Songs of San Quentin

Summary

Ear Hustle – “Songs of San Quentin”

Podcast: Ear Hustle (Radiotopia / PRX)
Episode Date: March 4, 2026
Hosts: Nigel Poor & Earlonne Woods

Episode Overview

In "Songs of San Quentin," Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods revisit the vibrant, complex, and emotional musical world inside San Quentin State Prison. Drawing from nearly a decade of recordings, the hosts share performances, stories, and the personal histories behind tracks recorded by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. The episode highlights how music becomes a form of connection, expression, and survival for those on the inside—and for those who remain part of the larger Ear Hustle community.

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Key Discussion Points & Segments

Reflecting on Ear Hustle’s Musical Archives

• Nigel and Earlonne acknowledge their return to a musical theme after time away from San Quentin due to live tours.
  • Earlonne: “...hearing all that reminds me that there's so much great music that we've recorded in San Quentin over the, what, past decade?” (01:12)
  • Nigel: “It has been a decade. And we've been away from San Quentin for a while because we've been on the road with the Ear Hustle live tour. But it's really good to be back sort of at our home base.” (01:21)
• The hosts set out to feature some of the best music and stories about music from their archives.

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Redbone and “Two Rolling Wheels”

• Character Profile: Redbone, described as a “really big guy... missing his front teeth,” is beloved for his personality and music.
  • Nigel: “He’s one of those guys you just want to hug and sit and talk to.” (02:30)
• Song Focus: “Two Rolling Wheels” (02:50–05:55)
  • Redbone shares a lively story about surviving on the streets, helping friends, and the ingenuity of life before and during incarceration:
    • “I'd be riding on one bike and I have another bike with the frame and the tires tied to my backpack...I carry heavy load, you know what I'm saying? Tools, food, clothes, supplies.” (05:23)

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Jukebox (Jason) – Monikers and Prison Identity

• Story: Jason recounts his early days in prison, meeting his intimidating cellmate, and the necessity of having a “handle” (nickname).
  • Jason: “My cellmate’s about 6 foot 3, 240 pounds. He’s got a pair of SS bolts on his cheek. He’s got a swastika on his throat...” (06:20)
• Paperwork: The requirement to show paperwork to prove what crime you’re in for, to avoid being labeled for “unacceptable” offenses.
  • Earlonne: “You have to show your paperwork to prove that you're in for a crime that is acceptable.” (07:07)
• Adopting a Moniker: Jason jokes about the nickname “Manifold,” which sticks.
  • Jason: “I kind of threw out there, ‘Manifold.’ ... snickering to myself. And he's like, that's it. That's solid...The guy who I was talking to, like, mid bite, looks up. ‘That's badass.’” (09:36–10:20)
• Show Nickname: Ear Hustle decides to call him “Jukebox,” highlighting his love of music.

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Tom Nguyen – Music as Love and Longing

• Tom’s Song: A romantic, longing ballad performed by Tom Nguyen, illustrating the recurring theme of love as both a longing and a prison itself for the incarcerated.
  • "There's something in the way that you look at me in your eyes like I'm the only one you see...” (11:18)
• Themes: Earlonne reflects:
  • “Most great love songs come from people in prison. And even if they didn't write all those love songs in prison, it has that prison feel to it…” (12:45)
  • Nigel: “Okay, so you're saying prison love is a prison.” (13:01)

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The Mexican Nationals Band – Music as Communication

• Segment: A group of Mexican nationals play music in the yard, with little English spoken, showing music as a bridge.
  • Nigel: “The music is just...I don't know...it's infectious.” (15:30–15:32)
  • Earlonne: “Music is really how we communicate. And that's actually pretty cool.” (15:43)

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Collaboration with The Met: Spirituals and Dance

• Memory: The hosts recall their project with the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, where ballet dancer Silas Farley choreographed performances to music by San Quentin musicians.
  • Nigel: “Silas...wanted to do a piece where he's dancing through the museum and choreograph his piece to different spiritual music...he got in touch with us, and he asked if we could help him use music from San Quentin.” (16:25–16:33)
• Song Highlight: “Thank you, Jesus” by Maverick and David Jossi
  • Inspirational Christian rap and R&B, used as a grand finale at the Met.
  • Nigel: “I play this song for my students every semester. I think it's a really inspirational song, whether you believe in Jesus or not.” (18:05)
  • Notable lyrics: “The Lord designed his life he like my floor planner, he made my dreams for me they like Thor's hammer...” (18:54)

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Charlie Spencer (“Stormy Monday”) – Music as Memory and Farewell

