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Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is a federally recognized, state chartered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the Philadelphia Broadcast Community since January of 1962. |
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Visit Our Website Often - http://www.broadcastpioneers.com
You should check the front page of our website often (link above) for important information!
Tune in to our YouTube Channel - http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/youtube
Our YouTube Channel has all our luncheons, exclusive interviews and archival material!
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There are things on our Facebook Page that are NOT on our website (like our vintage photo of the week)
Go to our Twitter Account - http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/twitter
The Broadcast Pioneers Twitter Account has info and stuff not available elsewhere!
Go to our Instragram Section - http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/instagram
Here's another one of our social media sections. Visit it as often as you wish!
In order to continue to do all we do, we need volunteers to help out, especially those with skills to assist in our archival project, website and other materials. Please contact us, if you wish to volunteer your time.
DIGITAL ARCHIVAL PROJECT NEWS:
VIDEO:
(left to right) By Saam and Richie Ashburn
Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies
The Hotel Bellevue
Broad and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia
Tuesday afternoon, June 22, 1993
In 1993, the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted the second group of honorees into our "Hall of Fame." There were eight of them that year. The "Hall of Fame" was instituted a year earlier (in 1992) and we inducted 14 people.
The event was an afternoon luncheon at the Bellevue. Dorie Lenz, who was Chairman of the Board (our 29th, 1992-1994), presented the awards. During this era, our "Hall of Fame" luncheon and our "Person of the Year" banquet were two different events. Now, they are one. We are lucky to have this wonderful recording, which has survived in near perfect condition.
The last person to be inducted that afternoon was By Saam. After By finishes speaking, Richie Ashburn (who would be inducted into this very same "Hall of Fame" in 1997) speaks about working with him. Here's two legendary Phillies broadcasters together at one time. It would be one of their last (possibly their last) public appearances together.
By the way, Saam's prediction about the 1993 pennant race was correct. He picked the Phillies versus Toronto. Remember that this is more than a quarter of a year before the end of the season.
AUDIO:
On Saturday, February 11, 1967, Andy Griffith was a guest on the Ed Harvey "Talk of Philadelphia" program on WCAU Radio, now WPHT. Ed was Vice-President of this organization and served on our Board of Directors for decades.
On Saturday afternoons, Ed Harvey did a little something different than his regular radio telephone talk format. He had a mystery caller who would disguise their voice. Ed would give people hints on who it was and then the radio audience could call in and guess the identity of the mystery caller..
This particular day, the caller was Andy Griffith. The piece is almost 15 minutes long and is presented here in its original form. The tape was recorded at 7 and a half ips and was mastered in master control of WCAU Radio. Therefore, it is of higher quality than any off air recording could possibly be.
Listen in Real Audio!
Listen in Windows Media!
Today's News Becomes Tomorrow's History!
(This is what our Digital Archival Project, DAP, is all about!)
A LITTLE BIT OF BROADCAST HISTORY!
(Left to right) Jane "Pixanne" Norman and Frank Beazley
on vacation
(Previously unreleased photo until it appeared on our website several years ago)
Frank C. Beazley, Broadcast Pioneers member and retired president of Center City Film & Video, Inc, was the husband of former TV personality Jane “Pixanne” Norman. In 1961 he was appointed general sales manager at WCAU-TV where he met his future wife who was appearing as Pixanne, the inhabitant of the Enchanted Forest.
IN TOUCH WITH OUR MEMBERS AND THE INDUSTRY (compiled by member Brian Schwartz):
Fox 29 is starting the New Year off by extending the on air family. New general assignment reporter Marcus Espinoza will be introduced to viewers on January 6th. Espinoza earned his degree at Arizona State University. Espinoza is excited to work our major market. “This place feels like home and I look forward to making it mine for many years,” said Espinoza.
Friends and staff of radio executive producer Joe Ball turned the tables on him as a 90th Birthday surprise. Broadcaster, Dei Lynam interviewed Ball on 63 years in the industry. Among other things, Ball talked about his secret to “never having to work a day in your life.”
On December 7, 2019, Broadcast Pioneers Member Bob Pantano ended his own spin on WOGL’s Radiothon. For four days, Pantano tallied up donations from listeners and people in attendance. Afterwards, Pantano matched the total from his pocket and presented the grand total to The Children’s Miracle Network at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
A video produced by Haverford (PA) High School, for their 70th Anniversary celebration (December 6, 2019) of its radio station WHHS-FM. The video honors Broadcast Pioneers member, the late Dave Shayer, his experience at WHHS, his broadcasting career, and his generous bequest to the station, with a clip of his posthumous induction to the 2018 Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.
Broadcast Pioneers Board Member Michael Muderick has two sons. One of them is Aaron Muderick, who is the founder of "Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty." He was interviewed by CBS News recently about the safety of toys. He said that his items are tested for safety for children while some cheaper knock-off products don't go through the same testing. Aaron's business is right here in our area. Originally in Narberth they have moved their facilities to Norristown.
Many of you have been to our annual banquet where we present a beautiful glass microphone to our Person of the Year. But how much do you know about that mike? Well, it's produced right here in West Chester by Eugene Brignola. He and former Broadcast Pioneers President (1984 - 1985) Art Moore created the trophy that we present. Honorees have been receiving it every year since its inception in 1984. Art is now in NYC where he is the producer of "Live with Kelly and Ryan." That program airs live on WPVI at 9 am daily. Kelly Ripa was our Person of the Year in 2010. The following Monday morning, she showed the nation her glass microphone.
Former Chairman and former President Jerry Klein and his wife, Anne send out a yearly newsletter of what they have been up to. Well, we got our copy and here's a little what they said:
Early in November, we attended the annual Fall Ball at the Union League. This year’s theme was “Exquisitely Black and White.” On Thanksgiving, we were joined by Jerry’s sister, her husband, and her son and his daughter for dinner at the Guard House in Gladwynne. When we’re not traveling, Jerry continues to play ice hockey three times a week and Anne goes to the gym twice a week.
Broadcast Pioneers member Bunny Gibson is now a "Rapper." Continuing her musical background as one of the original regulars on "American Bandstand," she will be seen on French Montana and Juicy J's "50's & "100's" Rap Song as a "Lead Rapper." Bunny Gibson has continued to have success on the west coast. She is appearing with Jim Carrey in the 2020 season of "Kidding" for Showtime. She also appears in "The Set Up" starring Hannah Stocking for "Facebook Watch."
Today's News Becomes Tomorrow's History!
(This is what our Digital Archival Project, DAP, is all about!)
A LITTLE BIT OF BROADCAST HISTORY!
(Left to right) Tommy Ferguson, Walt Eismann, Joe Perry, Frank Lewis at top, Ginny Stephens in center and
Dave Stephens at bottom, Joe Sgro (circled) , Lennie DeFranco, George White and Ed Harvey
Ed Harvey & His Radio Show Band
WCAU Radio
1955
Joe Sgro passed away on July 15th of 2012 at the age of 94. He was a well-known area guitarist. He also played the organ, violin, banjo and mandolin. He was part of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra on ABC-TV broadcasts that originated out of Philly. He was also in the Ed Harvey Radio band, which played on "The Big Top" and "Candy Carnival.
Did you know...
Broadcast Pioneers member Rob Jennings with native Philadelphian James Darren ...that in 1961, on show #1 of season 4 of the Donna Reed Show, we saw Philadelphian James Darren appear. We happen to see this same show in a rebroadcast recently. Along with James' real life brother, John, they were driving along and James drops John off at the airport. James then continues on his journey when there's an automobile accident with Mary Stone, played by Shelley Fabares. One thing leads to another and the two date. Turns out that James Darren was portraying a rock singer who had a hit record, "Goodbye Cruel World." That was in reality a top ten hit for Darren personally.
