Saturday, December 30, 2017

World Of Folk Music 1969


The World of Folk Music was an interesting show. First Oscar Brand did a conventional Folkie show, then the ones I've heard were great profiles of country music.  A couple of weeks ago someone asked for one.  A few days ago, Dan sent one.  I can take a hint.  Take a listen to  Hugh Jeffrey tell the story of Merle Haggard.




Monday, December 18, 2017

Mary Helen Barro 1983


I remember the Canal Zone..  It sure would be nice to stretch out on the beach.  Mary Helen Barro has the music.  You'll have to bring a beverage.




Hootenavy 1967


The services had a lot of recruiting shows running on US stations.  Several of those were picked up by AFRTS.  WSMs Ralph Emery did "Hootenavy", today with Ferlin Husky.







Sunday, December 17, 2017

Charlie Tuna Christmas 1978



Christmas away from home could be a difficult time, Charlie and the rest of the team made home not quite so far away.  I'm off to the mess hall for lobster...

Here's Charlie Tuna and a 1978 Christmas show.

Charlie Tuna Christmas 1978

More Charlie Tuna

We're running 24 hour Christmas Shows at http://rogercarrollbestsoundsintown.com with Roger Carroll, Ira Cook, Chris Noel and more.


Joe Allison - 1967


First couple of minutes on this are a little rough, but Joe has a nice show here.  Rich Green from AFRTS Kwajelein visits with Joe




Ed Masters, International Man Of Mystery



I was paging through an AFKN yearbook.  I knew all of the places and some of the people. Ed Masters I've always wondered about.  Ed came to AFKN from FEN (prior to John Buey) during the Korean War, was there when I was 25 years later.  Well over 30 years as a DAC is a story in itself. Ed's legs were were handicapped.  He never was.  His pain had him awake and monitoring the network 24 hours a day.  I'd make a mistake. Ed's on the batphone patiently explaining how to do it correctly.  I learned a lot.  At the time it was said that he was a rising star in radio, his niece said that a motorcycle accident put an end to that.  Normally such things are easy enough to get details about.  Ed just seems to start with the Korean war, 

 
 

All That Jazz 1968



Sometimes there's a show with zero information.  Jack Taylor was playing some smoky jazz in the 1960s




Sunday, November 26, 2017

Bobby Troup 1968

Bobby Troup in MASH

Well, here's something we've never heard before.  Bobby Troup was an actor, musician, DJ and husband to Julie London.  He did a show for AFRTS:


Saturday, November 25, 2017

Roger Carroll 1976


Here's some more fun from Hollywood with Roger Carroll!  Roger has been a part of this crazy business since the 1940s.  Now, internet streaming http://rogercarrollbestsoundsintown.com

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Andy Mansfield 1963


Andy Mansfield loved his oldies, but when you start doing an oldies show in the 1950s we hear big band and before.  His first show was with his wife but always it was some of his favorites from his collection.



Roland Bynum 1980


Time for some soulin' with Roland.  Roland still makes the magic at KJLH, Los Angeles.


Sunday, November 12, 2017

Jim Pewter 1978

PV2 Jim Pewters and Jill St John in Korea 1964.  Jill was with the Bob Hope show.  Copyright Playground Productions.  Courtesy Jim Pewter.


Jim Pewter has your favorite oldies.  These guys did such a great job with Command Information.  I was just listening to this one and realized I had spent a minute being interested in a spot about hepatitis .  I would have been in Korea around this time.  Street vendors, things swimming in the water.  I did avoid the tattoo parlors..

Jim is also part of the greatest airteam ever at http://rogercarrollbestsoundsintown.com

The music's great.  C'mon down to the malt shop..








Monday, October 30, 2017

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Charlie Tuna 1983



A few years ago a friend of mine was visiting family in Duluth MN.  I was texted "Charlie Tuna's on the radio up here!!!"  Charlie had a syndicated show heard from coast to coast (through Black Card). 

Joe Allison 1969


Joe Allison is back with another hour of your country favorites.  Hello Dottie West...


Monday, October 23, 2017

America's Popular Music 1961


Andy and Virginia Mansfield

Andy did a bunch of shows, starting with Turn Back the Clock, America's Popular Music.  I wouldn't surprise me if there were others.  It's a great look at the earliest popular music.



Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Roland Bynum 1980



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The Detroit born Roland first got to Los Angeles in 1967 at KGFJ to replace the "Magnificent Montague" eventually rising to Program Director.  1998 started a long run at Stevie Wonder's KJLH. Time for a "good Bynum".  Roland is back with memories of 1980.





Thursday, October 12, 2017

GI Jive 1945



When AFRTS worked best, it was the Voice Of Home, a place to remember. Nowhere was that easier to see than by the presentation of women. During WWII Martha Wilkerson was GI Jill, a friendly neighbor. In the 1950s it was Rebel Randall. In the 1960s Chris Noel was very much a product of the times. Here's GI Jill:




Monday, October 9, 2017

Chris Noel - 1968



Chris is okay after the nasty weather in Florida! To celebrate Chris Noel's book "A Blonde Bomb Goes To Vietnam" (get a copy by clicking here , proceeds benefit Chris's veterans shelter "Ceasefire House"), it's time for A Date With Chris.

