The Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast

Beach Maniac Bill Hurley · beachmaniac.com

Ever wonder what wild, wacky, touching, or downright amazing stories are hiding behind the music you love? Well, you're in the right place. So grab your sunscreen, put on your shades, lean back in your beach chair and get ready to discover the inside stories behind some of today’s biggest Trop Rock and Island Music hits and artists.

25 episodes

8d ago latest

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English language

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Episodes 24

Trop Rock House Concerts: The Best-Kept Secret in Live Music
8d ago
Have you ever been to a Trop Rock house concert? If not, you may be missing one of the best-kept secrets in live music! In this special solo episode of the Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast, Bill Hurley takes a closer look at what makes house concerts so special - the intimate setting, the stories behind the songs, and the opportunity for artists and fans to connect in a way that simply isn't possible at a large concert venue. Bill shares his own experiences, including a backyard concert he hosted in Wisconsin and a recent afternoon at Timler's Tiki Bar featuring Kirstie Kraus and Jason Acy. I
Jerry Diaz, the Godfather of Trop Rock
1mo ago
Jerry Diaz, a prominent figure in the Trop Rock music scene, has captivated audiences with his unique blend of Gulf Coast storytelling and Caribbean sounds. With a career spanning over three decades, he has become a household name, known for his heartfelt lyrics and engaging melodies. In this blog post, we explore his latest album, "Find Your Beach," delve into his songwriting process, and highlight some of his most beloved tracks.
7 Great New Songs! *Trop Rock Minute Showcase*
3mo ago
In this month’s Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast, we’re introducing seven great new Trop Rock songs in a Showcase of our most recent Trop Rock Minute episodes. Each of these amazing artists personally introduce their new songs: Hola Beaches by Christopher Dale You Got That Lovin by Kirstie Kraus I’m In Need of a Beach by Greg Mihaly Sail Away by Captain Matt and the Boatcrew Salted Rimmed Glasses & Lime by Unkle Davey The Beach In My Brain by Bill and the Bionic Beach Band The Siesta Beach Shuffle by Bill and the Bionic Beach Band So sit back and enjoy this special Trop Rock Minute showcase —
Kirstie Kraus: New Music, Nashville and Trop Rock Vibes
4mo ago
Kirstie Kraus, a Wisconsin native, has been making serious waves out of Nashville, not by fitting into a box, but by building her own lane. She blends modern country with a little old school rock, a little beach-town attitude, and a whole lot of personality… and that’s exactly why she’s found a home not just in country music, but right here in the Trop Rock world as well.
Trop Rock Minute Showcase: 12 Great New Songs
5mo ago
In this month’s Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast, we’re bringing you something special — a compilation of the first twelve Trop Rock Minute episodes, featuring the artists and songs that helped kick off this new series.
Are AI Music Generators Evil or Awesome?
6mo ago
In this special episode of the Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast, host Bill Hurley asks AI itself about the pros and cons of AI Music Generators such as Suno. Are they a threat to real musicians or are they a valuable tool to help boost musicians' creativity?
Doyle Grisham, Coral Reefer Band
7mo ago
In this engaging conversation, Doyle Grisham, the legendary pedal steel guitar player for the Coral Reefer Band, shares insights into his life on the road, the evolution of touring, and the emotional connection he has with his music. He reflects on his long-standing collaboration with Jimmy Buffett, the significance of the pedal steel guitar, and the importance of creating a unique musical identity. Doyle also offers advice for aspiring musicians and discusses the legacy of Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band in the Trop Rock genre.
The Music of Donny Brewer
8mo ago
Trop Rock artist Donny Brewer talks with Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast host Bill Hurley about his songs, his career, his love of the Trop Rock community, his strong family connections, and much more.
Kenny and Nell Tice
9mo ago
Kenny and Nell Tice are two of the most fun and talented people on the Trop Rock scene. As hosts of the Livin’ Like Kenny program, they orchestrate a three-hour weekly escape that brings you sunshine, laughter and plenty of great tunes every Wednesday night on Radio Trop Rock. But they’re not just radio show hosts, they are huge supporters and promoters of Trop Rock music and Trop Rock musicians. And they’re always good for a few laughs!
The Music of Christopher Dale
10mo ago
Christopher Dale is one of the most gifted and entertaining musicians on the Trop Rock circuit today. Christopher, based out of San Diego, is noted for expertly combining storytelling and humor. And - quoting from his website - “his catchy songwriting and remarkable vocal range coupled with candid storytelling and an unparalleled devotion to entertain the audience makes each Christopher Dale live performance a memory that sticks to you like Super Glue!”
The Music of Don Middlebrook
11mo ago
