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UTICA/ROME - 1960S

A

agwheels

Guest
Looking for radio people from Utica/Rome early 60s especially WRNY and WTLB.
Also WALY and WLFH
 
Hello...Growing up in the 60's and bothering people at WRNY and WKAL in Rome while in grade and high school, I can tell you that some of the people from the area are still around, some are in different parts of the country and some have passed along.

I cannot speak to o much about WALY or WLFH, however, former WTLB personalities had a reunion about two years ago at the Raddison. I know at WRNY in Rome, Rick Montalbano, who is now teaches piano at SU, along with being a great jazz pianist was on WRNY for years, alogn with Dave Derby when WRNY was called Roman Radio. Then, Carl Eilenberg purchased WRNY and operated it for several years before becoming Mayor of Rome. Carl got out of the radio ownership and passed it along to his ex-wife Norma Eilenberg, and the rest is history with big company take overs.

At WKAL, where I started the 60's included people such as Carmen Paccicia, Gerry Prouty, Arnie Pugh, Mark Howell, George Boyce, Maurice Burke, Dick Romano, Dave Eastwood. Boyce, Burke and Romano, along with Montalbano all worked at WTLB, along with Greg McShea who is now on Big Frog 104, and John Simmons who is Matt Herkimer in the morning on Big Frog. Vic and Lou Gazatano were at WTLb, along with Don Perry, who is in the Albany area. Vic is in Texas, last I heard. Gary Mercer was also at WTLB. I'm sure there are others, that just escape me.

If you are trying to locate them or, are just trying to remember names, let me know and I can speak with the few people I see on a regular basis that used to work at WTLB and they might be able to tell me more.
 
I cannot speak to o much about WALY or WLFH, however, former WTLB personalities had a reunion about two years ago at the Raddison. I know at WRNY in Rome, Rick Montalbano, who is now teaches piano at SU, along with being a great jazz pianist was on WRNY for years, alogn with Dave Derby when WRNY was called Roman Radio. Then, Carl Eilenberg purchased WRNY and operated it for several years before becoming Mayor of Rome. Carl got out of the radio ownership and passed it along to his ex-wife Norma Eilenberg, and the rest is history with big company take overs.

Wonder what happened to Dave Derby?

At WKAL, where I started the 60's included people such as Carmen Paccicia, Gerry Prouty, Arnie Pugh, Mark Howell, George Boyce, Maurice Burke, Dick Romano, Dave Eastwood. Boyce, Burke and Romano, along with Montalbano all worked at WTLB, along with Greg McShea who is now on Big Frog 104, and John Simmons who is Matt Herkimer in the morning on Big Frog. Vic and Lou Gazatano were at WTLb, along with Don Perry, who is in the Albany area. Vic is in Texas, last I heard. Gary Mercer was also at WTLB. I'm sure there are others, that just escape me.

Don Perry is actually in Rochester and is a very successful in real estate. The last last station he worked at was WVOR in the early 90's. The last I heard about Gary Mercer he was the G. M. at a Spanish station in L. A. I was actually the last person he hired at WTLB - hence my nickname "Mercer's Last Mistake". By the way, the WTLB reunion was actually held at Cavallo's in New Hartford.
And Dave Bowers was one of the reasons I got into radio. -For better or worse.

If you are trying to locate them or, are just trying to remember names, let me know and I can speak with the few people I see on a regular basis that used to work at WTLB and they might be able to tell me more.
 
Would have jumped back in here sooner except this post does not inform me of adds to the string.

Thanks for the compliment, "jm." It is appreciated. Lost touch with most of the guys from 'the days' .... I do know that Don DeRosa (formerly WTLB, WPTR, WSNY, WKIP et al) is former owner of AM in Fulton NY and can be found during the summer doing 'Oldies Nights' at 'Sweet Inspirations' drive-in in Fulton.

Roger Del Nero, who also started at WKAL, was last known to be hiding out in the quaint little village of Gallupville NY and tried (unsuccessfully) to open an auto repair shop there a couple of years ago. Another name to have disappeared was Julie "THE" King, from back in the very early '60s.

George Boyce worked for a very short period with me at the old WEEE in Albany (Glenmont) in 1967.


As for Dave Derby, the Lescovar brothers and Don Alexander of WRNY, I have no idea where they are. The last I knew the office manager, Barbara Pazdur, was still living in Rome. The last time I spoke with Dave Derby was when the B52 crashed in Floyd in 1967, he gave me a voicer while I was at WEEE. I would really like to track them down and remember 'the good old days' with them.
 
One of the things you have to remember about the Utica-Rome market back in the good old days, is that it was a much larger market. I was told it was #39 in the 50's when WTLB first went top 40. It was in the 60's when R. Peter Straus bought TLB in the mid 1960's. Utica- Rome was # 77 when I left the area (and WRUN) in the late 70's. That's about where Syracuse is now. So the major three stations in town, WTLB, WIBX, & WRUN were literately licensed to print money. The second tier stations like WBVM, WLFH, and WKAL just basked in the sunshine and did ok ,too.
Even though it was a slightly smaller TV market, just think how WKTV did, being the only station in the market. There were a lot of smaller TV markets back in those days that had three stations.
But keep in mind, I am talking about the 50's & 60's here. Things started to change for the much worse in the early 70's as far as ecconmics go.
 
We lost Don De Rosa to cancer this past weekend. He left for Rock 'n' Roll Heaven Saturday afternoon (06/19/2010) at about 4:30, as friends, fans & relatives were gathering at a fundraiser for him. His funeral is tomorrow (06/22/2010) I'm including a link to his obituary with info on how to send your condolences. My sympathies and condolences to his family .... you will be remembered, Don...

http://obits.syracuse.com/obituaries/syracuse/obituary.aspx?n=donald-de-rosa&pid=143696676
 
I worked at WRNY in 1970-1971 when I was a senior at VVS. I signed on M-F at 6AM, engineered for Carl E. from 7AM to 9:30AM, then Norma joined Carl for a half hour show sponsored by Chicago Markets 'till 10AM, thun spun more records 'till 11:30AM when Maria Rich "took to the air",
then did the noon news. It was a very intensive morning. Joe Trela and his wife did the Polish show Sunday mornings and I engineered that show. Lotta 78's were played on Sunday mornings. Ed Keys sold for the station with co-owner Don Rich and we had a very full commercial inventory.
SU football, Carl did the play by play, and American Legion Baseball. Don Fields did the afternoon show, signing off as early as 4:45PM in the winter.
The station was in the former WKAL studios in Downtown Rome on the third floor adjacent to the Kallet. ABC Information Network every hour, but no Paul Harvey as WRUN aired him. I applied for a part time at WTLB with Andy Young...but I "stunk"!. Andy was nice about it. Worked at WLFH and WRUN part time, Hank Brown and Gordy Hood days. Just a few thoughts from "the day".
 
Thanks for the message, Kevin! You were a few years after me .. I started there in the spring of '61 and was at TLB by the summer of '63. My long-time friend, Roger DelNero worked for 'the enemy,' WKAL along with Julie King! Nice to know the Joe Trela tradition was carried on (and most likely "Joe Alert" as well?)

And thanks again to 'therealjm12' for what I take as a huge compliment.

Dave Bowers
 
AdMan4120...

Did you know Sig Sawicki at WKAL? Did the Polish show on Sundays.
I knew Ziggy and his wife MaryAnn at their "day" job on Ridge St. Nice people.
 
Very much enjoying this thread, having spent a few years in Utica getting my first taste of programming from May '75 to May '78 at WBVM before returning to Buffalo and QFM97/97 Rock. It was fun to make something work and meet some of the most genuine people, with whom I still stay in touch. The landmarks like Hanna Park, Busy Corner, Boston Store, Gold Dome (which I always check when driving through on the NYS Thruway), the CAG Building and the "World Famous" F.X. Matt Brewery (with free samples at the end of the tour, a favorite for all who visited) are unforgetable. Good times (Great Oldies.) More stories and history, please.
 