• Charlie’s Story: Former resident and friend of the show, Charlie Spencer, renowned for his guitar and blues, shares birthday reflections and a soulful rendition of “Stormy Monday.”
  • Charlie: “My worst days, I get up and get gone. You know, I’m not gonna lay down in no misery. 'Cause you wake up in it. And I get up, get gone. I get to feeling better, get to moving. I'm back on.” (29:03)
• Health & Goodbye: Hosts discuss Charlie’s deteriorating health and his final days.
  • Charlie: “Water is life...I'm not scared to die.” (34:17)
  • Nigel: Shares the poignant moment of learning about Charlie’s death from his building’s receptionist, and taking solace in learning that Charlie was deeply loved by all. (35:09)

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Richie Morris’ “Prison Boxes” – Reflection and Regret

• Closing song written and performed by Richie Morris, resonant of time lost and longing for days gone by.
  • “I'm looking through these prison boxes, I tried to carry on. And if I could, I surely would go back and change the past. But wishing doesn't do any good when time rolls by so fast.” (36:45–39:42)
• Earlonne: “It gives me a sense of time, you know, like how long we been doing this and how far back a lot of these relationships go.” (40:52)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Earlonne on Prison Love: “Yes, love is a prison. I tell you, I think Adele had to be in prison. All her songs is prison related if you just listen to them.” (13:04)
• On Music as Connection: “Music is really how we communicate. And that's actually pretty cool.” — Nigel Poor (15:43)
• Charlie Spencer, on Life and Death: “Water is life...I'm not scared to die.” (34:17)
• Closing Reflection:
  • Nigel Poor: “Music is emotional in a way that can take you by surprise. So this one kind of won me over.” (41:00)
  • Earlonne Woods: “Special thanks once again to Jukebox for providing all those musical interludes and to all the musicians we’ve recorded in San Quentin over the years.” (41:34)

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Time-stamped Highlights

• [01:04] – Hosts set up the return to San Quentin music archives
• [02:22] – Redbone’s music and colorful personal story
• [06:20] – Jason ("Jukebox") narrates his first day in prison and identity
• [11:18] – Tom Nguyen’s love ballad
• [15:30] – Recording with the Mexican Nationals band
• [16:25] – The Metropolitan Museum project with Silas Farley
• [18:22] – “Thank you, Jesus” performed
• [28:12] – Introduction to Charlie Spencer and “Stormy Monday” segment
• [33:52] – Charlie reflects on the meaning of water and reconnecting before his passing
• [36:45] – Richie Morris’ “Prison Boxes”
• [41:00] – Reflections on the power of music and enduring friendships

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Episode Tone & Atmosphere

Warm, reflective, candid, and often deeply personal. There’s a current of bittersweet nostalgia—an appreciation for bonds formed through music, humor, struggle, and survival inside San Quentin and beyond. Memories are shared with affection but also an honest acknowledgment of hardship and loss.

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Additional Resources

• For more about the Met collaboration and to watch the performance: See the show notes at earhustlesq.com
• To hear more from the musicians featured, revisit the listed episodes in Ear Hustle’s archives.
• For behind-the-scenes videos, photos, and updates: earhustlesq.com/newsletter

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Summary by Ear Hustle Podcast Summarizer
For listeners new and returning, this episode is a stirring reminder of the sustaining power of music inside—and beyond—San Quentin’s walls.

Transcript

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

The following podcast contains language that may not be appropriate for all listeners. Discretion is advised.

[Earlonne Woods]

This is common.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

Stay up to Ear Hustle. Peace.

[Earlonne Woods]

Growing up, I was never told I could actually be a doctor or a lawyer or just happy being me. So I really ain't got a cool man thinking dude, cool man it like Liu Kang Till you see a few things you see on two lanes Like J to two chains now it's time Two chains. Blind deep for the lie she was

[Charlie Spencer]

Give me your life and I give it back.

[Nigel Poor]

Okay, Earlonne, I've got to say, wow. I mean, listening to that little montage, it's like taking a tour of Ear Hustle's music history.

[Earlonne Woods]

I know. You gotta love that last song from Redbone, too. Two wheels, Two rolling wheels.

[Nigel Poor]

Yep. I have a genuine soft spot for that guy.

[Earlonne Woods]

Indeed. I mean, you know, hearing all that reminds me that there's so much great music that we've recorded in San Quentin over the, what, past decade?

[Nigel Poor]

Oh, my God, you're right. Jesus. It has been a decade. And we've been away from San Quentin for a while because we've been on the road with the Ear Hustle live tour. But it's really good to be back sort of at our home base.

[Earlonne Woods]

But, hey, Naj, you know, we're still in tour mode, so we still got one of our biggest shows coming UP, which is April 11 at the ACT Tony Renbay Theater in San Francisco.

[Nigel Poor]

Totally. I'm so excited about that show. And listeners, if you haven't gotten a ticket yet, please do. It's gonna be a great evening.

