Can You Dig It? Podcast

In Part One of Episode 7, our father-daughter duo digs into the music, memories, and cultural moments that shaped their lives across two very different generations.

From growing up with MTV and Billy Idol to life backstage with Sammy Hagar, this episode is full of hilarious family stories, unexpected revelations, and a little rock 'n' roll history.

We revisit the early days of touring, an unforgettable (and slightly mortifying) moment onstage at the Universal Amphitheatre, and the musical influences that continue to connect generations.

Along the way, we celebrate Charlie Watts, talk about the art of sampling and musical influence, and reflect on how technology has changed the way we preserve our most meaningful memories.

Plus, we dive into listener questions about growing up on tour, embarrassing gig moments, and the experiences we wish we could travel back in time to witness again.It's a conversation about family, music, legacy, and all the little moments that become the big stories of our lives.

In this episode:

• Boomer vs. Millennial: the cultural references that define us
• Charlie Watts, James Brown, and the musicians who shaped our musical DNA
• Growing up on MTV, Billy Idol, and Pat Benatar first words and idols
• Childhood memories from the Sammy Hagar touring years
• Backstage adventures, father-daughter embarrassment, and the Universal Amphitheatre "waitress" moment
• Navigating the rock 'n' roll boys' club as a young womanLife before smartphones, home videos, and the original "FaceTime" from the road
• Listener questions about unforgettable moments and life-changing encountersBecause sometimes the best stories aren't the ones we planned to tell—they're the ones we remember together.

Can you dig it? Episode chapters and timestamps

Time | Topic

00:21 Reflections on a recent father-daughter interview

01:43 Introducing the generational theme and listener questions

03:49 Boomer vs. Millennial: defining the generations

04:56 Musical influences, sampling, and cultural connections

06:47 Embarrassing moments onstage

07:45 A hilarious childhood inside joke at a gig

09:19 Charlie Watts and the first drummer Dad emulated

10:39 MTV, Ed Sullivan, and generational touchstones

11:22 Billy Idol, Pat Benatar, and growing up with music

12:55 Why giving up television changed college life

14:23 Education, distractions, and unexpected wisdom

15:35 Growing up on tour and a terrifying flight

17:49 Childhood memories of the Sammy Hagar years

19:02 Being a young woman backstage in the music industry

20:36 The unforgettable Universal Amphitheatre waitress story

23:47 Listener question: What moment would you relive or record?

24:29 The first drum kit and a life-changing rehearsal

26:44 Childhood home movies and birthday memories

28:18 Sending videotapes to Dad on tour: the original FaceTime

29:45 Listener question: A stranger who changed your life... to be continued in Part TWO of Episode 7!

#rockandrollstories #growingupbackstage #candyoudigitpodcast #ellalauser #davidlauser #sammyhagar #fatherdaughter

Episode 6 — Trust the Groove

Sometimes you know exactly where you’re headed. Other times, you just have to trust the groove.

In Episode 6, David Lauser and his daughter “Ella” Danielle pick up where their Chuck Berry story left off, exploring the moments when instinct takes over and you make the leap before you know where you’re going to land.

David recalls taking a musical chance onstage while backing Chuck Berry — despite Berry’s reputation for being notoriously tough on musicians — and getting an unforgettable reaction. Ella shares her own Chuck Berry memory from childhood: being brought onstage, having Chuck’s guitar placed around her, taking a very public tumble during his famous duck walk, and finding the courage to get back out there.

From there, father and daughter explore the people and decisions that helped shape David’s life: a mother willing to put a drum kit in a small house, a gym teacher who saw potential in him, Sammy Hagar believing in him when he struggled to believe in himself, and the frightening decision as a 19-year-old musician to leave home and head to San Francisco with a band.

David also talks about another leap of faith — becoming a drum teacher despite having never taught professionally. That decision not only made him a better drummer, but created friendships and connections that have lasted for decades.

And because this is Can You Dig It?, the groove eventually leads backstage: opening for Aerosmith, a funny encounter involving Ella and Bay Area radio personalities, and the day Steven Tyler unexpectedly sat down behind David’s drum kit at soundcheck.

At its heart, this episode is about following what you love even when you’re insecure, afraid, or unsure of the outcome.

Sometimes you don’t need to know exactly what comes next. You just need enough courage to play the next beat.

