Episodes

  • Life on the Road with David Allan Coe: Outlaws, Wigs, Boats and Blues :: Ep 42 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Life on the Road with David Allan Coe: Outlaws, Wigs, Boats and Blues :: Ep 42 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Jun 10 2026

    Veteran bassist and author Mickey Hayes joins Circling the Drain to pull back the curtain on the wild, brilliant and chaotic world of country legend David Allan Coe. From blacked‑out tour buses and outlaw bikers to wigs, panthers, boats and hit songs, Mickey shares what it was really like to live on the edge with one of country music’s most controversial figures.


    Mickey talks about joining Coe’s band in 1979, surviving the Outlaws MC, refitting buses and boats in the Florida Keys, the truth behind the “death row” myth, and why Coe was the PT Barnum of country music. He also dives into Coe’s overlooked Columbia catalog, the making of “The Ride,” working with Warren Haynes, and how those years inspired his book “My Life on the Road with David Allen Coe” and a late‑career songwriting burst.


    If you love outlaw country, road stories, and unfiltered music history, this episode is packed with stories you won’t hear anywhere else.


    Timed highlights


    02:56 Miami club gig and the four‑barrel derringer on the monitor board

    04:55 Flying into David Allan Coe’s world and first impressions at the compound

    07:04 The purple house, refitting buses and boats, and riding in like a circus

    10:16 Swamp-ass on black buses with no A/C and building the outlaw image

    13:17 Ad break: Milltown Bikes in Columbia, Tennessee

    16:01 Coe’s later years, health, and the line “I just don’t want to die alone”

    20:02 Leaving the spotlight, finishing the book, and writing 35–40 new songs

    21:38 Playing Coe’s deep cuts, Columbia catalog, and early classic albums

    22:18 Rewriting “Stand By Your Man” as “Stand By Your Band”

    23:32 The birth of the wigs and why David named one after Mickey

    24:57 TV appearances, Farrah Fawcett hair and multiple wigs on Ralph Emery

    26:24 Rusty Spur stories, lost wigs and using heartbreak as stage patter

    26:55 Earning Coe’s respect by standing up to him over an out‑of‑tune guitar

    29:32 Outlaw caravans, smoking and drinking on the road in a fake Packard

    33:21 The real story behind Coe’s “death row” legend

    34:55 Controversy, X‑rated albums and why Coe welcomed being talked about

    41:04 Kris Kristofferson’s advice on songwriting and “Sunday Morning Coming Down”

    45:19 Dealing with labels and the infamous record‑exec table story

    47:20 Pink Nudie suit, “family” crowd shock and Coe’s onstage antics

    50:00 Ruskin Cave, Loretta Lynn tours and getting kicked off the bus route

    51:39 Why David Allan Coe belongs in the Country Music Hall of Fame

    54:00 Sinking the 50‑foot “pirate” boat and losing everything with no insurance

    55:00 Outlaws MC, being hung over a balcony and “you can’t testify if you don’t know”

    58:31 Calling Coe a legend and the unmatched volume of songs he wrote

    59:54 How Nashville remembers Coe and what happens after you die in this business

    1:02:08 Billy Joe Shaver standing up to Waylon and how an album got made

    1:07:00 Touring with a black panther, monkeys and other road “pets”

    1:11:18 Quitting Coe five times and sending him the tire bill

    1:18:00 Austin City Limits, “My Girl,” and how Coe gamed the taping

    1:19:49 Mickey on Coe’s legacy, the kids, the widow and posthumous releases

    1:20:31 Outro: Where to find Mickey’s book and how to follow the show



    Follow Johnny B:

    https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozeman

    Follow Jay Harper:

    https://www.facebook.com/harperjeff

    Follow Jim:

    www.jmvos.com


    Circling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Co

    www.itsyourshow.co
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • From Receptionist to Record Exec: The Sheila Shipley Biddy Story :: Ep 41 Circling the Drain Podcast

