January 8, 2025: A Tribute to 1973

In this special episode of High Cotton Radio, Zulu Docs and DJ Unit welcome guest DJ Cookie Man for a deep dive into the music, culture, and history of 1973. Broadcasting from Baton Rouge Community Radio, the show takes listeners on a journey through the pivotal year, touching on the Watergate scandal, the end of the Vietnam War, economic struggles, and the vibrant music scene that captured the era’s emotions.

The episode kicks off with a tribute to Elvis Presley on what would have been his 89th birthday, followed by a discussion on 1973’s defining moments. DJ Cookie Man curates a setlist of classic tracks from the year, including Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain, Stevie Wonder’s Superstition, and The Rolling Stones’ Angie. The hosts explore how music reflected the era’s political discord, longing for home, and cultural shifts.

Special call-in guest Eric DeWeese, a veteran broadcaster and Vietnam War veteran, shares his experience of moving to Baton Rouge in 1973 and helping launch WRKF, one of the area’s first public radio stations. The episode also features nostalgic memories of Willie Nelson’s early days in Austin and his impact on country music, as well as a tribute to the fun-loving spirit of New Orleans with a closing track from Dr. John.

With a mix of historical insight, personal stories, and an incredible soundtrack, this episode is a must-listen for music lovers and history buffs alike. Tune in for a rich, engaging look at the music and moments that shaped 1973. 

Transcript

[Music: "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" plays]

Zulu Docs: All right, everybody, it's 96.9 FM, Baton Rouge Community Radio. It's Wednesday night, and it's time for another episode of High Cotton Radio. We're your hosts, Zulu Docs and DJ Unit. DJ Unit, bonsoir—how are you feeling today?

DJ Unit: I’m feeling great. I love this cold weather. I just feel like I’m back in Holland, so I’m enjoying myself. Just thanking Ja for this beautiful weather.

Zulu Docs: God bless Ja and bless Ja for cruising around the newly minted Gulf of America soon. Just us two. And a lot going on. We have a very special guest that we're going to get to in just a minute—a dear friend of the show who's in town from California. But also, it's a big day because today was Elvis’s birthday. David Bowie as well.

DJ Unit: And someone else’s birthday... I think DJ Chessmaster?

DJ Chessmaster: What’s up, guys? Today’s my birthday.

Zulu Docs: How are you enjoying being 10 years old? Does it feel different than being 9?

DJ Chessmaster: Not at all.

Zulu Docs: Any message you want to send to the people?

DJ Chessmaster: Study well, tip your bartenders, and call your mom. Call your parents when you’re old.

Zulu Docs: That’s pretty good. And never play cards with someone whose first name is a city. We learned that from Teen Wolf with Michael J. Fox. If Memphis Mike tries to play cards with you, he’s going to hustle you. Same with Dallas Dave. Never play cards with someone whose first name is a city.

DJ Chessmaster: Right.

Zulu Docs: That was wonderful. Happy birthday. And to start off, we thought we'd play something in honor of DJ Chessmaster. Here he is, the King himself.

[Song: Elvis Presley plays]

Zulu Docs: All right, you bunch of freaks, that was the King himself. DJ Unit, how old would Elvis be today if the Russians hadn’t taken him down?

DJ Unit: Willie Nelson is 91 or 92. I’m guessing Elvis would be 90.

Zulu Docs: Can you look that up?

DJ Unit: Only 89. He’d be younger than Willie Nelson. Pretty amazing.

Zulu Docs: Anyway, getting into our show tonight—we have a big honor. DJ Cookie Man is on the show tonight. DJ Cook has been a friend of our family for many years. He lives out in central California. Tell us about SLO for people who don’t know. Most of our listeners are in Louisiana and Texas.

DJ Cookie Man: Well, excited to be here. Thanks for the opportunity to join the show. First, let me say to those joining in from California, my thoughts are with folks in Los Angeles County dealing with wildfires and the devastation there. San Luis Obispo, or SLO, is on the Central Coast—different from Central California. It’s almost exactly halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It’s wine country, agricultural land, and coastal beauty along Highway 1.

