7 views
It’s The Hits Of June-ish 1955!
It ain’t a shame: Contributing Author DJ Professor Dan takes us back to June 1955, to a song from an obscure prison movie that became a cultural phenomenon, dominated the Top Ten, and for good measure, hits from The Candy and The Fat Men, respectively.
72 views
Why Does A 20-Second Network Programming Promo From 1996 Make Me Laugh?
The Dana Carvey Show was cancelled after just seven episodes, but one disastrous ABC promo lives on as comedy gold. Watch comedy legends completely lose it over the most tone-deaf TV cross-promotion ever made.
129 views
The Life And Legacy Of Leo Fender
Contributing Author Bill Bois reveals the fascinating paradox of Leo Fender – a man who transformed popular music forever despite never learning to play the instruments he created. From a farm boy tinkering with radio parts to the genius behind the Telecaster and Stratocaster, this is the story of how pure innovation and relentless curiosity built the foundation of modern music.
170 views
TV Theme Songs of the 1970s -Ranked
It’s a listicle love letter to the golden age of television intros—where every theme was a banger, and every episode began with soul, funk, and heart. Contributing Author rollerboogie curates this joyful countdown of the most unforgettable TV theme songs from the ’70s.
150 views
Behind the Scenes of Top Of The Pops
Prepare to relive the golden days when Top of the Pops ruled UK music TV – and sometimes made you wonder if the musicians were actually playing or just really committed to their miming skills. From darts champs crashing the background to dolphins on bass, Contributing Author JJ Live At Leeds providers the nostalgic trip with all the quirks and charm you didn’t know you missed.
177 views
With Hope… And Pride – For Our Family’s Future
Contributing Author Chuck Small shares a deeply personal reflection on leading Catholic LGBTQ+ ministry during a pivotal moment of papal transition. Weaving together themes of family, faith, and the ongoing struggle for inclusion within institutional religion, Chuck prepares for a memorable Pride Month celebration.
167 views
It’s The Hits Of June-ish 2005!
Journey back to the bizarre musical landscape of June 2005, when a Swedish motorcycle sound effect transformed into a global phenomenon, and Damon Albarn’s animated alter-egos crafted critically acclaimed art-pop. Our Feel Good Contributing Author DJ Professor Dan dissects the cultural collision between ringtone marketing and virtual band innovation that defined this wonderfully weird era in pop history.
191 views
Why Does Johnny Carson’s “Sis Boom Bah” Joke Make Me Laugh?
In this occasional series on things that crack me up – for reasons I can never fully explain – I spend way too much time analyzing why a decades-old Johnny Carson Carnac-bit joke still makes me laugh…
233 views
The 1978 Failed Nashville Underwater Jewelry Heist
In what may be Tennessee’s most preposterous criminal plot: In 1978, three Nashville-area men attempted to bomb the J. Percy Priest Dam Contributing Author and Historian Bill Bois uncovers this forgotten piece of Music City’s criminal history that reads more like a rejected movie script than reality.
176 views
Reconsidered Band Names That Would Have Altered Music History
What if The Rolling Stones had been called “Watts Wy” or Van Halen became “VanHalen Anth”? From the ever-inventive mind of Contributing Author and Master of Uchronia Stobgopper comes this hilarious journey through an alternative music timeline, filled with jazz-rock mediocrity, power punk transformations, and unfortunately timed on stage gunfights…
Contributing Author blu cheez delivers a no-holds-barred assessment of which recording artists truly mastered the art of acting, and those still finding their dramatic footing. This comprehensive analysis separates the legitimate thespians from the one-hit wonders, examining everyone from David Bowie’s transformative performances to the jury-still-out verdict on Lady Gaga’s range.
The Depth of Donna Summer’s Diverse Musical Journey
Contributing Author Chuck Small delivers a thoughtful exploration of why Donna Summer deserves recognition far beyond the disco queen crown. This eye-opening piece will forever change how you listen to the Queen of Disco’s remarkable catalog.
It’s The Hits Of June-ish 1995!
Contributing Author and sometime seventh Friend DJ Professor Dan masterfully dissects how The Rembrandts accidentally became the soundtrack to your Thursday nights, why Jarvis Cocker was basically the thinking person’s class warrior, and how Jeff Buckley made everyone feel feelings they didn’t know they had. Prepare for a delightfully unhinged journey through 90s music where TV themes became radio gold and “Hallelujah” somehow became both sacred and completely ruined simultaneously.
(That I Probably Shouldn’t Have Been Eavesdropping On)
I’ve accidentally become a professional eavesdropper, which sounds way more glamorous than it actually is. Mostly it just means I’m constantly confused by other people’s conversations. Turns out every hobby has its own secret language, and I’ve appointed myself the unofficial translator for seven examples for anyone else who’s ever wondered what the heck these people are talking about…
The Anemic Boyfriends: Remembering A Regional Cult Hit
Removed Added
Deleted: A long-lost punk oddity from Anchorage once blared across scattered radio stations, defying geography and logic in the pre-internet age. This deep-dive from Contributing Author Bill Bois uncovers a DIY gem, an unlikely feminist anthem, and the fascinating cast of characters behind
“Guys Are Not Proud.”
Four Quiet Acts of Kindness
These stories show how famous folks like Fred Rogers and Bob Denver quietly did the right thing without any fanfare. It’s a good reminder that kindness and humility often happen behind the scenes. Sometimes, the smallest gestures make the biggest difference.
48 Frequently Asked (Musical) Questions And Answers
Finally, someone brave enough to tell The Clash that their life choices are mathematically terrible. Contributing Author and respondent extraordinaire JJ Live At Leeds delivers the music critique we never knew we desperately needed
It’s a barrelful of existential wisdom and deadpan brilliance from someone who’s clearly been waiting decades for musicians to stop asking rhetorical questions, and start giving real answers.
The Hard Truths America Still Won’t Face
Contributing Author Chuck Small delivers an unflinching examination of America’s continued struggle with white supremacy five years after George Floyd’s murder, weaving personal revelation with urgent social commentary. This powerful piece challenges readers to move beyond performative allyship toward the uncomfortable work of dismantling systemic racism in their own hearts and communities.
It’s The Hits of May-ish 1985!
Step back to the spring of 1985 when British synth-pop bands were crossing the Atlantic with a vengeance, armed with primal scream therapy theories and Cold War anxiety. Contributing Author DJ Professor Dan explores how Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” became the unofficial soundtrack to Reagan-era politics while Simple Minds reluctantly crafted their biggest hit for John Hughes’ detention hall masterpiece.
America’s Most Craveable Highway Food Pit-Stops
Ready for a U.S. road trip packed with unforgettable eats? This tasty tour, crafted by Contributing Author rollerboogie, serves up hidden gems and iconic flavors from coast to coast – from NYC’s best fried dumplings to Texas’s legendary 4.5-pound steak challenge. Buckle up and get hungry!
[…] of “Unchained Melody” in the Top Ten! (also three versions of “Ballad Of Davy Crockett” as previously discussed… […]
This was great, Bill. I don't know nearly enough about all of that famous equipment, but this was a good…
That's priceless. I was cry-laughing along with Steven Colbert. The inappropriateness is breathtaking. The "Skinheads From Maine" bit gets me…
Holy cow. How in the world did the beheading get pass the censor? It's right up there with Tea Leoni…
I get mixed up between Dana Carvey and Drew Carey. I'm still picturing Carey's face even as I know its…
