A week or so ago, I posted a clip featuring an Albany-centric song called “The Ballad of Albany.” Sing along with me, now…
But I wanted to find out more about the song. Why it was recorded, who the performers were on the song…
Thankfully, my blog readers provided tons of info about the song – it was produced by PAMS, a company out of Dallas that did several jingles and songs for radio stations. But there were still more questions than answers.
And a little detective work provided this name. One of the song’s co-writers was Jim Ramsburg, who worked at Albany radio station WPTR in the 1960’s. Some more detective work, and I found he’s not only still alive, but he operates a radio broadcast history website called jimramsburg.com.
One quick e-mail later… and Jim cordially explained the history of the song above.
It was a hoot hearing that Albany song again. Actually it was one of three (pretty feeble) songs that WPTR sold to Coca Cola to pay for the production of the discs. We also did one for Schenectady and Troy. (I still remember the title to the latter – “Oh, Boy, That’s Troy.” See what I mean by feeble?)
The tunes were part of the “Song of The City” package syndicated by PAMS of Dallas, the foremost station ID producer of the day. We bought everything PAMS sold to prevent our competition, WTRY and WABY, from getting it. The name Box on the record was Euell Box who was the composer-conductor at PAMS. Our songs, like all or our ID material, were re-sings of material created for PAMS’ pilot station, Gordon McLendon’s KLIF in Dallas.
My role was to select from the melodies offered in the package and come up with the lyrics. Believe me, I did far better work when I got into the advertising business and produced original music for my clients.
Anyhow, that’s the short story behind “The Ballad of Albany” – one of many fond memories from ‘PTR, Where The Good Guys Are in the early ’60’s.
Chuck, I trust you found my email address from my web site, www.jimramsburg.com That’s what’s keeping me busy in retirement these days. If you have any friends interested in broadcasting history, I’d appreciate your telling them about the site.
Best regards,
Jim
Thanks Jim, this has been a big help. Much appreciated. All the best!
Chuck The Writer 
What I remember is the song 1st airing on Chan. 10, a locally produced “what’s happening” type program than aired here Jeopardy does now. I don’t remember the name of the show or its male/female cohosts. I do remember many local personalities including Mayor Tom Whalen & Bishop Hubbard mouthing the words “Albany New York!”
I never knew who was behind the “Albany Song” nor did I ever know there were counterparts for Schenectady & Troy. (Jim got something to rhyme with Schenectady? Where is JR Gache when we need him! He always got off on poking fun at “Skankektady!” (acerbic WGY later JAMZ talk show host who had a public on air meltdown. He was biting on WGY but became really raunchy, way beyond PG 13 on JAMZ.)
LikeLike