Free Daily Podcast Summary
Circling The Drain: Daily Summaries Delivered
by John E. Bozeman & Jay Harper
Get key takeaways, quotes, and insights from Circling The Drain in a 5-minute read. Delivered straight to your inbox.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 6 days ago50 min
Californians, Old Nashville, and the Death of Class :: Ep 38 Circling The Drain Podcast
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.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
- 1 weeks ago1h 21m
Is AI Killing Real Music? Jared Rogers & John Berry on Faith, Vinyl, Streaming and the New Nashville :: Ep 37 Circling the Drain Podcast
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 b
- 2 weeks ago1h 29m
Dan Mandis: From Dr. Laura To Marconi Winner & The Future Of Talk Radio :: Ep 36 Circling The Drain Podcast
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 Fir
- 3 weeks ago1h 6m
Dez Dickerson on Prince, Hendrix, Faith, Talk Radio and Modern Rock :: Ep 35 Circling the Drain Podcast
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
- Apr 15, 202648 min
Tributes, Cancelled Careers, And Nashville War Stories :: Ep 34 Circling the Drain
In this episode of Circling The Drain, Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy dive deep into the changing world of music and radio from the perspective of insiders who have lived it. They start with why some artists get massive tribute concerts while others do not, then slide into a raw, honest look at country radio’s glory days, its corporate-driven decline, and what happens to artists and broadcasters when the industry moves on. From Taylor Hawkins and Eddie Van Halen, to Waylon Jennings, Jason Aldean, Kacey Musgraves, and Tim McGraw, the guys unpack how careers peak and fade, how politics can tank a fan base, and why loyalty in production teams still matters. Along the way, you will hear behind the scenes stories from Nashville radio, Country Radio Seminar, hall of fame inductions, and on air rivalries the hosts now regret. It is a brutally honest, funny, and nostalgic ride through a business that is, quite literally, circling the drain. Listen for – Why some legends get big tribute concerts and others never do – How corporate ownership and streaming gutted local radio – The unspoken 20 year shelf life of most country stars – When politics and award shows push fans away – Confessions about bashing other hosts on the air – The Nashville radio names they still want to get on the podcast Circling The Drain is a podcast about music, media, and entertainment before it all goes down the disposal. 2:12 – Taylor Hawkins vs Eddie Van Halen: who gets a tribute and why 3:55 – Waylon Jennings, tribute shows, and honoring musical “gifting” 6:10 – Radio as a launchpad: how on air skills still matter even when radio does not 7:05 – Inside Country Radio Seminar: from DJ convention to corporate schmooze fest 8:49 – Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson as “new artists” at CRS 10:28 – Early misreads: not being blown away by The Judds at first listen 12:17 – When record labels ruled: RCA, MCA, and the power to make stars 13:27 – The Nashville machine wakes up to radio’s decline and bankrupt clusters 14:22 – Getting tossed aside with age: musicians, flatbed truck gigs, and reality checks 15:32 – Why only a handful of artists have true decades-long careers 18:11 – Earl Thomas Conley: hit records, introversion, and painful live shows 19:58 – Country bars, boring sets, and what audiences really want 21:56 – Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, and the 20 year A list career arc 23:37 – What happened to Kacey Musgraves and the Dixie Chicks effect 24:55 – The cost of politics onstage and why some artists never learn 25:32 – Oscars, live streams, and why award shows feel pompous and out of touch 26:36 – CMT Awards, live vocals, and brutal pitch correction moments 27:47 – Waylon’s hearing loss and the studio tricks to keep him on pitch 28:42 – Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” and the Columbia courthouse backlash 30:06 – Racism in the North vs South: a blunt Ohio story 30:58 – Jason Aldean’s production team loyalty and “do not fix what is not broken” 31:39 – Talk radio etiquette: why bashing other hosts is bush league 32:39 – Johnny’s regret over slamming Rick and Bubba on the air 35:00 – Howard Stern, rivalries, and when feuds actually helped the ratings 36:01 – Air Awards story: the Kanye West Bill Cody gag 37:28 – How industry awards slowly got cheaper and smaller 38:24 – Tennessee Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and forgetting key co hosts 40:00 – Phil Valentine, Terry Hopkins, and the show that made a career 42:29 – Brian Sargent, music director battles, and taking heat for the host 43:36 – A rare good GM: Dennis Ways and healthy radio culture 44:21 – Michael Dickey and the reality of ownership families 45:59 – Who they still want on: Nashville radio legends, especially women 47:07 – TV and weather crossovers: why they want Davis Nolan’s story 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
- Apr 8, 20261h 25m
Zoro: From Janitor to World‑Class Drummer and Minister of Groove :: Ep 33 Circling the Drain
In this powerful episode of Circling the Drain, Johnny B and Jay Harper sit down with legendary drummer Zoro (Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Brown, and more) to explore his extraordinary journey from growing up in Compton and rural Oregon poverty to becoming a world‑class musician, author, speaker, and “Minister of Groove.” Zoro shares how a humble janitor job unlocked his destiny, why he believes gifts come from God as seeds that must be cultivated, and how a life of service, not self, leads to real joy. He also opens up about his memoir “Maria’s Scarf,” his faith journey, encounters with major celebrities like Denzel Washington and Lenny Kravitz, and the spiritual principles that have guided his life through hardship, rejection, and eventual breakthrough. If you’ve ever felt behind, overlooked, or discouraged about your calling, this episode will challenge and inspire you to keep going.Timed highlights [0:01:34] Zoro joins: life in Tennessee, weather, and growing up doing hard manual labor [0:02:27] Early jobs: groundskeeper, mowing, John Deere mishap, and not being afraid of work [0:05:54] First “real job” and discovering taxes as a kid [0:06:50] What got Zoro into drumming and his view that gifts are God‑given [0:07:29] Growing up in Compton, soul music, Motown, and the “ghetto drum set” in a Radio Flyer wagon [0:09:50] Playing on the sidewalk, earning quarters, and sensing a calling [0:10:05] Destiny, spiritual warfare, and why opposition often accompanies your purpose [0:11:40] Moving from Compton to rural Oregon and years of rejection from school band programs [0:13:20] The janitor job that changed everything: sneaking onto the drums after hours [0:15:00] Discovered while drumming on the job and suddenly needed in every school band [0:16:19] From 62 absences to showing up: how finding purpose transformed his attendance [0:17:48] Skipping school vs. loving learning and caring for his sick mother [0:18:11] Mark Twain’s quote: “I never let schooling interfere with my education” [0:18:57] Chickens, self‑education, and early entrepreneurship [0:20:00] The orange paper titled “My Future” and deciding to be a professional drummer [0:20:20] “You are basically honest” and the humor and honesty in his early diaries [0:21:19] Street life in Compton, stealing as a kid, and gradual character transformation [0:23:42] Gifts as seeds: why talent is an acorn, not a full‑grown oak [0:24:35] Living in a car, chapters titled “Living on a Prayer,” “I Will Survive,” and “Gonna Fly Now” [0:25:07] 12‑hour practice session, bleeding hands, and winning state band competition [0:27:00] Stewarding the gift vs. bragging about the gift; humility and the “Bill Gates’ son” analogy [0:29:00] Accepting small, “beneath you” doors and how that leads to big opportunities [0:30:00] Minister of Groove: Lenny Kravitz’s nickname and Zoro’s multi‑faceted calling [0:30:40] Speaking everywhere from San Quentin to the White House to villages in Ghana [0:32:50] Why Zoro treats a six‑person church and a mega‑platform the same [0:34:12] “My Father’s business” and seeing everything as people‑focused ministry [0:35:00] God as “alien,” the Holy Spirit as a willing invader of the human heart [0:37:21] “When I drum, I feel His pleasure” – Chariots of Fire, calling, and joy [0:37:40] Life of self vs. life of service: why selfish