Do you remember the 21st night of September? Because we sure do! Join Dan, Mike and Ashley on this week’s episode of The Music History Project as we celebrate the iconic Earth, Wind & Fire with interviews from bassist Verdine White, keyboardist Larry Dunn and percussionist Ralph Johnson.

This week The Music History Project will be discussing multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and electronic engineer Don Lewis. Utilizing our interview with him in 2004 in the Museum of Making Music as well as a recent interview in 2021 we will go through Don’s impressive career working for Hammond and Mr. Kakehashi to the creation of LEO (Live Electronic Orchestra).

This week’s episode is dedicated to the King of Soul, Sam Cooke. Join Dan, Mike and Ashley as they discuss Sam’s influence and contribution to not only soul music  but popular music as well. Enjoy stories from Jerry Blavat and Al Schmitt who worked with him in the industry, Tommy Roe and Chris Montez who toured with him and Ellis Hall and Deacon John Moore who were inspired by him.

The Music History Project is featuring the inspiring musician and songwriter Benjamin Scheuer this week. Join Ashley, Dan and Mike as they discuss Benjamin’s infectious passion for music and the unique and remarkable career he has had. Benjamin also performs a few of his songs including “Cookie Tin Banjo”, “I Am Samantha” and “Weather the Storm” and shares the stories behind them.

The introduction of the synthesizer brought with it a many new types of sounds and a new way of thinking when it came to creating instruments. This week on The Music History Project, hear from some of the legendary synth pioneers that creatively and scientifically invented some of the most iconic sounds in recent popular music including Don Buchla, John Chowning, Suzanne Ciani, Bob Moog and Malcolm Cecil.

Mike, Dan and Ashley are going behind the scenes this week to discuss the evolution of Front of House (FOH). Using interviews from the NAMM Oral History collection, the team begins with a review of the innovations that took place while Rusty Brutsche was developing Showco. This episode also features highlights from the careers of audio engineers Scott Rodgers, Karrie Keyes, Buford Jones, Baja Fletcher, as well as the founders of Roadies of Color United, Bill Reeves and Lance Jackson.

This week on The Music History Podcast Mike, Ashley and Dan will be featuring two industry heroes of the pickup! Discussing their first designs and the evolution of the product will be the Founder of Seymour Duncan, Seymour Duncan and the Founder of the Bill Lawrence Guitar Pickups, Bill Lawrence.

The Music History Project continues highlighting the remarkable steel guitar this week by discussing the great innovators over the years. Join Ashley, Mike and Dan as they chat about the evolution of this versatile instrument and some of the key players. Enjoy interviews from industry greats Lowell Kiesel, Jody Carver and Kay Koster as well as iconic musicians Junior Brown, Paul Franklin and Chuck Campbell.

The Music History Project is celebrating their 100th episode this week and highlighting the inspiring career of the Co-Founder of the Jazz Education Network, Mary Jo Papich! Join Dan, Mike and Ashley as they discuss the importance of music education and the wonderful work Mary Jo is doing as a music advocate.

The Music History Project will be highlighting the steel guitar in our next two episodes. In this episode Dan, Mike and Ashley will be discussing the pioneers of this versatile instrument and going through its fascinating history. Enjoy interviews from iconic musicians Speedy West, Bud Issacs, Buddy Merrill, Gary Morse, Alvino Rey and Buddy Emmons, as well as industry legends Herb Remington and DeWitt “Scotty” Scott.