March 28 2012 at 14:41:41 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: RetroOK WKY page
Comments: This might be of interest to some of you. A history
with pix of WKY in Okie City. Go to:
March 28 2012 at 00:35:03 Name: Jon Topic: Oklahoma songs
Comments: Well Mark try not to dream of another "Sons" hit
"Cool, Clear, Water"
Then you'd need to listen to the "Soggy Bottom Boys"
March 27 2012 at 20:42:34 Name: Mark Erdwin Topic: Oklahoma songs
Comments: "The Everlasting Hills of Oklahoma" by The Sons of the
Pioneers is a favorite of mine. When the world gets to be too much, an evening
spent listening to cowboy songs cures what ails me. (Except, maybe, for my
recent affinity for frequent trips to the bathroom during the night.)
March 27 2012 at 08:06:12 Name: Rick Clark Topic: Oklahoma songs Email: clarkrick@yahoo.com Comments: Oklahoma native the late Mel McDaniel has a very
pretty album cut titled "Oklahoma, you're still home to me". You can find
it on Youtube. I played it regulary on KVOO am back in the day
March 23 2012 at 12:32:13 Name: Mitch Gray Topic: Nuther Okie Song Email: North Of You Comments:
Whoops! Almost forgot about Glen Campbell!
"By the time I make Oklahoma..She'll be texting".
Or maybe it was sleeping.
March 22 2012 at 08:30:54 Name: Sonny Hollingshead Topic: Oklahoma Songs
Comments: In his song W.O.L.D. Harry Chapin sings:
"So I drifted on down to Tulsa, Oklahoma to do me a late night talk
show."
March 22 2012 at 07:44:12 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Oklahoma
Songs Comments: Sidebar: I'd mentioned "Red Solo cup...Let's Have
a Party..."
Well, somebody's going to have a party. Solo Cup was just bought by Dart
Corp.
for ONE BILLION dollars.
March 22 2012 at 06:34:18 Name: Jim Topic: Oklahoma
Songs Comments: "Gotta go to Tulsa, first train we can ride. Gotta
settle one old score, one small point of pride..."
Grateful Dead, Jack Straw
March 21 2012 at 01:11:12 Name: Jon Topic: Oklahoma Theme
Comments: How about Oklahoma native Roger Miller's Oklahoma Woman
Ribbon of concrete, stretching out far before me
Ribbon of concrete, stretching back far behind
I'm rattling down round the southern parts of Texas
With that Oklahoma woman on my mind
Oklahoma woman, whoa, whoa woman
Oh Lord, what a day the day was the day that I found her
Oklahoma woman, whoa whoa woman
Oh Lord, I can't wait to get home and put my two arms around her
Well, it's starting to rain and I sure am glad I ain't walking
Yeah the telephone poles go flying by like they're flying
And I'm thinking about a lot of things but mainly
It's that Oklahoma woman on my mind
Oklahoma woman, whoa, whoa woman
Oh Lord, what a day the day was the day that I found her
Oklahoma woman, whoa, whoa woman
Oh Lord, I can't wait to get home and put my two arms around her
So, I say come on wheels and roll me on back to my baby
Yeah, keep turning round and head me on down the line
And radio keep on playing songs to remind me
It's that Oklahoma woman on my mind
Oklahoma woman, whoa, whoa woman
Oh Lord, what a day the day was the day that I found her
Oklahoma woman, whoa, whoa woman
Oh Lord, I can't wait to get home and put my two arms around her
Oklahoma woman, whoa, whoa woman
Oh Lord, what a day the day was the day that I found her
Oklahoma woman, whoa, whoa woman
Oh Lord, I can't wait to get home and put my two arms around her
March 20 2012 at 19:44:10 Name: Mike Miller Topic: Oklahoma
Songs Comments: We can't exclude "Oklahoma." "Where the wind comes
sweepin' down the plain." And, oh boy, does it!
Of course, the song is from the hit Broadway musical "Oklahoma!" which was
the first musical written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
Opening Night: Mar 31, 1943, St. James Theatre. (2,212 performances.)
March 20 2012 at 11:08:43 Name: Erick Topic: Oklahoma
Songs Comments: "Take Me Back to Tulsa" was, of course, most famously
performed by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. I believe Bob also wrote the
song.
"24 Hours From Tulsa" is a favorite of mine. Written by Burt Bacharach. Gene
Pitney's version is the most well-known, but I think Dusty Springfield and
others have covered it.
Another song that mentions Tulsa (and Oklahoma City) is "Heart of Rock n
Roll" by Huey Lewis and the News....
March 20 2012 at 09:00:06 Name: Mike Miller Topic: Oklahoma
Songs Comments: Vince Gill's "Oklahoma Borderline" with a great
guitar solo and Michael Franks recorded some country songs, including, "King
of Oklahoma." Also, when I think of "Route 66" I think of Mel Torme.
March 19 2012 at 23:56:20 Name: Gary Chew Topic: More OK Lyrics Email: Northeast of Eden Comments: Thanks to Bobby Troup, but it's seldom sung (2nd
verse). I think Perry Como sings the line on one of his records:
"You'll like the aroma of Tulsa, Oklahoma." From, as Si Hawk pointed out
earlier, "Route 66," which is a real standard for sure. Yes, Nat Cole...and
Bobby Troup, hisself, having fine recordings of this fab song.
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino, signing off.
March 19 2012 at 17:31:03 Name: Mitch Gray Topic: Mo Okie Tunes Email: North Of You Comments: Redneck Mother - Jerry Jeff Walker
Cherokee Fiddle - Johnnie Lee
Also mentioned in (along with oodles of others) I've Been Everywhere - Johnny
Cash.
March 19 2012 at 12:49:23 Name: Charles Topic: OK
songs Comments: Never Been to Spain. Written by Hoyt Axton, made
famous by Three Dog Night.
March 19 2012 at 10:32:29 Name: Mike Tucker Topic: OK and Tulsa Songs Email:
mikedottucker@tuckerswebdotcom Comments: I have enjoyed this site since it started. First
time I have had anything to add and it's probably redundant. "Take me back
to Tulsa (I'm too young to marry)is a Tulsey song that comes to mind. Asleep
at the Wheel I think was the artist, probably more.
March 18 2012 at 23:45:38 Name: Gary Topic: Ike's chili recipe Email: garylelia@q.com Comments: Scott , I have finally come very close to a homemade
chile that tastes a whole lot like Ike's. The secret is Gephart's chili powder,
I read in a blog on another site that Ike's used that brand. I used 2 lbs
ground beef, two tablespoons Gephart's chili powder, 3 cups water, only about
4 ounces of tomato sauce and that was it, no cumin or anything else, tastes
very much like Ike's chili, not quite but very close. Think the Gephart's
brand powder is what did it, give it a try.
March 18 2012 at 14:54:00 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Oklahoma
Songs Comments: Great responses!
One I intended to include, but forgot (How can that happen?) was a sort of
syrupy number in the late 'thirties called "In Old Oklahoma." For the period,
it wasn't too bad.
There must be a bootlegger song somewhere.
March 17 2012 at 23:14:11 Name: Tim Topic: OK/Tulsa
Songs Comments: Like so many others, my 'recall' isn't what it used
to be, but THE song to have for this playlist begins and ends with "Home
Sweet Oklahoma" by one Leon Russell.
Other favorites are, in no particular order:
"Tulsa Time" (of course, and your choice of artists)
"Boys From Oklahoma" by Cross Canadian Ragweed
"Oklahoma Blues" by Watermelon Slim
"Oklahoma Swing" by Vince Gill/Reba McEntire
"The Tulsa Shuffle" by The Tractors
March 17 2012 at 22:50:58 Name: Jon Cummins Topic: Tulsa
songs Comments: I will need some help on this please. About 30+
years back a special on TV was interviewing people on when Louis B. Meyer
was in Tulsa for some movie deal in the mid-late twenties and had an idea
with his engineer of how to add sound to film. I might be totally off with
names, but he found out Roy Smeck was staying at the Tulsa Hotel. He sent
for him in the morning on a Saturday wanting him to record some. He went,
but to rebel some he only took his Ukulele and didn't wear more than a housecoat
and slippers. The track was later stuck on the short and was the first prototype
of "Talkies" Like i said I'm unsure of Meyer and Smeck, but the Tulsa Hotel
was the one mentioned.
Another story I know for sure is "T-U-L-S-A straight ahead" was written by
Leon McAuliff's sideman Jimmy Hall after a gig in Coffeeville, and wanting
a pint. Leon had extras for this type of occasion and sold them for inflated
prices. Hall didn't have the dough so Leon told him to write a tune for it.
It was rainy and looking out the steamed window of the bus he saw a yellow
triangular sign saying Tulsa with an arrow pointing up. Within minutes Hall
had his "Hooch" and Leon had a hit. I played later with Leon, and knew the
guy's on that band who told the story. Jimmy Hall was a good fiddler, excellent
singer and great writer, but many were sold or traded like this one.
March 17 2012 at 22:14:29 Name: Scotty Comstock Topic: Oklahoma/Tulsa songs Email:
scottycomstockatyahoo.com Comments:
"You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma" from the movie "Any Which Way You Can"
performed by David Frizell and Shelly West written by Felice and Boudeaux
Bryant.
This writing team is also known for Bye Bye Love and All I have to Do Is
Dream.
Also a song for the SemiCentenial written and performed by Ralph Blane "Riding
into Tulsa"*
*This is based on 50+ years of fuzzy memory.
March 17 2012 at 16:37:50 Name: Si Hawk Topic: Oklahoma Songs Email:
sihawk@HawksHomeTown.Com Comments: Jim,
I'd place "24-Hours From Tulsa" by Gene Pitney on that list. How about "Route-66"
by Nat Cole? Just my 2-cents.
March 17 2012 at 14:53:07 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Oklahoma
Songs Comments: Has anyone ever burned a CD containing as many
Oklahoma/Tulsa songs as they can recall?
Samples: "Take Me Back to Tulsa"
"T-U-L-S-A, Straight Ahead"
"Tulsa, Swingin' Down to Tulsa"
"The Oklahoma Hills Where I Was Born"
"I'm an Okie from Muskogee"
Of course, we have to include the Rogers and Hammerstein monument,
but there was another "Official State Song" that preceded it, a goofy relic
of olden days "Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Fairest Daughter of the West..."
The Topaz Room at the Hotel Tulsa once hosted nationally prominent bands
and one, led by Ted Fio Rito, left with a tune the bandleader wrote "Beautiful
Topaz Girl."
There must be many others and this is just off the top of my gray head.
March 12 2012 at 16:04:12 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: Radio news
changes Comments: CNN Radio is going away - forever.
A low wattage AM used to carry it in DC when I lived there - years ago...
The folks who syndicated CNN Radio - are now helping NBC launch NBC News
Radio...
If only they would bring back MONITOR on weekends!
March 12 2012 at 09:55:33 Name: John Durkee Topic: Radio Greats Being Fired Email:
johndashdurkeeatutulsadotedu Comments: While I am thrilled at being considered a "radio
great", unless you know something I don't, I have never been fired in Tulsa
radio for any reason.
I left KRMG in 2008 of my own accord, after 20-years in the ND's chair, I
wanted a break. I set out my non-compete clause in the Mayor's office and
returned to radio in 2009 at the University of Tulsa.
The closest I came to being fired was at KAKC when the station sold in 1980,
but I left before the ownership change took place.
March 09 2012 at 20:48:25 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: "Whatever the
Weather" Comments: You can order it from Anderson's Bookshop in Downers
Grove, IL.
$19.95 and I think they said $7 for shipping and handling.
There might be some autographed copies left...
Anderson's Bookshop
5112 Main St
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Tel: 630-963-2665
March 08 2012 at 09:31:22 Name: Chuck Fullhart Topic: Whatever the
Weather Comments: Jim,
Looks like Harry Volkman is self-publishing his book, at least in the early
stage of distribution.
I'm like you, first stop Amazon.
Second stop Google.
This is off the WGN website.
WGN News
Harry Volkman
To order a copy of Whatever The Weather: My Life & Times As A TV Weatherman,
send an e-mail to Mr. Volkman. His address is: harryvolkman@gmail.com
March 08 2012 at 08:53:33 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Harry Volkman's
book Comments: Couldn't find the book on Amazon. How can we get
it?
March 06 2012 at 21:04:14 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: Harry Volkman's book - "Whatever the
Weather" Comments: Bought an autographed copy (no - I missed his signing
here..) and it has a lot of neat anecdotes in it.
Like when he went to work at 6 - he worked for free initially.
Or KWTV having the first weather radar in the state - KTUL imitated it years
later with a surplus airplane radar. WKY - rented a feed from Tinker AFB's
radar to keep with KWTV in the 50's.
Jim Ruddle gets mentioned as the long suffering co-anchor with Floyd Kalber
- who did not WANT a co-anchor at WMAQ-TV. Harry worked at WMAQ thrice -
I think.
Sent our webmeister some jacket cover images to post of the book.
March 06 2012 at 15:54:24 Name: Scott Linder Topic: Radio Recorders
fire Comments: There was a fire at Radio Recorders/"The Annex"
here in Hollywood yesterday. Only one portion of the the building burned,
so we all hope that this classic facility will continue to operate.
The room that burned was Orson Welles' office back in the early days,and
the studio was host to many "greats".
March 05 2012 at 19:23:54 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: Butch & Ben on KTVY in
1986. Comments: G.ailard S.artain was a guest and they talked about
Hee Haw with him.
He kind of out-comiced the boys - if that is a word.. Go to:
March 05 2012 at 19:18:00 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: Only in
America Comments: One of the Chicago Spanish language stations - now
carries FAMILY GUY - in Spanish at 6pm.
Ay caramba!
March 05 2012 at 16:28:36 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic:
Managers Comments: One, and only one, of the top managers I worked
for rates a really big gold star.
When the geniuses in New York found that they had mismanaged the network's
finances and its possibilities, they decreed a ten percent cut in all O&O
spending. They suggested a ten percent reduction in force.
The guy I'm talking about said he'd cut the ten percent, but wasn't going
to do it on employee backs. Instead, he cut out free newspapers, taxi fares
where public transportation would suffice, expensive lunches that were supposed
to generate "good will" for the sales staff. I've heard that he even said
you couldn't get a new pencil unless you brought stub of your old one.
It sounds silly, but it worked. Nobody got laid off and we made the budget.
New York hated him.
February 29 2012 at 18:21:32 Name: Gary Thompson Topic: Radio Greats Being Fired Email:
garythethompson@gmail.com Comments: Lots of Tulsa radio stalwarts being let go in the
wake of budget cuts.
February 29 2012 at 14:23:01 Name: Webmaster Topic: TTM featured in This Land
today Comments:
My article about this site is featured on
This Land Press today.
February 28 2012 at 23:50:10 Name: Gary Chew Topic: Another Musical Coincidence Email: Northeast of Eden Comments:
I just saw Dan Hicks at Harlow's in Sacramento a few weeks back, too. Good,
funny show, there on J Street, as well.
February 28 2012 at 19:30:00 Name: David Worrell Topic: Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks Email: david dot j dot worrell at
gmail Comments: I just saw Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks at McCabe's
Guitar Shop in Santa Monica a few weeks ago. Dan's over 70 now but still
quite funny and entertaining. His current show - 'the Kollege of Musical
Knowledge' - is a chronological history of some of the important songs he
encountered on his unique path. Here's a 'sampler':
February 28 2012 at 17:17:05 Name: Gary Chew Topic: More On Girl Singers Email: Northeast of Eden Comments:
Following up on Mike Miller's treatise on "An Occasional Man," for the first
time in my life, I heard June Christy singing that song on Schwartz' WNYC
show today. Didn't even know June recorded it. She wasn't singing it with
Kenton's band, btw.
This is Gary Chew, reporting from Carty Counter. And isn't that the counter
one finds Town City Shoes, he asked with care.
February 28 2012 at 09:23:45 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Word manglers Comments: Oh, no! Not the dreaded word manglers and unintended
pronunciations!
A fellow at KOME, in its early incarnation in that tall building on Boston
(I'm supposed to remember the names of buildings at my age?) hit the copy
cold for a business named Town-City Shoes. You got it.
I was always very careful about such things and only made harmless blunders,
and the only time I had trouble was when I was accused in Chicago of saying
something that I didn't. Thank goodness there was tape of the program and
I was proved innocent.
At KOTV, during a 7:00AM newscast, I had an item referring to the prosecutor
in Carter County. I said "Carty Counter." I apologized. Tried again, and
damned if I didn't say "Carty Counter." Now, getting angry with myself, I
almost bellowed "Carty Counter!"
I put the item aside, went on with the newscast and, just before the conclusion,
picked up the blasted copy and cooly read "Carter County."
I don't remember who in the studio did it, but somebody clapped.
Working in the West where Spanish names, with pronunciation challenges abound,
lots could go wrong. And, even with Oklahoma backgrounds, Native American
names were often diabolical to the Anglo.
Noel Confer encountered--again cold copy--the story of a hit and run fatality
on a California highway.
"Police report the death of a man who was struck by a car as he walked alongside
a highway, tonight. He was identified as Jacob Hoopappy."
Jarred and unthinking, Noel blurted at high volume: "Hoopappy? Hoopappy?'
There are gag reels everywhere of the salacious stuff.
February 27 2012 at 20:21:55 Name: Mike Miller Topic: Doris
Day Comments: I always thought Doris Day was underrated as a singer
AND especially as an actress. However, Alfred Hitchcock liked her enough
to play her opposite James Stewart in his 1956 thriller, "The Man who Knew
Too Much." The same year, she played an airline stewardess who had to land
an airliner in "Julie." "Julie" was another thriller most have forgotten
except for me and her other fans. Hard to believe she's now 87.
Gary Chew will, no doubt, remember the difficulty I had on KTUL-Radio introducing
something from "Doris Day's Greatest Hits" album. (We played it a lot.) Using
very careful enunciation only drew attention. I'll have to admit, it did
come out, "Greatest Tits," a few times.
Que Sera, Sera.
February 27 2012 at 02:52:11 Name: Gary Chew Topic: Girl Singers & Oscar Email: Northeast of Eden Comments:
Glad to see the girl singer thread still running. I just heard Doris Day,
yesterday on Jonathan Schwartz' "High Standards" out of WNYC in NYC play
Day singing that very song as posted by Batterson...it was with solo piano
accompaniment. Schwartz was falling all over himself with praise. I agree.
Yes to Mr. Ruddle on Jo Stafford. She did have one great musical ear. I once
owned the Jonathan and Darlene Edwards LP, until someone ripped it off from
me over the years. "Great" off-key singing and piano playing on it with Jo
and her hubby, Paul Weston. I had a lot of people going with that record
over the years. When it would come on with other LPs on my stereo, I'd act
to my pals as if I couldn't tell the pair was doing the music terribly. That
was fun. Glad The Artist won this evening down in La La Land. Great film,
I recommend it to everyone. It's family friendly, as well. Glad, also, that
Plummer won for "Beginners," a damned good movie also, btw. See it, if you
haven't. I think I have a review of it archived here somewhere.
February 26 2012 at 14:42:24 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: "The Great
One" Comments: JACKIE GLEASON was born on this date in 1916. He
died on June 24, 1987.
The kinescopes of his shows - transferred to videotape still are being run
- everywhere.
Maybe not as many episodes of Andy of Mayberry - I think someone said - "running
every 30 minutes - somewhere on this planet..".
February 25 2012 at 21:32:45 Name: David Batterson Topic: "When I Fall In Love" Email:
OldKWGS-FMGuy@OutWest.com Comments: Jim, it was the great Doris Day. Hear it here, with
some old photos someone posted with it.
February 25 2012 at 10:57:50 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Humor in popular
music Comments: Thanks, Mike.
It troubles me--but not a lot--that I can't recall all the names. One thing
that does bother the hell out of me though is that popular American music
somewhere along the way decided that humor no longer had a place. Country
and Western still uses humor (Red Solo Cup...Let's have a party) but the
old standards frequently were accompanied on the radio with something offbeat
and funny. This goes all the way back to the beginnings of recorded music
with people like Billy Murray singing "The Prohiition Blues," or "You Tell
Her. I Stutter." A lack of PC, to be sure, but what the hell. Or Jones and
Hare with "Old King Tut" or "My Cutie's Due and Two to Two." And people closer
to us like Phil Harris, or even, Sinatra with something like "High Hopes."
But I ramble.
That's one of the many things I've liked about Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks,
since I first caught them on "The Flip Wilson Show" in 1972. A strange amalgam
of jazz, Hawaiian, Western swing, Tin Pan Alley and more.
I was lucky enough to see them live and in person on "Austin City Limits"
in 1992. Even got my mug (and ridiculous shorts) on camera several times.
The video below is from the 1972 show.
A new edition of Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks is currently active.
February 24 2012 at 22:30:09 Name: Mike Miller Topic: An Occasional
Man? Comments: "I've Got an Island in the Pacific" also known as
"An Occasional Man" was recorded by several artists including Julie London.
But Jim Ruddle, I'll bet you are more likely thinking of Jeri Southern or
Rosemary Clooney.
I got an island
In the Pacific
And everything about it
Is terrific
I got the sun to tan me
Palms to fan me
And
An occasional man
My favorite part of that song was the chorus:
"When I go swimmin
I am always dressed in style
'Cause I go swimmin
Wearin' just a great big smile."
Webmaster: Sorry for my prolonged absence. I've had to devote full resources
to the new job.
I first heard this song relatively recently in this charming version from
the group, Don Tiki:
February 24 2012 at 20:49:07 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Female
singers Comments: Somebody recently wrote on this blog that Jo Stafford
deserved mention. She deserves much more. The woman was phenomenal. She had
perfect pitch and perfect interval--that's how she and husband were able
to produce the Jonathan and Darlene Edwards material wherein she uncannily
contrived to sing just off-key enough to make your nerves vibrate.
McRae was marvelous. I downed more drinks than I should listening to her
"In Love in Vain." And we have shunted some talented people aside because
they became TOO popular. Dinah Shore is one. Given the right material, she
could sing.
And who can enlighten me? Who sang "I've Got an Island in the Pacific," and
who massaged "When I Fall in Love."? Of course, I can go back a lot farther
but who wants that?
February 24 2012 at 18:06:36 Name: Mike Miller Topic: Joanie
Sommers Comments: Quickly downloaded via MP3 Rocket, "So Nice" aka
"Summer Samba" and Gary's right, Stacey Kent does remind one of Joanie Sommers
(The voice of the 60s.) A bit more up tempo version of "So Nice" compares
Stacey with another fine singer, Basia (Trzetrzelewska) who came along 20-years
later.
I've got many songs of both to help me through my daily eight mile bike ride.
Thank goodness Joanie Sommers burst onto the scene while Gary and I were
music jocks at KTUL-Radio in the late ‘50s-early ‘60s. Joanie was
the good-looking girl next door but with a sexy voice not unlike the sensual
Julie London. Julie, however, always sounded liked she had just smoked a
couple of packs of Camels. (Perhaps recording right after an wifely encounter
with Jack Webb.)
KTUL Radio played both Joanie and Julie because of the album covers as well
as the terrific recordings inside. Joanie always seemed to have a great West
Coast Jazz band backing her. You may recall her popular Pepsi commercials,
particularly, "For those who think young."
I'll now run and download some Stacey Kent sexy vocals. Thanks for the heads
up, Gary.
I love that tune, "So Nice", especially as performed by Walter Wanderly
and Astrud Gilberto.
Stacey does a unique version of "Dreamsville", too.
