Until this week I believe it was Ray 'Chubby' Howard, who passed away December 23 at age 95. He had been on local radio & tv since the 1950's, in Tampa, Tacoma & SW Ohio, as well as a touring steel guitarist entered in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2017. He was part of the WLW Hayride & the Renfto Valley barn Dance shows. Most recently he worked weekends at WBZI (Real Roots Radio) in Zenia, OH since 1998, recently hosting a 6 hour show Saturdays until December 18, 5 days before his death.
The longest running personality I know of now is Al Shade, who has been on local radio in the Lebanon, Pa. area since 1950 as well as being a local country performer and booking and backing many country stars since the 1950's. He is currently on station WWSM (1510 AM) in Annville, Pa. 3 hours a week. He records the shows himself in his home studio & sells his own commercial time to sponsors who have been with him for decades. His thick 'Pa. Dutch" accent & downhome style are a throwback to days before country 'format' radio. He is age 94. He & his late wife Jean performed together for 60 years.
Anyone know of any other local personalities with that much time on the air & still on regularly?
The longest running personality I know of now is Al Shade, who has been on local radio in the Lebanon, Pa. area since 1950 as well as being a local country performer and booking and backing many country stars since the 1950's. He is currently on station WWSM (1510 AM) in Annville, Pa. 3 hours a week. He records the shows himself in his home studio & sells his own commercial time to sponsors who have been with him for decades. His thick 'Pa. Dutch" accent & downhome style are a throwback to days before country 'format' radio. He is age 94. He & his late wife Jean performed together for 60 years.
Anyone know of any other local personalities with that much time on the air & still on regularly?