Podcasts about cbs records

Tom Sheehan was born in Camberwell, South London. He was an in-house photographer for CBS Records in the 70s, and went on to be the chief photographer for Melody Maker. He enjoyed long-term working relationships with the likes of REM, The Cure, Manic Street Preachers, and Oasis, the subject of a new book of Tom's work entitled “Roll With It: Oasis in Photographs 1994-2002”. I had a great time chatting with Tom about his life and work, and I hope you enjoy it too.

Show #1101 Another Truckload Of New Music 01. Alison Joy Williams - Make Love To Me Now (3:48) (How You Look At Things, self-release, 2025) 02. John Primer - Shame Shame Shame (4:28) (Grown In Mississippi, Blues House Productions, 2025) 03. Charlie Musselwhite - Ready For Times To Get Better (3:15) (Look Out Highway, Forty Below Records, 2025) 04. Bywater Call - Sunshine (4:39) (Single, self-release, 2025) 05. Matt Andersen - Tonight Belongs To You (4:07) (The Hammer & The Rose, Sonic Records, 2025) 06. Mondo Cortez & the Chicago Blues Angels - Don't Blame Me Baby (3:53) (Call On Me, Lux Records, 2024) 07. The Davidson Trio - Hold On (4:38) (Cougar, self-release, 2025) 08. Marina Rocks - S.O.S. (4:46) (S.O.S. Texas, self-release, 2025) 09. Popa Chubby & Friends - My Credit Didn't Go Through (4:01) (I Love Freddie King, Gulf Coast Records, 2025) 10. Janiva Magness - Hittin' On Nothin' (2:52) (Back For Me, Blue Élan Records, 2025) 11. Sean Chambers - Street Corner Talking (7:45) (Live From Daryl's Club House, Quarto Valley Records, 2025) 12. Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd - G String (5:31) (Young Fashioned Ways, Deep Rush / Thirty Tigers, 2025) 13. Hughes Taylor - Beautiful Stranger (3:15) (Roasted, The Bent Note, 2025) 14. Bob Stroger & The Headcutters - Loan Me Train Fare (3:32) (Bob Is Back!, Delmark Records, 2025) 15. Micke & Lefty featuring Chef - The One (3:56) (Live On Air, Hokahey! Records/CRS, 2025) 16. Tony Holiday - Drive It Home (4:20) (Keep Your Head Up, Forty Below Records, 2025) 17. Shari Puorto - You're Right I'm Wrong For You (3:02) (Hold On, self-release, 2025) 18. Kim Field & the Perfect Gentlemen - What Kind Of Fool (3:51) (Don't Need But One, self-release, 2025) 19. Tad Robinson - Keep Your Heart Open For Love (4:39) (Soul In Blue, Delmark Records, 2025) 20. Joe Louis Walker - You Got Me Whipped (6:23) (Weight Of The World, Forty Below Records, 2023) 21. The Peddlers - Murray's Mood (2:45) (45 RPM Single, CBS Records, 1967) Bandana Blues is and will always be a labor of love. Please help Spinner deal with the costs of hosting & bandwidth. Visit www.bandanablues.com and hit the tipjar. Any amount is much appreciated, no matter how small. Thank you.

Propongo un contro dazioLa clip è un estratto da “I'm goin' down” scritta e cantata da Bruce Springsteen (etichetta CBS Records, 1984 all rights reserved)

Show #1092 20th Century Revisited 01. Eddie Boyd - The Big Question (3:02) (Five Long Years, Fontana Records, 1965) 02. John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers - Someday After A While (Tou'll Be Sorry) (3:01) (A Hard Road, Decca Records, 1967) 03. Eric Clapton - Someday After A While (4:28) (From The Cradle, Reprise Records, 1994) 04. Fleetwood Mac - No PLace To Go (3:24) (Fleetwood Mac, Blue Horizon Records, 1968) 05. Buddy Guy - Stick Around [1963] (3:52) (Blues Rarities, Chess Records, 1984) 06. Dana Gillespie - Tongue In Cheek (4:54) (Blues It Up, Ace Records, 1990) 07. Red Devils - Quarter To Twelve (6:54) (King King, American Recordings, 1992) 08. Little Walter - Mellow Down Easy (2:40) (45 RPM Single B-side, Checker Records, 1954) 09. Tony Joe White - Did Somebody Make A Fool Out Of You (4:46) (Homemade Ice Cream, Warner Bros Records, 1973) 10. Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Blues With A Feeling (4:24) (The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Elektra Records, 1965) 11. Spencer Davis Group - Blues In F (3:24) (45 RPM Single B-side, Fontana Records, 1966) 12. Blood Sweat & Tears - I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know (5:54) (Child Is Father To The Man, CBS Records, 1968) 13. Johnny Winter - It's My Life Baby (4:12) (Guitar Slinger, Alligator Records, 1984) 14. David Bromberg - Suffer To Sing The Blues [1979] (5:43) (Long Way From Here, Fantasy Records, 1986) 15. Sonny Boy Williamson II - Fattening Frogs For Snakes (2:22) (Down And Out Blues, Checker Records, 1959) 16. Canned Heat - Help Me (3:06) (Canned Heat, Liberty Records, 1967) 17. Electric Flag - Texas (4:45) (A Long Time Comin', CBS Records, 1968) 18. Bonnie Raitt - Everybody's Cryin' Mercy (3:23) (Takin' My Time, Warner Bros Records, 1973) 19. Omar & the Howlers - Everybody Knows About My Good Thing (5:45) (Big Leg Beat, Amazing Records, 1980) 20. ZZ Hill - Everybody Knows About My Good Thing (4:53) (Down Home, Malaco Records, 1981) 21. Chicken Shack - San-Ho-Zay (3:05) (40 Blue Fingers Freshly Packed And Ready To Serve, Blue Horizon Records, 1968) Bandana Blues is and will always be a labor of love. Please help Spinner deal with the costs of hosting & bandwidth. Visit www.bandanablues.com and hit the tipjar. Any amount is much appreciated, no matter how small. Thank you.

DJ Hollywood, born Anthony Holloway on December 10, 1954, in Harlem, New York, is a pioneering American MC and disc jockey whose innovative style in the 1970s significantly influenced the evolution of hip-hop music. In the early 1970s, DJ Hollywood began performing DJ sets that incorporated rhythmic call-and-response interactions with his audience. Unlike earlier MCs who primarily spoke over tracks, he introduced rhythm and rhyme into his performances, laying the groundwork for what would become hip-hop-style rapping. His approach drew inspiration from figures like Jocko Henderson, Pigmeat Markham, Gil Scott-Heron, and Rudy Ray Moore. By 1978, DJ Hollywood made history as the first DJ to bring turntables and a mixer to the Apollo Theater. His popularity soared, leading to performances at venues like Club 371 in the South Bronx. Although much of his work was live and not recorded, he did release the single "Shock Shock The House" in 1980 under CBS Records. Throughout the early to mid-1980s, he remained a dominant figure in the DJ scene. After a hiatus due to personal challenges he left the music scene for a short period of time. However, DJ Hollywood returned to the music scene, performing in the New York City area and reuniting with former partner Lovebug Starski as part of Tha Veteranz. DJ Hollywood's contributions have been acknowledged in various media, including the 2024 PBS series "Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution," which explores the cultural impact of disco music.

Murray Thom is one of New Zealand's most successful and creative entrepreneurs. He's the man behind some of our most iconic and successful productions, including The Great New Zealand Songbook, The Great New Zealand Cookbook, The Offering, and Piano by Candlelight. On the international front, two of his productions – Miracle Babies and the Together 10 CD Collection – have both featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. In this episode we talk about why he left school at 15 and how he became the Managing Director of CBS Records at 23. How he won a government tender for the Personalised Plates business in 1987, which at its peak had a turnover of $30 million and staff of 60, how he brought together Celine Dion and Anne Geddes, how he manifested becoming a world champion sailor, his best business hacks and all the best stories in between. Murray's life was made for a long form podcast and there are so many brilliant nuggets of business and life wisdom in this one, it's a super entertaining chat. This episode is brought to you by TAB, download the new app today and get your bet on! Listen on iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts from or watch the video on YouTube. We're also stoked to tell you about the business we've built. If you'd like to get one of our epic guests in to MC or Speak at your function or event, flick us a message by going to b2bspeakers.co.nz and let our guests make your night. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Access this entire 86-minute episode (and additional monthly bonus shows) by becoming a Junk Filter patron for only $5.00 (US) a month! Over 30% of episodes are exclusively available to patrons of the show. https://www.patreon.com/posts/180-miami-vice-113085968 We celebrate the 40th anniversary of the premiere of NBC's crime drama Miami Vice with a new episode of Junk Filter's continuing series on the show. James Majure returns from Athens, Georgia to discuss the bizarre duelling vanity musical projects of stars Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas that appeared as the success of the show culturally peaked. Philip Michael Thomas struck first with a strange solo album for Atlantic Records in 1985, Living the Book of My Life, that came with a famously terrible music video for the single “Just The Way I Planned It”; for some reason PMT promoted this project by reissuing a forgotten anti-drug exploitation film he made in 1978 (co-starring The Gap Band), retitled Death Drug, where he plays a rising musical talent who tries PCP and immediately goes insane, which features ludicrous new sequences shot on a camcorder that make the project even more incoherent. Don Johnson on the other hand had a solo rock album for CBS Records the following year, Heartbeat, with full label support and an all-star cast of collaborators. It spawned a Top 5 hit with the title track and came with an expensive album-length music video project for HBO that feels like a lost Sonny Crockett episode of Miami Vice. We also discuss one of the most bizarre episodes of Vice that has this eighties psychedelic vanity production energy, Season 4's “Missing Hours”, featuring alien abductions, UFOs and (inexplicably) Chris Rock and James Brown. “Miami Vice at 40: You Can't Go Home Again” by Chaim Roth, for Miami New Times, September 24, 2024 Music video for Heartbeat (Don Johnson, 1986) Music video for Just The Way I Planned It (Philip Michael Thomas, 1985)

It's another  wonderful episode of The Show About Stuff! The Stephen Davis Show  with Logan Westbrooks (with friends Shelia Frazier-Atcheson and Ulysses Kilgore)... a Black Pioneer Music executive who worked with CBS Records, interacting with such stars as the Jackson 5 to Earth, Wind and Fire! He created Source Records, which released "Bustin Loose" by Chuck Brown! It is an episode to just sit back and enjoy listening to his experiences. Enjoy!

En MetalProgPop Cast nos juntamos 4 amigos para hablar y discutir sobre música. Guido Vilariño (el Rey Tut) es el fanático del Metal, Angel Appiani es el fanático del Rock Progresivo, Gonzalo Ares (El Colo, El Colorado, ex-Bombi) es el fanático del Pop, y Santi Grillo es el fanático del podcast.  Nosotros la pasamos muy bien, y esperamos que Uds también. En el día de hoy analizamos.... Nexus es el quinto álbum de la banda de rock británica Argent. Fue lanzado en 1974 en CBS Records. "Nexus" fue el último álbum de Argent que contó con el guitarrista y cantante Russ Ballard.

Paula Scher calls The Verdict "a favorite" and rightfully so. The performances are spectacular, the mystery keeps you engaged, and the ending leaves a mark. In addition to the movie, we discuss dedication and focus, Better Call Saul, pinball, Cool Hand Luke, and Michael Clayton, although not in that order. Her new book, "Paula Scher: Works" chronicles her early days in the music industry as an art director with CBS Records and Atlantic Records, to the launch of her first studio Koppel & Scher, to her 25-year engagement with Pentagram.

GEORGIA RADIO - Lacy J. Dalton, legendary singer-songwriter and outlaw country artist, recently spoke with Matt Jolley on Georgia Radio about her latest project. “What Don't Kill Ya,” is available today and marks the third single, from her upcoming album For The Black Sheep, which is set to come out this summer. The song combines elements of country and blues and addresses the challenges of life, such as breakups and general hardships, with the message that these difficulties make us stronger. With relatable lyrics like “sometimes you're right, sometimes you're wrong, you make mistakes, but you go on - and somehow life just rolls along and what don't kill ya makes you strong,” Dalton has created a song that resonates with many. The single premiered on Cowboys & Indians and is available for streaming here.Dalton shared her thoughts on the song, saying, “We don't build strong spiritual muscles without strong challenges in life. These roadblocks and heartaches become catalysts for change and the way forward. What appears to stand in the way becomes the way… ‘What Don't Kill Ya' makes you strong.”Dalton continues to tour year-round and has been added to the 2025 Country Music Cruise lineup, which sails from January 19-26, 2025. The lineup includes John Michael Montgomery, Deana Carter, The Bellamy Brothers, and more.Dalton's illustrious career began in 1979 when she signed with CBS Records as an outlaw country artist. She quickly made a mark with her hit “Crazy Blue Eyes” and went on to have 16 Top 20 songs. She has received several prestigious awards, including a certified Platinum record for her duet with Willie Nelson on his album Half Nelson. Dalton was awarded the highest honor from Strictly Country Magazine and the Spirit Awards for her independent CD Last Wild Place Anthology. She was inducted into the North American Country Music Association International Hall of Fame in 2017 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Josie Awards.Upcoming Tour Dates:JUL 27 – Red Dog Saloon / Virginia City, NVSEP 21 - Starbright Theater / Las Vegas, NV (Sun City Summerlin)SEP 23 - CPAC Community Performance & Art Center / Green Valley, AZSEP 24 - Elgin Community Club / Elgin, AZOCT 17 – Outlaw Saloon / Cheyenne, WYOCT 19 – The Colonel Venue and Cigar Bar / Cody, WYOCT 20 – Party at the Pound / Greybull, WYNOV 30 – Sutter Creek Theater / Sutter Creek, CADEC 13 - Yerington Theater for the Arts / Yerington, NVDEC 22 - Red Dog Saloon / Virginia City, NVJAN 19-25 - Country Music Cruise / Fort Lauderdale, FL; Key West; Cozumel; Costa MayaAbout Lacy J. Dalton: Dalton first rose to fame in 1979 with her Top-20 hit “Crazy Blue Eyes.” She became one of the most successful female vocalists in country music during the 1980s, with hits like “16th Avenue,” “Takin' It Easy,” “Everybody Makes Mistakes,” “Hillbilly Girl With The Blues,” and “Black Coffee.” Dalton has collaborated with country legends such as Bobby Bare, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, and George Jones, and toured with Hank Williams Jr. and Willie Nelson.Her recent work includes the four-song EP Scarecrow and the single “Devil By A Different Name.” In November, her first studio recording, The Jill Croston Album, was made available for streaming for the first time since its initial release in 1978.For more information, visit lacyjdalton.org and follow Lacy on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X.#LacyJDalton #StarVistaMusic #WhatDontKillYaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/georgia-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Louise Rutkowski in conversation with David Eastuagh https://louiserutkowski.com/ At 19, Louise was signed to CBS Records, recording three singles and an album with soul producer Pete Wingfield with the band Sunset Gun. Prior to forming this band with sister Dee and keyboard player Ross Campbell, Louise, along with sister Dee, performed as backing vocalists for Bourgie Bourgie; a band created by legendary Postcard Records' boss Alan Horne. As part of the This Mortal Coil collective, Louise's distinctive voice can be heard on the Filigree & Shadow and Blood albums, and as lead vocalist on The Hope Blister's critically acclaimed 1998 Smile's OK album, all of which were released on the 4AD Records recording label.

In 1972, Bob Marley signed with CBS Records in London and embarked on a UK tour with soul singer Johnny Nash.While in London the Wailers asked their road manager Brent Clarke to introduce them to Chris Blackwell, who had licensed some of their Coxsone releases for his Island Records. The Wailers intended to discuss the royalties associated with these releases; instead, the meeting resulted in the offer of an advance of £4,000 to record an album.Since Jimmy Cliff, Island's top reggae star, had recently left the label, Blackwell was primed for a replacement. In Marley, Blackwell recognized the elements needed to snare the rock audience: "I was dealing with rock music, which was really rebel music. I felt that would really be the way to break Jamaican music. But you needed someone who could be that image. When Bob walked in he really was that image."The Wailers returned to Jamaica to record at Harry J's in Kingston, which resulted in the album Catch a Fire. The Wailers' first album for Island, Catch a Fire, was released worldwide in April 1973, packaged like a rock record with a unique Zippo lighter lift-top. Initially selling 14,000 units, it received a positive critical reception. It was followed later that year by the album Burnin' which included the song "I Shot the Sheriff". Eric Clapton was given the album by his guitarist George Terry in the hope that he would enjoy it. Clapton was impressed and chose to record a cover version of "I Shot the Sheriff" which became his first US hit since "Layla" two years earlier and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 14 September 1974.Many Jamaicans were not keen on the new reggae sound on Catch a Fire, but the Trenchtown style of Burnin found fans across both reggae and rock audiences. The Wailers were scheduled to open 17 shows in the US for Sly and the Family Stone. After four shows, the band was fired because they were more popular than the acts they were opening for. In July 1977, Marley was diagnosed with a type of malignant melanoma under his right big toe.Contrary to urban legend, this lesion was not primarily caused by an injury during a football match that year, but was instead a symptom of already-existing cancer. He had to see two doctors before a biopsy was done, which confirmed acral lentiginous melanoma. Unlike other melanomas, which usually appear on skin exposed to the sun, acral lentiginous melanoma occurs in places that are easy to miss, such as the soles of the feet, or under toenails. Although it is the most common melanoma in people with dark skin, it is not widely recognized and was not mentioned in the most popular medical textbook of the time. Marley rejected his doctors' advice to have his toe amputated (which would have hindered his performing career), citing his religious beliefs, and instead, the nail and nail bed were removed and a skin graft was taken from his thigh to cover the area.Despite his illness, he continued touring and was in the process of scheduling a 1980 world tour. The album Uprising was released in May 1980. The band completed a major tour of Europe, where it played its biggest concert to 100,000 people at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy. After the tour, Marley went to the United States, where he performed two shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of the Uprising Tour.He collapsed while jogging in Central Park and was taken to the hospital, where it was found that his cancer had spread to his brain, lungs, and liver.Marley's last concert took place two days later at the Stanley Theater (now The Benedum Center For The Performing Arts) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 23 September 1980. His Message (Don't Gain The World & Lose Your Soul, Wisdom Is Better Than Silver Or Gold. Love the life you live. Live the life you love. The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively) Remember One Love, One Heart...

My guest will be my firend:Miss Annetta Parker.She once worked for CBS Records which was later sold to Sony as she shares with me her favorite R&B/Black artists and Jazz artists who walk thru the doors at The CBS Black Rock Headqusrters in NYC. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/samuel-wilsonjr/message

With their move from Motown Records to CBS Records in 1976, the Jackson 5 became the Jacksons! From 1976-1989 the Jacksons recorded, wrote, and produced some of the best music in the history of pop music. Join us for Part 2 of 2 as we countdown our Top 10 Jackson era tracks on Day 2 of the Black Jackson Estate Podcast Presents: The 12 Days of Christmas! Quincy Jones Talks About Michael Jackson (interview) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npPad6-yi4s Can You Feel It (Kirk Franklin remix) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFwiwLO0zhg Ari Lennox: My Favorite Things - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSP9yuSa7cY SWV: Give Love on Christmas Day - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRKX0V0R6PU _____________________________ Want more 12 Days of Christmas from the Black Jackson Estate Podcast? Check out Day 3 from 2022 and 2021 where you listen to podcasts! Day 3 (2022): MJs Honorary Coronation and Citizenships in Africa Day 3 (2021): The J5 Christmas Album (Motown Records) Join the Black Jackson Estate Patreon! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Today! patreon.com/theblackjacksonestate Donate to the Black Jackson Estate Podcast! www.paypal.me/blackjackestate cashapp: $blkjackestate Follow the Black Jackson Estate Podcast! Instagram: @blackjackestate Twitter: @blackjackestate Email the Black Jackson Estate Podcast! Do you love us/hate us? Do you have questions, comments, corrections and amplifications? Wanna send us fanfiction, memes and everything in between?We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theblackjacksonestate@gmail.com

With their move from Motown Records to CBS Records in 1976, the Jackson 5 became the Jacksons! From 1976-1989 the Jacksons recorded, wrote, and produced some of the best music to come from the First Family of Music. Join us for Part 1 of 2 as we countdown our Top 10 Jackson Era tracks on Day 2 of the Black Jackson Estate Podcast Presents: The 12 Days of Christmas! _____________________________ Want more 12 Days of Christmas from the Black Jackson Estate Podcast? Check out Day 2 from 2022 and 2021 where you listen to podcasts! Day 2 (2022): Michael Jackson Guinness World Records Day 2 (2021): 7 Reasons Why MJ Should Have Married Stephanie Mills Join the Black Jackson Estate Patreon! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Today! patreon.com/theblackjacksonestate Donate to the Black Jackson Estate Podcast! www.paypal.me/blackjackestate cashapp: $blkjackestate Follow the Black Jackson Estate Podcast! Instagram: @blackjackestate Twitter: @blackjackestate Email the Black Jackson Estate Podcast! Do you love us/hate us? Do you have questions, comments, corrections and amplifications? Wanna send us fanfiction, memes and everything in between? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theblackjacksonestate@gmail.com Men of Vizion: Show You the Way to Go (cover) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMMSrSk9xWo Emmet Cohen with violinist Regina Carter (EP intro music) - My Favorite Things: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqGzwTAvosI Babyface: White Christmas (outro music) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA12mdjTaiI TLC: Sleigh Ride (instrumental featured) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTbmYwNXrtE

One of Night Demon's most beloved covers ever is their version of the Riot classic "Road Racin'".  In this week's episode, the guys (with an assist from Riot bassist Donnie Van Stavern) break down the history of Riot, including the various eras of the band, Riot's underrated importance to the heavy metal genre, and how the members of Night Demon became acquainted with Riot.  You will hear the circumstances under which Night Demon added "Road Racin'" to their early live sets and their decision to record it as a bonus track during the Curse of the Damned sessions. Listen in to discover which Night Demon original was heavily influenced by "Road Racin'" and when and how the band performs this cover today.  Finally, Jarvis describes how Riot honors this contribution to their legacy when he is in the house.Become a subscriber today at nightdemon.net/subscriber. This week, subscribers have access to the bonus content below:Streaming Audio:  Road Racin' (original mix)Streaming Audio:  Full Show - Miami, FL - May 14, 2017  Streaming Audio:  Road Racin - St. John's, Newfoundland - September 23, 2022Streaming Audio:  Road Racin' - Live in Denver, CO - April 11, 2023Streaming Video:  Road Racin' & Ancient Evil - Live in Karlsruhe, Germany - March 22, 2015Streaming Video:  Road Racin' - Live in Denver, CO - April 11, 2023Riot "Road Racin'" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIZ-bxN9qrcNight Demon "Road Racin'" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-2MJS7PWRoRiot "Narita" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvZ5yyLF4skRiot "Thundersteel" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZUysqemMmgRiot "Outlaw" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI_tDv5MBsoRiot "Riot" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvbFXo-M8ec Listen at nightdemon.net/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook

Studio Soundtracks takes listeners behind the scenes of how music is crafted for film and television by hearing directly from composers, songwriters and music professionals in the Entertainment Industry. Listen to inspiring conversations about composition and hear works from Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar-winning film scores on the show. KAY HANLEY Kay Hanley is an Emmy and Peabody Award winning songwriter for TV animation, music copyright advocate/activist with Songwriters Of North America, singer of Boston-based rock band Letters To Cleo Hanley began her career in music as the lead singer of Boston-based alternative rock band Letters to Cleo, releasing 3 acclaimed albums between 1990-2000, and spawning such hits as Awake and Here and Now. In 2002, Hanley released her first full length solo album, Cherry Marmalade, produced by longtime Cleo producer, Mike Denneen at Q Division Studios in Boston. The record has recently been remastered for a double album 20th anniversary vinyl re-release. Subsequent solo releases were The Babydoll EP (2005) and Weaponize (2009) After a 16-year hiatus, Letters To Cleo reunited in 2016 to release new music and embark on several sold-out US tours. They are currently writing their 4th full length studio album. In the late 90's, Ms. Hanley began expanding her work as a singer and songwriter into the TV and film world, writing songs for WB's animated series Generation O, providing the singing voice for Rachael Leigh Cook's character Josie in Universal Pictures' feature film Josie and the Pussycats and performing cover versions of Nick Lowe's Cruel to be Kind and Cheap Trick's I Want You To Want Me in Touchstone Pictures' hit film, 10 Things I Hate About You. Today, Ms. Hanley spends most of her time writing music for animated television, penning original songs for shows like Disney Junior's hit series Vampirina and Doc McStuffins (for which she won a Peabody Award in 2014), Dreamworks' Harvey Street Kids, WB/Cartoon Network's DC Super Hero Girls and Netflix series, Ada Twist, Scientist and becoming a first time Emmy winner in 2022 for We The People. Her latest animated project is Kindergarten The Musical, which she developed with writing partners Michelle Lewis, Dan Petty, and Charlton Pettus. She serves as composer and executive producer for the series, which will debut in Fall 2024 on Disney Junior. Ms. Hanley is co-founder of Songwriters Of North America (SONA), a non-profit advocacy organization that fights for the protection and value of songs and songwriters in the streaming music marketplace. As a result of her advocacy work, Hanley was chosen to represent songwriters on the Mechanical Licensing Collective, serving as vice-chair of the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee. TOM POLCE Tom is a multi-instrumentalist/ composer/ producer and mixer. He has been working in the Los Angeles entertainment industry for over 15 years. First as Head of A&R/ Staff Producer for CBS Records and then transitioning to Staff Producer/ Composer for CBS Studios and currently fulfilling the same role at Paramount Global. Tom spends his time composing original music, producing and mixing. From scoring Crazy Ex-Girlfriend to writing musicals for the Star Trek franchise, Tom enjoys producing, composing and mixing a wide breadth of styles. A Connecticut native before moving to Boston, Tom studied at NEC and Berklee College of music as a Jazz Performance Major and then became a fixture in the 90's Boston music scene as a musician and producer, performing as a member in bands and solo artists such as Letters to Cleo, Senor Happy, Loveless, Bill Janovitz and many more. Studio Soundtracks is made possible in part by the generous support of Spitfire Audio, makers of inspiring sounds and scoring tools for film, in collaboration with the world's best composers, musicians and engineers. More details available at spitfireaudio.com.

This week our host Brandi Starr is joined by Jim Combs, Vice President of Experience Strategy & Research at Human Spark.   As VP of Experience Strategy & Research at Human Spark, Jim leads development and integration of digital and traditional brands, products, services, and marketing for global Fortune 1000 companies.   Jim is one of those rare individuals who lives and breathes at the experience design intersection of creative, business, and technology.  He has over 25 years of experience leading successful teams and global, strategic-level initiatives for clients including Philips Healthcare, 3M, Cox Communications, AT&T, UPS, The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot, IHG, Verizon Wireless, Marriott, The WK Kellogg Foundation, Kimberly-Clark, Equifax, Universal Music, Rounder Records, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, the American Cancer Society, and Macy's.   Prior to Human Spark, Jim served as Experience Director for T3 in Atlanta, Georgia, and has previously held executive positions with Slalom Consulting, WebMD, Moxie Interactive, Sapient, and IBM.   He started his career in the music business as a marketing and sales lead for CBS Records in the heyday of vinyl records before leaving after five years when CDs were released to be a pioneer in new media, eCommerce, and enterprise digital transformation. He continues to compose, record, release, and perform his own music which can be heard on radio and streaming channels around the world.   Jim holds a Master's Degree in Interactive Telecommunications from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism: Radio, TV, Film.   On the couch in this weeks' episode, Brandi and Jim will tackle Deciphering Customer Desires: From Insights to Brand Promise Delivery.   Links: Get in touch with Jim Combs on: LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Facebook Human Spark Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live

"There is no form of American music that Black people didn't create." This episode is going to make you laugh and dance all at the same time. Michael Harriot breaks down the top ten Black people music categories, including "old people music," "fight song music," and more.  Credits:  “Turn It Up” Rare Essence and Dj Kool INgrooves, Rare One RecordsRob “R.J.” Folson and Rare Essence “Congo Drum” The Huck a BucksINgrooves, Sound By CharlieRoy Battle, Joseph Timms, Ricky Yancy “Burgers and Fries” Charley PrideRCA Records, Sony Music Entertainment Ben Peters, Jerry Bradley, Charley Pride “Sweet Hour of Prayer”Mahalia Jackson Sony Music Entertainment, Columbia Records Irving Townsend, William Bradbury, W. W. Walford “The Entertainer”Scott JoplinJohn Stark & Son  “Knuck If You Buck”Crime MobCrunk Incorporated, Reprise, Warner RecordsLil jay  “Stagger Lee”Lloyd PriceVictor, RCA Records Ray Lopez, Don Costa “Meeting In my Bedroom”SilkElektra Records Darrell Allamby "I Wanna Rock"Uncle LukeLuke Records, Atlantic Records, Lil Joe Records Mike “Fresh” McCray “Freak It”LathumSo So Def Recordings, Columbia Records, Sony Music Entertainment  Lil Jon, Paul Lewis “Good Riddance” Green Day Warner Music Group, Reprise RecordsRob Cavallo, Green Day “Cult of Personality”Living ColourCleopatra Records, Epic Records, CBS Records, Sony Music Entertainment Ed Stasium “Strokin”Clarence CarterColossal Records, The Orchard MusicClarence Carter "I Need To Know"Youngboy Never Broke AgainNever Broke Again, Motown Records, Universal Music GroupBJondatrakk, We Love Heavy & D-Roc "Before I Let Go"Frankie Beverly And MazeCapitol RecordsFrankie Beverly "Back That Thang Up"Juvenile, Lil Wayne, Mannie Fresh Cash Money Records, Universal RecordsMannie Fresh “We Fall Down” Donnie McClurkinVerity RecordsDonnie McClurkin Drumroll sound effect from Pixabay Additional music and sound effects by Transition Music See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paula Scher is one of the most influential designers of all time. A partner at Pentagram since 1991, she began her career in 1972 at CBS Records, where she eventually became the art director for the cover department, designing more than 150 album covers a year. Additionally, she has worked with a host of clients – Bloomberg, Coca-Cola, and the High Line – crafting identity and branding systems, promotional materials, environmental graphics, packaging and publication designs. Her designs are in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, the Library of Congress, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and other institutions. ------- Thank you to the sponsors that fuel our podcast and our team: LMNT Electrolytes  https://drinklmnt.com/tetra Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with your order. ------- House of Macadamias https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/tetra Get a free box of Dry Roasted Namibian Sea Salt Macadamias + 20% off Your Order With Code TETRA Use code TETRA for 20% off at checkout

Show Notes: Reggie Williams, a Harvard graduate, had a great experience in his four-year period at Harvard College. After graduating, he went to Harvard Law School, which was a much more difficult and a lesser social experience. He was disillusioned with the law, finding that it was influenced by politics and was more subjective than objective. He decided law was not a profession he wanted to pursue. Moving into the Entertainment Industry While in law school, Reggie was inspired by the notion that he could pursue entertainment and started asking people around campus for advice. His goal was to eventually become a senior executive at a multimedia entertainment company or run his own company. He did not achieve his best grades in law school, but he did pass and he wrote a thesis about Tupac Shakur and the music industry needing to regulate itself with a voluntary rating system. Reggie took a negotiation class with Bruce Patton and Roger Friedman, which was the greatest course he took in any stage of academics.  He applied to 27 law firms in New York and LA, and only one firm accepted him. He had a great interview with a man who became his mentor. He was invited to New York City to work for Paul Hastings, an entertainment litigation practice, which represented stars like Madonna and CBS Records. However, when he got there, they didn't have a place for him in the entertainment litigation department. Reggie learned that sometimes life doesn't give you what you expect, but it's what you need. He found himself doing business law, which was more aligned with his interests in entertainment, learning contracts and IP. As a business law associate interested in entertainment, he was the first person to give deals in the entertainment industry, which helped him navigate the challenges and opportunities in the entertainment industry. Starting a Digital Lifestyle Entertainment Company He realized he didn't want to stay in corporate law for too long, and Reggie shares how he gained experience and made connections that helped him move forward in his career and land his dream job. He talks about having three dream jobs on the table but how negotiations fell apart and he lost all three. However, he finally landed one of them and found he was moving full speed ahead negotiating and closing deals with artists he loved. After two years, the partner came to him and asked him to write business plans for a couple of clients, which he did, and then decided that  the next one he wanted to write was for his own business. So, in 1999 he launched his first business and built a digital lifestyle entertainment experience, based around hip hop which was to become the next 25 years of his career.  Founding Ambrosia for Heads  After a rollercoaster ride of financial and relationship difficulties, Reggie was navigating the economic downturn in 2008, and his second wife was pregnant. In 2009, Williams realized that hip hop was growing and needed a platform that targeted people 25 and older. He created Ambrosia, a curated service for hip hop fans, and branded it Ambrosia for Heads (AFH), which would eventually become a streaming platform. He aimed to be a concierge through hip hop culture for people, starting as an editorial platform and building an audience around it. When Reggie founded AFH and was initially unsure of the role technology would play in the entertainment industry. However, he realized that technology is sovereign and that content is king. He had a dream of creating a hip hop lifestyle that encompassed TV, film, music, and other forms of entertainment. He set out to build a sustainable platform, similar to Netflix or Rolling Stone, but with a focus on adults. As social media exploded, Reggie used Facebook to build a community focused around hip hop culture. He aimed to make it like a Rolling Stone, with roughly 75% of the content being about music, 60% entertainment lifestyle, 15% politics, and 10% dark corners of the world.  Merging Technology and Entertainment  In 2017, Williams launched a subscription video service like Netflix on several different platforms, with over 300 hours of programming. Despite a successful launch, AFH was unable to raise capital, although having built an audience of 15 million a month. He listens to 20,000 hours of music last year and has a son and three sons who all have the same favorite artist, Kendrick Lamar. Reggie shares stories of meeting and working with artists, revealing that they are often very different from their appearance on stage or in public interviews. Most artists are incredibly smart, but this is not always welcomed in certain genres. They can be both introverted and magnetic on stage, but when they work with them, they start to get to know them as real humans. Influential Professors and Courses at Harvard Reggie mentioned being impressed with Derek Parfit, a philosopher who taught at Oxford but later came to Harvard. Parfit's book, Reasons in Persons, explores personal identity and the concept of the Star Trek transfer transformer analogy, which suggests that everything is created in the next place.  He took a course called Moral Reasoning in his freshman year taught by Harvey Mansfield. He also took feminism courses, which he found fascinating, and he also mentions film courses, which he had taken in his freshman year.  Timestamps: 03:12 Going to law school as an entertainment lawyer 09:07 A job offer from an entertainment law firm 15:51 The turning point in his life 18:31 The opportunity to work for Bbt 24:22 What has surprised Reggie about the industry 30:54 Taking a stand on social media 39:10 The unwritten rules of meeting celebrities 42:44 Reggie reflects on fatherhood Links:  Website: AmbrosiaforHeads.com CONTACT: Email: Reg@afhtv.com  

STEVEN SKEELSSINGER • SONGWRITER • ACTOR • PRODUCER"TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE" - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARESteven was living the "perfect" life in NYC.  He was married to the man who was the love of his life and they were both living an enviable, successful life on stage and in the arts.  Then one day, after picking up his husband Jerad after his matinee performance in "Wicked" on Broadway, they headed to a day off at their cabin in the Poconos.  Their car hit an unexpected patch of black ice and the unimaginable happened in the blink of an eye.He shares the story of agonizing physical and emotional pain in the aftermath of the accident, and he also shares some very important lessons that he and his husband Jerad learned.  And he tells us some of the principals he lives by...Over his 40 year career, Steven Skeels has established himself as one of music's most versatile artists, equally as passionate as a performer on the concert stage singing his own material to writing and producing for other artists as well. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, he has explored nearly every genre of music and continues to explore new sounds and experiences. He has performed in over forty countries and has been seen on the Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as numerous television programs throughout Europe.As an actor and performer, Steven was handpicked by Andrew Lloyd Webber to originate the starring role of “Rusty” in the hit musical Starlight Express, both in Germany and Las Vegas. This role garnered him a European radio Top 10 single with the title song “Starlight Express” for CBS Records. Other roles include Lt. Cable in South Pacific (American Hawaii Cruise Lines), the Scarecrow in The Wizard Of Oz (Macy's Theatricals of NYC), and Tom Thumb in Barnum (The S.S. Norway). In film, Steven has been featured in the award-winning short film, Leaving Malcolm, and as well as composing music for the film. Steven is currently in post-production for his documentary, Becoming Whole, which chronicles his journey from humble beginnings to the top of the entertainment business.To see his entire bio and to contact Steven, go to https://www.stevenskeels.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

STEVEN SKEELSSINGER • SONGWRITER • ACTOR • PRODUCER"TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE" - WILLIAM SHAKESPEAREOver his 40 year career, Steven Skeels has established himself as one of music's most versatile artists, equally as passionate as a performer on the concert stage singing his own material to writing and producing for other artists as well. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, he has explored nearly every genre of music and continues to explore new sounds and experiences. He has performed in over forty countries and has been seen on the Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as numerous television programs throughout Europe.As an actor and performer, Steven was handpicked by Andrew Lloyd Webber to originate the starring role of “Rusty” in the hit musical Starlight Express, both in Germany and Las Vegas. This role garnered him a European radio Top 10 single with the title song “Starlight Express” for CBS Records. Other roles include Lt. Cable in South Pacific (American Hawaii Cruise Lines), the Scarecrow in The Wizard Of Oz (Macy's Theatricals of NYC), and Tom Thumb in Barnum (The S.S. Norway). In film, Steven has been featured in the award-winning short film, Leaving Malcolm, and as well as composing music for the film. Steven is currently in post-production for his documentary, Becoming Whole, which chronicles his journey from humble beginnings to the top of the entertainment business.To see his entire bio and to contact Steven, go to https://www.stevenskeels.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Show #990 More Vinyl An eclectic mix of new & old music, with the old from vinyl, including a trio dedicated to David Lindley who passed away on March 3. 01. GA-20 - My Soul (3:12) (Live In Loveland, Colemine/Karma Chief Records, 2023) 02. Juke Jumpers - You Don't Love Me (6:41) (Border Radio, Amazing Records, 1980) 03. Dave Crimmen - Come On (3:04) (Single, self-release, 2023) 04. The Allstars - My Love Will Never Die (5:11) (Tip Your Waitress, Adelphi Records, 1978) 05. Brandon Reeves - Skooch (4:07) (Putting Together Pieces, self-release, 2023) 06. The Twangtown Paramours - I Wanna Be Free (3:17) (Single, Inside Edge Records, 2023) 07. David Bromberg - Suffer To Sing The Blues (5:43) (Long Way From Here, Fantasy Records, 1986) 08. Derroll Adams - Deep Ellum Blues (2:19) (Feelin' Fine, Village Thing Records, 1972) 09. Mick Pini & Audio 54 - Shadows (4:14) (Way Ahead, House Of Happiness Records, 2023) 10. David Lindley - Mercury Blues (3:40) (El Rayo-X, Asylum Records, 1981) 11. Ry Cooder - The Very Thing That Makes You Rich (5:36) (Bop Till You Drop, Warner Bros Records, 1979) 12. David Lindley - Spodie (5:00) (Win This Record, Asylum Records, 1982) 13. 11 Guys Quartet - Speakeasy Serenade (4:00) (Small Blues And Grooves, VizzTone Records, 2020) 14. Monaco Blues Band - Rollin' Man (3:32) (Monaco Blues Band, CBS Records, 1984) 15. Cat Wells - Blues Muse (3:44) (Single, self-release, 2023) 16. Johnny Winter - Self-Destructive Blues (3:31) (John Dawson Winter III, CBS Records, 1974) 17. Jimmie Davis - Red Nightgown Blues [1932] (3:01) (Rockin' Blues, RCA/Bear Family Records, 1983) 18. Peter Storm & the Blues Society - I Told You (Not To Treat Me Wrong) (5:40) (Second, Naked Productions, 2023) 19. John Mayall - Devil's Tricks (7:46) (Back To The Roots, Polydor Records, 1971) 20. The Tearaways - Are You Fuckin' Kidding Me (4:08) (And For Our Next Trick, Dirty Water Records, 2023) 21. Steppenwolf - Ride With Me (3:59) (For Ladies Only, Dunhill Records, 1971) Bandana Blues is and will always be a labor of love. Please help Spinner deal with the costs of hosting & bandwidth. Visit www.bandanablues.com and hit the tipjar. Any amount is much appreciated, no matter how small. Thank you.

Vor 45 Jahren erscheint das Debütalbum "Nina Hagen Band" – das erste Album, das Nina Hagen zusammen mit ihrer westdeutschen Band aufgenommen hat. Eine Revolution der deutschen Musikszene. Das Album ist voller – damals unglaublich provokanter – weiblicher Selbstbeherrschung. Irgendwo zwischen Punkrock, Oper und Reggae angesiedelt. Eine ganze Generation von Mädchen und jungen Frauen hatten schon lange auf ein Album gewartet, dass ihnen eine Stimme gibt, selbstbewusst, selbstbestimmt und voller weiblicher Power. Nachdem Hagens Stiefvater Liedermacher Wolf Biermann 1976 aus der DDR ausgebürgert worden war, setzte sie sich zunächst für seine Wiedereinreise ein, folgte ihm aber, nachdem ihr Antrag abgelehnt worden war. Er wurde zu ihrem Mentor und verschafft Nina schlussendlich auch ihren ersten Plattenvertrag bei CBS Records. Das war ein unglaublicher Freifahrtschein. Ihr Weg führte Sie zuerst nach Hamburg, wo sie auf Udos Panikorchester traf bevor sie 1976 nach London ging. Hagen entdeckte während ihres Aufenthalts neue Musikstile und ließ sich vor allem vom Punk inspirieren. Sie traf sich mit Ari Up, der Leadsängerin der Band "The Slits" und gemeinsam schrieben sie den Song "Pank", der später auf dem Album erschien. Inspiriert von der Londoner Musikszene kehrte Hagen nach Berlin zurück und traf sich mit den Mitgliedern der Band Lokomotive Kreuzberg, Manfred Praeker, Herwig Mitteregger und Bernhard Potschka. Zu den drei Musikern gesellte sich anschließend Reinhold Heil und gemeinsam mit Hagen gründeten sie die "Nina Hagen Band". Im November 1977 unterschrieb die Band einen Vertrag mit CBS Records unter dem Management von Jim Rakete. Die meisten Songs ihres Debütalbums hatte Hagen bereits in der DDR geschrieben. Aufgenommen wurde das Album in den Hansa-Studios in Berlin. Dort wurden zu dieser Zeit große - auch internationale - Produktionen mit namenhaften Künstlern wie David Bowie oder Iggy Pop gemacht. Um es mit Nina Hagens Worten zu sagen "Sie wollte Quatsch machen und ein bisschen mit ihrer Stimme zaubern", was ihr auch gelungen ist. Das Album war ein kommerzieller Erfolg. In Deutschland erreichte es in der Spitze Platz elf. "Nina Hagen Band" wurde vom Bundesverband Musikindustrie mit Gold ausgezeichnet und hat sich über 250.000 Mal verkauft.Nina Hagen präsentiert sich bunt, schrill, politisch und unterhaltend. Sie steht für die weibliche Selbstbestimmung und weibliches Selbstbewusstsein und für die Befreiung der Frau. In "Nina Hagen Band" werden Themen wie die Kritik am Konsum, Sex zu Dritt und die Begeisterung für die Natur behandelt. So etwas gab es in der deutschen Musik bis dato nicht. __________ Über diese Songs vom Album "Nina Hagen Band" wird im Podcast gesprochen 19:24 Mins – "TV-Glotzer" 29:05 Mins – "Rangehn" 38:46 Mins – "Heiß" 43:42 Mins – "Unbeschreiblich weiblich" 50:43 Mins – "Naturtöne" 01:02:05 Mins – "Aufm Bahnhof Zoo" 01:09:45 Mins – "Pank" __________ Über diese Songs wird außerdem im Podcast gesprochen 07:32 Mins – "Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen" von Nina Hagen 23:39 Mins – "White Punks on Dope" von The Tubes 01:12:46 Mins – "Talk of 79" Phil Lynott __________ Konzertmitschnitt Nina Hagen Band Rockpalast 1978 in der ARD-Mediathek: https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/rockpalast/nina-hagen-band-westfalenhalle-dortmund-1978/wdr/Y3JpZDovL3dkci5kZS9CZWl0cmFnLTJmY2UxNWE3LTFlN2YtNDkxNC04YTEzLTg0MTRjMTM1MzNjNg Website zum Buch "She Bop: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music" von Lucy O'Brian: http://lucyobrien.co.uk/books Das Album "Nina Hagen Band" bei Laut.de: https://www.laut.de/Nina-Hagen-Band/Alben/Nina-Hagen-Band-111460 __________ Ihr wollt mehr Podcasts wie diesen? Abonniert die SWR1 Meilensteine! Fragen, Kritik, Anregungen? Schreibt uns an: meilensteine@swr.de

