With all the changes that have happened and are about to happen to Indianapolis radio stations, it's impressive that WBRI (1500 AM) has had the same Christian talk format since 1964. Has any other Indy station had the same format for 41 years?
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41 years with same format
- Thread starter MightyFrenchman
- Start date
M
midwestclubber
Guest
> With all the changes that have happened and are about to
> happen to Indianapolis radio stations, it's impressive that
> WBRI (1500 AM) has had the same Christian talk format since
> 1964. Has any other Indy station had the same format for 41
> years?
>
Q95, and WIBC are very close, but not quite.
> happen to Indianapolis radio stations, it's impressive that
> WBRI (1500 AM) has had the same Christian talk format since
> 1964. Has any other Indy station had the same format for 41
> years?
>
Q95, and WIBC are very close, but not quite.
> Q95, and WIBC are very close, but not quite.
>
I have heard that WIBC was a music AM at some point in the late 80s/early 90s before Emmis bought it...is that wrong?
>
I have heard that WIBC was a music AM at some point in the late 80s/early 90s before Emmis bought it...is that wrong?
1
11south
Guest
WIBC isn't that close. Throughout the 70's, 80's and early 90's the majority of the programming was full service Adult Contemporary as opposed to News Talk (and they had 40 to 50 shares in most demos). WIBC became full time News Talk in the early 1990's.
WFBQ went to it's current format in the mid to late 70's, prior to that it was click and switch automation with either a TM automated format or Drake Chenault automated contemporary format. Not sure what it was before that.
Actually WFMS may be in the running with WBRI for longest continous run of a format.
Anyone remember?
WFBQ went to it's current format in the mid to late 70's, prior to that it was click and switch automation with either a TM automated format or Drake Chenault automated contemporary format. Not sure what it was before that.
Actually WFMS may be in the running with WBRI for longest continous run of a format.
Anyone remember?
> Actually WFMS may be in the running with WBRI for longest
> continous run of a format.
Some might nitpick about the frequency, but WTLC has been around since 1967.
You should have known that Frenchman.
> continous run of a format.
Some might nitpick about the frequency, but WTLC has been around since 1967.
You should have known that Frenchman.
>WFBQ went to it's current format in the mid to late 70's,
> prior to that it was click and switch automation with either
> a TM automated format or Drake Chenault automated
> contemporary format. Not sure what it was before that.
Before that, it was owned by Time-Life Broadcasting and known as WFBM-FM with a Beautiful Music format.
> prior to that it was click and switch automation with either
> a TM automated format or Drake Chenault automated
> contemporary format. Not sure what it was before that.
Before that, it was owned by Time-Life Broadcasting and known as WFBM-FM with a Beautiful Music format.
> >WFBQ went to it's current format in the mid to late 70's,
> > prior to that it was click and switch automation with
> either
> > a TM automated format or Drake Chenault automated
> > contemporary format. Not sure what it was before that.
>
> Before that, it was owned by Time-Life Broadcasting and
> known as WFBM-FM with a Beautiful Music format.
If I remember right, it was automated oldies for a while before the "rockin' stereo" automated format with canned announcers back announcing the tunes.
> > prior to that it was click and switch automation with
> either
> > a TM automated format or Drake Chenault automated
> > contemporary format. Not sure what it was before that.
>
> Before that, it was owned by Time-Life Broadcasting and
> known as WFBM-FM with a Beautiful Music format.
If I remember right, it was automated oldies for a while before the "rockin' stereo" automated format with canned announcers back announcing the tunes.
> With all the changes that have happened and are about to
> happen to Indianapolis radio stations, it's impressive that
> WBRI (1500 AM) has had the same Christian talk format since
> 1964. Has any other Indy station had the same format for 41
> years?
>
I believe they probably hold the record...but does anyone remember what the format was prior to that when the station had the WNDY call? I am thinking the station went on the air in '63, about the same time as WIGO (810 AM).
> happen to Indianapolis radio stations, it's impressive that
> WBRI (1500 AM) has had the same Christian talk format since
> 1964. Has any other Indy station had the same format for 41
> years?
