THE HEAVENS ARE DECLARING HIS HANDIWORK (PS 19:1)

YET ANOTHER WAL-MARTS STORY WITH A BAD,BAD ENDING

ADMITTEDLY, I WAS A  LATE COMER TO THIS PROPOSITION: DEMOCRACY WILL ONLY WORK IN A CIVILIZED SOCIETY.

LIKE SOME OF OUR RECENT PRESIDENTS, I ONCE BELIEVED THAT ONCE THE DICTATORS WERE OUT OF POWER ,THE POPULACE WOULD JUST NATURALLY SET UP A DEMOCRATIC, REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. IT IS NAIVE TO THE MAX TO HOLD THIS PREMISE. WITNESS IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN, PLUS SEVERAL OTHER MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES, PLUS SOUTH AMERICA.

SIMPLY PUT: WHEN THE BIG BULLY IS KILLED OR KICK OUT A STRUGGLE AMONG THE LITTLE BULLIES STARTS. SOON THERE WILL BE ONE OR JUST A FEW BIG BULLIES TO RULE A NATION.

VIOLENCE (SEE REF URL) IS A PREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCE WHERE DEMOCRACY IS NON-EXISTENT OR GREATLY WEAKENED. HERE'S THE TRUTH---THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS. BOOKMARK THIS PAGE FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WHO WILL SOMEDAY REVIEW YOUR COMPUTER. 

http://www.wnd.com/2015/06/50-teens-storm-walmart-in-in-destructive-rampage/

GLENN <><
JUST WEST OF YESTERDAY

HOW MUCH DOES INTEGRITY COST ? PART 1

THANK GOD ALMIGHTY THAT MY HEART IS BEATING AND I HAVE EMOTIONS THAT STILL PROVE I'M ALIVE AND I STILL LIVE IN A LAND OF FREEDOM BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. TYRANTS, KINGS, DESPOTS, AND MANIFOLD FORCES OF EVIL HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE START OF THIS GREAT NATION. TO BORROW A LINE FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT: 
"WE SHALL OVERCOME!"

NOW THE QUESTION: HOW MUCH DOES INTEGRITY COST ????

Joseph's brothers thought that it was worth just 20 pieces of silver. By Judas' time the cost was raised to 30 pieces. Some sweaty white guys with funny haircuts thought it enough to pledge their lives and their fortunes to each other in that hot building in Philly, PA.

Crispus Attucks became the first African-American to die in our struggle for Freedom. Thousands more, mainly young people, thought truth and integrity was worth payment in full for taking a stand for the principles of that Freedom. Add to that Roll Call Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.and many, many more.

Fast forward to today: The leader of our Congress thought his vote and influence was for sale: How much John? Oh, how about a few rounds of golf and a ride in that souped up 747, and could you throw in a few photo ops with POTUS? That's about what some people, some very highly placed people, think their integrity is worth. 

Most of the early Americans could not ever get on a ballot today, and if they did, they would never be elected. Truth, honesty, integrity do not play well in most places. Just jettison them overboard and go for the gold. The big one. The cheap ones for cheap people.

That great Baptist preacher from yesterday, R.G. Lee, overheard two women discussing as to what a great politician Lee would have made if he had chosen politics over the gospel ministry. Dr. Lee's remark causes me to tremble, "Ladies, I would not stoop to be a king."

LONG OVERDUE IMMODEST PRESS CONFERENCE

T

WORDS, WORDS AND MORE WORDS

WORDS ARE ALWAYS EVOLVING AND SOMEWHAT GENERATIONALY DETERMINED.


1. BAD WAS ONCE SOMETHING WELL, BAD. NOW IT IS OFF THE CHART IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION.


2. HIT WAS ONCE LIMITED TO AN UNSOUGHT BLOW. NOW IT HAS THE CONNOTATION OF A PERSON EXPRESSING SOMETHING FAVORABLE TOWARD  A GIRL OR BOY.


3. GAY HAS ALMOST CHANGED TO AN ALTERNATE  SEXUAL LIFESTYLE.


4. CHEATING HAS ALMOST COME TO MEAN MARITIAL INFIDELITY. HOWEVER, CHEATING WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF MARRIAGE CAN MEAN, OUT OF CONTROL SHOPPING, LYING ABOUT SICKNESS OR ILLNESS, STEALING FROM THE FAMILY'S TIME AND ATTENTION WITH FAKE OR HEIGHTENED CONCERNS FOR MARITIAL ISSUES, IN A BIBLICAL LUST SENSE THAT COULD BE CHEATING, AND IT COULD MEAN THE WITHHOLDING OF MARITAL OBLIGATIONS AND MARITIAL DUTIES TO YOUR PARTNER.


