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The radio top 25 !!!!!!!
- Thread starter STICKBOY
- Start date
Re: The radio top 25
Roy Morgan, for his sweeping knowledge of the field, nationally.
George Graham, for knowledge of his style of music (points off for using "eclectic" so much).
Larry Vojtko, for his immense grasp of classical music.
[unnamed], for faking it so long with a photocopy of someone else's First Class license.
Brian Carey, for going from lawnmower jockey at WNAK to dj there, to top newsradio anchor in the country on WINS, NYC (by vote of newsradio anchors).
Harry West, so I hear (wasn't in this area most of his tenure at WARM).
...and others, equally beloved, who I either forgot or don't know.
Roy Morgan, for his sweeping knowledge of the field, nationally.
George Graham, for knowledge of his style of music (points off for using "eclectic" so much).
Larry Vojtko, for his immense grasp of classical music.
[unnamed], for faking it so long with a photocopy of someone else's First Class license.
Brian Carey, for going from lawnmower jockey at WNAK to dj there, to top newsradio anchor in the country on WINS, NYC (by vote of newsradio anchors).
Harry West, so I hear (wasn't in this area most of his tenure at WARM).
...and others, equally beloved, who I either forgot or don't know.
Re: The radio top 25
Roy Morgan - Off my list because of his pretense(the "doctorate" affair), and the fact that he never paid anyone a living wage.
George Graham - Okay, if only because of his ability to be where he is for how long? Is he there 30 years? Could be more like 35.
Larry Vojtko - Nice enough guy, bright, maybe even brilliant. But ask 100 passers-by in downtown Scranton or W-B who he is. You must know by now that most people who swear they listen to public radio and watch public television are completely full of crap. "Gawwwwwwd, you know, like we only, like, listen to, like, NPR, you know."
Brian Carey - Agreed, great success story.
Harry West - Owned morning radio here for at least two decades, he belongs on the list.
I'd also have to say that most of the WARM jocks/news people from the late 60s through the early 80s also belong on the list. They were good, smooth, entertaining, and everyone knew who they were. How about D&W, absolutely. Rocky and Sue, yep. Jumpin' Jeff, yessir. Frankie Warren(formerly known as Frank E. Warren), another one for the list. And likely also due a spot, Doc Medich from Froggy.
And please don't tell me it isn't a popularity contest, because that is precisely what radio success is. If people like you, they listen; if they don't like you, they don't listen. And encyclopedic knowledge of whatever doesn't make you a good broadcaster, at least not in my opinion. However, speaking of encyclopedic knowledge and being a great broadcaster, let's make sure Ron Allen makes the cut.
ThomasCarten said:
Roy Morgan - Off my list because of his pretense(the "doctorate" affair), and the fact that he never paid anyone a living wage.
George Graham - Okay, if only because of his ability to be where he is for how long? Is he there 30 years? Could be more like 35.
Larry Vojtko - Nice enough guy, bright, maybe even brilliant. But ask 100 passers-by in downtown Scranton or W-B who he is. You must know by now that most people who swear they listen to public radio and watch public television are completely full of crap. "Gawwwwwwd, you know, like we only, like, listen to, like, NPR, you know."
Brian Carey - Agreed, great success story.
Harry West - Owned morning radio here for at least two decades, he belongs on the list.
I'd also have to say that most of the WARM jocks/news people from the late 60s through the early 80s also belong on the list. They were good, smooth, entertaining, and everyone knew who they were. How about D&W, absolutely. Rocky and Sue, yep. Jumpin' Jeff, yessir. Frankie Warren(formerly known as Frank E. Warren), another one for the list. And likely also due a spot, Doc Medich from Froggy.
