Tipping of the Unworn Hat

I never wear a hat. If I did I would tip it to the fellow you can see in the video by clicking on the right side of the page. A tear in my eye that we have replace Modern Man for a time, but their presence can be seen locally very shortly.

While many times there are critiques of artists there are also positive critiques. That is the definition---critique. Opinion. Positive or negative. This entry has to do not with a critique or an opinion. Merely a tip of the, as the title implies, the hat I never wear.

A brief history or bio, if you will. Some 14 years ago I joined the staff of WFDU. How that came about might be of interest. Ron Olesko invited me on board and said that before that would come to pass I would have to meet with the Program Director (Barry Sheffield). Putting on a nice jacket and slacks I proceeded to go to the station and meet with him---not knowing who he was.

OK. There I am in a sport jacket and slacks---unlike my usual attire--

Opposite me is sitting the then newscaster Jack O'Shea. A brilliant and delightful man---dressed in rags. A great story about him another time.

After a time the Program Director arrives. I do not know that is who he is but he asks what I am doing here. I tell him I am waiting for the Program Director and he tells me that is exactly who he is--and, hey, welcome aboard---let me know the phone numbers of your next of kin if you drop dead in the studio. At this point I have to say that years later I made the comment to him that I never realized we went to the same tailor (honesty here---his leather is not inexpensive)

That all transpired some 14 years ago. Time flies. It seems like 14 weeks. Which brings me to the point of this brief history. The studio was something that one would not recall were one to see it today. Any of the studios---The Air studio, Studio A or Studio B and now Studio C--The Atomic Underground.

Not to neglect the most loyal and devoted person, Carl Kraus (who has been written of earlier) the creativity and technical skill of Barry Sheffield is to be applauded. My two hands cannot do the job so help is needed.

At this point it is best to steer you to the link that will allow you to see the facilities---OK---Major Armstrong was a visionary---but we all are in our own ways. Barry Sheffield is no exception.

Hopefully you clicked on the link to the tour of the station. You will be impressed. It takes about 5 minutes and in that brief time period you will see what "radio" is about and what it was about for all these years. Eclecticism, Variety, and personal contact with the listener.

Back to the hat I never wear. Though as host of Sunday Simcha I probably should wear a "kippah". Oh well, another image is shot. Yet, I am happy many of you are enjoying the program. Let us always stay together on that.

My thanks for the loyal and wonderful support that is given to me, to all my programs, and for the creativity of the people at WFDU. All of them. Whatever the "format" they know their stuff--as the expression goes. Hopefully, the expression, notwithstanding, I can just say that I appreciate them, their talent, and the opportunity for radio to be what it should be. That is WFDU. You know---as Ronnie Gilbert says---putting the emphasis on left (when recorded her) ---"...the right place on the LEFT side of the dial". So true!

A Bit of Trivia

Below you will see a list of programs and what will be presented on them in the next few weeks.

Since TABLETALK is a pre-recorded program the only communication we can have is via e- mail wfdutabletalk@yahoo.com Now for the trivia query mentioned in the title.

You will see that on November 18 you will be hearing a conversation with David and Susan Siegal about their latest book Radio & The Jews. As noted earlier the conversation covers a range of topics from long gone programs, anti-semtism on radio in the 1930s and 1940s, and a host of other items.

The trivia question is this: There were 2 series that used a character named "David". One was "Uncle David" and the other "Papa David". Can you name which character appeared on which series? The prize for the first two correct e mail answers will be a randomly selected CD from either the TRADITIONS programming or SUNDAY SIMCHA programming. Your choice---merely e mail the answer with your address and your choice from which program's music you want a CD.

REMEMBER--Only 2 winners and PLEASE--no Googling. Its the honor system.

You are left with the classic line of Minerva Pious aka Mrs. Nusbaum on Allen's Alley---"...nu--you were expecting may Lauren Bagel or Dinah Schnorer?"

Program Notes and Thanks

Since this page is about the programs---while THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER covers more general material and THE PLAYLISTS PAGE (click on the right) is self explanatory--let me start with thanks to our loyal listeners of yesterday's TRADITIONS program for all their kind calls of appreciation for the afternoon's program. Also for checking in with their vote on "satire". The home team is well ahead.

It is a given that humor, as most things, is something that will appeal to some and be anathema to others. Subjectivity. I do, however, believe two things (of the myriad that I have an opinion about--honesty) --Satire has to be light-hearted and put the subject of the satire in a foolish light. Number two would that any artist has to accept criticism. This includes your never humble correspondent. If you put yourself on a virtual stage you have to allow for negativity along with all the positive comments.

A few updates now for the various programs:

TABLETALK: Nov. 11 will be a wonderful presentation of the quarterly broadcasts by THE CAPITOL STEPS

Nov. 18 An interesting conversation with the authors of

It is hoped that part of this interesting interview will also find its way to SUNDAY SIMCHA. Here you will find out about The Goldbergs, Father Coughlin and Anti Semitism, Jewish Humor on the air--from Mr. Kitzel on the Jack Benny program to some rare radio cuts forgotten over the years.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: A few surprises are in store. We include some Jewish music as performed by the multi-faceted artist Oscar Brand and some rare radio cuts from the book mentioned on TABLETALK.