THAT'S ENOUGH FOR NOW!


GLENN <><
JUST WEST OF YESTERDAY

OK! OK! OK! THIS IS MY OFFICIAL Wal-Marts POSITION!

HELP! I CANNOT  TAKE ANYMORE !!!!!!!


LITTLE DID I EVER THINK COMMENTS ABOUT WAL-MARTS BE SO EASILY MISINTERPRETED. AGAIN FOR THE RECORD:


I LOVE WAL-MARTS. HECK, I LOVE PEOPLE WHO WORK AT WAL-MARTS, PEOPLE WHO SHOP AT WAL-MARTS, & PEOPLE WHO MAKE THINGS FOR SALE AT WAL-MARTS.


WHAT FOLLOWS IS AN EXPANDED TRY AT EXPLAINING WHY SOME, NOT ALL, CUSTOMERS AT WAL-MARTS DRESS THE WAY THEY DO.


1. Previously mentioned---frequent shoppers at WAL-MARTS perhaps feel they have a right to dress just like they do at home.


2. Work/vacation clothes---coming or going


3. Revenge--- To get even with ex-.........(fill in the blanks)


4. To advertise a recent divorce or breakup. Back in the game.


5. Failure to take legal or too much illegal meds


6. Hide from Repo, landlord, laws, or score settlers


7. Lost a bet.


8.True psychos ---A mind is a terrible thing to waste


9. Undercover security--Hide in the open


10.Party going to or coming from


GLENN <><
JUST WEST OF YESTERDAY

RESPONSE TO WAL-MARTS STORY ASTOUNDING !!!!

"THROW A ROCK OVER A HIGH FENCE AND THE DOG THAT HOLLARS IS MOST LIKELY THE ONE THAT GOT HIT!" (BILL CLINTON WHILE PRESIDENT)


I HAD NO IDEA THE NEXT POST (WAL-MARTS) WOULD STRIKE SO MANY READERS!


Does anyone know of a Wal-Marts confession site? I'm at Wal-Marts 3-4 times a week.  I know about the People of Wal-Marts sites. What  I need to confess is some of the things I have seen at the Bentonville Blvd of Broken Dreams! My, My, My, who let the dogs out? (As a general principle, I am against government interfering in our lives---a dress code at Wal-Marts would be an acceptation. Maybe folks are there so often and spend so much money, Wal-Marts owes them the right to dress just like at home! 


As my brother says often "There's some people you just can't help!"


I just know some old man from Russia or France will say something like the following "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!!"


Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday

10 Rules That Every Married Man Should Follow, Esp. If He shops Alone at Wal-Marts

1. Never, never, mention a shapely woman you observed at Wal-Marts. (Might as well buy yourself a bus ticket to anyplace---you  are a Dead Man Walking !The truth can sometimes get you in trouble!!!)

2. If you fail to bring home her favorite candy---tell her you heard on the radio that all of Hersey, PA was hit with seven inches of rain and an earthquake that measured 11.2 .  May not be any candy for months, years, or forever. 

3. If you forget an item on the list, just say Wal-Marts only had the item in small containers and since her divorced sister and her 9 kids were coming to spend the summer with us, you thought it best to wait until the Super Duper Reunion package came out. Remind her nephew Josh won the hot dog eating contest at the Fair.

4. The reason you didn't get the oil changed and new tires put on her car was Wal-Marts is the major sponsor of local dirt track racing every Saturday night and the big truck from Bentonville burned at an all night truck stop while the driver was getting a full body tattoo!. Police think there was some bad wiring in the CB radio.

5. Mentioning anything you saw on sale at Wal-Marts and did not bring it home means one thing: Grab the quilt and that 30 year old pillow and head for the couch. 

6. Mentioning seeing an old girl friend at Wal-Marts without telling your wife that the old flame looked both is another Walk The Plank moment.

7. That red smudge on your collar was when you rescued the 97- year old door Greeter from the hands of two bad guys who used a sack of  Mickey Dees BBQ sauce  as a fake explosive. One package blew up and you got hit with it as a result. EMT guys say you need to stay home for a couple of days. When that BBQ exploded, our happy home flashed before my eyes. Where's That Shout Out???

