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DCRTV Mailbag - July 5 to July 11, 2005
Latest messages listed first.....
\/ July 11 Messages \/
Don, Bart, and Gang...you are all in my thoughts! Tom Murawski - WCBM Baltimore (7/11/05)
I met Don once at a Bobby Poe convention many years ago. Don't really know the man, but being in radio, I feel as if he is one of the family. I can identify with him in regards to having a wife that was in radio. That is where I met mine, as she was news director. I can't imagine the pain that Don is going through, nor will I pretend I do. I haven't been able to stop thinking about their tragic situation all day long. Don, know that I will keep a good thought for you and Bart. And I know those that are closest to you will pull you through. Steve Williams, Regional Program Director, First Media, LLC (7/11/05)
Last July 28th My boys (6 and 13) and I lost my wife in an unexpected tragedy. It has taken a long time but we are finally starting to normalize our lives again. A LARGE part of what got me through that was listening to Don and Freda on the "Don and Mike Show". I cant express enough how much it helped to hear two people that had such charisma and chemistry together banter about everyday issues we all face. The show carried me through one of the darkest periods of my life and I am endlessly grateful for having my Radio Family during those dark times. I only wish somehow I could return the favor at this moment in the Sorce Family's lives. Don - you and Bart are in my family's prayers and thoughts. I can all to vividly imagine what you are going through right now and I wish you strength and faith. I have always wanted to thank you for your show during my loss and I am about a year too late to do so - Please know that you are loved as part of our family of listeners out here and we all extend to you our condolences. Freda touched many more lives than you can ever imagine. I am so sorry for your loss. Stay strong and be good. JT (7/11/05)
I'm a single Mom of a special needs son. Have been in Radio and out of Radio for the past twenty-something years. Have tasted success and met defeat. Ripped off and rained on. But I will not whine again. There is precious little that compares to losing a soulmate and a Mother in a tragedy like this. There is no comfort to give to Don and Bart except heartfelt words. Should I even mention faith at a time like this? Hard to say. Freda seemed like such a one-of-a-kind human being. An inspiration to a man who needed her to be the beacon that she was. It's a loss for all of us. But I cannot even imagine the pain Father and son are feeling now. I'm praying hard that they find peace. For the next few days, though, I'm just praying they get through it..and lean on the love we're giving them. Bless us all. Treasure every single day. Trish (7/11/05)
My total sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Don, Bart and the whole Source/Wright family. I am just stunned and totally saddened by this news. My father in law was killed Father's Day in a motorcycle accident - the pain is too fresh...I can't even fathom what Don / Bart are going through. Stay strong! (7/11/05)
I was stunned today to hear of the untimely death of Freda Sorce. My hearfelt condolences to her family and friends. I feel trite in saying that I felt as though I knew her, but I have no other explanation for the tremendous sadness I feel this evening. Karen, Annapolis (7/11/05)
For what it's worth. I happened to be driving thru Fairfax City this evening and left a small bouquet of flowers and an unsigned card in Freda's memory in front of the WJFK studios..... Didn't David Haines spend some time w/ Elliot & Woodside in the early 80's (Q107 I think)? That's where I remember the "Burnt Toast and Coffee Time" tag. Fox5 news just did a mention on Freda's passing. WHAT A SAD DAY!!!!! Rusty Gibson WEBR/FCAC (7/11/05)
I almost feel guilty talking engineering on a day like this. I was never a big D&M listener (though WHTK here in Rochester has been one of their most loyal affiliates over the years), but of course I share in the condolences on Freda's tragic death. That said, I also want to answer the question from our unnamed Toledoan about whether some of the DC area's existing directional arrays could be put to use to improve 570, 1260 or some of the other troubled AMs. I won't go so far as to say "it can't be done," but here are a few of the issues that talented engineers (of which there are many at the corporate level of CC) have to consider when trying to do a Detroit-style move: First, there's an issue of lousy ground conductivity. One reason the Detroit 910 move worked is that the ground conductivity in that part of Michigan is just good enough to give a 50 kW signal (with several hundred kW effective power in the narrow directional beam towards Flint) enough "oomph" (to use the technical term) to put the requisite 5 mV/m over all of Flint, 60-some miles away. The ground conductivity in the DC area is nowhere near as good, so 50 kW into a narrow directional pattern from as far out as the WTFX or WFMD sites would probably fade into uselessness long before it gets inside the Beltway. As WTOP knows all too well, you need a lot of raw signal strength to get inside office buildings in a dense city like Washington, which is why they're pushing the on-line listening so much. You really want more like 30 or 40 mV/m - not just 5 - to penetrate buildings in an urban core, and you don't even get that from where WTOP is now, never mind Winchester or Frederick. Second, while the GROUND conductivity around DC is lousy, the WATER conductivity isn't. So you're faced with worrying about protection to signals like WAMD, 990 Philly, 990 Richmond and so on, where a powerful signal spilling ESE from the Frederick area would put huge contours out along the coast to the north and south. Detroit doesn't have that issue. Third, in the case of 980, there's third-adjacent protection to WCTN that would make it impossible for 980 to put the signal strength over the WCTN site that it would have to have to reach DC. 570 would have that a little easier, though there are still potential issues with protection to WCAO, WFIL and a few others. None of this is to say that an upgrade is impossible - just, perhaps, so difficult as to not be worth the money it would cost. (If you've never looked at the amount of engineering that goes into such an upgrade, it's worth doing - hundreds and hundreds of pages worth of filings, and often years of work backing them up.) - Fybush (7/11/05)
I got into my car at 5:30pm, turned on the radio and thought it was a skit. I was waiting for the punchline. Instead, I was punched in the gut. I cannot tell you how upset I was at the news. I felt like I had lost my best friend. Freda was my hero; she stood up for all the good and bad times in a marriage, the ultimate mom, the crazy negotiator and the "boo-boo" of Don's life. Since 1986, I have been listening to Don & Mike in one place or the other. I listened to Bart grow up, Don & Mike go through changes in management, stations, illnesses, wife swapping stories and a million daily events that made my drive easier. Freda had the patience of a saint and the beauty of the ocean. I can't imagine Don going back on the air, at least for a long, long time. Life without her will be unthinkable. And yet, it will be without her. I send them prayers and plan on sending money to Israel to plant a tree in her name. I mourn for Bart. I mourn for the entire Sorce family. I mourn for Buzz, Mike and the entire crew. The show, and their lives, will be changed forever. Bless you, sweet Freda, you will be missed. Joan Ferder and family... (7/11/05)
Though I am not the biggest Don Geronimo fan in the world, my condolences go out to him and his son. Having lost a brother in a traffic mishap over two decades ago, I know what the Sorce family is going through. He and Bart are in my thoughts and prayers, and I pray that they will make it through this trial. DH from Herndon (7/11/05)
I was sick to hear about Freda today. I felt like she was my sister. My thoughts and prayers are with Don, Bart, their family and everyone at the show. God Bless, Julia (7/11/05)
I started listen to D&M since the 4th grade. In the mid 90s and maybe early 2000, they were cool. But what made the show was Freda and Bart. The family was always the funny part of the show. Sadly, I haven't listen to them since 2000 because it was getting repetitive. Just got home and check the internet and saw Dave's news and I thought it was a joke, but after several sources, it hit me. I live near the WJFK studios and I'm wondering what is going on there. My condolences to Mike Sorce, Mike O'Malley, Bart, Rob and the rest of the crew, even the people who don't work for the show. Sitting here a few blocks away, I do not think they are going to return to form, but the sad part is Fairfax might have lost legends because of this. My only hope is everyone is going to take a long break but come back in October to have one last go around (a la Johnny Carson). But, that's wishful thinking. Tracy (7/11/05)
The following is a slightly reworded version of something I posted elsewhere, concerning the death of Freda Sorce.. / I hoped. I prayed. "Please, let it be one of those idiot children making a cruel joke! Please, let it be like that one time the guy faked the DCRTV web page saying Don had died. Please, let it be a member of the Opie and Anthony army playing a hoax!" But...the hoax is on us. You know, in 2001, I lost my mother to a pretty sudden death, a death that did not have to happen. And though I know the pain I went through in the time after that, and still revisit, I can't possibly know the pain my own father went through. And I can't possibly know the pain Michael Sorce is going through right now. (Yes, I refer to Don by his real name, because this is all too real.) Freda got a lot of ribbing among diehard fans. Many of you were not fond of how frequently she was on the show. Even I may have said that at one time. But I bet if you were told that she was going to be in a fatal car crash instead of being on the show, you'd have instantly said "put her on daily!". And now, we'll never hear Freda Sorce again, on the show or anywhere else. My deepest, heartfelt sympathies to Mike Sorce, to Bart, whose whole world must be falling apart right now, to Big Freda, and to the entire Don and Mike radio family. And I do mean family...I'm sure Mike O'Meara, Buzz Burbank, Robbay Spewak, Joe Ardinger and Beth Ann McBride felt close to Freda as well. Freda was the kind of woman who took in her husband's extended work family and was kind and giving to them. And you can tell from their relationship that Freda was #1, #1A, #1B and #1C in Don's life, and they had a solid, long-lasting relationship. Had this unfortunate tragedy not occurred, I'm convinced they'd have celebrated their 50th anniversary. Like many of you who've followed this show for the past 10-plus years, I feel like I've been punched in the gut. Don, Mike and everyone who knew Freda Sorce...you have our most sincere sympathy and support. (7/11/05)
July 10, 2005 is a day that will be long remembered with heartache in the DC broadcasting community, especially by those in radio and in particular those who were privileged to know or work with Freda and David. Although I did not have that honor, I feel the deep sadness that comes with knowing that two people with whom I shared the bond of a common calling in life, each loved by family, friends and co-workers, were lost in the prime of their lives. They often made us laugh, sometimes made us think, and today made us cry. And so we say farewell to Freda and David, and commend them to God's tender mercy. As we old Navy hands often say, I wish you fair winds and following seas. (7/11/05)
To the moron who says that it's "fucked up" that a person can cross a median and kill another driver and not be charged with manslaughter. In most traffic fatalities the police do not and will not charge anyone with manslaughter. That is a decision that is made by the states attorneys office in that county. Don't jump to conclusions. If enough evidence is found to support a manslaughter charge then it will happen. (7/11/05)
Well holy $hit... wtopnews.com finally put up the story about Freda after 7pm tonight. Great reporting local guys. (7/11/05)
It's been a devastating day for all of us in Washington radio. Don, my prayers go out to you and your family. Words can't possibly describe the loss of soulmate as precious as Freda. My prayers to you and your family. Prayers also go out to the family of David Haines. David was one of the most memorable radio personalites ever to work in this city, and by all accounts, a great guy as well. He too, will be sadly missed. Shawn Anderson, WTOP Radio (7/11/05)
This has been a terribly sad year for broadcasting in our area. Losing my friend Bob Bartel, and now David Haines and Freda. Only heard David a few times as our schedules were the same, but he was true. And being a huge Don and Mike fan for well over a decade, I always enjoyed the play between Don and Freda. My condolences to David and Freda's familes and friends; and a special prayer for strength to get through this horribly trying time. Aaron Rehkopf, WPOC (7/11/05)
When Charlie Rose has a guest in a Washington D.C. studio, there is a picture behind the guest. It appears to be an oil painting and has white horses on a hill, several buildings, possibly a pond on the lower right side and at the bottom there's a gold seal and handwriting. Can you tell me about this painting, name, artist and significance of the writing? Thank you, Arlyn (7/11/05)
I along with Dave thought at first the rumors were just that and then when I checked for Dave to see if they were really true with my OC contacts, my worst fears were confirmed. My prayers and thoughts as does everyone's goes out to Don and Bart and all the family and friends. I applaud Mike, Buzz and Robbie for going on today. I cannot imagine how tough that had to be today. Mike said it best, you want to help but all that can really help a person through this is time. I know how tough my dad took my grandfather's death, it always takes at least that first year to get through the holidays, birthdays, etc and while you never are the same you at least try and settle into some sort of normalcy or as close as you can get...I also throughly enjoyed Frieda calling in and the bantering with Don and the crew, it added even more of a human element that D&M already bring to the table as if you are just hanging out with the guys. I will always remember the last time I heard Frieda on in that 3 O'Clock hour about a month ago when she had called in on her 50th birthday talking about the call she got from Buzz and Marsha that morning who sang to her, the card she got from B.A. and the e-mail card that Mike sent but never got to her, Mike was joking how he was always last second and behind the curve. Frieda was chatting about the different kind of relationships she had with the guys and well it was hilarious and I remember sitting in my car and not being able to get out, even for two minutes to get a cup of coffee. I had to wait until the next break. As a listener since 92' with many a summer day sitting in my room listening to D&M who got me through some boring summers and tough times as a kid, I will always have fond memories of Frieda. I have traveled Rt. 90 where Frieda was hit thousands of times as I also have a place in North OC, and whenever I pass that way again in the times to come, it will now always be with much sadness and grief. God bless you Frieda, you were truly one of the God's great creatures. -Michael (formerly of ESRTV) (7/11/05)
To the gentleman who wrote: "How fucked up is it that the guy that killed Freda Sorce can jump a median into oncoming traffic so he can get to whatever insignificant place he had to be a little earlier, kill a woman, walk away unscathed, and not be arrested for at least manslaughter?-The police are still investigating the incident, we don't know that that guy won't be charged. If that kid (22) has a heart which I am sure he does, whether he gets put in jail or not will have to deal with that for the rest of his life. -Michael (formerly of ESRTV) (7/11/05)
I would like to extend my sincerest condolensces to Don's family. A tragedy like this is not something to be made a joke of. And I want to give my apologies on behalf of the members of wackbag.com that are sick enough to make a joke of a serious situation like this. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. (7/11/05)
What a terrible day. I am praying for Don and Bart today. It feels like a punch in the stomach and numb all over at the same time. It goes without saying that Freda was loved and adored, probably more than most on the show, and will always be. All of us listeners send our hearts out to you guys. Jason (7/11/05)
Im shocked to learn of both Freda and David’s passing. What a terrible loss. I can not imagine what Don is going through and honestly, I hope to never know the pain he’s feeling, he definitely is a great guy and doesn’t deserve this. Their relationship was a special one. I feel for both families. My prayers will be with them. For those who did not hear the details, heres a link to the most current info: www.wboc.com (7/11/05)
