For 40+ years, Bertis Downs has been REM's secret weapon – their friend, lawyer, manager, and the guy who helped Berry, Buck, Mills, and Stipe stay true to their vision while conquering the world.
What you'll hear:
• How REM fought record label pressure and won
• Why they refused to tour for 5 years at their peak
• The real story behind Athens, GA becoming a music mecca
• Backstage at the legendary Vote for Change tour with Springsteen
• The one question that ends all reunion speculation
• Plus: Dave gets gonged over chiropractors
From indie darlings to MTV superstars to their graceful exit - this is the inside story of how to make it big without selling your soul.
Perfect for fans of: music industry stories, 80s/90s nostalgia, Athens GA scene, principled artists
[00:00:00] Our REM Favorites & Show Intro
[00:03:09] Pittsburgh Quesadilla Tangent
[00:10:41] Meet Bertis Downs
[00:11:39] From Record Store Buddy to Band Attorney
[00:13:30] What Happens When the Fans Break the Chapel Pews
[00:15:47] Changing the Name of Coach K Court?
[00:16:30] How Integrity and Success Can Coexist
[00:21:00] The Murmur Sessions
[00:26:15] When Athens, GA Was the Center of the Music World
[00:30:02] The Slow Path to Being and Overnight Sensation
[00:32:15] REM’s Three-Legged Dog Era
[00:36:30] The Magic of Live Performance
[00:40:15] Will The Bear Bring on a Reunion Tour?
[00:49:00] REM Meets the Boss
[00:53:00] Making Sense of the Modern Music Business
[00:57:30] Interview Wrap-Up
[00:58:18] Post-Interview Reactions
[01:03:21] Wormholes: Chiropractors, Chicken Cannons and the Gong
[01:09:30] Next Episode: 1977