This Site Primarily Contains a Collection of Airchecks of Numerous Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) Radio Stations, Some Recorded Off The Air by Rick Burnett and Many Others Recorded or Provided by Other Contributors to This Site (see footnote at bottom). The Contribution of Recordings and Materials are Greatly Appreciated and Have Made this Site a Favorite of Those Interested in Radio From this Era. This Site Also Includes Rare Twin Cities Pirate (Unlicensed) Radio Airchecks. Explore the many recordings on this site by using the menu at the left side of the screen. Should you have material to contribute, Please Email Rick1031@hotmail.com
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Note: This section has been posted on the site for a while. There is an update with an additional recording that was associated with the Crowell - Colliers Jingle theme, new here as of 3-23-09 (at the end of this KDWB jingle section).
KDWB 63 Jingles From Late '50's
I do not recall who gave me this tape recording of old transcriptions of the very early KDWB jingles. It is possible Rob Sherwood (Buff) gave this tape to me when he was at KD. The theme is "Color Radio" and this group includes the well know "63...That's Easy To Remember" and the long jingle "Night Time is The Right Time to Listen and Enjoy." which I separate from the group. If you can tell me more, please email me at: Rick1031@Hotmail.com Also, see www.radiotapes.com/KDWBRadio.html for more of these Chuck Blore "Color Radio" Jingles and some of the old KDWB surveys.
If you remember back this far, sit back and relax, in your pajamas or slacks...and listen and enjoy KDWB.
Rick B.
On August 12th, 2007 I recieved the following email From John Pratt commenting on these jingles and it is posted with his permission:
"Hi Rick,
My name is John Pratt. I saw your latest post on red and nater, and was lured into your collection of vintage KDWB jingles like a moth drawn to... well, you get the idea. :) Like you, I began my radio career in the early '60s with the ol' basement AM (mine was a GE Science Fair kit) and the disease spread from there. While at the University of Minnesota, I ran my own pirate FM from my fraternity while at the same time spending countless hours on the air at WMMR. After a brief stint in the promotion department at Heilicher Brothers, I was off to WJON/St. Cloud, KOMA/Oklahoma City, then back to the Twin Cities for stops at WDGY, KDWB-AM, KLXK-FM, then finally back to 630 for its one-year run at Country as WDGY. After that, the itch had been scratched, and I've been a programmer for a Twin Cities telecom company ever since.
What I wouldn't have given for the old Channel 63 jingles when I was the PD at K-63! I can tell you what I have learned about them. Many of the jingles in your montage are identical to the ones I purchased on CD from Ken R back when he was in the jingle business. Unfortunately, all of his CDs went out of print when he retired a couple of years back, including the two volumes of PAMS WDGY goodies.
I had the opportunity to chat for a few hours in May with Jim Ramsburg, who has a cabin on Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, and is a neighbor there of some good friends of mine. Jim filled me in on the Crowell-Collier jingles that were produced for Chuck Blore by Sande & Greene, an L.A. agency. Jim loaned me a reel-to-reel tape of KFWB jingles done by Sande & Greene that I haven't listened to as of yet. The voices on the Sande & Greene jingles belong to none other than the Johnny Mann Singers, who of course, later went on to do the classic a capella KHJ Boss Radio jingles.
Interestingly, among the other Ken R CDs I bought were PAMS jingles for KFWB, using the same melodies as the familiar Sande & Greene jingles we heard on KDWB. Jim had programmed the Metromedia FM station in L.A. for a time in the '60s, and when I asked him about this difference, he told me that the reason was due to the fact that Metromedia had signed an exclusive deal with Sande & Greene, so KFWB had to have their jingles done in Dallas by PAMS.
Back around 1979, I threw a Name That Tune party at my place in St. Cloud. Kim Jeffries, who had just left WJON for KS95, came up and brought along Howie (Mark) Anderson, who was KS95's PD at the time. Howie brought along a 45 of the full-length instrumental version of the Color Radio theme that I'd remembered hearing on KDWB years earlier. Unfortunately, I never wrote down who it was by, the actual title or the label. All I remember was that the label was all-black with silver print. I asked Jim Ramsburg if he might know what it was. He didn't, but thought that it might be on the KFWB reel, or down at his winter home in Florida. In doing some follow-up research on Sande & Greene, I found this link that tells how Chuck Blore came up with the Color Radio concept: www.jingles.org/TheStoryofKFWBsColorRadioJingles.htm And that's pretty much what I know. I've only had the chance to listen to a few of your airchecks, which are great! I'm working on a long-term project of anthologizing as many of the thousands of songs played at WMMR during my years there as I can find, and so far, that's over 5,000. Whenever I'm done with that (who am I kidding?) I'll get back to restoring some of the airchecks I have, including some Summer of '68 KQ Nightwatch show segments that still had the daytime KQ jingles in them. :)
Keep up the great work! John Pratt"
Thanks for the background John. Don't forget to share those airchecks with us! Rick B.
March 21st, 2009 Email From David Ferrell Jackson, Associated with the San Francisco Radio Museum, on John Pratt's Comment on the Full Length Reccord with the Crowell - Colliers Jingle Theme
From: David Ferrell Jackson (MoBA) Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 10:00 AM To: Rick1031@hotmail.com Subject: KDWB Jingle Inquiry
Hi Rick, While digging around on the 'Net for information about Crowell-Collier's KEWB (Channel 91 in Oakland), I came across John Pratt's message on your website: "Howie brought along a 45 of the full-length instrumental version of the Color Radio theme that I'd remembered hearing on KDWB years earlier. Unfortunately, I never wrote down who it was by, the actual title or the label.All I remember was that the label was all-black with silver print."
If you've never found a copy of this theme, I have enclosed one with this message. The "Color Radio Theme" was actually called "Image (Part I)" by Hank Levine & Orchestra, released in October 1961 on ABC-Paramount (#10256). The label is indeed all-black with silver print. The theme was apparently common to Crowell-Collier's KEWB, KFWB and KDWB. It was written by Bob Sande and Larry Greene, who were responsible for the great majority of Chuck Blore-commissioned jingles and imaging during that era.
I hope this information helps! David Ferrell Jackson Bay Area Radio Museum Radio Museum: www.BayAreaRadio.org Hall of Fame: www.BARHOF.com Broadcast Legends: www.BroadcastLegends.com California Historical Radio Society: www.KreMuseum.org Thanks David. A portion of this record is posted at the right (above). Rick B.
These clips were recorded off the air by Mike Cunningham (former KTCR-FM Operations Manager) using a Webcor reel to reel and a microphone, rather than a direct input.
This will bring back memories of Vietnam and you will hear Paul's commentary on the lack of respect for the USA (even in 1966). I guess we seem to have the same news stories on war and the USA's problem today.
Contributed by Mike Cunningham of Lacrosse, former KTCR-FM Operations Manager. See his other contributions on the Cunningham page
Al left the station as they changed the overnight time slot to include a syndicated show. Al was at WCCO for 12 years.
On September 21, 2007, I was a guest on Al's show and he discussed his career at 'CCO. I have included this brief discussion on the link to the left. This appars to be as close to a goodbye as Al was able to get from the "Good Neighbor."
Al states WCCO "is the greatest place on the earth" and it took him 25 years to get there.
Malmberg at the WCCO mic on September 21, 2007.
Undated radio schedule from a 1948 Trubune. Scan provided by Mike Cunningham, former KTCR-FM Operations Manager in the 1970's. CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
1948 Radio Schedule
It appears radio had a lot more importance with the Tribune in 1948, judging by the amount of space devoted to an hour by hour schedule. Not today.
Note Clellan Card (Axel) Had a short segment on Saturday morning at WCCO. More on Axel can be found at: The Pavek Museum of Broadcasting. KSTP had the day wrapping up with Horner's Corner. I cannot remember his first name.
Mike Cunningham said this was torn out of the newspaper by his mother about the time he was born (1948).
2008 Photo of One Time Twin Cities Pirate Radio DJ Bobby Kraig - Inducted Into the County Music Radio Hall of Fame in March, 2008
Twin Cities 1970's Pirate Radio Was Start of Important Careers for Some
The Priate Radio Page of this site has photos and recording of Twin Cities (Minneapolis St. Paul) pirate radio station history. Remember that these are recordings of high school and teenager pirate radio stations and the level of professionalism is at that level with some exceptions.
Some of the people who started in pirate radio went on to jobs in real radio and some of these individuals were exceptional. Certainly well known KQRS Operations Manager, Dave Hamilton, is one of these. Another exception that is not well known in the Twin Cities is Bobby Kraig, who grew up in Minneapolis and attended Brown Institute, got his first on the air radio experience at at WXYE-FM in St. Paul in 1970. Bobby later went on to be named Billboard major market Country Music Program Director of the year for 3 different years. He became Program Director of KPLX (Dallas, TX) and held that position until 1993. During that time he was awarded Program Director of The Year by Billboard Magazine in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991. In 1990, he received the same award from the Country Music Association. Bobby was inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame in March 2008.
He applied at WDGY in the early 80's when it was Country. Although he did not get that position, he did well in Dallas.
I worked with Bobby at two stations; WHSM in Hayward Wisconsin and at WWCM in Suburban Terre Haute Indiana in the early 70's before Bobby went on to the big time in Dallas Texas. Bobby help to get me my jobs at both stations. Although I am proud to have worked with Bobby Kraig in both Pirate and commercial radio/
You can see and hear some of the old Twin Cities pirate radio on the Pirate Radio Page. Unfortunately, I do not have any airchecks of Bobby .
Bobby Kraig at Priate WXYE-FM - St. Paul in 1971-72
Lunch with Donald K. Martin, Former WDGY Newsman and Morning Show Co-Host
July 7th, 2008
It was great to have lunch with Donald K. Martin and talk about his career in broadcasting, which includes several stations in the Twin Cities. This get together included Jim du Bois, currently CEO and President of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association & formerly of KTCR-FM, WDGY, & K102, Mike Cunningham, former KTCR-FM Operations Manager, and myself, Rick Burnett (also formerly of KTCR-FM).
Don talks about his early days in Iowa and tells how very disappointed his mother was when Don failed to get a job at country station KTCR-AM in 1963; instead he got a job at KDWB. Don's mother preferred that he work at a country station.
Don was probably one of the first newscasters to experience terrorism while at KDWB, and shares this story with us. He also mentions his concern about working around a transmitter that could light up light bulbs without putting them in an electrical socket. Is it possible Don glowed in the dark?
You will also hear about his time as a morning co-host and hear him do some of the impressions from back then, including "Truman Compote," Sargent Schultz, and Preacher Paul.
Special thanks to Jim du Bois for the use of the recording studio & to Donald K. Martin and Mike Cunningham for spending time in the interest to preserve some of the Twin Cities radio history.
Donald K. Martin at the mic again for a July 7th, 2008 interview.
Donald K. Martin and Rick Burnett, July 7th, 2008
Mike Cunningham (Left) andJim du Bois (Richt) in the studio with Donald K. Martin
The Studio Was Full
During the Don Martin interview,Jim du Bois, CEO and President of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, and Mike Cunningham, former Operations Manager of KTCR-FM, Minneapolis were also in the studio and asked Don some questions.
Image from Don Martin's CD "Don Martin Sings Country"
Don Martin Sings Country
When we got toget for Don's interview, Don provided some old photos and a copy of this CD he made. I have put a sample of one of his recordings. Click the icon below to hear a short sample of Don Singing "All My Ex's."
WDGY December 1972 Survey Contributed by Donald K. Martin
WDGY December 1972 Survey 2nd Page
WDGY December 1972 Survey Page 3
WDGY December 1972 Survey Back Cover (page 4)
WDGY - Don Martin in undated photo he contributed. This is a shottaken at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Johnny Canton is at the top left. CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
WDGY Donald K. Martin contributed this undated from the late 60's - early 70's
WDGY's Charlie Van Dyke & Donald K. Martin in the studio during their morning show.
WDGY- Don Martin contributed this undated photo from late 60's - early 70's
Don Martin contibuted this October 16, 1974 article on Twin Cities morning radio shows. CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
The Billings Gazette - October 12th, 1930
Radio was different back in 1930. I found an old book that bound some of the Billings Gazette newspapers from October 1930 while waiting for my car to be washed in Palm Springs CA. It look like it was from an library and was in poor condition. To my surprise, when flipping through it, I came across this old story on KSTP.
Twin Cities Soul Radio Station, KUXL. July 1st, 1972 Music Survey. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
KUXL Golden Valley
1972 Music Survey
Contributed by Mike Cunningham, former KTCR-FM Operations Manager and former KUXL DJ-Talk Show Host. Se his other contribuiotns at the Cunningham Contributions Page on this site.
Twin Cities Radio Composite Tape - January 1980
This tape has stations from WCCO to WDGY and KSTP to KQRS.
KTCR-FM's Mike Cunningham Does Pole Sitting Duty June 23, 1975
At least the weather was too bad for his remote broadcast at Wicks Furniture. I did visit Mike on this day and went to the top of the pole. The view was great. I left long before Mike.
Rick B.
Contributed by Mike Cunningham, former KTCR-FM Operations Manager in the 1970's.
Pole sitting DJ - Mike Cunningham in June 23th, 1975 Mpls Tribune article. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Newspare TV-Radio Schedule Septermber 9th, 1973. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
TV-Radio Schedule
September 9th, 1973
Contributed by Mike Cunningham, former KTRC-FM Operations Manager in the 1970's. See his other contributions on the Cunningham contributions Page on this site.
Don at WDGY newsroom mic. CLICK TO ENLARGE
Radio Stories - WDGY's Donald K. Martin Fools Scott Burton With Capote Imitation
Donald K. Martin worked with Scott Burton when Scott was the PD at WDGY doing AM drive. We exchanged emails in April 2008 after Scott pass away and gave me permission to share a story about working with Scott with you. ___________________________________________________ From: Miniapple@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 10:52 AM
To: rick1031@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Guest Book for Scott Gary Burton
Rick,
Thanks so much for the response to my e-mail, and for the kind words.
