Newsletter June 2023

Carl’s Corner

by Carl Amari

America’s “fabulous freelance insurance investigator” was one of radio’s great sleuths, pursuing both stolen goods and villains with a vengeance. Johnny Dollar was hired by various insurance companies to apprehend poisoners and drug smugglers and recover gems from a heist.

Like other famous private eyes, Dollar had the crime all wrapped up before the cops were remotely aware that anything was amiss. His status as an insurance investigator gained him access to case files at police departments, and there were usually trips to exotic locales. Each story ended with Dollar dictating his report, every line accompanied by the relevant expenses, from aspirin and cab fairs to new suits. The program featured snappy scripts and was a cut above the average radio whodunit.

A number of talented actors, including tough-guy screen stars Edmond O’Brien and John Lund, played the lead; but none defined the personality of Johnny Dollar better than Bob Bailey. Bailey played Dollar during the high-water mark of the show, in the mid 1950s when it switched format from a 30-minute weekly offering to five-part 15-minute episodes broadcast daily.

In the early 1950s when other radio programs were transitioning to television, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar stuck to its radio roots. It managed to stay on the air until September 30, 1962 the date when CBS canceled it and another long-running radio favorite, Suspense. Sadly, the final two programs originating from the golden age of radio were now off the air.

LEND ME YOUR EARS | THIS MONTH’S SONG: PIECE BY PIECE, Kelly Clarkson
RELEASED: 2015

by Lisa Wolf

Click here to watch on YouTube. 

“This song is basically my past, present, and future. It’s my love letter celebrating and thanking my husband for being a man that knows how to love me and our children without expecting anything in return. Also, this is a promise to my kids that I will never cease to love them, and be present in their lives always.” ~ Kelly Clarkson

“Piece by Piece” is the title song from Kelly Clarkson’s seventh-studio album, released November 9th, 2015. The song was written by Kelly along with Greg Kurstin, who produced the record. There is also an alternate rendition – the “Idol version” – from her 2016 American Idol performance.

Click here to watch on Youtube. 

Kelly Clarkson’s passionate performance of the song on American Idol finished with a standing ovation from the judges and audience. Kelly ultimately broke down in tears.

“I guess you don’t realize something is missing until you feel it. I can’t imagine walking away from my little girl. I can’t imagine not having that love anymore. I didn’t know it was missing because I never had it. It was a revelation and that’s why I wrote that song. I think a lot of people go through that.”

The black-and-white song video features emotional images of children and mothers. It ends with Kelly holding her own daughter, River Rose, who leans in to give her mom a kiss.

SIGNAL OIL PLUGS RIVAL NETWORK’S SHOWS TO CAPTURE AUDIENCE

by Karl Schadow