My Weekly Mixtape: Music Discovery & Nostalgia

This week, I’m joined by Britt Lightning of Vixen and the Rock ’N’ Roll Fantasy Camp , along with Miles Schuman, host of Rock Camp: The Podcast , and together we’re curating an epic playlist of classic rock anthems — powerful , timeless songs that helped shape rock history and continue to inspire new generations of fans . From electrifying guitar riffs to unforgettable choruses , this mix celebrat...

This week, I’m joined by Sandy MacKinnon of Royal Tusk , and together we’re dialing in on the next wave of modern hard rock . From massive riffs to bands unafraid to stretch the genre’s boundaries , we’re curating a playlist packed with heavy songs that prove hard rock is still evolving —and hitting harder than ever . We also dive into the stories behind several standout tracks from Royal Tusk’s a...

This week, I’m joined by DT Carel , host of the YouTube program Space Castle , to create a 2nd volume of a 10-song playlist with zero regard for theme , rules , or preparation —just pure musical spontaneity. Just like the first time we tried this, expect creative chaos , unexpected tracks , and wild combinations as we curate a mixtape with no guidelines whatsoever . And once the songs are chosen,...

This week, I’m joined by Drew Copeland of Sister Hazel , and together we’re curating a 20-song playlist celebrating one of the most enduring bands to come out of the ’90s alternative rock boom. From chart-topping hits to fan favorites and a few deeper cuts , this set is built for Hazelnuts of every level — whether you’ve been there since before …Somewhere More Familiar ruled the airwaves or you’re...

This week, we’re throwing it back to a standout interview from the archives — an in-depth conversation Jay Sweet and I conducted with singer-songwriter Morgan Wade . Before the wider spotlight found her, Morgan sat down with us to unpack the making of her debut solo album, Reckless , produced by Sadler Vaden ( Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit ) and engineered by Paul Ebersold . During our sit-down,...

This week, I’m joined by Carrie Cunningham , and together we’re curating a vibrant playlist spotlighting modern female country artists who are redefining the genre . From powerhouse vocalists to emerging voices , this mix celebrates the women shaping today’s country music scene with fresh perspectives , bold songwriting , and unmistakable style . We also dive into Carrie’s latest disco-country sin...

This week I'm joined by blues-rock legend Walter Trout , and we’re diving deep into the stories behind songs spanning his entire discography , including tracks from his powerful 2024 album Broken . We explore unique moments like recording his Relentless “studio” album live in front of an audience at Amsterdam’s Paradiso , and collaborations with icons such as Joe Bonamassa (“Clouds On The Horizon”...

This week, I’m joined by Jason Whissell of It’s Not That Bad and There Can Only Be One , for a wide-ranging conversation about Canadian music in the ’90s . Together, we explore 20 songs that defined the decade in Canada , focusing on the rock-driven tracks that dominated the charts while also touching on pop , alternative , hip-hop , country and singer-songwriter moments that made the era so diver...

This week, I’m joined by Jamie DiTringo of The Sees , and together we’re building a high-energy playlist packed with our favorite Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 hit songs from the 1990s . From era-defining anthems to blink-and-you-missed-it one-week wonders , these are the chart-toppers that ruled radio , MTV , and car stereos throughout the decade — no deep cuts allowed, unless they actually hit #1 ....

This week I'm joined by Bryan W. Scott, lead singer of Union Underground , as we dive deep into the stories behind the songs from the band’s explosive debut album, ...An Education In Rebellion . From writing and recording to the album’s impact on early 2000s rock, Bryan gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what made this record a standout in the nu-metal and hard rock era. We also talk about what...

This week, I’m joined by Patreon Mixtaper Philip Bergman , and together we’re making the definitive case for why Weird Al Yankovic belongs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame . We curate a 20-song playlist that goes far beyond the novelty label , exploring the full scope of Al’s brilliance — from iconic song parodies and flawless style pastiches to his legendary polka medleys and criminally underr...

This week, I’m joined by rising blues rock force Jax Hollow as we dial into the modern side of the blues rock spectrum — gritty riffs , soulful vocals , and that unmistakable blend of tradition and reinvention . Together, we curate a playlist spotlighting the best of modern blues rock , featuring artists who are carrying the torch forward while pushing the genre into new territory . From fuzzed-ou...

