By Jim Bowie (68.129.149.238) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 05:25 pm:

Excerpts from "Signing off," Angus Lind�s Friday May 16, 2003 column in The New Orleans Times-Picayune

Legendary New Orleans disc jockey Bob 'The Oldie King' Walker is 'proud to have been a part of radio at its best and glad to be leaving it at its worst.'

Year after year, Bob Walker told the nine-to-fivers listening to his show at the end of the day the same thing: "It's quittin' time! It's quittin' time!"

Now, after 38 years on the air here, most recently at WTIX-FM, "The Oldie King" has said, "It's quittin' time for me."

"I had a radio career full of incredible highs," said Walker. "WTIX-FM treated me well and I have the highest regard for them. At this stage there are other things and challenges I wish to experience and enjoy. There's a big world out there on the other side of radio. I want to soak up as much of it as I can."

But the 56-year-old DJ, who cut his teeth at the turntable of local radio icon Poppa Stoppa, will tell you he also left the airwaves partially because of his disgust with broadcast radio in general. It's what he calls "a wasteland of sterile music and endorsement whores" owned and overseen by bottom-line corporate radio people who couldn't care less about the betterment of music -- and have tight play lists of only 300-400 songs.

"An embarrassment," he calls it.

Behind a mike since 1965 -- most of it at WTIX AM-690 -- Walker has memories few in his profession have of the 'TIX glory days, lording over the pop-music airwaves with DJ pals "Skinny" Tommy Cheney, Todd Bauer and Kim Stephens. Those were the days of 'TIX Tenna-Toppers (orange Styrofoam balls that listeners put on their car antennas) and "Chime Time," which featured three different chimes recorded from the Fortier High School Band chime.

"He's a part of growing up in New Orleans for so many people," said Steve Slumber, who helped Walker host "Sunday Night Oldies Parties" at the Bengal Lounge in Metairie and other locations around town for 16 years. "We've been hearing that distinctive voice since 1967. He's like an old friend with a great voice and his love of oldies is unmatched. Bob really remembers the people who helped him along the way and is a great entertainer."

Slumber credits Walker with keeping the local talent such as Bobby Mitchell, Ernie K-Doe, Irma Thomas, Eddie Bo and countless others in the oldies spotlight while most other radio stations devote themselves exclusively to national recording artists.

"He helped keep their careers going in some years when they might not have been doing much," said Slumber.

"My goal always was the betterment of music," said Walker. "I never made a lot of money. I just wanted to see New Orleans music and oldies live on and make sure they got played.

"This is the city where rock 'n' roll was born. When the rest of the nation was listening to Pat Boone, we were listening to Fats Domino and Little Richard. We were playing 'Earth Angel' by The Penguins and the rest of the nation was listening to 'Earth Angel' by The Crewcuts. This is a special place. And I tried to keep that going."

It was an increasingly uphill battle. Back in 'TIX's heyday, stations encouraged DJs to style the shows to fit their personalities. It was, said Walker, "a time when you actually had a chance of hearing your song played if you called a request line. Now, if the song you want is not on their tight playlists of 300 to 400 titles, you will not hear it."

Even oldies formats have narrowed their focus, spotlighting only the biggest hits by certain artists and from particular eras. "Fats Domino had 50 or 60 hit songs. Why are they not being played?" Walker asked. "All you hear is 'Blue Monday,' 'Blueberry Hill' and 'I'm Walkin'.' "
Radio, he says, has been "neutered down to nothing." At many stations, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., local disc jockeys have been replaced by syndicated programming and pre-recorded voice tracks. "You're listening to computers because it cuts costs," Walker said. "But it sure takes the fun and spontaneity out of radio."
....

On-air personalities were held to a somewhat higher standard when Walker came out of Louisiana State University, where he worked at the campus radio station, and landed his first paying gig at WNNR AM-990, "Da Center Aisle on Your Radio Dial," broadcasting from the old Jung Hotel on Canal Street. It was there that he hooked up with Clarence Hamann, aka "Poppa Stoppa."

"The best, no doubt about it," Walker said. "He was the originator of the 30-minute and 40-minute music jam, non-stop commercial-free music."
Walker recalls how Hamann would leave the studio while the records were spinning, get in his car and drive through neighborhoods to see what radio stations people were tuned to. Naturally, if they weren't listening to his show, he let them know about it.

