SONGS ADDED WILL BE IN “HIGH ROTATION” FOR ONE WEEK, THEN INTEGRATED INTO REGULAR PLAYLIST.  BE SURE TO CATCH THEM ALL!

Nicky DeMatteo – Suddenly
This one-hit wonder artist hailed from South Philly and this charted hit peaked at #90 in 1960 with strong support from WIBG in Philadelphia.

Beatles – You Like Me Too Much
A cut from the Parlophone “Help” album released in the UK in 1965.  Written by George Harrison, George also provides the double-tracked lead vocal.

Vikki Carr – With Pen In Hand
This song was written by Bobby Goldsboro and hit #35 back in 1969.  Born Florencia Cardona, this El Paso native was a staple on the Pop charts in the 60′s and early 70′s with songs released in both English and Spanish.

 Del Reeves – Girl On The Billboard
This song barely made the Hot 100-peaking at #96 in 1965.  This song got a lot of airplay in my home town of Cleveland, Ohio and I remember it well.  This was the only crossover hit for Del, but he hit the Country Hot 100 an amazing 55 times from 1961 to 1986.

Karen Lake – Airmail Special Delivery
This 1961 Big Top label release did NOT chart and was the last of Karen’s 3 releases.  The first two were on ABC-Paramount.  For those of you familiar with Gene Pitney’s work, this is NOT the song he wrote and sung.

Paramounts – Where’s Carolyn Tonight
This 1963 Centaur release has a great doo wop sound.  There were multiple groups by this name including one in the UK, so I can’t be sure of bio information, but trust me, you’ll love this song!

Horst Jankowski – A Walk In The Black Forest
We heard a LOT of instrumentals in the 50′s and 60′s.  This one hit #12 in 1965 on the Mercury label.

 Johnny Fortune – Come On And Love Me
This 1964 single on the Current label is the THIRD song for Johnny on our play list.  This Warren, Ohio native recorded his first instrumental at the tender age of sixteen entitled Soul Surfer.  Despite his age, Johnny was in demand, playing guitar on Sam Cooke’s smash “Chain Gang” and Barbara George’s “I Know”.  As good a guitar player as he is, I like his voice also and a LOT of his solo efforts.

Major Lance – Um Um Um Um Um Um
Yes this was a top 5 song, but it’s hard to NOT sing along.  I add songs like this because they are simply fun to listen to.

Peter & Gordon – I Don’t Care What They Say
This is from the “I Go To Pieces” album on Capitol.  It’s a song that has their “signature” sound and I can’t believe it wasn’t released as a single.  I hope you enjoy it.

 Susan Lynne – Don’t Drag No More
A great car song with a girl group sound.  I might wind up playing this back to back after “Dead Man’s Curve” by Jan & Dean.  A young girl pleading with her egocentric boyfriend not to be so reckless.

JImmy Isle – Blue Wedding Bells
Frank Kramer and I have done HUNDREDS of specialty shows over the years.  This was a teener that Frank played that I’ve always liked.  It was on the Diamond label in 1964.

 Cher – Where Do You Go
Written by Sonny Bono, this song hit #25 back in 1965.  It was the second single release from the album “The Sonny side of Cher”

Rusty Lane – Karen
This New Jersey native recorded two singles on Laurie and I like this one because the Mystics provide the wonderful backing vocals.  Rusty and the Mystics performed this on American Bandstand.

Lewis & Clark Expedition – I Feel Good, I Feel Bad
This Colgems single hit #64 in 1967.  The “group” was really Michael Martin Murphey and Boomer Castleman.  Boomer would hit the charts with one solo effort and went on to invent the palm pedal, a device that allow guitar players to execute pedal steel-style string bends.  Michael wrote “What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ Round” for the Monkees and went on to have a very successful career singing Country and Cowboy songs, hitting the Hot 100 with the #3 hit, “Wildfire” and hitting the Hot Country charts 29 times.

 Journeymen – I Never Will Marry
This folk classic was recorded in 1963 on Capitol.  We never heard much from Dick Weissman, but the other members of this trio were John Phillips, who would go on to form The Mamas & the Papas and Scott McKenzie who climbed to #4 with San Francisco (Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair).

Willie Wilson & the Tunemasters – I’ve Lied
A nice doo wop from 1958 on the End label, with backing vocals from Arlene Smith of the Chantels

B.J. Thomas – Plain Jane
One of those tunes that “Bubbled Under’ the Hot 100 at position 129.  I remember hearing this on the radio when I was completing my training for the Air Force, stationed at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas.

