Bits and Pieces

A big welcome to everyone. I am honored to have the opportunity to share memories and behinds the scenes stories from my time behind the microphone. A little brief bio information: I began my radio career while I was a senior at Montoursville High School in Pennsylvania. In the 43 years that I was active in radio and TV, I held about every position in the business and helped to design and build two radio stations. But my favorite times were those days actually on the air. For my first offering here I would give you some “behind the scenes” looks at a few of the artists I interviewed. There is no particular reason why I chose these bits of trivia, rather when I sat down to write this article, these stories came to mind.

Trini Lopez: Most of you know Trini’s high energy style of music from such chart toppers as Lemon Tree and If I Had A hammer. While both songs are more readily associated with Peter Paul & Mary, Trini’s versions outsold and placed higher on the national music charts. This might not have been IF things had been a bit different in 1959. After the February 1959 plane crash that claimed Buddy Holley, J.P. The “Big Bopper” Richardson, and Richie Valens, “The Cricket’s”, Buddy Holley’s back up band, were looking for a new lead singer. They called Trini Lopez and asked him to come to California for a meeting. Trini told me that he met with The Crickets, and he was supposed to take Buddy’s place, but nothing happened. According to Trini, they were too busy partying and Trini said “ I needed work.” So he began doing session recording and was eventually discovered. Trini remains active today and has released over 50 albums in his career.

While I am on the subject of “The Day The Music Died,” another artist got his start 50 years ago, because of that tragedy. Bobby Vee was a 16 year old kid in Fargo, N.D. where Holley, Richardson, and Valens were headed when their plane crashed. Bobby had a local band and happened to hear the news on the local radio station about the accident. The concert promoters put out a call for local talent to fill in that night and Bobby and his band appeared. Bobby said he was “scared to death,” working before a sold out house, but they went on. Their performance got the attention of the media and record company executives. Bobby had 43 songs that made the chart and today is still actively touring the country with his show.


Did you ever wonder how groups got their names? I asked that question of Hugh Geyer of The Vogues (5 O’clock World, Magic Town, and over 10 more chart hits). He told me the group, consisting of himself, Chuck Blasko, Bill Burkette and Don Miller, played the clubs around Turtle Creek, Pa, near Pittsburgh, as The Val-Aires. They had a couple of regional hit records on a small record label from Pittsburgh, CO & CE, (Which One Will It Be, and I Go Looking For Jeanie). In 1965 they recorded a song written by Petula Clark called “You’re the One.” The record label that released it felt the group need a new name. Hugh told me he came home from “his real job” one day, walked in the house and the song was playing on The Pittsburgh radio powerhouse of the day KDKA. At the end of the song the DJ said that was the new song by The Vogues! Their manager had chosen the name from a club called The Vogue Terrace. Hugh continues to work today with one of two groups using the name “The Vogues.” He is with a group run by Stan Erlich, and was recently joined by original lead vocalist Bill Burkette. Chuck Blasko tours in Southwestern Pa. with his own group.

The Fleetwoods consisted of founder Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Harris, and Gary Troxell, and came out of Olympia, Washington. All were friends in high school and got together and began performing at high school assemblies. Their classmates wanted a record of the now classic “Come Softly To Me” written by Gretchen Christopher. Several months later their demo tape came to the attention of Bob Reisdorf founder of Dolphin Records (later Dolton Records), and it was recorded and of course became a hit. Oh, the accompaniment consisted of a guitar and Gary Troxell shaking his car keys. Dolphin Records told the group they needed a professional sounding name so entering unto the music scene was “The Fleetwoods” named after the telephone exchange the group members lived in. Barbara and Gary are retired, but Gretchen continues to perform today with two new back up singers and has a new CD called “Gretchen’s Sweet 16.” I had the honor of being one of the first DJ’s in the country to play cuts, even before the final mix was completed, during my three interviews with Gretchen. You can hear those interviews at www.gretchenchristopher.com .

Trivia: What male country singer known in some circles at “the Gentle Giant” had a top 40 hit as the lead vocalist in 1966? The group was a “one hit wonder.” Don Williams unique voice is heard in the Pozo Seco Singers hit of I Can Make It With You.