My Weekly Mixtape

This week, Original Counting Crows Drummer Steve Bowman joins me to take a deep dive into the band’s debut 1993 masterpiece, “August & Everything After,” including the stories behind tracks such as: “Round Here,” “Omaha,” “Mr. Jones,” “Anna Begins,” “Time & Time Again,” “Rain King,” “Sullivan Street” & “A Murder of One.”

We also discuss: the lessons learned from T-Bone Burnett, the producer of the album; the stories behind deep cuts & b-sides from that era, such as “Einstein on the Beach (For an Eggman),” “Love & Addiction” & the album’s title track (which wasn’t released officially until 2019); the experience of performing on the David Letterman Show on the same evening as Madonna; seeing your smiling face on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine (just like Dr. Hook sang about), and so much more!

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This week, I’m joined by Ed Toth of The Doobie Brothers to talk about a musical journey that truly comes full circle — from being a kid jamming along to Doobie Brothers songs, to spending nine years as the drummer for Vertical Horizon, to ultimately stepping behind the kit for the very band that inspired him, a role he’s held for more than two decades.

We dig deep into Ed’s time with Vertical Horizon, including the stories behind their massive breakthrough album Everything You Want — which turned 25 last year and was previously featured on an Inside the Album episode — along with its 2003 follow-up, Go. Ed also opens up about the decision to leave the band, how that transition unfolded, and the relationship he still maintains with the group today.

From there, the conversation shifts to The Doobie Brothers — starting with Ed’s early days as one of the band’s dual drummers, playing alongside the late Michael Hossack and Tony Pia, to eventually becoming the band’s sole drummer. We also talk about his 2017 side project Button, which features fellow Doobie Brothers member John Cowan along with Keith Howland (formerly of Chicago).

We round things out by discussing what truly makes a Doobie Brothers live show, from the songs that are absolutely essential — and go well beyond the radio staples — to the experience of performing classic albums like Toulouse Street and The Captain & Me in their entirety.

A wide-ranging conversation packed with history, perspective, and plenty of behind-the-scenes stories — and that’s just the beginning.

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Today is Vol. 3 of The Ultimate Mixtape, the final chapter in the 100th episode celebration, where I asked 65 different people one question: If you could choose one song — from any genre or era — to be preserved in a time capsule for future generations… which song would you choose, and why?

I’ve taken all 65 of those answers and curated them into a fully sequenced mixtape - just like we did when mixtapes actually mattered. Vol. 3 features the final 25 selections, bringing the project to a close!

Guests appearing in Vol. 3 (in no particular order): Guy Fletcher of Dire Straits, Joe Bonamassa, Desmond Child, Ed Toth of The Doobie Brothers, Walter Trout, Todd Park Mohr of Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Yacht Rock Revue, Billy Sheehan of Mr. Big, Sonny Gullage, Emily Wolfe, Jax Hollow, Wolfgang Valbrun, two more incredible Patreon Mixtapers: David Lee Smith & Philip Bergman, and a guest appearance from Paul Williams!

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My Weekly Mixtape’s 100th episode celebration continues with Volume 2 of The Ultimate Mixtape — a three-part series built around one deceptively simple question: If you could choose one song — any artist, any genre — to be sealed inside a time capsule for future listeners to discover years or decades from now… what would it be, and why?

For this project, I asked 65 past guests, friends of the show, and Patreon Mixtapers to give me their one essential pick. The result? A wildly diverse collection of songs spanning eras, genres, moods, and tempos.

But this isn’t just a list of answers. I’m treating these picks like a real cassette — carefully sequencing each track so the flow, pacing, and emotional arc actually matter.

Volume 2 features the next 20 selections. Stick around for Volume 3 to hear how The Ultimate Mixtapecomes together in full.

Guests appearing in Vol. 2 (in no particular order): Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon, ZZ Ward, Jesse Dayton, Jon Loree of Tantric & Smile Empty Soul, Jamie DiTringo of The Sees, Jim Santora, Author of The Underrated Rock Book, Sherry Thomas of The Aquarian Magazine, along with fellow poodcaster, friends of the show and last (but not least!) Patreon Mixtaper Chad Lamasa!

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This week, My Weekly Mixtape hits Episode 100, and I'm stretching the celebration across three episodes to build The Ultimate Mixtape. To create it, I asked 65 different people — past guests and the incredible Patreon Mixtapers — one simple question: If you could choose one song — any artist, any genre — to be locked away in a time capsule for future listeners to discover years (or decades) from now… what would it be, and why?

