Hall Watchers

What vocalists do we wish we sounded like? What songs by fictional bands are our favorites? Just why the hell DO we follow the Rock Hall? Join us for a fun, laid-back episode with friend and frequent guest Greg Peurach where we blindly ask each other 5 music related questions!

In 2002 the Rock Hall inducted Stax co-founder Jim Stewart, but excluded his sister Estelle Axton, the other Stax co-founder. Today we discuss her life and impact at Stax, why the label couldn't have succeeded without her and why her exclusion is a mistake that needs to be corrected. We also give a brief history of the Ahmet Ertegun award, discuss the ugly allegations against him and once again implore the Rock Hall to change the category name.

With a career spanning over 60 years and 10,000 session recordings, including the Mission Impossible theme and the Pet Sounds album, Wrecking Crew member Carol Kaye may just be the bassist whose work you've heard the most. So why isn't she inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Join us as Mary gives an overview of Carol's career, the Musical Excellence category, and the Rock Hall's continued appalling treatment of women.

This week we're chatting with musician, songwriter, producer, author and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Holly Knight, a woman who helped shape the MTV era with hits like "Love Is A Battlefield", "Obsession" and "I Am The Warrior". We talk about her life and career, including her memoir, her memories of Tina Turner and the appalling lack of women in both the Rock Hall and Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Today we're honored to welcome Extreme’s lead singer, Gary Cherone, to talk about Extreme's new, long-anticipated album 'SIX'. Mary and Gary go track by track to discuss several of the lyrical themes, including social media behavior, human connection, spirituality, mental health, cynicism, and the drawbacks of fame.     

With new energy and a killer setlist, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and company bid an epic goodbye to Los Angeles at the Forum May 20. Join us as Eric recaps the show!

Join us as we recap our weekend at the M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland! We discuss our favorite acts of the weekend, what we thought of the festival overall and most importantly, Ted Poley.

It's that time of year again! Join us as Mary surprises Eric with the Rock Hall 2023 class. Lots to unpack here, including our hurt feelings that Warren Zevon was snubbed, and pure joy that Link Wray finally is being honored!

Join us for a relatively casual episode before we go on hiatus! We talk about a grab bag of topics, including the Rock Hall vs Courtney Love situation, a recap of the Los Lobos show, the Power Trip festival and mini-reviews of the shows we're watching. 

How informed should a voter for the Rock Hall be, and are some voters just plain unqualified? Prompted by a recent Vulture piece, we ask those very questions, push back against the ageism in the piece and discuss what the qualifications for a Rock Hall voter should be. Also covered is an update on Dorothy Carvello, her lawsuit against the Ahmet Ertegun estate, and what this should mean for the Rock Hall.

This week, we're thrilled to welcome Jordan Zevon, award-winning singer-songwriter and son of music legend Warren Zevon. We discuss his dad's overdue Rock Hall nomination, David Letterman, modern artists Warren admired, and Jordan's involvement with the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.

Tune in for a fun (and sometimes emotional) conversation with our longtime friend Steve Hanna. We review the recent Bruce Springsteen show, discuss Steve's fandom of Elvis Costello, what he thinks about the Rock Hall and that time he got Sebastian Bach to text Axl Rose. 

We just wanted to take a very quick moment to help promote our friend Courtney E. Smith's new podcast, Songs My Ex Ruined. Join Courtney and her co-host Melissa as they interview guests about the one song they just can't listen to anymore because it got ruined by an ex. If your vibe on Valentine's Day is "Love Stinks", then don't worry, Courtney and Melissa have your back!

Last year we got a lawyer, this year we finally got the guns and money! Join us for a live reaction to the Rock Hall 2023 ballot where Eric surprises Mary with the nominees.

Join us for a light-hearted episode where Mary and Eric surprise each other with 10 music related questions, often with hilarious answers. It's a fun time where you learn just how far Eric is willing to go for the sake of world peace, and why Mary loves 80's hard rock so much.

Today we're joined by our friend Greg Peurach to discuss the Early Influence, Ahmet Ertegun, and Musical Excellence categories at the Rock Hall. We talk about some of the history with categories, discuss what we would change, and then pick 5 artists we'd love to see inducted for each category.

"Get in the van" and join us for our last show of the year where we name 23 acts that should be potential nominees for Rock Hall 2023. From a sardonic singer songwriter, to a goth queen to a badly behaved "Crüe", there's something for everyone here. 

Join us as we recap the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony! We talk about the excitement in the air the day before, and then discuss each inductee and what we thought of their performances. 

We're back by popular demand to analyze Extreme's album 'III Sides To Every Story', an ambitious work beloved by fans. Mary discusses how the album's themes of war, racism, self reflection, personal growth and spirituality still very much resonate today.

Today we review the documentary 'Dio: Dreamers Never Die' about the late Ronnie James Dio, then segue into a conversation about why Ronnie needs to be inducted into the Rock Hall under Musical Excellence in 2023.