>
I believe they probably hold the record...but does anyone remember what the format was prior to that when the station had the WNDY call? I am thinking the station went on the air in '63, about the same time as WIGO (810 AM).
AM 1500 came on as WNDY and was one of the most exciting formats ever to exist
in Indy. It was full of folk music and really good pop music with lots of
fun on the air and promotions throughout the city. But alas, as I understand
it, they were giving spots away for one dollar and stuff like that and soon
had to sell the property to the current owners. The premier format maybe
lasted about a year, I cannot remember, it was not very long-lived.
WIBC for decades was the unchallenged rock leader until WIFE began to chip
away at their numbers. Eventually WIBC switched to adult oldies and currents
and eventually brought in Jim Hilliard, a genius in broadcast programming.
That turned off their decline. Then as FM took away listeners they saw the
handwriting on the wall and began more and more talk and news, but never went
totally that until a number of years later. Even then, they tried once or
twice to introduce a bit of music each hour and then gave that up altogether
and now simply plug into one hate-monger after the other from Garrison to
Limbo. Pity. It used to be a great station. Of course we still all turn to
it for severe weather, but other than that, who needs the babble they air?
As for longevity in formats, the non-comms might be considered. 90.1 certainly
has stayed with some form or other of public broadcasting as has 88.7.
I think both of them each might outdo WBRI in years of the same format.
BTW, WBRI must be sitting rather pretty these days what with a number of
other freq's in town dropping the bible belting and what with WNTS being
sold.
> >
>
> I have heard that WIBC was a music AM at some point in the
> late 80s/early 90s before Emmis bought it...is that wrong?
>
in Indy. It was full of folk music and really good pop music with lots of
fun on the air and promotions throughout the city. But alas, as I understand
it, they were giving spots away for one dollar and stuff like that and soon
had to sell the property to the current owners. The premier format maybe
lasted about a year, I cannot remember, it was not very long-lived.
WIBC for decades was the unchallenged rock leader until WIFE began to chip
away at their numbers. Eventually WIBC switched to adult oldies and currents
and eventually brought in Jim Hilliard, a genius in broadcast programming.
That turned off their decline. Then as FM took away listeners they saw the
handwriting on the wall and began more and more talk and news, but never went
totally that until a number of years later. Even then, they tried once or
twice to introduce a bit of music each hour and then gave that up altogether
and now simply plug into one hate-monger after the other from Garrison to
Limbo. Pity. It used to be a great station. Of course we still all turn to
it for severe weather, but other than that, who needs the babble they air?
As for longevity in formats, the non-comms might be considered. 90.1 certainly
has stayed with some form or other of public broadcasting as has 88.7.
I think both of them each might outdo WBRI in years of the same format.
BTW, WBRI must be sitting rather pretty these days what with a number of
other freq's in town dropping the bible belting and what with WNTS being
sold.
> >
>
> I have heard that WIBC was a music AM at some point in the
> late 80s/early 90s before Emmis bought it...is that wrong?
>
> > >WFBQ went to it's current format in the mid to late 70's,
>
> > > prior to that it was click and switch automation with
> > either
> > > a TM automated format or Drake Chenault automated
> > > contemporary format. Not sure what it was before that.
> >
> > Before that, it was owned by Time-Life Broadcasting and
> > known as WFBM-FM with a Beautiful Music format.
>
> If I remember right, it was automated oldies for a while
> before the "rockin' stereo" automated format with canned
> announcers back announcing the tunes.
>
You're right. In 1972, Time Life sold both the AM and the FM. The AM eventually became WNDE in 1973 and the FM became WFBQ. Drake Chanault automated oldies was played for about a year on the FM. Then the station switched to automated top 40 using the "TM Stereo Rock" package. Brice Armstrong was the first Dallas announcer doing the backannouncing of the two current cuts and buffer ID's. John Borders took over these duties in late '74, early '75.
If you recall, the format featured 2 currents, backannounced, then a gold and one recurrent in each stopset. The future AOR format of the "Q" in later years was foreshadowed then by the use of the special SR-400 series tapes at night, starting at 7 PM, where the gold cuts were replaced by album cuts, each backannounced.
The station was first called "Q-Rock 95" before it was shortened to just "Q-95" in the spring of '75. However, the Q-95 moniker was used only on the prerecorded station ID's at the end of each 15 minute music segues. TM Pacific & Southern jingles were used 8 x per hour, but only referred to the station as "Rock in Stereo....WFBQ", not "Q-95".
The professional production elements and superb audio quality of this format by TM made it very "hot" all accross the country in those years as a new "rock and roll" alternative to beautiful music automation. Like today's "Jack" formats, they could be run at very little if any cost. Of course, back then, AM was king and most programmers didn't worry since it was "just the FM". They did use the WNDE jocks and news staff to their best advantage for pre-recorded news and PSA's.
>
> > > prior to that it was click and switch automation with
> > either
> > > a TM automated format or Drake Chenault automated
> > > contemporary format. Not sure what it was before that.
> >
> > Before that, it was owned by Time-Life Broadcasting and
> > known as WFBM-FM with a Beautiful Music format.
>
> If I remember right, it was automated oldies for a while
> before the "rockin' stereo" automated format with canned
> announcers back announcing the tunes.
>
You're right. In 1972, Time Life sold both the AM and the FM. The AM eventually became WNDE in 1973 and the FM became WFBQ. Drake Chanault automated oldies was played for about a year on the FM. Then the station switched to automated top 40 using the "TM Stereo Rock" package. Brice Armstrong was the first Dallas announcer doing the backannouncing of the two current cuts and buffer ID's. John Borders took over these duties in late '74, early '75.
If you recall, the format featured 2 currents, backannounced, then a gold and one recurrent in each stopset. The future AOR format of the "Q" in later years was foreshadowed then by the use of the special SR-400 series tapes at night, starting at 7 PM, where the gold cuts were replaced by album cuts, each backannounced.
The station was first called "Q-Rock 95" before it was shortened to just "Q-95" in the spring of '75. However, the Q-95 moniker was used only on the prerecorded station ID's at the end of each 15 minute music segues. TM Pacific & Southern jingles were used 8 x per hour, but only referred to the station as "Rock in Stereo....WFBQ", not "Q-95".
The professional production elements and superb audio quality of this format by TM made it very "hot" all accross the country in those years as a new "rock and roll" alternative to beautiful music automation. Like today's "Jack" formats, they could be run at very little if any cost. Of course, back then, AM was king and most programmers didn't worry since it was "just the FM". They did use the WNDE jocks and news staff to their best advantage for pre-recorded news and PSA's.
> AM 1500 came on as WNDY and was one of the most exciting
> formats ever to exist
> in Indy. It was full of folk music and really good pop
> music with lots of
> fun on the air and promotions throughout the city. But
> alas, as I understand
> it, they were giving spots away for one dollar and stuff
> like that and soon
> had to sell the property to the current owners. The premier
> format maybe
> lasted about a year, I cannot remember, it was not very
> long-lived.
> WIBC for decades was the unchallenged rock leader until WIFE
> began to chip
> away at their numbers. Eventually WIBC switched to adult
> oldies and currents
> and eventually brought in Jim Hilliard, a genius in
> broadcast programming.
> That turned off their decline. Then as FM took away
> listeners they saw the
> handwriting on the wall and began more and more talk and
> news, but never went
> totally that until a number of years later. Even then, they
> tried once or
> twice to introduce a bit of music each hour and then gave
> that up altogether
> and now simply plug into one hate-monger after the other
> from Garrison to
> Limbo. Pity. It used to be a great station. Of course we
> still all turn to
> it for severe weather, but other than that, who needs the
> babble they air?
Music on WIBC began to disappear in certain dayparts. Gary Todd almost never played music on the morning show into the 80's, with maybe only 1-2 songs per hour. In the mid 80's, midday host David Appleford began to cut back on music to give movie reviews and take calls. The evening 7-midnight daypart became part of the "TalkNet" radio network and aired Bruce Williams' financial call in show as early as '82.