TRADITIONS: We are nearing Halloween so some fright is in store as is a visit to those people we have not heard in a while. Kate Wolf has once again been requested and if you have any requests for this or the Steve Goodman or Country Western segment please leave a comment or e mail wfdutradtions@yahoo.com

Some Video Updates and a Few "Heads Up"

We start with a mention of the new videos on this page and also THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER and THE PLAYLISTS. Click on the right to visit these sites.

There are some artists who's work is timeless. Some for good reasons and others for the sad events they chronicle and just keep getting repeated---Phil Ochs is such an artist. I hasten to add that he also has "timeless" material for all the good reasons. Think of "Changes", "Flower Lady", and "The Highwayman".

On this page some footage garnered from You Tube that presents him with some very rare material the source of which I know not. Of special interest is the Swedish clip. Hopefully these rare and unheard or seen items are of interest to you.

An aside now about Phil Ochs vis a vis Bob Dylan. Without getting into their histories or their comparisons, suffice it to say that given the sad circumstances of Phil Ochs' short life we shall never know what he would have accomplished in the realm that Mr. Dylan dominates. The short years seem to show something that gives a hint.

Moving on to THE ALMOST DAILY ROOSTER you will find the entire Stephen Colbert routine at the Press Dinner of this past year. Truly a wonderful piece. If you heard any interviews with Stephen Colbert you will know that while there was not much laughter up front the audience in the rear was quite regaled with the work. Looking closely at the Pres. reaction you will find it also appreciative---until the end. The only criticism here is that the little film he put together about being press secretary was too long.

THE PLAYLISTS page. Itzhak Perlman continues with some wonderful music. Mike Burstyn will be with you for a short time more.

It is hoped that you will visit those other two sites for the videos and then, perhaps, for the content of the comments made therein---hey---big words. Impressed? Never step out of character---that is the "hint of the day".

Other blogs might be serious and a litany of serious commentary it is hoped that here there is that mix of the serious and the light hearted. If one has to describe it then it isn't working.

Program Notes: As the title implies time to mention some upcoming things on the various programs:

TRADITIONS: We have some interesting guests coming that will be mentioned at a later time --you know TBA. TBA--I guess that is like The Famous Many Others. We will, this week, continue our Steve Goodman feature and also, by request, once again hear the voice of Kate Wolf. The Country Music that was so popular in the '50s on some stations here will, again, be re-visited. It still is on WFDU. As we all know.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: Shortly we will be airing an interview that will spill over to TABLETALK with the authors of a book about Old Time Radio and the Jewish representation on it---from the Goldbergs to Father Coughlin.

As it is said---not in the good book--or any book I know of---"stay tuned"

A Suggestion

This is a really brief note to request a click on the right to The Almost Daily Rooster. Such a grand fellow---right up there with Brian of Family Guy. Today he has some insights for you idealists.

Since this page is really devoted to the programs and to artists that appear on them I refer you to that other spot. I do not think you will he disappointed. If you believe in idealism and you know a bit of Candide (Voltaire and Bernstein) you will appreciate the comments.

For program updates I can tell you that on

Sunday Simcha for 10/21 we will be having an interesting debut of a CD one of our listeners graciously sent over by Oscar Brand---that versatile fellow of many years who is so knowledgeable in so many genres.

Some Time Out From My Vast Nigerian Correspondence

Tearing myself away from the network of Nigerian business opportunities that seem to come to me so many times is hard to do. So many grand opportunities from so many important entrepreneurs from this hub of commerce but time to update some Program Notes.

First of all I was thinking about the very gracious and talented guest that was on TRADITIONS this past Sunday---Beppe Gambetta. Besides his talent and his lilting Neapolitan dialect his sense of humor blows me away---I still recall this exchange:

Q: Can you tell us what Flat Picking is?

A: (in that great dialect) Eh--could be looking for an apartment.



I would suggest you go the website for BODLES OPERA HOUSE to check the schedule and make some reservations to meet Beppe on October 14. The rest of their schedule is also of great interest:



October 12--RED MOLLY & HOPE MACHINE

October 13--SONiA and Disappear Fear

October 21--RICHIE HAVENS

and----

November 10-- MODERN MAN



A very special reminder---MODERN MAN in a FREE CONCERT at ORANGEBURG LIBRARY on Sunday December 16 at 2 PM It would be good to call the library soon since seating is limited and you surely want to make sure you have one---after all you have to have a seat to put your own seat on. The number is 845-359-2244.



The calls this past Sunday for requests for Steve Goodman encourage me to keep up this feature. Either comment here or e mail wfdutraditions@yahoo.com for any requests in that area.

As said last Sunday--in --as the expression goes--"the day" people (including this avid radio fan) would mail in postcards with requests. The postcards were 1 cent. They are more now but e mail is free----for now. Why not try that approach and let us revisit that land of yesteryear with request correspondence.

On your way to that land of yesteryear do say hello to The Lone Ranger and Tonto if you happen to bump into them. If you don't it is probably because The Shadow knows where you are---and what evil lurks in the hearts of men.

Now I have to be excused to get back to some major financial dealings with Mr. Mjube and his late wife's estate that has to be disposed of by transferring her 10 cows, 5 sheep, and 10 million dollars to me.