E-MAIL MEMORIES, PAGE 24



DAVE KUSHLER:
Just a quick note of thanks to review all the names recalled over the 18 years. I spent in New Orleans radio (WNOE AM & FM). Hadn't thought about "Morgus" in a long while. We're retired in Las Vegas and enjoying it. Best regards and thanks again for your efforts.

BOB:
What a treat to hear from the Dean of WNOE news from the late '60's to the '80's. By the way Dave, what is the color of the day? :-)


CHUCK ADAMS:
Hi Bob! My earliest memories of New Orleans radio...late at night, parked on the hill behind KELP, El Paso (where I was earning my Top-40 stripes) with a couple of other fledging DJ's, and listening to "Jockey John Stone" on WNOE. He was the coolest! And of course all of us listening on the radio late at night, wanted to be on the air in New Awelans, Laweezeeanna!

It wasn't until a decade or so later I would be on WNOE, WTIX, WSMB, WGNO, WSHO, WAIL-FM, Q-93, and a couple of others as "their" traffic reporter! But that's another story, for when you get into the 80"s.

Continued success with all that you do Bob.

BOB:
The Dean of New Orleans radio Traffic Reporters who brought it into the modern era! Just hearing the name Chuck Adams makes me wonder whatever happened to Sherri Bernardi, another great name from the Walton & Johnson days on WQUE Q-93.


PAT (HELMSTETTER) MATTHEWS:
Hey Bob! Pat (Helmstetter) Matthews here! How's it hangin? I'm living in SoCal and doing various things in the "business" One of them is listed below. Hope you can listen! Thanks for including me on your web-site!

Listen to BEATLES-A-RAMA!!! DSL
www.live365.com/stations/184315 <http://www.live365.com/stations/184315>
YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!

Born in '52. loved listening to TIX and NOE back then. When radio was competetive, it was great for the listener! I used to like to win things on the radio. Won an autographed Beatles Story from TIX, $6.90 a bunch of times...on NOE, they'd give away $10.60(lucky for us their frequency was higher!)

Anyway, won once from Greg Mason...a month later I called again and he said "kid, why don't you let somebody else win for a change" before hanging up. I never forgot that. Used it as inspiration to get into radio myself. Two weeks ago, I get a call here at home in Southern California from a telemarketer. He says "Hi Patrick! This is Greg Mason with........ and I have this great investment opportunity for you". I said, "wit a second, you threw me when you said Greg Mason. I used to listen to a guy on the radio with that name growing up in New ORleans". He says, "One and the same!" I like to died!Small world, eh? He's currently Semi-retired living in the Hollywood Hills.

BOB:
And da hits just keep on comin' !! Hi Pat, nice to hear from yet another N.O. radio veteran from the days before big sucking corporate radio. I wondered what happened to Greg Mason. If he calls me with that investment opportunity I can finally tell him a big NO, like he told me when I applied at NOE before the TIX days. Those little radio cash prizes were big money back then. I won $25 on a TIX contest in '61 and thought I was wealthy!! Really...yeah...yeah...yeah.


SKIP BROUSSARD:
Bob Walker!!! What a gas! How you is, bra? I got an e-mail from somebody who collects old airchecks (don't know how he found me) but he told me about your site. I only wish I'd been as diligent as you about saving the good old stuff.

I'm in Dallas, have been out of radio for 7 years and am an investor/manager of a company called ADcom, which is the cable TV version of Arbitron. We're on the brink of becoming a national company, fingers crossed.

I saw CC's page, wow. I visited him in NYC about 3 years ago. He & I both worked for KALB in Alexandria before we went to N.O. Listen, he pre-dates Howard Stern big-time when it comes to pushing the envelope on radio. CC worked overnights, I did afternoons & was in college and used to study all night at the station.

Hope you are doing well. If you see any of the guys, tell 'em hello!!!!!!!

BOB:
SKIP!!! I feel like I'm on "This Is Your Life."

I was digitizing some old WTIX airchecks just recently and had one from our days there around '67. There you were doing spots for whatever that hip shop was at Kreegers ("Canal Street and Lakeside SHOPPING Center"), Laplace Dragway ("SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!!!) and the Donovan concert at Loyola Field House ("...and...bring flowers"). I could still see you and Buzz Bennett in your buckskin jackets.


JOE BOSCH:
Something stirred a few delicious, long forgotten, memories in my mind today. I haven't thought of Old Black Mo Mo in decades. Old Black Mo Mo was a truly impressive sight for a 12 year old boy to behold on the streets of the Carrollton section of uptown New Orleans in the early 1950's. My youthful associates and I were prone to sneak regular forbidden visits to the territory of the muddy banks of the Mississippi River at the bend in the river where Carrollton Avenue and St. Charles Avenue join.

During our explorations across the levee onto the batture (that wonderland expanse of wilderness between the levee and the river's edge), we would declare our independence, and our manhood, by smoking cigarettes that we had purchased at the rate of three-for-a-nickel from Mrs. Klein's sweet shop on Green Street. After skinny-dipping in the shallows of the river, an adventure in swimming that never lasted very long because the shrimp bumping against the exposed tender-most parts of our bodies felt like needles pricking our skin, we would emerge with immense appetites. It was our custom to eat potato chips and drink Barq's Root Beer while the sun baked us dry.

One day, after we donned our Levi jeans, polo shirts, and Ked tennis shoes, we noticed a tin- roofed lean-to in a clump of willow trees which stood on the level ground about 100 feet from the foot of the levee. My friend Ronnie and I, being the more adventurous of our group, entered the lean-to, which was not locked, to explore the interior. To our delight, we discovered a package of crackers and several tins of sardines. Our whole band of latter-day Tom Sawyers feasted on our bounty with loud hoops and hollering until the arrival of a fearful apparition in the person of Old Black Mo Mo.

Old Black Mo Mo released a shriek that curdled the blood in our veins. He stood approximately six feet in height and his magestic white robes, which were fashioned from bed sheets, billowed in the wind to create a vision which appeared to have leapt from the pages of the Old Testament. In his hand he held a 7 feet tall cross which was also wrapped in strips of white bed sheets and which he used as a walking staff. His balding ebony scalp, which was surrounded by greying curly hair, glistened in the setting sun. His eyes were huge and protruding as he shouted in his thundering bass voice, " Repent you sinful generation, you vipers depart from my tabernacle. Would you rob the anointed of God of his meager fare?"

I was in full flight and about 100 feet away from the scene of our offense against "the annointed one of God" when I heard the end of his booming proclamation.

This is a true story from the life of Joe Bosch, a resident of Lowerline Street at the intersection with Freret Street.

Also, I remember a tall, lanky character known as "Driftwood" who was the official starter for the illegal drag racing on the partially constructed roadbed that eventually became Veterans Highway. He wore a straw hat whose brim was partially unwoven all around the edges and the unwoven strands of straw waved in the air as he dramatically waved the start of each race.

Finally, Mr. Schneider is the name of the Audubon Park officer who made you pay 50 cents to fish in the lagoon. Do you remember the Swan Boat and the Flying Horses ?

BOB:
Incredible! Mo-Mo was still around in the late 50's as well as the hobo Winstein, both of whom lived on the levee at St. Charles and Carrollton, and both of whom we were all warned to stay far away from by the nuns and Christian Brothers at Mater Dolorosa. The Swan Boat and da Flyin' Hawses are well remembered by anyone who ever had an end of the year school picnic at Audubon Park as a kid. Mr. Schneider got money from every one of us at one time or another.


