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The True Tunes Podcast

John J. Thompson / True Tunes
Music
Christian Music
Music Industry
Songwriting
Community
King's X
True Tunes
Patreon
Polarization
Jesus Movement
Kickstarter
Charlie Peacock
Music and Spirituality
True Tunes Podcast
The Prayer Chain
Contemporary Christian Music
Luxury
Authenticity
The Call
Lost Tapes

We make no apologies here: Our goal is to help artists as they work to make the world a more beautiful and musical place, and to help grow audiences for those artists, both in scale and in depth. You might notice that our conversations with artists, producers, authors, and industry leaders are usually focused on those two main themes: artist and audience development. I experienced this first-hand ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes145Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for The True Tunes Podcast

Latest Episodes

Welcome to the PILOT EPISODE of True Tunes Connect, a new chapter in this continuing story that began back in 1989.

Thirty years ago, I interviewed a freshly minted artist named Sheryl Crow for the pages of our old print magazine, True Tunes News, r... more

We are back where we started, in more ways than one, with songwriter, artist, producer, and musician’s musician – Charlie Peacock. In this comprehensive conversation, recorded in person at Charlie’s home studio in Nashville, JJT and CP revisit his ea... more

Millions have been impacted by Charlie Peacock's Grammy Award-winning production and songwriting work. A smaller, but devoted group has been with him since his days as a Sacramento-based alternative pop artist and member of the progressive Exit Recor... more

In the final installment of our "True Tunes Live at Audiofeed 2025" series of 45RPM episodes, we listen in on John J. Thompson's speaking session dubbed "The Sound of Revolution." What does revolution sound like? What is countercultural music all abo... more

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Recent Guests

Sheryl Crow
Songwriter and musician discussed as a guest, sharing career insights and personal storytelling
Musician/Artist
Episode: True Tunes Connect - PILOT (Sheryl Crow Pt 1)
Charlie Peacock
Noted artist, musician, and producer
Episode: @45RPM Charlie Peacock's "Kahne Sessions" (An Early 80s Time Capsule)
Garrett Godfrey
From the podcast Good Patron
Good Patron
Episode: @45RPM "Ask Us Anything" - (True Tunes Live at Audiofeed Part 3 of 4)
Gileah Taylor
Indie artist and songwriter known for her poetic lyrics and melodic sounds.
Independent Music Artist
Episode: @45RPM - Gileah Taylor (True Tunes Live at Audiofeed '25 Part 1 of 4)
Sam Wade
Guitarist for the touring cast of Hadestown, songwriter, and producer.
Episode: @45RPM Backstage with Sam Wade of the Hadestown Cast Band
Chris Taylor
Painter, poet, songwriter, and singer
Episode: Chris Taylor Carries The Flame (+ Sixpence on the Jukebox!)
Thomas Torrey
Writer and director of the indie film 'Long December'
Episode: Give Up The Dream? (JJT Talks To Writer/Director Thomas Torrey about Long December film)
Russ Taff
Gospel music legend
Episode: Checking Russ Taff's Cover Story (with Taff, Steve Taylor and John Mark Painter)
Steve Taylor
Executive producer of Taff's album
Episode: Checking Russ Taff's Cover Story (with Taff, Steve Taylor and John Mark Painter)

Host

John J. Thompson
Primary host of the weekly music-centric interview show, with a long-running focus on artist and audience development, music history, and cultural context.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 189 ratings
  • Great interview

    Charlie Peacock is amazing. What a wonderful interview. Great job JJT and Bruce!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scott from Ames
    United States8 months ago
  • Big Man’s Podcast

    Thank you for your interview with Charlie Peacock! I am in awe of his career and influence on so many aspects of CCM and beyond.

    Keep up the great podcasts!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SpyOnMusic
    United States8 months ago
  • Dug Pinnick

    Thank you so much to Dug for doing this interview and thanks to John for what you do within counter culture.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eric S from Bloomington, il
    United Statesa year ago
  • dUg

    No one else plays music

    constantly under an interview. Can we just get the audio already?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Manos73
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great writing and music coverage

    I just listened to the Chris Taylor/ Sixpence episode. John had a way of describing music that is compelling and makes you want to listen to more of it. He gets beyond the music itself and describes the song writer’s intentions behind the songs and the ineffable way music can make you feel.going to listen to the new Sixpence album now!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Godgaverock2u
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests consistently bring insightful stories and perspectives.
The host curates thoughtful, in-depth conversations with artists.
Some episodes are praised for deep dives into legacy artists and eras.
Production and interview quality are highly regarded by listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

True Tunes Connect - PILOT (Sheryl Crow Pt 1)
Q: Do you still feel artistry and commercialism are at odds, and how can the next generation bridge that gap?
Crow notes that crossing from indie authenticity to broader visibility doesn't require sacrificing true voice, arguing that successful songs often reflect shared human experiences and that faith, perseverance, and craft help bridge the gap between art and commerce.
True Tunes Connect - PILOT (Sheryl Crow Pt 1)
Q: How can industry people on the business side support artists and help them make money?
Crow emphasizes the importance of valuing authentic storytelling and long-term listener relationships over quick buzz, suggesting that support should come from fostering real connections, sustainable exposure, and fair recognition for artists' work beyond vanity metrics.
@45RPM "Ask Us Anything" - (True Tunes Live at Audiofeed Part 3 of 4)
Q: What format do you listen to music on now, and how do you balance between physical formats and streaming?
Panelists share a spectrum of formats—from vinyl to streaming—emphasizing the importance of intentional listening over passive background playback and highlighting the personal, tactile experience of music in various settings.
@45RPM "Ask Us Anything" - (True Tunes Live at Audiofeed Part 3 of 4)
Q: What are we hopeful about in music today?
Panelists express optimism about younger, unknown artists bringing fresh forms and the return of meaningful, community-centered listening experiences, even as they acknowledge a turbulent cultural moment.
@45RPM "Ask Us Anything" - (True Tunes Live at Audiofeed Part 3 of 4)
Q: Identify yourself and ask us anything.
Garrett Godfrey introduces himself and asks for suggestions on how fans can best support artists, prompting a discussion about practical, tangible listener actions and community engagement.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The True Tunes Podcast

What is The True Tunes Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program centers on in-depth conversations with artists, producers, and cultural figures, with a steady emphasis on artist development and growing audiences in meaningful, human ways. Episodes frequently explore creative process, industry change, and the spiritual or cultural significance of music, often weaving personal journeys, memoirs, and behind-the-scenes storytelling into thoughtful discussions. A notable strength is long-form, interview-driven storytelling that surfaces nuanced perspectives rather than quick takes, making it a trusted resource for fans and professionals seeking deeper context about music, faith, and culture. Potential listeners may value curated guest selections, thoughtful questions, and a focus on how music can... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The True Tunes Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The True Tunes Podcast:

1. Truce - History of the Christian Church
2. The Bulletin
3. No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp
4. Trinity Forum Conversations
5. The Esau McCaulley Podcast

How many episodes of The True Tunes Podcast are there?

The True Tunes Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 145 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The True Tunes Podcast?

Recent guests on The True Tunes Podcast include:

1. Sheryl Crow
2. Charlie Peacock
3. Garrett Godfrey
4. Gileah Taylor
5. Sam Wade
6. Chris Taylor
7. Thomas Torrey
8. Russ Taff

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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