[Earlonne Woods]

Get your tickets.

[Nigel Poor]

Yep. So today what we're gonna do is we are going to be digging into the archive to hear some of the best music and stories about music that we've recorded at San Qu over the years. I'm Nigel Poor.

[Earlonne Woods]

I'm Earlonne woods. And this is ear hustle from PRX's Radiotopia.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

There is no other red bone Lover, lover, lover.

[Nigel Poor]

Did you ever actually meet Redbone?

[Earlonne Woods]

I did not. I mean, in passing, after the fact. Yeah, but not. I didn't know him.

[Nigel Poor]

You weren't there when we recorded him. Okay, so he's this really big guy. He's, like, missing his front teeth. He's kind of goofy in a way, but he is so lovable. He's one of those guys you just want to hug and sit and talk to.

[Earlonne Woods]

So you say he missing his fence?

[Nigel Poor]

He's missing his fence. But he makes up for it with his personality.

[Earlonne Woods]

Okay.

[Charlie Spencer]

Indeed.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

Two wheels Two rolling wheels. That's how you feel Red bone chill, got an idea Cadillac grills, you know the deal Two rolling wheels my young riders OG sliders popping the collar, dripping like water I thought I told ya bicycle soldier, there is no other red bone Lover wheels two rolling wheels, two wheels, two rolling wheels I can do the same thing Rolling on two wheels, two feet, ten toes Smashing up hills I don't really care and who cares how you feel? Red bone chilling, baby, you know the deal I carry loads from a bike to a couch Boxes and backpacks, Reputation got clout, you know my name Build a bike from a frame, nothing to lose, everything to gain Two wheels, two rolling wheels two wheels, two rolling wheels I can do the same thing Rolling on two wheels, two feet, ten toes Smashing up hills I don't really care and who cares how you feel? Chilling, baby, you know the deal, you know the deal Ladies know the deal, you know the deal Red bone chilling, baby, you know the deal. That's like one of my favorite songs, man. Cause I did actually everything. I would ride around ghost rider, bike with one hand. I'd be riding on one bike and I have another bike with the frame and the tires tied to my backpack. You know, I carry heavy load, you know what I'm saying? Tools, food, clothes, supplies. Just riding around in the streets of Riverside. Just doing my thing. Two wheels, you know. I was riding around at night. Cause I was doing my night thing, riding around. My boy, Tennessee, a friend of mine who slept on the streets, he's sleeping on the ground. I was like, man, what you doing out here on the ground? Five blocks ago, I seen a couch just sitting out there, you know, something somebody put out there, you know, I took the cushions out, shook it around a little bit, slammed it around, took the cuckoo bugs out of it. I stood it straight up, you know, I found the center of grass. I picked it up and threw it over my shoulder and dropped on the beach cruiser and just smashed out. Brought it to him, Told Tennessee, get up, body slam the couch on the ground, get up. You know what I'm saying? I'll be back to bring you the cushions. He was like, man, Hercules. Hercules. Are you serious?

[Nigel Poor]

Picking up couches on a bicycle.

[Earlonne Woods]

Two rolling wheels find the center of gravity.

[Jason (Jukebox)]

Since we've been together

[Singer/Vocalist]

Ooh, loving you forever is what I need.

[Earlonne Woods]

That's Jason. He was in an episode called Myths and Monikers where he told you, in New York, a pretty funny story about meeting his celly.

[Jason (Jukebox)]

So it's my first time in prison, California. I walk into my cell in Reception. And my cellmate's about 6 foot 3, 240 pounds. He's got a pair of SS bolts on his cheek. He's got a swastika on his throat in the front, the middle, Painful, painful, painful. On the back of his head, he had Hitler and Mussolini and Eva Patron. And he immediately asked for my paperwork. There was no small talk. It was, what's up? You got your paperwork very first thing. Absolutely. Yeah, sure.

[Nigel Poor]

The paperwork said his name, Jason and his crime, but New York. Will you explain why Jason had to present his papers to his cellie?

[Earlonne Woods]

Yeah. So in prison, if you're not there for like, what's it called, an acceptable crime, if you're there for child molestation or rape, it's an issue. You have to show your paperwork to prove that you're in for a crime that is acceptable.

[Nigel Poor]

So literally, guys have paperwork that says what their crime is?

[Earlonne Woods]

Literally, yes.

[Jason (Jukebox)]

Okay, I've got 10 felonies, including a high speed chase, some commercial burglaries, and some false personations, some stolen cars. And then I have a prior that he also saw for bank robbery. So he was like, okay, solid, you can stay.

[Nigel Poor]

Jason passed. He passed the test.

[Earlonne Woods]

He passed that test.

