It's lovely weather for ducks, on many a day here in Erie, PA. If you lived in Northwestern PA, you've had to ride the storm out on plenty of times. And if you tuned in or turned on (your TV), you probably recognize this guy.
Joey Kodba ran for Erie County Council in the 1977 primary election, hoping to represent the 4th District in Erie Co., PA. Joey who? Why, it's Joey Stevens, your fair weather friend, from WJET-TV.
Before he worked as a weatherman, Joey was a DJ on WJET-AM. Before that he was Tom Terrific on WWYN. He made the jump from radio to television, first at WJET-TV 24 and then at WSEE-TV.
Joey wasn't so lucky in politics, but there were at least two other local broadcasters who won their election bids. John Evans, a sportscaster at WJET-TV, represented Pennsylvania's 5th District in the PA House of Representatives. Phil Fatica, an anchorman for WSEE-TV, currently represents the 1st District on Erie County Council. On the national level, Ronald Reagan made the leap from movies to the White House.
Enjoy more fascinating facts about Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie
This Erie Radio Schedule appeared in the Erie Morning News in August of 1974. Being a long-time fan of local radio, I recognized quite a few of the disc jockeys listed here, such as Frank Martin ("The Morning Mayor"), Ronnie Gee (Ron Seggi), Joey Stevens (later a TV weatherman), Bill Shannon, Tim Earl (another TV weather forecaster) and Ken Olowin.
WERG was the new kid on the block, broadcasting on 89.1 FM. It later moved from 89.9 to its present home at 90.5
A couple of the stations had early sign off times; WMDI cut out at 1 a.m., while WQLN and WERG went off at 2 a.m. WHYP would sometimes unintentionally sign off during the day, and the needle would be stuck in the locked groove at the end of a record for minutes on end.
One of my favorites was Al Knight, or Big Al Knight, All Night, Every Night. I think the interns must have cut their teeth on the overnight shift putting in carts of the pre-recorded voice of "Al Knight" occasionally between songs.
I can still hear some of the jingles in my head. Fun times!
Enjoy more fun facts about the history of Erie, Pennsylvania at: Old Time Erie
