Circling The Drain

John E. Bozeman & Jay Harper
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Music Interviews

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

  1. Politics, Pop Culture, and the Death of Fun :: Ep 46 Circling the Drain Podcast

    23m ago

    Politics, Pop Culture, and the Death of Fun :: Ep 46 Circling the Drain Podcast

    On this episode of Circling The Drain, Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim talk about how political division has seeped into every corner of entertainment and media. They trade stories from talk radio, debate Trump’s influence on patriot events, and unpack why fans are turning on artists who get too political from the stage. The guys also reminisce about women who changed rock (Linda Ronstadt, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Amy Lee), underrated girl and boy bands, and classic film stars and directors. They hit on the Morgan Wallen and Jason Aldean controversies, the 250th celebration tied to Trump, CMA Fest politics, and how talk radio and cable news are burning people out. It’s part nostalgia, part media critique, and part “can we please just enjoy a show again?” Includes: – Behind-the-scenes stories from talk radio and WTN – How politics hijacked July 4th and the 250th celebration – Country music’s culture war: Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, Beyoncé, CMA/ACM awards – Why conservative talk radio has become an echo chamber – Classic crushes and icons: Linda Ronstadt, Bridget Fonda, Cher, Marilyn Monroe – Film noir, Turner Classic Movies, and Spielberg’s new UFO film – Trace Adkins, Taylor Sheridan, and dream casting for Yellowstone-style shows Timed Highlights: 0:00 Lioness, Linus and dad-joke cold open 0:45 Johnny B, Jay, and Jim check in and bust chops on age and birthdays 2:50 Sharing birthdays with Tom Cruise, Andrew Garfield, Demi Lovato, Amy Adams, Scorsese, and Danny DeVito 4:10 Jim’s last-minute save as a baseball PA announcer and learning the lingo on the fly 7:50 Mercy rules, softball vs baseball pace, and why tournament ball can be brutal 8:45 Rush’s new drummer on tour and pulling off Tom Sawyer live 10:15 Blink-182’s drummer, plane crashes, DJ AM, and guilty-pleasure pop bands 12:10 Boy bands, Backstreet Boys, The Bangles, Go-Go’s, and needing more women drummers and guitarists 14:15 Linda Ronstadt, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Amy Lee, and greatest female rock vocalists 15:59 Linda Ronstadt stories, studios in Nashville, and realizing you’ve been sitting next to a legend 19:10 Aging icons: Linda Ronstadt, Cher turning 80, separating politics from performance 21:14 Trump, De Niro, Sean Penn, Johnny Depp and when politics ruins the art 22:38 Trump’s 250th celebration, Martina McBride and Bret Michaels backing out 25:00 Can we have a non-political patriotic event anymore? Remembering the 1976 Bicentennial 29:30 Covid money printing, tariffs, gas prices, and why voters always come back to their wallets 31:00 Bruce Springsteen, the Black Crowes, and crowds telling artists to “shut up and play” 32:10 CMA Fest, Justin Pearson, and bringing politicians on stage to rant 32:58 Music Row’s political disconnect from the country audience 33:37 Morgan Wallen being ignored by awards shows despite massive popularity 33:58 Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town,” Columbia courthouse, and outrage over the video 34:51 A billion streams, Congressional recognition, and producing the songwriter podcast 35:58 10–15 years of politics dividing entertainment 36:34 Steve Earle, protest songs, and when stage rants kill the vibe 37:10 Dixie Chicks backlash, Natalie Maines, and radio phones melting down 37:50 Playing Dixie Chicks on classic country formats and the name-change wars (Dixie Chicks, Lady A) 38:33 College indoctrination, Jim Breuer’s bit, and “racist, sexist, gender” on repeat 39:40 Campus politics then vs now, old-school professors who actually debated 40:59 Talk radio turning into an echo chamber and worshipping Trump 41:38 Jim getting heat on WTN for criticizing Trump’s spending 42:21 Audience demanding red meat and nothing but politics 44:16 Burnout from politics on air: filling in at WTN and being exhausted by the news cycle 45:18 Fox News running nonstop in the background and how it shapes older viewers 48:54 Family stories: visiting parents and in-laws who live on cable news and Trump 49:53 Streaming instead of news: Turner Classic Movies, film noir, and great writing 50:47 Classic Hollywood glamor, Bogart and Bacall, Marilyn Monroe, and missing wit in modern movies 52:00 Marvel highs and lows after Endgame and Spielberg’s new disclosure/UFO movie 53:23 Emily Blunt, Monty Python references, and “huge tracts of land” 54:02 Whatever happened to Bridget Fonda and why she left Hollywood 55:00 Privacy, health, car accidents, and what aging looks like in the spotlight 57:17 Growing up a Fonda, Hollywood burnout, and punning about “Fond of Fondas” 57:37 Sound drops, Kelsey Grammer’s legendary stage fall, and physical comedy clips 58:15 Trace Adkins’ accident, almost losing a leg, and that unreal voice in headphones 59:44 Deep-voice envy, timbre, and why Trace belongs in a Taylor Sheridan series 1:00:36 IndyCar in Nashville, Alex Palou, short shorts, and being surrounded by race fans 1:02:06 Hospital stories, heart issues, and future guest John with his Muscle Shoals lineage 1:03:26 Why it’s fun but risky to wade into politics on a usually non-political show 1:04:10 Nearing episode 50 and the idea of “drinking before vs after” each podcast 1:05:21 Racing, upcoming events in Nashville, and guests missing the studio driveway 1:08:24 Directions, flagpoles, and the perils of running a hidden hilltop studio 1:09:21 Joking about fans “clogging the drain” and possible spin-off names 1:10:00 Where to find Circling The Drain across platforms and video/audio 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

    1h 11m
  2. Trace Adkins on Nashville’s Boom, Real Country, and Rowdy Road Stories :: Ep 45 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Jul 1

    Trace Adkins on Nashville’s Boom, Real Country, and Rowdy Road Stories :: Ep 45 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Country icon Trace Adkins gets candid about buying his Tennessee farm, Nashville’s explosive growth, and why “perfect” modern records leave him cold. He shares wild stories with Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, and more, plus visions for a catfish joint called Hot Mamas. Trace Adkins is back for part three, and this time he goes deep on life at the farm, Nashville’s real estate explosion, and why old-school, imperfect records still hit harder than today’s polished tracks. From Merle Haggard in boxer shorts with a joint over his ear to Waylon cussing the bugs onstage and Buck Owens’ brutally honest “low note” advice, Trace tells the kind of stories only a true country legend can. He and the guys also riff on Nashville turning into a “clean New Orleans,” soccer vs. hockey, the changing studio scene, in-ear monitors vs. wedges, health food vs. fried catfish, and his dream of opening a catfish joint called “Hot Mamas.” If you love real country, road stories, and unfiltered opinions, this is your episode.  1:01 How Trace found his dream 100‑acre farm (and paid more later for 30 acres) 2:55 Nashville’s growth, California money, and $3M homes in former farm fields 3:35 “Clean New Orleans” vibes: Broadway, CMA week, and 250 people a day moving in 5:19 Murfreesboro, Franklin, Gallatin: when the outer ring gets just as crowded 6:07 Getting outside 840 to keep “country living” alive 7:26 Little League moms, grocery store encounters, and a fan story gone sideways 8:18 Why Trace hates soccer and loves hockey fights 10:37 Being a Titans fan, the Music City Miracle, and growing up with the Saints 12:20 Nashville before the Titans and Predators: massage parlors, Printer’s Alley, and a ghost town downtown 17:07 What happens to Music Row studios when AI and home recording take over? 18:39 “Too perfect” records vs. real, messy, live music 19:46 Cutting with Asleep at the Wheel high and out of tune – and why that’s exactly what Trace wanted 20:22 Loving rough live albums and records with mistakes and feel 21:54 Old records recorded by eye and cue, not click tracks and grids 22:33 Trace refuses to sing to a click in the studio 23:00 One in‑ear, loud wedges, and missing the days of club monitors ripping his face off 25:08 Country legends: Merle Haggard in boxers, Waylon fighting bugs, and Hall of Fame grudges 29:41 Buck Owens puts Trace through his paces and gives him brutal “low note” advice 33:05 Grand Ole Opry memories and realizing he’s now one of the “old guys” backstage 36:09 Married to a fitness model: salmon, rice, salads… and disastrous squash brownies 38:02 “I pay for premium health insurance so I can eat what I want” 39:30 Bougie Nashville: Sperry’s, Perry’s, Bourbon Steak, truffle and duck‑fat fries 40:46 Organic fast food and shameless restaurant plugs 41:38 Trace’s dream restaurant: a catfish joint called “Hot Mamas” with flirtatious 50‑something waitresses 43:28 Victoria’s “guilt‑free” menu concept and why Trace’s buddies won’t eat there 44:20 Real pizza talk: New York‑style favorites and local spots 45:22 Mafia‑vibe Italian joints, Godfather radio bits, and ticking off the real bosses 46:37 Wrapping up: three hours with Trace, veterans work, 30th anniversary tour, and where to find Circling the Drain Follow Johnny B: https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozeman Follow Jay Harper: https://www.facebook.com/harperjeff Follow Jim: www.jmvos.com Circling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Co www.itsyourshow.co

    50 min
  3. Hit Songs, Phil Valentine Memories, Trump Stories & “Arlington” w/Trace Adkins Pt. 2 :: Ep 44 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Jun 24

    Hit Songs, Phil Valentine Memories, Trump Stories & “Arlington” w/Trace Adkins Pt. 2 :: Ep 44 Circling the Drain Podcast

    In Part 2 of our deep-dive with country icon Trace Adkins, we get the stories behind his most emotional and controversial songs, from “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” to “You’re Gonna Miss This” and “Arlington.” Trace shares powerful memories from Arlington National Cemetery, his candid take on Donald Trump, and the radio days with Phil Valentine that almost got people fired. We also dig into his acting career, how he met his wife on a movie set, the wild origin of his dog “Gary Busey,” and why he believes live shows are now the only truly “real” part of the music business. 0:43 – If Trace had to be in a tribute band forever, who would he choose?  1:36 – Waylon Jennings’ “Honky Tonk Heroes” and how it inspired Trace’s “Dangerous Man” album cover   3:25 – The grind of album photo shoots and making a real, gritty cover shot   4:12 – The Phil Valentine show, stepdad life, and getting sick of “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”   5:44 – Why “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” is cleverly written, not just a novelty hit   6:42 – How the song became the most-played country song in strip club history   7:44 – The backroom label deals behind certain cuts and how “You’re Gonna Miss This” started as a wedding song   9:00 – “I thought it was too sappy” – Trace misjudges a song that becomes a massive number one   10:26 – Ashley Gorley’s hit-making juggernaut and why everyone wants one of his songs   11:04 – Writing “American Made” for the country’s 250th anniversary   11:38 – “Arlington” and “An Empty Chair” – songs that choke him up on stage   12:04 – Performing “Arlington” at Arlington National Cemetery and barely getting through it   12:43 – Why Trace only does “Arlington” for the right audiences (and never for drunks or festivals)   14:04 – The true story behind “Arlington” and Lance Corporal Patrick Nixon   16:26 – Playing “Arlington” on air, Phil Valentine’s reaction, and the emotional weight of the song   17:04 – Remembering Phil Valentine: sparring on-air, sharp wit, and real friendship   18:34 – A hilarious voicemail from Trace and joking about “your little radio show”   19:22 – Rodeo memories, FCC close calls, and the infamous “hot and juicy” weather report   21:18 – Live radio chaos: open mics, cussing and thinking they’d be fired   22:16 – Trace’s new production company “Fifth Rodeo” and its cowboy-with-a-fifth-of-whiskey logo   23:14 – Why Trace doesn’t want the pressure of doing a podcast   24:07 – From tractors to Lululemon and voiceovers: “degradation” of the conversation   24:19 – “Ultimate Cowboy Showdown,” real cowboys and concern for the horses   25:25 – Why some ranch work still has to be done on horseback   26:08 – Trace’s Christmas show: Celtic vibes, stories behind songs and gospel roots   27:32 – Feeling good about the Christmas show vs. “I’m sorry, Lord” after “Badonkadonk”   28:08 – Is memorizing dialog hard? How years on stage made acting easier   28:58 – Directors who demand word-for-word delivery vs. those who allow improvisation   29:46 – Meeting his wife on the set of “The Virginian” in Vancouver   30:21 – How his wife writes, acts and why their dog is named Gary Busey   31:50 – The Christmas parade, a weird looking puppy and the Gary Busey hair and teeth   32:05 – Writing a song for the 250th and the Freedom 250 concert controversy   32:48 – PBS Fourth of July, Trump’s event, and shifting TV schedules   34:02 – The best Trump impressions Trace has heard and how Trump exaggerated his own persona   35:43 – Riding in Trump’s limo and getting asked: “Are you reasonably faithful to your wife?”   36:55 – Trump Jr. explains his job: “I follow him around and put fires out”   37:42 – Wanting to be Ambassador to Australia or the “Office of Hell No”   38:00 – How Trace judges Trump: “He’s a rich old a*****e, not evil”   39:11 – New York real estate, DC politics, and why Trump didn’t need to run   40:00 – Meeting Trump on the plane: funny, warm, and totally different from the public caricature   40:31 – Touring Trump’s penthouse and offices: proud of what he’s built   41:04 – Negotiating through hyperbole: Greenland, Canada, and “shooting for the moon”   42:23 – Dave Chappelle’s take on Trump’s debate moment about tax loopholes   43:07 – Rand Paul vs. Trump on stage and how one debate moment flipped opinions   43:54 – Label history: Capitol, Show Dog, Broken Bow, Verge, and coming back “home” to MCA   45:22 – Why this next MCA album might be Trace’s last   45:32 – New artists he likes (Ella Langley) and why she “has every tool”   46:12 – Betting whether Ella Langley will stay country or go pop   46:42 – Not knowing many of today’s artists and thinking “Shaboozy” was a whiskey brand   47:32 – Loving traditional country and hopes for a pendulum swing (Zach Topp)   47:57 – Advice for new artists in the AI era and why live shows are the last “real” thing   48:54 – Getting fooled by an AI demo and how hard it is to tell what’s real   49:14 – Why you should never spend your own money if people truly believe in you   50:12 – Writing his book with twin collaborators and building the “roller coaster” story   52:33 – Immigration, politics and realizing parts of the book were prophetic   52:53 – Feeling uneasy before release and calling Charlie Daniels for advice   53:55 – Charlie Daniels’ wisdom: “People who don’t like you now aren’t going to read your book”   54:20 – Singing at Charlie Daniels’ funeral and what Charlie meant to him   54:51 – Why he probably didn’t sell enough books to worry in the first place   55:09 – Why there’s no audiobook yet and how a Trace-voiced edition could revive it   56:00 – Ideas for updating the book with new chapters and addendums   56:17 – Tease: Trace Adkins Part 3 is coming to Circling the Drain   Follow Johnny B: https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozeman Follow Jay Harper: https://www.facebook.com/harperjeff Follow Jim: www.jmvos.com Circling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Co www.itsyourshow.co

