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Roland Jupiter-8: 40 Iconic Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Know Were Jupiter-8)

Andy Whitmore explores 40 iconic riffs played on the legendary Roland Jupiter-8, recreating famous brass hooks, pads, leads, basses and sequences from classic tracks by Europe, Harold Faltermeyer, Billy Idol, Duran Duran, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Journey, The Human League, Depeche Mode and more.

In this episode, Andy dives into the unmistakable sound of the Roland Jupiter-8 by recreating 40 famous riffs you almost certainly know but may not have realised were played on one of the most legendary analogue synths ever made.

From The Final Countdown and Axel F to Rebel Yell, Relax, Save a Prayer, Obsession, Mirror Man, 19, A Question of Lust and more, this is a fast-moving tour through the brass sounds, silky pads, biting unison leads, basses and sequences that made the Jupiter-8 such an important part of late-70s and 80s music.

Everything you hear is played on Andy’s original Roland Jupiter-8. No software, no emulations, just the real instrument.

If you love classic synths, iconic records, and finding out what was really used on famous tracks, this one is for you.

What you’ll hear in this episode

Huge Jupiter-8 brass sounds
Classic analogue pads and strings
Unison leads and synth hooks
Basses, drones and arpeggiated parts
40 famous riffs recreated on the original synth

Featured artists include

Europe, Harold Faltermeyer, Billy Idol, Duran Duran, Animotion, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Journey, Tangerine Dream, The Human League, Paul Hardcastle, Depeche Mode, Blancmange, Queen, Howard Jones, Simple Minds, Michael Jackson and Tears for Fears.

Chapters

0:00 Intro
0:54 Europe - The Final Countdown - Brass Lead / Pad
1:23 Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F - Main Riff
1:38 Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F - Brass Stab Riff
1:48 Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F - Bell Drop / Swell / White Noise
1:53 Animotion - Obsession - Brass
2:15 Animotion - Obsession - Flute
2:31 Billy Idol - Rebel Yell - Plucked Sound
2:39 Billy Idol - Rebel Yell - Sequence
2:51 Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax - String Intro / Sync Lead
3:22 Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax - Deep Bass Drop / Brass Riff
3:36 Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax - Bass / String Drop
3:56 Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf - Sequence
4:16 Duran Duran - Save a Prayer - Intro Arpeggiator / Unison Lead
4:46 Journey - Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Intro Sequence
4:58 Tangerine Dream - White Eagle - Random Arpeggiator
5:37 The Human League - Mirror Man - Pad / Swell Pad / String Line
5:54 The Human League - Mirror Man - Stab Part
6:11 Paul Hardcastle - 19 - Bells / String Pad
6:32 Depeche Mode - My Secret Garden - Brass Lick
6:44 Depeche Mode - A Question of Lust - Sound FX Intro / Bass
7:05 Blancmange - Blind Vision - Flute
7:24 Blancmange - Blind Vision - Brass Lick
7:27 Queen - I Want to Break Free - Strings Intro
7:44 Queen - I Want to Break Free - Jupiter-8 Synth Solo amped through Fender Twin Reverb
8:14 Howard Jones - What Is Love? - Brass
8:31 Howard Jones - What Is Love? - Synth Solo
8:45 Simple Minds - Don’t You (Forget About Me) - Brass Lick
9:06 Michael Jackson - Thriller - Intro Brass Pad
9:25 Tears for Fears - Mad World - Bass Intro
9:43 Tears for Fears - Mad World - Organ Part
10:02 Tears for Fears - Pale Shelter - Bass Arpeggiator Intro
10:36 Outro

Listen / watch more

For more synth breakdowns, famous riff recreations and classic keyboard content, visit Andy Whitmore online.

Andy Whitmore: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

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That “wait… I know that song!” moment — but it’s all clavinet. 🔥

In this episode, Andy plays 10 instantly recognisable clavinet riffs as short solo snippets — no backing tracks, no full songs, just the hook. From pop and disco to rock and deep funk cuts, this is the clavinet doing what it does best: snappy, percussive, and ridiculously funky.

Play along: try to name each riff before the title is revealed, then tell Andy your score — and which one surprised you most.

Track list (short clavinet snippets)

• Electric Light Orchestra — Last Train to London
• Rufus — Tell Me Something Good
• Greg Kihn Band — Jeopardy
• Bill Withers — Use Me
• The Rolling Stones — Heartbreaker
• Heatwave — Super Soul Sister
• Tina Turner — Nutbush City Limits
• John Paul Young — Love Is in the Air
• Betty Davis — Don’t Call Her No Tramp
• Sherbet — Howzat

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8U-Z6kGx5QE

🌐 Andy Whitmore: https://www.andywhitmore.com/
🏛️ Greystoke Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

Note: This audio episode accompanies the YouTube video and includes short performance snippets for commentary/demo purposes.

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore
Podcast site: https://andywhitmore.buzzsprout.com
Studio enquiries: [email protected]

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That “wait… I know that song!” moment — but it’s all Wurlitzer electric piano. 🎹⚡️

In this episode, Andy plays 11 instantly recognisable Wurly riffs as short solo snippets — no backing tracks, no full songs, just the hook. From Supertramp, The Beatles and Marvin Gaye to Ray Charles, Queen and Beck, this is the Wurlitzer doing what it does best: bark, bite, and that warm, chewy midrange that cuts straight through a mix.

Play along: try to name each riff before it’s revealed, then tell Andy your score — and which one gave you the biggest “NO WAY!” moment.

Track list (short Wurlitzer snippets)

• Supertramp — Dreamer
• Marvin Gaye — I Heard It Through The Grapevine
• The Beatles — Get Back
• Supertramp — The Logical Song
• Cannonball Adderley — Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
• Beck — Where It’s At
• Supertramp — School
• Ray Charles — What’d I Say
• Supertramp — Goodbye Stranger
• Queen — You’re My Best Friend
• Supertramp — Bloody Well Right

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1fRHQauzfOw

🌐 Andy Whitmore: https://www.andywhitmore.com/
🏛️ Greystoke Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

Note: This audio episode accompanies the YouTube video and includes short performance snippets for commentary/demo purposes.

Episode links (optional)

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore
Podcast site: https://andywhitmore.buzzsprout.com
Studio enquiries: [email protected]

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You know these riffs — but do you know which synths played them? I recreate 10 iconic tracks/hooks on the original (or closest practical) keyboards: DX7, Korg M1, JD-800, JP-8080, Jupiter-4, Prophet-5 and more — with quick narration before each performance.

This is a performance-based recreation: I’m playing the parts, rebuilding the patches, and giving a quick intro to each track — then straight into the music.

Accuracy note:
Some originals are well-documented; others vary by source or studio method. Where a part is recreated on a closely related synth (or a plug-in), I’ve stated it clearly below.

Watch the full video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eeRGPLkKNEg

Tina Turner — What’s Love Got To Do With It (1 min edit)
 Fender Rhodes + DX7 (flute) + Roland MKS-80 pads + Minimoog bass (played live to match the original line) + harmonica solo

The Prodigy — Poison (riff)
 Recreated on Roland JD-800 (JD-era Prodigy texture recreation)

Depeche Mode — Just Can’t Get Enough (intro + verse 1)
 Roland Jupiter-4 for bass/lead + Korg Rhythm 55B style drums

Usher — Yeah! (riff)
 Nord Lead 3 recreation of the classic intro hook

Nightcrawlers — Push The Feeling On (track)
 TR-909 drums + 3x Korg M1 parts: sax lick, organ riff, and the string riff from the MK Mix vibe 

Prince — When Doves Cry (track)
 DX7 mallet sound + LM-1 style drum recreation

D-Train — You’re The One For Me (track)
 Prophet-5 parts + LinnDrum drum recreation

Darude — Sandstorm (riff)
 JP-8080 recreation of the classic synth string hook

The Prodigy — Charly (track)
 Alpha Juno lead + full backing recreation

Mouse on Mars — Future Dub (track)
 All parts recreated using JD-800 plug-in (Roland Cloud)

Tina Turner — What’s Love Got To Do With It (full version)
 Full-length recreation using the same keyboard/synth setup as Track 1

Chapters / timestamps

0:00 Intro
 0:24 Tina Turner — What’s Love Got To Do With It (1 min edit)
 1:31 The Prodigy — Poison
 1:57 Depeche Mode — Just Can’t Get Enough
 2:46 Usher — Yeah!
 3:02 Nightcrawlers — Push The Feeling On
 3:53 Prince — When Doves Cry
 4:29 D-Train — You’re The One For Me
 5:58 Darude — Sandstorm
 6:34 The Prodigy — Charly
 7:11 Mouse on Mars — Future Dub
 7:45 Tina Turner — What’s Love Got To Do With It (full version)
 9:38 Outro

Thanks @SamB-z4r (YouTube) for engineering

🔧 Work with Andy

· Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

· Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

· YouTube: @AndyWhitmore
 · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

· TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

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Comment prompt: Which riff surprised you most — and which synth did you think it was?

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Iconic JD-800 riffs you know—Faithless, Prodigy, Depeche Mode, Prince, Genesis—plus hardware vs plug-in A/B comparisons and patches programmed from scratch.

Take a tour through the punchy, glossy world of the Roland JD-800 with a stack of iconic riffs and signature hooks you’ve definitely heard before… but maybe didn’t realise were JD-800.

