James Harmon is a son, a partner, a father, and a good-vibes kind of human being. He co-owns and co-operates Jammin' Nuggets Music with his lady friend, and you can find their spot at 115 S. Ohio in Sedalia, MO.

James and I talked family, growing up, passion projects becoming real-life projects, record-store shopping, making connections through music, and more. We also talked a little bit about a few of James' favorite albums, which were these…

Josh King is a sibling, a husband, a father, and an insanely intelligent human being. He mans the six-string, the vocals, and the mixing for the band, Low Forest, and he's my guest for Episode No. 132.

Josh and I talked growing up and education, Missouri-style. We touched on Low Forest's fascinating collection of releases on Bandcamp, where to follow them (Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, and we had a peek at a few of Josh's favorite albums, which were these…

L. Ron Drunkard, bassist for Red Kate, joined me for Episode No. 131, and it was a hoot.

We talked about band life, making records, supporting local music, news, politics, the awesomeness of Bob Mould, the lameness of touring acts frequently skipping Kansas City, and a ton more.

We also talked a bit about a few of Mr. Drunkard's favorite albums. Those were these…

Josh Plunkett is a son, a sibling, an entrepreneur, a business owner, a photographer, a videographer, and a world traveler. He's a guy that has figured out a thing or two about his allotment of time on this planet, and he's also my guest for Episode No. 130.

Josh was kind enough to give me a chunk of one of his Tuesday evenings a couple of months ago, and self-aware enough to warn me that he has no qualms going long in the discussion department. Little did he know that that was just fine with me.

Our conversation was fascinating and worth me not spoiling too much of it before you get in there and check it out for yourself. I will say, however, that we talked a bit about family, self-exploration, the human experience and what it can sometimes look and feel like out there amongst the others. And of course we had a peek at a few of Josh's favorite records.

I'm very excited to share that Dr. Alberto Villamandos joined me for Episode No. 129, and we talked a little bit about life as Associate Chair and Associate Professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages & Cultures at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Go, Roos!

We also talked about him being the recipient of the 2024 Chancellor's Award for Community Engagement.

Dr. Villamandos was kind enough to share a portion of his evening with me amidst busy end-of-semester pressures, travel plans, and the many other things that keep his plate full, so I must extend some heartfelt gratitude for his generosity.

Jeremy Clark of Tracer Heights was in the house for Episode No. 128, and dang it if it isn't always refreshing to chat with a fellow Phishhead.

Trust me: I'm not trying to pigeonhole Jeremy or say that that's all there is to say about him. There's a ton more. Rare is the opportunity, though.

Anyway...Jeremy's a son and a brother and a bandmate and one heck of a sharp dude; I really enjoyed getting to know him a little bit. We talked a fair amount about Tracer Heights, what they're all about, and what his role as the bassist looks like. We also talked about a few of Jeremy's favorite albums. Those were these…

Lauren Textor was my guest for Episode No. 127, and my mind is still reeling from everything that she has accomplished at such a young age.

I have no real direct reason to be as proud of her as I am, but I am, nonetheless. And I truly feel that she is just getting started.

There're a number of ways in which one could keep tabs on this daughter, sibling, writer, producer, girlfriend, lover of Ireland, bandmate/cat mom. And those'er these: Muck Rack, Instagram, etc.

Lauren and I talked about a good many things, and of course a part of all that were a few of her favorite albums

Myla McCune, in all of her loveliness, graced me with her presence for Episode No. 126.

She's a daughter and a sibling and a sculptor and a gal that's not afraid to take on challenges. You can find her on Instagram or at mylalamar.com, if you're interested in checking out her work or commissioning her to do a piece for you.

Myla and I talked about school and art and family and growing up and gender-role expectations that're maybe midwest-rooted. We also talked about a few of her favorite albums. Those were these…

Philip Clark is a son, a brother, a husband, a vinyl collector, and a music lover. He has hosted a radio show and a podcast, and has been a vocalist for B.A.T.S., The Dead Laughter, and Johnny Switchblade.

He was also kind enough to be my guest for Episode No. 125 of Badass Records.

Philip and I covered a decent amount of ground in just under two hours, and a good portion of that was centered on discussing a few of his favorite albums. Those were these…

When Rich Wheeler shows up, shit gets weird.

I'm kidding. I stole a version of that verbiage from a Facebook post from a few months back. A musician that had just gigged with Rich wrote it with high-praise-worthy intentions, and I loved the heck out of it.

