Heavy Head Podcast

23/06/2024

Thank you Cincinnati Pride for the opportunity to perform and sweat it out yesterday. Hilarious to play my sad boy tunes to the faint sounds of drag shows and DJs in the distance. No notes 10/10 would highly recommend.

20/06/2024

For those of you planning on attending my acoustic set this Saturday for Cincinnati Pride, this is where and when I’ll be performing: The Red gate stage. It’s a really pretty outdoor mini amphitheater. It’s located on the far left side of Sawyer Point next to the pickle bar courts by Montgomery Inn. I go in at 12:15.

It will be a short set, so make sure you’re there early. I’m excited and honored to play my style of music in a setting I never thought I’d have the opportunity to play them in. Drink lots of water. 💦

22/05/2024

Excited and proud to announce that I will be performing a solo acoustic set as part of the 2024 Cincinnati Pride festival on Saturday June 22 at Sawyer Point. I’ll be playing the Red Gate Stage at 12:15.

This has been a goal of mine for a while now and I’m very happy for this opportunity. Future show announcements to follow.

12/04/2024

Thank you NAMI for the national recognition of my volunteer work in their April edition of their Field News online newsletter. Thank you NAMISWOH for the nomination, continued support and opportunity. It’s an honor to represent my NAMI affiliate for outstanding volunteerism.

♥️💚♥️💚🥹🥹

09/01/2024

32 today. I like not being in my teens and twenties anymore. It’s like everything I was aiming for in my twenties is happening for me in my thirties.

I want to share with you my favorite poem by Max Ehrmann called, ‘Desiderata’ meaning something that is needed. These words have been a great comfort for me these last few years.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

29/12/2023

Surprise!!!

‘Where Have You Been?’ - a new single from Real Blue Heartache Kids is now available wherever you stream or buy music. Full song also available on YouTube using the link below.

Credits:

Tanner Hinds: Lyrics, Vocal, Guitar, Tambourine, Mixing, Artwork

Nick Federinko: Bass

John Bertke: Drums

Produced by

Mastered by Anna Bentley

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year. We’ll see you in 2024.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pDG763Hb7LE&list=OLAK5uy_liINZuQVd3DZ4XoskPD_KoafUS4hZg_pY

20/12/2023

‘Three Dollar Bill’ - the new single by Real Blue Heartache Kids is available now wherever you stream or buy music.

Credits:

Tanner Hinds: Lyrics, Vocal, Guitar, Piano, Strings, Keys, Jingle Bells, Mixing, Artwork

Nick Federinko: Bass

John Bertke: Drums

Produced by Real Blue Heartache Kids

Mastered by Anna Bentley

From Tanner:

“I remember hearing the phrase, ‘Queer as a three dollar bill,’ sometime in my childhood and it always stayed in the back of my mind. I started writing this song in 2018 with just that hook as a way to explore language and how meaning can change overtime.

I would write a small part of the song, then not be able to come up with anything for months or years at a time. By the time I shared the song with my bandmates in August of this year, the song had morphed into a contemplation on my own complicated relationship with my q***rness, navigating the q***r community for the first time, pursuing love and dealing with internal and external homophobia.

The song is a departure both lyrically and musically from anything I’ve done in the past. This, for me, is a much better representation of who I am as a person and the type of writer I’m working towards becoming than any other time I’ve tried to write about myself in the past. Lyrically, I’ve always been much more comfortable talking about myself in code or secret.

I never struggled writing anything as much. The only thing that made me finish the song was finally allowing myself to tell the truth. That really hurt. It doesn’t feel good to have to write or sing about these things, but I have finally written myself a genuine theme tune.

Thank you to my bandmates Nick and John for listening without judgement, encouraging me, being the first two to believe that my voice and vision meant something and helping me with this beautiful arrangement.”

18/12/2023

Which direction will we take?? 🤔

Find out this Wednesday (12/20) when the greatest Rock N’ Roll band in the land returns with, ‘Three Dollar Bill’

Be sure to preorder/presave the single now on your favorite streaming platform.

13/12/2023

Three Dollar Bill - the new single from Real Blue Heartache Kids, available one week from today on December 20.

Pre-save on Spotify now using the link below. Pre-order also available on iTunes today.

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/realblueheartachekids/three-dollar-bill

08/12/2023

12/22/23

06/12/2023

22/11/2023

As we enter the holiday season, I wanted to acknowledge that this can be a difficult time for many for various reasons. Many struggle this time of year and decide not to make it through the season. I just wanted to let people know that there is help available to you and you can stay with us even if you don’t feel like you can.

