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South and Central Jersey Radio of the 70's
- Thread starter HarrytheK1
- Start date
bigjay said:
Jay...I didn't add you out of sympathy. First of all, who would ever feel sympathy for YOU? (hyuk, hyuk) Secondly, the reason I added you was because...uhhh...well...actually, I can't think of any reasons right now, but I'm sure something will come to me...eventually...uhhh...can anybody help me out here? (double hyuk hyuk).
I agree with you about Tom Taylor, but I think he should be added not because he hired you, but, rather, despite his hiring you (Am I on a roll this morning, or what?)
But, on a less jocular note, is Jack Ellery still on the air? I actually remember him more for an extremely short stint on WIP about 20 or so years ago, although he certainly is a legendary NJ radio figure. Bob Barry used to tell me that after he got off the air on WCTC, Jack would go to his real job as, I think, a spokesperson for some government agency. It might have been the Turnpike Authority. So he had his full-time radio job for a few hours in the morning and a virtual full-time goverment job - Two salaries plus government benefits. Not only was Jack a great radio guy, but, boy, was he also very smart!
I think the longevity award belongs to the late Ed Davis at WFPG, 40 yearsish. Dave Pratt and Jerry Beebe logged a lotta years at WKTU/WTKU. Jerry was there from day 1. I can't remember what year Dave began. I started there as WDVR in '85, but took a 8 years out at WIIN/WFPG/WKOE & WPGR. Now at the tku/ond/mgm house now since '93.
Holy smokes! I've been at 98.3 through two towers, three studios, three sets of call letters, four formats and five owners! I'm impressed. Thanks "Uncle Ed" for teaching me how to fly under radar.
Holy smokes! I've been at 98.3 through two towers, three studios, three sets of call letters, four formats and five owners! I'm impressed. Thanks "Uncle Ed" for teaching me how to fly under radar.
Jay is correct. Andy Volvo is working at Hy Lit Radio Technologies. He is our executive program director. He oversees the music channel programming and helps me with the software systems development, and future planning. He’s been with us since the beginning, and was very close to Hy. Hy was very proud to have Andy play an important role in our company, and so am I. He is an absolute, incredible book of knowledge when is comes to music. I’ve never seen anything like it. Except Jay. Andy was one of the voices of Atlantic City in the 70’s and 80’s, along with Tom McNally, and Jackson T. Chase. Summer in Atlantic City meant Andy Volvo, and 'Tan don’t burn, get a Coppertone tan'.
HarrytheK1 said:
amfmsw said:
You're right. That line about washing my car every other year wasn't that good. Sometimes the truth just isn't funny.
Oops! You were probably referring to the comment about Kevin Fennessy. Well, I didn't really mean any offense, and, to say the least, just for the record, I certainly wasn't wishing any ill will towards anybody, and didn't want anybody to think, for even the slightest moment, that Kevin had "left the building." You certainly have the right to your opinion that the joke wasn't funny (and you may very well be right) but I don't think the people who post to this board would think that a disc jockey was actually buried in a radio station parking lot. Plus, in Kevin's case in particular, I think the folks reading this board know that he's not dead. Then again, if you've listened to him on the air…well…you might not be so sure. (Now, that was a joke!)
Or maybe I should've said: You heard that Kevin's car was buried there? That's funny. 11-7 is where his career was buried too. (In case anybody is wondering, that was a joke too)
Ya know, I remember listening to Howard Stern, arguably the world's highest-rated (and most certainly highest-paid) morning radio personality ranting on the air that he hoped Don Imus would get cancer and die - and, whether he actually meant it or not, he wasn't trying to be funny. Was that right or wrong? Unless you're talking about a heinous criminal (if then even) it's not right to say that about anybody. How has that disgraceful comment affected Howard's career? Well, in 2006, his employer paid him $302 million. Imagine how much more he could have made if he hadn't made comments like that?
Speaking of Imus, some of us may vaguely :
remember a situation in which he called the members of a women's college basketball team nappy-headed ho's. At least he paid the price for his comment. He was fired...then sued his previous employer for the remainder of his $40 million contract...and, even though terms of the ensuing settlement were not released, various media reports stated he received between $20-30 million for ending that suit. Then, he signs up with a new employer, for $25-40 million over 5 years. Imagine how much more he would've made if he used my Kevin Fennessey line Taste and sense of humor are as subjective as it gets. Personally, I'm not a fan of mean-spirited humor, but, obviously, some are. Is it right or wrong? Again, who's to make that call? Don Rickles?
