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[royster]

I had the fun of participating in radio (FM) for a few years. Valentine relates some of her stories, too, and those FM days are long gone.

Numberonedj, the Halfway member, is John Collins, who was the weekend DJ  at WKMZ...I've written about him elsewhere. I learned the finer arts of broadcasting from John, and our heyday seems so long ago (because it was). He has recently moved to Baltimore, and is grieving the loss of his mother this last Tuesday.

I finally caught up to (at least the trail of) legendary Saturday Night DJ Bill Hutton. [more]

Guests to Halfway may post comments at http://halfway.oceanfalls.org/index.php?board=38.0

[royster]

Bill Hutton spent the week putting together his show, which aired Saturday Nights. It was a call-in request show, and always had a different theme. He left FM radio following an offer from then-just-starting XM radio. Bill saw XM as the wave of the future.

It isn't easy to describe what he did, but there is a sound-bite on the XM website that plays the final minutes of his XM show...XM decided to make changes that few really appreciated, and letting Bill go was one such decision. The sound bite can be heard HERE

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you'll see my own comment:

Bill Hutton is a great talent...I remember him from the WKMZ days. I had the honor of watching a couple of his shows in-studio. He had a drive-through request line, an observation roof that opened to the sky, and gave away great cheap prizes. I remember the night he told me he was going over to XM radio, way ahead of the pack.

I've certainly missed his Saturday night shows.

Hey Bill: Chin up, Count Chocula at the ready, and a vicarious "hello" from John Collins (now in Baltimore).

Roy Stokes

[royster]

He has a Twitter page, and I am reluctant to join Twitter, but I may do so yet. Here is what you'll find there:

http://twitter.com/annoybillhutton

annoybillhutton
Sen. Robert Byrd died proving that at times the late Byrd can get the worms. 10:44 AM Jun 28th via Twitter for Android

Michael Jackson's death reminds us just how precious and short life is... like everyone else's death ..but Pap Pap didn't have a chimp. 9:52 PM Jun 29th, 2009 via web

Go see the new Star Trek movie and may the force be with you 9:37 PM May 8th, 2009 via web

Happy Cinco de Mayo. Finally a day when the people who cut my grass and clean my house can make me rice and beans. 9:33 AM May 5th, 2009 via web

Another example of America's decline-we're even outsourcing our pandemics to Mexico-at least our masks are made in..wait...that says "China" 7:51 AM Apr 30th, 2009 via web

One sign the economy is getting better-the guy in the Target parking lot who held a sign that says "Will work for food" was hit by a GM car 9:22 AM Apr 26th, 2009 via web

Great article in Newsweek this week about America's growing narcissism...I wonder what I think about that. 7:33 AM Apr 24th, 2009 via web

I forgot that yesterday was Earth Day-no wonder I got that dirty look from the Native American when I threw a car battery in the river 8:18 AM Apr 23rd, 2009 via web

I'm tired of ugly overweight singers with talent getting all the attention. Whatever happened to lip-synching and a nice rack? I blame Obama 7:14 AM Apr 21st, 2009 via web

just bought a gross of used colostomy bags on Craigslist!!! Saved hundreds..rather..tens of dollars. Good news for Pap Pap 8:17 AM Apr 20th, 2009 via web

burying the neighbor's cat 10:49 AM Apr 19th, 2009 via web

Trying to revive the neighbor's cat 10:47 AM Apr 19th, 2009 via web

spaying the neighbor's cat 10:45 AM Apr 19th, 2009 via web

[royster]

Both Bill and John were great assets to WKMZ, and both were underappreciated. Management couldn't have found a more dedicated employee than John, and it is sad that when he turned in his resignation, it was received with a so-well shrug. Eventually, all the crew at WKMZ left, primarily due to format changes.

Lunchtime DJ Cindy Baker found a radio career in Washington, D.C. with MIX 107.3 FM, and was doing well last I heard of her.

It's my hope that John can contribute to this thread when he's feeling better; losing his mother was a harsh, unexpected reality, though it reflects the synchronicity of the universe; he had just a month or two before moved back to Baltimore to be with family.

Our reunion last year is documented HERE.

[royster]

About the only station available for me here in my little valley is an oldies station. Other stations come in, but they aren't the music I care to listen to.

I don't care much to listen to the station I've GOT: it is ABC broadcasting, and it is satelite feed from Texas. I used to work at such a station.

It is absolutely only on the air to reinforce New World Order propaganda...one of the day-DJs was "out with the Swine Flu" during that period of time...and the hourly news foists views from one vantage point only. The morning and afternoon "drive-time" shows are local. The same 35 songs play day in, day out, never a "deeper cut" or any song that is remotely outside of the mainstream "feel good" genre.

I find myself turning it off frequently.

Guests to Halfway may post comments at http://halfway.oceanfalls.org/index.php?board=38.0

[royster]

"Third Stage with Tom Sawyer" was the proposed name of my specialty show; it was to feature deeper cuts...the songs I knew from vinyl from years of headphone listening. The show had a glimmer of a chance...the one-hour demo tape still survives...but the station was changing format to "easy listening", and while "classic rock" had a spike for a while, everything has been cut back to "harmless" fuzzy songs or greasy-bearded hollering.

Jim Morrison sang about Texas radio and the big beat, but it was never allowed to leave "the Virginia swamps...with a backbeat narrow and hard to master."
____________________________________________
I wanna tell you about Texas Radio and the Big Beat
Comes out of the Virginia swamps
Cool and slow with plenty of precision
With a back beat narrow and hard to master

Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance
Others, mean and ruthful of the Western dream
I love the friends I have gathered together on this thin raft
We have constructed pyramids in honor of our escaping
This is the land where the Pharaoh died

The Negroes in the forest brightly featheredI wanna tell you 'bout Texas Radio and the Big Beat
Comes out of the Virginia swamps
Cool and slow with plenty of precision
With a back beat narrow and hard to master

Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance
Others, mean and ruthful of the Western dream
I love the friends I have gathered together on this thin raft
We have constructed pyramids in honor of our escaping
This is the land where the Pharaoh died

The Negroes in the forest brightly feathered
They are saying, "Forget the night.
Live with us in forests of azure.
Out here on the perimeter there are no stars
Out here we is stoned - immaculate."

Listen to this, and I'll tell you 'bout the heartache
I'll tell you 'bout the heartache and the loss of God
I'll tell you 'bout the hopeless night
The meager food for souls forgot
I'll tell you 'bout the maiden with raw iron soul

I'll tell you this
No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn

I'll tell you 'bout Texas Radio and the Big Beat
Soft drivin', slow and mad, like some new language

Now, listen to this, and I'll tell you 'bout the Texas
I'll tell you 'bout the Texas Radio
I'll tell you 'bout the hopeless night
Wandering the Western dream
Tell you 'bout the maiden with raw iron soul

[royster]

I joined Twitter and have resumed contact with Bill. Apparently some of his fans are visiting Halfway...I assume that's why there are 12 guests on this thread. That's more guests than we get in a week.

Hi, Bill (and friends). I still believe in you. I've never forgotten any of your antics or contributions to true radio presence.

[royster]

John posted this sign I made for the rest room at WKMZ.
http://halfway.oceanfalls.org/index.php?topic=1614.msg22774#msg22774

[royster]

I hope Bill doesn't disapprove, but I'd like to post his e-mail to me:

Hi Roy-
 
This is all very good. I checked out your board and enjoyed all the funny posts.
 
I still remember doing the show like it was only yesterday. It's funny because just this week I was listening to some old tapes of the KMZ show and I was really enjoying it because I was listening as a listener. I had no idea years later what I was going to say or do. Thank you. I appreciate the compliments. I truly loved every annoying minute of that show. Created it again on XM and had a chance to see it become popular on a national level. Though too many clueless radio hacks finally killed it in the merger.
 
I have very fond memories of WKMZ in the 90's and I am very grateful to have been there. So many interesting people. When you look at the sad state of radio today it's hard to believe that there was a time when I could have ever been playing "18 wheels on a big rig" and giving out autographed toilet seat covers
 
Thanks for bringing back so many great memories. Maybe it's time to do the show again. I'll keep you posted.
 
Bill Hutton

[royster]

One of Bill's schticks was the "drive through request lane". Fellow DJ Chris Buckland (now in Ohio working in video with his Dad) actually got in his car so Bill could record him driving up, and requesting a song. The sound affects worked perfectly. Chris was one of the very fabulous people of WKMZ.

Bill also had the sound affects to "Open the ceiling" at the radio station and star gaze.

One of his signature words was "potroast". I asked him why "potroast?" and he explained that it's just...predictable; on Wednesdays you KNEW there would be pot roast. It was a given. You can RELY on potroast...

Guests to Halfway may post comments at http://halfway.oceanfalls.org/index.php?board=38.0

[royster]

Thanks, Roy-
These are all nice memories. Chris Buckland is such a great guy. We had a lot of fun together.
 
I was obsessed with getting the perfect sound effect sounds. I set up a microphone outside once to get the perfect sound of a water balloon hitting me. I know-I have a problem.

[royster]

Hi Roy-
 
I apologize for not replying sooner. This email kinda slipped by me like a ship in a metaphor or something.
I deeply appreciate the kindness you have shown me and my show. I guess that is what all of us hope to do-make some kind of lasting impression that doesn't involve guns and clock towers...that of course and to love and be loved and get good deals on slightly used radial tires.
I know that John will be fine. I always took him for a kind, smart sensitive guy who could handle all that life would put in front of him. It is good to know that he is still around. So many family and friends are not-to quote Vonnegut-so it goes.
Your email came at the perfect time-of course-as I ponder what is next for me. I am reminded that life is about giving of yourself-and not just in  ways that eventually lead to restraining orders. It is time to give again.
Thanks again for your kindness and please know that if you ever need any help or a friend to talk to-don't count on me. I mean, seriously, that is what priests and therapists are for.
 
-Hutton