NPR's Book of the Day – Episode Summary

Date: December 19, 2025
Episode: Paul McCartney on his band 'Wings,' plus the story of indie label Bloodshot Records
Host: Andrew Limbong (plus Scott Simon and A. Martinez for interviews)
Guests: Rob Miller (Bloodshot Records co-founder, author), Paul McCartney (musician, author)

Episode Overview

This episode features two captivating conversations at the intersection of music and publishing:

• First, Rob Miller, co-founder of influential indie label Bloodshot Records, discusses his memoir chronicling the 1990s alt-country scene and reflects on the value and legacy of independent labels.
• Next, Sir Paul McCartney reminisces about forming Wings after the Beatles, highlights his creative rebirth, and discusses his new book Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run.

The episode explores artistic risk, scene-building, enduring collaboration, and the evolution of music-making.

Segment 1: Bloodshot Records & the Alt-Country Scene

Guest: Rob Miller
Interviewer: Scott Simon
Timestamps: 01:26–09:47

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Birth of Bloodshot Records

• Genesis in Chicago:

  • Miller moved from Detroit to Chicago seeking a break from music, only to get pulled back in by a vibrant, forgiving music scene.

    "I was no longer hearing music. It was just something that was in the way as I did my job... Let's move to Chicago, like so many other people from Detroit were doing." – Rob Miller (02:28)

• DIY Ethos:

  • Chicago allowed artistic experimentation without high stakes. Anyone could try—and fail—and try again.

    "You could screw things up, you could fail and just try again... You could just kind of try things out." – Rob Miller (03:07)

• Origins on a Bar Napkin:

  • Bloodshot's founders listed ignored roots bands at a bar, determined to showcase them in a compilation.

    “All these roots bands were kind of percolating beneath the surface... We just thought it was a shame and that we should just put together a compilation album and see what happens.” – Rob Miller (03:50)

Showcasing Forgotten Influences

• Notable Releases:
  • Straight Out of Boone County (1997): Modern artists cover obscure tracks from King Records and an old radio show, giving them new life while honoring their outsider energy.

    “They did it through their own lens in a way that was just vastly different... still in the same spirit of innovation and kind of an outsider mentality.” – Rob Miller (05:12)

Artist Encounters

• Justin Townes Earle:
  • Miller's first encounter with Earle marked a pivotal moment:

    “By the second song, I knew I had to work with him. It was a thunderclap moment for me.” – Rob Miller (06:05)

The Unromantic Life of a Label Founder

• Miller debunks the idea that running a label is glamorous:

  “If you consider 3am tacos and not sleeping... It's not glamorous, but it was never boring and it was never the same. And it did have those moments of exaltation when it all went right.” – Rob Miller (06:39)

Wisdom from the Road

• Tour Manager’s Rules:
  • Never give out your duct tape: “Everyone wants duct tape and they take it and then they never come back with it.” (07:14)
  • Never leave food behind: “In that dead zone between Columbus, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky at 4:30 in the morning, whatever was left behind will seem like a steak to you.” (07:30)

Label Controversy and Accountability

• On Bloodshot’s 2021 Scandal:
  • Addressing royalty payment allegations:

    “I put my full faith and trust in a business partner who did not deserve it... But I made sure to the best of my abilities that people were paid what they were owed.” – Rob Miller (08:03)

The Relevance of Independent Labels Today

• In the age of DIY music distribution, Miller argues that teams—not just labels—remain crucial for helping artists break through:

  “Artists are by nature... they do not have the logistical grace to carry off all the things that need to happen to make your music rise above the din... you need a team behind you.” – Rob Miller (08:55)

Memorable Quotes

• “You could just kind of try things out.” – Rob Miller (03:07)
• "If you consider 3am tacos and not sleeping... it's not glamorous, but it was never boring." – Rob Miller (06:39)
• "Never give your duct tape to anyone." – Rob Miller (07:14)
• "You need a team behind you... No one can do this by themselves." – Rob Miller (08:55)

Segment 2: Paul McCartney on Wings

Guest: Paul McCartney
Interviewer: A. Martinez
Timestamps: 11:01–17:53

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Emotional Aftermath of the Beatles’ Breakup

• Unexpected Ending:

  • McCartney recalls not seeing the breakup coming, observing subtle shifts as members’ personal lives changed:

    "The sort of giveaway was that we weren't spending a lot of time with each other... For me, it was quite a shock." – Paul McCartney (11:57)

• Willingness to Continue:

  • He hoped to rebuild the Beatles but realized he needed a new beginning:

    "I was trying to encourage us to sort of go back... But in actual fact, I did that with Wings." – Paul McCartney (12:37) "Looking back on it now and reading the Wings book, it was like, my God, I'm a maniac. I am a total maniac." – Paul McCartney (13:09)

The Scotland Years & Creative Rebirth

• Simplicity and Freedom:

  • Moving to a farm brought McCartney a sense of autonomy:

    "No one's gonna buy me a Christmas tree. I've got to go and get my own... Something as simple as that felt like total freedom." – Paul McCartney (13:45)

• Linda McCartney's Role:

  • Her involvement was natural, born from home duets:

    "We would sing around the house... She's really got something. But she's completely inexperienced." – Paul McCartney (14:21) "She was very cute... I said, do you want to be in it? She sort of said, yeah." – Paul McCartney (14:43)

Wing’s Early Struggles and Identity Building

• Trial by Small Gigs (and Mishaps!):

  • A classic story about blanking onstage with Linda, and the audience interpreting it as a joke:

    “I look over at Linda, and she's looking kind of, you know, perplexed... So I walk over... and I've forgotten it. Well, luckily, the audience thought this was like a sort of gag... and Linda remembered it and started it.” – Paul McCartney (15:37)

• Deliberate Step Away from Beatles Legacy:

  • McCartney wanted Wings to stand on its own before embracing his past:

    “At the time, I thought, I'm trying to make a new band here... in order to build a Wings repertoire... Once that happened... then I felt easier... So now I interspersed. But I felt I had to establish the identity of Wings first.” – Paul McCartney (16:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “My God, I'm a maniac. I am a total maniac.” – Paul McCartney (13:09)
• “No one's gonna buy me a Christmas tree. I've got to go and get my own... That felt like total freedom.” – Paul McCartney (13:45)
• “Luckily, the audience thought this was like a sort of gag... and Linda remembered it and we did the song.” – Paul McCartney (15:37)
• “I felt I had to establish the identity of Wings first.” – Paul McCartney (16:46)
• “Listen, NPR is great and must always survive and educate us all in the ways of life.” – Paul McCartney (17:53)

Important Musical Moments

• Paul McCartney and Wings: Several song excerpts including “Silly Love Songs,” “Live and Let Die,” and “Band on the Run” effectively punctuate the conversation.
• Anecdotal moments of impromptu performance illustrate the risk—and joy—of building something new from scratch.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:26–09:47 – Rob Miller on alt-country, Bloodshot’s history, indie label culture, and navigating scandal
• 11:01–17:53 – Paul McCartney on the aftermath of the Beatles, forming Wings, creative rebirth, and fighting for band identity
• 15:37 – Memorable Linda McCartney stage anecdote
• 16:46 – On refusing to play Beatles songs with Wings

Tone & Closing Notes

Both interviews maintain an open, conversational tone, rich with anecdotes and honest reflections. Miller’s stories are laced with wry humor; McCartney’s with warmth, humility, and a dash of self-mockery.

Ending Note:
The episode offers a heartfelt glance behind the curtain—into both a seminal music movement and the life of a legendary artist reimagining his career. Whether you’re interested in indie music’s roots or post-Beatles resurgence, you’ll discover the personal and professional complexities of making music—then and now.