Hapax Legomena

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A collection of unique found historical sound recordings. Acetate records, cassette tapes, reel-to-reel tapes, &c.

Brian L. Frye

  • Sep 12, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
  • infrequent NEW EPISODES
  • 16m AVG DURATION
  • 36 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from Hapax Legomena

Brian L. Frye Laughing

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2020 10:20


This is a looped & layered recording of Brian L. Frye laughing.

Campus Voices: Free Speech on College Campuses

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 29:24


My media law student Zach Epperson invited me to appear on his WRFL 88.1 fm Lexington radio show, Campus Voices, and talk about the First Amendment and free speech on college campuses.

Wakey! Wakey!, Letters Home

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2019 3:12


This is Wakey! Wakey! covering the Joei DBG song "Letters Home."

Tasha Cotter on Us, In Pieces (2019)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2019 22:29


In this episode, Tasha Cotter discusses her epistolary novel "Us, In Pieces" (2019), which she co-authored with Christopher Green, and which is published by Shadelandhouse Modern Press. This interview was originally broadcast on 88.1 fm WRFL Lexington, on July 30, 2019.

Phil Solomon Tribute Show, April 23, 2019

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2019 122:12


The filmmaker and scholar Phil Solomon died on April 20, 2019. On several occasions, I had asked him to come on my weekly radio show to share and talk about some of his favorite music, but had never managed to make it happen. On April 23, I dedicated my radio show to his memory, and played songs I knew he liked, songs others suggested, and songs that made me think of him.

National Automobile Dealers Association, "America's Automobile Man" (1977)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2019 10:20


In 1977, the National Automobile Dealers Association, a trade group for car dealers, released this promotional 7" record, extolling "America's Fifth Freedom: Freedom of Mobility." As the sleeve observes: "Americans know about the 'four freedoms' - freedom of speech, freedom to worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. But have you thought about what our life would be like without a fifth freedom - our freedom of mobility?" "As Americans, we have the freedom to go where we want, when we want and how we want." "That's pretty important, isn't it"?

Lilli Keen & Rev. Frank H. Stamps, Nailed To The Cross (1963)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2019 1:26


This is a home recording of the song "Nailed to the Cross," performed by Lilli Keen (guitar and vocals), recorded by Rev. Frank H. Stamps, in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 15, 1963. Recording provided by Tim Stamps

Tim Stamps, Ham Radio Recording (1975)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2019 5:05


"Here's a tape I recorded in 1975 from a Heathkit ham radio. A few minutes on a reel-to-reel tape." - Tim Stamps.

The Wrestling Album (1985)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2019 37:51


This LP was released in 1985 by the WWF and features most of the prominent professional wrestling stars and personalities of that era.

Marco, Voice of the Zodiac (1972)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2019 36:01


"This is small reel-to-reel tape my dad got from a radio station. He would get lots of tapes from radio stations and give them to me, then I would record over some of them, cut them up for tape-loops or whatever, but most of the time would leave the spots as-is. This is marked 'Marco' and 'demo,' most likely an astrologer sent this to radio stations for a series of these short 2-minute spots. This one is for December 25, 1972 - January 5, 1973." Via Tim Stamps

Kathie Stamps, [High School French Exercises] (c. 1970s)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2019 1:45


"Here's part of a tape from a French class at Somerset (KY) High School (1970s). There was a tape lab with several stations that had reel-to-reel tape recorders, connected to a master reel-to-reel tape player. A tape from a textbook company would be played on the main machine, which would feed to the recorders where students would sit with headphones and speak into a microphone. The voice would speak the French phrase, and students would repeat after, recording their voice onto a new reel-to-reel tape, which the teacher and student could review later. Somehow my sister, Kathie, was given the tape she had recorded (which I kept all these years), so her voice is heard here." Via Tim Stamps

Dr. Ian R. K. Paisley (August 1967)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2019 71:31


A sermon delivered by Dr. Ian R. K. Paisley, protestant activist-preacher of the Free Presbyterians of Northern Ireland in about August 1967. Paisley is introduced by Rev. Billy James Hargis. Via Tim Stamps.

The Many Faces of ALF, Melmac Rock (1988)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2019 2:57


In 1988, Burger King released a series of flexi-discs featuring the main character from the popular television show ALF as a promotional gift. They were acetate records mounted on cardboard, and featured several different songs. This disc features the song "Melmac Rock," named after ALF's putative "home planet." It is a surprisingly catchy post-punk anthem.

Kinney Shoes Back to School Jingle Contest (1960)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2019 2:47


In 1960, Kinney Shoes distributed copies of this acetate record on cardboard, encouraging customers to participate in its jingle contest for prizes.

Ellen Van Brimmer, Pepsi for Christmas (early 1940s)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2018 0:39


An acetate recording in which Ellen Van Brimmer recommends bringing a case of Pepsi-Cola as a gift to the hostess of a Christmas party. Provided by Tim Stamps

Vern Jassell, I Wish I Were Single Again (1941)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2018 1:56


An acetate recording of Vern Jassell singing "I Wish I Were Single Again" in 1941. Provided by Tim Stamps

Mrs. Atkinson & Mrs. Graner, "Stille Nacht" (1948)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2018 0:58


Mrs. Atkinson & Mrs. Graner sing "Stille Nacht," probably on December 26, 1948. Provided by Tim Stamps

The Atkinsons, "Silent Night, Holy Night," December 26, 1946

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2018 1:05


An acetate recording in which Mr. Atkinson (?) announces that Mrs. Atkinson and Mrs. Graner will sing "Silent Night, Holy Night," which they proceed to do, very poorly. Provided by Tim Stamps

Clemie & Mrs. Zileweski (1942)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2018 2:03


An acetate recording of a young woman interviewing a number of other women and men, presumably of Polish descent. Provided by Tim Stamps

Captain Video & the Video Ranger / Post Cereal (1942)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2018 0:28


An acetate recording of a boy announcing "Captain Video and the Video Ranger!" and "Eat Post cereal, it's good for you!" Provided by Tim Stamps

"Man on the Street," South Bend, Indiana (1948)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2018 1:34


An acetate recording of a skit in which a police officer stops a motorist for running a stop sign. The motorist's wife pleads for mercy, and the police office lets them go. The man playing the police officer has a strong Irish accent. Provided by Tim Stamps

WFBC-TV, Greenville, South Carolina, Winter 1956-57, ~12:50pm-1:35pm

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2018 44:17


In the winter of 1956-57, Jerry Stamps made an audio recording of three television programs broadcast by WFBC-TV, Channel 4, Greenville, South Carolina, between about 12:50 pm and 1:35pm in the afternoon. The first program is "This is the Life" (produced by the Lutheran Church and synod). The second is "This is the Answer" (Baptist). The third of "Dr. Christian." The third program also contains a commercial for an antiseptic. Provided by Tim Stamps

Ellen Van Brimmer - Crosley Home Recording (Xmas Carols)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2018 2:35


A Crosley Home Recording acetate disc of Ellen Van Brimmer singing Christmas carols. Provided by Tim Stamps

Stereo-Monophonic Test Record #1

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2018 12:29


Test record provided by Electronics World, formerly Radio & TV News.

Kindli Alphorn: Echo vom Wiss Meile / Alpenfrieden

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2018 2:32


Two spooky tracks of alphorn music from the album The Kindli Presents Swiss Folklore Music (~1960?). Both feature Joe Schmid on alphorn performing songs composed by Jo Juli, with yodeling in the background.

1970 Amway International Convention Highlights - Record 1, Side 2

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2018 30:54


Direct Distributor Success Stories: Olaf and Alice Tuhkahnen, Ruby Direct Distributors, Minnesota Fred and Jan Sanborn, Diamond Direct Distributors, California Paul and Anita Lee, Emerald Direct Distributors, Delaware

1970 Amway International Convention Highlights - Record 1, Side 1

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2018 29:24


Opening - Sung by the Sanborn Singers Direct Distributor Success Stories: Vince and Alice Gaffey, Diamond Direct Distributors, Illinois Larry and Janice Culkins, Emerald Direct Distributors, N.C.