The weekends still had plenty of music, with maybe the exception of the "First Day" show on Sunday mornings. Paul Mendenhall (now mornings at WTTS) had the Saturday morning show, that was decidedly full service with lots of music, a pretty decent mix of AC hits if I recall correctly. Great Heller jingles were used, especially during the 70's through the 80's.
After Fairbanks sold the station to Sconnix broadcasting, that all changed in the early 90's. Paul Mendenhall now called his Saturday morning show "Saturday Morning Open Phones" and took only phone calls (no music). Jerry Baker was replaced during drive-time and Fred Heckman, Joe Pickett and Lou Palmer left the news department. Bob Lamey was still sports director, but not for long. Does anyone remember the revolving series of drive-time hosts they used during that period? How about Big John Gillis trying a morning talk show? Whew...how fast things can change!
When I listen to old airchecks of the full service format, I can sense a special "aura" the station had back then. I credit most of that to Mr. Fairbanks and the type of people he brought in. Emmis did their best to try and revive the station after Sconnix ruined it, but by then it was too late.
Still, they have the best radio news department in the city!
> formats ever to exist
> in Indy. It was full of folk music and really good pop
> music with lots of
> fun on the air and promotions throughout the city. But
> alas, as I understand
> it, they were giving spots away for one dollar and stuff
> like that and soon
> had to sell the property to the current owners. The premier
> format maybe
> lasted about a year, I cannot remember, it was not very
> long-lived.
> WIBC for decades was the unchallenged rock leader until WIFE
> began to chip
> away at their numbers. Eventually WIBC switched to adult
> oldies and currents
> and eventually brought in Jim Hilliard, a genius in
> broadcast programming.
> That turned off their decline. Then as FM took away
> listeners they saw the
> handwriting on the wall and began more and more talk and
> news, but never went
> totally that until a number of years later. Even then, they
> tried once or
> twice to introduce a bit of music each hour and then gave
> that up altogether
> and now simply plug into one hate-monger after the other
> from Garrison to
> Limbo. Pity. It used to be a great station. Of course we
> still all turn to
> it for severe weather, but other than that, who needs the
> babble they air?
Music on WIBC began to disappear in certain dayparts. Gary Todd almost never played music on the morning show into the 80's, with maybe only 1-2 songs per hour. In the mid 80's, midday host David Appleford began to cut back on music to give movie reviews and take calls. The evening 7-midnight daypart became part of the "TalkNet" radio network and aired Bruce Williams' financial call in show as early as '82.
The weekends still had plenty of music, with maybe the exception of the "First Day" show on Sunday mornings. Paul Mendenhall (now mornings at WTTS) had the Saturday morning show, that was decidedly full service with lots of music, a pretty decent mix of AC hits if I recall correctly. Great Heller jingles were used, especially during the 70's through the 80's.
After Fairbanks sold the station to Sconnix broadcasting, that all changed in the early 90's. Paul Mendenhall now called his Saturday morning show "Saturday Morning Open Phones" and took only phone calls (no music). Jerry Baker was replaced during drive-time and Fred Heckman, Joe Pickett and Lou Palmer left the news department. Bob Lamey was still sports director, but not for long. Does anyone remember the revolving series of drive-time hosts they used during that period? How about Big John Gillis trying a morning talk show? Whew...how fast things can change!
When I listen to old airchecks of the full service format, I can sense a special "aura" the station had back then. I credit most of that to Mr. Fairbanks and the type of people he brought in. Emmis did their best to try and revive the station after Sconnix ruined it, but by then it was too late.
Still, they have the best radio news department in the city!
> > With all the changes that have happened and are about to
> > happen to Indianapolis radio stations, it's impressive
> that
> > WBRI (1500 AM) has had the same Christian talk format
> since
> > 1964. Has any other Indy station had the same format for
> 41
> > years?
> >
> I believe they probably hold the record...but does anyone
> remember what the format was prior to that when the station
> had the WNDY call? I am thinking the station went on the air
> in '63, about the same time as WIGO (810 AM).
Thanks for the WIGO reference! My dad moved us all here to Indy from Syracuse, NY (WOOD) in 1963 to help start WIGO on the new frequency at 810 AM! He did mid-days there until moving over the WFBM about a year later.
> > happen to Indianapolis radio stations, it's impressive
> that
> > WBRI (1500 AM) has had the same Christian talk format
> since
> > 1964. Has any other Indy station had the same format for
> 41
> > years?
> >
> I believe they probably hold the record...but does anyone
> remember what the format was prior to that when the station
> had the WNDY call? I am thinking the station went on the air
> in '63, about the same time as WIGO (810 AM).
Thanks for the WIGO reference! My dad moved us all here to Indy from Syracuse, NY (WOOD) in 1963 to help start WIGO on the new frequency at 810 AM! He did mid-days there until moving over the WFBM about a year later.
> > Actually WFMS may be in the running with WBRI for longest
> > continous run of a format.
>
> Some might nitpick about the frequency, but WTLC has been
> around since 1967.
>
> You should have known that Frenchman.
>
You're right, WTLC comes in a close second. Even if it is 106.7 now, it's still the WTLC heritage that continues.
> > continous run of a format.
>
> Some might nitpick about the frequency, but WTLC has been
> around since 1967.
>
> You should have known that Frenchman.
>
You're right, WTLC comes in a close second. Even if it is 106.7 now, it's still the WTLC heritage that continues.
Re: WNDY call letters
> > With all the changes that have happened and are about to
> > happen to Indianapolis radio stations, it's impressive
> that
> > WBRI (1500 AM) has had the same Christian talk format
> since
> > 1964. Has any other Indy station had the same format for
> 41
> > years?
> >
> I believe they probably hold the record...but does anyone
> remember what the format was prior to that when the station
> had the WNDY call? I am thinking the station went on the air
> in '63, about the same time as WIGO (810 AM).
>
Having gone to Eastwood Junior High School in 1963 across the street from the would-be WBRI, I watched the station being built. It DID go on the air as WNDY, and as I remember, it was a non-discript MOR station for a short while before going religious. They were notorious for not shutting the transmitter off at sundown sign-off.
> > With all the changes that have happened and are about to
> > happen to Indianapolis radio stations, it's impressive
> that
> > WBRI (1500 AM) has had the same Christian talk format
> since
> > 1964. Has any other Indy station had the same format for
> 41
> > years?
> >
> I believe they probably hold the record...but does anyone
> remember what the format was prior to that when the station
> had the WNDY call? I am thinking the station went on the air
> in '63, about the same time as WIGO (810 AM).
>
Having gone to Eastwood Junior High School in 1963 across the street from the would-be WBRI, I watched the station being built. It DID go on the air as WNDY, and as I remember, it was a non-discript MOR station for a short while before going religious. They were notorious for not shutting the transmitter off at sundown sign-off.
Tomorrow is Here
The news plug reminds me of the 1970s 5-6am simulcast Fairbanks used to
run on WIBC/WNAP called "Tomorrow is Here". Tom Cochran was usually the
anchor, and it included news/weather/sports/farm reports. I'm sure it pulled good numbers.
Alas, it was time for me to get in the shower when I'd hear Tom say
"It's 6 o'clock in the capital city on a Thursday morning....Tomorrow is Here"
followed by "The wrath of the buzzard.....WNAP..Indianpolis" (or "Radio Indiana....WIBC..Indianpolis on AM).
> > AM 1500 came on as WNDY and was one of the most exciting
> > formats ever to exist
> > in Indy. It was full of folk music and really good pop
> > music with lots of
> > fun on the air and promotions throughout the city. But
> > alas, as I understand
> > it, they were giving spots away for one dollar and stuff
> > like that and soon
> > had to sell the property to the current owners. The
> premier
> > format maybe
> > lasted about a year, I cannot remember, it was not very
> > long-lived.
> > WIBC for decades was the unchallenged rock leader until
> WIFE
> > began to chip
> > away at their numbers. Eventually WIBC switched to adult
> > oldies and currents
> > and eventually brought in Jim Hilliard, a genius in
> > broadcast programming.
> > That turned off their decline. Then as FM took away
> > listeners they saw the
> > handwriting on the wall and began more and more talk and
> > news, but never went
> > totally that until a number of years later. Even then,
> they
> > tried once or
> > twice to introduce a bit of music each hour and then gave
> > that up altogether
> > and now simply plug into one hate-monger after the other
> > from Garrison to
> > Limbo. Pity. It used to be a great station. Of course we
> > still all turn to
> > it for severe weather, but other than that, who needs the
> > babble they air?
>
> Music on WIBC began to disappear in certain dayparts. Gary
> Todd almost never played music on the morning show into the
> 80's, with maybe only 1-2 songs per hour. In the mid 80's,
> midday host David Appleford began to cut back on music to
> give movie reviews and take calls. The evening 7-midnight
> daypart became part of the "TalkNet" radio network and aired
> Bruce Williams' financial call in show as early as '82.
>
> The weekends still had plenty of music, with maybe the
> exception of the "First Day" show on Sunday mornings. Paul
> Mendenhall (now mornings at WTTS) had the Saturday morning
> show, that was decidedly full service with lots of music, a
> pretty decent mix of AC hits if I recall correctly. Great
> Heller jingles were used, especially during the 70's through
> the 80's.
>
> After Fairbanks sold the station to Sconnix broadcasting,
> that all changed in the early 90's. Paul Mendenhall now
> called his Saturday morning show "Saturday Morning Open
> Phones" and took only phone calls (no music). Jerry Baker
> was replaced during drive-time and Fred Heckman, Joe Pickett
> and Lou Palmer left the news department. Bob Lamey was
> still sports director, but not for long. Does anyone
> remember the revolving series of drive-time hosts they used
> during that period? How about Big John Gillis trying a
> morning talk show? Whew...how fast things can change!
>
> When I listen to old airchecks of the full service format, I
> can sense a special "aura" the station had back then. I
> credit most of that to Mr. Fairbanks and the type of people
> he brought in. Emmis did their best to try and revive the
> station after Sconnix ruined it, but by then it was too
> late.
>
> Still, they have the best radio news department in the city!
>
The news plug reminds me of the 1970s 5-6am simulcast Fairbanks used to
run on WIBC/WNAP called "Tomorrow is Here". Tom Cochran was usually the
anchor, and it included news/weather/sports/farm reports. I'm sure it pulled good numbers.
Alas, it was time for me to get in the shower when I'd hear Tom say
"It's 6 o'clock in the capital city on a Thursday morning....Tomorrow is Here"
followed by "The wrath of the buzzard.....WNAP..Indianpolis" (or "Radio Indiana....WIBC..Indianpolis on AM).
> > AM 1500 came on as WNDY and was one of the most exciting
> > formats ever to exist
> > in Indy. It was full of folk music and really good pop
> > music with lots of
> > fun on the air and promotions throughout the city. But
> > alas, as I understand
> > it, they were giving spots away for one dollar and stuff
> > like that and soon
> > had to sell the property to the current owners. The
> premier
> > format maybe
> > lasted about a year, I cannot remember, it was not very
> > long-lived.
> > WIBC for decades was the unchallenged rock leader until
> WIFE
> > began to chip
> > away at their numbers. Eventually WIBC switched to adult
> > oldies and currents
> > and eventually brought in Jim Hilliard, a genius in
> > broadcast programming.
> > That turned off their decline. Then as FM took away
> > listeners they saw the
> > handwriting on the wall and began more and more talk and
> > news, but never went
> > totally that until a number of years later. Even then,
> they
> > tried once or
> > twice to introduce a bit of music each hour and then gave
> > that up altogether
> > and now simply plug into one hate-monger after the other
> > from Garrison to
> > Limbo. Pity. It used to be a great station. Of course we
> > still all turn to
> > it for severe weather, but other than that, who needs the
> > babble they air?
>
> Music on WIBC began to disappear in certain dayparts. Gary
> Todd almost never played music on the morning show into the
> 80's, with maybe only 1-2 songs per hour. In the mid 80's,
> midday host David Appleford began to cut back on music to
> give movie reviews and take calls. The evening 7-midnight
> daypart became part of the "TalkNet" radio network and aired
> Bruce Williams' financial call in show as early as '82.
>
> The weekends still had plenty of music, with maybe the
> exception of the "First Day" show on Sunday mornings. Paul
> Mendenhall (now mornings at WTTS) had the Saturday morning
> show, that was decidedly full service with lots of music, a
> pretty decent mix of AC hits if I recall correctly. Great
> Heller jingles were used, especially during the 70's through
> the 80's.
>
> After Fairbanks sold the station to Sconnix broadcasting,
> that all changed in the early 90's. Paul Mendenhall now
> called his Saturday morning show "Saturday Morning Open
> Phones" and took only phone calls (no music). Jerry Baker
> was replaced during drive-time and Fred Heckman, Joe Pickett
> and Lou Palmer left the news department. Bob Lamey was
> still sports director, but not for long. Does anyone
> remember the revolving series of drive-time hosts they used
> during that period? How about Big John Gillis trying a
> morning talk show? Whew...how fast things can change!
>
> When I listen to old airchecks of the full service format, I
> can sense a special "aura" the station had back then. I
> credit most of that to Mr. Fairbanks and the type of people
> he brought in. Emmis did their best to try and revive the
> station after Sconnix ruined it, but by then it was too
> late.
>
> Still, they have the best radio news department in the city!
>
M
MetroTom
Guest
Re: Tomorrow is Here
Does anyone
> > remember the revolving series of drive-time hosts they
> used
> > during that period?
I remember Crazy Bob Simpson (afternoon drive) and his weekly bit..."Hoosier Riders!" He and Bob Lamey were fun to listen to together.
He also played a parody song by a local band "Rock Castle County Line" called "Please Come to Carmel."
Does anyone
> > remember the revolving series of drive-time hosts they
> used
> > during that period?
I remember Crazy Bob Simpson (afternoon drive) and his weekly bit..."Hoosier Riders!" He and Bob Lamey were fun to listen to together.
He also played a parody song by a local band "Rock Castle County Line" called "Please Come to Carmel."
J
jimbo700
Guest
Re: Tomorrow is Here
One more thought that's a bit on target for this thread....
I remember when Q95 and WNDE simulcast a call-in talk show called "Contact" that ran late on Sunday evenings (after Dr Demento IIRC). Most of the WNDE jocks showed up for a portion of the program, and it was really interesting... especially for someone who was working in the biz. There was a lot of radio water cooler talk about the inner workings out there on Fall Creek Rd.
I remember a couple of things from that program:
It was hosted by David Harding, a mediocre newsdude who had his 15 minutes when Tony Kiritsis held a shotgun to that guy's head at Morris Plan in the mid 70's.
Strangely, the only member of the media he (Kiritsis) would talk to was Harding.
I was working in Florida at the time but came home for a visit just as that happened. I asked my brother to start recording "Contact" for me so I got a regular dose. The other thing I remember was when Dave Harding and Ken Cocker spent an entire Sunday evening trying to best each other as the most obnoxious person on the radio.
A typical dialog:
Harding: You're on Contact on WNDE and WFBQ
Caller: What are you guys doing tonight?
Cocker: We're playin' tennis!
Caller: What?
Harding: He said we were playing tennis, what the hell do you want?
Caller: Why are you guys being this way?
Harding: 'Cause this is the real Dave & Ken. Everything else is a facade
Caller: Everything else is a what?
Cocker: Facade, you moron!
Caller: What's that?
Cocker: It means Dave wants your sister's phone number
Caller: I don't have a sister
Cocker: Then you're outta here
Harding: You're next on Contact on WNDE and WFBQ
And so on. I have that program on a cassette somewhere so the above is a fairly accurate accounting of the content. I never found out what is was all about. By the next Sunday, Harding was back to normal and Cocker was back to... er.. well, back to Cocker.
One more thought that's a bit on target for this thread....
