Having come to know Maxwell Schaeffer in the last couple of years, it’s of zero surprise to me that his name literally means “great stream.” Not only does he create and produce the Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast podcast that streams across the state, the creative-at-heart with his signature voice and Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame credentials, is a constant flow of talent and support in a myriad of great roles performing on stage with the Des Moines Playhouse, traveling the world with his playwright wife (Karen Schaeffer), an Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup member, a playful papa with the grands, on the mic at Iowa Wild hockey games, a heartfelt songwriter, fruit tree arborist, non-profit supporter, conference presenter, podcast consultant, you-name-it. If it’s a role that’s putting some good into the world, Maxwell is going to pour his heart into it.
Maxwell and I continue to bond over songwriting. We’ve shared many songs with each other, chatting about our songwriting heroes (he’s a huge Dan Fogelberg fan) and loved on the power of music and story together. Unbeknownst to many, well before Maxwell moved to Iowa to create a hall-of-fame legacy as a radio DJ and good dude, he was a musician and performer fully intent on it as his pathway to the future. His travels before Iowa start in Hershey, Pennsylvania and move through Austin, Texas, Southern California and Florida until making the Hawkeye State home.
With these travels come many fantastic stories. After sitting through a podcasting class Maxwell taught at the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat V earlier this fall, I asked him if we could flip the mic sometime to hear more of his story through the format he’s mastered. He graciously agreed and my first podcast experience as an interviewer flew by.
Please enjoy learning more about Maxwell’s early life, his love for the “acoustic balladeer” and an intimate performance of his song “Wild Atlantic Way” recently written after his trip to Ireland.
Maxwell is joining the songwriter round to support KFMG Community Radio this Sunday, November 23 at 3pm so please mark your calendars for this FREE Musical Feast at xBk in Des Moines. We’ve got a robust group of Iowa singer-songwriters coming together and the highly acclaimed Get Off My Lawn ready to rock.
To find more stories and insights across the state of Iowa, please consider following and supporting the many talented journalists and storytellers of the Iowa Writer’s Collaborative of which I’m a proud member. The IWC Holiday Party will be Wednesday, December 17 at the Harkin Institute in Des Moines at 7pm. It’s FREE for any paid subscriber to any IWC writer column, including this one, or $35 the night of the event. The award-winning duo Weary Ramblers will be performing and IWC authors will be on hand for socialization and goodwill. Please RSVP here.
NOTE: All annual paid subscribers to Chip Happens will now receive a copy of my 2025 CD compilation, Twenty-Five, that includes 25 original songs. To those of you that have already upgraded and purchased the CD, my sincerest of thanks! You are a critical component of making Chip Happens! You can upgrade your subscription here and receive a copy for your physical music collection. If you are only in the market for the CD, it is available here for $25. CD art and design were completed by my amazing and talented wife, Jen Albright.
