The ALPB has been kind enough to host an archival page with links to every "Oompah Hour" program since the show started. Including the playlists in pdf form. The scary thing is that this means a station could, if they were crazy, download nearly 150 hours of polka music shows LOL!
But here's the real thing. Over the past 6 months or so I've been contacted by three different people who had been searching the internet for information on deceased relatives -- two looking up their grandfathers, one guy looking up his Dad. In these three cases they stumbled upon the names they were searching for as having been played on the Oompah Hour! They contacted me and I was able to steer them to the ALPB where they could follow the link to hear the appropriate show.
Yesterday I was contacted by a woman who found her Grandfather and his band way back on show #40. She was so thrilled to be able to hear his voice again. She was stunned that her Grandpa's music had made it out of their local area, somehow wound up in my studio in Minnesota, and somehow wound up on a show that she could actually listen to! She was over the Moon about it.
So, there's the power of polka music -- because it was for the most part done by local bands, who made a few records, and sold them at gigs with no major distribution. These were truely family operations -- and the power of small-time radio show guys like me -- and the power of things like the ALPB where someone takes the time to organize this sort of thing and help make it discoverable.
So, there ya go then. As we say here in Minnesota.
TIB
Now that is a very cool story!
Concerning the "Content on this website may not be reproduced without permission" disclaimer on the bottom of the pages on this website (as well as on others) - I confess I have reproduced content before on my blog, both from here and HB.. Although I usually, if not always provide a direct link to it, or at least credit the source, but rarely (if ever) have actually asked permission to do so - although I usually mention that I'm going to do it. But frankly, until recently, I haven't really noticed the reproduction notice..
Anyway, what I'm getting to is that I really like the story above and intend to post it in my part15 blog.. unless of course some one objects?
I certainly don't care... and it's my story. LOL.
I think darn near EVERY website has a notice like that.
I don't really think about any legal implications when posting over here. I don't believe, legally that any posters copyright actually transfers to the owners of the site simply by posting. Although you may have noticed that my recent tests have been posted with a link to a pdf on my web server. That way, if someone steals it, they're stealing from me 🙂
I've been to at least one website recently where the site owner clearly believes, and has even stated in writing, that use of others copyrighted materials is fine, as long as you're not profiting from it. Yet gets very upset if anyone uses anything from HIS site. Odd.
TIB
Geeze -- I'm just a fiesty little bugger today, ain't I? I'm bitchin' all over the place. I blame it on a sugar high from too many Christmas cookies.