Shotgun Tom Kelly’s Fabulous Collection!
(Top row L to R) Shotgun Tom’s first Emmy award for his TV show Words-A-Poppin.
Billboard Magazine Jock of the Year award. Shotgun Tom’s second Emmy for Words-A-Poppin,
MD 421.
(2nd row L to R) Western Electric mic with springs 1920. RCA 77DX. Western Electric 387 with
cover 1929. Electro-voice 666. Electro-voice 664. Altec 639B. Shure 55S. RCA 77D. Shure SM33.
KFRC 44BX.
(Bottom Row L to R) KFSD RCA 74B. K-Earth mic flag. NBC mic flag, and Turner U9S.
1.16.17
by Rollye James
and
Claude Hall
Claude Hall: “I loved my years with Billboard. Because the men and women I usually wrote
about were brilliant and very colorful. And all seemed to be like heroes out of some novel.
My aunt Winona Smith married a cowboy in Sonora, TX, who couldn’t read nor write. These
things, she taught him. Actually, he wasn’t much of a cowboy, though he was foreman of a
ranch for a while. That was sheep country. He later worked for the railroad and then was a
mechanic on diesel engines in his later life. When I wrote the western novel “Huecos,” I had
Jake Chadwick in mind as the hero. Because right after he and my aunt got married, she was
still in her teens, they gave me my first book, a collection of horror tales. I was 9 years old.
Jake would take nothing from nobody. They don’t make men like him anymore. Years later, I
wrote a short story about Momma Chadwick, his mother. But my urge to write and my
interest in literature goes back to when I was just 9 years old and I probably owe it to Winona
and Jake Chadwick. If you’d like to read my latest tale – ‘God Is Crazy, Too’ -- about a disc
jockey, punch here.”
Rollye: “I jut finished reading “God Is Crazy, Too”— loved it. Thanks to Claude for weaving
me, and a number of other people mentioned in this column, into the captivating tale.”
Bill Gardner: “Thanks to both you and Claude for your posting and very kind words. Cool
picture, direct from Claude's kitchen! And the dog story Claude mentioned was very funny
while it happened. The dog was between Shotgun and me on his doggie bed. The Chihuahua
seemed to really enjoy my scratching him on the hear and rubbing behind his ears. But if
Shotgun would even LOOK at him, he'd begin growling. If Shotz got UP, it turned into
barking. We both thought it was hilarious.
“Small correction, the legendary station where Shotgun Tom Kelly was afternoons and I was
mornings was the legendary KCBQ, San Diego, home of "The Last Contest," under amazing
Program Director Jack McCoy.”
Rollye: “Bill Gardner and Shotgun Tom Kelly’s presence would only have enhanced KCUB,
a country station in Tucson at 1290 AM. But the mix up was a very high honor in Claude’s
eyes, based on his proclaiming KCUB “the world’s best radio station” in 1976. Reading that
in Billboard back then apparently meant a lot to KCUB owner Jim Slone. It was warmly
mentioned in the coverage of his Country Radio Hall of Fame induction last year here. Bob
English was the music director back then as I recall, and Jim Arnold was PD.
“When Bill mentioned Jack McCoy, I asked if he could confirm Jack was no longer with us. I
erroneously believed Jack had passed, and I even had a story to go with it. Clearly
misattribution, and for that I'm glad. But Bill added a delightful McCoy story to his reply:”
Bill Garner: “Last Jack and I communicated, he's still living in his beloved San Diego
(Coronado), with a thriving large boat business. As for incredibly smart and creative, I
watched Jack McCoy create the sound of a Ferrari in the KCBQ San Diego production room
for a 'Last Contest' on air promo, with the cheesy 70's era sound effects library every radio
station had on discs! Jack took the cut labeled 'Dump Truck,' recorded it at 78 RPM instead of
33 1/3 on reel-to-reel tape, and when he needed the sound of a Ferrari shifting gears, he'd pinch
the rolling tape while it was in motion. Enzo Ferrari's personal approval of our sound effect
was required before we could air it, and gotten! Genius is over-used, but Jack McCoy IS
one. I heard and saw it over and over. Many more Jack McCoy great stories where that
came from.”
Shotgun Tom: “So nice that you are doing VoxJox. Claude wanted me to send [the picture at
the top of the page]. Your radio readers will get a kick out of my mic collection.”
