10/03/2024
WARNING: Lengthy post about my podcast ahead!!! What started out as a simple link sharing post to celebrate an anniversary, snowballed into a history of my podcasting projects. If you'd rather skip it, you may scroll past if you wish. I won't blame you! (y)
Six years ago today, my friend Jackie and I recorded a conversation in which we talked for two-and-a half hours straight about her favorite songs and albums by Prince. I ended up turning the footage into a trilogy of episodes for the Purple Knights Podcast, which you can hear at the link below. Jackie has been such a frequent guest on the podcast that I consider her to be more of a co-host at this point. 💜
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLef5SpA_uKv-38ZvMgltQgvd9rNMsfCXQ&si=UItIAONlAGFqT-Rq
Now, a little history...
These days, I mostly fly solo when interviewing guests, but I've had a few co-pilots since throwing my hat into the "online purple commentary" community back in 2009. In my "Paisley Radio" days, I worked with a couple of guys, Nicky and Ernest. There was plenty of drama behind the scenes, and my friendships with both of them imploded, for different reasons. All these years later, I'm still estranged from both of them, although I hold no ill will toward either of them. They were key figures in my growth and development as a podcaster, and in a sense, they helped me get to where I am today.
After the smoke cleared, I took an eight-month hiatus to consider how I might move forward. I settled on rebranding my show as the Purple Knights Podcast, and changed the format of the show from a weekly livestream to a pre-recorded, edited series with no set schedule (which I've stuck to ever since).
Fun fact: the name Purple Knights is an allusion to a lyric in Prince's 2010 song "Laydown," in which he dubs himself "the purple Yoda." As most fans of the Star Wars Movies know, Master Yoda is the most powerful member/leader of the galaxy's designated peacekeeping force, the Jedi Knights. So, it follows that, if Prince is the purple Yoda, then we -- his fans -- are the "Purple Jedi Knights." I removed the word "Jedi" from my podcast's title to avoid a copyright lawsuit from Lucasfilm, and the final official title became "The Purple Knights Podcast."
Nicky was still in the picture in Purple Knights' infancy, but he soon bowed out, and I brought in Vincent, a wonderful, clever, insightful guy with whom I share great chemistry and rapport. He and I are still friends, but for whatever reason, the free conference calling service I used to record conversations became incompatible with Vince's cell service provider, so he hasn't been on the podcast since 2015 or so. Since 2018, I've recorded podcasts via Zoom video conferencing, which allows me to post video content to YouTube in addition to audio-only outlets Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and my hosting service, BlogTalkRadio.
I will always and forever consider Vince to be a permanent fixture in the Purple Knights "family," and I would LOVE to get him back "on air" with me in whatever capacity best suits his busy schedule -- whether it's regular appearances, or occasional guest hosting stints. At the very least, a one-off "reunion special" would be an extremely emotional, nostalgic moment for me!
I may even pursue the idea of a "Paisley Radio Reloaded" episode, where I go back and interview the very first guest I ever talked to, Kadrae Armstrong. Now *that* would be the epitome of a full-circle moment! Perhaps Pepe Willie, the most frequent Paisley Radio guest with three appearances, could join us as well? ;-)
As much as I would appreciate Nicky and Ernest to be part of a reunion show, I doubt either man would be willing to accept an olive branch from me, even now. I understand their feelings, and I will respect them.
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
![[Book review] and the Parade and Sign o' the Times Era Studio Sessions: 1985 and 1986 https://truefunksoldier.wordpre...](https://img5.medioq.com/790/248/4821242167902480.jpg)