    From Receptionist to Record Exec: The Sheila Shipley Biddy Story :: Ep 41 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Jun 3 2026
    Sheila Shipley Biddy went from small‑town radio and seven failed interviews to running one of Nashville’s most powerful record labels. In this episode, the first woman to head a major label on Music Row sits down with us to talk about discovering artists, fighting industry sexism, and the stories behind some of country music’s biggest careers.Sheila shares intimate memories of working with legends like Glen Campbell, Waylon Jennings, Alabama, Roger Miller, Don Williams, Patty Loveless, Gary Allan, and LeAnn Womack. She opens up about fighting for “difficult” artists, taking career gambles, launching Decca Records, and what really changed when Napster, streaming, and 360 deals hit the business.In the most personal part of the conversation, Sheila reflects on her faith, her work with Music Health Alliance, and surviving the devastating loss of her husband and son within months of each other.If you care about country music history, radio, or how the record business really works behind the scenes, this is a masterclass in both the business and the humanity of Music Row.02:21 – Moving to Nashville, small‑town radio roots, and seven Monument Records interviews05:40 – Turning down TV news and working for less than $100 a month07:21 – Early days at Monument: Roy Orbison, Larry Gatlin, Ray Stevens, Kris Kristofferson08:06 – Waylon Jennings, intimidation, and becoming the only rep he’d work with09:49 – Reading Waylon’s energy and protecting him in public09:58 – Jumping to RCA and “failing downward” to bet on herself12:20 – Telling radio the truth about a bad record and earning lifelong trust14:23 – When that honesty paid off years later at Decca15:10 – Sexism on Music Row and being mistaken for “the secretary”17:55 – Mentors, office politics, and being the only woman in the room20:02 – How Sheila helped bring Alabama to RCA (and why they were first passed on)22:02 – The phone call that changed Alabama’s life forever23:47 – Inside Alabama’s rise and balancing Southern imagery and the Confederate flag26:12 – 50 years in music and how the industry has changed27:23 – Taking artist failures personally and why she “couldn’t leave it at the office”28:13 – Fighting three times for Waylon’s “Rose In Paradise” to go No. 129:22 – Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith and the risk of “left‑of‑center” country33:25 – Roger Miller’s “Big River” and selling Broadway to Country radio36:47 – Working with Glen Campbell and hearing him sing Amazing Grace on an airplane39:59 – Remembering promotion brothers, early MCA days, and lost friends41:27 – Becoming the first woman to run a major label in Nashville (Decca)42:27 – Building Decca from scratch: logo, staff, budget, and vision45:38 – Dawn Sears, incredible talent, and when an artist doesn’t want it badly enough48:10 – Discovering Gary Allan in California and why she refused to change his image49:50 – The album cover where you can’t see Gary Allan’s face (and why that mattered)49:50 – LeAnn Womack’s showcase strategy and choosing MCA/Decca over “everyone”51:46 – Why “Never Again, Again” had to be the first single53:58 – When radio programmers and Alan Jackson fell in love with LeAnn’s album54:44 – Old‑school radio: when DJs really chose the music and broke artists55:51 – How small‑market radio and relationships built careers58:15 – Chasing trends vs. creating trends in country music59:27 – Roster strategy: male/female, tempo, traditional vs. modern1:02:09 – From singles deals to full albums and the cost of breaking an artist1:05:14 – SoundScan, Napster, and watching country sales spike – then slide1:06:20 – 360 deals, touring, and why tickets are so expensive1:08:39 – Live Nation, fees, and the squeeze on mid‑level touring acts1:09:24 – AI, fully AI movies, and the fear inside the creative community1:09:59 – Life after labels: Music Health Alliance and helping artists get healthcare1:11:14 – Losing her husband after a long illness and the strength of faith1:11:44 – Her son’s sudden death at 52 and holding him as he passed1:13:25 – The Reba McEntire birthday lunch her son never forgot1:15:01 – Being more than “the label”: real friendships with artists1:15:24 – Legacy, loss, and why these stories need to be told before they “circle the drain”Follow Johnny B:https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozemanFollow Jay Harper:https://www.facebook.com/harperjeffFollow Jim:www.jmvos.comCircling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Cowww.itsyourshow.co
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Chris Golden on Oak Ridge Boys Legacy, Presidents, Elvis, and 478,000 Miles :: Ep 40 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Chris Golden on Oak Ridge Boys Legacy, Presidents, Elvis, and 478,000 Miles :: Ep 40 Circling the Drain Podcast
    May 27 2026


    Award-winning artist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Golden joins Johnny B and Jay Harper to swap stories from a lifetime in music. From growing up in the Golden family dynasty (son of Oak Ridge Boys’ William Lee Golden), to playing for every living U.S. president, to singing with his kids and racking up 478,000 miles on the road, this episode is loaded with behind-the-scenes tales, faith, family, and a lot of laughs.


