Waiting for Impact

In 1991, a boy band called Sudden Impact made a big debut in the music video for Boyz II Men’s “MotownPhilly,” and then... they disappeared. Dave Holmes has been obsessed with this story for decades, and now he’s going to find out what happened. The search for answers will take us into the recording industry of the ‘90s, into Michael Bivins’ East Coast Family, into what life was like before the internet ruined us, into the definition of success and the nature of ambition. And that search may just solve an even bigger mystery: why can’t he stop thinking about this? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Holmes has been obsessed with a pop culture disappearance for decades: what ever happened to Sudden Impact, the boy band who were featured in Boyz II Men’s “Motownphilly” music video and then vanished? Before we dive into the mystery, we’ll need to take a good look at life in 1991, when the music industry was flush, and what it was like to be a pop culture obsessive in a time before the internet. Plus, are we closer to the East Coast Family than we thought? Hosted and Written by Dave Holmes Produced by Hannah Kyle Crichton Recorded, Mixed, and Sound Designed by Andrew Eapen Additional Engineering and Assembly by Analise Nelson Music by Ben Wise Artwork by Garrett Ross Photography by Robyn Von Swank Executive Produced by Karen Kilgariff, Georgia Hardstark, Danielle Kramer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big dreams require big swings. Dave talks to an unexpected voice about the bold action that changed her life forever. Meanwhile, 1991 Dave Holmes and Karen Kilgariff are leading parallel lives 2,000 miles apart. Dave Coulier is involved. And we are one step closer to finding Sudden Impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The search for Sudden Impact continues, as Dave meets another member of the East Coast Family, a young singer who was set up for stardom and found something different instead. Plus, music chart journalist Chris Molanphy gives us the fascinating specifics on exactly how popular culture changed forever in 1991.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s it like when you reach the kind of super-stardom Sudden Impact was dreaming of, and what happens when it’s all over by the time you’re 21? Dave gets the real deal from a man who lived it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have made contact with Sudden Impact. Aaron Kane, the group’s lead singer, tells us how they came together, how they got Michael Bivins’ attention, and where things began to go wrong. Plus, Dave shares war stories with an old MTV colleague about having a normal life one day, and a TV show the next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sudden Impact’s producer Tim Byrd has entered the chat. He and lead singer Aaron Kane continue the story of the group, through record label mishaps, internal strife, and a changing music scene. Plus, a deeper dive into the ways our culture evolved during the Sudden Impact years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave takes a detour into the ‘90s alternative rock journey of Dog’s Eye View: A young man with talent, drive, and a dream. A cultural moment that’s just right for him. A climb from the basement to the mountaintop, a story of big plans and big changes from a man who’s seen it all. And Dave stumbles on the single word that sums up his Sudden Impact obsession and points a way forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A brand-new lineup, a brand-new pop music scene, and a brand-new name. Our guys give the big time another swing, and get closer to a hit than ever before. Dave gets the scoop on the turn-of-the-millennium version of Sudden Impact, and makes contact with one of the most unforgettable faces in music video history. Warning: this episode will put your heart in motion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave gets the Sudden Impact story from two original members: Todd White and Alan Healy, and finds out the whole thing started as a promise these guys couldn’t go back on. Plus, a talk with one of the most recognizable pop music voices of the early ‘90s, a man who is absolutely gonna make you sweat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave has reeled in his white whale, the elusive Dave Smith. Smith gives his version of events, and we find out once and for all why Dave has had this story on his mind for three decades. Our Sudden Impact journey ends here...or does it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices