Ballad of Uncle Buck (Ed Buchanan)

Ed "Uncle Buck" Buchanan borders on lengendary with out any of the "dairy". Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Ed got his start in radio on a “dare” while attending Ferris State University. His radio history includes WXTO-FM which turned into WGRD, WAFT-AM, WMUS, WFFX which became WCUZ as well as his many runs at WLAV. He is responsible for much of the real music that has been discovered by listeners before there were consultants. This was written for his "Salute" at The Bob to acknowledge his contribution to this town's broadcast heritage. SALUTE!

Let me tell you a story
bout a man named Ed
You may know him now as Uncle Buck
if you’re a Kev Head
Born right here in Grand Rapids
went to school at Ferris State
Took a job on a frequency called
(W) ERX in ’68
demonstrated in Chicago,
Nixon won, wasn’t Eds' fault.

Of all his jobs this AM was his first in radio
Teaming up with board-op “Streeter” on FM-XTO .
While Brother John was playing album rock on LAV
Brother Ed headed over there in 1970 ,
Beatles Broke up, Jimi Hendrix died, wasn’t Eds' fault either.

For the next few years LAV is top of chart
Buck hires an ACE team who really broadcast from the heart.
Just when you think that Rock and Roll can do no wrong
Along come consultants and Uncle Buck says, "I’m so gone,
so long, no can do , I’m outtahere!"
"No mechanized mellow music on my needle. "
"Give me Mott the Hoople, Mothers of Invention, anything Frank ,
Zappa or Sinatra."

Well Ed takes a break and finds another niche
Starts playing redneck music for the redneck sons-o-kitsch
A real Urban Cowboy playing Pure Prairie League
Milsap, Allman Brothers, Bobby Dylan and Bob Seeg,
Seger that is, Dylan got saved, still not Eds’ fault

Uncle Buck’s a piece of work just ask any who may know
You can always count on him to remember what you don’t,
If you need him check at Bobs' or Charlies' up the street
Been in this town so long he knows where it all didn’t use to be
Remembers Chickenman, The Raft Race, Socks the Cat,
Doc Donavan, turntables things like that.

Well forty years have come and gone and Uncle Buck's still here
Betting on the ponies, playing back nines, drinking beer
Back home again on LAV, gets to work while it’s still dark
And after 5 hours with Kevin man he needs his Makers Mark,
Jim Beam, Old Grand Dad anything with a kick
at Bobs' or Charlies', has his own chair now.

Still loves Doc Watson, Johnny Cash, Heartsfield, Ronnie Fray.
Here’s to you Uncle Buck.

The Original Ogre, before Shrek was on deck
you started your own Golf league,
Golf a round - Drink a round.

Cheers!

©2007 ralstunes