Neat & Clean!

David B. Treadway or Dave Montgomery mentioned how Felix McDonald kept the field outside the transmitter in Wrightsville manicured and clean...and these pictures show it:

...unlike the horrible, unkempt condition David B. Treadway, Jerry Sims and I experienced a few years ago:

And these weren't the worst areas....

There's more to come!  Thanks to Lance Sanders for the "neat" photos!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Bob Robbins Poster From Doug Virden

Thanks to Doug Virden, who posted this on the Mighty 1090- KAAY Facebook page, another great piece of history!  In his words:

 

Look at this superstar in the makin'. That's our very own Bob Robbins (circa: early 1970s) hosting a radio show on The Mighty 1090, (or the Friendly Giant) KAAY.

 

Thanks, Doug!  Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

 

 

 

Eric Thomas In The Control Room, And More

Folks, Eric has been VERY gracious to share things out of his personal file- and his personal life- for the posterity of the blog.  We, as fans of KAAY, have always wondered what it's like behind the scenes.  Quite often, the comments have been that a deejay's life is not glamorous, no matter our imaginations....

Nonetheless, I have always been a "nuts-n-bolts" guy and love digging through things, seeing how they work.  Eric has once again sent some pictures and files for us to enjoy!

The first, is of Eric in the studio during the summer of 1981:

...and Eric today with his lovely 5-year-old daughter:

"Ah, before digital photography! Also attached is a picture of the control room circa 1981. I guess you guys have seen it with the shag carpet on the walls and the cut out shag KAAY logo? I had to bend my head down to get the logo in the picture - a true face for radio! But I do have my cans around my neck with the plug in my back pocket a la Larry LuJack, haha! This was the control room as it was from when the building opened in the ‘70’s until the early-mid 1980’s. Looking at the picture just to the right and out of the photo was the big picture window looking out from the 2^nd floor toward the Arkansas River. In fact, the river was probably less than 100 yards from the building. In between was the parking lot, a levee and then the river. Several times during the late night hours a big barge would be going up or down the river and shine it’s bright search light right through the control room window. That always deserved a wave.  I wonder if those guys were listening to the station?

The other photo is of the control room rack that was to our backs in the studio. The nerve center!

(Speaking of the building back then, just recalling the little things, the men and women’s bathroom signs on the 2^nd floor read “Elton’s” and “Olivia Newton’s.” Classic 1970’s radio humor.)

Take care, Eric"

Eric also sent along a 9-page manual of the KAAY Procedures Manual; some may or may not appreciate this, but I hope you do!

Thanks, Eric!  What great material!  Don't you folks agree?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

"Top 40 Top 40 Stations Of All Time": KAAY #8

Heard from Doug Virden, who sent the link below...and I would have thought KAAY would have been higher!  Oh, well, everything's about politics, I don't try to understand it all.  Thank you, Doug!

http://www.examiner.com/article/top-40-top-40-stations-of-all-time-koma-wls-and-wabc-top-the-list

"...here's an attempt to rank and identify some of the greatest of those Top 40 stations of yesterday, keeping in mind that strongest consideration was given to stations that were prominent and dominant for at least most of the era from the late '50s through the '60s."

WAKY, KAAY's LIN sister station, achieved #17.  My hometown station, WABB in Mobile, AL (where Wayne Moss once worked in between stints at KAAY) garnered an honorable mention.

"Undoubtedly, many other stations merit consideration, but everyone has the right to their own opinions and the right to cherish memories of their personal favorite stations of the glory days of Top 40 radio."

Again, thanks to Doug Virden!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Radio Yesterday with Barry Mac! June 12, 2005

Barry Mac brings us another KAAY retro-show, from June 12, 2005. 

This show features:  A non-charting classic from Buddy, Aretha sings with an Allman Brother, Sly takes a stand, a different kind of Woodstock, Gladys talks about Daddy, and our one-hit wonder of the week.  Plus, an Arkansas political flashback.


