The Mighty 1090 KAAY

More Little Barn Goods

2012-02-17T02:10:00.000-08:00

Can't you hear the sound tracks from Cheech & Chong movies in the background?

Maybe you could stick the Stickerations on the canisters?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Wayne Moss, "K-Double-A-Y, Kay-Why" Aircheck

2012-02-15T04:20:00.000-08:00

Here is another audio gem from Wayne Moss! It is heavily 'scoped, but only on the music and some commercials. There is an interesting "KAAY Double Golden" jingle you gotta hear on this aircheck! Lots of other jingles and promos on this aircheck, as well.

Mitch Michaels is the newsman on this aircheck. Pat Walsh is doing the "Cash Cruiser", giving away some nice cash! Gary Gears voices some of the identifiers.

This is a morning aircheck; it sounds as if it is a conglomeration of a couple or three airchecks. Temperatures range from 80 to the nineties.

Wayne said he thought this was from maybe late 1975 or 1976, but there is a commercial for Beaker Street's 8th anniversary of September 10th...so this would make the date of this announcement in September of 1974, since Beaker Street began in late 1966.

Much abounds during this audio offering; if anyone can pin down any more specific dates and facts, please leave your comments!

(or download here)

Thanks to Wayne Moss for this aircheck, and to Dave S. for his audio know-how, so that we can enjoy more aural history!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Little Barn Catalog Continued

2012-02-13T02:06:00.000-08:00

"Wow, I can catch my hand....!"

No, not really...it was attached all the time....

I have no comments about the top page...but I HAVE had bad hair days like the second page!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Little Barn Catalog!

2012-02-10T02:54:00.000-08:00

WOW! What a piece of history! Two friends of the blog, Gil and Shawn, have sent copies of the Little Barn's first edition catalog! The Little Barn advertised- appropriately- on Beaker Street. For more Little Barn information and some history, please type "Little Barn" in the search window at the upper left-hand box and click the magnifyng glass....

There are so many pages- thrity-two, plus a cover/back cover shot- that I'll have to spread this out over quite a few posts. So hang on, turn the lights down LOW, light some incense (can you find it any more?), put on your finest low-rider jeans and tie-dye T-shirt and head band, let you hair down and enjoy!

I can only imagine what folks cooked up with those utensils....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY Coverage Revisited

2012-02-07T02:51:00.000-08:00

Dear folks, it is awesome how radio waves travel. I have studied such, having been a Ham radio operator and radio listener for so, so many years...and it is still a wonder! In speaking with Steve Morris ("Steve Scott") awhile back, I believe that I mentioned doing the math and realizing that I listened to Steve when he was on The Mighty 1090! I'd also mentioned a time or two that within thirty minutes of sundown, I could hear KAAY starting to fade in. Granted, this was while still on their daytime pattern, which was more or less roughly circular to cover the state of Arkansas and not switched over to their figure-eight nighttime pattern yet.

In the nighttime pattern above, the coverage was HUGE...and we can see how all of Cuba, parts of Central and South America were covered, as well as literally over half of Canada, up to Alaska...and no telling where else...I wish we had access to all the mail KAAY got!

In the past, I'd mentioned the "grey line" a phenomenon where it is not day, nor night...just that half-light pattern between the two. In the "old days", radio stations would sign off at sunset and sign back on at sunrise (some few still do). During this time, it was possible to tune to frequencies and momentarily, for a few minutes, hear other radio stations that were blocked by a local station, before THOSE stations signed off. In some instances, it was mere minutes, others it was maybe longer, due to the difference of a time zone. We radio enthusiasts of all types still use the "grey line" to communicate or to listen for otherwise elusive radio stations not "there" in daylight or dark. It is a fascinating phenomenon, as things happen during the "grey line" that do not happen any other times. Here is the link to the "grey line" map; it refreshes ever five minutes or so:

http://dx.qsl.net/propagation/greyline.html

Because radio propagation is an ongoing study, some things are constant- others are constantly changing! A lot has to do with weather and sunspots. Nonetheless, I believe this "grey line effect" was responsible for my hearing KAAY before dark and the changeover to the nighttime "flame-thrower" figure-eight pattern. Give the dial a whirl before sunset sometime, you may be pleasantly surprised! Do it for a week, or two weeks and there may be more there than you realized!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Another Cuban Listener: Dago!

2012-02-04T03:44:00.000-08:00

Folks, Dago thought I was part of KAAY, but in subsequent e-mails between us, he found that I was not an employee of KAAY, but a listener (I'd fantasized about working at KAAY, though!). Here's his e-mail, with slight editing, and photo, all with his permission:

"HI BUD , I´M DAGOBERTO PEDRAJA FROM CUBA, I´M SO EXITED ´CUSE I´M WRITING FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME TO A RADIO- MAN WHO SET MY PREFERENCES FOR THE GREATEST ROCK MUSIC , " THE REAL ONE " . I WAS A TEENAGER WHEN I HEARD ABOUT AN AMERICAN STATION THAT WAS PLAYING VERY " WEIRD MUSIC " , WE USUALLY ATEMPT TO FLORIDA KEYS RADIO STATION LIKE WQAM , THEY PLAY VERY LIGHT ROCK MUSIC , BUT THEY WERE OUR ONLY OPTION , SO THAT NIGHT I DECIDED TO DIAL KAAY...IT WAS GREAT MAN !!! AND BETTER THAN ALL AT .12 AM THERE WAS A VERY VERY WEIRD KIND OF SGHOW PLAYING THAT WEIRD KIND OF MUSIC , IT WAS MY VERY FIRST TIME TO BE IN TOUCH WITH THE " UNDERGROUND MUSIC " , MONTHS LATTER I BECAME MEMBER OF " THE RACOONS CLUB " , IT WAS A KIND OF JOKE BECAUSE WE USE TO LOOK SO SLEEPY IN CLASS, ALL BLACK AROUND THE EYES ( LOL ) JUST IMAGINE , 8AM IN THE MORNING GOING TO SCHOOL AND FEELING THAT WAY BEACUSE YOU STOPED LISTENING " BEAKERTREET " NEARLY 4:30 AM JA JA JA . YOU COULD HEAR KAAY LATE IN THE AFTERNOON AROUND 7PM OR LATTER , BUT AROUND 11 PM THE SIGNAL WAS SO CLEAR ,. BEAKER STREET WAS MY FAVORITE RADIO SHOW IN ALL MY LIFE, YEARS LATTER I BECAME IN A RADIO PRODUCER , SCRIPT WRITER AND DIRECTOR TOO , SO A BUNCH OF RADIO PEOPLE WHO USE TO LISTEN KAAY AND BS , WHERE WORKING AT THE SAME RADIO STATION AND TRIED TO DO PROGRAMS IN THE SAME WAY , WE AIRED THAT KIND OF " WEIRD MUSIC " TO THE YOUNG LISTENERS AND WE SHOW THEM " THE DARK SIDE " OF ROCK ´N ROLL , THE KIND OF ROCK UNCOMERCIAL , BUT BETTER THAN THOSE CRAP THAT OTHER RADIO STATION USE TO PLAY . SO I ´M VERY PROUD OF YOU , YOUR CREW , OPERATORS , INGENIERS AND EVERYBODY AT KAAY LITTLEROCK ARKANSAS . NHOW A DAYS I´M 55 , AND PLAYING IN " THE KENTS " , A COVER BAND WHO PLAYS ALL THE " WEIRD MUSIC " THAT " BEAKER STREET " SET ON US . SO I´LL BE IN TOUCH AND I´LL TRY TO LISTEN SOME OF THE ARCHIVES IN THE BLOCK , MAYBE I CAN RECORD OR DOWNLOAD SOME OF THEM. A GREAT HUG AND HAVE GOOD LUCK. REGARDS FROM CUBA .DAGO"

I've asked Dago for a group picture, as well. These guys, from what I've learned, have all pretty much been influenced by American Rock music, most of which was from Beaker Street.

Rock on!

Beaker Street In Cuba Comment

2012-02-03T15:42:00.001-08:00

Hello, at beginnings of 70s I was studying in one of the Castro's invented school that mix studies with agricultural work, its name is Ceiba 6, all nights with placed the radio stuck to a column of the dormitory (to increase the signal reception) and we listened Beaker Street, great program! , I recall that often began with Pink Floyd's Pigs, by all means we could not let the professors got us listening the program because immediately they accused to you of "diversionismo ideologico" (literally, ideological deviation), and you were kicked out the school, lol!

By Juan Perez on "Comments That Hit You "Right There"....

More Soviet Radio Pictures

2012-02-03T03:24:00.000-08:00

As promised...do you find this interesting? These are more photos sent along from our visitor from Cuba...

This is its power supply and a comparison in size as in relation to a USB drive:

And the radio itself comparing in size to the USB drive:

This picture of the power supply shows the differing voltage/current from U.S. units:

And one last shot of the manufacturing information of the VEF radio:

I hope you have enjoyed these pictures, gifts from our friend in Cuba, who, so many years ago, enjoyed listening to KAAY and Beaker Street as we did.

And now, a parting word from our friend:

"Bud, there's something you should know, listeners of the KAAY AM station, during the 70's here can be counted by thousands, just do not know that there is a blog where can share those experiences, the day they learned, you may receive many emails, letters and photos. Another thing you should know, and it is good that appears on your post. Here are just listening to the KAAY from midnight, of course the single most heard was Beaker Street program, the station's signal vanished almost at dawn, nobody ever knew why, and it did not matter,as midnight following waiting for Cannabis Sativa notes,moments before hearing the voice of Clyde Clifford."

Ah, yes, Clyde...! You had such an influence- and still do! We all look forward to encouraging messages from all over the world regarding KAAY...thank you, sir, for sharing your pictures and very kind words!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

ROCK & ROLL RADIO HISTORY: FEB. 3, 1959..."THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED" !

2012-02-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

THE MOST TRAGIC DAY IN THE EARLY YEARS OF ROCK & ROLL HISTORY WAS FEBRUARY 3, 1959...

DON McLEAN in his instant-classic hit "American Pie" (Released in the Fall of 1971) termed it "The Day The Music Died", and since then that's the way it's been known.

I've had this rare, historic, News Bulletin about the crash on that day, February 3, 1959, in my Archives for a long time, but I don't know where it was originally broadcast or who the announcer is. When I decided to add it to the WebSite, I added a little bit of music from Buddy Holly, and Richie Valens, PLUS, the voice of The Big Bopper with his legendary Intro to start things off...to give it a little more balance and give you a chance to hear their voices again.

This special, rare audio that you'll hear is not very long...but it is very important. And, maybe next time when you hear Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, or, The Big Bopper, on your radio while you're out Crusin' you'll think about the musical legacy they left us, and remember that they left us way too soon.

Simply click-on, listen to the audio, read the History, read my personal memories of this tragic occurence, and, remember those 3 Legendary singers whose music will live on forever.
http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage149.html

Jonnie King www.jonnieking.net

Don Cornelius Deceased

2012-02-01T16:00:00.000-08:00

As per Dave Montgomery's sharp eye:

"Another great of our generation, gone:

"Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius was found dead at his Sherman Oaks on home Wednesday morning.

Law enforcement sources said police arrived at Cornelius' home around 4 a.m. He apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing.

The sources said there was no sign of foul play, but the Los Angeles Police Department was investigating.

In a 2010 interview with The Times, he said he was excited about a movie project he was developing about "Soul Train."

"We've been in discussions with several people about getting a movie off the ground. It wouldn't be the 'Soul Train' dance show, it would be more of a biographical look at the project," he said. "It's going to be about some of the things that really happened on the show."

According to a Times article, Cornelius’ “Soul Train” became the longest-running first-run nationally syndicated show in television history, bringing African American music and style to the world for 35 years.

Cornelius stopped hosting the show in 1993, and “Soul Train” ceased production in 2006.

Story credit for the Don Cornelius story goes to :

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/soul-train-creator-don-cornelius-dead-in-apparent-suicide.html

Los Angeles Times

DM"

Soviet Radio, as Promised

2012-02-01T03:16:00.000-08:00

Dear reader, some of you know how I love radios. Yes, they all do the same thing: receive signals. But for something to have been used to hear one thing and used to hear another...well, that's as political as I'll get. Nonetheless, here are more photos from our friend in Cuba for you to enjoy! As he mentioned before:

"...new photos of old Soviet radio, where we listened with great pleasure Beaker Street."

Notice what's in the background?

More pictures later!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

K-A-A-Y One-Oh-Nine-Oh‏

2012-01-28T02:04:00.000-08:00

Folks, Paul Kirby was one of the biggest contributors to the San Antonio Radio Memories book, mentioned before on this blog...funny, how great personalities are influenced into their profession! He worked at several stations in the San Antonio, TX market over the years...I enjoyed reading his stories in Vicki's book. Vicki contacted him and told him I'd like to hear his story about listening to KAAY, so, without further ado, here's paul!

"K-A-A-Y One-Oh-Nine-Oh!

As a thirteen-year-old living in rural western Minnesota, we didn’t have television and radio (to our family) meant listening to clear-channel 50-thousand watt WCCO in Minneapolis/Saint Paul. Because WCCO was the only radio station we could receive both day and night, the tuning knob on the radio rarely got moved.

For me, most of the time, I spent nights reading, rather than listening to WCCO. Each week after my piano lesson in town, we would visit the local library where I would check out a new stack of books for the coming week.

There was a radio show that I regularly enjoyed on WCCO called "Honest To Goodness" hosted by Dick Chapman and Randy Merriman. I remember to this day one of their questions: Who is Leonard Slye?

My cousin Ted was very excited about a Disk Jockey on WLS from 9 to midnight. A slight move of the radio dial from 830 to 890 brought in the completely different Dick Biondi each weeknight for an hour, after finishing my homework and before retiring for the night. I still read regularly each evening, but it was just a little bit less than before.

I was shocked one evening to no longer hear Dick on the radio, but Art Roberts instead. It wasn’t that Art wasn’t good. It was that Art didn’t seem have the excitement, edge and fun that Dick had every night. I went back to reading.

One night, on a whim, after "Honest To Goodness," I decided to tune “up the band” on the radio to see what I could hear. I stopped on 1090 when I heard something completely different on the radio.

That something completely different turned out to be KAAY Comex News. I had never heard news delivered with such urgency.

With such urgency, I had to keep listening to see what would happen next. What happened next was Rob Robbins who seemed to be having fun on the radio just like Dick Biondi.

However, what really surprised me was that any time Rob spoke you could here a jingle in the background repeating over and over again:

K-A-A-Y One-Oh-Nine-Oh

Over the years, I have asked a number of people about how the repeating jingle was implemented, but to this day, I have not encountered anyone (including George Jennings) who could provide actual implementation information.

I once again enjoyed regular nightly listening to the radio. However, like most good things, it didn’t last long. We moved and I was no longer able to pick up KAAY.

Paul Kirby"

Thank you, Paul- and thank you, Vicki! Isn't it interesting how the radio world intertwines?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

More From Havana Cuba!

2012-01-27T03:03:00.000-08:00

I have corresponded with our fellow Cuban KAAY and Beaker Street enthusiast and asked if he appeared in any of the pictures...and for privacy reasons, he did not, but wanted to promote the band The Kent...herewith more of his e-mail material, lightly edited:

"...these people are members of a band called The Kent,one that plays the same rock music every night, we listened to on the radio in those years. Like I said the night club called Yellow Submarine, is the home of the Beatles in Cuba, is like a cave, if you look at the photos carefully, you will see that the walls are many of the lyrics of the Beatles.

Very close to this nightclub at about 96 steps is sitting on abench, the bronze statue of John Lenon....
The Yellow Submarine is a place for everyone who wants to come to open your nostalgia. To the right of the entrance to the site, welcomes visitors with a huge photo of Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, who along with some of her songs printed anthologies everywhere on the walls, make the club a kind of sanctuary .The bar takes the submarine details such as hatches, keels, tubular shapes and proportions. Liverpool Quartet cartoons, illustrations of his subjects,including Strawberry Fields Forever, and a bar decorated with the covers of the 18 original records. Open Tuesday to Sunday afternoon and into the morning every day,The most beautiful and welcoming place in the city,our cave .

Soon I will send you new photos of this club, also new photos of old Soviet radio, where we listened with great pleasure Beaker Street. Thanks Bud, Thanks KAAY, Thanks Beaker Street."

Our friend in Cuba has many great memories, as we do. Isn't it wonderful to remember growing up with such great memories? And this blog will strive to keep bringing forth history of KAAY and all aspects thereof, bringing to light those things we all loved- and still love. Please, as our frind in Cuba has done, share those wonderful memories here for all to enjoy!

Next Post from Cuba: another Soviet radio on which KAAY and Beaker Street was heard!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

San Antonio Radio Memories Revisited

2012-01-26T09:55:00.000-08:00

Hoo, BOY! Vicki Worthington hit a home run with this book! I just finished it this morning and what a hoot! Lots of stories and anecdotes shared, a lot like we do here on this blog. I am convinced that radio people are a special breed...what that breed may be, I don't know, but I am thankful for them!

What a way to begin my day, every day, by reading Vicki's book for the last couple of weeks...a chuckle here, a chortle there...thank you to Vicki and all the contributors to San Antonio Radio Memories!

I remember Tony Warner's show when he had several KAAY folks over on his KAAY 40th anniversary show, where he mentioned to Pat Walsh that he should write a book...and I wish Pat would have! I could see an encyclopedic series, if he had!

Many thanks again to Vicki for this effort...remember, folks, your purchase of this book (with an entry on KAAY's George Jennings) goes to charities and scholorships. The website address, once again, is:

http://www.sanantonioradiomemories.com/

Would San Antonio deejay Paul Kirby stop by sometime and relate his KAAY listening memories, please?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Wayne Moss Himself, August 16, 1976!

2012-01-24T04:07:00.000-08:00

Here is Program Director Wayne Moss! Funky music, great rock 'n' roll and that great voice, still great today! Just shortly after 10 AM on this date, Wayne followed the "Sonny Martin" program. Wayne announces the station as "Kay Double-Ay-Why" many times over. It is interesting how some managers and directors alternated the usage of either that or "Kay-Ay-Ay-Why", when at times, they got mail for "KWAY" and other station calls. Regardless, with that great signal, modulating those great voices, there was very little confusion as to WHO they were!

There were maybe a couple of breaks in audio here and there, but Greg Barman did an excellent job in bringing this audio back to life; it was on the same tape as the previous "Sonny Martin" morning broadcast.

Ah, great memories...this was the music played when I was in high school- specifically, this time was when I was a junior. Those were great days- not the easiest- but I survived and radio, in several forms, helped a lot. Thank you, Wayne, and all the Other Greats, for getting me through this tough, confusing time!

Hey, listen out for a spacey KAAY jingle in the later third of the audio! I'll bet some may not have heard it before!

Victoria Griggs (sp?) got the Morning Salute from Wayne during this broadcast...does anyone recognize the name and could she be located after all these years?

An all-American ad for Avis Rent-A-Car ends this audio treasure- $147 a week? That was a lot of money, even in 1976!

Listen and enjoy- and my hearty thanks go out to Wayne Moss for sharing these treasures- to Greg Barman for his wonderful recovery efforts- and to Dave S. for his smooth archival of this audio for all to enjoy!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

More Cuban Comments

2012-01-20T03:48:00.000-08:00

Folks, I have heard from a fellow who would like to keep his privacy, but share his e-mail with you. I have left it fully intact for your enjoyment. He has also sent pictures which I will share with you here:

"Greetings From Havana Cuba!

Dear Bud Staceys, first of all accept my greetings and wishes for good health and fortune staff, make it extend also to your family in this new 2012. For me personally has been very comforting and rejuvenating perhaps, find that blogg about KAAY. And stories I have known the AM station, which at the beginning of the 70 as magic carpet, just arrived at midnight to the north coast of Havana, Cuba. transporting for me and many of my generation to meet with Beaker Street´s dweller in those years the mystical Clyde, not Sherlock Holmes,we expected that hour, and I remember The house of the rising sun. Many fond memories come to mind right now, even tears, how much nostalgia, for all time spent listening to Beaker Street. Who writes to you today is a man of 53 years old, who lives in Cuba since he was born. I'm not political, but I must tell you my opinion and my truth. For along time I heard Beaker Street and other stations from Florida,with little old Soviet radio that my mother gave me when I turned 15 years old.

Never, never my friends and I had to hide our radios to hear these AM stations .of course, we were young students, who were also scholarship from Monday to Friday ,all listened to the radio, WQAM,WGBS at night Beaker Street from KAAY Arkansas,At weekend, went home with our parents, we gathered for parties with our friends and girlfriends, and always accompanied by music from the radio, we did not have tape recorders or record players. Now remember, that in those years came the first TVs valve from the Soviet Union and Bulgaria, many of these were located in schools, to be used for daytime classes. The same schools that we were scholarship,at open fields were located in close proximity to Havana. Also remember that all underground music we listened to Clyde Clifford, we saw in that Bulgarians televisions branded Starfurt. How? then in those years, the television signals of Florida, also came to Cuba,we saw at Friday night those great programs Midnight Specialand Rock Concert,did you remember Bud? They were wonderful years, the best. Throughout those year, that was the music heard on the radio for everyone here in Habana Cuba, I do not remember, have been arrested for that, I tell you more during our vacation, we met on the board walk or at the Sta Maria beach to listen the music coming from Florida WGBS,Q54, WQAM and KAAY at midnight,from Little Rock,I repeat never,never we´d got arrested for it. We were students, not vague.This is my truth.

Bud has been very rewarding, to send this email and tell you that I offer my help and my hand for anything you need, remember I live in Cuba and I am a humble man but honest, I ask nothing return only respect. Excuse any inaccuracy in these letters, remember that my mother language is Spanish. Check out this photo of my old Soviet radio,manufactured in 1972, still works, Also sent you photos of Yellow Submarine Night Club,next to the John Lenon´s park in Habana,where always plays live music,Rock and Underground bands.When you want to come and see for yourself. Best regards."

Folks, this is but one wall in the Yellow Submarine Club...more from our fellow KAAY and Beaker Street enthusiast in another post...please stand by!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

More Scammer/Hijacked E-mails...

2012-01-19T18:37:00.000-08:00

Boy, the audacity and nerve of some people!

Awhile back, I mentioned that someone had hijacked A. J. Lindsey's e-mail address and used it to try and get me to click on a link...and I warned you about this, dear visitor. Not only that, but several of my Ham radio friends have had their's hijacked in the same manner...in fact, I got an e-mail, appearing to have come from myself telling me to click on a link- I deleted it ASAP...

...now they've gone and hijacked Matt White's e-mail ("Sonny Martin III") and sent me a wierd link today. I wrote to Sonny and asked him...he confirmed that it wasn't him and I thanked him.

Greatgooglymoogly! Be careful about duplicated e-mails...they're scams. We all have to be vigilant so that we don't get unwanted solicitations and viruses from these hijacked e-mail addresses and the links they support. And, you run the risk of, when you dump them into the "junk file", maybe not ever hearing from the legitimate e-mail holder again, if your computer program weeds them out from here on out.

Anyone got any ideas about this? Anyone been seriously affected by something such as this?

BE VIGILANT!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Sonny Martin (Matt White), August 16, 1976

2012-01-18T03:53:00.000-08:00

And we present to you another audio treasure, compliments of Wayne Moss- and remastered by Greg Barman! I may have mentioned that Greg had to do some physical and audio TLC on the old cassettes Wayne sent in for us to enjoy and lovingly, skillfully brought them back to life. This audio is partially 'scoped, possibly due to some tape repair and rescue, possibly for taping reasons, and it is a good copy for us to enjoy.

"Colonel Sonny Martin", as he calls himself on this morning broadcast, featured a detailed weather report, later airing the famous "Breakfast Serial"

He also read an ad for a store with citizen-band radios and accessoreies, as well as stereo equipment- remember the CB craze?

And Jerry Lewis was featured in a commercial for Muscular Dystrophy; I enjoyed the telethons over the years and they're NOT the same today- especially without Jerry Lewis.

Mitch Michaels read the news (with a humorous twist) in this portion; listen for the KAAY jingle just before the newscast!

Without further ado, enjoy this latest offering from Program Director Wayne Moss!

Thanks also go to Dave S. for his archive wizardry! Dave, this wouldn't be possible without folks like you and Greg!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Kudos To Dave Schmidt!

2012-01-16T05:32:00.000-08:00

Folks, Dave S. has been a real boon and blessing to us here on The Mighty 1090 KAAY Blogspot. Even though he wears many hats at work and has many demands on his time, he STILL finds the wherewithal to jump in and take care of the computer aspects of the blog. Notice the new look? I'm not a computer whiz- never have been and, due to my own lack of time and heavy work loads over the years, I've not taken any more time than to be a computer operator. I am in awe of those who are fortunate enough to be able to absorb and utilize skills, ANY skills...and in Dave's case, who are willing to come alongside and help make a beloved thing all the better! There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes of this blog many of us are not aware of (well, that's true in anything, isn't it?), and Dave makes it all look easy!

All of us have specific talents and gifts...and it is a wonderful thing when gifted people can come together on a particular matter and make it better for others of like mindedness. Look at the wide appeal KAAY had for so many people! Not only in the U.S.A., but outside the country as well...and we, along with others, have the opportunity and privelege to bring it to YOU, dear reader and enthusiast!

I'll paraphrase the great David B. Treadway, currently still the Voice of Arkansas over on US 97: Whoever's on the mic gets all the praise or all the blame, no matter the circumstances (or something like that). Well, most of my siglines might be on these posts, but there is a bevy of folks supporting this blog, of whom I'd like to share the praise. It may be in technical ways, it may be in contributing stories and anecdotes or materials and audio, but rest assured that it is a group effort. Without folks like Dave, this blog would be much more plain and kludgey.

Hats off to you, Dave! Keep up the great work!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

A Gift From David B. Treadway

2012-01-12T05:14:00.000-08:00

I think I'm suffering from some sort of "daddy disease", "no time disease" or "getting older disease"...I INTEND on doing something, but I either get called away to let the cat out, take out the trash or help with homework, or I just plain put it to the side for the morning, or when I get more time, or I just temporarily misplace it in a pile...ever have that problem?

Well, I must admit to all the above...and I hope I have not done him a dis-service, but The Great David B. Treadway sent me along one of the elusive KAAY belt buckles and an equally great story:

"Dear Bud,

Here is the artifact I referred to a few months back, the one that kept hiding from me whenever I tried to find it and give it to you. (Sounds familiar! bs)

The KAAY belt buckle dates from about 1976 and is based on a billboard campaign that was probably one of the last promotions Pat Walsh had a hand in before he was replaced as General Manager.

I don't remember if these were made available to the public or were reserved for staff members, but they are pretty rare in any case. This was my second one, as Sonny Martin III (Matt White) talked me out oif my original one- belt and all- one night at a huge outdoor concert in a field twenty miles south of Little Rock. Some pretty girl had talked him out of his, belt and all, and he wanted his jeans to stay up when he went back onstage.

This rightfully belongs to you in recognition of all your tireless efforts on behalf of the KAAY legacy and legend. Wear it in robust health or frame it and hang it. Either way, you will find it indestructable.

And now, by the ancient and mystical powers invested in me by the Mighty 1090 Skywave, and with my right hand upon the RCA Transmitter Of Glory, I do hereby adopt and sponsor you into the KAAY Family Of The Air, with all rights, respect and privileges appertaining thereunto, should they ever materialize. Witness my ham and steel on this Second Day of August, Two Thousand Eleven, it now being Dang Near The Fiftieth Year Since The Baby Elephant Walked. So help me, Clyde.

Very Truly Yours,

David B. Treadway
Doc Holiday VII
The Last P.D.
Etc., etc."

By gosh, when I got this in the mail, I was moved to tears...you have to know David B., he has a heart as gold, as big as Arkansas doubled.

I have struggled with different backgrounds, different lighting, different flashes and I can only get an almost-in-focus picture. The only thing I haven't done is get my old Pentax K1000 SLR and went though the lengthy process of transferring film to digital. Nonetheless, here is the best picture I could muster under many conditions. The only thing I haven't tried is natural light...maybe I should? I must apologize, I couldn't do it justice. I'll try for a better picture later, but I did NOT want to delay it any longer...here is The Belt Buckle:

(enhanced by Jim Cleveland- thanks!)

Thank you, David, from the bottom of my heart!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Comments That Hit You "Right There"....

2012-01-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

Dave S. did a compilation of comments a couple of posts ago...and then, I checked in today and found a comment that hit me "right there". You know, dear reader, we take a LOT for granted...the we live in a (mostly?) free country, can come & go as we please, have plenty to eat, plenty of heat and air conditioning, plenty of everything (hence, the name "Land of Plenty)...but what about those folks who don't have any, or very little, freedom?

I was talking with Wayne Moss about a week ago about the country of Cuba, where just listening to anything but that country's radio (socialist in nature) gets one put in jail or prison. Such is the fate of many people in other such countries. We're pretty moderate, shockingly so, judging by the content of our radio and TV....in my opinion, some of the producers and programmers ought to be jailed for the content of our shows....

Nonetheless, there are those brave souls who somehow mailed KAAY and other stations to let them know how much they appreciated them. The following is one such comment we received January 6, 2012:

"Lora said...
Thank you soooooo much for sharing all this goodies with the world. It bring back so many memories of friends, places and lovers :).

Lots of stories listening Beaker Street!!

Thank you, thank you,thank you. Gonna send the link to my brother and some of my old friends, they will really enjoy your blog.

By the way I'm from Cuba,listening to KAAY as well as WQAM cost to end in jail to many of the young people from my generation, but we did it no matter what :)(It look funny now but was very sad.)Happy New Year and keep your blog growing.Thank you again."

So, remember how good we got it....

Lora, you and your brother and friends please visit often and please give us a few stories about listening to KAAY...such as, how did you hide the radios and such?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

O'Brian on KAAY, February 1974

2012-01-09T04:16:00.000-08:00

Steve Morris' best friend in radio was Mike Verdicchio, or "O'Brian" as he was known on KAAY. Steve and Mike worked together in radio...well, let me allow Steve tell you a bit of the story:

"O'Brian (and Farley Kunckles, a charactor voice) went to KAAY in early 1974 from Panama City, Fla (WDLP) (where) he was program director. He hired me from WBSR in Pensacola to do morning drive. Wayne Moss asked me to send an air-check to KAAY, but I didn't have the 1st Class FCC ticket I needed to do Beaker Street from the transmitter site. Mike Verdicchio (O'Brian) did. He got the job. I took over as P.D. @ WDLP, & Mike was off to the big KAAY!! He did Beaker Street for a few months and then 'Don Marcus' took Beaker Sreet and O'Brian moved into town to do 8-11pm. O'Brian (Mike Verdicchio) left to go to KLZ-FM in Denver, and I inherited the 8-11pm slot from downtown. Marcus stayed for a few months at Beaker St. & left to go to Tucson, enter 'Ken Knight' (Bill Jackson) from Joplin, MO to do Beaker Street.

I remember his (O'Brian's) last night on-the-air. His fictitious character voice ('Farley Knuckles'), jumped off of the Arkansas River bridge. When Mike 'found out' he got up and walked out while he was on-the-air!! (of course I was there to take over for him). That happened on a Friday evening & Monday afternoon the phones started going crazy!!!"

Thanks, Steve! Folks, you'll hear some of that 8-11 PM shift right here with "O'Brian" at the mic...and it sounded as if he had fun with it! Unscoped, featuring Top 40 from the early 1970 era, sounding like it was pretty much off the deck. Greg Barman cleaned it up a little for our enjoyment; Dave S. again works his linkage wizardry for us to tap right in. And before I forget, this is another donation by Wayne Moss- thanks to you all, guys!

And now, without further ado: O'Brian on KAAY!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Comments that you've submitted...

2012-01-07T14:47:00.000-08:00

Many of the postings in this blog receive comments. It's not always easy for a reader to see which postings get comments when, so as a kind of "public service", I have extracted from the blog's server a summary of recently posted comments and formatted it so that it can be posted here.

You'll see that comments sometimes appear for a story that was posted long ago, and you'll also see comments that in themselves are so interesting that they make you want to reread the original post! You can find a story on this blog, no matter how old, by typing its title into the Search box at the top left corner of the page. You'll get in return the story and all its attached comments. Or, try looking for the story in the "Blog Archive" list" in the right column over here ==>

So, I will get rid of the "comments backlog" by posting two lists here, which roughly correspond to comments submitted last month and the month before. Click on each list to see the full-size version. I'll post more such lists as needed.

I hope this helps you enjoy the blog a little more....

Happy New Year,
Dave S.

"Ladies And Gentlemen: Steve Scott!"

2012-01-05T03:53:00.000-08:00

After the holidays (barely), I had the great honor of meeting "Steve Scott" (Steve Morris) on January 2, 2012! I was on call for work over the New Years' holiday and had to rush out of work to meet Steve. My best friend David met us as well, since we all had the same interests (Ham radio, KAAY) and David got the chance to meet one of The Greats of KAAY, as well!

It was a beautiful day, albeit a little windy and cool, but we had a blast. We met about halfway, since Steve lives on one end of the county and I live on the other end- David, the lucky soul, lives just five minutes away from our agreed-upon meeting point....!

The picture was taken by David; you can see my "rolling Ham shack" (my truck) sporting its antennas. By the way, Steve is a Ham, as well and operates exclusively CW (Morse Code), from his days in the Navy.

We all had a great time! I'll be meeting with Steve from time to time, since we live reasonably close to one another.

Thank you, Steve!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

A New Book! Link To George Jennings

2012-01-04T03:41:00.000-08:00

Folks, I have heard from Vicki, who is the editor of San Antonio Radio Memories:

"Bud

I have been enjoying your 1090 blog/website for some time. Keep up the good work. I started working as an editor on a project a few years ago that involved San Antonio Radio. The result is a book called: San Antonio Radio Memories. There is a connection to KAAY. George Jennings is mentioned in the book. Besides air personalities, the book contains a number of technical/engineering stories. ALL profits from the book go for scholarships and/or to charity.

There is also a website that contains both stories and audio from San Antonio Radio:

www.sanantonioradiomemories.com

Material on the website is different than what is contained in the book.

The photo and the audio of George Jennings on the current website came via A. J. Lindsey. The story in the book is a gathering from the stories that got told at George's Memorial gathering. The book is available at: Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com It can also be ordered from most bookstores. Pricing of the book is $19.95.

Paul Kirby (book and website contributer) tells me that he used to listen to KAAY during the long winter nights when he was a kid in Minnesota. He mentioned something about a jingle playing continually any time a DJ turned on the microphone. (If I remember correctly) He said the jingle went: K-A-A-Y One-Oh-Nine-Oh

Vicki
Editor - San Antonio Radio Memories"

Thank you, Vicki! If you go to the website mentioned above, scroll down and click on the link "George Jennings" and see the photo (cropped from original) and listen to the audio of George announcing the Kennedy assassination.

(You may have to copy and paste the link bs).

As Vicki mentioned, the proceeds go to good causes; please get your copy soon!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Beaker Street With Don Marcus, February 1974

2012-01-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

Well, howdy-do! Former Program Director Wayne Moss sent in a few airchecks, one in which you're about to hear! This is of the mysterious "Don Marcus", with the opening 44:11 of Beaker Street in February of 1972....and it is unscoped!

According to Steve Morris ("Steve Scott", 1972-74): "Don Marcus was a bit strange (as we all were). He was a very small guy with great long hair ala; 'Kenny G'. When he moved to Tucson, I moved into his apartment out by the U of A @ L.R. I inherited his telephone number, waterbed, furniture, etc. (back then when ya moved to another radio station, you never took more than you could carry in the trunk of your car). Of course he worked from 11pm 'till 5am...By virtue of his shift,(Marcus), he very seldom appeared at any KAAY functions."

(Does anybody remember his real name? Any history at all about him, please? bs)

Steve also remembers that maybe Wayne Moss hired Don Marcus from Kansas City "or somewhere like that"...I called Wayne later and he didn't know very much about him, it had been so long. Wayne told me that Don had left for a very lucrative offer in Arizona while Wayne was on vacation; Don had told Pat walsh that he couldn't pass on the offer and then left....

Steve also adds: "Don Marcus replaced O'Brian (Mike Verdicchio) on Beaker Street, O'Brian came downtown to do 8-11pm. When Marcus departed for Tucson, Ariz., Wayne hired Ken Knight (Bill Jackson) from Joplin, Mo., to do Beaker Street. Of course I took over 8-11pm from O'Brian when he left to go to KLZ-FM in Denver."

Wayne had several tapes with audio, others which you'll hear here at a later date; Greg Barman did the digital change-over and Dave Schmidt enacted the link for you. Greg passed along that one of the tapes' leaders broke as soon as he hit the deck's "Play" button...it was so old...but he was able to crack the case open, repair the leader and enact the transfer. The audio is basically untouched, except where there may have been some extra noise he tried to remove, or the addition of highs/lows for better listening- otherwise, the tapes are as you, dear listener, would have heard them over the air at the time of their broadcast!

Some tapes needed no cleaning up, however, and were obviously right off the audio chain....

As I've mentioned before, I don't like "digitally cold" recordings...if an over-the-air recording has a little fade, atmospheric crackle, etc., I prefer to have it left alone, because it brings back that warm, nostalgic "feel" of having been there as a kid listening to KAAY- or any other station, for that matter.

My thanks to Wayne Moss for his contributions; to Greg Barman for his audio technicality and drive; to Dave S. for his linkage; and everyone's willingness to put up with my eccentricities in getting all this right for you, dear reader and listener, so that YOUR enjoyment is fulfilled!

Now: "Greetings, QSLers! This is KAAY, Little Rock!" Lou Reed, Suzie Quatro, Slade, Alice Cooper and more artists await your ear, as well as an ad for The Warehouse on February 23, 24 and 25 with loads of artists- enjoy!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-31T00:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Folks, we are very fortunate to have Dave Schmidt along to take care of the technical aspects of this blog- he has attached the Beaker Street New Year's audio we have posted last year on the right-hand tool bar...to my knowledge, this is the ONLY New Year's Eve audio we have from ANY part of any December 31st. If I am mistaken, someone please set me right...and if anyone has ANY other New Year's (or ANY holiday) audio, please contact me at the e-mail address below....

In the meantime, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope that 2012 is very, very prosperous for you, dear reader, and that good health is yours all though the year!

Bud S. (STACEYS4@HOTMAIL.COM)

Ken Reitz's New Book

2011-12-30T12:29:00.000-08:00

"Hi Bud --

Hope the New Year goes well for you and all the KAAY fans! I wanted to let you know about a Kindle eBook I just published, some of which might be of interest to your readers.

It's called “How to Listen to the World” and it's an introduction to shortwave listening, amateur radio, Free-to-Air satellite TV/radio, AM-FM DX, Internet radio and the new phenomenon of cord-cutting; getting off the addiction to cable and satellite-TV. Much of the material is from columns and feature articles I wrote over the last two years for Monitoring Times. Each section has been updated to include the latest information available with over 100 links to the most important websites for each topic. Previously unpublished material has also been added to give the reader a fuller understanding of each topic. Kindle e-books can be read on any e-reader, laptop, desktop, or smartphone. I also have a feature article in the January issue called, "Who's Killing AM Radio? (And, why isn't it dead yet?). And, in the February issue will be a feature by our AM/FM radio columnist Doug Smith W9WI on DXing the AM band called, "AM DX: An Old Service Yields New Thrills." Best wishes to all for a great New Year. -- Ken KS4ZR

--
Ken Reitz, Features Editor
Monitoring Times

"How to Listen to the World"
A Kindle e-Book"

Folks, Ken is a fan and supporter of this blog and is a great writer. Please take advantage of this new publication offer at this link:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Listen-World-ebook/dp/B006H3MQPQ/ref%3dsr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1323192308&sr=1-1

Thank you Ken!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Dave Montgomery's Portable Radio...!

2011-12-30T08:35:00.000-08:00

Here's what a portable radio looked like in the early days!

Happy New Year, all!

DM

Washington, D.C., circa 1924. "Brent Daniel, formerly of the Radio Laboratory of the Bureau of Standards at Washington, with the first portable Super-Heterodyne, his own design. The seven vacuum tubes, batteries, loop antenna, loudspeaker and other necessary units are completely self-contained in the carrying case. He has been able to hear Pacific Coast stations from this outfit."

Photo and story Credit: www.shorpy.com

"The Mighty 1090 Gave Arkansas To North America"

2011-12-30T01:35:00.000-08:00

Greg Barman just reminded me of a great article from the Arkansas Business magazine...and I think we visited it a long time ago, but it bears revisiting...as per Greg's e-mail from the website:

"The 20 Arkansas Icons feature was part of the 20th Anniversary edition of the Arkansas Business magazine, and since they began in 1984 this probably appeared in 2004. The Icons were supposed to "be recognized as representative of the state even by non-Arkansans - people, institutions and phenomena that are uniquely Arkansas." So KAAY is among icons such as Bill Clinton, Billy Bob Thornton, Central High School, Wal-Mart, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Access to this link is still free, even though much of the magazine is behind a paywall. So check this out while you still can."

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/20/icon_article.asp?articleID=19

Good reading! I'd used a bit of this information myself when I wrote my entry into the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Please visit this site as soon as you can, while you still can!

Kudos to Greg Barman for alerting us!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Music Is Still Alive On AM!

2011-12-29T11:59:00.000-08:00

Even a blind pig can find an acorn once in awhile...and as I twiddle the AM dial, every now and then, I find something interesting! This time, it was "All Blues Saturday" on WDIA, 1070 on the dial, from Memphis, TN:

www.mywdia.com

I happened to tune in very early (5:18 Central) Saturday morning and found them, before they faded into the gray line. Yes, I grew up on a farm and still have that "early rise" habit, even on my days off. In fact, my body clock STILL hasn't adjusted to this latest time change; I regularly wake up right around 4:00 AM most mornings. I need to make better use of that time....

Another I found late at night when I got called back in to work was WCNZ,"The Avenue" (www.avenuefla.com) 1660 AM on Marco Island, FL...great mix of jazz, early rock, easy listening and such. I heard it with a GREAT signal over a closer station in Chipley, FL.

Nonetheless, AM isn't totally populated with sports and talk...root around and see what's out there after dark and early in the morning!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

(as an addendum, a reader left the following comment:"KMOX AM 1120 plays music on Saturday nights from 8pm-1am provided there is not a Cardinals game or St. Louis blues hockey. Sometimes the music will start at around 9 or 10, just depends on the sports schedule."

I'd mentioned KMOX's Johnny Rabbitt's music show, "Route 66" that I'd mentioned in a post long ago, regarding a review on a little radio I'd done. "Route 66" gets pre-empted a lot by sports. Good reminder, thanks for the catch! bs)

NEW YEAR'S EVE,1993, WITH "WOLFMAN JACK" !

2011-12-29T07:14:00.000-08:00

Thursday, December 29, 2011
TO ALL MY BIG K FRIENDS...

AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE, THE LEGENDARY "WOLFMAN JACK" GAVE ME A SURPRISE PHONE CALL on New Year's Eve, 1993, when I was doing my show on JUKE BOX 96 Radio/St. Louis.

I've saved this audio in my Personal Archive's for all these years...and now, as a Special New Year's Gift, I want to share it with you. Just click-on here or paste it in your browser to listen:
http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage25.html

... and be sure to pass this link onto a friend right now so they can hear it too:

BECAUSE I've re-mastered the Audio so you can "CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN" with the Guess Who ! ENJOY !

AND,A VERY Happy New Year to all of you ! God Bless & Thanks for making 2011 our best year ever !!

Your friend,

Jonnie King www.jonnieking.net

Jim Cleveland's Firestone R-3121 Radio

2011-12-28T01:08:00.000-08:00

"Hi Bud,

I have noted that you have a keen interest in old radios, so I thought I would pass this one along.

An elderly lady, who had lived and worked in San Antonio, had retired and was living in Arkansas. She happened to have been acquainted with my mother. When she passed away in 1976, at the age of ninety three, she left me this old Firestone push-button radio. I have no idea how old it is. The electric cord had deteriorated, so I replaced it. I plugged it in, turned it on, and to my surprise the tubes were still good, and to this day, it still works! I have included a close up photo showing the push buttons and call letters of the radio stations that they were programmed to— KTSA, KPRC, WOAI, KONO and KABC. The lettering on the back read R-312. Hopefully, you or someone can determine the age of this radio.

Thank you and best regards!

Jim Cleveland"

Thank you, Jim! Jim later found the radio on radiomuseum.org and it is listed as "1938?"

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/firestone_r_3121.html

I love beautiful old radios...thank you, Jim!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Merry Christmas, 2011

2011-12-25T01:42:00.000-08:00

Dear reader and visitor, I apologize that I have no Christmas audio this year for you to enjoy, as we had last year...so many things kept getting in the way...however, if you'd like to listen to Greg Barman's great compilation of audio we'd gathered from various KAAY personnel, et. al., here is the link (just in case you missed the great insert on the right toolbar, compliments of Dave S.):

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-greetings-from-kaay-jocks.html

All are still with us, except for Jerry Sims...he will live on in these pages and audio for as long as this blog is alive....

To all my friends, far and near, who visit and support this blog...may this season find you blessed and fortunate, in good health and with sufficient means for good life, that all is well with you and that many, many years of happiness and peace are before you. Celebrate this season with love, the greatest gift of all....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Wayne Moss: The Best Christmas Wish

2011-12-24T02:14:00.000-08:00

Good folks, I had an interesting conversation with Wayne Moss several months ago and thought it was appropriate to post this portion of said conversation now. Wayne mentioned that the best Christmas wish he'd ever gotten involved with was coats for needy kids about ten years old or about the fourth grade. Well, these kids truly needed warm coats, so they (folks of KAAY) took them to a clothing store. Funny how kids back then thought (certainly not like a lot of kids today)- they didn't go for the fancy coats, or the best coats...they picked very humble coats. As if they didn't want to stand out or didn't want a good coat. As if they thought they didn't deserve such. Nonetheless, the kids were encouraged to pick very adequate coats for their needs, against the cold Arkansas winter.....and they got them, due to KAAY staffers' insistance.

Even more touching was, when KAAY expressed a need for children during this season (remember the Toys For Tots program mentioned on this and A.J. Lindsey's blog?), how folks stepped forward and practically shoved money at the radio station to buy toys, clothing and other goods. Wayne mentioned that thay had so much money to spend, that it was amazing, that it was so wonderful how people actually GAVE. The problem was, when they (the KAAY staff) got to different stores, the vendors would not take the money when they found out what it was for! They offered many things, loading up the staff and refused the money. Wayne said he and the staff argued, begged and pleaded with the store personnel and owners to please take the money, they HAD to spend it, but were refused by all.

What a wonderful problem to have, yes? Wayne said they finally spent the money on behalf of the kids, but was amazed at the generosity of the public.

Would it always be so....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

THE 2011 CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY FILM LIST !

2011-12-23T13:26:00.000-08:00

THERE'S STILL TIME !

Yes, my 2011 Christmas & Holiday Film List is OnLine for all to see !

Last minute gift wrapping, finishing up them good Christmas cookies, still have a few cards you didn't send out yet ?

Whatever you're doing, you can watch these over the weekend...and even next week, 'cause they're all cool and you'll miss a few that you'll need to catch-up with !

As usual, it's an eclectic list of some you know, some you've never heard of, and some that are so good that you'll want to make sure you watch 'em again next year.

Just go to the Front Page of my WebSite and you'll see the Link there: http://www.jonnieking.net/

A Merry Christmas to All...And, to All a Good Nite ! God Bless us...Everyone !

Jonnie King

Goodies From Lee Frank!

2011-12-23T03:31:00.000-08:00

Newsman Lee Frank sent along a couple of things to share with you, dear reader and visitor! The first picture is that of a KAAY windbreaker, circa mid-1970s! It is in very good shape, just a slight stain on the front. Sturdily-made, it has snap front pockets around the bottom front. So well-made, one wouldn't mind wearing it even today! However, as this is another rare artifact Lee donated for the blog, it will certainly be kept in storage and not worn...

However, I couldn't resist trying on the cap he sent along with the jacket- and it fit my big ol' head!

The foam backing is crumbling slightly, but the cap is in very good shape, as well!

Lee found these items in his basement, if I recall, and alerted me by e-mail that it was in the way. I apologize for not sharing it sooner, Lee..."life" and a full SIM card in the camera (due to my daughter!) kept getting in the way!

Again, we are fortunate to experience these memorabilia from Lee Frank...Thanks, Lee!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"Engineer's Night Before Christmas" from Jim Bodine

2011-12-22T15:37:00.000-08:00

Thought you'd get a kick out of this, if you haven't already seen it, Bud. Merry Christmas for the folks who haven't seen it before…

The Engineer's Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and I had finally gotten home
When my Wife met me at the door and handed me the phone.
"It's that darn remote control thing" she said in great dismay
And the Burk doesn't call simply to say Happy Holiday.

So while my children were hanging the stockings by the chimney with care
I'm preoccupied trying to get the transmitter back on the air.
"ON filaments, ON plate, NO output? You stupid ____""
Recycle, RESET, Overload? I'm fixen ----!!"

Regaining my composure to notice my Daughter's staring face
Asking "Daddy - do you HAVE to go to that transmitter place??"
"Yes Honey", I said "But it won't be for long"
Hoping deep down inside that I wasn't wrong.

So out I trudged into the cold winter's night
To the world's most remote tower site.
Driving past all the houses, lit up with holiday glee
Feeling sorry for myself -- and asking why me ??

But as I got closer my heart was feeling some lighter
When all of a sudden -- I started hearing the EXCITER!
"Powr Supply"! I thought ... "surely it's not the final"
My heart's racing now, anticipating my arrival.

With schematic after schematic dancing in my head
"what if the plate transformer's shorted dead"??
Throwing open the gate and running into the shack
I start to tackle the problem and race around the back

Where much to my amazement what did I see ??
A half open back door door --- apparently not shut good --- BY ME !!
So as I return to my cottage after a night so tiring,
I'm wondering if perhaps McDonald's is hiring !

Then I think "What a profession --- I could never leave"
After all, I've got maintenance scheduled for NEW YEARS'S EVE !!

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!

More Goodies From Richard Robinson

2011-12-20T03:11:00.000-08:00

Here is a copy of Richard's dissertation (parts of which he's shared with us here on this blog). I tried several times with my digital camera to get a clean picture, but the gold lettering glistened so well....

I literally ate this dissertation in a huge gulp! Richard told me, in his humble way, that he thought I might be bored with it- that it repeated several things over a time or three, but I found it fascinating! I blasted through it, devouring it page by page..and the appendices in the rear- oh. boy! Picture after picture, copy after copy of letters, documents, etc.! There was even a letter to Clyde Clifford from a police department near New Orleans, LA who mentioned that they listened in and were big fans- and that if he ever got caught speeding in their district, that particular letter was literally his "get out of jail free card"!

It was so much fun reading it, I literally forgot to get dressed!

OOPS! Where was my shirt????

Thank you, Richard!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Goodies To Share From Richard Robinson

2011-12-16T03:02:00.000-08:00

Folks, I am so blessed and fortunate with how so many people want to share the wonderful history of KAAY with you and I! Richard Robinson sent along a few goods for us to enjoy and I'd like to share them here with you....

No, I didn't peel-n-stick this now-rare bumper sticker on my 1969 GMC pick-up truck- I left the backing on and used painter's tape! It would have been ruined by the time I got to the end of my dirt road...it promptly went back into storage!!!

Hey, how about that cool pen and case? Richard's father-in-law Eddie Graham gave him this, after he was put into sales. Some of you may or may not remember, but Eddie Graham was a long-time studio engineer who was put into sales- reluctantly, on his part- and who did a wonderful job in that position, according to everyone who commented on his salesmanship. This was a pen and case set that KAAY gave to their customers. I just wish the picture would give justice to that precision pen....

More to come! Thanks, Richard!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

My Old Green Zenith

2011-12-15T14:18:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned my old green Zenith tube table radio before on the blog...the one that glowed in the dark and I listened all over the country on the AM broadcast band. Well, to my best recollection, here is one nearly like it, but this one has FM on it, too. I didn't remember FM....mine was AM only, but the similar models I've found have not been in this color green, and mine was definitely this color and AM only. It also had "Zenith" where the FM numbering is on this '725.

This one is a 1951 model, a Zenith H725Z1. I would dearly love to have another one, in the same green color, but I'll take any of the "725" (or closely-related) models, which were a variety of colors.

I'm getting more and more into refurbishing- not restoration- since many of the old-stock parts are no longer available, but the new, more-available parts are SO much better. Some folks go to the "nth degree' and hollow out the old cardboard capacitors and stuff the newer, smaller caps inside, then put them back in place. Nice, if you have the time!

I have so much to do, that if St. Peter will let me take them to Heaven with me, I'll have to do it just to finish all I have currently. I haven't shown 1/10 of my collection here yet, but I'll sneak one or two in here at times.

I have several projects going at a time...one, a 1953 +/- Johnson Viking II Transmitter, ready to start testing...a late 1940's Hallicrafters S-38C needing just a few caps to finish (it already works, but has some marginal wax caps just waiting to pop!) and a Monarch classic 5-tube receiever needing a little TLC, just to start. Time is a premium, however. I was discussing the lack of time with a fellow Ham the other day...I mentioned that when I was a kid, the hands on a clock would barely budge, but now that I'm older, those same hands look like a fan!

Enough running on...needless to say, there's always room for one more radio....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

An Interesting Beaker Street Question

2011-12-14T08:34:00.000-08:00

Jim Lister sent me an e-mail this morning:

"Do you have any info about a radio drama - possibly BBC Sherlock Holmes drama - with a cameo appearance by Clyde Clifford. If I remember correctly - somebody knocked on the door to 221b Baker Street and it opened to Clyde doing an Beaker Street Air Check - and someone said Baker Street not Beaker Street..."

I have sent Clyde an inquiry about this. An interesting question, to be sure. Anybody have any idea about this, please?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY Union Bank Ad

2011-12-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

Heritage Highlights with Bob Barton presented some interesting history in this latest ad from Barry Mac. It's not often these days to hear some interesting ads like this...it is always ramped up, yelling, all sliders to the max, making us turn that volume down. But this, this is an interesting ad!

(Or download from the archive page.)

Thanks again to Barry Mac for sharing this little tidbit of aural history! And thanks to Dave S. for the archiving of these important historical audio tracks!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Don Payne Remembered

2011-12-12T03:57:00.000-08:00

Today is the one-year anniversary of Don's passing into Eternety. I think of Don often, always fondly. Don was one of those people who had it both ways: he was an engineer and had the talent to be behind the mic as well! He always had fun at everything he did and it showed in his performance and everything he did!

Please, we are STILL searching for any airchecks of Don at KAAY, particularly when he was running Beaker Street, since he was the last regular deejay to run the program. A Beaker Street aircheck of Don would be absolute GOLD for us here on the blog!

Thank you, Don, for enriching our lives!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Unrelated, But Relevant: Harry Morgan

2011-12-11T16:52:00.000-08:00

Right next to my favorite show WKRP is that of M*A*S*H; I let one of the most beloved of the show's death pass right by me in my busy workaday world...Harry Morgan, "Colonel Sherman T. Potter" passed away on Dec. 7, 2011.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/dec/08/harry-morgan?intcmp=239

Me TV will be airing a M*A*S*H marathon the week of 12/12/11 in rememberance of Harry Morgan:

http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/index.php/2011/12/08/metv-celebrating-harry-morgan-with-mash-marathon/

M*A*S*H was a hit all over the country, but expecially to me, since having been a local civilian Paramedic so many years ago. Like the show, but in civilian life, we experienced wild, unbelievable work conditions and have blown off steam at times, much like those characters. Yes, some of us were even shot at, attacked, beat up and the like in our duties to help preserve life; other times, shattering emotions gripped us after a particularly bad scene.

Harry Morgan's character Colonel Potter was an anchor in such times; we all needed an anchor in the real world, as well. Even so, us in the civilian sector could find humor in most things, in a warped sort of way. Colonel Potter was one of those "regular Army-types" who could bend enough with his troops and still keep control and morale within guidelines.

So, with M*A*S*H ending, but living on in syndication, so will Harry Morgan.

We'll keep watching, Harry....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY November 20, 1969, with Ron Owens, Part 2!

2011-12-09T04:17:00.000-08:00

Here is the second part of the recording perviously posted. The song it opens with ("Echo Park") and ended with in the last post is heart-wrenching....here are the lyrics:

"It's the morning
Soon, he'll rise
Finds the glasses for his eyes
Aren't what they used to be

Picks up the clothes
He's worn so long
On the bureau sits
The picture of a lady
And the mural of a man
Who've been gone for many years

(CHORUS)
The old man walks in Echo Park
From bench to bench he moves
From morning til dark
For the ducks
Some bread he brings
Wonder if he'll feed them
This time next spring

Listening to the children play
Reminds him of the days
Many years ago

Thoughts of a child
That he helped grow
And memory of a letter
Saying, dear Sir
We regret to inform you
Your son will not be coming home

(CHORUS)
Old man, tell me are there fears
Do you measure life in years
Or is one day all you'll ever know

Oh, oh, oh...

The old man walks in Echo Park
From bench to bench he moves
From morning til dark

The old man walks in Echo Park
From bench to bench he moves..."

Ron Owens must have been in a "park" sort of mood, because he played "Cherry Hill Park" later....

There is a great newscast on this recording, consisting of some memorable historical moments.

Can anyone tell us the time in which Walt Sadler (as "Ron Owens") worked at KAAY? I've searched what records we have and I've been unable to come up with his years of tenure...

"Congratulations! You have picked a winner! KAAY, Little Rock, AR. Presenting Ron Owens, one of KAAY's Fun Fall Guys!" (Who was that announcer, please?)

(or download from the archive page)

Again, compliments of Russell Wells' collection and audio expertise of Dave S.!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

My Last Autographed Poster: "Beat Rice!"

2011-12-08T03:44:00.000-08:00

And here it is folks, the last one, signed by "Sonny Martin II" himself, my friend Jerry Sims.

Thank you, Jerry, it was a pleasure to be your friend and to receive these signed posters.

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

December 7, 1941, "A Date That Will Live In Infamy"

2011-12-07T04:53:00.000-08:00

Two thousand, three hundred and ninety lives were lost in this attack on American soil. My father-in-law had survived, thankfully. There have been other attacks on our soil as well- many evoking the same emotions of rage and sorrow. Unfortunately, those emotions die and we go about our daily existence....

Please do not forget...remember...and thank those WWII vets who were there, their ranks are dwindling every day.

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY November 20, 1969, with Ron Owens Part 1!

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here's Ron Owens! This was Walt Sadler, who was a newsman at KAAY, as well. You can tell he has fun while on the air. Jerry Sims, the 2nd "Sonny Martin" mentioned Walt a lot in his posts and said that Walt probably had the best natural voice in the business. There's a KTHV advertisement near the beginning and all through the recording, it is unscoped...which many of us love! It gives us a wonderful sense of "being there" once again....

Bill Edwards was the newsman on this audio offering, about 10:00 into the recording. Also, several interesting classic commercials are interspersed throughout.

About 15:00 into the recording, it sounds like Gary Gears announcing Ron Owens...can anyone substantiate this?

Apparently, this is right off studio tape; you can hear a little warble here and there. Russell Wells had obtained some of these recordings from Pat Walsh years ago.

If you've heard parts of this recording before, it was probably on A.J. Lindsey's blog; I think this may be the link:

http://kaay1090.blogspot.com/2006/07/ron-owens-aka-walt-sadler.html

Regardless, here is the full version sent to us to enjoy by Russell:

(or download from the archive page)

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Ron Owens on this date of recording, compliments of Russell Wells and Dave S.!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY, Broadcasting Magazine, Sept. 17, 1962

2011-12-04T04:46:00.000-08:00

Here is a clipping I found on line awhile back, touting the sale of KTHS to LIN Broadcasting Inc. back in 1962. I can't remember if I'd ever seen this before, so I thought I'd bring this little historical tidbet to the blog for all to enjoy!

I think they may have meant "Rob" instead of "Ron" Robbins...?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"Beat OSU!" Autographed Poster

2011-12-03T03:39:00.000-08:00

I think Jerry Sims, "Sonny Martin II" was as thrilled at autographing these posters as I was to receive them! That last day, when he dropped me off at the hotel, I whipped out a Sharpie and asked him and he said, "Lay 'em out!"

One day, I'll have these sleeved or framed...but until then, I am happy to share them with you, dear reader!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

A Complete Silver Dollar Survey, July 29, 1963

2011-12-01T04:31:00.000-08:00

If memory serves me correctly, we've been able to find a couple of these with one edge cut off. I found this complete one recently and thought I'd share it with you! From left to right, there's Doc Holiday (A.J. Lindsey), Mike McCormick (Jim Hankins), Sonny Martin (Wayne Moss), Buddy Karr (Tom Bigby in 1963?), Rob Robbins (Tom Campbell in 1963?) and Ken Knight (Howard Watson). Some of the names changed in later years and I don't have a concrete clear history on Tom Bigby or Tom Campbell, except that they were "There" in 1962....

Any corrections, please? I hope you enjoy these little bits of history we're able to dig up and post here!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY April 2, 1969, with Rob Robbins, in for Ken Knight!

2011-11-29T03:26:00.000-08:00

Here is an unusual recording, one of a "Robbins"...the name got passed around a lot with "Rock", "Bob", etc. all during KAAY's early years...and this one is "Rob Robbins" in for Ken Knight (who was Jerry Don Pitcock then). Does anyone know who this particular Robbins was? It's too late for Tom Campbell and I think too early for Bob Spears, who became "Bob Robbins" in the early 1970s, and still is.

You know that the folks at KAAY always had a lot of fun...just listen to when "Rob" announced his own show, "The Big Rob Robbins Show: at about 8:50 into the recording and got a long drawn out "boooooo!" from someone! Communications Exchange News was reported by Rob Robbins at the beginning and by Clyde Clifford at the end of this recording.

This is a relatively short recording, due to the 'scoping. Thanks to Russell Wells for this contribution and to Dave S. for his audio help!

(or download from the archive page)

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Comments From A Reader

2011-11-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

This is a comment I thought would be nice to repeat, even though it was added on as a comment on the 9/28/11 post, "KAAY June 5, 1968 With Rock Robbins". It is in regard to a "shout out" to Ross Douglass during the aircheck attached to the post. Well, Doug Ward checked in and left this comment:

"Greetings from a grandson of Ross Douglass and thanks for this post. I've been reading the KAAY blogs periodically, and it was an unexpected pleasure to see my Grandad mention here, however briefly. Many thanks the KAAY alumni who contribute to this blog.

I'd like to mention that Ross Douglass was a WWII veteran in the Pacific theatre aboard the USS Watts as a radio operator. When he returned home, he was an avid amateur radio operator, and I have a box full of QSL cards he received when he enjoyed that hobby.

I'm not a ham myself, but I wish you all: 73s!

Doug Ward
Beebe, Ark."

Isn't it a small world? These are great, intimate comments we like to see. A young man who listens and contributes to KAAY, and later the grandson who reads about him and comments on the blog- what a connection!

Some may think this is trivial, but not me. Thank you, Doug Ward! We'd love to see a picture or two of a couple of your grandad's favorite or most memorable QSL(s).

Bud S., KC4HGH (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T02:28:00.000-08:00

Here's hoping you all have a restful, peaceful Thanksgiving. Please remember that this isn't just a holiday- it was a day of celebration many, many years ago for a group of people, looking to live in a free land and their giving thanks for surviving in the wilderness of this new land.

In the past, we've posted this audio; please click the link, listen and give thanks:

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/2010/11/this-is-thanksgiving-1962.html

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"Beat Houston!" Autographed Poster

2011-11-23T03:29:00.000-08:00

Now, I know the late Texas football fan George Jennings and the 3rd "Sonny Martin" (Matt White) had a running feud in the morning time slot, which sounded pretty serious at times...just listen to some of the airchecks posted here. But, no, dear reader, this poster was autographed by the second "Sonny Martin", Jerry Sims! Jerry never mentioned anything about he and George batting anything around regarding football...that probably wasn't thought of at the time.

Nonetheless, enjoy this little bit of history! I'm sure glad Pat Walsh had these printed...they have lasted for many, many years!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Scott Charton Checks In!

2011-11-22T09:04:00.000-08:00

Howdy do! What a rush to hear from another Great of KAAY! Here's Scott's e-mail below:

"Dear Bud,

I came across your search message through a Google alert today. It’s very kind of you to think of me. I’m not lost – just mis-placed!

I worked in news at KAAY in 1981-82, before joining the Associated Press as a reporter. My KAAY-KLPQ stint included the innovative "Trimulcast," when the AM-FM morning show was carried live on Storer cable TV. I retired from AP in 2005 after serving in the Arkansas and Missouri bureaus and as a roving correspondent, specializing in politics, government and features. From AP I became director of communications for the four-campus University of Missouri System, advising the UM president and the system’s governing Board of Curators. The University of Missouri-Columbia is proud home of the world’s oldest School of Journalism. Since 2005, I have been CEO of Charton Communications, a media consulting firm based in Columbia, Mo., and handling communications for corporations and statewide ballot issue campaigns. After all this time, I still get the biggest kick out of the affectionate “KAAY-was-the-soundtrack-of-my-youth” memories expressed by folks from Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and other Midwestern states about the 50,000-watt giant. I’d love to hear from old radio friends, at chartonconsulting@yahoo.com

I haven’t visited with Brian Chase in many years, but after KAAY he did mornings in New Orleans, and I believe he is now running http://www.morningprepdaily.com/ out of Las Vegas, providing materials for morning shows across the nation.

It’s also been many years since I’ve seen or heard from Dr. Grady Brock, one of the all-time great personalities. I had the honor of doing news for Dr. Brock on the old KKYK-FM during a week when Craig O’Neill and Eric Brown were both vacationing back in the early ‘80s. I’ll never forget his screamed introduction: “And now, Big S and the boring news.” Still cracks me up.

Small world: my lovely cousin, fellow Conway County native Jennifer Trafford Hines, has established her own wide fan base on Arkansas radio, currently alongside Bob Robbins at KSSN-FM!

Thanks so much for reaching out.

All the best,

Scott Charton

SCOTT CHARTON
Charton Communications & Consulting"

Thank you, Scott!

Scott had also mentioned Brian Chase; I'd found his e-mail address again and contacted him, getting a reply that he'd check with us soon.

Fantastic that we're hearing from The Greats, isn't it? If anyone knows anything else about Dr. Grady Brock, please pass the information on at my e-mail address below- thanks!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Personalities Still Sought

2011-11-22T01:24:00.000-08:00

As I continue research for this blog, it is sometimes a little frustrating that I am unable to contact numerous people or sources. To be sure this is a very small percentage of the folks who have already checked in and given a little history of their tenure at KAAY or in LIN Broadcasting. We all know that air names are often used, then disposed of, or picked up or copied by another person in another market, etc. Sometimes, folks are often reluctant to "look back" or are riding the crest or wave in their current busy schedule- and that's OK!

Regardless of the reason, I want to assure you all, listeners and staff alike, that I appreciate EVERYTHING sent to the blog in the way of little snippets of info, histories, memorabilia, anecdotes, stories, anything having to do with KAAY. There is still a list of folks I'd DEARLY love to hear from, below:

-J. J. West, 1977 (the year I graduated from high school)

-J. Michael Hankins, "Mike McCormick"

-Scott Charton, 1981

-Brian Chase, 1980

-Dr. Grady Brock, 1976 (is he still alive?)

I'm sure more may come to mind later and I'll add them as memory permits, but this is my Christmas list!

Does anyone have any contact information on them, please? (I have "re-e-mailed" Brian Chase once again).

Thanks, all!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Harriet Coffey Lauded!

2011-11-21T15:16:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember Harriet Coffey, who worked at KAAY 1978-1980. She was recently lauded for her excellence in broadcasting! Here is her e-mail to me as of November 20, 2011:

"Hi Bud,

I hope all is well with you and yours and that the holiday season is moving nicely for you. For me, this has been a truly great week! I was featured in our NBC affiliate Channel 36's series on Charlotte's Top Radio Personalities. Except for me, a midday personality, all others were from morning drive shows, including Bob and Sheri from 107.9 The Link, John Boy and Billy from 99.7 The Fox and Tanner in the Morning from 103.7 WSOC. More details are available at http://www.wcnc.com/ and click on Charlotte Today. I've also been informed that I will receive a Lifetime Achievement Honor at The Charlotte Music Awards on December 8th. For ticket info, CMA details are available at http://www.charlottemusicawards.org/ . To top it off, yesterday was my birthday and the eighth anniversary of working at 95.7FM The Ride. Life is good!

All the best, Harriet Coffey

Harriet Coffey
http://www.harrietcoffey.net/ "

Congrats, Harriet and happy birthday, from listeners and KAAY staff!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Autographed Poster..."Beat TCU!"

2011-11-18T03:26:00.000-08:00

Yet another autographed poster by "Sonny Martin II", Jerry Sims!

I hope you're enjoying these little tidbits of history. Please leave a comment or two....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY January 3, 1969 With Mike McCormick (Barry Wood)

2011-11-16T04:24:00.000-08:00

This audio bit of history opens with Mike McCormick (Barry Wood) doing the news AND his own show! Watch out, Ray Charles jumps out at you on this early Friday afternoon 'scoped version. Ron Owens (Walt Sadler) picks up the news later in this broadcast.

Another cool Coca Cola commercial with Lulu follows; whatever happened to nice, long commercials? Nowadays, it's all "cram 'em in" and seconds-long ads. I'm almost out of breath listening to commercials on today's radio stations. I generally turn away when the ads come on, radio or TV....

More great material here, folks, compliments of Russell Wells; archival greatness, as always, by Dave S. brings this audio to you....

(or download from the archive page)

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY: 40 YEARS AGO !

2011-11-12T07:35:00.000-08:00

Hope all are having a GREAT Fall Season...and will have a Happy Thanksgiving !

