Rock 'n' Roll Grad School

What records define the '90s as a decade to be remembered? Is it NSync? Nirvana? What about hip-hop? Thankfully, music writer and editor Gary Graff is here to muddy the water and start all sorts of disagreements with his new book, "501 Essential Albums of the '90s: The Music Fan's Definitive Guide," available November 5th from Motorbooks. 

Jovin Webb is a singer and songwriter who just put out his first album on the Blind Pig record label. He's also a former American Idol contestant. Neither of these things will give you a sense of how amazing his voice sounds. "Drifter" is out now and available wherever you get your records. You can follow Jovin on Facebook or find him on Instagram (@jovinwebb)

The Cowsills evoke a certain time and place, but, as artists, they've continued to grow and develop their voices. And, when they decided to make a record together in the early 90's, they knew it would be the next step in their evolution. However, it didn't exactly work out that way. But now,  Global , is coming out widely, available to everyone. For more information, you can check o...

Andrew Browning writes about human condition in all it's messy details. His most recent Love is a Beautiful Thing , is another deep dive into life. Love is a Beautiful Thing is available everywhere on November 22nd. For more information, check out Andrew's website, or follow him on Facebook .

As we celebrate episode 200, we are doing a second take on our Tribute: A Tribute to Tributes series. This time, we're looking at the 90's classic: Sweet Relief

Jim Lindberg is on the road right now with the legendary So-Cal punk band Pennywise, but he's also releasing brand new material under the Black Pacific name. Teaming up with producer Paul Miner, Lindberg offers a new batch of songs (some he's been sitting on for years) with the voice and attitude you'd expect. For more information you can find Jim on Facebook or you can follow him o...

You may know Iain Matthews from his time with Fairport Convention. Or, you may know him from all his other groups, projects and solo records. And he's about to add another one to the list.  How Much is Enough is his newest. We talked with Iain in what turned out to be a master class on songwriting. How Much is Enough is out on October 25th via Sunset Blvd records. For more information, check...

This week we're talking ambient music with Kevin Keller. If you don't fully get the genre, we talk more about it and try to deconstruct what it is and how you make it. Kevin has a really engrossing and fascinating album out now called Evensong, available wherever quality music is sold. For more information, c heck out his website.

You know Rob McNelley's work. He's written with country music legends like Dolly Parton, Bob Seeger and Lady A. Now, he's putting out his own music and, surprise surprise, it's really good.  For more information, you can follow Rob on Instagram, @rmcnelley. Plus, Heidi sees Bob Dylan for the first time and has her life forever changed.

Sadly, Screamin' Scott Simon from Sha Na Na passed away last weekend. Scott was very generous to sit down with us and talk about the group and his fascinating career. Enjoy this conversation and play some of Scott's music loud in his memory.

For music fans, the legend of the Grande Ballroom looms large. The room played host to important shows by band such as The MC5, The Who, Iggy and the Stooges and BB King. While it's not longer a music venue, the room is an iconic part of the history of Detroit music. We talked with Tony D’Annunzio, director of the documentary, Louder Then Love: The Grande Ballroom Story , which is screening a...

Carbon Leaf have been around since the 90's and their newest record, "Time is the Playground," is out on September 27th. It's everything you want in a great pop/rock record. We sat down with lead singer/songwriter Barry Privett about the record, what makes a great mix tape song and, of course, the satanic panic of the 80s. For more information, you can check out Carbon Leaf&apo...

The last time we talked with 3 Pairs of Boots, we only got to talk with Andrew Stern, but this time we got both Andrew and his musical (and life) partner Laura Arias as well. The group has a new record, "Boot Scootin'," out September 27th. We talk about the song writing process, recording in the time of Covid (and after) as well as so much more. For more information, you can check o...

Save Ferris has something not a lot of ska bands have- longevity. They're back on the road and recording new music and bringing fans young and old into the band's orbit. We talked with lead singer, songwriter Monique Powell about reptiles, opera music and, of course, which Dead Kennedy's song they can't play for children. (Well, one specific song.) "Lights Out at the Repti...

You could say, oops, we did it again. This time we're starting a new music show, "Tribute- A Tribute to Tributes." Each episode, we'll break down and talk through another tribute record and decide whether it's worth listening (or re-listening) to. Here's our first episode, all about the Carpenters tribute record, "If I Were A Carpenter."

Did you know that The Professional Production Company makes other podcasts? We sure do. This week, have a listen to a music-themed episode of Famous Last Words , a study of the final words of some of the most fascinating people in history. The legend of Johnny Ace is unforgettable. A singer with an incredible voice, cut down in his prime, in the interest of making life on the road a little more ex...

This week we sit down with Monte Mallin, the host and moderator of the Sparks: Entertainment and Art podcast and Facebook page. We discuss the beauty and art that is the Mael brothers and their popular group, Sparks. You can watch Sparks: Entertainment and Art on their YouTube page and you can send a request to join the Facebook group.

You may remember seeing Kevin Sonny Gullage on  American Idol a few seasons ago. But Sonny has grown and evolved since then. His new record is one of the first records on the rebooted classic blues label Blind Pig. What other endorsement do you really need?  Go Be Free is available wherever you get your music on August 23rd.

Maybe you're closed minded and don't think cellos and the music of Metallica go together. Well, the folks who make up Apocalyptica, the all-cello quartet who first came to fame with their all-Metallica covers album are back at it with their newest release- a vol. 2 of Metallica songs. And this time they're even joined on one track by bassist Robert Trujillo. For more information and...

What can you say about DownTown Mystic other than there music is straight ahead, fun rock music. And what better way to kick off the holiday weekend than with their new album, "Rock n' Roll 4 Soul?" For more information, you can visit their website or you can follow them on Facebook . Plus, we talk about the Outlaw Country Tour.

Marillion is one of the important bands in prog-rock and, they prove it yet again with their latest live album, An Hour Before It's Dark . Recorded at the band's annual weekend, the record shows the band at the peak of their power. We talked with keyboardist Mark Kelly about the making of setlists, the joys of performing live and whether or not he ever got to play the organ at the Royal...

If you're looking for quality songwriting with impassioned singing and guitar playing, look no further than Joanne Shaw Taylor. Her most recent record,  Heavy Soul , is available now. For more information you can check out her website , or follow her on Facebook .

You may not have heard of Noel, but if you listen to this show, you've definitely heard us sing the praises of two people who wrote and produced a record for her. Ron and Russell Mael from Sparks made "Is There More To Life Than Dancing?" for Noel shortly after completing their "No. 1 Song in Heaven" album. Noel's record is more of the same great dance music. (Good lu...

If you’re looking for some good rock music, look no further than Robert Jon and the Wreck. Their newest record, “Red Moon Rising,” is out now. It’s a fun record that promises an exciting live show. For more information and to find out when they are playing near you, check out their website and follow them on Facebook . Plus, we see the Surfrajettes live and the Wilson sisters are not fighting. So,...

Hard rock band Bullets and Octane are survivors. For the past 25+ years, they've been playing their brand of hard rock and touring regularly, including collaborations with Paige Hamilton from Helmet and Gilby Clarke from Guns n Roses. The band has been regularly releasing singles for the past 6 months, so, what comes next? We talked with lead singer Gene Lewis about the history of the band an...