WEKY Information Page
By David Cox
By David Cox
| The WEKY Information Page is starting to receive responses from former employees and early listeners. WEKY was a spring-board for hundreds of young broadcasters starting their careers, many of which have enjoyed a long tenure in broadcasting. Many others have moved into other professions but still have fond memories of Richmond and WEKY. I still need all the help you can give me in order to capture the history. If you worked at WEKY, no matter when or how long ago, please send your information to me. WEKY has been around for a long time, starting in October of 1953. I need history, dates, stories, pictures, audio etc. I am also interested, in starting a history page for WKXO Berea. Any help would be appreciated. Send to: Coxde3@aol.com To get us started, thanks to John Quincy, here are a few audio files: |
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Here are a few audio files from 1982 and a WEKY "Hot Wax Weekend".
Using the name Dave Madison, I did a few weekends in 82 for Bill Walters.
Using the name Dave Madison, I did a few weekends in 82 for Bill Walters.
A very young John Quincy on his
17 birthday December 24, 1972 at
WEKY McKee Building studio in
downtown Richmond.
17 birthday December 24, 1972 at
WEKY McKee Building studio in
downtown Richmond.
I also worked for WEKY in 1965. I was 18 and did the 6 PM to Midnight shift
(sorry no audio, lucky you). As I recall, the station was owned by either
Henkin Inc. or Tinker Inc. Jim Kincer (see below) was the Station Manager.
Also working, at that time, was Buddy Kay (Kincer), Ralph Hacker, Ralph
Gabbard, the late Ron Statzer, and others. The station was located in the
McKee Building in downtown Richmond.
I remember the large fire, just a block up from the radio station at Jimmy's
Restaurant. We ran microphone cable out the front window to a news person on
the sidewalk below. I also remember, via AP wire service, covering the New
York blackout on November 9, 1965. I also remember Buddy and John Fox
traveling to Northern Kentucky to give us reports on a tragic air accident at
the Cincinnati airport.
I also remember the EKU Homecoming weekend when I was scheduled to work
three to midnight and then be replaced by someone else. When he didn't make
it, I worked until Noon the next day.
I have one picture of the old control room, on the second floor of the McKee
Building. This picture is of a very young John Quincy taken in 1972. The old
Gates board, John speaks of, was the same board I ran in 1965.
.
(sorry no audio, lucky you). As I recall, the station was owned by either
Henkin Inc. or Tinker Inc. Jim Kincer (see below) was the Station Manager.
Also working, at that time, was Buddy Kay (Kincer), Ralph Hacker, Ralph
Gabbard, the late Ron Statzer, and others. The station was located in the
McKee Building in downtown Richmond.
I remember the large fire, just a block up from the radio station at Jimmy's
Restaurant. We ran microphone cable out the front window to a news person on
the sidewalk below. I also remember, via AP wire service, covering the New
York blackout on November 9, 1965. I also remember Buddy and John Fox
traveling to Northern Kentucky to give us reports on a tragic air accident at
the Cincinnati airport.
I also remember the EKU Homecoming weekend when I was scheduled to work
three to midnight and then be replaced by someone else. When he didn't make
it, I worked until Noon the next day.
I have one picture of the old control room, on the second floor of the McKee
Building. This picture is of a very young John Quincy taken in 1972. The old
Gates board, John speaks of, was the same board I ran in 1965.
.
John's memories of WEKY
WEKY was a 24-hour Top 40 station in Richmond,
the home of Eastern Kentucky University -- and
other than the times I was on the air there,
sounded quite good for station in a town of its
size. The power was 1000 watts during the day,
250 watts at night. I worked two shifts each
weekend during my 2-month tenure there:
6:00-10:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 6:00 p.m. till
midnight on Sundays. I think I made $1.80 an
hour at WEKY. Moving on up!
WEKY didn't use any jingles on the air at this
time, but had these killer IDs voiced by Gary
Burbank (who was then at WAKY in Louisville).
WEKY had a Gates board that was so old that you
had to throw the mic key to the left to turn it on.
(On most boards the mic key is flipped to the
right.) Spots came from a 5-deck Spotmaster
machine.
WEKY was a 24-hour Top 40 station in Richmond,
the home of Eastern Kentucky University -- and
other than the times I was on the air there,
sounded quite good for station in a town of its
size. The power was 1000 watts during the day,
250 watts at night. I worked two shifts each
weekend during my 2-month tenure there:
6:00-10:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 6:00 p.m. till
midnight on Sundays. I think I made $1.80 an
hour at WEKY. Moving on up!
WEKY didn't use any jingles on the air at this
time, but had these killer IDs voiced by Gary
Burbank (who was then at WAKY in Louisville).
WEKY had a Gates board that was so old that you
had to throw the mic key to the left to turn it on.
(On most boards the mic key is flipped to the
right.) Spots came from a 5-deck Spotmaster
machine.
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Bill Purdom is now Creative Director at
the Cox Broadcasting in Orlando, Florida.
the Cox Broadcasting in Orlando, Florida.
John Quincy is now with WSSX-FM (95SX Charleston,
South Carolina) as Afternoon DJ and Production
Director. www.johnquincy.net/about.htm
South Carolina) as Afternoon DJ and Production
Director. www.johnquincy.net/about.htm
I am in the process of setting up a growing list of former WEKY
employees and some history of each. Jim Kincer has recently added
several names to my list but we need additional information on when
they were with WEKY and memories of the experience. Any help will
be greatly appreciated .
Thanks!
David Cox
coxde3@aol.com
Jim Kincer (Jimmy "K") writes:
I just came across your (History) web pages for WEKY and WIRV
(impressive and brings back many memories). If you haven't already included
the names below on your list, you may want to add, so we can gather
information about each, if possible.
John Sullivan (Deceased)
Jim Brown (Somerset)
George Wilcox
Ralph Hacker
Ralph Gabbard (Deceased)
Bryan Crawford (Famous author Louisville)
Mark Neeley (Public Relations for City of Cincinnati, OH)
GC Kincer (Former of several radio stations in east KY and VA) (Retired)
Buddy Kincer (Buddy Kay)(retired in Chicago)
Icabod Powell (very early morning in the early 60's)
Dave Bratcher (Louisville)
Woody Stiles (Deceased)
Johnny Fox (Retired Daytona Beach, FL)
Dave Slack (Salesman)(Deceased)
Tinker (Fox) Slack (Daytona, FL) Namesake "Tinker, INC"
Robert "Bob" Spradlin (Mt Sterling last I knew)
Just my initial "memory" but more will come to mind.
Good Luck and I will be glad to help you (as best I can) with this effort.
Jimmy "K"
Jim Kincer
employees and some history of each. Jim Kincer has recently added
several names to my list but we need additional information on when
they were with WEKY and memories of the experience. Any help will
be greatly appreciated .
Thanks!
David Cox
coxde3@aol.com
Jim Kincer (Jimmy "K") writes:
I just came across your (History) web pages for WEKY and WIRV
(impressive and brings back many memories). If you haven't already included
the names below on your list, you may want to add, so we can gather
information about each, if possible.
John Sullivan (Deceased)
Jim Brown (Somerset)
George Wilcox
Ralph Hacker
Ralph Gabbard (Deceased)
Bryan Crawford (Famous author Louisville)
Mark Neeley (Public Relations for City of Cincinnati, OH)
GC Kincer (Former of several radio stations in east KY and VA) (Retired)
Buddy Kincer (Buddy Kay)(retired in Chicago)
Icabod Powell (very early morning in the early 60's)
Dave Bratcher (Louisville)
Woody Stiles (Deceased)
Johnny Fox (Retired Daytona Beach, FL)
Dave Slack (Salesman)(Deceased)
Tinker (Fox) Slack (Daytona, FL) Namesake "Tinker, INC"
Robert "Bob" Spradlin (Mt Sterling last I knew)
Just my initial "memory" but more will come to mind.
Good Luck and I will be glad to help you (as best I can) with this effort.
Jimmy "K"
Jim Kincer
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Ray Cole writes:
My name is Ray Cole, I live in Lexington Ky. I have been a regular listener of
the Coyote for the last 4 years I enjoy it very much. When WEKY signed on in
1953 the studios were located in the McKee building corner of First and Main
streets. They would sign on the air at 6am and sign off at midnight daily. They
joined the Mutual broadcasting system for news, programming and baseball
games. The station manager was O.C.Halyard. The morning man was John
Sullivan, the newsman was Bob Doll, the country music was handled by Ichabod
Powell. They broadcast the EKU football and basketball games, also Madison
Central and Madison high football games. Later on came Charlie Masten and Bob
Spradling they broadcast the play by play games. If you would like more info
about the early days let me know.
I remember some names in the early days of WEKY. There was Don Stewart
who did the music till midnight show every evening, he played the pop music.
There was also Bob Hanger took over in 1955 after Bob Doll went to Mount
Sterling. The first WEKY engineer was Reed Anderson who went to WCYN in
Cynthiana. Then there was the very young Wayne Gregory and there was also a
guy named Ray Hooper. Some of the programing was the man on the street
program and a lot of the Mutual radio networks shows. When the station first
signed on it had 250 watts then went to 1,000 watts. Back in those days they
had great music like Dean Martin, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra and Rosemary
Clooney. Thanks
Dave,have a great evening Ray of Lexington
Thanks Ray of Lexington
My name is Ray Cole, I live in Lexington Ky. I have been a regular listener of
the Coyote for the last 4 years I enjoy it very much. When WEKY signed on in
1953 the studios were located in the McKee building corner of First and Main
streets. They would sign on the air at 6am and sign off at midnight daily. They
joined the Mutual broadcasting system for news, programming and baseball
games. The station manager was O.C.Halyard. The morning man was John
Sullivan, the newsman was Bob Doll, the country music was handled by Ichabod
Powell. They broadcast the EKU football and basketball games, also Madison
Central and Madison high football games. Later on came Charlie Masten and Bob
Spradling they broadcast the play by play games. If you would like more info
about the early days let me know.
I remember some names in the early days of WEKY. There was Don Stewart
who did the music till midnight show every evening, he played the pop music.
There was also Bob Hanger took over in 1955 after Bob Doll went to Mount
Sterling. The first WEKY engineer was Reed Anderson who went to WCYN in
Cynthiana. Then there was the very young Wayne Gregory and there was also a
guy named Ray Hooper. Some of the programing was the man on the street
program and a lot of the Mutual radio networks shows. When the station first
signed on it had 250 watts then went to 1,000 watts. Back in those days they
had great music like Dean Martin, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra and Rosemary
Clooney. Thanks
Dave,have a great evening Ray of Lexington
Thanks Ray of Lexington
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Bill Buchanan writes::
HI DAVID:
GLAD TO REHASH! AS A BROADCASTER I HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF
STORIES TO TELL.. I WAS ONLY AT WEKY FOR A FEW MONTHS IN
1964 BUT MY MEMORIES EXTEND LONGER SINCE I WAS RAISED IN
RICHMOND. THAT WAS BACK IN THE EARLY DAYS OF O.C. HALYARD,
BOB DOLL, JOHN SULLIVAN, AL WEAVER, JIMMY AND BUDDY KINCER.
BEFORE GOING TO WORK THERE I HUNG AROUND THERE A BIT AND
REMEMBER WHEN THEY WENT FROM 250 WATTS TO 1000 THEY HAD
A SLOGAN THAT SAID: "1000 WATTS THAT SOUNDS LIKE A
MILLION" BEFORE I GOT MARRIED, I OCCASIONALLY WAS AT THE
STATION, WHILE IN COLLEGE, VISITING. JIMMY KINCER AKA
"JIMMY KAY". HE HAD A FABULOUS NEW PLYMOUTH FURY
CONVERTIBLE, EGGSHELL BLUE. HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO HIRE
ME IN RADIO. I HAD WORKED IN NEWSPAPER BUT THIS WAS WHAT
I WANTED TO DO.
WHEN I FIRST CAME ON BOARD I DID SALES WITH RALPH
HACKER - I DID MOST OF MY COMMERCIALS THAT I SOLD, THE MAN
ON THE STREET AND I WAS SANTA CLAUS - READING LETTERS
FROM KIDS TO THE JOLLY OLD ELF. I WAS TOLD TO GO OUT AND
FIND A SPONSOR FOR SANTA CLAUS - I DID AND WHEN I ASKED
WHO WAS SANTA CLAUS - JIMMY KINCER SAID, YOU SOLD IT -YOU
DO IT. GULP!!!! J..J.. NEWBERRY'S 5 & DIME WAS THE SPONSOR.
WHY DO I REMEMBER THESE THINGS? I CAME IN EITHER LATE
SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER OF 1964 AND LEFT IN MARCH OR
APRIL OF 1965.
