Episodes

Singing Songs and Carrying Signs: How Protest Songs Changed America

In this New York Times 7th Annual Student Podcast Contest winning podcast, Sam Paddor explores the vast history surrounding the protest song. What is it? What did it impact? Where did it come from? Join Sam as he explores some of America’s key protest songs that helped to shape the political and social dialogue in our country throughout history and today.


New York Times 7th Annual Student Podcast Contest:

nytimes.com/2024/06/28/learning/the-winners-of-our-7th-annual-student-podcast-contest.html

Chuck Leavell of The Allman Brothers Band

Sam Paddor and Chuck Leavell discuss Chuck's time with The Allman Brothers Band, The Rolling Stones, David Gilmour and more!

Chuck Leavell's Website:

chuckleavell.com 

Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield

Sam Paddor and Richie Furay discuss Richie' time with Buffalo Springfield, and Poco.

Richie Furay's Website:

richiefuray.com 

Artimus Pyle of Lynyrd Skynyrd

Sam Paddor and Artimus Pyle discuss Artimus' time with Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash and Artimus' new Ronnie Van Zant tribute album "Anthems".


Artimus Pyle's Website:

artimuspyleband.com 

Bunk Gardner of the Mothers of Invention

Sam Paddor and Bunk Gardner discuss Bunk's career as a musician including his time with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. 

Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad

Sam Paddor and Mark Farner discuss Mark's Time with Grand Funk Railroad as well as how he taught Frank Zappa how to shoot a gun.


Mark Farner's Website:

markfarner.com 

Tom Constanten on the Grateful Dead

Sam Paddor and Tom Constanten discuss Tom's role playing with the Grateful Dead in the late 1960s.


Tom Constanten's Website:

tomconstanten.com 

David Bennett Cohen on Country Joe and the Fish

Sam Paddor and David Bennett Cohen discuss David's work with Country Joe and the Fish as well as his experience in the Bay Area music scene in the 1960s.


David Bennett Cohen's Website:

davidbennettcohen.com 

Al Perkins On The Dobro, Dylan and Steel Guitar

Sam Paddor and Al Perkins discuss Al's dobro playing and his session work with Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones.


Al Perkins' Website:

alperkinsmusic.com

Paul Rodgers On His New Album: "Midnight Rose"

Sam Paddor and Paul Rodgers discuss his new album Midnight Rose and his time with both Bad Company and Free.


Paul Rodgers' Website:

paulrodgers.com

David Grisman on The Pizza Tapes, Stéphane Grappelli and Jerry Garcia

Sam Paddor and David Grisman discuss David's experiences with playing with Jerry Garcia, Stéphane Grappelli, Tony Rice and other music legends.


Acoustic Disc Website:

acousticdisc.com 

Ken Babbs on the Merry Pranksters, Furthur and the Acid Tests

Sam Paddor and Ken Babbs discuss Ken's experiences with Ken Kesey, Neal Cassady and the rest of the Merry Band of Pranksters. Ken also talks about Woodstock, the bus Furthur and his run-in with Jack Kerouac. 

Steve Hackett on Genesis and Foxtrot at 50

Sam Paddor and Steve Hackett discuss Steve's current tour "Foxtrot at 50" and his music career with Genesis.


Steve's Website:

hackettsongs.com

Talking to Bill "Zoot Horn Rollo" Harkleroad about Captain Beefheart and Trout Mask Replica

Sam Paddor and Bill Harkleroad, also known as Zoot Horn Rollo discuss Bill's experience playing in Captain Beefheart's Magic Band, the story behind Trout Mask Replica and more.


Bill's Website:

zoothornrollo.com


Behind The Blues Project with Roy Blumenfeld

Sam Paddor and Roy Blumenfeld discuss Roy's experience playing at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, The Blues Project and the music scene in Greenwich Village, New York.


The Blues Project Website:

bluesproject.net 

On Stage at Woodstock: Memories of the Festival's Performers

In this New York Times 6th Annual Student Podcast Contest winning podcast, Sam Paddor dives into the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair’s history by interviewing Woodstock veterans Arlo Guthrie, Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane and Fito de la Parra of Canned Heat about their unique experiences and perspectives on the three-day festival.

