Roger Carroll 1977

 

Roger Carroll with Doc Severenson

Roger Carroll had an interesting story about how he became a DJ:

"Many years ago when ABC never played records live orchestras were dropped TV was just starting . I was at TV  and told by my boss ABC Chief announcer  Dresser Dalhstead I was going to radio and play records on the network daily three hour record show (the older guys refused to play records) I told Dresser , a good guy I was a network TV announcer and I did not play records. Dresser's exact response "get your ass over to radio or you ain't gonna be a network announcer".

Dress told me later he was even attempting to cross toes so he wouldn't break out laughing with my response.

ABC started selling quarter hours and I was getting network talent fees then of course the older guys wanted to do record shows. Then I got afternoon drive on ABC O&O KABC and then the Cowboy , Gene Autry offered ask me to come over to KMPC when my ABC contract ended...playing records was the best thing that happened in my long career"

It was a good thing for everyone.  Thanks Roger!

Roger Carroll 1977

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Barbara Randolph 1971

 

Barbara Randolph c 1962

 

Barbara Randolph brought a lot of rock to AFRTS. Detroit born Randolph was born in 1942 eventually adopted by actress Lillian Randolph with a singing career that included a stint at Motown. Her movie roles included Guess Who'd Coming to Dinner.

 

In the late 60s, she joined our network

 

Barbara Randolph 1971

Mary Turner 1983

     

In the 80s and 1990s Mary Turners show was so popular she had two programs on the network.  Her regular Mary Turner Show and "Off The Record", where she interviewed rock's biggest stars.

She made waves in Los Angeles radio too, and eleven year run at KMET and returning in the 90s to KSLX.  Now she's involved in many charitable causes including the Betty Ford Center in Ranch Mirage.

Mary Turner - Off The Record - 1983

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Chiquita 1949

   

 

We tried to serve all soldiers.  Part of that being our native Spanish speaking troops.  Chiquita debuted during WWII and was still going strong in the 1950s.  I'm trying to locate more information about her.  Apparently, she had some small movie roles in the 1940s.

Gracias amiga por todo!

Chiquita - 1949

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Herman Griffith 1972

     

Here's Herman with Roger Carroll, Jim Pewter, Gary Owens and the rest

In the early years of the Vietnam war there was not a lot of rock programming coming from the network.  Herman Griffith played rockin soul for the "brave and bold on the Records Caravan."

 

Herman was at KGFJ between 1963-66 and we know little else.

 

Herman had helped Roland Bynum get is first big Los Angeles gig and a few years later disappeared.

 

During those years, Herman was on our team.  I just wish I had more of these...

Herman Griffith - 1972

 

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Andy Mansfield 1963

  

Andy continues his tribute to Glenn Miller, here's part four.

America's Popular Music - 1963

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Tom Campbell 1971

    

Paul Bunyan was very young Tom Campbell

In 1971, Tom Campbell was still the new guy, he did a show about what were the 10 most hated songs on the radio.  There were truly some clinkers...

Tom Campbell 1971

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Roland Bynum 1981

 

It's a Wednesday happening on AFRTS with the Bynum...Still has it.

Roland Bynum 1981

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Bill Stewart 1967

  

Today Bill Stewart's guest is Rudy Vallee.  Rudy was the biggest of the big in the 1920s and kept going for five decades.  It's a fun listen.

Bill Stewart - 1967

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Jim Pewter 1968

 

Nice work if you can get it. (courtesy and copyright of Playground Productions)

In 1967 Jim was managing Forever Records.  They put out a two record set to benefit the USO.  "Jim Pewter Salutes the USO Shows with 21 Hits From The Past"  I've got to pick up a copy.  Jim shared this original artwork picture with 21 teen models in Pasadena.

Jim Pewter  - 1968

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Don Tracy 1984

  

No holding some people back.  Don was in Hartford, parlayed that into Los Angeles.  At the top of his game was doing the AFRTS show for a long time.  Thanks Don!

Don Tracy - 1984
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Diego Garcia 1995 Stephen Payne

 

Stephen joined the United States Navy in 1991. He graduated from Defense Information School (DINFOS) at Fort Benjamin Harrison. He was a Navy broadcaster during his deployment in Diego Garcia, in the British Indian Ocean. By the time of Stephen’s Honorable Discharge in 1996, he held the role of Journalist Third Class, and he was awarded two Navy commendation medals as well as a Navy Achievement Medal. On this visit Stephen is with Marine Elizabeth Allen.

Stephen passed away in 2025 at 56 years old.

Stephen Payne - Diego Garcia 1995

Chris Noel 1968

 

The face of home to thousands of Vietnam era troops was Chris Noel.  She has spent the past several years running a homeless shelter for vets, in Florida "Ceasefire House" click here.  Our less fortunate brothers need your help.  Please consider helping.

A few years ago Chris sent her collection of shows to us so that we could hear them again.  Thanks Chris!!!

Here's a memory of 1968...

Date With Chris - 1968

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Joe Ferguson 1983

  

A young Joe Ferguson had done some shows as a dependent at the stations.  Years later Joe was jocking in Portland OR.  AFRTS had done one of the coolest things they ever did.  Asked jocks from around the country if they'd like to do shows for the network.  Joe saved his copies and made them available/  Thank you Joe!

Joe Ferguson 1983

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John Doremus 1968

  

Amazing set of pipes and smooth.  John Doremus had evening music for many years.  Similar to what Jim Ameche did earlier and what Pete Smith did later but smoother and bigger.  He had recorded Music Through the Night shows sponsored by the airlines that ran on the biggest AM clear channel stations in the country.  He also was the one that started syndicating in flight music.

John Doremus 1968

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AFVN Jim Huntley 1970

 

Years ago I was talking with Bob Casey.  Bob had quite the story.  One of the things he did at AFVN was start the Million Dollar Music oldies show.  After he left the show continued.  Here's Jumpin' Jim Huntley

AFVN Million Dollar Music

Click here to see all AFVN posts

Mary Helen Barro 1983

  

Mary Helen Barro, "la voz de su casa" She carried on on the Latino tradition of Chiquita, Victor, Hernan Escodon and others.

Mary Helen Barro - 1983

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Ira Cook 1965

   

Ira Cook with Elvis Presley

Ira started with us in 1960, still there 20 years later.

Ira Cook 1965

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Joe Allison 1969

 

Joe Allison really was country music, starting as a DJ in Texas in 1945.  He went on tour hosting Tex Ritter and got Tex to record one of his songs.  From there, Nashville radio until going to a station in Pasadena CA.  Penning "He'll Have To Go". Later to run the country department of Dot Records.  Starting in the mid 60s Joe was recording the Country Corner for AFRTS.

Country Corner - 1969

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Veterans Day 1963

 Today is Veterans Day in the United States.  Originally the holiday was Armistice Day, to commemorate the end of WWI.  

Here Rests In Honored Glory 1963

Wolfman Jack 1979

  

Let's revisit 1979. I was 22, in Korea and don't remember most of the year. I met Wolfman at LAX when I came Stateside. Only time I was ever totally speechless at meeting a celebrity. Play it loud!

Wolfman Jack - 1979

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 Wolfman Jack

Hear Wolfman Jack every day at 3am on www.mybestsounds.com

Mary Turner 1992

     

It was a scandal.  In the early 80s when the network started the Mary Turner show.  Loud Rock and Roll.  What will the generals say?  We'll find out.  Mary brought her KMET show to the world and it was a very good thing.

Mary Turner 1992

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Chris Noel 1969

 

A life of service.  In 1969 that service was with AFRTS.  Thank you Chris.

Hear Chris Noel every day at 11pm Central on www.mybestsounds.com

Date With Chris - 1969

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Golden Days Of Radio - War of the Worlds

 

Frank Bresee is back with another look at radio's golden days.  Today, the exciting conclusion of "War Of The Worlds".

Hear the Golden Days Of Radio every day at 8pm Central on www.mybestsounds.com

Golden Days Of Radio 1975

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Jim Pewter 1970

 

In 1970 Guenther was in Germany listening to the Americans on AFN.  He saved a lot of it.

Here's a 1970 visit.

Be sure to hear Jim at 6pm Central on www.mybestsounds.com

Jim Pewter 1970

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Herman Griffith 1967

     

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas "Jimmy Mack"

"Time for something for the brave and the bold, it's the Records Caravan".  The music was changing.  Herman made it better.

Hear Herman weekdays at 3pm Central on www.mybestsounds.com

Herman Griffith 1967

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Spotlight Bands - Fort Devens MA 1945

 

Mostly, I try to stay away from CONUS network radio shows.  Spotlite Bands is a little different.  During WWII Coca-Cola sponsored the top bands in America playing at military bases in the US and to be recorded for AFRS.  Here's Charlie Barnet, playing at Lovell General Hospital, Ft Devens MA

Spotlight Bands - Charlie Barnet October 1945

Joe Ferguson

  

Joe Ferguson was one of the jocks from all over the country sharing his skills in an experiment AFRTS tried in the early 80s.  He shared these shows and I'll always be grateful.

Hear Joe every day at 11:00am Central www.mybestsounds.com 

Joe Ferguson - 1983

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Roger Carroll 1970

Here's Roger at the Hollywood Palladium

Roger spent decades with us and did some wonderful radio.  His day job was at KMPC but he grabbed a lot of announcing work at the civilian networks.  A few years ago he shared his collection with us and I'm glad I can help share it.

Roger did some very stylish radio.  But you've never heard it  begin quite like this...

Hear Roger every morning at 9am Central on www.mybestsounds.com

Roger Carroll 1970

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Charlie Tuna 1982

 

It's summer 1982, I'm enjoying life in what was left of the Canal Zone and Charlie Tuna had us staying Tuna'd

Hear Charlie every morning at 8:00 Central at www.mybestsounds.com

Charlie Tuna - Summer 1982

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