Welcome to the Boomtown

Welcome to the Boomtown

Benny Banzai and Dr. Dave bring you the best from the greatest decade ever for music. From A Flock of Seagulls to ZZ Top, we'll feature our favorite tracks, the Top 40 hits, and the deep cuts. Take a trip back to a time when skinny ties and leg warmers were the height of fashion, when MTV still played videos, and music meant something. It's all about the music.

  1. Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 39 (Dr. Dave's Paper Route)

    MAR 2

    Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 39 (Dr. Dave's Paper Route)

    Welcome back to the 80s! From 1981-1985 Dr. Dave delivered newspapers for The Mining Journal, the primary newspaper of Marquette, Michigan and the state’s Upper Peninsula. Monday through Saturday he braved the elements, especially the famous snow of the U.P., to deliver papers around his neighborhood. Earning about $10 a week (about $32 in 2026 adjusted for inflation), he eventually saved enough to purchase a portable cassette player. Episode 39 features many of the 80s artists who kept Dr. Dave company along his paper route.A shout out to those of you who have been with us since the beginning and welcome to our new listeners. As always, thanks to the people who helped us put this together: Alan (for all our artwork), DJ Phil B (for the technical stuff) and David Baerwald and David Ricketts, also known as David + David, for their amazing album which inspired the title of our podcast.Please tell all your friends about us and follow this page so you know when new podcasts are available. You can also follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Mastodon, Threads, and X.Songs chosen by Dr. Dave. Track listing coming soon.Listen, enjoy, share, follow, and thanks for keeping 80s music alive!BB & DD

    1h 18m
  2. Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 38 (From the Request Line 2)

    12/18/2025

    Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 38 (From the Request Line 2)

    Welcome back to the 80s. We love our listeners! When we started this podcast six years ago, we didn’t know what to expect. We were just hoping there were at least a few 80s music fans who would find our page and give us a chance. Since then we’ve discovered there are Welcome to the Boomtown fans in all 50 states (and Washington DC) and at least 134 countries. So, in appreciation of our listeners around the world we’ve once again, turned this episode over to you. Thanks to everyone who sent us a request. We couldn’t include them all in this episode, so look for Part III in the future.A shout out to those of you who have been with us since the beginning and welcome to our new listeners. As always, thanks to the people who helped us put this together: Alan (for all our artwork), DJ Phil B (for the technical stuff) and David Baerwald and David Ricketts, also known as David + David, for their amazing album which inspired the title of our podcast.Please tell all your friends about us and follow this page so you know when new podcasts are available. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Bluesky, Mastodon, Threads, and X.Songs chosen by our listeners. Group or artist - song title (album and release date)1. INXS - New Sensation (Kick 1987) 2. Iggy Pop - Real Wild Child (Wild One) (Blah-Blah-Blah 1986) 3. Prince - Delirious (1999 1982, single release 1983) 4. Falco/After the Fire - Der Kommissar (Chick Norman REMIXZ mashup) (Falco version - Einzelhaft 1981, After the Fire version - Der Kommissar 1982) 5. The Untouchables - Wild Child (Wild Child 1985) 6. The Smiths - Heaven Know I'm Miserable Now (stand alone single 1984) 7. De La Soul - Say No Go (3 Feet High and Rising 1989) 8. L'Trimm - Cars with the Boom (Grab It! 1988) 9. Michael Penn - No Myth (March 1989) 10. Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning (Diesel and Dust 1987) 11. Randy Travis - Forever and Ever, Amen (Always & Forever 1987) 12. Marshall Crenshaw - Cynical Girl (Marshall Crenshaw 1982, single release 1983) 13. Bryan Ferry - Is Your Love Strong Enough? (Legend soundtrack 1985) 14. Yazoo (Yaz) - Only You (Upstairs at Eric's 1982) 16. Cameo - She's Strange (She's Strange 1984) 17. Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasuredome (Welcome to the Pleasuredome 1984, single release 1985) 18. The Jim Carroll Band - People Who Died (Catholic Boy 1980) 19. The Police - When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around (Zenyatta Mondatta 1980) 20. Dire Straits - Walk of Life (Brothers in Arms 1985) 21. Autograph - Turn Up the Radio (Sign in Please 1984) Listen, enjoy, share, follow, and thanks for keeping 80s music alive!BB & DD

