Keener 13

On this best-of Keener podcast, we replay our November 20th, 2004 study of how radio reported the Kennedy Assassination. We begin with a rare logger tape from KLIF in Dallas. Keener fan and Kennedy scholar Jim Feliciano connected us with this one-of-a-kind historical record which can be heard in its entirety on the ReelRadio.com website. Rex Jones, Gary DeLaune, Joe Long and Gordon McLendon (yep, that Gordon McLendon – one of the fathers of Top 40 radio) described the rapidly unfolding events. Then we fast-forward one year later to the WKNR documentary about that day, produced by Bob Green and Philip Nye for WKNR News. It is said that television news came of age on that day, 41 years ago. But for many, radio was still a trusted source of timely, if not always accurate information. The Keener podcast is hosted by Scott Westerman, Curator of Keener13.com.

Hear the show 31 minutes 10MB MP3

Part 1 of our Detroit Radio Reuion Special featuring Bob Green, Gary Stevens, Jerry Goodwin, Paul Cannon and Pat St. John, recorded during the WOMC reunion broadcast. The Keener podcast is hosted by Scott Westerman, Curator of Keener13.com.

Hear the show 29 minutes 18 MB MP3

One of the most famous Keener moments was the Sunday afternoon in 1969 when WKNR-FM’s Russ Gibb amplified the rumor that Paul McCartney was dead. In this second “Best of” Podcast, we celebrate our interview with Andru Reeve, the man who wrote the definitive book “Turn Me On Dead Man: The Beatles and the Paul McCartney Death Hoax.” It became our most downloaded program. While the story had been well worn before Tom Zarski called Uncle Russ that October day, it was WKNR-FM’s coverage that rocketed the tale to the front of the nation’s consciousness.

Where have we been, you may be asking? Between family and work commitments and a whole bunch of travel, I haven’t been able to produce a Keener Podcast these last few weeks. We have a lot of great stuff in the hopper for upcoming shows, including extensive coverage of the Keener crowd at the recent Detroit Radio Reuion. Until we can get back to the studio, here’s a best of from April of this year, when we were fresh back from a trip to the Golden Gate City. We featured San Francisco on that particular Keener13 Podcast, testing your memory with another Keener Music Quiz, and featuring two Mad Magazine rarities. We also featured a 1966 air check from the Chairman of the Burger Club.

We hope you’ll enjoy this “Best of” Keener podcast.. and you can buy the tunes you hear on the show from our Amazon link and support the show!

A few of this week’s artists: Mad Grooves, Mark Lindsay, Scott McKinzie.

The Keener podcast is hosted by Scott Westerman, Curator of Keener13.com.

Just back from the third and allegedly final Detroit Radio Reunion. There were a ton of Keener moments, highlighted by an appearance by Mrs. Nellie Knorr, the first lady of Detroit radio. It was Mrs. Knorr who took the risk that Halloween night in 1963 and created the legend that lives to this day. We’ll have pictures, sound bytes and perhaps even some video from the event, hosted by Keener alum Dick Purtan to benefit the Gail Purtan Ovarian Cancer Fund.

I apologize for the lack of podcast activity. There have been many distractions this month, but we have a ton of ideas on the board and hope to be back in the saddle soon.

By request, more from the jingle jungle. We play the Jam Song and preview the Pams box set. WCBS craters with Jack, Moog passes on and Funkadelic turns 50. Plus rare music from Patty & The Emblems, Boyce and Hart and Lee Rogers. Scott Westerman hosts.

Hear the show 31 minutes 29 MB MP3

We celebrate the 2005 Woodward Dream Cruise with air checks from past broadcasts featuring Bob Green and Scott Regen and Bob Berry’s interview with Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, a piece that never aired due to the historic black out of 2003. We highlight some of the 2004 Dream Cruise events and showcase a trunk load of music for cruising from Jan and Dean, Ronnie and the Daytonas, the Beach Boys and more. Scott Westerman hosts our 34th Keener Podcast.

Hear the show 35 minutes 31 MB MP3

Last time I complained about Apple’s ITunes podcast interface, the flames were hot and heavy. But if you’re like me, and want a way to listen to your stuff on an IPod Shuffle without having to mess with ITunes, check this out. Martin Fielder has done a terrific job creating a tiny python app that creates a Shuffle playlist by scanning the device for playable MP3 files. You can enable the Shuffle as a drive and drag and drop from your explorer (or designate a directory to easily integrate with Ipodder). Once click on the python file and a playlist is immediately created. The best thing.. your IPod library isn’t trashed if you try to plug it into a different machine. I’ve tested this on the desktop and laptop (both Windows) and it works great. Martin says it will work on Mac OSX and Linux as long as the free Python interpreter is installed. So I’m listening to Bob Baldori on the Keener Podcast and celebrating my freedom from the limitations and quirks of ITunes. Gotta love Sourceforge!

Bob Baldori has to be one of the ultimate rock and roll survivors. A renaissance man who wrote, produced and performed during the height of the 60s, Bob is best known as a founding member of The Woolies, who took their high energy take on Bo Diddley’s Who Do You Love to the number 3 spot on the WKNR Music Guide in January of 1967. This week, we celebrate the Woolies’ four decade career as Bob takes us from the smokey clubs of the Motor City to the heart of the LA music machine. We’ll hear some rarities from a brand new Woolies CD and learn how they became Chuck Berry’s favorite back-up band.
Hear the show 25 minutes 23 MB MP3

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Scott W.

We celebrate the life of Renaldo Obie Benson with a Four Tops tribute. From their first Chess Records release to the number one hit Obie penned that became one of Rolling Stones top recordings of the rock era, we’ll hear a ton of Tops and learn a bit of history about one of Motown’s greatest success stories.

Hear the show 34 minutes 32 MB MP3

1/2 of the only family duo to appear on WKNR, Michael Stevens was part of Keener’s final run for glory. The brother of legendary New York air ace Pat St. John went on to a long and successful career in public relations and promotions, but in 2003 he came back to ride the airwaves one more time during Keener’s Woodward Dream Cruise iteration. Michael still has his broadcasting chops as you’ll hear in this uncut aircheck from the broadcast, which features music from Rare Earth, the Rationals, Gladys Knight, David Ruffin and more. For anyone who appreciates a combination of precise execution, wit and eclectic musical taste, this Dream Cruise moment is a lesson in excellence.

Hear the show 56 minutes 52 MB MP3