Backstage Pass: Peter McDade & Michael Amos Cody on Rock, Fiction, and Frontmen
Peter McDade
As drummer for the rock band Uncle Green, Peter McDade spent fifteen years traveling the highways of America in a series of Ford vans. While the band searched for fame and a safe place to eat before a gig, he began writing short stories and novels. Uncle Green went into semi-retirement after four labels, seven records, and one name change; Peter went to Georgia State University and majored in History and English, eventually earning an MA in History. His first novel, ‘The Weight of Sound’, was published by Wampus Multimedia and won the Georgia Author of the Year Award for best debut in 2017. ‘Songs By Honeybird’, also published by Wampus Multimedia, followed. Both books also have soundtracks of original songs—as does his new novel, ‘King Cal’.
Michael Amos Cody
Born in the South Carolina Lowcountry and raised in the North Carolina highlands, Michael Amos Cody spent his 20s writing songs in Nashville, and his 30s in school. He’s the author of the short story collection ‘A Twilight Reel’ and the novels ‘Gabriel’s Songbook’ and ‘Streets of Nashville’. He lives in east TN and teaches lit at East Tennessee State University. Michael also taught an honors special topics course on rock novels at ETSU in 2024.
About the Episode
EPISODE SUMMARY:
Hey, Lit listeners! It’s old home week here at the podcast. Joining me are two Rock is Lit alumni who know a thing or two about chasing musical dreams and writing fiction that grooves with soul and grit: authors and musicians Peter McDade and Michael Amos Cody.
In this special episode we’re talking about their brand-new novels: Peter’s ‘King Cal’ and Michael’s ‘Streets of Nashville’. Both of these fabulous novels ask what music costs, what it gives, and who gets to be heard.
Also in the episode, we’ll get to hear each author read from their books and maybe even settle the question Who makes the best frontman—or frontwoman—in rock history?
*Trigger warning: We talk Taylor Swift in the last part of the episode. Swifties, listen with caution.
PLAYLIST:
Rock is Lit theme music
Sixties 60’s music (free to use)
Acoustic Guitar instrumental [Non Copyrighted] \ Guitar arrangement for song
“Funky Drummer” by James Brown
“My Best Friend’s Girl” by The Cars
“Drive-Thru” by Tenacious D
“Fast Food” by Jesse Welles
“The Entertainer” by Billy Joel
“Pop Singer” by John Mellencamp
“Soulmates” by Michael Amos Cody
“My Dear Friend, Mr. Heineken” by One Four Three/‘King Cal’ soundtrack
“Drowning in Mayo” by Lords of the Living/‘King Cal’ soundtrack
“Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell
“Game On!” by Aqours
“Blank Space” by Taylor Swift
“Free Man in Paris” by Joni Mitchell
“Watching Mary Sleep” by King Cal/‘King Cal’ soundtrack
“Landscapes” by Michael Amos Cody
Sixties 60’s music (free to use)
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Peter McDade’s website: peterjmcdade.com
‘King Cal’ soundtrack on Bandcamp
Peter McDade on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.j.mcdade
Peter McDade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterjmc33/
Michael Amos Cody’s website: michaelamoscody.com
Michael Amos Cody on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelamoscody/
Michael Amos Cody on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelamoscody
Michael Amos Cody on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelamoscody.bsky.social
Peter on Rock is Lit EP15 and Peter on Rock is Lit EP36
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg
