I had a great time with my wife, mother in-law and my son Jake last weekend at the West Memphis HS Band Competition. My niece, Shelby, participated and did a great job with the Senatobia Marching Band. She's part of the auxiliary. She plays with the band as well (flute) during regular concert season.
But it brought back some great memories. The band at the high school where I went has kind of fallen on tough times over the past few years. Part of it is leadership. It's embarrassing to watch them march when I see them in a parade. Shelby's band (and every band I saw this weekend) is playing at a very different and much higher level of performance. In a word, all the bands were "tight".Â
The band director when I was in school, ironically named "Ben King", was a very good conductor, teacher, and leader. We also had a culture then where the sports players played in the band and it was considered "cool". Nowadays, things are so "specialized".Â
But I truly think leadership is what inspires the future. It was really exciting to see the young people this past weekend and it brought back some great memories. I thought about Mr. King this weekend. I may not be a professional saxophone player, but band and his leadership changed my life. I hope Shelby relishes these experiences.Â
My wife and I took our son Jake for a great Autumn trip to visit my folks in Illinois. The colors in Missouri and Illinois are in full "change". Way ahead of Tennessee for the most part.Â
This trip was partly to celebrate my wife starting her new job at Willis here in Memphis. I'm so proud of her.  I admire her work ethic very much.Â
Not only did we take time to celebrate her new job, but we went to our friend Bob and Joyce Sanvi's annual "canjun" party. We actually passed a trailer rig labeled with LSU stuff from Hommes, LA on I-55 in the Missouri boothill.  Stacy and I kept talking about that trailer because we knew LSU didn't play Missouri or Illinois. Turns out, they were the cooking crew for the party we went to the next day!
Friday night we also saw the Cardinals beat the Phillies and advance to the NLCS in baseball. I'm obviously a huge Cardinals fan. I actually have a "friend" here in Memphis who played for the Cardinals who is going to the game Friday. I'll share the rest of that story after Friday's game! But the story with the Cardinals has been this silly squirrel who ran across home plate. The marketing has kicked in on that...with the rally squirrel stuff.  The funniest thing was when that "squirrel" turned up in the Philadelphia celebration with Octavio Dotel marching it around the clubhouse.
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But Bernie Miklaz, a local columnist in St. Louis, brought up a good point that my friend Dennis and I were talking about. The Cardinals aren't about silly slogans, rally monkeys, squirrels, etc. They are about Hall of Famers, Stan the Man, history, Red, Whitey Ball, the Wizards, the voice of Jack Buck saying "that's a winner", and guys like me who nearly cry on opening day when they prance the clydesdales out. It's like a part of your childhood that you feel.
Speaking of childhood, on our trip my son Jake (who almost suffers from exhaustion he loves my folks farm so much) made his monthly trip to see his friends (horses) Queenie, Cari, and Cooper.
We also had the chance to catch some fish at my folks' pond and raise a flag at "Jake's Place" (AKA "the Cardinal Cabin"), which is great and provides nice shade at our monthly fishing hole.
Things are going well...Good weather, finally, and we're looking forward to spending some time with my family in the next few days. My folks have a farm, and we're big John Deere people. Of course, they don't have anything like this:
But there's nothing like time on the farm... and time in Cardinal country! I'm sensitive that we're not technically in Cardinals country 100% because I have several Braves and Cubs friends. But it makes me happy that the Cardinals are still playing baseball.
If you want to hear the games, you can support them on the other stations I work with: 92.9 FM ESPN/680 AM or 790 AM (tomorrow and Wed. games on 790 AM). I'm actually responsible for managing content on those 2 stations. Soon (Oct. 17th...you're one of the 1st to know this if you're reading my blog) we'll launch another 790 Sports with even more sports content here in Memphis.
I'm so glad that Memphis is my home. I love it here because of the soul of our city, the people, the events, the location, and the weather. Both sides of my family live relatively close. That said, I've been talking to my wife for the last 6 years about taking a vacation in New Jersey. Yeah I know, as Memphians it doesn't sound all that exciting compared to major cities.  Or when compared to Destin/Florida.  Or when compared to a lot of places. But New Jersey isn't about what you see on TV. South Jersey, where I worked and lived for four years before moving to Memphis, was very good to me because I was able to enjoy the shore lifestyle, the beach, the boardwalks, the entertainment of nearby Atlantic City, and the Victorian element of Cape May, NJ. I enjoyed my time there and always have seen it as a great place for fun and vacationing.
So, I finally had multiple deals and things come together to make the trip happen. Much of it because of my friends who I worked with that live in the area. It was also my son Jake's 1st plane ride, and he did so good! Luckily in Philadelphia they had a "play" airport that he enjoyed while we waited for the return trip.
It was fun to see Jake hit the beach because it was like a massive sandbox to him.
We also had the chance to take Jake to Ocean City, NJ. to enjoy the ocean, boardwalk, shopping, great pizza, and the carnival. They had unlimited rides for $10 on the day we visited. His favorite part was driving this little motor boat.
We also took the Cape May-Lewes Ferry across the Delaware Bay because of "more" shopping for my wife at their outlet mall. Jake enjoyed his first "cruise ship"/ferry ride. It also had a game room, which he enjoyed more than watching us cruise outside. He was reppin' Memphis with his little Jersey in this picture.
Luckily, while "mom" was shopping Jake and I spotted a candy shop and this massive lollipop.
But it was truly great to see all of my friends out there and introduce them to my family. My friend Eddie worked with all the kids making smores.  Not an easy task with 3-year-olds.
And my wife now believes me when I tell her that not everyone is just like "Jerseylicious" or "Snookie" in New Jersey and that the area really has some charm with fun things for families to do. I'll never forget our very first family trip (airplane trip) to the Jersey Shore.
So, it's been a loaded week. I was a judge at the Sam's Town company talent show and had the chance to hang out with Bill Boyd, Chris Wade, and their entire tremendous staff. Always fun...
Yesterday, my brother in-law Mike, his wife Angie, and my wife and I ventured to the Liberty Bowl. Clearly they need to prepare when they actually get crowds at Liberty Bowl. Especially crowds, unlike Southern Heritage Classic crowd, that do not spend the night at Tiger Lane. Please have a traffic direction plan. Also, closing entire exit roads isn't a good strategy y'all.
But a good game in the Skybox as I dressed up like a coordinator for Mississippi State...
Really looking forward to a fun weekend of family, food, and football!!! Is it Fall yet? I heard low 80's for Monday, so who knows?
Over the years my father has proven he can create and build just about anything. He started a storage business with over 15 full size railroad box cars that he moved on land and stripped the undercarriages off of in 1985. That project was quite a site. He then sited and lined them all up perfectly, welded seal-able doors on them, and then painted them to look nice before renting them out to customers. They've been full and rented ever since.Â
Later he did things like weld together the framework for a massive wood deck with a platform that included built-in seats and 3 sets of steps customized for their old house.  For their new house he welded the entire framework for their very large rap-around porch before having it powder coated and painted. These types of stories go on and on and on, in a variety of personal and professional endeavors.
About 4 years ago while visiting us here in Tennessee he was looking around at various "cabins". Many of them were small, but effective. Eventually he came up with the plan that he was going to build his own with the hard team work and labor of his friend Jim Lueker (who's the best). And when we say "build", we're talking about the size of the average Shantee with about 5-tons of mass. 2-years after starting, it's now in place thanks to an old Oliver tractor and some skids. He never fails to amaze and impress me.
Been a while since I've blogged. Things have been good. Behind the scenes here at the radio ranch I've personally been extremely busy (1) working on my other job as Program Manager of 92.9 FM ESPN/680 AM, (2) adding a local sports talk show called "the Eric Hasseltine Show" on that station weekdays 2-4pm, (3) and adding the Memphis Grizzlies to that station's lineup. Very exciting. Many pieces of audio and promotion needed.Â
Took the portable studio on the road for a few days with the family to visit my folks in Illinois (our home away from home). My dad is very close to placing the new "cabin" by the lake. He's been working on this thing for two years. Met up with my entire family there, including getting all the "grandkids" together for the first time.
The radio show on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK has been keeping me busy. Lots of events including making an appearance on "Watercooler Wednesday" thanks to Marybeth Conley and Newschannel 3. I'll be back on that show on Wed., Sept. 14th at 9 a.m. If you missed it, here it is:
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And today, I was bird watching out my window here at the radio station. What is this thing? It's much bigger than a hawk it appears?
This is the funniest local slogan my wife and I have spotted in some time...
As someone who started out in radio in "rural" America, I've seen a few of these. They're great. My favorite was an on-air radio spot for an "IGA Grocery Store" in Illinois called Bill's IGA. The slogan was "You Can't beat Bill's Meat." Great stuff.
Do you have any (that can be shared)? Please comment here!
Have a great weekend...glad it's cooling off!
I think my fascination with "guy toys" developed because my father always had the coolest adult/man toys my entire life. He's recently just finished his new "Jake's Place" cabin (Jake is my son). He started his new cabin project saying he just wanted a "little place" to camp in by his little (several acre) pond at the farm. The cabin will be in-place this week complete with plumbing, indoor wood, insulated, AC/heater, plug-ins, beautiful interior and exterior design and the trimmings. It weighs likely around 5 tons.  It was always something like that. Tractors, a honda Odyssey he rebuilt for me complete with a hair-pin turn track, a golf driving range, basketball courts, etc. It may sound like richy rich, but it wasn't about that. He's always been able to build and make things happen. Amazing. So, I bring up "toys" to show you our friends (The Barker's of Arlington's) latest toy. I've always been fascinated by things like this:
As my dad would say, Now THAT'S a golf cart. It's clearly not about the golf clubs!Â
My favorite toys are my mom and dad's horses, their farm, the tractors, and the little lake they built. They also are gearing up for retirement (they'll never formally retire) in a really nice place up in Illinois with what I call "the ultimate man cave". It has slot machines, a pool table, the most beautiful hand made bar I've ever seen, kitchen, tv, games, etc. It's great. Boys love their toys!
It's probably why I love radio so much. When I was on-the-air in Vegas we had a station Ice Cream Truck. That was fun, because the kids would always run up and get free ice cream from our sponsor. In Atlantic City we bought an old limosine and had it customized with Flames down the side. Silver with flames limo. It was amazing! We had a t-shirt gun and would drive by the beach and shoot t-shirts out to listeners from the sunroof. Again, I love toys!
My latest "toy" (nothing about stations should be considered a "toy" because it's a business) is our sister station, 92.9 FM ESPN. I've been working with this station for about 20-months. I like it because of the sports aspect and because I get to go to things like this past weekend's Sportsball. Here's my picture from Saturday night with Grizzlies Coach Lionel Hollins.
So this weekend my wife allowed me to have a "perfect" weekend! In reverse: (1) we had dinner with some great friends at home last night, (2) I golfed Sunday morning here at Quail Ridge in Bartlett, (3) Saturday afternoon we met up at the new Paulette's location for dinner, and (4) Saturday morning I was broadcasting live from Gossett Mitsubishi! Busy busy, which I like.
In music and tabloid news, everybody seems to be talking about this young singer Amy Winehouse. She won several Grammy's a few years ago and follows several singers like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kirk Kobain, & Jim Morrison that died at age 27. So much potential.
After watching all the coverage I, of course, had many opinions. I also read the many posts on Facebook and twitter saying things like, "Don't jump to conclusions." Really? But (sounding my age) once again, it's another reminder. Another lesson, regardless. Her health was bad, and we know why.Â
I hate to be "that guy", but I'm the one who tells it like it is. Don't use drugs. Blah blah blah.  I'll just show you her as she was ramping up a successful career in 2003 (pictured).
And in recent years (pictured).
These photos aren't doctored folks. They should make one of those "Don't Do Drugs" billboards out of those pictures.  You can't make this stuff up. Drugs kill.  We know how these stories end, and it's not funny.
So we received good news on the station "performance", also know as the ratings. So, thank you. Employment is good. I live in and love Memphis. My family thanks you!
So, this weekend in Memphis my wife took her monthly trip to "Absolutely Fabulous" in Millington then went to get the nails done. So Jake & I took our first ever trip to the "bigger games" inside (due to the heat) at Golf n' Games. He loved it. His favorites were the NASCAR driving game as he played like he was Dale Earnhardt. Luckily he did a good job on the impression by coming in last. Just kidding. He also like the "spray water on the pirates squirt gun game." Between that, then later dinner, and then swimming at the Barker's, Jake was down for the count!
Looks like we'll have to make a trip soon to the Rock n' Soul Museum. I still haven't been downtown to that one! Beatles exhibit looks cool from the looks of the billboard I saw on Poplar.
It's always striking to me just how quiet the streets seem around Memphis in the summertime compared to when school is in. It's probably more obvious to me because over the past 20 years I've lived in either a major metro (Chicago-land area) or a tourist area (Vegas & Atlantic City). In the case of Atlantic City, the school season was the slow season because all the "shoobies" or people who vacationed in Jersey had left their beach houses.
But for me, it couldn't be more intense right now. Busy with work, busy with summer fun and my boy Jake, who's 3, and busy trying to do "cool" things this summer.
It's the most excited I've EVER been being on-the-air in Memphis because Classic Hits 94.1 KQK and our sister station that I manage, 92.9 FM ESPN, are red hot. I don't take it for granted. I enjoy what I do, and I want to grow and develop of course. We've been working to get those two stations to this point "and beyond" for some time. But I don't like resting on what's been done. I have an old "work" saying. Strategy, creativity, and execution are most important in business. Hard work is the easy part! There are people who work their tail off and would be considered hard workers by anyone. But it may not translate. It's that whole "work smarter, not harder" thing I guess? Working hard just comes naturally to me I guess?
But I know people are really starting to tap into and listen longer to us here on 94.1 KQK because we're local, play great music, have a fun morning show, and we're doing a ton in the Memphis community. Here's a picture from our birthday visit to Stephanie and the crew in the Ridgeway Loop over at Smith-Berclair.   Fun group! Afterwards we visited Lisa's Lunch box for some goodies (another loyal 94.1 Office).
For fun, this weekend my wife watched Jake and I visited my family in Illinois for my annual trip to the Ribfest in Staunton, IL. Luckily, my dad and I took an hour or so to do one of my favorite things....fishing!
With Jake, I had an awesome evening a couple nights ago as Stacy worked on some reports for work at home. Honestly, I now love going with Jake to the Wolfchase Mall to do Merry Go Round, Food Court, Bob the Builder and other quarter rides (75 cents each really) and the NEW TRAIN that goes all around the mall (although, that one cost $10 for us to both ride). I love it MORE than Chucky Cheese, which is hard to beat. Jake loves trains, and of course...the giraffe! (Even though it's one of the animals on this ride that doesn't move.)
My wife pointed out the other day that we're not like most people. We rarely ever AREN'T on the go. Then I realized...I've always been this way, much like my dad. I don't function well as a hermit or stagnant person. I like doing things and enjoying activities. It doesn't even have to be things that cost money. I'd much rather be fishing, playing games with my family, or going to the park or kids museum than stay home. Of course, house cleaning and yard work are activities, but not as much fun. I like shopping like my wife, but I like what I call "bullet" shopping. Knowing exactly what you want, and going into the store and buying it. Women however like to look, and look, and look some more.
And with that, I present summer road trip #1....
Last weekend between radio show's we slipped to St. Louis to visit family and take a night in while my folks watched our son Jake.  We went to dinner at, of all places, Jake's Steaks on the Landing!
We had dinner there with some friends and family about 6-years ago during St. Louis Marti Gras and always talk about it. We also hit the Cardinals game and won a little money at Lumiere Place (cool new St. Louis Vegas-Style Casino). But the fun didn't stop there! We were in the good ole Mount Olive, Illinois, Homecoming Parade with my folks on their horse and buggy, did a little fishing at my folks pond, and relaxed.
This weekend we went to see Cars 2 to with Jake. He luckily made it through both hours, but I'll tell you that it actually had quite anadvanced plot for a 3-year-old. They could've just put "Mader" up their on the screen making jokes and talking and the little ones would be good with that.
The highlight of the past week was having Memphis Tigers Coach Josh Pastner in our studios to guest host a show I produce on our sister station, 92.9 FM ESPN. He did a great job. Josh took it very seriously, and he's an impressive person for sure.
So last night I thought I'd be Mr. Funny Man. I was watching the news talk about how people had "passed out" in the hot weather during a Keri Hilson free concert at the local Wal-Mart. First, I do like her music, but no...I wasn't actually AT the concert. I "facebooked" that I "appreciate everyones prayers after passing out at the Keri Hilson concert."
Well, many of my friends on Facebook were concerned, a couple figured it out, but when I got the "what happened" e-mail from my mom today I knew it had gone too far.
Larger point being, it's all fun and games until people who really care about you get concerned. I need to reevaluate my strategies on practical jokes while using new social media! Another point, don't believe everything you read or hear. Sometimes people make stuff up. Sorry mom.
~Brad
The Top 5 @ noon still seems to still be a solid feature on the "midday" show I do here on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK, but if you'd like a Top 5 Review simply e-mail me for any specific list at: bcarson@entercom.com That way I can gauge specific interest in particular countdowns and I can keep my blog a little more organized. And now as Casey Kasem says..."On with the countdown!"
I'm looking forward to this weekend. I'll be doing some work for our sister stations this weekend, along with being on-air here on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK tomorrow (Sat. from 10am-2pm), I'm adding a regular radio show on our sister station, WMC-FM 100 (99.7).  This Sunday I'll be hosting the 10-2 pm show on 104.5 The River (WRVR) because Bill Bannister (their regular host) just had a baby (at least his wife did!). Yes, 3 stations, 1 weekend. I like all three varieties of music, and I enjoy radio. I also look at it as job security. But...there's still more to do this weekend!
Classic Hits 94.1 KQK will provide coverage throughout the weekend with live reports from Bill "Goose" Munguia at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. If you love golf, you really should go enjoy the tournament this weekend at the TPC Southwind and help the mission of St. Jude at the same time.
My wife and I will at some point take our annual trip to Germantown for the Charity Horse Show!
And I usually don't mention 94.1 KQK's giveaways here, but I'll be giving away something my 3-year-old has been looking forward to for a long time! DISNEY PIXAR'S CARS 2 Tickets! Actually, Classic Hits 94.1 KQK and the Malco are partnering for the Official Advance Screening on Saturday and you can win 4-packs of tickets by listening to my show starting Monday (6/13-6/17) at around 1:10pm each day this coming week! Cachow!
Karen Perrin also just told me they do "kid projects" every 1st Saturday at Home Depot. I have to get a "bolt" for my grill, so maybe I'll take my son their as well on our way to the Children's Museum (for some cool play!). Enjoy the weekend! Thanks for listening, and reading.
~Brad
We'll it's DEFINITELY SUMMER TIME... because people are buzzing around the radio station today as I type this preparing for another night at Italian Fest tonight, ZZ Top in Concert at the Memphis Botanic Garden tomorrow night, and then a slew of other June concerts and events you can read about right here in the concerts and events section of our 94.1 website.Â
When I was younger it seemed like the gap between Memorial Day and Independence was so much longer. Now, my age shows because I find myself complaining about things like "we didn't even have a 'spring'" & where's June gone? Funny how you have to remind yourself to enjoy the moment, otherwise those moments get missed and underappreciated. I'm excited about the full roster of stuff! And even more excited about my son, who just turned 3, enjoying the summer time fun!
Here's what we did this week on the Top 5 @ NOON:
Tuesday, May 31st:Â "Hey! What Band Were You In?" #5. Ides of March - Vehicle #4. Free - All Right Now #3. 10cc - I'm Not in Love #2. Van Morrison - Domino #1. Hamilton, Joe, Frank & Reynolds - Fallin' in Love
Wed., June 1st: Top 5 on 6/1/1977 - #5. KC & the Sunshine Band - I'm Your Boogie Man #4. Climax Blues Band - Couldn't Get it Right #3. Marvin Gaye - Got to Give it Up #2. Fleetwood Mac - Dream #1. Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
Thursday, June 2nd: #5. Kool & the Gang - Celebration #4. Three Dog Night - Celebrate #3. Sly & the Family Stone - Dance to the Music #2. Kiss - Rock and Roll All Night #1. KC & the Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight
Friday, June 3rd: #5. Irene Cara - Flashdance #4. Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing #3. David Bowie - Let's Dance #2. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean #1. Pat Benatar - Love is a Battle Field
Here's the Top 5 @ Noon Review from last week (Monday, May 23rd - Friday, May 27th)*:
*Remember to listen each weekday to the Top 5 @ Noon then put the #1 song in the "Members Only" Top 5 here: http://members.941kqk.com/asp3/lwcodes.aspx to earn points & prizes (If you're not a member, it's easy to sign up)
Monday, May 23rd Top 5:Â Class Reunion 1982 - Â #5. Toto - Rosanna, #4. Stevie Wonder - That Girl, #3. Stray Cats - Rock This Town, #2. Hall & Oates - Maneater, and #1. Tommy Tutone - 867-5309 (Jenny Jenny)
Tuesday, May 24th Top 5: "Written for Real People" - #5. Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom (for tennis great Billie Jean King), #4. Cat Stevens - Wild World (for actress Patti D'Arbinville after their breakup), #3. Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely (for Aisha Morris, Stevie's 1st born child), #2. The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby (for actress Eleanor Bron who co-starred in the Beatles' "Help!"), and #1. Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way (from Lindsay Buckingham to Stevie Nicks after their breakup)
Wednesday, May 25th Top 5: Top 5 on May 25, 1971 - #5. Ringo Starr - It Don't Come Easy, #4. Lobo - Me and You and a Dog Named Boo, #3. Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar, #2. Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye, and #1. Three Dog Night - Joy to the World
Thursday, May 26th Top 5:Â "Do as I Say!" Instruction songs - #5. Steve Miller Band - Take the Money and Run, #4. Supremes - Come See About Me, #3. Argent - Hold Your Head Up, #2. Eagles - Take it Easy, and #1. Rolling Stones - Start Me Up
Friday, May 27th Top 5: Class Reunion 1974 - #5. Billy Preston - Nothing from Nothing, #4. Paul McCartney - Junior's Farm, #3. Jackson 5 - Dancing Machine, #2. Steve Miller Band - The Joker, and #1. Andy Kim - Rock Me Gently
It was a truly AWESOME weekend, with lots of work and play. I started out with a trip to "mouse games" to visit my mother-in-law and play at "Chucky Cheese" before heading to the Fitz-Tunica to celebrate their Grand Reopening... They made a pretty cool poster board cut-out. What a difference a week makes after the river goes down. The place is now back to normal and looks fantastic!  This is from two weeks ago in the cutout...
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Sunday, it was clean the house day and a fun trip to the Children's Museum with my son. I also took my son Jake with me to work on Sunday for a couple things, and he had a fun time visiting with our neighborhood peacock here at the station... Seriously! We call him "Elvis".
Monday was a very exciting day because we went to the Memphis Zoo before it got too hot outside. Once again, the folks at the Zoo didn't let us down. We have a world class zoo and we had a great time. Afterwards, Jake was such a good boy he got to go for burgers and ice cream at Red Robin...of course, shopping was close by for his mom.Â
As if we didn't pack it all in with BBQing, zoo, etc. we even had the chance for Jake to take in a quick swim lesson at our friends "The Barker's" in Arlington before a very good night of sleep last night after the three day weekend. Thank God for our Veterans and those who serve/served!
Remember, each weekday at noon listen to the Top 5 @ Noon and then plug the name of the #1 song in the "Members Only" Club link here on the site to #1. Earn Points, then #2. Win Prizes! First, let me review the Top 5's these past 2 weeks and then recap what we've been up to around here.
Here's the Last 2 weeks of the "Top 5 @ Noon" in review:
5/9/11 "You're the One" (1-titled songs) #5. Three Dog Night - One #4. Osmonds - One Bad Apple #3. Orleans - Still the One #2. Stephen Stills - Love the One You're With #1. Spinners - One of a Kind Love Affair
5/10/11 "Long Arm of the Law" #5. Eric Clapton - I Shot the Sheriff #4. R. Dean Taylor - Indiana Wants Me #3. Police - Don't Stand So Close to Me #2. Diana Ross/Supremes - Stop! In the Name of Love #1. Paper Lace - The Night Chicago Died
5/11/11 Class Reunion 1980 #5. Billy Joel - You May Be Right #4. Romantics - What I Like About You #3. Spinners - Working My Way Back to You #2. Kenny Loggins - I'm Alright #1. Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
5/12/11 "Red Hot" (Fire/Heat et al) #5. Ohio Players - Fire #4. Nick Gilder - Hot Child in the City #3. Sanford-Townsend Band - Smoke from a Distant Fire #2. Rod Stewart - Hot Legs #1. Trammps - Disco Inferno
5/13/11 Friday the 13th #5. Stevie Wonder - Supersition #4. Dr. John - Right Place, Wrong Time #3. Santana - Evil Ways #2. Cliff Richard - Devil Woman #1. Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes - Bad Luck
5/16/11 #1's from May 16th in Music History - #5. Guess Who - American Woman #4. Sylvers - Boogie Fever #3. Grank Funk Railroad - The Locomotion #2. Yvonne Elliman - If I Can't Have You #1. Michael Jackson - Beat It
5/17/11 With Friends like these #5. O'Jays - Backstabbers #4. Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden #3. Neil Sedaka - Bad Blood #2. Police - Every Breathe You Take #1. Hall and Oates - I Can't Go For That
5/18/11 Top 5 - May 18, 1975 #5. Elton John - Daniel #4. Edgar Winter Group - Frankenstein #3. Sweet - Little Willy #2. Tony Orlando - Tie a Yellow Ribbon around the Ole Oak Tree #1. Stevie Wonder - You Are the Sunshine of My Life
5/19/11 "My Love" tunes #5. Emotions - Best of My Love #4. Paul McCartney - My Love #3. Pointer Sisters - Jump #2. Bee Gees - Fanny Be Tender. . . Â #1. Eagles - Best of My Love
5/20/11 "Also Know As" Artists - AKA Top 5: #5. Eddie Money (Eddie Mahoney) - Baby Hold On #4. Dusty Springfield (Mary O'Brien) - Son of a Preacher Man #3. Andy Kim (Andrew Youakim) - Rock Me Gently #2. Lobo (Kent Lavoie) - Me & You and a Dog Name Boo #1. Chaka Khan (Yvette Stevens) - Tell Me Something Good
It took me so long to recap the last 2 weeks because it's been busy, of course. Not just getting through all the May rain and floods, but had a chance to go to Game #6 of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals and see the Grizz get to a 7th game last weekend! I've never seen the FedEx Forum and Beale rocking like that! Saw Al Green sing the National Anthem (nose bleeds...but he's down there in this picture).
Also went to the Bon Jovi concert with my wife so I could earn some "brownie points."Â
But it's also been busy because important business is happening here all the time...like managing how to properly install toilet paper in the bathroom.
So it's been a wild couple of weeks. Clearly, we have many problems with flooding between the Tunica casinos being closed due to high waters surrounding those facilities, for the couple thousand people living along the Mississippi, and for flooding keeping people out of their homes near the river's that run through Memphis. It's very sad. We're continuing to pray and help with fund raising and information. Here's one of the most ironic sites. The Tom Lee statue in Tom Lee Park before and after the flood waters took on the park.
Before:
After:
That said, the national media has definitely blown the lid off the entire thing. We're celebrating Memphis in May with a new location for the BBQ Cooking Contest and the Grizzlies playoff run. However, if a reporter comes to town you have to expect them to STAND IN THE WATER, even if the perception is that the entire town is under water. We're doing ok, and people need to visit and party with us. Graceland, Beale, and most sites are rocking!
Speaking of which, I'm looking forward to going to the Grizzlies Game 6 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at FedEx Forum tomorrow night. Should be rocking because it's a must win. My wife and I are celebrating our 4th Wedding Anniversary.
Here's last week's Top 5 @ Noon Review:
Monday (5/2): "Before They Were Stars" - #5. Rod Stewart - You Wear It Well (Grave Digger) #4. Bill Withers - Lean on Me (Installed Toilets on Jet Planes) #3. Meat Loaf - Paradise by the Dashboard Light (Actor) #2. Sylvester Stewart (aka Sly Stone) - Thank You (Disk Jockey) and #1. Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain (Truck Driver)
Tuesday (5/3): Brothers & Sisters: #5. Stories - Brother Louie, #4. America - Sister Golden Hair, #3. Brotherhood of Man - United We Stand, #2. Neil Diamond - Brother Loves Traveling Salvation Show, #1. Sister Sledge - We Are Family
Wed. (5/4): So Good They Named it Twice (Main title/paranthetical title) #5. Frankie Vallie - December 1963 (Oh What a Night), #4. James Brown I Got You (I Feel Good), #3. Pretenders - Brass in Pocket (I'm Special), #2. T Rex - Bang a Gong (Get it On), and #1. Billy Joel - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
Thurs. (5/5): It's Always About Her (She-titled songs) #5. Police - Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, #4. Zombie's - She's Not There, #3. Donna Summer - She Works Hard for the Money, #2.  Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me with Science, and #1. Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely
Friday (5/6): Class Reunion (1978) #5. Billy Joel - Only the Good Die Young #4. Heatwave - Always & Forever #3. Sweet - Love is Like Oxygen #2. Rolling Stones - Miss You and #1 John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John - You're the One that I Want
A very interesting week. Today the flooding is finally receding in spots, but we're not out of the woods yets. Pictures from some of the tributaries and near downtown look bad and some still haven't crested. Today, parts of Dyersburg upstream were evaluated, a barge hit the bridge near Dyer County at I-155 due to high waters, all 9 casino properties have closed, and everyone is on high alert. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, but I think my house is on the "high side" of Arlington, and should be ok. That is, as long as the water drains below my neighbor's fence. Here's the scene last week in Arlington near the Kroger and the field across the street. I found out last night they are moving the Memphis World Championship BBQ Contest from the riverfront to Tiger Lane/Old Fair Grounds site near the Mid-town area at the Liberty Bowl.
It's continued to be a good start to the week with the Grizzlies Winning! Can't wait for Game 2 against the OKC Thunder tonight! It really makes all the work I do on 92.9 FM ESPN more fun. Usually after the NCAA tournament, this time of year is slow on the sports station. Everyone is talking about the Grizzlies. Tickets are selling out. You can't find hot Grizzlies merchandise. Really a great time for Memphis with that!
While Grizz fever continues, Memphis in May kicked off, and my son had a 3rd birthday party for his 3rd birthday! Fun time this weekend with my mom and dad, and of course...."The Jake".
When we weren't opening presents, blowing bubbles, or just hanging out, we went to Arlington in April for some fun. Always great to see everyone in our hometown!
But the most interesting thing I did last week was emcee an adult "corporate" spelling bee for Mid-South Literacy. Combine beer and other adult beverages with words, and you get some interesting times! Great fundraiser. Here's me with Mr. Chuck from WKNO, who served as one of our judges.
Thanks also to the other judges, including the Kevins! ...Mid-South Literacy's CEO Kevin, Kevin Kern, and Jim Eikner (would have been lost w/o Jim).
Here's last week's Top 5 @ noon Review:
Monday (4/25): Jazz Influenced Classic Hits: #5. Average White Band - Pick Up the Pieces, #4. Blood Sweat and Tears - You've Made Me So Very Happy, #3. Van Morrison - Dancing in the Moonlight, #2. Friends of Distinction - Grazing in the Grass, #1. Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
Tuesday (4/26): Work that Body (Shape Up): #5. Village People - YMCA, #4. Jackson Browne - Running on Empty, #3. The Jacksons - Shake Your Body Down (To the Ground), #2. Beatles - Twist and Shout, and #1. Olivia Newton-John - Physical
Wed. (4/27): Too Much Talk: #5. Bee Gees - Jive Talkin', #4. Harry Nillson - Everbody's Talkin', #3. ELO - Sweet Talkin' Woman, #2. Rick Springfield - Don't Talk to Strangers, and #1. Romantics - Talking In Your Sleep
Thurs. (4/28): How Long???: #5. Hollies - Long Cool Woman, #4. Beatles - Long and Winding Road, #3. Eagles - Long Run, #2. Billy Joel - The Longest Time, and #1. Supertramp - Take the Long Way Home
Fri. (4/29): #1 on April 29th Tunes: #5. Fifth Dimension - Aquarius, #4. Blondie - Call Me, #3. MFSB - TSOP, #2. Jackson 5 - ABC, and #1. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - I Love Rock N' Roll.
Well, it's been kind of a wild and weird week and a half for me. Things tend to start spinning with me personally when I don't feel 100% because I have other duties here at the radio station behind the scenes. I also produce a radio show on our sister station, 92.9 FM ESPN (The Gary Parrish Show), & I'm the program manager for 92.9 FM ESPN. Combine that with trying to be a good husband and functioning father of a 3 year old, and I don't do well when I'm not 100% healthy. So it's been going around our building, the daycare, and likely where you are reading this from. My doctor says this years "Sinus/Viral/Flu" spring ailment that is going around might be one of the worst strains in recent times. It's taken 2 weeks for me not to have a head full of conjestion, no headache, and able to keep it together. I'm not complaining, just "blogging".Â
I couldn't even fool my dad, who spent a couple days with me last week in St. Louis for the St. Louis Cardinals "Affiliate Days". Even the weather kind of played with that event forcing the team to schedule a doubleheader last Wed., cancelling some of our "Meet and greets". Still, the Cardinals are 1st class, put us up at a nice hotel, and provided a winner! We met former Cardinals pitcher and one of the guys who now does their Fox Sports TV broadcast, Cal Eldred.
My wife also purchased a nice summer package to see the Cardinals later this summer, so I'm looking forward to going back. I'm a fan, for sure.
While we're talking sports, the Grizzlies have made what I'd say is the biggest sports impact I'VE EVER SEEN HERE IN MEMPHIS. Tonight they have a chance to clinch and move on to the next round of the NBA playoffs. It's been cool seeing our team and our city presented nationally on this stage!
And more sports...As part of our annual "Special Kids & Families Fun Run & Bunny Walk" at the Oak Court Mall over the weekend. I really appreciate everyone for coming out (over 1,000 runners). We had celebrities running, including Memphis Tigers Forward Wesley Witherspoon!
 3 days of solid terrible weather, just in time for "Memphis in May". This weekend, I'll probably at some point cruise by my local hometown event, Arlington in April. I'm looking forward to my folks from Illinois visiting as well.   Between all the sports, work, family (today is my son Jake's 3rd birthday!), and events...there's the weather! Bad memories for those folks up toward Caruthersville, MO and Pine Bluff....but now closer to home Millington, the Naval Base, etc. all facing flooding. STOP! Yes, even the old field by Kroger in Arlington again.
Here's last week's Top 5 @ Noon Review:
Mon. 4/18 - Â Memphis Made @ Stax - #5. Sam & Dave - Soul Man #4. Otis Redding - Sitting on the Dock of the Bay #3. Staple Singers - I'll Take You There #2. Eddie Floyd - Knock on Wood #1. Isaac Hayes - Theme from Shaft
Tues. 4/19 - You're Breaking My Heart - #5. Hall & Oates - She's Gone #4. Simon & Garfunkel - Cecilia #3. Quarterflash - Harden my Heart #2. Meat Loaf - Two Out of Three Ain't Bad #1. Elton John/Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
Wed. 4/20 - Use Ta Be's, But Ain't No More's - #5. O'Jays - Use to Be My Girl #4. Michael McDonald - I Keep Forgettin' #3. Chi-Lites - Have You Seen Her #2. Chicago - Old Days #1. Supremes - Reflections
Thurs. 4/21 - Comings & Goings - #5. Three Dog Night - Mama Told Me (Not to Come) #4. Styx - Come Sail Away #3. Supremes - Come See About Me #2. Paul McCartney/Wings - Coming Up #1. Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way
Fri. 4/22 - Top 5 on April 22, 1977 #5. Atlanta Rhythm Section - So Into You #4. Hall & Oates - Rich Girl #3. 10cc - The Things We Do For Love #2. Eagles - Hotel California #1. Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way
In memory...
Also, I must write that my thoughts are in heaven today as my lovely 104-year-old Aunt Beulah passed away this week. What a life! I loved her because she was fun, had a great energy, and was great to be around in church or wherever. You know how certain people don't need to say things to be "fun".  That was her! As I celebrate my three-year-old son Jake's birthday today, I remember everything she must have seen! From horse and buggy, to airplane/media advancements, etc. Truly amazing. My mom said something I thought was really neat. She's having a party in heaven with her family, finally.Â
~Brad
So it was a big weekend in Memphis, for me. I'm nursing my family back to health. The Grizzlies won a BIG #1 in the playoffs at San Antonio, and the entire city was watching or following along! All three of us in my house have kind of been hit with "something viral" which is code for "another daycare illness". Seems like everything was back to normal this morning. I did have to bribe my son to go to "school" with a trip to the donut shop. It worked! Still, it was an adventurous weekend as I celebrated "another" birthday while hosting WKNO's Action Auction with Karen Perrin.
My most embarrasing moment was probably when I had to do the famous "overbid dance" or when I started describing an item from the Humane Society thinking it was a doggie camp, when it was actually a kids camp to learn about working with dogs. The copy was at the very bottom of the page. Uh, ok! Had a great time thanks to Teri and everyone over at WKNO, and it's always a pleasure to help support great local/specialized TV programming.
Sunday it was the annual "City Auto Rajun Cajun" Festival downtown. I had a chance to hang out with Memphis' Webb Dalton (band). He's got a great band, and a strong version of BB King's "The Thrill is Gone." In between sets, I called "play-by-play" of the annual crawfish race for kids. Yes, I've done baseball play-by-play and even called combine demolition derby's, but this was the first crawfish race!
Once again, another great cause on Sunday (Porter Leath). This coming weekend, make sure to help me support the kids at Special Kids and Families at the Annual Fun Run and Bunny Walk at Oak Court on Saturday morning. You can sign up here: http://www.bunnyrun.racesonline.com/
Here's last week's Top 5 @ Noon Review:
Monday, April 11 - Top Songs April, 11th:Â #5. Dave Edmunds - I Hear You Knockin', #4. Floaters - Float On, #3. B.W. Stevenson - My Maria, #2. Pilot - Magic, and #1. Lipps Inc. - Funkytown
Tuesday, April 12 - Sky High (Sky, High or both in the Title): #5. Beatles - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, #4. Survivor - High on You, #3. Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the Sky, #2. Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough, and #1. Jigsaw - Sky High
Wed., April 13 - Boogie Down (Boogie in the Title):Â #5. Stevie Wonder - Boogie on Reggae Woman, #4. KC & the Sunshine Band - Boogie Shoes, #3. Earth, Wind and Fire - Boogie Wonderland, #2. Johnny Rivers - Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu, #1. Eddie Kendrick - Boogie Down
Thurs., April 14 - The Roots of Crosby, Still, Nash, and Young: #5. Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man, #4. Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth, #3. Hollies - Bus Stop, #2. Neil Young - Heart of Gold, and #1. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Woodstock
Friday, April 15 - Top 5 from April 15, 1980: #5. Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love, #4. Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind, #3. Spinners - Working My Way Back to You, #2. Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall, and #1. Blondie - Call Me
~bc
Memphis is certainly a city that locals describe as a place reluctant to get too excited for fear of letdown, which it's experienced in it's rich sports history. That said, folks are coming out of their shell for this Memphis Grizzlies team. This weekend the Grizz clinched a spot in the difficult Western Conference playoff race. It's very exciting! I've got Grizz fever, and the city seems to be supporting and jumping on board! The characters on this team, including Tony Allen and Zach Randolph combined with local favorites like Shane Battier, make it that much more enjoyable. Get info and Grizz goodies here: www.grizzlies.com
Go Grizz! Personally, I think they'll win their first round series the way they are playing right now.
Here's last weeks Top 5 @ Noon Review:
4/4/11: O Canada! - 5 Canadian Classics - #5. BTO - Let it Ride, #4. Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown, #3. Andy Kim - Rock Me Gently, #2. Stampeders - Sweet City Woman, and #1. Guess Who - American Woman
4/5/11 "Jumped Ship" (were members of more than one group) #5. Santana - Evil Ways, #4. Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth, #3. Ides of March - Vehicle, #2. Paul McCartney - Silly Love Songs, #1. Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense & Peppermints
4/6/11 "All Hail the Kings" (all King names) #5. Kingsmen - Louie Louie, #4. Carole King - So Far Away, #3. King Harvest - Dancing in the Moonlight, #2. Ben E. King - Stand By Me, and #1. Evelyn "Champagne" King - Shame
4/7/11 Top 5 on April 7, 1978: #5. Samantha Sang - Emotion, #4. Barry Manilow - Can't Smile Without You, #3. Eric Clapton - Lay Down Sally, #2. Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive, and #1. Bee Gees - Night Fever
4/8/11 Top 5 "Wet" Songs #5. Sittin on the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding, #4. Fire & Rain - James Taylor, #3. Love is Thicker than Water - Andy Gibb, #2. Black Water - Doobie Brothers, and #1. River Deep/Mountain High - Supremes/Four Tops
We had a wonderful time at my folks farm in Southern Illinois over the weekend thanks to my company's new modular studio I brought along! We also were able to attend Opening Day in St. Louis! Yes, I'm a huge St. Louis Cardinals Fan. Oh the site of Stan Musial and all the Hall of Famers, the Clydesdales, the pagaentry & atmosphere make for the only sports thing that nearly brings a tear to my eye. This is my 2nd Opening Day. I was actually in St. Louis for Opening Day 2006, the year they opened New Busch Stadium and won the World Series. Great view too...check it:
While in the area, we spent time on my dad's farm.  It's pretty cool with all the horses. My son Jake is now getting to the age where it's like a trip to the ZOO! He never wants to leave.
As I've explained in earlier blogs, my dad has been working on a new cabin for a year or two. He's quite an engineer, builder, and all around technically gifted person.  His idea for a "cabin" snowballed from what I'd call a "KOA campground shack" to becoming an unbelievable camping palace! Here's the inside taking shape. It's amazing how they can now make paste board look like real wood. Awesome.
And yes...there will be a sink, bathroom, and all the trimmings. Truly roughing it! My son won't have to deal with the stuff I put my dad through (complaining about beds, mice, etc.).
I couldn't think of a better way to spend a weekend!
Anyway, here's last week's Top 5 in Review:
Monday, March 28th:Â Top 5 from 3/28/1983 - Cars - Shake it Up, Stevie Wonder - That Girl, J. Geils Band - Centerfold, Journey - Open Arms, Joan Jett - I Love Rock n' Roll
Tuesday, March 29th: "This & That" (________&________ titles) #5. Three Dog Night - Black & White #4. Tommy James - Crimson & Clover #3. Huey Lewis - Heart & Soul #2. Heatwave - Always & Forever #1. Beatles - Twist & Shout
Wed., March 3oth: "Dance" (in the title) #5. Irene Cara - Flashdance #4. King Harvest - Dancing in the Moonlight #3. David Bowie - Let's Dance #2. Van Morrison - Moondance #1. Donna Summer - Last Dance
Thurs., March 31st:Â Bankrupt! (5 Acts That Went Broke) #5. Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me #4. Meat Loaf - Two out of Three Ain't Bad #3. Isaac Hayes - Theme from Shaft #2. Billy Joel - It's Still Rock n' Roll to Me #1. Isley Bros. - That Lady (pt. 1)
Friday, April 1st: April Fools (5 Songs with Fool in the titles) #5. Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools #4. Chris Rea - Fool #3. Main Ingredient - Everybody Plays the Fool #2. Beatles - Fool on the Hill #1. Doobie Brothers - What a Fool Believes
While I'm covering random stuff, I'd like to sendout my condolences to the entire "Tiger" family with the loss of Larry Finch this past weekend. I wasn't around during his tenure, but many of my friends here have made me realize his impact. He truly was a Memphis icon, and he will be missed. ~bc
RIP Larry
So I'm getting excited because in less than a week, I'll be taking my portable radio studio/microphone on the road so I can be in St. Louis for Opening Day. It's not secret I'm a lifelong Cardinal fan, having grown up in the midst of Cardinal Nation (Mount Olive, Illinois). But I'm hoping the weather gets a little better around St. Louis. Here it is today from my folks house....
Seriously, it should be fun regardless. I'm hoping it doesn't snow, because my dad will not let me live it down. There's a little history with me and big events. 5 years ago when I took my wife Stacy and my dad to Bristol for the Nascar race... it snowed in the pits. If it snows on opening day, there will be hell to pay.
Here's this weeks Top 5 @ Noon Recap:
Monday - 3/21:Â The Top 5 from March 21st, 1971
#5. CCR - Have You Ever Seen the Rain #4. Osmonds - One Bad Apple #3. Temptations - Just My Imagination #2. Tom Jones - She's a Lady and #1. Janice Joplin - Me and Bobby McGhee
Tuesday - 3/22 Stop (in the title)
#5. Diana Ross - Stop in the Name of Love #4. Gino Vanelli - I Just Wanna Stop #3. Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop #2. Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough and #1. Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Wed. - 3/23 Stage Names (and the acts/real ones)
#5. Johny Rivers (John Ramistella) #4. Carole King (Carol Klein) #3. Tommy James (Thomas Jackson) #2. Barry Manilow (Barry Pincus) and #1. Stevie Wonder (Steveland Morris)
Thursday - 3/24Â Â Â 5 Ways to Get there (Listener Suggested by Teresa Garrison)
#5. Aretha Franklin - Freeway of Love #4. Box Tops - The Letter #3. Melanie - Brand New Key #2. Bruce Springsteen - Pink Cadillac and #1. Gladys Knight & the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia
Friday - 3/25Â Â Respect Yourself and Others (Songs about respect and courtesy)
#5. Aretha - RESPECT #4. Cornelious Brothers - Treat Her Like a Lady #3. ELO - Don't Bring Me Down #2. Stevie Wonder - If You Really Love Me #1. Journey - Faithfully
A couple years ago when I "decided" I wanted to stay in the radio and broadcasting business despite changing times, I made a pact with myself that I was doing it to enjoy the good times and fun, to keep listening to the tunes and sports, and to smile more. I think those are the same reasons why John "Bad Dog" McCormack was still broadcasting live on-air via ISDN on Rock 103 here in Memphis right up until his passing yesterday afternoon. We'll all miss Bad Dog on the radio in Memphis.
Â
Here's this week's Top 5 Listings:
Monday (3/7), we found out that Phil Collins was retiring from the music biz, so it was a Phil Collins Top 5
5. Take Me Home 4. Against All Odds 3. Easy Lover 2. You Can't Hurry Love 1. In the Air Tonight
Tues. (3/8), it was "Wine" in the lyrics for lunch...
5. ELO - Evil Woman 4. Elton John - Honky Cat 3. Journey - Don't Stop Believin' 2. Eagles - Best of my Love 1. Rolling Stones - Miss YouÂ
Wed. (3/9), it was the #1's from this Date in Music History:Â March 9th
5. Rod Stewart - Do You Think I'm Sexy (1979)Â 4. Temptations - My Girl (1965) 3. Van Halen - Jump (1984) 2. Andy Gibb - Love is Thicker than Water (1978) 1. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (1983)
Thurs. (3/10), Five Calendar Events...think about it for a second (months/dates/years)
5. Don McLean - American Pie (long long time ago) 4. Earth Wind and Fire - September 3. Chicago - Saturday in the Park 2. Four Seasons - December, 1963 1. Sly and the Family Stone - Papa Was a Rolling Stone (3rd of September)
Friday (3/11), Five songs featuring Bad Grammar (Ain't in the Title)
5. Four Tops - Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got 4. Meat Loaf - Two Out of Three Ain't Bad 3. BTO - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet 2. Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine 1. Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
I don't know why, but things are starting to get better! What do I mean? After cutting out chocolate and cheese from my diet over the last 2 weeks, I think I've "self diagnosed" away a couple of things that were giving me headaches over the last couple months. Of course, that's just in time for the crazy weather. Cold. Then 75 the next day. Then rain (hopefully no snow). Today it's actually raining, 61 here in Memphis, but STUFF IS BLOOMING. So much for the sniffles and headaches! Actually, between Allegra and Claritin things are getting better, aren't they? Here's a tree just down the road from the station. They are ALL OVER, just in-case you'd like to powder coat your car.
But it's a big weekend in Memphis, so that's good! We're going to the Memphis Grizzlies game tonight. The great part about having the Grizz playing so well right now is it takes a little bit of the sting away since the Tigers are kind of struggling this year.
If you're looking for something cool to do after the game, go see my buddy Tim who does the dueling pianos thing. I always give him shout outs because he and the Memphis Trio performed in-studio for the Classic Hits 94.1 KQK 1st ever Birthday Bash back in 2009. I think he's good luck. And after all, it's always lucky at Silky O'Sullivans...because every day is St. Patty's Day!
Not only are the Grizzlies in town this weekend, but the Tigers wrap up their regular season tomorrow afternoon at FedEx Forum. But if you're just into the "experience" of baseball (and the weather is kind of looking like it's going to be so-so), you should still check out the Tigers baseball team at their new FedEx Park facility. It's very cool and cheap to bring the whole family to.
Finally, we had some random Top 5's @ Noon this week.... Today's was my favorite. Top 5 "Bad" Songs.
#5. CCR - Bad Moon Rising, #4. Grand Funk Railroad - Bad Time (To Be in Love), #3. Jim Croce - Bad Bad Leroy Brown, #2. Harold Melvin - Bad Luck, and #1. Robert Palmer - Bad Case of Loving You (next week on the blog maybe I'll share my very quick Robert Palmer story)
My mom and dad from Illinois drove down to Memphis to visit this weekend. It's kind of an annual trip for the Youth Villages Soup Sunday, which was once again a huge success this year! And where else can you see acoustic group Pam and Terry perform at FedEx Forum with Rocky the Redbird?
More than 2,600 people showed up for the 22nd annual event.
Half Shell's lobster and shrimp bruschetta took the award for best specialty item. Vanelli's Deli's Italian bread won best bread, while Draper's Catering's bread pudding with vanilla sauce won best dessert. Silky O'Sullivan's won best gumbo and Eclectic Catering's Co's spicy lintel soup with duck won best soup. Tug's Casual Grill rounded out the awards by winning "Souper Spirit."
Shane Battier Returns to MemphisÂ
The Grizzlies certainly looked like a playoff team Saturday night when my dad and I went to see Shane Battier's return to the team at FedEx Forum. Last night on TV they almost knocked off San Antonio on the road. They'll have a rematch tomorrow night at FedEx Forum.
Of course, we had a great time before the game with some great eats from Blues City Cafe. I had the 16-ounce Memphis Strip and my dad chowed down on some catfish.
Afterwards, we saw our good friend Tim from "The Memphis Trio" playing at Silky's (dueling pianos).Â
Hard Rock Cafe great for Kids
The family stopped into the Hard Rock Cafe after it was apparent my 3-year-old wasn't going to take a nap at the folks hotel. Believe it or not, it was the perfect place! Loud, fast, lots of cool stuff to look at, and interactive! Here's some of the photo fun, starting with my dad and I "hamin' it up" on stage. Clearly we're virtuosos.
And Jake even held the $2,500 Les Paul. Please don't drop it, son!
I'd be remiss if I didn't bring up the Senatobia Beauty Review Stacy and I attended on Friday night. We saw my niece, Shelby, who looked fantastic. These things are always "judged" differently, so the results would vary if you did these competitions a different day. But I give all the girls credit getting in front of 1,000 people and presenting themselves so beautifully!
So last night was pretty wild. You know the weather is going to get crazy in your town (in this case, Memphis) when Jim Cantore of the Weather Channel shows up in advance. As Karen Perrin said, "The only time a national weather man comes to Memphis is when Al Roker comes to sample the BBQ during Memphis in May!"Â Â True...
On my way from Arlington to Millington to pick up our son, Jake, the straight line winds and hail forced me to pull over. At the same time, Millington was getting pummeled. So the sirens rang, stuff began to fall, and the power went out in Millington. I arrived at "Absolutely Fabulous" just as my wife and her good friend who does her hair, Kelly, were in the pitch dark with my wife's hair all wet with coloration product still in it, wrapped in a towel. They were on the floor in the dark cleaning up "pooh" because as it went dark. They obviously didn't get my son Jake to the potty (he's potty training). Finally, after the poop was "somewhat" cleaned up in the dark, they had to rush to get the treatment out of the hair while I entertained Jake and talked to Kelly's husband on the phone to reassure him everyone was ok. It was a (I know, I know) "hair raising" experience. I'm sure they found some more "pooh" this morning. :(
Here's the Top 5's from this Week:
Monday
Top 5 songs not released as "singles" but later spun as if they were...
#5. Bee Gees - More than a Woman #4. Beatles - Michelle #3. EWF - Fantasy #2. Bruce Springsteen - Pink Cadillac #1. Led Zepplin - Stairway to Heaven
Tuesday
5 Classic Questions
#5. Rod Stewart - Do You Think I'm Sexy #4. War - Why Can't We Be Friends #3. Chicago - Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is? #2. CCR - Have You Ever Seen the Rain? #1. Pablo Cruise - Whatcha Gonna Do?
Wednesday
#1's from this day (Feb. 23rd) in Classic Music
#5. Average White Band - Pick up the Pieces ('75) #4. Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover ('76) #3. Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love ('80) #2. J. Geils Band - Centerfold ('81) #1. Culture Club - Karma Chameleon ('84)Â
Thursday
Top 5 Songs KQK is on a first name basis with...
#5. Peg - Steely Dan #4. Beth - Kiss #3. Lola - Kinks #2. Fernando - Abba #1. Rosanna - Toto
Friday
#5. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) - Elton John #4. Nightshift - Commodores #3. Tonight's the Night -Â Rod Stewart #2. Whatever Get's You Through the Night - John Lennon #1. Wilson Pickett - In the Midnight Hour
#5. Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man
#4. Billy Joel - Piano Man
#3. Allman Brothers Band - Ramblin' Man
#2. James Taylor - Handy Man
and #1...Spinners - The Rubberband Man
#5. Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
#4. Cornelius Brothers - Treat Her Like a Lady
#3. Osmonds - One Bad Apple
#2. Bellamy Brothers - Let Your Love Flow
and #1...Sylvers - Boogie Fever
Top 5 Classic Hits Used in TV Commercials (that we could think of first...)
#5. Anticipation - Carly Simon (Heinz Ketchup spot)
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/uoLoyg3JKRQ" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
#4. Takin' Care of Business - BTO (Office Max spot)
#3. Why Can't We Be Friends - War (Pepsi Max spot)
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/vzodIjwN628" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
#2. Baby Come Back - Player (Swiffer spot)
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/PFbeP6YqHzg" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
and #1...Magic - Pilot (Pillsbury Brownies spot)
#5. Jackson Browne - Running on Empty
#4. Peter Frampton - Baby, I Love Your Way
#3. Stevie Wonder - Fingertips Pt. 2
#2. Cheap Trick - I Want You to Want Me
and #1...George Benson - On Broadway
#5. Commodores - Brick House
#4. Madness - Our House
#3. John Mellencamp - Pink House
#2. Animals - House of the Rising Son
and #1...Mary Jane Girls - In My House
#5. Diana Ross - Stop! in the Name of Love
#4. Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop
#3. Gino Vanneli - I Just Want to Stop
#2. CCR - Who'll Stop the Rain
#1. Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till you Get Enough
#5. Elton John - Honky Cat
#4. Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight
#3. Steve Miller Band - Fly Like an Eagle
#2. Jim Stafford - Spiders and Snakes
#1. Survivor - Eye of the Tiger
#5. Beatles - I Want to Hold Your Hand (1964)
#4. Shocking Blue - Venus (1970)
#3. Ohio Players - Fire (1975)
#2. Bee Gees - Staying Alive (1978)
and #1. Toto - Africa (1983)
Progressive Top 5!
#5. One - Three Dog Night
#4. Two Tickets to Paradise - Eddie Money
#3. Knock Three Times - Tony Orlando & Dawn
#2. 25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago
#1. 867-5309 - Tommy Tutone
These were the final #1's for these artists, from the Classic Hits Era.
#5. Diana Ross/Supremes - Someday We'll Be Together
#4. Rolling Stones - Miss You
#3. Eagles - Heartache Tonight
#2. Elvis - Suspicious Minds
and #1. Hall & Oates - Out of Touch
So my family in Illinois always makes fun of me because they think it's crazy how we react to bad weather in Memphis. My dad actually grew up at a house with "an outhouse" vs. normal bathroom. He used to say he had to go to the bathroom "twice as much" because his mom and dad made him take my Aunt Sharon out when she was a little girl. My Uncle Mike Eymanb sent me this pretty funny tune called "Outhouse: 40 Below". The title pretty much sums it up! Thanks, Mike!Â
Here it is for your listening entertainment:
outhouse40below
It means so much more if you've been around outhouses.
Today at noon we got through the coldness with "Five Great Songs from Not So Great Movies":
#5. Car Wash (from Car Wash)
#4. Last Dance (from Thank God It's Friday)
#3. I Can Dream About You (Streets of Fire)
#2. Shakedown (Beverly Hills Cop 2)...BH Cop 1 was ok, #2 was a bomb
And #1. Shining Star (from That's the Way of the World)
These 5 tunes are actually remakes. Who knew!
#5. Do Wah Diddy Diddy - Manfred Mann (Original from "The Exciters")
#4. Brother Louis - Stories (Original from "Hot Chocolate")
#3. Some Kind of Wonderful - Grand Funk (Orginal from "Soul Brothers 6")
#2. Louie Louie - Kingsmen (Original from Richard Berry)
and #1. The Tide is High - Blondie (Original from The Paragons)
Yesterday's Top 5 was the Top Five "Soul" Songs...(songs with religious/spiritual overtones). Clearly fun, because it allowed me to do my bad impression of a preacher!
#5. Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky
#4. Staple Singers - I'll Take You There
#3. Frankie Vallie - Swearin' to God
#2. Doobie Brothers - Jesus is Alright
#1. Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacher Man
....Today, I really enjoyed our Top 5 "Two-Timers" Tunes (Songs re-released to become hits in different decades/mostly because of the movies like Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
#5. Twist & Shout - Beatles (1964 & 1986) with Ferris Bueller's Day Off
#4. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (1975 & 1992) in film Wayne's World
#3. The Monster Mash - Bobby Boris Pickett (1962 & 1973)... Who knows why?
#2. Stand by Me - Ben E. King (1961 & 1986) in the film Stand By Me
#1. Do You Love me - The Contours (1962 & 1987) in the film Dirty Dancing
Sure, we kicked it off with a bonus from "For the Love of Money"... but we started officially with:
#5. Donna Summer - She Works Hard for the Money
#4. Hall & Oates - Rich Girl
#3. Steve Miller Band - Take the Money and Run
#2. Dire Straits- Money for Nothing
and #1. George Harrison - I Got My Mind Set on You (It's Gonna take Money)...ok, it's a bit of a stretch, but lots of requests for it!
Thanks so much to Classic Hits 94.1 KQK listener Randy Stockton from over at Lakecrest Relocation Services in Memphis. He suggested a "Top 5 @ Noon" that included the word "Feelings". Well, ask and you shall receive. Randy even made out our list! If you'd like to suggest a "Top 5 @ Noon" send your request to: bcarson@941KQK.com Thanks for listening!
#5. Flashdance (What a Feeling) - Irene Cara
#4. Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
#3. Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede
#2. You've Lost that Loving Feeling - Righteous Brothers
and #1. More than a Feeling - Boston
Sure, there are several other artists or songs that we could have picked out. But those are for another day. Today, we went through these Top 5... It's amazing to think about the influence and beginnings of contemporary rock, pop and soul music that started in Memphis, Tennessee. That's one of the many reasons I love Memphis.
Starting with the late great Alex Chilton & the Box Tops - #5. The Letter (from Memphis)
#4. The Staple Singers - I'll Take You There (Stax/Volt Records)
#3. Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain (obvious)
#2. Earth, Wind and Fire - Got to Get You into My Life (Maurice White born in Memphis)
and #1. Otis Redding - Sitting on the Dock of the Bay (Stax/Volt Records)
The musical influence of Memphis is unmatched by any city in the world it seems.
We had a really nice weekend with my family and some friends from Illinois who visited! My folks & I took my son, Jake, to Bass Pro Shop. I think my dad found the perfect smoker he's been looking for. More importantly, I found out you can entertain a toddler for an hour or so at Bass Pro without spending any money by just checking out all the cool merchandise and watching the fish!
Saturday night, we had a great time thanks to Lisa Heros and the Red Carpet Bash Committee. Also, Tony Carlucci and his team at the Hollywood Casino put together a first class set-up for our 10th Annual Saint Jude Red Carpet Bash. Here's my folks sitting with Stacy and I Saturday night. Thanks to everyone who came out and bid on items, donated, etc. St. Jude is a wonderful hospital. World class.
It was kind of ironic listening to Steve and Karen this morning on the way in talking about the "potato" Steve's grandfather carried in his pocket. Of course several people I heard call in guessed it was a buckeye. My dad actually is a "buckeye carrier", and is a member of an Illinois "Buckeye" Club. We were so happy to see some of his "Buckeye" friends Harry and Becky Hawkins and Dave and Gert Beasley at the party this weekend. Don't forget your buckeye! If you're at the pub and someone does a "buckeye" check and you don't have yours, you have to buy a round! At least if you're in the club.
(Friday Top 5 @ Noon Review:Â 1-21-11) Top 5 "Work Work Work" Songs
#5. Beatles - We Can Work it Out
#4. Spinners - Working My Way Back to You
#3. Huey Lewis - Workin' for a Livin'
#2. Loverboy - Working for the Weekend
#1. Donna Summer - She Works Hard for the Money
I know a ton of folks aren't digging the new American Idol judging lineup. I do miss Simon, of course, but I've always like Randy (here's me and Randy from a radio interview a few years ago in LA).
He's the guy with the free flowing attitude.  The "dawg".  But when you add one of my favorite rockers, Steven Tyler, and J-Lo (who didn't look as hot as I thought she would last night), it makes it pretty cool (still).
Wed's Top 5 was "Songs about ME"
#5. Doors - Touch Me
#4. Three Dog Night - Mama Told Me (Not to Come)
#3. Todd Rundgren - Hello It's Me
#2. Fontella Bass - Rescue Me
#1. Cheap Trick - I Want You To Want Me
Thur's Top 5 was You're The "Man" Songs - Top 5 songs with "man" in the title
#5. Beatles - Nowhere Man
#4. America - Tin Man
#3. Heart - Magic Man
#2. Johnny Rivers - Secret Agent Man
#1. Billy Joel - Piano Man
On Monday, we celebrated the top 5 Songs written by Somebody ELSE famous:
#5. Smokey Robinson - Tears of a Clown - written by Stevie Wonder
#4. Captain & Tennille - Lonely Night - written by Neil Sedaka
#3. David Bowie - Fame - written by David Bowie & John Lennon
#2. Sam & Dave - Hold On! I'm Comin' - written by Isaac Hayes
and #1. The Eagles - Take it Easy - written by Jackson Browne & Glenn Frey
A few years ago my wife and I decided to buy tickets to see "The Eagles" perform live at the FedEx Forum. Clearly, they're nearing the end of their touring days as a complete band. And they sounded great. But the thing I took away from that show was ALWAYS BUY GOOD SEATS if you're going to go to a quality show. We were probably "medium" Eagles fans, and walked away "BIG" Eagles fans. They played the hits. They played them perfectly. And luckily, I didn't cheap out on upper deck tickets. If you're going to go, go BIG!
I need to give a "shout out" to my Doctor...Dr. Rothrock. After having a THREE DAY headache, he went through the "shot in the butt", a couple prescriptions, and some home remedy suggestions. Whoola! It's gone. Hopefully these will also be a nice preventative. Anybody close to me knows I used to battle headaches, especially when I was a kid. I used to take medicine called "Anitriptuline" (something like that).  It worked for the most part, but I took it later in the evening because it made me tired to the point where it was even tough getting out of bed. My mother did some research on it at the time, and it was listed as something used also on "depression." I guarantee depression and stress weren't the cause of this latest episode. Things are good for me (not bragging, just saying). But I sort of outgrew the headaches. Getting glasses last year help cut them back even more infrequently. But this latest one was so bad it required a doc visit. Thank God for the guy Icall "Doctor Flinstone"!
As for today, we used some of your facebook suggestions for our Top 5 @ noon! Mr. & Mrs. Tunes... #5. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds #4. Mr. Big Stuff - Jean Knight #3. Mr. Robato - Styx (one of my personal favs) #2. Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson and (a guilty pleasure tune)
#1. Billy Paul - Me & Mrs. Jones
Make sure to get your tix for next weekends St. Jude Red Carpet Bash. Jan. 22nd at the Hollywood-Tunica. Maybe I'll see you this weekend at the St. Louis Cardinal Caravan. That's this Sunday, Jan. 16th, 6:30 p.m. at Autozone Park. I think Stacy and I also might check out the Grizz this weekend. They play Sat. night at 7 p.m. against Dallas!
#5. Rock With You - Michael Jackson 1/13/1980
#4. We Can Work It Out - Beatles 1/13/1966
#3. You're So Vain - Carly Simon 1/13/1973
#2. The Joker - Steve Miller Band 1/13/1974
and #1.....(and she's still pretty hot!) Physical - Olivia Newton-John 1/13/1982
Well, today at noon we played the Top 5 "Bands of Brothers": #5. Starting in Gary, IN. with the Jackson 5, #4. Bros. Johnson, #3. Tavares, #2. the Beach Boys, and #1. the Kinks
Already 12 days into January, and it already seems like the "flu" bug is working it's way through the office. Yikes! My wife was nice enough to let me sleep as soon as we brought our son Jake home from eating at "Off the Hoof". By the way, if you're looking for the perfect place to take a toddler, it's "Off the Hoof" in Arlington! Giant wall size chalk board, games, and room for the kids!
Today we did the Top 5 "Lady" songs at Noon... #5. Labelle - Lady Marmalade #4. Commodores - 3 Times a Lady #3. Sugarloaf - Green Eyed Lady #2. Little River Band - Lady and #1. Tom Jones - She's a Lady
Well, the great "snow" melt of 2011 is on...
This is a shot from my "office" here at 94.1 KQK looking out at I-240. You can see the snow is beginning to melt from Sunday night's dusting. We probably received 2-3 inches, which is enough to close our schools (most schools were closed yesterday, some still today in Tipton/Desoto).Â
I guess I'm a little "jaded" by the whole snow thing because I grew up in the Midwest. I know, I know... Up hill, both ways... yada yada. But they have all the equipment to deal with it (plows, salt trucks, etc.). I guess it's cheaper to just shut down stuff in Tennessee rather than get the equipment. After all, it happens at least once a year or so. They are saying more to come?
We're kicking it up as we roll into January...It's HUEY LEWIS MONTH! I'll have Huey Lewis FREE TIX each day. Just listen around 12 noon and be the 9th caller at (901) 535-9494. Pretty Simple....
Huey Lewis is presented on Jan. 27th at Minglewood Hall by Classic Hits 94.1 KQK!
Today's Top 5 at Noon...All "Aussie's" - #5: Bee Gee's #4 Rick Springfield #3 Olivia Newton-John #2 Little River Band and #1...of course, Men at Work!
Today's top 5 at 12 noon took us through #5 Kansas - Dust in the Wind #4 Atlanta Rhythm Section - So Into You #3 Ohio Players - Fire #2 Chicago - Hard to Say I'm Sorry and #1 Boston - Peace of Mind... a true "Mapquest" of bands with "town" or "state" names. All very good bands!
The story today that continues to gain traction in pop-culture, news and broadcasting circles is the "homeless radio" announcer. He almost looks like he could be Barack Obama's long lost father, with a voice to match!  Great pipes. I've seen "radio bits" like this that have been staged, but this one from Cleveland appears to be the real deal. Hopefully this dude can take the opportunity and run with it! Amazing what a good voice can get you.
As a fan of (specifically) the radio medium, I find it most important he's labeled as a "radio" announcer. You never call folks "internet" announcer, "PA" announcer, or "TV" announcer. It's radio, because that's what people identify most closely with.
More video of the dude here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20027457-10391698.html
Wild day at the radio ranch. It seems like things are going good in the new year so far!
The big revelation was not that John Mellencamp and his wife of over 18 years split, but he's now with my old crush. Apparently, he's dating Meg Ryan! Wild, huh?Â
Anyway, my dad used to have an expression he'd say to his friends when they left. He'd simply say, "Keep Smiling!" Pretty great slogan, right? He actually used to have it on his invoices for his excavating company with a big smiley face. That's probably why I like 94.1 KQK so much... Our big smiley faced logo!
In honor of "Mr. Smiley", today at noon we presented the Top 5 songs with smile in the lyrics! #5. Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving #4. Elton John - Your Song #3. Chicago - Make Me Smile #2. Steely Dan - Do it Again and #1. Hall & Oates - Sara Smile
I just noticed that a web company that used to send updated mouse pads with the yearly calendar, didn't send one this year. I keep staring at a 2010 mouse pad calendar. Kind of the way of the world. I now use my iPhone calendar to organize my life & beep me with :30 minute and :15 minute reminders. Works great! However, I still miss the mouse pad. That's the way of the world. I've had various arguments with folks in the marketing world about this over the past couple of years. Even though I don't like it, I realize the money for things like those mouse pads (by those companies) is better spent on things like developing technology and PEOPLE! :) Although, with technology comes less people unfortunately.Â
Anyway, that's my rant for today. We played the Top 5 songs in a theme called "Life After Motown" = Motown artists who had hits after they left Motown.
#5 was Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing, #4 was Michael Jackson - The Way You Make Me Feel, #3 was Gladys Knight & The Pips - I've Got To Use My Imagination #2 was the Four Tops - Ain't No Woman...
And #1 was a surprise, because many folks don't remember Tina Marie's Motown days from 1979-1983.
#1. Teena Marie - Lovergirl
Well, welcome back! I hope you read these postings. They are kind of fun to look back on and say "What were we thinking?" Or..."Man, that happened?"Â
I'm glad to be back in the saddle of this great radio station, Classic Hits 94.1 KQK. It's been on-the-air for two years. The end of 2010 ushered in a new "ratings" period for us, and the results confirm that we are one of the top stations in Memphis for Adults 25-125 years old with ears. I'm glad to work here. But as I've "posted" in different places like twitter (follow me at www.twitter.com/BradCarson) or facebook (friend me and see my adventures over the new year/xmas as my kid got a new "mini-jeep" and we celebrated the Miss. State win over Michigan - www.facebook.com/Brad.Carson ) another year is a new beginning...but a time that I look inward and am "thankful". Most of all I'm thankful to live in the greatest city in America, Memphis. I love the soul of this city. I love the creativity of the city. I love the potential.
Now that I've got my beginning of the year goodies in order, today I kicked off the New Year with a Top 5 - Class Reunion from 1972.
The lineup was:
#5. Elvis - Burning Love (We'll celebrate the life of Elvis on what would have been his b-day this Saturday) #4. Doobie Brothers - Listen to the Music #3. Chicago - Saturday in the Park #2. Rolling Stones - Tumbling Dice and #1... Raspberry's - Go All the Way
I wrapped up 2010 reading the story of "Zappos" from it's CEO. Basically I learned that I need to use "wow" factor and "treat everyone with top notch importance/service (in the case of business)". Good words to live by! Now I'm moving in a totally different direction reading "Life" by Keith Richards. So far 100 pages in, it's hard to believe... but he is very BRIGHT! He was influenced by Elvis and Little Richard (most importantly, the blues/Memphis sound). I've learned so far from Keith that you gotta focus on what you're passionate about. More good words for 2011!
~Peace and love.
Brad
#5. Lou Rawls (12/1)
#4. Andy Williams (12/3)
#3. Donny Osmond (12/9)
#2. Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers (12/8)
#1. Susan Dey of the Partridge Family (12/10)
#5. Beatles - Day Tripper
#4. Rod Stewart - Maggie May
#3. Rolling Stones - Tumbling Dice
#2. Phil Collins - Easy Lover
#1. Elton John - The Bitch is Back
#5. Steve & Edie - Baby It's Cold Outside
#4. Johnny Mathis - Winter Wonderland
#3. Dean Martin - Marshmallow World
#2. Ronettes - Frosty the Snowman
#1. Nat King Cole - Deck the Halls
I really enjoyed these 5 today. Great songs...
#5. James Brown - Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
#4. Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy
#3. Harold Melvin - Bad Luck
#2. Barry White - Can't Get Enough of Your Love
#1. Bob Seger - Shakedown
#5. But It's Alright - J. J. Jackson
#4. You Keep Me Hangin' On - Diana Ross and the Supremes
#3. When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge
#2. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
#1. Good Lovin' - Rascals
#5. Baby Come Back - Player
#4. Bend Me, Shape Me - American Breed
#3. Baby, Now That I've Found You
#2. My Eyes Adored You - Frankie Valli
#1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - George Harrison & The Beatles
#5. Paint It Black - Rolling Stones
#4. Shop Around - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
#3. Can't Buy Me Love - The Beatles
#2. She Works Hard For The Money - Donna Summer
#1. All I Want For Christ - Mariah Carey
#5. Be Thankful for What - William DeVaughn
#4. Celebrate - Three Dog Night
#3. The Immigrant - Neil Sedaka
#2. We Are Family - Sister Sledge
#1. Celebrate Me Home - Kenny Loggins
#5. American Pie - Don McLean
#4. Brown Sugar - Rolling Stones
#3. Build Me Up Buttercup - Foundations
#2. Cherry Cherry - Neil Diamond
#1. Classical Gas - Mason Williams
#5. Freeway Of Love - Aretha Franklin
#4. The Letter - Box Tops
#3. (Sittin' On) The Dock - Otis Redding
#2. Memphis - Johnny Rivers
#1. Disco Duck - Rick Dees
#5. Stevie Wonder - Do I Do
#4. Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
#3. Supremes - My World Is Empty Without You
#2. BJ Thomas - Hooked on a Feeling
#1. Isley Brothers - It's Your Thing
#5. Sly and the Family Stone
#4. Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
#3. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising
#2. BJ Thomas - Hooked on a Feeling
#1. Isley Brothers - It's Your Thing
...With much regret, my bosses have said that I must bare my soul by playing my Top 5 guilty pleasure songs. Yikes!
#5. Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night
#4. Starship - We Built this City
#3. Milli Vanilli - Girl You Know it's True
#2. Captain & Tennille - Love Will Keep Us Together
and #1...The Osmonds - One Bad Apple
16 years ago I started my career at WSMI AM/FM in Litchfield, IL. WSMI is a historic radio station, celebrating 60 years with WSMI-AM & 50 years on WSMI-FM.Â
They interviewed several former personalities to mark the occasion.  Listen to my interview here: 04961_bradweisevol311-8-10 (I went by "Brad Weiss" on-air)
I grew up listening to this station with my grandpa Eyman on his little radio in his kitchen, which would echo throughout the entire house. Likewise, my grandpa Weiss used to listen to the station and would even call in to advertise "selling hay" on the program Trading Post on WSMI-AM 1540. Clearly I picked up the love for this station at an early age. That, combined with overhearing Jack Buck call Cardinal games on KMOX in St. Louis.  I loved radio, and was excited about making it a career.Â
It was pretty cool being on WSMI-FM as a teenager, because I had the chance to be on a radio station I grew up with listening to Terry Todt (my program director who interviewed me). WSMI-FM is a 50,000 watt blowtorch ranging from Central Illinois down to St. Louis. They feature award winning hyper-local sports, Illinois Sports, Cardinals baseball, and ag/local news.
#5. Captain & Tennille - Muskrat Love
#4. Paper Lace - The Night Chicago Died
#3. Clint Holmes - Playground in My Mind
#2. Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
and #1...Jimmy Buffett - Cheeseburger in Paradise
#5. Blue Swede - Hooked on A Feeling
#4. Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
#3. Linda Rondstadt - Heat Wave
#2. Rare Earth - Get Ready
and #1...Robert Plant - Mercy Mercy Me
#5. Andrea True Connection
#4. White Plains - My Baby Loves Lovin'
#3. Labelle - Lady Marmalade
#2. Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime
and #1...Wild Cherry - Play that Funky Music
#5. Miracles - Love Machine
#4. Styx - Mr. Roboto
#3. Jackson 5 - Dancing Machine
#2. Chicago - Feelin' Stronger Everyday
and #1... Rolling Stones - Start Me Up
#5. CCR - Bad Moon Rising
#4. Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London
#3. Duran Duran - Hungry Like a Wolf
#2. Steppenwolf - Born to Be Wild
and #1...Guess Who - Clap for the Wolfman
We had a wild day in the radio studios of Classic Hits 94.1 KQK as the one and only Huey Lewis was our special guest DJ in-studio at 1 p.m. as we celebrated our 2nd Anniversary on-the-air!
Also, Kevin James called Conley and Karen live from Hollywood to wish us a Happy Birthday... Our other celeb was the one-and-only Rev. Al Sharpton who happened to be in town. How does it all fit together? Not sure! But quite a star studded lineup of celebrity fans who love this radio station and our music. I hope you enjoy it as well! We couldn't do it without YOU.
Today at 12 noon we played the Top 5 Songs for Zombies as part of our "Share the Scare" week! Here they are:
#5. Jumpin' Gene Simmons - Haunted House
#4. Paul McCartney - Live and Let Die
#3. Zombies - Time of the Season
#2. BeeGees - Stayin' Alive
and #1... Michael Jackson - Thriller
Thanks for TWO GREAT years of radio. I love this station.
-Brad
#5. Donovan - Season of the Witch
#4. Classics IV - Spooky
#3. Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters
#2. Kansas - Dust in the Wind
and #1...Bobby "Boris" Pickett - Monster Mash
Share the Scare week continues!!! Today, the Top 5 Songs "The Monster in Your Closet Can Relate to"
#5. Edgar Winter Group - Frankenstein
#4. Michael Sembello - Maniac
#3. Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
#2. Temptations - Beauty's Only Skin Deep
and #1...KC & the Sunshine Band - I'm Your Boogie Man
#5. Eric Clapton - After Midnight
#4. Neil Sedaka - Bad Blood
#3. Procol Harum - Whiter Shade of Pale
#2. Rolling Stones - Let's Spend the Night Together
and #1... Beatles - Hard Day's Night
#5. James Taylor - How Sweet it Is
#4. ELO - Sweet Talkin' Woman
#3. Commodores - Sweet Love
#2. Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
and #1...Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama
#5. Abraham, Martin, & John - Dion
#4. Blowin' in the Wind - Stevie Wonder
#3.  War - Edwin StarrÂ
#2. For What it's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
and #1... Signs - Five Man Electrical Band
#5. Jon Anderson from Yes Oct. 25thÂ
#4. Darryl Hall from Hall & Oates  Oct. 11th
#3. Kevin Cronin - REO Speedwagon Oct. 6th
#2. Steve Miller - Steve Miller Band Oct. 5th
#1. Cliff Richard - Oct. 14
#5. Foreigner - "Double Vision"
#4. Robert Palmer - "Bad Case of Loving You"
#3. Bee Gees - "How can you mend a Broken Heart"
#2. Jackson Browne - "Doctor my Eyes"
and #1... Huey Lewis and the News - "I Want a New Drug"
#5. Eddie Money - Baby Hold On
#4. Foundations - Baby, Now that I've Found You
#3. Player - Baby Come Back
#2. Diana Ross/Supremes - Baby Love
and #1...Peter Frampton - Baby, I Love Your Way
#5. Aerosmith - Walk this Way (no longer touring, but Tyler's doing American Idol now!)
#4. Journey - Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'
#3. America - Sister Golden Hair
#2. Grand Funk Railroad - Some Kind of Wonderful
and #1...the Rolling Stones - Tumbling Dice
#5. Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby
#4. Guess Who - No Time
#3. Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
#2. Boston - Don't Look Back
and #1...Todd Rundgren - Bang the Drum All Day
#5. Elvis Presley - "Heartbreak Hotel"
#4. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - "Ohio"
#3Â Neil Diamond - "Sweet Caroline"
#2. Tony Orlando & Dawn - "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Around the Ole Oak Tree"
and #1...Dr. Hook - "Cover of the Rolling Stone"
Had a killer weekend with my family in Memphis. I was really impressed with our experience at the Memphis Zoo this year. We go at least once per year, and it was great to see the new Teton Trek addition. Beautiful landscape, animals, etc. Can't wait till the hippos get their new digs! Here's a pic of the Teton main building, which would be a perfect Christmas party location.
And today on the Top 5 at noon we did the "Top 5 Rehab Acts"...
#5. Leif Garrett - I Was Made for Dancing
#4. Eddie Money - Shakin'
#3. Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young - Woodstock
#2. Paula Abdul - Straight Up
and #1...Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion
#5. Lynyrd Skynrd - Sweet Home Alabama
#4. Bachman Turner Overdrive - Let It Ride
#3. Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone
 #2. Edgar Winter Group - Free Ride
and #1...Eagles - Life in the Fast Lane
#5. Rick Springfield - Don't Talk to Strangers
#4. Romantics - Talkin' in Your Sleep
#3. Harry Nilsson - Everybody's Talking
#2. Electric Light Orchestra - Sweet Talkin' Woman
and #1...Bee Gees - Jive Talkin'
#5. Prince - Little Red Corvette
#4. Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen
#3. William DeVaughn - Be Thankful for What You Got (prominent Cadillac reference)
#2. Beach Boys - Little Deuce Coupe
and #1...Beatles - Drive My Car
#5. Led Zepplin - Fool in the Rain
#4. Creedence Clearwater Revival
#3. Albert Hammond - It Never Rains in Southern California
#2. Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain
and #1...James Taylor - Fire & Rain
#5. Doobie Brothers - Takin' It To the Streets
#4. Martha & the Vandellas - Dancing in the Streets
#3. Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street
#2. Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
and #1...Beatles - Long & Winding Road
Without a doubt, Tom Hanks is my favorite actor. Luckily, most of his movies have some pretty compelling music used for their trailors or for theme music throughout.
#5. Workin' for a Livin' - From the movie "Big"
#4. Go Your Own Way - From the movie "Forrest Gump"
#3. Groovin' - From the movie "Apollo 13"
#2. She Works Hard for the Money - From the movie "Splash"
and #1...Heartbreak Hotel - From the movie "Cast Away"
#5. Queen - Somebody to Love
#4. Elton John - Honky Cat
#3. David Bowie - Golden Years
#2. Paul Revere & the Raiders - Indian Reservation
and #1...Kiss - Rock n' Roll All Nite
#5. Peaches and Herb - Shake Your Groove Thing
#4. Supertramp - The Logical Song
#3. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
#2. Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
and #1...Doobie Brothers - What a Fool Believes
#5. Emotions - Best of My Love
#4. Fleetwood Mac - Dreams
#3. Boz Scaggs - Lido Shuffle
#2. Eagles - Hotel California
and #1...Trammps - Disco Inferno
#5. Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes - Bad Luck
#4. Eagles - One of these Nights
#3. Paul McCartney & Wings - Listen to What the Man Says
#2. Labelle - Lady Marmalade
and #1...Grand Funk Railroad - Some Kind of Wonderful
#5. Doobie Bros. - China Grove
#4. Isley Bros. - That Lady (Part 1)
#3. Grand Funk Railroad - We're an American Band
#2. Ringo Starr - Photograph
and #1...Allman Brothers Band - Ramblin' Man
#5. Temptations - Just My Imagination
#4. Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces
#3. Ike & Tina Turner - Proud Mary
#2. Ringo Starr - It Don't Come Easy
and #1...Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar
I hope to see YOU @ Wolf River DayâItâs Cool to Go Green! Sat., Sept. 25, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. -Â Classic Hits 94.1 KQK will be LIVE FROM 10 AM TILL 12 NOON on-site!!!! At the V&E Greenline at 620 Avalon in Midtown Memphisâs historic Vollintine Evergreen neighborhood.
More here:Â www.wolfriver.org
Stroll beneath the shady tree canopy of the V & E Greenline perusing green exhibits while enjoying arts and crafts vendors, local food vendors, great live music, and a kidsâ bike parade. Throughout the day there will be wildlife presentations, programs on gardening and butterflies, activities for kids, great speakers, and information on the Wolf River Greenway and other conservation efforts in West Tennessee.
Come and support a great cause for nature in Shelby County. I joined the WRV, and you should too!
~Brad
#5. Dave Mason - We Just Disagree
#4. Dave Edmunds - I Hear You Knockin'
#3. David Essex - Rock On
#2. Sam and Dave - Soul Man
and #1...David Bowie - Let's Dance
#5. Aerosmith - Walk this Way
#4. Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That
#3. Prince - When Doves Cry
#2. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
and #1....Duran Duran - Hungry Like a Wolf
#5. David Soul (Starsky & Hutch) - Don't Give Up on Us
#4. Monkees - Last Train to Clarksville
#3. Meat Loaf - Two Out of Three Ain't Bad
#2. Andrea True Connection (yes, Andrea True was an adult tv star)
and #1....John Travolta - Let Her In
#5.  Barry Gibb 9/1
#4. Gloria Gaynor & Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders 9/7
#3. Billy Preston and Otis Redding 9/9
#2. Barry White & Maria Muldaur on 9/12...
#1. David Clayton Thomas from Blood, Sweat & Tears (68 years old)
Yes, I've met Hall & Oates! Backstage at Atlantic City Trump Marina with my friend Gary Guida (he works in radio in AC)...
#5. Maneater
#4. I Can't Go For That
#3. Private Eyes
#2. You Make My Dreams Come True
and #1...Kiss on My Liss
#5. Evelyn "Champagne" King - Shame
#4. Vicki Sue Robinson - Turn the Beat Around
#3. Van McCoy - The Hustle
#2. Emotions - Best of My Love
#1. Weather Girls - It's Raining Men Â
I had a couple of days out of the studio, so I brought the portable studio to my favorite family getaway place where my folks live in southern Illinois. It's the town I grew up in, Mount Olive, IL. The town's population is approx. 2,000 people and it still has grades K-12. The high school graduates about 35-40 kids per year. I had 42 in my HS class! The cool part is you get to participate in EVERYTHING. I used to joke I dated half my class.
You can see my dads new barn and farm in the distance behind the pond at his place. My wife and I actually had our wedding reception in that barn with the Dempsey's from Memphis providing entertainment. Good times!
Nowadays, my wife and son go with me for weekends and getaways. This was my annual dove hunt and fishin trip. We also managed to go see the "Tamburitians" a local "Oohmpah" band gig in Benld, IL. Benld is another nearby small town where Al Kapone used to hang on his way to and from Chicago.
I also had the chance to sing today's #2 song (see below) at one of the local dive bars (JC's), during karaoke night. I was followed by a pack of women singing "Baby Got Back." Yes they did...and some.
Anyway, now that you've got those random factoids covered... Here's today's TOP 5 AT NOON:Â the Top 5 Sweet Songs
#5. Electric Light Orchestra - Sweet Talkin' Woman
#4. Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion
#3. George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
#2. Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
and #1... Lynyrd Skynrd - Sweet Home Alabama
#5. Mama's and the Papa's - California Dreamin'
#4. Lynrd Skynrd - Sweet Home Alabama
#3. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Ohio
#2. R. Dean Taylor - Indiana Wants Me
and #1...Gladys Knight & the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia
5. Johnny Rivers - Swaying to the Music
#4. Guess Who - Clap for the Wolfman
#3. Steely Dan - FM
#2. Chi-Lites - Have You Seen Her
and #1...Donna Summer - On the Radio
#5. Alicia Bridges - I Love the Nightlife
#4. Beatles - Hard Days Night
#3. Kool & the Gang - Ladies Night
#2. Van Morrison - Wild Night
and #1....Bee Gees - Night Fever
They're either remakes themselves, or somebody else did them again...
