“Hey You guys”
Abbott & Costello, Woody & Buzz, Brennan & Dale.
You can’t have one without the other.
The same might be said about the Dude, What?! Movie Review Podcast.
Let’s get to know the Duders shall we?!
Brian Sumner
Founder+Host+Ear Candy Expert
Brian’s Story
Brian Sumner would describe his life story in one word “underachiever”.
You wouldn’t be able to tell it from his efforts at Dude, What?! Brian is the “Ear Candy Expert” for the show and one half of the hosting squad. Which, at times, means the recording/editing schedule can be a bit of a beast. However, the podcast has touched a nerve inside Brian causing him to take hold of the creative flow from within that pushes him to create & release high quality episodes for your entertainment.
Growing up in the self proclaimed “BBQ Capital of the World,” Owensboro, KY, Brian always gravitated towards radio. Sportscasters, to be specific, in his earlier years with such greats as Bob Uecker, local legend Joel Utley, and of course the legendary voice of the Kentucky Wildcats, Cawood Ledford. But it didn’t stop there. As his formative teen years rolled in and a love for music grew, Brian couldn’t help but be mesmerized by “Rock Jocks” like Brian Jackson, Turner Watson, or nationally syndicated Mike Harvey. These radio personalities filled Brian with the dream of working in radio and maybe one day, entertaining people just as he was entertained growing up.
“I’m not getting any younger and it’s time I start going after my dreams rather than letting them pass me by.”
The funny thing about dreams is that life tends to get in the way of them & along Brian’s journey, he became a husband (a couple of times - LOL!!) & he also became a father. Three daughters, an amazing wife, and one pretty awesome dog became the focus of his life until one day, he had a thought. “I’m not getting any younger and it’s time I start going after my dreams rather than letting them pass me by.”
Which brings us to near present day. Brian had a dream of doing a podcast about one of his favorite topics: MOVIES!! He soon recruited his great friend, Jim Miller, to be his “wing-man” on this crazy endeavor and even though his life tends to throw curveballs his way from time to time (Oh, did we mention he’s now a grandfather??), he’s still chasing his dreams rather than allowing himself to underachieve & I think we can all agree that is pretty damn cool.
Contact Brian
Jim Miller
co-Founder+Co-Host+Eye Candy Expert
Jim’s Story
In a world of hats Jim is a bandanna.
A hat usually has one use where a bandanna has many. Jim Miller has in many ways become like a bandanna (one of his favorite head coverings). Jim learned the importance of creative resilience & hard work early. He brings that energy to his role as the Dude, What?! “Eye Candy Expert”. Which means anything visually related to the podcast he has had a hand in.
Born & raised in Southwestern Indiana Jim was a product of a mostly single parent home where he learned to cope and view life through three major outlets. Art, church & radio. Little did he know that Brian’s idea for Dude, What?! would begin a renaissance of sorts in his life.
Jim has always enjoyed art; from the time of drawing cartoons as a kid to building sets & visual storytelling when he got older. Much like Brian, Jim also enjoyed listening to Brian Jackson & Mike Harvey along with local Big Bill Love, Casey Kasem, & the radio theatre shows he found on a local AM station. However, it wasn’t until watching a behind the scenes of Disney’s Aladdin (1992) that Jim realized his love for art and voice could become one.
“Dude What?! was the catalyst to breaking Spiritual chains he didn’t know he carried”
Due to his upbringing in the Church world Jim had flirted with a ministry degree & a minor in radio. He took an entirely different route but along his journey he would limit creative bents to the confines of the church. He attempted to live a quiet life with his wife & kids until the day Brian came to him with an idea. It didn’t take long for the idea & process of creating for Dude, What?! to become a catalyst to breaking spiritual chains Jim didn’t know he carried.
Jim’s life long dreams of working in radio & being a storyteller are still becoming a reality, but because of his involvement in Dude, What?! & through Brian’s encouragement, Jim recently started a small media production company .