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Why Ecommerce Merchants Need a Dedicated Merchant Account Today

Eric Alper
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By Mitch Rice

Running an online store is no walk in the park. You’ve got inventory to manage, customers to please, and a million little details to juggle. But there’s one thing that can make or break your business: how you handle payments. If you’re still relying on basic payment solutions, it’s time to rethink that. An ecommerce merchant account isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for merchants who want to stay competitive in today’s fast-moving digital world. Let me tell you why.

The Game Has Changed

Back in the day, slapping a PayPal button on your site was enough. Customers didn’t mind a little detour to finish their purchase. But now? People expect lightning-fast, seamless shopping experiences. They’re not here for clunky redirects or generic payment pages. An ecommerce merchant account gives you the power to process payments right on your site, keeping everything smooth and professional. In 2025, that’s not a luxury; it’s table stakes.

 

I’ve abandoned carts myself because a site didn’t feel legit. Maybe the payment page looked off, or I wasn’t sure my info was safe. Your customers are the same; they want to know their money’s in good hands. With an ecommerce merchant account, you can customize your checkout, add security seals, and show off your brand. It’s like rolling out a red carpet that says, “You’re safe here.” That trust keeps them clicking “buy” instead of bouncing.

Save Money in the Long Run

Let’s talk cash. Third-party payment processors might seem cheap upfront, but those fees add up, especially if your store’s growing. An ecommerce merchant account lets you negotiate rates directly with a provider, often saving you a chunk of change over time. Plus, you’re not stuck passing extra costs to customers, which can scare them off. It’s a win-win: you keep more profit, and they keep shopping.

 

Ever tried buying something online and couldn’t use your preferred payment method? It’s a bummer. Some folks love their credit cards, and others swear by digital wallets like Google Pay. An ecommerce merchant account lets you offer a buffet of options, so no one’s left out. When customers can pay how they want, they’re more likely to stick around and finish the deal.

Control Your Brand

Your store’s vibe matters. You’ve spent time picking the perfect colors, fonts, and voice why let a random payment page ruin it? With an ecommerce merchant account, your checkout stays on-brand. No jarring switches to a third-party site that looks nothing like your shop. It’s all about keeping things consistent so customers feel like they’re still in your world from start to finish.

 

I know a guy, let’s call him Mik, who runs a little online gadget store. He was using a basic payment processor and thought it was fine. Then,n he noticed his sales plateauing. Customers complained about slow checkouts and weird redirects. He switched to an ecommerce merchant account, and boo,m his conversion rate jumped 15% in a month. People loved the streamlined process, and he loved the extra cash. That’s the kind of difference we’re talking about.

Why Today Matters

You might be thinking, “I’ll get to it eventually.” But here’s the thing: ecommerce isn’t slowing down. Competition’s heating up, and customers are pickier than ever. Waiting means losing ground to shops that already have their payment game on lock. Setting up an ecommerce merchant account today puts you ahead of the curve, ready to handle whatever 2025 throws your way.

 

Getting started is easier than you’d expect. Shop around for a provider that fits your needs. Look at their fees, security, and how well they mesh with your platform. It’s a small upfront effort for a big payoff. Once it’s rolling, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

Conclusion

If you’re serious about your ecommerce gig, a dedicated merchant account isn’t optional it’s essential. It saves you money, builds trust, and keeps your customers happy. In a world where every click counts, an ecommerce merchant account is your secret weapon to stand out and thrive. Don’t wait for tomorrow; make the move today.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

KC Johns Rides High With “Smoke Show” Single and UK Tour Following Viral Breakthroughs

Eric Alper
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KC Johns Rides High With “Smoke Show” Single and UK Tour Following Viral Breakthroughs

Hot off the tails her viral 2024 single, “Rodeo Queen,” which was selected for Top 10 Songs in Texas by Texas CMA and reached nearly a million streams across platforms, KC Johns released her single “Break from the Heart” (#2 Surging and Emerging on Texas CDX Radio) and now, welcomes her new single “Smoke Show” on April 4th ahead of a UK Tour.

Johns explains, “‘Smoke Show is a song written for the girls! It should be okay for women to tell women they are beautiful, strong, intelligent and straight up SMOKE SHOWS! During live shows, from the stage, I will often point out, when a girl has taken the time out of her hard workin’ day to curl her hair, mellowly fix her makeup and search for the perfect outfit (to maybe impress someone) – that she is an absolute SMOKE SHOW! Women should tell women this more often – lets build each other up EVERYDAY! #SMOKESHOW”

Currently on a Texas Radio tour, KC Johns has an impressive past and upcoming show schedule, having played 150 “non-Nashville Broadway” shows a year plus select Ole Red Main Stage shows, including fairs, festivals, clubs, corporate conventions, and private parties, ranging from Washington to Florida, namely Gordy’s HWY 30 Music Festival Idaho, 2023 HWY 30 Music Festival Texas, Big As Texas Festival, The Steamboat Musicfest, Grand Jam Music Fest Oklahoma, Ellensburg Rodeo Washington, and Fantasy Fest Key West FL 92025. Additionally, Johns has taken her talents internationally with several past and upcoming Norway and UK tours (dates below).

Born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Hernando, Mississippi, a small town along the Tennessee-Mississippi line, KC was surrounded by music for as long as she can remember. Named after KC and the Sunshine Band and raised on the greats like Led Zeppelin, Stevie Nicks, and Sheryl Crow. “My mom is a championship barrel racer, and my stepdad was a bull rider,” she recalls. Although the energy of the rodeo was intoxicating for a young KC, so was making music.

So, by 17, with her acoustic guitar, KC and her mom headed to Nashville to make her dreams of becoming a recording artist a reality. “I just took my guitar and started hitting all the clubs on Broadway asking people if I could sing on stage,” KC adds. One thing led to another, and ultimately, she landed an offer to work on Carnival Cruise Lines as a cruise ship performer. “It was supposed to just be a six-month contract but ended up lasting seven years cruising around the world singing for international audiences.'” she says.

Having discovered and honed her stage legs young, KC was featured in Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” at Dollywood. However, the recording/touring artist life was calling once again, and so KC took another leap of faith. “I moved to Nashville on a whim,” she explains. “I had nowhere to stay. I just packed up all my stuff and took a chance, sleeping on friends’ couches and singing on Broadway again. Before I knew it, I started meeting incredible and influential people.” She made her way up the mainstream ladder opening for artists like Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Randy Houser, Trailer Choir and Morgan Wade. KC’s now playing fairs, festivals and venues around the country.

Then the pandemic began. KC, along with her fellow songwriters and musician friends utilized social media to grow a new audience. They performed live online and galvanizing new fan bases across the globe. They started playing cover songs and soon integrated some of their own material. “With that whole 2020 year, I just started doing TikTok Lives, Facebook Lives, and started meeting people on the internet,” she recalls. “And they were like, ‘Man, we’d love for you to come and do a private party. Then all of a sudden, we’re doing shows in Norway.'” As the world opened back up, KC continued traveling to perform at various venues and festivals. Songs like “Whiskey Break” and later “Confused” fueled the shape of things to come. She released her digital debut album Thunder in 2022.

UK TOUR DATES:
April 10th Eat Rodeo Keep it country (Wolverhampton)
April 16th Colne Delta (Brightlingsea)
17th Boots on Coast (Southampton)
April 22nd Forty Five Vinyl Cafe (York)
23rd Sheffield (Venue TBD)
April 24th Buckle and Boots (Stockport)
April 25th Leestock (Suffolk)
May 11th Foodies Festival (Cardiff)
May 23 – Record Junkee – Sheffield
May 26th Foodies Festival (Syon Park)

The Beatles’ Autobiography Returns: The Beatles Anthology to Be Reissued for 25th Anniversary

Eric Alper
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The Beatles’ Autobiography Returns: The Beatles Anthology to Be Reissued for 25th Anniversary

Before there was a documentary. Before the rooftop reunion. There was The Beatles Anthology—their story, told in their own words, in one unforgettable volume. Now, 25 years later, it’s back.

The landmark international bestseller—The Beatles’ own story, in their own words—reissued on the 25th anniversary of its first publication.From their years growing up in Liverpool through their ride to fame to their ultimate breakup, here’s the inside story. Interwoven with The Beatles’ own memories are the recollections of such associates as road manager Neil Aspinall, producer George Martin, and spokesman Derek Taylor.

The Beatles Anthology is a once-in-a-lifetime volume: warm, frank, funny, poignant, and bold—just like the music that’s been a part of so many of our lives. The Beatles Anthology is, for the first time, the story of The Beatles by The Beatles. Created with the full cooperation of Paul, George, Ringo, and Yoko Ono Lennon, it also includes the words of John, painstakingly compiled from sources worldwide. The Beatles Anthology is, in effect, The Beatles autobiography.

The Beatles Anthology features over 1300 images, most previously unpublished. Paul, George, Ringo, and Yoko Ono Lennon all opened their own archives just for this project, as did Apple, EMI, and others long associated with The Beatles, allowing the unprecedented release of photographs, documents, and other memorabilia from their homes and offices. The result is an extraordinary wealth of visual material brimming on each and every page.

What a book The Beatles Anthology is. Each page is brimming with personal stories and rare vintage images. Snapshots from their family collections take us back to the days when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Richard Starkey were just boys growing up in Liverpool. They talk in turn about those early years and how they came to join the band that would make them known around the world as John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Then, weaving back and forth, they tell the astonishing story of life as The Beatles: the first rough gigs, the phenomenon of their rise to fame, the musical and social change of their heyday, all the way through to their breakup.

From the time Ringo tried to take this drum kit home on the bus to their much-anticipated audience with Elvis, from the making of the Sgt. Pepper album to their last photo session together at John’s house, The Beatles Anthology is a once-in-a-lifetime collection of The Beatles’ own memories.

Dan Seals’ Legacy Lives On With Unreleased Single “Steal A Little Thunder”

Eric Alper
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Dan Seals’ Legacy Lives On With Unreleased Single “Steal A Little Thunder”

The late Dan Seals’ legacy isn’t done being written with the never-before-heard single “Steal A Little Thunder”! This single was written by his late brother, Seals & Crofts’ Jim Seals along with Brian Whitcomb. The release comes as part of a partnership with Nashville-based record label Melody Place, known for its commitment to preserving and sharing timeless music.

“Steal A Little Thunder” is a heartfelt track that perfectly encapsulates Seals’ ability to blend emotionally powerful lyrics with infectious melodies. The song was discovered in the archives of Seals’ unreleased material and is set to introduce his timeless sound to both long-time fans and new listeners alike. With its captivating storytelling and catchy rhythm, the single will evoke nostalgia for Seals’ classic hits while showcasing his incredible songwriting skills.

Dan Seals’ musical journey spanned multiple decades and earned him numerous accolades, including 11 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. From his early years with the pop duo England Dan & John Ford Coley to his remarkable solo career in country music, Seals established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Songs like “Bop” and “Meet Me in Montana” have solidified his place in the hearts of country music fans, and “Steal A Little Thunder” is sure to add to his legendary legacy.

“Steal A Little Thunder” marks the first new music to be released from Dan Seals since his passing, and it serves as a testament to the lasting influence he has had on the country music world. His unique sound and heartfelt songwriting have inspired generations of artists, and this single is yet another chapter in his enduring musical legacy.

Reid Parsons Shares Stirring New Single “Get Out Of Bed” Ahead of Debut Album ‘Back to Back’

Eric Alper
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Reid Parsons Shares Stirring New Single “Get Out Of Bed” Ahead of Debut Album ‘Back to Back’

Vermont-based singer-songwriter Reid Parsons (they/she) shares their powerful new single “Get Out Of Bed,” the second release from their forthcoming debut album Back to Back, out April 25th. Featured by The Big Takeover, who called Parsons “one of Vermont’s most compelling musical voices,” the track is a soul-stirring exploration of resilience, inertia, and the quiet heroism of simply beginning the day.

“There’s a moment in ‘Get Out Of Bed’ where a gentle haze lifts, and something defiant stirs beneath the melancholy,” wrote The Big Takeover in their premiere. “It’s the sound of reckoning with inertia—not just the physical act of rising in the morning, but the psychological weight of trying to meet the day when the world feels too heavy.”

Written during a time of deep self-reflection, the song captures the essence of emotional reckoning with a tender yet commanding vocal performance. “This is a song that I wrote as a tool to dig myself out of the thick blanket of melancholia and self-pity that sometimes holds me down,” says Parsons. “I hope listeners interpret it however they want—that’s the beauty of music—but I wrote it as a kind of kick-in-the-pants anthem to step out of my comfort zone and face the day.”

As The Big Takeover described it, the arrangement of “Get Out of Bed” “builds patiently, matching the lyrical arc: from fog to focus, from stillness to motion.” Parsons’ voice—warm, unpretentious, and edged with bluesy grit—guides the listener through that emotional shift, anchored by a Hammond B3 organ that, as she recalls, “shook the whole room.”