#5. Dr. Hook - Only Seventeen
#4. Amii Stewart - Knock on Wood
#3. Monkees - I'm a Believer
#2. Eric Clapton - I Shot the Sheriff
and #1... Blue Swede - Hooked on a Feeling
Yes, I must admit, there's something magical about Abba. I still don't like Glee just for the record.Â
#5. The Winner Takes All
#4. Take a Chance on Me
#3. Mamma Mia
#2. Waterloo
and #1... Dancing Queen
#5. Trammps - Disco Inferno
#4. KC & The Sunshine Band - Get Down TonightÂ
#3. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
#2. Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive
and #1... Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
#5. Tommy Tutone - 867-5309
#4. Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4
#3. Commodores - Three Times a Lady
#2. ? & the Mysterians - 96 Tears
and #1....Eddie Money - Two Tickets to Paradise
#5. Looking Glass - Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)
#4. Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen
#3. Rupert Holmes - Escape (Pina Colada Song)
#2. Elton John - Island Girl
and #1...Beach Boys - Surfer Girl
#5. Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
#4. Wild Cherry - Play that Funky Music
#3. Four Seasons - Dec. 1963 (Oh What a Night)
#2. Elton John/Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
and #1...Paul McCartney - Silly Love Songs
#5. Neil Young - Heart of Gold
#4. Stevie Wonder - Boogie on Reggae Woman
#3. Billy Joel - Piano Man
#2. Doobie Brothers - Long Train Runnin'
and #1....Huey Lewis & the News - The Heart of Rock n' Roll
#5. Labelle - Lady Marmalade
#4. Starbuck - Moonlight Feels Right
#3. Aerosmith - Walk This Way
#2. Prince - Little Red Corvette
...#1. Player - Baby Come Back
#5. Billy Idol - White Wedding
#4. Foreigner - Waiting for a Girl Like You
#3. 5th Dimension - Wedding Bell Blues
#2. James Taylor - How Sweet It Is
and #1.... The Foundations - Baby, Now that I've Found You
#5. Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing
#4. Michael Jackson - Rock With You
#3. Meat Loaf - Paradise by the Dashboard Light
#2. Donna Summer - She Works Hard for the Money
and #1...Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight
#5. Derek & the Dominos - Layla
#4. Chicago - Feeling Stronger Everyday
#3. Eagles - Hotel California
#2. Steve Miller Band - Jet Airliner
and #1....Beatles - Day Tripper
#5. Al Stewart - Time Passages
#4. Chicago - Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?Â
#3. Chairmen of the Board - Give Me Just a Little More TimeÂ
#2. Guess Who - No Time
and #1... Zombies - Time of the Season
#5. Bee Gee's - Night Fever
#4. Prince - 1999
#3. Huey Lewis and the News - The Power of Love (I LOOOOOVED THIS MOVIE) - "Back to the Future"
#2. Trammps - Disco Inferno
#1. Beatles - A Hard Days Night
#5. Bob Seger - Old Time Rock n' Roll
#4. Ringo Starr - Photograph
#3. Four Seasons - Dec. 1963, Oh What a Night
#2. Carly Simon - Anticipation
and #1...Chicago - Old Days
#5. Fleetwood Mac - Over My Head ... As in, "Wow. This case is wayyyyy over my head!"Â
#4. Foreigner - Hot Blooded... As in, "Yep, you've got a temperature of 110. But here's the good news. You're Hot!"
#3. Kansas - Dust in the Wind... Definitely need a 2nd opinion here.
#2. Eagles - Heartache Tonight... Similar to heartburn.
and #1....Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear the Reaper  You may never need a doctor again if this is the case.
#5. Spinners - "Could it be I'm Fallking in Love"
#4. Blondie - "Call Me"
#3. Barry White - "Can't Get Enough of Your Love"
#2. Four Tops - "Baby I Need Your Lovin' "
and #1....Elton John & Kiki Dee - "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart"
#5. Ike & Tina Turner - Proud Mary
#4. Seals & Crofts - Get Closer
#3. Sam & Dave - Hold On! I'm Coming!
#2. England Dan & John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love to See You Again
and #1...Simon & Garfunkel - Cecilia
#5. Monkees - Pleasant Valley Sunday
#4. Jimmy Buffett - Come Monday
#3. Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night
#2. Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday
and #1....Beatles - Eight Days a Week
#5. Four Tops - Ain't No Woman (Like the One I Got)
#4. Hollies - Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)
#3. Stampeders (Sweet City Woman)
#2. Eagles - Witchy Woman
and #1...Bee Gees - More than a Woman
#5. Cars - "Shake It Up"
#4. Peaches & Herb - "Shake Your Groove Thing"
#3. Bob Seger - "Shakedown"
#2. Jacksons - "Shake Your Body Down to the Ground"
and #1...KC & The Sunshine Band - "Shake Your Booty"
#5. Jim Croce - "You Don't Mess Around With Jim"
#4. Tom Jones - "Green Green Grass"
#3. R. Dean Taylor - "Indiana Wants Me"
#2. Steve Miller Band - "Take the Money and Run"
and #1...Eric Clapton - "I Shot the Sheriff"
#5. Stories - "Brother Louie"
#4. America - "Sister Golden Hair"
#3. Loggins & Messina - "Your Momma Don't Dance"
#2. James Brown - "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag"
and #1...Sly and the Family Stone - "Family Affair"
#5. Steam - Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey (Goodbye)
#4. Beatles - Obladi Oblada
#3. Crystals - Da Doo Ron Ron
#2. Manfred Mann - Do Wah Diddy Diddy Dum Diddy Doo
and #1...Kingsmen - Louie Louie
#5. Sylvers - Boogie Fever
#4. Stevie Wonder - Boogie on Reggae Woman
#3. Johnny Rivers - Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu
#2. A Taste of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie
and #1....KC & The Sunshine Band - Boogie Man
Top 5 Songs including "Life" in them!
#5. Alicia Bridges - I Love the Nightlife
#4. Elton John - Someone Saved My Life Tonight
#3. Stevie Wonder - You are the Sunshine of My Life
#2. Billy Joel - My Life
and #1....Beatles - "Got to Get You Into My Life"
Today, Cat Stevens turns 62. In his honor, we play the Top 5 Cat Stevens Songs.
#5. Neil Young - Heart of Gold
#4. Simon & Garfunkel - Sound of Silence
#3. Bob Dylan - Knockin' on Heaven's Door
#2. Joni Mitchell - Help Me
and #1...Cat Stevens - Wild World
41 years ago today, the first man landed on the moon: Apollo 11. In honor of that special day, we played the Top 5 Moon and Space Songs.
#5. Bob Seger - Shame on the Moon
#4. King Harvest - Dancing in the Moonlight
#3. Starbuck - Moonlight Feels Right
#2. Van Morrison - Moondance
and #1...Elton John - Rocket Man
...We played "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison before noon, and I constructed a quick Top 5 after I thought about it a bit. Top 5 "Sweet Songs"....
#5. James Taylor - How Sweet It Is
#4. Guess Who - No Sugar Tonight
#3. Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
#2. Archies - Sugar, Sugar
and #1.....The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar
#5. Chicago - Saturday in the Park
#4. Monkees - Pleasant Valley Sunday
#3. Elton John - Saturday Night is Alright for Fighting
#2. Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night
and #1....Loverboy (of course) - Working for the Weekend
Yes, the first thing that comes to mind when I think body parts is that "Leg Lamp" from "A Christmas Story". My college roommate, Jeremy, had one just like it!
With that in mind, we start out with #5. "Hot Legs" by Rod Stewart
#4. Crosby, Still, Nash and Young - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
#3. Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces
#2. Doobie Brothers - Take Me in Your Arms
#1. Blondie - Heart of Glass
#5. Meat Loaf - "Paradise by the Dashboard Light"
#4. Three Dog Night - "An Old Fashion Love Song"
#3. Donna Summer - "On the Radio"
#2. Starship - "We Built This City"
and....#1. Steely Dan - "FM"
Hastings hosts #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Brad Thor, tonight at 6:30 p.m.
He'll talk about his new book released in just the last couple of days, "Foreign Influence."
Where:Â Hastings on 1245 N. Germantown Parkway in Cordova
For more info,call the store manager:Â Ryan Revis at 901-759-9636
No, they're not stalkers... just singing about the man or woman they want!
Top 5 "Gotta Have 'You'" Songs....
#5. Smokey and the Miracles - "Tracks of my Tears"
#4. Partridge Family - "I Think I Love You"
#3. Minnie Riperton - "Lovin' You"
#2. Spinners - "I'll Be Around"
and #1... Yvonne Elliman - "If I Can't Have You"
#5. Moody Blues - "I'm Just a Singer in a Rock n' Roll Band"
#4. Steely Dan - "Deacon Blues"
#3. Dr. Hook - "Cover of the Rolling Stone"
#2. Kiss - "Beth"
and....#1. Paul McCartney - "Band on the Run"
Rock, dance and everything in between....all of them with the word "Dance". The Top 5 Dancing Songs!Â
#5. Bruce Springsteen - "Dancing in the Dark"
#4. Jackson 5 - Dancing Machine
#3. Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing
#2. King Harvest - "Dancing in the Moonlight"
and....#1. (gotta love em'!) ABBA! - "Dancing Queen"
Clearly, they weren't talking about the age below toddlers. The Top 5 Baby Songs...
#5. Johnny Rivers - "Baby I Need Your Lovin'"
#4. Eddie Money - "Baby Hold On"
#3. Miracles - "Ooh Baby Baby"
#2. Beach Boys - "Don't Worry Baby"
and #1...Supremes - "Baby Love"
Lots of folks off today for extra 4th of July Holiday time... So, another "America" special, with the Top 5 American Bands/Artists singing about American Places.Â
#5. Eagles - "Hotel California"
#4. Doobie Brothers - "China Grove"
#3. John Mellencamp - "Pink Houses"
#2. Lynrd Skynrd - "Sweet Home Alabama"
and #1...America - "Ventura Highway"
Make sure to purchase your tickets here to see Kevin Cronin and REO Speedwagon, along with the one and only Pat Benatar "Live at the Garden" on Friday, July 29th!Â
Did you know Kevin from REO and Pat Benatar are like neighbors? Find this and more info out in my full interview with a great rocker, Kevin Cronin.
KEVIN CRONIN BC INTERVIEW
In honor of the 4th of July weekend ahead, it's the Top 5 Songs about America. Monday, we'll do the Top 5 American Rockers singing about American places. Also, a couple people have asked, "Who was that reading the Pledge of Allegiance at 12 noon before your countdown?" It was John Wayne!Â
We'll do it again on Monday, July 5th, just before the countdown if you'd like to hear it again.
#5. David Bowie - "Young Americans"
#4. Grand Funk Railroad - "We're an American Band"
#3. John Mellencamp - "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A."
#2. Bruce Springsteen - "Born in the U.S.A."
and #1....Lee Greenwood (who else could it be!) "God Bless the U.S.A."
On this date in 1979, Stampede Pass, Washington, was covered with 6" of snow. And since it's hot, we honor the first day in July with the Top 5 songs about cold, ice and snow!
#5. Transiberian Orchestra - Wizards of Winter
#4. Anne Murray - Snowbird
#3. Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
#2. Dan Fogelberg - Same Ole Lang Syne
and...#1. Foreigner - Cold as Ice (I love me some Foreigner!)
On this date in 1985, Michael Phelps was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He's a professional swimmer, winner, 14 Olympic gold medals, etc. Phelps is considered the greatest Olympian of All-Time since he broke 37 world records. Oh yeah, there was that whole mistake he made with the pipe pic.
So we pay tribute with the Top 5 Beach Boys songs!
#5. Surfer Girl
#4. Surfin' USA
#3. Barbara Ann
#2. Good Vibrations
and #1. California Girls
Couldn't help by starting out today's segment with a drop from Weird Al's "Eat It" as an ode to today's theme, and MJ himself.
So, at #5....We go straight to Dessert with Don McLean's "American Pie"
#4. Neil Diamond - "Cherry Cherry" - I'm a huge ND fan myself.
#3. Jimmy Buffet - "Cheeseburger in Paradise"
#2. Brothers Johnson - "Strawberry Letter #23"
and #1. The Archies - "Sugar Sugar" (what makes food best?!?)
On this date in 1987, "Dreamgirls" opens in NYC. Rumored to be about the Supremes! So, here's the Top 5 Supremes songs.
#5. Come See About Me
#4. You Keep Me Hangin' On
#3. Back in my Arms Again
#2. Stop! In the Name of Love
...and #1. You Can't Hurry Love
The Legacy of Michael Jackson's music will be on full display this weekend on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK. Clearly, the Thriller album is his greatest accomplishment, if not THE greatest pure pop album for a new generation.
So, #5 (and yes, Thriller is not on this list) from that masterpiece album is: "Beat It" by Michael Jackson
#4. "The Love You Save" - by the Jackson 5 (this songs speaks to people)
#3. "Dancing Machine" by the Jackson 5 - you could see the talent early... He could dance like no other. Later, he would dance like no other while grabbing his crotch.
#2. "I Want You Back" - Jackson 5
and #1. "Billie Jean" - Michael Jackson - it was beyond just being a "dance" song like Thriller, Beat It, etc.
To pay "tribute" to the 100+ degree temperatures this week, we celebrate with the Top 5 Hot/Summer Songs of All-Time!
#5. "Hot Fun in the Summertime" - Sly and the Family Stone
#4. "Heatwave" - Martha and the Vandellas
#3. Lovin' Spoonful - "Summer in the City"
#2. "Hot Child in the City" - Nick Gilder
and....#1. what else? "Hot Hot Hot!" - Buster Poindexter
#5. Steely Dan
#4. Led Zeppelin
#3. ZZ Top
#2. Peter Frampton
and...the #1 with a guitar. Eric Clapton! (Also, my first concert was with Slow Hand. I think? It was either EC or Van Halen?)
#5. Evelyn "Champagne" King (Once a go-go dancer.)
#4. Labelle (Still letting it all hang out.)
#3. Gloria Gaynor (Yes you will...because you have one of the biggest female anthems of all time.)
#2. Diana Ross (Everyone in the Memphis Airport forced to stop what they were doing as she walked through to ensure they wouldn't look at her.)
and #1... Donna Summer! (Yes, I'm hot stuff.)
#5. James Brown - "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (how nice...it's not another Tie. It's a Bag)
#4. Harry Chapin - "Cat's in the Cradle" (Thanks Harry...I love Cats)
#3. Temptations - "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" (clearly, he had nine lives if he was a Rolling Stone)
#2. Michael Jackson - "Billie Jean" (Billie was the girl, the wacky dad was Michael)
and #1. David Geddes - "Last Game of the Season" (more weirdness)
#5. "Shannon" - by Henry Gross (Yes, Shannon is the dog. Making the song more interesting for sure.)
#4. "Stray Cat Strut" by...you guessed it. The Stray Cats
#3. Lobo - "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo"  He named the dog Boo just to keep the rhyme.
#2. Elton John - Honky Cat... Careful Elton!
and...#1. Memphis' Very own, Elvis Presley - Hound Dog (my personal karaoke favorite at the bar)
#5. "Gimme Some Lovin'" - Spencer Davis Group for Ameriprise
#4. "Dream On" by Aerosmith for Buick
#3. "Takin' Care of Business" by BTO for Office Depot
#2. "Love Train" by the O'Jays for Coors
and....#1. "Baby Come Back" by Player for Swiffer
Tuesday, we started the new "12 noon Top 5" Countdowns!Â
Our inaugural addition included the Top 5 summer songs of all-time, even though it's "technically" not summer yet. Tell that to the people outside today sweating it out to the 100+ degree heat indexes!!!!
#5:Â Summer Breeze - Seals and Crofts
#4:Â Bryan Adams - Summer of '69
Â
(above:Â Brad Carson/Bryan Adams, Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas, 1998)
#3:Â Beach Boys - California Girls
#2: Mungo Jerry - Hot Fun in the Summertime
#1: Lovin' Spoonful - Summer in the City
And major thanks to listener Penny Gardner who suggested I list the Top 5's in my blog! I'll follow each Top 5 countdown up with a listing right here. So check back often to review your favorite 12 noon Top 5 countdowns.
My father has always been a "jack of all trades". He has quite a list of successful business accomplishments.  So many in fact that I forgot half of the different entrepreneurial things he's been in. Car washes, excavation, chemical company, farming, storage, and an 18-wheeler repair shop would be just a few. He's the kind of guy who doesn't do things like everybody else. I used to think I could question how he did stuff. After I became an adult, I learned I was wrong.
Not only is he into business, but he's the hands on mechanism behind all of it!  For example, he welded together the entire back deck for the house I grew up in. When my folks built their new home, he and his friend Harry wired the entire house themselves (you'd have to see this house to believe how much wiring I'm talking about). When they wanted to put in "central vaccum" in the house, they used a car wash vacuum as the central unit from one of my dad's car wash and placed it in the basement. You may have a vision of something that doesn't look right... but I'm telling you, it's all done "PRO" style! Â
When my folks wanted a rap around porch, my dad welded the entire thing himself and then had it powder coated and painted! You're starting to get the idea now...
So, I knew as soon as he discussed "buying" a cabin, that it would end up being him and his friends "building" a cabin. After collecting ideas, and welding it together on "skids" so it's portable, it's beginning to take shape!
He painted it to match all of the barns on the family farm. He's calling it "Jake's Place" in honor of my son, Jake. And it's unbelievable!
All three of the bigger than life stars who passed away over the past two weeks have a connection to me, personally.
I will always try to remember Gary Coleman as a positive "memory" source. It goes something like this. "Whatchyou talking 'bout Willis?"Â
One would have picked Coleman to be the kid who would grow up (still always to be undersized) and marry the hottest girl you've ever seen. If for no other reason, because it's cute little Arnold!
True, I don't know all the things there are to know about his wife he allegedly beat up a couple of times. It seems she may not have been the best of characters.  She was, to her credit, at his side as his life ended.  It's yet another child star gone south for the winter, unfortunately all to soon.
There's probably no one alive below Gen X who doesn't understand the signifance of the Golden Girls series. I read that in 2007 a re-run of the Golden Girls was still airing somewhere on the earth ever single hour of every single day. Huge in reruns, but even bigger in it's 80s prime. It was "must see tv". Rue was the "feisty sexy" one, of course. That's Blanche.
From all I've read, she was just as energetic in her personal life as she was as a an actress. Her role on Mama's Family was just as fun.
But it gets better. Dennis Hopper will always be one of my favorite actors. If for no other reason, because he was part of the Hoosiers cast. (Yes, Hoosiers is my favorite movie of all time.)Â
I'll always remember Hopper because he looked just like my high school band instructor, Ben King. But more than that, he was the guy who played the town drunk and ran the picket fence. "Don't get caught watching the paint dry!"
It's been since April 20th that the BP oil spill took place following the "explosion" and fire. Unfortunately, it's still going on. Clearly, there's no true expert in this situation because the oil is still spilling into the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.
So why would some silly radio DJ from Memphis now feel compelled to write in his "happy go lucky blog" about a national catastrophe that is seemingly above his head? Well, for starters it's almost hard to avoid the daily updated coverage. Frankly, as a marketer/media "expert" I'm fascinated by the media/public relations aspects of the spill. The political positioning crap is hard to ignore as well.
But as a new twitter user (check me out at www.twitter.com/BradCarson), this whole thing jumped the shark (ironic sea oriented term) when some creative genius set up a bogus twitter account titled "@BPGlobalPR".  This is someone with a little free time, some creativity, and now more than 100K followers! In today's media landscape, given the size of this catastrophe, even BP can't control their own image. Even if BP were able to miraculously plug the hole, their value as a company is cliff diving.
And deservedly so, right? I mean regardless of the regulation issues here, think about your own life or career. The old adage goes, "Don't bite off more than you can chew."
Personally, I enjoy music, sports, and radio. I focused all of my young career life on those 3 things. Makes sense I'm a radio DJ on a music station, a program director for a sports station, and I'm in radio after working in the business since I was 18.
At home, I lack many traits that would make me a "handy man." My wife will tell you! I know exactly where to go when I need to get things done. They are called experts. Whether it's a problem with a toilet (plumber), a roof (roofer), or landscaping (I know a few things about that because my father was in excavation), you need to know where to go to get things done right.
Clearly some things are easier than others.  We finished the difficult task of putting a man on the moon (NASA). People are able to sail around the world by themselves (I recently heard a smart teenager did that).Â
We don't do things if there aren't experts. If BP (or any company) weren't experts enough to figure out how to solve a problem such as the one they and the rest of us are experiencing, what the hell were they doing drilling in the first place? Maybe regulation is part of the problem? But what the hell were they thinking? Money maybe? Probably. Which leads me to believe BP should in fact get the death penalty.Â
The solution? It needs to be dramatic. In my non-expert opinion it should include more explosions, very smart engineer people, using expensive tools that we would never think of, and something large and heavy sitting on top of it. I don't know... I'm not an "expert" in this field. I should have applied.  Truth is, I wouldn't take apart my car if I didn't know how to put it back together. I can't, so I won't even attempt it.
Introducing our station group summer intern, Ben Rainwater! We're fortunate to have Ben working to make everything run more smoothly here this summer at the radio ranch. Ben will be a junior at the University of Memphis, and is working closely with our station, 92.9 FM ESPN. He's obviously passionate about sports! Â
Here's Ben with Georgia Coach Mark Richt.
I asked Ben to tell us a little about himself.
Apparently, Ben likes playing and watching all types of sports (mostly football and basketball/Georgia Bulldogs and Memphis Tigers). He actually likes school, and has managed to hang on to the same girlfriend of nearly 4 years!
Ben enjoys spending time with the 3 F's...Family. Friends. & Fraternity (Sigma Phi Epsilon).  He's a movie and video game junky as well, which is amazing because he claims to still have time for exercising and eating fine dining when he can.
 Ben is a certainly a driven young man, as his spring 4.0 GPA indicates. Â
When asked about his passion for radio and sports journalism, Ben couldn't really put it into words.  "I just have a passion for sports. Sports have always been a huge part of my life, and it would be a dream come true to have my career revolve around the world of sports. Radio and journalism in general gives me a chance to express my opinions to a larger than normal audience. I feel that my opinions and beliefs are well supported, well thought out, and typically very informative. So I like taking any chance I have to express them to others."Â
Ben's future plans are to graduate from the U of M during the spring of 2012 with a degree in broadcast journalism. Upon graduation, Ben plans on attending graduate school to further his journalism education. He added, "I have no clue where I want to go to grad school, but I know for sure that I want to go to a school (city) surrounded by high-level sports teams (UNC, Florida, Missouri, Columbia, Syracuse). Location and proximity to home may end up playing a key role too. In the long run, I want to be a national sports broadcaster (writing, radio, tv, bloggingâ¦.some of EVERYTHING) or a play by play announcer (football or basketball)."
As I wrote about in an earlier blog, I-40 between Nashville and Memphis has many different types of cool trucks and action on it. Yesterday's drive home was no exception, as I saw a HUGE truck carrying this large engine. It was so large, the state requires them to have a truck with hazards on before and after this 18-wheeler. What is this engine for?
Last night we attended the graduation ceremony for my nephew, JD Stuart, down in Senatobia, MS. JD is a really good kid, and we were excited he also was an "honor graduate". It was a nice ceremony. This is my wife Stacy, JD, my son Jake, and myself.
My pre-ceremony anxiety regarding the behavior of my 2-year-old son was luckily, all for not! Between the toddler Iphone Aps and a special seek and find book Jake actually behaved quite nicely during the ceremony. By the reactions during announcements, I figure he actually behaved better than many of the adults at the ceremony.Â
But hearing the "processional" and "recessional" never gets old to me.  It always gives me goose bumps.  It was very exciting to see JD with his cap and gown.
We have entered my favorite time of the year for music and events, minus the humidity! This month, it started with a very wet Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival April 30th-May 2nd. Luckily, the folks at Memphis in May booked a home run with KC & the Sunshine Band with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. More info here. Listen to win tickets from Classic Hits 94.1 KQK.
After that, the following weekend it's time for me to roll up my pants for Italian Fest (and the grape stomp!). More here. Little Feat will be the headliner this year.  Come and see us when I'm on-site in the 94.1 KQK booth on Friday, June 4th, from 6:30-8:30pm with my friend Gary Parrish from 92.9 FM ESPN.
Saturday, June 5th, it's Diana Ross... Yes, THE DIANA ROSS! Make sure to sign up here for the  Diana Ross 94.1 KQK Fan Club Ticket Giveaway! Then listen for your name next week at 8:10 a.m., 1:10 p.m., or 4:10 p.m.  More on the Live at the Garden concert series here.
Live at the Garden also will include a slew of Classic Hits 94.1 KQK Concerts including Blondie, Cheap Trick, Al Green, REO Speedwagon, and Pat Benatar.
Coming to the Orpheum Theatre, July 13th, an unbelievable (and expensive ticket) concert with Robert Plant & The Band of Joy with special guest's the North Mississippi Allstars. Don't expect to hear Stairway at that show. More on the Plant show here.Â
On the contemporary side, I've seen the band Train perform over 10 times. I've also been fortunate enough to meet them, and they seem very cool. I always try and catch them when they're in town.  Usually known as a chick band for 30-somethings,  Train has proven to me that they are great live performers and often perform all their hits as well as some fun classic hits from bands like Zep and Aerosmith. More on the Monday, August 30th, Train show at the Orpheum here.
Our promo and marketing team did a great job assembling our tent and hosting the Classic Hits 94.1 KQK 2010 BBQ Cooking Competition radio sponsor booth for the radio station.Â
My new very good friend, Chuck Averwater from Smackers BBQ @ http://www.smackersbbq.com/ , did a sensational job helping us cook the BBQ, burgers, and kielbasa. Chuck also hosted a great BBQ lesson on Thursday with Conley and Karen.
I'm very impressed with Chuck's invention. It's the worlds 1st (patented) drawer smoker. As you can see, it has a drawer "chamber" at the bottom for the coals. Amazing!
I have the good fortune of seeing George Klein here at the radio station every week. As you know, Elvis was the best man in George's wedding and they were best friends!  While Elvis was music history, George is radio AND music history...
The above photo was at WMC radio from 1956. It's no wonder we all hang on every word George says.Â
But I personallyl love the music that came from that era. It's the most pure, entertaining, and realistic style that exists. It's funny but before George and I started talking at length about the Million Dollar Quartet yesterday, he had to ask me, "You who that is, right?"
Luckily, my answer was "yes".Â
That historic picture still hangs in that very studio at Sun Studios "they" were in back on Tuesday, December 4, 1956. I get chill bumps in that studio, and have been fortunate enough to host several new band there. They recorded impromptu jam sessions between Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. In my opinion, THE BEST EVER.
George went on to tell me about the new Broadway play that is receiveing awards and national attention... You'll love this video from Letterman, and you can thank me later!
We had a really nice weekend visiting my folks in Illinois for Mother's Day weekend. Luckily, I've got a great portable studio set up there on the farm so I can do my radio shows during the weekend on the road.Â
Some of my best memories are "on the farm" with my grandfather. I always loved seeing all the cows and going back to the pond to go fishing. The other cool thing was my grandfather always let me drive the old ATV he used around his place.  The best time was when I was driving with him on the back, and I decided to lunge "hard right"...right into a pond. Luckily the ATV tires floated long enough to get it out. Unfortunately, we were both soaked!
This weekend, my son Jake had his first chance at the wheel at "paw paw's" farm.  He also reeled in his first fish!
Baseball in Michigan sounded like Ernie Harwell, who passed away yesterday at the age of 92. In this case, I personally didn't get to enjoy Harwell, because the sound of baseball near St. Louis was Jack Buck.Â
But I've enjoyed listening to Harwell over the years when he visited national shows and talked about his career as a baseball play-by-play announcer, which was forged in the minor leagues Atlanta Crackers. I enjoyed his call during 2 innings of the Yankees/Tigers series in 2006 after he had retired.Â
But I always enjoy it when the truly good ones get a run like that... 92 years, and he couldn't have been a nicer man it seems.
For, lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
It's time for baseball.
Well, I enjoyed reading Willie B's blog on the intense people watching venue that is Beale Street Music Festival. Since he captured the essense of rain and fest going, I figured I'd turn my attention to this weekends weather. Specially, for the folks in NE Shelby County & Tipton, Co. I pray for the best for those folks who ran into trouble this weekend with the rain and flooding.
As like most people, I was "awoken" at 4 a.m. to the tornado sirens from both Shelby County and nearby Tipton. I live in central Arlington. Luckily, just central enough that the flood waters from the bottoms/Loosahatchee didn't climb near the house.
I knew there was a problem brewing after I went with my son Jake to the McDonald's during the morning for a quick breakfast stop and saw this (see next picture) in the field behind McDonald's on Highway 70.
That is not a river you see. That's the cotton field bottoms behind the new McDonald's drive-thru on Highway 70. Clearly, there's a reason why this land will never have residential development. But that wasn't the end of it. You can see more rain in the skies, and the build up was coming.Â
Since it was "eat out day", I was in the car later going for family pick-up and received a call from the unofficial Mayor of Arlington, my friend Randy Barker.  He said, you're not going to believe it now. You have to drive down and see what's happened. It was an aweful site, with a nice looking sunset.
No, that's not a new "Lake Arlington" sunset. That's the sunset view from beyond the railroad tracks behind the BP (closed by this point) on the opposite side of Highway 70 where the McDonald's is. It continues....
The water ran up to the tracks in Arlington (luckily that served as the town's levee for the most part). The cops had to direct traffic because the water was all the way up to the famous Kroger parking lot.
John Hiatt wrote and recorded two of my favorite songs of all time. 1987's "Have a Little Faith in Me" which has been covered by the biggest and has been incorporated into movies & tv shows as a theme over the years. Hiatt also provides the words and sings so perfectly on 1995's "Cry Love".  A great song by a performer that has never made it on the Hot 100, however his transcendent writing skills earned him the 2008 American Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting. Hiatt is a staple of American music!Â
You can see Hiatt perform this weekend at the 2010 Beale Street Music Festival at Memphis in May! I can't wait to introduce him on-stage. Also, look for Conley and Karen to introduce the B-52s at 7:45pm on the Budweiser Stage on Friday night!
One of the cool things about Memphis roadways are the sites you see here, since it's the "crossroads of America." True to it's name, it's also a place where many drug busts happen roadside. And the guys in the black suburbans with tinted windows are ready to poach every morning on I-40. They live here and look for random plates, generally from Texas, generally have tinted windows, generally have potential illegal immigrant folks driving, and could possibly be carrying 100's of pounds of marijuana someplace in the undercarriage. Some mornings, the traffic driving from the Arlington or Lakeland area on I-40 is slowed to view a large dog destroying the inside of such a car.
But our location is also why FedEx is headquartered here. It's very central. For that reason, I also am facinated by the number of "cool" semis, tour buses, and 18-wheelers on the roadways around here. They may be just passing through on their way to Talladega or to a concert in Memphis, Nashville, or Little Rock, but they are still fun to see.
Just this week I saw Greg Biffle's car hauler on the way to Talladega for the race. Here's the pics (Don't worry, no cars around me while I took these quick snap shot. I was focused on the road...just FYI!)
Better view...
They build these car haulers to just barely fit their stuff in it because they pack about 50 of these babies in the in-field at smaller tracks like Bristol.
Just this morning, I saw Darius Rucker's Tour "Gear" truck. It's a little more exciting when you see the actual tour buses. However, the smart artists who don't want to be bothered use unmarked BUT VERY EXPENSIVE buses nicer than my house.
I just looked on-line and it appears this is probably not part of Darius' tour, because this truck isn't going to make it California by tonight!
Better look...
It does say "learn to live tour" on the side, so maybe this 18-wheeler is just part of a different show?  Speed it up!
Like you, I many times use our local public television station for programming. Whether it's the occasional childrens show, the recent biography special on Bobbie Hurley in New Jersey, or the concerts you can only find on WKNO. WKNO supports local learning, kids, and like most public TV stations, it's an integral part of the fabric of the broacast community.
This weekend, I'll be on to support WKNO's Action Auction for the 3rd year in a row! Watch and bid this Sunday, April 25th, from 5-8 p.m. if you would! Here's where you can bid on-line:Â
http://auction.wkno.org/
From 1997-2000, I was a graduate assistant at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During that time I taught at UNLV and was the Assistant Editor for Journalism History. Dr. Barbara Cloud was the editor I worked for. She was a very serious women, but someone who knew that I was just the kind of guy who could make her crack a smile!  She was also very influential in my passion for media studies and journalism.Â
For a time, she was actually the Interim Provost of UNLV. More importantly, she served as the Dean of the Greenspun School of Communication and was an important figure to me. As I told my wife this morning, I was saddened to learn of her passing just this week through the college's paper (she died December 24, 2009). Dr. Cloud motivated me to press harder on the pedal when it came to media and journalism. I spent endless hours in the library writing my graduate thesis thanks to her support.
This is from UNLV's site:
The School of Journalism and Media Studies is saddened by the loss of Emerita Professor Barbara Cloud who passed away on December 24, 2009.
A distinguished educator, researcher, and writer, Dr, Cloud specialized in the history of journalism in the American West and media law and contributed many book reviews and general interest articles for a variety of publications. She served as president of the American Journalism History Association in the mid 1980s, and edited and published Journalism History from 1992 to 2001.
She was awarded the Nevada Humanities Commissionâs and University of Nevada Pressâs Wilbur S. Shepperson Award for Scholarship in the Humanities and was teaching a class on women and the media and researching a biography of âPopâ Squires, a Las Vegas newspaper pioneer, when she died.
She served as department chairperson in the late 1980s and was instrumental in the transformation of the UNLV Department of Communication Studies into the Hank Greenspun School of Communication, which she directed for a year before becoming Associate Provost in 1998, a post she held for five years.
Prior to coming to UNLV in 1979, she worked as a reporter for the Idaho Falls Post-Register and Bend, Oregon, Bulletin during summer vacations, as News Editor of the Springfield, Oregon, News, as Executive Secretary of the Florey Memorial Fundraising Campaign in the Australian National University, and as a Public Relations Consultant in Perth, Australia. In the early 1960s she interviewed movie stars and other celebrities for a Los Angeles free-lance writer.
She was a graduate of Stanford University, where she met her husband, Stan Cloud. (They were married for 49 years.)Â She also earned degrees at the University of Oregon and the University of Washington. Faculty, friends and students lost a wonderful colleague and valued friend. She is missed very much.
From UNLV Prof. Mary Hausch:Â Cloud was a dedicated educator but occasionally could show a little flash. She bought a Corvette when she was in her 60s. "People considered her a conservative sort of person; she was very quiet and reserved," Hausch said. "But the Corvette showed another side of her personality."
It's that special time of the season, Spring! In Memphis, it basically goes from about as cold as it gets here, to 80+ with pollen invading all of our spaces. Still, we get our share of great days. Sunday was one of those days as the azaleas starting popping and the weather was just a steady 70 degrees for the 2010 Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival Downtown. This year, I was down there for it (our sister station 92.9 FM ESPN was a sponsor).
It was especially great on Sunday because I had family all around. My wife Stacy and son Jake accompanied me in the afternoon. We decided to make it sunglasses for everyone!
My brother in-law, Mike Stewart, was cool enough to make the trip from Mississippi to judge the gumbo contest...Â
Beware, professional gumbo judges at work here. Ironically, they strategically placed the port o' johns behind the judges.Â
Meanwhile my dad, who officially in the age range where you can where whatever kind of hat you want, was signing autographs at the radio tent.
Obviously, that's my dad, Lenny, in the center of the above picture. That's my friend Dennis on the right. A great weekend had by all, and my son enjoyed spending time with his grandparents outside in the nice weather.
The good news is this weekend in the Mid-South continues more fun and festivals! It's the Southaven Springfest all weekend, and the Wine Races downtown on Sunday.... Memphis in May just around the corner!
This morning Debbi Fields Rose visited Classic Hits 94.1 KQK to talk about an event that our very own Karen Perrin is involved in..."Go Red For Women" 'Girls Night Out' to benefit the American Heart Association...
Go Red For Women Girls Night
Art for the Heart
Tuesday April 20
5-9pm
Harrah's Entertainment Corp Building
1023 Cherry Road
Tickets 901.383.5411
It was really cool to meet THE MRS. FIELDS! And, yes...she brought some of her famous cookies. They are delicious. Memphis is blessed to have a charitable entrepreneur of her caliber!Â
Horn Lake High School is having a Multi-Class Reunion
Hosted by the Class of "78"!
Horn Lake Alumni from 1970 - 1985, and all other classes are welcome.
Location of event:Â Harrah's Convention Center, Tunica
Date:Â July 31, 2010
Cost:Â $50.00 per person/$100.00 Per Couple
Deadline:Â May 1, 2010
If you have any other questions, you can send an e-mail to:Â HornLakeClassReunion@Comcast.net
or call (901) 650-8346 or (662) 781-1631
Or search "Horn Lake Class Reunion 2010" on Facebook or check for the reunion on Classmates.com (boy, these guys really covered there bases!)
Payments can be made payable and mailed to:
Horn Lake Class Reunion, 5821 Dover, Horn Lake, MS. 38637
I had the trip of a lifetime to see the 2010 Tuesday Practice Round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, this past Tuesday, April 6.  The place is just amazing. You can almost feel the ghost of Ben Hogan having a smoke as the morning dew settles off the course.Â
There's no chance for a weed on this course! The clubhouse and surrounding small cabin homes also add to the prestige. It's also wild that they keep the prices for their "patrons" at the most reasonable levels. $1.50 for the famous pomento cheese sandwiches. $2.00 for a beer. And of course, everything is low profile non-commercialized/no logos. For example, it's just "regular beer", "light beer", and "import". The "old South" feel resonates in the bathrooms with attendants dressed in full jump suits, as are the caddys. Old men wear green jackets (members) in 85 degree weather.
As I type this e-mail, I'm so happy to see Tom Watson on top of the leader board thru 16 holes of play during Round 1 of the 2010 Masters. I'm routing for him this year because he is seemingly the anti-Tiger.  Certainly, we saw Tiger from afar walking the back nine with a throng of about 5,000 people following as he practiced with Mark O'Meara. But we decided to walk the first four holes with Watson.
This next picture is interesting to me because of "Amen corner". I never realized how far away from that backside the crowd really is. It's probably the most solemn moment on the course for the competitors. The picture was taken from the stands overlooking the tee.
This next shot is in the fairway of #18 which is a long dogleg right toward the Augusta National Club House you see in the background. The best finishing hole I've ever seen considering the history, etc.
I'll be watching this one on TV this weekend when I can, with a new appreciation of the course. It's not only beautiful, as it seems on TV, but it's very "undulating" as far as hills/elevation. The greens are totally all over the place with no true hills. The greens are kind of "wavey" and you can tell they are very fast. The hit through zones off the tees with the trees overlooking the fairways are some of the tightest you'll see.
I would encourage anyone thinking of visiting to definitely do the practice round thing vs. actual tournament play. Bring someone who is familiar with the course, as I did.Â
For this practice round, you can sense a big difference with the staff/security. The players are loose. They hit several balls on each hole (all within four feet of the next) & they talk often enough to the other competitors and the "patrons" that it gives you a look inside their world.Â
At one point, Tom Watson told the amateur in his group to use a 3 wood off the tee's for his entire round. He also asked a kid next to him on one fairway if he was thirsty, and gave him the last of his "Masters water bottle."   Â
While we could see Tiger in the distance, it was a good choice to avoid that mess. We saw Mike Weir, Ricky Barnes, Padrig Harrington, Angel Cabrera, and Vijah Sighn. We also saw that golfer Bradley who was the 2009 Amateur Champ who went to Memphis last year. Oh yeah, and the man himself....Freddy Couples!
Â
All in all. A great trip. I'll be routing for Mr. Watson! Tiger who?
My father, through friends, has been able to get me some really cool opportunities over the years. The coolest ones at the top of my mind are the 2006 Opening Day in the NEW Busch Stadium! Back in the '80s and early '90s (in Indy's hayday), my dad used to take me the Indianapolis Motorspeedway for Indy 500 Timetrials. Over the years I was able to meet drivers like Arie Luyendyk, Danny Sullivan, and yes...AJ Foyt. I have an autographed hat at the house from Foyt. I spent a bunch of great times with my dad at things like this.
When I was in high school my principal, Roger Kratochvil, was also a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was actually able to arrange the opportunity for me to watch Spring Scouting Tryouts at Busch Stadium one year. At the time Ozzie Smith was playing for the Cardinals. It's weird the things you remember. I remember getting the chance to see the Cardinals Clubhouse during that trip. At that time, the things that stick in my head are memories like "lots of beer, soda, and gum" being on-hand for the players after games...not too mention a ton of Advil and Bengay in Ozzie's locker to get him through the end of his career!
Luckily these kinds of cool things have also come my way through radio.  I've had the opportunity to do some things that I probably wouldn't be able to do if I were in other professions. Some of the coolest things I've had the opportunity to do, which I'm so grateful for, is hang out with several artists like the Rolling Stones...
Some of the more wild stuff was playing "foose" ball with Jack Johnson backstage at the Tracadero in Philly about 10 years ago or hanging out with Sting backstage at the Borgata in Atlantic City while my morning show interviewed him (while he was getting a massage in a candle lit room...somewhat weird). I also will never forget watching after a highly entoxicated "Bob the Bachelor (Bob Guiney)" at the Trump Taj Mahal after he played blackjack with a group of listeners and sang songs from a record he was promoting (yes, Bob the Bachelor had a song on the radio around 2003).
I've also done some cool "random event" things like interview Dan Ackroyd about his Motorcycle ride to open the Borgata Casino (along with about 200 other Harley riders) in Atlantic City. I also interviewed Linda Thompson and manuvered a way to ask her about Elvis. Wild.Â
Another fun one that I was just thinking about is when my radio station paid "Sam" from the Apprentice a $400 talent fee to host a local remote for a "winning registered business" in the New Jersey area that listened to one of my old radio stations. Amazingly, Sam Solovey did the remote and met listeners for two hours with a smile at the height of Apprentice ratings...
There's quite a few more stories and places where those came from....but I'm REALLY excited about my latest adventure. Next Tuesday, I have the pleasure of attending the "Memphis to the Master's" trip (which you can actually purchase through Memphis Perks on this site while they last - at a reduced rate). We're going to Augusta. I'm sure we'll be able to get at least a glimpse of a practicing Tiger Woods as he gets ready to return to golf, as luck would have it!Â
But I'm most exciting about seeing something that I've seen on TV and read about as one of those "you can't believe how beautiful this is" spots. I'm very excited... Amen. That's, Amen Corner...Can't wait!
Skip Reynolds is our featured personality today "Behind the Scenes" at Classic Hits 94.1 KQK. Skip joined a department of ONE in our engineering department in 2006 after Entercom, the company that owns KQK, purchased 3 other radio stations in Memphis. That brought the total number of stations in our radio group to 5, with 6 frequencies (KQK's sister station, ESPN Radio, broadcasts on 92.9 FM and 680 AM).
Something that may tell you a little bit about Skip is that he won the "most likely to have the best squirrel recipe" AWARD at our company Christmas party 2 years ago. Needless to say, with a wonderful southern accent, Skip is from.....ALABAMA!!! And he'll let you know it to. Skip's wonderful attitude and humor comes in handy with all the many projects we throw at him here at the radio station.Â
One of the crown jewels of Classic Hits 94.1 KQK is our world class facility we broadcast from, finished in 2009. Skip was a major part of that achievement, working to build out all the studios and create a space that was ALL DIGITAL and energy/green friendly.
Beyond Skip's engineering expertiese and sense of humor, we're fortunate at Classic Hits 94.1 KQK that he is a "musicologist." Skip has almost EVERYTHING available at his fingertips or in-house (many times off the original vinyl). He trades music with friends on-line and through connections because of his passion for music. He has plenty of stories...and he'll definitely share them with you.
 Skip Reynolds, WKQK Engineer, 1-on-1:
Brad:Â How long have you been with the station?
Skip: Here in Memphis, I worked with WRVR & Froggy 94 from Thanksgiving 1994 to November 2000. From there, I was at WMC AM & FM From 2000 till now, adding Classic Hits 94.1 KQK and WRVR (again) in 2006.
Brad:Â What's your favorite thing about working at the radio station?
Skip: I like now having 6 frequencies (5 radio stations) to play with because of all the excitement they bring. If it's not a major project on a tower, it's the detail work that makes it interesting.
Brad:Â What's your favorite thing about Memphis?
Skip: The folks, on a whole. I like the people here a whole lot. I also like all the talk here about food. My wife and I enjoy recreating dishes at home that we hear about. We use "Rendevous" seasoning on our popcorn! Right now we're going through the Soup Sunday cook book. Next up, it's Leonards BBQ seasoning on catfish.
Brad:Â Tell me about your family!
Skip: I've been married to my wife Tina for 23 years! We met and worked together at a radio station in Tuscaloosa, AL. 12 years prior to getting married. I started in radio in 1967, and I think Tina started in 1970.Â
(Good thing you both like radio, Skip!)
Today I'm starting a new blog feature called Classic Hits 94.1 KQK "Behind the Scenes". That is truly what this feature will do. Take you behind the scenes by featuring the unsung heros at the radio station who aren't on-the-air. Our first edition features the #1 unsung person at our radio station: Becky Barber, front desk receptionist, and all around great person!
Becky is the first person that prize winners, clients, and everyone who works at the radio station sees (unless they go in the back door). Her wonderful attitude and smile is always a welcoming feeling to everyone who visits the radio group here.Â
Becky was the first person I met when I interviewed in Memphis 6 years ago. It's funny how every place I've worked there is always that one person who is the "glue" that connects people. Almost like family. In the case of Becky, I'll never forget when my son Jake was born. Becky took the time to knit a pair of blue baby booties. We still have them on top of his dresser. She's always energetic, and is great at what she does.Â
1-on-1Brad:Â How long have you worked at the radio station?
Becky:Â 11 years.Â
Brad:Â What's your favorite thing about working @ the radio station?
Becky:Â I really enjoy the people.
Brad:Â What do you enjoy about Memphis?
Becky: I grew up here.  I enjoy spending time with my family. It's home. (I don't like the humidity though.) I really like the people. "Southern people."Â
Brad:Â Tell me about your family.
