Relatively Famous – Page 4 – Relatively Famous With Chip White

September 29, 2025October 5, 2025

Freida Parton, Sister of Dolly Parton

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Seems like everyone loves Dolly Parton. She is also one of Vanna’s favorite people and Vanna strives to emulate Dolly’s goodness, kindness and generosity. Plus, Dolly has a fantastic family dinner show in Myrtle Beach, SC called Dolly’s Pirate Voyage Dinner Show.

So when Freida Parton, Dolly’s younger sister responded YES to my request to be a guest I was overjoyed. Including Dolly, Lee and Avie Parton had 12 children. I have struggled to raise just one.

Freida and her twin brother Floyd, who passed away on 12/6/2018, are the 10^th and 11^th children of the Parton Clan., followed by youngest of the siblings Rachel Parton George.

Freida blazes her own path and is amazing to talk with. She has more stories than our time allowed. She recounts writing a song in Hawaii at Dolly’s house on the beautiful white Baby Grand Piano.

Freida has a huge, and I mean huge, catalogue of music. She writes 1-3 songs a day. She told us that Dolly’s even shocked at how many songs she’s written.

Freida has performed, recorded and written music with Dolly, been a regular performer at Dollywood with her sister Stella and has a new LP coming out.

She married young and with her husband co-wrote “Sing for the Common Man” on Dolly’s 9 to 5 LP.

Freida could have been the first Parton to dive head first into Rock & Roll. If you are an 80’s hairband rock fan then you’ll totally rock with Freida’s first album “Two Faced” from 1984. The single’s video, Oriental Doll, played on MTV.

Life has not always been easy for Freida as she’s pursued her musical career. There were some dark roads she had to navigate and demons she had put behind her. She’s tough, talented, and determined to leave her mark on this earth. Freida’s life adventures have produced some great tales to tell, good or bad it’s a life she is happy to share.

https://www.instagram.com/the_real_freida_parton/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/FreidaPartonFans

https://www.dollydiscography.com/freida-parton-discography.html

https://www.facebook.com/people/Freida-Parton/61577998989224

https://piratesvoyage.com

#dollyparton #9to5 #Freidapartonb #dollywood #twofaced #contrymusic #rockandroll #hairbands #myrtlebeach #piratesvoyage #orientaldoll #mtv #vannawhite #hawaii #grandpiano #floydparton #twins #twin #rachelparton

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025

Dixie Griffith, Daughter of Andy Griffith

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It’s difficult to find someone over 30 that is not a fan of Dixie’s father Andy Griffith, star of Matlock and The Andy Griffith show. Sheriff Andy Taylor is a national treasure in my opinion! I know I have been a fan for at least 55+ yrs of my life.

Andy’s musical talents and recordings have crossed multiple decades. His comedy recording of “What it was, was football” will always be classic comedy gold. I once had signed copy of his comedy LP, Andy Griffith Just For Laughs. It was a prize possession that was stolen from my West Hollywood apartment in 1984. Yeah, I’m still mad at that thief.

Dixie shares her life as a kid when they would spend their summers on the Outer Banks of NC where her father was just Andy to local folks, to life in Toluca Lake, CA where dad was a famous film and tv star.

We chat about the effect that The Andy Griffith show has on people, how being a part of the Mayberry family is so gratifying, the different Mayberry events she has participated in, the films Mayberry Man and The Mayberry Effect.

We talk about how good of an actor father really was and how he should have won an Oscar for the Ella Kazan film “A Face in the Crowd”.

She shares how difficult it was for her brother being compared to Opie by the public and losing him at a young age.

I even ask her about the new Matlock with Kathy Bates!

https://www.themayberryeffect.com

September 15, 2025September 22, 2025

Dean Miller, Son of Roger Miller

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Dang Me. I got to have the King of the Road, Roger Miller’s son Dean on the show! Do-Wacka-do is that exciting to me. In 2002 Eve and I saw the Deaf West Production of Big River in LA. The production and the music (though I already knew it from the album) changed my live theater experience for life. I was a fair weather fan of Roger’s until that night. Since then, River in the Rain is probably one of my favorite songs of all time.