    1h 27m
  3. Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 37 (Not Quite the 80s)

    10/21/2025

    Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 37 (Not Quite the 80s)

    Welcome back to the 80s! GenXers may remember decades ago when you flipped your wall calendar from December 1979 to January 1980. The 80s were officially here, and with it a decade of new music…well, sort of. Episode 37 celebrates this time with “Not Quite the 80s” featuring songs that were released in the second half of 1979, but today we think of them as 80s music.A shout out to those of you who have been with us since the beginning and welcome to our new listeners. As always, thanks to the people who helped us put this together: Alan (for all our artwork), DJ Phil B (for the technical stuff) and David Baerwald and David Ricketts, also known as David + David, for their amazing album which inspired the title of our podcast.Please tell all your friends about us and follow this page so you know when new podcasts are available. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Bluesky, Mastodon, Threads, and X.Songs chosen by both of us. Group or artist - song title (album and release date) 1. Electric Light Orchestra - Don't Bring Me Down (Discovery 1979) 2. The Romantics - What I Like About You (The Romantics 1979)3. The Cars - Let's Go (Candy-O 1979)4. Blondie - Dreaming (Eat to the Beat 1979)5. M - Pop Muzik (New York-London-Paris-Munich 1979)6. The B-52's - Rock Lobster (The B-52's 1979, single original release 1978, rerelease 1979)7. Nick Lowe - Cruel to Be Kind (Labour of Lust 1979)8. The Pretenders - Brass in Pocket (Pretenders 1979)9. The Knack - My Sharona (Get the Knack 1979)10. Gary Numan - Cars (The Pleasure Principle 1979)11. Kool & the Gang - Ladies' Night (Single Version) (Ladies' Night 1979)12. The Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight (Video Version) (Sugarhill Gang 1979)13. Eagles - The Long Run (The Long Run 1979)14. Kenny Rogers – Coward of the County (Kenny 1979)15. The Police - Walking on the Moon (Reggatta de Blanc 1979)16. The Cure - Boys Don't Cry (Boys Don't Cry 1979)17. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Don't Do Me Like That (Damn the Torpedoes 1979)18. Pat Benatar - Heartbreaker (In the Heat of the Night 1979)19. Journey - Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' (Evolution 1979)20. Pink Floyd - Young Lust (Single Version) (The Wall 1979)21. The Alan Parsons Project - Damned If I Do (Eve 1979)22. Foreigner - Head Games (Head Games 1979)23. AC/DC - Highway to Hell (Highway to Hell 1979)24. The Clash - London Calling (London Calling 1979)Listen, enjoy, share, follow, and thanks for keeping 80s music alive!BB & DD

    1h 38m
  4. Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 36 (The Second British Invasion)

    08/21/2025

    Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 36 (The Second British Invasion)

    Welcome back to the 80s! The early 80s saw a sharp increase in popularity of British acts in the United States. With pop and rock music going through a creative slump in the U.S., and a little help from MTV, the desire for music from across the pond was beginning to grow. The British are coming, again!A shout out to those of you who have been with us since the beginning and welcome to our new listeners. As always, thanks to the people who helped us put this together: Alan (for all our artwork), DJ Phil B (for the technical stuff) and David Baerwald and David Ricketts, also known as David + David, for their amazing album which inspired the title of our podcast.Please tell all your friends about us and follow this page so you know when new podcasts are available. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, Tribel, Hive, Mastodon, Threads, and Bluesky.Songs chosen by both of us. Group or artist - song title (album and release date)1. Kajagoogoo - Too Shy (White Feathers 1983) 2. Duran Duran - The Reflex (Seven and the Ragged Tiger 1983, single release 1984) 3. Eurythmics - Love is a Stranger (Live) (Live 1983-1989 (1993), original release Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) 1983, single release 1982) 4. The Cure - Close to Me (The Head on the Door 1985) 5. Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out (Night and Day 1982) 6. Madness - House of Fun (Complete Madness 1982) 7. Tears for Fears - Pale Shelter (You Don't Give Me Love) (stand alone single 1982) 8. Culture Club - I'll Tumble 4 Ya (Kissing to Be Clever 1982, single release 1983) 9. OMD - Secret (Crush 1985) 10. ABC - (How to Be A) Millionaire (How to Be a...Zillionaire! 1985, single release 1984) 11. Adam and the Ants - Stand and Deliver (Prince Charming 1981) 12. The Human League - Don't You Want Me (Dare 1981) 13. Howard Jones - What is Love? (Human's Lib 1984, single release 1983) 14. Modern English - Hands Across the Sea (Ricochet Days 1984) 15. Billy Idol - Eyes Without a Face (Rebel Yell 1983, single release 1984) 16. Depeche Mode - People Are People (Some Great Reward 1984) 17. Big Country - Wonderland (stand alone single 1984) 18. Def Leppard - Rock of Ages (Pyromania 1983) 19. Paul Young - Come Back and Stay (No Parlez 1983) 20. Ultravox - Reap the Wild Wind (Quartet 1982 21. Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (Faster Than the Speed of Night 1983) 22. Soft Cell - Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go (Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret 1981) Listen, enjoy, share, follow. And thanks for keeping 80s music alive!BB & DD