This week Friend's Actress Maggie Wheeler is on the podcast discussing how she broke in, her career, and advice for aspiring actors.Show NotesMaggie Wheeler on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_WheelerMaggie Wheeler on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0923909/Maggie Wheeler's Personal Website: https://maggiewheeler.net/homeMaggie Wheeler on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggiewheeler_official/Michael's Online Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/courseFree Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/freeJoin My Watchlist - https://michaeljamin.com/watchlistAutogenerated TranscriptMaggie Wheeler (00:00):Yeah. But you know, I'm so blessed because working on friends was just the most incredible creative understanding and agreement that that existed between, you know, from all angles. Yeah. And so the actors had a lot of free reign to, to, to work things out, to suggest things, to offer things. I had come from a show before that where I used to joke that they should cl in the credits. They should call me Clay Pigeon because, you know, a clay pigeon that you throw up and shoot at. Right. Uhhuh . Because every time I would say the slightest thing, I would say, would it be okay if overhear instead of if I said and No, no.Michael Jamin (00:37):You're listening to Screenwriters Need to Hear This with Michael Jamin.(00:45):Hey everyone, this is Michael Jamin. You're listening to Screenwriters. Need to hear this. I got an excellent guest today. Now hang on you. I know her as the mom from the parking lot at the school that our, both our daughters go to because that's who we, we, that's when I first met her. And we used to hang out and talk and smoke cigarettes while the kids were getting ready to come outta class. But you know her probably so many things, but probably maybe most famously as Janice from friends. We're gonna talk all about her amazing career. Maggie Wheeler. Maggie, thank you so much for doing the show. Thank you. A round of applause, Mike. We'll put that in post .Maggie Wheeler (01:24):Thank you so much for inviting me to do your show.Michael Jamin (01:27):Oh, I'm so happy because you, you, I, I wanna hear about screenwriting basically from your end, from the, cuz you're a, a very successful working actor. Let me talk about some of the things you've done. I'm gonna roll through your credits to refresh you. Okay. Because you've been doing it so long. You've forgotten all these things. Remind me, I guess, right? Remind you of Archer, the Adams family. I didn't know you did the Adams family. Shameless Marin. I remember that because we worked together on that. You were Mark's ex-wife, Kung fu Panda. I'm just skipping around. There's so much I can't mention all Hot and Cleveland. Californian. I didn't know that. We'll talk about that. Curb your enthusiasm. Glenn Martin. I remember that one. Cause we worked so much. How much fun? That was fun. Cuz you can do, you're amazing with voices. Don't I'll let you talk Mary Maggie. I'm talking now. Okay. Sorry. I'm going through your credit.Maggie Wheeler (02:14):. I'll be quiet. Forgive me. Speak for speaking. I turn Please continue discussing StopMichael Jamin (02:20):Talk. I'm done talking about your credits here. How I met your mother. What a er. Dr. Doolittle. Three. I didn't know that. And obviously friends. You did a ton of those. Fat actress. Everyone loves Raymond. Listen to this. Credits. Csi, will and Grace. This is crazy guys. The parent Trap where you were the mom on that one. You Ellen? X-Files Dookie Hauser Seinfeld. Dreman. Which I love Dream on. I didn't know you did that. I mean, you have the to Okay, now you can say something.Maggie Wheeler (02:49):. Okay. I did not play the mother in the parent trap.Michael Jamin (02:51):Who were, were you Lindsay Lohan?Maggie Wheeler (02:53):I was Lindsay Lohan. Correct. . I I'm very versatile. No, I played the camp counselor Marvin Junior. Oh. Who gets covered into chocolate and feathers. AndMichael Jamin (03:03):Tell me about what everyone wants to talk about for probably first your, like the most of the famous the Janice. Tell me like when you auditioned for that. Yeah. Did, did you know that was gonna be a recurring go recurring role?Maggie Wheeler (03:14):No, it was a one shot deal. It was one episode, single episode. And and this, yeah, it said Fast talking New Yorker and I just thought I know her. She's she's in me all the way. So I just went and I did what I thought I should do.Michael Jamin (03:28):. See, that's the, that's the thing. Cause I'm gonna tell you this from a perspective of the writer. Even though I didn't write, have friends, this is what I imagine what happened, you, the audition, if if they had known it was gonna be a recurring part, they would've gone out to a big a-list celebrity, right? Correct. And so you came in, you auditioned for it, you were at the table read, which is the first day of rehearsal. And it's not uncommon for the regular guests, for the regular stars to not phoning in, but to save it a little at the rehears at the first day of the table. Cuz they don't want to bring it. But I'm certain you brought it 110% and this is what happened. And I wasn't there, but I've worked on another show. So this is what happened. The writers after the table read, they go back to the room and they talk about the, the story, but they also talk about the guest cast because I wanna make sure the, do we need to fire this person? Do we need to replace this person? And I'm sure they came back. Oh, she killed it. She killed it. And then I'm certain after the tape, after the show night, they'd like, okay, we're bringing her back.Maggie Wheeler (04:26):Because amazing. I mean, you know, I wasn't behind the scenes, so I can't say how the magic happened, but I, I'd love to think that that's what happened.Michael Jamin (04:33):I'm certain that's how what, because, and, and this is another thing, it's very rare to find from my, from where I sit an actor who really can do comedy that well. And so, and you killed it so much that they brought you back. I'm sure, like I said, I'm sure they didn't think it was a reg a recurring. They, they wrote No, they go get her back. Let's think of how we can bring her back.Maggie Wheeler (04:55):19. No, I think I, yeah. Nine, however many times all throughout the rest of the show. But, you know, I remember one of the writers telling me somewhere along the line, maybe after the fact, he said, you know, we used to sit there on those late nights when we couldn't break a script and something just wasn't working. And by two in the morning we'd be sitting there kind of, you know, tearing our hair out. And somebody would just say, what about Jan? Bring me back Janice . And that's how I kept coming back and coming back. You know it, which was amazing.Michael Jamin (05:20):What about Janice? That's perfect. That's per, yeah. And so when you, so when you audition for it, like how do you approach a script? I guess I wanna know also from the comedy point of view, how do you, like what do you, what's the first thing you do when you read the part?Maggie Wheeler (05:33):I think I hear life in a and in through my acting work and, and in my life as well. I think I hear a little bit through a musical lens. Like the music of language, the rhythm of the character. That's what I, you know what I find? That's how I find the person that I'm playing.Michael Jamin (05:47):The musicality. Cuz you're also a sa I know you're big on music. We'llMaggie Wheeler (05:50):Talk about that. Yeah, I mean, I love music and I love, I love singing. But I, you know, but, but I just feel like also because when, in my earlier days of studying acting, I was very fortunate to work with Anna DRA Smith. And Anna works in this incredible way. If, you know, she, she's, she's a genius and she, I think she won the MacArthur Genius Grant. But she's really so extraordinary and, and her process in all of her one woman shows, which are based on real interviews she kind of gave a little bit of that to me as a student of hers in a show that we did early on before she started doing her own big pieces. And so she said, she sent a bunch of us out. She said, go, I want you to go interview somebody that you know, and then tape it.(06:35):We all had our little cassette recorders. And then she said, and listen to it. And you'll see that. You ask them to tell a story. Some something that happened to them in their life. I asked my sister at the time, and they, and she said, you'll notice that there'll be a moment in the story where the pedal hits the metal. You know, just the, the, all of a sudden the gas is on and their, their cadence will change and their rhythm will change and it will accelerate. And that's the moment I want you to pick. And that's the moment I want you to do. And then from there, we did this process of, you know, writing it down word for word, finding a way for our ourselves to notate those rhythm changes, et cetera. And then really to recreate that character's kind of awakened moment. And I feel like that affected the way that I work a little bit too.Michael Jamin (07:16):But, so you, you even did that, like when you got the sides to audition for, like, let's say Janice, you do that for every role you like? Well,Maggie Wheeler (07:23):I don't know that I do it in such a laborious way. But I just think it's an instinctive way. Like, okay, so here are the lines and here is the thing. And she's saying, you know, the audition scene was, oh, I got you these socks and I don't remember the exact lines, but I got you these socks, you know, they're Winkle socks, you know, you have them, whatever she says, you can wear them however you wanna wear them. Mix and match moose and squirrel, squirrel and moose. And that just, that is just in me that moment. And I think it was that, it was just the, the hook for her. And then the, oh my God, stuff came later and the laugh came once I was on set. That was an organic thing that just developed itMichael Jamin (07:59):. I, you know,Maggie Wheeler (08:00):This moment with Matthew,Michael Jamin (08:02):You really made her an iconic character. You really did. You really Thank you. You know, and it's so, I, you, you know, when, when an actor does that, it's such a relief. A lot of people don't realize. It's like when we're auditioning, it's different now, obviously cuz everything's on tape. But Yeah. When an actor comes into the room and you've done this plenty of times, you audition for producers and the producers are like this. Right? Yeah. . And, and it's not because we're one trying to intimidate you. It's because please save us. I know that. Please just hit it outta the park so we can stop this fucking process and go home.Maggie Wheeler (08:35):I know that. I tell that to young actors. Like when I go to talk to acting students and stuff, I tell them mm-hmm. , they just wanna know You've got it. Yeah. Yeah. Now the problem is, as an actor, it's like there are moments, there are days where you just, you wish you had it bottled and you wish you could just kind of toss it back and walk in the room and like, I've got it. But so many factors can interrupt that, that flow. You know, if you want it to badly, that can be an issue. , you know mm-hmm. , somehow you have to kind of wrangle that desire and desperation, like wrap it up and leave it outside the door because people smell that and feel that mm-hmm. and that feels, doesn't feel safe to the people on the other side of the desk. You know, there just has to be that kind of perfect alchemical embodiment of the character plus like your own ease that allows the mm-hmm. , the, the folks on the other side of the table to go to do that thing that you just illustrated. Which is like, oh, thank you.Michael Jamin (09:30):Yeah, thank you. But how did you get into, like, even before that, cuz you have a lot of ma many credits before friends. Like, how did you get into, how did you get into act? Like how did you start? You wentMaggie Wheeler (09:42):I was a teenager in New York City and I really wanted to act badly. AndMichael Jamin (09:48): and your mother couldn't talk you out of it. my mother,Maggie Wheeler (09:50):She tried , please let me go to professional children's school. No, , please let me go to an acting camp. No. so, you know, I tried everything I could. I, in, in high school, I joined an afterschool musical theater troupe called the Mary Mini Players that did musical theater for kids, original musical theater by children, four children. Oh wow. And we performed in the basement of the Broadway theater or Broadway hotel. I can't remember where the hell we were. And he was crazy. And so that was sort of my first sort of feeling like I was getting somewhere. And then I used to buy the trades Uhhuh, really. And in high school I would cut school and go stand in line behind a bunch of 20 somethings and audition for something. I had no business auditioning for a, I wouldn't have been able to do it. I mean, they were industrials and, you know, silly things like that. Dance auditions things. I was, I mean, I was, I did not belong there, but I was just trying and trying and I was brave and bold and a little stupid. So, you know, that, that was good for me. And then I found a manager when I was in high school andMichael Jamin (10:52):Really in New York?Maggie Wheeler (10:53):In New York, Muriel Carl Talent Management. And and I went in there and I had to audition. I had to read copies, sing a song, do a thing. And you know, it was like, if Chris guest made a movie about, you know, children in, in, you know, performing children, this management company would be, you know, the illustration of what he would, he would create. So anyway, Muriel Carl, I had to audition for her, but I was the only person there without a parent because my mother said, no, f and a, no, I'm not going, I'm not taking you. I don't give it shit . Whatever, whatever you, you're on your own. And so all these mothers were in there with like multiple children and matching outfits, you know, sing from your reel, read from your reel, still louder. Do it louder. So anyway, I started auditioning professionally and got rejected for every single possible thing. Yeah. And then my first professional job was in radio doing voiceover for CBS Records. And I got pulled out of a little, I got, I got booked in a crowd of kids and people just saying, Ooh, the Rubens for some musical group in the, in the seventies. Ooh, the Rubens. Ooh, the Rubens. And they said, the guy, you know, the engineer said, who's the kid with the low? With the low voice? And I was likeMichael Jamin (12:05):Oh,Maggie Wheeler (12:05):, I'm out.Michael Jamin (12:07):AndMaggie Wheeler (12:08):They gave me the spot and then they kept hiring me back. So I started in radio and doing extra jobs. You know, I was in, I was an extra in commercials and a couple of movies and justMichael Jamin (12:18):Seeing. But then how did you make the jump to come to California?Maggie Wheeler (12:21):So I I, when I was 20 something doing, you know, off, off off Broadway, whatever, everything I could do in New York, anything to be busy. Yeah. some including summer stock and a whole bunch of other things in between just to keep myself acting. My sister's ex-boyfriend's current girlfriend was working for Lauren Michaels when the year that he left SNL and decided to do a primetime sketch comedy show called The New Show. And he was auditioning for the new show and she reached out to me and asked if I wanted to audition. And I said, absolutely. The answer is yes. Yeah. And then she said, okay, you need to do six minutes of original standup. And I locked myself in my bedroom and cried because I just thought, I don't even know how to do that. I don't even know what that is.(13:08):I can't do, how do I do it? So I ended up writing six minutes of standup that had a lot of character driven stuff in it. Mm-Hmm. stories from my life, you know just characters from my life. And then I also wrote into it a sketch, a conversation between Julia Child and Jacque Gusto talking about Sea Bass and and him about, you know, the beautiful you know, undiscovered deep waters and her about cooking it. But anyway, I don't know. I did whatever the hell I did. And then I auditioned for that show and then they threw me up there to, to improv with with Brian Doyle Murray and, and Wow. And and all these people from S sctv. It was crazy. And I got the job. So that was my first real significant professional job. Right. And when it got canceled, I moved to Los Angeles because I thought, this is my moment and I have to take it.Michael Jamin (14:00):But was the shelf shot in LA or itMaggie Wheeler (14:02):Was in New York? No, New York. It was in New York. Oh, okay. And so when that was over, I got my license, my little hot license. I also didn't really know what to do with that. And I came out here and and I went to, I, you know, I went about my working life and I lived here for a year and I got one job. I worked on the paper chase.Michael Jamin (14:18):Right.Maggie Wheeler (14:19):And and then I got a call from New York from Ranken Bass, the creator of all the fabulous and a magic Christmas specials we all grew up on. And and they were casting a superhero cartoon. And they had, they found out about me from Lauren. And and I flew myself back to New York to audition for that. And I got it. So that brought me back to the city. And I did animation for several years in the city before. And in the midst of all that, I ended up making an independent film called New Year's Day. And when that was opening, I moved back here.Michael Jamin (14:50):That's another thing you're so good at, and this probably is cuz cuz you're a wonderful singer, but it, it's probably, cause I imagine the two are related cuz you can do all these voices and you, cuz you can hear them. And obviously I think it's comes right, that, that has to tie into your singing, don't you think?Maggie Wheeler (15:04):I guess it's all kind of a, of a piece. You know, I'm not like the a singer's singer. I can't, I don't have some extraordinary range or, or like golden vocal chords. I'm not a Broadway singer. I'm not a, you know, I'm, I I, there I have limitations to my singing voice mm-hmm. . but I do sing and I do direct a large choir here in Los Angeles that I've directed for 17 years called the Golden Bridge Community Choir. And I invite other people to sing. So, you know, it's, it's actually, it's like, it's like my little, my little secret plan, since I'm not a soprano, I just get a lot of other people in the room. I go, okay, you guys sing this part, you do this, you do that. But anyway, I I, I do love music, but I've also always loved mimicry from the time that I was little. And so I love voices. I love character voices. I loveMichael Jamin (15:50):Music. Do you practice that then? Like what do you do?Maggie Wheeler (15:53):I don't know. Do I practice it or do I just go on instinct? I feel like I just go,Michael Jamin (15:57):Because what I because we hired you on Glen Martin to do, I don't remember what voices, but you were like, oh, she could do all thoseMaggie Wheeler (16:03):. You hired me. You asked me, you called me and you said, can you do an Irish accent? Yeah. Because you wanted me to play flame Bang.Michael Jamin (16:10):That's what it was. It was sortMaggie Wheeler (16:11):Of, we also made O'Connor.Michael Jamin (16:12):But that's another thing when you come in for animation, and people should know this, that we, most of the time you get paid to do three voices. Yeah. Because so you have to be able to do more than one voice.Maggie Wheeler (16:22):Correct. And I did. And then when I got there, you said to me I don't remember why this happened, but you needed a song and you didn't have it. So I wrote the song for you, put that on the couch, . And I was like, you need what? You, you said, these are the lyrics, you know, you will, you write a melody. So I did that. And then eventually you hired Chrissy Hein and she came and sang it.Michael Jamin (16:45):Yeah, yeah.Maggie Wheeler (16:47):Yeah. That was veryMichael Jamin (16:48):Cool. Yeah. Was Isn't that funny? And she came to the , she came in like a rockstar. So she came in with a cigarette. And I remember my partner saying, yeah, you're not really supposed to smoke in here. And she's like, yeah, well, , it'sMaggie Wheeler (16:59):Too bad. Nice for you, .Michael Jamin (17:03):But yeah, but that's, we threw so much on your plate and you cause like, whatever, we knew you could do it. So you, you doMaggie Wheeler (17:08):It. That's the most fun. And I actually, I love that character. IMichael Jamin (17:12):Really do. Yeah.Maggie Wheeler (17:13):I, I love voice. I love voiceover work because I can do anything. I can be a baby. I can be Aron, I can be a tree, I can be an owl, I can be, you know, a bald Irish rocker.Michael Jamin (17:24):We got a couple of animated things on the burner. So maybe, hopefully if they go , we'll bring you back in for those. Yeah, I'll tell you more about those later. Okay, good. I'm so excited. You're already excited. I'm excited. Don't get your hopes up. You know how these things fall apart all the time. I do. I do. But but, but, so, but okay, so how else do you, I don't know, what is it like then to be like a working actor or someone like you because you know, people know who, who you are. What's it like on a daily basis?Maggie Wheeler (17:51):Well, I mean, look, what it looks like on paper is not the same as what it, what it is, you know? Mm-Hmm. , I mean, there's so many in, as you know, there are just these long, kind of, these valleys, there are huge valleys with no work. So if you kind of create a little map of my career and you put all the, you know, red pins on the, on the dots of my jobs, boy, I, it looks like I've worked a lot, but there have been obviously incredibly long fallow periods in between.Michael Jamin (18:16):And what do you do during those? What, like what, what's your plan? Well,Maggie Wheeler (18:19):I mean, I'm, I've done so many crazy weird things to sort of, you know, tied myself over in the, in the interim. But I have to say, you know, starting the choir and being a facilitator of, of vocal workshops, which I also do at retreat centers and different places like that has been a tremendous gift because I have this work that's like really soul driven. Yeah. And I'm in the company of other people making something happen in the moment, you know, unlike showbiz where you, you know, you're doing it and you're making it with the family, you're with, you're all in, in it together. And then it's done. And then there's, you know, and then there's this period of time before it airs. And then once it airs you, you're gonna hear about, you might hear about how it, how people respond to it, but it's not as, it's not direct.(19:02):So, so I do something where I'm creative in the moment. I'm giving people something in the moment and there, and it's, and the feedback is coming to me immediately and directly. Right. So I'm really fortunate. I have two, basically two careers. And then of course, I'm a mother. I'm a parent and I've been raising my, my family throughout all those years. I mean, my kids are older now. They're 22 and 27, so they're not home. But I will say, you know, these pandemic years have been some of my busiest years because I, I took the choir online and that mm-hmm. eventually became a more global experience because lots of people joined me from all over the world. And then I also created an event called Together in Song that I ran every Saturday for the first two years where I hired three other, so leader singer songwriter musicians to come on with me.(19:50):And we basically led the world in song every Saturday for an hour. And I had 4,000 people come over the, that period of time. Wow. So I, I think that, you know, wow. Being a creative human being, I, in a way I, you know, I know so many people suffered you know, in terms of their work lives or their feeling of purpose during this past couple of years mm-hmm. and for a lot of creative people, it was just this kind of moment to dive in more deeply and figure out how mm-hmm. , if you're a writer, how you, you know, you can write, if you're a musician, you can make music if you're, you know, what can you do online to make sure you're connecting with other people? So it, you know, necessity was the mother of invention for me, and I was very busy.Michael Jamin (20:32):Well, first of all, if people wanna learn more about that, they can definitely follow you on Instagram, golden Bridge Choir.Maggie Wheeler (20:37):That's, that's a private Instagram, but they can go to Golden bridge choir.com. Okay. and and all the information is there and they can get on my mailing list there. And then anything, any, anytime I'm doing anything that's open to the public, I will, I send out a huge mailing and people can join me online or they can join me in person, which Right. We're not doing so much of yet, but we will be.Michael Jamin (20:57):So here's, here's the thing that, here's the thing about you. You are truly an ar Like of all the people I know, you are an artist and probably your mother's, like your whole family's artists. It's like you really are, like, your husband's very, you know, he's a very successful, very talented Daniel Wheeler. Well, how, how is it installation art? How do you describe? He does a lot of stuff.Maggie Wheeler (21:18):He's a, he's a sculptor and a maker of all things from, you know, from small sculptures to installation work, to funerary objects. He does collaborative urn making for people who are either losing a loved one who are, are, are in the process of dying. Wow. He, he he does so many things. He also does kind of I forget the, I'm not, the word is is lost on me now, but, you know, like he people, people hire him to make objects and, and you know, whether it's furniture or sculpture, all kinds of things, he's very eclectic. Anyway. wheeler made.com for Daniel, if people are interested in going to check that out. ButMichael Jamin (21:56):The reason why I kind of bring it up though, is cuz so many people are intimidated, like, am I really gonna go into the arts? Like, what the hell am I thinking? But yeah, you do. Everyone in your family does. WeMaggie Wheeler (22:07):Do. I mean, it was, this is your life art. It's an Artie family. No one, I mean, you know, I have a daughter who's, who's just now starting as an actress mm-hmm. . And of course, you don't wish that kind of creative life necessarily on your offspring, just as my mother did not wish it for me, and threw herself in front of my body frequently to try to slow me down. And she often, you know, and then when I would cry and be so distraught over the, whatever, the rejections or the lack of opportunity or whatever, she would say, I never told you to do this. Nobody ever told you you had to do this. Who told you you had to do this. But if you have to do it, you do it. And if you don't have to do it, don't. Which is of course, what everyone tells you when you're young. If, if you don't have to do this, don't do it. Because basically you're living the life of a professional gambler, and you don't get to, you don't get the security. Right. But you do get this, I think, sort of incredible accelerated sort of spiritual path of trying to trying to identify what your value is and what your worth is on the planet. Because it exists only in the outside where people are gonna say yes and no to you. You're done for Right. Because there's too many nos.Michael Jamin (23:18):Right.Maggie Wheeler (23:19):I mean, my career looks like a lot of yeses, but there are, it's nothing in comparison to the nos.Michael Jamin (23:23):You're a lot of No.Maggie Wheeler (23:24):Yeah. you know, you have to, it, it just constantly brings you back to that sort of place when you get knocked down and you feel like crap. And no, no, oh, you know, I'm not good enough. They don't love me, it's never gonna happen, blah, blah. All the stuff, all the negativity. And in order to get up and survive, you have got to dig deep and figure out, you know, what your value is in a more immediate way.Michael Jamin (23:48):Does it feel like, though I don't, I think I know the answer to it, but does it feel like a competition to you? Or like what, you know, versus other actors?Maggie Wheeler (23:58):Yeah, I think I certainly felt that way for a very long time, and I still feel that way. Really. You know, it, I mean, I think so. Yeah. I mean, you know, I'd auditioned for something recently. I think, you know, my auditioned life is very, very scarce at the, at the moment. But every once in a while there's a little flurry and there, there was a flurry some months back mm-hmm. where there were like four auditions in a row, and they were all good. I was interested in all of them. They were all very different. It gave me an opportunity to stretch myself a little bit. And I was, I was inspired. And there was one audition that I did, and, and I, I knew it was good, you know? Right. I, I, I knew that I, I knocked it out of the park, but I also knew they weren't gonna give it to me because I knew that there was an alister that they, that would get the job. And I said at the time, to my loved, my loved ones, I said to Daniel, you know, I'm not gonna get this. They're gonna give it to so-and-so. And they did.Michael Jamin (24:51):Hey, it's Michael Jamin. If you like my videos and you want me to email them to you for free, join my watch list. Every Friday I send out my top three videos. These are for writers, actors, creative types. You can unsubscribe whenever you want. I'm not gonna spam you, and it's absolutely free. Just go to michaeljamin.com/watchlist.(25:16):Yeah. And that's heartbreaking. And it's, it's outta your control. Yeah. Yeah. And it's outta your control. And that's sometimes that comes from the network or the, you know, whoever, because it's so strange. They really think they really think that having a bigger star attached, even for a guest role, they think it's gonna bring in eyeballs. It never does. I'm not sure itMaggie Wheeler (25:36):Ever does. And sometimes those, yeah. And I don't wanna say that sometimes those performances aren't as good. I, that's not fair to say, but sometimes they aren't. And also, you know, but, but I'm trying to think of, you said something before about, about how I, how Janice expanded into a, into a, a sea, you know, a a series long role. Yeah. And I, I often kind of refer to myself as a side door actress. You know, I usually get in the side door. I don't usually come through the front door. Right. I don't usually come, you know, for the, for the series lead. But frequently I have managed to slip in that side door in an interesting way. And out of it has come a really wonderful opportunity. So, for instance the parent trapMichael Jamin (26:17):Mm-Hmm.Maggie Wheeler (26:18):, when I got that script, I wanted that movie. And I thought, and here's this camp counselor. And I thought, oh no, they're never gonna give this to me. I'm in no way butch enough for this role, really. I can see the person they're gonna pick in my mind, but I thought, I've got to give them something. I just have to go. I have to go. Because I wanted it. And I thought, I'm just gonna, just gonna do something nobody else will do, because that's what I'm gonna do. So I , I put my hair in these pokey little weird braids, and I put on like, I think I had on overalls and a, and a coach whistle. Like, I dressed up like a, like a dorky sort of you know, camper. And I played, and I auditioned for this role with like a serious side sort of synt s situation where I was like a slightly odd, perhaps I never grew up. And I had this very serious speech impediment sort of thing, and it was a crazy idea. And the, the casting director looked at me, like tilted her head out from behind the camera and said, I think I need to take you to the director,Michael Jamin (27:29):. They didn't know what to do with it. And that's so funny. TheyMaggie Wheeler (27:32):Didn't know. So I came, I went in to meet Nancy Myers and Charles Shire, and I, and I, I was still in my crazy outfit. I was still ready to go. And he leaned over to his wife at the time and he said, does she really talk like that ? And she said, no, it's, she's JaniceMichael Jamin (27:49):. She she, did she talk like JaniceMaggie Wheeler (27:54):? So anyway, I got that role, but they didn't let me play her that way because Right. It was Disney and they didn't want you know, any kids who might have a sibling has to feel upset about it. So I had to lose that. Right. But that's how I got that movieMichael Jamin (28:08):By going on the limb.Maggie Wheeler (28:10):Crazy. Walked out there like a nutball.Michael Jamin (28:12):But tell me about, like, from your, from where, tell me about, from where you sound like, what's the, what's etiquette on set for an ac for an actor or even, or a guest actor? Like, what does it, what does it look like to you?Maggie Wheeler (28:24):What is etiquette on set?Michael Jamin (28:26):Like, what are you supposed to do? How are you supposed to behave?Maggie Wheeler (28:30):Well, that's interesting. I think when I immediately, like, I, I feel like I go through this rolodex of images in my mind from the sets where nobody talked to me, to the sets where I didn't have a proper dressing room to the sets where I was nervous because it was such a well-oiled machine, and I was slipping in to mm-hmm. , you know, and then I thought, and then it, it takes me right to kind of my first series job where I felt really sensitive about the guest ca at cast. And I always invited them into my dressing room and gave them a place to be. Right. so as a result of some, as a result, being so experienced along theMichael Jamin (29:06):Way, because it's hard. It is hard. You're stepping into a job that's already there and it's hard. I mean, it's like you're already insecure and now on, on top of that.Maggie Wheeler (29:16):Yeah. Some people say they really don't like that role of being a guest on a, on a series. I do really like it. I'm, I, I, I've, I don't feel, so maybe it's because I've done it so much that I don't feel so threatened by it. Uhhuh . I mean, the first time I did it was on Seinfeld and and I, and I, there was no, like, when it was lunch, they all scattered, like the lights got turned on in the kitchen and the cockroaches around, like, they were, they were all gone. It turned out they were up in the writer's room having like a catered lunch. But I, I didn't, no one told me anything. And I didn't know anything. It was my first, you know, guest role on a, on a big series like that. And I was really lost. Right. And then I had to ask somebody and they said, oh, you just go down to the commissary. Right. You know, but somebody, and I didn't have a dressing room on that show, soMichael Jamin (30:00):Well, you had, you had some kind of changing room.Maggie Wheeler (30:02):I must have, but I did. It wasn't quite, quite, you know, what I, what what I had later on. So anyway, but it was just one of those odd moments where I, like, there was no one telling me what to do and where to go. And so there's that. And then I don't really know how, what is the etiquette? Like, you just have to be ready to take care of yourself. That's it. Right. You gotta be ready to feed yourself, hydrate yourself, show up when they need you, go back to your room and pull it together in the in between and like Right. Manage your fear or your insecurities or whatever. So when you get back down. But, you know, I, I, it's funny, like, yeah, I don't know. I have found myself in all kinds of circumstances where I have feltMichael Jamin (30:41):Did you prefer more multi-camera, which is shot? People don't know. Shot, shot, live in front of a studio audience or, or single camera?Maggie Wheeler (30:48):I, I like 'em both.Michael Jamin (30:49):But it's a different way of performing, don't you think? Or No. I mean, how does it, how do you approach it, whether it's single or multi?Maggie Wheeler (30:56):Well, yeah. Single camera is something, I mean, multi, multi camera. I've done a lot more of, I would say. And, and and I've, you know, I really enjoy it because it's like live theater and you've got the response of the audience, and it's just that adrenaline rush of everything happening in the moment and changing things in the moment and fixing things in the moment. And it can be, you know, and that's really exciting. And that's how I started. I mean, you know, the new show was my first big show, and it was sketch comedy in front of a live audience. Right. And it was, it was, you know, I earned my stripes in doing that. And then, you know, but then when I did Californian Cation, I, I absolutely loved every moment. It's a lot long, you know, your schedule's a lot more unpredictable. You're there four in the morning, or you're leaving at four in the morning, or whatever it is. Yeah. And you basically have to hang your life up on a hook and say, I'll, it's hard. See you when it's done.Michael Jamin (31:44):Yeah. And how do, how, what about working with directors who are aren't, who really can't know, don't know how to talk to actors, , what's that like for you? ?Maggie Wheeler (31:53):Usually I get fired when that happens. , that has happened. I've gotten mean fired a few times. Well, I've been fired from a few jobs in my life.Michael Jamin (32:02):Because they couldn't, they didn't know how to talk to you. And what do you mean they couldn't get the performance outta you or what?Maggie Wheeler (32:07):I mean, each one, each circumstance is different. But in the, the most recent one was a situation where I was hired. I was hired without auditioning. And I was told before I was hired that they were concerned. They wanted to offer me the job, that they were concerned about hiring me. Mm-Hmm. , because they, the character was similar to Janice. Right. And I said, oh, well, I mean, you know, I can play any number of women from any number of burrows and I can give them all that flavor, but of course I'm not gonna play Janice. That's not gonna happen. I mean Right. You wouldn't want me to do that. Right, right. So I arrived, I had been on the East coast on vacation with my family, and I arrived back and it was end of August. I went straight to the job. Oh no. I got the script . And the first, the first line for my character was oh, dot, dot dot, my dot, dot.dot.Michael Jamin (32:58):That's not good.Maggie Wheeler (32:59):And I thought they do that. They can't really want that. So Yeah. I,Michael Jamin (33:03):They can't, they can'tMaggie Wheeler (33:04):Do that. I don't know if you, you had the distinct pleasure of watching the television show, mob Wives, but I was a bit of a fan of Mob Wives. Fantastic reality show. And and there's a, a woman on that show, her name is Tria Zo, and she is like, you know, mob adjacent, and I love her. So I decided I'll play Dita Zo. That's what I'll do. That's what they'll get. Mm-Hmm. . So I went in and I, we had the table read and all the people were there, and there was a strange vibe on the set. And then we went into rehearsal. Then it came to network run through day, which is Wednesday. And we did the run through. And this director who I don't wanna say too much about him, but I will say he's very, he was very tall and and yeah, he, he was a comp complicated character. And he came over and he looked down at me from his, like perch of six four. And he said, they're not happy.Michael Jamin (34:03):Right.Maggie Wheeler (34:04):And I said, what? And he goes, they're not happy. And I said, why? And he said, because, you know, you're not giving them what they want.Michael Jamin (34:12):JustMaggie Wheeler (34:12):Janice. And I said, what, what do they want? And he said, you know, and I said, I, I'm sorry, I don't. And he said, well, they want Janice.Michael Jamin (34:22):Oh God.Maggie Wheeler (34:22):And I said, well, they can't have her.Michael Jamin (34:24):Yeah.Maggie Wheeler (34:24):You know, I mean, and then I, and then I had to get, like, I had to get a little brave and like crane my neck to look up at him and say, look, I didn't just get off the bus. This character is, you know, created from another show. This is, we're on the Warner Brun lot. Go ask them. Yeah. If James Chan's character's name to Janice and pay me a little bit more. And then you can have what you want, but you canMichael Jamin (34:43):Yeah. Get the right to her.Maggie Wheeler (34:44):Play her, call her this and play me the, anyway, then I went into wardrobe and I said, listen, don't work hard.Michael Jamin (34:50): ,Maggie Wheeler (34:52):I'm gonna be fired today. And they said, no, you can't be fired. They can't do that. They can't ask you to do that. That's not possible. I'm like, can't watch you watch me. And then I, I had to go do a a, a radio, a podcast about voiceover, drove across town, went into these to see these folks to do their podcast. And I said, Hey, you know, I'm probably gonna get a call cuz I'm probably gonna get fired. And anyway, sure enough, they fired me by the end of that day because I wouldn't play that character. AndMichael Jamin (35:18):That's surprising because you're supposed to be as writers, you're not supposed to, you're supposed to know that you don't do that. Like it was, you have to have some shame. .Maggie Wheeler (35:26):It was cuckoo. So, yeah. So things have happened to me. I don't want, I don't wanna badmouth directors cuz I'm still trying to be an actor.Michael Jamin (35:33):. Well that's not that. I'm just saying not all. Like, because directors have two jobs. They have to work the cameras and they also have to get the performance out of the actors. Mm-Hmm. . And sometimes I see some, it's, it's rare to find a director who really could do both Perfect. As amazingly. Well it's hard. Yeah. Because it's two so different skills and sometimes I see a director talking to, it's like, oh no, that's not, that's not gonna work. You're not, that's not gonna get the performance outta of them.Maggie Wheeler (35:57):I think I've been lucky that I've worked on so many great sitcoms and those, most of those directors are just, you know, like they know that genre so well. Yeah. I think I, I have also worked on shows where somebody is a little bit newer and they feel like there's a lot they should be doing in the way of the, of directing. And so they're kind of going overboard, like tweaking a lot of things that might not necessarily need tweaking. And that can be a little frustrating. Yeah. But you know, I'm so blessed because working on friends was just the most incredible creative understanding and agreement that that existed between, you know, from all angles. Yeah. And so the actors had a lot of free reign to, to, to work things out, to suggest things, to offer things. I had come from a show before that where I used to joke that they should cl in the credits, they should call me Clay Pigeon because you know, a clay pigeon that you throw up and shoot at.(36:50):Right. Uhhuh. Because every time I would say the slightest thing, I would say, would it be okay if over here instead of if I said and No. No. Okay. And that's the way it was. There was just actress, shush, do your job, read every word on the page, don't change anything. Right. And sometimes it's like that. Right. But I have to say, I walked onto that friend set and I could breathe and so much great comedy came out of that Yeah. Environment. That slightly freer, more respectful kind of exchange of an environment. I mean Yeah. But I knowMichael Jamin (37:21):There's a reason why it was a great show. I mean that show, it was amazing how they kept on reinventing. I was like, you know. Yeah. It was obviously an amazing show. It's amazing. Wow. But so what, and so what advice then, I guess, I guess I have to ask you, what do you give to, you know, so you have two beauti, we talked about this yesterday. You have two beautiful daughters like I do. And this is, this is a problem because they're because you have beautiful daughters. That's a problem. And it's in and of itself . And then, but, and one is once again into acting and, and it's like, yeah, like we talked to us. You can't, you can't discourage that cuz you know what the word is cuz you got to live that life. Uhhuh . Like, how it's not, that's not fair. . So what do you, what do you tell her? What do you, you knowMaggie Wheeler (38:08):I think, you know, when, when what has saved me over so many years of staying in the business and obviously longevity is often, you know, half the BA or more than half the battle because mm-hmm. , there are these so many long stretches where nothing is happening. So yes. Staying in the game, obviously I, you know, I didn't, I didn't get friends until I, I mean, I'd already been acting for a long time Yeah. When I got that job. So you have to have staying power. And in order to have staying power, from my perspective, you have to have other things in your life that make you, that let you know that you have, you're living a life of purpose. Because if acting and performing is the only thing that defines your purpose, in my opinion, you're in trouble.Michael Jamin (38:59):Yeah.Maggie Wheeler (39:00):You have to. And whether that is this, and I used to tell, you know, again, I've spoken to actors of every sort of age from little to not so little over the years. And I used to say to the little ones, do, if you know how to sew a button on, teach someone else how a sew a button. Mm-Hmm. or if you know how to make a pie, make a pie and give it to somebody. I don't care what it is. Just whatever else you have, whatever other abilities you have in your kit bag that involve being purposeful that don't involve the mother. May I game of, can I take two steps forward? Yes. No. Yeah. You didn't raise your hand. Go back seven steps, you know,Michael Jamin (39:38):Uhuh, it's constantly asking for permission. When I was on, just shoot me, for some reason we did the, the the acting, the auditioning in the same bungalow as the writers. So I'd come to, you know, work, I'd go to my office and then there'd be a long row of actors auditioning. And it was, I, it was always heartbreaking to me. Yeah. It was like, because you'd have whatever, 10 actors for this part and probably three, three could probably do it and only one would get it and the other two would go home thinking, what did I do wrong? Or why can't I get the break? Well, because only one person can get it. That's the problem.Maggie Wheeler (40:12):Yeah. Only I, you know, I, we used to refer to it a lot of us when I, we were back like in my early twenties, and we would go all through all the processes and all the hoops and all the rings of fire. And then you get down to the network and they bring three actors to the network and you know, they've already chosen one. So basically it's just a gladiator sport because people have to die ,Michael Jamin (40:32):There hasMaggie Wheeler (40:33):To be blood on the floor. Yeah. Or, or it didn't happen. So, you know, we always knew that we were there as a human sacrifice, some of us mm-hmm.Michael Jamin (40:40):. Yeah. It's hard. So Yeah. So you had to just find ways have other worth and to feel. Yeah. Yeah. And make your own opportunities,Maggie Wheeler (40:49):I guess make your own opportunities. I mean that's the, I guess the beauty for this new young, younger generation is that there are so many ways of creating now and creating content now mm-hmm. that we didn't have, you know? Right. I mean, we had like, you know, we had, we had movie, we had like home movie cameras back when I was 19, 20, you know mm-hmm. , but that was about, we couldn't edit them. Right. so, so, you know, now there's just so much opportunity to make content or even at the very simplest level, if you're an actor, you know, to get people together and sit around and read something the way we used to do, it's like, let's read and play or, you know, like, let's just do anything so that we feel like we're making, we're making something, you know, even if it's gonna be gone by the time we were done. True. So, I don't know. It is, it is not an easy road, but it's, you know, you know it, you know it, Michael.Michael Jamin (41:37):I I I know it. I still think actors have it a little harder than writers, but, butMaggie Wheeler (41:43):Maybe it's, well we can't do it alone.Michael Jamin (41:45):Yeah. Well that's true. But I, yeah, it's, it's just, it's a hard, difficult, but I have a lot of respect and especially, oh God, , you know so I've, I've worked with actors, I've directed actors and then as you saw when I, cuz you came to my show and I was like, oh, this is so much harder than, than it looks . This is so much harder. I have such new respect after doing it myself, it's very hard.Maggie Wheeler (42:11):Yeah. I think they make, you know, like certainly in some of the directing programs now, they've make the directors take acting classes just the way they make, you know, I don't know, football players, I think you should in ballet. I don't know what it is, but, but yeah, so, so I think it's a good, it's a good move. I mean that my, my daughter Gemma, who just came out of a four year screen acting major mm-hmm. at college, had a chance to do everything from, you know, acting to writing, to directing, to editing to all of it. I, and I think that's what an incredible opportunity mm-hmm. to start out your, your career, having this kind of, you know, fully dimensional experience of what it is to make, to make something.Michael Jamin (42:50):I think, yeah, I say that I think actors need to study writing. I think writers need to study acting and I think directors have to study both, you know? Yeah. You have to know how to converse with both those people. Yeah.Maggie Wheeler (43:01):I think that that sounds like a be a better world. Let's, let's live that than that one.Michael Jamin (43:05):Yeah. . Yeah. That make believe world . Wow. It's just so interesting to hear your side. I don't know, it's just hear your side of the process of what it's like, you know, I don't know. Do, do you feel, I guess we talked about a little bit, but yeah, I mean, how much, when you're on set do, cuz you have to talk to, on, I'm, I'm babbling here, but you have to talk to, you have to please the director. Mm-Hmm. you also have to know, especially if you're guests are, you're really there to serve the main actor, the main character. Yeah. You're really there to serve them. It's their story and not make it about yourself. And and then also if there's a showrunner you, you may, you may begin conflicting notes from the director versus the showrunner and that and the show. You know, how do you, how do you navigate all that?Maggie Wheeler (43:55):I think like, it, it, you know, it's a great improvisation and part of the acting job is the material that you're given and, and the job you're given to do. And the other part of the acting job is the rest of what you just described. Mm-Hmm. . So, you know, it's just, you know you have to, you have to improvise your way through those conversations, through those moments where someone's talking to you and telling you something, you're not sure, you know, what it is that they want to mm-hmm. they're asking you to do mm-hmm. , but you don't wanna seem like somebody who doesn't know what they're asking you to do. It's all acting. I kind of think from the minute you get there till the minute you go, and obviously I, I mean I'm I'm saying that slightly sarcastically because not, it's not true in the best of circumstances.(44:37):You can relax into your sort of auth authentic self or your authentic experience. There might be somebody there who is generous or kind or, or you can laugh with or you can roll your eyes at if you're, if everything's, you know a jumble or confused because there's a director who feels like you're not getting it or anything, anything is possible. You know, I mean, I, I just saw Meryl Streep like a clip of an interview with her and she's saying, oh, well, you know, sometimes they tell me to, to where my mark is and that I should move to the left. And then inevitably I'll go. Right. And sometimes I do that three times, even after the director has told me not to go to the right because Yeah, I'm like that I forget things, you know, so she, I'm not perfect. And so she was really funny, just kind of bu busting the myth of, you know,Michael Jamin (45:33):So she wasn't being willful. She was like, I forgot.Maggie Wheeler (45:35):No, she just forgets. She just does what she, she's in the moment she's acting. She does. And I, and I can do that too. You know, I when you said you were a fan of Dream On and I was too. Of course. Yeah. And working with Brian, Ben, Ben, I mean, that guy never missed a mark. He, he knew I, we made a movie together in New York years and years ago. That's how we first met. And it was called, I, well I think it's called Divine Obsession. I think it was called God's Payroll. And maybe at the end it's called Divine Obsession. I can't remember. But anyway, I think it was, it was my first movie and and Brian was such a technician and he knew his mark and he never missed it. And he, it was incredible. I would watch him and I inevitably, I would step too far or not step far enough or lean over to the right or walk in the wrong direction or what. I mean, all kinds of things. And that guy was like a machine. He knew exactly where he needed to be and he got there every time. And and so working with him on Dream On was also wonderful because he was just, he's so, soMichael Jamin (46:34):Great at what he, it's so hard cuz you have to be in the moment, but you also have to be thinking of the note you just got. Yeah. And you're blocking. And also, but also forget all that cuz you need to be in the moment. Yeah. Oh, oh. And also, what am I supposed toMaggie Wheeler (46:46):Say? And when you're doing a, a sitcom, you know, they, you, you, you run through the thing, you run through the scene, you rehearse the scene, then they send you away, then they bring down the, the stand-ins, then they block the scene and they put all the marks down. Then you come back and the stand-in has like 27 seconds to say to you when you walk in your mark's over there. And when you step across the stage, it's over there. And when you make it to the couch, you're gonna see there's a mark that's right underneath the last, the back left leg of the couch. That's where your left foot go. It all happens so quickly. And I, yeah. When people start talking to me like that, I'm like, Uhhuh, , uhhuh, , uhhuh, . And I just think, I hope I remember what she said.Michael Jamin (47:19):Wow. And then especially on a multi-camera show, if a joke tanks, the writers will run into the set, say this in line instead. And you, but I, and just remember to just memorize. That's right.Maggie Wheeler (47:29):The other one, now there's a new one. Get ready. Go. And some people freak out. You know, I mean, you know this also in the, in the, in the land of animation because you know, we, I, I saw it happen when we were working together on one of those shows where somebody came in not really understanding what Yeah. What that world looks like and how quickly things get thrown at you and how, how fast-paced it is and like, do it again, but 10 pounds heavier, do it again. But now her hair, her face is blue, you know, whatever. She stuff happens quickly.Michael Jamin (47:57):Yeah.Maggie Wheeler (47:58):You know, and, and some people freak out and, and, and seize up.Michael Jamin (48:03):There's not a lot of time. Yeah. That's another thing. Not a lot of rehearsal, least on the shows that I do. It's not a lot of rehearsal . Do you, is it different for you? It's like you're hired Go .Maggie Wheeler (48:14):Go and go. Yeah. But it's, you know, when it's fun, it is the most fun. Absolutely the most fun.Michael Jamin (48:21):Yeah. That's the, that's the thing. When I was doing directing for the other voiceover, if I knew a actor wasn't gonna get it like the did you couldn't do it, I'd say, okay, let's do it three different ways. Three different ways. And then thank you so much. Cuz you just don you know, you don't wanna embarrass them, you don't wanna hurt them and you just know you're gonna recast it later, you know? Yeah. That's hard. That's hard. That doesn't happen a lot, but sometimes it does. Cuz you don't audition. You just bring, bring people in. You bring people,Maggie Wheeler (48:48):They come in and hopefully they can do it. And, and yeah. I don't know. I don't know that, I mean, I find that to be the most fun. I love that world Uhhuh. And when I started out in animation working for Ranken Bass, we would do these table reads because it was a fixed cast, right. There were like six of us, or five of us. I was the only woman. And and we'd have these table reads for each script and they'd give us all a chance to audition live for the new characters. So I was able to audition for male characters. Interesting. And the men were able to audition for female characters and Wow. We could all audition, audition for the cyborgs and the, and the, you know, whatever the little Martian, you know, creatures or whatever, the genderless creatures. I, I don't know. It was, it was a, it was a great opportunity and really one of those things where you're like, okay you know, just, just go. Don't be afraid. Give it a try. You're gonna get it or you're not gonna get it.Michael Jamin (49:40):Yeah. Yeah. How interesting that you're Yeah. So much fun. Yeah. Wow, Maggie, thank you. This is a lovely talk. Well, I wanna make sure, I wanna plug everything you're doing. I, we talked about it, but we can, let's remind everybody, let'sMaggie Wheeler (49:52):See. See I, what's going on? I'm heading to New York in January to do a live event for, at the friends experience at the end of January. And I'm not gonna say too much about that, but I am doing that for for a day on the, I think the 24th of January. ButMichael Jamin (50:07):How could they find excited about that? How do they find it if they want to go see it? How do they find it?Maggie Wheeler (50:10):Oh, I think it's Apri. I think it's press. Oh, I think you can, I think it's press kind of thing. Friends. Friends. But I'm excited to, it's a Friends of Friends event, right. . I, I don't know, maybe it, it, I don't, I'm not sure. I can't say much about it cause I don't know everything yet, but I'm going to do that. I have two sort of indie projects that are, that are, are in the possible works in the next year, which is nice. So if those things come, doMichael Jamin (50:32):You wanna talk about that or No,Maggie Wheeler (50:33):I don't think I can talk about them yet. If, if those, if they come true. Okay, then, then, then we'll see. One of them I will say is working with a really wonderful young director from from France. Her name is Charlotte Gabriel. And she did an incredible short, which I highly recommend friends, fans go and find. It's called the One Who Never Saw Friends. It's, oh wow. I think you can find it now online. It's in French. And it's a brilliant and hilarious short about these people on the day of their wedding when the groom discovers that the bride has never seen the show and, and, and everything falls apart in this crazy and epic way. So I, I hope to be working with her this year and great. So that those things are kind of hovering. And I'm, I have a children's book that's gonna get finished this year that I'll be self-publishing. So yeah, if you guys follow me at goldenbridgechoir.com I'll send out big mailings through my mailing list when those things happen. What else is going on? I don't know. Yeah, I don't know. It's all, it's all up in the air, Michael. That's the beauty of the creative life. That's, who's the hell knows what'sMichael Jamin (51:36):Next. That's what it's like being an artist. Yeah, that's right. Thank you so much. This is this is, I dunno, this is, I I, this is an honor having you here and I thank you so much for coming.Maggie Wheeler (51:45):I am so honored to hang out with you and talk to you. You know, I love you so much and Yeah. I've, you know, I, Michael is one of the people. I mean now I'm talking to the audiences if you're not here, . So you're one of the people who has given me work more than one time in this industry. Yeah. And I am tremendously grateful for those opportunities. Both of them were so much fun and they were such great opportunities for me. And I look back at them with incredible fondness and and I absolutely love the work that you're doing now and just seeing you on stage, reading your stories is so powerful and so emotional and so funny and brave. And I've said it all to you in private, but I'm saying it publicly. Yeah. thanks for having me.Michael Jamin (52:26):Thank you so much. Don't go anywhere cuz we wanna talk to you when we're doing this. All right, everyone, thank you so much for listening. Yeah. Again, you can follow me on social media @MichaelJaminWriter and what else? Oh yeah, free. Our, my free newsletter is at michaeljamin.com/watchlist. All right, everyone till the next episode. Thank you so much. And yeah, keep writing. Okay.Phil Hudson (52:48):This has been an episode of Screenwriters Need to Hear This with Michael Jamin. If you'd like to support this podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving your review and sharing this podcast with someone who nee