One of the most special things in my life that I'm am always grateful for is having been a part of the History of KAAY: The Mighty 1090.

The address was 1425 W.7th Street as you'll see in the photo above, and, oh, the stories the building at that address could tell !

For our Big K friends who might not have heard this, from my Personal Archives, I've pulled out one of my favorite Airchecks from the Fall of 1971. As you'll hear, it was also Razorback Football Season, and there was always excitement on-the-air and off !

All you have to do to hear this small piece of Big K History is simply go to the Front Page of my WebSite, listen, and, enjoy ! http://www.jonnieking.net/

Stay safe & well my friends,

Jonnie

Another Autographed Poster

2011-11-12T03:22:00.000-08:00

Yet another treasure we rescued...and Jerry autographed it as well on the last day I saw him on my trip to Little Rock.

I will always hold this and other items dear which Jerry gave me. OK, watch for the next one!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T02:56:00.000-08:00

Please tell a veteran today- ESPECIALLY today- that you are appreciative of all he or she has done, no matter where or when they served. They did it all for YOU.

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY January 3, 1969 With Sonny Martin (Matt White)

2011-11-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here's the third "Sonny Martin", who was and still is Matt White. 'Scoped on the music ( I like un'scoped versions, like hearing the music, but I ain't picky where history is concerned!), typically from reel-to-reel tape, this Friday's broadcast opens with fishing info, into a long, interesting Coca Cola commercial.

The volume, at first, fades slightly up & down, probably due to the old tape & how it was run.

Lots of familiar commercials again for this time period. Hollywood Hotline by Jimmy Fidler, news by Ron Owens (Walt Sadler) ...robbery, taxes, politics- nothing's changed! Can you hear that news ticker going off in the background?

Those atheletes in the sports report were my heroes: Beamon, Fosbury- I tried my best to perform like they did!

(or download from the archive page)

We hope you're enjoying all the great historical treats sent in by Russell Wells; thanks go to Russell and also to Dave S. for his audio wizardry!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY May 16, 1968 With Sonny Martin/Jonesboro Tornado

2011-11-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks again to Russell Wells for this audio! This "Sonny Martin" is Matt White and begins with a bit of music, into a KAAY jingle at 7;00 AM, into COMEX News with George J. Jennings. Once, he sounds like he said "George G. Jennings"....

The report is grim, reporting the tornados in the area and 48 deaths so far. This is good reporting of a terrible tragedy....and reminiscent of the great KAAY news staff. Please listen, remembering that back in 1968, they didn't have the technology we enjoy today.

Hey, who was that "Doc Holiday? Too early for Al Eisenman...must be Ray Brown?

There is more great programming and music, mostly unscoped. Riviting reporting. Heartfelt content at its best.

(or download from the archive page)

Thanks again to Dave S.!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"Sonny Martin" Signed Posters

2011-11-03T03:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, you may think you've seen this poster before...and you have, one of them...but this is one that Jerry Sims, "Sonny Martin II" sent me with a roll of them awhile back. He'd snuck a signed one in there for me and, it being football season again, I just had to share it with you!

The note he included didn't have a date, but Jerry mentioned that he was consulting with his builder about a new house. He remembered Jerry from his "weather boy" days on TV (Jerry's description), but when he found out about Jerry's days at KAAY, he was 'way more impressed! Jerry had a stack left over and gave him one of these posters, which Jerry autographed as "Sonny Martin", (as he did on mine) at the builder's insistance. He framed it and put it above his jukebox in his game room...and Jerry sent me an autographed one as well, seen above.

Jerry went on in his letter to tell me that, "Pat Walsh, KAAY Manager, would have these printed each week during the season and you would see them in windows of homes and businesses all over Central Arkansas. We would usually hand them out (and stack up traffic) in front of the station in drive times all week."

He sent them to me the year the Razorbacks again played the Aggies and I made sure that I posted one.

This one is special to me, because he thought enough to autograph it for me. It is much larger than the other posters I rescued during my trip to Little Rock...which, incidentally, will be posted at later dates during the football season, so tune in and enjoy!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY May 16, 1968 With Tom Robbins

2011-11-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Another great historical audio addition, from Russell Wells! This deejay is Tom Robbins, but I am not sure who it is...someone awhile back made reference that Tom Robbins was Tommy Riggs; can anyone substantiate who this Tom Robbins is in this recording?

See this link for the reference I quoted above:

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/2009/08/lynn-james-checks-in.html

There were so many "Robbins", it's hard to remember the players. This Tom Robbins is taking Mike McCormick's place during this particular broadcast. This entry seems not to be 'scoped....

More great ads...makes me want to go get an Orange Crush right now! Sounds like Barry Wood....

Ron Owens (Walt Sadler) heads up the news.

(or download from the archive page)

Thanks again to Dave S.!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Don't Drink And Fly!

2011-10-31T04:56:00.000-07:00

Stay safe, watch for the kids and have fun!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

A Couple Of "Steve Scott" Stories

2011-10-28T04:08:00.000-07:00

Steve Morris, a.k.a. "Steve Scott", KAAY, 1974-1976 checked in with a couple of interesting stories! (notations are mine bs)

"In the two years I worked there, I did 1630-2300 (4:30 to 11:00 PM) hrs. M-F. From 1630 (4:30 PM) I did production. and at 1900 (7:00 PM) I took over the board to run 'THE WORLD TOMORROW' -Garner Ted Armstrong- which was an hour long program. We were located in the old Dr's bldg. (W. 7th Street) across the street from the State Capital and I lived less than a mile away. I'd run home and get my dog (FUNKY FUGLY! That was his on-the-air name!!) and get on back to the station hoping the pre-recorded tape didn't break while I was gone!! At 2000 (8:00 PM) it was time to rock-n-roll!! Nobody in the building at that time except me and Fugly, so I'd just let him run through the building until I needed 'him' to help me read the weather!! He was the ugliest PEEK-a-POO in the World. He would get on my lap while I was 'doing' the weather and I could make him growl and bark and he modulated the 50kw GIANT very well!! At 2300 (11:00 PM), it switched over the transmitter site for BEAKER STREET and me and Fugly headed home, where I went back on-the-air 80 meters ssb (Ham radio, folks bs).

One day I came in at 1630 (4:30 PM) and of course started the day by answering fan mail to me and Fugly (he got his share). When I checked my mailbox, it was stuffed with paper-towels & CRAP!! (literally). Seems as though Fugly had been going into Pat Walsh's office to take a dump on occasion!!! Pat had picked it up & stuffed into my mail box!!! I got the hint! BTW: Pat kept his door closed at night after that!!!!"

Oh, boy...good thing Pat Walsh was who he was, kind soul and all! So, Steve makes another Ham who worked at KAAY! A lot of Hams who got off the air (engineers, too) couldn't wind down right away, so they got on the air in amateur mode and talked themselves down- or into the sunrise, whichever occurred first!

I remember when Art Bell, W6OBB, was on the AM broadcast band airwaves overnight, "AM Coast-To-Coast"; he would also get on the amateur airwaves after his shift and he had a weird cult following there, as well. The frequency was 3.840 MHz in lower sideband mode, and one could continue to listen to odd goings-on. But this wasn't about Art Bell, it is about KAAY personnel, namely "Steve Scott"!

Steve currently resides here in the Mobile, AL area and worked at the local powerhouse, WABB before retirement. We hope to hear from him again very soon...thank you, Steve!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL FOR 2011 !

2011-10-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

TO ALL MY KAAY / THE MIGHTY 1090 FRIENDS:

Sorry I haven't had time to add much to the Site lately, but I been working on a massive MONSTER project: my "Jonnie King Halloween Special For 2011".

It includes: Records, Music, Movies, Radio & TV. It's done in Three Sections, and if you go to one Section you can Link to the other two.

Part 1: My "Halloween Film Rarities For 2011"...you'll have to look for some of these, they're that rare !

Part 2: "The Monster Mash Meets The Haunted House"...great Radio/Music memories. And it's Introduced by "Dracula" himself, BELA LUGOSI !

Part 3: "The Munsters" from TV with the Classic "Hot Rod Herman" Episode...the story is by the man who created the Munsters Cars (and the "Batmobile") GEORGE BARRIS. Plus, there's an Introduction by Grandpa Munster !!

Here's the Link that will start it...if you have time. Do it when you do have time as it's fairly intricate...but, really lots of FUN !

READY ? OKAY ! Let's start with everybody's favorite funny, freaky family: THE MUNSTERS: http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage.html

All my best to each & every one of you...And! HAPPY HALLOWEEN !

Jonnie King http://www.jonnieking.net/

KAAY June 5, 1968 With A "Charlie King"

2011-10-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Russell Wells, here's another "Charlie King" again! This segment opens with Ron Owens (Walt Sadler) and the news.

This "Charlie King" uses the "Kay-Why" identifier and this portion is also 'scoped on the music. More great ads on this Wednesday...he's also asking if "...you wanna buy a giraffe?" This program went on for 60 days.

KAAY was giving away $10.90 to parking ticket holders; when the ticket number was broadcast, the holder had 109 seconds to call the station (Franklin 5-0105) to claim his or her prize money. Where's that payphone?!?!?

(or download from the archive page)

Being on an afternoon shift, in the time frame he was at KAAY, and listening intently to the voice, I am going out on a limb and guessing this is really Charlie Scarbrough...any takers?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JERRY SIMS!

2011-10-23T01:09:00.000-07:00

Jerry would have been 69 years young today. But he's celebrating something greater today! I am thankful that I can call Jerry my friend. When we were unexpectedly put together by a chance e-mail a couple of years ago, it was a great blessing, an act of fate, karma or whatever you want to call it- but I am richer for it!

I contacted nine other KAAY enthusiasts and asked for help getting this blog together; Jerry was right there. Although not having the technical computer-wise know-how (and I personally still don't!), he practically gushed any and all information and materials he had to me for additions to the blog. I must admit, I was frantic as I searched and uncovered more material and, as I searched, Jerry helped, too, as well as several others. Our "gang of ten", due to work constraints, etc., dwindled down fast, but Jerry was steadfast. Others too, have come alongside, in our day-to-day building of this blog and have remained steadfast, as well.

Even after I met Jerry when he came to Mobile, AL on a business trip, he showed me more materials and pictures; when he got back to Little Rock, he had them scanned in and sent to me. To see him lovingly touch the mementos really tugged at my heartstrings...you could tell this man loved what he did, not only at KAAY, but the other radio and TV stations at which he worked. Did I say "work"? To hear Jerry, he had some great times and those at KAAY seemed to be his most cherished! None of it was really work, he loved what he did!

Jerry volunteered for all kinds of things; flying saucer and elephant rides, sailboat sittings at the Arkansas State Fair, all kinds of remotes...he had so many memories, I was glad he shared some of them with us! Some, I'm sure, were humdrum, but others were exciting. And to hear him tell me over and over, in his humble way, of how he was a lucky kid, being in the right place at the right time, broadcasting over literally most of this hemisphere, was awesome! By the way, when I was a kid, I heard that kid on KAAY at night, too!

My time with Jerry in Little Rock was too short, but it was like trying to drink from an inch-and-a-half firehose at 90 p.s.i.! No wonder we both were so tired at the end of the days we spent together, touring Little Rock, visiting and sight-seeing. Jerry, as when he helped with this blog, poured himself into me, as The Kung Fu Master taught The Grasshopper. I felt small in this man's shadow, but his level of acceptance of me made me feel large, as well.

Jerry lived life; he was a successful businessman and loved playing softball. As I'd played and coached over two decades myself, I marvelled at this man, his devotion to the sport and his zest for travel to tournaments all over the U.S.A. His devotion to the blog showed, too...he'd e-mail or call me, telling me that he would be on another trip and unable to really communicate, but he'd check in on me and the blog when he got back.

That made me feel as if I were important to him! And he told me so, in so many words, in how he was appreciative of someone picking up the reins where A. J. Lindsey left them when his own blog ended. In fact, all The Greats and many fans of KAAY have said the same thing...very humbling, indeed, to this listener and fan of the station. Its employees, the standards they and KAAY set, are hardly paralleled today. My thanks to all of you in my work on this blog.

And so, today, October 23, will always be the day Jerry Sims enriched the world upon entering it...and for those times his now eternal voice was launched into the great ether of the sky, over most of this hemisphere, alongside that of Those Other Greats. Today is Jerry's day and I will remember it...because it is the day after my birthday, as well. Jerry, thank you for being one of the greatest presents the Maker ever gave me! Your friendship will always be remembered!

Please, everyone who visits today, and the days to come, put "Jerry Sims" in the upper left-hand search box and read all the entries from Jerry...he was a motherlode of information and stories! I promise, you'll smile, laugh, chortle and belly-laugh over some of the antics he got into....

Happy Birthday Jerry Sims!!!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

YouTube KAAY

2011-10-20T04:54:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well...they say to copy someone is the sincerest form of flattery...or did I get that right? "Indychauffer" has borrowed the recording of the 1968 broadcast when Kennedy was shot and posted it on YouTube, with a lot of borrowed pictures from this and A.J.'s blog! Nice collage of pictures....and this is a public blog, so the better to get the info out, right?

For those who are interested, here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-bKPKHKcpQ

Enjoy....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY June 5, 1968 With Ken Knight

2011-10-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here is Ken Knight (Jerry Pitcock) again! Even at 8:04 PM, it was 82 degrees. Thanks to Russell Wells again for this important historical audio....

Ken verbally stumbles a bit just before a Schlitz beer commercial...hey, it happens! Just goes to show you that The Greats were human, too!

Hey, how about those great ads? That Coppertone commercial! I don't believe that commercials today have the same "guts" these early ads did. So many people depend on digital processing, which is great, but sometimes the "human" side is somewhat lost....and where's the orchestra nowadays?

Oh, there's that giraffe again! There's donations being taken to buy the animal at City Hall....

COMEX News was by Mike McCormick; because of the Kennedy shooting, they were even touting "gun control" back then....

Scoped on the music, the ads were complete...enjoy these great memories!

(or download from the archive page)

Thanks again to Dave S. for all his hard work to bring this audio to you, dear reader and visitor!