    57 min
  4. Trace Adkins: Near-Death Stories, Oil Rigs, And 30 Years In Country Music :: Ep 43 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Jun 17

    Trace Adkins: Near-Death Stories, Oil Rigs, And 30 Years In Country Music :: Ep 43 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Country legend Trace Adkins joins Circling the Drain for a raw, funny, and unfiltered conversation about survival, success, and the scars he picked up along the way. Trace opens up about growing up in small-town Louisiana, singing bass in church, working dangerous oil rigs in the Gulf, getting shot by an ex-wife, flipping a tractor, multiple open-heart surgeries, and why he still prefers hard work on the farm to life on the tour bus. He also talks about his breakout in Nashville, label politics, 30 years in country music, and how acting and voiceover work have kept him relevant. Along the way you’ll hear wild stories featuring Gene Simmons, Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, Donald Trump, Blake Shelton, and more – plus why the national anthem still makes him nervous every single time. This is Part 1 of our Trace Adkins series on Circling the Drain. 1:56 – Trace walks in like a superstar and why everyone respects him  2:26 – The only “tangible result” of being on stage: applause and then back to the bus  3:03 – Farm life, physical work, and needing something real to show for the day  3:50 – Taking down massive ash trees and chasing a chainsaw voiceover gig  4:30 – Losing a Steel commercial because he didn’t wear gloves  6:09 – 12+ years as the voice of Firestone and other national campaigns  6:42 – KFC, Farmer Boys, and ongoing work with Wounded Warrior Project  7:30 – Five daughters, Lululemon bills, and the idea of Trace voicing an athleisure brand  8:01 – Intimidating the boyfriends: hunting on his land and the “I could bury you here” moment  9:47 – Telling a boyfriend he “wasn’t going to make it” and helping him cut his losses  10:25 – Five daughters, three ex-wives, and being “five times more confused about women”  11:10 – Growing up in church: singing beside his granddad with that rich bass voice  11:40 – Discovering that “chicks dig the bass” in a gospel quartet at 17  12:43 – Hayrides, jamborees, and covering Haggard and Buck Owens  13:20 – Working offshore on a drilling rig and singing in the wheelhouse after 12-hour shifts  14:08 – Winning the Wild Turkey Battle of the Bands and coming to Nashville  15:00 – Club circuits, drugs, booze, and learning “everything you’re not supposed to do”  16:08 – Getting his first guitar at 10 and taking lessons in Spring Hill, Louisiana  16:42 – Why he calls himself a “lazy guitar player” and just plays enough to accompany himself  17:11 – Cutting off a finger and the chords he can’t play anymore  17:40 – The shooting: getting shot by an ex-wife and why he didn’t press charges  18:52 – Bullet through the heart and both lungs, Life Flight, and Vanderbilt saving his life  19:45 – Bleeding on the floor, protecting the new carpet, and passing out in the atrium  21:04 – Being 32, strong, and why that’s the only reason he survived  21:39 – Scars from construction work, broken arms and legs, ribs, and flipped tractors  23:15 – Tractor roll-over, crushed sternum, and calling a neighbor with a backhoe to save him  24:16 – Trauma surgery vs. scheduled open-heart surgery and the pain difference  25:14 – Why he doesn’t write songs about his craziest life events  26:00 – Capitol Records, meeting Scott Hendricks at baggage claim, and getting offered a deal on stage  27:06 – Being a big, striking presence and coming from a tall family  28:21 – Shrinking from 6'6" to 6'5" and feeling it in the joints  28:52 – Label politics after Scott leaves Capitol and refusing to go back into the building  29:29 – Almost throwing an executive out the window and the Patsy Cline “she’s dead” story  31:02 – New leadership, Mike Dungan, and how Tim DuBois helped push Trace’s career forward  32:17 – The Chrome era, bikes, and typecast biker roles in movies  33:00 – Deepwater Horizon, playing a furious parent, and Peter Berg demanding more intensity  35:30 – Manhandling Mark Wahlberg on set and the behind-the-scenes story  35:59 – Meeting Kurt Russell and seeing oilfield authenticity on screen  36:38 – Why that movie got the oilfield details right  37:01 – Taylor Sheridan, Land Man delays, and writers chasing the next “shiny toy”  38:53 – Yellowstone, spinoffs, and the risk of losing momentum between seasons  40:04 – Getting tricked into a faith-based movie (Mom’s Night Out) and only reading his sides  41:23 – Peeing fire as a demon in a field and calling it his greatest scene ever  49:00 – Gene Simmons on Celebrity Apprentice and how he changed the rules of the game  52:01 – Turning hot dogs into $5,000 donations and reshaping the show around charity money  53:07 – The mysterious “go to my room” invitation and the producer’s warning  53:52 – What Trace really thinks of Gene Simmons and his magnetism  54:08 – His take on Donald Trump and how “what you see is what you get”  54:34 – Why the national anthem still makes him nervous, from car lots to the World Series  55:52 – Respecting the anthem, the range of the song, and starting in the basement  56:47 – Land of the Free as the vocal high point and the challenge of the melody  57:16 – Reading music, Nashville number system, and forgetting trombone days  57:58 – Losing music programs in public schools and why that bothers him  58:17 – Country heroes: George Jones, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, and more  58:48 – Hillbilly Bone with Blake Shelton and why Blake is always chasing the laugh  59:31 – Wrapping Part 1 and teasing more Trace Adkins stories to come  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