(or download here)
Greg Barman

WOW!!!

Dear reader and visitor, it is because of YOU that we keep this blog going...I just logged in a few minutes ago and was astounded by seeing we had 339,634 page views!!!!  My, how six years have flown by!  We've been truly blessed and fortunate to have all the material we've gotten.  But, again, we're about to reach the end of some things by the Fall of this year, so look around- EVERYTHING regarding KAAY's history is important!

I don't care if it's a 5-second station i.d. and you do or don't know who it is... if you can tell us at least a little something about it and maybe we can guess or i.d. the deejay, we'll do that, too.  Ticket stubs from a contest at KAAY...John's Jeans ad sold by the salesmen on KAAY- ANYTHING!

OK, OK, you get the picture!  On my own personal situation, the l-o-n-g hours of two jobs is smoothing out and I'm starting to realize some extra time- and I'm not spending ALL that time sleeping.  We finally paid off my daughter's massive medical bills and I'm doing some damage-control in the aftermath, financially.  Bills will never go away, but I am looking forward to maybe quitting this 2nd job one day and spending more time chasing radio...

One of the newest things that you may have seen on the KAAY- Mighty 1090 Facebook page is the emergence of AM radio stations again PLAYING MUSIC!!!  Right now, I'm using my Realistic DX-440, my Realistic passive loop antenna placed on a little Lazy Susan to hear a 500-watt (night-time power) WGAD AM 930, Gadsden, AL here in Satsuma, AL!!!

So with that, I want to THANK YOU for visiting, contributing and commenting!  By the way, we COULD use MORE of the latter, please!  Here's my set-up, listening to WGAD:

Bud S (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Eric Thomas' KAAY Concert Flyer

"Hello Bud,

Hope all is going well. I wanted to share this flyer with you, and you may have seen it before. Just in case here it is. I found this in a miscellaneous KAAY folder so I am assuming it was advertised on Beaker Street maybe???

Wow! What a lineup! I would probably have enjoyed this much more than Woodstock.

Take care, Eric"

I agree!  With a line-up like that!  Thanks again, Eric!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Tin Can Alley Arkansas' Best Oldies Radio Show!

As per Sidney Woodbury's post on Facebook (and urged on by Doug Virden):

"Barry Mac's radio show Tin Can Alley was recognized by the Arkansas Times for best oldies radio show! This is further proof that a full time classic hits/oldies station on KAAY can work. Listen Saturday at 1pm or Sunday at 2pm for an early 1980s themed show!"

(Bold lettering and underlining mine!  BS)

Keep up the great work, Barry!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Radio Yesterday from Barry Mac! March 20, 2005

Once again, Barry Mac brings us another of his retro-KAAY "Radio Yesterday" shows.

On this show -- A first from Otis, Aretha hits gold, somebody else dances in the street, a song that took over 5 years to hit the top 10, an A side that is upstaged by its B side, and our one-hit wonder of the week.

This aired on March 20, 2005.


(or download here)
Greg Barman

 

Focus on the Newsmakers - Dec 28, 1969

This Focus On the Newsmakers show aired on December 28, 1969 and features:  Debate over the death of a state prison inmate; the head of the local PTA; a defensive driving program; and the Univ. of Mississippi football coach on an upcoming Sugar Bowl encounter with Arkansas. 


(or download here)
Greg Barman

Eric Thomas Brings More Introspect...

...to our understanding of how KAAY worked!  In his own words:

"I went through more folders and found a few things. Many of the memos and pages in these folders aren’t too interesting. Enclosed are a few attachments that kind of add some color to the everyday workload at the Mighty 1090. Feel free to use any of them. And yes, I am still looking for more, too.

First of all there is a “1981 KAAY music memo” from our PD Steve Kelly. These are the kinds of memos he sent out frequently. The man was always tinkering and making moves. I learned a lot from him. Enjoyed working under him – very much.

Secondly, attached is a KAAY 1978 FCC required signature list. It actually ran on thru 1979 when I signed it. These are real names and so no “on-air names” appear on it. I was told this was required by the FCC in case they wanted to match log signatures. That is, if any questions came up over who was working when any transmitting problems occurred. True? I don’t know. But it was kept at the reading site.

(Signature list removed, due to possible legal ramifications. BS)

Third, here is a copy of the station sheet listing all of The Beatles songs in order during our Beatles scramble contest. The songs were all meshed-up in very brief segments and the first caller to name them in order won some big Beatles prize during a ‘’Beatles Weekend.’’

Next is my hand written list of songs played on KAAY during the “Sixties at 6” on June 28, 1981. We kept these so we wouldn’t play the same songs over and over. It was a great show – totally free form taking any requests. We used a lot of vinyl and some carts. The LP was for album, CT for cart, and 45 for – well, you know. Rather basic. I recall bringing a few albums from home since I had, and still have, a nice sized music collection. Of course, I had to clear any songs played with our PD, Steve Kelly. I very much enjoyed doing special shows like this all thru my radio years.

And next is a 1982 KAAY memo from our PD. All these years later after going thru a folder of similar memos I can’t help but chuckle. Man, there was no feeling like being the only one in the building late at night, guiding The Mothership, the 50,000 Watt Mono Monster of the South. What a rush! The control board at your fingertips. Broadcasting to over 23 states, Central America, Canada and out into the Caribbean. It was a dream come true. I would often just sit there, turn out all the lights in the control room with just the glow of the twinkling machinery – and CRANK IT UP! Of course!

Mentioning the power of the airwaves, the next attachment is a letter I received from an inmate at The Tucker Unit (Arkansas State Prison.) There was a brief time when KAAY did some overnight weekend simulcasting with KLPQ-FM. Q94 ran a program at midnight called ‘’The Midnight Snack’’ (I think Mark Wallace came up with it) and it featured a classic rock album. Since this went out on KAAY as well, you could say this was a slight nod to the Beaker Street days. Very Slight. Anyway, the letter is self-explanatory.

Just a note – I have always been a music freak. I love it. It remains a big part of my everyday life. That is how I became interested in radio – it was a tool to get music to the people. I relished sitting at the board and segue between two songs, or a song – jingle - and song. I always did in manually over riding any cue tones. Man, nothing better than hitting a tight, smooth segue. And that was what I was most proud of during my radio days.

If I can do anything for you, please let me know. Once again, keep up the great work and take care.

Eric "

Eric, you don't know how much you have pleased us, having let us take a peek at the inside of KAAY!  There was- and always is- a lot of work behind the mic- and in production, news, sales, etc., so it's NOT just all a deejay and a stack of wax!  Thank you for being "there"- and, rest assured, I'll keep asking, so keep on digging and sending us more stuff to ogle!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Radio Yesterday on KAAY from early December 2005

The Radio Yesterday Shows roll on!  Here's one from early December 2005 featuring:  Some mean woman blues, taking a stroll in the Big Easy, a first for the Rascals, something to tell Mama, the Supremes' single after Diana, a word from the Late Night Weirdo, Carole King in Spanish, and our one-hit wonder of the week.  

Barry Mac mixes some big hits along with songs that I haven't heard anywhere in years.


(or download here)
Greg Barman

We Hear From Jonnie King!!!

It had been some while since I'd heard from Jonnie King, so I decided to reach out- and I'm glad I did!  Jonnie had just unearthed some photos (which we'll share here) about the same time my e-mail reached him!  Here is his message:

"I did unearth a couple of photos that you're free to use on the KAAY Blog if you want.  They're from July 8, 1969, when I Interviewed Marilyn Kay Allen, who was  "Miss North Little Rock" in the "Miss Arkansas Pagent" for 1969, at her home in North Little Rock.  Then on the night of July 19th, 1969, I went to Hot Springs to cover the "Miss Arkansas Pagent" live for KAAY.

As we all know by now KAAY was a truly respected station, AND, since it was 1969, I didn't have a Cell Phone with me, and so with my KAAY Press Credentials, I was allowed Backstage Access all evening to do my "Live" call-ins from the Pagent Headquarters Area...and in the process saw ALL of the contestants before, or, after they were On-Stage.  All those beautiful girls in-one-place-at-one-time ! What can I say ?  It was a one-night "Bachelor's Paradise" for yours truly. (What made it even MORE fantastic was the fact that all of these beauties who came by and said "hello", told me that they listened to my show every night.  I was sincerely honored to meet them one-on-one...and they were all as nice as they were beautiful.)

BUT, I've saved these TWO Special "Backstage Encounters" for last:  #1.  While I was doing one of my live call-in's during a Pagent break, whom did I see coming toward me but none-other than Judith Anne Ford, the reigning 1969 Miss America !   I was stopped-dead in my tracks.  She was truly much more radiant and beautiful in-person than on TV or in her pictures...stunning in her own way.  Since she was only about three feet from me, I quickly said "Hold on for just a minute !"...to the jock running the board at the station, and introduced myself, asked her that since I was already doing a live call-in, if she would just say a brief "Hello" to all of our "Big K" listeners all-over Arkansas, and all over the World.  She was more than gracious, said "Sure" !   I went back, told the jock that I had a very special message from a very special guest.  I introduced her, and she did exactly as I had asked, said a number of nice things about being in Hot Springs  for the Pagent, and, thanked me for giving her the opportunity to be on-the-air on such a great station...said that she had heard us at her home in Illinois !  She was just spot-on-perfect !

#2. Guess who the Winner of the 1969 "Miss Arkansas Pagent" was ?   The same sweet, so-very-pretty Marilyn Kay Allen, "Miss North Little Rock" that I had Interviewed just 11 days earlier !   As soon as the Pagent was over, I hurried Backstage, found the new Miss Arkansas, again, got her "live" with me as I called the station to do my final report, and did a brief Interview with this very happy Winner.

 

 

 So, yes, those photos that I've forwarded to you, bring back vivid memories for me of that wonderful time, and all of the events that transpired.  My time at KAAY was truly one of the most fantastic times of my life...BOTH Personally, AND, Professionally.  We were a Super Team...the entire staff pulling together to achieve the best we could for our station, for our listeners, and, for each other.

BTW:  Bud, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that I was able to do so many Interviews after I got to the station, and I really loved doing them.  And, many of those were with other very wonderful beauty queens.  Some of my most-memorable were Jody Boggs, "Miss Dogpatch, U.S.A." in 1969, Reba Collette Walsh, "Miss Teenage America 1971", and, Paige Young, the talented, wonderful, "Playboy Playmate" for November, 1968.

In this pre-Intenet era, people actually wrote letters !  I still have the personal, handwritten "thank you" letters from Jody, and, Reba...both remarkable, beautiful young ladies, as well as the personalized photo, and other memorabilia, from Paige. These three, as well as Marilyn, and the many, many, others that I was privileged to Interview while I was at KAAY, have all enriched, and added wonderful memories to my life...by sharing their lives - no matter how briefly - with me.

God bless you, Bud, tell my friends at the KAAY Blog I haven't forgotten them either !  

Your friend,

Jonnie King"

Thank you, Jonnie!!!  Who said "timing is everything"?  This was an opportune moment, both back in 1969, and today, when I contacted Jonnie, as he'd JUST found these pictures.

And, as in the admonition of Clyde Clifford and David B. Treadway, I am not ashamed to say that I love you, Jonnie!  Keep up the good work, keep the memories coming!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

David B. Treadway On Dr. Grady Brock

Gleaned from David B.'s Facebook page:

" Nobody Lives In Echo Canyon But My Brother."

Doctor Brock always used to bark that into the microphone when he signed off. Brock barked everything he did on the air and he was Fierce. The words above would be followed by the most unsettling "PEACE, KEMOSABEE!" I never had a clue what it meant--I just stood there and marveled at his elegance.

Word comes this morning of the passing of William Grady Brock, 66, of Pineville (assuming) Louisiana. I don't see how that could be any...body BUT my man, the Crazy Legs Doctor. I hope it was quick and I hope it was clean, the way Brock always did it. On places like WCFL Chicago, WNOE New Orleans and KAAY Little Rock.

It was one of the thousand delights of the Arabian Nights to work with Doctor Brock and be around somebody that cool after hours. He was the avalanche that walked like a man.

Damn it ALL. If you love somebody, TELL them you love them. If they squirm, so much the better. Good night, Brock, I love you."

David B., you and I are taking the words of Clyde Clifford, to tell someone that you love that you love them, because tomorrow may be too late.  Thank you, David B. Treadway, The Last Doc Holiday, The Last KAAY PD, I love you, too.

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)
 

Dr. Grady Brock, R.I.P.

Alerted by Doug Virden:

http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/142979/super-cfl-s-dr-brock-william-brock-passes

We haven't had enough info about this KAAY Great- can anyone give us some more stories, please?

(I must apologize for not being more "up" on current events, what with the current workload, etc.  I am looking forward to the day that I can quit the second job and get my life back- and being able to report things in a much more timely manner. Bud S.)

Thank you, Doug Virden....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Focus on the Newsmakers - October 9, 1966

Here is another "Focus On The Newsmakers" show, and one of the earliest that we have been able to find, from October 9, 1966.   Hosted by George Jennings.

Thanks to Barry Mac for retrieving this from storage at the transmitter site, and providing it to the Blog.


(or download here)
Greg

Eric Thomas and Beau Ryder

This is Eric Thomas' account of working with one of the "Ryders":

"I secured my first paying job at KKYK in the spring of 1980. At that time, Mike Lewis, was working 7-midnight and he basically trained me at KKYK. He was - and I’m sure still is - a great guy. So upbeat and positive. He was very helpful to me.  Anyway, it was during the summer of 1980 when Mike moved over to the Mighty 1090. He began doing 7-midnight on the AM dial. It was at this point in time he created Beau Ryder (later becoming “The Original Beau Ryder.”) Ray Lincoln was KAAY Program Director then.

As I said, Mike/Beau was very kind to me, and he was the one who opened the door for me to get on-the-air at KAAY. Steve Kelly had come on board as Program Director in the first half of 1981 and Beau had asked me if I would be interested in coming over as a weekend and fill-in guy with the possibility of more. He put in a good word for me with Steve Kelly, and after my meeting with Steve I was hired away from KKYK. I was thrilled to be working at my dream station! Amazing days!

Beau worked at KAAY doing 7-midnight while I was there and once again showed me the do’s and don’ts of the station. It wasn’t much longer – maybe several months – when Beau left. I’m not familiar with the details of why he left KAAY but PD Steve Kelly saw fit to immediately plug in part-timer, Mike Young, as (the new) Beau Ryder. Yep, it sounds crazy! So Mike Young (a friendly, always smiling guy who LOVED radio and sadly passed away much too early) became Beau Ryder. Mike Lewis/Beau Ryder had moved on and thus became known as “The Original Beau Ryder.” KAAY still had their own Beau Ryder though it was obviously not the same guy. I don’t recall how this was resolved. Eventually Mike Young/Beau Ryder was moved back to part-time and Billy Dee came on as the 7-midnight guy at KAAY. And for the remainder of my time at Multimedia, Mike Young simply just used his real name “Mike Young” while on-the-air.

And that is the story as I witnessed it all those years ago. And the link to the aircheck you have on your site from March 13, 1981 is the voice of “The Original Beau Ryder” – Mike Lewis. I am 100% sure of that. That is the voice of the guy I worked with at KKYK and KAAY.

Oh yea, and “The Original Beau Ryder” is still working today. For years he has been working afternoon drive at a station up in the Midwest. Quite successful. And Mike Lewis isn’t even his real name.

So that is what I know. Maybe this info fills a few holes in the storyline of KAAY – and Beau Ryder.

Like the old 1974 song by Reunion states, “Life is a rock (but the radio rolled me).”

My condolences to the family and friends of Bo Ryder. I know how it feels to lose a parent and my thoughts go out to his children and friends."

Thank you Eric, for helping fill in some "historical holes" for us and identifying the "Ryder" of our aircheck.

If ANYONE has any information an\bout Andrew "Bo Ryder" Williams, PLEASE forward it to my e-mail address below- thank you!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Obituary for Andrew "Bo Ryder" Williams

The particular "Bo Ryder" we're concentrating on at the moment is Andrew Allen Williams.  I had a nice conversation with his son John Williams and have been in Facebook contact with his daughter Jennifer Eversole, both great, sweet folks.  Here is the obituary:

Andrew Allen “Bo Ryder” Williams, 59, of DeWitt, died Monday, June 8, 2015.
He was born November 11, 1955 in Dermott, son of John Williams, Sr. and Lennie Abbott Williams Derrick.
Andrew was reared and received his early education in DeWitt, graduating from DeWitt High School.
“Bo Ryder” loved music, working for many years as a Little Rock disc jockey.
Andrew was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert Williams and Lloyd Derrick.
Survivors include his son, John Williams of Greenbrier, Arkansas; daughter, Jennifer Eversole of Sacramento, California; and brother, Danny Derrick of DeWitt.
Private services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements were handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors (online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com).

If you would like to leave a word of comfort or an encouraging word or just a good memory about Bo, you may do so here:

http://www.ralphrobinsonandson.com/obituaries/Andrew-Bo-Ryder-Williams/#!/Obituary

I'd sent the link of the short audio bit we have here of a "Bo Ryder", but unfortunately, it was not their dad.  So far, as you'll read in an upcoming post, there were probably three "Bo/Beau Ryder/Rider" personalities.  If anyone has any memories of Andrew "Bo Ryder" Williams, please forward them to me ASAP.

 

John Williams told me that they had a memorial service for Bo at Dewitt Park on June 17 and was wondering how they were going to put it all together when they got there; when they arrived, they found out that friends of Bo had already set things up and they had to do nothing- that it was a beautiful affair!  Thus shows the love for this man and his family.

Rest in peace, Bo... I'm sure Pat, Jerry, Howard, George, A.J. and others were there to welcome you into the fold....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Radio Yesterday from Barry Mac -- late November 2005

Here's another of Barry Mac's Radio Yesterday shows that aired on KAAY about 20 years after the station changed format from rock to religion.  Barry brings back the tunes, the spots, the jingles, and the memories.

From late November 2005, this show features:  Letting more than 3 winds blow, "Respect" before Aretha, a good dose of the British Invasion, a tale of two Santanas, Simon pays homeage to America, and the one-hit wonder of the week.  Plus, some classic KAAY flashbacks.


(or download here)
More shows to come.

Greg Barman

Bo Ryder, R.I.P.

Dear friends, I just learned a few minutes ago Saturday afternoon (6/13/15, 4PM) that Bo Ryder passed away a few days ago, from his daughter Jennifer Eversole.  I don't have all the details yet, but his obituary will be in the Arkansas Democrat on Sunday, 6/14/15.  There will be a memorial service for him at DeWitt City Park on Wednesday following, at 3PM

We have just one aircheck of Bo Ryder, from March of 1981... I forget the exact dates, but one of his Facebook followers remember him from Summer of 1980... here is the aircheck we posted back in 2009:

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/2009/12/bo-rider-who-was-he-and-where-is-he-now.html

Rest in peace, Bo...here he is with his daughter Jennifer back in 2006 at the Little Rock Zoo:

 

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)