B94 airstaff

[ksradiogeek]

Who was all on B94 during the first era? I know Quinn and Banana and John, Dave, Bubba, Shelly were the morning show hosts, Jonny Hartwell was on there, and Bender did nights for a bit, but not sure about others.
The second era I already know since I listened to it. It was just Buckhead, Coop, Bubba, Melanie Taylor, Kobe, Flick and TJ the DJ.

 

[cingram]

Who was all on B94 during the first era? I know Quinn and Banana and John, Dave, Bubba, Shelly were the morning show hosts, Jonny Hartwell was on there, and Bender did nights for a bit, but not sure about others.
The second era I already know since I listened to it. It was just Buckhead, Coop, Bubba, Melanie Taylor, Kobe, Flick and TJ the DJ.

You're really discussing the second and third eras here ... perhaps even the third and fourth eras.

B-94 debuted on April 2, 1981, still sporting the WJOI call letters, and was automated for at least
a month. When the airstaff appeared it was Kowalski (mornings), Tom Daniels (middays), Chuck
Tyler (afternoons), and Beau Richards (nights). I am not sure if anyone was in late-nights or the
overnight shift at first, but Rich Anton ended up in late-nights. Kowalski didn't stay long and was
succeeded by Banana Don, later joined by Quinn. When Tom Daniels left he was replaced by Jeff
McKaye in middays. I might be getting a few things wrong (it's been 30 years) but that is what I
remember.

And that's just the beginning. When B-94 signed on I was across the street doing nights at 96KX
(now Kiss).

C.

 

[Boss Radio]

Guy Junker handled news when the station launched.

 

[cingram]

Guy Junker handled news when the station launched.

Yes, he did. Thanks. I forgot to include him.

C.

 

[cingram]

Part Two: When Steve Kingston joined B-94 as PD in 1982, he made a number of airstaff changes.
Quinn joined Banana Don in morning drive, Don Geronimo and later Bruce Kelly (both from WPGC,
Kingston's alma mater) handled afternoons, Shotgun Mark Rivers did nights, Tom Kent was in late
nights and Tim "Tank" Sherman in overnights. I was let go by 96KX in mid-1983 after the change
to WHTX, and moved to B-94, first doing late-nights (after Kent's departure), then evenings (after
Rivers left). Troy Garrett later was hired for late-nights. And who could forget the immortal Alfred
E. Newman? He's better known today as John Summers at KLUV in Dallas, where he's been in PM
drive for nearly 20 years.

More to come ...

C.

 

[cingram]

One person I forgot in the pre-Kingston era was Junior, a/k/a Junior Jackson, who did nights at B-94
after Beau Richards but before Shotgun Mark Rivers. There was also a fair amount of exchange with
both stations. In addition to me crossing the street, Craig Jackson moved from 96KX to B-94 (there
may have been a stop in-between) and Rich Anton went from B-94 to WHTX. I'm sure I will think of
others.

C.

 

[RFHog]

Always thought one of the best jocks during this time (actually pre-B94) was "Suitcase Simpson" on WXKX, otherwise known as 96-KX or, sometimes 96-KIX. I could never figure out why they had two names for that station.

 

[toddjammin]

I also believe weekend host Mike Beach was there in the late 1980s as well as the real kevin Steele and Jeff Tyson? Could you confirm Mr. Ingram?

 

[cingram]

Always thought one of the best jocks during this time (actually pre-B94) was "Suitcase Simpson" on WXKX, otherwise known as 96-KX or, sometimes 96-KIX. I could never figure out why they had two names for that station.

I never figured that out, either. Suitcase was great, and I believe he was there from the beginning. I
didn't arrive until nearly two years later.

C.

 

[cingram]

I also believe weekend host Mike Beach was there in the late 1980s as well as the Real kevin Steele and Jeff Tyson? Could you confirm Mr. Ingram?

Yes, this was the lineup when I was PD in 1989-90: Quinn & Banana in mornings with Shelly Duffy
handling the news, Kevin Steele in middays, Jeff Tyson in afternoons, Zak Szabo in evenings, Troy
Garrett in late-nights, Tank Sherman in overnights, Mike Beach on weekends. Tank departed with
the advent of budget cuts at the end of 1989. I would have added myself on a weekend shift, but
union rules did not permit it.

C.

