Doc Brooks welcomes special guest Brittnay L. Proctor, Ph.D. for a deep dive into Minnie Riperton's debut solo album, Come to My Garden. The celebrated album, produced and arranged by Charles Stepney wss released in 1970 and included several famed musicians such as Ramsey Lewis, Maurice White, Cleveland Eaton, Phil Upchurch, and Sidney Barnes. Most of the songs' lyrics were written by Riperton's partner and future husband, Richard Rudolph. Professor Proctor's book, Come to My Garden is part of Bloomsbury's 33 1/3 series, the same series of Doc Brooks's That''s the Way of the World.

Episode #13: "Charles Comes to Minnie's Garden". Doc Brooks takes you inside the Tel Mar Studio for a November 1969 recording session. Charles Stepney led a group of distinguished musicians that included Maurice White, Ramsey Lewis, Cleveland Eaton, and Phil Upchurch to record Minnie Riperton's debut solo album, Come to My Garden.

Doc Brooks provides some health updates on members of the Earth, Wind & Fire family. He also shares Verdine White's recent news about a new song released by him and his late brother, Maurice White. Doc also provides a few corrections from previous episodes and tells you what's in store in upcoming episodes. The episode concludes with a short tribute to the award-winning producer/songwriter who composed this podcast's opening and closing theme music.

Happy Earth, Wind & Fire Day! Doc Brooks celebrates this special day with a deep dive into EWF's iconic "September." Doc introduces you to Allee Willis, takes you inside the funk guitar work of Al McKay, and explores some of the stories behind one of the most successful and enduring tracks in music history.

Episode #10 is part two with Soleh Brewer. Doc Brooks and Soleh discuss some of the members of The Salty Peppers and their enduring legacies with Earth, Wind and Fire. YouTube subscribers are encouraged to subscribe (it's free). Please check out each episode's playlist on Spotify.

Episode #9 is the first of two parts featuring Soleh Brewer, a musician with close ties to several former and current members of Earth, Wind & Fire. We learn of Soleh's early career in music and his love of Earth, Wind & Fire. Soleh also discusses his role in creating Facebook groups dedicated to the legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Listen to the podcast AND each episode's playlist on Spotify.

Host Doc Brooks takes you inside Chicago's Audio Finishers Studio for a special recording session led by Maurice White and featuring several distinguished musicians such as Louis Satterfield, Pete Cosey, and the legendary Donny Hathaway. Nine songs were recorded under a band named The Salty Peppers. Meet each member of The Salty Peppers while learning some little-known facts about Donny Hathaway and this historic recording session.

In 1968, America was sick. Protests set cities on fire and college campuses were rocked by demonstrations against the war in Vietnam . Maurice White, like so many other musicians, responded through his music. This is the context that Maurice White developed his concept of Earth, Wind & Fire. This episode tracks White's decision to invite 10 musicians to record and release songs under a band named "The Salty Peppers." Listen to this episode's playlist on Spotify.