Recent Pictures From Doug Virden

"Saw this on top of the console where Clyde did Beaker Street.  This was a very big football rivalry when Arkansas was in the Southwest Conference.  Even had a bet between KAAY and WOAI one year, unfortunately Arkansas came out on the losing end of that bet.

The console used to sit in front of the old RCA, it has since been moved in front of the Harris Transmitter which has been there since 1980.  The new transmitter is still in the crate and I will post a pic of it for the next post and give an update on it."

Thanks, Doug.  I remember when the console was in front of the old RCA back when I visited back in April 2012.  Wish I had all those notebooks there, too.  I wonder if any of the old station logs have been thrown away, too?

Thank you for sharing, Doug, we'll be looking for more coming our way!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

 

Comments From Cuba, From Antonio Diaz

In fact I didn't remember anyone been jailed for listen to radio stations from USA but if the police or any communist official got you doing that you end up been marked as a gusano (dissident).I'm a living example of that I was thrown out of university of Havana in 1980,they found out that I was an underground music fan and was listening Beaker Street every night in my house and finally I had to head north to America. ---Antonio Diaz on More Cuban Comments 10/6/17
	It's very exciting to know that people from Cuba took the time to send letters to the staff of KAAY, I'm Cuban and by that time 1973 I was a diehard listener of the station, Beaker Street was my favorite program I didn't miss them , each night I used to turn on my radio on 1090 khz from 1971 when I first discovered the station until September 27 1977 that beaker street wasn't on the air and never again I had the chance to hear BS I still don't know what happened, anyway I still keep those memories as my fondest, there's no doubt about it KAAY was the best station I've ever heard in my life. ---Antonio Diaz on Long DX Letter From Cuba 10/6/17

Tower Pictures

Took some pics of the towers and you will notice fencing around each tower as well as where the guy wires connect to the insulators on the ground.  It was raining off and on the day I was there so I didn't get close up to the towers.

Once again, Doug, thank you for the pictures and the update!

Bud s. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

More Transmitter Pictures

Here are pics from the outside of the KAAY transmitter building.  Included pics from the back and front of the building.  Notice the dumpster out front.  It was there when I took the picture just after the property was bushhogged about six months ago.  With a wet summer it has really grown back.  The cattle guard gate has been replaced by a sliding gate.

Thank you, Doug!  Y'all stay tuned for more!  Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

 

"AR ANSAS"

From Russell Wells' post on Facebook:

1968 trade publication advert. "You can't spell Arkansas without the K."

Thank you, Russell!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

More Transmitter Pics

From Doug Virden:

"Let's not forget the reason I was able to visit the KAAY transmitter building, the reason being was to pick up a remnant from the old RCA transmitter for Bud.  I  ended up taking a meter and some tubes which I sent Bud a few weeks ago.  I  got to take me home a meter and some tubes too.  I will let Bud do the honors of posting what he received, here are pics of mine."

Thank you, Doug!  I believe the Per Cent meter referenced modulation;  The tubes are part of an RF deck, and are 813 power tubes mounted in hefty ceramic bases.  Here is a vintage advertisement:

A great many Amateur Radio operators used these in home-built amplifiers for 160 meters (the Ham band just above the AM broadcast band, 1800 to 2000 kHz) and ran them for about 1,000 watts, reliably, for years.  They are tough tubes, able to take lots of abuse.

I will have to look around, I think I had a schematic for the old RCA transmitter somewhere, by the time I post my tubes and 12.5 kilovolt meter Doug sent me, I hope to have data on where they were in the RF chain.

Thanks again, Doug!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

Little Rock's "Bozo The Clown" Is Dead....

Thank you to David B. Treadway, for posting this on Facebook:

http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/local-news/gary-weir-little-rocks-bozo-the-clown-dies/827501136

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

Jerry Sims, The 2nd "Sonny Martin"

Here is a picture, shared by Doug Virden, on the KAAY-Mighty 1090 Facebook page....

I heard Jerry when I was 9 years old; when Jerry came through Mobile on a sales trip to Florida for his last employer (Hank's Fine Furniture), he stopped in Mobile and we had supper.  We calculated the years and, by gosh, we came to the same conclusion!  And he was so young back then!  later, I was able to make a trip to Little Rock in April 2012 (see other posts to this topic) and we had a great time!  Then, in August that same year, we lost Jerry.  He was doing what he loved: playing softball.  He collapsed on the field in extreme heat conditions and never regained consciousness...

...and a year later, in the same month, I almost died from heat stoke.  Two things ran through my mind: is this how Jerry went? and, what will my family do?  Fortunately, I recovered and have harped on safety re: heat-related injuries for all these years afterward.

Rest easy, Jerry, I'll see you in heaven....

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

Doug Virden Visits The KAAY Transmitter Site

"Had an unexpected opportunity to visit the KAAY transmitter building last week and here is a great starter pic with the 7th Street sign.  Ever since Bud and David B. Treadway (and don't forget Jerry Sims, too! bs) had a picture with it, I really wanted one too.  The reason I got to go out there was to pick up something from the old RCA transmitter that had been dismantled to put up the new 50KW transmitter.  I ended up taking something from the old RCA home with me too.  It will be included in another post."

That's a good picture, Doug!  Keep 'em coming!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

MAN, THAT'S A LOTTA YEARS !

Folks, I just heard from Jonnie King; he has just celebrated 50 YEARS in the broadcast industry!

I cannot tell the story like Jonnie King can, so, if you will, please go to his website and read all about it!

http://www.jonnieking.net/

Happy anniversary, Jonnie!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

QSL Cards From The Past!

Thanks to Larry McDonald for these reception verification ("QSL") cards from the past!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

"Big Mama" Is Gone....

I was just informed by KAAY's head engineer that the RCA, "Big Mama", as David B. Treadway called her, is now gone.

Was:

...and no more:

My heart hurts!  I am so thankful that Jerry Sims, the 2nd "Sonny Martin", now gone also, pleaded and cajoled with me to make the pilgrimage to Little Rock and Wrightsville, AR to see this once-magnificent radio station.  I was tearing up heavily when I saw David B. lovingly caress her face, then listen for her as he pressed his ear to her...as I am about to now.

That's Gordon Stephan behind David B.

And, to Jerry Sims, who made me actually realize my dream:

I can't say this enough: I love you guys, for caring enough to show me around and taking time with me, a humble fan from so long ago.  One other Great, Charlie Scarbrough, "Charlie King", who took the time to ferry me and my family around, thank you SO much!

I will always have fond memories of KAAY, and especially of this trip.  A few months later, Jerry Sims died from a heat-related incident while doing what he loved: playing softball...but that's another story.

At the top left-hand corner of this blog, type in "my trip" and search; post after post will come up, relating to my trip to Little Rock and Wrightsville, AR back in 2012 and will reveal all the wonderful pictures and memories I experienced.  One more chapter closed on KAAY.  Thanks, Daniel.

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

Happy 55th Anniversary!

My, how time flies!  Fifty-five years ago this moth, KAAY came into being and the "Baby Elephant Walk" song permeated the airwaves for a while, as deejays read aloud the Little Rock phone book, saying the folks were "friends of the Mighty Giant", etc.

https://archive.org/details/KTHSToKAAYBabyElephantWalkStunt

This signaled the format- and callsign change- of 1090 AM in Little Rock, AR, as KAAY bought out KTHS and became the Mighty 1090, KAAY that so many of us loved.  It happened Labor Day, 1962.  The history is slightly murky as to who the original jocks were, as some left, others came right in, but here are links to previous posts we have entered, as well:

http://mighty1090kaay.blogspot.com/search?q=Labor+Day

...as well as a few posts from A. J. Lindsey's now-inactive blog:

http://kaay1090.blogspot.com/search?q=Labor+Day

Yes, we have plenty to celebrate!  For my article regarding KAAY in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, go here:

http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=6228

I was honored when they asked me to contribute!  No one had ever entered any information on perhaps the greatest radio station Arkansas ever had, so they encouraged me to arrange this article.  After a few months' work, and honing and polishing, and with the help of some of "The Greats" of KAAY, this was the finished project.  Enjoy!

Happy anniversary, KAAY and to you Greats who brought us so much wonderful entertainment!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

Keepin' 'Em Cool....

Larry McDonald, son of Felix McDonald, found this as the family was cleaning up at the McDonald farm.  he says he'll bet this is the only survivor.  Does anyone know what the McDonald's favorite soft drink was?

Thank you, Larry!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

"The Hotline"

Larry McDonald posted this on Facebook, his comments follow:

 "It is a phone hotline my dad helped build the station it was called KTHS before Linn broadcasting made KAAY. I watched them change the letters on the transmitter building, it went from there to the Mighty 1090."

Thanks, Larry, for all you and your dad did to keep this mighty station on the air!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

Larry McDonald's Comic Picture

This was cut from a comic strip years ago, and Larry McDonald posted it on Facebook as the "Felix and Leta McDonald Family":

Larry's sister said, "That's us!"

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

"New" Bumper Stickers?

Alerted by Doug Virden, "sourced" by Larry McDonald (Felix's son), here are some bumper stickers I've never seen!

Thanks, Larry and Doug!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

No KAAY Facebook Page?

Sidney Woodbury just noted on the Facebook page "KAAY-AM, The Mighty 1090" that KAAY themselves no longer have a Facebook page:

"I don't know if this is a sign of some kind of change or just a coincidence, but there is no KAAY Facebook page, that would be the current KAAY, not the Mighty 1090 page."

More as their status develops....

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

Contact From A New Visitor!

From my e-mail recently:

"Bud,

 

My name is Jeff Barrette, I live in Madison Wi.  I crew up in a small southwest Wisconsin town.  I recently found your blog and it has been delightful.  I have been trying to read all of the posts’.  I have posted a few responses.  I have found all of the history of KAAY fascinating.  KAAY was without doubt my favorite station, even though I could only listen after sundown. The music that was played is timeless.

 

The purpose of this communication is Clyde Clifford. Because of Clyde Clifford and Beaker Street the music that is considered classic was introduced to millions of people.  It is my opinion that Clyde Clifford should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

Would you be interested in assisting with such an endeavor?

 

Your fellow KAAY and Beaker Street fan.

 

Jeff Barrette"

 

Jeff, thank you for your e-mail!  There are probably a lot of people who think just like you.  When Clyde proposed this back in late 1966, "the suits" didn't think Beaker Street would work- little did they know the huge success they would enjoy.  Later, when other owners/GMs discontinued it, they disappointed a lot of listeners.  In later years, when it was aired on other stations with Clyde at the helm, it gained momentum again...but you know radio....

 

I hope many other people attempt this endeavor.  I have also petitioned to get Don Payne in the Arkansas Radio Hall Of Fame, since he was the last deejay to air it until "the suits" shut it down...to no avail.

 

Go for it, Jeff!  And thanks again!  Also check the Facebook page at: ttps://www.facebook.com/groups/198469254312/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

 

Bud S (staceys4@Hotmail.com)

 

What KAAY Ought To Do?

Doug Virden notified me of Greg Barman's shared link over on Facebook's KAAY-AM The Mighty 1090 page:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2017/jul/08/wfli-agatakes-flight/437252/#/

Thanks to both you guys!

Bud S. (staceys4@Hotmail.com)