Audio Alchemy

During my first 4 years in radio I worked in a studio wired for monaural sound only. Stereo aircheck recording was not feasible with the available equipment. However, in 1985, I used a small “disco” mixer to make stereo mix tapes for personal use. Previously, I experimented with re-routing the left and right outputs of a single turntable to the two mono pre-amps then into program and audition respectively; successfully recording in stereo. This method was cumbersome because the left and right inputs were controlled by two separate knobs on the board (one routed to audition, the other to program.)

The studio’s Technics SP-15 turntables audio cords were re-routed from the usual phono pre-amplifiers to the small (cheap) stereo mixer. The diagram on the right is a speculative idea of what if I had used this set up to record an actual aircheck. Using this type mixer would have been real world challenging due, in part, to its inability to switch on and off monitors and microphone.

By 2009 I had the ability of digitally isolating the live vocal portions of my original aircheck recordings and carefully synchronizing in stereo music from CD’s and other digital files (mp3, wav, etc.) It was impossible to remove all unwanted mono audio. Some “phasing” between the new stereo and old mono occurred.

With this in mind an alternate wiring path would have been preferable for future “stereo rebuilds”. The simple diagram to the left illustrates an easy method of electrically isolating the DJ microphone from the (mono) music and other prerecorded elements of my shows. The isolated vocal tracks could have been later used to assemble a true stereo mix, either analog or digital.

Stay tuned

©2011 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

Rockin’ the Mic

Once again the Peanut Whistle returns home. Last post I shared the news of my newest venture in voice, a small production at my home church honoring the Easter season called the Choice. We’re pleased with the results. Friday night’s performance went off without a hitch, although the turnout was less than expected (about 110 attended besides the cast and crew.) Sunday’s event played to a near capacity crowd. Considering that we only had a week and a half to prepare the play was well executed both times. As far as my narration, Friday felt better. Video was recorded; I hope to review and share it here at a later date. If the play has been posted I will share some highlights here.

Stay tuned.

©2011 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

Back in the Air Chair, Sort of

A few days ago Peanut Whistle took the “Traveling Microphone” (thanks Paul Harvey) to metro Atlanta Georgia. It seems I have been asked to narrate an Easter presentation for my church. So far the process has been a bit more challenging than previous endeavors.

When working with volunteer talent one is faced with various levels of expertise. One thing learned over the last several years is patience with those, shall we say, less experienced in the arts. It is a big theatrical presentation that our director, the music pastor (also in the role of  Jesus), has taken on the unenviable task of overseeing. As for me, the narrator’s booth is really the most cushy job I’ve had, except for the mentioned patience challenge. As we say in the South: “Bless their hearts.”

Stay tuned

©2011 the Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

Stalled in the Blogosphere

Two years ago we intended to write much more frequently. The Peanut Whistle was originally a way to present my war stories from the world of small market radio and my other pursuits that stemmed from it. Now it’s 2011 and most of my stories (many of them 25+ years old) have been told (and often retold.) What now? Make new stories.

In 2009 we started an experimental Internet radio station called the GRIN. It flopped after a short time; although, along the way, we gained a few loyal fans of my particular radio show. Some local folks never knew I was in radio, not expecting me to be the big voice behind the mic. As a result of my recent exposure on the web I have been asked to narrate the Easter program at my church. I will once again be in the booth reading copy--this time around actually seeing my listeners. I begin practice tonight.

Stay tuned.

©2011 The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

Phoning it In

Welcome to the Peanut Whistle. I am phoning it in today. No, I am not being lazy, this is just a test of the Blogger post via text.

 Stay tuned.

Flirting With Country

In 2010 we posted the following aircheck recording. It is 2011 and the 20th anniversary of this particular show for my alter ego,  Jim O’Neal. Just a bit of insight:  most of the radio staff had been fired and I was now on-air 6 days a week. The station’s boneheaded owner was flipping our religious music format to Country. The change was a closely guarded secret. Monday, February 4, 1991 (the day of the format flip) is on the second half of the recording  which is preceded with O’Neal’s last Saturday Morning Addition Show to feature Southern Gospel music. Download here or press play below.

Feb 2 and 4, 1991 Jim O’Neal Morning Edition

Stay Tuned

©2011 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved

Polar Opposites

Long ago I prepared a show that I intended to air. The goal in my young mind was an in depth expose into the debate hot, at the time, among Christian believers—musical style.

In the final analysis, there was no clear winner. Some felt that my station should play only one genre of Gospel music typical of which was lots of Country twang and four part harmony. Another style rich in tradition; represented by soulful singers such as Mahalia Jackson, the Winans, and Shirley Caesar. Then there was the Top 40 derived Contemporary Christian Music that, at this time, was very hot nationally. Amy Grant was queen and had just seen major crossover appeal into the mainstream (secular) market with exposure on the Top 40 outlets of the day. Additionally, a few CCM artists actually had their hits played on MTV. Arguably, the mid-1980’s was the apex of the genre’s popularity.

September 1986, my station was about to flip to a Contemporary Christian format in the afternoons. Today’s Gospel Rewind Podcast is the culmination of a quarter century of prep work. My listeners were passionate in their beliefs. Hear the debate in their own words for the first time anywhere from the request lines 25 years ago. Down load here or press play below.

Gospel Rewind “CCM Debate”, Episode 1, season 3

Stay tuned

©2011 Neal Rhoden, the Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All Rights Reserved.

Format Wars

Right now we are in the planning phase for our first podcast of the 2011 season. Here is a peek:

Several years ago this blogger hosted an afternoon music show on a radio station reputed to be a mixed bag of divergent religious formats. Many listeners were subjected to: Southern Gospel, Black Gospel and CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) blended on the same show. Infighting among believers over music is not new. We hope to tackle the polarizing affect musical style has had on the Christian community. Most of what Peanut Whistle has learned is from my personal audio tape archive in addition to  print and Internet resources. Forever the instigator, In 1986, I filled a 90 minute cassette tape with candid listener comments on this issue. Callers from both sides of the aisle chimed in; so far, the discussion plays back as an intelligent and balanced debate. Distilling all this information into a 15 – 20 minute podcast is a challenge.

Stay tuned

©2011 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All Rights Reserved.

Forge Ahead

Inexplicably, radio has beckoned me. In 2011 the radio bug's bite is less potent. First stung in 1983, I grew into my late 20's certain that my radio career would never end. 1995, now 29, a new retail career captured my attention. Little do I know, the next 13 years are spent away from radio entirely. In my mid-40's, real radio in decline, I begin a blog retelling my teens and twenties in broadcasting.

2009 I start the GRIN, an experimental Internet radio station from home along with its companion podcast. I scrap the 24 hour stream and concentrate on an irregularly scheduled podcast show. Ultimately, I lose interest in both.

It is 2011. This year the Peanut Whistle podcast intends a rebirth, of sorts; refocused and re-imagined. Stay tuned to this channel for the new show. I promise less retrospective, more entertainment. That is all we will reveal, so...

Stay tuned.

©2011 Neal Rhoden, The Peanut Whistle Weblog. All rights reserved.

Last Minute Reprieve

Due to a last minute spike in our ratings, The Peanut Whistle has been brought back from cancellation. Also, this weblog has become easier because of the addition of another author: my sweet seven year old daughter, Abbey. Yesterday she wrote about our first white Christmas in the typically mild climate we live. There has been no measurable snowfall on Christmas day since 1882, that's 128 years.  If it can snow on Christmas in Atlanta, then I can change my mind about this blog.

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden, The Peanut Whistle Weblog. All rights reserved.

My First White Christmas

Yesterday it snowed. It looked so beautiful. Me and my brother played in the snow. we made two baby snowmen and Luke made a snow angel.We cleaned off the snow covered cars.

Yesterday was the best Christmas ever!

©2010 Neal Rhoden, The Peanut Whistle Weblog. All rights reserved.

Duh

About this time every year—at least here in the Northern Hemisphere—it gets cold. To most thinking people this climate change comes as no surprise. The mercury drops naturally in late autumn into winter. This would seem logical to most people. That is what we call “common sense.” The news media treats the transition as if this is something completely novel. This morning I was watching my local ABC affiliate pronouncing, “It’s cold, but it’s really colder than that.” What on Earth does that mean? Yeah right, Wind Chill Factor must have been the meaning of this charming non sequitur. Give me a break. I know it is cold; just walk outside.

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

Get a Job, the Final Chapter

A short while back in the Whistle I wrote about a job interview that I participated in. It has come to my attention that the individuals who interviewed me for the position had done very few, if any, of these sessions where a panel of four would ask questions. They were pre-written inquiries that each department head asked. With due respect to the job, its requirements were less of a challenge to me than almost anything I had ever done. I believed that the job would be a shoo-in.

My qualifications were more than enough. My answers were quick, concise and honest. But the company, call them “Acme”, went another direction. They didn’t even have the courtesy of a return phone call. In times past, I was on the other side of the interview being the one who hired. My training dictated that we remain neutral during the process—not giving up hope or despair to an interviewee, no matter how good or bad he seemed. We were instructed to say to each applicant at the close, “Thank you for coming in, we are interviewing others and we will make a decision soon. If you have not heard from us in five days then assume that we decided to hire someone else.”  That is one policy my former employer got right. Finding a good job seems impossible these days. Acme Corp needs to get their act together. In fact, corporate America should invest in the best person for the job without regard to age (especially) or any other factor. I say damn the quotas! Get some experienced individuals in position.

Now I’ll step down off my Acme® Soap Box.

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

What Now?

Here we are at the end of another month. My, time flies. Keeping up a daily blog is a chore this time of year. I feel like it is in a constant state of development and evolution. Right now, I am considering 2011 and how the Peanut Whistle will  change. One thing is for sure; we will become a more “general interest” weblog. Along with my original Aircheck blog this little enterprise will have a broader appeal relying less on themes that had previously captured my attention. True to my nature, this blog will reflect my own constant flux. I have gone through many phases and suppose this won’t change as I mature.

Stay tuned

©2010 The Peanut Whistle weblogs. All rights reserved.

Mugshot Bull

For the last decade and a half, I have worked in specialty retail wearing many hats. Most of that time was spent as a manager of some of craziest characters around. In 2007, One particular individual stands out. This guy named Richard, 81 and still working, claimed to have spent his youth running Prohibition Era booze for Al Capone then dashing off to WWII, having lied about his age.

His stories were very entertaining. Looking back, my research (and some basic math) have proved that the gangster stories, at least, were apocryphal. You see, Capone was active from the early 1920’s until 1931. If my friend was 81 that means he was born in 1926, making him five when the Boss of the Chicago Outfit was imprisoned. Unless Richard was Indiana Jones and Forrest Gump rolled up into one, his stories just do not add up. By the way, I have some beach front property in Nevada to sell.

Stay tuned.

©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblog. All rights reserved.

Get a Job, Part 2

The recession has done a number on each of us. In years past many found work quite easily. Many of us in our prime are faced with taking jobs for which we are way overqualified. And recently, I heard of new college grads taking starter jobs that would seem beneath us a generation ago. I do not envy these kids. A degree is no guarantee (to coin a phrase.)  I entered the job market during a recession. Fortunately, we had Ronald Reagan to rescue us.

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

My Story

Here is a article written in 1966 from an Atlanta newspaper by a friend of my dad’s. It gives some background into my story. It is clippings such as these that provide some great family history research for my book project (in the making.) View and download here.

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All Rights reserved.

Little Peanuts

Last weekend was a blast! The kids had the best Halloween, ever. With the three youngest ones now all old enough to truly enjoy the holiday, they have really been a pleasure to watch. First on Saturday, the 30th was dress up for “Trunk or Treating”; then, on the 31st they found a—ahem—well to do neighborhood for traditional “trick-or-treating”. They all made out like bandits. Special thanks go to our 15 year old who helped mom get them there.

Our middle daughter was positively giddy going as Frenchy from her favorite movie, Grease. Our boy and baby girl were a hit as Mario and Luigi from the popular Mario Bros. Nintendo video games.

 

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved

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Peanut Promo

Here is our latest "shameless plug" of this blog. Take a look or go YouTube for the video if you have trouble viewing.



Stay tuned


©2010 Neal Rhoden, The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

A Thousand Views

For many of you keeping track—and it’s really sad if you have—the YouTube video tour of one of my radio homes has reached well over 1,000 views. Link on over to my channel, Jim O’Neal has added a couple new videos there. Here’s to a million!

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved

Brrrr!

Although it seemed the day would never come, cold weather is here! Global warming: yeah, right.

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden, The Peanut Whistle Weblog. All rights reserved.

Click to Play

Make sure to explore the contents of this blog. If you currently subscribe through a reader we invite you to follow this link to our site. We have the podcast archive, pages,links and more for you to see. 

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden, The Peanut Whistle Weblog. All rights reserved.

Big State, Little Store

We all have dreams. Some come true. Such is the case of my late grandparents. My mom's parents Ekron and Grace spent several years running their own neighborhood store in Lufkin, Texas. The article we're sharing today is from their local newspaper. I added some photos took on a visit out there in the early 90's. The store remained unchanged every time I returned. The store is no longer there, but serves as a charming throwback to a bygone era.

Download the article here.

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden, The Peanut Whistle Weblog. All rights reserved.

The Beatles of Gospel

Repost from Gospel Aicheck blog December 2009:

A super group took the stage exactly two years to the day prior to my entry into the world. Jake Hess and the Imperials, a hand picked gathering of superstars of the gospel music industry. A band of ringers that included: Jake Hess on lead, Gary McSpadden on Baritone, Sherrill Nielsen tenor, and the incomparable Armond Morales with his trademark silky bass. The night was January 16th, 1964 in Hadleyville, Alabama, Jake’s home town. Gospel music was never again the same. This group was different, they sounded modern. A little too different at first for some. Jake is quoted as saying, “I don’t think we’re going to do it.” Armond lent some encouraging words, “Don’t limit God.” In a March, 1989 article from CCM magazine celebrating the groups’ 25th anniversary, the late Jake Hess concludes, “…If it hadn’t been for those three little words I don’t think there would be an Imperials today.”

Although singers came and went the Imperials sound remained consistently great. They backed Elvis Presley on stage and record, accompanied Jimmy Dean and many other stars of the music industry. The group has numerous Grammy and Dove awards; and in 1998 they were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. They’re the Beatles of Gospel.

Founding member Armond Morales suffered through a battle with cancer a while back and relinquished the Imperials’ name to son Jason and a new generation of singers. Now the original group is known as the Classic Imperials. Following a miraculous recovery, Armond continues the heritage began in ‘64 along with Dave Will, Rick Evans and Paul Smith.

In 1983 I made my first Lp purchase for my new stereo. The record was Stand by Power by the Imperials featuring then new lead singer Paul Smith. The album produced many hits including: Lord of the Harvest, Because of Who You Are and Stand by the Power. I have been a fan ever since.

Of course I knew of the group through my dad’s record collection. He had a scratchy mono Lp copy of the first record, Introducing Jake Hess and the Imperials. As a teen I was thrilled to spin their new record that was in itself another triumph in redefining the Christian music art form. Somehow they managed to outdo themselves with every new album just as No Shortage, One More Song for You and Priority had done.

