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Meet Michael B
Tonic: The Funky Groove Show is produced and hosted by Michael Bendure ("Michael B"), a longtime funk fan who retired from a professional communications career in 2021 to concentrate on his music and artistic outlets.
40 Minutes of Funk is available on all podcast streaming outlets.
Michael is also an avid abstract painter who displays and sells his colorful artwork around the metro Oklahoma City area. His love of funk music has spread into his paintings, some of which are part of an expanding body of works called Funk Art that are inspired by the feelings and lyrics of funk music (Prince and Parliament Funkadelic, for example). Some of his artwork has been incorporated into album covers by Redtenbacher's Funkestra.
He is an award-winning writer, photographer, and singer/songwriter who performs regularly throughout the Norman area in local bands Eventides, The Whiskey Gingers, Heartbreak Rodeo, The HoHoHos, and others. Given his love of music and ties to funk and jazz, in particular, Michael B has served as occasional emcee of Norman's annual Jazz in June Festival.
Michael also produces and hosts 40 Minutes of Funk, an interview podcast focusing on funk practitioners, their philosophies, and their music. The podcast launched its first episode on August 19. 2021 and features funk artists and experts from numerous generations and backgrounds across the globe in an effort to educate and elevate listeners. Each episode includes interviews and original recordings so listeners can get to know funk artists a little better and hear their own contributions to the funk scene. Past guests have included Mark Lettieri and Shaun Martin from Snarky Puppy, Rustee Allen (Sly and the Family Stone), Giacomo Turra, Jimmy James, Nikki Glaspie, Piya Malik (Say She She), and many others.
When he's not researching or producing new Tonic or 40 Minutes of Funk episodes, he is often adding to his growing funk and jazz vinyl record collection.
Starting in spring 2025, he can be found spinning funk records every fourth Thursday night each month at The Sound Bar in Oklahoma City, 7-9 PM.
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