Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives

Karyn Rosenberg
  • 5.0 (11)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS

Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives is a podcast that goes beyond the spotlight to explore the real stories behind tribute musicians and the creative forces who keep iconic music alive. Hosted by psychotherapist and music lover Karyn Rosenberg, each episode is a deep, personal conversation with tribute band artists, venue owners, photographers, and others in the music world. Together, they talk about identity, passion, and the meaningful lives people build through music — even when they’re performing someone else’s songs. Because it’s not just about the cover. It’s about the calling. It’s about finding your own voice in borrowed notes. Whether you’re a fan of tribute bands, a creative soul chasing your own sound, or someone who finds meaning in music, this show is your backstage pass.

Episodes

  1. 22H AGO

    Closer to the Heart: Honoring Rush with Billy Alexander of YYNOT

    🎧 Episode 4 In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Billy Alexander — songwriter, producer, and guitarist of the Rush tribute band YYNOT — for a thoughtful conversation about influence, evolution, and what it really means to carry a musical legacy forward. Billy shares how his passion for music began at a young age, shaped early on by bands like Kiss and Rush. What started as admiration eventually became identity, guiding him not only into tribute performance, but into writing and producing original music of his own. Together, Karyn and Billy explore the emotional and technical demands of playing Rush live, the importance of authenticity on stage, and why YYNOT is committed to performing without backing tracks. They talk about camaraderie within the band, the creative flow behind songwriting, and how balancing music with real life keeps everything grounded. Billy also reflects on his upcoming single, “Enemy,” a song that explores themes of human connection and understanding, and offers encouragement to aspiring musicians navigating their own path. This conversation honors Rush’s legacy through a Rush tribute band YYNOT while celebrating the ongoing journey of creating music that feels both borrowed and deeply personal. https://www.instagram.com/b1gtralexander/ https://www.instagram.com/yynotband/ https://www.billyalexander.net https://www.facebook.com/billyalexandermusic https://www.facebook.com/YYNOTBAND

    1 hr

  2. JAN 29

    Can’t Stop: The Art of Playing Red Hot Chili Peppers Live

    What does it really take to bring the raw, chaotic, funk-driven energy of the Red Hot Chili Peppers to life on stage? In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Cameron Dergham, founder and guitarist of The Chili Poppers, a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band and Remake Yourself, an Incubus tribute band. Cameron is known for delivering faithful, high-energy performances that capture the spirit of RHCP and Incubus. Cameron shares how his passion for the Chili Peppers evolved from admiration to embodiment — and what it means to honor a band whose music is equal parts chaos, precision, vulnerability, and fire. He also talks about his other project as the lead singer of an Incubus Tribute band, and how he balances his gigs and work/family life. Together, they explore identity, musicianship, stage presence, and the deeper meaning behind paying tribute while still living an authentic creative life. This episode is about funk, intention, and the art of showing up fully — night after night — for the music that changed everything. https://www.instagram.com/thechilipoppers/ https://www.facebook.com/TheChiliPoppers https://www.instagram.com/remakeyourselftribute

    59 min

  3. JAN 17

    The Pretender? Never. Harley Mitchell Is the Real Deal

    🎧 Episode 2 – The Pretender? Never. Harley Mitchell Is the Real Deal In this episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg sits down with multi-instrumentalist, content creator, and all-around powerhouse Harley Mitchell. From the Foo Fighters tribute band Foo Fight to her original releases “Here I Am” and “Spin,” Harley brings a fierce sense of authenticity to everything she does — whether she’s on bass, behind a drum kit, rapping with bOunce, or connecting with her 40K+ TikTok followers. In this conversation, Harley opens up about: How she found her creative voice through tribute and original musicWhat it means to “borrow notes” but stay rooted in her truthThe challenges and joys of being a woman in multiple music spacesAnd the deeper identity work that comes with being both a performer and a creatorFrom high-energy shows to introspective songwriting, Harley is a reminder that honoring others' music doesn't mean losing your own story — and in her case, it’s only made hers louder. 🔗 Follow Harley Mitchell https://harleymitchell.com 🎵 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@harleymitchellofficial?lang=en Instagram https://www.instagram.com/harleymitchell/?hl=en YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/HarleyMitchell Facebook https://www.facebook.com/harley.mitchell.16/ Foo Fight: Foo Fighters Tribute Band https://www.facebook.com/tributefoofighters/

    1 hr

  4. JAN 17

    The Night Billy Joel Showed Up

    🎧 Episode 1 – The Night Billy Joel Showed Up: A Conversation with Tony Monaco of Turnstiles In this debut episode of Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives, host Karyn Rosenberg sits down with Tony Monaco — pianist, singer, and frontman of Turnstiles, a South Florida-based Billy Joel tribute band. Tony shares how his musical path began with a childhood love for guitar, evolved through jazz and original touring bands, and ultimately led to his deep connection with Billy Joel’s music. And then… something extraordinary happened. At a recent Turnstiles performance in Wellington, Billy Joel himself showed up. Tony reflects on that once-in-a-lifetime moment, how it felt to play for the Piano Man, and how his own identity as a tribute musician has been shaped by years of passion, purpose, and authenticity on and off the stage. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to bring someone else’s music to life — and still stay true to yourself — this conversation is for you. To connect with Tony Monaco and Turnstiles: The Ultimate Tribute to the Music of Billy Joel https://turnstilestributeband.com/about-us https://www.facebook.com/thebillyjoeltribute

    1h 1m

  5. TRAILER

    Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives Trailer

    🎧 Trailer – Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives Hosted by Karyn Rosenberg, LCSW In this trailer, get a feel for what Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives is all about. Psychotherapist and music lover Karyn Rosenberg takes you behind the scenes with tribute band musicians, photographers, venue owners, and other creatives keeping the music alive. But this isn’t just about performances — it’s about meaning, identity, and the real lives behind the sound. If you've ever connected deeply with a song, seen yourself in someone else's story, or felt the pull of purpose in unexpected places — this podcast is for you. Follow @KarynLCSW on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes clips.

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Borrowed Notes, Authentic Lives is a podcast that goes beyond the spotlight to explore the real stories behind tribute musicians and the creative forces who keep iconic music alive. Hosted by psychotherapist and music lover Karyn Rosenberg, each episode is a deep, personal conversation with tribute band artists, venue owners, photographers, and others in the music world. Together, they talk about identity, passion, and the meaningful lives people build through music — even when they’re performing someone else’s songs. Because it’s not just about the cover. It’s about the calling. It’s about finding your own voice in borrowed notes. Whether you’re a fan of tribute bands, a creative soul chasing your own sound, or someone who finds meaning in music, this show is your backstage pass.

Information