"He had a healthy disrespect for authority. They'd tell him what to do and he just laughed," said Walker. It was "Poppa Stoppa," he said, who first integrated black and white artists on local radio playlists. " 'TIX picked up on that," Walker said.

From 1979-84, Walker hosted the " 'TIX Original Oldie Hour" at noon. He brought out local oldie moldies that hadn't been heard in years and believes the show was directly responsible for the resurgence of local rock 'n' roll and R&B acts that hadn't been heard for some time.

....

"I was there when radio was truly local and a good business to be in," he said. "I was there at the beginning. Fats is 73 and Willie Nelson is 70. And I'm here at the end, alpha and omega. From the beginning of rock as a listener, till I got on the air, got to know these artists as celebrities and now we're riding it all out together.

"I am proud to have been a part of radio at its best and glad to be leaving it at its worst. In its heyday of the '60s and '70s, WTIX was one of the five strongest and most influential stations in the country. If we added a song to our playlist it would zoom up the national charts and be added by stations all over the country. If we came up with a catchy new slogan, you could hear stations everywhere using it shortly afterwards."
With Walker, there's always the chance that retirement will not be forever. He has left radio to pursue other business endeavors several times before. "But," he said, "like Michael Corleone said in 'Godfather 3,' 'Every time I'm out, they pull me back in.' "

For now, Walker says he plans to spend more time with his wife of 28 years, Judy. He has three grown children and is about to be a grandfather for the first time.
"You never know," he said. "If I could, I might want to go back and play what I want to play one more time -- like Smiley Lewis, or maybe Danny White and the Cavaliers singing, 'Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.' "

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 05:43 pm:

This and Michael Powell's FCC want to all of radio controlled by a privileged few....

This is why I left the commercial radio business.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 09:14 pm:

MY RADIO TURNOFF CAME WHEN I MOVED TO LOS ANGELES...LOOKING FOR A RADIO GIG...AND WAS CALLED INTO KJOY BASED ON AN AUDITION TAPE I HAD SENT THEM!!!...THEY AUDITIONED ME FOR A DJ GIG...EVEN THOUGH I WAS A BROADCAST JOURNALIST!!!...DURING THE AUDITION...THEY GAVE ME LINER CARDS TO READ AS INTOS (FRONT SELLS) TO THE "BEAUTIFUL MUSIC" THEY FORMATTED!!!...NO WAY WOULD I SIT THERE ALL DAY READING STUFF LIKE "KJOY...THE RELAXING SOUNDS TO START YOUR DAY"...NO MATTER HOW ANXIOUS I WAS TO BREAK INTO L.A. RADIO!!!...THATS PRETTY MUCH WHAT RADIO HAS BECOME...ONE EXTREME OR THE OTHER...EITHER "COOK BOOK" ANNOUNCING...OR "SHOCK JOCK" GARBAGE...NOT MUCH IN THE MIDDLE ANY MORE!!!...STUBASS

By Digeo (205.188.209.109) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 09:21 pm:

Wow, Jim Bowie, thanks for that piece on DJ Bob Walker. I had not heard that Danny White song mentioned in over 30 years! I have been enjoying the dialouge on this forum since coming across it a month ago, and I always learn something!

By Jim Bowie (68.129.150.52) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 09:30 pm:

Here's some info from the FCC, which wants to make commercial radio even worse than it is now. Chairman Powell's remarks are so hypocritical. I say that soul-crushing corporations should own fewer radio and TV stations, not more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
May 15, 2003 Jordan Goldstein: (202) 418-2000
FCC Chairman Responds to Request for Delay on Media Ownership Proceeding

Washington, D.C.�Federal Communication Commission Chairman Michael K. Powell personally delivered his response today to Commissioners Jonathan S. Adelstein and Michael J. Copps, both of whom had requested a delay of the June 2nd vote on the broadcast ownership Biennial Review proceeding.

In a letter, Powell thanked Commissioners Adelstein and Copps for their efforts to involve the public in the debate, explained why he was unable to grant the request, and announced an extension of the sunshine period to allow public debate to continue closer to the date of the vote.

