Radio Writings
List Price: $10.00
Available on CD exclusively at klamm-magic.com.
Sample audio clip: Whisper Something Sweet
Sample audio clip: The Plantation
Sample audio clip: Just Peeking
MINING GOLD IN RADIO'S GOLDEN AGE
Fresh from the hallowed halls and cramped radio studios of Northwestern University; at 22, R W Klamm had the good fortune to stumble into the most creative advertising agency in Kansas City - probably in the nation.
In the early 50's, Standart-O'Hern Ad Agency had captured the minds of Midwest listeners, via their funny bones. The client was Berbiglia Liquor Stores, but it was (and is) taboo to advertise hard liquor on the airwaves. Kansas City sat on the edge of the Mason Dixon line, so the agency gave birth to Col. Stonewall and Lily Belle, two humorous characters, who poked fun at the Old South.
The radio commercials bespoke Southern Comfort without actually naming Southern Comfort. The Stonewall and Lily Belle characters said fun, without saying you need to drink to have fun. Mere mention of Berbiglia at parties caused a laugh. Even the tea-totalers enjoyed the humor without objection. It introduced subliminal advertising to the industry, produced a gold mine for Berbiglia, attracted a multitude of new clients to the agency, and provided fertile soil for Bob Klamm to produce his most creative radio work.
Fifty years later, they still sparkle, digitally enhanced and permanently stored.
VITALITY FEEDS GROUP:
Track 1 HOGS GET VITALITY: Radio DJ, Roc Ulmer; along with actor, Art Ellison, play the porkers. Later, in his normal voice, Roc joins KCMO announcer, Ken Heady, to help with the hard-sell pitch.
Track 2 NO DUMB CLUCKS: Twyla (Comer) Pollard and an unknown actress cackle in their chicken voices about the way Vitality Feed "eggs" them on. Later, using her regular voice, one of the ladies assists Ken Heady in the hard-sell pitch.
Track 3 LET'S GO HUNTING: Roc Ulmer, Art Ellison and Ken Heady return to howl the praises of Vitality Dog Food.
DUBOWY-STEIN GROUP: Tracks 4-6
Our version of the Smothers Brothers, before we ever heard of the Smothers Brothers. KMBC announcer, Jim Lantz as "Dubowy," plays the foil to KCKN announcer Tom Fallen's "Stein" in these ads for Nash Rambler.
BERBIGLIA GROUP: These are what started it all.
Track 7 COTTON PLANTER: Ken Heady with unknown actress.
Track 8 WICKER ROCKER: Ken Heady as Stonewall. Actress unknown.
Track 9 WHISPAH SOMETHING SWEET: Klamm wrote this as a sample to apply for a position as writer. It sold to the agency for $20. It was not until later that he got the job. Features Lynn Rowan and Ken Heady.
Track 10 CECELIA: The other sample Klamm sold at the interview. Art Ellison plays the old codger, against Ken Heady's character of Col. Stonewall.
MUELBACH BEER GROUP: This series prompted a call from New York asking our S&O agency to detail the psychology behind our work. The New York agency was preparing radio commercials for Piels Beer. The New York ads featured the nationally known comedy team of Bob and Ray. Our commercials featured the very versatile Kansas City talents of Twyla (Comer) Pollard and Art Ellison.
Track 11 THE BANK ROBBER
Track 12 THE BALLOON: Roc Ulmer plays the crow and announcer at the end.
Track 13 MOOING ABOUT MOOLBACH: This fragment is all that is left, but so delightfully acted, we thought it worth the listening to include. In the missing section, the cow is the one that moos the line, "Have you tried Moolebach, lately." Don't tell the actor's union, but the recording technician did the line. He was the only one with the voice to do it.
Track 14: THE MAGICIAN
JOHNNY MCGUIRE GROUP: The challenge was to actually "be" warm and friendly, instead of merely saying it. The kids; the word "uncle" coupled with "Johnny"; giving gifts to Santa, and the idea of story-telling all reached out to an audience that was embarrassed at having to buy clothing on credit.
Track 15 TELL US A STORY, UNCLE JOHNNY: Players were Jim Bysol, Twyla (Comer) Pollard as the girl, and Jan Rice as the boy.
Track 16 TELL ME A STORY, DADDY: In an effort to reach out to McGuire's extensive market of black customers, we gained special permission from the actor's union to use non-professionals. Without saying a word about race or color; without addressing a specific audience directly, these rich, cultured black voices reached out across color lines as none others could. (Names now unknown.) In real life, Daddy was a truck driver. A schoolteacher played the little girl.
Track 17 JOE FALK TOYS: We tried to "be" wide selection instead of merely saying it. Jim Lantz of KMBC was the central voice. Others are unknown.
Track 18 RAINBOW DRY CLEANERS: This more direct appeal still used the subliminal approach. Instead of merely talking about "clean" and "fresh" the commercial bespoke that by its very nature. The added expense of music was well worth the price. As with all music, S&O used Warren Durett as our musical director.
Track 19 MERRICHILD SLEEPERS: This was developed as a point of purchase entertainment for the kids, while mom did the shopping. Jim Bysol did the narration. Jan Rice was the boy; Twyla (Comer) Pollard the little girl. Art Ellison played all of the dwarves.
Track 20 THE N BAR U RANCH: Produced live for nearly two years on Northwestern University's 10-watt WNUR-FM Embryo station. This promo recording was made with openings for commercial inserts, in an attempt to sell it to the networks. Originated by Bob Klamm, it featured Bob Brown as Uncle Don, and Jimmy Reese as Willie Waters. Other credits are identified at the end of the recording.