8. The $400 you lost at the Casino was really the money you gave to some homeless children selling paper roses in front of Wal-Marts. Here honey use my hanky.

9.  You saw one of her old enemies in school who looked 20 instead of near 50. If you talk in your sleep better have this line ready: Yea, it's a shame how some people just let themselves go.

10. You got kicked in the mouth by the new Wal-Marts SM, but you saved the three teeth she took out. How were you to know who she was and that she looked like last year's Miss America. The spin around kick to the choppers was when you asked her about her night job. You tell your wife you got kicked in the mouth by a coin-operated riding horse. You stooped down to find a crying child' lost quarter and whamo the lights go out! 

GLENN <><
JUST WEST OF YESTERDAY

The top 3 arguments a husband will never win !

1. Driving Lane Choice on New Highway--Wife can make this decision a Life or Death matter. If husband turns out to be correct, the next few days will be the silent treatment. If she is right, she will take many, many "victory laps" and will not stop celebrating for six weeks.  

2. Christmas gifts for in laws---She is a walking mathematical wizard on sizes, even if she has only met someone just  one-time. Be prepared to stand in line on Dec 26th.

3. I get nervous just typing this---Removing "Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law" Tags from bedding products. The comments in the proceeding paragraph might confuse you. She says cut them off. I have visions of the CIA,FBI, CSI, IRS, and the cast from "Blues Brothers" crashing through our windows the very second I respond to her comments and cut them off.   

A few years ago, I would imagine the invasion taking place at the mountain top of an evening in which the wonderful differences between husband and wife were lovingly being celebrated !!!

Question:   Anyone out there know what the cost is for a complete body transplant ??????????????

Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday

Pick Up Lines in the 1950's

Discretion being the importance of valor, I must decline to say why this line was pulled from the bottom file drawer of my memory over 50 years after it being used. OK. You asked for it. A guy says this to a girl he has just met for the very first time, hopefully where he is not known.


               "Marry me and take me away from all of this!"


There are several possible responses:


1. She says, "Are you nuts? I don't even know you."
    He says, "Your beauty so overwhelmed me I just wanted to get my name on you preferred dating list."


2. She says, "God does answer prayer. I must go home and tell Mom to dust off the Hope Chest."
    He says, "If Mom is as pretty as you, better let her get her beauty rest." 


3. She says, "I've got 17 bucks in my Christmas Savings Account. Do you think we can start a life together on that?"
    He says, "I just knew you were a caring and compassionate girl when I first saw you. Always thinking of others. Give me the money and I'll get something nice for you at the  5 & 10 Cents Store.!"


4. She says, "Hey, that's a super duper idea. My steady boy friend will be over soon and his Dad is a minister. He'll get us a cut-rate wedding!"
    He says, "Until he comes over, I'll be down at the Gulf gas station jumping up and down on the car alert cable. Got to watch MM Club Today--Annette has a new sweater!"


Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday

Coral Ridge Church Sex Scandal

Critics of my second Post on this subject need to hang on, more might follow. Some readers might say: "So what? Who cares?" Here's why this is so very important: (All information cited is from major Internet and print media sources.)

1. The truth and motivation is confused at best and maybe far from the truth. Already an, He said--She said, atmosphere surrounds this THIRD sex scandal in and around the Coral Ridge,FL in just a few  years. All involved churches and church leadership. Coincidence? Maybe? Any church scandal impacts the entire body of Christ.

2. One of the pastors who is fighting his termination centers around his demand for a $500,000 Golden Parachute. Admitted immoral failure apparently comes with a price tag to ease the pastor's pain and suffering. A big church might just do it to avoid litigation. 

3. The latest pastor admitting moral failure (adultery) cited his wife's own confession of adultery while her pastor husband was away. This resulted in separation. Boys and Girls it gets even worse. Wife leaves and the lonely pastor finds comfort and shared bed with another woman. The partners of the pastor and wife have not been publicly named. Why is that important? There may be other church members involved and the adultery of a pastor and wife just might be an indication of larger church systemic problems.

4. The latest pastor has asked for privacy. It was privacy that got the pastor and wife into adultery. I seriously doubt this relationship can be put back together. However, God does the impossible. 

5. Lastly (for now) , I have not used names to preclude the curious
random Internet surfer from stumbling on to the Blog. I have this sickening feeling, Coral Ridge will soon become a national evening news location.

