TUNES: Uncovered

38 Special was the quintessential southern rock band with pedigree to match. Originally fronted by Donnie Van Zant (Ronnie's brother) they hit the scene in the late 70's but it was their 1984 release Wild Eyed Southern Boys that made them a household name. The same year they released the title track to the Teachers soundtrack. A catcchy guitar oriented song it rose up the charts, and their...

If you like what has recently been referred to as "yacht rock", you are going to love this song and artist. Young Gun Silver Fox is comprised of Andy Platts (Young Gun) and Shaun Lee (Silver Fox) but the sum of the parts is much bigger than just two artists. Their late 70's polished soft rock/R&B/soul sound is a rarity in today's charts. The first single off their fifth album...

Starting with the early 60's the Beach Boys ruled the airwaves with their surfer-themed catchy songs. This quiet but powerful song was short but memorable. It meant something to both Carey and I with the picture painted by Brian Wilson's lyrics and the wonderful arrangement. Brian passed away in June of 2025 and will be missed for what he brought to pop music.

What do you get when you cross a British band with reggae? 10cc's Dreadlock Holiday. A truly Jamaican inspired tune from the same band that brought you I'm Not In Love and The Things We Do For Love, this was a different cut for the group. The melody and tune do not necessarily go hand in hand with the lyrics. Heard on heavy rotation on many Yacht Rock radio stations this one will have you...

This song qualifies as the longest time between listens for us both. Moving Picture's "What About Me" was released in the early 80's and had decent airplay on FM and AOR rock stations. And then it fell off a radio cliff. Both Carey and I listen to a good amount of radio, whether terrestrial or satellite, and I can't remember hearing it in the last 35 years. I think the band n...

When does "good friend" turn into Girlfriend? When your bandmates says you should change the name of the song you just wrote. Matthew Sweet's 1991 album of the same name made it to number 61 on Paste magazine's list of "The 90 Best Albums of the 1990s". A catchy tune turned into an 18 album career. Listen as Carey & Mark talk about Matthew's career and more.

We won't say you have to have a convertible to listen to this episode's song, but it certainly wouldn't hurt. Y&T hit it out of the park with their 1985 release Summertime Girls. Outstanding guitar work coupled with a catchy chorus makes this one of our favorites to listen to when the weather turns warm and the pool is calling your name.

Mr. McCartney has written well over 1,000 songs and the Venus and Mars album has a few of our favorite ones. We've covered Medicine Jar before which definitely fits into the uncovered tunes genre. Another couple of favorites being Rock Show and Mark's favorite McCartney song, Listen to What the Man Said. This album is a tour de force of mid 70's rock. Find the nearest beanbag chair and give it a l...

You may not know the name but you definitely know his work. Whether it's the soundtracks of the National Treasures movies, his hits with Yes, or his solo work, Trevor Rabin is all over my playlists. His work on Yes' 90125 alone would be enough for one person, but he didn't stop there. His solo albums are incredibly well-crafted and a joy to listen to. Go back through his catalog and th...

One half of the famous duo that is Steely Dan, Donald Fagen is a songwriting powerhouse. Releasing some of the most ambitious music peppered with jazz, rock, R&B, and classic rock sounds. His 1982 album The Nightfly is no exception. An all-star lineup of musicians and well crafted songs makes for an enjoyable and eclectic release. Hard to believe this album is 43 years old.

FM is a long standing UK band with over 25 albums and a history of solid musicianship. Formed in 1984 these guys have consistently released quality music across the pond. As we'll talk about on this episode, it's due to Spotify's algorithms that we stumbled upon this amazing band, as airplay in America has been few and far between. Take a listen to this entire album and check out the w...

If you're looking for a global hit, this show is for you. Alice Merton's No Roots didn't get much terrestrial radio play here in the states but was a big hit overseas. It was also a big player in the streaming world as well. Closing in on 400 million streams, this one has been heard around the world. A catchy tune with a sparse production it's one that you'll want to add to a p...

