pmmbh.org Blog

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Well, I just accepted Bill’s invite to come over to the blog, so Hi Everyone <waves>.

Radio has never been far from my mind, even though I left it for what my wife refers to as “a real job” way back in ‘82. I still play around with voices, although the only time I do any recording is when Bob Alexander gets me over for some promo cuts for the annual Holy Name fair. And I do THAT at his place since I never did build that home studio I always wanted (aside…. he called while I was writing this. I’ll be stopping at his place in the AM for this years session).

I’ve thought about seeing if anyone had enough work that an old fart such as myself could drop in every week or 2 and cut some tracks. Another idea that was still-born. Guys that do that are in it for a living. I’d be in it to have fun again. Still, the idea lingers…..

Recently I’ve been toying around with an idea dealing with the equipment we all used to work with. I won’t reveal anything at this point, but suffice it to say that, as usual, I’ll obsess over it till it’s perfect, then work on it some more before turning it loose on the web. Should be fun. No more hints.

Radio back in the day was always fun, even though it had its moments of drudgery. Who can deny hanging out at the East Mall with Harry Chapin and Todd Rundgren was a major kick?

Who can say sitting up in the nosebleed seats at the KBO sponsored Three Dog concert, complete with a bleacher streaker, wasn’t the second best way to get high, seeing as how smoke from a certain herb rises quite well?

And seeing the look on my fairly young (at the time), naive, and quite hot wife when the guy sitting next to her on the floor at the WKBO sponsored Guess Who concert handed her a roach…. Priceless. Bonnie STILL talks about it! I’m sure if I were to ask what her high point was it would be the WVAM sponsored concert with BS&T at the Jaffa Mosque in Altoona, and sitting close enough to hear David Clayton Thomas breathing.

But all that was just icing on the cake, because I got to work with some of the best talent to hit the Harrisburg market EVER. We kicked butts, took names, and did it all as AM was losing its audience to FM.

AM Radio as we knew it died in the late 70’s, but ahhhhh, what a funeral!

Now I’m getting all teary eyed remembering Starview 92, The Rock Of Harrisburg, The ‘Summer Of 72 Ford Mustang Sprint‘ (who in the WORLD wanted a Vega???), The Bikini Babes, The Infamous And Incredibly Simple Cracker Contest, asking people if THEY had One yet, and the day we played The Last Record.

I’m tellin’ you, insanity was in the air, and bein’ crazy was FUN!

Time for my nap now. I’m gettin’ all excited again.

Air Watch One Clear <kchf>

Songwriter Roger Harvey has a traveling soul. Since his humble upbringing in America’s snowbelt of Northwest Pennsylvania, to his tenures in New York City, Pittsburgh, and Portland, Harvey has never let himself become too comfortable with his surroundings. This inspired restlessness drives Harvey’s musical identity known as Dandelion Snow.

Dandelion Snow’s latest release, “The Grand Scheme Of Things” is an eclectic collection of songs recorded with a small group of very dear friends in a small town in Pennsylvania. It’s title is a testament to a year of life experiences, all of which have shaped Harvey’s perspective on everything from heartbreak to realities of self-assessment. The highly anticipated, “The Grand Scheme Of Things”, which was produced by Chris #2 of Anti-Flag, is his strongest and most representable release to date. The title track kicks off the album with colorful verses relaying Harvey’s travels in support of his previous releases.

Click Album Cover For An Exclusive Video, Streaming Audio, & To Order Your Own Copy…

Click To Watch “The Grand Scheme Of Things” Official Music Video, Directed by Trey Kirchoff

Roger Harvey has propelled himself into what will be a furious final half of 2010. Upon the record’s release, on June 1st, Harvey will spend the summer and much of the fall on tour spreading his message. The content of his next record is sure to be hidden in those cities and crafted on the freeways. After vigorous preparation and only the world left to hear him, it’s clear there is no turning back for Dandelion Snow.

