Episodios

  • Zoro: From Janitor to World‑Class Drummer and Minister of Groove :: Ep 33 Circling the Drain

    Zoro: From Janitor to World‑Class Drummer and Minister of Groove :: Ep 33 Circling the Drain
    Apr 8 2026
    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] Extending grace, not playing judge, and meeting people where they are [1:08:44] Loving people on the tour bus without condemning their choices [1:10:00] Everyday ministry: encouraging ...
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    1 h y 26 m
  • Today’s State of Radio: Losing the Industry, Finding the Podcast :: Ep 32 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Today’s State of Radio: Losing the Industry, Finding the Podcast :: Ep 32 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Apr 1 2026
    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 the last, best differentiator for radio 52:43 – Talk radio is the hardest and most expensive format to get right 53:08 – Gratitude for Jay Harper and the “stars aligning” for the show 53:37 – Dreaming about a ...
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    55 m
  • From Radio Row to Honky Tonk Hero: Scott Southworth on Music, Faith, and Finding Your Lane :: Ep 31 Circling the Drain Podcast

    From Radio Row to Honky Tonk Hero: Scott Southworth on Music, Faith, and Finding Your Lane :: Ep 31 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Mar 25 2026
    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 Scouthworth: www.scottsouthworth.comFollow 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 h y 5 m
  • Beat the Odds: Rock Drummer Sandy Gennaro on The Beatles, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett & Life Lessons :: Ep 31 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Beat the Odds: Rock Drummer Sandy Gennaro on The Beatles, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett & Life Lessons :: Ep 31 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Mar 18 2026
    What do The Beatles, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, The Monkees, Queen, Bo Diddley, Jason Aldean, and a random fan named Dave in a backstage doorway all have in common?Sandy Gennaro.In this episode of Circling the Drain, John and Jim sit down with veteran rock drummer Sandy Gennaro, a man whose career has taken him from watching The Beatles on TV as a kid to playing arenas around the world and speaking to Fortune 500 companies about leadership, gratitude, and beating the odds.Sandy shares:- How seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan at age 11 made him decide his life’s path, and why he literally taped a photo of a drummer to his bathroom mirror and told himself, “That’s going to be you.” - Stories from his early band Blackjack with a pre–solo career Michael Bolton and guitarist Bruce Kulick (KISS, Billy Squier, Meat Loaf, Grand Funk). - Touring and recording stories with Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, The Monkees, Bo Diddley, and a 3‑month European tour opening for Queen. - His powerful Dave in the Doorway story, a five-minute interaction with a fan that changed his entire life and career. - Why he believes recognition, gratitude, and lifting others up are the real measures of success, on stage and in business. - How a chance connection with Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean’s drummer) and his daughter’s college search led him to Nashville at exactly the right time. This one is packed with rock & roll history, road stories, and surprisingly deep lessons about leadership, humility, and the power of small choices.Topics & Themes:- Visualization, mindset, and “no Plan B” careers - Working with major artists (Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, The Monkees, Queen) - How artists treat their fans, good and bad - The drummer’s role as the CEO of the band - Why recognition (from roadies to CEOs) is fuel for performance - Moving to Nashville and reinventing yourself later in life - Sandy’s book Beat the Odds in Business & in Life 3:10 – East Coast Roots, Italian Family & Giving Up Red Meat Sandy talks about growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Italian family life, his mom’s reaction when he quit red meat in 1979, and turkey meatballs with toothpicks.5:00 – Europe vs. U.S. Food, Movement & Smartphone Culture A quick tangent on food quality, more active European lifestyles, binge-watching, binge-scrolling, and distracted driving.6:20 – Toy Drums, Early Rhythm & The Beatles Moment (Deep Dive) Sandy revisits the story of getting his first toy drum at 2½, and how that Beatles performance became the defining moment of his life’s direction.7:40 – No Plan B: Rock Star Drummer or Home Depot How committing fully to a dream, and overcoming obstacles one at a time, shaped Sandy’s entire career.9:00 – First Big Break: Blackjack with Michael Bolton & Bruce Kulick Sandy tells the story of his first professional band Blackjack, with Michael Bolotin (Michael Bolton), Bruce Kulick, and Jimmy Haslip, and working with legendary producer Tom Dowd.12:40 – Touring with Peter Frampton & Learning the Big-League Game Opening for Peter Frampton, playing arenas for the first time, big-label hype, and how Blackjack led to other opportunities like Benny Mardones’ Into the Night.14:30 – Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett & Cancer Fundraising Sandy’s work with Cyndi Lauper (Money Changes Everything) and Joan Jett (The Hit List), plus how they still support his cancer fundraisers with signed merch and swag.17:00 – The Monkees: TV Band, Real Legacy Stories from decades of Monkees reunion tours, their innovative early use of video to sell records, Davy Jones’ dedication to fans, and their impact on pop culture.19:20 – Davy Jones at Dinner & Always Signing Autographs Anecdotes about Davy Jones eating at Sandy’s house, his heartthrob status, and refusing to leave venues until every fan in line got an autograph.20:20 – Gratitude, Fans & Never Forgetting Who Got You There Sandy’s philosophy on always appreciating fans, recognizing people by name (like servers), and why it’s non-negotiable to show respect to those who support you.24:00 – Opening for Queen in Europe (1986) The CRAFT tour with Queen across Europe: how Queen treated their openers, full access to production, after-show parties, and hanging with Freddie Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor.25:50 – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Headliners Contrasting Queen’s generosity with less gracious headliners; John shares a rough experience opening for Roy Clark’s band.31:00 – Drum Techs, Crew & Recognizing the People Behind the Show Sandy talks about his drum tech Bob Oiler, a Modern Drummer shoutout, and why public recognition for crew and “lower-level” staff is so life-changing.32:40 – Leadership Lesson: Recognition Fuels Engagement How appreciation boosts engagement, pride, and self-esteem, from the CEO to the person emptying the wastebasket, and why praise must flow both ways.35:10 – Life ...
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    1 h y 4 m
  • Ron Allen on Nashville Radio, Jack FM, and What’s Next :: Ep 29 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Ron Allen on Nashville Radio, Jack FM, and What’s Next :: Ep 29 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Mar 11 2026

