Episodi

  • The Jim Craine Show, November 7, 2026
    Nov 8 2026
    The Jim Craine Show Master Sand Sculptor John Gowdy, Atlantic City Lifeguard Tales, and Elke Sommer Memories with John Gowdy Jim Craine broadcasts from Pleasantville Music, reminiscing about lifeguard summers at The Claridge and late actress Elke Sommer before welcoming former firefighter and champion sand sculptor John Gowdy to discuss his documentary Sandman. Banjo Bob and Local South Jersey Sponsors Jim Craine welcomes listeners to a Saturday broadcast live from Pleasantville Music in Pleasantville, New Jersey. He sends birthday wishes to centenarian Rose Bacella, greets first-time listener Mike Reynolds, and pays tribute to his late friend, actress Elke Sommer. Welcoming November, Craine turns the microphone over to his autumnal alter ego, Banjo Bob. Accompanied by upbeat banjo strumming, Banjo Bob promises listeners that none of the show's South Jersey sponsors will ever deliver a turkey of a deal. He highlights Pleasantville Music on the Black Horse Pike for instruments and vinyl records before praising Joe Italiano's Maplewood Inns in Hammonton, Vineland, and Mays Landing for delicious Italian fare like chicken parmesan and veal scallopini. Banjo Bob plugs Copiers Plus in Egg Harbor Township for printing and vehicle wraps, as well as the historic Dr. Jonathan Pitney House in Absecon and The Colonial Inn in historic Smithville, before wishing a heavenly birthday to western singing star Roy Rogers. Craine's Picks, Comedy Shows, and Toys for Tots Plans Returning to the broadcast as himself, Craine jokes about the fickle autumn weather and recalls a humorous broadcast maxim from his early radio mentor, Bob Weems. He shares regional happenings during Craine's Picks, recommending Italian comedian Tammy Pescatelli's upcoming stand-up show at the Eagle Theatre in Hammonton alongside local magician Joe Holiday. Craine also plugs a designer bag bingo afternoon supporting Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Atlantic City. Looking ahead to the holiday season, he announces that the annual Toys for Tots benefit concert will broadcast live from Pleasantville Music on December 5th. He notes that store CD sales help generate charitable donations for the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. Atlantic City's raspy Godfather character then arrives over his signature film theme to promote catering from Joe Italiano's Maplewood Inns, urging listeners to patronize local brick-and-mortar storefronts rather than corporate big-box retailers during the upcoming holiday shopping rush. Claridge Casino Lifeguard Memories and Jack Benny Back live in the studio, Craine reminisces about his eleven years working as an Atlantic City lifeguard at Indiana Avenue right in front of The Claridge. He remembers interviewing Elke Sommer for Philadelphia's Channel 6 while she starred in Woman of the Year at the hotel's showroom. Craine recalls other notable entertainers gracing the local casino stage during that vibrant era, including Georgia Engel, Tim Conway, and Joe Namath. Reflecting on Sommer's comedic charm, he shares an amusing television anecdote where legendary comedian Jack Benny introduced her to the public. When Sommer modestly suggested that speaking five languages was far more significant than physical glamour, Benny famously deadpanned that Georgie Jessel spoke eight languages without anyone whistling at him. Craine also reflects on his father's role as a local department store Santa Claus, whose dazzling neighborhood holiday light displays famously blew out an electrical transformer during freezing rain. Hal Marzell Calls and Sand Sculptor John Gowdy Joins Craine opens the phone lines and receives a call from his longtime Inlet childhood friend, Hal Marzell, checking in from California. The two classmates joke about vintage Atlantic City memories, their shared passion for the Beatles, and baseball loyalties between the Phillies and Dodgers before Craine previews an upcoming international sand sculpting competition planned near Boardwalk Hall. Craine then transitions to welcome master sand sculptor and former Atlantic City firefighter John Gowdy. Gowdy notes he began crafting elaborate beach creations forty years ago while digging casual sandcastles with his children during family outings. Craine celebrates the deep local roots of the Gowdy family, recalling John's father Hank and his brothers working as local civil servants and lifeguards. Gowdy discusses his international career and his hopes to bring the World Cup of Sand Sculpting back to Atlantic City under protective pavilion spaces facing Pinky's Stage on the boardwalk. Whale Tributes, Competition Travels, and the Papal Castle The discussion turns to Gowdy's celebrated forty-foot whale sand sculpture in Ventnor, which he constructed with municipal assistance to raise awareness after ocean testing disrupted coastal marine mammals. Gowdy describes the demanding nature of professional master sculpting competitions, noting he is packing his gear for upcoming championship events...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    59 min
  • The Jim Craine Show, October 31, 2026
    Nov 1 2026
    The Jim Craine Show with Jim Craine, October 31, 2026
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    55 min
  • The Jim Craine Show, October 24, 2026
    Oct 25 2026
    The Jim Craine Show Mischief Night Memories, Halloween Events, and Atlantic City Horse Farm Stories with Les Saltzman Jim Craine broadcasts a Mischief Night edition from the Pleasantville Music Shop, swapping Halloween memories with caller Hal Marzolf before welcoming Ballyrose horse farm owner Les Saltzman, an old Atlantic City friend, for stories of growing up on St. Charles Place and remembering Steel Pier emcee Gene Hart's late wife, Sarah. A Mischief Night Saturday at Pleasantville Music Jim Craine opens the broadcast live from the Pleasantville Music Shop on the Black Horse Pike in Pleasantville, New Jersey, calling it the Mischief Night edition of the show. He plays "Clementine," a track from his brand-new album that premiered on YouTube earlier in the week, and invites listeners to search his name to hear the full record. Craine promises stories about Mischief Night, a tradition he says has mostly faded, and gives out the call-in number so listeners can share their own Halloween memories. He mentions his guest for the day, Les Saltzman, who will join at the bottom of the hour to talk horses and his connection to getting Craine his start at BBS Radio. Craine also notes the sunny, pleasant weather along the coast, joking about a sudden thunderclap sound effect, and warns listeners about possible coastal flooding before sending the show to its first sponsor segment. Dr. Boris Reads The Sponsor List Jim Craine hands the microphone to his recurring Dracula-styled character, Dr. Boris, who runs through the show's sponsor list in his spooky October voice. Dr. Boris plugs the Pleasantville Music Shop's All Treats, No Tricks sale, where visitors get a free lollipop, and credits Copiers Plus in Egg Harbor Township and owner Bobby Matthews for their printing and business services. He praises The Maplewood Inns' three locations in Hammonton, Vineland, and Mays Landing as serving the finest Italian food around, then highlights two South Jersey bed and breakfasts, the Dr. Jonathan Pitney House in Absecon, which he suggests may be haunted, and The Colonial Inn in Smithville. Dr. Boris closes by urging listeners to sponsor the show themselves and reminding everyone that next Saturday is Halloween. Craine returns as himself, joking that he stretched the bit out, reads off the call-in number again, and previews his guest Les Saltzman along with a request for listeners' favorite Halloween costumes and candy. Craine's Picks And A Call From Hal Jim Craine runs through his weekly Craine's Picks, pointing listeners to area Halloween events. He plugs the Funny Farm in Mays Landing, run by Laurie, for haunted hayrides and hand-feeding rescued animals, Storybook Land on the Black Horse Pike for its family Halloween activities, and the Smithville Inn's Smithville Witches afternoon. A longtime high school friend, Hal Marzolf, calls in from California, and the two swap memories of favorite costumes, Hal recalling a store-bought Superman outfit and Craine his own Touché Turtle costume. Craine then tells a Mischief Night story about driving his yellow 1968 Pontiac Firebird with the top down up Pacific Avenue with friend Johnny Rothman, racing near 100 miles an hour before a police officer he knew, Johnny Bacharach, pulled them over and let them go with a wink for the occasion. Craine reflects that the old Mischief Night traditions of egging, soaping windows, and toilet-papering houses were harmless fun that rarely happens anymore, thanks Hal for calling, and sends the show to the next sponsor break. The Godfather Pitches Maplewood Inns Craine turns the microphone over to The Godfather, his Marlon Brando-voiced character, who pitches The Maplewood Inns' holiday catering deals across Hammonton, Vineland, and Mays Landing, crediting Jimmy Italiano with carrying on his father's restaurant legacy and wishing him and his wife a happy anniversary. Back as himself, Craine fills time waiting for Les Saltzman's call by reminiscing further about Mischief Night, recalling a police officer named Johnny Bacharach near Albany Avenue, and talking about moving to Smithville after marrying his wife, Joanne, an artist who works alongside him at the Pleasantville Music Shop, where the couple has now been married 35 years. He describes childhood Halloweens at his old house on Lighthouse Lane near the inlet, where he and his father wired a gutted television with a hidden CB radio and microphone so Craine could startle trick-or-treaters at the gate by demanding, "What do you want?" before finally introducing his guest, Les Saltzman. Les Saltzman Talks Ballyrose And Gene Hart Les Saltzman, owner and operator of the Ballyrose horse farm in Florida and an old friend who helped Craine land his spot on BBS Radio, joins the show by phone. The two recall a local newspaper columnist named Sonny, who Saltzman says always had an eye for new local talent, and Saltzman updates listeners on Ballyrose, where the family keeps six horses on the property while ...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    49 min
  • The Jim Craine Show, October 17, 2026
    Oct 18 2026
    The Jim Craine Show A Freezing Forecast, Hurricane Season Oddities, and Bob Uecker Memories with Jim Eberwine Jim Craine broadcasts from Pleasantville Music Shop on a cold, rainy Saturday and phones longtime South Jersey weatherman Jim Eberwine to talk hurricane season, the winter outlook, and a few laughs about ballplayer Bob Uecker. A Chilly Start At Pleasantville Music Jim Craine opens the Saturday broadcast from Pleasantville Music Shop on the Black Horse Pike, apologizing for a late start caused by the cold, rainy weather moving through Atlantic City. He gives a shout-out to a young piano student named Ethan, whose father is tuning in for the first time, and reads out the BBS call-in number for listeners. Craine notes the day has turned chilly after the morning rain, with temperatures expected to drop into the mid-40s overnight. He teases the hour's main guest, longtime South Jersey television weatherman Jim Eberwine, promising he will join the show at the bottom of the hour to talk forecasting and whether snow might be on the way this winter. Craine also previews a segment called Craine's Picks and a batch of new jokes, then hands the show over to his recurring sponsor-reading character, Dr. Boris, whose spooky October voice is about to run through the week's paid supporters. Dr. Boris Reads The Sponsor List Speaking in Dr. Boris's spooky October voice, Craine runs through the show's sponsor list, thanking Pleasantville Music Shop, Copiers Plus and the Bob Matthews family, and the Maplewood Inns in Vineland, Hammonton, and Mays Landing for their food. He also credits the Dr. Jonathan Pitney House in historic Absecon and the Colonial Inn as fine bed-and-breakfast sponsors, joking that staying at a bed and breakfast feels like staying home. Dr. Boris urges listeners to be treaters rather than trick-or-treaters by supporting South Jersey's small businesses, then hands the microphone back to Jim Craine, who admits he enjoys the character but misses doing his old John Wayne bit. Craine sends greetings to friends Les Saltzman in Florida and Hal Marzell, laments having no baseball team left to root for this October, and updates listeners on the clearing, colder weather before promising more jokes, guests, and Craine's Picks still to come in the hour. The Godfather Pitches Maplewood While Waiting On The Guest Craine's recurring Godfather character takes the mic to pitch the Maplewood Inns' three South Jersey locations, praising their catering for weddings and anniversaries and their salad, bread, and classic Italian dishes, then signs off wishing listeners buona sera and bon appétit. Back as himself, Craine tells a string of jokes about alien abduction and swimming with sharks, then gives shout-outs to Copiers Plus in Egg Harbor Township, the Black Cat restaurant run by the Fallavollita family in Absecon, and his friend Mike Alton down in Florida. Still waiting for Jim Eberwine to call in, Craine fills time describing Pleasantville Music Shop itself, explaining that his father-in-law, Gaston Ragno, opened it in 1938 and that it remains the last mom-and-pop music shop on the East Coast, selling pianos, instruments, sheet music, and vinyl. He plugs his own recordings, including a new album, and plays "The Lady Is a Tramp" with the Steel Pier Remembered Big Band to keep listeners entertained while the phone connection comes through. Jim Eberwine Joins For Cold Fronts And Hurricanes Jim Eberwine, the longtime South Jersey television weatherman Craine calls his resident forecaster, finally reaches the show by phone, joking that he is freezing after the cold front behind the week's rain. The two discuss freeze warnings spreading from the north and an unusually busy hurricane season out near Guam, with Eberwine ticking off a procession of storms named Rachel, Simon, and Trudy, plus Hurricane Isaias, which he says caused the previous Sunday's heavy rain and the area's earlier derecho. Craine asks whether the early cold snap hints at a rough winter, and Eberwine explains that an extremely cold forecast usually brings little snow because the air arrives too dry, while a winter that sits on the fence between cold and mild is more likely to deliver a real snowstorm when the temperature contrasts line up. He recalls Craine's past snowstorms, including one that let him run ice capades in his own driveway, and notes he has consulted the Farmers' Almanac for clues about the season ahead. Tidal Flooding, Baseball, And A Uecker Story Eberwine forecasts a minimal tidal flooding event for Monday and Tuesday from a low-grade nor'easter forming off Cape Hatteras, much weaker than the flooding that blew sewer covers off Fire Road a week and a half earlier. Craine gripes about a local road-raising project near Station Avenue and jokes that the ocean always wins in the end. The two commiserate over a baseball season with the Dodgers and Phillies both eliminated, agreeing to root for the Brewers in honor of broadcaster Bob ...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    55 min
  • The Jim Craine Show, October 10, 2026
    Oct 11 2026
    The Jim Craine Show The Blister Brothers' 1978 Row to Florida and Longport Lifeguard Memories with Danny Steelman Jim Craine phones Danny Steelman, co-author of the real-life 1978 row from Longport to Florida that earned him and lifeguard partner Kelly O'Neill the nickname "the Blister Brothers," for stories behind the new book One Summer Dream: More Than Miles. A Sunny Saturday At Pleasantville Music Shop Jim Craine opens the show live from Pleasantville Music Shop on the Black Horse Pike, apologizing for starting late because he got stuck in traffic picking up lunch. He plays "Beyond the Sea" and welcomes listeners to the Saturday afternoon show on BBS Radio, thanking longtime friend Hal Marzell and cheering for the Dodgers. He notes the shop has been run by his wife's family since 1938, started by her grandfather Gaston, and talks up the store's guitars, pianos, keyboards, lessons, vinyl records, and instrument rental program for area schools. Craine sends prayers to Florida and the East Coast ahead of an approaching hurricane he struggles to pronounce, warning that the weather is about to turn rough locally too. He teases the day's main guests, Danny Steelman and Kelly O'Neill, two former lifeguards who once rowed an old lifeguard boat to Florida, promising a very interesting story once the phone connection comes through. Dr. Boris Delivers The Sponsor Roundup In character as Dr. Boris, the show's official October mascot, Craine runs through the Saturday sponsor list in a spooky voice recorded for BBS Radio's two-to-three Central time slot. He urges listeners to support small businesses starting with Pleasantville Music Shop, calling it the last mom-and-pop music store left on the East Coast. He praises The Maplewood Inns in Hammonton, Vineland, and Mays Landing for their Italian food, thanks the Bobby Matthews family at Copiers Plus for their printing work in South Jersey, and highlights two Absecon-area bed and breakfasts, the Dr. Jonathan Pitney House, which he says has a widow's walk and may be haunted, and The Colonial Inn in Smithville. Dr. Boris jokes that breakfast makes a bed and breakfast better than being just a room number at a hotel, and closes by wishing everyone a beautiful Halloween before handing the show back to Jim Craine, who jokes about how enthusiastically Dr. Boris threw himself into the bit this week. The Godfather Plugs The Maplewood Inns Craine turns the microphone over to another recurring character, the Godfather of Atlantic City, who delivers a gravelly-voiced pitch for The Maplewood Inns' three South Jersey locations. He credits Jimmy Taglia, described as a skilled guitar player, with running the Hammonton restaurant for his father's legacy, and praises the garlic bread, salad, and full Italian spread at all three inns. The Godfather reminds listeners that Christmas and Hanukkah are approaching and mentions gift card deals available through the restaurants' website. He signs off wishing listeners buonasera and buon appetito, teasing the upcoming story of the Blister Brothers, Danny Steelman and Kelly O'Neill, before Craine returns to compliment the bit and admit his guest still has not been connected on the phone. Craine fills the gap with more talk about Pleasantville Music Shop, noting it has operated on the Black Horse Pike since his wife's grandfather Gaston founded it in 1938, and repeats the store's phone number and website for listeners wanting rentals or vinyl. Danny Steelman Recalls A Rainy Night's Idea Danny Steelman finally joins by phone from a Stockton University author event to discuss his book, "One Summer Dream: More Than Miles," about rowing an old lifeguard boat from Longport down the Intracoastal Waterway to Florida in 1978 with his neighbor and fellow lifeguard, Kelly O'Neill. Craine, whom Steelman greets as "Mr. Loud," recalls training with the pair in the same heavy wooden boat and asks what pushed them to attempt the trip. Steelman says the idea began as a joke on a rainy night at the O'Neill house, when Kelly suddenly announced he was doing it and asked who would come along. Steelman's brother Mike briefly agreed but was not truly committed; Steelman, a Longport lifeguard who already spent his days rowing a small boat without an engine, found himself talking himself into it. Once he mentioned it to Kelly a week later, Kelly was instantly "all in," turning one friend's offhand dream into a real plan the two lifeguards would actually carry out together. Bally's Backing And A Storm Offshore Steelman explains that with no money to finance the trip, he called around Atlantic City's three casinos hoping one would sponsor the voyage as a way to promote the city as it emerged from its early gambling-era doldrums. After days of being hung up on, he reached Bally's executive Bill Weinberger's secretary and landed a meeting; Weinberger wrote a check without asking for sponsorship, telling Steelman only to remember who he was and act like a gentleman. The ...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    46 min
  • The Jim Craine Show, October 3, 2026
    Oct 4 2026
    The Jim Craine Show Merrill Kelem, a retired officer with the Atlantic City Police Department has lived an interesting life. In addition to his career in law enforcement he found himself as a part of Frank Sinatra's inner circle. He also worked as a part of Frank Sinatra, Jr.'s organization until Sinatra, Jr.'s passing. Sinatra Bodyguard Stories and Atlantic City Memories with Merrill Kelem Jim Craine broadcasts from the Pleasantville Music Shop on a rainy Saturday and phones his longtime friend Merrill Kelem, a former Atlantic City police officer who worked as one of Frank Sinatra's bodyguards. The two trade stories about the Rat Pack, Caesars and Resorts, a benefit softball game, and the Atlantic City lifeguards and police they knew. Rainy Saturday Opening and Dr. Boris Sponsors Jim Craine opens the afternoon from the Pleasantville Music Shop on a rainy Saturday in southern New Jersey, greeting listeners and noting that the Halloween season is in full swing. He calls up his character Dr. Boris to read the sponsor list in a spooky voice, thanking Pleasantville Music Shop, The Maplewood Inns, Copiers Plus, and the Dr. Jonathan Pitney House and The Colonial Inn bed and breakfasts. Craine then turns to small business, urging listeners to support the local companies that sponsor the show. He mentions the shop's back-to-school instrument rentals for area schools, its vinyl records that can be played in the store, and a planned Toys for Tots show at ACIT in Mays Landing on December 5th, where people bring a toy to attend. He also points to the Birdcage restaurant in Atlantic City and a website, pleasantvillemusic.com, for more information. The rain and flooding from the previous week are on his mind as he teases the main guest coming up later in the hour. The Godfather Pitches Maplewood Inns The Godfather, another of Craine's recurring characters, takes the microphone next for a comic pitch for The Maplewood Inns in Hammonton, Vineland, and Mays Landing. In a gravelly voice, he praises the veal parmesan, chicken parmesan, ravioli, and spaghetti, and says the restaurants can cater a prom or host a wedding. He jokes that listeners can take a wife for an anniversary or a girlfriend to dinner, but never on the same night. He gives the inns three thumbs up and closes with a sign-off wishing listeners a good time and bon appétit. Craine returns to note that the show airs Saturdays from two to three Central time on the network, then introduces the guest, Merrill Kelem. He describes Kelem as a former Atlantic City police officer who was one of Frank Sinatra's bodyguards alongside his partner, Bobby, and calls him an old friend and one of his best pallies. Kelem is reached by phone from Ventnor, where he is looking out over the boardwalk on a dull, dingy day. Kelem Recalls Joining Sinatra's Circle Kelem, a Philly boy with family property near the Inlet, recalls thirty-one and a half years as an Atlantic City police officer. He says he got into Sinatra's circle through a buddy, Larry, who was a valet at the time, and that Skinny coached him on how to act around the boss: let him get comfortable around you, but never get comfortable around him. Kelem first met Sinatra at Caesars that same year, a month after gambling passed in Atlantic City. He says his work began in March 1977 at the Valley Forge Music Fair, where he ran the warehouse for the souvenir business, shipping and ordering merchandise, and that this earned their trust. He says Resorts opened the first week of April, over Easter weekend in 1978, and the hospital gala at Convention Hall that weekend was a highlight. Craine recalls ushering at Convention Hall and seeing Sinatra's steel-blue eyes, while Kelem notes he and Bobby may be the only ones alive in that photo. Pie Fights and the Red Eyes, Blue Eyes Game Craine asks Kelem to set the record straight about Pete Maggio, whom Craine remembers as Sinatra's driver. Kelem insists Maggio met the singer but never drove him, saying the only men who drove Sinatra were Kelem, Bobby, and Ritchie Ayub. The talk drifts to pie fights, and Kelem jokes that Sinatra loved banana cream pie, which the crew once used to hit Morty Storm square in the face. Craine remembers going backstage at The Sands, where Jilly stopped him at the door until Craine said he was there with Merrill. The centerpiece is a benefit softball game called Red Eyes, Blue Eyes, which Kelem dates to 1980 and says was for Wills Eye Hospital. Tommy Lasorda, coming down from a Dodgers game in Philadelphia, asked umpire Joe West to throw him out so he could reach Atlantic City by 11:30, and West staged it as an argument. Kelem says the game ended in an 18-18 tie when it was called, and he still keeps the Galliano bottle from that day. Frank Jr., Nancy, and Atlantic City Lifeguards Kelem calls Frank Sinatra Jr. his brother from another mother, and says a book about him is 99 percent nonsense, so listeners should not waste their money. Craine, who says ...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    52 min
  • The Jim Craine Show, September 26, 2026
    Sep 27 2026
    The Jim Craine Show Sugar Sugar, Tracy, and Steel Pier Diving Horse Stories with Ron Dante Jim Craine broadcasts through an East Coast nor'easter from the Pleasantville Music Shop and phones Ron Dante, the voice behind The Archies' Sugar Sugar and The Cuff Links' Tracy, for stories about the Brill Building, the Happy Together Tour, and a lifetime of hits. A Nor'easter Saturday At The Music Shop Jim Craine opens the show from the Pleasantville Music Shop as a nor'easter floods the East Coast, joking that the weather will not stop the fun. He notes it is four minutes past two on a soggy Saturday and quotes his old mentor Bob Weems, the man who inspired him to get into radio, saying "we must have weather, whether or not." Craine previews the day's main guest, Ron Dante, the voice behind The Archies and the song Tracy, and promises plenty of laughs despite the storm. He teases his signature performance of the song More before diving into the show's recurring bits, starting with a trip to the spooky-voiced sponsor segment hosted by his own alter ego, Dr. Boris, who will run through the week's advertisers and a round of Halloween jokes before the guest interview begins later in the hour. Dr. Boris And The Sponsor Roundup In the voice of Dr. Boris, Craine runs through his sponsor list with mock-spooky flair, plugging back-to-school instrument rentals at Pleasantville Music Shop, printing and vehicle-wrap work at Copiers Plus in Egg Harbor Township, Italian dinners at The Maplewood Inns in Vineland, Hammonton, and Mays Landing, and stays at the Dr. Jonathan Pitney House and The Colonial Inn bed and breakfasts. Dr. Boris closes with a poultrygeist joke before Craine returns to announce that a planned Lassie event in Quakertown with his friend John Provost and wife Laurie is likely off due to the flooding. He shouts out Beachcomber Coins & Collectibles in Egg Harbor Township, urges listeners to pick up The Shore Local newspaper, and notes Pleasantville Music now stocks vinyl records. Craine previews next Saturday's guest, Murl Kellum, a former bodyguard to Frank Sinatra and Don Rickles, and reminds listeners about the shop's Toys for Tots Christmas show planned for December 12th at ACIT in Mays Landing. The Godfather Plugs The Maplewood Inns Craine hands the microphone to another recurring character, the Godfather of the Boardwalk, for a comic pitch on behalf of The Maplewood Inns. In a gravelly Brando-style voice, the Godfather praises the veal parmesan, chicken parmesan, and clams casino at the Hammonton, Vineland, and Mays Landing locations, crediting owner Jimmy and his family for the warm hospitality. He jokes that listeners can bring a wife or a girlfriend to dinner, just never both on the same night, and calls the Maplewood Inns a proud sponsor after fourteen years on the air. Craine returns to close the bit with a couple of quick Halloween one-liners, including a joke about a hat and a bra and one about warlocks having no children, before checking in on whether his phone guest has been connected yet and reminding listeners that suggestions for future guests can be sent through bbsradio.com while the search for Ron Dante continues. Ron Dante Joins By Phone Ron Dante finally comes on the line, and Craine apologizes for calling him at seven in the morning his time before catching up on the road. Dante explains that the summer's sixty-five-date Happy Together Tour went so well that promoters booked next year's dates before the tour even ended, with a lineup close to this year's mix of acts. He tells Craine about an upcoming show with the 1910 Fruitgum Company and Peter Noone, tentatively in Schenectady on November 17th, though he admits he needs to check the exact date. The two swap memories of Steel Pier, where Craine says he watched Peter Noone draw fainting fans four times between the mid and late 1960s; Dante laughs that his own audiences do not faint but do know every word. Craine mentions hearing The Mills Brothers cover Happy Together and asks about Dante's Funhouse album, autographed photos, and vinyl, which Dante says are all available through Amazon while his website is being rebuilt. From The Detergents To Sugar Sugar And Tracy Dante traces his career back to Staten Island, where he rode a ferry, bus, and subway to reach the Brill Building and eventually auditioned for producer Don Kirshner, who signed him to his first contract. His first hit came with the novelty group The Detergents on Leader of the Laundromat, a parody of The Shangri-Las' Leader of the Pack, which sent him on the road with the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars in 1965 alongside Herman's Hermits, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Freddy Cannon. He explains how songwriters Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, who also wrote Leader of the Laundromat, later called him in to record a demo of Tracy, layering roughly twenty vocal tracks of his own voice; the demo sold as-is and became a hit under the name The Cuff Links, charting in the top ten...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    47 min
  • The Jim Craine Show, September 19, 2026
    Sep 20 2026
    The Jim Craine Show Steel Pier Memories, Smithville Italian Fest Plans, and The Association's Story with James Yester (Jim Yester of the Musical sunshine pop group called the Association) Jim Craine broadcasts from the Pleasantville Music Shop ahead of the Smithville Italian Festival and talks with longtime friend Jim Yester, founding member of The Association, about the band's 61-year history, its biggest hits, and life on the road. A Pre-Taped Saturday From Pleasantville Jim Craine opens the show explaining this is a pre-recorded broadcast since he'll be performing the next day at the Smithville Italian Festival. He broadcasts from the Pleasantville Music Shop, noting the perfect southern New Jersey weather and previewing the day's main event: a phone conversation with Jim Yester, a founding member of The Association. Craine then turns to his recurring sponsor bit, introducing his character Dr. Boris in a spooky voice to read through the sponsor list, opening with Pleasantville Music Shop's 87 years in business, followed by Copiers Plus in Egg Harbor Township and its owner Bobby Matthews, The Maplewood Inns of Hammonton, Vineland, and Mays Landing, and the Dr. Jonathan Pitney House and Colonial Inn bed and breakfasts in Absecon and Smithville. Dr. Boris reads out the show's call-in number and signs off, handing the show back to Craine, who confirms the timing of the broadcast and previews more news about the Smithville festival before the interview begins. Smithville Italian Festival Preview Craine spends time detailing his own gig the next day at the Smithville Italian Festival, where he and his band, the Atlantic City All-Stars, play from 11:30 to 4:30, admission free. He names the players joining him: Tony DeLuca on piano, accordion, and cornet, Andy Lawless on bass, Ray Nunzi on drums, and Johnny Guida. Craine promises food vendors selling sausage, onions, and peppers, plus beer and wine, and urges listeners to come find him. He circles back to promoting Pleasantville Music Shop itself, describing its Black Horse Pike location, its 87 years serving the Jersey Shore, its rental programs for local schools, and its new fall back-to-school push. Craine mentions that CD sales in the shop benefit the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, run by Bob Schoelkopf and Sheila Dean, who care for seals, turtles, and dolphins at their museum on Brigantine Boulevard, before setting up the interview with Jim Yester. The Godfather Plugs Maplewood Inns Before bringing on his guest, Craine introduces another recurring bit, handing the microphone to his Marlon Brando-voiced character The Godfather, who delivers a comic pitch for The Maplewood Inns locations in Hammonton and Vineland. The Godfather praises the veal parmesan, chicken parmesan, and clams casino, jokes that listeners should bring a wife or girlfriend but never both on the same night, and notes the restaurants cater parties as well. He gives the Maplewood Inns his mock approval and reminds listeners that The Jim Craine Show airs Saturdays from two to three Central time on bbsradio.com. Craine returns to close the bit and announces that Jim Yester is finally ready to join the show by phone, teasing a bit about wanting to sing a parody of Never My Love with Dr. Boris before getting serious and welcoming his old friend onto the air for the main interview segment of the broadcast. Jim Yester Recalls The Association's Origins Craine welcomes Jim Yester, a friend since 1967 when Craine first saw The Association at the Steel Pier, and the two joke warmly before Yester explains that the band is celebrating its 61st year, having formed on February 10th, 1965. Yester, who grew up in Burbank, credits his father, a professional accordion and keyboard player who arranged the Everybody's Favorites songbook series, for his own musical start. He describes the Troubadour's Monday night Hootenanny sessions in Hollywood, where musicians between groups gathered to sing folk standards, eventually forming a thirteen-man group called The Men. After personality conflicts, six members walked out to Terry Kirkman's apartment and became The Association that same day, nearly naming themselves The Aristocrats before Kirkman's girlfriend found the word "association" in the dictionary. Yester recalls the group's early residency at The Ice House folk club in Pasadena before their first hit sent them on the road. Behind Along Comes Mary, Never My Love, and Cherish Yester walks Craine through the stories behind three of The Association's signature songs. Along Comes Mary, he says, became their breakthrough single after their Ice House run. He recalls that Never My Love arrived when songwriting brothers the Addrisi Brothers showed up at the band's shared West LA house, rowing an imaginary boat with a guitar paddle before playing the song live, and Yester notes it remains the second most-played song in BMI's catalog. Terry Kirkman, he says, wrote Cherish after a publisher initially ...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    43 min