Bud & Crew,

RE: "Hippie Poster" from owner of the Little Barn...

The owners of the Little Barn when I was at KAAY were George & C.J. (a lady). Very nice people. I used to take some of my girlfriends there, and they would be blown away by the place.

In fact, as David B. would attest to, I used to buy all of my Incense, Peppermints, and, Tie-Dye Doo Rags there ! (lol)

The poster in question said it was being offered by "fishnuts" and fishnuts had an eBay account, and an Ark. address. SO, I went to eBay and messaged that party with my info and asked if he was in fact, George from the Little Barn, and this morning here was the answer that I got:

"Very close, bro.

I am his eldest son, Grant, aka. Goofy Grant...did ads with Heavy George quite often.
George passed almost four years ago, tho, last I knew CJ was still alive & kickin' in California.

Grant  "

BTW: Another great headshop at the time was "The Village Fox" run by two really cool ladies. It was in a strip mall on the same street as the L.B., but in the other direction. I spent some great times there too.

As I have said before: During the years I was there, L.R. was just a hotbed of fun, cute girls, good food, cute girls, great concerts,good friends, and, did I mention, CUTE GIRLS !

AGAIN: To be there at that time & place was one of the BEST TIMES OF MY LIFE !

Jonnie King

Garner Ted Armstrong/The World Tomorrow Ad

Thanks to Barry Mac, here is a quick commercial for Garner Ted Armstrong and The World Tomorrow, aired evenings on KAAY's religious block.  We've mentioned the program before on this blog, but this is the first time we've come upon any audio or advertisements about the program.

Garner Ted Ad:   stream   |   download

Head Album Sleeve

I love researching for this blog!  I find more neat stuff...and it's even better after a dry spell when something "new" turns up.

The latest is a picture of a 1970 Head album sleeve...Head was released on the Buddah label, but, reportedly, was dropped soon after because the content of the music was "too druggy".  Well, with titles such as "Cannabis Sativa", "Methadrine" and "Lysergic Acid Diethylemide", I suppose so!!!!

The original album also included a coloring book inside the sleeve...the person who wrote about this aquisition said that he'd paid $36.00 for a scratchy LP with no coloring book inside.

As many of us know (and for those who don't), the famous 17-plus minute cut "Cannabis Sativa" was utilized by Clyde Clifford to mask the transmitter noise when he opened the mike in between selections.  The audio has been posted here earlier...just put "Head" in the search box above and click to find it.

Here is a copy of that album sleeve:

Found here: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:LQWK7e2Em7kJ:www.turnmeondeadman.com/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_myblog%26task%3Dtag%26category%3DBeaker%2BStreet%26Itemid%3D5+KAAY+poster&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Comex Apollo 12 Promo, April 1969

We are back to posting from the Barry Mac archives!

Here is a KAAY Comex News blurb for coverage of the Apollo 12 mission, prompting listeners to tune in for complete mission coverage. (Thanks again to Barry for the audio!)

(Here's a link to some background about Apollo 12.)

 Apollo 12 promo:   stream   |   download

"Hippy Listeners of KAAY", Vintage Poster

This was a poster, titled, "Space Rider", sold on E-Bay by someone who claims to have been the owner of The Little Barn...this is the link:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/hippy-blacklight-poster-space-rider

It would be interesting to know what else this fellow would have for sale, since he admits to having much more to offer.  There is no contact information on the link above.

There are several other posters of interest there on the link.  It would be interesting to find this fellow!  Does anyone have any contact information as to the whereabouts of the former Little Barn owner?

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

The Last Day: During The Day, Part 8

Barry Mac had mentioned the legendary Brother Hal doing spots on KAAY during The Last Day...it is fitting that he be included here, as well:

Last Day: Brother Hal's Ad:   stream  |  download


So goes it, every bit of audio we had of The Last Day!  If ANYONE has any more, we would greatly appreciate the additions here!  Just send the file to my e-mail address below....

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Moses Records 45 RPM Record Bag!

Just found this recently, again on the aforementioned Psychofthesouth website!  An interesting bit of trivia to enjoy.

