July 2006

It’s a few minutes past 1:00 a.m., and I just returned from the Historic Northside in Fort Worth after emceeing portions of the annual Willie Nelson Fourth-of-July Picnic. As usual, it was a fun gig. What made it even more enjoyable was the weather! The temperature readings are normally in the 100-plus figures for this special holiday. However, they dozed in the mid-eighties during this big shindig. Adding to the enjoyable weather were the scattered thundershowers! Yes, it rained on the crowd, but they didn’t mind.  

A couple of years ago, the weather was so hot at Willie’s big function in Fort Worth that portable outdoor showers were set up in sections of the big field. Members of the audience could run under the shower-heads and cool off a bit, if they chose to do so. I have forgotten if a fee was charged for this service, but I do remember that people stood in long lines, waiting their turn to “wet-down”. I’m certain that those last-minute creations may have saved some of the good people from heat-strokes! 

As usual, the picnic was a great get-together. As I’ve mentioned, I sometimes believe Willie presents these gigs in order to pull a bunch of old friends together, and it works. The stars on stage never utilize the “star” approach. Instead, there is the feeling they are simply singing their songs for the neighbors who just happened to drop in. Also, there is never the element of surprise. Willie is liable to come from out of nowhere and join them in a song, if he has a notion to! It’s that kind of party. 

Ray Price, the grand elder of the performing stars at the picnic, never sounded better. At 80, his voice has taken on more depth. Kris Kristofferson was also in rare form. No band accompanied Kris. He strummed his guitar and blew into a harmonica as the crowd went wild, listening to the great songwriter/actor belt out his awesome compositions. 

Pauline Reese is the best of the new female singers from Texas. She drove the picnic crowd wild as she sang her songs, many of them her compositions. Heather Myles, another terrific talent, was also on the scene. Both of these beauties are top-of-the-line performers. 

Sorry to say, I missed some of Willie’s guests, but most of ‘em will be back in Fort Worth next year. Willie said he plans to keep the shindig in Fort Worth. “Everything just seems to work good out there on the north side of town,” he said. “We’ll keep th’ picnic there for awhile.”

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I’ve been emceeing Willie Nelson Fourth of July Picnics ever since the beginning. What makes them interesting is the fact they never change! Oh, sure, the star lineup changes from time-to-time, but this seldom happens unless the star has died! That’s the reason Waylon Jennings won’t be on this year’s shindig. However, Waylon’s son will be on-stage, doing his thing.  

There’s that Nelson allegiance. Similar to a Texas bred elephant, Willie never forgets his friends when he’s constructing his yearly hotter’n-hell get-together. It’s back-to-back, let it all hang loose fun! Sometimes, there are too many friends set for the get-together, and this allows the show to run into overtime. Last year, Willie didn’t hit the stage until a bit after midnight because he had invited too many friends and relatives to share the spotlights on the two giant stages located on opposite ends of the huge, hot cow pasture located in Fort Worth’s Historic Northside area. Bob Dylan had it structured in his contract that he was to start at exactly 9:00 p.m., no dumb thumb exceptions! Up ‘til Dylan time, the show was running without a formula. Whoever got on stage could pick ‘n sing as long as he (or she) liked. Not only that, they could bring a cousin or neighbor on-stage and let him (or her) yodel a song or squeeze an accordion. Willie didn’t give a dam! He was most likely on his bus, parked near the stage, listening to some dude singing a new song he had just written. He knew everything would move along just fine until it was his time to jump to the microphone with his “family”, most times set for around 11:00 p.m. or Midnight.   

After Willie and family take to the stage, those in charge of watching the clocks might as well fold up their tents. Mr. Nelson doesn’t pay any attention to time-pieces such as clocks and watches. He listens to the crowd, and if the crowd wants more from him, they’ve got it! Roosters may be crowing in the background when Willie hits his closing song. Who cares? 

Incidentally, Bob Dylan won’t be with Willie for the July Fourth Bombs-Away in Fort Worth on Tuesday. Come to think of it, Johnny Cash won’t be there, either. Different reasons, of course.

