Orange Blossom Special - Johnny Cash Song of the Day

Cousin Brucie plays a lot of Johnny Cash hits on his shows. Orange Blossom Special is the song of the day thanks to the Cuz.  Facebook friends can hear it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB6GlJ_bQio

Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas - Another Musical Memory of Rhodia

Back in October 1974 Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas hit the charts.  Back in those days a hit record was heard on WABC at least once every two hours.  We associated this song with Dr. Liu, our boss.  He had a doctorate in chemical engineering, but didn't use common sense.We referred to him as the Kung.  Here goes.



Facebook friends can see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhUkGIsKvn0

I should play every song that I mentioned in this journal over the last 5 1/2 years.

Silly Oldie of the Day - Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes - Get Dancin'

I am listening to this silly song on the Lost 45s with Barry Scott on WODS-Boston.  Barry said that it was written by Bob Crewe who wrote many hit of the Four Seasons.  It was a hit in 1974 when I worked for Rhodia in New Brunswick, NJ.  When I hear this song I think of some my co-workers all those years ago.  I warned you that this is a silly song.  Tomorrow is another day and hopefully I'll have a more intelligent journal entry.



Facebook friends can see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HhO_zZi-KA

Airplay: The Rise And Fall Of Rock Radio

This TV show aired the other night on the New Jersey Network.  I taped the show and watched it this afternoon.  It is very hard to detail the history of  Top 40 radio in one hour.  It featured comments by famous NYC radio personalities including:

• Cousin Bruce Morrow
• Dan Ingram
• Scott Muni
• Scott Shannon
• Carol Miller
• B. Mitchell Reed
• Murray the K
• Dennis Elsas
• Meg Griffen
• Jocko Henderson

There were also appearances by national personalities including

• Dick Biondi
• Gary Owens
• Casey Kasem
• Rick Shaw
• Tom Donahue
• Lee Abrams
• Alan Freed

I am sure that Alan Berman will add all those that I missed since he viewed the show and ordered the DVD.  Hy Lit was mentioned but was not interviewed.

Many good points were made.  I certainly miss many of the personalities who have passed or retired.  The new generation of DJs is just not the same.  The video did not elaborate the concept of narrowcasting that happened as music moved from AM to FM.  The issue of demographics was not discussed.  I am well aware that the suits and bean counters in the radio business are trying to appeal to the 25-54 demographic.  Satellite radio was discussed very briefly while internet radio was not at all.

I recommend this show to all my radio friends.

Spotlight on HY Lit Radio

Hy Lit was a Philadelphia disk jockey who was on the air from the 1950s until 2005 on several radio stations.  Sadly he passed away in 2007  His son Sam Lit produces an internet radio station call HyLitRadio. Terrestrial radio stations with the moniker "Greatest Hits" are overly concerned about demographics and generally play music from 1964-89.  They don't even use the term "oldies" any longer.  Hy Lit radio plays the hits from the 50s and 60s and even includes jingles from WIBG, WIFI, WABC and other heritage radio stations.  I try to check it out a few times a week.

Baby its You is Coming to Broadway

We decided to see a preview of a new Broadway musical Baby It's You at the Broadhurst Theater.  It tells the story about Florence Greenberg, a New Jersey housewife who discovered the Shirelles.  It will feature many hits that we no longer hear on terrestrial radio stations.  Previews begin on March 26 while opening night is April 27.

Many good "jukebox musicals" have failed on Broadway.  A few examples are:

• All Shook Up
• The Times They are a Changin'
• Ring of Fire
• Good Vibrations

On the other hand several similar shows have done quite well

• Million Dollar Quartet
• Movin' Out
• Jersey Boys
• Beatlemania

Watch this space in a few weeks for my review.

New Bob Dylan Documentary to be Released May 1

Bob Dylan will be celebrating his 70th birthday on May 24th.  It was announced today that there will be a documentary on his life produced by Joel Gilbert who fronts the tribute band Highway 61 Revisited.  Hopefully there will be more events this year to celebrate Bob's milestone birthday.  As soon as I find out anything I will post it here.  Stay tuned.