I do believe we did have the first of the top forty station two man morning shows, at least in the Twin Cities, other than CCO. In fact, I was just doing news in the mornings, when Scott was doing his morning show, and then one day, I secretly called his special phone line to record my imitation of Truman Capote, with a comment for Scott. He taped the call, didn't know it was me, and used it on the air. I did it several times before Scott discovered it was actually me, and that's what started me doing character bits for his show. After he left WDGY, he actually called me a few times from his new position in Washington DC to have me do some bits for him over the phone. It was fun, and by then, Charlie was on the mornings, and I did the news and the bits. I sure miss those days. As you commented in Scott's Guest book...they don't seem to do radio like that anymore.
Thanks again for the response...and thanks for the great website! I do enjoy it!
Don Martin _________________________________________ Thanks Don for letting me share on the site. Rick B.
Donald K. Martin at The Pavek Hall of Fame Dinner, October 2006. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
KRSI-AM 950 Before Request Radio Terry Tersari - November 22nd, 1967
You will notice the old KRSI Channel 95 Jingles sound a bit like the KDWB Channel 63 jingles. No requests being taken on the Terry Tersari show. News and some commercials are left in. In one commercial, you can buy a thermometer that is guaranteed to provide accurate readings up to 120 degrees and down to 60 below. Just send one dollar to KRSI 4500 Excelsior Blvd. At about 11:40 into the recording you will hear Terry accidentally kill the instrumental "Alfie." Later Terry turns over KRSI to the program "Back to The Bible."
Contributed by Jim du Bois, formerly at WDGY and KTCR, currently CEO and President of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association. You can listen to other du Bois material at the Jim du Bois Contributions Page on this site.
From: JEFF LONTO Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 10:16 PM To:Rick1031@hotmail.com Subject: Ray Erick photo
Rick:
I just dug up a photo of Ray Erick from the summer of 1988, right during the "Magical Mystery Tour" days that you might care to post with those airchecks.
Talk to you soon.
JRL
Check out The Jeff Lonto Collection Page on this Site
KQRS - Progressive Radio John Fineberg does 12 Midnight to 6 AM September 25th, 1972, and Ozone Hour
John Fineberg worked part-time at KQ and then moved to KRSI-FM. John sent me his last show on KQ before moving on to KRSI. You will hear Dan Pothier say a heartfelt goodbye to John when he takes over at 6 AM (Part 2 of the aircheck file at the right). John also sent me a recording of the KQRS Ozone Hour. This may be a spaced out version of KQ's progressive format and was also recorded sometime in 1972.
John Fineberg emailed the following comments on his days at KQRS in the early 70's:
What can I say about KQRS? It was the dream job of a lifetime. I say this without any hesitation whatsoever, even today, 36 years and several careers later.
It was my first job after graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in Broadcasting from the University of Minnesota. My connection to the station was that I listened to the station constantly, and felt like I knew the announcers intimately, even though I only really knew one of them personally at that time. Y'know, until I met John Fine in 1969, I'd planned on shortening my radio name from John Fineberg to John Fine. Confident that we'd eventually end up working together someday, I called an end to that plan.
John introduced me to Alan Stone (who had taken over as program director after John Pete left for KRSI, KQ's only competitor in the market). A couple of years later, Alan hired me over the phone, when I was in San Francisco, attending Elkins Institute to get a First Class FCC License.
I got to start my broadcasting career at what I considered to be the finest station anywhere. As I'd listened to stations around the country recognized for being the best, I knew what I was talking about. Even though it was only a part-time gig, not many people get to skip the small town step and start at the top. I couldn't have been more excited!
KQRS was my ideal job. We had an incredibly talented staff. We had an incredibly trustworthy staff, as well, as we had a huge amount of say in what we said and what we played on-the-air. Not quite free-form, but nearly. In any one hour, we bounced around from rock to jazz, blues, folk, country, East Indian and comedy. And we made it all fit together, telling stories and making political comments through the music that we chose. We prided ourselves on segues that musically and/or thematically blended magically together. We basically played everything except for classical (which is, shockingly, what I listen to most today).
It was an honor to work with great talent like Alan Stone, Dan Pothier, George Donaldson Fisher and John Fine. Plus we had a fabulous production person, Richard E. Nelson, who constantly amazed me with his editing skills.
