REEL TOP 40 RADIO REPOSITORY
Over the years I've done a dozen or so stations, including KOUL Cool 103.5 and KLTG Oldies 96-5 in Corpus Christi. I even was PD of little WCAT for about 6 months in 1989. After 13 years in the Navy and several years as a truck driver, I was happy to be doing what I love best full time. I arrived in Memphis in March, 2000 and was picked up for weekends on country WOGY Froggy 94. The format changed to Modern AC, I stayed on and did nights on the New 94-1 The Buzz (WMBZ) until July 2001.
As of May 2002, I work at the IRN news network during the week, and I'm on KIX 106 and sister station WJZN/Smooth Jazz on weekends.
I'm also into the other aspect of radio, the Amateur bands. My callsign is
k1frc. I've been licensed since 1989 and currently hold a general class license.
As one who has worked so hard over the years doing "real" work, I only have one thing to say about my work in radio. I am incredibly lucky to get paid to do what I love. There are so few of us who are privileged to work in live radio in these days of satellite and voice tracking, and considering how few live shifts there are left in broadcasting, those who do it full time are extremely fortunate.
. . . We're keeping a watch on our world . . .
[Description by Steve Sawyer]
Here's a 'check of Al Bandiero on WKBW/Buffalo from January 28, 1979.
I recorded this on a cold, wintry night from a small table model radio. There was a bit
of fading in the original, but for the most part I think this aircheck is an
excellent representation of what 'KB sounded like in the late '70's. They really
ROCKED around this time.
. . . Nothing wrong with the folks here at K-Earth One Oh One . . .
[Description by contributor Steve Sawyer]
My brother recorded this one from Santa Monica where he spent his summer vacation
that year. The audio quality of this recording is excellent and was transferred from the original tape.
. . . Hot Hits! Hot Ticket! W - Z - O - U, Boston's ZOO . . .
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
Uncle Johnny is all excited about the all-new ZOO. I know next to nothing
about 80's-decade Boston radio, so we'll ask our visitors to fill in the blanks
about WZOU and Uncle Johnny by using our built-in comment feature.
The Production Director was working long days at WZOU, I'd bet. There are a couple
of locally-produced spots here that are better than average. But there are no 6-minute stopsets, no substitution of ponderous "imaging" elements for the DJ, and no "hip-hop". Oh yes, 1985 was a very long time ago...
. . . 97 Star, the Battle's on . . .
[Description by contributor Steve Sawyer]
Next up is an unbelievable aircheck of WGH AM/FM Newport News, Virginia, from 1988. I was in the Navy stationed on the USS America (CV-66) when I recorded this.
Where is this guy, M.J. Kelli? This is the tightest, highest energy CHR I have EVER heard!
. . . Yup, Tastes like chicken . . .
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
Here's a humorous production piece used when WOGY-FM (Froggy 94, Country) became WMBZ-FM, (New 94-1 The Buzz, Contemporary) in 2001.
A Froggy 94 Concert photo: Country Star Clay Davidson, with his manager
(l) and Steve (r).
Steve "hard at work" at The Buzz
Steve "West", pausing to pose in the Buzz Studio, April 2001.
Steve Sawyer grew up in the small town of Orange, Massachusetts, about 75 miles west of Boston.
I first got into radio in 1980, after mom suggested that since I loved radio so much maybe I should go down to WCAT and apply for a job. At 17, the only job I ever had was a paper route!
The Repository thanks Steve Sawyer for sharing!
TOP STREAM 16.2 Kbps (8 Khz)
Al Bandiero, WKBW Buffalo NY January 28 1979 (09:32)
TOP STREAM 132.0 Kbps (16 Khz STEREO)
Pat Evans, Brian Beirne, KRTH Los Angeles August 19, 1981 (1:03:25)
This is an hour of Adult Contemporary
REELRADIO pays music licensing fees to present unedited music online. If you enjoy unedited airchecks like this one, your tax-deductible contribution to our operating fund will help keep this and other "unscoped" exhibits available.
TOP STREAM 32.0 Kbps (14.5 Khz)
Uncle Johnny, WZOU Boston, 1985 (42:32)
This is well-done mid-80's CHR, even if it's slightly fuzzy FM reception. The jingles in (infrequent) use here are from JAM, and are also featured as recorded for WAVA at REELRADIO.
REELRADIO pays music licensing fees to present unedited music online. If you enjoy unedited airchecks like this one, your tax-deductible contribution to our operating fund will help keep this and other "unscoped" exhibits available.
TOP STREAM 32.0 Kbps (14.5 Khz)
M.J. Kelli, WGH Newport News VA 1988 (05:17)
TOP STREAM 64.1 Kbps (16 Khz STEREO)
WOGY Memphis Becomes the Buzz, 2001 (02:46)
The Steve Sawyer Collection has been part of REELRADIO since November 25, 2001
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