Today is the 60th Anniversary of All-News on 1010 WINS

 

Radio stations often change formats to attract different audiences, but 1010 WINS, as an all-news station, has lasted  60 years.  I remember listening to Murray the K when 1010 WINS was a top 40 station until April 19, 1965.  On October 10. 2022 WINS began to simulcast on 92.3 FM.  They still use the slogan "You give us 22 minutes, we'll give you the world."

The news stories on 1010 WINS are usually very brief.  One must watch TV News or listen to WNYC for more in-depth coverage. The station must be very repetitive as it expects its listeners to stay only a short time.

There is an Asian woman in my neighborhood in a bagel bakery who always listens to WINS.  I once asked her if she is bored listening to news all the time.  Her answer was "I like the news."  To each his own.  In any event, the news on any outlet is so sad as they report murders, crime, fires, accidents, natural disasters, and political nonsense.  I like to keep informed, but once a day is enough.

One Program Providing Virus Protection is Enough

 

On April 10th, I described my problems in reinstalling Microsoft 365.  After two people from Microsoft couldn't solve my problem, I was referred to a Tier 2 support person.  I had to wait a week for this person to contact me, so I had to use a free version of Microsoft Word in the meantime.  Finally, today the person contacted me by phone and determined that the problem was caused by my having more than one virus protection programs on my computer.  After we deleted the two unnecessary programs, I was able to reinstall Microsoft 365.  As an added bonus, my computer worked much faster.  It turned out that the programs were interfering with each other.

All's well that ends well.

Wink Martindale Was Also a Radio Personality

 

Yesterday, we found out that Wink Martindale, best known as a game show host, passed away at age 91.  In 1959, he had a top ten spoken word hit Deck of Cards.  He was also a radio personality.  The information below is from Wikipedia.

He started his career as a disc jockey at age 17 at WPLI in Jackson, earning $25 a week.

After moving to WTJS, he was hired away for double the salary by Jackson's only other station, WDXI. He next hosted mornings at WHBQ in Memphis while a college student at Memphis State University, before graduating with a bachelor of science degree in 1957. While at U of M, Martindale became a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

On the evening of July 10, 1954, Martindale was showing the WHBQ studio to some friends when he realized that his colleague on the 9 p.m. to midnight shift, Dewey Phillips, was getting many reactions from listeners after airing a new song. That song was Elvis Presley's first record, "That's All Right." The song was recorded at Sam Phillips' recording studio on the evening of July 5, 1954. Sam, who had brought the record on July 6, was in the WHBQ studio on the first airing night and had Elvis' telephone number. DJ Dewey Phillips wanted to interview Elvis during his program, so Wink endeavored to contact Elvis. Still, Gladys Presley, Elvis's mother, answered the phone and said Elvis was so nervous that he had gone to a movie theater. Gladys and her husband Vernon brought Elvis to WHBQ and Dewey interviewed Elvis without his knowing that he was on the air (Martindale reported that Elvis later admitted that he would have been unable to talk otherwise).

Today is Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball

 

Above is a video from MSNBC discussing the significance of Jackie Robinson Day, observed every April 15. On that day, all players, managers, and coaches wear uniform #42, permanently retired by all MLB teams.  This tradition started on April 15, 1997, the 50th anniversary of Jackie's first appearance with the Brooklyn Dodgers.  I highly recommend my readers visit the Jackie Robinson Museum in lower Manhattan.

I Only Have Eyes for You - Flamingos and Art Garfunkel Versions -Which is Your Favorite

 I just listened to a radio interview with Art Garfunkel on BBC2. Please access this within a month since it will be taken offline.  I Only Have Eyes for You by the Flamingos was popular with listeners of WCBS-FM back when the station played the hits of the 1950s.  I also liked the version by Art Garfunkel that appeared on his Breakaway album.  Which is your favorite?

Another Chat Relationship Ends Abruptly - No More for Me!

 

On March 23 I described some chatting relationships that I had with younger women.  I described the latest encounter as follows:

"This last chat is ongoing.  Emily is from Singapore and lives in St. Petersburg.  I met her on her business account on Telegram.  She then moved the chat to her personal Telegram account and said that her name was Genevieve, but I should call her Gina." The chat has gone reasonably well and appears not to be a romance scam.

She said "Honestly I saw your number In my contact list so I texted you." I don't how that happened so I continued to chat with her.  As always I stated my age, location, and status as a widower.  I told her I was twice her age and obviously could not date her.  We had a pleasant chat for about two weeks and also exchanged photos.  She always wished me a good night and sent a welcoming text every morning.

Last Sunday she said, "I'm going to church in the afternoon to pray that our relationship will last forever."

Two days ago I noticed that she deleted her personal account on Telegram.  I went back to her business account and said good morning to her.  I have not heard back from her.

I assume I was ghosted.  But don't say something and then do the opposite.  She went to church to pray that our relationship would last forever and then days later "disappears".

I learned my lesson.  No more chatting relationships with anyone.  At best, they are a waste of time.  At least she didn't try to hit me up for money.

Remembering Lenny Welch (1938-2025)

 

It was recently announced that singer Lenny Welch passed away at 86. As noted in this obituary in the Asbury Park Press, he was a native of that town.  I am looking at my Joel Whitburn book Top Pop Singles and observe that Since I Fell For You was his only Top 10 national hit.  He was more popular in the NY/NJ area than he was nationally.  Darling Take Me Bake I'm Sorry seen above hit #4 on the WMCA survey in 1965, but only hit #72 in the national Billboard chart.

Condolences to his family and friends.