Like all of us at that time, I lived and breathed KQ. We were fiercely loyal, and our listeners were equally loyal. When I was stolen away to KRSI in 1973, I only took the job because it was full-time (plus I liked the idea of working with my new friend, John Pete, and my old college friend, Susan Bradley). Even Alan Stone advised me to take the offer, as he couldn't promise that I'd get the next full-time opening. "And," he said to me, "we can always steal you back." "Don't you forget that," I said back. Unfortunately, when I desperately wanted to come "home," I couldn't, because I had inadvertently burnt a bridge with Dick Poe, the general manager.
The KQ I knew and loved died shortly thereafter. Like other progressive stations nationwide, it went from true art to true commercialism. It had gone from a tax deduction for some wealthy lawyer out east into a money-maker. And, once you start making money, the tendency is to try to make even more. Lots more. And that's how KQ died, slowly but surely.
I got really spoiled working at the KQ of 1972 (even though I missed the even more progressive years that led up to it). Being on-the-air there was the most creative period of my life. I was an idealist, and I never again found a station -- or a job -- so ideal again. And, even though it was really a very short amount of time that I worked there, I made some incredible friends, people who I still love and still count as dear friends, almost four decades later. ______________________________________________________________ John, Thanks for sharing this. Rick B.
KRSI-FM - 1973 - During Identity Crisis - Was it KQRSI?
John Fineberg shared some 1972-73 airchecks from KRSI. He worked there after the old request radio format days, when the station was beginning to compete for the fiercely loyal progressive radio fans of KQRS. John was hired away from KQ, where worked weekends and filled in for vacationing full-time staff. He was deeply committed to KQ, but accepted the offer in order to go full-time.
John emails the following comments and provides his perspective on that time:
"After just six months of part-time announcing on KQRS in 1972, Tac Hammer offered me a full-time job at KRSI. Though I was flattered, I really didn't want it. But even my KQ boss, Alan Stone, thought I should take the offer, saying it was a good career opportunity for me. Resigning KQ was the most difficult decision of my life (up to that point). I agonized over it! After all, KQ was the very best station I had ever heard in the entire country. I'd grown up on its music. And, in my own mind, I was already best friends with all of the announcers there before I ever met them in the flesh.On the positive side, going full-time, I really started to grow professionally very quickly.
I also got to work with two of my closest friends, John Pete (who'd left KQ himself for a better opportunity at KRSI) and Susan Bradley (who I'd known and dated in college). And, because of them (plus my hiring), it looked like KRSI was really going to take off and become a serious player in progressive radio.During that period, the two stations remained true competitors, keeping programming secrets from each other. But the other reality was that we were all really close friends outside of work. Sometimes I referred to us as "KQRSI."
It was quite incestuous, and we were having a great time socializing together.On the down side, there was a hesitation at KRSI to take the full leap into risky, creative radio. Tac, who came from Top-40 radio, would take two steps forward in the progressive direction, then three steps back into his comfort zone. The record library paled in comparison to KQ's, and the approved playlist was horribly restrictive. And, staff wise, we had half the day sounding one way, with booming Top-40 jocks, and half the day sounding laid back and conversational. Who were we, really? Some hybrid between KDWB and KQRS? It was hard to say. Out of frustration, one by one, the progressive team (those of us who considered ourselves to be "radio announcers," not "DJs") left KRSI. John was hired back at KQ. Then Susan Bradley followed him, shortly thereafter. I tried to get hired back, myself, but I'd burned my bridges with Dick Poe, the general manager. So I simply quit (and went off to travel throughAsiaby bus for half a year). Except for four horrible days on a radio station that claimed to be progressive inLincoln,NE, (plus four years volunteering on KFAI, Fresh Air Radio), I never went back into radio. I had gotten spoiled. I'd worked on the very best station there was, and everything else paled in comparison.
I was a purist and couldn't deal with how commercial radio had become.But, like most of us from that period in radio history, I'd still love the opportunity to do free-form radio again somewhere. How fabulous it would be to have the freedom to play rock, jazz, blues, folk, country, East Indian and comedy all within the same show, like we did back then."
_____________________________________ Thanks John for sending the aircheck and especially for sending your comments and your perspective on progressive radio of that time. Rick B.
John Sandri (who worked at KTCR-FM in the 70's) recently sent an email on the WPBC clock that is still being used at a Minneapolis deli. John writes:
From: john sandri Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2008 10:44 AM To: Rick Burnett Subject: FAMOUS WPBC CLOCK
Hi all, I stopped by the Kramarczuk Deli in N.E today and remembered to get a pic of the rare WPBC clock. You may use this as you wish on the site if it fits in.Also a pic of the deli. * These are full size so I can scale down if need be.
