Comments on: Trucking Radio, As It Used To Was http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/ Adventures In Amplitude Modulation Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:42:36 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: William RUSH http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/comment-page-1/#comment-2498 William RUSH Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:27:58 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-2498 Finding this site earlier tonight, reading the history of THE ROAD GANG, (plus the many well written Replies above) has been a great discovery for a life-long lover of AM Radio in general - and the great WWL 870 broadcasts in particular. I was not a 'Trucker' but spent most of my working hours 'on the roads' as a Lawman.  I am Retired now and it is not possible to tell anyone just how much a part of my "Nights", especially in the early 80s, that WWL's Trucking Show became starting at Midnight in Houston, Texas.  Other officers had 870 AM set on their police unit radios and many of the Breaking News from around our Nation was delivered to us before any other stations made announcements.  The music was good and ranged from the classic to the modern, the Program Format quick paced, and Dave Nemo's friendly voice could make a commercial for a Speedway Truck Stop menu cause your mouth to water.  Who listened and wasn't stirred by Dave's super recording of "I AM THE AMERICAN TRUCKER"? Now that the show is long gone I deeply regret that I didn't make any effort to record the shows on a nightly basis!  Why should I?  The show was going to last forever, right?  And too you must imagine how difficult it would be to try to record even a full hour while making calls and the reception changed with every turn in direction.  But one night for a reason I really don't understand (except in looking back now) it seemed very important to me to bring a large cassette recorder to the P.D. with me; that night, Jan. 12th thru 13th of 1999, the weather was cold and wet - the misty night kept the criminals indoors and the radio traffic was light.  As I pulled onto the road I had WWL tuned in and was recording when Dave Nemo came on the air live. And I mean LIVE!  Broadcasters today are proud of their 'bumper music' but NO ONE ever had the bang-up GOOD Music & Station I.D. intro of WWL!!!  Thank God I've got it on tape and I listen to it frequently.  Nothing today even slightly resembles the feeling of being party to a close community covering our entire Nation through the long nights.  Dave Nemo's very detailed Weather Reports, just like John Parker's, somehow made you feel like the distant states were just another part of your own backyard and the truckers your neighbors next door.    If anyone has recordings of THE ROAD GANG that they would like to share, I'd love to have them.  I only have the one recording but it is complete and unedited.  The ONLY way to enjoy a recorded show because the Commercials and the News give such a mosaic of who we were and where our country was headed the date of the broadcast. Since Retirement, I have turned to the world of Art.  I am no longer taking commissions and just share a wide variety of subjects and mediums.  Should you care to reach me you can use the CONTACT THE ARTIST Form in Art Gallery 10 at <a href="http://www.rushartisticproductions.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.rushartisticproductions.com</a> It is so nice to find that many others enjoyed the wonderfully unpredictable signal of AM Radio.  The 'fading', hissing and popping of  'static' added a sense of "Real Time" to each and every broadcast - even upon Replay years later.  My own Sons, now in their early 20s, only know of this because of my recordings of Old Time Radio shows.  What a loss to us wo remember - and what a Blessing that AM Radio was a major part of our lives. William RUSH      Finding this site earlier tonight, reading the history of THE ROAD GANG, (plus the many well written Replies above) has been a great discovery for a life-long lover of AM Radio in general – and the great WWL 870 broadcasts in particular.
I was not a 'Trucker' but spent most of my working hours 'on the roads' as a Lawman.  I am Retired now and it is not possible to tell anyone just how much a part of my "Nights", especially in the early 80s, that WWL's Trucking Show became starting at Midnight in Houston, Texas.  Other officers had 870 AM set on their police unit radios and many of the Breaking News from around our Nation was delivered to us before any other stations made announcements.  The music was good and ranged from the classic to the modern, the Program Format quick paced, and Dave Nemo's friendly voice could make a commercial for a Speedway Truck Stop menu cause your mouth to water.  Who listened and wasn't stirred by Dave's super recording of "I AM THE AMERICAN TRUCKER"?
Now that the show is long gone I deeply regret that I didn't make any effort to record the shows on a nightly basis!  Why should I?  The show was going to last forever, right?  And too you must imagine how difficult it would be to try to record even a full hour while making calls and the reception changed with every turn in direction.  But one night for a reason I really don't understand (except in looking back now) it seemed very important to me to bring a large cassette recorder to the P.D. with me; that night, Jan. 12th thru 13th of 1999, the weather was cold and wet – the misty night kept the criminals indoors and the radio traffic was light.  As I pulled onto the road I had WWL tuned in and was recording when Dave Nemo came on the air live.
And I mean LIVE!  Broadcasters today are proud of their 'bumper music' but NO ONE ever had the bang-up GOOD Music & Station I.D. intro of WWL!!!  Thank God I've got it on tape and I listen to it frequently.  Nothing today even slightly resembles the feeling of being party to a close community covering our entire Nation through the long nights.  Dave Nemo's very detailed Weather Reports, just like John Parker's, somehow made you feel like the distant states were just another part of your own backyard and the truckers your neighbors next door.   
If anyone has recordings of THE ROAD GANG that they would like to share, I'd love to have them.  I only have the one recording but it is complete and unedited.  The ONLY way to enjoy a recorded show because the Commercials and the News give such a mosaic of who we were and where our country was headed the date of the broadcast.
Since Retirement, I have turned to the world of Art.  I am no longer taking commissions and just share a wide variety of subjects and mediums.  Should you care to reach me you can use the CONTACT THE ARTIST Form in Art Gallery 10 at http://www.rushartisticproductions.com
It is so nice to find that many others enjoyed the wonderfully unpredictable signal of AM Radio.  The 'fading', hissing and popping of  'static' added a sense of "Real Time" to each and every broadcast – even upon Replay years later.  My own Sons, now in their early 20s, only know of this because of my recordings of Old Time Radio shows.  What a loss to us wo remember – and what a Blessing that AM Radio was a major part of our lives.
William RUSH 
 