New York Times 6th Annual Student Podcast Contest:

nytimes.com/2023/07/06/learning/the-winners-of-our-6th-annual-student-podcast-contest.html

Canned Heat's Website:

cannedheatmusic.com

Jorma Kaukonen’s Website:

jormakaukonen.com

Arlo Guthrie's Website:

arloguthrie.com 

Talking Blues with Keyboardist Barry Goldberg

Sam Paddor and Barry Goldberg discuss his experience playing when Dylan went electric, playing with blues legends including Muddy Waters and more.

Barry Goldberg's Website:

barrygoldbergmusic.com

Talking to Songwriter Gregg Sutton

Sam Paddor and Gregg Sutton discuss his work with Bob Dylan, songwriting for Joe Cocker, seeing Elvis and more!

Talking Canned Heat with their Drummer, Fito de la Parra

Sam Paddor and Fito de la Parra discuss his work with Canned Heat, playing at Woodstock and more!

Canned Heat's Website:

https://cannedheatmusic.com 

Talking to Heart’s Steve Fossen and Michael DeRosier

Sam Paddor, Steve Fossen and Michael DeRosier discuss their work in Heart and their current band, Heart By Heart.

Heart By Heart Website:

heartbyheart.com 

Talking the the Groovemaster, Bassist Jerry Jemmott

Sam Paddor and Jerry Jemmott discuss his work with Aretha Franklin, King Curtis, Duane Allman and more!

Jerry Jemmott’s Website:

jerryjemmott.com 

Behind Jefferson Airplane with Jorma Kaukonen 

Sam Paddor and Jorma Kaukonen discuss Jefferson Airplane, his work with Janis Joplin, guitar and his music career.

Jorma Kaukonen’s Website:

jormakaukonen.com

Hot Tuna Website:

hottuna.com 

Talking Folk Music with Arlo Guthrie

Sam Paddor and Arlo Guthrie discuss folk music, Woodstock, his What's Left of Me tour and his music career.

Arlo Guthrie's Website:

arloguthrie.com 

Talking to the Drummer on Tom Petty's Full Moon Fever, Phil Jones

Sam Paddor and Phil Jones discuss Phil's job playing drums on Tom Petty's hits including Free Fallin' and the rest of the album Full Moon Fever.

Phil Jones' Website:

philjonesdrums.com 

Talking to Jethro Tull and Fairport Convention's Dave Pegg

Sam Paddor and Dave Pegg discuss his job playing bass in Jethro Tull, Fairport Convention and more. He also discusses the annual Cropredy Festival that takes place every August.

Dave Pegg's Website:

davepegg.co.uk

Fairport Convention Website:

fairportconvention.com 

Creating the First Ever Rock and Roll Bootleg: Talking to Ken Douglas

Sam Paddor and Ken Douglas discuss the creation of the first ever bootleg, Great White Wonder, his partnership with his bootlegging buddy, Dub and bootlegging as a whole.

Ken Douglas' Website:

kendouglas.org 

Talking to Mike Kinsella about American Football and LIES

In this short interview, Sam Paddor and Mike Kinsella discuss American Football, Mike's new band LIES and American Football's album covers.

American Football Website:

americanfootballmusic.com

Owen Website:

owenmusic.com

LIES Website:

liestoobigtohide.com 

Talking to King Crimson's Lyricist, Peter Sinfield

Sam Paddor and Peter Sinfield discuss Peter's experiences writing lyrics for King Crimson, his lyric writing process and how King Crimson came to be.

Peter Sinfield’s Website:

http://www.songsouponsea.com 

Talking to the Bassist for The Byrds, John York

Sam Paddor and John York discuss John’s time playing bass for The Byrds, the Mamas and the Papas as well as our shared obsession with Bob Dylan.

John York’s Website:

https://www.johnyorkmusic.com 

Talking to the Original Queen Singer, Tim Staffell

Sam Paddor and Tim Staffell discuss Tim's upcoming album "Wayward Child" and playing with Smile, the band that would become Queen.

Tim Staffell’s Website:

http://timstaffell.com 

What do Studio Musicians do? Talking to Steve Nathan

Sam Paddor and Steve Nathan discuss Steve’s experiences as a studio musician in Nashville and Muscle Shoals.

