Podcast Summary: Holmberg’s Morning Sickness (98KUPD)

Episode: 11-12-25 – Rock Wars: Song for Bret & AI Scorpions Blues

Date: November 12, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Dick Toledo, Bret Vesely (remote/in spirit)

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness centers on supporting longtime co-host Bret Vesely, who is absent due to the recent loss of his father. The crew dedicates Rock Wars, their popular weekly song battle segment, as a tribute to Bret. The team also dives into musings about the rise of AI-generated music—featuring a mind-blowing blues version of the Scorpions’ "Still Loving You"—and debates the emerging legal and creative implications of AI voice technology in music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rock Wars: A Tribute to Bret (01:19–03:40, 04:22–09:11)

• Heavy Mood, Heavy Week:
  The crew acknowledges the emotional weight since Bret's father's passing. John recalls how they honored Brady and Toledo’s parents in previous years by dedicating music selections and insists it’s Bret’s turn for a tribute.

  “It's not fair to take a win away or a loss away from Brett. He needs to fight fairly. So today we suspend all competition to give Brett a moment.” (01:59 – John Holmberg)

• Song Selection:
  The team unanimously picks “You Can’t Bring Me Down” by Suicidal Tendencies, knowing it’s a personal favorite of Bret. After some humorous technical glitches, they cue up the song as a show of support.

  “Seeing the words 'I'm devastated' in a text from Brett just doesn't feel right. So let’s try to bring him back up.” (03:28 – John Holmberg)

• Listeners' Support:
  The hosts recognize messages from listeners and send thoughts to Bret and his family, reinforcing the community’s bond.

2. AI in Music: Blues Scorpions & The Future (04:22–09:11)

• AI Blues Cover – Scorpions’ "Still Loving You":
  Holmberg shares his discovery of an AI-powered Instagram blues cover of "Still Loving You." He’s unexpectedly enamored, joking that AI Scorpions is “the only way I can tolerate the Scorpions for a long period of time.”

  “This is the worst AI will ever be. It's gonna get better tomorrow. Better than that. The next day. Always gonna keep getting better.” (05:24 – John Holmberg)
  “That's phenomenal. That is so good.” (06:34 – John Holmberg, reacting to the AI cover)

• AI Voice and Copyright Law:
  The group discusses the ambiguous legal territory of AI using celebrity voices and song lyrics. They note that while musical lyrics are protected, vocal likenesses alone generally aren’t.

  “You can’t trademark a voice… What if I sound just like [Michael Caine] accidentally? Am I going to get sued?” (08:12 – John Holmberg)

• Examples of AI Voices:
  The team names AI platforms (like 11 Labs) and voices available (e.g., Michael Caine, Matthew McConaughey as an investor, Mark Twain, John Wayne), highlighting the evolving business of voice licensing.

• AI Customization & Music’s Future:
  Holmberg envisions consumers soon being able to remix any band in any style—imagine requesting “make all my favorite ’80s bands sing in soul style” on Spotify.

  “The things that's scary is you can do it with songs… Just have [AI] eventually make up new songs. It'll all be brand new. They're already doing it. But they're not very good yet. Soon that will be better.” (08:59 – John Holmberg)

3. Community and Kindness (Scattered Throughout)

• The team repeatedly returns to the main theme of community—supporting not just Bret, but each other and their listeners.

  “We know he’s going through a lot… We're gonna be right there next to him.” (04:26 – John Holmberg)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Rock Wars Brought to You by Mo Money Pawn:
  Briefly acknowledged as the episode sponsor when introducing the tribute segment. (01:19)
• On AI, Technology and the Future:

  “This is the worst technology we have today… The next generation will be better and better, they’re not going to get worse.” (08:32 – John Holmberg)

• Humor in the Face of Sadness:
  Mid-setup technical issues (“He’s got the wrong one in there. Where’d he go?” 03:01) and playful banter keep the tone relatable and real, despite the somber context.

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:19 – 03:40: Rock Wars tribute introduction and discussion
• 03:40 – 04:22: (ad/promo break, skipped)
• 04:22 – 06:37: Blues Scorpions AI cover, John’s reaction
• 06:37 – 09:11: Deep dive into AI voices, rights, and the future of music customization
• Throughout: Listeners’ support for Bret and reflections on community

Tone & Style

The tone alternates between sincere support (for Bret), dark humor, music nerd enthusiasm, and curiosity about technology. The hosts’ camaraderie and authenticity are evident, mixing genuine emotion with the irreverent banter that defines the show.

Conclusion

This episode stands out as a moving example of the Holmberg team using music and laughter to support their own, blending heartfelt tribute with a thought-provoking look at AI's rapid incursion into the world of music. If you want an episode where radio family, musical nostalgia, and technological wonder cross paths, this is it.