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

    Jun 10

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

    Veteran bassist and author Mickey Hayes joins Circling the Drain to pull back the curtain on the wild, brilliant and chaotic world of country legend David Allan Coe. From blacked‑out tour buses and outlaw bikers to wigs, panthers, boats and hit songs, Mickey shares what it was really like to live on the edge with one of country music’s most controversial figures.   Mickey talks about joining Coe’s band in 1979, surviving the Outlaws MC, refitting buses and boats in the Florida Keys, the truth behind the “death row” myth, and why Coe was the PT Barnum of country music. He also dives into Coe’s overlooked Columbia catalog, the making of “The Ride,” working with Warren Haynes, and how those years inspired his book “My Life on the Road with David Allen Coe” and a late‑career songwriting burst.   If you love outlaw country, road stories, and unfiltered music history, this episode is packed with stories you won’t hear anywhere else.   Timed highlights   02:56 Miami club gig and the four‑barrel derringer on the monitor board   04:55 Flying into David Allan Coe’s world and first impressions at the compound   07:04 The purple house, refitting buses and boats, and riding in like a circus   10:16 Swamp-ass on black buses with no A/C and building the outlaw image   13:17 Ad break: Milltown Bikes in Columbia, Tennessee   16:01 Coe’s later years, health, and the line “I just don’t want to die alone”   20:02 Leaving the spotlight, finishing the book, and writing 35–40 new songs   21:38 Playing Coe’s deep cuts, Columbia catalog, and early classic albums   22:18 Rewriting “Stand By Your Man” as “Stand By Your Band”   23:32 The birth of the wigs and why David named one after Mickey   24:57 TV appearances, Farrah Fawcett hair and multiple wigs on Ralph Emery   26:24 Rusty Spur stories, lost wigs and using heartbreak as stage patter   26:55 Earning Coe’s respect by standing up to him over an out‑of‑tune guitar   29:32 Outlaw caravans, smoking and drinking on the road in a fake Packard   33:21 The real story behind Coe’s “death row” legend   34:55 Controversy, X‑rated albums and why Coe welcomed being talked about   41:04 Kris Kristofferson’s advice on songwriting and “Sunday Morning Coming Down”   45:19 Dealing with labels and the infamous record‑exec table story   47:20 Pink Nudie suit, “family” crowd shock and Coe’s onstage antics   50:00 Ruskin Cave, Loretta Lynn tours and getting kicked off the bus route   51:39 Why David Allan Coe belongs in the Country Music Hall of Fame   54:00 Sinking the 50‑foot “pirate” boat and losing everything with no insurance   55:00 Outlaws MC, being hung over a balcony and “you can’t testify if you don’t know”   58:31 Calling Coe a legend and the unmatched volume of songs he wrote   59:54 How Nashville remembers Coe and what happens after you die in this business   1:02:08 Billy Joe Shaver standing up to Waylon and how an album got made   1:07:00 Touring with a black panther, monkeys and other road “pets”   1:11:18 Quitting Coe five times and sending him the tire bill   1:18:00 Austin City Limits, “My Girl,” and how Coe gamed the taping   1:19:49 Mickey on Coe’s legacy, the kids, the widow and posthumous releases   1:20:31 Outro: Where to find Mickey’s book and how to follow the show   Follow Johnny B: https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozeman Follow Jay Harper: https://www.facebook.com/harperjeff Follow Jim: www.jmvos.com Circling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Co www.itsyourshow.co

