Some people have an obit when they pass on.  An ego like me, hey, we write our own … no sense leaving it for some fledgling journalist to write and make the mistakes.  I’m much better at making mistakes than they are!  Anyway, it’ll be true if I write it; I’ve already told all of the lies I wish to tell.  Except for maybe a couple short stories set in radio.  And I’m still working on those. 

Instead of a last obit (a man like me who has done all of the things I’ve done deserves at least two obits), I’m writing a last sermon.  Writing it now, in fact.  It will be flamboyant, pithy, accusative, rambling, charging, dramatic, involved, and not be everything that really needs to be said.  All one can do is try in that regards.  All sermons should, though, be guidelines.  Follow not me, good people, but what I say.  My words down through the years, ah.  A map, perhaps, to what should be if not will be.  I hope you like my sermon if you get a chance to read it. 

TENNESSEE MATTERS

My compliments to the men and women who’ve established the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.  First meeting was a huge success.  I saw a photo of the people attending.  Just wish they’d been ID’d; I might have featured it.  Big players include Cathy Martindale, named secretary and treasurer; Lee Dorman, Bob Thurgaland.  But, whups, someone lost/took the sign-in sheet! 

In my personal opinion, many states need “halls” such as this one and the one in Texas.  To wit, Tennessee radio people would like to recognize some of those who’ve gone on and a debate arose about the spelling of the name of John Anderson McDonald/MacDonald, late radio man.  This, from Sam Hale, who once worked in the state and now resides in Georgia: 

“My search has not produced the extensive results one would expect in today's world of Internet searches for such a notable figure.  From Murray Miles, retired head of communications for the TN Farm Bureau, I've learned that he died on November 26, 1983. There are obituaries in the Tennessean and Banner, but they are only available at the library archives, not on line.  John McDonald was an unemployed Vocational Agriculture teacher when he heard that WSM was looking for a Farm Director.  He was hired by WSM in 1945 and Noontime Neighbors’ began that Labor Day.  It was originally a 30-minute show which featured Owen Bradley's orchestra, as well as guests from the ‘Grand Ole Opry’ and an audience in the famous Studio ‘C’.  Of course, the focus of the program was Mr. McDonald's farm price reports, commentaries and interviews with agriculture professionals from the Farm Bureau, Vo Ag teaches/students, Extension Agents and 4-H Club members, farmers, etc.  Milton Estes was the original MC (I don't recall that name).  When I was a guest in the 54-56 era, Tom Hansard was the MC/announcer. Later, T. Tommy Cutrer handled those chores after the program was extended to 55 minutes (12:05-1:00).  Marvin Hughes became the orchestra leader when Owen Bradley was hired to head Decca Records' operation in Nashville. In its later years, the music was no longer live but from records.  The show ran 27 years until the Fall of 1972.  Along the way, Mr. McDonald received innumerable awards and was president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters in 1956.” 

Sam sent along MacDonald’s wife’s obit. 

However, it turns out that on some documents, the name was spelled one way and on others, the other way.         

But someone contacted MacDonald’s long-time secretary, Joyce Isaacs, and, viola, she spelled it MacDonald. 

And then, viola again, someone pointed out that John McDonald was a radio moniker.  His real name was Johan Pavarotti, born in Italy to Dutch parents, moved to the USA during Mussolini's rape and pillage of area farmers.  He had a son who was an opera singer and a grandson still living who owns a grainery in Sicily called Opera Mills. 

