Pat's Peeps Podcast

Two entertainment legends left us on the same day, each leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that shaped American culture in profound ways. Robert Redford, Hollywood's golden boy who died at 89, wasn't just the handsome leading man who made hearts flutter in classics like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." He revolutionized filmmaking through his founding of the Sundance F...

The legendary Herb Alpert joins us for a heartfelt conversation that spans his extraordinary 90 years as a musician, producer, and cultural icon. With characteristic warmth and humility, Herb shares the pivotal moment when a teacher told him, "The trumpet is a piece of plumbing—you're the instrument," forever changing his approach to music and self-expression. As we explore Herb&apo...

Pat Walsh dives into America's broken bail system with bail expert Topo Padilla following the tragic murder of a Ukrainian refugee by a repeat offender who should have been behind bars. The conversation examines how our justice system repeatedly fails to protect innocent citizens while giving dangerous criminals endless second chances. • The murder of a Ukrainian refugee woman in North Caroli...

What happens when Led Zeppelin meets James Brown? How would the Beatles sound if they wrote Metallica's "Master of Puppets"? This episode of Pat's Peeps Podcast takes you on an unexpected journey through musical mashups, local business success stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at Sacramento's celebrity pizza making contest. I kick things off by sharing my recent advent...

What makes a commercial jingle stick in our minds for decades? Why do some performing artists feel compelled to subject paying audiences to lengthy, self-indulgent rants? And what exactly makes a truly great band name? These questions and more find their home in episode 325 of the Pat's Peeps podcast. We begin by diving into the world of unforgettable commercial jingles that have survived in...

Coming back from a five-day hiatus feels like a small revolution in today's always-on world. Sometimes doing absolutely nothing is exactly what we need most—that "big on switch" desperately needed flipping to OFF, if only for a moment. The contrast between peaceful downtime and what unfolded at Burning Man couldn't be more striking. While we enjoyed quiet reflection, 70,000 peo...

What happens when rock legends completely lose the plot? On this entertaining musical journey, I dive into some of rock music's most bewildering failures – albums so unexpected and poorly received that they left fans and critics alike questioning everything they thought they knew about these beloved artists. The Scorpions' 1999 album "Eye to Eye" stands as a perfect example of...

Thunder rolled across Northern California as Pat Walsh settled into day two of his vacation, recording episode 322 of Pat's Peeps podcast while reflecting on the unexpected weather shift. The peaceful rainstorm served as a stark contrast to the brewing storm in professional sports that dominated this episode's discussion. At the heart of the podcast lies a critical examination of how the...

Ever wondered how we went from recording sound on steel wire to streaming millions of songs with a tap on our phones? In this nostalgia-filled episode, I take you on a journey through the forgotten audio formats that shaped how we listen to music. Starting with wire recordings of the 1800s—thin steel wire capturing military communications and business meetings—we explore an array of fascinating te...

The DMV saga continues, and Pat's patience is wearing thin. After applying for a driver's license renewal back in May, three months have passed with nothing to show but broken promises and bureaucratic excuses. The ironically named "Error Department" seems particularly skilled at making more errors—promising delivery within a week, then ghosting for days before calling back wit...

Take a journey through the airwaves as Patrick celebrates National Radio Day with personal stories and iconic moments from his three-decade career behind the microphone. From humble beginnings practicing at college stations to becoming one of the last remaining local nighttime radio hosts in America, this episode is a love letter to the medium that shaped his life. Patrick shares the pivotal momen...

Music has the power to transport us not just through melody, but through the stories behind the sounds. Today's journey takes us into the fascinating world of Pink Floyd and the unsung heroes who helped create their legendary work. I'm paying tribute to Ronnie Rondell Jr., the brave stuntman who literally caught fire for art on Pink Floyd's iconic "Wish You Were Here" albu...

Ever had something lost turn up in the most unexpected place years later? In this captivating episode of Pat's Peeps, we explore extraordinary connections—from long-lost wallets to decade-long professional partnerships and thriving business networks. The episode begins with a heartfelt reflection on attending colleague Kitty O'Neill's 10th anniversary band performance at Wildwood in...

We explore the fascinating world of DJ promo records, discussing their collectibility, rarity, and historical significance to music and radio culture. • DJ promo 45s were produced in limited quantities and sent to radio stations to promote potential hit songs • These records often featured the same song on both sides so DJs could flip them when one side wore out • Promos are valuable because they&...

The absurdity of marijuana's classification as a Schedule I drug alongside heroin and LSD takes center stage in this exploration of America's complicated relationship with cannabis. As President Biden prepares to make a decision on reclassifying marijuana "in the coming weeks," we examine what this potential change could mean for users, the medical community, and our legal syst...

The magic and challenges of talk radio life come alive as we explore behind-the-scenes realities from fill-in hosting to dental disasters and musical memories. • Insights from filling in for another talk show host and the stark differences between daytime news-focused radio and evening entertainment formats • The surprising revelation that most radio shows have dedicated producers while some hosts...

We explore the pioneering reality police radio show Unit 99 that aired on KFBK radio in Sacramento from 1957-1958, setting the template for all future police reality shows. • Unit 99 represented a groundbreaking innovation in radio programming, recording real police interactions with a tape recorder-equipped patrol car • KFBK radio, a heritage station celebrating over 100 years of broadcasting, cr...

The beauty of community shines through in this listener-driven episode where your submissions take center stage. As we celebrate listener Cecilia's birthday, we're treated to a delightful trip through time with a vintage RCA Victor television advertisement that reminds us how luxury once meant having a 21-inch screen for the whopping price of $199.95. Your diverse interests lead us on an...

Ever have one of those moments when you reconnect with a passion you'd forgotten? That's exactly what this episode captures as I venture out for my first recorded walk in months, combining exercise with podcasting on a beautiful August morning in California. The rhythmic sound of footsteps becomes the backdrop for reflections on how easily "life gets in the way" of our best int...

Music and memories intertwine in this deeply personal episode that takes us from the polo fields of Golden Gate Park to the fictional radio station that sparked a lifelong career. Pat shares his transformative experience attending Dead & Company's 60th anniversary concert, where among 60,000 fans, he discovered a profound new respect for John Mayer's musical abilities. Watching Mayer...

Nostalgia wraps around us like a warm blanket in this heartfelt exploration of music, memory, and the connections that shape our lives. We begin with a sweet encounter at a children's lemonade stand, a reminder of the simple joys that never fade despite our complicated world. From there, we dive into classic Reagan humor that still lands decades later – proof that some things truly stand the...

Have you ever stopped to consider the quiet power of Wednesday? That overlooked middle child of the week actually carries more historical significance, pop culture references, and practical advantages than you might realize. Join me on this nostalgia-filled journey as I smoke a cigar and reminisce about the golden age of weekend television. Remember ABC's Wide World of Sports with that iconic...

The Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled California's background checks for ammunition buyers unconstitutional, though the California Department of Justice continues fighting to maintain restrictions. • Rob Adams, owner of Sacramento Black Rifle with locations in California, Nevada, and Idaho, explains the ruling's significance • Background checks for ammunition purchases previous...