This week, we’re celebrating two timeless soundtracks with the legendary Paul Williams, the award-winning songwriter behind Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas and The Muppet Movie, including the beloved classic (as well as my favorite song of all time) “Rainbow Connection.”

Paul shares the stories behind these unforgettable soundtracks & the films they’re connected to, his creative partnership with Jim Henson, and what it’s like bringing heart, humor, and hope to generations through music.

We also dive into his work as President of ASCAP, his collaborations with Daft Punk, Portugal. The Man, Willie Nelson, Jason Mraz, and more, along with stories from Phantom of the Paradise and another Muppet holiday classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol.

If you grew up loving The Muppets, know every step of Carrots the Dancing Horse’s routine, or find yourself rocking out to the Riverbottom Nightmare Band every holiday season, I promise this episode is as sweet as honeysuckle on the vine, ma!

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My Weekly Mixtape is a music podcast that celebrates the art of the playlist — bringing the spirit of the classic mixtape into the streaming era.

Join host Brian Colburn as he teams up with artists, musicians, and passionate music fans to curate themed playlists, share the stories behind the songs, and explore what makes great music connect with us all. From rock and pop to punk, hip-hop, and beyond, My Weekly Mixtape blends interviews, commentary, and nostalgia into the ultimate listening experience — one playlist at a time.

Discover new music. Revisit old favorites. Give your playlists the mixtape treatment — every week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Theme music: "Unveiled" by The 4th. Available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora & Bandcamp.

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