Radio show from the ‘60s, complete with vintage commercials

By Kristen Peterson

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 | 5:15 p.m.

Should you ever run across a guy named Richard Kaufman, set aside some time because when it comes to the 1960s, he really likes to talk. And talk. After all, this is a guy who watches The Jack Benny Program, listens to ’60s music and carries on conversations with Tonto, the fictional character from the old TV series The Lone Ranger.

Additionally, Kaufman is well-versed in jingles from radio stations across the country and owns a “mountain” of vintage radio commercials. Whatever you think you know about the ’60s, he knows more. Clearly, he was made for radio. Right now, he’s hoping for the improbable: to tap into the Las Vegas market with his three-hour ’60s Top-40 show, complete with retro jingles, old-school radio commercials and commentary, customized for Las Vegas. But catering to retirees is a hard sell when it comes to bringing in the advertising cash. Add to that the airing of vintage commercials, and the climb is an even steeper one, though Kaufman says he’d be willing to replace some vintage commercials with contemporary paying spots. So it might be awhile until we hear him (and dozens of vintage Las Vegas commercials) on our radios.

To his online audiences, Kaufman is Ricky the K, host of Solid Gold Time Machine with guest host Tonto—brought back to life using audio clips from the vintage television show.

Kaufman has spent more than a decade hosting a ’60s-era entertainment show, covering the years from 1955 to 1971, and never utters the words “oldies” or “remember.” That would ruin the program’s format. It’s not about revisiting the past. It’s about actually being there—in the company of an enthusiastic DJ and the likes of Don Knotts selling Sanka and Andy Williams singing about Buick. If his show somehow makes it to Las Vegas, maybe Kaufman will even throw in an old casino ad.