The Baby Boomer Radio, TV, Movies, Magazines, Music, Comics, Fads, Toys, Fun, and More Show!

On February 6, 2022, radio station KFRO in Longview, Texas celebrated its 87th anniversary. On this occasion, KFRO began a new format for its listeners. Just before this new change going forward, Galaxy Nostalgia Network, and KFRO looked back to its past and its history as a voice for the people of East Texas. KFRO is the Galaxy Nostalgia Network's affiliated station in Longview, and for this look back, Gilbert "Smitty" Smith is joined by Scott Rice, owner and operator of KFRO. In the program, Scott shares with us the story of KFRO, it's years under the Curtis family, what it broadcast during radio's golden era, its years of difficulty, and finally his hopes for the station as it embarks on a new phase of its history. Galaxy Nostalgia Network salutes KFRO as it passes this milestone and inaugurates a new format. A most interesting look at hometown radio from the early days to today. Join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network.

The term "Breaking News" is overused today. If you look at any of the cable news outlets, or even sometimes on local channels, it seems everything today qualifies as breaking news. On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we look back to the days before breaking news, when a graphic on your TV screen was more likely to say "Special Bulletin". In those days, cutting into regular programming to announce something that was happening was serious business. There certainly was something more noteworthy that we, along with the rest of the country needed to know. Often, chills would run down our spines as we wondered what news this special bulletin might bring. The 1950s and 1960s in the middle of the Cold War added more anxiety as we listened to these reports. We recall those days and how presenting these reports has changed over the years. Join us for this look back to those days on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network. Click here to download: https://bit.ly/BreakingNewsShow

Remember those fun kiddie rides outside the grocery stores back in the day? Recall the candies and fun foods we ate as kids? On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we hearken back to those days when we were dropped off by mom and dad in front of the store with a few coins in our hands and we could buy something from a vending machine or jump on an attraction that we could ride for a few minutes. Whether it was a merry-go-round, a gum-ball machine, or any thing like that, it kept us kids entertained for a bit. Then we would run inside to find mom or dad in the grocery store to start asking them to buy us treats, from candies and cakes to ice cream or popsicles. It was a fun, innocent way of life for kids back then. What memories do you have of that time? We've got 25 cents in our pocket, so come along and join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network! https://bit.ly/BabyBoomerKiddieRides

Today we look back to the early days of home video recording. On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site. Smitty is joined by videophile Ray Glasser, who was an early adopter of home video technology back in the 1976 when he purchased his first Sony Betamax VCR. Ray shares how he acquired his first Beta machine, what he recorded, and what he remembers about those days. He tells us the story of building a great videotape collection, memorable programs he recorded, and how he came to meet and connect with other video enthusiasts around the country. Additionally, Ray shares hints and suggestions for preserving a videotape collection. Ray's reminiscences about how VCRs improved and how technology marched forward help us to get an idea of where we are today and how far we've come in the intervening years. This is truly an enjoyable and engaging interview with a video enthusiast who was there way back, and he shares his story with us all. So put a tape in the Betamax, hit record, and join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network!" https://bit.ly/3yiMWuF

It's graduation time on this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site! We look back 50 years and 40 years ago to the time when Mike and Smitty graduated from their high schools. We recall the feelings, the emotions of graduation. What a relief it was to not be in school any more, but also looking ahead to the future and what it would bring. The combination of youth and anticipation for the future made for many feelings ranging from joy to trepidation, from relief to anxiety. These were are all part of that process of leaving school and moving on with our lives. It's an interesting retrospective to look back all these years later. Grab your cap and gown and join us on this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network! https://bit.ly/2SvBYlU

Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site returns! On this episode we look back to the Fourth of July celebrations of the past. How we celebrated them back in the day and the memories of those Independence Days of long ago. Memories of food and fun come to mind as well as hot weather, sun, and leisure. But there is also a significant meaning to Independence Day, the founding of our nation and remembering the sacrifices made for all that we have today. We also pause to recall that it is proper to give thanks for all we have, and to be thankful to be living in these United States. A fun and meaningful look back at this patriotic and fun holiday. We're firing the grill up and putting up the flags, so join us on this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network! https://bit.ly/3zVmlF0

We remember the cartoons and children's programming from our earlier days on this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site. The Galaxy Good Guys, joined by fellow Good Guy Jon Gothold, remember the cartoons and live action series from their childhoods which were shown on TV. As kids, we all enjoyed the cartoons that were available not just on Saturday mornings, but also afternoons and evenings during the week. Running home from school to catch our favorite show is a common memory among many. And not just cartoons, but live action series as well. Do you recall such shows as The Lone Ranger, Bugs Bunny, Lassie, Peter Potamus, Superman, and Underdog just to name a few? We also play a few medleys of the theme music associated with these shows. It seems often, while we can't recall specific details of many of the episodes, the theme music remains with us after all of these years. Finally we remember the other memories that we associate from that time period and while we watched these shows; the sounds, smells, and sights of home while we sat in front of our TV sets. The TV is warming up so come join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia network! Click here for show: http://bit.ly/babyboomercartoons #saturdaymorningcartoons #peterpotamus #loneranger #babyboomer