Bus S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY June 5, 1968 With Mike McCormick

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Another great audio offering from Russell Wells! This is the Mike McCormick (Barry Wood) Morning Show, just before the 10 AM hour. This is a 'scoped version, but all the ads are complete. Great energy, classy, tight programming!

"Wanna buy a Giraffe?"

Ron Owens (Walt Sadler) heads up the news. Calls over the air go to a potential K-Cash Winner to call Franklin 5-0105. I think the Lucielle Ball/Henry Fonda ad for the movie "Yours, Mine And Ours" was a great memory...I'll be looking for the movie on satellite TV, if it comes around.

(or download from the archive page)

We certainly hope you're enjoying these great bits of audio history and that they invoke wonderful nostalgia for you! Thanks to Dave S. for his computer wizardry!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"John Edward Diamond" And Beaker Street

2011-10-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

Folks, I found this little post on Airchexx, and have left a message there for Hal Moore, a.k.a. "John Edward Diamond" to contact me:

"Hi, guys…does anyone remember me? My name is Hal Moore but on the air I was John Edward Diamond..and I came to KAAY when Clyde Clifford left Beaker Street..I was hired by then Program Director Wayne Moss…and did the show for a year and a half…just wondering ..good luck..Hal"

I'll be calling Wayne Moss in the near future to ask about Hal...in the meantime, if any of you know Hal, or his involvement with KAAY and Beaker Street, please direct him my way, will you?

Thank you!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY April 1, 1967 With Mike McCormick Part 2

2011-10-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here's Part 2 of the previous entry on the Mike McCormick Music Show! This, as the last entry, are unscoped.

You know, I'd asked back in April if any tricks or gags were pulled at the station...in listening to this and the previous April 1 show, I don't remember hearing anything! However, about 4:40 into the recording, listen to the odd yelling going on...Mike McCormick was mildly at a loss of words at that point! I wonder if someone ran in & out of the studio trying to break his concentration? Listen, also, to the great music and classy advertisements.

This was a studio copy from tape, so there are some inconsistancies, but it is an important audio history piece, nonetheless...enjoy!

(or download from the archive page)

Does anyone have any pictures of Barry Woods/Mike McCormick, please? If so, please contact me at my e-mail address below.

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY April 1 1967 With Mike McCormick Part 1

2011-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

And it's the Mike McCormick Music Show! This portion of audio is also from Russell Wells. You can tell this came from a studio tape, with the occasional flutter...nonetheless, it is great historical audio history!

What great ads! Stuttgardt Drag Strip, Arkansas Raceway, The Outsiders at Robinson Auditorium etc. I don't believe this selection was 'scoped at all.

We've written about Barry Woods/Mike McCormick on this blog before...and there's great things written about him. Just enter either name in the search box at the upper left corner and read all the entries.

With no further delay, here's Mike McCormick!

(or download from the archive page)

Thanks to Dave S. for the wonderful audio help on this blog!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

A Warehouse CDs? Time Is Of The Essence!

2011-09-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Folks, I just checked the "A Warehouse" website and they're trying to get funding for a CD and two live CD releases...but time is of the essence! They're taking pledges ONLY until 5:00 PM Central Time, October 18, 2011. If they don't get pledges for $20.000, they'll stop the project.

This will be music from A Warehouse's era, 1970 to 1982. Read about it at the link below, watch the video (look at who produced it at the end! No, not who you think...) and help them meet their goal!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1434963130/the-warehouse-new-orleans-revisited

For more information about A Warehouse, you can put "Warehouse" in the upper left-hand search box and read about them in this blog and check out their main web page:

http://www.blackstrat.net/

Support 'em! They brought the acts in and advertised big time on KAAY!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY June 5, 1968 With Rock Robbins

2011-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

With credit and thanks to Russell Wells, here is an audio offering of Rock Robbins, about mid-day...I believe this one was Tommy Riggs, but if not, someone please correct me.

This is a 'scoped studio copy, opening with "...buy a giraffe...find out how!", which was a program where Little Rock was trying to buy one of these animals! Does anyone remember if the giraffe got to stay?

A salutation to Ross Douglas goes out for his contributions to Little Rock. More great commercials...hey, where did the commercials go like that 7-Up "UN-Cola" commercial? Even back then, they were advertising returning bottles and glass, due to shortages...it's not a new thing, you know!

BannerLine News with Ron Owens (Walt Sadler) at 1:30 PM....

....and those 10-year appliance warranties make me want to go to Wallach's!

(or stream/download here from the archive page)

Here's a picture of Tommy Riggs ("Rock Robbins"):

Thanks to Dave S. for the archived audio!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Watch Out For Spammers! Shameful....

2011-09-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Someone is SHAMEFULLY sending out e-mails with "A. J. Lindsey" as the sender. I cautiously checked the link- there was no text in the body of the e-mail- and it turned out to be an ad for Canadian Health Insurance....

Some people will stoop REALLY low to capitalize on things, such as someone you're close to. Be careful about things like this. I put a block on this and hope to never see it again.

Knowing that A.J. has passed on, I was somewhat cautious that maybe someone, maybe family, had finally gotten into his accounts and hopefully NOT exploited them. At the best, I'd maybe thought that some more material would be revealed; at the worst, I figured someone was trying to "hook" me into something. Sadly, the latter was true, but no harm occurred.

Just a warning, folks....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Who's That Charlie King?

2011-09-23T06:02:00.000-07:00

Hi, Bud!

I see we have a mystery on our hands concerning a Charlie King (January 3, 1969) who was NOT Charlie Scarbrough! I am stumped as well concerning this voice--woulda sworn there was only one Charlie King.

I do not believe it was Matt White (Sonny Martin III), as you can hear him and George Jennings on the Walloch's Home Furnishings commercial near the beginning of the audio.

I'm not absolutely sure, but it sounds like Ron Owens (the late Walt Sadler) doing the voiceover on the Commercial National Bank spot at about 17:45 into the audio.

This brings up what registers on me as an anomaly which I have noticed in almost every piece of audio that's been posted here on the Blog since day one. The voices are all pitched slightly higher than I remember them, which makes positive ID a little difficult for me. Maybe the pitch glitch is a product of the sampling rate during the conversion from analog to digital format. Perhaps the tape machines at 1425 West 7th were running a bit slower than standard speeds, owing to slightly low line voltage in the building. This would account for the slight speed-up when the tapes were played back on modern reproducers fed by "proper" voltage. (This would be something that Dave Montgomery would know WAY more about!)

As to the Mystery Charlie, the only guess I have is Al Eisenmann (hope that spelling is correct), who had the Doc Holiday name immediately before me in 1970. Al was an All-Purpose Radio Dude who could fill any on-air position at any time. His jingle in 1970 referred to him as "Doc Holiday, Super Sub '70." He left me with some serious shoes to fill!

Al may well have been at KAAY in 1969. And it might have been that with the arrival of Jonnie King in April of that year, Al was repositioned as Doc Holiday (we all know that there can only be one King at a time). This is a wild guess, but it makes as much sense to me as KAAY's policy of changing voices while they kept the same names. At any rate, I completely missed this Charlie King, which makes me think his tenure under that name was short-lived.

Maybe somebody has the real story on this and I will wind up looking foolish. Well, fine, It certainly won't be the first time! Meanwhile, happy sleuthing!

All The Best,
David B. Treadway
Doc Holiday VII
The Last PD

I Made The "Big Time" At The Butler Center!

2011-09-23T04:26:00.000-07:00

Ye Olde Blog Keeper has made it in print at The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies! I was alerted by Skip Kendel that he had received his copy of The Butler Banner and there was my ugly mug! (My words, not his!) It was from my visit on the last day of my vacation in Little Rock, donating materials David B. Treadway, Jerry Sims and I rescued, to the Center. This picture was also posted in my "Trip" series and here it is, again:

I'd forgotten that I was on the mailing list and contacted Guy Lancaster (the tall guy) and he said that I was still on the list. I receieved The Butler Banner a couple of days ago and my daughter picked it up and you should have seen her reaction! Made me proud....

If you get the chance to visit The Butler Center, please do so and enjoy their wonderful facilities and gift shop!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Uh, Oh, A Different "Charlie King"?

2011-09-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

Well, looks like we have a switcheroo going here, folks! Posted back on September 14, 2011 was some 'scoped audio of an early morning "Charlie King", with Mike McCormick (Barry Wood) at the news desk. The "real" Charlie King, Charlie Scarbrough called me a few days ago, saying it wasn't him! His friend, and also friend of this blog, Jim Cleveland, heard it and called Charlie; he also played a bit of audio over the phone for him. Both surmised that it was NOT Charlie Scarbrough!

One main reason was, Charlie never worked days; he worked the afternoon drive-time slot and some evenings, especially since Richard Weithan died in the National Guard accident and Charlie basically stayed in the time slot....

So, I listened and came up with a conclusion: that it definitely was NOT Charlie Scarbrough, since the voice and intonations were simply not him. But, the more I listened, the more it sounded like Matt White to me. I e-mailed Matt, the 3rd and current "Sonny Martin" asking if he remembered anything along this line, but have yet to hear from him. I'd also e-mailed Dave Montgomery, who was there at the same time Matt was and am awaiting his reply, as well. For those of you who know Matt White, please give a listen and leave a comment, please!

Thank you,

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY June 5, 1968 With Sonny Martin

2011-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Another great offering from Russell Wells, this one of the third "Sonny Martin", who was Matt White. This 'scoped studio copy opens with farm news by Marvin Vines, just before 6:30 AM. Following was news with George J. Jennings, regarding the Kennedy "situation". Clyde Clifford also reported in with an additional news report. This was a horrible time of our country's history....

Hey, how about that '68 Mustang ad?

(or stream/download here from the archive page)

And again, here is a picture of Matt White, "Sonny Martin" in the studio:

Thanks again to Dave S. for all his hard work in archiving this audio for us to enjoy!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Don Phipps, KXLR Alumni

2011-09-15T16:23:00.000-07:00

I heard from Don Phipps today, requesting contacts with other radio alumni:

"I worked at KXLR from 1960 through the middle of 1963. I worked with Amber Lindsey (AJ Lyons), Gary Weir (John Scott), Jerry Sims (Larry London), Hal Bray (Bob Bray), Mac Macartney, Stan Steele and several others. I also worked at KGHI, later KAJI and KBBA in Benton.

I would be interested in connecting with any of the old Disc Jockeys from the early 60’s in the Little Rock area.

Don Phipps, AKA Cliff Safer."
donphipps@live.com

So, for any of you who are (alive and) mentioned in the list, or for others not mentioned but worked with Don, please get in touch with him at his e-mail address above. Thank you!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY January 3, 1969 With Charlie King

2011-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Again, thanks to Russell Wells and Dave S., here is an early morning program by Charlie King (Charlie Scarbrough) on January 3, 1969. It opens with COMEX News by Mike McCormick (Barry Wood) at about 6:30 AM. It is also a studio copy, partially 'scoped and it has many of the same ads and commercials as the previously entered Ken Knight post.

The woman's Army Corps ad was well done, as were all the other commercials. I believe Mike McCormick did some of the ads, but I cannot capture the other voice to memory right now...maybe someone else can remind us?

"Ten-Nine-Oh" identifiers, great KAAY jingles, the KAAY Mobile Cruiser and other familiar programming abound here...enjoy!

(or stream/download here from the archive page)

Here's a picture of Charlie King; this particular one is from 1966:

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

1967-2011: #44 And Counting...

2011-09-10T21:07:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this with all of my friends here at the Mighty 1090...KAAY !

Just simply go to this Link and read the Info at the Top of the Front Page:
http://www.jonnieking.net/

God Bless, and thanks to each & everyone of you !

Jonnie

KAAY 3 January 1969 With Ken Knight (Jerry Pitcock)

2011-09-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hey, dear reader and visitor! Thanks to Russell Wells' collection, and the audio and computer wizardry of Dave S., we get to bring you yet MORE great audio! This particular offering to follow is a studio copy of The Ken Knight Program on January 3, 1969, after 8:00 PM. This "Ken Knight" is Jerry Pitcock, brother of Jim Pitcock, who was a "Ron Owens" while at KAAY.

It is mostly 'scoped, but the ads are intact; I believe that, due to the time period, Barry Wood, one of the "Mike McCormicks" did the voice-overs. Hey, not on the Double Mint gum commercial, of course...wow, how long has it been since you heard THAT particular commercial, or those like it? And fill up at the Phillips 66 dealer and you get a coupon for a free McDonald's hamburger- neat commercials!

And, how about those 69-cent B. J. Thomas records at Moses Record Shop?

One other thing that stood out were the identifications: "Kay-Why Radio", "Big Kay", etc. Some Program Directors stood for it, others didn't, and insisted that the deejays pronounced "K-A-A-Y" clearly and distinctly.

(or stream/download from the archive page)

Here is a picture of Jerry Pitcock at about the time of this broadcast:

We certainly hope you enjoy these audio offerings and the work that goes behind them- not only back then, but at the current time as well, as we strive to obtain, download and bring to you here on this blog. This and each of the audio entries that we will be posting are about thirty minutes in length and take up a lot of webspace. My applause goes to Dave for all his hard work and know-how --- we couldn't have this audio (and video, maybe to come) without him!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAAY!

2011-09-05T04:35:00.000-07:00

Wow, is it Labor Day again, already? Folks, just do a search in the upper left-hand box for "Labor Day" and you'll see all the posts about the antics that went on when KTHS becake KAAY over Labor Day weekend, 1962- plus, the audio from that time will be in there, somewhere, or you can chase some of them here:

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/2009/09/kappy-birthday-kaay.html

So enjoy!

Happy Birthday, KAAY

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Friend Of Charlie Scarbrough Drops By!

2011-09-04T04:26:00.000-07:00

"Dear Bud,

I enjoy so much reading your blog on KAAY. Regarding your recent offer to pass along greetings to Charlie Scarbrough, I wish the next time you talk to him you would tell him that Skip Kendel says “HI!” Charlie and I worked together at KARN for four years in the mid-70s. Charlie did afternoon drive if I recall correctly, and I did news for KARN and the Arkansas Radio Network on the 3pm-11pm shift. It was always a joy to work with Charlie, as well as Craig O’Neil and the late Bob Harrison. I would love to see Charlie again some day. I still live in Little Rock, but I have been confined to a wheelchair the past few years and I don’t get out of the house as often as I used to.

