Opening and closing bits for a hypothetical radio show

[damont]

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!

Comments

[iestynapmwg.livejournal.com]

Wall of Voodoo's "Mexican Radio"?

[dr-zrfq.livejournal.com]

Thought of it. Bomb Shelter Radio plays the song all the time, though usually one of the cover versions (not the WoV original). However, you have reminded me that I will want excerpts from ZZ Top's "I Heard It On The X"... and, by extension, the Guess Who's "Clap For The Wolfman" -- specifically the line "you know, she was digging the cat on the radio."