Podcast
The Bad Piano Player
Hosted by John Wing Jr. · EN
A weekly musical podcast diving into popular music of the 20s, 30s, and 40s.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
George Meyer
Mar 1700:37:52Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThis week, the bad piano player goes even further back into obscure composers of the American songbook, to find George Meyer 1884-1959, born in Boston and wrote a lot of music, including the classic For Me And My Gal, which, you guessed it, we won't be doing. Tune in for the tunes, stay for the lyrics!
Transcribe →Tom Waits 4 No Man
Mar 300:38:12Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThis week, the bad piano player finally gives a songwriter a rare fourth episode. We had to find six really depressing Tom Waits songs, but luckily, he wrote a lot for us to choose from. No repeats fourth T Waits. Tune in and wallow in the Brechtian mood swings on this one, kids.
Transcribe →Gordon & Revel 2 (3)
Feb 1700:38:51Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThis week the Bad Piano Player revisits Mack Gordon, the cigar chomping, fun loving American lyricist, and Harry Revel, the reserved British composer, for the third time. Are all the songs classics? Well if they aren't, kids, they OUGHT to be. Tune in for the sparkling gems of yesteryear!
Transcribe →The Boswell Sisters
Feb 300:34:46Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThis week, the bad piano player features another famous sister act, the New Orleans close-harmony trio of Vet, Connie and Martha, the Boswell Sisters. Their unique sound - well, we won't be able to reproduce that - had a profound effect on the music of the 30's and 40's, and their influence as singers continues to this day. Tune in and hear their songs and story.
Transcribe →Pete Wendling
Jan 2000:35:20Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailTo open Season 7, (!!!) The bad piano player and the improving singer brings you songs by the great unknown American composer Pete Wendling. Composer of Yacka Hula Hickey Dula. Which means, Tune In! in Hawaiian. Welcome one, welcome all! See you around the piano.
Transcribe →Christmas
Dec 1600:32:56Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThe Bad Piano Player presents a special Christmas episode just for you. And you, and you, and you, too. I checked the list twice and you all qualify! We feature Holiday songs you may not know, some you might, and old-friend composers and lyricists like Gus Kahn, Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke, Meredith Willson. Listen to this one in front of the fire with a full stocking and a hot toddy. Merry Christmas to one and all.
Transcribe →Season Finale: Hoagy Carmichael
Nov 2500:42:52Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailFor our Season Six Finale, the bad piano player and the improving singer revisit the composer Hoagy Carmichael, learning six songs never before done on the podcast. Some you might know, I'm guessing most you won't. Thanks for a wonderful season six. Christmas episode coming December 16th and season seven starts January 20, 2026! See y'all there!
Transcribe →Dana Suesse
Nov 1100:40:07Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThis week, the Bad Piano Player features the Kansas City Mozart, the vaudeville teenage improviser, the composer with the mostest, sometimes referred to as the "Female Gershwin". Finally in her own episode, the great Dana Suesse. Tune in to hear me try to pronounce her name!
Transcribe →Sammy Fain
Oct 2800:37:28Tap to summarizeSend a textAfter featuring him in a team episode (with Irving Kahal) and several times with single songs in other episodes, Sammy Fain finally gets his very own episode. Six of the best from this incredibly versatile, completely self-taught composer. Tune in for great tunes!
Transcribe →Not Hits - Hits!
Oct 1400:43:03Tap to summarizeSend a textThis fortnight Tuesday the Bad Piano Player does a special episode of songs that lay dormant for many years before bursting onto the charts. We call it Not Hits -- Hits! Tune in for the discoveries.
Transcribe →