I have been a listener of the Don and Mike show since I was in High School, first on WAVA and now on the syndicated show. I always loved Freda's segments because she provided the perfect protagonist to Don's personality and the exchanges between the two was often pure entertainment at it's finest. As a listener who "got the joke" and knew a lot of what I hear was expounded upon for entertainment purposes, I could still sense the real love and respect each had for the other. Freda will surely be missed. I did put a small tribute to Freda on my website www.wrestlingbeltworld.com and am encouraging my readers to come here to pay their condolences to Don Geronimo and the WJFK family. Eric (7/11/05)
Although "Witchi Tai To" was covered by Brewer and Shipley, the only version of the tune that made the Billboard charts (for 5 weeks) was by Danny Weiss and Chris Hill, recording under the name "Everything Is Everything" in late 1968 on the Vanguard Apostolic label . That version peaked at number 69 on 2/8/69. (According to a contributor at www.bigmattress.com, there are at least 26 recorded versions of the tune, including one by Harper's Bizarre. The tune was written by Jim Pepper.) (7/11/05)
A young man lost his mother and a loving husband lost his wife. Take radio out of it and you simply have a raw and devastating tragedy. My heart and prayers are with the Sorce family today and especially for Bart. ---Kym (7/11/05)
For all of Don’s self deprecating humor and attempts to convince us he’s a scumbag, I always get the sense that he is a good guy; and a big part of that was the fact that Freda stuck with him through thick and thin. She seemed to support him 100% as far as helping out his brother or dealing with his crazy parents or whatever. You got the sense they were a real team. Man, I really feel bad for the guy. It’s just awful. (7/11/05)
I want to extend my deepest condolences to Don and to Bart and the entire WJFK family...during my stay at wjfk I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to Freda on several social occasions and she was always so so sweet and kind...What a tragedy...so sad...May God rest her soul and may He comfort Don, Bart,Mike and all those who so deeply feel this terrible loss.....Rich Gilgallon (7/11/05)
Dave,
FYI: you're probably aware of this, but Mike, Rob & Buzz have expressed
condolences and sadness about the passing of David Haines (just heard it
shortly after 5:30 pm). Also, on the JFK site (which is being overwhelmed
with traffic) the attached graphic has been posted. (7/11/05)My heart goes out to Don G., Bart and Mike. What a terrible tragedy! I always enjoyed hearing Freda call in to the program and she will be missed beyond words. It's scary because I was just talking about her this morning. Ladies and gentlemen, let's be kind to each other while we are still here. You just never know. God's Blessing. Joyce Conroy (WHFC). (7/11/05)
"Fairfax Police Find 246 Cats in Two Homes Police say the telltale sign was the smell. Animal control officers in Fairfax have removed 187 cats from a house in Mount Vernon, and 59 cats and one dog from a home in Falls Church." - This crapass story makes front page news on wjla.com, but NO MENTION of the passing of a great woman, Freda Sorce. Shame on you lowlifes......Shame on you. Thanks guys for coming on air, I feel so much better hearing your voices and knowing that we can all deal with this as a bunch of friends would. Even though I don;t know you personally, your my firends and I care deeply about you. (7/11/05)
I am shocked and saddened to hear the news of Freda’s passing and the passing of David Hanes. I worked at WAVA during the ratings hey day and Freda was the behind the scenes force to the “Morning Zoo” program and was always so pleasant to the rest of the WAVA staff. I can only hope that Mike and Bart can get through this tragedy and I know with his radio family and his extended listeners support will be there for the both of them. As for David Haines… As a student waking up for classes in the late 1980’s I would wake up to his “Burnt Toast and Coffee Time” with David Haines. With very little tolerance for news, he made it fun and interesting. When I worked at WAVA in the early 90’s I had the pleasure to work with him a few times and he was a true professional and lent advice to a kid who had radio dreams. I am sorry for the tragic deaths of these two fine people and pass my condolences to the WJFK and WPGC families and to the Source family. Greg (7/11/05)
Please. The only reason that the Balamer Orioles are even close to the Nats in attendance is because of the Red Sox and Yankees fans who take over Cramden Yards when those teams play there. And shouldn't the Orioles be WAAAYYY ahead of the Nats given that they are the established team and the Nats are playing in an old, outdated stadium? The Balamer fans insisted DC area wouldn't support baseball, remember? And wouldn't it be smarter for the moron Balamer fans to wait until the end of the season until they compare attendance? (7/11/05)
Words cannot express the sadness we all feel at the passing of Freda Sorce. Broadcasting is a painfully competitive field driven by ratings and egos. We can all set that aside and say a prayer for our brother, Don, for the loss of his soulmate. To find someone like Freda to share a life with is a precious and rare event. To lose that person is beyond devastating. Don...God bless you. Many prayers are coming from the Carson family during this difficult time. Carson, Mix 107.3 (7/11/05)
Just think about all the smiles that Don's bitching about Freda put on all of our faces. How much of the show was about Don's home life? She will be missed. Wow. Stunned. Saddened. Tearful. Rest in Peace. I gave my wife a big hug when she walked in the door this afternoon. To the gentleman who wrote: "How fucked up is it that the guy that killed Freda Sorce can jump a median into oncoming traffic so he can get to whatever insignificant place he had to be a little earlier, kill a woman, walk away unscathed, and not be arrested for at least manslaughter?" This is a horrible travesty of justice. Be aware that there are groups, like the American Motorcyclist Association, who are working to change that situation. The AMA has a campaign called "Justice for All" which seeks to increase penalties, including jail time, for those who commit manslaughter with a motor vehicle. www.amadirectlink.com..... Elements of this law exist in the state codes Virginia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington, and as of this year Pennsylvania. In Virginia, the law that can add a one-year license suspension to penalties that can be imposed on drivers who kill others. More is yet to be done. Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia (amongst other local jurisdictions) still need to have this legislation passed. Enjoy, John M. Stafford (7/11/05)
While I never listened to D & M, I am sorry for their loss. I did however listen to David Haines and I will miss his "IT'S FRIDAY" scream every week. He had one of the best voices on radio and even TV. My heart felt loss to his family and to D & M's family. (7/11/05)
What a stunning day. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to all at D&M, Donnie Simpson, and the Wright-Sorce-Geronimo and Haines families. What has been shown by this double tragedy and the public response to it is that D&M and Simpson provide more than background noise or just a few goofy yucks. They have built a real sense of closeness and community with their listeners. That is no small thing. Dave In Sterling (7/11/05)
I was shocked to hear the news of Freda Sorce. I have listened to Don since WPGC - WAVA and WJFK for many many years. I even remember Freda on WASH. I lost my own wife not too long ago and understand a lot better than some. I was left with two daughters who really needed their mom. This is such a tragedy that a beautiful woman was taken like this. I am sure her "Sugar Bear" will never be able to replace such a soul mate. He was a lucky man. Chris (7/11/05)
i first 'formally' met freda wright when we worked together at WYRE in 1979. that's when steve kingston ran the place. max wulf did mornings; freda did middays and i did 3-signoff. the late sonny ueberroth, nance blake and bob steele did news. what i did not know--until after we started talking--was that freda's mom and my dad worked together at WMAL for a short time in the late 50s. freda's mom (also named freda, i think) did traffic/continuity (logs and copy). my dad did afternoons for about two years. we joked how we may have played together as toddlers and not known it. freda and i became good friends and stayed that way for many years. she was always engaging, funny, witty and very, very bright. she was always great company. she made friends easily and always remembered the little things about you. she was as pleasant a person as anyone could meet. it is an understatement at best to say anyone who ever knew freda--even for a moment--is shocked and devastated. thoughts and prayers are with mike and bart...but, even more so, the hope they'll find something positive in all this that will keep them moving forward. it's a very, very sad day for an awful lot of us. /sean hall (7/11/05)
OMG.. my husband just told me of this awful awful accident. I feel like I was a part of a family since moving here in 1999 and it was the first radio show i listened to, i listend to Bart grow up a bit and pick colleges, the mesy car.. the fights over it. Don painting rooms, Freida working and Don having to Bachelor it. But you could tell she loved her men, bart, Don, Mike and all her guys.. you will be sorely missed and Both those men in your life will need tons of hugs and love and understanding and need time to get back to somewhat normal. Bart.. go back to school if you can..do what your mom would have wanted. She loved you with her whole heart and was very proud of you. I have a teenage daughter who just graduated and know i would want her to go on and get her college degree and keep her plan and not stopliving because i Have. I hope an invesitgation tells us the whole story and someone gets in trouble for this death.. this lady, sister in broadcasting and a true lady and her husbands "jiminy cricket" will be missed forever... (7/11/05)
I've listened to Don and Mike from the first days on WAVA. I've listened to Bart growing up and remember when he had a meltdown at age 2 because Don wouldn't let read the weather. In so many ways, I feel like I have lost my own mother hearing that Freda died so unrepentantly. They say that a person is best remembered by the lives they touched during their time on Earth. She touched so many lives that there is no way, Freda will ever be forgotten. Brian Bradley, Burke, Virginia (7/11/05)
Hard to tell from the article, but I don't think the SUV jumped the median on purpose---I think he swerved to avoid hitting the pile-up and sort of lost control and crossed the median, hitting and unfortunately fatally injuring the lovely Freda. God it's good to hear her voice in the best-of tapes today. Heartbreaking to think she's gone. (7/11/05)
"The O's are now tied with the Nats in attendance (soon over) & yesterday was the largest attendance ever at Oriole Park! HAHA! ...Oh, now that the teams are tied in attendance, maybe we can once again talk about the poor TV & radio ratings for the Nats!" Not exactly:The Orioles have had 47 home dates and the Nationals have had 43. The O's drew 1,560,366 or an average of 33,199 per game and the Nationals drew 1, 427,963 for an average of 33,208. The Nats are averaging 73.9% capacity and the O's are averaging 68.9%. As for ratings, until the Nats have their games on TV consistently it's not an even field of comparison. The bottom line is that obviously this region can support 2 teams. (7/11/05)
A tragedy like this is so difficult to even comprehend. I just crossed paths with Freda Saturday night in Ocean City when we were both walking our dogs. Beyond her sparkling, enjoyable presence on the show, she was always a friendly person to meet on the street, offering a smile and a bright greeting. Deepest condolences to the Sorce family on this terrible loss. (7/11/05)
As much as I loved Don and MIke, Freda was always, by FAR my favorite part of the show. I enjoyed her as much as the rest put together - which is considerable. (7/11/05)
I am so saddened by the news of Freda's death. I can only echo what's already been said. I've been a long time listener of Don and Mike since the WAVA days and have been entertained many times by Don and Freda. I have also enjoyed reading the "Freda Files" on their website. I haven't been able to listen too much since I moved to Richmond, but was so glad when the show started streaming. I can only imagine the shock and grief he and their son must be experiencing. I am keeping Don and Bart in my thoughts. BM in Richmond, VA (7/11/05)
I am shocked and stunned at the unbelievable passing of Freda Sorce. After hearing heron the air for years, or hearing Don talk about her, i can't help but feel like I know her, and am deeply saddened. My prayers go out to Don, Bart, Big Freda, the D&M show staff and everyone else who cared about her. I pray that Don makes it through this and that he finds the strength to carry on. He always talked about retreating to his cave every night, I hope this doesn't push him into becoming an official hermit! He has a lot to share with people and it is bad enough to lose Freda, i hope we don't lose Doni as well. God bless you, Mike Sorce. We all love you and are praying for you!! Barbara L. Toal (7/11/05)
Wow, did WJZ 13 and The Baltimore SUN pick inopportune times to rant about the Orioles attendance woes this year and make complete stupid asses of themselves in the process or what?! HAHA! The O's are now tied with the Nats in attendance (soon over) & yesterday was the largest attendance ever at Oriole Park! HAHA! Maybe thats why Mel Proctor wisely chose not to talk about the issue, bad PR for the Nats maybe instead? HAha! Oh, now that the teams are tied in attendance, maybe we can once again talk about the poor TV & radio ratings for the Nats! Of course, its important to note that Washington is TWICE the size of Baltimore, has the SAME baseball attendance, and significantly LOWER TV & radio ratings. Even matching Baltimore in ratings or attendance is just downright embarrassing for the Washington market in its 1st season with baseball after 30+ years! Methinks WJZ & The SUN missed the REAL story here. Or maybe The Washington Post too??? Oh, thats right, they're still busy cleaning up the deepthroat spill & hawking Bob Woodward books to notice anything local like that. :-) (7/11/05)
What a tragedy! So sorry for this loss. Freda was an icon of the honesty and dedication that should exist in all relationships. Our thoughts are with the Sorce and WJFK family. Heather (California) (7/11/05)
WOW. My hat is off to the crew of the Don and Mike Show for coming on the air in the face of tragedy and actually putting on the show. Freda has been a huge on-air part of the show and I wouldn't expect anyone to be on the show live talking about it so soon. Personally, if I had such a tremendous tragedy happen in my life, I would find it hard to carry on at all. - Y V (7/11/05)
I'm an out-of-towner but I was working as a board operator the first time Don And Mike was broadcast to the city of Rochester, NY on WHTK 1280am (11-1-1993) and I'm just in shock. God Bless Don, Bart and their family and loved ones. God bless the cast of the Don and Mike show. You are all in my prayers Richard Jones, Producer/Host, The Pain Clinic, Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, Clear Channel Rochester, www.thepainclinic.net (7/11/05)
As a regular D&M basher, this is still some really sad news and makes me feel like a big idiotic ass. Not so much for all the dumb micro-criticism, but because of the way as a listener you can sort of objectify and over-simplify the people you hear on air so they become less like people and more just like characters in a fictional show, but of course when people die in a show it doesn't matter, and when it happens in reality it reminds you just how real it is, how fragile life is, and how crushing this is for anyone who goes through it. Much love to Don and Bart and I hope they can get through this okay. 5000 - Jason (7/11/05)
WTOP's web site has the following headline: _Virginia Congressman will Forego Senate Run_ (www.wtop.com) . That's a mistake. The story is about Chris Van Hollen -- the congressman from Montgomery County MD. (7/11/05)
Love and prayers to Don, Big Freda, Bart, the Don & Mike Show, the WJFK family, and to my fellow listeners. We grieve together. Freda was our hero, our goddess, our sister-over-the-airwaves, and I am devastated. - Lisa in Catonsville (7/11/05)
I hate to dogpile, but this is almost therpeutic to write: I've listened to Don and Mike since I was in 3rd grade, sneaking in a couple minutes whenever my Mom wasnt in the room, and I always enjoyed the back-and-forth between Mike S. and his wife Freda. I dont know why something that seemingly barely effects me is cutting me so deep, but I'm sure I speak on behalf as the entire D&M fanbase when I say we'll miss her and we wish all parties involves the power to deal with such an untimely tragedy. Thanks for being on top of this news Dave, as terrible as it is. (7/11/05)
My wife and I are longtime fans of The Don and Mike Show and feel like we've lost a member of our family as well. Our prayers go out to Don, Bart and their family. What a shock. Scot and Claudette Eaton, Milton, VT (7/11/05)
Is Mike in the studio doing a show today? Or is it 'Best of . . .' for the forseeable future? If he is in studio, is he taking condolence calls? (7/11/05)
Dave's response: Mike, Buzz, Robbay - all in the studio today.....
My heart literally sank when i heard about Freda's tragic death. She was so young and full of life. I enjoyed listening to her each and ever time she was on the D&M show. My thoughts and prayers are with Don, Bart, Big Freda, and their entire family. My dad went to college with Freda at Clemson where she was a little sister of his fraternity. He actually passed away 2 months ago from cancer so i know what it's like to lose someone at such a young age. Again, my thoughts are with the D&M family. Amber (7/11/05)
How fucked up is it that the guy that killed Freda Sorce can jump a median into oncoming traffic so he can get to whatever insignificant place he had to be a little earlier, kill a woman, walk away unscathed, and not be arrested for at least manslaughter? (7/11/05)
I was a pretty regular listener of David Haines when he was on WOKY in Milwaukee, approximately 30 years ago. David Haines booming voice would overflow the 5KW on 920AM, and when it was time for WOKY "Total Information News", that voice and inimitable writing style were unmistakable. Nobody who ever heard his energetic and entertaining presentation could ever forget him closing a newscast with, "*I*- am-Da-vid-Haines, WOKY *TOTAL* Information News". Condolensces to all of David's family and friends. And, a great thank you to his employer for allowing radio news creativity to thrive on WPGC for so many years. A friend in spirit. ~gnusasaurus (7/11/05)
Omigod! I hope to heaven that this is the worst sick joke ever. I'm stunned! Don, my prayers are with you and your family. That is just incredibly tragic and so terribly sad. Freda really did become part of all of our lives thanks to her involvement with the show. I only saw her once in person as we both go to the same hairdresser (one of her best friends is there). Unbelievable. Devastating. Don is going to be so lost. Guess he's still got Big Freda. (7/11/05)
Dave I first must tell you that you were quite on top of this story as I first got news of it here (am now listening to O'Meara). You deserve a hell of a lot of credit. I must state the obvious. Yes, I'm a longtime Don & Mike Fan. I enjoyed Freda's appearances on the show. They made me feel a part of their family and they a part of mine. Shock doesn't quite describe it. I'm numb. Prayers to you Mike Sorce and Bart and R.I.P. Freda. I've said it before but it's so significant now: Yesterday is history, tomorrow's a mystery, today's a gift, that's why we call it the present. Simply untie the ribbons. Rusty Gibson WEBR/FCAC (7/11/05)
This is for the Sorce family from PLB I hope you'll post this site. It may bring some peace to Don, Bart and the folks that knew and loved Freda. PLB www.wisehearts.com (7/11/05)
Wow, I'm suffering from a double-dose of shock right now. I'm not a big D&M fan, at least in their current incarnation @ WJFK; that said, I was a big fan of theirs during the WAVA Top 40/CHR days, and remember when Don would drag his wife Freda into their show "on the air". Most of the people who frequent DCRTV wouldn't know this, but Freda had her own very successful career on the radio over the years. I remember meeting her at the old WASH-FM studios when she came on board to follow my compadre, Ed Rodriguez, when he did Saturday evenings, and she would do Saturday-Sunday overnights; she was gorgeous and classy, and was great to listen to on the air. A couple of summers ago, she came to the WASH-FM reunion held at the Monocle Restaurant here on the Hill, and had her son Bart in tow. And I never met David Haines in person, but was also a loyal listener when he did the news for Don&Mike on WAVA. He was just what the show needed, and on top of everything else, he was a damn good newsman. I don't remember what the story was, but I remembered he came back to the station in the afternoon one day when a big local story broke, so he could provide the afternoon listeners with the latest on that big story. I don't generally listen to WPGC, but had heard one of his newscasts one morning when I was scanning the dial, and was pleased to hear David 'act' had such staying power, and successfully transferred to another successful (and very classy) show like Donnie Simpson's. Both of these sad deaths remind us of the power of radio to make people like these, even the ones we don't know personally, a part of our extended family. My sincere condolences to Mike Sorce and his family, and to the family of David Haines, on the untimely losses of their loved ones. - Max in Wild West Arlington (7/11/05)
I am sick by this news. I feel like my sister has died. How can this be true. I will never forget Freda. Liz in Annapolis (7/11/05)
Wow, I feel like a part of my family has passed on. I grew up in Baltimore hooked on D&M, and feel like Freda, Bart and Mike were part of my family. 20 years later since listening to Don and Mike for the first time, I am in the radio business myself, learning most the behind the scenes rituals from Don. Your wife was a beautiful woman, and we will not forget her. Take as much time as you need- your fans are friends will be there for you when you return. Bob Stei, WZZO Allentown (7/11/05)
To those who mmay care, I first started listening to "Don" on WPGC as a kid, and later, still a kid, Don and Mike on WAVA. I would get up every morning and listen before school, and later into the show on my way to work during the summers. I followed his ups and downs with mine. I grew up, and became an adult. I still listened. And I even participated. I called. Often. Well not as often in recent years, I grew up, but long time listeners may recognize my Knickname. And through the various producers, newsmen, and everything I listened. I am a lifelong "Washingtonian" and I feel like I have listened to Don and Mike my whole life. All the while, I felt I came to know, as much as a listener can, these people, Don and Mike, that came out of my radio every day. I felt I knew them, and the characters that filled their lives. Freda, Bart, Big Freda, Rob, Buzz, Billy (Charlie), Lisa, etc, etc, etc. But especially Freda. She became such a part of the shows DNA. She could go weeks without being on, but her presence was always felt. I went through my twenties and eventually found a woman that I love so much , and get along with so well, that I would come to call her"MY Freda" from time to time. I turned her on to the show, and she loves it as much as I do (How could I love her as much if she didn't) I did not know Freda. Or "Don", Mike or the rest, but when I saw the headline on DCRTV, I felt like I had been punched in the chest. I cannot begin to compare my feelings to what Don or any of his "real" or radio families must be feeling. But I feel a deep sense of sadness and loss. I feel like a favortie Aunt I loved, but rarely saw, has died. I expect that Don has much more important matters facing him right now, but if he should read this at some time in the future, I just want to say I Love You and I am forever grateful for all the joy, laughter, and fun you and your show have given to me over the years. I am greatful I had the opportunity to meet Freda an several occasions, and to enjoy the beautiful thing that was your amazing marriage from afar. I can HONESTLY say I learned things about how people who love each other treat each other from your love, and it helped me find MY "Freda". I don't think you truly believe how you, Mike Buzz and the rest touch peoples lives. Not the Nuts out there, the radiophiles etc., but everyday shmoes, especially guys who drive for a living like me, who felt like "The Don and Mike Show" was like a warm fire on a cold day, a comfort that was as reliable as Hitlers trains. (It's okay, I'm Jewish). You get the idea. Anyway, EB (my wife) and I send our deepest sympathies to the Wright and Sorce families on their unimaginable loss. May she find peace and rest, and may Don (I don't feel right calling him Mike. I just don't know him) and Bart find comfort in her memory and the memory of her love.. Sincerely, Jonathan "Evilboy" Wolk, Ashburn, VA (7/11/05)
Don was a big influence on my career choice to get into radio. It was with great sadness that I received a phone call telling me of Freda's death. Hearing this news just floored me. Like many, we felt as if we knew Freda personally throughout her years on the show. My condonlences go out to the Don, Bart and the rest of the family. Tom Pyles (7/11/05)
About the passing of Freda Sorce: Don, you will probably never read these messages because you certainly have greater concerns at this point. If you do, though, just know that you have a lot of fans, including myself, and we are very sorry for your loss. I hope to hear you again but, if not, I think we would all understand. Chris, a fan in Baltimore (7/11/05)
This is surely redundant, but I have to add to the list of condolences for Don and the WJFK family. I am hoping the trifecta thing doesn't hold true here, because I don't know how much more we can take in one day. Don, I'm sure you'll get around to reading the board at some point, even if it's later on. Just remember to stay strong, and do what YOU need to do. Everyone here (even the ones that love to hate the show) is hoping that the show goes on, but take care of yourself first. We'll welcome you back whenever you are ready. And for all those who are piling on, remember, there's a special place for you too... One more thing - am I the only one here that's noticing that none of the local news outlets seem to have picked up on this, at least on their websites??? Shameful. These two people have touched far more Washingtonians than an AP produced package on Money Magazine, gas prices, or another distant hurricane. Come on, guys, pick it up here... - Joe in SS (7/11/05)
This is terrible news! Our prayers go out to Don and his immediate family, as well as to his radio family -- Mike, Buzz, Joe, et. al. -- who were probably hit just as hard by this news. We hope to see everyone again in the not too far future. Until then, you will be in our thoughts. -- Rich K. (7/11/05)
My deepest condolences. Next to the radio insider gossip, I always enjoyed the glimpses Into family life that Frieda’s call-ins gave us. I’ve been a longtime D&M listener; let’s face it, when they’re on their game, they’re some of the best on the radio today. I would not be surprised if they do not return to the air in their present form. I have known many a close couple as this who have experienced loss, and the surviving spouse and children are forever changed. Mike Source could hardly be faulted if the humor in everyday life eludes him for a long time to come. I guess they’re right-the good really do die young….. (7/11/05)
wow.....my condolences to Mike Sorce. I am truly sorry and feel like a ton of bricks was dropped on my head when I read this. It's odd how attached we get to the show we listen to. It's also a reminder that ANY of us can go at anytime I guess. My prayers are with you.... (7/11/05)
Ok, First, I'm a D&M fan not an O&A fan. However, in the interest of fairness I would suggest you post the following statement from Jim Norton-copied from the whackbag site: Op, Ant, myself and the rest of the show staff learned about Freda Sorce’s death this afternoon as did most of you. We are obviously stunned by it. We’ve all lost people we love and it’s never supposed to happen so unexpectedly. People you love are supposed to grow old with you and fade slowly, not kiss you goodbye and never come home. I am sure the listeners understand that when something horrible like this happens, all meaningless radio squabbles prove to be exactly that; meaningless. 99% of the listeners will know this intuitively; I am explaining this to the 1% who may not. Freda was part of a radio show we went back and forth with, but more importantly, she was a wife and a mother. Don, Bart and the rest of their family have had their lives completely and irreversibly altered. We can control the way we handle and address things on the air, but we cannot control the way listeners respond. I am asking on behalf of the show that all of you display the same respect for Don and his family that we intend to. Not because it’s ‘politically correct’ or for fear of corporate retribution, but because on a human level, it’s the way any of us would want to be treated if it were our own families. jim..... Don, of all people, understands the value of playing up a good radio war. He also understands the difference between radio and reality. Pray for his family and don't worry about whether any tasteless morons make jokes. Erik in Fredericksburg. (7/11/05)
"Part-timer Neil Krofchik is now doing overnights at WZBH/93.5 The Beach." Hey Neil, congrats on the huge move up (7/11/05)
My sincerest, deepest condolences to the Sorce family. I was horrified and sickened to read the headline here on the website. I am praying for "Don", Bart and Big Freda to persevere through this extremely difficult time. Thank you Don, Freda and Bart for inviting us into your lives. God rest her soul. (7/11/05)
For once in my life I sit here in stunned silence on hearing the news of Freda. God bless you Don, Bart and "Big Freda." My prayers and condolences are with you! Tom in Frederick (7/11/05)
My heart aches for Don G, Bart and everyone who knew Freda Source personally and for those of us who listened to and loved her on the Don and Mike Show. I recently lost my little brother to a car accident and there is nothing that anyone can say or do nor any amount of drugs or alcohol that will make the hurting stop. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone touched by this tremendous loss. Rachel (7/11/05)
Though never a D&M fan I was a Freda fan. Don, if you read this post, believe that I'm saddened and truly feel your pain. I've only met you once or twice but I knew Mike well, many moons ago. If there is anything I personally can do to help Bart and you through this don't hesitate, I mean this sincerely. Dave (Hughes) knows how to contact me. I am so saddened. I know how it is to find your soulmate, I'm lucky enough to have done that. Peace, Love, Prayers and anything else I can do. Believe me, I mean it. PLB (7/11/05)
Jim Norton (very much not a D&M fan) posted his opinions on the matter www.wackbag.com... Kevin... (7/11/05)
As a person who has listened to Don and Mike since the early WAVA days, I really considered Don's family, in some wierd way, a part of my own. This is truly a sad day for the local radio comunity. It's times like these that we need to band together with those that hurt and hopefully in some small way, give them as much strength as we can muster. To Don, Bart, and the rest of the DnM family, my thoughts are with you and know that you are not saddened alone. -TB (7/11/05)
Damn...This is some sad, sad sh*t. Personally, I have despised Don and Mike for some years now, but all bullsh*t aside, I REALLY feel for Don. He didn't deserve this. I know he is really hurting because he put his wife on a pedestal. My thoughts go out to Don and his family... -Metakomm (7/11/05)
I am an O&A fan and was devastated to hear the news of Freda's tragic death. I think there is a real difference between radio bits and real life tragedy like this. I do not think the mojority of O&A fans are celebrating this news. I am extremely sorry for Don and his family and will pray for them. Joe (NY) (7/11/05)
I am just stunned... Freda was a friend and radio pal. I was in their wedding and we had spent many crazy days together. Mike and Bart: We love you and will be there for you in the painful days to come. I am in too much pain to write further but please know that your radio family will do whatever you need us to do. You are deeply loved. Freda is entertaining the folks in Heaven with her beautiful smile! Love, Linda Kelly (Madelaine Waltjen Shedlick) (7/11/05)
Sincere condolences to Don and the entire extended Source family. I nearly lost a brother on that same stretch of 90 - by the grace of God he only left his leg at the scene - not his life. Please know you are in my prayers. Matt (7/11/05)
I feel like a ass couse when i first read the rumor that frida had been killed i thought oh don wanted another week or 2 off... I feel so much like a ass hole now for sayin that... My thoughts are too everyone in there family and at jfk Dave Talbert (7/11/05)
A message on www.DonandMikewebsite.com says they will be back... I don't see them coming back anytime soon though. (7/11/05)
I am in complete shock about the Don and Mike news. Love her or hate her, Freda was part of the show. I enjoyed it when she would call in and speak with the gang. I also thought it was sweet that they would show obvious love and affection towards each other, even after on-air "fights." Frankly, I am really concerned for Don and how he will deal with this tragedy. He needs to be surrounded by some great people who will not let him sink into despair and not let him self-medicate. My heartfelt prayers go out to the Sorce family (Don, Bart, "Big Freda") and everyone involved with the show. -Rob, Bowie, MD (7/11/05)
Dave's response: I agree. You could tell that Freda was "more than a wife" to Don. She was his "soulmate" and "guardian angel" in many respects.....
RE: Not getting XM because of O&A. Do you not get cable/DSS because you COULD watch Bill O'Reily or the EWTN? I used to like O&A, but have since grown out of them. I simply move right on past channel 202 "High Voltage," and on to my local traffic and weather report. It's a sad day for the D&M show. Whether you like(d) them or not, the passing of two people I grew up listening to (from the WAVA days to today) is very sad. My condolences to both families. JS in MD (7/11/05)
While I'm not a fan of the Don and Mike Show, I felt that he should know that he has the sympathy and prayers of a lot of people who may not listen to his show. I hope Don and his son will pull through this tragedy. Sincerely, Joe M. from Wackbag... P.S. - I'd like to apologize on behalf of the nimrods there who are less than sensitive about his loss. They DO NOT represent the general feeling on the board. (7/11/05)
My condolences to the entire Sorce family. I feel, as I am sure many of us do who have been listening to the show for years, that I grew up with these people and reading this news today truly saddened me. And to the morons on wackbag.com, go ahead and keep proving why you and the radio show you listen to continue to define idiocy. Vince in Maryland. (7/11/05)
I actually cried when I heard about the passing of Freda Sorce, not because I knew her, but I felt like I did. I have listened to D&M since the 7th grade (and that was a long time ago). I loved it when she called him "sugarbear". It made me laugh because he was always trying to be so tough. I am also very sad to think that I might have heard the last D&M ever. I can't imagine Don coming back, but I pray he does. It may help him heal from this horrific event. Tina (7/11/05)
Terrible news. I was still reeling from the news of David Haines' passing, and then we get word about Freda Sorce. I'm still in a state of shock. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Haines family, and of course, to Mike Sorce, Bart, and the rest of the Sorce Family. I can't remember a darker day in the Washington area radio community. (7/11/05)
We would like to send our deepest condolences to the Source family. Words cannot describe how we all feel. We pray for the entire family. (7/11/05)
Sad, very sad. First David Haines (who was a VERY good newscaster) passed away, and now news about Freda Sorce. I'm not a real big D&M fan, but no one deserves to die the way these two did (or other noteworthy people who die before their time). My heart goes out for David's family and of course Don's family as well. My the Lord reach out to those who need Him the most right now. Dave in Fredericksburg (7/11/05)
My condolences to Mike Sorce and his family. If any good can possibly come from a tragedy like this, I hope it results in improvements to that very dangerous stretch of Rt. 90. Unfortunately, the possibility of head-on collisions like this one will continue to be a reality until the state erects a median along the entire roadway. A very preventable tragedy. Guy in Frederick (7/11/05)
I hope the news of Freda Source's death is not some sick joke. I was floored when I read the headline on your site, and don't know what to say or how to react. I grew up listening to Don and Mike and have continued to do so through the years. I always enjoyed Freda's appearances on the show. Her wit was unmatched, and as a listener I loved it when she put Don in his place like no one else could. Don had a special bond with his wife, I don't know how he is going to go on without her. And their poor son, Bart. She seemed to me to be the figurehead of that household, keeping things together with her inner-strength. She will be sorely missed by many in the community. My best to Don and Bart. (7/11/05)
Dave's response: This is going to be really tough for Don. Could this be the end of the 106.7 duo's afternoon show? At least for the forseeable future, I'd suspect.....
Dave, I'm shocked and saddened by the news that Don's wife Freda was taken away from him in a horrific car yesterday. Anyone who's been listening to Don & Mike, or any local personalities for that matter, for a long time can understand that it feels like someone we know has been taken away, even if we never knew Freda. I know Don is the most unpopular personality on this message board, and I tend to keep out of the "bash Don defend Don" banter, but I beg you. Don't post anything hateful or disrespectful about this situation that someone submits to you, just for someone who hates the "Don Geronimo" character to get his jollies and make him feel like a big man. (7/11/05)
I think we might have heard the last live "Don & Mike Show" of all time 2 weeks ago. I don't foresee Don coming back after this TRAGIC news. (7/11/05)
I just read the comment about wackbag "celebrating" Don's wife's death. I am someone who posts on wackbag.com and I am NOT celebrating anyone's death. Take that comment down because it is NOT FAIR to the entire message board. A few idiots going "hooray" does NOT mean the WHOLE board is jumping with joy. (7/11/05)
My deepest and most sincere condolences to Don Geronimo (and the rest of the gang). Freda will be missed. Also to the Family of David Haines, a great radio man, he too will be missed. Mark in Annandale. (7/11/05)
The readers of www.Opieanthony.net give their sincerest condolenses to Don Geronimo's family in this time of sorrow. In this end, it's just a silly radio show after all. -WhiteFolks- opieanthony.net (7/11/05)
Anyone thinking of getting XM should consider the company you will be keeping. The messageboard for Opie and Anthony is already celebrating the fact that Don's wife is dead. wackbag.com (7/11/05)
To Rick: It’s Fulton J. Sheen (not Sheehan), and there are a lot of entries in Google. I don’t have the answers to your questions, although I do remember him on tv when I was a child. Try this website for answers: www.museum.tv (7/11/05)
I was wondering if I'm the only one who refuses to listen to the Z104 morning show now that it is being run by Matthew Blades? I can't stand him and wish that Brett Haber would come back! Blades is such a tool - the interviews that he and his bunch of merry men do are so obviously fake and pre recorded. It's just uncomfortable to listen to!!!!!! Diana (7/11/05)
Hey, Dave. If we support DCRTV, can we see that picture of the hottie in front of the Jeep WITHOUT the "Support DCRTV" box over her chest? (7/11/05)
What’s going on with WJFK? No Junkies, and Don and Mike’s site is down… (7/11/05)
Dave's response: Check out the lead story right now on DCRTV's Front Page.....
what kind of two-bit operation are they running at MAL?? they send michael graham all the way out to baghdad... and then lose him over, and over, and over again... blaming the problems on the fact that they sent him all the way to baghdad. first they had him on some kind of lousy line, then on the phone... but even THAT dropped out. it was a total abortion. (7/11/05)
Checkout Don and Mikes Website. It is black. Boy, that is just terrible news if it is true. (7/11/05)
First off it was Bishop Fulton Sheen, not "Sheehan" and "Life Is Worth Living” was the name of his program and it ran from Feb. 12, 1952, until April 8, 1957. The first three years were on the old Dumont Network, then it moved over to ABC which would be channel 7 in DC. Father Flannigan (7/11/05)
To Rick - You may have googled the wrong name. The last name is Sheen. The program was on NBC as I recall---in the mid to late 50’s which would make it kinescope. Some of the Catholic websites sell tapes. The old are also broadcast on EWTN—the cable Catholic Channel. Plum (7/11/05)
Correction: The French song is called "Comme d'habitude" -- Carl in Olney (I typed before I thunk) (7/11/05)
The D&M Website has changed to non-functioning status. Just a logo w/ "Keep Listening, We'll Be Back" underneath. Let's all hope that the rumor is false. (Brad in B-More) (7/11/05)
The answer concerning "My Way" is that it is a French ballad called "Ma Vie" written in 1968, and has been sung by every French singer of the 60s and 70s, on album after album.The original words and music are by Claude François, Jacques Revaux, Gilles Thibault. The English lyrics were written by Paul Anka, but he did not write the music or the original lyrics. -- Carl in Olney (7/11/05)
The Catholic Bishop one writer was asking about is named Fulton J. Sheen, and his TV program was "Life is Worth Living". I cannot for the life of me remember what network it was on, because I was under 7 years old and watched it sometimes but had no idea what he was talking about (or maybe I did, but have completely forgotten). But I think it was to compete with some extremely popular show on another network, like Milton Berle or something, so my guess would be ABC. But type the name as spelled in this paragraph into a search engine and you will find more than enough about him. (P.S. Martin Sheen, the actor, changed his name from Ramón Estévez to honor Bishop Fulton J. Sheen -- this is not an urban legend, but a true fact.)-- Carl in Olney (7/11/05)
My condolences go out to the families and friends of David Haines and Freda Sorce. What a shock for a Monday morning. (7/11/05)
I am really disappointed with the breakup of the MMC show on the beach, 93.5. I thought that their morning show was really smart and funny, and I am really going to miss them. I cannot say too much about the replacements that are currently on. I have turned off my radio in the mornings. (7/11/05)
Hello Mailbag, Here's what I found after a very quick internet search on Bishop Sheen. I do remember the program, cause I am old. :) Thank you, Tomas www.museum.tv (7/11/05)
NERW guru Scott Fybush was kind enough to comment on the notion of upgrading DC's 5-k rigs "Even if DC's troubled AMs built DAs to the northwest of town and aimed the juice southeast, out over the Atlantic, the conductivity of Chesapeake Bay and the ocean would create many interference issues along the East Coast before those signals finally blasted out to sea. And fourth, the station ABC bought and took dark for its 910 move was WFRO Fremont. WFOB Fostoria is alive and well at 1430." Thanks for the correction on FOB/FRO--I'm from Toledo and stil get Fremont & Fostoria mixed up. Scott, I'm not saying this stuff is easy, but radio is full of people quick to come up with reasons why something CAN'T be done. Then you see this kind of creative engineering in Detroit and you realize they may just not be up to the challenge. Let's take the NIMBY problem for example: Three of the locals cited (WTNT, WTEM & WWRC) are all Clear Channel properties--and they own existing directionals all over the region. Could WTEM and/or WWRC use WTNT's 4-tower Brownstown (Germantown) rig? Could any (or all) of them use WFMD's 4-tower site in Frederick? How about the 4-tower WTFX rig in Winchester? Could they add a couple of towers at Winchester? Would they need to change COL for some of these? Big deal (see WFDF). Would a 6-tower pattern shooting ESE with 50-kw on 570 as "WTNT, Purcellville" be one of DC's best signals? Probably. Would it be more valuable than it is now? Absolutely. (7/11/05)
A couple of David Haines stories... A previous poster mentioned when he was running for "King of Virginia" one election day. D&M had him at the Burger King wearing a crown and were driving him around in a limo, while he was popping out the moon roof doing the "royal wave" to people. There was the time that he walked off of D&M's show for a day, just not able to take it anymore. Don placing the Pat Robertson for president bumper sticker on his car, which set him off because it would damage his credibility. His "It's Friday" which was far more drawn out back in the Morning Zoo days, and his tongue twisters. And finally, the time that they all came back from vacation, were discussing what they had done over vacation, and David's story was that he had gotten married. Took a couple of weeks before they finally believed him. (7/11/05)
For Rick: It is Archbishop Fulton Sheen, not Sheehan. He appeared, I believe, on the DuMont TV network and then on ABC for a while after DuMont folded. I do not recall whether he was live or kinescope, but I'd guess it was the former. --Susan in Springfield (7/11/05)
Here's a shot in the dark...but a lot of people with long memories and extensive broadcast knowledge read DCRTV so here goes: Back in the 1950s one of the first televangilists was a Roman Catholic priest named Bishop Fulton J. Sheehan. I've googled him - but haven't been able to get a lot of information about his television ministry. It was a network broadcast -- but on what network? Here's the local angle - evidently some of his programs were done remotely (either live or on tape) from a large home on Hawthorne Ave iin Northwest DC, not far from where NBC is currently located on Nebraska Ave. Does anyone have any knowledge of these broadcasts? What network? When they were broadcast? Was it a live or kinescope broadcast? Thanks. Rick (7/11/05)
"Witchi Tai To" was a Brewer and Shipley recording. Joe Bilelo brought that to me and said that if I listened to it twice, I'd program it. He was right. You can still get high listing to that album. Good to see Les Alexander posting. I miss the days when Les and Alan Drake would set booby traps for each other at 1102 N. Charles. Ed Graham (7/11/05)
Quoted from Joel Whitburn's TOP POP SINGLES (Compiled Exclusively From Billboard); "CHICORY... British rock quartet. Known in England as "Chicory Tip". Recording: "Son of My Father"... Debut Date: 3/11/72 ... Peak Position: 91 ... Weeks Charted: 3 ... Epic 10837" (7/11/05)
When I was in the fifth or sixth grade, I loved the Don and Mike show on WAVA. They had a promotion once where they crowned David Haines the 'King of Fairfax'. The coronation ceremony was held at the Burger King at Fair Oaks Mall. My mom callled me in sick to school so I could attend, and I thought it was the greatest. I don't recall meeting Don or Mike that day, but David Haines was really nice. We chatted for a few minutes and he signed my paper crown. It was guys like him that made me want to get into radio. I finally did get into radio years later, bt since there weren't too many more like him, I didn't stick around. RIP, Mr. Haines. You will be missed. (7/11/05)
Message I got from Z104 regarding reception. Thought I'd share..... Dear Steve: Thanks for your email. The signal for Z104 is now being interfered with by 104.3 in Baltimore because they have upgraded to digital broadcasting. Unfortunately due to FCC regulations there is nothing we can do to prevent this. You can however continue to listen to Z104 on the internet at www.Z104radio.com. . Thanks for listening and we hope you will continue to listen to us on the web! More information about digital broadcasting (HD radio) is available on the Z104 website [ www.z104radio.com ] or the Federal Communications website [ www.fcc.gov ]. Ken Sleeman, Transmitter Site Manager, Bonneville International Corporation, WGMS/WTOP/WWZZ, WFED/WWVZ/WXTR, 3400 Idaho Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 (7/11/05)
A snipet about Tony Burrows. In addition to his recording career. Tony was Apple's first Press Officer (preceeding Derek Taylor). All of this can be found in a wonderful book about that era and The Beatles called "The Longest Cocktail Party" by Richard DiLello. A fascinating read if you're into that period. Rusty Gibson WEBR/FCAC (7/11/05)
A couple of notes on the power increases in Detroit: first, making them happen required the construction of big (8- or 9-tower) directional arrays south of town, requiring lots of land. You can do that in downriver Detroit, both financially and politically. Putting such DAs where they'd need to be in the DC market would land them somewhere around Potomac, Maryland. Even if the land were somehow affordable, the NIMBYs would kill any such project in a heartbeat. Second, those "50 kW" stations are very DIRECTIONAL 50 kW stations, with some very tight protections (like 1270 protecting WLBY 1290 Saline/Ann Arbor, not even 40 miles west of Detroit) that cause big reception problems in some parts of the home market. Third, those DAs were possible in large part because there's not much (AM radio-wise) in the U.S. north of Detroit, so the signals can come from south of town and be aimed straight north without causing much interference. Even if DC's troubled AMs built DAs to the northwest of town and aimed the juice southeast, out over the Atlantic, the conductivity of Chesapeake Bay and the ocean would create many interference issues along the East Coast before those signals finally blasted out to sea. And fourth, the station ABC bought and took dark for its 910 move was WFRO Fremont. WFOB Fostoria is alive and well at 1430. - Scott Fybush, NorthEast Radio Watch, www.fybush.com (7/11/05)
I was shocked to hear about the death of David Haines. I always liked him and his style. RIP my friend... it's burn toast and coffin time (7/11/05)
I never worked with David Haines, but I listened to him here in DC for years. From the DnM days to morning's with Donnie. I wish his family the best in this sad time. I loved his style and he will be sorely missed, especially on my drives on Friday! God Speed David. Bill Rohland (7/11/05)
So long, David Haines, you will be sorely missed. A remaining remnant of the true radio newsmen, a voice and delivery that transcends race, age, or format...not to mention one of the truly nice guys in the business. I was an intern at 'PGC long ago, on several remote broadcasts, and I remember his was the most enthusiastic welcome of any of the staff at the station. RIP. Joe in SS. (7/11/05)
RE: "Run, Joey, Run." Wasn't that the Kazenetz Katz Singing Orchestral Circus, an off-shoot of the Ohio Express? They had a nifty video of Joey climbing over the wall from the cops. Ah, Bubblegum rock!-Tom Soul (7/11/05)
Hey Skip- if you've got a misprinted 45 label-then it may be worth something.....a good website to go to is www.chicorytip.net and they have got back together again. I played on the same bill with them a few times in various venues way back in the late 60s and early 70s, which is how I met Tony Burrows-indeed the singer for those hits I mentioned- a session man supreme. He still holds the (dubious) record of being the only person to appear on BBC's "Top of the Pops" with three different acts doing three different songs in a half-hour show. He also was the singer in another one hit wonder called 'Let's Go to San Francisco' with another bunch of session guys called 'The FlowerPot Men"....the list goes on... Another trivia question worth asking is who wrote the song that we know as 'My Way'....I get some interesting answers. As for the band 'Fanny'-one of the members was Patty Quatro, older sister of Suzi who played on Happy Days for a while and who had a bunch of hits for 'Chinnichap' in the UK. Suzi still has a BBC radio show in the UK. (7/11/05)
7 East, BORN TO RUN,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, from another former occupant above the Earl of Sandwich Scott Fitzgerald, 100.7 TheBay (7/11/05)
Dave: My Betrothed swears that Stern worked at WEEL in the early 70's (I don't recall it) and also hosted a show on Channel 20. She claims that she and her chums would drive by the Oak Street studios in Fairfax (current home of WDCT) honk their horn and try to raise hell to rile Stern. Basically just to be idiots. Do you know of his career stops at either WEEL or 20? Rusty Gibson WEBR/FCAC (7/11/05)
Dave's response: Howard Stern did do the "Petey Green Show" on Channel 20 during his DC101 days. But I'm sure he never worked at WEEL.....
Loved the artist discussion. Readers on the northwest fringe of the DCRTV coverage area may be interested to know that Crow, Crabby Appleton, "Yellow River" by Christie, and just about every hit ever sung by Tony Burrows (five songs, by my count) are all in rotation here at 620 KHB in Pittsburgh. We play music during the early morning, evening, and overnight hours when the station is not airing paid programming. Regards, C.I. (7/11/05)
My name is Neil Krofchik(Neil on air) and it seems esrtv knows everything about what's going on at WZBH/93.5 The Beach except for who does overnights. I DO!! Esrtv has been following the MMC story very closely and has reported on everyone who got promoted from it except me. When Sparx and Hurley went on the morning show esrtv reported that nights and overnights were open. Later esrtv reported that Lindsey was doing nights. Now esrtv reported who is going to join the morning show before he has even been on air. I don't want a parade or even a compliment. I just figure since esrtv is acknowledging all the changes I would get mentioned. I do NOT take this personally, but I am a little pissed. I'll write the sentence for you. Part-timer Neil is now doing overnights at WZBH/93.5 The Beach. Neil Krofchik (7/11/05)
One more angel in heaven, one more star in the sky. We may not know when nor where we are destined to go, but David Haines was one of the good ones, gone too young but certainly gone to a better place, I had the pleasure of working with David for a few years, and he made that a better place. In an industry full of egos and attitudes, David kept both in check. Very few manage to combine their passion, professional demeanor and the pursuit of perfection with compassion for the limitations of others as he did. He may be gone, but he touched many in a positive way, so he will not be forgotten. EAB (7/11/05)
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\/ July 10 Messages \/
Gee Dave, I played Son Of My Father at 13 Double EE...what an awful liner that was. Thanks to the original Bob Raliegh (Rolle Ferrar). Who would have thunk her we are many years later. (7/10/05)
Dave's response: Golly. It's a strange world, ain't it?
We're in real danger here of becoming a "One Hit Wonder" board. Granted, it's tangentially related to radio, but... Hey, has anyone noticed how Infinity has transformed a couple of old 5-kw "regional" AM stations in Detroit--950/WWJ and 1270/WXYT--into fulltime 50,000 watt blowtorches, using 5/6 and 9 tower directional arrays? ABC is in the process of doing the same with a station licensed to Flint--910/WFDF, moving the SOB all the way to Detroit and kicking it up to 50-kw. First, though, they had to buy 900/WFOB in Fostoria, Ohio and take it off the air to create first-adjacency clearance. DC is full of such prospects: WTNT, WMAL, WTEM, WWRC. Like everything else in radio, the blueprint is in another market--ripe for the stealing. (7/10/05)
Thanks, 7 East Lexington Rat for the "Hip-Hip Hurrah". Sister appreciates your kind words. Hey Dave, way to go again. Not bad for a semi-old guy. The Tony you are thinking of is Tony Burrows. In addition to his vocal work as "Edison Lighthouse", "White Plains", "The Brotherhood of Man", etc. Tony was also behind the Pipkins' great novelty tune "Gimme Dat Ding". I think of Artie Johnson's dirty old man character from "Laugh In" when I hear it. Keep the trivia questions coming. God Bless. Sister Joyce Conroy (WHFC) (7/10/05)
i'm more than old enough to remember sinbad and vinnie santoro. in fact, sinbad's guitar player, bobby stevens, and i used to study with the same guitar teacher--frank mullen--at sophocles papas guitar shop downtown. we'd occasionally have lessons back-to-back and have a chance to talk. nice guy. i agree: vinnie is far-and-away the best drummer to come out of DC. he may be one of the best drummers i've ever heard. we used to see sinbad at the black ulysses and black greco all the time. vinnie was amazing. there were a lot of good people back then: bands like the eye, fat musik, octagon, fancy colors, tahoka, bob brady and the con chords--to name a few. but possibly the best band that EVER came out of DC in that era was probably fairly unknown to many--Willie and the Brothers featuring Big Al Downing. willie used to live near me in falls church, behind the king david memorial garden. superb B3 player. i heard that band countless times. best gig i ever heard them do was at the ft. myer NCO club one night. imagine big al--all 300 pounds of him at the time--with a bunch of PFCs in the club drinking 3.2 beer. they did what we used to call a "top 40 show band set," then, after the break; big al came out in the biggest ten-gallon hat i've ever seen and broke into freddy hart's 'easy lovin...' far better than freddy could sing it. i was floored. after years with willie, et.al., big al struck out on his own and had several mid-line hits. a great talent who never got his due. big al downing--a truly nice guy--died last week of leukemia near boston at age 65. big al and his brothers had more talent in their little fingers than most groups did combined. a sad story, in a way, of people who should have made it, but didn't. /sean hall (7/10/05)
RE" " If you're playing trivia, get it right so there can be only one answer"...Not sure where Steve is coming up with his answers but The Crow title of "Evil Woman Don't Play Your Games With Me" is the correct title. I still have the 45 to prove it. I believe the reason was to separate it from other "Evil Woman" titles. Also it was simply Chicory on "Son Of My Father"... SongFacts has it wrong and it is pointed out on the site as being wrong. I played that in my Paducah, KY days and, again as much as I hate to admit it, have the 45 of that also. -skip (7/10/05)
Dave's response: When I lived in the New Jersey suburbs, across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I could get the "top 40" sounds of WFIL (560 AM) and WIBG (990 AM) day and night. No problem. In 1972, at age 14, I moved (with my family) down here to Wild West Fairfax. And, at night, I could not get a signal from WPGC on 1580 AM (you mean some AMers sign off at sunset? - and, I didn't realize that there was a relay on the FM band, which no one listened to back then) or from WEAM on 1390 AM, which had a night pattern that didn't go anywhere west of Tysons Corner (then a bunch of farm fields that sported a new mall). So, I was "stuck" with WEEL on 1310 AM, which blanketed my Reston neighborhood day and night. And, "Son Of My Father" was one of the first tunes I recall hearing on "13 Double E".....
