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This episode opens on a somber note as Craig and Kevin pay tribute to Dolly Parton, who passed away in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer. A songwriter, performer, and philanthropist whose reach went far beyond country music, Dolly was — and always will be — a national treasure, and the guys take a moment to reflect on what she meant to them and to American music as a whole.

From there, they shift into travel talk. Craig recaps an impromptu beach trip, but the real story belongs to Kevin, who spent time exploring the Mississippi Delta blues trail. He walks through several iconic stops along the way, including a stop at Jimmy "Duck" Holmes' legendary Blue Front Cafe in Bentonia — where he got to meet Holmes in person and even received an impromptu lesson and performance from the Bentonia blues master himself.

They close out the episode back on record, digging into 1977. Craig spotlights Yuh Learn!, Dennis Bovell's dub classic released under the name The 4th Street Orchestra — a deep, roots-driven UK dub set built for the sound system scene. Kevin highlights Ngozi Family's 45,000 Volts, a raw, fuzzed-out peak of the Zamrock movement from Zambia's Paul Ngozi and company.

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Craig and Kevin travel back to 2003 for this week's picks. Craig spotlights 1972 by Josh Rouse — a warm, sunny homage to the AM-radio songwriters of the year Rouse was born, steeped in Laurel Canyon vibes and widely regarded as one of his best. Kevin brings the fire with Unclassified, the studio debut from Robert Randolph and the Family Band — a gospel-tinged, sacred-steel powered blast of blues, funk, and rock that put Randolph's pedal steel wizardry on the map.

From there, Kevin previews an upcoming trip through the Southeast's historic juke joints, tracing the roots of the roadhouse blues scene one stop at a time. They close out with a live-show themed round of Dig It or Dump It, weighing in on stage banter, extended jams, collecting ticket stubs, and more.

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Craig and Kevin jump forward to 2023 for this week's spotlights. Craig picks Altitude, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives' first new album in five years — a cosmic-country trip through dreamers, drifters, and desert-flavored twang that stakes Stuart's claim as one of country's great living traditionalists. Kevin counters with Stephen Marley's Old Soul, a stripped-down, acoustic-leaning reggae record born out of pandemic-era jam sessions and stacked with guest turns from Eric Clapton, Bob Weir, and his own Marley brothers.

From there, the conversation opens up into a bigger question: what happens when an artist gets a second (or fifth) life? The guys talk through acts who've built new audiences around their current work rather than trading on nostalgia for their commercial peak — running the gamut from Pete Yorn and Rodney Crowell to L.A. Guns and Stryper, and what it takes for a band or artist to actually earn that kind of reinvention instead of just coasting on it.

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This week Craig and Kevin head to 1986 for two very different debut albums. Craig opens with the self-titled solo debut from Peter Case — the former Nerves/Plimsouls frontman's pivot from power pop to acoustic-leaning Americana, a record T-Bone Burnett helped shape into what The New York Times called the best album of the year. Kevin swings hard in the opposite direction with Zeno's self-titled debut, the melodic hard rock project fronted by Zeno Roth (younger brother of Uli Jon Roth) — all soaring harmonies, keyboard-driven hooks, and unmistakably German AOR muscle.

From there, the guys dig into whether album reviews actually match the scores critics slap on them — do the words back up the number, or is something getting lost in translation? They close things out with a listening-habits edition of Dig It or Dump It.

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Craig and Kevin roll the clock back to 1974 for this week's overlooked-and-underrated dig. Kevin goes deep into library music territory with Stefano Torossi's Feelings — a cult Italian jazz-funk record cut under pseudonyms for contractual reasons, later prized by crate-diggers for its cinematic grooves and breakbeats. Craig counters with Ronnie Lane's solo debut Anymore for Anymore, the Small Faces/Faces alum's first outing with his band Slim Chance — a loose, rootsy, farmhouse-recorded record that traded arena rock for folk and country warmth.

Then, at the request of Craig's sister-in-law Paulina, the guys step way outside their usual lane for a surprise review: Olivia Rodrigo's new album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. Two guys who live in 1974 take on 2026 pop — results may vary.

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Craig and Kevin kick things off the only way they know how—with a beer in hand...well, almost. Kevin enjoys his usual brew while Craig embarks on "Dry July" with a non-alcoholic alternative. Wish him luck.

The conversation then turns to recent travels, with Kevin sharing stories from the Bahamas and Craig recounting his time in Kansas City and St. Louis, discussing the local culture, memorable music experiences, and the unique vibe each destination brings.

