Vinyl: Radio Show: COUNTDOWN AMERICA w/JOHN LEADER 8/4/84 PRINCE, RATT, CARS, JACKSONS

GREETINGS FELLOW COLLECTORS. PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS SPECIAL OFFER TO YOU. IF YOU BUY ANY FIVE SHOWS AT ONE TIME FROM MY STORE, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN IMMEDIATE 20% DISCOUNT ON YOUR ENTIRE ORDER INSTANTLY THROUGH EBAY. THIS IS A LIMITED TIME OFFER SO PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE WHILE YOU CAN.

AND, REMEMBER I HAVE ONLY ONE SHIPPING CHARGE FOR U.S. BUYERS AND FOR THE FIRST OR HEAVIEST FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS( PLUS ONLY $8 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MULTI LP SHOW) AND ALL OTHERS SHIP FOR NO EXTRA SHIPPING CHARGE.

SO HERE ARE THE BIG QUESTIONS:

WHAT IS A RADIO SHOW?

WHY COLLECT THEM?

WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?

Well, those are good questions, especially if you have never known of them.

Radio Shows are syndicated productions by one of several large and small distributors who supply broadcast product to radio stations normally during weekends when the usual air personalities have a break. Many air on Saturday or Sunday evenings or during overnight segments.

They often feature some of the best known voices for their genre from across the country thus the Dick Clark's and Casey Kasem's and Rick Dees and Dick Bartley and so many others.

People collect them for various reasons.

Some just collect the series because they like it and want them all.

Some collect their favorite artists or genre of music. Rather than an album by the artist or a compilation bought at Wal Mart or wherever, they have a unique presentation of their favorite artist or music not available anywhere else and often with dj presentation which is very entertaining.

Some collect interviews with their favorite artists as most shows had interview segments.

Some collect commercials especially old car commercials but certainly not limited to only those.

AND, these shows are in limited quantity.

They were pressed just for syndicated stations. Many have just a few in circulation. Some of the more popular shows may have as many as a few hundred of each week's show that survived but think about it. A few hundred for some 200 million Americans and millions of overseas collectors who look for unique presentations of their favorite artists or form of music.

PLUS, many radio stations simply threw them away after airing because they could never be played again due to the time dated commercial content and given the limited storage available in most radio stations. I know; I work at one!!!

AND they are increasingly hard to find. They were first distributed on reel to reel tape if the show goes back that far into the 60's, then later on lp, later on CD and even later (after 2000 for most shows) on CDR. Now they are not available at all to collectors since they are distributed by digital download much like you get your music from iTunes.

These shows become rarer and rarer every day because the people who buy them hold on to them and the people who sell them, like me, are running out of them. My best contact for these shows is running very low and when he is gone I will be at the mercy of finding a good deal here and there but never from a regular source. The shows that you get now and hold on to will never decrease in value and only increase.

I have prided myself since the start to provide the best and fairest cost with a no holds barred guarantee that you will be happy or I refund your money. I sell them for near what I bought them for. I give volume discounts and discount postage always. As the postal service increases their rates, my shipping rates over the years has decreased.

And, I have one of the biggest radio show libraries in the world consisting of over ten thousand shows, so many that I don't even know all that I have and am sometimes amazed when I go to look for one show and find another that I did not realize I had.

Finally, it is Americana at its best.

Whether the show be from the 60's or 2000's, rock, countdown, oldies, country, classical, religious, jazz or big band, it is unique and home grown.

And you just can't find them anywhere. Even record stores that still exist will rarely have any. Radio shows are wonderful representations of the real golden age of radio at least music wise.

And every one you buy is an original, not a copy, not a remake - all limited editions in the hundreds at most and many much less. Once you get hooked, like me, it is a love affair for life! Welcome to the Club!

THIS SHOW IS 'COUNTDOWN AMERICA WITH JOHN LEADER' FROM 1984

This is a very rare show as are all the countdown shows, but the early ones are the rarest.

Before I describe it, I would like to present a brief history that I got from the internet after a lot of research to fill you in on a few of the best known shows, all of which you can find in my store.

However, please note, and I cannot stress this enough, these shows are becoming harder and harder to find and it won't be along before it will be rare to find one at all.

I would love to credit the music researcher who provided all this information but his name was not available. Should he see this and contact me, I will give him all the credit he deserves. I learned a lot!