Broadcast Pioneers member Ed Hurst with native Philadelphian James Darren One thing of interest: In the hit record, he was off to join the circus, in the TV show, James was off to join the Army and that's how he sings the song in the show. Interesting because that's the only time you'll hear it sung that way. A year later, Shelley Fabares would have a number one hit, "Johnny Angel". That same year, Paul Petersen (Jeff from the TV show) would also have a top ten record,"My Dad". Interesting to note that all three recorded for the same Colpix record Label, a division of Screen Gems who made the television program. An inside joke in this particular episode with James Darren is that Jeff keeps referring to Mary's membership in the Mickey Mouse Club. Why is this an inside laugh? Well, Jeff, played by Paul Petersen was a mouseketeer on the Disney series when he was ten, even if it was for a brief time.
Broadcast Pioneers member Dean Tyler with native Philadelphian James Darren This episode aired in 1961. Two years earlier, James Darren played a totally different character on the same series, The Donna Reed Show. That was Season 1, episode 28. The first five seasons of the Donna Reed Show are available on Amazon Prime at no additional charge. Unlike those episodes airing on the Decades network, the Amazon Prime versions, are un-cut. The Decades programs ahve part of the show removed so that they can air extra commercials. Remember, back in the day, a half-hour prime time network show could only run 3 minutes of spots. Darren grew up in South Philly and he once said that when he's in our area, he always makes it a point to visit his favorite steak shops in South Philly. They are Genos and Pat's but also Jim's. (Written and researched by our CEO, Gerry Wilkinson) |
Our special thanks go to TUTV - Temple University Television and The Kal & Lucille Rudman Media Production Center. They have underwritten a grant to be used to fund two years of all our newsletters. That's until December 2020. We thank them so much for their support! |
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A LITTLE BIT OF BROADCAST HISTORY!
Broadcast Pioneers Member Trudy Haynes
in a Lucky Strike Cigarette Print Ad
before her KYW-TV days
THIS AND THAT! Little Bits of Information....
Dr. Russell Conwell at the microphone In September of 1942, Joe McCauley took over of the WIP "Dawn Patrol" that ran overnights on the station. The previous host was Mort Lawrence who left the station to move to another market. At that same time, Carol-Jean Shepard became the station's music librarian. She was previously with RCA Victor. In the summer of 1947, Joe Franklin produced and hosted a 15 minute TV program for WPTZ, Channel 3 here in Philadelphia. That station is now KYW-TV. The show aired on Thursday evenings at 9:30 pm. The program had no sponsor and the set for the series was that of a living room. Atom Squad was a 15 minute daily NBC-TV Network program that originated out of Channel 3 here. During its first week on the air, it gathered a 38% share of the audience. The show aired from July 1953 until January of 1954 and aired at 5 pm. They did over 140 episodes. No known recordings of that series has survived into the 21st century. Hal Simonds who was one of Philadelphia radio's first vocalists, worked for decades in Philadelphia broadcasting. He sang on WFI Radio, a forerunner of WFIL. However, he also wrote a column for "Poor Richard's Almanac." It was published by the Advertising Club with the same name. In 1947, when WPTZ was Philly's only television station, they were getting $300 for an hour program. $180 for a half hour show and $120 for 15 minutes. Those rates included the use of the studio, a television producer and scenery that the TV outlet might happen to have on hand. By the way, a couple weeks ago, CBS-TV aired two colorized episodes of "I Love Lucy." While the first one is a repeat and is aired every year, the second one was never previously shown in color. In case you were not aware, "I Love Lucy" was sponsored by Philip Morris cigarettes. Probably why Ricky smokes a lot during the series. Well, one of the announcers (from time to time) for the cigarettes was Philadelphia's own John Facenda. John also did the commercials for the smokes on another program, "Public Defender." We were watching an old TV Series, "The Telltale Clue" which aired on CBS as a summer replacement for "Public Defender." The show was called "The Case of the Hit and Run" and aired on August 5th of 1954. The show was sponsored by Philip Morris cigarettes. About 5 minutes from the end of the story, there was a commercial break. Channel 10 newscaster John Facenda was doing the spots there too. (Written and researched by our CEO, Gerry Wilkinson) |
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES:
Ed Hurst, a True Broadcast Pioneer, Part One!
