The Needle Drop

Every record tells two stories: the music in the grooves and the history behind it.

The Needle Drop is a short-form music storytelling series hosted by Bruce Janu that spotlights one song at a time, played directly from the original vinyl record. Each episode explores the artists, recording sessions, inspirations, chart success, and cultural impact that transformed a song into a lasting part of our musical heritage. From classic hits to overlooked gems, Bruce combines music history, personal insight, and the warm sound of vinyl to create an engaging listening experience that connects audiences with the records they know—and the stories they may not. 

Format: Weekly, pre-recorded storytelling and music-history program 

Episode Length: 8-14 minutes (varies by episode) 

Delivery: High-quality MP2 or MP3 via Dropbox Link 

New Episodes: Released weekly

The Needle Drop is ideal as a standalone feature, a companion to music programming, or a regular addition to stations serving listeners who appreciate great songs and the stories behind them. Great, when paired with The Flip.

Browse the syndication episodes below.  

If you’re interested in syndicating The Needle Drop for online or terrestrial radio, click here for the application.  

PRX member? Click here to syndicate via PRX.