Wolfman Jack - Halloween 1975

 

Happy Halloween Ellery Queen!

Wolfman Jack Halloween

The Other Air War 1967

 Sometimes I find the unexpected.  In the 60s, we received news panel shows on vinyl ETs.

In a bunch of them was this.  Jerry Golden and a team from WLS in Chicago produced a documentary about the air war in Vietnam.  Take listen to what can be done on recording tape...

The Other Air War 1967

Roger Carroll 1970

 

It was a long story but several years ago Roger wanted an internet station and I was thrilled to help.  He was in his 80s and still sharp as a whip.  I learned a lot and am grateful.

This is the show before Roger went to AFN to record some shows in 1970. from his original ET.  The Happy Hour continues!

Roger Carroll 1970

Signature Sounds jingles

 

In 1978 we got the Signature Sounds jingles.  It's been a while.  These transcriptions had "locking grooves", so they're awful to transfer.  But fun to hear again!  Crank it up!

Jingles 1978

Garry had heard part of this before....

Visit his YouTube page

Tom Campbell AFRTS demo

 

Tom Campbell is one of the AFRTS-LA friends that's been great in keeping this whole thing running.

After serving in the United States Air Force, Campbell was hired for his first radio job, at KEEL in Shreveport, La., by Al Hart, who would later become a newscaster and radio personality in San Francisco. Campbell subsequently worked in Minneapolis, Minnesota and at WONE in Dayton, Ohio before his move to KYA San Francisco in 1967.

In 1971 was one of the periodic restructurings of AFRTS.  They were concerned we'd be rocking too hard..   AFRTS sent a demo...

Tom Campbell 1971 AFRTS demo

Jim Pewter and civilians

 

Our friend Chris was growing up in Frankfurt in the 70s and taped a lot of AFN. No way to put a date with any certainty on this, but here's a bunch of Jim Pewter.

You might well choose to re-phrase slightly, emphasizing that I was a German kid, and that - as a lot of German kids then - listened to AFN as a daily routine, which helped in improving our English significantly (I have had with some of my teachers a running battle when using american slang, instead of proper (university-style) English as they had been taught); pretty sure US-service people were unaware of Germans being part of their general audience!

Quite a few forums exist in which Germans emphasize the significant contribution AFN had on them and their lives, it is mentioned there that per year about 100.000 letters were pouring in to AFN in Germany, of which the bigger part was probably AFN Frankfurt (the APO number was I believe APO 057), and I remember getting one of my postcards actually being put "on the air" (you got that clip on the DVD as well, when Jim Powers - the Bostonian -  presents "Baby Child" by Robin Luke "going out to Christoph in Offenbach, who hit it right on the head when he said that the most important bridge is "The bridge over troubled water".

Another German ex-AFN-listener - and I believe he has got a definite point on that  - actually attributes the German radio-system targeted at young people as it still is today to the very existence of AFN and Germans listening to it!

The German public radio stations ran along the lines of the federal states, and were very much targeted to the mature establishment with German Schlager and orchestras. As young Germans were listening to AFN (and BFBS) with their stylish, amusing way of presenting modern (i.e. non-German) music, those national chains had to develop similar offerings in order not to loose their grasp on future audience. These turned out to be the "third program series" such as HR3 in Frankfurt, WDR3 in Dusseldorf, SWR3 in Stuttgart, etc. that today are actually the lynch-pins of their programs!

I remember as of early 1970s, these made big inroads into the German listeners-base of AFN, with SWR3 being the first specifically youth-oriented radio coming "on the air" with music and presenting techniques very much reminiscent to "my" AFN.

Still, I remained faithful to AFN as You see from the tapes.

regards
Christoph

Jim Pewter

More Jim Pewter

Hospital Radio

 If you've been following the story, many troops were first exposed to military "radio" via closed circuit stations in US hospitals. 

I was looking for this to attach to that story. After the war, the stars toured the VA hospitals. This program would have been heard on the "Bedpan Network".
Here's a 1954 magazine story about The Bedside Radio Network

 From 1955, Rand's OTR is featuring a Hospital Radio show Hospital Radio Christmas Show 1955

Wolfman Jack 1976

 

An amazing amount of wizdom in 3 minutes.  We had it every day.

More Wolfman Jack

Joe Allison 1965

 

Joe Allison has your country favorites.  

More Joe Allison

Turn Back The Clock 1958

 

Turn Back the Clock was a regional show that ended up on NBC (regional?) in 1955.  They came over to AFRTS and shared songs from their personal collection.  They've got some good ones today.

Turn Back the Clock 1958

More Andy Mansfield

Chris Noel 1969

 

Vetsville Cease Fire House

291 NE 19th Avenue

Boynton Beach, FL 33435

Phone: (561) 736-4325

FAX: (561) 736-4325

http://www.ceasefirehouse.org/

http://www.blogger.com/www.chrisnoel.com

We are running out of money to run our operation. It’s very hard to keep a charity going in the current economy, with most people struggling from paycheck to paycheck. Now, Cease Fire House is in danger of closing its doors forever. I need your help!

I’m Chris Noel. In Hollywood, I did films with Elvis and Steve McQueen. In Vietnam, I performed live, and my radio show was broadcast to our troops, both in Vietnam and worldwide.

Then, in 1993, I founded Vetsville Cease Fire House, a non-profit charity based in Florida that is dedicated to providing food, shelter and care for indigent military veterans.

Vets make great employees. They’re dependable team players who work with pride, but finding full-time employment is often extremely difficult. And that's where Vetsville Cease Fire House comes in. Among the great organizations sponsoring us are the Nam Knights MC, a group of police officers and Vietnam veterans.

We’re also sponsored by groups like Rolling Thunder, Paul Revere and the Raiders, “Good Morning Vietnam’s” Adrian Cronauer, and various community organizations. We also hold popular yearly fund-raisers such as Veterans Day celebrations and Rock ‘n’ Roll Sunday!

Our mission is to provide homeless American military veterans --regardless of race, creed, color, sex or age -- with food, shelter, and a secure environment as we aid them in returning to society. That’s our goal -- and Vetsville Cease Fire House is making it happen ... with the help of your generous contribution!

Thank You For Your Time!
Chris Noel

Date With Chris 1969

More Chris Noel

Charlie Tuna 1983

 

Charlie in the movie "Rollercoaster"

Radio Hall of Fame member Charlie Tuna was great. A quarter century with AFRTS. 40 years on the air in Los Angeles. We lost a great talent. When I was overseas Charlie was one of the key voices of Armed Forces radio. See why...

Charlie Tuna - 1983

More Charlie Tuna

Sports Interviews - 1943

 

Joe Hassle is back with Sports Interviews talking with early 1900s baseball legend Honus Wagner.

Sports Interviews - 1943

More sports

Jim Pewter 1968

 

Dean Torrence, Jim Pewter, Jan Berry and Roger Christian
Photo copyright Playground Productions. thank you Jim!

Straight ahead, don't bunch up!

Jim Pewter 1968

More Jim Pewter

Melody Roundup 1943

 

George Hayes?  I felt pretty silly when I found out.  More good radio'

Melody Roundup 1943

More Melody Roundup

AFN 50th anniversary 1993

Memories of AFN

Harry Newman 1985

 

Harry's daughter shared the following:

My dad was a HUGE fan & supporter of those in the military & was thrilled that one of my daughters was born on Nov 10...just a few hours away from Veterans Day. He ALWAYS reminded me when Veteran's Day was coming, bc he just had so much reverence & respect for those who served. And if I happened to be visiting in November, we always ate out on the 11th!

And Harry was the voice of "Cops".  On today's show, it's a summer day in 1985 and Ed Bruce stops by.

Harry Newman - 1985

More Harry Newman

Turn Back The Clock

 

Andy and Virginia Mansfield brought their brand of oldies to NBC and shortly around that time to AFRTS.

Turn Back the Clock 1958

More Andy Mansfield

AFN Pam Windsor 1984

 

This came in on one of Chris's great tapes that he'd been saving for years.  When I asked Pam:

I left AFN in 1986, came back to the states, got a radio job in Roanoke, Virginia, then moved into TV and worked my way up to becoming News Director at the ABC Affiliate in Lynchburg, VA. Afterwards, I took a job at CNN International but my kids weren't happy in Atlanta so I ended up moving to Louisville, Kentucky to take an Executive Producer job at the NBC Affiliate. I'm currently not working in TV and am instead doing Public Relations but now that my youngest is in college, I'm thinking of trying to get back into something more fun. I'm still trying to figure out on exactly what that might be. :)

AFN Newswatch June 1984

More from AFN

AFN and AFRTS jingles

 

 

Some days the jingles rock.  This is from several jingle packages. Some are voiced AFN, some voiced AFRTS.  Ed Tooma is on the voice drops.

 

Punch up a jingle

AFN and AFRTS jingles

Chris Noel 1968

 

During Vietnam, actress Chris Noel did the “Date With Chris” show, one of the most popular programs in the history of the network. There are some examples in the blog. Since the war she’s run a shelter for veterans, still fighting the good fight. Take 10 seconds and help a great person.  Now she needs your help.  Please do what you can. Vetsville

Date With Chris - 1968

s

More Chris Noel

AFRS Iceland - JIm Rourke 1971

Jim Roark checked in with his memories of AFRTS in Iceland:

Karl Phillips directed me to this site: he worked the Nite Owl show on nights when I was off. I was full time at the radio station from sometime in 71 to sometime in 73. Prior to that I volunteered as Karl did, canning an oldies show called Shake, Rattle and Roark from 70 to 73. Other DJ's from that time were Tom Weicks (mgr), Mark Lazar (Morning Man), Tom Hughes (drive time), Bob Howard (replaced Tom) and Karl. We were given credit by someone for introducing rock music to the Icelanders.

I i left Iceland in 1973 and got out of the navy in October. In November I started the radio/electronics course at Elkins Institute in Atlanta, took the FCC exams in February and got my 1st and 2d Class licenses. As for any further broadcasting, my father, who put DJ's just slightly ahead of used car salesmen, sent me to law school (which occupation, it could be argued, was beneath both of the above).

I practiced law for 12 years then became a judge. I got my old band back together in 2008 and played for two years. I'm now remastering some songs I wrote in Iceland, one of which has been selected to appear on an album.

AFRS Reykjavik -  Jim Rourke 1971

Love with Tony Pigg 1971

 

In 1971 no one was even sure what AOR was but Tony Pigg was doing it in New York at WPLJ. AFRTS was rockin..




"Love" with Tony Pigg

Love With Tony Pigg - 1971 More Tony Pigg

Bob KIngsley 1975

 

For someone who went on to host American Country Countdown, Bob Kingsley could sure rock up a storm.  Bob was an Air Force AFRS Iceland vet.  Take a listen:

Bob Kingsley 566 part 2

More Bob Kingsley

Charlie Tuna 1973

 

Charlie and Michael Jackson

I used to do the morning show in Panama then run the Charlie Tuna show...and listen.  Charlie had an awful lot of what we wanted to grow up to be" Years later I was working at a station in Manchester and the PD was asked me how I could do content that wasn't cliché "topical" or "music related" but was 'one on one'.  It was something I think we learned from all of the AFRTS guys, but Charlie in particular.

Thanks for the memories!

Charlie Tuna - 1973

More Charlie Tuna

RIP Gene Price

 

Some sad news:

 Gene Price passed away last night. He'd been ill for the last couple years with various ailments. 

I'm forwarding the email I received tonight from Gene's wife Janet.

Regards,

Marc Yablonka

From: Janet Price 
Date: Thu, Jun 2, 2022 at 11:20 PM
Subject: Yesterday

Dear Marc, Rudy and Cathy,
Sad to tell you that Gene passed at 8:24 last night. He had been holding his own for quite awhile, but began declining quickly at 4:30 p.m.
We were married for 52 years, tho wanted more. But God wanted him Home, so grateful for every memory.
You were special friends and I do appreciate all you have meant to us both.

From happier times, a few years ago I got Gene on the phone.  He was a very special person

A Chat With Gene Price

More from Gene Price

Johnny Bond 1961

 

Johnny Bond did a lot of songs, movies and had a long term radio gig with AFRTS.  Archive.org has much of his music click here  He brought the back home music

Johnny Bond - 1961

More Johnny Bond

Lyndon Johnson - Memorial Day 1963

 

Vice president Lyndon Johnson on Memorial Day 1963 as broadcast by AFRTS 

Lyndon Johmson - Memorial Day 1963

Memorial Day Memories

.

Harry Newman 1991

 

There's two more weeks to go on the first Gulf War and time for the Harry Newman show.  Harry had a big career in country radio in Los Angeles KBLA, 1965-66; KBBQ, 1967-68; KLAC, 1970-84. Harry retired in 1995 and was living the good life in central California.

Harry Newman - 1991

More Harry Newman

JIngles from the 70s

 

This is from one of the TM packages.  Stereo and  nice.

 

AFRTS jingles

More Jingles

Silly spots

 

>

So somehow almost 50 years later, I'm still making silly spots.  Here's how they did it at AFN:

Finding sweet spot between informative and zany at AFN

Chris Noel 1969

 

Vetsville Cease Fire House

291 NE 19th Avenue

Boynton Beach, FL 33435

Phone: (561) 736-4325

I’m Chris Noel. In Hollywood, I did films with Elvis and Steve McQueen. In Vietnam, I performed live, and my radio show was broadcast to our troops, both in Vietnam and worldwide.

Then, in 1993, I founded Vetsville Cease Fire House, a non-profit charity based in Florida that is dedicated to providing food, shelter and care for indigent military veterans.

Vets make great employees. They’re dependable team players who work with pride, but finding full-time employment is often extremely difficult. And that's where Vetsville Cease Fire House comes in. Among the great organizations sponsoring us are the Nam Knights MC, a group of police officers and Vietnam veterans.

We’re also sponsored by groups like Rolling Thunder, Paul Revere and the Raiders, “Good Morning Vietnam’s” Adrian Cronauer, and various community organizations. We also hold popular yearly fund-raisers such as Veterans Day celebrations and Rock ‘n’ Roll Sunday!

Our mission is to provide homeless American military veterans --regardless of race, creed, color, sex or age -- with food, shelter, and a secure environment as we aid them in returning to society. That’s our goal -- and Vetsville Cease Fire House is making it happen ... with the help of your generous contribution!

Thank You For Your Time!
Chris Noel

Date With Chris 1969

More Chris Noel

Jim Pewter

 

Jim Pewter and Mamie Van Doren

Jim Pewter just sent up a bunch of 1995 shows.  Didn't we go to different high schools together?  Thank you Jim.  Thank you Timmy (Radio's best friend)

Jim Pewter 1995

More Jim Pewter

Quick Look at DINFOS

 DINFOS 1972 

Over the years a lot of military broadcasters took their civilian skills to AFRTS, sometimes with formal training, sometimes without.


The Army began their Army Information School in 1946 at Carlisle Barracks PA. In the following years the school did varying degrees of joint service training until 1951. That was the year that The Armed Forces Information School opened at Ft Slocum NY. The Navy operated their own school at Great Lakes.

1964 brought us the Defense Information School at Ft Slocum, moving to Ft Benjamin Harrison in 1965

In 1992 DINFOS was merged with the Defense Photography School (DPHSCH), and the Defense Visual Information School (DVISCH) at Ft Meade MD.

Every year DINFOS graduates another 4,000 Public Affairs professionals.

DINFOS is where a lot of memories began.

DINFOS Today

More From DINFOS

AFRS Alaska - Steve Phillips 1967

 

Here's our first visit with AFRS Alaska.  It's 1967 and Steve Phillips brings the music.

AFRS Adak - Steve Phillips 1967

More AFRS Alaska

John Doremus 1967

 I found some complete 1967 John Doremus shows. John originated in-flight music on aircraft and did a nighttime show in Chicago that was eventually syndicated by the airlines to a lot of stations. John was one of the giants of broadcasting in general and to AFRTS in particular

 

John Doremus 1967

 

More John Doremus

 

Battle of Guadalcanal 1942

 

I was at the record store and saw a used album by the USMC Band.  The thing was too thick.  With the record were 2 12" 78s that sound like they were done for the troops as a command information thing.  This one has a short clip recorded in the studio at Guadalcanal.  There's just not much audio from the Mosquito Network.  It's a good listen.

Battle of Guadalcanal

More from the Mosquito Network

Bob Kingsley 1975

 

Bob Kingsley visits SCN in the Panama Canal Zone 1972 (photo: Gerry Fry)

Somehow it still amazes me.  Bob Kingsley was a really good rock jock.  He was one of us.  He'd done a tour at our Iceland station.  Bob later went on to be the voice of country music on American Country Countdown.    In 1975, it was time to rock.

Charles Goyette remembers that picture " I was also more than a little surprised to see myself on the page in a photo with Bob Kingsley at SCN.  That was in summer of ’72.  Also in the shot are LtC. Dan Maguire (our CO and a very fine man), Tom Colvin, John Fisher, Bob Rupp, Paul Warhanik, and Phil Lane.  I’m surprised the talented Lee McGowan wasn’t in that shot.

We were good hosts to Kingsley during his visit to Panama.  And some time later Bob was an equally good host when Lee, Gerry Fry, and I visited him in L.A.  As I recall, Robert Fuller, the actor in TV westerns like Wagon Train, was Bob’s brother-in-law.  Among other things, Bob took us on the lot for a shooting of the series Emergency that Fuller was starring in. 

Great seeing that picture again!"

Bob Kingsley 1975

More Bob Kingsley

Roger Carroll 1981

 

RC thanks for the memories and some great radio!!

Roger Carroll - 1981

A while back I had a chat with Roger.