January 9, 1982 marked the start of Charlie Van Dyke’s show Weekly Music Magazine with Elvis Presley as the 1st featured artist. It lasted until January 1, 1983 with Part 2 of the Top 60 of 1982. January 9, 1982 marked the start of Charlie Van Dyke’s show Weekly Music Magazine with Elvis Presley as the 1st featured artist. It lasted until January 1, 1983 with Part 2 of the Top 60 of 1982

Until March 12, 1983, Countdown America was the only CHR/Pop show using the Radio & Records charts. Then, after 93 weeks, Dick Clark National Survey drops Cashbox for R&R. Thus, we now have two Top 30 shows with the same song rankings. Supposedly, this is the year that Rick Dees debuts his national Weekly Top 40 show. I say supposedly because no collector has ever produced a 1983 show. Was it just a local show with national rankings in 1983? For now, we don’t know. The earliest show that I found was January 13, 1984 on vinyl. I bring this up only because Rick Dees used the Cashbox charts in 1984 shows. Could have this been the reason for the chart change by Dick Clark? I can’t this answer question. However, in 2012 Rick Dees said (in an interview) that Dick Clark approached him about buying his Weekly Top 40 show, so they could both “make money”. As of this writing, I haven’t heard from Rick on this topic.

Countdown America was stable until December 24, 1983 when the first four-hour was produced as a part of the Year-End countdown: Top 83 of ’83. I will say that the song medley production was outstanding.

1984…This was not only an important year for Countdown America as it switched to the four-hour format.

Also, Dick Clark added an AC show to his Dick Clark National Music Survey offerings. The exact date, I don’t know, as the earliest one I have is September 8. The cue sheets do not help determine the beginning of Clark’s AC show. However, later on this will play a role with Countdown America.

Why did Clark add the AC show?

Besides the obvious of making more money, Wink Martindale had an AC show called 20/20 Music World in 1982, where he would play an oldie followed by current Top 20 song thus the name (20 oldies/20 currents). Not sure when it began or ended but Clark could have tried to fill the gap left by Martindale. I have no 20/20 Music World shows for reference just some handwritten chart notes that are difficult to decode.

I will add that 1984 also saw the debut of another CHR/Pop countdown, Dan Ingram’s Top 40 Satellite Survey. This show lasted 141 weeks ending December 26-28, 1986. I have found the #8 show dated June 8-10, 1984, so we can safely assume the debut date based upon that show. I also found December 13, 1986 with guest host Bob Shannon with cue sheets that state end date of the show. This was a three-hour Top 40 show with a self-produced chart. Thus, it is an incredible chart study if you can find these shows. I have run across about 10 shows so far.

1984 ends with John Leader & Rick Dees doing the Top 84 of ’84 during the last week of the year and the first week of 1985; while Dick Clark does the Top 30 CHR & AC songs, the first week of the 1985.

1985 featured more upheaval in the countdown world. After 231 weeks, the Dick Clark’s National Music Survey became the National Music Survey. Dick Clark went on to replace John Leader as the host of Countdown America, thus the new name Countdown America with Dick Clark. The last show of Countdown America with John Leader that I have is October 12, 1985, so I don’t know how John handled the ending during the show or the promos used with Dick Clark as the new host. I do know this much…Dick Clark was the host of Countdown America on November 2, 1985 based upon the December 7 show that called it show #6.

Dick Clark made no mention of leaving the National Music Survey on his last show October 26, 1985 on either the CHR/Pop or AC version. However, the promos mentioned a Special Super Song countdown coming next week with Bill St. James & Mike Love of the Beach Boys. They made two versions of the special countdown CHR/Pop & AC featuring the Top 30 songs of the past 10 years (1975-85). Here’s where it became interesting; they also included a list of the Top 100 songs of the past 10 years. This is where stations wanting a “bigger countdown” could produce their own countdown show. Not sure if there were any takers…as no collector has come forward with a local station air-check.

Bill St. James & Mike Love continued to produce two versions of the show until at least March 15, 1986 as that is my last copy of a CHR show. My guess is that sometime between March 22 and April 26 that the National Music Survey became just an AC show. So far, I know that Charlie Tuna, then Bill Meyer with Sylvia Emerita hosted the National Music Survey when Bill St. James left. More details will come out as the search for these shows continue. The show lasted somewhere between 400-500 weeks counting Dick Clark’s 1981 debut.

Countdown America is now in the hands of Dick Clark. First change, no two part year-end show with song medley production, instead, Clark opts for Top 40 of 1985 on January 4, 1986.

Meanwhile, two new Pop countdowns debut while Countdown America and National Music Survey go through changes in 1985.

