Merry Christmas To All!

Dear visitors and blog friends,

I apologize for not being here, posting KAAY-related material lately; in fact, we've pretty much come to a close on everything we've been able to tap out there.  Oh, we've had promises of material, but those promises have not been fulfilled yet.  Dave S., Greg B. and I hope that one day, things can align in those folks' lives and we can hear from them again, hopefully with a sledful of goodies...

To be sure, all of us- Dave, Greg and I- recently have had quite a few challenges in our lives- some pretty large, some just piled up.  I myself am guilty of coming home, after working both jobs and not having the energy to turn on this computer...but you all are on my mind (what's left of it!).  I check into Facebook for a few minutes, as I eat a hurried breakfast at 5:15AM every morning and dash off to open the main job...and, quite a few too many nights, I drag in about 11PM, haul myself through the shower and drop into bed.  Maybe things will change as soon as I can get these massive medical bills out of the way, but I don't want to get into a pity-party or a political monologue, there's enough of that already on the web.

Needless to say, I was wondering WHAT I could offer at this 20106 Christmas...then, it hit me as I was searching...why not offer EVERYTHING we've done for Christmas?  Dave Montgomery's Jonnie King's, Barry McCorkindale's, Eric Thomas', A.J. Lindsey's and others comments in one link?  WHY NOT?!?

So many memories, so much to choose from, audio, visual, notes, everything in one link, so enjoy!

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/search?q=Christmas

From 2009 to 2016, we have been blessed with loads of material.  This little niche blog has done quite well for itself, far outliving what I'd hoped for.  Still, the material is becoming finite...

But I want to speak for all of us- Dave, Greg and I- that we appreciate your comments, your visits and your support.  We wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Season's Greetings!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Happy Thanksgiving! (?)

Regardless, here's hoping everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Anniversaries

Thanks to Doug Virden to remind us:

"This month marks key anniversaries for KAAY, first this month marks the 50th anniversary of Beaker Street and the 40th anniversary when KAAY moved to the brand new building @ 2400 Cottondale Lane."

Happy Birthday, Bo Ryder

I know Bo Ryder, a.k.a. Andrew Williams, is in Radio Heaven today with the other Greats, but I still wanted to wish him happy birthday today.  That's his lovely daughter, Jennifer Eversole, standing with him in the 2nd picture.

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Phil North from May 18, 1971 - Repost

Here's another repost of an aircheck from the old Podmatic servers, with a bit of technical cleanup for speed/pitch and overall sound.  It's Phil North (Eric Chase) from midday on Tuesday, May 18, 1971.   First, here is the original post with more information on the aircheck:

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-phil-north-aircheck-2.html

And, the upgraded aircheck:


(or download here)
Greg Barman

A Comment from John Kassen

"I have about 30+ hours of Beaker Street would anyone be interested in these? I have put a lot of time and money to converting these from cassette to cds. Also I have the original cassettes. Anyone interested? on Beaker Street Head Bed - updated re-post"

John Kassen, would you please contact me?  We have tried contacting you on Facebook, to no avail.

And if anyone knows John, please contact me, as well!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Happy Belated Birthday, Barry Mac!

I apologize for not getting this on earlier in the month...what with my work/sleep schedule, I've been a zombie for a while.  Nonetheless, happy 58th "victory", Barry McCorkindale!

Barry is pictured here with blog friend Doug Virden, obviously at a function (party for Barry?).  Barry is just days older than I am.  Barry also contributes heavily to the blog with audio programs and is highly appreciated!  Dave S. loads the programs for us on the blog...thanks, Dave!

Again, in celebration, and thanks to Doug: Happy birthday, Barry Mac!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com).

Phil North from April 17, 1971 - repost

During the earlier days of this Blog there were many airchecks posted and stored on the Podmatic servers.  But gradually some of those audios are disappearing from Podmatic.  We plan to repost some of them so as not to lose them, and in some cases see if we can improve the quality.

Here is an untelescoped aircheck of Phil North, aka Eric Chase, posted in 2010.  The original posting puts the date as Wednesday April 14, 1971.  But based on the comments in the aircheck, it sounds to me like the date is more likely Saturday morning, April 17 1971.  It's a weekend morning show where Phil is subbing for Sonny Martin, and Holiday does the news.  The original aircheck was noticeably slow, and it is corrected here for speed/pitch and levels.

It's pretty funny when the intro to the news gets messed up, and Phil and Holiday try to talk their way out of it.


(or download here)
Greg Barman

R.I.P., Jim Parr

As reported by blog friend Doug Virden:

"Jim Parr, the last Farm Director at KAAY, passed away on Monday Oct. 3rd. His funeral will be tomorrow (was Oct. 7, bs) at Griffin ,Leggett, Healy, and Roth on 12th St. tomorrow @ 10am (was Oct. 7 bs). After KAAY went all religion in 1985 he went to work @ AM 1010 KLRA and finally finishing up his farm broadcast career @ ARN."

 

Jimmy Van Parr, 80, of Conway, died October 3, 2016. Born November 21, 1935 at Tuckerman, Arkansas, he was the son of Van Kermit and Jenny Belle Williamson Parr. He enjoyed farming in the Wheatley, Arkansas area before moving to Little Rock where he became a farm broadcaster for the Arkansas Radio Network and later owned and operated the Blue Plate Special Restaurant with his wife, May. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Little Rock.
Preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, May Phillip Puryear Parr, he is survived by his wife, Mary Flanagin-Parr; children, Jimmy Parr (Wendy) of Long Grove, Illinois, Lisa Anne and Mary Kay Parr, both of Germantown, Tennessee, and Bill Parr (Wentz) of Collegeville, Pennsylvania; sisters, Nancy Roylance of Spokane, Washington and Judy McGaugh of Chesterfield, Missouri; a brother, Kenneth Parr of Hurst, Texas; grandchildren, Cassie Farrier, Mark Farrier, Emily Parr, Ellen Parr, Michaela Parr and Chase Parr; and one great-grandson, Noah Farrier.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2016 in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, 72204, (501) 661-9111 with Dr. Jonathan Curtis and Dr. John Wright officiating. Entombment will follow in Forest Hills Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. today (Thursday) at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society . To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com

Thank you, Doug.  May Jim rest in piece.  Does anyone have any audio of Jim, anywhere, at all?  It doesn't necessarily have to be from KAAY....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Beaker Street as heard from Cuba!

Much has been written here on the Blog about KAAY's influence in Cuba -- how strong its' nighttime signal was on the island, how the US Government used KAAY to broadcast to Cuba during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and how listeners in Cuba wrote fan letters to KAAY, especially for Beaker Street.

Recently we were contacted by someone who not only listened to Beaker Street in Cuba -- he even recorded some of it!  He found his old cassette tapes of Beaker Street and digitized them for us to share.

His name is Gueorgui Lazarov Stoychev, George for short.  He's from Bulgaria, lived in Cuba from 1966 to 1975 and again in the late 70's.  Here is his story:

"Every Cuban in ages from 16 to 30 was into WQAM (that's Miami) during the day, and KAAY during the night, especially for Beaker Street.  So was I.  The recording of the 3 files I sent you are mp3's and were done some time between 1970 and 1975 in Havana where I was living at the time. I edited them now, just for this purpose. At the time I didn't own a tape recorder or a radio cassette recorder, so I always had to borrow one from some friend that had one. Sometimes there was only a tape recorder and I had to use a mike to record from the radio. Cables? No such luxury. 

The purpose was to tape all the music that I liked but there was no way to get in Cuba or in any of the communist countries, and by the way, was forbidden.  Cassettes were expensive like gold and scarce, so space in the cassettes for music was more important and not the DJ's comments or any commercial or radio station ID. Anyway, being the show very late at nite, it began at midnight Cuban time, sometimes I fell asleep while recording and some things got recorded and survived at the end of a tape.

Decades later, when I was digitizing the tapes whose music was nowhere to be found on any format, I discovered KAAY The Mighty 1090's Beaker Street's relics. Not much, but it's something new for anyone interested in preserving what was, if you ask me, the radio station and the radio show that made a mark and history in the industry never unbeaten by no one. People living in America or anywhere else outside the Iron Curtain took all that for granted, but for me and a whole bunch of Cuban friends, all those bands, songs, albums, were something like given by God. The DJs knew what they were talking about, knew about music, had and gave information, not like now when radio is ... there are no words to describe the kind of crap radio is now days. 

So, that's basically, there are many other details, perhaps some other time, if I find something new, undiscovered.  Thank you for allowing me to share with all the KAAY and Beaker Street fans the few minutes I have with the hope that if there are some people out there, that have Beaker Street shows or/and daily programming, please share them complete with the music, not only the airchecks. Listening to complete shows is like traveling in a time machine to better times and better music.

Thank you. Kind regards,
Gueorgui Lazarov Stoychev"

Here are 3 airchecks George recorded in Cuba, around 1974 or '75, one with DJ John Roberts and two with Ken Knight:


(or download here)
After living in Cuba, George also spent time in Mexico where he worked in radio for a while and was involved in the music business:  http://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Gueorgui_Lazarov/127549

Thank you, George, for keeping the KAAY flame going and for bringing those old Beaker Street tapes back to life.

Greg Barman

J.J. Stone aircheck from June 1973

We haven't had many airchecks of J.J. Stone, but here is one that's posted on YouTube, by "Rockford87".   It's from the evening of June 7, 1973 and sounds like DX reception but we don't know from where.


(or download here)
Greg Barman

Poster From Doug Virden

May have shared this before since the Arkansas Razorbacks play an old Southwest Conference rivalry on Saturday had to share it again.

 

Thanks, Doug!  We'd shared one of these years ago, good to see it again!  Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

 

Beaker Street Head Bed - updated re-post

Over time, internet sites can disappear along with the historical information contained on them.  We want to preserve the information on the creator of the spooky music bed used on Beaker Street --  Nik Raicevic and the 1970 Buddah "Head" LP.

There used to be a writeup about the Head LP and Nik on RedTelephone66.com, a psychedelic music site about obscure and out of print albums from the 1960's and 70's.  But that site has recently disappeared.  Here is a capture of the info from that page:

https://archive.org/details/BeakerStreetHeadBed

Fortunately the information about the Head LP on the Hippy.com site -- "dedicated to the hippy in all of us", ha! -- is still up:

http://www.hippy.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=477

And finally here is the music used for the Beaker Street bed, from the 17:00 minute cut "Cannabis Sativa".   

(or download here)

Greg

Birthday Boys!

Today, September 20, is the birthday of two of this blogs good friends, Doug Virden and Richard Robinson!  Happy birthday, guys!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmeil.com)

Martin & Jennings show from October 13, 1972

There several airchecks of KAAY that have been making the rounds either on YouTube or other aircheck sites.  We were alerted to this one, an aircheck of Martin & Jennings on Friday morning October 13, 1972, from 7:19 to 8:02am.

It was found on the Airchexx.com site, which picked it up from yet another aircheck site.  It was a bit off-speed and the original contributor is unknown.   We have re-processed the recording for proper speed/pitch and some noise reduction, so now it sounds better to present to you:



(or download here)
Greg Barman

Beaker Street with Ken Knight on July 29, 1974

Our series of airchecks from Monday July 29, 1974 comes to an end with a "new" Beaker Street show, hosted by Ken Knight, who did the show for a year or two.  This telescoped aircheck starts from 11:13pm to Midnight, with music from Mahogany Rush, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Sparks, Deep Purple, Bad Company, Black Oak Arkansas, Nectar and others, plus that famous spooky 'Head' bed.  And there is a bit of a spot from a regular advertiser, the Texas band Baby.