“Get Out of Bed” sits as the second track on Back to Back, an album Parsons produced, arranged, and wrote entirely (save for a haunting cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire”). Engineered by Ben Collette (Trey Anastasio, Susan Tedeschi, Sharon Jones) and tracked live-to-tape at Burlington’s iconic Tank Recording Studio, Back to Back is a meticulously crafted orchestral Americana record designed with the intentionality of a handmade space. As Parsons puts it, “Music has always been where I can build a world to embrace all parts of myself.”

From the everyday intimacy of the title track “Back to Back”—a bossa nova-tinged meditation on the quiet rhythms of partnership—to the genre-spanning arrangements, Back to Back is both deeply personal and architecturally intricate. The record weaves together elements of folk, jazz, blues, classical, soul, and country into a cohesive sonic patchwork that feels at once timeless and entirely unique. “I strive to write from a place of simplicity,” Parsons says. “I want to leave space for interpretation, to build a room for others to process, to emote, to have their own experiences in.”

Parsons grew up in Moretown, Vermont, a town of 1,500 nestled in the Green Mountains, where they absorbed the emotional range of everything from Lucinda Williams to Patsy Cline and Steely Dan. Classically trained and self-taught in equal measure, Parsons honed her musical voice singing in a 13-piece soul and Motown band while studying music and anthropology, and performing regularly at local haunts like the now-defunct Purple Moon Pub—a launchpad for fellow Vermonter Grace Potter.

Back to Back is a product of passion, persistence, and deep introspection, partially funded through a crowdfunding campaign and completed with income from Parsons’ work in farming and food systems. “These sounds I had in my head are now tucked in this magical little locket that, when I open it up, transport me to a wonderful world,” they say. “Making this record has been the most meaningful thing I’ve done in my life.”

Parsons is currently on a run of select spring tour dates across Vermont, including a hometown album release show at Shelburne Vineyard. Full tour info and tickets can be found at reidparsons.com.

Reid Parsons – Spring 2025 Tour Dates
Saturday, April 5 – Monkey House – Winooski, VT
Thursday, April 17 – American Flatbread – Stowe, VT

Back To Back by Reid Parsons
1. Back to Back
2. Get Out of Bed
3. Lightbulb
4. Heavy Load
5. Show Me You Love Me
6. Holiday
7. I’m On Fire
8. Figure It Out
9. Same Old Shit
10. Where Are You Now

Robert Jon & The Wreck Announce New Album ‘Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes’ Produced by Dave Cobb Out August 22

Eric Alper
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Robert Jon & The Wreck Announce New Album ‘Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes’ Produced by Dave Cobb Out August 22

Southern California rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck have officially announced the release of their ninth studio album, Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes, due out August 22nd via Journeyman Records. Produced by the legendary Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Rival Sons), the new album finds the band firing on all cylinders—raw, reflective, and tighter than ever.

“It was an incredible honor to collaborate with Dave Cobb on our new record,” shares frontman Robert Jon Burrison. “Not only has he worked with artists we deeply admire, but he’s also been a producer we’ve respected for over a decade. Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes feels like a true reflection of who Robert Jon & The Wreck is as a band. From the moment we arrived in Savannah, GA, to record, we felt an immediate sense of comfort and ease—something rare in a typical studio environment. Being away from our usual routines, living together, and immersing ourselves in the new songs from start to finish created an album we are incredibly proud of. We can’t wait to share it with the world and bring it to life on stage.”

Alongside the announcement, the band has shared their latest single, “Highway” a soaring, mid-tempo rocker that showcases everything fans have come to love about The Wreck: blistering twin guitar harmonies, emotionally charged vocals, and a driving rhythm section. Produced by Cobb and recorded in Savannah, “Highway” blends the band’s classic heartland sound with fresh, cinematic urgency.

“‘Highway’ is a favorite of ours on Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes—a song that started as a loose melodic concept on an acoustic guitar in Henry’s apartment, and evolved into a full-blown powerhouse,” adds Robert. “When we brought it into rehearsals in Costa Mesa, it just clicked with the band. Dave Cobb helped us elevate the track by pushing the tempo and building out the dynamics. Lyrically, it’s a heartfelt love song—wide open, full throttle, and impossible to get out of your head.”

