Producer Plug discusses his journey from New York DJ to hip hop producer for Wu-Tang members, running multiple record stores, and launching R&G Records in Inglewood with Snoop Dogg.

Topics Include:

• Producer Plug discusses meeting again at Austin Record Fair
• His three superpowers: DJing, executive producing, and music production
• Born in Flushing Queens with father's influential Fisher sound system
• Father introduced him to WCBS-FM and classic disc jockeys
• The Fugees "Killing Me Softly" became his first musicology lesson
• Father taught him to stay curious and humble about music
• Started buying records at Nobody Beats The Wiz and Coconuts
• Carried white garbage bag of records through high school
• All The Right Records shop combined haircuts and vinyl shopping
• Made popular mixtapes across Queens neighborhoods, sold as CDs
• Got on record label promo lists by showcasing his tapes
• Mixtapes evolved into producing albums with original beats naturally
• Career progression through DJing, A&R, and label executive roles
• Opened multiple Records & Goods locations across different cities
• R&G stores feature unique Grail Museum showcasing rare pressings
• Hip hop's importance: taking best moments from every music genre
• Each store represents a spiritual piece of his father
• Haradio Sound Lab offers vinyl meditation space for listening sessions
• Tom Silverman's advice: learn from my billion-dollar mistakes instead
• Vinyl On Demand releases reissues plus upcoming Big Boo collaboration

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

• Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
• Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot
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• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Co-founder and former Three Dog Night frontman Chuck Negron (1942-2026) discusses the collectible records of his career, the early releases on small labels, the rare and recalled albums of Three Dog Night and mega-smash excesses and turnaround of his life and career.

Interview from July 2022

Topics Include:

• Chuck's autobiography Three Dog Nightmare .
• Basketball was first passion growing up in Bronx schoolyards.
• Made first record "Oh Baby" in 1958 at age fifteen.
• Early releases on tiny Bronx Records label extremely rare today.
• Progressed through Rondelles, Marlinda, and Heart Van regional California labels.
• "I Dream of an Angel" became regional hit across central California.
• Columbia Records offered deal while playing college basketball at Hancock.
• Chose to finish basketball season, damaging initial Columbia Records excitement.
• Learned hard lesson about commitment after squandering early industry enthusiasm.
• Bill Sharman offered Cal State LA scholarship but chose music.
• Left school permanently, ending high-level basketball career for music industry.
• Three Dog Night formed with three lead singers sharing spotlight.
• Band's strategy: find great songs, not write them themselves exclusively.
• "One" by Harry Nilsson became breakthrough hit launching massive success.
• Achieved 21 consecutive Top 40 hits selling over 60 million records.
• "Joy to the World" became worldwide number one, band's biggest success.
• "Black and White" addressed racial integration as mainstream social statement message.
• Hard Labor's controversial birthing cover recalled after hundreds of thousands distributed.
• Now hosts weekly WhatNot show selling rare Three Dog Night collectibles.
• At 80, credits basketball training for vocal stamina and survival.

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

• Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
• Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot
• Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon
• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Legendary drummer & producer Steve Jordan (The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Batiste, SNL & more), discusses the history and deep personal reverence for the music of Chess Records and the 75th vinyl reissue series.

Topics Include:

• Steve Jordan discusses touring with John Batiste at Davos Economic Summit
• He's producing Robert Cray's new album at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals
• JayVee Records finishing Willie Mitchell documentary, The Verbs album, and Tony Joe White posthumous record
• Chess Records called arguably the cornerstone of modern music
• New vinyl reissue campaign marks first proper Chess reissues in decades
• Steve's compilation "Let's Play Chess" features personally meaningful recordings
• The Dells were his first Chess records—Chicago's hardcore R&B answer to Motown
• Tommy Tucker's "High Heel Sneakers" on Checker was childhood obsession
• British Invasion reintroduced American blues that establishment had suppressed racially
• Etta James "At Last" originals fetch four to five hundred dollars
• Universal fire destroyed masters; some duplicates recovered from Europe thankfully
• Early stereo versions often poorly done with hard-panned instruments and fake echo
• Chess building preserved physically but control room was completely stripped of gear
• Steve brought API console and ribbon mics for 2010 session there
• Correctly guessed drum placement; Hubert Sumlin confirmed the next day
• Otis Spann's piano still vibrates sympathetically when musicians play the room
• Jack Wiener designed Chess gear and later mastered recordings in basement
• Mastering represents twenty-five percent of the mix, often overlooked historically
• Jamie Krentz alerted Universal to Chess catalog's 75th anniversary reissue potential
• Rarities campaign revealed extraordinary alternate takes including deep Lowell Fulsom version
• Willie Mitchell spent years perfecting Royal Recording's signature snare drum sound
• Keith Richards session led to lifelong friendship with Willie Mitchell
• Willie gave Steve one of Al Jackson's tom-toms from Al Green recordings
• Recording, overdubbing, and mixing in same room captures authentic studio sound
• John Lennon was his white whale—missed meeting him by five minutes
• Finally played with Paul McCartney on Rolling Stones' Hackney Diamonds album
• Blues Brothers debuted on SNL's third season finale with Saturday Night Live band
• Matt Guitar Murphy was a Chess session player—Steve's first Chess connection unknowingly
• John Belushi educated Steve nightly on deep Chess catalog from his Chicago roots
• Devo's SNL performance was a life-changing moment Steve witnessed firsthand

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

• Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
• Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot
• Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon
• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide