April 30 2008 at 08:29:13 Name:
George Tomek Topic: Kent Cigarettes & The Hi-Los Email: mranchor@cox.net Comments: I've been away from this great website for a while
and I'm going back a few pages in the current blog.
I remember back in the heyday of cigarette advertising on TV, Kent cigarettes
with the Micronite filter (which was made with process using asbestos, of
all things). The Hi-Los did a jazzy commercial. I wonder if it's still around
on You Tube or some other vehicle?
Re: Bob Mills. I worked on the Sun Up show right out
of TU in 1960. About six weeks later, Bob Mills left to start up the same
show at KFMB-TV in San Diego. In January, 1963, I was on active duty with
the Navy and got stationed on a destroyer home-ported there. Although I spent
much of the next three years off the coast of SOCAL or in the western Pacific,
I did get to see Bob on TV from time to time and talked with him a couple
of times on the phone. Bill Hyden, of course, replaced Bob Mills on Sun Up
and he was great to work with.
After I got out of the Navy in early '66, I worked briefly at KOTV before
taking a weekend anchor/reporting job at WKY-TV in OKC. By that time, Bill
Hyden had become the 10 p.m. anchor at Channel 6 and was just as pleasant
and professional to work with as always.
I have very fond memories of my time in Tulsa. Great city and very savvy
media market.
Welcome back, George.
The Randy Van Horne Singers were musical cousins (or closer) to the Hi-Los,
and did a lot of work for TV in the 50s and 60s. Van Horne had started a
vocal group in the 1950s, the Encores, four members of which went on to form
the Hi-Los. The Van Horne Singers notably performed "The Flintstones", "The
Jetsons" and "Yogi Bear" themes and many commercials. Read more about him
at Space Age Pop
Music.
I'm not sure which group, if either, performed on this Kent commercial,
but it was a memorable ad campaign. The tune "Happiness Is" (with special
Micronite-filtered lyrics) was written by the prolific
Paul
Evans for Kent. It became a hit for the Ray Conniff Singers in 1965.
April 30 2008 at 00:53:38 Name: Frank Morrow Topic: Emergency Email: frankmoratiodotcom Comments: Maybe the worst thing that could happen in the '50s
would be on the night shift and have digestive-elimination problems. In almost
every station the bathroom was way down the hall toward or passed the front
door. There were monitors everywhere to enable you to hear what was happening
on air from any part of the building.
These were the days of 78 rpm records. This meant that your time in the bathroom
was limited to three minutes or a little less, portal-to-portal. It was maddening
to hear on the monitor the "sssst, sssst, sssst" of the stylus cycling on
the record that had finished playing. Oh, the fun of dashing down the hall,
trying to pull your pants up! You'd then put on another record and dash back
to the bathroom, hoping that another three minutes would allow you to finish
the job.
April 29 2008 at 16:34:33 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: This dream thing in a control
room Comments: Funny, no one that I ever worked with is on the
shift with me. Like I am training a TV tech crew how to do a newscast IN
a live newscast. Amazingly, we never take a commercial break to resolve the
issues.
And mid-dream, the control room configurations change, switcher buttons vanish,
the intercom goes dead, and talent is either late to the studio or
confused...though some of this seems like REAL LIFE nightmare shifts at KOTV
back in '76-'77 with the George Jacobs hand-made switcher!
April 29 2008 at 16:34:14 Name: Mitch Gray Topic: Radio oops! Email: North of Y'all Comments: Early in my radio career, I was working at KAZZ
in Sallisaw. The station had all the music on 10 inch tape reels (provided
from Tanner Dallas) loaded on 4 separate decks.
One evening while approaching the end of a tune, I opened the mike to talk
and BAM! all the decks started turning at once and would not stop. For some
rookie reason, all the pots were up too! So I was playing 4 songs at once
and freakin out! I killed all the deck pots, slammed in a cart of Stairway
To Heaven and called the engineer who begrudgingly got out of bed and fixed
the problem.
Another time while working at KMUS in Muskogee, we were doing live remotes
from all the C.R. Anthony stores at once.
The guy running the board was pretty green and struggling to remember which
pot was what store. Needless to say, he had us all on at once. In his frustration
he yelped, "This thing is all F****d up!" He did not realize his mike was
up and all the Anthonys patrons got to here his expletive! (Sounds like Beth
Rengel maybe?) I miss old radio.