So, amfmsw, to summarize, "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to (fill in a non-objectionable possessive pronoun) death, your right to say it." - Voltaire (Sid Voltaire - former overnight guy at WWBZ in Vineland, NJ).
Andy Volvo hired me at WMID in the summer of 80. I was the second highest paid guy there! (at 175.00/wk). Andy used to do DJ stuff on the weekends to make ends meet. He had been there forever when I got hired, and he stayed a long time after I left (3 months later to WUSL, Phila.)
Wonder whatever became of Andy. A good guy.
Wonder whatever became of Andy. A good guy.
bigjay said:
That's true...unfortunately, we're just not sure which planet.
Earlyriser said:
Man does that bring back memories. I was hired by Bill Wotring at wcmc/am-fm-tv in 1978 for $85.00 per week, with a 75 dollar weekly room rent on Pine street, Wildwood. Carl Owen was owner/engineer of the station and I think built every piece of equipment in the building. After a year and time for a raise($5.00) the question of money came up and Bill said he needed time to think it over. Later when I was about to do a break, he comes in with a live read. as I hold my headphones in the over the head-ready to go, what's up position.... he says "Club Avalon...read this first in the break...oh and about that raise..can't do it". Many years and stations later, I still look back with great fondness. Ray Martin(rest his soul) was there, Laureen Deane was on the air there at the time as well, fun early radio stuff. I can still see Ray reading client copy right out of the newspaper. There was Dick Alligers "Make believe ballroom". When the sun went down we had to power down.
I ran into Bill Wotring years later at a Wildwood ice cream/golf joint. We spoke for awhile and he remembered everything, man that was great. I'd give alot of cash to flash back to those days for a weekend. I think that's the longest i could go without my cell phone
To Earlyriser a few posts back...look up two posts to Sam Lit's post, and you'll SEE where Andy is! I guess you haven't followed things..it's a long & winding road to finding out about some of these folks who have toiled in the state's radio outlets over the last 40+ years. Many of Jersey's radio pioneers are long gone, or up there in years..or like many of the most recent posters, the ones who are carrying the flame for the whole mess. Some of us actually make decisions these days...that's scary ain't it?
But I am loving how this thread is carrying out now. THIS is what I was looking for when I first started posting. It's a way that some of us IN the biz can keep in touch, or at least attempt to, and those OUT of the biz to perhaps remember someone THEY listened to over the years. Many have departed or just moved on out of the biz. Others like me, have had quite a ride during most of our careers..some are on the beach for the time being due to the hideous nature of the radio industry and its shooting itself in the foot disease that has caused mass slashings of budgets. Listeners are starting to REALIZE what has happened. I was actually GENTLE in my discription of things in a recent article written about ME in the Asbury Park Press. I COULD have gone on a diatribe but the Press likely would need a special edition of the paper if I REALLY let loose. The reason I WAS so "gentle" if you will, was because I have friends still there, (and I've found out recently that some that I THOUGHT were pals really weren't..but I digress) and I don't want others in the biz to label me some kind of a $#@*%. Some may think that already, but it's misdirected and totally wrong. Ask ANY of my former bosses at ANY station I've EVER worked at. (Oh wait...don't ask the GM in Dallas please..but the former PD is my friend STILL.)
But back to the postings. Bravo folks..especially Harry K. and others who have added incredibly to the list of folks who are contributed in any way to the airwaves over NJ through the years. Keep it coming! I'm learning stuff about the SOUTH Jersey stations that I either couldn't HEAR up in the Ocean County area or didn't KNOW about. How about up north? Maybe another thread about those stations..Ya know..the ones north of the Raritan River!
BE BIG
and they were big...