There is a break in the aircheck after Midnight, and it resumes from 3:40-4:13am when KAAY goes back to top-40 and Ken Knight keeps rocking.

A big Thank You goes out again to Joe Martin of Wichita Falls TX, who sent us an old reel of these airchecks for us to digitize and share on the Blog.  We've always known there are STILL plenty of tapes of KAAY in people's attics or basements, just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed again.   Do you have any old tapes of the Big K?  Let us know!


(or download here)
Greg Barman

Poster From Doug Virden

In antipation of the Arkansas Razorbacks game against the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday,  here is a vintage KAAY poster.

 This was before all the trademarks on sports names and logos.

Thanks, Doug!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Michael Hibblin, KUAR Staff Win Awards

Michael Hibblin, of KUAR (and friend of this blog) and the staff won several awards for their news coverage; Michael's coverage of KAAY is of particular interest:

http://ualrpublicradio.org/post/former-employees-kaay-mark-anniversary-day-music-died#stream/0

Several Greats, including Barry McCorkindale, Bob Robbins, Sonny Martin, Pat Walsh, George Jennings, Charlie King, Clyde Clifford and David B. Treadway, were mentioned.  Also, this blog was mentioned by Michael- thank you, sir!  There are also several pictures, the header with Felix McDonald in the background, while Clyde speaks.

For the entire article of awards given, here is the link:

http://ualrpublicradio.org/post/kuar-news-staff-wins-10-awards-arkansas-ap-competition#stream/0

These awards were also mentioned on Facebook, from which I got Michael's permission to post this.

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Steve Scott on July 29, 1974

Here is #6 in the series of airchecks made by Joe Martin on Monday July 29, 1974.  Joe's goal was to capture something on tape from all 7 KAAY DJ's who were on that day.

This is Steve Scott from 8:00-8:46pm.

Steve has been mentioned on this blog many times before:
http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/search?q=steve+scott




(or download here)
Next week -- a new Beaker Street aircheck!

Greg Barman

Buffalo Bill Edwards on July 29, 1974

We're moving on to afternoon drive in our series of KAAY airchecks from July 29, 1974.  And, it's Buffalo Bill Edwards having a high-energy time, playing the rock'n'roll and relating a lot of severe weather warnings.  And, at one point he refers to WLS' John Records Landecker, just for the fun of it. The aircheck runs from 4:00-5:13pm.

Thanks to Joe Martin for this series of contributions.

(or download here)

Greg Barman

Doug Virden and Phillip Jonsson

I had the honor and privilege to have a picture taken with Mr. Phillip Jonsson, owner of Signal Media radio stations. The stations consist of The Point 94.1,103.7 The Buzz, and 106.7 The Ride.  These radio stations are located at the former home of KAAY at 2400 Cottondale Lane.  He told me he wanted to buy KAAY but couldn't since he already owned AM 1010 KLRA at the time.  In those days an owner could only own one AM and FM.  And he was trying to sell KLRA before the sale officially went through.

I also remember reading on the blog that Larry Duke from Jonesboro wanted to buy KAAY when it went up for sale in the mid 80's.  Duke was under the impression he had the deal to buy KAAY from Multi Media from what I read.  If one of these guys could have bought KAAY, it more than likely would have stayed out of the hands of corporate radio.

Mr Jonsson also used to own KRLD AM 1080 in Dallas and his grandfather was the founder of Texas Instruments.  Phillip Jonsson is now in his early 90's and still comes to the stations about once or twice a week.  His son Steve is the GM of the stations and runs a lot of the day to day operations.  The Point 94.1 came in 2nd during the last ratings period.  These stations are among the last of the locally owned stations in Little Rock.

The picture of me and Phillip Jonsson was taken in the ballroom of the Arkansas Governors Mansion where 103 7 The Buzz was hosting the Pigskin Preview for the upcoming football season.

Ten years later Westinghouse which owns AM 1010 WINS in NY bought AM 1010 in Little Rock and took it off the air. If that offer were made 10 years earlier it would have left Phillip Jonsson to by KAAY.

 

Thank you, Doug, for your picture and information!  Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

 

 

 

Bob Robbins on July 29, 1974

From contributor Joe Martin, here's another in the series of 7 airchecks he made of KAAY on Monday July 29, 1974.  This time, it's The Bob Robbins Program from 1:00-1:30pm.


(or download here)
Greg Barman

David Ray on July 29, 1974

Here's an aircheck of David Ray on Monday July 29, 1974, the 3rd in a batch of contributions from Joe Martin.  12:29-1:00pm.  Thank you Joe!

(or download here)

Greg Barman

Jerry Sims, The 2nd "Sonny Martin"

It was a little over six years ago when Jerry Sims came through Mobile on his way back from Florida on the way home to Little Rock.  This was the first time we met, at The Original Oyster House on The Causeway.

It was five years and two days ago, August 7, 2011, that Jerry passed into Eternity, from heat stroke.  He told me the previous February or March that I needed to come to Little Rock, before something happened.  I believe now, as I did in August 2011, that he was prophetic in his statement.

By gosh, and what a trip that was back in April 2011!  Jerry, David B. Treadway, Charlie Scarbrough, Felix McDonald, Barry McCorkindale and Dale Seidenschwarz were there.  I'd met Barry a couple of times previous on some of his trips through Mobile, David B., Charlie, Dale and Felix I met there for the first time....

