Radio Broadcasting | blog

Radio and related broadcast work experiences

• WVCH 740 AM
• WEEE 89.5 FM
• WTGI-61 TELEVISION
• WCHE 1520 AM
• WTLN 95.3 FM
• WMPH 91.7 FM
• WJBR 99.5 FM
• DANCE RADIO NETWORK, LLC
• Special projects including but not limited to WMGK 102.9 FM, WVLT 92.1 FM, WMHS 88.1 FM
• Experience related in this field: Disc Jockey, Announcer, Voice Talent, HAM Radio

I have successfully accomplished in radio broadcasting...

• Radio Station Manager and Award-Winning Programmer
• Management & leadership (budgeting, scheduling, government compliance and talent acquisition)
• Sales and marketing (including press releases and web maintenance)
• Crafted air schedules for 24/7 programming
• Coordinated many events such as dances and concerts
• Facilitated many remote broadcasts on-location and in-studio (i.e. play-by-play sporting events, community events, specialty programming, etc.)
• Liaison between radio station and music industry
• Strong writing skills (wrote hundreds of scripts for promos, public service, community updates, station imaging, etc.)
• Announcer and on-air personality
• Engineer (completely built radio stations from studios to transmitter)

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Blog Originally Posted: December 31, 2011

During my early formative years, my parents restricted most television, radio, and movies from the household. My mom would listen to certain talk and religious programs on WVCH 740 AM throughout the day. After a house fire in late November 1978, a community group donated items and supplies to the Dantinnes. Still a young boy, I received my first portable radio from that group. I remember listening to the outside world on a transistor radio with an earpiece in bed each night. The fascination of the world brought to me via this little AM/FM receiver started my lifelong passion with radio.

Living in southeastern Pennsylvania until the age of 12, the first radio station I regularly listened to was across the state line. It was a Delaware station called WJBR 99.5 FM. I liked the ‘Just Beautiful Radio’ sound as they called it. In frequent rotation were songs like MacArthur Park and American Pie. Once while tuning the dial late at night, a station scared this naïve young listener. Somewhere down the dial, possibly around 91.7 FM, a jock played music which I thought was recorded in hell itself. I later became a fan other Pennsylvania stations KISS 100 and Magic 103. In my teen years, Philadelphia's Eagle 106 and Q 102 were popular choices.

I knew I wanted a career in radio from an early age. I loved the communications process, antennas, transmitters, and microphones. There are probably few other people that see radio towers on the skyline as art. When I got my first vehicle, I immediately installed a CB Radio. As a very young boy, however, I had difficulty pronouncing certain words and letters. A speech therapist at the elementary school worked regularly with me. With a mild speaking disability that included slight stuttering and social shyness, it seemed unlikely for me to ever be a public speaker.

My break in the radio industry came as a teen volunteer in my church sound room. The church had a live Sunday morning broadcast on WVCH 740 AM. WVCH gave me a try while still in high school. After telling me they were impressed with my aptitude, I became a regular weekend board operator and announcer. I also was the director for Will Regan’s Irish Hours each Saturday from noon until 2 o’clock. I soon began working at their sister station, WEEE 89.5 FM of New Jersey. I learned absolutely every aspect of radio from the experience. Utilizing several network feeds received via satellite, I daydreamed that one day I would have a satellite network of my own.

Attending Mount Pleasant High School for my junior and senior years, the biggest selling point was that they had the only high school radio station in Delaware. While working weekends at WVCH and WEEE, I began assisting at my high school station too. My very own weekly show on WMPH 91.7 FM, ‘The Colonel C Classic Parade’, debuted July 7, 1987. I still remember being in the old studios, fantasizing of how to make this little unstructured high school radio station something big. While in high school, I was chosen for the KYW Newsradio Internship Program. I sadly declined due to a schedule conflict with another job.

After high school, I attended Widener University for their Media Studies program eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. I decided not to participate at their campus radio station, WDNR, since I was already doing well at WVCH and WEEE. In 1990, I was selected with another student to represent our university on the Walt Disney World College Program. The Disney supervisor gave me special permission to have another job outside of the college program, working on-air each Saturday evening at Orlando’s WTLN 95.3 FM. Upon my return to Widener University after the Florida semester hiatus, I worked weekends at WCHE 1520 AM in West Chester. I also got a part time job working master control for a Philadelphia television station, WTGI-61.

During my college years, I had several memorable radio experiences. First, I ventured to WJBR. My passion for radio began in part due to this station. Program Director Doug Weldon was kind in showing me around their studios then located by their transmitter site on Ebright Road. Another story originated while working once again at Disney in the summer of 1991. On August 20, I saw a guest in EPCOT wearing an Eagle 106 T-shirt. I asked if he were from Philadelphia. He acknowledged that in fact he was John Lander, host of ‘The Nut Hut’ heard each morning on Eagle 106. Being a big fan and radio enthusiast, I asked if I could sit in on the show after returning to the northeast. On March 11, 1992, I got to sit in on Philadelphia’s #1 morning show with hosts John Lander, Danny Bonaduce, Patty Steele, and Elliot. I also had a friend working at Magic 103 (later called Magic 102.9) and WPEN. We hung out at Magic numerous times with air talent including Sue Serio (later became morning weather host on Fox Philly television) and Delilah (later became the popular syndicated personality on stations across the U.S.).

In 1992, I visited my Disney roommate in his native Norway. On August 26, I was a guest DJ on the Norwegian Radio Lanternen 107.2 FM. I have often popped into small market radio stations while traveling on vacation. There seems to be a bond with radio folks. In 1995, I did some part time work for the light and laser show beside the DJs hosting the live radio broadcast on Magic 102.9 and Q 102 at Maui nightclub's Instant Replay in Philadelphia. I got to work alongside radio personalities Glenn Kalina and Mike Bowe, where Mike put me on the air. Equally enthused with television broadcasting, other friends at both Fox-29 and CBS-10 (yes, Philly's channel 10 was a CBS affiliate before the NBC switch) gave me personal studio tours.

My high school radio station WMPH had gone dark in 1990, was shut down completely, and even lost the FCC broadcast license. I gave a proposal to the school district to resurrect the defunct station. A landmark dream was fulfilled when I was hired as general manager of WMPH in 1993. For 17 years, I ran a top-notch radio station in Wilmington (market #77). Albeit a high school, the quality and operation was on par with many professional stations. Reaching a potential half million listeners on the FM dial, WMPH was to be heard around the world online with developments in technology.

Radio saw the biggest changes in the 90s as technology shifted from analog to digital, and WMPH was in some ways ahead of the curve. We gained the respect of our community, those in the radio industry, and professionals in the music industry. In the community, we were present for many events and festivals often with a live remote broadcast. We also did numerous broadcasts of school dances, sporting events, and local news gathering. Kap'n Ken provided daily traffic updates, Ted Boyda lent a consistent voice, Steve Skalish added new creativity to the dance imaging, Kris Henderson and Ray Devine were of great help after the dance format flip, and Marshal Manlove headed up the sports department. There were many adult community volunteers participating throughout my tenure.

In the radio industry, we led a campaign against the proposed music Performance Tax. The initiative of our boycott led to national attention and praise from many broadcasters. In the music industry, we reported to CMJ for a few years. After flipping formats to dance, we were even more involved with the labels, promoters, and artists. Attending many industry events personally, several artists also came to perform for our local events. It was great to meet and hang out with many other DJs from across the country and dozens of artists including Lady Gaga, N’Sync, Rihanna, and Destiny’s Child.

I created the Broadcast Learning Center of the Brandywine School District incorporating not only radio, but two television centers. We provided both mobile disc jockey and recording services to all schools of the district. I took my students on field trips to radio and television stations in the Philadelphia market including KYW-3 with Larry Kane, Q 102, and WMMR. Local radio professionals such as Michael Waite (WJBR), Mike Rossi (WSTW), Allan Loudell (WILM) and Joe Puglise (Clear Channel Delaware) would come to speak to my students or lend advice. Joe later became the market manager for all the Clear Channel New York stations including favorites Z 100 and KTU. Of course, I have been up to see him more than once at this radio Mecca. Several of my students went on pursue careers in communications. One student became a DJ on Sirius Satellite Radio and a DJ for MTV’s spring break in Cancun.

With WMPH, I was able to live out all of my radio ambitions. I interviewed many people including Delaware’s Governor in our studios, the Harlem Globetrotters, Richard Simmons, the Ringmaster of Ringling Brothers Circus, the Blue Man Group, and numerous musicians and politicians. While attending a presidential convention as the press (credentials/photo), I have stories hanging out with Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, Brian Williams, John Seigenthaler Jr., Ed Bradley Jr., Tim Russert, George Stephanopoulos, Chris Matthews, Oliver North, Jerry Falwell, Al Sharpton, Mo Rocca, Helen Thomas and others. I did the countdown to many New Years, produced specialty programming, recorded countless on-air messages, and established our station as a leader in creative programming.

The most challenging and risky venture of my career thus far has been the Dance Radio Network LLC (DRN). I wrote the business plan and formed the company to distribute syndicated programming via satellite to affiliate U.S. stations. As an engineer, I also built a trigger tone automation system so that affiliate localized announcements would play at designated times according to the program clock. DRN would be targeted to HD Radio stations. For support, I met with many friends in the radio business including the late Jane Bartsch and an Arbitron ratings representative in Columbia, Maryland. I even gave a presentation to the president and directors of iBiquity, the parent company of HD Radio. The president of iBiquity, Bob Struble, later mentioned DRN in an article for quality programming alternatives for HD Radio.

