KAAY To Soon Return To The Air

An anonymous post popped up late January 28 and I just got to it today:

"Anonymous January 28, 2013 at 10:15 PM


Just to let everyone know, KAAY will be back on the air soon. A 5KW transmitter is being delivered hopefully tomorrow (1-29-13) Just waiting on the crystal now."

There are things in the mix, folks, please be patient!  I will not divulge my source....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Goin' Retro --- Buddy Karr, 1963 !

Folks, it's time to go retro!   As you may or may not know, A. J. "Doc Holiday" Lindsey passed away a few years ago and several of us picked up the reins and started this blog, since no one, not even the Lindsey family, had the password to get into and continue his original blog.  So, with the express permission of the Lindsey family, this blog was born, in the original spirit and mode of what "Doc" started.

Many of A.J.'s audio files were saved on his Podomatic account, which you can still use.  But lots more files were scattered about on a variety of web sites that are now inactive.

With that said, we begin our mission to republish A.J.'s missing audio files that were stored in an "off-site" archive that Doc revealed to me (and ultimately to Dave S., so he could save the archive to media).  None of these items have been available since Doc's blog went silent, and we are pleased to make these audio clips available again.

For the first installment, we're going 'way back to about 1963, to Buddy Karr, a.k.a. Tom Bigby...roll it, Dave!


(or download here)

Onward, to more Retro!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

'Nother Nice E-Mail...

...this time, from a fellow Ham and AM enthusiast, Tim Moore:

"Hey Bud, It's been a while since I last "talked" to you. Just wanted you to know how much I appreciate the work you're doing! I have to disagree with Mike in Wisconsin. KAAY was THE Giant! We could all listen to WLS, WABC, KOMA and all the others but KAAY was family! I often sit in the shack at night after I go QRT and I listen to all the audio clips. I have them saved to the computer and as I listen, it just brings back really great memories of a time long ago. Seems like things were so much easier back then, no computers, no texts, tweets and instant round the clock bombardment of information like we have now. I told my boss just the other day, I'd give anything for a typewriter and carbon paper!! My cousins and I used to go camping on the weekends and what I remember best was sitting around the fire, deep in the woods by the lake with my Panasonic RF-2200 listening to KAAY music and then Beaker Street. We just thought we were so cool! I still have the RF-2200 and it misses KAAY! Bud, thanks for all you do, I can't wait for the next audio posts!

73 My Friend!
Tim N5YCN"

THESE are the kinds of neat, wonderful memories we're looking for!  Keep 'em coming, folks!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

We're Goin' Back In Time....

Dear visitors and friends of the Mighty 1090 KAAY Blogspot, 

In the coming weeks, maybe months, we'll be bringing you some lost archived audio --- and maybe pictures --- that are no longer available on A. J. Lindsey's blog.  After A.J. "Doc Holiday" passed away a few years ago, the audio players on his blog page wouldn't yield the audio there. Mysteriously, they began again, for a short while, then went dormant again.  In addition, "Doc" had saved his extensive collection of audio clips across a variety of web sites, some of which disappeared soon after Doc's death.

Fortunately, Dave Schmidt was able to download and archive everything on A.J.'s blog and off-blog storage.  Honoring my promise to the Lindsey family to continue in the fashion in which A.J. would approve and to continue to credit him and his blog with the material, we will be bringing the aforementioned archived material back, to reside on this blog:  in memory of A.J., who worked so hard to bring you these memories back to life; for all the fine people of KAAY who "made it happen"; and for THE KAAY 1962-1985 we all remember and love.

What more could we do?  We can not let these fine aural memories fade into nothingness... it would be a shame to lose what A.J. sought to bring to you dear folks.  So, with that, sit back, enjoy the memories we're bringing back to you and PLEASE comment when you can or so feel inspired.

Thank you for your support!  I'm sure A.J. would approve....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Nice E-Mails....

This is from Gary, on the other side of the world, in regards to a post I made awhile back regarding a Mobile broadcast station:

"Hi Bud

Congratulations on your efforts to preserve another interesting piece of radio history with the KAAY Radio Blog.

I noticed your interesting post concerning 1410 WNGL (Dec 10 2009) during an internet search.

Thought that you might be interested to know that the 1410 WNGL signal made it through to South Africa on the 15th September 2011.

I was fortunate to receive a brief email verification from Station Manager David Renshaw after a follow-up reception report.

Details available here  http://capedx.blogspot.com/2013/01/wngl-mobile-al-qsl-and-audio.html at the Cape DX blogsite in case you're interested.

Best

Gary

Gary Deacon
Fish Hoek
Cape Peninsula
South Africa
www.capedx.blogspot.com "

...and Gary followed up with an audio link and the station manager's response:

"...definitely WNGL that made it through to SA on 1410 kHz back in September 2011 - a pity about the "female announcer" issue -

My guess is that the top-of-the-hour id announcement was possibly pre-recorded and aired at the time that I managed to hear the signal (apparently Daniel diSilva was station manager at the time).

A brief audio clip of the reception is also available at www.capedx.blogspot.com

Best,

Gary"

And from Mike, a KAAY fan:

"Hello!

I am a former devoted KAAY listener and enjoy your site. I listened a lot at night in the mid to late ‘60s and early ‘70s, especially in the winter when the signal boomed in. I shunned WLS in Chicago for KAAY mainly because I liked the variety of music that they played.

I recall listening to an overnight DJ who used the name Ron Owens. In fact, I wrote to him once and got a handwritten letter in reply. I recall he was also a newsman. I might still have the letter someplace…

I also remember an evening DJ who used the name Rock Robbins and used the song “Rockin’ Robin” as his intro.

Does anyone remember the program “Ear on Arkansas?” I think it was broadcast on Sunday afternoon or evenings. It was a political satire aimed mostly at Arkansas politicians. It was way ahead of its time.

In its heyday, KAAY was a fantastic Top 40 radio station but never really took its place among the giants like WLS, WABC, KHJ, etc., which is very sad. But, I think that had a lot to do with the interruptions of the Top 40 format for religious programs (early evening and early morning) and for advertising programs. I recall they had a 15-minute infomercial-type program at midnight every night that advertised a set of books, but I just can’t remember what the books were about! I also think they had a 15-minute program that advertised sets of classical music recordings. Maybe if KAAY had been all Top 40 all the time, things might have been different. I still miss the Mighty 1090.

Keep up the good work! I enjoy the unscoped recordings that bring back a lot of memories. Thank you for the site.

Mike R. Bondarenko, Baldwin, Wis.

mikerbondarenko@baldwin-telecom.net "

Comments- and e-mails- like these are far and few between and it warms my heart to get them and share them with you!  It makes me (and others here working on the blog) feel like we're doing something worthwhile.  When I get an e-mail, I take the time to answer and correspond...in the case of Gary in South Africa, he mentioned in a follow-up e-mail that he was looking for a picture of the station or towers...I did one better, I got him a roadside Google map shot of the facility.  With Mike, I discussed Ear on Arkansas and mentioned the album I received from "Charlie King" (Charlie Scarbrough), KAAY 1967-1969. By the way, Mike, I like the unscoped versions, too...makes me feel like I'm "back there" reliving the good times...especially when I can recline on the lawn on a starry night and listen to Jonnie King, Phil North and others, as well as Clyde Clifford and Beaker Street, in near-real time (evening)!

Speaking of which, we have some "retro treats" coming back, including Ear on Arkansas!  So stay tuned, we're bringing back as much as we can!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY, Wayne Moss, February 21, 1974, Part 2

Well folks, this is the last of the Wayne Moss Collection...and the end of our available audio- UNLESS someone else comes forward with anything else we haven't been able to unearth....

This is Part 2 of the previous post, again lovingly recovered and digitized by Greg Barman and linked by Dave S.


(or download here)

It has been our great pleasure and privilege to bring what I call The Wayne Moss Collection to you.  Wayne was happy and thrilled that he could share with us.  Now, his voice and KAAY will continue to live on in digital format!

Thank you Dave S.; thank you Greg Barman; and thank you Wayne Moss from the bottom of our hearts!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY Off The Air

According to Doug Virden a couple of days ago, KAAY was definitely off the air, due to water seepage from the bad roof affecting the transmitter.  When I was at the transmitter site almost two years ago this coming April, I could see evidence of leakage from the roof, near the newer transmitter.  This isn't surprising that the current owner is running this once mighty station into the ground...after all, it's all about the money, isn't it?

