WSB - 90 Years Old in March

[trusty]

All the issues of Broadcasting Yearbook that I remember give March 15, 1922 as the beginning of commercial radio in Atlanta via the Atlanta Journal's WSB.

This means WSB will be 90 years old this year, and I was wondering if the station was planning any sort of programming to celebrate this milestone, or if they were going to let it slip by them. Has anyone heard anything about it?

(PS: According to Broadcasting Yearbook, March 17, 1922, just 2 days after the start of WSB, was the start of WGST - starting as the Atlanta Constitution's 4FT and WGM before being donated to Ga. Tech.)

 

[Bengalsfan]

90? It doesn't look a day over 60.

 

[fussbudget]

Yes. Captain Herb will present archival clips of his past traffic reports. Kirk Mellish will review the past 90 years in local weather with a special anniversary "Mellish Meter." Scott Slade will tell you every five minutes that WSB radio stands for "Welcome South Brother" on AM 750 and "Now 95.5 FM". Neal Boortz will insult radio listeners from each decade of the station's existence. Clark Howard remembers Black Friday, 1929 and advises listeners to avoid extended warranties. Last but not least, Fiddlin' John Carson is back from the dead to fiddle with the awful format.

 

[RhubarbFan]

I remember when Scott Slade was in the traffic copter,Gary Mc Kee's Hometown radio show.

 

[amos]

heck i remember when scott worked at 400 radio rd. and he drove a PACER.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

So it's WSB's 90th birthday, and nobody has suggested something with Herman Cain? He could come up with a special promotion called 90-90-90.

 

[jabba17]

Scott Slade will tell you every five minutes that WSB radio stands for "Welcome South Brother" on AM 750 and "Now 95.5 FM".

If WSB stands for "Welcome South, Brother" what does WSBB stand for?

 

[AtlantaLateShow]

My grandma would listen to Ludlow Porch every morning and drink her coffee. She couldn't miss Ludlow. Who's your favorite cowboy movie actor? How do you get rid of squirrels in the attic? Over and over and over again. That was good radio.

 

[caller10]

Yes. Captain Herb will present archival clips of his past traffic reports. Kirk Mellish will review the past 90 years in local weather with a special anniversary "Mellish

Nice. I've always wanted to hear early airchecks of Captain Herb from the 1920s.

 

[trusty]

Nice. I've always wanted to hear early airchecks of Captain Herb from the 1920s.

Oh, you mean the years he was doing traffic when perched on top of the Flatiron Building... ;D

 

[secondchoice]

Yes. Captain Herb will present archival clips of his past traffic reports. Kirk Mellish will review the past 90 years in local weather with a special anniversary "Mellish

Nice. I've always wanted to hear early airchecks of Captain Herb from the 1920s.

IIRC Captain Herb was a Georgia legislature reporter before getting moved to traffic during one of WSB's "changes" in the late 70's or early 80's. I bet GA politics was very interesting before the wide spread use of air conditioning.

 

[RhubarbFan]

Captin Herb didn't come to WSB until 1991,before that he worked at the newspaper over in Douglasville,and he was at 94Q/WQXI.

 

[secondchoice]

How come it is hard to find Captain Herb's bio on WSB's web site? (I haven't yet)

IMHO: WSB's traffic team is the only reason many listen. If I am driving around Atlanta or passing thru, I always get a traffic "fix" from WSB!

 

[Mike_Rafone]

Forty years ago Jerry Vandeventer (God rest his soul) produced a beautiful "0th Birthday Present" for WSB. This was around the time they killed Vandeventer's "Nightbeat" weeknight show. I've got a cassette copy of it, recorded off the air. Pretty good, with some of the standard old clips, but a few only Vandeventer could find. I think Slade did a 3-parter some years ago that aired in segments on the Morning News. Reaaly was a tribute to Aubrey Morris. Anybody recall that Bert Parks auditioned in front of Elmo Ellis for a job there? I think it was him who, was so flustered after the ordeal, walked through what he thougt was an exit door and wound up in a closet. Stayed in there for 15 minutes, then eased out and saw Ellis still sitting there, staring at him.

 

[secondchoice]

Is there anybody around this board, who actually was hired by or worked with or for Elmo Ellis? I had heard stories about Elmo "disabling" album tracks he did not like. I guess the DJ's at the old 750 had a little freedom on what they played, not just a "play list."

 

[Mike_Rafone]

Pnly from hearsay, but supposedly album tracks and B sides on singles which did not meet Mr. Ellis' standrds (though for many year Bob Van Camp was nominal "Music Director") had a single scratch running from the outer edge to the center, making a most annoying "pop" when played.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

I spoke with Captain Herb last year and the year before at the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame banquet. Really, really nice guy...and a face made for radio.

 

[taylorengineer]

Herb actually worked in radio at WACX, Austell before leaving for 94Q (now Star94.) I worked for Herb for over a year at WACX and it was there I learned these two things: That I was absolutely terrible as a jock and that Herb Emory is a really great guy.
@Roddy....his face must not be too bad.....he has a beautiful wife!

 

[RoddyFreeman]

I loved when Captain Herb played Santa Claus and the kids called in on December 24.

 

[taylorengineer]

I heard that too, Roddy. It really was good radio! WSB AM actually does do good radio from time to time .....besides the news, traffic and weather.
Herb also shows up at some of the most unexpected places. When WDCY in Douglasville did their share-a-thon last fall Herb was there to help raise money - he also donated a cowbell which they rang every time a pledge was received. There was nothing in it for him - he's just one of those people who will not pass up an opportunity to help others.
I actually have a selfish interest in Herb being the traffic guy at WSB. If he leaves.....there will never be another mention of traffic on I-20 West. Never ever! If Herb is out I just turn off the radio and figure I'll just have to take it like a man......