Advertise on podcast: Bob Barry's Unearthed Interviews

Welcome back to the podcast! Today, we're going back to a fascinating chapter in Milwaukee area music history….the days when local teenagers could form a band, record a 45, and dream of their song on the radio. My guest is someone who was right there in the middle of it all….  Jon Hall, producer of Teen Town Records. And the story we're going to talk about is Tony's Tygers, a young Wisconsin band whose recording "Little by Little" became a memorable part of the local music scene. Think about what that meant back then. These weren't huge national stars walking into a major Hollywood studio. These were young musicians from the area, recording their music and trying to make an impact…with people like Jon Hall helping turn those dreams into actual records. You're going to enjoy this conversation, especially if you were a teenager in Milwaukee back in the 60s. So, let's turn back the clock and hear the story from the man who was there.

There are some guests who bring back wonderful memories, and today's personality is certainly one of them. For me, this isn't just an interview, it's a reunion with a friend. I first had the pleasure of emceeing Osmond concerts in Milwaukee during the incredible years when Osmondmania was sweeping the country.  From those exciting concert nights to staying in touch over the years, I've had the privilege of watching Alan Osmond not only as a remarkable entertainer, but as an even more remarkable person. As the oldest performing Osmond brother, Alan helped lead one of the most successful family acts in entertainment history. The Osmonds sold millions of records, filled concert halls around the world, and inspired generations with their music, their values, and unmistakable family harmony.

Welcome to Bob Barry's Unearthed Interviews. Today we're celebrating one of the most beloved teen idols of the late 1960s and 70s: Bobby Sherman. He had many top charting hits like "Little Woman," "Julie, Do Ya Love Me," and "Easy Come, Easy Go." I had the pleasure of talking with Bobby Sherman both on the phone and in person. Every time we spoke, he was exactly the person his fans hoped he would be--friendly, gracious, funny, and genuinely appreciative of the people who supported him throughout his career. The interview you're about to hear is one of those conversations. It captures Bobby's warmth, his sense of humor, and his reflections on a remarkable career that included hit records, television stardom, and later, a life devoted to serving others. This time we got hold of him right before he left for a tour of Japan.

Welcome to another edition of our podcast, where we celebrate the remarkable people who've entertained, inspired, and made us smile through the years. Today, a true American original. She dazzled audiences as a singer with a rich, unmistakable voice, delighted TV viewers with her quick wit and infectious personality, and enjoyed a career that has spanned music, comedy, television, stage, and film. Many remember her as one of the beloved stars of "The Gong Show," where her humor and warmth made her a fan favorite. Others know her from her chart-topping recordings. Jaye P. Morgan is a woman whose stories capture the golden age of American entertainment, a performer who worked with legendary stars, adapted to changing times, and never lost her sense of fun.

From coast to coast and around the world, it's time once again for another edition of Bob Barry's Unearthed Interviews, where the legends come alive. Today, a man whose voice helped define an era, and whose music bridged the exciting worlds of rockabilly and country.  From the driving rock beat to the country charts, Bob Luman carved out a career that's still celebrated by fans around the globe. You'll hear the stories behind unforgettable hits like "Let's Think About Living" and "Lonely Women Make Good Lovers." We'll visit the golden age of rock and roll, explore Bob's friendships with some of music's biggest stars, and discover the passion and perseverance that made him one of America's most respected performers.

Welcome to Bob Barry's Unearthed Interviews. Today we're opening the vault and taking you back to a conversation with Bill Withers, one of the most honest and enduring voices in American music. During my years on the radio, I had the privilege of meeting many legendary artists, but Bill stood apart. He was warm, thoughtful, and refreshingly unpretentious, with songs that spoke straight from the heart. From "Lean On Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine" to "Use Me" and "Just the Two of Us," Bill turned life's simplest moments into timeless music. We woke Bill up, so this turned out to be a short interview.

Today we return to a very special conversation, one that now carries even greater meaning. The world has lost a remarkable talent and a truly remarkable human being. Dolly Parton, who touched millions of lives through her music, her laughter, her generosity, and her enormous heart, has passed away at the age of 80. But today, through the magic of podcasting, we can hear that wonderful voice again. Dolly was more than a superstar. She was a songwriter, singer, actress, and businesswoman. But to those of us who met her, she was also warm, funny, genuine and unforgettable. From her hits "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You," "Nine to Five" and "Here You Come Again," Dolly left behind a legacy of music, kindness, and hope that will live on for generations. So, as we remember and celebrate the life of this extraordinary woman, we're honored to bring you once again my conversation with the one and only Dolly Parton.

It was Sept. 4, 1964 that the Beatles appeared at the Milwaukee Arena. If you're a Beatles fan, chances are you've read-or at least heard of-one of the finest books ever written about the Fab Four: "The Beatles Forever." Long before the internet and endless documentaries, one author stood out for his meticulous research, engaging storytelling, and deep appreciation of the music that changed the world. That author was Nicholas Schaffner. Nick wasn't just a writer, he was a passionate music historian whose work also explored Pink Floyd, the British Invasion and the remarkable artists who reshaped popular music. "The Beatles Forever" is still regarded as one of the definitive books on the Beatles. Today, we'll celebrate the Beatles visit to Milwaukee and explore why this book continues to influence fans, writers, and historians decades later. So, whether you've collected Beatles records for years, or just beginning your journey into the greatest story in rock and roll, you're in for an interesting conversation.

Settle in and turn up the volume, because today we're welcoming one of country music's true originals! A singer with a rich, unmistakable voice. A storyteller who could bring America's truck stops, back roads, and everyday folks to life. And the man who gave us unforgettable hits like "Girl on the Billboard" and "Looking at the World Through a Windshield." From the Grand Ole Opry, where we interviewed him, to the top of the country charts, he entertained audiences with humor, heart, and songs that painted pictures of life on the open road. His music became the soundtrack for truckers, travelers, and country fans across America.

If you pinned me down and asked, "Who were the two most talented men you worked with at WOKY?" I would quickly answer, Bob Collins and Jack Lee. Bob was one of the most beloved radio personalities in American broadcasting. His warm conversational style and humor made him a top-rated personality at WOKY and later at WGN in Chicago. Uncle Bobby was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2008. Jack lee is remembered as one of the personalities who helped define Milwaukee's Top 40s era. He became successful in radio management and remained active in broadcasting for decades. Jack was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters' Hall of Fame in 1999. In this podcast, you'll hear Bob Collins and I make a bet on the Packer-Bear game while Jack Lee and a character he invented, "Fern Quinby Melrose" added commentary. The photo has WOKY Program Director George Wilson between Bob and myself. The photo with Jack Lee and myself was taken at the WBA Hall of Fame banquet.

Welcome to the podcast. Left-handers Day is Aug. 13. Lefties make up only about ten percent of the world's population, but they've certainly made their mark on history. From artists and inventors to athletes and musicians, left-handers have often been surrounded by myths, misconceptions, and more than a little curiosity. Are they really more creative? Is their brain wired differently? And what challenges do they face in a world designed mostly for right-handed people? Dr. Theodore Blough is an expert who's spent years studying the remarkable world of left-handedness. We'll separate fact from fiction, recognize famous lefties, and maybe even discover why being left-handed can be a real advantage.

Today, we're joined by an actress whose career has captivated audiences around the world for more than five decades. From her unforgettable role as Solitare in the James Bond classic "Live and Let Die" to her Emmy award-winning performance and beloved portrayal in "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." Beyond her work on the screen, Jane is an author, artist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for health, wellness, and charitable causes. In 1980 Mt. St. Helens erupted, Ronald Reagan was elected U.S. president, John Lennon was shot and killed in New York City and Jane Seymour starred with Christopher Reeve in the film "Somewhere in Time," which can be viewed for free on Tubi. In this very short interview, I asked Jane to give me a synopsis of the movie.

Welcome to this week's "Bob Barry's Unearthed Interviews." Today we're joined by a man whose voice entertained generations of fans. From animation and radio to comedy and character work, which included Muppets and ninja turtles. Greg Berg has built a remarkable career bringing unforgettable personalities to life. Greg has spent his career being several people at once and somehow getting paid for it. Whether you know him from classic cartoons, his work at the microphone, or his unique journey through the entertainment world, you're in for a look behind the scenes of a creative life well lived.

Today's podcast features Helen Gurley Brown, the legendary editor of Cosmopolitan magazine. She convinced women that ambition wasn't a dirty word. She encouraged women to pursue careers, independence, and live on their own terms. She was bold, controversial, witty, and unapologetically herself. Helen dared to tell generations of women that they could have it all, or at least define "all" for themselves. Many of you will remember her controversial Burt Reynolds foldout in Cosmo magazine.

One of the funniest episodes on the "Love Boat" TV sitcom was when the captain's wife had a waterbed brought into their cabin on the ship. If you've been on a cruise, you know how the bed rocks and rolls during a storm at sea. Can you imagine what it would be like in a waterbed? How many of you have owned waterbeds? How many still have a waterbed? Remember when we had the groundwater waterbed commercials on the radio? Today we meet the man who looked at an ordinary mattress and thought, "You know what this needs? A few hundred gallons of water." Before memory foam, and before sleep numbers promised to change your life, there was Charlie Hall, the revolutionary who invented the modern waterbed, one of the wildest consumer crazes ever. The waterbed had become a status symbol, a punchline, a romance prop and occasionally - a homeowner's insurance nightmare. Let's float through the strange history of the bed that sloshed its way into American culture with the inventive mind behind it all.