My next guest was born in Los Angeles, Ca, but grew up in a small town called "Coarsegold" near Yosemite, Ca. He was a drama major in college and began playing guitar professionally as a teenager, followed by a whirlwind travel experience through Europe in his twenties in a band called The Young Californian's. He became a member of the band, The Grass Roots in the 1960's, they appeared on numerous television shows as well as in the Doris Day movie, "With Six, you get Eggroll". He parted ways with The Band in 1970 but continued his passion and has released 10 solo albums up to the present day. Throughout his career not only has he worked in front of the camera but behind the scenes as well, he was a prop man, boom man, composer, grip & stand in. On camera, he appeared in such films as "Terri", "Mask" and "Heart Like a Wheel". His television credits include, "The Bernie Mac Show", "Eight is Enough" and "Quincy". He was then cast on the hit show "The Office" doing a parody of his life as a former rock star. He still loves performing today and has some terrific solo albums out, please welcome to the show....Creed Bratton!

Happy 75th Birthday to Tom Petty! 10/20/25

My next guest was born in San Diego, California. He is an American musician notable for being the founding bassist for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers from 1976 to 1981. He returned to perform at the band's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and that reunion led to his return for the Summer 2002 tour. He was replacing the late great bassist, Howie Epstein. He then helped finish The Last DJ album and was present for all subsequent albums and tours. Aside from The Heartbreakers, he has played on albums by Kirstin Candy, Stevie Nicks, Del Shannon, Slobberbone and The Tremblers. He was also part of the original line-up of The Dirty Knobs, Mike Campbell's side project as well as Mike's band, The Blue Stingray's recording album 'Surf n' Burn' in 1997. Since the passing of Tom Petty, he has been actively involved in music, perforning with The Chris Torres Band, playing and producing with LA Edwards. Currently he is working on his solo album and producing with so many other musicians. Today we talk about Ron's musical experiences and the technical side of music, please welcome to the show....Ron Blair!!

Today I welcome an American singer, songwriter, organist and guitarist for a band originally called "13th Floor", soon after they became the well known band, "The Grass Roots". The band had three top 10 singles on the Billboard charts, "Sooner or Later", "Midnight Confessions" and "Let's Live for Today". He also attended the film school at UCLA alongside the future Doors members Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek. He later transitioned into a successful band manager for successful Heavy Metal/Rock groups including Angel, Quiet Riot, Black & Blue, Faster Pussycat, L7, Faith No More, Rage Against the Machine, Deftones and many others. Please welcome to the show, Warren Entner!

Today we welcome a former chemist from The Bronx, NY, he studied at Columbia University, and left his career one day and decided to work in the music industry. He was an Artist Manager, Label Executive with Creation, Sr VP at Polydor/Polygram Records in NYC and worked with such bands as Rainbow, Scorpions, Pat Travers Band, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, John (Cougar) Mellencamp, Big Country, Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Resurrection of KISS (without make-up & make-up back on), and Motorhead! He was also the man who formed the "Rock Dept" at Polygram. Today we are talking all about his time working with Bon Jovi! Where are all my Jersey Girls & Guys??? Did you ever wonder how Bon Jovi got their name and their start? He gives me the exclusive on all things Bon Jovi! I love learning about Music History and this is it!! I hope you enjoy this episode! Join me in welcoming a dear family friend and an incredible music industry executive as he shares these little known stories....Jerry Jaffe

Today I am interviewing someone who has had a multi-faceted career in the music industry! From an early age he had a desire to be a musician and follow in his cousin Jerry Heller's path in the music business, both of which he has been doing for the past 65 years. Gary was deeply involved in the music scene in Columbus, OH promoting concerts and playing at a thriving Country Rock Club. In the summer of 1969, he made a pivotal visit to his cousin Jerry in Hollywood, CA and that fueled his desire to return one day! Then in 1978 he got a chance to manage a music studio in Northridge, CA, there he got to work with Chaka Kahn & Rufus, Three Dog Night, The Knack and The Jacksons. In 1980 he was hired to be the Production Manager for the band Air Supply on their first American Tour. He then did two tours as Tour Manager for Lita Ford. Switching gears he went on to work for a Classical artist Richard Clayderman and Jazz fusion artist Jeff Lorber. In 1985 he started his own management company with the band Hurricane and Jimmy Z. In 1988 his career took another turn when he finally went to work with his cousin Jerry Heller. Jerry was managing Eric "Eazy E" Wright and the infamous West Coast Gangsta rap group NWA. Jerry was also the General Manager of Eazy's record label "Ruthless Records". Jerry brought Gary on to be the production manager for the upcoming US tour and he helped the group develop their staging, sound & lighting. Gary sets the record straight about the movie "Straight Outta Compton" and what really happened with Suge Knight and Eazy E. He is currently writing a book and working on a script of his Ruthless Record days. He still performs today with his bands, 'Cool Hand Ukes', 'Gary & the Grooves' and his newest, most favorite project 'Rhythym & Hues', a unique fusion of live music and performance art. You can find out more and check out his music schedule at Garyballen.com He has an incredible history in music, please welcome to the show Gary Ballen!

Today I welcome another rock music legend, he is widely know as one of rock's most tasteful timekeepers, and a found member of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. He is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer. He is a singer, songwriter and producer, he has written songs for Don Henley, Ringo, Toto, The Byrds, Rita Coolidge, Meredith Brooks, Tim McGraw, The Eagles, Sister Hazel, Eddie Money, The Mavericks and The Knack. He's also played on and produced some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful records in the industry. He brings those skills to his first band since Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Beyond producing and playing grooves for his newest band, The Speaker Wars, he lends his guitar, keyboard, bass and vocal chops to the mix.Stay tuned for fan questions! I am so excited to introduce to the show Stan Lynch.

My 11th podcast is a profoundly inspiring episode for me, I was truly humbled to interview an extraordinary, beloved, one-of-a-kind human being, songwriter, musician, photographer, recording engineer and producer. I recorded this episode interview on March 19th, and he tragically passed away one week later. As difficult as this is for me to release, it is the crux of my podcast and I hope it will bring comfort to those who knew him, new stories to those who didn't and making this episode a historic and uplifting tribute to his life and work! Please welcome to the show, Terry Manning!

Terry made his way from El Paso, Texas to Memphis, TN in his early years and was given a once in a lifetime chance to work at both Stax Records and Ardent Studios as an engineer and producer, recording and mixing such artists as Isaac Hayes, Ike & Tina Turner, Booker T. & The MG's, Eddie Floyd, Al Green, Rufus Thomas, Sam & Dave, Billy Eckstine, Otis Redding, and many others. He also produced and egineered recordings by Joe Cocker, WattStax, Alex Chilton, Big Star, James Taylor, Leon Russell, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Jason & The Scorchers, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Joe Walsh, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Molly Hatchet, Lenny Kravitz, Jimmy Buffett, Shakira, Crash Test Dummies, Shania Twain, Bryan Adams and many more.

He also worked for a year out of the infamous Abbey Road Studios. As a photographer, most notably, he was one of the last people to photograph his acquaintance, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the day before his tragic assassination.

In this episode we discussed his time working with Steve Cropper, John Fry, Ike & Tina Turner, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Elvis, WattStax, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, and his 18th year working with ZZ Top! He also has his own solo album 'Red and Black, Terry Manning' and we get to listen to his song "It's About Love" (Featurning Billy Gibbons). He had so many cool stories, I am so grateful we had this opportunity to mark his time in history!

I hope this episode brings you all as much inspiration as it did for me to share his remarkable stories, may his legacy live on in eternal peace. I dedicate this episode to his wife Janet and his entire family. Find out more about Terry on his website www.terrymanning.com and please download his latest album. Also, please go to the www.umcfoundationelpaso.org to donate or find out ways to help. Terry had a heart aneurysm, please make sure you get yourself checked today! Hope you enjoy this episode!

Please welcome my next guest, he is an iconic guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. He was a member of Mudcrutch in the early 70's with Tom Petty, Benmont Tench, Randall Marsh and Tom Leadon. The band moved to Los Angeles in 1974. Although Mudcrutch did not become a success, they reformed the band and became "Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers", adding Stan Lynch on drums and Ron Blair on bass. He famously co-wrote "Here Comes my Girl", "You Got Lucky", and "Runnin' Down a Dream". Outside of the Heartbreakers, he has worked as a session guitarist and songwriter with a number of acts, including composing and playing on the Don Henley hits "The Boys of Summer", "The Heart of the Matter" as well as working on most of Stevie Nicks solo albums. He joined Fleetwood Mac to replace Lindsey Buckingham on their world tour in 2018-19. After that tour, he has been heavily involved in his own band, The Dirty Knobs. As of 2024 they have released 3 studio albums. We had a few phone technical issues because he called me from his vacation in Kauai, please welcome to the show...Mike Campbell.

Today I am bringing back the former National Promotion Director at Capitol Records from March 1976 to May 1983, Steve Meyer. Steve has had a long history in the music industry and today we are talking about his time working at Capitol Records and his incredible knowledge of everything Beatles.

He has worked with such legends like, Bob Seger, John Lennon, The Beatles, Elton John, Boston, Olivia Newton John, Steve Miller, Pink Floyd, The Fixx, Night Ranger, Bobby Brown, and promoted Tom Petty while at MCA Records.

When The Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9th, 1964, it changed the history of music forever. Steve talks about behind the scenes on how The Beatles achieved album airplay and how it changed radio! How well do you know The Beatles?

Be sure to listen to fan questions from Rob Christie and Bill Cinque. Hope you enjoy!

Happy 2025!

Welcome to my first episode of 2025! My next guest has been in recording, mixing and producing since 1978! He has credits on over 120 Albums. He is most known for his work with Jeff Lynne of ELO, George Harrison and Tom Petty. He has been mixing audio immursive since 2004, starting with the Concert for George in 5.1. He has an incredible solo album out called 'Act 3'! Please welcome Ryan Ulyate!

He has so many Hidden Histories to share, hope you enjoy!