The Ben Maynard Program

Ben

"Tell Your Story". Everyone has a story. Not just the famous. This is a guest driven program but when we are "guest free", It's just YOU and ME! I love music and we will talk a lot about it.  Enjoy the ride!#podcast #benmaynardprogram #music #tellyourstory #music #spotify #maynard #videopodcast #thebenmaynardprogram@buzzsprout.com #socialmedia #journey 

  1. -9 ч

    EP. 147 VAN HALEN....THE SAMMY YEARS!

    Send us Fan Mail Van Halen loses David Lee Roth and the world starts writing the obituary. Then Sammy Hagar walks in and everything changes, not by imitation, but by evolution. We look at how one of rock’s most debated lineup switches becomes one of its most successful, and why the story is bigger than any “which era is better” argument.  We walk record by record through the Sammy Hagar years, from 5150’s fresh identity and arena-sized hooks to OU812’s confident songwriting, then into the heavier punch of For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and the darker tone of Balance. Along the way, we dig into what Hagar actually brings to the band: range, melody, emotion, and a different kind of frontman energy that lets Eddie Van Halen stretch into new production choices and bigger arrangements. If you love classic rock history, 1980s rock, and the anatomy of a band reinvention, this is the decade that keeps rewarding a close listen.  But the wins come with a cost. We unpack how relentless touring, shifting power dynamics, lyric disputes, personal strain, and the death of manager Ed Leffler reshape the band’s internal chemistry. Then we follow the fuse to the end: the Greatest Hits plan, the Twister soundtrack sessions, David Lee Roth re-entering the picture, and the trust collapse that leads to the 1996 split that still sparks debate today.  If you’ve ever wondered how a band can sell millions and still come apart, hit play, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and share this with a fellow Van Halen fan. After you listen, leave a review and tell us: was Sammy pushed out, or did he walk? #thebenmaynardprogram #vanhalen #sammyhagar #classicrock #musichistory Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram  and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM I also welcome your comments. email: pl8blocker@aol.com

  2. -5 дн.

    EP. 146 9/11 Never Forget

    Send us Fan Mail You can watch 9/11 footage any day you want, but it still doesn’t recreate what it felt like when the second plane hit and an entire country realized the truth at the same time. We go back to Tuesday morning, September 11th, 2001, tracing the timeline from the first impact at the World Trade Center to the Pentagon attack and the moment the United States grounded civilian aircraft and the skies went eerily quiet. Along the way, we focus on the human stories that turn history into something real: firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and dispatchers moving toward danger; civilians helping strangers through smoke and stairwells; and the rare perspective of filmmaker Jules Naudet capturing the chaos as it unfolds. We also spend time with Flight 93, where passengers, after learning what was happening through phone calls, chose to fight back and changed the outcome at the cost of their lives. Then we talk about what happened after the towers fell: the nearly 3,000 victims whose names cannot be reduced to a number, the volunteers and blood drives, the flags on houses and cars, and the brief season when Americans put differences aside to help Americans. That’s where the conversation turns to patriotism, not as perfection or politics, but as care, sacrifice, and responsibility to each other. If “never forget” still means something, it has to mean remembering people and passing the story on to the generations who weren’t old enough, or weren’t born yet. Subscribe to the show, share this episode with someone younger, and if it moved you, leave a review and tell us what you remember most.#thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #neverforget #nypd #nyfd Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram  and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM I also welcome your comments. email: pl8blocker@aol.com

    EP. 146 9/11 Never Forget
  3. -6 дн.

    EP. 145 We Revisit 1986 By Counting Down Albums That Still Hit Hard

    Send us Fan Mail 1986 isn’t just a year in music history, it’s a whole ecosystem: MTV turning videos into rocket fuel, labels chasing crossover singles, and artists trying to evolve without losing the thing that made them great. I’m back with part two of my albums turning 40 countdown, and while I planned on a full 20, you’re getting 17 records today with plenty of stories, chart facts, and personal reactions along the way. We jump across genres and moods on purpose, because that’s how 1986 actually felt. I talk through Queen’s A Kind Of Magic and why it played differently in the US than the UK, the Georgia Satellites’ lightning-in-a-bottle debut, and the Bangles breaking huge with Different Light. From Lionel Richie’s polished pop dominance to the Fabulous Thunderbirds bringing Texas blues into the mainstream, you can hear how “radio-friendly” didn’t have to mean “soulless.” Then things get even more fun: Tina Turner’s second-wave peak, Stryper’s unlikely glam-metal crossover, ELO and Iron Maiden leaning into synth-era textures, and the Beastie Boys kicking the door open with Licensed To Ill. I also spend real time on Journey’s Raised On Radio, my favorite of the bunch, because the success, the lineup turmoil, and the glossy sound all collide in a way that still hits hard 40 years later. If you love classic rock, 1980s pop, hair metal, early hip-hop, and music anniversary deep dives, hit play, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it. What’s the one 1986 album you still play front to back? #thebenmaynardprogram #classicrock #classicalbums #raisedonradio Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram  and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM I also welcome your comments. email: pl8blocker@aol.com

    EP. 145 We Revisit 1986 By Counting Down Albums That Still Hit Hard
  4. 5 сент.

    EP. 144 A Rock Radio Memoir That Ends At The Dakota And John Lennon's Last Interview

    Send us Fan Mail One ordinary walk out of the Dakota turned into a memory Laurie Kaye has carried for decades. Laurie is the author of Confessions Of A Rock And Roll Name Dropper, and she joins me to trace the wild, funny, heartbreaking path that led to December 8, 1980, when she co-conducted what tragically became John Lennon’s last interview. We get into the radio origin story first, because that’s the spine of everything: transistor radios as survival, AM and FM legends, KMET contests, and the thrill of winning your way into the front row. Laurie shares how those moments pushed her from superfan to working journalist, including her breakout at KFRC in San Francisco and the relentless schedule behind producing ambitious audio. If you care about broadcasting history, 1970s rock radio, and music journalism, the details are gold, especially her work writing and co-producing the 17-hour Beatles radio special The Beatles From Liverpool To Legend. Then we go where the memoir leads: meeting John Lennon and Yoko Ono, the rules she was given going in, what Lennon was like in the room, and the devastating hours that followed. We avoid giving extra attention to the killer, and instead focus on the human cost, the grief, and the long shadow of guilt that can follow a witness. Listen, then subscribe, share this with a music lover, and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. #thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #lauriekaye #confessionsofarocknrollnamedropper #thebeatles #johnlennon #paulmccartney #georgeharrison #elvispresley Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram  and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM I also welcome your comments. email: pl8blocker@aol.com

    EP. 144 A Rock Radio Memoir That Ends At The Dakota And John Lennon's Last Interview
  5. 29 авг.

    EP. 143 Charlie Calv Explains How A Modern Indie Label Survives On Quality And Trust

    Send us Fan Mail Vinyl is back, CDs are creeping up again, and streaming still pays less than most fans realize. So what does it actually take to run a successful independent record label right now without turning into a faceless upload machine? We sit down with Charlie Calv, president of Deko Entertainment and keyboardist for Angel, to get the real-world playbook behind modern label growth, premium reissues, and artist-first service. Charlie walks us through how Deko relaunched, why distribution partnerships matter, and how the label balances licensing deals, direct distribution, and hands-on label services for newer acts. We dig into the collector side too: why 180-gram vinyl, strong jackets, great liner notes, and artist involvement are not “extras,” they are the product. He also shares a surprisingly common reality that reframes the vinyl resurgence: a huge chunk of vinyl buyers do not even own a turntable, they are buying the experience, the art, and the connection to the music. Then we shift to life on stage with Angel, including how Charlie joined the band, what touring is really like at this level, and why the current lineup refuses to phone it in. We talk setlists, new music, diehard fans who travel across the world for a single show, and what the so-called farewell touring cycle could mean going forward. If you care about vinyl reissues, indie label strategy, music distribution, and the future of legacy rock done right, this one is for you. Subscribe to the Ben Maynard Program, share this with a music friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. #thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #musiccommentary #classicrock #dekoentertainment #charliecalv #angelbandofficial Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram  and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM I also welcome your comments. email: pl8blocker@aol.com

  6. 22 авг.

