Circling The Drain – Details, episodes & analysis

Join Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy as they dive deep into the wild, unfiltered world of radio's golden era. From cigarettes in the studio to celebrity encounters gone wrong, these veteran broadcasters share hilarious and heartfelt stories about the days when radio was pure theater of the mind. Hear about Phil Valentine's close calls, Steve Earle's contentious interviews, and why Naomi Judd made such a lasting impression. Plus, the hosts discuss how corporate takeovers killed radio's soul and why podcasting might be the industry's salvation.

**[0:00 - 2:15]** - The Jack Kemp Ego Check: How Phil Valentine's national show got a reality check from a confused politician

**[2:15 - 8:30]** - Radio's Wild West Days: Stories of on-air smoking, pizza, and the "dance" of operating vintage equipment

**[8:30 - 15:45]** - Celebrity Memory Lane: Donald Trump Jr.'s photographic memory and Steve Warner's Christmas connection to Chet Atkins

**[15:45 - 25:20]** - The Great Radio Fire: When a joint nearly burned down a station and dad showed up in his pajamas

**[25:20 - 35:40]** - Meeting the Judds: Naomi's warmth, Wynonna's bicycle rides, and sunglasses in the studio

**[35:40 - 48:15]** - Steve Earle Chronicles: From rockabilly rejection to "Copperhead Road" at a banker's reception

**[48:15 - 58:30]** - Political Landmines: How the Dixie Chicks, Steve Earle, and others learned that politics can kill careers

**[58:30 - End]** - Death of Old Radio: Corporate takeovers, the rise of podcasting, and why the future belongs to independent creators

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

Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy launch "Circling the Drain" by exploring how the deaths of entertainment legends affect us personally. From Elvis and John Lennon to Phil Valentine and Eddie Van Halen, the hosts share intimate stories about meeting their heroes and discuss why we form such deep connections with celebrities we've never met. Jay recounts his days at MCA Records with Jimmy Bowen as well as his incredible Muhammad Ali encounter, and they pay tribute to the late Phil Valentine who brought them all together.

**[2:24]** Jay Harper's journey from 1000-watt radio to MCA Records with Jimmy Bowen and legends like George Strait

**[14:22]** The shocking impact of Elvis Presley's death - where were you when the King died?

**[16:56]** Why celebrity deaths hit us so hard - the emotional connection to our musical heroes

**[20:13]** Johnny B's tribute to Waylon Jennings and how country music brought him closer to his father

**[24:44]** The forgotten outlaw: Why Johnny Paycheck deserves more recognition

**[29:17]** A touching encounter with Faron Young that revealed the loneliness of faded stardom

**[31:19]** 2025's devastating celebrity losses: From Loni Anderson to Ozzy Osbourne

**[40:12]** Phil Valentine's lasting impact - the radio host who connected like family

**[45:46]** Jay's incredible Muhammad Ali story: Getting the champ to sign his artwork in 1978

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

Join Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy as they dive into the wild world of musicians crossing over into acting. From Hank Williams' reluctance to become a movie star to Trace Adkins' impressive western roles, this episode explores the hits and misses of singers turned actors.

[0:00-0:15] Podcast introduction and show premise
[0:15-5:00] Hank Williams' Hollywood hesitation and behind-the-scenes stories
[5:00-15:00] Country music stars in film: Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Tim McGraw
[15:00-25:00] Rock stars and acting: Alice Cooper, Keith Richards, and Prince
[25:00-35:00] Successful crossover artists like Dwight Yoakam and Kiefer Sutherland
[35:00-45:00] Discussion on celebrity influence and the rise of social media stars
[45:00-50:00] Closing thoughts on the changing landscape of entertainment

A hilarious and insightful journey through the sometimes cringe-worthy, sometimes brilliant world of musicians trying their hand at acting!

Jagger/Bowie “Dancing in the Streets” video without music: 

https://youtu.be/BHkhIjG0DKc?si=WMvOh-dQMKlNgaoJ

Star Wars Ending with No Music: 

https://youtu.be/Tj-GZJhfBmI?si=nOKO47YzEI904uJE

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

Radio Wars and Rockstar Dreams: Tales from the Golden Age of Broadcasting :: Ep 2 Circling The Drain Podcast 

 Join Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy as they dive deep into the wild, unfiltered world of radio's golden era. From cigarettes in the studio to celebrity encounters gone wrong, these veteran broadcasters share hilarious and heartfelt stories about the days when radio was pure theater of the mind. Hear about Phil Valentine's close calls, Steve Earle's contentious interviews, and why Naomi Judd made such a lasting impression. Plus, the hosts discuss how corporate takeovers killed radio's soul and why podcasting might be the industry's salvation.

**[0:00 - 2:15]** - The Jack Kemp Ego Check: How Phil Valentine's national show got a reality check from a confused politician

**[2:15 - 8:30]** - Radio's Wild West Days: Stories of on-air smoking, pizza, and the "dance" of operating vintage equipment

**[8:30 - 15:45]** - Celebrity Memory Lane: Donald Trump Jr.'s photographic memory and Steve Warner's Christmas connection to Chet Atkins

**[15:45 - 25:20]** - The Great Radio Fire: When a joint nearly burned down a station and dad showed up in his pajamas

**[25:20 - 35:40]** - Meeting the Judds: Naomi's warmth, Wynonna's bicycle rides, and sunglasses in the studio

**[35:40 - 48:15]** - Steve Earle Chronicles: From rockabilly rejection to "Copperhead Road" at a banker's reception

**[48:15 - 58:30]** - Political Landmines: How the Dixie Chicks, Steve Earle, and others learned that politics can kill careers

**[58:30 - End]** - Death of Old Radio: Corporate takeovers, the rise of podcasting, and why the future belongs to independent creators

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

Join Johnny B & Jay Harper as they dive into a hilarious and cringe-worthy exploration of their most embarrassing celebrity encounters. From awkward backstage moments with Roy Clark and Waylon Jennings to on-air radio mishaps and fan-boy interactions, this episode is packed with laugh-out-loud stories that reveal the human side of entertainment personalities. Learn about unexpected meet-and-greets, on-stage wardrobe malfunctions, and the art of not embarrassing yourself when meeting your heroes. It's a candid, entertaining look behind the scenes of the music and radio world that you won't want to miss!

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

Join us for an intimate conversation with legendary songwriter Gary Gentry as he shares incredible stories from Nashville's golden era. From his supernatural encounter with Hank Williams' ghost to writing hit songs like "The Ride" and working with icons like Billy Sherrill and David Allen Coe, this episode is a treasure trove of music history.

Timed Highlights:
[0:09:45] - The supernatural moment that inspired "The Ride"
[0:34:28] - Wild stories about Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings
[0:52:18] - Behind-the-scenes of writing "Bluegrass Morning"
[1:00:35] - Gary's thoughts on current country music artists
[1:04:26] - Discussion on how modern country music lacks distinctive artist styles
[1:06:24] - Potential collaboration idea: Beyoncé covering "The Ride"

A must-listen for country music fans, aspiring songwriters, and anyone who loves authentic behind-the-scenes music stories!

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

In this episode, the 3J crew dives deep into a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from music and movies to current events.

Highlights include:

[0:00-0:10] Personal stories and podcast reflections
[0:10-0:25] Discussion of Charlie Kirk's recent assassination and its impact
[0:25-0:40] Memories of talk radio and political discourse
[0:40-1:00] Reminiscing about Robert Redford and classic Hollywood actors
[1:00-1:20] Detailed breakdown of the movie Jaws, its production challenges, and iconic moments
[1:20-1:40] Exploration of classic film noir and golden age Hollywood glamour
[1:40-End] Conversations about interview shows like Dick Cavett and memorable celebrity interviews

The podcast offers a mix of nostalgia, pop culture commentary, and personal anecdotes, keeping listeners entertained with the hosts' witty banter and diverse topics.

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

Johnny B, Jay and Jim dive deep into the world of story songs, exploring their rich history and cultural impact. In this episode, we'll unpack:

[0:01:00] The Power of Narrative Music
- Gordon Lightfoot's "Edmund Fitzgerald"
- How story songs transcend musical genres

[0:22:30] Legendary Storytellers in Music
- Kenny Rogers' narrative hits
- The emotional depth of songs like "Lucille"

[0:33:40] Modern Challenges in Songwriting
- The impact of AI on music creation
- Rising concert prices limiting musical inspiration

[0:41:20] Emotional Resonance of Story Songs
- Personal stories that move listeners
- Examples from Pearl Jam, Zach Brown, and more

Highlights include candid discussions about music's evolution, the importance of imperfection in recordings, and a nostalgic look at how story songs connect generations. Whether you're a music historian or casual listener, this episode offers insights into the art of musical storytelling.

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

Radio Wars and Rockstar Dreams: Tales from the Golden Age of Broadcasting :: Ep 2 Circling The Drain Podcast 

 Join Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy as they dive deep into the wild, unfiltered world of radio's golden era. From cigarettes in the studio to celebrity encounters gone wrong, these veteran broadcasters share hilarious and heartfelt stories about the days when radio was pure theater of the mind. Hear about Phil Valentine's close calls, Steve Earle's contentious interviews, and why Naomi Judd made such a lasting impression. Plus, the hosts discuss how corporate takeovers killed radio's soul and why podcasting might be the industry's salvation.

**[0:00 - 2:15]** - The Jack Kemp Ego Check: How Phil Valentine's national show got a reality check from a confused politician

**[2:15 - 8:30]** - Radio's Wild West Days: Stories of on-air smoking, pizza, and the "dance" of operating vintage equipment

**[8:30 - 15:45]** - Celebrity Memory Lane: Donald Trump Jr.'s photographic memory and Steve Warner's Christmas connection to Chet Atkins

**[15:45 - 25:20]** - The Great Radio Fire: When a joint nearly burned down a station and dad showed up in his pajamas

**[25:20 - 35:40]** - Meeting the Judds: Naomi's warmth, Wynonna's bicycle rides, and sunglasses in the studio

**[35:40 - 48:15]** - Steve Earle Chronicles: From rockabilly rejection to "Copperhead Road" at a banker's reception

**[48:15 - 58:30]** - Political Landmines: How the Dixie Chicks, Steve Earle, and others learned that politics can kill careers

**[58:30 - End]** - Death of Old Radio: Corporate takeovers, the rise of podcasting, and why the future belongs to independent creators

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

Join us for an intimate conversation with Regie Hamm, a songwriter whose life took unexpected turns through music, adoption, and personal transformation. 

Highlights include:

[0:00-0:15] Introduction and podcast setup 

[0:15-0:30] Background on Regie's musical journey 

[0:36-0:45] Early days in a family musical group 

[0:45-1:00] Transition from family band to solo artist 

[1:00-1:15] Adoption of daughter Isabella and life-changing experiences 

[1:15-1:30] American Idol songwriting competition victory 

[1:30-1:45] "The Time of My Life" song becoming an Olympic anthem 

[1:45-2:00] Reflections on creativity, family, and personal growth

Regie shares candid stories about his musical roots, unexpected success, adopting a daughter with special needs, and how life's challenges transformed his perspective. A must-listen for music lovers and those seeking inspiration through personal storytelling.

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

Country music singer Wade Hayes joins Circling the Drain for an intimate conversation about his remarkable journey through life's challenges. From battling stage four colon cancer to navigating the music industry, Wade shares his inspiring story of survival, his Oklahoma roots, and his passion for authentic country music. Hear about his early days playing in honky tonks, his breakthrough hits like "Old Enough to Know Better", and his upcoming reimagined greatest hits album. Wade opens up about his musical influences, his near-death experience, and the gratitude that keeps him grounded in the ever-changing world of country music.

[0:00:00] - Wade discusses his miraculous cancer survival, noting he was given only a 5% chance of survival

[0:05:57] - Wade shares his move to Nashville at 22 with just $450, determined to pursue music

[0:08:02] - Pivotal moment: Ricky Skaggs' CMA Awards speech inspires Wade to pursue his music career

[0:09:38] - Wade describes how record labels discovered him while playing lead guitar for Johnny Lee

[0:13:32] - Detailed discussion of his stage four colon cancer diagnosis at age 42

[0:21:39] - Wade talks about his musical influences, particularly praising Vince Gill's incredible talent

[0:34:43] - Story of how he met his wife Leah, with John Rich playing matchmaker

[0:37:04] - Wade discusses his upcoming Greatest Hits album, where he's re-recording and reimagining his classic songs

[0:39:47] - Conversation about his hit song "Tore Up" and why he stopped performing it for years

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

Join the Triple J's as they dive into the wild world of radio broadcasting, sharing hilarious and cringe-worthy stories of on-air explosions, technical disasters, and workplace tensions. This episode reveals the chaotic backstage drama that listeners never hear.

[0:00-0:10] Intro to radio confrontation stories

[0:10-0:15] Johnny B's first hint at announcer conflicts

[0:20-0:30] Michael Jackson death reporting incident

[8:20-8:54] Jay's embarrassing engineering confrontation

[11:00-13:15] Johnny's on-air outburst with another personality 

[15:00-16:30] Discussion of Super Talk TV technical failures

[33:00-36:18] Production department technology frustrations

[41:36-43:59] Wild story about David Allen Coe's unpredictable concert behavior

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