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The Three Dylans: Discovering the Talent of Peter Himmelman
In the music world, the name Dylan usually points to the legendary Bob Dylan. For others, it might evoke Bob’s son Jakob Dylan, the successful leader of The Wallflowers. However, there is a third artist in the family circle who deserves your attention. Peter Himmelman, Bob Dylan’s son-in-law, is a singer-songwriter and performer whose talent rivals the family icons. With a voice and delivery that are exceptionally easy on the ears, he is the artist you have likely been missing.
Inside This Episode: A Musical Adventure in Charlottesville
In this episode, Team Derringer (Laura, Alton, and Paul) introduces you to "The Unknown Dylan." To help navigate this deep catalog, the team is joined by long-time listener -- and newly minted Honorary Derringer -- Rob Paine.
Rob recently traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia, to meet the team in person. While in town, he soaked up local music history at Miller’s, the former hangout of the world-famous band leader Dave Matthews, and caught a live set by UK up-and-comers The Heavy Heavy at The Southern Café & Music Hall, with Nashville-based opener Laney Jones and the Spirits. Rob is the fan who originally suggested this deep dive into Peter Himmelman’s work, and his insights provide the backbone for this episode.
More Than a Son-in-Law: Peter’s Musical Legacy
While he is often introduced via his family connection, Peter Himmelman has built a massive, multi-faceted career on his own terms. Before his solo work, he fronted the Minneapolis indie rock band Sussman Lawrence, known for high-energy shows that critics compared to the likes of Elvis Costello.
His career is marked by incredible versatility:
- Awards and Accolades: Peter is both a Grammy and Emmy-nominated artist. He earned his Emmy nod for his work on the television series Judging Amy.
- Film and TV Scoring: Beyond his solo albums, he has composed scores for hit shows like Bones and Men in Trees, and contributed to film soundtracks such as D2: The Mighty Ducks.
- Children’s Music: He is a celebrated creator of children’s media, winning multiple Parents' Choice Awards for albums like My Best Friend Is a Salamander.
- Creativity Expert: He is the founder of Big Muse, a company that helps organizations unlock their creative potential through the power of songwriting.
Episode Highlights
- The Family Tree: Rob explains the connection between the artists, including Peter’s marriage to Maria Dylan.
- The 1 to 10 Scale: Team Derringer challenges Rob to rank Bob, Jakob, and Peter. See where they land on the comparison scale.
- Interstellar Recommendations: If an alien life form landed on Earth and asked for one song from each Dylan, which tracks would Rob pick?
- The Supergroup Discussion: The team dives into Bob’s time with the Traveling Wilburys and their lasting musical impact.
- Rob’s Top 3 Picks: A countdown of the three essential Peter Himmelman songs every listener needs to hear.
Why Peter Himmelman?
Team Derringer acknowledges that Peter’s last name is not Dylan, but his artistic pedigree and connection to the family make him a vital part of the story. By the end of this episode, we believe you will embrace his music with the same enthusiasm as our guest, Rob Paine.
The theme song for Derringer Discoveries is Your Sister's Room by the band, Ho Jo Fro.
If you enjoyed this episode, please "Follow" our podcast and tell others about Derringer Discoveries. Find all Derringer Discoveries episodes on our website: www.derringerdiscoveries.com/episodes.
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Thank you for listening to Derringer Discoveries!
In this episode, Paul and Alton sit down with two independent artists have bridged five time zones to create a new transatlantic sound. Join us as we meet Katie Tich and UAP (Dr. Rainer Aschemeier), the duo behind ROSEBUDTHORN, to explore how their collaboration grew from remote songwriting into a full-fledged band.
