Dayna Steele's Rockstar Conversations

Not every rockstar is on stage or in the music business. Sometimes a rockstar is someone you admire, respect, and who absolutely rocks your world when you need it most.

In this episode of Dayna Steele’s Rockstar Conversations, Dayna talks with her friend Cathy Arroyo about what a geriatric care manager actually does, why Cathy hired one while caring for her mother , and why having the right person in your corner can change everything. It's an honest, informative, and sometimes funny conversation about aging parents, caregiving, and knowing when to ask for help.

Because sometimes the biggest rockstars in our lives are the people who help us get through the toughest gigs.

Wikipedia definition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geriatric_care_management

What do Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Heart, Aerosmith, and Bon Jovi have in common? Holly Knight! The legendary songwriter behind some of rock’s biggest anthems joins her longtime friend Dayna Steele for a fun, candid conversation on Dayna Steele’s Rockstar Conversations. Holly shares stories from her incredible career and her book, I Am the Warrior: My Crazy Life Writing the Hits and Rocking the MTV Eighties. From writing iconic songs like “The Best,” “Love Is a Battlefield,” and “Invincible” to navigating the wild world of rock and roll, Holly has the stories only someone who lived it can tell. Two friends, decades of rock history, and plenty of behind-the-scenes secrets. This is one conversation you don't want to miss!

Holly's website: https://www.hollyknight.com

I talk with the real Nick and Diane—the couple whose remarkable love story became part of the hit Broadway musical Come From Away. They were strangers when their planes were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, after 9/11, but amid the fear and uncertainty, something completely unexpected happened: they fell in love. We talk about those extraordinary days in Gander, how their relationship grew, what it’s like to see your own life portrayed onstage, and the true story behind one of the most touching moments in Come From Away.

Come From Away website: https://comefromaway.com

I catch up with Felix Hanemann of Zebra to talk about the band, the music, and a rock-and-roll career that has kept him performing for decades. We get into Zebra’s early days, breaking through with songs like “Who’s Behind the Door?” and “Tell Me What You Want,” life on the road, and the stories behind the music. It’s two longtime rock-and-roll veterans talking bands, radio, fans, and what it takes to keep doing what you love all these years later.

Zebra's website: https://zebraband.com/band/

My friend astronaut Scott Kelly joins me to talk about spending nearly a year in space, life aboard the International Space Station, seeing Earth from 250 miles up, and what 340 days in orbit teaches you about resilience and life back home. We also get a little more down to Earth—including the time Scott convinced me to go on a very long hike with him. Space, friendship, adventure, and a few stories you probably haven’t heard before.

Scott's website: https://www.scottkelly.com

This one is personal. I talk with Melissa Stevens, widow of my longtime KLOL friend and colleague Mark Stevens of the legendary Stevens & Pruett morning show, about Mark’s journey with Alzheimer’s. Melissa shares the realities of loving and caring for someone through the disease—the difficult moments, the unexpected ones, and the memories that remain. Two women connected by KLOL and caregiving have an open, heartfelt conversation about love, loss, laughter, and Alzheimer’s.

More about Stevens & Pruett: https://www.rock101klol.com/shows/stevens-and-pruett-show/

It doesn’t get much more rock and roll than a duet from space. I talk with Jethro Tull’s legendary Ian Anderson about his music, his unmistakable flute, and the extraordinary time he played a flute duet with astronaut Cady Coleman while she was aboard the International Space Station. Then Cady herself drops in to join the conversation! It’s rock and roll, space travel, two flutes—and one truly out-of-this-world story.

Ian's website: https://jethrotull.com/band-member/ian-anderson/

I sit down with legendary rock radio producer and historian Denny Somach, the man behind the nationally syndicated Get the Led Out, to talk all things Led Zeppelin. We get into the songs, the stories, the band’s enduring influence, and Denny’s incredible coffee-table book, Get the Led Out: How Led Zeppelin Became the Biggest Band in the World. With decades of interviews, rare stories, and a lifetime spent around rock and roll, Denny knows the history—and we have plenty of our own rock-and-roll memories to share.

Get the book: https://amzn.to/4iTpZs9

I sit down with filmmaker Mike McGuff to talk about Runaway Radio, his documentary about Houston’s legendary rock station KLOL—and yes, this one is personal. We talk about how Mike brought the wild history of KLOL to the screen, the DJs, the music, the outrageous moments, and the loyal listeners who made the station a Houston institution. As one of the voices who lived that history, I get to revisit the glory days of rock radio with the guy who turned our crazy story into a documentary.

See the documentary: https://rock101movie.com

I catch up with Night Ranger guitarist Brad Gillis to talk about the music, the road, and the unexpected phone call that changed his life. Brad shares the incredible story of how he landed the gig playing guitar with Ozzy Osbourne following the death of Randy Rhoads, suddenly finding himself onstage with one of rock’s biggest stars. We talk Ozzy, Night Ranger, “Sister Christian,” arena-rock history, and what it’s like to build a career that has kept Brad rocking for decades.

Brad's website: http://www.bradgillis.com