The Tom Petty Project

Latest Episodes:

Matt Burke (Have Gun, Will Travel) Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

Today’s episode is a part of my artist conversation series and is a wonderful chat I had with songwriter for and lead singer of Have Gun, Will Travel. For those of you who were down in Gainesville for the Tom Petty Weekend, you probably say Matt and the guys play their killer set on Sunday afternoon. This one ranges all over the map. We do discuss Tom Petty’s influence on Matt’s songwriting, but we also talk about the band’s fantastic new Voyager Golden EP! We also head into all sorts of interesting side roads leading to Ennio Morricone, Davids Bowie and Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Carl Sagan, and even Ernest Shackleton!

Song and links mentioned in the episode:

Voyager Golden EP at Bandcamp : https://hgwtmusic.bandcamp.com/album/voyager-golden-ep

Have Gun, Will Travel on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/hgwtmusic/

Learn more about the Voyager missions here : https://science.nasa.gov/mission/voyager/mission-overview/

Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Follow: https://linktr.ee/tompettyproject

Listen: https://pod.link/1580769475

All music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.com

A special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research.

The Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way.

Producer: Kevin Brown

Executive Producers: Paul Roberts, Steve Ursell

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-tom-petty-project.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Man Who Loves Women Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

In last week’s outro I’d intimated that I hear a strong resemblance between this song and another favourite band of mine, The Kinks. So first of all, just sonically, if it walks like The Kinks and kinda quacks like The Kinks… it’s most likely inspired by The Kinks. That super cool key change into that second bridge section owes absolutely as much to the type of sharp left turns that Ray Davies would often write into his songs as it does the Sgt Pepper nod that I gave the song. Growing up in England, there’s a nostalgic end-of-the-pier quality to this song that Ray and The Kinks were unparalleled at evoking in a contemporary way.

Song and links:

You and Me : https://youtu.be/TtETKaTpMg4

Tom with George Drakoulias : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOtLeEfDlli/

Rock Court (I am the presiding "Judge"!) : https://shows.acast.com/rock-court

Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Follow: https://linktr.ee/tompettyproject

Listen: https://pod.link/1580769475

All music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.com

A special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research.

The Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way.

Producer: Kevin Brown

Executive Producers: Paul Roberts, Steve Ursell

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-tom-petty-project.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Questions with Sam Krishnan Dec 20, 2025

Show notes

Sam Krishnan is back to answer my ten questions! He gives me his "boring answer" (his words!) to the question "Who is your favourite Heartbreaker other than Tom?" and then gives me his deep cut answer. He also surprised me with his answer to which artist he'd like to see cover a Tom Petty song. We chat about Into the Great Wide Open and the production on that album and we basically just fanboy all over Tom, as is our wont! Don't forget to go visit Sam's social media accounts and head over to Bandcamp to pick up is fabulous EP, Voicenotes!

RELEVANT LINKS

Bye Lily on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/byelilyofficial

My Hero : https://youtu.be/TeFCs0gy3KE

Voicenotes EP : https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mdsxl9PR7h0oBcEB_wRJbLDa_5j3s8XmM

Buy the EP at Bandcamp : https://byelily.bandcamp.com/album/voicenotes

Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Follow: https://linktr.ee/tompettyproject

Listen: https://pod.link/1580769475

All music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.com

A special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research.

The Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way.

Producer: Kevin Brown

Executive Producers: Paul Roberts, Steve Ursell

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-tom-petty-project.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Krishnan (Bye Lily) Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Today’s episode is another bonus artist conversation that I had with a young French songwriter who’s currently based in England, performing under the name “Bye Lily”. Sam Krishnan started out thinking he was probably going to become a rapper, but through a circuitous route, that we discuss, found his way around to Tom Petty, the guitar, and a very contemporary spin on indie folk music. Sam's debut EP, Voicenotes, features a tribute song to Tom which includes a blazing guitar solo from Jake Thistle. We chatted for a good couple of hours and the first part of this conversation is what you’ll be listening to today and as always, I’ve split out his answers to my ten questions which will drop tomorrow!