Pray for this sordid situation and our great nation.

Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday  

A DISABLE FABLE

In a fine, fertile land of a happy time long ago lived a Prince who fell in love with a fair young Princess. At night he would think of her soft blond hair and her year-round fragrance of honeysuckles. Her kisses were as soft and wet as morning dew. The songs of angels could not compare to her assuring and well articulated, enticing sounds from Heaven and smell of baby's breath. 
Gosh, how he loved her.


She would dream of marrying this sometimes shy Prince. From deep inside she would image what it would be like to birth and raise children from his strong loins. Sometimes she would blow imaginary kisses to her opened window destined for his welcoming reception. She would alternate between hugging her second pillow as a symbol of him and maybe in a split second the pillow would be a new born child they had brought into the world. Tomorrow seemed just a few happy dreams over the moonlighted western horizon. Sometimes she would shiver at the thought of sharing her entire life with this nearby Prince.


Maybe poets, philosophers, and physicians have names for what happened next. The Prince could only call it a broken heart. He never knew what terminology the Princess may have used, if she used any at all. One half of a century would speed by before he heard her voice again. Time and distance, plus second best marriages kept them apart. During periods of regular reflective thought he would often be on the verge of insanity trying to replay and repair what was the reasons this storybook romance stopped so suddenly and without meaningful reasons.


He conquered all of his kingdoms, accomplished all of his goals, and was by any definition, a real achiever and life success. He would have gladly traded all of the plaques, awards, plaudits and all the trappings of an apparent Mt. Everest climber for just one morning of awakening with the sleeping Princess cradled in his right arm. To see her eyes open and have them aimed at his and mutually move toward each other in a good morning kiss. No words, no dream retelling, no plans for the day, just that unspoken God-given communication between a man and his wife.


Most fables have some sort of happy ending. This one is like a 45 point deficit in a basketball game, a doctor sadly shaking his head toward a grieving spouse, or a drive-by shooting with the Prince's name on the next 9mm.  The game clock is in hyper mode and all of the coach's time outs have already been used. This fable started in bless but will be concluded with only memories and dreams that have faded from HD to a very, very poor quality black and white.  


Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday        

DEW DIAMONDS

Just before dawn they were purposefully spread in my backyard
Looking out of my kitchen widow I grasped Heaven's holy secret


   

WHO DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING ??????

THE FOLLOWING URL CONFIRMS WHAT MANY  AMERICANS HAVE SUSPECTED---FOR A LONG TIME:


https://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2015/06/communism-in-jarretts-family/


OLD FOLKS SAID AN ACORN DOES NOT FALL TOO FAR FROM THE TREE.


GLENN <><
JUST WEST OF YESTERDAY

10 Things To Know Before You Enter An Off-Campus Bookstore

1. If possible, go in the middle of the week. Moms, kids, pseudo intellectuals like Friday night or Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon and evening the DIY crowd shows up. I don't know who goes there on Sundays.


2. Most of the staff are college students or recent grads who could not find a good paying job. They relay on computers to find things. Be patient.


3. Almost all books will someday be paperbacks. Wait if you can.


4. If you order a book through a bookstore always have it shipped to your house. The chances of it getting misplaced in a bookstore are almost 100 percent.


5. Your favorite bookstore will not be there 5 years from now. Amazon and used internet stores will rule the book world. Enjoy an American icon while you can.


6. Unless you are a college student avoid campus bookstores. Most students either rent or buy their books via the good old internet.


7. Magazines, especially specialized ones, can almost always be found in a quality bookstore.


8. Most quality bookstores are out of the "Girlie" magazine business. The Internet is changing everything. One-third of all Internet sites are porn sites! (I read recently the many homemade and amateur porn vids are hurting the high dollar, low class, Hollywood type porn sites. An anti-porn site says that by age 30 the girls wear diapers, have had at least 1 STD and will have at less one unwanted pregnancy, most have to work as strippers or call girls to make ends meet.)


9. Ditto the traditional "Marriage Manuals." Today's generation knows more about sex than any previous generation.(Personal observation---the joy of discovery and excitement in starting a marriage is gone for many. I cannot stop now---most surveys reveal that a male, when he weds or enters a committed relationship has had 6 or more sexual encounters. For females more than 4 such encounters. Some experts report many males may brag too much and females under report their encounters.  ) There are about an equal number of unwed homes as traditional marriages. * See below for additional comments.


