Best Round Springfield Podcasts (2025)

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From the Archives: The Original Christmas Special (Rerun) 34:03

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1d ago34:03

34:03

Bonus content for those who may have missed our very first holiday special, "A Very Yachty Christmas." From the original show notes: Our favorite convention from the late 70s and early 80s: Everything had a Christmas Special! And every year, they would rerun the same holiday special specials and we never got tired of them. It was tradition! Our yac…

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S6.E26: The All New Christmas Special! 49:27

8d ago49:27

49:27

The season finale to year six of Out of the Main features an all-new Christmas Special! We’ve done yacht rock Christmas, smooth Christmas, charity Christmas, CCM Christmas…what’s left? How about a trip down memory lane celebrating some of our favorite Christmas music — all genres — from the era we love? N.B.: Here’s Tom’s herein mentioned new “Tota…

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S6.E25: Perfect Album Side? - Duran Duran, Side 1 49:36

20d ago49:36

49:36

Back with another “Perfect Album Sides” episode, John and Tom discuss and dissect Duran Duran’s debut record, but wait—this gets confusing. We’ll look at the 1983 American reissue of the band’s 1981 premiere, which has difference mixes, different tracks, different track names, and different, well…just about everything. As a matter of fact, the very…

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S6.E24: Strings Attached 42:42

1M ago42:42

42:42

What role did strings play in pop rock music (and the like) in the 70s and 80s, and how did that differ from what came before and what was to come after? Like most things, strings took on a new art form and played a new role during the slice of recorded music history we celebrate around here. By listener suggestion, Tom and John walk through the ne…

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S6.E23: Deeper Dive: Paul Davis 37:51

2M ago37:51

37:51

How much do you really know about the artist Paul Davis? Did you know, for example, that he once held the Guinness Record for most consecutive weeks in the top 40? Well, that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Join us this week for a deeper dive into Paul Davis, and see if you don’t just come away surprised by a “fun fact” or two! N.B.: Read the articl…

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S6.E22: This Is How You Duet 42:19

2M ago42:19

42:19

Did our favorite era of music also include the peak of the duet as well? When you think of all-time great duets, which songs come to mind? John and Tom discuss what makes for a great duet, in their view, and explore why the 70s and 80s were perhaps the Golden Age of the Duet (as was the case with so many other things!). 👉 The guys count down each o…

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S6.E21: Three-Album Runs 42:16

3M ago42:16

42:16

The Rule of Three. Does it apply to albums from the golden era of rock and roll? Let’s explore! Sure to generate some discussion and debate, help us identify the Rise, Peak, and Fall in three-album runs from the 70s and 80s! N.B.: Give us your thoughts (and a follow!) on our Facebook page when we post about this episode! Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find…

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S6.E20: Sleepwalking Again, with Ole Børud 47:28

3M ago47:28

47:28

Ole Børud rejoins the podcast, this time to give Tom, John and listeners of Out of the Main a sneak peek at Ole’s new record, dropping September 26th. “Sleepwalking Again” drops everywhere, and you should drop everything to give it a spin, stream, download…and pick up the physical format! Tune in this week to hear the stories behind the record, inc…

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S6.E19: Buried Treasures, 80s Edition 45:27

3M ago45:27

45:27

By now you’re familiar with the concept of “buried treasures.” Well, as we coast out of summer and into fall, Tom and John provide their takes on an all-80s-inspired Buried Treasures episode (not yacht). They each approached it a bit differently, but tune in, if you care or dare! N.B.: Here’s Tom’s playlist of the songs that made into this episode,…

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S6.E18: Feeling Plucky, with J-M Sutcliffe 49:16

4M ago49:16

49:16

Super db’s J-M Sutcliffe returns to the podcast, this time to demonstrate various rhythm guitar techniques, most notably the single-note palm mute that so permeates yacht rock and the like. Or, as Tom likes to call them, “the plucky plucks.” Want to see the plucky plucks in action? Be sure to watch the video version this week. Link to our YouTube c…

