Erie Radio Schedule August 1974

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

I Wanna Rock- Debbi Lyon's FCC Radio Permit 1980

Debbi's FCC Radio Permit. ©2012 Debbi Lyon

My life changed for the better when I got a little red, white & blue transistor radio. The kind that took a nine volt battery and had one earphone that wedged uncomfortably into my little ear. If I fell asleep listening to the radio, as I often did, the battery was dead before morning. So my parents had to constantly buy me new batteries.

The dial was tuned to WJET-AM and I anxiously awaited my favorite songs....But wait, I already told you about that here: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/05/wjet-am-1400-erie-pa-surveys-1975-and.html

When I finished eighth grade, I decided I was going to be a disc jockey. I practiced and practiced with my little tape deck and a record player. Let's hope these tapes never see the light of day.

What did I need to do to get on the radio? I learned that I couldn't just walk in off the street, run the board and pop in the cart. No, I had to get a license (I don't remember if it was Jim Cook, John Minton or A.J. Miceli who told me this). I sent away for my FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit. And I waited, and waited, for what seemed like eternity.

Then one day, my card showed up in the mail. Of course, I thought I was on my way to the big time. I was a typical fourteen year old kid with delusions of grandeur. I was convinced that I could have my own show on WERG-FM, which broadcast from the basement of the Zurn Science Center.  I was about to get my heart broken in a big, big way. Since I was not a student at Gannon University, I could not get a shift on the radio. And without an aircheck tape my career at WJET was doomed.

I never did jumpstart my radio career. Looking back, it's probably a good thing I didn't. Radio ain't what it used to be. Guess you'll have to settle for my closing announcements at the Blasco Library every Wednesday night between eight and 8:30.