Podcasts about kmpc

This week on the blog, a podcast interview with writer (and director and playwright and author and podcaster) Ken Levine about the business of writing and directing situation comedies.LINKSA Free Film Book for You: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cq23xyyt12Another Free Film Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/x3jn3emga6Fast, Cheap Film Website: https://www.fastcheapfilm.com/Ken Levine's Website: http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/Eli Marks Website: https://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Albert's Bridge Books Website: https://www.albertsbridgebooks.com/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BehindthePageTheEliMarksPodcastTRANSCRIPTWas being a writer always a goal?Ken Levine: I don't know if it was always a goal. It was something that I always did. Honestly, I did not get a lot of encouragement in high school. I was a cartoonist. I still am. And I was a cartoonist on the school newspaper. And I said, “Well, I also want to write. You know, can I cover sports or do a humor column or something?”And they said, “You're the cartoonist, just stick to cartoons.” And I said, “Well, I really want to write. And if you won't let me write, then I'm going to quit the paper.” And they said, “Then fine, quit the paper.” So, that's how much my cartoons were even valued. They called your bluff on that one, I guess. Ken Levine: They called my bluff, yeah.Just as a little tangent—just because I'm a big fan of your cartoons—did you have a couple of cartoonist heroes when you were growing up? Guys that you looked at and went, that's the kind of writing I want to do?Ken Levine: Well, my cartoonist heroes were more due to their cartooning than anything. Al Hirschfeld, who did the caricatures of the New York Times, was my god. And Mort Drucker would be another. Jack Davis. A lot of those Mad magazine guys. Originally, I wanted to be in radio. I mean, I really loved radio. And a lot of my comic influences early on were disc jockeys, you know. Bob and Ray and Dan Ingram and Dick Whittington. So, radio was a goal. I got out of college and became a Top 40-disc jockey.Let me back up. When I was in college, I got a job as an intern at KMPC in L.A. We're the big, full-service radio station. They had the Angels and the Rams and the Bruins and, you know, they were big music personalities. And their afternoon drive time jock was Gary Owens, who was on Laugh In at the time. You know, “From beautiful downtown Burbank.”And I would write comedy material for Gary, for him to use on the air. I never charged him for it. I mean, I was just so thrilled that someone of the caliber of Gary Owens would use my material on the radio. And one day I get a call to appear in George Schlatter's office. George Schlatter was the producer of Laugh In. And this is when Laugh In was getting 50 shares. And I'm like, what does George Schlatter want with me? So, I go to the meeting obviously. And apparently, unbeknownst to me, Gary submitted my comedy material to him. And George Schlatter offered me a job as a writer on Laugh In. And it's funny, we laughed about it because George is still around and he was a guest on my podcast, and I talked about this.And I said, “Can I do this part time or from home?” And he goes, “What? No, this is a job. You come to the office every day. We're paying you a lot of money to write the number one show in America.” And I said, “I would lose my 2S deferment and I would wind up drafted in Vietnam.” So I couldn't take it. I had to turn down Laugh In. So, I was almost a writer six years before I actually broke in.Okay. So how did you end up then meeting up with David Isaacs?Ken Levine: Like I said, I became a disc jockey out of college. My draft number was four. And like I said, I was at KMPC and one of our disc jockeys, Roger Carroll, was one of the main AFRTS disc jockeys. I shopped around looking, is there a decent reserve unit I could join that would keep me out of the army? And I saw that there was an armed forces radio reserve unit in LA. And through Roger, he helped pull some strings and got me in the unit. You know, it's like one of those things where you get a call saying, “Okay, there's an opening in the unit, but you got to go down to Torrance and sign up for it tomorrow.” And so, you don't have time to think, “Boy, do I want to risk this? Is there a way I can get a medical thing?” And it's six years. It's a six-year commitment. Go.So that's what I did. I got into that unit. And we were at summer camp three years later and somebody new to the unit was David Isaacs. And we met and started talking and we both kind of had desires to be writers. And when summer camp ended, I was at the time working as a disc jockey in San Bernardino. I got fired, which was a frequent occurrence. And I came back home to live with my parents in LA. I called David and I said, “Hey, remember me from the army? I want to try writing a script. You want to try writing it with me?” And he said, “Okay.” And so, we got together and decided to partner up and we wrote a pilot. But we didn't know anything. We had no clue what we were doing. And I had to literally go to a bookstore in Hollywood and on a remainder table were TV scripts. And so, for two dollars I bought a copy of an episode of The Odd Couple and looked at that.Oh, Interior Madison Apartment Day. That's what that is. This is the format, and this is how long they are. So, David and I wrote a pilot about two kids in college, which was the sum total of our life experience back then. We were both 23. And it didn't go anywhere, obviously, but we had a good time doing it. And we then learned the way to break in is to write spec scripts from existing shows.So that's what we did. And eventually we broke in. So, had you written anything with him before that or seen any of his writing? What was it that made you think this is the guy?Ken Levine: No, no. He just seemed like a funny guy. Neither of us had written anything. Neither of us had any writing samples for the other. No, we just sat down together and just tried doing it. It probably was a help that we were both starting from the same place, which was nowhere. You know, it's just kind of one of those happy accidents where you go on a blind date, and it turns out to be your wife.How many years did you guys write together?Ken Levine: Well, we're still writing together, if somebody would hire us. Fifty years.Congratulations. Ken Levine: October of 73 is when we started. And I'm trying to remember, was it The Tony Randall Show or The Jeffersons where you sold your first script? Ken Levine: The Jeffersons. And how did that happen? Ken Levine: Well, we had written a spec Mary Tyler Moore and a spec Rhoda, and another spec pilot. Which was better but didn't go anywhere.And one day my mom is playing golf with a guy who says he's the story editor of The Jeffersons, a new show that just came on. My mom says, “Oh, well, my son is a great young writer.” And he's like, “Oh Christ.” And he says, “All right, well just have him call me.” So, I called him, and the guy says, “You have a script?” And I said, “Yeah.” And he goes, “All right, send the script. If I like the script, we'll talk.” And I sent off our Mary Tyler Moore Show, and I got a letter back saying, “Oh, this is a really good script. Make an appointment, come on in and pitch stories.” And we pitched stories, and they bought one. And so that's how we got our assignment. Thinking back, is there one moment that you felt like was really pivotal that officially launched you guys? Ken Levine: Yeah, doing that first MASH episode. We had done The Jeffersons, we had done episodes of Joe and Sons, which was a terrible show on CBS. We had done some stories for Barney Miller, but Danny Arnold always cut us off before we got to script. We did a backup script for a pilot that didn't go. And then we got MASH And our first episode of MASH, which is the one where the gas heater blows up and Hawkeye is temporarily blind. And that script was like our golden ticket. It's a very memorable episode. Ken Levine: Oh, thank you. I remember it.I spoke with—I don't know if you know her—April Smith, and she said she learned everything she learned about writing in a room from Gene Reynolds. Where did you learn about writing in a room? Ken Levine: Well, I don't know about writing in a room from Gene, because we never worked in a room, really, with Gene. But, I learned more about storytelling, and more about story construction, from Gene Reynolds, than everybody else combined. I've been very lucky to have a lot of great mentors along the way, or to work with, you know, really talented writers and smart enough to just shut up and listen and learn from them. But if I had to pick one true mentor, it would be Gene Reynolds. I cannot say enough about Gene Reynolds. I owe my career to Gene Reynolds. What was his special gift? Ken Levine: First of all, he was very much a gentleman. So, when he would give you notes, if he didn't like a joke, he wouldn't go, “Jesus, guys, what the fuck?” He would go, “And, um, you might take another look at this. You might take another look at that joke.” Okay. Gene had a great story sense that was combined with a real humanity. It had to be more than just funny. It had to be grounded. There had to be, like I said, some humanity to it and the humanity and nice moments and things had to be earned. And he was very clever in constructing stories where things were set up and then got paid off in a somewhat surprising way. You know, look for inventive, different ways of finding a solution. It's why to me, storytelling is always so hard, because each time you tell a story, you want it to be different. You don't want to just keep retelling the same story over and over again. And Gene would look at a thing and go, “Is there a better way of conveying this? Is there something more interesting that Hawkeye could do once he learns this information?” You could give Gene an outline, and everyone can go, “Okay, well, this doesn't work.” Gene could go, “This doesn't work, and here's why. And here's how you can fix it. If Radar knows this, and then HotLips does this, then you could do a fun thing where it's a thing and…. And you're going like, man, he just, you know, just solved it. Just, just solved it. I thank him for that. He was very tough on story, which I took from him. And again, there's the humanity aspect of it, which normally you think, well, okay, that's just part of it. But when I see shows today—and I know I'm going to sound like an old guy, “get off my lawn”—but when I see shows today, like White Lotusand a lot of these other shows that are just mean spirited, where the laughs are coming from watching horrible people do horrible things to each other. And, look, comedy changes and, you know, society changes, et cetera. But to me, there has to be some heart to it. There has to be some, some humanity. And that was so drummed into me by Gene. Gene also talked about the value of research, which I have learned a lot.You know, you go off to write a project about whatever. You're going to do a pilot about the Department of Motor Vehicles. You sort of know a lot about the Department of Motor Vehicles. You've stood in the lines and everything. Gene would say, “Go there. Talk to those people. What is that job really like?What do they really do? And immerse yourself in that world.” And that's what I've always done since. Jim Brooks, who worked with Gene on Room 222, would say the same thing, that he learned the value of research from Gene. And when Jim Brooks did Broadcast News, he spent a tremendous amount of time in newsrooms, talking to those people, getting a sense of authenticity. It requires work, it requires a lot of extra legwork, but it makes the scripts richer and more authentic. And it's worth putting in the time and effort. I just had Michael Conley on as a guest on my podcast. And one of the things I asked him—he does the Bosch books and The Lincoln Lawyer and he's my favorite mystery writer—and I said, “So with all the detectives out there, what's so special about yours and your books?”And he said, “The authenticity.” He spent years on the crime beat at The Los Angeles Times and really got to know the inside working of the LAPD. There is an authenticity to his books that you don't get with a lot. It makes a difference. Research pays off. Okay, one more TV question. What inspired your move into directing? Ken Levine: I'd been a writer for many, many years. A lot of those years I was on staff of a show, and years when I wasn't on staff on a show—since I'm a good joke guy—I would get a job as a consultant on a show. Meaning, I would work one night a week, which was always rewrite night.What a great gig.Ken Levine: It was a great gig. You worked long hours, but it was a great gig. And at the time the pay was ridiculous. There was one season I was on four shows. So, I was working basically four nights till two, three o'clock in the morning. And it got to the point where I would go down to the stage and I would kind of dread going down to the stage, because all I was worried about was, “Okay, let this not be a train wreck. Okay, let this be in good shape, so that I can go home at 10 or 11 or 12.”And I thought to myself, “There's something wrong here. You get into the business, you should want to be on the stage.” So, I thought, be a director and be on the stage and play all day with the actors. And then when it comes time for rewriting, “Good luck guys. You go to the room and rewrite, and I'll go to a Laker game.” So that was my motivation. It should be fun. If you're in television and you're in multi-camera shows, you should look forward to going down to the stage. And if you don't, then it's time to change things around. So, that was my motivation. Did you feel like you had any advantages as a director because of your background in writing and your understanding of scene construction?Ken Levine: Yes. Number one: The writing served me very well. I was talking to Jim Burrows once, who is the Mozart of TV comedy directors.And I was asking him about shots and this and that. And he said, “Look, if the story works, you can have one camera and just shoot the master of the whole show and it'll work. And if the story doesn't work, you can have all the camera angles and cutting you want. It's not gonna save it.” So yes, it was a big help to me, having that experience, being able to say to the actors, “Okay, I see what's wrong here. You need help with the script. You need a few more lines before you can get this angry. Okay. The reason why you're having trouble here is you have to go from zero to 70 in two lines. And you need help here.”And I was also able—this is something Jimmy did and no other director I know of other than me would do the same thing—and that is, we would go back to the writer's room after the run through and I would sit with the guys while we discussed what was wrong and what needed to be fixed. And I would kind of help them along that line as much as I could, which proved to be very helpful.And also, it was very helpful because you go down to the stage the next morning and you have your table reading. And you're able to say to the cast, “Okay, this is what they did last night. These were the problems. This is how they addressed it.” And there were certain things where actors would go, “Where's my joke?” And you're able to say, “The script was long. It was not you. You did a good job with the joke. The script was really long. It's a joke that was easily liftable as opposed to something that was more integral to moving the story forward. That's why you lost the joke.” So, it helped in communication. Also, by that time I had been a showrunner. So, I was used to coming down to the stage, and if I saw something I didn't like—with blocking or something—I'd go, “Wait a minute, why is she here and she over there? This is a private conversation. Put them together. Why are they standing back there in the corner? Why did you put them at this table? The audience can't see them over here. You put them over here at this front table, and then we can have background and you can have some depth and geography.” And stuff like that.So, I have that aspect. I also spent a lot of time editing these shows. So, I would work with the editor, and I'd say, “Okay, go to the wide shot where we see the full costume.” And he goes, “We don't have it.” “Wait, what? It's a costume joke. He comes in dressed like Mr. Pickwick and you only have it up to here?” So, as a director, I go, “Okay, this is what I need to make this joke.” And also reaction shots are so important. You know, when the director is directing a multi camera show—which is like directing Rubik's cube—you have a camera coordinator who works with you, making sure that all the shots are rights. And so, he'll go down the script and it's like, “Okay, Kelsey's line. All right, we have Kelsey on camera A, and then his line we have on camera C, and then Roz we have here.” And he's making sure that everything is covered. But I also want reaction shots. They aren't in the script, but I know when Sam says this, you're going to want to cut to Diane's reaction to it. So, I had that going in my head.And also knowing like, “Okay, this show is running a little long. I suspect that they may cut this section of a scene.” So, when I block it and when I set my cameras, do it in such a way where you can make that lift. Don't have somebody cross the stage during that section, because then if you lift it, the guy pops onto the other side of the room. Don't just have a master, so that there's nothing to cut away to. So, there's like all kinds of things that are going through your head, besides just directing the actors, that my experience was able to help me with.Well, you said Rubik's Cube, and that's what it sounds like: a Rubik's Cube on stage. Ken Levine: You've got five, six people on stage, and you have four cameras. You want to get a master and singles and reaction shots, and two shots. And it's all happening fluidly while the scene is going on. And then when somebody moves around the couch, then the cameras have to move, and are you covered? And those guys are amazing, the camera people in LA, if you're nice to them. I remember there was an episode of Becker that I was directing, and it was in the diner. And somebody had to go way upstage in the corner to the coat rack. And so, as I'm camera blocking that scene. I'm saying, “All right, I'm going to have to do a pickup. Fred, I'm going to have to send you way up the line to give me Ted in the corner there.”And he said, “I can get there.” And I go, “Fred, you have like a line and a half, because I've got you on Reggie. And then they cut away to Bob saying, ‘I looked at my lunch pail and I didn't have anything.' That's all the time you got. You got three seconds to get up there and frame it and do it.”And he says, “I get it. I can get it for you.” And for them, that was kind of part of the fun, was sort of the challenge. If they like you. If they don't like you, good luck.

In the early 1980's my radio home was KMPC Radio in Los Angeles and it was my honor to lend my talents to the efforts of the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. It was at one of the annual Christmas parties for foster children that I had the pleasure of interviewing some of the stars who had come out for the event. In this episode, you'll hear my conversation with these very special celebrities, beginning with a very young, Melissa Gilbert. Next up, one of the most familiar voices in the history of television, Ed McMahon It's been said that being affectionately insulted by my next guest can be considered a badge of honor. I agree! Enjoy my conversation with Mr. Warmth, himself…Don Rickles My final guest conversation from 1980 is with the one and only, Cher! Merry Christmas!

Ken Levine's captivating career is a buffet of boyhood wish fulfillment. Ken became a disc jockey, a sitcom writer, a Major League Baseball announcer, a cartoonist, an author and a playwright. He's not done. New adventures include podcasting and standup comedy.Ken's book, The Me Generation by Me: Growing Up in the Sixties chronicles his journey through a Southern California childhood with adventures that include friendships with child stars, radio nerd penpals, appearances on The Dating Game, and a crush on Laura Petrie that inspired him to believe that comedy writing was the route to landing a hot wife. (Mission accomplished.) By age 19, Ken was a UCLA sophomore, interning at KMPC when Gary Owens sent his writing samples to George Schlatter who offered him a job on Laugh In! But Ken had to turn it down. Leaving college would have invited an immediate draft notice. Ultimately, ROTC and the National Guard prepared Ken and his partner David Isaacs to write a MASH spec script which led to jobs at The Jeffersons, The Tony Randall Show, MASH, Cheers, Frasier, The Simpsons and beyond.Ken shares with us his stories about all of these legendary shows, plus his foray into the world of MLB announcing, his cartooning, and his current podcast, Hollywood and Levine. And Ken comes to us straight from the WGA picket line so he is here to explain the standoff and help us all stand up for writers' rights and the future of writing.And Fritz and Weezy are recommending the filmReality, about Reality Winner on HBO Max and Jury Duty on Freevee.Path Points of Interest:The Me Generation by Me: Growing Up in the 60s Ken LevineHollywood and Levine PodcastKen Levine BlogKen Levin Author Page on AmazonKen Levine on FacebookKen Levine on InstagramReality on MaxJury Duty on Freevee

Founded by the American Actor Gene Autry, the Los Angeles Angles was one of the the first expansion clubs (the other being Washington). The first year they played at the Los Angeles Wrigley Field - home of the previous LA Angels who had played in the PCL league. Four years as tennants of the Dogers followed, before Angel Stadium was opened. The team may not be as storied or as rewarded as the original teams (for example, the Angles are one for one in World Series apperances, the sole apperance and victory coming in 2002), but the their heart has aleays been in baseball, the  And they've never forgotten their "26th man", the singing cowboy himself, Gene Autry. So let's go back to the beginning, and the first game of the Angles. They were on the road and visting Baltimore. Opening the season, and opening the history books, Eddie Yost steps up to swing the Angels bat for the very first time. Bob Kelly, with Don Wells and Steve Bailey, are on KMPC to take you through the game. You can find the boxscore here.  This game was played on April 11th, 1961. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

In Breaking Walls episode 136 we spotlight John Dehner and Have Gun, Will Travel. —————————— Highlights: • John Dehner's radio career • Norman MacDonnell and Palladin • The Radio Dial on Sunday November 23rd 1958 • A Matter of Ethics • Killer's Widow • The Lady Doctor • From Here To Boston • Looking Ahead to March —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today's episode was: • On the Air — By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — By Jim Ramsburg • Martin Grams' article on the origin of Have Gun Will Travel. —————————— On the interview front: • Harry Bartell, John Dehner, Lawrence Dobkin, and Jack Johnstone were with SPERDVAC. For more info, go to SPERDVAC.com. • William N. Robson was with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio. Hear these at Goldenage-WTIC.org. • Bill Conrad, John Dehner, Norman Macdonnell, John Meston and William N. Robson spoke to John Hickman for his Gunsmoke documentary. • John Dehner and Vic Perrin spoke to Neil Ross for KMPC in 1982. • Jack Kruschen and Shirley Mitchell were guests of Jim Bohannan in 1987. • Dennis Day spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear this full chat at speakingofradio.com —————————— Selected music featured in today's episode was: • Living In The Country and February Sea — By George Winston • Ghost Bus Tours — By George Fenton • It's Only Make Believe – By Conway Twitty • Loch Lomond — By Musica Intima • Danny Boy — By Dennis Day —————————— A special thank you to Ted Davenport, Jerry Haendiges, and Gordon Skene. For Ted go to RadioMemories.com, for Jerry, visit OTRSite.com, and for Gordon, please go to PastDaily.com. —————————— Thank you to: Tony Adams Steven Allmon Orson Orsen Chandler Phil Erickson Jessica Hanna Perri Harper Briana Isaac Thomas M. Joyce Ryan Kramer Earl Millard Gary Mollica Barry Nadler Christian Neuhaus Aimee Pavy Ray Shaw Filipe A Silva John Williams —————————— WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers

John Dehner was born John Forkum on November 23rd, 1915 in Staten Island, New York. His father Leroy was an artist. His career allowed John to attend school in Norway and France. John was also a gifted artist, and pianist. He studied at the Grand Central School of Art in New York, while simultaneously getting into acting. Forkum's talent took him west. He found animation work at Disney before landing a job at KMPC. At the radio station, John did everything from dramatic work to newscasting. He later earned a Peabody Award for his coverage of the first U.N. Conference. He spent the last half of World War II in the Army. After being honorably discharged, he returned to California. Now using his mother's maiden name, Dehner, hoped to act. Lawrence Dobkin remembered how difficult it was for an outsider to find Hollywood work. But Dehner had good timing. Thanks to William Paley's Packaged Program initiative, CBS was piloting dozens of shows. By 1948, he was a regular on the network, where a new crop of directors like Elliott Lewis and Norman MacDonnell were joining veterans like Bill Robson and Bill Spier. On August 1st, Dehner appeared on Escape in Bill Robson's production of “The Man Who Would Be King.” On April 11th, 1950 Dehner appeared in an episode of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe. It was noted because Bill Conrad subbed for star Gerald Mohr. The pair's relationship went back to their days at KMPC. By the early 1950s, Dehner had appeared on The NBC University Theater, The Screen Directors Playhouse, Escape, and The Whistler. Dehner became a regular on Gunsmoke after its 1952 debut. This is from the December 27th, 1952 episode called, “The Cabin.” Dehner spent the next six years playing a variety of parts on shows like Gunsmoke and Johnny Dollar. He was a toothless drunk, dashing leading man, vile psychopath, pillar of the community, and no nonsense anti-hero. In 1955 Gunsmoke's success led CBS and director Norman Macdonnell to launch a second adult western called Fort Laramie. John Dehner auditioned for the lead on July 25th, 1955. But he was worried about being typecast and Captain Lee Quince went to Raymund Burr. With no sponsorship Fort Laramie lasted only ten months before being canceled after the October 28th, 1956 episode. Gunsmoke remained CBS's only western until February of 1958 when Dehner was cast as J.B. Kendall in Antony Ellis' production of Frontier Gentleman. Kendall was an English journalist writing for the London Times, weaving his way through the Western territories of the US in the late nineteenth century. In the September 1st, 1958 issue of Broadcasting Magazine WCBS Radio in New York took out a local ad touting their station as having the city's most persuasive radio salesmen. They also hailed their star personalities like Jack Sterling, Lanny Ross, Jim Lowe, Martha Wright, and Galen Drake. More and more network programming was being left to local stations. William N. Robson remembered that time. Frontier Gentleman lasted nine months. In November, the network announced it was dropping several shows, including Nora Drake, Our Gal Sunday, Backstage Wife, The FBI in Peace and War, Indictment, The Galen Drake Show, City Hospital, and Frontier Gentleman.

In Breaking Walls episode 135 it's February of 1958 and CBS has just launched a new western, Luke Slaughter, of Tombstone. It's a forgotten sixteen episode gem. Five years earlier it might have been a hit. —————————— Highlights: • William N. Robson and The Hollywood Radio Western • Planning Luke Slaughter • Slaughter Launches • The Radio Dial on February 23rd, 1958 • Tracks Out of Tombstone • The End of Slaughter • Looking Ahead to Paladin —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today's episode was: • On the Air — By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — By Jim Ramsburg • “Luke Slaughter of Tombstone: The Man Too Tough To Die.” by Stewart Wright's for the April 2018 SPERDVAC RadioGram —————————— On the interview front: • Lilian Buyeff, Mary Jane Croft, John Dehner, Lawrence Dobkin, Sam Edwards and Jeanette Nolan were with SPERDVAC. For more info, go to SPERDVAC.com. • William N. Robson was with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio. Hear these at Goldenage-WTIC.org. • Norman Macdonnell, and William N. Robson spoke to John Hickman for his Gunsmoke documentary. • Roberta Bailey-Goodwin and E. Jack Neuman spoke with John Dunning for his 1980s 71KNUS Radio program from Denver. • Vic Perrin spoke to Neil Ross for KMPC in 1982. • Jack Kruschen and Shirley Mitchell were guests of Jim Bohannan in 1987. —————————— Selected music featured in today's episode was: • Pavane — By Steve Erquiaga • I'll Be Seeing You — By The Harry James Orchestra • Who Lives Up There — By Snuffy Walden —————————— A special thank you to Ted Davenport, Jerry Haendiges, and Gordon Skene. For Ted go to RadioMemories.com, for Jerry, visit OTRSite.com, and for Gordon, please go to PastDaily.com. —————————— Thank you to: Tony Adams Steven Allmon Orson Orsen Chandler Phil Erickson Jessica Hanna Perri Harper Briana Isaac Thomas M. Joyce Ryan Kramer Earl Millard Gary Mollica Barry Nadler Christian Neuhaus Aimee Pavy Ray Shaw Filipe A Silva John Williams —————————— WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers

From AFRTS archive blog: Bill Stewart was one of the KMPC talent that had the AFRTS gig. He was the Bill of the KMPC jingle..."Ira, Johnny, Bill and Dick!" Bill graced LA playing his mixture of Swing, jazz and MOR at several great stations. KMPC, 1951-59; KGIL, 1965-66; KRHM, 1966 and 1969; KGIL, 1973-75. For Armed Forces Radio he hosted "A Quarter Century of Swing." In 1969, the 30-year veteran was honored with a concert at the Palladium. For 20 years he did in-flight airline music programming. Bill died in 1993 of congestive heart failure. Bill Stewart, and a few other hosts, recorded and stored their shows at AFRTS-LA for four to six months prior to air. Bill Stewart never mentioned "it's the Monday edition" or "it's the Tuesday edition" the way Roger Carroll did for his series. Probably due to the inordinate delay in recording the Bill Stewart Shows. He just didn't know what day the show was to be aired. When Bill Stewart says "this song is a new release", it really isn't. . .it's four to six months old!

Mansfield's 898 episode of Turn Back the Clock for AFRTS. One of the first DJ music shows featuring a husband and wife team of Andy and Virginia Mansfield in "Turn Back The Clock" broadcast mostly on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service from 1948-61. It was the first "Music and Talk" radio show. Andy and Virginia Mansfield had been around radio for most of their lives. Virginia got her start as a dancer and wound up singing with acts like Paul Whiteman and Eddie Albert. She landed a job as a staff singer at WWW, Cincinatti, and eventually moved to Los Angeles to work on KHJ, KFI and KMPC.

Wink Martindale was a very close friend of Elvis. They met the very night Sam Phillips walked into that Memphis radio station with “That's All Right Mama” that catapulted Elvis Presley's stardom. Wink tells the story of that incredible night and how Memphis is the true city of rock and roll. Wink is the last survivor of the six people at the radio station that night. Now watch and listen to the rest of the story.    Wink Martindale's fascination with radio began during childhood. Classmates may have aspired to being doctors, firemen or policemen. Wink just wanted to be a radio announcer.    His former Sunday school teacher managed a 250 Watt radio station back in the day and he gave Wink his first on-air job at $25 a week.   His radio dream was fully realized in 1971 when he began a 12 year run as the midday personality on Gene Autry's flagship “Station of the Stars”, KMPC. Along the way there was his teen oriented “Dance Party” from Pacific Ocean Park, a gold record, the narrative “Deck of Cards”, an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, and 21 game shows that Wink either hosted or produced including “Trivial Pursuit”, “Can You Top This”, “High Rollers”, “Debt”, “Gambit”, and the long-running “Tic-Tac-Dough”.   Let's welcome the man, the icon, the legend without equal in the history of radio and television, the one and only Wink Martindale!

Wink Martindale was a very close friend of Elvis. They met the very night Sam Phillips walked into that Memphis radio station with “That's All Right Mama” that catapulted Elvis Presley's stardom. Wink tells the story of that incredible night and how Memphis is the true city of rock and roll. Wink is the last survivor of the six people at the radio station that night. Now watch and listen to the rest of the story.    Wink Martindale's fascination with radio began during childhood. Classmates may have aspired to being doctors, firemen or policemen. Wink just wanted to be a radio announcer.    His former Sunday school teacher managed a 250 Watt radio station back in the day and he gave Wink his first on-air job at $25 a week.   His radio dream was fully realized in 1971 when he began a 12 year run as the midday personality on Gene Autry's flagship “Station of the Stars”, KMPC. Along the way there was his teen oriented “Dance Party” from Pacific Ocean Park, a gold record, the narrative “Deck of Cards”, an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, and 21 game shows that Wink either hosted or produced including “Trivial Pursuit”, “Can You Top This”, “High Rollers”, “Debt”, “Gambit”, and the long-running “Tic-Tac-Dough”.   Let's welcome the man, the icon, the legend without equal in the history of radio and television, the one and only Wink Martindale!

In Breaking Walls episode 128 we wrap up our six month look at 1954 by ending in June with network cancellations. —————————— Highlights: • The State of Radio and The Union • The End of Escape with John Dehner • News with Frank Edwards on Mutual • Let's Pretend with Arnold Stang • Autolite Drops Suspense • Goodbye To Jack Benny (For Now) • What's At Stake in the Fall 1954 Midterm Elections • CBS Cancels The Lux Radio Theatre • The End of James Stewart's The Six Shooter • Looking Ahead to July and Roswell —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today's episode was: • On the Air — By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — by Jim Ramsburg • The Complete Escape and Suspense Logs — By Keith Scott As well as articles from: • Broadcasting Magazine • LIFE Magazine • Newsweek • Radio Guide —————————— On the interview front: • Parley Baer, Ken Carpenter, Elliott Lewis, and Paula Winslowe spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Herb Ellis, Virginia Gregg, Jack Johnstone, Elliott Lewis, and Herb Vigran spoke to SPERDVAC. For more info, go to SPERDVAC.com. • John Gibson, Elliott Lewis, Vincent Price, and Arnold Stang spoke to Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio. Hear these full interviews at Goldenage-WTIC.org. • John Dehner and Vic Perrin spoke with Neil Ross at KMPC. • Dennis Day spoke with John Dunning for 71KNUS. • Morton Fine was with Dan Haefele. • Orson Welles with Johnny Carson. • Jimmy Stewart with Larry King. • Jack Benny spoke with CBS. —————————— Selected music featured in today's episode was: • Living Without You and Too Much Between Us — By George Winston • The Last Rose of Summer — By Tom Waits • Seance on a Wet Afternoon — By John Barry —————————— A special thank you to Ted Davenport, Jerry Haendiges, and Gordon Skene. For Ted go to RadioMemories.com, for Jerry, visit OTRSite.com, and for Gordon, please go to PastDaily.com. —————————— Thank you to: Tony Adams Steven Allmon Orson Orsen Chandler Phil Erickson Jessica Hanna Perri Harper Briana Isaac Thomas M. Joyce Ryan Kramer Earl Millard Gary Mollica Barry Nadler Christian Neuhaus Aimee Pavy Ray Shaw Filipe A Silva —————————— WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers

Andy and Virginia Mansfield had been around radio for most of their lives. Virginia got her start as a dancer and wound up singing with acts like Paul Whiteman and Eddie Albert. She landed a job as a staff singer at WWW, Cincinatti, and eventually moved to Los Angeles to work on KHJ, KFI and KMPC. She worked in vaudeville with her husband Andy, and they were one of the first couples to perform together on television, appearing on the Mutual Don Lee Network in 1937. The couple is best remembered for NBC's Andy and Virginia and Turn Back the Clock over the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. Turn Back the Clock is thought to be one of the earliest programs to combine recorded music with spoken commentary. The program featured records, supposedly from the Mansfield's personal collection. (OTRcat.com)

Gary Bernard Altman was a disc jockey and voice actor. Like many radio personalities, he changed his name. Gary Owens was best known for his work on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. He was the announcer on the show and added totally off-the-wall recitations. We'll give you an example when I play some of his album “The Presidents” during this podcast. Gary started his career as a news reporter at KORN in Mitchell, South Dakota and moved to several stations before landing a job at KMPC in Los Angeles. Owens coined the phrase “Beautiful Downtown Burbank” which was used on Laugh-In and the Tonight Show.   

Ira Cook (1916–2007) Ira Cook. Composer, actor and Hollywood disc jockey, educated at Stanford University. His Los Angeles broadcasting career spanned 26 years, sixteen of which were at KMPC.

An episode from AFRTS. Ira Cook, Composer, actor and Hollywood disc jockey, educated at Stanford University. His Los Angeles broadcasting career spanned 26 years, sixteen of which were at KMPC.

 Conversation and music with jazz men Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. Bill was a middle-of-the-road DJ in LA playing his mixture of Swing, jazz and MOR at several great stations. KMPC, 1951-59; KGIL, 1965-66; KRHM, 1966 and 1969; KGIL, 1973-75. He transcribed many MOR hours for AFRTS.

Ira Cook, Actor: McCloud. Composer and Hollywood disc jockey, educated at Stanford University. His Los Angeles broadcasting career spanned 26 years, sixteen of which were at KMPC.

Time for a "Musical Bill Affair". Bill was one of the KMPC talents between 1951-59, later at KGIL and KRHM in Southern California. He was also a well known record producer. In 1969 he was honored with a concert at the Hollywood Palladium. Bill died in 1993 from congestive heart failure.

Bill was one of the KMPC talents between 1951-59, later at KGIL and KRHM. He was also a famous record producer. In 1969 he was honored with a concert at the Hollywood Palladium. He also did in flight music programming. We lost Bill in 1993 from congestive heart failure. (AFRTS ARCHIVE)

Bill Stewart of the Los Angeles radio station KMPC played a mix of Swing, jazz and MOR at several great stations. KMPC, 1951-59; KGIL, 1965-66; KRHM, 1966 and 1969; KGIL, 1973-75. For Armed Forces Radio he also hosted "A Quarter Century of Swing."

This episode of Pete Smith's easy listening Sketches In Sound aired in central Europe over AFRTS in December 1975. Pete Smith was part of the EZ listening tradition at AFRTS. He followed John Doremus, who followed Jim Ameche. He had quite a career in Los Angeles radio KNX; KDAY, 1956-58; KRKD, 1958-61; KNOB; KPOL; KMPC, 1961-88; KJQI/KOJY, 1993-95; KGIL, 1998. Pete was part of "Music of Your Life."

Ted Sobel joins host Jesse Cohen to talk about his new book, Touching Greatness. Sobel, a multi-Golden Mike Award winner, has covered, seen, and experienced some of the biggest moments in sports during his decades as a radio broadcaster on several of L.A.'s most historic stations, KFWB, KNX, and KMPC.

In Breaking Walls episode 121, we finish our Americana mini-series by coming home for November's festivities. We'll cheer for the home team, taste the best turkey dressing, and remember what's most important with some of radio's best. —————————— Highlights: • What Can We Be Thankful For? • Thanksgiving with The Answer Man and Radio's Origin • Ken Carpenter and One Man's Family • The Columbia Workshop Relaunches • Hearts in Harmony • Damon Runyon's Football Homecoming • John Brown's Communist Troubles • Thanksgiving with Miss Brooks • Bob Bailey and Let George Do It • Thanksgiving with Ozzie and Harriet • Checking in With Bob and Ray • Have Gun Will Travel • Ending with Jean Shepherd • Looking ahead to December —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today's episode was: • On the Air - By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — By Jim Ramsburg —————————— On the interview front: • Eve Arden, Ken Carpenter, Norman Corwin, Gale Gordon, Virginia Gregg, Gloria McMillan, Carlton E. Morse and Janet Waldo spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Eve Arden, Roberta Bailey-Goodwin and Dick Joy, spoke with John Dunning for his 71KNUS program from Denver. • John Dehner spoke to SPERDVAC. For more information, go to SPERDVAC.com. • John Dehner also spoke with Neil Ross for KMPC and John Hickman of WAMU. • Ozzie Nelson spoke with Johnny Carson and James Day. • Frank Stanton spoke with CBS for their 50th Anniversary in 1977 • William Paley spoke while receiving an award on November 20th, 1958. —————————— Selected music featured in today's episode was: • Thanksgiving and Joy — By George Winston • The Holly and the Ivy — By Velvet & Voices • Simple Gifts, Pachelbel's Canon, and Autumn Stars — By Michael Silverman • The Pavane — By Steve Erquiaga —————————— Special thanks to: The Fireside Mystery Theatre https://www.firesidemysterytheatre.com/ The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society https://www.ghoulishdelights.com/ Twelve Chimes, It's Midnight https://www.twelvechimesradio.com/ —————————— Subscribe to Burning Gotham—the new audio drama set in 1835 New York City. It's available everywhere you get your podcasts and at BurningGotham.com. —————————— A special thank you to Ted Davenport, Jerry Haendiges, and Gordon Skene. For Ted go to RadioMemories.com, for Jerry, visit OTRSite.com, and for Gordon, please go to PastDaily.com. —————————— Thank you to: Tony Adams Steven Allmon Orson Orsen Chandler Phil Erickson Briana Isaac Thomas M. Joyce Ryan Kramer Gary Mollica Barry Nadler Christian Neuhaus Aimee Pavy Chris Pilkington —————————— WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers

One of the first DJ music shows featuring a husband and wife team of Andy and Virginia Mansfield in "Turn Back The Clock" broadcast mostly on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service from 1948-61. It was the first "Music and Talk" radio show. OTRCAT.COM relates: Andy and Virginia Mansfield had been around radio for most of their lives. Virginia got her start as a dancer. She landed a job as a staff singer at an Ohio radio station, and eventually moved to Los Angeles to work on KHJ, KFI and KMPC. She worked in vaudeville with her husband Andy, and they were one of the first couples to perform together on television, appearing on the Mutual Don Lee Network in 1937. The couple is best remembered for NBC's Andy and Virginia and Turn Back the Clock over the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

In Breaking Walls episode 119 we continue our Americana mini-series by bringing our appetites to the diner. We'll hear stories from some of radio's best and center ourselves around shows taking place in establishments. —————————— Highlights: • What Exactly is a Diner? • Lux Presents Hollywood • Suspense At the End of World War II • The Diner After World War II • Bill Conrad, Burt Lancaster, and The Killers • ABC Takes Friday Nights With This Is Your FBI • Frank Sinatra and His Rocky Fortune • Going Back to Gunsmoke • James Earl Jones and Theater Five —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today's episode was: • On the Air - By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — By Jim Ramsburg As well as: • From Hash House to Family Restaurant: The Transformation of the Diner and Post-World War II Consumer Culture — By Andrew Hurley from The March 1997 Journal of American History. And other articles from: • Paste Magazine • Smithsonian Magazine —————————— On the interview front: • Parley Baer, Conrad Binyon, Norman Corwin, and Lurene Tuttle spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Parley Baer, Jerry Devine, Lawrence Dobkin, Fred Foy, and Bob Maxwell, were with SPERDVAC. For more information, go to SPERDVAC.com. • William Spier spoke with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio. Hear this full interview at Goldenage-WTIC.org. • John Dehner was with Neil Ross for KMPC. • Frank Sinatra spoke with Arlene Francis, Walter Cronkite, and Larry King. • William Conrad with Chris Lambesis. • Norman Macdonnell with John Hickman of WAMU for his Gunsmoke documentary. —————————— Selected music featured in today's episode was: • Theme From A Summer Place — By Percy Faith • I've Got The World on a String and Why Try To Change Me Now — By Frank Sinatra • The Venice Dreamer Pt1 and 2 — By George Winston • Across the Alley from the Alamo — By The Mills Brothers —————————— Special thanks to: Terror on the Air https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbviBTC1CamzamykVCqN0A https://soundcloud.com/terrorontheair https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/terror-on-the-air/id1477581905 https://open.spotify.com/show/63o0AY4Zhv5hQsjGVbMbLk?si=YN_vUk3yTgqvOw73u59BtQ The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society https://www.ghoulishdelights.com/ Twelve Chimes, It's Midnight https://www.twelvechimesradio.com/ —————————— Subscribe to Burning Gotham—the new audio drama set in 1835 New York City. It's available everywhere you get your podcasts and at BurningGotham.com. —————————— A special thank you to Ted Davenport, Jerry Haendiges, and Gordon Skene. For Ted go to RadioMemories.com, for Jerry, visit OTRSite.com, and for Gordon, please go to PastDaily.com. —————————— Thank you to: Tony Adams Steven Allmon Orson Orsen Chandler Phil Erickson Briana Isaac Thomas M. Joyce Ryan Kramer Gary Mollica Barry Nadler Christian Neuhaus Aimee Pavy Chris Pilkington —————————— WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers

In Breaking Walls episode 118 we hit the road with part one of an Americana mini-series. We'll gas up with some of radio's best and examine shows taking place at America's filling stations. —————————— Highlights: • Al Hodge and The Green Hornet • Getting a Checkup at Doctor Christian's • Lux Presents: They Drive By Night with Lana Turner and Lucille Ball • Orson Welles and The Hitchhiker • ABC competes with NBC and CBS • Dragnet leads to The Lineup • Stacey Keach and The Last Tales of the Texas Rangers • The Gas Crisis and the CBS Radio Mystery Theater —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today's episode was: • On the Air - By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings — by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from • The Association For Convenience and Fuel Retailing • Family Tree Magazine • NationalParkService.Org • Newsweek • The Smithsonian Magazine —————————— On the interview front: • Virginia Gregg and Lurene Tuttle spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Himan Brown, Larry Haines, Vincent Price, and Rudy Vallée spoke with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio. Hear these full interviews at Goldenage-WTIC.org. • Herb Ellis, Byron Kane, Stacy Keach Sr, and Herb Vigran were with SPERDVAC. For more information, go to SPERDVAC.com. • Bing Crosby and John Scott Trotter spoke with Same Time, Same Station. • Lucille Ball was with both Dick Cavett and Joan Rivers. • Orson Welles with Johnny Carson. • Al Hodge with Richard Lamparski. • Vic Perrin with Neill Ross for KMPC. • Joel McCrae was interviewed by Al Greenberg for Orco Development. —————————— Selected music featured in today's episode was: • Route 66 — By Nat King Cole • Deep Night — By Rudy Vallée • The Klezmer's Wedding — By Andre Moisan • Living Without You — By George Winston • Fly Me To The Moon — By Julie London —————————— Special thanks to: The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society https://www.ghoulishdelights.com/ The Fireside Mystery Theatre https://www.firesidemysterytheatre.com/ Twelve Chimes, It's Midnight https://www.twelvechimesradio.com/ —————————— Subscribe to Burning Gotham—the new audio drama set in 1835 New York City. It's available everywhere you get your podcasts and at BurningGotham.com. —————————— A special thank you to Ted Davenport, Jerry Haendiges, and Gordon Skene. For Ted go to RadioMemories.com, for Jerry, visit OTRSite.com, and for Gordon, please go to PastDaily.com. —————————— Thank you to: Tony Adams Steven Allmon Orson Orsen Chandler Phil Erickson Briana Isaac Thomas M. Joyce Ryan Kramer Gary Mollica Barry Nadler Christian Neuhaus Aimee Pavy Chris Pilkington —————————— WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers

Aron Bender talks with Southern California sports journalism icon Ted Sobel. He's worked for KNX, KFWB and KMPC, among others. Ted's covered every major sporting event you can think of, and met all kinds of superstars. He tells great stories in his new book, “Touching Greatness: Tales from the Front Row with Heroes and Legends.” And he tells great stories in this episode! We talk a lot about Kobe Bryant, Ted's boyhood idol Elgin Baylor, and why Eli Manning and David Tyree tracked him down after their improbable Super Bowl win. Ted's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Touching-Greatness-Ted-Sobel/dp/1606795430 Watch Ted's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1e5QqaDlpvM ••• Connect with Aron Bender at www.aronbender.com You can now watch The Aron Bender Podcast streaming nightly at 11 on DB&A TV at www.DBandAtelevision.TV or search for DB&A TV on Amazon Fire, Roku or Apple TV. ••• The Aron Bender Podcast on Apple: https://apple.co/385hLYP The Aron Bender Podcast on Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/328DcEF The Aron Bender Podcast on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uI9L8W The Aron Bender Podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAronBenderPodcast ••• Connect with Ted Sobel: https://www.instagram.com/tedsobelsports/ https://twitter.com/tedsobelsports https://touchinggreatness.com/ https://sportsusamedia.com/broadcasters/ ••• Music provided by: MOKKA / Calm Piano Ambient https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDiTKN0TxYU

In 1982, John Dehner was an in-studio guest of Neil Ross' at KMPC for a conversation about his acting career. During the course of the chat, Dehner explained how be became an actor.

Melendrez was born in Silver City, New Mexico. Twice named Billboard Magazine's "Radio Personality of the Year", he is included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of the Top 100 Radio Personalities of All Time. In 2004 he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. In the late 1960's, Melendrez was a DJ at KINT A.M. in El Paso, Texas. This was before the advent of KINT FM in the early 1970's. In the 1970s, he guest hosted American Top 40 on several occasions and entertained on radio at KIIS, KMPC, KFI, KMGG and KRLA in Los Angeles. He hosted the children's series You and Me Kid, on the Disney Channel in 1983-90. In 1985, he returned to San Antonio, hosting morning drive radio shows on KTFM 1985-1997, KSMG 1997-2001, KLUP 2001-2003 and KAHL 2003-2005. In 1997, the City of San Antonio named the Melendrez Community Center located on the city's West Side in his honor for his support of Parks and Recreation youth programs. In 2005 he became a motivational keynote speaker, delivering presentations nationally and worldwide. " Melendrez is the voice of several characters in the cartoon show "The Jetsons;" he "created many of the sounds heard in the Gremlins movie; was the bug who yelled 'Oh, no! It's Raaaaaaid!' in the popular TV commercial; played opposite Walter Mathau as the voice of Bob Cratchet in the animated TV classic, 'The Stingiest Man in Town'; and was even the voice of the infamous Fred the Cockatoo in the 70"s NBC TV series, Baretta." https://youtu.be/caippX2-bHo Feed: http://sonnymelendrez.libsyn.com/rss #sonnyradio, #sonnymelendrez, #sonnyradio.com sonny@sonnymelendrez.com  

In Breaking Walls episode 114, as America moves to the suburbs in the mid-1950s, we move with them and examine a radio western called Fort Laramie. Although it only aired for ten months, it’s one of the most critically acclaimed western shows the genre ever produced. —————————— Highlights: • The Network Radio Landscape in 1956 • Norman MacDonnell loses Gunsmoke’s TV Production • Who Is William Raymond Stacy Burr and What Has He Really Done? • Launching Fort Laramie • Easter Sunday, 1956 • Lost Child • The Birth of Rock and Roll • Jeanette Nolan’s Stagecoach Stop • The New Recruit • Fort Laramie Dies, Gunsmoke Lives On • Looking Ahead to the CBS Radio Workshop —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: • On the Air — By John Dunning • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — By Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from • Broadcasting Magazine • The Los Angeles Times —————————— On the interview front: • Eve Arden, Dick Beals, Edgar Bergen and Shirley Mitchell, spoke to Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chats at SpeakingOfRadio.com. • Harry Bartell, Lilian Buyeff, Lawrence Dobkin, Lou Krugman, Jeanette Nolan, and Vic Perrin were with SPERDVAC. For more information, go to SPERDVAC.com. • John Dehner, John Dunkel, Norman MacDonnell and John Meston were with John Hickman for his History of Gunsmoke documentary. • John Dehner and Vic Perrin were with Neill Ross for KMPC. • Jack Kruschen and Shirley Mitchell were with Jim Bohannon. • Raymond Burr was with Jack Webster. —————————— Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Don’t Fence Me In — By Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters • February Sea — By George Winston • Heartbreak Hotel — By Elvis Presley • Seance on a West Afternoon — By John Barry —————————— Special thanks to: The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society https://www.ghoulishdelights.com/series/themorls/ The Veiled West from https://www.shaebwrites.com/the-veiled-monarch The Fireside Mystery Theatre https://www.firesidemysterytheatre.com/ —————————— Subscribe to Burning Gotham—the new audio drama set in 1835 New York City. It’s available everywhere you get your podcasts and at BurningGotham.com. —————————— A special thank you to Ted Davenport and Jerry Haendiges: two radio show collectors who helped supply material for this episode. They’re who the large retailers go to. Ted’s got a Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/otrteddavenport/ For Jerry, please visit http://otrsite.com/ The Clip from Camel’s Rock N Roll dance party comes courtesy of Gordon Skene and his extensive sound collection. Please find out more at PastDaily.com. I’d also like to thank Walden Hughes and John and Larry Gassman of SPERDVAC - http://sperdvac.com/ —————————— Thank you to: Tony Adams Steven Allmon Orson Orsen Chandler Briana Isaac Thomas M. Joyce Ryan Kramer Gary Mollica Barry Nadler Christian Neuhaus Aimee Pavy —————————— WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers

In 1982 Vic Perrin was a guest of Neil Ross' for his KMPC radio show for a conversation about Vic's life and career. During the course of the conversation, Mr. Perrin recounted a funny story about a writer who was still writing his script while the show was being performed on the air.

#528 - DJ Jim Ladd The DJ Jim Ladd interview is featured on The Paul Leslie Hour. This interview with DJ Jim Ladd was to document the launch of the official Elliot Mintz website: www.elliotmintz.com DJ Jim Ladd strikes a chord with the attuned ear. He has the ability to use songs like a painter uses a palette and the time he is on the air is a canvas. His perception isn't the product of a commercial routine but a deep and abiding conviction for relaying quality music to his audience. He knows, instinctively, the sound of powerful music. The times in which we live may be constrained to a commercial setlist but D.J. Jim Ladd will not and never has allowed himself to be narrowed to the sound of convention. He plays music from throughout the rock and roll landscape. DJ Jim Ladd has inhabited the radio airwaves since 1969, first heard on KNAC and later heard on FM stations like KLOS, KMET and KMPC. Ladd is one of the last champions of freeform radio and the idea that radio is for the listener. He has slipped the noose of an ever tightening terrestrial radio and is now heard on Sirius XM by those that seek liberated radio, today. DJ Jim Ladd has interviewed many noteworthy people including John Lennon, Jackson Browne, Roger Waters, Stephen Stills, George Harrison and a great many others including Elliot Minz on several occasions throughout the years. Ladd says he learned the art of interviewing in part from Elliot Mintz. The filmed interview entitled “Mintz on Mintz” can be found on elliotmintz.com. It was conducted by Ladd in Elliot's home. It is an in-depth examination of all things Mintz. Don't touch that dial, DJ Jim Ladd is up next. The Paul Leslie Hour is a talk show dedicated to “Helping People Tell Their Stories.” Some of the most iconic people of all time drop in to chat. Frequent topics include Arts, Entertainment and Culture.

In 1982, John Dehner was an in-studio guest of Neil Ross' at KMPC for a conversation about his acting career. During the course of the chat, Dehner shed some light on oncoming stereo audio in the late 1950s and early 1960s just as radio drama petered out on the major US networks.

On May 5th, 1982, actor Vic Perrin was a guest of Neil Ross' for his KMPC program. During the course of the interview, which touched on many subjects, the conversation turned to Barton Yarborough, who passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack in December of 1951 right as his own fame was cresting.

Jared Tims brings on former KMPC Exec, Stan Spero, grandson Ken Schneider to talk Angels Baseball, Gene Autry, and so much more!

Wink Martindale's career spans six decades. His first TV series was the WHBQ-TV children's show Wink Martindale of the Mars Patrol. As a Memphis deejay and host of the TV show Teenage Dance Party, he is credited for giving Elvis Presley his first major break. He's best known as a game show host ("Tic Tac Dough", "Trivial Pursuit") and television producer (Vancouver-based "Second Honeymoon"). Wink and I met in Nashville in 2001 at Brenda Lee's induction into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. When the Red Robinson Show Theatre opened in 2006, Wink and his wife Sandy were honoured guests. That same year he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Wink and Sandy joined us at Vancouver's Pacific National Exhibition in 2008 for our annual Salute to Elvis. The PNE fairgoers appreciated Wink and so do I. He was kind enough to guest on my final radio show on CISL/Vancouver in 2017. He is a very special man. I recently told him "Wink, except for the outfit, you really haven't changed that much since the early days in Memphis." (Photo: Special Collections, University of Memphis Libraries) In this interview, Wink tells Terry where he got his unusual name; the success of "Tic Tac Dough", "Gambit" and other TV game shows; his foray into the restaurant business; why he hasn't pursued an acting career; the resurgence of "standards" on radio and the "Music Of Your Life" format on KMPC as contemporary artists cover the classics; what's new in his career. Recorded in 1984 in Los Angeles.

In Breaking Walls episode 101, we spotlight the career of John Dehner during 1958. In February of that year, Dehner was cast in the title role of J.B. Kendall in Antony Ellis’ short-lived western, Frontier Gentleman. We’ll focus on four episodes of the series which had a recurring character named Belle Siddons, a beautiful gambler and ex-Confederate spy. Although Frontier Gentleman only aired for nine months, it has left a lasting impression on listeners in the years since. —————————— Highlights: • John Dehner: Artist and Disney Animator • How John Dehner Got Into Radio • Breaking Into the Inner Circle of CBS West-Coast Character Actors • Television Usurps Radio Drama in the 1950s • How Gunsmoke Influenced the Western Drama • Antony Ellis • CBS Radio Turns a Profit in 1957 • Frontier Gentleman Is Launched • The Radio Landscape in February of 1958 • The Travels of J.B. Kendall • Who Is Belle Siddons? • Love and Honor • Have Gun Will Travel Replaces Frontier Gentleman • Radio Drama Dies • Looking Ahead to the Return of Johnny Dollar —————————— The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers —————————— The reading material used in today’s episode was: • On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio - by John Dunning • Radio Rides The Range: A Reference Guide to Western Drama on the Air, 1929 - 1967 by Jack French and David S. Siegel • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-1953 - by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from: • U.S. Radio, 2/1958, and Broadcasting Magazine 2/101958, and 12/8/1958 —————————— On the interview front: • Harry Bartell, Lilian Buyeff, John Dehner, Lawrence Dobkin, Sam Edwards, Virginia Gregg, Jack Johnstone, and Vic Perrin were with SPERDVAC, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety, and Comedy. For more information, please go to SPERDVAC.com • Virginia Gregg was also with Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chat at SpeakingofRadio.com. • William Conrad, John Dehner, Norman Macdonnell, and William N. Robson were with John Hickman. Mr. Hickman was the longtime host of WAMU’s Recollections. Today, this program is heard each Sunday evening as The Big Broadcast. For more information, please go to WAMU.org • John Dehner and Vic Perrin were also heard with Neil Ross for KMPC in 1982. • Vincent Price and William N Robson were with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. These interviews can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org. • And Roberta Goodwin was with John Dunning for his 71KNUS program from Denver on February 7th, 1982. —————————— Selected Music featured in today’s episode was: • Hog of The Forsaken - By Michael Hurley • Ghost Bus Tours - By George Fenton for High Spirits • Sligo Creek - By Al Petteway and Debi Smith for Ken Burns’ The National Parks—America’s Best Idea • Get a Job - By The Silhouettes • Someone to Watch Over Me - By Rosemary Squires & The Ken Thorne Orchestra • Young at Heart - By Frank Sinatra • Guess Things Happen That Way - By Johnny Cash —————————— Special thanks to our sponsors! The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society https://www.ghoulishdelights.com/series/themorls/ The Mutual Audio Network https://www.mutualaudionetwork.com/ Hey It’s Jali Entertainment https://www.heyitsjali.com/ —————————— A Special Thank you to: Tony Adams Ryan Kramer Barry Nadler Christian Neuhaus Aimee Pavy Terry Wallace —————————— WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers URL - thewallbreakers.com

WDJO, KMPC, Oldies radio

Sonny Melendrez was born to inspire.Motivating others has always been an important element in the life of this dynamic radio and television personality, author and inspirational speaker.Twice named Billboard Magazine‘s “National Radio Personality of the Year,” his enthusiasm for life is evident as host of local and national radio and television programs. He was presented the National Hispanic Radio Personality of the Year Award by Ricardo Montalban, then president of the National Nosotros Organization. In 2003, he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall Of Fame and is included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of the Top 100 Radio Personalities of All-Time.Melendrez has served as program director and hosted at some of America’s greatest radio stations, including KIIS, KMPC, KFI, KMGG, and KRLA in Los Angeles and KTSA,KTFM, KSMG, and KLUP in San Antonio. Under his leadership, these stations enjoyed stellar ratings and received countless awards for public service. His weekly radio show features the inspiring stories of celebrity guests from the world of entertainment.Blessed with multiple talents, Sonny is equally at home as a TV host, actor, radio personality, writer, commercial spokesman, motivational speaker, or voice artist. He has served as TV and radio spokesperson for companies like Disney, Pepsi, McDonald’s, Sears and Sprint.As a motivational speaker and master of ceremonies, he has presented at such prestigious events as the White House Hispanic Heritage Awards (7 times); the National “Just Say No To Drugs” Rally at the Washington Monument; and the USO 50th Anniversary Gala at the Ambassador’s Palace in Paris, France with guest of honor, the late Princess Grace of Monaco.As host of the award-winning children’s television series, “You and Me, Kid!” on the Disney Channel, Sonny enjoyed one of the longest runs in the network’s history. He was named Inc. Magazine’s “Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year,” awarded the “Marketing Philanthropist Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Sales and Marketing Executives of San Antonio and named Alignable’s 2017 San Antonio Small Business Person of the Year.As the Los Angeles commissioner of the United Nation’s Year of the Child, Melendrez was invited to Washington, D.C. to present his idea for a national children’s holiday. Sunshine Day was officially proclaimed and celebrated in all 50 states on August 19th of that year, encouraging parents to spend the day, with their children, giving them what they most want and need: time and love.The City of San Antonio named the Sonny Melendrez Community Center located on the city’s West Side in his honor as way to say “thank you” for his community involvement, benefiting disadvantaged youth and families, including over 1400 motivational school presentations. President Ronald Reagan commended Sonny for his efforts in the war on drugs and he received the National Director’s Community Leadership Award by FBI Director, William S. Sessions. The Department of Justice lauded him with the prestigious “Modern Hero Award” for his efforts to inspire the nation’s youth to “Soar In School”. In recognition of raising tens of thousands of dollars for youth scholarships, he was named “El Rey Feo” (The People’s King) and presided over San Antonio’s annual weeklong Fiesta celebration.Programs that benefit children have always been a priority for Sonny Melendrez. One of the projects of which he is most proud is The Children of the World Project, giving talented youth and countless volunteers a way to give back by recording the children’s version of “We Are The World,” which he created in Los Angeles in 1985. Over 1500 children participated in the recording and video and proceeds from record sales benefited USA for Africa. Sonny received a Grammy nomination for “Best Children’s Recording.”As a public servant, he’s played a major role in countless city, county and state projects in the past 25 years, including his service as Bexar County Chairman of the 2010 Census.A man of a thousand voices, he provided the voices of several characters in Hanna-Barbera’s “Jetsons” cartoon series; created many of the sounds heard in the Gremlins Movie; played opposite Walter Mathau as the voice of Bob Cratchet in the animated TV classic, “The Stingiest Man in Town“; and was even the voice of the infamous Fred the Cockatoo in the 70”s NBC TV series, Baretta. He was chosen from a field of over 140,000 as the new voice of the Parkay Margarine Talking Tub, and recently, after a nationwide search, Sonny was picked as voice of Jerry Seinfeld for a campaign promoting the Bee Movie Game for ActiVision.Conferences, companies, colleges, universities, school districts, and groups of all types have been inspired by Sonny’s captivating motivational presentations. His topics are designed to fire up companies, teachers, students, and parents to get involved and make a difference in the world around them, while delivering above-and-beyond service.In his popular book, “The Art of Living with Enthusiasm!”, Sonny presents the benefits to be found in positive living through personal and powerful stories of encouragement, comfort, and joy.https://sonnymelendrez.com/For more interviews visit: www.iamrefocusedradio.comSponsors:Rockafellas Barber Shop San AntonioRico Rodriguez (Owner)www.facebook.com/Rockafellas-Barber-Shop-105026620034718/?ref=page_internal1733 BabcockSan Antonio, Texas 78229Phone: (210) 782-5188Supporters:Sanctuary of HopeA Place of RefugeSanctuary of Hope provides a caring and nurturing environment to single expectant mothers ages 12-22 and their children.Every Life CountsPregnant and not sure what to do? You are not alone. Learn more about how we can help you.Be a part of the inspired visionPlease consider joining efforts with the Sanctuary of Hope to help set a positive course for single young mothers and their unborn children.https://www.sohcares.org/ENGAGE! publishes the Christian Community Calendar weekly.www.facebook.com/engagesaProsperitus Solutions is headquartered on the Southwest side of San Antonio, Texas and serving the Department of Defense since 2011. Prosperitus employs more than 100 staff nationwide with footprints in over 8 states.Mission Statement: To attract and ignite talent resulting in prosperous solutions for our customers and community.Our skill-sets cover:• Medical Services• Information Technology• Logistics• Finance• Marketing• Human ResourcesWe have put together a Lean Experienced Corporate staff with one mission, to provide Exceptional Service to our customers and foster long lasting profitable partnerships with our teaming companies.www.prosperitussolutions.com/prosperitusI Am Refocused Podcast Sponsored by River City Donuts1723 Babock Rd. San Antonio, TX 78229I Am Refocused Podcast Sponsored by Bay Bay McClinton of All Sports Speed and Conditioningwww.allsportsfitness.netAll Sports Speed and Conditioning is the top sports performance training gyms in San Antonio, and has produce many collegiate and professional athletes since opening. All Sports was founded in 1997 by Bremond “Bay Bay” McClinton. All Sports is based out of the beautiful city of San Antonio, TX. Having accomplished his own career in professional sports; starting a company like All Sports was a natural transition for him. Bay Bay is a native of San Antonio, TX. His 100 meter dash in High School at Roosevelt High in San Antonio was not broken until recently. In college Bay Bay played opposite the great future hall of famer, Darrell Green. He went on to sign a professional career with the Houston Oilers, Dallas Cowboys and played 7 years in the European Leagues before returning to his home town to finish his career “San Antonio Texans”. In 2006, his company, All Sports administered the strength and conditioning program for the East vs West Shriners’s college senior bowl. In 2008-09, All Sports administered the strength and conditioning program for the Division II college Senior Cactus Bowl All Star game in Kingsville. Today All Sports Speed and Conditioning continues to train athletes to elevate their athletic performance to the next level in all sports.I Am Refocused Podcast Sponsored by D.W. Brooks Funeral Home2950 E. Houston St.San Antonio, TX 78202Email: info@dwbrooksfh.comPhone: 210-223-2045Website: dwbrooksfuneralhome.com