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S6.E17: In Memoriam: Chuck Mangione 52:33

4M ago52:33

52:33

Accomplished trumpeteer and flugelhornist Tony Guerrero joins the podcast to help us remember the recently lost legend that was Chuck Mangione. Having had the opportunity to play with both Grant Geissman and Charles Meeks, the man knows of where he speaks! Tune in to help us celebrate the life of one of music’s greatest maestros. Rest in peace. N.B…

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S6.E16: Odds and Ends 39:35

5M ago39:35

39:35

Typically reserved for the end of the year, the decks needed clearing in July this year. Tom and John rifle through some stored up odds, ends and tidbits full of miscellany, potpourri and sundry. John spends most of his time re-litigating the Jeff Lynne content, as is his won’t. Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠.…

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S6.E15: ELO + Jeff Lynne, Part II 46:53

5M ago46:53

46:53

In Part Two of our two-part episode, John and Tom explore the rest of the timeline in ELO’s run and the later career of Jeff Lynne, both as solo artist and highly sought after producer. There most certainly was a “Jeff Lynne Signature Sound,” and we’ll dig through it all this week! Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice her…

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S6.E14: Artist Exploration: ELO + Jeff Lynne 57:39

6M ago57:39

57:39

Hello, Mr. Radio! You can’t have a podcast about music artistry and sophistication and not cover Jeff Lynne at some point. In Part One of our two-part episode, John and Tom explore the career of Jeff Lynne — before during and after Electric Light Orchestra. Tune in to learn the tricks of the trade, the science behind the madness, and the man behind…

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S6.E13: Flying Solo, Five on Five 39:37

6M ago39:37

39:37

Did the art of the solo in pop/rock music peak between 1975 and 1985? And why did it become something of a lost art thereafter? John and Tom discuss the history and importance of the solo (any instrument) in modern music history, each sharing five of their favorite solos for purposes of demonstration and admiration. What do you think are the elemen…

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S6.E12: Artist Focus: Ned Doheny 40:50

7M ago40:50

40:50

Where does Ned Doheny fit into this ongoing conversation? Might he be one of four on yacht rock’s Mt. Rushmore of under-the-radar solo acts? With that often “proto”-identifying sound…definite embrace of the yachty R&B vibes…that omnipresent acoustic guitar rooting down the rhythms? He’s a bit of an enigma, which is why Tom and John took a deeper di…

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S6.E11: Ghost Stories 42:57

7M ago42:57

42:57

Were there ghosts in the music machine back in the 70s and 80s? Most certainly…more than you know. This week, John and Tom share their favorite ghost stories: uncredited session performances on some of music’s most famous tracks, no less — and likely, some of which you never knew were there! It's Halloween in May! (or something) Listen and Subscrib…

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S6.E10: You Still Don’t Know Rick Springfield 38:39

7M ago38:39

38:39

Part 2 of our exploration into the storied career of Rick Springfield examines the post-heyday chapter. Tom was shocked how much he liked a certain three-album run from this era of his story. Perhaps you will be too! Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠. Referenced and Related: ⁠⁠Playlist of songs featured on Out of…

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S6.E9: You Don’t Know Rick Springfield 49:27

8M ago49:27

49:27

How well do you really know Rick Springfield? What about Tim Pierce, Mike Baird, Jerry Hey, Richard Page and Tommy Funderburk? There’s a lot to like and a lot that gets unfairly dismissed about the man with more than 20 charting hit singles to his name. If all you think of when you hear “Rick Springfield” is “Jessie’s Girl,” allow Tom and John to o…

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S6.E8: Turning the Pages 51:32

8M ago51:32

51:32

Tom and John take a tour through the long and storied careers of Richard Page and Steve George. Beginning with their early careers as session vocalists, through the three-record run Pages had, all the way through the game-changing band that was Mr. Mister. Quite the evolution for two of music’s hardest-working but underrated geniuses. N.B.: The Ins…

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S6.E7: Modern Smooth, with Super db 39:33