Ken Levine: “I’ve started a weekly podcast, which (like my blog) will be an irreverent look at
show business and life. I’m trying to scare up as many listeners as I possibly can. Can I
impose upon you to plug it in the next Vox Jox? I’m calling it HOLLYWOOD & LEVINE
and here’s the link. ”
Rollye: “Impose? This is just the kind of stuff for which I pray when putting this column
together. I love Ken’s blog, so I thought I’d like the podcast too, and, sure enough, he had me
in the opening words when I realized he’d be capitalizing on radio’s greatest strength. Ken
explained that he’ll be doing his podcast as a solo act, rather than in a group setting because he
wants listeners to feel he is talking to them ‘one-to-one,’ rather than eavesdropping on
someone’s conversation. The debut show has Ken compellingly confiding what he really
thinks about industry awards and all that surrounds them, including the hilarious truth of what
happens right after you win one. In addition to a lot of inside info, you’ll also be treated to a
1977 aircheck of Ken as “Beaver Cleaver” on 10Q.
“I heard from Jay Melnick about Marty Zivin’s passing. If you’re not a radio fan in Chicago
(and maybe even if you are), the name might not be familiar. But Marty was like a lot of guys
whose names we may not know. Folks who may not have ever gotten trade magazine
headlines, but radio’s history would not be nearly as rich without them. In fact, much of radio’s
history might be lost entirely without their strong desire, stemming from their childhood love
of the medium, to keep it alive. Marty built his first radio at 8, and went on to not only build a
career, but as evidenced by the outpouring of love for him, helped build the career of many
broadcasters, including some names you will know. Robert Feder wrote about him here.
“Speaking of radio’s history, a big chunk of it in Georgia is moving— and it is definitely St.
Mary’s loss…”
John Long: “The Georgia Radio Museum and Hall of Fame is leaving St. Marys. After
negotiations for more display space with the city failed to yield any results, the state's
repository of radio memorabilia, equipment, and artifacts will relocate to a newly remodeled
facility 12 miles from downtown Atlanta in Forest Park. The museum's current agreement with
the city of St. Marys ends on March 31st.
“We advertised for cities interested in having a highly successful tourist destination in the
Georgia Municipal Association's newspaper. The periodical reaches 7,000 subscribers across
the state of Georgia monthly. The response was overwhelming. We eliminated those which did
not fit our criteria then met with the remaining candidates. Forest Park officials were the most
proactive and worked very hard to be our ultimate choice. They have, in place, an active
master plan to revitalize Forest Park. Their progress is very impressive. We were looking for a
city with a forward focus willing to meet our needs. The new museum location will open in
late spring.
“Forest Park is in Clayton County, one of 17 metro Atlanta counties. The Georgia Radio
Museum and Hall of Fame joins other Clayton tourist destinations including The Road to Tara
Museum, Stately Oaks Plantation, The Georgia Archives, The National Museum of
Commercial Aviation, The Patrick R. Cleburne Memorial Confederate Cemetery, The
Reynolds Nature Preserve and Newman Wetlands Center. The Clayton County Convention and
Visitors Bureau has expressed interest in including the Georgia Radio Museum on it's highly
acclaimed Southern Belles & Whistles Tours.”
Rollye: “The Georgia Radio Hall of Fame was founded on March 15, 2007 by St. Marys
resident and radio luminary John Long and Atlanta radio mega-personality, Sam Hale. The
Georgia Radio Museum opened May 24, 2014. In addition to their website, they've also got a
facebook page here.
“Can’t close the subject of radio greats without a Joey Reynolds update, or two. First, big
thanks to Joey for plugging this column in Facebook. I admit to being a fossil without a
Facebook account (and further admit to taking perhaps perverse pride in that lack), but I’m so
pleased that I am alone. Joey’s nice words swelled our ranks (by at least six, but that’s five
more than the usual weekly increase). While I’m talking about it, I heard from Rich Brother
Robbin to update his address— he’s now back in Tucson. Done. Welcome back to Arizona,
Rich Bro. Also added is Michael O’Shea, who is in Santa Rosa, California. I appreciate his
very kind words to me— but if you’re not getting this column regularly in your inbox, you
don’t have to say anything nice at all. Just click on the link at the top of the page, fill out the
form, and most importantly, reply to the verification email you’ll get, and you’re in! …which
reminds me...
