#309 Today's Boondoggle- The 4 Horsemen are drawing nearer.

·1 hr 20 min·5 clips

Sean spent $2,000 on Eagles tickets to watch the Jumbotron with his dying father.

The episode opens with host Bill Bailey introducing the show and guest Sean O'Donnell from The Four Horsemen. Sean shares his early musical influences from his father, who listened to Steely Dan, Rolling Stones, and the Eagles. He recounts a poignant memory of taking his father to an Eagles concert for his birthday, spending $2,000 on tickets, shortly before his father's passing in April. Sean grew up in Cleveland, attending concerts at the Richfield Coliseum, including Metallica on the Black Album tour, which solidified his musical path. He formed his own progressive metal band, Antithesis, in his twenties, which released three albums but didn't achieve financial success. After returning to school for an IT degree, he later joined an Alice in Chains tribute band, which led to an audition for The Four Horsemen in late 2006. Sean emphasizes his commitment to accuracy and quality, studying Metallica's albums meticulously. He discusses the personal sacrifices of touring, including missing his father's death and driving long hours in a van. Sean explains his on-stage practice of thanking military, police, EMS, and firefighters, avoiding political commentary to provide an escape for audiences. The band partners with the Wounded Warrior Project, donating thousands from shows. Sean details how a connection through friend and soundman Jeff Hair led to Joey Tafolla, who introduced him to Brian Wheat, co-founder of Tesla, who now manages the band. Brian tested the band by recording them and bringing Metallica fans to a live show at Penn's Peak, leading to his management commitment. Sean talks about recent tours, including Sturgis and opening for the band Hairball. Upcoming local Ohio shows include Rocking on the River in Lorraine and The Local in Strongsville. The interview concludes with Sean answering standard guest questions: he advocates for mandatory finance classes in high school, names his father, cousin Billy McAdams, and Angus Young as key inspirations, and delivers a heartfelt message of support to military members serving overseas.

As heard by us

A grounded conversation about deployed troops, live music, and the connections that can carry a band across borders.

The episode is strongest when it sits with the idea of live music reaching deployed troops. A guest frames that kind of performance as an honor, even without pay, while the host remembers Everclear and Scott Stapp from Creed offering a needed distraction during deployment.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for a veteran-owned podcast moment about deployment memories, morale-boosting live music, and a possible Finland run sparked through Manowar ties.

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