In this episode, Team Derringer catches up with Hayley Reardon , a critically acclaimed folk-pop singer-songwriter whose soul-stirring lyrics and globe-trotting performances have captivated listeners worldwide. Known for her warm, storytelling voice and her extensive tours across Europe, Hayley joins us fresh off a string of U.S. shows in New York and Massachusetts before heading back overseas - especially to Germany, where she’s a frequent performer. ABOUT HAYLEY REARDON Hayley Reardon is a singer-songwriter and storyteller in the truest sense. Raised north of Boston, she spent three years in Nashville before taking her music global, including a six-month artist residency in Dachau, Germany. Her music has been described as " brilliantly moving folk/pop with a lyrical depth and soul " by Performer Magazine . IN THIS EPISODE Discover how Hayley’s international career lets her record and perform alongside legendary artists such as Lori McKenna (co-writer of “ Girl Crush ”), Anaïs Mitchell (creator of “ Hadestown ”), Rodney Crowell , and Ed Sheeran . Yes, the Ed Sheeran - the global superstar with over 92 million monthly Spotify listeners. Hayley reflects on these powerful collaborations and what they mean for her artistic growth. Most recently, she made waves by performing at Ed Sheeran’s " Old Phone Pub " pop-up in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Her latest projects, recorded in Barcelona with Spanish collaborators, showcase her evolution as a world-class artist. Hayley’s journey is packed with authenticity, adventure, and soul - making this episode essential for anyone who loves indie and folk-pop, gripping artist stories, and the energy of live performance. Tune in for team banter, rich musical analysis, and plenty of surprises. And if you attend one of her shows, be sure to tell her Team Derringer sent you! PLAYLIST Check out the Derringer Discoveries playlist for this episode: Hayley Reardon - Extraordinaire . FIND HAYLEY Hayley Reardon: www.hayleyreardon.com Hayley on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hayleyreardon Hayley on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hayleyreardonmusic MUSIC AND PLANET FUNDRAISER Help us support four different environmental initiatives: tree planting in the Southwestern [UK], ecological restoration in Suffolk [UK], wildlife rehabilitation in Michigan [US], and solar energy and education in North Carolina [US]. Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/conservingourfuturefundraiser
Music publicist Anne Leighton (Part 2) shares insights on Team Derringer namesake Rick Derringer, Annie Haslam's Renaissance, & Joe Deninzon (Statosphereus).
Anne Leighton joins Team Derringer to reveal the art of music publicity and share stories of Jethro Tull, Orleans, and The String Revolution.
As the rhythmic backbone of The Yardbirds, Jim McCarty, was not just part of rock history— he helped write it. The band launched three of the greatest guitarists of all time—Clapton, Beck, and Page.
Stirring Things Up with Spoon (No Forks Allowed) What’s sleek, versatile, and responsible for some of the most addictive indie rock grooves since the early ’90s? Nope, not your favorite kitchen utensil—it’s Spoon, the band! With over 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify and a knack for sneaking their sound into movie soundtracks and music charts, Spoon has been serving up sonic brilliance from Austin, Texas since 1993. That’s more than three decades of musical flavor, folks. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just wondering why your hipster friend keeps name-dropping “Britt Daniel,” this episode is your golden ticket. Team Derringer (Laura, Alton, and Paul) is joined by the one and only Dan Friedman—musician, environmentalist, and head honcho of the Music and Planet Project—to help us dig into Spoon’s tastiest tracks and quirkiest trivia. 🎧 Never heard of Spoon? Perfect. We’ll introduce you like it’s your first indie rock crush. 🎧 Already a fan? Then riddle us this: why did Britt Daniel name the band Spoon? We’ve got the answer—and yes, it involves a 1970s hit that we’ll play a snippet of just to keep things spicy. So grab your headphones, skip the silverware drawer, and join us for a deep dive into one of indie rock’s most enduring and enigmatic bands. It’s Spoon-fed goodness, no assembly required.
ALICE COOPER, the Godfather of Shock Rock returns! Team Derringer welcomes Alice Cooper fangirl Kathy Derringer to trace Alice from his Phoenix-area origins through his chart-smashing heyday.