Moses Record Shop was an influential music store in Little Rock and a launching pad for many promotions of local bands in the '60s.

Bud S.

Black Oak Arkansas' "Jim Dandy" on "Dazed & Confused"

I'm not much of one to just sit & watch a movie, especially one that depicts a lot of "loose" behavior, but I'd seen this flick on Dish Network over & over & thought, "what the heck?", since it was cast in a time near when I graduated from high school.  So, I went ahead & flicked it on and immediately viewed a scene with "Jim Dandy" being played in the background!  I thought, "Well, a movie that played some Black Oak Arkansas music can't be all bad!"  In fact, there was some pretty good music from the period, by Nazareth, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent and others.

After looking on the web, this movie actually achieved a cult status, with favorable reviews...guess I'll have to watch the entire thing next time it comes around- or, at least, the part I missed.  Can't waste TOO much time, what with so much to do on the ponderosa....

The connection?  "Jim Dandy"!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dazed_and_Confused

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

The Last Day: During The Day Part 7

This is the last segment that I know of, of the Last Day audio we've gleaned from A.J.'s blog.  It is of Sonny (Matt White) Martin and Mike (Barry Woods) McCormick talking about various promotions.  Near the end of the segment, they talk of greeting a visitor at the station, who turned out to be an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Inspector, who promptly handed Sonny/Matt a citation!  The violation wasn't mentioned, but it must have been run-of-the-mill...no mention of getting fired is on the clip....

If ANYONE has any more audio of The Last Day at KAAY, PLEASE forward it on to me!  This is history we want to share with everyone- we don't want any of it to fade away!  My e-mail is staceys4@hotmail.com and I'll be eagerly awaiting any and all donations!  Bud S.

 The Last Day: Promotions:   stream  |  download

Beaker Street Poster

I've hung onto this, for whatever reason, and forgotten to post it numerous times until now.  I got it from the Psychofthesouth.com website, where we've referenced before:

http://www.psychofthesouth.com/photos_body.htm

This is referenced to year 1971 as an "early promotional poster".

We're still searching for more previously-uncovered KAAY audio, including that of Beaker Street.  We had a great find awhile back of a New Year's Eve broadcast that generated lots of "hits" and, I'm sure, more than a few downloads.

And now...as we've heard before...imagine with me, if you will, that deep, deep Tom Perryman voice, announcing, "Beaker Street...K-A-A-Y, Little Rock....", with reverb and depth that shook our bones and made us tingle with anticipation for the show!

If anyone has any audio stuck back in the closet, tape box or what-have-you that we haven't posted here yet, PLEASE get in touch with me- we'd love to share it here for all to enjoy!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

THE FIRST DAY: APRIL 21, 1969 !

A Special "Hello" to ALL who've taken the time to not only put this blog together, keep it running, add stories to it, but also to share their thoughts & memories of "The KAAY Experience" !

If you've had the time to check-out my Personal Website (http://www.jonnieking.net/) you've probably seen some early pix & read a lot of info on my years at "The Mighty 1090".  It was truly one of the happiest, best times of my career...and, if I could get in that (as of now unfinished) Time Machine I've been building, I would set the dial for "April 21, 1969/Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.A./KAAY Radio Studios, 1425 W.7th St." I would then go back, start it all over again, do it all BETTER than the first time, and, repeat the time period from 4-21-1969 to 9-15-1972 in a continuous loop.

Granted, I've had much success since I left KAAY, met many fantastic people, re-invented my career many times, still work at it everyday of my life, and currently have one of the hottest, most respected, individually produced, automotive sites in the R&C Industry (http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/), BUT the time I spent at KAAY remains deep in my heart, and my memory banks.

Ever see "Citizen Kane" ?   One of my all-time favorites & Welles one of the absolute best actor's ever.  But the mystery of "Kane" was based on his dying word: "Rosebud".

With all of his power, fame, money, property...Kane's dying word was linked back over 70 years earlier.  Linked back to his childhood, and to the beloved sled that he possessed on the day his young life was changed.

If any of the above resonates within your "mind's eye", you will then understand my wanting to relive those days of fun, friends, music, excitement, adventure, learning, and working at my craft in "The Art Of Communication" at our beloved KAAY.  AND, to go back to that first day there that began a change in MY life.

