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The Tom Petty Project
A deep dive review of Tom Petty's catalogue
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8. Grew Up Fast
23:39||Season 11, Ep. 8“We grew up fast and no-one seemed to notice. We grew up fast and we grew up alone”. All of us latch key kids can relate very easily to what he’s communicating here. Even though our parents loved and supported us, quite often we were just left to our own devices. During school holidays, once I was 9 or 10 years old we were just left at home, left to sort out our own lunches, let ourselves in and out of the house responsibly and hopefully not burn the place down trying to cook a Christmas pudding in the microwave. Top tip by the way, that doesn’t work! This idea of self-relience then morphs into emotional abandonment in the second half of this verse; “Mom and Dad Were never what we wanted”. And I think about this line differently now that I’m a parent too. We’re all just muddling through as best we can as parents, but we’re just as flawed and insecure as our kids, they just don’t see that!If you want to check out the song ahead of the episode, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/coBgb7Ef9uoIf you'd like to read Phillip Larkin's beautiful "Church Going", you can find that here: https://www.thepoetryhour.com/poems/church-goingNOTE: There is some profanity in the poem, This Be The Verse.Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetompettyprojectBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tompettyproject.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetompettyprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetompettyprojectThreads: https://www.threads.net/@thetompettyprojectAll music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.comThe Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way and when you’re looking for Tom’s music, please visit the official YouTube channel first and go to tompetty.com for official merchandise.A last very special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research. And further thanks to Warren Zanes for his outstanding book "Petty, the Biography".Producer: Kevin BrownExecutive Producer: Paul Roberts
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7. Walls (Circus)
25:54||Season 11, Ep. 7“Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky”. There’s something so brilliantly grand and epic about that line. The ocean and the sky are both vast and hint at the complexity of being human. You also have the contrast between something that is heavy, and anchored to a point in the ocean and the wide open, limitless possibilities of the sky. We’ve all said it before, but this is why Tom is a cut above most writers; his ability to express an idea that complex and that rich in such a seemingly simple yet abstract way is just remarkable.If you want to check out the song ahead of the episode, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/_aoEIA38kTQAnd if you want to check out the fantastic video, you'll find that one here: https://youtu.be/ZfS6Nl962QgDon't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetompettyprojectBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tompettyproject.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetompettyprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetompettyprojectThreads: https://www.threads.net/@thetompettyprojectAll music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.comThe Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way and when you’re looking for Tom’s music, please visit the official YouTube channel first and go to tompetty.com for official merchandise.A last very special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research. And further thanks to Warren Zanes for his outstanding book "Petty, the Biography".Producer: Kevin BrownExecutive Producer: Paul Roberts
6. The Heartwood Soundstage Crew (Live from Gainesville with Pete Nester)
21:19||Season 11, Ep. 6Pete Nester is down in Gainesville at the Tom Petty Weekend, subbing in for me as I can't be there. He's been doing a fantastic job of connecting me with the weekend via messages, video clips, and photos and he's even gone the extra mile and interviewed a few folks down there! As well as some of the artists, he caught up with some of the amazing crew that make this weekend one of the best festival experiences of the year; Lynne Ellison, Dan Spiess, and Brandon Leavitt.Sit back, relax and enjoy Pete Nester's conversation with Lynne, Dan, and Brandon!Check out the Heartwood Soundstage website here: https://heartwoodsoundstage.comDon't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetompettyprojectBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tompettyproject.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetompettyprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetompettyprojectThreads: https://www.threads.net/@thetompettyprojectAll music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.comThe Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way and when you’re looking for Tom’s music, please visit the official YouTube channel first and go to tompetty.com for official merchandise.A last very special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research. And further thanks to Warren Zanes for his outstanding book "Petty, the Biography".Producer: Kevin BrownExecutive Producer: Paul Roberts
5. Jake Thistle + Jared Hart (Live from Gainesville with Pete Nester)