February 23 2012 at 19:11:37 Name: Gary Chew Topic: Girl Singers: Cont'd Email: Northeast of Eden Comments: Thinking back over these long years, I've come up
with another girl singer I really dug, along with my old b'cast bud, Mike
Miller, who if I remember correctly, turned me on to her. She didn't get
mucho popularity, but could sing like a little bird. Joanie Sommers, that's
her name.
There's a new girl singer who sounds a bit like her: Stacey Kent.
February 22 2012 at 03:34:58 Name: Jon Cummins Topic: Kiddie
show Comments: As I was looking at this piece of history I noticed
a name from my past. Gordon Shryock who was on the outskirts of the "Tulsa
Sound" back in the mid 60s as a musician who seemed to be well liked by other
musicians. He was one of several I can think of that followed the lead of
Russell Bridges aka Leon Russell and left for the West Coast. After several
years he was back in Tulsa and starting a studio and focusing on the business
end of music. Some musicians I worked with were worried to have dealings
with Gordon and afraid he might steal any original tune that wasn't copywrote.
Later in the 80s he started a big studio at 13 and Detroit called studio
1 and it's still there as studio 2.
I was with some guys who was the first to record for Gordon there, and I
was really impressed with him and felt nothing that the rumor mills had done
to poor old Gordon. He didn't deserve that! A lot of his "friends" would
tease him about his speach impedament or stuttering, which seemed wrong,
but he just took most of that as an endearment. I think the picture shows
a lanky kid with curly hair second from the right, and that is probably him.
RIP Gordon
February 20 2012 at 16:47:20 Name: Daniel Presley Topic: Tulsa kids'
shows Comments: Here is a good pic and a page from an old Tulsa
TV News about KOTV's Kids Karnival show from the 50's (called Kiddies' Karnival
by the Tulsa TV News). The page has a legend of the names of the kids in
the talent portion of the show (seen in the big pic). If anyone knows these
people, you might let them know about the picture.
February 20 2012 at 11:42:35 Name: Bryan Crain Topic: Pop
Shoppe Comments: The Pop Shoppe was at 17th and Yale in the shopping
strip just north of target. It had the refillable bottles of various flavors.
The 51 drive in lot (poles intact) is still there.. sans the screen(storm
took it out in 93 or so). If you go to bing.com and use the 'birds eye' view
you can see it.
February 19 2012 at 20:14:58 Name: John Topic: Motorcycle TV Email:
myfirstcardotorgatgmaildotcom Comments: As the keepers of all local TV knowledge, does anyone
here remember a locally produced show called "Motorcycle 75"? It may have
either lasted into 76 or begun in 74 ; cant remember. Seems to me it was
on channel 2, but as i was usually a channel 8 kind of guy, it may have been
there. Or channel 6... :)
Anyway, it was a 30 minute program on Saturday afternoons about local races
and other two wheeled events. Would love to know what anyone here knows/remembers
about it and to know if any footage still exists. Several area racers I know
would enjoy seeing copies.
February 18 2012 at 20:19:32 Name: Dave Topic: 51
Drive-In Comments: The drive-in on 71st Street was indeed the 51 Drive
In. It's profiled on this site at 51drive.html. It was so named because 71st
Street was originally the route for Oklahoma Highway 51. The Broken Arrow
Expressway took became Highway 51 inn its place when it opened in the mid-1960s
and 71st Street was no longer had the highway designation, but the drive-in
kept the name anyway.
February 18 2012 at 15:46:46 Name: Scott Linder Topic: Jeffery's Tulsa
memories Comments: Jeffrey, I believe that the drive-in you mentioned
was the 51 Drive-In and was perhaps also called the Broken Arrow Drive-In
at one time.
I seem to recall that my Operator friend Corky Coble and I went there on
a service-call back in the 60s. The couple who owned and operated the theatre
were very nice. The place needed a lot of work, and Corky and I spent several
days there.
To think the booth had a pair of Simplex E7s with 5-blade shutters, RCA 9030
sound heads, Altec amprifiers and Strong Mighty Ninety lamps.
Of course, that was over 40 years ago and my memory isn't what it used to
be, as other TTVM folks can tell you!!!
February 18 2012 at 14:34:28 Name: Charles Topic:
Weathermen Comments: Bryan: Don't know about one by BA. But there was
one on Admiral between Memorial and Mingo called Favor Flavor.
February 18 2012 at 11:33:33 Name: Michael Miller Topic: Sing went the strings of my
heart Comments: If the debate over great voices is not limited to
Black female vocalists, perhaps overlooked are some who might not attract
as much media attention as Whitney Houston. (I agree with Scott Linder. I
suppose sudden death. At a young age, with a drug history has something to
do with all the news coverage.)
