Airchecks

This is the final episode of Airchecks. Sorry, this is a long podcast (6 hours!), but this a brief look into my radio broadcast career from 1985-2003. Thank you for listening to the shows. This was towards the response of Classic Radio with Wyatt Cox going off the air and re-simplified to two 2 and a half hour shows per day. In the mean time, my concentration is Purdy Spit Radio, a Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula area community radio station. You can listen to it on purdyspit.org. Thank you everyone!

Just a little bit of a housekeeping note.  This will be the last episode of Airchecks until we are back on June 1, 2025 as we need to make some adjustments to the new radio station,  Purdy Spit Radio at purdy spit dot o r g.  In this episode:From December 30, 1964, New Year's dates are something special.  What will happen in the year 2000 when a new century starts?  Memories of "The Star and Garter. " Army story: New Year's Eve in Kansas City.  Great descriptions and imagery!  From January 13, 1965, A Banco prize: an incense burner in the shape of Buddha.  A suggestion for a course in "Remedial Shepherd" for those who only tuned in after 1961. The Disease of the Month.  Grandpa Henry and "The Eight Hour Chaw" (good story telling)!  Part of the opening theme has been deleted.  From February 8, 1965, Are animals capable of love. . . of courage?  Chameleons.  "Sweeten your personality. " Learning to laugh.  From February 26, 1965, Music to go over the cliff by,  free horse manure.  Pulling a "roscoe. " Covington Kentucky: a robbery at the diner.  The opening theme music is upcut.  

In this episode of the Jean Shepherd Show Marathon, we will hear:From September 15, 1964,  A remote broadcast from the Disney exhibit and the I.  B.  M.  "People Wall" at the New York's World's Fair.  From October 16, 1964, Remembering Al Pearce as a poor salesman.  Selling seeds is not an easy task.  Why painters drink too much.  Parts of the opening and closing themes have been deleted.  From November 7, 1964, The program originates from "The Limelight, " New York City.  Shepherd tells about his last two weeks touring with The Beatles in Scotland.  A meeting with a countess.  A visit to "The Whoopee Club. " Ping Pong in New York City: an army story.  From December 15, 1964, "There is something afoot! " Shep says that "according to a mjor New York City newspaper, " there is a super-race that operate flying saucers and live at the North Pole.  From December 26, 1964,  The program originates from "The Limelight, " New York City.  Playing "Turnpike Tag. " A B.  B.  gun story (see cat.  #79751 for another B.  B.  gun story told from "The Limeight").  Calling home at Christmas.  Dentist's waiting rooms: great Shepherd!  

In this episode we listen to:From August 4, 1964, The Sultan of Zanzibar has failed his driver's license test.  The characteristics of the "Slobbus Americanus, " a portrait in great detail.  From August 13, 1964, Memories of Vic and Sade,  Blue Tooth Johnson,  Four-Fisted Frank Fuddleman,  Gloria Golden.  From August 18, 1964,  Monster mothers.  The literary scene and the undue influence of the New York Times Book Review.  Part of the opening and closing themes have been deleted.  From August 22, 1964, The Little Roy Acuff Jukebox Bank.  Hillbilly radio sales.  Great stories of radio salesmanship.  From August 29, 1964, Sponsored by: Sustaining,  Palisades Park,  Show Magazine.  The program originates from "The Limelight, " New York City.  "Evading The Issue. " Shepherd's first day at high school.  Miss Crystal Reader in biology class.  Mr.  Pittinger teaches algebra: well told.  The Show magazine commercial features: "Beware Of TV's Election Monster, " an article about the use of computers during the coming election.  The 11:00 P.  M.  news (read by Ed Pettit) features stories about the Beatles,  who are performing tonight in Queens.  There has been rioting in Philadelphia.  Fleischmann's Yeast,  The story of M.  L.  Scott and the girl's swimming pool.  "The Song Of The Signal Corps, " great Shep!  At the toolbooth.  An enjoyable show.  The recording includes the start of,  "The Amazing Randi Show" following.  + Shepherd began his radio career in Cincinnati,  Ohio in 1948 as a broadcaster and later landed a late night show broadcast in Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  Jean got the nickname,  Shep,  when he was working at WOR radio in New York City.  At his overnight radio gig in New York City,  Shep told stories,  read some poetry and also organized stunts for fans who listened every night.  

In this episode of the Jean Shepherd Marathon on Airchecks, we present:From February 5, 1964, The story of a kid who shot down an airliner with a .22 The myth of marrying a Japanese woman.  Americans don't listen to shortwave radio.  February 14, 1964, The different types of love.  Shepherd announces that he will be broadcasting live from "The Limelight" (for the first time? ).  Playing bass in a really lousy symphony orchestra. . . during a storm.  The romance with six year old,  beautiful and wealthy Dawn Strickland.  Part of the opening theme has been deleted.  From May 23, 1964, Sponsored by: The Village Voice.  The broadcast originates from the Limelight,  New York City.  A program "not for women and children. " "Miss Subways, " "entertainment. " Dish night at the Orpheum.  The Red Garter Jazz Band plays several tunes.  Marty Warren (owner of the "Limelight") sings,  "Call Me By My Rightful Name" and "John Henry" (with lyrics about the Brooklyn Dodgers)!  The Chemistry exam.  From June 20, 1964, The broadcast originates from the "Limelight, " New York City.  Army story: searching for German submarines in the swamps of the Everglades.  An unexpected catch in the Indiana swamps.  The sight of the mud hen in the swamp.  The Toledo Mud Hens.  From July 25, 1964, Sponsored by: L and M.  The program originates from "The Limelight, " New York City.  Turtles and radio evangelists.  Doing a remote,  the congregation prays for Shepherd.  Two girls on a bus.  Army story: learning to climb poles.  Air races.  It's Shep's birthday.  

Welcome to Airchecks! Here is more of the Jean Shepherd Marathon on W O R in New York City. From December 19, 1963, Shepherd scats along with,  "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and "The Okeh Laughing Record" while doing a poor imitation of Clem McCarthy.  News from Britain in Shep's Winston Churchill voice.  Tattoos.  The sergeant and the pearl-handled grooming kit. December 23, 1963 (no description).From December 25, 1963, Thinking about the real "American Christmas. " Listening to the radio on Christmas Day.  From December 30, 1963, Right at the start of the show,  the engineer rewinds tape on the air!  Playing football when it's cold. . . and hot.  Shepherd thinks the proposed "bubble" baseball stadium to be built in Houston is a bad idea.  Unintendedly satire: "Goldwater Cologne. " The myth of controlling history.  From January 16, 1964, Cold weather masochism in New York City.  During a snow fall in New York,  Shep recalls,  "The Great Indiana Blizzard" and the old man's Graham Paige.  Part of the opening theme has been deleted,  the date is subject to correction.  

In this episode we feature:From April 26, 1963,  Graffiti,  Why Hud?  Life is not only a magazine,  it's a cereal!  "If you can't beat City Hall,  flood it! " Schwartz's father: a vice president and a most effective lay leader.  Part of the opening theme has been deleted.  From August 29, 1963, The program was on tape last night,  because Shepherd participated in the day's march on Washington,  D.  C.  He describes the bus ride,  the civil rights demonstration and the people who attended.  He describes the speech by Martin Luther King as "brilliant. " From August 15, 1963, News bulletin: Ted Mallie reports about a gunfight in Manhattan.  Fear of a hole in the ground.  The night the State Theatre blew up.  Part of the opening theme has been deleted.  From August 18, 1963, He announces that he will be performing at Rutgers at the end of the week.  Shepherd plays the devil.  You never can tell!  A mysterious patchwork quilt.  After the program,  WOR-FM signs of before the start of The Long John Nebel Show.  Part of the opening theme has been deleted.  

