A book from Art Bell Archive
You’re on the Air
The Callers, Mysteries, and Unfinished Stories of Art Bell
On Art Bell’s show, the next caller could change the whole night.
Mel Waters described a hole whose bottom he couldn’t find. Bugs claimed to have buried two Bigfoot creatures and kept a map. J.C. wanted Art to answer for what he was putting on the radio.
Thirteen narrative chapters follow the first appearances, later returns, listener challenges, and updates that are often missing from the familiar retellings. Along the way are time travelers, would-be immortals, predictions put to the test, and ghost stories that stayed with the people who told them.
Kindle · Paperback · Hardcover
From the introduction
Thirty-five years.
In January 1996, a man called Art Bell on a telephone line reserved for aliens and immortals. He said he was an immortal. Art asked how long he had been alive.
Thirty-five years.
Art wanted to know how he could be sure at that age. The caller explained that he had signed up to be frozen.
Art pointed out the risk of freezer burn.
You’re on the Air follows the people who called Art and the conversations they started. Some became familiar voices. Others were remembered for a single call. They reported things they couldn’t explain, disputed what he had said, and told him about experiences they had struggled to discuss with anyone else.
The listening companion
The Broadcasts
Hear the recordings behind the stories, chapter by chapter. The guide includes main interviews, later appearances, and brief updates. You can listen whether or not you have the book.
Select a chapter, then a timestamp to open the recording at that passage. Times are approximate and refer to the linked edition. Titles are shortened where appropriate; some passages appear in programs about other subjects. Source notes explain edited recordings and uncertain dates.
Introduction
January 19, 1996 · Open Lines
The thirty-five-year-old immortal. The same call appears in chapter six. 01:39:35–01:41:25.
01 / Mel’s Hole
February 21, 1997 · Mel’s Hole · Mel Waters
The first fax and interview, including the fishing line, Life Savers, dog story, proposed descent, and listeners’ objections. 00:47:15–00:50:30 (fax); 02:09:00–02:26:40 (Mel’s account and the volunteer); 02:38:25–02:50:05 (line-weight objections and Art’s final request).
February 24, 1997 · Mel’s Hole Update · Mel Waters
The access road, offer, and reported spring-scale measurement. 01:30:20–01:42:00.
February 26, 1997 · Project S.T.R.A.T. UFOs · John Shepherd; Mel’s Hole Update
Art reads the fax about a lease and a move to Australia. 00:00:55–00:05:30.
July 23, 1998 · Out of Body Travel · Albert Taylor
The fax signed Harold, who identifies himself as Mel’s former landlord. 00:09:15–00:15:05.
December 15, 1999 · Open Lines · Y2K
Art expects to speak to Mel and waits for a telephone number. 00:02:00–00:03:05.
April 24, 2000 · Mel’s Hole Update
Mel’s return, Australia, the missed appearance, twelve lost days, finances, and the search for the landlord. 00:00:00–00:02:25 (Art’s opening question); 00:36:00–00:54:50 (Mel’s account); 00:56:00–01:01:00 (the landlord).
January 22, 2002 · One Door Away from Heaven · Dean Koontz
Listener emails after a replay of Mel’s earlier appearances. 00:02:10–00:03:05.
January 23, 2002 · Investigating the Romanek UFO Sighting · George Zeiler
Art announces that Mel will return. 00:21:25–00:23:10.
January 29, 2002 · Mel’s New Hole · Mel Waters
Hearing himself during a truck ride, the Bible oath, the TerraServer search, and the Nevada account. 00:47:45–00:52:20 (replay and oath); 01:22:45–01:33:10 (image search); 01:35:00–01:48:30 (introduction to Nevada); 01:54:40–02:10:15 (ice and proposed descent); 02:16:00–02:51:10 (sheep, creature, claimed recovery, and requests for evidence).
January 30, 2002 · Science Writer · Eugene Linden
Art explains his response to Mel’s latest appearance. 00:03:20–00:06:40.
December 20, 2002 · Mel’s Hole Update · Mel Waters; Remote Viewing · Ed Dames
The burning ice, cabin and stove, reported return of the creature, radio communication, and request for a university investigation. 00:00:55–00:20:45 (stove and cabin); 00:24:00–00:28:00 (returning to the hole and the creature); 00:32:50–00:42:20 (radio account and Art’s final request).
