The 78

Tom Barnas
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Historically, Chicago is made up of 77 neighborhoods with their own stories to tell. Only separated by blocks, woven in the microcosm that gives Chicago its unique taste, its people are the epitome of true grit. Each neighborhood, held together with blood, sweat, and tears that are now traditions, giving us this amazing collection of stories from each neighborhood. That is true Chicago. Chicago's newest neighborhood is being developed right now. It's called 78. Chicago, as in the 78th Chicago neighborhood. There you have it, this site is dedicated to all the stories in the 78 neighborhoods.

  1. 14h ago

    Steve Wynn on Dream Syndicate’s Medicine Show: How a Lost Record Finally Came Home

    There are records you listen to. And then there are records you spend decades trying to get back. For Steve Wynn, Medicine Show is both. The Dream Syndicate’s second album has been part of Wynn’s story since its original release in 1984. Now, after years of fighting to regain control of the record, Medicine Show is finally getting the kind of celebration Wynn always wanted for it — complete with a massive four-CD box set and a tour where the album is being performed front to back. It’s a story that involves  music, business, frustration, lawyers, Universal and a 35-year rights reversion. But underneath all of that is something much simpler: an artist trying to bring an important piece of his past home. Wynn recently sat down with Tom Barnas to talk about the long road back to Medicine Show and what it feels like to revisit an album that was both difficult to make and essential to the Dream Syndicate story. The music business has changed dramatically since 1984. What hasn’t changed is the complicated relationship artists can have with the recordings they create. Wynn spent years working to get Medicine Show back into circulation, eventually taking legal action against Universal as part of the fight to regain the rights. What started as a frustrating business problem eventually became something much more meaningful. The new Medicine Show collection isn’t simply a reissue. It’s a time capsule A Lost Record Comes Home Alongside remastered versions of the original songs are rehearsals, outtakes and a remarkable live recording from the Dream Syndicate’s 1984 tour at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom, where the band was opening for R.E.M. For longtime fans, that makes the box set more than a piece of archival history. It gives listeners a chance to hear the band as it sounded when Medicine Show was brand new — before the decades of touring, technology and life changed everything. Playing Medicine Show Again — But Not Like a Museum Piece. Performing an album from front to back can be tricky. There is always the danger that nostalgia turns a concert into a museum exhibit. That’s not what Wynn wants. The Dream Syndicate is touring Medicine Show in its entirety, but the shows still leave room for newer material and the unpredictability that has always been part of the band’s live identity. For Wynn, that’s important. The goal isn’t to pretend it’s 1984. It’s to see what happens when musicians who have lived with these songs for decades step back into them with everything they’ve learned since. And that’s where the past and present collide. Wynn has spent a lifetime on the road, and touring has changed almost beyond recognition. The old days meant paper maps, unfamiliar highways and figuring things out one city at a time. Today, a band can communicate with fans around the world almost instantly. From Paper Maps to Streaming Streaming has made music more accessible than ever, while social media and smartphones have made it possible for fans to discover artists across generations. Wynn has watched all of it happen. One of the most interesting parts of his story is seeing younger listeners discover the Dream Syndicate without necessarily having any connection to the band’s original era. For someone who made Medicine Show in 1984, there’s something pretty strange — and pretty wonderful — about a new generation finding those songs decades later. In an era dominated by phones, algorithms and endless digital distractions, Wynn still believes in the power of a room full of people experiencing music together. That’s ultimately what makes revisiting Medicine Show so interesting. The record may be nearly four decades old, but the live experience isn’t. Songs that were written in another time can suddenly feel immediate again when they’re played in front of an audience.

  2. Oct 24

    MARO Has Changed. Her Music Tells the Story

    Some artists spend years trying to figure out exactly who they are. Others get comfortable enough to let that answer keep changing. For Portugal-born singer-songwriter MARO, the new album So Much Has Changed feels like a little of both. Moving between indie pop, folk and electronic textures, the record captures an artist who has grown into her own sound without feeling the need to tie it up in a neat package. That perspective feels especially relevant on So Much Has Changed. The album isn’t simply a collection of new songs; it’s a document of an artist figuring out what matters, what she wants to leave behind and what she wants to carry forward. The Chicago stop offered a glimpse of that evolution in real time. With a full band, a new album and a tour built around a more complete artistic vision, MARO is bringing listeners into the world she’s been building. For anyone discovering her through the new record, the interview is an opportunity to hear the stories behind the songs: the unexpected collaborations, the growing pains, the creative choices and the experiences that have shaped her along the way. On a North American tour, MARO stopped in the Chicago area for a rare two-night run at Shuba’s and Space in Evanston. It was a chance for Tom Barnas of Stories from the 78 to sit down with an artist whose career has taken her from intimate songwriting to collaborations and experiences alongside some of the biggest names in  music. The album represents a new chapter for MARO, who says reaching her 30s brought a different perspective to her writing. There’s a greater sense of clarity in the songs, along with a willingness to let things breathe. Rather than chasing a particular sound, she’s making music that feels closer to who she is now. Working with co-producer Nazaya helped shape that approach. Acoustic intimacy meets electronic shimmer, creating a sound that can feel delicate one moment and expansive the next. It’s a natural fit for a songwriter whose music doesn’t sit comfortably in just one genre. And then there’s Eric Clapton. MARO’s cover of “Tears in Heaven” began as a short Instagram video. What might have remained a fleeting online moment instead opened the door to a connection with Clapton himself. It’s the kind of story that sounds almost too unlikely to be true, but it reflects how music careers can take unexpected turns in an era when a single performance can travel around the world. Her experiences also include work connected to Shakira and a European run with Shawn Mendes. Those opportunities have brought MARO into some remarkable  musical circles, but they aren’t the whole story. For her, the people behind the music matter, too. Talent counts, but so does kindness. MARO’s career is still unfolding. But with So Much Has Changed, she’s making one thing clear: sometimes the most interesting thing an artist can do is give herself permission to become someone new. Watch Tom Barnas’ full interview with MARO on Stories from the 78 for more on the album, her musical journey and the experiences that brought her to Chicago. For more Stories From The 78, follow ⁠@tombarnas78⁠ on Instagram and ⁠@storiesfromthe78⁠ on TikTok.

  3. Oct 17

    Grandstand: Bridgeport’s Family-Owned Home for White Sox Fans

    In Bridgeport, where the Chicago White Sox have been woven into the neighborhood for generations, there’s a family-owned shop that has become part of the game-day tradition. Grandstand. Since 1989, the family-run business has been selling White Sox merchandise just a short walk from the ballpark. But ask the  family what makes Grandstand special, and it isn’t just the jerseys, hats or playoff gear. It’s the people. Pete and Rosemary Powers started the business with a simple idea: create a place where Chicago  sports fans could find gear they were proud to wear—and feel welcome while doing it. More than three decades later, that family philosophy is still at the heart of the store. Today, second-generation owners Josh and Stephanie carry the business forward, welcoming longtime customers who have been coming in for years alongside new generations of Sox fans. Stephanie has even talked about knowing customers from the time she was a child and watching them become part of the family business over the years. And then there are the customers who wear the uniforms for a living. Where White Sox Fans Meet White Sox PlayersGrandstand has become a familiar stop not only for fans, but for members of the White Sox family itself. Over the years, the store has welcomed some of the biggest names connected to Chicago  baseball. Stephanie has recalled meeting White Sox legends including Robin Ventura and Frank Thomas, along with other Chicago sports icons. But one story perfectly captures the relationship Grandstand has with the people who walk through its doors. Carlos Lee, the former White Sox slugger, wasn’t just another player stopping by. At one point, Lee found himself behind the cash register, helping Josh and Stephanie out in the store. Think about that for a second. A former White Sox star, standing behind the counter at a family-owned sports shop in Bridgeport, helping the people who have spent their lives supporting the team. That’s Grandstand. It’s the kind of place where the line between player, customer and friend can get pretty blurry. Grandstand has been here through winning seasons, rebuilding seasons, heartbreak and everything in between. A Family Store in a Baseball NeighborhoodThe store has seen the neighborhood change. It has seen generations of fans walk through the doors. And it has been there when the Sox were chasing October baseball—and when fans were simply looking for something to give them hope for next season. The connection between Grandstand and the White Sox is about more than proximity. The shop has been a fixture of the neighborhood’s baseball culture for decades. Chicago Magazine recently described Grandstand as Bridgeport’s headquarters for White Sox merchandise, noting that the store remains family-owned and sits just minutes from the ballpark. And now, with White Sox playoff excitement back in Bridgeport, the store is once again doing what it has done for generations: getting Chicago fans ready for October. Jerseys. Hats. T-shirts. Playoff gear. Anything you need to represent the South Side. Grandstand isn’t only about the White Sox. You’ll find merchandise for the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and Cubs, too. The family has always understood that being a Chicago sports fan means being part of something bigger than one team. But make no mistake—when you walk into Grandstand in Bridgeport, you know whose neighborhood you’re in. This is Sox territory. And the family has one message for Chicago: Come to Bridgeport. Come see what makes this neighborhood special. Come visit a family-owned business that’s been here since 1989. And get yourself some playoff gear. Built by Fans, for FansBecause Grandstand isn’t just a place to buy a White Sox jersey.