 Martha & the Vandellas – In My Lonely Room
This hit #44 back in 1964.  It had that “classic” Motown sound.

Marty Robbins – She Was Only Seventeen (And He Was One Year More)
This 1958 song on the Columbia label hit #27.  Marty was a great musical storyteller and this song is a perfect example.

 Moody & the Deltas – Everybody Come Clap Your Hands
You may have never heard this group, but this 1964 release on Daisy should have been a hit.  I love the infectuous sound, which was written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and produced by the legendary Lieber & Stoller.

Beverly Sisters – Always and Forever
This group is from England, the girls names were Joy, Teddie and Babs.  They recorded on the Decca UK label and this song was released in 1958.

 Spinners – Truly Yours
Another great song that “Bubbled Under’ the Hot 100 at position #111 in 1966.  Here’s a song with a great Motown sound that should be heard MORE!  We are happy to oblige.

Ron Murphy – This Year 
A great teener from 1962 on the Suite 16 label, from New York.  Ron recorded at least 6 other singles on other labels, and we already play “Three Unspoken Words” on the play list, but I can’t find any further information.

 Bob Dylan – I Want You
This song hit #20 in 1966 and was a single off the double album “Blonde on Blonde”.  I saw Dylan in 1965 in downtown Cleveland.  He came out with his guitar and harmonica and after the intermission was accompanied by a full band.  He was booed mightily for “selling out”.  I bought this double album while stationed in San Angelo.

I hope you enjoy these latest tunes added to TUNEDEX MEMORIES…

Chuck Benjamin

Enter Shari Lesser, a high school friend who drives Debby to Conway Studios in Hollywood. Crying all the way and visibly upset by the time she arrives, Debby has to fight back the tears, compose herself and sing her songs.  The producer for this session is Shel Talmy, a young man who had worked at the studio for just three days prior to this session.  The “A” side was “Falling Star” and the “B” side was “Cruel Way To Be” which was actually written by the young Mr. Talmy.  Within six months, Shel Talmy would go to England and try his luck producing British artists. Debby is pleased with the songs and hopes that when her parents hear how well she can sing, they will allow her to pursue her dream of being a singing star.

As often happened back then, religious beliefs and traditional family values triumphed over dreams.  Debby’s father forbade her from being a singing star.  His plan was for her to marry young and start a family.  Her songs could be found on Bamboo records #516.  It was her first and last recording session.  Per her family’s plan, she was married shortly after graduating from High School and in six short years was the mother of four.  She stopped singing and lost that precious 45 on the Bamboo label.  Ironically, while on her honeymoon, she heard “Falling Star” on a jukebox.  She discovered that sheet music had been released and the song was doing very well in Philadelphia.  There are simply not enough adjectives to describe Debby’s despair.

Chicago native Shel Talmy on the other hand, achieved his production goals “across the pond” beyond his wildest dreams.  You may think you’ve never heard of Shel, but you probably purchased MANY of the records he produced while in England.  Here are some classics he produced for the Kinks and the Who:

• You Really Got Me
• All Day And All Of The Night
• Tired Of Waiting For You
• Set Me Free
• Sunny Afternoon
• Dedicated Follower Of Fashion
• I Can’t Explain
• My Generation
• The Kids Are Alright

Shel also worked with the Bachelors, Chad & Jeremy, Manfred Mann, the Fortunes and Davy Jones & the Mannish boys, whose lead singer pursued a solo career using the name David Bowie.   In 2003 a tribute to Shel Talmy was aired on the radio program Little Steven’s Underground Garage.  Shel currently resides in the Los Angeles area and still does production work.  You can find him at http://www.sheltalmy.com/

Debby eventually forgave her father and went on to become a very successful business woman.  Her teenage marriage ended in divorce, but she is now remarried to Ken Bitticks with the added bonus of three additional children.  Debby doesn’t remember exactly when she lost her 45, but that loss would come back to haunt her.  In 2001, Debby’s father became ill and she decided to provide care for him at her home.  It was during the care giving years that followed  with the help of one her daughters, Lynn Benson, Debby created “the BioBinder” which would lead to her life’s work. The intent was to capture the memories of her father’s life so future generations could know him.  She learned about his teenage years in Germany and escaping from the Nazi’s and coming to America.  She began to understand his decision to become a Rabbi and his deep beliefs.  In turn, her father (who was also blessed with an excellent singing voice) came to realize the importance of Debby’s music.  He passed away in 2005 at the age of 89 in her home with his entire family around him.  Life had now come full circle except for one thing.  Her husband, children grandchildren and even her younger sister had never heard her songs.  She had wanted desperately for her father to hear those songs before he died, but at the time, the songs were nowhere to be found.

