RADIO DISC JOCKEY. Homestead.com
1960's
SMALL MARKET BOSS-OLOGY
Why do I elucidate about such small town radio? Like small towns, Albany, Stockton, Modesto, Bend, The Dalles, Klamath Falls Oregon where radio is radio. People seemed to admire us DJ’s even though we migrated from cities far away. It wasn’t WABC, but we had the freedom to do Draper, WLS, Drake or 60’s San Francisco from our home towns.
Pretend you are in the corner, in the Klamath studios of KAGO on the hill during the Steve Phillips Drive Time in 1965 and 70.
The Studio-Transmitter site was on an old gravel road where kids could park, watch the lights and listen to the sounds of Ka-Go Tiger radio OR even KFRC.
Seated next to a room filled with electronic devices of various sorts, next to a five killowatt RCA, CBS etc transmitter, was the DJ/production director/music/public service director slash engineer. Right now he is on the request line talking to some groupie. She is probably filling his ears full of affection and he is sucking it in.
Meantime, the song is running out, he quickly cues-up another one on a large transcription turntable, or pushes the button on the auto-jock jukebox which has the song ready. Two seconds later, and somewhere meshed with the ID or jingle, the drum intro roll over the previous effect, and Leslie Gore perhaps says, “Maybe I Know” or Diane Renae shouts “Kiss Me, Sailor, before, you have, to go.”
Jock runs outside to check the current street-crawler temperature and to relieve himself, then grabs another fresh hot cup into the loud atmosphere of the studio. All of Klamath County is focused in on his next words: “Kayyyy, Ayyyyy, Geeeee, OOOOOhh!” Time and temp, jock and basic back sell, and he picks up the phone to gab with someone.
The secretary bounces into the studio with an updated log and new commercials. I ask her how long has she been a blonde. She looks at her watch and says, “Oh about 3 hours”! I encourage her to keep the look.
“Here’s Dionne Warwick with a Burt Bacharach composition, ‘Her grass is greener’ or something to that effect a line I picked up from King (Denny) Clay KSTN Stockton.
The phone rings and I hope it’s a talent scout who caught my act and wants to ‘rattle my cage’ and make me an offer. No! I’m to bring home a cheese pizza’ my wife says.
Sandwiched into super-man Phil Lerza happened on PM drive at KAGO on the hill. Later, Phil and others took to KFRC, the Big 610 in San Fran. On Adak, Alaska Ron Norwood (KBZY) hired me on the Mighty 890. Phil Lerza built the studio. Facebook: Ron Norwood “Your... - Spokane Radio Greats and KEED Eugene Oregon.
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As you can feel, jocks all look upon one another with due proper affection (except for some of the girl jocks I cannot name, but it was clean.) I wouldn’t give you a quarter for dj’s who looked down on someone . I watched some of them move up to Pdx, then Phoenix, then NYC. Just praise for the great ones; no envy even for the competition.
WELCOME TO THE AFRS ADAK LITTLE THEATER!
I am Steve Weber, later on CT2-Weber.
After my first year on Adak, I received orders for Kami Seya Japan. For REAL and 'Dreamin of Adak, the Midnight Sun.'
I could only drool about the two week leave in the lower forty-eight States, then a life of mountain-traveling in Japan, and partying in Yokohama and 
TOKYO! WoW!
TOKYO! WoW!While getting ready to take leave from Adak, in my Adakian Dream, I was approached by Captain of Adak offering me another year on the Rock, cancel the leave and the free trip to Tokyo, Wadayama, Lake Hakone National Park and Nagano-Ken Japan at Karuizawa.
Next day I was no longer hauling hill-cans of Mid-Rats to ComStation but now Media Director for Adak Special Services. I was given full support and supplies of AFRTS radio and television.
I decided to initiate the first annual Adak Little Theater Island SHOW; A live three-day extravaganza broadcast beginning in the Bering Community Building, then spreading-out to on-deck of some supply ship where there would be some International productions.
There would be a general party, maybe in full-dress uniforms, or cultural costumes. Prior to this, we would nominate look-alikes from the Island. Since the background for my Adak Dream is 1967, we pooled for look-alikes: Ed Sullivan's, Bob Hope look-alikes; three cheesie women to impersonate the McGuire Sisters. Of course a beauty contest of a bevy of wives, daughters, girl friends which would not eliminate any genuine seekers of fortune and fame. We would provide full bathing-suit costumes for example all white nurse hats, suit and white high heels.
Drink one free beer per every 80 pounds of weight would be provided free, after that, you buy a round for the house or sit in your own cubicle and reminisce.
The winning Ed Sullivan would basically host and facilitate most of the stages.The look-alike Occidentals would have a mock Adak battle in the 1940's; the final scenes would wind-up with both sides freezing to death in the Bering harsh climate.
Then the German Army led by none less than a Dolph Hitler look-alike would act-out life in a Hogan’s Hero type prison-camp.. the Allies all dressed-up in prison clothing.
The Adak Chaplain, whose ministry presently dying on the vine, would commence ceremonies on the Rock. Thanksgiving scenes would show Pastor M as the Judge, trying those on Adak who were un-thankful for anything. Of course, we would field for the award “Person most likely to fail in almost everything except for his billet in military life. He confesses he is Un-thankful for turkey, cranberries, dressing, even TV Football games (AFTV Channel 8) and for having buddies who tried to cheer him up.
The Chaplain announces that the sullen gentleman will be shot or a mock hanging for not being thankful. You can dream-up an ending to that one.
Music on deck would feature all types of Eclectic, polka, Big band, waltzes culminating ceremonies with Auld Lang Sine with an air-band such as a Sax String Section, a few Glen Miller favorites.
The whole shmere would be broadcast on AFRS radio, Mighty 890 khz. And partly on AFTV channel 8 when possible. Those unable to attend all performances could here with fairly good quality the AFRS, Adak Little Theater Party. You would not believe the talent that would surface during an epidemic or world-conflict on a small island in the Ocean!
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of Him Who publishes peace..” (Book IsaiYaH 52:7)
Chaplain no longer had to struggle through weekly services with the dirty dozen: One to two hundred Adakians sang choruses and listening to Chaplain Ed minister to hungry hearts and helped fill a need.
There became frequent spin-offs every Quarter when willing actors would step-up to the Adak wonderful weekend spotlight and ad-lib or ape their lines.
The crooning of Bob Hope and the Adak Sisters reminded you that “They would be with you, in Apple Blossom Time, if Father would create an Adak apple tree.
Humans concoct all sorts of entertainment when we are under “hack” by an oppressive regime. Maybe it’s not acting.
No matter how professional we Eugene-ites, or San Franciscans or Seattlites we seem to be, we still have a need to love our neighbor and feed ‘em some smooze.
Signing out to my rack for another three hours of sleep.
I am your brother, Steve Weber, aka Steve Phillips on AFRS, in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
PS I hope to make a few MP3 appearances on the Web. In the meantime, check me out at www.RadioDiscJockey.Homestead.com and search for me, Chuck Weber.
Chuck Weber's Collection of the 1960's:
I met a young disc jockey running the classic AM Top-50 sound of the late 1950’s and early and mid 1960s. I shall call him Ian. He said he wasn’t making much bread with a group that sounds like The Crests so he did Radio.
I noticed his light hair and well-groomed appearance which reminded me exactly of the 50’s 60’s stereotype jock.
He was doing a smooth mixture of oldies, jingles, spots and news. His format seemed to be like this. MUSIC:
MIND responds to the HARMONY
MIND responds to the LYRICS
SPIRIT responds to the MELODY
BODY responds to the RHYTHM (BEAT). Ian’s radio show reminded me much of the professional personalities of yesterday. Rhythm: the least important ingredient in music. (This is a work in progress; more later on.)
Grab an MP3 player loaded with our website, and head for the ski slopes. In 1963 this is what we listened to while working, hiking and skiing in the Northwest.
Vote on your favorite radio stations below.
Now, Let us flash back more than Sixty Years!
KGON Bill Western, Joe Allen, Electronics Teacher, DJ 3 min
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REALPLAYER/WMP/WAV FILES
(Real Player, Windows Media or your choice.)
KGAL Bob Stevens formerly KEX in KGON file above.
Ron Lee Show KTMR Studio 13 min
More will be added, if you Email Chuck. Most of above is from very primitive sources but it is all the world has to show from these announcers. Not all are typical audio quality.
Also hear in these Oldest-Airchecks Ever and
See the Kisn DJ's page: Pat Pattee, Steve Glass, Buddy Scott, Paul Oscar Anderson, Jingles and More. Just push the Kisn button on your right, presently.
Please Email us if you might have tapes or CD's of radio stations. Send in. We reserve the right to edit shows.
Rock, Rock and Roll, good or bad?
The Woodstock 1960's era in upstate New York eventually rocked the world, not always for the better. There is a solution. You determine your own preference, destiny and culture. Do not be programmed by "experts".
Music sets the tone and mood for almost anything. For example the old Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Perry Como holiday stuff makes many feel settled, more sociable and warmer (even though they mostly talk about snow). If you are a taxi-cab driver in New York, you might prefer the heat-wave of Martha and the Vandellas for example. Have a good day.
Think BIG! Stay friendly!
If you are having problems Emailing, try copy and pasting:
Chuck@YahvahYahweh.Name or using Outlook Express:
Yours Truly, Chuck Weber