We welcome the new year with a rich buffet of guests, starting with husband and wife filmmaking team, Anayancy and Jess Thomas whose project, God & Salsa tells the story of a grieving therapist and a troubled teen who save each other. The film explores suicide, depression, divorce, parental alienation, narcissism, hope and healing.Next, we are joined by Dr. Logan Westbrooks a groundbreaking black music executive and industry veteran with over 50 years of experience launching careers, making history and positively changing our music and civil rights landscapes.Dr. Westbrooks joins us to talk about his newest book, 'Power 101: The Harvard Report, Soul Music, and The American Dream', which examines the controversial 1972 Harvard Report which studied and forcast how black folks would be consuming music. Dr. Westbrook's journey took him from a childhood in Memphis to the boardrooms of major record labels. He was assigned to oversee The Harvard Report by Clive Davis and CBS Records and he helps us understand how black music and our nation's trajectory were impacted by one another, pulling us towards a greater understanding of race and destiny in America.Plus, Fritz and Weezy recommend Babylon, now in theaters and If These Walls Could Sing on Disney+ and Hulu.Path Points of Interest:Logan WestbrooksPower 101: The Harvard Report, Soul Music, and The American Dreamby Dr. Logan H. Westbrooks and Schuyler C. TraughberGod And SalsaJess and Anayancy ThomasBabylon - In TheatersIf These Walls Could Sing Children's Burn Foundation