[Jason (Jukebox)]

So he's like, what's up, man? You know, I'm Kill Switch. And I was like, okay, here we go. And I said, well, I'm Jason. And he's like, oh, okay, what should I call you? I was like, jason. No, no, we gotta figure out.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

You don't.

[Jason (Jukebox)]

You don't have, you know, you don't have a handle? No, no, not really. I don't have a handle. And he was like, well, we need to get you a handle. You know, we're gonna give you a handle before morning. You're gonna have a handle. And I was like, okay, it's cool.

[Nigel Poor]

So why do you have to have a handle, New York?

[Earlonne Woods]

You gotta create an image, Nigel. You gotta be bigger and tougher than you really are.

[Nigel Poor]

All right?

[Earlonne Woods]

Jason might be cool for school, definitely, but it's not gonna cut it in

[Nigel Poor]

the prison, especially if your celly is Kill Switch.

[Jason (Jukebox)]

He starts saying, well, what are you thinking? I don't know, you know, I never really thought about it. He's like, well, what do you like? You know, what's your thing out there? And I said, well, I love music. You know, I absolutely love music. That's like my passion. He's like, oh, yeah, good. He's like, well, you like metal? And I was like, not particularly. I was like, you know, it's all right. You know, I love all sorts of music, but really, that's not my go to genre. And he's like, well, what kind of music you grew up on? And I said, well, man, I grew up on Motown and funky. And he was like. He was like, I'm gonna forget you said that. So we just moved along. He's like, well, what else you into? And I was like, well, I like boats. He's like, well, how about cars? You know? Yeah, I mean, I like cars in that. Like, they get me from place to place, and, you know, I like to have a nice one, but I'm not, like, super mechanically inclined or anything. He was like, well, just think on it.

[Nigel Poor]

So Jason thought on it, and he came up with something car related.

[Jason (Jukebox)]

So I kind of threw out there. Manifold. How about Manifold? I got an idea, and I'm kind of half joking, you know, and I'm kind of, like, snickering to myself. And he's like, that's it. That's solid. The next morning, we're at breakfast, you know, and people are introducing themselves, and everybody's got a moniker, you know? It was like caveman and psycho. And I'm like, hey, I'm Jason. And I go to, like, say, jason. He kind of shoots me a look, you know, like, shoots me a unit. And so I was like, manifold. And the guy who I was talking to, like, mid bite, looks up. He's like, that's badass.

[Nigel Poor]

I know they thought Manifold was a great moniker for him, but we decided to call him Jukebox. And Jukebox is, of course, the guy who was singing that Al Green song at the top. And we're going to be hearing him throughout the episode, and I think by the end, people are gonna be like, yeah, that's Jukebox.

[Earlonne Woods]

What's wrong with metaphors?

[Singer/Vocalist]

I never be untrue.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

How much of it do you want me to play?

[Jason (Jukebox)]

So I know where to start.

[Nigel Poor]

This next song is from Tom Nguyen. Listeners definitely know Tom because he's an important part of our inside team and has been in a bunch of episodes.

[Tom Nguyen]

Can't help that I get so obsessive when you step to me focus on your hips you like how I get so aggressive pressing closely tasting your lips at times I get a bit excessive touch you constantly always want him more I could be so damn possessive won't you honor me all to myself? There's something in the way that you look at me in your eyes like I'm the only one you see Makes me want you more than. There's something in the way that you sing to me on your lips Calling my name each time you breathe I need you desperately. Oh, how come running when you go it's so hopeless I'm so hopeless Only right down to my soul this can be the only way Ain't no one going in to see Ain't gon let them I won't let them I'll be everything you need Take the very best of me.

[Earlonne Woods]

You know, Nige, I think most great love songs come from people in prison. And even if they didn't write all those love songs in prison, it has that prison feel to it that, you know, I'm trapped. I don't have love. I need love. You know what I'm saying?

[Nigel Poor]

Okay, so you're saying prison love is a prison.

[Earlonne Woods]

Yes, love is a prison. I tell you, I think Adele had to be in prison. All her songs is prison related if you just listen to them.

[Nigel Poor]

Fair enough.

[Singer/Vocalist]

Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach, as I want you to be as an own enemy.

[Nigel Poor]

Next up, Earlonne. This is one of the groups of guys you hear on the yard all the time. And we actually had them come into the chapel to record this. This is the Mexican nationals ban. I just love that song. Every time I hear those guys play, I get so happy, and I don't even know what they're saying, but.

[Earlonne Woods]

Right.

[Nigel Poor]

The music is just. I don't know.

[Earlonne Woods]

The jones in your bones.

[Nigel Poor]

It's infectious.

[Earlonne Woods]

Yeah, yeah. You know, they have a section of the yard where a lot of the Mexican nationals hang out. And a lot of those guys, I don't know if they speak English or not, but they're always playing some music.

