Bob Barry's Unearthed Interviews

Many of you who are familiar with our podcast know that music legend Bobby Vinton has been a friend of ours for many years. Recently the Wisconsin Historical Society unearthed an interview with Bobby that hasn't been heard on this program. Those of you not familiar with this chart- topping sensation I only need to tell you he was the voice that defined romance. When the world needed a love song, he gave us one. He's the man behind timeless classics like "Blue Velvet," "Roses are Red," and "Mr. Lonely." And besides all that, Bobby was a television and movie star. And he's a very down-to-earth superstar, as you will hear in this podcast.

Strap in and fire it up. This podcast has the man, the machine, and a quarter mile of pure nerve. They call him Big Daddy Don Garlits, the pioneer who changed drag racing forever. He was a multiple world champion, founder of the legendary swamp rat dragsters and a hall of fame icon, whose name still echoes down the strip every time the lights drop. Garlits helped turn drag racing into a national spectacle – speed, science and fearless determination. (Photo shows WOKY's Barney Pip and I with our trophies won at the Great Lakes Dragway.)

Today's podcast guest is one of those actors where you say, 'Wait a minute, I love her…what do I know her from? And the answer is: Everything. Broadway, film, television, award-winning drama, awkward family dinners – she's done it all. She's been nominated for an Oscar, stolen scenes from Hollywood legends and made us laugh cry and rethink Thanksgiving conversations. If you've ever watched a movie and thought, 'That character feels dangerously real,' chances are it was Celia Weston. You've seen her on "Alice," "Parenthood," Modern Family" and "In the Bedroom," where her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Some of your probably grew up watching Robert Carradine as Lewis in "Revenge of the Nerds." He was the guy who made being smart not just cool, but heroic. But that's just one chapter in a really interesting career, as he will reveal. Bob comes from one of Hollywood's most well-known acting families that included his father John and brother David Carradine. Robert has spent decades working in film and TV, building a body of work that goes way beyond any single role.

Welcome back to the podcast. Today's guest is someone you're going to love hearing from, Kim Morgan Greene. You might remember her from her breakout role on the classic tv hit "Dynasty," or from her many stage and screen performances since then. Kim's an actress, a singer and a storyteller, with plenty of great experiences to share. But trust me, Kim is way more fun than any soap opera plotline. We're going to laugh, trade stories, and maybe even get a little behind-the-scenes-gossip.

If Captain Kangaroo was a part of your childhood, then you'll remember Debbie "Feebee" Weems. She was a regular on the "Captain Kangaroo" show from 1973 to 1978. She acted, sang songs, and was the voice of the puppet character, Baby Duck. This short interview took place during the filming of the Kangaroo show at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. If you Google "Debbie Weems," you'll see that, sadly, her life ended in tragedy.

In March of 1960, Stanley Kramer had the honor of being the first star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Now, nearly 3,000 stars later, this podcast shines a light on one of Hollywood's most fearless filmmakers. Kramer, known as the message movie master, never shied away from tackling the big issues of his time – racism, war, nuclear fear, and social justice. With classics like "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "2001, A Space Odyssey," "High Noon," and "Judgment at Nuremberg," Kramer proved that movies could both entertain and challenge audiences to think. His bold vision and moral courage made him not just a director and producer, but a true pioneer in American cinema.

Today, we're joined by a true legend of country music, a man whose storytelling has shaped generations of songs and singers. With a career spanning over six decades he's given us unforgettable hits like "Detroit City" and "500 Miles From Home," plus one that we'll talk about, that caused some controversy and was banned from play at some radio stations. Bobby Bare has been celebrated as one of Nashville's most genuine voices. He's a Grammy winner and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the master of weaving real life into music.

We're going waaaay back for some Milwaukee nostalgia today. We're cranking up the big band vibes as we welcome none other than the trailblazing bandleader Woody Herman, a true pioneer who led "The Herd" to jazz greatness. He was one of the featured halftime performers at Super Bowl VII. His band appeared for Frank Sinatra's television special "The Main Event" and they performed on the album of the same name. Woody is from Milwaukee and will share some of his memories. He was set to appear at a new venue in Milwaukee. So, get ready to experience the swinging spirit of Woody Herman.

She was the golden voice of the big band era, lighting up ballrooms, radios and TVs across America. She sang two of the greatest big band hits ever recorded: "Green Eyes," and "Tangerine." And, she had a voice that could melt hearts. Helen O'Connell left an indelible mark on American music and culture. She continued to entertain after those sold-out swing crowds faded and she was here in Milwaukee, entertaining with two other golden legends.