Hello? I'd like to request Gordon Lightfoot.....Hello? Hellooo?!

[Borderstone]

Today I called my local oldies station KOOL-FM and requested,"Sundown" during their lunch-hour request show. I just wanted to hear some GL at work and it's one of only 4 songs of his they play.

Not to mention,it seems to be the only time anymore that they'll take a request or...that when I do request Gordon any other time,they forget!

Any of you (irregardless of already having his hits at home)ever call a station like this one and it seems like their just not into playing Lightfoot?

I tried to get an newer station that played 70s to 90s to add some of his songs and they said,"Well we discussed that in a meeting awhile back and decided he's to "60s" for our format" (..but they can play,"Green Eyed Lady by Sugarloaf,which "really" sounds 60s? )

Comments,stories?

[Auburn Annie]

So much of radio play today is canned, it's hard to find a station that even takes requests, much less specific ones. Lord help you if you request something other than "Sundown", "If You Could Read My Mind" or TWOTEF - except maybe in Canada. I miss the days of yore when actual DJs programmed their own shows, played vinyl (!) or cassettes - see Doctor Johnny Fever on WKRP. The closest to that these days is the eclecticism of the Dr. Demento show, and that's taped, as far as I know.

[Sheryl]

Dr. Demento? My gosh, I remember him from junior high! Is he still around? What location, Annie?

[New 12 String Mike]

When I was in college, studying broadcasting and working at a department store selling records, I developed a good working relationship with one of the assistant store managers.

One night, it was slow and he'd noticed that I'd ordered some of Gord's records. He mentioned he'd never really listened to any GL and wondered what he sounded like. Since, I couldn't open any of the LPs I wasn't sure what I could do to give him a sample.

It was then I realized that I had the radio playing and a classmate was working his weekend on air shift as an intern DJ. I gave him a call.

"Hey Benny, it's Mike. I've got my boss, Weird Clyde here, and he wants to here some Gordon Lightfoot. Can you handle that for me?"

Benny said he could.

A few minutes later, the whole store heard, "This IS WFIR AM. Folks I just got a call from a friend of mine who says his boss, Weird Clyde, has never heard any Gordon Lightfoot. So this song is for Weird Clyde out there and anyone else who needs a little Gordon Lighfoot in their life. Enjoy it Weird Clyde."

The boss got a big kick out of it and ended up buying a couple Gord LPs that night on his employee discount.

His name really was Clyde.

[Auburn Annie]

Originally posted by Sheryl:
Dr. Demento? My gosh, I remember him from junior high! Is he still around? What location, Annie?

His show is still around (as is he) but I don't know that they're live. Here's the FAQ from his website (www.drdemento.com):

Can I listen to Dr. Demento shows online?
You can now hear classic Dr. Demento shows online right here. We will be expanding the show selection sometime in the future.

Can I reach you by e-mail?
By all means. You will find the address here.

How can I buy recordings heard on the Dr. Demento Show?

Many of the most-requested songs are on my various Rhino label CD's and tapes, available in stores or from my on-line order form. Lots more are on the Basement Tapes CDs and cassettes available exclusively to members of the Demento Society. You can also view my catalog on-line.

Larger and more specialized record stores will usually have a COMEDY section where major label releases by such artists as "Weird Al" Yankovic, Ray Stevens, Tom Lehrer and Monty Python may be found. Ask the clerk where the COMEDY section is. Other demented discs may be filed under ROCK/POP, COUNTRY, OLDIES, etc. depending on the style of music. You can also find many comedy CD's at online sources such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Some of the newer songs heard on the show are on independent labels that are most easily obtained by mail order. The Demento Society News, mailed periodically to all active Demento Society members, contains addresses for many of these independent labels.

Quite a few of the records heard on the show are older releases that have gone out of print. Many may still be found, however, at stores carrying used records. Look in your local Yellow Pages and you may well find ads for stores offering "hard-to-find," "out-of-print" or "collectors'" records.

