The KAAY Collection
We have received a ‘gift’ of sorts. I recently received an email from… well, at least the email address of one Pat Walsh. I found the wording of the email somewhat confusing, so in trying to determine who to give credit for this ‘gift’ of KAAY, I can only conclude it is this Pat Walsh.
To be honest, I’m not sure of the trail of these airchecks, but one thing is certain, each ‘check’ is a fabulous representation of southern radio in 1972. The playlist seems to be all over the place, and KAAY sure was a powerhouse… but was this any way to do top 40? A great number of people apparently thought so.
There’s more to come in this collection - Watch for it!
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Great memories, especially the commercials of businesses long gone. I couldn’t believe that I remembered the great debate over the Texas DJs’ response to the Burt Reynolds pictures in Cosmopolitan.
Anyone out there have any of the old Beeker Street stuff?
I have been listening to KAAY AM 1090 since the early ’80s. The station has an excellent signal at night here in Minnesota one program that I really enjoyed was blues alley. Somewhere in the archives I have recordings of the show from about 1983 or so.
Jon,
Go to
http://www.beakerstreet.com
He is still on the air on Sundays from 7pm to midnight (central time). There is also a link to a download page, but the page was down tonight.
There you go again bashing southern radio in your KAAY comments. Here are other “southern” stations who “GOT HER DUN”….. WFUN, WLAC,WSM,WSB,WBIR, and the first top fourty station in the world KLIF….not to mention the creator of rock and roll WHBQ Memphis. No wonder you don’t get southern stations to contribute. Charlie C. Allen
Bashing? Certainly, nobody’s bashing KAAY, last of not me. I did make the comment “was this any way to do Top 40?” It’s well deserved. This aircheck is GREAT, in it’s own rite, but my comment was intended to be taken as a compliment because KAAY was certainly outside what those of us who heard other Top 40’s around the country remember. It was different, and that was & still IS, a good thing.
I am a native of Conway, Arkansas (about 30 miles NW of Little Rock) and grew up on KAAY. Presently I am a Ph.D. student in mass communications at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Anyone having information about former staff, memorabilia, audio files or any other information–please contact me. If you are a former staff member…I really need to speak with you. I want my dissertation to be on this radio station. My father in-law is Eddie Graham, former saleman and engineer for 25 years there. Thanks.
I grew up with the Friendly Giant in Malvern in the late 60’s and early 70’s–the station’s salad days. My lasting memory is the eclectic programming: from Top 40 music to Marvin Vines’ farm report, to the World Tomorrow and Life Line, each ultra-conservative mouthpieces for Garner Ted Armstrong and H.L. Hunt, to the psychedelic album cuts of Beaker Street. There never was, nor will ever be another AM station like it–classic Southern radio
Richard,
You may have completed your dissertation by now but I was on the staff duing the period of the “Singing Pig” show on KAAY. That was conservative talk radio in its infancy.
Regards,
Chuck
I grew up in Nebraska in the early ’60’s. I’d start my evening listening to Buddy Carr’s carpool party. I was a huge fan of Rob Robbins and would listen for his “rockin’ robin” intro. There will never be another station like KAAY. Everybody from Garner Ted Armstrong to the Lundstroms ran their religious shows and could come on anytime at night. Thanks for the memories. Rev. Jess
Wow…I just stumbled upon this website, spent most of the night listening to the KAAY airchecks and flashing back to growing up in northeast Arkansas listening to KAAY Little Rock, WLS Chicago and WMPS Memphis.
In Houston, Texas for the past 30 years…found an old truck opened it up and there were cassettes of broadcasts of KAAY. Music, News, Commercials…and yes, Beaker Street and even Beaker Theater (old radio sci-fi dramas that followed Beaker Street)…the ‘top of the hour’ news jingle with UPI world news!!! What a riot.
The times they are a changin’.
I grew up with Beeker Street 11pm to 2am and to 5am. I remember so much.Its my past and I am so lucky to have it.I also recorded about 10 hours of Beeker Street in the years of 75 to july of 77.Ive recorded ky on new tapes and am ready to transfer them to CD’s.The flavor will not be lost.If you remember kaay was a type of Monterey,Woodstock and trippy undergrown radio not found today.A friend R.J. hosts a program Fri Morn 6am-8am on KKFI.org 90.1 KCMO.Check him out He’s Good. P.S. kkfi is a free speech station! Love John, Keep those memories….
I was the PD at KAAY in 1975-ish and oversaw the “Big Move” from the old studios to the brand new building on the river. Pat Walsh was out. Jim Tandy from Nashville was in and brought me with him. We brought in Wolfman Jack. The governor; Jim Dandy dropped in - I have a million stories…
But, before I go into any of that -and if no one cares, save me the writing ;
For Scott Baker, if he’s still reachable: A. J. Lindsey, a.k.a. “Doc Holiday” from KAAY is looking for anything audio from the station; if you still have those tapes, I’m sure he’d be glad to get them or copies of them! Google “KAAY blogspot” and you’ll find his blogspot.
I’ve been able to get a few airchecks of Beaker Street and still enjoy them. My e-mail is: melvin.stacey@cummins.com
For Dick, former KAAY PD: please get in touch with A. J. Lindsey! If you don’t know how to get in touch with him, Google “KAAY blogspot” and his address is there…I’m sure he’d really like to hear from you!
My e-mail is: melvin.stacey@cummins.com
In the early 1970’s I alwaysed listened to Beker Street, loved te music and the weard but cool sounds, I wish some one would hace a tape of those sounds they could send me, KAAY BEKERSTREET with the sound effects.
Thanks
TomSongy
Metirie, La.