Bruce & I

      I have never met Bruce Springsteen...but I have talked with his Mother.

     Today is the 50th anniversary of the release of his landmark album "Greetings from Asbury Park", but he had been playing in Asbury Park clubs before that release, and by coincidence, I was hosting a weekly radio-music call-in show at the time on WJLK Radio. His Mom would call in and request her son's music, and I was happy to oblige.

The Asbury Park Press (where the radio station was located) is celebrating the anniversary, of course:

It’s a big anniversary for Bruce Springsteen — and for Asbury Park.

The Boss’ debut album, “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.,” turns 50 years old on Thursday, Jan. 5.

“He put us on the musical map, and he is the reason Asbury Park is the land of hope and dreams,” said Peter Mantas, entertainment director of the Langosta Lounge on the city’s boardwalk.

Read the full story HERE.

     I only lived in Asbury Park for a year or two after I ended my U.S. Army service. The music show marked the only time in my 50 year broadcasting career that I worked as a D.J.

     There's also an Asbury Park connection to my move to Alabama in 1976. At the radio station I met Bob Rowe, who was operating a New Jersey radio news service...and he hired me to work on it. Long story longer: he became News Director of WERC Radio in Birmingham and called me when he had an opening in his news department. I decided I would move to Alabama "for a few years".

Yep, still here.