Fans In Motion

PART 2 is here! Deep dive interview with Damon Johnson of Brother Cane & Damn Yankees In this episode, Damon pulls back the curtain on the writing and creation of Brother Cane’s very first record — the raw stories, the late-night sessions, and the fire that started it all. We talk about the brutal struggles of breaking through in a rapidly changing music scene, the constant battle for radio play, and how they still managed to land massive tours — including opening for Van Halen. Then we get into how the band fought their way past the dreaded “sophomore slump” and dropped an album that gave the world the #1 Billboard Mainstream Rock smash “And Fools Shine On.” Of course we go there…the eventual breakup of Brother Cane, what really happened behind the scenes, and the emotional toll it took. From there, Damon shares the absolutely surreal experience of writing and performing on Sammy Hagar’s 1997 solo classic Marching to Mars — and the wild chain of events that led him to join Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades, Ted Nugent, and Michael Cartellone in Damn Yankees. If you loved Part 1, this one goes even deeper. Rock history, real talk, and zero filter!

PART ONE: The Untold Story of Damon Johnson & the Birth of Brother Cane! In this fantastic first part of our in-depth interview with Damon Johnson (founder of Brother Cane), we dive deep into his incredible journey from the backroads of Alabama to the stages of rock ‘n’ roll history. We cover: • Growing up in Alabama and falling in love with music • Grinding on the local music circuit • His first big break with Split The Dark • Joining Witness and Delta Rebels • The wild Chyld era • And finally… the moment Brother Cane was born! Raw stories, early struggles, key turning points, and the spark that started one of the most underrated rock bands of the 90s. If you love real rock history, band origins, and honest musician interviews — this one’s for you!

On this episode, we’re celebrating three killer melodic rock releases! First up: Night Ranger – Neverland on limited clear orange vinyl — the 1997 classic finally available on wax for the very first time! We’re talking big hooks, soaring harmonies, and that signature Night Ranger energy. Then we crack open the brand new album from guitar hero Joel Hoekstra’s 13 — “From The Fade” — packed with thunderous riffs, soaring melodies, and the high-octane melodic rock we’ve been waiting for. Finally, we’re opening the remastered reissue of Gary Moon’s “Still Moon” — the acclaimed 90’s melodic rock gem (featuring Brad Gillis on guitar) is back and sounding better than ever! Honest first impressions and full unboxings — if you love AOR, melodic hard rock, and premium vinyl, this episode is for you. Which of these are you most excited about? Night Ranger’s Neverland on vinyl, Joel Hoekstra’s new one, or the Gary Moon reissue? Let us know in the comments!

Night Ranger Assistant Tour Manager Angela Hemingway Reveals Her Wild Ride from Michigan Guitarist to Rock Tour Life! In this must-watch episode, we sit down with Angela Hemingway — the powerhouse Tour Assistant keeping the legendary Night Ranger machine running on the road! Hailing from Michigan, Angela grew up with a guitar in her hands, dreaming of a life in music. She went on to earn a degree in Entertainment Business and Recording Arts, then launched her career at Sonic Magic Studios as a Dialogue & ADR Editor. But the pull of the music world was too strong… so she steered her course straight into the industry and eventually landed one of the most coveted gigs out there: joining the Night Ranger camp! Angela opens up about: • Her early days shredding guitar in Michigan • Breaking into the entertainment business • The transition from studio life to full-time tour chaos • What it’s REALLY like working with Night Ranger legends every single day • Insider tips for anyone chasing a career in music or on the road If you’re a Night Ranger fan, a guitar player, an aspiring tour manager, or just love raw behind-the-scenes rock stories — this one’s for you!

Night Ranger Music Videos Ranked: MTV Era to Japanese 90s and Frontiers Releases! We review and rank Night Ranger music videos across three main periods: • The MTV-era clips from the 1980s • The Japanese-market videos from the 1990s • The studio videos released with Frontiers Records from 2011 to the present The discussion includes well-known tracks such as “Sister Christian,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” and “When You Close Your Eyes,” along with later releases like “High Road” and “Breakout.” Leave your own ranking or favorite video in the comments.

In this episode we sit down with veteran rock merchandiser Ricky Lathrop! Ricky currently helps run the Night Ranger merchandise operation and has spent years working with huge acts including REO Speedwagon and Sammy Hagar. He just landed one of the most talked-about gigs in rock right now — official merchandiser for the upcoming Triumph tour! We dive into: • What it really takes to run merch on major rock tours • Behind-the-scenes stories from REO Speedwagon and Sammy Hagar • How he scored the Triumph tour • The current state of band merchandise in 2026 • Tips for fans and future merchandisers A must-watch for any Night Ranger, Triumph, REO Speedwagon, or Sammy Hagar fan! What’s your favorite classic rock band merch of all time? Let us know in the comments!

Dive into the groovy vibes of the 1970s with us on this episode of Fans In Motion! We’re shaking things up by trying something totally new: ranking our all-time favorite live albums from the 1970’s. From the raw energy of The Who’s “Live at Leeds” to the epic jams in The Allman Brothers Band’s “At Fillmore East,” and the stadium-shaking anthems of Peter Frampton’s “Frampton Comes Alive!” – which ones top our list? Spoiler: Expect heated debates, nostalgic stories, and maybe a few surprises (like why Kiss’ “Alive!” still slays). We also give you the picks from Jack, Kelly, Eric, and Keri of Night Ranger!! Whether you’re a vinyl collector or just love classic rock, this one’s for you!

Band vs Brand – The ultimate showdown in rock music! In this deep dive, we explore the timeless debate: When does a rock band stop being just a group of musicians and start becoming a full-blown brand? From legendary logos and endless merch empires to the fight for authenticity vs. commercialization, we break down how the music industry turned rock into big business.

As the clock strikes midnight on one hell of a year, join us for Fans In Motion & Night Ranger’s ultimate 2025 recap — the wins, the shocks, the unforgettable FIM moments — before we light up 2026! We cover all the happenings in the NR & FIM world in 2025, NR Tour Manager Ed Ripepi stops in to say hello, and we read and discuss our fellow FIM favorite 2025 memories!

PART TWO of our deep dive into the electrifying world of classic rock production in this must-listen episode, where I sit down with Grammy-nominated maestro Ron Nevison—the engineering & producing wizard behind some of the biggest albums in music history. Many of us know Ron as the producer the fantastic Damn Yankees records and the Night Ranger reunion record “Neverland”! These episodes cover it all! From his early days cutting his teeth on The Who’s explosive Quadrophenia (complete with wild tales of Keith Moon’s chaotic genius and Pete Townshend’s quadraphonic vision) to engineering Led Zeppelin’s monumental Physical Graffiti alongside Jimmy Page’s meticulous studio sorcery, Ron pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes sessions that defined an era. But that’s just the warmup: Hear how Ron resurrected Heart’s career with powerhouse hits like “Alone” and “These Dreams,” tamed the bombast of KISS’s Crazy Nights, and infused Ozzy Osbourne’s The Ultimate Sin with razor-sharp edge. With over 100 million albums sold and Billboard’s Top-5 Producer nods under his belt, Ron shares unfiltered stories of clashing egos, technical triumphs, and the raw magic of capturing lightning in a bottle—from Bad Company’s gritty debuts to Damn Yankees’ arena anthems. Whether you’re a die-hard Zeppelin fan or just love the untold stories of rock’s golden age, this episode is your backstage pass to the sounds that still shake the world. Tune in for laughs, legends, and lessons from a lifetime in the mix.