From time to time I've had the notion of doing an occasional net-radio show along the lines of Bomb Shelter Radio. (Many of you don't know that I worked for WCWM-FM during my undergrad days at W&M.) This hypothetical show would have pre-recorded sequences, which could be used in various order for the show's opening and closing. This post is sort of a brain dump for ideas I've had for bits to use in these sequences.
SPECIFICALLY OPENING STUFF
One idea I absolutely intend to use for an opening sequence is this. In the opening episode ("Pilot, Part 1") of WKRP In Cincinnati there is a scene in which Johnny has put on something very boring, in keeping with the station's "beautiful music" format... only to have Andy come in and announce that the format is changing immediately. Johnny says "Well, it's goodbye to the elevator music..." RRRRRIIIPPP as he scrapes the needle across the record... "All right, Cincinnati, it is time for this town to get DOWN!" That segues directly into Rita Moreno yelling "HEY YOU GUUUUUYYYYYYYS!!!!" and then the Seasons 1+2 "Electric Company" opening credits music.
The funky vamp underneath the beginning and ending "teasers" from T.E.C. seasons 3-5 can be likewise used underneath this show's DJ talking.
Quote from "Real Genius" about wiring the sound system up to the guy's braces.
Quote from "The Wizard of Speed and Time" about the power lines running through the garden.
First full song of the show may often be R.E.M., "Radio Free Europe" -- the original 45, the one WCWM must have worn out three copies of my freshman year.
SPECIFICALLY CLOSING STUFF
Richard Needham as Les in WKRP... "This is Les Nessman saying so long, and may the good news be yours."
The "Turn me off..." bit at the end of Stan Freberg's, er, "version" of "Heartbreak Hotel".
Gerry Rafferty, "City to City" (due to its "Good night" theme)
Possibly music for under my closing riff: Cannonball Adderley Quintet, "Mercy Mercy Mercy"
And, for the actual close: Leroy Anderson's "The Syncopated Clock" (due to association with the old "CBS Late Show" movie), followed by an old-school signoff announcement, and then national anthems. (WHOSE national anthems may be subject to change.)
GENERAL STUFF
Excerpts from Rush, "Spirit of Radio" (some parts for any show; some parts only for morning shows)
Excerpts from Harry Chapin, "W*O*L*D" (only for morning shows)
Excerpts from George Carlin, "Wonderful WINO" and "Son of WINO"
The intro from George Carlin, "11 O'Clock News" -- for use at 11 o'clock Eastern ("In Baltimore it's 6:42...")
Sound clips from radio or TV stations with "beginning/ending its broadcast day."
Excerpt from Beach Boys, "Fun Fun Fun" ("with the radio blastin', goes cruisin' just as fast as she can now")
Excerpt from Ringo Starr, "A Dose of Rock'n'Roll" ("turn on your radio")
Excerpt from Joni Mitchell, "You Turn Me On I'm a Radio"
Excerpt from Everclear, "A.M. Radio" ("you would listen to the music on a A.M. radio")
Excerpts from various radio station airchecks (including WQXI jingles found on a CD called Cruisin' 1967)
I'd love to hear any further suggestions!
SPECIFICALLY OPENING STUFF
One idea I absolutely intend to use for an opening sequence is this. In the opening episode ("Pilot, Part 1") of WKRP In Cincinnati there is a scene in which Johnny has put on something very boring, in keeping with the station's "beautiful music" format... only to have Andy come in and announce that the format is changing immediately. Johnny says "Well, it's goodbye to the elevator music..." RRRRRIIIPPP as he scrapes the needle across the record... "All right, Cincinnati, it is time for this town to get DOWN!" That segues directly into Rita Moreno yelling "HEY YOU GUUUUUYYYYYYYS!!!!" and then the Seasons 1+2 "Electric Company" opening credits music.
The funky vamp underneath the beginning and ending "teasers" from T.E.C. seasons 3-5 can be likewise used underneath this show's DJ talking.
Quote from "Real Genius" about wiring the sound system up to the guy's braces.
Quote from "The Wizard of Speed and Time" about the power lines running through the garden.
First full song of the show may often be R.E.M., "Radio Free Europe" -- the original 45, the one WCWM must have worn out three copies of my freshman year.
SPECIFICALLY CLOSING STUFF
Richard Needham as Les in WKRP... "This is Les Nessman saying so long, and may the good news be yours."
The "Turn me off..." bit at the end of Stan Freberg's, er, "version" of "Heartbreak Hotel".
Gerry Rafferty, "City to City" (due to its "Good night" theme)
Possibly music for under my closing riff: Cannonball Adderley Quintet, "Mercy Mercy Mercy"
And, for the actual close: Leroy Anderson's "The Syncopated Clock" (due to association with the old "CBS Late Show" movie), followed by an old-school signoff announcement, and then national anthems. (WHOSE national anthems may be subject to change.)
GENERAL STUFF
Excerpts from Rush, "Spirit of Radio" (some parts for any show; some parts only for morning shows)
Excerpts from Harry Chapin, "W*O*L*D" (only for morning shows)
Excerpts from George Carlin, "Wonderful WINO" and "Son of WINO"
The intro from George Carlin, "11 O'Clock News" -- for use at 11 o'clock Eastern ("In Baltimore it's 6:42...")
Sound clips from radio or TV stations with "beginning/ending its broadcast day."
Excerpt from Beach Boys, "Fun Fun Fun" ("with the radio blastin', goes cruisin' just as fast as she can now")
Excerpt from Ringo Starr, "A Dose of Rock'n'Roll" ("turn on your radio")
Excerpt from Joni Mitchell, "You Turn Me On I'm a Radio"
Excerpt from Everclear, "A.M. Radio" ("you would listen to the music on a A.M. radio")
Excerpts from various radio station airchecks (including WQXI jingles found on a CD called Cruisin' 1967)
I'd love to hear any further suggestions!
no subject
Date: 2010-04-26 08:03 pm (UTC)I'll need to check out the sound editing software on my machine, too. I've figured out that I need to blend the Season 1 and Season 2 Electric Company themes... they have the same backing track but it was remixed (the vocals were re-recorded). Season 2 has the Rita Moreno yell, and the bass intro is mixed better, but I want the Season 1 vocals.