Marsha Kniceley
But I am loving how this thread is carrying out now. THIS is what I was looking for when I first started posting. It's a way that some of us IN the biz can keep in touch, or at least attempt to, and those OUT of the biz to perhaps remember someone THEY listened to over the years. Many have departed or just moved on out of the biz. Others like me, have had quite a ride during most of our careers..some are on the beach for the time being due to the hideous nature of the radio industry and its shooting itself in the foot disease that has caused mass slashings of budgets. Listeners are starting to REALIZE what has happened. I was actually GENTLE in my discription of things in a recent article written about ME in the Asbury Park Press. I COULD have gone on a diatribe but the Press likely would need a special edition of the paper if I REALLY let loose. The reason I WAS so "gentle" if you will, was because I have friends still there, (and I've found out recently that some that I THOUGHT were pals really weren't..but I digress) and I don't want others in the biz to label me some kind of a $#@*%. Some may think that already, but it's misdirected and totally wrong. Ask ANY of my former bosses at ANY station I've EVER worked at. (Oh wait...don't ask the GM in Dallas please..but the former PD is my friend STILL.)
But back to the postings. Bravo folks..especially Harry K. and others who have added incredibly to the list of folks who are contributed in any way to the airwaves over NJ through the years. Keep it coming! I'm learning stuff about the SOUTH Jersey stations that I either couldn't HEAR up in the Ocean County area or didn't KNOW about. How about up north? Maybe another thread about those stations..Ya know..the ones north of the Raritan River!
BE BIG
and they were big...
Marsha Kniceley
FENNESSY NOT DEAD
Not only am I alive, but have taken nothing but pleasure having been acknowledged by two dear friends and former colleagues such as Bill Cain ( best man at my wedding and godfather to my son KFJR) and Big Jay. However, if you think that I am better off dead, having only been exposed to what I did at 11-7, that's OK too. I started in Trenton at 16, ands worked for several weeks at 11-7 at age 19, between getting myself fired in Allentown, and getting hired at WAMS in Wilmington.
I've been counting on anyone who had any recollection of me on the air or especially off the air at 11-7 to have forgotten, but that hasn't happened yet I see.
Not only am I alive, but have taken nothing but pleasure having been acknowledged by two dear friends and former colleagues such as Bill Cain ( best man at my wedding and godfather to my son KFJR) and Big Jay. However, if you think that I am better off dead, having only been exposed to what I did at 11-7, that's OK too. I started in Trenton at 16, ands worked for several weeks at 11-7 at age 19, between getting myself fired in Allentown, and getting hired at WAMS in Wilmington.
I've been counting on anyone who had any recollection of me on the air or especially off the air at 11-7 to have forgotten, but that hasn't happened yet I see.
amfmsw said:
Were WPGR also the call letters for the station at 1540 AM in Philadelphia which now has the call letters WNWR?
Where on the dial was WPGR at the shore and what was its format?
Hi Harry,
Do you count news guys at WHLW in the 70s? I never had a third class ticket, but Mike Cantoni hired me anyway to do news. Then he went off with some coupon company that left him high and dry in Bakersfield, California, owing him about a month's pay.
Do you remember your great but short lived talk show, "Your Show?"
I remember running the board for you. You interviewed a real live witch and Tiny Tim's ex-wife Miss Vicki (not the same person). I think Vicki was a stripper.
Wait, it's coming back to me now. You were best man at my wedding in a tiny rented house in Bricktown. To this day, I remember you as an excellent human being who befriended a young putz.
Who am I?
Do you count news guys at WHLW in the 70s? I never had a third class ticket, but Mike Cantoni hired me anyway to do news. Then he went off with some coupon company that left him high and dry in Bakersfield, California, owing him about a month's pay.
Do you remember your great but short lived talk show, "Your Show?"
I remember running the board for you. You interviewed a real live witch and Tiny Tim's ex-wife Miss Vicki (not the same person). I think Vicki was a stripper.
Wait, it's coming back to me now. You were best man at my wedding in a tiny rented house in Bricktown. To this day, I remember you as an excellent human being who befriended a young putz.
Who am I?
radicalwhig said:
WOW! How in the world are you Jim? How long has it been? It is just so great to hear from you.
You've got to let me know how you are, where you are (I think I remember you moving to Washington. Am I right?), and everything related to both of those questions.
I have a lot of fond memories of those days. (I'm trying to forget the not-so-fond.)
I can't recall the last time I thought about "Your Show," but, (if I say so myself) you're right, it was a great show. I also remember the time we had a guest who wrote jokes for Rodney Dangerfield. She lived somewhere in Ocean or Monmouth county and her name was Marina Agnoli Lioumis. Wow! I can't believe, after all these years, I still remember that name. After she was on the show, she wrote a letter to the editor of the Asbury Park Press in which she wrote that I was the best radio personality in all of New Jersey, and the Press actually printed it. I remember thinking how amazing that was, being that the Press owned a competing radio station in Asbury Park. I guess that letter was too long ago for the Press to now have in its online archives. I'd love to read it from the perspective of 30 years later.
We also used to do "phony" shows, a la "Fernwood 2Night." (Does anybody in America remember "Fernwood 2Night?") I played the Barth Gimble (Martin Mull) role, and sometimes Drew Williamson (another name from the distant past) played Fred Willard (Jerry Hubbard), and we'd have guests on who represented fake organizations, like the Society to Put Clothes on Animals (Hey! If adults can't walk around without clothes, then animals shouldn't be allowed to either.)
BTW, I'm still an excellent human being. As far as you still being a young putz, well...at least I know you're not young any more
I'd love to reminisce some more, but I've got Mike Cantoni on the phone. He's still stranded in Bakersfield, California, and he wants to know if I can help him out. I'll tell him to call Tim Downs.
Please tell Lynn I say hello and that I'm asking about her too.
Yeah...that Fennessy fellow now in Florida in Gainesville.
Harry, in response to reply #131...the WPGR calls replaced WSNI-AM in Philly sometime after Don Cannon left. I worked there for close to a year before the daily Route 42 commute killed my spirit. I've been at Shore stations since '82, and moved back here after signing off WJJZ in Mt. Holly at sundown 11/1/82. Did Morning Drive at Drake AOR WGRF in AC while doing Afternoons at AC/Oldies WJJZ in MH.
Left for Philly, but returned to WFPG, and never looked back. At 'FPG, our CE Alan Searfoss has passed from cancer. They hired this really annoying engineer. He had all the charm of fuzzy mold in the bottom of a forgotten coffee cup, but was one of the finest problem solvers with which I've ever worked. If I could only remember his name...Tom something or other. The jocks called him "Mr. Happy".
Harry, in response to reply #131...the WPGR calls replaced WSNI-AM in Philly sometime after Don Cannon left. I worked there for close to a year before the daily Route 42 commute killed my spirit. I've been at Shore stations since '82, and moved back here after signing off WJJZ in Mt. Holly at sundown 11/1/82. Did Morning Drive at Drake AOR WGRF in AC while doing Afternoons at AC/Oldies WJJZ in MH.
Left for Philly, but returned to WFPG, and never looked back. At 'FPG, our CE Alan Searfoss has passed from cancer. They hired this really annoying engineer. He had all the charm of fuzzy mold in the bottom of a forgotten coffee cup, but was one of the finest problem solvers with which I've ever worked. If I could only remember his name...Tom something or other. The jocks called him "Mr. Happy".
amfmsw said:Yeah...that Fennessy fellow now in Florida in Gainesville.
Harry, in response to reply #131...the WPGR calls replaced WSNI-AM in Philly sometime after Don Cannon left. I worked there for close to a year...
At 'FPG...They hired this really annoying engineer. He had all the charm of fuzzy mold in the bottom of a forgotten coffee cup...If I could only remember his name...Tom something or other. The jocks called him "Mr. Happy".
Does that Fennessy fellow still work in radio? Our best friends' son has been involved with a station in Gainesville. It would be interesting if they were both at the same station.
What did you do at WPGR, amfmsw? If I recall correctly, the Geator was on that station for a while and used a lot of his buddies (like the great George Benson) on the air as well. Were you part of that crew?
BTW, "He had all the charm of fuzzy mold in the bottom of a forgotten coffee cup" is a great line. Plus, even though I haven't seen him in 36 years (and he doesn't remember me anyway), if memory serves me, "Mr. Happy" is a pretty accurate description of that Tom something or other guy. Then again, since you haven't given us his last name, how could we possibly know who you mean
HarrytheK1 said:
Kevin is the new GM at WRZN/720 Hernando/Gianesville/Ocachalla Fla. I heard from him this morning. 720 is a monster, covering all of Central Fla. I heard his new jingle package. It outstanding. The sation's going to be great with Kevin at the helm. He's a master of AM.
Sam Lit said:
What is the format of this station?
Standards/AC hybrid.
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