RUSH will TOUR in 2026! Learn more here! (Includes the official VIDEO announcement!) #RUSH2026

Legendary Jazz Guitarist John Scofield and Bassist Dave Holland Announce First Duo Album, "Memories of Home," Set for November 21, 2025 Release on ECM Records

Do you remember seeing your first CD player? What was YOUR first CD? This post celebrates the release of the world’s first commercially available CD player, Sony CDP – 101 celebrating its 43rd anniversary this week!

Today, Rush is celebrated as one of the most groundbreaking progressive rock bands in history. While many fans know Neil Peart was not the original drummer, fewer realize that Geddy Lee was not the first singer or bassist, and that the band’s early years saw several lineup changes and even name changes.

I have to admit, I’m not very knowledgeable about hip hop. But my curiosity was sparked when I learned that legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter had played on The Low End Theory—an album by A Tribe Called Quest. That unexpected connection between jazz and hip hop made me want to learn more about the album, its history, and its legacy. Here’s what I learned…

This past week, I was introduced to Santana’s album Caravanserai by a viewer on the “Our Mind on Music” YouTube channel. This came up in a discussion comparing the guitar playing of Carlos Santana and Masayoshi Takanaka. I had not previously heard of this album, which made me curious enough to spend part of my day listening to it. I also became curious why Santana decided to make such a departure from the style of music they had previously released and decided to look into it further. This is what I learned…

Ray Charles (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an extraordinary musician whose influence reshaped American music and culture. Born in Albany, Georgia, Charles overcame blindness caused by glaucoma in childhood to become a pioneering force in soul music. Known as "The Genius" and the "Father of Soul," he fused blues, gospel, jazz, country, and R&B into a groundbreaking sound that transcended race and genre. Remembering Ray Charles His early struggles with hardship, including the tragic loss of his brother and battles with heroin addiction, never dimmed his indomitable spirit or drive.

Gregg Rolie is a pioneering musician who co-founded both Santana and Journey. As Santana’s original keyboardist and lead vocalist, he played on iconic tracks like “Black Magic Woman” and “Evil Ways.” After leaving Santana in 1972, he helped create Journey, where he contributed as keyboardist and lead singer on their early albums before sharing vocals with Steve Perry. Rolie’s versatility and talent have earned him recognition as a rock legend and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

On September 21, 1987, the music world lost a true innovator—Jaco Pastorius—at the young age of 35, known affectionately as the “bass of doom.” Jaco transformed the electric bass guitar, pushing its boundaries and revolutionizing the way the instrument was played and perceived. Jaco Pastorius’ remarkable career included both groundbreaking solo work and iconic performances as a key member of the jazz fusion band Weather Report. His virtuosity, infectious groove, and melodic mastery made him a driving force in jazz and its crossover into rock and funk. Legendary tracks like…

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of blues guitar legend B.B. King, a monumental figure in the history of music. Born Riley B. King on a cotton plantation in the Mississippi Delta a century ago, B. B. King rose from humble roots to become one of the most influential blues musicians ever. His early exposure to gospel music in church laid the foundation for a unique guitar style characterized by expressive single-note runs, soulful bends, and a signature vibrato. This made his guitar, "Lucille," almost a singing partner.

Independent radio services are vital platforms for promoting diverse, non-mainstream music and podcasts. They provide unique spaces where emerging and underground artists can share their work and connect with engaged listeners. If you are an independent radio station owner or DJ, feel free to mention your service in the comments — while I highlight a few indie radio services I’m aware of in this post, I’m happy to help spread awareness of others too.

Vicente Fernández is a key artist for Mexicans, especially those of a certain age—roughly my mother’s age. While I have been familiar with his music for years, I realized I didn’t know much about his rise to fame or how he became such an iconic performer. I decided to look further into his career. Here’s what I learned…

Long before K-pop became a global sensation, three young women from South Korea carved out an extraordinary path as The Kim Sisters, one of the first Korean groups to achieve success in the United States. The trio—siblings Sue and Ai-ja Kim, and their cousin/adopted sister Mia—formed in 1953 and began their musical journey singing American pop hits for U.S. soldiers during the Korean War. Their mother, Lee Nan-young, a famous Korean singer herself, trained them with records bought on the black market, coaching them to perform American songs phonetically.

A band I recently joined is starting work on developing a cover version of Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain.” Our drummer and singer, who is also a drummer, were discussing the challenges of the drum parts for that song. One particularly tricky aspect is the shuffle beats that occur throughout much of the track. This conversation sparked my curiosity about the use of shuffle beats in 70s and 80s pop music. As I dug deeper, one name that came up repeatedly was Jeff Porcaro—an iconic drummer whose influence on the music of that era is nothing short of legendary.