Roger Carroll call

More Roger Carroll

John Halbert Book

 John Halbert has a new book:

Amazon has just released my biography which includes being deputy chief of the radio & television branch, in there Office of Information at HQ Strategic Air Command, co-manager of the joint AFRTS/Canadian Broadcasting arrangement at Harmon AFB in Stephenville, Newfoundland (VOHF radio & CFSN-TV), US Air Forces Europe manager of radio & television at HQ USAFE, Ramstein AB, Germany; Assistant Director of Public Affairs in the Pentagon involving being on the DoD AFRTS policy board and later as EUCOM executive manager of AFRTS for Europe.

Synopsis and chapter previews are available at no cost for review

An American Gypsy: Around the World in 32,620 Days: Halbert, John Thomas: 9798449027726: Books: Amazon.com

Wolfman Jack 1977

 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, Wolfman Jack would like you to join the Air Force.  This guy could SELL.  It's an amazing skill at that level.

 

Wolfman Jack 1977

More Wolfman Jack

Sound Off 1943

 

Bill Goodwin

I guess there could be quite a project in who was the first network DJ with AFRS.  Bill Goodwin was one of the first with "Sound Off".  "Sound Off" was a request show, with dedications for the troops.

Mr Goodwin was most notable as the announcer/foil for George Burns on his television show in the 50s.  We lost Mr. Goodwin in 1958.

AFRS Sound Off - 1943

More Old Time Radio

Chris Noel 1971

 

Some rock, some ballads and a voice from home.  Chris Noel.  You have a Date With Chris.

Date With Chris - 1971

More Chris Noel

Charlie Tuna 1983

 

Charlie had almost 50 years in Los Angeles radio.  That's hard for me to even conceive.  Talent..

Charlie was with us from 1971-96.  His day jobs were some of the greatest LA top 40s ever.

Charlie Tuna - 1983

More Charlie Tuna

Mary Helen Barro 1983

 

It's a Friday in 1983 and Mary Helen has your latin favorites.  Let the fiesta begin!

Mary Helen Barro - 1983

More Mary Helen Barro

Joe Ferguson 1983

 

Joe Ferguson was the first one to share his disks with us.  It's been a few years and the shows keep coming.  I appreciate it very much!

Joe Ferguson 1983

More Joe Ferguson

Joe Allison 1969

 

Joe Allison with Red Stegall and Don Light

Joe Allison was the country voice for a long, long time.  Joe was a musician, producer, writer "He'll Have to Go" and a truly fine DJ.  Before Joe, country radio was hillbilly.  He brought it modern.

Country Corner - 1969

More Joe Allison

AFTN Thailand May 10, 1970

 

Today is the anniversary of a very sad day.

On April 10th 1970 an unarmed photo recon plane was returning from a mission in Vietnam.  It missed the runway, crashed and destroyed the building for AFTN Udorn.

We lost nine airmen that day. 

IN MEMORIAM

TSgt Jack A. Hawley  (37),  Wakeman, OH

SSgt James T. Howard  (27),  Denver, CO

A1C Andrew C. McCartney (20),  Lakewood, OH

SSgt Alfred N. Potter  (27),  Forest Grove, OR

Sgt John Charles Rose ( 25),  Bloomfield, NJ

TSgt Frank D. Ryan, Jr. (41),  Mercer Island, WA

SSgt Edward Wm. Strain (24),  Myrtle Beach, SC

TSgt Roy Walker  (40),  Albuquerque, NM

A1C Thomas L. Waterman  (25),  Roanoke, VA

John Doremus 1967

 

John Doremus tells stories and creates moods in a 1967 broadcast.

John Doremus - 1967

More John Doremus

Golden Days Of Radio 1970

 

The Golden Days of Radio ran almost as long as AFRTS itself. It was the last program recorded for the network under the 'old system'. Mr Bresse was a storehouse of information about radio in the 1940s and 50s. It was always fun to hear. 

The Golden Days of Radio - 1970

More Golden Days of Radio

Bob Kingsley 1973

 

For those of us "a certain age" Bob Kingsley WAS the American Country Countdown.  That's why listening to his AFRTS rock show is so fascinating.  It's a style that really bridges the gap.  Take a listen:

Bob Kingsley Show - 1973

More Bob Kingsley

Roger Carroll 1981

 

Young Roger at WMFD

There's always time for a Happy Hour.  When I was working civilian, one time I had a PD wondering how I could do so many "universals".  To him that meant being able to do a break without necessarily doing a station promo or talking about the record.  I learned it from the Roger and the AFRTS-LA talent.  Many thanks.

Roger Carroll - 1981

More Roger Carroll