Just found a link of possible interest...Discount Stores of the 60's. Some great pics.

http://www.wtv-zone.com/dpjohnson/60sdiscountstores/index.html

To Erick: Saks commissions the manufacture of snow globes for each city in which they have a store, so you can only buy them at Saks.

To David Bagsby: Not only is Rich Fisher still here at KWGS, he is now the General Manager. He was my colleague for the first ten years I was here; he's been my boss for the last two. The transition has made us both a little dizzy.

Anyone know what ever happened to Greg "Red Barron" Windham or Kevin Roden? They both had radio shows that ran for years on KRSC Rogers State College Radio. Both were very supportive and played tons of my stuff over the years. I know there was a big shakeup when some students said some bad words on the air. Can't pick it up here in Kansas too well.

Why don't I hear traffic reports from helicopters anymore?

I recently saw both versions (I think) of the Tulsa snowglobes at Nelson's. I asked where they got them, and I can't remember, but I don't think it was Saks. Could they be purchased somewhere else?

To Casey,

I was at Saks last weekend and they only had the newer globe...in fact, they are 40% off and stacked to the ceiling.

Please say hello to Rich Fisher for me (if he's still there at KWGS).

Not related to Tulsa, but a cool photo archive from the 50's and 60's at NBC affiliate WDSU in New Orleans at this address:

http://www.bergeronstudio.com/archives/wdsu/list.html

Some great pix of Michael Landon in his Little Joe days being mobbed by the crowds of teenage girls at a station-sponsored appearance at an amusement park, as well as a shot of Dizzy Dean doing a remote golf tournament for Falstaff Beer.

Re: Tulsa snowglobes and Dino Economos

I haven't seen Dino in three or four years. He has continued to do radio and TV voiceover work, mostly (or perhaps exclusively) for Dick Schmitz at Irving Productions.

David Bagsby, are you sure Saks is only carrying the second Tulsa snowglobe? As recently as May 2001, they were carrying supplies of both. And if you can find one on eBay for $30, snap it up: they cost $35 new. (I have both versions and wouldn't give up either one for anything.)

I'm trying to find the Tulsa Snow Globe that Saks put out originally. The one they have now is a mark 2 version with the Cains and other things and is not near as cool as the first version (picture included). Mark one has the Williams Center, Philtower,...The Saks website has the photo enclosed, but only stocks the new version. The Tulsa branch of Saks only has ver. 2. I would happily pay market value for it. I saw one on Ebay recently that went for $30. I was going to buy it, but saw the pic at the website and thought I could just buy direct. More fool me.

The globe reminded me of the bottle city of Kandor on a shelf in Superman's Fortress of Solitude, then the Silver Age Superman comics and...hey, it's way past bedtime!

Whatever happened to Dino Economos? TV 6 reporter in the late 60's and very creative guy?

That's a good question...any answers out there?

There used to be a time when there were enlightened and entertaining personalities on Radio and their number today are few. I refer TTM readers to the "Drudge Report" and the antics of WNEW-FM P.M. Drive Schlock Jocks "Opie & Anthony" They are about to get WNEW's license pulled.

Though I don't listen to I-net radio - when in Durham, NC this last week - 2 stations are running ads over the air asking for listener support...the first that I had heard on air. One station was a "counter-culture" station - yes they still exist in NC. Yes they used the phrases "get off your ass" and "write into your Congressman and Senator" repeatedly in the spots - duh, the glutimus maximus word was not used by the other - a news/talk station.....

Hey David....Pam Van Dyke did belly dancing in the 70's and now sings mighty fine jazz in T-Town. However, she seems to be white & all.

And she's still belly dancing (see Guestbook 79).

The droll and talented Mr. Woodward said: "I am also happy to know the third Van Dyke brother. Of course we must mention their sister...Pam!"

Was she their 'beard'? ;-)

[The younger readers won't even know what a "Van Dyke" was....]

I know only one name for Machoe and it is "Cool Breeze."

I am also happy to know the third Van Dyke brother. Of course we must mention their sister...Pam !

I now have the official word that Mahcoe Van Dyke's show on Channel 6 was "Machoe's Scene", confirming what Jim Reid said a few Guestbooks back.

I know this because Machoe himself confirmed it. He started working in the studio here at Fox23 last week. I told him about TTM. Hopefully he'll check it out sometime.

Correction to previous post: The only folks to GAIN from the I-Net Radio Blarney will be Madonna. I must remember to have my Starbuck's before writing in.

The only folks to be hurt by the Internet Radio legislation will be Madonna and other big acts. People like me who are independent publishers/labels/etc...rarely see money from places like ASCAP (of which I was a member for many years and received a whopping $1.20 royalty check once from airplay in Holland). I agree with the webmaster in the importance of keeping I-Net Radio diverse. It's almost the same environment that produced the Uncanny Film Festival in an odd sort of way.

BTW: does anyone have a scan of John Erling's "Ski the Tulsa Mountains" bumper sticker?

Here you go. A majority of Internet broadcasters will simply go out of business if the punitive royalty rate stands. It was modeled on a deal made by Yahoo in the feverish dot.com days, which even Yahoo has now renounced as unrealistic. It is much more than over-the-air broadcasters pay. Here's what happened to KPIG Radio.

And now for this public service announcement:

Thanks to the outcry over the royalty rates set by the Librarian of Congress, three U.S. Representatives have introduced the Internet Radio Fairness Act.

This bill is in the House of Representatives currently, and needs your support!

You can FAX all of your congressmen in support of this bill simply by filling in the blanks at the link.

It will take two minutes, and it costs nothing. These two minutes will help preserve the diversity of choices that Internet Radio offers.

Thank you for your attention.

I remember June 8 because myself and a neighbor had walked up the street after the initial sirens and the power outage. We were in front of the Rose Bowl looking east down 11th street and could see this twister chewing up the houses about 2 miles away.

An e-toast to the late Saidie Adwon - one of 8's MOST successful salespersons in the history of Leake-owned KTUL. Someone joked that they made her GM before her retirement to give the other hard-working sales staff a chance!

As noted here before - 6 had decent salesmen but 8's sales staff in the '70's kicked butt and the guys and gals there made probably twice as much as an average Ch. 6 salesman!

Anyone know where Len Allsup landed? Last heard he was VP at Prism or some major cable MSO in PA. He was another star salesman from KTUL in the '70's....

I spent 3 terrific years as the National Sales Manager at KTUL. Looking through this website brings back wonderful memories of a great time (1989 - 1992). Seeing Diane Ward, Dick Van Dera, Monte Toon, Betty Fields (who I lovingly called "Mom"), and the wonderful Red Statum just reminds me of how much fun we had together. It was a real family. Although I was in the Sales Dept, I remember the folks in News and Production were always quick with a smile and a welcome whenever I was in their part of the building. It's great to see Charles and Carole still there. Both are great professionals and very down-to-earth people. When my first son was born, in Tulsa, the kindness and love from the entire station was felt by my entire family. When we left for Dallas, it a sad time for all. However, even after 10 years, there are still great memories.

What a treat to stumble upon this website! I worked at KTUL from 1974-1985 and again from 1989-1992. I have great memories from those early days, and am so pleased you have put up this site. I see you have a photo of me from an 8's the Place promo, which surprised and amused me. I was also a regular on Uncle Zeb's Cartoon Camp--as the "art lady" (I worked in the Art Department with the fabulous Monte Toon--who is still there!) and I was also weekend weather girl for several years, working with Guy Atchley and Phyllis Watson. Remember Ginny Johnston? Back in the day, you didn't have to be a meteorologist to be a weathergirl.

I'm still in Tulsa TV--I produce commercials freelance for KOTV, and married to another Tulsa TV person--Davis Ward, who was a director at KJRH, KOTV and KTUL. He now owns his own company, Lauer Cinematography.

Thanks for the memories!

Diane Elliott Ward

Welcome, Diane! I added your comments to the 8's The Place page alongside your picture.

The tornadoes of June 8, 1974...my fiance Patty (now married to her 27 years) and I were picking up her two brothers after work at the Fairgrounds.

