Fantastic show today! I completely see where he was coming from. I grew up here in Dallas and was going to Southern Baptist churches and just left them becuase I felt they hated me and it took me so many years to get to the realization that it was the "Christians" that hated me, not the God they preached about. Oh well, I'm agnostic now anyways. And on to other things, Man oh man is Levi hot! The first song kinda grated my ears but that last one was great! Between Marc's deep sexy voice and Levi's I could have creamed. But alas, I was at work and decided to contain myself.

Keep on uploading your great shows for us we love you!

Said by: got80s at March 17, 2006 09:19 AM

Levi, bless your darlin heart, for standing up for yourself! Is that you playing the piano too? Wonderful! You'll do great - you're doing great! That business on the show about babies - yes, that is I to whom Fausto refers! Let me tell you sumpin - babies have jes the same right to be respected, loved, and yes, cherished, as gays (and lesbians, if you consider them different) do, and don't you forget - you were ONCE a baby, thank the Lord! So WATCH OUT about what you say about babies or I'll get Miss Ronnie's frying pan out and give you a whack or two over the head, BLUE BOY!

Said by: Patricia Fernós at March 17, 2006 10:53 AM

Another great episode of the Feast Of Fools. That first song my Levi Kreis was fantastic. I will purchase it immediately. Thank you for bringing another wonderful musical talent to our collective attentions. Interesting and stimulating conversation again abound in this podcast. Keep up the good work!

Said by: Milton Hallin at March 17, 2006 11:27 AM

Gosh I think I'm in "Love with Levi" he's one of the sexiest guests you guys have had in a long time. (Besides Gigi of course)

Levi, will you marry me? We can make this work.

Said by: Daryl at March 17, 2006 12:03 PM

Wow, excellent show once again guys. I can totally relate to Levi, having grown up Catholic. I read the book of Revelations as a kid and was totally freaked out by it. And I remember those nights laying awake in bed, thinking that the Rapture could come at any moment, especially (as Fausto said) with the threat of impending nuclear war every plane or distant fire alarm meant the warheads were flying overhead.

In more positive news, I have to tell you that I've met Matthew McConaughey. I can't give any details but he was the absolute nicest guy you'd ever meet, AND I saw him in his bathrobe. Hee hee. Quite a sexy mofo!

Said by: pup don at March 17, 2006 12:32 PM

Great show guys, I'll definitely be ordering Levi's CD and checking out the show on 4/1 (I'm already organizing a group) I try to catch Eric's show when he's in town and look forward to hearing Levi perform.

Ohh when you talk to Miss Ronnie, tell I hope she's feeling better. I ran into her getting off the train yesterday and she was a little down... I believe her exact quote was "I just want to hit a bitch"..Gotta luv Miss R!

Said by: Keith at March 17, 2006 12:44 PM

As a fellow native East Tennesseean (farther east in Erwin) and a former member of a Baptist-like church, I can identify with Levi's struggle to reconcile his faith with his orientation. Fortunately, both of us realized the mutual exclusivity of being faithful and lying about one's nature. Thankfully, I never went the Exodus route, but I did spend many a night praying to God to take this away. One night I received a clear message that I was not wrong to be true to myself and that God did not hate me for being as I was made. The healing in that moment goes beyond description.

I am glad that Levi has dedicated himself to sharing his musical talent. I will definitely buy his album and share it with others.

Thanks again for a great show, guys.

Said by: David at March 17, 2006 12:46 PM

Kudos, I really enjoyed today's podcast. I can relate to Levi. My gosh the things I had to go through. My mother asked me about my sexuality at 15. So I went high school on a tight grip. I was at church everytime it was open. My parents wanted me to get "help" with my "problem". The local pastor at the time just looked at me like Yeah Okay what you do you want me to do about it. Later spread rumors throughout the church. I also did the Exodus bid, seeing a counselor didn't work for me either. So it became just a little dirty secret my parents kept from everyone else. Mind you my parents were leaders in the church so we had to have this image that we have it all together. I was the church musician go figure. I did pretty much the same sung and preach but constantly beating myself up behind closed doors. Actually had close friends tell me to a marry a woman thinking that would help the issue. I went into a deep depression I felt trap in a mask. But now I'm must happier than ever been in my life because I'm true to myself.

