IN TOUCH WITH OUR MEMBERS:
Broadcast Pioneers President Jerry Klein had the privilege of watching his wife, Anne Sceia Klein, deliver the Commencement Speech at Rowan University a few weeks ago. She spoke to the 350 Masters and Doctoral Graduates. The university estimated the crowd at 2400 people. The entire bleachers were filled. You can watch her being introduced here! View her actual speech here! Jerry and Anne own Anne Klein Communications Group.
80 YEARS AGO OVER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!
President Herbert Hoover speaking into WCAU Radio microphones
Valley Forge Park, Valley Forge, PA
Saturday, May 30, 1931
Drexel University's radio station, WKDU-FM, 91.7, celebrated 40 years on the air with a get together of alumni during the school's alumni weekend last month. The event was attended by over 100 former members of the station's staff from all era's of its existence, and some from before it went on the air when the University's radio station was carrier current, WXDT (AM). The featured speaker at the event was Broadcast Pioneer member Jay Meyers who is currently President/CEO of Broadcast Management and Technology and CEO of Hispanic Radio and TV company, Adelante Media Group, LLC. Jay was part of the original crew that put the station on the air on September 24th of 1971.
Broadcast Pioneers member Charlie Gracie is busy this coming weekend. On Saturday, June 4th, from 8 to 10 pm, WHYY-TV will re-air "Charlie Gracie: Fabulous." The program originally broadcast in 2006. Charlie will be there live along with WOGL's Harvey Holiday and WHAT's Mike Bowe. Charlie turned 75 a couple of weeks ago but still has new projects. There's a CD coming out by Charlie that was produced by Al Kooper. Plus, there's a book of Charlie's Memoirs written John A. Jackson, author of Alan Freed's bio.
Congratulations and best wishes to Broadcast Pioneers member Dave Coskey on becoming President of Longport Media LLC, a newly formed company that purchased five Atlantic Broadcasting stations. Most recently Dave was vice-president of marketing for the Borgata Hotel and Casino. He will oversee operations at all five stations: news-talk WOND-AM1400, Spanish station WBSS-AM 1490, classic hits station WTKU-FM 98.3, Top 40 station WWAC-FM 102.7 and classic rock station WMGM-FM 103.7. We spoke with Dave, who told us: “I’m very excited. We want to build these stations, protect a local legacy and make them vibrant. We’re waiting for FCC approval and we’re planning. It will take us about six months to get moving and put the pieces in place.” Best of luck Dave and continued success!
Board member Michael Nise told us: “we’re very close to the next generation of Dancin' On Air." Stay tuned for more. Also, Channel 17 is going to air former "Dancin' On Air" shows after the Phillies games beginning in July. The broadcast will include inserts about the dancers and what they’re doing today. As you know, Michael has donated 75 complete show masters (on one-inch tape) of "Dancin' On Air" for our DAP, Digital Archival Project. We hope to be finishing up the digitalization of these shows real soon. Michael has thousands of his old shows digitized and we are working on getting copies of these broadcasts for our video archive.
Broadcast Pioneers member and Phillies and Eagles P.A. announcer Dan Baker recently made a guest announcing appearance, calling the game between Ocean City and Hammonton High Schools. Baker is a close friend of Dan Stephenson, Phillies Director of Video Services, whose son, Kolya (who Baker watched grow up) plays on the Ocean City team. He called the game and announced the players with his well- known distinctive voice. We spoke with Dan Baker, who told us: "the parents decorated the filed, set up a concession stand, borrowed a sound system from the city and put together an announce booth. It was a great game, I immensely enjoyed it, and a small way of giving back to the community." Well done Dan!
Broadcast Pioneers member Larry Kane has a new book out called, "Death by Deadline." Right now at least, you can't buy a hard copy (on paper). It's available only in e-book formats. Here's a few excerpts. You can watch Larry talk about his book on "It's Your Call" with Lynn Doyle.
Watch Part One!
Watch Part Two!
Watch the final part (Part Three)!
Member John Hall was in Ireland recently. That's why you didn't see him at our May luncheon. However, most of the time, Johnny said, he was under the weather. Member Ed Eisen was also missing from the last luncheon, but he had a good excuse. He was hundreds of miles out to sea on a cruise. I guess we won't require a note from either of them. Also, member Gene London isn't letting his upcoming 80th birthday next week slow him down. He has a flashy red convertible that he drives when he's down in Florida at his condo. Watch out for those traffic cameras, Gene.
