Holiday episodes tend to follow a predictable formula — a little nostalgia, a little sentimentality and a playlist full of songs everyone has heard a thousand times. This one is different. The conversation begins in an unexpected place: the Super Bowl. Not just any Super Bowl, but the post-9/11 Rams–Patriots game in New Orleans, where the stadium was wrapped in military security and U2’s emotional halftime performance unfurled the names of the victims across a towering screen. It’s a moment burned into cultural memory, and for the hosts, a reminder that some halftime acts transcend criticism.

From there, the episode shifts to its true centerpiece: holiday music, the most emotionally loaded genre in the canon. For one host, the holidays mean vinyl — physical albums, needle drops, and a ritualized rotation of Crosby, Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Elvis. The family knows the rules, right down to flipping the record. Mariah Carey remains undefeated in the broader culture, but not in this house; veto power is real.

That tension highlights the deeper point: holiday music is a convergence of personal taste, family history, and cultural inheritance. The discussion branches into the question of single-artist albums versus compilation records, along with the unexpectedly diverse range of options. The picks include Hanukkah Rocks from The LeeVees, Adam Sandler’s comedic classic, a Kwanzaa album from Sweet Honey in the Rock, and even the unexpected genre-bending of Christmas on Death Row. Holiday music, the hosts argue, is one of the few categories where listeners willingly cross cultural borders without hesitation simply because the season invites it.

Holiday Standards & Staples

Hanukkah & Kwanzaa Picks

Holiday Oddities & Deep Cuts

From spontaneous tours to personal storytelling, this episode dives deep into the life of a touring band and the creative forces that drive them. The conversation explores how music shapes both the artists and their fans, from childhood inspirations to live shows that feel like family gatherings. Along the way, Robby shares hilarious interview moments, fan stories, and the unpredictable joys of performing around the country.

What is it really like to tour, collaborate, and make music as a band? In this episode, Robby reflects on his creative process, the challenges and humor of life on the road, and how deep relationships and fan connections shape their art. From cover songs and solo projects to the absurdity of “stupid interview questions,” get an inside look at what it means to live and breathe music.

Finding Inspiration on the Road:
Robby discusses how travel and new experiences feed their creativity, often taking risks to explore places off the typical tourist path. He emphasized that his artistic journey is deeply rooted in personal experiences gained through touring, and how seeing the world beyond tour buses and venues enriches their music.

Band as Family:
Touring isn’t just work—it’s a lesson in human connection. Robby describes the intricate bonds of collaboration, comparing the band’s relationships to chosen family and how conflict is managed with patience, communication, and respect, much like adult family dynamics, to preserve both their friendships and creative output.

Cover Songs and Musical Influences:
From reinterpreting classics like Lola to revisiting personal childhood favorites such as Sussudio, Robby explains how covers serve as both homage and creative experimentation. They reflect on the lasting influence of artists like Genesis, Queen, and Neil Young, and how music from formative years continues to inspire their performances.

Fan Connections and Criticism:
The conversation delves into the complex relationship between artists and their audiences. Robby acknowledges online criticism but focuses on connecting with fans in meaningful ways, recognizing that every listener brings their own personal history to the music. He also highlights the joy of meeting fans in person and seeing firsthand the impact of their work.

Live Shows and Touring Life:
Live performances are more than just playing songs—Immersive experiences for both band and audience. The band talks about capturing the energy of live shows in recordings, the excitement of iconic venues like Cane’s in Tulsa, and the small joys of touring, from local food spots to sports games nearby.

Solo Projects and Personal Expression:
The origins of his solo work, initially personal and introspective, and how it evolved into recorded music with its own emotional tone. These projects demonstrate the balance between individual creativity and collaborative band life.

Stupidest Interview Questions Game:
Ending the episode Robbie tackles Josh and Dave’s absurd questions with poise and grace. Stupid  questions, such as:

Reflection and Gratitude:
Throughout the conversation, Robby emphasizes their love for music, the joy of performing, and the privilege of connecting with fans and each other. He describes music as a shared journey, where creativity, humor, and human connection coexist, making the road less about glamour and more about meaningful experiences.

Music has always been more than just entertainment—it’s a cultural barometer, a protest platform, and, sometimes, a lightning rod for controversy. In this lively episode, the hosts dive into decades of music history, from the disco backlash of the 1970s to modern social commentary in rock and hip-hop. They begin by dissecting the explosion of disco, a genre derided for its perceived shallowness, and the subsequent enduring legacy of bands like KC and the Sunshine Band. Their songs, while catchy and danceable, became emblematic of an era, later celebrated nostalgically at themed parties and weddings.

The conversation shifts to protest music, exploring how iconic tracks subtly—or overtly—challenge societal norms. Bob Marley’s Get Up, Stand Up, Public Enemy’s Fight the Power, and Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name Of exemplify songs whose messages seep into listeners’ consciousness, even when the catchy rhythm dominates first. Meanwhile, classic anthems like John Lennon’s Imagine or Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival are recognized immediately for their cultural and political significance.

Artists’ control over their music in political contexts also comes under scrutiny. Many musicians, from Bruce Springsteen to the estates of George Harrison and Isaac Hayes, have refused to let politicians use their songs at rallies, demonstrating the tension between art, intellectual property, and public messaging. Interestingly, only the Village People permitted use, highlighting exceptions in an otherwise protective landscape.