    Chris talks about:

    – Growing up on the Alabama–Florida line in a deep musical family

    – The Oaks’ gospel-to-country transition and backlash from the “church crowd”

    – Forming The Goldens and Golden Spear, Muscle Shoals sessions, and label drama

    – Playing the White House, One America Appeal, and hanging with multiple presidents

    – Touring life, that red sparkle Ludwig snare, and his monster hybrid drum kit

    – Voiceover work (Heinz 57, ad auditions, and chasing the “Sam Elliott” spec)

    – Recording 34 songs with his dad and brother, and now sharing the stage with his kids

    – His upcoming album “A Better Man” and the song “Where My People Are”


    03:18 Growing up on the Alabama–Florida state line

    07:58 Golden family music roots and Inspirational Country Music Awards

    09:56 Rusty Golden, Beatles, Elton John, and brotherly rivalry

    10:47 Dad hands Chris a guitar: three chords and “Home on the Range”

    13:42 Early bands: Boys Band, Cedar Creek, and Golden Spear

    17:19 Muscle Shoals sessions and CBS developmental deal

    22:14 The Goldens, label cuts, and touring with William Lee Golden

    27:49 Pandemic records: 34 songs with Dad and Rusty, three albums of covers

    29:29 Chris’s kids join the show: the next Golden generation

    30:48 Opening for Ricky Skaggs with daughter Elizabeth on fiddle

    37:14 Glen Campbell, hairspray, and backstage heroes

    38:50 Roy Clark, Jim Halsey, and the Oaks’ trip to Russia

    41:59 Realizing the family was “extraordinary” and the grind of early Oaks days

    47:17 All-night gospel sings: sundown to sunup

    53:39 Playing for every living U.S. president at One America Appeal

    56:36 The first red sparkle Ludwig snare and why it still matters

    1:02:00 Shaking hands with the President at the White House

    1:02:38 Drum nerd talk: Chris’s hybrid Pearl/DW/Ludwig/Meinl/Zildjian/Sabian kit

    1:06:04 Palace Theatre “family and friends” shows in Gallatin

    1:08:21 478,000 miles on the van and the song “Grateful”

    1:10:11 Voiceover stories: Heinz 57 campaign and hillbilly reads

    1:16:31 New album “A Better Man” and “Where My People Are”

    1:17:27 How Chris’s song “Home” helped Johnny B through a rough patch

    1:18:26 Where to find Chris Golden and Circling the Drain online

    Follow Chris:
    https://chrisgolden.net/

    Follow CTD:
    www.circlingthedrain.net


    Follow Johnny B:

    https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozeman

    Follow Jay Harper:

    https://www.facebook.com/harperjeff

    Follow Jim:

    www.jmvos.com


    Circling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Co

    www.itsyourshow.co
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Larry Stewart of Restless Heart: The Frontmen, 80s/90s Country, AI & The Future Of Music :: Ep 39 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Larry Stewart of Restless Heart: The Frontmen, 80s/90s Country, AI & The Future Of Music :: Ep 39 Circling the Drain Podcast
    May 20 2026

    Larry Stewart, the voice of Restless Heart and member of The Frontmen, joins Circling The Drain to talk about breaking through in 80s and 90s country, early resistance from Music Row, touring with Alabama, and how one phone call changed his life. Larry shares the origin stories of Restless Heart and The Frontmen, the realities of road life, raising a family while constantly touring, and why today’s country boom feels bigger than ever.


    The crew also digs into modern country (Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Ella Langley), how AI is already reshaping the music business, why live shows are more important than ever, and what it really takes to stay married 40+ years in this industry. If you love 90s country, harmony-driven bands, and real behind-the-scenes stories, this one’s loaded.

    02:24 Six straight number ones, becoming “road dogs,” and the Wheels era

    03:36 Why radio embraced Restless Heart before the industry did

    04:37 How a Belmont kid working at the Country Music Hall of Fame became the lead singer

    05:45 Recording the first album, getting married, signing to RCA, and “the rest is history”

    08:06 Harmony magic: how five voices created the Restless Heart sound

    11:20 Where the songs came from and the role of Tim DuBois and Alabama

    12:24 First big tour with Alabama, stage fright, and playing for 15–18,000 a night

    14:13 Band chemistry, breakups, reunions, and outlasting most marriages

    16:39 Growing up in Kentucky, gospel roots, piano, and choosing music over baseball

    20:44 From JUCO ball to Belmont: the crazy path that led Larry to Nashville

    25:20 Naming Restless Heart and the terrible band names that didn’t make the cut

    25:27 How The Frontmen started with a lobby conversation and a wild idea

    26:54 Randy Owen, early Frontmen shows, and taking the act to the troops

    28:20 Performing in Iraq, Afghanistan, and on aircraft carriers – bonding through USO-style tours

    29:39 COVID shutdowns, livestreaming Fridays at Five, and doubling down on The Frontmen

    32:27 Building The Frontmen as a business: LLC, trademark, and brand strategy

    33:31 Putting the band together in Nashville and finding the right players

    35:46 Modern country: Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Ella Langley and the 90s influence

    37:40 Why country that “hits a nerve” is connecting with massive audiences

    38:36 How Restless Heart finally landed on their name (and why “Lazy River Boys” didn’t happen)

    41:54 Guilty pleasures, Broadway tunes, Taylor Swift, and not listening to much music anymore

    43:01 42 years of marriage, missing family time, and coaching his kids to make up for the road

    45:21 Kids, grandkids, and why none of them went into music

    48:16 AI, demo singers, and why live music is becoming even more valuable

    49:12 Can AI build an artist’s entire image and album from scratch?

    51:45 Tracks vs live: how The Frontmen actually run their show

    55:13 Where to see The Frontmen live and how Larry stays out of trouble on social media

    Follow Larry and The Frontmen:

    https://www.larrystewartmusic.com/
    https://www.thefrontmenlive.com/

    Follow Johnny B:

    https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozeman

    Follow Jay Harper:

    https://www.facebook.com/harperjeff

    Follow Jim:

    www.jmvos.com


    Circling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Co

    www.itsyourshow.co
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    58 mins
  • Californians, Old Nashville, and the Death of Class :: Ep 38 Circling The Drain Podcast

    Californians, Old Nashville, and the Death of Class :: Ep 38 Circling The Drain Podcast
    May 13 2026

    Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy dive into how Nashville and Middle Tennessee have changed under the wave of California and out-of-state transplants. From McMansions and roaming dogs to the death of “old” Music Row, they unpack what’s been gained, what’s been lost, and why some newcomers bring their problems with them.


    They also hit on the impact of the Telecommunications Act on radio, the shift in the music and movie industries, old money vs new money, the immigrant work ethic, and how social media turned everyone into a political pundit.


    If you love Nashville, radio, music history, and a good rant about culture, money, and manners, this one’s for you.


    Timed Highlights:

    01:17 California and LA “refugees” landing in Tennessee

    03:20 From farmland to McMansions: Johnny’s neighborhood transforms

    05:13 “The Duttons” move in: roaming dogs, dune buggies, and entitlement

    08:05 No-income-tax migration: Texas, Florida, Tennessee and beyond

    10:11 Wichita, Montana, Idaho and the new playgrounds for the wealthy

    13:13 Voiceover, LA unions, and movie work leaving California

    15:27 How unions strangled opportunity in Hollywood

    15:53 Remembering “old Nashville” and Music Row’s golden era

    17:32 Urban Cowboy, arenas, Predators, Titans and a new city identity

    19:02 When Elvis played Murfreesboro and Nashville had no big venue

    19:36 The 2010 flood and Nashville’s turning point

    21:00 Insurance, healthcare and the real business of Nashville

    23:02 “Bringing California food” to Tennessee and why it failed

    24:39 Sticker shock: $26 California pizza in Vegas

    25:22 Tiny portions, big prices and Southern “meat and three” culture

    27:18 Sylvan Park, Monell’s and eating with total strangers

    28:55 Nashville gets cosmopolitan – real restaurants arrive

    29:18 Bell Meade money, radio paychecks and brutal honesty

    32:22 Old money snobbery in New Orleans and Charleston

    33:29 Generational wealth: who earns it, who blows it

    34:39 Trust fund kids, cash flashes and zero self-awareness

    36:58 The Murdoch saga and destroying a family legacy

    38:17 Strong men, weak men, good times, bad times

    39:19 Immigrant grit, building empires from nothing

    40:55 Vietnamese and Cambodian communities thriving in New Orleans

    42:02 Cultural distrust and the Vietnamese grocery experience

    42:55 California fear in Tennessee vs New York’s evolution

    43:33 Johnny’s “John Dutton” neighbor and hoping he’s just unaware

    44:05 Dog safety, coyotes and suburban “protection money” jokes

    45:00 Southern accents and being stereotyped as dumb

    46:25 Facebook community pages, bad spelling and zero punctuation

    46:49 Texting culture and the death of proper sentences

    47:35 Everyone’s a pundit now: social media, politics and Artemis skeptics

    48:04 Wrap-up: Real talk, real idiots, and where to find Circling The Drain

    Follow Johnny B:

    https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozeman

    Follow Jay Harper:

    https://www.facebook.com/harperjeff

    Follow Jim:

