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Circling The Drain

Circling The Drain

By: John E. Bozeman & Jay Harper
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Summary

 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 McCarthy ALSO has had a tremendous career in radio since 1996 and has since brought his consulting/producing skillset to the podcast world. Circling the Drain is produced by ItsYourShow.co2025 Music Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Dan Mandis: From Dr. Laura To Marconi Winner & The Future Of Talk Radio :: Ep 36 Circling The Drain Podcast

    Dan Mandis: From Dr. Laura To Marconi Winner & The Future Of Talk Radio :: Ep 36 Circling The Drain Podcast
    Apr 29 2026
    On this episode of Circling The Drain, the three J’s sit down with Marconi Award–winning talk host and former WTN program director Dan Mandis for a deep dive into his 30+ years in radio. From cutting his teeth at legendary KFI in Los Angeles with Dr. Laura, to building syndication the hard way, to steering SuperTalk 99.7 WTN through the loss of Phil Valentine, Dan opens up about the highs, lows, and realities of a life behind the mic. You’ll hear how he: - Went from board-op and traffic guy in LA to hosting major-market and national shows - Helped grow Dr. Laura’s show station by station before syndication was “plug-and-play” - Transitioned from producer to host and program director across LA, New York, Dallas, Fort Wayne, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Nashville - Dealt with overnights, early mornings, burnout, and moving his family all over the country - Survived industry cutbacks, never technically got “fired,” and kept landing on his feet - Navigated the aftermath of Phil Valentine’s passing and kept WTN strong - Embraced video, editing, and streaming as an “old radio guy” and why he thinks you must if you’re on air today - Sees podcasting and radio converging and where the next generation of talent will come from Plus: - War stories about unscreened open lines on “America at Night” - A hilariously off-the-rails interview with Van Halen’s former manager Noel Monk - Dr. Laura’s tough-love style, how she sounds exactly the same today, and what Dan learned from her as a broadcaster and as a human - A candid look at conservative talk, Rush, Glenn Beck, and how digging into issues changed Dan’s politics - The power of theater of the mind, why storytelling still wins, and how Morgan Wallen and Ella Langley are doing it in country music today If you love radio, podcasting, broadcasting history, or just great stories from people who’ve “been there and done that,” this episode is loaded. Timed highlights (chapter markers): 3:00 Dan’s favorite market: why a smaller station in Fort Wayne was the most fun 4:05 How Dan actually got his start in radio in Los Angeles 4:55 Early days at KFI: producer, board-op, traffic, and the Dr. Laura connection 6:40 Building Dr. Laura’s syndication station by station, the “old-school” way 7:35 Moving from behind the scenes to PD and host in Colorado Springs, Fort Wayne, Denver, and beyond 9:11 Starting in 1987 and what fascinated Dan about “behind the glass” radio 7:55–9:30 Classic “old days of radio” stories: smoking in studios and nude ballet in the control room 9:44 Why Dan left music radio and embraced talk: “I was a terrible disc jockey” 9:53 Growing up on LA talk radio in the back seat of a smoke-filled car 10:40 Learning production, call screening, and board-op skills at powerhouse KFI 11:59 The rush of live talk, callers, and flying without a net 12:17 Working mornings, spontaneity, and regretting what you said on-air 14:15 Discovering open lines on “America at Night” and the terror of unscreened calls 15:37 Yelling on-air after 30 years of being the “non-yeller” host 15:55 Has Dan ever been fired? Downsizing vs. “real” firing debate 16:43 Radio careers, layoffs, and never being unemployed more than 3 weeks 17:06 Moving markets with a family and the toll it takes at home 18:39 How constant moves impacted Dan’s kids and what they gained from it 19:13 Paying dues and why young would-be hosts need patience 19:41 From radio to podcasting: Dan’s show “Mostly Peaceful with Dan and Chris and Matt” 20:01 Why Dan still believes in radio even while podcasting 20:18 Missing radio so much it hurts: Johnny’s story of stepping away 20:47 Dan on being 58, counting down to retirement, and whether he’d really quit 22:03 Waking up at midnight, prepping for a 5 a.m. show, and the grind behind “just talking” 23:54 Being dragged into video kicking and screaming, then learning to love it 24:55 Teaching himself Premiere Pro and using ChatGPT for vertical content 25:53 Not wanting to be “the old guy who can’t change” and embracing video editing 26:32 Is video hurting radio? Serving stream viewers without abandoning listeners in cars 27:53 Theater of the mind vs. cameras in the studio 28:25 How streaming exposed radio’s wardrobe, and Dan’s wife fixing his on-camera look 29:41 Discovering audiences actually watch radio shows and their passion for live streams 30:44 Why listeners now complain when the video stream goes down 30:44–32:25 How many actual radios do they own now and reception issues even near big signals 33:06 First impressions of WTN, hearing Johnny and Phil and feeling intimidated 34:33 PD stories: “Who are you again?” and live-mic warnings in the hallway 35:30 Intimidation, team-building, and managing big talent without being an a-hole 36:26 Relief at stepping down as ...
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Dez Dickerson on Prince, Hendrix, Faith, Talk Radio and Modern Rock :: Ep 35 Circling the Drain Podcast

