95.3 WSPI Shamokin

[WISL4EVA]

Hi,Long time reader first time poster!!Longing back to my early days of just dreaming about being on the radio I listened to a station Called WSPI,in Shamokin. they were a Continuous hits station back when they were good. Does anyone remember some of the jocks from there? I remember Tony Tophoney was one, I actually won a Mrs. T's t shirt( try saying that 3 times fast) from him back in '88. but I can't rememebr who the other guy was that did the AM show with him. The jock in question passed away back in the early 90's and I can't seem to find anyone who can remember anyone from that station besides Tony. I just thought of another Joe Daniels, but he just did some voice over and sales I believe. If anyone has som recollection it would ease my mind. Thanks!WISL4EVA

 

[gwjr67]

I believe the guy you're referring to is Rick Ricigliano. Although I never worked with him, the stories of his consumption of nicotine & caffiene are legendary. Rick was extremely dedicated to his craft. His family used to run a very successful catering hall just outside of Pottsville. I worked with a girl that I think is his sister. Very charming lady that could have gone far had she chosen to apply herself the way Rick did. She just wasn't as interested in the business. Another guy who worked there around that time is J.K. Levan. He's a good friend of mine and who is now News Director at WPPA/WAVT. Joel (his real name) left radio for about 10 years to pursue a banking and investment career. He returned to radio about 3-4 years ago in a part-time role and made his way to News Director about 4 months ago.

 

[WISL4EVA]

YES ! that was his name, I work with a guy now that kinda looks like him..that's what made me think of it. I also do remember hearing J. Levan on there too, but I didn't think of it till I read your post. Coincidently, the "new" WAVT sounds like an old SPI 95 lineup with J and I think Courtney Roberts was on there too for a time, I do rememebr her being at WQKX in Sunbury for a cup of coffee too. Speaking of WAVT, are they trying to be a "JACK" station without calling themselves by the name? you had a stint at T-102 for a time, didn't you Gene. I seem to remember a Worley on there years ago.I also noticed Dave Smith was off the morning show as of yesterday, was R.C just filling in or did management realize the show was flat with him driving that AM ship?Thanks again for that info!WISL 4 Ever

 

[gwjr67]

Let's see... Yes, Courtney was on SPI years ago & 94KX as well. I've never met her but she seems pretty solid on the air. Yes, I did work for WAVT. From 1988-1998 with a 9 month hiatus when I left for WMGH in 1993-1994. You're fairly on the money with their "jack" programming approach. They have been that way ever since I can remember. Management there always wanted to be all things to all people for the sake of not being beaten by a competitor in one demo. That was one of the better points of working there. As host of the Sunday 70's show, I pretty much had free reign when it came to music selection. Then at 6pm, it was like we flipped the switch and became an alternative station for 5 hours during Zak Taylor's show. You really had to be a rebel without a cause to get fired from there.The morning show switch was made Monday. I can't comment on why or the reasons that were given. Many talented folks have passed through there over the years. Some came from major markets and made pit stops in between jobs, and others got their starts there. The station could be so much more with a well paid experienced hand to guide it, but I guess that's the problem. Anyone who is worth a nice chunk of change doesn't want to stay there long.

 

[WISL4EVA]

I still wish SPI was still around. Miss it alot. In fact the only station that I really can listen to anymore is T-102, without getting nautious from the repition of songs. That entire region is horrible for radio every station plays the same songs KX and KSb in williamsport sound the same. In my younger days I had three stations that I listened to constantly and that was Spi, AVT and WHOT in Williamsport, oh and KX at night I liked them alot better before Drew Kelly came on board or Roger Haddon...I thught the imaging was better back when Tom Morgan was there, but I've listened to him Over on FYY and it doesn't seem to have the smae flare as it did on KX Perhaps its just me.I've been able to catch MGH on my trips up 81 from Harrisburg, not to bad a station....I see Jay Behr is doing mornings there, is he still doing the SSMS on T-102....that show is the best morning show I've ever heard...I laugh more at them 2 than Howard or any other Syndicated show well next to Don and Mike..but that's neither here nor there.

 

[gwjr67]

I think you have the two guys on the T-102 Saturday morning show confused. Jay Behr is still at T-102. His sidekick JZ joined WMGH last summer. He was hired to do PM drive and then was switched to AM drive when the "Doctor" left to do internet radio at Penn's Peak.