Listening to better music and listening to music better - with music industry veteran, author, artist, and producer John J. Thompson and a diverse panel of artists, songwriters, producers, and industry innovators who seek the deeper resonances in music and culture. Knowing that all music is spiritual, can we sing along with the good, the true, and the beautiful in ways that make us better neighbors, more compelling artists, and richer reflectors of the light by which we live and move and have our being? Let’s try.
Episodes
Monday Jun 29, 2020
Monday Jun 29, 2020
In Part Two of our discussion with songwriter, musician, and theological philosopher Michael Gungor we wrap up our exploration of the idea of the re-embodiment of our spirituality and what the implications of that might be for our music and the role artists might play in these disconnected and divided days. We also take deep dives into Bob Dylan’s stunning new Rough and Rowdy Ways LP and Daniel Amos’ groundbreaking 1983 album Doppelgänger – both of which have something important to say about disconnection, disembodiment, and... zombies!?
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Monday Jun 22, 2020
Monday Jun 22, 2020
In his first musical release since the disbanding of his acclaimed Alternative Worship band Gungor, singer, songwriter, author, and spiritual philosopher Michael Gungor visits the podcast to talk about “the flow,” mindfulness, re-embodying our faith and art, and his new experimental solo release under the creative moniker Weiwu: Are You Perfect Yet? We also spin the new EP Miami by veteran indie band Starflyer 59 on the Jukebox on Part One of this Two-Part episode. (Part Two, with the rest of our conversation with Michael, plus Bob Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways and Daniel Amos’ Doppelganger coming soon!)
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If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Saturday Jun 06, 2020
Saturday Jun 06, 2020
In this episode we visit with songwriter, singer, artist, and worship leader, Liz Vice who gets real with us about the challenges, joys, discouragement, and hope she has experienced since the 37-year old Portland native launched a full-time music career, almost by accident, five years ago. She offers her unique perspective and wisdom as a woman of color in these challenging days and we take a listen to her music and a sampling of some of the incredible collaborations she has done with artists like Propaganda, Blitzen Trapper, Sandra McCracken, John Mark McMillan, and others.
See the FULL SHOW NOTES HERE or at: https://truetunes.com/episode-ten-liz-vice-show-notes/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Saturday May 30, 2020
Saturday May 30, 2020
On this Special Edition of the True Tunes Podcast we continued the "Enchantment" theme from Episode Nine by looking at four albums that had that effect, in very different ways, on our host, John J. Thompson. It's an all music episode - the first of its kind - an original of the species. (Make sure to listen to the conversation with Producer and Songwriter Ian Fitchuk on Episode Nine if this is your first time with us!)
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Wednesday May 20, 2020
Wednesday May 20, 2020
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Grammy, CMA, and ACM Award-winning songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ian Fitchuk (Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Mindy Smith, Amy Grant, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, etc) about his journey in music, serving artists, and pursuing musical "enchantment." We also take a listen to Madison Cunningham's Who Are You Now on the Jukebox.
Check out the FULL SHOW NOTES HERE, or here: https://truetunes.com/grammy-acm-and-cma-award-winning-producer-and-songwriter-ian-fitchuk-joins-the-podcast-to-talk-about-enchantment-creativity-and-soul/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Friday Apr 17, 2020
Friday Apr 17, 2020
Join us for this wide-ranging conversation with singer, songwriter, producer, and artist Daniel Smith of Danielson / Danielson Famile / Brother Danielson “fame,” with Jukebox reflections on the 1986 debut album by Adam Again and the surprise new murder ballad by Bob Dylan. We also pay tribute to John Prine and Bill Withers in this reflection on the power, and beauty, of music by, and for, outsiders.
Find the COMPLETE SHOW NOTES HERE or here: https://truetunes.com/episode-eight-daniel-smith-of-danielson-adam-again-dylans-foul-murder-salute-to-prine-and-withers/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Monday Mar 23, 2020
SPECIAL EDITION #1: Happy Birthday, Phil Keaggy! – Listen to the uncut conversation between Phil Keaggy, Rex Paul, and host John J. Thompson, conducted shortly before the release of their blistering rock project, Illumination, last year. How did a piece of long-lost tape and 20 seconds of audio from fifty years ago become a whole new song? How does an artist as accomplished as Keaggy approach life as an indie? How does collaboration speak into his work after all these years?
You heard some short clips of this on the Pilot episode of the podcast last year, but now you get to hear the whole conversation in honor of Phil’s birthday AND to mark his 50 years in the faith. We all seem to have some more “Time” on our hands these days. Use yours wisely. Phil Keaggy sure has. (Includes excellent advice for up-and-coming artists and producers!)
This uncut interview is a sneak peek of what's coming for folks joining our patron program. There's a lot more where this came from.
Check out the SHOW NOTES PAGE HERE, or here: https://truetunes.com/special-edition-1-phil-keaggy-uncut-with-rex-paul-and-john-j-thompson-happy-birthday-phil/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Wednesday Feb 19, 2020
Wednesday Feb 19, 2020
On this episode we visit with artist, songwriter, producer, film-maker, and now teacher Steve Taylor to talk about telling better stories, and telling stories better. Plus we take a look at The Lost Dogs' classic 1993 album Little Red Riding Hood and The Innocence Mission's brand new release See You Tomorrow on the Jukebox. We also get an advance listen to a brand new cut from Terry Scott Taylor's forthcoming LP.
Check out the FULL SHOW NOTES HERE, or here: https://truetunes.com/podcast-ep-7-steve-taylor-show-notes/
And a big thanks to our new sponsor, VisionTrust! Check out their awesome work at VisionTrust.org.
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Monday Jan 20, 2020
Monday Jan 20, 2020
On this episode of the True Tunes Podcast host, John J. Thompson visits with pioneering artist and music industry leader Eddie DeGarmo for a wide-ranging conversation. We also take a look back at some of the best albums of 2019 and give a toast to our good friend, the late, great Brian Healy of Dead Artist Syndrome.
Full Show Notes Available Here or here: https://truetunes.com/episode-six-eddie-degarmo-best-albums-of-2019-brian-healy-tribute/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Wednesday Oct 30, 2019
Wednesday Oct 30, 2019
In Part Two of our "live" True Tunes 30-Year Reunion we listen in on JJT’s conversation with singer-songwriter Michael McDermott, and Jeff Elbel’s interview of JJT, plus we get After The Fire and Avett brothers on the Jukebox.
Check out the FULL SHOW NOTES HERE, or here: https://truetunes.com/podcast-ep-5-michael-mcdermott-jjt-after-the-fire-avett-brothers/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!