And please don't tell me it isn't a popularity contest, because that is precisely what radio success is. If people like you, they listen; if they don't like you, they don't listen. And encyclopedic knowledge of whatever doesn't make you a good broadcaster, at least not in my opinion. However, speaking of encyclopedic knowledge and being a great broadcaster, let's make sure Ron Allen makes the cut.
edited
Lesser knowns but derserving in my minds
1 Harry west, he was a winner
2 The lynett family , a long run family owned business
3 Jim Davey , he sold alot of time
4 D & W
5 Rocky and Sue
6 Jeff Walker
7 Franke Warren
8 Bob Woody
9 Bob Day
10 George Gilbert
11 Ron Allen
12 Terry Mcnulty
13 King Aurthur Knight
14 JIm Ward
15 Bob Mermell
16 Joya Berry
17 George Shmitt
18 Mike Remish
19 Kent Westlik
20 Bob VanderHeyden
21 Steve Young
22 Doc Roberts
23 Hoyt Keyeser
24 janice Dowdell
25 Ron Schott
Not all are on the air, but have made an impact on the industry in my mind.
My mind bieng as slow as it is after years or rf.... Sure living next to a transmitter is ok....
1 Harry west, he was a winner
2 The lynett family , a long run family owned business
3 Jim Davey , he sold alot of time
4 D & W
5 Rocky and Sue
6 Jeff Walker
7 Franke Warren
8 Bob Woody
9 Bob Day
10 George Gilbert
11 Ron Allen
12 Terry Mcnulty
13 King Aurthur Knight
14 JIm Ward
15 Bob Mermell
16 Joya Berry
17 George Shmitt
18 Mike Remish
19 Kent Westlik
20 Bob VanderHeyden
21 Steve Young
22 Doc Roberts
23 Hoyt Keyeser
24 janice Dowdell
25 Ron Schott
Not all are on the air, but have made an impact on the industry in my mind.
My mind bieng as slow as it is after years or rf.... Sure living next to a transmitter is ok....
Stick...
Lesser-knowns? Harry West, Jeff Walker, Frankie Warren, George Gilbert, Ron Allen? Nope; the big names around here. Guys from WARM first, then Frankie, then Jeff, then go down the list. Ron Schacht was an engineer since he wasn't old enough to drive a car (really!) and a very good one.
Lesser-knowns? Harry West, Jeff Walker, Frankie Warren, George Gilbert, Ron Allen? Nope; the big names around here. Guys from WARM first, then Frankie, then Jeff, then go down the list. Ron Schacht was an engineer since he wasn't old enough to drive a car (really!) and a very good one.
Ronny Schatt definitely belongs on this list, he also found and operated WDLS-FM in Dallas. The most brilliant engineer I have ever seen in action, he could fix anything and make it work even if there were no parts laying around. If you go up bald Mt, or to Penobscott(or any site around here) and find a bunch of tuna cans, Ronny was there. Is he back in this market or is he still in Iowa??? How many guys do you know ride an old Harley in wailing snowstorms up Penobscott.. Only 1 and thats man man belongs in the top 25..
G
GeneKlien
Guest
Love the Ron Schacht mention, but if you mention Ron you gotta mention Bob Schacht. Each had their own strength, when they worked in tandem there was nothing that couldn't be fixed. Except at Citadel, I'm told Ron worked there for a bit and they wouldn't give him money to fix things so he left, and if Ron needed money to fix something, it was REALLY bad.
Okay...so how does Janice Dowdell get in there?
Okay...so how does Janice Dowdell get in there?
N
Nokmo True
Guest
Terry McNulty
Terry McNulty passed away yesterday.
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17046755&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415896&rfi=6
Terry McNulty passed away yesterday.
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17046755&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415896&rfi=6
Y
yonkstur
Guest
Okay...so how does Janice Dowdell get in there?
I can't speak for the poster and while she has not cracked my top 25, here would be my rationale for including her. She started out as a jock at 107 in the eighties, sounded very good on the air and transitioned into various Traffic and Business Management positions at WSGD FM and then back again at Rock 107. In her return to Shamrock, she worked extremely well with the Loftus-Durkin regime instituting policies and practices that I'm sure still stand to this day. Plus, she has a great voice that could be used on commercials for any format. Behind the scenes people are what makes a radio station what it is, whether that be a good or bad thing. Janice always proved to be a competent calming influence when it was so easy to lose control over an issue. I'd make her a GM in a heart beat.
