Back to the Light

Host J.D. Reager talks to Memphis musician and journalist Alex Greene about the results of the presidential election, the writing job they both wanted but Alex ultimately got, working on the new Reigning Sound album, touring with Tav Falco's Panther Burns and the evolution of his solo project, Alex Greene & the Rolling Head Orchestra.  Then J.D. plays a song off Alex's album American Eleg...

Host J.D. Reager talks to returning guest Dr. Aaron Sayers, PhD psychologist and practicing therapist, about techniques for dealing with the stress, anxiety and fear associated with the coming election and the ongoing pandemic and social unrest.  Then comedian Katrina Coleman (You Look Like, Memphis Comedy Festival) joins the show to talk about her election-related anxieties, why she's voting for...

Host J.D. Reager talks to Jared "Jay B" Boyd about his high-profile gigs at WYXR 91.7 FM, the Daily Memphian and Beale St. Caravan, and the career journey that eventually brought him back to Memphis.  Then Chicago musician Ben Crowell joins the show to talk about his new project Sheet Ghosts and his small-batch coffee roasting operation, Glassworks Coffee.  

Host J.D. Reager talks to Memphis Chef Kelly English, the man behind Restaurant Iris, The Second Line, and Magnolia House (Biloxi, MS) as well as the new owner of Fino's From the Hill, about his career in the food industry,  the difficulties of operating a restaurant during the pandemic, the signature dish he no longer feels affection for and the incident involving NBA all-star Tony Parker th...

Host J.D. Reager talks to his friend, neighbor and Chicago musician/artist John Forbes about his many musical projects, including Phantom 309, Dirt, Mount Shasta and Tijuana Hercules.  Along the way they discuss the lasting influence of growing up in the South, recording with Steve Albini and the challenges of releasing new music during a pandemic.  Then John plays a couple of songs live...

Host J.D. Reager briefly touches on some good things going on for Back to the Light before playing the title track off of Rev. John Wilkins' new release for Goner Records, Trouble .  Then Goner co-owner Eric Friedl (Oblivians, True Sons of Thunder) joins the show to discuss the upcoming virtual event Gonerfest 17 and a bunch of new Goner releases.  Then J.D. closes the show with new song...

Host J.D. Reager debuts a previously unreleased recording of the Memphis and Los Angeles-based '80s punk band the Modifiers featuring the rhythm section of the legendary L.A. new wave group Suburban Lawns, Chuck Roast and Vex Billingsgate.  Then J.D. and Chuck have a great conversation about playing drums with both groups, the L.A. punk and new wave scene, and the prospect of releasing new mu...

Host J.D. Reager speaks to one of his all-time favorite people, Mr. Ross Johnson, about his richly lived life in the music business.  They discuss his work with Alex Chilton, Tav Falco & Panther Burns, the Modifiers and his new group Turnt, his early life in Little Rock, the pitfalls of alcoholism and more before being derailed by technical difficulties.  Then our man on location Har...

Host J.D. Reager chats with one of his musical heroes, the great Ken Stringfellow.  They deep dive into the two projects Ken's most known for, The Posies and Big Star, but also touch on his work with R.E.M., Brendan Benson, Robyn Hitchcock and Tav Falco, what being a member of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame means to him, developing self-confidence in collaborative settings and more.  &nb...

Host J.D. Reager is joined by his friend, colleague and a big-time supporter of Memphis music and musicians, Elizabeth Cawein.  Elizabeth talks about her inspiration for founding the non-profit organization Music Export Memphis and it's mission, working with J.D. on the Rock for Love benefit show and her new side hustles as a DJ and radio host.  

Host J.D. Reager acknowledges the birthday of his late friend, bandmate and mentor Bob Holmes before talking to guest David Catching (Rancho De La Luna, Eagles of Death Metal, earthling?, Queens of the Stone Age, Tex & the Horseheads) about his time in Bob's somewhat notorious, but largely unknown punk rock band the Modifiers.  Plus Dave tells the story of how he ended up in an episode of...

A very special Lollapalooza-themed episode.  Host J.D. Reager tells his story of attending Lollapalooza 1993 at age 14, guests Graham Burks (Perfect Vessels, Pezz, Sweet Knives, Loose Opinions) and his son Graham Burks (the Becomers), A.K.A. "G3," discuss going to Lollapalooza 2019, and J.D. and returning guest Jack Alberson review the 2020 streaming festival.   

Host J.D. Reager unveils the finished version of his song, "Waking Life (I'm Wearing Out)" before talking to Memphis songwriter/musician Joshua Cosby from the band Star & Micey.  Joshua tells J.D. about his latest project, the collaborative compilation Bandwagon , the future of Star & Micey and more, and performs a live version of his new song "Figure It Out (Sundance's Song)."  

Host J.D. Reager talks to Memphis filmmaker and entrepreneur Chad Allen Barton, who happens to be J.D.'s ex-brother-in-law.  Chad tells J.D. about how the pandemic has affected his creative life, recruiting Twin Peaks ' Michael Horse to appear in his film Lights, Camera, Bullshit , co-owning Black Lodge Video, growing up around video rental stores, and more.

Host J.D. Reager has a conversation with Memphis musician, artist and educator Ben Ricketts about his new album, Songs For Ruined X-Rays , hospital nostalgia, relocating to Memphis, not forcing creativity, and more.    

Host J.D. Reager briefly checks in before turning things over to returning guest Aaron Sayers and Memphis blues musician Big Don Valentine (Hollywood All-Stars, Big Don Valentine & the All-Star Band).  They discuss Big Don's long and illustrious career on Beale Street, at Wild Bill's, and beyond, and the importance of connecting with the audience.  

Host J.D. Reager chats up old friend, musician (the Houseflies, Liftoff, Makeshift Mafia)  and PhD psychologist Aaron Sayers about his career as a musician and therapist, mindfulness in musical and therapeutic contexts, and much more.  

To help celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the legendary Memphis punk rock band Pezz, host J.D. Reager relives a fond memory from his short time in the band with help from co-founder Marvin Stockwell and old friend Joe Demaree.  

Host J.D. Reager revisits his 2013 conversation with Eric Friedl, AKA Eric Oblivian, from the Oblivians and Goner Records.  

Host J.D. Reager revisits his 2013 conversation with CBS Sports analyst and Memphis radio personality Gary Parrish.  

Host J.D. plays a rough mix of a song about his favorite NBA TV analyst, Vince Cellini.  Then Jennifer joins the show to talk about getting take-out from Alinea and recent TV watching.  To wrap things up, Joey Pegram (Shabbadoo, Two Way Radio, the Joint Chiefs, Professor Elixer's Southern Troubadours) checks in again from Tianjin, China and shares two impressive new recordings.  

Host J.D. debuts a brand new song.  Then special guest Joey Pegram (Shabbadoo, Two Way Radio, the Joint Chiefs, Professor Elixer's Southern Troubadours, etc.) reports from China about life under quarantine and shares a song about his adopted home country.  

Host J.D. Reager talks through a recent self-esteem crisis.  Then, special correspondent Harry Koniditsiotis (the Switchblade Kid) talks to our guest "Bubba" John Bonds (River City Tanlines, Subteens, Kenny Brown, etc.), who tells a story about touring with R.L. Burnside that includes an Iggy Pop sighting and and run-in the with law.  To close things out, J.D. debuts a rough mix of a new...

Host J.D. gets into why he decided to launch a crowdfunding page and talks to four creative friends - Chicago visual artist Dylan Sowle, Chicago musician Mike Fox (Arthhur), Memphis musician Jeremy Scott (Reigning Sound, Toy Trucks), and Chicago comedian Andy Fleming - about monetizing their creative lives.  Then J.D. plays a couple of songs off of his "great lost album" project.  

Host J.D. re-lives the week gone by, including such highlights as finally filing for unemployment and celebrating 13 years of marriage to Jenn.  Later, Memphis musician Jack Alberson checks in via prerecorded message, J.D. unearths a forgotten "gem," and Jenn joins the show to talk about binge-worthy TV.