    1h 37m
  5. Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 35 (Live Aid - Philadelphia)

    07/13/2025

    Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 35 (Live Aid - Philadelphia)

    Welcome back to the 80s! Or, more specifically, July 13, 1985. We're excited to bring you our 40th Anniversary tribute to one of the greatest music events of all time, Live Aid, the benefit concerts for African famine relief held at London's Wembley Stadium, and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. In this episode we will be spotlighting the Philadelphia show. Wherever possible, we used the live recordings from that day. In some cases though, the sound quality of various songs wasn’t the best, or there wasn't a recording to use. So, we used an album track instead. We also broke slightly from format and used tracks that weren’t originally from the 80s, but were performed in “The City of Brotherly Love” that day.A shout out to those of you who have been with us since the beginning and welcome to our new listeners. As always, thanks to the people who helped us put this together: Alan (for all our artwork), DJ Phil B (for the technical stuff) and David Baerwald and David Ricketts, also known as David + David, for their amazing album which inspired the title of our podcast.Please tell all your friends about us and follow this page so you know when new podcasts are available. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X,  Mastodon, Threads, and Bluesky.Songs chosen by both of us.All live tracks are from the album "Live at Live Aid, JFK Stadium, July 13, 1985" (2004) Joan Baez - Amazing Grace (Live at Live Aid) The Hooters - And We Danced (Nervous Night 1985) Kenny Loggins - Footloose (Live at Live Aid, original release Footloose soundtrack 1984) Duran Duran - Union of the Snake (Live at Live Aid, original release Seven and the Ragged Tiger 1983) The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations (Live at Live Aid, original release stand-alone single 1966) Madonna - Into the Groove (Live at Live Aid, original release B-side to Angel 12" single 1985) David Bowie and Mick Jagger - Dancing in the Streets (stand-alone single 1985) Simple Minds - Ghostdancing (Live at Live Aid, original release Once Upon a Time 1985, single release 1986) Bryan Adams - Summer of '69 (Live at Live Aid, original release Reckless 1984, single release 1985) Rick Springfield - Love Somebody (Hard to Hold soundtrack 1984) Run DMC - King of Rock (Live at Live Aid, original release King of Rock 1985) REO Speedwagon - Can't Fight This Feeling (Live at Live Aid, original release Wheels are Turnin' 1984) The Cars - Heartbeat City (Live at Live Aid, original release Heartbeat City 1984, single release 1985) Hall and Oates - Out of Touch (Big Bam Boom 1984) Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now (Into the Gap 1984, single release 1983) Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) (Suddenly 1984) Patti LaBelle - Imagine (Live at Live Aid) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Refugee (Live at Live Aid, original release Damn the Torpedoes 1980) The Pretenders - Back on the Chain Gang (The King of Comedy soundtrack 1983) Judas Priest - Living After Midnight (Live at Live Aid, original release British Steel 1980) Eric Clapton - Layla (Live at Live Aid, original release Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs 1970, single release 1971) USA for Africa - We Are the World (We Are the World 1985) Listen, enjoy, share, follow. And thanks for keeping 80s music alive!BB & DD

