Record Research Launched New Music History Podcast
The new series A Heart for the Charts explores the backstories of legendary Billboard chart-topping artists.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in R&B
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Record Research Inc. debuted its new podcast, A Heart for the Charts, on October 6, 2026. The series features interviews with music legends about the history behind their Billboard chart successes.
Why it matters
The podcast aims to move beyond simple record statistics to share personal stories from artists who reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It provides a platform for industry experts to discuss the cultural context of major chart hits.
The production team includes former Billboard director of charts Michael Ellis and writer Fred Bronson, who began contributing to the Chart Beat column in 1993. Guests include artists like Thelma Houston, who hit No. 1 in 1977, and The Fleetwoods, who topped the charts in 1959.
The players
Record Research Inc.
This organization specializes in the compilation and publication of music chart data and historical records.
Fred Bronson
He is a notable music journalist who began writing the Billboard Chart Beat column in 1993.
Thelma Houston
She is a singer who achieved a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977 with Don't Leave Me This Way.
The Fleetwoods
This vocal group reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959 with the song Come Softly to Me.
Michael Ellis
He previously served as the director of charts for Billboard magazine.
The details
Hosted by a rotating lineup including Fred Bronson and Michael Ellis, the podcast focuses on the narratives behind classic songs rather than just relaying technical chart data. The debut episode features Thelma Houston and Gretchen Christopher, with future episodes highlighting guests like Kim Bloxdorf and Kim Carnes.
Timeline
The podcast A Heart for the Charts launched on October 6, 2026.
Kim Bloxdorf is scheduled to appear on the October 20, 2026, episode.
The first season of the podcast is set to conclude on December 1, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This podcast represents a shift toward long-form oral history in the music industry, moving away from dry data aggregation. It follows a growing trend of legacy music media brands leveraging their archives to build audience engagement through specialized digital audio content.
Listeners can access the podcast through major audio platforms to hear interviews with their favorite artists. The series provides fans with deeper context regarding the songs that defined specific Billboard eras.
The takeaway
Music fans can gain new insights into classic records by listening to the stories behind the chart-topping hits. This series serves as a valuable resource for understanding the human experiences that fueled historic pop culture milestones.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in the music industry, visit our R&B section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Billboard.
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