[Nigel Poor]

Right. So when we try to talk to them, it's usually about recording their music. And because we can't really understand each other. I mean, they don't speak a lot of English. My Spanish isn't great. Music is really how we communicate. And that's actually pretty cool.

[Jason (Jukebox)]

Cause I'm a cowboy on the steel

[Singer/Vocalist]

horse I ride and I wanted wanted dead or alive.

[Nigel Poor]

So this next one is an incredibly special memory for me. This is when we did a collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Remember that? In 2019.

[Earlonne Woods]

You mean with Silas now?

[Nigel Poor]

Well, the museum and Silas. Silas Farley, who's a. A dancer. Really beautiful ballet.

[Earlonne Woods]

He was a Ballerino.

[Nigel Poor]

Ballerino? Is that what you call them? Ballerino? Silas was an artist in residence at the Metropolitan Museum, and he wanted to do a piece where he's actually Dancing through the museum and choreograph his piece to different spiritual music. And he liked Ear Hustle. He got in touch with us, and he asked if we could help him use music from San Quentin. It was beautiful. I remember Silas and the curator and all these people came out to San Quentin. We set up a day where people came down and presented their music, and then they picked what they wanted. And then, I don't know, maybe six months later, a bunch of us went to New York and saw the piece at the Met. It was spectacular.

[Earlonne Woods]

It was. It was a good look, you know? And by the time the performance happened, a couple of the musicians had gotten out of prison and were able to come to the museum with us and see Silas perform to their music.

[Nigel Poor]

Yeah. And I just want to make it clear that Silas danced through the museum.

[Earlonne Woods]

Through the whole museum.

[Nigel Poor]

Yeah.

[Earlonne Woods]

It wasn't it from upstairs to downstairs,

[Nigel Poor]

or upstairs to downstairs. It wasn't in an auditorium. He literally through the different galleries, spaces. And we ended in this court, I think, in the American wing at the Metropolitan. And if you remember, the light is just gorgeous in there. Such a big open space. And I don't know if it's made of marble or what, but the acoustics were fantastic. And then seeing those dancers dressed all in white, kind of flowing through that space. And the grand finale was a dance to this song by Maverick and David Jossi called Thank you, Jesus. And you know what? I play this song for my students every semester.

[Earlonne Woods]

Do you? Okay.

[Nigel Poor]

I think it's a really inspirational song, whether you believe in Jesus or not.

[Earlonne Woods]

You hear that? Maverick and David Johnson. Y' all in college.

[Nigel Poor]

Yep.

[Christian Rapper]

I live what I write I trust in the rhymes I spit from the heart for folks that's lost and stuck in the times waiting See I don't deserve no pedestal I'm just wrestling with my thoughts because my head is full I'm just trying to show you that I'm fighting with you and I'm beside you on this mountain Grab your harness Cause I'm climbing with you yeah and we gon reach the top the devil trying to hold us back but we gonna keep on stepping no wait. That these feet will stop no. The Lord designed his life he like my floor planner he made my dreams for me they like Thor's hammer Cause only I can grab em they give me strength too and through his grace by faith there's nothing in this world that I can't do so what's hate to me? Spit on my name Shoot me down but my faith is Something you'll never take from me Some people ask me my intentions like but you're a Christian rapper but do you rap?

[Charlie Spencer]

Christians?

[Christian Rapper]

I rap for anyone that's listening the truth is what we missing we gotta bridge this gap but it's hard getting mentioned I ain't one to judge we all got different stories I share mine and hope you relate But God gets the glory New standards getting set I must've met more walking billboard Hope you seein what I'm standing for Serving mo and sinning less Only through his grace by faith I know we blessed yes, Thank you jesus

[Singer/Vocalist]

and say you jesus

[Christian Rapper]

just as I am just as I am I come. Thank you Jesus Just as I am I come thank you Jesus. I'm so evolved now that I'm led by the Lord that's why I'm so involved the glory goes to God it took a lot of wrongs for me to finally learn what's right My shortcomings which are stepping stones to reach higher heights God made a masterpiece out of this mess luckily he loved me enough to look beyond his flesh Yes, I was a little mystery Directed living for acceptance Never heeding his directions Missing all my blessings so he sat me down 25 with the elbow Bet you listen

[Earlonne Woods]

now

[Christian Rapper]

but all the times when I was stressed and lonely I see now it was God building my testimony say listen homie man I ain't preaching but why? We won't thank God for life but thank him for the weekend what's up, my peoples? Limit your ears it's time to listen and it won't cost you a dime so won't you pay attention? Think about this who you trying to please? You never know until you get down on your knees and listen God is trying to tell you something I said God is trying to tell you something yeah.