EPISODE OVERVIEW Get ready to celebrate the legacy of one of music’s most iconic storytellers - Billy Joel . As news breaks that the Piano Man is undergoing treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), Team Derringer takes a heartfelt and humorous dive into his extraordinary catalog. But this isn’t your typical “greatest hits” tribute. We’re joined by a very special guest: 22-year-old singer-songwriter and pianist Max Weinman from Arizona. Max doesn’t just admire Billy Joel - he channels his spirit. With a striking resemblance to a young Billy and a musical sensibility to match, Max brings a fresh, passionate perspective to Joel’s work. IN THIS EPISODE Max shares how he first discovered Billy Joel and how the Piano Man shaped his own songwriting journey. He rates his fandom on a scale from 1 to 10 (spoiler: it’s high). And he reveals his Top 3 favorite Billy Joel songs - none of which were chart-toppers. That’s right: no “Piano Man,” no “Uptown Girl,” no “Just the Way You Are.” Instead, Max takes us deep into the vault with three underrated gems that deserve the spotlight. But that’s not all. After the countdown, we flip the mic and shine a light on Max ’s own music. Laura , Paul , and Alton each choose a track from Max’s 2024 debut album - “ Julia ,” “ In Our Silence ,” and “ A Sonata for Yesterday ” - and invite Max to share the stories behind the songs. It’s a powerful moment of connection between musical generations. Whether you’re a lifelong Billy Joel fan or discovering Max Weinman for the first time, this episode is a celebration of melody, memory, and musical storytelling. WANT TO JOIN THE SHOW? Be a Special Guest Want to be a Special Guest like Max? All you need is enthusiasm and a love for Derringer Discoveries! (Plus, subscribing to our newsletter and listening regularly helps!) Be a Featured Music Artist To be featured as a Musical Artist on Derringer Discoveries, you'll need 10,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify. How to Get Involved: Want to be a Special Guest? Drop us a line at feedback@derringerdiscoveries.com with the major artist you'd like us to feature, plus your Top 5 favorite songs by that artist. Want to be a Featured Music Artist? Send us an email and include a Spotify link to your music at feedback@derringerdiscoveries.com . SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: BILL JOEL INSPIRED This episode features a Spotify playlist celebrating songs from the episode, plus other global artists who inspire us. If you're an artist inspired by this episode, send us a Spotify link to your song - if it fits the format and is a solid track, we’ll add it to the playlist (as long as you're a regular Derringer Discoveries listener!).
What do The Archies (1969), Milli Vanilli (1988–90), Sabrina Carpenter (2015–present) and The Velvet Sundown share in common? Team Derringer traces the arc of manufactured music.
EPISODE OVERVIEW If you don't immediately recognize the name Damiano David , you need to stick around—because he is clearly on the rise. Back in 2015, he was playing the streets of Rome before his band Måneskin became an international sensation. With three major albums selling millions of downloads since 2017, Måneskin now has over 20 million monthly listeners on Spotify, ranking among the Top 500 recording artists in the world—not just in Italy, but globally. Now, without breaking up the band, Damiano David launched his solo career in May 2025 with his debut album, and he's rapidly making history. Prior to its release, his solo work had 7 million monthly listeners—but since May 2025, that number has skyrocketed to 12 million monthly listeners. That’s a 5 million listener increase in just one month—an achievement few artists can claim. As of now, June 2025, Damiano David has a packed schedule with exciting events lined up! Here are some of his upcoming projects and performances: Major Festivals : He'll be hitting some of the biggest music festivals, including Rock Werchter in Belgium (July 3-6), Lollapalooza in Chicago (August 1-3), and Osheaga in Montreal (August 1). Solo Shows : Fans can catch him at An Evening With Damiano David in London on September 28-29. North American Tour : He has multiple solo concerts across the U.S. and Canada, including stops in Seattle (November 21), San Francisco (November 23), Los Angeles (November 25), Chicago (November 29), and Brooklyn (December 8-9). International Dates : His tour extends worldwide, with performances in cities like Milan, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, and São Paulo. SPECIAL GUEST: CAMILLA PASSANI Joining Team Derringer in this episode is special guest Camilla Passani , a longtime listener and recording artist from Rome. Back in 2016 , Camilla shared an open mic stage with Damiano in what would become a fateful night in her career. She dives into the details of that unforgettable moment and shares her three favorite songs (so far!) by the mega-superstar while we play snippets. Not only that—this episode also features music from Camilla herself, who now joins us as an Honorary Derringer, a title earned from listening to our podcast for over three years . WANT TO JOIN THE SHOW? Be a Special Guest Want to be a Special Guest like Camilla? All you need is enthusiasm and a love for Derringer Discoveries! (Plus, subscribing to our newsletter and listening regularly helps!) Be a Featured Music Artist To be featured as a Musical Artist on Derringer Discoveries, you'll need 10,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify. How to Get Involved: Want to be a Special Guest? Drop us a line at feedback@derringerdiscoveries.com with the major artist you'd like us to feature, plus your Top 5 favorite songs by that artist. Want to be a Featured Music Artist? Send us an email and include a Spotify link to your music at feedback@derringerdiscoveries.com. INFO & SHOW NOTES: www.derringerdiscoveries.com/084 SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: DAMIANO DAVID INSPIRED This episode features a Spotify playlist celebrating songs from the episode, plus other global artists who inspire us. If you're an artist inspired by this episode, send us a Spotify link to your song - if it fits the format and is a solid track, we’ll add it to the playlist (as long as you're a regular Derringer Discoveries listener!).
