Off The Record with Dave and Kelly

Send us Fan Mail

Dave and Kelly dig into the songs of Dolly Parton: where they came from, how she built a lifetime of hits, and plenty of trivia along the way. Plus highlights from the 57th Dove Awards, a heads-up about our Songwriting Feedback Panel at the Christian Musician Summit in Tacoma (Nov 6–7), and the new single "Pharaohs" from BentBeat artist Kiti Capere.

CMS:  https://christianmusiciansummit.com/ 

Pharaohs - Kiti Capere - https://tinyurl.com/hyperfollow-pharaohs 

Send us Fan Mail

It’s been a tough week in the entertainment world with the passing of two one-of-a-kind talents, Dolly Parton and Tim Curry. So, while we take a moment to remember a couple of people who gave us a whole lot of music, movies, laughs, and unforgettable moments, we figured we could all use a little levity. 

And what better way to do that than explore our favorite cover songs? 

This week, D&K dive into some of their favorite songs that somebody else decided to borrow, reinvent, crank up, slow down, completely rearrange, or occasionally make even better than the original. (Yeah, we said it.) 

We’re talking about the covers that surprised us, the ones we play more than the originals, and probably a few that will have you yelling at us, “Are you kidding me?!” 

From faithful tributes to complete musical makeovers, it’s all fair game. 

So, turn it up and join us for Secondhand Songs: Covers We Can’t Get Enough Of, because sometimes a great song deserves another trip around the block. 

Send us Fan Mail

Now that Kelly recovered from being sick, we now rejoin our heroes.  Dave and Kelly walk down memory lane with some of their favorite one-hit wonders over the years. Along the way, they share personal memories, offer honorable mentions, and discuss a few “notable nots” that may not truly belong in the one-hit-wonder category.  It is a fun, nostalgic conversation filled with great music, friendly banter, and the one hit "oneders".

References:
The Bugaboos - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bugaloos

Sponsor: Krista Westfall - Hope Stained Glass - Album Available now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1T7HZBS

Send us Fan Mail

This week on Off The Record, we’re spinning the tea on Record Store Day! Dave and Kelly kick things off with a little chat about the current season of American Idol and its Hawaii vibes, then dive into the world of vinyl records, from their history to why they still matter in the modern era. They also talk Record Store Day, shout out Portland’s legendary Music Millennium, and share the very first vinyl records they bought with their own money. Plus, they get into the art of album covers and why great artwork should give you a real sense of the music waiting inside. It’s a fun, nostalgic, music-loving conversation with a little pop culture on the side. 

Send us Fan Mail

From Muppets to football glory, this episode covers a lot of ground — and somehow, it all connects. Dave and Kelly break down the newest episode of The Muppet Show, dive into Super Bowl LX (yes, the commercials and the halftime show), and talk about why moments of joy, humor, and spectacle still matter.

But things take a deeper turn as the conversation shifts to Fred Rogers — his unwavering belief in kindness, respect, and the dignity of every person — and how far our country seems to have drifted from those values. What happened to being neighborly? What did Mr. Rogers understand that we seem to have forgotten? And how do pop culture moments reflect who we are right now?

It’s funny, heartfelt, nostalgic, and honest — a big conversation sparked by a big game, with even bigger feelings underneath it all.

Super Bowl moving to ESPN/Disney in 2027 (at 40 min mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQyvjp2o3W8

Lady Gaga - Won’t You Be My Neighbor (Behind the scenes) - https://youtu.be/e3o5FIXoK84?si=9ygKNMYxMycYD29x

Send us Fan Mail

The GRAMMYs are back... and so are we.

Season 2 kicks off with Dave and Kelly unplugging the 68th GRAMMY Awards, breaking down the hits, the misses, and the moments that truly mattered—both this year and across GRAMMY history. From jaw-dropping fashion and well-deserved wins to performances that gave us chills (and a few that sparked debate), nothing is off the table.

The duo also rewinds the tape to share some of their all-time favorite GRAMMY moments, celebrating the artists, surprises, and cultural shifts that made the awards unforgettable. It’s equal parts music history, pop culture commentary, and personal storytelling, just the way Off The Record likes it.

Whether you watched every second or just caught the highlights, this episode is your backstage pass to the GRAMMYs—past and present—with a little laughter, a lot of heart, and of course, a perfectly curated A&M GRAMMY award-winning song to close it out.

Hit play and join the conversation.

How to watch the afternoon (pre-telecast) awards show, "68th GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony":  https://www.youtube.com/live/gil4hcn9loI?si=G5k4BvBytaifw-o1

To submit a Christmas song you wrote (or re-wrote), get it in by May the fourth (5/4/26) to be considered for this songwriting competition - [email protected] 

Send us Fan Mail

MTV has left the building. AI walked in. Legends bowed out. Records shattered. And somehow, music still found a way to surprise us. Dave and Kelly wrap up season one with a look back at the hellos, goodbyes, and our “Top 10” list of 2025 — plus one last Off The Record A&M pick to play us out.

If you want to attend Dave & Kelly’s songwriting lab & feedback panel on Friday, February 27th, 2026 at Worship Northwest in Kaizer/Salem, OR, visit https://worshipnorthwest.com/pre-conference-intensives

Send us Fan Mail

Recorded live from the Christian Musician Summit ( https://christianmusiciansummit.com/ ) in Tacoma, Washington.  From the history of the Gospel Music Association to Bill Gaither and Cece Winans, Dave & Kelly unpack the 56th Annual Dove Awards.  

Watch the entirety of the 56th Dove Awards here:  https://youtu.be/CPrCn9eF6JQ?si=yvirCgto3drX_TS7

Send us Fan Mail

Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl is officially in the world, and it broke all kinds of Billboard records no one knew existed.  In this 13th episode, Dave and Kelly break down every song on the album with their thoughts on the lyrics, delivery and production all inside of an hour and 13 minutes.

Join Dave and Kelly at CMS in Tacoma/Puyallup, Washington on Friday, November 7th at 11:30am for a songwriter's panel Songwriting Feedback Panel for Real-Time Song and Lyric Review - https://cms2025.sched.com/event/28ivD

Register for the Christian Musician Summit in Tacoma November 6-8, 2025 here: https://christianmusiciansummit.com/

Send us Fan Mail

More songwriting, except this time it's all about Taylor Swift.  We expand on her songwriting, her career, and her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl, coming out October 3, 2025.  We also announce our winners for the summer songwriting challenge!