Jay Arlan

[history]

On Sunday, the Star reported that Jay Arlan died on March 8th. A generation has passed since Jay taught his last radio class at North Central High School. It's been 14 years since Jay hosted his last early Sunday morning "Hymns of Heavenly Hope" gospel music program on WZPL.

In the 70s, to work Sunday afternoons at WSMJ meant following Jay on the air; and gave you a taste of what it must have felt like to be the comic that followed the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan TV show. Jay's on-air presence was that strong. A consummate communicator. No one could come close to doing a better job of conveying the simple feeling that he was there in the kitchen and enjoying that cup of coffee with you before Sunday morning church. Long after Jay had headed for home, the phones would continue to ring with talk and laughter about something Jay had said earlier that morning. I can't think of a broadcaster who was more loved by his audience.

Jay was named host of "Hymns" after the passing of original host Earl McClarnon. "Hymns" was the biggest show on WSMJ. Nothing else drew the phone calls and letters that "Hymns" did. Nothing else was higher rated. Nothing else sold time at a higher rate. Long after WSMJ had faded into small town radio history, Jay - with wife Irene to answer the phones - continued the gospel music tradition...every Sunday morning at 5 a.m....on WIKS, and finally on WZPL.

Growing up in Greenfield, there were always those cool spring and summer mornings when the open window in your bedroom meant you woke up to the distant sound of the crosstalk of the radios that played from your neighbor's kitchens. Weekday mornings always meant a din of voices...Gary Todd mixed with Bill Robinson mixed with Joe Pickett.

But on Sunday morning, those radios, that during the week were so discordant, were all tuned to one place, one voice...Jay Arlan on WSMJ. On Sunday morning, you always woke up to Jay and Irene. And you knew that for another week, God was in control and all was well with the world.

http://www2.indystar.com/cgi-bin/obituaries/index.php?action=show&id=74800

 

[ChiefEngineer]

After moving to Greenfield in 2000 I kept asking about my old friend Jay and his wife Irene. I was told Jay had been living with his son out of town.

Working at WIKS , later WZPL I had the pleasure of meeting Jay. Jay still continued his Sunday morning show "Jay and Irene" well into the 1980's. During the show Irene would proclaim, "Jay the song is ending...." Jay would whisk into the room , sit down at the console, and say "That was the Vienna Boy's Choir." Then back out to hunt for another request from the music library. Jay and Irence continued even though their show was shortened to 3 hours and ran Sunday mornings starting at 5am.

Later this was the only use for the Greenfield Studio when those old Rules were in effect.

After years of radio Jay still had a positive attitude, command of his abilities when many did not, and the gift to adapt to newer equipment and new owners.

Even years after Jay left town (in body) many of the regulars at "The White House" (Now the Riley House) and "Jim Dandy" recalled Jay and his time on the air.

Not just longevity kept Jay with us but the smile on his face, determination to make his show great, and the helpful attitude he had towards all the youngsters he worked with.

"I'm coming Irene...."

 

[bhorner]

I was fortunate enough to have been one of Mr. Arlan's students at J. Everett Light back in the late 70's. John King was department head, and Bob Tylinski was the chief engineer for the radio and CCTV facilities.
I remember Mr. Arlan as very kind and helpful to the students that wanted to learn the business. He was a very modest man, I had no idea of his extensive background until I read this obituary. He was a positive influence when I first started in the business, and I am fortunate to have him help get me interested and involved in Radio. Thank you, Mr. Arlan....from one of your students.

bobh

 

[perenoel6218]

I worked with Jay at WXLW in the late 60s. He was manager there. I did afternoon
news when the station still carried CBS news. The station then was owned by
the Enoch family. Glenn Scott also did news then and so did the late Bouncin' Bill
Baker. All housed in that tiny block house at 30th and Kessler.
One day Jay came into my newsroom and asked me if I had seen any crickets in
the building. He related that some were in his office. He looked me straight in
my eyes and said: "You know, Jim, crickets chew."
Funny what we remember of others.

But of course I too remember the Hymn Show. I too was on air at WSMJ, your
50,000 watt friend. I dj-ed the afternoons when Tim Renshaw was manager. I also
did Indy's first free form fm radio show....FREE FORM, Sundays from 6pm to midnight.
This was before WFBM fm became WFBQ.

Ah, the memories!