The Starter

You hear a song, and a memory opens up.
Music carries us through life; the good, the bad, the tragic, and the wonderful.
Through it all, the songs remain.
This series of audio essays explores our relationship with music, the songs that made us, and what it means to be human in this world.
A story of inheritance, brotherhood, and music. What gets passed down, and where it all began.
Welcome to The Starter.

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Welcome to the Starter

Jun 30, 26

Welcome to the Starter

Welcome to the Starter (a Trailer). First 3 Episodes to be published Tuesday, July 7th: Ep 1: GracelandEp 2: Paint it BlackEp 3: Only a River Additional episodes will be published every two to three weeks. Ep 4: I Got a Name to be published Tuesday, July 21st. Ep 5: Swimming to be published Tuesday, August 11th. Thank you for listening, - Stephen

Ep 1: Graceland

#1 Jul 07, 26

Ep 1: Graceland

Some mornings I wake up before dawn, and I know that I’m not going to fall back asleep. This was one of those mornings...Time to get up. I had bread to make anyway... There are certain albums that feel like slipping on an old worn leather jacket when you play them. The songs remind us of who we are, and where we came from. It's all right here. "I've reason to believe we all will be received in Graceland." Album: Graceland Artist: Paul Simon

Ep 2: Paint it Black

#2 Jul 07, 26

Ep 2: Paint it Black

The dream was always there. Ever since I heard a rock and roll song as a kid that made me pause long enough to wonder, what is this?... Music carries us through life; sometimes one song can stay with you for the whole ride. Maybe it was the dark psychedelic energy or the raw power of good and true rock and roll, but something about this song kept bringing me back.. "I see a red door, and I want it painted black." Song: Paint it Black Artist: The Rolling Stones

Ep 3: Only a River

#3 Jul 07, 26

Ep 3: Only a River

We cannot reverse the river’s unstoppable current, we can never go back. But with the right song, at the right time, perhaps we can visit for a while... When someone great is gone, there are decisions to be made. Sometimes the answers can be found in the music, or maybe a song can at least help lead us in the right direction. "Only a river gonna make things right, only a river gonna make things right." Song: Only a River Artists: Josh Ritter, Bob Weir

Ep 4: I Got a Name

#4 Jul 21, 26

Ep 4: I Got a Name

This wasn’t the first time I had been there; holding a nameless baby boy in the labor and delivery ward of St Joe’s Hospital. It wouldn’t be the last either... A story of legacy, as told through names, and how we carry them through life. As the youngest of three boys, I started my own tradition, and I had been saving this song. "Like the pine trees lining the winding road; I got a name, I got a name." Song: I Got a Name Artist: Jim Croce