Mike Tussey: Today is National Vinyl Record Day, a good day to salute Noah Don AdamsAs remote as they may well be, there are millions of us out there who cherish the great memories of those lovable little objects we handled when we were On the Air and America knew us as DJ’s. Those letters stood for “Disc Jockey.” I’m sure you remember us – the radio personalities who spinned those small speedy 45’s (45 revolutions per minute and the Long Play at 33 1/3) on our turntables for your enjoyment. The time frame of beginning for those little vinyl rascals rolls all the way back to around 1947 for the 33 1/3 and the 45-rpm single in 1949. DJ’s console with history 45’s (Photo provided) So, why are we celebrating National Vinyl Record Day here on August 12? It seems that this best kept secret day of August 12 annually was created by a Californian – Gary Freiberg to honor the enduring charms of analog music. The thought was to encourage the public to enjoy vinyl records in all forms, even the beloved 78rpm (if you should have one or two). For the record, vinyl records come in standard sizes : 7 – inch,10 – inch and 12- inch. However, there seems to be a more credible reason for our celebration today and that would be to commemorate the invention of the phonograph by Thomas Edison in 1877. Thanks Tom! We appreciate your efforts and invention. My broadcasting career began in 1961 and by then, those little round vinyl discs occupied every radio control room in the world. We DJ’s learned to handle them quickly and even learned how to ‘back cue’ in a blink of an eye. In fact, we loved those 45’s or LP’s that had lengthy cuts of 4 minutes or longer, because they became as we called them – “bathroom cuts” to relieve nature’s call. Mike’s home record player (Photo provided) One operational reality for radio stations that were still playing the vinyl 45’s and LP’s continuously throughout the broadcast day, they became scratchy and even sometimes were disfigured with lumps and had to be discarded for a new disc which was always available after dumping the over used disc. History tells us that by 1990 vinyl records fell from the mainstream, but did see a resurgence in the early 2000’s driven by audiophiles, collectors and a never-ending desire to capture the beautiful – fidelity sound. As I fast forward to 1995, my WTCR “MIKE IN THE MORNING SHOW” was still cranking out the hits over our 5,000 watts with what was the norm back then and known as compact disc or CD’s. The vinyl’s were just a memory. By the 1950’s, kids across America learned quickly what a vinyl 45 was and the magical sound that came out of the spin. As I remember, you could purchase a 45 for around 98 cents. Doesn’t sound like much today, but you could buy 3 gallons of gas for the same price back then. Vinyl LP’s that sound great event today (Photo provided) Nevertheless, homes in every city in America not only bought the 45, but also needed to purchase a small record player that had the three speeds recommended. I remember back home in Ashland when Zwick’s Record Shop featured something unheard of today. They added 3 small audition rooms, complete with a turntable and a door for privacy. The clerk would even let you take inside several 45’s at a time. On Monday nights when the stores began staying open till 9 p.m. those little vinyl 45’s were the big attraction at Murphy’s 5 and Dime record bar. There was always a crowd of kids playing the vinyl’s till the store closed. DJ’s will tell you that you never forget that first day of being On the Air. There sat Mike Todd in WIRO’s “Air Chair” in 1961; no one there but me, the console and transmitter and or course, our beloved vinyl’s. Remember these choices? (Photo provided) My mentor Don Adams after giving me instructions, was outside in the parking lot as I opened up my show with one of the great hits of 1961. While the record was playing, I looked at the log for the next commercial. On the program log under “origin” were two solitary letters – “ET”. I was confused. What in the world was ET? The commercial noted was for a popular lemon lime drink called “TEEM” at Commercial # 4. I frantically checked the commercial copy book – nothing. After I got my next record on the air, I actually ran to the parking lot and asked Don to come and help me. Don quickly explained where and what exactly TEEM was as he further explained that “ET” stood for ELECTRICAL TRANSCRIPTION or simply an LP Vinyl located next to the console. Commercial #4 was on side A. Ironically, my mentor, Noah Don Adams, became a veteran journalist and author, and moved onto radio fame with NPR (National Public Radio) for 30 years with his hit show, “All Things Considered” in 1975. Today, Don and I share the Hallowed Halls of the the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame; Don was inducted in 2006, I was inducted in 2010. Mike’s mentor, NPR Hall of Famer Noah Don Adams (Photo provided) So, through the decades, I have never forgotten the day I was introduced to a vinyl disc named ET. However, coming soon to radio stations across America was a revolutionary broadcasting tool that would replace the commercial vinyl; it was a rascal called “carts.” A short time later came the infamous Spot-Master 101 – which I named “the flapper” for good reason. Today, I still have some vintage vinyl 33 1/3 LP’s I still play, but sadly, all my 45’s have disappeared into oblivion. Years ago, I sold every 45 I had at our huge garage sale. On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t have. So, on this very special day, just maybe, it’s a good time to find those venerable vinyl’s you have somewhere in your garage and give them a spin. Yeah, you can bet those wonderful memories will return. Play one for me. Mike Tussey has “retired” from a 60-plus-year career as a legendary play-by-play announcer for over 2000 football, baseball, and basketball games, including most recently for ESPN+. His career also includes a stint in law enforcement, teaching and coaching, and writing books, including the “Touchdown Saints.” He grew up in Eastern Kentucky and now lives in Florence with his wife, Jo. He has opened another “Door of Opportunity” and is now a regular columnist for the NKyTribune. Source
