Records Played On AT40 during Casey's intital run, 70 to 88

[papathree]

I have an off-the-wall question. Did the AT40 staff have to go out and buy all the 45s and/or albums so they could play the Top 40 songs during each show? I'm focusing on the initial run from Jul 1970 to Aug 1988. I'm just curious since many cue sheets mention the recording's source as 45 single, or LP, or tape (sometimes). Was acquiring vinyl part of the show's production budget?

[mstgator]

That's actually an interesting question, I'd like to know as well. (Like at some point, did they begin receiving promo copies from record labels like radio stations do?)

[djjoe1960]

I doubt AT40 had to buy many records that they played on the show over the years, as Rob Durkee indicates in his book, American Top 40 Countdown of the Century.
DJ Earl Jive was the first record librarian for the show, and I would tend to believe that he got the records played on the show from a radio station--and the book also mentions the difficulty of coming up with broadcast quality songs (mostly oldies) during the first few years.

I am sure once the show got more established (being played on over 100 stations) they were supplied with promo copies of singles like most any other major station.

[mkarns]

Nov 6, 2023 7:40:42 GMT -5 djjoe1960 said:

I doubt AT40 had to buy many records that they played on the show over the years, as Rob Durkee indicates in his book, American Top 40 Countdown of the Century.
DJ Earl Jive was the first record librarian for the show, and I would tend to believe that he got the records played on the show from a radio station--and the book also mentions the difficulty of coming up with broadcast quality songs (mostly oldies) during the first few years.

I am sure once the show got more established (being played on over 100 stations) they were supplied with promo copies of singles like most any other major station.

There are anecdotes in the book and elsewhere of incidents like the time when a bunch of records for the show melted while in automobile transit on an especially hot Southern California day, and some notations on cue sheets where AT40's copies had scratches or pops. And in their first attempt at a Christmas countdown in 1971 they couldn't find playable copies of a few songs at all (including "Snoopy's Christmas", which was only a few years old at the time.) That and sound flaws have of course been corrected for the versions we hear now.

Eventually as the show became more popular they were probably able to arrange to be sent copies of singles and albums that were flawless and ready for play. When it says "Tape" on the cue sheets that often appears to mean versions that they shortened due to time constraints.

[papathree]

Nov 6, 2023 12:32:13 GMT -5 mkarns said:

Nov 6, 2023 7:40:42 GMT -5 djjoe1960 said:

I doubt AT40 had to buy many records that they played on the show over the years, as Rob Durkee indicates in his book, American Top 40 Countdown of the Century.
DJ Earl Jive was the first record librarian for the show, and I would tend to believe that he got the records played on the show from a radio station--and the book also mentions the difficulty of coming up with broadcast quality songs (mostly oldies) during the first few years.

I am sure once the show got more established (being played on over 100 stations) they were supplied with promo copies of singles like most any other major station.

There are anecdotes in the book and elsewhere of incidents like the time when a bunch of records for the show melted while in automobile transit on an especially hot Southern California day, and some notations on cue sheets where AT40's copies had scratches or pops. And in their first attempt at a Christmas countdown in 1971 they couldn't find playable copies of a few songs at all (including "Snoopy's Christmas", which was only a few years old at the time.) That and sound flaws have of course been corrected for the versions we hear now.

Eventually as the show became more popular they were probably able to arrange to be sent copies of singles and albums that were flawless and ready for play. When it says "Tape" on the cue sheets that often appears to mean versions that they shortened due to time constraints.

Thank you for your replies. I guess I need to acquire a copy of Rob Durkee's book!!!

[OnWithTheCountdown]

Nov 6, 2023 12:57:14 GMT -5 papathree said:

Nov 6, 2023 12:32:13 GMT -5 mkarns said:

There are anecdotes in the book and elsewhere of incidents like the time when a bunch of records for the show melted while in automobile transit on an especially hot Southern California day, and some notations on cue sheets where AT40's copies had scratches or pops. And in their first attempt at a Christmas countdown in 1971 they couldn't find playable copies of a few songs at all (including "Snoopy's Christmas", which was only a few years old at the time.) That and sound flaws have of course been corrected for the versions we hear now.

Eventually as the show became more popular they were probably able to arrange to be sent copies of singles and albums that were flawless and ready for play. When it says "Tape" on the cue sheets that often appears to mean versions that they shortened due to time constraints.

Thank you for your replies. I guess I need to acquire a copy of Rob Durkee's book!!!

I own a copy as well. It is a must read! 🙂