My Weekly Mixtape: Music Discovery & Nostalgia

Fire up the VCR — we’re dialing the clock back to a time when MTV and MuchMusic didn’t just play music, they defined it . This week, I’m joined by Jim & Lindsay Butler , co-hosts of Children of the 80’s , to rewind to the golden era of 80s music videos — when big hooks , bigger hair , and unforgettable visuals ruled the airwaves. Together, we’re curating a playlist featuring 12 of the most ico...

This week I'm joined by Jay Sweet to build a playlist packed with the best comedy and novelty songs —from the silly and absurd to the dark , clever , and totally NSFW tracks that have kept us laughing for decades . If you love funny songs , parody hits , or music that doesn’t take itself too seriously , this episode is your jam. Get ready for a hilarious, nostalgia-filled discussion featuring the...

This week I'm joined by Sylvan Groth & Jesse Jackson , co-hosts of Perfectly Good Podcast for a deep dive into the legendary songwriting catalog of John Hiatt . Together, we're curating The Ultimate John Hiatt Playlist —a carefully crafted mix of fan favorites, underrated deep cuts, and timeless classics that highlight the brilliance of one of Americana’s most respected songwriters . Whether y...

This week Carrie Cunningham returns to My Weekly Mixtape as we build the Ultimate ’90s Country Music Playlist . From boot-scootin’ anthems to honky-tonk favorites , we’re digging into the artists, songs, and moments that defined the decade . Whether you're a seasoned country veteran, or you're just discovering what made ’90s country so iconic, this episode outlines the perfect soundtrack for line...

Summer oldies and doo-wop classics are the sound of warm-weather nights — and this week, I’m joined by Patreon Mixtaper Philip Bergman to build the ultimate Summer soundtrack rooted in timeless harmonies and golden-era hits . Together, we’re curating a warm , nostalgia-heavy mix pulled primarily from the 1950s and 1960s , with a little wiggle room into the early ’70s — the era when radios ruled th...

This week, I’m joined by CJ Pierce , the powerhouse lead guitarist for Drowning Pool , as he shares his ultimate 12-song dream concert setlist . From classic anthems to deep cuts , CJ breaks down the tracks that define his personal vision for the perfect live show . We also dive into the stories behind Drowning Pool’s latest singles, “Madness” and “Revolution (The Final Amen),” and get a behind-th...

This week, I’m joined by Doug Aldrich of The Dead Daisies to break down the band’s first-ever blues album, Lookin’ For Trouble . This powerhouse release reimagines timeless classics by legends like Robert Johnson , John Lee Hooker , Muddy Waters , and more, giving these iconic tracks a fresh , modern rock edge . Doug and I also take a deep dive into his incredible career, highlighting favorite tra...

This week, I’m joined by Cody Hanson , drummer and founding member of Hinder , to celebrate the release of their brand-new album Back To Life and reflect on the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough debut, Extreme Behavior . We dive deep into the evolution of Hinder’s sound over the past 20 years, the story behind their unreleased 2020 album , and the process of releasing Back To Life through Evi...

This week, Zack Derby , co-host of The Neatcast joins me to take a trip back to the moment that mattered most in the CD era —the instant you hit play and everything snapped into focus . Together, we’re building an epic ’90s rock playlist dedicated entirely to album openers : the songs that set the tone , made promises , and told you right from the jump whether you were in for something special . F...

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Chris Vos , lead singer and guitarist of The Record Company , for an in-depth conversation covering highlights from across the band's career. We dive into the fascinating story behind the band’s name — and how their label reacted to it. Chris opens up about the pressure following their Grammy Award nomination for Give It Back To You , and how it influenced the...

This week, I’m joined by Chris Ballew of The Presidents of The United States of America as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band’s self-titled debut —an album that helped define what ‘90s alternative rock felt like . Chris and I get into everything: his run performing with Beck’s live band, the origins (and wonderfully weird design) of the basitar and guitbass , and how the Presidents carv...

WrestleMania has always delivered some of the most iconic entrances in WWE history — moments where the music hits and the crowd instantly knows something unforgettable is about to happen. In this episode, I’m joined by The Four Jobbers (Brad, Jordan, Ryan, and Jason) to curate the ultimate countdown of the Top 10 WWE WrestleMania entrance themes of all time . From legendary superstars to era-defin...

In this exclusive Industry Dive episode, I’m joined by Chris Gehringer — Senior Mastering Engineer and Partner at Sterling Sound — for a deep dive into modern music mastering and the never-ending conversation around loudness . With decades behind the glass, Chris has mastered everything from Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and Naughty By Nature’s self-titled debut to modern chart-to...