In the early 80's these two guys were hitting on all cylinders. Neal Schon's band Journey had just released Escape in July of 1981 and Jan Hammer was playing with the likes of Joni Mitchell, Santana, and Stanley Clarke. Together they recorded a not to be missed couple of albums and this episode's song is off of their 1982 album Here To Stay. A driving beat and Schon's surprisingly...

You've heard Mr. Jonas on your radio stations (are those still a thing?) and have probably seen him and his brothers on TV. His 2017 release Find You was a single with no corresponding album but still did pretty well in the streaming world. Listen to the episode to hear just how well. A catchy tune we're sure you'll enjoy.

RTZ (Return to Zero) was one of those bands that had it all. Top notch vocals, catchy choruses, excellent musicianship, and well written songs. Not bad for a side project for Boston’s Brad Delp and Barry Goudreau. This episode’s uncovered tune is off their 1991 album Return to Zero and titled Face the Music. A couple of albums and singles later and they decided to call it quits. Take a listen to t...

We think 2024 was a great year to relive old memories and discover new songs. Carey and I have enjoyed bringing our listeners music from both new artists and long standing entertainers. From two different spotlights on Memphis Artists to bands you definitely missed the first time around, we hope you heard something new, was reminded of something old, and had an amazing year. Here's to a wonderful...

Rarely will you get such musicianship coupled with strong lyrics, great production, and great live performances like you will with this episode's band, Giant. Formed by Dann and David Huff, Giant was a powerhouse band. Dann's playing and production talents have graced the albums of many a hit artist. When you get a chance, listen to this entire album, you will not be disappointed.

Billy Joel's 52nd Street, released in 1978, was chock full of great songs. This episode's uncovered tune is Zanzibar and it's a great one. Not necessarily a song that sounds like his others but one that paints a great picture. Starting out as something completely different, the final result is one of his best.

Back in the late 70's and early 80's there were plenty of great albums released. This episode is about one of those albums and an equally great song. During a hiatus from Kansas, Steve Walsh put together another band, called them Streets, and released two very good albums. If Love Should Go is off the debut album titled Streets. It's one of our favorite songs and we think you'll enjoy it as well.

Lasting almost twice as long as the actual Civil War, THE Civil Wars was made up of two gifted singer/songwriters who released several albums, EPs and won four Grammys. Not bad for eight years work. Barton Hollow is off their 2011 album of the same name. Did I mention four Grammys? A true uncovered tune in this early release in their catalog, one we hope you enjoy!

As we have mentioned before, the mid to late 80's were a wonderful time to be in Memphis. The local music scene was as large as it ever was, and this episode's artist was a big part of that. Rob Jungklas' Memphis Thing was all over the radio waves. Also on his 1986 Closer to the Flame album was Make It Mean Something. Lyrically, musically and everything in between made this song a favorite of ours...

If you've been waiting for a classic R&B song, the wait is over. Off of Al Green's 1972 album I'm Still In Love With You comes this tour deforce, Love and Happiness. Released first in the UK and later (5 years later!) in the US, this song is listed on many a top songs lists of the 70's and of all time. this song has it all including a soulful vocal, tight background singers and a solid arrange...

The 80's were an amazing time for music in Memphis. Spawning out of The Breaks, Suzanne Jerome Taylor and Pat Taylor created their next band, Drama. Although the band was short-lived, with only one album released, the music was very well done. Suzanne's silky voice and Pat's tasteful guitar put together a solid set of songs. Why Did Forever Have to End is just one of those tunes. Take...

In our first of four shows dedicated to Memphis artists, we have one by Drew Holcomb. He and his band formed in 2005 and have put out some of the best "Americana" music of the past few decades. While this song may not be his typical music style, it's a great song. And you can't go wrong with a song that has a horn section. All The Money in the World is off of Drew's 2023 rele...

If you watched more than 30 minutes of MTV back in the 80's you are familiar with Patty Smyth. The cute and bubbly lead singer of Scandal looked tougher than the Go Go's girls and sweeter than Joan Jett, but boy could she sing. After Scandal disbanded she set out on a solo career that saw her hit the charts with The Warrior and Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough with Don Henley. This unc...