By Broadcast Pioneers Board Member Ed Eisen
Broadcast Pioneers member Joe Niagara, Bobby Rydell and Broadcast Pioneers member Ed Hurst
(Photo donated by member Ed Hurst and scanned by member Don Hurley)
Broadcast Pioneers member Ed Hurst was in his junior year at Atlantic City High School when he walked into the studios of a local station on a talent hunt seeking announcers. “Let me hear a 15-second ad lib on that piano in the corner,” the program director suggested.
“The piano has black keys and white keys and legs like I girl I know,” was the impromptu response offered by the 16-year old. Hurst was hired on the spot at WFPG. Salary: $14.40 a week.
As they say, the rest is history. Over the next seven decades Hurst went on to become a broadcast icon in the tri-state area. Harry Hurley, last year’s Broadcast Pioneers Person of the Year said of him: “Without Ed Hurst there would be no Dick Clark.” Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia honored Hurst with the same distinction in 1990.
After FPG Hurst joined the Navy, went to work at an NBC affiliate in Miami, tired of the steamy summers and was hired as a “personality jock” at the then Philadelphia Bulletin-owned WPEN at a salary of $55 weekly. His 6 a.m. Sunrise Symphony nearly cost Ed his gig.
Broadcast Pioneers member Ed Hurst with George Hamid, owner of the Steel Pier
Summertime on the Pier
WRCV-TV, Channel 3, Philadelphia
circa 1963
(scanning by Broadcast Pioneers member Don Hurley)
Names like Chopin, Debussy, and Brahms were so badly mangled he received notice from management that his longevity at the station could be short lived. That was not to be. Instead, Hurst, always playing the jester teamed up with the buttoned-up, straight-laced Joe Grady. The dynamic duo originated the 950 Club on WPEN from 1946 until 1955 and later on TV when they morphed into the Grady and Hurst Show. It is said that it was the first to spotlight teens dancing in a studio, a forerunner to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.
In 1958, Hurst joined WRCV radio and TV, now known as KYW. He produced and performed on The Grady and Hurst morning radio program and hosted a TV show called Summertime on the Pier.
The Steel Pier in Atlantic City was the idyllic venue for such an enterprise. The pier was a mile-long structure that got its name from its steel underpinnings. The rest was made largely of wood. For many years it was home to a variety of programs designed for the locals and those who descended on the resort during the summer months.
Opened in 1898 with cowgirl Annie Oakley as the star attraction, the Steel Pier was known as The Showplace of the Nation, featuring an amusement park with high-diving horses, water-skiing dogs and human cannonballs, exhibits and sideshows. It was used as a venue for live music, and played host to the Miss America pageant. Among the performing acts were Al Jolson, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and the Rolling Stones.
Ed Hurst, a True Broadcast Pioneer, Part Two!
By Broadcast Pioneers Board Member Ed Eisen
Broadcast Pioneers member Ed Hurst with singer Tony Bennett
(Photo donated by member Ed Hurst and scanned by member Don Hurley)
Ed Hurst is the one who originated the Summertime on the Pier show, a live two-hour television broadcast from the Marine Ballroom at the end of the pier. The program drew large audiences from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.
Summertime on the Pier was an immediate success in 1958. It skipped the next season but returned in 1960 surviving into the 1970s. Hurst’s regular co-host was the late Jim O’Brien. Broadcast Person of the Year from a few years ago, Jerry Blavat, co-hosted for a couple of seasons.
