Al French and Candlelight Cameos

Hey all! During my recent quick trip to the west side of the state, I added to my private issue cover collection, with this LP from Al French, Candlelight A Quiet Quarter Hour, found in a Cortez thrift store. The label showed KCMS (the Manitou Springs radio station and prolific local recording studio), so I knew it had to be something from the Colorado Springs area.

Upon getting back to my turntable, I discovered that the disc, which shows AUDITION ONLY on the label, was apparently a vinyl demo for a proposed national syndicated, locally-produced radio show, originating from KVOR / KFMH, in Colorado Springs. The LP is introduced by George Beatty, a popular local announcer. 

 "I worked for George at KFMH the last half of my high school senior year, and then some," said James House. "He had a wonderful radio voice and recorded announcements at Alexander Film once a year, the most he could do without joining the union."

Listen to the introduction of the demo (3:04).

"Al French was a teacher at Widefield High School in the 1960s," according to former student, Bobby Kiess. "He did late night radio shows on KVOR. His shows were very smooth and casual."

"Mr French was a new teacher my senior year. He was about six-feet tall and about 180 lbs., with black hair, and the shoulders of a football player," said former student Thomas Rieves. "Every girl in class swooned. He was a great teacher."

Widefield High School yearbook (1964)

Mr. French would often enlist his Widefield students, to assist with the show.  "For those of us who were in his speech class, we could go down to the station and help with the production," said former student Thomas Rieves. "He would read poetry and play mood music. I spent three or four nights at the studio."

 Listen to a sample of Candlelight Cameos (4:00)

Interestingly, I could find nothing on the show Candlelight Cameos, which apparently was never heard beyond the Colorado Springs market (not to be confused with the 1950s Davenport, IA WOC-TV show of the same name). No idea how many of these vinyl demos were made, as I can only assume they were discarded if a station wasn't interested in the idea. Or, is it possible only one of these records was made?  Either way, I'm guessing this is a very rare piece of recorded Pikes Peak radio memorabilia. Amazed it survived.

As always, if you have anything to add, please contact me. 

You've Won a Band Box Recording Contract!

So I'm digging around through some old Colorado Springs newspapers, when I spot something interesting - a 1970 mention of the Denver record label, Band Box.

The story mentions that a local teen won a trip to Europe, as the top place winner in the Talented Teen Foundation competition. But what grabbed my interest was a small mention, well into the story, that Band Box Records awarded a recording contract to two local bands, who were also in the competition - the Widefield High School Cantina Brass Band, and the Young Musicians of American Accordionaires.

June 1, 1970

Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph

What's interesting about this story is the fact that Band Box had pretty much stopped recording, by this time. The last known Band Box record was made in 1969, according to Band Box historian Craig Swank. This 1970 story indicates that "recordings of their selections," by Band Box, would also be part of the prize package. Did this mean there were actual records pressed? Could THESE be the last records ever made by the label?

A few years ago, I found an advertisement, in a March, 1971 Billboard issue - a notice that the Band Box label, and all of its master recordings were for sale (it was part of this story). I now know that, because of this latest 1970 newspaper article find, this For Sale advertisement was placed nine months after that band contest story.

Billboard - March 1, 1971

Sadly, the records were never made.

I located Dave Brody, one of the members of the 1970 Widefield High School Cantina Brass Band, who told me, "That recording was never made. We were supposed to tour Europe, as well, but we were unable to raise the needed money." I also had it confirmed that the second place winner, the Young Musicians of American Accordionaires, did not take Band Box up on the offer to record the group. "The YMA did not ever record with Band Box," says Kim Christian, the daughter of Mike Aman, the director of the group.