Dream Walks: Join Buzz Knight and Guests as They Share Who They'd Walk With, Living or Dead, and Why It Matters

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Episode: Dream Walks: Join Buzz Knight and Guests as They Share Who They'd Walk With, Living or Dead, and Why It Matters
Host: Buzz Knight
Date: January 3, 2026

---

Main Theme

This episode of Takin’ a Walk centers on a single, deeply engaging question: “If you could take a walk with anyone, living or dead, who would it be, and why?” Host Buzz Knight revisits memorable answers from iconic figures in music and those shaped by its history. The segment, “Dream Walks,” reveals the inspirations and unsung heroes behind the legends, offering intimate insights into whose stories matter most to those who’ve shaped the soundtrack of our lives.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Personal Touch: Sibling Bonds and Lost Partners

• Derek Shulman (Former frontman, Gentle Giant and music executive) chooses his late brother Wayne, emphasizing the depth of their musical—and personal—bond.
  • Quote: “I would take a walk with my younger brother Wayne, who passed away a couple of years ago. He was my best friend as well as my sibling, and he was my musical partner.” (00:54)

2. Behind the Spotlight: Stories Unheard

• James Fuller (Author, Spirit in the Light — on Bruce Springsteen): Rather than select Bruce Springsteen, opts for Clarence Clemons, E Street Band’s saxophonist, aiming to hear untold backstage tales.

  • Quote: “Probably someone like Clarence Clements...to get his side of the story of what things were like behind the scenes.” (01:52)

• Rick Korn (Oscar & Emmy-nominated filmmaker): Picks Carl Perkins, his creative partner, for a walk due to their impactful collaboration, and also mentions Roberto Clemente as a dream subject for a documentary.

  • Quote on Carl Perkins: “We did some really great things together that really changed my career and...my viewpoint on a lot of things.” (02:36)

3. Icons and Intellectuals: Seeking Deeper Understanding

• Hans Schumann (Jazz Reach founder): Selects James Baldwin, envisioning a walk through Harlem to discuss life and art and soak in Baldwin’s wisdom.
  • Quote: “I can't imagine a better place to walk than Harlem, which was home to him for most of his life.” (02:15)

4. Soulful Connections: Humor and Banter

• Chloe Stroll (Musician): Would walk with Adele, citing her humor and musical insight as appealing qualities.
  • Quote: “I feel her banter, let alone to ask her questions about music...her banter would just be on point.” (03:09)

5. Musical Milestones: Experiencing Pivotal Moments

• Joe Boyd (Legendary producer): Dreams of walking through New Orleans with Jelly Roll Morton to witness the roots of American music as genres fused together.
  • Quote: “I'd like to take a walk around New Orleans with Jelly Roll Morton...to get firsthand reports would be great.” (03:34)

6. Love and Everyday Life: Cherishing the Present

• Maioli (Singer/songwriter/producer): Picks his wife as his ideal walking companion, choosing Broadway in Nashville as their route—showing that sometimes the most meaningful walks are with those closest to us.
  • Quote: “My wife...That's the one I would take a walk with right now.” (04:15)

7. The King’s Perspective: Lessons from Legends

• Chris Young (Country star): Goes with Elvis Presley, seeking candid insights into the highs and lows of an extraordinary, complex life.
  • Quote: “I'd probably say Elvis...I would just ask him his opinion on life, music, what he went through, what were his tribulations.” (04:40)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chuck Nolan’s witty turn: When prompted, he jokes about choosing John Lennon, then ponders the meaning behind cryptic Beatles lyrics:

  • Quote: “He walked down Penny Lane. And I'd ask him...what did that mean? Exactly.” (00:39)

• Buzz Knight’s recurring insight: “The people who shaped the people who shaped music.” (05:12)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:32 – Chuck Nolan’s playful answer re: John Lennon
• 00:54 – Derek Shulman’s moving tribute to his brother
• 01:44 – James Fuller’s offbeat choice of Clarence Clemons
• 02:15 – Hans Schumann selects James Baldwin for a walk through Harlem
• 02:36 – Rick Korn reflects on Carl Perkins and Roberto Clemente
• 03:09 – Chloe Stroll’s desire to walk and talk humor with Adele
• 03:34 – Joe Boyd dreams of New Orleans with Jelly Roll Morton
• 04:15 – Maioli’s simple and heartfelt pick: his wife, on Broadway in Nashville
• 04:40 – Chris Young’s deep wish to walk with Elvis Presley

---

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a conversational, sincere, and sometimes playful tone, allowing each guest's personality and relationships to shine through. Buzz Knight’s approach is warm and inviting, setting the stage for both humorous and poignant reflections.

---

In Summary

“Dream Walks” is a deeply human, thoughtful episode that moves beyond music history to reveal the personal inspirations behind iconic figures and creators. Whether it’s longing for lost loved ones, seeking untold legends’ stories, or appreciating present companions, each guest’s answer paints a vivid picture of reverence and curiosity—reminding listeners that the walk, and the company, are just as important as the destination.

Transcript

[A]

Taking a Walk. Hey, it's Buzz Knight. Every episode of Taking a Walk, I ask my guests one question. If you could take a walk with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? The answers always surprise me. This month's Dream Walks shows you who inspires the legends, the heroes behind the heroes. Let's take a listen. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Chuck Nolan to the Taking a Walk podcast. So, Chuck, who would you take a walk with and where would you take that?

[B]

Oh, so this is the part where I should say, like, John Lennon, right?

[A]

No, say what you want.

[B]

He walked down Penny Lane. And I'd ask him, when you wrote yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dog's eye, what did that mean? Exactly.

[A]

Yeah. Derek Shulman, former frontman of Gentle Giant and legendary music executive.

[C]

Ooh, wow, What a question that is. I'm gonna say something which is very important to me. I would take a walk with my younger brother Wayne, who passed away a couple of years ago. He was my best friend as well as my sibling, and he was my musical partner in both Siame Duperri and Gentle Giant. That's my. I thought of all the other people that I admire or have been influential in my life, but that's the one I would love to take a walk with tonight.

[A]

Bruce Springsteen. That is near and dear to my heart. And I've got the author of this beautiful photography book called called Spirit in the Light. James Fuller. Welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast. If you could take a walk with someone, who would you take a walk with and where would you take that walk?

[C]

Wow.

[D]

I wasn't prepared for this, but actually, actually not Bruce.

[E]

Okay.

[D]

Yeah, actually, probably someone like Clarence Clements. And to get his side of the story of what things were like sort of behind the scenes, because there's a lot of information about Bruce out there. Lots of interviews, lots of. You know, I sort of feel like I know where he's coming from.

[A]

Hans Schumann, the founder of the national nonprofit Jazz Reach.

[F]

I think I would take a walk or choose to take a walk if he'd so generously permit, with James Baldwin, the great American author and intellectual. And I would. I can't imagine a better place to walk than Harlem, which was home to him for most of his life.

[A]

Rick Korn is our guest. He's an Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker.

[G]

I was creative partners with a gentleman by the name of Carl Perkins, who wrote the song Blue Suede Shoes, part of the Million Dollar Quartet. We did some really great things together that really changed my career and changed my viewpoint on A lot of things. So I would have to say Carl then. The second person who I never met, but I always wanted to do a documentary on was Roberto Clemente.

[A]

Chloe Stroll. If you could take a walk with somebody, living or dead, who would you take a walk with and where would you take that walk?

[F]

Um.

[H]

Oh, my God. I'd want to take a walk with Adele because I feel her banter, let alone to ask her questions about music firstly. But I think that her banter would just be on point. And I love someone with a very good sense of humor.

[A]

Joe Boyd, he didn't just produce some of the most influential albums in rock history.

[F]

He.

[A]

He has spent six decades chasing sounds that most of us will never hear.

[E]

You know, I guess my. Of all the deceased people that I would most like to talk to on a walk, I'd like to take a walk around New Orleans with Jelly Roll Morton. That would be a kind of dream because he was such an incredible storyteller. And to find out that sort of moment in American musical history when ragtime and Latin, Spanish music and Cuban music all met the blues in New Orleans and jazz emerged, you know, it's such a seminal moment. And to get firsthand reports would be. Would be great.

[A]

Maioli, a multi talented singer, songwriter and producer.

[C]

My wife.

[A]

Yeah, that's.

[C]

That's the one I would take a walk with right now.

[A]

Smart man. Where would you go?

[C]

Maybe down Broadway.

[A]

Broadway in Nashville?

[C]

Yeah, Broadway in Nashville, man.

[I]

Wow. That's a quiet place, right?

[A]

Chris Young, if you could take a walk with somebody, living or dead, who would you take a walk with?

[I]

I would probably say Elvis. And I would take a walk through Nashville and I would just ask him his opinion on life, music, what he went through, what he, you know, what were his tribulations that he dealt with, what were his highs, what were his lows? And I think that's somebody that lived an incredibly complicated life. As huge as he was as an artist, I feel like he would have a lot to say.

[A]

Those are this month's dream walks. The people who shaped the people who shaped music. Want to hear the full conversations with these incredible guests? Subscribe to Taking a Walk wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Buzz Knight and I'll be back next month with more dream walks. Until then, keep on walking.