Hi all! I'm currently researching Donny Osmond's single "Soldier of Love" being portrayed as that of a "mystery artist." I know about Jessica Ettinger's role in breaking the single in NY but what I'm looking for is more documentation of other radio stations across the country continuing to depict the song as by a mystery artist. I'd love to grow my list of stations that did so, as well as talk to any DJs or station managers who can recall announcing the single this way, or getting instructions on how to describe it, etc! I'd especially love to hear any recordings anyone might have to hand of the song being announced this way. I feel strongly that I remember the whole "mystery artist" description growing up in Baltimore, probably on the old B104.3, but I can't swear to it. Anyone have any insights or information for me?
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Donny Osmond's "Soldier of Love" (1989)
- Thread starter cooksterkc
- Start date
During the last of Q105 in Tampa's top-40 years, then morning man Cleveland Wheeler refused to play the song. Donny Osmond asked Cleveland why, and he said, “Because you’re a wimp!”
So, Osmond challenged him to an arm-wrestling match. If Osmond won, Wheeler had to play the song. The match was open to the public, and Osmond did indeed win. Wheeler played the song and said, “I was probably going to have to play it anyway. It was already about to crack the top-10.”
So, Osmond challenged him to an arm-wrestling match. If Osmond won, Wheeler had to play the song. The match was open to the public, and Osmond did indeed win. Wheeler played the song and said, “I was probably going to have to play it anyway. It was already about to crack the top-10.”
I'll pass this thread along to Cleveland. We've been friends for years.
This is Cleveland Wheeler's response:
Frank,
Actually, I refused to play it as a bit of a stunt to lure him to Tampa in MY challenge to him for an arm-wrestling match. My reason for not playing the song (if there was close to a legitimate one) was the reason I gave him when we were on the air that morning before the match. I told him that the song that Levert had released months before Osmond's was almost the identical melody line. Osmond was a great sport and "knew" that this challenge wa publicity that was as valuable to him as it was to me. Fans on all sides love a good show! WE HAVE REMAINED FRIENDS EVER SINCE. Donny Osmond is a solid guy.
Cleveland
Frank,
Actually, I refused to play it as a bit of a stunt to lure him to Tampa in MY challenge to him for an arm-wrestling match. My reason for not playing the song (if there was close to a legitimate one) was the reason I gave him when we were on the air that morning before the match. I told him that the song that Levert had released months before Osmond's was almost the identical melody line. Osmond was a great sport and "knew" that this challenge wa publicity that was as valuable to him as it was to me. Fans on all sides love a good show! WE HAVE REMAINED FRIENDS EVER SINCE. Donny Osmond is a solid guy.
Cleveland
X100 (KXXX) San Francisco was another one of the "mystery artist" stations on Soldier Of Love. Other early adds (although not necessarily as a mystery artist) included: KZZP Phoenix, WNCI Columbus, KWSS San Jose and KHSS Walla Walla.
WNVZ Z-104 in Norfolk, VA did this as well.
On a suburban NYC station, likely one of the first stations in the market to play the song, we were asked/told to please not give the name of the artist. Just play the song. We knew who it was, but we just played the song and made no mention to the artist. I can't really member how long we did that for. Eventually, we named him.
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