Yonkstur
I can't speak for the poster and while she has not cracked my top 25, here would be my rationale for including her. She started out as a jock at 107 in the eighties, sounded very good on the air and transitioned into various Traffic and Business Management positions at WSGD FM and then back again at Rock 107. In her return to Shamrock, she worked extremely well with the Loftus-Durkin regime instituting policies and practices that I'm sure still stand to this day. Plus, she has a great voice that could be used on commercials for any format. Behind the scenes people are what makes a radio station what it is, whether that be a good or bad thing. Janice always proved to be a competent calming influence when it was so easy to lose control over an issue. I'd make her a GM in a heart beat.
Yonkstur
Y
yonkstur
Guest
Re: The radio top 25 !!!!!!! Yonkstur's list
Okay, here's my list, gave it a lot of thought. There are/were so many talented people in this market that I had a tough time putting the list together. I eliminated owners because I believe they belong in a seperate catagory. My criteria was based on 1. Pioneering (were they the first to breakthrough in a genre) 2. creativity (most radio people are creative but this is a cut above the rest, 3. knowledge, achievement and longevity, (did they make it in another market, could they have made it in a bigger market and 4. if they did not exist, would local radio be poorer for them having not been around.
So here we go, not in order of importance.
Tommy Woods (WARM Radio, made the transition from jock to all news at WTOP in D.C.)
George Graham (WVIA FM, knowledge, comprehensive command of the facts, brought musical talent that otherwise would not get noticed here. Engineer, could fix his own stuff), plus the longevity.
Joe Montione (WILK, WFIL, Pittston boy gave all of us hope that we too, even in our dreams could make the big time. Inspired many.)
Michael Czarzinski (WILK, Andrew J. Panda, big market jock).
Terry McNulty (innovative, creative, radio survivor, gumby type, could do news or jocking at top notch level).
Brian Carey (He's on the network, enough said!)
George Gilbert (Guided the Mighty 590 as Program Director in its formative years. Brought much talent to the area).
Shadoe Steele (Longevity, encyclopedic knowledge, huge volume of star interviews he got by sheer tenacity).
Joey Shaver (was the bridge between the parents and the kids with the heydey of WARM. His local involvement in local bands gave him an "in" with the kids but his Eddie Haskell demeanor with the parents made it okay for the kids to tune in "The Little Shaver". Made transition into successful sales career. How successful? He drives a vet, I don't.
Kitch Loftus Mussari (started out as receptionist, forced her way into the WARM newsroom in the 60s. Became a trailblazer for women in radio).
Jim Ward (radio pioneer, achieved dream of owning own station. Innovator in talk, music format. Only Ward (on WBAX) could get away with talk from 6am to 6pm, hard rock from 6pm to 6am and polkas on the weekend.)
Scott Arthur, (made it cool to have conversations during his all night show. Trivia master, made overnights compelling).
Jones Evans, (pioneer in local talk radio. Ran WBAX's Speakup Show in the 60s. The area's first call in host).
Daniels and Webster (longevity, creativity, no big egos, good guys at a remote, understand that sales drives radio).
Harry West (was in right place at right time, took advantage of that fact, radio icon. Made radio seem approachable to the average listener). Longevity too.
Rocky and Sue, (changed with the times, as regular as rain in this market). Even though Sue Berry tells you "I sell houses", they still do a solid if not spectacular morning show.
Jumpin' Jeff Walker, (longevity, creativity, local parodies are classics and a throwback to the old days of personality radio).
Libby Smith, (first female classical music radio host. Started out as a record cataloger, made her way into a successful and knowledgeable radio host proving that women could do a classical music program in this market.
Tom Carten, (the institution of the Radio Home Visitor) brought a much needed service to this market. Still going strong too. Had to convince a bunch of hard rock station managers that community service was the cornerstone of a good radio station. He did and the RHV is still here.
Joe Dobbs, (even though he was an owner, like Ward he was an innovator. Brought rock and roll to scranton before WARM, talk radio and even an all disco format which we won't hold against him).
Ron Allen, top 40 countdown host, sports talk host, great play by play man, creative mind of WARM. Gilbert was the body of WARM while Allen was the creative mind that coined the phrase "It's Only WARM for me".
Len Woloson, great morning man, possibley the best in the market. Creative mind, great board guy, crazy as a *hithouse rat but you'd love to have him in your lineup. McNulty had Goose Island, Lenny had Honeypot.
David DeCosmo, premier newsman of the 60s and 70s in radio. Made radio news important, competitive and in those days showed TV news a thing or two.
L.A. Tarone, jack of all trades for over 30 years in Luzerne County. Radio, TV, and newspaper guy. Knowledgeable, insightful, has carried Hazleton media on his skinny shoulders for years.
Scott McAndrews, mainstay in Hazleton radio for over 35 years. Did rock at virtually every station in Hazleton. Great commercial voice too.
That's it, that's the list!
Yonkstur
Okay, here's my list, gave it a lot of thought. There are/were so many talented people in this market that I had a tough time putting the list together. I eliminated owners because I believe they belong in a seperate catagory. My criteria was based on 1. Pioneering (were they the first to breakthrough in a genre) 2. creativity (most radio people are creative but this is a cut above the rest, 3. knowledge, achievement and longevity, (did they make it in another market, could they have made it in a bigger market and 4. if they did not exist, would local radio be poorer for them having not been around.
So here we go, not in order of importance.
Tommy Woods (WARM Radio, made the transition from jock to all news at WTOP in D.C.)
George Graham (WVIA FM, knowledge, comprehensive command of the facts, brought musical talent that otherwise would not get noticed here. Engineer, could fix his own stuff), plus the longevity.
Joe Montione (WILK, WFIL, Pittston boy gave all of us hope that we too, even in our dreams could make the big time. Inspired many.)
Michael Czarzinski (WILK, Andrew J. Panda, big market jock).
Terry McNulty (innovative, creative, radio survivor, gumby type, could do news or jocking at top notch level).
Brian Carey (He's on the network, enough said!)
George Gilbert (Guided the Mighty 590 as Program Director in its formative years. Brought much talent to the area).
Shadoe Steele (Longevity, encyclopedic knowledge, huge volume of star interviews he got by sheer tenacity).
Joey Shaver (was the bridge between the parents and the kids with the heydey of WARM. His local involvement in local bands gave him an "in" with the kids but his Eddie Haskell demeanor with the parents made it okay for the kids to tune in "The Little Shaver". Made transition into successful sales career. How successful? He drives a vet, I don't.
Kitch Loftus Mussari (started out as receptionist, forced her way into the WARM newsroom in the 60s. Became a trailblazer for women in radio).
Jim Ward (radio pioneer, achieved dream of owning own station. Innovator in talk, music format. Only Ward (on WBAX) could get away with talk from 6am to 6pm, hard rock from 6pm to 6am and polkas on the weekend.)
Scott Arthur, (made it cool to have conversations during his all night show. Trivia master, made overnights compelling).
Jones Evans, (pioneer in local talk radio. Ran WBAX's Speakup Show in the 60s. The area's first call in host).
Daniels and Webster (longevity, creativity, no big egos, good guys at a remote, understand that sales drives radio).
Harry West (was in right place at right time, took advantage of that fact, radio icon. Made radio seem approachable to the average listener). Longevity too.
Rocky and Sue, (changed with the times, as regular as rain in this market). Even though Sue Berry tells you "I sell houses", they still do a solid if not spectacular morning show.
Jumpin' Jeff Walker, (longevity, creativity, local parodies are classics and a throwback to the old days of personality radio).
Libby Smith, (first female classical music radio host. Started out as a record cataloger, made her way into a successful and knowledgeable radio host proving that women could do a classical music program in this market.