[Singer/Vocalist]

Hallelujah with hallelujah oh, I am

[Nigel Poor]

thank

[Christian Rapper]

you Jesus Just as I am I

[Nigel Poor]

come

[Christian Rapper]

I let you hear us call

[Singer/Vocalist]

your name I love behind this prison wise.

[Earlonne Woods]

Damn nig. It's a trip hearing that again, huh?

[Nigel Poor]

It's as good as I remember it.

[Earlonne Woods]

Yeah, they did that. That's all I said, they did that. Maverick and David Jossy like hearing that.

[Nigel Poor]

Yeah. All right, let's take a break and we'll be back with more music.

[Earlonne Woods]

Earlonne here. Nigel and I want to take a moment to shout out another member of the Radiotopia podcast, Family Radio Diaries.

[Nigel Poor]

For almost 30 years, Radio Diaries has been helping people document their own lives and histories. They are truly masters of narrative storytelling.

[Earlonne Woods]

Now they're back with a new series called Orson Welles and the Blind Soldier, about a small town crime that sparked the desegregation of the U.S. military.

[Nigel Poor]

EARLONNE I am so excited about this. When I saw that Orson Welles voice was gonna be part of this, ooh, I was thrilled. So in 1946, a black World War II veteran named Isaac Woodard was blinded by a white police officer. No one knew who the officer was or where the attack happened. But when famed director Orson Welles, my hero, found out about the attack, he pledged to not only broadcast it, but to solve it on the radio week by week. Amazing.

[Earlonne Woods]

It is.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

Wash your hands, Officer X. Wash them well. Scrub and scour. You won't blot out the blood of a blinded war veteran. You're going to be uncovered. We will blast out your name and I will find means to remove from you all. Refuge, Officer X. You can't get rid of me.

[Earlonne Woods]

This series is a riveting true crime investigation told by Descendants activists and the last known witness to the attack.

[Nigel Poor]

Listen to Orson Welles and the Blind Soldier out now, wherever you get your podcasts and at Radiotopia FM Foreign,

[Earlonne Woods]

The trees are blooming and the air feels different.

[Nigel Poor]

Yes, and I have this urge to get organized. You know, like clean up my closet or something.

[Earlonne Woods]

But when you're done with yours, come do mine, please.

[Nigel Poor]

I would love to.

[Earlonne Woods]

But seriously, here's one item on my list. Finding the right life insurance policy.

[Nigel Poor]

Yeah, Earl, and we've actually been talking about this. How the responsibility of protecting your loved ones and planning for the future can be overwhelming.

[Earlonne Woods]

I've been looking into this and it's hectic to find out how much your life insurance will cost. I mean, every insurance company weighs the factors differently, so you really gotta compare quotes from multiple insurers. And that's where policygenius can help.

[Nigel Poor]

Just answer a few questions on their website and policygenius will provide quotes from top insurers that fit your needs.

[Earlonne Woods]

The licensed agents at policygenius can help you find what you need. Coverage amount, prices, terms. There's no guesswork, just clarity.

[Nigel Poor]

Protect the life you've built. With Policygenius, you can see if you can find 20 year life insurance policies starting at just $276 a year for $1 million in coverage. Head to Policygenius.com to compare life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you can save. That's policygenius.com. Did you know that February is National Heart Month?

[Earlonne Woods]

I guess that makes sense with Valentine's Day.

[Nigel Poor]

Personally, I've Been thinking more about my heart health lately, especially because I'm a grandma and Earlonne, you know, I want to be around to see my grandkid get older. That's why I'm interested. To see my lab results from function. You know, to see what's happening in my body.

[Earlonne Woods]

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[Nigel Poor]

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[Earlonne Woods]

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[Jason (Jukebox)]

Six in the morning, police at my door Fresh Shaditas squeaking across the bathroom floor out my back window. I made my escape. Didn't even get a chance to grab my old school tape.

[Earlonne Woods]

This next one comes from an episode we did called Stormy Monday with a cat named Charlie Spencer.

[Nigel Poor]

Yep. He's a good friend of the show.

[Earlonne Woods]

Yeah. And you know what I remember about this cat?

[Nigel Poor]

What's that?

[Earlonne Woods]

He used to walk around in prison with his guitar.

[Nigel Poor]

Oh, yeah.

[Earlonne Woods]

And he can make that thing cry. He can make it sing, holla, do acapella. Man, he can do all kind of shit with that guitar.

[Nigel Poor]

Yeah. And Charlie was released from San Quentin and I think, you know, like 2019 or something. And of course, you know, we had all stayed in touch.

[Jason (Jukebox)]

Right.

[Nigel Poor]

This next clip is from a conversation we had with him in 2021. What's today?

[Charlie Spencer]

Today is my birthday. August 11th.

