Updated List 12-3-07

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We did! Ate to much, but I think that's the way it should be! We were able to enjoy visiting with family and the huge snowflakes that came our way. They didn't last, but that's okay!!!!

We just updated the list today with lots of tapes. You'll especially want to order up those Christmas tapes! We also are offering Gift Certificates again this year. These make great gifts for family and friends not only for Christmas but all year round. They can be for any amount and can be used for anything at the Track Shack. You can check it all out at www.katestrackshack.com.

Enjoy your holidays and stay warm and safe!!!!!

Kathy, Dan & Girls

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

We wish everyone from our family to yours a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Make sure that you check out our website tomorrow so that you can start ordering up those Christmas tapes! And don't forget to order up gift certificates for all of those hard to find friends and family who you want to get hooked on 8-tracks!!!!!

www.katestrackshack.com


Dan, Kathy, our girls & the dogs (Snickers & Daisy)

Updated List 11-07-07

Greetings to all!

Our weather has turned a little cooler down here in Texas! Of course it's November and it should be getting cooler, but when you live in Texas, you never know what the weather will bring! I think the temps today were in the high 60's with a low expected tonight around 40.

I really enjoed the picture Larry sent a few weeks ago. If you have one to send, let me know. Thanks again, Larry!!!!

The list has been updated so take a look and let us know if you see anything you want to order - www.katestrackshack.com. We've added the Christmas tapes again this year. I've been seeing Christmas stuff out for several months now. I think I saw Christmas stuff out before I saw Halloween stuff!

Also, again this year, we will be doing gift certificates. These are great especially if you know what type of music that someone special would like.

Take care!

Kathy

Check out this photo!!!!!

Thank you to Larry Parker who sent us this photo today! The picture is from Letchworth State park also know as the "Grand Canyon" of the east!!

We lived in Rhode Island for about a year and being able to see the seasons change was so nice! That would have to be one of the things I miss most about being up North.

Thanks again Larry!!!!

Kathy

1 Week Left on Halloween Special!

Just a reminder that the Halloween special on cases is good for 1 more week! The list has also just been updated so check it out at www.katestrackshack.com to see if you see anything that will fill those cases to get it free!

Hope you're having a great day! It's windy here in the big state of Texas today!!! Our temperatures dropped on Monday and brought a little bit of rain and cooler temps. We can't really complain (although my kids are complaining about needing warmer clothes!) since it's the middle of October! But here in Texas you never know what kind of weather you'll be having!!!

Have a great week!!!!!!

Kathy

Updated List 10-16-07 - Halloween Special

Hey everyone!

Hope you're all having a good week!

I just updated the list today. We're having a Halloween special! No tricks just a little treat!!!

Check it out at: www.katestrackshack.com.

Thanks!!!!!

Kathy

Updated List 10-07-07

Happy Columbus Day tomorrow! Hope you're lucky enough to have the day off!

Just updated the list tonight. Check it out at www.katestrackshack.com

Remember, if you want to be added to our subscriber list to be notified when the list is updated, just send us an email with "subscribe" in the subject line.

Have a great week!!!!!!!

Kathy

Updated List 9-24-07

Finally a new updated list!!!!!! www.katestrackshack.com

Sorry for the delay in getting the list updated, but after we got back from Canada we had some computer problems and lost our emails, address books and some programs that helped me update my list. My wonderful husband recovered a lot of stuff but not the emails or address books.

If you sent were on our subscriber list, please send us another email with "subscribe" in the Subject line so we can rebuild our list.

Also, if you sent us emails about special tapes you were looking for, players, etc., please email us again so we can get back on track!

We really had a great time in Canada and I'll be posting those picts as soon as I get them uploaded.

Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathy

MDA Update

Thanks to everyone that helped me out by generously donating to this year's MDA Lockup. I was able to raise enough money to send at least one child to MDA camp this summer. I was told that this was this childs first time to be able to go to camp.

I'm putting up the photo that was taken on the day of lockup. It was a lot of fun and helped raise money for a really good cause.

Again, thanks to all those who gave without question!

Kathy

MDA Lock-Up

The MDA Lock-Up was a success! I was able to raise my bail with the help of great friends and family!!!!!!!! I was able to raise enough to send one little girl to camp! All those that participated have been given a little more time to raise extra money to help send other kids to camp or to other much needed services.

We still have some cases of 8 tracks that we'll be taking bids on to raise a little more money. If you would like to see the tapes, check out our website - www.katestrackshack.com. You can also make donations via the website they have setup for me at - https://www.mdaevent.org/ParticipantInfo.aspx?j=a7c8fb44-416b-4d19-a500-5455c7495d8c
You can also email me at dkgibson3@tx.rr.com if you have any other questions.

I'll be posting my mug shot as soon as I can get my scanner working again!!!!!

Thanks again to everyone who helped out!!!!!!!!

Kathy

MDA Benefit - Cases of Tapes For Sale

We had one of our customers donate a bunch of 8 track tapes to help raise some extra money for the MDA Lock-Up that I will be doing in a few weeks. I added a couple of cases so that all of the tapes except one lot that has about 10-11 extra tapes not in a case.

If you will go to our website you'll find the pages we've built for this event. There are 6 lots of tapes for sale. There are 3 lots that have a cases holding 24 tapes, 1 case holding 40 tapes and 2 that hold 30 tapes each (one of these has 10-11 extra tapes). We will be taking offers on each lot until next Sunday, the 12th of August. Those making the highest offers will get the tapes. S/H will be $8 on each case. If you win more than one lot, we'll combine the s/h. Email us if you have any questions.

Remember that this is for a good cause so please help out if you can!!!!!!!

Thanks again!!!!!!

Kathy

P.S. You can also donate on the MDA Lock-Up website they have setup for me - https://www.mdaevent.org/ParticipantInfo.aspx?j=a7c8fb44-416b-4d19-a500-5455c7495d8c

Friendly Reminder - Time is Running Out!!!!

Hey guys!

Just a friendly reminder that the MDA event is coming up pretty quick here!!!!! If you haven't had a chance to donate and would like to you can make a donation on-line using a credit card or you can send a check to me. Just email me for more details if you want to send a check. The website to donate on-line is https://www.mdaevent.org/ParticipantInfo.aspx?j=a7c8fb44-416b-4d19-a500-5455c7495d8c

Thanks again!!!!!!!!!

Kathy

WANTED - Portable 8-Track Players

We are looking for portable 8-track players. If you have one (or more) you want to sell/give away you can email us at dkgibson3@tx.rr.com

Thanks!!!!

Kathy

Please Help If You Can!!!!!!

This year, I have the honor and pleasure of participating in MDA's Arlington Telu 2007 to help "Jerry's Kids®". To reach my goal I need your help!

I'd like to include you or your company on my list of contributors who are helping me reach my goal. Your donation would help MDA continue the important fight against muscular dystrophy. Check out my web page by clicking on the link below. There you'll find all kinds of information about MDA, and be able to make your tax-deductible donation on-line using your credit card.

MDA serves people in our community with neuromuscular disease by providing clinics, support groups, assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs, braces and communication devices, and summer camp for kids. MDA also funds research grants to help find treatments and cures for some 43 neuromuscular diseases that affect people of all ages, right here in our community.

I sincerely hope that you'll take the opportunity to support MDA. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me.

On behalf of the families MDA serves, thank you!


Kathy


Click here to visit my Participation Page.


If the link above does not bring you to my Participant Page, cut and paste the address below into the address bar of your internet browser.

https://www.mdaevent.org/ParticipantInfo.aspx?j=a7c8fb44-416b-4d19-a500-5455c7495d8c

Updated List 07-16-07

Hey everyone!

Just put up a new updated list at www.katestrackshack.com.

We've added another new page - 4-tracks. You can check it out at http://www.katestrackshack.com/fourtracks.htm.

Sale! Easy Listening tapes are 20% off - $.60 ea.

Thanks!!!!!!

Kathy

Track Shack In The Spotlight

One of our local tv celebrities, "The Why Guy", came out Monday to do a story on Kate's Track Shack and our daughter, Mary's AMC Pacer. It was a lot of fun!!!! We met Mike and his cameraman, Billy about a month ago when they did a story on our Amphicar for an upcoming Amphicar meet that we did on the 23rd of last month (story below). Mike is a great guy and when we mentioned we sold 8-tracks and had an AMC Pacer, he wanted to come out and do another story.

Here is the url to see the video of the story. They even put up a link to the "Shack".

http://www.wfaa.com/video/index.html?nvid=157557&she=1

Check it out and let us know what you think!

Kathy

New Website!!!!!

We've just put up a new website that is the sister site to Kate's Track Shack. KTSP is the 8-track production company for Kate's Track Shack.

KTSP's mission is to bring the 8-track into the 21st century. We have had bands and individuals contact us about putting their cd's or other media onto 8-track. Can it still be done you ask? Yes, and KTSP can do it for you!