    1h 20m
  6. From Receptionist to Record Exec: The Sheila Shipley Biddy Story :: Ep 41 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Jun 3

    From Receptionist to Record Exec: The Sheila Shipley Biddy Story :: Ep 41 Circling the Drain Podcast

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

    1h 17m
  7. Chris Golden on Oak Ridge Boys Legacy, Presidents, Elvis, and 478,000 Miles :: Ep 40 Circling the Drain Podcast

    May 27

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

    Award-winning artist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Golden joins Johnny B and Jay Harper to swap stories from a lifetime in music. From growing up in the Golden family dynasty (son of Oak Ridge Boys’ William Lee Golden), to playing for every living U.S. president, to singing with his kids and racking up 478,000 miles on the road, this episode is loaded with behind-the-scenes tales, faith, family, and a lot of laughs.   Chris talks about:   – Growing up on the Alabama–Florida line in a deep musical family   – The Oaks’ gospel-to-country transition and backlash from the “church crowd”   – Forming The Goldens and Golden Spear, Muscle Shoals sessions, and label drama   – Playing the White House, One America Appeal, and hanging with multiple presidents   – Touring life, that red sparkle Ludwig snare, and his monster hybrid drum kit   – Voiceover work (Heinz 57, ad auditions, and chasing the “Sam Elliott” spec)   – Recording 34 songs with his dad and brother, and now sharing the stage with his kids   – His upcoming album “A Better Man” and the song “Where My People Are”   03:18 Growing up on the Alabama–Florida state line   07:58 Golden family music roots and Inspirational Country Music Awards   09:56 Rusty Golden, Beatles, Elton John, and brotherly rivalry   10:47 Dad hands Chris a guitar: three chords and “Home on the Range”   13:42 Early bands: Boys Band, Cedar Creek, and Golden Spear   17:19 Muscle Shoals sessions and CBS developmental deal   22:14 The Goldens, label cuts, and touring with William Lee Golden   27:49 Pandemic records: 34 songs with Dad and Rusty, three albums of covers   29:29 Chris’s kids join the show: the next Golden generation   30:48 Opening for Ricky Skaggs with daughter Elizabeth on fiddle   37:14 Glen Campbell, hairspray, and backstage heroes   38:50 Roy Clark, Jim Halsey, and the Oaks’ trip to Russia   41:59 Realizing the family was “extraordinary” and the grind of early Oaks days   47:17 All-night gospel sings: sundown to sunup   53:39 Playing for every living U.S. president at One America Appeal   56:36 The first red sparkle Ludwig snare and why it still matters   1:02:00 Shaking hands with the President at the White House   1:02:38 Drum nerd talk: Chris’s hybrid Pearl/DW/Ludwig/Meinl/Zildjian/Sabian kit   1:06:04 Palace Theatre “family and friends” shows in Gallatin   1:08:21 478,000 miles on the van and the song “Grateful”   1:10:11 Voiceover stories: Heinz 57 campaign and hillbilly reads   1:16:31 New album “A Better Man” and “Where My People Are”   1:17:27 How Chris’s song “Home” helped Johnny B through a rough patch   1:18:26 Where to find Chris Golden and Circling the Drain online   Follow Chris: https://chrisgolden.net/ Follow CTD: www.circlingthedrain.net Follow Johnny B: https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozeman Follow Jay Harper: https://www.facebook.com/harperjeff Follow Jim: www.jmvos.com Circling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Co www.itsyourshow.co