So it was, on this night of the aforementioned date, that I began my days at KAAY: The Mighty 1090.   And, I've been proud to be a part of  this Legendary station ever since.

Again, I salute all of those who were with me sharing that experience.  Each has their own individual version of their involvement, but I'd like to remember and thank, those who were there at that time, and those who have passed away:  Barry Wood, Pat Walsh, David B., George Jennings, Dave Montgomery, Matt White, Phil North, Nick Markel, Walt Sadler, Richard Enderwood, Joe Dickey, Celeste Dozier, Eddie Graham, Carolyn Metheny, Eula Mae, Felix McDonald, Marvin Vines, Tom Rusk, Delores Handy, Wayne Moss, Larry Montgomery, "Little Mary"...and if I missed you're name, sorry and thanks to you too !

My time at "The Mighty 1090: KAAY" ?   It all began 41 years ago today.

God bless you all, and please keep in touch.

Your friend,

Jonnie King

A.J. Lindsey Remembered

(This post was left in draft form on the blog several weeks ago.  Rather than let it languish, I decided to go ahead and post it, in hopes that the originator could come forward and finish the great memories he/she started here.  If not, this is still a wonderful memory of A.J. for all to enjoy...Bud S.)

I had the good fortune to meet with A.J. Lindsey, and even to work with him...but not in radio, unfortunately.  Of course, I grew up with KAAY and "Doc Holiday," including the stint by A.J. in that on-air role.  The first time I met him was when I lived in Pine Bluff, from 1978 until 1980.  I was managing a movie theatre there (Flick Twin Cinema), and worked with KCLA, "Razorback Country," as it was known at the time.  The general manager of the station was Ralph Taylor.  A.J. was running a waterbed store near the theatre.  The company I was working for, Commonwealth Theatres, had a contest between the theatre managers for the upcoming Academy Awards ceremonies.  Being somewhat competitive, I enlisted the aid of several merchants, including A.J.'s Waterbeds.  A.J., being a promotion minded individual, donated the grand prize, a complete waterbed outfit.  He came and set it up in the lobby of the movie theatre, where customers could look at it.  The contest involved the person filling out a ballot of the major Academy Awards.  We got some promotional air time on the radio station.  

FROM THE LAST DAY TO THE FIRST !

A special "Hi" to all !

I've been reading and listening to all of the great stories about "KAAY: The Last Day".

Ironically, today - April 20, 2010 - is the day I moved to Little Rock to start my job at KAAY.

It was that fateful day of April 20, 1969, that I left KLID in Poplar Bluff, MO. to drive on into L.R.  I remember it almost as if it were yesterday:  the excitment, the anticipation, the nervousness (yes, that was always a factor in leaving "established roots" no matter where you were headed), and the feeling that I'd try to capture "lightning in a bottle" and contribute all of my time, talent, and energy to this WorldWide appreciated 50,000 Watt Giant: KAAY.

I was driving my nearly-new, custom-ordered '68 Cougar XR-7 and stopped for gas about 30 miles out of L.R.   In those days an actual "attendant" filled-up your car, and while he was doing that I went inside to get something to drink.  They had a radio on and I was sure it was KAAY because I had been listening on the way down, they even had a "last year's" KAAY Razorback Schedule still hanging on the wall.

When I got my drink and was paying for the gas, I asked the clerk - as I always used to like doing - what station they were listening to.  "That's KAAY", she said.  "Is that a good station ?", I asked. "Oh, they're the only one I listen to !  They have really good songs all the time..." she replied.  'Nuff said. I had to contain myself, trying to keep from telling her that "...tomorrow night, you can hear me on that station !"

As it went, I got to L.R. okay, Barry Wood, who was the PD then, was waiting for me at the station.  We went over the "basics of the board", and by that time a Sunday Night religious block was on.   My friend, Richard Enderwood (read more about him on my Personal Site) and his wife, had said that I could stay in the spare room of their Mobile Home til I found a place, so we had some dinner, and I hit the sheets...trying very hard to get some sleep before the Big Day.

I'll try to fill you in on that tomorrow.

All the best to you all,

Jonnie King

Back When We Pushed Buttons

For some years now, I’ve been wondering what was so different about those “good old days” of radio back in the 60s and 70s. (Yeah, I realize I’ve just come out as a Geezer, but there are some things a man simply must do.)

A large part of the difference between Then and Now would be the use of the controlled playlist: here’s today’s song sequence from which you shall not deviate. You will play this one followed by that one followed by the other one—and so on until the next person (if any) comes on duty.

At least that’s the way it was until computerization rendered humans quaintly superfluous. Until sometime in the middle 1980s, DJs actually handled discs—compact discs in this case. We’d pick ‘em from the wall rack according to the playlist, cue ‘em up (meaning we’d insert one into the playback machine and set it to the proper track) and fire ‘em off at the exact moment so as to never let that VU meter drop (aka Dead Air). The process worked the same with vinyl records and turntables, though one had to learn to “lead” the turntable so it wouldn’t “wow up.” (Didn’t we have some lovely terms Back When?)

It was in the early 90s when some nameless Spawn Of Satan figured out that all the music a station played could be recorded into a computer hard drive and played back complete with jingles, promos and commercials without the need for human intervention. Go back and read that part another time or two, for it summarizes the entire decline and fall of Radio. I’ll wait.

“Without the need for human intervention” is what scooped out the soul of Radio and dashed its brains against the bottom line. It’s what enabled Clear Channel (known within the industry as the Evil Empire for several good reasons) to use voice tracking: a practice whereby a DJ in Memphis can also appear on-air in Seattle, Denver, and/or Milwaukee. Instead of hiring three actual humans, Clear Channel just throws a few extra bucks at the guy in Memphis. All glories to the profit margin. Et cetera, ad nauseum, world without end, amen.

Things were radically different in the control room of KAAY—and of a thousand other stations across the country Back When. At the end of a record, we WERE ready with the next one. At the end of a commercial, we WERE ready with the next one. We NEVER let the needle on that VU meter drop. EVER. A human being pushed every button, flipped every switch. There was no such thing as walkaway time. We started and stopped and monitored every blessed thing that went out on the air. We were as important as the electricity that fed the transmitter. When we were on the air, we WERE the station and our listeners knew it. There was a human being talking right to them through that speaker. There was a friend in that little old box. Somebody was alive in there and having a big time!

Fast forward to 2010—O Brave New World where the Radio landscape looks like a Salvador Dali painting full of limp pocket watches draped over the branches of dead trees in the desert. I take some evil consolation in the thought that Spawn Of Satan probably got a thousand-dollar bonus for his computerization idea and ultimately lost his gig to his own brainchild.

Cynically Yours,
David B. Treadway
Doc Holiday VII
Genuine Relic Of A Bygone Age

The Last Day: During The Day Part 6

According to what I read, Barry Wood, a.k.a. Mike McCormick, worked part-time at KAAY, since he was in the Air Force at the Little Rock Air Force base (by the way, this is one of my customers! bs).  This is a very short audio clip and I thought his selection of Kansas' "Dust In The Wind" was appropriate:

(insert KAAY Last day Woody audio here and delete this line)

 The Last Day: Barry Wood:   stream   |   download

Jerry Sims/Sonny Martin Audio!

(Jerry Sims recently found a tape in his collection of himself...and a very important and valuable tape, indeed!  Read on and enjoy the audio...many thanks to Jerry! bs)

Back in 1966 we were having some fun on KAAY. I believe the listeners were, and I can assure you we were. Here is an air-check from my Sonny Martin Program on August 30, 1966. We would always cut out the music when we recorded these. DJ's and Program Directors knew what the music sounded like. I did not think at the time that this would be listened to by others, 40+ years later, that would want "the whole experience." Sorry.