When I started in radio at 1000 watt KWCB (now KWCK) in Searcy in 1966, I always dreamed of making it to the “big time” KAAY. The closest I came was a late evening visit once when the announcer on duty graciously let me in to visit just because I was a brother DJ. Much to my chagrin, I cannot even remember who was on duty at the Mighty 1090 that night. I just know it would have been late evening in the late 60s.

I was thrilled when I finally did make it to the “big time” at KARN/ARN in 1974. ARN shared a newsroom with KARK at that time, and I had the privilege of working alongside Roy Mitchell, Tom Bonner, Dave Woodman, Ron Gardner and many others, not to mention the great Don Corbitt and Tom Longfellow of ARN. Those were wonderful days to be in the radio/tv industry.

I left ARN to go into television at KTVE in El Dorado, and later KAIT in Jonesboro. In 1984, I left broadcasting completely to attend law school in Little Rock. I practiced law for 15 years before I was forced to take medical retirement.

Keep up the good work writing about the Mighty 1090, and we, your faithful readers, will keep on reading.

Best regards,

Skip Kendel"

Skip, is was a real pleasure hearing from you! Thank you ever so much for your kind words. I gave Charlie your phone number and I'm sure you guys caught up on some times past!

Folks, this blog has been a wonderful tool for getting folks back together again; I am proud to have been part of it. The level of ACCEPTANCE from The Greats has almost been overwhelming and I have been grateful for their friendships. I hope that this blog can rekindle friendships for a long time to come- and with YOUR help and e-mails of encouragement, information and materials, you are a part of it, too!

Keep it comin'!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Tommy Riggs Pics, From Charlie Okle!

2011-09-03T03:43:00.000-07:00

To hear stories about Tommy from Charlie Okle and others, he was definitely a prankster! Charlie & Tommy seemed to get into some goofy stuff from time to time and these pictures of Tommy show it! As Charlie reverently handled and showed these pictures to me, I understood the importance of their friendship. Life often hands you many aquaintenances, but very few true friends. I believe with all my heart that Charlie and Tommy were true friends....

Well, this picture shows Tommy cooking up his wife Stella on the stove- she must've been a character, as well!

What a dish!

Apparently, Tommy was headed somewhere with Charlie for some fun...here's Tommy in the car:

Probably looking for ads for Superballs to smash on the sidewalk....

And, finally, it looks like Tommy Riggs is whupped from a long day of fun:

Just all tuckered out...or, was he napping before going on the air?

Thanks to Charlie Okle for these candid pictures of Tommy Riggs. May his memory last forever....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"Mystery" Ken Knight Revealed!

2011-08-31T12:35:00.000-07:00

Folks, I was just contacted by Steve Morris, who was "Steve Scott" of KAAY 1974-1976, who has offered some stuff for the blog and who also identified the "mystery Ken Knight" from awhile back...here's his comments:

"The "KEN KNIGHT" y'all are referring to was 'BILL JACKSON". He was hired (from JOPLIN, MO) by Wayne Moss to replace "O'BRIAN" (MIKE VERDICHIO) on BEAKER ST. I left KAAY in Sept. of 76 to become P.D. at WROA in Gulfport/Biloxi. I hired "KEN KNIGHT" to be my music director shortly thereafter. The last I heard about him, he was in NASHVILLE (80's). samor.w5bib@yahoo.com Steve Scott (74, 75, 76) 8-11pm KAAY"

And here's the link, complete with audio, of the "mystery Ken Knight":

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/2011/02/mystery-beaker-street-ken-knight.html#comments

Steve left KAAY to work here in Mobile, AL at WABB, retiring in 1995; he mentioned that he still remembers Wayne Moss, Pat Walsh, Bob Robbins, Bill Edwards and David B. Treadway.

Looking forward to more material coming from Steve in the coming days!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Ear On Arkansas, 1966, With Tommy Riggs & Charlie Okle

2011-08-30T04:14:00.000-07:00

For those maybe finding us recently, "Ear On Arkansas" was a parody of a local Little Rock CBS television station's "Eye On Arkansas" news expose'. KAAY regularly had this as a weekly show, poking fun at anyone and everyone, especially political figures....

After I got back from my vacation in Little Rock, Charlie Okle was able to transfer this episode and send it on to us for posting...and your enjoyment! Herewith Charlie's comments:

"Me and Tom voicing. Tom wrote the material... Notes: Harry Pearson (Piercing) was at the time an investigative reporter for the Pine Bluff Commercial newspaper in Pine Bluff. We were friends with him. Governor Orval Faubus was being raked over the coals about the expense of the glass being installed in his new house in the Ozark Mountains. Ear aired on Sunday mornings, so apparently I taped this off the air at home, since I was back in Pine Bluff by the morning..."

(or download from the archive page)

Thanks to Charlie Okle, best friend of Tommy Riggs !

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

On Wayne Moss And Charlie Scarbrough

2011-08-29T03:42:00.000-07:00

Dear reader and visitor, I spoke to Charlie Scarbrough ("Charlie King", KAAY 1967-1969) about Jerry Sims' passing. He went to the wake and said that there was a great reception for Jerry. He recognized a few people, Gary Weir and Dale Seindenschwarz and a couple more. Due to a hectic work schedule and some personal matters, he was unable to stay very long. We spoke of some other, unimportant personal matters, about the station and personnel and I had a wonderful visit with Charlie.

I spoke with Wayne Moss later, who was the original "Sonny Martin" before Jerry, then returned to KAAY and used his real name when Matt White had the moniker locked up. He'd not met Jerry personally, but knew of him. I had another wonderful visit, with Wayne regaling stories, one very humerous I have permission from Dave Montgomery to relate. Sadly, after an hour, my wife reminded me that it WAS long distance and she wanted to use the phone!

So, here's the promised story: while at the 7th Street location, KAAY had a hot air balloon that the mayor at that time was going to go up in, with a deejay. Surprisingly, even though they were "game" for any and all events, Wayne could NOT get a deejay to go up in the balloon! Well, Studio Engineer Dave Montgomery, fresh back from Viet Nam, was back on the job and Wayne asked him. Dave said sure and climbed aboard. Wayne said he did a great job of deejaying- even to the point where the balloon started losing heated air and was descending....

...down, down, down to the ground Dave and the Mayor rode...Dave was on the mic all the way to impact- right into a chicken coop!

Later, Wayne said that when Dave and the mayor arrived back at the station, they had feathers and chicken poop all over them! The mayor got the worst of it, having some smeared all over his face! Wayne said that Dave made mention of, while riding helocopters in Viet Nam, he never got shot down, but he had to come back to the States to get involved in a crash landing!!!

By the way, both Charlie and Wayne are well and trying to stay cool in this heat. If you have any kind words to pass along, let me know and I'll let them know!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

David B. Treadway On Grass, Lawnmowers, Jerry Sims And KAAY

2011-08-27T03:28:00.000-07:00

I wrote this piece ("Lawnmower Boogie") well before the untimely passing of our great friend Jerry Sims, who will always live in my heart as The Middle Sonny Martin. It was the correspondence between Jerry and me--begun back in 2009, long before we met face-to-face--that made me remember what a huge part of my life that KAAY so quickly became back when I was young. Whenever I'd be outside, grown and returned to Friendship, taking care of the garden or mowing the interminable grass that my Mother left me, I'd think of KAAY. And Jerry. And how that old Mighty 1090 was still so alive in both our hearts! I'd remember listening to that OTHER skinny kid who dreamed of growing up to work at the big station in Little Rock. That other kid who saw his own dreams come true at such an early age--and who never forgot how he came up, either. And now the hellishly hot summer of 2011 begins to fade and the grass and the garden walk out of the tomb like Lazarus. Here in a few days, I'm going to have to saddle back up on that lawnmower and slay me some grass that I woulda SWORN was dead and gone at least until March. Only now I'll mount up alone and diminished by the loss of my man Jerry Sims. Or maybe NOT. Maybe I will not be surprised in the least to hear his voice jocking those Silver Dollar Survey Hits while I go about my chores. Fly free forever, Jerry. As long as those three towers shall stand in Wrightsville, your name will be remembered.

In my heart, WAY longer. Love, David B. 8/25/11

(Dear readers and visitors, David B. had sent "Lawnmower Boogie" to me about midway of my Visit series and said to post it afterward, which I faithfully did. Little did he and I know Jerry wouldn't be with us shortly later, before it could be posted. No one knew.

Jerry was bigger than life to me, not only someone I also listened to when I was a little kid, but as a softball player who was still playing when I had retired from playing and coaching in order to help my kids along in their athletic endeavors. He was an iron man, in my eyes, playing when most men would be content to sit in a recliner and watch ball on the tube. Not Jerry- he was an avid player, letting me know he'd be away & unable to check the blog or e-mail me while on tournament trips. He loved what he was doing and spent his last time there on the field.

Jerry's passing has left a BIG hole in my heart. I miss him terribly.

You should have BEEN there, when Jerry, David B. and Barry Mac were together talking...being there with living history! I wish we could have gotten together with more of The Greats and had dinner...but there was no time, or schedules clashed- or whatever. I would have given almost ANYTHING to make another trip to Little Rock and set up some sort of get-together, whatever it took. Again, time took it away from us...but there's still time for some....

David B., thank you, with all my heart...I didn't mean to steal any thunder here, I just HAD to include some of my thoughts. My heart is overflowing and I'm still having to get it out....Bud S. [staceys4@hotmail.com])

The Lawnmower Boogie‏

2011-08-25T05:38:00.000-07:00

When my Mother was a girl in the Great Depression, she dreamed of grass in her yard. What she got instead was hard-packed dirt, just like everyone else. Grass was a luxury that took time and energy away from every family member spending every possible moment working in the fields. But Martha was resolute (read: stubborn). Someday, she would have her grass.

Fast forward to 1962 and two freaking ACRES of grass at our place in Friendship--and guess who got to mow it! Though money was tight that year, Martha figured out a way to get a riding lawnmower on time payments from Western Auto. I thought my eleven-year-old-hiney had been BORN in that mower seat. It was a summer of unimaginable drudgery, torture without end!

The only thing that saved me was the Channel Master transistor radio that she had bought for me earlier in the year. (see http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-teenage-time-machine.html) Before Labor Day, there was no point in having it with me on the mower. After that, there was all the difference in the world: KAAY!

With the earpiece jammed in my head, the Mighty 1090 pumped Brook Benton and The Orlons and The Impressions and Booker T and the MGs into my thankful brain at a level just about equal to a Briggs and Stratton mower engine. Grass clippings and dust up my nose were neatly offset by the Silver Dollar Survey in my ear.

Over the next spring and summer, KAAY brought the world to me on that mower--and then there was 1964. Beatles and Stones and Kinks and Animals and The Dave Clark Five were my afterburner. Grass went down like the stock market.

Though this audio/hardware hookup would continue until I went off to college in the fall of '68, the pinnacle of it all was, without a doubt, April of 1965. It was then possible to hear The Beatles' "Ticket To Ride" and The Beach Boys' "Help Me Rhonda" in the same grass-cutting session, sometimes even back-to-back! (Yes, it was a Monumental Mower Moment, and it marks in my mind the first time The Beach Boys proved that they could hang with The Beatles.)

So here I am in 2011, back where I grew up at the family home in Friendship. Mom and Dad are gone, and there's THREE acres of grass to mow now. I don't have my Channel Master anymore, but somehow I don't need it. Every time I climb on my 21st Century riding lawnmower, KAAY cranks up inside my head.

David B. Treadway
Doc Holiday VII
The Last PD

(Great story! David B., I now use a little mp3 player with Beaker Street and KAAY audio loaded on it when I'm working by myself...it's like "being there again" and helps liven up the drudgery! By the way, my grandmother in Castleberry, Alabama hated grass. If the chickens didn't eat it, she was sweeping the yard with a broom to kill every blade she could! We played in a dirt yard when we visited. Bud S.)

Happy 105th Birthday, Philo T. Farnsworth

2011-08-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

(Dave Montgomery, ever the sharp eye out for unique things, sent this along a few days ago...Mr. Farnesworth's birthday was last week and I didn't check my e-mail until Monday, August 22.)

By Alex Weprin on August 20, 2011 3:10 PM

Without the inventions of Philo T. Farnsworth, there may not have ever been an ABC, Fox News or MTV. While the invention of television was almost certainly inevitable (plenty of inventors were working on it) Farnsworth was the first to demonstrate a working version. As TVNewsCheck notes, he was also the first person to demonstrate an all-electronic image pickup device, the precursor to video cameras.

Yesterday Farnsworth would have turned 105, but his inventions live on every time you turn on CNN, or Food Network, or NBC, or ESPN.

Below, watch Farnsworth in a 1957 episode of “I’ve Got a Secret.”

'By the time television became a household appliance, the name of its inventor was sufficiently lost to the public that he could appear on a TeeVee game show in 1957 and not a soul would recognize him.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKM4MNrB25o&feature=player_embedded

(Many of us grew up watching interesting, wholesome, entertaining television, even learing something from it...nowadays, in my opinion, there's so much trash TV, I hardly watch anything unless it is of a learning nature. What Hollywood has to offer ain't worth a hill o' beans- again, my opinion.

Thank you, Mr. Farnsworth, for bringing us this interesting medium, nonetheless...and thank you Dave, for passing this along!

You can find even more interesting things about Mr. Farnsworth at this archive:

http://philotfarnsworth.com/

Bud S. [ staceys4@hotmail.com ])

KAAY Day Of The Jackal Movie Ad

2011-08-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

Barry Mac is back! After having some hard computer problems, he's got everything up and running again, transferred it all over and converted to usable format...and it's been a tough road, but we all appreciate his dedication to bringing us more classic KAAY ads!

This is from the #1 book and #1 movie of the year in its time and played at the U A 4 Theater...

(Or download from the archive page)

I remember seeing both the original movie and its remake. I liked them both, even though Hollywood sensationalism was employed in the remake.

Thanks, Barry Mac! Thanks to Dave S. as well for all the audio expertise!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)