But back to Jerry; because of his insistence, I'd made "the pilgrimage" I'd wanted to do all my life.  Because of Jerry's insistence, I experienced things few fans of KAAY had ever lived.  Because of Jerry, I'd met people I'd only talked to via telephone or e-mailed.  I'd met some Gentle Giants of The Gentle Giant, KAAY.

A year later, almost to the day, I almost died from heat stroke myself.  I was in the attic, doing a "20 minute job" and had already been stressed from working in and out of the attic.  Instead of taking the flooring outside to the saw, I decided to whittle the little bit of wood I needed out of the way while up there.  It was almost a fatal mistake....

I'll spare you the details- I think I mentioned this before, but it bears remembering- but I finished the job over three hours later, after I'd somewhat recovered, with my wife tending to me and cooling me down.  That tunnel I was looking down almost closed and I nearly passed out.  I berated myself, after having been a Paramedic, I didn't notice the signs until it was almost too late!  I thought of my family and of Jerry; what would they do without me, and would I see Jerry in heaven?

My point to this post is: no matter where you are, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and heat cramps are nothing to play with!  I have since tended to another man who we almost lost at work, a customer at that; I remembered Jerry and my own experience and we were able to help him get back before the Paramedics arrived (I am a First Responder at my main job).

We have been experiencing triple-digit temperatures and heat indices here in Mobile already, in the first week of August.  This is no laughing matter; please keep yourself hydrated and cooled off, keep a cold towel around your neck and wipe your face often with it (I put one in the freezer and one on my neck and swap them every ten minutes or so, when working outside).

But for Jerry's insistence, I would have never met one of the nicest guys in the world.  Thank you, Jerry, for kicking me in the keester until I came to Little Rock... I'll see you again one day....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Wayne Moss on July 29, 1974

Here is the 2nd aircheck we received from Joe Martin among those he recorded on Monday July 29, 1974.  It's Wayne Moss, from 10:00-11:15am.


(or download here)
Greg Barman

Airchecks from contributor Joe Martin -- Sonny Martin on July 29 1974

We love hearing from people who have discovered old KAAY tapes that have been sitting in boxes for 40 years or more.  Joe Martin of Wichita Falls TX let us know on a Facebook group recently about a tape he had with airchecks of 7 KAAY jocks, all recorded on Monday July 29, 1974 -- 42 years ago today (whew!).

Joe is an ex-radio guy who has worked numerous stations in TX and who almost came to work at KAAY.  Here is his story:

"I spent a number of hours recording this in 1974 in hotel room in Hot Springs on my Akai reel to reel.  I think I got every jock that worked the 24 hour period recorded.  

Here's my story.  In 1973, I was working at top 40 KTRN in Wichita Falls TX.  I blindly sent out a number of airchecks to about 20 stations looking for a new gig.  Many of the stations I had never heard before.  KAAY was one I had never heard.  I had been in Wichita Falls 18 months and was ready to move.  A short time later, I received a phone call from KAAY program director Wayne Moss informing me the all night show was coming open for a program called Beaker Street.  I knew KAAY was a top 40 operation with a strong signal, but I knew nothing of Beaker Street.

I told Wayne I would drive to Little Rock (420 miles away) to visit with him and see the station.  When I got to town on a Sunday, I checked into a motel and met with Wayne the following day.  After a tour of the downtown operation and meeting Sonny Martin, Wayne took me to lunch.  He suggested I visit the transmitter site that night to sit in on Beaker Street.   I do not remember who the jock was, but I am pretty sure Clyde Clifford had already left and I would be replacing his replacement that was moving on.  I could go into detail about my good impressions of what I saw at the transmitter site, but to keep things as short as possible, I contacted Wayne and said I would accept the job offer.  After I slept a while, I woke up and decided I was homesick for my girlfriend and called Wayne back and thanked him for the offer, but I felt I needed to return to Texas and KTRN.  

The recording you have here was recorded the following summer when I took my vacation with my girlfriend to listen to KAAY one more time.  I never heard it again.  I married the girlfriend and was divorced within 4 years.  Where am I now at age 65?  I'm still in Wichita Falls TX where I have lived for the last 44 years.  Remind me someday to share my KOMA story with you (lol)."

We will post these telescoped airchecks one by one, starting with Sonny Martin on that morning of July 29, 1974, from 6:36-7:40am.   Thank you Joe for your aircheck contribution and for your story!

(or download here)

Greg Barman

Stayin' Up Late At Night....

I'd sent A.J. a note a number of years ago (posted 12/19/2007) about how I'd stay up late at night during the summer, listening to KAAY and Beaker Street:

"Beaker Street Theater Remembered

You know, Doc, I also remember when I was a kid, keeping that ol' Bakelite green Zenith table radio's volume 'way down, especially when that spooky creaking door opened on the Theater at 2:00AM! I'd be snuggled right at the edge of the bed, with my head as close to the radio as possible, while having the covers over my head! Of course, I knew that old tube radio generated heat, so I didn't put the cover on it! But, this was during the summer, while I was out of school and I could sleep a little late in the morning, until I got yelled at to go feed the chickens & cows! Heck, it was worth it! Lotsa spooky fun!

Oh, to have some of those recordings and airchecks of the Theater! Are any available?"

http://kaay1090.blogspot.com/2007/12/beaker-street-theater-remembered.html

Since then, the players on A.J.'s blog have broken, the site not being maintained, since no one in his family had his password and could not send it on to anyone to continue maintaining the blog.  We here at The Mighty 1090 KAAY Blog have now become the leading authority and repository for many, many airchecks and full recordings of KAAY during many hours of the day, including prime time and Beaker Street!  This because of your kindness and your contributions, dear reader!

