First, a big Thank You to everyone that came out for our last Open House at the KOGT Studios. It was really great to see everyone, especially all the former employees. After it was all said and done I was disappointed I didn’t have a sign in book, like I was going to remember everyone after a day.
I continue to find some great items that I’ve either forgotten about or thought I misplaced. I usually had a certain place for local music that we received through the years and I still have most of it. Joe Bonsall, Britt Godwin, Wes McClelland, Tim Turley, Ryan Rosson, Sheriff Ed Parker, Marvin Walston, Jessie Domingue, Mike Magnuson, Shon Branham, and Robert Carpenter to name some we’ve played. We also had guys that came in the studios and played live like Joey Greer and Chad Richard.
We have/had so much music we let our visitors take what they wanted at the Open House. Whether they wanted it to play, or to just have a memento, or maybe use the album cover as wall art. I started going through what we had left and unfortunately tossing many, but I came across some good stuff that you never see now.
We had a lot of music where artists would cover other artists. Merle Haggard sings Hank Williams songs or one that was really out there, Skeeter Davis Sings Buddy Holly tunes. We had the great country pianist Floyd Cramer doing Songs by the Beatles. Can you imagine, “Morgan Wallen Sings Garth Brooks?” I can’t either.
Back in the day we kept a lot of music that we used for special occasions or holidays or for commercials. If The Cap was having a party on St. Patrick’s Day we had Irish music on album. Same with polka, Spanish, Hawaiian, Ace Cannon on saxophone, soundtracks, Johnny Gimble on fiddle, harmonica and patriotic. Speaking of patriotic it was either the first or second time fireworks were brought back to Orange on the 4th KOGT was tasked with working with the fireworks company of coordinating music to the fireworks show. You could turn your radio on in your car as you watched or we also had speakers set up and playing at Ochiltree Inman Park. As crazy as it sounded it actually worked out. I want to say the late Jan Bromley had that idea or maybe he was given the duty of getting me on board.
I also came across some great recordings. KOGT celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1998 and people around the community gave us birthday/anniversary wishes. What’s special about hearing these voices is many are no longer with us. Some have changed jobs or names since then. Check out the video below.
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Ariana Garcia with the Chronicle had a story last weekend about the “lonely house,” the first cabin you see going to the beach that doesn’t have steps, preventing access to it as it hovers above the water.
The woman that still owns it says the problems started when they filled in Rollover Pass, claiming the water rose in the area with nowhere to go. That was followed by several storms. They abandoned it in 2020 but are still paying property taxes. And even though they’ve thought about moving it, they couldn’t now because the state put the large barriers up, preventing the access needed. Just a bizarre story but she says she still enjoys getting photos from people who drop things off there after visiting the “lonely house.”
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Congratulations to longtime umpire and softball guru Dan Harris who got the honor of umpiring at the State Tournament.
Also to Bridge City’s Tod McDowell who will be joining former Lamar baseball coach Will Davis’ staff at the University of Houston. Davis recruited McDowell to play for the Cardinals and after his playing days were cut short because of an injury, he’s worked his way up the ladder and will be the Director of Pitching Development. McDowell’s proud dad is also the BC Police Chief.
Another BC grad, Izzy Moore has been voted President of the Texas A&M Diamond Darlings. They are an all female support group of the Texas Aggie baseball team and besides working with the team they gain experience working with special groups and promotions. The group was created in 1972 and no doubt Ms. Moore will do a great job leading the ladies. Her brother Nolan is an Aggie grad and younger sister Gabby is on her way to College Station after graduating in May.
Chad Dallas added another chapter to what’s turning out to be a great story. He made his major league debut for Toronto in relief against the Braves on June 4. He got the win on National Cheese Day and Cheese is his nickname. And the baseball media has loved the fact that he’s from Texas and his last name is Dallas. But he deserved one more accolade on his memorable one day stay in the show….He should’ve been on ESPN’s Top Ten plays that night! Major league debut, nerves and all, and he makes a behind the back catch to get the third out in a crucial inning. Every athlete wants that recognition. Hopefully he’ll get many more chances..
Some good news for Orange’s James Blanchard. It was announced about 10 days ago that the Texas Tech football GM is on the cover of this year’s Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine.
I’m pretty sure in saying Blanchard is the third person from Orange County to grace the cover, joining R.C. Slocum and Steve Worster.
I really wanted to talk about some ridiculous posts I saw this week on social media but Chat GPT says people stop reading columns after five minutes. 😜 We’re there so we’ll say stay dry and have a great week!
-Gary Stelly-
gstelly66@gmail.com
Volume 2 No. 8
The Juice is a column where Gary Stelly discusses things that’s happened in the area and mixes it with 40 years of being involved in the Orange County community. (If we think of a better way to explain it we’ll change it) You can also check out his podcast by clicking on the Behind the Mic banner on the KOGT.com front page.
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