“Welcome To The Music Lounge” delves into the exclusive world of MTV’s Music Department during the height of Total Request Live. Podcast hosts and former MTV Music Department employees Andrew Schiffman and Perry Turcotte chat with MTV and record label executives, music programmers, VJs, and artists about the Music Lounge on the 25th floor of MTV that would make or break an artist such as Britney Spears, Eminem and Destiny’s Child. It’s a nostalgic journey packed with interviews, insights, and a few juicy secrets from the golden age of music television. youtube.com/@welcometothemusiclounge
The Evolution of MTV's Brand Identity with Kevin MacKall
In this engaging conversation, Andrew and Perry welcome Kevin Mackall, a former SVP of On-Air Promos at MTV, to discuss his creative journey and the evolution of MTV's branding and promotional strategies. They explore the impact of music on creativity, the significance of on-air promos, and the inclusivity of MTV's programming. Kevin shares insights into memorable campaigns and the importance of connecting with the audience through meaningful content. In this conversation, Kevin Mackall reflects on his experiences at MTV, discussing the creative processes behind impactful campaigns, the importance of media scheduling, and the collaborative nature of the work environment. He shares stories of courageous individuals whose narratives were told through MTV's platform, the innovative strategies used in promotions, and the legacy he built through establishing an in-house agency. Mackall also highlights the significance of understanding audience engagement and the evolution of music representation on television. In this conversation, Kevin Mackall shares his journey through the media landscape, discussing the challenges of navigating network deals and budget constraints while transforming a storage closet into a creative hub. He emphasizes the importance of creating an integrated marketing department and building a revenue engine within a corporation. Transitioning to mental health advocacy, he reflects on the impact of short-form content on media and the challenges of breaking through the clutter in modern promotions. The conversation also touches on memorable music experiences in NYC and an adventurous story about a trip to Mount Everest.
Chapters
00:00 The Excitement of Soccer and Music
02:58 Kevin Mackall's Creative Journey
06:01 The Role of Music in Creative Expression
09:00 From Music to Production at MTV
11:58 The Evolution of MTV's On-Air Promos
14:53 Defining the MTV Brand and Its Impact
18:01 Creating Meaningful Promo Campaigns
20:48 The Inclusivity of MTV's Programming
24:03 Memorable Campaigns and Their Legacy
30:46 Unseen Ideas and Courageous Stories
34:28 The Power of Media Scheduling
36:46 Innovative Promo Strategies
40:55 Creative Collaboration and Communication
41:13 Ideas That Almost Made It
47:50 The 52 Bands Campaign
58:30 Legacy and Future Endeavors
01:00:05 Navigating Network Deals and Budget Constraints
01:01:02 Transforming a Storage Closet into a Creative Hub
01:02:26 Creating an Integrated Marketing Department
01:03:52 Building a Revenue Engine within a Corporation
01:05:24 Transitioning to Mental Health Advocacy
01:07:41 The Impact of Short-Form Content on Media
01:10:41 Breaking Through the Clutter in Modern Promotions
01:14:10 Memorable Music Experiences in NYC
01:17:22 Adventures on Mount Everest
3 Aug 2026
From MTV to Music Innovation: Brian Graden's Journey
In this episode, we explore the fascinating career of Brian Graden, former President of Entertainment for MTV Networks, and his insights into programming, cultural impact, and the evolution of music television. Discover behind-the-scenes stories, key strategies, and lessons from one of the most influential figures in entertainment.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Brian Graden
02:27 Brian's Early Influences and Career Path
06:10 Programming Philosophy at MTV
11:29 Defining a Hit Show
15:54 Iconic Moments from TRL
23:35 Creative Risks and Failures in Television
25:39 The Importance of Supportive Leadership
26:23 Expanding Horizons: Music Programming Across Networks
27:50 Launching Logo: A Bold Move for LGBTQ Representation
29:27 The Rise and Fall of Logo
30:50 Memorable Encounters: Meeting Lady Gaga
31:37 International Programming: Challenges and Opportunities
33:58 Untold MTV Stories and Future Aspirations
35:51 Pursuing a Passion for Songwriting
38:07 Current Projects: Documentaries and New Ventures
6 Jul 2026
How Jason Hirschhorn Changed Music and Media
In this engaging interview, media executive Jason Hirschhorn shares his journey through the evolution of MTV, digital media, and music industry innovations. Discover behind-the-scenes stories, key moments, and insights into how music and culture have been shaped by media pioneers.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
03:01 Jason's Journey to MTV
07:34 Building Digital Synergy at MTV
12:24 The Evolution of MTV's Digital Strategy
16:58 Memorable Performances and Artists at MTV
20:17 The Importance of MTV's Archives
24:12 Branding and the Future of MTV
26:02 The Evolution of Music Supervision
26:54 MTV's Digital Programming and Strategy
28:16 The Cultural Impact of Hip Hop
29:39 Innovative Programming and Artist Relationships
31:54 The Shift from Traditional to Digital Media
33:45 The Golden Age of MTV and Mass Culture
35:29 The Rise of MTV2 and VH1 Soul
36:40 Talent Development and Industry Influence
38:04 Spotlighting Emerging Artists
40:30 The Globalization of Music and Culture
42:21 The Importance of Relationships in the Industry
44:14 Innovative Programming and Audience Engagement
46:12 Memorable Moments with Artists
48:15 The Legacy of MTV and Its Executives
55:25 Exploring Streaming Platforms and Challenges
57:10 The Evolution of Music Curation
58:35 The Emotional Power of Music
01:03:49 Memorable Concert Experiences
01:07:21 The Impact of Iconic Venues
01:13:03 Jay-Z's Glastonbury Moment
Who has been a guest on Welcome to the Music Lounge
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Susan Natoli
Jeff Frank
Lou Stellato
Tyson Haller
Paul Logan
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
4,657,873,540
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 70 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
90
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
32
Contact Welcome to the Music Lounge
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Welcome to the Music Lounge
Who hosts Welcome to the Music Lounge?
Andrew Schiffman and Perry Turcotte and Welcome To The Music Lounge host the show. Published by Andrew Schiffman and Perry Turcotte.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Welcome to the Music Lounge take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Host of Welcome to the Music Lounge?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