“The weekly emails contain a text version of everything you read online. Ideally, you’re just
using the emails for a reminder and a link to the new column that's online. If that’s the case,
it’s probably better if I don’t also send the whole thing by email. So, here’s the question….
would you prefer to see a short excerpt of the new column each week with a link to the full
content online— or do you want to see a full text version? If you’ve got a moment, let me
know at info@voxjox.org. And now back to Joey Reynolds…”
Randy West: “Seeing Joey Reynolds and guesting on his WABC/KABC show over the
holidays was especially nostalgic - even beyond all the great memories from 40 years of
friendship - and I couldn't figure out why, Not until I saw the photo of Times Square you
posted last week. Simple. Joey's bigger than life, just above the exhaust fan than blows the
smell of grilling Tads Steaks out to the sidewalk. As much as Joey showers, that Tads Steaks
aroma unmistakably screams ‘New York!’ The best seat in the house for the Mariah Carey
debacle. Maybe next new years eve it'll be Joey's ball that drops.”
Rollye: “If you weren’t as lucky as Randy West to see the show in person, that’s why we have
Art Vuolo.”
Art Vuolo: “Hey...here it is! The outrageously entertaining Late Joey Reynolds Christmas
Show on 77 WABC. Quality should look good with clean audio too. The KABC Los Angeles
Show on New Years should be coming soon...done with TWO cameras! Wish me luck.”
If you can't see it, click here.
Rollye: “And here’s a review of Joey’s show in LA Radio Waves, a weekly podcast covering
radio news and such hosted by Mike Stark and Richard Wagoner. (Here's a direct link to the
podcast.) Also, a recent column in Radio Ink by Canadian broadcaster Ron Robinson (read it
here) resulted in amplification from Joey. I know nothing about iambic pentameter or anything
poem-like, but I’ll print it as Joey wrote it, just in case:”
Joey Reynolds: “https: from the school of PAY ATTENTION.
I have been preaching that we need to re tool
The learning curve is available with CSB,
Teach history-ideas-technology-money management-
Become the Master of the craft
The celebrity cultures is choking us, we have a reality show host running for President?
'Stop kissing millennials asses'
They need to be kissing ours
The seal is supposed to jump through the hoop at Seaworld to get a meal
The dog has to roll over to be petted
The animal world has it right, we are switching roles
The Congress is responsible, although they don't act it.
Al of this s not presidential, it is congressional
FCC
FAA
FDA
If it begins with an F it ends with a K
All under congress and miserably F'd up
Lobbying is Payola
A few things you wont hear on Jeopardy;
Ask yourself why we have flight instructions on every single flight?
When did Congress turn radio and tv into real estate
(Overseas investors in American broadcast properties is against the law)
Dear house members,
Put your booze down and Legalize marijuana and cut the sh*t
The politics has kept people stupid, the only voter fraud is the choices are slim and none.
When do we learn and graduate so that we are not treated like we are the bottom of the food
chain?
The words of Rex Gamble in Denver, the mind surgeon-
IF IT IS TO BE IT's UP TO ME”
Rollye: “Under the heading of ‘Now this is a selfie!’ Joey also sent along a story on the newest
addition to Las Vegas streets, the self-driving bus. Something tells me that Claude Hall hasn’t
tried it yet (I know I wouldn’t— I don’t even like self-service elevators), but evidence that
Claude (and Barbara) are getting out, here they are having New Year’s Day breakfast at the
Silver Sevens. May it be the first of many more outings in 2017.”
Claude and Barbara Hall
Bob Brennan (to Claude Hall): “We have been in touch about Felix Pappalardi in the past. I
have one producer interested and he did a movie with Lukas Haas in 2009 and was wondering
if you think he resembles Felix. I saw the movie with Mountain's former keyboardist Steve
Knight at the Woodstock Film Festival and Steve said "that's Felix" when Lukas appeared on
the screen. The producer Scott Rosenbaum is in the middle [of the picture Bob sent to Claude].
He is not a big time producer, just a local guy with a few credits, so I am looking for backing.
If you know anyone who might want to invest in a Felix flick, please let me know. I am going
to ask Lou Gossett soon as well. Lou and Felix played as a folk duo in 1964. [Contact Bob
here.]”
Lukas Haas
(not the shot Bob sent, but one that I can safely use)
Claude Hall (to Bob Brennan): “About Felix, he had bushy hair and a mustache and looked
Greek and was. Finding someone who looked like him? I don't know. Must be lots of people
who could do the job with makeup. I remember him as being gregarious. Warm. No ego.
When I suggested once that someone ought to put the 12-string on a song, he poopoo'd the
idea. It was the Beatles who brought variety to the scene, I think. In improvisation, I
remember once at the Capitol Theater he and Mountain were excited afterwards backstage
because they'd created a riff and they couldn't remember it! Been too long! I wish you the best
in your endeavors.”
Bob Brennan: “Your recollection about the riff at the Capitol Theatre makes sense because
Felix mentioned in some interviews that the majority of Mountain's set each night was
improvisation and he even said that ‘mistakes’ are fun because you have to improvise your way
back out of them. The spontaneity of the improvisations kept it exciting for the band and the
fans, including me. I saw them four times and the best one may have been at Gaelic Park in
1971. Some excellent photos of that concert can be seen here.”
Rollye: “Bob sent along a copy of a thorough article he wrote in Bassics Magazine on Felix,
published Aug/Sep 2003, that forms the basis of Bob's screenplay. It grabbed me from the
opening quote of a Jacksonville disc jockey: “I don’t know what was stupider, Felix being shot
by his wife, or Marvin Gaye being shot by his dad.” (Felix’s wife, who died in Mexico in
2014, served less than half of just a four year sentence. ) Clearly, there’s a lot to say, and
hopefully Bob’s words will be saying it on the big screen. (I’d love to reprint the Bassics piece
here, but even though Bassics is history, their copyright isn’t.)”
Kipper McGee: “Working on 'evolving media news' model, particularly for audio. An
illustration I want to use is (as I recall) during the McLendon/Storz battles. If distant memory
serves, one would play Sousa marches whenever the other broke for news, to make them sound
like an 'all-news & commercials' station. Was it Storz who did this to McLendon, vise-versa,
someone else entirely, or simply ‘pre-Urban radio mythology’?”
Rollye: “I can’t vouch for the Sousa marches (though both vowed to play them formatically if
it would make money— kinda like Todd’s Chinese Gong quote)— but McLendon was
(thankfully for us listeners) not above dirty tricks— but not usually against Todd, as there was
only one head to head Storz-McLendon battle, and it happened indirectly.
“In New Orleans, Todd had WTIX (which moved to 690 from 1450) and Gordon’s father in
law (Louisiana Governor Jimmy Noe) had WNOE (which he bought from the Baptists).
Gordon ‘assisted’ in WNOE’s programming, to say the least. (For a while it was a 3 way
battle, when Mike Joseph was consulting WSMB.) I’m sure Ken Dowe could answer your
question more fully. Ken?
“One thing I can tell you Gordon did with regularity (and I bet Ken remembers this) was he’d
find the worst possible programming on a competitor (in the case of Dallas, notably Balaban’s
KBOX) and then do a promo congratulating them on it. It wasn’t hard to find boring tuneouts
due to the onerous public service requirements that most top 40 owners gladly pledged to do in
order to get their licenses. Gordon would run the produced promo touting the abysmal block
repeatedly.
“Regarding news and Storz, one of my favorite tales was about Todd engaging in a discussion
of whether to run the news at 5 til (as he did on most of his stations) or top of the hour… this is
around 1959, and someone had the audacity to suggest Todd research it by asking the listeners
what they wanted. Todd felt it would be utterly useless to ask because, “People don’t know
what they like, they like what they know!” [Todd was not entirely research adverse— part of
what led to the format leap he later took was a big study from the University of Nebraska at
Lincoln— though likely the most important factor in his belief in top 40 was what happened
during the Korean conflict. Everyone thinks of the “jukebox - quarter” story— and it’s a vital
element, but few know that the bar incident wasn’t a revelation— it was confirmation of
something he had come to know well. More on that some other time.]
“Last week Bruce Bonner asked me about Bill Taylor on WEBC. In my answer, I meant to
include this:”
(If you can't see it, click here.)
