If you haven’t experienced The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline, you’re in for a powerful ride. This award-winning audio drama drops you straight into 1968—a year charged with change, music, and a fight for justice that still echoes today.

🏆 Winner of the 2025 Audie Award for Best Young Adult Audiobook!

🎧 Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award for Outstanding Production

Still young at heart, Grant Overstake—co-author and executive producer of The Real Education of TJ Crowley—channeled his teenage love of 1960s music into an Audie Award-winning audio drama. He flashes a V for Victory alongside narrator Graham Halstead (Mr. Johnson and Coach Gordon) as they celebrated the 2025 Audie Award for Best Young Adult Audiobook.

🎶 The Sounds of Hope and Change

The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline is more than an audiobook—it’s a full-sound experience.

Winner of the 2025 Audie Award for Best Young Adult Audiobook and an AudioFile Earphones Award for Outstanding Production, this audio drama drops listeners straight into 1968, a year of civil rights marches, Vietnam War protests, and a generation demanding change.

Co-authors Grant Overstake and May Wuthrich brought the story to life as a dynamic, full-cast production. Wuthrich, who also directed and produced, worked with an ensemble of 15 award-winning actors to create an authentic and emotionally powerful listening experience.

Together, they captured the hopes, fears, and courage of a country—and a young man—coming of age on the edge of historic change.

Music is at the heart of TJ Crowley. Overstake and Wuthrich layered the drama with iconic rock, soul, and protest songs that defined 1968. Mentioning Eve of Destruction, Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud, and Born to Be Wild ground the story in its time and bring TJ’s world vividly to life.

The traditional negro spirituals performed by the ARISE Ensemble are equally powerful. Praised by AudioFile Magazine for their emotional impact, these songs add spiritual depth to the story.

🎧 How Music Brought TJ Crowley to Life

While writing The Real Education of TJ Crowley, Overstake researched the music that defined his generation.

“I listened to these songs as I wrote my first drafts,” he says. “Digging through old Billboard charts brought back a flood of memories. Music didn’t just shape a generation—it told our story.”

AudioFile Magazine praised the powerful music of the ARISE Ensemble featured in the story. Grant Overstake, a longtime member of the acclaimed choir that helped inspire The Real Education of TJ Crowley, has sung with ARISE for over a dozen years. Listen to the Audie Award-winning audio drama to experience how their music brings the story to life.

📀 A Playlist That Tells a Story

Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” became an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement—and the perfect soundtrack for Ivy Washington’s courageous journey. As she navigates the challenges of integrating an all-white school and moving into a segregated neighborhood, Ivy’s strength, dignity, and determination echo the demands for recognition and equality at the heart of this iconic 1960s song.

*Hold On (Just a Little While Longer) – ARISE Ensemble
The story opens with this traditional spiritual, performed by the ARISE Ensemble. It sets the tone for the Washington family’s resilience as they cross into a white neighborhood, embodying their faith in better days ahead.

Summer in the City – The Lovin’ Spoonful
The sticky heat of Wichita in 1968 simmers with tension in this 1966 hit. The city pulses with unrest, just like TJ’s world on the verge of change.

Eve of Destruction – Barry McGuire
In the garage, Ronnie rewires his car speakers, blasting this 1965 protest anthem. Its dire lyrics mirror his disillusionment and TJ’s growing fear as his brother prepares to ship off to Vietnam.

Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys
This harmony-laden classic reflects TJ’s innocent crush on Ivy Washington, the beautiful Black girl next door. It captures his longing for a simpler world where they could be together without barriers.

Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud – James Brown Released in 1968, this anthem of Black pride and empowerment resonates deeply with Leon Bowman, TJ’s rival classmate and future friend. As a young Black teen asserting his identity in a newly integrated school, Leon stands tall in his truth—both on and off the track. It’s a declaration of dignity that pulses through the story.

You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes
This Motown hit underscores TJ’s hopeful but cautious feelings for Ivy. It’s a song about patience—and the slow progress of acceptance in a divided world.

Respect – Aretha Franklin
Ivy’s theme song. As the first Black student in a newly integrated school, Ivy faces hostility and prejudice. Aretha’s demand for dignity and equality echoes Ivy’s quiet strength and determination.

Stand By Your Man – Tammy Wynette
As TJ paints the Red Line fence, he hears this 1968 country hit drifting from his mother’s kitchen. It’s playing while she chooses loyalty to her old flame, Uncle Ray, over her estranged husband—and over what’s right. The song’s message clashes painfully with TJ’s own awakening sense of justice.

