Monday, May 28, 2007

Keith Hampshire - Perfoming Live

My friend Keith Hampshire, former Radio Caroline Pirate DJ, Commercial Voiceover announcer and A&M Records artist, performed at a live concert event in Toronto over the past weekend celebrating the 50th Anniversary of 1050 CHUM Radio.

Keith sent a link to his performance to me and I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy him singing one of his big hits, The First Cut Is The Deepest. And thanks, Keith for sending it to me.

Michael

Mountainfest - Win Tickets from Treasure Island Oldies

I am very pleased to announce that Treasure Island Oldies has become associated with Mountainfest, the Merritt Mountain Music Festival, one of the largest music festivals in North America. This year marks the 15th Anniversary of the festival, taking place from Thursday, July 12 to Sunday, July 15, held near Merritt, British Columbia, Canada.

This year promises to be a very exciting and fitting anniversary celebration, with a stellar lineup of stars including Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Emerson Drive, Mark Wills, Gretchen Wilson, Tanya Tucker, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and many more over the entire four days of the festival.

You can be eligible to win Two General Admission 4 Day Passes, a value of $450! Your General Admission 4 Day Pass will also provide you with camping, plus admission to the Pre-Show Party Entertainment July 10 and 11.

Come to Treasure Island Oldies for complete information on Mountainfest along with full contest details.

We'll make the announcement of the big winner of two General Admission 4 Day Passes on the live show, Sunday, July 1, 2007

Billy J. Kramer With The Dakotas - Voice Your Choice

Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas were one of the many groups that sprang out of the British Music Invasion of the early 60s. Billy was born William Ashton on August 19, 1943 in Bootle, Merseyside, England. The Dakotas were Michael Maxfield and Robin MacDonald (guitars), Ray Jones (bass) and drummer Tony Mansfield.

According to Wikipedia, "The performing name Kramer was chosen at random from a telephone directory. It was John Lennon's suggestion that the "J" be added to the name to further distinguish him by adding a 'tougher edge'. Billy soon came to the attention of Brian Epstein, ever on the look-out for new talent to add to his expanding roster of local artists. Kramer turned professional but his then backing band, The Coasters, were less keen, so Epstein sought out the services of a Manchester based band, The Dakotas, a well-respected combo then backing Pete MacLaine.

Even then, the Dakotas would not join Kramer without a recording deal of their own. Once in place, the deal was set and both acts signed to Parlophone under George Martin. Collectively, they were named Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas to keep their own identities within the act. Once the Beatles broke through, the way was paved for a tide of "Merseybeat" and Kramer was offered the chance to cover a song first released by the Beatles on their own debut album, Please Please Me. The track had been allegedly turned down by Shane Fenton (later Alvin Stardust) who was looking for a career reviving hit."

They charted six songs on the US Billboard chart between 1964 and 1965, with two Top Ten hits, Little Children and Bad To Me.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Billy J. Kramer With The Dakotas and two of their well known and loved songs: I'll Keep You Satisfied and From A Window.

Come to the Voice Your Choice page and make your selection. The song with the most votes will be played in Hour 3 of this week's show.

Mille Small - My Boy Lollipop - Song of the Week

Millie Small, whose nickname was "The Blue Beat Girl", was born in Jamaica in 1946. Her hit song, My Boy Lollipop, originally recorded in 1956 by Barbie Gaye, was a smash hit in 1964 and the very first hit single for Chris Blackwell's Island Records. He had a huge love of the artists and music of Jamaica, as witnessed not only by his signing Millie Small but also Bob Marley And The Wailers, among other "Island" artists.

Here then is Millie Small in a 1964 clip of My Boy Lollipop, our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!
Michael

Monday, May 21, 2007

This week on Treasure Island Oldies join us for our Pop Goes The Country Special. You'll hear songs from such classic country artists such as Johnny Cash, Lynn Anderson, Tammy Wynette, Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline, and many more.

Plus listen for details of our brand new contest and your chance to win the grand prize! We'll be live Sunday, May 27th from 6 to 10 p.m. Pacific time, and afterward on the Treasure Island Oldies Archives.

Little Anthony And The Imperials - Voice Your Choice

Little Anthony And The Imperials were from Brooklyn, New York. This classic R&B vocal group, formed in 1958, consisted of lead singer Anthony Gourdine, plus Ernest Wright, Tracy Lord, Glouster Rogers and Clarence Collins.

They charted 19 songs between 1958 and 1974. Their debut single, Tears On My Pillow, was a Top Five smash, and they enjoyed two other Top Ten hits.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice features Little Anthony And The Imperials with their two other Top Ten hits: Goin' Out Of My Head and Hurt So Bad. Which song do you prefer? Come to the Voice Your Choice page and make your selection. The song with the most votes will be played in Hour 3 of this coming week's show.

Song of the Week - The Clovers Lovey Dovey

The week's Song of the Week is by The Clovers, a classic Rhythm and Blues Group from the early 1950s. This clip features a live performance of Lovey Dovey.

Enjoy!

Michael

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Top 5 CDs in Canada by Canadian Artists - A First

History was made in Canada this week. For the first time ever, the Top Five selling albums in Canada are by Canadians. At the top of the list at Number One is Michael Bublé, with Feist at Two; Rush, in at Number Three and their first new album in years. The next two positions are Avril Lavigne at Number Four and Isabelle Boulay, the fifth best selling CD.

Add to that, the Number Nine position is held by Nelly Furtado, the results of which is the fact that fully 60% of the Top Ten selling albums in Canada are by Canadians!

What a wonderful feat. As a seasoned veteran of the Canadian Music Industry, I am proud and I salute you for this tremendous achievement.

Michael

Monday, May 14, 2007

Tony Orlando & Dawn - Voice Your Choice

Tony Orlando & Dawn began their string of hits in 1970. However, Tony had a successful career prior to his incarnation with Dawn. He was born Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis on April 3, 1944 in Manhattan, New York. And at age 16 he was discovered by producer and publisher Don Kirshner.

His first hit single was Halfway To Paradise, followed by Bless You, both Top 40 hits. In 1967 he bacame manager of April-Blackwood Music Publishing; and in 1969, he sang lead vocal for a studio production known as Wind, and they had a hit with the song Make Believe.

In 1970 he formed Dawn, which featured session singers Toni Wine and Ellie Greenwich. In 1971 a permanment Dawn consisted of session singers Thelma Hopkins from Louisville, Kentucky and Joyce Vincent from Detroit, Michigan.

As Dawn they had 21 appearances on the Billboard chart between 1970 and 1979, including 6 Top Ten hits, 3 Number One songs and 5 Gold Records. An amazing feat, considering this was the third phase of his career.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice features Tony Orlando & Dawn with Knock Three Times and Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree.

Make your preference known. Come to the Voice Your Choice page and make your selection. We'll play the winning song in Hour 3 of this week's show.

Dave Clark Five - Because - Song of the Week

The Dave Clark Five, are one of the favourite groups among Treasure Island Oldies listeners. Here they are with one of their big hits, Because, our Song of the Week. Mike Smith is singing live over the record.

Enjoy!

Michael


Monday, May 07, 2007

Joe South - Games People Play

Hi again, I am not trying to sway the votes on Voice Your Choice this week, but I just came across this great clip of Joe singing Games People Play. Nice live vocals from Joe on this.

Enjoy!

Michael

Treasure Island Oldies 10th Anniversary - What a Party!

Wow! What a party we had for our 10th Anniversary Special show. My thanks to everyone who sent in email and voicemail messages, and for the phone calls as well. A big tip of the hat to insinc and mediaontap for arranging the live video feed from the studio. I can't recall when four hours went by so fast. In case you missed it, you can listen to the Archived show by coming to our Listen page. Just scroll down to the Archives section and enjoy!

And just because I'm in such a great mood, I am giving away prizes just for sending in an email. All you have to do is send your full name and postal mailing address, along with "Gift" in the Subject line to michael@treasureislandoldies.com. The deadline for sending your email is this Friday, May 11, 2007.

Thank you once again for celebrating this Internet milestone with me!

Michael

Mother's Day - Treasure Island Oldies Annual Special

Join us this week on Treasure Island Oldies for our annual Mother's Day Special. There'll be lots of songs about "mom" that I know you'll enjoy. In addition, if you'd like to make a request and dedication, be sure to come to the main page and click the Requests button. I'll do my best to play as many requests as possible. Remember we're live this Sunday, May 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. Pacific time. See you on the "Island".

Michael

Joe South - Voice Your Choice

Joe South, was born Joe Souter on February 28, 1940 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was first known as a songwriter, penning such tunes as Down In The Boondocks for Billy Joe Royal; Hush, also recorded by Billy Joe Royal as well as Deep Purple and Blue Swede; plus Rose Garden, a huge smash for Lynn Anderson and also recorded by Dobie Gray in 1969.

Before his big breakthrough in 1969 as a recording aretist, he had two other songs on the charts. In 1958 his version of the Big Bopper song The Purple People Eater Meets The Witch Doctor peaked at 47 on the Top 100. He re-appeared in 1961 with You're The Reason, which was eclipsed by Bobby Edwards' hit version. Things changed for him and he attained chart success with Games People Play, which hit the charts in January of 1969.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Joe South and two of his best known songs: Games People Play and Walk A Mile In My Shoes. Have a preference? Come to the Voice Your Choice page and make your selection. We'll play the song with the most votes in Hour 3 of this week's show, our annual Mother's Day Special.

The Four Seasons - Big Girls Don't Cry - Song Of The Week

Here's a great vintage video clip of The Four Seasons performing Big Girls Don't Cry live.

Enjoy!

Michael

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Treasure Island Oldies 10th Anniversary Special Show

Be sure to join us for the Treasure Island Oldies 10th Anniversary Special live this Sunday, May 6 from 6 to 10 p.m. Pacific time. In celebration of this special occasion our network, Mediaontap, will be providing a special LIVE VIDEO FEED from the studio, plus you'll be able to enjoy the audio in full fidelety high bandwidth. My special thanks to Hugh Dobbie, and Grant Christian, and David Skidmore for providing this extra special touch for our 10th Anniversary Show. Don't miss this rare opportunity to go behind the scene of a live radio show.

Be sure to come to Treasure Island Oldies for the link to watch and listen. See you Sunday for this exciting Internet milestone: ten consecutive years of broadcasting of a radio show, Treasure Island Oldies, the Home of Lost Treasures.

Bye for now.

Michael

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Zola Taylor of The Platters - R.I.P.

Zola Taylor, an original member of The Platters, died Monday morning [4/30/07] in Los Angeles. She was 69. She had been in ill health for some time after reportedly suffering a stroke several years ago.

An attractive contralto, she recorded and toured internationally with the Platters from 1954-1964 and was heard on the group's biggest hits. At one time, Ms. Taylor was married to the late singing star Frankie Lymon, and was portrayed by Halle Berry in the 1998 motion picture Why Do Fools Fall in Love. During the 1970s, she worked with other former originals Paul Robi and David Lynch in a touring Platters group and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Ms. Taylor was preceded in death by her former singing partners, Tony Williams (1928-1992), Paul Robi (1931-1989), and David Lynch (1929-1981). Today, original founder and bass singer Herbert Reed, is the classic group's sole survivor.

Thanks to Country Paul at Spectropop for passing on this sad news to me.