Podcast
Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt
Hosted by Tony Nesbitt · EN
Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness will air the personal collection of the Norm Nathan Show for which I produced on WBZ-AM from 1989 until his sudden passing on October 29th, 1996.
Norm spent 50+ years in Boston Broadcasting working at WCOP, WESX, WMEX, WHDH, WEEI, WRKO, WMRE and WBZ. Whether news, talk or music…he did it, sometimes combining them all.
Many of the recordings you will hear were sent to me by a fan and friend, Joan McCool. Others are from my personal collection.
They will air as recorded, with the warmth an old, analog tape recording provides. Some with good, ol’fashioned home editing of the play/pause button. And ALL with the ever-comforting voice of Uncle Norm.
Thank you just so darn much for tuning in!
43episodes
Episodes
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 271 - Nathanized
Jan 2101:30:06Tap to summarize“Salom” to Uzbekistan, “Howzit” to Zimbabwe and “Senga!” to Ethiopia. The International Fund for Silliness continues to expand its reach! Thanks for being here. What’s on the docket today? Why it’s a NNS from January 21st, 1996, which shall be titled: Nathanized We begin our adventure with Norm teasing the weekend’s upcoming guests and a shout out to yours truly. Next, it’s a WBZ StormCenter Promo and then on to our guest, author Marybeth Bond…orrrrrr maybe not Suddenly we are listening to some classic radio chatter between Norm and Lovell Dyett! Now it’s time for an actual guest: Greg Smith, author of “Beer: A History of Suds and Civilization from Mesopotamia to Microbreweries.” The interview HOPS around a bit but does come to a HEAD. And calls are on TAP but the taps are dry as no callers are featured. Next up was Scott J. Kerman who wrote “All Sold Out! How to Sneak into Sporting Events and Concerts.” This was his second time on the show and his next conquest was to sneak into the Superbowl. Norm really loved talking to him and he tells some great stories. We take some Calls: Anne Jill Russ Helen in Belmont, not Helene Al And a mystery Caller Special Announcement! Let’s cut away to the Paul Parent Gardening Show talking crosspollinating grasses and deep roots with caller Richard Back to Norm talking to Diane, about a guest we had on, the announced yet not included Marybeth Bond and her book: Traveler’s Tales: A Woman’s World. It was a book Norm highly praised for its excellent writing. Let’s now hear from Mack talking about Superbowl 30. Norm had some trivia which you’ll have to wait to hear. Buuuut, if you’re a Patron supporting the show, you already know the answer as I used it for this week’s episode preview. The lovely Monica from Cleveland, OH is on the line – Norm recently proposed marriage in a letter he wrote but had not mailed yet. She worked with Mickey and Gilley (a pair we’ve had on the show) on WERE in Cleveland. She was kind enough to ask about my then health condition: recovering from Chicken Pox a mere month from my 29th bday. Boy, THAT was a whole lotta fun. Marilyn in West Virginny and a story about a clunk Norm gives us a heads-up about a guest for the next show: Mr. Cheap Oh, well looky here…It’s Mark Waldstein aka Mr. Cheap and his book, “Mr. Cheap’s Boston.” In studio! They take call from the three C’s: Carol, Caroline and Chip Ep 271, Nathanized, tempers its way to your ears, now.
