Season 7 - Episode 1 - Mike talks New Jersey songs with Tom Fishman and Mike "Kuz" Kuzan

Send us Fan MailIn the Season 7 premiere, Mike welcomes good friends Tom Fishman and Mike “Kuz” Kuzan to the pod for a deeply scholarly, deeply unserious, and deeply Jersey conversation about music from New Jersey artists and the powerful, mysterious, occasionally misunderstood pull of the Garden State. Tom brings the perspective of someone who grew up in Queens and lived in Hoboken, Kuz joins from Asbury Park as both a Jersey resident and actual musician (like Tom), and Mike contributes as a music-loving outsider whose New Jersey knowledge comes largely through short visits, TV, movies, songs, and a healthy respect for places that inspire both pride and defensiveness.Follow the podcast on Bluesky at @friendsofmikedEmail the podcast with any questions or requests at [email protected] Please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.  Please also rate and review the podcast.  Key moments from the pod: 0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to Episode 1 of Season 72:00: Mike gives some life updates on what’s been going on with him, including some trip updates (London, St Pete Beach, a hockey trip north and Amsterdam).4:50: A quick podcast staff wellness check10:15: Mike welcomes Tom Fishman and Mike “Kuz” Kuzan onto the podcast for a rollicking discussion of who they are and why they’re the perfect guests for this episode on New Jersey music.17:10: Mike lays out the plan for the rest of the episode.18:00: The guys discuss the New Jersey myth/vibe and how New Jersey is everywhere.25:00: What makes an artist “Jersey”29:00: Kuz describes what it’s like living in Asbury Park35:00: Mike kicks off the NJ song draft by explaining the ground-breaking format36:00: A song about the entire country with deep ties to the Garden State AND Saginaw, Michigan.43:30: A very deep cut song from the Boss about being born to move fast.52:30: A supergroup track from a bunch of dudes who travel and sing songs about life.1:02:30: A perfect song to drive into New Jersey if you’re a mob boss.1:12:05: An homage to the females of Jersey from an icon with a unique singing voice.1:21:10: This crooner could only approach life one way: his way.1:30:00: A song about the nostalgia of suburban life in NJ1:37:00: A rewritten alma mater at Eastside High, take a bow, Mrs. Powers.1:43:00: A pop punk classic the evokes the 90s in the Garden State perfectly.1:52:00: Boss-written, Band-performed: AC, baby2:00:10: A 1970s protest anthem that propels you through a quest for justice2:14:00: A rollicking bluegrass jam that truly tells a NJ story