Doug Virden Visits The KAAY Transmitter Site

"Had an unexpected opportunity to visit the KAAY transmitter building last week and here is a great starter pic with the 7th Street sign.  Ever since Bud and David B. Treadway (and don't forget Jerry Sims, too! bs) had a picture with it, I really wanted one too.  The reason I got to go out there was to pick up something from the old RCA transmitter that had been dismantled to put up the new 50KW transmitter.  I ended up taking something from the old RCA home with me too.  It will be included in another post."

That's a good picture, Doug!  Keep 'em coming!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

MAN, THAT'S A LOTTA YEARS !

Folks, I just heard from Jonnie King; he has just celebrated 50 YEARS in the broadcast industry!

I cannot tell the story like Jonnie King can, so, if you will, please go to his website and read all about it!

http://www.jonnieking.net/

Happy anniversary, Jonnie!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

QSL Cards From The Past!

Thanks to Larry McDonald for these reception verification ("QSL") cards from the past!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

"Big Mama" Is Gone....

I was just informed by KAAY's head engineer that the RCA, "Big Mama", as David B. Treadway called her, is now gone.

Was:

...and no more:

My heart hurts!  I am so thankful that Jerry Sims, the 2nd "Sonny Martin", now gone also, pleaded and cajoled with me to make the pilgrimage to Little Rock and Wrightsville, AR to see this once-magnificent radio station.  I was tearing up heavily when I saw David B. lovingly caress her face, then listen for her as he pressed his ear to her...as I am about to now.

That's Gordon Stephan behind David B.

And, to Jerry Sims, who made me actually realize my dream:

I can't say this enough: I love you guys, for caring enough to show me around and taking time with me, a humble fan from so long ago.  One other Great, Charlie Scarbrough, "Charlie King", who took the time to ferry me and my family around, thank you SO much!

I will always have fond memories of KAAY, and especially of this trip.  A few months later, Jerry Sims died from a heat-related incident while doing what he loved: playing softball...but that's another story.

At the top left-hand corner of this blog, type in "my trip" and search; post after post will come up, relating to my trip to Little Rock and Wrightsville, AR back in 2012 and will reveal all the wonderful pictures and memories I experienced.  One more chapter closed on KAAY.  Thanks, Daniel.

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

Happy 55th Anniversary!

My, how time flies!  Fifty-five years ago this moth, KAAY came into being and the "Baby Elephant Walk" song permeated the airwaves for a while, as deejays read aloud the Little Rock phone book, saying the folks were "friends of the Mighty Giant", etc.

https://archive.org/details/KTHSToKAAYBabyElephantWalkStunt

This signaled the format- and callsign change- of 1090 AM in Little Rock, AR, as KAAY bought out KTHS and became the Mighty 1090, KAAY that so many of us loved.  It happened Labor Day, 1962.  The history is slightly murky as to who the original jocks were, as some left, others came right in, but here are links to previous posts we have entered, as well:

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/search?q=Labor+Day

...as well as a few posts from A. J. Lindsey's now-inactive blog:

http://kaay1090.blogspot.com/search?q=Labor+Day

Yes, we have plenty to celebrate!  For my article regarding KAAY in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, go here:

http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=6228

I was honored when they asked me to contribute!  No one had ever entered any information on perhaps the greatest radio station Arkansas ever had, so they encouraged me to arrange this article.  After a few months' work, and honing and polishing, and with the help of some of "The Greats" of KAAY, this was the finished project.  Enjoy!

Happy anniversary, KAAY and to you Greats who brought us so much wonderful entertainment!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)