We ducked into the IPE building and hid in a restroom just as the twister ripped through Bell's. Pieces of Fantasmagoria went flying by the building, and with the noise of crashing metal we thought the KELi building was hit. A good friend of ours was inside spinning "Casey Kasem's American Top 40". He had no idea anything had happened.

It took a while to calm down from that one and, yes, it did sound like a freight train!

Of interest to those familiar with major Tulsa-area talent of the late 60's: Randy Ess (Rogues V founder), Bill Phillips and Max Wisley (Rubbery Cargoe) are collaborating on a Beatle-based musical project.

http://www.hitreplay.net

Here is Randy Ess in the "Rogues V" on KOTV's "Dance Party".

June 8th...I remember getting a call from a friend of mine just before the power went out. He lived a couple of blocks from Mingo Creek and said to get out there cause he had 6" of water in the house and it was still rising. His folks were out of town and we lost a boat trying to get to him. He lived at 31st & Mingo and after nearly getting electrocuted trying to cross at 71st, we ended up swimming to his house. Unfortunately for them, the next big tornado/flood in December pretty much did the same to his place and by then I think the government finally bought out everyone in harm's way. Sure hope those retention ponds work.

David's "Jethro Tulsa" and "Keystone Lake and Palmer" CD's (and this web site) are again mentioned in the John Wooley/Thomas Conner column in the Tulsa World this morning.

The most chilling thing I remember about severe weather evenings was how the warnings were issued to us on TV when they moved from the weather service office.

There were no snazzy lead-ins with an announcer saying "NOW HERE'S AN UPDATE..." it was just the loud EBS tone and boom, there it was.

You could kind of predict it when the stations would have that little "storm watch/warning" graphic in the corner of the screen and it would disappear right before the warning was given, but prior to that you could be watching Happy Days and it would scare hell out of you.

It didn't help that the person at the mike at the weather service had a voice of doom either. And very rarely did you see Don Woods or Lee Woodward come on and explain what was going on. If you did you knew it was hitting the fan.

To the person who emailed me about the tape of the radio I am truly sorry, but over the almost 30 years the tape has pretty much been obliterated. It ran its last run about a month ago. John Erling used to play segments of the master tape every year on June 8 so they may have a copy.

Rich/50.

I remember both those days well. I was 12 when the June '74 storms hit and just back from an absolutely miserable week at Scout summer camp at Camp Tom Hale in southeast OK, with nonstop rain and flooding. I decided that God must be rather upset with me, to seemingly be sending me from the frying pan to the fire. Of course, I lived east of Broken Arrow then and was nowhere near the destruction either time, but I did get a scare on Christmas Eve, 1982, while working at the Woodland Hills Service Merchandise. That was the day a small to medium (F2) twister nicked the roof, tearing off most of the air conditioner, flattening an employee's car with it and leaving a gaping hole in the roof. The weather outside was certainly frightful that day.

By the way, all of the aforementioned tornadoes, plus much more, are recorded on this amazing site. Enjoy!

http://www.tornadoproject.com

I was just listening to an old tape that my mother made during the June 8 1974 and December 5, 1975 tornadoes. KRMG did the best weather coverage, then and now.

I was only 6 years old then, and freshly moved in from Pittsburgh, PA. and had no idea what a tornado was. It stuns me to see how much weather forecasting has advanced over the years...a long way since Don Woods and his dry erase markers.

Put on your shower caps - meteor showers Monday for us in the US.

According to the best estimates, in 2002 the Earth is predicted to cut through the densest part of the Perseid stream sometime between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET on Monday. This is during the late afternoon and early evening hours across North America, and while the actual interval of peak activity might be lost to daylight, the predawn hours of both Monday morning and Tuesday morning still hold the promise of seeing a very fine Perseid display.

So get out and star gaze this week, Tulsa-ites!

Unfortunately, according to Gusty, it's going to be cloudy in Tulsa this week.

