Circling The Drain

In this deeply personal “Dads Episode,” the guys open up about the fathers who shaped their lives, careers, and love of music. From small-town country radio and booking legends like Roy Clark, to petrochemical plants, phone lines, and woodworking in retirement, each story reveals how complicated, flawed, and unforgettable dads can be.  The guys trace how certain songs became emotional landmarks—Merle Haggard concerts, Elton John story songs, and country classics about fathers and sons. They share how grief hit them when their dads passed, how music and video tributes helped them heal, and how late-in-life “I’m proud of...

On this episode of Circling the Drain, Johnny B, Jay, and Jim dive deep into Gene Simmons’ push for the American Music Fairness Act and what it could mean for already-struggling terrestrial radio. They unpack who really benefits from new royalty schemes, why small “mom & pop” stations could be crushed, and how streaming and AI are rapidly reshaping the music business.  From stories of old-school radio logging and payola-era politics to modern streaming, AI-generated hits, and DIY “instant artists,” the guys explore whether Gene is picking the wrong fight—and what the real endgame might be. Alo...

Join the Circling the Drain crew as they dive into the heart of what's gone wrong with modern corporate radio. In this candid episode, Jay, John and Jim reflect on the loss of local flavor, the rise of consultants with little on-air experience, and how cookie-cutter strategies have changed the industry. Through vivid anecdotes—including infamous consultant run-ins, near-misses on Music Row, and heartfelt stories about legends like Ronnie Milsap and Charlie Pride—they explore what made radio great and what's being lost in today's era of homogenized programming. Enjoy behind-the-scenes tales, laughter, and honest debate about the future of r...

Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy dive deep into the controversial world of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, dissecting its questionable inductee choices and glaring omissions.[0:00-0:10] Intro: Critique of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's misleading title [0:10-0:20] Discussion of unexpected inductees like Whitney Houston [0:20-0:35] Drummer's perspective on the Hall's exhibit setup [0:35-0:50] List of notable rock artists missing from the Hall of Fame [0:50-1:05] Comparison with Country Music Hall of Fame [1:05-1:20] Radio industry changes and loss of local...

Join the Circling the Drain crew for a festive Thanksgiving episode filled with laughs, nostalgia, and plenty of holiday spirit. From debating the best (and worst) Christmas movies and songs, to trading stories about working long shifts during the holidays, the hosts open up about meaningful traditions, family memories, and radio life’s quirks. Listen in for reflections on "It's a Wonderful Life," holiday music pet peeves, behind-the-scenes radio tales, and some lively debates about whether "Die Hard" is truly a Christmas movie. Whether you love classic holiday films or quirky Christmas songs, this episode brings warmth and wit to...

Johnny B, Jay and Jim welcome radio veteran Matt Murphy for an unforgettable conversation spanning his upbringing in Georgia, the twists and turns of his eclectic radio career, and the hard-won philosophies that animate his celebrated talk shows. Matt recounts personal battles, including family struggles, memorable firings, and the deeply moving "Liberty Bell" segment that reveals radio’s power to change lives. The team explores the joys, challenges, and responsibilities of modern radio, with plenty of behind-the-scenes laughs and heartfelt moments along the way.Timed Highlights:- [00:00:00] Matt Murphy’s introduction and the...

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 pers...

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.<...

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 f...

Join the Three J's as they dive deep into the music industry's hidden stories, exploring talented artists who were on the brink of stardom but never quite broke through.Timed Highlights:[0:05] - Introduction to the podcast and hosts[0:15] - Discussion of MCA Records' unique artists like Steve Earle and Lyle Lovett[0:25] - The challenges of country radio in the 1980s[0:35] - Personal stories of artists who should have been bigger[0:45] - Behind-the-scenes insights into music industry politics[0:55] - Memorable encounters with musicians...

Following the news that Rush will be hitting the road again with drummer Anika Nilles,  we dive deep into the world of band member changes, exploring the delicate balance between musical evolution and fan loyalty. From Rush's upcoming tour to Van Halen's iconic lineup shifts, we'll break down:[0:01:46] - The legal battles of bands replacing original members[0:07:10] - Van Halen's transformation with Sammy Hagar[0:22:14] - The crucial role of loyalty in music, especially in country genres[0:38:53] - Ringo Starr's All-Star Band and maintaining musical magic[0:41:29] - B...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...