Original version

BBC World Service News Internet

Migrated podcast image for: Outlook

Outlook

Factual: Life Stories

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Outlook: Betting the family farm on rockstar dreams

Magazines & Reviews

Donnie and Joe.jpg

18/01/2024 GMT

Betting the family farm on rockstar dreams

BBC World Service - Outlook, Betting the family farm on rockstar dreams

The Emerson brothers’ family funded their musical aspirations – they almost lost it all

Donnie and Joe Emerson’s dad took out a $100,000 loan against the family farm so they could record their album and become stars, but it flopped and the family almost lost it all.

As teenagers growing up on a remote farm in the US in the late 1970's, brothers Donnie and Joe Emerson formed a band, hoping to make it big. Excited by his sons’ talents, their dad took out a $100,000 loan against the family farm to build them a recording studio. They released ‘Dreamin’ Wild’ in 1979, an album full of lo-fi charm and innocence, but it flopped and the family farm was jeopardised. However, decades later, they discovered the album they recorded had a life of its own.

Pétur Guðmannsson is the only full-time forensic pathologist in Iceland and deals with every murder and unexplained death in the whole country. After being approached by crime writers asking him very specific questions about death and dying, he now teaches a university course where he shares his professional insights. The reporter was Emilia Jansson.

Clips from KJRB Spokane Radio and Light In The Attic Records

Presenter: Seyi Rhodes

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Outlook

Betting the family farm on rockstar dreams

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service News Internet

About BBC World Service