26:06||Season 11, Ep. 5Another roving report from our man on the ground out at the Tom Petty Weekend in Gainesville. This time, my pal Pete Nester catches up with the main man, Jake Thistle, and also chats to Jared Hart, singer and guitarist with the best-named band you're gonna hear in the next ten years; Lowly Worm and the Fantastic Beverages!Sit back, relax and enjoy Pete Nester's conversation with Jake and Jared!Check out Jake's website here: https://jakethistle.com/homeCheck out Lowly Worm and the Fantastic Beverages here: https://lowlywormandthefantasticbeverages.comDon't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetompettyprojectBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tompettyproject.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetompettyprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetompettyprojectThreads: https://www.threads.net/@thetompettyprojectAll music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.comThe Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way and when you’re looking for Tom’s music, please visit the official YouTube channel first and go to tompetty.com for official merchandise.A last very special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research. And further thanks to Warren Zanes for his outstanding book "Petty, the Biography".Producer: Kevin BrownExecutive Producer: Paul Roberts
4. MADWOMAN (Live from Gainesville with Pete Nester)
25:25||Season 11, Ep. 4Surprise! Here's a special episode for you. My pal and roving reporter Pete Nester, from the Honest and Unmerciful Record Review Podcast, is down in Gainesville and grabbed some time with the brilliant MADWOMAN, who blew him away. The conversation talks focuses heavily on artistry, community, and collaboration. This is a fun, breezy, enjoyable chat!Sit back, relax and enjoy Pete Nester's conversation with MADWOMAN!Check out MADWOMAN's website here: https://www.madwomanband.comAnd please go follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madwomanmusicNote: There is a little profanity in this conversation.Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetompettyprojectBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tompettyproject.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetompettyprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetompettyprojectAll music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.comThe Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way and when you’re looking for Tom’s music, please visit the official YouTube channel first and go to tompetty.com for official merchandise.A last very special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research. And further thanks to Warren Zanes for his outstanding book "Petty, the Biography".Producer: Kevin BrownExecutive Producer: Paul Roberts
3. 10 Questions with Shawn Murphy
16:48||Season 11, Ep. 3Today’s bonus episode is the second part of my conversation with the wonderful Shawn Murphy. We dug down into which opening act he'd like to see at a Heartbreakers show and his choice for which artist to cover which of Tom's songs is an absolute firecracker!Sit back, relax and enjoy my ten questions with Shawn Murphy.Check out the Tom Petty Trail website here: https://tompettytrail.comAnd please follow Shawn on social media here:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564939387545Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tompettytrailDon't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetompettyprojectBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tompettyproject.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetompettyprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetompettyprojectAll music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.comThe Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way and when you’re looking for Tom’s music, please visit the official YouTube channel first and go to tompetty.com for official merchandise.A last very special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research. And further thanks to Warren Zanes for his outstanding book "Petty, the Biography".Producer: Kevin BrownExecutive Producer: Paul Roberts
2. Shawn Murphy
01:01:13||Season 11, Ep. 2Today’s special episode is part of a fantastic conversation I had with the brilliant Shawn Murphy, a lifelong Pettyhead who built and maintains the amazing Tom Petty Trail.com website. Shawn and I chatted about being an outsider growing up and how music can help us through those difficult formative years as well as his recent battle with cancer and how it sharpened his focus on pulling together the amazing resource that he has. If you’re traveling down to Gainesville this week for the Tom Petty Weekend, TomPettyTrail.com is going to be an essential resource for you! Sit back, relax and enjoy my conversation, with Shawn Murphy.Check out the Tom Petty Trail website here: https://tompettytrail.comAnd please follow Shawn on social media here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564939387545Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tompettytrailDon't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetompettyprojectTwitter: https://twitter.com/TomPettyProjectInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetompettyprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetompettyprojectAll music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.comThe Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way and when you’re looking for Tom’s music, please visit the official YouTube channel first and go to tompetty.com for official merchandise.A last very special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research. And further thanks to Warren Zanes for his outstanding book "Petty, the Biography".Producer: Kevin BrownExecutive Producer: Paul Roberts