If you live in the United States, 988 is the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline. You can call or text this number. There’s also the Crisis Text Line: text ‘Home’ to 741-741. These are free services available 24/7/365.

What happens when you use these services? You will be talking with a trained person with will talk you through your situation. They don’t automatically send out emergency services like they would if you called 911, although they can if they have to. These are people located in your area and are part of your community.

You don’t have to be in a crisis to use these services. If you just want someone to talk to or if you want help for a loved one who is struggling, they are always there to listen and provide you with best practices.

If you live outside the United States, please reference the link on the homepage to find your country’s hotline information.

I hope that everyone has a happy, fun and safe holiday season. That you get to spend time with people you care about and that you take an opportunity to do something nice for yourself and others, particularly those who might not be able to return the kindness.

I love you. 💙

https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/

16/11/2023

Happy birthday Glenn Burke who would have been 71 today. To celebrate and honor his trailblazing life, me, Real Blue Heartache Kids and Heavy Head Podcast will be making monetary donations to two organizations that impacted his life and help to keep his spirit alive: Marty’s Place and the Glenn Burke Wellness Clinic.

Marty’s Place Affordable Housing Corporation is a housing co-op for low income people living with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco. Founded by Richard Purcell in 1993 after caring for his brother, Marty, who passed away from complications due to AIDS. Burke was a one time resident of Marty’s Place in the mid 90’s and spoke fondly of his time there.

The Glenn Burke Wellness Clinic (GBWC) is part of the the Oakland LGBTQ+ Community Center in partnership with Lifelong Medical care. The clinic, named after Burke and located in his hometown of Oakland, CA, offers LGBTQ+ centered and affirming services including:

- Medical benefits
- Vaccinations
- Gender affirming care
- STI testing/treatment
- PrEP services
- Youth counseling and support groups

Donations to the clinic can be given to various aspects of the community center including specifically to the GBWC.

We encourage others to donate to these two organizations as you are able in memory of Glenn on his birthday.

For those of you who are understandably not able to give monetarily right now, we encourage you to honor Burke today by doing something nice for someone, give a high five, get in touch with a loved you haven’t contacted in a while, or pick up some pink carnations to spruce up a room (they were Glenn’s favorite flower). 🌸

You can donate directly to these organizations and learn more about this incredible person using the link below.

📸: Associated Press

Oakland LGBTQ Community Center
Marty's Place

https://linktr.ee/heavyheadpod

15/11/2023

By 1994, Glenn was living on the streets of the Castro District in San Francisco dying from AIDS. Rather than inconvenience his loved ones, Glenn preferred to roam the streets of the neighborhood where he was once seen as a king.

Jack McGowan managed bars in the Castro and was a cofounder of the San Francisco Gay Softball leagues, one of the country’s first q***r friendly recreational sports leagues. Jack cold called Oakland A’s GM Sandy Alderson and pleaded with him to help Burke. Alderson enlisted A’s director Pamela Pitts to address Burke’s needs.

Pitts arranged meals for Glenn at Oakland’s Welcome Home restaurant on a tab paid for by the team. She also arranged for Glenn to stay at Marty’s Place, an organization that provides housing for people living with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco. Richard Purcell founded the co-op after caring for his brother who passed away from AIDS complications. For a man who spent his life chasing love and acceptance, it was at Marty’s Place where Glenn finally found it.

With his dignity restored, Glenn moved in with his sister, Lutha, who became his caregiver on top of working a full time job and raising a family of her own. It was at Lutha’s home where Glenn peacefully passed away on the afternoon of May 30, 1995 while Lutha was away at work.

Learn more about Burke’s extraordinary life by listening to the series finale of Heavy Head Podcast using the link below.

📸: John Storey

https://linktr.ee/heavyheadpod

14/11/2023

One thing we never had time to discuss during the initial release of Heavy Head podcast’s series finale, Lovers In A Dangerous Time, was the strives Major League Baseball has made since the passing of Glenn Burke in 1995. While the MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics have never publicly acknowledged, admitted, or apologized for their various attempts to coverup or outwardly reject Glenn’s s*xuality, which had become something of an open secret sometime after his rookie season in 1977, all three organizations have made strides to keep his name from being forgotten.

The MLB honored Glenn and his family during the its 2014 All-Star week festivities in Minneapolis, MN. Former player and now openly gay man, Billy Bean, was also named MLB ambassador for inclusion, though Burke nor Bean were never mentioned during the game’s broadcast.

