-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Uncle Otto
- Thread starter Ken Tucky
- Start date
I worked with Bob (Uncle Otto) and still know some of his family.
His "Uncle Otto Show" runs each Saturday at Noon (central time) on my internet station, "Goodtime Radio, WRJQ."
http://www.wrjqradio.com
His "Uncle Otto Show" runs each Saturday at Noon (central time) on my internet station, "Goodtime Radio, WRJQ."
http://www.wrjqradio.com
...Artabasy was a slime. He would take the carted music for WRJQ, dub them to cassettes, dupe the cassettes and sell the dupes through mail order. You knew they were WRJQ's library from the tape splices in the middle of the songs! He tried to argue that, since by that time "there was no Decca Records company," somehow the damned stuff was in the public domain! He also employed underage personnel at WRJQ without the proper work permits or paying them minimum wage. The forged will incident mentioned upthread fits right in...
Not sure if there were others, but if you're referring to me (which I can only assume you are) I was indeed paid minimum wage. ($6.50 I think, actually).
You're right, though about the underage employees. I was 14 at the time. And happy to get my foot in the door, I might add.
Whatever happened to your website that told the story about Artabasy? You know, the one that referred to me as the "annoying 14-year-old punk kid" or words to that effect.
You're right, though about the underage employees. I was 14 at the time. And happy to get my foot in the door, I might add.
Whatever happened to your website that told the story about Artabasy? You know, the one that referred to me as the "annoying 14-year-old punk kid" or words to that effect.
Some may remember that Bob also was known as Bobby Art & The Plainsmen. He actually released at least on album on Cuca Records and he did own some or all of the Lakeside Ballroom, where he also played. Before that, he was on Mono records also as Bobby Art & His Wisconsin Dutchmen.
I worked at WPLY in 1966-1967 and Bobby did not have any ownership in the station. A company from Muskegon, MI owned it, Dalton C. Hille managed it. Otto was usually on tape. Dalton & Bobby had a library of shows on tape, voicetracks. Our job was to play the tapes and insert the proper music cuts.
I left in the spring of '67 and from what I recall there was some sort of falling out between Uncle Otto and WPLY and he was gone several months later.
In the twist of fate department, I later worked for WMIL, Milwaukee, with Fritz the Plumber. I never heard Fritzie mention Uncle Otto. However, whilst collecting records I came across Mono 011 which has "You Can't Be True Dear" by Bobby Art with vocal by Fritz The Plumber.
Trivia: Uncle Otto used Whoopee John's "When Otto Plays A Polka" as his theme. Otto, of course, claimed it was written for him, but in reality the single was Decca 9-29676 and was released in 1954. In a strange twist, almost everything Whoopee John cut for Decca has been on some album or another, except that single.
Dave
I worked at WPLY in 1966-1967 and Bobby did not have any ownership in the station. A company from Muskegon, MI owned it, Dalton C. Hille managed it. Otto was usually on tape. Dalton & Bobby had a library of shows on tape, voicetracks. Our job was to play the tapes and insert the proper music cuts.
I left in the spring of '67 and from what I recall there was some sort of falling out between Uncle Otto and WPLY and he was gone several months later.
In the twist of fate department, I later worked for WMIL, Milwaukee, with Fritz the Plumber. I never heard Fritzie mention Uncle Otto. However, whilst collecting records I came across Mono 011 which has "You Can't Be True Dear" by Bobby Art with vocal by Fritz The Plumber.
Trivia: Uncle Otto used Whoopee John's "When Otto Plays A Polka" as his theme. Otto, of course, claimed it was written for him, but in reality the single was Decca 9-29676 and was released in 1954. In a strange twist, almost everything Whoopee John cut for Decca has been on some album or another, except that single.
Dave
Honesty, was never Bobby Art's strong suit, and our industry is better off without these types.
I was hired to repossess a satellite receiver from a Kiel lawyer, and Bobby stood on the steps of
the radio station that he managed, and performed an exorcism on the receiver as the lawyer left!
Tom Scott of Sheboygan radio fame, was Otto's son.
I was hired to repossess a satellite receiver from a Kiel lawyer, and Bobby stood on the steps of
the radio station that he managed, and performed an exorcism on the receiver as the lawyer left!
Tom Scott of Sheboygan radio fame, was Otto's son.
Wow, that brings back many memories. My wife worked at WMIL back in the fifties with Fritz, a.k.a. Norman Marrgraff. He passed away back in '06. I've also got that Mono record. Mono was Marty Zivko's label; had quite a few Wisconsin polka bands. Each Sunday afternoon he did a show on WBKV, where I worked. Of course Mono artists were featured. I often had to start the show, as Marty had a habit of being late.drded said:
Good times at WBKV fifty years ago, especially because that's where I met my wife.
--
Another Dave
Didn't know that Norm had passed. He was a nice guy to work with and had some fascinating tales to tell of his World War II service.
Also didn't know that Zivko owned Mono. I've only got a couple of the 45s. Trying to find polka records is harder than pop stuff.
Thanks for the updates!
Dave
Also didn't know that Zivko owned Mono. I've only got a couple of the 45s. Trying to find polka records is harder than pop stuff.
Thanks for the updates!
Dave
My dad bought WRJQ radio; he rewired the transmitters himself. Several people took advantage of his good nature. I ran an air shift on Sundays to help my dad. The above does not surprise me. Two weeks before dad died, he asked me if I wanted the radio station, and almost fell over, and of course told him, "dad, that is your station." Dad did many nice things for many people, and all I can say if those who took advantage of him will have to answer for themselves one day.
Thank you for spelling it out. Bless you.
Our paths may have crossed at WPLY. I worked there and at WHBL, Sheboygan, in the mid-1960s, while attending nearby Lakeland College. I was given the name “Buffalo Bill.” Working there was great fun. I moved on to WMIL (AM) in Milwaukee, and later to WISN-TV. WMIL was a Malrite station. The owners, Milt and Bob, told a funny story. They claimed their first station was WPLY (before Bunker bought it). On the first day of ownership, they offered five dollars to the first person to call the station. The phone didn’t ring!
In retirement, I operate a Florida LPFM, WZQR-LP. More at www.billbro.com.
I currently own Uncle Otto's dance hall in Plymouth next to Crystal Lake. After doing a bit of research, I see he might have had the greatest rep but I'm still very proud to revitalize this old building.
I worked in radio for 15 years so I understand that not all radio staff have the greatest moral fiber but they are always interesting.
I worked in radio for 15 years so I understand that not all radio staff have the greatest moral fiber but they are always interesting.
- Status