Welcome to Drum Channels' “Billy's Bubble” show this week. I'm Billy Amendola, and every once in a while, I like to step “out of the box” with music lovers and how they combine their love of music and their work. Most of us here play drums/music, but we also live outside of playing, and we must. We're all so passionate about music that sometimes we forget to live our lives. I hope you find something to relate and take away with our guests for this two-part show.  We kick off part one with Schuyler “Sky” Traughber, who co-wrote a book with Dr. Logan H. Westbrooks titled Power 101: The Harvard Report, Soul Music, and The American Dream. The book has been called “A masterclass for students of Soul music.” As a music executive, bass player, and highly regarded professor, Sky takes us into the offices and recording studios of independent labels Stax, Motown, and the majors like CBS and more to offer advice about the music business. This is something, as musicians/songwriters, we should all be aware of.  Schuyler “Sky” Traughber has developed and taught courses in Business Management, International Record Label Operations, Concert Promotion and helped negotiate a venture with Harvard Law School's Recording Artist Project. Voted into the top 15% of "Influential Professors.” Power 101: The Harvard Report, Soul Music and The American Dream, from Dr. Logan H. Westbrooks and Schuyler Traughber, takes readers on a musical roller coaster ride through the 1970s from the perspective of the music executives who marketed and promoted the globalization of R&B and soul music.   In 1972, CBS Records commissioned Sky's co-book writer and Harvard Business School and CBS Black Music Marketing Director, Logan Westbrooks, to develop a Study of the Soul Music Environment, which was implemented by CBS. It was intended to be a “blueprint” for soul music. Westbrooks, a veteran music industry executive who helped sell over a hundred million dollars in career sales, plus approximately 50 gold and 25 platinum records. Let's go to business school, with a bit of fun facts in between.  Thank you Schuyler and all our listeners for joining us here on Drum Channel. Stay tuned for a really “out of the box” part two with entrepreneur and creator Rachel Van Nortwick telling us about her unique, free popular dating app, Vinylly.  Rachel is the founder and CEO of a unique free dating app based solely on music compatibility.  We speak to Rachel about why, how and the struggles in starting the company and getting the app up and running. Her advice for woman and men who are interested in becoming an entrepreneur.  Nortwick, shares her love for music and how she has turned her passion into a successful entity in her business; and I respect the fact that she gives back by donating a portion to non-profit organizations. So, why a non-drumming topic? Studies have shown that listening to music, releases dopamine in our brains, which in turn makes you happy. We all live outside of playing music, we spend a lot of time listening and connections made through music can be very meaningful to music lovers. Bye everyone, Billy Amendola and I'll see you next time on Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Host Nate Wilcox and James discuss the meteoric rise of George Michael and his long, slow downfall.Buy the book and support the show.Download this episode.Have a question or a suggestion for a topic or person for Nate to interview? Email letitrollpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Twitter.Follow us on Facebook.Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.

Show #976 Passed And Gone Blues 01. Christine Perfect - No Road Is The Right Road (2:50) (Christine Perfect, Blue Horizon, 1970) 02. Chicken Shack - When The Train Comes Back (3:31) (Forty Blue Fingers, Freshly Packed And Ready To Serve, Blue Horizon, 1968) 03. Chicken Shack - I Wanna See My Baby (3:52) (OK Ken, Blue Horizon, 1969) 04. Christine Perfect - I'd Rather Go Blind (3:11) (Christine Perfect, Blue Horizon, 1970) 05. Boyd Small - Can You Help (3:34) (This Time No Lies, Cool Buzz Records, 1998) 06. Boyd Small - Belair (4:05) (...So Easy, Cool Buzz Records, 2001) 07. Boyd Small - Here Come The Tears (2:51) (Four + One, Cool Buzz Records, 2002) 08. Ramsey Lewis Trio - The 'In' Crowd (3:22) (The In Crowd, Argo Records, 1965) 09. Jerry Lee Lewis - Lewis Boogie (2:03) (78 RPM Shellac, Sun Records, 1956) 10. Bobby Rydell - I Dig Girls (2:30) (45 RPM Single, Cameo Records, 1959) 11. Jerry Butler & the Impressions - For Your Precious Love (2:44) (45 RPM Single, Vee-Jay Records, 1958) 12. Mable John - Who Wouldn't Love A Man Like That (2:43) (45 RPM Single, Tamla Records, 1960) 13. Mable John - Your Good Thing (Is About to End) (3:02) (45 RPM Single, Stax Records, 1966) 14. Syl Johnson - Dresses Too Short (2:47) (Dresses Too Short, Twinight Records, 1968) 15. Marvin Gaye - Can I Get A Witness (2:52) (45 RPM Single, Tamla Records, 1963) 16. The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud To Beg (2:33) (45 RPM Single, Gordy Records, 1966) 17. Bob Dylan - Temporary Like Achilles (5:06) (Blonde On Blonde, Columbia Records, 1966) 18. Dr. Feelgood - Paradise (3:48) (Sneakin' Suspicion, United Artists Records, 1977) 19. Five Satins - In The Still Of The Nite (3:02) (45 RPM Single, Standord Records, 1956) 20. Buddy Holly & the Crickets - That'll Be the Day (2:17) (45 RPM Single, Brunswick Records, 1957) 21. Janis Joplin - Mercedes Benz (1:40) (Pearl, CBS Records, 1971) 22. Doobie Brothers - Cotton Mouth (3:39) (Toulouse Street, Warner Bros Records, 1972) 23. Seals & Crofts - Cotton Mouth (3:46) (Down Home, TA Records, 1970) 24. Procol Harum - Lime Street Blues (3:02) (45 RPM Single, Deram Records, 1967) 25. Ernie Andrews with Terrell Prude Trio - River's Invitation (Part I+II) (4:33) (45 RPM Single, Tangerine Records, 1965) 26. Barbara Morrison - Don't Touch Me (5:31) (I Know How To Do It, Blue Lady Records, 1996) 27. Lionel Hampton (ft. Janet Thurlow) - I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me (3:12) (78 RPM Shellac, MGM Records, 1951) 28. Paul Butterfield Blues Band - I Got My Mojo Working (3:36) (The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Elektra Records, 1965) Bandana Blues is and will always be a labor of love. Please help Spinner deal with the costs of hosting & bandwidth. Visit www.bandanablues.com and hit the tipjar. Any amount is much appreciated, no matter how small. Thank you.

I had a ton of fun having Steve on the show. We talked about the following: How he got into the music biz The DLR Podcast How the Biz works Working in the Book Publishing world And so much more.... Steve Roth is the senior marketing manager for the book publishing company The Quarto Group. He's worked for CBS Records, Sony Music, MCA Records, Geffen Records, and Interscope Records among others and is the co-host of the DLRCast, a podcast devoted to all things David Lee Roth. Quarto publishes cool books on music and pop-culture, including Alice Cooper at 75, coming in January (https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0760378274/creativepubco-20) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/eric-stangeland/support

Hosts Nate Wilcox and Brooks Long discuss the merits and demerits of Walter Yetnikoff's storied run at CBS Records.Buy the book and support the show.Download this episode.Have a question or a suggestion for a topic or person for Nate to interview? Email letitrollpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Twitter.Follow us on Facebook.Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.