people self‑implode [0:40:00] Deathbed regrets, Schindler’s List, and what actually matters at the end [0:41:20] Salvation, grace, and how quickly a life’s direction can change [0:42:30] The book “The Practice of the Presence of God” and Brother Lawrence’s example [0:44:08] Inviting God into everyday moments, from the kitchen to the car [0:45:00] Zoro’s habit of asking God to be in podcasts, gym sessions, and daily encounters [0:47:36] Surrender, prophetic encouragement, and unexpected creative breakthroughs [0:48:20] Brother Lawrence’s impact 400 years later and what real legacy looks like [0:52:01] Lenny Kravitz, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and “I just want to be a saint in that number” [0:52:19] Denzel Washington’s prophetic word as a boy and calling to influence for God [0:55:00] The 12‑year‑old campfire prayer: forgiveness and “please make my dreams come true” [0:56:24] The life‑changing prophetic encounter that made God “real‑real” [1:00:47] Collecting prophetic words, seeing them fulfilled, and stacking evidence of God’s work [1:02:45] Influence with “kings” of business, politics, and entertainment and why paupers matter just as much [1:05:11] Why pious, judgmental religion misses Jesus’ message of grace [1:06:18] Ext
- Apr 1, 202654 min
Today’s State of Radio: Losing the Industry, Finding the Podcast :: Ep 32 Circling the Drain Podcast
Johnny and Jim talk candidly about the state of radio today, the toll of bad management, and how podcasting has become a lifeline after nearly 50 years on the air. They share raw stories about being let go over Zoom, losing close friends and mentors like Phil Valentine and Dave White, and trying to find purpose again in a fractured media landscape. Guest appearance by longtime radio pro John David Wells, who breaks down what every radio company must give its talent to survive: money, opportunity, training, and respect.From Jesse Jackson on Radio Row to meeting your heroes (and being disappointed), to why personality is still radio’s last great hope, this episode is a love letter, a warning, and a blueprint for what comes next.Timed highlights (for show notes / description) 1:25 – Welcome back to Circling The Drain and where’s Jay Harper? 2:10 – Losing Phil Valentine, Dave White, and nearly 50 years in radio 3:24 – Radio as an abusive ex-wife you still miss 4:29 – Ratings wins, zero attaboys, and keeping the team’s morale up 6:00 – What good leadership and a healthy culture actually look like 7:58 – Phil Valentine’s “horse blinders” lesson and controlling what you can 8:59 – Getting fired over Zoom and bizarre comments from management 10:21 – When bosses praise your work… and still cut you loose 11:00 – The managers who shielded talent from corporate chaos 12:29 – The GM who fired Johnny after “Googling” him 13:33 – Setting boundaries and standing up to bad management 14:25 – Producing ratings but not getting respect or revenue credit 15:35 – Realizing the audience loves you (thanks to a grocery store trip) 16:33 – Depression after losing Phil and radio, and not knowing what’s next 17:53 – How this podcast became purpose and therapy 18:21 – Radio vs. podcasts: competition in a world of millions of shows 18:52 – Favorite episodes so far: guests, dads, and forgotten artists 19:53 – Interviewing drummer Sandy Gennaro after seeing him as a fan 20:48 – Why the pedestal for stars has crumbled (and that’s a good thing) 21:34 – Social media access, DMs, and how expectations of artists changed 22:55 – “Don’t meet your heroes”: when radio idols disappoint 25:01 – How rude encounters can kill your enjoyment of a personality 25:34 – The responsibility that comes with being meaningful to listeners 28:21 – Working in Vegas with “star” programmers and becoming peers 29:17 – Dressing up as your PD for Halloween and winning the contest 28:48–31:30 – (Overlap) Unassuming talent versus people “too busy being fabulous” 29:53–31:30 – Nashville’s unassuming radio community 29:59 – Jesse Jackson at the 2004 DNC and being “Johnny B, you the man” 31:11 – Remembering a polarizing figure by a single human moment 31:24 – The conversations we need to have to bridge the political divide 33:02 – Trump, scapegoats, and the WWE-ification of politics 34:30 – Voting for people you don’t hate and missing the Clinton years 35:34 – Accidentally talking politics on a non-political show 35:49 – Why Johnny still loves radio, even after everything 36:30 – Losing touch with former coworkers and the rarity of true friends 37:27 – Dave White and Phil Valentine as real, lifelong friends 38:15 – What Phil might have done next and the push toward podcasting 38:59 – Campbell’s talent and why he needs to be creating again 40:33 – Spotting that Campbell was born for the mic 41:25 – Campbell shadowing Johnny and realizing what the job really pays 41:59 – The hard problem: how do you actually monetize this stuff? 