Truck Stop Showers & Syncopated Truths - Ep 95

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🎙️ Episode 95 – Backstage Chaos, Music Theory, and Truck Stop Showers with Adam Douglass

Strap in for one of the most unpredictable, hilarious, and musically rich episodes yet of the Riffs and Rhythms Podcast! Kevin and Paul welcome back guitarist, educator, and seasoned road warrior Adam Douglass for a conversation that zigzags from gut-busting stories to deep musical insights — and somehow makes room for both.

🎸 From touring the East Coast in a 28-foot RV with no showers to being gifted a “free” truck stop wash by a mysterious 900-pound trucker, Adam shares candid tales of life on the road as a working musician. We’re talking Boston dive bars, Cambridge venues, shady bar bathrooms, Flying J etiquette, and why you should never forget your shower shoes on tour.

💡 But it’s not just jokes and road stories — we get deep into music theory, breaking down syncopation, phrasing on the upbeat vs. downbeat, and how that relates to pop songwriting. The crew listens to and dissects Grippa’s track “Want That”, unpacking how its rhythmic structure and offbeat phrasing elevate the entire composition.

🔥 Topics include:
- What makes a riff or rhythm carry a song?
- Why mixing comedy into gigs might be a secret weapon
- The absurd (but real) world of music jokes: bass players, lead singers, and light bulbs
- Live vs. studio performance: how to keep your authenticity
- The case for a Kill Tony-style open mic show for musicians
- The realities of Florida’s gig scene, volume limits, and what it takes to evolve as a local artist

🎶 Whether you're a gigging musician, a gearhead, a theory nerd, or just love to laugh at behind-the-scenes antics, this episode is loaded with insight, heart, and absolutely unfiltered humor.

🔊 Featured Artist: Grippa
We review Grippa’s single “Want That” and talk about her evolution as a vocalist, the importance of finding your sound, and how she blends catchy pop with real vocal chops. https://youtu.be/lpxqHi5MEGk?si=9vPrTKEOzk3SEg89

LEARN More About Adam Douglass: www.adamdouglass.com

📌 Follow the Show
🎸🥁 Riffs n Rhythms - www.riffsnrhythms.com
🎸 Kevin McLoughlin – www.kevinmcloughlinband.com
🥁 Paul Robertson – @drumsandrums @rumfluencer
👻 The Ghost on the Aux -  https://ghostontheaux.com

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💬 Leave a comment with your wildest road story, your favorite musician joke, or let us know if you're team riff or team rhythm!