Could a legend be returning?

[Harlow]

I heard a rumor that an Altoona legend could be returning. I wonder if it is true.

Anyone else hear if Robert J is coming back?

 

[Radioheadbone]

Oh I could tell you about the possible return of the legend. But the folks at AVIS have sworn me and others to silence. A-Hoy I know has been feverishly asking about the legend. There is great concern for some morning FBGers. Think about D.D.s morning show or Laurel and Big Hardy's morning presence. (Is retirement in the cards for them?)

Oh well, stay tuned this week you should hear more.

Caleb James is back now. Since I have a morning route business now I talk to a lot of people. They enjoy hearing Caleb again.

I wish I was cleared to tell you more. But if all the rumors are true it appears that the AVIS people are trying harder, trying to put back pieces of the radio so many in PA have missed for a long time.

Soon John soon.

 

[clangham]

Are we talking about Robert J. Abernethey? I know he has been sales manager at WHUN for awhile now.

 

[theengineer]

I did not know that Big Gene was still alive? He's the only Altoona/State College legend I can think of.

 

[Hermes]

One thing about Central PA I've noticed...it's full of folks that are legends in their own minds.

 

[fryman]

I heard a local legend on Dave Barger's program this afternoon and it turned out to be Sean McKay. He's threatening to come back to Altoona and set the market on it's ear. I believe those were his words. If this is the case, Charlie ought to retire and Steve "I'm not really fat" Clark ought to go back to hawking furniture. I think Steve reached the Peter Principle when he was Frantic Frankie at WTRN back in the early 70's. Was this BEFORE or AFTER his Arby's gig. Of course, who would know more about roast beef than Steve. He also has some expertise on hotdogs.

 

[shilton]

McKay is probably the only name I can think of I'd even think of considering a "local legend". Fact is in his day, that guy was unstoppable and as I pointed out some time ago, he kept WFBG a viable CHR for years whenever the FM band was heating up. Never missed him ever. He started my day with a smile and I laughed at all his corny bits. Heck he helped inspire me to get behind the mic myself.

If I could pick, 3 people I'd love to hear return to the local airwaves again to see that they can do...
#1. McKay
#2. Steve Willett
#3. Ed Sherlock

As for these other folks you keep mentioning, maybe I am too young, or too old...but the names don't even register.

So who are your picks for people you like to see make a return?

 

[Harlow]

I am disappointed Steve that I wasn't put into the equation.

I think McKay would help WRTA go after WFBG. Sean and Rush going against Charlie and Steve plus Hannity.

 

[Radioheadbone]

You are right fryman! Sean McKay would set morning radio on its ear. When I listen to Dicky D and his side dick I hear someone who, at times, tries to sound like Sean McKay, He can’t pull it off on his best day. (Sorry Dicky D I am not trying to put you or your side dick down. I am simply explaining why my spouse and I don’t listen to you. We tried, we just couldn’t do it) They just are not entertaining. When I listen to Steve Clark and his side sleeper, I hear an on air guy trying to do McKay style work which isn't even close. Then he slips into attempting to sound like Limbaugh. Either way, According to Sean Steve worked at Arby’s. So Clark should just do his arby’s style on air, personna, “would you like some fries with the sandwich or whuh?”

When I got a call Friday that Sean McKay was on WRTA I dropped what I was doing to get to the radio. I got there just in time for sean to say "Move over Steve Clark I got a radio show to do." Yeah Sean has what it takes to "turn Altoona radio on it's ear." The best news I heard is that Sean is coming back to Altoona to visit for a week and he will be on the radio. Guess where radios will be tuned that week?

This is already fun and he isn't here yet!

 

[fryman]

how old do you think this guy (mckay) is now? he's got to be close to 75 or 80. He always was the "king of dead air"...I'd like to hear him now!

 

[shilton]

how old do you think this guy (mckay) is now? he's got to be close to 75 or 80. He always was the "king of dead air"...I'd like to hear him now!

Many of us would love to have the kind of numbers that "king of dead air" had during his run. Honestly I woke up to the guy's show virtually every day and I have no recollection of tons of dead air. What I do recall are the callers and the regulars and the funny bits and Doogie Potter records, etc. They guy is what every one of us should strive to be...a real personality!

Do I think he's ripe to hope on the bicycle and do CHR again??? Probably not...but I bet he could still talk circles around many of us on the air and I'd love to hear him try

 

[2MANYHATS]

There's no doubt...He was "The Dean" of morning drive in Altoona..I also remember his Altoona Talk show at noon when he talked to all the snake oil salesmen including Kevin Trudeau now famous for those Natural Cures books and don't forget those memorable conversations with Louie Longo and those unforgettable Dime & Deal shows on Saturdays!

 

[clangham]

The Puff seemed still with it back in the early 90's when he use to visit over at the Q.

I was thinking he is now in his late 50's?

 

[clangham]

I was right, he is 58. Check out these pages;

http://blcwebcafe.org/lamm.asp


AND


http://www.ksenam.com/onair_page.php?id=5 (He is going by Jerry Puffer in Montana)

 

[fryman]

I just got word tonight from the yellow cab dispatcher down by the post office that the legend (at least he thinks he is) Shan McKay will be on Dave Barger's program this Friday morning at 9:15. There is something going on and I'm trying to find out what the hell is up. What's this friendship with McKay and Barger all about? The cab dispatcher doesn't know if McKay will be there in person or on the phone. I would assume on some kind of phone line. I would hope that Barger would have some kind of delay if he tries to pull off this stunt.

 

[2MANYHATS]

Sounds good ,but doesn't Barger's show start at 3pm ?

 

[fryman]

I heard Dave Barger say he would be making some kind of major announcement on Thursday concerning Shawn McKay.

 

[fryman]

There was a short article in the "rearview mirror" last week that said that McKay would be in town "kicking towers" and guest hosting on both WRTA and Q-94 the 3rd week of March. There's also talk in the bars that his longtime sidekick Patty Grass may be joining him. If that's true, it would be something because those two haven't worked together for almost 30 years. I'm not sure about McKay's health but I know there's an ongoing medical fund (for donations) at his local U.S. Bank branch in Montana. It's the Robert Puffer Medical Fund. I fear the guy's health might be worse than John McCains and perhaps this week in Altoona will be his last hurrah. I know that now-a=days, he travels with his personnal nurse and an oxgen tank along with a tag on his right toe.

 

[Radioheadbone]

I and my colleagues can't wait for McKays visit to Q94.

A couple of us plan to storm the station when he is here and demand that he stay here. We started a petition. It's states either McKay stays or we go back home with him.

Radioheadbone

 

[mock3]

There was a short article in the "rearview mirror" last week that said that McKay would be in town "kicking towers" and guest hosting on both WRTA and Q-94 the 3rd week of March. There's also talk in the bars that his longtime sidekick Patty Grass may be joining him. If that's true, it would be something because those two haven't worked together for almost 30 years.

It's been 25 years since Patty Gross was on the air with McKay. I should start going to the bars--it seems like they might know what they are talking about after all. I'll be in town during the morning one week from today Fryman--we should talk.

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