JCW ARCHIVE: Rough Jazz

Summary

Podcast Summary: JCW ARCHIVE: Rough Jazz

Podcast Information:

• Title: The John Clay Wolfe Show
• Host/Author: John Clay Wolfe
• Episode: JCW ARCHIVE: Rough Jazz
• Release Date: February 1, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "JCW ARCHIVE: Rough Jazz," host John Clay Wolfe delves into a nostalgic exploration of his extensive radio career, intertwining intriguing stories from the broadcasting world with broader discussions on the intersections of legality, crime, and the music industry. This episode offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful and often wild experiences within the radio business, enriched with firsthand anecdotes and candid conversations.

Main Discussion

Legal Marijuana Operations and the Ms.13 Cartel

John Clay Wolfe begins by recounting an encounter with a man involved in the legal cultivation of marijuana in Los Angeles. This individual was affiliated with the Ms.13 cartel, highlighting the complex relationship between legal businesses and criminal organizations.

• Quote: “So when you get a license to grow potential, you got a zone that you have a license for. So his license was downtown LA and he called it the RV cookers, the RV crew.” [01:08]

John explains how the licensed operations are tightly regulated, with inspectors ensuring compliance. However, he points out that many individuals avoid tagging their plants to evade the federal tax of 40%, thereby fueling a robust black market.

• Quote: “They can sell those to the black market and not have to pay 40% taxes on it. Big difference. So there's a lot of hustle going on there.” [02:19]

This evasion leads to significant hustle, with the legitimate greenhouse operations serving as a front for expanding into out-of-state markets, notably Texas, where the demand for high-quality California cannabis is premium.

Violence and Crime within the Industry

The discussion takes a darker turn as John reveals the violent consequences of this underground economy. He shares that four members of his acquaintance's crew were murdered, underscoring the inherent dangers of operating within such a volatile environment.

• Quote: “And they're all tagging. It's almost like a bar that has liquor and TABC stamps on it, you know, government stamps on it. But there's a lot of plants that aren't getting stamped. So they can sell those to the black market and not have to pay 40% taxes on it.” [02:19]

The presence of meth operations in the area further complicates the landscape, indicating a multifaceted drug trade where legal and illegal activities are deeply intertwined.

Anecdote: Buzz Bennett and the Wild Stories from Y95

Transitioning from the broader discussion on marijuana operations, John reminisces about his time with Buzz Bennett at Y95 in Dallas during the early '90s. This segment is rich with colorful anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of the wild parties and excessive lifestyles prevalent in the radio industry at the time.

• Quote: “Buzz and this and that. And so this guy was kind of Buzz Bennett's pimp a little bit.” [05:00]

John narrates a particularly outrageous story involving cocaine use, rivalries, and even a mountain lion encounter. These tales not only entertain but also highlight the blurred lines between professional and personal chaos within the radio business.

• Quote: “He gets mauled by a mountain lion... he yells down the stairs, it's okay. He's got no claws and rubber teeth.” [06:47]

The Program Director and the Mountain Lion

One of the most memorable stories involves the program director, known for his eccentricities, including owning a cougar with rubber teeth. This peculiar pet became a symbol of the director's unconventional approach to programming and life.

• Quote: “He just had it as a pet. It roamed. But he took his teeth out and put rubber teeth in him.” [09:20]

This anecdote serves as a metaphor for the director's willingness to take risks and embrace the bizarre, qualities that earned him respect and admiration within the station.

Insights and Reflections

Throughout the episode, John Clay Wolfe reflects on the juxtaposition of legitimacy and illegality within the radio and music industries. He emphasizes how individuals often navigate these murky waters, balancing between lawful operations and the allure of fast money through illicit means.

• Quote: “It's like getting in the cattle business and not wanting to get any bull crap, cow crap on you.” [04:12]

John's stories illustrate the complexities and moral ambiguities faced by those in the business, shedding light on the human side of the industry often hidden behind the glitz and glamour of radio fame.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• John Clay Wolfe: “The John Clay Wolf show has appeared on terrestrial radio for a really, really, really long time.” [00:27]

• John Clay Wolfe: “This is going to get a little long, but this is worth it.” [03:08]

• John Clay Wolfe: “So when you get a license to grow potential, you got a zone that you have a license for.” [01:08]

• Co-host: “He's just a normal guy who was actually a radio guy.” [03:10]

• John Clay Wolfe: “He gets mauled by a mountain lion.” [06:47]

• Co-host: “He just had it as a pet. It roamed.” [09:20]

Conclusion

"JCW ARCHIVE: Rough Jazz" offers a captivating journey through John Clay Wolfe's experiences in the radio industry, enriched with tales of legal loopholes, criminal entanglements, and unforgettable personal stories. The episode underscores the unpredictable and often perilous nature of the business, while also celebrating the camaraderie and resilience of those who navigate its challenges. For listeners unfamiliar with the show, this episode serves as a compelling introduction to the wild, unfiltered world of radio broadcasting as seen through John Clay Wolfe's discerning lens.

Transcript

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[John Clay Wolf]

The John Clay Wolf show has appeared on terrestrial radio for a really, really, really long time. So we dug into our pockets and on the other side of our we found something funny. And yes, it's contagious. Gather round as the wolf pack goes on this throwback adventure.

[DJ Pre K]

What it do? It's your boy DJ Pre K with the John Clay Wolf Show. Y'all know what's going on. I got some archive clips for y'all. John's rubbing elbows with a bunch of squares turned street and they break down how we party in the radio biz, you dig? And what's a party without a little booger sugar, baby? So turn down that Duran Duran and check this out.

[John Clay Wolf]

So I met a guy in LA and we went to a dinner and there was about five of us. We all got along real well and went on for four hours and drank and talked and I heard it all, dude. I mean, the Walter White's world of legal marijuana. And it was ridiculous, like deep and dark. I could not believe it. What's that? What's that outfit called? That's not the Crips of the Bloods, Hurley. But it's a South American cartel. No, not cartel, Ms. 13. Yes. Oh.

[Co-host]

Oh.

[John Clay Wolf]

So when you get a license to grow potential, you got a zone that you have a license for. So his license was downtown LA and the he called it the RV cookers, the RV crew. So Ms. 13 had a meth thing going on down there in the ghetto around on the edge of downtown la. And I mean, they're growing legally with licenses. The inspectors come through, do all this stuff. But a lot of guys are not tagging their plants for the federal. So they got this big greenhouse going.

[Co-host]

Sure.

[John Clay Wolf]

And they're all tagged. It's almost like a bar that has liquor and TABC stamps on it, you know, government stamps on it. But there's a lot of plants that aren't getting stamped. So they can sell those to the black market and not have to pay 40% taxes on it. Big difference. So there's a lot of hustle going on there. And they can take that dope and they can sell it out of state. Goes to Texas, Right? Because Texas in. In Texas, we're paying a premium for this hydro Cali weed that, you know, they made it so scientific, it's so strong. And that's how it's getting here. Those flying. They made it legal to bootleg now locally. But then the bootleggers are cutting it in half and shipping half of it out of state.

[Co-host]

Wow.

[John Clay Wolf]

So there's people getting murdered. He had four people in his crew get murdered. Oh, my.

[Co-host]

Just like moped down in the street.

[John Clay Wolf]

Yes.

[DJ Pre K]

What?

[John Clay Wolf]

Yes. He was packing heat. And you gotta know, this is a normal. Not a square, but a normal guy who was actually a radio guy. That's how I met him.

[Co-host]

Wow. Dude from Dallas.

[John Clay Wolf]

You. You probably know him. I'll tell you off air.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[John Clay Wolf]

Yeah. But what we did bring up was. But his stories were so ridiculous. Y'all. Y'all need to hang with me. This is going to get a little long, but this is worth it. This was my entertainment of. Of this trip. So this son of a. Was a smooth jazz dj. Oh, I know. I know who it is. Smooth jazz. I mean, that's pretty innocent. He was my counselor in broadcasting school. Maybe. Yeah. What's his first initial? Hold on, we're tight. Huh? Hold on, hold on, hold on. Yes. You got it, Jay. And so. So. So he winds up after all this. He's. He's jb. No, these straights, right? These straight businessmen are investing in marijuana deals.

[Co-host]

Makes sense.

[John Clay Wolf]

Goldman Sachs that, you know, all these big, big straight guys and then they have to put somebody in there to run them.

[Co-host]

Sure.

[John Clay Wolf]

So he was one of those guys that got put in there to run it for another guy. That's a big, you know, multi billionaire kind of guy.

[Co-host]

He'd be like a general manager.

[John Clay Wolf]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[John Clay Wolf]

For a suit that wanted to get in the weed business. Because all these straigh rich guys got in the weed business, but they didn't understand what the weed business really meant.

[Co-host]

Sure.

[John Clay Wolf]

It's like getting in the cattle business and not wanting to get any bull crap, cow crap on you. Right. So anyway, they sold that company and he's getting out of there. He's come back to Dallas. So he was telling me about what's going on. However, I was like, when we're talking about radio, I said, JD Used to always talk about this guy named, you know, talking about Y95 in Dallas, Texas, back in the 90s.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[John Clay Wolf]

Buzz Bennett.

[Co-host]

Buzz Bennett.

[John Clay Wolf]

Because you said that was the best program ever, you ever worked with. And he was like, oh, my God. I was there. And Buzz and this and that. And so this guy was kind of Buzz Bennett's pimp A little bit. He would. Everything was cocaine.

[Co-host]

Yep.

[John Clay Wolf]

Right back in what year? He was like 91.

[Co-host]

Allegedly.

[John Clay Wolf]

Yeah. And let me speed this up. Limo to pick up Podbean.

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[John Clay Wolf]

I'll make up. Homer Simpson. Okay, I'm gonna make up. I already said buzzing Bennett's name. So he's a radio guy, he'll be cool. And this is all alleged, right? This is third hand.

[Co-host]

All alleged.

[John Clay Wolf]

I got to tell the real story, so. Or it's not going to be good. Anyway, he goes over there and there's this other guy named John something. I know his name, and I'm not gonna say it because it rhymes with a homosexual name. And it's gonna. I'm gonna. It's getting all kind of trouble. He's picking these guys up to take them to a Duran Duran concert. He's basically their valet that night. One of them's a big record label guy, one of them's a big pd and he goes in the house and he gets mauled by a mountain lion.

[Co-host]

Yep.

[John Clay Wolf]

Okay, this is true. This is really true. Because this is the part of the conversation, JD Where I was like, this cannot be true.

[Co-host]

No, this is absolutely true.

[John Clay Wolf]

And the guy yells down the stairs, it's okay. He's got no claws and rubber teeth.

[Co-host]

Yep. Nobody would believe this story.

[John Clay Wolf]

So allegedly, everybody's extremely high on Pablo Escobar's finest. They get in the limousine, they're going to the Duran Duran concert. The one guy and the other guy start fist fighting because some entertainments between them that might be a little questionable aren't going down. Right. So they, like get into an altercation.

[Co-host]

In the limo.

[John Clay Wolf]

In the limo. And this other fellow, the smooth jazz guy, has to break it up. They dust off. They're all still friends, they're just high.

[Co-host]

Right.

[John Clay Wolf]

It sounds like a scene out of Boogie Night. Right. But. But the one dude that got mauled by the mountain lion is itching and he's like, damn, what's going on? He's like, ah, there's that damn mountain lion's got fleas. Oh, okay. So anyway, they go to. They go to Duran Duran, more coke. Go back, limo, more coke. Simon lebal, more coke. This guy. Coke, coke, cocaine, cocaine, cocaine. Hug, hug. Fun, fun, fun. And everybody starts itching. So these fleas that came off this mountain lion are just like. I mean, they're like Tyrone Biggums from the Chappelle Show. They're all just. And all up. And the guys from Duran Duran are all welped up and they've got to go on stage in a minute. And it was just. I mean, the stories were just so far out there. And then it flipped into, he's on American Airlines because his smooth jazz show is bought by the airlines. So he did a smooth jazz show on the televisions that come down in the aisles of the airline.

[Co-host]

Correct.

[John Clay Wolf]

And some billionaire from Indonesia saw it and tells his assistant to find that guy and bring him to me. So he goes to Indonesia and they put this big concert together. He pays him a gazillion dollars, and he brings Simon Le Bon, he brings Eric Clapton, and he brings Rod Stewart. And I mean, it's just like this. Y'all must had a lot of fun in radio.

[Co-host]

Dear Lord, those. Those days at that station. I won't even say the station. I guess I could, but wow. No, it was the top 40 station that we all worked at.

[John Clay Wolf]

Right.

[Co-host]

That was t. Was that the height? Oh, absolutely. The top of the top. Good money, crazy stuff, nutty people.

[John Clay Wolf]

Right?

[Co-host]

Yeah, just. And yeah, program director who was just off his rocker enough to make you never know what he was going to do.

[John Clay Wolf]

He had a mountain lion with rubber.

[Co-host]

Teeth, and it was actually a cougar. But, yeah, I didn't want to correct you.

[John Clay Wolf]

I got a cougar. She's got teeth and she's not declawed. That's right.

[Co-host]

In his condo. He absolutely did, yes.

[John Clay Wolf]

So what did he do with this cougar?

[Co-host]

He just had it as a pet. It roamed.

[John Clay Wolf]

But he took his teeth out and put rubber teeth in him.

[Co-host]

Man, I didn't hear that part of the story. I know it was declawed. I didn't hear the rubber teeth part, but yeah, that's all real. And that's what made him such a great programmer because he was willing to do the crazy stuff.

[DJ Pre K]

All right, y'all know what to do. Hit us up on John Claywolf.com youm can check out old episodes on there, you know, stay up to date with what we got going on. Get cool gear. We got hats, shirts, all that hit us up on Facebook. You know, search John Clay Wolf show. We're on Instagram. John's on Twitter. You know, you can holler at all of us. Okay. You know how to spell it. Okay. We appreciate y'all listening. Keep on rocking with us.