 

[cingram]

More: Guy Zapoleon succeeded Steve Kingston as PD in 1984 and he brought Mike Elliott in to handle
afternoon drive. Mike was and is tremendously talented. I was doing nights and remember Winter of
1985 particularly, as that was the ratings book in which I passed KDKA at night (14.4 to 13.9, in case
you're wondering). Guy left in 1985 to join KZZP in Phoenix and Mike and I both followed him. Later
on, I would move to KRQ in Tucson as PD, with Mike joining the station for morning drive and Guy as
Corporate PD.

From 1985-1989, 1991-1993, and 1995-1999, I was out of the market, so my recollections are going
to be sketchy. I do remember that Jim Richards took over as PD in 1986 and had the highest ratings
in the history of the station with an 11.6 share 12+. I had the second-highest ratings in B-94 history
as PD, scoring a 9.5 share 12+ in the Spring 1990 book.

C.

 

[cingram]

I'll try to finish this while it is fresh in my mind. Although the ratings were good, I was not happy at
B-94, and management wasn't happy either. In late 1990, I took a PD position at an AM/FM combo
in Allentown. During the same period, I worked P/T at what was then Eagle 106 in Philadelphia and
Z-100 in New York City. The Allentown stations were financially distressed, and changed formats in
the fall of 1991. By that time, I was entrenched at Z-100, where I continued for three years.

In early 1994, Buddy Scott offered me afternoon drive at B-94, which I accepted. The lineup at the
time was John/Dave/Bubba/Shelley in mornings, Jay Silvers in middays, me in afternoons, The Real
Deal Mike Neil at night, David Edgar in late-nights (and as Production Director), and Troy Garrett in
overnights. I stayed until the end of the year, when I got an offer to join 98 PXY in Rochester, New
York as PD; I ended up as the OM of both WPXY and sister WVOR and remained there for five years.

Buddy Scott was succeeded by Keith Clark, who had a long run at B-94. I'll leave the later line-ups
to others, since I was not here.

Finally, in late 1999 I got an offer to join "Jammin' Oldies" WJJJ 104.7 (now WPGB) and came home.
JO was a bit of a fad, certainly a niche format, but we had a great staff of veteran personalities and
most of them were from B-94: Mike Frazer and Kerri Griffith in mornings, me as PD/afternoon drive,
Mike Neil at night, and Brother Matt in late-nights. When 96.1 switched to Kiss, I hired some of the
displaced jocks, including Chris Reynolds and Jay Steele. Later on, we also hired Troy Garrett.

Clear Channel took over in 2000 and, for whatever reason, did not seem to care for Jammin' Oldies.
Most of the staff was let go in mid-2001. Eventually the station went News/Talk. Since then, other
than a brief weekend stint at 3WS in 2004, I've done my best to try to be contented in the suburbs.

C.

 

[ScottyBman]

. When B-94 signed on I was across the street doing nights at 96KX
(now Kiss).

C.

Clarke during that time period during the early 80's, I called into the radio station to ask questions about being in radio which you graciously answered for a high school term paper. I wanted to be just like you guys... The term paper landed me an internship my senior year in high school at WHJB in Greensburg. It was and still is one of my fondest summers to remember.

I did some college radio and some part time work, but since now run an office and volunteer at a local radio reading service for the visually impared where I do the live readings of the newspapers on Tuesday nights for the past 16 years.

My love of radio is something I will have and cherish and thank you again for helping a then young guy with dreams begin to find his way.

A few years ago as part of a very mild, mid life crisis, I got a tattoo of an old style radio microphone as my homage to dreams never realized completely.

Again thanks, I know off topic, so I conclude by saying loved B-94 and 96KX during the early 80's - it was very much inspiration as were you and many of the names mentioned in this thread.

 

[cingram]

Clarke during that time period during the early 80's, I called into the radio station to ask questions about being in radio which you graciously answered for a high school term paper. I wanted to be just like you guys... The term paper landed me an internship my senior year in high school at WHJB in Greensburg. It was and still is one of my fondest summers to remember.

I did some college radio and some part time work, but since now run an office and volunteer at a local radio reading service for the visually impared where I do the live readings of the newspapers on Tuesday nights for the past 16 years.

My love of radio is something I will have and cherish and thank you again for helping a then young guy with dreams begin to find his way.

Again thanks, I know off topic, so I conclude by saying loved B-94 and 96KX during the early 80's - it was very much inspiration as were you and many of the names mentioned in this thread.

Thanks for the kind words. Ironically, for the last nine years I have been associated with what used
to be WHJB Greensburg, now WKHB and licensed to Irwin with higher power. I relinquished most of
my duties in 2009, and all but retired at the end of 2011, although my voice is still frequently heard
opening and closing various programs.

I enjoyed the early days, particularly at 96KX, and am glad I was able to offer you some inspiration
along the way.

C.

 

[cingram]

And now comes the first of what probably will be several posts, detailing some of the people I missed.

Lori Campbell was the music director at B-94 when I was PD there. She was outstanding, but mostly
unsung by the industry, perhaps because she really didn't seek that kind of attention. I thoiught she
was one of the best MDs in the industry at that time, and I still do. She did a terrific job.

John Roberts was PD at B-94 before Buddy Scott took over. We used to trade old war stories at the
radio conventions.

Finally, at WJJJ, we had (the late) Bumper Morgan on our staff for a while. His experience wasn't at
B-94, but at WSHH and Variety 96. A different Bumper Morgan had worked at B-94 in the early 80s.

C.

 

[PHIL Z]

Always thought one of the best jocks during this time (actually pre-B94) was "Suitcase Simpson" on WXKX, otherwise known as 96-KX or, sometimes 96-KIX. I could never figure out why they had two names for that station.

Suitcase Simpson AKA Pat Calahan was one of the First DJ's on 96 KX. he Came up from WCLG FM & AM [1300/100.1] Morgantown WVA. He Choise the Name Suitcase Simpson As WCLG has a Signal into Uniontown,Waynesburg, Mon Valley Area ect.

 

[cingram]

[/Suitcase Simpson AKA Pat Calahan was one of the First DJ's on 96 KX. he Came up from WCLG FM & AM [1300/100.1] Morgantown WVA. He Choise the Name Suitcase Simpson As WCLG has a Signal into Uniontown,Waynesburg, Mon Valley Area ect.

Actually, here is the True Non-Hollywood Story of that name:

There was a DJ at a radio station in Knoxville, Tennessee using the air name "Suitcase Simpson" who
applied for a job at (the soon-to-be-launched) 96KX. PD Bobby Christian loved the air name, but did
not hire the guy from Knoxville. Instead, he christened Pat Callahan with that air name, and the rest
is history. "Suitcase" returned to his real name when he left 96KX.

C.

 

[Alton]

And now comes the first of what probably will be several posts, detailing some of the people I missed.

Lori Campbell was the music director at B-94 when I was PD there. She was outstanding, but mostly
unsung by the industry, perhaps because she really didn't seek that kind of attention. I thoiught she
was one of the best MDs in the industry at that time, and I still do. She did a terrific job.

John Roberts was PD at B-94 before Buddy Scott took over. We used to trade old war stories at the
radio conventions.

Finally, at WJJJ, we had (the late) Bumper Morgan on our staff for a while. His experience wasn't at
B-94, but at WSHH and Variety 96. A different Bumper Morgan had worked at B-94 in the early 80s.

C.

Clarke-

Bumper Morgan was a fixture at afternoons on 3WS for years! He went to WHTX for a brief period, then back to 3WS. He was also at WNBC when Howard Started. I had the pleasure of working several remotes with him through my clients. A true genteleman and excellent voice.

Also, wasn't there a woman on B84 named Robin Banks? Where is she now?

Thanks Clarke!

 

[cingram]

Bumper Morgan was a fixture at afternoons on 3WS for years! He went to WHTX for a brief period, then back to 3WS. He was also at WNBC when Howard Started. I had the pleasure of working several remotes with him through my clients. A true genteleman and excellent voice.

Also, wasn't there a woman on B84 named Robin Banks? Where is she now?

Yes - of course Bumper Morgan was at 3WS. My oversight. Robin Banks' real name is Chris Corvello.
She's still in radio at a station in Palm Beach, Florida. I also forgot a parttimer at B-94 named Chuck
McGee. I'm sure there will be more names to come.

C.

 

[slimmons]

After Guy Zapoleon left, Scott Alexander was briefly PD. He was followed by Nick Bazoo(Ferrara) from KMEL San Francisco. Between Jim Richards and Clarke was Bill Cahill who I think came from Fly 92 in Albany.