More From Vegas!
It's a Saturday suggestion at WAIM as we return to the desert for more goodies from the big PodJam event last month.
Back in March I was thrilled to be a part of a two day festival featuring live podcast tapings, stand-up comedy, and musical performances called PodJam. During the event, I taped a live episode of the WAIM podcast with guest and friend, Gareth Sever. The entire weekend was a cavalcade of community, creativity, and love. It was an incredible experience that left me inspired and invigorated.
One of the highlights of the trip was getting to see my friends Barry and Abigail Hummel of the Pops On Hops podcast. Barry and Abigail have been friends for a few years now and have been huge supporters of my work at WAIM and my solo touring endeavors. I’ll be with them again in June as part of my East Coast tour.
The conceit for Pops on Hops is wonderfully simple; one of the pair picks a record to discuss and the other finds a series of beers to try with the album. Over the course of the episodes they delve into what they love about each record, and the ways in which it moved them. Barry and Abigail also sample the beer and rate it on a five point scale. The songs and the beer are often just a jumping off point for a fascinating discussion of family, friendship and philosophy.
During PodJam, Barry and Abigail also taped a live episode with our mutual friend, musician Nick Martino. It was a treat to see all of these folks in person and to spend real, quality time with them. What I hadn't planned on was what a treat it would be to watch my friends tape their show live.
Abigail and Barry have been guests here on the show, and I have appeared a number of times on their show. In fact, in the Vegas taping, I made a brief cameo, solidifying my fifth appearance on the show. So, it’s fair to say that I know how their show works and I knew what to expect, but to see it live and to be charged in real-time by the Pops on Hops crew was an unexpected delight.
Sit back, relax and enjoy an hour of a father and daughter delving into a record by Nick Martino’s band, the New York Funk Exchange, and we’ll also sample a couple of beers form Able Baker brewing in Las Vegas. Hope ya dig it.
Cheers,
Matty C
Wow, Matty! Thanks for sharing this! We were so glad that you stepped in to serve as our guest bartender! It made the day that much more special! Congratulations on becoming the inaugural member of the "Pops on Hops Five-Timers Club!"
I love the "POH" podcast. They do a wonderful job and I've enjoyed a few brews (and bands) based on what they were partaking in and playing.
As Covid was setting in several years ago I was asked to host a podcast for my local brewery. I called it, "Beers with Billy" and every Thursday night I'd set up my portable recording equipment at the end of the bar and my "guests" would end up being the patrons that were there that night. Some "guests" were more than happy to talk (especially if they had some beers in them) and some had zero interest, but each episode started with, "Hi, I'm Billy. What are you drinking?" Followed by, tell me about yourself. What do you do, what interesting things have happened to you in your life, travels, education, etc...". The podcast was hosted on the brewery's website but Covid hit, the brewery closed and the podcasts disappeared.
POH's format and terrific show is really inspiring me to start it up again. Keep up the amazing work!