Episodes

  • 30: Buddy, Ritchie, and the Big Bopper (Part 2)--The Stars Fell
    Feb 2 2026

    A three part series about Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP Richardson, the Big Bopper. This episode discusses the horrendous conditions the musicians traveled in and under as part of the Winter Dance Party tour, the concert on Feb. 2, 1959 at the Surf Ballroom, and the fateful flight that took their lives along with the life of pilot Roger Peterson.

    Support the show

    Music: Saint Kilda Wedding by Harpo Marks

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 32 mins
  • 29: Buddy, Ritchie, and the Big Bopper (Part 1)--The Stars Rise
    Jan 27 2026

    A three part series on Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP Richardson, the Big Bopper. This episode introduces these young men and what led to their fateful decision to tour with the Winter Dance Party.

    Cover art used with permission by Bradley Tierney

    Sources for entire series: https://www.quora.com/Why-did-Ed-Sullivan-and-Buddy-Holly-have-feud, https://performingsongwriter.com/buddy-holly-ed-sullivan/, https://www.npr.org/2000/07/15/1079558/npr-100-la-bamba#:~:text=It%20was%20the%20late%201950s,Ritchie%20Valens%2C%20was%20made%20famous., https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0884023/bio/, https://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0641/2004047197-s.html, Sample text for Take a walk on the dark side : rock and roll myths, legends, and curses / R. Gary Patterson., https://www.cmt.com/news/y1rs6u/waylons-buddy-jennings-never-forgot-his-mentor, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-mar-25-me-42671 story.html, https://chantel7.tripod.com/lasttour.htm#:~:text=On%20one%20of%20his%20last,a%20means%20to%20an%20end., https://www.grunge.com/293997/the-untold-truth-of-ritchie-valens/, https://www.wxpr.org/arts-life/2018-07-13/in-1959-buddy-holly-stopped-in-the-northwoods-on-the-winter-dance-party-tour, https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/life/2018/02/02/buddy-holly-ritchie-valens-clear-lake-surf-ballroom-plane-crash-day-music-died/301561002/, https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/buddy-holly-and-the-crickets/1959/surf-ballroom-clear-lake-ia-73d24acd.html, https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/buddy-holly-plane-crash-weather, https://www.bigrapidsnews.com/news/article/Family-of-The-Big-Bopper-want-bronze-statue-in-16828550.php, youtube that Dion produced called “The True Buddy Holly Story.” http://www.richieleeproductions.com/pdfs/Buddy%20Holly%20-%20Tipton.pdf

    https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/roger-arthur-peterson/

    https://alchetron.com/Roger-Peterson-%28pilot%29

    Support the show

    Music: Saint Kilda Wedding by Harpo Marks

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 12 mins
  • 28: The Droletts: A Life of Service
    Apr 23 2025

    Dr. Fred Drolett was a well known Lansing, MI doctor who delivered over 6,400 babies during his years of service. This man inspired his descendants to also live in a way that helps, saves, and nurtures others. In this episode you will learn more about the twists and turns of the Droletts but also their tie to the deadliest attack on a school in U.S. History.

    Support the show

    Music: Saint Kilda Wedding by Harpo Marks

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • 27: The Corrs part 2: The Offspring
    Mar 6 2025

    Bernard and Rebecca Corr had many children. Meet their offspring: Ella, Frank, Tess, John, Lou, Bill, Earl, and Bridgie. These siblings not only shared parents and memories, they helped each other throughout life, even naming their offspring after each other. Learn more about these Corr siblings and their life stories. Included in this episode: the mysterious Grove Street, my fumbling of the word "interestingly," E.W. Sparrow, Frandor (of course), Edru, and Walt Disney. Also, please note how many times I edited the word "Mena."


    Sources:

    https://www.reddit.com/r/army/comments/tbh3fq/a_relative_of_mine_who_served_in_wwi_who_came/

    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/peritonitis#:~:text=Peritonitis%20is%20a%20redness%20and%20swelling%20(inflammation)%20of%20the%20lining,must%20seek%20immediate%20medical%20care.

    https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/battles-and-fighting/weapons-on-land/poison-gas/#:~:text=The%20Germans%20unleashed%20mustard%20gas,British%20and%2020%20percent%20American.

    https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-stan-jolley-20120610-story.html

    Debra McKrill

    My step-mom

    Bill Castanier




    Support the show

    Music: Saint Kilda Wedding by Harpo Marks

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 26: The Corrs part 1: Patrick and Bridget, Rebecca and Bernie
    Feb 19 2025

    The Corr line started in Ireland, grew in Ann Arbor, MI, and rooted itself in Lansing, MI. This family's story includes a murder, a disappearance, and wanderlust. Join me and a special Corr guest...or two...or three to discuss this family's unique and tangled roots.

    Sources:

    Wikipedia

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Flintstone#:~:text=Fred%20is%20a%20typical%20blue,%22%20is%20%22geological%20engineer%22.

    https://sta2.org/church/

    Ann Arbor Courier-Register Nov 29, 1899, “New St. Thomas Church”, Newspapers.com

    https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

    https://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/ArcGISOnline/StoryMaps/mhc_historical_markers/pdfs/MHC811984001.pdf

    Geneology bank.com

    https://www.iloveoldtown.org/about

    https://michmemories.org/exhibits/default/catalog/8b8617a9030830dbfca98e2aa285699a

    https://www.wkar.org/wkar-news/2024-07-10/kositcheks-menswear-temporarily-closes-after-storm-damage


    https://kositcheks.com/pages/kositcheks-history-1

    https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2015/07/24/archives-frandor/30633057/

    Historical Society of Greater Lansing



    Support the show

    Music: Saint Kilda Wedding by Harpo Marks

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins
  • 25: The April 2, 1977 Michigan Tornado
    Apr 2 2024

    April 2, 1977, the day before Palm Sunday, was not supposed to include a major weather event. However, a supercell that touched down in Kalamazoo and wrecked havoc all the way to Bath, MI, changed that for many people. Hear the stories from survivors and of the victims on the 47th anniversary of this horrific day, the "last" F4 tornado to hit Michigan.

    Support the show

    Music: Saint Kilda Wedding by Harpo Marks

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 23 mins
  • 24: The Jinx of the Hastings Family Part 3
    Jan 23 2024

    In this episode I dig deeper into the roots of the Hastings, Bennett and Gladding families. Also discussed are tips (and warnings) for your own research.

    Support the show

    Music: Saint Kilda Wedding by Harpo Marks

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 17 mins
  • 23: Just the Updates, Ma'am with Brittany Laidlaw
    Dec 15 2023

    She's baaaack! Join us as I read more of the stories we discussed in episode 8! WARNING: The dates I give are a mess and so is the audio but that tracks!

    Sources: Newspapers.com, Ancestry.com

    Support the show

    Music: Saint Kilda Wedding by Harpo Marks

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins