Rock Is Lit

In this episode, Matthew Fiander joins the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series to discuss and read from his debut novel, ‘Ringing in Your Ears’. Set in a Boston suburb during the early ‘90s, the story follows Louise “Blue” Cleary as she navigates the emotional aftermath of her sister Christine’s mysterious death. Already struggling to fit in as a girl barred from playing baseball and an umpire facing hostility from local parents, Blue’s grief sends her on a journey to uncover truths about her sister—and herself. With Christine’s cassette tapes as clues, Blue’s search reveals buried secrets about her family and the dark underbelly of their seemingly idyllic town. Matthew Fiander’s fiction has appeared in ‘Story Magazine’, ‘Mid-American Review’, ‘Zone 3’, ‘Willow Springs’, ‘The Massachusetts Review’, ‘Southern Indiana Review’, ‘South Carolina Review’, ‘Reckon Review’, and elsewhere. He has also written for ‘The New York Times’, PopMatters, and other outlets. His debut novel, ‘Ringing in Your Ears’, was published by Main Street Rag. Fiander currently lives and works in North Carolina.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Buffalo Tom “Taillights Fade” Pearl Jam “Once” Nirvana “All Apologies” [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Matthew Fiander on Facebook: @MatthewFiander Matthew Fiander on Twitter: @mattfiander Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congratulations to the winner of the first Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest in the general submissions category, Mark Baumgartner! Listen to Mark read his winning story, “Last Chance for a Slow Dance,” in this episode. Mark D. Baumgartner’s fiction has been published in many literary journals, including ‘The Southern Review’, ‘Confrontation’, ‘Best of Ohio Anthology’, ‘Bellingham Review’, ‘Silk Road’, ‘Yemassee’, ‘Wisconsin Review’, ‘Phoebe’, and ‘Tampa Review’, among others. His story, “The Great Siwash Shoe War,” won the 2014 ‘Fugue’ prize in short fiction. His writing has twice been nominated for inclusion in the Pushcart prize anthology. His story collection, ‘Last Chance for a Slow Dance: Stories’, is forthcoming from JackLeg Press in 2026. He teaches creative writing and American literature at East Tennessee State U.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Fascination Street” by The Cure “Last Chance For a Slow Dance” by Fugazi “Remember Tomorrow” by Iron Maiden [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Mark Baumgartner on Facebook: @MarkBaumgartner Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congratulations to the winner of the first Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest in the undergraduate college student category, Senami Kugblenu! Listen to Senami read her winning story, “Goat and Pearls,” in this episode. Senami Kugblenu is a Nigerian-American writer, Johnston scholar, and Honors student at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is majoring in English & Comparative Literature and French and minoring in Information Systems. Her main interest is in fiction writing, but she has also explored copywriting as a copy staffer at ‘The Daily Tar Heel’, technical writing, and print and publishing. Her writing has been published in Cornell University's ‘Rainy Day’. She is treasurer of Earthtones at UNC, a multimedia art collective of POC creatives. Senami worked as a Student Assistant in the Microforms and Government Documents department at Davis Library until leaving this position to spend a semester abroad in Montpellier, France. MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Doom Style Industrial Metal—Torn Flesh//Royalty Free No Copyright Background Music Royalty Free Heavy Metal Instrumental – Game Over Pointless Tool Imitation—Alternative Metal—Royalty Free Music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Senami Kugblenu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/senami-kugblenu/ Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this installment of the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Karen Green discusses and reads an excerpt from her novel, ‘Yellow Birds’. ‘Yellow Birds’ synopsis: Set in a time just before the digital revolution, Kait is a young woman searching for identity and community. A group of outcasts called the Yellow Birds take her town to town on what they refer to as the Open Road Tour. One night, when Kait is feeling kinship with this group of Birds, a man sits beside her who alters her fragile plans for the foreseeable future. Filled with sex, drugs, music, and cults, readers won’t be able to get enough of the groupie lifestyle entangled within a bohemian love story. Karen Green is a writer and editor in southwestern Ontario. Her essays, poetry, and fiction pieces have appeared in The Globe and Mail, CBC, Today’s Parent, Room Magazine, Harlequin, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Bustle, and The Rumpus. She is also the author of two young readers books and is the lyricist for several children’s pop songs.