    www.jmvos.com


    Circling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Co

    www.itsyourshow.co
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    52 mins
  • Is AI Killing Real Music? Jared Rogers & John Berry on Faith, Vinyl, Streaming and the New Nashville :: Ep 37 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Is AI Killing Real Music? Jared Rogers & John Berry on Faith, Vinyl, Streaming and the New Nashville :: Ep 37 Circling the Drain Podcast
    May 6 2026
    Circling The Drain welcomes artist and storyteller Jared Rogers, with a special guest drop‑in from country legend John Berry. They dive deep into what’s happened to the magic of music: from growing up around Kenny Rogers and Opryland to the harsh reality of streaming payouts, AI “artists,” and the corporatization of radio and Nashville. Jared shares the story behind his powerful duet with John Berry, “Bridge We All Must Cross,” how faith and real-life struggle shape his writing, and why he’s pushing back against the way DSPs and AI are devaluing human creativity. If you care about real songs, real musicians, vinyl, radio, and the future of music in an AI world, this one hits home. 2:42 Growing up around the business: Kenny Rogers, Tanya Tucker, Lorrie Morgan, Joe Diffie 3:35 Falling in love with storytelling, songwriting and the stage 3:56 John Berry joins the show from the yard in his work shirt 4:32 How the Jared Rogers & John Berry duet came together 5:41 John on choosing “Bridge We All Must Cross” and first hearing Jared’s songs 7:01 John’s Christmas legacy, “O Holy Night,” and being known for faith-based music 8:18 Jared on running sound for John and why he looks up to him as an artist and believer 9:06 Johnny B’s ’80s Athens, GA story and early John Berry interview 10:13 Life in Athens, UGA fans everywhere, and 38 years of marriage 10:51 Kenny Rogers’ classic weekend: music, sports and a young Jared meeting Michael Jordan 12:56 Studio lessons from John Berry – how legends record vocals 15:08 Kenny Rogers’ “first or second take” magic vs. working the song 16:12 Autism benefit show, calling out a reluctant donor from the stage 17:19 Why charity matters after John’s cancer battle and benefit experience 19:39 Music Health Alliance and the power of community in Nashville 20:31 Robin Berry’s role – harmony, touring and doing life together 22:52 Back to Jared – growing up as Kenny Rogers’ nephew and his dad’s voice 25:27 Inside Jim’s studio: Marvel, Jesus, and the “chop shop” joke 27:04 Jared’s musical influences: BB King, David Gilmour, Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Beck, Van Halen 28:47 Meeting Meat Loaf in Vegas and the best advice he gave Jared 30:17 Radio nostalgia: when DJs, records and MTV made music feel magical 31:23 Jared’s favorite part of the business: building songs in the studio 31:57 The spiritual message behind his album “Sinner Man” 33:00 Writing “Bridge We All Must Cross” at 150 mph and finishing in 20 minutes 34:30 Co-writing with Jerry “Papa Bear” Williams and crafting the track 35:00 Why John Berry was the only choice for the duet 37:05 The reality check: streaming platforms are killing songwriters 39:03 Why Jared loves radio and hates what deregulation did to it 40:42 Vinyl vs downloads – what we lost when music left the jacket and liner notes 44:10 The math of streaming: rich platforms, broke creators 45:14 Why Jared wants off DSPs and back to tangible music 46:32 Remembering the needle on vinyl and the drama of dropping the record 47:09 How Broadway and Nashville lost their soul to high-rises and bars 48:31 AmericanaVille in Livingston – intimate listening rooms vs no traffic 50:00 Today’s country: trucks, whiskey, heartbreak and a few standouts 51:18 Social media grind: crowded, loud and hard to convert to real fans 51:49 A better model: direct-to-artist digital sales that actually pay 53:38 The economics of being a working musician in 2020s America 55:00 Life in the shadow of a famous family name and refusing to be a copy 57:46 Hank Jr. as the example of what happens when you finally become yourself 58:19 Why many new artists are still chasing music radio that’s almost out of gas 59:44 Podcasting as the new radio and a path for artists to own their stories 1:03:36 How AI and synthetic “artists” are flooding the market 1:07:15 Entire AI albums, fake singers and charting “artists” that don’t exist 1:09:44 Faith, revelation and what AI disruption might really mean 1:10:14 Terminator, I Robot and why AI isn’t just sci‑fi anymore 1:13:19 Vinyl outsells CDs again and Gen Z brings records back 1:14:26 Why human imperfection and “off” notes are what make records exciting 1:15:00 Old records with energy: Dave Clark Five, Rare Earth and beyond 1:16:47 World premiere spin: “Bridge We All Must Cross” – Jared Rogers & John Berry 1:17:03 First verse – a troubled mind and the path back to the light 1:17:44 Chorus – the bridge we all must cross and the cross we all must bear 1:18:14 John Berry’s vocal enters – voices blend and lift the hook 1:19:39 Jared on watching legends and staying a student in the studio Follow Jared and John:https://www.instagram.com/jaredrogersofficial/https://www.johnberry.com/Follow Johnny B:https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozemanFollow Jay Harper:...
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Dan Mandis: From Dr. Laura To Marconi Winner & The Future Of Talk Radio :: Ep 36 Circling The Drain Podcast

    Dan Mandis: From Dr. Laura To Marconi Winner & The Future Of Talk Radio :: Ep 36 Circling The Drain Podcast
    Apr 29 2026
    On this episode of Circling The Drain, the three J’s sit down with Marconi Award–winning talk host and former WTN program director Dan Mandis for a deep dive into his 30+ years in radio. From cutting his teeth at legendary KFI in Los Angeles with Dr. Laura, to building syndication the hard way, to steering SuperTalk 99.7 WTN through the loss of Phil Valentine, Dan opens up about the highs, lows, and realities of a life behind the mic. You’ll hear how he: - Went from board-op and traffic guy in LA to hosting major-market and national shows - Helped grow Dr. Laura’s show station by station before syndication was “plug-and-play” - Transitioned from producer to host and program director across LA, New York, Dallas, Fort Wayne, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Nashville - Dealt with overnights, early mornings, burnout, and moving his family all over the country - Survived industry cutbacks, never technically got “fired,” and kept landing on his feet - Navigated the aftermath of Phil Valentine’s passing and kept WTN strong - Embraced video, editing, and streaming as an “old radio guy” and why he thinks you must if you’re on air today - Sees podcasting and radio converging and where the next generation of talent will come from Plus: - War stories about unscreened open lines on “America at Night” - A hilariously off-the-rails interview with Van Halen’s former manager Noel Monk - Dr. Laura’s tough-love style, how she sounds exactly the same today, and what Dan learned from her as a broadcaster and as a human - A candid look at conservative talk, Rush, Glenn Beck, and how digging into issues changed Dan’s politics - The power of theater of the mind, why storytelling still wins, and how Morgan Wallen and Ella Langley are doing it in country music today If you love radio, podcasting, broadcasting history, or just great stories from people who’ve “been there and done that,” this episode is loaded. Timed highlights (chapter markers): 3:00 Dan’s favorite market: why a smaller station in Fort Wayne was the most fun 4:05 How Dan actually got his start in radio in Los Angeles 4:55 Early days at KFI: producer, board-op, traffic, and the Dr. Laura connection 6:40 Building Dr. Laura’s syndication station by station, the “old-school” way 7:35 Moving from behind the scenes to PD and host in Colorado Springs, Fort Wayne, Denver, and beyond 9:11 Starting in 1987 and what fascinated Dan about “behind the glass” radio 7:55–9:30 Classic “old days of radio” stories: smoking in studios and nude ballet in the control room 9:44 Why Dan left music radio and embraced talk: “I was a terrible disc jockey” 9:53 Growing up on LA talk radio in the back seat of a smoke-filled car 10:40 Learning production, call screening, and board-op skills at powerhouse KFI 11:59 The rush of live talk, callers, and flying without a net 12:17 Working mornings, spontaneity, and regretting what you said on-air 14:15 Discovering open lines on “America at Night” and the terror of unscreened calls 15:37 Yelling on-air after 30 years of being the “non-yeller” host 15:55 Has Dan ever been fired? Downsizing vs. “real” firing debate 16:43 Radio careers, layoffs, and never being unemployed more than 3 weeks 17:06 Moving markets with a family and the toll it takes at home 18:39 How constant moves impacted Dan’s kids and what they gained from it 19:13 Paying dues and why young would-be hosts need patience 19:41 From radio to podcasting: Dan’s show “Mostly Peaceful with Dan and Chris and Matt” 20:01 Why Dan still believes in radio even while podcasting 20:18 Missing radio so much it hurts: Johnny’s story of stepping away 20:47 Dan on being 58, counting down to retirement, and whether he’d really quit 22:03 Waking up at midnight, prepping for a 5 a.m. show, and the grind behind “just talking” 23:54 Being dragged into video kicking and screaming, then learning to love it 24:55 Teaching himself Premiere Pro and using ChatGPT for vertical content 25:53 Not wanting to be “the old guy who can’t change” and embracing video editing 26:32 Is video hurting radio? Serving stream viewers without abandoning listeners in cars 27:53 Theater of the mind vs. cameras in the studio 28:25 How streaming exposed radio’s wardrobe, and Dan’s wife fixing his on-camera look 29:41 Discovering audiences actually watch radio shows and their passion for live streams 30:44 Why listeners now complain when the video stream goes down 30:44–32:25 How many actual radios do they own now and reception issues even near big signals 33:06 First impressions of WTN, hearing Johnny and Phil and feeling intimidated 34:33 PD stories: “Who are you again?” and live-mic warnings in the hallway 35:30 Intimidation, team-building, and managing big talent without being an a-hole 36:26 Relief at stepping down as ...