You’ll hear Faithless, The Prodigy, Depeche Mode, Prince, Genesis—plus a few deeper cuts. For this episode I programmed most of the sounds from scratch (very few factory presets). My original JD-800 is working great, but the YES/NO buttons are dead, so I can’t easily tweak/save lots of edits on the hardware.

To solve that, I built many parts using a JD-800 plug-in that sounds scarily close to the real thing. And where the track uses a factory preset (unedited), I play it on both so you can compare hardware vs plug-in.

Question for you: Which riff surprised you most—and can you hear a difference in the A/B tests?

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

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A fast countdown of the 11 most valuable synthesizers of all time — famous owners, iconic tracks, and the wild prices behind the GX-1, CS-80, Moog modular systems, Jupiter-8 and more.

Welcome to the top 11 most valuable synths of all time. From the Yamaha CS-80 to the legendary Yamaha GX-1, this episode counts down the rarest, most iconic synthesizers ever made — the ones with the biggest reputations and the most stratospheric values.

You’ll hear the famous owners, classic songs they’re associated with, and what makes each machine special — including the EMS Synthi AKS, Roland Jupiter-8, Moog Model 15, Analogue Solutions Colossus, Polyfusion System 2000, Moog System 55, Yamaha DX1, EMS Synthi 100, and the ultra-rare Emerson Moog Modular System.

Chapters:

·       Intro

·       EMS Synthi AKS

·       Roland Jupiter-8

·       Moog Model 15

·       Analogue Solutions Colossus

·       Yamaha CS-80

·       Polyfusion System 2000

·       Moog System 55

·       Yamaha DX1

·       EMS Synthi 100

·       Emerson Moog Modular System

·       Yamaha GX-1

·       Summary / Outro

💥 YouTube: @AndyWhitmore
 🧢 Website: andywhitmore.com
 🎛 Studio: greystokestudio.com

If you enjoyed it, leave a comment or review — your comments are our oxygen.

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

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A straight A/B test: iconic riffs played first on the Roland Cloud JD-800 plug-in, then on my real vintage JD-800—same parts, same context, no tricks. Can you hear a difference?

Roland JD-800 plug-in vs real JD-800 hardware sound comparison.
In this episode I do a proper A/B test: the Roland Cloud JD-800 versus the original vintage Roland JD-800 hardware.

Here’s the format: for each track you’ll hear two quick clips—first the plug-in, then the real JD-800—using the same riff/lick and the same musical idea so you can judge the differences (or similarities) for yourself.

The JD-800 is one of the most iconic early-90s digital synths: bright, “produced,” and instantly recognisable for aggressive leads, glassy keys, and expressive patches.

Featured A/B riffs from:

·       The Prodigy — “Voodoo People” (Wailing Guitar 15 / snarling riff)

·       Depeche Mode — “In Your Room” (intro bass motif)

·       Prince & The New Power Generation — “Damn U” (“Crystal Rhodes”)

·       Prince & The New Power Generation — “7” (Iceman intro → weird FX)

·       The Prodigy — “Their Law” (wailing guitar part)

·       Genesis — “I Can’t Dance” (“Bruiser Tines”)

Question for you: Which one fooled you? Which version do you actually prefer—plug-in or hardware? Leave your pick in the comments, and tell me what synth A/B test you want next.

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

Support the show

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Pure nostalgia and pure presets: the Korg M1 — one of the most recognisable keyboards of all time — and 21 famous parts you’ve definitely heard on records.

This is the talky companion to my YouTube riffs video. In the video I reveal the song name + the preset before I play each part, so this isn’t a guessing game. It’s more like: here’s the sound, why it matters, and what to listen for.

Important note: these are M1 recreations / M1-style parts. That doesn’t automatically mean the original record used only a Korg M1 — many tracks were layered with other synths, samplers and effects. The goal here is to spotlight the signature M1 character: Piano 16’, Organ 2, Choir, pads, and that famous Slap Bass.

If you want a Part 3, tell me what to include: artist + track + the exact section you want recreated (timestamp appreciated).

Intro

Black Box — I Don’t Know Anybody Else — I01 Piano 16'
Robin S — Luv 4 Luv — I17 Organ 2
N-Joi — Anthem — I01 Piano 16'
Sabrina Johnston — Peace — I01 Piano 16'
Nightcrawlers — Surrender Your Love — I17 Organ 2
Kraze — The Party — I01 Piano 16'
49ers — Touch Me — I01 Piano 16'
Sandra — Hiroshima — I00 Universe
Tasmin Archer — Sleeping Satellite — I30 Lore
Law & Order Theme — I46 Slap Bass
Madonna — Vogue — I01 Piano 16'
Aerosmith — Janie’s Got a Gun — I46 Slap Bass
OMD — Sailing on the Seven Seas — I00 Universe (not confirmed)
OMD — Pandora’s Box — I23 Choir
OMD — Call My Name — I23 Choir
Awesome 3 — Don’t Go — I01 Piano 16'
Dream Frequency — Feel So Real — I01 Piano 16'
M.A.N.I.C. — I’m Comin’ Hardcore — I01 Piano 16'
Jaydee — Plastic Dreams — I17 Organ 2
Playahitty — The Summer Is Magic — I17 Organ 2
Whigfield — Gimmie Gimmie — I17 Organ 2

Summary

A fast, talky companion to my YouTube riffs video: 21 instantly recognisable Korg M1-style hooks with the presets explained and called out up front.

