It was 28 years ago..October 12, 1979, that I got my first radio job and went on the air
for the first time.
The job began as running the board overnights at WTAL-AM 1450, in Tallahassee, for the
Larry King Show that aired on Mutual. WTAL had a patch panel, and we had to swap slots on it
to run Mutual at night, and ABC during the day.
I remember being nervous as all get-out, reading the weather forecast at 3:06 A.M! I must have done
all right, because I got moved into some better time slots within a couple of months. I went on to
act as music director for a short time, before the station was sold and the format changed to
Music of Your Life. I lost the WTAL job on...October 12, 1980.
I stayed in radio most of the time until July 23, 2004 when the boss decided he wanted to make some
changes at 1330 AM. Here's the radio geek translation: "I know you have worked hard, sold countless
ad accounts and are a great employee, but I've decided to replace you with a satellite receiver. You
can stick around and punch buttons for a while longer. if you'd like." I opted to retire.
But I couldn't totally stay out, so I've just built a Part 15..which replicates the old WTAL of
1977-1980 somewhat, but is an updated version of it. And, I've kept WJJD-Revisited (country)
running as an Internet-only station.
I always feel a little nostalgic about October 12..now you know why.
for the first time.
The job began as running the board overnights at WTAL-AM 1450, in Tallahassee, for the
Larry King Show that aired on Mutual. WTAL had a patch panel, and we had to swap slots on it
to run Mutual at night, and ABC during the day.
I remember being nervous as all get-out, reading the weather forecast at 3:06 A.M! I must have done
all right, because I got moved into some better time slots within a couple of months. I went on to
act as music director for a short time, before the station was sold and the format changed to
Music of Your Life. I lost the WTAL job on...October 12, 1980.
I stayed in radio most of the time until July 23, 2004 when the boss decided he wanted to make some
changes at 1330 AM. Here's the radio geek translation: "I know you have worked hard, sold countless
ad accounts and are a great employee, but I've decided to replace you with a satellite receiver. You
can stick around and punch buttons for a while longer. if you'd like." I opted to retire.
But I couldn't totally stay out, so I've just built a Part 15..which replicates the old WTAL of
1977-1980 somewhat, but is an updated version of it. And, I've kept WJJD-Revisited (country)
running as an Internet-only station.
I always feel a little nostalgic about October 12..now you know why.
Glad that you're still in radio. Hope you'll continue to have success and stay in it for many years to come.