The fall of the Soviet wall and the opening of the iron curtain presented ample space for hope, optimism and opportunity for westerners eager to share culture, creativity, business and democracy concepts with the citizens of the former Soviet Union. David Junk leapt at the chance to work for Polygram/Universal Records in a country hungry for music and freedom. David’s 15 years in Russia were a unique window of time between Gorbachov’s Glasnost and Putin’s re-consolidation of power.

David stepped into a landscape that he called “the wild, wild, east,” teaming with gangsters and corruption and also talented, enterprising Russians, eager to explore new possibilities. David’s journey is documented in his book, Rockin’ The Kremlin which gives readers an inside look at boots-on-the-ground life and work in Russia from the perspective of a Russian speaking, idealistic American.

David and his co-writer Fred Bronson join us for a fascinating dive into David’s adventures… Contract negations with Polygram which included kidnapping insurance, Russian kids’ obsession with hip hop, discovering and exporting Russian talent including two young girls called t.A.T.u. who kissed on The Tonight Show, wearing “F*** War” tee-shirts which they got past everyone because the words were written in Russian. David says that those tee-shirts are now being worn by kids in Ukraine.

This window in time introduced a generation to a complex intersection of culture and politics which was ultimately snuffed by Putin’s coalition with the Russian Orthodox Church and a renewed, vehement opposition to LGBTQ rights and individual expression. Ultimately, it was David’s deep disappointment in colleagues’ support for the invasion of Ukraine and concerns for his family’s safety which brought him back to the states. But still, so much was learned and exchanged.

All this, plus Fritz and Weezy are recommending The English Teacher on FX (streaming on Hulu) and the making of The Sopranos doc, Wiseguy on HBO Max.

Path Points of Interest:

Rocking The Kremlin: My Incredible, True Story Of Gangsters, Oligarchs, And Pop Stars In Putin's Russia by David Junk with Fred Bronson

David Junk on Facebook

David Junk on Instagram

Fred Bronson on Twitter

Art During Wartime Podcast

Gift of Democracy

The English Teacher FX and Hulu

https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/english-teacher

Wiseguy - HBO

https://www.hbo.com/movies/wise-guy-david-chase-and-the-sopranos