Several magazines for record collectors contain ads for dealers who sell rare records by mail. Look for Goldmine (700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990) and Discoveries (100 Bryant St., Dubuque, IA 52003). One mail-order dealership I especially recommend for its huge stock of novelty 45's is Saturday Night Records, PO Box 669, Macomb, IL 61455.

Can I buy copies of your shows on tape?
Alas, I cannot sell tapes of radio shows, due to copyright laws covering the records I play.

I have a funny song. Can I send you a tape of it?
I'm always happy to listen to original funny songs (or parodies). I get quite a few each week, and play the best ones on the air. Simply send your song(s) on CD, DAT, cassette, reel-to-reel, or vinyl to the address above. If there are more than four songs, please indicate which ones you feel are most appropriate for the show. Allow some time, as I listen to each one personally. You can find the address to mail it to here. I encourage you to copyright your material before sending it to me or anyone else.

Can I get a list of the stations that carry your show?
We cannot provide such lists ourselves, due to the policy of the network that carries the show.

Why did the same show run two weeks in a row?
Radio stations, like the rest of us, make mistakes sometimes, like running the same show two weeks in a row, or changing the airtime without notice. We can't always keep track of these things from out here under the smogberry trees....but please don't hesitate to CALL or WRITE the local station yourself and let 'em know you're on their case!

I can't find your show anywhere around here! What gives?
Programming decisions are made by local PROGRAM DIRECTORS. Some of these people may not realize how popular the show is, and how many listeners they might gain by broadcasting it.

Dont' forget to call the DEMENTOPHONE: 562-633-8863 (562-ODD TUNE)

Stay demented!

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I have heard his show while traversing up and down the dial at night. It's a two-hour show. Sorry I have no idea what stations locally may offer it.

[Affair on Touhy Ave.]

I'm more concerned about hearing the rare deep cuts from him though I've given up calling or emailing stations to request anything for it hardly works. often times it's hard to find an internet station for Lightfoots rare songs. i listen to 1 station that plays Folk music from the 50s and 60s and have heard some of his early stuff though they having played him in some time. 1 of my other live 365 stations witch is more rock/pop orientated is currently playing the 1968 version of TCIs.

[Borderstone]

I listened to "Dr. Demento" all through high school! :D I pretty much stopped right after I graduated. I do recall a couple of songs that made fun of GL's songs and his style.

One of them was a tune about how to use his songs as an aid in getting a good night's sleep! (Not sure which smiley to use on that one! )

At least it was "sort of" a mention! :D

I remember one called "Ballad of the Flying Dustman" about a garbage barge, to the tune of the Wreck,
"It must wander the earth in search of a berth
and meanwhile we're all stayin' upwind"

the barge had no place to dump the garbage and was sent here and there looking for a place, based on a true story from Long Island NY. Heard it on Dr. Demento around 1989-90.

[Sheryl]

Thanks, Annie.

[Auburn Annie]

MistyMoppens - that has to be more than 20 years ago! Talk about nursing a grudge like a newborn. My guess is you can count on one hand any working DJs from the late 70s/very early 80s still around, and all of them substance-free themselves, of course. I doubt a grouchy Gord was the exception among all the drinking, drugging musicians of the era; they were hardly all little gentlemen. If those DJs are still all that upset by a (presumably) hung over Gord, they're probably dropping over their mikes in a dead faint over the language of a hiphopper, stoned or sober. GASP!! The sensitive little dears!

The more likely explanation of lack of airplay is that Gord is not "hot" for the prime target audience of 15-25 year olds, mostly males - and how many 60-somethings are?

[ September 30, 2005, 06:49: Message edited by: Auburn Annie ]

[Auburn Annie]

Funny enough that's where I hear Gord most often (other than sitting at my computer) - in the grocery store, playing overhead! I don't know what service they buy but their programmer has great taste.