[Nigel Poor]

How old are you?

[Charlie Spencer]

29.

[Nigel Poor]

Well, happy birthday.

[Charlie Spencer]

Yeah, I'm. No, I'm 69 today.

[Nigel Poor]

Yeah.

[Charlie Spencer]

And blessed. Overly blessed. And I have to smile every day. My worst days, I get up and get gone. You know, I'm not gonna lay down in no misery. Cause you wake up in it. And I get up, get gone. I get to feeling better, get to moving. I'm back on

[Nigel Poor]

Earlonne. I was a little nervous to see him.

[Earlonne Woods]

Why?

[Nigel Poor]

Cause I knew he was sick and it had been so long. And, you know, when we first saw him that day, he had lost so much weight.

[Earlonne Woods]

I know. You Was like, whoa, whoa.

[Nigel Poor]

I did not expect that. But he was also Charlie, you know, he was, like, super dapper. His jeans were pressed. He had those, like, nice dress shoes, his gold ring and, I think, necklace. It was just Charlie.

[Earlonne Woods]

And he made sure he let us know he had a fast motorized wheelchair.

[Nigel Poor]

This is true. We had to keep up with him going down the hallway. So, of course, once we settled in and caught up, we had to ask him to play a song.

[Charlie Spencer]

They call it Stormy Monday But Tuesday's just as bad. They call it Stormy Monday But Tuesday is just as bad. Wind is worse and Thursday is also sad. Now Friday the eagle flies. And so do.

[Nigel Poor]

I.

[Charlie Spencer]

Said the eagle flies on Friday. And so do I. Now check this out. Know what happened on Saturday? Saturday I go out to play, but here's a good part. And Sunday I go to church. Get down on my knees and pray. What do you pray? I said, lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. On a polo soul like me. See you bless me with friends like Caroline and Nigel. You see. I have no worries. Cause you always been there for me.

[Nigel Poor]

Sam.

[Charlie Spencer]

A stormy Monday.

[Nigel Poor]

You know, when we recorded that song Earlonne, Charlie was even sicker than we realized.

[Earlonne Woods]

Yeah, I remember meeting up with him not long after that, you know, and we were hanging out in his car right near Lake Merritt. And I could tell that this would probably be the last time I'd see him, you know, based on the condition he was in. I know you wanted to come see the water. What was about the water, man?

[Charlie Spencer]

See to this water and us sitting here talking, people walking by, cars going by. This is sustaining. Water is life.

[Earlonne Woods]

Water is life.

[Charlie Spencer]

But something's out of place in your life. We could come down here on sunshiny day, sit on this itty bitty bench here. You know, bustle, cool out with some set Muppets out. This is when you're reconnecting. That's what it's all about. I'm not scared to die.

[Nigel Poor]

So do you remember that you called me on Sunday? That Sunday, and you asked me to go check on Charlie, and he wasn't

[Earlonne Woods]

responding to my Right.

[Nigel Poor]

He hadn't been responding to your call. So you were like, please go over and check on him. So he had the kind of apartment building you couldn't just walk into. There was someone at the front desk. So she let me in and I said, I'm here to see my friend Charlie. And she kind of looked at me funny, and I described who he was. And she's like, he died. It was awful to hear And I know it was really awkward for her to tell me, but the thing that was really, I don't know, that made me feel better was she said that he was loved by so many people in that building, and people always wanted to hang out with him and would ask him to play music. And I was just really happy to hear that he wasn't alone.

[Jason (Jukebox)]

Sitting in the morning sun I'll be

[Singer/Vocalist]

sitting when the evening comes

[Jason (Jukebox)]

Watching the

[Singer/Vocalist]

ships roll in and then I'll watch them roll away again oh, I'm just

[Jason (Jukebox)]

sitting Sitting on the dock of the bay Watching the tide roll away oh, I'm just sitting on the dock of the bay Wasting time.

[Earlonne Woods]

This last song is one of my favorite of all times.

[Nigel Poor]

I know it is.

[Earlonne Woods]

Yeah, it's a song written and performed by one of my brothers who I knew from San Quentin, Richie Morris.

[Singer/Vocalist]

I wash my hands in dirty water I guess this is what I get it's raining from a clear blue sky hasn't hit me yet. And yesterday is a memory. Like my dreams is dead and gone I'm looking through these prison boxes I tried to carry on. And if I could I surely would go back and change the past. But wishing doesn't do any good

[Nigel Poor]

when

[Singer/Vocalist]

time rolls by so fast I traded my youth for these prison blues I guess it was my first mistake Spit the love of my fat heavenly cause so much heartache. And yesterday just fade. Like a rose when summer's gone I'm looking through these prisons by trying to carry on. And if I could I surely would go back and change the past. But wishing doesn't do any good

[Charlie Spencer]

when

[Singer/Vocalist]

time runs by so fast and yesterday just fade. Like a rose when summer's gone I'm looking out through the prison B Trying to carry on While we looking through these prison pies Trying to carry on.