WMPH was the first DRN affiliate in 2009. I paid for the satellite receiver and equipment myself. When I left my position at WMPH c/o Brandywine School District in June 2010, I made DRN my full priority. DRN became a member of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). The 2010 Radio Show, produced by the Radio Advertising Bureau and the National Association of Broadcasters, was held in Washington DC held September 29, 30, and October 1. DRN was a show sponsor, exhibitor, and host for an official after party at FUR nightclub. All attendees of the Radio Show were admitted free and complimentary shuttle service was provided by HD Radio. I coordinated with several artists and DJs to perform for our exclusive show. I spoke with many radio station owners, managers, and programmers. Several celebrities, including Darth Vader, appeared at the DRN photo booth throughout the three days.

The fate of DRN has yet to be determined. For 2011, I planned the Great American Radio Tour. Objectives of the tour were to visit ALL 50 STATES in 2011, broadcast from each state, archive the road trip in an online essay of pictures and videos, and meet with radio stations in the major markets. Aside from publicity, the primary purpose was to obtain radio station affiliates. With a faltering economy and internal revenue issues, the tour was cancelled. With the writing of this blog on this last day of the year, DRN is being re-evaluated with significant changes to the business plan.

On the side, I have been a professional consultant to WVLT 92.1 FM (Vineland, NJ), WMHS 88.1 FM at Thomas McKean High School (Wilmington, DE), and the radio program at Cypress Creek High School (Orlando, FL). For WMHS, I was the engineer that re-built their studios. As an audio engineer, I have installed sound systems for other organizations and provided sound reinforcement to bands for live performances. I have provided the sound system and disc jockey entertainment services for some WJBR 99.5 FM events too. I paid homage to the WJBR of yesteryear by playing Donna Summer’s version of MacArthur Park when DJing their client appreciation party. In fact, more recently I have filled in on-air for the WJBR morning show doing weather and news reports. I feel now that I have come full circle.

Disc Jockey

In addition to a career of radio broadcasting, I have been very involved with the mobile and club disc jockey industry.

Announcer

I have been a live announcer and emcee for many special events and ceremonies.

Voice Talent

Voiceovers for broadcast messages and voice acting for books on tape was a spinoff of my radio experience. I have also been a voice actor for professional puppet presentations. See Auditions.

HAM Radio

I am a licensed Amateur Radio operator with call sign KC3BDV. See blog post.

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List of part-time radio work experience

WJBR 99.5 FM RADIO

Interim position | News Director (Oct 2011 - Feb 2012)
WJBR was the #1 rated radio station in the State of Delaware when asked to fill in as their interim news director. Being in the radio industry, the folks at WJBR knew me and my work. It was fun to be on the air several times each morning for the news since WJBR had been a childhood favorite station of mine. I also helped with several station corporate events as their disc jockey entertainment.

WJBR job notes (view pdf)

MAUI NIGHTCLUB COMPLEX with WMGK RADIO

Part-time | Light Show Operator (1995)
I was an occasional technician in 1995 for the absolutely stunning dance club light show at Instant Replay, a 70s themed discotheque within the Maui entertainment complex located on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. I frequently worked with the live radio station broadcast on WMGK.

WMGK letter of performance (view pdf)

WTGI-61 TELEVISION

Part-time | Master Control Operator (Jan 1992 - Jul 1993)
While still in college, I took this Saturday morning shift at Ch. 61 responsible for putting all the television programs and commercials on-air.

WTGI letter of performance (view pdf)

WCHE 1520 AM RADIO

Part-time | Radio On-Air Host (Oct 1991 - Feb 1992)
After my shift at WTGI-61 television, I would drive straight to the studios of WCHE 1520 AM for an on-air radio shift. WCHE was largely a talk format station very locally serving the neighboring community. I aired programs and announced as required.

WCHE letter of performance (view pdf)

WTLN 95.3 FM RADIO

Part-time | Radio On-Air Host (Sep 1990 - Jan 1991)
While on the Walt Disney World College Program, I knew some of the people at WTLN radio through my contacts at WVCH. I was given a weekend shift to air programs and music as logged (live, recorded and via satellite feed) and announce as local host.

WTLN letter of performance (view pdf)

WVCH 740 AM RADIO

Part-time | Radio Producer, On-Air host (Mar 1987 - Jun 1990)
WVCH was my first FCC licensed radio station for employment. I quickly learned how the business worked. Aside from an announcer, I was the director for a live studio show.

WVCH, WEEE letters of performance (view pdf)

WEEE 89.5 FM RADIO

Moffit Media owned WVCH. I also worked on-air with the company's sister station WEEE.

For additional part-time jobs, see my listing HERE.

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