Paul Van House WMRN Airchecks and Station Recordings

Machine transcript draft, pending human review. These audio clips were transcribed from the preserved Paul Van House WMRN aircheck recordings using automated speech-to-text. Names and uncertain phrases should be checked against the original audio before citation as a final transcript.

Summary: The accession includes promotional and program audio connected with Paul Van House and WMRN staff, including an April Fool's Day personality-swap promotion, an Orbit Halloween broadcast segment, Christmas safety and greeting announcements by WMRN staff, a WMRN Focus interview with Elmo and Patsy Shropshire about "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer," and a short Terry Hofsetter Air Force gag/announcement.

A01 - April Fool's Shift Swap, 1979

[00:00:00.000 - 00:00:05.720] This is Paul Michaels and Paul Vanhouse. Paul and I are getting ready for our big experiment on April Fool's Day

[00:00:05.720 - 00:00:10.340] We're attempting to change our personalities. Ready Paul? Ready Paul, let's start the machine

[00:00:17.720 - 00:00:21.840] Well, feel any different? Not a bit. I guess the experiment's a failure

[00:00:21.840 - 00:00:26.920] Oh, well, join us anyway, me Paul Vanhouse and me Paul Michaels on April Fool's Day

[00:00:26.920 - 00:00:31.120] I just don't know what could have happened. Me either. Maybe some adjustments. Well, we'll try again tomorrow

[00:00:31.360 - 00:00:33.360] When people talk about...

[00:00:33.360 - 00:00:39.480] Hi, this is Paul Vanhouse and this is Paul Michaels together

[00:00:39.620 - 00:00:42.480] We're getting ready for April Fool's Day programming

[00:00:42.480 - 00:00:48.860] Be sure to join Susan Westfall and me for orbit Tuesday morning and then myself from 1 to 4 as usual and don't forget me

[00:00:48.860 - 00:00:53.820] I'll be on from 4 to 8. We've come up with an unbelievable stunt for April Fool's Day

[00:00:53.820 - 00:01:00.220] So tune in for myself Paul Vanhouse and me Paul Michaels on April Fool's Day our day on WMRN

[00:01:01.220 - 00:01:03.220] Hello?

[00:01:03.220 - 00:01:06.060] Paul, Paul, wait. I think the personality change machine is fixed. Are you sure?

[00:01:06.060 - 00:01:11.580] I just tried it last night and that didn't work. I think maybe all we need is a longer dose. Well, let's try it

[00:01:12.980 - 00:01:31.690] Shoot no difference. I don't know my stomach feels a little queasy. Well, let's let's just forget it. Maybe next year

[00:01:37.000 - 00:01:41.700] I'll never understand it. Good afternoon and welcome into the Paul Vanhouse show for a Tuesday

A02 - Orbit Halloween Broadcast, 1979

[00:01:21.070 - 00:01:47.890] Good morning, this is Orbit.

[00:01:47.890 - 00:01:49.090] Good morning, Paul.

[00:01:49.090 - 00:01:50.490] Good morning, Sue.

[00:01:50.490 - 00:01:51.730] How are you?

[00:01:51.730 - 00:01:52.370] Hungry.

[00:01:52.370 - 00:01:54.700] May I bite your neck?

[00:01:54.700 - 00:01:56.940] Not while those are listening.

[00:01:56.940 - 00:01:57.700] OK.

[00:01:57.700 - 00:02:00.660] I might make you walk the plank.

[00:02:00.660 - 00:02:01.900] Argh.

[00:02:01.900 - 00:02:03.500] That's my line.

[00:02:03.500 - 00:02:06.170] That's enough of that.

[00:02:06.170 - 00:02:09.810] In case you're wondering why we are like this, one,

[00:02:09.810 - 00:02:12.010] it's Halloween, officially.

[00:02:12.010 - 00:02:13.290] It's not Beggar's night, and two,

[00:02:13.290 - 00:02:15.960] we are both dressed up in character.

[00:02:15.960 - 00:02:18.030] Not the same character at that.

[00:02:18.030 - 00:02:19.750] Sue is dressed up as a pirate.

[00:02:19.750 - 00:02:21.750] She has a beard.

[00:02:21.750 - 00:02:22.950] Or dirt on my face.

[00:02:22.950 - 00:02:27.030] Bright cherry red lipstick, a blue striped shirt,

[00:02:27.030 - 00:02:28.910] blue jeans tucked into her boots,

[00:02:28.910 - 00:02:33.550] and a scarf wrapped around her head.

[00:02:33.550 - 00:02:37.830] And Paul, on the other extreme of things, is Count Dracula.

[00:02:37.830 - 00:02:42.070] He's got a black cape with red satin collar and lining,

[00:02:42.070 - 00:02:44.030] which, by the way, will give credit to his wife, Becky,

[00:02:44.030 - 00:02:45.030] for that.

[00:02:45.030 - 00:02:51.270] And he's got fangs, deep dark circles with a white face,

[00:02:51.270 - 00:02:55.070] deep dark circles in his eyes, and blood dripping down

[00:02:55.070 - 00:02:57.440] his neck.

[00:02:57.440 - 00:02:58.840] He makes a pretty good Count Dracula.

[00:02:58.840 - 00:03:00.360] Although, all he had to do really this morning,

[00:03:00.360 - 00:03:01.720] I think, was add the cape.

[00:03:01.720 - 00:03:03.690] Is that right, Paul?

[00:03:03.690 - 00:03:05.250] Yes.

[00:03:05.250 - 00:03:07.770] It's every morning that I have to put the mask on.

[00:03:07.770 - 00:03:08.970] This is my real face.

[00:03:08.970 - 00:03:10.410] Ah, now we all understand.

[00:03:10.410 - 00:03:12.600] I've been dead for 5,000 years.

[00:03:12.600 - 00:03:15.880] Last night, of course, was trick or treat night, beggar's night.

[00:03:15.880 - 00:03:18.680] And in my neighborhood, we had quite a few kids.

[00:03:18.680 - 00:03:20.480] In fact, so many that I ran out of candy.

[00:03:20.480 - 00:03:21.960] And Paul, you have an interesting story

[00:03:21.960 - 00:03:23.600] about running out of candy.

[00:03:23.600 - 00:03:27.440] Yes, Becky made some popcorn balls, my wife.

[00:03:27.440 - 00:03:28.520] We ran out of those.

[00:03:28.520 - 00:03:29.860] We had some backup candy.

[00:03:29.860 - 00:03:31.520] We ran out of that.

[00:03:31.520 - 00:03:33.880] So I gave the last few things to the neighbors

[00:03:33.880 - 00:03:35.520] next door for them to pass out for me,

[00:03:35.520 - 00:03:37.320] and I went off to the supermarket.

[00:03:37.320 - 00:03:39.920] Dressed as Count Dracula.

[00:03:39.920 - 00:03:42.400] Unfortunately, I was recognized.

[00:03:43.400 - 00:03:46.640] I remember my kindergarten teacher telling me a long time ago

[00:03:46.640 - 00:03:48.640] that when we were in kindergarten, of course,

[00:03:48.640 - 00:03:49.640] no one wanted to do this.

[00:03:49.640 - 00:03:53.120] But they said to dress up and stay at home

[00:03:53.120 - 00:03:54.320] and so you could watch everybody.

[00:03:54.320 - 00:03:55.600] And so that's what you did.

[00:03:55.600 - 00:03:56.600] Yes.

[00:03:56.600 - 00:03:59.400] Then if you were driving down East Center Street last night,

[00:03:59.400 - 00:04:03.120] that was me pumping gas at the Clark Station.

A03 - WMRN Staff Christmas Broadcast, 1980

[00:00:00.210 - 00:00:07.320] Christmas time, Christmas time, your time to shine

[00:00:07.320 - 00:00:10.320] This is Carrie Bowers wishing you the best of the season.

[00:00:10.320 - 00:00:15.320] If your heating system is in need of repair, take care of it before you leave on your holiday trip.

