WTIT folklore

After All These Years, Johnnie Walker is leaving WTIT

Posted by Bud Weiser, WTIT on April 25, 2015

Posted in: WTIT folklore. Leave a comment

In his second year with us. His high school senior pic.

As anyone who has read about our Tape Radio station, we’ve often noted that of we consider our “Original 5” WTIT DJs, only Johnnie Walker has joined me for all the twists and turns. Gypsy Grillo has been my friend since I was in fourth grade. When WTIT started in 1967 Gyps sat in on most sessions. I think mostly because his best friend at the time was Bouncing Billy, who hosted the first WTIT show with me. He wanted to just watch, so we called him our “Chief Engineer”. Our first year in 1967 we had a ton of guys try WTIT, but really besides me, it was Bouncing Billy and Galloping Gary that launched what we called “The Big Station” or “The Big T”. Gyps decided to take the plunge in June of 1968. On what was his first “official” night, he brought a friend. The guy played Little League on Gypsy’s team and both (now 16) went to watch their old team on the same night. Gyps invited him to be on first show. He became Johnnie Walker and he and Gyps launched their first show as “The Team Time Show” since it was the team that brought Johnnie to us.

When I wounded up at a private school my junior year in high school, a half dozen guys became DJs. I always said it was because we went to a boy’s school and I knew tons of girls from public school. But besides Billy and Gary, it was Johnnie and Gypsy who made it all work. In fact, the other DJs refereed to the five of us as “The Family”. And to this day, it’s how I feel. I grew up with those four guys. Over the years we all lost touch, except

Our 1986 DJ staff sjhot. Top: B.B. and Bob. Lower: Bud, Johnnie & Cos.

Our 1986 DJ staff shot. Top: B.B. and Bob. Lower: Bud, Johnnie & Cos.

for Johnnie and I. Before say 2010, I had not spoke to Gary since 1995 at my second wedding. Gary was our Political Chief. It’s the roll that Bob Smirnoff took over in 1985, and Rock Rolling took over from Bob in 1987. It was no surprise to me that at that reception in 1995 that Gary and Rock really hit it off. They have become friends over the years. When Gary made a surprise visit to a recording session in 2014 it the first time that four of the Original 5 had recorded together since 1973. Rock was there and really enjoyed to do a session with Gary.

So now we lose Johnnie Walker. If it were not for him Tape 138 in 1982 would have been our swan song. Through his encouragement we went on to bring in another starting five with Cos taking over for Billy, B.B. Bacardi taking over for Gypsy and Bob taking Gary’s chair. Because we recorded weekly, a lot of comedy was produced by that crew. But by 1990 another five would record. As I mentioned Rock took over for Bob, Mic Dry and later Midnight took over for B.B. and Captain Morgan took over for Cos. But it was always Johnnie and I who would make the

In 1992: Johnnie, Rock, Bud, Captain & Midnight.

recordings and teaching easier to adapt to for whoever the new guy was. We effectively will become a trio after Johnnie leaves. Bouncing Billy & Rock Rolling will help us move forward. Billy lamented recently, “I finally return and then Johnnie leaves? It’s not fair.” When Johnnie heard that he said, “I was here all along, pal. It was you who left us.” But I view Billy’s return now a blessing. It would have been hard for Rock and I to take it on alone. And Billy mentioned that he has a friend he’d like to check us out with. So, it will take a while, but I think we will get to five again. We always seem to land on our feet.

So I’ve been working on Johnnie’s last recording session. I want to have as many guys there as possible. I’ve already contacted Galloping Gary, Midnight and Gypsy. So far two of them plan to

2014: Top: Bouncing Billy & Johnnie. Seated: Galloping Gary, Bud and Rock

join us. My wife has suggested a stripper. Which is strange in a lot of ways. We’ve only had a stripper with us once. It was during our 20th Anniversary that my first wife “surprised” us with. Now my third wife wants me to do it again. Things get very circular in life. It’s like recording with the old guys. I never saw that coming. I hope we can do it one last time. Before Johnnie leaves us for Colorado. I don’t know how well I’ll throw that last party, but I do know one thing. We are really going to miss him.

The Night When Gypsy Reappeared

Posted by Bud Weiser, WTIT on July 1, 2014

Posted in: WTIT folklore. 2 Comments

A selfie. From left: Bud, Gypsy, Johnnie & Billy

“So where did you keep getting the guys to replace the guys who left?” Gypsy asked me. I explained that just as friends pass through your life, our DJs kept changing. The scene was surreal to me. We were at Gypsy’s apartment for a visit. Bouncing Billy had not seen him for forty years, Johnnie Walker and I for over twenty. The last recording he did (not including his call-in to our 45th Anniversary show) was with Bouncing Billy and me in 1974.

What was the shot of four of the original guys being together again? I always thought “zero”. And not for any nefarious reason, Gypsy lived in Texas and Johnnie and I had last seen Billy in 1985. He had been invited to my 60th birthday party but declined. He had sent Kathy an email suggesting that he and I get together for drinks. I didn’t contact him because I thought he was just being polite. It was 2011 and 1985 was a long time ago. The most of our post college era the most original WTIT DJs together photographed or recorded were three. Johnnie Walker and I have seen Galloping Gary over the years (most recently at my wedding to Kathy in 2012), but the last time the three of us recorded was in 1982. Now with Billy’s return, we have recorded with three of the original five since October of 2013.

But for some reason, last fall I did email Billy. We went to TGI Fridays and got pretty hammered. We realized how much we still enjoyed each other’s company. I suggested that Billy record with WTIT again, which he did. Since October of 2013 he has been to every session. When Gypsy retired he developed COPD stage four. He returned to the area and contacted me via Facebook and we chatted via its IM system quite a bit. He had invited me to a Young Rascals concert in October, but my back was out and I had arranged my 10th spine surgery.

Now that Billy was back he kept suggesting we go see Gypsy. The night of Friday night June 27, 2014 at his apartment was where we saw Gypsy once again. We sat and laughed; his food was excellent and only surpassed by his graciousness and hospitality. It was as though time had stood still and it was back in the day. Gypsy turned to me, “Remember all those nights chasing girls in cars?” as he let out a big laugh. He said he had told PGA golfers about our chases all over the country.

The time went way too quickly. He wrote me the next day to thank me for making it happened. On the way there, (Billy drove me) Billy thanked me too. I said “I just made phone calls…” Billy shook his head and stated, “You were always the ringleader. It happened then and now again because of you.” I smiled. To me friends was always what WTIT was about. We didn’t do it because we were great Tape Radio DJs, we did it as an excuse to get together. That was what happened in 1967 and it is what happened on that Friday night.

The Best Olympic Sport

Posted by Bud Weiser, WTIT on August 3, 2012

Posted in: WTIT folklore. Leave a comment

When WTIT Tape Radio began, the guys recorded four or five times a week. We were in high school with time on our hands. Even when we had parties or dates, we’d interview our girlfriends. In fact, one time our girlfriends recorded a show totally without us. Bud’s appeared as Sally Weiser, Johnnie’s was Carol Walker, Gary’s was Jill Townsend and Gypsie’s was Sue Grillo. All our tapes still exist. We thought when we went off to college that we’d “outgrow” it. We did our first “Last Tape Show” in August of 1969.

As soon as we had a semester breaks, we were back at it. We’d record four days a week before we headed back. After college, we knew we’d never stop. Bud got married and the WTIT Studio moved for the first time. Recording became less regular, but still happened.

By 1985, we were back to weekly. First at The Braeburn Studio during Bud’s first marriage, and through the end of his second marriage at The Turnbull Studio. Since then, it’s a three or four times a year adventure. Bud (for reasons only he could explain) is getting married again. Kathy and Bud bought a home and Studio 33 1/3 was born. Rock Rolling, Johnnie Walker and Bud Weiser christened the studio earlier this year. Bud is on vacation and Johnnie is in town visiting. These picks are from last night’s session that included WTIT Earwitness News report on the Olympics. Both decided women’s beach volleyball is their favorite. They do not even understand the scoring. They know that there’s a net involved and a ball. The rest is about watching these fine female athletes compete. Their favorite team? The blonde one. Here’s the photos from last night. we will post the bit, later on.

We also still have our vinyl.

The wall of yearly pics Bud references.

Johnnie cooked a New England Clam Bake.

Bud looks to dig in.

Cheers! We will return with memes.

Same time, same blog.

>A Football Score From 1967: Just In!

Posted by Bud Weiser, WTIT on October 27, 2011

Posted in: WTIT folklore, WTIT Newsletter. Leave a comment

>Recently we uncovered original copies of what we called WTIT Newsletters. We only did them for a short while in 1967-1968. We thought we’d share them. It might shed insight on how we really thought everyone listened to WTIT. Though you’d have to be in our studio (to this day) to hear it. But back then, we were in high school and we played a lot of tapes at parties. Here’s a piece of trivia: We always note that our original DJ staff was Bud Weiser, Galloping Gary, Bouncing Billy, Johnnie Walker and Killer Joe. And that was the first true staff that carried the ball from 1968 to 1973. But in our first year in 1967, Bud, Gary and Billy tried out a ton of guys who were given a shot before we settled on Joe and Johnnie. They literal joined WTIT on the same night in June of 1968. Johnnie and Bud are the only two original DJs that are still with the world’s first and longest running Tape Radio Station.

FROM THE FUN TOWER: October 30, 1967

“What’s Terrific in T-I-T-Land”

Volume 1 Number 2

Number 2? Not us!This is the second in our series of newsletters. The popular demand for these have been overwhelming. We think you are using the back for scrap paper.

Football: The Hartford Charter Oaks: Last Saturday Bud Weiser and Galloping Gary attending the Oaks football game. The announcer was fantastic. We are in negotiations to add him to the WTIT DJ staff. Bouncing Billy and his dad were pleased that Hartford beat Montreal 38-14. Why? Bouncing Billy’s dad is one of the owners of the Charter Oaks.

Soul Tape: On WTIT Tape 1, Bud and Gary hosted a Supremes’ Hour! What an hour! When fellow DJs Billy, Sid and Dick heard the show they suddenly got nauseous and left the studio.

A new jingle player, please! Our last show had no jingles because our tape deck that we use for them crapped out! We asked for donations, but our fans say they hate the jingles even more than the shows. If you’d like to voice you opinion call the WTIT Fun Line at 232-1936.

>Voila! Back to the Beginning….

Posted by Bud Weiser, WTIT on April 20, 2011

Posted in: WTIT folklore, WTIT Newsletter. 1 Comment

>Note: A while back we mentioned that we wanted to do more WTIT features on WTIT: The Blog. Recently we uncovered original copies of what we called WTIT Newsletters. We only did them for a short while in 1967-1968. We thought we’d share them. It might shed insight on how we really thought everyone listened to WTIT. Though you’d have to be in our studio (to this day) to hear it. But back then, we were in high school and we played a lot of tapes at parties. In our high school yearbook three radio stations were selected as the school’s favorites. Local rockers WDRC and WPOP came in first and second, but WTIT came in third. Neat, no? Here’s a piece of trivia: We always say our original staff was Bud Weiser, Galloping Gary, Bouncing Billy, Johnnie Walker and Killer Joe. And that was the first true staff that carried the ball from 1968 to 1973. But in our first year, we had Bud, Gary and Billy had a ton of guys given a shot before we settled on Joe and Johnnie. Anyway, here’s our very first newsletter!

FROM THE FUN TOWER: October 21, 1967

“What’s Terrific in T-I-T-Land”

Volume 1 Number 1

What’s this department? This is the first in a series of newsletters prepared by the DJs of Tape Radio Station WTIT. Our aim is to let our fans learn more about The Big Station and our tapes.

Voila! We’ve started a new policy of cutting off a record if we don’t want to hear the rest. We always say “Here’s a WTIT Record Cut – Voila!” The first caller to WTIT wins whatever is left of the record.

Interpretation Songs! This summer Bouncing Billy, Sid Schaefer and Bud Weiser starting making up our own lyrics to the songs that we play. It tends to usually be the same song, Tommy James’ “I Think We’re Alone Now”. It’s a honey of a disc!!

Mothers! For an interesting view on how to deal with your mother, check out Sid Schaefer’s take on Bud’s show on WTIT Tape 17.

And Fathers? Sid comes through again with the parent of the opposite sex on The Sid Schaefer Show on WTIT Tape 13.

Charlie and Boney! Check out the new additions to The Galloping Gary Garage Show. They’re the latest “engineers”. They are trying to rival Bud Weiser’s cast of Fats and Skinny.

Stop the Tape? Never! But if you phone should go – be in the know! Know how much cash is in the WTIT Jackpot.

Summertime 1967: Fun is the shows we did this summer! Check out WTIT Tapes 9, 11, 13 and 17 for summer fun on Tape Radio Number One!

The WTIT Weather Girl! Whether or not there’s weather, you will find up to the minute (perhaps “up to the year”) reports from our charming Weather Girl Leslie on WTIT Tapes 12, 14 and 17.

The WTIT Top Ten Songs of the Week!

1. The Beatles, “Penny Lane”

2. Aretha Franklin, “Respect”

3. The Rolling Stones, “Let’s Spend the Night Together”

4. The Who, “I Can See For Miles”

5. Jackie Wilson, ” Higher and Higher”

6. Sam and Dave, “Soul Man”

7. The Doors, “Light My Fire”

8. The Buffalo Springfield, “For What It’s Worth”

9. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”

10. Otis Redding, “Try A Little Tenderness”

>Love is Knowing We Can Be

Posted by Bud Weiser, WTIT on March 11, 2011

Posted in: Rock 'n Roll Fridays, WTIT folklore. 3 Comments

>
Welcome to Roc k ‘n Roll Fr idays on WTIT: The Blog. This meme appealed to us because of a twist in its concept. Each week DJ KathyA (its host) picks a rock band, artist or era. She digs up thirteen quotes from the song lyrics and asks her questions based on the quotes. Let’s do it.

Rock ‘n Roll Fridays: Talking Heads

1. Psycho Killer “I can’t seem to face up to the facts, I’m tense and nervous and I can’t relax. I can’t sleep cuz my bed’s on fire. Don’t touch me I’m a real live wire…”
What has kept you from a restful night’s sleep recently? The French twins. They kept waking me up. They claim that I snore. I really let them have it. I said, “Sez you!”

2. Life During Wartime “This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco…this ain’t no foolin around. No time for dancing or lovey dovey. I ain’t got time for that now…”

Where was the last nightclub or disco you went to?

It was probably The Wolf’s Den at Mohegan Sun. Kathy and I saw Ronnie Spector. Whether Ronnie saw us is anyone’s guess.

3. Take Me To The River “Take me to the river. Dip me in the ocean. Take me to the river washing me down…” When was the last time you took a dip in the water?
Last summer Kathy and I spent a week at my son Ben’s home. He and wife Maria have a great pool. That was the day I found out that Kathy can’t swim. She grew up on the Connecticut shore. See, you never know.

4. Found A Job “Their show gets high ratings, they think they have a hit. There might be a spin off, but they’re not sure ‘bout that”

What is your favorite TV spin off show of all time?

I’ll go with a tie. Maude and The Jefferson’s were spun off from All in the Family. There have been a ton of good ones.

5. Once In A Lifetime “And you may ask yourself How do I work this? And you may ask yourself Where is that large automobile? And you may tell yourself This is not my beautiful house! And you may tell yourself This is not my beautiful wife!”

Are you happy with your choices of car, house and spouse/no spouse?

I am extremely happy with my partner, Kathy and my new car. The “house” needs an upgrade. I cannot wait to read Kathy’s rant on living in the current Bud’sManCave.

6. This Must Be The Place “Out of all those kinds of people, you got a face with a view. I’m just an animal looking for a home, share the same space for a minute or two…”

Who has a face with a view?

I’d be lying if I said that I understood this question. I’d also be lying if I said that I give a shit.

7. Girlfriend Is Better “I got a girlfriend that’s better than this, and you don’t remember at all. As we get older and stop making sense, You won’t find her waiting long…”

What is the shortest date or relationship you have ever had?

Bud Weiser and Hunt Winklee in 1989.

When I was 17, WTIT DJ Hunt Winklee fixed me up on a date. He did not mention it was her first date. I took her to the park my friends hung out at before we were to go to DJ Bull Durham’s party. When we got there DJ Sid Schaefer was loading beer in his car. We got out of the Budmobile and I lit a smoke. My date turned to me and said, “Here are the ground rules: No drinking. No smoking and no sexual advances.” She was driven home. Total time: 32 minutes.