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” The Grateful Dead “Shakedown Street” The Grateful Dead “Box of Rain” The Grateful Dead “Truckin’ ” [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music    LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Karen Green on Instagram: @karengreen_author Karen Green on Twitter: @karengreeners Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Staci Layne Wilson reads her short story “I Don’t Wanna Go to Remus,” featured in the anthology ‘28’. The collection imagines an alternate reality where members of the infamous 27 Club, such as Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, and Amy Winehouse, live beyond their tragic ends. In Wilson’s story, Amy—a talented but troubled musician known for her refusal to seek help—faces a surreal twist. After a life of chaotic partying comes to an abrupt halt, Amy finds herself in an otherworldly rehab facility . . . on another planet. The narrative explores what might have happened if Amy had given rehabilitation a chance, adding a science fiction spin to her legacy. Staci Layne Wilson is an award-winning filmmaker (‘The Ventures: Stars on Guitars’, ‘Cabaret of the Dead’, ‘Psycho Therapy’) and an Amazon #1 bestselling author (‘So L.A. - A Hollywood Memoir’, ‘City of Devils’, ‘Sex Death Rock N Roll’). She wrote, produced and hosted three entertainment talk shows online: ‘This Week In Movies’, ‘Inside Horror’, and ‘Dread Central Live’. She has been featured on the BBC, Bravo, Reelz, MTV, CNN (and many more) as a film historian and author. She’s the daughter of Don Wilson (The Ventures) and Nancy “Buni” Bacon (pin-up model, author, actress). Staci is also the host of the podcast Rock ‘N’ Roll Nightmares.   Catch Staci on Episode 49 of Rock is Lit, where we talk about the fourth novel in her Immortal Confessions vampire series, ‘Rhapsody in Red’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/stacilaynewilson   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Amy Winehouse “Valerie” Amy Winehouse “Rehab” Amy Winehouse “Back to Black” [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Staci Layne Wilson’s website: https://www.stacilaynewilson.com/ Rock ‘N’ Roll Nightmares website: https://rock-n-roll-nightmares.com/ Staci on Twitter: staciwilson Staci on Instagram: @stacilaynewilson Staci’s YouTube channel: @stacilayne Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Brendan Gillen reads from his debut novel, ‘Static’, and offers insight into the story’s themes, characters, and music. The novel follows Paul, a struggling musician in New York City who resorts to theft—of objects, opportunities, and even voices—just to survive and fuel his creative ambitions. As Paul battles heartbreak, band tensions, and family crises, he becomes desperate to hold his life together and make music that matters. ‘Static’ paints a vivid picture of a young artist navigating the challenges of modern life, set against the backdrop of the ever-changing music industry. Brendan Gillen is an Emmy-winning writer living in Brooklyn. His fiction has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and appears in ‘Wigleaf’, ‘Taco Bell Quarterly’, ‘New Delta Review’, ‘HAD’, ‘X-R-A-Y’, ‘South Carolina Review’, and elsewhere. His debut chapbook, “I've Given This a Lot of Thought,” is available now via Bottlecap Press. His first novel, ‘Static’, was published by Vine Leaves Press (July ‘24). As a partner and writer/director at Boomshot, Brendan has developed content for ESPN, FanDuel, Condé Nast, Fox Sports, BBC, the U.S. Open, Resy, Anheuser-Busch and others. Before joining Boomshot, he developed his creative and storytelling capabilities at ESPN, producing original content for the FIFA World Cup, the NBA on ESPN, Sunday Night Baseball, Grantland, Monday Night Football, and more. His work has received attention in the ‘New York Times’, Mashable, the ‘Washington Post’, USA Today’s “For the Win,” SportsIllustrated.com, the ‘Huffington Post’, and People.com, among others. He earned a Sports Emmy for his work on the campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on ESPN.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Midnight in a Perfect World” by DJ Shadow “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star “Undenied” by Portishead [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Brendan Gillen’s website: https://www.bgillen.com/ Brendan Gillen on Facebook: @Brendan Gillen Brendan Gillen on Instagram: @beegillen Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Rock is Lit, Stephen Shaiken delves into the inspiration behind his rock novel, ‘Queensborough Rock’, sharing how the music, culture, and grit of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s shaped the story. The bulk of the episode features a captivating reading from the novel, immersing listeners in a time when the music industry was as tough and unpredictable as the city itself. Stephen Shaiken was born and raised in New York City. He spent over three decades as a criminal defense lawyer in San Francisco. Before he became a lawyer, he earned an MA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. These days he splits his time between Bangkok, Thailand and Tampa, Florida. Stephen writes short stories in several genres, some of which can be read on his blog, http://www.stephenshaiken.com/. He has written three novels that he describes as “exotic noir thrillers” in the NJA Series, featuring American expat lawyer Glenn Murray Cohen: ‘Bangkok Shadows’, ‘Bangkok Whispers’, and ‘Bangkok Blues’, all available on Amazon as an E book or in paperback. A fourth book in the series is forthcoming. Stephen released ‘Queensborough Rock’ in November 2022. Its genre is historical fiction, but the soul is rock ‘n’ roll. The story is set in 1971. Young Jack Bernstein is a struggling rock ‘n’ roll manager in New York City. Instead of a fancy office in Manhattan, a flashy car and backstage passes, he operates out of a basement apartment in working-class Queens, driving a cranky eight-year-old Volvo as he trolls third-string venues for hidden talent. Jack finances a demo tape for his top talent by borrowing from a loan shark and pawning a friend’s guitar. When the tape fails to land a deal, Jack’s last hope is an offer from a friendly Queens mobster. New York City in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s comes alive with all its intensity.    MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Scarborough Fair” by Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel “The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music    LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Stephen Shaiken’s website: https://stephenshaiken.com/ Stephen Shaiken on Facebook: @StephenShaiken Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, host Christy Alexander Hallberg celebrates the third birthday of her novel, ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’. She delves into the evocative imagery and central characters that drive the novel, while reflecting on the three previous Rock is Lit episodes centered on Led Zeppelin and ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’. Join Christy as she revisits the poignant journey of Luna Kane, an 18-year-old on a quest to uncover her deceased mother’s secrets. Set in the winter of 1988, ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’ follows Luna from her family’s farm in eastern North Carolina to England to search for the enigmatic guitarist of Led Zeppelin, the man her mother, Claudia, hinted may be her father. Tune in for an immersive experience as Christy shares the first two chapters of the audiobook, brought to life by the talented narrator Melissa Connell.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin “Four Sticks” by Led Zeppelin “Over the Hills and Far Away” [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music    LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Rock is Lit Season 1 EP on ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/christyalexanderhallberg/margaretbauer/randallmartoccia/lizawieland/dannygoldberg Rock is Lit Season 2 EP on ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/searchingforjimmypageaudiobook Rock is Lit Season 3 EP featuring photographer Neal Preston: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvNwNXH8jTE&t=10s Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this installment of the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Kat Hausler reads an excerpt from her novel ‘What I Know About July’ and discusses its creation. The novel centers around indie rocker Simon Kemper, fresh out of rehab and riding the wave of moderate success with his band in Berlin. But lurking in the background is his stalker, a mysterious figure present at every show, sending unsettling postcards to his label and acting as though she owns him. When she suddenly vanishes during one of his performances, Simon becomes the prime suspect. What begins as an attempt to clear his name spirals into a deeper psychological journey, as Simon questions whether her obsession could have truly ended—or if it has merely become entangled in the lives of those closest to him: his bandmates, a new romantic interest, an embittered ex, and the person he thought he had left behind. Narcissistic and insecure, Simon's struggle to become a better person is central to this haunting story. Originally from Virginia, Kat Hausler is a graduate of New York University and holds an M.F.A. in Fiction from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she was the recipient of a Baumeister Fellowship. She is the author of ‘Retrograde’ and ‘What I Know About July’, as well as many shorter pieces. Her work has appeared in ‘Hawaii Pacific Review’, ‘34th Parallel’, ‘Inkspill Magazine’, ‘The Sunlight Press’, ‘The Dalloway’, ‘Rozlyn Press’, ‘Porridge Magazine’, ‘LitReactor’, ‘BlazeVOX’, ‘failbetter’, and’ The Airgonaut’, among others. She lives in Berlin and is also a translator.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” [Free] Indie Rock x Alternative Type Beat—“Borderline” [Free] Lana del Rey Type Beat/“Tell Me You Love Me”/Indie Rock Type Beat (Free) Acoustic Guitar Type Beat—“Need You” [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”  Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Kat Hausler’s website: https://www.kathausler.com/ Kat Hausler on Facebook: @KatHausler Kat Hausler on Instagram: @kat_hausler Kat Hausler on Twitter: @Kat_Fiction Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY: In this installment of the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Brieanna Wilkoff shares how ‘80s music, especially Bon Jovi, influenced her novel, ‘I’ll Be There For You’ and reads an excerpt. ‘I’ll Be There For You’ follows high school student Rae Ballester, who loves movie musicals and—thanks to her dad—’80s rock. Since he died a year ago, his favorite music helps keep his memory alive. Struggling to move on, Rae keeps her head down and earbuds in, but shunning the world has cost her even her closest friendships, leaving her the “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” When Rae meets Mac, a boy with a charming smile who thinks any problem can be solved with a show tune, she cautiously welcomes their easy banter. With his humor, enthusiasm, and well-curated Broadway playlists, Mac slowly edges his way into her heart, but when he proves “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Rae thinks about withdrawing to the comfort of hair metal and the silver screen. Should Rae retreat from the world to protect her already broken heart, or will her involvement in the school’s theater program and the random acts of kindness she and others have started performing give her “Something to Believe In?” ‘I’ll Be There for You’ delves into the personal journey of healing old wounds, making new friends, and how to build a future with pieces of the past and present. Brieanna Wilkoff believes wholeheartedly in the power of kindness, the importance of theatre, and the awesomeness of '80s rock. She married her husband onstage at the oldest surviving theatre in central Ohio, and their first dance was to Bon Jovi's "Thank You for Loving Me." ‘I'll Be There for You’ is Brieanna's debut young adult novel. It was inspired by her family's commitment to kindness, including performing 100 kind acts in a single day. Brieanna lives in Westerville, Ohio, with her husband, daughter, and dog.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “I’ll Be There For You” by Bon Jovi “Never Say Goodbye” by Bon Jovi “Brokenpromiseland” by Bon Jovi [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Brieanna Wilkoff’s website: https://brieannawilkoff.com/ Brieanna Wilkoff on Twitter: @BrieannaWilkoff Brieanna Wilkoff on Facebook: @BrieannaStoutWilkoff Brieanna Wilkoff on Instagram: @brieanna_wilkoff Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this installment of the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Ryan Hyatt reads the first chapter of his novel ‘The Death of Rock and Roll’ and gives some background on the creation of the story. ‘The Death of Rock and Roll’ follows talented guitarist Darrell Breedlove, who is caught in the crosshairs of jealous psychopath Jake McKenzie, forcing Darrell to reconcile his past in order to embrace a promising future. Ryan Hyatt tells stories about your future. He is a former news reporter, current educator, and author of the Terrafide sci-fi series. He edits the satirical sci-fi news site, The La-La Lander, as well as Not Your Father's Bedtime Stories, kids’ lit he creates with his daughter, author Sage Hyatt. Find him at the beach and his stories across the internet.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Swamp Blues Rock Tarantino Country Rock by Infraction [No Copyright Music]/Texas Swamp Blues Rock Tarantino Country Rock by Infraction [No Copyright Music]/Texas [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music    LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Ryan Hyatt on Facebook: @RyanHyatt Ryan Hyatt on Twitter/X and Instagram: @ucalthisreality Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Rock is Lit, prolific author Robert Greenfield delves into his rock novel ‘Rain Gray Town’, offering listeners an unforgettable journey through the rise and fall of a fictional rock band set against the backdrop of London and Los Angeles. Told through the voice of a band member, the story captures the chaotic world of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll at a time when music was life itself. Greenfield reads an excerpt from the novel, reflecting on the inspiration behind the characters who lived fast, burned bright, and sometimes didn’t survive the whirlwind. A former Associate Editor of the London bureau of ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine, Robert Greenfield is the critically acclaimed author of several classic rock books, among them ‘S.T.P.: A Journey Through America with the Rolling Stones’, as well as the definitive biographies of Timothy Leary and Ahmet Ertegun. With Bill Graham, he is the co-author of ‘Bill Graham Presents: My Life Inside Rock and Out’, which won the ASCAP- Deems Taylor Award. An award-winning novelist, playwright, and screenwriter, his short fiction has appeared in ‘GQ’, ‘Esquire’, and ‘Playboy’ magazines. He lives in California.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Eight Miles High” by The Byrds “Dear Mr. Fantasy” by Traffic “I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better” by The Byrds “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Robert Greenfield’s interviews, articles, and reviews on Rock’s Backpages: https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Writer/robert-greenfield Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first installment of the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Garth Risk Hallberg introduces us to his latest novel, ‘The Second Coming’, reading a powerful excerpt and shedding light on the book's evolution. He shares insights into how music, especially the music of Prince, is woven into the narrative and why it plays such a pivotal role. Set in the spring of 2011, ‘The Second Coming’ follows thirteen-year-old Jolie Aspern, who narrowly escapes a subway accident after trying to retrieve her phone. Her estranged father, Ethan—an ex-convict and recovering addict living in California—learns of the incident and believes something deeper is at play. Convinced that only he can save her, Ethan returns to New York.  The novel explores the fraught journey of father and daughter, both separately and together, from Manhattan during the Great Recession to a beach on Maryland's Eastern Shore. As their paths intertwine, Jolie encounters a mysterious stranger, while Ethan is pulled back into the life of Jolie’s mother—his first love. Catch Garth on Season 2 EP28 of Rock is Lit, where we discuss his 2015 novel, ‘City on Fire’, which had just been made into an Apple TV+ series: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/garthriskhallberg   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Sexuality” by Prince “Purple Rain” by Prince “When Doves Cry” by Prince [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Garth Risk Hallberg info: https://www.garthriskhallbergbooks.com/ Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well this is it, Lit Listeners: the Season 3 finale. Wyatt, the Rock is Lit mascot, and I are thrilled to have you with us as we wrap up another incredible season. We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to this semester’s amazing interns, Production Intern Cador Jones and Social Media Intern Jenna Rudolph, for their outstanding work. Best of luck in all your future endeavors, Cador and Jenna. To celebrate the end of Season 3 and gear up for an exciting Season 4 coming this fall, we're launching the Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest. This contest honors the legacy of Bill Hallberg—author, East Carolina University English professor, and my late husband—who had a deep passion for both literature and music. Submissions are due August 1, 2024, and we'll be selecting winners in two categories: undergraduate college students and general submissions. The winners will be announced in the Season 4 premiere episode and invited to read from their stories on a future Season 4 episode. For more information and submission guidelines, email me at christyalexanderhallberg@gmail.com. Now, on with the show. If you’re fascinated by true crime, classic Hollywood, and the darker tales of Tinsel Town, you’re in for a treat. In this episode, we dive deep into the murder of ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ actor Sal Mineo, with Scott Michaels as our guide. Scott Michaels is a renowned expert on celebrity deaths, including the infamous Manson Murders of 1969, and a former tour guide for LA’s Dearly Departed Tours. Dubbed by the ‘LA Times’ as the man who "knows where the bodies are buried," Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to our discussion. He even consulted for Quentin Tarantino on ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,’ a film that revisits the Manson Family murders. Scott first joined me in Season 2 to discuss the Manson Murders in a bonus episode inspired by Episode 6, which featured Zachary Lazar’s rock novel, ‘Sway’, a story that includes members of the Manson Family in a fictional setting. I’m thrilled to welcome Scott back to the podcast to explore another Hollywood tragedy: the murder of Sal Mineo. Feel free to listen to the audio-only version of this episode here, but I encourage you to watch the YouTube video, which includes photos and audio clips of Sal Mineo.   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350   Scott Michaels on Rock is Lit talking about the Manson Murders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzpLvUN0_2E&t=103s Scott Michaels’ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DearlyDepartedTours Scott Michaels on Facebook: @ScottMichaels  Scott Michaels on Instagram: @iamscottmichaels  Scott Michaels on Twitter: @ImScottMichaels    Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first segment of Episode 53, we're exploring the heart of the South with a literary journey that’s as soulful as it is adventurous. Joining us is the award-winning author Kim Wright, whose novel ‘Last Ride to Graceland’ takes us on a road trip filled with mystery, music, and the enduring legacy of Elvis Presley. In ‘Last Ride to Graceland’, blues musician Cory Beth Ainsworth is barely scraping by after her mother’s death when she discovers a priceless piece of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia hidden away in a shed out back of the family’s coastal South Carolina home: the car Elvis Presley drove the day he died. A backup singer for the King, Cory’s mother, Laura “Honey” Berry, was at Graceland that fateful day in August 1977. She quickly returned home to Beaufort and married her high school sweetheart. Yearning to uncover the secrets of her mother’s past—and possibly her own identity—Cory decides to drive the car back to Memphis and turn it over to Elvis’s estate, retracing the exact route her mother took thirty-seven years earlier. As she winds her way through the sprawling deep south, the burning question in Cory’s mind—is Elvis Presley my father?—takes a backseat to the truth she learns about her complicated mother. Kim and I delve into the inspiration behind ‘Last Ride to Graceland’ and the fascinating journey of research and discovery that brought the book to life.  In the final segment of the episode, Stephanie Myers of Songfacts Podcast and Stephanie & Stephanie Talk Tunes joins Rock is Lit Season 3 Production Intern Cador Jones and me for a chat about some of the real-life folks who have claimed to be Elvis’s “lovechildren.” Catch Stephanie Myers talking about actual kidnapping plots against Elvis in Season 1 Episode 3 of Rock is Lit. Catch Cador Jones talking about rock stars who have gone missing in Season 3 Episode 50 Part 2. PLAYLIST “Promised Land” by Elvis Presley Closing Vamp from Elvis Presley’s 1970s concerts Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Royalty-free rockabilly music Elvis Presley Fan Reactions 1950s/”Blue Suede Shoes” “That’s All Right” by Elvis Presley “Mystery Train” by Elvis Presley “Kentucky Rain” by Elvis Presley “Graceland” by Paul Simon “Poor Boy” by Elvis Presley Clip from Elvis press conference, June 9, 1972, New York Hilton “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley “Game On!” by Aqours “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley “Love Me” by Elvis Presley “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley “Always On My Mind” by Elvis Presley “Moody Blue” by Elvis Presley, Elvis: “Thank you very much”, Closing Vamp from Elvis Presley’s 1970s concerts/“Elvis has left the building”   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Kim Wright’s website: http://www.kimwright.org/ Kim Wright on Twitter: @Kim_Wright_W Kim Wright on Instagram: @kimwiley55 Stephanie Myers on Facebook: @StephanieRenee Songfacts Podcast website: https://www.songfacts.com/blog/podcast Cador Jones on Instagram: @bluecadorade Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*Listen to the audio-only episode here, or watch the video version on YouTube, which may make putting voices with faces easier since there are five people in the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkCdyH7Y_YM *The audio-only episode was taken directly from the video without further editing. I’m so excited about this special episode of Rock is Lit. It’s a first for the podcast, actually: a panel discussion, with four amazing women rock novelists, hailing from Canada to Chicago to LA and back to my neck of the woods here in Asheville, NC.  Kirsti MacKenzie, Mallory Smart, Claire Hopple, and Rock is Lit veteran Jessamyn Violet are joining me to talk about our experiences and thoughts about writing fiction about musicians. Jessamyn Violet is a writer and musician out of Venice Beach, CA. Her debut novel, ‘Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar’, was published in April 2023 by Three Rooms Press. Short fiction can be found in ‘Ploughshares’, ‘Lit Angeles’, ‘805 Art + Lit Journal’, and more. She is also the drummer for the psych rock band Movie Club.  Mallory Smart is a Chicago-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Maudlin House. Some people even call her ‘The Only Living Girl in Chicago’. Mallory is the host of the podcast Textual Healing, where she dives into the fusion of literature and music, and co-hosts That Horrorcast with Dmitry Samarov where they get lost in the weird world of horror films. Her latest book, ‘I Keep My Visions To Myself’, just came out from With an X Books.    Kirsti MacKenzie is the author of ‘Better to Beg’, as well as editor in chief of ‘Major 7th Magazine’. Her work has been published in ‘HAD’, ‘Rejection Letters’, ‘trampset’, ‘Autofocus’, ‘Maudlin House’, ‘Identity Theory’, and elsewhere.   