    Longtime Nashville programmer Ron Allen (96.3 Jack FM, Y’all Country) joins Circling The Drain to talk about 20 years of Jack FM, the changing face of radio, and how local personalities still matter in a streaming and AI-driven world.


    Ron walks through his journey from Tulsa and Wichita to Nashville, the heyday of big-budget radio, and what has been lost as companies cut costs, shrink staffs, and push more national and digital initiatives. He explains why training grounds for new talent have disappeared, why making a living in radio is harder than ever, and why he still believes there is a long life left for terrestrial radio if it leans into its strengths.


    You will hear candid insights on Jack FM, Y’all, iHeart, HD Radio, Big D & Bubba, WSM, KDF, and the battle for country listeners in Nashville, plus stories about Phil Valentine, building the Moose brand, and keeping stations “local” even without a full live staff.


    Timed Highlights
    1:44 Ron Allen introduced and his Jack FM background
    2:31 Jack FM hits 20 years in Nashville and the power of simple billboards
    3:24 Why some stations still get branding and billboards wrong
    4:15 Suites, perks, and how radio culture has changed over the years
    5:31 Company culture: radio vs non-radio employers
    6:37 What radio felt like in the 80s and 90s compared to today
    8:16 Cost cutting, AI, and multi-market programming on the horizon
    8:54 Would young Ron choose radio today?
    9:29 No more “farm teams”: the disappearance of training grounds
    9:43 Why it is hard to give hopeful advice to broadcasting students
    10:21 Content will always be needed, but the distribution is changing
    11:14 Why existing radio talent are undervalued as content creators
    13:49 The need for young talent and how broadcasters should mentor them
    14:32 Pay reality: when fast food gigs beat full-time radio salaries
    16:16 What actually sells with advertisers now: spots vs digital
    16:43 Tip of the hat to iHeart’s digital operation
    18:16 Why local personalities like Moose still beat automation and AI
    19:30 Radio’s built-in advantage: licenses, scarcity, and reach
    20:21 Nashville ice storm: when radio’s immediacy really matters
    20:42 Stations off the air and the business impact
    22:09 How Jack and Y’all stay “local” with limited live staff
    23:32 Are big groups more invested in digital than in their over-the-air product?
    25:14 HD Radio, subchannels, and having transmitters but no content
    28:06 When digital investment does not flow back to better radio
    29:39 “Facebook is free”: social replacing traditional marketing budgets
    30:59 How Jack and Y’all actually use social media and street teams
    32:27 The blurry line between promotion and spam in social feeds
    33:17 Why putting sponsors on as guests hurts host credibility
    34:21 Remembering Phil Valentine and why honesty on air works
    36:17 What traditional music radio has that Spotify and Apple Music do not
    36:34 Personality, locality, and effortless music discovery
    38:59 Contests, trips, and experiences listeners cannot buy themselves
    39:12 Turning Moose into a recognizable, real-life brand
    42:12 Launching Y’all and tapping the 80s–2000s country lane
    46:16 How competition in Nashville country radio shifted
    48:03 Inside baseball: KDF, WSM, iHeart, and market strategy
    50:00 Moving Big D & Bubba and how audience migration could have been handled
    54:05 Using a powerful signal well vs treating it like an afterthought
    54:48 Ron’s favorite formats to program and why they still excite him
    56:00 How he fell into adult hits and Jack-style radio
    58:00 Why adult hits plus 90s country is his dream combination
    59:27 Wrap up and closing thoughts
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    1 h y 2 m
  • Hauntings in Nashville: Hank Williams’ House, Ghost Cats, and Messages from Beyond :: Ep 28 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Hauntings in Nashville: Hank Williams’ House, Ghost Cats, and Messages from Beyond :: Ep 28 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Mar 4 2026
