Meet Amanda Cadran & Kevin Hogan | Co-Hosts and Producers

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Cadran and Kevin Hogan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
All That Jam podcast is the vision of Kevin Hogan, and me, his co-host. We are both very dedicated music fans who also have a lot of experience in the music media arena, either through other radio shows, print work, or online features.

What Kevin and I felt was missing in the jambands music scene was a lighthearted weekly show. Think of a variety show, but based around music. Interviews, upcoming tours, community spotlights, and a lot of listener participation wrapped up in 30 minutes a week – we are current and lively, something that people can listen to as they are driving to work on Mondays or getting their week started.

Using our own networks and love for music, we decided to give it a try and start All That Jam podcast. It’s been great, and we are really excited to see where it takes us!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My music name is PhDJ, because in addition to All That Jam podcast, I also host a weekly show on Homegrown Radio called The Bar-Line shift. I DJ events and weddings when I can, and maybe most randomly, I do happen to have a PhD in Instructional Technology. My first radio show was called Ice Cream for Your Ears, which was on WLVR-fm fm (PA) from 1998-2002, and I also worked at WDIY-fm during that time period in their news division as a producer.

I run a research program for school districts during the daytime, and nights/weekends are reserved for music! Seeing live music has been a passion of mine since I was in high school, and being able to speak with the artists I respect, plus others who are working so hard to keep our scene going, is the best thing I could imagine being able to do. In other areas of the music world, I am a grateful contributor to several music fanzines: The El Goose Times and Surrender to the Flow, which is a great way to stay involved and help share out what we love so much about music. I get to pop onto WookPlus every so often, which was founded by my co-host Kevin Hogan and his team, and have a fantastic time talking about setlists and stats for Phish there. They do a great job of bringing the show experience online; can’t say enough about all of these incredibly dedicated and caring people who put in a lot of work.

It is important to mention the role that mental health awareness has played in my personal journey. I live with a generalized anxiety disorder that at times causes me to have to slow down, breathe, and use different techniques to move forward. It’s not all bad though! Because of this, I am really motivated, pay attention to others and how they are feeling, and care tremendously about the work I do. I wouldn’t change this part of myself, but think it is important to acknowledge that myself and many others must be aware of our needs on a daily basis.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many things to do in the Denver area!

For me, the focus is always going to be on eating and seeing music.

The first thing I would do is check out Westword’s music calendar and see who is playing in Denver and the surrounding areas. There is always something to do!

Here would be a few highlights, and must-see places:

Eat/Drink:

Denver has great restaurants! I couldn’t possibly name all of them, but a few that I love are:

Gaetano’s in the Highlands is simply the best Italian food with the ambience that makes me remember home, back in NJ.

Apple Blossom – Really thoughtful American seasonal menus with Colorado influences.

Post Oak – Delicious BBQ! Need I say more?!

Make sure you get some food at Esters Neighborhood Pub, which now has a few locations in the area!

Jovanina’s Broken Italian – Wood-fired, homemade pastas – a great place to bring friends and family.

Nocturne – this hits both categories. It’s a great live jazz lounge with fantastic cocktails and really delicious desserts.

Mead St. Provisions is a butcher shop, market, eatery & cocktail bar. Their staff is simply the best, and will always treat you well.

Finally, you’ve got to stop by Lou’s Italian Market. Not only can you get some incredible sandwiches there, but they have a very thoughtfully curated market. Don’t miss this one!

Music:
For me, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom is quintessential Denver music space. The ballroom and Other Side are like going home for me; every night they are open you can find fantastic music. They are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year, too.

For a larger feel, but still a great spot, the Mission Ballroom in RiNO is fun, and the LeftHand Brewing location there has a great menu that pairs a lot of American classics with an Asian flair.

Other venues that I always love are:
The Gothic, a former movie theater that was built in the 1920s

Dazzle is a great jazz club that has been really active before and during the pandemic; hosting virtual shows, and they will run incredible residencies, too

Ophelia’s is another great hang that has regular brunch events and always a lot going on!

Places to hang:
I love Union Station. Sometimes I will take RTD and work from there during the day. It has a little bit of everything, from great coffee, to sandwiches and then a post-work beverage at the Terminal Bar. And the Crawford Hotel is gorgeous – such a great place to stay.

Revival Public House in Denver has not only a great menu, but regular music from some of the best Denver-based musicians including recurring music nights.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It is really important to acknowledge that there are so many talented people in the music scene. Artists, other media outlets, and our own network of friends and acquaintances; everyone has been so supportive and encouraging.

For everyone who has agreed to come on the show, or shared an answer to a question in our listener participation segments, to the organizations who contributed to our holiday shopper guide, we would not have a show without you!

A partial list of the artists we have worked with for All That Jam is below, with more scheduling every week!

Dopapod, Guerilla Toss, TAND, The Jauntee, Barry ‘The Fish’ Melton, Jeff Pherson, Space Bacon, Ghost Light, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Spafford, Mike Dillon, Toni Brown, and more!

Website: www.allthatjampod.com

Instagram: @allthatjampod

Twitter: @allthatjampod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@allthatjam4881

Other: Amanda’s personal website: www.thephdj.co

Image Credits
Ali Jay Multimedia