It’s been seven years since I started doing an radio episode dedicated specifically to covers. In that time I’ve presented my take on what makes a great cover and what kinds of covers I’m drawn to. If you missed any of that, here’s the Cliff Notes version:


A great cover takes a new approach to the original song and stands on its own. It is not done in the same tempo and instrumentation with only a different singer. Those songs are tributes. Covers reimagine the original song and add a new, distinct flavor to it.

All that to say that the annual cover show is coming this week. I’m regularly on the prowl for new reinterpretations of songs that I can feature. Some of the tracks I’ll showcase this week will be songs we’ve done on a previous episode from this year, and some will be brand new like my friend Lindsay Katt’s take on the David Bowie classic Diamond Dogs. Lindsay spent some time with us recently and we recorded an exclusive session at Fly Boy that we’ll present in a few weeks. She told me about her love for David Bowie as an artist and someone who challenged conventions. That was one of the inspirations behind choosing to do this song. Her album cover for the single is a reflection of what Bowie did years back. It’s a great reinterpretation of the song, and further illustrates what draws me to covers.

Another cool thing about this upcoming episode is that it marks the first time in the show’s nearly 9 year history that we’ll be broadcasting 2 hours each week. Your local public radio station will have the details on when the show will air, but you can always hear both hours HERE on our page.

To give you a little preview and something to look forward to, I’ll be serving up reinterpretations of Springsteen, Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel as well as hits from the 80s, 90s, and some reimagined punk rock. Tons of fun and it all kicks off Friday the 20th. Join me.