TCBCast: An Unofficial Elvis Presley Fan Podcast

Gurdip & Justin kick off 2026 with an exploration of the many songs written by iconic rock and roll songwriting/producing duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller that were recorded by Elvis, and ultimately provide their Top 5 lists of their personal favorites. From Hound Dog to Jailhouse Rock, Trouble to Bossa Nova Baby and beyond, it's all discussed in here - as well as a light overview of their careers, songs and productions before and after working with Elvis. The guys also catch up on several weeks of listener emails, break down the new "Wearin' That Night Life Look" remix from the upcoming soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann's EPiC, and of course dig into two Songs of the Week. Gurdip celebrates the New Year by telling us the history behind "Auld Lang Syne" which Elvis performed in concert twice in the 1970s during New Year's Eve shows, then Justin finds his thrill on "Blueberry Hill," the 1940s hit that was revived by rock legend Fats Domino in 1956 and subsequently covered by Elvis on the "Loving You" album and occasionally brought into his setlist during the 1970s. We highly recommend the compilation "Elvis Sings Leiber & Stoller" which is available on digital storefronts (with added "Three Corn Patches" which was missing from the original physical release), "Hound Dog: The Leiber & Stoller Autobiography" and Ace Records' wonderfully curated compilation series "The Leiber & Stoller Story" bringing together a mix of well-known and lesser-heard songs written and produced by the two musical partners. If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a donation at Patreon.com/TCBCast. Your support allows us to continue to provide thoughtful, provocative, challenging and well-researched perspectives on Elvis's career, his peers and influences, and his cultural impact and legacy.

Ryan & Bec's annual "solo" New Year's show is a DOOZY! Ostensibly presenting a few of their favorite preferred live performances over their studio counterparts, the two hosts go full celebration mode instead, breaking out the booze, and before you know it, Ryan's stretched the parameters of the topic, Bec's forgotten the meaning of the word "live," and they're both having giggle fits over innuendo. For Song of the Week, Bec rings in the new year with a reminder that "There Is So Much World to See" from 1967's "Double Trouble" - and Ryan forgets that Christmas will be over by the time this episode comes out, so we get one more holiday hit tackled, as he discusses the story behind songwriter Michael Jarrett and Elvis's 1971 Christmas cut "I'll Be Home on Christmas Day"  If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a donation at Patreon.com/TCBCast. Your support allows us to continue to provide thoughtful, provocative, challenging and well-researched perspectives on Elvis's career, his peers and influences, and his cultural impact and legacy.

Part 2 of our "Spinout" Extravaganza continues! Ghosty Wills taps out at the top of the show, but the rest of the team powers through to explore "Spinout"'s musical sequences and the histories behind them, from the Elvis competitor who cut "Stop Look and Listen" first, to the beautiful 19th century melody behind "Am I Ready," and how the woman who wrote the title track, finally settled a long dispute over the title of the film. Then the team surprises Felix with the three bonus tracks featured on the soundtrack album: "Tomorrow is a Long Time," "Down in the Alley," and "I'll Remember You." The gang also discusses international titles for "California Holiday," listens to some hilarious Elvis outtakes, and finally, close out reflecting back on both "Spinout" and "Clambake" and whether they hold up this year - both as Elvis films, and as holiday watches. From all of us to all of you, we wish you a very Happy Holidays and Merry Clambake! 

MERRY CLAMBAKE! Featuring Justin Gausman, Olivia Murphy-Rogers, Rabia, Felix, John Michael Heath, David "Ghosty" Wills, Garrett Cash and Darin Evans.  Part 1 opens with the revelation of how we tricked Felix into thinking he would have to watch Clambake again, then primarily covers our overall thoughts on the Norman Taurog-directed 1966 flick about a singing racecar driver, "Spinout." Sharing numerous overlaps with 1967's "Clambake", such as co-stars Shelley Fabares and Will Hutchins, "Spin-bake" puts the differences between the two Elvis films in sharp relief - and the earlier movie brings out a whole new world of fascinating themes to explore, from the way "Spinout" handles gender norms & expectations, to its origins as a deeply meta Elvis spoof, plus major cultural references, including allusions to the contemporaneous book & film "Sex and the Single Girl" by Helen Gurley Brown via Diane McBain's character.  Unlike previous years' Christmas episodes, this discussion is much more free-flowing rather than having an overly structured beat-by-beat recap, so having seen "Spinout" is strongly recommended! Part 2 will emphasize the song sequences of "Spinout" more linearly, as well as touch on the film's soundtrack and bonus tracks (which Justin & Gurdip also reviewed in 2023) more strongly through its cinematic lens.   

Gurdip joins Justin for one last shorter pre-Christmas episode as we look back on 2025 and what 2026 may hold for Elvis fans, briefly discuss the EPiC teaser & poster, the news of Making of G.I. Blues FTD's release, and the passing of Raul Malo, lead singer of the Mavericks, who took influence from Elvis's work - discussed back on Episode 275 of TCBCast. Following up from Justin's previous Song of the Week, listener Rob sends in an email taking a crack at translating "Lilla klocka ring igen," the Swedish version of "On A Snowy Christmas Night" and Gurdip shakes off the rust for a classic round of Elvis trivia. For Song of the Week, Gurdip brings the brief "Wheels On My Heels" from 1964's "Roustabout" while Justin tackles the history behind Johnny Tillotson's "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'," which Elvis covered on the iconic "From Elvis in Memphis" album. If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a donation at Patreon.com/TCBCast. Your support allows us to continue to provide thoughtful, provocative, challenging and well-researched perspectives on Elvis's career, his peers and influences, and his cultural impact and legacy.