So, Mr. Wheeler was kind enough to lend me a portion of one of his Saturday afternoons not too long ago, and I was clumsy enough to screw up the video portion of our conversation, so...audio-only it is. And thank the heavens that I didn't botch that portion of the thing, 'cause this chat was next-level.

Rich just might be the sharpest dude I've chewed the fat with so far, and believe me -- there've been some sharp ones.

As the beat goes on, I found myself lucky enough to sit down with Brian McCarty, and visit with him about his life and his journey as a musician.

It's Episode No. 123, and this one was a treat.

Please join me and Brian as we talk about his roles in The Matchsellers, Greg Blake & Hometown, plus his duo setup.

We also poked around at family and growing up, the pursuit of dreams, happiness, and the appropriate life path to walk. We also took a peek at a few of his favorite records, which were these…

Maura Dayton. Awesome human being.

Maura -- in all of Maura's awesomeness -- is a daughter, a sister, a student, a bandmate, an expert in a good many things, and Maura's also my guest for Episode No. 122.

Maura might've had the greatest set of parents in all of American rock 'n' roll parenting history.

Who knows.

Either way, Maura's a person that knows a thing or two about music, has passion for music, loves playing music, and -- oh, yeah -- did I mention that Maura absolutely crushes it in the world of professional photography and can write copy to go along with it?

I hate to sound repetitive with my gushing, but man was Episode No. 121 a treat.

FK Menace came through and pulled no punches; we could've gabbed all evening.

I can't describe how fun this was. What an amazing journey for an awesome dude that is legitimately living the dream.

FK's a son, a brother, an artist, an activist, a DJ, a producer, and he's a guy you'd really struggle not to respect and admire. Solid, solid human being.

We talked a little bit about growing up, art school, inventing one's self, life lessons, and so much more. We also talked a little bit about a few of his favorite records. Those were these…

Jackie Myers!

Very excited to have met this lovely lady who's a highly educated human being, a professional pianist, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a dog lover, and a fantastic conversationalist.

Mrs. Myers stopped by for Episode No. 120, and we talked family, the road, recording, writing, experimenting, gigging, and more.

We also talked a little bit about a few of Jackie's favorite albums, and those were these…

Damon Arredondo is a son, a brother, a father, an entrepreneur, a dreamer, a brewer, and -- based on the four hours I spent with him in my basement studio -- an amazing human being. He's the owner and founder of Rizoma Liquid Creations, and he's my guest for Episode No. 119.

Damon and I talked about growing up, family, heritage and culture, parenthood, collaborations, mental health, and beer, to just mention a few topics.

We also talked about a few of Damon's favorite records, which were these…

Kathryn Hunter is a daughter, a sibling, a wife, and the proprietor of both Voodoo Hippie Girl's Free Spirited Threads and Wasted Land Apparel. She's a dye artist/designer, a brilliant mind, a lover of books and music, and she's my guest for Episode No. 118.

Meeting Kathryn was a treat and sitting down with her to talk family, upbringing, and her passions was both enlightening and entertaining. And it wouldn't be an installment of Badass Records if we didn't examine a few of her favorite records.

Those were these…

Mark Verbeck is a son, a brother, a husband, and a father. He's also a classically trained musician. He's one-half of Scotch Hollow, and he's my guest for Episode No. 117.

Mark and I talked about that band life, how music's taken him from central PA to Nashville to Chicago, and finally to KC. We talked about gigging, recording, and how parenthood challenges each of those things.

We also talked a little bit about a few of Mark's favorite records.

Chris Kinsley joined me for Episode #116, and our coming together for this conversation resulted via collaboration with Chris's band, Arson Class, Sid Sowder's toomuchrock.com, and myself.

Sid's Too Much Rock project has a number of intriguing aspects to it, i.e. concert reviews, stills, and footage. It also has a weekly podcast that is rapidly approaching the 700-episode mark. More pertinent to today, however, is the revitalization of his Too Much Rock Single Series, which -- with the release of Arson Class's new single, "Junior" -- celebrates its 11th installment.

Tomorrow, then, Friday, May 3rd, Chris and Arson Class will be celebrating "Junior"'s release with a live set at Sister Anne's Records & Coffee, at 901 E. 31st Street, here in Kansas City.

David Regnier was kind enough to share a portion of his Saturday with me, and together we recorded Episode #114, in which we talked a little bit about life, a little bit about doin' that live-music thang, and a little bit about a few of David's favorite records.

Those were these…