Remember Saturday Morning TV? All the fun cartoons and personalities we watched each week? On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we remember those Saturdays from our earlier years back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s when we would wake up early on Saturday mornings, grab a bowl of cereal or maybe a glass of chocolate milk and sit in front of the TV and watch our favorite cartoons and programs aimed at kids. Remember such shows as Bugs Bunny, Fury, Sky King, and Mighty Mouse? We recall all of them and many more during this show as well as our favorite hosts and hostesses that would appear as well. All Saturday morning there was a parade of cartoons and kids shows up until about the noon hour or so when it would all be over until the following week. We have memories of the programs and also all the items being offered for sale to us kids. This was as much a business as it was providing entertainment for kids. Join us and lets get ready to watch Saturday Morning TV on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network! Click here for show download: http://bit.ly/BabyBoomerSaturday

Today we talk about going back to places that were familiar to us when we were young, and how some of these places are still the same, but also how they have changed. Our childhood schools, a house we lived in, a favorite relatives' house, or maybe a store or neighborhood from our past. The contrast between what we recall and the reality of how things have changed since those days is interesting. Share the journey today as our memories take us back as we picture these places clearly in our mind's eye. Going back in time today we see how things have changed, even our memories and thoughts remain about what things were like back then. We remember details and of course, the people who were there that made those days special. Galaxy Good Guy Jon Gothold joins us once again to share some of his memories from back into the past. Join us as we take a virtual field trip back to the sights, sounds, places, and people from our old neighborhoods, and beyond. It's another good-time show, on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network. #babyboomermemories #1950svintage @jongothold Click here for today's show: https://bit.ly/33cilSC

On today's show we welcome radio/TV kid's show historian and toy and comic book premium collector, Jon Gothold. As a child, Jon learned about kid's radio show heroes and mail-order premiums from his father, Dr. Stuart Gothold. Over five decades later, Jon has amassed a collection of kid's radio and television show premiums, kid's club membership items, and many other genres of kid's items from the 1930s to the 1980s. Today, Jon shares how his initial childhood interest in Captain Midnight, and other Golden Age of Radio heroes and personalities evolved into a lifetime passion of collecting, and sharing the history of mid-century radio and TV pop culture with today's young people. #goldenageofradio #kidstvshows #captainmidnight #radiopremiums #CerealPremiums #goldenagecomics Click here for the show: https://bit.ly/jongotholdradiopremiums

Remember the simple and cheap thrills we used to enjoy as kids? Whether it was going to the drug store to buy a nickel ice cream, playing a brand-new 45 LP record, or even sending notes to our fellow students during class, these were things that we got a kick out of in earlier times. Today we look back to those days, to remember the simple, fun things that we used to do. It might be something mischievous at school, or maybe just a quiet afternoon in our rooms with a comic book and a bottle of pop. #45lprecord #pennycandy #babyboomermemories #silveragecomics All good memories from a simpler time. Join us and share your fun memories on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network! Click here for show: https://bit.ly/ComicBooksPennyCandy45LPs

As we continue with shelter in place here at Galaxy Nostalgia Network, we present a program on a topic that generates a tremendous amount of e-mails and inquiries from listeners, and that is the world of analog audio. There has been a great resurgence in analog records, tapes, and the collection and preservation of these venerable audio formats. We talk about how these different formats developed, how they came into popular use, and how today they are being collected and preserved. Just about everyone has, or knows someone who has either a tape or record collection. From the 78 RPM disc of early years, to the 45s so popular in the 60s and 70s, to the LPs that today still generate interest, to 8-tracks and cassettes and more. We also look at how digital formats have played a part in this world of audio and we look at where all of this might be going as time goes on. This is a topic we have talked about before and surely will again. Join us here on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network www.galaxymoonbeamnightsite.com

An unusual show for an unusual time...As America deals with the effects of the Coronavirus, we look back onto past crises and unprecedented events that we as a nation have gone through. From the Spanish Flu of 1918, to how people were affected during World War II, to the effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, to the JFK assassination, onto 9-11, there have been times that the country has had the normal daily way of life interrupted, and the feelings of fear and uncertainty have manifested themselves. But an important thing to remember is that we have always made it past any crisis that has come along in the past and we will certainly move past this situation in due time. As a fun aside on this program, the Galaxy Guys remember the fun days of listening to Short Wave radio, as well as look into some of the interesting effects of long-distance radio listening. We also talk about the Civil Defense preparations for radio from back in the day. Take a break and join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network! https://bit.ly/Shortwaveradio

The Galaxy Guys look back on 2019, and on holidays of the past. Also we look forward to the coming better days of 2020, the tenth anniversary of Galaxy Nostalgia Network, and upcoming programs. We recall how technology has changed our everyday world, also how shopping has changed with advances of technology. How things come and go full circle is also examined as the increase in vinyl records and analog audio has gained popularity in today's digital world. Looking back on the "feel" that many of us experience each season as annual holidays arrive is remembered as well. Join us for this look back, and a look forward on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network! #vinylrecords #audiocassettetrends #babyboomermemories Click to listen: https://bit.ly/2WXBjti

On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we remember the days of being with dad when he went to the local neighborhood hardware store. Long before today's "Big Box" stores, there were small hardware and specialty stores to help handymen accomplish those weekend projects. Be it a carpentry, plumbing, fencing, gardening, or any other kind of job, many dads preferred to do these projects themselves instead of hiring someone else to do them. As kids, we went with dad to the hardware store and watched him pick out the materials needed to get the job done. Once home, we watched and learned as the work got underway. The helpfulness of neighbors and sales people who had special knowledge on the types of things being worked on was always a welcome help. The memories of going to these smaller shops is vastly different from going to hardware stores today. Join us as we look back. It's going to be a fun workday on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network! Click Here: http://bit.ly/BabyBoomerMemoriesofDad #babyboomer #nostalgia #mid20thcentury