Posts
Bill Stewart swung and swung hard. Record producer, DJ. A great talent. AFRTS had Bill in the 1960s and 70s.
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Kris Erik Stevens 1980
Kris Erik Stevens sent in a nice promo picture for the collection (pictured). Kris had been a legend in Chicago radio before Los Angeles. Thanks!
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Johnny Bond 1961
From when they called it "folk music" here's a 1961 visit with Johnny Bond
He got his first break working for Jimmy Wakely in the late 1930s and went on to join Gene Autry's Melody Ranch in 1940. He also acted on occasion in films including Wilson and Duel in the Sun; and was later a regular on the 1950s Los Angeles country music television series Town Hall Party.
He is best known for his 1947 hit "Divorce Me C.O.D.", one of his seven top ten hits on the Billboard country charts. In 1965 at age 50 he scored the biggest hit of his career with the comic "Ten Little Bottles", which spent four weeks at No. 2. Bond's other hits include "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed" (1947), "Oklahoma Waltz" (1948), "Love Song in 32 Bars" (1950), "Sick Sober and Sorry" (1951) and "Hot Rod Lincoln" (1960).
He died of a stroke in 1978, at the age of 63. Bond was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, and to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. (wikipedia).
Don Tracy 1980
Don Tracy now
The weekend is always almost here!! On a Friday in 1980 it began like this...
Paul A. Bottoms AFVN 1969
Paul enlisted in 1967, leaving his job at KEWI radio. A year later he was in Vietnam, where he stayed for two tours from July 1968 to June 1970. By volunteering for a second consecutive tour, Paul was able to cut five months off his service obligation.
He spent the first month at Chu Lai working in the information office, before being selected to visit the Saigon station in preparation for bringing television to AFVN's Detachment 7. Although on TDY, he did not leave Saigon again. He was assigned a six-hour night shift, including hosting the "Orient Express" show, which ran from 0100 to 0400 hours. Later, he did the "Dawnbuster" show, but with a pre-recorded version of the elongated "Good Morning, Vietnam" sign-on. For a time he was designated "Chief Announcer." He remained on TDY status for the entire two years, which meant that he had to return to Chu Lai for outprocessing when he rotated back home in June 1970. (Biography from macoi.net, be sure to visit).
Monday, March 27, 2023
Jazz Festival 1967
This must have been quite the gig, Jazz Festival was an AFRTS production. It was hosted by Marine Sgt Dan Doherty. Would you have more information about him?
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Jim Pewter 1988
(Clip of the Skyliners on American Bandstand)
Jim Pewter is back with another program of songs from the malt shop.
Always a surprise, always great.
Roger Carroll 1981
Thanks again Roger for sharing your shows with us. There is some great listening. Roger's history with AFRTS started with the Korean War. Because he was an ABC staff announcer, he was assigned to AFRTS. It was the start of decades of RC.
Saturday, March 25, 2023
The Return of My Best Sounds
It's back and you can listen to your friends throughout the day. It's a different host so it looks a little different. Thanks for listening!
Friday, March 24, 2023
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Roland Bynum 1981
We're in the Creator's Workshop on a Wednesday in 1981 and Roland is making it a "good Bynum"
Gene Price 1974
Gene, Charlie and Jim
It's been a privilege to stay in touch with all three. Here's Gene Price with your 1974 country favorites:
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Charlie Tuna 1972
Charlie had an amazing 25 year run with us. He was telling me years later tourists from countries around the world would be amazed to meet him because of that AFRTS work. Amazing talent woke the world.
Monday, March 20, 2023
Joe Allison 1963
Joe Allison with his gold record
for writing "He'll Have To Go"
Mostly Dixie 1955
In the 1950s, there was a musical "Dixieland revival". The purists really hated the term but America celebrated the hot jazz of 30 years prior. Many of the biggest stars were still around. Don McCall had this show, apparently run on several west coast stations and AFRTS.
It's sweet to beat your feet...
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Thom Whetston Frank Sinatra 2018
In 2018 I was doing Roger Carroll's streaming station. Roger really wanted a variety of programs, we tried a lot of thinks on Saturday afternoons. The one that really got a response was this one. Roger loved it, since he was an announcer on several Sintra TV shows I was grateful So allow me an indulgence. Good times.
Rebel Randall 1952
Rebel Randall (l) with Shemp
Rebel was in several Three Stooges shorts.
Arabian Nights (1942), Booby Dupes (1945), Where The Pest Begins (1945) Society Mugs (1946).
By 1951 she was doing Jukebox USA for our Korean War era troops on AFRS.
Roger Carroll 1961
This is a fun one, My old friend Roger is swinging up a storm, Life Of Helen Trump. Couldn't ask for more.
Friday, March 17, 2023
Wolfman Jack 1975
The weekend starts any time you have Wolfman Jack. Once again I'd like to thank Hans Knot for making this available.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
SEN Pledge drive promos - Joe Ferguson 1969
Joe Ferguson sent this over a long time ago. Joe had a history with us. AFN, SEN (later changed to SEB and Losa Angeles, Portland and I'm sure more.
But, save those dollars! The SEN Pledge Drive is coming up!
Johnny Grant - Small World 1967
He was another KMPC guy and made some great radio. In 1967 Johnny hosted Small World. That program had been around for years as sort of a clone of NBCs Monitor. Johnny added a lot of personality. We lost Mr. Grant in 2008.
On this broadcast, a report from Vietnam.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Charlie Tuna 1984
Charlie gets his star!
Memories of 1984, Charlie starts your day and talks with a guy with a new trivia game.
Friday, March 10, 2023
Chris Noel 1970
Chris was the voice of home, but she had quite a career on screen. Here are some of Chris's credits:
B.L. Stryker (TV Series)
Mrs. Tevander
- Blues for Buder (1989) ... Mrs. Tevander
1986 Sin of Innocence (TV Movie)
1985 Cease Fire
1981 CHiPs (TV Series)
1980 Detour to Terror (TV Movie)
1980 Wild Times (TV Mini-Series)
1971 The Tormentors
1968 For Singles Only
1967 The Glory Stompers
1966 Occasional Wife (TV Series)
1966 Marilyn (TV series)
In 1970 troops around the world had an important Date With Chris:
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
AFVN - The GIs Companion
Mike Pitts and "Peaches"
Hundreds of military personnel and civilians diligently served with AFVN on the air and behind the scenes to make it such an important and positive element of the Vietnam experience. It is the radio network where Adrian Cronauer signed on with "Gooooooood Morning, Vietnam" (which was the basis for the film "Good Morning, Vietnam" starring Robin Williams). Standout, Pat Sajak (of "Wheel of Fortune" fame) also served at AFVN-Saigon in 1968 and 1969. In April 1975, AFVN in Saigon famously played Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" as a signal for the remaining Americans that the final evacuation of Saigon had begun. The importance of the AFVN radio stations cannot be overstated. The purpose of this tribute broadcast is to honor our Vietnam veterans and the role AFVN played in providing Americans a sense of home back in the States.
Marine Corporal Harry Simons (later Sergeant Harry Simons), using the on-air call sign "Your Brother", was stationed at both AFVN-Saigon and AFVN-Danang from 1967 - 1969. Mr. Simons, a life-long broadcaster, recently provided WEBY with many hours of original studio master tape recordings of his "Boss Radio" style rock and roll music programs. These programs that aired nearly 50 years ago have been provided for the purpose of sharing these historical broadcasts with his fellow veterans.
WEBY is compiling these time-capsule recordings into a special week-long commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and to honor our Vietnam veterans. It will air during the 2015 Veterans Day season. Authentic AFVN program recordings of Pat Sajak, Scott Manning, Joe Rowland, Allan Moore, and other radio personalities will also be featured.
Chris Noel, famed Hollywood actress, has joined our tribute broadcast allowing us to include her #1 rated Los Angeles-produced radio program through AFRTS that aired on AFVN. Chris often traveled to Vietnam under the USO umbrella to entertain the troops in areas considered too dangerous for the Bob Hope Show. A published author, Chris Noel speaks to her Vietnam experience in her best seller “Vietnam and Me”. In 1993, Chris Noel founded Vetsville Cease Fire House, a non-profit charity based in Boynton Beach, Florida. Its mission is dedicated to providing food, shelter and care for indigent military veterans. That mission continues today.
Exclusive interviews with “Donut Dollies” serving with the Red Cross in Vietnam bring to this broadcast a unique and mostly untold story of these brave young women who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the purpose of lifting the morale of American combat soldiers. These frontline civilians, The Donut
Dollies, also charmed the airwaves of the American Forces Vietnam Network with their own radio program which dedicated songs to wounded GIs they had visited in hospitals around the country.
Chickenman (Dick Orkin) has been inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Dick is the creator of the extraordinarily popular syndicated radio program “Chickenman.” He has contributed an interview and original episodes that will play a prominent role in the total AFVN broadcast experience. Chickenman was provided to AFVN by Mr. Orkin and aired from the AFVN Network flagship station in Saigon. It was heard throughout Vietnam. Chickenman is credited for maintaining sanity for many GIs.
WEBY will take Vietnam veterans and all listeners back in time as we broadcast the original AFVN programs. Combat correspondents’ interviews with ser vicemen are included. Interviews with veterans of the Vietnam War that have interesting stories about their service and AFVN Radio are included as well. Adding background and color to the broadcast, many of the program hosts (DJs) who proudly served in those very difficult circumstances have been interviewed to share their memories and experiences. Interviews with Mr. Simons will be interspersed throughout the broadcast as he shares the inside story of AFVN.
Americans in Vietnam were kept informed of the news at the top of every hour by dedicated military journalists who compiled newscasts from major American networks, wire services, and military sources. Of particular nostalgic interest as this documentary goes back in time are the AFVN newscasts which report in present tense such topics as former Vice-President Richard Nixon’s campaign for the presidency against Hubert Humphrey, airline hijackings to Cuba (on now defunct Eastern Airlines and National Airlines), the upcoming Apollo missions to the Moon, negotiations between the United Kingdom and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) concerning independence from colonial rule, and many more interesting stories.
The AFVN sports reports give football results for the Los Angeles Rams (now the St. Louis Rams), the St. Louis Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals), and the Baltimore Colts (now the Indianapolis Colts) . Major League Baseball coverage refers to the Washington Senators (now the Texas Rangers) and Mickey Mantle's announcement that he would retire from the New York Yankees. The broadcast features coverage of Arnold Palmer and Gary Player at the two-man team match play at the 1968 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship at Wentworth near London (now the Volvo World Match Play Championship). Additional sports reports cover the upcoming 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
Don Tracy 1980
Don Tracy has some music to start the weekend. It's a Thursday show from 1980 but the concept works...
Sunday, March 5, 2023
O Henry Playhouse 1965
By the 1960s not very much was being produced in radio drama, comedy or mystery. But it was being produced in England, Australia and South Africa. Many places didn't have television yet. AFRTS made it available.
The O Henry Playhouse was an Australian production from the Grace Gibson company. She was an American ex-pat that moved there in the 1930s and made Australian radio.
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Roger Carroll 1974
Roger Carroll and Hal Oiler at AFRTS
Time for the best sounds in town. Here's Roger with a 1987 visit
Wolfman Jack 1973
Summer in the city. The summer of 1973...Wolfman's back with more information about the Air Force . I remember these from when I was a kid....
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Roland Bynum 1981
Roland Bynum with the late Don Cornelius
The music was so good. Here's Roland Bynum cutting loose for the weekend. He was that good and brings the future to America through teaching.
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Paul A. Bottoms AFVN 1969
Paul enlisted in 1967, leaving his job at KEWI radio. A year later he was in Vietnam, where he stayed for two tours from July 1968 to June 1970. By volunteering for a second consecutive tour, Paul was able to cut five months off his service obligation.
He spent the first month at Chu Lai working in the information office, before being selected to visit the Saigon station in preparation for bringing television to AFVN's Detachment 7. Although on TDY, he did not leave Saigon again. He was assigned a six-hour night shift, including hosting the "Orient Express" show, which ran from 0100 to 0400 hours. Later, he did the "Dawnbuster" show, but with a pre-recorded version of the elongated "Good Morning, Vietnam" sign-on. For a time he was designated "Chief Announcer." He remained on TDY status for the entire two years, which meant that he had to return to Chu Lai for outprocessing when he rotated back home in June 1970. (Biography from macoi.net, be sure to visit).
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