Song and links mentioned in the episode:

My Hero : https://youtu.be/TeFCs0gy3KE

Voicenotes EP : https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mdsxl9PR7h0oBcEB_wRJbLDa_5j3s8XmM

Buy the EP at Bandcamp : https://byelily.bandcamp.com/album/voicenotes

Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Follow: https://linktr.ee/tompettyproject

Listen: https://pod.link/1580769475

All music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.com

A special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research.

The Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way.

Producer: Kevin Brown

Executive Producers: Paul Roberts, Steve Ursell

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-tom-petty-project.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You and Me Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

You and Me is another “Little song”, if we use Ivan Anderson’s brilliant concept of what that means. It doesn’t shoot for the moon, doesn’t explore nuanced or clever or grand themes. It’s a singular expression of companionship and love with a healthy dose of insecurity to humanize it. It’s a simple arrangement with some beautiful piano work and a very cool bass part that moves around that brisk backbeat in a lively fashion.

Song and links:

You and Me : https://youtu.be/RrdKLxtw2Fo=

38 Years Old (The Tragically Hip) : https://youtu.be/ICHPKx6KJSM

I Want You (Bob Dylan) : https://youtu.be/-iIS6ZZ9RVA

School of Hip : https://shows.acast.com/school-of-hip

Follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Follow: https://linktr.ee/tompettyproject

Listen: https://pod.link/1580769475

All music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.com

A special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research.

The Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way.

Producer: Kevin Brown

Executive Producers: Paul Roberts, Steve Ursell

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-tom-petty-project.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Questions with Shine Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

Shine is back to answer my Ten Questions! She draws a brilliant parallel from Fault Lines to big band music, we ruminate on the brilliance of Mike Campbell and Shine shares her experience of being side stage during Speaker Wars' performance at least year's Tom Petty Weekend in Gainesville!

Song and links:

Shine's Insta : https://www.instagram.com/shineandtheshakers/

On Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ShineandtheShakers

Woman's Plight : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRNRn4ej4Bc/

* Image generously provided by Shawn Murphy of the Tom Petty Trail: https://tompettytrail.com/

Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Follow: https://linktr.ee/tompettyproject

Listen: https://pod.link/1580769475

All music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.com

A special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research.

The Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way.

Producer: Kevin Brown

Executive Producers: Paul Roberts, Steve Ursell

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-tom-petty-project.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian Ruskin aka Mental Health Consumer Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

This special bonus episode of the podcast is a conversation I had with the wonderful Brian Ruskin of the Honest and Unmerciful Record Review Podcast. As well as co-hosting one of my favourite shows, Brian is a prolific musician who has released over a dozen albums of his own material. We're taking a sylistic detour today however as we plunge headlong into the world of electronic music, loops, samples, heavily processed guitars, and found sounds! But don't worry, we have a fantastic guide!

We talk about how discovering his music unlocked a part of my musical brain I didn’t even know existed and Brian was absolutely brilliant in articulating his creative process and his background in getting to this stage in his creative life.

Song and links relevant to the episode:

Mental Heatlh Consumer @ Bandcamp: https://mentalhealthconsumer.bandcamp.com/

The new album The Echoes I Sent: https://mentalhealthconsumer.bandcamp.com/album/the-echoes-i-sent

Linkhub for links to streaming platforms and press: https://music.imusician.pro/a/xDnwUJqN

Label: EC Underground: https://ecunderground.bandcamp.com/

Far Above the World Tonight: https://mentalhealthconsumer.bandcamp.com/album/far-above-the-world-tonight

Honest and Unmerciful Record Review Podcast: https://honest-unmerciful-record-review.podbean.com/

Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Follow: https://linktr.ee/tompettyproject

Listen: https://pod.link/1580769475

All music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.com

A special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research.

The Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way.