In December 2009, I had the opportunity to chat with new lead singer Rick Evans. We had a delightful conversation via Facebook about the forthcoming new album. I asked Rick how the new project was going, he said, “[It’s] a long process, but we are getting closer each day.” I replied that I could identify seeing that the creative process can be time consuming, my radio days and nights were often spent in countless hours on one 30 second spot. “We are lucky to be have a record company that is willing to take the time to make this right,” Evans continued. I asked if he could give me any glimpse into the songs included on the project. Rick replied, “Very different. We used some of the best writers in Nashville. They came up with a work of art. The record will actually be a journey of a person’s life. It is a cool concept and will be wonderful introduction back into the music marketplace.” Kind of like Styx and some of the other “concept” bands of the ‘70’s I jokingly referred. Not missing a beat the Classic Imperials new lead singer responded, “No actually you are on the right track. It is more like the Beatles and the Lonely Hearts [Club] Band thing. It will be GREAT!”

“It was twenty years ago today, 

Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play 

They've been going in and out of style 

But they're guaranteed to raise a smile. 

So may I introduce to you 

The act you've known for all these years, 

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

Funny how the Classic Imperials started about the same time the Lads from Liverpool made it big in the USA. The good news is we still have the Beatles of gospel here and now. Thanks to Rick and all the Classic Imperials for not only entertaining us, but more importantly ministering in ways those other guys never attempted.

Stay tuned.

©2010 Neal Rhoden, The Peanut Whistle. All rights reserved.

Light Chop on the Inland Waters

One of the fond memories of broadcasting in a coastal climate is reading the marine forecast. "Choppy waters tonight" must have been important to our fishermen, although I never understood the term. Today we are reposting a blog from August of 2009 concerning one of my radio heroes and adding a sample of his work that we recently found and edited for podcast on YouTube. 

The radio station I listened to most as a kid was Z-102 in Savannah, Georgia. Now, I realize that the station was only another Z-100 New York clone. This CHR format over populated the FM dial all across the USA in the 1980’s. Yes it was derivative but I enjoyed the station and copied their style often when I became a Contemporary Christian Music DJ. One unique element of good old WZAT-FM was Burl Womack. His show “Breakfast with Burl” was on my car radio every morning on my way to high school. Burl was allowed to play Southern Gospel music along with Adult Contemporary and hits of the day. Strange combination of styles but it worked! Burl had the number one show on the number one station in the market for years.

Womack was a mature man with an easy going style and mellifluous baritone. He’d get to a point in the show where he would pour another cup of coffee (a sound effect from a cart tape, no doubt) address the topics of the day, read the school lunch menu and, as best as I can recall, played his choice of Gospel music until at least 8:00 AM. He seemed to be actually having breakfast with you. The show was aptly named. To this day I wonder why he didn’t make the jump to television, he reminded me of David Hartman, one time host of ABC’s Good Morning America. Here is a brief sample:

I met Burl on two separate occasions once at at the Savannah Skate Inn roller rink where I hosted a Christian Youth Skate and then again a few months later when he emceed a Dixie Melody Boys concert at a private school auditorium in Garden City. What struck me most about the main was his vocal power in person. His speaking voice was laid back and boomed even though he spoke softly. I was intimidated and our exchange was minimal, after all what did I as an 18 year old upstart have to offer? It was a mystery to me why he was at the skating rink and at the time I felt he gave me the brush off although he was probably hurried or surprisingly, shy. A few months later at the Gospel concert he did a splendid job as emcee and I saw a humorous side to the man not always evident on his radio show. That night I was asked to stand as representative of my radio station during the concert. Typical of me I was embarrassed, quickly stood, waved, said nothing and sat down.

Burl was nominated in 2009 for a lifetime Career Achievement Award by the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame. Mr. Womack, however deserving, did not win. His many years on the Savannah airwaves are fondly remembered by many, including me.

Stay tuned.

©2010 Neal Rhoden, The Peanut Whistle blog. All rights reserved.