WA2K Radio is now on the air

i'm partial to Mrs. Miller's rendition of downtown. her bird whistling gives it that little extra.

Well, hawkman. I did NOT realize that Pet did that, nor did I realize that her name, Petula, was a combination of two names.

My goodness, Yit. That is funny. Who in the world is Mrs. Miller?

Time for a station break:

This cyber space, WA2K radio.

we somehow neglected to provide her bio on this program, so here's a belated tribute to Mrs. Miller

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Elva Ruby Connes (October 5, 1907-June 28, 1997), who recorded under the name Mrs. Miller, was an American singer who gained some fame in the 1960s for her versions of popular songs like "Moon River", "Monday, Monday", "A Lover's Concerto", and "Downtown" rendered in an untrained, operatic, vibrato-laden voice, often out of tune and off the beat. Her whistling, which was equally wobbly and apparently preceded by Mrs. Miller filling her mouth with ice to better control the pitch, also featured on a number of her records.

She was born in Joplin, Missouri and moved first to Jetmore, Kansas and then Dodge City, Kansas before settling in Claremont, California. She sporadically studied music at Pomona College. Later, she sang at churches around Claremont and, although she said that her singing was just "a hobby", she self-released a small number of records, mainly made up of classical, gospel and children's songs. It was while making one of these records that the arranger Fred Bock heard her. He convinced her to try some more modern songs, and took the resulting recordings around record labels.

Thanks to this, Mrs. Miller was signed to Capitol Records by their A&R man, Lex de Azevedo. Her first LP on that label, ironically titled Mrs. Miller's Greatest Hits appeared in 1966 when she was 59 years old. It was made up entirely of pop songs, and sold more than 250,000 copies in its first three weeks. Will Success Spoil Mrs. Miller?! followed later the same year, and The Country Soul of Mrs. Miller a year later.

She appeared on the Ed Sullivan, Merv Griffin, Joey Bishop, Mike Douglas and Jack Paar shows, sang for the troops in Vietnam, performed at the Hollywood Bowl and appeared in Roddy McDowall's film The Cool Ones. However, as with other novelty acts who were popular in the 60s, interest in Mrs. Miller soon waned. She was dropped by Capitol, and in 1968 she released her last album, Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing on the small Amaret label. She later put out a couple of singles on her own Vibrato Records. By the mid-1970s, she had retired from singing.

Thanks, Mr. Turtle for that information. I wonder how many novelty successes have vanished into the night, listeners?

News update for the Brits:



Iconic London buses saved from the final stop Tue Nov 15, 2:06 AM ET



LONDON (AFP) - London's iconic traditional buses were given a new lease of life with the launch of two heritage routes that will save the much-loved Routemasters from the scrapheap.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said the popular jump-on, jump-off vehicles, painted to look as they did in the 1960s with cream stripes along the side, would run along two routes past the main tourist sites.

Transport for London (TfL) decided to phase out the old stalwarts with their trademark spiral staircases last year in favour of more modern vehicles like bendy-buses.

But Livingstone said Monday that 10 sturdy old Routemasters were being saved as they were a world-famous part of London life.

"Everybody who goes to San Francisco always goes for a ride on a cable car," he said.

"Tourists who come to London want to try one of these wonderful old buses they have seen on the telly or at the movies."

However, he defended the decision to withdraw them from normal service.

"One Londoner in 10 can't physically get on a Routemaster and that's before you consider all the people struggling to get on with buggies and all that."

The Routemaster, with its cap-wearing conductor, is still running on the 159 route from the end of Oxford Street to south London, but is due to be withdrawn on December 9, the final stop in more than 50 years of history.

The heritage buses will charge the regular 1.20-pound (1.80-euro, 2.10-dollar) London bus fare.

Heritage Route 15 will run through Trafalgar Square, along The Strand, down Fleet Street, the old heart of Britain's newspaper industry, past Saint Paul's Cathedral to the Tower of London.

Heritage Route 9 takes in the Royal Albert Hall, the plush Knightsbridge district, home of Harrod's department store, Piccadilly Circus and its giant advertising screens, then Trafalgar Square before running along The Strand to Aldwych.

In their heyday, more than 2,700 Routemasters weaved their way around the British capital. They have gradually been replaced by newer double-deckers which although retaining the distinctive red livery, have failed to capture a place in Londoners' hearts as the Routemasters did.

The first Routemaster, RM1, came into service on July 24, 1954 and quickly became as quintessentially British as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

TfL phased them out saying that a single driver was more efficient than the "with-conductor" combination, while the open-ended rear platform was less safe than newer vehicles and access was difficult for disabled passengers.

Some Routemaster fans saw the heritage services as scant consolation for losing the celebrated buses on their traditional routes.

Andrew Ship, from Croydon, south London, said: "I'm not convinced how long they'll last. I don't know why they took them out of normal service.

"If people are stupid enough to jump off when they shouldn't, then that's their problem."

Watching late-for-work Londoners charging after a departing Routemaster and hurling themselves aboard was a pleasurable pastime for passers-by, as was watching a daring passenger take a stumble attempting an improbable exit from a moving bus.

Ah, too bad, folks. Another horse set out to pasture.

Well, my goodness, folks. Where is Europe today, on holiday?

Here's a song for Walter and McTag:


Can't we two go walkin' together,
out beyond the valley of trees?
Out where there's a hillside of heather,
curtsyin' gently in the breeze.
That's what I'd like to do: see the heather--
but with you.


The mist of May is in the gloamin',
and all the clouds are holdin' still.
So take my hand and let's go roamin'
through the heather on the hill.
The mornin' dew is blinkin' yonder.
There's lazy music in the rill,
And all I want to do is wander
through the heather on the hill.
There may be other days as rich and rare.
There may be other springs as full and fair.
But they won't be the same--they'll come and go,
For this I know:
That when the mist is in the gloamin',
and all the clouds are holdin' still,
If you're not there I won't go roamin'
through the heather on the hill,
The heather on the hill.

Now if that doesn't work for Germany and Manchester, I'll be surprised.

Manchester is looking in, but is under orders to get his clothes sorted for taking on holiday.

Today I bought lightweight trousers (pants) and water-purification tablets.
Unusual shopping basket.

You mean, McTag, that Mrs. McTag didn't do it for you? What's this world coming to, folks.

Actually, I was trying to give Walter and Tico a hint on the Where Am I thread, and I remembered that you might just know that song, Brit.

Well, here's a poem by Miss Emily for those women who still are subservient to you fellows:

She rose to His Requirement -- dropt
The Playthings of Her Life
To take the honorable Work
Of Woman, and of Wife --

If ought She missed in Her new Day,
Of Amplitude, or Awe --
Or first Prospective -- Or the Gold
In using, wear away,

It lay unmentioned -- as the Sea
Develop Pearl, and Weed,
But only to Himself -- be known
The Fathoms they abide --

Good afternoon, Letty! How are you managing these days? I think of you often.

So more of Britain's good old theme park traditions are to be kept in harness.

Red payphone boxes, red Routemasters & the traditional British pub can stay open 24 hours.

What else can we dream up. Perhaps we can reincarnate The Beatles & reinvent mass adulation. Could be a money spinner

Eva, I was wondering where you were. I'm doing all right, honey. What would you like to hear today? I was humming a song in my mind, and thinking about tomorrow. We're all interesting creatures, right listeners?

Too smoke or not to smoke.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/4438760.stm



A 30-year-old woman who died after her car plunged into the sea from a ferry slipway calmly lit a cigarette as the vehicle sank, witnesses said.
Post-mortem tests revealed Helen Hogan, a mother of two young children, died of hypothermia after her car went off the slipway at Poole, Dorset, on Sunday.

An inquest into the death of Mrs Hogan, from Wallisdown, Bournemouth, has been opened and adjourned to a later date.

She died in hospital after being rescued from the water near Sandbanks.

Strong tidal currents

A spokeswoman for Portland Coastguard said witnesses reported seeing Ms Hogan drive into the sea before calmly lighting a cigarette.

Her dark-coloured vehicle floated for a while as it drifted in strong tidal currents before sinking in about 15 seconds.

It took police, two coastguard helicopters and lifeboats an hour to find Ms Hogan and pull her from the sea next to the chain ferry.

She was taken to Poole General Hospital, where she died.

Well, there's our John of London. I think perhaps you might be the original "Johnny on the spot. "

I know, Brit. Some people simply don't see the worth in history nor value its artifacts. What would YOU like played?

Hi Letty ---------- History is the backbone of the future. Though many tend to ignore it. When they take history on board, they tend too think along the lines of, --- hindsight is a wonderfull science.
And there but for the grace of God go I.

How about playing that old music-hall favorite
Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner

Hmmm, Brit.(or should that be Brat) You'll have to give us a clue. I don't want to appear as a "big girl's blouse"

oops, missed your news item, John. I guess that is what is known as "smokin' that last cigarette." I wonder if she cared?

Hmmmm. Music hall favorite. Let me think a bit, and I'll return with something.

Here ya go, John:

We had to move away
Cause the rent we couldn't pay.
The moving van came round
This after dark.
There was me and my old man
Shoving things inside a van,
Which we've often done before,
Let me remark.
We packed all that could be packed
In the van, and that's a fact,
And we got inside
All we could get inside.
We packed all that could be packed
On the tailboard in the back,
Till there wasn't any room
For me to ride.

And my old man
Said, "Run along the van,
And don't dilly-dally on the way."
On went the van with my whole billet.
I'd run along with me old cock-a-linnet.
A-dillying, I dallied;
A-dallying, I dillied.
I lost the way and
Don't know where to roam.
Who's gonna put up
The old iron bedstead
If I can't find my way home?

Love it!

Being a big girls blouse can cover a multitude of sins. Usualy of the lighter kind but you never know.
Start playing naughty games of silly buggers & you might find you're getting your collar felt by the Peelers & marched off to the nick, where you'll get banged up for the night & brought up before the
"Beak" in the morning court sessions.


I can only find a short version of the song
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner,
That I love London so.
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
That I think of her wherever I go.
I get a funny feeling inside of me
Just walking up and down.
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
That I love London Town.

An all time favorite Letty. Not a truer work spoken in jest

one more from dear old blighty

My Old Man's A Dustman
Lonnie Donegan

Now here's a little story
To tell it is a must
About an unsung hero
That moves away your dust
Some people make a fortune
Other's earn a mint
My old man don't earn much
In fact....he's flippin'.....skint

Oh, my old man's a dustman
He wears a dustman's hat
He wears cor blimey trousers
And he lives in a council flat
He looks a proper narner
In his great big hob nailed boots
He's got such a job to pull em up
That he calls them daisy roots

Some folks give tips at Christmas
And some of them forget
So when he picks their bins up
He spills some on the steps
Now one old man got nasty
And to the council wrote
Next time my old man went 'round there
He punched him up the throat

Oh, my old man's a dustman
He wears a dustman's hat
He wears cor blimey trousers
And he lives in a council flat

I say, I say Duncan
I 'er...I found a police dog in my dustbin
(How do you know he's a police dog)
He had a policeman with him

Though my old man's a dustman
He's got a heart of gold
He got married recently
Though he's 86 years old
We said 'Ear! Hang on Dad
you're getting past your prime'
He said 'Well when you get to my age'
'It helps to pass the time'

Oh, my old man's a dustman
He wears a dustman's hat
He wears cor blimey trousers
And he lives in a council flat

I say, I say, I say
My dustbins full of lillies
(Well throw 'em away then)
I can't Lilly's wearing them

Now one day while in a hurry
He missed a lady's bin
He hadn't gone but a few yards
When she chased after him
'What game do you think you're playing'
She cried right from the heart
'You've missed me...am I too late'
'No... jump up on the cart'

Oh, my old man's a dustman
He wears a dustman's hat
He wears cor blimey trousers
And he lives in a council flat

I say, I say, I say (What you again)
My dustbin's absolutely full with toadstools
(How do you know it's full)
'Cos there's not much room inside

He found a tiger's head one day
Nailed to a piece of wood
The tiger looked quite miserable
But I suppose it should
Just then from out a window
A voice began to wail
He said (Oi! Where's me tiger head)
Four foot from it's tail

Oh, my old man's a dustman
He wears a dustman's hat
He wears cor blimey trousers
And he lives in a council flat
Next time you see a dustman
Looking all pale and sad
Don't kick him in the dustbin
It might be my old dad

Wow! I've missed that cockney lingo, John. Love it. Thanks, Brit.

And I do believe, folks, that our dj is spot on with that one. Thanks, Canada.

Well, here is a song that was in my head when I spotted John's avatar.


Well, she got her daddy's car
And she cruised through the hamburger stand, now
Seems she forgot all about the library
Like she told her old man, now
And with the radio blasting
Goes cruisin' just as fast as she can, now
And she'll have fun, fun, fun
'Til her daddy takes the T-Bird away

/ C7 - / - - F - - - / C7 - / - - G - - - /
/ 1st, 2nd / C Em7 F G / C F C - /

Well, the girls can't stand her
'Cause she walks, looks, and drives like an ace now
You walk like an ace, now, you walk like an ace
She makes the Indy 500
Look like the Roman chariot race, now
You look like an ace, now, you look like an ace
A lot of guys try to catch her
But she leads them on a wild goose chase, now
You drive like an ace, now, you drive like an ace
And she'll have fun, fun, fun
'Til her daddy takes the T-Bird away

Well, you knew all along
That your Dad was gettin' wise to you, now
You shouldn't have lied, now, you shouldn't have lied
And since he took your set of keys
You've been thinking that your fun is all through, now
You shouldn't have lied, now, you shouldn't have lied
But you can come along with me
'Cause we gotta lot of things to do, now
You shouldn't have lied, now, you shouldn't have lied
And we'll have fun, fun, fun
Now that Daddy took the T-Bird away
Fun, fun now that Daddy took the T-Bird away
And we'll have fun, fun, fun
Now that Daddy took the T-Bird away
Fun, fun now that Daddy took the T-Bird away
{Repeat last line to fade}

... / G - - - / C - F - / :