by Ray Keating
The Keating Files – January 19, 2021
Thank goodness we’ve all put the divisiveness of 2020 behind us, and we’re coming together as Americans… What? … Oh, right.
Well, so much for that. I’d refer to 2020 and 2021 so far as “Looney Tunes,” but that would be grossly disrespectful to Bugs Bunny and Company. So, what to do?
One fun option is to take a break and tune in to The Mid-Modcast Podcast. The hosts – Craig and Paula Donofrio, and Dave Fritz – take the listener on a journey back to all things mid-20th-century America, from post-WWII 1940s into the 1970s. It doesn’t matter what age you happen to be, the three hosts, often with a guest in tow, serve up an enjoyable, relaxed journey to this era of Americana.
Craig, who is a Lutheran pastor, radio professional, former political consultant, and former professional musician, neatly summed up the goal of The Mid-Modcast Podcast: “In a world of political upheaval and pandemics, we need a break. Taking a trip back in time and discussing nostalgia is a great way to all come together. It is a respite from the cares, worries, and even fears of this world. The Mid-Modcast is a place on the internet where people of all political persuasions, all creeds, and all sorts of diversity can gather and agree that aqua and pink are fantastic in a kitchen, straight lines in furniture and architecture are simplistic beauty, and crooners, exotica, surf music, and jazz is good for your soul.”
The trio also covers television and movies of the era – I was honored to be a guest on two (!) episodes covering James Bond movies (here and here) – food and drink, some history, and other aspects of the culture of the era.
So, who are these Mid-Modcasters and why are they doing this podcast?
Besides the intriguing background of a former political consultant and professional musician becoming a Lutheran pastor and podcaster, Craig explained, “I have often felt like I was born two or three decades late, like a man out of time. I identify with the television and culture of my youth more than the world of today. Culturally, it was a mixed bag, but where I grew up, kids of all races played together, and there was a sense of right and wrong. Perhaps it was all just an illusion due to youth's innocence, but I like to imagine it was actually that way.”
He added, “Growing up in Southern California with giant swaying palm trees in the backyard of our midcentury modern style house and vacationing in Hawaii – which is a much less arduous trip from the West coast than other parts of the USA – I think that the tropics have always called to me. In high school, I was the weird kid who often wore a Hawaiian (aloha) shirt. Tiki style has always had a special allure for me. Around 2008, Paula and I went to Hawaii, and it rekindled a love for all things Hawaii and Tiki. Being someone who always loved all things retro, it fanned into flame my inner Kahuna, and the rest is history, especially as there is a thriving and active Tiki subculture around the world. Since those days, I have been to at least fifty Tiki bars/restaurants from coast to coast and Europe. Tiki culture has a long life in the history of midcentury America.”
Tiki culture often comes into play during The Mid-Modcast Podcast, which makes it ideal to listen with a frozen, rum-based drink in hand.
Not to be outdone, Paula said, “I grew up in sunny Orange, California, where they filmed most of that fabulous midcentury-themed movie That Thing You Do with Tom Hanks. I have a degree in piano performance and I have been a music educator for about 30 years in Southern California, St Louis and currently the city of Cleveland. I’ve had so many awesome and completely crazy experiences in my life, including performing on the Great Wall of China and in the Sydney Opera House, singing for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies and performing for Richard Nixon. I was even a back-up singer for Celine Dion once.”
She pointed out, “I would have to say that Charles Phoenix was a huge influence on my interest in all things midcentury modern.” Phoenix was a guest on an episode of The Mid-Modcast Podcast. Check out Phoenix’s JOYRIDE here. Paula added, “We love Hawaii and our ‘Aloha Love’ eventually branched out into the Tiki culture, which led us to attending Tiki Oasis in San Diego. The nostalgia of my childhood combined with the fun and whimsy of it all continues to fascinate me.”
Paula and Craig have been married for 13 years. Their dog, Louie Prima, is named for the jazz musician who was big in, you guessed it, the 1940s through the 1960s. Go figure.
Is Cleveland, where the couple now lives, a Tiki culture hotspot? Well, Paula said, “Because it is an older community, Cleveland is a midcentury Mecca of sorts.” Who knew? She explained, “We have a huge plethora of vintage shops, Tiki bars and to die for estate sales. We even have a wonderful radio station here that plays nothing but standards. We are quite cozy and happy in our 1969 ranch with wood paneled den and Tiki bar basement!”
As for Dave, Craig explained, “Dave is a savant when it comes to midcentury architecture and music. Paula and I brainstormed on doing a podcast dedicated to all things midcentury for a year or two, and thought that with Dave’s vault of knowledge, he would be a valuable team member.”
Dave said, “Born in the mid 60s and raised in the 70s, I was always fascinated by midcentury furnishings – especially those giant stereo consoles that people had in their living rooms – cars, TV and film (especially the Bond films), architecture, and above all the music of the era. Having parents who were both born in 1930, I heard quite a mix of music on our own console growing up, such as Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Tom Jones, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Dave Brubeck, Steve & Eydie, etc. Then, as an adult in the early 2000s, I discovered podcasts on iTunes which led to me discovering all kinds of midcentury modern stuff, like Disney and Disneyland history, cocktail and lounge music (that I was not introduced to by my parents). In fact, being an avid vinyl collector, I am most passionate about midcentury music. I love learning about the artists, the labels that they recorded for, and have made it my mission to collect as much good exotica as I can.”
Regarding episodes of The Mid-Modcast Podcast, they, again, range across much of the midcentury culture. Besides the two aforementioned episodes focused on James Bond, specific installments have hit on the Christmas holidays; an assortment of musicians, crooners and music styles; TV shows; movies; the space race; attending school at the time; conveniences of the era; Disneyland; Stuckey’s; and more.
Dave concluded, “I hope our podcast becomes an escape from the daily grind for our listeners as well as a way to learn some stuff about the era.” Yes, Dave, Craig and Paula do exactly that. The Mid-Modcast Podcast truly is swell! Enjoy!
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Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur. His new book Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13th thriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
One of the best ways to enjoy Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries is to join the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship! For the BEST VALUE, consider the Book of the Month Club. Check it all out at https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship
Also, tune in to Ray Keating’s podcasts – the PRESS CLUB C Podcast and the Free Enterprise in Three Minutes Podcast
Check out Ray Keating’s Disney news and entertainment site at www.DisneyBizJournal.com.
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