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Dez Dickerson on Prince, Hendrix, Faith, Talk Radio and Modern Rock :: Ep 35 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Dez Dickerson on Prince, Hendrix, Faith, Talk Radio and Modern Rock :: Ep 35 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Apr 22 2026
    On this episode of Circling The Drain, Johnny B, Jay Harper and James Patrick McCarthy sit down with guitarist and broadcaster Dez Dickerson – best known as Prince’s original guitarist from the 1999 and Little Red Corvette era.Dez takes us from his early days in Midwestern cover bands to his legendary audition with Prince, life on the road, opening for the Rolling Stones, his faith journey, leaving the band just as they were about to headline stadiums, and his unexpected path into conservative talk radio.Along the way, the guys dive deep into Jimi Hendrix’s legacy, the darker side of the music business, the opioid epidemic and fentanyl, and why modern rock rarely hits as hard as it used to.What you’ll hear in this episode:- Dez’s wild origin story, starting professional gigs at 14 without even a driver’s license - The real story behind his Prince audition and how “having the vibe” got him the gig - Inside the infamous Rolling Stones opening shows and how Hells Angels changed the narrative - Why he walked away from Prince’s band at the brink of stadium-headliner status - Dez’s conversion to Christianity on the Dirty Mind tour and how it reshaped his choices - Moving to Nashville, discovering the Christian music business and landing an A&R role - How Phil Valentine pushed him toward talk radio – and why the mic felt like home - His unapologetically conservative views, pushback he’s gotten, and “clear thinker” philosophy - Guitar talk: Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Santana, bikers, death metal, and why no one is truly “original” - Dez’s thoughts on today’s rock, podcasts vs radio, and what he wants to do nextHit play for a fast, funny, honest conversation about music, faith, politics and life from someone who’s actually been there, on stage and on the air.Listen, subscribe, and join the Drain Gang at: circlingthedrain.net 2:47 Dez’s first days with Prince and the audition at an empty tire shop 3:36 Growing up in Midwest cover bands and touring before he could drive 4:47 Inside the Prince audition: playing with the band vs trying to “blow them away” 6:38 Seeing Prince’s real personality after joining the band 8:04 Opening for the Rolling Stones, Hells Angels and getting “booed off stage” in the media 10:49 Dez’s conversion to Christianity on the Dirty Mind tour 11:17 Moral discomfort on stage and the moment he knew he had to leave 12:38 Intense years in the band and the image from the 1999 video 13:07 Little Red Corvette solo and Dez’s guitar legacy 13:19 Why and how Dez moved to Nashville and into A&R 15:11 Early days in Nashville and culture shock over a little snow 16:00 How Phil Valentine pushed Dez toward talk radio 18:01 Discovering talk radio feels like “home” and plans to blend radio and podcasting 19:41 The story behind the iconic kamikaze headband 21:27 Fan art, the faceless cartoon band, and Dez as a visual icon 22:03 Prince’s pain, opioids, fentanyl and the tragedy of his death 24:49 The opioid epidemic, fake fentanyl and near-misses with pain meds 26:17 Personal stories of back surgeries, painkillers and dependency 27:08 Dez’s first guitar, outgrowing lessons and early school gigs 29:25 Early career breaks, agents, and being “the kid who plays like Hendrix” 29:53 Guitar heroes: Clapton, Zeppelin, Grand Funk and growing into Hendrix influence 30:54 Winning over biker crowds and the Stones show irony 31:30 How Prince fused Sly Stone, Hendrix and the Stones’ Glimmer Twins 32:17 Hendrix’s unrealized future and his deep influence on guitar players 34:05 Being the only one at school mourning Hendrix and the “players’ player” 35:04 Eddie Van Halen, borrowing from Hendrix and other influences 37:04 Why “best guitarist” debates miss the point 37:31 Practice, grind and scaring your parents with your obsession 38:02 Reading music vs playing by ear and learning the Nashville number system 39:09 Reconnecting with Prince in Nashville and the “show after the show” 40:49 Sharing the stage with Larry Graham and surreal “Forrest Gump” moments 41:54 First Avenue stories, U2 and Minneapolis memories 42:26 Moving from cold Minnesota to too-hot Nashville 43:03 Dez’s conservatism, being “just to the right of Attila the Hun” and industry blowback 45:41 Leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a “clear thinker” 47:16 The problem with political echo chambers, even in conservative talk radio 48:12 Label me an American: political parties vs founding ideals 49:31 Why you cannot recreate Phil Valentine and why listeners still compare 50:09 Radio vs record labels and the business side of both worlds 51:00 Why copying Phil can never work and why he was a true radio rock star 52:32 Inside label culture in Nashville and signing left-of-center artists 53:47 How a meeting with Jimmy Bowen helped shape modern Christian music 55:01 How ...
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    1 hr and 7 mins