Hey Bert, I knew the Nelsons too. LeLe, Nane, Billy and Wesley.
April 29 2008 at 13:51:25 Name: DolfanBob Topic: Joe Riddle Email: MiamiPhin@yahoo.com Comments: Big Al Jerkins just announced on the Sports Animal
that local Radio personality Joe Riddle passed away yesterday. I just wanted
to pass that along.
It was Joe Riddle's dad who passed away, not Joe. I have this on good
authority. Our condolences to Joe and family.
Joe is hosting "Humana
Radio Theater" (programs from radio's "golden era") Sunday evenings,
6 to 9 pm on 1170 KFAQ.
April 29 2008 at 12:16:34 Name: Lurker for Years Topic: Dead Air
Dreams Comments: The one I have is: the on-air Talent hasn't arrived
for the shift. I'm told he's on tape tonight and the "tape" is in the library.
(You can tell I've been having this dream for years...TAPE! I go to the
library...and it's full of BOOKS!
No Tape! No Show! The clock has rushed forward several hours, well past the
length of the show to begin with,and I'm still rummaging through the library
looking for the tape. There is total silence during all this.
April 29 2008 at 09:00:44 Name: Si Hawk Topic: Hot Spot Dreams Email: siborg54@sbcglobal.net Comments: In 1973 when I was working as a jock at KCNW, I
found myself in a situation where a fuse blew and power to the turntables
and cart machines had failed. I had nothing functional but the console and
my microphone. What made the situation worse was this breakdown was taking
place on a weekend and I was the only person at the studio. All I could do
was read live copy, do the weather and tell stories.
I called the Chief Engineer live on the air and described the issue. He made
a beeline to the station and got everything working in less than an hour.
This was my first taste of talk radio.
It's funny that over the years I have never dreamed about this experience.
My not-quite-ready dreams mostly consisted of not having any 45s ready at
KAKC.
April 29 2008 at 07:19:02 Name: Frank Morrow Topic: Dreams Email: frankmoratiodotcom Comments: I hate to tell you young folks this, but in my 75th
year I still have those "unprepared" dreams. They are either that I have
a newscast coming up in a couple of minutes, but I haven't pulled any news,
or that I have a disc jockey show that's supposed to start in about five
minutes but I haven't pulled any music. Sitting in front of the microphone,
I desperately search the records within reach that have been left there by
announcers from previous shifts. Strangely, these dreams occur only at KRMG,
never at any of the other stations where I worked---KAKC, KFMJ, and KTUL.
Oh, yes. I still have dreams of having to suddenly go on stage in a Central
play, with Miss Ronan carefully watching off-stage,
but I realize I don't know the lines.
Fortunately, none of these situations ever occurred in real life.
April 29 2008 at 01:38:33 Name: Barry Robb Topic: Those
Dreams Comments: Thank God I don't dream about college... That is
a nightmare.
But I still dream that the last record on turntable is running out, no cart
machines are loaded and I can't find any more records to que up...
Barry
April 28 2008 at 21:04:09 Name: Dave Topic: Your wildest
dreams Comments: Everybody seems to have those post-college
semi-nightmares. For a long time I thought it was just me. It's pretty standard.
In the dream, the semester is nearing an end and I find out during the last
week of classes that for some reason I've been enrolled in some difficult
course I didn't even know about, there's a final coming up in a class I've
never attended and I'm hopelessly facing a disaster. The good news is about
that point in the dream I usually say something like, "Well, I'm not putting
up with this. I'm waking up." And then I do.
April 28 2008 at 11:19:31 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: Bad
dreams/Busey Comments: I graduated from TU in 1973 but started full-time
work at 8 in 1972. Duh --my final GPA went down my senior year. I still have
dreams of a.) not getting a paper in at TU because I was at work and b.)
being stuck directing a newscast "gone bad" at 8, 6, or 5 in OKC. Sheesh!
But the question is - at age 57 - WHY am I still havin' them!
-------
When G.ailard was at 8 so lonnnnng ago, I think Teddy Jack Eddy, aka Gary
Busey, may have been there 1-2 times.
April 28 2008 at 11:14:05 Name: Scotty Comstock (via email) Topic:
1967 Comments: When Oklahoma was 60 years old, this flower display
could be seen in Central Park at 6th and Peoria.
