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[0:05] Samantha Tuozzolo: Hi everybody, welcome to Survival Jobs, a podcast in collaboration with Broadway World and Broadway Podcast Network.

[0:12] Jason A. Coombs: My name is Samantha Tuozzolo, and this is my amazing co-host Jason A. Coombs.

[0:16] Jason A. Coombs: And we're here, and it's August, and this is episode 137 of Survival Jobs.

[0:23] Samantha Tuozzolo: And you know, things are grooving and moving over here. Hey Jason.

[0:28] Jason A. Coombs: Hey Samantha, I think this week is Whitney Houston's birthday this Saturday.

[0:32] Samantha Tuozzolo: You know how much I love Whitney.

[0:34] Jason A. Coombs: I do know.

[0:35] Samantha Tuozzolo: If we cut to our survival jobs season three launch party, I believe you were wearing a Whitney Houston shirt.

[0:41] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, yeah, it was.

[0:42] Samantha Tuozzolo: I was.

[0:42] Jason A. Coombs: You were it.

[0:43] Samantha Tuozzolo: What's your favorite? Give me your favorite Whitney song.

[0:44] Jason A. Coombs: It's hard for me to pick, but I'm not such a Whitney fan like you are. I mean, she's iconic, but I think I love "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." But "I Will Always Love You" is like, I mean, the anthem.

[1:00] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes, okay. So those are my two. If I were to pick, what is yours?

[1:05] Jason A. Coombs: I mean, it's so hard to pick, but I always just say off the top of my head, I love "My Love Is Your Love." But "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" always puts me in a good mood. Oh, but today, Miss Boyce, it's like, "My Love Is Your Love." That one's okay.

[1:20] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thank you. I couldn't place it in my head until I just needed a little bit of the tune.

[1:26] Jason A. Coombs: But anyway, it's summer, it's summertime, it's August. How are you feeling?

[1:30] Samantha Tuozzolo: I just can't believe it's August. Like, the summer has zipped on by us, but I do want to say one of the most iconic parts about the summer for me, and this time of year since I moved to New York, is Shakespeare in the Park.

[1:44] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, right.

[1:45] Samantha Tuozzolo: And "Twelfth Night" is playing right now, and the cast is so iconic that I just want to shout about it.

[1:54] Jason A. Coombs: And if y'all are near Central Park, the tickets are free. Get in line, get a ticket. Listen, my guy Peter Dinklage is in there. You know I love "Game of Thrones."

[1:59] Samantha Tuozzolo: Peter Dinklage is in there.

[2:05] Jason A. Coombs: Okay. Speaking of things I love, Sandra Oh is in the cast as well.

[2:10] Samantha Tuozzolo: Hello to "Grey's Anatomy."

[2:11] Jason A. Coombs: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lupita.

[2:15] Samantha Tuozzolo: So many iconic actors are in this production.

[2:20] Jason A. Coombs: Daphne Rubin-Vega. Like, are you kidding me? This cast.

[2:27] Samantha Tuozzolo: So I have no doubt in my mind that this production is going to be anything but extraordinary.

[2:35] Jason A. Coombs: I remember when I first moved to New York and like the first three years, it was "Into the Woods" in the park.

[2:40] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh, yeah.

[2:41] Jason A. Coombs: And I remember sitting there, and I went with my mom. She was visiting for a weekend, and we went and saw it, and I was like, "Oh my god, I love New York and I love theater."

[2:53] Samantha Tuozzolo: Is that when Amy Adams was in it?

[2:56] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[2:58] Samantha Tuozzolo: Great.

[2:59] Jason A. Coombs: Yes.

[3:00] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes. And I think we need a fact checker. Where's Alan? I think Glenn Close was the voice of the giant.

[3:09] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, but Jesse Mueller, I think, was Cinderella, and Amy Adams was the baker's wife.

[3:17] Samantha Tuozzolo: I think, I think. I can't really remember that time. It was a long time ago.

[3:21] Jason A. Coombs: Maybe 12.

[3:22] Samantha Tuozzolo: That's a long time ago.

[3:24] Jason A. Coombs: Tell us, you just did a movie and then you did a photo shoot, and then there was a screening in New York. What was that? Can you tell it and shout it out so we can all, can we watch this film?

[3:34] Jason A. Coombs: Not yet. But we did a, it's coming to film festivals. They just submitted to a couple. It's a feature film I shot in December 2022, and they've been editing it and working on it, and we did some reshoots, but they had a little friends, family, and supporter screening, and it's my first lead role in a feature film, and I just think, oh no.

[4:11] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah, sorry. I had so much anxiety leading up to it, but I saw it. So we did a cool photo shoot for the poster, which was really fun.

[4:19] Jason A. Coombs: I saw the photos, you guys. He looks amazing.

[4:22] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, my two co-stars, Zach, Shaney, and Kavan, I can't remember K's last name, they're phenomenal actors and they're such beautiful people, and we haven't seen each other since December 2022. And then we got back together again. No, that's not a lie. We did reshoots in March of 2024, but we haven't seen each other in like over a year, and it's like to get back together again. It's just like old times with those guys, so I can't wait. I hope it does well, and we get to do more screenings together because I don't know, they're just such great guys, and we had such a good time and we laugh a lot, and they're brilliant actors. Like both of them really make me look good because they're so fantastic. I think it's a good movie, it's very charming, it's very cute, it's very timely. I hope you will see it.

[5:06] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah, thanks for bringing that up. It feels like so long ago. I meant to ask you about that offline, and then I forgot until we were here, you know, recording episode 137.

[5:16] Jason A. Coombs: Well, what's it called?

[5:18] Jason A. Coombs: Glitter Painted, yeah.

[5:20] Samantha Tuozzolo: Sorry, I forgot to say the title, Glitter Painted.

[5:20] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, that's right.

[5:20] Jason A. Coombs: And you can follow it on Instagram at Glitter Painted. Really quickly, I know there's been some controversy of "Maybe Happy Ending," which is a show that we both love and adore. And we've been huge fans from the very beginning, I feel like, Samantha. We saw it when it was like a little show that could. And we've been uplifting it. We've had a couple of cast members on our podcast, and we're just stands. And I think, you know, there's been a lot of talk about it recently because of the casting decisions that the producers and the team made.

[5:54] Samantha Tuozzolo: And I know that a lot of people have thoughts, right? And I know a lot of people from the show have thoughts, and a lot of the Asian American community here have a lot of thoughts. You know, there are our friends on Broadway who work in the industry have thoughts on it. And I just feel like there's a question that we sometimes ask our guests, which is how can we make this industry more inclusive and more diverse and more equitable for all? And I feel like we have to keep that at the forefront of everything we do, right? I feel like we have to make sure like we're holding people accountable, these producers accountable and this industry accountable, no matter where we are in the industry, whether we're podcasters, whether we're actors, whether we're writers, whether we're producers, because that's important.

[6:35] Jason A. Coombs: And I think there's such a huge attack on diversity, inclusion, and equity right now that we have to hold people accountable and we have to speak up and speak out when we feel that things are wrong and not right and not doing right by people who deserve access to roles and deserve access to opportunities. So, you know, I'm not a producer, I'm not part of the AAPI community, but I just feel like we have to hold people accountable, and we have to remind them that diversity and inclusion and equity is important, especially for, you know, Asian American actors who don't get the opportunities that other groups do.

[7:11] Samantha Tuozzolo: Well, especially when the whole world is, you know, attacking and putting standards against certain types of people in the arts, we shouldn't be a part of that. We should be different. So diversity, equity, and inclusion is important, and it's not going nowhere. No matter how much this government, these administrators want to put a stop to it, it's not. So we're not going to be able to do that. And I just think it's important to note that, like, you know, everybody has their platforms and their freedom of speech, and they're using it. And shout out to everyone who is, you know, speaking out on the things that they're passionate about and that are important for sure.

[7:48] Jason A. Coombs: And all these things run parallel, whether you're a woman, whether you're Black, whether you're queer, whether you're Asian, like all of our struggles, everyone who's like a quote unquote minority, I hate using that word, right? Our struggles run parallel to each other, and we have to speak up and we have to support each other because we're, as cheesy as it may sound, we're stronger together when we're more unified, when we stand up for women, when we stand up for people of color, like we're all unified and it's better. People who are differently abled, we have to come together and we have to speak up. So I get off my soapbox now.

[8:17] Samantha Tuozzolo: For sure. No, but it's important. So thank you so much for bringing that up and sharing it. Should we talk about our guest today? Should we transition?

[8:24] Jason A. Coombs: Yes, let's transition to our guest.

[8:26] Samantha Tuozzolo: Incredible. So I think we said this on the last episode. It's like the summer for off-Broadway. There are so many amazing shows happening off-Broadway right now and that are getting so much buzz. We'll have a guest on next week from, well, I'll let you go. We'll let you guys wonder who it's gonna be. But this episode, we are featuring Daniel Yearwood, who you guys, he is so sweet, and he has so much experience, and his journey is so special and unique, and he really shares some great stories with us and some great advice.

[9:02] Jason A. Coombs: But currently he's off-Broadway in the show "Rolling Thunder" at New World Stages. We haven't seen this show yet, but we're trying to get there. The show seems so amazing and so uniquely artistic. And they're combining real-life historical footage with choreography from clips and everything we've read and seen. So it seems really amazing. And Daniel was kind enough to come onto the show and chat with us. So we hope you guys enjoy this episode and go see this play at New World Stages.

[9:36] Samantha Tuozzolo: I believe it's only running a few more weeks, so yeah, and Daniel or maybe through September. I'm misspeaking. I think this is going through September 3rd. I think it's going through after Labor Day. I'm so sorry. It is good. More time. You have a solid month to go over to New World Stages. There's, you know, so many restaurants in the park right by New World Stages. So go get a bite to eat, have a margarita, and go see the show.

[10:03] Jason A. Coombs: And grab your notebooks when you listen to this because Daniel was so authentically like just authentic in the way he spoke and the way he shared. And I feel like I learned a lot from just listening to him, and I feel like our listeners can learn a lot as well. He's a kind person, and yeah, listen and take notes and take it in.

[10:16] Samantha Tuozzolo: Take it in, take the vibes in, y'all. Take the vibes in. Enjoy.

[10:27] Jason A. Coombs: Enjoy.

[10:28] Samantha Tuozzolo: All right, Daniel.

[10:30] Daniel Yearwood: Well, welcome to Survival Jobs, a podcast.

[10:32] Jason A. Coombs: Yay!

[10:36] Daniel Yearwood: Yes. How are you feeling?

[10:38] Daniel Yearwood: You're feeling great.

[10:39] Daniel Yearwood: Yes, we are officially open, we are open.

[10:42] Daniel Yearwood: Great. We've had a wonderful array of audiences coming by. This company, it's fantastic. Everyone is phenomenal. It's been an absolute blessing and privilege to join them. This journey's been fun. And you know, can't wait to dive into it a bit more. But thank you so much for having me.

[10:58] Daniel Yearwood: "Rolling Thunder," playing at the New World Stages that just opened up. Was it the 25th?

[11:03] Jason A. Coombs: 24th, yeah, 24th.

[11:05] Daniel Yearwood: This past Thursday. We just opened it.

[11:07] Jason A. Coombs: Yes. Congratulations. It must feel good to open up a new show again.

[11:11] Daniel Yearwood: Absolutely. And you know, being able to build this from scratch. You know, it transferred from Australia, and we can dig into that a little bit later, but really to put it on its feet to watch it come to fruition and to see everyone shining in their light really, really was a beautiful experience. And the love and the support that we got from the audience, it was electric.

[11:32] Jason A. Coombs: I can't praise not just this team, but the audience who came out just showed love enough.

[11:40] Daniel Yearwood: Oh, I mean, the clips look so fun. The show looks so unique and so important. So we can't wait to come see it. And you know, we have so much to talk about about the show, about your amazing career. You just came off of "Old Friends" as well, like booked and blessed over here. Hello.

[11:55] Daniel Yearwood: Very great, very great.

[11:58] Jason A. Coombs: "Old Friends" to Andy.

[11:59] Daniel Yearwood: Yes, yes, you know, making friends where we go, you know what I mean?

[12:03] Jason A. Coombs: That's it. But before we talk about your amazing artistic career, let's bring it back to the roots of this show, survival jobs. Do you have one or multiple survival jobs that you can share with us that you've had along your journey, maybe before you were working as an artist or even during?

[12:19] Daniel Yearwood: Oh, so in college, you know, loans are what they are. But there was this beautiful opportunity. This, I guess you could call it a dinner theater called Quisasana in Maine. Think "Dirty Dancing." Where we would like we would do jobs during the day. My first year there, I was a cabin man. I'd drive around in a golf cart and then help people with their luggage, pick up trash, XYZ. And then I moved up into the dining room. And so we would work during the day and then perform three nights a week. And it was on this beautiful lake in Quisasana, central Maine. The mountains were gorgeous. The views some of the best I've ever experienced as a city boy. I was born and raised in New York City my whole life has been this. So how is the lobster?

[13:18] Daniel Yearwood: Delicious lobster night every Thursday. But don't let that butter get coagulated.

[13:33] Daniel Yearwood: And then through that, I met this amazing gentleman named Larry Ray, who ran a catering company called Top Shelf. And so a lot of us who would work at this resort, you know, as we were trying to make ends meet between gigs, would do catering and see each other on a regular. So I would, you know, whether it be weddings, just regular bar service, just find myself in the all black uniform with the comfortable shoes.

[14:02] Jason A. Coombs: Okay.

[14:03] Samantha Tuozzolo: I'm not familiar.

[14:04] Jason A. Coombs: Pay less, honey.

[14:05] Samantha Tuozzolo: Pay less back and cover.

[14:06] Jason A. Coombs: Pay less logo.

[14:09] Samantha Tuozzolo: Um it was oh wait, yeah.

[14:11] Jason A. Coombs: I missed that.

[14:12] Samantha Tuozzolo: They're out of business, right?

[14:13] Jason A. Coombs: They are.

[14:14] Samantha Tuozzolo: They really are.

[14:15] Jason A. Coombs: The BOGO didn't R I P R I P.

