I noticed that WRKC, the King's College radio station, turned 40 years old the other day (September 18). NEPA's first noncom. Cake and candles to follow.
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WRKC at 40
- Thread starter ThomasCarten
- Start date
D
DiRienzo
Guest
As someone whose first words spoken on a live broadcast happened in the friendly confines of the WRKC studios, it's good to hear that a milestone like this is being noted.
My proudest moment had to be the time I was in the middle of my third-ever blues hour show (a veteran) and did a terrific four minute piece about how to write a blues song. It was only after the bit a few minutes later when the phone rang that I was informed that the microphone wasn't actually turned on at the time and that we had been broadcasting the finest dead air available that I knew that I had just done something special. (Before that show, I was overheard saying, "Headphones? Pssh. They're for losers.")
Happy anniversary anyway. Here's to no more dead air.
My proudest moment had to be the time I was in the middle of my third-ever blues hour show (a veteran) and did a terrific four minute piece about how to write a blues song. It was only after the bit a few minutes later when the phone rang that I was informed that the microphone wasn't actually turned on at the time and that we had been broadcasting the finest dead air available that I knew that I had just done something special. (Before that show, I was overheard saying, "Headphones? Pssh. They're for losers.")
Happy anniversary anyway. Here's to no more dead air.
>>>Father Tom...You made it what it is today.<<<
The creativity of students over the years made it what it has become. I just tried to make sure we didn't get our license pulled. More a parent than anything else.
Ahhh, the stories; the stories...
The creativity of students over the years made it what it has become. I just tried to make sure we didn't get our license pulled. More a parent than anything else.
Ahhh, the stories; the stories...
I'm another proud alumnus of WRKC and even more proud to be a current faculty advisor to the station. Many in radio owe their start to 88FIVE. From a humble 12.1 watt beginning in a converted dorm room in Holy Cross Hall to the present-day 440 watt flamethrower and modern studios in the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, WRKC has made it's mark on the Wyoming Valley radio landscape.
We've shared the airwaves with national talent like Brian Carey at 1010 WINS, Chris Walsh of WFIL and ABC Radio and Marge Stevens, formerly of WCAU in Philly, WTOP in D.C. and CNN. Regional favorites like Frankie Warren, Steve St. John, the late Joe Talmon, Travis Sparks, Dave DieRienzo, Tom Morgan and others have roots at the station.
We've had threads before with posts from the Mad Drummer and others who were also an important part of the station's history. And of course, there's always Fr. Tom (and ALWAYS a story!)
Alum Mike Rudolf has setup a Yahoo Group dedicated to WRKC. If you share some history with the station, we'd like you to join us! Thanks to J. Kristopher for spearheading the drive to establish the Wyoming Valley's FIRST non-commercial, educational outlet - WRKC 88.5 FM... and thanks to Fr. Tom for not pulling the plug!
Mike
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wrkcalumni/
We've shared the airwaves with national talent like Brian Carey at 1010 WINS, Chris Walsh of WFIL and ABC Radio and Marge Stevens, formerly of WCAU in Philly, WTOP in D.C. and CNN. Regional favorites like Frankie Warren, Steve St. John, the late Joe Talmon, Travis Sparks, Dave DieRienzo, Tom Morgan and others have roots at the station.
We've had threads before with posts from the Mad Drummer and others who were also an important part of the station's history. And of course, there's always Fr. Tom (and ALWAYS a story!)
Alum Mike Rudolf has setup a Yahoo Group dedicated to WRKC. If you share some history with the station, we'd like you to join us! Thanks to J. Kristopher for spearheading the drive to establish the Wyoming Valley's FIRST non-commercial, educational outlet - WRKC 88.5 FM... and thanks to Fr. Tom for not pulling the plug!
Mike
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wrkcalumni/
The students never realized it, but for 19 years, I was the heat shield between them and the administration. My feeling was, "What happened at WRKC, stayed at WRKC ... because nobody would believe it if it got out."
You'll have to line up behind everyone who's been, being, or will be fired from the local media. Mike forgot faculty advisor, adjunct prof and WILK talk show host Sue Henry who is the only paid staff member. I don't know what she gets, but it's big money when counted out in dollar bills. I know it was for me.