Don Middlebrook is truly one of legends of Trop Rock. In fact, he is commonly considered to be a Founding Father of the genre. With his silky smooth voice, natural talent as a prolific songwriter with over 150 songs to his credit, and with a rich history of working hard and performing year-round at virtually every type of venue from northern Michigan to Key West Florida, Don is one of the most respected and revered musicians of the Trop Rock genre. He has won Songwriter of the Year and Album of the Year awards from the Trop Rock Music Association, among many other credits, and has released abo
The Music of Greg Mihaly
1y ago
You probably know Greg Mihaly from his melodic Trop Rock tune, Sunshades on 30A. In that song, Greg takes us on a musical tour of the iconic Highway 30A in the Florida Panhandle, singing about the white sand beaches, emerald waters and the laid-back charm of the beach towns dotting the Gulf Coast. While Sunshades on 30A has become his signature song in the Trop Rock world, Greg's music stretches far beyond that. He blends gritty rock, coastal vibes, and introspective lyrics into a sound that's truly his own, something he highlights in another standout track called A Little Bit of Everything. I
Alan Jax Bowers: A One-Man Trop Rock Factory
1y ago
Alan Jax Bowers is one of the secret weapons behind many of your favorite Trop Rock songs. Whether he's performing live on stage, laying down killer drum tracks in his Florida studio, producing and engineering records, or just being the guy every artist calls when they need musical magic, Alan Jax Bowers is everywhere in the world of island music. He's worked with some of the biggest names in Trop Rock, Sunny Jim, Monallo, Mark Mulch, Jonas Lorence, Jesse Rice, Donny Brewer, and so many more. And there's a good chance that when you hear a Trop Rock song on the radio, Jax had a hand in it.
The Music of James ‘Sunny Jim’ White
1y ago
James ‘Sunny Jim’ White is a Trop Rock pioneer who has won just about every Trop Rock award there is, including Trop Rock Music Association Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Musician of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Performer of the Year, the “I Can” award for community service and, most recently, Entertainer of the Year.
The Music of Monallo
1y ago
He overcame a near fatal car accident and later serious vocal chord issues that left him wondering if he would ever be able to talk again, much less sing. Now Monallo is fully recovered and one of today’s rising Trop Rock stars, having been named the 2024 Horizon Award winner by the Trop Rock Music Association. With hits such as Moonlight, Sunrise Vibes, He’s Gone Coastal, Live by the Sea, and Everything’s Beachy, Monallo is solidly one of today’s top Trop Rock singers and songwriters. In this Podcast, Monallo tells the stories behind his biggest hits and shares insights on his songwriting, pe
New release: ‘Largo’ by Kirstie Kraus and Mike Nash
1y ago
In this special edition of the Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast and Blog, we highlight a great new release called Largo by two powerhouse Trop Rock artists Kirstie Kraus and Mike Nash. This part Trop Rock, part Country song is a sweet tale of a young couple who meet on spring break in Key Largo and hit it off right away. Twenty years later they are still together, and while vacationing in Key Largo, where it all started, they decide to stay and live out their dreams living on the island where they fell in love. In this podcast, Kirstie Kraus introduces the song.
Long Way to Mexico by Flip Flop Republic and Stoney Banks
1y ago
Joe Lowder from Flip Flop Republic and Stoney Banks introduce their new single Long Way to Mexico on the Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast.
The Music of Mark Mulch
1y ago
After 19 years of building a successful career writing and performing in Nashville, Mark Mulch has found a home in the Trop Rock / Island Music community and is “all in” “I found my people,” he says in the latest Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast. Three years after embracing Trop Rock, Mark now has several Island Music hits, including Tide Down (with Kirstie Kraus), Sunrise Vibes (with Monallo), Livin It Up and Beach Up in Heaven, and is working on more.
The Music of Mike Miller and the Boat Drunks
1y ago
Mike Miller is co-founder of the Boat Drunks, a band that consistently draws large loyal crowds and wins big awards, including being named Trop Rock Band of the Year nine times, most recently in 2024, by the Trop Rock Music Association.
The Music of Kirstie Kraus
1y ago
Kirstie Kraus is an amazing young talent who has found a way to navigate two parallel tracks to success and stardom: in both the country music and Trop Rock / Island Music genres.
The Music of Todd Donnelly (Part 2)
1y ago
Todd Donnelly’s unique blend of Caribbean sounds carries you away to the tropics. Todd talks about the music he loves, and how he got to where he is today, in this Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast interview.
The Music of Todd Donnelly (Part 1)
1y ago
Todd Donnelly, an Illinois-based singer-songwriter whose unique calypso style makes him one of the most creative and entertaining of the Island Music artists of our day.
Beach Maniac is a guest on Tiki Man Radio
1y ago
Beach Maniac Bill Hurley was the guest November 24 on Sunday Mornings with Tiki Man on Tiki Man Radio, talking about his awesome experience of being Tiki Head DJ for an Hour and about how the Beach Maniac song came to be.
The Beach Maniac Radio Hour
1y ago
Tiki Man Danny Lynn turned Tiki Man Radio over to Beach Maniac Bill Hurley for an hour this November. Bill shared his favorite Trop Rock and Coastal Americana music and told a few stories, including the story behind the Beach Maniac song.

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