Today we launched a new We Own This Town podcast called Let's Face the Music. The series was conjured up by Ryan Breegle - who previously created Vidalotry and My Fantasy Funeral - and it takes a look at the stories behind the standards of the Great American Songbook.

I must admit that when he introduced the idea to me, I felt very ignorant to the draw of the Great American Songbook. What are the stories to be told? Are there enough stories to fill a season? Fortunately, my doubts were quickly cast aside with the first episode. Episode one covers the story of "Strange Fruit," an anti-lynching song popularized by Billie Holiday in 1939 that was based on a poem published a few years earlier by Abel Meeropol.

It is a difficult and powerful piece that tackles large issues of race; many of which are sadly relevant today. It is a fascinating story and I am honored to be on board with Ryan to help share them.

The official site is at LetsFaceTheMmusic.show and you can subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Google, Overcast or wherever you like to listen to podcasts.