Behind the Scenes of Dad Rock Block
This week we sat down with Carl and Isaiah of Black Abbey, a.k.a. the co-hosts of the weekly Acme Radio Live show, to witness the magic that is Dad Rock Block. Before we can tell you how this program came about, we must establish what exactly can be considered ‘Dad Rock’. Pretty much, it is music that reminds you of your father. By their measurement, it’s got to be at least 15 years old. Which believe it or not, is only 2007 now. Dad Rock is up to interpretation, depending on your Dad or the Dads you know and what music they frequently rock out to. For most people, Steve Miller Band, Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen come to mind. But Carl and Isaiah have adopted a wide range of music under their Dad Rock definition. Some of their recommended Dad Rock choices to introduce you into the genre include Squeeze Box by The Who, anything from REO Speedwagon, and lots of The Lowest of the Low. From heavy metal to smooth and soulful, they take you through their favorite Dad Rock picks every Monday night on air at 8 PM.
So, how did Dad Rock Block begin? Well, Carl originally was a special guest on what is now our show Mix15 and long story short he said, “Okay, so how do I get my own show on here?” And before we knew it, we were airing Dad Rock Block every Monday night. It was as simple as that.
Over the years, there have been many memorable episodes. Including Sax and the Music City, the episode featuring Jason Ridgel of Guidance Whiskey, and of course the episode that they brought their wives in to play ‘Mom Rock’ where Isaiah’s wife played her favorite Slipknot. Oh, and not to forget ‘You Honk, We Drink’ where they only played songs about drinking. The tracklist included “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”.
Isaiah and Carl
In honor of Memorial Day, tonight’s episode theme is' ‘Yacht Rock’. But beware, it does include more than one Jimmy Buffett song. But don’t worry, every Jimmy Buffett track picked by Carl is matched with a Ska track from Isaiah. It’s two full hours of boats, beats, and brews. Speaking of brews, the only way to accompany tonight’s episode is with the brand new exclusive Black Abbey beer, the Crooked Halo. The bright blue can and crisp, Belgian taste makes for the perfect Summertime sipping beer. Made with orange peel and coriander, it is now being sold at Krogers in the Nashville area.
Carl and Isaiah fondly reflected on some of their most played music on the show. Carl easily cites Rush as his, while Isaiah claims Nada Surf. We prompted them to contemplate the future of Dad Rock and what modern day artists might find themselves under the umbrella of Dad Rock 15 years from now. They named Tame Impala, Sturgill Simpson, Billy Strings, Tyler Childers, and anything considered ‘Modern, Bro Country’ as the next generation’s Dad Rock. But while Dad Rock Block is guaranteed to catch the attention of Fathers everywhere, it is not just for Dads. It’s for rock and music lovers to listen to beloved songs of the past, to discover hot tracks they’ve never heard, and to keep the legacy of the great artists that have come before us alive. Tune in every Monday at 8 PM for two hours of Dad Rock Block on Acme Radio Live.