The Touring Fan Live

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1259183/open_sms] What happens when music becomes more than entertainment—when it transforms into an emotional sanctuary during our darkest moments? This episode explores the profound connection between music and our ability to process life's greatest challenges, particularly as we confront mortality and loss. Anthony opens with a raw confession about turning 40 and experiencing the deaths of friends, including one who passed from ALS at just 44 and another who took their own life at 41. These events sparked a deeply personal question: What songs serve as our comfort blankets when life gets heavy? For Anthony, it's Pink Floyds- "Wish you where here"—not for its lyrics, but for the way it builds and progresses, offering emotional release when he needs it most. Trey shares how Pearl Jam's "Off He Goes" has become his conduit for grief, initially connected to memories of his friend Eric, then later helping him process the loss of his friend Jeffrey to brain cancer. This conversation reveals how certain songs accumulate emotional resonance over time, becoming repositories for our deepest feelings and memories. The discussion weaves through analysis of Pearl Jam classics like "Once"—described as the definitive foundation of the band—and "Green Disease," a politically charged track whose critique of greed feels even more relevant today than when it was released. We examine how different drummers throughout Pearl Jam's history have reimagined these songs, breathing new life into familiar compositions. Between wine tasting notes and vinyl recommendations (including passionate debates about The Bravery versus Built to Spill), we explore how music serves as a timeline for our lives. Anthony recounts the overwhelming emotion of hearing My Morning Jacket's "Time Waited" with his daughter after years of struggling to conceive—a perfect example of how music marks our most significant life moments. This episode celebrates the beautiful vulnerability that comes from sharing honest reactions to music without judgment. As Anthony says, "If it doesn't make you feel something, then why are you doing it?" Join us for a heartfelt conversation about how music helps us remain human in the face of life's greatest uncertainties. www.TheTouringFanLive.com media@TheTouringFanLive.Com www.facebook.com/TheTouringFanLive [https://www.facebook.com/TheTouringFanLive] Instagram-@TheTouringFanLive Copyright The Touring Fan Live 2026

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1259183/open_sms] There's something profoundly meaningful about sharing a transcendent concert experience with the people you love most. In this deeply personal episode, I take you inside the magical My Morning Jacket show at Kansas City's Uptown Theater where I celebrated turning 40 by bringing my wife and daughter to experience the band for their first time (my 20th). From our prime spot on the rail where Jim James made a special connection with my daughter, to the spellbinding performance that stretched 33 minutes past curfew, the show exemplified everything that makes live music a transformative force. Grace Cummings delivered a mesmerizing opening set before joining the band for an unforgettable collaboration, while the Kansas City crowd demonstrated why this city remains an underrated music hotspot. The heart of this episode features my conversation with the brilliant Courtney Schoeberlein, the artist behind the stunning concert poster that captured my daughter's imagination. Courtney shares her remarkable journey from bartending to becoming a full-time artist, the thrill of working with her dream band, and the fascinating philosophy behind concert poster art. Her perspective on how posters serve as vessels for both the creator's and the audience's memories reveals why these artifacts matter so much to the music community. As I reflect on four decades of life and hundreds of concerts, I explore the profound question of why we chase these live music moments. It's not just about hearing songs performed—it's about creating touchstone memories that connect us to specific times, people, and feelings. These shared experiences become part of who we are, stories we can tell long after the music fades. Whether you're a dedicated concertgoer or simply curious about the power of live music, this episode celebrates how these fleeting moments can become the anchors that give our lives meaning and connection. What moments are you chasing? www.TheTouringFanLive.com media@TheTouringFanLive.Com www.facebook.com/TheTouringFanLive [https://www.facebook.com/TheTouringFanLive] Instagram-@TheTouringFanLive Copyright The Touring Fan Live 2026