We now flash forward to 2011 and how I got involved in this unique quest. Debby looked up Shel on the Internet and contacted him.  He said it was the longest time between clients he had ever experienced.  She had hoped he could supply her with her songs, but Shel doesn’t own the 45 either, and the only tape he had from the session had key instrumentation missing.  A unique bond must have been formed 50 years ago, as Shel became a man on a mission to help her find her lost songs.  He enlisted the support of good friend Mike Todd, perhaps as computer knowledgeable as anyone Shel had ever met.  He charged Mike with finding the elusive missing 45.

Mike Todd is the founder of the Internet Society, Los Angeles Chapter.  His background includes projects with industry giants Bill Gates and Peter Norton.  Mike must have been amazed when his search was met with an immediate hit.  It took him to a database of songs we have played on our “specialty shows” at songsyoushouldhaveheard.com.  My good friend and co-host on TUNEDEX MEMORIES, Frank Kramer played BOTH SIDES of the 45 on two different shows back in 2006.  After I got the email from Mike, I called him and explained that Frank had sold the record, but we could send .mp3′s immediately and I would make CD’s for both Debby and Shel.  Within 10 minutes, Shel called me to thank me for helping and how important it would be to Debby just to hear her songs again. I was very impressed with the compassion I felt from this highly successful man for the crushed young girl whose project he produced back in 1961.

I sent the .mp3′s to Debby and Mike (who forwarded them to Shel). I soon got a call from Ken Bitticks who confirmed that they had received them.  A very emotional Debby then got on the line and thanked me profusely and I began to understood how important it was for her to hear these songs again.  Ironically, Debby had no idea that Shel Talmy had written “Cruel Way To Be”.  Ah technology! who could have believed that an email with .mp3 files could produce such joy! I promised her (as I had told Shel) that we would look for the record and get back to her if we found one.  As luck would have it, the same day, Frank found a copy of the record from a  dealer located within 15 minutes of my house.  It was advertised as not in the best of shape, but Frank bought it and waited patiently.    While Shel would love to have a copy also, it was unanimously decided that Debby would benefit the most from owning her long lost record.  I assured Shel that Frank and I would continue to look for a copy for him also.

I prepared a package of CD’s for Debby (which included extra copies for her kids so they could listen to their mom singing whenever they were near a CD player.  I made a CD for Shel and the very next day, Frank sent the long lost 45 to Debby.

Debby called Frank to thank him for the record and he could sense in her
voice how important it was to have this record once again in her possession.  Debby’s daughters are thrilled and her grandchildren think it’s awesome that their “Grandma Debby” was a really cool teenager with a rockin’ voice.  Two of her grandsons already have loaded the songs on their IPODS and sing the songs on the way to school.  The joy is spreading throughout her family and  friends because everyone loves the songs.  You can hear Debby’s songs on TUNEDEX MEMORIES at http://songsyoushouldhaveheard.com

Debby’s grandchildren always tease her because she likes movies with happy
endings – so they call them “Debby Endings”.  This is the PERFECT
DEBBY ENDING!

If you have a relative who is in extended care and would like to know more about the “BioBinder” you can read about it at Debby Sharron Bittick’s website http://www.delphihealthproducts.com/

If you have a spare copy of Bamboo 516, you can make Shel Talmy a happy man.  Send me an email to chuck@songsyoushouldhaveheard.com

Chuck Benjamin

P.S.  I’m happy to report that Debby and Shel got together for dinner recently and spent some time reminiscing about the recording session, the lost 45 and catching up after FIFTY years!

In 1961, they moved to RCA-Victor records and scored a number one song with their first release, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, a traditional Zulu melody that the Weavers had released as a folk song in the early 50’s entitled “Wimoweh”. They enjoyed enough chart success with RCA to start their own label, B.T. Puppy.

It was at this point that Medress stopped singing backup harmony with the group and concentrated on producing. Hank’s produced three top-10 hits for the 1960s girl group The Chiffons, “Sweet Talkin’ Guy,” “One Fine Day” and “He’s So Fine.”