This photo was one of my first using a 35mm camera and slide film. The camera
was so basic I called my photography "point and hope."
April 27 2008 at 22:46:31 Name: David Bagsby Topic: Hale Email:
davidunderscorebagsbyathotmaildotcom Comments: I graduated from Hale in 78...30 years ago. Only
seems like 28.
April 27 2008 at 19:29:59 Name: Jeff H Topic: Gary Busey and Hale
H.S. Comments: I just wanted to add my two cents on this topic.
Gary Busey graduated from Hale in 1962; another famous alum, Mary Kay Place,
graduated in 1965.
Nathan Hale Alumni Foundation
has set up a fabulous web site with every senior class listed including a
cover shot of their annual, as well as class news and memorials. I've been
amazed at the accomplishments of many Hale grads and in particular how many
fine musicians are from the school.
I've checked around some and no other Tulsa H.S. has anything that compares
to Hale's site, somebody has done a lot of fine work in making this resource
available.
Nathan Hale will be celebrating its 50th birthday in 2009 and will have a
classwide reunion celebration.
April 27 2008 at 17:08:55 Name: John Keyes Email: jkeyeser@hotmail.com Comments: I'll tell my dad to check back in on here to read
these comments. My dad went to Hale as well and he remembers Gary Busey as
well. David...when did you graduate from there?
April 27 2008 at 13:28:32 Name: Jim Cripps Topic: Wienerschnitzel, Willow Creek, 'Net
Museum, Busey, FM Videos Email: jimcripps $ yahoo ^ com Comments: Mr. Bagsby - Hm, Der
Wienerschnitzel(TTM link) makes my mouth water. Del City had
a new Der Wienerschnitzel for a few months about two years ago, but I didn't
have a chance to try them out.
Mr. Brashear - When we lived at Willow Creek apartments in the 70s (71st
and Harvard), there was a veritable forest with a wonderful maze of paths
and small creeks. On foot, it would take about 30 minutes to walk through
it from the complex out to the streets. It was a Shangri-la. Some older kids
tried building what amounted to a shack in it, and scared us in order to
protect it. Now that whole area is full of houses - so sad.
Mr. Bruchas (and others) - Retro Internet Museum = Fun.
Gary Busey scares me.
How about a true Tulsa TV memory now? I remember vividly watching a music
video show on KOKI Saturdays called FM. Without cable TV at the time (didn't
have it yet), I looked forward to that show each week. It had a voice-over
narrator, and some swooping graphics over something like a city, very reminiscent
Friday Night Videos. The show only aired the classic 'videos', like Santana,
Yes, and Cream. I thought it was syndicated, but I haven't found any information
about it on the Internet. Does anyone remember that show?
Willow Creek is at 68th and Yale. I'm pretty sure of that, because I lived
in a condo there for a lot of years. The area southeast of it was still
forest-like in 1982 when I moved in, but was mostly houses by the turn of
the millenium.
April 27 2008 at 12:19:37 Name: David Bagsby Topic: Gary Jack Eddy Email:
davidunderscorebagsbyathotmaildotcom Comments: Gary Busey went to my high school, Hale. A coach/history
teacher there told us he remembered him and his band, 'The Carps'. Saw a
pic of him somewhere with a Teddy Jack Eddy shirt on playing guitar that
looked like it was from that period...may have been on this site; hard to
remember where I see these things sometimes.
April 27 2008 at 12:09:12 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic:
Retro
Tulsa Internet Museum Comments: I loved the link posted here. What a great
law firm to do this! But go to the home page for the firm and read STRANGE
BUT TRUE. It is a litany of craaaazy lawsuits from Oklahoma. You will laugh!
BTW - Happy Easter to any Greek or Russian Orthodox readers today!
April 27 2008 at 12:06:57 Name: Rick Brashear Topic: 15th & Deliverance Road Email: downby
theoldmillstreamatdoglegdotbang Comments: Banjo Boy,
If you know their names, write them on the back of a $100 bill and mail it
to me.
The actual fun at the creek and woods consisted of building forts, fishing
from clean water, being chased by bees, playing "Army", swinging on and smoking
grapevines, setting off VERY powerful home made firecrackers, shooting guns,
dodging snakes, riding dirt bikes and generally enjoying the scenery and
being a kid. There was a big tree we called "the tittie tree" because of
two large knobs. We'd stash cigarettes, Playboys and any liquor swiped from
a parent in a hole in the trunk. Now all that's left of Mingo Creek is a
concrete drainage ditch and a few trees where bums leave trash. We would
meet at the graveyard at the dead end and then go off to do whatever would
take up the day. Yes, I do play the guitar and no, I won't go into the woods
with you unless I get the shotgun.
