Story time: ...... I sometimes feel as if I was born in the wrong time period. Hmm, or does every old man feel that way?
Times change, sometimes that is a GREAT thing, penicillin for example. Then some changes are horrible, AIDS for instance. Life in my memory at least was softer decades ago. For example, how adult themes were addressed in entertainment.
One of my favorite shows as a kid was Gunsmoke (CBS television 1955-1975), I watched it every week with my dad. My oldest son, Dillon was named after the star of Gunsmoke, Matt Dillon. The actor James Arness played Dillon for all of the 635 episodes. (James was aware of my son being named Dillon, I used to know people).
You might be surprised to discover Gunsmoke began on CBS radio running for 480 shows from 1952-1961. The radio Matt Dillon was played by William Conrad, later he was remembered for playing the tv private investigator Frank Cannon and on Jake and the Fatman. Conrad was that rare tv star that gave us fat boys hope of being cool.... hmm, that's just sad.
Much of Gunsmoke was set in the Long Branch, a Dodge City bar owned and ran by Miss Kitty Russel. The place was full of people drinking, and "dance hall girls" - prostitutes and a few killings. But the show never jammed sex down the viewer's throat and somehow people were shot and killed without making it seem wrong. In 2026 not only is sex routinely seen, but all forms....... when I was a kid, it was still a sin to suck a dick. Even killings take on a different feel on television these days.....
LOL, ok.....maybe I'm old, but 50 years ago you were able to watch people die in gun fights, prostitutes work men for drinks and for the most part produce clean entertainment. Have you seen Love Island? Holy shit, ...... I would be so ashamed if one of my kids ever even considered appearing on a show like that........
I have often wondered if I would have been happier to have been born during a different time period. My favorite shows were produced from the 1930's to about 1960, and for the most part were on the radio. Which brings me to the entire purpose of this story, sharing my favorite app - Radio Garden.
Let me begin by saying Radio Garden is not paying me, these are just my thoughts. With this free app you can listen to radio stations from around the world, I am of course limited by only speaking English. Nevertheless, you can find a lot to listen to, and if you speak other languages, pretty much everything is available.
My favorite station is ABN Old-Time Radio AM 1610, located in Antioch, Illinois (North of Chicago). But Radio Garden makes nearly any station seem right next door. ABN Old-Time radio just like the name implies plays old radio shows, most of the shows are from the 1940's and 50's, but some go back to the 1920's. What I like the most, though the shows are awesome entertainment, you can listen to them with anyone. Much of tv today children should never see.....
You should try Radio Garden.
A couple of years back I got into Alaska high school basketball, pretty much every game is on the radio, and with the time difference, they make for some great nighttime listening.
Stations in Europe are 5 to 8 hours ahead of the United States. An entire day full of news plays out when America sleeps, and even more if you consider stations down under where they are waking up to start tomorrow about 3 pm in St. Louis. It is eye opening to listen as foreigners give their opinions on the United States..... not everyone loves us. And if you think the United States is screwed....you should pay attention to what is happening in Great Britian, then sleep at night with a loaded gun and a copy of our constitution.
WSM 650 Am, is the Grand Ole Opry we all know from Nashville, Tennessee. It has to be one of the best, if not the very best country radio station in the world.... all free through Radio Garden.
Does the Christmas feeling ever hit you in July, then the Dublin, Ireland station playing Christmas classics 12 months a year is just what the doctor ordered!
I have 3 great regrets in life, the first I can't mention..... but it troubles my soul every day of my life.
My second great regret are the times I have let my wife down. Tonya is such a wonderful person, she deserves better than I have ever been able to be. I love her with all of my heart, and feel physical pain when she tells me I've let her down....again.
My third great regret, is not helping my children fall in love with my religion. (Catholic) All 5 of my kids have a good relationship with God, for that I am thankful....but I failed them. If you are not Catholic....you would not believe what you are missing. Which brings me to the Covenant Network, out of St. Louis, Missouri and found on Radio Garden bringing Catholic shows 24/7/365.
If you really know me, you might be thinking I should have more than 3 great regrets..... but the bodies are hidden well enough I don't think I need to.
The Campbell County Sheriff's department plays all their law enforcement radio traffic on a radio station out of Gillette, Wyoming. If you close your eyes, it's almost as if you are listening to Sheriff Longmire (if you don't know who Walt Longmire is.....google)
So, download Radio Garden and spend a little time collecting your favorite stations. It will open a window to the world let you travel through time and see how others view your country all for free on the cell phone in your hand.
If you have a station that I should check out..... please post it on Facebook and I will give it a listen......
