Latest

New episode: Elvis and the Mid-South Coliseum with Mike McCarthy and Marvin Stockwell – LIVE at the Memphis Listening Lab

Host J.D. Reager talks to two cornerstones of the Coliseum Coalition –  filmmaker, musician and activist Mike McCarthy (Teenage Tupelo, Guerilla Monster Films) and musician, activist and podcast host Marvin Stockwell (Pezz, Champions of the Lost Causes) – about Elvis Presley and the live album he recorded in 1974 at the Mid-South Coliseum, Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis. Along the way

Read More »

New episode: Three Set-Ups and Magic with Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Footloose, Coming 2 America)

Host J.D. Reager talks to filmmaker Craig Brewer about his bi-monthly “Secret Screenings” at Crosstown Theater, his early attempts at making movies, breaking through with Hustle & Flow, the influence of John Singleton, the challenges of re-visiting beloved source material, collaborating with Eddie Murphy, the making of $5 Cover, and much more.   The Back to the Light podcast is available via

Read More »

New episode: Dueling Birthday Shows with Jeremy Scott (Scott August Night) and Brian “Skinny” McCabe (The Hi-Tone)

Host J.D. Reager talks with two friends – Jeremy Scott (Reigning Sound, The Toy Trucks, Jeremy & the Drip Edges) and Brian “Skinny” McCabe (The Hi-Tone) – throwing birthday shows on the same night in Memphis. First, Jeremy discusses his thought process behind Scott August Night, which takes place on Friday, August 5th at Black Lodge. Then Brian jumps on

Read More »

New episode: Back to the Light Network Roundup with Brian Balough (Of Marks and Men) and Mike Anthony (Memphis Heritage Champion) + Anthony Siracusa and Marvin Stockwell (Memphis Hardwood)

Host J.D. Reager plugs the upcoming re-boot of the Shangri-La Records Podcast before digging in to 2 new podcasts on the Back to the Light Podcast Network with their creators. First, Brian Balough and J.D. explain the origins of their new show called Of Marks and Men: A Wrestling Podcast and share a clip of their conversation with the “Genetic Nightmare” and

Read More »

New episode: Breakfast with Lamont Dozier, Barbara Dozier and Fred Mollin

Host J.D. Reager shares something truly special from his personal archives: a lo-fi “field recording” of his 2017 conversation over breakfast at the Peabody Hotel with music legend Lamont Dozier (Holland-Dozier-Holland, Motown Records, etc.), producer Fred Mollin, and Lamont’s late wife Barbara Dozier. They discuss the recording for what would become Lamont’s 2018 solo album Reimagination, the singular inspiration behind several

Read More »

New episode: 100th Episode Media Scrum with Marvin Stockwell, Chris Davis, Magpie Nonconnah and Graham Burks – LIVE from the Memphis Listening Lab

Host J.D. Reager reads a brief statement before taking questions from a small gathering of media members at the Memphis Listening Lab to celebrate 100 episodes of Back to the Light. J.D. also announces the long-awaited release date – October 14 – for both his new album and the new album by The Subteens.  The Back to the Light podcast

Read More »

Back to the Light on WYXR tonight with guest Howard Grimes

Tonight – Monday, June 20 at 7 p.m. central – Back to the Light is proud to present host J.D. Reager‘s conversation with the late Memphis music legend Howard Grimes (drummer for Hi Rhythm, Al Green, Ann Peebles, etc.) on the airwaves of WYXR! Tune in to 91.7 FM in Memphis or wyxr.org around the world! The conversation originally aired

Read More »

New episode: Lack of Direction LIVE from The Green Room with Jason Pulley (Tape Deck, Glorious Abhor, Fugitive Droids)

Host J.D. Reager and musician Jason Pulley attempt to provide context for the slightly abnormal (in a fun way) live performance that follows. Most of this episode was recorded live on March 17, 2022 in Memphis, TN at The Green Room in Crosstown Arts.  Available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and everywhere fine podcasts are

Read More »