This is pre Tac Hammer and pre pre Hamilton. Russ send a few emails commenting on the airchecks he sent. Here is his first email after finding the site: ________________________________________________ Hiya Rick! I was just trying to search for some old radio mates and came across your site. Hmmmm, there is nothing on the ORIGINAL KQRS(?!?), the one that was the underground station that MADE KDWB and WDGY "tone down" their jocks.
Staff at the time was John Pete Middays/MD Alan Stone (afts) Dan Pothier Then Susan Bradley... overnights were George Donaldson Fischer then Bobby Moske, and me (Russ)... Weekend/swing John Fine, John Fineberg/ Randi Kirshbaum GM was Dick Poe.
Factually I cannot say, but I do believe that the movie FM (and subsequently WKRP) was the basis of the movie. YES, it was based on a San Fran station, but we were the staff that did a parking lot "walk out" protest for both commercial overload and the release of Alan Stone. Russ
The next email from Russ had comments on the 1972 aircheck material he sent me: Morning Rick! Here's a track that I burned onto CD. It;s a bit hissy as we had a Wollensak tape machine for airchecks, LOL. It was recorded at 3 3/4's speed (LOL) and you almost got the entire 4 hour show on ONE 7 inch reel!! You can also tell that the speed was not exact as there are sections with different pitches to my voice. This is probably a little compilations from several shows, as the quality is noticeably different in sections. You can hear some of the other air staff in commercials too, like Booby Moskie (? /sp) John Pete and Alan Stone. I still have not plugged in ole Sony Vaio PC to scarf the other little snippets that were savable off those old reels. ( 3 or 4 different brands and types of tape (remember that ole RED tape?? and how stretchy it was? LOL!
Here's one of my Favorite Alan Stone stories...As usual when I came off the air I'd pop into his office to say high and ask if anything new was coming in from the record guys, and get a little show critique. Alan said "
Russ I want to tell you that the break you did at 7:15 this morning was absolutely fantastic. The way you described the pheasant in the front yard, how the dew sparkled in the morning sun, and the grass. How you thought it might brighten the day for those waking up and having to look out there apartment at another apartment. Oh, and the visual of the gargoyle on the roof eaves, I could see it. It was a beautiful piece of auditory painting." I said Thank you Alan, smiling proudly...as he added, although I think if you thought about it it may have gone on a little long....17 and a half minute in the morning show might just have been a little long." LOL You may have know that in that era of "underground radio" some of us may have started the day by having a little herb for breakfast. Hahahaha! Leads to some very descriptive verbiage, and creative song pre-sells! Russ
On the 1973 Aircheck, Russ emails the following:
Rick, as I recall, Bobby Moske (George Donaldson Fischer's replacement on the overnight show) gave these to me as a Christmas present. "This is why I played Tubular Bells, so I could go into productions and set things up. I hope you like them." as he handed me 4 seven inch reels. "I did miss a couple of songs while i was changing tapes."
They are mostly complete with those few exceptions. the 6 and 7 am hours.
Enjoy!
Russ
On the photo, Russ writes:
It was with Dangerous Dan Tolar (Tolar Bros. Band...basically the Gregg Allman Band).
Don't know what this riff was, but I usually got to be the "sit in" slide guitar man, Dan is a Major Maestro on the guitar!!!
Thanks for sharing Russ Rick B.
Airchecks contributed by Russ and posted May 2008.
Russ with Dangerous Dan Tolar (Tolar Bros. Band...basically the Gregg Allman Band) CLICK IMAGETO ENLARGE
WDGY J J Bowman January 1968 - with Curtis J Johnson 20/20 News
This aircheck has a good sampling of the 'DGY Much More Music jingles along with some WDGY promo announcements on the Winter Carnival and 20/20 news covering al the school closings during the winter. A portion of Curtis J. Johnson's 20/20 newscast was saved on this recording. 1968 was a different time. I remember J J Bowman and his upbeat style, but do not recall how long he stayed at WDGY.
Contributor requested to have name withheld.
Jay J. Bowman image sent to me by John Pratt, formerly of WDGY
WDGY-Beatles News Conference 8-21-65
Judy Dibble, formerly of WDGY, Sent me this newsprint photo of the Beatles WDGY news conference with the WDGY mic in good position. Her email is below:
Hi, Rick:
Attached is a photocopy of a photo taken at the WDGY Beatles News Conference in Bloomington, MN in 1965. This copy was given to me by a friend, Ed Christian. His brother (left) and two other of Bloomington's finest were picked as security guards that day. I didn't attend the concert, but videos attest that the screaming was so loud, you could hardly hear the music when the Beatles played at Metropolitan Stadium. WDGY gave away tickets to see this new group who was taking the U.S. by storm. The mic flags were made of metal with clips that attached them to the mics.
Judy Dibble
For a video of a portion of the WDGY News Conference go the the following YouTube link: CLICK HERE
Click on Image to Enlarge
Contributed by Judy Dibble, formerly of WDGY. Posted April 2008
An Evening for Emma
CBS Radio presents An Evening for Emma...a night of celebration and support, May 15th at the Old Log Theatre...
CBS Radio is hosting an evening of entertainment to help support the daughter of long time WCCO producer, Dan Geiger. Dan’s daughter, Emma, has been suffering from an illness that will leave her on a feeding tube the rest of her life. On this special night, Dan’s CBS Radio Family is hoping to wipe out the families large medical debt while also raising the spirits of this special girl!
Join us and help support an Evening for Emma:
Live entertainment by Jearlyn Steele
The cast of Forever Plaid
Comedy routines from Wild Bill Bauer
Friends Sopranorama, Jeanne Arland Peterson, the Reuben Ristrom band...and much more!
Hosted by many of your friends at WCCO Radio: Dave Lee, Mike Lynch, Tim Russell, and many more! Special performances by Charlie Boone and Roger Erickson.
Emma with Dad, Dan Geiger
Tickets
Reserve by calling the Old Log Theater's box office at 952-474-5951 or toll free at 866-OLD-LOG1 (866-653-5641). Tickets are on sale now!
The Old Log Theater accepts Visa, Discover, or Master card.
Box Office Hours
Sunday — Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday — Sat: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Depending upon show schedule)
For more information about the Old Log Theater, visit oldlog.com.
2008 WCCO Radio
Scott Burton
The Passing of Scott Burton - Formerly of WDGY
Burton, Scott Gary 71, lost his courageous battle with cancer on 3/26/08. A resident of Maricopa, AZ. He is survived by wife, Arlene; son, Scott and wife, Doreen; son, Marc and wife, Nan; 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. Gone before are his parents, Scott and Mary Burton, Uncle Jim and Aunt Irene Wadhams, and his dog, Marlow. Scott had a long career in broadcasting in Minneapolis, Cleveland, Washington, DC, St. Louis, San Francisco, San Diego and Phoenix and retired in 1994. A private memorial will be held on April 5th at The Province Town Hall in Maricopa, AZ.
Published in the Star Tribune on 3/30/2008.
Nan Burton sent me an email to advise of Scott's passing. Nan writes that Scott passed away on March 26, 2008 after a year-long courageous battle with cancer.
Nan says that Scott fought very bravely, maintained a positive and upbeat attitude throughout his treatment, and still was able to enjoy his life and his family. He did have some difficult times at the very end, but his struggle is now over, and the family is grateful for that. One message he shared with the family is that he wanted to be remembered with smiles and not tears. Nan says he was adamant about it.
Nan said she will share some of Scott's airchecks for posting on this site in the future.
You can hear a very short aircheck of Scott Burton on the WDGY 1130 Page on this site (Scroll down about half way). You can go to the recording direct link by clicking here. This recording was recorded off the air by Rick Burnett (Web site host). Scott is also one of the featured aircecks when I was a guest on WCCO's Al Malmberg Show September 21st. It is near the beginning of the 1st hour and you can hear that be clicking here. This version sounds a little better with some noise edited out.
The Scott Burton December 1965 aircheck (under photo to the left) was contributed and recorded off the air by Dick Sigurdson in December 1965 and sent for posting on 3-31-08.
Bob Moomey (Johnny Dollar on WDGY in the Mid 60's) 11-17-1936 to 1-19-2008 Robert Dean (Bob) Moomey passed away unexpectedly from natural causes January 10, 2008, after being rushed by his daughter to a Thousand Oaks, CA. hospital. The former broadcasting and renowned media and communications training expert was 71 years of age. Bob is survived by daughter Kirsten and grandson Jonathan of Valencia, CA. as well as a brother Richard in Haymarket, VA and a sister Marian in Palo Alto, CA. Bob’s beloved wife and the light of his life for nearly 47 years, Sally, preceded him, passing away in 2006. A resident of Westlake Village, CA. since 2000, he was born November 17, 1936 in Chesterfield, Nebraska where he grew up. Bob’s contributions in life involved work with nearly half of the nation’s Fortune 500 companies and extended around the world. Over the years he and his strategic partners helped prepare thousands of company CEO’s and executives for national news broadcasts, executive media training, presentations, and in crisis management skills. Bob’s interest in broadcast communications and the news media started in his early teens becoming a radio personality and subsequent manager at a variety of radio stations. Bob met his late wife Sally in Nebraska. They married, started a family and lived in the Chicago area for 35 years. In 2000, Bob and his wife Sally moved to Westlake Village, CA to be closer to their daughter and grandson. During his broadcasting years, Bob worked both on and off the microphone in Nebraska, California, Washington, Minnesota, Indiana and Illinois. His Mutual Radio Network program “On the Homefront” was heard over 300 stations nationwide in the early 1980’s. A long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and American Society of Television