In addition to the Tokens recording on B.T. Puppy, Medress also produced

Hank Medress

the Happenings and had great success with “See You in September” and “I Got Rhythm.” Medress left the Tokens in 1970 and was the creative force behind the group Dawn, producing such hits as “Candida,” “Knock Three Times,” and “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ole Oak Tree”. Hank wanted to use Barry Manilow as the lead singer for the group, but Barry wanted a solo career, so he talked his good friend Tony Orlando out of retirement and the result was the pinnacle of Tony’s singing career. Other artists that Medress produced include Dan Hill, Melissa Manchester, Richard Simmons, Rick Springfield, and David Johansen (as his alter ego, Buster Poindexter).

From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Medress was president of EMI Music Publishing Canada and, after returning to New York, became a partner in Bottom Line Records, which released recordings of performances at the Bottom Line club in Greenwich Village as well as new work by emerging artists. Mr. Medress leaves four children and two grandchildren.

Listen for Darrel & the Oxfords and The Tokens on TUNEDEX MEMORIES at songsyoushouldhaveheard.com.

Freddie Scott

with Chuck Jackson in mind, but Chuck turned it down. Goffin and King liked Scott’s voice and recorded another version with Freddie and it was released in 1963 on the Colpix label, almost one year after he recorded the demo record. The record became a Top Ten hit and effectively launched Scott’s career. He hit the charts another two times for Colpix, but lost favor as many American singers did due to the British Invasion. He moved on to Columbia records and released four more singles, but this time, with no chart activity. In 1966 Bert Berns, the producer, songwriter and owner of Shout Records signed Freddie and returned him to the charts with “Are You Lonely For Me”. Freddie stayed on the charts until the untimely death of Bert Berns in 1967. Freddie’s chart career seemed to die with Berns. He did some jingle writing after that, and took some minor acting roles, but his singing career was over. One of Freddie’s songs from 1968 “You Got What I Need” was sampled in 1989 and became the signature song for rapper Biz Markie. While Scott’s star waned somewhat in the 1980s, he still toured and performed regularly, releasing a pair of new albums in 2001 and 2004. Over the course of his career, Freddie Scott released well over 30 single recordings and many, many albums. His talents will be truly missed. We are proud to play “Hey Girl” on TUNEDEX MEMORIES at songsyoushouldhaveheard.com.

When I turned 50, I decided to give radio a try. I worked as a volunteer on a local high school station that played oldies all day each Sunday. I developed my show “the Innocent Age” and met a lot of very nice people locally and online. After a couple years, I got a chance to be on a small AM station in Cleveland. My good friend Frank Kramer was on Monday nights, and I did my show on Tuesday nights. The station had a weak signal at night but streaming on the Internet provided us with ample audiences. Frank and I both got to play songs that had been long missing from station play lists and in many cases never made them in the first place.

One Monday night, Frank played a song called “Don’t Say He’s Gone” by the

Mary-Ellen & Margy Keegan - The Short Cuts

Short Cuts. Frank had the Carlton 45 and liked both sides but had no idea who the group was. The next day before I came in for my shift, Frank told me a great story. We didn’t know it, but the Short Cuts were two sisters from the Cleveland area, Mary-Ellen and Margy Keegan. Margy had moved away, but several neighbors and friends of Mary-Ellen called her to say they had heard their song the night before. She called the station and Frank called her back. Frank didn’t do interviews on his show, but I did, so he had her call me. It took a few weeks, but Margy flew up from Georgia and I interviewed both sisters for a show that I did that also had interviews with the Secrets and Poni-Tails, both successful groups with members who grew up in Cleveland.

My friend Steve Petryszyn held two record conventions per year in Parma, Ohio for over twenty years. The last fourteen of those years, I played the music and made announcements. His last show was in 2002 and both the Short Cuts and the three local members of the Secrets performed on stage. By this time that small AM station changed formats and both Frank and I were off the air entirely, but I kept in touch with Mary-Ellen and Margy.

A few years later, I had found my way back to Internet on a small station near me. I produced my shows and uploaded my files to a server and while it wasn’t live, my old listeners eventually found me and despite the extra work, it was a lot of fun. I produced a show and played the flip side of their Carlton 45 entitled “I’ll Hide My Love”. I called Mary-Ellen to let her know The Shortcuts were once again being heard on the World Wide Web.

About a year later, Mary-Ellen called me to say that “Don’t Say He’s Gone” showed up on a bootleg CD on the Internet. I don’t think she ever understood why people would want to listen to this song that had not been heard all that much when it was released back in 1959. I assured her that it was a great record and to take the bootleg effort as a compliment. I tracked down the source of the CD and had them send Mary-Ellen free copies (they used both songs on two different CD’s).