“From the multi-instrumental traveling songs to the more bare-boned internally driven acoustic songs. Our vision for this record was to reinvent the original songs I had, by pulling them out of their context and into uncharted water. I think in doing so the end result is a very diverse record that we’re very happy with. We put together a good team of good friends with our eyes set on making an impactive independent release and I think everyone involved is really excited to get the record out into our community and to ensure it is just that.”

- Roger, Dandelion Snow

Michael McKenna of Allentown, PA and Jeff Snyder of Lebanon, PA are our latest winners of Ed Salomon’s book about Pittsburgh personalities and historic radio stations. We have 6 more books to give away…here’s how you can win one too.

Own your own piece of Pennsylvania Broadcast History

Now through June 30th 2010 Penn…sylvania Museum of Music and Broadcast History will select 8 winners from all contributors and award a copy of Ed Salomon’s book: “Pittsburgh’s Golden Age of Radio”, The recently released Arcadia Publishing book covers extinct and current radio stations.

Enter as often as you have valid information. The more you enter, the more you increase your chances in the random drawing. Recognition will be given to the author of original material, in current electronic formats and in written word. Copywrited material or materials in your own words can be supplied by audio, video and print medias. For example; newspaper stories must be accompanied by written permission from the paper. Information can be sent as a complete file to Pennsylvania Museum of Music and Broadcast History (info.pmmbh.org) Winners will be announced on Facebook: PMMBH homeYour submissions will create more interest in Pennsylvania Music and Broadcast History throughout the Commonwealth!

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places. Have we done a book on your town? Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com

Copy write laws require written permission from the original writer, producer or copy write holder. Arcadia Publishing will distribute books to winners from entries drawn by the Pennsylvania Museum of Music and Broadcast History. All decisions are final concerning the outcome and submissions remain the property of the Pennsylvania Museum of Broadcast History with full acknowledgment to the author. Arcadia Publishing – local history books www.arcadiapublishing.comSee More
Arcadia Publishing – local history books
www.arcadiapublishing.com

Click on the link here and watch a group of awesome videos provided to us through the courtesy of TV-27 WHTM television in Harrisburg. http://pmmbh.org

Look for us on Twitter at http:/twitter.com/pmmbhonline and on Facebook http://facebook.com at PMMBH HOME

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Please join us on the new PMMBH Facebook page… We are looking for friends and discussion. You can find us there at PMMBH

I never broadcast live to the region you seem to cover (Central PA and Pittsburgh), but ny syndicated Gene Arnold’s Superstar Concert shows, and my “American Scene” on CBS 1210 AM clear channel got me lots of calls and requests from the area (and Steubenville)
Nice to have you here. I think someone started a facebook page for you.

I love this website!! Just completed my 28th year in radio broadcasting. Been here in Lewistown for 105.5 WCHX/AM 920 WKVA since the summer of 2002.

Started my radio career during the summer of 1980 after I graduated from York College of PA.

AM 920 WSBA (1980-84)

AM 580 WHP (1984-85)

FM 102.3 WHYL Carlisle (1985-1989)

104.3 Country KCY Harrisonburg, Virginia (1989-2002)

105.5 WCHX (2002-???

You can all reach me at:

chesterclippers@aol.com

or cell 717-953-4094

Thanks

Dave Burman

Hey, everyone. Here’s a bit of trivia for ya. I used to work with broadcasting pioneer, Mike Ross. He tipped me off to this tidbit.
You know those letters that radio and tv stations use to identify themselves? They may seem insignificant now, but in the early days of broadcasting the intent of those letters was to make it very clear to everyone listening (or watching) where the signal was coming from. Every letter had meaning that was a key to the station’s identity. For example…in Harrisburg:
WHP …. well that’s pretty obvious: “Harrisburg, Pennsylvania”
WTPA …. originally for TV channel 71 (then later 27): “Television for PA”
Now here’s one that’s a hit at cocktail parties: WGAL ….
“Garden Spot of America: Lancaster”.
Anybody know of any others in PA? Add ‘em, and keep this list growing.