02 / Truth or Trash
July 4, 1996 · Truth or Trash · Open Lines
The rules, Marv’s flight, the panel’s votes, and his answer. 00:11:25–00:15:05 (rules); 00:16:35–00:26:15 (qualifications, flight, and verdict).
June 1, 2001 · Open Lines
The Tinian round, advice to Tom about delivery, and Dave’s class-ring story. 00:09:05–00:11:10 (rules); 00:18:25–00:27:00 (Tinian); 01:07:30–01:12:25 (Tom’s story and Art’s advice); 01:18:00–01:24:30 (Dave and the jury).
Source note: Texas is the final juror’s reference in the July 1996 round. Marv’s account concerns a flight from Nevada to Arizona. The chapter retains the discrepancy between their statements.
03 / Bugs and the Map
April 16, 1996 · Bizarre Stories · Open Lines
The fax, Bugs’s account, Art’s promise, and the audience’s objections and suggestions. 00:37:20–01:05:15 (fax and interview); 01:28:20–01:32:55 (listener responses); 01:36:10–01:41:15 (further questions); 02:14:35–02:18:55 (the proposed anonymous map).
June 1, 2001 · Open Lines
Art announces that he has the map and answers a listener’s questions. 02:35:20–02:42:30.
June 5, 2001 · Bigfoot Research · Robert W. Morgan
Bugs returns, Morgan proposes a search, and listeners contribute questions and comparison images. 00:00:50–00:20:45 (map and renewed account); 00:23:15–00:43:10 (objections, trust, and questions); 00:53:00–01:00:00 (images and map); 01:06:25–01:17:25 (conditions and farewell); 02:50:30–02:51:35 (Art’s closing qualification).
June 13, 2001 · Underwater City · Linda Moulton Howe and Stephan Schwartz
Art reports that Bugs’s wife has stopped the proposed search and responds to callers. 00:46:25–00:47:20 (update); 01:53:00–01:54:40 (Mike’s question); 02:20:05–02:21:25 (further discussion).
April 8, 2007 · Protecting Bigfoot · Todd Standing
Bugs returns during Standing’s appearance and discusses his account and legal concerns. 01:57:40–02:19:15.
November 30, 2008 · Future Technology and Parallel Worlds · Michio Kaku
A caller asks about the map, which Art says he still has. 00:29:50–00:31:30.
August 6, 2015 · Bigfoot Discovery Museum · Michael Rugg
Art’s lost-map statement, his later qualification, and a listener’s proposed identification of Bugs. 00:21:35–00:23:10 (lost-map statement); 01:13:20–01:16:15 (qualification); 01:30:10–01:32:10 (identity claim and Art’s response).
October 7, 2015 · Sounds of Sasquatch · Ron Morehead and Scott Nelson
Art reports Bugs’s death and leaves further disclosure to the family. 01:55:55–01:57:45.
Source note: The similarly titled October 10, 2015 recording repeats the October 7 exchange. It is not counted here as another conversation. Bugs’s later versions differ in some details from his 1996 account; the chapter follows each telling in its own setting.
04 / J.C. Would Like a Word
1999 · Long Call with J.C. · composite
The censorship dispute, Art’s invitation to stay, and the audience’s questions. 00:11:20–00:20:20 (discussion and invitation); 00:21:40–00:23:00 (radio and telephone); 00:24:35–00:37:15 (audience calls); 00:37:45–00:39:55 (offer of a whole night).
August 21, 2005 · Space Technology and Mars · Sir Charles Shults III
J.C.’s guest appearance precedes the Shults interview. Edna’s message, Art’s questions, cooking shows, audience objections, and the attempted callback. 00:05:05–00:07:30 (Edna’s message); 00:09:30–00:17:45 (arrival and Art’s challenge); 00:23:05–00:25:10 (Adam and the cooking shows); 00:26:30–00:37:40 (listeners and callback).
