in restaurants? Why or why not? Tell Soundcheck.

What do you think of the banjo? Is it annoying or awesome? Tell Soundcheck.

What, if anything, should be done to support orchestras, museums, and arts organizations struggling in a tough economy?

What impact – for good or ill – do you think the trio of David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed had on music? Tell John Schaefer and Soundcheck.

When an artist dies, no one wants their art to do with them. That’s why estates – whether family-based or not –oversee what happens to a writer’s books or plays, a musician’s songs and recordings, an artist’s sketches and studies, etc.

Are there computerized voices that have been useful to you? Or are they paving the way for the destruction of the human race? We're serious. Tell Soundcheck.

Were you a Deadhead? What was the experience like? Do you see parallels to today’s music industry? Soundcheck would appreciate an answer.