Description

In this premiere episode of Groovy Eats, Kristen Hess of The Artful Gourmet revisits January 1978, when soft rock and yacht rock dominated the charts and comfort casseroles defined family dinners.

Featuring the #1 song Baby Come Back by Player and the classic Chicken Divan casserole, this episode explores music history, food history, and personal memories—including a five-week childhood road trip from New York to California.

A nostalgic, feel-good podcast for fans of 1970s music, comfort food, and meaningful storytelling.

Key Takeaways

• January 1978 marked a golden era of soft rock and yacht rock
• 'Baby Come Back' by Player captured universal themes of regret, longing, and hope
• Player emerged from the West Coast studio scene with a harmony-driven sound
• Chicken Divan evolved from a French restaurant dish into a late-'70s casserole icon
• Food and music act as emotional time machines
• Nostalgia is about connection, not just the past

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Groovy Eats Welcome to the show where retro food and music become memories. Kristen Hess introduces the theme of the episode, focusing on 1978.

01:06 - Setting the Scene: 1978 A nostalgic look back at the cultural landscape of 1978, highlighting the era of soft rock and its impact.

02:33 - Featured Band: Player An introduction to the band Player, their formation, and their hit song "Baby Come Back."

04:33 - The Story Behind "Baby Come Back" Insights into the emotional resonance of Player's hit song and its significance in 1978.

05:16 - The Essence of Late '70s Soft Rock Discussion on the emotional and melodic qualities of soft rock music from the late '70s.

06:02 - Personal Memories and Road Trip Kristen shares personal stories from a family road trip across the US in 1978, creating lasting memories.

08:38 - Chicken Divan: A Retro Comfort Food The origins and evolution of Chicken Divan, a staple dish from the late '70s.

10:54 - Cooking Chicken Divan Today A step-by-step guide to making Chicken Divan, including tips for a homemade Mornay sauce.

11:30 - The Power of Food and Music Exploring how food and music serve as powerful anchors to our memories and emotions.

12:20 - Conclusion and Listener Engagement Kristen encourages listeners to share their own memories connected to food and songs.

Keywords

• Groovy Eats podcast
• January 1978 nostalgia
• Baby Come Back Player
• Yacht rock podcast
• 1970s music podcast
• Chicken Divan recipe

Watch the full episode ⁠on YouTube ⁠to groove, cook along and experience the story visually

️ Listen to the full podcast episode on Spotify

️ Read the full recipe and story on ⁠The Artful Gourmet⁠ blog

✍️ Subscribe on Substack for weekly essays, behind-the-scenes stories, and Groovy Eats extras ⁠@artfulgourmet

Follow Groovy Eats, Kristen Hess and The Artful Gourmet on social media @artfulgourmet and on TikTok ⁠@foodiegirl87

️ View Kristen's Food Styling + Photography Portfolio + book your next food shoot at ⁠https://www.kristen-hess.com

⭐ If this episode brought back a memory, please like, share and leave a comment below or a review — it helps the show grow!

Watch the original music video of Player performing⁠ 'Baby Come Back' on YouTube⁠

Listen to the song 'Baby Come Back' on Spotify