Thanks to the Lindsey family, giving us permission to continue on in A.J.'s tradition; we have done as much as possible to continue the legacy, and expand upon it for the enjoyment of all who visit!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Goin' Retro: Unidentified Poster

Just got to thinking about what antics KAAY participated in during the summer...and I found this post on A. J. Lindsey's KAAY blog:

"Beaker Street Comment Posted On Amazon":

http://kaay1090.blogspot.com/2007/12/beaker-street-comment-posted-on-amazon.html

I never found who the poster was.

I'd also commented to A.J. about something similar:

"A.J., here's a similar bit of trivia and comments on Blivet 2.0 about KAAY, Beaker Street and Jaime Brockett's "legend of the U.S.S. Titanic", much along the same lines of this comment:

http://halrager.org/WordPress/jaime-brocketts-legend-of-the-uss-titanic/

Bud, Mobile, AL"

More to come, as we "go retro"....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"Hot Seat" Revisited.

I'd looked for a picture of the "reviled" yellow Funmobile for years now...it MAY be by chance that one has popped up on Facebook!

To keep from re-explaining it all, here is the link to the original post, related by engineer Dave Montgomery:

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/2009/10/hot-seat.html

It was also related by David B. Treadway that they hated the yellow Funmobile.  It burned on the side of the road one day, most likely from a leaky gas line, on the way back from a remote location.  here is the Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1739527516336091&id=100008365783774&comment_id=1739902736298569&notif_t=comment_mention&notif_id=1468151389596079

I hope some more light can be uncovered on this; as in Mark Wallace's words:

"Mark Wallace Yes, I can fill in the blanks on what happened, Jay C. Jayson Brentlinger and I were bringing the vehicle back from a remote in Conway. I was behind it in a news car when I spotted smoke pouring out of the back. Jay pulled over and got out quickly and we stood and watched the vehicle burn to the ground in a matter of minutes. The fire department got there just in time for the gas tank to explode. I have some photos of it somewhere, I'll have to dig through some boxes. They figured out there was a leak in the gas line somewhere that caused the fire. That was a crazy day!"

And: "Mark Wallace

I don't remember it being yellow though. Perhaps it had been repainted. It was totally ragged out at the time anyway, it lived a good life. I spent many days in that thing at the State Fair giving away albums and tee shirts. I do miss those days. Radio just isn't the same anymore. 😔"

Well, it's all very interesting...we hope this IS a picture, we'll know for sure later, perhaps!

Thanks to all who is involved in this research, unearthed via Facebook!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

 

From July 10, 1977 -- KAAY's David Brian Treadway

Hey all, how about a re-post from the old KAAY Blog -- an aircheck from 39 years ago today.

I was in-between radio jobs, and took a long drive from the midwest out to the west coast and back.  I hooked up a cassette recorder to the car radio and airchecked stations along the way.  On my way back I drove thru Arkansas, eager to hear KAAY on the groundwave and capture it on tape.  This was Sunday afternoon July 10, 1977, and David Brian Treadway was on the air.  It sounded like KAAY was pared down to the very basics at this point -- I didn't hear any jingles or fancy voiceovers or ID's, just the jock, songs and spots.  

You'll hear that KAAY was promoting an upcoming Doobie Brothers concert with advance tickets going for just 6 bucks!   Hard to imagine that now.


(or download here)
Greg Barman

Jerry Don Pitcock, R.I.P. June 29, 2016

It is with deep sadness that we have been informed of Jerry Pickock's passing.  Jerry was a "Ken Knight" back in the late 1960s.

Here is the funeral announcement:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/jerry-pitcock-obituary?pid=1000000180509467%2F

Tell the others who have gone before "hello" for us, and we'll see you later, Jerry....

(Thanks to Doug Virden for the information.)

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Happy Independence Day

Here's hoping everyone has a safe Independence Day, and please reflect on our Forefathers, who paid such dear a price for securing our freedom.

It's what Pat Walsh would want you to do....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

An Open Plea

Folks, even though things have slowed down a but in the information department for this blog, I still get an occasional e-mail...the following is an interesting one:

Hi,

This is probably a long shot but my mother-in-law's father used to sing on the radio in Little Rock. His name was Merrill Lemuel Dinger. He played the bones and sang. I was wondering if anyone has any archive of old radio programs so music. This was probably in th 1930s.

Thanks,
Elizabeth

ejandrews@rocketmail.com

 

Can anyone help Elizabeth, please?  Feel free to contact her direct at her e-mail....

 

Bud S.(staceys4@hotmail.com)

 

The Warehouse, New Orleans, LA

Many of you no doubt remember all the ads for The Warehouse concerts over Beaker Street.  Their website is still under construction and is bigger and better than ever!

http://www.blackstrat.net/

All new pictures, more mp3s (even a new one or two from Beaker Street that we provided for them, for historical purposes!) and MORE!  Their memorial project is one worthy of mentioning, too.  Let 'em know we sent you in the comments section, will you, please?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

1090 Coverage Maps

Thanks to Doug Virden for this link to different stations' radiation patterns on 1090 kHz AM; too bad KAAY's isn't still "there":

http://nf8m.com/pattern_maps/US-CA_nighttime/N-map_1090KHz.html

I remember a story by one of The Greats mentioning that the lady who either programmed or owned the station in Nashville, TN called KAAY one early morning and DEMANDED that they change their night-time pattern immediately, because it was interfering with their station coverage locally.  As the world turns (pun intended!), it would be several minutes before the station would automatically switch from the night-time to the day-time pattern, from daylight in Nashville to daylight in Little Rock.  Whoever she talked to refused to change things just to suit her- KAAY was well within its legal limits.

Also, in my opinion, you can't fool with the nature of the atmosphere and how it affects radio waves.  That's another subject entirely for another time....

Thank you, Doug!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Memoirs And Memories

Folks, I have some rare time off and an evening to myself that I'm not totally worn out and in bed-yet- but it's near time for dreamland, since I have an 18-hour day to work tomorrow....

Nonetheless, I'd just gotten off the phone with "Steve Scott" (Steve Morris) minutes ago and he mentioned gathering "stuff for posterity" so his family can enjoy him when he's gone.  Steve is 69 years young now and is chock-full of memories.

I've mentioned this to David B. Treadway and a couple of others that they need to jot down some notes of their memories; it doesn't have to be fancy prose or edited for each little detail.  Just MEMORIES for someone to enjoy.

So, I have a challenge for all The Greats out there.  Get a tape recorder or a CD recorder and a decent mic, turn off the TV, maybe put some music on, low volume, and start recording your memories.  I don't care if you ramble on and if there are rabbit trails, as long as the memories flow!  Make sure your family knows where these tapes or CDs are so they can go back and listen to your voice and memories for a long time to come...it would be a gift they would cherish forever.

(CD or other digital media will last MUCH longer than tape.)

And if you want, please put down your radio memories and get in touch with me; we'll put them here, in your own voice, for everyone to enjoy.  And keep it family-friendly!  Please?  Pretty please?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Ear on Arkansas - The Ear Year 1968, Side 4

OK, we're winding down...had enough yet?  We hope not, because the players of "Ear On Arkansas" have one more side for you!

"Theater of the mind"... was what radio created.  Ah, nostalgia- and the spicy images the players of "Ear On Arkansas" provided!  Steely wit, sharp comments, barbed comments all skewered the intended targets!  Can't you just see their targeted objects squirming in their chairs one minute and laughing at themselves the next?!?!?  Matters of public interest were brought out in the glaringly satirical light with nowhere to go.  As it mentioned in the album: "KAAY stopped counting lawsuit threats years ago, since it's too time consuming."  I wonder if any of those threats were brought?

Nonetheless, we must push on and steel ourselves for more rib-splitting laughter at the expense of "Ear On Arkansas'" targets...thanks again to Greg Barman for getting these tracks down so we could get them here for your enjoyment:




(or download here)
And one more picture, in memory of my friend Jerry Sims, posing with his own red album from 1967.  Without Jerry's prompting and my wife's assent to scrimp & save for the trip, much of this material- and newfound friendships- would have not been possible.  Thank you, Jerry and the Sims family- and thank YOU, dear reader and visitor, for giving us the forum to allow us to share these sometimes rare and hopefully well-loved memories!

Thanks, Greg!  Job well done!  And THANK YOU, Tony Meyer, for your donation for the blog!  Ever so grateful!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Ear on Arkansas - The Ear Year 1968, Side 3

OK, did you have to take a break?  Are your sides sore yet?  Wiping tears of laughter away?  Side 3 is about to begin!

A. J. Lindsey commented that people other than on-air staff got involved with "Ear On Arkansas"; I'd done a short search, but didn't come up with any off-air names (they may be hidden elsewhere on his blog, or in the memories of others.

We have one more inner flap picture for you: the table of contents!  It also lists the KAAY staff at the time of the album's creation.  Some you may be familiar with, others not...but they were ALL important in running this top-notch station!

So, gather your breath- take a couple of deep ones- hold your ribs and let your imagination run with Side 3...roll it, Greg!:



(or download here)
Thanks again to Greg Barman for getting these tracks down for everyone to enjoy!  Don't touch that dial, Side 4 up next!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Barry Mac's Flashback Tracks is Now "On the Air"!

Our Blog's own Barry Mac, creator of "Tin Can Alley," has started a new weekly show, "Flashback Tracks"!  Here's what Barry had to say about it:

[It's] another weekly show that's more along the lines of Beaker Street, ...  currently airing on an Internet stream provided by Cumulus assistant engineer Daniel Appeloff, under the call letters of KDNQ.  ...  It will only occasionally feature some of the audio from the KAAY transmitter tapes, but I thought you might be interested anyway. 

Well, we definitely are interested! The first edition of Flashback Tracks is right here:

(or download here)
You will also find Flashback Tracks posted every week in the right column of the Blog, next to Tin Can Alley. 

 Thanks, Barry, for all the entertainment!

 ---Dave S.

Ear on Arkansas - The Ear Year 1968, Side 2

Appetite whetted yet?  As mentioned before, "Ear On Arkansas" was a weekly feature; it had been on the air Sundays at 11:30 and 5:30 (I suppose AM and PM, respectively), as mentioned in the album.  I'd never been able to hear it directly, that I remember, as the skywave only started to come in at dusk into Mobile, AL.

Not only did they poke fun at political figures, but other things as well.  However, both sides of the political aisle have accused "Ear On Arkansas" of being downright communistic or far-right wacko- of course, coming from opposing camps.  Nonetheless, the players of "Ear On Arkansas" were equal-opportunity offenders!

To be sure, KAAY and its staff got the idea from CBS' Arkansas affiliates "Eye On Arkansas", which was somewhat of an expose` program.  "Ear On Arkansas" surely chafed quite a few rear ends, while providing howling entertainment for its listeners.  Here's one more picture, this time of the inner flap, outlining some of the escapades and history of "Ear On Arkansas":

Once again, thanks to the audio efforts of Greg Barman, here is Side 2 of "Ear On Arkansas":


(or download here)
Stay tuned for Side 3!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Ear on Arkansas - The Ear Year 1968, Side 1

Many of you remember "Ear On Arkansas"...still others remember the "Ear On Arkansas" red album from 1967.  I have one that was given to me by one of The Greats, "Charlie King" (Charlie Scarbrough), that still has the plastic wrapper, albeit opened, and Jerry Sims' family has another  A. J. Lindsey's family has the only other one I know of.  I'm sure more exist.  For those who don't remember, here's are pictures of the red album from 1967:

 

It was said that this weekly feature, since 1964, was some of the funniest satire, often poking fun at Arkansas political figures.  It was also mentioned by some of the greats that, when the comedy team got stumped, they often called Howard Watson (a "Ken Knight"), who was able to whip something up in as little as 15 minutes.