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID AT WEKY WAS TO GIVE RE-BIRTH
TO "THE MAN ON THE STREET" PROGRAM IT WAS AN INTERVIEW
PROGRAM WITH FOLKS WALKING BY THE STATION. WE DID IT IN
FRONT OF THE DOOR LEADING UPSTAIRS TO THE STATION IN
FRONT OF THE MCKEE BUILDING DOWNTOWN. MY VERY FIRST DAY I
WAS READING A COMMERCIAL FOR A USED CAR LOT, (BAD IDEA-
TOO MANY DISTRACTIONS) WHEN A DRUNK WALKED UP AND
STARTED TRYING TO TALK TO ME – SO, AS I READ, I TURNED IN A
SLOW CIRCLE TO GET AWAY FROM HIM... AS I TURNED I WRAPPED
THE MIC CABLE AROUND MY LEGS. FINALLY I FINISHED THE SPOT
AND IN ROOKIE BROADCAST BRILLIANCE I BLURTED OUT - WHO ARE
YOU.... THE DRUNK SAID "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING".. NOT A
GOOD START. THE MAN ON THE STREET HAD BEEN DONE FOR YEARS
BY OC. HALYARD, BOB DOLL, BOB SPRADLIN AND OTHERS BUT HAD
BEEN DISCONTINUED UNTIL I RESTARTED IN 1964.
ANOTHER STORY: ONE DAY I GOT BACK FROM LUNCH TO FIND THAT
A GUY I HAD ONCE KNOWN FAIRLY WELL AS A GOOD BUDDY OF MY
BEST FRIEND AT EKU. HIS REAL NAME IS HARVEY YEARY - BUT HAD
MORE RECENTLY CHANGED IT TO LEE MAJORS WHEN HE WENT TO
HOLLYWOOD AND BECAME AN ACTOR. HE WAS AT WEKY TO DO AN
INTERVIEW WITH OUR TOP NAME OF THE DAY, JOHN SULLIVAN.
HARVEY HAD JUST SIGNED TO BE HEATH BARKLEY IN THE SOON TO
BE IMMENSELY POPULAR TV SERIES - BIG VALLEY. HE CAME OUT OF
THE CONTROL ROOM, AFTER THE INTERVIEW, AND REMEMBERED ME.
WE SHOOK HANDS AND SAID HE WANTED TO SHOW YOU MY NEW
CAR WE WENT TO THE FRONT WINDOW, LOOKED DOWN ON MAIN
STREET WHERE HE POINTED AT A DARK LIME COLORED CADILLAC
CONVERTIBLE. IT HAD A LIGHT TAN CONVERTIBLE TOP. MY GOD IT
WAS THE UGLIEST THING I HAD EVER SEEN, BUT BRAND NEW
HARVEY WANTED ME TO TELL HIM HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WAS - SO I
DID. IF I HAD KNOWN HE WOULD BE THE BIONIC MAN LATER I
WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE FLATTERING BUT I DID THE BEST I COULD.
SORRY ABOUT THIS ALL CAPS, I ACTUALLY DEVELOPED THE HABIT AT
WEKY WHERE JIMMY KINCER, THE STATION MANAGER TOLD US TO
TYPE IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE THE TYPE WAS TOO SMALL ON OUR
TYPEWRITERS. I HAVE NEVER BROKEN THE BAD HABIT. NOW YOU
KNOW WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ALL CAPS ON EMAILS.
BOB DOLL WAS A BIG INFLUENCE IN MY EARLY RADIO LIFE. AFTER
LEAVING WEKY, I WORKED FOR BOB AT WMST AND HIS SMALL
STATION CHAIN AND CAN TELL YOU HE HUNG THE MOON. HE WAS
AT WEKY IN ITS EARLIEST DAYS AND WAS A GREAT TEACHER WHEN
I WORKED FOR HIM IN MT. STERLING AND DELAWARE OHIO.
WHATEVER IS GOOD ABOUT ME AND MY 44 YEAR CAREER BOB DOLL
GETS CREDIT FOR THE BROADCASTING PART. I WANTED TO
MANAGE A STATION SO EVENTUALLY LEFT FOR TEXAS IN 1969 TO
MANAGE KGTN IN GEORGETOWN. THERE I PUT THEIR FM ON THE
AIR. AFTER FIVE YEARS I WENT TO LOCKHART TEXAS TO MANAGE
AND GET A MINORITY OWNERSHIP. AFTER 3 1/2 YEARS THERE I
GOT CONTROLLING OWNERSHIP HERE IN LIBERTY IN 1977 AND
HAVE REMAINED HERE .