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 270 - The ADHD Radio Free-for-All
Jan 1401:19:40Tap to summarizeLet’s start off right away with the title for this here Ep number 270. The ADHD Radio Free-for-All I had to trim this up quite a bit as it’s really scattered, hence the name. We are all over the place but it certainly keeps things interesting and it’s nice to hear all the WBZ voices of the past. By the scrawled dates on the cassette this is a NNS from January 16th and maybe February 25th, 1995. It begins with guest Richard Smith (who sounds a lot like Fred from NJ) talking about his book: “Richard Smith’s Guide to Getting Even! 143 Lessons in Etiquette for a World Gone Mad. (Including the Getting Even Rude Whistle)!” It’s a wildly accurate interview with insights that are as relevant today as they were 31 years ago. Calls are taken: Bill in Lynn Dolemite from MI Norm’s tiny 10-year-old cousin from FL, Hilary! (the sweetest call) Charlie in Reading Joanne Fred from Roslindale That concludes and we hear Norm referencing someone named Chuck from Binghampton, NY and his quest for something to do. Doris may have some answers. Ben Parker in Traffic Norm talking about Radio Drama Cats infected with Satan! I TOLD you this was all over the place! Next a Caller talking about WHDH and Dick Summers Why now we have a Caller reading a poem to Bob Raleigh Hey, why don’t we check in with David Brudnoy? He’s talking Daytime TV Talk Shows that he was/would be and not on regarding his book, “Life is Not a Rehearsal.” Including Oprah where he would be appearing with Greg Louganis who was set to reveal something. A mystery talk show pops in and then back to David who’s now speaking with actor Rufus Sewell and calls from Doug and someone else. Ready for the next jump? It’s Steve Leveille with a guest that wrote some dating guidebook and a caller. Back to Norm with Ruth Clennot on the line. Norm’s commentary on Awards Shows is so spot on! Next caller sounds like Joan from Tewksbury so that’s what I’m going with! Another caller which was possibly one of our phone booth” calls we would make (man do I wish I had more of those moments). Norm again with Ed Mullen on the line talking about some tune and then Ed intros Jack! Speaking of the Jack of All Traffic… Sprinkled about this radio salad mix are approx 1 million Dramatic sponsor reads from Jack (some with reports): Now don’t quote me on how many times we hear certain sponsors but I’m pretty darn close: John Deere: Fox Run Equipment Inc in North Pembroke x5 Nashua Outdoor Power Equipment Repair x2 146 Supply Ctr in Millbury Dunkin The Delta Connection x7 Riopan Plus 2 Qwai Garlic x2 HP Deskjet Printer Fortune Magazine Silver Lake Dodge x2 And there’s some bizarre Backwards masking weirdness that happens in the middle. Cue the Twilight Zone Theme. Keep this description on hand so you can follow along at home. Ep 270, The ADHD Radio Free-for-All, hey look! A squirrel! Starts now.
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 269 - The Deli
Jan 700:50:15Tap to summarizeTo kick of 2026, we will feature a DBG from January 2nd, 1994 which I have titled: The Deli And there are a couple of reasons for that. Italian influences and some ahem, “sharp” commentary later. Players: Denise Ed in Boston Marie from Revere George in Everett John Kelly producing and playing in studio Tony on the phone Aaron Sawyer in Traffic Bdays: Jim Bakker Julius LaRosa Daniel Rostenkowski Monday – 1/3 Mel Gibson Victor Borge Jesse White Dabney Coleman Bobby Hull Ep 269, The Deli, slices its way to your ears in 3, 2 & 1. Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/normnathan Patreon https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos Castos https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com/donate?_gl=1*12szy98*_gcl_au*NDc3NDU0Mzc1LjE3MjI4Nzc4ODk
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Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt - Ep 257 - I'm a Fun Guy
Oct 1600:59:59Tap to summarizeThere are A LOT of languages in Nigeria, our latest country added to the analytics, but I’ll go with the following: Ẹ ǹlẹ́!, Bawo ni, Ndewo and How far? Just to name a few greetings. Today we have a DBG from October 17th, 1993 which is titled: I’m a Fun Guy This was a bittersweet time for Norm and me as there were shift changes and I was offered to be the full-time, in-studio producer for David Brudnoy. David and I had worked together quite a bit but it was on a fill-in basis. That meant that Norm and I would not be together all weekend long. I would still book all his guests, join in on the phone and in studio when I could and continue to work with him outside with the Old Time Radio show we would do around the area. It was hard for me to tell him without choking up but he understood I had to keep following my radio dreams and be full time (only to be lose that later and get thrown back to a part time weekend (silver lining, Norm and I were back together) and some weird 2-5 am shift on Friday and Saturday mornings. I won’t get into why this happened at this time so I’ll leave this discussion with a cliffhanger! Please hit the like button, rate the show, download, share, comment, follow and subscribe so we can continue to spread the silly. It’s needed and we provide that here every single week! Lastly, my obligatory reminder to support the show if you can. Patreon, Buy Me A Coffee and Castos. All links are below. As always, huge thanks to those that already do! On to the game we go… Players: Brad from Quebec Louis in Fall River Jim from Detroit Ted in Boston Tony on the phone from parts unknown Fred Jendren in Traffic Sid Whittaker producing and playing in studio Bdays: Evel Knievel George Wendt Arthur Miller Margot Kidder Tom Poston Jimmy Breslin Jim Seals Gary Puckett Ancillary info: It was Norms’ dad, Abe Nathan, bday 10/17/1895. Commercials: US Air Shuttle Wee Tee Shoppe Wittnauer Watches Duplitron Tony Floramo’s Baby Gold Bond with Gwendolyn Jones of Ft. Lauderdale FL Rich Chocolate Ovaltine And a couple of post-game callers: The enlightening Don Sam from Allston who’s actually…Monadnock! Drugged, stained teeth, skin boils and broken bones Ep 257, I’m a Fun Guy, ‘shrooms its way to your ears in 3, 2 & 1.
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Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt - Ep 256 - Hollywood Confusion
Oct 901:35:13Tap to summarizeHere’s a show from the very next night based on last week’s episode! We have ourselves a NNS/DBG/NNS from October 13th, 1996, which I’ve titled: Hollywood Confusion and believe me, you’ll see why as you listen. First, I’ll give you all the callers throughout the NNS parts and some other details: Note: There will be Makeup and costume time before the DBG begins Joe Deena from Ontario A Caller with the most random question ever Foxy Lady from Hyde Park - She and Norm drop some truth bombs about losing a spouse Andy in Burlington with the world’s fastest call Todd from Woburn with the world’s most celebrity confused call Anne in Lexington who’s had a very busy weekend Norm decides not to read the lottery or sports but teases upcoming guests Tim Walsh with TriBond and actress and animal lover Tippe Hedren. And one weird WBZ Promo about winning airline tickets DBG Time Players: Shaina McCorkey from traffic or maybe not or maybe so Deena from Ontario is back Addie in Everett…or maybe not or… Betty from RI Glen in Brighton or maybe not or maybe so Tom Howie will NOT be playing, and I don’t blame him, as he tried to make sure they stayed on the air Bdays: Marie Osmond Margaret Thatcher Demond Wilson Laraine Day Art Garfunkel Nancy Kerrigan Kelly Preston If you’d like to support the show, there are links below to do so. Ep 256, Celebrity Confusion, puzzles its way to your ears, now.
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Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt - Ep 255 - Radi-Opera
Oct 200:53:01Tap to summarizeGeez-a-loo, the algorithm got fired up as we have added a lot of account holders around the world to our Vault of Silliness. Please keep liking and sharing and subscribing and commenting and keep the love going! Thank you to every single one of you that has done so! What a way to start the week when I opened the heavy door and was greeted by TWELVE new countries! Soooooo, Hola to: Argentina Venezuela Ecuador Peru And Uruguay Ola to Brazil As-salaam Alaykum to Morocco Përshëndetje to Albania Merhaba to Turkey Assalamu Alaikum to Pakistan Namaste to Nepal And Halo to Indonesia One of these days, not all in one episode mind you, I should list the cities all over the U.S. and Canada and give y’all some shout outs! This episode hails from October 10th, 1996. It’s a DBG I’ve titled: RadiOpera Players: Someone who won’t answer the phone I’m on the hotline! Jack Harte Esther in Wan Amasa, NJ Wayne from Boston Joan in Salem, NH Bdays: Dick Gregory Luciano Pavarotti Susan Anton Chris Wallace Tony Kubek Kirk Cameron Which birthday or days will close out the game? Sam Moore or Adam Rich or Jean Nidetch or will it be an event? Ep 255, RadiOpera, serenades its way to your ears in 3,2 & 1.
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Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt - Ep 254 - Confusion Reigns Supreme
Sep 2501:32:31Tap to summarizeWelcome back to NNVoS for Ep 254. We have gained some subscribers for which I’m grateful. If you listen, please subscribe and hit the bell icon to get notified when another episode drops from the Vault. Also, hit that thumbs up/like button. All that interaction really helps get this show out to a larger audience. Thank you just so darn much. Today’s cassette is a two sided one because we have “The Dumb Quiz Show Musical Quiz Music Game” As Norm called it before Ed brought his legal team in and delivered an injunction to cease and desist and set forth the copyrighted, Swell Music Quiz. It’s from the all the way back from September 25th, 1992. I titled this one: Confusion Reigns Supreme (You’ll understand why as you listen). The Panel: Nahman Ed Mullen Jack Harte I’m producing and maybe answering from the Master Control And Darell Gould joins later! Rules: The rules are explained, forgotten, not followed and explained again. Categories: RnR Big Bands & Jazz Callers: Tom in Worcester David from Boston Ted in Norton Gary Francis The Ice Crean King Bob from Fitchburg Jaime in Worcester Jan from Swampscott Paul in Hyde Park Scott from Lynn Rick in Waltham Mary from Roslindale Mary in Kittery, ME – which, I should add here, supporters on Patreon got a preview of days before this show airs. You too can join that lucky group of listeners and get that exclusive content. I also share stories and photos that you can only get there. If you’re curious, the link is below. As well as links to a couple of other options as well. And now back to our regularly scheduled content already in progress: Sean from Lowell Ted in Natick Howard from Concord Dennis in Framingham Joe the Baker Tom from Swampscott Mike in Dorchester Bill from Long Island, NY Beth in Muskegon, MI Mary from Worcester Rick in Boston Debbie from Wellesley Brad in Detroit from a phone booth Bob from Reading (Bob Bachelder!) Karen in Boston Commercials: NE Pats Promo That’s Amore TV Show? Forever Plaid The Newly Expanded WBZ News Staff Ep 254, Confusion Reigns Supreme, confounds its way to your ears…now.
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Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt - Ep 253 - Speak Softly and Carry a Big Radio
Sep 1800:36:59Tap to summarizeThis intro will be short and sweet. We have a DBG from September 19th, 1994, which I have titled: Speak Softly and Carry a Big Radio Players: Denise from Fairmont, WVA Chuck in Webster Marjorie from Pelham, NH Keith Shields producing and playing in studio Ken Newman from Traffic Bdays: Adam West Twiggy Jeremy Irons Joan London Duke Snyder Paul Williams Clifton Daniels Mike Royko or David McCallum? Stay tuned… You may support the show by joining Patreon where you will get exclusive content and episode previews amongst other things. Buy Me A Coffee, where you may…buy me a coffee as I’ll bring the donuts. You can buy one coffee or join one of the monthly membership tiers I’ve created named after some Norm related things: First tier is the Peeper Level for $5.00 a month, then naming the next after Norm’s dogs, The Bobo & Kyrie Level for $10.00 a month, Tier three for $15.00 is The Sunflower Level (Norm’s horse) and the for $20 per month you will become a member of the That’s the Spirit Level! Ep 253, Speak Softly and Carry a Big Radio, gently whispers its way to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
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Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt - Ep 252 - Existential Essentials
Sep 1101:08:12Tap to summarizeThe title of this episode will be: Existential Essentials It’s an absolute wacky DBG from September 12th, 1992. However, a bonus clip begins the festivities from September 7th: A CALL FROM MONADNOCK! For the uninitiated, Monadnock (real first name, Jerome) was a regular caller to the overnight shows on WBZ. Always filled with wild mystery and conspiracy. I recall one time when he claimed the govt was watching him through a lightbulb in his home. He does not disappoint here as he takes the liberty to inform us that his generation was brought up on propaganda. Topics covered: A New Jersey story about an apparition of the Virgin Mary appearing to a man and the possibility that it was all done by the government and military. I began to play the dramatic, mystery music during the call. He continues…Wayne Gretzky is involved. Monadnock was drugged and his teeth were stained! I now add echo to create the disembodied voice of Norm. Liza Minelli is in on it too! The Red Sox are involved! He’s been unjustly hospitalized over 15 times. God Bless ya, Monadnock, we love you! Now, from the sublime to the ridiculous, it’s DBG time. Players: Jay in Burlington Rose from Wellesley (Mom of Debbie) Kim in Needham Fran from RI Tony producing and playing in studio Jack Harte from the WBZ Traffic reporting staff Bdays: Maria Muldower Barry White 9/15 Norm Crosby Jackie Cooper 9/16 Peter Falk Lauren Bacall B.B King 9/17 John Ritter Ann Bancroft Commercials: Baby Gold Bond with grandma, Karen Miller from Robbinsdale, MN Classic Ovaltine WBZ Promo for the NE Patriots season opener voiced by Gil Santos And later… The Federal Jobs Digest A call of desperation from Wolfie closes the show. Lastly, Norm is back after the news and intros Jack in traffic, and more madness ensues but alas it gets cut off. Ep 252, Existential Essentials, theorizes its way to your ears, now.
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Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt - Ep 251 - Hazel the Psychic
Sep 400:53:49Tap to summarizeAs we begin our journey to the next 250 episodes, I just want to thank everyone again for your support. I am still working on some other features to add to the VoS Broadcast Empire. It’s a one-man show here so hang in there. You can find links in the description on ways to support my efforts here. Today we have a DBG from September 5th, 1992, which shall be titled: Hazel the Psychic. Players: Constance from Weymouth Jimmy in Winthrop Hazel from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Carol in Lynn Tony producing and playing from a darkened room Jack Harte returning from the day shift and playing from a different darkened room Bdays: Carol Lawrence Raquel Welch Jack Valenti William Devane Cathy Guisewite Bob Newhart Events in History: In what year did the Munich Olympic Games Slaughter occur? In what year did Pres. Gerald Ford escape an assassination attempt by Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme? Post Game Commercials: Gold Bond with Richard Rohloff of Dallas TX and his itchy, underarm rash Dave Maynard with a wild Farm Stand Promo Ep 251, Hazel the Psychic, sees its way to your ears in 3,2 and 1. Patreon https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/normnathan Castos https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com/donate?_gl=1*12szy98*_gcl_au*NDc3NDU0Mzc1LjE3MjI4Nzc4ODk
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