More Rome Utica radio memories...hope I am not "over-killing"...Betty Allinger was my elocution teacher at Our Lady Of Lourdes...grades 6-7-8-..."using tongue,teeth, palate and diaphram"..was a real class act and dignified lady. Her husband, WIBX'S Ralph, would do the make-up for the school pagents, etc. He first hooked me on a broadcast life. Fabulous people. I remember in the mid 60"s, WIBX ran "Music with McMaster" on tape weekends fron Chicago. Jay McClendon doing mornings...and they all had a unique way saying "W". Carmen at WKAL would track albums on his morning show...Carmen Comes Calling...but hit the Mutual Network everytime on time...right after marching around the breakfast table at 7:27AM...how do I remember all this? Late 60's WTLB had Lou G...John Simmons and Andy Young...could barely hear them in Vernon, but a tight Drake format...stand up studio...I remember the buzz of WRUN moving to the transmitter site and renovating the facility...George Woods was the chief...every once in a while one of the inmates at Marcy would take a hike...police all over...more than one would be cowering in the swamp by a tower...Bill Worden leaving mid-days at WRUN to do TV outta state was a big deal...gt a lot more...I'm done. Hope you're not bored. K.T.
 
Hey Kevin, nice to have my parents remembered. One correction though, Dad (Ralph) was the director of the plays and Mom (Betty) did the make-up. What years were you in Mom's class?
 
For anyone interested, Lou Barile has a great site that celebrates AM radio in Utica and would probably love to have you offer feedback. The site is: uticaamradio.org
 
Chris..you and your brothers were behind me...Betty had me 1964 thru 1968...prize speaking, etc. Srs. Electa...Pauline..Felecia...Angela...Miriam...you remember them...we all had a great foundation for life...over the years when I had to make a presentation to owners, staff or bankers, the bastards, I recall what your mom taught us...focus and deliver...served me well in business, on air, and in the Army. best of luck in Ithaca...avoid Triphammer Hill in the winter!!! K. T.
 
"John Simmons who is Matt Herkimer in the morning on Big Frog."

The same John Simmons who did evenings 7-midnight on WHEN (AM) in Syracuse in the mid-70s?

If it's the same guy, he was a truly creative personality. I remember him well; when I was doing afternoon drive news for the big 62, my last newscast of the day at 7 PM was the opening newscast for his show.

John had a great, off-center sense of humor...and he sure needed it, when during a contest we made him literally live in a giant fiberglass banana in downtown Syracuse, staying there 24/7 and doing his show from there for a good two or three weeks in the spring of 1974. (I'm NOT making that up, I promise you...)
 
Bob1370 said:
John had a great, off-center sense of humor...and he sure needed it, when during a contest we made him literally live in a giant fiberglass banana in downtown Syracuse, staying there 24/7 and doing his show from there for a good two or three weeks in the spring of 1974. (I'm NOT making that up, I promise you...)
Oh my god, I remember that as a kid. But wasn't it Jack Mindy who lived in the banana?
 
But wasn't it Jack Mindy who lived in the banana?

No that wasn't Jack it was John Simmons and I believe the banana bit went longer than a few weeks. No one could find the key to let him out! And yes, John is Matt or vice versa.
 
Hi to all,

It was great to find this site and thread.
I was the 6 to Midnight jock on WTLB during the "Sergeant Pepper Summer" of 1967. I was fresh out of college and in my first full-time radio gig. Went by the air name of "Mike Livingston" (taking my mother's maiden name). Worked with Dick Romano, Lou Gazitano and Bill Quinn. Forgive me for forgetting some other names. If I recall correctly, Bill was PD and did PM Drive, so I followed him on the air. I remember him as smiling a lot. Lou was just out of high school, I think, breaking in as a news reader (Possibly the first time in my life that I felt like an "older guy" was they day Lou read the story of the death of actor Basil Rathbone. I pulled a surprised and sad face because I'd always loved seeing his Sherlock Holmes movies on TV. After the newscast Lou asked why the expression on my face. When I said I was sorry to hear of Rathbone's passing, Lou said, "Who's he?").
It was a great few months, playing the Doors, Beatles, Rascals, Peter, Paul & Mary, Crispian St. Peter (recently deceased), The Bee Gees' first hit single, The Hollies and so many others. Then I got "Greetings" from the draft board. After Vietnam I returned to radio and was at WCTC in NJ for over 21 years, then a few others. Still do voiceover work and some acting.
Love to hear from anyone with word of any of the folks from back in the day.
Best,
Mike Jarmus
web site: www.michaeljarmus.com
 