    From Civil War battlefields to the legendary Hank Williams house on Franklin Road, this episode of Circling The Drain dives deep into hauntings, strange coincidences, and emotional encounters with the other side.Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy swap eerie and heartfelt stories, including: – Ghostly music in Phil Valentine’s old cabin – Cold rooms and strange phenomena in Hank and Audrey Williams’ home – A child’s disembodied “Mom” in the middle of the night – A ghost cat that still roams a family home – A terrifying choking encounter in a haunted Arizona hotel – Dreams, premonitions, and final goodbyes from parents, friends, and radio legends They also touch on ley lines, New Orleans voodoo, Civil War and Revolutionary War history, and why Middle Tennessee may be one of the most spiritually active regions in America.If you’ve ever wondered whether loved ones can reach out after they’re gone, or why certain places just feel heavy, this episode is for you.02:25 TV news stories, anchors with no pants, and pre-show haunting chat 03:06 Phil Valentine’s haunted cabin and mysterious violin music 04:43 Blood in the dirt: Civil War battlefields around Middle Tennessee 05:37 Cannonballs through walls and soldiers hung in the trees 06:15 Hank Williams sightings at the Ryman and ghost stories on the Opry 06:43 Inside the Hank Williams house on Franklin Road 08:13 The record slows down, temperature drops, and the room turns freezing 09:48 Was it Hank Sr. or Audrey Williams haunting the house? 09:59 Audrey’s strange death, unpaid taxes, and a bedroom that stayed cold 11:07 Partygoers who swear they saw Audrey among them 12:17 Cancelled checks in the attic and lost Hank-era artifacts 13:15 Using the Hank house as the ultimate pickup line 13:57 The light-up “Williams” bar and the home’s later famous owners 14:30 Music Row history and the loss of classic studios like the Sound Shop 15:24 An older Gallatin home, a ghost child’s “Mom” and the phantom cat 17:20 Anniversary trip through haunted Arizona hotels 19:13 The Prescott hotel choking incident and an angry prostitute’s room 20:59 Taps on the shoulder at the San Carlo in Phoenix 23:13 Songwriter Gary Gentry, summoning Hank Williams, and “The Ride” 24:12 Opry performance of “The Ride” that blacked out the Opryland complex 24:53 Audrey’s line that became “The whole world calls me Hank” 25:53 Haunted office building at 1111 on Music Row and the lonely sisters 26:36 How Nashville and Music Row have transformed over the years 27:19 Jim’s wife and early apartment hauntings in Nashville 29:17 Blacklight evidence of something dark under the carpet 30:09 New houses, old graves, and why everywhere might be a burial ground 30:21 Being buried on your own property in Tennessee and HOA jokes 31:08 Growing up in Connecticut vs. haunting-rich Southern states 31:58 Kansas hauntings and pioneer tragedies 32:23 New Orleans, Charleston, voodoo, slavery, and haunted cities 35:04 Marie Laveau’s grave and cemetery tourism gone too far 35:35 Celebrity graves, offerings, and questionable “tributes” 35:48 Ley lines, Topeka, Nashville, and energy crossings 37:10 Do spirits linger? The group’s take on the paranormal 37:18 Jim’s brother, a psychic, and a dream of their father 38:34 A promised breath on the neck after death that actually happened 40:30 A mother asking permission to die and passing the next morning 43:10 A last-minute decision to visit Dad just before he passed 44:36 A father’s final advice about appreciating time and people 45:01 The day Johnny lost his best friend, Dave White 46:07 Sudden death of a radio mentor and seeing him at the station 48:05 Praying for Phil Valentine and a feeling that “everything’s going to be okay” 49:05 Interpreting peace as a sign of a loved one’s safe passing 49:50 Repeated dreams of Phil and why some people show up more than others 50:15 Dream appearances by parents that feel more like visits than dreams 52:27 Hugging Mom in dreams that feel absolutely real 53:13 A dream of Phil checking on his son and Susan confirming the details 54:56 A Christmas card from Phil and a layoff ten minutes later 55:27 Breaking the heaviness with humor about haunting Jim’s dreams 55:39 Vegas, the mob, and bodies under new construction 56:18 Lake Mead receding and bodies in barrels 56:37 Johnny’s fascination with the mob and Michael Franzese 57:09 Jim’s Henry Hill story at the Spearmint Rhino 59:00 The Godfather bit, Philadelphia, and a real mob warning 59:54 Mob involvement in making The Godfather and “The Offer” series 1:00:59 Haunted bungalows near a dam in Chattanooga and nervous dogs 1:03:13 Why women and children often sense things first 1:03:21 Dogs reacting on the day Johnny’s grandfather died 1:04:04 Threatening to haunt listeners who do...
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    1 h y 5 m
  • Bennie Shipley: From Small-Town Radio to Country Music Legends :: Ep 27 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Bennie Shipley: From Small-Town Radio to Country Music Legends :: Ep 27 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Feb 25 2026
    Radio veteran and voiceover pro Bennie Shipley joins Johnny B, Jay and Jim for a deep dive into the golden age of radio, the rise of country music superstars, and the evolving world of voiceover in the age of AI.Starting as a 15-year-old kid at WLCK in Scottsville, Kentucky, Benny went on to WCDS, became a hometown celebrity in high school, and eventually made the massive leap to powerhouse Nashville station WSM. Along the way he worked alongside legends like Harold Hensley, Ralph Emery, Marty Robbins, Lefty Frizzell, Alabama, Reba McEntire, and many more.Bennie shares hilarious and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories: stars tossing pebbles at the studio window to get on the air, Marty Robbins prank-calling the station, early days of Alabama before their first hits, and the creative chaos of producing a full “Country Christmas Carol” with country stars on reel-to-reel tape.He also opens up about building a successful national voiceover career, losing part of his vocal range, rebuilding it with help from Vanderbilt’s voice clinic, landing a huge McDonald’s campaign, and his honest take on how AI is impacting human voice talent today.If you love classic country, radio history, behind-the-scenes music industry stories, and real talk about the future of voiceover, this episode is for you.Timed Highlights 0:00 – Opening banter and intro to “Circling the Drain” with guest Bennie Shipley 2:30 – Growing up in Scottsville, Kentucky and starting in radio at 15 3:40 – Becoming popular in high school after landing a job at WCDS 4:50 – First radio paycheck, buying a color TV, and early radio memories 6:00 – Glasgow days, part-time to full-time, and a generous station owner 7:20 – Landing at WSM in Nashville and working with Harold Hensley 10:30 – Culture shock: small-town kid meets big-city country stars 12:00 – Marty Robbins stories, late-night calls, and emotional listener reactions 14:00 – Waylon, Willie, and Kristofferson at the door… and one unforgettable “no” 16:00 – Lefty Frizzell’s praise, friendship, and a heartbreaking last phone call 17:30 – Discovering Alabama before they were famous and spinning “I Want to Come Over” 19:20 – Early visits from “The Alabama Band” and watching their rise 21:00 – Music director days at WSIX and getting in trouble for playing unknown artists 22:30 – Programming battles and ultimately being proven right about Alabama 23:30 – Working with Gerry House, Jerry Minchew, and legendary Nashville radio voices 26:00 – WSM moves, Music Country Radio Network, and working with Charlie Douglas 28:30 – Creating a full “Country Christmas Carol” with country stars 30:00 – Producing on reel-to-reel: razor blades, tape, and homemade sound effects 31:40 – The Country Music Hall of Fame archives and the lost master tape 33:10 – Theater of the mind and why radio was magical before cameras 35:00 – Transitioning from radio to serious voiceover work 37:00 – Early feedback, blunt advice on appearance, and refining the “whole package” 39:10 – Breaking into studio work at Sound Shop and earning respect the hard way 41:20 – Losing vocal range and the scary moment in a session you can’t deliver 42:50 – Vanderbilt voice clinic, scopes, therapy, and rebuilding the voice 44:30 – Strange but effective vocal exercises: water, straws, and “curly” sounds 45:40 – Rethinking delivery: moving out of “radio voice” into higher, lighter reads 46:40 – Landing a major McDonald’s national campaign and how it changed his life 48:20 – Paying off debt, buying a condo, and the chain of events that led to meeting his wife 49:50 – Gratitude for songwriter/producer Milton Blackford and “Me and My RC” 50:50 – Reflecting on a full career and the importance of documenting radio history 53:10 – Being called a “legend,” radio luncheons, and old connections resurfacing 54:30 – AI, radio’s future, and what today’s tech is missing: human nuance 55:30 – Why authenticity, vinyl, and real voices still matter to younger audiences 56:30 – Wrap-up, where to find “Circling the Drain,” and closing thoughts with Benny Find more episodes and extras at: circlingthedrain.netFollow 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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    58 m
  • Radio Sales Gone Wild, Groupies, and Legendary Local Ads :: Ep 26 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Radio Sales Gone Wild, Groupies, and Legendary Local Ads :: Ep 26 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Feb 18 2026

