Comments on: Trucking Radio, As It Used To Was http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/ Adventures In Amplitude Modulation Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:37:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Ken H http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-736 Ken H Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:30:37 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-736 Wish I had a dollar for every mile I've run listening to Charlie, Don and John. Overnight shows will never be the same again, much be the pity. I have listened to XM, but still not the same. Not saying that it is good, but just not the same. Would love to find a copy of the Plantin Bugle, but haven't had much luck. Wish I had a dollar for every mile I’ve run listening to Charlie, Don and John. Overnight shows will never be the same again, much be the pity. I have listened to XM, but still not the same. Not saying that it is good, but just not the same. Would love to find a copy of the Plantin Bugle, but haven’t had much luck.

]]> By: Blair http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-464 Blair Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:57:53 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-464 Sad to say, John Parker passed away in 2004 from cancer. I worked with him at Entercom in New Orleans. I met him and Dave Nemo back in 1976 when I was working at a small country station in town when I was 16 years old. At the time, WWL's studios were on Rampart St. next to WWL-TV. The AM/FM studios were on the 2nd floor and Road Gang had the 3rd floor to themselves, more less an attic remodeled for the kids. Parker originally worked answering phones for Charlie and Dave. Once Charlie left, John stepped right in. John loved working at night and when Nemo left for Nashville, he stayed behind and board op'ed for the syndicated show until they dropped it. He loved that shift regardless of what he was doing. He did a lot of show-prep for Bob Delgiorno in the morning and actually worked 11pm-7am. Had anyone called him, he'll love to talk with them. He was an expert of New Orleans radio history dating back to the 50's when he was growing up in the city. I often joke with him that he should write a book. He had an incredible collection of music on vinyl. At his home in Algiers, he had one room just for music. He had two walls, ceiling to floor, of just 45's and one of albums. I had to bring him records from London back in 1982. He wouldn't let me leave without his list. He knew New Orleans music like the artist were all relatives. He could talk for days and not repeat himself. I soaked up a lot of history from him. I'm glad to have known him, worked with him and more so, able to call him a close friend. He would have been humbled by these posts. Thanks for the kind words for a passed friend! -Blair Kullman New Orleans Sad to say, John Parker passed away in 2004 from cancer. I worked with him at Entercom in New Orleans.

I met him and Dave Nemo back in 1976 when I was working at a small country station in town when I was 16 years old. At the time, WWL’s studios were on Rampart St. next to WWL-TV. The AM/FM studios were on the 2nd floor and Road Gang had the 3rd floor to themselves, more less an attic remodeled for the kids. Parker originally worked answering phones for Charlie and Dave. Once Charlie left, John stepped right in. John loved working at night and when Nemo left for Nashville, he stayed behind and board op’ed for the syndicated show until they dropped it. He loved that shift regardless of what he was doing. He did a lot of show-prep for Bob Delgiorno in the morning and actually worked 11pm-7am.

Had anyone called him, he’ll love to talk with them. He was an expert of New Orleans radio history dating back to the 50’s when he was growing up in the city. I often joke with him that he should write a book. He had an incredible collection of music on vinyl. At his home in Algiers, he had one room just for music. He had two walls, ceiling to floor, of just 45’s and one of albums. I had to bring him records from London back in 1982. He wouldn’t let me leave without his list. He knew New Orleans music like the artist were all relatives. He could talk for days and not repeat himself. I soaked up a lot of history from him.

I’m glad to have known him, worked with him and more so, able to call him a close friend. He would have been humbled by these posts. Thanks for the kind words for a passed friend!

-Blair Kullman
New Orleans

]]> By: April Massey http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-457 April Massey Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:21:23 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-457 I am wondering if this John Parker is the same as Big John Parker from Marshall County Kentucky. I know he was a pretty big disc jockey and he was big and tall? His classmates are looking for him? Last we heard he was in Louisville. I am wondering if this John Parker is the same as Big John Parker from Marshall County Kentucky. I know he was a pretty big disc jockey and he was big and tall?
His classmates are looking for him? Last we heard he was in Louisville.

]]> By: Jason http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-437 Jason Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:08:59 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-437 I'm honored to have been a bit player in such a great post, and I'm looking forward to hearing the other side of John Parker at long last. He really was a trip. Thanks for bringing it back home, Professor. I’m honored to have been a bit player in such a great post, and I’m looking forward to hearing the other side of John Parker at long last. He really was a trip. Thanks for bringing it back home, Professor.

]]> By: Tommy Vowell http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-399 Tommy Vowell Sat, 31 May 2008 09:42:33 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-399 My son and I are on a camping outing...its kind of cool, so we hopped into my pickup to get warm and then it dawned on me that I used to listen to WWL when I was a police officer in New Orleans. Although I couldnt find it on the dial, I picked up my cell and found this site. after some very long nights of work on patrol the Road Gang was a constant friend on the radio. When I think about it, that was 14 years ago. the show was a boredom buster on long shifts while I found a quiet spot to study for my Masters degree classes. Thanks for this site and thanks for reminding me of the road gang! My son and I are on a camping outing…its kind of cool, so we hopped into my pickup to get warm and then it dawned on me that I used to listen to WWL when I was a police officer in New Orleans. Although I couldnt find it on the dial, I picked up my cell and found this site. after some very long nights of work on patrol the Road Gang was a constant friend on the radio.

When I think about it, that was 14 years ago. the show was a boredom buster on long shifts while I found a quiet spot to study for my Masters degree classes. Thanks for this site and thanks for reminding me of the road gang!

]]> By: Peggy http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-397 Peggy Sat, 24 May 2008 01:57:42 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-397 I found this online - what memories! http://www.imeem.com/people/VhwtaT9/music/t7vhjCWo/charlie_douglas_dammit_ray/ I found this online - what memories!
http://www.imeem.com/people/VhwtaT9/music/t7vhjCWo/charlie_douglas_dammit_ray/

]]> By: Larry Henderson http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-379 Larry Henderson Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:53:58 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-379 I too listened to WWl and the Road Gang in the '70's & '80's during my years as a trucker out of Texas. John and Nemo provided me with a bench mark which always made me feel a little closer to home.870 & 820 were real close on the dial and when john faded out Bill Mack was always waiting on WBAP. Also, Harold Taft covered the weather and over towards morning Dick Yaws could always wake me up with a good story. But the thing I always waited to hear was the story by Jerry Clowers, Justin Wilson, Charlie Douglas or some other humorist which WWL provided every hour. YOU can't go to sleep when you are laughing that hard!!! I too listened to WWl and the Road Gang in the ’70’s & ’80’s during my years as a trucker out of Texas. John and Nemo provided me with a bench mark which always made me feel a little closer to home.870 & 820 were real close on the dial and when john faded out Bill Mack was always waiting on WBAP. Also, Harold Taft covered the weather and over towards morning Dick Yaws could always wake me up with a good story. But the thing I always waited to hear was the story by Jerry Clowers, Justin Wilson, Charlie Douglas or some other humorist which WWL provided every hour. YOU can’t go to sleep when you are laughing that hard!!!

]]> By: Bob http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-368 Bob Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:28:59 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-368 >>John Parker still works for us,” the woman wrote. “He’s the overnight board operator… on from 11pm to 5am.” Board operator? One of my favorite radio voices was reduced to pushing buttons << I seem to remember (or dreamt) that John was Nemo's board operator and filled in for him when he was off for some reason, and weekends. Nemo was good. John was better. Bob >>John Parker still works for us,” the woman wrote. “He’s the overnight board operator… on from 11pm to 5am.” Board operator? One of my favorite radio voices was reduced to pushing buttons <<

I seem to remember (or dreamt) that John was Nemo’s board operator and filled in for him when he was off for some reason, and weekends. Nemo was good. John was better.

Bob

]]> By: Ed Nichols http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-355 Ed Nichols Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:45:51 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-355 Glad I stumbled on this site. I grew up with an AM radio under my pillow and remember it all. WCFL's-"Chickenman", WWL,WLW,WSM. Ralph Emory, Charlie Douglas. Couldnt get over being in West Virginia and listening to Bill Mack in Texas. WRVA in Richmond VA. Even listened to a couple ball games on WABC-NY. CKLW from Canada, and some station in Del Rio TX that transmitted about 150KW out of Mexico. I am curious though. Of all the big stations and trucker shows, how did you miss mentioning the powerhouse of the great northeast in the 70's? WWVA 1170AM with my friend Buddy Ray, and the world famous Saturday night Jamboree. I miss the Bickersons! Glad I stumbled on this site. I grew up with an AM radio under my pillow and remember it all. WCFL’s-”Chickenman”, WWL,WLW,WSM. Ralph Emory, Charlie Douglas. Couldnt get over being in West Virginia and listening to Bill Mack in Texas. WRVA in Richmond VA. Even listened to a couple ball games on WABC-NY. CKLW from Canada, and some station in Del Rio TX that transmitted about 150KW out of Mexico. I am curious though. Of all the big stations and trucker shows, how did you miss mentioning the powerhouse of the great northeast in the 70’s? WWVA 1170AM with my friend Buddy Ray, and the world famous Saturday night Jamboree. I miss the Bickersons!

]]> By: Paul Nelson http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-349 Paul Nelson Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:41:05 +0000 http://theradiokitchen.net/trucking-radio-as-it-used-to-was/#comment-349 Oh, man! Thank you so much for refreshing my failing memory! I could not remember John's last name! I used to listen to WWL through the weekend mornings on the AM radio at an all night coffee house in Athens, GA. I heard a song on the show, maybe once or twice, and have never been able to track it down. The Ballad of Quantrill by John Henry(?) It was a long and rambling story-type song. I wonder if you ever heard it on John Parker's show. I preferred John to Mr. Nemo, hands down. I loved his accent. He would say "Carbin" for Corbin, KY., my mother's home town,and Narth en lieu of North. Thank you very kindly indeed! Best regards, another humble ol' fan of "Country music the way it used to was"... Paul Oh, man!
Thank you so much for refreshing my failing memory!
I could not remember John’s last name! I used to listen to WWL through the weekend mornings on the AM radio at an all night coffee house in Athens, GA.
I heard a song on the show, maybe once or twice, and have never been able to track it down.
The Ballad of Quantrill by John Henry(?)
It was a long and rambling story-type song.
I wonder if you ever heard it on John Parker’s show.
I preferred John to Mr. Nemo, hands down.
I loved his accent. He would say “Carbin” for Corbin, KY., my mother’s home town,and Narth en lieu of North.
Thank you very kindly indeed!
Best regards,
another humble ol’ fan of “Country music the way it used to was”…
Paul

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