    1h 53m
  6. Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 34 (MSHS Class of 1985)

    06/09/2025

    Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 34 (MSHS Class of 1985)

    Welcome back to the 80s! To introduce this episode, here’s a slight variation on the lyrics to Bob Seger’s Like a Rock (1986): Forty years nowWhere’d they goForty yearsI don’t knowI sit and I wonder sometimeWhere they’ve gone. On June 9th, 1985, Dr. Dave and 300+ of his classmates graduated from Marquette Senior High School in Marquette, Michigan. In honor of that momentous occasion, this episode celebrates the 40th reunion of the MSHS Class of 1985. Go Redmen and Redettes! (Well, actually, now Sentinels, as they recently went through a name change, but it was who they were back in the day.)A shout out to those of you who have been with us since the beginning and welcome to our new listeners. As always, thanks to the people who helped us put this together: Alan (for all our artwork), DJ Phil B (for the technical stuff) and David Baerwald and David Ricketts, also known as David + David, for their amazing album which inspired the title of our podcast.Please tell all your friends about us and follow this page so you know when new podcasts are available. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X,  Mastodon, Threads, and Bluesky.Songs chosen by Dr. Dave.Group or artist - song title (album and release date)1. The Power Station - Some Like It Hot (The Power Station 1985) 2. Bryan Adams - Run to You (Reckless 1984) 3. Wham! - Everything She Wants (Make it Big 1984) 4. Julian Lennon - Too Late for Goodbyes (Valotte 1984) 5. Prince - Raspberry Beret (Around the World in a Day 1985) 6. Howard Jones - Things Can Only Get Better (Dream Into Action 1985) 7. U2 - The Unforgettable Fire (The Unforgettable Fire 1984, single release 1985) 8. John Waite - Missing You (No Brakes 1984) 9. Madonna - Crazy for You (Vision Quest soundtrack 1985) 10. Til Tuesday - Voices Carry (Voices Carry 1985) 11. Tina Turner - Better Be Good to Me (Private Dancer 1984) 12. Pat Benatar - We Belong (Tropico 1984) 13. Philip Bailey & Phil Collins - Easy Lover (Chinese Wall 1984) 14. The Jacksons & Mick Jagger - State of Shock (Victory 1984) 15. Steve Perry - Strung Out (Street Talk 1984) 16. David Lee Roth - California Girls (Crazy from the Heat 1985) 17. Duran Duran - The Wild Boys (Arena 1984) 18. Hall & Oates - Method of Modern Love (Big Bam Boom 1984) 19. Animotion - Obsession (Animotion 1984) 20. The Time - Jungle Love (Ice Cream Castle 1984) 21. Tears for Fears - Shout (Songs from the Big Chair 1985, single release 1984) Listen, enjoy, share, follow. And thanks for keeping 80s music alive!BB & DD

    1h 38m
  7. Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 33 (The Tree of Genesis)

    04/15/2025

    Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 33 (The Tree of Genesis)

    Welcome back to the 80s! Boomtowners know the names Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks. They also know each was/is a member of the group, Genesis. This mini-episode features songs not only by the band, but also their various solo, duo, and group ventures.A shout out to those of you who have been with us since the beginning and welcome to our new listeners. As always, thanks to the people who helped us put this together: Alan (for all our artwork), DJ Phil B (for the technical stuff) and David Baerwald and David Ricketts, also known as David + David, for their amazing album which inspired the title of our podcast.Please tell all your friends about us and follow this page so you know when new podcasts are available. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, Mastodon, Threads, YouTube and Bluesky.Songs chosen by Dr. Dave & Benny Banzai. Group or artist - song title (album and release date)1. Genesis - Turn it On Again (Duke 1980) 2. Phil Collins - You Can't Hurry Love (Hello, I Must Be Going! 1982) 3. Peter Gabriel – Big Time (So 1986, single release 1987) 4. GTR - When the Heart Rules the Mind (GTR 1986) 5. Mike and the Mechanics - Taken In (Mike + The Mechanics 1985, single release 1986) 6. The Four Tops - Loco in Acapulco (Indestructible 1988) 7. Stephen Bishop - Walking on Air (Bowling in Paris 1986) 8. Frida - I Know Something's Going On (Something's Going On 1982) 9. Adam Ant - Strip (Strip 1983) 10. Anthony Phillips – Sally (Invisible Men 1983) 11. Mike Rutherford - Halfway There (Acting Very Strange 1982) 12. Fish and Tony Banks - Shortcut to Somewhere (Soundtracks 1986) 13. Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush - Don't Give Up (So 1986) 14. Genesis – Tonight, Tonight, Tonight (Invisible Touch 1986, single release 1987) Listen, enjoy, share, follow. And thanks for keeping 80s music alive!BB & DD