Normally, I don’t get involved in either politics or religion. It’s my feeling that every individual is in his own personal boat when it comes to these issues. Let’s face it: you can’t win an argument with anyone who is deep into political waters or is headstrong toward a religious view that doesn’t necessarily include your personal relationship with God. Of course, if you don’t have a personal relationship with God, I seriously doubt you would have any headstrong points to submit toward religion. 

As for politics, I haven’t had a serious attitude in any direction for a long time. Certainly, I have my thoughts toward our involvement in Iraq and the Middle East, the Mexican border problem and the price of fuel, but have decided there would be nothing of interest to make public. 

I do believe in Kinky Friedman! Now that he is seriously entering the Texas gubernatorial race, I’m taking special notice of the man. Although he is an Independent candidate … a section that rarely wins the conquering votes … I honestly believe Kinky has a fighting chance. 

The only thing that might barricade some votes for Kinky is his honesty. Ask him a question and he’ll submit an answer. It might not be the answer you were seeking, but it’ll be honest. 

Can you imagine having a totally honest politician in charge of things? Awesome thought! 

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George Jones played to a “sold-out” crowd at beautiful Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, a few nights ago. Here is proof, again, that King George remains unbeatable. Many of his peers, and a tremendous amount of country music fans, consider George to be the greatest of them all … and I wouldn’t argue that thought. 

Bass Performance Hall is Fort Worth’s answer to New York’s Carnegie Hall. It always makes me proud when one of our country giants fills the house in this oh-so-proper spot. 

Speaking of George Jones --- word is out that a high-budget motion picture is in the planning stages on the life of George. With the tremendous success of Ray (Ray Charles) and Walk The Line (Johnny Cash), this would be a great film … with no dull moments! 

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Speaking of movies, I saw the new Disney film, “Cars”.  Normally, I don’t go to theaters to see animated features, but since my grandkids, Cody and Brit, are spending a few days with us, we thought it would be a good idea to take in a “picture-show”. Another reason for attending was because I was told this movie had captured some scenic memories from my hometown, Shamrock, Texas.  It seems some reps for the picture made a stop-over in Shamrock, talked with some of the friendly citizens, and shot some film footage of the historic U-Drop-Inn and various other spots on old Route 66  before putting the movie together. 

I was totally surprised when I noticed a digitally re-enhanced capture of the U-Drop Inn  was inserted throughout the motion picture! As a matter of fact, there were several noticeable spots on Route 66, in the old hometown, that had been reconstructed for the animation, including what looked like my dad’s old Bumper-to-Bumper  service station/truck-stop that was active during the 1940s. 

Without divulging too much of the story content of “Cars” ---  it pertains to Lightning McQueen, a cocky rookie race car, speeding toward a big race in California on Route 66. He crashes into a small town named Radiator Springs, destroying lots of the inhabitants’ belongings. In order to make up for what he did, the roadster is sentenced to community service in Radiator Springs. 

As I viewed the film, it dawned on me that, in reality, Radiator Springs  was Shamrock, Texas!!! 

If you decide to enjoy “Cars”,  look for the tan structure with a tall, matching tower attached. That’s the U-Drop-Inn!!  It was the official meeting place in Shamrock, Texas  when I was a kid.  

Voices in the movie include Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, Paul Newman as Doc Hudson, Larry, The Cable Guy as Mater, and George Carlin as Filmore. 

Honestly, viewing “Cars”  made me a bit homesick. It also made me very proud, since Route 66, going through the north side of Shamrock, is now Bill Mack Street!!! 

June 1006

Just saw the new Disney film, “Cars”.  Normally, I don’t go to theaters to see animated features, but since my grandkids, Cody and Brit, are spending a few days with us, we thought it would be a good idea to take in a “picture-show”. Another reason for attending was because I was told this movie had captured some scenic memories from my hometown, Shamrock, Texas.  It seems some reps for the picture made a stop-over in Shamrock, talked with some of the friendly citizens, and shot some film footage of the historic U-Drop-Inn and various other spots on old Route 66  before putting the movie together. 

I was totally surprised when I noticed a digitally re-enhanced capture of the U-Drop Inn  was inserted throughout the motion picture! As a matter of fact, there were several noticeable spots on Route 66, in the old hometown, that had been reconstructed for the animation, including what looked like my dad’s old Bumper-to-Bumper  service station/truck-stop that was active during the 1940s. 

Without divulging too much of the story content of “Cars” ---  it pertains to Lightning McQueen, a cocky rookie race car, speeding toward a big race in California on Route 66. He crashes into a small town named Radiator Springs, destroying lots of the inhabitants’ belongings. In order to make up for what he did, the roadster is sentenced to community service in Radiator Springs. 

As I viewed the film, it dawned on me that, in reality, Radiator Springs  was Shamrock, Texas!!! 

If you decide to enjoy “Cars”,  look for the tan structure with a tall, matching tower attached. That’s the U-Drop-Inn!!  It was the official meeting place in Shamrock, Texas  when I was a kid.  

Voices in the movie include Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, Paul Newman as Doc Hudson, Larry, The Cable Guy as Mater, and George Carlin as Filmore. 

Honestly, viewing “Cars”  made me a bit homesick. It also made me very proud, since Route 66, going through the north side of Shamrock, is now Bill Mack Street!!! 

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Want to mention again … I couldn’t make it to the Las Vegas Trucking Show, going on through Saturday, but my son, Billy, and my daughter, Sunny, are on-the-scene, doing a great job representing us. My daughter, Misty, and daughter-in-law, April, are also in Fun-City for the big blowout. Cindy and I haven’t made the Vegas show for the past couple of years. We had planned to head in that direction this year, but other obligations blocked it for us.

June 2006

Happy to say, The Trucking Bozo’s eye surgery was a success. He’s taking the rest of this week off because his doctor recommended a bit of added eye-rest. This, along with the fact his eyes aren’t set for driving, yet. This is common-practice. My pal should be back in the saddle, doing his radio gigs, next Monday, June 12. The Bozo thanks you for your prayers.

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Checking out those in nomination for the Country Music Association’s Hall-of-Fame in Nashville, I was more than ticked to notice Jimmy Dean is not on the list!  Give me a break! Jimmy was the first to present country music in prime-time on network television, and was responsible for the success of so many stars, including Patsy Cline, Roger Miller, Roy Clark and countless others. Believe me, this is a slap-in-the-face to the industry of country music. Really, it’s an insult. 

I want thank the CMA for honoring me with a lifetime membership in the establishment. However, this doesn’t change my attitude toward the organization for the turning of backs on Jimmy Dean. Some have told me it was an “oversight”. I don’t buy this statement.  

You’d be surprised at how many of his peers have stated: “I thought Jimmy Dean was already in the hall-of-fame!” 

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I won’t be making the Las Vegas Trucking Show June 15, 16 and 17,, but my son, Billy, and my daughter, Sunny, will be on-the-scene, representing us. My daughter, Misty, and daughter-in-law, April, will also be in Fun-City for the big show. Cindy and I haven’t made the Vegas show for the past couple of years. We had planned to head in that direction this year, but other obligations blocked it for us. 

Might mention: Billy, Sunny, April and Larry Shannon are receiving some very encouraging comments on the “live” Saturday show on XM Satellite Radio’s Channel 171. They are setting in during my time frame, from 12:00 Noon ‘til 4:00 PM, Eastern Time, taking phone calls, discussing issues and playing music. It’s so much better than the old “Best of Bill Mack” shows that have taken up that space for almost five years.  

May 22, 2006

ANOTHER COUNTRY LEGEND DIES

Grand Ole Opry star Billy Walker, 77, was killed in an Alabama car crash  Sunday, May 21, ‘06. Also killed in the tragedy were Billy’s wife, Bettie, 61, and two musicians … Charles Lilly, Jr., 44, and Daniel Patton, Sr., 40.  All were from the Nashville, Tennessee area. 

First reports from Nashville stated that Billy’s grandson, Joshua Brooks, 21,  had also died in the crash. Later news stated Joshua survived the accident, but is in critical condition in an Alabama hospital.  

Alabama officials said the group was on their way back to the Nashville area after performing at a show near Gulf Shores, Alabama, Saturday night. 

Latest reports indicate that the group was traveling in a van on Interstate 65, south of Montgomery, Alabama when Billy lost control of the van, causing it to overturn, shortly after midnight.  