“It never strayed far from the original vision Robert and I had,” notes guitarist Henry James. “Cobb brought a new level of spontaneity and emotional edge to the sessions. This track hits hard and still gives you the feels—it’s everything we love about rock ’n’ roll.”

According to bassist Warren Murrel, the Savannah sessions represented a major turning point for the band: “For the first time in our band’s history, we had the opportunity to live at the studio while recording. Instead of dealing with LA traffic and squeezing in sessions between other commitments, we got to immerse ourselves fully in the music—writing, recording, and refining songs every day for over a week. It was an experience that allowed us to be completely present in the creative process. Dave Cobb has a way of getting under the hood of a song, pushing it further than we ever thought possible. His guidance challenged us in the best ways and helped bring this album to life in a way we’re truly proud of.”

Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes captures the band at a creative peak, drawing from real-life experiences of love, loss, and redemption. Across ten riveting tracks, Robert Jon & The Wreck explore the full emotional spectrum, delivered with thunderous riffs, razor-sharp grooves, and some of their most compelling lyrics to date. The album was mixed by Greg Gordon, known for his work with Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, and Rival Sons. It will be available on CD, limited edition colored vinyl, and in special merch bundles, including an exclusive shirt and bandana package.

“This album is a candid musical reflection of who we are today,” adds Henry. “Tales of love gone awry, love gone right, camaraderie, estrangement, lessons learned, dark shadows, and bright lights—all wrapped into one.”

“Highway” follows the release of several acclaimed tracks from the upcoming album, including the fiery, John Oates co-written “Long Gone,” the introspective ballad “Ashes in the Snow,” and the high-octane “Sittin’ Pretty.” Each single has spotlighted a different facet of the band’s evolving sound, building anticipation for what promises to be their most ambitious album yet.

The band is currently on the road for a packed 2025 tour that includes headline dates across Europe and North America, plus appearances at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Askena Rock Festival, Hookrock, and Chinook Fest. With stops in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and major U.S. cities from New York to Fargo, fans worldwide will get to experience the new songs live for the first time. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit:  www.robertjonandthewreck.com

CD & Digital Track List
1. Sittin’ Pretty
2. Ashes In The Snow
3. Highway
4. Old Man
5. Dark Angel
6. Long Gone
7. Better Of Me
8. I Wanna Give It
9. Heartbreak & Last Goodbye
10. Keep Myself Clean

LP Track List
Side A
1. Sittin’ Pretty
2. Ashes In The Snow
3. Highway
4. Old Man
5. Dark Angel

Side B
1. Long Gone
2. Better Of Me
3. I Wanna Give It
4. Heartbreak & Last Goodbyes
5. Keep Myself Clean

Spring U.S and European Dates
April 15 – Hengelo, NL – Metropool
April 16 – Verviers, BE – Spirit of 66
April 17 – Affalter, DE – Zur Linde
April 18 – Seewen, CH – Gaswerk Eventbar
April 19 – Lyss, CH – Kufa
April 20 – Nürnberg, DE – Hirsch
April 24 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 26 – Edinburgh, UK – Liquid Room
April 27 – Holmfirth, UK – Picturedrome
April 29 – Hull, UK – The Welly
April 30 – Norwich, UK – Epic Studios
May 1 – Folkestone, UK – The Quarterhouse
May 2 – Venlo, NL – Grenswerk
May 3 – Groningen, NL – Groningen Rhythm & Blues Nights Festival
May 6 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy Birmingham
May 7 – Gloucester, UK – Guildhall
May 8 – Chester, UK – The Live Rooms
May 9 – Northampton, UK – Roadmender Northampton
May 10 – Portsmouth, UK – Guildhall Studio
June 13 – Naches, WA – Chinook Fest 2025

Summer  European  Dates
June 20 – Vitoria, ES – Askena Rock Festival
June 21 – Le Thor, FR – Le Sonograf
June 25 – Aschaffenburg, DE – Colos-Saal
June 26 – Herschbach, DE – Haus Hergispach
June 27 – Torgau, DE – Kulturbastion Torgau Open Air
June 28 –  Hannover, DE – Blues Garage
June 30 – Koln, DE – Die Kantine
July 1 – Wurzburg, DE – Posthalle
July 2 – Marburg, DE – KFZ Marburg
July 3 – Weert, NL – De Bosuil
July 4 – Diepenbeek, BE – Hookrock Festival
July 5 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg

Summer U.S. Dates
August 1 – Fargo, ND –  Fargo Blues Festival
August 2 – Lake View, IA – Stone Pier Summer Concert Series
August 3 – Hobart, IN – The Hobart Art Theater
August 5 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
August 6 – Homer, NY – Center For The Arts of Homer
August 9 – Salisbury, MA – Blue Ocean Music Hall
August 12 – Waldoboro, ME – Waldo Theatre
August 13 – New York, NY – Sony Hall
August 14 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall
August 16 – Madison IN – Madison Ribberfest

10 of the Best Hidden Track Songs That Were Worth the Wait

Eric Alper
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10 of the Best Hidden Track Songs That Were Worth the Wait

Remember the magic of waiting through 5 minutes of silence on a CD, only to be rewarded with something completely unexpected? Hidden tracks were once the ultimate Easter egg for music fans — the secret handshake between artist and listener. Sometimes they were silly, sometimes they were beautiful, and sometimes they were better than the singles. Here are 10 of the greatest hidden tracks that made us glad we stuck around past the listed runtime.

1. Nirvana – “Endless, Nameless” (Nevermind, 1991)
You’re gently lulled into the closing chords of “Something in the Way,” and then—BAM. Without warning, “Endless, Nameless” explodes like a Molotov cocktail through your speakers. Pure, unfiltered grunge chaos. The kind of song that sounds like it was recorded during a fire drill at a demolition site. For a lot of fans, it was the moment they realized Nirvana wasn’t playing by anyone’s rules.

2. Lauryn Hill – “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” (The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 1998)
It starts as silence, then comes the soft strum of a guitar, and then that voice. Lauryn Hill’s take on this Frankie Valli classic isn’t just a cover—it’s a spiritual experience. Tucked away at the end of one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the ’90s, this track became a fan favorite and a radio hit despite being hidden. Just more proof that you can’t keep greatness in the shadows.

3. Blur – “Me, White Noise” (Think Tank, 2003)
If you waited long enough after “Battery in Your Leg,” you’d find this hypnotic, David Albarn-led rant about London nightlife and existential dread. With producer William Orbit involved, the song sounds like a fever dream in slow motion. It’s gritty, psychedelic, and full of lyrical bite. It’s Blur doing what Blur does best—making you question what reality you’re in.

4. Alanis Morissette – “Your House” (Jagged Little Pill, 1995)
No instruments. Just Alanis, a cappella, breaking into a lover’s house and confessing her heartache like a ghost reading her own diary. It’s haunting, poetic, and somehow more intimate than anything else on the album. Hidden after “You Oughta Know,” this unlisted track was a gut-punch closer to a record that had already bared its soul.

5. Green Day – “All By Myself” (Dookie, 1994)
Completely absurd and totally unforgettable. This hidden gem is sung by drummer Tré Cool, and it’s basically a love song to, well, self-love. It’s crass, it’s hilarious, and it totally worked as a teenage rite of passage. Stuck at the end of a record that helped define punk-pop, this track gave fans something unexpected—comedic catharsis.

6. Beck – “Diamond Bollocks” (Mutations, 1998)
On an album known for its acoustic introspection, Beck throws a curveball with “Diamond Bollocks.” It’s a glam-rock freakout buried after the finale, sounding like Ziggy Stardust on psychedelics and too much espresso. The lyrics are bizarre, the guitar work is manic, and the whole thing feels like a reward for people who like Beck best when he’s being weird.

7. Janet Jackson – “Whoops Now” (janet., 1993)
This sunshine-soaked bop is hidden behind the steamy ballad “Sweet Dreams.” It’s pure joy, with Janet sounding like she’s just stumbled onto a beach party. After an album full of sensual R&B and introspection, “Whoops Now” is a playful wink to the audience. And it wasn’t just a throwaway—it became a hit in parts of Europe.

8. Nine Inch Nails – “Physical (You’re So)” (Broken, 1992)
Right when you think you’ve survived Broken, Trent Reznor slams the door open again. This cover of Adam and the Ants’ track (followed by another: “Suck”) is heavy, feral, and menacing. Technically hidden in a separate track on a separate part of the CD. Of course NIN made you work for it. Welcome to the most aggressive scavenger hunt of your life.