Claire Hopple is the author of six books and the fiction editor at XRAY. Her stories have appeared in ‘Wigleaf’, ‘Vol. 1 Brooklyn’, ‘Forever Mag’, and others. She grew up in the woods of Pennsylvania and currently lives in Asheville, NC. Her next book, ‘Take it Personally’, is forthcoming from Stalking Horse Press in February 2025.    Each of these four talented authors brings a unique perspective to the conversation. From the creative sparks that ignite our own work to the cultural impacts of rock novels in general, we'll navigate the winding paths of character development and uncovering the challenges of breathing life into fictional musicians while honoring the essence of their real-life counterparts. We'll delve into the stigmas surrounding rock novels, dissecting perceptions and stereotypes to reveal the nuanced portrayals crafted by these talented authors. And of course, no discussion on writing fiction about musicians would be complete without reflecting on current trends and the evolution of the genre, including the explosive success of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s rock novel ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’. So, tune in and turn up the volume as Rock is Lit takes you on a journey through the pages of rock literature, where every word is a chord and every story a kickass concert. LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350   Rock is Lit Episode 26, Jessamyn Violet: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jessamynvioletwithlinalecaro Jessamyn Violet’s website: https://jessamynviolet.com/bio Jessamyn Violet on Instagram and Twitter: @jessamynviolet Movie Club’s website: https://www.movieclubtheband.com/about Kirsti MacKenzie on Twitter: @KeersteeMack Mallory Smart’s website: https://mallorysmart.com/ Mallory Smart on Twitter and Instagram: @malsmart Claire Hopple’s website: https://clairehopple.wordpress.com/bio/ Claire Hopple on Twitter and Instagram: @clairehopple   Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 51, Jason Warburg delves into the intricacies of his new novel, the third in his Tim Green series, ‘Home Was a Dream’, where themes of Jewish heritage, identity, and the haunting legacy of the Holocaust intertwine with the healing power of music. Jason shares insights into his personal connection to Jewish culture and history, revealing how these influences shaped the characters’ journeys in the novel. Through the lens of characters grappling with their Jewish identity, Jason explores the profound repercussions of the Holocaust on a generation haunted by loss and trauma. Against this backdrop, music emerges as a potent force, offering solace and connection amidst the turmoil. Through an engaging discussion, Jason illuminates the ways in which music serves as a conduit for healing and understanding, weaving together the threads of personal and collective memory in a tale that resonates with emotional depth and resonance. PLAYLIST No Copyright Music/Classic Rock Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Oh Very Young” by Cat Stevens “Wiegala” by Ilse Weber “Ich wandre durch Theresienstadt Wiegala” by Ilse Weber Gorecki Symphony “Night Moves” by Bob Seger “Make Me Smile” by Chicago “Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell “Games People Play” by The Spinners “Your Song” by Elton John No Copyright Music/Classic Rock Rock is Lit theme music LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Rock is Lit Episode 33, Jason Warburg ‘Believe in Me’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jasonwarburg Rock is Lit Episode 40, Jason Warburg ‘Never Break the Chain’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jasonwarburganduglyamericanwerewolfinlondonrockpodcast Jason Warburg’s website: https://www.jasonwarburg.com/ Jason Warburg on Twitter: @JasonWarburg Jason Warburg on Instagram: @jason_warburg Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 1 of Episode 50, we delved into the mesmerizing world of author Jeff Jackson and his acclaimed novel ‘Mira Corpora’, in which enigmatic underground rockstar Kin Mersey mysteriously disappears. Now, in Episode 50 Part 2, Nathan D. Duvall (host of the Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM) and this semester’s Rock is Lit intern, Cador Jones, join me to talk about actual musicians who, like the rockstar in Jeff’s novel, vanished without a trace, including Richey Edwards, Jim Sullivan, Connie Converse, Christina “Licorice” McKechnie, and more. PLAYLIST “Lithuania” by Julian Calendar Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Avant-Garde Sound Collage/Experimental Electronica/Royalty Free Background Music (8-mindemo Mix) “This Road” by Julian Calendar “4st 7lb” by Manic Street Preachers “How Sad, How Lovely” by Connie Converse “U.F.O.” by Jim Sullivan “I Know You” by The Incredible String Band, with Christina “Licorice” McKechnie “When