Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Michael C back to discuss Jake Thistle’s American Idol elimination, arguing Jake’s strengths are his songwriting, frontman rapport, versatility in changing vocal styles across artists (Petty, Jackson Browne, Bruce, Phil Collins, John Hiatt), and strong character, with hopes for continued success and mention of an April 29 Monmouth University show with Vinny “Mad Dog” Lopez. They shift to Springsteen concerts, set lists, and the tour’s anger/war-related themes, including opening with “War,” plus commentary that Bruce has been political since early songs. Michael then defends tribute bands as an affordable way to keep music alive, stressing quality performance, vocal range, and audience engagement, and prefers live performance over studio. Jesse closes with podcast contact info and other projects, including a John Hiatt podcast.

00:00 Podcast Welcome
00:55 Jake Idol Exit
02:22 Why Jake Connects
04:00 Influences And Praise
09:35 Jake Live Shows
12:06 Talent Beyond Voice
14:06 Bruce Tour Plans
15:44 Setlist And Politics
17:50 Tribute Bands Value
22:12 What Makes Tribute Great
25:11 Live Beats Studio
26:46 Cover Bands Setlists
28:58 Hooking New Fans
30:30 Tributes Keep Legacy
31:44 Politics And Critics
34:06 Proving Greatness Live
37:08 Respecting Tributes
38:13 Clive Davis Connection
40:54 Goodbyes And Contacts
42:57 Radio Hits Paradox
45:09 Podcast Housekeeping
47:03 Final Sign Off

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Host Jesse Jackson presents a B-side episode of Set Lusting Bruce featuring Neat, a Punjabi Thai Sikh independent recording artist and development psychology graduate student from Bangkok who moved to New York at 25. Neat describes growing up with Bollywood and religious music, discovering Western artists like Britney Spears and Eminem, and secretly writing lyrics that sparked her own songwriting; her father destroyed her rap cassettes, prompting her to graffiti her wall in protest. She explains how music “found” her repeatedly, including through her Thailand-based Freedom of Expression project empowering girls, and later after surviving years of domestic violence, coercive control, and a nine-year New York family-court custody battle she says ignored psychological abuse. Her song and video “Rise” recount and reenact these experiences, fueling advocacy and a Change.org petition. She discusses cultural-musical blending, upcoming singles and videos, and plans for an EP or album, and shares a message of resilience and seeking help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0NUUhrMHrQ

ProtectChildrenNY – Child Protection Reform Initiative:

https://www.change.org/ProtectChildrenNY
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Host Jesse Jackson welcomes music journalist, publicist, label executive, and manager Danny Goldberg for a B-side conversation about music memories and Bruce Springsteen connections. Goldberg recounts growing up in Hastings-on-Hudson with classical, folk, and cast albums, then shifting to rock after discovering Dylan, the Beatles, and the Stones, and later covering Woodstock for Billboard in 1969. He explains moving from criticism to publicity, becoming Led Zeppelin’s publicist, and shaping press narratives around their massive ticket sales amid skeptical critics. Goldberg discusses co-directing and co-producing the 1979 No Nukes film, meeting Springsteen during editing, and securing approval to use key performances after adding political context. He also talks about his books, including the reissued memoir Bumping Into Geniuses, reacts emotionally to Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia,” praises the Nebraska film Deliver Me From Nowhere, shares work with Bonnie Raitt and Steve Earle, and answers the “Mary” question about Thunder Road.

https://www.dannygoldberg.com

00:37 Meet Danny Goldberg

01:38 No Nukes and Bruce

03:21 Growing Up Musical

05:00 Rock Awakening

08:22 First Bruce Encounter

08:46 Books and Writing

10:28 Billboard and Woodstock

13:43 From Critic to Publicist

17:21 What Publicists Do

21:15 Led Zeppelin PR Win

26:17 Aiming for Management

27:44 First Book Teaser

28:03 Left Lost Teen Spirit

28:52 Bumping Into Geniuses

29:34 Why Write Memoirs

30:25 Streets of Minneapolis

33:20 No Nukes Editing

35:39 Politics In The Cut

36:49 Deliver Me From Nowhere

40:11 Bonnie Raitt And Hyatt

41:55 Whats Next Ahead

43:41 Mary Question

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The echoes of Sunday night in Austin are still alive with me. The joy, unity, and tender moments at the Springsteen concert served as a reminder of the goodness we can foster in the world. Do yourself a favor and soak up this experience if you can! Email me at [email protected]

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A few thoughts on the show in Austin
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