• David’s instinctive onstage gamble while playing with Chuck Berry

• “Ella” Danielle’s unforgettable childhood encounter with Chuck — including attempting the duck walk

• Why David told Ella that Chuck Berry’s autograph was something special

• The early encouragement David received from his mother

• A school coach who recognized something in him — and let the budding musician keep his long hair

• How Sammy Hagar believed in David during difficult periods

• Moving to San Francisco at 19without knowing whether it would work

• Becoming a drum teacher when his performing career hit an uncertain period

• Why teaching ultimately made David a better musician

• Loving music even while feeling insecure about your abilities

• Opening for Aerosmith in 2010

• The unexpected day Steven Tyler played David’s drums

• Why taking chances can create opportunities you couldn't possibly predict

David's pick: “I Got the Feelin’” — James Brown

Ella’s pick: “Dance Yrself Clean” — LCD Soundsystem

Ella challenges David to check out LCD Soundsystem's fusion of electronic music with live musicianship — particularly the drumming — while David sends things straight back to the funk with James Brown.

Episode theme: Trust the groove. Take the chance. Do what you love — and leave room to be surprised by where it takes you.

In this episodeTrack Swap 🎧

Episode 5 — The Strange Wisdom of Rock & Roll

In this episode, a father and daughter pull back the curtain on what life as a touring musician actually looks like. The stage may be glamorous, but most of the job is airports, buses, hotel rooms, soundchecks, late night meals, and occasionally needing a sign onstage reminding you which city you are in. David talks about touring with Sammy Hagar, the strange rhythms of road life, and why the two hours onstage can feel like heaven even when the other eighteen hours of the day are exhausting.

The conversation turns to the unexpected lessons that come from spending months on the road with the same group of people. A touring band and crew become something resembling a dysfunctional but deeply connected family. You learn quickly that talent alone is not enough. You have to be someone other people can live with, travel with, eat with, and depend on when everyone is tired, hungry, stressed, sick, or simply sick of each other. They also reflect on the sacrifices touring demands from families, including missed birthdays and long stretches away, while remembering how meaningful the ordinary time together became whenever Dad was home.

Then come the rock and roll stories. David remembers playing with Stephen Stills and Neil Young, trading spots with drummers including Lars Ulrich and Matt Sorum, and the one legendary musician who actually left him shaking when they met: Smokey Robinson. His daughter shares her own unforgettable backstage encounter with Stevie Nicks while working production at just 19 years old, desperately hunting down the right Snapple before finally meeting one of her musical heroes and getting an unexpected velvet wrapped hug.

The episode closes with the beginning of an incredible Chuck Berry story. After Berry walked off a New Year's Eve performance at Caesars Tahoe, David's band was recruited to back him the following night. Suddenly David found himself behind the drum kit playing the songs he had grown up listening to, trying to keep his nerves under control while realizing he was performing with one of the architects of rock and roll. When instinct took over and he threw a little extra flourish into the ending of “Roll Over Beethoven,” Chuck turned around, looked at him, and gave him a high five. The rest of that story will have to wait for the next episode.

People & stories featured: Sammy Hagar, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Nicks, Chuck Berry, Lars Ulrich, Matt Sorum, Michael Anthony, plus memories of touring, backstage life, family sacrifice, and the friendships that make life on the road possible.

Songs discussed: “Love the One You're With,” “Down by the River,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Nadine,” “Rock and Roll Music,” and “Dreams.”

We have put together a soundtrack to listen between episodes! Enjoy tracks discussed on Can You Dig It Track Swap playlist, short cut link below...

In this episode, father and daughter dive into the turning points that nearly changed everything.

What happens when life pulls you away from the thing you're meant to do?

Drummer David Lauser shares two pivotal moments when he nearly stepped away from music altogether—first as a teenager navigating family struggles, the Vietnam era, and uncertainty about his future, and later after the success of Sammy Hagar's solo career when he considered leaving music to become an electrician.

Along the way, they explore the healing power of music, the importance of following your bliss, and the people who show up at exactly the right moment to help us find our way back.

From Muscle Shoals stories and Van Halen history to Joseph Campbell's philosophy and childhood memories from backstage and bar gigs, this conversation is an honest look at resilience, reinvention, and choosing the path that keeps your heart beating.

In This Episode

• David's connection to the legendary Muscle Shoals music scene.
• Growing up during the Vietnam War and the pressures of early adulthood.
• Navigating family mental health challenges and finding stability through music.
• How Sammy Hagar helped pull David back into drumming after he nearly quit.
• The years following I Can't Drive 55 and Sammy's move to Van Halen.
• Working as an electrician while caring for his mother during her battle with ALS.
• Joseph Campbell's "Follow Your Bliss" philosophy and how it changed David's life.
• Teaching drums, rebuilding a career, and staying ready for the next opportunity.
• Ella's memories of growing up around rehearsals, clubs, and unexpected adventures.
• The songs that capture the spirit of perseverance and renewal.

Memorable Moments

"Music is definitely healing. The heart is the drum—it's our original drummer."

"If you follow what you really love, no matter what it is, you're going to be okay." — Joseph Campbell (as remembered by David)

"I thought to myself, if you do this, you're not going to play music anymore."

"Sometimes people show up at exactly the right moment. For me, it was Sam knocking on the door."

Featured Music

• "Wine" — Saul Williams
• "Don't Give Up" — Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush
• "I Can See Clearly Now" — Johnny Nash




Episode Themes

• Following your calling
• Resilience through uncertainty
• Music as healing
• Family, friendship, and mentorship
• Reinvention at every stage of life
• Staying ready when opportunity returns

About Can You Dig It? Podcast

Can You Dig It? is a heartfelt conversation series exploring music, memory, family, and the moments that shape who we become. Through candid conversations between father and daughter, each episode uncovers the stories behind a life in music—and the lessons that continue to resonate across generations.

Sometimes a single conversation can alter the course of a life.

In Episode 3 of Can You Dig It?, father and daughter explore the moments that changed everything—from a chance encounter at a music store in San Bernardino to opening for future legends and discovering what it means to trust your instincts.

David reflects on leaving his first band as a teenager, joining older musicians, and the chain of events that led to meeting Sammy Hagar. Along the way, the conversation traces the evolution of his career through Youngblood, the Justice Brothers, Free and Easy (later Toys), and the many musical influences that shaped his playing.

The episode becomes a meditation on trust:

- How do we know when to say yes?

- How do we recognize the opportunities that quietly redirect our lives?

Through stories of garage rehearsals, bar gigs, San Francisco's vibrant music scene, and family memories, this episode celebrates the unexpected intersections that define us.

In This Episode

• Leaving Youngblood at age 17 and joining a new band that changed everything.

• A chance meeting at Lear's Music that led to meeting Sammy Hagar.

• Growing up in San Bernardino and the musicians who shaped David's early years.

• The rise and fall of the Justice Brothers and Sammy's transition to Montrose.

• Finding confidence as the "older guy" in Free and Easy and later Toys.

• Learning to trust your instincts when opportunities don't make immediate sense.

• Opening for The Knack, Van Halen, and the Ramones before they became household names.

• Seeing Bob Marley and the Wailers perform in San Francisco in the early days.

• Reflections on growing up backstage, watching MTV, and finding one's own musical identity.

Memorable Moments

"Had I not gone to the store that day, I wouldn't have known about the band. I wouldn't have met Sam. And I wouldn't be here today."

"Practice prepares us for these opportunities."

"When you know the story, it's not just stuff."

"Music was my friend. Artists were my family."

"I can't imagine what it'd be like to grow up with a rock musician."

Featured Artists & References

• Sammy Hagar

• Montrose

• The Beatles

• Cream

• The Police

• Bob Marley & The Wailers

• The Ramones

• Van Halen

• The Knack

• Queen

• KISS

• Joe Jackson

• Erykah Badu

• Paula Abdul

• Sarah McLachlan

• Alanis Morissette

• The Cranberries

• Natalie Merchant
• Sheryl Crow
• Annie Lennox




Songs Mentioned

• "Stone Cold Crazy" — Queen

• "Detroit Rock City" — KISS

• "Blitzkrieg Bop" — Ramones

• "Fools in Love" — Joe Jackson

• "The Healer" — Erykah Badu

  
  

  Episode Themes

• Trusting your instincts

• The ripple effect of chance encounters

• Musical lineage and mentorship

• Growing up around music

• Finding your voice

• Family stories across generations

• How preparation meets opportunity

About Can You Dig It? Podcast

Can You Dig It? is an intimate conversation series exploring music, memory, family, and the moments that shape a life. Through candid conversations between father and daughter, each episode uncovers the stories behind a lifetime in music—and the lessons that continue to resonate from one generation to the next.

In Episode 2 of Can You Dig It?, the conversation travels back to the beginning of a lifelong musical journey. Father and daughter explore what "making it" really meant in the 1960s—not fame or fortune, but simply getting to play music. Through stories of first gigs, stage fright, opening for legendary acts, and taking risks in pursuit of a dream, the episode paints a personal portrait of becoming a working musician.

Along the way are memories of teenage bands, Sammy Hagar's early ambition, San Francisco in the early '70s, and the artists who shaped an entire generation of rock musicians.

In This Episode

• What "making it" meant before record deals and celebrity
• Receiving a first drum kit and forming the Youngbloods
• Surviving first-show nerves—and an accidental drumstick trick that looked intentional
• How music became a way to find identity, confidence, and connection
• Opening for Long John Baldry, Savoy Brown, and Skid Row (featuring future guitar legend Gary Moore)
• Why persistence matters more than a single breakthrough
• The contrast between Sammy Hagar's drive for stardom and a love of simply playing music
• Moving to San Francisco with little money and a lot of faith
• Life as a struggling young band sharing a tiny apartment in the early '70s
• Parking Volkswagens by literally lifting them into impossible spaces

Memorable Moments

• The bands and musicians that provided the soundtrack to an emerging career

• The very first public performance of "House of the Rising Sun."
• Accidentally tossing a drumstick into the air and having the audience believe it was part of the act.
• Gary Moore inviting the band to jam during soundcheck—and immediately demonstrating world-class musicianship.
• Seeing a familiar face in the audience during a 3,000-person concert, making the experience suddenly feel real.
• Reflecting on the difference between wanting to be a great musician and wanting to become a star.

Artists & Influences Mentioned

• The Beatles
• The Rolling Stones
• Chuck Berry
• Wilson Pickett
• Otis Redding
• James Brown
• Sam & Dave
• Moby Grape
• Buffalo Springfield
• Jimi Hendrix
• Cream
• Tower of Power
• Dave Garibaldi
• Gary Moore
• 38 Special

Songs Mentioned

• "House of the Rising Sun" – The Animals
• "It's All Over Now" – The Rolling Stones
• "Manic Depression" – Jimi Hendrix Experience
• "Black Dog" – Led Zeppelin
• "The Sound of Your Voice" – 38 Special

Key Takeaways

• Passion often comes before ambition.
• Small moments of encouragement can shape an entire career.
• Persistence creates opportunities that talent alone cannot.
• The journey to becoming a musician is built one gig, one risk, and one relationship at a time.
• Sometimes success isn't becoming famous—it's getting to spend your life doing what you love.

Quote of the Episode:

"The reason I picked up the drumsticks was because I loved the way the music sounded. I just loved it."

Listen If You Enjoy

• Behind-the-scenes stories from classic rock
• Music history told through personal experience
• Conversations about creativity, perseverance, and finding your path
• Father-daughter storytelling with humor and heart

In the debut episode of Can You Dig It?, a father and daughter (Ella & David Lauser) kick off their musical journey together by unpacking the origin of the show's name, swapping stories from a lifetime of shared listening, and exploring the songs, artists, and moments that continue to inspire them.

From growing up backstage on rock tours to discovering music across generations, this conversation is equal parts family history, music appreciation, and thoughtful reflection on what it means to truly connect through art.

• The surprising origins of the phrase "Can You Dig It?"
• How music became the foundation of a father-daughter relationship
• The songs they never get tired of hearing
• Memories of record stores, concerts, and growing up around live music
• First musical inspirations—from American Bandstand to The Beatles
• Discovering new artists across generations (The Roots, Jurassic 5, Taylor Swift)
• Lessons about performing, stage fright, and connecting with an audience
• Why nerves can actually be a sign that you care
• The importance of curiosity, humor, and staying open to new music
• A heartfelt reminder that, no matter how famous someone is, we're all just human

• Eddie Harris & Les McCann – Compared to What
• Otis Redding – Try a Little Tenderness
• Wilson Pickett
• The Beatles
• Paul McCartney
• John Lennon
• Billy Crystal
• The Roots
• Questlove
• Jurassic 5
• Erykah Badu
• Jill Scott
• Taylor Swift (Red)
• Sammy Hagar
• Van Halen
• Alice In Chains
• Steve Winwood
• Dave Mason
• Traffic
• Jim Capaldi
• "Dear Mr. Fantasy"
• "The Dealer"
• "Feelin' Alright"

"Nerves mean you care."

"If you're happy, I don't care if you're a dishwasher or the President of the United States."

"Music was never something that was taught—it was something we lived."

"Can you dig it?" is really an invitation: Are you with me?

Dad's timeless pick:

• Compared to What – Eddie Harris & Les McCann

Daughter's timeless pick:

• Try a Little Tenderness – Otis Redding

Underrated Artist Spotlight:

• Jim Capaldi (Traffic) – Start with The Dealer and Dear Mr. Fantasy.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more episodes as we continue swapping stories, exploring music history, recommending hidden gems, and celebrating the songs that shape our lives.

Can you dig it? 

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