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1259183/open_sms] What does it mean to witness true musical spontaneity in an era when most concerts feel meticulously scripted? After following Jack White's No-Name Tour through three Midwest cities in a single week, I discovered the answer—and it forever changed how I view live music. Standing at the rail for consecutive nights in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Omaha, I watched as White and his band delivered three completely different performances without using setlists. The musical telepathy required is astounding—his drummer never taking his eyes off Jack, waiting for subtle cues that indicate which song comes next. His guitar tech orchestrates a complex dance of instruments, untangling cords and facilitating seamless transitions between songs that weren't planned moments before. Kansas City delivered the most electric night, with White feeding visibly off an enthusiastic crowd, even performing without his guitar for the first time in my fifteen shows of seeing him. Then came Omaha—a businesslike performance without audience acknowledgment, zero White Stripes songs, and not a single word of banter. This wasn't disappointing but fascinating—the realization of White's expressed desire to perform a show featuring only his solo material without saying a word. The undisputed highlight across all venues was "Archbishop Harold Holmes" from White's latest album—a song that transforms into a quasi-religious experience live. This new material deserves as much recognition as his White Stripes catalog, representing an artist who continues to evolve rather than simply recycling past glories. The tour concluded with a personal highlight when my nine-year-old daughter unexpectedly met White at our hotel. Her genuine smile when he noticed her White Stripes shirt reminds us that these human connections—artists inspiring the next generation—often matter most. If Jack White is coming anywhere near your city, don't hesitate. There's nothing else like it on tour right now. www.TheTouringFanLive.com media@TheTouringFanLive.Com www.facebook.com/TheTouringFanLive [https://www.facebook.com/TheTouringFanLive] Instagram-@TheTouringFanLive Copyright The Touring Fan Live 2026

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1259183/open_sms] Grab your headphones and settle in as we dissect Rolling Stone's controversial list of the Top 70 Music Documentaries of all time. What starts as a critical examination quickly transforms into a passionate debate about what truly makes a music documentary great. The disconnect becomes apparent immediately: Is Rolling Stone's list actually about documentaries, or is it just another way to celebrate their favorite musicians? We unpack how concert films are fundamentally different from true music documentaries, yet Rolling Stone lumps them together without clear criteria. The result? A list that favors established names over genuine documentary excellence. From Metallica's raw vulnerability in "Some Kind of Monster" to the manufactured mythology of "Montage of Heck," we analyze why some films reveal authentic truths while others reinforce carefully constructed images. When Bob Dylan's "Don't Look Back" takes the #1 spot, we ask the uncomfortable question: is this truly the pinnacle of music documentary filmmaking, or just Rolling Stone paying homage to their perennial favorite? The conversation extends beyond critique as we share our own must-see music documentaries that offer genuine insight into artists, their creative processes, and the cultural moments they inhabited. From "Pearl Jam 20" to lesser-known gems like "Dennis and Lois" and "The Fearless Freaks," we champion films that balance musical performance with human storytelling. Whether you're a documentary enthusiast or a music lover seeking deeper connections with your favorite artists, this episode will transform how you view the intersection of music and filmmaking. The greatest music documentaries transcend fandom—they should reveal something universal about creativity, human relationships, and the artistic struggle that resonates with any thoughtful viewer. www.TheTouringFanLive.com media@TheTouringFanLive.Com www.facebook.com/TheTouringFanLive [https://www.facebook.com/TheTouringFanLive] Instagram-@TheTouringFanLive Copyright The Touring Fan Live 2026

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1259183/open_sms] We discuss the fascinating world of Pearl Jam covers - both songs they've covered and Pearl Jam songs covered by other artists. The conversation reveals our different perspectives on whether cover songs enhance or detract from Pearl Jam's live performances. • Willie Nelson's cover of "Just Breathe" with his son Lucas transforms the song completely while maintaining its emotional core • Chris Cornell's rendition of "Footsteps" stands as possibly the greatest cover of a Pearl Jam song ever • Pearl Jam has covered an astonishing number of artists, from Neil Young to ABBA • The band has played The Who's "Baba O'Riley" 186 times in concert, sparking debate about setlist choices • St. Vincent's surprising cover of "Tremor Christ" showcases her versatility • LiveFootsteps.org now features our song ratings from four years of podcasting • Our new "Vinyl Rewind" segment features REM's "Murmur" and Secret Machines' "Now Here Is Nowhere" • Upcoming concerts and running marathons remain important parts of our lives outside music • Influential albums from 1995 are turning 30, including Radiohead, Foo Fighters, and Smashing Pumpkins Check out LiveFootsteps.org to see all our Pearl Jam song ratings and click through to hear the episodes where we discussed them. www.TheTouringFanLive.com media@TheTouringFanLive.Com www.facebook.com/TheTouringFanLive [https://www.facebook.com/TheTouringFanLive] Instagram-@TheTouringFanLive Copyright The Touring Fan Live 2026