    1h 11m
  8. Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 32 (Neo Maxi Zoomdweebie - A Tribute to John Hughes)

    02/17/2025

    Welcome to the Boomtown Episode 32 (Neo Maxi Zoomdweebie - A Tribute to John Hughes)

    Welcome back to the 80s! John Hughes. Born February 18, 1950 in Lansing, Michigan. Occupation: Writer, director, and producer of several films of the 1980s and 1990s. Heroes included Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Picasso. Was a fan of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings right winger Gordie Howe. Died August 6, 2009 in New York City (age 59).    To honor John Hughes on what would have been his 75th birthday this month, Episode 32 highlights some of the music heard in his films. A shout out to those of you who have been with us since the beginning and welcome to our new listeners. As always, thanks to the people who helped us put this together: Alan (for all our artwork), DJ Phil B (for the technical stuff) and David Baerwald and David Ricketts, also known as David + David, for their amazing album which inspired the title of our podcast.Please tell all your friends about us and follow this page so you know when new podcasts are available. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, Tribel, Hive, Mastodon, Threads, and Bluesky.Songs chosen by both of us.Group or artist - song title (album and release date)Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - If You Leave (Pretty in Pink soundtrack 1986) The Jam - Town Called Malice (The Gift 1982)Belouis Some - Round, Round (Pretty in Pink soundtrack 1986) Gary U.S. Bonds - Class Reunion (National Lampoon's Class Reunion soundtrack 1982) Emmylou Harris - Back in Baby's Arms (Planes, Trains and Automobiles soundtrack 1987) Stray Cats - 16 Candles (Sixteen Candles soundtrack 1984)Dave Wakeling - She's Having a Baby (She's Having a Baby soundtrack 1988) The Beatles - Twist and Shout (Twist and Shout 1963) Wayne Newton - Danke Schoen (Danke Schoen 1963) Thompson Twins - If You Were Here (Quick Step & Side Kick 1983) Dream Academy - The Edge of Forever (The Dream Academy 1985) Echo and the Bunnymen - Bring on the Dancing Horses (Songs to Learn & Sing 1985) Sigue Sigue Sputnik - Love Missile F1-11 (Ultraviolence Mix) (Flaunt It 1986) Tone Loc - Wild Thing (Loc-Ed After Dark 1988) Wang Chung - Fire in the Twilight (The Breakfast Club soundtrack 1985) Gene Loves Jezebel - Desire (US Club Mix) (Discover 1986) The Lords of the New Church - Method to My Madness (The Method to Our Madness 1984) Karla Devito - We Are Not Alone (The Breakfast Club soundtrack 1985) The March Violets - Miss Amanda Jones (Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack 1987) Lick the Tins - Can't Help Falling in Love (Blind Man on a Flying Horse 1986) Wilson Pickett - Land of 1000 Dances (The Exciting Wilson Pickett 1966) General Public - Tenderness (All the Rage 1984) Listen, enjoy, share, follow. And thanks for keeping 80s music alive!BB & DD

    1h 29m
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4.8
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Benny Banzai and Dr. Dave bring you the best from the greatest decade ever for music. From A Flock of Seagulls to ZZ Top, we'll feature our favorite tracks, the Top 40 hits, and the deep cuts. Take a trip back to a time when skinny ties and leg warmers were the height of fashion, when MTV still played videos, and music meant something. It's all about the music.

Information

  • Creator
    Welcome to the Boomtown
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Welcome to the Boomtown
  • Show Website
    Welcome to the Boomtown