[14:18] Samantha Tuozzolo: It is what it is. But those those are two of the main survival jobs that I kind of worked, and I've been very blessed, you know, over the last, I guess you'd call it seven to eight years. I graduated from Pace Musical Theater Program in 2017.

[14:33] Daniel Yearwood: Oh, wow.

[14:34] Jason A. Coombs: And it's been a pretty steady flow of work and being able to perform and be very grateful for that over the last seven years. You know, COVID was COVID. It was quite a quite a long break for everyone. And you know, would love to touch on that later, just in terms of how we all coped and then how we've all been able to continue to move with purpose beyond this very long standstill where everyone had to just pause. I mean, obviously, essential workers, and very grateful for them, you know, the people who kept the world moving, even as we had to stop. But it was just quite the experience. So I've I've been very, very blessed and very, very grateful for all that's gone on over the last eight years.

[15:24] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that. Thank you for sharing. And now I kind of want a lobster roll.

[15:29] Daniel Yearwood: You gotta, and the the roll has to be toasted with butter, just like a nice soft crunch.

[15:36] Samantha Tuozzolo: Uh thank you. I cannot get behind the male lobster rolls.

[15:40] Daniel Yearwood: It's just I like that one too.

[15:41] Samantha Tuozzolo: Not for me.

[15:42] Daniel Yearwood: Sorry, it's not for me.

[15:44] Samantha Tuozzolo: It's all good.

[15:47] Jason A. Coombs: Okay.

[15:48] Samantha Tuozzolo: I was like one, I think, right?

[15:50] Daniel Yearwood: The Connecticut, yeah.

[15:51] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah, the New England is with the mayo.

[15:53] Daniel Yearwood: I'm not about it.

[15:54] Jason A. Coombs: Do y'all mess with lobster claws, just like the claw itself?

[15:59] Daniel Yearwood: That's the best part.

[16:00] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah, right.

[16:01] Jason A. Coombs: Mediest part.

[16:02] Daniel Yearwood: What do you mean?

[16:03] Jason A. Coombs: Yep.

[16:03] Samantha Tuozzolo: Okay.

[16:04] Daniel Yearwood: Okay.

[16:04] Jason A. Coombs: Like dip it into the butter.

[16:05] Daniel Yearwood: Into the every single time.

[16:07] Samantha Tuozzolo: Daniel, I'm so sorry. I just went on a tangent because I was just like lobster roll summertime.

[16:13] Daniel Yearwood: No, because I love lobster. So now I can talk about lobster for the next 20 minutes.

[16:16] Jason A. Coombs: We can change the name of the show.

[16:18] Daniel Yearwood: Right. I took a tour of lobster rolls fourth of July weekend, I'll tell you, okay. In Norwalk, Connecticut. Best one hands down, not Norms in Norway, Connecticut. If you guys are listening in your New York based, hop the train, hop the Metro North, get off at East Norwalk, and go get that roll. It costs a lot of money, but it's worth every dollar.

[16:36] Samantha Tuozzolo: And a train ticket.

[16:37] Daniel Yearwood: But Daniel.

[16:38] Jason A. Coombs: And a tree ticket.

[16:39] Daniel Yearwood: It's an expensive trip.

[16:41] Jason A. Coombs: It's an investment.

[16:43] Daniel Yearwood: It's an investment, yes.

[16:44] Samantha Tuozzolo: And you said that you graduated from Pace in 2017. You've been working consistently from old friends, sweetie Todd, Hamilton, once on the island. I think I saw you. Were you in Hamilton with Crystal?

[16:55] Daniel Yearwood: I was.

[16:56] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes.

[16:57] Daniel Yearwood: I saw you.

[16:58] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes, she is phenomenal. I love her.

[17:00] Daniel Yearwood: Incredible, incredible woman. I mean, I've never heard Eliza sung her way. There was a power and a groundedness to her that I was truly I adore her.

[17:09] Samantha Tuozzolo: She's everything. Um I'm so upset that I missed her in Marrily because we were running concurrently.

[17:16] Daniel Yearwood: Right.

[17:16] Samantha Tuozzolo: Um, but luckily the film is coming. I cannot wait.

[17:20] Daniel Yearwood: It's okay. That is my favorite Suntime show.

[17:23] Samantha Tuozzolo: It's so good. But Merrilly, there's something about it. This this narrative that moves backwards in time where you start from the end in hindsight being 2020, getting back to the beginning. It's so rich and so beautiful. And um, yeah, I can't wait to witness it. But y'all, we're going off.

[17:46] Jason A. Coombs: We are going off topic so much.

[17:47] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love this episode. We're talking about girls, we're talking merrily. Coach Crystal, shout out. We love you, girl. Um, but season two here, check it out. Okay, bye. I'm going up mute. But tell us, tell us what drew you. Like, did you always like knew you had like a gift, like a gift of song, a gift of performing? Was that something that was like developed when you were a little bit older?

[18:09] Daniel Yearwood: My my mother, so I I grew up uh going to church at Brooklyn Tabernacle. Um, I was you know, raised in in a church, and my mom sang in the choir since before I was born. So I think you know, part of this musicality, even from the womb, there's just an element of musicality that's kind of lived in my my being, and um I loved my my first love was drumming. I was a drummer, uh still play.

[18:34] Jason A. Coombs: Oh wow.

[18:34] Daniel Yearwood: Um, but I was drumming since the age of two, you know. I would be at the Harlem School of the Arts on 145th in St. Nick, and that was kind of where I thought I was going to end up. You know, I come from a family of doctors and lawyers, and everyone was very much like, all right, he's an artiste. Yes, how's that gonna go? Um, but uh I uh did my first musical ever was Thoroughly Modern Millie. Uh I saw my best friends, they are the hosts, um, but I I saw my best friend in Guys and Dolls, and I was like, he played Sky Masterson, and I was like, Oh, dude, this seems like so much fun. I I would love to give it a shot. I didn't know what an audition book was. Um, I think I sang the Star Spangled Banner as my audition song.

You know, it's like low, it ends up high, whatever. Right, you're right. Um, I was double cast as Trevor Graydon. Um, you know, in high school, we had A and B casts. Um then I fell in love with, you know, speed test, um, both as a Graden and as a dancer or trying to become one. I didn't have a lot of formal training. And so I just saw it as drumming with my feet. Oh yeah. And it it really opened a door to curiosity and to wanting to experience a little bit more of what this craft was, and um bless bless her soul. Um, Colleen Hawkes Pierce. She is a Broadway veteran herself. And in her spare time, she was our director choreographer. And she recommended me to this amazing program called uh Rutgers Summer Acting Conservatory, RSAC for short.

Uh, it's in Rutgers, New Brunswick. And there, under the direction of Marshall Jones the third, he is still with that program. Uh, it was a five and a half to six-week intensive where we studied and learned about the the craft of acting, and then I was on the musical theater track, so we still had voice lessons, we still had dance, but it was in the room, you know, learning about Meisner, Stanislavski, where I was like, Oh, okay. My brain is very much about like solving the equation, trying to get to an answer. And it was there when I really began to understand that it's about the exploration and understanding that you're not supposed to know the answer. You live in the moment, receive what is in front of you right then and there in the here and now.

