Jonny’s Dead Air dives deep into the seldom told, the eerie, and the forgotten corners of music history. Hosted by radio veteran Jonny Hartwell, each episode blends storytelling, mystery, and a touch of rock ’n’ roll grit to resurrect stories that deserve another listen. From bands that should’ve been legends to the backstage scandals, strange coincidences, and tragic twists the industry tried to bury, Jonny peels back the layers to reveal the raw, human truths behind the music. It’s part history lesson, part cautionary tale, and all killer—no filler.
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Jonny’s Dead Air dives deep into the seldom told, the eerie, and the forgotten corners of music history. Hosted by radio veteran Jonny Hartwell, each episode blends storytelling, mystery, and a touch of rock ’n’ roll grit to resurrect stories that deserve another listen. From bands that should’ve been legends to the backstage scandals, strange coincidences, and tragic twists the industry tried to bury, Jonny peels back the layers to reveal the raw, human truths behind the music. It’s part history lesson, part cautionary tale, and all killer—no filler.
Script #7 Shame on You - The Rise and Ruin of The King of Western Swing
Jonny's Dead Air Podcast
20 minutes
2 months ago
Script #7 Shame on You - The Rise and Ruin of The King of Western Swing
This podcast contains discussions of sensitive topics...Listener discretion is strongly advised. While the stories you’ll hear are rooted in real events, not every detail is strictly historical—some moments are dramatized with creative license to bring the narrative to life. Please keep this in mind as you listen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ He was once the brightest star in western swing—an entertainer who leapt from dusty ballrooms to silver screens and finally into America’s living rooms through the glow of early television. His fiddle set dance floors on fire, his smile made him a household favorite, and his biggest hit carried a word that would come to define him: shame. But behind the lights and applause was a storm of paranoia, reckless ambition, and the slow unraveling of a man who could never outrun his demons. Fame faded, fortunes crumbled, and at home, rage replaced harmony. What followed was a crime so brutal it shocked the nation—and a final performance that ended not in applause, but in collapse.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org for confidential support, 24/7.
Written by Jonny Hartwell Voiced by Jonny Hartwell Music Credit: Reel World Audio. A iHeart Radio Production
Jonny’s Dead Air Podcast Written, hosted, and produced by Jonny Hartwell. A production of iHeartRadio Pittsburgh.
Thanks for listening—and for keeping the light on.
Jonny's Dead Air Podcast
Jonny’s Dead Air dives deep into the seldom told, the eerie, and the forgotten corners of music history. Hosted by radio veteran Jonny Hartwell, each episode blends storytelling, mystery, and a touch of rock ’n’ roll grit to resurrect stories that deserve another listen. From bands that should’ve been legends to the backstage scandals, strange coincidences, and tragic twists the industry tried to bury, Jonny peels back the layers to reveal the raw, human truths behind the music. It’s part history lesson, part cautionary tale, and all killer—no filler.