AF Teen Thirty




With the help of the Frankfurt Radio Club, it's time for Teen Thirty.  We served our communities and sometimes let the dependents rock.  Joe Ferguson was a member, here's some details:

The Frankfurt American High School started a radio club amongst students who were interested and we produced and aired a weekly radio program on AFN Frankfurt.  I believe the first year was the 1961-62 school year and they would bus us from the school out to the castle in Hochst where the studios were located and we would record the program.  I believe it aired on the weekend.  There was music, school activities news and sports news.  The first faculty adviser to the radio club was the speech and drama teacher, Catherine Rotter and she was great fun.
In the castle along with the studios, there also were barracks and an AFN club with a bar and pub food.  My senior year, 62-63 I was the president of the club. 
Imagine the effect on an impressionable teen, interested in learning something about radio.  Having the opportunity to go to a real life castle with big gates and real turrets too was an amazing experience.  And then, throw in studios just stuffed with all this nifty Grundig and Telefunken broadcast gear and all the AFN pro’s we got to work with..  I was hooked! 
Little did I know I would never work in another radio station that had its own bar complete with pub food; =) Or one that had a turret either.
Regards,
Joe


Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Continental Varieties 1960




Here's Dick Crawford with some dinnertime Music of the Continent.  Today the highlight is on the Americans. Dick did the show from the late 50s until the mid-60s.  I can see a lot of Colonels grooving...



Sunday, October 1, 2017

Charlie Tuna - 1984



Greatest (disk) jockey

Charlie sure inspired fans.  We're lucky enough to have a LOT of these because Steve Orchard was a military kid.  He'd listen to AFN and really like "Staying Tuna'd" and saved hundreds of cassettes.  I had a great time transferring them.



Saturday, September 30, 2017

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Monday, September 25, 2017

Roger Carroll 1969



It's Monday.  Won't you join us for the Best Sounds In Town?  If you haven't heard yet, I'm working with Roger on his internet streaming radio station.  http://rogercarrollbestsoundsintown.com features classic Roger Carroll shows and Roland Bynum, Gene Price, Jim Pewter, Chris Noel, Ira Cook and shows from Robert W Morgan, Wink Martindale and Billy Pearl.  All done and told sounds a lot like when I heard these guys the first time.  You're invited!  

Roger was with the network for a long, long time.  We're glad to make this available.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Friday, September 22, 2017

Chris Noel 1968

Chris Noel with Lawrence Welk

Chris Noel was an amazing talent.  Let's go back to 1968 for a Date With Chris.


Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Sunday, September 17, 2017

AFKN 1970 - Dave Massa



Well AFKN in Seoul is on it's way to being closed. A while back Dave Massa sent a memory,  a 1970 AFKN Munsan aircheck. It's time for "Mail From Home" Here's a nice history from 1970 the AFKN story






AFKN Munsan 1970 - Dave Massa


Friday, September 15, 2017

Blue Danube Network - AFN Austria 1955

Blue Danube Network in Austria. BDN was initiated shortly after World War II, and the first station went into operation in Salzburg July 10, 1945.
The unit opened its first permanent station in Salzburg under the call letters KZCA. The Salzburg station was followed by BDN Vienna, when the capital city became the command's headquarters. Next came the Linz outley, thus creating a trio of stations spread across Austria.

The quality and originality of BDN production increased gradually and soon augmented AFRS "canned" shows. Two of the original productions were "Hospital Request Show" and "Man On The Street."

Located At Klessheim
When USFA Hq moved from Vienna to Salzburg in 1950, BDN Salzburg became the main station. In 1955 BDN was shut down as the Americans were asked to leave Austria.

Here's a variety of airchecks and interviews about BDN




Thursday, September 14, 2017

Charlie Tuna - 1981

Charlie Tuna, Brooke Shields and Leo Sayer

So where were you in 1981.  I was at SCN in Panama, still getting settled in and playing these shows.  Charlie Tuna was a big part of the network.

Charlie, thanks for the memories and letting me crib off of these shows


Monday, September 11, 2017

Joe Allison 1969


Joe Allison shows off the Country Corner



Russian Roulette with a Sugar Cube 1966




By the mid 60s drugs were being an issue and the information crew of AFRTS wanted to get the truth out about LSD.  It's an interesting show.

Monday, September 4, 2017

Roger Carroll - 1981


I always find it special to transfer a disk that I would have run at the station.  In 1981 I was at SCN, did the cleverly titled "Morning Show", played Charlie Tuna then Roger Carroll.  RC brings us straight back to a Friday in 1981.  It really is the best sounds in town....




Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Roland Bynum 1980


Roland's back with some really wonderful music.  Partytime starts now!