The hosts also profile Papa Roach, whose song Getting Away With Murder blends social commentary with personal responsibility. Unlike fully political bands like Rage Against the Machine, Papa Roach focuses on self-reflection, charitable outreach, and connecting authentically with fans—showing there’s more than one way for musicians to impact society.

Finally, the episode turns to nostalgia and live music experiences, including yacht rock acts like Toto, Christopher Cross, and Men at Work. The hosts highlight the joy of rediscovering music from the past, the thrill of live performances, and the cultural significance of music documentaries.

Whether analyzing protest songs, political restrictions, or the enduring charm of classic hits, this episode underscores music’s multifaceted power: it entertains, inspires, challenges, and, ultimately, transcends generations.

From the 27 Club to Cringe Lyrics: Sampling, Guilty Pleasures & Rock ‘n’ Rap Confessions

This session takes you on a deep dive through some of music’s most fascinating and controversial corners. We kick off exploring the infamous 27 Club, reflecting on the pressures, tragedies, and the “bulletproof” mentality of young rock stars and rappers who shaped music history but left too soon.

Then we switch gears into the world of sampling — breaking down iconic tracks like Amen Brother and Funky Drummerthat have been the backbone of countless hits. We unpack the legality, creativity, and evolving business of sampling, including insights from hip-hop legends on how royalties could be more fairly split.

Next, we get real about cringeworthy and downright bizarre lyrics across genres — from rock classics with questionable themes to provocative rap verses that push boundaries. The conversation also highlights guilty pleasures, those catchy songs you belt out in the car but hesitate to admit loving (yes, Thong Song and Yummy are on that list).

Rounding it out with personal stories — like winning a noise ticket dispute after blasting Welcome to the Jungle and a highway encounter trying to outrun a Nickelback song — this session is a wild ride through music’s highs, lows, and everything in between.

The 27 Club: The Myth and Reality

Sampling in Music: The Art, The Controversy, and The Legacy

• The episode shifts to talk about music sampling, highlighting its significance and common misconceptions that sampling is illegal or “theft.”

Cringeworthy Lyrics in Popular Songs

Walk-Up Anthems & Rock Docs: Nostalgia, Noise, and the Real Story

MLB Walk-Up Music and Stadium Culture

Beastie Boys Retrospective

Rock Documentaries and Band Legacy

Band Identity and Authenticity

Grunge Albums

#MLBMusic #WalkUpSongs #BeastieBoys #GrungeAlbums #RockDocumentaries #BandAuthenticity #ConcertCulture #MusicNostalgia #Ticketmaster #DavidJohansen #BlackTeeSociety

There’s something magical about the music that shaped you—especially when you weren’t expecting it.

In this episode of Black Tee Society, we jump headfirst into the deep end of music nostalgia. We talk about those unexpected moments: like learning Alice Cooper is not just a rock icon, but also a golf fanatic. Or discovering that your favorite opening act, years later, would headline stadiums.

From those small discoveries to massive moments—this episode is full of them.

The Opening Act Matters More Than You Think

Ever been to a concert just to find the opener was better than the headliner? We have. From Johnny Marr to The Posies, we share stories of musical discovery—some of which changed how we saw music forever.
 Fun fact: Green Day’s first-ever live show under their name was as the opener for Operation Ivy’s last performance. You can’t make this stuff up.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives

We dive deep into the great movie and TV soundtracks that didn’t just accompany scenes—they defined eras.
 Some of our all-time favorites:

And yes, we’re still mad that “Coconut” is stuck in our heads because of Reservoir Dogs.

Festivals: Finding the Line Between Curated and Chaos

We break down the current state of music festivals—and how some have lost their genre identity altogether.
 Case in point? Stagecoach booking both Jelly Roll and the Backstreet Boys. Confused yet? We are too.

But not all is lost—Cruel World in LA is doing it right:
 One day. Two stages.
Acts like OMD, New Order, The Go-Go’s, and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds? Now that’s how you do it.

We also unpack the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (ten days long and hundreds of artists deep) and the Tortuga Festival (country? hip hop? reggae? all of the above?).

Conclusion: great music is out there—you just need a festival that knows who it is.

Cassettes, Fan Letters, and Finding That One Band

We also share personal stories—from writing actual fan mail to The Posies and getting a handwritten letter back, to keeping mixtapes and fake IDs in the same memory box. Because that’s what music does: it sticks with you, long after the encore.

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Got a favorite opening act? Soundtrack that changed your life? Let us know in the comments or hit us up on social.

What's with The Grammy's? Is it still relevant. Must watch Rock Docs and assorted other BS. Does anyone read liner notes, or show notes anymore?

Josh and Dave worked together in rock radio 25 years ago and have been friends ever since. They both love music, and not just what you hear but everything behind the music from band fights and groupies to the legend, rock stars and the stories... Oh, the stories. Join in the jack-assery. Drop the needle.

Catalogue - 1st Record bought, best record ever owned, first concert attended, best concert attended.

1st Record - Aerosmith, Night in the Ruts, Best Record - Guns & Roses, Appetite for Destruction, first concert, Jackson 5 (with parents) 1974 MGM Grand. Bow Wow Wow and Untouchables in 1982 or 1983, Best Concert - Guns and Roses at the Great Western Forum with Skid Row.

Vinny Paul and the Stanley Cup