Off The Record - On The Charts: A Podcast celebrating the lives and contributions of music visionaries & producers Arif Mardin, Joel Dorn & Tom Dowd.
Hosted by: Joe Mardin, Adam Dorn and Dana Dowd who interview some of the people their fathers worked at Atlantic Records while digging further into their fathers’ careers and legacies.
Side 4: Track 16 – “Nights On Broadway” – Theresa Dean
Back behind the scenes we go to the people who rarely get credit for their effort in making music history.
Theresa Dean came to Atlantic Records by a twist of fate through none other than Joel Dorn and her love for Rock N Roll music. Working her way up the ranks she became the “little td” to Tom Dowd’s “big TD” holding up the backend of his hectic schedule and fought for her rightful place as a no-nonsense woman upon his departure from the label.
Join Adam, Joe and Dana as we take a trip down memory lane and reflect on some incredible behind the scenes Atlantic Records stories and a deeper insight from one of the women who helped make it all happen.
29 Sept 2026
"Bee Side": Outtake (In Loving Memory) - Dino Danelli
"Bee Side" - Outtake: (In Loving Memory) - Dino Danelli
If you missed our “Bee Side” outtakes launch, they serves as an ode to the quirky 1969 7-inch single by The Arif Mardin Choirs (written by Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin, arranged by Mardin, and produced by Dowd).
In this "Bee Side", Adam, Dana, and Joe turn the spotlight onto the legendary Rascals drummer, Dino Danelli. We lost Dino in December of 2022, but his influence on music remains unmatched.
Join us as we reflect with his bandmate Felix Cavaliere on his incredible talent, dig deeper into his early background, musical contributions and analyze what made his driving rhythm so uniquely brilliant.
22 Sept 2026
Side 4: Track 15 – “Groovin’” – Felix Cavaliere
Dana, Adam, and Joe are incredibly proud to start out Side 4 with a true music legend: one of the founding members of The Young Rascals/Rascals, Felix Cavaliere!
Before he changed the course of music history, Felix was a brilliant, classically trained pianist studying pre-med. A chance opportunity to fill in with Joey Dee and the Starlighters completely altered his trajectory—and the music world is forever grateful.
Without that twist of fate, 1960s chart-topping feel-good anthems like “Groovin’,” "A Beautiful Morning," and "People Got to Be Free” might never have existed. On this side, we dive deep into the history of The Rascals, uncover some fascinating, lesser-known music history and stories, exploring Felix's lifelong friendships and collaborations with our fathers Tommy, Arif, and Joel.
8 Sept 2026
Side 3: Track 14 – “Piece of My Heart” – Bert Berns (An Homage: Brett Bern)
Bert Berns is one of the most prolific songwriters you have probably never heard of. Because of his untimely passing, his name stayed in the shadows. But you absolutely know his massive body of work.
As an unsung hero of the 1960s, Berns shaped American music in less than a decade. He even helped save Atlantic Records during a major slump. In fact, he churned out more hits in a single year than anyone else on record.
His children were all under three years old when he passed away, but thankfully, they share our deep passion for preserving his incredible musical legacy. A book, “Here Comes the Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Bersns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm and Blues” a movie “BANG! The Bert Berns Story” are available for a deeper dive and the music so riveting there is a musical in the works
Join Adam, Joe, and Dana as we sit down with Bert’s son, Brett Bern. As the face of this beautiful effort, Brett has become family. Give this episode a spin, as we crack the history wide open. We even dive into the intense allegations of mobster involvement and clear up the history.
Our Bert Berns playlist is now available for your listening pleasure on Spofity.
25 Aug 2026
Side 3: Track 13 – “Funky ‘1841’ Broadway” – Chrissy Allerdings
We're taking you back behind the scenes to the people whose names rarely appear on the album notes.
Chrissy Allerdings tenure at Atlantic Records began on Joel Dorn’s first “official” day in 1967. Starting from the ground up, she quickly proved her prowess and became a driving force behind the studio’s daily operations. Before long, she was Arif Mardin’s right hand (and let's be honest, probably Tom and Joel’s left hand, too).
In this episode, we dig into the deep some great never before heard stories that defined the era. With unwavering loyalty, she remained Arif’s right hand until his untimely passing in 2006.
We love our Chrissy, and we know you will, too. Subscribe, download, and give this heartfelt episode a whirl!
11 Aug 2026
Side 3: Track 12 – “With Pen In Hand” – Billy Vera
Billy Vera is a man who has seemingly fit a dozen lifetimes into one. His journey spans from topping the charts and earning thunderous ovations at the Apollo with singing partner Judy Clay, to forging lifelong songwriting partnerships with both Chip Taylor and Lou Rawls. Even when the rug was swept out from under him, he consistently reinvented himself—first at Jerry Wexler’s recommendation by covering “With Pen In Hand,” and later building a successful radio career.