I have been involved in buy-outs before (non-radio/broadcasting) where new owners do "hatchet jobs" on businesses, refusing to invest in a thriving business, bleeding them to the last penny until they finally bankrupt the business and closing the doors or selling it off for pennies.  I have jumped horses in mid-stream, missing the inevitable and I have had the horse shot out from under me once...so, I know what happens in business.  Too bad, that business ethics no longer apply, that the dollar is their god and jobs don't matter.  Even though we need jobs in America, some businesses are not willing to make the investment to keep businesses going.  Why not feed the goose that lays the golden egg?  No, some would rather butcher the goose and cut it open, looking for a mother lode of golden eggs, only to find there are none...and the goose is dead.

The old axiom, "you got to break a few eggs to make an omlet" no longer apply, in these cases.  Is KAAY destined to die a rotting death?  What a horrible way for a giant, both in history and fame, to wither away.  Can it be saved?  At least made a National Historical Site?  Anyone????

My opinion and mine only.

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY, Wayne Moss February 21, 1974 Part 1

Here's another Wayne Moss aircheck, supplied by Wayne and restored by Greg Barman!  Here's Greg's take on the material:
 "Feb. 21, 1974: Wayne Moss mostly untelescoped, 11am to noon. It was a rainy day with severe weather in the area and static-filled reception. There's a 'heavy progressive music' Beaker Street promo for Don Marcus. And, WLS's Lyle Dean with an Energy Update! And at noon, Marvin Vines's farm report."


(or download here)

Thanks, Wayne and Greg!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Comments & Recordings

Folks, we are ALWAYS looking for comments and e-mails in support of this blog!  Here's one that I found lately in my e-mail:

"Hello

I grew up in a small town Louisiana MO. I use to listen to Baker St. on your station (1974/75) ever night when I could get the skip. I'm glad to see you are still around. Your station was better than any thing coming out of St. Louis.

Respectfully yours,

Gerald "Jerry" Floyd
541-xxx-xxxx"

Another recent comment was 'way back on a post we made about Ray Lincoln...the anonymous commenter said he has reel-to-reel recordings of Ray and some of his characters.  Please, to the anonymous commenter, YES, we would like digital copies of those recordings so we can post them here for you!  If you cannot transfer those reel-to-reel tapes, we have a man who can do it: Greg Barman.  I'll even pay for the postage to and from (if it is REASONABLE, that is).

Please contact me @ staceys4@hotmail.com regarding recordings and audio!

Bud S.

KAAY Wayne Moss, April 1, 1974

"Ladies and gentlemen (boooom!), Wayne Moss!"

This aircheck was made on April 1, 1974.  We didn't want to wait till April to post this one, so here it is in wintry January, but maybe it will get you in the mood for spring!

Here's Greg Barman's commentary about the material: "10:10am-11:20am. Telescoped, though a lot of music left in. KAAY promotes their big power on this aircheck a lot, like the increment-weather promo: 'our 50,000 watt signal will reach out in the increment weather and keep you appraised.' There's a promo for Beaker Street with Don Marcus and a sing-over jingle over the beginning of Olivia Newton-John's 'If not for you'. Note the spot for a Casio mini-calculator, which cost $19.95 back then! Newsguy is Mitch Michaels.''

April Fool's joke here?  No...but maybe so....listen carefully!


(or download here)

This is another tape-to-digital conversion Greg facilitated for us.  I must say, Greg's dedication to preserving the audio of our favorite station is stupendous!  Thank you, Greg!

Thanks also go to Dave S. for his computer wizardry for archiving and linking for us to enjoy!

And thanks to Wayne Moss for offering his library to us!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY, Wayne Moss September 3, 1973 Part 2

Folks, when I speak with Wayne Moss on the phone, his voice still has that great radio pitch and timber!  Here is Wayne again, from his collection, donated for our enjoyment.  This is Part 2 of the previous post.  Again, Greg Barman was able to save the tape(s) and transfer to digital format and Dave S. linked to our archive for YOU, dear visitor, to enjoy these great memories.

(or download here)

How about those great Gary Gears announcements?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH WOLFMAN JACK !

      

TO ALL MY KAAY FRIENDS: 

 WHILE I WAS On-The-Air on JUKE BOX 96 Radio in St. Louis on New Year's Eve, 1993, I received a surprise phone call from my old friend the Legendary WOLFMAN JACK !

I had no idea that The Wolfman was going to do this...it took me completely by surprise.  I can't really tell you how grateful I was for his kind gesture, and if I sound excited on this recording it's because I truly was !

This piece of Audio History had been locked-up in my Audio Archives for all these years, but I wanted to share it with all of you so that you could once again hear his voice, and so that I could fittingly pay Tribute to this wonderful, truly professional, R&R Radio Icon:  My Friend, WOLFMAN JACK.

ALSO, I've added some of my personal thoughts & remembrances of this Radio Legend & Hall Of Famer on this same Page.  PLUS, if you listen closely, you can "CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN"  with the Guess Who !!

READY ? OKAY, THEN JUST Click-On This Link http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage25.html and re-live a part Rock & Roll Radio History on "New Year's Eve, 1993, With Wolfman Jack" !

Thanks again to each & everyone...and I hope 2013 is a FANTASTIC year for you all !

Your friend,

Jonnie King   www.jonnieking.net 

.

 

Benefit For Bill Johnston, Co-Founder Of A Warehouse

Bill Johnston, founding partner of A Warehouse, was diagnosed with throat cancer in January 2012.  There will be a benefit on his behalf on January 10, 2013, at The Joy Theater, 1200 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA; doors open at 6PM Central, with a silent auction, show begins at 7PM Central.  Tickets are $35 on Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.  If you cannot make the benefit, contributions can be sent to: Benefit for Bill Johnston, 2213 General Pershing Street, New Orleans, LA 70115.  For additional information, contact Louie Duet at louieduet@gmail.com

In a telephone conversation with Bob Wahl (http://www.blackstrat.net/), there were a few seats available.  Folks, this looks like a BLOWOUT!  Bob also told me that Bill was the guy who called the radio stations and booked and paid for the advertisements...remember all those great ads on Beaker Street?

There will be an all-star line-up and many fabulous items to be auctioned off by silent auction.

If anyone wishes, I can forward the e-mail Bob Wahl sent me, as there are many other details.

By the way, see this link for additional information regarding a memorial for A Warehouse: http://www.fox8live.com/story/20161644/effort-to-commemorate-the-warehouse-concert-venue-gears-up#.UM6bSHykhKc.email  

Bill Johnston (along with Don Fox) brought a great thing to New Orleans with A Warehouse and many bands came there NOT for the money, but to play for the people and have a great time.  Let's see if we can help Bill in his fight against cancer.

Thank you, Bob Wahl, for all your efforts, and to Bill Johnston for A Warehouse, and for being friends of Mighty 1090 KAAY Blogspot!  And thank everyone for helping Bill Johnston....

Bud Stacey (staceys4@hotmail.com)

MY KAAY CHRISTMAS IN ENGLAND !

Since my Great-Grandparents on my Dad's side came from Ireland & England, and due to my acting for many years and having great insight into the works of Shakespeare, I've always wanted to travel to England & Ireland.  What better way to spend Christmas than in the land of  Dicken's "Christmas Carol" ?

Which brings me to 1969 and my working at KAAY:

 I began at the Mighty 1090 on April 21st and, being single, occasionally found some nice girls to date.  But, in September of that year I saw a show at the Arkansas Art Center and was very impressed by one of the very attractive dancers in the show.

I found out from the program that the girl's name was Kerry, and sometime after the show got in contact with her and - since the feeling was mutual - we began dating in October...starting the beginning of a lengthy relationship.  But one of the things that really entranced me was that Kerry was from England !   She had actually grown up there, and later took up residence in Little Rock.

Since the Holidays were upon us, she asked me to spend Christmas with her and her family to which I agreed, but had to get the approval of the PD (Barry Wood) & Pat Walsh, GM.  They both gave their blessing, travel arrangements were made, and on Christmas Morning, 1969, Kerry & I headed for England to join her wonderful family for a most-unimaginable feast, and a day to remember...the first of many I would spend there.

How could we do it all in one day ?  Well, it was only about 26 miles from where we lived in Little Rock to England...England, Arkansas.  But it WAS England !

