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

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!



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Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Comments From A Reader

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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!"

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)

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 here

(or download from the archive page)

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY: 40 YEARS AGO !

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

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

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)

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 here

(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

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 here

(or download from the archive page)

Thanks again to Dave S.!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"Sonny Martin" Signed Posters

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

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 here

(or download from the archive page)

Thanks again to Dave S.!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)