Thursday, August 17, 2017

Chris Noel 1968




Chris Noel is an amazing story if you haven't heard it already take a look at her website.

She still does so much more than she has too.  Vetsville is a homeless shelter for veterans that she keeps running.  Make a contribution, go to her website and buy something.  It helps.


Thursday, August 10, 2017

AFRTS at 50, FEN at 30

The history of AFRTS was published by AFRTS in 1993 to celebrate the anniversary. It's been impossibly out of print. This is a reprint. If you'd like to read it online Click here


Far East Network

The Far East Network was headquartered out of Japan and at times FEN was the callsign of stations in several countries. There was an interesting history. Air Force SGT Jim Dougherty has the highlights of the first 30 years.





FEN 30th anniversary 1975
More of our anniversaries

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Mary Helen Barro 1983


Let's pause for a little break con la musica mas buena in el mundo.  Mary Helen Barro brought latin music worldwide over AFRTS.  Here's a 1983 visit.



Joe Allison 1969


Birth Name: Joe Marion Allison
Birth Date: October 03, 1924
Place of Birth: McKinney, Texas 
Deceased: August 02, 2002
Place of Death: Nashville, TN

Joe Allison had a phenomenal career.  Take a look at his biography at the Nashville Songwriters Foundation, Click Here
From that wonderful cache of late 60s shows, here's Joe in 1969 with the Country Corner:



Friday, August 4, 2017

Roland Bynum 1980


It seems like yesterday.  Great music and wonderful talent.  Here's a 1980 visit to the Creators Workshop.







Thursday, August 3, 2017

Chris Noel 1968


 Chris Noel

A while back I was called by someone with a week of Chris Noel shows.  He wanted to know if I was interested.  Safe assumption that was.  So from late 1968, A Date With Chris




AFRTS 1979


In October 1979 Vincente was recording the Torrejon station.  We'll hear from our AFRTS-LA friends  Kris Erik Stevens, Wolfman, Johnnie Darin and a bunch of surprises.






Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Jubilee 1944

Ernie Whitman

What a great show.  In the early years, Jubilee featured the best African-American entertainment.  On this new Transfer it's Ernie "Bubbles Whitman" hosting Tiny Bradshaw, Loumell Morgan and more.


Friday, July 28, 2017

Interlude 1972


Interlude was one of the many "Music for Colonels" shows.  Soft symphonic music for the dinner hour, or evening, or overnight.  Through most of the history of the network, we played this music.




Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Chris Noel - 1969


Thank you Chris Noel for sharing the memories.  A few years ago Chris called and asked if I'd like to be able to share these shows.  She had saved most of them.  That was an easy question.  She had finished doing the show before I enlisted but at the station at the 2d Infantry division had saved hundreds of these.  I thought they were perfect radio.  Then and now.

Let's remember 1969 with A Date With Chris.




Saturday, July 22, 2017

Mary Helen Barro 1983



After Vance Graham, there were a few false starts but eventually they found Mary Helen Barro for the Latin show.  It's a Thursday in 1983, Vamos...



Joe Allison 1969


Joe's excited.  Program 1500 of the Country Corner.  That should be six full years.



Friday, July 21, 2017

The Green Slime - 1969


Today (July 18, 2017) I saw the movie The Green Slime (1969) again on cable channel Turner Classic Movies (TCM). It aired at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The thing about The Green Slime was that the monsters were not "green" and were not "slimey". Their alien blood however, was "green".

To my knowledge, this is the only Tokyo-made movie that featured the FEN Production Director, Leonard "Bud" Widom (FEN 1964-1969), in fourth billing, along with dozens of FEN enlisted personnel and wives as "extras". I recognized SSGT Larry Rogers, now called Frank Rogers, in a "party" scene.

The movie was actually filmed in 1968 from studios that were located on the road, as you drove from the "back gate" of Grant Heights FHA to Momote Village.

Some FEN announcers may have been given "bit" parts where they spoke a few words. All the performers were "round-eye"; there were no Japanese actors visible. They all had "appropriate" haircuts for 1968, and senior enlisted personnel (E-7 to E-9) stood out. There were many 20-something females featured from somewhere, but not FEN who had only dependents available.

The Green Slime was featured on TCM with a group of "horror" movies that were considered "camp" or Grade B. The Green Slime was also the premiere movie of the parody-series Mystery Science Theater 3000. That was the series where the host and two robot-puppets were super-imposed on theater seating in opaque and added snarky commentary as the movie was super-imposed behind them.

I was at FEN in 1969 when the movie premiered on the Japanese AAFMPS circuit, to much hoopla and fanfare, in October 1969, at North Camp Drake and Grant Heights Theaters.


Don Browne "LT", FEN Tokyo 1969-1971

Thursday, July 20, 2017

AFKN video production 1977

AFKN video production 1977.  So that's how it was done 40 years ago... and kinescopes...




Thanks Linda!  High tech is us.