Bert,
I don't know those names but I did know the Nelsons, Bohns & Cleavelands.
The Community Center was a good hangout in the summer when bands would play
there and offer free food. I saw Gary Busey and his rock band there one time
back when he was skinny.
April 27 2008 at 11:47:18 Name: Jeff H Topic: Southland and Walgreens lunch
counter Email: Picking up my KAKC top 50
from Jenkins Comments: I remember Walgreens' lunch counter and the long
row of windows. If you were on the outside walking by and you were hungry,
every thing looked good; if on the inside, it was a great people watching
spot (cool in the summer, warm in the winter).
The best thing they served ala blue plate special was turkey and dressing
including all the trimmings for less than two dollars, served by a lady in
a uniform with a corsage. Two dollars gets you about a half a gallon of gas
today, that reminds me of Consumers gas stations...
Good Day!
April 27 2008 at 08:54:20 Name: David Bagsby Topic: 15th Email:
davidunderscorebagsbyathotmaildotcom Comments: To Mr. Keyes, I'm afraid I don't know any of the
folks you mentioned. We went to school at St. Pius which sort of isolated
us from the rest of the neighborhood.
I was in town briefly last week to see Sheryl Crow at the Brady (which was
great), and noticed that John Paul Jones elementary is back. Went to kindergarten
there but only remember Mrs. Boner (I swear that was her name).
In response to Mr. Cripps, I got to eat at that grill at Southland a few
times when I worked at Elephant Trunk back in the day. It seemed like a throwback
even then. Good burger but not as chic as Der Wienerschnitzel and you had
to be well-heeled to eat at a place like Diamond Jack's...or so it seemed
at the time.
April 26 2008 at 21:13:13 Name: Jim Cripps Topic: Southland Walgreens Email: jimcripps $ yahoo ^ com Comments: Well, believe it or not, I found it, my own response
to my own post below:
April 26 2008 at 20:08:01 Name: Jim Cripps Topic: Southland Email: jimcripps $ yahoo ^ com Comments: Hello, all, and "Webmaster". Long-time reader,
first-time poster.
For some reason, I've been thinking lately about one of Southland's
peculiarities, and so far, no one that I've asked can help me out 100%. Southland
and Southroads were my favorite two malls in the 70s to mid-80s, Southland
for being open-air, and Southroads for its interior design (the ceiling and
the fountain and the expanse of it all - and for its Cinema).
Anyway, there was a store at Southland, that was either a pharmacy-like store,
or five-and-dime, that had access from the 'inside' and 'outside.' What
fascinated me about it, was a little restaurant that was nestled to the side
of it. To get in, you had to first walk into the store. It had a long counter
with barstools, and booths along the windows facing the inside of the mall.
The panes were pretty floor to ceiling, so you could walk about 60 feet along,
watching people eating, or looking back at you. I can't really remember if
I ever ate there, but I do remember the decline of its clientele, and the
infrequency of its customers. Eventually it was closed, and used for storage
by the store.
If anyone remembers, it will be great, and will rest my wandering mind!
Welcome, Jim. Look for a Southroads Mall Cinema ticket in this
jumble. Here is a link to an
anecdote of mine about a gross movie I saw
there.
April 26 2008 at 17:36:12 Name: Terri Topic: Oiler Email:
areyoufourosutwoatmsndotcom Comments: OK...I'll take a guess at the identity
of the Oiler, and say Bobby Pfeil.
April 26 2008 at 10:54:52 Name: P. Casey Morgan Topic: Singing groups Email: p.casey.morgan at gmail dot
com Comments: I wondered when someone was going to mention the
Boswell Sisters.
I've loved them since I discovered them 15 years ago on a vinyl album we
were selling in a surplus sale at KWGS. You can watch them do "Heebie Jeebies"
and several other songs at YouTube and you can read their amazing history
at Bozzies.com. A number of their albums
are now out on CDs. (e.g.,
Shout,
Sister, Shout!)
They did all their arrangements themselves, seldom wrote any of them down
and are widely credited with inventing vocalese. Ella Fitzgerald always said
that Connie Boswell was her main influence.
As Casey and I once noted, Maria Muldaur's third solo album from the mid-70s,
"Sweet
Harmony", has a cover of the Boswell Sisters tune, "We Just Couldn't
Say Goodbye", featuring Maryann Price (of Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks fame),
arrangement by Benny Carter, with Plas Johnson (the "Pink Panther" soloist)
and Basie mainstay, Sapulpa's
Marshal
Royal (NYTimes obit) on alto sax.
Here are the Boswells themselves with the "Heebie Jeebies":
April 26 2008 at 09:30:28 Name: Jim Ruddle Topic: Singing
groups Comments: Hi-Los, Four Freshmen, etc. all good, but go back
to the 'thirties and find that the Boswell Sisters could wail with the best
of the later day. In fact, I'd say their rendition of "Heebie Jeebies", without
multi-tracking or echo chambering, is on par with the best of any era.
April 26 2008 at 09:11:35 Name: Mike Pierce Topic: Tuffy and Edwin Email: micpierce atmac dotcom Comments: I just wanted to check in and tell you how much
I enjoy this site. Having grown up in Tulsa and been a cameraman in most
of the 70s in Tulsa, I can hardly believe there is a site that actually
celebrates Tulsa TV. I found it very interesting to live, and it's great
to see it documented here after all these years.
I have to comment on the passing of Tuffy Johnson and Edwin Fincher.
Mr. Zing and Tuffy the great kids show of the
60's Wayne was a great TV director who had to become a welder to make a living
cause TV in Tulsa just didn't pay much. He was the first director I ever
worked and I learned a lot from him. He was as sweet a man as Tuffy was a
tiger.
Edwin was a major creative talent who was the original rebel and defiant
son. He fought Authority and it always won. His show,
"Maintain" (very brief on 8 '73), was so out there
and creative, the rest of the world still hasn't caught up. He put video
feedback to music. There's not a day goes by running a camera, that I don't
remind myself of something Edwin taught me about operating a camera.
Though I haven't seen them in years, they will be missed and thought of fondly.
So please add me to the list of people how have checked in and let everyone
know I'm still hanging in there with them.
Much Love to all of you,
Mike Pierce
KOTV '73-'74, Sheltervision '74, Tulsa Cable '74-'76, KTUL '76-'79
Los Gatos, CA
Mike was the cameraman and editor on this 3 minute piece about the
Ma-Hu Mansion.
April 26 2008 at 00:43:53 Name: Banjo Boy Topic: 15th and
Memorial Comments: Rick, your remembrance of "Tales Of Mingo Creek
and woods" conjured up memories of the movie "Deliverance", sounds like a
book or movie deal. Of course we will change the names of the guilty because
we know who they are and what they did.
My people will call your people to take a meeting at the crick.
P.S. Do you play a stringed instrument?
April 25 2008 at 22:12:39 Name: Rick Brashear Topic: 15th & Memorial picture and area
people. Email: okw40ataoldotcom Comments: I know that scene very well. I lived at 8916 E.
15th for 20 years.
When the place on the left was a U-Totem,
there was a manager named Loren who would lag quarters with us up against
the back cooler. He also sold us beer. Before it was a U-Totem, it was an
old two-story wooden building that had a store on the bottom floor and the
owners lived on the top floor. The floor was bare wood and there were glass
candy counters a few feet in and to the left of the front door. The place
had that great antique wood smell.
For half of my time in that area, Memorial was gravel. I tried to beat a
semi one day and got a knee full of rocks for the effort. Oh, the tales I
could tell of Mingo Creek and the woods.
April 25 2008 at 15:22:49 Name: Bert Keyes Topic: 15th & Memorial picture and area
people. Email:
blackdogalaskaatalaskadotnet Comments: I lived at 15th & Memorial for 25 years or so.
My grandmother gave the church the land to build it on. She was Bertha Graves.
Many of the area residents had her for a teacher in grade school at Ross
and Lindbergh. I saw a post by David B. We probably know many of the same
people, perhaps the Quick brothers, Evelyn Taylor, Mike Bruce??????
If you wish, contact me and we might chew the fat a bit. I also lived at
8303 E 15th for a couple of years.
Courtesy of the Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa
April 25 2008 at 10:47:33 Name: Amee Pruitt Topic: Do you know who this is??? Email: acptexas@yahoo dot com Comments: I was going through some of my aunt's old photos
and ran across a picture of a baseball player for the Tulsa Oilers. I was
wondering if anyone could identify him. I will email the picture of him or
if there is a way to put on here I will do that. Just not sure how.
Yes, please email it, and I will put it out here.
???
April 23 2008 at 14:35:37 Name: Sonny Hollingshead Topic: KRMG Promo Email: sonnyho1955@yahoo.com Comments: Answer to Rick Clark about the KRMG weather promo...I
think the reporter's voice on the promo is Paul Crockett. Does sound a lot
like Brian Gann though.
April 23 2008 at 09:46:49 Name: Judy Miller Topic: Title of song and the artist Email: jlm47_98 at yahoo dot com Comments: I am looking for the title and artist who sang a
country song about the Turner Turnpike. There is a line in it that is 99
miles on the Turner Turnpike - some say it's 102. If anyone knows the artist
and/or title please let me know. Or if anyone has a copy of the song I would
like a copy. Thanks.
April 23 2008 at 08:46:48 Name: Webmaster Topic: New book by Larry Burnett
Comments:
April 23 2008 at 08:23:50 Name: Terry Stout (via email) Topic: Livin' It Up In T-Town Email: terry_d_stout athotmail
dotcom Comments: Hi!
I have lived in T-Town for most of my 45 years and I wrote a song called
T-Town about growing up in the 70s. If you want, you can listen to it from
the link below.
I see in this morning's paper that Oklahoma is looking for a state rock
song (OklahomaRockSong.org),
so here is a nominee.
April 23 2008 at 06:54:20 Name: Rick Clark Topic: KRMG Email: clarkrick@yahoo.com Comments: KRMG has been running a promo about their storm
weather coverage with snippets of reporters voices. One reporter is heard
mentioning "blown transformers" & I could swear it`s Brian Gann from
KFAQ. I worked with him for a few years at the wonderful old KVOO so I know
his voice well. Has anyone else noticed this or am I just crazy?
April 22 2008 at 21:23:48 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: "It's so easy when you use
LESTOIL!!!!" Comments: Knocked over a container of coffee grounds a few
minutes ago. Lovely.
Looking under the kitchen sink for paper towels - I found a spray bottle
of very ancient Lestoil floor cleaner. Don't think it has been made in a
lonnnng time. Do any of you remember the jingle for Lestoil?
It was a fine product of Noxell Chemical of Noo Jerzee - now known as Noxema
if we are using facial stuff!
April 21 2008 at 11:47:39 Name: Kim Elmore Topic: KOME and Bob Elmore Email: cw_de_n5op at sbcglobal dot
net Comments: I just found Jim Ruddle's
comments on Bob Elmore, the engineer at KOME who pulled Sunday morning
shift during the radio revivalist shows.
I'm Bob Elmore's son and he told me quite a lot about those shows as I was
growing up. He pretty much loathed those guys and thought that most of them
were nothing more than crooks. He related that when they got mail at the
station, they'd check it only for cash and coins, and discard the rest of
the contents. He also told me once of doing a live broadcast at what amounted
to a tent revival and how, at the end of the show, the revivalist showed
his wads of money and seemed interested in little else.
Sadly, both my Mom and Dad passed away last summer. It has been wonderful
to read the bits about my Dad here, though, and to look back on the days
of TV and radio that shaped my youth (60s and 70s).
April 20 2008 at 13:08:50 Name: Webmaster Topic: Lowell and
Edwin Comments:
Here are a few photos from the foyers at the services for Lowell and Edwin
yesterday. I apologize for the quality; it's tough to hold a cell phone camera
still enough for available light.
Thanks to Alan Lambert and the presiding Unitarian minister, the words
of Lee Woodward, John Hillis, John Boydston, Mike Bruchas, the webmaster,
Anne Pace and Sara Fincher were heard by all at Edwin's service.
Lowell and Susan, Edwin and Tami, and I and my wife Gaye got together
at Casa Bonita in early 2003. I wish we could have done it one more time.