Check it out at www.ktsprod.com

Dan/Kathy

1st Annual Lake Arlington Swim-In

Saturday, June 23rd, we hosted our 1st Annual Lake Arlington Swim-In. We had 5 Amphicars come from all around Texas. Ours, one from Mesquite, Westlake, Austin and even one from Houston!

We have a great time. We gave out lots of Amphicar rides (free) and meet a lot of great people! I'm including a few pictures of the Swim-in.

One of our local tv stations came out and did a short story on us. As soon as we get it copied over we'll post it.


I'm still pretty new to this blogger thing so I haven't figured out to put a caption with each of the pictures. When I do, I'll fix this thing!

The first picture is me driving some friends of my mother-in-law's around the lake. The second picture is of Dan in the foreground just before he takes someone out for a ride (yes, those are longhorns on the car in the water!). The third picture is of all the Amphicars in the parking lot while we had lunch. One of the cars is hiding on the other side. The fourth picture is Dan tubing one of our girls. And the last picture is of four of the cars at the car show we did at Bruster's Real Icecream after we finished up at the lake. The make wonderful icecream!!!!

Gotta get off of this thing; we're about to get hit with a storm and I need to shut the computer down for a little bit.

Kathy

P.S. Thank you to Al & Debra Heath for taking these and the other great pics on Saturday!

New Updated List 6-27-07

Just letting you know that the list has been updated!www.katestrackshack.com

I hope all you Dads had a great Father's Day!

We'd still like to hear from you guys with your 8-track stories. Email us at dkgibson3@tx.rr.com.

Have a great 4th!

Father's Day Special

I forgot to mention that this special discount is only good through 6-17-07!

New Updated List 6-12-07

A new updated list has been put up on our website tonight - www.katestrackshack.com

*****************************************************************************************************************

$$$New$$$ We have reduced the price on the Country/Western & Easy Listening Quads to $3.99.

***************************************************************************************

In honor of Father's Day, if you mention that you saw this posting, we'll give you an addional 10% off of your total order.

***************************************************************************************


As a reminder, if you're in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area on June 23rd, we'll be hosting an Amphicar Swim-In at Lake Arlington around 10 am at the Arkansas Ln. ramp. We're expecting about 5 Amphicars to be there. We'll be giving Amphicar rides as long as we hold out or the cars hold out!!! We've invited the media, so you may find yourself on tv! Then around 4:00 pm, we'll be heading off to Bruster's Ice Cream up on South Cooper for a mini car show and some good ice cream!!!!!

Hope to see you there!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DADS!!!!!!!!

Updated List/Happy Memorial Day!!!!!

Thanks for your patience!!!! I'm out of school and so are the kids for the summer!

The list has finally been updated!!!!! www.katestrackshack.com.

We've added a new page for car tapes and put carousels and cases on sale.

Take a look!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's! So far, it's been a great day for me! In fact, it's been a great weekend!!!!!

Friday night I finally graduated from college!!!!!! It only took about 5 years, but I did it!!!!!

I'll post pictures when we get them back.

Again, Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's!!!!!!!

Kathy

Updated List

Just letting you know that the list has been updated! www.katestrackshack.com

Let us know if you see any thing.

Thanks again!!!!!!!

Website URL

You may need to rebookmark our website if you haven't done so. The old bookmark probably doesn't work anymore. It just needs to be "www.katestrackshack.com".

Thanks!

Kathy

Kate's Track Shack is back up!!!!! Hopefully we won't have this problem again!!!

There is a new updated list out there - www.katestrackshack.com. Take a look and let us know if you see anything!

I hear you New Englanders are still getting snow! We had snow flurries on Saturday here in sunny Texas! You guys stay warm up there!!!!!!


Kathy

Website down again!!!!

We are aware that the website is down again! We've been talking with Road Runner again and it looks like they've screwed up again!!!! It seems we will have to manually migrate our website. I'm still waiting on a call from them. It looks like I'll have to call them back since my 24-48 wait is just about up to hear back from them.

I apologize to everyone that has tried to get onto the site and can't! We're still here, just not being seen!

I'm also working on testing more tapes to put on the list. I'll email those on the "Subscriber" list and let you know when the list is updated and the website is back up.

If you aren't a "Subscriber" and want to be, just send us an email at dkgibson3@tx.rr.com and put "subscribe" in the Subject line. We'll send you out emails to let you know when the list has been updated and other important info.

Kathy

Website Back Up!!!!!!

It looks like Road Runner has finished with the migration (at least for our website) and we're back up again!!!!!!

Sorry for the inconvenience!!!!!!!!

Web Site Down

Hi!

