Circling The Drain

Johnny B, Jay and Jim dive deep into the world of story songs, exploring their rich history and cultural impact. In this episode, we'll unpack:

[0:01:00] The Power of Narrative Music
- Gordon Lightfoot's "Edmund Fitzgerald"
- How story songs transcend musical genres

[0:22:30] Legendary Storytellers in Music
- Kenny Rogers' narrative hits
- The emotional depth of songs like "Lucille"

[0:33:40] Modern Challenges in Songwriting
- The impact of AI on music creation
- Rising concert prices limiting musical inspiration

[0:41:20] Emotional Resonance of Story Songs
- Personal stories that move listeners
- Examples from Pearl Jam, Zach Brown, and more

Highlights include candid discussions about music's evolution, the importance of imperfection in recordings, and a nostalgic look at how story songs connect generations. Whether you're a music historian or casual listener, this episode offers insights into the art of musical storytelling.

Radio Wars and Rockstar Dreams: Tales from the Golden Age of Broadcasting :: Ep 2 Circling The Drain Podcast 

 Join Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy as they dive deep into the wild, unfiltered world of radio's golden era. From cigarettes in the studio to celebrity encounters gone wrong, these veteran broadcasters share hilarious and heartfelt stories about the days when radio was pure theater of the mind. Hear about Phil Valentine's close calls, Steve Earle's contentious interviews, and why Naomi Judd made such a lasting impression. Plus, the hosts discuss how corporate takeovers killed radio's soul and why podcasting might be the industry's salvation.

**[0:00 - 2:15]** - The Jack Kemp Ego Check: How Phil Valentine's national show got a reality check from a confused politician

**[2:15 - 8:30]** - Radio's Wild West Days: Stories of on-air smoking, pizza, and the "dance" of operating vintage equipment

**[8:30 - 15:45]** - Celebrity Memory Lane: Donald Trump Jr.'s photographic memory and Steve Warner's Christmas connection to Chet Atkins

**[15:45 - 25:20]** - The Great Radio Fire: When a joint nearly burned down a station and dad showed up in his pajamas

**[25:20 - 35:40]** - Meeting the Judds: Naomi's warmth, Wynonna's bicycle rides, and sunglasses in the studio

**[35:40 - 48:15]** - Steve Earle Chronicles: From rockabilly rejection to "Copperhead Road" at a banker's reception

**[48:15 - 58:30]** - Political Landmines: How the Dixie Chicks, Steve Earle, and others learned that politics can kill careers

**[58:30 - End]** - Death of Old Radio: Corporate takeovers, the rise of podcasting, and why the future belongs to independent creators