October 20, 2006 · Open Lines · Invisibility; Global Climate Change · Roy Spencer
Edna’s departure and Art’s questions about a possible new partner. 01:22:15–01:23:40 (Edna); 01:25:55–01:27:40 (Ann Coulter and Art’s question).
October 9, 2015 · Open Lines · Scott Free Line
Rumors, the child caller, J.C.’s return, and the marriage proposal. 00:11:10–00:12:30 (rumors); 00:52:45–00:55:40 (the child caller); 01:35:55–01:36:30 (Art waits); 01:39:25–01:46:15 (J.C.’s call); 01:49:10–01:50:20 (Art’s assessment).
Source note: The 1999 file is cataloged as September 15, but it combines material from different programs. The preserved July program notes suggest July 14 for the J.C. segment; that precise date remains uncertain. The chapter therefore uses the year only. The timings above refer to the linked composite.
Additional source: ACLU, “U.S. District Court Holds Kentucky Clerk in Contempt for Refusing Marriage Licenses,” September 3, 2015, supplies the context for Kim Davis. The ACLU represented plaintiffs in the case.
05 / Art’s Parts
May 12, 1996 · Roswell Crash Debris · Linda Moulton Howe
The first report on the aluminum pieces and the anonymous scientist’s work. 00:00:00–00:15:20.
May 19, 1996 · Art’s Parts · Linda Moulton Howe
Listener arithmetic, a proposed manufacturing explanation, and plans for further tests. 00:15:15–00:23:55.
May 28, 1996 · Open Lines · Roswell and Other Topics
Art reads the letter accompanying the later shipment. 00:12:30–00:16:30.
May 31, 1996 · Art’s Parts Update · Linda Moulton Howe
The retained disc, reported density discrepancy, layered material, and listeners’ proposals. 00:08:45–00:10:45 (the disc); 00:14:20–00:36:25 (aluminum and layered material); 01:00:45–01:20:35 (Brent’s contribution); 01:24:15–01:26:20 (Reggie’s question); 01:32:10–01:33:55 (Danny’s suggestion).
July 5, 1996 · Open Lines · Art’s UFO Parts
Dan’s background claims, the visit he describes, sample distribution, and Tim’s challenge. 00:41:50–01:12:10 (Dan’s call); 01:17:00–01:18:35 (Tim’s response).
July 22, 1996 · Open Lines · Art’s Parts and Other Topics
Testing costs and the replay of Howe’s Carnegie report. 00:14:35–00:15:25 (costs); 00:38:30–00:48:50 (test report).
September 19, 1996 · Reverse Speech · David John Oates
A caller asks to see the reported movement of a piece; Art promises video. 02:38:45–02:41:45.
September 24, 1996 · Egyptology · Caroline Davies
Art announces the video clips and the responses they have received. 00:01:40–00:02:15.
July 3, 1997 · Art’s Parts · Linda Moulton Howe and Budd Hopkins
Howe’s research update, reported laboratory responses, and proposals for further work. 00:07:45–00:20:55 (update); 00:28:50–00:35:45 (tests and invitation).
March 5, 1999 · Larry King Live · Art Bell
Art and King discuss a piece and the earlier testing. 00:02:50–00:06:40.
February 27, 2005 · Government Disinformation Programs · Greg Bishop
Willow asks what became of the material. 00:38:45–00:40:15.
November 30, 2008 · Future Technology and Parallel Worlds · Michio Kaku
Art recalls his own testing while discussing another debris claim, before Kaku’s interview. 00:18:30–00:20:30.
Written sources: The preserved correspondence and experiment page contains the sender’s letters, including the May 28 shipment letter, and Howe’s account of the September 12 voltage experiment. The preliminary laboratory report headed June 4, 1996 supplies the written dimensions and density calculation for the aluminum chips, as well as a separate report on the later material.
Source notes: The May 19 recording begins by repeating the May 12 report before adding the update used here. The July 22 recording replays a report Art identifies as having aired on Dreamland the previous day. The King entry links to audio of the television interview. Art’s later descriptions of radiation and proof of extraterrestrial origin differ from the original reported findings; the chapter keeps those accounts separate.