God Bless Us, Everyone, and especially Kerry...wherever you are.

Jonnie King  http.www.jonnieking.net

THE CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY FILM LIST FOR 2012 !

                                       

                           

________________________________________________________

  MY 2012 LIST OF CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY FILM CLASSICS IS READY !

                             

SOME NEW ADDS TO THE "Extras" List this year...and ALL are worth a viewing between now and the end of the year !

Happy Holiday viewing to all of my Big K Friends...and thanks for all of your kind comments, and support of my Concept & Version of "The Breakfast Serial" since I began the Series in 1973 !

A very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to each and everyone!

Ready ?   Okay, Simply Click-On This Link  and it will take you right there!

Jonnie King, 2012

KAAY, Wayne Moss, September 3, 1973 part 1

Another in our series of Wayne Moss airchecks!  Herewith Greg Barman's comments:

"Sept. 3, 1973: Wayne Moss, 10:07-11:34am, in two parts, not continuous. Part 1 is mostly untelescoped; Part 2 is partially telescoped. Great quality; must have been a radio with a good high-end AM section. Beaker Street promos for O'Brian. Newsguy is Michael O'Sullivan." 


(or download here)
 
Again, many thanks to Wayne Moss for his donation of fine historical audio; to Greg Barman for faithfully restoring and transferring said audio to digital; and to Dave S. for his computer know-how to bring this wonderful audio to the blog!
 
Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

New A Warehouse Tribute CD Available!

For you dedicated late-night Beaker Street listeners who remember those Warehouse commercials, all the way from New Orleans...and for those of you who actually got to attend concerts at A Warehouse...now, a tribute CD is available!  See the link below:

http://app.e2ma.net/app2/campaigns/archived/1354864/08d0cd293d2af4f93a0d96e1930a59e7/

I plan on trying to get one for a buddy of mine, who attended Warehouse concerts, for Christmas.  You should, too!

And, in the meantime, please visit A Warehouse's website...there's always something going on!

http://www.blackstrat.net/

Be sure to e-mail Bobby Wahl at his link on the website & tell him I sent you!  And how much you enjoy his website, as well....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

...THE FALL OF 1971 !

 FALL FUN ON THE MIGHTY 1090 / KAAY IN LITTLE ROCK !  Lots of neat stuff happening in that beautiful Fall of 1971: Razorback Football was super-hot, James Bond's "Diamonds Are Forever" was in theatre's everywhere,  "Columbo", and, "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour"  debuted on TV, William Peter Blatty's soon-to-be-classic volume "The Exorcist" was published, and Richard Nixon was the President of the United States.

This Page has plenty of pix & info on it, and you'll even get to see the Big K "Hogmobile" !  I remember this being a truly fun night On-The-Air for me...hope you enjoy this Aircheck as much as I did doing it !!   Wanna hear it right now ?   Okay, just Click-On Here,  listen & enjoy !!

ALL THE BEST TO YOU FOR THE SEASON !
Jonnie King

"Ladies And Gentlemen: Wayne Moss! K-A-A-Y, Little Rock...."

THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND!  WAYNE MOSS, 1970-1971!!!!

In my book: certainly The Man!  His name takes on mythical proportions.  And he will always and ever be one of the legendary people of KAAY!

Wayne sent along this studio picture to share with you, dear visitor.  And what a handsome picture it is!  You have seen studio pictures like this of other deejays from the past here on the blog.  This is the first- and only- one like it I have seen of Wayne Moss.

I must say folks that, when I call Wayne, that voice of his is still strong and authoritative; I revel in the fact that I can still talk to one of KAAY's living legends and listen to his voice, very much as it was back in the day.  It was a thrill for me to be able to call him on the phone and it still thrills me today to be able to talk with him (when my wife allows me to make long-distance calls)!

Wayne, please allow me to thank you, both on the behalf of the blog visitors and myself, for sharing all you do with us!  What wonderful, historical gifts you gave for us to enjoy!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Doug Virden's KAAY Mustang!

As per Doug: "Found this at a garage sale about 5 years ago. It is very rare so I bought it. It is a '65 or '66 Mustang fastback."

Be sure to visit the KAAY Facebook page, as well...there's a lot of stuff mirrored there:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/198469254312/

Thank you, Doug!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)