When Dolly Parton took his song “I Really Got the Feeling” to the top of the charts, it provided the ultimate lifeline, setting the stage for a massive singing comeback with “At This Moment.” After the ballad was prominently featured in the blockbuster movie Blind Date, its global success allowed him to reunite with his old friend, producer Tommy Dowd, twenty-plus years later. Together, they crafted the 1988 album Retro Nuevo, bringing the legendary Arif Mardin back into the fold to work his magic on the arrangements and bring Billy's remarkable journey entirely full circle.
Join Dana, Adam, and Joe as we sit down with Billy to discuss his incredible career as a ballad crooner, songwriter, and producer. We also dive into the vast knowledge that has made him a foremost music historian, which ultimately sparked a deep-rooted friendship with Joel Dorn.
28 Jul 2026
Side 3: Track 11 – “You Be My Baby” – Doc Pomus (An Homage: Sharyn Felder)
Jerome Solon Felder, better known as Doc Pomus, was an incredibly significant yet unsung architect of early Rock and Roll. He became one of the earliest affiliates of Atlantic Records in the late 1940s, which is where he met his lifelong friend, Tommy Dowd. Having contracted polio as a child, Doc turned his deep passion for the blues into a lifelong calling. He regularly snuck out of his house without his parents' knowledge to immerse himself in the vibrant blues clubs of New York City, where he eventually learned to sing alongside the greatest musical icons of the era.
But it didn’t stop there. Doc’s razor-sharp ear and brilliant knack for songwriting led to some of the most notable tracks in American history, from "Save The Last Dance For Me" to "A Teenager In Love" and "This Magic Moment" to name a few. Alongside his songwriting partner Mort Shuman and other collaborations, he left an indelible mark on the industry—and forged a lifelong friendship with Joel Dorn.
In this heartfelt episode of “Off The Record – On The Charts”, co-hosts Adam, Dana, and Joe sit down with Doc’s daughter, Sharyn Felder. Together, they take an intimate trip down memory lane and discuss her incredible, decades-long efforts in preserving his towering musical legacy, and how her journey deeply intertwines with the hosts' own missions to honor their fathers' historic contributions.
14 Jul 2026
Side 2 : Track 10 – “Never Hip A Square” - Joel Dorn (an homage)
Iconic record producer and label owner Joel Dorn’s journey into the Atlantic Records family started at age 14 when he first heard Ray Charles on the radio in his grandmother’s kitchen. Transfixed and forever changed by what he’d just heard he decided to write the label a series of letters. Label Co-owner Nesuhi Ertegun took notice and a lifelong friendship was formed. Within a hand full of years Joel (after breaking numerous Atlantic albums as a radio DJ in Philadelphia) officially joined the Atlantic family as a staff producer. While he may have physically left the label in 1976 ……. Atlantic never left his heart and soul.
In this episode Joe and Dana get personal with Adam about his late father’s legacy
30 Jun 2026
Side 2: Track 9 – “Pick Up the Pieces” – Gene Paul
Join hosts Adam, Dana, and Joe as they continue their heartfelt and insightful interview with legendary recording, mixing, mastering engineer, producer and musician Gene Paul.
Disclaimer, please listen to Part 1, "Killing Me Softly," before diving into this incredible Part 2.
16 Jun 2026
Side 2: Track 8 – “Bad Mamma Jamma” – Mario Medious
Today, we start going behind the scenes to explore the inner workings of Atlantic Records through the eyes of people whose names rarely appear on album credits, and whose life's work is seldom celebrated.
Mario Medious started in the accounting department, learning a side of the business often overlooked in the fast-growing music industry. Armed with a love for jazz and a passion for building relationships, he soon made a name for himself in promotions and special projects before leaving the label for a successful career in artist management.
Adam, Dana and Joe talk shop with the original "Bad Mama Jama," who shares incredible insider insights.
2 Jun 2026
Side 2 : Track 7 - “They Didn’t Say “Yo” Then” – Jimmy Douglass
Join Joe, Adam, and Dana for a one-on-one conversation with Jimmy "The Senator" Douglass, a formidable music producer and engineer with a career spanning over 60 years. Best known for his extensive work with Timbaland (who gave him his famous nickname), Missy Elliott, and Justin Timberlake, Jimmy shares the secret weapon behind his legendary career. He got his start as a teenager at Atlantic Records, watching Tom Dowd mix into the wee hours of the morning, learning from Arif Mardin, and collaborating with Joel Dorn.
In this episode, he shares some beautiful, never-before-heard stories about the dads.
⚠️This one is definitely not for kids. When you put four people in a room who have known each other most of their lives, the filters come completely off. We marked this one explicit ahead of time!