In honor of Record Store Day , we're diving into the rich history and cultural impact of this iconic event with a special Tunestiles Throwback interview. Join us as we chat with Record Store Day co-founder Carrie Colliton about the origins of RSD, the legendary Record Store Day Ambassadors over the years—including Metallica , Jack White , Josh Homme , and the Foo Fighters —and what it takes to sec...

This week, Sean Faust joins me to dive into Phish’s studio catalog with a specially crafted playlist for new listeners. Our goal: the ultimate “Phish 101” mix for anyone curious about their music. We’ve included a mix of fan favorites , radio hits , and standout tracks that bridge the gap between Phish’s studio recordings and their legendary live performances . Whether you’re just discovering the...

This week, we’re dialing up the only proven cure for that lingering rock ’n’ roll fever — more cowbell . Joining me as guest curator is Jon Loree , drummer for Tantric and Smile Empty Soul , as we assemble a playlist packed with 20 of the ultimate cowbell anthems in rock music history . From classic rock staples that helped define the sound of arena-sized anthems to heavier modern tracks where the...

This week, I’m joined by Tim Foreman of Switchfoot to dig into the band’s collaboration with blues legend Buddy Guy on “Last Man Standing” — a meeting of generations that somehow feels both unexpected and completely inevitable . We also cover a lot of ground: Tim’s new solo project, Bongo Chico — including a preview of two upcoming singles, “When You Walked Away” and “1995” ; the 20th anniversary...

This week, I’m joined by Big Rick , host of Rock Talk Studio , as he steps in as guest curator to help build an all-killer playlist celebrating Number 1 hit songs from the 1970s . From arena-sized rock anthems and chart-dominating pop classics to soul and crossover smashes , this episode is a full-on tour through one of the most competitive and influential decades in Billboard history . As with th...

This week Patreon Mixtaper Brandon From VA joins me to build a playlist designed to lift your spirits and spark inspiration — whether that motivation comes from powerful lyrics , uplifting melodies , or pure musical energy . This mix pulls from a wide spectrum of rock-driven genres , blending metal, ska, punk, classic rock , and modern rock into a collection of songs that hit with purpose . Some t...

This week, Shinedown ’s Barry Kerch joins me to talk about songs from all across the band’s discography, along with their two newest singles “Dance, Kid, Dance” & “Three Six Five.” We also discuss: the band’s upcoming show at Madison Square Garden , the first time Shinedown has ever played the historic venue; the evolution of the band’s sound over the last 24 years & counting ; how they st...

This week, Shinedown ’s Eric Bass joins me to take a deep dive into his debut solo concept album “I Had A Name ; ” the graphic novel that he’s working on alongside of the release; & the stories behind album tracks such as “Mind Control , ” “Goodnight Goodnight , ” “Azalia” & so much more! And, of course we found some time to talk a little Shinedown as well, including: how his role in the b...

This week’s guest curator is Paul Jackson , guitarist for Blackberry Smoke , and we're crafting the ultimate BBS playlist filled to the brim with hits , fan favorites & a few deeper cuts for good measure! We also discuss: their 2015 album “Holding All The Roses” being the first indie release to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart ; “Stoned,” their 2021 live-to-tape studio recording...

This week, Coco Kinnon of Winona Fighter joins me for an in-depth conversation centered on the band’s debut album, My Apologies To The Chef . We take a track-by-track deep dive into the record, unpacking the stories and creative process behind songs like “JUMPERCABLES,” “Subaru,” “HAMMS IN A GLASS,” “I’M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE,” “ATTENTION,” “Swear To God That I’m (FINE),” and “DON’T WALLO...

This week, Jay Sweet joins me as guest curator to build a playlist centered around one simple goal: feeling good . Of course, defining a “feel-good song” isn’t nearly that simple — what lifts one person’s mood might move someone else in a completely different way. That open-ended idea is exactly what shapes this mix . Rather than locking ourselves into a single sound, era, or genre, we treat “feel...

This week, I’m throwing it back to a Tunestiles interview with Talkin’ Giants co-host Justin Penik . In the episode we talk about some of the greatest Super Bowl Halftime Shows of all time, including Prince , Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers , Lady Gaga , Madonna , Bruce Springsteen , and… Elvis Presto ?!?! Keep in mind, it was recorded in 2021, so not included in the discussion were the Big Game...