Steve Nathan’s Website:

https://www.stevenathanmusic.com 

Songwriting for Cream: Talking to Pete Brown

Sam Paddor and Pete Brown discuss Pete's experiences writing lyrics for Cream, Jack Bruce and Graham Bond. Sam and Pete also discuss Pete's song with Cream "White Room" and what it really means.

Pete Brown’s Website:

https://petebrown.co.uk 

Remembering Jeff Beck with Drummer Carmine Appice

Sam Paddor and Carmine Appice discuss Carmine’s experiences playing drums with Vanilla Fudge and Beck, Bogert and Appice. Sam and Carmine also discuss Jeff Beck and Carmine’s reaction to his passing.

Carmine Appice’s Website:

https://www.carmineappice.net 

Talking to the Harmonica Player on "Miss You", Sugar Blue

Sam Paddor and Sugar Blue discuss Sugar’s experiences playing harmonica with The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan and the recording process of the Stones' "Miss You". 

Sugar Blue's Website:

https://sugar-blue.com 

Discussing the Grateful Dead with their Publicist and Biographer, Dennis McNally

Sam Paddor and Dennis McNally discuss Dennis’ experiences as the publicist for the Grateful Dead and his time getting to know Jerry Garcia. 

Dennis McNally’s Website:

https://www.dennismcnally.com 

Producing Skynyrd and Playing With Dylan: Talking to Al Kooper

Sam Paddor and Al Kooper discuss Al's experiences recording Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone", The Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and producing with Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Al Kooper's Website:

https://alkooper.com 

Talking to Naked Giants Drummer, Henry LaVallee

Sam Paddor interviews Henry LaVallee, Drummer of Naked Giants and graduate from Sam’s high school! Sam and Henry discuss Henry’s band “Naked Giants” and the modern music industry.

Naked Giants' Website:

https://www.nakedgiants.com 

Talking to New York Studio Musician, Al Gorgoni

Sam Paddor and Al Gorgoni discuss Al's experiences recording Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl", Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" and working with Bob Dylan.

Al Gorgoni's Website:

https://www.gorgoni.net 

Talking to Harvey Brooks, Bassist for The Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan

Sam Paddor and Harvey Brooks discuss Harvey's experiences recording the Doors' "The Soft Parade", Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited" and playing live with Jimi Hendrix.

Harvey Brooks' Website:

https://www.harveybrooks.net 

Talking to Founding Bassist of Blue Öyster Cult, Joe Bouchard

Sam Paddor and Joe Bouchard discuss Joe's time playing in Blue Öyster Cult, his interests in Pink Floyd and an unreleased Blue Öyster Cult song from the 1970s.

Joe Bouchard's Website:

https://www.joebouchard.com 

Discussing the Elephant 6 Collective with Founding Member, Will Cullen Hart

Sam Paddor and Will Cullen Hart discuss Will's relationship with Jeff Mangum, upcoming projects by The Olivia Tremor Control and Circulatory System and the new Elephant 6 Documentary.

Elephant 6 Website:

https://elephant6.com 

Talking to Nashville Session Legend Charlie McCoy

Sam Paddor and Charlie McCoy discuss Charlie's time playing with legends like Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and more on their songs "Desolation Row", "Oh, Pretty Woman" and more.

Charlie McCoy's Website:

https://www.charliemccoy.com 

Talking to Youngbloods Member Lowell "Banana" Levinger

Sam Paddor interviews Lowell "Banana" Levinger, 5 String Tenor Guitarist and member of The Youngbloods, known for their hit song "Get Together".

Lowell Levinger's Website:

https://www.lowelllevinger.com 

Talking to Music Biographer and Journalist from Rolling Stone, David Browne

Sam Paddor interviews David Browne, journalist and music biographer for Rolling Stone Magazine.

David Browne's Website:

http://www.david-browne.com 

David Browne's Articles:

https://www.rollingstone.com/author/david-browne 

Behind the Exhibits in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Talking to Museum Curator, Amanda Pecsenye

Sam Paddor interviews Amanda Pecsenye, museum curator for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Website:

https://www.rockhall.com 

The Story Behind Little Feat: Talking to Founding Member, Bill Payne

Sam Paddor interviews Bill Payne, keyboardist from Little Feat. Little Feat are an incredible band whose hits include "Willin'", "Dixie Chicken" and many more.