OK another VERY obscure AM tune that WEEL was promoting heavily for a late 70's live appearance: "Take Me Down To The River"(...to where I can be free) by "The Damnnation Of Adam's Blessing. I had completely forgotten about this tune, don't have it, just materialized out of all of the madness. I had mentioned "Sinbad" in an earlier post. Their drummer, Vinnie Santoro is the best lcal drummer to have EVER come out of this area (and I've seen a lot-I'm one myself). Vinnie plays on the theme for The George Michael Sports Machine, has played with Carlene Carter ("Every Little Thing"), and now tours with Mary Chapin-Carpenter. Rusty Gibson WEBR/FCAC (7/10/05)
To the poster who was deciding whether to listen to WWLG or 101.9 WLIF this weekend...Again the Flashback weekend was great...and of course WLG and the Oldies Radio Program was a repeat/ repeat /repeat...this time referring to the 5th of July and what a great July 4th it was. This has to indicate that they just don't care and have no regard for their listeners. I'm sure their ratings will reflect it. And I'm sure the choice of what to listen to was an easy one! Jay/Baltimore (7/10/05)
"It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap. We gotta get out while we're young. 'Cause tramps like us, baby we were WHAT?"--Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen. (surely you can make it harder than that!)--Susan in Springfield (7/10/05)
RE: Emmanuel writes...PINK FLOYD. Hello, Hello, Hello, is anybody out there?..... Not to nit-pick, but I believe that it is, "Hello, Hello, Hello, is there anybody in there." Tim in Stafford.............. It's both, depending on which part of the album you're listening to. I believe "...anybody IN there?" is from "Comfortably Numb". Hope I'm right; haven't listened to "The Wall" in a few years. Son of Chicken Nick (7/10/05)
Dave: The girl group Fanny also covered Stephen Stills' "Special Care" (from Buffalo Springfield days - yes, I'm "geezing". Mike in Frederick and the Dashboard DX Society, who says, "There's no such thing as "too much" Pink Floyd." When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse, out of the corner of my eye... (7/10/05)
Dave's response: Three words - atom, heart, mother.....
I am as patriotic as the next guy, but I do wish 700-AM WDGMOVP would drop the "Salute the 9/11 victims" hourly ID and signoff, and change it to one that salutes soldiers, veterans, servicemen and women. I suggest it here only because writing an email to that station is like writing an email to the planet Vulcan, and I *know* they read the mailbag in spite of their embargo of DCRTV. (7/10/05)
Dave's response: If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound?
To Scott Fitzgerald: The origin of the name "Crabby Appleton" came from The Captain Kangaroo Show's "Tom Teriffic" cartoon as they were a band, not an individual person. "Go Back" appeared on their self titled release in 1970 and the flip side "Try" was an equally strong tune. Anyone remember when Pure Prairie League had at one time as one of it's members a then unknown Vince Gill? He sang on and co-wrote "Let Me Love You Tonight". 3 Dog Night's Drummer's name was Floyd Sneed. I don't know what he's doing now but I saw the original "TDN" lineup perform at the old Wax Museum in '84 w/ local cover band legends "Sinbad" as opening act. TDN was great and Chuck Negron was in fine form and showed no effects of his soon to come substance problems. See I told you guys this was fun! Rusty Gibson WEBR/FCAC (7/10/05)
If you're playing trivia, get it right so there can be only one answer.... "Evil Woman, don't you play your games with me' was titled 'Evil Woman' and was on the first ever 'Black Sabbath' album on Liberty records. 1969. And yep- Ozzie was the singer. As for Mary Klick- she had an excellent trio in St Louis a while back with her partner and a sequencing machine...Very good- saw them a l-o-o-o-ng time ago. As for 'CHICORY- wrong again...It was Chicory Tip- a bunch of musos from Kent in Southern England. Giorgio Moroder was the German writer/producer who went on to have hits with Donna Summer. As for 'Yellow River'- the backing and all the music and harmonies were done by a band called the 'Tremeloes'-The brother of one of the Trems was in a band with Jeff Christie and they needed a record put out. The Tremeloes were going to put it out as a single, then changed their minds and did another song. The 'other song' did nothing, Yellow River was #1 in England for 7 weeks before being knocked off by 'In the Summertime'- the one hit for Mungo Jerry. As for Floyd Sneed- ex 3 Dog Night..He is in Chuck Negron's band. Chuck was the 'third' voice in the original band and had some troubles with pharmaceuticals in the late 70s and 80s. Now clean, he is doing the circuits. The original keyboard played, Jimmy Greenspoon, plays on his CDs, but plays live with Danny Hutton and Cory Wells, the 'other two'. Now if you want a question.....what do 'Love Grows where my Rosemary Goes (Edison Lighthouse), My Baby Loves Lovin' (White Plains and 'Beach Baby Beach baby (First Class) have in common? Steve (7/10/05)
Dave's response: Same lead singer. Tony Somethingorother. They were a batch of British studio-based pseudo-groups. Speaking of "pseudo," remember Pseudo Echo. Take me to "Funky Town".....
OK.....here's a few to name the artists: Yellow River CHRISTIE , Go Back CRABBY APPLETON, Evil Woman Don't Play Your Games With Me CROW, Witchi Tai To EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING , Hocus Pocus FOCUS , Run Joey Run DAVID GEDDES and for extra credit: Son Of My Father GIORGO or CHICKORY . Should be easy for you radio vets! What do I win ?? Scott Fitzgerald, 100.7 TheBay (7/10/05)
Ok, I don't have all of them, but I can tell you that "Yellow river" was by Christie,.."Evil woman don't play"..was by Crow,..and Focus did "Hocus Pocus".. (7/10/05)
Whatever happened to Floyd the drummer from Three Dog Night, and Danny the drummer for Chicago......Also is it true Elvis turned down A Star Is Born opposite Babs, because she refused to give him top billing? (7/10/05)
OK.....here's a few to name the artists: Yellow River, Go Back, Evil Woman Don't Play Your Games With Me, Witchi Tai To, Hocus Pocus, Run Joey Run and for extra credit: Son Of My Father. Should be easy for you radio vets! (7/10/05)
Bobbie, you are so sharp! I raise my mug of root beer to you. A true music fan-the envy of your peers! More licks of the Baskin-Robbins cone for sure. You are easily on your way to a 7 East Lexington Rat Plaque. Keep up that good work. Larry in Luray-Hooray! You are so right. Ms. Bobbie Gentry moved more into the country scene later in her career (but, dude, the band is/was called Fanny-check them out @ www.aurealm.com/fanny). Honorable Mention to Rusty for his good memory. Allright-a new one to chew on: In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream. At night we ride through mansions of glory in suicide machines. Sprung from cages out on highway 9, chrome wheeled, fuel-injected and steppin' out over the line. Baby this town rips the bones from your back It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap. We gotta get out while we're young. 'Cause tramps like us, baby we were WHAT? Best of luck and study hard for the next exam! 7 East Lexington Rat (with the patented Rat Format). (7/10/05)
Tim in Stafford writes: "Not to nit-pick, but I believe that it is, "Hello, Hello, Hello, is there anybody in there."" Not to start a fight, but, does it matter? Emmanuel (7/10/05)
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\/ July 9 Messages \/
Emmanuel writes...PINK FLOYD. Hello, Hello, Hello, is anybody out there?..... Not to nit-pick, but I believe that it is, "Hello, Hello, Hello, is there anybody in there." Tim in Stafford (7/9/05)
To Ron Evans: A wild guess, just from a quick search on the 'net, but was the name you are looking for Mary Klick? Hope so... Chris in Middletown, MD (7/9/05)
Here I sit in front of my TV, watching,this time, the complete re-broadcast of the Live 8 concert. Sounds like CBS heard complaints about their blubber mouths talking too much time on the air. The only reason I am interested in watching the concert again can be summed up in two words, though: PINK FLOYD. Hello, Hello, Hello, is anybody out there?..... Emmanuel. (7/9/05)
Yes "GENTRY". Anyone remember "The Gentrys"? Featuring current (or maybe onetime WWE manager Jimmy "Mouth of The South" Hart. Probably their biggest hit was "I Keep On Dancing" but I seem to remember a late 60's cover of Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl" This stuff is beginning to get kinda fun. Rusty Gibson WEBR/FCAC (7/9/05)
"Darcy cares about what she does. She's good people, and an absolute delight to work with-unlike some of the big names I've dealt with." - No Stan Fetter, you just have an ax to grind with some of the "big names" you've worked with. Get over it, fly boy. (7/9/05)
I REMEMBER ALL OF THE NAMES OF THE TEXAS WILDCATS (MARVIN CARROLL, JIMMY DEAN, BUCK RYAN, HERBIE JONES, ROY CLARK, SMITTY IRVIN, BILLY GRAMMER) BUT, I CAN NOT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE FEMALE BASE PLAYER NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRY. CAN YOU HELP??? --- RON EVANS (7/9/05)
*snip* If anyone was listening to the Nat's/Phil's game this afternoon, who was doing the color? He sounded like a cross between Casey Casem and Barry White... *snip* That would be former Phillies pitcher Larry Andersen, who moved into the Phils broadcast booth after the untimely passing of Richie Ashburn a few years back. A genuinely funny guy who occasionally does games for Fox. BTW, Bobbie Gentry also wrote and originally performed "Fancy" (the song, not the group referred to a few posts back) which was redone by Reba McEntire a couple of years ago - - - - - Larry in Luray (7/9/05)
If anyone was listening to the Nat's/Phil's game this afternoon, who was doing the color? He sounded like a cross between Casey Casem and Barry White... Tim in Stafford (7/9/05)
Hearing Debbie Jarvis's voice on the radio for Pepco takes me back to the days when her incredibly sexy, pure honeyed voice and Halle Barry beauty would transfix me to the TV Saturday/Sunday mornings. She could make even horrible news tolerable. Paul (7/9/05)
Rusty Gibson posts "Oh yes The Jaggerz. Anyone remember their guitarist/vocalist Donnie Iris ("Ah Leah", "Injured in The Game of Love")? a decent pop artist in the early 80's." Heard Donnie Iris doing an interview on one of Pittsburgh's talkers a few months ago--he's a local boy who never left the Steel City--still playing gigs around town. Sounded very grounded--enjoyed his 15 minutes of national fame but didn't go off the deep end when it ended. Says he's one of those guys who was always in it for the music and continues to enjoy make a living at it. So life is good for ol' Donnie in Pittsburgh (7/9/05)
I know many people are chronic complainers but 94.7 has done a good job improving itself over the past few months. It's playlist is MUCH better and the special weekend things they have been doing, like all live weekend or all cover songs weekend have been great. A little credit should be given when credit is due. (7/9/05)
"By comparison, the Junks are really quite good looking....." They are just like guys some of us knew in college. They are good looking fellas... some may even say "monnnney!!" (7/9/05)
"Mr. Soundoff" was a guy named Bob Howard and he died some years ago. What I wanna know is what ever happened to the WEAM Flying Saucer?!? (7/9/05)
“Mr. Soundoff” was general manager Bob Howard. He exited WPGC after First Media purchased the station in the mid-seventies, and he bought a station in Buffalo. He passed away a number of years ago. Roddy Freeman (7/9/05)
"Ode to Billy Joe"...Bobbie Gentry. -- Bobbie Not Gentry (7/9/05)
"Actually the best thing on 94.7 is Weasel at Monday-Thursdays with the 9 o'clock boxset." That is *THE* only thing worth listening to on the broken Arrow. Weasel is the only member of their "air talent" that's worth listening to. The rest of them should leave the sstation and go somewhere else. The dumb-dumb PD should leave with them. Dave in Fredericksburg (7/9/05)
Like to hear weasel on deep tracks also. (7/9/05)
"Look at the talent at 106.7 - a lot of really UGLY guys. Don, Mike, Buzz, Robbay, Ron, Fez, El Jefe, Howard Stern, Bill O'Reilly, etc. By comparison, the Junks are really quite good looking....." - Lay off Burbank if you know what's good for you. (7/9/05)
According to a "Google" image search, Susan King is now vice president of public relations for the International Womens Media Foundation.
This is her photo off their web site.
Al McGilvray,
WAZT News 10,
Woodstock, VA (7/9/05)(Regarding Darcy Spencer:) I don't know if she's married or not (somebody else asked that question) but I don't care. Serious, talented journalists are an endangered species in the news business in this town. Can we at least agree that ability and attitude matter? Darcy cares about what she does. She's good people, and an absolute delight to work with-unlike some of the big names I've dealt with. Let's give credit where credit is due. SBF (7/9/05)
Oh yes The Jaggerz. Anyone remember their guitarist/vocalist Donnie Iris ("Ah Leah", "Injured in The Game of Love")? a decent pop artist in the early 80's. I hope some of you caught my show yesterday as Pat Murphy did in fact call in. He was a terrific guest and still has a wonderful sense of humor that we so desperately need in this day and age. As I mentioned on the air today when I called him the area's first "shock jock" in comparing him with Stern that the difference was that Pat spelled class with a "C" and Stern with a "K". Hope some of you caught it and yes Dave I did give you a couple of promos. Rusty Gibson WEBR/FCAC (7/9/05)
While the (amandfmmorningside.com), is very entertaining and tells the WPGC story, the so called "ratings" from "pulse" and "hooper" are at best, stretches and fail to prove what the writer claims. First off, "pulse" and "hooper" were at best third tier ratings services and if the author will note the 'ratings' were taken for the "hooper" only in the DC limits and for the "pulse" only in a "5 county" area, and it does not define what counties. As said in the orginal post, WPGC was a Prince Georges County DAYTIMER and the FM did not become popular until the late 60's and early 70's and the FM did not come on the air, until the AM came on the air. Please, stop reaching! I acknowledge that WPGC was a great station, but so was WEAM. The original poster who said, "WEAM never won", was wrong then, and is still wrong. Do I have to fire somebody? Harry Averill (7/9/05)
Close, but no cigar, Trivia King! Do you believe in life after love, though? You should! Right-O, alr, the title is so correct, it almost hurts (and your age is just fine with me!), and Babs DID take it to the charts. A sterling star to Dave of Sterling, as well as an honorary 7 East Lexington Rat Plaque (gotta wait a bit, though, Dave-these as made to order only), for he knew that it was composed by Laura Nyro. And a Hip-Hip-Hurrah to Sister Joyce Conroy for 'membering ole Julie from Mod Squad (Peggy Lipton to those of you of tender years, married to Quincy Jones, penned a nice new book, too, all about those days of yore). Kudos to Les-remember, not everyone gets it right the first time, like you, so a lick from the Baskin-Robbins cone is in store for you. A hearty Hi-Ho to Bobbie for being precisely correct-you should have a few licks, too. Now boys and girls, another gem from the rat-mine: It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day. I was out choppin' cotton and my brother was balin' hay. And at dinnertime we stopped and walked back to the house to eat. And Mama hollered out the back door "Y'all remember to wipe your feet." And then she said, "I got some news this mornin' from Choctaw Ridge." "Today-WHAT. Good luck, play fair and ALWAYS write it down honestly in the arbitron bibles. -Honest lil' 7 East Lexington Rat (Be a nice rat to someone you love). (7/9/05)
It's true that WTOP's 1500 signal gets shaky to the west, but 107.7 is good south almost to Richmond and west to well past Winchester. I was in Hagerstown for a conference a couple of weeks ago and 820AM came in up there clear as a bell. I came home without changing the setting, and I didn't start to lose the signal until I was well down into PG county south of the beltway. All they need to do is come up with a way to cover the eastern shore.... SBF (7/9/05)
Does Darcey Spencer on NEWS 4 have one blue eye and one green eye? (7/9/05)
/\ July 9 Messages /\
\/ July 8 Messages \/
Dave, you are right. "Butter Boy" was released in 1974 for Fanny off of Casablanca Records. Joyce Conroy (WHFC) (7/8/05)
On his WPGC history site (amandfmmorningside.com), Lee Chambers has included some Pulse and Hooper ratings reports from around 1964, and they don’t exactly correlate with what Harry Averill wrote (below). Also, according to the site, WBUZ-FM, predecessor to WPGC-FM, dropped its bus “transitcast” in 1954, well before it became WPGC. Roddy Freeman (7/8/05)
Dave's response: Speaking of Classic WPGC, whatever happened to "Mr. Soundoff"?
Reading some of today's posts about 94.7 makes me glad all over again that I have XM. I do miss hearing Weasel and the 9 o'clock box sets though. Sure wish he'd pop up one day on XM - wouldn't it be great to hear him on "Lucy" or "Fred"? (7/8/05)
Dave's response: Or how about a 24/7 Weasel channel? Now that would be sooooooo cool.....
Regarding Babs Streisand's "Stoney End", here's a bit of trivia for you. The name of the female rock group that backed her on "Stoney End" was Fanny. I would love to get a copy of their song "Charity Ball". Peggy Lipton formerly of the Mod Squad also recorded "Stoney End" as well. Now, look who showing her OF status. God Bless. Joyce Conroy (WHFC) (7/8/05)
Dave's response: Fanny was an all-female rock band. Didn't they have a minor hit with a song called "Butter Boy"?
The question on everyones mind is what will PMD/ Peter Rosenberg do tonight on his last night at 7-11 on WJFK? After tonight, TPRS goes back to Saturday nights at JFK 11 - 2. How can WJFK afford to give away $20,000 as a prize on a new show like Rosenberg??? (7/8/05)
Actually the best thing on 94.7 is Weasel at Monday-Thursdays with the 9 o'clock boxset. Not always my favorite artists. Some are a little to popular or mainstream for my tastes, but at least Weasel gets to go outside the play list. They really should let Weasel play what he wants for his whole shift. (7/8/05)
"if Cerph and the rest of the crew over at 94.7FM could spend a little less time telling us how much listeners love them, and a little more time playing records they could make a lot of headway"--------A-FREAKING-MEN!!!!!! Cerphe is the biggest offender of this...but that "rather large sized" Schelby loves to do it as well...Her voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard! And the two hacks in the morning are just ungodly horrible...Best of, you say?? 4 solid hours of the Emergency Broadcast tone would get a better rating than S&M....Ughhh...that station is pure trash! (7/8/05)
Erica Hilary left Z104. Will she be on another station or is she givig up radio all together... (7/8/05)
Dave's response: Anybody know?
Prayers, Warmth and Strength go out to Brian and his wife, Jennifer. Paul (7/8/05)
Dave's response: Amen!
I saw the picture of Susan King that you posted. I had forgotten all about her..Any word on what she's doing now?..Also, WHY does FOX5 continue to send Holly Morris out to cover serious stories?..She looked so out of place with the London bombings segment..And why did Good Morning America send Elizabeth Leamy out as the DC "on the street" person regarding the London bombings?..Didn't she sign on as a consumer reporter? (7/8/05)
Dave's response: The last I heard she was living in the NYC area. Has she been involved in the broadcasting biz since she left the DC TV news arena many moons ago?
"Stoney End" was a stiff. Chalk it up to mass insanity. Ranks right up there with "Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)" by Helen Reddy (7/8/05)
Dave's response: I am not a big fan of Streisand's music, but "Stoney End" was one of her cooler numbers. I do enjoy watching some of Babs' early period comedy flicks like "What's Up Doc" and "For Pete's Sake." As for Helen Reddy, it's "Angie Baby" all the way. "Living in a world of make believe - well maybe."
I don't want to get into a pissing match between old WEAM and WPGC folks, but the statement " WEAM never won any!" would be false. In the early 60's WEAM was pulling 40 shares and WPGC was a daytimer in Prince Georges County that barely showed up in the book. It wasn't until the mid to late 60's that WPGC started to make gains on WEAM. In fact up until that time, WPGC had been the onboard bus music station for the bus company. Harry Averill (7/8/05)
“Coffee or Tea or Me.” That would be “The Rapper” by the Jaggerz. (7/8/05)
Wow. I was out of town for a few weeks and it looks like WJFK, Infinity and Stern all began closing up shop while I was gone. I know its mentioned in the Mailbag every summer, but has no one at WJFK ever considered avoiding having all of their jocks go on vacation simultaneously? Around the clock "Best Of" is a great way to chase away listeners. Stern is bringing down the curtain on his E show tonight-won't miss that a bit-and has done his worst ever year of radio over the past 12 months. A one time Stern fanatic, I now can't wait for him to disappear into the satellite fog which awaits him. From what I read here I guess it's a done deal that R&F are also leaving WJFK. I never got the sense that the station gave them a fair shake to begin with, so I wish them the best. Which leaves WJFK with...the Bill O'Reilly Fantasy Hour, Don & Mike sliding into their own Stern-like petulance-Geronimo has been counting down the weeks and months to retirement on the air for too long already-and a bunch of third rate hacks, interns, and public access rejects. Welcome to rock bottom. It's getting harder and harder to tell the difference between WJFK's Saturday-Sunday infomercial marathon and the rest of their schedule...if Cerph and the rest of the crew over at 94.7FM could spend a little less time telling us how much listeners love them, and a little more time playing records (Concept: More Rock, Less Talk), they could make a lot of headway...And by the way, Stoney End is actually a Laura Nyro song; the Fifth Dimension and Streisand each did saccharine covers. Dave In Sterling (7/8/05)
This morning, while listening to Stevens and Medley 'Best of' (whew, that's a stretch, isn't it?), I definately heard an s-bomb during the Outlaws interview. Somebody asked one of them what they thought of American Idol, and he said, 'They don't know shit about music'. They couldn't remember to edit that out? Even worse, they left in the next part where everyone sheepishly reminded them to 'watch your language'. Does the standard Infinity two week suspension apply here? Do they have a 'producer' to point the finger at? Does anybody even listen to have heard it? (7/8/05)
Dave's response: Hey, if WARW suspended "S&M" for two weeks, 94.7's ratings would probably go up.....
Hey Les, my whoops. You didn't have to get "shitty" I thought this was supposed to be fun. Typical WEAM attitude I guess. You win some and you lose some WEAM never won any! (7/8/05)
Well! Well! Well! Another Michael Popovec deadline has come and gone without his highly anticipated BIG ESRTV NEWS. NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, FOX NEWS, MSNBC & your devoted fans will stay on red alert until we hear from the God of broadcast knowledge. Also, I can’t decide on whether to listen to 101.9 Lite FM’s Flashback Weekend or Oldies 1370 this weekend. Do I want to hear the correct, original 60s and 70s hit recordings that 101.9 plays or those remakes and wrong versions that 1370 keeps spinning? Traditional Oldies on 101.9 FM or the snap, crackle and pop comedy of errors on 1370 AM? Decisions! Decisions! Decisions! (7/8/05)
WJFK has no clue what it's doing by losing Ron and Fez. This Rosenberg show seems to be an attempt to make their EOE sheets look better rather than provide quality radio. Same goes w/ the station hiring Keshia as a producer for R and F w/o even looking for an experienced and more qualified person. WJFK is a sinking ship that will be submerged by their own stupidity by the end of the year. Ken, Arlington Va (7/8/05)
To: Ratdom 7 East…”Stoney End” Barbra Streisand (not “Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves”)…Bobbie (7/8/05)
Does anyone know what happened to “Cath and Auq” from the early 90’s on HFS? I know Auq went to 98Rock for a bit but I only heard Catherine on HFS weekends for a while then she was gone. I thought they were a good/funny team. CBG (Annandale) (7/8/05)
Michael of ESRTV announced that BIG NEWS would be coming to us on Monday. Then...he postponed it to Thursday. It's Friday... and there's NO NEWS!! What's the deal?? (7/8/05)
"I was born from love, and my poor mother worked the mines. I was raisedon the good book Jesus 'till I read between the lines. Now I don'tbelieve I want to see the morning- WHAT?? Best of luck to the crew,Yours, in ratdom, 7 East." -- What a maroon the person who said, "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" is! That's Laura Nyro's "Stoney End," a Good Gut hit for Barbra Steisand. Ooops! Guess it was a WEAM Hit. The 'PGC Music Detractor thought it was a stiff. Right PLB? Another maroon! _ Les Alexander (7/8/05)
OK, I'll start with an easy one......"coffee or tea, or me".....TK (7/8/05)
Two points. First, Mike in Fairfax, you're starting to sound like a broken record with your more baseball coverage mantra. Fact is, the Nats have been getting plenty of media coverage locally. Pollin and Czaban freely admit that they are primarily football guys. So don't complain if they aren't up on baseball. Just find something else to listen to. Second, I find more than disturbing Cohn's suggestion in the story on Mel Procter that MASN would take objection to Procter from saying on the air that the Nats were outdrawing the Baltimore team. Just more evidence that MASN is nothing more than an Angelos tool that will be used to screw the Nats at every turn. And more reason to hope that COMCAST blows it to hell. (7/8/05)
Hey Dave and Michael, I just saw a news blurb on www.allaccess.com that has Murph out with Mikki as Interim PD. Having worked there in the early 90’s I can remember both Shawn and Mikki on Classic Rock 97.1 The Fox. Radio is indeed a cruel business. Of course being a DOD contractor now, I only watch from the sidelines. BTW- I heard Flyin’ Brian on Oldies 97.7 this week at someone else’s desk I in my office. I listen to cds at work and XM in the truck so this is the first time I’ve actually heard him since he was on 93.5 in Georgetown, DE. Dean in Southern MD (7/8/05)
Dave, I don't remember seeing this in April (that Live 105.7 was getting the Maryland Football, Basketball, etc.) Please disregard if you've already covered this. (7/8/05)
Dave's response: We did a blurb on it. Check the April 21 item in our News Archive.....