I love the website called TulsaTVMemories.com. I still remember when I and my two siblings were on Mr. Zing and Tuffy back in 1968 or 1969. I can't see why Mr. Zing said HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all the kids on his show, but Uncle Zeb did not. And I still mourn the loss of Mr. Zing in 1970 and of John Chick in 1986.

Zeb's persona was a bit crustier than Zing's, but folks who know him agree that Carl Bartholomew is quite a nice fellow.

Oh how I miss my "Johnny Boy" "Martin calling me at night and whispering over the phone, "Je maintiendrai une lumière dessus dans ma fenêtre!" Be still my heart.

In case you need it, here is AltaVista's translation engine.

Speaking (of) other languages, just noticed that TTM is being featured on a Spanish-speaking site, ElNorte.com.

Shades of "Go for Dough" - my NPR station is off air for xmitr troubles...listened to a "contemporary country" FM station from one of the burbs here. (None of the 10 contemporary or conservative Charlotte Christian stations in town that hawg the airwaves had anything but "screamin' preachers" on...must be a lotta guilt in C-town for this many "religious" stations...)

They are givin' callers a certificate for a 6 pack of Mountain Dew, a t-shirt and a chance to be in a Daytona drawing....I remember when in the "Go for Dough" days - all Gary Chew needed to give folks was a 6 pack of cola! Must be inflation or somethin'....

Having much entertainment with the translation engine. But my favorite is the former KRMG Newsguy whose name comes out:

Parte posteriora De Jim

But then, as many will tell you, I'm easily amused. Gotta go now and check the translation of "Case Night" on the Johnny Martin page.

Thomas Conner and John Wooley have a column, "Sounds Like Ours" in the Tulsa World. There is an item about David Bagsby today, "Tull's take". It notes that Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull recently had some good things to say about David's work. There's even a nice mention of this site at the end of the story.

Here is more on this site about David's latest "Tulsa" CD, The Lamb Fries Down on Broadway (more to come).

During the mid-sixties, KRMG sponsored a treasure hunt where listeners followed clues to locate a hidden chest of cash. My mother, an avid KRMG and Chuck Adams fan, got caught up in the hunt. One of the clues led the family (with Dad driving) to an industrial park somewhere around the old Sinclair and Telex buildings near 41st and Sheridan. Dad got the bright idea of taking a shortcut by driving the family car along railroad tracks that led through the area.

Needless to say, the car jumped the track and became stuck. So, there was our family, in the middle of the night; car stuck, Dad angry, Mom scared, and me crying just because of a radio contest.

Memories of Tulsa...can you beat 'em?

Boy, that sure feels familiar!

Uncle and Mrs. Zeb can be seen about halfway down this page at the Tulsa Children's Theatre site.

Casa Bonita to ya all.....have a cerveza and muy nachos on me.....IS Casa Bonita still alive and in Tulsa????

Yes it is...put up the flag at your table for more sopaipillas.

Someone already beat me too it! I also just spotted Charles Marsh on that show. They have a really annoying webpage at http://www.fox.com/30secondstofame/. No photos of him that I see though.

Also wanted to note that if you are a UHF fan and a GPS user you might find this interesting. My newest cache, The Tulsa UHF Tour. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=31561

You use GPS (Global Positioning System) or Mapquest to take a tour of "UHF" shooting locales while picking up the digits needed to locate a hidden box of goodies...a bit like a road rally.

Just saw Charles "Charlie" Marsh do his thing on Fox's "30 Seconds to Fame". He was eliminated by crowd vote at around 19 seconds into the act.

Senor Microfono Ransom,

TTM en Espanol es muy bueno! Casa Bonita, Hasta la Vista, Badges? We don't need no steenking badges.

I note that the front page promises the "Uncola Libre" -- Perhaps 7-Up, Bacardi, and a dash of Havoline 10W40 Motor Oil?

RE: Grandma Lion's remarks:

"...ask Mr. M. Knight Sillyman to refund my $5.50 I wasted on his movie 'Signs?' Thank you honey!"

Feel lucky you only spent $5.50. I paid $14.00 at the new Cinerama Dome multiplex on Sunset to see "Road To Perdition." Talk about a ripoff. It's not even worth $5.50!

This is in response to Grandma Lion's response:

I forwarded your note to Mr. Sillyman about the $5.50 refund. He had no idea "Signs" was already in release.

"I've been so busy getting prepped for a script rewrite...where's it playing?"

Later in his note he apologized to "Grand Malion" and said the check was in the envelope.

Sorry, you know how people from LA are, all Avian and no smoking.

Your fan, Mitch

Mitch...we appreciate your accolade concerning my Grand Son and his keeper but one is best and one is beast and that debate hasn't been settled either.

Since you live in L.A., would you please ask Mr. M. Knight Sillyman to refund my $5.50 I wasted on his movie "Signs?" Thank you honey!

This is a note to King Lionel and his "right hand man." You guys are the best. (I'll let the two of you argue on who has the upper paw in the relationship.)

Erick said "OKC doesn't have a R&B/Hip Hop on FM, and Tulsa now has 2. Guess it depends on tastes!"

OKC has "Wild 97.9" which is Rhythmic Contemporary Hits and plays a lot of rap/dance hits but they not a true Urban station. Interesting to note they only have a 6K stick but are ahead of 100K KJ-103 in the last book.

There is a real need for a Urban FM station in OKC but aren't any FM's for sale there. Perry Broadcasting who owns "Power Jammin 1140" (and KJMM 105.3 in Tulsa) has been wanting to buy an FM because it's an daytime only station with no chance for a power increase.

Billy

Mr. Perry also owns KGTO in Tulsa, formerly KFMJ-AM, 1050. The "Classic Soul" format is a nice refuge on the AM dial.

I think I caught a glimpse of Charles Marsh on a promo for Wednesday's FOX show "30 Seconds to Fame". It was a guy upside-down, straddled on his shoulders between two chairs, playing a stringed instrument. The show airs Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Eastern on FOX. Did anyone else catch the promo or know anything more?

The Gen Com switcher at WKY was always giving trouble. Maybe that is why they went out of business? Then came the Sarkes Tarzian switcher. They came and told us they were going under and the management went ahead with the purchase because of the rotary wipe potential with that switcher. Boy, we used that a lot? Good to see this site and people like George T writing in.

We hear from the great George Tomek! Still, in my opinion, one of the great anchor "voices" of all time. OKC TV is a lesser place for his retirement. Glad to hear he's still active in the industry.

One of Mr. Tomek's former co-workers at KFOR, Dan Threlkeld, has been "filling in" as weekend meteorologist at KJRH recently. I encourage Tulsa area viewers to watch if they have an opportunity next weekend. Looks like he may be leaving KFOR soon. Again, a loss for that station. Dan Threlkeld has been in TV so long (at KFOR since '84), hopefully he'll have a shot as chief meteorologist somewhere.

True to John Boydston's story (June 7, 2002) about my newsroom tease for Channel 4 ending by me quipping "don't miss it if you can," I DID forget about this great website preserving and embellishing Tulsa's rich TV heritage! John, you deserved to escape KTVY, I believe at the time to CNN.

Jim Ruddle took the occasion of my comment to talk about a memorable moment he witnessed in Chicago TV. I remember when Jim anchored with a guy named Dave Park on WGN. Thanks to Erick from Tulsa for giving me good marks as an anchor.

By the way, I left the lobbying business back in January, formed my own communications company, do some commercial and quite a bit of industratial video and some consulting in Oklahoma. Hopefully, my contacts in Dallas, Wichita and KC will bring in more.

Back to the lobbying briefly, I did interface almost daily during sessions with a sweetheart from Tulsa TV, former State Representative Betty Boyd -- as classy an act among thieves at the state capitol as she was among professionals at KOTV. I'm done. Promise not to be verbose in the future.

George Tomek
Edmond, OK

Welcome to the site, George!

Last week someone wrote in saying that he has the Dishnetwork and he gets out of state NBC. Well....guess what?? I do too!!! In addition to KJRH I get KUSA from Denver I can watch a show an hour later(mountain time) I also get KNBC from L.A. Now Colin Powell's son more or less called Don a liar about not having a network waiver. It's impossible to get those channels without a network waiver. Michael, Don received a waiver just as I. In fact look at mine here. I blocked my phone number of course.

Station	Date Req'd	Network Feed	Waiver Status	Date Rec'd
WLEN	3/24/2002	ABC CHI	Denied	4/1/2002 9:00:23 AM
WLEN	3/24/2002	CBS CHI	Denied	4/1/2002 9:00:23 AM
WLEN	3/24/2002	FOX CHI	Denied	4/19/2002 9:00:14 AM
WLEN	3/24/2002	NBC CHI	Approved	4/29/2002 9:01:14 AM

Um - yes, WKY-TV had the GenCom (short for General Communications) video switchers with the tiny round buttons that would sometimes get stuck down in the middle of the 6pm news, and I'd have to come running over with a can of Contact ReNu and spray it loose during the commercial. :)

KFAQ's conservative slant will always draw passionate listeners, but it definitely isn't/won't be a hit with the masses. KRMG is a little more even-keeled with it's views, and that will have a broad appeal.

Billy made a great point, Tulsa DOES need to have a Classic Country FM. OKC has KKNG, and some would say KXY plays quite a bit of classic country, kind of like KVOO-FM does. OKC doesn't have a R&B/Hip Hop on FM, and Tulsa now has 2.

Guess it depends on tastes!

Checked out the Tulsa ratings at: (hope this link works)

http://www.radioandrecords.com/Subscribers/ratings/ratmain.asp?mkt=tul

KFAQ dropped from a strong 6.0 to a 3.7 in this months book, good for 11th place. I think this is the first time I have seen 1170 out of the Tulsa Top 10 in a long time.

Who was really helped by KVOO's format change? KRMG gained .9 points, and KVOO-FM gained .3 points. BTW Tulsa is ripe for a Classic Country FM ala OKC's KKNG "King Country".

KVOO-FM boasts Dick Loftin and Charlene Lewis (both TTM visitors) and Bob Cooper. They also have some great classic country programming on weekends with Bob O'Shea, Billy Parker and John Wooley.

Terrell Lester's "Classic Country" can be heard Saturday mornings on Rogers State University's KRSC at 91.3. And don't forget ol' Hawkeye after Terrell's show, especially if you have a thing about Bill Doggett.

re. Mike Bruchas question:

"NOW tell me what was 4's production switcher PRIOR to this?" (the Sarkes Tarzian)

A couple hours after I posted my initial response, a tour came thru my edit suite, consisting of some Wal-Mart video folks and Rodger Clements, one of the best video systems and fixit guys. I worked with Rodger at KTVY for many years, and he knew the answer:

The switchers that preceded the Sarkes Tarzians were GENCOMs.

Sorry, no pictures...

Maybe Rodger can chime in here and add details.

I chanced to bump into a Fan the other day (While cruising the back fences) and was startled by his question; "What was your official position" at KOTV? I replied that I was in a sitting position mostly as "The King!" "No," he said..."How were you carried on the books?" I told him I was carried by Limo, not books. Then he asked me if I was "Part Time?" Well, of course. You don't think a King works full time do you? I made an excuse to leave this person, sprayed and hurried back to ask my right hand man about this nonsense.

After a visit with "Tiddy Kat" and then a cold glass of Buttermilk, (8-16-02) I asked Woody the question. "Was I carried in any way other than a Travel Bag?" He explained the following. In negotiations with the Lowerarchy (Mgmnt) I originally was listed as "Part Time." When it was discovered that this might entitle me to some "Bennies," (Benefits) It was suggested that I join with my Co-Worker (Mazeppa) and be called "An Associate." In this way we would not be burdened with Medical, Dental or 401's.

Having never known I was anything but a King, I now know I was much more, I was an Associate! It is now explained to me that, this is why I have been able to collect Unemployment for all these years; The Unemployment Office can find no listing for "Associate!" See what can happen when you pays your taxes, take your earnings and invest in Oil Stocks?

Archived Guestbook 111...

Check out TTM in Spanish!