My Weekly Mixtape

Laurie Berkner on Her “Rocketship Run” & the Evolution of Children’s Music in the Streaming Era

This week, on the heels of HBO Max’s Music Box: Happy and You Know It, I’m throwing things back to a Tunestiles interview featuring children’s music icon Laurie Berkner, whose “Rocketship Run” to the top of the kindie scene helped redefine what music for kids could sound like. From her early days growing up in Princeton, New Jersey — surrounded by the same fertile musical ground that produced Trey Anastasio of Phish, John Popper of Blues Traveler, and Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors — Laurie’s path has always been rooted in creativity, curiosity, and connection.We dig into the moment the world discovered her on Nick Jr.’s Jack’s Big Music Show, and how that beloved presence ignited a new generation of fans. Laurie talks candidly about how streaming and digital music reshaped kindie music, shifting the way artists release and connect with families, and what that means for sustaining a career in today’s industry. She shares how she tailors song subjects, pacing, and physical movement cues to meet kids exactly where they are — cognitively, emotionally, and physically — and why writing music that children genuinely resonate with requires honesty, imagination, and zero condescension.Laurie opens up about the stories behind classics like “We Are The Dinosaurs” and “Victor Vito,” as well as a few of her personal favorites, revealing the small real-life sparks that turned into songs sung in classrooms, living rooms, and minivans around the world. We also explore the music and lyrics she’s written for her three Off-Broadway children’s musicals, and the voice she’s continued to develop through projects like Laurie Berkner’s Song and Story Kitchen on Audible and her work on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live.Whether you grew up with her music, play it for your own kids, or you’re just fascinated by the evolution of independent artistry and the kindie genre, this conversation is a deep-dive into the craft, impact, and legacy of one of children’s music’s most influential voices — and the songs that helped shape countless childhoods.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

Feel the Beat: 20 Essential Songs That Defined ’80s Dance Music

Step back into the decade that made rhythm a lifestyle. From freestyle and new wave to early hip-hop and pop perfection, this episode explores 20 songs that defined the pulse of ’80s dance music — the beats that moved clubs, crossed genres, and still make us move today.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

The Sound of Shinedown: Barry Kerch & Eric Bass on Reinvention, Resilience & the Future

This week, I’m revisiting two of the year’s biggest interviews with Shinedown’s Barry Kerch and Eric Bass — offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at one of modern rock’s most enduring and innovative bands.First, Barry Kerch opens up about Shinedown’s evolving sound over the past two decades, their approach to crafting unforgettable live setlists, and the stories behind the band’s 2025 singles “Dance, Kid, Dance” and “Three Six Five.” He also shares insight into the emotional power of “A Symptom of Being Human,” Shinedown’s commitment to philanthropy, and what fans can expect from Shinedown 8, set for release in 2026.Then, Eric Bass takes us inside his creative world — from joining Shinedown during The Sound of Madness era to producing the band’s concept albums Attention Attention and Planet Zero. He also dives into his debut solo concept album I Had A Name, its companion graphic novel, and the stories behind songs like “Mind Control,” “Goodnight Goodnight,” and “Azalia.”Eric also revisits Shinedown’s cover of Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move” from The Warner Sound Live Room sessions and the Attention Attention B-side “ANWTD (A New Way To Die).” Plus, in a never-before-heard segment, he reflects on touring with Iron Maiden and KISS, and his first meeting with Wolfgang Van Halen (Mammoth WVH).Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering their music for the first time, this exclusive double-feature interview pulls back the curtain on the passion, process, and creativity driving one of hard rock’s most powerful and resilient acts.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

The Sound of Cover Songs 2025: 10 Standout Covers That Made Waves

In this episode of My Weekly Mixtape, I spotlight 10 cover songs released this year that turn already familiar tunes into something fresh, unexpected, and conversation-worthy.Cover songs have always been a litmus test for creativity — and something I’ve always had a personal affinity for — but in 2025, artists are pushing reinterpretation further than ever. By reworking melodies, reshaping arrangements, and reframing the overall vibe, these versions give the originals entirely new meanings. This episode breaks down why these performances resonated, how they differ from (or pay homage to) the originals, and what makes a great cover song connect with fans today!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

The Sound of Country 2025: 12 Standout Songs that Defined The Year

This week, I break down 12 standout country songs that defined the genre in 2025. But what defines country music this year? Here’s a hint: it’s not just the chart-toppers. Sure, there are foot-stomping anthems and soul-stirring ballads, but I also highlight the artists and bands on the rise — ready to set the stage ablaze in 2026. Tune in and hear the heart, grit, and energy that made country music impossible to ignore in 2025.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