Where Do You Listen?

I’m running a contest on the Red Rock Diner, asking listeners to tell me where they are while listening to the show.  Some of the responses so far:

Hi, Red! I usually listen to your program while driving back to Washington after having spent a couple of days in Vancouver with my husband. In its vast wisdom, the government has decided that prolonging the start of our combined life is preferable to having a happy Canadian and his productive wife. At the beginning of September of last year we moved 45 years’ accumulation of my stuff, my three cats, and me north from Southern California, expecting to be able to start the legal process from inside of Canada. Being broke, it was determined that we have to “find” enough savings to support me for the 6 months I can’t work when I actually get to stay. We are supposed to do that while supporting two rental places, separate food bills, etc. Anyway, radio is one of the things that brought us together (Stan Freberg was the main catalyst), so we listen together to the beginning of your program, and I listen as I drive back to the cats. Marc likes the way Canada has had a role in Rock and Roll.  Thank you for being part of our story! — Ellen Erickson

It’s a Saturday night as I work away at my computer on Lulu Island with your company in the foreground… NOT the background. I always look forward to “comparing the hits”… it’s interesting how other artists interpret these hits… thanks for some great nostalgia! — Becky

Hey there Red, I am sitting at my computer… typing away to the beat of your tunes! Can you believe it? I plan my Saturday night to include catching up on bookkeeping and office work while enjoying your program. I am the owner and editor of BC Holstein News (MOO News) and live on a dairy farm in Matsqui. As you can imagine milking cows and putting out the industry trade publication is a 24/7 commitment. In addition my husband and I both live and work on the farm so it is hard to “get away”. Your music and wonderful stories provide a wonderful break that transports me to other times and other places (while I still catch up on the mountain of paperwork that has built up during the week). I love the stories about the people behind the music… I am amazed at your memory! Keep it coming… thanks Red for putting magic into my Saturday.  — Karen

Hi Red, I am listening to your show from Tokyo, Japan via net streaming. I am a big Clear FM fan and really happy that I get to listen to your show live on the other side of the world! — Masa @ Tokyo

I am a regular listener in Victoria to FM 104.9.  I get a lot of joy from your program. I worked for CKDA back in the 50’s. I remember Norm Pringle as a successful DJ at that station who gave a start to budding musicians who came to Victoria. I am happy to hear he is being inducted to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. He may remember Margaret Pickup. Keep doing what you are doing! — Margaret Gifford

Hi Red, My wife and I have been enjoying your Saturday evening Red Rock Diner show ever since we tuned in some weeks ago. Unfortunately we have missed most of your shows due to work overseas for the past many years. I just wanted to say that we both enjoy the music from the eras and I have to say that your depth of musical folklore and knowledge is quite astounding. During the sixties I lived and worked in Toronto and was the bass guitar player for a small musical group called the “Rondelles”. Although we never did anything spectacular we were a fairly big hit with the high school kids in the East end of Toronto. I have heard you mention several relatively unknown Canadian artists from time to time and wondered if you recall an artist from around the London/Kitchener area who had a hit (the name of which escapes me) but I had the honour of being asked to fill in for his bass player on one of his gigs, I think his name was Bobby Curtola or Bobby Rydell… I’m not sure so maybe you can help? — Ray Taylor

The artist was Bobby  Curtola who had two international hits and dozens of Canadian hits. as well as the international hits Fortune Teller and Alladin.  Thanks for being with me on Saturday nights.

Hi Red, I plan my Saturday evening around your show. I absolutely love it! I am 71 years old and unable to go out in the pm, so I have a ‘pamper’ night, soak in the tub, light a few candles and enjoy the old times. Last night brought back so many memories, I was still living in Liverpool until 1966 and remember fondly all the ‘stars’ being discovered. Lulu, Shirley Bassey (I saw her first broadcast – on a ferry – and she forgot the words – she was so nervous!) My husband was a Liverpool ‘bobby’ and didn’t particularly like the Beatles because during that time he was always getting his days off cancelled due to crowd control. Thank you Red for keeping the music alive. — Ann Pritchard

Hi Red, I was listening to you in my car as I drove to and fro between the townhouse I just sold and the condo I’m moving into temporarily. Moving has to be one of the worst things to do. As I was driving back to this messy townhouse scattered with the bits and pieces I have yet to box up, you played the Hawaiian Wedding Song by Andy Williams and Elvis. My tears were falling as they both sang as that was the first dance song at my wedding 22 years ago. Unfortunately my husband and I separated last year after 27 years together. I had requested the Andy Williams version of the song from the DJ I had hired, and unknown to me he switched it with the Elvis version. Apologies to Elvis fans but in 1986 I was NOT a big Elvis fan and when the DJ started playing the song by Elvis I almost didn’t get up to dance but decided not to make a fuss at this special time. Funnily that incident has always stuck with me and hearing both versions tonight it reminded me of the sadness I feel with my marriage having broken down. Luckily my husband and I remain friends. I now appreciate Elvis more although I still prefer the Andy Williams version, his voice was just so pure and clear. Now I’m back at the townhouse sitting by myself feeling a little lonely for the first time since the breakup.  I have many friends and have never felt lonely until tonight and I think it’s because of the song. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not having a pity party (well maybe I did for a few minutes as I listened to the songs), but now I’m enjoying listening to the rest of your show and I thank you for a wonderful listening experience and keeping me company as I pack up yet another box. Keep up the great work, you are appreciated by many. It’s wonderful to reminisce with all these great songs you play.  — Sharon

I am at work tonight, in the ER at Nanaimo Hospital. We love your show here on the Island! The Red Rock Diner keeps a happy rhythm here through a 12-hour night shift. I listen to your fabulous program every Saturday night, it’s a wonderful walk down memory lane, so many memories are recalled by the hits you play. I especially enjoy the interviews with those entertainers you have met through the years. I would like to request any songs by John Denver. His incredible talent for songwriting and arranging went far beyond Rocky Mountain High and Annie’s Song. John’s music should be played today more than ever, because his lyrics and sentiments were about the beauty of Mother Earth. He did some terrific blues as well.  A special song is Perhaps Love which he recorded with Placido Domingo.  John played 3 wonderful concerts in Vancouver and would have done more had he not perished in the plane crash in October of 1997.  Please Red… we would love to hear John on the radio,  he was a superb human being and a most cherished songwriter and entertainer. Many good wishes to you from us here on Vancouver Island. — Amanda Prothero

Hi Red,  my wife and I are at our fish ‘n’ chip cafe in northeast Poco… it’s called This Is It and from six till ten when we close the jukebox is turned off and your show is on. The customers enjoy it and know that Saturday night at the “It” the music is provided by Red Robinson. I miss the Sunday show you had so I hope you stay on the air for a long time to come. Could you play Ral Donner? By the way we have the Kurl Dog just like the old This Is It. — George

Hi Red, like so many others, thanks for walking down the memory lane with us on Saturday evenings. Tonight I worked in Abbotsford until 7:30 pm but was able to listen as I drove home to Langley. As your good friend Jim Byrnes turns 60 on Monday, I too will be turning 60 next year. Therefore, I truly enjoy not only the music but the stories behind the music. Thanks again. 🙂 — Eleanor

As we do every Saturday, we have your show on from 6pm, until we retire for the night. As a borderline baby boomer, there are many nostalgic moments that I experience while listening. There are songs I haven’t heard in 30 years, yet I can sing them word for word, just like I did when my late father would strum them on his guitar. No weekend is complete without the Red Rock Diner as far as I’m concerned. — Todd Clark, Nanaimo

My husband and I listened to you as we drove home from Vancouver last night. We’ve both listened to you since your early days in Vancouver — I, in Penticton, with my ear pressed to my transistor radio and he, a native Vancouverite, loving your show on CFUN.  He loved hearing your old theme song last night!  We caught the signal until Mt. Vernon and just loved your “patter” full of information about the fifties and the recording stars you’ve met.  Wish we could have gone down to the Croatian Cultural Center to see you, but I still remember vividly meeting you at the Teen Town Reunion in Penticton.  Thanks, Red, for all the great music and fun you’ve provided to us. — Catherine and Bob Barker, Edmonds, WA

I listen to you in my big truck. I take 4 loads of diesel fuel to the big CPR tank in Port Coquitlam. I hook up my hoses, open the doors and windows and crank the stereo, watching the trains go back and forth. Your tunes and stories make the night go way too fast. I and my best buddy Al entered grade 7 in 1960 at Sir Charles Tupper High. We used to listen to you on our rocket crystal radios and then on our transistors. Thanks for the memories, keep rockin’! — Harry Robinson, Mission

I’m listening to you at my home office. As a 28 year old graphic designer… it might seem a bit strange for a few people my age but when I’m working late or just hanging out I love listening to these tunes you play. Keep it up! Thanks so much! — Raakhi Patel

Hey Red, I love your show –- keep-up the good work!  I especially enjoy your comparison of hits and clips of artists musing on their careers and their creative processes. I am listening to your show from the bowels of my residence in Burnaby, as I shuffle papers and otherwise attend to my personal affairs.  Your program relaxes me, but more importantly, it moves me with pleasant thoughts of yesteryear, giving rise to sweet memories that are woven inextricably in the feelings and personal circumstances that I was experiencing when I listened to a particular hit around the time that it was first released. Your show helps me to wind-down, recharge, reflect and recollect. — Princie Kumar

Hi Red!! I sit at home in my lazyboy listening to your show as I do every Saturday night. Keep it up. — Al Philbrook

I am listening to you @ the Wendys parking lot in South Surrey. The view of hi-way 99 is breathtaking! I would be honoured to win some tickets to Engelbert. My mom got me interested in his music.  Moms favourite was “Please Release Me”.  She seemed to enjoy it even more with a beer in hand (go figure). Anyway, I found an obscure song from 1969 called  “Everybody Knows Matilda” by Duke Baxter. Excellent song you should play one night. Keep up the good work. — Bill Nunas

Usually I am at home listening to you while I get things done that aren’t noisey so I can listen to the music. Occasionally I am in Vancouver when I listen. But tonight I am listening at home. Enjoy the show a great deal. — Lynne Gallant

Hello Mr.Robinson! I am listening to your wonderful show while relaxing at home. Great music!! — Heather Scally

Hi Red, It’s 8:30 and I am downstairs reading a book – Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – It’s all Small Stuff- and listing to the “music and chatter” in what you call “The Red Rock Diner”. While I may physically be at home reading and relaxing… I am really in the sweet spot of my own little world taken there by your music. Music from the 50’s and 60’s is my favourite (memories) and no one does it better than you. — Gary Rombough, Langley