Welcome to the very first episode of Backstage Past, where host Jake McBride draws on more than 30 years of experience in country radio to pull back the curtain on some truly unforgettable moments behind the scenes. In this debut episode, Jake takes us all the way back to his early days as a music director at Alabama 100 in Anniston, Alabama, where a routine call from Capitol Records turned into a hilariously unexpected night with none other than a young Garth Brooks.

Expect icy weather, an empty venue, and a performance for a crowd that consisted mostly of wait staff and police officers—and discover why Garth and his band would never forget this night, lovingly dubbing it “The Policeman’s Ball.” Tune in for a heartfelt and humorous look at the humble beginnings of a country superstar, and the kind of stories only a radio veteran like Jake can deliver.