10. An old fashion public library card is too valuable to waste.


*Here goes another sermon. Human sexuality is part of God's creation for continuing the human race and for the fulfillment of both men and women in marriage. Here's breaking news for some--God is in favor of sex---within the bounds of marriage. Here's the irony of today. More sexual abuse, child porn, abortions, more broken homes, and more destroyed lives as a result of sex outside of marriage. Here's the Good News---Jesus had a lot to say about the restoration of lives that were train wrecked  by sex outside of marriage. Remember---Failure is never final for people who turn to Jesus. OK. That's it!  


Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday

The Affairs of Pastors

I take no joy is this Post. In fact, it was the sad situation in Coral Ridge, FL that has prompted this action. I guess very few pastors ever read this Blog; however, sexual temptation is a human problem. Maybe the URL below will help someone. Someone who is closest to abandoning their vows to their spouse and Almighty God! 

http://www.westernseminary.edu/transformedblog/2013/06/21/the-affairs-of-pastors/

I have always insisted on a glass window being made in my office door. A women must always either be in the office when counseling another woman or just outside the door.

In seminary we were advised to never hug a girl over 4 or a woman under 90! This is super advice but totally impractical. Woman, and men, during great grief, physical, or spiritual hurts  need a human touch to let them know they are not alone.

For The Record: In 34 years of ordained Gospel ministry I have hugged several hundred children, women and men. In only two cases did I ever perceive the women had sinful intentions that went way behind my friendly hug. God provided a way of escape! 

Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday

"EARTH CALLING WASHINGTON !"

The following has been sent to the Shawnee News- Star. As most readers of this Blog know---I have great passion for this nation. If you share the beliefs expressed---give it wide dissemination. Time maybe running out. I had rather be labeled a crackpot than make no attempt to make some changes.

                                  “Earth Calling Washington” 

                   

This once great nation is committing suicide on the installment plan. Our nonexistent Southern Border is hardly breaking news. One political party gets cheap labor and the other gets cheap votes. Mexico has an unending cheap supply to make both major parties very, very happy.  Let the next shift worry about the national security implications!

Truth in Washington has taken more than a three hour cruise on the Minnow.  It is shipwrecked on Gilligan’s Island. We may never hear from Truth again in political campaigns, administration of the public purse strings, laws that are made and interpreted on the basis of the Constitution, health care, education, main stream media that is honest and not simply a house organ for one political party. support  to long-standing allies, and most of all: National Security. Any nation that cannot defend itself or project its might worldwide is living on broken life support.

It is hardly breaking news that our last Space Shuttle mission was flown in July 2011. American astronauts now bum rides on the Russian Soyuz space capsule to get to and from the International Space Station. Supplies get to the ISS via a network of foreign space vehicles and US commercial efforts.  An American replacement for the Shuttle is planned for 2025. Our once reputable US space program has fallen to such a low point that some Russian scientists are now proclaiming they can prove we never went to the moon!

USA Today reported in their June 22, 2015 issue that because of drastic reductions in our naval vessels, the Department of Defense is looking at sending our US Marines to hot spots in Africa and the Middle East via foreign ships! “Earth calling the DOD: Has everyone in Washington gone nuts?” 

May Almighty God Save Us From Ourselves.

Glenn C. Peck, (USAF, ret.)

Shawnee, OK

MY IRREVERSIBLE TWILIGHT

                         ARE WE THERE YET?


               Eden's Creative sunset is now mine
               No Delay
               No Debate
               No Detour
               No Do Overs
               Shadows are lengthening
               Squints replace glints
               Fire is but gray embers
               My Irreversible Twilight


                            Glenn <><
                            Just West of Yesterday   

WOW !!! IT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE IN THE PECK FAMILY

CONFESSION: I HAVE MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE BIT OF PRIDE IN MAKING THIS HISTORIC POST !!!!!!

I returned to Indiana a couple of weeks ago to help my father, Cecil B. Peck, celebrate his 100th Birthday on June 10th.

Can you grasp that fact ??? It has never been done in our family. Probably will not happen again soon.

Before I left Oklahoma some well-meaning folks said, "Why, your Dad will not know you."
I said, "But I know him!!!" Turned out he did know me. He did think my family still lived in California---that was true in the mid-60s.

I was there with Dad and several friends and family to celebrate this most unbelievable event !! Thank God for my Dad on this Father's Day in 2015 !