41:56–43:23 – Pitching advertisers: there is an audience here 42:19 – Radio people vs people who just work in radio 43:11 – Why former talent talk about radio like a mourning process 43:23 – How corporate radio could still save itself (if it wanted to) 44:58 – Losing syndication, coming back local, and a totally different show 45:15 – Pamela Furr, shifting roles, and not wanting to be just a button pusher 46:01 – First-ever live call-in: introducing John David Wells 46:48 – The four essentials of radio: money, opportunity, training, respect 48:24 – If you have none of those, you’re probably at Clear Channel or Cumulus 48:28 – Wells’ blueprint for saving radio from corporate debt 49:56 – Why big groups should cut loose signals to new owners 51:02 – Dad predicted deregulation’s fallout decades ago 51:37 – Talent loss, debt, and running stations into the ground 51:55 – Where is the new investor class willing to rebuild radio? 52:00 – Personality as th
- Mar 25, 20261h 4m
From Radio Row to Honky Tonk Hero: Scott Southworth on Music, Faith, and Finding Your Lane :: Ep 31 Circling the Drain Podcast
In this episode of Circling The Drain, we sit down with traditional country artist and former radio host Scott Southworth for a funny, heartfelt, and surprisingly deep conversation. Scott shares how “bad breaks” in life often led to his biggest blessings, from accidentally landing a radio show on WLAC to stumbling into a thriving traditional country career with fans across Europe. He talks about walking away from chasing radio hits, leaning into hillbilly-with-wit songwriting, and why he refuses to turn his shows into political sermons. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes radio stories, Merle Haggard concert etiquette, meeting legends like Dolly Parton, Aaron Neville, and John Prine, and how Scott discovered a forgotten live recording that became his new live album, “Scott Southworth and the Honky Tonk Anonymous Band.” If you love real-deal country, inside-radio war stories, and conversations about resilience, faith, and staying audience-focused as an artist, this episode is for you. 01:39 Serial killer names, three-part names, and dark radio humor 02:40 Introducing guest Scott Southworth and his bio line about writing songs and loving pie 03:36 The great pie debate: seasonal pies, pumpkin rules, and equal-opportunity pie eating 05:00 WLAC days, historic radio, and the roots of Nashville radio culture 05:28 Stories from WLAC and Jimi Hendrix’s early session getting pulled from the mix 06:45 How Scott and John really met, Christmas parties, and early Nashville connections 08:13 Scott’s musical origin story: from rock, reggae, and blues bands to secretly writing country 10:37 The accidental birth of The Music Row Show on WLAC 12:26 Learning from interviewing Dolly, Little Richard, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs and more 13:59 The inside truth about most music careers versus superstar myths 15:20 Scott’s pivot away from writing for radio after a blunt publisher conversation 16:21 Bro country, traditional sounds, and the one-song-a-year “just for me” demos 16:56 How a 2016 traditional country album blew up in Europe overnight 18:10 Hillbilly rock star in Europe, art festivals back home, and loving both worlds 19:43 “Granny Used To Honky Tonk” and working with Dallas Moore 20:31 The story behind “Middle Finger First” and why it resonates with drivers 22:59 Why Scott keeps his politics off the stage and just wants to give people a break 23:13 Protest songs, Steve Earle, and when on-stage preaching crosses the line 24:41 Cicada Enchilada, talk radio inspiration, and writing with a