After spending a 3+ years shooting music videos and generally documenting the North Carolina 80s music scene [1981-2021 North Carolina], I thought it would be fun to check back with everyone and see what they were up to, and so created a series of mini documentaries about some of the artists. The music scene was called Comboland and since I was checking back, the series I created is called Return To Comboland. The original plan was for a full documentary but the 2007/2008 Great Recession killed that idea. Some of these mini docs only tell part of the story. If I can get out and travel again, I will wrap up all of the loose ends and complete the unfinished stories. But for now, here are all of the RTC mini docs along with two bonus videos - a fun 1982 flashback WQDR-FM guest radio appearance, and a 2020 podcast offering updates on some of the Comboland artists.
DOC HOLLIDAY • Part 1
Fame & Failure (2018)
Doc Holliday were a hard livin’ Country Rock band who toured with Black Sabbath and played Madison Square Garden. This band from Warner Robins, Georgia was catapulted on to the national music scene by a couple of guys in Raleigh. The band lived the Hard Rock life and had the world at their feet. But as in all good classic Rock stories, what goes sky high, must come crashing to the ground. But don’t let the sad ending get you down. There is a Part 2 in the works to complete the story. • Look for a special guest soundbite from Robert Kearns (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sheryl Crow).
PKM • Part 1
The Backstory (2018)
They were a hit in the 1980s NC music scene. They should have been a national hit! PKM are one of the few bands whose straight-ahead Rock performance stands the test of time. • Part 1 focuses on PeeWee and Kenny, their exit from Nantucket, the power of WQDR-FM, and an answer to why PKM weren’t major record label Rock stars. Look for Mike and his story to be featured in Part 2, which will be released in the near future. • Featured guests in this installment are Nantucket (performance), Bill Cain (former Nantucket manager), Mike Uzzell and Tommy Redd (Nantucket), Rockin’ Ron Phillips (former WQDR-FM Program Director), photos by Chris Seward, and a special guest soundbite from Godfrey Cheshire (former Spectator Magazine Music & Film Critic). Also featured are PKM performances not seen since 1984.
THE SPONGETONES
The Making of “World News Polka” (2008)
The Spongetones recorded their first album in 1983. By 2008 they were stars of ABC World News Now for their Power Pop song, “Skinny.” Find out how that happened and why they were commissioned to also record ABC World News Now’s Friday theme song “World News Polka.” Shot in NYC, Nashville and Charlotte, this mini documentary also features a guest star soundbite from Darrius Rucker (Hootie & the Blowfish).
ARROGANCE • Part 1
@40 Tribute (2009)
For their 40th anniversary, Arrogance put on a live event (March 21, 2009) at The Carolina Theatre that was as much a celebration of the band as it was a Comboland class reunion. Besides Arrogance, look for guest star soundbites and performances from Dave Adams (Glass Moon), Debra DeMilo (The Fabulous Knobs), Parthenon Huxley (The Orchestra), Peter Holsapple (the dB’s), Chris Stamey (the dB’s), Mitch Easter (Let’s Active) and a special guest soundbite from Parke Puterbaugh (Rolling Stone Magazine).
ARROGANCE • Part 2
@40 (2009)
When I discovered there was going to be a special concert at The Carolina Theatre celebrating the 40th anniversary of Arrogance, I had to be there! Witnessing Arrogance perform the same classic “hits” I used to see at The Pier in the 80s was not just fun, but amazing considering they were playing better than they used to, back in the day. • I not only shot their performance, but I also asked for comments backstage before the show. I was expecting poignant nostalgia and insight from these seasoned and experienced Rockers, but instead I consistently received. . . well, watch and see.
ARROGANCE • Part 3
@40 • Arrogance Mark 1 & Dogbreath (2009)
Now this is fun! Here is the original configuration of Arrogance performing the cult favorite “Black Death” - a performance not seen since 1971. Plus songs and soundbites from Arrogance’s alter-ego, Dogbreath. Look for special guest soundbites and performances from Mitch Easter (Let’s Active), Parthenon Huxley (ELO Part II / The Orchestra), Debra DeMilo (The Fabulous Knobs) and an extra special guest introduction by Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites).
