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PODCAST

Circling The Drain

John E. Bozeman & Jay Harper

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

music music interviews

All Episodes

43:26

Radio Sales Gone Wild, Groupies, and Legendary Local...

Circling The Drain ·

2026/02/18

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

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67:21

Podcasts vs Radio, Nashville Stories, and the New...

Circling The Drain ·

2026/02/11

In this episode of Circling The Drain, Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy dive deep into the evolution of media: from old-school radio and movie theaters to long-form podcasts and YouTube creators. They talk Joe Rogan’s three-hour conversations, why podcasts feel more authentic than corporate radio, the rise of independent creators, and how celebrities have lost their monopoly on “cool.” Along the way, they share classic Nashville industry stories, memorable movie-theater moments, and

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62:14

Ice Storms, Airwaves And Radio Wars :: Ep 24 Circling...

Circling The Drain ·

2026/02/04

Fresh off a nasty Nashville ice storm, Johnny B, Jay, and Jim unpack winter chaos, government blame, and why people still run to live talk radio when things get dangerous. From Phil Valentine tornado stories and Sheryl Crow calling out NES, to THC cookie misadventures, potholes, the Cherokee Nation fixing roads, and the slow death of music radio, this one is equal parts war story and radio therapy.Highlights: – Ice storms, tornadoes, and staying on the air when everyone else is stuck –

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45:09

Divorce, Nashville, and “Now What?” w/Brenda Golden...

Circling The Drain ·

2026/01/28

What happens when your life flips upside down at 50? Former Oak Ridge Boys insider and Nashville industry pro Brenda Golden joins Circling the Drain to talk about starting over in her golden years.Brenda shares how a painful divorce, a cross-country move to Austin, and a complete career reboot led to her new book, “Now What?”. Along the way, she pulls back the curtain on life with William Lee Golden, working around Garth Brooks at his peak, the impact of Pam Lewis and Lib Hatcher (Elizabeth

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99:12

Bill Cuomo: From “Bette Davis Eyes” to Barbra,...

Circling The Drain ·

2026/01/21

Legendary keyboardist, writer, and producer Bill Cuomo joins Circling The Drain to share six decades of music-industry stories. From crafting the iconic intros to “Bette Davis Eyes” and “Oh Sherrie” to working with Alabama, Trace Adkins, Herb Alpert, Barbra Streisand, Little River Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd**, and more, Bill walks through the evolution of recording from analog to digital, lawsuits with major brands, and why he prefers the studio over the road. He also opens up about surviving

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56:32

Backstage Legends: From Glen Campbell to Trump’s...

Circling The Drain ·

2026/01/14

Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy dive into their most memorable celebrity encounters from decades in radio, records, and concert production.You’ll hear stories about:The gherm-iest radio promo guy in a stained satin jacketDelivering a giant get‑well card to Amy Grant in a dying station vehicleGlen Campbell shredding in an Opry dressing room and cracking jokes at the urinalA Steve Earle meeting that went from dream chat to guarded on‑air interviewHank Thompson’s rough day and sincere

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63:15

Deborah Allen: From “Baby I Lied” to Elvis’ Bus and...

Circling The Drain ·

2026/01/07

In this episode, country artist and hit songwriter Deborah Allen joins the Three J’s for a warm, funny, and deeply personal conversation.Deborah shares:The story and long tail of her signature hit “Baby I Lied”Early days at Opryland, touring Russia with Tennessee Ernie Ford, and how Shel Silverstein nudged her into songwritingGrowing up in Memphis around the sounds of Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie Mitchell, Al Green, and the Hodges brothersHow she wound up sleeping on Elvis’ tour bus and

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64:04

Shannon McCombs On Nashville Radio, Rock To Country,...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/12/31

Legendary Nashville broadcaster Shannon McCombs joins Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy for a fast-moving tour through rock and country radio history. From being yelled at by Sebastian Bach and an enraged artist at XM, to co-hosting a Buddy Holly birthday bash at the request of Paul McCartney, Shannon shares candid, funny, and sometimes cringeworthy stories from decades behind the mic. She talks about breaking into a male‑dominated Nashville radio scene in the mid‑80s, surviving

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69:35

Our Dads, Music, and Memories :: Ep 18 Circling the...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/12/24

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

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59:47

Gene Simmons, Radio Royalties & The AI Artist Future...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/12/17

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

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45:41

The Problem with Corporate Radio and Consultants -...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/12/10

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

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56:45

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: A Hall of Confusion :: Ep...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/12/03

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

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47:49

Thanksgiving & Holiday Rewinds: Movies, Music, and...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/11/26

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

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76:17

The Matt Murphy Radio Journey - From Small-Town Radio...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/11/19

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,

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73:59

Circling the Drain Ep 12: Regie Hamm - From Family...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/11/12

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

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41:53

Wade Hayes: Surviving, Strumming, and Staying True to...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/11/05

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

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46:06

Radio Rage: Meltdowns, Mishaps, and Mayhem Behind the...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/10/29

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]

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56:31

Artists Who Should Have Made It Big :: Ep 8 Circling...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/10/22

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

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51:47

Band Dynamics: When Members Change, Does the Music...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/10/15

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

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65:37

Backstage Blunders and Celebrity Encounters:...

Circling The Drain ·

2025/10/08

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

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26 results

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