Tom Carten, (the institution of the Radio Home Visitor) brought a much needed service to this market. Still going strong too. Had to convince a bunch of hard rock station managers that community service was the cornerstone of a good radio station. He did and the RHV is still here.
Joe Dobbs, (even though he was an owner, like Ward he was an innovator. Brought rock and roll to scranton before WARM, talk radio and even an all disco format which we won't hold against him).
Ron Allen, top 40 countdown host, sports talk host, great play by play man, creative mind of WARM. Gilbert was the body of WARM while Allen was the creative mind that coined the phrase "It's Only WARM for me".
Len Woloson, great morning man, possibley the best in the market. Creative mind, great board guy, crazy as a *hithouse rat but you'd love to have him in your lineup. McNulty had Goose Island, Lenny had Honeypot.
David DeCosmo, premier newsman of the 60s and 70s in radio. Made radio news important, competitive and in those days showed TV news a thing or two.
L.A. Tarone, jack of all trades for over 30 years in Luzerne County. Radio, TV, and newspaper guy. Knowledgeable, insightful, has carried Hazleton media on his skinny shoulders for years.
Scott McAndrews, mainstay in Hazleton radio for over 35 years. Did rock at virtually every station in Hazleton. Great commercial voice too.
That's it, that's the list!
Yonkstur
V
Vepster
Guest
Yonk,
I'm flattered to be on your list. Where do I mail that check again?
John
I'm flattered to be on your list. Where do I mail that check again?
John
Interesting list. Not that I agree with it, but interesting. Some names belong there, IMO, others do not. Let me pass on those who I don't think belong there, no need to make them feel the lesser for being there. That aside, Yonk, you have the Kitch story backwards - she didn't force her way into the newsroom, quite the contrary. She was, in fact, very reluctantly forced into the newsroom by a management-type, one who thought it was time they had a female doing news. She hated it.
Thanks, Yonk; the RHV starts its 33rd year on Sept 2. Many years ago, someone asked a member of the Visitor crew how long we planned on doing it. "Till we get it right," he said. Been 32 years so far...
Y
yonkstur
Guest
I'm flattered to be on your list. Where do I mail that check again?
Meet me at the Archbald Pothole 12noon, Wednesday. No checks please, a bag full of quarters and two Krispy Kreme donuts.
Yonkstur
Meet me at the Archbald Pothole 12noon, Wednesday. No checks please, a bag full of quarters and two Krispy Kreme donuts.
Yonkstur
Y
yonkstur
Guest
Gotta find room for Bud Brown and Pat Ward-- two very dependable news reporters/anchors.
Doug Lane, in spite of his problems, an FM pioneer.
Frank Cali, aka Chris Star-- the man who worked at one thousand stations under one thousand different names.
This was a very tough thing to do. I have this list with names added, scratched. I agree with Bud Brown and Pat Ward, Lane too. Frankie Warren also. Even Bill Stewart (Stuart) who worked in various formats in the area. But there was only so much room. There is a whole slew of "honorable mentions" that didn't make the cut.
Yonkstur
Doug Lane, in spite of his problems, an FM pioneer.
Frank Cali, aka Chris Star-- the man who worked at one thousand stations under one thousand different names.
This was a very tough thing to do. I have this list with names added, scratched. I agree with Bud Brown and Pat Ward, Lane too. Frankie Warren also. Even Bill Stewart (Stuart) who worked in various formats in the area. But there was only so much room. There is a whole slew of "honorable mentions" that didn't make the cut.
Yonkstur
Y
yonkstur
Guest
That aside, Yonk, you have the Kitch story backwards - she didn't force her way into the newsroom, quite the contrary. She was, in fact, very reluctantly forced into the newsroom by a management-type, one who thought it was time they had a female doing news. She hated it.
You are very likely correct. But by the time I got to WARM as an intern in 1976, that was the "urban legend" version going around then.
Yonkstur
You are very likely correct. But by the time I got to WARM as an intern in 1976, that was the "urban legend" version going around then.
Yonkstur
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