Glenn (age 73) <><
Just West of Yesterday

WLAC: CHANGED A NATION

(WHAT FOLLOWS IS A MAJOR POST---AT LEAST FROM MY VIEWPOINT. I WISH I HAD TIME AND MONEY TO WRITE THE DEFINITIVE ACCOUNT OF THIS HISTORY MAKING RADIO STATION.)

WLAC: The Radio Station That Changed America

I am not sure when I first heard the 50,000 watt WLAC radio station in Nashville, TN. My best guess is about 1955 or 1956. I do know where: The upstairs bedroom of my very close cousins Ed and Tony.  Ed was almost a year older than me and Tony was almost a year younger than me. At night Ed would tune an old tube radio to 1510 on the AM dial. What I heard was nothing short of amazing.

My own musical tastes had been centered on WAKY, WHAS, WLOU all in Louisville, KY, WSLM, Salem, IN, WOCH, North Vernon, IN, WIBC, Indianapolis, IN, WSM in Nashville, TN, KOMA, Oklahoma City, OK and WCKY in Cincinnati, OH. It must be noted that most of the above stations, and thousands of others, have since changed their call letters and program format. I liked the emerging sounds of Rock and Roll, Country (long before it was cool and video driven), and Gospel Music. But WLAC was a whole new ballgame. I heard what sounded like African-American announcers playing something called Rhythm and Blues. The music was different, the announcers were different, and the commercials were almost as entertaining as the music.

Artists such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, Joe Tex, Muddy Waters, Lighting Slim, Lonesome Sundown, Bo Diddley, Larry Birdsong, Sonny Boy Williams, Howling Wolf,Guitar Slim, Little Al, Laverne Baker, Etta James, Little Junior Parker, and Lula Reed sang and played music that first seemed to be aimed only at a black audience. As I listened more closely,  I found the songs were about people and very intense emotions: The good, the bad and the ugly. For a rural teenager who only had limited contact with blacks, I discovered the music world was not just Elvis, Pat Boone, Buddy Holly, Ernest Tubb, Bill Monroe, Dottie West, Hank Snow, the Blackwood Brothers and the Chuck Wagon Gang. Maybe the real and lasting discovery was that blacks were not really that much different from me. The songs were about love, love gone bad, (as a teenager I was beginning to know that girls were not weird, or stuck up, just different. And what a difference!)  hard times (running water and indoor plumbing came to our house in 1965) and working for the “Man” (my father worked as a tenant farmer by day and a machinist at Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana at night).

The night and early morning WLAC announcers were not the standard “cookie cutter” vinyl spinners of the day. John R (it was years later I learned his full name was John Richbourg) to me was the voice of WLAC. His deep tones were modulated by a personal smile I could hear and almost see. The intro to his shows each night was very predictable yet always seemed as if I was hearing it for the first time. “Hey, John R whatca gonna do? Come on John R, man, play me some Rhythm & Blues!” This voice over had a hard driving Rhythm and Blues band, complete with saxophone. (I started to lose interest in the traditional Rock and Roll when the saxophone disappeared from the bands) John R would come in with a voice that seemed aimed right at me. “Alright there my friend, I gotta do it. John R way down south here in Dixie.”

Gene Nobles had a voice and speech pattern that one and the same time seemed sophisticated, yet very much in tune with the rapidly changing cultural and musical world.

His program engineer was “Cohort” to Gene and the millions of listeners. To keep listeners, and Gene, on their toes “Cohort” would occasionally slip in the Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan call. Gene would sometimes get his playlist out of sync with what was actually going out over the air. To me, it seemed just another way to keep listeners wondering what he might do next. Some brief histories of this era have alleged Gene was nursing a nightly bottle of Seagrams V.O. Regardless, he held your attention. Gene’s lead in theme song each night was “Swannee River Boogie”

Bill “Hossman” Allen had a voice that sounded as if you could loan him money and expect to get it back. I remember him pitching several Gospel Music artists. I have read he hosted many gospel programs, even appearing on some recordings that were simulated as “live.”

As a freshman at Purdue University, fall 1959, I brought my extra powerful Heathkit AR-3 Am & Shortwave radio with me. This was the second radio I assembled while in high school. I introduced several dorm residents to WLAC and the wonderful sounds produced by the music and the announcers. One student, David Mills, one-time  world record holder of the 440 yard dash, tagged me “Hossman.” I considered it, then and now, as one of the most complimentary nicknames ever given to me.  