9M ago39:33

39:33

J-M Sutcliffe, vocalist and guitarist with Super db, joins the podcast to discuss the band’s history, influences and trajectory. Of course, the boys can’t resist talking about “single-note” rhythm guitar, an essential element of smooth, west-coast-influenced pop rock. With notes of funk, R&B and yacht rock, Super db’s hooks and rhythms are irresist…

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S6.E6: The End of the Road to the Vinyl Four 54:06

9M ago54:06

54:06

Kevin Sucher, founder and vocalist with yacht rock tribute band The Docksiders, joins Out of the Main to help John and Tom finish off the madness that was their March 2025 tournament of champions: The Vinyl Four! What was the biggest, baddest, most important album from (roughly) 1975 to 1985 in (mostly) the genres we cover on the podcast? Tune in t…

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S6.E5: The Madness Continues, Round of 32 44:28

9M ago44:28

44:28

The Road to the Vinyl Four continues apace. On the line: What is the “biggest” album of our era? This week’s guest judge: Russ Fitzpatrick, vocalist with Page99. Next up: The Sibilant 16! (?) Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠. Referenced and Related: ⁠⁠Playlist of songs featured on Out of the Main⁠⁠ ⁠John’s Spoti…

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S6.E4: It’s March! Time for Some Madness! 44:12

10M ago44:12

44:12

The Road to the Vinyl Four continues in earnest. This March, we’ll finally settle the score: What is the “biggest” album of our era? This week’s guest judge: Tom Bieniewicz, lead singer of August Red. Let’s do this! Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠. Referenced and Related: ⁠⁠Playlist of songs featured on Out of …

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S6.E3: Take Five 37:29

10M ago37:29

37:29

Take these five _____________ and rank them in order from worst to first. Pretty simple concept…let’s see if the boys can handle it! Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠. Referenced and Related: ⁠⁠Playlist of songs featured on Out of the Main⁠⁠ ⁠John’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Tom’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlis…

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S6.E2: The Vinyl Stretch 42:48

10M ago42:48

42:48

This is the last of the preliminary regional brackets to set up the March madness that will be our Vinyl Four tournament! Coming next month: the conclusion of our 64-album tournament to crown the “biggest” album between (roughly) 1975 and 1985 in (mostly) the genres we cover! Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠. Re…

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S6.E1: Reaction to Rick Beato Reaction Video 42:47

11M ago42:47

42:47

Is yacht rock “bullshlt?” Well, we don’t think so…but it appears that Rick Beato may. In his recent reaction video that dropped during our inter-season break, he voiced his opinion on the Yacht Rock Dockumentary and the “genre” more generally. Did he get it right? Or do John and Tom — Heavens to Murgatroyd! — disagree with their podcasting idol? “W…

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S5.E46: Christmas with Chris Christian 51:44

1y ago51:44

51:44

In our final episode of Season 5 — and just in time for the Christmas season — Chris Christian returns to the podcast to walk John and Tom through the genesis (🛎️), history and timeline of Christian Contemporary Music, or CCM. One of the most interesting musical icons we’ve ever had the pleasure and privilege to interview, Chris is a treasure trove…

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S5.E45: Open (Listener) Mic Night 44:40

1y ago44:40

44:40

Listener Mike rejoins the pod for a totally unscripted, casual conversation, tackling a range of musical topics near and dear to the hearts of the people who love music from what we consider “The Golden Era.” As the kids say, “Real ones know.” Dive in to follow along! Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠. Referenced…

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S5.E44: Yacht Dock, with Garret Price 55:46

1y ago55:46

55:46

You’ve heard the music, you’ve seen the movie, now hear the stories behind the story! Garret Price, Director of HBO’s “Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary,” joins Tom and John to provide all of the background, origin stories, and behind-the-scenes intel that went into the making of a spectacular docKumentary about the music this podcast was founded to explo…

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S5.E43: Album Focus: Sports 45:35

1y ago45:35

45:35

Tom and John take a break from the sophistication — or DO they?! — to do an album focus episode on Huey Lewis and the News’ Sports album. A Bob Clearmountain joint, there just might be more to this album than you’ve given it credit for. Only one way to find out! Check out: A deep dive into the collaborative networks of Yacht Rock, the nerdy abstrac…

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S5.E42: On the Road (Again) to the Vinyl Four 30:11

1y ago30:11

30:11

John and Tom are on the road (again) to The Vinyl Four, marching toward madness that will conclude next season. Follow along (and yell at your podcast player) as they go through the third of four first-round brackets to find the most important/consequential/impactful/enduring record of our time! Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of y…

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S5.E41: The Manhattan Transfer, with Listener Jonathan 45:20

1y ago45:20

45:20

$upporter Jonathan returns to Out of the Main to walk John and Tom through the history, music and talent that was The Manhattan Transfer. Are they a Buried Treasure of the yacht rock era? With roots in 1930s jazz and influence that continues to this day, let’s pay tribute to one of the truly under-appreciated artists of our time. And if you’re like…

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S5.E40: About Face 40:06

1y ago40:06

40:06

Who are some artists that did an “about face” — whether over time or overnight, a band or solo artist who so dramatically changed their sound that the two versions of themselves are practically unrecognizable with one another? For example: The David Foster Chicago versus Pre-David-Foster or Pre- and Post-Michael-McDonald Doobie Brothers. IN FACT, f…

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S5.E39: This Is Halloween 37:05

1y ago37:05

37:05

Happy Halloween, Out of the Mainers! It’s time for a Halloween Special, and you’re all invited to the party! Now, to make the playlist… Playlists Referenced: Halloween on the Yacht 80s Halloween Party Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠. Referenced and Related: ⁠⁠Playlist of songs featured on Out of the Main⁠⁠ ⁠Joh…

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S5.E38: Starbuck’s Bruce Blackman Returns! 47:01

1y ago47:01

47:01

Bruce Blackman, co-founder of Starbuck, is back with big news! Fresh off of the release of his new three-record/CD box set, “Moonlight Feels Right, the Collection: 1975-2023,” Bruce brings fresh tales from the creative front lines. With stories that date back to 1970, include another band name altogether, and run right up to the day he got contacte…

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S5.E37: Off Your Radar 45:18

1y ago45:18

45:18

This week John and Tom devote an entire episode to music, artists, albums or songs that may be off your radar…but shouldn’t be. What did we find? Tune in to find out! What about you: What would you like to share that might be “off our radar?” Listen and Subscribe: ⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠. References and Related: ⁠⁠Playlist o…

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S5.E36: You Keep Using that Word, Prog 45:28

1y ago45:28

45:28

It was always going to come to this: finally, an episode on “prog.” We’ve been touching on “progressive rock” almost from the beginning, with crossovers that include yacht rock acts like Ambrosia. But what is prog rock, and how is it defined? More importantly, for our purposes: Which prog rock artists of the 70s made the successful turn into the 80…

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S5.E35: Forward Momentum, with Mike O’Cull 48:02

1y ago48:02

48:02

Author of a relished tweet, lifelong musician, and accomplished music blogger/journalist Mike O’Cull joins Tom and John to expand and expound upon a brief “manifesto” we read in a prior episode: the notion of “forward momentum” throughout the history of music. Does there still remain forward momentum when it comes to artistry in music? Or did we ge…

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S5.E34: Album Side: Boston’s Third Stage, Side 1 43:52

1y ago43:52

43:52

Once again, John and Tom go searching for the perfect album side. Will Boston’s Third Stage, Side 1, pass muster? Leave us your comments and observations on Facebook! PLUS: What would you say is the perfect album SIDE…just a side; not the whole album. In fact, perhaps (like those we’ve taken on so far) the other side is decidedly NOT perfect, which…

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S5.E33: Continuing Down the Road to the Vinyl Four 40:06

