Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness - Ep 115

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As we begin the month of Norm’s birth we have what is truly a near perfect example of Norm’s excellence. His personality, the callers, the show and what it all meant to the listeners. When did this achievement in radio occur? December 4^th & 5^th, 1993.

Because the reports with Bruce ‘Don’t Call Me Brian’ Connolly are super-entertaining the title of this episode will be: Trafficking in Laughter!

Sid Whitaker was producing.

We begin with a story, in progress, about Uncle Louie and Guinness Stout from a caller that sounds familiar, but I cannot place a name to the voice. Norm then adds his own story about someone named Ethel.

Norm teases a guest who writes obituaries for a paper in the South and we jump to Accuweather with Paul Pastelok introduced by Newsman, Ed Donahue.

And now the fun begins, as Norm and Bruce Connolly begin their night of frivolity with the traffic reports.

We talk with 90-year-old Porter Harvey who owns a newspaper, The Advertiser-Gleam, in Guntersville, AL. It’s a folksy kind of paper. Strictly local news. He told stories about writing obits and adding a little more than the usual family, friends and arrangements stuff.

After that we get another report with Bruce sponsored by the Norm Nathan Orchestra and the Bruce Connolly Quintet

Now it’s time for lots of callers:

I believe the caller’s name was Dorothy – 1^st time she’s ever called a station

Glen in Portsmouth, NH

Helene from Belmont – singing and thinking of lyrics to songs whilst driving the car is the subject. Norm mentions some of his favs and they discuss many tunes and recite lines from them to each other.

Charlie from Manassas,VA - he Norm singing a theme from a program that hadn’t been on the air for 50 years. Charlie has high praise for the show! He's trying to start a fan club in Manassas. 

Bruce with traffic and we switch to side B where Bruce and Norm continue with the silly. Norm moves to the back rows of the Teen Canteen with two pretty girls that just came in and asks Bruce to project so they can hear him. A comment about Joe Stapleton causes Norm to burst out laughing.

Dave from Uxbridge but really from Whitinsville. More high praise. He’s a bluegrass musician with the band Southern Rail. He has been loving the traffic reports and makes an awful third harbor tunnel joke that I thoroughly enjoyed. This led Norm to reveal that he subbed for Joe Green in the traffic copter?! Dave also objects to the stupid infomercials that had booted Norm off the air on Sunday nights.

Jim on a car phone –Gives his own foggy and rainy traffic report.

Glenn in Brighton – asking about the instrument called the Theremin.

Jim calling in about Dave and his band, Southern Rail. He’s a fan and says Dave’s a wicked good player. He was actually a former student! Informs us that when Dave was only 19 years old he scored a great achievement.

The most-brief call with Robert from Everett

Then it’s on to Pat! – a nutty caller with nutty questions that was always fun.

A woman named Timmie with information that refers to Pat’s call. Plus she mentioned the previous night’s disaster of a broadcast and more wonderful praise for Norm.

Norm with Bruce again and amazing segues.

Roland – recuperating from leg surgery. He was the instructor when Norm took a General Home Repair course!

And we close with Dennis from Billerica. He has all sorts of info on the Theremin!

Lastly, a bunch of commercials are edited out but not before we get the intro to the product or service and that creates its own humor.

The unabridged sponsors are as follows:

Hoover Wet/Dry Utility Vac with separate tanks for wet and dry messes!

VISA and the adventures you can have at the Madonna Inn

Bonkers Funhouse Pizza

Marezine – Linda Kern from Hawaii gets sick and dizzy just thinking about traveling until Marezine saved her!

Pilgrim Healthcare and their 9000 doctors stampeding to the podium, which seems to be a safety hazard.

And The Huntington Theater

Ep 115, Trafficking in Laughter, merges its way to your ears in 3,2 and 1.

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Email: [email protected]