TCBCast: An Unofficial Elvis Presley Fan Podcast

It's a gush-fest as Gurdip & Justin review one of their all-time favorite Elvis albums, 1969's "Back in Memphis." But is it one of Elvis' best albums? At least one of the guys thinks so. Also, Justin shows up Gurdip on two of Gurdip's own trivia questions.  Then, for Song of the Week, Gurdip spins a sad yarn of Pedro the bull, picking "The Bullfighter Was A Lady" from Fun in Acapulco. Justin, mean...

Surprise! So... after a wonderful one-hour conversation with Ryan on a very timely Elvis topic, Justin realized that while his recorder had been up and primed to record, for some reason it hadn't been triggered automatically like usual, and with no backup, the previously planned bonus content for this week has been lost. Ryan has graciously agreed to a Take 2 in the near future, but to make up for...

No foolin'! We're taking a look this week at the long and storied history of Elvis impersonators, from as early as 1954 to present day. Many impersonators and tribute artists cut material that had some level of critical, commercial or artistic success, so we especially deep dive those, and we ponder what Elvis would have thought of the ETA phenomenon. Plus, Justin hops on his soapbox. Then, for So...

This week on TCBCast, it's one of our biggest episodes ever...it's the full-length show we did LIVE! With special co-hosts Ryan Droste and Jaime Kay joining Gurdip & Justin on the 1st ever TCBCast Random Albums Tournament. Each host gets 2 randomly drawn Elvis albums and then have to argue that their albums are the best! It's chaos on a mass scale but a ton of fun! Then, Justin phones a friend mid...

The second half of our review of the 1957 film "Jailhouse Rock" is here! Along with movie enthusiast Andrew Shoemaker, we explore what Jailhouse Rock represents in popular culture, whether the iconography the film created held Elvis back, and what the film's legacy has been. After Shoe departs, we follow up with some information on the film's stage adaptation. Then, for Song of the Week, Gurdip ca...

Justin & Gurdip are joined on this episode by movie enthusiast Andrew Shoemaker, reviewing... what else? The 1957 classic movie musical, "Jailhouse Rock"! Is this iconic Elvis film really as good as everyone says, or has nostalgia and admittedly brilliant musical scenes blinded fans and critics for decades? You might be surprised what the guys have to say! But before that, Rolling Stone drops a le...

This week, Gurdip & Justin are joined by longtime TCBCast listener Taylor Gilligan, who provides insight as to how a Gen Z Elvis fan came to be. Then, for Song of the Week, Taylor highlights Elvis' ferocious cover of Rufus Thomas' "Tiger Man," which leads into a discussion about the WDIA fundraiser Elvis performed and met Rufus Thomas at. Gurdip goes searching in the cold "Kentucky Rain," and Just...

It's a bit of a low energy (but high information!) week as Justin heals up from a pinched nerve and the guys dig into Elvis' first 1957 studio recordings. In a year most notable for "Loving You," "Jailhouse Rock," and the controversial Christmas album, how was Elvis really evolving musically in his secular, non-film material? That's what the guys hope to find out. Then, for Song of the Week, Gurdi...

Justin, Gurdip & Ryan wrap up their review of 1962's Kid Galahad and try to decide where it falls in the Elvis film canon. Then, for Song of the Week, Ryan highlights Springsteen's tribute to Elvis, "Johnny Bye Bye," Gurdip thinks he's gonna like it here in Acapulco, and "Any Day Now," Justin will run out of 1969 songs to feature! Featured Songs of the Week: Ryan: Johnny Bye Bye (Bruce Springsteen...

Ryan rejoins Justin & Gurdip for his first episode of 2020 to review the 1962 boxing film "Kid Galahad." The guys explore the story's history as a novel by Francis Wallace, as an early 1937 film directed by "King Creole"'s Michael Curtiz, and Justin even manages to track down a radio theatre adaptation. Is the movie one of Elvis' stronger outings, and do Elvis' musical moments actually hurt the mo...

Justin & Gurdip starting off Episode 102 answering a whole host of listener emails and messages this week on a wide array of topics. Then for the main topic, it's time to take a look at where "Burning Love," Elvis' last Top 10 Hot 100 hit, fit into the cultural context of its time. Then for Song of the Week, Justin realizes "Tender Feeling" is an adaptation of an old folk song he loves, while Gurd...

In the first episode of our 3rd year, Justin & Gurdip wrap up a two-part review of the 1981 film "This Is Elvis" with the help of The Jungle Room Podcast host Jaime Kay. Covering from the 1968 TV Special to the end of Elvis' life, the crew discusses Elvis' creative and personal disappointments during this period of his life, the 1977 CBS TV Special, and Jaime takes a stand for Ginger Alden. Then t...

Justin and Gurdip are joined by Jaime Kay of The Jungle Room podcast for TCBCast's 100th Episode Bash. After a brief reintroduction for anyone looking to start listening to TCBCast, an email from a listener presents a thought-provoking discussion about feeling anxious to tell people you're an Elvis fan, then Gurdip and Jaime go head to head for an Elvis trivia challenge! The 1981 film "This is Elv...

Before our big 100th episode bash, Justin & Gurdip sit down to record a new commentary for the 2017 short film "Never Been to Graceland." Then, Gurdip hoops and a-hollers his way to his Song of the Week, the title track from Elvis' 1968 film "Stay Away, Joe." Justin, on the other hand, selects a different film title theme: 1962's inspirational "Follow That Dream." If you want to watch the film alo...

As we move into a new decade, Justin & Gurdip look back at the 2010s and many of the music and movie releases Elvis fans got over the past 10 years. There are some excellent sidebar conversations as well, including a rant about Elvis conspiracy theorists, a mini-discussion on the 1988 film "Heartbreak Hotel," and a debate as to whether FTD should start releasing content digitally. Then, for Song o...

For the final show of the year, Ryan Droste joins Justin to review the Graceland-authorized video game "Hidden Mysteries: Gates of Graceland." Beyond checking to see if the game's any good, the guys are surprised to learn that the game features a song by a previous TCBCast guest! Then, during Song of the Week, Ryan "got lucky" when he picked a lovely track from the Kid Galahad soundtrack. Justin,...

To celebrate the holidays, Justin & Gurdip finally review the original iteration of Elvis' 1957 Christmas Album. Does this perennial favorite still hold up, or are the real holiday gems only on the first half of the album? Plus, Justin has a theory about why Elvis' Christmas music remains so popular decades after release (aside from it just being good!) Gurdip's Song of the Week highlights Elvis'...

Justin & Gurdip invite Andrew Hickey from the podcast A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs (500songs.com) to dig into Andrew's multi-year project, and where Elvis falls within it. Andrew also reports in on the Elvis in Concert live show he attended at Manchester Arena, and there's a lively discussion about rock critics misunderstanding Elvis. Then, for Song of the Week, Gurdip takes us to his Litt...

To celebrate its anniversary, Gurdip & Justin explore the legendary jam session that famously became known as the "Million Dollar Quartet." Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash teamed up for one brief moment at Sun Studio in December 1956 and the fly on the wall recording gives a fascinating glimpse into their creative thought processes. But the potentially groundbreaking moment co...

After a brief holiday break, the guys are back to review the "Elvis album without Elvis," James Burton's 1971 solo debut, "The Guitar Sounds of James Burton." Cut at an Elvis session with the TCB Band after Elvis left due to an eye problem, the lead track from the album, a cover of "Polk Salad Annie," featured heavily in the 2019 film "Ford vs Ferrari" and now Justin & Gurdip see if the album hold...

Gurdip & Justin are taking a one-week break, so catch up on the histories behind songs from Episodes 21, 22, 24 and 25! Featured Songs include Just A Little Bit, Bringing it Back, Pledging My Love, U.S. Male, Sentimental Me, Change of Habit, Burning Love and (Now and Then) There's A Fool Such As I!  Our upcoming schedule of topics is jam-packed! Next week, inspired by the film "Ford v Ferrari," we...

This week, Justin & Gurdip are honored to have Nate Wilcox of the Let It Roll podcast on to talk all things Elvis & early rock history. The guys took inspiration from Nate's show in creating TCBCast, so it was a thrill to chat about how Nate got into Elvis, and hitting topics as far ranging as publishing companies, Colonel Parker, "A Star is Born", the unsung black pop heroes who paved the way for...

Gurdip, Justin & Ryan wrap up a lengthy deep dive into Elvis' last feature length film, 1969's "Change of Habit." Justin & Ryan explain why the film resonates with them, from its humor and grounded nature compared to Elvis' other films, to its good-hearted-if-clumsy attempt to address social injustices that are unfortunately still very real today. Then, for Song of the Week, Ryan's so square he ex...

For its 50th Anniversary, Gurdip, Ryan & Justin sit down to review Elvis' final dramatic role in "Change of Habit." Justin ranks it as his favorite Elvis film of all time, Ryan thinks highly of it, but Gurdip's not sold just yet - can his mind be changed? From its formation as a Mary Tyler Moore vehicle, to its status as an early film depiction of autism, "Change of Habit" marks a wildly different...

Justin & Gurdip go back to the novelty song well to discuss some horror-themed novelty songs (as well as some other novelty songs with Elvis ties!) Gurdip thanks a listener for a gift, then picks a Roy Orbison classic that we almost got an Elvis version of for Song of the Week. Then, Justin gets spooky with perhaps the most ominous song Elvis ever recorded: a lullaby for "It Happened At The World'...