WDVE DJ Randy Baumann becomes a Wanderin Fool with first solo album

Anyone who has tuned into the Pittsburgh classic rock station WDVE has likely heard the voice of Randy Baumann. The popular, longtime DJ has built a reputation for goofing on local sports and personalities, all while playing every yinzer dad’s favorite tunes.

Baumann recently traded the radio station for the music studio to produce Wanderin Fool, a new album he describes as “a fun/groovy record.” Released under his full name, Randall Baumann, the work showcases his musical talent and that of other local acts, including Steeltown Horns, Addi Twigg, and Anne Celedonia. Baumann also recruited national musicians with Pittsburgh roots, including drummer Brian Wolfe of The Dap-Kings, steel guitarist Read “Two Show” Connolly of the Zach Bryan Band, and Chris Parker, a multi-instrumentalist who has performed with Halsey and Jade Bird.

Baumann will promote Wanderin Fool on Sat., Nov. 30 during a live performance at the Original Pittsburgh Winery. Pittsburgh City Paper spoke with Baumann about the album’s themes and collaborating with others in the city’s music community.

How does this album differ from your previous music projects?

Well, this is the first time I did something “solo.” Most of the other recording ventures I did were with a band. But for this project, I really just wanted to try and collaborate with some of the artists whom I admire the most and I feel incredibly grateful that so many were able to do it. I was particularly motivated to get [Pittsburgh music producer Jake Hanner] involved because I knew he would understand what I was going for sonically.

You feature some local musicians on the album, including Addi Twigg, in addition to musicians who’ve played with big acts. How did you choose who to work with on this project?

It truly was just people with whom I’ve worked that I thought would form this particular sound. I knew that Brian and [Anton Defade] were an established rhythm section that would lock in immediately, and Chris Parker’s style on guitar is such that I felt he could really fit in nice with my style of playing.

After that, I just gave the tunes to Steel Town Horns and Addi and [Anne Celedonia] and basically said, “Whatever ideas you have, let’s try them.” And they all steal the show on this record. I’m really proud to have documented some of their amazing performances and just kind of be able to set a template to showcase them all.

What themes drive the album?

I think if there is a narrative, I’d say it’s about someone who kind of keeps screwing up but aspires to be better whether that’s happening or not. If the [Grateful Dead] didn’t use The Fool tarot card for the cover of their album Europe ’72 that would’ve been an apt cover for this one.

The album has a jazz-rock feel similar to Steely Dan. Do you feel like that defines the overall album? What kind of sound were you going for?

I really wanted to bridge the gap between the New Orleans funk that I love so much and something more singer/songwriter without landing too much in either category. Jake Hanner really helped make that happen. In fact, he convinced me to play much more on the Wurlitzer and Rhodes than on the piano, and that really gave the whole thing a vibe that resonates.

Someone told me you’re an amazing piano player — do you play piano on this album? What do you most like playing?

Yeah, I play piano on a few tunes! I love playing the piano, but Jake kinda steered me away from playing too much of it on this record, lest it get too Ben Folds or Billy Joel sounding, I suppose.

I like the album art — who did it?

Paul Haggerty! Great graphic designer in town and a really good guy.

This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2024.