Said by: Darius at March 17, 2006 01:33 PM

I definitely had to give my family some adjustment time, particularly my mother. I was raised Catholic. We were your typical..Mass on Holidays and occasionally on Sunday Catholics. It wasn't necessarily my religious beliefs that kept me from coming out, I saw being gay as a disappointment to my family. Wait, maybe it was the "Catholic Guilt"...I spent many years trying to deny it to myself and did come out until my mid 20's. My mother was the first family member I told. She took it really well at first, or I thought she did. Then I was bombarded with "solutions to the problem". She went through the stereotypical.."just haven't met the right girl" to "hormone treatments". As Fausto mentioned, I understood you have to give your family time to turn around, so I would let the comments slide. I did not have to wait 10 years, but after many months of phone calls, I finally snapped one day. I was at work, she would call me at work all the time with her latest theories on the problem. This particular day she called at just the wrong time (but it turned out to be the right time in the big picture)… I was stressed at work and ring it's her again. After listening to the lasest wacko idea on making me straight, I finally said, "Listen Mom, I love you and I understand this has to be really hard for you , and I don't expect you to process this overnight but eventually you will have to accept it. If not, then you'll have to accept the fact that our relationship will not be what it is now. We will not be as close. I want you in my life, I can give you time to adjust but the harassment has to stop. There is no fix..I'm ok." There was a short pause. I told her I would have to call her later and I hung up. I was so glad I finally said something and that was the last time she offered a "solution to the problem". She's adjusted well and now we can even point out hot men together shopping, but that took some time :)

Said by: Keith at March 17, 2006 02:55 PM

Keith, what a wonderful story. Isn't it funny how things look so different in hindsight. I recently came out to my parents (at 36, no less) and after expecting a huge deal to be made it ended up being pretty anticlimactic. (Hmmm, good drag queen name "Auntie Climax"). If anyone here cares to read about it I blogged the whole experience on MySpace (just click my name under this post to go there). I love hearing people's coming out stories, I think it's one thing as gay people we all share.

Said by: pup don at March 17, 2006 03:56 PM

I'm glad that you guys finally got a guest that has a sense of humor!And a great voice toooo!

I'm on my way to see STOMP...hoping it will be worth it! Last night I went to a B.B. King concert for his 80th bday tour...It was AWESOME!
-Grace

Said by: uibriain at March 17, 2006 04:02 PM

I was so happy to hear a person who know what music business degree is and who will tell his story about how he had to go threw the process of religion and its issues with his sexuality.

I had to choose to be at a church I had great friends at and allow myself to shut people out, or be proud of my gay cousins and stick up for them. I picked my choice and don't ever regret it. I've been in a lot of things that frighten some of my friends who still think if you hang out with gay people enough, that you will become one. It's sad to see, but I'm so happy to hear of stories of accepting yourself and I'm so happy Levi expressed the highs and the lows he went threw.

I doubt anyone wants to read my weird ass opinions , but I got to push them out somewhere.
lots of love for all
Rochelle Elsberry

Said by: Rochelle (from MN) at March 17, 2006 04:25 PM

Rochelle, don't ever think that your opinions don't count. And they don't sound that weird to me. Of course, I make "weird" a way of life. LOL!

I was hangin' with my straight male cousin at my parent's house once. He was 16 at the time. He knew I was gay and was pretty cool with it. When I went to leave he stuck out his hand to shake mine. I said, "give me a hug, ya big pussy. It's not contageous!" LOL!

It's funny what straight people assume about gay people when they don't know any.