On our final episode of 2022, we look back at the music video/mini-movie for Michael Jackson's Thriller, on the fortieth anniversary on the release of the album which bore its name. ----more---- Transcript:   Hello, and welcome to The 80s Movies Podcast. I am your host, Edward Havens. Thank you for listening today. If you're listening to this episode as I release it, on November 30th, 2022, today is the fortieth anniversary of the release of the biggest album ever released, Michael Jackson's Thriller. Over the course of those forty years, it has sold more than seventy million copies. It won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards. A performance of one of its signature songs, Billie Jean, for a televised concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of Motown Records would introduce The Moonwalk to an astonished audience, first in the auditorium and then on TV screens around the world. The album was so big, even MTV couldn't ignore it. Michael Jackson would become the first black artist to be put into regular rotation on the two year old cable channel. So what does all this have to do with movies, you ask. That's a good question. Because out of this album came one of the most iconic moments in the entertainment industry. Not just for MTV or the music industry, but for the emerging home video industry that needed that one thing to become mainstream. The music video for the album's title song, Thriller. Thriller was the sixth solo album by Michael Jackson, even though he was still a member of The Jacksons band alongside his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy and Tito. Although The Jacksons were still selling millions of albums with each release, Michael's 1979 solo album Off the Wall made him a solo star, selling more than ten million copies worldwide in its first year of release, almost as much as all of the previous Jacksons albums combined. After the completion of The Jackson's 1980 album Triumph, Jackson would re-team with his Off the Wall producer, the legendary Quincy Jones, to try and craft a new album that would blow Off the Wall out of the water. Jackson wanted every song on the album to be a killer. Every song a hit. Over the course of 1981 and 1982, Jackson and Jones would work on no less than thirty songs that could be included on the final album, and assembled some of the biggest names in the music industry to play on it, including David Foster, James Ingram, Paul McCartney, Rob Temperton, Eddie Van Halen, and the members of the band Toto, who were having a great 1982 already with the release of their fourth album, which featured such seminal hits at Africa and Rosanna. Recording on the album would begin in April 1982 with the Jackson-penned The Girl is Mine, a duet with Paul McCartney that Jackson hoped would become even bigger than Ebony and Ivory, the former Beatle's duet with Stevie Wonder which had been released a few weeks earlier and was be the number one song in a number of countries at that moment. There would be three other songs on the final album written by Jackson, Beat It, Billie Jean, and Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', which Jackson would co-produce with Jones. The other five songs, Baby Be Mine, Human Nature, The Lady in My Life, P.Y.T. and the title track, would be written by other artists like James Ingram, Steve Pocaro of Toto, and Rob Temperton, who were also working on the album as backup singers and/or musicians. The final mixing of the album would continue up until three weeks before its expected November 30th, 1982 release, even though The Girl Is Mine had already been released as a single to radio stations and record stores on October 18th. While the song wouldn't exactly set the world on fire or presage the massive success of the album it had come from, the single would sell more than a million copies, and hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. When the album was released, it sold well, but it wouldn't be until Billie Jean, the second single from the album, was released on January 2nd, 1983, that things really started to take off. Within three weeks, the song would already hit #1 on the Billboard R&B charts. But it would still a few more weeks for white America to take notice. In early 1983, the music world was dominated by the cable channel MTV, which in less than two years had gone from being a small cable channel launched in only portions of New Jersey to making global stars of such musical acts as Duran Duran, Eurythmics, U2 and even Weird Al Yankovich. But they just were not playing black artists. The lack of black music on MTV was so noticeable that, in an interview with MTV VJ Mark Goodman timed to the release of his comeback album Let's Dance, David Bowie would admonish the VJ and the channel for not doing its part to promote black artists. MTV's excuse, for lack of a better word, was that the network's executives saw the channel as being rock centered, and Billie Jean was not “rock” enough for the channel. The president of Jackson's record label, CBS, was more than just enraged by the channel's refusal to show the video for Billie Jean. He threatened to pull every single CBS act off the air, and never give MTV another music video to air. Could MTV really afford to lose Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel and Journey and Toto and The Clash and Joe Jackson, Eddie Money, Chicago, Judas Priest, ELO, Adam Ant, Cheap Trick, Loverboy, Heart, Men at Work and a hundred other artists that accounted for more than a quarter of all the music videos in rotation on the channel at the time? MTV would add Billie Jean to its rotation on March 10th, 1983. Within a month, both the song and the album would hit #1 on their respective charts. Lost in all the hubbub about Billie Jean was that Beat It, with its blistering Eddie Van Halen guitar solo, had been released as a single on February 14th, and it too would become a #1 hit song. In fact, after Billie Jean topped the charts for seven weeks, Beat It would become the #1 song in the nation, after a single week of Dexy's Midnight Runners taking the top spot. Ironically, despite how they felt about Billie Jean just a few weeks earlier, MTV would actually be the first outlet to show the Beat It video, not three weeks after it finally relented on Billie Jean. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Human Nature, and P.Y.T. were all released as singles between May and September 1983, but none of them would have the success enjoyed by Billie Jean and Beat It, and sales for the Thriller album were starting to wane. There were only three songs left on the album that hadn't been released as singles yet, and neither Baby Be Mine not The Lady in My Life were the kinds of songs that would be featured as singles. That left Thriller. There never was a plan for Thriller to be released as a single. The label saw the song, with its vaguely spooky lyrics and ending narration by legendary horror actor Vincent Price, as a novelty song, not unlike a Weird Al Yankovic song. In early August 1983, Jackson would see An American Werewolf in London. He loved the movie, especially the scenes where actor David Naughton would transform into a werewolf on screen. The film's director, John Landis, was working in London at the time, and late one evening, the phone in his hotel room would ring. It was Michael Jackson. The singer wanted to know if Landis would come aboard to make a music video based on this song, and help turn him into a monster. “Michael, it's 2am in London,” Landis would exclaim to the excited singer on the other end of the line. “I will call you when I get back to Los Angeles in a couple weeks,” he'd say, before hanging up the phone and went back to sleep. Except Landis didn't wait for his return to the States to call Jackson back. The filmmaker and the singer would, despite the eight hour time difference, speak several times over the phone about ideas for a music video. For weeks, Landis, Landis's costume designer wife Deborah Nadoolman, and Rick Baker, the genius behind the practical makeup effects for An American Werewolf in London, would meet with Jackson to discuss story, choreography, makeup and costuming.  Landis and his producing partner, George Foley Jr., would come up with a final story that featured a story about a young man and a young woman who find themselves being chased by zombies through the streets of Los Angeles, before the boy becomes, at various times, a zombie himself and a werewolf-like cat creature. It was going to be Landis's homage to fun horror movies of the past, from I Was a Teenage Wereworld to Night of the Living Dead. Landis and Folsey would present the president of CBS Records with a script for the project, and a $900,000 budget, ten times more than the average music video cost to make at the time and nearly triple the previous record for the highest budget for a music video at that time. And unlike most videos made at the time, it would be shot using 35mm film and Arriflex cameras. It was not going to be just a music video. This was going to be a mini-movie. The record label president was not pleased. Album sales for Thriller had been slowing, and it did not make sense for them to spend nearly a million dollars to make a video for what would be the seventh and riskiest single off the album.  They refused to pay for it. So Folsey, Jackson and Landis would go to the major television networks, to see if they would be willing to finance the project, which they pitched as not only getting a fifteen minute music video from one of the biggest artists in the world, but also a thirty minute making-of documentary, so the entire program could be slotted for a full hour of airtime including commercials. They would all say no. Then they went to MTV, who had seen a dramatic spike in subscriptions since they started airing Billie Jean and Beat it, in the hopes they would want in on the action. They would also decline, because they had a policy of not financing ANY music videos. Music videos were promotions for the record labels. They should be paying for the making of them. They then went to cable movie channels like HBO and Showtime. Imagine having exclusive rights to a fifteen minute mini-movie from the biggest music star on the planet, they would suggest, as well as a forty-five minute making-of feature that could be slotted for a full hour of programming. Imagine how many new subscribers you'd get if your channel was the only place to see it! Showtime would agree to finance half the video in exchange for exclusive movie channel rights to screen Thriller. Sensing there might actually be a market for this, Jackson's record label would commit to throw in $100,000, if they could find another partner to cover the rest.  MTV would make up the difference, after deciding they were not financing a music video but indeed a short motion picture and a making-of featurette. Landis would bring a number of his regular collaborators with him. In addition to producing partner George Foley Jr. and costume designer Deborah Nadoolman, Landis would have his American Werewolf in London cinematographer Robert Paynter behind the camera, Malcolm Campbell, who had edited American Werewolf and Trading Places, assembling the final footage, and the legendary music composer Elmer Bernstein, who created the scores for Animal House and American Werewolf, to provide an incidental musical score to the movie inside the movie, and other sequences not directly related to Jackson's song. The vast majority of the shoot, which took place over four nights in October, the 11th through the 14th, would take place around Downtown Los Angeles. The scenes at the movie theatre were filmed at the Palace Theatre on Broadway, while the zombie dance was filmed a couple miles to the south at Calzona Street and Union Pacific Avenue and the final house sequence was filmed in the Echo Park neighborhood just northwest of downtown.  Side note: the Palace Theatre is still there, and still occasionally shows movies to this day, and both the intersection where the dance sequence was filmed and the neighborhood where the final chase sequence took place still look remarkably similar to what they did forty years ago. And how quickly did it take for Landis and his team to get the footage assembled? Thriller would have its first screening at the Crest Theatre in Westwood Village on November 14th, 1983, not thirty days after filming was complete. John Landis would tell Nancy Griffin in a 2010 Vanity Fair oral history about Thriller that despite having been to events like the Oscars, the Emmys and the Golden Globes, he had never seen a turnout like the one he witnessed that night. Diana Ross, who had discovered the Jacksons nearly twenty years earlier, was there. As was Prince and Eddie Murphy and Warren Beatty. Ola Ray, Jackson's co-star in the film, was there too, and before the screening, she noticed Jackson was nowhere to be found. She would find him a few moments later, hiding in the projection booth with the projector operator. Ray would do her best to lure Jackson out, to mingle with the crowd. This was his night, after all. But Jackson would only compliment Ray on her dress, and tell her to go enjoy herself. Once the crowd was seated, Landis would warm the crowd up with some light banter and a screening of a new print of a Mickey Mouse cartoon, The Band Concert, that Jackson was able to get Disney to strike just for this occasion. It's one of Disney's best cartoons, and the crowd would enjoy it. But they were here to see what amazing thing Michael would pull off this time. Finally, the main event would begin. And the first thing the audience would see was a disclaimer… “Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult. Michael Jackson.” This was in reaction to word that Jackson had gotten a couple weeks earlier from the leaders of the Jehovah's Witnesses, to which he was a practicing member of at the time, that he risked being excommunicated from the church. The church was worried the film, which, incidentally, they had not seen yet, would promote demonology to younger people. At first, Jackson would call his assistant and order them to destroy the negatives to the film. The assistant, with the help of the production team, would instead lock the negatives up in a safe place until a compromise could be reached. It would be Jackson's assistant who came up with the pre-roll statement, which was acceptable to Jackson, to the church, and to the production team. At the end of the screening, Jackson, Landis and the film received a standing ovation. Eddie Murphy screamed out “Show the damn thing again!” And they did. John Landis hadn't made a music video. He made a short movie musical. And he wanted recognition for his efforts. So despite his standing in the industry as a semi-pariah due to the ongoing legal troubles concerning the Twilight Zone accident, Landis wanted an Oscar for his work. The movie was that good. Even though he had never worked with Disney in the past, Landis was able to convince the studio to allow him to screen the PG-rated Thriller mini-movie in front of the G-rated Fantasia, which was going to be released on Thursday, November 24th, on one screen in Los Angeles. The L.A. Times newspaper ad would be a split image. On the top half, Mickey in his Sorcerer's Apprentice getup, and on the bottom, listed as an “extra added attraction,” Michael in his leather jacket, in a nearly identical pose to the cartoon mouse above him. Five shows a day for seven days, with an extra late show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Academy members and one guest could present their membership card at the box office for free tickets to see Thriller on the Avco Cinema Center, then stay and watch Fantasia as well. If you want to see a not exceptional image of the newspaper ad, make sure you head over to this episode's entry on our website, the80smoviepodcast.com Now, I'm not sure how many free tickets were given away to Academy members that week, but practically every screening was sold out. While the $52,000 worth of tickets sold in those seven days would be credited to Disney and Fantasia, it was clear from the audiences who were leaving after the fourteen minute short was done what they were there to see. And for that week, this was the only way to see Thriller on the entire planet. On December 2nd, MTV would show Thriller for the first time in prime time. Ten times the regular audience would turn in to watch. At the end of the video, MTV told their viewers they would watch it again if they wanted at the top of the hour. And they would show it every hour at the top of the hour for twenty-four straight hours. It would be MTV's biggest day to date. In February 1984, Showtime would air the video and its corresponding making-of featurette six times, and those airings would be amongst their biggest days in their nearly decade-long history. Vestron Home Video, a smaller videotape distributor based in Connecticut, would pay for the home video rights to the video and making-of featurette, and release it later in the spring. It would sell more than 900,000 copies at $29.99 MSRP. It would be the first major sell-through home video title, and usher in the mindframe that collecting movies on VHS was a totally normal thing, like a record collection.  And the album? It would quickly return to the top of the charts within weeks of the release of the video no one really wanted to make outside of Michael Jackson, and it would go on to sell another ten million copies just in 1984. The red leather jacket worn by Jackson in the video, designed by Deborah Nadoolman, would become as iconic in pop culture as Indiana Jones' fedora, which Nadoolman also hand-picked for that character. Shooting a music video as if it were a movie, and on 35mm film, would soon become the norm instead of the exception. Future filmmakers like Spike Jonze would use Thriller as a template for what they could get away with when they started making music videos in the 90s. Over the years, Thriller has been deemed THE single best music video of all time by a number of news organizations and fans all around the world. An official 4K remastered version of the video was uploaded to YouTune in October 2009, a few months after Jackson's unfortunately and untimely passing, where it has amassed more than 865m views over the past 13 years. And that's just for that one version of the video. There are dozens more copies available on YouTube, each with millions of views of their own. Thank you for joining us.  And with that, we wrap up 2022 and our fourth season. We'll talk again in early January 2023, when the podcast will return for its fifth season, as we take a much needed vacation to Thailand for Christmas and New Years.  2022 has been the best year for this podcast so far, and I want to thank every single one of you for spending some of your valuable time listening to me talk about older movies. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of you. Remember to visit this episode's page on our website, The80sMoviePodcast.com, for extra materials about Michael Jackson's Thriller. The 80s Movies Podcast has been researched, written, narrated and edited by Edward Havens for Idiosyncratic Entertainment. Thank you again. Good night.

“It was better than going to college. I wouldn't have traded it for anything,” is how this week's guest, Tom Rule, describes his 20-year tenure with Tower Records. Tom started his career at a small indie record store in California called Condor Records. As it happened, his first day on the job was the day Elvis Presley died and for a while he didn't understand why everyone was calling the store with questions about Elvis Presley records. Twenty years with Tower included stints in El Toro, Watt Avenue, Mountain View and TRIP part time covering the Bay Area. He transferred to Broadway in Sacramento, a two year stint full time at TRIP, back to Mountain View where he became that store's first CD Buyer and eventually the store's Assistant Manger. Off to Nashville for 3.5 as Assistant Manager for 3.5 years, opened and was General Manager for the Ann Arbor MI store then to Chicago to help Schaumberg and finished in 1999 at the Bloomingdale, IL store. WOW!During our conversation Tom recalls a standard record industry lunch with CBS Records where he peppered Jerry Pitti repeatedly with questions as to why they wouldn't allow Tower to carry what were deemed “parallel imports” and a hilarious back and forth with Stan Goman when he was called out for a promotion he had done for years. Tom also recalls working at the Nashville store and his involvement with Fan Fest, planning out his partying at Tower's Annual Conference so that he could get more from the daily meetings and his impressions of Tower Records founder Russ Solomon. Tom's story has come full circle and has a happy, on-going ending in that he has his own indie record store, Moldy Toe's Records (https://www.facebook.com/moldytoesrecords) in San Clemente, CA where he tells us about the current state of music retail and the demographics of customers currently buying music in his shop.  Join us for this fun conversation with the always interesting, irrepressible Tom Rule. 

Aerosmith are the biggest selling American hard rock band in history, and they took their first major step 50 years ago today when they signed their first record deal with CBS Records! Joining me on today's show to talk all about the bands early days is Corey from Back Tracks: Aerosmith Revisited 

For Video Edition, Please Click Here and Subscribe: https://youtu.be/0W-s75LaXK0 Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Charlotte Crossley better known as Charlo got her start singing in the choir at Metropolitan Community Church at the tender age of seven. She continued music education in elementary school learning the piano and clarinet and continued until she graduated from South Shore High School. At fifteen, she got her start in theater with roles in West Side Story and the Three Penny Opera at the Young Men's Jewish Community Center where she was encouraged by the director to audition for HAIR, The Musical: the American tribal love-rock musical by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt McDermott's, which was opening a Chicago company. She was performing eight shows a week. While it was hard work for young Charlo, but being the center of attention was second nature to the burgeoning star. She continued with the Chicago Company, traveled to Las Vegas, and ultimately went on the Tony Award-winning production's first national tour. After moving to New York City, she joined the original Broadway cast of Jesus Christ Superstar, rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice which later won a Tony Award. Charlo later met and toured with Bette Midler and Barry Manilow, which opened many doors that led to recording for CBS Records with the highly coveted trio of backup singers formerly known as The Harlettes with Sharon Redd and Ula Hedwig. Her music credits include working with the likes of Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Lainie Kazan, Muddy Waters, Sister's Love, Boz Scaggs, and Hiroshima. She has also appeared on the big screen in films including The “Preachers Wife,” “Beaches,” “Sister Act 1,” ...

Show #951 Too Much On My Mind 01. Brad Wilson - All Kinds Of A Fool (4:20) (Brad "Guitar" Wilson, Cali Bee Music, 2022) 02. Juke Joint Jonny & the Kindred Spirits - Driftin' Blues (4:06) (Just Folkin Around, self-release, 2022) 03. Robert Billard & The Cold Calls - No Shape For Talking (3:11) (Stop, self-release, 2022) 04. Kat Riggins - Woahman (4:08) (Progeny, Gulf Coast Records, 2022) 05. Dylan Triplett - Junkyard Dog (4:04) (Who Is He?, VizzTone Records, 2022) 06. Janiva Magness - Strong As Steel (4:09) (Hard To Kill, Fathead Records, 2022) 07. Johnny Sansone - Something Good Going On (4:26) (Into Your Blues, self-release, 2022) 08. Ben Hemming - Lost Faith (3:40) (Marked Man, self-release, 2022) 09. Derek and the Dominos - Have You Ever Loved A woman (6:53) (Layla, Polydor Records, 1972) 10. Janis Joplin - Get It While You Can (3:23) (Pearl, CBS Records, 1971) 11. Elkie Brooks - Pearl's A Singer (3:40) (Two Days Away, A&M Records, 1976) 12. Dave Thomas - Eye On The Money (3:14) (Road To The Blues, Blonde On Blonde Direct, 2022) 13. AJ Plug - Tears Ran Dry (8:03) (Killer King, self-release, 2021) 14. Chris Antonik - Waves Of Stone (5:12) (Morningstar, self-release, 2022) 15. Matty T Wall - Walk Out The Door (5:17) (Live Down Underground, Hipsterdumpster Records, 2022) 16. Misty Blues - The Hate (4:12) (Single, Lunaria Records, 2022) 17. Steve Howell & The Mighty Men - I Believe To My Soul (5:25) (Been Here And Gone, Out Of The Past Music, 2022) 18. Supersonic Blues Machine - Devil At The Doorstep (8:00) (Voodoo Nation, Provogue Records, 2022) 19. StratCat Willie & the Strays - Guilty (3:59) (On A Hot Tin Roof, self-release, 2022) 20. Raphael Wressnig & Alex Schultz - Jimmy McGroove (5:32) (Don't Be Afraid To Groove, BHM Productions, 2009) 21. Darrell Kelley - Gun Reform (3:12) (Single, Viral Records, 2022) Bandana Blues is and will always be a labor of love. Please help Spinner deal with the costs of hosting & bandwidth. Visit www.bandanablues.com and hit the tipjar. Any amount is much appreciated, no matter how small. Thank you.

Robot backing bands, managing retail baggage, talking class A amps at parties, making extra efforts for diversity, and dreaming of open mics are part of Hilary's conversation with Laura B. Whitmore. Plus, music's role in preventing mass shootings. Huge thanks to this episode's sponsors! http://earthquakerdevices.com (EarthQuaker Devices)- extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH! http://stompboxsonic.com (Stompbox Sonic)- personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA! http://holcombguitars.com (Holcomb Guitars)- custom guitars and mobile guitar repair in RI/MA! LAURA's BIO Laura B. Whitmore is a music marketer, singer/songwriter, event producer, journalist, and founder of the Women's International Music Network and the She Rocks Awards.  After graduating from Hofstra, Whitmore worked for CBS Records and Korg USA where she handled marketing, PR and artist relations for Korg, Marshall, and VOX. Twenty years after working with Korg, Whitmore founded Mad Sun Marketing, handling marketing, PR, artist relations and additional services for numerous industry leaders.  In 2012 Whitmore founded The Women's International Music Network, an organization dedicated to providing support, information, and community to women in all walks of life within the industry. The WiMN produces the She Rocks Awards, a ceremony that honors trailblazing women from all areas of the industry. Since 2020 Whitmore has served as the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Positive Grid, a revolutionary music technology software and hardware company that is changing the way people approach music making.  LAURA's MENTIONS Positive Grid / Martin / Ovation / Breedlove / Fender / Fishman / Shure / Zoom / Japanese Breakfast- Michelle Zauner / Dionne Warwick / Yvette Young / Carmen Vandenberg / Lzzy Hale / Katie Daryl / Tenille Arts / NAMM LAURA's LINKS https://sherocksawards.com/ (She Rocks Awards) https://www.thewimn.com/ (Women's International Music Network) https://www.positivegrid.com/ (Positive Grid) MID-RIFF LINKS http://hilarybjones.com/midriffpodcast (Website) http://instagram.com/midriffpodcast (Instagram) http://facebook.com/midriffpodcast (Facebook) https://hilarybjones.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=43bb95b305fb0c7d53fbc8d3a&id=146b44f072 (Newsletter) https://www.hilarybjones.com/blog (Blog)  https://bit.ly/gearresourcelist (Diversity in Music Gear Resource List) https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/tnyradiohour/episodes/what-makes-mass-shooter-web (Podcast episode mentioned) Thanks for rating/reviewing on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mid-riff/id1494997227 (Apple Podcasts)! Support Mid-Riff by shopping on https://reverb.grsm.io/midriff (Reverb)! Theme Music: "Hedonism" by https://towanda.bandcamp.com/ (Towanda) Artwork by https://www.juliagualtieri.com/ (Julia Gualtieri)

Episode 34: London Calling (The Clash). McCartney In Goal is the podcast that debates and dissects the great albums of rock music, using a competitive knock-out format. Today we're discussing, London Calling, which is the third studio album by English rock band the Clash. It was originally released as a double album on 14 December 1979 by CBS Records. It contains: "London Calling", "Train In Vain", "Guns Of Brixton" and "Clampdown". McCartney In Goal - Please tell a friend about us!Support the show (http://mccartneyingoal.com)

Show #943 King Thing Encore 01. Cory Vincent - Once Was A King (4:08) (Cory Vincent, self-release, 2022) 02. The Informants - Crime Scene Queen (2:50) (Crime Scene Queen, Wipe It Off! Records, 2009) 03. Fried Bourbon - Your King Is Coming (2:20) (Gravy Train, Naked Productions, 2012) 04. Willie Buck - Crawlin' King Snake (3:38) (Willie Buck Way, Delmark Records, 2019) 05. Treat Her Right - King Of Beers (3:50) (Tied To The Tracks, RCA Records, 1989) 06. Clarence Spady - King Of Hearts (3:50) (Just Between Us, Severn Records, 2008) 07. Tedi Brunetti - The Queen Of Pittsburgh (5:48) (The Queen Of Pittsburgh, Sony/The Orchard, 2021) 08. Eric Johanson - Graveyard Queen (5:02) (Burn It Down, Whiskey Bayou Records, 2018) 09. Roy Rogers & Norton Buffalo - If I Were A King (5:34) (Roots Of Our Nature, Blind Pig Records, 2002) 10. Jeremiah Johnson - King & Queen (6:02) (Straitjacket, Ruf Records, 2018) 11. Kings & Associates - Truth Be Told (5:03) (Tales Of A Rich Girl, Big Wing Records, 2017) 12. Omar & the Howlers - Kings Ransom (3:33) (Wall Of Pride, CBS Records, 1988) 13. Chicken Shack - King Of The World (4:57) (40 Blue Fingers Freshly Packed & Ready To Serve, Blue Horizon, 1968) 14. The Reggie Knighton Band - The King And I (2:50) (The Reggie Knighton Band, ARC/CBS Records, 1978) 15. Eliza Neals - King Kong (3:40) (Badder To The Bone, E-H Records, 2022) 16. Tas Cru - Queen Of Hearts (6:04) (Memphis Song, Subcat Records, 2018) 17. Gregory Porter - French African Queen (3:45) (Take Me To The Alley, Blue Note Records, 2016) 18. Travellin' Blue Kings - A Stiffer Drink (3:23) (Bending the Rules, Naked Productions, 2022) 19. Rose City Kings - Working Girl Blues (5:33) (A Love So Strong, self-release, 2016) 20. Guy King - King Thing (5:42) (Truth, Delmark Records, 2016) Bandana Blues is and will always be a labor of love. Please help Spinner deal with the costs of hosting & bandwidth. Visit www.bandanablues.com and hit the tipjar. Any amount is much appreciated, no matter how small. Thank you.

