Listening to the radio growing up as a kid, I heard all the Motown greats – The Supremes, Four Tops, Martha & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, and of course Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

BUT….most radio stations skipped out on a good chunk of Motown gems from the 60′s – let’s face it – the competition was stiff during Motown’s “Golden Age.” The Spinners, who had MONSTER hits in the 70′s, barely moved the needle at Motown during their stay there (“It’s A Shame” aside).

So, with that in mind – here are a few songs that I really think are amazing, but for whatever reason never really made it. Give them a listen and tell me what you think!

First up….Brenda Holloway covering a Mary Wells track – and I personally think it sounds better by Brenda than Mary!

Next up: The Elgins, best known for “Heaven Must Have Sent You” – a song I only heard on the oldies station in Philly….but I never heard anything else by them. Until I picked up a Motown compilation CD that had this on it, and I fell in love.

Song #3 – by The Spinners, before the fame of their 70′s songs, The Spinners released a few 60′s cuts that went nowhere, getting lost in the shuffle of all the other amazing songs coming out of Hitsville USA at the time. This one I love because the lyrics, melody, and Bobbie Smiths vocal blend perfectly…

So…what do you guys think?

-BigTom

Alright….after getting a iPhone app out there, the Android crowd was asking “WHERE’S OUR APP?!?” Well, I can now say GO GET IT! Click here to install the Jammin App to your Android smartphone or tablet, and turn it instantly into a portable radio. Note: data charges may apply if you are NOT on an unlimited data plan.

Looking for a gift this year for someone who loves listening to Internet radio….but hates to be tied to a computer? If you are, I suggest getting them the C Crane WiFi radio for a few reasons.

1. Easy to use – few complex menus, easy to navigate, clear display, and works with both WiFi and wired Ethernet  And it has a remote too!
2. The WiFi radio is compact and easily able to fit in tight areas (corner of the kitchen counter for example), and yet has a nice rich sound to it…well, at least when it plays Jammin it does!
3. The station directory is powered by Reciva, and has listings for over 16,000 stations – enough to satisfy every musical taste…and talk too! Of course, Jammin 105 is on the list too
4. Line out and headphone jacks make it easy to attach to a sound system or computer speakers.
Of course, I’m biased as a gadget guy…but this is a relatively cheap and easy way to get someone to listen to Internet radio. But if you have someone on your list who complains about the lack of variety from AM/FM radio…but isn’t apt to get a laptop to listen to ‘net radio, this is a great way to bridge the gap.

Just please put Jammin on the presets!

This just came across my inbox, and I’d thought I’d share – “Sayerville, NJ Animal Shelter closing as of January 1st. THIS IS TRUE. Unfortunatly, like so many businesses they fell victim to the devastating economy and cannot keep their doors open. They sent out a plea for ANYONE out there either looking for a dog or cat, to please come and adopt. THEY WILL BE WAIVING ALL ADOPTION FEES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, and all animals that are still at the shelter on December 31st will be euthanized.”

If you are near Sayerville and looking for a pet, or know someone who is, please let them know – the more pets that can find a good home, the better!

THE NEW IPHONE APP IS HERE!  Want to listen to Jammin on the go with your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch? Grab the app here and make it easy to listen in the car, on the train, well…anywhere you have your iPhone and a cell signal! Still working on an app for Android users (I’m one of em!)

Let us know what you think of the new app, or any features you would like to see in a update..shoot us an email here

New feature here at Jammin – the Weekend Blastoff! Fridays at 5PM, we throw the switch and kick off the weekend with 1 hour of upbeat party songs from the 60′s, 70′s, 80′s and more!  Think of it as like a wedding reception on the radio…except no open bar and we sure as hell aren’t going to do the chicken dance.

DAAA YANKEES LOSE! SO…starting at 5 PM EST today, we’re cheering on Detroit with a Motown World Series Weekend! All weekend long, listen for the best from the Motor City and more!

So join me in rooting for the Tigers for the World Series championship…’cause there ain’t no town like Motown! Oh, and Go Pats

It’s no secret that I am a big Boston sports fan…unfortunately that has meant a great deal of agony over the summer with the Red Sox playing more like the Bad News Bears rather than an actual baseball team (thanks Bobby Valentine!).

BUT….Detroit is in the ALCS – and here’s the deal: if Big D  can defeat the Evil Pinstriped Empire, we here at Jammin will celebrate with a “Motown World Series Weekend” – the best to come out of Hitsville USA all weekend long, with some forgotten gems sprinkled in as well.

So join me in rooting for the Tigers for the AL championship…’cause there ain’t no town like Motown! Oh, and Go Pats

Cool temps and leaves turning can only mean one thing – FOOTBALL. Wait…err…I mean pumpkin picking, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and corn mazes.  Fall is next to winter as my favorite time of year – Thanksgiving, Halloween, and the cool temps mean that I can enjoy the outdoors (heat and humidity are not my thing). The changing of the leaves along 195 is also amazing – I grew up in Houston where there was no fall foliage, so I get a kick out of all the amazing colors this time of year.

One of my favorite things to do with friends is head out to a corn maze for the afternoon – and here at the shore we have one of the best – Argo’s Farm in Forked River (http://www.argosfarm.com/country-fun/). It’s easy to get to off the Parkway and has more than just a maze – pumpkin picking, pony rides, hay rides and more.  Admission is $10 per person with free parking – better deal than going to the movies these days. Just make sure to take a map before you go in…

As summer winds down here at the Jersey Shore (and we bid a not so fond fair-well to the Bennys), Jammin 105 is sending summer off with a BANG! Join us for a “Summer Soul Shots Weekend”…all Labor Day holiday weekend long! Sam & Dave, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Sam Cooke and the best of the rest. So make the most of the last Summer weekend with “Summer Soul Shots” and Jammin 105!