Gerald Jaggers, "Unions, Dictators, and Ghandi" (May 18, 1938)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2018 7:45


Gerald Jaggers, a student in Dr. Sutherland's English 6 Public Speaking class at the University of Kentucky, discusses unions, the unique characteristics of different United States cities, and why he thinks Gandhi was a dictator and FDR is almost a dictator in 1938. Acetate record via Tim Stamps.

Jean Cummings, History of U.K.'s Guignol Theater (May 29, 1939)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2018 2:27


Jean Cummings, a student in Dr. Sutherland's English 6 Public Speaking class at the University of Kentucky, describes the history of the University of Kentucky's Guignol Theater in 1939. Acetate record via Tim Stamps.

Charles A. Moore, Why I Like For Girls to Wear Short Dresses (May 9, 1939)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2018 1:41


Charles A. Moore, a student in Dr. Sutherland's English 6 Public Speaking class at the University of Kentucky, explains why he prefers women to wear short dresses in 1939. Acetate record via Tim Stamps.

Elizabeth Farrar, Television (May 29, 1939)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2018 3:36


Elizabeth Farrar, a student in Dr. Sutherland's English 6 Public Speaking class at the University of Kentucky, describes television in 1939. Acetate record via Tim Stamps.

Joe Hodges, How Coal is Mined (May 29, 1939)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2018 8:25


Joe Hodges, a student in Dr. Sutherland's English 6 Public Speaking class at the University of Kentucky, describes coal mining in 1939. Acetate record via Tim Stamps.

Trosclair, "It Don't But One Night Before Christmas" & Selected Radio Commercials (1967)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2018 5:30


This is a complimentary 45rpm single distributed by Bergeron Plymouth in New Orleans, Louisiana. It features "Trosclair" (J.B. Kling Jr.), "The Voice of Bergeron Plymouth, reciting a "Cajun" interpretation of Clement Moore's popular Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." The flip side includes five commercials for Bergeron Plymouth. The "announcer" is Bill Stanley of WDSU, New Orleans.

Stuart Sherman on Charles Ludlam (August 10, 1989)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2018 49:10


An August 10, 1989 interview in which the artist Stuart A. Sherman (November 9, 1945 – September, 14 2001) remembers the actor, director, and playwright Charles Braun Ludlam (April 12, 1943 – May 28, 1987).

Thomas Bryant, Jr., The Hemp Industry in Kentucky (April 7, 1938)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2018 3:04


Thomas Bryant, Jr., a student in Dr. Sutherland's English 6 Public Speaking class at the University of Kentucky, describes the hemp industry in Kentucky as it existed in 1938. Acetate record via Tim Stamps.

A Poetry Reading by Robert B. Rudd (For Private Circulation Only) (1966)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2018 36:14


Robert B. Rudd graduated from Hamilton College in 1909, and became an English professor at Dartmouth College. This record was recorded in 1966 by James L. Hildebrand. You can hear the ice clinking in Rudd's glass as he reads & reminisces. The Pasture (Robert Frost) Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening The Prodigal Son (Rudyard Kipling) The Oxen (Thomas Hardy) The Donkey (Gilbert Keith Chesterton) Journey of the Magi (T.S. Eliot) The Magi (William Butler Yeats) "Hey Nonni No!" (Anonymous) English 9: Lecture on Chekhov (Rudd) Kubla Khan (Coleridge) Musee des Beaux Arts (W.H. Auden) So We'll Go No More A-Roving (Byron) Memorabilia (Robert Browning) They Are Not Long (Ernest Dowsen) Tarantella (Hilare Belloc) Sagesse (Paul Verlaine) Love Poem (John Frederick Nims) The Lucy Poems I (Wordsworth) To Lucasta, Going to the Wars (Lovelace) The Good-Morrow (John Donne) Heart, We Will Forget Him! (Dickenson)

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