VALERIE RENSHAW STEELE:
Just discovered your web site -- what memories! I went to Dibert Elementary, Beauregard Jr. High and Kennedy High School -- first graduating class to go through all 3 years, class of '69. I lived on N. Carrollton when I was little and remember walking to school at Dibert, walking down Carrollton to the southern end to visit an ice creamery (can't remember the name-- I think there is a P.O. there now) and also, further down, a watermelon stand in the summer where you could sit outside at tables and eat watermelon -- corner of S. Carrollton and ? . I also went to a baseball game in Pelican Stadium (was that the name?) and remember when it was torn down and the Fontainebleau was built. I went to Laurent's Dancing School and Chris Owens used to come in for private dance lessons. We had a big recital each year at Municipal Auditorium. I was one of the lucky ones to go see the Beatles in City Park -- I'm not sure how I persuaded my parents to let me go. Screamed and cried and came home hoarse, with a headache and a lip full of fever blisters! Also saw the Dave Clark Five at City Park. After jr. hi. I moved to a little street off DeSaix and frequented B. & C. market and the snow ball stand next door. My father loved the race track and we went often in season--if he hit the daily double we always got a big surprise at Christmas under the tree! We could walk to the track and could go look through the fence at the horses in their stalls across the street from the E.D.White Elementary playground. When I was in high school, I joined a high school sorority -- have never heard of them in other cities -- Beta Delta Pi and had a blast. We had a big dance each year as a fund raiser -- had a contract with John Fred and the Playboys one year and they didn't show -- we had to refund all the money to people that had purchased tickets in advance. I went to college at LSUNO for a year, then USL and then back to LSUNO to graduate. Live in Virginia now and miss the atmosphere and the food, but not the heat and humidity. WTIX was my favorite station -- in fact, can't even remember the other stations!!!! have bored you long enough, but your site has certainly brought back many happy memories.

BOB:
That was the Sealtest Creamery where you got that delicious ice cream. Yes, it's a Post Office now. What a beautiful thing about New Orleans...we all came from different neighborhoods but we all enjoyed similar experiences and have such warm and wonderful memories of growing up in New Orleans. I'll have a sloppy roast beef poboy in your honor there in Virginia!


BURGIN MATHEWS, Chapel Hill, NC:
Mr. Walker, I am looking for some information on radio station WYFE--the old, all-girl country station (600 AM, I think)--and wondered if you might have any clues as to how I might get in touch with any of the old DJs. I'm conducting a series of oral history interviews on classic country music this summer, and am very interested in tracking down any of the original WYFE DJs: "Sunny" Roberta Mould, "Dawn" Jeanne Reynard, "Eve" Sylvia Holmes, or "Cowboy Jim" Oakes. I recently came across your New Orleans radio shrine and thought I'd see if you had any suggestions or possible leads; any other information on the station would also certainly be appreciated. Thanks very much. And great work on putting up a wonderful website--I've had a good time checking it out lately...

BOB:
Hi Burgin, I've checked high and low for you but can't find a thing about the WYFE crew. If anybody with knowledge of them reads this and sends me any info I'll let you know. By the way, I remember the station...my daddy listened to it.


RON WIMBERLY, Memphis:
Hi Bob - came across your reference to "Mr. Bingle" while surfing the web. Strangely, Memphis also had a Mr. Bingle Christmas character. He was a snowman marionette that advertised for Lowenstein's Dept. Stores (since closed). In the early to late 60's, he appeared nightly on Memphis TV during the week preceding Christmas, in a 15 minute segment (remember those?). His assistant, Miss Holly (what a babe) would read from his story book describing how he and Santa saved Christmas or something like that. All liberally sprinkled with references to the Lowenstein's toy department. He too had a theme song:

"Mr. Bingle makes us tingle with his joy and cheer
When he comes to town, Christmas time is near
Mr. Bingle makes us tingle when he comes our way
His heart's as big as he is, and he's always bright and gay
Oh, Bingle, Bingle, Bingle, Bingle
Bingle, Bingle, Bingle, Bingle
Bingle, Bingle, Bingle, Bingle
We love Mr. Bingle"

BOB:
And that was before any of us knew what hype and manipulation was! From what I can gather that store was owned by the same company who owned Maison Blanche here at the time. Boy, Mr. Bingle sure did get around. And did you know he had a Mrs. Bingle here?? I guess he would tell her he was "going on a business trip" to Memphis so he could spend time with the luscious Miss Holly!


PHIL CHERAMIE:
I remember this wake-up call from WWL (radio) by the Dawn Busters:

ARISE', ARISE', ARISE'
YOU CAN'T STAY IN DE BED ALL THE DAY
YOU GOT TO FIX THE MIRLITON
YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING BIG COCHON
ARISE', ARISE', ARISE', ARISE'.

BOB:
Ah, waking up in the good old days to the Dawn Busters and the smell of mirliton for breakfast!


JAMES STEWART JR., DETROIT:
Oh Yes --How I remember Richard Delacroix (Knight) He was a friend of my father (Dr. James Stewart) of New Orleans, Louisiana. After high school I would go to WSMB studio on the 13th floor of the MB building and often he would show me the different rooms through out the station. One time I brought some records and he recorded them for me on studio equiptment. I knew his wife (Angel) and their daughters (toodlers at the time). A nice bunch of people but Richard was indeed a fine DJ as well as a super person and I have thought about him to this day.

I don't know what station aired this little weather jingle--I think it was WSHO in the early to mid 60's----- WHAT DOES THE WEATHERMAN SAY-WHAT DOES THE WEATHERMAN-WEATHERMAN-WEATHERMAN--WHAT DOES THE WEATHERMAN SAY-------then the announcer would give the latest weather.

I just went through and read every letter on your website and found 3 people I knew while growing up. What a small world this has turned out to be. I would appreciate it if you would include my e-mail address at the end of this letter so if any other past friends read it they can contact me at JamesHStewartJr@AOL.COM .

BOB:
Yes, I knew Richard well too. He's alive and well and around here somewhere, I think in Chalmette. He used to email me but he changed his email address and I don't have the new one. I loved those WSMB studios and I really enjoyed my 1-year stay with them in '66-'67. If I hear from him again or his daughter who used to email me too, I'll tell them hi for you. How about dem Lions??? :-)


KIMBERLY MONJURE:
I couldn't wait to get in high school so that I could go to "Beach Night" with my school. But once I reached that age, I went with a guy on a first date and got bored, we left, drank Miller Ponies and drove up and down the lakefront and got so sick I threw up all that night. That was my LAST memory of the Beach ... and my last date with the guy!

BOB:
I hope that wasn't your last Miller! Guys are a dime a dozen but a good beer is hard to find!!


WAYNE BORDELON, CHICAGO:"
"Buy your Chevrolet from Persia" Mike Persia Chevrolet !"
"It's the Good Life & with the good life"...........There's always REGAL PREMIUM BEER !"

BOB:
Ahhh...good memories and good beer...we're on a roll here! My fave was Dixie Beer that advertised that it would leave you with a "bright, cheerful tomorrow" when all I got the next day was a hangover.


BUDDY ENGELHORN, BAY ST. LOUIS, MS:
Bob, Do you remember the penny arcades ? There was one on Canal St. and the other on Royal. Also remember Mrs. Drake's sandwich shop on Canal St. with the fresh orange juice.

Also remember "Riding the belt" on the street car. The garbage trucks were pulled by mules. Also the Roman Candy Man was pulled by either a horse or a mule. During WW 2 we used ration books to buy food, gas etc.

When the war was over, Canal St. looked like Mardi Gras. One big party.

There were hot tamale venders on Canal St. and men with the big yellow cans that sold caramel popcorn.

The thing I miss most is Martin Brothers Po-boys on St. Claude. I have never found a place to match it since it closed.

BOB:
I used to scavenge in both of those penny arcades, collecting the shiny little silver bb's from the shooting gallery that bounced out onto the floor and between the arcade machines.

Speaking of great poboys, my cousin Cathy has opened a place on Hwy. 90 just before the Casino Magic red light going east, next to the Three Amigos (the restaurant with the big wheel on the sign). It's called the Lunch Box and they're only open weekdays 11-2. She's from N.O. and they do outstanding N.O. poboys on good firm N.O. french bread. You should try it. I never had a poboy from Martin Brothers (although the Beatles did) but the ones at the Lunch Box are really delicious and well made!



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