[00:00:15.320 - 00:00:20.160] If you'll be gone for more than a couple of nights, it's also a good idea to leave a light burning.

[00:00:20.160 - 00:00:22.160] But don't leave your Christmas tree lit.

[00:00:22.160 - 00:00:25.000] That could present a very serious fire hazard.

[00:00:25.000 - 00:00:30.320] Make your home safe before you leave, or you may not have a home to return to.

[00:00:30.320 - 00:00:36.500] Christmas time, Christmas time, your time to shine

[00:00:36.500 - 00:00:41.970] Hi, this is Paul Michaels. A lot of people drive during the holidays.

[00:00:41.970 - 00:00:46.470] At this time of year, rain, snow, or sleet can all occur without warning.

[00:00:46.470 - 00:00:50.970] When you're driving, keep your radio tuned to an area station and keep in touch with the weather.

[00:00:50.970 - 00:00:52.970] It may save you time.

[00:00:52.970 - 00:00:58.040] We'll light up your Christmas

[00:00:58.040 - 00:01:02.990] Christmas is a time to spend with families.

[00:01:02.990 - 00:01:08.990] If you aren't able to make the trip home, here are some telephone guidelines to follow to save time and money.

[00:01:08.990 - 00:01:12.990] The best time to call is between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m.

[00:01:12.990 - 00:01:15.990] Besides offering the lowest rates, traffic volume is low.

[00:01:15.990 - 00:01:23.990] Reduced rates are in effect all day on Christmas and New Year's, but the easiest time to call would be after 5 p.m. again because traffic is low.

[00:01:23.990 - 00:01:26.990] For more information, consult your telephone directory.

[00:01:26.990 - 00:01:30.990] This is Paul Van House with wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.

[00:01:33.990 - 00:01:38.990] This is Jeff Ruth. To make sure the magic stays in Christmas this year, drive carefully.

[00:01:38.990 - 00:01:42.990] When you're feeling drowsy, pull into a rest area or just pull off to the side of the road.

[00:01:42.990 - 00:01:45.990] If you leave your car even for a few minutes, lock it.

[00:01:45.990 - 00:01:49.990] A car filled with Christmas presents is an irresistible temptation for a rest area thief.

[00:01:49.990 - 00:01:53.990] Play it safe, lock your car, and have a Merry Christmas.

[00:01:53.990 - 00:01:58.990] We'll light up your Christmas

[00:01:58.990 - 00:02:04.060] This is Peter Francis from the News Center.

[00:02:05.060 - 00:02:07.060] Here are a few tips for safe Christmas lighting.

[00:02:07.060 - 00:02:12.060] For outdoor decorating, make sure that the lights you're using are labeled for outdoor use.

[00:02:12.060 - 00:02:14.060] Inside the home, keep your tree well watered.

[00:02:14.060 - 00:02:17.060] Keep the bulbs out of the reach of small children.

[00:02:17.060 - 00:02:20.060] Don't string tinsel or hang ornaments from electric wires.

[00:02:20.060 - 00:02:25.060] And if you're using an artificial tree, use only the type of lights recommended by the manufacturer.

[00:02:25.060 - 00:02:28.060] Never use lights on an aluminum tree.

[00:02:28.060 - 00:02:30.060] Follow these tips and have a Merry Christmas.

[00:02:31.510 - 00:02:36.660] Hi, this is Sue Westfall, wishing you and yours a happy holiday season.

[00:02:36.660 - 00:02:40.660] If you enjoy looking at Christmas lights, here's a few safety tips.

[00:02:40.660 - 00:02:44.660] When you stop to look, pull well off the road and use your emergency flashers.

[00:02:44.660 - 00:02:50.660] When you're stopped with the engine running or driving very slowly, open a window slightly to let fresh air in.

[00:02:50.660 - 00:02:53.660] And above all, watch the traffic, not the sights.

[00:02:53.660 - 00:02:55.660] Happy holidays.

[00:03:04.380 - 00:03:09.820] Christmas time. Your time to shine.

[00:03:09.820 - 00:03:11.820] This is News Director Dan Wade.

[00:03:11.820 - 00:03:15.820] Before you leave on the trip south this year, check your home to be sure it's safe.

[00:03:15.820 - 00:03:17.820] Make sure all doors and windows are locked.

[00:03:17.820 - 00:03:20.820] Check your fireplace and kill any burning embers.

[00:03:20.820 - 00:03:23.820] Also let the police know you'll be gone so they can keep an eye on your house.

[00:03:23.820 - 00:03:27.820] Taking extra precautions before leaving will make for a Merry Christmas.

[00:03:27.820 - 00:03:30.820] And don't forget the suntan lotion.

[00:03:33.070 - 00:03:40.570] Christmas time. Christmas time. Your time to shine.

[00:03:40.570 - 00:03:43.570] Taking a Christmas trip is fun until the car breaks down.

[00:03:43.570 - 00:03:46.570] If you'll be doing a lot of driving this holiday season,

[00:03:46.570 - 00:03:50.570] it's worth the time to give your car a check-up and repair any potential problems.

[00:03:50.570 - 00:03:53.570] This is Lorraine Wingate wishing you a Merry Christmas.

[00:03:59.220 - 00:04:10.940] This is Sports Director Roger Fisher, planning to attend one or more of the College Bowl games this year?

[00:04:10.940 - 00:04:14.940] If so, call ahead and make sure you have accommodations that are still available in the area.

[00:04:14.940 - 00:04:18.940] Hotels and motels usually book up weeks in advance leaving the unprepared travelers

[00:04:18.940 - 00:04:21.940] staying a hundred miles or more away from the game site.

[00:04:21.940 - 00:04:26.800] Nowhere you'll be staying before you get there and have a Merry Christmas.

[00:04:26.800 - 00:04:40.710] We'll light up your Christmas. Christmas time. Christmas time. Your time to shine.

[00:04:40.710 - 00:04:43.710] Hi, this is Greg Grice wishing you greetings of the season.

[00:04:43.710 - 00:04:46.710] A Christmas tree decorated with tinsel and lights is a beautiful sight.

[00:04:46.710 - 00:04:49.710] But before stringing the lights, make a few safety checks.

[00:04:49.710 - 00:04:54.710] If you notice bare or disconnected wires, either repair the faults or discard the lights.

[00:04:54.710 - 00:04:57.710] When buying new strings of lights, look for the UL listing.

[00:04:57.710 - 00:05:00.710] That means the safety of that product has been tested.

[00:05:00.710 - 00:05:02.710] A safe Christmas is the best kind.

A04 - WMRN Focus: Elmo and Patsy, 1980

[00:00:00.000 - 00:00:04.800] Most people like it. Some people hate it. That's the only way to describe the song,

[00:00:04.800 - 00:00:07.360] Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.

[00:00:08.000 - 00:00:15.060] Grandma got run over by a reindeer. Walking home from our house Christmas Eve.

[00:00:16.830 - 00:00:23.980] You can say there's no such thing as Santa. But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

[00:00:23.980 - 00:00:29.420] The song is performed by Elmo and Patsy, a husband and wife team from Windsor, California.

[00:00:29.420 - 00:00:34.380] Their real names, Elmo and Patsy Shropshire. And I talked with Elmo about the song.

[00:00:34.380 - 00:00:37.580] Is the song Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer true?

[00:00:39.090 - 00:00:41.790] Well, yes, it is.

[00:00:41.790 - 00:00:42.590] Oh, it is.

[00:00:43.310 - 00:00:50.320] Well, it just happened last year. A lot of people, so they didn't believe it more.

[00:00:50.960 - 00:00:55.120] And I guess it was just one of those things that happened to make believers out of everybody.

[00:00:55.120 - 00:00:56.990] Well, how about that? Who wrote the song?

[00:00:57.790 - 00:01:01.550] Randy Brooks. He's a friend of ours from Texas.

[00:01:01.550 - 00:01:06.510] The song was very popular in California, especially around San Francisco last year, right?

[00:01:06.510 - 00:01:06.910] Yeah.

[00:01:06.910 - 00:01:11.070] Now, how far east or where else did you get airplay last year?

[00:01:11.070 - 00:01:22.560] It was real popular in New York and I think in Texas and I think around Orlando and Tampa, Florida.

[00:01:24.020 - 00:01:29.060] Now, around here, we've had varied reactions. A lot of people love it. In fact, I took a survey

[00:01:29.060 - 00:01:33.460] Saturday night, unofficially, and most people really liked the song, but some were really

[00:01:33.460 - 00:01:36.740] turned off by it. What type of reactions have you had?

[00:01:36.740 - 00:01:44.500] Well, most of the radio stations out here have taken surveys and it's been very one-sided

[00:01:44.500 - 00:01:58.740] and favorite. But in California called the Gray Panthers and also the Against Violence

[00:01:58.740 - 00:02:05.250] Against Women picketed one of our performances in San Francisco last Friday night. And of course,

[00:02:05.250 - 00:02:09.010] it made all the news. They had probably about a hundred tickets out there

[00:02:09.730 - 00:02:20.460] and saying that it's all against women and that it was ageist and sexist and et cetera.

[00:02:20.460 - 00:02:31.200] She'd been drinking too much eggnog and we begged her not to go, but she forgot her medication

[00:02:32.340 - 00:02:35.380] and she staggered through the door out in the snow.

[00:02:35.380 - 00:02:40.180] But the overall effects seemed to be pretty good. We had a real good reaction

[00:02:40.180 - 00:02:46.770] on the part of the people that liked the song and don't find anything negative in it at all.

[00:02:46.770 - 00:02:51.970] Right. Do you find that most people that don't like the song are taking it too seriously?

[00:02:51.970 - 00:02:57.440] Oh yeah. I think that most people see that the song is just in good

[00:02:57.440 - 00:03:01.440] fun and they don't find anything negative in it.

[00:03:01.440 - 00:03:07.760] And we just can't help but wonder, should we open up her gift or send them back?

[00:03:07.760 - 00:03:09.520] How many copies have you sold so far?

[00:03:10.880 - 00:03:20.380] It's ultimately 50,000 from last year and this year so far. Patsy and I actually produced and

[00:03:21.180 - 00:03:29.780] became a hit very long time to get the records out. But this year, we're getting pretty good

[00:03:29.780 - 00:03:38.620] national distribution, not as good as two people can do. Yeah, Biff Records is doing it in Europe

[00:03:38.620 - 00:03:44.140] and too many thousands so far this year. They just this year.

[00:03:44.140 - 00:03:46.300] Right. That's a punk rock label you said, right?

[00:03:47.100 - 00:03:49.180] And shows you what they may think of it too.

[00:03:49.420 - 00:03:51.500] I know. A new wave Christmas song.

[00:03:51.500 - 00:03:56.540] Okay. Now about you and Patsy, who are you? Where are you from and how long have you been in music?

[00:03:57.100 - 00:04:04.990] Well, Patsy and I met in San Francisco. She's been a musician all her life. She was

[00:04:04.990 - 00:04:10.500] played with a family band and then in the rock and roll bands and stuff around Tennessee. She's

[00:04:10.500 - 00:04:20.220] from Fayetteville, Tennessee. And seven or eight years ago, I'm a veterinarian.

[00:04:20.220 - 00:04:22.100] Oh, I see.

[00:04:22.100 - 00:04:27.060] I started playing the banjo just for the fun of it. And I met Patsy and we started playing

[00:04:27.620 - 00:04:34.740] together. And they just played, you know, occasionally as we became more popular.

[00:04:35.460 - 00:04:40.030] We finally both gave up what we wanted and started in the music full time.

[00:04:40.030 - 00:04:41.550] That was about five years ago.

[00:04:41.550 - 00:04:44.190] So I guess you're exclusively singers now, right?

