And it ain't just radiofeephoenix.com - there's Cowboys On Mars!

I asked Bob for permission to post this.... Ron

Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 2:06 PM

Subject: Have a nice Play...

Hey Howdy, Ron...

 

Yup, the curtains come down on the web-site hijack caper and  I'm trying to concentrate on making every day a day that moves us closer to actually producing the play , live, on stage, with a kick-ass ensemble of Arizona artists and associates.

 

I really did appreciate your line about putting yo bucks behind this Mission Possible as I have been bereft of such confidence for some time now. Indeed, Ron, it takes a long time to make the story short. Right ?

 

An yeah, I do need to connect with BBB an request his dramaturge assistance with this Way Up West Epic script. Thanks for the tip.

 

At this point we've got Richie Albright and Charlie Gearhart (Goose Creek Symphony) on board as well as all the creative Buckaroos I've shucked n jived over the past 21 years to make this bit of play a Hit. Your encouragement is a fine compliment to everyones efforts.

 

Slagge T. Pyle, aka Jim Heaton has assumed our Webmaster position and our site will be back on line within days and we will again show our work to the world and wish for its approval. Given your impressive web presence [?]we would pray your future enthusiasm, it Ti's a serendipitous blessing on the whole enterprise.

 

It is so delightful to be back in touch with all of our yesteryear friends and Pals...Little Willie Compton, Waylon and the Boys will be proud of our accomplishments.

 

Hope to gather us all for a pow-wow soon. We'll be in touch.

 

Best regards & thanks, always

 

Bob Gately

 

Surround yourself with people of impeccable integrity. Karl Eller 

Song of the Day, and other catching up...

Wow! I'm so pleased to hear a different version of this song (I Bid You Goodnight / A Very Cellular Song)! What a nice job they did, too, thanks for sharing.

I finally had a chance to visit the Arizona Music Hall of Fame, too - what a great collection of contributors to the Arizona music scene, and, truth be known, the whole world of music. I'd just like to express my gratitude to all those who helped foster and promote a deep appreciation for the magic of music.

I also visited the KCDX site, and while I'm unable to get the connection to listen to Radio Free Phoenix, the link on the KCDX site worked just fine, and there's good music playing there! I'm curious where that link came from, and wonder who's behind it? Could it be a familiar name from long ago, or perhaps even one of our own KCAC Lives members? Whoever's doing it, I'm glad we've got a link here. Thanks again.

Blessings to all...

:~)aniel

I bid you goodnight

I likewise grew up in Phoenix listening to the great Bill Compton on KCAC and loved the Incredible String Band's "A Very Cellular Song".  They probably learned the hymn "I Bid You Goodnight" from a Folkways recording by the great Bahamian singer and guitarist Joseph Spence.  Joseph had a very unusual style of singing and playing, not for everyone.  My favorite version of the song appeared last year on a CD by the Dixie Hummingbirds entitled "Diamond Jubilation", one of my favorite releases of the year.  My brother has since informed me that the song comes from the same hymn tradition as "Amazing Grace" and was also was a common show finale by the Grateful Dead.  Perhpas this is more than you ever wanted to know but that song always stuck in my memory as well.

 

I went on during the late 1970's and 80's to do a free-form program on KJZZ with Reggae and World Beat music and brought Johnny D in to be my partner for the last year.  This probably would never have happened if I had not been inspired by KCAC and the great Bill Compton, Toad Hall, Johnny D, and Marty Manning.  No station will have us any more.  I 'm sure Bill wouldn't be able to find a place on today's commercial radio.  What a sad situation.

Frank Hill

"Parrallelograms" by Linda Perhacs

Mariah Fleming posted a comment earlier saying she's looking for a piece of music called "Parrallelograms" by Linda Perhacs. Although the original record is apparently hard to find [update: e-mail Ron; he's located it], it turns out Perhacs is re-recording her one hit and has even put together a video. What seems like a terrible idea actually sounds . . . not bad. Give it a view/listen here.

I know! I know!

I know it! I know that one..!!

But for some reason I cannot think without a joint in my hand, a lighter in my pocket and a warm female body next to me so I am NOT going to tell ya....... nyah, nyah, nyah. Meanwhile some interesting non-musical mechanical counting on the KCAC Lives! blog: Since approximately April 1st the clicker sez we are averaging about 22 hits per day. Some of that is team members checking in, so 20 per day is a good guess for new and returning visitors. We have had 795 "hits" - almost 800 visits that we know of............ Now if there was some way to find all those folks, THAT would be a party!

Ron
.....Put your something pada-rum-tum-tum... THERE'S A LITTLE SONG YOU ALL SHOUD SING.
Nope, that ain't it. Hhhhmmmmmmm

Name That Tune

I've got another "name that tune" pop quiz for KCAC/early KDKB hotshots. What was the song Toad Hall closed his shows with? All I recall is the refrain, "I'd rather be havin' fun/Doing just about anything." I believe Andy Olson knows the answer to this one, but anyone who can also offer a link to where to find/buy it gets extra points.

