Missing Richard Mercer

#0: The Prologue

Tom Hogan — Tue, 29 May 2018 11:00:00 +1000

In 2013, after 17 years of being on air, Richard Mercer left his final Love Song Dedication. It was Trisha Yearwood's 'How Do I Live (Without You)?' Now, two friends are putting on a show, that they would love to run by him first. Turns out... he's a pretty hard dude to find. || All original music by Tom Hogan. Special thanks to Claire & Antoinette. Contains clips from Love Song Dedications on WSFM.

#1: Cold Calling (feat. Kate Wadey)

Tom Hogan — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 12:00:44 +1000

Before Bonnie arrives in Sydney, Tom has to begin looking for Richard Mercer on his own. You have to start somewhere, so it may as well be in the White Pages. Then, in trying to understand the timelessness of songs, he talks to jazz singer Kate Wadey about classic jazz standards and how they remain relevant after almost a century. Find her album A Hundred Years From Today on iTunes, Spotify, etc | Songs featured in this episode include Elton John - Your Song, The Turtles - Elenore, Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Love You, Kate Wadey - Sweet Lorraine, James Blunt - You're Beautiful, Alt-J - Every Other Freckle. (Tom also name drops and highly recommends Ted Gioia's book Love Songs: A Hidden History.)

#2: Without You (feat. Marcus Whale)

Tom Hogan — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 12:00:00 +1000

Tom & Bonnie debate putting up a giant sign, which leads to a rare moment of sincerity. Tom explores the divisive cover versions of Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey performing Without You. He brings the whole discussion to producer/performer Marcus Whale, about the authenticity of such giant love ballads. Listen to his work with Collarbones (Spotify, iTunes), and his solo album Inland Sea (Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes, etc) | Songs featured in this episode include Badfinger - Without You, Harry Nilsson - Without You, Mariah Carey - Without You, and Collarbones - Only Water.

#3: Change The Locks (feat. Hottest 100s & 1000s)

Tom Hogan — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 12:00:51 +1000

In a last minute decision storm, as well as an actual storm, Tom changes tactics. He then explores a few classic key changes and settles on an old favourite, before bringing the results to the Hottest 100s & 1000s Podcast. Meanwhile, Bonnie makes a shocking discovery, and then Tom calls his grandma. It's a big 32 minutes. | Find out more about the Hottest 100s & 1000s Podcast, visit them on iTunes, Whooshkaa, Facebook or Twitter. | Here is a Spotify playlist full of songs with an assortment of key changes: You Change The Locks, We Change The Key... or | https://open.spotify.com/user/1237418493/playlist/7a75SXmqMC4xvLjPTbKmw5?si=rcF0TZKFQKWPG7c7ncqctw | Songs featured in this episode include The Corrs - Runaway, Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up, Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way, Beyoncè - Love On Top

#4: Life Is Like A Song (feat. Kristie Mercer)

Tom Hogan — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 00:01:20 +1000

We have to admit, it's not always roses. So Tom takes a break from the mumbo jumbo musical analysis to get to the heart of a very special guest, following the hot tip that Richard Mercer's daughter is also a radio announcer and more... | Find Kristie Mercer's Thinkergirls Podcast on iTunes, Facebook, or visit http://www.thethinkergirls.com.au | If you want to hear Kristie perform a cover of At Last, you can watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/kristieleemercer/videos/823930341143813 Special thanks to Mel Herbert who wished to remain anonymous sort of but not really but kinda. | Songs featured in this episode include Etta James - At Last.

#5: Stand With You On A Mountain (feat. Polish Club)

Tom Hogan — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 12:00:00 +1000

Tom goes full Serial Podcast, revealing exactly how to be the creepy stalker guy on the internet (do you really want to look up car rego numbers? Did he really do this? What IS truth?), but it's always friendlier just to ask people. He then flirts with power duo Polish Club who ask the question we've all been waiting for. Things. Get. Sweaty. Polish Club are playing July 7 at the Corner Hotel, Melbourne, and July 14 at The Factory Theatre, Sydney, supported by All Our Exes Live In Texas. Get tickets on the Polish Club website, http://polishclub.co/ Make sure you check out their video for Truly Madly Deeply. Polish Club albums and EPs are available on Spotify, and iTunes. Songs featured in this episode include: Savage Garden - Truly Madly Deeply, Bryan Adams & Mel C - When You're Gone, as well as a sample from Polish Club - Gimme Money from the Okie Dokie EP.

#6: With Or Without You (feat. Bonnie Leigh-Dodds)

Tom Hogan — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 12:00:00 +1000

Breaking up is hard to do. But it's much easier when you have someone you trust in the room, with pizza and beer, to make you feel better. Introducing... Bonnie Leigh-Dodds. (... and Pedro!) Songs featured in this show include U2 - With Or Without You, and Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman.

#7: A Rose By Any Other Name (feat. ... a Richard Mercer)

Tom Hogan — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 06:00:00 +1000

With the show over and Bonnie gone back to Melbourne, Tom manages to interview Richard Mercer. Sort of. Err... how about Tom manages to interview a Richard Mercer.

Check out Richard Mercer's Golf Academy at www.richardmercergolf.com Songs discussed in this episode include Milli Vanilli's Blame It On The Rain, and at one point Richard Mercer sings Singing In The Rain but we're pretty sure he sings "swinging" instead, as a golfing pun.

#8: The Epilogue

Tom Hogan — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 23:59:00 +1000

Tom wraps the podcast up with a recap of the final development with Richard Mercer, before finishing his quest with one last dedication, and a blue goodbye... There's not a cloud in sight. || Visit MissingRichardMercer.com for all episodes and information on the theatre shows. Stay tuned; we may come to an unconventional theatre space near you! Make sure you check out Tom's other podcasts and projects at TomHogan.com.au

2021 Update: We're Touring!

Tom Hogan — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 18:27:30 +1000

Hello listeners of Missing Richard Mercer! It’s Tom Hogan here, coming to you in June of 2021. It’s been 3 years since we received Richard Mercer’s blessing to do this show, since then a lot has happened. I got a dog, for instance - her name is Jesse and she’s a staffy. And there’s a global pandemic.

Despite all this, Bonnie and I are currently touring our theatre show - Love Song Dedications (without Richard Mercer). We talked about it during the podcast, but if you want to see Bonnie and I dance and talk and laugh and run around in circles, as we try to find the objectively best love song of all time, you can do it!

It was going to be a four month national tour, but we’ve had to shorten it due to the tumultuous times we’re in. Head to MissingRichardMercer.com for a full list of venues and dates, and links to buy tickets.
Tell your friends to come along! And make sure you say hi.

Follow Tom on Instagram @tommehhogan
And follow Bonnie on Instagram @bonniemaie

2021 Tour - Venues, Dates & Tickets
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Theatre Royal, Hobart, TAS - May 27-29
Burnie Arts & Function Centre, TAS - June 1
Geelong Arts Centre, VIC - June 18-19
Capital Theatre, Bendigo, VIC - June 23
Whitehorse Centre, Nunawading, VIC - June 25-26
The Wedge, Sale, VIC - June 29
Latrobe Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon, VIC - July 3
West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul, VIC - July 6
Swan Hill Town Hall, VIC - July 10
Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool, VIC - July 13
Gasworks Arts Park, Melbourne, VIC - July 15-17
Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, NSW - July 20-21
Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour, NSW - July 23

"One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see!” - Alt Media
"The show is hilarious, surprisingly touching and very fast paced..." - Sydney Arts Guide
"Hogan and Leigh-Dodds are intelligent and effervescent, both youthful specimens, full of beans and big ideas..." - SuzyGoesSee
"Funny and spirited, it will melt the inhibitions of even the most cynical." - The Buzz from Syd
"... audiences comment and cheer; we turn to strangers and smile at each other and laugh together on our way out of the venue, strangers no more." - Sydney Arts Guide
"And the winner? The perfect love song? Wouldn’t dream of telling you." - Audrey Journal

Created by Tom Hogan & Bonnie Leigh-Dodds
Originally presented at PACT, Erskineville (July 2018)
Melbourne Fringe - Nominated for Best Performance (September 2018)
Green Room Awards - Nominated for Best Ensemble, and Best Sound Design (2018)