“After Hours” by Erskine Hawkins was the theme song for Herman Grizzard’s post-midnight program. Of all the “Big Four” WLAC announcers, I remember the least about Herman. I was never a night owl and would often fall asleep during his program. Herman had a “fatherly”, yet animated voice. He sound the least black of all the announcers. Somehow, Ed got information that they were all white and just sounded black. It was like learning Santa and the Easter Bunny got rubbed out on the same night! Years later I would see photographs which confirmed Ed’s inside information.

The entertaining commercials were the icing on the cake. The main sponsors were three mail order record companies in Tennessee. John R touted Ernie’s Record Mart in Nashville.  Remember, 45 rpm records were the only way to have your favorite songs played when you wanted. Specials offers would often contain the song just played. If you ever heard John R promote Ernie’s Record Mart you will recall his trademark “They got records galore in that store!”

Randy’s Record Shop in Gallatin, Tennessee, no street or box number, just simply Gallatin, Tennessee. Night after night listeners would be urged to order song played on Gene Nobles’ program.  Gene was at his best hawking Randy’s many record specials.

Herman Grizzard was the pitchman for Buckley’s Record Shop. His commercials sounded very similar to Ernie’s and Randy’s. I even thought they were all owned by one man. Truth is they were really three different stores.

My favorite was John R telling listeners we could have fried chicken about anytime we wanted if we would order live baby chicks. A hundred chicks would be sent to you for $3.00 plus postage and COD charges. The Post Office to this day still handles live baby chick shipments.

White Rose Petroleum Jelly and Royal Crown Hair Dressing commercials gave the WLAC platter men the opportunity to improvise and even make oblique sexual references. In the 1950’s this was very risqué and many parents would have considered it over the line.

One more WLAC story. I built and listened to a lot of radios in my teenage years. My antenna was a 175 foot long wire about fifteen feet above ground positioned in a north-south direction. I took a crystal set and modified it and could hear WLAC from my bedroom in Jennings County, Indiana. Then that was comparable to talking to the International Space Station on a baby monitor today.

Over the years I have met many people who shared my WLAC listening enjoyment. Two that really stand out was a black man in Fort Worth, TX who worked with me in a large warehouse. He was amazed that a white rural Indiana teenager was listening to the same radio station he thought was mainly for black people. The other, also a black man, was in Shawnee, OK when we both worked for a telecommunications company. He doubted my story until I rattled off many of the artists I heard on WLAC. The clincher came when I identified Bobby “Blue” Bland. He later told me he told his wife, my accounts were true because I included the “Blue” between Bobby and Bland!

The complete history of this epoch making radio station during the 1950’s is yet to be written. Here’s a free title for an enterprising writer. “Way Down South In Dixie---How a radio station helped change America” 

Glenn <><

Just West of Yesterday

That Wonderful Year---1959

If you are going to the reunion on the 17th of June, please take this Post and place on our table. Encourage others to visit our Blog at www.hallpasspchs1959@blogspot.com As Coach Dale said at the end of Hoosiers---"I love you guys".  

                                                                                 1959

                                  We were all eager and young with our unlimited dreams

                                  Our world seemed small and each thought we understood

                                  What it took to plan our lives and how to work our schemes

                                  Then everything seemed fresh, clear and surely all good

 

                                 Before long our different lives marched at a very new pace

                                 Marriage, college, military, other careers introduced us to work

                                 The sweet breath of babies whispered in our concerned face

                                 Bills and kids school activities introduced us to 24/7 real work  

 

                                Phone calls tell of family and classmates who breathed their last

                               Our kids left home and before long those special grandchildren came

                               Funny how God directs this ever changing world stage life cast

                               Some marriages dissolved and each knew they were not to blame

 

                              Today we start to faintly hear that not so distant Heavenly choir sing

                              Pills and bills continually fill our mostly silent and mostly empty space

                             Late at night we secretly wonder what the next late night call brings

                             Where did the years and dreams go as we prepare to complete the Race?

                                      Glenn <><

                                    Just West of Yesterday   

                              

I INTERRUPT THIS BLOG FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.....

AFTER 34 YEARS OF ORDAINED CHRISTIAN MINISTRY, I RETIRED (AGE 73) ON MAY 31ST AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ST. LOUIS, OK.








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GLENN <><
JUST WEST OF YESTERDAY