• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Looking back to the 1980's: WBBQ (Augusta) and ABC NEWS BREAKS..........

E

electroboy73

Looking back to the 1980's: WBBQ (Augusta) and ABC NEWS BREAKS..........

Was kind of reflecting on the old days of TOP-40 WBBQ (sigh...I miss it) and how looking back, these days, it sure seems strange a Top-40 station even had newsbreaks. I think they were at :)55 or :56 past the hour)

I can remember listening to WBBQ on, say, a Friday night at like 10 or 11pm, hearing songs like DEPECHE MODE's "People Are People", EURYTHMICS "Would I Lie To You" or even a dance mix of JANET JACKSON's "Nasty Boys" then at :55 past the hour, go right into....(SFX:news-sting)..... "Hello I'm David Leslie, ABC Contemporary News........"

I think it was for just 2 or 3 minutes, then a short commercial, then a funny-related news story. then,
"BOOM!" (A kickin' legal ID)......(WOOSSSHHH), "W-B-B-Q! AM and FM (woooshhh)......."AUGUSTA!" And then you're right back into......SALT 'n' PEPA's "Push IT!".......LMAO! :D

Anyone else remember these days? AND, besides the "ABC Contemporary News", didn't they also...(playing the same kind of CHR music) run "PAUL HARVEY NEWS" about 5 times a day?? :eek:

My, how WBBQ and just TOP-40/CHR in general have changed since this time!!

Thanks 4 listening!

OH, ANY THOUGHTS?
 
Re: Looking back to the 1980's: WBBQ (Augusta) and ABC NEWS BREAKS..........

This was typical of Top 40 stations in the 60's and 70's. WNEX in Macon had a similar format. ABC Contemporary News at 55, Howard Cosell twice daily and Paul Harvey News in morning drive and mid-day. Newscasts, national, local or otherwise were short three to four minutes plus spots, then back to the music.
 
Re: Looking back to the 1980's: WBBQ (Augusta) and ABC NEWS BREAKS..........

When I first got into radio (early 80's), we had a top 40 AM, WALG. They ran ABC Contemporary News, Paul Harvey 3 times a day, and LOCAL news during drive times and lunch! They were also number 3 in the ratings at the time. I say they, because at the time I worked for the "upstart" FM, K-Country. We were number 2. On the Country station, we ran the regular ABC news (5 full minutes), plus Paul Harvey 3 times a day, and a LONGER LOCAL news during drive times and lunch! And believe it or not, BOTH stations were staffed 24/7 with LIVE jocks, and had a 3 person news staff, and 2 person SPORTS staff! With all the sales staff, we employed 30 people (full and part time).

I now work for a station that employs a TOTAL of 7 people, that includes 1 traffic person part time (commercial traffic), 1 part time board op, and 1 part time "consultant" (personal friend of the owners). Contrast in time I guess.
 
Re: Looking back to the 1980's: WBBQ (Augusta) and ABC NEWS BREAKS..........

When I first got into radio (early 80's), we had a top 40 AM, WALG. They ran ABC Contemporary News, Paul Harvey 3 times a day, and LOCAL news during drive times and lunch! They were also number 3 in the ratings at the time. I say they, because at the time I worked for the "upstart" FM, K-Country. We were number 2. On the Country station, we ran the regular ABC news (5 full minutes), plus Paul Harvey 3 times a day, and a LONGER LOCAL news during drive times and lunch! And believe it or not, BOTH stations were staffed 24/7 with LIVE jocks, and had a 3 person news staff, and 2 person SPORTS staff! With all the sales staff, we employed 30 people (full and part time).
Click to expand...

To quote Oswald Harvey on The Drew Carey Show..."Good times...good times".
 
Re: Looking back to the 1980's: WBBQ (Augusta) and ABC NEWS BREAKS..........

Fuss I wish they'd bring a wind-section version of the American Contemporary Network sounder to the newscasts. I remember sitting in my room at 10pm when the ACN/ABC sounder would go off back in the Seventies. I was 7 or 8 and my sis would listen to WRBN or WMAZ-FM99 (pre Bill Elder ;).) A part of baby boomer life.

Speaking of Bill Elder he should podcast himself. Just one show a week or two ought to do the trick. Throw on some oldies and some Southern stuff (ABB).
 
Re: Looking back to the 1980's: WBBQ (Augusta) and ABC NEWS BREAKS..........

The staff was the other thing about WBBQ. Augusta legend Harley Drew (current PD/morning host on News/Talk WGAC, http://www.wgac.com/index.php?page=2&sid=hu5enoghhb8m0chqab5i1sevn3) had the "Golden Oldie Hour" at noon (IIRC), with Paul Harvey along with the best CHR music of the day. Marc Summers had one of the most entertaining morning shows of the time (a lot emulated from Rick Dees). They had the staff that drew listeners in. And, speaking of news, one of the only mobile news teams with, I think, close to ten just on the road. Owner George Weiss was always "Mobile 1", and they were the true original "breaking news" reporters.

Actually, looking at Beasley Broadcasting Augusta's staff pages, about 80 - 90% of their staff had stints at WBBQ. Every one of them class acts. Marsy McFerren was doing middays at WBBQ when I was P/T there ('98-'99). I've met a lot of people that were not real happy when she was let go.
 
Re: Looking back to the 1980's: WBBQ (Augusta) and ABC NEWS BREAKS..........

FloydB said:
Marc Summers had one of the most entertaining morning shows of the time.
Click to expand...

As great as Marc Summers was, PLEASE do not forget BUDDY CARR.

I was across town (105.7) in '77. Buddy's morning show was the best! Sadly, he died after a short bout with cancer in 1985.

-amos
 
Re: Looking back to the 1980's: WBBQ (Augusta) and ABC NEWS BREAKS..........

amos said:
FloydB said:
Marc Summers had one of the most entertaining morning shows of the time.
Click to expand...

As great as Marc Summers was, PLEASE do not forget BUDDY CARR.

I was across town (105.7) in '77. Buddy's morning show was the best! Sadly, he died after a short bout with cancer in 1985.

-amos
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know, but Buddy was before my time, unfortunately. I would've loved to hear his show live.
 
Re: Looking back to the 1980's: WBBQ (Augusta) and ABC NEWS BREAKS..........

amos said:
FloydB said:
Marc Summers had one of the most entertaining morning shows of the time.
Click to expand...

As great as Marc Summers was, PLEASE do not forget BUDDY CARR.

I was across town (105.7) in '77.

105.7 was WAUG. Another great station in the past. ;D They were top-40 but also played some album rock.
Click to expand...
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom