EP. 139 Ben Franklin As A Rock Star & The Day MTV Begged Reporters To Watch TV

Send us Fan MailOne ordinary walk out of the Dakota turned into a memory Laurie Kaye has carried for decades. Laurie is the author of Confessions Of A Rock And Roll Name Dropper, and she joins me to trace the wild, funny, heartbreaking path that led to December 8, 1980, when she co-conducted what tragically became John Lennon’s last interview.We get into the radio origin story first, because that’s the spine of everything: transistor radios as survival, AM and FM legends, KMET contests, and the thrill of winning your way into the front row. Laurie shares how those moments pushed her from superfan to working journalist, including her breakout at KFRC in San Francisco and the relentless schedule behind producing ambitious audio. If you care about broadcasting history, 1970s rock radio, and music journalism, the details are gold, especially her work writing and co-producing the 17-hour Beatles radio special The Beatles From Liverpool To Legend.Then we go where the memoir leads: meeting John Lennon and Yoko Ono, the rules she was given going in, what Lennon was like in the room, and the devastating hours that followed. We avoid giving extra attention to the killer, and instead focus on the human cost, the grief, and the long shadow of guilt that can follow a witness.Listen, then subscribe, share this with a music lover, and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. #thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #lauriekaye #confessionsofarocknrollnamedropper #thebeatles #johnlennon #paulmccartney #georgeharrison #elvispresleySupport the showThanks 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 us Fan MailVinyl is back, CDs are creeping up again, and streaming still pays less than most fans realize. So what does it actually take to run a successful independent record label right now without turning into a faceless upload machine? We sit down with Charlie Calv, president of Deko Entertainment and keyboardist for Angel, to get the real-world playbook behind modern label growth, premium reissues, and artist-first service.Charlie walks us through how Deko relaunched, why distribution partnerships matter, and how the label balances licensing deals, direct distribution, and hands-on label services for newer acts. We dig into the collector side too: why 180-gram vinyl, strong jackets, great liner notes, and artist involvement are not “extras,” they are the product. He also shares a surprisingly common reality that reframes the vinyl resurgence: a huge chunk of vinyl buyers do not even own a turntable, they are buying the experience, the art, and the connection to the music.Then we shift to life on stage with Angel, including how Charlie joined the band, what touring is really like at this level, and why the current lineup refuses to phone it in. We talk setlists, new music, diehard fans who travel across the world for a single show, and what the so-called farewell touring cycle could mean going forward. If you care about vinyl reissues, indie label strategy, music distribution, and the future of legacy rock done right, this one is for you.Subscribe to the Ben Maynard Program, share this with a music friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. #thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #musiccommentary #classicrock #dekoentertainment #charliecalv #angelbandofficialSupport the showThanks 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 us Fan MailHe walked away from a dead-end lab job, flew to India for 40 days of yoga teacher training, and came home with a new relationship to music, purpose, and faith. Musician Anson Corsair joins us for a long-form conversation that starts with albums you can actually hold in your hands and quickly turns into the deeper story behind the songs.We unpack “Just One,” a 13-track project shaped by the last 10 years of life, including grief, responsibility, and the pressure to keep going when nothing feels simple. Anson opens up about losing his mom, stepping into full-time caregiving for his blind and disabled brother Michael, and why certain songs are dedicated to specific people. We also dig into the creative side: the “self-consciousness is the enemy of creativity” mindset, how one small moment can change someone’s heart, and what it takes to build a sound that feels clean, open, and honest.Then we get into the next chapter: “Return To Roots,” the darker themes that come from real experience, the hard lessons of DIY music production, and how sobriety and a 12-step program helped him find a new level of freedom. If you care about singer-songwriter craft, indie rock storytelling, spiritual growth, and live music in Southern California, you’ll get a lot out of this one.Subscribe to the show, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. #thebenmaynardprogram #ansoncorsair #justone #startthechange #returntoroots #indierock #tellyourstorySupport the showThanks 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 us Fan MailOne wrong answer and you’re chewing a jelly bean that tastes like wet dog. That’s the deal we make on a live Friday night, and it somehow becomes the perfect way to talk about what really matters: consistency, craft, and showing up when it would be easier to tap out.We start with a real look at podcast longevity and why most shows fade after 10 to 12 episodes. Raul talks about how guesting on podcasts flips a switch for him and leads to his own upcoming show, Hard Hats And Humor, built around job site stories, leadership lessons, and the kind of safety truths you only learn in the trades. We also get practical about the behind-the-scenes grind: microphones, editing software, and why I’d rather publish fast with an honest, unedited feel than spend hours polishing away the human parts.Then we go full 80s nerd: International Beer Day, Purple Heart Day, Live Aid, USA for Africa, Billboard chart math from sales to streaming, and the early days of MTV with its first batch of music videos. Along the way, we chase the fun question of who was “cooler” in high school, why some celebrities can cross from acting to music, and what the trades still offer that AI can’t replace: skilled hands building real things.If you like podcasts about the creative process, construction culture, leadership, and music nostalgia, this one hits all of it. Subscribe to The Ben Maynard Program, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your most infamous Bean Boozled flavor. #thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #fridaynightlive #hardhatsandhumor #raulortega #classicrock #80smusicSupport the showThanks 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 us Fan MailYou can fake a lot online, but you can’t fake a band that actually sounds right in the room. We sit down with vocalist Hugo Valenti and guitarist Adam Holland to talk about the real journey behind a Journey tribute band that’s built on musicianship, not costumes and tricks. From a couple of Long Island kids chasing club gigs to navigating record label chaos, they lay out what it takes to keep your identity intact when the music industry keeps moving the goalposts.We get into the Valentine years, why the “hair metal” label still misses the point, and how the 90s shift and executive turnover can derail even strong records. Hugo also shares the behind-the-scenes story of his solo work and the Hugo Ramos collaboration, plus the practical reality of singing in the stratosphere and staying healthy enough to do it night after night.Then we go deep on what “live” means in 2026: in-ear monitors, silent stages, why front-row phone videos can sound weird, and why Hugo posts raw vocals with zero polishing. We also talk setlists, deep cuts versus the big hits, what makes a crowd great, and why nostalgia works best when it’s played honestly. Subscribe to The Ben Maynard Program, share this with a fellow music nerd, and leave a review if you want more conversations like this. #thebenmaynardprogram #70smusic #80smusic #classicrock #journeymusic #classichits #deepcuts #hugotheultimatejourneytributeSupport the showThanks 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 us Fan MailA bronze statue on a bench sounds simple until you hear what it takes to make it real and why it changes the feel of a town. I’m joined by Pam Lewis, founder of PLA Media and a true music and media insider, to talk about how she gifted “Ben on the Bench,” a Benjamin Franklin statue in Franklin, Tennessee, and how that single act ties into legacy, civic pride, and the kind of giving back that actually lasts. Along the way we get honest about time, goals, discipline, and the fight to stay grounded in a world built to distract you. Pam also brings Franklin to life in a way that feels surprisingly current. We dig into why she calls him “America’s first rock star,” from self-education and invention to influence, humor, and contradictions. We talk about her two books, including a kid-friendly story and an adult read that uses quotes, culture, and even colonial recipes to make American history approachable. If you’re searching for Benjamin Franklin fun facts, Franklin Tennessee history, or ideas for meaningful community projects, this conversation gives you plenty to take home. Then we turn the volume up. Pam shares behind-the-scenes stories from the earliest days of MTV, when the channel didn’t even have major-city carriage and had to hustle journalists just to watch “air checks.” We also get into David Bowie, the pressure to play Black artists, the Michael Jackson turning point, and the chaotic magic of that era with voices like JJ Jackson shaping what the world heard next. If you enjoyed this one, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, share it with a friend who loves history or music, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Support the showThanks 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 us Fan MailYou can hear the moment a fan becomes a historian, and that’s exactly what happens when my longtime friend Mario Rodriguez sits down across the table with a lifetime of Beatles knowledge. Mario takes us back to 1968 when he’s three years old, his dad drops the needle on Meet The Beatles, and one song “This Boy” flips a switch that never turns off. From harmonies to groove, we dig into what made the Beatles feel different right away, and why Ringo Starr’s so-called “simple” drumming is actually elite musicianship built around serving the song.Then we zoom out to the part of Beatles history most people only half-know: the Liverpool roots, the brutal Hamburg club schedule, and how that grind forged their repertoire, stage presence, and confidence long before the Ed Sullivan explosion. We untangle the US versus UK album confusion, the role of Capitol Records and Vee-Jay, and how American fans were often hearing a reshuffled version of the Beatles’ real catalog. If you’re a vinyl person, you’ll love the collector talk, from album jackets to pressing details to the hidden “Phil + Ronnie” clue tied to Let It Be and Phil Spector’s production.One of the most unique pieces of this conversation is Mario’s eight-year Beatles tribute collage, built from thousands of images and designed to include the forgotten corners of the story: Pete Best, Stu Sutcliffe, the parents, the influences, and the moments that shaped everything. We also get into the private Beatles meeting with Elvis Presley, why it’s still mostly a black box, and the late-era questions that always spark debate like Abbey Road versus Let It Be and what really changed when touring stopped and the studio took over.If you love Beatles history, classic rock storytelling, vinyl collecting, or just hearing two music nerds chase the truth behind the legend, hit play, subscribe wherever you get podcasts, and share this with a friend who still argues Beatles versus Stones. After you listen, leave a review and tell us: what’s the one Beatles song you never skip?Support the showThanks 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 us Fan MailTwo records dropped in the summer of 1981 and somehow never stopped living in our heads. We’re celebrating the 45th anniversary of Foreigner 4 and Journey Escape, and we’re doing it the only way that feels honest: track by track, memory by memory, with the little details that turn “classic rock” from a genre into a time machine.We start with Foreigner 4, a monster album co-produced by Mutt Lange and Mick Jones, and talk about why the sequencing hits so hard, from “Night Life” and “Jukebox Hero” to the emotional gut-punch of “Waiting For A Girl Like You.” We also dig into the underrated side two, the sax spotlight on “Urgent,” and the way deep cuts like “Woman In Black” and “Don’t Let Go” prove this record is more than its radio staples. If you’re into vinyl, we even get into sleeves, labels, and what makes finding a clean copy such a thrill.Then we pivot to Journey Escape, the diamond-certified breakthrough that brought Jonathan Cain into the band and pushed the songwriting into the stratosphere. We relive seeing the Escape tour at the Rose Bowl, break down why “Don’t Stop Believin’” can be both immortal and overplayed, and give love to favorites like “Who’s Crying Now,” “Stone In Love,” “Lay It Down,” and “Open Arms.” If you’ve ever attached your life to an album, you’ll recognize the feeling.Subscribe to the Ben Maynard program, share this with a friend who still argues about track lists, and leave a review or comment with the one song that instantly takes you back.Support the showThanks 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 us Fan MailSome years don’t just age well, they keep proving their point. 1986 is one of those years, and I’m celebrating the 40-year anniversary by ripping through 20 albums that still deserve a spot in your rotation. Think of this as a fast, listener-friendly guide to building a killer 1986 playlist, with just enough chart history, release-date context, and personal takes to make each record feel like a real moment again. The run starts with rock staples and comebacks like Billy Idol’s Whiplash Smile and Boston’s Third Stage, then pivots into era-defining pop power with Janet Jackson’s Control. From there, I hit the polished hard rock side with Ozzy Osbourne’s The Ultimate Sin, plus the messy but fascinating chapter of the Rolling Stones’ Dirty Work. If you love the way 80s production, radio, and image shaped what we heard, you’re going to have a lot to react to here. Then we widen the lens: Bruce Hornsby’s piano-driven The Way It Is, Peter Gabriel’s mega-classic So and its MTV video legacy, Europe’s stadium-sized The Final Countdown, Paul Simon’s global masterpiece Graceland, and Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors. I also dig into how singles stayed “alive” back then, why some bands got tagged unfairly, and how momentum could make or break a career. I close out part one with more essential 1986 albums including Ratt, Huey Lewis and the News, Bob Seger, Billy Ocean with a surprising Mutt Lange tie-in, David Lee Roth’s post Van Halen statement, Quiet Riot’s turning point, Steve Winwood, Toto, and a deeper spotlight on Cinderella’s Night Songs. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review, then tell me which 1986 album you want me to cover next.Support the showThanks 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 us Fan MailSaturday morning starts simple: I’m adjusting the mic, talking breakfast, and chasing the kind of easy conversation that feels like radio you can actually live inside. Then the calendar gives us two perfect springboards for stories: World Martini Day and American Eagle Day. One leads to a memory of a great martini party, the other to Alaska, zip lines, and the moment you realize those “little golf balls” in the trees are bald eagles.From there we roll into music history and pop culture, the stuff classic rock fans can’t resist. I dig into June 20 milestones like Stars on 45, the jaw-dropping reality of 147-date tours, the Ronettes getting royalties back from Phil Spector, and the Led Zeppelin “Stairway to Heaven” riff controversy. If you love music trivia, band lore, and the business side of rock, there’s plenty to chew on.Things get more personal when I talk podcast process: a fun recap of my buddy Raul taking over a music-centric conversation, plus a behind-the-scenes look at a guest recording that kept failing with Michael T. Ross from Aldo Nova’s band. And the heart of the show is my push to interview Angel Rico, a 100-year-old veteran, because World War II stories are disappearing fast and they deserve to be heard the right way.We close with a quick vinyl record haul, a few deep-cut recommendations, and a Father’s Day run-down of songs about dads plus my best advice: skip the tie and just show up. If you enjoyed the mix of storytelling, classic rock, vinyl collecting, and real-life podcasting, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Support the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAMI also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]