  4. Oct 10

    Jon Lampley’s Next Act: From Stephen Colbert’s Final Show to a Soulful Solo Spotlight

    There are moments in music that nobody plans. No rehearsals, no carefully arranged publicity campaign, no second takes. Just a musician, an instrument, and the instinct to share something special. For Jon Lampley, one of those moments came during the historic final episode of  The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. After 11 years as a core member of the show’s house band, Lampley found himself part of a television farewell that delivered a memory few musicians could ever imagine: Paul McCartney borrowing his trumpet to perform “When the Saints Go Marching In.” McCartney had shared that his father bought him a trumpet when he was a child. Lampley instinctively handed over his own instrument, creating a spontaneous exchange that became one of the night’s most memorable and widely shared moments. It was a small gesture with a big heart. No grand introduction was necessary. One musician recognized another’s connection to an instrument, and the music took over. For Lampley, that moment also felt like a fitting conclusion to a remarkable chapter—one built on collaboration, generosity, and the understanding that music is bigger than any individual standing onstage. Now, he’s ready to take center stage himself. On Sunday, October 18, Lampley brings his Notes To Self tour to Garcia’s in Chicago, with special guest Dylan Chambers. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. For longtime viewers who watched him help power the musical engine of The Late Show, the performance offers a chance to hear what happens when a seasoned sideman steps forward as the storyteller.

  5. Oct 3

    Dollywood NightFlight Expedition: Inside Tennessee’s Newest Family Adventure

    What happens when a roller coaster, whitewater adventure, flying experience and immersive dark ride collide? You get NightFlight Expedition at Dollywood. We went down to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for National Roller Coaster Day and got an inside look at one of the most talked-about new theme-park attractions of 2026. NightFlight Expedition takes guests on a search for Secret Lake through a fantastical version of the Great Smoky Mountains. Along the way, riders soar through the night, encounter rushing whitewater, travel across a mountain ridge and navigate mysterious bioluminescent waters—all inside a 44,000-square-foot climate-controlled attraction. But the bigger story may be Dollywood itself. From roller coasters and live entertainment to Southern food, traditional crafts and the famous cinnamon bread, Dollywood has built a destination designed to bring generations together. Come along with Tom Barnas for a behind-the-scenes look at Dollywood, NightFlight Expedition and the family experience that has made this Tennessee theme park such a unique destination. NightFlight Expedition opens to the general public August 19, 2026. Check it out at https://www.dollywood.com/ For more Stories From The 78, follow @tombarnas78 on Instagram and @storiesfromthe78 on TikTok.

  6. Sep 26

    Tahaa Kahn: Finding the Funny in a Life Between Cultures

    Tahaa Kahn has lived in four countries—Pakistan, Turkey, Germany and the United States—and somewhere along the way, he discovered that moving between cultures can provide an almost endless supply of material. Book Concert Tickets For the New York-based Pakistani-American comedian,  comedy is about more than getting a laugh. It’s a way of looking at the world from a slightly different angle—and finding the universal experiences hiding underneath our differences. Kahn brings his nationally touring stand-up show, “72 Virgins,” to The Den Theatre in Chicago on Friday, Aug. 14. The show combines storytelling, deadpan delivery and cultural observations drawn from a life spent navigating different countries, religions, identities and expectations. And while his experiences may be uniquely his own, the subjects are surprisingly familiar: family, relationships, faith, awkward conversations and that lifelong question of figuring out exactly where you fit in. That idea sits at the center of Kahn’s comedy. His perspective may come from an international upbringing, but his punchlines often land because they reveal just how much people have in common. Kahn’s debut comedy special, “Halalarious,” earned the 2025 Evergreen Award for Best  Comedy Special by an Immigrant Comedian in the USA. The special is available across multiple FAST television platforms, including FawsomeTV, Amazon Fire TV, Relay and The Stand-Up TV Channel, as well as major audio streaming services. His newest special, “72 Virgins,” is also available to stream. Before “Halalarious,” Kahn reached the semifinal round of NBC’s 2019 Diversity Stand-Up Competition, won the 2022 Funniest in Hospitality competition and performed alongside comedians including Jim Gaffigan and Sammy Obeid. But Kahn’s work doesn’t stop at the stage. He also serves as a UNICEF ambassador and operates Comedy For Good in partnership with UNICEF. The touring comedy initiative directs its net proceeds toward UNICEF projects supporting children and families around the world. For Kahn, comedy can be a way to examine difficult subjects without making them feel inaccessible. “Comedy is my magnifying glass,” Kahn said. “It helps me examine faith, identity and politics, then bring people together through laughter.” That may be the real trick behind Kahn’s work. The differences are there—culture, religion, nationality, family traditions and the places we call home. But put them under the bright lights of a comedy stage, and suddenly those differences can start looking a lot less intimidating. Sometimes, the quickest way to understand one another is to laugh together.

  7. Sep 19

    Warren Haynes on Gov’t Mule, Life on the Road, and Why Live Music Still Matters

    For more than three decades, Warren Haynes has lived where rock ’n’ roll, blues, improvisation and American roots  music collide. As the guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and longtime leader of Gov’t Mule, Haynes has never seemed particularly interested in staying inside the lines — and that restless creative spirit has carried him from the Allman Brothers Band to the Grateful Dead, from solo records to some of the most celebrated live performances in modern rock. Now, Haynes is looking back while still pushing forward. In this conversation, Haynes talks about life on the road, Gov’t Mule, the enduring power of live music and why playing in a room with other musicians remains so important in an increasingly digital world. For Haynes, the magic isn’t necessarily found in perfection. It’s in the moments when something unexpected happens — when musicians listen to each other, react in real time and allow a song to breathe. That philosophy became particularly meaningful during the pandemic. With touring suddenly off the table, Haynes found himself in an unusually prolific creative stretch. That period ultimately produced two albums recorded around the same time: Heavy Load Blues, a deeply rooted blues record, and Peace…Like a River, a sprawling Gov’t Mule rock album that brought together Haynes’ love of improvisation, soul, blues and classic rock. Rather than slowing him down, the disruption seemed to open another creative door. “Live” has always been central to Haynes’ musical vocabulary. Gov’t Mule’s shows have developed a reputation for unpredictability — performances where extended jams, spontaneous choices and musical chemistry can take a familiar song somewhere entirely new. And that, Haynes argues, is precisely the point. There is something inherently human about musicians sharing a stage. A missed note, a different tempo, a spontaneous solo or an unexpected musical turn can become part of the story. In an era of increasingly polished recordings and technology-driven production, Haynes still believes there is nothing quite like the electricity of real musicians playing together in the same room. That commitment to musical exploration has defined Haynes’ career.

  8. Sep 12

    Andy Gross: The Art of the Trick — From Racquetball to a Magician With A Billion Views

    What happens when a Midwest kid obsessed with magic and ventriloquism becomes a professional racquetball player, comedy club performer, touring entertainer—and eventually a viral magician with more than 1 BILLION online views? Andy Gross tells the incredible behind-the-scenes story. Known around the world for his jaw-dropping “Split Man” illusion, Andy Gross combines magic, comedy, ventriloquism, audience participation and outrageous physical comedy into a one-of-a-kind live performance. His viral videos have been seen hundreds of millions of times, helping turn a longtime stage performer into an international internet sensation. In this interview, Andy talks about his journey from the Midwest and professional racquetball to comedy clubs, cruise ships and eventually viral fame. He explains how a funny park stunt became YouTube gold, how celebrity shares from stars such as Snoop Dogg and Britney Spears changed the trajectory of his career, and why presentation can matter even more than the secret behind the trick. We also get into the fascinating world of modern magic: what happens when tricks are exposed online, why performers have to constantly reinvent themselves, how to keep an audience guessing, and why great magic is ultimately about much more than simply fooling somebody. Andy Gross proves that viral success rarely happens overnight. Behind those million-view videos were years of performing, rewriting, experimenting, failing, improving and learning how to connect with a live audience. And if you’ve ever watched the famous Andy Gross Split Man videos and wondered how he does it—this conversation gives you a fascinating look at the performer, comedian and artist behind the illusion. If you love magic, comedy, illusion, ventriloquism, viral videos, behind-the-scenes stories, magicians, America’s Got Talent-style performances, YouTube creators and the art of entertainment, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.

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About

Historically, Chicago is made up of 77 neighborhoods with their own stories to tell. Only separated by blocks, woven in the microcosm that gives Chicago its unique taste, its people are the epitome of true grit. Each neighborhood, held together with blood, sweat, and tears that are now traditions, giving us this amazing collection of stories from each neighborhood. That is true Chicago. Chicago's newest neighborhood is being developed right now. It's called 78. Chicago, as in the 78th Chicago neighborhood. There you have it, this site is dedicated to all the stories in the 78 neighborhoods.

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Barnas
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    115
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tom Barnas
  • Show Website
    The 78