Becky: I've been married to my husband, Don, for 40 years. We have 2 children, and a baby grandson.
This will be the 6th year I've hosted the Special Kids and Families Fun Run & Bunny Walk with Newschannel 3's Jim Jaggers, and I'd love for YOU to join me! Here's the sign-up website & info place: http://www.bunnyrun.racesonline.com/
Event:Â 2010 Fun Run & Bunny Walk
For: Special Kids and Families (see my quick tour/facility interview here*)Â
When:Â Saturday, April 3, 2010 @ 9:00 a.m.
Where:Â Audubon Park @ Oak Court Mall (parking lot next to Macy's)
Hosts:Â Jim Jaggers & Brad Carson
*The kids are in the background because I didn't want to disturb their activities!
I just told someone at the office that I had the best weekend of the year, so far! What did we do that was so fun? Well, we spent time with my family. I truly believe you can never go wrong doing that.Â
First, it started out at my niece Shelby's 16th Birthday Party at Strike Zone in Southaven!  We had a great time. My wife, Stacy, was part responsible for making the plans on a limo trip journey of teenagers that included the bowling stop at the end. Great bowling alley, clean, with nice people.
Saturday, it was a day at the house playing with my son Jake. Grandma and grandpa from Illinois were with us Saturday and Sunday. Saturday night was a night on the town at two of my favorite Arlington, TN. hometown establishments including the one and only El Mezcal. Here they predict what you're going to eat and have it waiting for you, it's so fast! Sunday evening my mom watched our son, Jake, and we headed to good ole' Rizzi's Paradiso Pub to listen to music and watch basketball with our friends Randy and Tonya, & my dad. Good times!
Sunday, my dad and I went to Soup Sunday while my son went with mom and grandma to The Memphis Children's Museum.Â
Jake is now sliding on his own!
I thought this was hilarious. My wife and I were discussing the virtues of Olympic curling while watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics over the weekend. Clearly, these are not fine tuned athletic machines participating (have you seen them?)*. Also, their prime age rises well above their '20s. In fact, I would argue bowling is even MORE of a sport than curling.Â
However, when I just read that now a Danish curler is complaining that she screwed up due to wicked crazy Canadian fans distracting her, that was the last straw!Â
Denmark skip Madeleine Dupont missed two potentially game-winning shots and tearfully blamed the fans for it afterward. Canada won the match 5-4 in an extra end.
I'm so tired of athletes who blame everyone but themselves. First of all, it's a freaking competition! It's not the end of the world. I get that it's the olympics. I get that it only happens every four years. But it drives me insane when I hear about this young lady, or even the Russian figure skater who blames the judges and says you can't have a figure skating gold medalist (referring to the US skater who won gold this year) who doesn't perform the "quad".Â
Lesson for life. Take it like a man...don't take it like a curler.Â
Â
*Granted, you could argue that some of the bobsledders have beer guts.
I announced this on the radio show the other day...
The West Memphis High School Classes of 1960-69 will celebrate "The Decade of the 60"s Class Reunion". Please help us find more of our classmates.
Contact Gary Taylor for more information 870-739-3928
Enjoy the evening with your old classmates from more than 40 years ago.
Catch up on what they have been doing, their careers, what they do for fun, their travels, their kids and grand kids. Enjoy a specially prepared buffet dinner and dancing to 60's rock and roll music. It is an evening to enjoy and remember the good old days and renew some old friendships.
The reunion will be held Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. til 11:00 p.m. in the Events Center at the renovated Southland Park, 1550 North Ingram Blvd., West Memphis, Arkansas.
Ticket price for the event is $30 per person by mail or $40 per person at the door. Make your reservation today by mailing your check to WMHS 60s Reunion, P.O. Box 1482, West Memphis Arkansas, 72303.
Just congratulated Tigers guard Willie Kemp on his game against UCF. Believe it or not, he was just getting some new tires, while I was also getting a repair, at the Firestone on Highland and Poplar!
What up Willie?
After a swell night of football, apparently all the meterologists were drunk or weren't concerned with competing for weather related TV ratings last night because WE JUST GOT BLASTED!Â
As you know, everything is closed today...including my sons daycare. My wife, Stacy, so nicely stayed at home today due to the fact that I've got the live and local radio show on 94.1 KQK right now and this afternoon I'll be producing the ESPN Gary Parrish show on 92.9FM from 4-6pm CST.
That said, I didn't take my life into my own hands by taking the following photos. It was literally CRAWLING when I snapped these shots so you can get a look at why everything closes...
The trip started with a full tank of gas at the Arlington Exit:
Next, I-40... Tennessee has ONE salt and push truck, and I witnessed it's work! Why isn't the plow touching the ground?
Next, I saw the roadside media center dedicated to discussing the fact there is actually snow and slush on the flyover. Melissa Moon must still be sitting in the van.
And, after a call-in report to Conley and Karen, the final leg of my adventure ends on Perkins. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
I'm so excited, there's a group of us who have been invited to host a trip to the Master's on April 6th for the first practice round, and you're invited to come along!!!! If you'd like to go, call 831-4564. The cost is $1,200... Limited availability. And that's only for 94.1 KQK/92.9 ESPN listeners like you!
It's FOR A GOOD CAUSE!!! CBU Fundraiser...Plus, it includes everything - private charter flight to and from Augusta, food, admission, ground trans, everything!!!
I'm very excited, and it's a great dream gift for your son, daughter, valentine, or for YOU!!! It's a once in a lifetime, truly. And I can't wait!
Again, if you're thinking about it... (901) 831-4564
Well, Monday afternoon I was able to sneak away from the radio ranch for a second because the office was pretty much closed for the holiday. So I went to wash my car really quick at Poplar and Mendenhall. As I'm waiting, I see THERE IT IS!!! The AT&T store. I don't know what came over me, because I HATE monthly fees and phone payments. I don' t so much mind the one time phone cost, or even signing a contract, it's the larger monthly bill that's always prevented me from buying a better phone... like, yes... AN IPHONE!
Well, since I had time to waste while waiting on my car... I went into the store. My wife has been on hers quite a bit playing games and stuff since her work purchased hers. However, I was never convinced.  This, until Sheila the AT&T rep started showing me what hers does. Music music music. 94.1 KQK on my Iphone! Yes. My contacts?...no problem. All your e-mail groups both work and home, easy to do. Sports updates, weather, GPS. Free aps. SOLD!  (After I negotiated the best possible rate since I was already on AT&T.)Â
It's the greatest thing I've purchase since my wife's wedding ring and my childs first crib.Â
This is the most perfect thing anyone who loves their family, music and sports could get... Luckily, I love all 3! :)   I will say this: For as much hype as it's received, the Pandora is highly overrated due to the fact that you can only fast forward through so many songs (like 3) before their license fee problem doesn't let you do it any longer. Get flycast and listen more on yours (if you get one) to 94.1 KQK!
I know somewhere in a very dark uninhabited corner of my attic there is surely a few of my old school yearbooks. Ahhh... high school. I was one of those lucky people WHO LOVED HIGH SCHOOL. I was also lucky enough to go to the very same elementary, junior high, high school in the same very small town in southern Illinois all the way through.Â
I graduated with the majority of the kids I started out with. In my case, the school was small enough that it was actually attached by a single hall way through the entire complex (ok, not small like a one room school or something) Kindergarten all the way up to the high school building. My high school graduating class at Mount Olive High School was 42 people.Â
This picture is of three of best friends from school.... (L to R) Matt Ruemmler, Mike Markezich, Tim Vogt, and me.  Two striking fashion trends: mega tuck job on the shirts (at least those that weren't in rock bands like Tim) & the faded streak blue jeans... There's a few others!
Two of them were in my wedding (Matt and Mike).  Tim was my neighbor and I taught him how to ride a bike at the age of 2 (I loved riding bikes, even at 3!). His dad, Bill Vogt, was my first little league baseball coach.Â
So, here's to high school... It's amazing that one picture can bring a thousand memories. I thank God that mine are all good ones.
I just played the Bee Gee's "Nights on Broadway" and it reminded me that there is now an actual play called "Memphis" on Broadway in NYC! Great Memphis National exposure, right!
Â
Read more about the Broadway play "Memphis" here!
Boy George is back in the news. No, it's not for having the worlds finest "head" tattoos, it's because the British 1980s pop star failed a High Court bid to overturn a probation order preventing him from taking part in the reality television show "Celebrity Big Brother".
Britain loves him, just about as much as American seems to these days...
Read WHYÂ here....
Last week was a very exciting week, because I was promoted to the Program Director position for 92.9 FM ESPN (680 AM). My passion for sports makes this a very exciting opportunity for me personally. The even better news is I continue to work here at the radio ranch as the midday personality on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK (this will just be a behind the scenes gig!).
So if you're hungry for sports, please flip on the new #1 Sports Station in the Mid-South, and the ONLY FM SPORTS FREQUENCY @ 92.9 FM ESPN, or approx. 75 miles around the area on 680 AM. You can also check us out at www.espn929fm.com.
Thanks for supporting my family by listening to Classic Hits 94.1 KQK and 92.9 FM ESPN. I feel blessed to work here considering my passion for music AND sports.
Sincerely,
-Brad
As Abba said, "The Winner Takes All!"
Congratulations to Abba, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies, and the Stooges on their joining the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in 2010!
Love me some ABBA!
In their honor, we featured the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame 2010 Top 5!
Read more about the inductees here!
My top 5:
#5:Â ABBA - Waterloo
#4:Â Jimmy Cliff - I Can See Clearly Now
#3:Â Genesis - Invisible Touch
#2:Â The Hollies - Long Cool Woman
#1:Â ABBA - Dancing Queen
Every year, I use Xmas (like most) to review my year and be thankful for everything that the good Lord has given me.Â
This year, my Top 5 holiday memories (which is much like last year) include:
#5:Â Putting up the Xmas Tree with my family!
#4. Driving with the family to see Xmas Lights while eating McDonald's Drive-thru in the car. You have to go see the Cockrall/Stewart Family lights in the Davies Plantation area... amazing!
#3. Watching the Arlington Xmas parade at our friends "The Barkers"...
#2. Riding the Carousel with my son, Jake, and doing all the Christmas activities at Wolfchase Galleria.
#1. Going to SY Wilson in Arlington to visit Santa with the family! I love the old time general store type feel, as well as the "Claus" family that is there.
Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar announced Friday that they welcomed their 19th child and their 9th daughter to the world. Wow!
Here's our 1 p.m. Top 5 Baby song run down!
#5. Baby I Love Your Way - Peter Frampton
#4. Baby I Need Your Loving - Four TopsÂ
#3. Baby Come Back - Player
#2. Baby Hold On - Eddie Money
and #1. Baby Love - The Supremes
Â
Read all about it here!
Good news for the family and fans of my idol, the late Jack Buck... They are naming a highway after him in St. Louis! My favorite Buck calls:
"Go Crazy Folks, Go Crazy!"
&
"I don't believe what I just saw."
He's also respsonsible for the broadcast motto that if you hang around (a city) long enough, they HAVE TO like you... One can only hope!
Late, legendary ST. LOUIS CARDINALS HALL OF FAME radio voice JACK BUCK will be honored with a portion of I-64 running through ST. LOUIS being renamed the JACK BUCK HIGHWAY. A ceremony renaming the road took place SUNDAY, and the road is being reopened TODAY (12/7).Â
BUCK, who passed away in 2002, called CARDINALS games on CBS RADIO Talk KMOX-A/ST. LOUIS for several years and also worked on network TV calling baseball and football; his son JOE BUCK is FOX SPORTS' lead baseball and football play-by-play broadcaster.
We had a great time watching the Grizz beat the Dallas Mavericks, and my wife and I went with our friends Mike and Cindy Ogden... My wife took this pic of Mike and I....oh, and the Grizz girls!
If you'd like to buy advertising from 94.1 KQK TODAY IS THE DAY TO DO IT AT HUUUUUUUUGE SAVINGS!!! Today only! Marketing Plans for your business for 2010! Call 901.384.5900 Ask for Rachel, tell her you want the Brad Carson ad special on KQK!!!
As you know, one of the things I support is the WOLF RIVER CONSERVANCY to help build up, restore, and protect the Wolf River THROUGH Memphis and the Mid-South.
TO GET TICKETS TO THE WOLF RIVER ART AUCTION WHICH IS THIS SATURDAY 12/5 @ Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects starting at 6 p.m....
Call 901.452.6500
More info here!
My friend Mike has a great "Deer Cam" that takes pictures using a "motion sensor". Fun stuff. The deer are out in FULL SWING at my folks place. Check these out!Â
Notice the deer in the background by the trailer in this first shot...
Also, notice it puts the date and time on them! Great invention.
We had a great time over the past 94 hours as we celebrated our 1st anniversary of being on-the-air here at Classic Hits 94.1 KQK. At this time, I'd like to thank everyone of our guests who came by our studios and reached out to us through the phone. I also can't thank our entire behind the scenes team in our office enough. We had a great time...
We had tons of celebrity guests, in-studio party/food/balloons, dancing beers...uh, bears, legendary DJ guests (not us), Ed Sullivan, and on and on and on!Â
If you enjoy this radio station, please tell your friends about it!
Many thanks. I love working here, and feel blessed.
~Brad Carson
I had the pleasure of interviewing ESPN's very own Rece Davis, who is in town for the Memphis/East Carolina matchup tonight at the Liberty Bowl.  Listen for all your favorite sports here in Memphis on our sister station (the #1 Sports station in Memphis), ESPN 92.9 FM.
Rece gave some great insights on UT Football, Memphis basketball, Coach Josh Pastner, Coach Cal (boo), and the over NCAA Men's basketball landscape. Also, check out the interview for a great Bob Knight story.
See my web interview here.
When I lived in Ocean City, NJ. working as a radio Program Director we used to be the radio sponsor for the Ocean City Doo Dah Parade (ironically, it was always around halloween). Anyway, Soupy Sales was always there as the Grand Marshall. I was lucky enough to meet him! What a legend. Here's pie in your eye. RIP. More on his time as the icon of that parade here.
More here on the life of Soupy Sales.
Here's some dancers (funny stuff) from here at the Entercom Radio-Memphis Group of Stations... including Steve Conley and myself from Classic Hits 94.1 KQK!
Enjoy here!
Over the weekend, I took the magic DJ booth to South Bend, Indiana, so I could witness the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus the USC Trojans. While it was difficult to watch ND lose (I'm not a huge ND fan, just wanted to see USC lose), it was definitely a check off the bucket list indeed. My friend Harry Hawkins and his son Gabe were nice enough to invite my friend Mike and I!
That's touchdown Jesus watching over us. . .
Read more on how you can win a 3 year marketing campaign for your local Mid-South environmental organization from Classic Hits 94.1 KQK/Entercom Radio Memphis here!
Looking forward to judging this Thursday night at the River Palace Arena the Sam's Town Casino Tunica Talent Contest...it's a battle of the Sam's Town employees!!!   Here's who is taking part!
Shauna Thomas - Buffet Server
Jemila Moore - Cocktail Server
Braxton Ely - Bartender
Yulinda Bates - Snacks and Stuff Cashier
Tim Glover - Barback
Edna Caston - Hotel Hospitality
Bre Brook Senter - Countroom Supervisor
Michael Swartz - Marketing/Host
Pretty good article for folks like me to use (fashion tips for dudes - THINGS TO AVOID).... The one I try to pay attention to is AVOID BARACK OBAMA JEANS....
Article here. . .
Well, this morning I handed out approximately 200 roses to everyone from passers by at Poplar and Mendenhall, to First Tennessee Bank, to the bus stop, to our co-workers here at the 94.1 radio ranch. Video is coming from Jonas in our web/video department to the KQK site soon! (Thanks to Barkley's Stem Shop, Nick from marketing, and Jonas from web/video.)
That said, it feels odd doing a radio show in a tuxedo!
Today, giving out free roses from Barkley's Stem shop was fun, but interesting. People are trained not to approach strangers, even if they are dressed in a tuxedo. "What do I have to pay?" "Here's $10 buck for charity!" "No thank you, I don't want a free rose." Just kind of interesting.
I would love to see you at the Wolf River Greenway 5K and 2K Family Fun Walk coming up on Sunday, October 4th! It's actually in the afternoon at 3p.m. in Germantown!!!  All proceeds help the environment: the Wolf River Conservancy!!!
Date:Â Sunday, October 4, 2009
Time:Â 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (on-site registration begins @ 1 p.m.)
Location:Â City of Germantown Greenway Trailhead Parking Lot, Wolf River Boulevard (1/4 mile east of Riverdale)
More here!
I was walking through Wal-Mart the other day to purchase the new Beatles Catalogue... I think I'm seeing things, take a look????
(thanks to 94.1 KQK listener GT for his handy clip art work...)
Send your "Brad Carson clip art" photos to:Â bcarson@941kqk.com
Today at 1 p.m... It's the Top 5 Patrick Swayze Movie Songs
#5) Time of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (Dirty Dancing)
#4) Be My Baby - Ronettes (Dirty Dancing) - A lasting classic song from a great soundtrack.
#3) Hungry Eyes - Eric Carmen (Dirty Dancing)
#2) She's Like The Wind - Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing) - 2 through 5 are all Dirty Dancing songs, and #2 features the lasting voice of Patrick himself. PS was a great dancer, actor, and artist.
#1) Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers (Ghost) - Not a Swayze sung song, but a lasting tribute to his acting.
Bonus Track:Â Otis Redding - These Arms of Mine (Road House) - a great classic song, for another great Swayze movie
From the Outsiders to his final interviews... He will be missed.
More here.
The eighth anniversary of 9/11 brings about many memories for both you and I. Most folks remember the exact place and moment when we heard planes had hit the world trade center. Rather than take a long time talking about it on-the-air, I thought I would share what I was up to, here on-line.
I was Program Director for a radio station in Atlantic City, NJ. called 106.3 "The Shore". Our radio station morning team Mark & Tina were talking to our news reporter who was stationed in nearby Philadelphia. Renee, our reporter, covered South Jersey as well as Philadelphia news for different radio stations.
I believe she was just finishing up her final regular news story of the day, when she paused and said something like "hang on..." "Oh my, God. You're not going to believe this...." (and then our wall-to-wall coverage on-the-air began)
Just after that, our news stories focused on how they were now heavily patroling the Jersey Shorelines with planes, and subsequently SHUT DOWN ALL OF THE ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS due to security issues and the fact that large buildings along the coast would be new targets. Luckily, they weren't.
Nothing seemed secure at the time. I'll never forget that day.
I think that bringing AI to Memphis is a good move for a couple of reasons.
1. Sell tickets.
2. If his head is on straight, and the Grizz use him correctly, they probably will make the playoffs this year.
Go Grizzlies! Go Iverson! I mean, think about it: AI, Rudolph, Thabeet (Center), Rudy & OJ.... I can't see them doing badly.
Today is Beatles day here on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK, with tons of Beatles material all day!
Of course, it's to honor the release of the Beatles catalogue remastered, as well as the new Beatles "Rock Band" video game.Â
The reviews are starting to come in, and they are good! Especially for music lovers who have heard these songs 1,000's of times. Read more here.
Since I love radio (and thus, my job) it makes not having many days off a lot easier! I just took a couple days off between Sunday and my show today, and packed in a weeks worth of trip to my parents homeplace in Mount Olive, Illinois. It's this great town I grew up in approximately 45 minutes from Saint Louis, Missouri.Â
Anyway, in a short amount of time my wife and I were treated to great food, family, friends, hunting excursions, fishing, and golf. On our drive there and back (and everywhere in between) we worked in a stop at a local winery (Missouri and Illinois have surprising wineries), and a trip to the Saint Louis Zoo. It's a really great FREE zoo...
I was skillful enough to shoot my dove limit (sorry if you don't believe in hunting) both days I was there. Unfortunately, I came away with quite a strawberry (as did my friend Mike) because we hold our guns on our biceps. This is a picture of my arm from my camera phone. The really white part is my pale arm. The dark part is the bruise. Believe it or not it doesn't hurt!
Sorry for the wild image. It was kind of fun, because a couple of people at work thought I got a new tattoo.
Other than that, Stacy took the fishing prize. She caught what looked to be a 3 or 4 pound crappy. Turns out, according to my dads exactomatic scale, it was just 2.6 pounds.Â
It's the big one on top here...
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I'd say Stacy was excited about catching her "big one" on our 2009 Summer vacation!
Good news! Classic Hits 94.1 KQK now has "flycast", which means you can hear us on a large number of cell carriers.... like iPhone, Blackberry, and G1 phones!
It's actually very easy... Find out everything here!
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of going with Kristy, our business manager here at 94.1 KQK, a bunch of folks from Good Advertising, Skirt Magazine, Memphis News, Memphis Flyer, the Wolf River Conservancy, and Ghost River Brewery (very good local beer - Thing Global, Drink Local) on a trip down the Ghost River (section) part of the Wolf River.
I'm not a perfect describer of the situation yet, but let me just tell you this:Â IF YOU GO ON THIS TOUR DOWN THE GHOST RIVER, IT BECOMES CLEAR WHY WE NEED TO CONSERVE AND PROTECT WHAT WE HAVE IN THE WOLF RIVER - AS IT WINDS THROUGH MEMPHIS!Â
The trip was amazing...
Here's just one nature shot!
Kristy took this very simple picture from our canoe. Check my new video here (thanks to Jonas from web dept. for editing all the random footage so nicely).
Please join me on September 12 here in Memphis on Avalon at Tutwiler for "It's Cool to Go Green Day" with exhibits, bike repair, music, food, and so much fun! And you can help me help the Wolf River and preserve an important part of Memphis and the Mid-South! More here at the Wolf River Conservancy website!
For more on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK's 1Thing Green/Environmental programs/blog click here.
This is pretty cool. Steve and Karen will have a really nice extended interview session with Buzz Aldrin tomorrow morning between 6 and 10 a.m. Nice....
Had a quick chance talk to him today!Â
Listen here to Steve, Karen and I talking to good ole' Buzz:
bradcarsonbuzzaldrin
Here's the custom wall item 1910 created from a simple piece of "radio roll banner" and they came up with the colorful scheme, cd looking design, and the "dial" in the middle....
Get your 1/2 priced 1910 gift certificates here with "94.1's Memphis Perks"!
The Saint Louis Cardinals have always been my team, and now I may have a chance of converting our very own Karen Perrin into a Cardinal Fan!!!! Because....it looks like her boy, John Smoltz, is joining Albert Pujols, Matt Holiday, and the greatest team on the planet! Your 1st place Stl Cardinals!
