The origins of Sylvan Radio are murky and open to debate. Some say that it was an entity unto itself from the first day; that the meteoric rise of Grant and Travis had to have a vent, an outlet with which to express itself. Others say that Doug Butler and Greg Vaughan started things off by setting up massive sound systems on the camp roof to power the camp's 50's themed "movement to music" activity nights (dances in the non-Baptist vernacular). Putting that kind of wattage in the hands of "Swave" and "Debonner", as Travis often billed his collaboration with Grant ("I'm Swave, and he's Debonner"), was asking for genius to step up to the mike and let-er-rip. Mr Dress-up and his "Tickle Trunk" meeting Kermit the Frog in the air over Sylvan's upper parking lot.
But however it started, the thought of those early programs, mainly scheduled on the days off when campers were not around to hear, or during Junior and Senior Teens, when the campers were old enough to appreciate what they were hearing, brings a smile to my heart. When the format changed to all-music with the loss of its talk stars, we adapted, (reeaaally loud music on great speakers is always a good thing). I remember preparing for the arrival of many camp groups to the music of Rockin' Robin, At the Hop, Tell Laura I Love Her, and hundreds of other great songs.
Sometimes we were fortunate to have live bands playing at our 50's nights. Grant was the lead, the main draw and the one who could carry the song, but we had some good harmonizers and knowledgable singers to back him up. There were the standard Beatles songs, and the parodies of popular songs tailored for individual campers (Tell Laura, for the guy who liked a girl at camp named Laura, Back in the SABC, and the all-time hit "I wish they all could be Sylvan Acres girls." It was patently self-serving, but as I recall it served well.
What memories do you have of Sylvan Radio? Post a comment on this blog and share it with us. And, until next time, rock, roll and remember.
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