Summertime started on WRCV-TV and then went to WCAU-TV in 1966 and WPHL-TV in 1967. From 1968 it was syndicated to New York, Boston, Cincinnati, Washington, Atlanta and San Francisco. In 1970 Summertime moved to WPVI-TV and officially adopted its informal title of The Steel Pier Show, continuing until 1978.
No footage of this or any of the other 1960s broadcasts has surfaced and all are presumed to be lost forever. Hurst worked on many other television shows and later returned to radio, continuing his career into the 21st century.
I was awestruck when I peered at Ed for the first time through a glass-plate window at Steel Peer in 1982. Only months later, the old structure was destroyed by fire. Joe Grady, his long-time partner for 41 years, was not present this Saturday. So there was Ed Hurst of the dry wit back again spinning records for WPEN after 23 years in television. He looked up at me and waved. It would not be the last encounter.
Summertime on the Pier TV Show Print Ad
WRCV-TV, now KYW-TV
July 1962
(originally donated by Broadcast Pioneers member Anthony DiFlorio)
Now 93, retired, widowed and living at his home in Margate, Hurst ticks off with encyclopedic recall names in his musical firmament:
Perry Como: “One of the sweetest entertainers I ever met.”
Eddie Fisher: “A pain in the a--.”
Tony Bennett: Tony is only two weeks older. He calls to see how I'm doing.”
Nat King Cole: Such a gentleman. We maintained our relationship until he died. ”
The story of how Grady and Hurst transitioned from their top-rated 950 Club on WPEN to the TV screen became a ground-swelling battle of two media titans. Read about it next month in Parts 3 and 4 of Ed Hurst: a True Broadcast Pioneer.
This story was written by Broadcast Pioneers Board Member Ed Eisen who spent hours inteviewing Ed Hurst.
NOTE: Member Don Hurley told us years ago:
"Ed Hurst is a true national treasure and one of the most significant figures in entertainment history. He is the first to ever play a Tony Bennett record on the radio, I know this because Mr. Bennett told me so."
A LITTLE BIT OF BROADCAST HISTORY!
Left to right - WPEN Sales Manager James Crawford
WPEN General Manager Edward Obrist
Frank Palumbo, a local night club owner and WPEN Sponsor
WPEN DJ Toni Spaulding
at WPEN Radio
1950
Picture from the Broadcast Pioneers Photo Archive
(originally donated by member Dr. Francis Davis)
OUR HATS OFF TO YOU FOR GIVING:
We would like to thank all those people who made an extra contribution when they attended our December luncheon. They included: Dorie Lenz, Lori St. Martin, Steve Tatz, Damon Castle and Gerry Wilkinson.
A special welcome to all our new members in December. They include Jennifer Lewis-Hall, Joyce Evans (who included an extra nice donation), Lyn Kratz, Joan Hindin, Lori St. Martin, Ed Yungmann, Cathy Yungmann and Jeff Asch.
We are a federally recognized, state chartered charity with a 501(c)(3) status. Contact us at (856) 365-5600 or e-mail pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com for more details. Your gift to Broadcast Pioneers will help us and may lower your federal income tax. That's win-win, isn't it?