More here.
I'm not bitter about this, just pointing out the obvious. Everyone has an opinion on Michael Vick. Here's the truth... Everyone gets a second chance, when they're a superstar athlete, or even coach.Â
#1: Rick Pitino - This guy even has a "moral/conduct" clause in his contract that gets ignored by Louisville. Why put it in there if you're going to ignore it?Â
Bigger Example... #2:Â Michael Vick
I'm not disregarding second chances. I also truly hope Vick does well, and makes a difference. We all make mistakes. I'm not disregarding their apologies and future opportunities.Â
But why not, if you're the NFL commissioner (after sitting down with Vick), make a special provision that he makes well BELOW league pay regs.... Like, you know, $50,000 a year?  Â
My only point is this...Do you think if you or I were a conVICKted felon, we'd have the opportunity to make over $7 million in 2 years of work? I don't think so. That's the sad part.
This weekend we're celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock with a "Pot" Luck Lunch and costume contest at the radio ranch!
Here's my in studio pics...my wife did the leg work!
Click this next link to see video of our "Pot Luck Lunch" held at High Noon in the KQKommisary.
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#1....no beard?
#2...forest gump beard
It was this man who came up with... "You know, if we use another recorder we can record on top of the other track..."Â The godfather of multi-track...
More here.
Met Bob Kesling yesterday at the radio ranch. Nice dude. He's the voice of the UT Volunteers, and you can hear their games here this Fall on our sister ESPN 92.9 FM.
The Beale Street Flippers, a local group from (obviously) right here in good ole' Memphis, are performing live tonight on âAmericaâs Got Talent.â Please watch and vote for them as they compete for a spot in the semi-finals!
Here's our "Top 5 John Hughes" Movie Tunes:
#5. Hot Fun in the Summertime - Sly and the Family Stone
from "The Great Outdoors"
Of course, both John Candy and Molly Ringwald made a living just off staring in John Hughes films.
Here's the trailer!
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#4. Only the Lonely - Roy Orbison
from "Only the Lonely"
 Here's the trailer!
#3. If You Leave by OMD
from "Pretty in Pink"
Seeing this picture with Molly REALLY brings the 80's back in my mind!
Here's the trailer!
#2. Wild Thing by Tone Loc
from "Uncle Buck"
Here's a fun clip from the film!
And #1, from...the ultimate 80's movie "The Breakfast Club"
Here the trailer!
Wed 8/5: MM - Movie Tunes (Halloween, 96 Tears, Dirty Dancing, Mama Mia!, All Shook Up, Top Gun, Help!, Saturday night Fever, Beverley Hills Cop, The Big Chill, Caddyshack, Lion King, Live and Let Die, The Graduate)
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See if you can guess the movie songs in advance, and play along at the office, home...or in the car! (some, if not all of them, are pretty obvious...)
So this weekend on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK, it's a "Cover Weekend" playing the cover versions of featured songs...and then we play the original. For example, I played Eric Clapton's version of the orig. by Bob Marley and the Wailers.Â
Turns out, I'm not the first to ask "which is better" on this song, or for any of these different versions. That said, weigh in here! Since slow hand was my first concert ever, I gotta go with Clapton.
Anyway, thanks for checking out the blog today! I'll be at Funquest doing some bowling Saturday night (8/1) from 6 till 8 p.m. with the family. I invite you to bring the family out and join me! Great deal for 4 under $20!!! More here.
It's here! I'm not claiming to even own a video gaming system any more. In fact, I laughed really hard when I recently saw Mickey Rourke's "The Wrestler" (sidenote: definitely not a movie for anyone under the age of 18, let alone 21!) because Rourke's character still plays a late '80s Nintendo with the kids in his trailer park.Â
But it looks like "The Beatles: Rock Band" which will be released on 9.9.9 is going to be huge!!! Just check out these trailers here!Â
Well, it ranks right up there... I had the chance to golf with Justin Timberlake at his ultra-new and very cool golf course, Miramichi, yesterday! He played #11 with my group. I wasn't expecting to golf with Justin, so I decided to shank my tee shot and take out 4 reporters and a couple photographers on the tee.Â
However, Carrie Anderson from Channel 5 actually made the play of the day.  Justin asked her if she wanted any advise, and she listened prior to her tee shot. She then proceeded to hit the hole and nearly hit a hole in one. JT and I almost jumped out of our skin!  Kudos Carrie!
Also, a pleasure to partner up with WREG's Glen Carver and Peter Edmiston from WHBQ-AM.Â
Now on the with the show, a world-class golf experience @ Mirimichi... JT and his folks have a winner.  More at www.mirimichi.com. Luckily, the cost to play this world class eco-friendly course isn't out of this world, and it's about 20 minutes from anywhere in the Mid-South.Â
Amazing course. Amazing opportunity with today's biggest star. Giving back to the Mid-South. And doing so in ULTRA COOL STYLE! What a day.
My wife has always given me grief because I love to bike ride. Having grown up around my grandpa's farm with fishing, swimming, biking, and all sorts of fun outdoor activities, it's important to me. That's also connected to my perception of my surroundings, the importance of our environment, and a recognition of our community right here in the Mid-South.
If you've driven "around" town you've probably seen or heard about the Wolf River Conservancy and the Wolf River Greenway corridor.
I want YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO JOIN ME, Saturday, September 12th (10-5) at the Vollintine-Evergreen Community Greenline at the intersection of Tutwiler and Avalon FOR OUR "IT'S COOL TO GO GREEN DAY!"Â Â If not here, then we'll have many satellite events scheduled throughout the day that will include:Â a river ride experience featuring canoe and raft rides; a river stroll along sandbars; kids bike rides; Germantown Greenway tour; Bakers Pond and Audubon Hummingbird Festival field trip; bird hike; nature walk; tributary cleanups (good); trash pickups (very good!); community garden tours; stream restoration; and trail making/clearing.
Think of the possibilities here... You're taking ONE STEP toward making a better community for yourself and your family. Better yet, YOUR ONE THING will be the beginning of a sustainable and green community. Plus, it's good outdoor fun. Keep listening to me on 94.1 KQK for more... But I look forward to more outdoor fun with you, and more details on this awesome event AND BEYOND!
It was 40 years ago that man walked on the moon. Of course (as Paul Harvey said) there's...the rest of the story.
Radio did some interesting things to remember the day.
Thanks to Rob Grayson for pointing out this piece: Jack Spector worked at WMCA in New York when he recorded this little ditty for Buddah Records in 1969. This Dickie Goodman type recording spoofed the NASA moon craze in the late 60's, really rare! Here it is!The more well known one for today's generation is of course "Walking on the Moon" by the Police here.And of course, there's "Ziggy Stardust/David Bowie!" and the good ole "Space Oddity" here... Weird stuff. I like the first two better myself!
Well it was definitely an hour of memories today on the mystery meat lunch hour, featuring "Dance and Disco" on 94.1 KQK... and oh yeah, old school Leif Garrett. Here's the mug shot as promised!
It's really a surprise when child stars DON'T get into trouble.
This post is going to be long and random, but it's been a while since I've been able to actually sit down and write a post. Why?Â
#1: We moved the actual radio station broadcast studios and my office to our new office(s) located in the Moriah Woods office park. I had time for a very quick video tour of a couple parts of the new building (and the main KQK on-air studio) here.
#2: We changed "computer systems" for KQK. It's sort of like going from automatic transmission to manual. New buttons, things to remember, and things to learn. More importantly, we had to change, update, do computer programming/coding, etc. in the new system. Crazy. The system is called Audiovault. It holds all of our music (thousands of songs in the highest quality .wav available), commercials, "imaging" (the stuff you hear between records), and everything you hear on-the-air (except for the DJ voices).
#3:Â Stuff in the new building isn't where it used to be!
#4:  Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson passed away prior to an extremely busy 3 day 4th of July weekend, causing another backup of work (we totally redid our weekend). This combined with the fact I took ONE DAY off.  Yes, one + a Saturday and Sunday. Don't ever let co-works wish you "nice vacation" when you only take one day plus a weekend.  I actually hope to take some days off before the end of the summer FOR REAL!
I also spent time producing a Farrah Tribute (before all of our Michael Tribute weekend stuff launched).... Listen to it here.
 Here are my Top 5 Cool places to hang (vacation):
#1: Sonoma, CA./San Francisco- My wife and I stayed here on our honeymoon. It's a combination of wine country and the type of small town life I grew up around. Here's a picture of the place we stayed a couple years ago.Â
San Francisco is also like the perfect eclectic city to accompany the drive to wine country. My personal opinion....don't go to Oakland.
#2: Atlantic City/Cape May, NJ. - Combine the excitement of AC with the Victorian era style and beaches of Cape May, Wildwood, and Ocean City & South Jersey doesn't disappoint.Â
#3: Vegas: Nuf said.... I was fortunate enough to live in Sin City. Actually, if you want a different Vegas experience take the road trip to Lake Mead, Mount Charleston, and Red Rock.
#4: The Ozarks: Ok, this lands under "hokey", but it's where my mom and dad actually went on their honeymoon back in the day. And I can see why. It's kind of remote, has some cool bars, and fun lake action! Combine that with some good restaurants and great activities for the kids & you find a great vacation! Our family friends, the McKay's, have an amazing house there (and that kind of connection always helps). Come to think of it, I probably wouldn't have had as much fun without that kind of hook up!Â
#5: My mom and dad's farm in Southern Illinois. Fishing, hunting, great food, my dad's man cave, no interruptions, small town bars, good conversation, and my family.
 You can tell I'm not much for foreign travel. I'm also biased because I've lived on the farm, in Vegas, and in New Jersey. And San Francisco and the Ozarks hold special memories.
This story reminds me of the first commercial radio station I ever worked at, which (cooincidentally) is in the middle of a hay field!Â
Here's the story:::...
Eagle Radio's KFEQ, St. Joseph, MO (680) is operating at reduced power after a farmer mowing hay near its transmitter site last night caught one of the guide wires and brought down one of the station's four towers. No one was injured. Click here to see what the results look like!!!
If you listen to mass media, which includes satellite broadcaster propaganda, TV, newspaper, and web, you might be led to believe (wrongfully so) that radio listenership is going down. It's important to note: IT'S NOT.Â
Read on my friend... this is all FACT.
 Radio reaches more than 235 million persons age 12 and older over the course of a typical week, according to the National Radio Listening Report that will officially be released MONDAY, JUNE 22nd.
Radio reaches 92% of persons ages 12+ each week, despite the adoption of mp3 players and the growth of Internet-only stations. Even 89% of the youngest radio audience, teens ages 12-17, most accustomed to using new technologies and forms of media, continue to tune in each week. Network radio also reaches nearly 85% of the ad-elusive and media multi-taskers Adults 18-34.
Radio Has Universal Appeal
The diversity of formats in radio attracts advertiser-coveted demographics in both Black Non-Hispanic and Hispanic persons.
* 92% of Black Non-Hispanic persons and 93 percent of Hispanic persons, ages 12 and older tune into radio over the course of a week.
* Radio reaches about 93% of both Black Non-Hispanics and Hispanics age 18-49 over the course of a week.
Radio Reaches The Educated and Affluent
Radio reaches more than 94% of college graduates ages 25-54. 95% of adults 25-54 with a college degree and an annual income of $50,000 or more tune into radio over the course of a week.
Network affiliated stations reach nearly 86% of college graduates ages 18-49 with a household income of $75,000 or more. All radio stations reach close to 94% of this age group. Make note!  If you're a business owner, RADIO IS the most economically friendly way to reach the masses still. TV is expensive, and newspaper is dying (you may have read about it), along with readership.Â
Take this with a grain of salt from someone who doesn't go to the movies often, and doesn't really know a DVD from a drink coaster. However, recently my wife and I have discovered the $1 Dollar DVD machine at Kroger. I haven't really written much about my taste in movies here, but Clint Eastwood provoked a change in my behavior.
We rented "Gran Torino" this weekend, and Mr. Eastwood makes it to #2 on my all-time list. Great movie, and even more relevant for someone who grew up in the Midwest and has spent a time or two in the local barber shop and VFW.Â
Still, it wasn't quite enough to overtake my #1 favorite movie of All-Time (which I don't think will ever be possible).
1. Hoosiers. This movie is a combination of so many of my passions, and is also a Midwest rooted film that focuses on the small school of Hickory, Indiana, and their drive to win the Indiana State Basketball Championship. Gene Hackman is brilliant. Dennis Hopper is even more brilliant, as is Barbara Hershey.Â
2. Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino".
3. TIE: Forrest Gump & "most" Tom Hanks films. Outside of the recent Davini Code type movies, Hanks can do no wrong. Forrest Gump was an all around can't miss. But films like Philadelphia, Castaway, The Green Mile, Saving Private Ryan, & even panned performances like "The Terminal" or his animation work make him first class in my book.
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4. Major League. Greatest announcer in baseball history, Bob Uecker (at least his style in the Movie, not necessary his real life style announcing for the Milwaukee Brewers) - "Heywood leads the league in most offensive categories, including nose hair. When this guy sneezes, he looks like a party favor."
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5.  TIE: Rain Man. Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise (before weirdness). Great story. Tied with Cruise, minus the weirdness. The guy is a great actor. My favorites include Days of Thunder and The Firm (based around good ole' Memphis, TN.)
6. Shawshank Redemption: A second appearance in my top 10 from Tim Robbins. He's one of my favorites, as is Morgan Freeman. Freeman may be the greatest story teller. Another great story.
7. Back to the Future. A pretty awesome graphic sensation. I'll never forget seeing it in the theater in 1985.
8. TIE: Austin Powers & darn near about everything Jim Carrey does. Nearly making the top 10 was actually one of Carey's less comedic performances in "The Truman Show." I was always facinated by that movie. It seems like the more time that passes, the more the world gets closer to "The Truman Show."
9. Home Alone. Fun Xmas story. It was even better before Macauley Caulkin got weird and grew up in real life.
10. Meet the Fockers. HILARIOUS!
This is important, and I blogged about this very issue a month or so ago...
The reality is this:
Foreign owned record labels are asking Congress to give them a performance tax on your local radio stationsâ¦.radio stations that provide services to your community, including emergency alerts, fundraisers for local charities, and community event sponsorships. If this new tax passes, your favorite radio stations may not be able to afford these critically important services, and your community will suffer.
Representative Tanner can help by sponsoring a bill to keep the radio you love free from a performance tax. Call Rep. Tanner today at (901) 873-5690 and ask him to sponsor the Local Radio Freedom Act and oppose a performance tax on free radio.
Go here to learn more click here.
The home on stilts from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"...How 'bout $2.3 Million for this?
I discovered it while talking about "Twist and Shout".... Remember hearing that song in the movie?
Apparently, there are 100's of you in the Mid-South that do this. The phones blew up when I started talking about my "sleep talking" that my wife says I do.Â
Check out what I found here...
And now, as Paul Harvey used to say, "the rest of the story."
Yes, someone from Memphis is responsible for this Victoria Secret model, Adriana Lima, getting pregnant....
And....it's not really a true Memphian. It's Marko Jarvic from the Memphis Grizzlies. Shucks.
According to this site, it's the BBQ Shop in Mid-town Memphis! Many have long thought it to be (if you consider consistency of winning) the 17th Street Bar & Grill in good ole Murpheesboro, IL (what do folks in Illinois know about BBQ?)... But it's good question to explore, while eatin' good!
Check out the site/article when you get a chance...
I had a really great weekend spending time with my family (both sides)... and I'll share it with you because if you're ever low on ideas this might help.
First, Saturday spent the day with my father and our friend Bob at BBQ Fest learning and looking at all the cool set-ups.Â
We then went to the Southland Race Track & Gaming in West Memphis, AR. Great time. If you go, always go when they have a simulcast day for Pimlico or one of the big horse races. More excitement! Anyway, as soon as we got there I put $3 down on a dog race (exacta - tough bet) and won some money!!!! VERY EXCITING!!!
Saturday night, had a great time in (of all places) Como, MS!!!! My wife and I drove to Como to the Windy City Grille for a surprise party for my brother in-law Mike. You may have already been, but for me it was a great "bar and grille" kind of a joint. Make sure to use the back patio and then get a seat for late night music starting around 9 p.m. Great food. Fun location. You wouldn't expect it!
By the way... Happy Birthday Mike!
-bc
It was awesome having Beena with the Greek Festival come by and share some treats from this years events with me and the rest of the crew! The biscotti I devoured was AWWWWESOME! Anyway, all you need to know about this year's Memphis Greek Festival is here.
It's tomorrow and Saturday (May 8 & 9) at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church!
-bc
Join me this Friday night (5/8/09) as I emcee a fun cultural event called "Celebrate Chile" (this years Memphis in May honored country)...
The event features the folkloric rhythms of Ballet Folklorico Antumapu from theUniversidad de Chile in Santiago at The Rose Theatre at The University of Memphis. The evening will include the national dance of Chile â La Cueca. Also experience Metahue by Marcelo Peña â the unique sounds of the Mapuche people come to life on stage with Peñaâs authentic percussion. A pretty once in a lifetime cultural experience if you ask me!
Click here to get your tickets and enjoy a fine evening with the great team from Memphis in May and myself...
As a reader of "media" and "hype" and a brief study of "mass media and communication" I realize more and more, that more and more stuff is made up out there. It's true. Trust me, I make up my share of good hearted humorous material to amuse you or the next guy on occasion.Â
But the truth is, mega stars are the best at it. For example, there have been reports that Jessica Simpson's publicity machine initiated the rumors about her "weight gain" because this type of publicity portrays her as the victim, and more like the average person while getting her name "out there" more while she promotes and tours as a new country artist. Interesting concept. Brilliant I say!
Michael Jackson's weird behave? Sure. It's weird. But....more publicity.Â
White Stripes....yep. Divorced by the time their big 1999 album hit it big.
Read more here from another interesting blog!
-bc
So, I wanted to share something with ya'll! I'm very excited that Entercom-Memphis Radio Group (our owner) has announced that "my show" will be moved to "prime time" starting this Monday, May 4th, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.! If you've ever spent time with me, you know my favorite things in this world are my family, music, sports, and LIVE LOCAL RADIO!  Â
I hope you'll TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO LISTEN, OR LISTEN LONGER, all day to Classic Hits 94.1 KQK. By doing so, you're supporting me and my family!Â
It means a great deal to me that I will now be able to take your phone calls for requests, traffic problems, to discuss MID-SOUTH ANYTHING YOU WANT, and just have fun entertaining you weekdays while you work.... Thanks for listening!
Oh, Steve Conley was nice enough to arrange the 1st leg of the "Brad Carson publicity tour" with the George Klein Memphis Sounds show. Look for me on WYPL TV-18 throughout the Month of June 2009!
Please call me up at your convenience this week on the studio line to wish me luck! (901) 535-9494.... Also, give this number to your friends.  And check me out on facebook, myspace, and twitter!
Thanks!
-Brado
At first you go, girls football?...yeah right! Let me tell you something, my friend Brooke is playing for Memphis' new Pro Female Football League Team called The Memphis Belles.Â
Here's my review after going to the game this past Saturday, April 25th at Navy Varsity Field out in Millington (at the military base) against the New Orleans Blaze.
1. These games are legitimate.
2. These ladies are trained and well coached.
3. They run an organized "ship" with real uniforms and real officials.
4. It's a ton of fun to watch...
Not only this, but it's affordable and worth bringing your family to show that you don't have to pay a fortune to see organized, pro, fun, exciting football...even ladies! Not only that, but we have a great team in the league. We beat New Orleans 46-7! I could tell we were strong when the ladies were upset they allowed that 1 TD to NO.
Come out and support (& see it for yourself) local Memphis Pro Football - the Memphis Belles against the Emerald Coast Barracudas this Satuday (4/25) at 4 p.m. in Millington at the Varsity Field on the Navy base. Free parking (labeled and easy to see) on base, and $10 to get in. They had a local rock band play at half time.
More here on their website.
It was a ton of fun, and very cool to see my friend Brooke get an interception!
Way to go Memphis Belles! (Also, we have the coolest name, logo, and uniforms.)
It's time for the Brad Carson Spring Tour 2009. One of the great thing about regular FREE RADIO is that we love to come out and meet you!!!! I want to meet you this weekend, so come by, AND BRING YOUR WHOLE FAMILY TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH US!!!!
THIS SATURDAY, IT'S FAMILY FUN DAY IN SOUTHAVEN AT SUNTRUST BANK - LOCATED AT 1965-GOODMAN ROAD!!! I'll be there from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m..... Come party with me and the staff with food, music and FREE games for the kids (no purchase necessary). Also, the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County will be at the celebration with their Pet Waggin'. I think we're even bringing the "baggo" game. . .
Sunday, I'll be emceein' at the Gantert Memorial Run in Shelby Forest. The race starts at 2 p.m. More here. Join in. We'd love to have you sign up this week to be part of the fun as a participant!
Also, look for me Sunday evening on WKNO-TV 10 for the "Action Auction" 2009!
Here's me last year on the "boob tube"...
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...there's a reason I got into radio!
#5. But It's Alright - J. J. Jackson
#4. You Keep Me Hangin' On - Diana Ross and the Supremes
#3. When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge
#2. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
#1. Good Lovin' - Rascals
#5. Nowhere Man
#4. Twist and Shout
#3. A Hard Day's Night
#2. Love Me Do
#1. Drive My Car
#5. Baby Come Back - Player
#4. Bend Me, Shape Me - American Breed
#3. Baby, Now That I've Found You
#2. My Eyes Adored You - Frankie Valli
#1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - George Harrison & The Beatles
#5. Paint It Black - Rolling Stones
#4. Shop Around - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
#3. Can't Buy Me Love - The Beatles
#2. She Works Hard For The Money - Donna Summer
#1. All I Want For Christ - Mariah Carey
#5. Be Thankful for What - William DeVaughn
#4. Celebrate - Three Dog Night
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#3. The Immigrant - Neil Sedaka
#2. We Are Family - Sister Sledge
#1. Celebrate Me Home - Kenny Loggins
#5. American Pie - Don McLean
#2. Cherry Cherry - Neil Diamond
#1. Classical Gas - Mason Williams
#5. Freeway Of Love - Aretha Franklin
#4. The Letter - Box Tops
#3. (Sittin' On) The Dock - Otis Redding
#2. Memphis - Johnny Rivers
#1. Disco Duck - Rick Dees
#5. Tom Petty - Don't Do Me Like That
#2. Charlie Daniels Band - Devil Went Down to Georgia