06 / Only Immortals, Please
January 19, 1996 · Open Lines
The invitation, the uncertain alien, the thirty-five-year-old, and the man who says he married an immortal. 00:29:40–00:31:20 (incoming faxes); 01:28:45–01:32:40 (qualifications); 01:38:10–01:41:50 (alien and immortal callers); 01:47:40–01:51:30 (the former husband).
February 15, 2002 · Open Lines · Immortals
The invitation to people who consider themselves unbreakable, two callers’ thoughts about a longer life, and John’s account of surviving injury. 00:08:45–00:12:25 (invitation); 00:28:25–00:31:55 (the forty-two-year-old); 01:20:45–01:24:30 (the thirty-one-year-old’s choice); 02:14:45–02:17:45 (John and Art’s hang-gliding recollection).
Source note: The preserved February 2002 schedule lists the second program as open lines. The two accounts of a longer lifespan and John’s survival stories come from three different callers.
07 / Waiting for Kreskin
May 17, 2002 · The Mercenary Gabriel; The Amazing Kreskin
Kreskin’s prediction, the charitable pledge, Art’s questions, and the promise to return. 00:00:45–00:05:15 (opening and charity joke); 00:09:55–00:15:50 (scale and basis of the prediction); 00:24:30–00:26:30 (further questions); 00:35:40–00:36:40 (Nevada in the movies); 00:39:45–00:43:20 (Kreskin’s work and promised return).
May 31, 2002 · Remote Viewing · Ed Dames
Kreskin confirms the gathering arrangements and what he expects people to see. 00:02:05–00:07:10.
June 5, 2002 · Geomorphology and Climatology · Ted Bryant
The announced viewing window, a caller’s camera suggestion, and Art’s preparations. 00:00:00–00:00:35 (viewing window); 00:05:10–00:11:50 (camera and publicity).
June 6, 2002 · Area 51 and UFOs · Bob Lazar
Art’s camera, the invitation for reports, and callers describing the gathering before the Lazar interview. 00:00:40–00:06:45 (camera); 00:11:05–00:13:00 (invitation); 00:18:10–00:32:45 (reports from the gathering); 00:33:15–00:38:25 (Kate’s recording, further reports, and transition).
June 7, 2002 · The Amazing Kreskin Banned; A Journalist’s Encounter with Alien Beings · Phillip H. Krapf
Art and Kreskin dispute the prediction, press release, pledge, and meaning of the event. 00:03:55–00:08:05 (opening challenge and release); 00:08:00–00:14:20 (Kreskin’s defense and the pledge); 00:14:20–00:17:45 (end of the exchange and ban).
Written source: Kreskin’s June 7, 2002 press release, linked from the preserved aftermath page, survives as two scans: page one and page two. Art reads and challenges part of it during the June 7 broadcast.
08 / Single Seven
July 29, 1998 · Time Traveler Line
Art reserves a telephone line for time travelers. 00:02:20–00:04:40.
July 30, 1998 · Time Travel · Single Seven
Jonathan’s mission, Hunter Twelve’s fax, the audience’s questions, and the caller who claims to be pursuing him. 00:00:00–00:20:10 (mission, objections, and fax); 00:25:50–00:29:00 (dates and the year 2000); 00:31:15–00:36:45 (opening the lines); 00:41:15–00:51:25 (claimed pursuer, photographs, and practical questions); 00:55:55–00:57:40 (music); 01:04:40–01:06:47 (crop circles and goodbye).
January 20, 1999 · Prophecy · Arvol Looking Horse
A listener asks whether Art has heard from Single Seven. 02:35:30–02:36:15.
October 24, 2013 · ET and UFO Encounters; Missing Time · Timothy Good
Ross remembers the interview and asks what became of Jonathan. 01:54:00–01:56:05.
Written source: The preserved October 1998 hiatus record contains the October 15 denial and October 21 reproduction of an impostor message connecting Single Seven to Art’s departure. It also records Art’s announced return.
Source note: The Single Seven interview survives as an edited recording of about sixty-seven minutes. July 30 is the catalog date; the exact interview date remains unconfirmed. The July 1998 program notes identify the July 29 invitation but do not explicitly name Single Seven in the July 30 entry.