Said by: pup don at March 17, 2006 06:23 PM

Absoultely fantastic show today. Once again you have brought to my attention an important new artist who has moved me with his music and his incredible outlook on life. As soon as I'm done commenting on all the shows I've listened to lately (I'm a bit behind... yikes), I'm buying my copy of his CD. From Feast of Fools, of course! :-)

Said by: RcktMan at March 17, 2006 08:12 PM

I just missed his concert here last night!!!!!!

Said by: norman in san diego at March 18, 2006 01:36 AM

And I just have to add... "I Should Go" is probably one of the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful songs I have heard in years. Wow. I can't wait for my CD to arrive. Might have to just download the whole thing from iTunes in the meantime. :)

Said by: RcktMan at March 18, 2006 02:56 AM

Awesome show today! Loved the way the show open. You guys surprise me more and more with each passing day.

Said by: RickieV at March 18, 2006 11:29 AM

Yeah, great show as usual, guys.

Also, the whole "homepage not working in FireFox" thing, is still kinda irritating.

Love you muchly.

Said by: Gem at March 18, 2006 04:23 PM

Wow, what wonderful show going through the highs and lows in Levi's life.

I can't say I can truly relate to the whole growing-up-as-southern-baptist thing, since I grew up in an Asian, Buddhist family. However, I could imagine just how he had felt being taught your whole life that who you are and the way you are is wrong; and that your own thoughts betray your very belief.

Despite having grown up in a "more accepting" (at least most people say so) religious background, my parents still to this day (I've came out about 7 yrs, almost 8 yrs ago) could not and would not accept it. I could only guess it's the whole baby and tradition of family issue.

On the topic of babies, I don't mean disrespect for straight folks, or lack of love for babies, but the fact that some straight folks feel like it's their god-given right to make babies says something about how little they value babies...

I keep seeisg these couple who have two kids walking with them, one in the stroller, another one in the father's arms and the mother's pregnant again! The kids would always be like the most ill-mannored children in the world -- either don't listen to their parents or do whatever it is they feel like without any regard to those around them.

Anyways, Fausto & Marc, thanks again for yet another wonderful show, making my 8 hr trip to my partner a little less lonely.

Said by: Lucas L. at March 18, 2006 09:32 PM

Mark and Fausto,

Thanks for having Levi Kreis on the podcast. I really did not know anything about him. He came across with such sincerity, intelligence and humor. He also has great music. I just bought his CD.

I would never have heard about him if he was not on your podcast. I also loved that you guys fawned over Matthew McCoughnehey. I have a crush on him, too!

We love FOF in the bay area also!

Said by: Jon-Paul at March 19, 2006 03:13 PM

I loved todays show! I thought he was so insightful and postive in his ourtlook. His experience with the music industry seems so typical yet makes me angry. I'm glad he started his own label and I am definately going to pick up the CD.

Said by: Lola at March 19, 2006 08:35 PM

Just wanna send a quick kudos to you guys' show!

As a musician coming from a religious background myself, I really enjoyed listening to this particular podcast! Well, that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy the others...this one just kinda sticks out to me personally :P.

Although I am a bit behind with the show now, I have been an avid listener to your podcast for a while. I feel bad 'cause I haven't sent in any financial support yet...but it will come very very soon.......:)

Said by: Jeremy at March 21, 2006 07:57 PM

Kinda off-topic, but I like to correct factual errors of little consequence. It's fun!

Levi didn't play the younger version of Matthew McConaughey's character in Frailty, he played his crazy older brother.

He was, however, the OLDER version of Matthew O'Leary's character, so... close enough? I just spoiled part of the movie, didn't I? What'ev.

I must sound like Comic Book Guy, here. Whoo~

And, should I mention the horrible sound of glee I made when they joked about his mad love for Senor McConaughey? Chalk that up to my two great loves: Gay, incestuous, demon-love and not being able to separate reality from fiction.

I'ma gonna go to hell when I die.

Said by: Sedge at May 7, 2006 10:36 PM