I am a rock Today is the 4th of April 2022. Welcome to Walking the Way. My name is Ray and I really want to say thank you to everyone for listening in as we continue to explore what it means to have a regular rhythm of worship. Credits Opening Prayer https://www.plough.com/en/subscriptions/daily-prayer Bible verse Romans 14:7 Thought for the day Ray Borrett Click here to download the Roman Road plan Paul Simon – I am a rock – CBS Records (1965) | Producer – Reg Warburton | Written-By – Paul Simon Bible Passage Romans 14 The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. Prayer Handbook Click here to download it Download the Script: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnHHJxf-hxXprJhMzWgt75gf1_p36A?e=8vkiPl Supporting Walking the Way If you want to support Walking the Way, please go to: https://ko-fi.com/walkingtheway or you can subscribe to the channel: https://anchor.fm/walkingtheway/subscribe To contact Ray: Please leave a comment or a review. I want to find out what people think and how we make it better. www.rayborrett.co.uk ray.borrett@outlook.com @raybrrtt https://fb.me/walkingthewaypodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkingtheway/message

She Rocks Awards - 01212016 My guest this week is Laura Whitmore, who started her career in the direct marketing department of CBS Records before a 20 year stint as the marketing director for Korg USA. There she was instrumental in marketing, PR and artist relations for the Korg, Marshall, and VOX brands as well as editor of Korg's ProView Magazine. Laura then started her own PR and marketing company called Mad Sun Marketing, with clients like Acoustic Amplification, Peavy, Sterling Audio, SIR, Korg, and many more, before signing on as VP of marketing for Positive Grid. In 2012 she founded the Women's International Music Network™ to create a hub to connect women in all facets of the music industry, and to expose them to role models, events and educational opportunities that focus on women in music.  During the interview we spoke about the difficulties of doing PR in today's social media world, the idea behind the Women's International Music Network, musicians as entrepreneurs, and much more. I spoke with Laura via Zoom from her home office. On the intro I'll take a look at how the RIAA's latest stellar revenue numbers are deceiving, and, are we looking at the end of the guitar effects pedal? var podscribeEmbedVars = { epId: 82942853, backgroundColor: 'white', font: undefined, fontColor: undefined, speakerFontColor: undefined, height: '600px', showEditButton: false, showSpeakers: true, showTimestamps: true };

We had the pleasure of interviewing Dustin Collins over Zoom video! Momentum continues to build for Billboard No. 1 singer-songwriter and Georgia-born Dustin Collins, who recently announced his forthcoming Working Man album, as he signs with New Vision Artist Management's Mike Kraski and New Revolution Entertainment's Jeff Solima. Kraski began his career in sales and distribution at CBS Records and eventually made his way to Sony Music Nashville, where he worked with Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Montgomery Gentry among many others, and was eventually elevated to executive VP and general manager for the Nashville division. In 2003, Kraski left Sony and launched an artist friendly label that was aptly named Equity Records. As President and CEO, he launched the career of Little Big Town. Since 2007, Kraski has worked in artist management, consulting and music publishing at Tenacity Management and at M-Pact Music Group and recently partnered with legendary artist manager John Dorris to launch New Vision Artist Management.Solima, whose career started at Music Matters, who managed Tracy Lawrence (16 of 17 singles were all No. 1) and Clay Walker (debut single No. 1), opened the multi-award-winning Hitsquad Promotions in 1993. In 2006, he co-founded New Revolution with partner Rob Dalton, and in 2008, he co-founded Bigger Picture Promotions with partner Michael Powers. Bigger Picture became the No. 5 record label in 18 months, setting the No. 1 record at the time of 9 consecutive No. 1 singles, and launched Craig Campbell, Chris Janson, and relaunched Chris Cagle, Uncle Kracker's “Smile,” and Kid Rock. New Revolution clients have included Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert, Martina McBride, Lee Brice, Gloriana, Uncle Kracker, Jesse James Decker, among others, while delivering Emerson Drive's only No. 1 with “Moments” and relaunching Big & Rich with four consecutive Top 15 singles.Produced by industry veterans Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire) and Bill McDermott (Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley), Working Man is slated for release this summer from DCDL Entertainment. A portion of proceeds from the lead single and album will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA. GUMI focuses on providing U.S. veterans with the tools they need to help them heal after deployment overseas and enable them to re-enter society. Working Man follows Collins' latest album, It's Been Awhile, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers South Central Albums chart. His independent single “Cold Dead Hands” ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Singles Sales chart. Collins also earned a slot on Aaron Watson's Vaquero Tour and has opened for Tanya Tucker, Shenandoah, Clay Walker, Chris Janson, Kane Brown and many more.We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com. www.BringinitBackwards.com #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #DustinCollins #ColdDeadHands #musicinterview #MusicPodcast #NewMusic #zoom Listen & Subscribe to BiB https://www.bringinitbackwards.com/follow/ Follow our podcast on Instagram and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringinbackpod

Leonard Cohen's “Hallelujah” has been covered by more than 300 other artists in virtually every genre, including Willie Nelson, k.d. lang, Justin Timberlake, Bono, Brandi Carlile, and Bon Jovi, to name a few. Hell...the song was even in “Shrek”! But the song was originally stuck on side two of 1984's Various Positions, an album that Cohen's record label deemed unfit for release. In fact, Walter Yetnikoff, the head honcho at CBS Records told Cohen “Leonard, we know you're great but we don't know if you're any good.” “Hallelujah” is arguably Cohen's biggest and most beloved song, as well as one of the most covered songs in history.

Leonard Cohen's “Hallelujah” has been covered by more than 300 other artists in virtually every genre, including Willie Nelson, k.d. lang, Justin Timberlake, Bono, Brandi Carlile, and Bon Jovi, to name a few. Hell...the song was even in “Shrek”! But the song was originally stuck on side two of 1984's Various Positions, an album that Cohen's record label deemed unfit for release. In fact, Walter Yetnikoff, the head honcho at CBS Records told Cohen “Leonard, we know you're great but we don't know if you're any good.” “Hallelujah” is arguably Cohen's biggest and most beloved song, as well as one of the most covered songs in history.AllMusicPodcasts is a proud member of the Pantheon Media Network.

On today's episode, Scott interviews his friend, Wayne Tarnowski. As a former senior recording engineer at CBS Records in NYC, and chief recording engineer at Caribou Ranch in Colorado, his engineering talents have graced albums by Chicago, Elton John, Weather Report, Billy Joel, The Beach Boys, Earth, Wind and Fire, REO Speedwagon, and Edgar Winter. In addition, he collaborated with legendary music producers, James William Guercio and Phil Ramone. Later, after his recording engineer career came to a close, Wayne chose to follow in his Dad's footsteps as a master instrument technician, specializing in woodwind repairs, including the restoration of vintage brass and woodwind instruments. Scott is super grateful that three generations of the Tarnowski's have worked on his woodwind instruments for the past forty years. This multi-talented musician, recording engineer and instrument technician GOT CHOPS! Connect with Wayne Web: http://www.wtmusicandson.com/ E-mail: wtmusic@comcast.net Check out Wayne's album credits at https://www.allmusic.com/artist/wayne-tarnowski-mn0000254060 Listen to Got Chops Podcast on - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Pjh7tC3aTpeMFEhmn4fp4?si=699ae5b84e544cb5 - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/got-chops/id1587699754 - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/gotchops - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp5wwP8DvMPkqI4VM2VMlcufn6a-CzlHM Follow Got Chops on Instagram: @gotchopspodcast Follow Scott on Instagram: @scottgrimaldimusic Twitter: @GrimaldiMusic Facebook: Scott Grimaldi - "The Color Of Midnight" Website: www.grimaldimusic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gotchops/message

Broken Records is often a painful experience, but it's made all the more painful when we're discussing a band as essential and admired as The Clash. Unfortunately, their sixth and final studio album, released on 4 November 1985 by CBS Records, is a record that is truly worthy of the prefix ‘broken'. Lead guitarist and co-principal songwriter Mick Jones and drummer Topper Headon had been dismissed by lead vocalist Joe Strummer and bassist Paul Simonon. Jones and Headon were replaced by three unknowns: guitarists Vince White and Nick Sheppard and drummer Pete Howard, a line-up that Strummer, somewhat sneeringly, referred to as ‘The Clash 2'. During the tense recording sessions, Clash manager Bernie Rhodes and Strummer fought with each other for control over the band's songwriting and musical direction. The band wrote 20 songs for the Cut the Crap sessions, 12 of which ended up on the finished album (God only knows how awful the other 8 are). The songwriting is far from The Clash's best but the real villain of the piece is manager Bernie Rhodes, who's cluttered and hideously unfocused production ruins and squanders whatever negligible integrity the songs might've had.   

