What Am I Making
What Am I Making Podcast
WAIM# 072 - Barry Hummel's Greatest Night Of Live Music
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WAIM# 072 - Barry Hummel's Greatest Night Of Live Music

This week, I welcome back Barry Hummel of the Pops on Hops Podcast to talk about the show of his life, what he looks for in a live music experience, and so very much more.

Barry Hummel has become something of a regular fixture here at What Am I Making. Along with his daughter, Abigail, Barry is half of the Pops On Hops podcast, a father-daughter exploration of music, beer, and family. The Hummels have become frequent guests here on the show, and they have even hosted me twice on my house concert tours. They have also become true friends.

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Barry had a tough time narrowing his selection down to a single pick. He wanted to choose a night that had an emotional attachment entwined with a great night of music. Despite a myriad of live shows under his belt, Barry eventually settled on a Crosby, Stills & Nash show from the early 90’s. The evening coincided with his first wedding anniversary, and Barry and his wife Darby went to the show to celebrate. Little did they know they would receive a wonderful surprise gift in the form of a cover song via CSN. You’ll have to listen to the whole show to hear that little secret. 

What begins as a discussion about one great night of live music quickly veers in a dozen different directions. Barry and I are famous for our long winded conversations about music, politics, culture, and film. This chat covers that magical night at Walnut Creek with Crosby, Stills & Nash, but also hits on the culture of college towns and looking for the magical moment of a live performance. As is always the case when Barry joins me, it is funny, insightful, fluid, and fascinating. 

Cheers,
Matty C

Discussion about this podcast

What Am I Making
What Am I Making Podcast
Hey there. I’m Matty C. For the formally inclined folks in the crowd, the official designation is Matt Carlson.
I am a 50 year old musician, songwriter, and graphic designer that's spent the Covid era pondering deep and meaningful questions about music, film, literature and art in the 21st century.
It seems as though we’re living in age where musicians have to give their music away, content is around every corner and we don’t seem to really value much of any of it the way we used to.
What is it really like to make a living pursuing a life in the arts these days? Why are we seeing a lower percentage of artists in the workforce than at anytime in 100 years?
Now, I’ve reached a point of massive change in my life and I am preparing to spend more of my time, and hopefully, generating a portion of my income from my creative endeavors. That’s a terrifying endeavor, but it’s also incredibly exciting.
I’ll be discussing these ideas and a whole lot more of my own curiosity and creative endeavors on this platform using the written word, videos, podcasts, music and probably some other assets I learn along the way. I’ll be seeking out smart, and fascinating creatives as they build their own lives while fighting an ever-growing series of new challenges and opportunities.
All of these journeys and detours are an effort to share my exploration of culture in the modern world, and to help shine a brighter light on the work I have been doing for years as a musician, designer and podcaster.
This discussion is at the very center of our civilization, what it means to be human andhow to find a meaningful way to connect through that shared humanity in the form of artistic expression. Art is at the core of the relationship. Let’s explore it with that context, and that incalculable value, in mind.
If you enjoy what you hear on the show, please subscribe to my Substack where I also I post this podcast as well as a variety of essays, video and recordings regularly in my search to find out what art really matters to people right here and right now, and they are willing to do to invest in our culture.
Thank you so much for being here. It’s wonderful to have your support.
https://whatamimaking.substack.com