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GORDY MCCOLLUM
A longtime veteran of radio, the Ol’ GM in the PM has been with “The Valley” since the late 1990s. Gordy is a tried and true diehard fan of radio. He loves sharing news and info with his audience while playing the music he loves.

Raised in the Quad Cities, Gordy now resides in Kankakee with his wife Donna. He graduated from Western Illinois University and has worked for radio stations across Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. At “The Valley,” he loves most, “the palatial penthouse studios.” Tune in weekday afternoons for Gordy and add a little GM to your PM.

 

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Posted by Gordy 3/10/10 at 11am

On this date in history:

1979: The Godfather of Soul James Brown took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. He sang "Your Cheatin’ Heart" and "Tennessee Waltz," then cut loose with "Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag" and four other screamers. The applause was reported as "polite."  Here's a video of James Brown you might enjoy:




Posted by Gordy 3/9/10 at 4pm

One of our favorite singers from the Golden Age of Las Vegas was Keely Smith - she's 78 today.  Here's Keely & Louis Prima doing "That Old Black Magic" - Enjoy!!

Posted by Gordy 3/2/10 at 11am 

On this date in history:

Beatles Daily History Mar. 2, 1964 - "Twist and Shout" by the Beatles was released in the U.S.  I found a video of Twist & Shout from the Beatles Shea Stadium concert - introduced by Ed Sullivan:  Enjoy!



Posted by Gordy 2/26/10 at 3pm

On this date in history:

1970: - The Beatles album "Beatles Again" was released in the U.S., containing the song "Hey Jude."  Here's a good video of the Four Lads from Liverpool with "Hey Jude" 

  

Posted by Gordy 2/25/10 at 4pm

On this date in history:

Legendary operatic tenor Enrico Caruso was born on this date in 1873. Legend has it if you play one of his recordings backwards at high speed, it still sounds better than Yoko Ono.

also,

Remember former assistant "Tonight Show" bandleader Tommy Newsom? He was born on this date in 1929. Shortly after Tommy was born, the stock market crashed and the nation sank into a deep depression. It was probably just a coincidence

Posted by Gordy 2/22/10 at 4pm

Do you remember the Boogie Woogie?

My friend Tom Fraher sent me this video.  I thought you might enjoy it:

This is a pianist from Switzerland who plays some of the best
 Boogie Woogie anywhere. He is so BIG over there, they hold a week- long Boogie Woogie contest every year and all the best players in
the world are invited. In this video he is joined by 2 amazing dancers... The male dancer even has a haircut from the forties.
Turn up the volume, watch and give it a listen! If you experience
any trouble tapping your foot to the beat,
you had better hurry and schedule an appointment with your physician.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T REMEMBER, HERE IS HOW THE BOOGIE WOOGIE WAS DONE!

Posted by Gordy 2/22/10 at 11am

On This Date in History:

1965: Filming began for the Beatles’ second movie, "Help!," in the Bahamas.

Here's the Movie Trailer from 1965:

Posted by Gordy 2/16/10 at 4pm

On This Date in History:

Feb 16, 1974 Elton John released "Benny and  the
Jets"  I found a video you might enjoy - it's Elton LIVE and without a toupee:

Posted by Gordy at 3pm 2/15/10

On This Date in History:
Feb 15, 1964: For the first time ever, one act had 5 songs on the Billboard 100 list.  It was The Beatles with " I Want to Hold Your Hand", I Saw Her Standing There", She Loves You", Please, Please Me", and "My Bonnie".

Here's a video of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" with an intro by Beatle's producer Sir George Martin:

Posted by Gordy at 3pm 2/12/10

On This Date in History:

Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for nine days, was hanged on this date in 1554. Then her ghost haunted Buckingham Palace for 380 years, then she flew to America and became Shirley MacLaine.

Posted by Gordy 2/10/10

February 10 - Don Wilson of the Ventures turns 77 today.  You may remember the Ventures first big hit "Walk-Don't Run":


Posted by Gordy 2/4/10 at 3pm

ON THIIS DATE IN HISTORY:

1977: Dick Clark’s "American Bandstand" celebrated its 25th anniversary with a TV special that included "Roll Over Beethoven" played by a jamming Chuck Berry, Gregg Allman, Junior Walker, Johnny Rivers, Seals & Crofts, the Pointer Sisters, Charlie Daniels, Les McCann, Donald Byrd, Chuck Mangione, Doc Severenson, and Booker T and the MGs.

I would loved to have seen that.  I've looked for a video of that appearance - but can"t find one.  If you know of a video of that show - PLEASE let me know!!


Posted by Gordy 2/2/10 at 4pm

Feb 2,1959: Buddy Holly performed for the last time. At the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa,  The next day was the Day the Music Ended when the plane carring Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valen's crashed on the way to the next tour stop!


Here's a video tour of the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa:

Posted by Gordy 2/1/10 at 4pm

Look here Sinatra fans. 

My friend Tom Fraher sent me this video of the Rat Pack with Johnny Carson doing the Birth of the Blues - I thought you might enjoy it:

Posted by Gordy 1/28/10 at 11am

Thursday, Jan 28 is National Kazoo Day - Play it loud!                                                  


Also on on this date in 1956: In his first national TV appearance, Elvis Presley sang "Heartbreak Hotel" on a summer replacement show featuring Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey.                                                (see Below)
Posted by Gordy - 1/27/10

On this date in 1956: RCA released its first record by Elvis Presley. "Heartbreak Hotel" hit #1 on both the pop and country charts and reached #5 on the R&B charts.

Thought you might like to check the video:%26hl=en%26fs=1%26rel=0%26ap=%2526fmt=18" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425">
Posted by: Gordy ~ 01/26/10 at 3:55pm

Paul Newman was born in Cleveland on January 26, 1925

I had the pleasure of meeting Paul at Road America in Wisconsin many years ago.  He of course, was one of America's great actors and humanitarians.  Here's the many faces of Paul Newman.



Posted by: Gordy ~ 01/26/10 at 2:45pm

Monday was Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day! 

I found this Bubble wrap dance i thought you might enjoy: 

Posted by: Gordy ~ 01/21/10 at 4:00pm

Ringo Update

This week on "Breakfast with the Beatles" host Dennis Mitchell will feature a couple of tracks from Ringo's new CD "Y Not".  Following "Breakfast With the Beatles" we'll feature the Beatles REVOLVER LP from 9-10am

Posted by: Gordy ~ 01/19/10 at 2:41pm

Hey Beatles Fans!

Good news! Drummer Ringo Starr has a new CD. It's called "Y Not". Unlike his other projects the "Y Not" CD is produced by Ringo. It features appearances by Joss Stone, Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart and Sir Paul McCartney.


Speaking of former Beatles - don't forget to tune to the Valley Sunday Mornings for "Breakfast with the Beatles" hosted by Dennis Mitchell, followed by another hour of Beatles music hosted by Mama McCollum's favorite son, Gordy.