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Watcher • Carpet Crawlers • Invisible Touch • Mama • Follow You Follow Me • I Can’t Dance — live-style JD-800 patch recreations + parts

Tony Banks used the Roland JD-800 throughout Genesis’ 1990s tours—here are my closest recreations of his live patches, with the parts transcribed and played in Tony’s live style across six iconic songs.

Tony Banks’ Genesis JD-800 live tour patches recreated (1990s).
In this episode, I recreate Tony Banks’ Roland JD-800 live patches as heard on Genesis’ big 90s tours—then I play the parts the way Tony performed them on stage.

A lot of these lines began life in the studio on totally different instruments (Mellotron, Prophet-10, ARP 2600), but the live JD-800 versions have their own character: big, authoritative pads, punchy stabs, and that unmistakable 90s touring sheen.

Technical note: I’m playing the parts on my JD-800, but what you’re hearing here is the Roland Cloud JD-800 plug-in. Also, my hardware JD-800 buttons aren’t behaving, so I can’t reliably save patches—everything you hear is my best “get it right in the moment” recreation.

If you’re into Genesis keys, Tony Banks parts, and classic synth textures, you’ll enjoy this one.
 Tell me your favourite patch/part, and what Genesis/Tony Banks sound I should tackle next (song + section if possible).

Chapters / Timestamps

Intro
 Watcher of the Skies — Main string pad (studio origin: Mellotron)
 Carpet Crawlers — Main string pad (studio origin: Mellotron layer)
 Invisible Touch — Stabby keyboard (studio origin: Prophet-10)
 Mama — Main pad (studio origin: Prophet-10)
 Follow You Follow Me — Chorus lead riff (studio origin: ARP 2600)
 I Can’t Dance — “Bruiser Tines”
 Summary / What should I recreate next?

Note on authenticity: Live rigs aren’t always about perfectly matching the studio source—they’re about making the part translate through a PA, night after night. This episode focuses specifically on the live JD-800 vibe.

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

Support the show

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The Minimoog Model D is one of the most recognisable synth sounds ever recorded — from funk basslines to prog leads and classic pop hooks. In this episode, I’m doing a straight-up A/B comparison: a Vintage Minimoog Model D versus the 2016 Reissue, playing 21 famous riffs, leads, basslines, and effects back-to-back so you can hear what’s changed… and what hasn’t.

To keep these riffs true to the records, I’m using light, “record-style” effects where needed (chorus/delay/reverb), but the core sound is always the Minimoog. Both synths are treated the same, so the comparison stays fair.

Format

• Each riff is played on both Model Ds (quick-fire, short, and punchy).
• Each chapter is labelled Definitely (documented Minimoog) or Likely (strongly associated / commonly credited as Moog/Minimoog).

Your call: which one wins — Vintage or Reissue?

Definitely

• Intro
• Parliament — Flash Light (Bass)
• Rush — Tom Sawyer (Intro/Bass) — BONUS (originally Oberheim OB-X era)
• Pink Floyd — Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Lead)
• DEVO — Smart Patrol / Mr. DNA (Effects)
• Michael Jackson — Rock With You (Lead)

Likely

• Madonna — Holiday (Lead Line)
• Madonna — Holiday (Bass)
• Rick Wakeman — Catherine of Aragon (Bass Melody)
• Dr. Dre — Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang (Lead)
• D-Train — You’re The One For Me (Bass)
• Madonna — Borderline (Lead Line)
• Madonna — Borderline (Bass)
• Gary Numan — Are “Friends” Electric? (Theme)
• Gary Numan — Are “Friends” Electric? (Lead Line)
• Michael Jackson — Workin’ Day and Night (Bass)
• Michael Jackson — Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (Bass)
• Chaka Khan — We Can Work It Out (Bass)
• Barclay James Harvest — Victims of Circumstance (Lead)
• Stevie Wonder — I Wish (Bass)
• Stevie Wonder — Isn’t She Lovely (Bass)
• Stevie Wonder — That Girl (Bass)
• Outro

If you enjoy these quick-fire, famous-riff shootouts, check out my other classics (M1, D-50, CS-80, DX7, Prophet, Jupiter series and more) — and tell me which synth you want next.

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

Support the show