ABOUT THE EPISODE Join Derringer Discoveries hosts Paul, Laura, and Alton in this exciting episode where they are joined by the talented Canadian musician Kevin Franco , who records under the name of The Muster Point Project . In this episode, we shine a spotlight on Kevin’s song “I’ve Heard It All,” a musical treasure trove filled with dozens of references to Canadian artists and their iconic songs who have shaped Canada’s musical identity over the years! HIGHLIGHTS Meet Kevin Franco and dive into the creative process behind The Muster Point Project . Explore the meaning and inspiration behind “ I’ve Heard It All ”. Discover the rich tapestry of Canadian music references woven into the song. JOIN US Don't miss out on the fun— click the play button above to listen to our latest podcast episode and uncover the hidden gems of Canadian music! And for all you music aficionados, be sure to check out the show notes for the complete lyrics to “ I’ve Heard It All .” We've also included links to all the Canadian artists mentioned in Kevin’s song (we think!), so you can explore their amazing work. Tune in, sing along, and celebrate the vibrant world of Canadian music with us!
WHAT IS A TROUBADOUR? Simply put, a troubadour is a poet whose words come to life through music. With lyrics at the heart of their craft, troubadours use melodies to enhance the storylines they tell. In today’s world, the term “troubadour” is often swapped for “singer-songwriter,” a label as universal as it is captivating. Some troubadours pour their hearts into performing the words of another poet, while others pen their own lyrical masterpieces. Regardless of who writes the words, a troubadour's ultimate mission is to forge an emotional connection with their audience—bringing stories to life and keeping listeners hooked, eager to play the song on repeat. Each time you listen, another layer of meaning emerges, creating a timeless experience worth thousands of plays. IN THIS EPISODE We— Team Derringer (Laura, Alton, and Paul)—are thrilled to welcome Brooklyn-based songwriter Marv Conan to Derringer Discoveries ! As you listen, you’ll hear how Marv takes pride in representing Brooklyn over the broader NYC—though we did convince him to sneak in “NYC” for the outro voiceover. Marv has recently released a heartfelt tribute titled Judy Joan & Buffy , inspired by three iconic troubadours who shaped his youth in the early 1960s. Their stories begin in Greenwich Village in the U.S. (for two) and one in Canada—with some controversy on the latter! Want to learn more? You’ll have to tune in! These three musical legends— Judy Collins , Joan Baez , and Buffy Sainte-Marie —were a lifeline for Marv during his time in the U.S. Army in the 1960s. He spent countless hours listening to their songs on vinyl, immersing himself in their transformative art. Now, decades later, Marv honors them with his own song, Judy Joan & Buffy . WHAT TO EXPECT Join Team Derringer as we chat with Marv and delve into his creative process. You’ll hear snippets of Judy Joan & Buffy , beautifully performed by UK’s Victoria BeeBee , known for touring with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel . Plus, we explore the careers of Judy Collins , Joan Baez , and Buffy Sainte-Marie —three troubadours who forever shaped the folk music landscape. With Marv’s guidance, we highlight two songs from each legend, showcasing why these incredible artists are worth rediscovering. So, press play and join us on this musical journey. You might just find yourself falling for these legendary troubadours all over again. The theme song for Derringer Discoveries is Your Sister's Room by the band, Ho Jo Fro . If you enjoyed this episode, please "Follow" our podcast and tell others about Derringer Discoveries. Find all Derringer Discoveries episodes on our website: www.derringerdiscoveries.com/episodes . You can also follow us on social media: Instagram , Facebook , Threads , X , and BlueSky Social and you can keep up with all things Derringer by signing up for our newsletter . We appreciate every listener! Thank you for listening to Derringer Discoveries !