Billy was a personal friend. We worked together at KWFT Radio in Wichita Falls, Texas, during my beginning years in broadcasting, in the ‘50s. He and his band performed at the radio station before he moved to the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport. He eventually joined the Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville, in 1960. Walker was still an active member of the Opry at the time of his death. 

Billy was born in Ralls, Texas, and built an early career as “The Masked Singer of Country Songs”, on Dallas’ Big D Jamboree, heard on KRLD Radio. 

Of personal interest: Billy Walker was the first artist to record my song, “Drinking Champagne”, released on Monument Records, in the mid-60s. His biggest hits included “Cross the Brazos at Waco” and “Charlie’s Shoes”. 

Funeral services for Billy and Bettie will be held Friday, May 26, at 2:30 PM in the Cornerstone Church, 726 Old Hickory Blvd. in Madison, Tennessee. Burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be made to the Joshua Brooks Medical Fund, c/o Bank of America, 451 West Main Street, Hendersonville, Tennessee 37075. 

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Our old pal, Th’ Truckin’ Bozo, is going through some health problems with his eyes. He is doing his usual top job on XM Satellite Radio from behind the mike at his old radio home-base, WLW, in Cincinnati. Bozo is to have eye-surgery in Cincinnati. Say a few extra prayers for the ol’ pro. 

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 Cindy and I are on vacation through Memorial Day. Son, Billy … Daughter, Sunny … and old radio pro, Larry Shannon … are doing a great job handling things on our daily XM Satellite Radio programs.

May 2006

DOLLY PARTON APPEARED IN GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS … JUST OUTSIDE OF DALLAS, THE OTHER NIGHT. GRAND PRAIRIE IS LOCATED BETWEEN ARLINGTON AND DALLAS. IT’S THE AREA WITH THE “FOR-SALE” SIGNS HEAVILY DISPLAYED ON EVERY BLOCK. MATTER OF FACT, A BIG BILLBOARD ON I-30 READS: FOR SALE: GRAND PRAIRIE. BEST OFFER WILL BE ACCEPTED! 

THEY GAVE DOLLY THE KEYS TO THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, BUT NOTHING WAS WORTH UNLOCKING, ACCORDING TO DOLLY. 

SINCE DOLLY’S SHOW WAS SOLD OUT WEEKS IN ADVANCE, THE GRAND PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO KEEP THE STOP LIGHTS RUNNING IN THE CITY UNTIL 10:30 PM. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS WHEN THE MAYOR’S DAUGHTER GOT MARRIED. MATTER OF FACT, THE GRAND PRAIRIE MOTEL SIX ALSO STAYED OPEN UNTIL 10:30 THAT SPECIAL NIGHT. THAT’S WHERE THE MAYOR’S DAUGHTER AND HER NEW HUBBY SPENT THEIR HONEYMOON. THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE DIDN’T GIVE THE MAYOR’S DAUGHTER AND HER NEW HUBBY THE KEYS TO THE CITY, BUT THEY DID GIVE THEM THE KEYS TO THEIR ROOM AT THE MOTEL SIX, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THEY WOULD CHECK OUT OF THE ROOM NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT. THEY SPENT THE REST OF THE NIGHT IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE MAYOR’S LIMO. THE MAYOR, HER DADDY, DROVE THEM AROUND SOME BACKROADS. THE MAYOR’S WIFE WAS ALSO IN THE LIMO … IN THE BACKSEAT WITH THEIR DAUGHTER. SHE CHAPERONED DURING THE WEDDING NIGHT. 

DID YOU KNOW IT’S ILLEGAL TO DRINK ON SUNDAYS IN GRAND PRAIRIE? YOU’D HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE CHANGED THIS LAW YEARS AGO. YES, IT’S ILLEGAL TO DRINK ON SUNDAYS IN GRAND PRAIRIE. THIS INCLUDES WATER! 

I WENT OVER TO SEE DOLLY. SHE SAID SHE’D LIKE TO BUY MY SUPPER, BUT SHE WAS BUSTED! JUST BEFORE SHE RAN ON STAGE, SHE ASKED ME, “AM I WEARING MY RED SPIKED HEELS? I FORGOT WHICH PAIR I PUT ON! I CAN’T SEE THEM!” THAT’S AN OLD JOKE. DOLLY CAN SEE HER SHOES … IF SHE PULLS HER FEET UP TO HER FOREHEAD! 

DOLLY HAS A NEW TATOO. IT READS: “I CARE. I’M ADOPTING A PW.”  

I SAID, “THAT’S NICE. YOU’RE ADOPTING A PRISONER OF WAR?” 

SHE SAID, “NO … I’M ADOPTING PORTER WAGGONER!” 

PORTER SHOWED UP AND SURPRISED DOLLY. HE JUMPED UP ON STAGE TO SING A DUET WITH HER. AFTER THE SONG WAS FINISHED, THERE WAS A STANDING OVATION. THE AUDIENCE STOOD UP. DOLLY WAS IN THE AUDIENCE. 

OF COURSE, I’M JOKING ABOUT GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS. IT’S A GOOD TOWN TO BE FROM. WOULDN’T WANT TO STAY THERE!

April 2006

IN MEMORY OF BONNIE OWENS

It’s always tough when you lose a friend, and Bonnie Owens was just that: a very special friend. Bonnie passed away a few days ago after suffering the ravages of Alzheimer’s for the past several years.

Bonnie first entered my life in 1963, after I sent a note to Tally Records, in Bakersfield, California, stating that I was really sold on a song titled, “Sing A Sad Song”, by a new artist named Merle Haggard. Within a few days, I received a telephone call from Bonnie. She shouted, “Thank you, Bill Mack!”  

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 

Bonnie Campbell was born to a sharecropping family in Blanchard, Oklahoma. When she was 12-years-old, her family followed the pattern set by hundreds of fellow depression stricken Okies by moving west … ending up in Arizona. Bonnie always claimed this page in her life was similar to the Joad family in John Steinbeck’s best selling novel, “The Grapes of Wrath”.  

Always fond of country music, Bonnie became known in her teens as one of the state’s best yodelers. 

In the late 40s, at a skating rink, Bonnie met another depression era transplant from Sherman, Texas named Alvis Edgar Owens. His nickname was “Buck”. Buck Owens was a funny lookin’ hillbilly singer with a group called Mac MaAfee and the Skillet Lickers. Soon after their meeting, Bonnie sang with Buck and the gang on their local radio show. They were both 18-years-old when they married in 1948. 

Buck and Bonnie had two sons, Buddy and Michael. In 1951, Buck, Bonnie and the boys moved to Bakersfield, California. By 1953, the marriage was over.   

“Buck and I had one good thing in common,” she said. “That was Buddy and Mike. We both wanted to make sure they had adjusted minds. It was a friendly parting.” 

Bonnie struck out on her own as a singer, appearing in Bakersfield clubs and on local TV. In 1961, she met Merle Haggard in a Bakersfield bar. The two recorded “Just Between The Two Of Us”  in 1964. The song remained a hit on the country music charts for more than six months. Bonnie and Merle were married in 1965. 

Bonnie was named “Best Female Vocalist” by the Academy of Country Music in 1967.  

Although Bonnie and Merle divorced in 1978, they continued touring together until 2000. 

“In some ways, Merle and I became better friends following the divorce,” said Bonnie. At his next wedding, she served as a bridesmaid. 

Merle said, “Bonnie sort of dropped the torch of her own career to stoke mine.” 

Bonnie’s death came four weeks after Buck’s passing. According to Jim Shaw, a close family friend, she may have been too deeply gripped by Alzheimer’s to realize he was gone. 

I will always treasure my friendship with this beautiful little lady.

RETIRE OR NOT RETIRE …
THAT IS THE QUESTION! 

“Retire” is a heavenly word to some people. How many times have you heard the proclamation, “Thank God, I’ll be retiring soon!”?         

If you are about to be blessed with retirement, give some serious thought to what may be inevitable: Boredom!  

I’ve witnessed several people stepping into the ranks of the retired, only to witness these same people looking for some kind of job within a few months, because they became bored while sitting at home with their spouse or attempting to raise tomatoes from sunrise to sunset. 

