A song can change a life, and sometimes it waits decades to do it. Sal Baglio, the lead vocalist and guitarist behind Boston legends The Stompers, traces his creative path shaped by family, grief, grit, and a Hollywood surprise that rewired his future.

Sal opens up about the way songs “hover” before landing, why he never writes by formula, and how honoring the mystery keeps the music honest. He shows how instinct, not industry, has always been his compass.

The conversation opens up further as Sal shares his battle with depression, the toll of medication, and the season he quit performing to work in addiction recovery. Out of nowhere a call from Hollywood changed everything: Adam Sandler wanted to put his song “American Fun” in a movie. That out-of-the-blue sync revived his sense of purpose.

The episode also talks about community and competition in the Boston music scene – how bands sharpened each other, how humility grows with time, and why being a “good hang” matters as much as chops. Sal tells hard-won stories of opening for giants, getting booed by the wrong crowd, and returning stronger. The most moving moment arrives with his mother’s final days: a mutual exchange of forgiveness that closes the circle. It’s a reminder that music isn’t just performance; it’s presence.

For more on Sal:

https://theamplifierheads.com

Out Of The Blue:

For more: outoftheblue-thepodcast.org

For exclusive content: patreon.com/podcastOOTB