Circling The Drain

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 jacket Delivering a giant get‑well card to Amy Grant in a dying station vehicle Glen Campbell shredding in an Opry dressing room and cracking jokes at the urinal A Steve Earle...

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 songwriting Growing up in Memphis around the sounds of Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, W...

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...

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—M...

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-sch...

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 he...

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  [0:35-0:5...

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,"...

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...

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...

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...

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 dea...

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 o...

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...

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-gr...

Join us for an intimate conversation with legendary songwriter Gary Gentry as he shares incredible stories from Nashville's golden era. From his supernatural encounter with Hank Williams' ghost to writing hit songs like "The Ride" and working with icons like Billy Sherrill and David Allen Coe, this episode is a treasure trove of music history. Timed Highlights: [0:09:45] - The supernatural moment...

In this episode, the 3J crew dives deep into a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from music and movies to current events. Highlights include: [0:00-0:10] Personal stories and podcast reflections [0:10-0:25] Discussion of Charlie Kirk's recent assassination and its impact [0:25-0:40] Memories of talk radio and political discourse [0:40-1:00] Reminiscing about Robert Redford and classic...

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] Mode...

Join Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy as they dive into the wild world of musicians crossing over into acting. From Hank Williams' reluctance to become a movie star to Trace Adkins' impressive western roles, this episode explores the hits and misses of singers turned actors. [0:00-0:15] Podcast introduction and show premise [0:15-5:00] Hank Williams' Hollywood hesitation and behind-the-scene...

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 Jud...

Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy launch "Circling the Drain" by exploring how the deaths of entertainment legends affect us personally. From Elvis and John Lennon to Phil Valentine and Eddie Van Halen, the hosts share intimate stories about meeting their heroes and discuss why we form such deep connections with celebrities we've never met. Jay recounts his days at MCA Records with Jimmy Bowe...