Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt

You’re back! So happy you all are here.

This week marks the 30th anniversary of Norm’s passing on October 29th, 1996. A night and a phone call I will never forget.

Every year I like to mention how long it took me to even listen to a single tape. If it wasn’t a decade, it was darn close. And even then, it was one cassette here and there. It was always so very emotional. Not only because I loved Norm but for other associated circumstances I won’t get into here. Finally, I knew I had to honor him and our relationship by starting the Vault of Silliness. 311 episodes and SIX years later, here we are.

Speaking of the 311th episode…this is a DBG from October 30th, 1994, which shall be titled: The Chief of Comedy

Players:

The one and only ROBERT FROM EVERETT!

David in East Boston

Marge from Brighton

Brian McKinley producing and playing in studio

Ken Newman in traffic

Bdays:

Henry Winkler

Harry Hamlin

Dead Bdays:

John Adams

Ruth Gordon

Admr. William Halsey

Charles Atlas

10/31

Jane Pauley

Dan Rather

Dale Evans

Michael Collins

Events in History:

Orson Welles made his “The War of the Worlds” broadcast in what year?

What year was the first, ‘homemade’ TV transmission seen in London, England?

Post Game

We get some Jack traffic reads for Dunin’ Donuts and the movie Bugsy on NBC.

Calls:

Paul and 2 others whose identities will remain anonymous.

Episode 311, The Chief of Comedy, dances its way to your years…now.

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Closing in on 300 subs on YT, keep on keepin’ on Nathanites!

This episode foists upon us a DBG from October 21st, 1993, which is titled: Informal Abnormal Economy Comedy due the pared down panel and humor throughout.

That panel consisted of:

Tony in studio

Jack in traffic

Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio

Bdays:

Edward “Whitey” Ford

Carrie Fisher

Elvin Bishop

Dates in History:

In what year was the first lightbulb that really worked turned on by Thomas Edison?

The USS Constitution, Old Ironsides, was launched in Boston Harbor in what year?

In what year did JFK and Richard Nixon have their fourth and final presidential debate?

Bonus: CNN Radio News bottom hour update w/Larry Mayher and Darrell Gould with a WBZ news update

Traffic with Jack

Accux w/Dave Ryan

Post news, the game continues with an added caller:

Raj from MIT

Post Game:

Norm reads the Accux forecast with instant analysis buy me and Norm

Next is Sports and more foolishness

Commercials:

The Broadway hit, Dreamgirls at the Wang Ctr

James Rife of Riverdale, IL for Triple Action Gold Bond Medicated Powder

Operation Overcoat

Paul Grossi from Valley Stream, NY for Classic Ovaltine

Baby Gold Bond with Louise Fallon from Brooklyn, NY

Silver City Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Toyota and Coachmen $31.00 deal

Ep 310, Informal Abnormal Economy Comedy, maniacally laughs its way to your ears in 3, 2 & 1.

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Hello once again and thank you just so darn much for tuning in.

Today we have a NNS from October 11th, 1996, which I’ve titled:

Great Haunts and Great Calls

Tom Howie was producing

We begin with a call:

Jean from Ontario – Subjects include a mention of Paul Sullivan who had subbed for Norm the previous weekend while Norm sung with a Big Band. She defends our friends from America’s Hat, Canada. And Norm defends the aroma of horse manure.

Next is an excellent interview with our guest, Dave Bertolino, the mastermind behind “Spooky World” in Berlin, MA (It was to be their 6th year)!

Robert Englund and Elvira were supposed to be on too, but they were exhausted from their flight.

Dave gives us the deets on everything that will be going on. From their humble beginnings to their growth in guests, events and attractions.

We also learn that Dave’s family were the owners of the Little Jack Horner Joke and Magic Shop on Tremont St in Boston!

And they take calls:

Alan in Brockton

Al from Malden

Carol in NH

Antonio from Charlestown

Sam in Wakefield

Dan from N. Andover

Next Hour begins with one of our glorious Show Opens.

Then Norm begins hating on having to read the lottery numbers.

Hour 2 calls:

Phil in RI or maybe not or maybe yes! BUT it’s not the full call.

Butch from Billerica

Anne in Wakefield with a Flirty Call

Dick from N. Attleboro

ROBERT FROM EVERETT!

Tony from Biddeford, ME

Maddie in Wakefield or maybe not

Matt from Hingham

Joe in Quincy about the Topsfield Fair

Jimmy J the DJ

Marie from Worcester

Jim in Canton

Unknown Caller

And an unknown Caller

Other fun stuff:

Norm reads a story about David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen fighting backstage at the MTV Video Awards

A frosty Accuwx forecast

And a brief story about America’s Sexy Wives Contest. Woo!

Ep 309, Great Haunts and Great Calls, howls its way to your ears, now.

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So great to have you back for another withdrawal from Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness! This week we have a NNS from October 5th, 1996, that I have titled: Marlowe’s Highs as Bill Marlowe and his booming voice had passed on the that great radio studio in the sky.

Tom Howie was producing.

What a busy 4am hour Norm had as he takes 10 calls here for our listening pleasure.

They are as follows:

John from Boca Raton by way of Revere. John called and mentioned about Norm and Ron Della Chiesa along with John Henning, Chris Lydon, Jess Cain and others who spoke at a memorial for Bill Marlowe.

Sue in Seven Springs, PA

Jean from Beauford, SC

Teri in Ottawa, Ontario

Jim from Lynn

Eleanor in Wellfleet

"Higgins says hello from Charleston, SC"

John from Wakefield

Beth in Waltham

Ed from Cambridge – Ed must’ve had a checklist of topics as Norm barely got a word in.

Before he closes the hour, he teases the next nights’ guests: A couple of WWII pilots who authored the book “Amelia Earhardt: Case Closed?” And Eleanor Valle, the widow of Rudy Valle…then the tape ends!

We also have some Commercials:

The Ad Expo at the Hynes Convention Center

WBZ’s Time Flashback Contest

NSMT Production of Cabaret

Please consider supporting the show by joining Patreon, Buy Me A Coffee and/or Castos. All links are in the description.

Ep 308, Marlowe’s’ Highs, resonates its way to your ears in 3, 2 & 1.

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Nice to see you all here again for another super entertaining episode of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness with little ole me, Tony Nesbitt.

Couple of housecleaning items before we get started:

We are inching ever so close to 300 subscribers on YouTube. Thank you to all who’ve subscribed on all the platforms. It would be a nice achievement to get to 300 the Tube.

Now let me share not one but TWO possible Signs of Norm.

Back on episode 305 the song “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” with Merv Griffin singing was discussed. Last week I went out to run a quick errand and as I pull into the parking lot that very song comes on. Mr. Merv singing and all. I did my usual of looking around and saying, “Hi Norm, thanks for stopping by again.”

Next was just this week. After an appt that had some disappointing news…while driving home I passed a Norman Drive. Didn’t think that much of that until the navigation had me take the next right which was East Street. The same name of the street Norm lived on in Middleton. Ok, now that is something. It just felt like he was saying I’m here. I’m around. It’s gonna be ok.

What do you think?

Now back to our regularly scheduled program already in progress…

Today brings forth a NNS from September 17th & what I believe is the following weekend, the 23rd, 1994.

The title of which shall be: Comedy Connections

Keith Shields was producing

It begins with a commercial sponsor read by Jack Harte for Exxon. We are just so darn blessed to have more sprinkled throughout this rebroadcast podcast. Three more for Air Canada and one each for Anacin and Foxwoods

Time for calls!

Fred from Medford – Norm talking about his upcoming standup at the Comedy Connection which was to be held that very Monday night. It was a fundraiser for Life House Inc. that helps homeless in the Dorchester.

Ruth Clennott

Judy

June

Molly in ME

Nancy

Pete

Denise

Clarence

Jim about Nutcracker collecting

Mary

Bill from Dedham

Next, we get some brief bonus content:

Bob Raleigh and Mike Epstein talking about Danny Bonaduce acting as a Judge.

and

David Brudnoy & guest, Barbara Bush! With a call from Irene

Now, back to Norm and callers

Paul Elwell talking comedy, Norm’s appearance at the fundraiser and there’s a mention of one of my favorites, the King of N.E. Comedy, Bob Marley!

Next

Ruth is back!

Agnes

Anne

Dick

Ok folks, I’m thrilled about the last segment as it’s time for ‘Norm calls a phone booth at Victoria Station in London!’ And we are lucky enough to talk to Sasha!

Ep 307, Comedy Connections, guffaws its way to your ears, now.

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So very nice to have you back again this week for another ribald episode from NNVoS. You may have to listen to this more than once as the jokes and laughter are out of control which leads to our title:

Rash Decisions & PUNchlines

It is a DBG from September 21st, 1991 and it all begins with Norm Show Open and the original DBG Theme (Olympics)

Norm then explains the rules and prize offerings.

Players:

Scott in Peabody

Scott from Northborough

Kristin in Dorchester

Richard from Boston

Tony producing and on the phone from MC

Jack Harte

Steve Leveille

Bdays w/ALL the SFX:

Larry Hagman

Bill Murray

Hamilton Jordan (ger-din)

Henry Gibson

Stephen King

Bill Kurtis

Fannie Flagg

Commercials:

Joan Cantwell for Gold Bond

Keep It In You Sneaker

WBZ NE Patriots Game Promo with Gil Santos

There’s a classic Top Hour Sounder and then we hear Accuwx with Jay Schulman. Next is the Old Traffic Sounder and we close this out with, what I will deem, a classic radio moment. Stay tuned!

Ep 306, Rash Decisions & PUNchlines, flakes its way to your ears in 3,2 & 1.

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Pozdrav svima (Hello, everybody), in Serbia! #75 on the country list. Who will attain the magical and Spirited 76? I will gladly send a Certificate of Recognition (suitable for framing), to your president, prime minister, king, queen or other exalted leader.

Our offering today is a SMQ from September 20th, 1993 which I’ve titled: Stacked Odds

Panel:

Norm

Jack Harte

Ed Mullen

Tony Nesbitt

Mike Epstein producing

Rules and Categories:

RnR

Jazz

Big Band

Musical Comedy

And Morse Code

Good luck understanding the rules

Most commercials were edited on the fly except a Norm read for the Vt Teddy Bear Company with full acc-HUM-paniment by the WBZ Minstrel Bears. Gold Bond, Marezine, Dennis K. Burke, The Broadway Musical: Falsettos also are on near full display.

Callers:

Fred from Medford

May in Boston

Bob from Raynham

Denise in Brookline

Mike from Medford

Jeff in Augusta, ME

Helene from Belmont

Eddie in Allston

Bob from PA

Peter at B.U.

Bill in E. Bridgewater

Jim from Abbington

Dennis in Brockton

Hour 2:

Paul from Haverhill

Laney in NY

Robbie in his car

Patrick from Quincy

Fred in Yarmouth, ME

Jim from Belmont

Bob in NH

Greg from Lancaster, KY

Dan in Medford

John from Ohio

Kevin in the Northeast Kingdom of VT

John from Boston

Tom in Bell Fountain, OH

Ep 305, Stacked Odds, deals its way to your ears, now.

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Alright, here we go with another episode of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. Today we have a DBG from September 19th, 1994. Listen and you will hear the ambient sounds of a portable tape recorder being used to record the showoff another radio’s speaker. That brings me to our title: Retro Recorder Recording

 We begin with a quick sampling from a news story Bob McMahon was reading and then on to the game.

Players:

Glen from Brighton

Ann in Boston – first timer

Greg Ebben producing and playing in studio

Bruce Connolly in Traffic

Bdays:

Joan London

Twiggy

Mike Royko

Paul Williams

Jeremy Irons

Adam West

Clifton Daniel

Date in History

What year was President George Washington’s Farewell Address published? 

And then back to another Bday:

David McCallum 

Post Game call:

Don in Billerica

And we get a taste of the last 20 minutes of the show with Accuwx from Brett Andersen

And two more calls:

Paul from Malden

Ed in Boston

Classic Commercials:

Dave Maynard and Martina with the Irish Crystal Company Catalog

Dave Maynard for Caitlin Travel to Italy

Baby Gold Bond with Gwendolyn Jones of Ft. Lauderdale, FL

ADT Home Security

Ovaltine

Woodworkers Warehouse

Wittnauer Watches

Baby Gold Bond w/Louise Fallon of Brooklyn NY

Floramo’s

Marezine w/Linda Kern of Lahaina, HI

And a bonus during my closing comments

Ep 304, Retro Recorder Recording, broadcasts its way to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.

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First thing first: we have added FIVE new countries enjoying the VoS. Please forgive any mispronunciations:

Aslema to Tunisia.

Konichiwa to Japan.

Ha-lō to Taiwan.

Sawasdee to Thailand.

And ahlan wa sahlan to Jordan!

Thank you all for joining us here to help leave this world a little sillier than we found it.

Today you are in for another treat as this is an appearance by the great Steve Allen on Norm’s Show. His one is from September 2nd, 1995 and I have titled it: Genius on Display. 

Steve had written his 44th book, “The Man Who Turned Back the Clock and Other Short Stories” It’s focus was on the entertainment biz.

Norn and Steve talked about many subjects as Norm was in his glories again with one of his favorite guests back on.

I will not give you any further info as this needs to be discovered and enjoyed simply by listening for yourselves.

They do take calls:

Darlene in her car – writing some new Vaudeville!

Charlie from Dracut – Norm praise

Dianne – trying to become a cartoonist

Larry from Orleans who thought he was talking to Woody Allen

And a caller I won’t name because he was a losah. 

Ep 303, Genius on Display, informs its way to your ears, now.

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Welcome to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. We’ve got a very special episode…ACTUALLY, this is Music-America with Ron Della Chiesa on 89.7 FM WGBH in Boston! Norm was his guest! Music-America was ending its 18-year-run in a mere week from this point which was August 22nd, 1995. This one will be titled: A Delicious Radio “Della-Chiesa-cy.” Man, the creativity just oozes from the speaker.

So how should I inform of what’s talked about here? There are musical breaks between segments. Due to copyrighting I fade all of them out. BUT I uploaded a full, unedited version to Patreon, Buy Me A Coffee and Castos. Subscribe or just donate for a month and you can hear it all. What great songs are played throughout.

Since I’m talking about that why don’t I list those first?

MUSIC: Frankie Capp version of Midnight Blue

MUSIC: Count Basie – Midnight Blue

MUSIC: Sinatra & Ellington – Come Back to Me

MUSIC: Stan Getz – Thanks for the Memories

MUSIC: Gus Bivona –

MUSIC: Tony Bennett – Second Time Around

MUSIC: Louie Belson – Fascinating Rhythm

MUSIC: Ruby Braff –

MUSIC: John Dankworth Orchestra –

MUSIC: Herb Pomeroy Band – Where’s Charlie?

MUSIC: Bobby Sherwood – The Elks Parade (AWESOME STUFF!)

MUSIC: Frankie Capp – Midnight Blue (Reprise)

MUSIC: Sinatra – Too Marvelous for Words

MUSIC: Sinatra – Old Devil Moon

MUSIC: Sinatra – Pennies from Heaven

MUSIC: Sinatra – Love is Here to Stay

MUSIC: Carol Sloane – The Songs Carmen Sang

MUSIC: Carol Sloane – The Songs Carmen Sang – fades out

Subjects discussed:

Why did Norm pick Midnight Blue as his theme for Sounds in the Night on WHDH?

Jess Cain worked for 17 different PD’s! I’m not sure about that but it is entirely possible! Norm’s GM trepidations.

Radio consolidation, BAD! Business changes. formats, call letters…craziness!

Memorable and not so memorable interviews that each Ron and Norm have done. Who did they never interview? Who was the best and worst? Most controversial? An even the possibility they imagined it all.

Norm’s Expansive Middleton Homestead

I kept the WGBH NPR News update w/Korva Coleman – not a happy news cast. Heck, I even wondered if we just hit the repeat button here in 2026. After the news Ron delivers the shortest weather forecast ever. 

In what is hour #2 they talk about Old Boston Jazz Clubs

Norm gives a slobbering goodbye with a spectacular yet brief speech.

We will hear the official promo announcement about where and what Ron will be doing:

Classics in the Morning (Weekdays 8-12) and The Jazz Songbook (Friday evenings 7-9)

Ron is back teases upcoming guests and we fade out another tune to close it down. 

Ep 302, A Delicious Radio “Della-Chiesa-cy," serves its way to your ears in 3, 2 & 1.

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