Memories With A Beat

Send us Fan Mail Jeff Zona reflects on the song that launched his Nashville journey— When I Call Your Name by Vince Gill. After answering a newspaper ad, he landed a spot in the band Denim Blue, and this was the first song they told him he’d be singing. With renewed attention on Vince Gill, Jeff revisited this emotional deep cut, and the nostalgia hit hard—bringing back memories of his early perfo...

Send us Fan Mail Janis Joplin didn’t just sing a song—she shouted a truth. And for Erica Saccoccio, "Piece of My Heart" was the raw, fearless soundtrack to her wild, love-filled, unconventional childhood. Raised by a motorcycle-riding, leather-wearing single mom in the 1970s, Erica (Little Indian) and her sister (Little Terror) belted this iconic anthem in the living room and biker hango...

Send us Fan Mail Despite being a successful music publisher today, Greig Watts’ career almost never happened due to early discouragement. He recalls a pivotal school report where a teacher claimed he was "not interested" in music, leading him to abandon his studies for a "proper" career in business and banking. For years, he felt the pressure to move away from his creative pass...

Send us Fan Mail Who loves Christmas Music?  Nicole loves Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas because she experienced a similar move as the little girl in this movie.  She comforted herself, alone in FL, with this song as she worked through a lost relationship and moved on to new opportunities!  Who knew she’d meet someone so special by staying in Florida in faith? Have Yourself a Merry Little...

Send us Fan Mail I love the scene in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation where Chevy Chase is in the attic and he steps on board after board that hits him in the face.  I used to almost pee my pants over that part.  This music video for Blame It On the Mistletoe reminds me of the sentimental scene that follows the slap-happy board face-smacking scene. Clark found old family movies and he&ap...

Send us Fan Mail The tradition continues...good news more cookies baked this year! What are your family traditions? This year with a new chapter of life I am realizing I need to set new expectations because my two of my kids have moved out. What new traditions did you start when your kids moved out?  Check out Krisitn's memories to Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth! Full Show Notes

Send us Fan Mail Dan Steward reflects on how The Mighty KC by For Squirrels became part of his personal and musical memory. He first heard it in Gainesville in 1997, and when friends from California came to visit, they knew it too. They all went together to buy their own copies—and soon after, they started a band. As a member of Strange Day, Dan saw parallels between his band and For Squirrels—the...

Send us Fan Mail Sophia Warren opens up about how BadBadNotGood’s “Time Moves Slow” became tied to her first real heartbreak. What started as a close friendship at their retail job turned into something more—and the song quietly followed them through it all. From late-night talks to moments when words weren’t enough, the track’s slow, jazzy rhythm matched the emotional weight of falling in and out...

Send us Fan Mail Patrick O'Donnell told me about two songs that have followed him through life: Tom Petty’s Even the Losers and Foo Fighters’ Walk . From his college DJ days to moments of personal reflection and growth, Patrick shared how these tracks helped him process challenges—from heartbreak and identity to healing and new beginnings. Whether you're a longtime fan of Petty or the Fo...

Send us Fan Mail Dan Shinder reflects on the complexity and brilliance of “Awaken” by Yes—a song that changed the way he listened to music. From hearing it at just 13 to eventually performing it himself, the track became a guidepost in his musical journey. He shares how this 15-minute epic shaped his relationship with rhythm, deepened his appreciation for storytelling in music, and reminded him th...

Send us Fan Mail I sat down with country singer-songwriter Stephen Quinn to talk about the story behind his patriotic anthem Stand Up —a song born from personal values, national pride, and a desire to inspire unity and kindness. From his tight-knit family roots to performing on big stages like American Idol and the Little League World Series, Stephen opened up about music, faith, and finding purpo...

Send us Fan Mail James Campion, author of Revolution: Prince, the Band, the Era , remembers the first time he heard “When Doves Cry” and how it spread through his band like wildfire. He reflects on the song’s weirdness—no bassline, a haunting guitar, and Prince’s poetic metaphors—and why it still sparks something in him decades later. He also reads three vivid paragraphs from his book, capturing t...

Send us Fan Mail Reeya Paulose traces her love for The Beatles back to one of the earliest influences in her life—her mom. Before Reeya turned 12, her mom passed away, but not before passing down a deep appreciation for the band and their music. “Eight Days a Week” reminds Reeya of the way her mom talked about The Beatles—not just the songs, but who they were and why they mattered. It wasn’t about...

Send us Fan Mail Kevin Waugaman is the founder of Momentors, LLC—a business and life coaching firm that helps professionals unlock growth, navigate change, and elevate their impact, drawing on his experience rising from “busboy to CEO.” Despite loving everything from Wu-Tang Clan to Green Day, “Forgiveness” by Matthew West broke through during one of the most painful seasons of his life, helping h...

Send us Fan Mail At 16, Miki Hellerbach got his first job bussing tables at Clementine, a cozy BYOB restaurant in Baltimore. He was the youngest on staff, but the older servers took him under their wing and made him feel like part of the crew. One night, Auto Pilot by Queens of the Stone Age came on over the speakers—he hadn’t heard it before, but it stuck. That track became linked to the early da...

Send us Fan Mail She left Disneyland with a one-way ticket and a gut feeling. A homeless man's subway advice sent Salisha to New York City, where a Broadway show, a backstage invite, and a soulful duet would change everything. The song You're All I Need to Get By became the thread that ran through her move, her first major tour, and even her walk down the aisle years later. Find out how...

Send us Fan Mail When a dream of pro baseball fizzled, Darryl found himself staring at a blank wall in his college dorm—until Curtis Mayfield’s “Give Me Your Love” filled the silence. That one track set a new course, reshaping his identity and fueling a passion for music that’s taken him from Napster downloads to EA Sports and ultimately launching his own platform for creatives, Bass Parlour. Hear...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Memories with a Beat , Katrina Mendez reflects on how the hymn Amazing Grace became a meaningful part of her life—from learning it in Catholic school to performing it at family memorials and auditions. She talks about her musical upbringing, her connection to her grandmother, and how music has always been a natural part of her world. The conversation offers a wa...

Send us Fan Mail We're recapping our night at Pesca by Michael’s in Vilano Beach — a stylish rooftop hideaway with cozy blankets, moody lighting, and standout Brussels sprouts (yes, really!). But the real spotlight belongs to Vegas Gray — a powerhouse trio made up of a father, daughter, and her boyfriend. Their chemistry, killer vocals, and crowd connection made it feel more like a private co...

Send us Fan Mail I got to hang out with my friend Kaden Collins and chat about a song that really means a lot to him— Time Has Made a Change in Me by the Oak Ridge Boys. His love for the Oaks runs deep and this song took on a whole new meaning after he lost his grandma. We talked about how certain lyrics just hit differently when life changes, and how that connection to music helped him through so...

Send us Fan Mail A last-minute invite. Four hours of sleep. A road trip to Daytona Beach during Bike Week. Tiffany and Anna Marie barely knew each other—but a shared love for live music led them to an unforgettable night with the band SIRSY. From valet parking mishaps to misty oceanside tacos and a two-person band that sounds like five, this one’s full of surprises, laughs, and connection. Hit pla...

Send us Fan Mail The sound of Pearl Jam takes Tom straight back to high school—late nights with MTV, learning guitar riffs from CDs, and rushing to the mall on release day. “Corduroy” hit him so hard he used a lyric in his graduation speech. Tom shares memories of figuring out the song by ear, dragging friends to concerts, and why this track still holds up decades later. If you loved Pearl Jam, gr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Memories with a Beat , host Tiffany Mason and her new co-host, Rachel Steele, share their experience of a fun night of live music at Palm Valley Outdoors. With the perfect waterfront backdrop, they break down the laid-back atmosphere, Robby and Felix's music (the talented musicians who set the vibe), and the moments shared with friends. Love live music? Joi...

Send us Fan Mail Rachel Steele shares how Rise Up by Andra Day became her lifeline during high school. Struggling with anxiety, depression, and anorexia, she found solace in the song’s powerful lyrics, using it as a reminder to keep pushing forward. Whether blasting it in the car with her best friend or leaning on it during tough moments, Rise Up became more than just a song—it was a source of str...

Send us Fan Mail Who loves Christmas Music?  Nicole loves Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas because she experienced a similar move as the little girl in this movie.  She comforted herself, alone in FL, with this song as she worked through a lost relationship and moved on to new opportunities!  Who knew she’d meet someone so special by staying in Florida in faith? Have Yourself a Merry Little...