Producer: Kevin Brown

Executive Producers: Paul Roberts, Steve Ursell

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-tom-petty-project.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shine Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

From the horse capital of the world to the main stage in Gainesville!

This week's episode is a fantastic freewheeling chat that I had with the inimitable Shine, who I had the privilege of seeing perform at the Tom Petty Weekend and the greater pleasure spending an hour and change getting to know over Zoom. Like all the true originals, Shine has a way of expressing herself that imprints on you. She'll make you laugh (we talk about that!) and can make you cry with both her voice and with her intimate relationship with her guitar. But most of all, she'll make you sit forward in your seat and pay attention!

We talk about growing up with Gospel and Bob Marley, competing in band competitions, and formal training vs just putting in the hours! We also discuss not overanalyzing what you're doing and being really present in the moment. I hope this comes across in our conversation because this just felt like a chat between two old friends and it was so much fun!

Song and links mentioned in the episode:

Shine's Insta : https://www.instagram.com/shineandtheshakers/

On Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ShineandtheShakers

Woman's Plight : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRNRn4ej4Bc/

Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Follow: https://linktr.ee/tompettyproject

Listen: https://pod.link/1580769475

All music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.com

A special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research.

The Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way.

Producer: Kevin Brown

Executive Producers: Paul Roberts, Steve Ursell

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-tom-petty-project.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blue Sunday Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

For an hour or so, with the sun starting to make it’s way to the basement to sleep, we drove in relative silence. Zoey’s mood seemed to darken with the sky. Or that’s the way it felt. I asked if there was anything wrong, she said, "Nothin' worth talkin' 'bout".

And that’s how it was for a while. A blue Sunday, Down the interstate. Blue, with shades of grey, and orange as the light began to fade.

After a while, she turned to me and with a serious expression and asked me “You ever found it funny Jack,how a crowd gathers around anyone living life without a net?” Then she let go of the steering wheel and closed her eyes.

That was the day I met Zoey. There’s a lot more to tell, but I’ll save that for another time.

Song and links mentioned in the episode:

Song : https://youtu.be/jUUpkMNU3_4

Jake Thistle live stream : https://youtu.be/pTIWCDHC1BY?t=313

Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Follow: https://linktr.ee/tompettyproject

Listen: https://pod.link/1580769475

All music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.com

A special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research.

The Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way.

Producer: Kevin Brown

Executive Producers: Paul Roberts, Steve Ursell

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-tom-petty-project.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lost Children Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

In a 2006 Rolling Stone interview, Tom credits Ron Blair’s return as being pivotal for the band saying, “The band has a good family atmosphere that wasn't there for a while. It came back about a year or two ago. I think when Ron Blair returned, it really bonded us back together in a weird way. If he hadn't been there, I am sure it would have been the end of the whole thing when Howie died. Ron stepped in and had this huge enthusiasm through the whole thing.” He goes on to say “When he first quit, he didn't quit the band, he quit the whole music thing. He was fed up. But we were all young boys then. When he got interested in music again, he started playing with Mike quite a bit, and so he was just there when we needed a bass player for the last two tracks we did for The Last DJ.”

Song and links mentioned in the episode:

Song : https://youtu.be/7VfxdQMfP0g

Live at the Olympic : https://youtu.be/yLl2_JIlKps?t=1947

The Blue Stingrays - Surf n Burn : https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kAnAc1Opi44iPchcIFZKjyN5lw_i8rR1g

Don't forget to follow me on social media, like, subscribe, and please, leave a rating if you like the show.

Follow: https://linktr.ee/tompettyproject

Listen: https://pod.link/1580769475

All music, including the theme song, provided by my very best friend Randy Woods. Check him out at https://www.randywoodsband.com

A special thanks to Paul Zollo. Without his book, "Conversations with Tom Petty", this podcast wouldn't be nearly as much fun to research.

The Tom Petty Project is not affiliated with the Tom Petty estate in any way.

Producer: Kevin Brown

Executive Producers: Paul Roberts, Steve Ursell