[Nigel Poor]

Earlonne. I remember you used to, like, actually get teary eyed when you'd hear this song and you'd be like with your hand on your heart and your other hand out.

[Earlonne Woods]

But you mean boo hoo hoo.

[Nigel Poor]

Cry misty eyed. Holding back tears, which is even more emotional.

[Charlie Spencer]

Holding back the tears.

[Earlonne Woods]

I don't know what you're talking about, Nigel.

[Nigel Poor]

Okay, fair enough.

[Earlonne Woods]

It's good hearing that stuff, though. It gives me a sense of time, you know, like how long we been doing this and how far back a lot of these relationships go.

[Nigel Poor]

I know. And, you know, I'm usually pretty focused on the stories we tell on the show and that's kind of my bias. And I think, you know, the music episodes are not usually my favorite ones. I'm gonna admit that. Yeah, I'm saying that out loud. But rehearing these songs, I don't know, it reminds me that music is emotional in a way that can take you by surprise. So this one kind of won me over.

[Earlonne Woods]

And just imagine there was a lot of songs that didn't make it.

[Nigel Poor]

Exactly, exactly.

[Earlonne Woods]

We didn't want them to be too emotional.

[Nigel Poor]

Yeah. I don't like to see you cry too much.

[Charlie Spencer]

Okay.

[Nigel Poor]

And moving on.

[Earlonne Woods]

I let it out I let it out I let it out. Special thanks once again to Jukebox for providing all those musical interludes and to all the musicians we've recorded in San Quentin over the years.

[Nigel Poor]

If you want to know more about the project we did with the Met, where the dancer Silas Farley selected music that was performed and some of it written by the guys in San Quentin, there's a beautiful video you can watch of the entire performance. He dances through the museum.

[Earlonne Woods]

Through the museum. And if you want to know what we're talking about, all you gotta do is go check that video out. It's dope.

[Nigel Poor]

Yeah. We will have a link in the show notes, and we both recommend taking the time to watch it. It's gorgeous.

[Earlonne Woods]

Earhustlesq.com Ear hustle is produced by me,

[Nigel Poor]

Nigel Poor, Earlonne Woods, Amy Standen, Bruce Wallace, and Kat Schuchnicht.

[Earlonne Woods]

Shabnam Sigman is our managing producer.

[Nigel Poor]

The producing team, Inside San Quentin includes Darrell Sadiq Davis, Tom Nguyen, and inside managing producer Tony Tafoya.

[Earlonne Woods]

Thanks to Warden Andes and public information officer Lieutenant Berry at San Quentin, Acting Warden Parker, Associate Warden Lewis and Pio, Lieutenant Avena at the California Institution for Women, and Warden Dela Cruz and PIO Lt. Williams at the Central California Women's Facility for their support of the show.

[Nigel Poor]

Earlonne woods and Bruce Wallace sound designed the show with help from Darrell Siddiq Davis. Fernando Arruda and Harry Culhane are our engineers.

[Earlonne Woods]

Additional music for this episode comes from Antwan Williams, David Jassy, Darrell, Siddiq Davis, and me. For more information about this episode, check out the show notes on ear hustle's website. Earhustlesq.com if you want to show off

[Nigel Poor]

your love for Ear Hustle with some merch, there's a sale going on right now in our store.

[Earlonne Woods]

Check out a bunch of $10 items. $10 [e-mail] shop.

[Nigel Poor]

You know, I better get my dad some new T shirts.

[Earlonne Woods]

It only costs a dime.

[Nigel Poor]

A dime. And if you want to learn more about this episode and in fact all of our episodes. Sign up for our monthly email newsletter, the Lowdown.

[Earlonne Woods]

You can see photos from our live shows. Go behind the scenes, find out what the Ear Hustle team is up to.

[Nigel Poor]

What we eating, where we sleeping and drinking. Ooh.

[Earlonne Woods]

And more. Sign [e-mail] newsletter.

[Nigel Poor]

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX, a network of independent, creator owned, listener supported podcasts.

[Earlonne Woods]

Discover audio with vision at Radiotopia fm.

[Nigel Poor]

I'm Nigel Poor.

[Earlonne Woods]

I'm Earlonne Woods.

[Nigel Poor]

Thanks for listening.

[Earlonne Woods]

For listening, Brother.

[Nigel Poor]

Over here.

[Charlie Spencer]

Dancing.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

Praise God man. Amen.

[Earlonne Woods]

Radiotopia

[Nigel Poor]

from prx.