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE EVER HEARD OF SPLIT CHANNEL SPOTS
- BUT I DEVELOPED THAT. IT HAS BEEN WRITTEN UP IN SEVERAL
TRADES, PLUS READERS DIGEST, NEW YORK TIMES, AND SOME
OTHERS. IT IS STILL USED ON A FEW RADIO STATIONS AROUND
THE COUNTRY.
THERE WAS SOME REFERENCE TO WAYNE GREGORY AS BEING A
FORMER WEKY ANNOUNCER. HE AND I WERE CHILDHOOD, CHURCH
AND SCHOOL FRIENDS. I REMEMBER VERY WELL WHEN HE GOT INTO
RADIO. THAT WAS WELL BEFORE I DID. IN THOSE DAYS THERE
WERE A LOT OF LIVE COMMERCIALS DONE AND ON WAYNE'S SHIFT
THE LOG CALLED, EVERY DAY, FOR SOME BEER COMMERCIALS.
WAYNE, AS I RECALL, A FAITHFUL BAPTIST, CONCEDED HE WOULD
AIR THE COMMERCIALS IN HIS SHIFT BUT WOULD NOT
READ THEM. MANAGEMENT, AT THAT TIME, APPRECIATED HIS WAY
OF HANDLING IT AND HAD THOSE SPOTS RECORDED BY SOMEONE
ELSE. CLASSY BY BOTH, I THOUGHT. WAYNE WAS AN EXCELLENT
HAM RADIO ENTHUSIAST AND SEVERAL TIMES I SAT BESIDE
HIM, AT HIS HOUSE, AS HE COMMUNICATED WITH PEOPLE ALL
AROUND THE WORLD IN MORSE CODE. TO A JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
KID THAT WAS STUNNING.
THAT'S JUST A FEW STORIES - I SURE WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR
FINISHED WORK ON THE HISTORY OF A SUPER STATION IN A
WONDERFUL TOWN. GOOD LUCK.
BILL BUCHANAN
KSHN/KPXE
LIBERTY, TEXAS
HI DAVID:
GLAD TO REHASH! AS A BROADCASTER I HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF
STORIES TO TELL.. I WAS ONLY AT WEKY FOR A FEW MONTHS IN
1964 BUT MY MEMORIES EXTEND LONGER SINCE I WAS RAISED IN
RICHMOND. THAT WAS BACK IN THE EARLY DAYS OF O.C. HALYARD,
BOB DOLL, JOHN SULLIVAN, AL WEAVER, JIMMY AND BUDDY KINCER.
BEFORE GOING TO WORK THERE I HUNG AROUND THERE A BIT AND
REMEMBER WHEN THEY WENT FROM 250 WATTS TO 1000 THEY HAD
A SLOGAN THAT SAID: "1000 WATTS THAT SOUNDS LIKE A
MILLION" BEFORE I GOT MARRIED, I OCCASIONALLY WAS AT THE
STATION, WHILE IN COLLEGE, VISITING. JIMMY KINCER AKA
"JIMMY KAY". HE HAD A FABULOUS NEW PLYMOUTH FURY
CONVERTIBLE, EGGSHELL BLUE. HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO HIRE
ME IN RADIO. I HAD WORKED IN NEWSPAPER BUT THIS WAS WHAT
I WANTED TO DO.
WHEN I FIRST CAME ON BOARD I DID SALES WITH RALPH
HACKER - I DID MOST OF MY COMMERCIALS THAT I SOLD, THE MAN
ON THE STREET AND I WAS SANTA CLAUS - READING LETTERS
FROM KIDS TO THE JOLLY OLD ELF. I WAS TOLD TO GO OUT AND
FIND A SPONSOR FOR SANTA CLAUS - I DID AND WHEN I ASKED
WHO WAS SANTA CLAUS - JIMMY KINCER SAID, YOU SOLD IT -YOU
DO IT. GULP!!!! J..J.. NEWBERRY'S 5 & DIME WAS THE SPONSOR.
WHY DO I REMEMBER THESE THINGS? I CAME IN EITHER LATE
SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER OF 1964 AND LEFT IN MARCH OR
APRIL OF 1965.
