In 1968 or so, when this whole FM thing happened, I was a young and impressionable 11 year old who loved what he heard from the radio. My dad always listened to the radio in the car, and I especially loved the radio on the way to the shore on vacation. I always thought I'd get into radio myself someday. I loved Rick Menapace on Sunday nights on WIBG-AM who, at the time, was doing more of an "FM" show. Later faves were Ed Sciaky and Michael Tearson (Michael's creative shows "psychedelic psupper" and "The Attic" bookend my show these days at Z889 (... Read on!).
After about 5 years or so, there was a "progressive" rock station that played much more from the albums as they were released, and in many genres, even entire sides at a time, and entire LP features. WIOQ was a pioneer station of this multi-genre progressive radio in Philadelphia, and the area is all the richer for it. The late Ed Sciaky was a mentor of mine, and many others. He worked at many of the Philly stations.
Progressive Rock bands were all the rage on the radio then. Rennaissance; Genesis; Yes; Emerson, Lake and Palmer; Jethro Tull; Pink Floyd; King Crimson; etc., and other bands like Van Der Graff Generator; Brand X; Caravan; Camel; Sparks; Metro; Brian Eno; etc. It was all mixed in with Rock, Folk, Jazz, Fusion.... all-inclusive on Progressive FM Radio.
After gathering info on how to go about it (you needed a 3rd Class Radio-Telephone License then), I got into radio in Thanksgiving weekend of 1979 at Trenton State College's WTSR and developed a show called "Gene's Place," -a rather unimpressive title, but it was a beginning, and I stayed for about a year.
A friend, where I was working at the time, told me of a small community station in Warminster, Pa., so I sent them an air-check. They called and were pleased to have me come aboard, and I spent 10 years there, also producing recorded announcements and editing. I later trained new members.
On my first shift there I changed the show's title to "Classic FM" as radio stations, around 1982 or so, had become very strict about what they played, hence, the demise of progressive radio as we knew it! I felt very strongly that it should continue, as NEW bands continued to produce music without a commercial outlet.
In 1985, while at the Warminster station, a friend at WIOQ, told me of a Wildwood, New Jersey commercial FM rock station that had just been born and was controlling the South Jersey rock market. I applied and was offered an early Sunday morning spot from 6-10. I knew the atmosphere of commercial radio might be good experience.
During my shift, there was an hour segment devoted to light rock artists like James Taylor; Carly Simon; Joni Mitchell; CSN&Y; etc. I offered the "Classic FM" idea for that hour to the program director and she gave me a few slots during that hour to add some things as a trial "survey." The listener response got me the entire hour and "Classic FM" had moved to commercial radio!
Sadly, after some years and much painful consideration, I left that station due to the 2 hour weekend drive, and to spend time at home with my young children. The weekend was family time and being a dad was much more important. I opted for local non-commercial radio.
I joined a station from Burlington County College, whose jazz show, on Sunday afternoons, I loved! Hosted by Jeannie Becker, "Time Out For Jazz" introduced me to Z889, a diverse station, and a close one! Out of curiosity, one day in late 1999, I called to say hello to Jeannie. She was as gracious and friendly on the phone as she was as host, and suggested I talk to program director (at the time, Bonnie Hart) who then happily invited me aboard. I found a community of the friendliest people I'd ever met in my life!
The permanent home of "Classic FM!" The Album-Friendly Intimacy Of Progressive FM Radio since 1979 here on Z88.9!!
I invite you to join us Friday nights from 6-10pm Eastern time for "Classic FM" as we revive those deep, sleeping classics, spend some quality time digging deeper into the new music, and talk with the artists. You're invited to e-mail any comments, suggestions, and requests to classicfm@comcast.net Our phone number is 609.894.8900. You can hear Michael Tearson's afore mentioned programs before and after my show.
I also produce and record public service announcements for The Rainforest Action Network; Greenpeace; Amnesty International; and M.A.D.D.(Mothers Against Drunk Driving).