Sonny Melendrez was born to inspire.Motivating others has always been an important element in the life of this dynamic radio and television personality, author and inspirational speaker.Twice named Billboard Magazine‘s “National Radio Personality of the Year,” his enthusiasm for life is evident as host of local and national radio and television programs. He was presented the National Hispanic Radio Personality of the Year Award by Ricardo Montalban, then president of the National Nosotros Organization. In 2003, he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall Of Fame and is included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of the Top 100 Radio Personalities of All-Time.Melendrez has served as program director and hosted at some of America’s greatest radio stations, including KIIS, KMPC, KFI, KMGG, and KRLA in Los Angeles and KTSA,KTFM, KSMG, and KLUP in San Antonio. Under his leadership, these stations enjoyed stellar ratings and received countless awards for public service. His weekly radio show features the inspiring stories of celebrity guests from the world of entertainment.Blessed with multiple talents, Sonny is equally at home as a TV host, actor, radio personality, writer, commercial spokesman, motivational speaker, or voice artist. He has served as TV and radio spokesperson for companies like Disney, Pepsi, McDonald’s, Sears and Sprint.As a motivational speaker and master of ceremonies, he has presented at such prestigious events as the White House Hispanic Heritage Awards (7 times); the National “Just Say No To Drugs” Rally at the Washington Monument; and the USO 50th Anniversary Gala at the Ambassador’s Palace in Paris, France with guest of honor, the late Princess Grace of Monaco.As host of the award-winning children’s television series, “You and Me, Kid!” on the Disney Channel, Sonny enjoyed one of the longest runs in the network’s history. He was named Inc. Magazine’s “Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year,” awarded the “Marketing Philanthropist Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Sales and Marketing Executives of San Antonio and named Alignable’s 2017 San Antonio Small Business Person of the Year.As the Los Angeles commissioner of the United Nation’s Year of the Child, Melendrez was invited to Washington, D.C. to present his idea for a national children’s holiday. Sunshine Day was officially proclaimed and celebrated in all 50 states on August 19th of that year, encouraging parents to spend the day, with their children, giving them what they most want and need: time and love.The City of San Antonio named the Sonny Melendrez Community Center located on the city’s West Side in his honor as way to say “thank you” for his community involvement, benefiting disadvantaged youth and families, including over 1400 motivational school presentations. President Ronald Reagan commended Sonny for his efforts in the war on drugs and he received the National Director’s Community Leadership Award by FBI Director, William S. Sessions. The Department of Justice lauded him with the prestigious “Modern Hero Award” for his efforts to inspire the nation’s youth to “Soar In School”. In recognition of raising tens of thousands of dollars for youth scholarships, he was named “El Rey Feo” (The People’s King) and presided over San Antonio’s annual weeklong Fiesta celebration.Programs that benefit children have always been a priority for Sonny Melendrez. One of the projects of which he is most proud is The Children of the World Project, giving talented youth and countless volunteers a way to give back by recording the children’s version of “We Are The World,” which he created in Los Angeles in 1985. Over 1500 children participated in the recording and video and proceeds from record sales benefited USA for Africa. Sonny received a Grammy nomination for “Best Children’s Recording.”As a public servant, he’s played a major role in countless city, county and state projects in the past 25 years, including his service as Bexar County Chairman of the 2010 Census.A man of a thousand voices, he provided the voices of several characters in Hanna-Barbera’s “Jetsons” cartoon series; created many of the sounds heard in the Gremlins Movie; played opposite Walter Mathau as the voice of Bob Cratchet in the animated TV classic, “The Stingiest Man in Town“; and was even the voice of the infamous Fred the Cockatoo in the 70”s NBC TV series, Baretta. He was chosen from a field of over 140,000 as the new voice of the Parkay Margarine Talking Tub, and recently, after a nationwide search, Sonny was picked as voice of Jerry Seinfeld for a campaign promoting the Bee Movie Game for ActiVision.Conferences, companies, colleges, universities, school districts, and groups of all types have been inspired by Sonny’s captivating motivational presentations. His topics are designed to fire up companies, teachers, students, and parents to get involved and make a difference in the world around them, while delivering above-and-beyond service.In his popular book, “The Art of Living with Enthusiasm!”, Sonny presents the benefits to be found in positive living through personal and powerful stories of encouragement, comfort, and joy.https://sonnymelendrez.com/For more interviews visit: www.iamrefocusedradio.comSponsors:Rockafellas Barber Shop San AntonioRico Rodriguez (Owner)www.facebook.com/Rockafellas-Barber-Shop-105026620034718/?ref=page_internal1733 BabcockSan Antonio, Texas 78229Phone: (210) 782-5188Supporters:Sanctuary of HopeA Place of RefugeSanctuary of Hope provides a caring and nurturing environment to single expectant mothers ages 12-22 and their children.Every Life CountsPregnant and not sure what to do? You are not alone. Learn more about how we can help you.Be a part of the inspired visionPlease consider joining efforts with the Sanctuary of Hope to help set a positive course for single young mothers and their unborn children.https://www.sohcares.org/ENGAGE! publishes the Christian Community Calendar weekly.www.facebook.com/engagesaProsperitus Solutions is headquartered on the Southwest side of San Antonio, Texas and serving the Department of Defense since 2011. Prosperitus employs more than 100 staff nationwide with footprints in over 8 states.Mission Statement: To attract and ignite talent resulting in prosperous solutions for our customers and community.Our skill-sets cover:• Medical Services• Information Technology• Logistics• Finance• Marketing• Human ResourcesWe have put together a Lean Experienced Corporate staff with one mission, to provide Exceptional Service to our customers and foster long lasting profitable partnerships with our teaming companies.www.prosperitussolutions.com/prosperitusI Am Refocused Podcast Sponsored by River City Donuts1723 Babock Rd. San Antonio, TX 78229I Am Refocused Podcast Sponsored by Bay Bay McClinton of All Sports Speed and Conditioningwww.allsportsfitness.netAll Sports Speed and Conditioning is the top sports performance training gyms in San Antonio, and has produce many collegiate and professional athletes since opening. All Sports was founded in 1997 by Bremond “Bay Bay” McClinton. All Sports is based out of the beautiful city of San Antonio, TX. Having accomplished his own career in professional sports; starting a company like All Sports was a natural transition for him. Bay Bay is a native of San Antonio, TX. His 100 meter dash in High School at Roosevelt High in San Antonio was not broken until recently. In college Bay Bay played opposite the great future hall of famer, Darrell Green. He went on to sign a professional career with the Houston Oilers, Dallas Cowboys and played 7 years in the European Leagues before returning to his home town to finish his career “San Antonio Texans”. In 2006, his company, All Sports administered the strength and conditioning program for the East vs West Shriners’s college senior bowl. In 2008-09, All Sports administered the strength and conditioning program for the Division II college Senior Cactus Bowl All Star game in Kingsville. Today All Sports Speed and Conditioning continues to train athletes to elevate their athletic performance to the next level in all sports.I Am Refocused Podcast Sponsored by D.W. Brooks Funeral Home2950 E. Houston St.San Antonio, TX 78202Email: info@dwbrooksfh.comPhone: 210-223-2045Website: dwbrooksfuneralhome.com

In 1982, John Dehner was an in-studio guest of Neil Ross' at KMPC for a conversation about his acting career. During the course of the chat, Dehner explained how be became an actor.

In 1982 Vic Perrin was a guest of Neil Ross' for his KMPC radio show for a conversation about Vic's life and career. During the course of the conversation, Mr. Perrin recounted a funny story about a writer who was still writing his script while the show was being performed on the air.

(01-30-2020) - Legendary Game Show host and DJ "Wink" Martindale joined Randy and "Hot Rod" Bob at the Hollywood Show in LA to talk....cars.    What Elvis Presley drove to his Memphis studio in for his first interview, his first car as a big time Memphis Disc Jockey, what car he loves today and....what contestant once won six Buicks during a single game show!      Please SUBSCRIBE and make it a habit to check out our Talking About Cars podcast!!

In February of 1977, my friend, singer/songwriter, Alan O'day called and asked if I wanted to premiere his new song, “Undercover Angel,” on my radio show on KMPC in Los Angeles. When I heard the song, I told Alan, that it was a “mega-hit” and said I had an idea of how we could have some fun with my listeners. After playing the song on the air, I predicted that it would reach the top of the Billboard music charts nationally and asked listeners to bet what they would do if it made it No.1. Within weeks, the song, was indeed, No. 1 in the nation! Listeners began to make good on what they had bet: cookies, cakes, etc.. One of those listeners was a teenager named Whitney Allen. Little did she know that delivering her unique bet would change her life forever. Listen as I reunite with my longtime friend and she tells the inspiring story of how her radio journey to "the big time" all began!

Sonny visits with his longtime friend, Wink Martindale! He had the pleasure of working with Wink on America's greatest personality station in the 70's, KMPC Radio in Los Angeles. You'll hear: Wink's priceless conversation with a young Elvis Presley His appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show The funniest moment of his game show career The secret to being a perfect game show contestant from the biggest winner on Tic Tac Dough More! Show notes: https://SonnyRadio.com/wink

In Breaking Walls episode 94 we visit the malt shops, drug stores, and soda counters in America’s heartland and spend time with radio’s best dramatic actors and actresses. Highlights • Norman Corwin, Margaret Sullavan, and Byron Kane’s Big Break • The Pharmacist Goes to War—and Saves a Life • Inner Sanctum and Santos Ortega • Dennis Day: Soda Jerk • The Rise of Jack Webb • Dragnet Is Born and Radio Changes Forever • Tales of the Texas Rangers and the Wheaties Big Parade • The End of Fibber McGee and Molly • Back to School The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers The reading material used in today’s episode was: On The Air - By John Dunning Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 - by Jim Ramsburg Forecast: Is there a Sponsor in the House - by Martin Grams Jr. Just the Facts, Ma'am : The Authorized Biography of Jack Webb - by Eugene Alvarez & Daniel Moyer And articles from Radio Life, January 1949. On the interview front: • SPERDVAC was with Harry Bartel, Ralph Bell, Himan Brown, Lilian Buyeff, Lawrence Dobkin, Herb Ellis, Virginia Gregg, Byron Kane, Jeanette Nolan, Herb Vigran, and Peggy Webber—For more info, please go to SPERDVAC..com • Chuck Schaden interviewed Eve Arden, Himan Brown, Dennis Day, Phil Harris, Jim Jordan, Lurene Tuttle, and Herb Vigran. Hear their full chats at SpeakingofRadio.com. • Joel McCrea was with educator Al Greenberg. For more information please go to OrcoDevelopment— That’s O R C O Development (dot) org. • Jim Jordan was with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. This interview can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org. • While Dennis Day and E. Jack Neuman were with John Dunning for 71KNUS and Vic Perrin was with Neil Ross for KMPC. Selected music featured in today’s episode was: • Sleep Walk — By Santo & Johnny • Go Slow — By Julie London • The Klezmer's Wedding — By André Moisan • Living Without You — By George Winston • See you in September — By The Happenings Special thanks to our Sponsors: The Fireside Mystery Theater - https://www.firesidemysterytheatre.com/ Radio Drama Revival - https://www.radiodramarevival.com/ I’d also like to thank Walden Hughes and John and Larry Gassman of SPERDVAC. Listen to their shows on the Yesterday USA radio network. A Special Thank you to: Ryan Kramer Barry Nadler Christian Neuhaus Aimee Pavy Terry Wallace WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers URL - thewallbreakers.com

Our Jack Benny Cast interview this week focuses on Phil Harris' last interview, at least as far as I can tell!

In Breaking Walls episode 91, we finish the adult western trilogy with a focus on the period after television decimated radio’s listening audience, forever altering the broadcasting landscape. Dramatic radio’s time as America’s number one entertainment genre was over, but it was far from dead. Our story won’t conclude on that fabled date of September 30th, 1962 when radio drama supposedly ended forever. We’ll push down the trail through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s as dramatic radio continued to avoid the hangman’s noose. Highlights: • Dirty Saturdays • Gunsmoke Finds Sponsorship. • Gunsmoke’s TV launch • NBC and Dr. Sixgun • Norman Macdonnell and CBS bring a new Western to the Air • J.B. Kendall, Luke Slaughter, & Paladin • The End of Gunsmoke • Horizon’s West and One Last Gasp • Elliott Lewis—Young At Heart • Riding off Into the Sunset The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers The reading material used in today’s episode was: • On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio - by John Dunning • Radio Rides The Range: A Reference Guide to Western Drama on the Air, 1929 - 1967 by Jack French and David S. Siegel • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-1953 - by Jim Ramsburg • As well as numerous passages from Broadcast Magazine On the Interview Front: • Lilian Buyeff, John Dehner, Lawrence Dobkin, Herb Ellis, Virginia Gregg, Elliott Lewis, Vic Perrin, and Herb Vigran, were with SPERDVAC, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety, and Comedy. For more information, please go to SPERDVAC.com • Parley Baer, William Conrad, John Dehner, Rex Koury, and Norman Macdonnell were with John Hickman. Mr. Hickman was the longtime host of WAMU’s Recollections. Today, this program is heard each Sunday evening as The Big Broadcast. For more information, please go to WAMU.org • William N Robson was with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC’s The Golden Age of Radio. This interview can be heard at GoldenAge-WTIC.org. • Parley Baer was with Chuck Schaden. Hear their full chat at SpeakingofRadio.com. •John Dehner was also heard with Neil Ross for KMPC on March 23rd, 1982. While Elliott Lewis was with John Dunning for his 1980s 71KNUS program from Denver. And Raymond Burr was with Jack Webster in 1963. Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: • The Fireside Mystery Theatre https://www.firesidemysterytheatre.com • The Mutual Audio Network http://mutualaudionetwork.com • Twelve Chimes, It’s Midnight https://www.twelvechimesradio.com Selected Music Featured in Today’s Episode Was: • The Theme to A Summer Place - by Percy Faith • Mr. Sandman - by The Chordettes • Young At Heart - by Frank Sinatra • And Come Down My Evening Star - by Joan Morris & William Bolcom I’d also like to thank Walden Hughes and John and Larry Gassman of SPERDVAC. Listen to their shows on the Yesterday USA radio network. A Special Thank you to: Ryan Kramer Barry Nadler Christian Neuhaus Aimee Pavy Terry Wallace WallBreakers Links: Patreon - patreon.com/thewallbreakers Social Media - @TheWallBreakers URL - thewallbreakers.com Online Store - jamesthewallbreaker.com/shop/

In 1982, John Dehner was an in-studio guest of Neil Ross' at KMPC for a conversation about his acting career. During the course of the chat, Dehner shed some light on oncoming stereo audio in the late 1950s and early 1960s just as radio drama died on the major US networks.

On May 5th, 1982, actor Vic Perrin was a guest of Neil Ross' for his KMPC program. During the course of the interview, which touched on many subjects, the conversation turned to Barton Yarborough, who passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack in December of 1951 right as his own fame was cresting.

In part 2 of Ken’s chat with legendary Voice Over Artist and Voice Actor, Neil Ross he discusses how to break into the world of Voice Overs, what it takes to learn your craft, the odds of success, cartoon voices, and what it’s like to be the announcer for the Academy Awards. 

Nancy Cole Silverman enjoyed a long and very successful career in radio before turning to print journalism and later, to fiction. As a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Mass Communications, Nancy was one of the first female on-air television reporters in her hometown of Phoenix. After moving to Los Angeles in the late 1970’s she turned to the business side of broadcasting, becoming one of the top advertising sales executives in the market. After stints at KNX, KFWB, KABC and KXTA radio, she was appointed General Manager at KMPC, making her one of only two female managers in America’s second-largest radio market. But in her heart of hearts, Nancy thought first of herself as a writer. In 2001 she left the radio business to found and edit The Equestrian News, a monthly publication for equine enthusiasts. “That’s when I really began to write,” said Silverman, “toggling between writing articles for the News and fiction I’d been thinking about for years.” Today Nancy is a full-time author. Her new series, The Carol Childs Mysteries, with Henery Press, is available in bookstores and online.

Sonny Melendrez is in the business of inspiration! Inspiring others has always been an important element in the life of this dynamic radio and television personality, author and motivational speaker. Twice named Billboard Magazine's "National Radio Personality of the Year," his enthusiasm for life is evident as host of local and national radio and television programs. He was presented the National Hispanic Radio Personality of the Year Award by Ricardo Montalban, then president of the National Nosotros Organization. In 2003, he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall Of Fame and is included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of the Top 100 Radio Personalities of All-Time. Melendrez has entertained morning drive audiences at some of America’s greatest radio stations, including KIIS, KMPC, KFI, KMGG, and KRLA in Los Angeles and KTSA, KTFM, KSMG, KLUP and KAHL in San Antonio. Sonny is equally comfortable behind a microphone and in front of a camera, serving as media spokesperson for companies like Disney, McDonald’s and Sprint. As a motivational speaker and master of ceremonies, he has presented at such prestigious events as the White House Hispanic Heritage Awards; the National "Just Say No to Drugs" Rally at the Washington Monument; and the USO 50th Anniversary Gala at the Ambassador's Palace in Paris, France with guest of honor, the late Princess Grace of Monaco. As star of the award-winning children’s television series, ‘You and Me, Kid!” on the Disney Channel, Sonny enjoyed one of the longest runs in the network’s history. Sonny's ability and willingness to rally people behind a cause is one reason he is involved in so many charities, both locally and nationally. In 1992, he was named Inc. Magazine's "Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year” and awarded the “2000 Marketing Philanthropist Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Sales and Marketing Executives of San Antonio. In 1979, as the Los Angeles commissioner of the United Nation’s Year of the Child, Melendrez was invited to Washington, D.C. to present his idea for a national children’s holiday. Sunshine Day was officially proclaimed and celebrated in all 50 states on August 19th of that year, encouraging parents to spend the day with their children, giving them what they most want and need: time and love. President Ronald Reagan commended Sonny for his efforts in the war on drugs and he received the National Director’s Community Leadership Award by FBI Director, William S. Sessions. The Department of Justice lauded Melendrez with the prestigious “Modern Hero Award” for his efforts to inspire the nation’s youth to “Soar In School”. In 1990, in recognition of raising tens of thousands of dollars for youth scholarships, he was named "El Rey Feo" (The People's King) and presided over San Antonio's annual weeklong Fiesta celebration.  The City of San Antonio named the Sonny Melendrez Community Center located on the city's West Side in his honor as way to say “thank you” for his community involvement, benefitting disadvantaged youth and families, including over 1400 motivational school presentations. Programs that benefit children have always been a priority for Sonny Melendrez. One of the projects of which he is most proud is The Children of the World Project, giving talented youth and countless volunteers a way to give back by recording the children's version of "We Are The World," which he created in Los Angeles in 1985. Over 1500 children participated in the recording and video with proceeds from record sales benefitting USA for Africa. Sonny received a Grammy nomination for "Best Children's Recording." There is hardly a charity or cause in San Antonio and many nationally, that has not received a helping hand from Sonny Melendrez. It is estimated that he has been responsible for raising over 100 million dollars in cash, goods and services for local and national non-profits during his career!. A man of a thousand voices, he provided the voices of several characters in Hanna-Barbera's "Jetsons" cartoon series; created many of the sounds heard in the Gremlins Movie; played opposite Walter Mathau as the voice of Bob Cratchet in the animated TV classic, "The Stingiest Man in Town"; and was even the voice of the infamous Fred the Cockatoo in the 70”s NBC TV series, Baretta. He was chosen from a field of over 140,000 as the new voice of the Parkay Margarine Talking Tub, and after a nationwide search, Sonny was picked as voice of Jerry Seinfeld for a campaign promoting the Bee Movie Game for ActiVision.  Conferences, universities, school districts and corporate groups of all types have been inspired by Sonny’s captivating motivational presentations. His topics are designed to fire up audiences to reach their full potential through the power of enthusiasm! In his book, “The Art of Living with Enthusiasm!” Sonny shares the secret benefits to be found in positive living through his personal and powerful stories of encouragement and perseverance.  Official website: SonnyMelendrez.com

Mike and Smitty pay a visit to legendary Los Angeles Radio and TV personality Larry Van Nuys. Larry joins the G-Men for the first of a two-part interview. Larry remembers his early days in Los Angeles Radio and TV. Some of the radio stations Larry has worked at were KNX, KGIL, KMPC, and KFI. His work in television included stations KTLA and KCOP, along with numerous stations around the country where he performed announcing and voice-over work. Larry was present for many news events that happened in Southern California and he has anchored coverage on wildfires, earthquakes, dam collapses, and the O. J. Simpson trials. Join us and listen to the history of Los Angeles Radio and TV as remembered by Larry Van Nuy