There were some special things I remember about this particular program. First of all, my good friend Richard Wiethan was about to take over the Buddy Karr name and shift. He walked into the control room to say hello, with his shades on. That is who I was talking to when I said "Hello Hollywood". Then he was acting silly and almost fell over a chair. Also his voice is on the tape (my only recording of this good friend) promoting the new season of the Buddy Karr Program starting September 12th, with a special preview on September 5th. I then said he would be on later today. This was all just promotional babble, because he was coming in as the new Buddy Karr. The one before him, Bob Mullins (Buddy Karr #2), had recently left. Listeners, many times, would call about the "new voice-same name" thing that we did regularly. They seemed to adjust to it quickly enough though. I have said before, I left KAAY as Sonny Martin on a Friday, and a different sounding Sonny was on the air on Monday. Not too long to make that adjustment, huh?

Also in the tape you will hear Walt Sadler (Ron Owens) on several promos, and George J. Jennings. And, my favorite voice of all time, Tom Perryman with his BIG K- A- A- Y. I really wish I had left the tape rolling on some of the news, etc. The voice on the Follow-A-Car promotion, I believe, is Ray Brown (the Doc Holiday who took A.J. Lindseys place).

While it is fun for me to listen again, there is a sad part of it: Richard Wiethan, A.J Lindsey, Ray Brown, Walt Sadler, and George Jennings are no longer with us.

"Return with us now to those thrilling days of yester-year"......

Jerry Sims......Sonny Martin KAAY.....the middle one

Jerry Sims/Sonny Martin 1966:   stream   |   download

Arkansas Ham Radio Special Event Station

For those of you who enjoy the "different" and "interesting": I was just informed by Bill, WA9AQQ this morning of a special event Ham radio station that will take place from April 17 through the 25th, from 1400 to 2300Z (9 AM until 6 PM Central Time) from the club station W5HSV, located at Hot Springs Village Arkansas (note the last three letters of the callsign).  For those who are Ham radio operators, or if you have shortwave listening capabilities, tune in to 21.240 MHz, 14.240 MHz (both in upper sideband mode), 7.240 and 3.940 Mhz (both in lower sideband) at different times of the day.  There will be only one station operating, so any of the frequencies will be used one at a time during different parts of the day.

The special even station is to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Hot Springs Village, AR.

Ham radio operators will recieve a beautiful certificate for their QSL sent to the station.  I suppose, in the case of a shortwave listener sending in a short report, a certificate would also be received...these guys from Arkansas are top-notch operators and welcome shortwave listeners, as well, so ask!

Reports and QSLs go to: Ken Graham, W5HSV, 71 Mandarina Dr., Hot Springs Village, AR 71909.

(Reason being, we've mentioned the Good Ol' Arkansas Phone Net here before and several of the operators there were KAAY listeners in the "glory days"; they visit our blog from time to time and I, as a Ham myself, enjoy operating with them and support them...might as well say, "everything Arkansas" for the blog!  Bud S.)

The Last Day: During The Day Part 5

This is a longer audio clip- the longest we have (almost ten minutes)- of The Last Day.  This clip includes an Ear On Arkansas comedy segment...rather racy for the day!  Also, Sonny (Matt White) Martin mentions how he came to KAAY- Tommy Riggs was the responsible party!

Sonny also mentions Toy Hill and marathon deejay sessions...I'd listened to these guys do their stints at the mic and wished I'd been able to travel up there on a Christmas vacation to participate helping with the toys, but I was never able to go.

 Last Day: More Sonny Martin:  stream  |  download

Dennis Harrington audio

We received this from Fritze Prentice:

Attached is a KAAY aircheck from January (unknown year) featuring Dennis Harrington --- mostly oldies music, a couple of promos, some ads (one local, two national).
 
Fritze H Prentice Jr
KC5KBV
Star City, AR

Thanks, Fritz!

Dennis Harrington KAAY:   stream   |   download

The Last Day: During The Day Part 4

This is a humorous little excerpt from the Last Day, where Mike McCormick (Barry Woods) mentions Mary Smart in the character of "Magnolia". Mary/Magnolia played a part in the KAAY Ear on Arkansas comedies. According to A.J.'s memories of Mary, she was a copy writer at KAAY. By the way, there's a jingle at the end of the clip by Tommy Riggs...enjoy!

Last Day, Mary Smart and "Magnolia":   stream   |   download