I've Passed This Way Before by Jimmy Ruffin

I saw the announcement today that Motown star Jimmy Ruffin passed away at age 78.  One of his songs that had significance for me and perhaps some of the lines could be taken out of context.

Life lands a freshing blow
And once again our heart is broken
And as history repeats itself
These few words are sadly spoken

I've passed this way before
I've felt this pain before
A hurt that took so long to end
Has found my poor heart again

As I watch love walking away
It brings back old memories
A familiar pain still feels the same
Once again, heartache has found me

A dark cloud covered my heart
Oh, when she told me goodbye
Now there's nothing left but emptiness
And the tears that fill my crying eyes

I've passed this way before
I've felt this pain before
A hurt that took so long to end
Has found my poor heart again

No matter how strong a man is
Without a love he walks in the dark, baby
If love deserts him, it would surely hurt him
'Cause his weakness is his heart

A lonely journey now stands before me
The endless pain has started
But this time I know the way
Walking alone and broken hearted

Because I've passed this way before
And I've felt this pain before
A hurt that took so long to end
Has found my poor heart again

I've passed this way before

I've felt this pain before
A hurt that took

Read more: Temptations - I've Passed This Way Before Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Ken Jennings Won $100,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Ken Jennings became a celebrity after he won 74 games on Jeopardy.  He was invited to play on Who Wants to be a Millionaire where the rules are different.  On Millionaire if you miss a question you are out and just get the $1,000 consolation prize.  Ken started out very well as he got the first 9 questions with no trouble.  He stumbled on question #10 and had to use all 3 of his lifelines.  He used the Ask The Audience Lifeline first.  Since the audience was not conclusive he used his Plus 1 and then jumped the question.  I reallly thought his Plus 1 would have been Brad Rutter, but it was not.  He answered the $100,000 but decided to walk away when he was unsure about the answer for the $250,000 question.

Are Changes Needed in Future Oldies Meet and Greets?

Sue O'Neal Talks to Amy Auerbach and Others

Yogi Berra once said “It is so crowded that nobody goes there anymore.” Let me discuss a minor problem that arose at yesterday's Oldies Meet and Greet. Several people complained that the waiters were very slow at bringing the checks. Some had to leave to catch buses or trains, so I can certainly understand their anxiety over this. A few hours after the event I received an e-mail from the manager of Ben's asking how things went. I reported this situation to him and he responded Its time consuming to make separate checks per person based on what they ate. We can work on that for next year by setting a price per person. One of the fixed price menus should work for the group. Another option would be to have the waiter give one check to each table. The problem is that people often have problems figuring out how to split the check.

This is a problem that arose since we had a turnout of about 70 people. The question is “Has the Oldies Meet and Greet become a victim of its own success? Since 2006 we have held the event at Ben's Deli on West 38^th Street in Manhattan.

• We are open to everyone. Nobody was ever turned away.
• Ben's Deli never asked for money in advance to reserve the back room.
• Everyone was able to order anything from the menu.

Since we ran into this problem, we may have to make changes in the future.

1. Should we used a fixed price menu limiting people to certain items and collect the same amount from everybody at the beginning?
2. Should we look for another venue that could accommodate more people? Again I don't want to have to collect money before the event. I think the people at Ben's have accommodated us very well over 9 years.

My feeling is to go for option #1.

Since the internet became popular in the 1990s people have met and became “virtual friends” as part of “virtual communities”. You really don't “know” people until you have met them face to face. Since there were 70 people at the event, it was just impossible to meet everyone. I personally prefer a smaller gathering so I can spend some time conversing with everyone there. Is the event a victim of its own success?

We certainly have time to think this as the next event would likely not be until next November.  I certainly welcome other opinions.

The 9th Annual Meet and Greet of Oldies Radio Enthusiasts Was a Big Hit

About 60 people came to the 9th Annual Meet and Greet today at Ben's Deli.  Sue O'Neal of WCBS-FM was the guest of honor.  I didn't realize that Sue appeared on many other NYC radio stations including 99X, Mix 102.7, Jammin' 105, WPLJ and WKTU.

Bruce, Jeff Scheckner, and Sue

Photo taken by Matt Seinberg

It was always nice to meet old radio friends and on the air personalities.  I think I became Alan Schulman's personal photographer :)

I first met Frank D'Agostino at Ellen's

Stardust Diner in June 2006

I met Jon Binstock back in 1995 when

we were both on Prodigy.  He travelled from

Maryland for this gathering

Cool Bobby B plays Doo Wops every

Sunday night at 9 PM on SiriusXM 50s on 5

Alan Schulman poses with Keith Allen 

formerly of B-103 on Long Island

Karen poses with Mary Shaw who Cousin Brucie

calls Ms. Radio

Bob Radil drove in from Connecticut for

the event

Louise Murray sang Gee Whiz for us

Love My Radio Stations on SiriusXM

Here is my deal on SiriusXM Radio.  For some years I was reluctant to buy a stand alone radio, but for a while AOL offered XM radio for free,  After the merger they offered an internet only package which I now pay $164/year.  I actually have four "radios" for it since I can get it on:

• My laptop at home
• My work computer
• iPhone
• Kindle Fire

But I just love the programming:

• 50s on 5 - too bad they dropped most of the DJs, but just love Cool Bobby B's Doo Wop Stop
• 60s on 6 - home of Cousin Bruce and stuff WCBS-FM doesn't play anymore
• Classic Vinyl - more variety than Q104 with no commercials
• Deep Tracks rarities
• Tom Petty's Buried Treasure Channel - I just love those specialty shows
• The Loft - sounds like WFUV
• Willie's Roadhouse - classic country not heard on Nash-FM
• Outlaw Country - includes some country crossovers
• Watercolors - smooth jazz that was once heard on CD101.9
• Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Channel - only inductees are heard here.

There are many more good channels, but I just don't have time to listen to them.

Thinking About The Mets and The Hot Stove League

I have mixed feeling about the signing of Michael Cuddyer.  I know the Mets need more hitting, but Cuddyer only played 49 games last season due to injury.  I guess only time will tell.  Now Sandy Alderson says he wants to upgrade at shortstop.  Perhaps he should let Wilmer Flores mature into a full-time player at SS.  The Mets have a surplus of pitching, so who knows what they will do.

Bob Dylan Sings Doo Wop

 I thank Facebook friend Scott Warmuth for bringing this to my attention.  This was never heard on Don K. Reed's Doo Wop Shop by the current king of Doo Wop Radio, Cool Bobby B is aware of it.  I hope there are Dylan fans who are reading this journal entry.