Buckle Up, Buttercup. Resident Themeweaver Brian Just joins Dan to talk about Randy Newman's contributions to !Three Amigos! (1986). We break down Randy's role on the movie, as well as Brian's latest album Countryside. Plus we get into barbershop quartets, swedish cover bands, Andy Kindler, and Randy's fame-meter. Plus, we de-chipmunkify the Singing Bush. Then Brian SPINS THE WHEEL! Remember that, old-timers? And this week's cover is....special.

Dan is Starstruck! The incomparable Julie Klausner (YES! THAT JULIE KLAUSNER!) spins the wheel as we go song-by-song through episode one of Cop Rock. And Cop Rock is....well hell, son. You know what Cop Rock is. This is a can't miss episode!

Author, world traveler, and life-long friend Raymond Miller takes a spin. We talk about the thrills of building a cookbook with his mother, the challenges of writing for villains, and his almost-moment with the Little Rock Nine.

Then we talk about "Shame", Randy's monologue for an aging lover who's wrestling with the remnants of what used to be a conscience. Then Dan picks a fight with Dr. Hook.

Thanks Raymond! See you soon.

SHOW LINKS:

www.raymondmiller.com

www.wilmajeanmiller.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXD-Uz8lkU0

Owen Ashworth (Advance Base, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone) joins Dan on a "Kind of Christmas-y" episode of Wheel of Randy. Dan once again walks the sycophantic tightrope, trying to express his extreme fandom without scaring poor Owen. We discuss Owen's Christmas songs, his 2024 album Horrible Occurrences, and some of his many covers over the years, including our mutual respect for Bill Fox. Plus Huey Lewis and juicy Antarctic history!

Owen chose "Last Night I Had A Dream", Randy's cryptic (or maybe just meaningless) dream, which Randy absolutely flies through on his 1971 live album. Owen walks me through the intricacies of telling a story in so few words, as well as the roller coaster of emotions that album puts the audience through. Then Dan discovers Fanny. (Sorry UK folks)

Check out Owen at advancebase.bandcamp.com

Songs from this episode:

From Randy Newman Live:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_jg9ayxyjg

From Sail Away:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tXHBGnGf1g

This Week's Cover -- Fanny:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDH2N7RCNwI&list=RDjDH2N7RCNwI&start_radio=1

Merry Christmas, Wheelies!

Dan

Evan Hughes, the godfather of Tulsa Comedy, joins us on the Wheel. Dan and Evan talk about the complications of the modern comedy scene, the synergy between OKC and Tulsa creatives, and the challenges of performing as a problematic character.

Then we talk about Randy's incel anthem, Lover's Prayer.

TULSA PEOPLE! My next show is February 10, 6:30 pm at Saied Music South, 9320 E 71st Street. Hector Ultreras is opening, and the show is free! It's gonna be a hootenanny.

Thanks Evan! You're the best.

It's not often that Dan gets star-struck, but Billy Jonas is the exception. For 3 decades, Billy has turned both folk music and children's music on their ear, creating a gentle but principled sound that encourages everyone to find their own voice and claim their musical birthright. Dan is a big fan, and you will be too.

Billy breaks down Randy's "Potholes", a lament on growing old, complete with ex-wives, weird fathers, and childhood trauma. Trust me, it's more fun than it sounds.

Parental guide: This episode is rated G, although the song itself (Potholes) does include some adult language.

Thanks Billy! You're the best!

Spleen the Wheel? Is that anything?

Welcome back, Wheelies. If you don't know Joel, you're in for a treat. This guy knows his stuff, and I can see why Mrs. Wheel formed a friendship with him way back when. We break down the bummer of a song "Song For The Dead" and how it stands out from the glut of "Vietnam was sad, actually" rock songs. Want a fun activity? Break out a spreadsheet while you listen and list all the bands we discuss. Then send it to me. [email protected]

Thanks Joel!

Content Warning: Racial Slur in the song (but not in the podcast).

Friend of the show Michial Farmer joins us on this week's (month's?) Wheel of Randy. Michial wrote a lovely review of Born Again a few years ago, and was kind enough to expand on that essay with me.

We cover the little-known, and even less-well-understood, Mr. Sheep. Michial breaks down how easy it is to misunderstand Randy's intentions, and by the end our narrator is in the running for being Randy's dopiest character.

Then I ask the audience to create a cover, and you can almost hear the smugness in my voice when I correctly pronounce MOOG.

Plus Tootsie, Animal House, and John Updike. Try getting all that out of Jokermen.

Also, announcements on new tall-person.com shows.

It's Year Four of Wheel of Randy, and we kick this season off with the one and only Gary Norris, Randy's archivist. Gary has a breadth and depth of knowledge that makes me feel like a noobie, but he's no snob by any means. We talk about his 50-year relationship with Randy; plus Cop Rock, Cats Don't Dance, the could-have-been Jimi Hendrix connection, and how Queen has made sure Gary's collection will never be complete. Spin it!