A couple more years went by and I put my own station on the air. I called it TUNEDEX MEMORIES in honor of my favorite station growing up in Cleveland, “Color Channel 14 WHK”. The station runs 24/7 from the comfort of my office. I added both the Short Cuts tunes to the play list and called Mary-Ellen once again to let her know that listeners all over the world would be enjoying her songs.

Last year I added TUNEDEX MEMORIES to Facebook. One of my new

The Doo Langs

friends is Ash Wells, who operates Rare Rockin’ Records in Australia. He let me know that a group in Spain who sings under the name of the Doo Langs recorded “Don’t Say He’s Gone” as a promotional tool to get a recording contract. I contacted the group’s founder Eddie Peregrin and they soon posted “I’ll Hide My Love” as well. You can listen for yourself at myspace.com/thedoolangs.  Eddie is joined by Anna Gascon , Ana Guerri , and Nerea Gas.  As the Doo Langs they perform locally in Spain and hope to secure a recording contract. What song did they use to attract attention to themselves? Our little song that could… “Don’t Say He’s Gone” of course. Eddie must have bought a copy of the 45 because he credits the Short Cuts on his MySpace player. The group’s name has another un-intentional link to my hometown of Cleveland. Our own Andrea Carroll released a song called “The Doo Lang” back in the 60’s, which was very popular on Cleveland radio.

While doing research on the Doo Langs, I was amazed to discover that a group called the Pussywillows had recorded “Don’t Say He’s Gone” in 1988. It took awhile, but I was able to contact the group members. April March, Lisa Jenio and Lisa Dembling released an EP with 7 great girl group songs. April told me that they loved “Don’t Say He’s Gone” as soon as they heard it. A “friend of a friend” of the group was a record collector. He produced a mix tape for the girls of obscure collectable songs. Once again, our “little song that could” had caught the appreciative ears of other singers that liked it so much they simply had to record it themselves.

Mary-Ellen Keegan wrote “Don’t Say He’s Gone” in 1959. It’s no secret that it was not the commercial success that she and Margy had hoped it would be. It’s also no secret that they were victims of the times. Rock was exploding on radio and airplay time was precious. The Short Cuts certainly weren’t the only performers that didn’t get enough exposure on radio stations around the country. But as they say, quality endures, and the proof is that “Don’t Say He’s Gone” continues to enthrall performers and entertain listeners long after it was written.

I am producing a new “Innocent Age” program for airing on TUNEDEX MEMORIES at songsyoushouldhaveheard.com. It is dedicated to “the Little Song That Could” and will feature songs from the Short Cuts, the Pussywillows, and the Doo Langs. In between those cuts, I’ll play our usual assortment of obscure, forgotten and overlooked songs we play every show. The premiere of the show will be Monday, February 15th (Presidents Day) at 9:00pm EST. It will repeat at Midnight for those on the West Coast and run another NINE times through February 21st.

Looking for that original 45 (Carlton 513)? A quick check of EBay finds three copies available ranging in price from $4.00 to $15.00. I found one copy of “Spring Fever” by the Pussywillows for $125. Of course the Doo Langs haven’t released a CD as yet, but you can hear all three groups for free on TUNEDEX MEMORIES at http://songsyoushouldhaveheard.com. If you have any questions or comments for any of the groups, please feel free to send them to chuck@songsyoushouldhaveheard.com and I’ll be happy to pass them on.

Five Keys – This I Promise You 57
Joey Dee – Face Of An Angel 60
Chaps – They’ll Never Be 61
Dontels – Lover’s Reunion 63
Pete Stamper – Cheva-Kiser-Olds-Mo-Laca-Stude-Uar-Linco-Baker 61
Avons – Baby 57
Tony Christie – (Is This The Way To) Amarillo 72 #121
Rondells – Don’t Say That You Love Me 65
Mike Clifford – She’s Just Another Girl 62 FLIP
Four Seasons – Dawn (Go Away) 64 #3
John Mobley – Tunnel Of Love 60
Paradons – Bells Ring 60
Mamas & Papas – Straight Shooter 67 #130
Beach Boys – Your Summer Dream 63
Tokens – My Candy Apple Vette 64
Carl Bonafede – A Story That’s True 59
Four Seasons – That’s The Only Way 63 FLIP
John & Anne Ryder – I Still Believe In Tomorrow 69 #70
Jan & Dean – It’s A Shame To Say Goodbye 65 FLIP
Innocents – Don’t Call Me Lonely Anymore 64
Vespers – Mr. Cupid 63
Bob Braun – Our Anniversary Of Love 62 #119
Sandra Powell – My Jimmie 58
Butanes – Don’t Forget I Love You 61 #96
Del Shannon – I Won’t Be There 62 #113
Andy Rose – The Promise (My Devotion) 58
Axiom – Baby Bear 70
Superbs – Rainbow Of Love 63
Ray Fleming – Wonderland Of Love 62
Johnny Tillotson – Much Beyond Compare 60
Tokens – Go Away Little Girl / Young Girl 69 #118
Original Casuals – So Tough 58 #42
Adelphis – Kathleen 58