Many years ago, I first learned that Clare Torry was the incredible voice behind Pink Floyd’s iconic song "The Great Gig in the Sky." Sometime after that, I came across the liner notes of Culture Club’s album Colour by Numbers and noticed the name Helen Terry credited for backing vocals. In those pre-internet days, my mind confused the two similar-sounding names into one person. It wasn’t until fairly recently that I finally researched to clarify—they are definitely different artists. Incidentally, Culture Club’s "Victims," featuring Helen Terry, remains my favorite song from the band.

August 27th marked the anniversary of the passing of the legendary blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. On this day in 1990, the music world lost one of its most electrifying and soulful talents when Vaughan tragically died in a helicopter crash in East Troy, Wisconsin. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s influence on blues and rock guitar is immeasurable. Known for his fiery playing style and heartfelt emotion, Vaughan brought blues music back to mainstream audiences with albums like Texas Flood and Couldn’t Stand the Weather. His mastery of tone and technique, combined with his passion and dedication, continues to inspire guitarists and music lovers around the world.

Learning about blues music is not just about appreciating its sound; it’s about understanding its cultural context, the stories it tells, and the human spirit it represents. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or just a curious music lover, exploring blues music means stepping into a vital chapter of North American history and a continuous source of artistic inspiration.

This week, a Grade 6 student in one of my classes introduced me to an intriguing traditional Japanese instrument called the biwa. Having never heard of it before, I decided to look into this unique lute further, curious about its history and cultural significance in Japan. This is what I learned… The biwa is a traditional Japanese plucked string instrument with a pear-shaped body and typically four or five strings, played with a large wooden plectrum known as a bachi. Its sound is deep and resonant, produced by plucking or striking the strings with the bachi, which also creates a distinctive buzzing tone called "

I was recently introduced to the band Anathema by a member of the Facebook group "Our Mind on Music" in response to a post about sad songs. Inspired by the heartfelt responses to that post, I’m putting together a playlist titled “Sad Songs Say So Much,” which will soon be shared on the Our Mind on Music YouTube channel. Keep an eye out for updates on this playlist — it promises to be a deeply moving collection that resonates with many listeners. Anathema is a band with a fascinating and unique background that sets them apart in the progressive and alternative rock scenes.

I have long been fascinated by Led Zeppelin’s “symbols” and the meaning behind them. Which symbol represents which member? How/Why did they choose these symbols? …and more… I decided to finally take a closer look… Here’s what I learned… The Symbols Robert Plant’s symbol is a feather encased within a circle, representing the feather of Ma’at, the ancient Egyptian goddess of truth, justice, harmony, and balance. The feather can also symbolize a pen, fitting for Plant as the band's lyricist. The symbol originates from the mythical Mu civilization, believed to have existed 15,000 years ago on a lost continent in the Pacific Ocean.

This story, shared by Wally from the Our Mind on Music community, offers a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into a historic music moment and the courage of a young photographer who seized his chance.

As some of you might know, I have written before about my doubts regarding the need for genres in music today… For me, one of the best illustrations of this is when iconic collaborations occur that clearly transcend genres and surprise even the most seasoned listeners. One such collaboration occurred when Michael Bolton joined Luciano Pavarotti on stage to sing Giacomo Puccini’s famous aria, “Nessun Dorma” from the final act of Turandot. Though the two came from vastly different musical traditions, their duet became an enduring example of how artistry knows no boundaries.

Steve Vai explained that Frank Zappa was a huge fan of Varèse’s music. Knowing this, Vai shared written scores of Varèse’s compositions with Zappa. This was the beginning of Zappa’s connection with Vai. Intrigued by this story, I decided to do some more research on Varèse. Here’s what I learned…

I first learned about Derek St. Holmes while watching the insightful music documentary “Hired Gun” (watch here: The film dives into the stories of world-class musicians who, though often out of the limelight, are responsible for shaping countless songs and tours for legendary artists. Besides St. Holmes, the documentary also features acclaimed musicians like Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel), Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty), Steve Lukather (Toto, Michael Jackson), Jason Newsted (Metallica), Eric Singer (Kiss), and Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper). Their behind-the-scenes contributions reveal just how much these “hired guns” have influenced popular music without always getting their due recognition.

A recent post on the Our Mind on Music Facebook page asked about sad songs, and one response that caught my attention was “Hanging by a Thread / When I’m Gone” by Michael Stanley. Intrigued by the song and wanting to know more about the artist behind it, I set out to explore Michael Stanley’s story and musical legacy. His work clearly resonated with many, and I wanted to better understand why. Here’s what I learned…