Gulf Coast flavor 26:44 Jay’s Louisiana accent, Cajun vibes, and Jim’s draw to the bayou 28:25 New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Spanish moss, and the Neville Brothers soundtrack tip 30:03 Meeting Aaron Neville and the infamous “shower dancers” newlywed story 33:11 The reality of radio layoffs, Christmas-time firings, and newsroom gallows humor 37:31 How “bad things” led Scott to his best opportunities and life philosophy for his kids 39:41 Life is not fair, but good can come from hard times 42:11 Dads, sons, and being tougher on the boys than the girls 42:23 Back to Scott: career focus and a new live album on the way 42:27 The accidental live album: finding a forgotten Dropbox file from 2022 44:51 Capturing a raw, real band sound in a world of polished, AI-shaped music 45:51 The Lewisville, Tennessee venue, quick sellouts, and fully engaged audiences 47:18 Noisy crowds, Merle Haggard at the Ryman, and why Scott puts the onus on himself 48:52 Advice to his daughter as a new indie artist and earning your scars on stage 51:02 The bravery of just getting up and singing in tough rooms 52:01 Being audience-focused: little me, big them, and be-them-centric performance 53:55 Audience singalongs, Tom Petty fans, and sharing the moment 55:22 Soul-crushing bar gigs, Elvis requests, and “Not that one” hecklers 55:40 Running into Phil Valentine in an overseas customs line 58:54 Quick hits with legends: John Prine in the boarding line and Dolly Parton holding Scott’s hand 59:39 Booking info: how to find Scott online 59:45 Website, socials, and a joke about Tinder and OnlyFans 1:00:30 The honky tonk anonymous band and rotating lineups in Nashville 1:01:18 Female musicians in Scott’s band and producing his daughter’s EP 1:02:43 Girl bands, Robert Palmer, and all-female tribute bands 1:03:28 Tease for a future episode: Scott’s idea for a book, “Go Indie Without Going Broke” 1:03:58 John’s genuine praise of Scott’s records and musicianship 1:04:14 Wrap-up, merch plug, and where to find more Circling The Drain and more Scott Follow Scott Scouthwor
Get Circling The Drain summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Brandwidth On Demand
David Martin & Kipper McGee
Second Cup of Joe...and John
Joe Elvis and John Dwyer
Music In My Shoes
Jim
XRadioX
Matt & Jayce
Andy Frasco's World Saving Podcast
Andy Frasco
THE SIDESTREAM MUSIC PODCAST
Cody Christopherr
We Sound Crazy Podcast
We Sound Crazy
Entertainment News Daily - THE END
The Morning X with Barnes and Leslie | Cumulus Media Atlanta
Another FN Podcast With Izzy Presley
Izzy Presley
The Rich Redmond Show
Rich Redmond
Professor of Rock
Gamut Podcast Network
The Will Clarke Podcast
Will Clarke
About Circling The Drain
Circling The Drain is a show about the current state of the music and radio businesses as well as culture in general! Hosted by John E. Bozeman and Jay Harper along with Jim McCarthy as Co-Host/Executive Producer. John has had a storied career in music and talk radio, most notably as the Executive Producer for the late and legendary Phil Valentine. Jay also has has a long career in radio as Announcer, Play-by-Play, Voice and On-Camera Actor. He was also an Artist Rep for MCA records. Jim McCarthy ALSO has had a tremendous career in radio since 1996 and has since brought his consulting/producing skillset to the podcast world. Circling the Drain is produced by ItsYourShow.co
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Circling The Drain in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Circling The Drain daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Circling The Drain as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Circling The Drain podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Circling The Drain product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by John E. Bozeman & Jay Harper.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Circling The Drain release new episodes?
Circling The Drain publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Circling The Drain cover?
Circling The Drain covers topics including Music, Culture, Society & Culture, Comedy Interviews. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Circling The Drain summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.