In 2021, the Athletics announced that their annual Pride celebration game would be retitled, “Glenn Burke Pride Night,” moving forward. In 2022, the Dodgers honored Burke’s legacy at their annual Pride night along with his family members taking part in on-field ceremonies before the game.

While strides have been made in making MLB more inclusive, progress is slow and mistakes happen along the way. Some organizations have been better about addressing these issues than others. There is still much more that needs to be done.

Learn more about Glenn’s life by listening to the series finale of Heavy Head Podcast using the link below.

📸: Mark Hundley - AP

https://linktr.ee/heavyheadpod

13/11/2023

Hope you all are in the giving spirit this holiday season because I have something special planned for Glenn Burke’s birthday this week (Nov. 16).

For those of you that haven’t, learn more about Glenn’s tremendous life by listening to the series finale of Heavy Head Podcast using the link below.

https://linktr.ee/heavyheadpod

07/11/2023

🏳️‍🌈 as a 💵💵💵

Real Blue Heartache Kids

01/11/2023

Real Blue Heartache Kids

25/09/2023

Behind the scenes photo from the recording session for the last Real Blue Heartache Kids album, Heavy Head Mixtape Vol. 1 (released Dec. 2021).

Wouldn’t it be cool if we recorded some new music at some point?!?! 🤔

📸: Nick Federinko (Sept 2021)

Heavy Head Podcast

01/09/2023

September is National Su***de Prevention and Awareness month.

If you live in the U.S., text or call 988 anytime to talk to a trained counselor. They won’t automatically dispatch emergency services to your home. They are there to listen. It’s a free service available 24/7/365. You don’t have to be in a psychiatric crisis to call. If you just want someone to talk to or are a loved one of someone going through a difficult time, give them a call.

There’s also The Crisis Text Line as well. Text ‘Home’ to 741-741 to start a text conversation with the same protocol.

You don’t have to go through this alone and I assure you that you don’t have to leave here, even if you think that you want to.

07/08/2023

Honored to be featured in the July issue of Movers and Makers magazine along with the rest of my NAMISWOH family. Thank you to everyone at Movers & Makers for amplifying our message.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a national organization whose goal is to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health and mental illness. With chapters all over the country, NAMI Southwest Ohio offers free educational programs and support services in Clermont, Hamilton, Warren and Clinton counties.

Learn more about NAMI including ways to get involved and contribute to our cause using the link below.

https://namiswoh.org/

28/07/2023

Congratulations to Clinton and Danny on the incredible new Mr. Phylzzz record. Their best one, yet!

Tremendous playing and Clinton is doing unbelievable things with his voice.

If you get a chance, go see them open up for Melvins and Boris this fall!

13/07/2023

Throwback Thursday ..

Thanks to our new friends Water and So and So and the Somebodies for having us open for them at Southgate The Southgate House Revival couple weeks back and for letting us use your gear.

Real Blue Heartache Kids

11/07/2023

My friend, Evan Verrilli, and fellow artist Joe Walsh co-wrote an illustrated book!

Check out the release party this Saturday, July 15, at Ess*x Studio. Stop by between 10a-2p to buy your copy!

06/07/2023

That’s a wrap!

Thank you to those who engaged with my show.

Thank you to the amazing doctors I was lucky enough to get to interview.

Thank you to my amazing cast for your powerful performances.

Thank you to Evan Verrilli for your brilliant artwork.

Thank you to my wonderful bandmates in Real Blue Heartache Kids. We really got to stretch out for this.

This is just the beginning of a much longer and larger conversation.

I’m gonna take a minute, but you’ll be hearing from me soon enough.

💙💚💙💚

30/06/2023

With his dignity restored, Glenn was ready to return home. Burke lived the last of his life with his sister, Lutha, who was working a full time job and was raising two kids on her own, becoming her brother’s full time caregiver.

On May 30, 1995, Glenn passed away. He was 42 years old. The MLB honored Burke during the 2014 All Star Game, officially recognizing Glenn’s pioneering role for the first time.

Speaking to the press, Lutha said that her brother would be proud, but understood that the moment would only have true transformational power if little boys in the future had the chance to live out their major league dreams without fear of reprisal if they were gay.

Learn more by listening to season three episode six, “Lovers In A Dangerous Time.” using the link below.

