Cuban Letter Interpretation, By Friend Thom Whetston

From one of our blog friends, Thom Whetston, of the AFRTS Archive (see the link under Mighty 1090's Friends on the right), here is a note for the interpretation of a previous letter from Cuba:

"Hi Bud:

This is rough, but it’s pretty much what the Cuban was saying in his letter on your blog:

Havana 12 March 1974

I'm one of the listeners of KAAY and Beeker St. For me this is the best program in the world with a high musical quality.

From the musical interpretations I prefer Rare Earth and Alice Cooper.

I'm also addicted to the music of Grand Funk and Led Zepplin.

I'd like to give you a list of my favorite groups:

Led Zepplin
Grand Funk
Alice Cooper
Rare Earth

I'd really like an Alice Cooper poster."

It looks like in the other Cuban letter, the writer mentioned posters for Jimi Hendrix, Santana and Black Sabbath....

Thanks, Thom!  I've lost the ability to read & speak Spanish, since I never use it any more.  And be sure to visit Thom's fine blog, regarding the history of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service, he has plenty of studio-quality audio there, of those who served and aired great music and programs to our armed forces all over the world.  We salute you, Thom, for your service and those who served!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

One More Cuban-language Letter

Another letter, compliments of Wayne Moss!  What can I say that already hasn't been said...but these dedicated listeners took the time, effort and RISK to write to KAAY to express their appreciation!

Thank you, Wayne....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Cuban-Language Letter To KAAY

Another offering from Wayne Moss, this one in Spanish.

Music is a universal language, cutting across all borders; the writer thought enough to write to what obviously was, if not one of, the listener's favorite radio station.  Again, another wonderful piece of history and testament of KAAY's signal strength.

Thank you, Wayne!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"The Warehouse" Memorial Project!

(Bobby Wahl sent in the information below and is a very worthwhile project, PLUS a chance to obtain a great piece of history!)

THE WAREHOUSE, ... the New Orleans legendary rock venue is being immortalized in a brick and stone memorial on the grounds where it once stood on Tchoupitoulas (chop pa too lus) Street.

Check out our plan to bring the memory back at

WWW.WAREHOUSEPOSTER.COM

with your help we can bring back the vibe.

WWW.WAREHOUSEPOSTER.COM

Stateside DX Letter

Here is a nice reception letter from Garry Lodge, of Walnut Creek, California!  This state wasn't in the humongous RF pathway of KAAY's signal, so I'll bet this was a difficult catch, even with KING off the air- and only for fifteen minutes, because of Mexico interfering!

At least he was honest about the music...but he thought enough to send in a report!

Garry, if you see this (or if someone knows Garry and can get in touch with him), please contact me at my e-mail address below!  Thanks again to Wayne Moss for this one of many letters!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"It" REALLY Hit Home This Past Weekend....

Clyde Clifford said at the end of each "Beaker Street" program, "Tell the folks you love that you love them, because you might not have that opportunity tomorrow."  That really hit home with me when I attended my 35th class reunion this past weekend (August 18, 2012).  The first thing I saw at the sign-up table was those who weren't with us any more....

After high school, many of us were swallowed up by work, college, family, what-have-you.  I was one of those, working full-time and in college full-time as well...and then I graduated, I was so buried in life, I had little or no time for friends, just work aquaintances, for these thirty-five years.  This weekend reminded me of some of the greatest, most fun times of my life.  Changed?  Yes, we have.  But the memories and the personal reunions were sweet.

Hours later, I visited the table one more time before we left; I knew about a couple of folks and got reasons for the others' deaths- some tragic, some accidental, all seemingly unnecessary in their young lives.  I knew many of these schoolmates from elementary school and, buried as I was in my own little world, I missed their lives.  Clyde's words came back to me over and over this weekend.  As I write this I am sorrowed that I didn't keep in touch with my own closest friends.  Our class wasn't just a class- it was a family.  As enamored as I am with the deejays I grew up listening to on KAAY, I am ashamed that I didn't pay attention to this family of friends.

So, with that, do as Clyde says...be sure to tell those friends you do love them, that they mean something to you...before it's too late....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

ELVIS IN LITTLE ROCK, 1972...
            
              

It was a Major Event ! Elvis Aron Presley was on his way to Barton Colesium in Little Rock...and he'd be there on April 17th, 1972 ! Can you understand the excitement & anticipation that was felt by all of us at that time ?

Elvis lived in Memphis, just 140 Miles from L.R., and he was "one of us" if you comprehend the Mid-South nature of that area. You might not feel the same way in D.C., Provo, Utah, or, Bangor, Maine...but if you lived where we did at the time, Elvis was an integral part of our cultural geography.