HOLSAPPLE & STAMEY • Live Part 1
The Basement • Nashville 2009
I met Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey at Raleigh's The Pier nightclub in 1981, shortly after the release of the dB's second album, “Repercussions.” I bought the album, put it on my turntable and that’s where it stayed for months. I just couldn’t stop playing it! As much as the dB’s are no longer performing, Peter and Chris have continued to work together on occasion. I was lucky enough to catch one of those occasions in 2009 during their tour for the “Here And Now” album at Nashville’s hip night spot, The Basement.
HOLSAPPLE & STAMEY • Part 2
The Basement • Nashville 2009
Here are a few Bonus tracks from Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey's performance at Nashville’s The Basment. Chris and Peter (formerly of the dB’s) perform some of their favorite cover songs along with a few words from Peter about Matty Baratto's Cigfiddle (Paul McCartney has been known to play one of these!).
THE FABULOUS KNOBS
A Tribute To David Enloe (2007)
David Enloe was the first of the Comboland alumni to bid farewell. I received a call in late 2007 and was told David was very sick and if I wanted to say good-bye, now was the time. I was lucky enough to see him ten days before his passing. At the same time, I thought it would be fitting to create a short film in tribute to David and so, I took my camera and shot interviews in Nashville, Knoxville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Durham and Raleigh. Besides chatting with some of The Fabulous Knobs, look for soundbites from Peter Holsapple (the dB’s), Rod Abernethy (Arrogance), Jamie Hoover (The Spongetones), Dave Adams (Glass Moon), PeeWee Watson (PKM), and a special guest soundbite from Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites).
WQDR-FM AMATEUR GUEST DJ (1982)
I had the pleasure of sitting in the WQDR DJ chair as official Amateur DJ on May 23, 1982. Besides my disjointed ramblings, the show features a very strange and fragmented conversation with Robert Kirkland (Arrogance) talking about the latest 1982 Arrogance recording sessions along with airing the first Arrogance single from 1970, “Black Death.” The show also features a very, very rare recording of the Dave Adams (Glass Moon) demo “He’s Waiting For A Train.” There are also tracks from Treva Spontaine, the dB’s as well as more Arrogance and Glass Moon. And listen for shout-outs to WQDR DJ’s Bob Walton and Rockin' Ron Phillips, as well as Spectator Magazine’s Godfrey Cheshire and Tony Madejczyk.
THE STATE OF THINGS with FRANK STASIO
WUNC-FM (2008)
feat. Steve Boyle, Terry Anderson, Dave Adams
You know that voice! Frank Stasio was heard for years on NPR’s “All Things Consider” and “Talk of the Nation.” He also hosted a radio talk show for North Carolina Public Radio called “The State of Things.” Frank invited me on his show in 2008 to talk about the Return To Comboland project. I invited Terry Anderson (The Fabulous Knobs / OAK Team) and Dave Adams (The Fabulous Knobs / Glass Moon) to join me to help liven things up. I also gave my camera to Tony Madejczyk (Spectator Magazine) for some "fly on the wall" behind-the-scenes video of this fun half-hour radio conversation. • Audio originally aired April 11, 2008. Video seen here for the first time (2021).
SPOTLIGHT CONVERSATIONS w DONNA REED
Return To Comboland Update (Dec. 2020)
"The 80s North Carolina Comboland music scene is buzzing with new tunes says Emmy winning Nashville director Steve Boyle, my guest this week on Spotlight Conversations. He talks about rockin’ new music from legendary artists The Spongetones, Jack Cornell and Terry Anderson (The Fabulous Knobs), Gardners of Soule (PKM), Don Dixon and Rod Abernethy (Arrogance), and Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey (the dB's) as well as name dropping Dan Baird (The Georgia Satellites), and Nashville singer/songwriter Radney Foster. It's a fun half-hour of music, conversation and updates on the Comboland music scene."