    From coked-up sales reps in limos to Dolly Parton impostors and “attributes” pressed against the studio glass, this episode dives deep into the wild world of radio sales and promotions. Johnny B, Jay Harper, and James Patrick McCarthy trade war stories from small-market radio, over-the-top salespeople, unforgettable clients, and the local commercial legends who became stars in their own right.


    Timed Highlights

    0:00 Cold open: “She had sales skills… and a certain attribute”

    0:31 Welcome to Circling the Drain

    2:00 Herb Tarlek, WKRP, and the classic radio salesperson stereotype

    3:45 First time seeing coke in a limo (and it wasn’t Coca-Cola)

    4:50 Small-market radio: doing on-air plus sales

    5:45 Marriages, selling yourself, and buyer’s remorse

    6:50 The Bronx closer: high-pressure but top-producing sales rep

    7:55 Mary Garland, bug costumes, and the giant cockroach on the desk

    10:16 Linda Biggers and “attributes” on the studio glass (1983 flashback)

    13:25 Could that even happen today? Reverse harassment and boundaries

    14:20 Beautiful radio groupie, fake Dolly Parton, and the Birmingham prank

    18:20 Salespeople who ignore the “do not interrupt the show” rule

    19:55 Production directors vs sales: copy, strategy, and bad client ideas

    24:15 “Human highlighter” sales rep and the mystery golf-course spot

    26:20 Mulch ads, name repetition, and an award-winning campaign

    28:20 Why client-voiced spots and kid voices often go wrong

    30:55 Grocery ads, lazy copy, and reading straight from the newspaper

    32:00 Edgy grocery read: pantyhose “next to the best thing”

    32:35 Local legends: Price LeBlanc, Darrell Waltrip, and car dealer catchphrases

    35:20 Emma’s Florist and the Watson’s girl in the hot tub

    37:00 Husband-and-wife furniture store and selling via baby pictures

    39:00 Car sales, knocking down walls, and disarming skeptical buyers

    40:30 Christopher Walken test drive and absurd dealership patter

    42:02 Snow in Tennessee and episode wrap-up

    42:30 Where to find Circling the Drain online (site and socials)


    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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    43 m