Sam Quinones on Common Time Podcast

<p>Sam Quinones joins us to talk about his newest book, <em>The Perfect Tuba</em> — a deeply reported journey into the surprising, passionate world of American tubists. Best known for his unflinching coverage of the opioid crisis, Quinones turns here toward something altogether different: a story of joy, community, and the unlikely power of the instrument that sits at the back of the band.</p><p><br></p><p>We dig into the characters and communities that make the tuba world tick — from obsessive instrument makers chasing a mythical York &amp; Sons horn, to the legendary Big Bill Bell, to Arnold Jacobs, the Chicago Symphony&#39;s tuba guru whose teachings on breathing and music verge on the philosophical. And we spend time in Roma, Texas, where a visionary marching band director built a program that wins state championships and sends kids to college.</p><p><br></p><p>Sam Quinones is an American journalist and author whose previous book, <em>Dreamland</em>, is widely regarded as one of the defining accounts of the American opioid epidemic. With <em>The Perfect Tuba</em>, he brings the same on-the-ground reporting instincts to a subject that is, on the surface, nothing like addiction — and finds that the two stories share more than you&#39;d expect.</p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to Sam’s Substack here : <a href="https://samquinones.substack.com/">https://samquinones.substack.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Common Time Podcast:</p><p><br></p><p>Follow us on social media at @CommonTimePodcast</p><p><br></p><p>Join our community focused on growth here: 🔗 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/commontimecollective">https://www.facebook.com/groups/commontimecollective</a></p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!</p><p><br></p><p>Nominate someone for a Standing Ovation: 🔗 <a href="https://forms.gle/i6aqoZxY85RMRwGP7">https://forms.gle/i6aqoZxY85RMRwGP7</a></p><p><br></p><p>Fill out our anonymous listener survey: 🔗 <a href="https://forms.gle/E6VBNH2f4bWYNPFM8">https://forms.gle/E6VBNH2f4bWYNPFM8</a></p><p><br></p><p>Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts on this episode in the comments below or on our social media channels. Let’s keep the discussion going!</p><p><br></p><p>Hosts: Dr. John Pasquale and Dr. David Clemmer</p><p>Producers: Jessica Pasquale and Theresa Clemmer</p>