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The Old WRIE in Erie

F

flipperzipper

Does anyone remember Ted Abbott in the morning, I think Jay Scott in Midday (I used to enjoy his Class Reunion request show) and Bill Brophy/Mike State in the afternoon and Tom DiBacco at night on WRIE. It was a good sounding Station back then. They had a good news image in the community also with Newsman Bob ? (can't remember his last name) and Flo Scatella (I think) and Jack Spears.

Where are they all now. Does anyone know. It would be cool to hear where they have all gone. What about Bill Erb and Brady Louis who used to own the Station when it was just a stand alone AM station. How tough that must have been.

Let's remember...
 
I worked there during this time, moving from mid-days to nights following Tom's move to Florida. I worked with Ted, and then became the PD. Great bunch of people, and their sound and personality was the reason I left WSEG full time to work there part time.

I don't know where any of them are. But would sure like too! Last time I talked to Tom, he owned several stations in Panama City, Florida, but that was many years ago.

Bob Hughes was our legendary newsman! One of the best. He had a stroke in the late 80's and never returned to the airwaves.
 
Ahhh, memories! Growing up here in Erie, always would hear WRIE on my Mom's radio when I was getting ready for school.

Legendary air talent in the 70's: The late Oogie Pringle in mornings, Pat Rogers/Mike Murphy in middays, Bob Eaton (who I think has passed, replaced by the late Jim King in afternoons. Del Manning at night. By 1974, Smokey Burns in nights. Much of their talent went on to the majors.

By the late 70's - talent like Bill Lacy, Joe Palka, Jim Snowden (brief stay), John Evans (now a state representative) and Lou Baxter in news.

I was in small town radio by 1977 nearby, but Ted hired me at WKSN in Jamestown, NY in 1979 before he headed to WRIE. By 1981, I was long gone from the area so was unaware of 1981-1983 airstaff until I came back to Erie in 1983 to work at K104. Ironically, Jay Scott called me one night wondering if I'd be interested in leaving K104 to come to WRIE. Glad I didn't make the move, as WRIE was dark from 1984-1986.
 
WICU Radio 1330

I remember 1330 was WICU and before that the call letters were WIKK. WJET 1400 and WLEU 1450 were both in Erie and WERC was 1260 which later became WWYN.

Does anyone remember what happen to Ship and Lou Letcher who did Music for Sunday on WICU Radio?
 
Tom DiBacco is alive and doing very well in Panama City Beach Florida. He is running Bookit.com (an online travel company). Still married to Kim Styles, and has one son who is 14...he sold out of radio two years ago..big bucks I hear...riding out a non-compete now from what I hear....his email is [email protected]
 
I've been thinking alot lately about WRIE and other Erie stations. When my wife died in April, I've really started to reminisce. I talk to Captain Dan Geary all the time, and heard from Tom DiBacco following my wife's death.
 
I remember WRIE very well. It was my favorite channel back in the 70s. I remember Bill Lacey in the morning, followed by Ron Arlen, Joe Palka and Andy Pressman. I think John Evans (now a state representative) was on back then. Who here remembers WWGO (1450 GO!)
 
I remember 1450 GO! JJ Stanford was one of the jocks I remember there near the end of its run. Bill Lacy is on mornings at WHTT in Buffalo.
 
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