Posts
On Thanksgiving it's hard to not think about home. When Billy Williams was at AFVN a few years later, he found a station composite of the day after Thanksgiving with AFVN. Nicely done. Take a listen.
Thursday, November 28, 2019
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Jim Pewter 1967
Neil found us a bunch of late 60s Jim Pewter shows. I'm very happy about that. When you see something that might be interesting for all of us, drop me a note afrts@live.com
Jim was an AFKN vet who shaped the world of music, his command of the oldies inspired a lot of people. It's December 1967 "Let's Go"
Know Your Ally - China 1943
Here's an early 1943 production "Know Your Allies" about China. At the time we even had stations there. Those would be stories I'd love to hear. Times sure have changed. No credits on the production but it sounds a lot like a young Marvin Miller
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Rebel Randall 1952
During the Korean War, Rebel Randall did "Jukebox USA" a DJ show for the troops. Her run with the network was much shorter than GI Jill or Chris Noel but it was good.
Roger Carroll 1980
So if it weren't broadcasting, probably baseball? Coulda been a contender! Roger's back with an update of "The Best Sounds in Town"
Monday, November 18, 2019
Don Tracy 1983
1983 was a great year for me, I finished up at SCN and within the year had made it onto Boston radio (part time). Don Tracy had the happy music. Rockin the world was Don Tracy!
Don Tracy 1983
Joe Ferguson 1983
It's still one of the coolest AFRTS moves ever. In the early 80s the network reached out to jocks around the country to cut shows. Joe Ferguson was at KUPL in Portland OR and shared this with us:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Wolfman Jack 1974
Welcome back Wolf, here's a 1974 USAF recruiting show. Will there ever be radio like this again?
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Chris Noel 1969
Chris had a documentary a few years ago, a DVD called "Blonde Bombshell". If you can find a copy it's very interesting and worthwhile. I pulled out my copy again this week. Thanks Chris.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
RIP Buzz Rizer
Those of us who knew Buzz will always remember him as the architect of putting television entertainment systems aboard our ships. To our younger members who understand our current technology, they probably cannot relate to the significance of Buzz’s work in the 1970s. But to those who served in that timeframe, I can attest that his accomplishments were the result of an incredible vision. That vision helped set the Navy apart from its sister services by dramatically increasing the morale of our Sailors.
In 1981 Buzz was given the Navy’s highest civilian award for his work—the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal. The award not only cited the impact Buzz’s work had on morale and retention but discussed how Buzz’s systems provided commanders and commanding officers new and unique communications tools. After his service to Navy, Buzz was named the director of the Armed Forces Information Service.
Prior to his roles as a distinguished civil servant, Buzz served in the Army and Air Force. He retired as an Air Force lieutenant colonel. Buzz was a USNPAA plank owner, one of the first individuals to join our organization in 1994.
For those who knew and worked with Buzz, we not only admired him as a professional and a visionary but as a wonderful human being. I will always remember Buzz for his kindness, civility and warmth. He had the unique ability to touch everyone with those qualities, and I can still remember several of my conversations with him in the CHINFO spaces. He had a very unique ability to put people at ease and make them feel special. Perhaps the best way to capture Buzz, his personality and his character is to cite the Facebook posting his daughter-in-law, Nancy, posted after his passing:
One of the greatest men I’ve ever known took his last breath this morning. He was my Boss, my best friend, my father in law and my Pop. Jordan Edward (Buzz) Rizer was professionally the most unselfish, dedicated military and civilian public servant. Nearly all of his life he served his country and the Department of Defense, first in uniform, Army and Air Force, then as a civilian, Director of Navy Broadcasting Service (Armed Forces Radio and Television), and retired as an Assistant Secretary of Defense (Director, American Forces Information Service). I was blessed to work with him for many years. My life was immensely touched by this man. He introduced me to my husband. He was a wonderful grandfather to my children. I love you Pop. I know, I know, you “love me more.” I can’t thank you enough for being such a great part of my life. It hurts that you are gone, but I know we will see each other again one day soon.
Arrangements for Buzz are as follows:
Fairfax Memorial Park / Funeral Home
9900 Braddock Rd
Fairfax VA 22032
(703) 323-5202
Friday, November 1, 2019
Jim Pewter 1985
Not the Beatles tribute band. 1964 was sure a great year for music, the Beatles had pretty much changed everything. Motown got better. It was a great topic for another theme show by Jim Pewter. Jim was one of us, having spent 1964 working for AFKN.
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