Bill Payne's Website:

https://billpaynecreative.com 

Little Feat Website:

https://www.littlefeat.net 

Talking to one of the 60's Greatest Drummers, Jim McCarty from the Yardbirds

Sam Paddor interviews Jim McCarty, the only member of the Yardbirds to play with every single lineup of the band. The Yardbirds are a rock and roll hall of fame inducted, incredible band from the 60s, and got three of the greatest guitarists of all time noticed: Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck.

Jim McCarty's Website:

http://www.jamesmccarty.com 

Peace Through Music: Talking to Mark Johnson, Co-Founder of Playing For Change

Sam Paddor interviews Mark Johnson, co-founder of Playing For Change, a group of people that records videos of people all around the world playing the music we all know and love together.

Playing For Change Website:

https://www.playingforchange.com 

Talking to Lee Oskar, Harmonica Maker and Player for War

Sam Paddor interviews Lee Oskar, harmonica player who played for War among other bands! Lee also makes his own harmonicas at Lee Oskar Harmonicas and is one of the world's top selling harmonica makers. You might have heard Lee on songs like "Low Rider" or "Why Can't We Be Friends?"

Lee Oskar's Website:

https://leeoskar.com/ 

Lee Oskar Harmonicas Website:

https://leeoskarmusic.com/  

Lowrider Band Website:

https://www.lowriderband.com/ 

The Musical Journey of Big Star: Talking to their Drummer, Jody Stephens

Sam Paddor interviewing Jody Stephens, drummer and last original member of Big Star! You might have heard Jody on songs like "In The Street". Jody currently works at Ardent Studios, the place Big Star recorded their albums!

Ardent Studios' Website:

https://www.ardentstudios.com 

Playing Bass for Ten Years After: Talking to Leo Lyons

Sam Paddor interviewing Leo Lyons, bassist for blues band Ten Years After! You might have heard Leo on songs like "I'd Love to Change the World" or even at the 1969 Woodstock festival. Leo also has his own band, Hundred Seventy Split!

Leo Lyons' Website:

http://leolyons.org 

Hundred Seventy Split Website:

http://www.hundredseventysplit.com 

Ten Years After Website:

http://www.ten-years-after.co.uk 

Talking to Beach Boys Lyricist and Collaborator Van Dyke Parks

Sam Paddor interviewing Van Dyke Parks, lyricist and collaborator with The Beach Boys! You can hear him on Good Vibrations, Kokomo and many other Beach Boys hits!

Van Dyke Parks' Website:

https://therealvandykeparks.com 

The B Bending Byrd and Burrito Brother: Talking to Gene Parsons

Sam Paddor interviewing Gene Parsons, a member of the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers and the inventor of the StringBender (also known as a B Bender)!

StringBender Website:

https://www.stringbender.com 

Talking to Russ Giguere, Original Singer for The Association

Sam Paddor interviewing Russ Giguere, an original member of 60s Sunshine Pop band The Association!

The Association Website:

https://theassociationwebsite.com 

Rocking Around the Clock: an Interview with Joey Welz from Bill Haley and His Comets

Sam Paddor interviewing Joey Welz, a member of Bill Haley and His Comets!

Joey Welz' Website:

http://www.joeywelz.com 

Playing with the Drummer on All Things Must Pass and Imagine: Rick Lovrovich and Jakael Tristram on their band Apple Jam

A live interview with Jakael Tristram and Rick Lovrovich of the Beatles tribute band Apple Jam. Apple Jam played with rock and roll hall of famer and drummer Alan White who unfortunately recently passed away. The interview was to promote their live show in memory of Alan White on September 10th 2022 at 5:30 PM at Lake Boren Park in Newcastle, WA.

Apple Jam Website:

https://applejamband.com 

The 16 year old Beatles: The Story of John Lennon's band in 1957

Sam Paddor interviewing Rod Davis, the banjo player for John Lennon's original band, the Quarrymen. 

The Quarrymen Website:

http://www.originalquarrymen.co.uk