I was the 6 to Midnight jock on WTLB during the "Sergeant Pepper Summer" of 1967.

Hi Mike I do remember you. I was the station pest. Later on worked at TLB at the tail end of "The Good Guys" era.
Too bad you missed the WTLB reunion a couple years ago. A lot of Oldies but Goodies showed up. Two notables that didn't show were Bill Quinn and Don DeRosa. Seemed like everybody asked about them. Also, no Dick Romano. - last I heard he was working for a bank but is probably retired by now. The only problem was there was an open mic. Seemed like everyone had something to say. Never, ever hand a mic to an old D J. By the time they got done, it was past their bedtimes (9:00) and they went home. It was amazing to see all these madmen of my youth using walkers to get to their cars. I would have liked to stayed and caught up with my former heroes and co-workers a little more.
 
Hi Again Everyone...Many names that have been mentioned I either worked with at some point, or had a good working relationship with.

Remember before hitting the college trail in 1972, I used to just bother everyone at WKAL in Rome. I used to go there from age 7, when they were located atop the Capitol Theater. At that time, Carmen Paccica was doing mornings, Arnie Pugh was doing afternoons, and Gerry Prouty who was also the Chief Engineer was doing nights. Back in the mid to late 60's, these guys were pulling 6-hour shifts as I recall. And there wasn't any format. Mornings were big bands, afternoons were country and at night, they switched to "Nightime" and added to whatever year it was, to the title. It was an all request show where Prouty used to take requests and read everyones name who wanted to hear a song on the air.

After KAL moved to South Jay Street, they increased their AM-1450 frequency to 1,000 watts from 250 during the day, and went back to 250 watts at night. They were eventually allowed to stay at 1KW day and night. Once they moved, they also put on their FM and 95.9 and did a simulcast for many years. They later automated this 3KW FM with Drake Chenault soft AC and changed their slogan to K-Lite. They later ended up changing dial positions and moved to 96.1. That was because 95X in Syracuse I think was originally on 95 something, and, if both stations moved their dial position, they could both increase their power from 3KW to 25KW. WKAL never did increase their power with their original ownership and the signal at 3KW was terrible because they had the FM antenna mounted on the AM tower which was only 105 feet above average terrain. Not good. Anyway, after Frog bought the station, the rest is history.

On that AM side of WKAL 1450, some popular people ended up working there in the late 60's and early 70's before I left for college. Some names you might remember and some you might not. A few, have already been listed. Maurice Burke and George Boyce both worked at WTLB and ended up doing nights at WKAL when KAL was a very popular local station. You could not pick up WTLB in Rome at night and still can't, so WKAL did very well, even against WRUN. Dick Romano who was at WTLB also worked nights, then it was Dave Eastwood. Later on Howell Gatchell III came on board, then later left and had a very successful stint at the Buck Owens Country station in Bakersfield California.

After I got out of college, I ended up at KAL, then ended up in Chicago for 4-years, then back again at KAL, until it was sold to the FROG people. My time at WKAL was great and I have fond memories, including the afternoon at 4:12-PM when a freak storm rolled through and knocked the tower, located right behind the building right into the ground. Just missed the building by inches. All that was left was a 25-foot stump of a tower. And in true engineer talk, I remember Gerry Prouty saying something to the effect of..."I'll get us back on at lower power with that small tower piece that is left.

Have also had some great memories in Chicago, where I learned so much, and then back at WIBX, FROG, and Lite. Kncok on wood, the business has been good to me. Well, that's it for now. I think we could all go on for hours going back in time.
 
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