and Radio Artists, Bob’s deep, rich voice attracted advertisers and producers who hired him to perform in a variety of television and radio commercials, and industrial films. In the 1970’s, Bob, along with a team of journalism professionals and Northwestern University professors, defined the basic concepts necessary for companies, organizations and individuals to deal with, and be treated objectively, by the news media when covering news stories. To this day, these communications guidelines are considered the most effective by many companies around the globe. After several years as Program Manager for Westinghouse Broadcasting’s WIND Radio in Chicago, Bob turned his enormous talent and set up a consulting business to train and coach people in different industries. Bob Moomey Communications was formed. Bob was very proud that many of his clients had been with him for decades. Bob enjoyed flying as a private pilot early in life and loved to attend major air shows. He was fascinated with auto racing and helped media train members of the Goodyear racing teams and airships squadron. Moomey was written about in publications like the Wall Street Journal, Investors Daily, the New York and trade publications. He loved the theater and supported the passion of his wife, daughter and grandson for community theatre productions in Illinois and California. Bob Moomey’s compassion and caring manner remains in the memories of friends, clients and industry colleagues as does his deep, rich voice. Bob’s ashes have joined those of his wife at Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park in Westlake Village, CA. Bob helped his wife deal with diabetes for over 50 years.The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Memorial and Honor Program of the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1132, Fairfax, Virginia 22038-1132. On March 8, 2008 starting at 12:30pm, a luncheon and memorial celebration of Bob Moomey’s life will be held for family, friends and colleagues in Huntley, IL, northwest of Chicago. For details contact Kate Williams by email at memorial@moomey.com.
NOTE: Dick Sigurdson was able to recently locate an old 1965 recording of Johnny Dollar on WDGY from December 1965.
Rick B. Recent Photo and Obit provided by Jim Williams, a close friend of Bob Moomey (Johnny Dollar). Mid 60's photo provided by Judy Dible. December 1965 aircheck of Johnny Dollar contributed by Dick Sigurdson, Minneapolis, on 3-31-08.
Al Arneson sent me a note on 4-2-08 says he was sorry to hear of Scott Burton's passing and he remembered how he liked him a lot. Al enclosed an aircheck he had of Scott at WWDC (not to be confused with WWTC) that was recorded in the spring of 1972
When Scott Burton left WDGY, he went to Washington DC to do afternoon drive on WWDC, a MOR station at the time. Although you will still hear "The Sound of Scott" and "The Burton Extravaganza"), this is a slightly different Scott Burton, as he is able to do a little more talking than he was able to do at WDGY.
Johnny Dollar/Bob Moomey and the Robert W. Morgan Connection Al read about the passing of Bob Moomey (Johnny Dollar on WDGY) and also enclosed an aircheck of Robert W. Morgan on WIND in Chicago recorded in the Fall of 1971. Al visited Bob Moomey during Spring Break 1972 and when Bob was the program director at WIND. Bob told Al how proud he was to have hired Robert W. Morgan for awhile as WIND's morning man. Al mentions that Bob had placed color photos in the WIND studio. Listen to the aircheck to get Morganized. Contributed by Al Arneson, Edina MN, Formerly "Big" Al Davis on U-100. Al has been a generous contributor to this site. You can enjoy The many contributions he has made at Al Arneson Collection Page on this site.
The airchecks on this site were recorded off the air and are on this site to provide historical examples of Twin Cities radio. These recordings are not intended to by used by others for commercial purposes.
Some of the airchecks are off reel to reel tapes that were recorded off the air by Rick Burnett while living in the Twin Cities. Many other airchecks were recorded of the air by other people and contributors. In May 2006 the Burnett recordings started to be converted to MP3 and shared here. There are also many more airchecks that were recorded and submitted by friends and acquaintances, or acquired from other collectors and contributors. Sources are cited, if known. The contributed recordings from friends and contributors of both airchecks and other material are greatly appreciated. Without their help, the site would have many less pages. The recordings of Burnett and other contributors who recorded them off the air may show up on other sites and have may been "borrowed" and listed for sale on auction sites. This site does not charge any fees to listen to the posted recordings. The purpose of this site is to preserve some of the Twin Cities radio history.
Windows Media Player works well to play these MP3 files, and depending on your internet settings, will start streaming the file, or will automatically open the file after it is downloaded. Some files are large. Should you have any aircheck of Twin Cities radio stations, let me know and I may be able to include them at this site. Contact me at rick1031@hotmail.com
CBS Radio presents An Evening for Emma...a night of celebration and support, May 15th at the Old Log Theatre...