    Dez Dickerson on Prince, Hendrix, Faith, Talk Radio and Modern Rock :: Ep 35 Circling the Drain Podcast
    Apr 22 2026
    On this episode of Circling The Drain, Johnny B, Jay Harper and James Patrick McCarthy sit down with guitarist and broadcaster Dez Dickerson – best known as Prince’s original guitarist from the 1999 and Little Red Corvette era.Dez takes us from his early days in Midwestern cover bands to his legendary audition with Prince, life on the road, opening for the Rolling Stones, his faith journey, leaving the band just as they were about to headline stadiums, and his unexpected path into conservative talk radio.Along the way, the guys dive deep into Jimi Hendrix’s legacy, the darker side of the music business, the opioid epidemic and fentanyl, and why modern rock rarely hits as hard as it used to.What you’ll hear in this episode:- Dez’s wild origin story, starting professional gigs at 14 without even a driver’s license - The real story behind his Prince audition and how “having the vibe” got him the gig - Inside the infamous Rolling Stones opening shows and how Hells Angels changed the narrative - Why he walked away from Prince’s band at the brink of stadium-headliner status - Dez’s conversion to Christianity on the Dirty Mind tour and how it reshaped his choices - Moving to Nashville, discovering the Christian music business and landing an A&R role - How Phil Valentine pushed him toward talk radio – and why the mic felt like home - His unapologetically conservative views, pushback he’s gotten, and “clear thinker” philosophy - Guitar talk: Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Santana, bikers, death metal, and why no one is truly “original” - Dez’s thoughts on today’s rock, podcasts vs radio, and what he wants to do nextHit play for a fast, funny, honest conversation about music, faith, politics and life from someone who’s actually been there, on stage and on the air.Listen, subscribe, and join the Drain Gang at: circlingthedrain.net 2:47 Dez’s first days with Prince and the audition at an empty tire shop 3:36 Growing up in Midwest cover bands and touring before he could drive 4:47 Inside the Prince audition: playing with the band vs trying to “blow them away” 6:38 Seeing Prince’s real personality after joining the band 8:04 Opening for the Rolling Stones, Hells Angels and getting “booed off stage” in the media 10:49 Dez’s conversion to Christianity on the Dirty Mind tour 11:17 Moral discomfort on stage and the moment he knew he had to leave 12:38 Intense years in the band and the image from the 1999 video 13:07 Little Red Corvette solo and Dez’s guitar legacy 13:19 Why and how Dez moved to Nashville and into A&R 15:11 Early days in Nashville and culture shock over a little snow 16:00 How Phil Valentine pushed Dez toward talk radio 18:01 Discovering talk radio feels like “home” and plans to blend radio and podcasting 19:41 The story behind the iconic kamikaze headband 21:27 Fan art, the faceless cartoon band, and Dez as a visual icon 22:03 Prince’s pain, opioids, fentanyl and the tragedy of his death 24:49 The opioid epidemic, fake fentanyl and near-misses with pain meds 26:17 Personal stories of back surgeries, painkillers and dependency 27:08 Dez’s first guitar, outgrowing lessons and early school gigs 29:25 Early career breaks, agents, and being “the kid who plays like Hendrix” 29:53 Guitar heroes: Clapton, Zeppelin, Grand Funk and growing into Hendrix influence 30:54 Winning over biker crowds and the Stones show irony 31:30 How Prince fused Sly Stone, Hendrix and the Stones’ Glimmer Twins 32:17 Hendrix’s unrealized future and his deep influence on guitar players 34:05 Being the only one at school mourning Hendrix and the “players’ player” 35:04 Eddie Van Halen, borrowing from Hendrix and other influences 37:04 Why “best guitarist” debates miss the point 37:31 Practice, grind and scaring your parents with your obsession 38:02 Reading music vs playing by ear and learning the Nashville number system 39:09 Reconnecting with Prince in Nashville and the “show after the show” 40:49 Sharing the stage with Larry Graham and surreal “Forrest Gump” moments 41:54 First Avenue stories, U2 and Minneapolis memories 42:26 Moving from cold Minnesota to too-hot Nashville 43:03 Dez’s conservatism, being “just to the right of Attila the Hun” and industry blowback 45:41 Leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a “clear thinker” 47:16 The problem with political echo chambers, even in conservative talk radio 48:12 Label me an American: political parties vs founding ideals 49:31 Why you cannot recreate Phil Valentine and why listeners still compare 50:09 Radio vs record labels and the business side of both worlds 51:00 Why copying Phil can never work and why he was a true radio rock star 52:32 Inside label culture in Nashville and signing left-of-center artists 53:47 How a meeting with Jimmy Bowen helped shape modern Christian music 55:01 How ...
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Tributes, Cancelled Careers, And Nashville War Stories :: Ep 34 Circling the Drain

