Andy Frasco's World Saving Podcast

Tom Hamilton of Joe Russo's Almost Dead joins Andy Frasco for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, work ethic, the jam band scene, rock music, songwriting, and what it really takes to build a career in music.
From living in a Chevy Lumina and grinding through 200-show tours to selling out Red Rocks with JRAD, Tom shares the highs, lows, and lessons from decades in the music industry. The conversation dives into Joe Russo's Almost Dead, the legacy of the Grateful Dead, the difference between art and content, why some musicians stop taking risks, and how younger bands can bring excitement back to rock and jam music.
Tom also opens up about Brothers Past, Ghost Light, songwriting, improvisation, music festivals, Bonnaroo, Dave Matthews Band, and the future of live music. Along the way, Andy and Tom discuss Phish, Geese, Cameron Winter, King Gizzard, grunge, punk rock, creativity, touring, collaboration, and the importance of taking chances both on stage and in life.
If you're a fan of jam bands, rock music, guitar players, music podcasts, or behind-the-scenes stories from working musicians, this episode is packed with insight and hilarious moments.
Topics include:
Joe Russo's Almost Dead (JRAD)
Grateful Dead and jam band culture
Tom Hamilton's new album
Brothers Past and Ghost Light
Bonnaroo and touring stories
Songwriting vs improvisation
Phish and the modern jam scene
Geese, Cameron Winter, and the future of rock music
Music industry success and failure
Creativity, risk-taking, and artistic growth.

Andy Frasco and Nick Gerlach launch a new series, Respect Your Elders, with two unforgettable conversations from Kavod Senior Life in Denver.
Vivian, an 84-year-old retired nurse and writer, reflects on surviving a life-threatening illness, reporting on Hurricane Katrina, and why compassion still matters. Michael, a former athlete, award-winning cannabis baker, cookbook author, and entrepreneur, shares stories about success, regret, reinvention, and the lessons he's learned over nearly seven decades.
Two lives. Decades of experience. Plenty of laughs. And a reminder that some of the best stories come from people who have already lived several chapters.

Jackson Wetherbee of The Elovaters joins the pod for one of the realest conversations we've had about what it actually takes to "make it" in music.
From getting discovered by Jay-Z at 19… to getting dropped by a major label… to grinding bar gigs for nearly a decade while raising a kid… to finally selling out Red Rocks Amphitheatre — this episode is all about patience, consistency, and staying independent.
We talk:
• The insane story of playing for Jay-Z in person
• Why he dropped out of college after signing to Universal
• Touring in a converted school bus
• Balancing fatherhood with life on the road
• The reggae scene's secret success formula
• Why The Elovaters turned down major label offers
• Nashville songwriting culture
• Stick Figure, Dirty Heads, Pepper & the rise of independent "coastal" music
• Building a career without blowing yourself up along the way
One of the best musician conversations we've had in a minute.

The Brothers Comatose join Andy for one of the wildest hangs yet, from sleeping in the woods after a tree branch punctured an eyeball, to puking mid-set at punk bars in San Francisco, to surviving the Bandwagon death trap on tour. The crew talks bluegrass revival, viral success with "Harvest Moon," touring with kids, Appalachia ghost stories, Mexico surf life, social media strategy, and how they somehow still like each other after years of living in vans together.
Plus: ninja-star karate instructors, BYOB Pennsylvania strip clubs, Sawtooth Festival chaos, and why hiring a Gen Z mandolin player might've saved the band online.
This one feels like sitting backstage at 2AM with a cooler full of PBR. 🍻

Legendary songwriter, performer, and actor Steve Earle joins Andy Frasco on the show this week for an interview that spans his entire career. This deep dive touches on him running away from home as a kid, doing drugs at a young age, being a recovering addict, and his role as a parent to a son with special needs. Steve Earle is one of the great orators of our time, and that is on display during this world-saving interview. He also talks about opening for Bob Dylan and his friendship with his hero, Townes Van Zandt. They even get into his love of New York Yankees baseball and Premier League Soccer.