Song of the day

Hmmm, think we may have stumbled on a way to legally share some of the songs we talk about on this blog. This link downloads a low-fi, but full-length, copy of the Incredible String Band 13-minute opus mentioned in Stephen's post below. It comes from a Russian download site, allofmp3.com, which legally gets through some RIAA loophole to offer songs at 2 cents per megabyte. But the best thing is, they offer full-length copies of the songs for preview. True, the 24 kbps bit rate ain't exactly CD quality, but for a blast from the past (they offer just about any late 60's/early 70's album you can think of), it ain't bad. Click this built-in Quicktime player to begin loading and playing the song Stephen and Ron talk about below. And let us know if it works - we'll start taking requests!

(Geez, I don't remember that violin being that out of tune!)

Echoes of KCAC

Got an IM from another DJ from KWFM in Tucson, Doug Grant.  Same kind of station, same time warp (1969-1977) and same or similar memories.  Good website.  Maybe it's a movement!

 

http://www.las-solanas.com/kwfm/home.php

 

Ron (FreeSpeak117)

KCAC

Hello Ron: I recall KCAC, with William Edward Compton, prior to KDKB. In those days the AM station would sign off at sundown, and every day they played the same piece of music as they went down for the night. I am trying to find out what that song was. I don't recall the name, or the artist, but it was a lovely slow melody with the repeating refrain "and I bid you good night, good night, good night". Hopefully you know somebody who remembers those days, and can tell me the name and artist of that piece of music. I must have it! Thank you for any help you can be.
Stephen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Hey Stephen! I am taking the liberty of posting this at the KCAC Lives! blog so it can be shared. This little blog by the way has had something like 600 serious readers this month!

To answer your question; the song you refer to is by The Incredible String Band from `The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter' and is part III of "A Very Cellular Song". I can think of no song that was more definitive of the spirit of KCAC than that one. The first time I really HEARD it, I was alone, listening in monaural, baking in a little house in Sunnyslope. The experience wasn't "gee-my hair stood on end" or anything like "oh goodness my skin prickled". For me it was a soul-shaking electrifying experience almost like sticking one's finger in a light socket.

I have to say if you experienced anything like that remotely - and in fact you REMEMBER it, you can can count yourself among The Chosen. THAT is the essence and charisma of KCAC, now in (at least) its third incarnation at radiofreephoenix.com

PS... For almost any song you can think of, check out Limewire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank You Ron, for getting back to me so quickly.

My experience of this song was simple and profound. I was tuned in every day prior to sunset, feeling the end of daylight as this song comforted me. The experience had few words. Feeling warm and hopeful, something moved inside me in a deep personal place. I was prepared for the coming night with a sense of gratitude.

I am off now to try and find the piece of music. Thank you again. I look forward to perusing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTES: Stephen connected with the WHOLE album!
rw

Aleta From Starbright Ranch

Join the lovely Aleta, from Starbright Ranch, this weekend on Radio Free Phoenix.
Aleta, a Valley artist, will be sharing her 15 favorite songs this evening at 5pm and again on Sunday at 3pm.

John Dixon

The KCAC poster (on display in the lobby of the Dodge Theatre during the Hall of Fame Ceremony) sure was a surprise and it's thanks to John Dixon that it was there for all to see. All the fabulous items you saw were courtesy of John Dixon. John is well known and well respected for his knowledge of music. He has a long history with Arizona music, in fact he is THE recognized expert in AZ Music History.
Looking over the posters, LPs, 45s and other memorabilia was a rare treat...a real trip back in time, people loved it, and it was great of him to do that. We're lucky John took the time to bring some of his collection to the Dodge, set up the posters and other collectibles for display, and offer some of his rare and unusual 45's, LPs, CDs and compilations for sale. Arizona is fortunate to have him. He had the foresight and instinct to know what was important to save from the late 60's on. If you want to know about AZ music, or music connected with AZ, John Dixon is the go to guy. For more music info/time lines/detailed rare record info go to www.AzMusicHallofFame.org
Thanks to John, for bringing some of his collection to the Dodge for everyone to see. It was one of the highlights of the event. Some smart publisher would do well to peg John to write the definitive book on AZ Music History. It's obvious that no one can do a better job than he can.
- Mariah Fleming

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Mariah Fleming To Join RFP

Mariah Fleming, longtime creative force in the Valley and link to Phoenix's early underground rock radio scene, will be featured on Radio Freedom , the guest DJ show on Radio Free Phoenix.
Mariah will play her 15 choice selections Saturday at 5pm, with an encore performance Sunday at 3pm.
Radio Free Phoenix program director Andy Olson has confirmed the addition of Fleming as a permanent member of the Radio Free Phoenix airstaff.