Thanks to everyone who has notified us about our website being down. What a bummer! I've talked with our service provider and it seems that our website is being migrated from our old provider to the new one. They say that it shouldn't be down more than a day or two. I'm doing all I can to get it back up again as quickly as possible.

Thanks for your understanding!

Kathy

Updated List 3-19-07

Just put up a new list tonight! Be sure to check out our newest page at www.katestrackshack.com! It's Beatles & related tapes. We get lots of requests for these tapes so we decided to put up a special page for them. These tapes will be a little more than some of our other tapes, but they will be tuned-up with new pads/splices. Tapes that are sealed, you decided if you want them tuned-up or not.

If you were lucky enough to be off last week for Spring Break, hope you had a good time! We had some fun and got a lot of things done around the house the needed doing. The kids begged us to put up our pool, so Dan did that this weekend. They were brave enought to get into it tonight and go under water (water about 60 degrees maybe!). Still a little to cold for me!!!!!

We also have some auctions on Ebay right now. Dan and I have some under seller name - dkgibson and our oldest daughter has some under seller name - katestrackshack. She is selling some quads to help put some money in her college fund and to pay for gas for her '76 Pacer!

Take care and have a good week!

Kathy

Updated List 03-06-07!

Just letting you know that a new list was put up last night! I think you'll find some good stuff this time around. Check it out at www.katestrackshack.com.

I hate to make reminders like this, but sometimes it has to be done. If you place an order for tapes/supplies, etc. you need to pay for that order before placing another order. That's how most businesses work. We're not trying to be buttheads! Thanks for your understanding!!!!!

Another heads up! Most of you have probably already heard that there is going to be another rate increase in postage! The lady at the post office said they weren't given an exact date, but probably would be sometime in May or June. We'll let you know how it will effect shipping costs once we know what the rate increases will be. I think 1st class on one oz will be raised to .41 cents. The Post Office would love to get rid of media mail, but I think there are too many of us out there that still use it quite a bit!

Next week is Spring Break for me and the kids. Not sure if we'll go anywhere, but in case you email and we don't get back to you right away, that will be why.

Have a great week!

Kathy

Updated List! 2-17-07

It's been a little while, but the list has been updated - www.katestrackshack.com.

Take a look and let us know if you see anything you'd like to buy. You can email us at dkgibson3@tx.rr.com.

If you're lucky enough to have President's Day off on Monday, enjoy!!!!!!!!!

Kathy/Dan

8-Track Review - "Sandman" by Harry Nilsson in Quadraphonic!

Program 1 - I'll Take A Tango, Something True, J*** C**** You're Tall, The Ivy Covered Walls, Thursday Or, Here's Why I Did Not Go To Work Today
Program 2 - The Flying Saucer Song, How To Write A Song, Pretty Soon There'll Be Nothing Left For Everybody, Will She Miss Me

1976. Even though his voice was recovering from blowing it out (literally) recording the drunken disaster "Pussy Cats" with John Lennon, this year was just about rock bottom for pop wunderkind Harry Nilsson. His (very expensively produced) albums and singles were not charting, and RCA was running out of patience. And what does Harry come out with.."Sandman"! Oops.

I am a very big fan of Nilsson, and have all his albums on more formats than I care to think about. But lets face it, albums like this are not the way to stay in the good graces of your record company, especially when you recently signed a contract where they eat all the production costs. However, 30+ years on, I sure am glad that Harry was not too worried about staying in their good graces.

"I'll Take A Tango" starts the album off in fine style, with Harry proclaiming that "Deep down in my soul I hate rock and roll", continuing with him hanging out with Valentino and Marlin Brando, and wrapping up with on of the most throat tearing screams ever. "Something True" is a nice love song, and is what he should have released as a single. " J*** C**** You're Tall", a very blasphemous, but very funny song cracks me up every time I hear it. Side note..this is the song he introduced the rough cut of on his previous album "Duit On Mon Dei". "The Ivy Covered Walls" and "Thursday Or, Here's Why I Did Not Go To Work Today", are two very forgettable album fillers.

Program 2 opens with "The Flying Saucer Song", which may be the only song ever recorded about two drunks singing and talking about a UFO sighting. The best part about this track is that it gets better every time you listen to it. The same can be said for "How To Write A Song", in which Harry tells you how to do just what the title says. "If you write it on guitar then put the guitar on your knee. If you write it on piano, don't do that!" Maybe the best song on the album. Check for the rhyme for the word "talent". "Pretty Soon There'll Be Nothing Left For Everybody" is Harry singing about overpopulation, ecology, etc. Pretty forgettable. "Will She Miss Me" is the album closer. I have never really warmed to this song.