[00:04:44.190 - 00:04:49.390] Yes. What type of engagements do you get? Is it mostly around San Francisco,

[00:04:49.390 - 00:04:51.790] California? Or do you go across the country?

[00:04:53.390 - 00:05:01.620] We usually go, we usually play in California, Nevada, Oregon, Seattle, and Texas. We're in

[00:05:01.620 - 00:05:08.740] front of Texas, Arizona, and Mexico. And that's sort of been our routing recently. We played in

[00:05:08.740 - 00:05:15.380] some of the gambling casinos in Tahoe and Reno. And we usually play at college concerts.

[00:05:15.380 - 00:05:17.940] Just anywhere we can get a job, Paul.

[00:05:17.940 - 00:05:24.110] I warned all my friends and neighbors, better watch out for yourselves.

[00:05:26.350 - 00:05:32.830] They should never give a license to a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves.

[00:05:32.830 - 00:05:38.750] Elmo and Patsy have the same problems as other regional groups, and that is lack of exposure and

[00:05:38.750 - 00:05:43.710] lack of a major record company backing them. In fact, many record stores have trouble getting

[00:05:43.710 - 00:05:48.430] the record because it's not on a major label, but they're trying. So for now,

[00:05:48.430 - 00:05:53.150] you may not be able to get the song this Christmas, but if you write Elmo and Patsy,

[00:05:53.150 - 00:05:58.590] you may be able to get a copy in time for your New Year's party. If you'd like to get a copy now,

[00:05:58.590 - 00:06:09.390] send a check for $2 to Elmo and Patsy. Post Office Box 461, Windsor, California 95492.

[00:06:09.390 - 00:06:20.430] Again, that's $2 to Elmo and Patsy, Box 461, Windsor, California 95492. So that's the story.

[00:06:20.430 - 00:06:24.910] And if you're one of those that don't like the song, next time you hear it, don't take it

[00:06:24.910 - 00:06:28.750] seriously. It's not really all that bad. You might even get a chuckle out of it.

[00:06:28.750 - 00:06:33.950] My thanks to Elmo and Patsy's Shropshire and even Grandma and Grandpa for taking their time to talk

[00:06:33.950 - 00:06:41.460] with me. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, but as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

[00:06:41.460 - 00:06:48.980] And I think I do too. Now, this is Paul Van House, and as Grandpa says, Merry Christmas.

A05 - Terry Hofsetter Joins Air Force, 1978

[00:00:00.000 - 00:00:03.500] Yesterday, when I was young, that's Roy Clark on WMRN.

[00:00:03.500 - 00:00:05.500] We have news coming up next at 11 o'clock,

[00:00:05.500 - 00:00:08.700] and as I said, Terry Haas said her from the news center.

[00:00:08.700 - 00:00:13.100] At 11.05, Terry, as I said, is joining the Air Force.

[00:00:13.100 - 00:00:15.900] As you know, the Air Force offers a delayed enlistment program

[00:00:15.900 - 00:00:18.400] so you can say goodbye to all your friends,

[00:00:18.400 - 00:00:20.700] be they male or female.

[00:00:20.700 - 00:00:23.100] Well, Terry has told his wife

[00:00:23.100 - 00:00:26.600] that he is going into basic training on September 5th.

[00:00:26.600 - 00:00:28.100] The way he's moving his family out,

[00:00:28.100 - 00:00:31.400] and they'll get settled for his long stay in the Air Force.

[00:00:31.400 - 00:00:34.000] Actually, though, Terry did take the one-year delayed program.

[00:00:34.000 - 00:00:35.900] He's going to drive across the country

[00:00:35.900 - 00:00:40.600] and say goodbye to his many thousands of girlfriends.

[00:00:40.600 - 00:00:43.160] Little does his wife know

[00:00:43.160 - 00:00:44.360] that when she first sees him,

[00:00:44.360 - 00:00:46.360] he will not be exhausted from basic training.

[00:00:46.360 - 00:00:49.360] He'll be exhausted from saying goodbye.