6 episodes

In this Play Too Much original podcast, How Hits Made investigates the creative process of a song and the players behind it. We followed the band Great Caesar over the course of a year on their quest to elevate their success through a hit song. In this 5 part series we follow how the song “Take Me To The River” is made. Will this soulful pop epic propel the band to the next level? Will it force them to reconsider their craft? Or maybe a hit is just in the ear of the beholder - listen to How Hits Made.

How Hits Made Play Too Much

    • Music
    • 5.0 • 20 Ratings

In this Play Too Much original podcast, How Hits Made investigates the creative process of a song and the players behind it. We followed the band Great Caesar over the course of a year on their quest to elevate their success through a hit song. In this 5 part series we follow how the song “Take Me To The River” is made. Will this soulful pop epic propel the band to the next level? Will it force them to reconsider their craft? Or maybe a hit is just in the ear of the beholder - listen to How Hits Made.

    Part Five: Take Me To The River

    Part Five: Take Me To The River

    From a basement in Connecticut to the festival stage in Texas. From a lectern in California to a prison in Ohio. From a piano riff in a cold apartment to a nightly finisher on the open road. In the season finale of How Hits Made, we uncover that although "Take Me To The River" was not the hit Great Caesar needed, they've achieved more than they thought they would.
    What do you think makes a hit song? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. We'll post our favorite responses on social media.
    How Hits Made is a five part podcast series. You can listen to the entire series on iTunes or Stitcher or wherever you enjoy podcasts!

    • 29 min
    Part Four: The Best Of You

    Part Four: The Best Of You

    In the penultimate episode of How Hits Made, Great Caesar is in the studio, rehearsing and recording the final version of “Take Me to the River”. It's late January 2016 and the band members share their excitement for their new sound featured on the upcoming album, Jackson's Big Sky. Great Caesar has come a long way and we know the odds are stacked against them. But even a one in a million shot, is still a chance. Will "Take me to the River" be the hit they needed? How Hits Made is a five part podcast series. The conclusion premieres Thursday January, 19th.

    • 25 min
    Part Three: Come Together

    Part Three: Come Together

    It's November 2015 and John Michael Parker returns to his childhood home in Connecticut to organize his ideas into a concrete piece of music, the building blocks that would become “Take Me to the River”. In Part Three of How Hits Made, the band reflects on hearing the demo for the first time and we learn how visits to Marion Correctional Facility influenced the band's music. Also, the industry professionals are back to weigh in on what they think it takes to make a "hit". How Hits Made is a five part podcast series. Part Four premieres Thursday January, 12th. 

    • 24 min
    Part Two: Go Your Own Way

    Part Two: Go Your Own Way

    As a new chapter begins for Great Caesar, a longtime friend and partner decides that that dream, is going have to go on without him. In Part Two of How Hits Made we listen in on John-Michael's progress as he works on a new song. We also explore the perspective beyond the artist and ask special industry guests for their insight.  

    • 20 min
    Part One: All I Have To Do Is Dream

    Part One: All I Have To Do Is Dream

     
    How Hits Made investigates the creative process of a song and the players behind it. We followed the band Great Caesar over the course of a year on their journey to elevate their success through a hit song. It's the fall of 2015. After playing music for more than ten years, band leader John-Michael Parker is still struggling to pin down what it takes to "make it". You've got to have the passion, but at the end of the day, you have to pay rent too. In this moment, Great Caesar needs something big.
    Find out more at How Hits Made
    Produced by Play Too Much
    Discover Great Caeser
     

    • 27 min
    How Hits Made - Trailer

    How Hits Made - Trailer

    How Hits Made is an audio documentary that follows one band on their journey to creating a hit song. Premieres December 15th
    Find out more at How Hits Made
    Produced by Play Too Much
    Discover Great Caesar

    • 1 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
20 Ratings

20 Ratings

-Jason ,

Phenomenal Ride

Love sharing a part of the journey with Great Caesar. Enjoyable and enlightening. Pulling for this band, they're extraordinary.

a-jay1 ,

Now this I can get into

I love music. I love analyzing music. It's great to see the appropriate representation of the hard work that goes into being a singer/songwriter. Welcome to the Podcast Discovery Center! -Anthony Hayes 💥🎙🎤💥

WhaleBiologist ,

Great Caesar? More like GREAT PODCAST

Just like Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Cereal, they're grrrrrrrrreat to listen to

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