For the Sake of the Song

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Podcast by Beth P

For the Sake of the Song

A podcast where musicians and music scene folks make playlists of songs they want to share then they tell us a bit about their picks! Hosted by Beth P, each episode includes a 15-song playlist made by the guest and a short interview with the guest about their playlist. Then the interview is added to the playlist as the first track and the entire playlist is posted on Spotify. Find the interviews and playlists on Spotify and the interviews and playlist track listings on Apple Music at For the Sake of the Song Podcast. Or just follow the podcast on Instagram @sakeofsongpodcast for all the links!
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Latest episodes

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29 September 2025

A.J. Croce

A.J. Croce is a singer/songwriter and piano virtuoso with decades of music and touring to his name. He's released eleven studio albums, including his most recent, “Heart of the Eternal”, which was released in early 2025. His music blends rock, blues, soul, and Americana and his new album even has some psych and jazz influences. He’s worked and toured with many of the greats, including BB King, Ray Charles, Leon Russell, Allan Toussaint, Ry Cooder, Jack Clement, Tony Berg, and dozens more.

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36:16

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15 September 2025

Nick Shoulders

Nick Shoulders is an Americana singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, banjo, fiddle, drums, harmonica, and mouthbow, whom Paste Magazine said is a "bonafide American treasure". He's also the owner of Gar Hole Records and is an accomplished illustrator.

Playlist Track Listing:

  1. “One Broken Heart” by Sonny Burgess
  2. “Frog Went A-Courtin’” by Almeda Riddle
  3. “My Journey To The Sky” by Sister Rosette Tharpe, Maria Knight, Sam Price Trio
  4. “Man in Black” by Johnny Cash
  5. “Where Is The River Gone” by Jimmy Driftwood
  6. “Let’s Get Reagan Out” by John L. Handcox
  7. “Dusty Blossom Biigie” by Arkie Shibley and his Mountain Dew Boys
  8. “Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms)” by Solomon Burke
  9. “Craw-Dad” by Bo Diddley
  10. “The Ballad of Emmett Till” by Red River Dave
  11. “If I Don’t Love You (Grits Ain’t Groceries)” by George Jones
  12. “Walkin’ in My Sleep” by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard
  13. “Full Moon” by baksey Cham Krong
  14. “La danse de Mardi Gras” by The Balfa Brothers
  15. “Sweet Maggie” by Mississippi Sheiks

For the Sake of the Song Intro/Outro Music: "Gun" by The Maness Brothers

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58:03

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01 September 2025

Johnny Walker

Johnny Walker is a legend among legends in the punk, blues, garage rock scene(s) and it’s an honor to have him on the podcast! He and Ben Swank started the legendary Soledad Brothers, releasing four critically acclaimed albums, and were/are longtime collaborators and friends with Meg and Jack White, with Jack engineering The Soledad Brothers first album and Johnny playing slide guitar on The White Stripes first album. After The Soledad Brothers, Johnny went on tour to sing and play harmonica with the MC5 and he formed a new band, Cut In The Hill Gang. He’s also the owner and creator of The Lodge KY in Dayton KY. Nowadays, you can find Johnny playing with his current band, All Seeing Eyes, and if you’re St. Louis, you’ll have a chance to have your mind blown when Johnny and the band play at Venice Cafe on Saturday, September 13th with The Maness Brothers (who, if you haven’t ever noticed, are the intro/outro music to the pod!). It’s a chance to see a living legend so do. not. miss. it.

Playlist Track Listing:

1. “I Wanta Holler (But The Town’s Too Small)” by Gary U.S. Bonds

2. “Black to Comm” by MC5

3. “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground” by Blind Willie Johnson

4. “Et moi, et moi, et moi” by Jacques Dutronc

5-8. “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane

9. “The Big Three Killed My Baby” by The White Stripes

10. “Fuck The People” by The Kills

11. Diddy Wah Diddy” by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

12. “You Need Love” by Muddy Waters

13. “Pills” by Bo Diddley

14. “Third Stone From The Sun” by Jimi Hendrix

15. “Sister Ray” by The Velvet Underground

16. “Devil Got My Woman” by Skip James

17. “Re-Make/Re-Model” by Roxy Music

18. “Ya Ya Ya (Looking For My Baby” by The Detroit Cobras

For the Sake of the Song Intro/Outro Music: "Gun" by The Maness Brothers @TheManessBrothers

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54:35

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05 August 2025

Neil Salsich

Neil Salsich is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player who's been playing in St. Louis for 15 years and he's best known for his band, The Mighty Pines, but he's also a member of the Playadors and Sean Canan's Voodoo Players. Make sure to follow Neil and The Mighty Pines on Instagram so you can stay up-to-date on all of his shows and, importantly, the annual Pines Fest happening in October!