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID AT WEKY WAS TO GIVE RE-BIRTH
TO "THE MAN ON THE STREET" PROGRAM IT WAS AN INTERVIEW
PROGRAM WITH FOLKS WALKING BY THE STATION. WE DID IT IN
FRONT OF THE DOOR LEADING UPSTAIRS TO THE STATION IN
FRONT OF THE MCKEE BUILDING DOWNTOWN. MY VERY FIRST DAY I
WAS READING A COMMERCIAL FOR A USED CAR LOT, (BAD IDEA-
TOO MANY DISTRACTIONS) WHEN A DRUNK WALKED UP AND
STARTED TRYING TO TALK TO ME – SO, AS I READ, I TURNED IN A
SLOW CIRCLE TO GET AWAY FROM HIM... AS I TURNED I WRAPPED
THE MIC CABLE AROUND MY LEGS. FINALLY I FINISHED THE SPOT
AND IN ROOKIE BROADCAST BRILLIANCE I BLURTED OUT - WHO ARE
YOU.... THE DRUNK SAID "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING".. NOT A
GOOD START. THE MAN ON THE STREET HAD BEEN DONE FOR YEARS
BY OC. HALYARD, BOB DOLL, BOB SPRADLIN AND OTHERS BUT HAD
BEEN DISCONTINUED UNTIL I RESTARTED IN 1964.
ANOTHER STORY: ONE DAY I GOT BACK FROM LUNCH TO FIND THAT
A GUY I HAD ONCE KNOWN FAIRLY WELL AS A GOOD BUDDY OF MY
BEST FRIEND AT EKU. HIS REAL NAME IS HARVEY YEARY - BUT HAD
MORE RECENTLY CHANGED IT TO LEE MAJORS WHEN HE WENT TO
HOLLYWOOD AND BECAME AN ACTOR. HE WAS AT WEKY TO DO AN
INTERVIEW WITH OUR TOP NAME OF THE DAY, JOHN SULLIVAN.
HARVEY HAD JUST SIGNED TO BE HEATH BARKLEY IN THE SOON TO
BE IMMENSELY POPULAR TV SERIES - BIG VALLEY. HE CAME OUT OF
THE CONTROL ROOM, AFTER THE INTERVIEW, AND REMEMBERED ME.
WE SHOOK HANDS AND SAID HE WANTED TO SHOW YOU MY NEW
CAR WE WENT TO THE FRONT WINDOW, LOOKED DOWN ON MAIN
STREET WHERE HE POINTED AT A DARK LIME COLORED CADILLAC
CONVERTIBLE. IT HAD A LIGHT TAN CONVERTIBLE TOP. MY GOD IT
WAS THE UGLIEST THING I HAD EVER SEEN, BUT BRAND NEW
HARVEY WANTED ME TO TELL HIM HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WAS - SO I
DID. IF I HAD KNOWN HE WOULD BE THE BIONIC MAN LATER I
WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE FLATTERING BUT I DID THE BEST I COULD.
SORRY ABOUT THIS ALL CAPS, I ACTUALLY DEVELOPED THE HABIT AT
WEKY WHERE JIMMY KINCER, THE STATION MANAGER TOLD US TO
TYPE IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE THE TYPE WAS TOO SMALL ON OUR
TYPEWRITERS. I HAVE NEVER BROKEN THE BAD HABIT. NOW YOU
KNOW WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ALL CAPS ON EMAILS.
BOB DOLL WAS A BIG INFLUENCE IN MY EARLY RADIO LIFE. AFTER
LEAVING WEKY, I WORKED FOR BOB AT WMST AND HIS SMALL
STATION CHAIN AND CAN TELL YOU HE HUNG THE MOON. HE WAS
AT WEKY IN ITS EARLIEST DAYS AND WAS A GREAT TEACHER WHEN
I WORKED FOR HIM IN MT. STERLING AND DELAWARE OHIO.
WHATEVER IS GOOD ABOUT ME AND MY 44 YEAR CAREER BOB DOLL
GETS CREDIT FOR THE BROADCASTING PART. I WANTED TO
MANAGE A STATION SO EVENTUALLY LEFT FOR TEXAS IN 1969 TO
MANAGE KGTN IN GEORGETOWN. THERE I PUT THEIR FM ON THE
AIR. AFTER FIVE YEARS I WENT TO LOCKHART TEXAS TO MANAGE
AND GET A MINORITY OWNERSHIP. AFTER 3 1/2 YEARS THERE I
GOT CONTROLLING OWNERSHIP HERE IN LIBERTY IN 1977 AND
HAVE REMAINED HERE .