Zulu Docs: I had the chance to go there, and I didn’t know much about it until Cook went out there. Next thing you know, he’s hanging out with geologists, we’re visiting wineries, eating at great restaurants, and experiencing amazing weather. But having you back in town is awesome. We appreciate you. Shout-out to Will Norman, Michael Hackett, and all you boys tuning in.

So, we try to figure out a theme for each show. Last minute, I realized DJ Cook was coming into town for work, so I knew I had to get him on. Tell us about the theme you came up with.

DJ Cookie Man: Blake gave me the challenge of picking music from 1975 or earlier, sticking to jazz, funk, and country. Since I was born in 1973, I decided to do a deep dive into the music that defined that year. It was an absolute blast researching it. The music of 1973 was incredibly prolific, inspired by major events like Watergate, the end of the Vietnam War, inflation, and economic stagnation. The songs reflected those emotions.

The first two songs I picked are Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain and Stevie Wonder’s Superstition. These reflect the distrust and political discord of the Watergate era. Keep an ear out for an uncredited voice in the chorus of Carly Simon’s song—don’t Google it! See if you recognize it.

[Songs: "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon and "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder play]

Zulu Docs: That was Superstition by Stevie Wonder. So tell us a little about that Carly Simon album. I wonder if any listeners figured out who was the backup singer.

DJ Cookie Man: When they were recording, Mick Jagger was in the studio and jumped in on the chorus. He’s uncredited, but you can hear him. Rumors spread that the song was about him, though Carly Simon denied it. Warren Beatty even called her and took credit, claiming it was about him! But really, she’s said it’s about multiple men from her past.

Zulu Docs: Classic. Now, let’s move into another theme. The Vietnam War was ending, and many soldiers returned home to a country that didn’t welcome them. This next set of songs taps into that pain—the longing for home, the political angst. First, Angie by The Rolling Stones. Not explicitly about the war, but about addiction and recovery, which mirrored the struggles of the time. We’ll follow that with some Bob Dylan and John Denver.

[Songs: "Angie" by The Rolling Stones, "Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door" by Bob Dylan, and "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver play]

Zulu Docs: We have a special call-in from Eric DeWeese, all the way from California. Eric, are you there?

Eric DeWeese: Yeah, I hear you fine.

Zulu Docs: So, you’re live on the air. You’ve got a history with radio. Tell us about your experience in 1973.

Eric DeWeese: I got my first radio job at 15 at a small-town station in Illinois. I actually played The Beatles records when they were first popular. Later, I was drafted into the Army and moved to Baton Rouge in 1973. Back then, there was no public radio here, so I helped start WRKF. The Vietnam War was winding down, but back then, veterans didn’t talk about their service because there wasn’t the “thank you for your service” culture like there is now.

Zulu Docs: Incredible. Thanks for your work in radio and for supporting community radio for nearly 50 years!

[Songs: "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green and "Stay All Night" by Willie Nelson play]

DJ Cookie Man: Before we wrap up, let’s talk about another huge shift in 1973—Willie Nelson moving from Nashville to Austin. That move changed country music forever.

Zulu Docs: Yeah, you really introduced me to Willie’s early music. His Shotgun Willie album changed everything.

DJ Cookie Man: I swear, Willie knows me. He’s pointed at me in concerts, threw his hat to me at Red Rocks—I think I just look like someone he knows!

Zulu Docs: Well, let’s close it out with one last song that embodies Louisiana spirit.

[Song: "Right Place Wrong Time" by Dr. John plays]

Zulu Docs: DJ Cookie Man, it was an honor having you on.

DJ Cookie Man: Great to be back home! Thanks for having me.

Zulu Docs: Until next time, goodnight, Irene. See you in our dreams.

[Outro music plays]