Here is more of the Jean Shepherd Marathon on W O R in New York City.  From April 24, 1962,  The literati today discuss films,  not books.  Chicago chop suey joints.From,   September 19, 1962, here is "Elephant Foot".  From March 15, 1963, Goldwater,  Romney and Rockefller are also not running.  Shep hasn't much patience with his engineer "Walt" (or anyone else in the studio).  Underdogs?  That's pure Orwell!  A broadcast showing the darker side of Shepherd.  From April 23, 1963,,  The date is only an approximation,  as Shep mentions it's a Monday.  The game of "Diner's Club. " Springtime in northern Indiana.  Shepherd becomes as apprentice in a piano factory.  The beginning of an education.  Part of the opening theme has been deleted.  From April 25, 1963, Khruschev says,  "Those who believe in God have a moral responsibility to stop building nuclear weapons. " A matchbook cover from, "Christorama." 

In this episode of the Jean Shepherd Marathon:From February 15, 1962,  "The human race is. . . " First days are very important.  The first day at the steel mill,  a job gotten through a ham radio contact.  "Life isn't exactly the way it seems to be. " Great Shepherd!  From February 19, 1962,  At auction: a genuine elephant's leg umbrella stand.  A St.  Louis man breaks into the zoo and frees forty-six cages of snakes.  Talking to ants and rats.  Driving a bed in Britain without a license.  Part of the opening theme has been deleted.  From February 21, 1962, Chewing the fat.  The Mole People.  "Woe betide those of you who have nothing in their lives they couldn't talk about. " A fable of a boarding house,  and other fables of George Ade.  From February 22, 1962, Shepherd almost sells out!  "The Plant-A-Prayer System. " "I Am An American Cards. " Ogg and Charlie are sitting by the shore of a lake,  when Charley's knee starts to bend.  A doomed romance.  Part of the opening theme has been deleted.  

In this episode of the Jean Shepherd Marathon:From February 27, 1961, Native rights,  a lady cab driver,  a beatnik asks for "vanilla, " a Manhattan tradition,  three thousand golf scores,  a matter of time.  From March 1, 1961, H.  G.  Grubbage and the news,  a crack in suburban Philadelphia.  "Ricky and Debby in Sardine Land. " A nose flute solo,  Babe Ruth and the wooden pig.  From March 2, 1961, A chat with Mother Nature.  Obstructionism as a way of life,  ghost believers.  Don't miss the twelve midnight WOR time tone!  From September 4, 1961, Who is really an American?  Square eggs from North Carolina.  Swimming pools and fallout shelters.  A Bangalore Torpedo movie in the army.  Part of the program's opening theme has been deleted.  From September 5, 1961, An unsolvable problem: rats and cheese,  non-violent violence.  The probabilities of suicide.  Being in a box; reading a work by James Thurber.  

In this episode of the Jean Shepherd Marathon, we present:From September 11, 1960,  "Listen Baby, " air conditioned graves?  A reading from "Fu Manchu. " Shep mentions that "this is the last of the Sunday night shows, " and that his new air time will be 12:15 A.  M.  to 4:00 A.  M.  Memories of his recent trip to Guantanemo Bay,  Cuba.  Fall Haiku.  From September 18, 1960, What not to name the baby,  the water polo game of life,  "The New Jersey Effigy Company. " After the 4:00 P.  M.  time tone,  Mutual net news with Sanford Marshall is heard.  From February 22, 1961, Tapping the one thousand foot long watermelon of life.  The game of "World Diplomacy. " "National Nothing-But-The-Truth Day. " "Civil War: A stirring promotion theme. " 

In this Jean Shepherd Marthanon we will play:From September 3, 1960, The MONY sign,  Shep plans to make the first purchase at the new Paperbook Gallery.  Three hundred copies of "I Libertine" will be given away.  Og and Charlie on the shore of Lake Titicaca: the first clam is eaten.  The commercial for "The Electronic Workshop" (one of the sponsors) features a monaural component system for $150! From September 4, 1960, A ride on the caterpillar.  Being on the "art studies" mailing list.  Don't vote!  The revolt of the British bus drivers.  A taste of slumgullion.  Getting the itch.  From September 10, 1960, Shep describes his visit to Guantanemo Bay,  Cuba.  Shepherd on the Voice Of America?  What would the world think?  Drawing objects and really seeing them.  A phone call from a "lovable girl" and a "dynamic man of action. " 

