The Radio Rose of Texas by Derek Burroughs, jr.

 

Contents and invitation for participation:

 

A Radio Rose of Texas.

The 5 of the Olga Patricia.

 

Preface: ÒEnglandÕs finestÓ

 ÒPickinÕup ÒBossÓ VibrationsÓ

Contents and invitation for participation

Chapter 1: Texas Radio takes to the air in EuropeÓ Attempt of a diary of the Olga Patricia stations.

Winter and Spring 1966

May 1966-September 1967 Rundown month by month

Chapter 2: ÓI went ahead and did it.Ó Olga Patricia, founder and administration.

About Don Pierson, founder of Radio London and the Olga Patricia Stations

William(ÒBillÓ) Vick, the first Mananging Director of the Olga Patricia operation

Larry Dean on Jack Nixon

I never set out to be remembered

ÓDonÕt you know...Boss Jocks play much more music!Ó Ron OÕQuinn interview

Ben Toney, advisor in 1966

And then it is over to Tom Danaher

Tom Danaher and Don Pierson

About Chuck Blair/Jay Kay

Jack Curtiss steps up to the microphone

Basil van Rensburg, from advertising and radio to the priesthood.

ÒAn old colonel steps aboardÓ

The ÒCaptain(s) of your ship.Ó

 

Chapter 3: ÓRon on the radio from 2-6 pm.Ó Olga Patricia djs and newsreaders May 3rd-August 6th 1967

A 5-station rundown

Chapter 4: Inputs from and on Olga Patricia broadcasters.

Larry Dean

"They wanted us to sound slick, pacy and fast"

ÒYou are listening to the Jerry Smithwick program!Ó

Johnnie Walker remembers

Phil Martin

Summer 1966 brings Òthe Second US WaveÓ[1] to the Ò227Ó microphone

"Boom Boom Brannigan" or Bob Klingeman

April 4th, 1967: Boomer's accident

Perry Woods, former Operations Manager at WPXI

Steve Richards(Steve Nelson), formerly of WPXI

On Radio England from ÒWill radio pirates walk the plank?Ó ©LIFE International Magazine. October 31st, 1966[2]

A format change on 227 and Bill Berry shows leadership

John Ross-Barnard

David Gilbee, also known as Dave MacKay

The cartoonist of the Olga

Look Boden

Dick WeedaÕs Radio 227 memories

John Aston takes the microphone

Martin Kayne was the last dj who did breakfast on the Olga

Chapter 5: ÓToday, this song is Boss Sound no.1-1-1Ó. Olga Patricia music and jingles.

The last ÓBoss Fun 50Ó, of November 5th, 1966

BOSS 40 and (BOSS)FUN 50 #1s

Chapter 6: A radio hybrid. Olga Patricia programming.

US station roots

ÓIn excess of 50000 wattsÓ. SREÕs Legal IDs atop the hour(TOH)

BOH/Bottom of the Hour IDs

ÒThe Sound of the International GiantÉÓ-SRE special promos

ÓSaturday morning at 8Ó-SREÕs Promos(for) special shows

ÒWhen form was more important than contentÓ

Ron OÕQuinn explains the news concept

The Bannerline news format came from WFUN

ÒItÕs ThatmanÓ -SREÕs jingle sets

Ron OÕQuinn explains

Larry Dean explains

Jingles used on the Olga stations

Chapter 7: ÓOn Ó3-5-5Ó and Ó2-2-7Ó. Technical.

The Olga Patricia Frequencies

The Olga Patricia Transmitters

Swazi Music Radio 1376 kc

Swazi Music Radio-format changes

Trans World Radio Swaziland 1170 kc

Chapter 8: Ò32 CurzonÓ. Addresses and other administrative data.

Investors

5-station information

The format changes.

1. The song(s) of a Dolfijn enters 227. About the Dolfijn mystery.

Chapter 9: Sales and ratings.

Ad clients.

Chapter 10: What happened to the Olga Patricia?

Ship details.

The aftermath: Up for sale.

ÓLast voyage of a Musical pirate.Ó

The aftermath: Langford, TWR and...?

Other ships?!

The question of the Olga PatriciaÕs identity

And now...enter the Earl J.Conrad!

Where the Heck is the Olga Patricia?

A surprising development: Radio Galleon.

Chapter 11: Meanwhile on the Galaxy.

Chapter 12: ÓSee you aroundÓ. The end of Texas Radio in Europe.

 

In spite of the effort of Burroughs, jr. and others not all facts have been established.

 

Distinguished reader, if you know of any story, anecdote, biography or event, or if you have any photographs that you feel should be presented to the world through this essay, or if you know someone we should interview to get more information on this piece of radio history, please feel free to contact us.

 

If you worked with or on these stations in any respect, or have information from other sources, you are invited to give your input in text or pictures so that it may fit the outline above. Previously unknown unscoped mp3 recordings(if possible) are also sought, as well as scoped airchecks, also in mp3 that may be displayed on the site. We only want sound material not published elsewhere.

 

Generally, it is important for Burroughs, jr. to find the true facts without publishing anything that would hurt anyone.

 

Please submit your text in Microsoft Word or for pictures,. jpg or .gif and email to Derek Burroughs jr. at this email address:

 

olgaobserver@yahoo.no

 

Copyright issues must be resolved.

 

Contrasting views to those presented by the editor are welcomed, as they will add color and depth to the story, but the presentation will be balanced.

 



[1]  Phil Martin expression.

[2]  LIFE International magazine has ceased trading long ago. The article of the Oct.31st, 1966 edition is also unnamed as well as the photos. A hint of the origin is given with the name Jim Hicks, LifeÕs Bureau Chief in London, with whom weÕd like to get in touch if at all possible. Contact with Time-Life International has been tried in vain. For historical and non-commercial objectives the magazine material is published here to preserve it, and let it add its valuable angle to our story.