Dean responded to a social media message about being a guest, which I’m finding is rare (Dang it). He was game right off the bat and we caught him in the car on the way to his office. Our second in car interview. See Matt Axton episode #38

He has lived a fascinating life, from learning to make his own music and path in the music business. to being a renowned dog trainer. Yeah, dog training was news to me and a fun topic to chat about. I was, “wait, wait a minute you’re a dog trainer? I thought you were a singer, songwriter and producer?” Oo-De-Lally it seemed like he was pranking me at first. He wasn’t.

He talks about how his dad wouldn’t just make a call to the record labels for him, so he had to hustle and prove his talent in order to earn his record deals. Dean is also candid about how if there was a bad deal or move in the record business not to make, or just bad timing and luck, he lived it.

I googled him after our show and Dean is a very talented singer songwriter, yet still honors his father’s legacy and memory by doing some heartfelt covers of his dad’s songs. I also suggest you google Dean Miller songs…

Spending time with Dean is like Walkin in the Sunshine and by the end of the conversation, you feel like Old Friends.

Ok, Dean, I’m sorry about all the corny uses of your dad’s songs in the show notes, but man, they just lend themselves to the great and fun time I had chatting with you! Dean, I can tell ya in This Big Town you’re a Super Star!

Home

https://www.instagram.com/deanmillermusic/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/deanmillerpage/

September 10, 2025September 10, 2025

Guest Appearance: The Little Podcast That Could with Mandy and Todd

I had the pleasure of joining The Little Podcast That Could as a guest, and it was such a meaningful conversation. I opened up about my family, what it’s been like having a life connected to the spotlight, and of course, shared some thoughts about my sister, Vanna. It was a chance to reflect, tell a few stories. Check it out here!

August 11, 2025August 11, 2025

Alison Martino, Daughter of Al Martino

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After almost a year of phone tag and scheduling conflicts I was finally able to get Alison on the podcast. Well before making contact, I had been following a Facebook page “Vintage Los Angeles”. I was / am fascinated by the photos she and followers post. Once I figured out who Alison was and that it was her Facebook page I knew I really needed to have her on the podcast.

Alison’s father, Al Martino was a famous traditional pop and standards singer and actor. Al was part of the last Hollywood crooners and played Johnny Fontane in the film The Godfather.

Having lived in Los Angeles in the early 80s and then again from 1986 to 2005 I was more interested in Alison’s love for preserving the history of Los Angeles and sharing her hometown with the world then chatting about her father. We do chat about Al and what her life was like growing up with him.

Although Alison and I never met while I lived in LA our paths of cool, unique and old Hollywood crossed on many levels. I had so much fun talking about and reminiscing about places no longer there or that are on the verge of disappearing from the landscape.

She has a fantastic love for vintage style, architecture and history. Our conversation reminded me of Episode #5 with Ryan Cassidy, another lover of vintage style and a deep old Hollywood connection.

If you are fascinated by vintage photos and the history of Los Angeles then you will enjoy hearing the passion and energy Alison puts into keeping LA special.

https://www.facebook.com/VintageLosAngeles

https://martinostimemachine.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/alisonmartino1970

https://www.instagram.com/alisonmartino

https://www.vlamerch.com

August 6, 2025August 6, 2025

Guest Appearance: Tom and Dan Live

August 4, 2025August 4, 2025

Jack Baldini, Great-Great Nephew of Enrico Caruso

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The question was asked when I was attending Podfest 2025, “What if you aren’t overshadowed by your famous relative?”. That brought up a great point. Now several of my guests have been in their own sunlight and Jack Baldini is certainly one of them. His Great-Great Uncle Enrico Caruso had passed away before Jack was born. Yet, Jack has this amazing connection to Enrico.

Enrico Caruso is considered one of, if not, the greatest Opera singers of all time. He revolutionized the recording industry as one of the first to recognize the importance and financial opportunities of the vinyl record.

Growing up Jack learned of his great-great uncle from family and became curious to learn more. He learned Caruso was known for his drawings as well as his operatic voice and now looks for original signed Caruso drawings.

