PHOTO: Art Laboe Archives

Mother's Day in the United States falls on the second Sunday of May each year and was first celebrated 105 years ago on May 10th in 1908.  And in Mexico, May 10th was also the date Dia de las Madres was first celebrated and it falls on 5/10 every year.....

So to celebrate we recognize CONCEPCION REYES, pictured above with Art Laboe at the 1987 La Bamba movie premiere.  She is the Madre of one of the most iconic Mexican-Americans in rock and roll, RITCHIE VALENS.  La Bamba is the name of Ritchie's 1958 hit and the movie La Bamba was the story of his short yet legendary life.

Feliz Dia de la Madres to ALL MOMS...you are loved and appreciated!

PHOTO: Art Laboe Archives

On his birthday, hooray for JOHNNY GRANT, one of Hollywood's biggest supporters and the Honorary Mayor of Hollywood till he passed in 2008.

Like Art Laboe, Johnny was a radio broadcaster as well as television producer, USO Ambassador and the host of Hollywood.  He was the emcee at over 500 Hollywood Walk of Fame induction ceremonies and produced the Hollywood Christmas Parade. 

The spotlight you put on Hollywood will forever shine bright.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY GRANT!!

PHOTO: Art Laboe Archives

Pictured L to R (in yellow area):
Art Laboe with Ricky Nelson in 1957 at Scrivner's Drive In

Ricky Nelson was born on May 8th and we can remember when Ricky was going to Hollywood High School and would come by Scrivner's Drive In at Sunset Boulevard and Cahuenga Blvd. (there's a Jack In The Box there now) during the Art Laboe radio broadcast.  Ricky was on his family's TV show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, but wasn't well known yet. He would sit at a booth alone having a hamburger.

Fast forward a few years, Ricky recorded some records and performed them on the TV show, we played them on the radio and all of a sudden he was a teen sensation.  As you can see from the photo, Ricky couldn't sit alone anymore even if he wanted to.

We're proud to be a part of the evolution of a great entertainer.  We'll always remember you.....

Happy Birthday to Ricky Nelson!

PHOTO: JoMo for Art Laboe

How do you celebrate the victory at Puebla as the under-armed and out-numbered Mexican army defeated the French on May 5th, 1862?

Do you eat Mexican food, drink cerveza, margaritas or our favorite Tequila?

This weekend there will be lots of live music, comedy and a chance to win dinero $$$, click here for those events.  And Rene Taylor has the low down on the many other celebrations throughout the Southland, click here for her blog.

If you'll be at home BBQing with family and friends or have to work, keep the radio close because The Art Laboe Sunday Special will be on from 6pm-Midnight with your dedicications, the music memories and lots of Oldies But Goodies!

Be safe and have a muy bueno Cinco de Mayo!!

ALL PHOTOS: JoMo for Art Laboe   
Pictured above clockwise from top left:
Shotgun Tom Kelly with Art Laboe / Shotgun with Stevie Wonder / Shotgun's Star on Walk of Fame / Bevely Pink Wolf, Stevie Wonder, Shotgun and Gloria Pink

CONGRATULATIONS to my good friend and fellow broadcaster SHOTGUN TOM KELLY on being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is always a happy guy, but on Tuesday, April 30th Shotgun was beaming and the happiest we've seen him.  It was great to be in attendance, with his family, friends, fans and other distinguished guests, as Shotgun received his star. The after party was held at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and the legendary Pink's Hotdogs were served.
 

Pictured above clockwise from top left: Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President/CEO LERON GUBLER was the Emcee of the event / great to see STEVIE WONDER after all these years, he was a guest speaker / talked to MICHAEL DAMIAN of The Young and the Restless about his family in radio / Hollywood Walk of Fame photographer BOB FREEMAN mentioned he was working on a documentary about Johnny Grant, the honorary Mayor of Hollywood till he passed in 2008 / finally met Commander CHUCK STREET, the newest President of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters and longtime news and traffic reporter / reminisced about the early days with JOHNNY MATHIS

Pictured above L to R: City of Los Angeles Councilmember that rocks TOM LABONGE / screen and voice actor CHUCK McCANN is always "cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs"

Fans that arrived early received a Shotgun signature ranger hat and Star pin, the ceremony kicked off with a performance from the Hollywood High School Band at the back of the crowd

Shotgun gave his speech from the podium (we believe that's a photo of Johnny Grant next to the microphone) and from the City of Los Angeles Shotgun received a proclamation and the traditional pumpkin bread baked by the nuns at the Hollywood Monastery of the Angels.

A lot of Shotgun's fans (of all ages) are also Art Laboe fans....it was a pleasure meeting you all and taking photos. 

After 40 years in radio, your dedication has paid off Shotgun..."you better believe it baby"...and now we get to walk all over you.  His star is located at 7080 Hollywood Blvd at La Brea Ave. On the WalkofFame.com website, you can watch Shotgun's and other past ceremonies and read about the upcoming ceremony of the next honoree Steve Harvey (5/13 free and open to the public), click here 

Once again, congratulations
SHOTGUN TOM KELLY on your dream realized
and an honor well deserved....
THE END