Yes, it’s a twist on the classic “desert island song” question. But here’s where it gets interesting. Instead of just collecting answers, I took all 65 song picks — and sequenced them into a thoughtfully curated playlist: flow matters, pacing matters, and emotional arcs matter.

Volume 1 features the first 20 selections. Stick around for Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 later this week.

Guests appearing in Vol. 1: Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms, Jim Loughlin of moe., Drew Copeland of Sister Hazel, Don Jamieson of VH1’s That Metal Show, Coco Kinnon of Winona Fighter, Bryan Scott of Union Underground, Britt Lightning of Vixen, Sandy MacKinnon of Royal Tusk, fellow podcasters, friends of the show and last (but certainly not least!) two of the incredible Patreon Mixtapers: Seeker & Tom Hutchinson.

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This week, I’m joined by Jason Whissell, host of both the It’s Not That Bad and There Can Only Be One podcasts, to celebrate a specific — and often overlooked — musical superpower: short songs that leave a lasting impact.

We’re spotlighting 20 short songs that prove runtime has nothing to do with memorability. These are the tracks that knew exactly when to get in, make their statement, and get out — no matter how ridiculous that statement was. These are the kind of songs that once perfectly closed out a side of a cassette or ensured every last second of a carefully burned CD was put to good use.

From punk bursts to blasts of metal and what the hell was that? moments, this playlist explores why brevity can be a strength.

If you’re a fan of short songs, fast runtimes, or want songs that are simply conversation starters, this episode proves (over and over again) that time really is just a number.

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This week, I spotlight 10 cover songs released in 2024 that take already familiar tunes and turn them into something fresh, unexpected, and genuinely conversation-worthy.

Cover songs have always been a litmus test for creativity — and something I’ve long had a personal affinity for — and in 2024, artists continued to push reinterpretation in smart, inventive ways. By reworking melodies, reshaping arrangements, and reframing the overall vibe, these versions give the originals entirely new context and meaning.

This episode breaks down why these performances resonated, how they differ from (or thoughtfully pay homage to) the source material, and what makes a great cover song connect with listeners today.

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This week, I’m extremely grateful to welcome Paul Williams to the program to dive into two of his classic soundtrack projects: Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas & The Muppet Movie, with the latter including my favorite song of all time: Rainbow Connection.

During the sit down, we talk about the stories behind the songs, the performances, the writing processes & working with Jim Henson. But that's just scratching the surface...

We also discuss: his role as President of ASCAP; his work with Brian Henson on The Muppet Christmas Carol; working with his band on the Phantom of the Paradise soundtrack; the songs he wrote and recorded with Daft Punk & Portugal. The Man; seeing Metallica perform at Elton John & Bernie Taupin’s 2024 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize event; My Morning Jacket’s cover of “Brothers / Our World” for the Muppets: The Green Album; his love of skydiving; working with both Willie Nelson & Jason Mraz on their respective covers of Rainbow Connection, and so much more!

I hope everyone has a happy and healthy holiday season!

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This week, we’re taking a step back and looking at the sound of 2024 through the songs that defined it. Joined by DT Carel, host of the YouTube program SpaceCastle, we’re crafting a carefully curated playlist of 20 essential songs from 2024 — tracks that captured the mood, creativity, and musical conversations of the year.

From widely celebrated releases to personal favorites that stayed on repeat, this episode explores how 2024’s music landscape took shape across genres, scenes, and platforms. We dig into why these songs mattered, what they reveal about the state of modern music, and how they reflect the shifting ways artists connected with listeners throughout the year.

If you’re looking for a smart, listener-driven breakdown of the best songs of 2024, a snapshot of the year’s defining sounds, or a playlist that captures what made 2024 memorable, this episode offers a thoughtful mix of reflection, discovery, and debate — all in 20 essential tracks.

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This week, I’m joined by Leah Jones, co-host of The Struts Life Podcast, as we dive into the best country songs of 2024 and build a playlist celebrating the artists and tracks that defined the year. From breakout hits to under-the-radar gems, we’re spotlighting the new country music that kept the genre evolving — blending tradition, modern production, and bold songwriting.

Along the way, we also share some personal picks and emerging country artists we believe are poised for even bigger things in 2025 and beyond. Whether it’s a song that flew just under the mainstream radar or a rising artist building serious momentum, this playlist is all about discovering what’s next while appreciating what made the past year stand out.

If you’re looking to catch up on the top country songs of 2024, explore fresh voices in country music, or get ahead of the curve on artists to watch in 2025, this episode has you covered — equal parts reflection, discovery, and future forecasting.

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🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

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