WKNR: BOB GREEN RECALLS! WKNR ‘WORDS’ CONTEST


BOB GREEN * KEENER WORDS CONTEST * BOB GREEN PRODUCTIONS c.2010



A WORD on the WKNR WORDS CONTEST 1970

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Bob Green circa 1966 (click on image for largest view)

The prize in itself was unique enough — $1,000 dollars and the opportunity for the winning contestant to have his/her words put to music and recorded by one of the Motown greats. But the on-air execution of the promotion allowed WKNR personalities to entertain beyond the traditional boundaries of a Top 40 format.

In the studio were 30 carts, each with a specialized music “bed” on it. Each hour, a contestant entry was chosen . . . words that, if used on the air qualified that entry to be in the finals for the BIG prize.

The DJ had complete freedom to choose a bed appropriate in the manner in which he would read or even “sing” the words. The approach could be zany, funny, gentle poignant or even poetic. Whatever, it allowed the listener a glimpse of a side of their favorite air personality which might otherwise not have been revealed.

The winner, ultimately, ended up having her words put to music with the Funk Brothers and Stevie Wonder!

Bob Green


A staff memo from PD Bob Green for the WKNR Words contest, August 1970. (Courtesy of Bob Green; Bob Green Productions, Houston, TX)


A MCRFB Note: In brief, Bob Green began his professional career in radio broadcasting in Detroit, WKMH, 1961-1962.

After a short stint with famed-Storer WQAM in Miami, 1962-1963, Bob Green returned back to Detroit for the launching of the new WKNR (formerly WKMH), November 1963.

By April’s end, 1968, Bob Green was no longer at WKNR. But he would return in 1970, serving as both Program Director and as on-air personality until sometime, 1971. Shortly thereafter, Bob Green was heard on ABC WXYZ 1270, where he remained briefly, 1971-1972.

Bob Green left WXYZ and Detroit for Houston, Texas, where he founded Bob Green Productions, where Bob and his family resides today.

Among broadcasting peers in the profession, Bob Green is fondly remembered today as “the voice of Keener 13”.

For more on Bob Green and WKNR – see the rest of the story on Keener13.com, the official WKNR website, courtesy our friend, Scott Westerman.

A special THANK YOU goes out to Bob Green for his endless generosity in sharing the WKNR legacy with us throughout the many years having passed.

THANK YOU Bob Green FOR THE MEMORIES



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CLASSIC ‘PAMS’ RADIO JINGLES HEARD: WWJ 950!


WWJ ‘PAMS’ Customs Series ON MOTOR CITY RADIO FLASHBACKS

 WWJ-AM * Audio ’67 WWJ Detroit * 1967-1969


ABOUT THESE ’67-’69 WWJ JINGLES

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00:00 to 03:53 – These cuts are a vocal and music custom package by Pams of Dallas, first created, January 1967.

Fred Vobbe (featured profile from his Facebook page)

03:53 to 06:32 – In March 1970, WWJ commissioned Pams of Dallas to create a new package to commemorate their 50th anniversary. According to a WWJ staffer, the station began operations August 20, 1920. (Note the change in sports anchors.)

In 1970, Norm Plumber was doing sports. Norm is Bob
Kelley from Toledo, ex WTOD-1560, and until recently at WRQN 93.5 Bowling Green – Toledo. (Another piece of mindless trivia, the same group sang the jingles for WTAC Flint Pams Series 40).

06:32 to 08:19 – Closer to the anniversary, WWJ had some old Pams cuts remixed from the March 1970 package, and a few new cuts, some notably re-sung.

08:19 to 15:27 – We’re back to 1969 with a variation of the 1967 package. This is also a Pams of Dallas custom package. (Note the error at 11:23 in the call sign. 14:37 Norm appears again.)

Frederick Vobbe


A MCRFB Note: Frederick Vobbe was the former engineer at Media One’s WHNE/WHND/WMJC in Birmingham, MI., late-70s through the 1980s.

He currently resides in Lima, Ohio, where he is chief engineer for radio and television station in that market.

A special THANK YOU to Fred Vobbe for providing further, otherwise unknown, information about this WJR PAMS jingle package — ’67-’69 — featured today on this website.


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A MCRFB RADIO COMMERCIAL SPOT: CHEVROLET! ’66


Chevrolet (Detroit Free Press) April 1966 newspaper ad (Click image 2x for largest view)

General Motors Chevrolet Division * “Under The Rooftop Of Chevrolet” * 1966


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A MCRFB ARCHIVED RADIO COMMERCIAL! SEARS, ’62


Sears (Detroit Free Press) December 1962 newspaper ad (Click image 2x for largest view)

SEARS ROEBUCK & CO. * “Shop At Sears . . Get A Good Buy* 1962


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CHYR-AM BACK ON THE RADIO: DAVE MCNEA!


CHYR RECALLED ON MOTOR CITY RADIO FLASHBACKS

CHYR-AM 710 * 1975 * DAVE McNEA


DAVE McNEA CHYR aircheck date: Wednesday, September 24, 1975

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NEW! A special THANK YOU to Dave McNea, former CHYR morning personality for donating his CHYR radio aircheck to Motor City Radio Flashbacks!

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 * THE DAVE McNEA COLLECTION *


CHYR LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO

Dave McNea CHYR 710

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Dave McNea, 19 years old in 1975 (above), was the morning man at CHYR. He remained at the Leamington, Ontario radio station,  until October 1977.

Thereafter McNea left for CHTK in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, his tenure there, nearly 3 years. Next stop was a hop over to Venon, BC, on CKAL, a Country station 1050 on the AM dial. Having left radio 1987, Dave McNea’s final stop was at CKO-FM in Vancouver.

While CHYR was not a Detroit radiio by any means, Detroiters picked up it’s AM 710 signal from across the Detroit River clearly on the dial. Having said, we remember their CHEER radio ‘brand’ and its great Top 40 sound during the 1960s and 1970s.

This CHYR aircheck is the first of 5 Dave recently contributed to the website. And most appreciatively, it is our very first CHYR inclusion into the website’s archive.

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A special THANK YOU to Dave McNea . . . more to come on Motor City Radio Flashbacks



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