I suppose retirement works for some people; especially, if they are rich! Most of the rich don’t really retire. If they own the company, they just don’t show up at the office, anymore. Becoming bored, the boss simply goes to the country-club, the golf course or his yacht, instead of the office.          

It’s “forced-retirement” that grabs my attention. I have never been of the opinion that when a person reaches a certain age, company regulations suddenly indicate he, or she, is no longer needed. It’s of no concern if the individual is still producing on a high level, when the company calendar says it’s time to go!

Sometimes, company politics and jealousy force retirement of the brains of the outfit. 

This is exactly what happened when Louis B. Mayer, the highest paid individual in the nation throughout the 30s, was forced to retire from the Tiffany of the motion picture studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Mayer helped found M-G-M  in 1918, and it was a roaring success from the very beginning, becoming the most important money-making giant in Hollywood. No other movie studio could touch Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, thanks to the leadership of Mr. Mayer.  It was proudly proclaimed: “There are more stars at M-G-M than can be found in the heavens!” 

In 1951, after serving as the grand leader for 33 golden years, Louis B. Mayer was forced into retirement. Then came the unbelievable drop in revenue and, more important, the rapid demise of a motion picture company that literally ruled the entire industry. M-G-M was peddled from one owner to another, never recovering from Louis B. Mayer’s “forced retirement”.  In 2005, M-G-M  was purchased by Sony.  

Louis B. Mayer was an executive at the movie company. He was the boss! However, there is no forced retirement when the actor reaches a certain age. After all, the actor is the product. John Wayne was still beatin’ th’ hell out of villains on the big screen when he was almost 70.  I honestly believe “Th’ Duke” would still be punching his fists if lung cancer and stomach cancer hadn’t folded him up in June of 1979. Old John would never retire.

It was the same with Bob Hope. Bob pegged the mark at 100, before he finally bit the dust. When he hit 90, someone asked, “Bob, now that you’re ninety … when do you plan to retire?”         

Hope’s response: “Retire to what?”         

It’s the same in broadcasting. As long as they can utter words, the champions of radio and television continue to shine. As a matter of fact, the paychecks seem to get bigger as they add the years. For instance, no individual in radio news outshines Paul Harvey. This great man is still going, stronger than ever, at age 88. Mr. Harvey did his first broadcast in 1933 on KVOO, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  

In television, “Sixty-Minutes” continues to draw top ratings. This TV institution kicked-off September 24, 1968. In the beginning, some of the top television “experts” predicted the show wouldn’t last because Mike Wallace, the most famous of the news crew, was too old to hold court. “This man is hitting 50!” They screamed. Today, Myron Leon Wallace, age 88, shows no signs of weariness, although he is “stepping-down” as the lead-host on “Sixty-Minutes”.  While being interviewed by 72-year-old Larry King on CNN, Mike stressed the fact he is not retiring! “Just don’t want to hop as many planes,” he said. “I’ll still be going to my CBS office every day … and doing other things for the network.”       

Mike’s “Sixty-Minutes” side-kick, Andy Rooney, stays busier than ever. Why should he retire? Although he may not “look it”, Andy is one-year younger than Mike. Andy is only 87! 

When Dan Rather, a good ol’ boy from Wharton, Texas, presumably “fouled up” on CBS-TV, while anchoring the CBS Evening News, he was asked to “retire” from that position. Dan, 75-years-old, was repositioned as a reporter on “Sixty-Minutes”.  This grabs the attention: Dan was retired from CBS Evening News, and hired for “Sixty-Minutes”, on the same network! Perhaps the CBS brass wanted some younger blood for the old show. Don’t forget: Mike Wallace and Andy Rooney are close to 12-years-older than Dan! 

 In order to fill the gap on the CBS Evening News, the big brains at the network decided to place a younger dude in front of the camera on a temporary basis, until they could find a steady news-anchor. They placed Bob Schieffer, who’s been hanging around CBS for over thirty years, in Dan Rather’s chair. It was predicted Bob would hold down the fort for a couple of months-or-so, until the steady replacement could be selected.  

It makes me very proud to know Bob Schieffer, an old Fort Worth boy who used to do radio news at my old haunt, WBAP, in Fort Worth, is still hosting CBS Evening News … and the ratings are higher than ever!

By the way … Bob Schieffer is still a youngster. He’s 68.

Pat, my beautiful assistant, suggested I mention my plans for retirement. After all, I’ve been in the business of broadcasting since the Stone-age. Well, here are the facts: My XM Satellite Radio studio is in my home; I haven’t driven to work in over 5 years. I draw a nice salary, have a very good vacation plan, and the kitchen is just outside my studio. With Cindy behind the new cook-stove, the kitchen has become a built-in restaurant, serving very good food. 

Let’s face it: What I do isn’t considered a job; it’s simply walking into a room, taking some phone calls and playing music! It’s an enjoyable “happening” … every day! 

If I ever decide to bring my daily happenings to a halt, I’ll simply stay in bed, yell for my food from the kitchen, and watch old western movies! Of course, this would become a horrible bore in a matter of days, and I’d have to go find a job!  

Then, I would look forward to retiring!

March 25, 2006

Sad news during the past week:

Cindy Walker, the great songwriter from Mexia, Texas, and Buck Owens, the super star who was born in Sherman, Texas, passed away. Both were very good friends, both were inducted into the Country Music Hall-of-Fame.

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Thanks to my hometown, Shamrock, Texas, for the great honor presented to me March 17, St. Patrick’s Day:  Old Route 66, running through the north-side of town, is now known as Bill Mack Street.  Special thanks to David Rushing, Rev. Joe George Jernigan … and all of the fine folks in that dear ol’ Irish City!

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Good news!

My old pal, Willie Nelson, will be back with me every Wednesday, from 2:05 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on my XM Satellite Radio show, heard daily on Channel 171 (Open-Road).

Might mention --- Willie’s new CD is titled: WILLIE NELSON – “YOU DON’T KNOW ME” – The Songs of Cindy Walker.

As mentioned, we lost Cindy a few days ago.

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Beginning in April, my printed book … and the audio-book version … BILL MACK’S MEMORIES FROM THE TRENCHES OF BROADCASTING  will be found in all Flying J Truckstops throughout the country.

NO PAY?  NO PLAY!

”Payola” is a contraction of two words: “pay” and “Victrola” (the old LP record player). This scary word in broadcasting first made big headlines on May 9, 1960, when the hottest “rock” disk jockey in the nation, Alan Freed, who coined the phrase, Rock and Roll, was indicted in New York for accepting $2,500 for playing a recording on his radio program. Alan paid a small fine, $300, and was released. However, because of the negative headlines, his career in broadcasting crashed and, in 1965, Freed drank himself to death. Death records attribute his passing to cirrhosis-of-the-liver. Those closest to him swear he died of a broken heart. He was 41. 

After Alan Freed was caught and singled out by the feds (Federal Communications Commission; FCC) for taking money under the table for playing recordings, the radio industry laid out regulatory notes, threatening to take action against any and all employees who would stoop so low as to accept “hand-outs” from record labels or singing stars in order to have recordings aired. Taking a disk jockey to lunch or handing him a Christmas gift was considered “payola” by many radio stations --- for awhile. 

Now, close to a half-century later, $2,500 is considered “peanuts” when it comes to loot being laid in the hands of some high-profile disk jockeys, program directors and radio station big-wigs. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has charged “a corrupt record business” with skewing the Top-40  music charts by giving free trips and other goodies to radio programmers, and cold cash to radio stations in order for their super-stars to be heard by the masses. 

Sony BMG Music Entertainment agreed to pay a whopping $10-million to charity in order to settle Spitzer’s charges. Warner Music was also taken to the matt by Mr. Spitzer. The Attorney General has subpoenaed several other big record outfits after stating some record labels and radio stations are “breaking the law … in what could be the biggest payola scandal since the 1950s.” 

“Payola” never left the scene after the Alan Freed incident. It just went “under covers” for awhile. For the past decade, there has been very little hiding. This has been most obvious in the fact radio listeners are hearing the same songs, the same artists, over-and-over-and-over. That’s been the biggest radio audience complaint for years! Highly repetitive “air-play” should have sent questionable signals long ago.  

