Dr. Leah Payne, author of the new book God Gave Rock and Roll To You, joins us to talk about the roots - and fruits - of the contemporary Christian music subculture. From the Pentecostal and Holiness movements of a century ago to the January 6th riots, Payne and host John J. Thompson wrangle with the odd and sometimes troubling history of the scene. You'll hear an amazing collection of historic and contemporary song clips along the way. Find the full show notes at TrueTunes.com/GodGaveRock. If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!

Even with champions like Peter Gabriel, U2, Jim Kerr, and others singing their praises, and songs like “The Walls Came Down,” “I Still Believe” and “Let The Day Begin” scratching out a presence on college and alternative radio, The Call never lived up to the commercial potential their fans knew they deserved. And when frontman, vocalist, and primary songwriter Michael Been passed away in 2010 while on the road with his son Robert Levon Been’s band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, it became heartbreakingly clear that The Call was on 80s band we would not be hearing more music from.   Or would we?   Recently the band found several previously unreleased – and in some cases unfinished songs. The surviving members regathered, adding fresh tracks to fill in the empty spaces, and giving them an incredible polish. They then reached out to fans via a new Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds necessary to release this LOST TAPES project – a campaign that closes in late February 2024. When the band reached out to us, to see if we would like to talk about this incredible project, we jumped at the chance. So on this special episode we sit down with keyboardist Jim Goodwin to hear not only about The Lost Tapes, but about what it was like to write songs, record, and perform with the band back in the day.   Hopefully you heard our full-length special episode featuring a previously unheard 1994 interview with Been, rescued and restored from an ancient cassette tape. If not, please do. And if you have not backed the Kickstarter campaign, you can do that HERE. (We certainly hope you will.) If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our MERCH!

On this "impossibly short version of the ongoing conversation you'll find at TrueTunes.com" we revisit our conversation with rapper, author, and activist PROPAGANDA!  About The True Tunes Microdose Episodes: As we look back on our first 100 episodes we have gathered some of these "greatest hits" - never more than 5 minutes long - to remind long-time listeners of where we've been and give new folks a chance to check us out.  To hear the original show CLICK HERE.  If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!

On this "impossibly short version of the ongoing conversation you'll find at TrueTunes.com" we revisit our conversation with Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty, and Dan Michaels of The Choir. Few bands embody the spirit of spiritual yearning, artistic exploration, emotional risk, and impressionistic ambiance as completely as this veteran crew.  About The True Tunes Microdose Episodes: As we look back on our first 100 episodes we have gathered some of these "greatest hits" - never more than 5 minutes long - to remind long-time listeners of where we've been and give new folks a chance to check us out.  To hear the original show CLICK HERE.  If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!

On this "impossibly short version of the ongoing conversation you'll find at TrueTunes.com" we revisit our conversation with Eric Marshall, who has been releasing some of our favorite alternative worship music for well over a decade under the moniker YOUNG OCEANS. About The True Tunes Microdose Episodes: As we look back on our first 100 episodes we have gathered some of these "greatest hits" - never more than 5 minutes long - to remind long-time listeners of where we've been and give new folks a chance to check us out.  To hear the original show CLICK HERE.  If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!

On this "impossibly short version of the ongoing conversation you'll find at TrueTunes.com" we revisit our conversation with Prog Rock legend Neal Morse (of Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, Flying Colours, and The Neal Morse Band.) Morse took us on a journey through the history of progressive rock and his own artistic and spiritual discoveries.  About The True Tunes Microdose Episodes: As we look back on our first 100 episodes we have gathered some of these "greatest hits" - never more than 5 minutes long - to remind long-time listeners of where we've been and give new folks a chance to check us out.  To hear the original show CLICK HERE.  If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!

On this "impossibly short version of the ongoing conversation you'll find at TrueTunes.com" we revisit our conversation with Pianist, songwriter, and filmmaker Phil Cook. Cook - who cut his teeth as a member of Bon Iver - has been releasing some incredible solo material lately AND has been chronicling some of the best North Carolina roots Gospel music through his label Spiritual Helpline. His film Stay Prayed Up knocked us out!  About The True Tunes Microdose Episodes: As we look back on our first 100 episodes we have gathered some of these "greatest hits" - never more than 5 minutes long - to remind long-time listeners of where we've been and give new folks a chance to check us out.  To hear the original show CLICK HERE.  If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!

On this "impossibly short version of the ongoing conversation you'll find at TrueTunes.com" we revisit our conversation with the Third Man Records artist Natalie Bergman. Her story, and her music, captivated us as she added her humble (but seriously impressive) offering to the Jesus Music repertoire.  About The True Tunes Microdose Episodes: As we look back on our first 100 episodes we have gathered some of these "greatest hits" - never more than 5 minutes long - to remind long-time listeners of where we've been and give new folks a chance to check us out.  To hear the original show CLICK HERE.  If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!

On this "impossibly short version of the ongoing conversation you'll find at TrueTunes.com" we revisit our conversation with songwriter, worship leader, artist, and hymnist, Sandra McCracken. Having recently joined forces with Taylor Leonhardt, Jess Ray, and Leslie Jordan to form The Paper Horses, Sandra continues to evolve and innovate.  About The True Tunes Microdose Episodes: As we look back on our first 100 episodes we have gathered some of these "greatest hits" - never more than 5 minutes long - to remind long-time listeners of where we've been and give new folks a chance to check us out.  To hear the original show CLICK HERE.  If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!

On this "impossibly short version of the ongoing conversation you'll find at TrueTunes.com" we revisit our conversation with songwriter, artist, and pioneer, Terry Scott Taylor. Between his solo work, his groundbreaking work with the band Daniel Amos, his collaboration with The 77s' Michael Roe, The Choir's Derri Daugherty, and Adam Again's Gene Eugene as The Lost Dogs, and even his more experimental or humorous work with The Swirling Eddies or as the composer of soundtracks for animated shows and video games, Taylor has been setting invitingly high standards since the 1970s. If there is ever anything resembling a True Tunes Mt. Rushmore - be certain that Taylor's glorious mug will be etched thereupon.  About The True Tunes Microdose Episodes: As we look back on our first 100 episodes we have gathered some of these "greatest hits" - never more than 5 minutes long - to remind long-time listeners of where we've been and give new folks a chance to check us out.  To hear the original show CLICK HERE.  If you want to support the show, please join our Patreon community or drop us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!