    1h 18m
  8. Larry Stewart of Restless Heart: The Frontmen, 80s/90s Country, AI & The Future Of Music :: Ep 39 Circling the Drain Podcast

    May 20

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

    Larry Stewart, the voice of Restless Heart and member of The Frontmen, joins Circling The Drain to talk about breaking through in 80s and 90s country, early resistance from Music Row, touring with Alabama, and how one phone call changed his life. Larry shares the origin stories of Restless Heart and The Frontmen, the realities of road life, raising a family while constantly touring, and why today’s country boom feels bigger than ever.   The crew also digs into modern country (Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Ella Langley), how AI is already reshaping the music business, why live shows are more important than ever, and what it really takes to stay married 40+ years in this industry. If you love 90s country, harmony-driven bands, and real behind-the-scenes stories, this one’s loaded.   02:24 Six straight number ones, becoming “road dogs,” and the Wheels era   03:36 Why radio embraced Restless Heart before the industry did   04:37 How a Belmont kid working at the Country Music Hall of Fame became the lead singer   05:45 Recording the first album, getting married, signing to RCA, and “the rest is history”   08:06 Harmony magic: how five voices created the Restless Heart sound   11:20 Where the songs came from and the role of Tim DuBois and Alabama   12:24 First big tour with Alabama, stage fright, and playing for 15–18,000 a night   14:13 Band chemistry, breakups, reunions, and outlasting most marriages   16:39 Growing up in Kentucky, gospel roots, piano, and choosing music over baseball   20:44 From JUCO ball to Belmont: the crazy path that led Larry to Nashville   25:20 Naming Restless Heart and the terrible band names that didn’t make the cut   25:27 How The Frontmen started with a lobby conversation and a wild idea   26:54 Randy Owen, early Frontmen shows, and taking the act to the troops   28:20 Performing in Iraq, Afghanistan, and on aircraft carriers – bonding through USO-style tours   29:39 COVID shutdowns, livestreaming Fridays at Five, and doubling down on The Frontmen   32:27 Building The Frontmen as a business: LLC, trademark, and brand strategy   33:31 Putting the band together in Nashville and finding the right players   35:46 Modern country: Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Ella Langley and the 90s influence   37:40 Why country that “hits a nerve” is connecting with massive audiences   38:36 How Restless Heart finally landed on their name (and why “Lazy River Boys” didn’t happen)   41:54 Guilty pleasures, Broadway tunes, Taylor Swift, and not listening to much music anymore   43:01 42 years of marriage, missing family time, and coaching his kids to make up for the road   45:21 Kids, grandkids, and why none of them went into music   48:16 AI, demo singers, and why live music is becoming even more valuable   49:12 Can AI build an artist’s entire image and album from scratch?   51:45 Tracks vs live: how The Frontmen actually run their show   55:13 Where to see The Frontmen live and how Larry stays out of trouble on social media   Follow Larry and The Frontmen:  https://www.larrystewartmusic.com/https://www.thefrontmenlive.com/ Follow Johnny B: https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozeman Follow Jay Harper: https://www.facebook.com/harperjeff Follow Jim: www.jmvos.com Circling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Co www.itsyourshow.co

    57 min
See All (46)

5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    John E. Bozeman & Jay Harper
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025

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