Jack talks about collecting his Great-Great Uncle’s art, records and memorabilia even though he himself is not a big Oprea fan. He is a patents, trademark, copyright lawyer in Florida and this after running a successful restaurant for over 20 years.

Let’s talk Opera, food, podcasting and law with Jack Baldini.

July 21, 2025July 21, 2025

Episode 47 – Lena Prima (Louis Prima – Daughter)

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To many a generations Lena’s father is best known for the best song and scenes in the 1967 animated movie The Jungle Book. Yep, Lena Prima is the daughter of the amazing showman Louis Prima aka “King Louis”.

I shared my story of David Lee Roth doing her father’s famous song “Just a Gigolo” and my mother setting me straight that DLR was not the original singer.

Lena is a wonderful performer, recording artist and proud of her father’s legacy while carving her own fan base in the world of music. She did the Rock & Roll / Heavy Metal west coast scene for years, there’s some great photos in the notes, and toured full time with cover bands before finding a musical home in her father’s kingdom of New Orleans.

So on your next trip to The Big Easy be sure to stop in and see Lena at The Hotel Montleone in the French Quarter.

https://www.lenaprima.com

https://www.facebook.com/lenaprimaofficial

https://www.instagram.com/lenaprima

July 14, 2025July 14, 2025

Episode 46 – Bart Noonan (Karl Noonan – Son)

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This is for all the NFL die hard history buffs and Dolphins fans. Bart Noonon’s father Karl Noonon was on the first Miami Dolphins team through the undefeated 1972 season. Bart has some great stories about his dad’s career and life after football.

I met Bart in Charlotte, NC not long after we moved there in 2005. His son and our son were classmates from 1^st grade through 12^th and in Boy Scouts together. We shared some fun camping trips together and a lot of pork smoke cooking for the “Troop 355 best BBQ in the Galaxy “ fundraisers.

Bart was in a dark place for many of the first several years of our friendship. We discuss our drug addiction past and his path out of those days and into the light of God. His faith has taken him from Hell, as we addicts know it, to a life of serving with a ministry for underprivileged kids. Sobriety has also given him a family life that many would wish for.

Football, addiction, God, giving back, a father’s love… These are just a few of the topics we chat about in this episode.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070679910582

West Blvd Ministry

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025

Episode 45 – Tess Frizzell (Shelly West – Daughter)

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I had so much fun talking with Tess Frizzell and learning about life on the road and getting to record a song with her mother Shelly West. I had the pleasure of meeting her mom back in the early 80s when I was a DJ / Bartender / Contest MC at Cowboy’s Nightlife in North Myrtle Beach, SC. She even signed a copy of her “Red Hot” LP for me. I still have it and shared a photo with Tess.

Now Shelly West is not Tess’s only famous relative, oh no, her family tree is a Country Music forest. Her Grandmother Dottie West is a Country Music Hall of Fame Grammy winner. Dottie was the first female country artist to win a Grammy. Let’s not forget the Frizell side of her family. Her dad is Allen Frizzell youngest brother to, and making her Uncles, singing sensation David Frizzell and Country Music Legend, Lefty Frizzell. Lefty is from Corsicana, TX where my wife was born and raised. There is even a statue and museum of Lefty there. We make sure to stop by when we go see family in Corsicana.

Tess grew up on the road with a list of Who’s Who in the country music world. From sneaking onto Willie Nelson’s bus as a very young girl, to being held by Grand Ole Opry stars like Minnie Pearl as baby, too Super Stars babysitting while mom was on stage performing.

She is also a very talented singer and songwriter in her own right. During our conversation I learned Tess is an accomplished portrait artist and painter. Her portraits have been commissioned by families of US Presidents and she has sold amazing portraits of Country Music’s biggest stars. See her website link below for details. I truly hope you enjoy Tess’s conversation as much as I did.

https://www.tessfrizzell.net

https://www.facebook.com/TessFrizzell

@tessfrizzell

Shelly West and her daughter Tess Frizzell

Shelly West and her daughter Tess Frizzell as a child