While I pray for an economic recovery this year, I have to be realistic. There’s a lot of rhetoric out there about creating jobs, but as I am older now, and a bit wiser, I realize that job creation comes from creative risk-takers. I don’t think we have as many as we’ve had in the past, and many of the ones we do have cannot secure financing.

All levels of government around our country are going broke. Tax revenues are down and the quickest way to save money is to let people go.

As service quality declines, voters will rebel, but until we eliminate political cronies and corruption, we’ll have problems no matter where we live.

The banks got a bail-out and thanked us by charging 30% interest on credit cards. And they’re borrowing money for practically NOTHING. I don’t encourage credit except for emergencies, but this policy still smacks of corruption. Of course anything is justified these days as long as it’s in the name of profit.

I believe in smaller government. I don’t particularly care for the proposed health care reform, but I abhor the abuse we ALL take from the insurance companies who left unchecked will rape and pillage until we all go bankrupt or die because we can’t afford to see a doctor.

Here’s my New Year’s resolution suggestion for EVERYONE: Be nice to someone… every day of the coming year…

We can’t go back to the innocence of the 50′s and 60′s, but there is NOTHING standing in the way of us being more civil to one another.

May your year be healthy, happy and tragedy free….

I faced my fears however, and moved forward. Slowly, to be sure, but forward. Each day was a new struggle with terminology and challenges, both hardware and software. But things didn’t have to be so difficult. My quest would have been a LOT easier if I could have transported back in time about 30 years or so. That’s about how long it’s been since we’ve had any kind of decent customer service in the United States.

I lost an entire day yesterday, dealing with a nuisance problem that almost

If you start a station.... you're crazy!

turned into a catastrophe. Good thing I’m still a good troubleshooter. By this morning, the problem was identified and resolved, with little or no help from the support organizations that are supposed to help me.

My blood pressure shot to heights I haven’t seen or felt since before my middle son left home (for the third time). I spent most of today relaxing and recovering from my encounter with the NEW American commerce. I grew up in a time when the customer was always right. Today, the customer is not only always wrong we’re also treated like idiots.

We are kept at bay by automated phone systems and a pervasive attempt to wear us down so we’ll simply give up and go away. If we do get to talk to someone, you either can’t understand a word they’re saying, or they’re so ill prepared for their job they don’t know what you’re saying. This approach of course is due to greed and the quest for profit above everything.

Yesterday, I spent 7+ hours on the phone with at least 5 different people and sent 8 emails to the company that won’t  publish a phone number. I went from being a happy customer of over three years to asking for a refund and facing the task of finding a new vendor.  I was told what I wanted to hear. I was told outright lies. I was treated like a babbling fool. But at the end of the day, my problem was still unsolved. Being the stubborn person I’ve always been, I wouldn’t give up. I called the company who was apparently the source of the problem. I did so knowing I was neither a customer, nor was I entitled to any customer support. But I called anyway because my instincts told me I would find the answer if I just kept looking.

The good news is, I did solve the problem. I don’t have to change vendors and could help avoid someone else going through what I just did. Of course, that won’t happen. Why you ask? Because in our country, we now value ARROGANCE and POLITICS higher than integrity and knowledge. The very people who did as little as possible to help me say I lack credibility. After all, I’m just a customer. I’m a dime a dozen and don’t deserve respect.

The moral to my story is that everyone wants money, they simply don’t want to work for it. If you ever have a problem you want solved, simply break it down in terms of profit.  When you convince the right person that they’re losing money because of your problem, mark my words, your problem WILL be solved. Not to satisfy you as a customer, but so that “special someone” doesn’t lose any more many than they have to. Welcome to the United States of a-ME-rica.