And where you end up, you won't, you won't know. Yes, on a script, like there's a journey that's mapped out for you. But how you get there, it's not it's not meant to be meticulously calculated. Right. You know, story beats fitting figuring out character. We can talk about that another time. But that that was where I really started to open my mind and heart up to okay, maybe I I can do this. You know, I I know how to sing okay. I don't think I have the best voice. Um, but I I do know that there's a musical. I really appreciate it. But I I have I know I have a musicality in me that can never be stripped away. It's something that is in my my soul, my being, and you know, I thank God, but I also I thank my mom and my dad for real for real on the encouragement that they gave throughout my upbringing.

That yes, they wanted me to excel in school, they wanted me to get good grades, but they never stripped away at the love of music, at the love of the arts, and I'm forever indebted and forever grateful to them for that.

[22:35] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that. Thank you for sharing that.

[22:36] Daniel Yearwood: Yeah, thank you.

[22:37] Samantha Tuozzolo: That was really beautiful. And you know, we have so many listeners who have these dreams, and it's so important to go back to the roots, yeah, and how we got here and what brought us and what what what brought our artistry out of us? So thank you so much. So let's talk about Rolling Thunder.

[22:53] Daniel Yearwood: Absolutely. Um, we touched a little bit about it, but this the show brings together's songs of the 60s and 70s and tells stories of Vietnam vets through letters and also documentary and real footage pulled, which is giving you a true artistic experience. And I've heard you mention in other interviews that you had some family members that were war vets.

[23:16] Daniel Yearwood: Yes.

[23:17] Samantha Tuozzolo: So how has that inspired your experience and your performance with this production? And did it influence you to want to be a part of it?

[23:27] Daniel Yearwood: 100%. Thank you for asking. I mean, it just a beautiful thing to have the awareness of history to understand where we've come from as a people. There's no need to omit or try to. Yeah. I like to believe that love and empathy is something everyone is capable of. Right. And I know the struggles, the things that my family had faced. Um, this is not my first time doing a show regarding war. And when I say, you know, these these letters that I've read personally from my own family, but also these accounts that we get to experience in the show, it's a reminder of the humanity in everyone and the things that everyone was was going through at the time, whether they were fighting abroad or if they were home missing their loved ones.

And you know, it's a different conversation when we talk about the causes and the rights of the wrongs, but at the end of the day, there is this thread that inextricably ties each of us to one another in terms of what it is to understand the human experience. What it is to love, what it is to lose grief, pain, joy, fear. And this show, I think, taps into each one of those in a multitude of ways. It sores, it is beautiful. I think the the dialogue is more introjectory because it really is almost like a let's live it up. Let's party like it's 19. Let me not let me not go there. But it's like rock, like rock and like relish in this incredible music, this incredible art that was born out of this time period where there was so much fear, anger, sadness, and in a hindsight being 2020 way, you know, how can we bring a level of joy and upliftedness to some of this material?

You know, especially the context of some of the songs. Um, I mean, and I I have to pay so much respect to our creative team, you know, creating this in the room. It felt heavy at times, and then we got on stage and you see it with all of these elements, and you realize, oh, there's so much light and love to this piece. It's vibrant, it's wonderful. You will want to jump out of your seat, and and where we uh we get to run out into the audience and and sing a song called Get Together, and it's beautiful. Like we're handing out flowers, being able to make it together, that one. Uh uh, come on, people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try and love one another right now. Um, but that that song is like so much.

No, but we we hand out flowers to the audience and we get to look people in the eye and be feet away and just engage in a way that it it's about it's about love, it's about love, and however that manifests.

[26:57] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thank you for sharing that. And I think it's just a show that seems like it's so important because I know it's set in a time that seems so long ago, but it's so relevant still to today, which I think is the power of theater, right? The power of good art is that things can be universal, and those messages are so resonating with us today still. So thank you. Thank you for sharing that.

[27:19] Daniel Yearwood: Still alive from this period where we've had people come into the theater front row in their 80s, 90s, and I'm like, wow, or 60s, the children of those who fought. It really is just like it's not that long ago. It's really not.

[27:39] Samantha Tuozzolo: Can you talk a little bit about the audition process? Like, how did this show come to you? And did you know much about it before you auditioned?

[27:48] Daniel Yearwood: Um, no, I got an email from my reps about this really amazing rock experience. Um, and I've done work like this with a gentleman named John Monsky, uh, American History Unbound. Uh, I'd like to call it a TED Talk with Music, where he is a major historian, collects so many things. Um, but because I had a little bit of experience in that area, I was like, okay, I would like to see what this is and the role of Andy. Um, I think that there is a really beautiful essence to his character of there's an empathy for the people that he's being told are the enemy. There's an understanding of maybe not in the moment, because reflectively, you know, in the past we can go, well, certain things were told that weren't true.

It's hard to see when you're in the moment being told what to do. And to have that awareness and to experience something and say, okay, no, there are certain genuinely innocent people. Um, his character befriends a family just north of Saigon, and not a major plot point, you won't see a lot of it in the show, but there are these young boys who want to play tag, hide and seek, just play catch. In the midst of all the chaos that's going on around, there's this love for people that Andy kind of really revels in and grapples with this treatment of other people, quote unquote, othered. And the dichotomy of that, where you look back in America at a time where the civil rights act has just been passed, and we're still othered.

And that parallel manifests itself in a really beautiful way, I think in hope, um, in an Act Two number called People Get Ready. And it is a true. I hope it comes off as a hopeful and joyous rendition that encourages people to keep fighting and to know that the train hasn't left the station and won't leave the station until we've gotten everybody we can on board. This is not about exclusion, this is about everyone. Let's come together and try to live better for each other.

[30:37] Daniel Yearwood: But yeah, the show, I've never done rock before, I'll tell you that much. And I've got so much respect. I'm learning so much from my fellow castmates. Uh, Justin Sargent is one of the most incredible rock tenors I have ever heard. Um, Drew Becker is phenomenal. Deontay Goodman, that's my boy. Uh, we are Hamilton alum. We did the show together back in 2019, 2020, and he has a song in act two backstage. If we could, there would be shoes thrown on stage from the wings. I'm telling you, bring the house down. Um, and then Cassidy Pope is phenomenal. Uh, her rendition of Killing Me Softly along with Courtney Carter, dulcet tones that will literally have you melting. Your heart, they take such good care of it.

And being in this room witnessing the work ethic of these fellow artists, I need to mention one more person. My apologies. My boy Drew Becker, I don't want to give any plot points away, but he closes out our show with a song that moves us to tears on the daily. Wow. And he sounds incredible, but just as a person and the way he portrays Johnny, it really gets you. It gets you.

[31:59] Samantha Tuozzolo: Do you have access to our questions? Because my next question to you was to tell our listeners why they need to come see the show. And I think you just did.

[32:08] Daniel Yearwood: Oh no, I gave such specific examples of all of the things, all of the reasons why this show is so special. Um, so thank you. And if there's anything else you want to add, you know, Jason and I haven't seen this show yet. And personally, I'm very intrigued by these real news clips being incorporated into this story, almost choreographed in from what I've read and heard about. So for me, I can't wait to come just to see what that's like, because that's so special. And these actual clips, it's giving like SUFs did a little bit of that, but not, I don't think to the extent. So tell us on top of everything else amazing you just said, tell us why everyone needs to come see Rolling Thunder, only playing at New World Stages until September 7th.