Playlist Track Listing:

  1. “Wounded” by Third Eye Blind
  2. “Dying to Believe” by The Beths
  3. “Mirrlky Honey” by Messy Jiverson
  4. “Ain’t It Fun” by Paramore
  5. “The Dress” by Dijon
  6. “DO 4 LOVE” by Snoh Aalegra
  7. “Dear God – Live” by Smokie Norful
  8. “Sticking to My Guns – Live” by PJ Morton
  9. “The Tide Will Rise” by Bruce Hornsby
  10. “Hold On” by Ames
  11. “Burning In The Sun” by Blue Merle
  12. “Moonlight Serenade” by Kurt Elling
  13. “Geordie (Child 209)” Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer
  14. “Someday We’ll Know” by New Radicals
  15. “Still Be Around” by Uncle Tupelo

For the Sake of the Song Intro/Outro Music: "Gun" by The Maness Brothers @TheManessBrothers

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42:28

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21 July 2025

Tony Hall

Tony Hall is a keyboard player and singer/songwriter who’s been around the St. Louis music scene for nearly 20 years, and you can catch him playing out solo as Tony M. Hall or you can find him behind the keys with Nick Gusman & The Coyotes at least for the next couple of weeks. Keep an eye out for his solo album dropping in spring 2026! And a special shout-out to Tony being an early and enthusiastic supporter of the podcast, so make sure you show him some love in return!

Playlist Track Listing:

  1. “Poor Jackie” by Man Man
  2. “Conga” by Miami Sound Machine
  3. “Foxglove” by Murder By Death
  4. “Dime a Dozen” by Forrest McCurren
  5. “Hair-Trigger” by Protest the Hero
  6. “Holy Sh*t!” by Against Me!
  7. “Change of Pace” by Andy Frasco & The U.N.
  8. “Goldmine” by Old Capital Square Dance Club
  9. “Still Not a Player (feat. Joe)” by Big Pun, Joe
  10. “Pretty Good” by John Prine
  11. “Just Like Old Times” by Todd Snider
  12. “Peace of Mind” by Hannah Juanita
  13. “Total Bummer” by NOFX
  14. “Feel Like That (feat. Bradley Nowell)” by Sublime, Stick Figure, Jakobs Castle, Bradley Nowell
  15. “This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)” by Talking Heads

For the Sake of the Song Podcast Intro/Outro Music: "Gun" by The Maness Brothers @TheManessBrothers

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36:22

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07 July 2025

Brian Will

Brian Will is a singer/songwriter and guitarist who plays in a couple St. Louis bands, including The Jits and the Cyanides. Make sure to follow him on Instagram @brianwont to find out where you can see him playing live next!

Playlist Track Listing:

  1. “Sovereignty Flight” by The Gories
  2. “Kiss Me On The Bus” by The Replacements
  3. “Tommy Gun” by The Clash
  4. “All My Feelings Denied” by Thee Headcoats
  5. “Fiction Romance” by Buzzcocks
  6. “What’s Going Ahn” by Big Star
  7. “Carried Away” by Television
  8. “I Need Mercy” by The Peace
  9. “Barnaby, Hardly Working” by Yo La Tengo
  10. “Sideshow by the Seashore – Salvati Mix” by Luna
  11. “Suffering Jukebox” by Silver Jews
  12. “Until You Came Along” by Golden Smog
  13. “The Man in Me” by Bob Dylan
  14. “Wake Me When It’s Over” by Willie Nelson
  15. “AAA” by Grandpaboy

For the Sake of the Song Podcast Intro/Outro Music: "Gun" by The Maness Brothers @TheManessBrothers

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