Radio - What Happened?

This week, we talk to Aurora Cantu, about her time in the San Antonio, Tx market, her struggles as a woman in the industry, and her experience working with Ascap.    Aurora is a member of the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame, and has a unique perspective on this crazy industry we call "radio".  We also hear from our studio announcer, Gary Owens!

We're back!  Yes, after a break dealing with the pandemic, we're back with new episodes about an "old" topic - old time radio shows!  This week, we talk to Gary Doty about his brother Ralph, and his program back in the 60's called "Radio Memories" which included shows like The Shadow, The Inner Sanctum, Ozzie & Harriet, The Fred Allen Show, Gunsmoke and many more.  But be careful, you might have to use your imagination.

It's good to be back -- and we promise to do better!  This week, we give our tribute to Ron Chapman, one of the best morning drive personalities ever.  For over 50 years, Ron worked in the Dallas/Ft Worth market as a morning show staple.  His highlight was his time at KVIL, when it became one of the most valuable radio stations in the country.  We have some great audio, including his last day before retirement, at KLUV.

We take a look back at our first 26 episodes from 2020, with some highlights you may enjoy.  Chickenman, Hollywood Hamilton, George Carlin, WKRP "Turkeys Away", and others.  We hope you enjoy our retrospective look at the past year, and hope you'll share our podcast with others who might enjoy.  Thanks for listening.

100 years ago,  KDKA in Pittsburgh became the first commercial station in the US.  They also were the first station to broadcast presidential election returns.  We actually have audio from that broadcast.  You might be surprised as to how many listeners they had.  We also have some sound from the Presidential debate in 1960 between John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon.  And, as usual, our sponsor announcer Gary Owens, drops in and gives us some audio brilliance.

Surely you remember the most famous of all the WKRP episodes. Newsman Les Nesman reports from the Pinedale Mall with the stations latest promotion, which goes horribly wrong.
His reporting is classic in so many ways, especially when he yells, "Oh, the humanity!"  And of course, Johnny Fever's classic response.......well, you just have to listen to it.  Enjoy our Thanksgiving episode, and from Jim and I -- we sincerely hope your families Thanksgiving is the best one ever.  Despite the current conditions.

This week, we remember one of the greatest radio promotions of all time -- The Last Contest, from 1972 on KCBQ, San Diego.  Also, Jim discusses the digital future of AM radio, as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of AM.  Plus, we have another episode of "Chickenman", a great radio series from the genius of Dick Orkin and the Radio Ranch (thank you Lisa Orkin), and finally, our booth announcer Gary Owens brings us this weeks podcast sponsor.

How many of us can say that we were hired away from a "pirate radio station"?  Especially from the station that turned us in to the FCC?!?  Well, Hollywood Hamilton can.  His fabulous career started in Reno, Nevada back in '79, with stops in Las Vegas, Monterrey, Tampa, New York City, Los Angeles, then back to New York City.  Wow, what a ride?!?  Sit back and enjoy this National Radio Hall of Fame announcer.  We're proud to present - Hollywood Hamilton!

This week, we proudly present our conversation with Hollywood Hamilton, a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame.  He's worked with some of the all time greats in this business, and is currently doing afternoon drive at WKTU FM in New York City, as well as 2 different syndicated radio shows, airing nationally.  We also have an air check sent in by Rod Tanner, a listener of the podcast.  It's from 1974, and wow, it is high energy.  We loved it, and hope that it spurs more listeners to send in their own air checks. 

Last week's episode is already one of our most downloaded episodes, so we're excited about Part 2 of our conversation with Stan Webb, who beat out about 5,000 other applicants for one of the 7 coveted positions with Gordon McLendon's "Magnificent Seven"!    This week, we get a behind the scenes look at the beginning of Clear Channel, one of radio's biggest companies.  We also have Music Montage #3, so we'll see how many of you know your 70's music.