HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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

"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 Previously unpublished material has also been added to give the reader a fuller understanding of each topic.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...!

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"

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!

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" !

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

"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

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

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 !

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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 here

(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!"

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"

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!

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 here



(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

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

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

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)