Hey, 7 East Lexington Rat--it's "Stoney End," by Barbara Streisand. alr (showing my age) (7/8/05)
The problem with SportsTalk 980 is Clear Channel. Clear Channel went ahead and picked up the Orioles for 980 after losing the possibility of carrying the Nationals. The result is a DC sports station that openly promotes itself as the home of Baltimore's Orioles, probably much to the chagrin and embarasment of Kornheiser, Czeban and Pollin. What are they to do? Their own station carries the other guys and I'm sure managment would like everyone to forget the loss of the Nationals to Bonneville... Management encouraging these guys to not talk Nats does not seem far out of possibility to me... -Andreé in gaithersburg (7/8/05)
''Dress the Junks up in tight polyester pants and blonde wigs.'' Eeeeewww! Even the fat, bald Junkie? Thanks, Dave. I just lost my appetite. I head Howard say a few weeks ago that the ''freedom to say THOSE words will help his creativity and be even funnier.'' Somehow I think actually saying the words shows a lack of creativity and would get real old fast. Paul (7/8/05)
Dave's response: Look at the talent at 106.7 - a lot of really UGLY guys. Don, Mike, Buzz, Robbay, Ron, Fez, El Jefe, Howard Stern, Bill O'Reilly, etc. By comparison, the Junks are really quite good looking.....
Hey Dave: A little newsflash: Pat "WEEL'sMurphy in The Morning" Murphy has indicated via e-mail correspondence that he will be calling in to today's episode of The Magical History Tour between 3 & 5. DCRTV fans are invited to tune in at www.fcac.org. If you're in Fairfax County (Cox Cable) Channel 37 or Channel 27 (Comcast) in Reston. Will give you some promos Dave. I hope the old Jingles on the JingleLand Page are not only not copyrighted but more importantly will play out on the air. Am doing a salute to the Brit Bands at Live 8 last Saturday(and in '85). Enjoy all! Rusty Gibson WEBR/FCAC (7/8/05)
Dave's response: Cool.....
Fox News sounded off a "Fox News Alert" at 12:15PM this afternoon, complete with the music sting and the graphic flyby. Hurricane coverage? Nope. The latest from London? Sorry. It was to get Bono's personal view of the G8 summit. WTF ??? (7/8/05)
David Lee Roth replacing Howard Stern???? Did he already have his own show somewhere or is this a newbie show? ELLE (7/8/05)
Dave's response: You know what - isn't it funny how Howard Stern's humor has dried up at the very moment he's leaving broadcast radio. If he was smart, he'd hang up the radio on-air career and do something behind the scenes. It's been a good run. But, no. He's going to stay on "the radio," via Sirius, and let those who want to cough up $12.95 per month to Mel Karmazin listen to his gradual slide into oblivion. Kind of like Paul McCartney churning out horrible album after horrible album these days. As Kenny Rogers said: "You got to know when to fold 'em." That's good career advice. Oh, some advice for Cameron over at WJFK-FM: if it's a decision between David Lee Roth or the Junkies for morning drive, take the Junks. Easy call. Dress 'em up in tight polyester pants and long blonde wigs, and the Junks would be far cuter than DLR ever was.....
Yes, for all you TJ grads, its the Ed Montgomery who is "the voice of Colonials Football". This is what happens when summer comes, I get free time to do stuff like this. One last note regarding IBOC. Yes there will be adjacent channel interference, the secondary service area will be a problem possibly requiring a redesign of the antenna pattern and power adjustment. But here's the issue: Outside of major old radio markets like New York and Chicago, most cities have a bunch of low powered noise infested AM facilities. There is too much RFI and EMI in the air. Here in Northern Virginia I loose WMAL next to traffic light control boxes -- not an uncommon experience. IBOC is about the only way to remove most of that noise and restore listening quality. When AM Stereo was introduced 20 years ago, the amount of competition an AM signal had with the electro-magnetic interference generated along the road or in a house was probably half of what it is today. In addition the power line distribution systems are aging and create arcing problems that invade car radios. With all the constraints that the Commission has placed on broadcasters, IBOC seems to be the best alternative out there. As the system is adopted I think there are going to be a lot of moves to clean up the band. An early example of this was when Inner City Broadcasting, owners of WLIB in New York bought WOWO in Fort Wayne, Ind for the sole purpose of reducing their 50 KW signal at night to 10KW so they could increase power in New York City in the evening. Watch for a lot more of stuff like that to happen. Ed Montgomery, Go Colonials!!! (7/8/05)
Gypsys Tramps and Thieves by Cher......I am not the "rat" I wasn't the first time either! I am TRIVIA KING! "To Ratdom 7 East.... (7/8/05)
Great pix of pirate station AlfaLima International in Hoogeveen, the Netherlands - www.alfalima.net - and get a peek at that QSL card! (7/8/05)
On WTEM's Sports Reporters last night they were discussing which teams might be the biggest obstacles to the Nationals in their drive to make the playoffs, and Steve Czaban remarked that the Chicago Cubs could be a real factor 'once they get Mark Prior back in the rotation.' For Czaban's information, Prior's been off the disabled list for nearly two weeks and was the starting pitcher in last Friday's loss to the Nats at Wrigley Field!!! Clearly, this knucklehead isn't devoting five seconds per day to keeping tabs on major league baseball, despite the fact that he hosts a national talk show on Fox Sports Radio and co-hosts a local show in a city that has the national pastime back for the first time in 34 years! I guess he's much too busy surfing his favorite gambling, porn and fantasy football websites. The station really needs to get its act together soon, because that "we're new to baseball and need a little time to get up to speed" excuse just isn't going to cut it for much longer. The guy who serves as Bram Weinstein's sidekick on his daily show and took calls for one segment the other day sounds very knowledgeable about the game. Why not give him his own show, even if only on weekends for now? WTEM's Sunday schedule isn't exactly chock full of local programming. Also, they should consider extending Mark Sterne's Saturday baseball show to two hours (perhaps 9-11 AM), as 'Best of John Thompson' hasn't even been aired for the past few weeks. Mike, Fairfax (7/8/05)
"WTOP begins to suffer night time interference on Interstate 66 starting at about five miles west of the beltway." Arnie, you must be talking about 1500. I get WTOP on 107.7FM just fine there unless there is one of those troposhperic ducting (I hope I spelled that right) days. Then I get interference from a country station in Pennsylvania on 107.7. (7/8/05)
"I was listening to the radio alot this morning--and I've gotta say--many area station did good covering the events in London. WXCY did a poor job...WBAL did a really good job. WAMD did a decent job..." - Um, Robert? Are you really comparing two AM stations (and one that is specifically news/talk) to an FM country station for news coverage? That's poor form, to say the least. I could see ditching the format if the attack happened in the U.S., but when something happens abroad it is usually up to the news stations to provide in-depth coverage. And while I can see applauding some talk-based FM morning shows (i.e., Elliot) for focusing on the London bombings, I don't believe it is fair to trash WXCY for only giving it coverage during their news block. I noticed you slipped a Metro dig in, too. What are you, a disgruntled former employee? If you want news, stick to the news stations. D.R. in B.C. (7/8/05)
I heard what Kornheiser said yesterday. Shortly after 9 he spent 5 minutes telling his listeners about the great job WTOP did covering the London bombings. He said everybody knows that's what he listens to in the morning. And he went on to describe some of the more interesting interviews he heard. And then TEM had to repeat it since Tony's two hours are repeated every day. Must have been management agita and heartburn on Rockville Pike! (7/8/05)
there was a time that wtop could actually be picked up along route 70 as far out as over the pa. line....no longer...will now be lost many times between Fredrick and Hagerstown....you have changed something good folks at wtop and you should consider changing it back..... (7/8/05)
Ed: Everything I learned about HD and IBOC was from Harry Craft. JPB (7/8/05)
His Latest Flame is precisely correct! Kudos from the 7 East Lexington Rat. Okay, a new one: I was born from love, and my poor mother worked the mines. I was raised on the good book Jesus 'till I read between the lines. Now I don't believe I want to see the morning- WHAT?? Best of luck to the crew, Yours, in ratdom, 7 East. (7/8/05)
WTOP begins to suffer night time interference on Interstate 66 starting at about five miles west of the beltway. Arnie (7/8/05)
WCTN is running 500 watts under an STA under a long-wire. Marconi would be impressed... (7/8/05)
Mr. Montgomery, iBiquity's choice of car radios was very "careful". There are plenty of car radios with AM audio reponse beyond 5 kHz. iBiquity's numbers may be true of GM cars, but apparently there are plenty of Ford and Chrysler Corp cars with better AM bandwidth. THEY will hear the "slush" when tuned to AM stations doing HD radio. Also, the present FCC rules to NOT require AM HD to be turned off at sunset - the rules are "sunset or 6 pm, whichever is later". Just wait for this coming winter - though many people believe that night AM HD will have been authorized by then. iBiquity's then chief engineer told a friend that "no one listens to AM beyond the 2.5 or 5 mV contours". Both that position and their "research" on car radio bandwidth are "facts" they need to explain away AM HD's interference. I'll grant that AM HD won't cause terrible problems during the day, but the story is different at dawn / dusk / night. What will co-owned WBZ & KDKA on adjacent channels do when WBZ's HD starts wiping out KDKA's main signal in parts of Pittsburgh at night and twilight hours? There are interesting times ahead. All of the above applies only to AM HD, __NOT__ FM HD which appears to have far fewer problems. The only place you'll see problems on FM will be toward the overlap areas of the few stations on first adjacent channels [WMMX/WJFK-FM/WWEG, WJZW/WHFS, WFSI/WTOP-FM, WWVZ/WWZZ/WSMJ]. (7/8/05)
Orioles Baseball: I'm listening to a clear broadcast of the Thursday Oriole game here in NJ via the WTEM web stream. Frank in Fanwood (7/8/05)
Snipped quote from Robert: "I was listening to the radio alot this morning--and I've gotta say--many area station did good covering the events in London. WXCY did a poor job..." - What's this!! A music intensive FM country station didn't provide as much news coverage as....the news stations?!? This is big news! I know when I want hard-hitting investigative coverage on international events, the first place I head for is a country music station in Havre de Grace! This is an OUTRAGE! I recommend a full investigation, possibly headed up by the award-winning investigative reporters at 'AMD. Sincerely, Toby Keith (7/8/05)
Ed Montgomery's response leads me to the question (to which I think I already know the answer): are you THE Ed Montgomery? How 'bout them Fighting Colonials? Aaron in Ashburn, aka "Wally Cleaver" (7/8/05)
Not surprisingly, WBAL was continuing to pimp the phantom tornado at the start of its 11 p.m. cast -- going as far as showing a grainy home video of a funnel cloud taken by a so-called "storm chaser" who looked and sounded like a teenager happy to get on TV. (Who needs the National Weather Service when you can cull the area malls for scientists?) They added a disclaimer that they have been unable to confirm the funnel clouds, even though that's what appeared on the video. Oh, then they moved on to some story about a bombing or whatever in England. Something tells me WBAL *won't* be using tonight's tape for an Edward R. Murrow Award submission. (7/8/05)
It wasn't WBAL-TV that caused panic. The National Weather service did it. They issued the Tornado Warning for Baltimore County, then extended it. Not sure what happened some months back, but didn't DC stations get fined for not airing Tornado warning information? I remember something about this, but not the whole story. Also, Did anynotice the botched EAS alert on TV. The onlu audio that aired was the National Weather Server has issued... , then the closing chirps aired. I caught this on WBAL, WJZ and then in slight delay on WNUV. Not sure if it hit radio too. Rambling here, but Baltimore FM's played a lot of music this morning, didn't hear a lot down here concerning the London attacks. Panic radio has moved to Panic TV. Welcome to 2005! (7/8/05)
Folks, Early this morning, a series of bomb attacks wrought havoc and death in London. You probably saw the coverage on TV, or on a news site. It's grimly familiar. This time, there's been another thread of reporting, too: normal people with cameras and computers. This is a new kind of news. And now's the time to be part of it. First: Do you know anybody in London who captured video today, or who could record something for us? Let's get in touch. Email studio@current.tv. Second: Set up your webcam. Power up a camcorder. Put yourself on screen and just talk. Talk about what this means, and how it feels: Where were you when you found out about the bombings? Has your view of the "war on terror" changed today? How do you feel about the safety of your trains and your town? Any messages for the people of London? Keep it short -- a minute or two is great. Then upload it to us here: current.tv... (Choose Current: International as the assignment, and put 'london' in the keywords field.) We want to put together a reflective piece, FAST. It'll be a kaleidoscope of voices and perspectives. We'll put the piece on our website as soon as we get it together. If we put it on air in August and we use any part of your submission, we'll pay you $250. If you have any questions, email me at robin@current.tv. Robin current.tv/blog (7/8/05)
/\ July 8 Messages /\
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