NOTE: This episode went up before the allegations about Dylan, in a lawsuit filed on Friday, were made public on Monday night. Had I been aware of them, I would at least have commented at the beginning of the episode. Episode one hundred and thirty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan, and the controversy over Dylan going electric, Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode. Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on "Hold What You've Got" by Joe Tex. Tilt Araiza has assisted invaluably by doing a first-pass edit, and will hopefully be doing so from now on. Check out Tilt's irregular podcasts at http://www.podnose.com/jaffa-cakes-for-proust and http://sitcomclub.com/ Erratum A couple of times I refer to “CBS”. Dylan's label in the US was Columbia Records, a subsidiary of CBS Inc, but in the rest of the world the label traded as “CBS Records”. I should probably have used “Columbia” throughout... Resources No Mixcloud this week, as there are too many songs by Dylan. Much of the information in this episode comes from Dylan Goes Electric!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties by Elijah Wald, which is recommended, as all Wald's books are. I've used these books for all the episodes involving Dylan: Bob Dylan: All The Songs by Phillipe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon is a song-by-song look at every song Dylan ever wrote, as is Revolution in the Air, by Clinton Heylin. Heylin also wrote the most comprehensive and accurate biography of Dylan, Behind the Shades. I've also used Robert Shelton's No Direction Home, which is less accurate, but which is written by someone who knew Dylan. The New Yorker article by Nat Hentoff I talk about is here. And for the information about the writing of "Like a Rolling Stone", I relied on yet another book by Heylin, All the Madmen. Dylan's albums up to 1967 can all be found in their original mono mixes on this box set. And Dylan's performances at Newport from 1963 through 1965 are on this DVD. Patreon This podcast is brought to you by the generosity of my backers on Patreon. Why not join them? Transcript There's a story that everyone tells about Bob Dylan in 1965, the story that has entered into legend. It's the story that you'll see in most of the biographies of him, and in all those coffee-table histories of rock music put out by glossy music magazines. Bob Dylan, in this story, was part of the square, boring, folk scene until he plugged in an electric guitar and just blew the minds of all those squares, who immediately ostracised him forever for being a Judas and betraying their traditionalist acoustic music, but he was just too cool and too much of a rebel to be bound by their rules, man. Pete Seeger even got an axe and tried to cut his way through the cables of the amplifiers, he was so offended by the desecration of the Newport Folk Festival. And like all these stories, it's an oversimplification but there's an element of truth to it too. So today, we're going to look at what actually happened when Dylan went electric. We're going to look at what led to him going electric, and at the truth behind the legend of Seeger's axe. And we're going to look at the masterpiece at the centre of it all, a record that changed rock songwriting forever. We're going to look at Bob Dylan and "Like a Rolling Stone": [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "Like a Rolling Stone"] While we've seen Dylan turn up in all sorts of episodes -- most recently the episode on "Mr. Tambourine Man", the last time we looked at him in detail was in the episode on "Blowin' in the Wind", and when we left him there he had just recorded his second album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, but it had not yet been released. As we'll see, Dylan was always an artist who moved on very quickly from what he'd been doing before, and that had started as early as that album. While his first album, produced by John Hammond, had been made up almost entirely of traditional songs and songs he'd learned from Dave van Ronk or Eric von Schmidt, with only two originals, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan had started out being produced by Hammond, but as Hammond and Dylan's manager Albert Grossman had come to find it difficult to work together, the last few tracks had been produced by Tom Wilson. We've mentioned Wilson briefly a couple of times already, but to reiterate, Wilson was a Black Harvard graduate and political conservative whose background was in jazz and who had no knowledge of or love for folk music. But Wilson saw two things in Dylan -- the undeniable power of his lyrics, and his vocals, which Wilson compared to Ray Charles. Wilson wanted to move Dylan towards working with a backing band, and this was something that Dylan was interested in doing, but his first experiment with that, with John Hammond, hadn't been a particular success. Dylan had recorded a single backed with a band -- "Mixed-Up Confusion", backed with "Corrina, Corrina", a version of an old song that had been recorded by both Bob Wills and Big Joe Turner, but had recently been brought back to the public mind by a version Phil Spector had produced for Ray Peterson. Dylan's version of that song had a country lope and occasional breaks into Jimmie Rodgers style keening that foreshadow his work of the late sixties: [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "Corrina, Corrina (single version)"] A different take of that track was included on The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, an album that was made up almost entirely of originals. Those originals fell into roughly two types -- there were songs like "Masters of War", "Blowin' in the Wind", and "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" which dealt in some way with the political events of the time -- the fear of nuclear war, the ongoing conflict in Vietnam, the Civil Rights movement and more -- but did so in an elliptical, poetic way; and there were songs about distance in a relationship -- songs like "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright", which do a wonderful job at portraying a young man's conflicted feelings -- the girl has left him, and he wants her back, but he wants to pretend that he doesn't.  While it's always a bad idea to look for a direct autobiographical interpretation of Dylan's lyrics, it seems fairly safe to say that these songs were inspired by Dylan's feelings for his girlfriend, Suze Rotolo, who had gone travelling in Europe and not seen him for eight months, and who he was worried he would never see again, and he does seem to have actually had several conflicting feelings about this, ranging from desperation for her to come back through to anger and resentment. The surprising thing about The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan is that it's a relatively coherent piece of work, despite being recorded with two different producers over a period of more than a year, and that recording being interrupted by Dylan's own travels to the UK, his separation from and reconciliation with Rotolo, and a change of producers. If you listened to it, you would get an impression of exactly who Dylan was -- you'd come away from it thinking that he was an angry, talented, young man who was trying to merge elements of both traditional English folk music and Robert Johnson style Delta blues with poetic lyrics related to what was going on in the young man's life. By the next album, that opinion of Dylan would have to be reworked, and it would have to be reworked with every single album that came out.  But The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan came out at the perfect time for Dylan to step into the role of "spokesman for a generation" -- a role which he didn't want, and to which he wasn't particularly suited. Because it came out in May 1963, right at the point at which folk music was both becoming hugely more mainstream, and becoming more politicised. And nothing showed both those things as well as the Hootenanny boycott: [Excerpt: The Brothers Four, “Hootenanny Saturday Night”] We've talked before about Hootenanny, the folk TV show, but what we haven't mentioned is that there was a quite substantial boycott of that show by some of the top musicians in folk music at the time. The reason for this is that Pete Seeger, the elder statesman of the folk movement, and his old band the Weavers, were both blacklisted from the show because of Seeger's Communist leanings. The Weavers were --- according to some sources -- told that they could go on if they would sign a loyalty oath, but they refused. It's hard for those of us who weren't around at the time to really comprehend both just how subversive folk music was considered, and how seriously subversion was taken in the USA of the early 1960s. To give a relevant example -- Suze Rotolo was pictured on the cover of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. Because of this, her cousin's husband, who was in the military, lost his security clearance and didn't get a promotion he was in line for. Again,  someone lost his security clearance because his wife's cousin was pictured on the cover of a Bob Dylan album. So the blacklisting of Seeger and the Weavers was considered a serious matter by the folk music community, and people reacted very strongly. Joan Baez announced that she wouldn't be going on Hootenanny until they asked Seeger on, and Dylan, the Kingston Trio, Dave van Ronk, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Peter, Paul, and Mary, among many others, all refused to go on the show as a result. But the odd thing was, whenever anyone *actually asked* Pete Seeger what he thought they should do, he told them they should go on the TV show and use it as an opportunity to promote the music. So while the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul, and Mary, two of the biggest examples of the commercialisation of folk music that the serious purists sneered at, were refusing to go on the TV in solidarity with a Communist, that Communist's brother, Mike Seeger, happily went on Hootenanny with his band the New Lost City Ramblers, and when the Tarriers were invited on to the show but it clashed with one of their regular bookings, Pete Seeger covered their booking for them so they could appear. Dylan was on the side of the boycotters, though he was not too clear on exactly why. When he spoke about  the boycott on stage, this is what he had to say: [Excerpt: Dylan talks about the boycott. Transcript: "Now a friend of mine, a friend of all yours I'm sure, Pete Seeger's been blacklisted [applause]. He and another group called the Weavers who are around New York [applause] I turned down that television show, but I got no right [applause] but . . . I feel bad turning it down, because the Weavers and Pete Seeger can't be on it. They oughta turn it down. They aren't even asked to be on it because they are blacklisted. Uh—which is, which is a bad thing. I don't know why it's bad, but it's just bad, it's bad all around."] Hootenanny started broadcasting in April 1963, just over a month before The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan came out, and so it would have been a good opportunity for publicity for him -- but turning the show down was also good publicity. Hootenanny wouldn't be the only opportunity to appear on TV that he was offered. It would also not be the only one he turned down. In May, Dylan was given the opportunity to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show, but he agreed on one condition -- that he be allowed to sing "Talking John Birch Paranoid Blues". For those who don't know, the John Birch Society is a far-right conspiratorial organisation which had a huge influence on the development of the American right-wing in the middle of the twentieth century, and is responsible for perpetuating almost every conspiracy theory that has exerted a malign influence on the country and the world since that time. They were a popular punching bag for the left and centre, and for good reason -- we heard the Chad Mitchell Trio mocking them, for example, in the episode on "Mr. Tambourine Man" a couple of weeks ago.  So Dylan insisted that if he was going to go on the Ed Sullivan Show, it would only be to perform his song about them: [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "Talking John Birch Paranoid Blues"] Now, the Ed Sullivan Show was not interested in having Dylan sing a song that would upset a substantial proportion of its audience, on what was after all meant to be an entertainment show, and so Dylan didn't appear on the show -- and he got a big publicity boost from his principled refusal to make a TV appearance that would have given him a big publicity boost. It's interesting to note in this context that Dylan himself clearly didn't actually think very much of the song -- he never included it on any of his albums, and it remained unreleased for decades. By this point, Dylan had started dating Joan Baez, with whom he would have an on-again off-again relationship for the next couple of years, even though at this point he was also still seeing Suze Rotolo. Baez was one of the big stars of the folk movement, and like Rotolo she was extremely politically motivated. She was also a fan of Dylan's writing, and had started recording versions of his songs on her albums: [Excerpt: Joan Baez, "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"] The relationship between the two of them became much more public when they appeared together at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963. The Newport Folk Festival had started in 1959, as a spinoff from the successful Newport Jazz Festival, which had been going for a number of years previously. As there was a large overlap between the jazz and folk music fanbases -- both musics appealed at this point to educated, middle-class, liberals who liked to think of themselves as a little bit Bohemian -- the Jazz Festival had first started putting on an afternoon of folk music during its normal jazz programme, and then spun that off into a whole separate festival, initially with the help of Albert Grossman, who advised on which acts should be booked (and of course included several of the acts he managed on the bill). Both Newport festivals had been shut down after rioting at the 1960 Jazz Festival, as three thousand more people had turned up for the show than there was capacity for, and the Marines had had to be called in to clear the streets of angry jazz fans, but the jazz  festival had returned in 1962, and in 1963 the folk festival came back as well. By this time, Albert Grossman was too busy to work for the festival, and so its organisation was taken over by a committee headed by Pete Seeger.  At that 1963 festival, even though Dylan was at this point still a relative unknown compared to some of the acts on the bill, he was made the headliner of the first night, which finished with his set, and then with him bringing Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, Pete Seeger and the Freedom Singers out to sing with him on "Blowin' in the Wind" and "We Shall Overcome".  To many people, Dylan's appearance in 1963 was what launched him from being "one of the rising stars of the folk movement" to being the most important musician in the movement -- still just one of many, but the first among equals. He was now being talked of in the same terms as Joan Baez or Pete Seeger, and was also starting to behave like someone as important as them -- like he was a star. And that was partly because Baez was promoting Dylan, having him duet with her on stage on his songs -- though few would now argue that the combination of their voices did either artist any favours, Baez's pure, trained, voice, rubbing up against Dylan's more idiosyncratic phrasing in ways that made both sound less impressive: [Excerpt: Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, "With God On Our Side (live at Newport 1963)"] At the end of 1963, Dylan recorded his third album, which came out in early 1964. The Times They Are A-Changin' seems to be Dylan's least personal album to this point, and seems to have been written as a conscious attempt to write the kind of songs that people wanted and expected from him -- there were songs about particular recent news events, like "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll",  the true story of the murder of a Black woman by a white man, and  "Only a Pawn in Their Game", about the murder of the Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers. There were fictional dramatisations of the kind of effects that real-world social problems were having on people, like "North Country Blues", in which the callous way mining towns were treated by capital leads to a woman losing her parents, brother, husband, and children, or "The Ballad of Hollis Brown", about a farmer driven to despair by poverty who ends up killing his whole family and himself. As you can imagine, it's not a very cheery album, but it's one that impressed a lot of people, especially its title track, which was very deliberately written as an anthem for the new social movements that were coming up: [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "The Times They Are A-Changin'"] But it was a bleak album, with none of the humour that had characterised Dylan's first two albums. Soon after recording the album, Dylan had a final split with Rotolo, went travelling for a while, and took LSD for the first time. He also started to distance himself from Baez at this point, though the two would remain together until mid 1965. He seems to have regarded the political material he was doing as a mistake, as something he was doing for other people, rather than because that was what he wanted to do.  He toured the UK in early 1964, and then returned to the US in time to record his fourth album, Another Side of Bob Dylan. It can be argued that this is the point where Dylan really becomes himself, and starts making music that's the music he wants to make, rather than music that he thinks other people want him to make.  The entire album was recorded in one session, along with a few tracks that didn't make the cut -- like the early version of "Mr. Tambourine Man" with Ramblin' Jack Elliott that we heard in the episode on that song. Elliott was in attendance, as were a number of Dylan's other friends, though the album features only Dylan performing. Also there was the journalist Nat Hentoff, who wrote a full account of the recording session for the New Yorker, which I'll link in the show notes.  Dylan told Hentoff "“There aren't any finger-pointing songs in here, either. Those records I've already made, I'll stand behind them, but some of that was jumping into the scene to be heard and a lot of it was because I didn't see anybody else doing that kind of thing. Now a lot of people are doing finger-pointing songs. You know—pointing to all the things that are wrong. Me, I don't want to write for people anymore. You know—be a spokesman. Like I once wrote about Emmett Till in the first person, pretending I was him. From now on, I want to write from inside me, and to do that I'm going to have to get back to writing like I used to when I was ten—having everything come out naturally." Dylan was right to say that there were no finger-pointing songs. The songs on Another Side of Bob Dylan were entirely personal -- "Ballad in Plain D", in particular, is Dylan's take on the night he split up with Suze Rotolo, laying the blame -- unfairly, as he would later admit -- on her older sister. The songs mostly dealt with love and relationships, and as a result were ripe for cover versions. The opening track, in particular, "All I Really Want to Do", which in Dylan's version was a Jimmie Rodgers style hillbilly tune, became the subject of duelling cover versions. The Byrds' version came out as the follow-up to their version of "Mr. Tambourine Man": [Excerpt: The Byrds, "All I Really Want to Do"] But Cher also released a version -- which the Byrds claimed came about when Cher's husband Sonny Bono secretly taped a Byrds live show where they performed the song before they'd released it, and he then stole their arrangement: [Excerpt: Cher, "All I Really Want to Do"] In America, the Byrds' version only made number forty on the charts, while Cher made number fifteen. In the UK, where both artists were touring at the time to promote the single, Cher made number nine but the Byrds charted higher at number four.  Both those releases came out after the album came out in late 1964, but even before it was released, Dylan was looking for other artists to cover his new songs. He found one at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival, where he met Johnny Cash for the first time. Cash had been a fan of Dylan for some time -- and indeed, he's often credited as being the main reason why CBS persisted with Dylan after his first album was unsuccessful, as Cash had lobbied for him within the company -- and he'd recently started to let that influence show. His most recent hit, "Understand Your Man", owed more than a little to Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right", and Cash had also started recording protest songs. At Newport, Cash performed his own version of "Don't Think Twice": [Excerpt: Johnny Cash, "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"] Cash and Dylan met up, with June Carter and Joan Baez, in Baez's hotel room, and according to later descriptions they were both so excited to meet each other they were bouncing with excitement, jumping up and down on the beds. They played music together all night, and Dylan played some of his new songs for Cash. One of them was "It Ain't Me Babe", a song that seems at least slightly inspired by "She Loves You" -- you can sing the "yeah, yeah, yeah" and "no, no, no" together -- and which was the closing track of Another Side of Bob Dylan. Cash soon released his own version of the song, which became a top five country hit: [Excerpt: Johnny Cash, "It Ain't Me Babe"] But it wasn't long after meeting Cash that Dylan met the group who may have inspired that song -- and his meeting with the Beatles seems to have confirmed in him his decision that he needed to move away from the folk scene and towards making pop records. This was something that Tom Wilson had been pushing for for a while -- Wilson had told Dylan's manager Albert Grossman that if they could get Dylan backed by a good band, they'd have a white Ray Charles on their hands. As an experiment, Wilson took some session musicians into the studio and had them overdub an electric backing on Dylan's acoustic version of "House of the Rising Sun", basing the new backing on the Animals' hit version. The result wasn't good enough to release, but it did show that there was a potential for combining Dylan's music with the sound of electric guitars and drums: [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, “House of the Rising Sun (electric version)”] Dylan was also being influenced by his friend John Hammond Jr, the blues musician son of Dylan's first producer, and a veteran of the Greenwich Village folk scene. Hammond had decided that he wanted to show the British R&B bands what proper American blues sounded like, and so he'd recruited a group of mostly-Canadian musicians to back him on an electric album. His "So Many Roads" album featured three members of a group called Levon and the Hawks -- Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, and Robbie Robertson -- who had recently quit working for the Canadian rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins -- plus harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite and Mike Bloomfield, who was normally a guitarist but who is credited on piano for the album: [Excerpt: John Hammond, Jr. "Who Do You Love?"] Dylan was inspired by Hammond's sound, and wanted to get the same sound on his next record, though he didn't consider hiring the same musicians. Instead, for his next album he brought in Bruce Langhorne, the tambourine man himself, on guitar, Bobby Gregg -- a drummer who had been the house drummer for Cameo-Parkway and played on hits by Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell and others; the session guitarists Al Gorgoni and Kenny Rankin, piano players Frank Owens and Paul Griffin, and two bass players, Joseph Macho and William Lee, the father of the film director Spike Lee. Not all of these played on all the finished tracks -- and there were other tracks recorded during the sessions, where Dylan was accompanied by Hammond and another guitarist, John Sebastian, that weren't used at all -- but that's the lineup that played on Dylan's first electric album, Bringing it All Back Home. The first single, "Subterranean Homesick Blues" actually takes more inspiration than one might imagine from the old-school folk singers Dylan was still associating with. Its opening lines seem to be a riff on "Taking it Easy", a song that had originally been written in the forties by Woody Guthrie for the Almanac Singers, where it had been a song about air-raid sirens: [Excerpt: The Almanac Singers, "Taking it Easy"] But had then been rewritten by Pete Seeger for the Weavers, whose version had included this verse that wasn't in the original: [Excerpt: The Weavers, "Taking it Easy"] Dylan took that verse, and the basic Guthrie-esque talking blues rhythm, and connected it to Chuck Berry's "Too Much Monkey Business" with its rapid-fire joking blues lyrics: [Excerpt: Chuck Berry, "Too Much Monkey Business"] But Dylan's lyrics were a radical departure, a freeform, stream-of-consciousness proto-psychedelic lyric inspired as much by the Beat poets as by any musician -- it's no coincidence that in the promotional film Dylan made for the song, one of the earliest examples of what would become known as the rock video, the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg makes an appearance: [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "Subterranean Homesick Blues"] "Subterranean Homesick Blues" made the top forty in the US -- it only made number thirty-nine, but it was Dylan's first single to chart at all in the US. And it made the top ten in the UK -- but it's notable that even over here, there was still some trepidation about Dylan's new direction. To promote his UK tour, CBS put out a single of "The Times They Are A-Changin'", and that too made the top ten, and spent longer on the charts than "Subterranean Homesick Blues". Indeed, it seems like everyone was hedging their bets. The opening side of Bringing it All Back Home is all electric, but the B-side is made up entirely of acoustic performances, though sometimes with a little added electric guitar countermelody -- it's very much in the same style as Dylan's earlier albums, and seems to be a way of pulling back after testing the waters, of reassuring people who might have been upset by the change in style on the first side that this was still the same Dylan they knew.  And the old Dylan certainly still had plenty of commercial life in him. Indeed, when Dylan went to the UK for a tour in spring of 1965, he found that British musicians were trying to copy his style -- a young man called Donovan seemed to be doing his best to *be* Dylan, with even the title of his debut hit single seeming to owe something to "Blowing in the Wind": [Excerpt: Donovan, "Catch the Wind (original single version)"] On that UK tour, Dylan performed solo as he always had -- though by this point he had taken to bringing along an entourage. Watching the classic documentary of that tour, Dont Look Back, it's quite painful to see Dylan's cruelty to Joan Baez, who had come along on the expectation that she would be duetting with him occasionally, as he had dueted with her, but who is sidelined, tormented, and ignored. It's even worse to see Bob Neuwirth,  a hanger-on who is very obviously desperate to impress Dylan by copying all his mannerisms and affectations, doing the same. It's unsurprising that this was the end of Dylan and Baez's relationship. Dylan's solo performances on that tour went down well, but some of his fans questioned him about his choice to make an electric record. But he wasn't going to stop recording with electric musicians. Indeed, Tom Wilson also came along on the tour, and while he was in England he made an attempt to record a track with the members of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers -- Mayall, Hughie Flint, Eric Clapton, and John McVie, though it was unsuccessful and only a low-fidelity fragment of it circulates: [Excerpt: Bob Dylan and the Bluesbreakers, "If You Gotta Go, Go Now"] Also attending that session was a young wannabe singer from Germany who Dylan had taken up with, though their dalliance was very brief. During the session Dylan cut a demo of a song he planned to give her, but Nico didn't end up recording "I'll Keep it With Mine" until a couple of years later. But one other thing happened in England. After the UK tour, Dylan travelled over to Europe for a short tour, then returned to the UK to do a show for the BBC -- his first full televised concert. Unfortunately, that show never went ahead -- there was a party the night before, and Dylan was hospitalised after it with what was said to be food poisoning. It might even actually have been food poisoning, but take a listen to the episode I did on Vince Taylor, who was also at that party, and draw your own conclusions. Anyway, Dylan was laid up in bed for a while, and took the opportunity to write what he's variously described as being ten or twenty pages of stream of consciousness vomit, out of which he eventually took four pages of lyrics, a vicious attack on a woman who was originally the protagonist's social superior, but has since fallen. He's never spoken in any detail about what or who the subject of the song was, but given that it was written just days after his breakup with Baez, it's not hard to guess. The first attempt at recording the song was a false start. On June the fifteenth, Dylan and most of the same musicians who'd played on his previous album went into the studio to record it, along with Mike Bloomfield, who had played on that John Hammond album that had inspired Dylan and was now playing in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Bloomfield had been surprised when Dylan had told him that he didn't want the kind of string-bending electric blues that Bloomfield usually played, but he managed to come up with something Dylan approved of -- but the song was at this point in waltz time: [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "Like a Rolling Stone (early version)"] The session ended, but Joe Macho, Al Gorgoni and Bobby Gregg stayed around after the session, when Tom Wilson called in another session guitarist to join them in doing the same trick he'd done on "House of the Rising Sun", overdubbing new instruments on a flop acoustic record he'd produced for a Greenwich Village folk duo who'd already split up. But we'll hear more about "The Sound of Silence" in a few weeks' time. The next day, the same musicians came back, along with one new one. Al Kooper had been invited by Wilson to come along and watch the session, but he was determined that he was going to play on whatever was recorded. He got to the session early, brought his guitar and amp in and got tuned up before Wilson arrived. But then Kooper heard Bloomfield play, realised that he simply couldn't play at anything remotely like the same standard, and decided he'd be best off staying in the control room after all.  But then, before they started recording "Like a Rolling Stone", which by now was in 4/4 time, Frank Owens, who had been playing organ, switched to piano and left his organ on. Kooper saw his chance -- he played a bit of keyboards, too, and the song was in C, which is the easiest key to play in. Kooper asked Wilson if he could go and play, and Wilson didn't exactly say no, so Kooper went into the studio and sat at the organ.  Kooper improvised the organ line that became the song's most notable instrumental part, but you will notice that it's mixed quite low in the track. This is because Wilson was unimpressed with Kooper's playing, which is technically pretty poor -- indeed, for much of the song, Kooper is a beat behind the rest of the band, waiting for them to change chords and then following the change on the next measure. Luckily, Kooper is also a good enough natural musician that he made this work, and it gave the song a distinctive sound: [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "Like a Rolling Stone"] The finished record came in at around six minutes -- and here I should just mention that most books on the subject say that the single was six minutes and thirteen seconds long. That's the length of the stereo mix of the song on the stereo version of the album. The mono mix on the mono album, which we just heard, is five minutes fifty-eight, as it has a shorter fade. I haven't been able to track down a copy of the single as released in 1965, but usually the single mix would be the same as the mono album mix. Whatever the exact length, it was much, much, longer than the norm for a single -- the Animals' "House of the Rising Sun" had been regarded as ridiculously long at four and a half minutes -- and Columbia originally wanted to split the song over two sides of a single. But eventually it was released as one side, in full: [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "Like a Rolling Stone"] That's Bruce Langhorne there playing that rather sloppy tambourine part, high in the mix. The record made the top five in the UK, and reached number two in the US, only being held off from the top spot by "Help!" by the Beatles.  It would, however, be the last track that Tom Wilson produced for Dylan. Nobody knows what caused their split after three and a half albums working together -- and everything suggests that on the UK tour in the Spring, the two were very friendly. But they had some sort of disagreement, about which neither of them would ever speak, other than a comment by Wilson in an interview shortly before his death in which he said that Dylan had told him he was going to get Phil Spector to produce his records. In the event, the rest of the album Dylan was working on would be produced by Bob Johnston, who would be Dylan's regular producer until the mid-seventies. So "Like a Rolling Stone" was a major break in Dylan's career, and there was another one shortly after its release, when Dylan played the Newport Folk Festival for the third time, in what has become possibly the single most discussed and analysed performance in folk or rock music. The most important thing to note here is that there was not a backlash among the folk crowd against electric instruments. The Newport Folk Festival had *always* had electric performers -- John Lee Hooker and Johnny Cash and The Staple Singers had all performed with electric guitars and nobody had cared. What there was, was a backlash against pop music. You see, up until the Beatles hit America, the commercial side of folk music had been huge. Acts like the Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul, and Mary, The Chad Mitchell Trio, and so on had been massive. Most of the fans at the Newport Folk Festival actually despised many of these acts as sell-outs, doing watered-down versions of the traditional music they loved. But at the same time, those acts *were* doing watered-down versions of the traditional music they loved, and by doing so they were exposing more people to that traditional music. They were making programmes like Hootenanny possible -- and the folkies didn't like Hootenanny, but Hootenanny existing meant that the New Lost City Ramblers got an audience they would otherwise not have got. There was a recognition, then, that the commercialised folk music that many of them despised was nonetheless important in the development of a thriving scene. And it was those acts, the Kingston Trios and Peter, Paul, and Marys, who were fast losing their commercial relevance because of the renewed popularity of rock music. If Hootenanny gets cancelled and Shindig put on in its place, that's great for fans of the Righteous Brothers and Sam Cooke, but it's not so great if you want to hear "Tom Dooley" or "If I Had a Hammer". And so many of the old guard in the folk movement weren't wary of electric guitars *as instruments*, but they were wary of anything that looked like someone taking sides with the new pop music rather than the old folk music. For Dylan's first performance at the festival in 1965, he played exactly the set that people would expect of him, and there was no problem. The faultlines opened up, not with Dylan's first performance, but with the performance by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, as part of a history of the blues, presented by Alan Lomax. Lomax had no objection to rock and roll -- indeed, earlier in the festival the Chambers Brothers, a Black electric group from Mississippi, had performed a set of rock and R&B songs, and Lomax had come on stage afterwards and said “I'm very proud tonight that we finally got onto the Newport Folk Festival our modern American folk music: rock 'n' roll!” But Lomax didn't think that the Butterfield band met his criteria of "authenticity". And he had a point. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band were an integrated group -- their rhythm section were Black musicians who had played with Howlin' Wolf -- and they'd gained experience through playing Chicago blues on the South Side of Chicago, but their leader, Butterfield, was a white man, as was Mike Bloomfield, their guitarist, and so they'd quickly moved to playing clubs on the North side, where Black musicians had generally not been able to play. Butterfield and Bloomfield were both excellent musicians, but they were closer to the British blues lovers who were making up groups like the Rolling Stones, Animals, and Manfred Mann. There was a difference -- they were from Chicago, not from the Home Counties -- but they were still scholars coming at the music from the outside, rather than people who'd grown up with the music and had it as part of their culture. The Butterfield Band were being promoted as a sort of American answer to the Stones, and they had been put on Lomax's bill rather against his will -- he wanted to have some Chicago blues to illustrate that part of the music, but why not Muddy Waters or Howlin' Wolf, rather than this new group who had never really done anything? One he'd never even heard -- but who he knew that Albert Grossman was thinking about managing. So his introduction to the Butterfield Blues Band's performance was polite but hardly rapturous. He said "Us white cats always moved in, a little bit late, but tried to catch up...I understand that this present combination has not only caught up but passed the rest. That's what I hear—I'm anxious to find out whether it's true or not." He then introduced the musicians, and they started to play an old Little Walter song: [Excerpt: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, "Juke"] But after the set, Grossman was furious at Lomax, asking him what kind of introduction that was meant to be. Lomax responded by asking if Grossman wanted a punch in the mouth, Grossman hurled a homophobic slur at Lomax, and the two men started hitting each other and rolling round in the dirt, to the amusement of pretty much everyone around. But Lomax and Grossman were both far from amused. Lomax tried to get the Festival board to kick Grossman out, and almost succeeded, until someone explained that if they did, then that would mean that all Grossman's acts, including huge names like Dylan and Peter, Paul, and Mary, would also be out.  Nobody's entirely sure whose idea it was, but it seems to have been Grossman who thought that since Bloomfield had played on Dylan's recent single, it might be an idea to get the Butterfield Blues Band to back Dylan on stage, as a snub to Lomax. But the idea seems to have cohered properly when Grossman bumped into Al Kooper, who was attending the festival just as an audience member. Grossman gave Kooper a pair of backstage passes, and told him to meet up with Dylan. And so, for Dylan's performance on the Sunday -- scheduled in the middle of the day, rather than as the headliner as most people expected, he appeared with an electric guitar, backed by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Al Kooper. He opened with his recent single "Maggie's Farm", and followed it with the new one, "Like a Rolling Stone": [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "Like a Rolling Stone (live at Newport)"] After those two songs, the group did one more, a song called "Phantom Engineer", which they hadn't rehearsed properly and which was an utter train wreck. And then they left the stage. And there was booing. How much booing, and what the cause was, is hard to say, but everyone agrees there was some. Some people claim that the booing was just because the set had been so short, others say that the audience was mostly happy but there were just a few people booing. And others say that the booing mostly came from the front -- that there were sound problems that meant that while the performance sounded great to people further back, there was a tremendous level of distortion near the front. That's certainly what Pete Seeger said. Seeger was visibly distraught and angry at the sounds coming from the stage. He later said, and I believe him, that it wasn't annoyance at Dylan playing with an electric band, but at the distorted sound. He said he couldn't hear the words, that the guitar was too loud compared to the vocals, and in particular that his father, who was an old man using a hearing aid, was in actual physical pain at the sound. According to Joe Boyd, later a famous record producer but at this time just helping out at the festival, Seeger, the actor Theodore Bikel, and Alan Lomax, all of whom were on the festival board, told Boyd to take a message to Paul Rothchild, who was working the sound, telling him that the festival board ordered him to lower the volume. When Boyd got there, he found Rothchild there with Albert Grossman and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary, who was also on the board. When Boyd gave his message, Yarrow responded that the board was "adequately represented at the sound controls", that the sound was where the musicians wanted it, and gave Boyd a message to take back to the other board members, consisting of a single raised middle finger. Whatever the cause of the anger, which was far from universal, Dylan was genuinely baffled and upset at the reaction -- while it's been portrayed since, including by Dylan himself at times, as a deliberate act of provocation on Dylan's part, it seems that at the time he was just going on stage with his new friends, to play his new songs in front of some of his old friends and a crowd that had always been supportive of him. Eventually Peter Yarrow, who was MCing, managed to persuade Dylan to go back on stage and do a couple more numbers, alone this time as the band hadn't rehearsed any more songs. He scrounged up an acoustic guitar, went back on, spent a couple of minutes fiddling around with the guitar, got a different guitar because something was wrong with that one, played "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue", spent another couple of minutes tuning up, and then finally played "Mr. Tambourine Man": [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "Mr. Tambourine Man (live at Newport)"] But that pause while Dylan was off stage scrounging an acoustic guitar from somewhere led to a rumour that has still got currency fifty-six years later. Because Peter Yarrow, trying to keep the crowd calm, said "He's gone to get his axe" -- using musicians' slang for a guitar. But many of the crowd didn't know that slang. But they had seen Pete Seeger furious, and they'd also seen, earlier in the festival, a demonstration of work-songs, sung by people who kept time by chopping wood, and according to some people Seeger had joined in with that demonstration, swinging an axe as he sang. So the audience put two and two together, and soon the rumour was going round the festival -- Pete Seeger had been so annoyed by Dylan going electric he'd tried to chop the cables with an axe, and had had to be held back from doing so. Paul Rothchild even later claimed to have seen Seeger brandishing it. The rumour became so pervasive that in later years, even as he denied doing it, Seeger tried to explain it away by saying that he might have said something like "I wish I had an axe so I could cut those cables". In fact, Seeger wasn't angry at Dylan, as much as he was concerned -- shortly afterwards he wrote a private note to himself trying to sort out his own feelings, which said in part "I like some rock and roll a great deal. Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters. I confess that, like blues and like flamenco music, I can't listen to it for a long time at a stretch. I just don't feel that aggressive, personally. But I have a question. Was the sound at Newport from Bob's aggregation good rock and roll?  I once had a vision of a beast with hollow fangs. I first saw it when my mother-in-law, who I loved very much, died of cancer... Who knows, but I am one of the fangs that has sucked Bob dry. It is in the hope that I can learn that I write these words, asking questions I need help to answer, using language I never intended. Hoping that perhaps I'm wrong—but if I am right, hoping that it won't happen again." Seeger would later make his own electric albums, and he would always continue to be complimentary towards Dylan in public. He even repeatedly said that while he still wished he'd been able to hear the words and that the guitar had been mixed quieter, he knew he'd been on the wrong side, and that if he had the time over he'd have gone on stage and asked the audience to stop booing Dylan. But the end result was the same -- Dylan was now no longer part of the Newport Folk Festival crowd. He'd moved on and was now a pop star, and nothing was going to change that. He'd split with Suze, he'd split with Joan Baez, he'd split with Tom Wilson, and now he'd split with his peer group. From now on Dylan wasn't a spokesman for his generation, or the leader of a movement. He was a young man with a leather jacket and a Stratocaster, and he was going to make rock music. And we'll see the results of that in future episodes.

Rob Stringer is Chairman, Sony Music Group. In this role, he is responsible for leading the overall global activities of the world's largest music publishing company and second largest recorded music company which is home to many of the world's most accomplished international superstars and local artists, as well as a vast catalog of some of the most popular and important recordings in history. Sony Music Entertainment's iconic record labels include Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, Legacy Recordings, Masterworks, RCA Records, Sony Music Latin and Sony Music Nashville, representing music from virtually every genre around the globe. Sony Music Publishing has a catalog of more than three million copyrights from some of the world's greatest songwriters. Over the course of a more than three-decade career with Sony Music, Stringer has worked with a broad array of global superstars including AC/DC, Adele, Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion, The Clash, Daft Punk, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, Dixie Chicks, George Michael, Harry Styles, Jack White, John Legend, John Mayer, Pharrell Williams, Pink, Sade, Tony Bennett and Travis Scott. During that time, he has also been at the forefront of growth and innovation in the recording industry, expanding and evolving the company's approach to both artist development and breaking hits. In addition, he has led hugely successful collaborations between the worlds of music, television and film, and drives the continued development of digital and interactive content strategies and platforms. Before becoming CEO of Sony Music Entertainment in April 2017, Stringer was Chairman and CEO of Columbia Records, one of the world's leading record labels. Under Stringer's successful leadership, Columbia ranked among the industry's top labels by market share, with a roster including many of the most successful artists in the world. Over the course of his leadership, Columbia was home to some of the most groundbreaking releases and biggest commercial and critical hits of the last decade, including the record-breaking album “21” by Adele, the groundbreaking visual album “Lemonade” by Beyoncé and the final studio album by David Bowie, “Blackstar.” The label's artists were awarded numerous Grammys, among them six wins for Adele in 2012, including Album of the Year for “21” and eight wins for Adele in 2017, including Album of the Year for “25.” Stringer started his career at CBS Records (later to become Sony Music) as a graduate marketing trainee in 1985. Rising through various A&R and marketing positions in the company, he became Managing Director of Epic Records in 1992, and Chairman of Sony Music UK in 2001. During this time, he worked with multiple successful UK artists including The Clash, George Michael, Jamiroquai, Sade, and Lightning Seeds, as well as Manic Street Preachers, who were his first signing in an A&R role. Stringer attended Goldsmiths College, University of London where he gained a BA Honours in Sociology in 1984 and was awarded an honorary fellowship in 2010. He currently resides in New York with his wife and two children, and, during non-COVID-19 times, regularly returns to the UK to watch his beloved Luton Town Football Club where he is a director and shareholder. Brought to you by the British Consulate General, New York. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.