Some of Lowell's memorabilia...that's a Louis Armstrong figure in the
center
An LP by Lowell and Susan (both excellent musicians), a "Maltese Falcon",
and an antique cornet
Lowell's prized AMX car was seen here in
GB 51. What looks like a Lester Tyler and "Willie"
ventriloquist's dummy was wearing a Popeye cap. I was blown away when I saw
the cap. As a massive Popeye fan in the late 1950s, I frequently wore one
of these. So at some point, at least two goofy kids in Tulsa were running
around with this headgear. Mine was replaced with a real sailor's cap from
the Army-Navy Surplus store east of Admiral and Sheridan.
Closer shot of the cornet...look for the "Lost in Space" robot
Edwin at the Science Fair; childhood and high school photos
Derick Snow (right) put together a display of some of Edwin's
video work. I saw Uncle Zeb talking with Derick about his great Tulsa Public
Schools Channel show for kids,
"Quick
Draw Derick" (Google Video), for which Edwin helped to design and light
the set. Zeb and I agree that Derick has a load of talent.
April 19 2008 at 17:17:12 Name: Alan Lambert, Big Band Saturday Night, 89.5 FM Topic: Edwin Fincher's memorial service
today Email: bigband@kwgs.org Comments: My thanks to so many who paid their respects today
to one of early and current Tulsa televison's lighting and camera wizards:
Edwin Fincher. His memorial service was held today at the Mark Griffith Memorial
Funeral Home on South 33rd West Avenue here in Tulsa. The chapel was full
of family and friends. The lobby held a display of his many TV creations.
I wish his wife Tami (I have known her since she was born) and his entire
family... peace and healing.
Edwin was a unique broadcaster that always approached his every production
with passion and a vision of the future in televison. He was driven to find
perfection in his work.
Also,I wanted to say thank you to Tulsa TV Memories' main man: Mike Ransom
for attending today's services. Edwin was well known on these TTM pages.
He both entertained and enlightened.
Goodbye Edwin....you were one of a kind.
Alan Lambert
Big Band Saturday Night*, Public Radio Tulsa
(*Edwin was a regular listener I am told...and that's fun to know.)
Thanks, Alan, I join you in wishing the best for Edwin's extended family.
His service was the best I've ever seen for bringing in personality and
character.
My wife and I were able to make it to the visitation for Lowell Burch
today, and she tells me that his service, like Edwin's, was full of personality
and music (they were scheduled at the exact same time). I'll have more on
both later. Our deepest sympathy to Susan and sons.
April 19 2008 at 09:31:39 Name: David Bagsby Topic: Passing the torch Email:
davidunderscorebagsbyathotmaildotcom Comments: I tip my glass to Edwin and Mr. Burch. It is fortunate
that this site's guest book archive offers a place where their minds can
live on.
April 18 2008 at 16:11:17 Name: Kenny Bolen Topic: Mr. Burch Email: kwerks@comcast.net Comments: Very sad to hear of Mr. Burch's passing. Our prayers
and condolences to the family.
April 18 2008 at 14:42:49 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: Lowell
Burch Comments: I am so sorry to hear of his passing - he has been
a great "read" here on the site.
BURCH - Lowell, 56, of Tulsa, passed away April 16, 2008. Survived by: wife,
Susan, of 28 years; sons: Bob, John, Scott, Phillip; parents, Robert L. and
Ruth Burch, all of Tulsa. Graduating with the McLain class of '69 and continued
his education to earn a Master of Education Administration from OU and a
Master of Biblical Arts. Lowell spent his life giving to others through teaching
and his Christian ministry. Most recently noted, after a world wide search,
as the chosen composer for the Lake Erie College fight song. He enjoyed life's
passion with music, art, comedy, mysteries and people of all ages.
There is a guestbook at that link, too.
Lowell last visited here in GroupBlog 262.
Characteristically, he was thinking of others: he talked about Gary Shore
who had recently passed away, and he presented a video of his sons and their
music.
April 18 2008 at 10:05:22 Name: Webmaster Topic: Lowell
Burch Comments:
I can't believe this, but another good friend has passed away, Lowell
Burch. He had been here since the beginning of the site, and always something
good to contribute. When I needed a balanced and understanding opinion of
some site-related matter, I turned to Lowell. We will miss his gentle humor
and his friendship very much. Our heartfelt condolences to Lowell's wife,
Susan, and all of Lowell's family and friends.
From yesterday's Tulsa World:
Burch, R. Lowell Jr., 56, educator and minister, died Wednesday. Memorial
service 2 p.m. Saturday, Immanuel Baptist Church. Floral Haven, Broken Arrow.