[32:53] Daniel Yearwood: So that seems like a lot of time, people, but that is gonna fly by. Um, I will say, you know, in an age where multimedia, social media as a whole kind of consume our time, consume energy, it's used in such a way here that it's not overbearing. It really informs each and every moment. And while you're listening to these amazing songs, these anthems of the time, there's a little bit of a context that exists. And I personally, you know, in the moments where I sat back during tech, it's riveting. It truly is riveting. And it'll have you not just jamming in your seat, but it's easy to let certain information fly by. And there's a part of me, at least as a performer, that while we're expressing these truths or these experiences to the audience, that they walk away having learned something that they might not have known.

That there's an educational aspect to this of yes, entertainment 100%. Right. But you leave understanding and knowing something a little bit more about a time or a place that you may not have before. And hopefully your curiosity is piqued enough. Please, please come see us. It is such a good show. It is a feel-good show. The music, like I said, it's amazing. But I believe your heart will be moved and will be touched by the stories that are being shared. Um, especially because, you know, as we all can attest and can recognize, hopefully, is that right now we're going through some wild stuff. And you know, history is doomed to repeat itself until we learn our lesson. And so please come see the show.

Come learn something new, be open to receiving a perspective that might just touch your heart in a way that empathy causes you to walk out the door and realize how much love is important. Yes, love the ones in your life that you already love, but know that whatever strangers you meet on the street, you never know what they're going through. You never know what their history has been. You don't know. And so because you don't know, lead with love. And I hope that you see that not just on stage, but as you leave, is something that stirs in your spirit, your soul.

[35:32] Samantha Tuozzolo: Preach. If that didn't sell you, people, I don't know what will.

[35:37] Daniel Yearwood: If that didn't sell you, I don't know what will. Amazing. Thank you so much for that. Such detail. I can like see you're giving these descriptions of these actors singing, and I'm like feeling like I'm in the theater.

[35:51] Daniel Yearwood: It's truly it's one of the most fun experiences I've ever had. Um, being on stage with these folks, and it's also really interesting, you know, singing with a live band. Everything's live, uh, nothing's pre-recorded. You're hearing everything raw, real in the moment. And you know, there's elements that are like time coded. And so some of it is a little bit like okay, they're gonna be on our marks, but for the most part, it's free, and no performance is the exact same as it should be, you know, across all theatrical experiences, you hope it to be. But this one in particular, you know. Um, fun fact, you know, this is just like a thing that happened, it won't happen every night. But like one of our guitarists, one of their wireless mics kind of was malfunctioning.

We have two guitarists, and so they usually trade eights. Oh, the guitars came in shredded for a whole 32 counts. I was like, come on, step up. It was great, it was great. Like, we have an answer and a solution for everything. But all that to say, anything can and will happen, and what does happen? It's magical every time. We love live theater. Come on.

[37:17] Samantha Tuozzolo: Daniel, I got so much goal chills. Y'all look y'all keep using to our podcast, but go open another tab, get your tickets to Rolling Thunder right now because you do not want to miss this show. It sounds incredibly special, incredibly relevant and important. So thank you. Thank you, Daniel, for sharing that.

[37:34] Daniel Yearwood: Of course, of course. Um, let's talk a little bit more about your previous productions. You've done so much in the past decade, um, working on Broadway and Off-Broadway. What has been your favorite artistic experience so far besides this show and why?

[37:50] Daniel Yearwood: You know, it's akin to this show because of the intimacy of some of the moments. I would have to say, uh, my Broadway debut was something that was very special to me. And I don't take for granted, uh, Hamilton Sweeney, you know, I don't list the whole resume, but Once on This Island is the show I did my freshman year in college, and I remember I saw it. Ooh, I'm gonna get emotional. I saw it with my mentor in the sixth row. He directed it my freshman year. We watched it in the sixth row, um, in December of 2017, right behind um Alex Newell's station as a soccer. And they get to why we tell the story, and both of us were in tears and bawling. Um, and after the show, you know, they left. And I stuck around.

I wanted to get a playbill signed. And Rodrick Covington, who played Men One, he's in a Knicks jersey, came out of the stage door, saw my playbill. He was like, yo, were you that dude who was like dancing in his seat and like living his best life? And last I was like, yes, yes. He was like, yo, you better audition for this show. You know, we're gonna be having auditions soon. You better come through. And I had my audition for it in either March or April of 2018. And I remember being in the show for finals. Um, I felt so out of place because it was for uh ensemble Daniel cover. I had seen the show, and I walked into my audition, I had a white like short sleeve button-up linen with like a teal tank top, and I wore beige cargo pants or cargo shorts, and everyone else was like in full suits like put together, and I was like, this is either the worst decision I've ever made, or it'll pay off.

Who's to say I was so nervous, I walked in. Um, some girls was the audition cut. I started from the wrong verse, made it work. Um, but I knew what this show meant to me, and I had gotten the call um in early May, or late April, early May, and it was an immediate replacement.

[40:31] Daniel Yearwood: So my Broadway debut was June 10th, 2018. And to have been in a row witnessing this, than to be in the sand with these legends. I will never stop singing enough of Kanita Miller's praises as Mama Yuli. Um, there was a closeness and proximity to each and every audience member. And I think this is something that Michael Arden does very well. Um, I saw Def West, sorry to tangent, but Def West Spring Awakening was one of the most incredible pieces of theater that I've witnessed in terms of what it is to bring a community together, to draw people into a story and say, come on this journey with us. And that is what Once on This Island was, where it really was about coming on this journey, and I have nothing but praises for each and every member of that company, the original cast, but also the people who ran through that production, you know, to the end.

Courtney Carter being one of them. Um, Courtney and I are both doing Rolling Thunder, but we uh both made our uh debuts in the same like week, week and a half, and watching her do T-Moon was unreal. You know, um she is she is an incredible talent. I will sing her praises always, but that show, especially for what it was and the time that it was to be black and proud on Broadway telling a story about colors of love, about grief, pain, all so many different aspects of the human emotion, human condition. And in a way that brings it back to like it's beautiful when we're able to pass on history, pass on stories to the next generation. And the fact that the show begins and ends with a little girl who we are all as a village telling the story to.

She had infused with this show that I had never experienced as a mover dancer, but also witnessed. She's phenomenal. I I we can talk about the politics of Tony's a different time. She should have won. Yeah, whatever. Um it really was one of the most unique and amazing experiences I've ever had. And um, wow, you know, being able to rejoin Leia. So Leia and I had only spent about three weeks together on Wolf and this island, but we got to do the entirety of old friends together, and to see where she has been since then. I mean, her resume speaks for itself, her career legend, a true language. But it was also cool to get to like know this legend as a friend and someone who's very down to earth.

