TWR Listeners Lounge - Douglas Helvering

In this episode, hosts Alan Sanders and Walt Murray chat with classically trained music composer, Douglas Helvering. We start with a look back and Doug's draw to music. He was first pulled in via a choir and became mesmerized with learning more about music and composition. As a PhD professor of music, Doug has spent most of his adult life analyzing and teaching others how to understand music theory. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, he was forced to reevaluate how to reach others while in lockdown. After awhile, he returned to his YouTube channel, commenting on news and thoughts of the day.

In the fall of 2020, it was Doug's brother who suggested Doug try a reaction episode. Doug was not really ready for a clash of music genres, but his brother suggested giving an analysis of the Iron Maiden song, "Fear of the Dark." It was a huge hit with YouTube watchers. Within weeks, he gained thousands of subscribers. With a newfound purpose of teaching principles of music theory over top of metal and hard rock pieces, Doug has grown to over 70,000 followers at the time of this recording. Doug truly teaches us what is happening compositionally in the music and how it moves through chords, keys and even lyrics. In some ways, the watcher is getting the benefit of a classical education leveraged on elements of metal and rock.

As the episode wraps up the interview, Alan pulls executive privilege and bypasses the normal review of a horrible movie. Instead, they all talk about some of their favorite war films in honor of Memorial Day. After the films, Alan and Walt each provide a pair of odd news items. Then they move into the Entertainment Segment.

WATCHING

Walt is watching the Robert Kirkman animated series, Invincible. He also re-watched the 70's film, The Towering Inferno. Finally, he just watched the classic 80s flick, War Games. Doug gave two thumbs up for, Mare of Easttown. He also recently watched Real Genius, Schitt's Creek, The Good Place and Hamiliton. Alan also finished Mare of Easttown and gives it a glowing review. Alan re-watched Togo with his Father-in-Law and that led to watching, Iron Will. Alan also gaves two thumbs up for Guns Akimbo starring Daniel Radcliffe. Finally, in honor of its release on May 25, 1977, Alan re-watched Star Wars with his wife and Father-in-Law.

READING

Walt is reading, "Gun Room, " by Warren Ellis. Alan, in preparation for an upcoming interview on The Marriage Fit Podcast, is reading, "The 4 Intimacy Styles." Doug is getting ready to read, "Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service," by Carol Leonning.

LISTENING

Walt plugs the podcast, Radio Labyrinth and Small Town Murder. He also reminds everyone that Old Sea Brigade has a new album out. And, Walt just got tickets to see Dead and Company in Atlanta later this fall. Alan does a shout out to the 60MW Podcast, Measuring the Score podcast, The Daily Doug on YouTube and the new age group, 2002. Doug has been listening to Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers. He recently did an episode on Queen's, "The March of the Black Queen." He has also been listening to the music of Stargazer and Dio. As to radio, he likes to listen to Mike Smerkonish on SirusXM. He also likes the podcasts, Wait, wait! Don't Tell Me and, The Thinking Atheist.

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