#22 - How Old is Too Old?

Following the 1985 American Music Awards, the reigning elite of pop music all convened at A&M Studios to record the vocals for what would become one of the biggest singles in music history, "We Are the World". Spearheaded by Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, the session gathered together some of the most successful and legendary artists of the day -- Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Bette Midler, the Pointer Sisters, Kenny Loggins, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson and more, plus some of the newer superstars on the scene, including Huey Lewis and the News, Cyndi Lauper, and Sheila E -- to record a song that would be used to raise money for the extreme famine happening in Ethiopia. And it's all captured in the new documentary "The Greatest Night in Pop" about the making of "We Are the World", available on Netflix.  Thanks for listening! Drop us a line, let us know what you thought of the documentary, and where you were the first time you heard "We Are the World!" Email us at modernmusicology1@gmail.com  and tell us all about it, or leave a comment wherever you find our episode and let us know! And don't forget to rate us on your favorite podcast app!  Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology  Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw  Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/  Find more about us: Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition  Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com   R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com   Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

14 Apr 202453min

This week we have the pleasure of chatting with Grammy Award-winning recording engineer Craig Alvin. Craig has worked with artists like Hanson, Little Big Town, Amy Grant, Andrew Bell, and Brittany Howard, as well as on projects ranging from metal to symphonic to African marimba bands. He engineered the three most recent Kasey Musgraves albums, including the massive Grammy winner Golden Hour (2018) and her newest record, Deeper Well (released March 15, 2024). In February of 2024, he announced the opening of his brand new studio, Noble Steed, in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Our conversation covers his career, very nerdy questions about his new studio, Country Music gatekeepers, and his love of Yacht Rock.  You can learn more about Craig at https://www.craigalvin.com/ and do a 3D walk-through of the new studio at https://www.noblesteedstudios.com/  Thanks for checking out our interview with Craig Alvin! If you'd like to hear more episodes like this, let us know! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com  and tell us all about it, or leave a comment wherever you find our episode and let us know! And don't forget to rate us on your favorite podcast app!  And thanks to Stephanie's husband Bob Perry for his invaluable assistance in correcting a big audio problem and saving our bacon! Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology  Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw  Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/  Find more about us: Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition  Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com   R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com   Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

24 Mars 20241h 1min

On March 18, 1974 the debut album by Canadian power trio RUSH was released. Since then, they have become one of the biggest bands in the world, with a fanbase unlike any other. This week, Alan is joined by Gerry Schramm of the Something For Nothing podcast, and Vicki Hudson, lead vocalist of the tribute band The Spirit of Rush, to talk about that debut album, and our deep and abiding love for Rush. We discuss some favorite concert memories, working within the Rush fan community, our favorite album from every decade of Rush's career, and of course, Rush Mustard.  We hope you enjoy this deep dive into the career of Rush. If you'd like to hear more episodes like this, let us know! And if you have your own Rush story, share it with us! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com  and tell us all about it, or leave a comment wherever you find our episode and let us know! And don't forget to rate us on your favorite podcast app!   Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology  Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw  Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/  Find more about us: Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition  Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com   R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com   Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

17 Mars 20241h 15min

On February 11, Beyonce surprise-released a new country-western single, "Texas Hold 'Em", along with a second song "16 Carriages", the first two singles from her upcoming country music album. The song became the first recording by a Black woman to gain the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, despite some country radio stations initially refusing to play it. Rob and Alan, joined by good buddy JM Tuffley, take a listen to the new songs and turn the conversation to other artists who have crossed genre lines in their career, like David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Ray Charles, and many others (even Ethel Merman!). What do you think of the new Beyonce singles? Are you looking forward to the album? Let us know! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com  and tell us all about it, or leave a comment wherever you find our episode and let us know! And don't forget to rate us on your favorite podcast app!   Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology  Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw  Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/  Find more about us: JM Tuffley: https://linktr.ee/jmtuffley Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition  Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com   R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com   Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

4 Mars 202455min

This week we're jumping in our musical wayback machine and setting the dials for 1974! We talk about some of our favorite albums from that year, with music by Linda Ronstadt, Bowie, ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, John Lennon, Sparks, Kraftwerk, Parliament, Dolly Parton, Donny and Marie and Funkadelic. It was also a huge year for Prog, so we talk about masterpieces by Yes, Genesis, Renaissance, Camel, Kansas, Hawkwind, and more.  If you'd like to listen to all the music that we discuss, you can follow along with our accompanying Spotify Playlist!  Do you agree or disagree with our 1974 picks? Did we miss one of your favorite albums from that year? Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com  and tell us all about it, or leave a comment wherever you find our episode and let us know! And don't forget to rate us on your favorite podcast app!   Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology  Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw  Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/  Find more about us: Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition  Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com   R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com   Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

26 Feb 202455min

The first KISS album was released on February 18, 1974! To help celebrate that momentous occasion, Alan is joined by good friend Matt Alschbach of the Rock and Metal Profs Podcast! We talk about the brilliance of that debut album and how it set the template for everything that followed; Matt tells us about seeing the End of the Road show twice and tells stories from last year's Creatures Fest, and then we name our favorite KISS albums from each decade.  Check out the Rock and Metal Profs Podcast here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/rockandmetalprofs Are you a KISS fan? Let us know when and how you became a fan, favorite albums or songs, best concert experience, or anything else you'd like to share! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave a comment wherever you find our episode and let us know! And don't forget to rate us on your favorite podcast app!   Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology  Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw  Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/  Find more about us: Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition  Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com   R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com   Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

19 Feb 202456min

It's Awards Season again! In this episode we review the 2024 Grammy Award Ceremony. We talk about some of the outstanding musical moments from the show (like performances by Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and more) and share our reactions to some of the awards presented. And, of course, we cover the BIG Taylor Swift news (because, as a music podcast, we're legally obligated to do so!). But before that, we take a look at the newly-announced list of nominations for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Spoiler alert: we're underwhelmed.  Let us know your reactions to the Rock Hall announcement and to the Grammy Awards show! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave a comment wherever you find our episode and let us know! And don't forget to rate us on your favorite podcast app!   Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology  Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw  Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/  Find more about us: Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition  Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com   R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com   Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

12 Feb 202454min

As soon as we saw the trailer for the Immediate Family documentary last year, we knew we wanted to review it on our show! The film covers the extraordinary careers of Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, and Waddy Wachtel, and the amazing music they've made over the years. They've been session players and band members for just about every artist on the planet, including James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Phil Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, Dan Fogelberg, Carly Simon, Toto, Jon Bon Jovi, James Taylor, Iggy Pop, Warren Zevon, Keith Richards, Don Henley, and literally hundreds of others. Steph and Alan talk about the first time we ever became aware of each guy, the iconic albums that they appear on, highlights from the film, and more. Have you seen the Immediate Family documentary? Please let us know what you thought of it! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave a comment wherever you find our episode and let us know! And don't forget to rate us on your favorite podcast app!   Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology  Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw  Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/  Find more about us: Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition  Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com   R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com   Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

5 Feb 202446min