09 / After the Signal Died
September 11, 1997 · Open Lines with Area 51 Employees
The call, signal loss, listeners’ reports, Toni Howell’s explanation, replay, and discussion of the unrecorded ending. 01:51:25–01:56:20 (call and return to the air); 02:06:15–02:08:55 (Vince’s report); 02:37:50–02:46:35 (engineer and replay); 03:02:40–03:06:35 (Art and the studio guest on the missing portion).
September 12, 1997 · Psychic Ability and Life After Death · James Van Praagh
Art repeats the explanation, replays the recording, and later tells listeners how to obtain the program. 00:00:55–00:07:45 (opening discussion); 02:45:40–02:46:10 (copies of the program).
April 28, 1998 · Brian’s call, preserved in a composite
A man claims responsibility for the Area 51 call, gives a brief demonstration, and hears Art report conflicting reactions. 01:16:25–01:20:20.
April 29, 1998 · Alien Contact · Albert Harrison
Art reports the previous night’s claim, a listener responds, and Art describes the divided mail. 00:08:10–00:08:40 (announcement); 00:25:15–00:27:20 (Ken and Art’s qualification).
Source notes: The April 28 recording consulted for this book ends before Brian’s call. The linked compilation preserves it; the timing above is its position within that compilation. Art’s April 29 account and the preserved April program notes support the April 28 date. The compilation’s title does not establish that Brian was the original caller. The ending Art says he heard after the September signal loss is described by Art and his studio guest; it is not part of the surviving network recording of that call.
Additional source: Ken R. Deutsch, “Toni Howell: Delilah’s Secret Weapon,” Radio World, May 23, 2007, p. 22, identifies Howell and discusses her work with Art. On the September 11 broadcast, she is the network engineer relaying an explanation from GE Americom.
10 / The Man Who Came Back
April 18, 1995 · Building a Time Machine · Michael “Mad Man” Marcum
The newspaper story, Jacob’s ladder, screw experiment, Maureen’s objection, Officer Hampton’s call, and offers of help. 00:00:00–00:16:30 (introduction and experiment); 00:39:55–00:42:45 (Maureen); 00:47:10–00:55:00 (earlier events and Hampton’s call); 01:07:20–01:10:10 (help and questions about the experiment).
July 30, 1996 · Time Travels · Michael “Mad Man” Marcum
The larger apparatus, the proposed human trial, Art’s filming offer, and Marcum’s account of the calls after his first appearance. 00:21:45–00:28:20 (return and plans); 00:35:10–00:39:30 (filming offer and camera suggestion); 00:47:10–00:51:40 (how to tell what happened); 01:01:25–01:02:15 (telephone calls).
October 9, 1996 · Open Lines · Anything Goes
Art discusses the newspaper report that Marcum has not been seen recently. From 00:07:25 (newspaper discussion).
October 10, 1996 · Walking on the Moon and UFOs · Edgar Mitchell
Art reports that Mike Murphy has found Marcum and that the experiment remains in progress. From 00:20:20 (update).
December 18, 2005 · Strange Medical Tales · Tess Gerritsen
Listener questions after a replay prompt Art to ask Marcum to get in touch. 00:06:40–00:07:55.
December 31, 2009 · Predictions 2010 · Part 2
A caller predicts that Marcum will return. 00:25:55–00:26:50.
July 24, 2015 · Open Lines
Art reports renewed contact with Marcum. 02:04:10–02:05:10.
September 4, 2015 · Time Traveler · Michael “Mad Man” Marcum
The reunion, claimed journey, return to the warehouse, and listeners’ questions about witnesses and records. 00:03:59–00:05:35 (reunion); 00:50:45–01:06:30 (journey and warehouse); 01:21:50–01:23:40 (missing-person report); 01:39:40–01:44:30 (the listener who grew up and the lost equipment); 01:59:00–02:01:35 (skeptical caller); 02:08:00–02:10:45 (other versions of the story); from 02:15:15 (closing exchange).
Source note: The newspaper reports are sourced through Art’s on-air readings and discussion.