Scott Shannon’s Rockin’ America The Top 30 Countdown used the R&R chart as its foundation for the three hour show. The actual start and end of this is unknown at this point. The earliest copy I have is 3-9-85. The show did go through a name and chart change in 1991. The actual date is unknown my best guess would the first week of 1991. The show became Scott Shannon’s Rockin’ America All-Request Top 30 Countdown meaning no more use of R&R charts.

On The Radio provided an interesting twist for programmers. Hosted by the late Ron O’Brien, it was only one hour long. Many stations used it as a supplement to AT40, Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 and Countdown America to complete a five-hour block of time. It featured the Top 5 songs of the week with lots of interviews and an amazing closing credit feature. I have been able to locate shows between 2-1-85 and 12-28-91. I’m not sure on this show’s start or end date and what happened after 1991 with new host or adding versions.

Dick Clark made even more changes to Countdown America in 1986. He dropped the CHR/Pop Top 40 songs of the week for the Top 30 AC songs on July 5. I don’t know how Clark handled the dropping of the CHR/Pop. If someone has the 6-28-86 show, they probably know from the cue sheets, promos or actual show. Countdown America with Dick Clark would eventually become a three-hour show and go down to Top 20 AC songs. At some point between 1-14-94 and 4-5-96, the show changed its name from Countdown America with Dick Clark to Dick Clark’s U.S. Music Survey. He would continue to host this show until he suffered his stroke. The show had guest hosts for a year or two until the show finally went dark.

With Dick Clark no longer doing a CHR/Pop show, John Leader made his return to the countdown market. Being that Clark used the Countdown America name, he revived his countdown hosting duties by creating Countdown U.S.A. with John Leader on January 11, 1986. I don’t know how the first show sounded, as the earliest available copy I have is 1-18-86 with spotlight artist as Night Ranger.

This also marked the return of the song medley with the year-end Top 86 of ’86. It also marked the end of John Leader’s countdown career with this year-end show.

The promos on 1-3-87 show were done by Dave Sholin; thus marking the beginning of his countdown the following week as Countdown U.S.A. with Dave Sholin.

Countdown U.S.A. with Dave Sholin lasted until 1990. I believe April 21. I don’t have shows or cue sheet to confirm this. I do know this; Dave Sholin’s Insider debuted 4-28-90. It was a four-hour show similar to Countdown U.S.A. with longer segments and comedy bits (‘the joke of the week”) that used the Gavin CHR/Pop chart. I’m not sure of the end date. The last show I have from this series is 7-21-90 (show #13).

THERE YOU GO, THE BEST HISTORY OF COUNTDOWN RADIO I HAVE EVER READ. Everyone is pretty much aware of the Casey Kasem and Shadoe Stevens countdown facts so I thought you would enjoy these tid bits about other countdown series that are very often preferred by collectors!

One other fact I want to add about the record labels for these radio shows. Both the Countdown America with John Leader and the Charlie Van Dyke Weekly Music Magazine were on the RKO Radio Network, a subsidiary of the RKO conglomerate.

For better or worse, RKO radio was forced to close down operations because of payola charges and their stable of shows was bought by a fledgling new syndication that today is one of the biggest in radio, United Stations Radio Networks.

Dick Clark was a primary partner of United Stations and that is why over the years all Dick Clark product shifted from his own Diamond K, and Mutual Broadcasting Westwood One syndicators to United Stations.

This was a major cause in his taking over ultimately as host of Countdown America and his signature show Dick Clark's Rock Roll and Remember being on United Stations. (If you remember, the first year or two of Dick Clark's Rock Roll and Remember was not hosted by Dick but by Gene Weed, a friend of Dick's and famous LA dj,with Dick making guest appearances. That was because he was still under contract to Mutual Broadcasting which later became Westwood One.

Another side note that you might find interesting. Gene Weed had a syndicated show that aired two hours daily on the AFRTS (American Forces Radio and Television Service) known as AFVN (American Forces Vietnam Network) in Vietnam.) It was a MOR show but when Gene's busy schedule precluded his being on the show, Bob Kingsley substituted for him. Bob later became the host of Gene's show permanently when Gene found it too hard to continue and then later Bob became the host of American Country Countdown syndicated by ABC/Watermark and which he hosted for over 20 years

The radio syndication business is fascinating to be sure.

This COUNTDOWN AMERICAN WITH JOHN LEADER show aired on AUGUST 8, 1984!

IT WAS A FOUR HOUR SHOW with featured artists and multiple interviews.

THIS SHOW DOES NOT HAVE ITS CUE SHEETS BUT I HAVE REPRODUCED THE TOP 40 FROM THAT DATE FROM THE BILLBOARD LISTS SO YOU CAN SEE THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OF SONGS.