26 May 2026
"Bee Side" : Outtake (In Loving Memory) - David Brigati
Today, we officially flip the record and introduce "Bee Sides."
Named after the B side of the quirky 1968 7-inch single by The Arif Mardin Chorus (the A side was “Evil Companions”), “Bee Side,” was written by Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin, arranged by Mardin, and produced by Dowd. This segment is our home for the unexpected. Moving forward, you will see "Bee Sides" and studio outtakes pop up sporadically as memorial tributes or deep dives into hyper-relevant music history.
“Bee Side” - Outtake (In Loving Memory) - David Brigati our inaugural "Bee Side" is officially live.
Take a walk down memory lane with us as we celebrate the incredible life, soaring harmonies, and lasting legacy of David Brigati—the brilliant vocal architect and "Fifth Rascal."
A life well-lived, and a voice never to be forgotten. We love you, David.
Drop the needle and listen now.
19 May 2026
Side 2 : Track 6 - "How Can I Be Sure" - Eddie Brigati
Proudly hailing from Garfield, NJ, Eddie Brigati perfected his vocal chops as a teenager at the legendary Choo Choo Club. He launched his career by stepping into his big brother David’s shoes as a member of Joey Dee and the Starliters, where his immense vocal capabilities quickly made him a star.
As a founding member of The Young Rascals/The Rascals, Eddie provided the iconic vocal sound and soulful depth behind their greatest hits. In this episode we explore the rich history of Eddie and The Rascals, walking down memory lane to trace their rise to superstardom. We discuss their journey as the first all-white group signed to Atlantic Records, where they worked extensively with legendary producers Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin to craft a timeless, blue-eyed soul sound.
Join us for a deep dive into the legacy of one of New Jersey’s finest voices.
5 May 2026
Side 1 : Track 5 - "Warm Your Heart" - Tommy Dowd (an homage)
Halfway through this journey, it dawned on us—being primary keepers of our fathers' legacies—that we had a unique ability to interview each other. There’s no better source than the kin who lived it. Taking a moment to honor the men who made us 'us,' we start with Tom (aka 'Tommy'). Joe and Adam ask Dana personal questions about growing up with her father, the first ever linear fader recording console, his departure from Atlantic Records, her efforts in preserving his legacy, while sharing their insights through their own and their fathers' eyes.
21 Apr 2026
Side 1 : Track 4 - "Killing Me Softly" - Gene Paul
His last name is synonymous with massive recording technological innovation and the world’s most iconic guitar. While he is the son of the legendary Les Paul, Gene carved out his own legacy as a revered engineer. He was mentored by Tom Dowd and worked alongside Arif Mardin and Joel Dorn at Atlantic Records studios in its heyday.
Part One of our exclusive Two-part interview with Gene.
You won't want to miss this!
7 Apr 2026
Side 1 : Track 3 - “Stand By Me” – Mike Stoller
We are incredibly honored to announce our interview with none other than living legend, Mike Stoller!
Mike and his songwriting/production partner, Jerry Leiber, known professionally as Leiber & Stoller wrote hits like “Hound Dog” (Elvis Presley fame), wrote and produced “Stand By Me”, “Yakety Yak” and “Poison Ivy” to name a few...
While Jerry is no longer with us, Mike has remained a dear family friend and was gracious enough to sit down with us for a few hours to discuss his life, inspirations and how our fathers intertwined into his rich musical legacy.
Definitely a not to be missed episode!
24 Mar 2026
Side 1 : Track 2 - "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" - Jerry Wexler (An Homage: Paul Wexler)
We could not possibly begin this journey without talking about Jerry Wexler. Jerry was significant part of Atlantic Records and our fathers’ lives and careers. Since his passing in 2008 at age 91, Jerry has either been made the hero or vilified in many Hollywood adaptations and biopics related to significant music history.
Please join Joe, Adam and Dana as they interview none other than Jerry’s son Paul Wexler who rarely goes on record to discuss his father’s life and legacy. It is a heartfelt trip down memory lane as we dive deeper into who Jerry was, discussing the fathers & Atlantic Records.
If Jerry did nothing else but coin the term “Rhythm & Blues” that would have been enough to pave a legacy rooted deep in American culture. We dig deep into the legacy of Jerry Wexler and his significant contributions to music. This is a must listen.
17 Mar 2026
Side 1 : Track 1 - "What'd I Say" Intro
Introductory Episode: Off The Record - On The Charts: A Podcast celebrating the lives and contributions of music visionaries & producers Arif Mardin, Joel Dorn & Tom Dowd.
Hosted by: Joe Mardin, Adam Dorn & Dana Dowd who interview some of the people their fathers worked with at Atlantic Records while digging further into their careers and legacies.
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