April 17 2008 at 22:26:25 Name: Webmaster Topic: Edwin Fincher's memorial service on
Saturday Comments:
The memorial service for Edwin Fincher will be on Saturday, April 19th, 2008,
at 2 pm. It will be held at the Mark Griffith Memorial Funeral Home, Westwood
Chapel, at 4424 S. 33rd W. Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma. All are welcome.
Donations may be made to the Little Lighthouse, 5120 E. 36th Street, Tulsa,
OK 74135.
April 17 2008 at 16:38:53 Name: David Bagsby Topic: Dick West again Email:
davidunderscorebagsbyathotmaildotcom Comments: Here's an
article
about the Dick West Gallery.
April 17 2008 at 16:31:16 Name: Kenny Bolen Topic: Beach Boys Email: kwerks@comcast.net Comments: Not that I'm a big fan of the Beach Boys but like
a few of their songs, let's not forget Jan and Dean and some of the "Guitar
Surf" music of that era.....great stuff.
April 17 2008 at 13:36:01 Name: David Bagsby Topic: Dick West Email:
davidunderscorebagsbyathotmaildotcom Comments: FYI: Dick West's
art is displayed here in Lawrence, KS at the new gallery at Haskell Indian
College.
April 17 2008 at 09:45:29 Name: Lee Woodward Topic: Four Freshmen Email: AnonDahCom Comments: Finally; We can't let it pass...The influence the
"Four Freshmen" had on the sound of the one and only, "Beach Boys". Brian
Wilson had a variant on the sound, but the Freshmen sound came through
nonetheless, and, they're still using it today.
April 16 2008 at 23:20:22 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: The BIG WLS 89 - no
more Comments: Sad to say that it has given up news and reverted
to talk; at night, a fair amount of "hate talkers," sadly. Why does this
isolationist hatred stuff draw an audience? I would not be buying radio spots
on a station like this. Meanwhile WGN is talk, but information and almost
NPR-like features. Really more talk you can use and you can always find something
of interest on WGN 720 AM outta Chicago.
April 16 2008 at 21:11:08 Name: Terri Topic:
Hertz Comments: "Good Neighbor Sam". Now that was quality
entertainment!
April 16 2008 at 13:26:42 Name: Mike Bruchas Topic: WBBM at midnight in Chicago/WiFi
radio Comments: This outfit buys an hour at midnight on 780 WBBM
to air and hawk old radio shows. Check out:
WhenRadioWas.com.
Listening to CBS radio last night and heard the overnight C. Crane radio
ads; I think I am gonna buy one of these:
CC WiFi
radio.
April 16 2008 at 10:35:07 Name: Jeff H Topic: Hertz and the
Hi-Los Comments: The Hi-Los have a bit part in the movie "Good Neighbor
Sam", singing the Hertz jingle as an ad agency tries to film the commercial
where the man is lowered down into the drivers seat with much technical
difficulty. The commercial doesn't work but the Hi-Los are spot-on.
"Now that's real coffee!"
Is that so! We saw "Good Neighbor Sam" at the drive-in when it came out
in 1964. I'll never forget all the casserole that Jack Lemmon had to down
to keep his wife happy. I remember the very funny Hertz scenes, too, now
that you mention them.
April 15 2008 at 21:39:49 Name: John Hillis Topic: Hi Los make some
dough Comments: Hear
them for Hertz(RealVideo or Windows MediaPlayer), and watch people
fly into cars from on high.
Of course, loyal Tulsans would rent from Avis, since world reservations HQs
was here.
There, vocal harmony groups (e.g., The Hi-Los, The Anita Kerr Singers,
The Four Freshmen) were discussed. Dick Schmitz of Irving Productions, formerly
KAKC DJ, was written up in Tulsa People magazine. DJ Barry Robb discovered
that a number of former Riverbend Apt. dwellers remember his weekend guitar
playing. Another DJ, Michael Trout, wrote a mini-memoir about his career
and experiences. Several writers recalled TG&Y stores.
Edwin Fincher, a friend and longtime contributor to this site, unexpectedly
passed away on 4/9. We heard from his family and many friends in GB 264.
Edwin's last message to us was at the top of GroupBlog
263.
George Tomek
April 17 2008 at 09:45:29