Like, yeah, that's typically how it goes, man. We're both diehard Knicks fans, and like playoffs were wonderful. Um, that's what we lost. But really cool to you know see how she and her family are doing, you know. I don't want to put all of her tea out there in terms of stuff that's going on, but like I'm really proud to have met her kid, yeah, and like to see that they are this next generation, and to be reminded of like where we were eight years ago, right? Encouraging this next generation to story plan, it's just it's really really beautiful. But that that show, yeah, that was such a beautiful story, and you know, it's just goes to show you to be an artist is to be on the journey and to grow with people alongside you, and so it's just so beautiful.

Thank you so much for you're an um obviously an amazing storyteller. Hello, that's your whole career storytelling. Um, but thank you so much. And uh we just wanted to ask you, you know, we have a lot of young listeners, like I said earlier, a lot of dreamers with huge artistic dreams. What advice do you have for someone who might be feeling stuck in a survival job, feeling like their big breaks never coming, feel like feeling like they're hitting the pavement every single day and not getting anywhere. But they want this so badly. What is your advice to that?

[46:13] Daniel Yearwood: I'd say two things. I'm there are so many things, but two primary things is never give up on yourself. Period. Um, no one is you, no one can do what you do the way you do it. No one can steal your light, dim your light. Like your light is your light. No one can replicate that. Continue to strive for being your most authentic self. And the thing that is right for you will not miss you. The thing that is meant for you will not miss you. Um the second is just having a circle. Having a circle of people that you trust, people who you know are gonna speak your name into rooms that you haven't even walked into, people who will advocate for you and know that you'll do the same for them. You know, having a community, I think is integral to surviving um in this industry of people who really know you for you and know how to handle you, who know that you're gonna have their back.

Just that that's I think a pretty big deal that it's easy to take for granted, especially because in this industry we're all colleagues, not everyone's a friend. Wow, and yeah, you gotta know like if you walk in your light, your truth, your purpose, there will be people who see that and are drawn to that, and that moment is coming. And I I wish you the absolute best, cheering and rooting for you, even if I don't know who you are, always wanting to champion those who do this beautiful thing that we love this storytelling, yeah, being able to embrace and share experiences in art. Like boom. I send you all the best and wishing you all the love.

[48:20] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thank you. Thank you for sharing that. Excellent advice. Excellent advice to our survivors who are tuning in. Hope you have your notebook, Shaw. Take some notes. I mean, because we even get into it. I mean, like it the advice that was given to me, I remember was this business is it's 30% hard work, 10% natural talent, and like the rest of that 60, it's luck. And I hate to be, you know, this person that's like bringing it to that kind of world, but like I remember hearing those stats and going, Well, what's the point? I'm kidding, but it really is just like this thing of right place, right time. Yes, it plays a place. Um, but persistence, persistence, and dedication to when I say self, not to to service ego, but to service the craft, you know.

Um, on times where I wasn't working or or doing an active, you know, role pandemic. A few of my friends and I we did play readings over Zoom, you know, we would circulate through different shows, everyone would do a different role. Um principal ensemble didn't matter, just continuing to play and know that the sandbox isn't confined to the four walls of a theater. That Shakespeare said at best, all the world's a stage. Like you we can play wherever. Improv, you know, on your catering gig, improv at whatever survival job you have, or like the chops if you're it's a muscle, it's a muscle, and you keep up with it, like and it will pan out. And so much love to all of you. I was literally just talking to about that with one of my friends because she's like, she like you know, she's a singer and musician, and she's like, Oh, and I want to get back into it, but I'm just feeling rusty, and I'm like, Well, girl, you're gonna feel rusty because you haven't been doing it, but like it's a muscle.

So the more you do it, the more you get out there, you're gonna start fine-tuning it, you're gonna start building on your craft again, and it's gonna be like nothing has changed. But of course, right now you're gonna feel a little rusty. Don't beat yourself up. It takes a second for the WD40 to actually, you know, do its magic, you know, like you gotta, but it's real, you know, and it is real just because it feels like that manifestation that that thing happening feels far away. I do believe that manifestation is a real thing, you know. What we speak becomes reality, you know. You know, my mom used to always tell me, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life. And the more that we you know live in a negative, you know, self-deprecating space, the harder it is to lift out of that space.

Right. And you know, to your friend and to anyone else who's listening, like, yeah, fail forward. Leslie Odom's I I love his book. Right, failing up, where don't be afraid to fall and fail forward because eventually the steps will add up, and it might feel like a walk or a crawl or a stumble at first, but in time, you know, you get to a sprint. And hit that stride, like, yeah, you could look back in terms of gratitude and reflect, but don't look back in a in a place of fear because I experienced this. If I experience this, then what might be coming ahead? What what is there to fear in advance? Um courage and and love leave with those and things will work out. Boom.

[52:11] Samantha Tuozzolo: Love that. Thank you. Thank you so much for sharing that. I can't believe we're on our last question. And I'm not sure if Bailey told you, but we always end the show with a really fun game.

[52:22] Daniel Yearwood: Come on to bring it back to uh to lightness and and oh little early.

[52:29] Samantha Tuozzolo: I don't, you know, and when I do the peace sign and the balloons, sometimes it's funny.

[52:35] Daniel Yearwood: That's so cool.

[52:37] Samantha Tuozzolo: Uh so those us listening, gotta watch it. You gotta watch on Broadway World uh to see our video of Samantha getting confetti and balloons all over her box.

[52:48] Samantha Tuozzolo: But Daniel, before we play a really fun game, is aside from Rolling Thunder, right? Which I'm sure is taking up so much space in your world in your life right now. Is there another piece of maybe New York City theater that you're excited about for the end of summer or fall? Or is there like another art that's like feeding your soul right now? Book, a movie, a podcast.

[53:08] Daniel Yearwood: Uh yeah, yeah. Um, you have a week to go see this. Out of the box theatrics is doing this show called Bo by Douglas Lyons and Ethan Patar. We love Douglas Lyons. It is a beautiful, it's it's an intimate space, wonderful, incredible one act musical. I've seen it once already. I unfortunately can't see it this week, but if they extend again, I will be making my way down to go see them. Um that show has so much heart, so much soul, and it's very touching. And the music Douglas can write a score. Let me tell you, whether it's chicken in biscuits, which is a play with music, whether it is Bo, uh, and a couple of other things that are hopefully continuing to be in the works because watching him do what he does, inspiring everything.

[54:01] Daniel Yearwood: Um, but that on the theatrical side. Um, I'm a huge comic book Marvel head. I've already seen Fantastic Four once. I will be. Oh, I saw it on Sunday. I will be seeing it again. Um, but as far as Marvel is concerned, I'm very excited for this new Ryan Kugler Wakanda series. This anime that's coming. Um, you know, coming off of Sinners, if you haven't seen it. Best movie of the year so far. Come on. I haven't left a theater feeling the way I did after seeing Sinners since Get Out. Right, right. Like the way I was like, whoa.

[54:43] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[54:44] Daniel Yearwood: That was heavy, boot. Noted. Sinners does that very well. And there are two. You know what's Cena's talking about. The scene. I cried. I cried. Both that one and the very ending of the film. You know, yeah. Like on the drive. I was just like, ooh, yeah. We're spoiler-free here, I'm presuming.

[55:06] Samantha Tuozzolo: I have no idea what you're talking about.

[55:08] Daniel Yearwood: You haven't seen it yet?

[55:09] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, so many though. Phenomenal. Um, I'm curious to see how I haven't seen it on Max yet, so I don't know how they formatted it for like the home screen. However, I'm hoping some of the aspect ratios stay because I do think there's a really beautiful aspect to storytelling, the way you frame it shot.

[55:33] Daniel Yearwood: And um, I don't even see it. I'm like, yeah.

[55:35] Jason A. Coombs: No, but it's so good.

[55:39] Samantha Tuozzolo: Sam, let's go.

[55:41] Daniel Yearwood: Let's go.

[55:42] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, because it's like it's the best movie this year. I don't know you're not a big horror fan. Don't worry about that part. It's not that scary.

[55:49] Daniel Yearwood: Thank you.

[55:50] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you. Well, we gotta take your rex for sure.

[55:55] Samantha Tuozzolo: Wait, did you like Twilight?

[55:57] Daniel Yearwood: Yeah.

[55:58] Samantha Tuozzolo: You can handle, you know, vampires and all right, cool.

[56:02] Daniel Yearwood: Like, I don't even I don't want to like admit that I love Twilight, but it's like a guilty pleasure.

[56:06] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, that first one. I love it.

[56:08] Daniel Yearwood: The baseball scene.

[56:16] Jason A. Coombs: We stand, right?

[56:21] Daniel Yearwood: Mr. Terrific and Superman. I just watched it again last night, second time.

[56:27] Jason A. Coombs: Superman. Come on.

[56:28] Daniel Yearwood: So good. I'm crying every time I cannot keep up with all of you guys.

[56:33] Samantha Tuozzolo: You had a busy, a busy summer.

[56:34] Daniel Yearwood: You know, life, life is life good. I've been chilling. I've been chilling. My wind as my like my drugs going to the movies.

[56:42] Jason A. Coombs: I got the AMC A-list.

[56:43] Daniel Yearwood: I see entourage.

[56:46] Jason A. Coombs: Come on.

[56:48] Samantha Tuozzolo: Then we know.

[56:53] Jason A. Coombs: Daniel, this has been an amazing episode. You are fabulous. We can't wait to see Rolling Thunder. Thank you for all of your wisdom and all of your beautiful storytelling today. This was a gift. We're so glad that we had you on.

[57:07] Samantha Tuozzolo: Um, but like Jason said, we love to end every episode with a super quick fun game. And I'll let Jason take it away.

[57:15] Jason A. Coombs: This is Daniel's Desert Island mixtape. So let's pretend just use our imaginations, Mr. Storyteller. You're straight down the deserted island, but you've got a solar-powered record player and room for 10 songs on your mixtape. 10 songs. Each one has to fit a category, though.

[57:35] Daniel Yearwood: Okay.

[57:36] Jason A. Coombs: We're gonna give you a category. You're gonna tell us what song you put on your mixtape. Her. Let's build your soundtrack to survival, baby.

[57:44] Daniel Yearwood: Okay, here we go. Are you ready?

[57:46] Jason A. Coombs: I'm ready as a Lemon B. Your first song is a Broadway song that you would never skip. Would Showtune gives you the goosebumps? Would Showtune makes you feel safe and at home? What's that Broadway? What's that Broadway song on the mixtape?

[58:01] Daniel Yearwood: That's so uh finale from In the Heights.

[58:05] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh yes.

[58:08] Daniel Yearwood: I didn't mean to just scream it. Yes, exactly. I'm home, you know what I mean?

[58:12] Samantha Tuozzolo: Okay.

[58:13] Daniel Yearwood: And like born in New York City, like it, yeah, it hits. It hits it. It just hits, right? Love it. Um, a protest or freedom song that really inspires you. A song that inspires change or strength or unity.

[58:25] Daniel Yearwood: I mean, not to be on the nose because it's with Rolling Thunder, but like really the people get ready is incredible. But also war, war.

[58:36] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[58:36] Daniel Yearwood: We can do two.

[58:38] Jason A. Coombs: Uh, you're cool, cool, cool, cool, cool.

[58:42] Daniel Yearwood: Okay. Number three, the next song. A love song you'd cry to under the moonlight.

[58:55] Daniel Yearwood: A song for you, Donnie Hathaway.

[58:57] Samantha Tuozzolo: Boom.

[58:59] Daniel Yearwood: Yes, his version is so good. Also, I must say Christina Aguilera has a really good version too with Herbie Hancock.

[59:06] Samantha Tuozzolo: Okay, that's a great combo. I need to listen to this.

[59:08] Daniel Yearwood: It is, but all yeah, anyway, sorry. It's your moment.

[59:13] Samantha Tuozzolo: I'd love a wreck, okay.

[59:15] Daniel Yearwood: Love a record. Come on. Uh, a breakup song or heartbreak anthem you'd add to your mixtape.

[59:27] Daniel Yearwood: Heart attack, Demi Lovato.

[59:29] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh good one.

[59:32] Daniel Yearwood: That's a good one. A song or a dough. Never mind. I should call Adele.

[59:36] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, Adele.

[59:37] Daniel Yearwood: Which I which a double. Uh, uh.

[59:43] Daniel Yearwood: Oh my god, I'm blanking on the this was the friend.

[59:49] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, um, the one written by Bruno Mars.

[59:51] Daniel Yearwood: Yep.

[59:52] Daniel Yearwood: Uh thank you for the refuge.

[59:56] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you for the ref.

[59:58] Daniel Yearwood: Oh my god, why can't I remember the name of the song?

[1:00:01] Jason A. Coombs: I can't either.

[1:00:02] Daniel Yearwood: I can't either, and I hear it.

[1:00:03] Jason A. Coombs: Is it all right?

[1:00:04] Daniel Yearwood: All I ask.

[1:00:05] Jason A. Coombs: All I ask.

[1:00:06] Daniel Yearwood: Thank you.

[1:00:07] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, yes.

[1:00:09] Daniel Yearwood: Oh my sorry for the listeners out there.

[1:00:13] Jason A. Coombs: You're good.

[1:00:14] Daniel Yearwood: You're good.

[1:00:15] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, the next one is a song that always gets you dancing.

[1:00:19] Daniel Yearwood: I want to dance with somebody.

[1:00:20] Jason A. Coombs: Whitney Houston.

[1:00:21] Daniel Yearwood: Done.

[1:00:23] Jason A. Coombs: Done. Download this playlist right now. You got Whitney and come through.

[1:00:28] Daniel Yearwood: Um, a rock anthem from the 60s or 70s. Because you know you are in a rock.

[1:00:31] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, yeah.

[1:00:36] Daniel Yearwood: Give me shelter was something I actually didn't know, but I would add it.

[1:00:36] Daniel Yearwood: I would add it. That outro slaps.

[1:00:46] Jason A. Coombs: Um, next is a song that reminds you of your childhood.

[1:00:50] Daniel Yearwood: Oh back to little Daniel.

[1:00:57] Daniel Yearwood: I'm torn. Either if it's magic or Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder.

[1:01:05] Daniel Yearwood: A song in the key of life was played all of the time. It was maybe the most played album in my life. It might be the best album of all time in the scene.

[1:01:15] Jason A. Coombs: I don't think there are any skips.

[1:01:16] Daniel Yearwood: That's like definitely uh, especially A Side. A side is a no-skip album in and of itself.

[1:01:21] Jason A. Coombs: Right, right. Definitely, definitely top five.

[1:01:25] Jason A. Coombs: Uh okay, your guilty pleasure song. What's a song that you don't usually admit to loving, but you're gonna admit to us right now.

[1:01:38] Daniel Yearwood: I I can't you're proud, you know you know you don't maybe don't have a guilty pleasure, maybe just proud of all your music.

[1:01:44] Daniel Yearwood: I really like very selective.

[1:01:47] Daniel Yearwood: Um yeah, no skip. You were allowed to just because I listen to the same like 20 to 30 albums pretty regularly.

[1:02:03] Daniel Yearwood: I love consistency. It's a lot to like pull me into a different world and go, you know what? Yes.

[1:02:09] Jason A. Coombs: Listen, you're allowed to you're allowed to skip.

[1:02:12] Samantha Tuozzolo: When's your birthday?

[1:02:13] Daniel Yearwood: Uh June 2nd.

[1:02:14] Jason A. Coombs: It's my charts crazy on me. If I got Gemini Leo Scorpio.

[1:02:25] Daniel Yearwood: Oh wow.

[1:02:26] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, Scorpio.

[1:02:28] Daniel Yearwood: That's a direct reaction.

[1:02:29] Jason A. Coombs: That's the crazy.

[1:02:31] Daniel Yearwood: Um judgment free zone. You know, if I had to choose just because I'm team Kendrick all the way, my guilty pleasure would be any and all Drake songs.

[1:02:41] Jason A. Coombs: Um what's the hotline bling?

[1:02:46] Daniel Yearwood: No, that's a good one.

[1:02:48] Jason A. Coombs: Come on, I know we all hate him now, but he does have some bugs, though.

[1:02:53] Daniel Yearwood: I love passion fruit. That's the one I I love so much.

[1:02:58] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, next is what is the theme song to your life?

[1:03:03] Daniel Yearwood: Uh, like what's your unofficial biopic theme song?

[1:03:08] Daniel Yearwood: There's a these are great questions.

[1:03:19] Jason A. Coombs: I know tough top.

[1:03:20] Daniel Yearwood: He's really tough.

[1:03:32] Daniel Yearwood: Thank you, Lord, by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

[1:03:37] Samantha Tuozzolo: Love that.

[1:03:38] Daniel Yearwood: Love that.

[1:03:39] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[1:03:40] Daniel Yearwood: I uh it's where I grew up. I've listened to that song a million and one times, and the lyrics. I won't go too deep into it now. Feel free to listen, it's streaming, but there's nothing but gratitude and thankfulness for the things that have come my way and the way in which life has transpired. I got nothing but but thanks to give.

[1:04:00] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that.

[1:04:02] Jason A. Coombs: And last but not least.

[1:04:04] Daniel Yearwood: Yeah.

[1:04:05] Jason A. Coombs: The song that plays as your rescue boat arrives, take you off with Daniel's Island. What is your finally going home song? What's your victory?

[1:04:17] Daniel Yearwood: All right, but Kendrick Lamar.

[1:04:19] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, okay, we got some Kendrick here.

[1:04:23] Daniel Yearwood: I had to find a way. I was like, mmm.

[1:04:26] Daniel Yearwood: Yeah, uh either alright or I would throw up there.

[1:04:32] Daniel Yearwood: Uh it's not really a rescue song, but I think I would have reached a level of delirium that I might have gone on the journey that he must have gone through and reincarnated off GNX.

[1:04:46] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, yes.

[1:04:48] Daniel Yearwood: Because that woo speaking that.

[1:04:52] Jason A. Coombs: That was fun.

[1:04:53] Daniel Yearwood: That's the first time we've done that, and that was pretty fun. Great job.

[1:04:56] Jason A. Coombs: We'll have to put your mixtape together for you and we'll send it on over.

[1:05:01] Daniel Yearwood: Thank you all for having me. This is an amazing thank you so much.

[1:05:04] Samantha Tuozzolo: Before we let you go, please let our listeners know how they can keep up with you on social media, where to follow you, and keep up with all the amazing things coming your way.

[1:05:13] Daniel Yearwood: Hey, listeners and viewers. Uh my name is Daniel Yearwood. Uh, you can find me and follow at Daniel.j.yearwood on Instagram. Uh not a huge TikToker. Uh maybe someone can show me the ropes. But uh learning, I'm learning.

[1:05:29] Daniel Yearwood: Yeah, but primarily on Instagram. Um, I will share and repost. I oh I'm a proponent of championing other artists who are trying to make waves.

[1:05:40] Daniel Yearwood: So anything you want to be shown to the world, uh, feel free. Send my way, tag me and stuff. I will 100% be reposting because we lift each other up.

[1:05:53] Jason A. Coombs: Right.

[1:05:54] Daniel Yearwood: As you climb, come on. Love that.

[1:05:56] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, that's it.

[1:05:57] Samantha Tuozzolo: And if you're tuning in because you are a Daniel fan, obviously, and you don't follow us yet. Follow us at Survival Jobs Pod on Instagram and TikTok on Facebook at Survival Jobs a Podcast.

[1:06:08] Samantha Tuozzolo: Shoot us an email at survivaljobspod at gmail.com. Let us know what you think. Send us some guest recommendations, follow my boy Jason at Jason A. Coombs, and follow me at Sammy Toots.

[1:06:21] Jason A. Coombs: And go see Rolling Thunder until September 7th at New World Stages.

[1:06:25] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes, get your tickets. One more month.

[1:06:32] Jason A. Coombs: Thanks, Daniel. You're the best.

[1:06:34] Daniel Yearwood: Yes.

[1:06:35] Jason A. Coombs: Thank y'all.

[1:06:36] Daniel Yearwood: Thank y'all.

[1:06:37] Jason A. Coombs: All right, survivors. Thanks for tuning in to our episode. We really appreciate your support, your love.

[1:06:42] Samantha Tuozzolo: Follow us on all the things.

[1:06:44] Jason A. Coombs: We're also blowing up on TikTok. Samantha is killing it on the TikTok.

[1:06:48] Samantha Tuozzolo: We need your support there as well.

[1:06:49] Jason A. Coombs: If you have any ideas or guest suggestions, please give us that email.

[1:06:54] Jason A. Coombs: And just, you know, we're trying to grow this still. You know, we're saying that 137 episodes later, we're still trying to grow, but we are, and we're always trying to get better.

[1:07:02] Samantha Tuozzolo: So we thank you for your love.

[1:07:03] Jason A. Coombs: We thank you for your support.

[1:07:04] Samantha Tuozzolo: Did I miss anything, baby girl?

[1:07:06] Jason A. Coombs: Huh?

[1:07:07] Samantha Tuozzolo: Did I miss anything, baby girl?

[1:07:09] Jason A. Coombs: Don't call me baby girl.

[1:07:10] Samantha Tuozzolo: Reminds me of Scandal, and I love Scandal so much.

[1:07:14] Jason A. Coombs: Sorry.

[1:07:14] Samantha Tuozzolo: Um, guys, I love Scandal. Scandal stands.