    Tributes, Cancelled Careers, And Nashville War Stories :: Ep 34 Circling the Drain
    Apr 15 2026
    In this episode of Circling The Drain, Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy dive deep into the changing world of music and radio from the perspective of insiders who have lived it. They start with why some artists get massive tribute concerts while others do not, then slide into a raw, honest look at country radio’s glory days, its corporate-driven decline, and what happens to artists and broadcasters when the industry moves on. From Taylor Hawkins and Eddie Van Halen, to Waylon Jennings, Jason Aldean, Kacey Musgraves, and Tim McGraw, the guys unpack how careers peak and fade, how politics can tank a fan base, and why loyalty in production teams still matters. Along the way, you will hear behind the scenes stories from Nashville radio, Country Radio Seminar, hall of fame inductions, and on air rivalries the hosts now regret. It is a brutally honest, funny, and nostalgic ride through a business that is, quite literally, circling the drain. Listen for – Why some legends get big tribute concerts and others never do – How corporate ownership and streaming gutted local radio – The unspoken 20 year shelf life of most country stars – When politics and award shows push fans away – Confessions about bashing other hosts on the air – The Nashville radio names they still want to get on the podcast Circling The Drain is a podcast about music, media, and entertainment before it all goes down the disposal. 2:12 – Taylor Hawkins vs Eddie Van Halen: who gets a tribute and why 3:55 – Waylon Jennings, tribute shows, and honoring musical “gifting” 6:10 – Radio as a launchpad: how on air skills still matter even when radio does not 7:05 – Inside Country Radio Seminar: from DJ convention to corporate schmooze fest 8:49 – Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson as “new artists” at CRS 10:28 – Early misreads: not being blown away by The Judds at first listen 12:17 – When record labels ruled: RCA, MCA, and the power to make stars 13:27 – The Nashville machine wakes up to radio’s decline and bankrupt clusters 14:22 – Getting tossed aside with age: musicians, flatbed truck gigs, and reality checks 15:32 – Why only a handful of artists have true decades-long careers 18:11 – Earl Thomas Conley: hit records, introversion, and painful live shows 19:58 – Country bars, boring sets, and what audiences really want 21:56 – Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, and the 20 year A list career arc 23:37 – What happened to Kacey Musgraves and the Dixie Chicks effect 24:55 – The cost of politics onstage and why some artists never learn 25:32 – Oscars, live streams, and why award shows feel pompous and out of touch 26:36 – CMT Awards, live vocals, and brutal pitch correction moments 27:47 – Waylon’s hearing loss and the studio tricks to keep him on pitch 28:42 – Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” and the Columbia courthouse backlash 30:06 – Racism in the North vs South: a blunt Ohio story 30:58 – Jason Aldean’s production team loyalty and “do not fix what is not broken” 31:39 – Talk radio etiquette: why bashing other hosts is bush league 32:39 – Johnny’s regret over slamming Rick and Bubba on the air 35:00 – Howard Stern, rivalries, and when feuds actually helped the ratings 36:01 – Air Awards story: the Kanye West Bill Cody gag 37:28 – How industry awards slowly got cheaper and smaller 38:24 – Tennessee Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and forgetting key co hosts 40:00 – Phil Valentine, Terry Hopkins, and the show that made a career 42:29 – Brian Sargent, music director battles, and taking heat for the host 43:36 – A rare good GM: Dennis Ways and healthy radio culture 44:21 – Michael Dickey and the reality of ownership families 45:59 – Who they still want on: Nashville radio legends, especially women 47:07 – TV and weather crossovers: why they want Davis Nolan’s story Follow Johnny B:https://www.facebook.com/john.e.bozemanFollow Jay Harper:https://www.facebook.com/harperjeffFollow Jim:www.jmvos.comCircling The Drain is produced by It's Your Show dot Cowww.itsyourshow.co
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    48 mins
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