From there, the guys revisit 1990 for their featured albums of the week. Craig spotlights Fly Me Courageous from Drivin N Cryin, a Southern rock classic that helped define the band's signature sound. Kevin counters with Billy's Live Bait by Gear Daddies, an overlooked Midwestern rock gem filled with sharp songwriting and heartfelt performances.

To wrap things up, it's another round of Dig It or Dump It, where Kevin weighs in on a fresh batch of music-related topics and a few entertaining curveballs.

Whether it's life on the road, rediscovering forgotten albums, or debating the finer points of music fandom, this episode has a little something for everyone.

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This week, Craig and Kevin turn their attention to 2001, uncovering a pair of albums that may have slipped under the radar but remain worthy of rediscovery.

Craig spotlights From Here on In by South, a debut album packed with atmospheric production, melodic songwriting, and a sound that feels both distinctly of its era and surprisingly timeless. Kevin counters with Welcome by Doyle Bramhall II, a soulful and adventurous release that showcases the depth of Bramhall's songwriting and musicianship.

The album discussion naturally evolves into a broader conversation about artists who expand beyond performing and find success in other creative roles. From production and engineering to visual design and behind-the-scenes influence, the guys explore how some musicians leave their mark in ways that go far beyond the spotlight.

It's another episode full of hidden gems, musical rabbit holes, and the kinds of conversations that happen when two lifelong music fans start connecting the dots.

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This week, Craig and Kevin travel back to 1963, revisiting a year dominated by hit singles and exploring what was happening beyond the top of the charts.

The guys begin by reviewing some of the year's biggest songs before turning their attention to albums they feel deserve more recognition. Kevin spotlights Back Porch Bluegrass by The Dillards, a groundbreaking release that helped expand the possibilities of bluegrass music. Craig counters with Mess of Blues, a bluesy jazz collaboration from Johnny Hodges and Wild Bill Davis that also features the masterful guitar work of one of Craig's all-time favorites, Kenny Burrell.

Along the way, the conversation touches on the difference between popular success and lasting artistic value, as well as the challenge of uncovering overlooked gems from an era often remembered primarily for its singles.

From bluegrass innovation to jazz-blues excellence, this episode shines a light on some of 1963's lesser-known treasures.

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This week, Craig and Kevin kick things off with an interesting music-industry comparison: the most acclaimed albums versus the best-selling albums. Using a list of Time Magazine's top-rated records, the guys compare critical darlings against commercial giants and explore what separates artistic acclaim from mass appeal.

From there, they dive into their featured year: 2017.

Craig spotlights Green Twins by Nick Hakim, a soulful and adventurous release that blends psychedelia, R&B, and indie rock into a uniquely immersive listen. Kevin counters with The Mission by Styx, the veteran band's ambitious concept album that proves there's still plenty of creativity left in the tank decades into their career.

The conversation touches on critical consensus, commercial success, musical evolution, and the different paths albums take toward finding an audience.

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This week, Craig and Kevin head back to 1969, but with a twist.

After comparing notes, both hosts agreed that UFO by Jim Sullivan would have been their shared Album of the Week. Rather than doubling up, they decided to dig a little deeper and each bring a runner-up selection to the table.

Craig shines a light on Fast Fingers by Jimmy Dawkins, a blues record packed with sharp guitar work and Chicago grit. Kevin counters with Orgasm by Head Machine, a heavy and often-overlooked psychedelic hard rock release that showcases a very different side of 1969.

The conversation then shifts from albums to collecting, as the guys dive into a lively discussion about how they organize their vinyl collections. From genres and artists to alphabetical systems and pure chaos, they compare approaches and debate the best way to manage a growing catalog.

It's an episode filled with deep cuts, collector talk, and another reminder of just how much great music came out of 1969.

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This week, Craig and Kevin revisit 2004, a year that holds special significance for both hosts and marked the beginning of a friendship built around a shared love of music.

For their album picks, Craig spotlights LP by Ambulance LTD, a shimmering indie-rock release filled with memorable hooks, layered guitars, and the kind of songs that seemed tailor-made for the era. Kevin counters with Exhibit A by The Features, an energetic and underrated record that blends sharp songwriting with plenty of Southern-rock swagger.

Along the way, the conversation naturally drifts into memories of 2004 itself—a pivotal year in music and culture—and reflects on how much has changed since then, from the way we discover music to the way we listen to it.

Whether you're revisiting the mid-2000s or discovering these albums for the first time, this episode is packed with nostalgia, hidden gems, and plenty of music discussion.

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