Observations and Ramblings from a Cranky Old Guy – An Xperience Column

Observations and Ramblings from a Cranky Old Guy – An Xperience Column – by Jeff Spaulding.

This month, I will relive my youth (as it were) with a trip down memory lane to my earliest time in radio, when I was learning the business, polishing my chops, and trying to talk on the air without uttering a dirty word or seven (thanks George Carlin). That last one, I failed miserably at. In 47 years of broadcasting, I have uttered, purposefully or not, four of Carlin’s Magic Seven. Since I’m still on the air, terrestrial or not, I still have a chance to complete the seven before I hit that big Control Room in the sky.

For one weekend, I will return to the Buckeye State and my old college radio station to be part of a worldwide event called Vinylthon. I’m going to borrow information from the official Vinylthon website, and then I will tell you about my part in all of this.

“On Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21, radio stations throughout the USA and the world will be broadcasting shows from only vinyl, to celebrate the unique format for the annual VINYLTHON. Vinylthon also coincides with the celebrated and hugely successful Record Store Day, Saturday, April 20.

“Each year, radio stations across the world come together to take part in supporting not only this timeless medium, but also the incredible people that keep the records spinning. In previous years Vinylthon has garnered support from such artists as Judas Priest, Don McLean, Dee Snider, Sevendust, Daniel Lanois, Darlene Love, and The Lumineers.

“By taking part, stations are not only demonstrating their love of the vinyl format but are also supporting college radio. For those participating radio stations, and upon request, they can receive special programming made available to play on the air as a part of their Vinylthon celebrations. As an added bonus, there is a unique award granted for those special stations that are able to run at least 12 hours of ONLY vinyl music—the GOLDEN SLIPMAT AWARD, sponsored by Glowtronics.

“Vinylthon is also a fundraising event for the College Radio Foundation, an all-volunteer non-profit that organizes the scholarships offered to encourage, prepare, and support the next generation of broadcasters. All money raised during this event allows the Vinylthon Scholarships to reach more students that have the passion and desire to pursue a career in radio.

“The College Radio Foundation that organizes this event also hosts the annual College Radio Day event. College Radio Day unites hundreds of USA college radio stations each year and has been supported by numerous artists including Andrew WK, Aviici, Coldplay, The Lumineers, Moby, and Wyclef Jean among others. College Radio Day has even been recognized and acknowledged by President Obama, with TIME calling it ‘A nationwide movement … illuminating the cultural significance of student-run radio.’”

So, that is what it is. Over the past 4–5 years, I have sent to my college radio station a recorded “request” and a background story as to why I requested said song. The request and song are then played (usually during what is called “The Alumni Hour”), and a bunch of old fools think they are 18 again. With me being a spry 68, if I can knock off 50 years for a few minutes, I’m all for it.
Over the last couple of years, some of my fellow college radio jocks and jockettes have gone back to where it all began to get the feel of playing real vinyl again and show these young whippersnappers how to do it the right way. Anyway, we got to talking and decided to make it a mini-reunion. That led to me saying, “Hey, every day is one day closer to the box, so what the hell, let’s take a trip.”

So during that weekend, a bunch of geezers will be spinning the stacks and stacks of hot wax live on the air like it’s 1974 all over again. I’m told the control rooms are being refitted for walkers and wheelchairs, and the school is providing complimentary oxygen and defibrillators just in case. In truth, I can’t wait, and in a future issue, I will bring you a full report.
Be hearing you.

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