I remember when Q95 and WNDE simulcast a call-in talk show called "Contact" that ran late on Sunday evenings (after Dr Demento IIRC). Most of the WNDE jocks showed up for a portion of the program, and it was really interesting... especially for someone who was working in the biz. There was a lot of radio water cooler talk about the inner workings out there on Fall Creek Rd.
I remember a couple of things from that program:
It was hosted by David Harding, a mediocre newsdude who had his 15 minutes when Tony Kiritsis held a shotgun to that guy's head at Morris Plan in the mid 70's.
Strangely, the only member of the media he (Kiritsis) would talk to was Harding.
I was working in Florida at the time but came home for a visit just as that happened. I asked my brother to start recording "Contact" for me so I got a regular dose. The other thing I remember was when Dave Harding and Ken Cocker spent an entire Sunday evening trying to best each other as the most obnoxious person on the radio.
A typical dialog:
Harding: You're on Contact on WNDE and WFBQ
Caller: What are you guys doing tonight?
Cocker: We're playin' tennis!
Caller: What?
Harding: He said we were playing tennis, what the hell do you want?
Caller: Why are you guys being this way?
Harding: 'Cause this is the real Dave & Ken. Everything else is a facade
Caller: Everything else is a what?
Cocker: Facade, you moron!
Caller: What's that?
Cocker: It means Dave wants your sister's phone number
Caller: I don't have a sister
Cocker: Then you're outta here
Harding: You're next on Contact on WNDE and WFBQ
And so on. I have that program on a cassette somewhere so the above is a fairly accurate accounting of the content. I never found out what is was all about. By the next Sunday, Harding was back to normal and Cocker was back to... er.. well, back to Cocker.
F
flashback
Guest
Re: Tomorrow is Here
I remember that night.to be fair many of hardings regular callers were jerks and they were the ones who mostly got ganged up on. one guy said about black music on one local station "they play too many **** tunes." but it got past the 7 second delay.the guy also said about the songs "they rub me the wrong way."to which harding or cocker said ,"you shouldn`t use your records for that."
as I remember dave harding did a good job on that show.I don`t think it was political like too much talk radio today is.I get tired of walking talking adds for any political party on the radio.
jimbo700 said:
I remember that night.to be fair many of hardings regular callers were jerks and they were the ones who mostly got ganged up on. one guy said about black music on one local station "they play too many **** tunes." but it got past the 7 second delay.the guy also said about the songs "they rub me the wrong way."to which harding or cocker said ,"you shouldn`t use your records for that."
as I remember dave harding did a good job on that show.I don`t think it was political like too much talk radio today is.I get tired of walking talking adds for any political party on the radio.
WBRI is a station without a "format" as I recall. Music and talk. Wait, that's everyone. So what format has this been? They used to have southern gospel several hours a day then killed it when paid talk paid more.
J Vernon McGeee has been dead how many years and still has a program. That's consistency.
I loved harding on FBQ. Would always listen after sign off at some AM station.
Loved it when the regular would call who talked and talked and talked, wait , that was all of them. Anyway, he'd go to the head while the caller was talking. They had a monitor in the head. This is why things got by. More than 7 seconds to place newspaper on the floor, finish, and run like hell back to the studio....
Ahh, The golden age of radio.
J Vernon McGeee has been dead how many years and still has a program. That's consistency.
I loved harding on FBQ. Would always listen after sign off at some AM station.
Loved it when the regular would call who talked and talked and talked, wait , that was all of them. Anyway, he'd go to the head while the caller was talking. They had a monitor in the head. This is why things got by. More than 7 seconds to place newspaper on the floor, finish, and run like hell back to the studio....
Ahh, The golden age of radio.
At that time many radio and tv stations signed off for maintenance on Sunday nights, so Contact was about the only thing on. There were no cable channels then. When a talkative person called, Dave Harding would wander out of the studio. Sometimes when the caller finished their point they'd say "What do you think Dave". There would be silence for a while, then Harding would finally come on and say "could you rephrase the question" since he had no idea what the question was. I think Fred Heckman was the newsperson that Tony Kiritis talked to though.
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