Hollywood – Relatively Famous

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

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

June 30, 2025June 29, 2025

Episode 44 – Cindy Cash ( Johnny Cash – Daughter)

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Cindy Cash the third daughter of Johnny Cash and his first wife Vivian Liberto is our guest on this episode of Relatively Famous. Cindy chats about her life as a daddy’s girl and really getting to know her father when she started touring with him. She would spend her school months at their remote hilltop home in Casitas Springs, California and summer in Tennessee or on tour with her dad, June and their children. Cindy loved the hilltop home with it’s amazing 360 views and wildlife of rattlesnakes and coyotes, even if was a tough and lonely place to grow up.

Following in her dad’s path Cindy loved to sing and would often join Johnny on stage. She even did a mini tour with Kathy Twitty and Peggy Lynn as “The Next Generation”. I’m not sure there is a greater love than the love Cindy has for her father Johnny. She has many memories and mementos our her fathers and she is sharing both with his fans. There was a recent auction and Cindy has plans for more.

I so loved chatting with Cindy and do hope to visit with her next time I happen to be in Nashville. Cash is King and Cindy is a lovely princesses in the Royalty Country Music Cash Family.

https://www.cindycash.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1289456/
https://www.instagram.com/johnnycash/?hl=en
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivian_Cash

June 23, 2025June 22, 2025

Episode 43 – Justin Lloyd (Jim Varney – Nephew)

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“Hey Vern, check out my Nephew Justin is on Relatively Famous podcast”… The character of Ernest with his trademark “Hey Vern”, portrayed by actor Jim Varney was a national advertising phenomenon and loved comedy movie star. His films Ernest goes to camp and Ernest saves Christmas are still great family friendly movies in a world of violent action films.

Justin Lloyd, is Jim’s nephew and remembers growing up with this really cool uncle who just happen to be famous. It was the 80s and Jim would pick up Justin in his Deloren for drives around town. Like what could have been a scene in the movie Back to the Future they would pull up to the gas station blaring classical music, open the two gullwing doors and Jim would exit the Deloren as if he were Doc Brown.

Now there is a resurgence of “Ernest” commercials popping up and a renewed interest in Justin’s book “The Importance of Being Ernest: The Life of Actor Jim Varney”. There’s talks of a documentary and maybe even a bio pic.

Justin has great respect and love for his Uncle Jim and enjoys talking about his life with him, his memories of Jim and possible new ventures highlighting Jim’s life and career. Funny thing is after we recorded our episode Justin found a New York Daily News article by Liz Smith from 1987 reporting that Jim had asked Vanna to be in his next film. I had a great time talking with Justin and hope you’ll get a kick out this episode. Share the joy of Ernest with Justin and go buy his book.

https://www.facebook.com/beingernestbook
https://a.co/d/1E0Gsfy

May 19, 2025May 22, 2025

Episode 41 – Kelly Knievel (Evel Knievel – Son)

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All I have to say is the name Knievel and 80% of the world’s population will know exactly who I’m talking about. The World’s Greatest Daredevil, Master Showman and Hollywood legend Evel Knievel…

In this episode we meet Evel’s non-daredevil son Kelly Knievel. Kelly is also the brother of the late motorcycle daredevil Robbie Knievel. Robbie followed Evel in his love of motorcycle stunts and Kelly went for the non-bone breaking business side of showmanship.

Kelly lives in Las Vegas and works hard to keep the Knievel name and legacy alive. He is spearheading a new Evel Knievel Museum to be located in Vegas.

While Robbie followed his dad’s passion for motorcycle jumping, Kelly thrives in Evel’s other obsession, GOLF! Most days Kelly can be found on the course crushing drives and sinking 20 ft putts.

In this episode Kelly tells the tale of his father, a man from Butte, Montana who at 28 yrs old, was the father four and needed a career that would support his family. A natural showman, Robert Craig Knievel invented a Death Defying Motorcycle Daredevil and in the process became a worldwide celebrity known as Evel Knievel.

https://evelknievel.com

https://www.evelknievelmuseum.com

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0460773

https://www.facebook.com/evelknievel

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025

Episode 37 – Linda Gail Lewis (Jerry Lee Lewis – Sister)

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Linda Gail is the younger sister of Rock & Roll Legend Jerry Lee Lewis. She is also a cousin to the late country music star Mickey Gilley and tv evangelist Jimmy Swaggart. That’s a whole lot of talent and fame from one family out of the little ole’ town of Ferriday, LA. Linda Gail now lives in Austin, TX and still performs locally and around the world. She started her career singing and playing with her brother Jerry Lee at age 14. Together they toured the world, wrote hit songs and cut records as a duet. She and Jerry Lee had a wonderful brother sister relationship that extended way beyond just performing together. This is evident in the song she wrote to her brother after his death and the video for “I Knew That You Were Leaving”.

A friend of mine happen to catch Linda Gail playing at the famed Gruene Hall in Gruene, TX one Saturday. He told her of the podcast, got her number and the next thing know she’s an amazing guest on Relatively Famous. She even forgave me when I made a very bad faux pas about Jerry Lee. Thank you Linda Gail!

Because she toured with Jerry, Linda Gail has met some of music’s biggest stars including Elvis Presley and developed a friendship with Tom Jones that she still fondly cherishes to this day.

https://www.lglmusic.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEu437j_-is
https://www.instagram.com/officiallindagaillewis/?hl=en
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Bj9FwLkEXYhZRgskLhvDX

March 3, 2025March 3, 2025

Episode 33 – Gabriel Cannon (Nick Cannon – Brother)

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While researching potential guests I ran across a post on Nick Cannon’s brother Gabriel Cannon winning the TV show Claim to Fame. Having worked with Nick early in his career on the Nickelodeon show Snick House. I knew I had to ask Gabriel if he would be a guest on my podcast. During our interview I discovered Gabriel is an amazing young man who has stood in the Hollywood limelight with his brother, toured with Mariah Carey, has music in his blood and knows the value of giving back in-order to live a fulfilled life. He stepped away from the Hollywood hustle, went to Bible college, now mentors some of societies most troubled youth and has plans for a youth camp to help these kids who went down or are on the wrong path. I promise you Gabriel’s enthusiasm for life will lift your day and make you ask yourself, what can I do to help America’s lost kids?

February 24, 2025February 24, 2025

Episode 32 – Scott Cooper (Leonard Nimoy – Cousin)

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Scott Cooper is not only Spock’s cousin, he is an amazing and successful artist who spent years hiding the family claim to fame. What tales Scott has of growing up a poor white art student in a tough black – Puerto Rican neighborhood of NYC. His childhood was literally where the film Warriors was based on. Scott moved to Los Angeles to ply his craft on the cartoon He-Man only to arrive in LA and discover there was no job waiting. All the animation had moved to Korea.

He is a master at adapting, learning and teaching new technology in the art world, think photoshop and 3D printing before photoshop was a household word and 3D printers were east to access.

Scott also spend those Hollywood years rubbing elbows with his Rock & Roll heroes where his wife ran a well know rehearsal studio. His art hangs in homes and galleries around the world. We were lucky to have Scott in the Nelco Comics podcast studio to share his story before he moved to Vietnam where he’ll teach art and technology to rising Vietnamese art students. He also had one of the premiere Star Trek memorabilia collections. In this episode Scott will fill you in on his Trekkie journey and how he just can’t escape the Nimoy legacy. https://www.behance.net/Inknstein