SLIM MATTERS

I asked Red Jones, retired in Georgia and a member of the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, if he had listened in his younger days to Slim Willet.  Which, of course, I knew was highly probable.  And this came back:  “Thanks for the mention in your column.  You asked about Slim Willet.  Slim's real name is Winston Moore, Clyde, TX.  In 1952 he wrote a song that became # l for many artists.  He peddled the song to a number of companies and labels with no takers. Decided he'd put it out on his own label.  He was the first to play it on his KRBC Abilene show.  Brought a copy to me at KVET in Austin and I became the second one to play it.  Phones rang off the wall.  Ray Price heard it and recorded it.  A # 1.  Then Skeets McDonald cut it, followed by many other country artists.  Again a # 1.  Then Perry Como cut it and SMASH!  Ended up one of the top songs of 1952.  Has been recorded by many round the world in many languages. Mentioned in the Guiness World Book.  Also, of note, a school chum of my Dad's in Baird, went on to become the dean of ‘Grand Ole Opry’ announcers and was with WSM for 30 years.  Grant Turner.” 

I hope you Tennessee guys are taking notes because you’ll have to honor guys like Grant Turner and Eddie Hill sooner or later. 

All of you know the song, of course.  I love the version by Van Morrison.  Just for the record: “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes.”  But, ah, there are those among us who appreciate as well the tune “Toolpusher.” 

PRAYER MATTERS

Another good friend of mine and of the world has come down ill.  His wife also has a medical problem.  Good people of good heart.  If you have a moment, a prayer for them.  Lord, I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes.  Hate to write this. 

MERCEDES MATTERS

I’d written Sam Hale, Atlanta, about a “George Galkin” and Sam was kind enough to set my growingly bumpy memory correct.  I do remember riding in the vehicle in question; not the one that flies on used veggie oil.  All this was spurred by a note from Rob Moorhead about his trip to Albuquerque to visit his father-in-law, George Wilson by name.  (Rob has rebuilt one of those rolling monsters called Mercedes, drives on used cooking oil, flies about the Americas at 105 mph courtesy of a Get Out of Jail Free card from an old Monopoly game. 

Sam Hale: “The man of whom you wrote was Joe Galkin.  He bought a place on Hibiscus Island and, as were we all, was a ‘fan’ of Jerry Wexler.  He purchased that Mercedes when Jerry bought a new one.  Then, when Jerry bought a small yacht, Joe had to have one -- though his was much smaller than Jerry's.   I have a photo of that Mercedes ‘somewhere’.  The inscription in Jerry's book, ‘Rhythn and the Blues’ reads ... ‘To Sam Hale - With affection and the great memories of our good mutual friend - the wonderful Joe Galkin - Jerry Wexler, December 1997’.  I first met Joe when he got his first record to promote upon his becoming an independent  promoter -- Sammy Turner's ‘Lavender Blue’.  He ‘discovered’ Otis Redding and was instrumental in O's teaming with Phil Walden and getting the record deal with STAX.  Joe and I remained good friends for many years, as did many others, including our mutual friend Kent Burkhart.  Underneath Joe's scruffy personality was a heart of gold.  I nominated him, and he posthumously was inducted, into the GA Music Hall of Fame in 1996.  Continued very best wishes to you and Barbara.” 

Sam:  Great to hear from you!  I treasure your letters. 

MOORE MATTERS

Good CD.  Gary Moore “Live at Montreux 2010.”  On Eagle Records.  “Where Are You Now,” good cut.  Once again from the collection of John Alexander Hall, lawyer, Los Angeles.  As is the Jimmy Rabbitt CD that follows.  Also try “Walking by Myself.”  Tunes hard rock mostly. 

RABBITT MATTERS

I’m a huge fan of Jimmy Rabbitt.  Since his days on KMET-FM in Los Angeles.  I mean he’s not perfect.  But he’s El Conejo.  He started his Dec. 24, 1977 show on KROQ in Los Angeles with some dead air.  Talk.  Not much.  You’d think he did it on purpose.  Hey, this is the Rabbit!  Two enhanced mono blues tunes.  Yeah, Rabbitt do the blues.  He do country.  He do rock.  The Rabbitt in the late 60s and the 70s was something else.  Perhaps from another planet.  Another r&b tune.  “Why Me?”  This is an hour and 15 minutes of Jimmy Rabbitt.  Doesn’t matter if you don’t like the music, though you’ll probably like a lot of it.  If you’re listening, you’re probably listening because it’s the Rabbitt. Those were the days – 50s too – when you listened quite frequently for the disc jockey as much or even more than for the music.  Another r&b tune.  Good voice.  Talked about the girl who’s “probably better off that she didn’t stay with me.”  Stuff about UFOs.  “What are we going to sell them?  Something make in Japan.”  Today, China, El Conejo.  China.  Rabbitt talked about Phil Spector. “Hats off to Phil Spector.” Later:  “I don’t care if Casey Kasem doesn’t have a credit card.”  After another tune with Cajun feeling, into a real Cajun song.  Good one.  Stereo.  There’s a happy feeling about Cajun music. I used to have a great Cajun LP around the house.  One of the songs was “The Mosquito That Ate My Sweetheart.”  Then Rabbitt was into an oldie “It’s My Party I’ll Cry If I Want to.”  Sequed into “The Games People Play.”  Stereo.  Didn’t finish.  Sequed into “Ahab the Arab.”  Then another record I didn’t recognize but a key line was “Meanwhile, back in the jungle.” 

At this point, I’ve listened to more than half an hour of Rabbitt.  Been entertained immensely!  Can’t tell if Jimmy is high or not, drunk or not.  Ad for Rabbitt and Renegade in a New Year’s Eve Party.  Dodge Saloon, “just off the 605.” 

Oldie. God, but some of those records from the 50s were bad.  I don’t care what you say, Phil Spector was probably a bad influence on all of us.  “Dedicated to the One I Love.”  But then into “Let the Good Times Roll.”  I’d buy this one, maybe, if I hadn’t already spent all of my money on Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. 

Essentially, there’s something engaging about a Jimmy Rabbitt show.  I’d perfect him playing Kitty Wells as opposed to some of the early pop stuff.  But Rabbitt seems to be a born entertainer.  Read a supposed letter.  Song called “Eddie.” That ending?  Boo.  Down with Phil Spector.  Yeah, I’m aware that Spector didn’t produce all of these songs.  But I’m blaming him anyway.  Keep him in jail an extra year!  Well, at least an extra month.  Teen Queens did the song.  Cross plug:  “Go to church.  That’s a cross plug.” 

Elvis record.  Sounded awfully lot like another record he had.  But my mind’s in low gear this morning (Thursday) and I can’t think of it.  Then into “One Night With You.”  All mono.  The show was on both KROQ in Burbank and KROQ-FM in Pasadena.  Come to think of it, Elvis isn’t all that good after all these years.  And, lord, I was an Elvis fan.  Heard him on his first appearance on “The Louisiana Hayride” on KWKH, Shreveport.  “Only the Lonely” by Roy Orbison.  Orbison!  Still great.  Everything’s there even after all of these years.  May the Good Lord bless Roy Orbison.  And Jimmy Rabbitt, too. 

Beatles.  Boring.  Touch of dead air.  R&b tune.  “These Arms of Mine.”  Too much mono, Jimmy.  Call from the Nasty Ladies Club.  Cute.  Federated ad.  Cute, if acoustically a mess.  A&M/Best Records spot in stereo.  “Silent Night” by someone/thing weird.  Fit.  Chatter during tune.  Bells.  Lord, what a record, Jimmy! 

“Smokie Joe’s Café.”   

Chatter.  “Johnny Snowflake” spot.  Huh? 

“Do I sound drunk enough.  I tried real hard to sound drunk.”  Then record:  “Tequila.”  End of the CD.  Pity.  Had a good time, Jimmy.  You’re great! 

CATHY MATTERS

Cathy Martindale:  Hope you’ve found that list by now.  What a list!  Ralph Emery will be in the Hall eventually.  He followed Eddie Hill on all-night over WSM when Emery (I believe I’m right on this) was still in college.