52 - Eric Von Haessler, host, "The Von Haessler Doctrine"

10/26/15 • -1 min

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For over 25 years, Eric Von Haessler has had a conversation with America from behind a radio microphone. For much of that time, he ridiculed everyone and everything in his path to hilarious effect. In recent years, he's shared his more serious and well-considered thoughts on everything from politics, to science, to NASCAR, to his favorite band, Drivin' n' Cryin'. These days he can be heard on his podcast, "The Show," and weekly WSB radio show, "The Von Haessler Doctrine."

Eric sits down with Art and recounts the history of his top-rated former morning show, The Regular Guys, which was the toast of the L.A. FM talk radio scene in the mid-1990's at KLSX, and was a consistent ratings winner for its 16 year run in Atlanta on 96 Rock and Rock 100.5. He also shares the experiences and lessons of his rough-and-tumble youth, such as visiting his father in prison, dropping out of high school, living with heroin users, and ultimately finding a way up and out through comedy. 2 hours 22 minutes.

Art's comments: "It's crazy to think in December of 1997 I was on an egg crate mattress in L.A. trying to tune in this cool new show I'd read about, and in 2015 one of the hosts is in my house. If you're a Regular Guys fan, this is a fantastic oral history. Eric has told these stories on the air, but this is the first time they've been told as one narrative. And if you make it through my opening comments, you'll feel like you just sat through all 16 years of the Regular Guys' run in Atlanta.

"By the way, Larry Wachs was always nice and even encouraging to me personally, except that time he blasted me on his blog, which I found merely hysterical."

Eric Von Haessler links:

The Von Haessler Doctrine (Sun. 1-3 p.m. on WSB)
The Show podcast and Doctrine archive
Regular Guys archive
BONUS: Scarred But Smarter, Von Haessler movie about Drivin' n' Cryin'

Allow a few seconds for buffering.

Yahoo! player or right click HERE to download | Launch pop-up player

"By the way, Larry Wachs was always nice and even encouraging to me personally, except that time he blasted me on his blog, which I found merely hysterical."

Eric Von Haessler links:

The Von Haessler Doctrine (Sun. 1-3 p.m. on WSB)
The Show podcast and Doctrine archive
Regular Guys archive
BONUS: Scarred But Smarter, Von Haessler movie about Drivin' n' Cryin'

Previous Episode

51 - Vinny Bucci, comedian

*Booch in 2014, looking much like he did in 2015*

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Booch is back!

Vinny Bucci returns to talk about his past year in Atlanta show business. Most notably Art and Booch discuss the last day at Rock 100.5 of Larry Wachs, the original Regular Guy. It's also known as "The Day the Other 50% of the Laughter Died" (Regular Guys co-host Eric Von Haessler was let go the year prior).

Vinny also tells us about the independent films and a comedy TV pilot he's been featured in.

Also in the mix are the campaign of Donald Trump, transgenders and political correctness in comedy. 92 minutes - don't be scared.

Art's comments: "Down a couple of energy drinks before you listen to this one! Vinny's got a load of energy and stories to tell, so be ready to keep up!"

Relevant links:

Next Episode

53 - Greg Renoff, author, "Van Halen Rising"

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Greg Renoff is not only a rabid Van Halen fan, but also a Ph. D. in history. Dissatisfied with the lack of information on Van Halen's earliest years, he put his degree to use studying not what happened to the lost colony at Roanoke Island (snore!), but how did Van Halen's years playing backyard parties prepare them to be the dominant hard rock group of the following decade?

The result is Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal. The book is deep with drama and detail, thanks to the over 230 interviews Renoff conducted with insiders such as longtime bassist Michael Anthony, producer Ted Templeman and even David Lee Roth's sister.

Just a month after its release the book already tops Amazon sales charts for its categories, and has garnered positive reviews from top rock writer Chuck Klosterman and Rolling Stone. Now Greg Renoff talks to Art about his book, possibly the most detailed rock n' roll bio ever written. 59 minutes.

Art's comments: "I mean to brag, but I've made a pilgrimage to the original Van Halen home, Pasadena City College and the Pasadena Civic. As exciting as it was, if I had had Van Halen Rising and had known the exact history that transpired on these sites, it would've been even better! After reading this book, I can just see David Lee Roth on the Van Halens' doorstep, preparing to knock and take his place in history.

"In any future VH1 Behind the Music about Van Halen, Greg Renoff will certainly be the talking head you'll see most. I had a great time chatting with him."

Links: