Best Heidi Hedquist/ Luke Poling Podcasts (2024)

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Rock n Roll Grad School #196- Rob McNelley 42:13

22h ago42:13

42:13

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.…

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Why? Episode 318- Author Ross Warner on Cheap Trick 38:39

3d ago38:39

38:39

If you're like us, you need more Cheap Trick in your life. Thankfully, Ross Warner is here with his new book, American Standard: Cheap Trick from the bars to the Budokan and Beyond. It's a look at one of the great American bands and tries to sort fact from fiction. Ross is a passionate guy when it comes to pop culture, so, of course, we got along l…

1
Rock n Roll Grad School #195 Sha Na Na's Scott Simon 40:04

2d ago40:04

40:04

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.By Heidi Hedquist/Luke Poling

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Why? Episode 317- Frogmore Stew 37:43

10d ago37:43

37:43

We say we're not a political podcast. And we're not. But, this time of year, let's be honest, it's something a lot of people are talking about. And for those in South Carolina who are interested in the candidates and the issues, they have a new podcast to help guide the way. Frogmore Stew with Grace Cowan talks with the candidates and covers the is…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #194 The story of the Grande Ballroom 34:20

9d ago34:20

34:20

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…

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Our new show- Tribute: A Tribute to Tributes 46:48

17d ago46:48

46:48

Here we go again, starting a new music show to go along with all our other shows. "Tribute- A Tribute to Tributes" is a study, analysis and celebration of the tribute record. From Leonard Cohen to Victoria Williams to Big Star to Frank Sinatra- we'll look at them all. Each episode, we'll break down and talk through another tribute record and decide…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #193 Carbon Leaf 33:08

17d ago33:08

33:08

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…

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Why? Episode 315- The Knoxville Sunsphere 28:55

24d ago28:55

28:55

First off, there is no place really like the Sunsphere. Built for the World's Fair, the sphere is a unique landmark with loads to see. And, it's just going to get better and better. For more information (and tickets) check out the Sunsphere's website. Or you can follow them on Facebook. Hey, let's all go to the Sunsphere! How To Quit Your Job and S…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #192 3 Pairs of Boots 31:25

29d ago31:25

31:25

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. Fo…

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Why? Episode 314- The Beaver Island Film Festival 35:51

1M ago35:51

35:51

Beaver Island is one of the most beautiful places in the US, with fascinating stories to boot. This year, the island is kicking off their inaugural film festival. We sat down with reluctant executive producer (and film festival producer) John Sauve to discuss a few of the films playing at the festival. How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business (Lim…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #191 Save Ferris 30:32

1M ago30:32

30:32

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.)…

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Why? Episode 313- The story of the Grande Ballroom 34:12

1M ago34:12

34:12

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…

1
Sneak Preview! Tribute- A Tribute to Tributes 46:09

1M ago46:09

46:09

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."…

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Why? Episode 312- Naked French with Lisa St Lou 40:42

2M ago40:42

40:42

We've talked with Lisa St Lou before and had a blast doing so. Her newest album, "Oh Dang," is out September 9th. But if that wasn't enough reason to reconnect with Lisa, she also has wonderful Instagram series called Naked French that was too good an opportunity to let pass by without discussing. You can find Naked French on Instagram @torandlisa,…

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Famous Last Words- Johnny We Hardly Knew Ya 8:59

1M ago8:59

8:59

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 int…

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Why? Epsiode 311- Rock Cat Rescue 44:23

2M ago44:23

44:23

Every cat needs a good home. And what better way to remind people of this fact than by showing off some of their amazing talents? The Rock Cats Rescue and the Amazing Acro-Cat are on the road, showing audiences all across the US the amazing, fascinating and, let's be honest, sometimes a little difficult world of cats. Samantha Martin has been train…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #187 Sparks: Entertainment and Art 37:10

2M ago37:10

37:10

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.…

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Why? Episode 310- Cat Tours 30:12

2M ago30:12

30:12

You've likely seen the story in the news and wanted to learn more- a group of dedicated cat lovers in Minneapolis have been gathering every year since 2017 to walk around the their neighborhood and look at cats. That's it. Just look at cats. We talked with John Edwards from Wedge LIVE! about how he created the tour and just why he does it. How To Q…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #186 Kevin Sonny Gullage 53:03

2M ago53:03

53:03

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.…

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Why? Episode 309- Short film The Funeral Photographer 33:31

2M ago33:31

33:31

Sometimes the best short films leave you thinking and pondering long after the film is over. Mark Strauss' film The Funeral Photographer does all of that in more. The film is showing as part of the Beaver Island Film Festival, but can also be streamed right now. How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business (Limited Series Podcast) How To Quit Your Job…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #185 Apocalyptica 33:06

