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Don McLean: American Pie & More on a Classic SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham Listen at: open.spotify.com/episode/5qqFN61Zt6X4NNeVlskqQq?si=9J6cesSTQVmzs0j3pPT-gg Music legend Don McLean joins Tom Needham for a special episode of The Sounds of Film on WUSB. Don McLean is the iconic singer/songwriter behind the classic anthem “American Pie,” a song that continues to resonate across generations. Ranked number five on the Recording Industry of America and NEA’s Song of the Century list, “American Pie” remains one of the most influential songs in American music history. In 2015, the original manuscript of the song fetched $1,205,000 at a Christie’s auction. McLean’s impressive catalog also includes major hits like “Vincent,” “Crying,” and “Castles in the Air.” His music has been featured in numerous films, including Born on the Fourth of July and Charlie Wilson’s War. He is also the subject of the documentary American Troubadour: Don McLean, directed by Jim Brown. The

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Eric Andersen Talks Dylan, Warhol & THE SONGPOET on Tom Needham’s SOUNDS OF FILM Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/63z9Gg1Af1QrPGvTJFpwQY?si=VD1P_S9CTaql-cD-qBCeaw This week on Tom Needham’s SOUNDS OF FILM, the spotlight is on iconic troubadour Eric Andersen, the poetic voice of the Greenwich Village folk scene. In a revealing and wide-ranging interview, Andersen opens up about his encounters with cultural titans like Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, Brian Epstein, and Lou Reed, while reflecting on the personal and professional crossroads that shaped his singular journey through the music world. The discussion centers on THE SONGPOET, a deeply personal and cinematic portrait of Andersen’s life, directed by Paul Lamont. The documentary captures the emotional highs and devastating setbacks of a fiercely independent artist navigating the changing tides of fame, artistic purpose, and legacy. With featured appearances by Clive Davis, Lenny Kaye, Tom Paxton, John Sebastian, and Anthony DeCurtis, the film charts Andersen’s relentless pursuit of truth in

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DUSTY & STONES’ Gazi “Dusty” Simelane & Director Jesse Rudoy on SOUNDS with Tom Needham Listen to the interview at: soundsoffilm.com This week on SOUNDS, we welcome filmmaker Jesse Rudoy and one half of the extraordinary country duo, Gazi “Dusty” Simelane, to discuss their inspiring new documentary Dusty & Stones. The film shines a spotlight on Dusty and his cousin Linda “Stones” Msibi, two musicians from the African Kingdom of Eswatini, who set out on an unforgettable journey from their rural homeland to the birthplace of country music in the United States. Dusty & Stones tells the powerful story of two artists chasing a dream that defies borders and expectations. Their journey—filled with triumphs, setbacks, and self-discovery—takes them from the hills of Eswatini to a Texas battle of the bands, where they bring their authentic sound to the heart of American country music. Through their music and determination, Dusty and

JIMMY IN SAIGON: A Conversation with Director Peter McDowell on SOUNDS with Tom Needham Listen to the interview at aoundsoffilm.com This week’s episode of SOUNDS features an extraordinary conversation with filmmaker Peter McDowell, who shares the emotional story behind his documentary Jimmy in Saigon. The film, which has earned critical acclaim on the festival circuit, unearths the hidden life of McDowell’s brother Jimmy, a young Vietnam veteran who died mysteriously in Saigon in 1972. Through deeply personal interviews, long-lost letters, and travels from the American Midwest to Vietnam and France, Peter McDowell pieces together his brother’s journey—a story of love, estrangement, addiction, and identity in a time when such truths were buried. With Jimmy in Saigon, McDowell not only confronts a family tragedy but also opens a powerful dialogue about memory, cultural taboos, and the Vietnam War’s long shadow. The SOUNDS interview offers an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the making

James Corbett & The New World Order on SOUNDS with Tom Needham Listen to the conversation at soundsoffilm.com In this episode of SOUNDS, host Tom Needham speaks with investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker James Corbett, the creator of The Corbett Report. Known for his in-depth reporting on geopolitics, media manipulation, and global power structures, Corbett brings his independent research to a wide audience through documentaries, articles, and podcasts. The discussion centers around his compelling book “Reportage: Essays on the New World Order”, a collection of critical essays that examine the hidden forces shaping our world—from global finance and surveillance to historical revisionism and media control. Corbett shares insights into the origins of the book, the importance of alternative media, and the urgent need for media literacy in an age of disinformation. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges mainstream narratives and encourages deeper questioning. Never miss an episode of

Josh Rogin Talks Joe Rogan, Trump & China on SOUNDS with Tom Needham The next episode of the SOUNDS Podcast features a classic conversation from The Sounds of Film archive with Josh Rogin, columnist for the Washington Post’s Global Opinions section and political analyst for CNN. Rogin, who also appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, joins host Tom Needham to discuss his groundbreaking book, Chaos Under Heaven, which delves into the Trump administration’s turbulent and high-stakes dealings with China. Rogin brings deep expertise to the conversation, having reported on foreign policy and national security for outlets including Bloomberg View, Newsweek, the Daily Beast, Foreign Policy magazine, Congressional Quarterly, and even Japan’s Asahi Shimbun. A 2011 finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists and recipient of the Interaction Award for Excellence in International Reporting, Rogin offers unparalleled insights into U.S.–China relations, the COVID-19 crisis, and the internal battles that shaped

The Story of WHFS & Freeform Radio with Jay Schlossberg on SOUNDS with Tom Needham On this episode of SOUNDS, host Tom Needham speaks with first-time director Jay Schlossberg about his long-awaited documentary Feast Your Ears: The Story of WHFS 102.3 FM. The film takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the golden era of freeform progressive FM radio, spotlighting the legendary WHFS station that broadcast from Bethesda, Maryland during the ’60s, ’70s, and ‘80s. Schlossberg shares the emotional and often surprising behind-the-scenes story of how a teen summer job at WHFS inspired him decades later to launch a successful Kickstarter campaign and finally complete the film nearly a decade later. The documentary features intimate interviews with iconic DJs like Weasel and Cerphe, musicians including Emmylou Harris and Roger McGuinn, and fans who saw WHFS as a cultural lifeline during a time of war, social unrest, and musical revolution. Tom

Screenwriting Legend Robert Boris Talks Richard Pryor, AIR FORCE ONE, & 48 HOURS on SOUNDS Our next guest on the SOUNDS with Tom Needham Podcast is one of Hollywood’s most fascinating screenwriters, Robert Boris. Robert has had an incredible career, working on some of the most legendary films in Hollywood history. He also played a key role in shaping classic films like “Some Kind of Hero,” “48 Hours,” “Dr. Detroit,” and “Air Force One”—a script that was the “most famous pitch in town” and landed him an immediate deal with Ridley Scott. Now, Robert is bringing his storytelling brilliance to the world of literature with his debut novel, BLACK SUN—an epic adventure about the world’s most powerful AI-driven warplane. When its AI system, Adam, takes control, deciding that humans can no longer be trusted with such power, the stakes become global. It’s a thrilling story that feels as cinematic as