Holiday episodes tend to follow a predictable formula — a little nostalgia, a little sentimentality and a playlist full of songs everyone has heard a thousand times. This one is different. The conversation begins in an unexpected place: the Super Bowl. Not just any Super Bowl, but the post-9/11 Rams–Patriots game in New Orleans, where the stadium was wrapped in military security and U2’s emotional halftime performance unfurled the names of the victims across a towering screen. It’s a moment burned into cultural memory, and for the hosts, a reminder that some halftime acts transcend criticism.

From there, the episode shifts to its true centerpiece: holiday music, the most emotionally loaded genre in the canon. For one host, the holidays mean vinyl — physical albums, needle drops, and a ritualized rotation of Crosby, Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Elvis. The family knows the rules, right down to flipping the record. Mariah Carey remains undefeated in the broader culture, but not in this house; veto power is real.

That tension highlights the deeper point: holiday music is a convergence of personal taste, family history, and cultural inheritance. The discussion branches into the question of single-artist albums versus compilation records, along with the unexpectedly diverse range of options. The picks include Hanukkah Rocks from The LeeVees, Adam Sandler’s comedic classic, a Kwanzaa album from Sweet Honey in the Rock, and even the unexpected genre-bending of Christmas on Death Row. Holiday music, the hosts argue, is one of the few categories where listeners willingly cross cultural borders without hesitation simply because the season invites it.

Holiday Standards & Staples

• Bing Crosby – “Merry Christmas”
  https://www.bingcrosby.com
• Frank Sinatra – “A Jolly Christmas”
  https://www.sinatra.com
• Nat King Cole – “The Christmas Song”
  https://www.natkingcole.com
• Dean Martin – “A Winter Romance”
  https://www.deanmartin.com
• Beach Boys – “The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album”
  https://www.thebeachboys.com
• Harry Connick Jr. – “When My Heart Finds Christmas”
  https://www.harryconnickjr.com

Hanukkah & Kwanzaa Picks

• The LeeVees – “Hanukkah Rocks” (JDub Records)
  https://www.jdubrecords.org (archive)
• Adam Sandler – “The Chanukah Song”
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5Z-HpHH9g
• Sweet Honey in the Rock – “Seven Principles: Kwanzaa Album”
  https://sweethoneyintherock.org

Holiday Oddities & Deep Cuts

• Run DMC – “Christmas in Hollis”
  https://www.rundmc.com
• Christmas on Death Row – Various Artists
  https://www.deathrowofficial.com

From spontaneous tours to personal storytelling, this episode dives deep into the life of a touring band and the creative forces that drive them. The conversation explores how music shapes both the artists and their fans, from childhood inspirations to live shows that feel like family gatherings. Along the way, Robby shares hilarious interview moments, fan stories, and the unpredictable joys of performing around the country.

What is it really like to tour, collaborate, and make music as a band? In this episode, Robby reflects on his creative process, the challenges and humor of life on the road, and how deep relationships and fan connections shape their art. From cover songs and solo projects to the absurdity of “stupid interview questions,” get an inside look at what it means to live and breathe music.

Finding Inspiration on the Road:
Robby discusses how travel and new experiences feed their creativity, often taking risks to explore places off the typical tourist path. He emphasized that his artistic journey is deeply rooted in personal experiences gained through touring, and how seeing the world beyond tour buses and venues enriches their music.

Band as Family:
Touring isn’t just work—it’s a lesson in human connection. Robby describes the intricate bonds of collaboration, comparing the band’s relationships to chosen family and how conflict is managed with patience, communication, and respect, much like adult family dynamics, to preserve both their friendships and creative output.

Cover Songs and Musical Influences:
From reinterpreting classics like Lola to revisiting personal childhood favorites such as Sussudio, Robby explains how covers serve as both homage and creative experimentation. They reflect on the lasting influence of artists like Genesis, Queen, and Neil Young, and how music from formative years continues to inspire their performances.

Fan Connections and Criticism:
The conversation delves into the complex relationship between artists and their audiences. Robby acknowledges online criticism but focuses on connecting with fans in meaningful ways, recognizing that every listener brings their own personal history to the music. He also highlights the joy of meeting fans in person and seeing firsthand the impact of their work.

Live Shows and Touring Life:
Live performances are more than just playing songs—Immersive experiences for both band and audience. The band talks about capturing the energy of live shows in recordings, the excitement of iconic venues like Cane’s in Tulsa, and the small joys of touring, from local food spots to sports games nearby.

Solo Projects and Personal Expression:
The origins of his solo work, initially personal and introspective, and how it evolved into recorded music with its own emotional tone. These projects demonstrate the balance between individual creativity and collaborative band life.

Stupidest Interview Questions Game:
Ending the episode Robbie tackles Josh and Dave’s absurd questions with poise and grace. Stupid questions, such as:

• “Have you ever thought about doing a song in a Boston accent?”
• “Why do you hate Texas?”
• “Tell us about your solo project.”
  
  

Reflection and Gratitude:
Throughout the conversation, Robby emphasizes their love for music, the joy of performing, and the privilege of connecting with fans and each other. He describes music as a shared journey, where creativity, humor, and human connection coexist, making the road less about glamour and more about meaningful experiences.

Music has always been more than just entertainment—it’s a cultural barometer, a protest platform, and, sometimes, a lightning rod for controversy. In this lively episode, the hosts dive into decades of music history, from the disco backlash of the 1970s to modern social commentary in rock and hip-hop. They begin by dissecting the explosion of disco, a genre derided for its perceived shallowness, and the subsequent enduring legacy of bands like KC and the Sunshine Band. Their songs, while catchy and danceable, became emblematic of an era, later celebrated nostalgically at themed parties and weddings.

The conversation shifts to protest music, exploring how iconic tracks subtly—or overtly—challenge societal norms. Bob Marley’s Get Up, Stand Up, Public Enemy’s Fight the Power, and Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name Of exemplify songs whose messages seep into listeners’ consciousness, even when the catchy rhythm dominates first. Meanwhile, classic anthems like John Lennon’s Imagine or Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival are recognized immediately for their cultural and political significance.

Artists’ control over their music in political contexts also comes under scrutiny. Many musicians, from Bruce Springsteen to the estates of George Harrison and Isaac Hayes, have refused to let politicians use their songs at rallies, demonstrating the tension between art, intellectual property, and public messaging. Interestingly, only the Village People permitted use, highlighting exceptions in an otherwise protective landscape.

The hosts also profile Papa Roach, whose song Getting Away With Murder blends social commentary with personal responsibility. Unlike fully political bands like Rage Against the Machine, Papa Roach focuses on self-reflection, charitable outreach, and connecting authentically with fans—showing there’s more than one way for musicians to impact society.

Finally, the episode turns to nostalgia and live music experiences, including yacht rock acts like Toto, Christopher Cross, and Men at Work. The hosts highlight the joy of rediscovering music from the past, the thrill of live performances, and the cultural significance of music documentaries.

Whether analyzing protest songs, political restrictions, or the enduring charm of classic hits, this episode underscores music’s multifaceted power: it entertains, inspires, challenges, and, ultimately, transcends generations.