This week I’m joined by legendary songwriter and producer Desmond Child , and we’re pulling back the curtain on the stories behind some of the biggest rock songs of all time . From KISS and Bon Jovi to Aerosmith , Alice Cooper , Joan Jett & The Blackhearts , Cher , Meat Loaf , and beyond — Desmond has been at the center of it all, helping shape the sound of rock radio for decades . We talk abo...

This week I'm joined by Jesse Jackson , host of Set Lusting Bruce , and together we’re curating a playlist filled with our favorite songs from the one and only Bruce Springsteen . From iconic hits to deeper album cuts , we’re celebrating the full scope of The Boss’s legendary career . Whether you’re a longtime E Street diehard or just discovering Springsteen’s catalog, this playlist aims to strike...

This week I'm joined by Steve, co-host of Something For Nothing: A Rush Fancast , and together we’re curating a playlist packed with our favorite songs from progressive rock legends Rush . From their early hard rock beginnings to their complex, synth-driven epics and later-era masterpieces , this mixtape spans the full evolution of one of rock’s most innovative and influential bands . We dive into...

This week I'm joined by Jay Sweet , my former Tunestiles Podcast co-host, and we’re curating a nostalgic mixtape filled with golden oldies and doo-wop classics from the 1950s and 1960s ! From timeless harmonies to unforgettable melodies , we’re celebrating the music that laid the foundation for rock and pop as we know it . We’re taking our musical DeLorean back to 1955 to revisit the songs that no...

This week I'm joined by DT Carel , host of the YouTube program SpaceCastle ,, and together we’re curating a playlist featuring 20 of the best songs from across 2023 . From chart-topping hits to underrated gems , this mix captures the energy, creativity, and diversity that defined the year in music. Whether you’re into indie, pop, rock, hip-hop, or something in between, there’s something here for e...

This week, I’m joined by guest curator Ben Cheknis — host of the Two Vague Podcast and Patreon Mixtaper — and we’re dialing back the calendar to a decade where the charts ruled everything . Together, we’re building a playlist made up entirely of Number One hits from the 1980s . One thing to note: even the deepest cut had to reach the top spot — even if it only held on for a single week . That mean...

This week, I’m joined by Uncle Kracker for a wide-ranging conversation that dives deep into the stories behind the songs across his entire discography. We explore the evolution of his sound across rock, country, hip-hop, and pop , and how his unique style has continued to resonate with fans for over two decades . We talk about how his early years touring with Kid Rock as the DJ for Twisted Brown T...

This week, I’m joined by guest curator Jason Doncis — State of Amorica producer and Patreon Mixtaper — to craft the ultimate modern Christmas playlist . Our rule? Every song had to be released after 1980 . While holiday music is often associated with timeless classics from earlier decades, we’re shining a spotlight on the modern era of seasonal songs—from '80s staples and '90s gems to 2000s pop hi...

This week, I’m joined by Eric Senich of the Van Halen News Desk and host of Booked On Rock , along with Patreon Mixtaper Cactus Pete — and together we’re building a (ahem) mammoth-sized playlist in honor of the mighty Van Halen . We’re not cherry-picking eras or playing favorites here. This one spans all singers, all lineups, all phases — from the Sunset Strip swagger to the arena-sized reinventio...

This week, I’m joined by Jason Whissell, host of It’s Not That Bad and There Can Only Be One , for a first-of-its-kind episode. Together, we’re building a 10-song playlist with no theme, no rules, and zero preparation —just pure musical spontaneity . From unexpected tracks to surprising combinations, we dive into the creative chaos of curating a mixtape with no guidelines whatsoever . And once the...

This week, I’m joined by modern blues legend Kenny Wayne Shepherd , and we’re diving into songs from across his entire discography — along with the stories behind several tracks from his new album, Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 1 . Along the way, we discuss: his experience on the Experience Hendrix Tour; recording with Les Claypool on his cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well” ; the vocal dynamics of bein...

This week, I’m joined by Kay Hanley , lead singer of Letters To Cleo , for a deep dive into songs from across the band’s career — including tracks from Aurora Gory Alice , which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. We dig into Letters To Cleo’s unforgettable presence on movie soundtracks like 10 Things I Hate About You , The Craft , and Josie and the Pussycats ; Kay’s experience performing Jesus C...

This week, I’m joined by Frank Hannon , guitarist for Tesla , for a deep dive into the songs that have defined the band’s nearly 40-year career . From raw , blue-collar hard rock to acoustic reinvention , we trace how Tesla’s music has evolved while staying true to its roots . We also dig into: the secret behind the lasting impact of their debut album Mechanical Resonance ; how Five Man Acoustical...