In this Jean Shepherd marathon, we present:Shep talks about: the chain on the door, the steel mill and "Terry and The Pirates." Permanent protection from the elements. WOR is breaking in a new fifty thousand watt transmitter after the show (the one in current use was put into service in 1923). Mom's cookie cutter, The New York Times asks Shepherd for assistance. Whitey Ford pitches to a loser. Fu Manchu for president! Chinese water torture, a lifetime credit card, three roosters on a bathtub. Portions of this program might be recorded out of sequence. (July 10, 1960)The emblem of the eagle should be replaced by a cocker spaniel. A modest proposal for ex-presidents (and others). The starlings have arrived in Queens, memories of the Lone Ranger. (July 23, 1960)"The Footrace Of Life" in New York. At the dog track: chasing the rabbitt of life. Shep reveals the source of alligators in the sewers of New York City. (July 30, 1960)

In this Jean Shepherd episode:The recording begins with Dwight Weist reading the WOR News. Grand Prix auto racing, fishing, air races, dance marathons. (June 25, 1960)The July 4th weekend, old Wallace Beery movies, Druids at Stonehenge, "We are being inundated by a wave of creeping meatballism." Shep asks all listeners who are using a portable radio to wave a white handkerchief or towel in the air. Shep refers to Del Sharbutt as "a human pipe organ." He awards a "brass figmagee" and recalls his mother's "rump sprung chenille bathrobe." Shep plays, "When The Bloom Is On The Sage" on his nose flute. Riding buses in New York. A good show! (July 2, 1960)Summer madness and "The Great  Ice Cream War." A real ingredient in bowling balls is cheese! (July 4, 1960) 

In part 2 of the Jean Shepherd Marathon, we will present:Coney Island: the man in the batting cage, a visit to Germany, the Cincinnati Human Fly, grandmother's eyeglasses, "Excelsior, You Fathead." (April 9, 1960)Jean has been locked out of his office at WOR! Angry cab drivers, a world filled with agents, Aunt Theresa's Jell-O molds, Aunt Theresa and Uncle Fred. "There are elements of Ahab in each of us!" (April 16, 1960)A movie on the Late Show, a panorama of the Civil War, Indiana, a snake chucking, "Night People," a new kind of sin. (June 4, 1960)

Aichecks is featuring a Jean Shepherd Marathon, where we play as many shows as we can from the late 1950s to 1977 on WOR in NYC. In this episode, you will hear:I, Libertine (a literary hoax)Shepherd praises the "Gogomobile" at length (a cheap Dutch auto). Ronald Metzger said it for all of us. A Bacchanalian cry: Evoe! (May 2, 1959)12:15 P. M. to 2:00 P. M. The first Jean Shepherd show on a Saturday afternoon. "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," two letters from kid listeners are read, the solar system and restrooms. A five-and-dime grab bag. Shep complains about American  radio and compares it to radio services around the world. The Mutual net news at 1:00 P. M. has been deleted. (March 26, 1960)

This week on Airchecks, this is the final part of a two part series of Ripley's Believe It Or Not.

In this episode of Airchecks, we will be playing part one of two of Ripley's Believe It Or Not.

This is the New Year's Eve Special. In this episode we feature:Abbott & CosetlloOur Miss BrooksThe Aldrich FamilyFather Knows BestHarold PearyThe Jack Benny Show

This is the Christmas Special of Airchecks! In this episode we feature:Hercules Poirot's Christmas (BBC, December 24, 1986)A Christmas Carol (Campbell's Playhouse, CBS, December 24, 1939)Marley's Dead (BBC Comedy, December 24, 2010)The Night Before Christmas (NBC Radio City Playhouse, December 15, 1949)Next week will be a New Year's Celebration episode.