There are probably five tracks on this album that are keepers. Most people did not think so, and Sandman did not sell. I see sealed copied of the cart often, and based on the sealed copies of the LP that appear on eBay, there was a whole lotta stock left over.

And now the quadraphonic part. RCA spared no expense on their quad releases. Sandman has fantastic separation. And the cool part is that if played on a stereo deck, you can isolate Nilsson's backing vocals on certain tracks. Definitely a quad worth getting.

Keeper? Of course! It's Nilsson! Besides, I have two copies in quad, so let me know if you have a hankering for one. Make it worth my time though!
Number of ka-chunks: Three of four. It's Nilsson! Five out of nine ain't bad!

Updated List 1-31-07

Just letting you know that we've just updated the list again! There were some good tapes on that last list and they went fast!!!!!!

There is some pretty good stuff on this list too!

Take a look at our list - www.katestrackshack.com and let us know if you see anything you want to buy. Also, if you want to be added to our "subscriber" list to be notified when the list is update, just send us an email with "subscribe" in the subject line.

It's sleeting and cold outside! I'm going to go start a fire and finish reading a good book before I start on the dreded homework!

Kathy

8-Track Review - "Spirit In The Sky" by Norman Greenbaum

Program 1 - Jubilee, Tars Of India
Program 2 - Spirit In The Sky, Good Lookin' Woman
Program 3 - Alice Bodine, Milk Cow, Skyline (part 1)
Program 4 - Skyline (part 2), Marcy, Junior Cadillac

"When I die and I lay me to rest, gonna go to the place thats the best". Who has not heard that immortal lyric at least 100 times? It was with great excitement when I came across this admittedly ratty look cart.

Let me start by saying that this is a rare cart. I have seen literally tens of thousands of 8-tracks, and this is the first copy of this I have ever come across. Except for Sinatra and Martin, Reprise 8-tracks are not all that common in the first place, so that may play a part in the scarcity of this cart. Another player may be that it is not very good. Of course, the title track is a AM/FM classic, and it deserves to be. Nothing else on the cart comes even close to "SITS", either for musicanship, or songwriting. The low point is "Milk Cow". This album smells like it was thrown together around a hit single. The biggest bummer about this cart was that it was one that I had been looking for for some time. Oh well.

Norman Greenbaum has a website, and I emailed him to let him know that I had just finished listening to him on 8-track. His response was basically "I am on 8-track. Wow". I thought that was a cool response. Maybe some day I will be on 8-track too! Wow!

Keeper?: Nah. If you want it, trade me something cool for it.
Number of ka-chunks: Only one, and that is due to "SITS" itself.

8-Track Review - The Very Best Of Deep Purple

This is Dan. This is the first in a series of reviews I plan on doing on different carts as I listen to them. Lets start off with "The Very Best Of Deep Purple"
Cart: GRT Module 8
Track List:
Program 1 - Hush, Hey Joe, We Can Work It Out
Program 2 - River Deep - Mountain High
Program 3 - April, Exposition
Track 4 - Kentucky Woman, Bird Has Flown, Lalena

I found myself enjoying only about half of the songs on this cart. "River Deep - Mountain High" and "Kentucky Woman" are the highlights. "Hush" and "hey Joe" are OK, but not in the same class. Overall the cart sounds great, and there is no track splitting.

Keeper?: - for now. I think there is a later Deep Purple greatest hits around here somewhere that includes their "Smoke On The Water" stuff. Still...I really like their version on a Neil Diamond song on this album.
Number of Ka-chunks?: Only two out of four.

Updated List 1-15-2007

Hi!

Just letting you know that a new updated list has been put up at our website - www.katestrackshack.com. Check it out and let us know if you see anything you want to buy. Remember, we also do repair work and transfer 8-tracks to cd.

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!!!

Hey everyone!

It's been so busy around here!!!

Sales of tapes have been really good and the repairs have been even better!

The list has just been updated! Check it out at www.katestrackshack.com

I just purchased 400+ tapes a few days ago from a nice gentlemen in Oklahoma. He has a bunch of 45's if anyone is intresested. Just let us know and we'll get you his contact info.

We'll also be going to Houston this weekend to pick up about 2500 more tapes and players!

I'll start my last semester tomorrow night! Wish it wasn't quite so late, but you gotta do what you gotta do! The worst thing about it starting tomorrow is that is our 20th Anniversary!

I'm going to try better at keeping this blog up-to-date!!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Kathy