the Music’s Over” by The Doors “Jerome” by Jim Sullivan Julian Calendar Medley: “Stolen Eyes,” “King Blank” Rock is Lit theme music LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Rock is Lit Episode 1 featuring Jeff Jackson (‘Destroy All Monsters’) with Nathan D. Duvall: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jeffjackson-nathandduvall Jeff Jackson’s website: http://deathofliterature.com/ Jeff Jackson on Instagram: @deathofliterature Jeff Jackson on Twitter: @DeathofLit Julian Calendar on Bandcamp: https://juliancalendar.bandcamp.com/ Trailer for ‘Mira Corpora’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upTakZdScwY Nathan D. Duvall’s website: http://nathandduvall.com/ Nathan D. Duvall’s Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM: https://ashevillefm.org/show/lucid/ Nathan D. Duvall on Instagram: @nathandduvall Cador Jones on Instagram: @bluecadorade Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 1 of Episode 50, we delve into the mesmerizing world of author Jeff Jackson and his acclaimed novel ‘Mira Corpora’. Join us as we explore the intersection of music and literature, unraveling the enigmatic narrative of the book. From the mysterious disappearance of underground rockstar Kin Mersey to the surreal journey of the runaway teenage protagonist, we uncover the depths of this dark and compelling tale. Jeff shares his creative process, artistic influences, and the thematic underpinnings of his work. Get ready for a captivating discussion of music, memory, and myth as we examine the haunting landscapes of ‘Mira Corpora’. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear songs by Jeff’s band, Julian Calendar, all of which you can download from Bandcamp. Check the episode playlist below. In Episode 50 Part 2, Nathan D. Duvall and this semester’s Rock is Lit intern, Cador Jones, join me to talk about actual musicians who, like the rockstar in Jeff’s novel, mysteriously disappeared. PLAYLIST—ALL SONG BY JULIAN CALENDAR UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED “In Your Love” Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Blue Boys” (Rock is Lit mix) “The Deep End” “Men Are Canceled” “No Kingdom” “Back Door Man” “The Drowned Boy” “Property is Theft” “Game On!” by Aqours Julian Calendar Medley: “Language Lessons,” “Stolen Eyes,” “King Blank” Rock is Lit theme music LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Rock is Lit Episode 1 featuring Jeff Jackson (‘Destroy All Monsters’) with Nathan D. Duvall: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jeffjackson-nathandduvall Jeff Jackson’s website: http://deathofliterature.com/ Jeff Jackson on Instagram: @deathofliterature Jeff Jackson on Twitter: @DeathofLit Julian Calendar on Bandcamp: https://juliancalendar.bandcamp.com/ Trailer for ‘Mira Corpora’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upTakZdScwY Nathan D. Duvall’s website: http://nathandduvall.com/ Nathan D. Duvall’s Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM: https://ashevillefm.org/show/lucid/ Nathan D. Duvall on Instagram: @nathandduvall Cador Jones on Instagram: @bluecadorade Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It may not be Halloween, but we’re getting our spooky grove on in this episode. Staci Layne Wilson joins me to talk about the fourth novel in her Immortal Confessions vampire series, ‘Rhapsody in Red’. ‘Variety’ labels Staci’s work as “MTV's Headbangers Ball meets Tales from the Crypt” and calls it “...perfect entertainment for anyone who's ever played ‘Stairway to Heaven’ backward to hear the mumbled phrase ‘Here's to my sweet Satan’.” We’ll also talk about Staci’s upbringing in 1970s and ‘80s Hollywood as the daughter of music legend Don Wilson of The Ventures and pinup model, actress, and author Nancy Bacon, and more, including Staci’s wicked cool podcast and book series, Rock 'N' Roll Nightmares, working the red carpet as an entertainment reporter, the Manson Family, her pet rats, and more. PLAYLIST “Frankenstein” by the Edgar Winter Group Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Halloween Ambience Horror Sounds Scary Creepy Screams Terrified SFX Monster Haunted House Horror “Vampire Blues” by Neil Young “Witch For a Night” by Sugar Pie DeSanto “Dead Babies” by Alice Cooper “Black Cats & Witch Hats” by Molly Starlite & the Sputniks “Walk Don’t Run” by The Ventures “Tubular Bells” by Mike Oldfield “Whole Lotta Love” by The Ventures “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphey & the Rio Grande Band “Welcome to My Nightmare” by Alice Cooper “Game On!” by Aqours “Season of the Witch” by Donovan “Hawaii Five-O” by The Ventures Rock is Lit theme music LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Staci Layne Wilson’s website: https://www.stacilaynewilson.com/ Rock ‘N’ Roll Nightmares website: https://rock-n-roll-nightmares.com/ Staci on Twitter: staciwilson Staci on Instagram: @stacilaynewilson Staci’s YouTube channel: @stacilayne Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices