Fireworks Brigade - A Pyro Podcast
by Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
Welcome to the Fireworks Brigade podcast. The idle chit-chat and mischievous banter offered in this Pyromaniacs Forum are provided by Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker. Johnny Starr, owner of Starr Fireworks has been designing, importing and selling fireworks and pyrotechnic effects for over three decades. After listening to just the first few minutes of any episode, you will understand that John’s expertise in pyrotechnics is unquestionable. Ron the Banker, part time volunteer and collaborator, spends his Fourth of July with Johnny in the Fargo / Moorhead area selling fireworks to local consumers and national wholesalers. In addition, Ron knows how to use “Garage Band”, owns a couple of microphones and has friends capable of uploading the files to the internet. Everyone from the casual backyard enthusiast to the serious pyrotechnician will be informed, enlightened and entertained. John’s frequent trips to China as an importer, Ron’s life as a commercial real estate banker, and th
Episodes
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State of the Market With Chili Fireworks
Episode #131: State of the Market With Chili Fireworks Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker Special Guests: Kelvin Lee; Chairman of the Board and CEO of Chili Fireworks & Wilson Lam; Regional Sales Manager of Chili Fireworks This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded on...
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I’d Rather Have You Undead
Episode #130: I’d Rather Have You Undead Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at Pyro Podcast Studios in Chicago, Illinois. The guys make a second big announcement about the Starr Fireworks dealer show scheduled for May 6…
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Mortar Bear
Episode #129: Mortar Bear Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at Pyro Podcast Studios in Chicago, Illinois. We’re well into the dog days of the season, but the demo show and ultimately the fireworks season are fast…
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Stable Condition
Episode #128: Stable Condition Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at Casa Starr in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. With the Super Bowl now over, Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker visit their favorite vacation spot in Cabo. If you like...
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That’ll Be $96.50
Episode #127: That’ll Be $96.50 Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at Pyro Podcast Studios in Chicago, Illinois. There are just a few shopping days left before Christmas, be sure to get your fireworks ASAP. We give you some…
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R.I.P. Big Mike
Episode #126: R.I.P. Big Mike Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at the Casa Starr in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Thanksgiving is over and Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker get together for their annual trip to Cabo. If you like…
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I Love to See Failure
#125: I Love to See Failure Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at Pyro Podcast Studios in Chicago, Illinois. The leaves have changed colors with thrills, chills, and scares in the air. This means that it is time for John and...
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NFA Fall Expo 2022, Night 3
#124: NFA Fall Expo 2022, Night 3 Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker Special Guests: Ed Vasel, Vice President of the National Fireworks Association & Kenny from Crazy Horse Fireworks in Westin, West Virginia. This episode of the Fireworks Brigade, A Pyro Podcast was recorded directly from the...
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NFA Fall Expo 2022, Back It Up Terry
#123: NFA Fall Expo 2022, Back It Up Terry Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker Special Guests: Tami Bridgeman and Reed Treend from Britton Gallagher; John Manglis from Pyro Bucs Fireworks; Adam Keeley from Pinnacle Fireworks; Steve Houser, President of the National Fireworks Association This...
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NFA Fall Expo 2022, Return of Kudzu
#122: NFA Fall Expo 2022, Return of Kudzu Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker Special Guests: Steve Houser, President of the National Fireworks Association & Amy from Happy Family Fireworks This episode of the Fireworks Brigade, A Pyro Podcast was recorded directly from the Afterglow of the...
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Someone Bought a Foreigner Franchise?
#121: Someone Bought a Foreigner Franchise? Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at Pyro Podcast Studios in Chicago, Illinois. The selling season is now a memory but there are still a lot of challenges in the industry. Ron and...
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Work at Nothin’ All Day
#120: Work at Nothin’ All Day Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at Starr Fireworks in Fargo, North Dakota on July 4th 2022. The selling season is just about over and Ron and John get together after a long day in Fargo at…
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Juicy and All Wet
#119: Juicy and All Wet Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at Starr Fireworks in Fargo, North Dakota. The challenges in the industry seem to be mounting and Ron and John get together after a long day in Fargo at Starr...
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Two Girls One Couch
#118: Two Girls One Couch Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at Starr Fireworks in Fargo, North Dakota. The challenges in the industry seem to be mounting and Ron and John discuss the preliminary re-sults for the selling...
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Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves
#117: Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade – A Pyro Podcast was recorded at the Pyropodcast Studios in Chicago, Illinois. The challenges in the industry seem to be mounting and Ron desperately attempts to make...
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Paul McCartney’s a Hack
#116: Paul McCartney’s a Hack Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade A Pyro Podcast was recorded in Mobile, Alabama at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel. The discussion took place during the evening’s Afterglow event. John and Ron to discuss all...
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NFA Spring Expo 2022
#115: NFA Spring Expo 2022 Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker Special Guests: Steve Houser – President of the National Fireworks Association and Ed Vasel – Vice President of the National Fireworks Association This episode of the Fireworks Brigade A Pyro Podcast was recorded in Mobile, Alabama...
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You Haven’t Rolled Since 2003
#114: You Haven’t Rolled Since 2003 Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker Special Guest: Steve Houser, President of the National Fireworks Association This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded at the Casa Starr in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Closing out the show, Steve Houser joins us from...
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Chili Fireworks
#113: Wilson Lam, Chili Fireworks Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker Special Guests: Wilson Lam, Black Scorpion/Chili Fireworks This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded at the Fireworks Brigade Studios in Chicago, Illinois. Wilson Lam joins us from Lixin Village, Yangsanshi Area,...
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Bottle Rocket Cold Brew
#112: Bottle Rocket Cold Brew Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded at Lands End Coffee Roasters in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Some of the topics covered during the discussion include Coffee Shop Challenges Compared to Fireworks Shipping Issues...
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My Face Tingles
#111: My Face Tingles Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded in the Fireworks Brigade Studios in suburban Chicago, Illinois. Some of the topics covered during the discussion include Cabin in the Woods Intro NFA Expo Recap Pyro Purge, More…
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Analog in a Digital World — NFA Expo 2021
#110: Analog in a Digital World – NFA Expo 2021 Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker Special Guests: Chris Dekoeyser, Frosty Fireworks; Nathan Callson, Johnny Fireworks; Chuck Decker, Uncle Sam Fireworks This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded in Erie Pennsylvania, the site of the...
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The Pyro’s Are Back in Town — NFA Expo 2021
#109: The Pyro’s Are Back in Town; NFA Expo 2021 Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker Special Guests: Steve Houser, President of the NFA & John from “Red Rooster” This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded in Erie, Pennsylvania — the site of the National Fireworks Association’s Fall…
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Gotta Stay For the Encore
#108: Gotta Stay For the Encore Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded in Chicago, Illinois in August 2021. The guys recap the recent PGI convention in Fargo and then look ahead to the NFA convention in mid September in Erie, Pennsylvania. Some...
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Get The Specteeze
#107: Get The Specteeze Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded in Fargo, North Dakota on the Fourth of July. Ron and John discuss the challenges of the 2021 season and look ahead to 2022. Some other topics discussed in this episode include: Some…
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Playing Craps With Pesos
#106: Playing Craps With Pesos Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded in Fargo, North Dakota from the Starr Fireworks warehouse. As the number of days before the Fourth continued to dwindle, John and Ron take some time to discuss the industry and...
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I’ve Got Absolutely Nothing For Sale
#105: I’ve Got Absolutely Nothing For Sale Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded in Fargo, North Dakota. Some other topics discussed in this episode include: Some of the topics covered during the discussion include 2021 Challenges PyroPurge...
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Welcome to Long Beach: It’s As Cold As Nancy Pelosi
#104: Welcome to Long Beach: It’s As Cold As Nancy Pelosi Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded in Gary, Indiana. Some other topics discussed in this episode include: Some of the topics covered during the discussion include Long Beach Shipping...
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VOMOH
#103: VOMOH Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded at Casa Starr in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Some other topics discussed in this episode include: Some of the topics covered during the discussion include New Cabo Open Where to go in Cabo Past…
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Land of 100 Masks
#102: Land of 100 Masks Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker This episode of the Fireworks Brigade was recorded at Fireworks Brigade Studios in Chicago, Illinois. Some other topics discussed in this episode include: Some of the topics covered during the discussion include Sopranos deleted...
About this show
Welcome to the Fireworks Brigade podcast. The idle chit-chat and mischievous banter offered in this Pyromaniacs Forum are provided by Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker. Johnny Starr, owner of Starr Fireworks has been designing, importing and selling fireworks and pyrotechnic effects for over three decades. After listening to just the first few minutes of any episode, you will understand that John’s expertise in pyrotechnics is unquestionable. Ron the Banker, part time volunteer and collaborator, spends his Fourth of July with Johnny in the Fargo / Moorhead area selling fireworks to local consumers and national wholesalers. In addition, Ron knows how to use “Garage Band”, owns a couple of microphones and has friends capable of uploading the files to the internet. Everyone from the casual backyard enthusiast to the serious pyrotechnician will be informed, enlightened and entertained. John’s frequent trips to China as an importer, Ron’s life as a commercial real estate banker, and th
Hosted by
Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker