RADIO DAZE: Where are they now?

First of all Happy Birthday to my Mom! I love you.

25 years ago in Pottsville Pa I had to call my mom on a Sunday morning to help me turn the transmitter on at WPPA-1360 in order for the Church programs to go out over the air. I was crying, I forgot what to do, despite the directions that were written down in front of me. She drove into the "station" and got us on the air. Thanks Mom. and Thank you Kim Douglas (formerly of WZZO Allentown) for believing in me and being my mentor.

Today's blog is about my Past and Present friends in radio. I want to begin with my favorite three. The three stooges, my three brothers, my idols in radio. The three men that grew with me, stayed with me and taught me everything I know in radio. Vince Angelo, Mike Peckman and Mike McGeever (RIP). I love all three equally.

VINCE ANGELO:  who worked at WPPA in the early days is currently working here in Reading with me at WRFY as our Production Director. One of the funniest guys I know. He is a tremendous father of 3 daughters, a loving husband to "his Sue" and very respected in every aspect of life, I admire Vince for going back to college at Alvernia University getting his degree in Business Administration and continuing his dream.

MIKE PECKMAN: is my "go-to guy" we may not talk everyday, or every month, but I trust Mike and know he is always there for me. Mike is no longer in Radio, Is a father of 4, has an amazing wife, and is the Director , Marketing /Public relations at SchuylkillHealth Systems.

SCOTT (SKIP) CARR:  He was the Program Director of WAVT T-102 in Pottsville. He also went on to finish his college education, he currently works in Philly at 102.9 WMGK

SHERRY KALYAN-BUONOPANE  is currently the owner of Specialty Cakes and sweets on Mechaniscsburg. special order cakes, cake sculptures, and handmade chocolates. She is also in Radio working for Clear Channel Station WRVV The River in Harrisburg.  I tasted some of Sherry's creations....amazing!!!

MIKE EBERSOLE:  Such a quick witted individual who worked at Y-102 in the 80's

Public Address Announcer for LVC Sports and E-town HS Basketball. T-102 FMOn Air Radio Personality · Pottsville, Pennsylvania. WQIC AND WLBRMorning show side kick and mid days on WQIC and Morning sports on WLBR. FM 97 WLAN On-Air Radio Personality Nights then moved to afternoon drive. HOT 105.7Afternoon Drive Air Personality · 1990 to 1994. Bayou 104 KBIU On air personality and Music Director Lake Charles Louisiana · 1987 to 1989 Tune in to Mike for the Lunchboat! 100.1 WQIC

                                                                            

JEFF JORDAN:  So full of energy! worked at Z100 NY as the Assistant Promotion Mgr and then Q-102 on air and as Promotion Director, Jeff is a husband, a father and currently works for the Salvation Army as Seasonal Services Program/Inner city Ministries Chaplain. Jeff, you are a gift.

MANIAC MATT: ( MATT BRACELLI) I met Matt and just "gushed" as my heart would RACE everytime I would hear him or see him. Mary Frew won! Matt is the OWNER of HOLA Spanish  radio , 2 stations in the Lehigh Valley.

GEORGE STODDARD: We had a love/hate relationship, such a trouble maker! BUT, he grew up and moved forward. Summer of 2002 he  lost a bet and moved from his home, 2 blocks off the beach in Margate to the mountains of NEPA. he lives in Laflin (“upscale Wilkes-Barre”) with his wife, Sue (known to ALL as the SAVIOR) and their daughters Alexa and Giana.he is  the Regional Operations Director for a NJ based restaurant company. He  presently operates 2 Red Robin locations, 4 Fuddruckers and a new concept coming soon, Sonoma Chicken, which is a Northern California restaurant chain that we are bringing east. I always knew just how successful George would be.

and at last The Man whose place I took on the Y-102 Morning show. He is irreplaceable, people told me, you will NEVER  have the following David did, he is the best. I knew what a talented person he was/is but once you read this you will understand why I wish to be just like David Stein.

DAVID STEIN: After he hosted the National Morning show at FOX Sports radio, David began his own show. A celebration of Life, syndicated on 80 radio stations around the country weekdays (or nights) 2-6am.  In April, David took the talk show to a new syndication company and will continue broadcasting nationally from the sticks of North Georgia where he serves in a local church. However, the best thing that EVER happened to David and the thing that matters to him occurred Sept 26th 2006 when God turned his life around.  David says, " I now know that while I was running away from him my entire life....he was pursuing ME all along. He continues to share his faith and beliefs with others AND is getting married! Congrats to you Dave in your continued success and blessings.

There are so many others including  Gene Werley, Mike Coyle, Pat Devine, Joe Hoak, Bobby D. and to my past co-workers who remain in the VILLE  RC, JZ, JK Levan, Les Blankenhorn. Our bonding as a family in radio will never end, our friendships will remain and as I tell EVERYONE radio is not a job, its a lifestyle, its hard to drain the passion for radio once its in your blood. We all have a gift, a talent, a dream to make a difference in someone else's day with the simple request of a song.

Perhaps someday my dream of becoming a narrator of childrens books will become a reality, until then HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR SEUSS.....I will continue to read even when no one is listening :)