EP. 123 We Break Down Who Deserves A Spot In The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Why

Send a textThree things collided this week: desert heat, a driverless ride that actually worked, and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ballot that begged for a verdict. After a two-day run at Phoenix’s Extra Innings Music Festival, we came home with sunburned shoulders, a camera roll of Waymo selfies, and a sharper filter for what makes a set soar and a Hall candidate stick. Bret Michaels fired the opener like a pro, Dierks Bentley won over a skeptic with tight musicianship, and Luke Bryan closed with polish. Day two veered into debate territory: Shaboozey’s mash-up energy sparked mixed reactions, Hardy’s metal-leaning blast and gratuitous profanity lost the plot for me, and Kane Brown’s showmanship rallied the crowd. Somewhere between the stages, the real innovation was the commute—Waymo saved the night when rideshares choked, cheaper and calmer than the cab crush.Then we get to the main event: a full, no-spin look at the Rock Hall nominees and the blurry edges of “rock.” We run the entire list—Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, the Black Crowes, INXS, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, Shakira, Sade, Lauryn Hill, Billy Idol, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition, Joy Division/New Order, Luther Vandross, and more—and use a simple test: did rock radio ever truly claim them? It’s not perfect, but it grounds a larger story about how the genre evolved from Elvis and Little Richard to the Beatles, Zeppelin, and the arena era without losing its core. With Spaz home sick, he still sends his five: Phil Collins, INXS, Iron Maiden, the Black Crowes, Oasis. I lock in four of those and sub in Billy Idol, making the case for Collins’ towering solo career, INXS’s MTV-era dominance, Maiden’s global influence, the Crowes’ long, soulful run, and Idol’s enduring catalog with Steve Stevens in tow.We don’t stop there. The snubs are loud: Boston’s studio revolution, Thin Lizzy’s twin-guitar blueprint, Styx and REO’s arena proof, J. Geils’ live fire, Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman’s operatic stamp, and the early rock legacy of Neil Sedaka. Agree? Furious? Tell us. Drop your five inductees and your most criminal omissions in the comments, then set a reminder: The Drunk Show goes live at 6 p.m. on March 13. Subscribe, hit the bell, share with a friend, and leave a five-star review if you dig the show. Your ballot starts now—who’s in and why?Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send a textA directionless teen takes a wild turn into purpose, discipline, and service—then ends up racing across Morocco on TV. That’s Jim Vaglica’s path: 32 years in law enforcement, 16 on a regional SWAT team, and a front-row role in the Boston Marathon bombing manhunt. We open the door on what policing really feels like from the inside: the adrenaline of a real catch, the judgment calls on domestic calls where an arrest might do more harm than good, and the internal frictions that wear on even the most committed officers. Jim’s candor strips away the mythology without draining the honor from the work.We dig into SWAT the way it should be understood: not trigger-happy tactics, but disciplined entries, patient containment, and relentless training designed to end danger with the least harm possible. Jim walks us through the week of the bombing, holding the inner perimeter around the Watertown boat, and the logic behind decisions that look simple from a couch but feel very different when a suspect might be wired to explode. If you’ve ever wanted to understand how elite teams think under pressure, this is the lens.Then we pivot to the unexpected: reality TV. A dusty Survivor audition led to Expedition Impossible, a Mark Burnett endurance race across mountains and desert, where three Boston cops pushed through 18 days of back-to-back stages. Jim explains how casting really works, why “hooks” matter, and why fame is a long shot even for the most telegenic competitors. Finally, we talk staying strong after 60. Jim’s formula is blunt and effective: build and keep muscle through resistance work, sprint to stay capable under stress, and finish with sled pushes and pulls to light up lungs and legs. Forget endless treadmill time—short, hard efforts win.If you care about public safety, human performance, and what real courage looks like away from headlines, you’ll find plenty to chew on. And if you’re a steady, service-minded person considering a badge, take Jim’s challenge seriously: departments across the country need you. Enjoy the conversation, then subscribe, share with a friend who loves true policing insights and high-impact fitness, and leave a review to help others find the show.Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send a textA cool 58 degrees, an empty propane tank, and a heroic cup of hot cocoa set the stage for a live Friday night hang that turns into a love letter to radio, a deep dive into Friday the 13th, and a reality check on Valentine’s Day. We kick off with World Radio Day and trace how voices over the air shaped our imaginations, from Dodgers games called through static to morning shows that made the commute feel like a party. That early magic still powers what we do now—podcasts as intimate, on-demand radio for anyone who craves connection on a walk, a drive, or a late-night scroll.From there we pull the mask off Friday the 13th. The superstition blends Norse tales of a chaotic 13th guest, Christian traditions around Friday as a solemn day, and centuries of folk caution. Then pop culture sealed it: a 1907 novel and the 1980 horror franchise made the date iconic. We share favorite entries—from the lean terror of the first films to the 3D thrills and the bonkers Jason detours—while asking why fear myths stick. The answer is simple and human: stories give shape to uncertainty. They’re the rules we whisper to ourselves when the lights go out.The mood shifts from fear to affection with a candid look at Valentine’s Day. Roses are pricier than you think and vary wildly by state; florists surge, and budgets stretch. If you go big, plan smart. If you skip flowers, consider gifts that last or moments that feel personal. We also talk restaurant reality: Valentine’s and Mother’s Day are the busiest nights of the year, which can mean slower kitchens and rushed tables. Want a better experience? Book early, choose simpler menus, or move your celebration off-peak. Or stay in, cook, and make it yours.Through it all, the thread holds: radio, horror, and holidays are about the stories we share and the people we show up for. If this sounds like your vibe, subscribe, leave a review, and tell a friend. And mark your calendar for March 13—we’re planning a “drunk show” with a purpose. Tune in, bring your questions, and let us know your favorite Friday the 13th movie or your best Valentine’s pro tip.Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send a textFriday Night Live returns with a burst of energy, a few hot takes, and a whole lot of nostalgia. We kick off with quick, friendly reminders to subscribe and jump straight into National Working Naked Day and National Frozen Yogurt Day—because yes, the strange rhythm of our calendar can still make us laugh. Vanilla swirls, cookie dough, and chopped peanut butter cups set the tone: simple treats, simple joy.From there, we celebrate a run of birthdays that spark big conversations. Axl Rose and Rick Astley bring the pop-culture grin; Babe Ruth opens the door to baseball’s tangled record books; and Ronald Reagan invites a reflection on presidential legacy. We get candid about the home run crown, why Hank Aaron stands tall in baseball history, and how fans choose to honor greatness beyond raw numbers.Football fans get their fill as we look toward Seattle vs. New England with a redemption arc that still stings at the goal line. We revisit the decision that haunted a franchise and make a case for how Sunday could write a better ending. Then comes a halftime rant for the ages: rock deserves a turn on the biggest stage. Not out of nostalgia alone, but because balance and spectacle matter when the world is watching.The nostalgia keeps rolling with National 80s Day—teased hair, bright colors, and a soundtrack that still moves a room. We line up a stack of live music plans: Extra Innings Festival in Scottsdale, the showstopping Bohemian Queen, Aldo Nova in Vegas, Angel’s farewell at the Whisky, and Tom Keifer’s powerhouse band in Anaheim. If you thrive on guitar solos and sing-alongs, there’s plenty to circle on the calendar.And then the big announcement: The Drunk Show returns Friday, March 13. It’s bold, live, and built as a public service to spotlight responsible drinking, complete with blood alcohol checks and straight talk about safety. Join us live, build that 80s playlist, and drop your Super Bowl pick. If you had fun, subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend—better yet, a thousand of them.Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send a textThe lights are back on, the hat is on, and we’re rolling with a no-spin catch-up that turns a rough few weeks into fuel. I open the studio door on the cold, the flu, and the beard that survived it all, then lay out how we’re rebuilding momentum: new hats for the community, simpler ways to connect, and a renewed commitment to show up—even when the day job and the sniffles get loud.From there, we stir in some joy. It’s National Hot Chocolate Day, and yes, we get precise: real milk, a touch of extra sugar, extra creamy whipped cream. Then the conversation widens. International Zebra Day leads to a quick riff on identity, and a string of sports birthdays—Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, Nolan Ryan—reminds us that toughness, grace, and routine make legends. We pull a lesson from the mound: strength comes from repetition and smart rest, not babying the work.The centerpiece is a time capsule you can feel. We revisit the Billboard Top 40 from late January 1982 to see what lasts and why. Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ wasn’t the biggest chart hit at release yet became their cultural juggernaut. Loverboy’s Working for the Weekend outgrew its peak position to become a staple. Hall & Oates, Foreigner, The Cars, the Stones, Air Supply—each track offers a clue about pop culture, longevity, and the slow-burn climb that beats a quick flash. It’s music history as a mirror for creative life: keep showing up, keep refining, and let time do its work.We also look ahead. Recent guests like Marisa Fullenkamp and friends will be back, new invites are out, and I’ve got episode notes stacked on the desk waiting to be shaped. Want to rep the show? Hats in navy, gray, and black are ready—drop a comment or DM to claim one while we spin up a simple payment option. If you’re new here, welcome; if you’ve stuck with me, thank you. Your listens, comments, and shares keep this thing alive. Tap follow, subscribe on your favorite app, rate it five stars, and tell a friend: what’s the one song from 1982 you still crank up today?Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send a textTwo chords in and you can already feel it: the tug of a small town, the pulse of a busy café, and the stubborn belief that songs should sound like people. We sit down with 24-year-old multi-instrumentalist Marissa Fullenkamp to talk through the craft and courage behind her self-titled debut EP, and she brings the proof—two intimate live performances that turn everyday scenes into something you can hold.Marisa traces her path from humming at the dinner table to piano lessons, guitar-fueled songwriting, and a toolkit that now includes harmonica and a compact harp. Her influences aren’t just name-drops; they’re blueprints. The Eagles for harmony that melts, Patsy Cline for fearless phrasing, Blues Traveler for lyric swing that refuses cookie-cutter cadences. That mix shows up in “Passing Cars,” a high school-era story-song with unexpected structure, and “Caffeine Rush,” a folky closer that frames leaving a beloved place as both necessary and tender.We dig into the tough stuff artists face right now. Why six songs? Because making a tight, true record teaches more than a sprawling, expensive one—and because she wants the EP to sound like her shows. Why physical CDs and merch? Because that’s how fans actually support the music they love. We unpack streaming economics, the single-at-a-time pressure of algorithms, and a clear, firm stance on the role of AI in songwriting: if a tool writes words or melodies, credit it. Real music still lives in the human residue—breath, sway, the way a voice flips when it chases a feeling.If you’re craving songs that carry story and edge without hiding behind gloss, you’ll find a lot to love here: figurative lyrics, genre flexibility, and the energy of an artist who’s already played a hundred nights and is just getting started. Press play for a warm, unfiltered listen; stay for the harmonies, the grit, and the reminder that music becomes ours when we can feel it.Enjoy the conversation, then support the artist: grab the CD at marissafullenkamp.com, stream the EP on release day, and share this with a friend who still reads liner notes. If you like what we’re making, subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell us which live song grabbed you most.Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send a textReady for a time machine that still grooves? We kick off the year by rewinding to the Billboard Hot 100 from the first week of January 1980 and taking a lively, story-rich tour through the songs that defined a moment when radio rotation and word of mouth made hits last. From the O’Jays’ soulful return to Blackfoot’s Southern crunch, from ABBA’s elegant sweep to the Sugarhill Gang’s breakthrough Rapper’s Delight, every stop on this countdown reveals how different genres shared the same stage.We dig into why certain tracks climbed for months, how a duet like Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer rocketed to number one, and what made bands like the Eagles, Supertramp, and Fleetwood Mac soar even as internal tensions rose. You’ll hear the case for Tom Petty’s Damn the Torpedoes era, the debut power of Mickey Thomas on Jefferson Starship’s Jane, and the velvet glide of Smokey Robinson’s Cruisin’. Then it’s a top-ten sprint: Cliff Richard’s global smash, the club-shaping joy of Kool and the Gang’s Ladies Night, Kenny Rogers’ story-song mastery, Lionel Richie’s ballad brilliance with the Commodores, and Styx’s tender Babe that almost stayed off the album.We close with Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall gem Rock With You, Rupert Holmes’ cultural earworm Escape (The Pina Colada Song), and KC and the Sunshine Band’s Please Don’t Go sealing the decade with a soft-voiced number one. Along the way we swap concert notes, playlist tips, and a reminder that charts once rewarded patience and craft. If you love pop history, R&B velvet, AOR hooks, disco shimmer, and the thrill of a great countdown, this ride delivers.If you had to pick three tracks from this list for the perfect starter playlist, which would you choose? Follow, subscribe, leave a rating, and share this episode with a friend who loves a good musical deep dive. Your picks might show up in a future segment!Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send a textA different backdrop, the same heartbeat. We took the year-end show to the patio and opened the door to a free-flowing conversation with friends—part celebration, part confession, all connection. Between mic tests, guest links, and a stubborn winter cough, we found a groove that felt like a living room: holidays recapped, family updates shared, and a few brave toasts to what’s next.We zoomed out to see where the show traveled this year—six continents, 57 countries, and a surprising wave from Singapore—then zoomed in on who’s actually watching on YouTube. The data sparked a larger question: how do we build content for the people who show up, without losing the spark that drew them here? That led to plans for a bigger studio and a second show that explores politics and faith, giving the original program space to keep telling personal stories and spotlighting artists, authors, and everyday voices.Our guests brought the heart. Larry walked us through his ambitious history series—every president and each year since 1776—reminding us why Prohibition, organized crime, the Dust Bowl, and civil rights aren’t distant chapters but living context. Pepper Ann shared two new book projects set in the 80s and offered sharp advice on writing memoir: start with your deepest passion and let that scene pull readers in. We detoured into baseball—catchers, pitch calling, Greg Maddux, and what leadership looks like when only one person sees the whole field. And we held space for grief and legacy as Larry honored his son-in-law and a final song recorded near the end, a story about copyright, distribution, and doing justice to the work before chasing a big name.We closed with warmth and a little mischief—eggnog spiked, Irish toasts raised, and a call to make 2026 braver, kinder, and more creative. If this conversation moved you, subscribe, tap the bell, and share it with someone who needs a hopeful sendoff to the year. Leave a comment with your bold goal for 2026—we’ll be reading and cheering you on.Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send a textHoliday shows should feel like a living room: a little noisy, full of laughter, and anchored by stories that matter. This Christmas special does exactly that. We start with a simple question—what does Christmas mean to you?—and follow it into memories of ping pong tournaments in the garage, first stereos with eight-track decks, and the shared magic of waking up to a tree that somehow made a whole year feel brighter. Then we read Luke 2 and sit with the humility and hope of a child in a manger, letting the season’s center settle the rest.Music is our throughline. I share a top-10 Christmas list built for feeling, not clicks: MercyMe’s towering take on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Nat King Cole and Mel Tormé trading places for The Christmas Song, the Kinks’ irreverent Father Christmas, Bruce Springsteen’s joyful live Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Alabama’s Joseph and Mary’s Boy, and Kenny Rogers’ Carol of the Bells. Each track earns its spot for emotion, story, or sheer delight—perfect for your own playlist overhaul. We also dig into Advent, daily reflections, and why small rituals help us slow down when the world speeds up.Two guests join the celebration. Country artist Olivia Harms checks in from a twinkling tree to talk last-show-of-the-year vibes, cookie deliveries by “sleigh,” and her favorite deep-cut carol, The Gift. Then author and energy expert Chris Skates calls from Washington with a surprising thread: how AI is driving a new wave of nuclear energy, and why grid reliability will shape our next decade. He shares D.C. holiday plans—Museum of the Bible, vintage department-store windows, and the National Christmas Tree—then tells a gripping Christmas Eve story of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and the battle at Trenton. It’s a reminder that courage and sacrifice sit beneath the lights we hang each year.We close with gratitude, a nudge to love your neighbors now rather than later, and a full reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. If you need a show that mixes faith, nostalgia, music, and a couple of tech hiccups we somehow survived, pull up a chair. Subscribe, rate, and share with someone who needs a little light this week—what’s your number one Christmas song?Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send a textRock deserves better than vague labels and fuzzy math. So we pulled up Billboard’s “50 Best Rock Bands” and put it under a bright stage light, testing every pick against a simple, honest standard: influence, longevity, catalog depth, cultural impact, and rock radio airplay. When “rock” balloons to include pop, funk, and industrial, the rankings break. We call out the genre creep, make the case for the true architects, and then rebuild the canon with a cleaner set of rules.We move briskly through Billboard’s 50–1, pointing out the head-scratchers and the slam-dunks. Def Leppard buried below ska-pop? The Eagles in the 30s? Van Halen outside the top 20? Meanwhile, we recognize where they nearly nail it with Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles. Along the way, we explain why influence matters more than hype, why radio presence across decades is a real signal of staying power, and how a band’s catalog—not just one album—cements a legacy. Think Sabbath’s blueprint for metal, Van Halen’s guitar revolution, Metallica’s thrash made global, and The Beach Boys’ harmonies that still shape modern rock.Then we present our objective top 10. It’s not a favorites list; it’s a criteria-driven canon that respects the builders and the innovators. We also spotlight the glaring omissions that any serious rock list must wrestle with—Hendrix, Deep Purple, Bowie, Elton, Chuck Berry—and show how their DNA runs through nearly every great act that followed. If you care about what makes a band truly great, you’ll find a fairer framework here and a better map for exploring rock’s past and present.If this breakdown hits a nerve, good—rock should spark debate. Drop your top 10 in the comments, tell us who we overranked or missed, and make sure to subscribe, rate, and share so more people can jump into the fray. Your list next. Let’s hear it.Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]