Special Thanks for the gift of Appreciated Stock: (a federal tax advantage for the giver)
Member Sylvia Kauders - $5,159.45 (used for the scholarships listed below)
Special Thanks (in alphabetical order) for contribution of $1,000 or more to our DAP, Digital Archival Project:
Member Jerry Del Colliano - $1,500
The Shunfenthal Family (in memory of Sherri Shunfenthal's father, Les Waas) - $2,000
Member Marlin Taylor - $2,000
A member who prefers not to be identified publicly - $1,000
Special Thanks (in alphabetical order) for contribution of $1,000 or more into our General Fund to be used where needed:
Member Brad Seecof and Metramedia Broadcasting & Studios - $1,000
The Sylvia Kauders Foundation - $10,000
A Member who wishes to remain anonymous - $1,000
Those who contributed to the Gene Crane Memorial Fund
Special Thanks (in alphabetical order) for April 2020 Scholarships:
The Harry Hurley - Hurley in the Morning Charity - 2 scholarships (for a Stockton University student)
Member Sylvia Kauders - 1 scholarship (from a bequest for 5 yearly scholarships running until 2024)
Member Kal Rudman - 5 scholarships (for Temple University students)
Member Marlin Taylor - 2 scholarships
plus at least 6 scholarships in the memory of Bob Kravitz
in memory of Leon Love, Robin Adelman's dad - from the entire Adelman family
Special Thanks (in alphabetical order) for a contribution of $500 or more to our DAP, Digital Archival Project:
Member Elliot Abrams - $500
Members Robin and Ira Adelman and the entire Adelman family in memory of Leon Love - $500
Member Priscilla Fox - $500 plus another $500 for our scholarship fund
Member Bill Kelley - $750
Member Art Moore - $500
Bea Well (not their real name) - $500
Bequests in their Will:
Member Sylvia Kauders passed away recently. In her will, she bequest to the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, the amount of $5,000. This funding is to be used to underwrite one scholarship per year until gone. These scholarships will start in the year 2020 and continue until 2024. From a previous gift, Sylvia has underwritten one scholarship a year starting in 2015 and continuing until 2019.
Member Dave Shayer passed away last year. In his will, he bequest to the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, the amount of $5,000. This funding is to be used to underwrite our archival project which was dear to Dave's heart and soul.
If someone underwrites a complete scholarship and we'll give them credit in the electronic newsletter until the scholarship is awarded. The gift of appreciated stock of $2,000 or more) will be thanked in our "Thank You" column for two years. If someone donates $1,000 or more and we'll list them in our "Thank You" column for a year. If someone gives a donation of $500 or more and we'll list them in our "Thank You" column for six months. They can select how we use the money: for our archival project, for scholarships or for our general fund to be used as needed.
More Thanks:
A growing portion of the revenues that fund the different activities of the Broadcast Pioneers comes from donations. This includes our archival project and our scholarship program. Now we are making it even more beneficial for our donors. Broadcast Pioneers is now able to accept gifts of appreciated stock, which provides a significant tax benefit to you. By giving appreciated stock (stock which is worth more now than what it cost when it was purchased), the giver can get a charitable contribution tax deduction based on the current market value of your stock. At the same time, they avoid the capital gains tax that would arise if they simply sold the stock. So if someone would like to support our educational mission or our archival project and save money on taxes too, they could consider making a gift of appreciated stock. We are a federally recognized, state chartered charity with a 501(c)(3) status. Contact us at (856) 365-5600 or e-mail pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com for more details.
Many of us are over 70 and a half years old. If someone is, they can donate directly to Broadcast Pioneers from their IRA Account. If they take a distribution and then donate to us, they would have to pay federal tax on the distribution. By donating directly to us, they pay no tax and we get the full amount. Remember, this donation must go directly to us in order for the giver to avoid paying income tax. This direct donation may also prevent the donor from going into a higher tax bracket. That's always good. The donor should always contact tax advisor about this and get complete details.
Thanks so much for everyone's support.Our address is Broadcast Pioneers, PO Box 2886, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, (856) 365-5600. Our e-mail is: pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com
A FINAL THOUGHT....
"Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story."
Bill "Wee Willie" Webber
former Chairman of the Board
Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
Please contact us by e-mail at pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com or by mail to: Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, PO Box 2886, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Your stories are important, to you, to us, and your colleagues. Contact us today and we’ll include your story in the next newsletter! |
© 2020, Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
All Rights Reserved
Newsletter Editor is Gerry Wilkinson
Newsletter proofreader this month is Michele Wilkinson
The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com
For luncheon reservations call (856) 365-5600 or e-mail us at: rsvp@broadcastpioneers.com