Music In My Shoes

There's something magical about a determined paperboy chasing John Cusack down, saying "I want my two dollars!" That's the power of an unforgettable movie moment - it sticks with you for decades. In this episode, I dive into why Johnny the Paperboy from 1985's "Better Off Dead" created one of cinema's most quotable running gags despite being just a minor character in the film.

But th...

We welcome special guest Lucy, who attended The Beatles' historic concert at Atlanta Stadium on August 18, 1965, sharing her firsthand experience of Beatlemania and still treasuring her original ticket stub nearly 60 years later.

• Discussion of the Beatles' film "Help!" including its madcap adventure plot and innovative music videos
• Deep dive into the Atlanta Stadium concert, the only Beatles sho...

We take a nostalgic journey through the MTV top videos of 1990, revealing fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and cultural impacts of songs that defined a generation.

• Iggy Pop's "Candy" featuring Kate Pearson after Chrissy Hynde was ghosted 
• Midnight Oil's "Blue Sky Mine" highlighting the deadly impact of asbestos mining in Australia
• Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner&q...

Ozzy Osbourne's triumphant final performance and sudden passing just 17 days later highlights his remarkable journey from heavy metal pioneer to beloved cultural icon. We explore his legacy while reminiscing about forgotten musical gems that transport us back to specific moments in time.

• Ozzy's final concert "Back to the Beginning" in Birmingham featured major bands like Metallica and Guns N' Ros...

Journey back to the summer of 1980 through a recently listened to hour of WPLJ radio from July 18, highlighting the soundtrack of that era and the memories it evokes.

• Exploration of a genuine hour of WPLJ radio from July 18, 1980
• Discussion of Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" from the movie Honeysuckle Rose
• Reminiscing about my Top 5 Favorite All-Time Live Album, The Kinks "One for the ...

The day the world stopped to listen. July 13, 1985 stands as a pivotal moment when music transcended entertainment to become a global force for humanitarian change. Live Aid connected London's Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia's JFK Stadium through groundbreaking satellite technology, reaching nearly 2 billion viewers.

What made Live Aid revolutionary wasn't just its scale but its immediacy. Unlike Woodstock ...

Rock music's evolution unfolds through fascinating personal stories and historic milestones in this nostalgic journey across seven decades of American music. From Bill Haley's groundbreaking "Rock Around the Clock" hitting #1 in 1955, we travel through time exploring the authentic connections between fans and artists before security barriers existed.

The conversation weaves through the 40th anniversary ...

What happens when lifelong fandom meets musical opportunity? Matt Hughes knows firsthand. Having grown up purchasing Black Sabbath albums, Matt eventually found himself trading guitar solos with Tony Iommi and jamming alongside Bill Ward through Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp experiences that transformed his relationship with music.

The most remarkable chapters of Matt's story revolve around Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp, wh...

Jim and Jimmy reflect on some of the iconic music from the summer of 1980, exploring how these cultural touchstones shaped friendships and created lasting memories during a transformative time.

• The summer of 1980 wasn't just hot—it was transformative. As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of The Blues Brothers film, we dive deep into why this musical comedy masterpiece continues to captivate audiences decades later. ...

We pay tribute to two musical legends who recently left us - Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and Sly and the Family Stone's Sly Stone - while celebrating their revolutionary contributions to music history.

• Brian Wilson, the creative genius behind the Beach Boys, died at age 82 on June 11, 2025
• Wilson's incredible harmonies and arrangements made songs like "In My Room" and "Don't Worry Ba...

Mom's radio was always on—at dinner, while cleaning, everywhere—sparking a lifelong love for music that shaped this podcast and our musical journeys. Music becomes a bridge between generations, creating shared experiences that last a lifetime.

• Exploring Music Midtown 2005—a three-day festival featuring six stages
• Lou Reed's performance with amp troubles and orchestral direction of his band
• The White...

Travel back to June 1965 when John Lennon first received his black Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousine – a vehicle destined to become an icon of rock history. We trace the fascinating journey from luxury transport to psychedelic art piece with its famous yellow paint job and swirling patterns.

We celebrate the 40th anniversary of "The Goonies," exploring this beloved adventure film, unpacking memories of its cast inc...

We take a nostalgic journey through the Billboard Hot 100 chart from June 7, 1980, and explore musical milestones of that year including Frank Sinatra's comeback and Peter Gabriel's innovative album "Melt."

• Examination of Billboard Hot 100 hits from June 7, 1980
• Discussion of Frank Sinatra's "Theme from New York, New York" which became his signature song despite being recorded in ...

Jim and Jimmy explore iconic cultural moments from the 70s through 90s, connecting the dots between classic films, personal memories, and music history touchpoints.

• Smokey and the Bandit and its filming locations throughout Georgia
• Memorial Day memories spanning from 1977 to 1990
• Joy Division's tragic story and how Ian Curtis's suicide led to New Order's formation
• The existence of "C...

Music transports us through time as we explore musical milestones and memories that feel both distant and immediate, creating a fascinating perception of different decades.

• Reminiscing about Atlanta's Music Midtown Festival from 1995 and the unique urban setting that transformed into a cultural gathering space
• Why we struggle with 90s nostalgia being "30 years ago" while easily accepting the 80s as 4...

Music becomes a vessel for expressing feelings we can't put into words ourselves, as Jim recounts how he used a Beatles song to declare his teenage affection on a college radio station and how Billy Joel's lyrics helped him navigate heartbreak.

• Using Beatles song "I Should Have Known Better" to woo a girl via radio dedication at age 13
• Billy Joel's Glass Houses album as soundtrack to adoles...

We transport listeners into the futuristic world of the Sphere in Las Vegas as Jim shares his whirlwind 24-hour trip to see Dead & Company in this revolutionary venue. Through vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, we explore the cutting-edge technology that creates an unprecedented concert experience.

• Jim scores a last-minute ticket to Dead & Company at the Sphere
• The Sphere features 16K resolution LED...

Looking back exactly 50 years, we explore the Billboard Hot 100 charts from April 26, 1975 – a time capsule that reveals a diverse musical landscape. From America's "Sister Golden Hair" to Queen's "Killer Queen," each song carries its own fascinating backstory that connects to broader cultural moments of the era.

We share personal memories of these songs, including childhood misinterpretations...

Join us on a journey through musical touchstones and cultural milestones, weaving together fascinating stories that connect the dots between film, music, and innovation.

• The 1985 film "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" featured Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt
• "We Are the World" by USA for Africa reached #1 on April 13, 1985, featuring an unprecedented lineup of 21 solo vocalists including Michael...