8. Swamp “Everyone wants to explode. And when your hands get dirty, nobody knows you at all. Don’t have a window to slip out of . Lights on, nobody home”

Where was the last homeless person you saw and what was he/she doing?

They were hold a fucking sign. What else do they do?

9. Road To Nowhere “We’re on the road to paradise. Here we go. We’re on a road to nowhere, come on inside. Takin that ride to nowhere, we’ll take that ride”

When was the last time you took a day trip or a road trip?

Kathy and I went to the Berkshires to be at Maple Sugar Season. It went like this:

I was speechless, too.

Always up for adventure, we decided to celebrate the beginning of Maple Season (or is it the end?) according to Kathy. So we hit Ioka Farm in the Berkshires. They only serve their infamous pancake breakfast for these six weeks.

This lady explained how maple syrup saved the planet.

The world would end if we didn’t get a table shot.

I’m next to a machine that helps make the shit.

Kathy near another important machine.

If you guessed Kathy, the Snow Man & Col Mustard, you won!

Their maple syrup vs. the world. It’s better. It costs more than the rest put together.

We stopped at a chocolate candy maker, too. I know. This shocks you. The shoppe had a piano player which was rather neat. I told her about my dad Bernie (who at 85 sings weekly at a piano bar!) while she played. She wants my dad’s baby now. (This was originally posted on our family photo blog. Neat concept, no?)

10. And She Was The word was movin and she was right there with it and she was”

Are you keeping up with the world? What piece of modern technology do you still need to own/use?

It’s not so much the technology, but keeping it relevant. I have yet to upgrade to an iPhone or Blackberry. I feel it coming. Kathy and I both are ready.

11. Wild Wild Life Sleepin on the interstate oh oh oh…getting wild wild life. Checkin in and checkin out oh oh oh, I got a wild wild life”

When was the last time you stayed at a motel/hotel and what town were you in?

Does almost stayed count? We were offered a free suite at the 1896 House in the Berkshires were Kathy used to work. We took it. But we were not prepared and after a couple of hours we decided to head back to Connecticut.

12. Nothing But Flowers “Once there were parking lots, now it’s a peaceful oasis, you got it you got it. Once it was a pizza Hut, now it’s all covered with daisies. I miss the honky tonks, Dairy Queens and 7-11 s…”

What would you miss if nature grew back over malls and concrete?

What would you miss if aliens took over the planet? Your turn.

13. Building On Fire “When my love stands next to your love, I can’t define love, when it’s not love…”
Define love.
Love is you, love is me. Love is knowing we can be. You can never go wrong quoting John.

Thank you for dropping

by WTIT: The Blog today.

Next time we might be excellent.

Check that, we also might not.

But doesn’t it always?

We’re back with Crazy Sam’s Saturday 9.

Join us Saturday. Same time. Same blog.

>It is Time For This Blog to Hibernate

Posted by Bud Weiser, WTIT on March 7, 2011

Posted in: WTIT folklore. 7 Comments

We are doing a restart. Yes, that’s right, just like we’d do with a computer. When WTIT: The Blog started it was to be an adjunct to our website and how we could communicate the WTIT Tape Radio story. From the start we had weekend meme features. First we discovered Saturday 8 by Ms. Harrington, and then Saturday 9. Sunday Stealing was done here on this blog for over two years before we syndicated it. Anyhow, we did swear that we would not do weekday memes. We had the story of a group of friends to tell. Guys, who at 15, played the current music, told the stories of their lives (including families of the DJs, the girlfriends, then later the wives. And kids.) We saw friends come and go, but then Johnnie Walker and I navigated over 40 years of WTIT through an ocean of DJs and a lot of relationships.

Johnnie Walker and Bud Weiser: February 2011

The Blog will try going back to its roots after a break. We will take time off to recharge. When we return, we will blog about WTIT again. We will give you our opinions on today’s music. We will “interview” celebrities. Less memes. More comedy. We will now only play the Rock ‘n Roll Fridays, Saturday 9 and Stealing memes.

We know this will disappoint a lot of our friends. But, when we started we wanted to write about life. We will try to get back to funny. We kinda lost our way. We will find it. Have a good week. We will return sooner or later after the break. Same time. Same blog. Peace!