96 Tears – ? and the Mysterians
The raw, garage-rock vibe of this 1966 track matches TJ’s bitterness as he paints the line that divides his world. The hypnotic organ riff pulses with his inner conflict.

*Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land – ARISE Ensemble
This spiritual, sung at ARISE gatherings, is a foundation of hope for the Washington family. It represents the faith that sustains them and, eventually, TJ.

Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
At a funeral, TJ and Eric exchange silent hand signs—V for Victory and Peace. CCR’s anti-war anthem plays in their minds as they confront the divide between those who serve and those who escape the cost of war.

*Trouble in the Air – ARISE Ensemble
A haunting spiritual that signals the storm ahead. It captures the unease surrounding TJ and his community as they brace for change.

Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf
Before their reckless New Year’s Eve ride, Eric blasts this biker anthem. It’s the soundtrack to TJ’s desperate grab for freedom—and his brush with danger.

*Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah – ARISE Ensemble
As Dr. Washington mentors TJ, this hymn plays like a prayer. It marks TJ’s turn toward a path guided by conscience, not fear.

*Lord, I Know I’ve Been Changed – ARISE Ensemble
This spiritual affirms TJ’s transformation. He’s no longer the boy painting fences—he’s crossed the line and chosen a different future.

Think – Aretha Franklin
Ivy’s fiery speech in class lights a fire in TJ’s conscience. Aretha’s anthem of empowerment gives voice to their shared call for change.

Little Bit O’ Soul – The Music Explosion
A lighthearted 1967 pop hit that plays as TJ bonds with Leon and Ivy on the track team. For once, the world feels simple and hopeful.

*Trying to Get Ready – ARISE Ensemble
As TJ trains with Dr. Washington, this song plays on the record player. It’s about preparation—for judgement day and for the challenges he’s about to face.

Up Around the Bend – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Though released in 1970, Overstake says this track fits perfectly as TJ looks toward a hopeful future. There’s something better just ahead—if he stays true.

*Jesus Is a Rock (Reprise) – ARISE Ensemble
As TJ finds his footing, this reprise reminds us that he’s standing on a new foundation of faith and courage.

*I Hear Music in the Air – ARISE Ensemble
As Dr. Washington saves Kate Crowley’s life, this spiritual swells. Healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation fill the air.

*Crown of Life – ARISE Ensemble
Played over the credits, this song celebrates TJ’s journey. He’s earned his place among those who stood strong and crossed the line.

* Performed by the ARISE Ensemble and featured exclusively in The Real Education of TJ Crowley audio drama. These powerful spirituals are not available for individual purchase but can be heard as part of the award-winning recording.

🎧 Listen to TJ Crowley’s Playlist
For a legal and ethical way to enjoy these songs and support the artists, explore music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music.

Spotify: https://www.spotify.com

Apple Music: https://www.apple.com/apple-music/

YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com

By using these services, you gain access to a wide range of music, create playlists, and discover new artists, all while respecting copyright and contributing to the music ecosystem. Choose a streaming service to legally listen and support the creators of the music you love.

Voices That Rocked the Audies: Meet the Cast

On the red carpet, the cast and creators of The Real Education of TJ Crowley celebrate their win for Best Young Adult Audiobook. With voices that brought heart, harmony, and the spirit of 1968 to life, this talented team delivered a performance worthy of the Audie gold. Pictured: Claire Overstake, Dion Graham, Grant Overstake, Dani Martineck, Kevin R. Free, May Wuthrich, Graham Halstead, Thérèse Plummer, Tavia Gilbert, Brittany Pressley, and Michael Crouch. Cast members not pictured: Johnny Heller, Shayna Small, Ari Fliakos, Peter Berkrot, John Wright, and Sheila Brown Kinnard.

🎧 Listen to the Audie Award-winning audiobook that’s making history, download now:

Ask your Local Library

TJ Crowley is available in more places than ever, and you have choices on how to listen. You can download your own copy today or check it out from your local library. If your library doesn’t have TJ Crowley yet, librarians are amazing about adding award-winning audiobooks when you request them!

And if you prefer to support independent bookstores, you can find TJ Crowley on Libro.fm, the audiobook service that shares profits with local, independent bookstores instead of big corporations. Whichever way you choose, we hope you’ll start listening today and experience this Audie Award finalist for yourself!

🎧 TJ Crowley's Groovy Playlist! Songs That Inspired the Audio Drama

Voices That Rocked the Audies: Meet the Cast

Ask your Local Library