Not sure where I'd rank these ladies, but deserving of honorable mention
I believe are: Barbra Streisand, Eydie Gormé (incredible range as
demonstrated in "I‘ll Take Romance"), and Karen Carptenter, (whose
underrated voice was much fuller than her stomach.)
February 17 2012 at 20:24:56 Name: Bryan Topic: Soda Email:
theweathergod13@yahoo.com Comments: Does anyone remember a refillable bottle soda pop
company located in Southeast Tulsa, Broken Arrow area?
February 17 2012 at 20:21:13 Name: Bryan Topic: Weathermen Email:
theweathergod13@yahoo.com Comments: Missing the days of Gary Shore, Don Woods, and Lee
Woodward doing our local weather.
February 17 2012 at 00:19:53 Name: Jeffrey L. Bennett Topic: Lost Tulsa and Memories Email: jeffreytuls@aol.com Comments: I can clearly flashback to the 1970s, 1980s and
even the early 1990s when there was more in Tulsa that is no longer in existance
today. There was a small family-owned drive-in theater on 71st street right
before you ran into Broken Arrow. I can't remember that name of this business
but I do remember seeing the movie "LA Confidential" there back in 1991 right
before it closed. I also remember the Italian Inn Restaurant being located
in the London Square Shopping Center. The food could not have been better.
There was a Godfather's Pizza at Admiral & Memorial which is now gone.
Yes I do remember the waterslide at 48th & Yale. I went down that slide
with my family when I was visiting in Tulsa. There was once a Chi-chi's
Restaurant at 71st & Memorial Drive. It was later Raphels then the Yucatan
Liquor Stand and the building has been demolished. I am glad to see that
Charlie Mitchell's, Jack In The Box, Schlotsky's, and A & W Restaurant
have all been brought back to Tulsa.
February 17 2012 at 00:12:23 Name: Gary Chew Topic: Female Song Stylists Email: Northeast of Eden Comments: Ah, singers. Well, Ella is not really beatable.
But there are some who get real close to what that marvelous lady had.
I was fortunate enough to have caught Carmen McRae near the end of her life
at the Concord Jazz Fest in the Bay Area. Mag-oh-niff-i-scent she was. But
singers can be very "this or that" in terms of the tastes of those who listen
to them: I've never enjoyed listening to Sarah Vaughn in her mature years.
Nancy Wilson also grates on my ears. I'm more toward singers like the late,
marvelous Suzannah McCorkle who sang in NYC venues lots. Her story ended
quite sadly.
Billie Holiday is a one in a million, for sure. Ms. Houston I've hardly listened
to. The less jazzy but still pop singer of today really doesn't cut it for
me.
American Popular Song lovers, if they don't already, should check out Jonathan
Schwartz on XM Radio via WNYC in, as Jonathan says, New Yawk. Son of Arthur
Schwartz. "High Standards" is the show title. Starts noon-time at my house
in CA. It's on EVERY day. Ch 4. I would be surprised if he didn't do the
gig from his bedroom in the Apple. Another great female singer of the past
was Jo Stafford.
February 16 2012 at 15:50:01 Name: Scott Linder Topic: The real
vocalists Comments: Mr. Ruddle, I certainly agree with you.
You and I could probably make a very long list of the vocalists who built
the sound of American music LONG before those who now have the audacity to
stand before the mic.
It's always nice to hear from you.
February 16 2012 at 09:10:31 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Female
singers Comments:
Vaughn was an impressive talent, but I'd like for someone to tell me what
female vocalist--whatever the time or the tempo, year in or out--was superior
to Ella.
February 14 2012 at 18:58:15 Name: Mitch Gray Topic: Singers Email: North Of You Comments: Houston and Vaughn were both born in Newark New
Jersey,although 41 years apart.
Personally, I'm a Sade fan.
February 14 2012 at 16:28:33 Name: Scott Linder Topic: The Whitney Houston
hype Comments: So, what is all the media hype about the death of
Whitney Houston? Of course, I'm sorry that she passed but I don't recall
this same coverage when Sarah Vaughan died. Her voice was far beyond this
Houston gal, as well as many other vocalists. I don't get it.
February 12 2012 at 15:17:44 Name: Mitch Gray Topic: Fotos Email: North Of You (Maybe) Comments:
While browsing through some old photos the other day I came across a photo
envelope with the Fotomat logo.I had forgotten about that kiosk chain that
offered same day developing.
Fotomat once had about 4000 locations at it's peak and now has gone away
along with the Kodak products that it offered.
February 10 2012 at 15:07:04 Name: Erick Topic: 1979 Brookside Shorts
Day Comments: Soon, KOTV will be abandoning their long-time home
at 3rd and Frankfort for new digital state-of-the-art digs in Greenwood.
As they inventory their video archives, they're airing occasional gems on
the news and posting them to their website. Here's a link to a story from
occasional TTM visitor and Channel 6 Eyewitness News reporter Rex Daugherty
about 1979's Shorts Day in Brookside.
February 10 2012 at 14:13:53 Name: Mitch Gray Topic: PBS Email: Look For Dead Snake On
Fence...Turn Left Comments:
Coming soon!
PBS on Pay Per View!
Actually I've come across some Nova episodes on Netflix so I guess it's already
happened.
February 10 2012 at 11:12:49 Name: David Batterson Topic: Crazy Busey? Email:
CitizenCain'sBallroom@whoknows.com Comments: It was interesting, to say the least, to watch Busey
on "Celebrity Apprentice" a while back. Even Trump said at one time that
he wasn't sure if Gary was just crazy or a genius.
February 10 2012 at 09:06:56 Name: Chuck Fullhart Topic: Gary Busey in
song Comments: Re: Brother Bruchas's post on Teddy Jack Eddy singing
to his newborn: Seems like anything Mr. Busey gets noticed for is always
a little surreal. I'm pretty sure that a lot of that is a very carefully
cultivated image, backed with a lot of talent. When I have seen him interviewed
in the past, a lot of intelligence comes through.
February 09 2012 at 15:56:40 Name: Gary Chew Topic: Way West of Mitch Email: But Northeast of Eden Comments:
Mitch, I worked at OETA for about 2 years. Don't get me started on the (uh,
sorry can't use that word in this venue)...anyway...guys who want to gut
noncommercial radio and tv programming. I think there'll always be, at least,
a few of them around. It's not a perfect world, I've heard.
February 09 2012 at 14:02:00 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Tech
Wail Comments: MIKE, You can always store your audio tape with
your Kodachrome.
February 08 2012 at 21:17:16 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: Tape Recorders a la school
days Comments: At my first semi-broadcast job at a new high school
FM radio station in Downers Grove, IL - we had Wollensack mono recorders
- "just like the AV department had". The square mic and flashing white light
to let you know if you were over-modulating when recording.
WDGC later had a Roberts (aka Akai) higher end home stereo recording deck.
Several Viet Nam vets - whom I knew - brought back the same behemoth
reel-to-reel.
When Wollensak came out with their stereo version - the school system almost
bought us one.
Segue to 88 year old guy whom I am HCPOA for - he was a teacher at a local
high school and is a hoarder.
Cleaning out his apartment last June - for a move to assisted living - I
found that he had a "new in box" Wollensack mono AV deck from circa 40+ years
ago. He had forgotten about it - I'll inherit it and a like "new-in-box"
Nikkormat 35mm slide projector of equal maturity.
Though the future of recording tape is doubtful.
February 08 2012 at 21:03:30 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: "Teddy Jack
Eddy" Comments: Gary Busey was on TMZ Tuesday night - singing to
his newest child...was a bit surreal till you saw the baby.
Also it looked like he was parked in a handicapped zone.
His image is in an article on music for the Celebrity Wife Swap show
music.
February 08 2012 at 18:51:40 Name: Mitch Gray Topic: No Dough Email: Way East Of Chew Comments:
(CBS) Gary Busey is not doing so well in the financial department. He filed
for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Tuesday, reports TMZ.com.
On another topic, It looks like certain Oklahoma politicians want to defund
OETA again.
February 08 2012 at 16:19:59 Name: Gary Chew Topic: Gracious Savior Email: Northeast of Eden Comments: Mr. Ruddle: I think that, after seeing fleetly moments
of Ms. Grace's Ranting/Hand-Wringing "Reality" Show on my, now, undone cable
feed that her last name is an unfortunate misnomer.
February 08 2012 at 16:05:59 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Cop
Show Comments: Viewers thought it meant saving Nancy Grace, and
nobody was interested.
February 08 2012 at 13:51:52 Name: Aitchpee Topic: Cop
Show Comments: That female cop show set on OKC was called "Saving
Grace" They ended it last year, even had a series finale.
February 04 2012 at 16:57:33 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: GRIMM on
NBC Comments: Started to get addicted to this vampire/monster/unknown
semi-cop show.
Set in Portland OR, they intermix a lot of location shots from there with
what must be Vancouver.
What happened the the Holly Hunter cop show - supposedly set in OKC? Was
on one of the bigger cable nets.
February 03 2012 at 14:24:32 Name: John K. Young Topic: Buddy Holly Movie (NEW) Email:
johnk662561atyahoodotcom Comments: Looks like the book, "Buddy Holly is Alive and Well
on Ganamede" is being prepped for the big screen....or at least to DVD.
February 03 2012 at 12:13:46 Name: David Batterson Topic: Best Movies I Saw in 2011 Email: DB@FarWestGeezers.com Comments: Gary, you forgot "The Help." I knew after seeing
it, that it would get some Oscar nominations. I hope Viola Davis wins the
Oscar (after getting the SAG award).
February 01 2012 at 20:24:17 Name: Webmaster Topic: Previous GroupBlog
link Comments:
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