 

]]> By: Chris http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/comment-page-1/#comment-2442 Chris Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:28:11 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-2442 "King Edward Cigar time is 10 before the hour, time to enjoy a King Edward Imperial" Jason, if there is a way to post them, that would be great. “King Edward Cigar time is 10 before the hour, time to enjoy a King Edward Imperial”

Jason, if there is a way to post them, that would be great.

]]> By: JasonReed http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/comment-page-1/#comment-2431 JasonReed Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:41:51 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-2431 I have a few of the old WWL "singing" jingles on cassette.... I believe these are from the late 80's/early 90's. Audio quality is pretty good. It's from different random airchecks. Let me know! I have a few of the old WWL “singing” jingles on cassette…. I believe these are from the late 80’s/early 90’s. Audio quality is pretty good. It’s from different random airchecks. Let me know!

]]> By: tom http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/comment-page-1/#comment-2149 tom Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:19:03 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-2149 the road gang was so much fun!! the road gang was so much fun!!

]]> By: Chris http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/comment-page-1/#comment-1237 Chris Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:55:22 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-1237 Richard L, the violin theme song was the "12 o clock Jump", I believe. They actually had different opening songs. I remember Tiger by the Tail by Buck Owens and Rocky Top when Dave took over in the middle of the night. If I remember , Charlie came on after CBS Mystery Theater was over, which may have been 10,11 Central and Dave came in later on. I wish I could find some of the old WWL station jingles they played back then Richard L, the violin theme song was the “12 o clock Jump”, I believe. They actually had different opening songs. I remember Tiger by the Tail by Buck Owens and Rocky Top when Dave took over in the middle of the night. If I remember , Charlie came on after CBS Mystery Theater was over, which may have been 10,11 Central and Dave came in later on. I wish I could find some of the old WWL station jingles they played back then

]]> By: Bawb http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/comment-page-1/#comment-1160 Bawb Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:54:00 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-1160 I don't know why I hadn't searched on the web for the Road Gang and found your archives sooner. I started in radio back in 1981 in NW PA and three months into that gig, began playing country from 5-11 in the mornings for the next six years. I took a while to warm to the music I played, but came to love it passionately and still do. With those hours I kept, listening to WWL became another passion; oh, how I love the sound of those old singing jingle ID's! Sad to hear what John Parker has had to swallow, but anyone who's known or been in radio over the past quarter century wouldn't be surprised. Alas, I myself have been sidetracked and waylaid by bad breaks and the realities of the business. But it's wonderful to hear the Road Gang once again...THANKYOU,THANKYOU,THANKYOU!!! I don’t know why I hadn’t searched on the web for the Road Gang and found your archives sooner. I started in radio back in 1981 in NW PA and three months into that gig, began playing country from 5-11 in the mornings for the next six years. I took a while to warm to the music I played, but came to love it passionately and still do. With those hours I kept, listening to WWL became another passion; oh, how I love the sound of those old singing jingle ID’s! Sad to hear what John Parker has had to swallow, but anyone who’s known or been in radio over the past quarter century wouldn’t be surprised. Alas, I myself have been sidetracked and waylaid by bad breaks and the realities of the business. But it’s wonderful to hear the Road Gang once again…THANKYOU,THANKYOU,THANKYOU!!!

]]> By: ken s http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/comment-page-1/#comment-1151 ken s Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:09:11 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-1151 does anyone have any old tapes of the truckin bozo from the days of WLW 700 to sell or download. or even bill mack or davr nemo. thanks does anyone have any old tapes of the truckin bozo from the days of WLW 700 to sell or download. or even bill mack or davr nemo. thanks

]]> By: John http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/comment-page-1/#comment-1147 John Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:46:57 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-1147 I have hours, and hours of "the way it used to was" radio shows. though not as clear as these, but decent recordings just the same. They are from 1990-1992...I even have the very last broadcast....most of these shows however, are all from hour #1, and 1 or 2 songs from hour #2, because the show would cut to a religous program. It used to come on WWVA Wheeling, West VA. Anybody know how to preserve these on a cd? I have hours, and hours of “the way it used to was” radio shows. though not as clear as these, but decent recordings just the same. They are from 1990-1992…I even have the very last broadcast….most of these shows however, are all from hour #1, and 1 or 2 songs from hour #2, because the show would cut to a religous program. It used to come on WWVA Wheeling, West VA. Anybody know how to preserve these on a cd?

]]> By: Mark Paperboy http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/comment-page-1/#comment-1118 Mark Paperboy Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:20:25 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-1118 I remember listening to the Road Gang as early as 1976. I was 17. Delivering the Sunday morning Milwaukee Journal, 2-3 hours before sunrise, presented a reliable and repeatable chance to hear what others have described as exotic sounds from a faraway place. Faraway in distance, and at the time, lifestyle. Having not yet traveled more than 100 miles or so from south eastern Wisconsin, Slidell might as well been in Thailand. I think the Road Gang sparked a travel gene that lives today. Got me through some cold nights too. Thanks, I remember listening to the Road Gang as early as 1976. I was 17. Delivering the Sunday morning Milwaukee Journal, 2-3 hours before sunrise, presented a reliable and repeatable chance to hear what others have described as exotic sounds from a faraway place. Faraway in distance, and at the time, lifestyle. Having not yet traveled more than 100 miles or so from south eastern Wisconsin, Slidell might as well been in Thailand. I think the Road Gang sparked a travel gene that lives today. Got me through some cold nights too. Thanks,

]]> By: spiritof67 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/comment-page-1/#comment-1100 spiritof67 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:23:13 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-1100 <p>Two years ago I found an aircheck of Charlie Douglas' Roadgang--it contains the mule story.  The recording was made in 1978 and can be found here: <a href="http://theradiokitchen.net/wp-content/audio/WWL_CHARLIE_DOUGLAS_ROADGANG_06-1978.mp3" rel="nofollow">(download)</a>. <br /> <br /> The first time I ever heard The Road Gang I was about 10.  My dad used to listen to the show on overnight road trips.  I listened to the show through the years until 2002.<br /> <br /> Charlie, Dave and John were all great hosts.  The show was one of the most personable radio programs I have ever heard.<br /> <br /> Richard L., if it helps, I remember  that violin instrumental, and heard a version of it a few years ago.  The version of the song I heard was performed by Artie Shaw, but the arrangement was different.  I wish I knew the title, but this information might narrow it down for you.<br /> <br /> Besides King Edward Cigar Time, I also remember "Interscan Weather," which for a time used Kraftwerk's "Autobahn" as the bumper music,  ads for "The Country Store," selling music for artists like Ernest Tubb and Grandpa Jones, and Pastor Paul Radke's religious messages.</p> Two years ago I found an aircheck of Charlie Douglas’ Roadgang–it contains the mule story.  The recording was made in 1978 and can be found here: (download).

The first time I ever heard The Road Gang I was about 10.  My dad used to listen to the show on overnight road trips.  I listened to the show through the years until 2002.

Charlie, Dave and John were all great hosts.  The show was one of the most personable radio programs I have ever heard.

Richard L., if it helps, I remember  that violin instrumental, and heard a version of it a few years ago.  The version of the song I heard was performed by Artie Shaw, but the arrangement was different.  I wish I knew the title, but this information might narrow it down for you.

Besides King Edward Cigar Time, I also remember "Interscan Weather," which for a time used Kraftwerk’s "Autobahn" as the bumper music,  ads for "The Country Store," selling music for artists like Ernest Tubb and Grandpa Jones, and Pastor Paul Radke’s religious messages.

]]>