    EP. 142 ANSON CORSAIR - What If One Song Could Save Someone

    Send us Fan Mail He walked away from a dead-end lab job, flew to India for 40 days of yoga teacher training, and came home with a new relationship to music, purpose, and faith. Musician Anson Corsair joins us for a long-form conversation that starts with albums you can actually hold in your hands and quickly turns into the deeper story behind the songs. We unpack “Just One,” a 13-track project shaped by the last 10 years of life, including grief, responsibility, and the pressure to keep going when nothing feels simple. Anson opens up about losing his mom, stepping into full-time caregiving for his blind and disabled brother Michael, and why certain songs are dedicated to specific people. We also dig into the creative side: the “self-consciousness is the enemy of creativity” mindset, how one small moment can change someone’s heart, and what it takes to build a sound that feels clean, open, and honest. Then we get into the next chapter: “Return To Roots,” the darker themes that come from real experience, the hard lessons of DIY music production, and how sobriety and a 12-step program helped him find a new level of freedom. If you care about singer-songwriter craft, indie rock storytelling, spiritual growth, and live music in Southern California, you’ll get a lot out of this one. Subscribe to the show, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. #thebenmaynardprogram #ansoncorsair #justone #startthechange #returntoroots #indierock #tellyourstory Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram  and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM I also welcome your comments. email: pl8blocker@aol.com

    EP. 142 ANSON CORSAIR - What If One Song Could Save Someone
  7. 8 авг.

    EP. 141 "FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE"! Raul Explains Why Trades Work Still Wins

    Send us Fan Mail One wrong answer and you’re chewing a jelly bean that tastes like wet dog. That’s the deal we make on a live Friday night, and it somehow becomes the perfect way to talk about what really matters: consistency, craft, and showing up when it would be easier to tap out. We start with a real look at podcast longevity and why most shows fade after 10 to 12 episodes. Raul talks about how guesting on podcasts flips a switch for him and leads to his own upcoming show, Hard Hats And Humor, built around job site stories, leadership lessons, and the kind of safety truths you only learn in the trades. We also get practical about the behind-the-scenes grind: microphones, editing software, and why I’d rather publish fast with an honest, unedited feel than spend hours polishing away the human parts. Then we go full 80s nerd: International Beer Day, Purple Heart Day, Live Aid, USA for Africa, Billboard chart math from sales to streaming, and the early days of MTV with its first batch of music videos. Along the way, we chase the fun question of who was “cooler” in high school, why some celebrities can cross from acting to music, and what the trades still offer that AI can’t replace: skilled hands building real things. If you like podcasts about the creative process, construction culture, leadership, and music nostalgia, this one hits all of it. Subscribe to The Ben Maynard Program, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your most infamous Bean Boozled flavor. #thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #fridaynightlive #hardhatsandhumor #raulortega #classicrock #80smusic Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram  and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM I also welcome your comments. email: pl8blocker@aol.com

    EP. 141 "FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE"! Raul Explains Why Trades Work Still Wins
  8. 1 авг.

    EP. 140 How Hugo Valenti And Adam Holland Keep Journey Alive On Stage

    Send us Fan Mail You can fake a lot online, but you can’t fake a band that actually sounds right in the room. We sit down with vocalist Hugo Valenti and guitarist Adam Holland to talk about the real journey behind a Journey tribute band that’s built on musicianship, not costumes and tricks. From a couple of Long Island kids chasing club gigs to navigating record label chaos, they lay out what it takes to keep your identity intact when the music industry keeps moving the goalposts. We get into the Valentine years, why the “hair metal” label still misses the point, and how the 90s shift and executive turnover can derail even strong records. Hugo also shares the behind-the-scenes story of his solo work and the Hugo Ramos collaboration, plus the practical reality of singing in the stratosphere and staying healthy enough to do it night after night. Then we go deep on what “live” means in 2026: in-ear monitors, silent stages, why front-row phone videos can sound weird, and why Hugo posts raw vocals with zero polishing. We also talk setlists, deep cuts versus the big hits, what makes a crowd great, and why nostalgia works best when it’s played honestly. Subscribe to The Ben Maynard Program, share this with a fellow music nerd, and leave a review if you want more conversations like this. #thebenmaynardprogram #70smusic #80smusic #classicrock #journeymusic #classichits #deepcuts #hugotheultimatejourneytribute Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram  and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM I also welcome your comments. email: pl8blocker@aol.com

    EP. 140 How Hugo Valenti And Adam Holland Keep Journey Alive On Stage
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"Tell Your Story". Everyone has a story. Not just the famous. This is a guest driven program but when we are "guest free", It's just YOU and ME! I love music and we will talk a lot about it.  Enjoy the ride!#podcast #benmaynardprogram #music #tellyourstory #music #spotify #maynard #videopodcast #thebenmaynardprogram@buzzsprout.com #socialmedia #journey