1+ y ago40:06

40:06

The tournament continues. John and Tom return to the hi-fi highways on their way toward the Road to the Vinyl Four. Join us for a tournament featuring 64 of the best and most important albums from 1975 to 1985 (roughly), to be concluded in March 2025. Did they get it right? Were there any upsets and Cinderella stories? You be the judge. Next time, …

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S5.E32: Preeminent Fronts 39:59

1+ y ago39:59

39:59

Who are the best front men and women of our time? No, not today…not of all time…but of “our” time. Think mid-70s to mid-80s. No solo acts allowed. Stay within the genres we cover. John and Tom each choose their top 10. Now let’s hear yours! Listen and Subscribe: ⁠⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠⁠. References and Related: ⁠⁠⁠Playlist …

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S5.E31: Dane Donohue Record Release Party 59:42

1+ y ago59:42

59:42

On the heels of the release of his first new album in 46 years, Dane Donohue returns to the podcast to celebrate and discuss the release of “L.A. Rainbow.” Tune in to hear all about his production collaboration with none other than John Nixon himself. A story that began in 1978 finally gets its encore. Don’t miss our prior interviews with Dane to h…

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S5.E30: Album Focus: Toto 50:58

1+ y ago50:58

50:58

At long last and by persistent listener request, John and Tom run down the debut Toto album (aka “Toto I” to some) and bask in the genius that started it all. Tune in for John and Tom’s analysis of the first in the legendary group’s deep catalogue, and follow along the track-by-track dissection and discussion. As always, leave us your own thoughts …

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S5.E29: Ranking Journey: The Steve Perry Years 46:05

1+ y ago46:05

46:05

Mark Donnelly returns to the podcast last week to finish off our in-depth coverage of the history of Journey. This week, he and the guys rank all of the studio albums during the Steve Perry years to jointly determine which of this section of the catalogue reigns supreme. As we did with our Prince ratings earlier in the season, we invite you to play…

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S5.E28: Take a Little Journey with Mark Donnelly 51:28

1+ y ago51:28

51:28

Mark Donnelly, on loan to us from Fireworks Magazine across the pond, joins the podcast to help educate us and our listeners on the history of the band Journey — one of the greatest to come out of the era we love. From the days before Steve Perry (including connections to Santana and Steve Miller Band), through the Steve Perry heyday, and beyond to…

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S5.E27: “I Write the Songs,” with Kenny Nolan 35:01

1+ y ago35:01

35:01

Songwriter Kenny Nolan, the man behind the pen for so many hit songs from the 1970s to today, joins Tom and John to discuss the art and history of songwriting, starting with “My Eyes Adored You,” which Frankie Valli took to number one. Hear how “Lady Marmalade” was born, learn what came of his lyric “Blue Eyes in Georgia,” and maybe even offer a “P…

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S5.E26: Christopher Cross in Atmos Spatial, with J Clark 44:56

1+ y ago44:56

44:56

Courtesy of our friends at Seeker Music, John and Tom got a sneak preview of the August 1 release of the original Christopher Cross album, remixed in Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio. The guys are joined by engineer, mixer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist J Clark of Infrasonic Sound, who walks us through the process, techniques and intended outcomes o…

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S5.E25: Heading Out on the Road to the Vinyl Four 41:22

1+ y ago41:22

41:22

The tournament begins! John and Tom take to the hi-fi highways on their way toward the Road to the Vinyl Four. Join us for a tournament featuring 64 of the best and most important albums from 1975 to 1985 (roughly), to be concluded in March 2025. John and Tom kick it off by tackling the first-round matchups in one of the regions, to be determined a…

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S5.E23.b: The First 10 Videos on MTV, Part 2 32:18

1+ y ago32:18

32:18

Picking up where we left off last week, counting up from six to ten... John and Tom recount the first 10 videos ever played on MTV, providing our recollections, reactions, and a bit o’ analysis, as we try to remember these classics…and to see which have stood the test of time! Click here for the YouTube playlist, “Yacht Rock Music Videos” to chuckl…