​Sometimes when a featured artist of the month is selected,seems that the songs about that artist are more interesting than their biography. In this case the “Big O”, Roy Orbison.
His biggest hit being of course “Oh Pretty Woman” back in 1964. Sometimes when writing songs artists can take so long of a time to come up with lyrics and titles to their songs, for example, this story explains how sometimes everything is right in front of your face.
Roy Orbison was writing with his songwriting partner Bill Dees at his house when Roy asked him to start writing of anything that came to mind,by that time Roy’s wife came in and said that she was going in to town to buy something, Orbison asked her if she needed any money and Bill Dees said, pretty women never need any money. Inspired Roy started singing,” pretty woman walking down the street”. By the time Roy’s wife came back they had the song done. Pretty Woman was written on a Friday, the next Friday it was recorded and the Friday after that it was released. Another story that confuses people is when they are asked where Roy was born, they all say Wink Texas, even the people that i talk to that grew up in the same area as Roy say Wink Texas, Actually Roy Orbison is from Vernon Texas. One of Roy’s most collectable records is the one that he recorded when he had his own group called The Teen Kings, the only way to tell if you have an original copy of that record is that Roy’s last name is misspelled on one side of the record. Instead of reading Orbison it is spelled Oribson. A copy of that 45 has sold at $3,000.00 dollars. Also remember that that same song was also re-recorded for sun records and does not hold the same value as the first pressing. The first pressing of that record was recorded on tiny Texas label Je-Wel records in 1956.Roy Orbison, from High School dropout in 1954 to music stardom in the 50’s and 60’s. And since a lot of people always want to know just how much Roy Orbison’s net worth is, let’s just say at least $15 million.
Any more fun facts and information on Roy Orbison can be heard on KWMC’S all classic hits station’s 1490AM’s “Little Red Rooster Show.” And as usual all known facts and trivia on any artist of the month are by Wendy Johnson and all shows are produced by Javier Martinez.

As the press always has it’s way of presenting things their way,people actually thought that by the 1970’s Elvis Presley was washed up commercially. This is totally untrue,if Elvis had left RCA records in 1973 or 1974 they would have made one very big mistake,any other record label would have killed to have Elvis on their label.
From 1970 to 1974 Elvis had at least two of RCA’s highest charting singles in every year except in 1972 where he had only one but even then it was #2 for the whole year. In 1970 Elvis and the Guess Who had all of RCA’s top six recordings. Over the years Elvis remained their constant. Counting singles and albums,Elvis sold at least 10 million records in the U.S. alone in 1970.On the road Elvis continued to break attendance records,in 1975 alone more than 60,000 people packed into the Pontiac Silverdome for a one concert event.
In 1977 Billboard rated him as the years top grossing live act despite the fact that he only toured only half a year. On January 14,1973 Elvis made television and entertainment history with his “Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii-Via Satellite” special,it was shown via satellite in Australia,South Korea,Japan,Thailand,South Vietnam and other countries.
It was not until April that the show aired on American TV,the show was watched by more people than mans first walk on the moon.
In all, the show was seen in about 40 countries by one billion to 1.5 billion people. Never has any performer held the world’s attention in such a way,buy this time Elvis is in top form physically and vocally. Audience tickets for the January 12 pre-broadcast rehearsal show and January 14 concert carry no price. Each audience member is asked to pay whatever he or she can. Find out more on Elvis Presley in the 1970’s as we feature him as Artist of the month on KWMC’s all Classic Hits Station 1490 AM and on the Little Red Rooster Show.
All information and known facts are by Wendy Johnson and all artist of the month shows are produced by Javier Martinez.

​The girl groups actually started in the 1950’s as far as what we know as rock n roll. Most of the 60’s girl groups were influenced by the Do-Wop girl groups of the 50’s. 
We must also understand the difference between girl groups and girl bands, all female bands usually also played instruments. In the late 50’s we saw the beginnings of all female singing groups as a major force, with 750 distinctive girl groups releasing songs that reached US and UK charts from 1960-1966. 
The years of 1955-1970 were known as the golden age of girl groups. Although in the early 50’s acts like the Chordettes, Fontaine Sisters, the McGuire Sisters all white female groups remained popular, it was not until 1958 when the all black girl group the Chantels song “Maybe” became the first true glimmering of the girl group sound, it was a mixture of black Doo-Wop music, Rock “n”Roll and white pop music. 
However the group often considered to have achieved the first sustained success in girl group genre is the Shirelles, who first reached the top 40 with the song “Tonight’s the Night”, and in 1961 became the first group to reach #1 on the hot 100 with” Will you still love me tomorrow”. 
Two and a half years later the Marvelettes became a major indication of the racial integration of popular music, as it was the first #1 song in the U.S. for African American owned label Motown Records. Other Motown groups that followed were Martha and the Vandellas, the Velvelettes and the Supremes. 
To make a long story as short as possible other girl groups of the 60’s included the Phil Spector style of the Crystals the Blossoms and the Ronettes. More girls followed also during this era, we had the Shangri-las the Dixie Cups, the Paris Sisters, the Chiffons, the Angels, the Cookies the Orlons and so many more. 
Over 750 girl groups were able to chart a song between 1960-1966.The girl group sound also extended to existing acts backed by studio musicians,usually girls performing without label credit,examples are too numerous to mention. 
Find out more of the girl groups of the 50’ and 60’ on the “Little Red Rooster Show”on the all new “Classic Hits Station” KWMC 1490 AM as we feature the girl groups of the 50’ and 60’s. All information and known facts are by Wendy Johnson and all shows are produced by Javier Martinez.

​Rod Stewart may have begun his career as a respected singer,but as he got older and became more concerned with stardom, that respect ended. He has been active since 1964 and has a net worth of $235 million. Stewart began getting recognition the late 1960’ and 1970’s with the Jeff Beck Group,and then with another group called the Faces although he had already played with another earlier group called the Steampacket.
His career actually began back in 1962 when he started playing the harmonica,he joined a group called the Dimensions as the harmonica player and sometimes vocalist. As a teenager Rod was introduced to rock n roll when he heard Little Richard’s 1956 hit “The girl can’t help it” and then seeing Bill Haley and his Comets in concert. His first record he ever bought was Eddie Cochran’s “Come on everybody”. After playing harmonica with the Dimensions, relations soon broke down over roles within the group and Stewart soon departed. Contrary to popular belief,during this time Stewart likely did not play harmonica on Millie Small’s 1964 hit “My boy lollipop”.
So then by 1970 Stewart had joined another group called “The Faces”and released their second album “Gasoline Alley”. He also sang guest vocals for the Australian group “Python Lee Jackson”on the song “In a broken dream”, although the song was recorded in 1969 it was not released until 1970,the payment for this guest appearance was a set of seat covers for his car.
Rod Stewart and the Faces released their final album”Ooh La La”as differences grew between Stewart and the band, the song Ooh La La was supposed to have been sung by Stewart, but passed up on it and another member of the group did the lead vocal but you really can’t tell the difference when you here the song, although most people still think it is Rod Stewart singing it.
Skipping through some time between the many albums that Stewart has recorded, it was later in 1976 when Rod Stewart released his next album entitled “A night in the Town”, this album not only went to number two on the charts,it was also Stewart’s first album to go platinum. As artist of the month we will hear some of Stewart’s earlier recordings from the late sixties when he was the group “the Steampacket”,as well as his guest vocals with the group “Python Lee Jackson”, on the album “In a broken dream”, one of the most difficult albums to find by Rod Stewart.
Learn more about Rod Stewart and his music and known facts as we feature him on “KWMC’s”1490AM the classic hits station as artist of the month on “The Little Red Rooster Show”, from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon. All information and known facts about any artist that are featured as artist of the month are are by Wendy Johnson and all shows are produced by Javier Martinez.

​Before they were the Beatles, before the Ed Sullivan Show, before America and before the fame, the Beatles were a struggling band that had several personnel changes. Most of the time they played with no drummer. In the early years there was Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Duff Lowe, and Colin Hanton. At the time they were known as the Quarrymen they perform their second gig at the Caver Club,the first with Paul McCartney. Alot of songs that were played by the Beatles in the early years, whether on film or record have been lost throughout the years. In a chance of a lifetime the Beatles got a chance to record with another musician who gave them the chance to make some records, he was suppose to be the British version of Elvis Presley, his name Tony Sheridan.
   The Beatles recorded “My Bonnie”, Ain’t She sweet”and other songs. Most early recordings did not appear until the Anthology 1, 2, and3 lp’s were released,later we would end up with other lp’s like the Beatles live at the BBC and live at the BBC live on air. To come across any Beatles music from this time period, these rarities are almost impossible to find,but they do exist.
   The amounts of money that some of these recordings are worth are just totally ridiculous,but that’s another story. August 6, 1960 looking for a drummer for a series of dates in Hamburg Germany, the Beatles invite Pete Best to be their drummer, Pete being moody and usually absent a lot, the band turns to seek another drummer. By October 15, 1960 the Beatles play with the drummer of another group”Rory Storm and the Hurricanes” that drummer would be Ringo Star.
   This is the first known recording of the group together, though the master tape has been lost to history. And talk about practice makes perfect,one night around Christmas time the Beatles were recorded on stage, performing upwards of 30 songs,fascinating that only two song were originals. You can find these albums on the cheap Pickwick label as well as on the Phoenix record label. Other lp’s of interest is the 1962 Audition Tapes from Breakaway records. In 1962 Capitol Records,the sister company of EMI records,were offered the opportunity to release the first Beatles records in the U.S.A.,but  because British acts typically had little success in the American market,they were turned down.
   It was until two small companies Vee-Jay and Swan records who saw potential in the Beatles that their records were released. In early Autumn Brian Epstein the Beatles manager,asked Lennon and McCartney to write a song aimed at the American market. The song they came up with was “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, still at this point no US record company had the right to release it.
  Although American audiences saw reports of Beatle Madness in the U.K. still they had not heard their records. Although a radio station in Washington was not the first to play a Beatles record, this song would capture the U.S. audience for the fist time. And then of course you know the rest is history. Tune in to KWMC’s 1490 AM all classic hits station as we feature The Beatles early years on the “Little Red Rooster Show”.All information and known facts are by Wendy Johnson and the show is produced by Javier Martinez. 

​It’s been now about fifty three years when Sam Cooke was shot in a cheap motel in Los Angeles at the age of 33, but you have to separate the man from his music simply because he was a flawed and unpleasant man who was also one of the greatest singers of the 20th century.
He sold more than 10 million records. In addition to being a talented singer and songwriter,he also had business smarts. He established his own publishing company for his music in 1959 and negotiated an impressive contract with RCA records in 1960. Not only did he get a substantial  advance,but he would also get ownership of his master recordings after 30 years. This was something unheard of back in that time period.
Sam Cooke was born in Clarksdale Mississippi in 1931 and then his family moved to Chicago,Illinois in 1933.In his starting musical career Sam started with a Gospel group called The Soul Stirrers who featured R.H. Harris on lead vocals. Sam Cooke replaced Harris in 1950.Straying away from his Gospel roots Sam started singing more into pop music and released his first #1 single “You Send Me” was released on the tiny Keen records label in 1957 and quickly rose to the top of the pop and R&B charts.
This song knocked Elvis Presley’s hit “Jailhouse  Rock” from the top spot. After 2 years with Keen Records Sam left due to royalties disputes. He almost ended recording for Atlantic Records,but they wanted publishing rights to his songs. Cooke new the business side of the industry and realized he needed a deal that would give him rights to his own publishing. RCA records gave him that deal and the rest is history.
And then of course there is always some type of tragic moment in the life of someones career as they are becoming famous when something goes wrong. On December 11,1964 Sam Cooke was shot dead in a Los Angeles motel. No one knows for certain what happened,but it was reported that Sam had been out the night before drinking and met up with a woman,when they both ended up in a motel and what could go wrong went wrong.
The woman that was with him claimed that she was forced by Cooke to the room and that he tried to rape her. When she some how escaped while Sam was in the restroom,the woman went to the managers office to complaint. By that time Sam was trying to force himself into the managers office and claiming self-defense,the motel manager shot Cooke. Sam’s last words were “lady you shot me”.
Listen to the Little Red Rooster Show on the all new Classic hits station “KWMC 1490AM when we feature Sam Cooke as artist of the month. All information and known facts are by Wendy Johnson and all shows are produced by Javier Martinez

​Traditional Christmas oldies have been a format of radio stations for generations,you get to hear the same ole songs over and over again.Seems like they want to think that that’s all the Christmas music that is out there.And although these traditional songs might be pleasing to an older generation,what about the kids today,they fall into the same idea that all Christmas music is old.Bing Crosby,Burl Ives,Johnny Mathis,the only song so burnt out by Jose Feliciano,Elvis Presley to name just a few.And if you include today’s new artists is still the same old songs just re-made.There are very few original songs out there by newer artists.If you have a favorite band and say i have all their records,do you know if maybe they recorded Christmas music?. Many artist did have holiday music,they didn’t intend to sell millions of copies,or to have a #1 hit with it,it was just for fun,and of course seasonal.How many people have heard holiday music by The Temptations,Marvin Gaye,Hall and Oates,Smokey Robinson,older artists like Bill Haley,The Four Seasons and many more?.Whether the artists are from the 50’s,60’s70’s or 80’s,this 2016 holiday Christmas Special will feature
rare songs and never before heard off Christmas oldies by various artist’s.All this music special will be on the LITTLE RED ROOSTER SHOW,
As KWMC the all new Classic hits station presents “The Christmas Oldies Special”.This special presentation is being produced by Mr. Javier Martinez.To the citizens of Del Rio and surrounding areas,May you have the happiest of holidays this Christmas and the New Year,from all the staff at KWMC1490 All Classic Hits Station.

​    No one would be prepared for a man who started out in traveling medicine shows, drag-queen revues, churches and clubs. But in 1950’s America, this made for a terrible mess.
   He was black and gay, talented and loud, teens of both races loved him. As early as 1951 this artist cut his first recordings, but they all fell through. When he returned back home to Macon Georgia with his group the” Upsetters” he sent a demo tape to Specialty Records in Los Angeles.
   Later in the year he got invited to record some demos in New Orleans, many white kids had never heard heard of him,but when several white radio stations thought the time was right, they showed no hesitation in programming the song of “Tutti Frutti” from that point on there begin a trail of some of the classiest, black Rock’n’Roll records that America and the world would ever hear, even though sometimes he had to watch other performers
 steel his music, he calls himself the inventor of “Rock’n’Roll”.
   He was backed up buy some of the best studio musicians and soon had chart toppers like” Lond Tall Sally”,”Rip it up”, Slippin and Sliddin”,Lucille”,”The girl can’t help it”,”Jenny Jenny”,and”Good Golly Miss Molly. We
 all know him as “LITTLE RICHARD”.While on tour he met up with an up coming band from England who called themselves “The BEATLES”,at that time he was offered the opportunity to buy a 50% share of the group but didn’t take the offer.
   He moved in with a white family after being kicked out from his
 home with Ann and Johnny Johnson who ran Macon’s “Tick Tock Club,where Richard first performed. His style of whooping,shouting vocals,dumb lyrics,and wild piano banging
 set the style for his future hits.Out of Richard’s
 approximately 36 songs for Specialty Records seven were certified gold,”Tutti Frutti”,”Long Tall Sally”,”Rip it up”,”Jenny Jenny”,Keep a Knockin”, “Good Golly Miss Molly”and “Lucille”.
   To find out more about LITTLE RICHARD listen to KWMC’S 1490 AM Classic Hits “Little Red Rooster
 Show as we feature the originator of ROCK’N’ROLL himself “LITTLE RICHARD”.All information and known facts are by Wendy Johnson and all shows are produced by Javier Martinez.

​   Connie Francis came from Newark New Jersey, she performed first at age 4, playing the accordian at a musical recital. Fifteen years later she burst into stardom with a hit song “Who’s Sorry Now”?.In the early 60’s Connie was playing the Copa cabana and Carnegie Hall earning $12,000 a week in club fees,buy the time she was 26 she had sold 42 million records,making her one of the top female artist of all time.
   Once Connie’s dad who opposed her first romance with Bobby Darin,drove the singer out of his daughters rehearsal at gunpoint. Connie’s third marriage was happy at first but on Nov. 8, 1974 it turned sour along with everything else. That night while Connie was asleep at the Howard Johnson motel in New York an intruder broke in and raped her at knife point he was never caught.
   Connie sued the motel and won $1,475,000 in a settlement,it would take 7 years before Connie would perform again. Later on on her career she lost her voice as a result of an operation. Also being in and out of hospitals due to psychiatric issues, she finally came to leave the past behind.
   She once bought three stretch limos during one of her manic episodes,the next day she bought $178,000.00 worth of clothes. Later as a result of overdosing on medication in an effort to kill herself Connie was in a coma for three days,but she survived. It has been a rough life for Connie Francis but at least she has her millions of dollars to ease the pain. 77 year old Connie Francis has taken the No.1 spot on People With Money top ten highest paid singers for 2016 with an estimated $96 million in combined earnings,that is nearly $60 million dollars lead over her closest competition.
   The American singer has a net worth of $275,000.00. She owes her fortune to smart stock investments, substantial property holdings, deals with Cover Girl Cosmetics. She also owns several restaurants in Washington, a football team the Newark Angels and her own brand of Vodka.
   Learn more about Connie Francis on KWMC’S Classic Hits Station1490 AM’s Little Red Rooster Show. All information and known facts are by Ernest Mesta, Wendy Johnson and produced by Javier Martinez.

 ​In 1967 a group of musicians turned a dream into reality, that dream turned into record sales topping the 100,000,000 mark,including 21 top ten singles.
An incredible 25 of their 34 albums have been certified platinum,and they have a total of 47 gold and platinum awards. They called themselves CHICAGO, considered one of the longest running and most successful pop, rock'n'roll bands in history.Chicago is the highest charting American band in Billboard's Magazine list of top 100 artists of all time, coming in at #13.Before Chicago they were called THE BIG THING then they moved to
Los Angeles California and signed to Columbia Records back in 1968,buy then the name changed to "The Chicago Transit Authority".In 1969
their first record was released as a double album which was a rare thing for a band who was to have their first release, by 1970 the double album had sold over 1 million copies and was awarded a platinum disc.When the actual Chicago Transit Authority entered legal proceedings soon after
the albums release, the bands name was shortened to just CHICAGO. Find out more on this great American group as they will be featured as
Artist of the Month on KWMC'S The Mighty 1490,Little Red Rooster Show. All information and known facts are by Ernest Mesta ,Wendy Johnson
and produced by Javier Martinez.