I was the Music Director at KAAY at that time, and as such I was the most popular guy in town: everybody wanted tickets to see Elvis, and I was the one who they thought could help 'em out !

             


Well, that 1972 Concert came and went, it was fantastic and was an important part of my personal "bond" with Elvis. But, my link with Elvis had actually begun in 1956, linked further in 1964, and, culminated with his death on August 16, 1977...just three days after my birthday.

Therefore, on the 35th Anniversary of his death, and the start of a new "decade" for yours truly, I thought it was time that I share my memories, rare personal items from my Archives, pix, and, my thoughts on the various stages of my life with all of you...as you, and KAAY, have been one of the MOST important parts of my stay here on Terra Firma.

I've also asked my friend, "The King Of The Kustomizers", GEORGE BARRIS, to add his memories of Elvis as he created a fantastic Cadillac Limo for "The King".

PLUS, and this is important, you'll hear an ACTUAL National News Bulletin announcing the Death of Elvis.

Thank you for all of YOUR help, support, and, love that you've shown me through the years. Here's the Link:http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage153.html


God Bless you all, and R.I.P. Elvis, my thanks to you...from one humble King to another.

J.K.

"Code Article", Re; KAAY

Another great offering from Wayne Moss!  Wayne said Pat Walsh sent this to him and Wayne thought that we should have it for the blog.  Nice little piece of intrigue, yes?  Even years later, the saga of KAAY's involvement during the Cuban Missile Crisis lives on!

Thanks to Wayne Moss for this interesting piece of history!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

It's Me And Barry Mac!

Once again, Barry Mac, the Man who ran the board for Clyde Clifford (and most of the evening) on April 3, 1985 was in Mobile and stopped so we could visit for a few moments!  Barry was on the way home from Destin, FL, where he spent a restful, well-deserved vacation.  As you can see he and I are standing in front of my "rolling Ham shack", where he's holding some KAAY bumper stickers from the mid-1970s era.  "Steve Scott" gave me some and I wanted Barry to have a few as a "thank you" for stopping by.

What a thrill to once again stand in the shadow of one of The Greats of KAAY...thank you, Barry!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Eric Thomas, KAAY August 1981 (Clip 2)

This seems as if it was the precursor to the previous August broadcast...or one similar to it.  The "Seventies at Seven" were aired, but there is not a definitive date for it, only that it came from a Thursday night in August 1981.  Still "in for the vacationing Bo Rider", Eric is continuing on the night-time shift, with a 'scoped audio offering.


(or download here)

Still doggoned HOT at night, according to Eric's weather reporting!  Things have not changed in the thirty-one years since this broadcast, either, I don't care WHAT they say!

Tipping a sweaty baseball cap the way of Russell Wells for his audio contribution!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Jerry Sims Remembered

A year ago today, dear visitor, we lost a dear friend, Jerry Sims, who was "Sonny Martin II" back in the mid- to late-1960s at KAAY.  This is a picture from an obituary on the KATV website, where he was presented an award and was inducted into the Arkansas Softball Hall of Fame on July 2, 2011:

http://www.katv.com/story/15239156/arkansas-softball-hall-of-famer-died-doing-what-he-loved

I have inquired if there was a video available; at the time this post was composed, there was a "we'll see what we can do" but not a firm promise.  It would be nice to have for the blog, with credits of course...

Clyde Clifford always said, "Tell the folks you love that you love them, because, tomorrow, you may not be able to do it."  I never told Jerry that and I'm sorry.  In the meantime, of the great friends I have made through this blog, I try to tell them from time to time...

...Jerry, we love you....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Eric Thomas, KAAY, August 1981 (Clip 1)

"...in for the vacationing Bo Rider..." this is Eric Thomas once again!  "Seventies at Seven" were mentioned, so I suppose this was an evening broadcast?  'Scoped but still wonderful history...

Over the last several posts, I have not remembered hearing the dual identifier any more ("KAAY, KQ-94").

More cool early 80's music!  This seems like a studio recording, because of no fade, clean cut-offs- well, mostly- I heard one or two tape draw-ups!


(or download here)

A tip o' the hat to Dave S. for his ever-appreciated help in bringing these audio clips to the blog- and to Russell Wells for his help in unearthing great KAAY audio history!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

KAAY DX Letter

We have another letter from Wayne Moss!  This one, we've seen before, when we discussed how well (or not) KAAY's signal travelled the globe.  This letter is where someone "dx'ed" (heard from a great distance) KAAY while they were broadcasting a game.

Enjoy, again, this little piece of history from 1971!

Thanks again to Wayne Moss, who shared this wonderful item with us so we could view it again!

Looking for more KAAY mail, i am,

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)