2M ago33:06

33:06

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…

1
Famous Last Words- Season 2 is here! 9:56

2M ago9:56

9:56

Season two of our other podcast Final Last Words is now out there. Who do we have on the docket? Well, a few weeks ago, we gave a sneak preview with the Wilson Mizner story and this week, we tell the story of Lavina Fisher. Check it out!By Heidi Hedquist/ Luke Poling

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Rock n Roll Grad School #184 DownTown Mystic 42:17

2M ago42:17

42:17

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.…

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Why? Epsiode 307- Robin Taylor Zander 39:54

3M ago39:54

39:54

If there's anything more American than great pop rock, than we don't know it. And if there's anything better than Cheap Trick when you're talking great pop rock, well, you need to get your head examined. And when it comes to Cheap Trick, the second generation of insanely wonderful songwriting is emerging. You know Robin Taylor Zander's dad's work, …

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Rock n Roll Grad School #183 Marillion 33:49

3M ago33:49

33:49

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 e…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #181 Noel on whether there's More To Life Than Dancing 43:06

3M ago43:06

43:06

Listeners know how we feel about the band Sparks and we had a rare opportunity that we wanted to share with everyone we've ever met. 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 T…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #182 Joanne Shaw Taylor 32:15

3M ago32:15

32:15

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.By Heidi Hedquist/Luke Poling

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Why? Episode 305- Marqueetown 33:49

3M ago33:49

33:49

Everyone has a moment where they can try to do something special for those around them. For Bernie Rosendahl, it was working to rescue and restore an important part of history in Marquette, Michigan. And the new film, Marqueetown tells of Bernie's quest and why it's so special. We talked with filmmakers Joe Beyer and Jordan Anderson on the hows and…

1
Rock n Roll Grad School #181 Noel on whether there's More To Life Than Dancing 42:27

3M ago42:27

42:27

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 d…

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Why? Epsiode 304- Corn Hole Champion Rosie Streker 27:10

3M ago27:10

27:10

Rosie Streker is a force of nature. Going from a career as a teacher, Rosie is onto her next chapter in life- Corn Hole champion. (Three times, might we add.) In the middle of the season, Rosie took the time to talk with us about her career and offer a few tips for the next time you find yourself picking up a beanbag. For more information, you can …

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Rock n Roll Grad School #180 Robert Jon & the Wreck 31:51

3M ago31:51

31:51

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 …

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Why? Episode 303- Andrew Shaffer 38:24

4M ago38:24

38:24

When we last talked with Andrew Shaffer, he was talking about his series of mysteries starring Joe Biden and Barack Obama. Now, Andrew's taking his twisted sort of genius to the next logical step- children's books. "The Secret Pet" (no spoilers, please) is a great gift for any child, or just to leave out on your coffee table and worry visitors. "Th…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #179 Bullets & Octane 42:53

4M ago42:53

42:53

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 singe…

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Why? Episode 302- The Forest County Bigfoot Festival 27:38

4M ago27:38

27:38

What better reason to get a huge group of people together other than to celebrate and hunt Bigfoot? That's what they do every year in Forest County, Pennsylvania and the festival is bringing large numbers of people to this small town. Not interested in hunting? Don't worry, there's more than enough to keep you busy even if you aren't tracking the e…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #178- The db's 27:23

4M ago27:23

27:23

Here's a fun fact that we (and likely most db's fans) didn't know- their debut record has never been available on vinyl in the US. Thankfully, that wrong will be righted when "Stands for DeciBels" comes out on vinyl on June 6th. We talked with drummer Will Rigby about revisiting the record that started it all. (And, is there more material in the wi…

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Why? Episode 301- Jewelry Maker Kimberly Charron 36:01

4M ago36:01

36:01

Our show is all about passions and, talking with Kim Charron, you instantly get a sense of her passion. Kim is a jewelry maker and she walks us through how she turned pro and all the work that goes into creating a unique, memorable and wearable work of art. And if that's not enough, we also talk about Billy Possum! How To Quit Your Job and Start A …

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Rock n Roll Grad School #177 Metal Legend David Ellefson 29:07

4M ago29:07

29:07

Metal fans know David Ellefson from his work with Megadeth and his current band, Kings of Thrash. For the rest of you, you're in for a treat. We talked with David about touring the world, how to stay young and what he's learned from revisiting songs he wrote early on in his career. David and the Kings of Thrash are heading out on the road this summ…

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Why? Episode 300- Cellos & Metallica 30:58

4M ago30:58

30:58

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…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #176 Blacklite District 32:10

4M ago32:10

32:10

This week, we sit down with Kyle Pfeiffer, better known to his fans as Blacklite District. He's gained popularity by working with video game creators and other fans on-line, creating a much more immersive and lasting relationship with his music. His current tour starts at an earlier time and includes time after the gig for everyone to hang out and …

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Why? Epsiode 299- Famous Last Words season two is coming! 10:36

4M ago10:36

10:36

You think we're just lounging around in robes, enjoying the nice weather? Think again, buster. We're in the podcast salt mines, making content. In that spirit, we thought we'd give you a sneak preview of what we've been up to- making season 2 of our show Famous Last Words. Hope you enjoy it. (And there's soon to be more where that came from!)…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #175 Nick Sabia 35:24

5M ago35:24

35:24

Nick Sabia is a songwriter, singer, musician, engineer... basically, his life is made up of music. And, really, we're all the richer for it. His new song, Back East, is out now. (And don't worry, there's more where that came from.) For more information, you can check out Nick's website, or you can follow him on Instagram. Plus, updates on one of ou…

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Why? Episode 298- Celebrating Earth Day and "Think!" with Sheri Miller 43:08

5M ago43:08

43:08

Yes, Earth Day was a week or so ago, but, really, shouldn't every day be Earth Day? (We're sure we've heard that somewhere before...) No matter what day it is, it's a good time to talk with music star and children's author Sheri Miller. Along with her mother, Linda Miller, Sheri wrote a book, called "Honoring Our Planet- Think!" which is out now. W…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #174 Rockie Lynne 27:15

5M ago27:15

27:15

Rockie Lynne is a talented singer, songwriter and guitarist. And, while that is impressive enough, when you hear Rockie's story, it becomes all the more fascinating. "Rockie Lynne- Where I Belong," is a new documentary film telling the story of the album and of Rockie's life. The accompanying album, Love, is more of the honest, sincere songwriting …

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Why? Episode 297- The Gathering of the Kyles 31:49

5M ago31:49

31:49

Are you named Kyle? Do you know someone named Kyle? The city of Kyle, Texas is holding their annual Gathering of the Kyles, where they will try to set the world record of the biggest gathering of people with the same name. How does one organize that many Kyles? What are the difficulties that come from that many Kyles in the same place? (And if you'…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #173 Sheri Miller on "Think!" and Earth Day 42:29

5M ago42:29

42:29

We thought a nice way to celebrate Earth Day would be to share this conversation with music star and children's author Sheri Miller. Along with her mother, Linda Miller, Sheri wrote a book, called "Honoring Our Planet- Think!" which is out now. We talked about conservation, gratitude and so much more. "Honoring Our Planet- Think!" is available righ…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #172 Escape the Fate 33:40

5M ago33:40

33:40

We spoke with Escape the Fate’s drummer when their most recent record came out. Now, as a special edition of Out of the Shadows coming out AND a tour with the Emo Orchestra starting tonight, we talk with the band’s lead singer Craig Mabbitt. On top of getting to hear some Escape the Fate favorites, you’ll also get to hear some of the greatest hits …

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Why? Episode 296- Tornado Tours 36:30

5M ago36:30

36:30

If you're looking for an unforgettable and unique way to see tornado, why not take a tour with Twisted Sky Tours? Traveling all around Tornado Alley, Ryan and Shanda will have you chasing storms like you're Helen Hunt. We talked with them about how the tours work, how close you'll get and how astounding your slideshow will be when you get home. For…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #171 SkyDxddy 45:56

5M ago45:56

45:56

SkyDxddy has made her music career talking about hard truths and difficult subjects. But her audience has found solace in her words. Her new song, "Why Do I Stay," continues her streak of great, honest music. You can find out more about SkyDxddy on her website and you can also follow her on Instagram or on Facebook.…

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Why? Episode 295- The World Naked Bike Ride in Milwaukee 37:22

5M ago37:22

37:22

It’s become a yearly event that’s taking over- the World Naked Bike Ride. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin version of the ride is taking place June 22nd of this year. We spoke with John, the organizer of the event and the founder of We Bare All, a naturist community dedicated to holding events year round for people to enjoy while naked. For more informatio…

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Rock n Roll Grad School #170 Mama B 27:28

5M ago27:28

27:28

Her name is Mama B and she has the novel idea of making music that is not only fun for kids, but adults too. Combining her skills as a pop writer and performer, Jacq Becker has created fun, memorable and, yes, enjoyable music for everyone in the family to enjoy. Her debut album, Imaginology is out on May 12th. (Just in time for Mother’s Day.) For m…

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