Please permit me a long overdue post.
I am continually amazed at the influence WRKC continues to have on my life. It is spooky. I am unable to put it into words but have asked God to freeze frame and slow mo those years when my time comes.
Tom Carten is characteristically humble when discussing his "management style". We suspect that the WB Twp mine fires around Giants Despair during the 70s indicate how hot his shield.
When my mom died I would have NOBODY else say her mass - I still remember him gently running his hand over her casket as he spoke and prayed. Before I got married, we discussed my wife's annulment process in a way one could only talk to a cleric-friend. He helped me understand things no pastor was able to and is singularly responsible for our return to the Church. (yeah, finally Tom) Not sure there are any GMs that fit that profile.
During a tour of the new studios with Sue Henry it hit me how I still continue to enjoy friendships I made while there. This summer I sat across a few beers with a couple of 'RKC friends and kept thinkin': it just doesn't get any better.
Trivia: What was the first album to be played when the station went stereo?
Really obscure trivia: What jock played it?
From the first official, original 'RKC birthday song:
"Hap-py Birthday, W-R-K-C
You have survived the wrath of Agnus, the dean, and the FCC"
I may still have the tape somewhere.
I am continually amazed at the influence WRKC continues to have on my life. It is spooky. I am unable to put it into words but have asked God to freeze frame and slow mo those years when my time comes.
Tom Carten is characteristically humble when discussing his "management style". We suspect that the WB Twp mine fires around Giants Despair during the 70s indicate how hot his shield.
When my mom died I would have NOBODY else say her mass - I still remember him gently running his hand over her casket as he spoke and prayed. Before I got married, we discussed my wife's annulment process in a way one could only talk to a cleric-friend. He helped me understand things no pastor was able to and is singularly responsible for our return to the Church. (yeah, finally Tom) Not sure there are any GMs that fit that profile.
During a tour of the new studios with Sue Henry it hit me how I still continue to enjoy friendships I made while there. This summer I sat across a few beers with a couple of 'RKC friends and kept thinkin': it just doesn't get any better.
Trivia: What was the first album to be played when the station went stereo?
Really obscure trivia: What jock played it?
From the first official, original 'RKC birthday song:
"Hap-py Birthday, W-R-K-C
You have survived the wrath of Agnus, the dean, and the FCC"
I may still have the tape somewhere.
Thanks for the nice words; really touching.
Trivia: Who went on the air that "switch to stereo" night, who had never spoken into a mic before, or since?
Trivia: Who went on the air that "switch to stereo" night, who had never spoken into a mic before, or since?
I owe a debt of thanks to Father Tom for not pulling the plug. The day I started was the day after the Spring semester ended. Whoever was supposed to run RHV never showed. The PD came in at 11:10 and started it. Father Tom showed up later in a not-too-good mood. Luckily, he didn't pull the plug that day... 9 months later, I got my first commercial gig. Almost 13 years and about five shops later, here I am still in the biz.
>>>Father Tom showed up later in a not-too-good mood.<<<
You didn't feed my baby.
You didn't feed my baby.
Cousin Tom... thank you. Tell the Mrs. I say hello. We'll get together sometime soon... maybe on 44?
Father Tom... I think Neil McEnaney was PD that summer. I remember not hearing RHV come on a 10, and thought "uh oh." I don't recall who was supposed to sign on that morning. I just remember you coming in around 1:30 with a not-too-pleasant demeanor. That was also the summer that Sherwood (RIP) was let go. Those three months I spent doing shows once a week were a great start. Thank you.
Father Tom... I think Neil McEnaney was PD that summer. I remember not hearing RHV come on a 10, and thought "uh oh." I don't recall who was supposed to sign on that morning. I just remember you coming in around 1:30 with a not-too-pleasant demeanor. That was also the summer that Sherwood (RIP) was let go. Those three months I spent doing shows once a week were a great start. Thank you.
Not too many places left for people to learn radio anymore. The "nights and weekends" days are long gone in commercial radio. We have always welcomed people in high school to take the odd shifts in hopes that (a) they would come to King's and (b) it would give them a start in the business.
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