Stephen King

Podcast Stars Garrett Hedlund, Milo Ventimiglia, Herizen F. Gaurdiola, Sydney Sweeney, Ken Marino, Al Madrigal, And Brec Bassinger

Stream Episodes And Official Trailer Here

(LOS ANGELES, September 1, 2021) – Stephen King’s literary works officially entered the podcasting sphere today when Strawberry Spring premiered its first two episodes via the iHeartRadio app and across all podcast streaming platforms. This Audio Up produced podcast series is a first for King, with Strawberry Spring being the inaugural podcast adaptation of his classic 1978 short story collection Night Shift.

Strawberry Spring follows a determined reporter who hears the name "Springheel Jack" while listening to the radio, rekindling memories of a time when he was a student at New Sharon College during the sixties revolution. At this moment, he is reminded of the first time he heard of the bloody serial killer. This dark mystery quickly unfolds to a hunt for a killer, as our hero will stop at nothing to track down the vicious murderer even if it threatens his own survival. “Springheel Jack” is back to taunt New Sharon with fresh kills, each murder more violent than the last.

This unrelenting, modern-day Jack the Ripper story, is produced by Jared Gutstadt and his critically acclaimed podcast studio and network, Audio Up Media; the No. 1 global podcast publisher, iHeartMedia; written, directed and produced by Emmy Award winning producer Lee Metzger; and also produced by Philip Alberstat. The riveting eight episode series stars actors Garrett Hedlund, Milo Ventimiglia, Herizen F. Gaurdiola, Sydney Sweeney, Ken Marino, Al Madrigal, and Brec Bassinger.

Stream Strawberry Spring’s first two episodes HERE. Additional episodes to be release every Wednesday.

About Audio Up Media

Audio Up Media is a podcast content production studio, housing a world of infinite, audio-based properties. Headed by Audio Up CEO and Adweek’s 2020 Podcast Innovator of the Year and Podcast Producer of the Year recipient, Jared Gutstadt (formerly of the Jingle Punks), Audio Up is building an ecosystem of premium entertainment content within the music and audio space. From fictional scripted podcasts, which include a Marvel-like universe of musicals, where the records themselves become the story foundation, to one-on-one interview formats, Audio Up’s goal is to create a new and innovative form of IP. They are bringing audio blockbusters to life and taking this media from black and white, into technicolor. Current properties include the riveting top 20 crime podcast Where The Bodies Are Buried, Michael Cohen’s new chart-topping podcast Mea Culpa, and recent Webby honoree in Podcasts: Interview/Talk Show, Going to Bed with Garcelle with Garcelle Beauvais. Scripted projects include 2021 Webby nominee Make It Up As We Go with Scarlett Burke, Miranda Lambert, Lindsay Ell and other huge country entertainment; and recent Webby honoree for Best Limited Entertainment Series Podcast Halloween in Hell with Machine Gun Kelly, 24kGoldn and iann dior. Up next, Audio Up will debut Sonic Leap featuring Anthony Anderson and Hero The Band, and Uncle Drank: The Totally Hammered Podcast starring Gary Busy.

Chilling, Dark-Mystery Podcast Marks First-Ever Adapted Podcast Of Stephen King’s Original Short Story, From His Classic 1978 Collection Of Short Stories Night Shift

Garrett Hedlund, Milo Ventimiglia, Herizen F. Gaurdiola, Sydney Sweeney, Ken Marino, Al Madrigal, And Brec Bassinger Set To Star

Los Angeles - July 20, 2021 - Based on the short story by Stephen King, Strawberry Spring, will get its first ever adaptation as a chilling, new scripted podcast. Produced by critically acclaimed podcast production studio giant, Audio Up Media, iHeartMedia, the No. 1 global podcast publisher, and Emmy Award-winning television producer Lee Metzger (NBC’s The Voice), the riveting eight episode series is set to premiere later this summer. Metzger is also setto write and direct the limited series, with an all-star cast that includes actor Garrett Hedlund, Milo Ventimiglia, Herizen F. Gaurdiola, Sydney Sweeney, Ken Marino, and Al Madrigal with more to-be-announced. EMMY Award winner Philip Alberstat is set to produce.

“Strawberry Spring” follows a journalist who hears the name "Springheel Jack" while listening to the radio, rekindling memories of a time when he was a student at New Sharon College and reminding him of when he first heard of the serial killer. The dark mystery quickly unfolds in a hunt for a killer, as our hero will stop at nothing to track down the vicious murderer even If it threatens his own survival.

Jared Gutstadt, Audio Up Media’s Founder and CEO, has a longstanding relationship with Metzger, and the two were searching for a project to work on together. “When Lee mentioned ‘Strawberry Spring,’ I knew immediately it was a winner,” said Gutstadt. “Audio Up prides itself on continually raising the bar within audio entertainment, from working with top Hollywood actors to script creation, all the way to how we approach sound design and music composition. We hope this will be a breakout podcast this fall. I am so beyond excited for Stephen King fans to experience his work in the Audio Up podcast universe."

“Having the opportunity to take this classic story thriller written by the most recognized horror author of all time, Stephen King, and turn it into a scripted podcast for listeners is pretty special,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “And partnering with Audio Up is the perfect way to do it, given their unique ability to tell complex, great stories in this medium.” “Strawberry Spring” marks the third “audio-blockbuster” collaboration between Audio Up and iHeartMedia.

Added Metzger, “as a lifelong fan of Stephen King, I couldn’t be more excited to work with Jared, Audio Up, and iHeart Media to bring this story to life. I couldn’t ask for a better project for my first scripted podcast.”