11 / What Sarah Remembered
February 4, 1999 · Near-Death Experiences · Sarah, Jeffrey Long, and Tricia McGill
Sarah describes the accident, the experience she remembers, her recovery, and the difficulty of discussing it afterward. 00:01:30–00:05:25 (Art introduces the subject); 00:24:05–00:38:20 (accident, creature, background, and injuries); 00:42:20–00:59:05 (recovery details, tunnel, and frightening places); 01:00:55–01:13:20 (Art’s response, later doorways, light, and hospital); 01:13:10–01:21:35 (recovery, support group, and goodbye); 01:42:55–01:44:10 (Art opens the lines).
June 3, 1999 · Near-Death Experiences · Jeffrey Long and Tricia McGill
The audience’s comparison with Tibetan accounts, McGill’s report of regression sessions, and Art’s questions about explanation. 00:17:45–00:28:50 (the follow-up on Sarah); 01:43:25–01:50:45 (sincerity and possible explanations); 01:53:45–01:54:35 (Art’s hope).
Source note: Sarah speaks for herself in February. In June, Long and McGill discuss her account and later sessions; Sarah is not present, and no regression recording is played in the cited exchange. Where the June recap differs from Sarah’s earlier description, the chapter retains her own account. The Siberian borehole story belongs to the recording Art plays in February; Sarah’s reaction does not establish that recording’s origin.
12 / Next Year, We’ll Know
December 30, 2008 · Predictions 2009 · Part 1
The format, Memphis, the rejected Clinton prediction, Bill’s insomniacs club, and intention experiments. 00:04:30–00:14:30 (rules and review of earlier forecasts); 00:16:00–00:18:05 (Memphis); 00:21:20–00:23:10 (rejected prediction); 00:53:40–00:56:05 (Bill); 01:49:00–01:52:45 (intention experiments).
December 31, 2008 · Predictions 2009 · Part 2
Tommy’s meteorites, John’s prediction for California, and the Heath Ledger forecast. 00:24:35–00:26:10 (Tommy); 01:52:15–01:54:25 (John); 02:21:50–02:22:50 (Ledger).
December 30, 2009 · Predictions 2010 · Part 1
Art reviews the old list and invites forecasts for 2010. 00:04:25–00:12:50 (rules, Memphis, and Bill’s club); 01:00:30–01:03:00 (intention verdict and reminder).
December 31, 2009 · Predictions 2010 · Part 2
The meteor and California verdicts, Ledger’s corrected score, new predictions, and Dave’s return. 00:07:20–00:07:45 (meteor verdict); 01:18:25–01:18:45 (California verdict); 01:55:45–01:57:55 (old and new forecasts; first Ledger verdict); 02:13:55–02:14:15 (Ledger correction); 02:17:20–02:20:40 (Jack and Art’s response to the evening’s calls); 02:22:15–02:26:40 (J.C. prediction and Dave); 02:32:20–02:32:56 (sign-off).
Additional source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ record of the 2009 ceremony confirms Heath Ledger’s supporting-actor win for The Dark Knight. The chapter follows both Art’s original verdict and his correction.
Source note: The scores are Art’s judgments on the programs. In the meteor exchange, he allows latitude on the date without identifying the event he has in mind. The new forecasts for 2010 are not followed through to their outcomes in this chapter.
13 / Ghost to Ghost
October 30, 1993 · Ghost to Ghost
Chris tells his brother’s dream of a telephone call from their father, the interrupted message, and the family’s later interpretation. 01:37:35–01:41:25.
October 30, 1997 · Ghost to Ghost 1997 · Night 1
The Santa Cruz caller remembers a party in the kitchen of his childhood apartment. 01:04:55–01:10:55.
June 10, 1999 · Ghost to Ghost · Open Lines
Michael’s Navy service, Aunt Melanie’s body powder, and the letters from his mother. 00:03:20–00:11:20.
October 31, 2003 · Ghost to Ghost 2003
Art introduces the caller stories; Cindy describes her father, the Wienermobile, drawing, and red whistle. 00:01:45–00:03:30 (introduction); 00:43:55–00:48:55 (Cindy’s call).
Keep reading
Follow the conversations in You’re on the Air, or explore From the High Desert for a broader history of Art’s broadcasts.
Kindle · Paperback · Hardcover