Tony Meyer, friend of the blog, sent me a rare treat awhile back- sadly, I'd put it on the back burner while other material had been coming in and my own life got in the way.  (I've been working two jobs for three years and have only had time for a little rest or leisure time.  But that's no excuse!)  At long last, we bring you the 1968 "Ear On Arkansas" "blue DOUBLE album"!

Thanks to Greg Barman and his audio prowess, here is Side 1!



(or download here)
Stay tuned for Side 2!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Remembering Gayle McCormick- Jonnie King

REMEMBERING GAYLE McCORMICK...

After a long, valiant battle with Cancer, my dear friend, St. Louis' Gayle McCormick, one of the most iconic female singers to define the era of the 60's, passed away in St. Louis, on March 1, 2016.  With "A Group Called Smith", Gayle set the music world on its ear in August of 1969 with the release of their version of the Classic hit "Baby It's You".  She was 67.

In the last few years, Gayle was amazed & overwhelmed at resurgence of her popularity, and the new fans she had gathered through the advent of her being featured, not only on the Internationally-known Tribute Page that I set-up for her  but, the great number of You Tube presentations featuring her with Smith, her solo career, and, with the great local-connection recordings with Steve Cummings & The Klassmen...ALL now available to be read about, seen, and, heard World Wide through the Internet. PLUS, those who remember her from the early years, have also reunited with her music, her beauty, and, the one-of-a-kind voice that they never forgot.

Her talent is known in all 50 States, and the more-than 138 Countries that come to my Site alone. And, her talent, her spirit, and, the remarkable voice she possessed will live on forever throughout the Universe...wherever music is heard.

Jonnie King (3-2-2016)

SPECIAL NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ the Tribute to Gayle  please take the time to do so.  Within its words, images, and, photos, you will learn the history of this truly remarkable singer-entertainer...and why she has always had an impact on the World of Music from the very first time she ever stepped onto a stage...to the minute you're reading these words right now.
http://www.jonnieking.net/gpage28.html
(Dear reader and visitor, friends of the blog, I apologize for not getting this posted sooner; life continues to get in my way.  I also apologize to Jonnie King for not getting this posted in a timely manner.)

Also, a mention of Gayle from Karen Adams, friend of Jonnie:


"Thanks.  What a beautiful tribute to Gayle.  When I saw the photo of her standing in the walkway to The Bat Cave I knew exactly where it was taken!  What wonderful memories...Johnny Rabbit and the Bat Cave.  I remember Johnny Rabbit at my house many times and Gayle's beautiful voice.

Thank you for letting me know that Gayle passed away.....way too young.

Karen"

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NCg6H5DOLc

 

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

 

Jonnie King On Kim Simpson's Blog

"Hi Bud...

I NEVER knew this existed until a couple of months ago !  Kim Simpson chronicled our Early 70's Radio histories in a book that was published, he was aware of our KSLQ and added this page to his Blog...a copy of the book is supposed to be on the way to me soon. Thought you might enjoy this...

Here's the Link to the Page he added on the Net:  http://www.early70sradio.com/2014/09/listen-to-jonnie-king-on-kslq.html   

Best,

Jonnie"

Thanks for sharing, Jonnie!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"A Wave Of Discontent Over AM Radio"

Alerted by Doug Virden...let's save AM radio!

http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/A-wave-of-discontent-over-AM-radio-proposal-6854910.php#photo-9458937

Go to the FCC website and let your opinion be known.

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Chess Records, Stan's Record Shop

I just saw part of the movie "Cadillac Records", which wove a loose story about Chess Records.  In doing some research, the movie was hardly truthful at all about Chess Records.  It was an odd film, slightly entertaining, but when reading the reviews, turned out to be a disappointment.

If you remember, Stan's Record Shop, mentioned here before, was a distributor for Chess Records.  many people have great memories of Stan and his service.  Would anyone like to share some more of those memories, please?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Beaker Street Airchecks Archive

Our blog's audio archive (see the links to the right) has lots of Beaker Street airchecks buried in it, but you have to search for them!  A few days ago, Kenneth Hawkins, one of the members of the Facebook group, Keep Beaker Street Alive, posted a link to his public Dropbox archive of Beaker Street airchecks.

Here is the link to the airchecks:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7t7y9fpgsrdsvd7/AAB6a5F4Eh_M_jB38a5JrIvJa?dl=0

And here is the link to the Facebook posting:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/164987596879697/permalink/1119583474753433/
(You have to login to Facebook to read the post --- sorry, that's Facebook for you....)

I took a quick look around, and it appears that all the known 1970s airchecks are in the archive, as is the final hour of Beaker Street when KAAY went gospel.  There is also a sizable collection of the FM versions of Beaker Street, including many of the shows Clyde Clifford once had posted on his www.beakerstreet.com website, which have since disappeared.

So, if you are missing some airchecks, this is the place to go to find them!

--Dave S.

Happy Birthday, Clyde Clifford!

70 years young!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Tin Can Alley Off KAAY

For the time being, we're not sure how long or if permanently, Tin Can Alley has been pulled from KAAY...but you can still hear it here on The Mighty 1090 KAAY Blog.  We are extremely grateful to Barry Mac for his wonderful, faithful contributions!!!!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Happy Belated Birthday, David B. Treadway!!!

I was remiss in not getting this on sooner, but when I realized David B.'s birthday had arrived, we already had a post in place...so, I still want to wish him a happy birthday, only a few days late.

I will not reveal how young David B. is, because I am nearly where he was when I met this gentle giant a few years ago.  I am still in awe of his voice (what I call the "Voice of Arkansas") as he booms over the air on US 97 in the mornings with Vicki Parker.  His "Treadway-isms" delight and entertain many on Facebook and the man has SO many friends there, it took him a solid three days to answer all the birthday wishes.

David B. is one of those rare personalities that somehow remain on earth amongst us mere mortals...even though he's been at lofty perch after lofty perch.  Thank you, DBT, for who you are; Mrs. Treadway is fortunate to have you, and we are too.  May you greet many more sunrises and see many more moons, and may the masses continue to wish you many more birthdays!

 

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

 

The Day The Music Died....

Jonnie King was gracious enough to contact me regarding the anniversary of the crash that ended the life of Buddy Holly and his band members....

"I'm sending you the Info on this Special Page that I've placed on the HOF Legends Site with a truly rare piece of Audio History.  It's the actual news bulletin that was broadcast after the plane that was carrying Rock & Roll Stars Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and, "The Big Bopper", crashed on FEBRUARY 3, 1959...57 YEARS AGO.

It's been called "The Day The Music Died"...all 3 were young and had brilliant careers ahead of them.  As it stands, all we have now is their memories, and, the music that they've left us.

This Historic bulletin isn't very long, BUT it's an important piece of Rock & Roll/Rockabilly History that's impacted all of us who listen to their songs on the radio until this very day: "That'll Be The Day", "La Bamba", "Chantilly Lace"...we've cruised to 'em all.  Now here's the Direct Link to hear this true piece of History:  http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage149.html

Thanks again, Bud, for your working tirelessly for our KAAY Crew & Blog !

Your friend,

Jonnie  www.legends.thewwbc.net  "

 

Buddy Holly's and others' music was the genesis for what we listen to today...and it was still innocent, not like the junk today.

R.I.P.; thank you, Jonnie, for all you have done and continue to do!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Radio Yesterday from October 16, 2005

Barry Mac is back with another Radio Yesterday.  This show first aired on KAAY on October 16, 2005 and features:  some Bland stormy blues, a couple of lazy songs, Otis caught on for too long, Joni sitting in with JT, McCartney goes to the farm, the one-hit wonder of the week and more old KAAY audio recovered from the transmitter site.


(or download here)
Greg

Pat Walsh

Reader & friend of the blog Doug Virden reminded me of this:

"Next Thursday Jan. 21st will mark the 10th anniversary of Pat Walsh's death.  Hard to believe its been 10 yrs. since he passed away.  Knew he died in Jan. sometime and went to the library to find the exact date.  Read in his obit. that he spent a majority of 2005 hospitalized due to an infection he received from surgery in 2004.  Thought you would want to mark the solemn anniversary."

For more info on Pat Walsh, you can check this link for MANY more entries:

 

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/search?q=Pat+Walsh

 

 

Thanks to Doug Virden!

 

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Don Marcus, overnight on June 2, 1974

Here is an aircheck of Don Marcus, reposted from an entry in 2010.  Whenever I’m up late at night, remembering how cool it was to receive KAAY on the skywave in the Midwest, I especially recall this aircheck.

This is from the overnight of June 2, 1974, 3:30-4:30am, as KAAY’s booming signal was heard in Evanston IL, in suburban Chicago.  A downright awesome signal at times, as you’ll hear.  Note the “greetings to the Great South” and “greetings to Cuba” promos, and the News IQ contest promo, voiced by what sounds like Lyle Dean from WLS.   Answer the News IQ questions and you win $10.90!  With inflation, I figure that’s about $52.50 in today’s dollars. 

As for the mysterious Don Marcus, here is more information on him. 

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/2015/03/beaker-street-with-don-marcus-february.html

We have been unable to find out anything about his whereabouts after leaving KAAY.

(or download here)
Greg Barman

Radio Yesterday from October 9, 2005

It's time for another Radio Yesterday show from Barry Mac, where the 2005-era KAAY took an hour to interrupt its Christian music format, and remember its grand past and play old rock'n'roll and blues.   This show is from October 9, 2005 and features:  Some lonely times for Charlie, some troubled Temptations, a Monkey B-side, the woman before Lola,  a Nielsen hit by somebody else, the one-hit wonder of the week, and more fun with old KAAY audio.  

Barry always manages to come with stuff I haven't heard in years and this show is no exception!

(or download here)

Greg

Former Senator Dale Bumpers Dead

As per Michael Hibblen on Facebook:

"Sad to learn longtime Senator and Governor Dale Bumpers has died at 90. He was a legend in Arkansas politics and was among the earliest politicians I interviewed when I became a reporter 23 years ago. He stopped by KUAR almost 14 years ago to talk with Ron Breeding about the release of his autobiography, with a C-SPAN camera crew following, which you can watch below. He was an incredibly intelligent person who I always appreciated talking with because he could localize any international conflict by offering his analysis. He had a deep understanding of world events and was never afraid to speak his mind. I also appreciated the fact that he never minded being called at 6 a.m. for an early morning interview.".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR5JSJrnSAg&feature=youtu.be

We had news bits featuring Senator Bumpers on the blog in the past.  Thank you Michael....

Bud S.(staceys4@hotmail.com)

Happy New Year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5GkMdx4OlM

(Harry Morgan as Col. Potter in the M*A*S*H episode, "A War For All Seasons)  "Here's to the New Year; may it be a damned sight better than the old one...." "

We may not be in 1950's Korea, but the world HAS become a more dangerous place.  My wish for us is that it becomes a safer place for not only us, but our children and all children everywhere.

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)