Celebrity – Relatively Famous

November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Karen Knotts, Daughter of Don Knotts

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Karen Knotts father was the top notch, first rate, five time Emmy winner, comedic actor known around the world as Deputy Barney Fife, Leader of the Apple Dumpling Gang, The Incredible Mr. Limpet and Three’s Company Mr. Furley, yep Karen’s father is actor Don Knotts.

My friend and writer / director of the documentary “The Mayberry Effect” connected me with Karen and Dixie Griffith (Episode #51) telling me what a wonderful person Karen truly is and how I should make sure to get her on the show.

After a few hiccups we were finally able to connect and make it happen.

Karen was a Librarian for most of her career, I know it sounds like a setup for an “Andy Griffith Show” set-up. She now is a standup comic, actress and loves sharing stories about her father and her career path. We did chat a lot about her family life growing up, and what her one woman show is about. We also reflected on Don and his career in film and tv, what a great father he was and just how good of an actor he really was.

Karen loves being a part of the Mayberry Family, meeting fans of the Andy Griffith Show and hearing how her father and the show touched their lives. It has had a lasting impact on my life. She is also thrilled when his Three’s Company fan base shares stories and their love for her dad with her.

I have watched clips of Karen’s comedy and show and I have to say if she is playing in a town near you, get tickets and check out her show.

So I’m going to “Nip it in bud” and end these show notes here so you can jump right into Karen’s episode.

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

Brandon Osmond, Son of Donny Osmond

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I am going to go ahead and admit it right here, right now. Growing up my sister and I had several 45s of Brandon’s father’s family band. Yes we were fans of The Osmonds, Donny as a solo and as a family we watched The Donny & Marie Show. Vanna was even a guest on Donny & Marie’s talk show several years ago.

In this episode I have a fantastic conversation with Brandon Osmond, son of Donny Osmond.

I was introduced to Brandon by our sponsor visitmyrtlebeach.com and after almost 6 months of back and forth we were finally able to lock in a date to record. I wasn’t sure what to expect because in my mind I assumed it would be a bubbly Osmond interview. What I found out was Brandon is a very down to earth family man working hard to establish his career and provide a great life for his children. He is also very aware of the Osmond legacy. He is super family oriented, proud of the mark The Osmonds have left on the music world and very in tune with the shifts both up and down of his father’s career.

We talked about his time in Myrtle and working with Visit Myrtle Beach. Yes, a shameless plug.

I loved the story he tells of Michael Jackson calling his dad and the impact that call had on his perspective of his father’s career. We chat about the joy he experienced as kid hanging out backstage during Donny’s Broadway days as the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

This episode is one that you really must listen to or watch on YouTube, I really can’t do justice trying to summarize our conversation in show notes. When Brandon’s book comes out I think I may have to have him on again for a part 2. Or maybe one of his 4 brothers would be fun.

So forgive the shortness of my description and jump into the world of Brandon Osmond, son of Donny, nephew of Marie, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay and Jimmy.

myrtlebeach #donnyosmond #theosmonds #onebadapple #donnyandmarie #marieosmond #utah #michaeljackson

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October 13, 2025October 13, 2025

Holland King, Sister of Marcus King

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Back in Episode #30 we interviewed Marcus King’s father, Marvin King. In this episode we get a glimpse into the world of being Marcus King’s sister, Holland King. I love taking with siblings because I can relate to a shadow cast and looking for our sunshine.

Although Holland does play a little saxophone she is not musically enthralled like her dad and brother. Holland loves Rock & Roll but has no desire to be center stage.

Holland will proudly tell you “I’m blue collar and I’m the fighter of family”. To hear her talk about trying to get Marcus to put down his guitar come outside and play or climb a tree or even jump off the roof is hilarious. She says, nope he would sit on the porch and watch, cause all he wanted to do was just play his guitar.

