TCBCast: An Unofficial Elvis Presley Fan Podcast

Finally tackling a subject as big as "That's The Way It Is" (right on time for EPiC's release) deserved as big of an episode, so the whole core crew is on board: Justin, Gurdip, Ryan, Bec and Olivia. After having revisited both the original 1970 theatrical version directed by Denis Sanders, and the beloved-by-fans 2001 Special Edition overseen by producers Rick Schmidlin and Ernst Jorgensen, the group gets together to compare notes, discuss the merits of each, as movies and as concert films, and explore ideas and themes raised by each... and of course, which version we prefer over the other!
Part 1 emphasizes the experience of rewatching the films, how the original 1970 came about, and whether either film depicts Elvis' personality authentically. Plus, Ryan recounts his recent trip to the Westgate and visiting the showroom!
If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a donation at Patreon.com/TCBCast. Your support allows us to continue to provide thoughtful, provocative, challenging and well-researched perspectives on Elvis's career, his peers and influences, and his cultural impact and legacy.

Bec got to attend a special preview screening of Baz Luhrmann's EPiC in Sydney over the weekend, so we wanted to share the overview of her early impressions of the movie with listeners! There are some minor spoilers on a few sequences but broadly most of the surprises will be retained if you only want to listen to this before seeing the film yourself.
For those who want all the meaty spoilers, we do have an extended discussion available over on our Patreon with almost a half hour more of Bec digging into many major sequences, themes she picked up on, and a couple minor quibbles that still couldn't put a damper on how much she loved the film. Plus, patrons get to hear Bec quizzing her friend, a non-fan who accompanied her to the preview, on what she thought of the film, thoughts on Elvis as a performer, and whether she'd recommend it to others.

Sony & Baz Luhrmann have officially unleashed the new, enhanced and overdubbed version of "Oh Happy Day" from EPiC out into the world - the full regular host team was already about to record so without having previously discussed it and only having heard it minutes before, hear our gut reactions to the new single! 
"Oh Happy Day" (EPiC Version) is available on all major music platforms, and the EPiC soundtrack will be out at midnight EST on February 20, 2026.

Jamie Kelley of EAP Society joins Bec & Justin for an extensive (but not completionist) exploration of the history of Elvis accompanying himself as a musician, primarily on guitar and piano but also touching upon bass and percussion as well. What were his influences? Was he any good? Why did he mostly abandon the guitar on his recordings once it became the instrument he was considered famous for helping popularize as a rock instrument? 
All those answers and more discussed in this deepest of deep dives - so deep, in fact, we didn't even have time for Song of the Week! The team also takes a moment to remember Jerome "Stump" Monroe, who as the drummer for the Sweet Inspirations, was part of Elvis's extended on-stage family and served as Elvis's backup drummer on a handful of occasions.
As Jamie talks about during the show, EAP Society is not currently available on YouTube but new episodes with him and John Michael Heath can be found on Spotify. You can also visit EAP Society's website for more information on their show.
If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a donation at Patreon.com/TCBCast. Your support allows us to continue to provide thoughtful, provocative, challenging and well-researched perspectives on Elvis's career, his peers and influences, and his cultural impact and legacy.

Bec's back for 2026 and as we're working up an exciting meaty topic we decided to take it a little lighter to start with (kind of!) as Justin & Bec react to the official theatrical trailer for EPiC, then take a look back at a UK-exclusive Camden released in 1975 entitled "The U.S. Male." Featuring a "greatest hits" of sorts from several other prior Camden compilations, this unusual release from within Elvis's lifetime was a gateway into Elvis's music for numerous Brits, but does it cohere and hold up? And can the duo come up with tracklists that better suit the "US Male" theme?
For Song of the Week, both hosts highlight gospel numbers, with Bec swinging in with "Somebody Bigger Than You and I" off the "How Great Thou Art Album" which overlaps Elvis's long affection for music originally by Bill Kenny & The Ink Spots and his love of spirituals. Then, Justin tells of the inspirations behind "Peace in the Valley," how Thomas A. Dorsey came to write it, and the world events which led to Elvis's performance of the song on the Ed Sullivan show (and subsequent recording) in 1957.
If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a donation at Patreon.com/TCBCast. Your support allows us to continue to provide thoughtful, provocative, challenging and well-researched perspectives on Elvis's career, his peers and influences, and his cultural impact and legacy.