What presents heavy anger is the fact that while big money and gifts have been placed in some greedy, uncaring hands in broadcasting, hundreds of very talented singers, musicians and small record labels have been forced to sit back in embarrassment and watch their good works being ignored because they couldn’t afford to shell out the loot to the kilowatt crooks! 

Some of the hottest recordings on my XM Satellite Radio programs have been totally ignored by AM and FM outlets. And do you know who made these recordings so hot? Answer: the listeners!  

As examples, the Cherokee Indian version of “Amazing Grace”, by a group named Walela, has been one of the most requested recordings on my show for over two years. Truckstops and other locations selling the Walela CD have informed me it continues to sell so well that they “can’t keep it in stock.” Running neck-to-neck with Walela is songwriter/performer Hal Bynum. Hal’s, “The Promise”, has also been at the top of the request-list from my listeners for over two years. I receive daily inquiries asking where these recordings can be purchased. However, you won’t hear these hits on a lot of AM/FM radio stations. 

Granted, distribution may be a problem. Chances are, the radio stations don’t have these recordings. Question is … and this is important … would the stations play those recordings if they had them … and they were requested by the listeners? 

What we have here is a plague that has brought insult and injury to the reputation of radio for decades: greed and complete dishonesty. Although terrestrial radio is supposedly under the thumb of the federal government, the listeners are of no concern to most of the powerhouses of AM and FM. Sure, the radio stations want high ratings, determined by the amount of people listening, but money from the recording industry determines what those listeners will hear on a lot of major radio outlets. Many times, listeners will call a radio station, requesting a song, only to be informed, “That recording is not on our ‘play-list’.” This is another way of saying, “That recording has not been ‘purchased’ for play!” 

For the past several years, AM and FM have taken a tremendous overall drop in radio listeners. Many blame this on the fact that musical entertainment is much easier to self-construct via CDs, iTunes, iPods, MP3 formats and other bits of interesting gadgetry. I don’t agree with this. I believe the general public has grown tired of too many commercials and too limited musical entertainment. As I mentioned earlier, highly restricted play-lists and repetitive musical selections have placed terrestrial radio in a hell of a position. Many outlets are up-for-sale because the listening audience wised up to their shenanigans, grew tired of them, and bailed out … going to satellite radio and various other available sources for listening enjoyment. 

Before closing shop, let me insert a most important fact:  We do have lots of outstanding talent on both, AM and FM, and I sincerely believe most radio station owners and programmers are decent, honest people, dedicated to a tough, highly competitive industry. Trouble is, some of the big dogs messed up the yard!

TWO BEAUTIFUL LADIES

           The photo tells it all: I have been fortunate to have two very special ladies wait on me hand-and-foot down through the years. As I have mentioned many times, my mother was that very wonderful lady who was always there, all of my life. She may have spoiled me a bit, but I loved every minute!

          Mom would want me to mention another beautiful lady: my wife, Cindy. They were very close. Mom considered Cindy to be the daughter she never had, while Cindy placed my mother in a very special avenue of love. Honestly, I have never seen anyone more caring than Cin was with Mom. When I was a bit late in making telephone calls to my mother, Cindy issued sweet reminders. She also made it a point to suggest I get my work completed early, in order to make trips to Houston … to visit Mom.

          My mother and Cindy shared similar attitudes. Both were blessed with a tremendous amount of tolerance and understanding; both were totally unselfish and were constantly presenting an abundance of love to me.

          My mother was the perfect cook, but I must admit --- she didn’t outshine my little wife in that delicious department!

Cindy claims she learned her outstanding cooking skills from Mom.

          From the first day they met, Mom placed Cindy in a special spot in her heart, and Cin returned that love to my mother by frequently hugging her and uttering: “I love you, Mom.” And it was obvious that she meant every word in that short, valuable sentence; they were accompanied by that honest Cindy smile.

          Mom moved to Heaven a few weeks ago, but Cin continues to present that very beautiful blend of love, care and … when needed … concern.

          I’ll never forget how Mom would nudge me, point to Cindy and whisper: “God blessed you with a wonderful gift when he placed Cindy in your life.”

          As usual: Mom was right.