Holland tells us growing up she was living in a house where all she heard was guitar plucking and picking. She laughs now but she tells us somedays back then all she wanted was to be seen and heard, but all there was, was dad and Marcus’s guitars a plucking and a picking. Now when she and Marvin get together, he’ll sit the guitar down and enjoy their time together talking.

When Holland says she’s Blue Collar, she means it. Holland is a spitfire, no holds barred dump truck driver! She loves it!!! But has plans to sign on as tour bus driver for an unnamed rock band.

She loves driving her trucks, being a single mom to her two boys and getting quality time with father, brother and family.

We also had a serious conversation about standing in the shadow and feeling invisible when the show is over and fans swarm Marcus and his dad.

Well Holland, thanks to Relatively Famous, both you and I are no longer invisible and we telling our stories loud and proud.

#ericclapton #stevierayvaughn #dumptruck #bluecollar #singlemom #truckdriver #roadie #guitarpickin #eminem #jellyroll #chrisstapelton #tourmanager #tourbusdriver #manmoney #dumptruckdriver

October 6, 2025

Patricia Vonne, Sister of Robert Rodriguez

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Patricia Vonne is the sister of Texas filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, a legendary director / writer that turned a low budget feature film into a trilogy of hit movies… Robert’s films include El Mariachi, Desperado, Once Upon A Time In Mexico, Spy Kids and Sin City among others.

The Rodriguez Family are from San Antonio where Patricia and her 9 siblings grew up in house filled with love, music and respect. So when Patricia came to visit her parents here in San Antonio, we were lucky she was available for an in-studio conversation.

First, not only is Patricia tall and stunning, she’s also charming, full of life, energy and positivity. She is a Rock Star, no really she is a legitimate ROCK STAR. With years of world tours under her belt, 10 albums (CDs & streaming), songs in many of Robert’s films and a prolific catalogue of songs she has written, you can see why I say she is a legit rock star.

Oh and she is an award winning animated filmmaker, artist, world traveler and she crushes it on the castanets. She even gave me a little live lesson.

Sitting across from each other at Nelco Comics we talk about her music, the influences for her songs she sings in Spanish, her rock and folk songs and the songs featured in movies. We had a chance to discuss some mutual musicians we know, “The Cruzados / Tito and the Tarantulas”, and the impact they had on both of our lives.

Like Episode #52, our interview with Freida Parton, they both come from large families where music always filled the house. With Robert around filmmaking, with a camcorder, was also part of life in The Rodriguez household.

Particia lets us in on Rodriguez family stories, life in a big family, plus how and when she discovered her mother was a flamenco dancer. Her big sister convinced Patricia to follow her to New York City to experience life outside of San Antonio. There she was quickly spotted by a talent agent and started modeling. It was also in NYC where she really began her professional musical journey.

Patricia does not take her music or performing for granted. She knows just how blessed she is to have her amazing music, film and art career.

Eve and I went to see Patricia perform at Jazz TX at The Pearl in San Antonio. Before that she and I had been playing phone / email tag about her being on the podcast. Afterwards I knew she had to be a guest on the podcast. In the talent world there are people that have it and those that don’t. Patricia, she has it, whatever it is, she has it…

Patricia Vonne – Sister of Robert Rodriguez

WELL, here she is and I couldn’t be more thrilled, ENJOY…. Ladies and gentleman, Patricia Vonne!

https://www.patriciavonne.com

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

https://www.facebook.com/patricia.vonne

https://www.youtube.com/user/patriciavonne

#particiavonne #roberrodriguez #elmariachi #desperado #sincity #spykids #castanets #rockstar #sanantonio #jazztx #largefamily #10siblings #thepearlsa #jazztxsa #nyc # flamenco #flamencodancer #dannytrejo #titolarriva #thecruzados #titoandtarantula #art #shortfilm #movies #filmmaker #artist #singer #songwriter #antoniobandera #chrisisaak

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!

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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

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https://www.vlamerch.com

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.