9. Eminem – “Ken Kaniff” (The Slim Shady LP, 1999)
You didn’t ask for it. You probably didn’t want it. But you’ll never forget it. Tucked away after “Still Don’t Give a F***,” this sketch features a prank call gone very, very wrong. It introduced fans to the weird, twisted alter-ego that would show up in future albums. Crude? Yes. Classic Em? Absolutely.

10. The Beatles – “Her Majesty” (Abbey Road, 1969)
The original hidden track. 23 seconds of Paul McCartney strumming and musing about the Queen. Meant to be part of the album’s medley but cut and tacked onto the end, this unlisted coda became a surprise favorite. It’s short, strange, and quintessentially Beatles. It also accidentally started a decades-long tradition of hidden tracks.

These tracks were gifts—sometimes jokes, sometimes masterpieces, always memorable. In the streaming era, hidden songs are all but extinct. But for those of us who waited in the quiet… they were magic.

Reggie Watts Gets Personal (and Weird) in Memoir ‘Great Falls, MT’

Eric Alper
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Reggie Watts Gets Personal (and Weird) in Memoir ‘Great Falls, MT’

Comedian and musician Reggie Watts shares his story of growing up in Montana as a biracial oddball struggling to navigate life, girls, drugs, and his own identity in America’s heartland—and having a blast doing it.

Reggie Watts is weird. But you knew that. Anyone who’s seen his multifaceted, entirely improvised comedy and music shows knows that. Reggie Watts is also from the town of Great Falls, MT.

These two facts are not unrelated.

Watts grew up in Montana in the ‘80s, half French, half American, half white, half Black, speaking a bunch of different languages and slipping between the orchestra geeks and the football jocks until he finally found a squad of fellow misfits with an affinity for trouble. It was a wide-open time and place that invited freedom and exploration—as well as car theft and the not infrequent use of recreational cough syrup. And it helped him become the uniquely strange creative voice he is today.

In Great Falls, MT, Watts takes us through his story, hitting on the culture shock he experienced after moving from Europe to the heart of America, where he was called racial slurs by neighbors but wasn’t Black enough for his father’s extended family. Where he fought with his authoritarian dad, built a new family of antiestablishment, post-punk oddballs—and ultimately knew he had to leave. But after Watts’s career exploded in Seattle and New York, ultimately scoring him a nightly place next to James Corden on The Late Late Show, he found himself drawn back to his hometown after the deaths of his parents. This is his love letter to the town that made him. But like love itself, it’s messy and complicated and dirty and beautiful—and as weird and wonderful as Watts himself.

Sly Stone Breaks His Silence in Memoir ‘Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)’

Eric Alper
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Sly Stone Breaks His Silence in Memoir ‘Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)’

Not many memoirs are generational events. But when Sly Stone, one of the few true musical geniuses of the last century, decides to finally tell his life story, it can’t be called anything else.

As the front man for the sixties pop-rock-funk band Sly and the Family Stone, a songwriter who created some of the most memorable anthems of the 1960s and 1970s (“Everyday People,” “Family Affair”), and a performer who electrified audiences at Woodstock and elsewhere, Sly Stone’s influence on modern music and culture is indisputable. But as much as people know the music, the man remains a mystery. After a rapid rise to superstardom, Sly spent decades in the grips of addiction.

Now he is ready to relate the ups and downs and ins and outs of his amazing life in his memoir, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin). The book moves from Sly’s early career as a radio DJ and record producer through the dizzying heights of the San Francisco music scene in the late 1960s and into the darker, denser life (and music) of 1970s and 1980s Los Angeles. Set on stages and in mansions, in the company of family and of other celebrities, it’s a story about flawed humanity and flawless artistry.

Written with Ben Greenman, who has also worked on memoirs with George Clinton and Brian Wilson, and in collaboration with Arlene Hirschkowitz, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) is a vivid, gripping, sometimes terrifying, and ultimately affirming tour through Sly’s life and career. Like Sly, it’s honest and playful, sharp and blunt, emotional and analytical, always moving and never standing still.

40 Fingers Shred Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” on Acoustic Guitars in the Middle of a Field

Eric Alper
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40 Fingers Shred Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” on Acoustic Guitars in the Middle of a Field

The virtuosic quartet 40 Fingers have dropped a stunning acoustic cover of Deep Purple’s “Highway Star,” filmed in front of a VW bus and motorbikes in a lush open field. Arranged by Andrea Vittori, the video captures the energy of the original while adding a fresh, intricate twist — all without an amp in sight.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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