Hosted by Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, get up close and personal with fascinating people who live in and visit the Coachella Valley and have made an impact on the region's economy, culture and global appeal as a leading tourism destination.
Many thanks to our outstanding listeners from throughout the Golden State, North America and around the world. And, a very special note of gratitude to our friends Skip Paige and Kate Spates for hosting us at Little Bar in Palm Desert, CA, and to the fine staff at the McCallum Theatre, without whose segment sponsorship this program would not be made possible to bring you every single week. Please support these enterprises as doing so helps support our ability to deliver hours of entertainment each month to our loyal followers.
Joe Croyle, Musician | Piano Bars, Vegas Stages, and Backstage Stories
Musician Joe Croyle joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Mary Ann Halpin, his wife of 42 years, for a conversation spanning piano bars, Las Vegas stages, and Hollywood memories. From his beginnings with The Young Americans to performing alongside Ann-Margret, Jim Nabors, and Sally Struthers, Joe shares the stories behind a lifetime in entertainment. He recalls a baton mishap on The Ed Sullivan Show, Christmas caroling in Scrooged and The Addams Family, and his work with The Modernaires. In a moving account, he remembers performing with Cass Elliot at the London Palladium and the aftermath of her death. Recorded at Skip Paige’s Little Bar, this episode blends marital banter, backstage recollections, and Joe’s continuing passion for music in the Coachella Valley with humor and heart.
Takeaways:
The Young Americans launched Joe’s performing career.
An Ed Sullivan baton mishap became a memorable recovery.
Joe learned Ann-Margret’s show in just hours.
Vegas entertainers enjoyed late-night shows and backstage camaraderie.
Christmas caroling brought film roles and lasting residuals.
Joe recalls Cass Elliot’s performances and loss.
Friendship with Sally Struthers extended beyond the stage.
Music and humor weave through Joe’s marriage.
#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #JoeCroyle #MaryAnnHalpin #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #PianoBars #LasVegas #YoungAmericans #AnnMargret #JimNabors #SallyStruthers #CassElliot #LondonPalladium #TheModernaires #PalmSpringsFollies #MusicStories
26 Oct 2026
Deven Green & Handsome Ned Douglas, Performers | Making Music, Mischief, and Room for Everyone
Performers Deven Green and Handsome Ned Douglas join Patrick Evans at Skip Paige’s Little Bar for a conversation connecting comedy, music, marriage, and community. Deven traces her path from professional figure skating to comedy and RuPaul’s Drag Race, while Ned shares studio stories involving Dave Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Katy Perry, and Celine Dion. Together, they reveal how complementary talents fuel their songwriting, outrageous books, and interactive entertainment. Hear how their bingo gatherings spark friendships, support local businesses, and connect fellow artists. They also discuss LGBTQ acceptance, creative boundaries, their Palm Springs proclamation, and the kitten who chose them. With wit and affection, this episode explores what happens when two creative partners use their talents to bring people together and share the spotlight with their community.
Takeaways
Complementary talents strengthen their creative and romantic partnership.
Bingo builds friendships and supports local businesses.
Ned shares studio stories behind celebrated recording artists.
Deven connects figure skating with storytelling and comedy.
Their humor pushes boundaries without embracing mean spirits.
LGBTQ advocacy centers on acceptance and equality.
Creative boundaries make room for more fulfilling work.
Animal shelter fundraising leads to another kitten adoption.
#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #HandsomeNedDouglas #DevenGreen #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #PalmSprings #Comedy #LiveMusic #Songwriting #CreativePartnership #CommunityBingo #LGBTQAcceptance #AnimalRescue #DaveStewart #StevieNicks #RuPaulsDragRace
19 Oct 2026
Pepe Serna, Actor | Hollywood Stories and the Art of Saying Yes
Actor Pepe Serna brings Hollywood stories and a lifetime of saying “yes, and” to Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Friends. Joining Patrick at Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert, guest co-host Mary Ann Halpin, a local photographer and performer, explores Serna’s journey from Corpus Christi to the movies. Serna recalls studying improv with Del Close, working with Gregory Peck, and landing his unforgettable role in Scarface through his friend Edward James Olmos. He also shares how his wife inspired his painting, why he helps fellow actors find opportunities, and what teaching improv reveals about human potential. With reflections on his book and documentary, Life Is Art, this conversation celebrates creativity, generosity, lasting love, and the freedom of letting go of judgment.
Takeaways:
Saying “yes, and” opens possibilities onstage and off.
Improv starts with listening and supporting your scene partners.
Edward James Olmos helped Serna land Scarface.
Generosity guides Serna’s relationships with fellow actors.
His wife inspired his lifelong passion for painting.
Creative fulfillment matters more to Serna than stardom.
Teaching improv helps others discover their storytelling abilities.
Releasing self-judgment makes room for connection and creativity.
#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #PepeSerna #MaryAnnHalpin #Actor #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #Scarface #LifeIsArt #Improv #HollywoodStories #EdwardJamesOlmos #DelClose #GregoryPeck #LatinoActors #PalmDesert #Creativity
Who has been a guest on Big Conversations, Little Bar
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Andrea Carter
Laurilie Jackson
Alan Gitlin
Frank Furino
Del Shores
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
74
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
Host of Big Conversations, Little Bar?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