�I have given serious consideration to the concerns raised in your letter and have solicited the views of the other Commissioners,� Powell wrote. �For reasons explained below, I must respectfully decline to postpone the planned June 2nd consideration of the Broadcast Ownership Biennial Review.�

�There is precedent for granting such a request,� Powell continued, �but it is not customary to do so over the strong objections of a majority of Commissioners who are prepared to proceed, or where Congress has statutorily set the pace of our deliberations, as is the case here.�

�Media ownership rules are intended to protect and advance the cherished values of diversity, localism and competition,� Powell wrote. �These values and the public interest, however, are ill-served by letting stand a body of rules that are unenforceable. When the judiciary reverses our rules, especially ones intended to promote core First Amendment values, it is incumbent on us to repair the shortcomings as quickly as possible.�

The Commission will vote on the media ownership Biennial Review on June 2, 2003, as previously scheduled. In addition, the sunshine period will be extended to Friday, May 30, the last business day before the open meeting, so that Commissioners and their staffs can continue to engage the public as the Commissioners deliberate the item internally.

- FCC -
FCC COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS REACTS TO REFUSAL TO ALLOW
PUBLIC AIRING OF PENDING MEDIA CONCENTRATION RULES

Washington � Commissioner Copps reacted today to a press release that FCC Chairman Michael Powell has refused a request from Commissioners Copps and Adelstein for a public airing of proposed media concentration rules and a brief postponement to allow public reaction.

Copps said �This is really disappointing. The Chairman�s decision not to make these proposals public, nor even to grant a short delay in voting, runs roughshod over the requests of the American people and the precedents of this Commission. This rush to judgment means that we will not fully understand the impact of the specific proposals on our media landscape before we are forced to vote. We are rushing to passage of new rules without letting the American people know who is going to own and control the public airwaves for years to come and without gaining the benefit of their input on what is being proposed. This is no way to do business when critical issues affecting every American are at stake. I am disappointed that the Chairman refuses to heed the calls of colleagues, as well as many Members of Congress, to let the sun shine on his proposals before the Commission decides on further media concentration.�

- FCC -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
May 15, 2003 David Fiske: (202) 418-0513
How to Contact the FCC

To Contact the Commissioners via E-mail
Chairman Michael K. Powell: mpowell@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy: kabernat@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: mcopps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kevin J. Martin: kjmweb@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: jadelste@fcc.gov

To Obtain Information via E-mail
General information, inquiries & complaints: fccinfo@fcc.gov
Freedom of Information Act requests: FOIA@fcc.gov
Comments on FCC Internet services: webmaster@fcc.gov
Elections & political candidate matters: campaignlaw@fcc.gov

To Obtain Information via Telephone
1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL FCC) Voice: toll-free
1-888-835-5322 (1-888-TELL FCC) TTY: toll-free
(202) 418-2555 TTY: toll
(202) 418-0710 FAX
(202) 418-2830 FAX on Demand
(202) 418-1440 Elections & political candidate matters
FCC Phone Directory

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 12:34 pm:

THAT'S WHY I STAY WAYYYYYYY DOWN HERE IN THE OL SOUL MINES WITH MY MULES,WHY THEM CARPETBAGGER JITSTA SITTIN UP THAR TELLIN FOLK WHAT KINDA MUSIC TO LISSEN TO,WHY ALL THAT OL RAPPITY RAPPIN AND HIPIDY HOPPIN ON THE RADIO NOWADAYS WHY I CANT UNNERSTAND A DANG WORD THEY'S A SAYIN AND THEY CALL IT MUSIC,WHY I DON'T BLAME THAT FELLER FER QUITTIN,WHY I OUGHTA TAKE ME A STICK O DYNOMITE AN!!!@$$%^%%%$#@@@((**&^%%^&*^^^???&&^%$$#@@@@~~~~@@@#!$$%^&*((*)++_)(*&***!!!!??,ENNYHOW THAT'S MY PENNYS WORTH,BACK TO MY DIGGIN..HEY MEL WHAR YOU AT CONFIBIDY!

By MichaelOH (24.157.156.82) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 12:59 pm:

This thread is what Tom Petty's album "The Last DJ" is all about. It didn't get very good reviews upon it's release, but that's only because people didn't want someone to let the cat out of the bag and be honest about what's really going down with radio.

Even though it's not "soul" music, per se, I would definitely recommend this album to anyone who loves heartfelt, soulful music.

MichaelOH

By Left Field (209.215.117.4) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 02:28 pm:

MichaelOH:
You're right on about Tom Petty's "Last DJ." I reviewed the album when it was released last year but then quickly vanished. Ironically, that same week I reviewed the "American Idol" cast album.

The Baton Rouge Advocate
Published: 10/18/2002

TOM PETTY
AND THE HEARTBREAKERS
The Last DJ
Warner Bros.
Tom Petty bites the hand that seemingly feeds him in The Last DJ. Having fought with MCA Records and filed for bankruptcy in 1979, Petty hasn't been as visible as Courtney Love, Don Henley and others during the past few years of skirmishes between recording artists and the music business. He speaks with stinging, been-there perception, though, in The Last DJ, firing shots at radio, record company fat cats and sell-out artists. The songs remain characteristically sturdy, brightly produced Petty rock tracks, but his message is loud and clear.
First up there's the title track, about a disc jockey who won't toe the corporate line. "There goes the last DJ, who plays what he wants to play and says what he wants to say...there goes your freedom of choice, there goes the last human voice." Even more corrosive is "Joe," a damning portrait of a greedy executive who uses acts up, doesn't pay them and throws them out. "Bring me a girl," Petty sings dryly in the guise of Joe the CEO. "They're always the best. You put 'em on stage and you have 'em undress."
Beyond its occasional music business barbs, The Last DJ presents Petty and his Heartbreakers performing imaginative, finely wrought songs and perceptive lyrics that show the band still exploring its creative fancy. The catchy "Have Love Will Travel" rides rootsy on Robbie Robertson and the Band-brand rock. "Like A Diamond" reflects John Lennon in dreamland. Road song "Blue Sunday" travels with a sweet country tone. The riffs and solos of "Lost Children" recall that early jam band, Cream, and its immediate successor, the short-lived Blind Faith.
Created, not fabricated, The Last DJ spins authenticity, imagination, hard-won experience and a real love of music.

VARIOUS ARTISTS
American Idol: Greatest Moments
RCA
Millions know their names: Kelly, Justin, Nikki, A.J., RJ, EJay, Ryan, Tamyra, Christina and a guy named Jim. These young singers competed in that popular, prolonged, televised talent contest American Idol. Their collective CD is a slick, soulless set of cover tunes, emphasis being on classic soul music. Naturally, A.J., RJ, Ejay and their gang can't match the classic original acts, but some of them do good impressions of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson, albeit an impression of Jackson singing, believe it or not, an Edwin McCain song. There's no real need for such imitation, of course, other than millions of TV viewers tuning in to see yet another American Idol installment. The judges must have had a tough time picking a winner. While there are some undeniably polished performances here, its difficult to find anything unique among the so-called idols. But it's really all about skin-baring outfits and youthful faces that even frequent visits to tanning salons have yet to crack.

By Joe Hill (67.249.70.192) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 09:50 pm:

Clear Channel Communications, Inc., (NYSE:CCU) headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a global leader in the out-of-home advertising industry with radio and television stations, outdoor displays, and entertainment venues in 63 countries around the world. Including announced transactions, Clear Channel operates approximately 1,224 radio and 19 television stations in the United States and has equity interests in 240 radio stations internationally. Clear Channel also operates approximately 770,000 outdoor advertising displays, including billboards, street furniture and transit panels across the world. Clear Channel Entertainment is one of the world�s largest diversified promoters, producers and presenters of live entertainment events and is a leading fully integrated sports marketing and management company.

WYNK is owned and operated by Clear Channel Radio. Clear Channel also owns and operates Baton Rouge radio stations WJBO 1150 AM, WFMF-FM, 96.1 The River, The Score 1210 AM and Talk Radio AM 1380.

-- From Clear Channel press release

By Sue (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 11:48 pm:

I dreamed I saw you last night, Joe ...

By Joseph (67.249.57.123) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 12:10 am:

Actually, you saw me two weeks ago. Up with labor.