Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Roger Carroll 1979

 


Roger Carroll and Los Angeles radio were the same thing. From 1948-58 at KABC and 1959-79 at Gene Autry's KMPC.

"KMPC was one of the most successful radio stations in the country, and had the lineup -- the most envied talent in the radio business," said Roger Carroll, who played records on KMPC. The key to their success, he said, was a rapport with the audience. "Everybody who listened to the station thought we were their friends."

Roger brought that sound to McCadden Av. and AFTRS. Part of the reason he related so well was that he was one of the few network personalities that were a veteran.

"I served two years active duty 1953-55 then 26 years doing my AFRTS show every Tuesday for five hours....my William Morris agents knew and told clients who wanted me to do their voice overs he is not available Tues 8a-1p doing his AFTRS shows many client who served in the military we will wait for him..."

Roger said it was very special "when parents of our guys in Viet Nam and around the world would call me at KMPC or write a letter, telling me their son wanted to thank me for doing the show that they hear on AFVN, FEN, AFN and all around the world."

Mr. Carroll's company was responsible for the recruiting shows done by Gene Price, Roland Bynum and himself heard every Sunday morning on hundreds of radio stations in the 70s and 80s


The theme was an edit of one of the KMPC jingles . Harry Zimmerman Orchestra.


Roger Carroll - 1979

More Roger Carroll

Monday, April 21, 2025

Mary Turner 1994

  


Mary lived large, incredible career and love her memories of Ft McCadden.
Let's rock!

Mary Turner 1994

More Mary Turner


Vance Graham 1974

   



We lost Vance Graham in 1984, his ashes were spread over the Pacific.
(a more complete version of the above is at http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=49068615  )

But now, from 1973, here's Victor and Latino!


Herman Griffith 1966

     

Herman with Jim Pewter and Roger Carroll


It's easy to see Herman Griffith as the voice of a community in 1966. There's a lot to his presentation that others refined and copied. Herman talks about Savings Bonds, with an interest rate very similar to today... Let's take a listen.

Herman Griffith 1966

More Herman Griffith

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

This is the story 1947

 


A few years ago I picked up a lot of these and am finally getting to the transfers.  Network did a great job explaining issues.  This time a dramatization about how hunger led to Mussolini.  



Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Andy Mansfield 1963

  


Here's part 3 of America's Popular Music, Andy Mansfield continues his tribute to Glenn Miller.



Tom Campbell 1978

    


After his service in the United States Air Force, Campbell landed his first radio gig at KEEL in Shreveport, Louisiana, thanks to Al Hart, who would later become a renowned newscaster and radio personality in San Francisco.

Campbell's career took him to Minneapolis, Minnesota at WDGY, and to WONE in Dayton, Ohio, before he settled at KYA 1260 AM in San Francisco in 1967. He was famously generous, often lending his personal phonograph, record collection, and even his car to listeners, with the understanding that they would return them, which they invariably did.

His home and car phone numbers (indeed, he had one of the rare car phones in 1967) were listed publicly in the white and yellow pages across the Bay Area, and he welcomed calls from listeners even at his residence.

Tom Campbell hosted two programs for us: "Tom Campbell Stateside" and the more album-focused "Playback." Tom generously shared a few boxes of these from his garage. I'm deeply appreciative. Now, it's time for "Playback."



Roland Bynum 1981

 


Roland's brought the party!

Let's revisit 1981 with some Soulin' with Roland!


BIll Stewart 1969

  


From 1969 here's Bill with guest Mort Garson, the writer of "Our Day Will Come", Mort did neat things with the early synthesizers.

Monday, April 14, 2025

Jim Pewter 1970

  

Jim Pewter in a 1967 promo picture at AFRTS 
(picture courtesy Jim Pewter)

Jim spent 30 years at AFRTS from 1966 through 1996, every show a painless education of rock.

Guenther recorded a bunch of these from AFN and it's some great listening.  Thank you Guenther and Jim!



Don Tracy 1983

  

East coast Don Tracy, way back when...

Let's get the party started with some Don Tracy fun!


Chris Noel 1967

 


It was a Wednesday, early in 1967.  Chris Noel was ready for your Date With Chris.



Sunday, April 13, 2025

SEN Pledge Drive 1969 Joe Ferguson

 


 


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!


SEN Pledge Drive 1969

More Joe Ferguson

John Doremus 1967

  




Music for the dinner hour from John Doremus.  After the run of the show John did many spots and short form shows that ran for years.


Gene Price 1975

  


Gene Price is back.  Time to board "The Country Express"



Friday, April 11, 2025

Ira Cook 1967

  



Time for some 1967 fun with KMPC vet Ira Cook.

Hear Ira every morning at 10am Central on www.mybestsounds.com

Ira Cook 1967

More Ira Cook

Mary Helen Barro 1983

 


Mary Helen Barro has another program of great Latin music...



Monday, April 7, 2025

Charlie Tuna 1985

 

Did you remember your Breakfast Serial?


Joe Allison 1965

 


Joe Allison was a singer, songwriter, producer and record executive.  He lived the music and and made it better.  AFRTS brought him worldwide. 



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.  



Roger Carroll 1981

 

Young RC...

Time for a 1981 visit with the best sounds in town.  Roger takes it uptempo today.  Good stuff...



Sunday, April 6, 2025

MaryTurner 1984

    


Time for another visit with Mary Turner, She started at the network in 1981 or so, bringing a new perspective.  It was rocking...

Mary checked in last time with good words about her AFRTS time. 


Friday, April 4, 2025

AFN Latin Tempo 1980

 


In the early 1980s Guenther recorded a lot of AFN off air.  Most of the time just the music but there are some neat breaks on these tapes.  I've heard from several Germans that really liked the latin shows.  There were some interesting similarities in the music.  Question for you, I've seen the local AFN Spanish show listed as Latin Tempo and Latin Tiempo (Time).  Do you remember?



Herman Griffith 1967

    



Herman with Jim Pewter and Roger Carroll

 Feeling brave? If you're young  or old Herman Griffith is here with the Records Caravan. Bold?  If you

Herman was at KGFJ in Los Angeles in the early 60s, was with us into the 1970s and not much else is known.



Andy Mansfield 1963

  


In 1963 the loss of Glenn Miller was still fresh.  Here's part two of Andy Mansfield's tribute.  He did a great job and talked with a lot of the people that knew Glenn.  




Tom Campbell 1971

   


Tom Campbell had an amazing focus.  He just sounds excited and like every last word is important. And it's not an act, he's excited about life,   He really could make reading the phone-book pop.  

Hear Tom every day at 11a Pacific, 2p Eastern on