1 1 WHEN DOVES CRY –•– Prince – 10 (1)

2 2 GHOSTBUSTERS –•– Ray Parker Jr. – 8 (2)
3 4 STATE OF SHOCK –•– The Jacksons with Mick Jagger – 6 (3)
4 3 DANCING IN THE DARK –•– Bruce Springsteen – 11 (2)
5 9 WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT –•– Tina Turner – 12 (5)
6 6 INFATUATION –•– Rod Stewart – 11 (6)
7 7 SAD SONGS (SAY SO MUCH) –•– Elton John – 9 (7)
8 15 STUCK ON YOU –•– Lionel Richie – 7 (8)
9 11 BREAKIN’… THERE’S NO STOPPING US –•– Ollie & Jerry – 10 (9)
10 13 I CAN DREAM ABOUT YOU –•– Dan Hartman – 14 (10)

11 5 EYES WITHOUT A FACE –•– Billy Idol – 14 (4)
12 8 LEGS –•– ZZ Top – 12 (8)
13 10 JUMP (FOR MY LOVE) –•– The Pointer Sisters – 15 (3)
14 14 DOCTOR! DOCTOR! –•– Thompson Twins – 11 (11)
15 18 IF EVER YOU’RE IN MY ARMS AGAIN –•– Peabo Bryson – 13 (15)
16 20 PANAMA –•– Van Halen – 7 (16)
17 19 SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT –•– Corey Hart – 11 (17)
18 12 ALMOST PARADISE –•– Mike Reno & Ann Wilson – 13 (7)
19 23 ROUND AND ROUND –•– Ratt – 8 (19)
20 16 MAGIC –•– The Cars – 12 (12)

21 17 SELF CONTROL –•– Laura Branigan – 17 (4)
22 22 I’M FREE (HEAVEN HELPS THE MAN) –•– Kenny Loggins – 8 (22)
23 29 MISSING YOU –•– John Waite – 7 (23)
24 25 SHE’S MINE –•– Steve Perry – 6 (24)
25 30 SEXY GIRL –•– Glenn Frey – 6 (25)
26 32 ROCK ME TONITE –•– Billy Squier – 5 (26)
27 26 ROMANCING THE STONE –•– Eddy Grant – 12 (26)
28 34 LIGHTS OUT –•– Peter Wolf – 4 (28)
29 35 IF THIS IS IT –•– Huey Lewis & The News – 3 (29)
30 31 ALIBIS –•– Sergio Mendes – 11 (30)

31 36 THE GLAMOROUS LIFE –•– Sheila E. – 8 (31)
32 33 TURN TO YOU –•– The Go-Go’s – 8 (32)
33 37 THE WARRIOR –•– Scandal Featuring Patty Smyth – 6 (33)
34 39 SHE BOP –•– Cyndi Lauper – 3 (34)
35 21 THE REFLEX –•– Duran Duran – 16 (1)
36 42 ALL OF YOU –•– Julio Iglesias & Diana Ross – 5 (36)
37 44 DYNAMITE –•– Jermaine Jackson – 3 (37)
38 38 10-9-8 –•– Face To Face – 10 (38)
39 41 LEAVE A TENDER MOMENT ALONE –•– Billy Joel – 5 (39)

40 45 WHEN YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES –•– Night Ranger – 4 (40)

THE LP's THEMSELVES ARE BEAUTIFUL AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE LISTING. THEY ARE PRISTINE AND LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN AIRED EVER! THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYED ONLY ONCE, THE DAY THEY WERE AIRED.

These shows are truly Americana

I am pleased to offer these great and rare shows to you. It is not only the music but a piece of Americana that most people do not even know about. It is a piece of radio history you are getting with these shows. You just aren't going to find these shows anymore. Think of what they will be worth in a few years! (IF you wanted to sell.) I am selling to share with other music lovers what I was able to get at a reasonable price. I am saving those shows I treasure the most and sharing the rest with you for very reasonable prices.

Even the commercials are great and fun to listen to and remember they are over 25 years old

Remember that these shows are disappearing from the market because they are no longer available. The lp shows have not been made since the very early 90's (most were on cd by 1991) and they have the truest fidelity as you know if you are an audiophile. CD radio shows are now also unavailable as shows are now only in digital downloads. So, the days of unique shows not copied from the soundboard of a station and sold as such are gone. This is all there is and will be.

It is said that selling radio shows is a vanishing hobby as the shows quickly disappear. Well, I still sell Betamax machines and they sell quickly whenever I list them so that is not true, but it is true that they will become rarer and harder to find so grab them now while the prices are still reasonable.

Good Luck and God Bless You.