Podcasts have been around for quite awhile, but recently the number of podcasts available on streaming sites has exploded. A big part of this is because of the large chunk of media talent that has been either laid off or fired due the failure of large legacy networks. A lot of podcasters are former producers or on-air talent from decimated radio stations or TV outlets. This has led to the rise of new podcasts that feature fresh and genuine content that actually serves the community. Music Makers San Diego is one such podcast.
Gary Lee at KSON in 2019.
Music Makers San Diego is a podcast hosted by Gary Lee that features original songwriters from the San Diego area. Gary interviews the guests about their story and the music scene in San Diego, and also lets them perform three of their songs on the air. Music Makers San Diego has been on the air for almost three years and Gary says he has interviewed around 200 guests in that time. He seems to know everybody, and everybody knows him. He says he has had the pleasure of interviewing San Diego’s best singer/songwriters including Roni Lee, Whitney Shay, Ash Easton and his favorite Jeff Berkley. The show has a fun and casual nature, but features insightful tidbits from the artists.
Gary got his start in radio in the 70s after going to college in Boston. “I went to broadcast school in Fort Lauderdale after I graduated with a bachelors of Science degree in sociology. Then, I traveled around the country for a few months with a friend and then went down to Florida where my parents had migrated. One day I saw a broadcast school and it was something that I had always wanted to do – to be a DJ – so I asked my parents ‘After you spent all that money for college, how would you like to put me through broadcast school?’ And they said OK!”
Whitney Shay and Aaron Lind with Gary Lee
Gary landed radio gigs in North Carolina and Texas before eventually ending up at KSON in San Diego. That’s where he spent the bulk of his time and developed the connections that he still uses to this day. His unique position has enabled him to earn an “All-Access Pass” into the behind-the-scenes world of our local music scene. He says the community is like no other he has ever seen.
“The wonderful thing about San Diego is the music community, it’s not a competitive community at all – like I’ve heard about other cities – and there are artists that are in 3 or 4 different bands. And that’s something that the artists have told me also, that this music community is like no other. Everybody supports each other. You know, I go to all the shows and I see all the artists there.”
Gary says he goes to shows just about every week to keep tabs on the local music scene. He hangs out in OB a lot with its collection of live music venues like The Holding Company, Winston’s and The Harp. Wineries are also a hot spot for singer/songwriters, which he frequents a lot. Music Makers San Diego is produced weekly can be found on all streaming platforms. You can also find Gary at musicmakerssd@instagram where he records a weekly calendar of suggested music shows.
