Cocaine & Rhinestones: Standard Bearer For Non-Video Storytelling

As you can tell by our company name, we’re very interested in storytelling. Now, obviously, our preferred method of spinning a yarn is through video and animation. However, that doesn’t mean we’re not huge fans of other mediums (would it sound to snobby to write media there?).

I happen to spend a pretty remarkable amount of time listening to podcasts. While driving, cooking, cleaning, showering, you name it. If I don’t need my ears for something else, I’ve likely got a podcast playing. Over the last few years, I’ve developed a deep connection with many of my favorites. Recently, however, I’ve fallen in love with one that I’ve found myself referring to, even when discussing video projects.

In all honesty, I find myself making up any number of excuses to talk about this podcast. If we’ve hung out in the past couple weeks, chances are I’ve rambled on and on to you about it already. I tend to do that.

So here it is, folks. My pick for podcast of the year...already. Cocaine & Rhinestones (At least it is to me, I believe there were episodes released as early as 2017.)

Cocaine & Rhinestones is a history of country music in the 20th century, and it is a treasure. Before the mere mention of “country” makes you stop reading, let me assure you, you absolutely do NOT have to be a fan of country music to love this podcast. A lot of my favorite music is influenced by some older country music, but I despise much of what is coming out of Nashville today, just like every other self-respecting music snob.

In fact, you might like this podcast even more if you don’t love, or even really know much about country music. In order to love Cocaine & Rhinestones, you just need to love great storytelling.

When the folks at Scofield put together a video project, we spend a lot of time focussing on structure, looking for a way to present the information that is clear, concise, and compelling. In fact, we pride ourselves on being able to craft a good story out of what might be considered imperfect video elements that clients sometimes provide. And Cocaine & Rhinestones is a perfect example of storytelling which takes all of this into consideration.

Each episode, host Tyler Mahan Coe focuses on a specific artist, song, or incident involving country music in the 1900s. No matter how much you think you know about the topic, he knows more and he brings it to life in a way that you didn’t know you needed to hear. He provides a level of context that may seem excessive, but in the end reveals itself to be absolutely necessary. For instance, to explain the true intentions of Merle Haggard’s “Okie From Muskogee”, Coe goes all the way back to a brief history of Herbert Hoover and how his policies, after becoming president, lead to the Great Depression.

I’ll spare you more rambling, although I’m more than happy to chat with anyone that’s interested, but just know that if this sounds even a little bit interesting to you, it will be.