The Robert O'Brian Collection
Robert O'Brian, KLCN, 1967 
Robert O'Brian, KRKO, 1978 
Robert O'Brian, 1995 |
By Robert O'Brian (Robert Witham)
It was way, way back in 1957 or '58 that I knew that radio had to be just about the coolest thing ever invented. I remember having a 7-transistor "Silvertone" radio from Sears under my pillow at night so I "wouldn't miss anything". I think I was in the 6th grade, and I remember listening to KAYO, KJR, KING, and later KTW and KOL as the "radio wars" started in Seattle. There were people like Al Cummings on KING, or the Breakfast Club with Clifford and Clark, then, one day KAYO started playing records that featured artists like Fats Domino. My Father had a fit. "Don't bob your head to that music" he said at the breakfast table. I think my destiny was set at that point, I had to, some how, some way be on the radio. But, what a lesson I had to learn. In 1961 I entered high school. I taped and played promos (cut by the Seattle Radio personalities) in the lunchroom at school. That was mv first meeting with Pat O'Day. Pat cut a promo for me to play at my lunch DJ party at school. Cool eh! I fell in love with radio and everything it had to offer. I didn't get into broadcasting until I was stationed during the "conflict" at Blytheville, Arkansas for the Air Force, (not one enemy fighter made it past me). I witnessed the start of WMC-FM aka FM 100 in Memphis. I worked at KLCN in Blytheville, and tried to get it to sound good too. During that period of time, I returned home and recorded some tapes to take back with me to the airbase. This is how I happened to get these gems from some legends! I think you'll enjoy. AS for my career, after leaving KLCN, I went to KGY in Olympia, to KALE in the Tri-Cities, to KNDO-TV in Yakima (oops a wrong move there) then to KRKO and KWYZ in Everett. Some brief stints in Seattle, and then into sales for Trader Publishing Company (I needed to make some money). I was at Trader for 9 years, now retired and loving it! And now.. "Serving the 'Sound' from Seattle....." |
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
“You know, it’s been a long time since a jingle company came out with a real exciting ID series…” Or so they said in 1973. These jingles are representative of the great talent at TM Productions in 1973. Many of the cuts are reflective of the popular tunes of the time, while retaining traditional arrangements. The overall presentation is first-rate, too, even though the jingles sound better than most of the vinyl used in this demo.
Jingles for weekends and special events can define a higher form of radio station – a Place to Be, not just a brand name. (Weekends are WNBC days). Of course, the goofy “Oldies” DJ was probably a mistake… or was it still funny then?
I’m not a big fan of the “kid” vocal groups featured on some of these cuts, but it does reflect the family-friendly focus of the popular personality and music format at flagship WNBC. This is a fun old-timey jingle demo, and the Timmy Thomas cut  simple as it is  knocks me out.
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[Description by Uncle Ricky, contributed by Robert O’Brian]
This demo opens with a reference to TM’s Phase II series, and it features the late Hal Martin doing demo duty for WCFL. It was probably created in early 1972.
In addition to Big Ten, these jingles are demonstrated for WIBG/Philadelphia and KILT/Houston. Later in the decade, they were also heard on WGNG/Providence and many other stations.
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