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING: ⚠️This episode contains adult language, situations, and graphic depictions of progressed HIV illness, murder, homophobia, homophobic violence, racism, and drug use that may be a trigger to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you love is experiencing a psychiatric emergency and live in the United States, please call the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to 741741 for free and confidential support 24/7/365.

Image: New York Times

https://linktr.ee/heavyheadpod

29/06/2023

In this week’s exclusive clip from season three episode six, Jack McGowan calls Oakland Athletics general manager, Sandy Alderson to inform him of the trouble Glenn is in.

By the early 90’s Glenn had been in and out of prison, drug addicted and was living on the streets of the Castro refusing help from loved ones. The Athletics sprang into action to help their former player.

Longtime A’s employee Pamela Pitts was in charge of finding support for Glenn. She set up a tab at Welcome Home restaurant where Glenn could charge meals to an account that the A’s paid every couple of weeks.

She also put him in touch with Marty’s place, a home for homeless people living with AIDS that was started by Father Richard Purcell to honor the memory of his brother who died from AIDS. For a man who spent his lifetime chasing love, acceptance and understanding, it was at Marty’s Place that he finally found them.

Learn more by listening to season three episode six, “Lovers In A Dangerous Time.” using the link below.

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING: ⚠️This episode contains adult language, situations, and graphic depictions of progressed HIV illness, murder, homophobia, homophobic violence, racism, and drug use that may be a trigger to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you love is experiencing a psychiatric emergency and live in the United States, please call the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to 741741 for free and confidential support 24/7/365.

🎵: Real Blue Heartache Kids
🖼️: Evan Verrilli

https://linktr.ee/heavyheadpod

28/06/2023

Come close out Pride month with the greatest Rock N Roll band in the land tomorrow night in Newport, KY. Think of it as a warmup for Taylor Swift. We’ll be playing songs from every “Era” including a couple new ones.

Southgate House Revival
8p
Link to tickets on below.

https://www.ticketweb.com/event/so-and-so-and-the-the-southgate-house-revival-tickets/13033125?REFID=clientsitewp

25/06/2023

In this week’s exclusive clip from season three episode six, Glenn talks about his declining status in San Francisco’s gay community.

Glenn’s sister, Elona, was murdered in 1983. In 1987, Glenn broke both his legs after being hit by a car. While recovering in the hospital it was revealed that Burke was HIV positive.

The Castro by the mid 80’s had become a surreal ghost town where sidewalks were crowded with young, zombie-like men walking with canes. Bathhouses and private s*x clubs were closed.

Glenn, at this time, felt abandoned by the community that had once celebrated him despite others in the community trying to convince him otherwise.

Learn more by listening to season three episode six, “Lovers In A Dangerous Time.” using the link below.

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING: ⚠️This episode contains adult language, situations, and graphic depictions of progressed HIV illness, murder, homophobia, homophobic violence, racism, and drug use that may be a trigger to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you love is experiencing a psychiatric emergency and live in the United States, please call the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to 741741 for free and confidential support 24/7/365.

🖼️: Evan Verrilli

https://linktr.ee/heavyheadpod

23/06/2023

Glenn made one last Hail Mary attempt at getting back into professional baseball in the fall of 1982. He finally agreed to his then boyfriend Michael Smith’s wishes to publicly come out. Smith would write Glenn’s story in the September issue of Inside Sports magazine. Glenn looked forward to being paid handsomely for his revelation.

To promote the article, Glenn appeared on the Today show on September 13 and was interviewed by Bryant Gumbel about his life as a closeted gay professional athlete. Burke had hoped that a team would appreciate his honesty and give him another chance to play in the majors.

The article titled, “The Double Life of a Gay Dodger.” was met with indifference from the public at large and the hopes of returning to baseball never materialized for Glenn. Smith kept all the money from the article as well as neglecting to put Burke’s name on the deed of a condo they had bought together using Glenn’s $65,000 severance package from the Oakland Athletics.

The last of Glenn’s good days were mostly behind him now as the rest of his short life would be filled with grief, sickness, homelessness, addiction, and legal strife.

Learn more by listening to season three episode six, “Lovers In A Dangerous Time.” using the link below.

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING: ⚠️This episode contains adult language, situations, and graphic depictions of progressed HIV illness, murder, homophobia, homophobic violence, racism, and drug use that may be a trigger to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you love is experiencing a psychiatric emergency and live in the United States, please call the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to 741741 for free and confidential support 24/7/365.

Image: Today

https://linktr.ee/heavyheadpod