Bruce Bonner: “I have one more question if you don't mind and it's about Bob Foster. Years
ago I sent a couple of E-mails to Johnny Dark who worked for about 25 years at WCAO. He
told me that he and Bob had worked together at WEAM. Then he said that Bob Foster had
left WEAM and was working at WMEX and that Bob got him a job at WMEX. But before
Johnny got to WMEX Bob Foster left for WCAO. I'm sure he would remember correctly, but
I've asked several people in Boston who have radio websites and nobody's remembers him
working at WMEX. I was wondering if you know if Bob worked at WMEX and possibly
never knew his name. Now the people who have the radio sites in Boston know that Ed Hider
and Jack Gale both did the Fenway Show. Maybe Bob did the Fenway Show for a short time.”
Rollye: “I don’t know, but it is plausible that he was there and no one remembers him, given
that WMEX was one of radio’s best examples of a revolving door. Might be easier to ask who
didn’t work there. The route from DC to Boston courtesy of Mac Richmond was well paved.
Remember, the Richmond brothers owned WPGC in suburban DC along with WMEX in
Boston. But the definitive answer can be had! Arnie Ginsburg would know and he’s gonna
be back in action at the WRKO 50th anniversary reunion later this year.”
Mel Phillips: Thank you Rollye & Claude. It was so great to see the photos of some of the
radio greats of the past. And right there in your backyard, too. Monday is must-read day for
me. The writing I do for my weekly website and WRKO 50th Anniversary updates pales in
comparison to the terrific work both of you put in each week (every day is more accurate) to
keep us all closer together. Love you guys.”
Rollye: “Mel has just opened my eyes to the concept that I should start compiling this column
earlier in the week. What a revelation. Work usually starts Sunday afternoon which is why I’m
always complaining around 3 a.m. Monday morning. I will try to change my wanton ways,
though I’ve never been known for show prep. But Mel sure is. This week’s Mel Phillips
Radio Views, discusses artificial intelligence devices. I like them less than self-service busses,
elevators, et al, but they’re here and Mel correctly opines that radio needs to be part of the
paradigm. He also points out that one third of radio listeners now stream music.
“That almost sounds low in light of all the news over the past year about the great gains the
record industry is enjoying, almost exclusively attributable to the rise in streaming, which
accounts for the lion’s share of record label income now (well over downloads and physical
media). As Bloomberg noted here, the record industry is finally making money with
streaming. It is virtually the sole reason that the industry is enjoying its second growth year in
a row— something that hasn’t happened since the ’90s.”
Mel Phillips: “As we get closer to March 13th the actual launch date of WRKO, 50 years ago,
we pay tribute to the program directors during the top 40 era of the station (1967-1981).
Following the photos, all the information you need to know about our anniversary celebration:
Paul Power (acting)
Bob Henabery (67)
Mel Phillips (67-72)
Scotty Brink
(72-73)
Robin Mitchell Gerry Paul Kirby (75) JJ Jordan (75-78)
(acting) Peterson
(Cagle 73-75)
Mark McKay
(79-80)
Les Garland (78)
Harry Bud Nelson Harry Bud Nelson (80) Donna Halper
(78-79) (acting)
(next week: GM's during the top 40 era of WRKO)
Charlie Van Dyke (81)
“Anniversary Reunion Dates:
Friday, June 2, 2017
Invitations will be emailed in March for the Anniversary dinner at the Crowne Plaza (Charles
Ballroom) in Newton. Cash bar at 6 followed by dinner. Jordan Rich (seen above) will emcee.
Parking fees will be waived with front desk validation..
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Joel Cash
Arnie Ginsburg
Al Gates J.J. Jeffrey Chuck Knapp
George Art Vuolo
Capalbo Jr.
On air live (7pm-11pm) on WRKO & Backbone Network streaming (produced by George
Capalbo Jr.). All music and jingles from 1967. Art Vuolo will video tape the festivities, a
copy of which will go into the National Radio Hall Of Fame in Chicago.
“Reservations: Rooms are still available at the Crowne Plaza (Newton). Check-in: Friday (June
2), Check-out: Sunday (June 4). Call 617-969-3010 and ask for special "WRKO Reunion" rate
of $159 a night (tax not included). You'll pay about $175 after taxes but more if you park at the
hotel. We suggest using a cab or car service getting to the hotel and while staying there...
Dinner invitations will be emailed in March, party time is a little less than 5 months away.”