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE EVER HEARD OF SPLIT CHANNEL SPOTS
- BUT I DEVELOPED THAT. IT HAS BEEN WRITTEN UP IN SEVERAL
TRADES, PLUS READERS DIGEST, NEW YORK TIMES, AND SOME
OTHERS. IT IS STILL USED ON A FEW RADIO STATIONS AROUND
THE COUNTRY.
THERE WAS SOME REFERENCE TO WAYNE GREGORY AS BEING A
FORMER WEKY ANNOUNCER. HE AND I WERE CHILDHOOD, CHURCH
AND SCHOOL FRIENDS. I REMEMBER VERY WELL WHEN HE GOT INTO
RADIO. THAT WAS WELL BEFORE I DID. IN THOSE DAYS THERE
WERE A LOT OF LIVE COMMERCIALS DONE AND ON WAYNE'S SHIFT
THE LOG CALLED, EVERY DAY, FOR SOME BEER COMMERCIALS.
WAYNE, AS I RECALL, A FAITHFUL BAPTIST, CONCEDED HE WOULD
AIR THE COMMERCIALS IN HIS SHIFT BUT WOULD NOT
READ THEM. MANAGEMENT, AT THAT TIME, APPRECIATED HIS WAY
OF HANDLING IT AND HAD THOSE SPOTS RECORDED BY SOMEONE
ELSE. CLASSY BY BOTH, I THOUGHT. WAYNE WAS AN EXCELLENT
HAM RADIO ENTHUSIAST AND SEVERAL TIMES I SAT BESIDE
HIM, AT HIS HOUSE, AS HE COMMUNICATED WITH PEOPLE ALL
AROUND THE WORLD IN MORSE CODE. TO A JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
KID THAT WAS STUNNING.
THAT'S JUST A FEW STORIES - I SURE WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR
FINISHED WORK ON THE HISTORY OF A SUPER STATION IN A
WONDERFUL TOWN. GOOD LUCK.
BILL BUCHANAN
KSHN/KPXE
LIBERTY, TEXAS
Bob Doll writes:
David:
I was the original program director at WEKY, arriving two weeks before it
went on the air on October 17, 1953. I was the first voice heard on the station
at 5:45 AM that morning with "My Old Kentucky Home" playing in the
background, I introduced O.C. Halyard, well known in the area as the Eastern
football and basketball play by play announcer, on WVLK and other stations on
the Ashland Oil Sports Network. O, C. welcomed the radio audience to the new
station and introduced his pastor, Dr. Poore from the First Baptist Church in
Richmond. I was the original morning disc jockey and did the local news at
Noon and 6:00 PM and most notably "The Man on the Street" program
sponsored by the Rogers Sausage Company of Richmond. I did the program
from in front of the Owen McKee Store on Main Street. WEKY was on the
second floor. The announcer on duty pitched the microphone to me for the
show, Lerman's Department Store became a co-sponsor, so the program was
moved a block up the street to their store. WEKY was my third stop in my
radio career after WDLB, Marshfield, Wisconsin and WCSI, Columbus,
Indiana. It was the most popular radio station of my early career. Before the
interstates were built it was pretty remote, although it was only 25 miles from
Lexington by "bad road." It was a fun, friendly town. It was a great stop in
my early radio career.
Bob Doll
David:
I was the original program director at WEKY, arriving two weeks before it
went on the air on October 17, 1953. I was the first voice heard on the station
at 5:45 AM that morning with "My Old Kentucky Home" playing in the
background, I introduced O.C. Halyard, well known in the area as the Eastern
football and basketball play by play announcer, on WVLK and other stations on
the Ashland Oil Sports Network. O, C. welcomed the radio audience to the new
station and introduced his pastor, Dr. Poore from the First Baptist Church in
Richmond. I was the original morning disc jockey and did the local news at
Noon and 6:00 PM and most notably "The Man on the Street" program
sponsored by the Rogers Sausage Company of Richmond. I did the program
from in front of the Owen McKee Store on Main Street. WEKY was on the
second floor. The announcer on duty pitched the microphone to me for the
show, Lerman's Department Store became a co-sponsor, so the program was
moved a block up the street to their store. WEKY was my third stop in my
radio career after WDLB, Marshfield, Wisconsin and WCSI, Columbus,
Indiana. It was the most popular radio station of my early career. Before the
interstates were built it was pretty remote, although it was only 25 miles from
Lexington by "bad road." It was a fun, friendly town. It was a great stop in
my early radio career.
Bob Doll
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| After being out of broadcasting for twenty-five years or so, here are a few recent air-checks of me having fun while filling in for Ray White on WLFX FM Berea/Richmond. Please allow a few minutes for the file to load. |
Bob Hauck writes:
David:
Came across your wonderful retrospective on WEKY, Richmond KY, and had to
add my name as an alumnus who went on to (hopefully) bigger and better things
in broadcasting. I was a part-time college student-newsman/DJ hired by the
newly-named manager, Cavin Barnette back in 1959. The previous manager, O.
C. Halyard, was promoted to the Garvice Kincaid station (WCMI) up in Ashland
KY. Staff consisted of John Sullivan and his "early bird," in the mornings,
George Wilcox (great pipes) and an assortment of semi-talent, including myself
in evenings. Also on board was Loretta Halyard, O.C.'s wife, Bob Spradlin in
sales, Charlie Mastin in sales and on EKSC sports, Jim Brown at nights.
Occasionally, when I worked the late shift, I'd sign off the station at 12M
then re-sign it on, clandestinely, and play perfectly anonymous smooth jazz
directed to a few co-ed friends at the college. Worked well until I was caught
by Cavin and appropriately reprimanded.
I was kind of responsible for bring Ralph Hacker on board, who went on to a
successful and varied career in sports play by play at UK and
management/ownership at WVLK, Lexington. By the way, that's all true about
Harvey Yeary (Lee Majors). We were football player/roomates, residing in
the infamous Hangar Stadium. He disappeared in 1960 and turned up next on
the Big Valley. Yeary is from Middlesboro KY.
I went on to a career in broadcasting ownership, with stations in NC, WCMI
in Ashland, as well as several in Florida. Now retired at age 69 and living in
Ocala FL and would love to hear from any other WEKY, WCMI, Bluegrass
Broadcasting alumni.
rhauck@embarqmail.com
David:
Came across your wonderful retrospective on WEKY, Richmond KY, and had to
add my name as an alumnus who went on to (hopefully) bigger and better things
in broadcasting. I was a part-time college student-newsman/DJ hired by the
newly-named manager, Cavin Barnette back in 1959. The previous manager, O.
C. Halyard, was promoted to the Garvice Kincaid station (WCMI) up in Ashland
KY. Staff consisted of John Sullivan and his "early bird," in the mornings,
George Wilcox (great pipes) and an assortment of semi-talent, including myself
in evenings. Also on board was Loretta Halyard, O.C.'s wife, Bob Spradlin in
sales, Charlie Mastin in sales and on EKSC sports, Jim Brown at nights.
Occasionally, when I worked the late shift, I'd sign off the station at 12M
then re-sign it on, clandestinely, and play perfectly anonymous smooth jazz
directed to a few co-ed friends at the college. Worked well until I was caught
by Cavin and appropriately reprimanded.
I was kind of responsible for bring Ralph Hacker on board, who went on to a
successful and varied career in sports play by play at UK and
management/ownership at WVLK, Lexington. By the way, that's all true about
Harvey Yeary (Lee Majors). We were football player/roomates, residing in
the infamous Hangar Stadium. He disappeared in 1960 and turned up next on
the Big Valley. Yeary is from Middlesboro KY.
I went on to a career in broadcasting ownership, with stations in NC, WCMI
in Ashland, as well as several in Florida. Now retired at age 69 and living in
Ocala FL and would love to hear from any other WEKY, WCMI, Bluegrass
Broadcasting alumni.
rhauck@embarqmail.com
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Byron Crawford writes:
Hey Dave!!!
Stumbled across the WEKY/WIRV Website and remember both stations very
well. I can still see you sitting at the board at WIRV and I can well remember
my mornings at the old Gates board at WEKY in late 1965 and part of 1966. I
did mornings at WEKY and then handled the Man on the Street show (with a
mic cord run outside the window) often with my sidekick Buckhorn in tow. He
was the life of the on the street program, a real life Forrest Gump, who loved
the cameo role on the air and was a favorite with listeners.
I also worked as the color commentator on EKU football one season with Jim
Reardon doing play by play. Jimmy Kincer was the station manager,and owner,
I presume. Dwight Goins and G.C. Kincer were jocks, and Harry Minnich came
from Hazard maybe to do news. His future wife, Francis, was a secretary at
the station.
I left WEKY in October 1966 to take a job as a full time newsman at WAKY
in Louisville, where Ron Statzer, formerly of WEKY, had worked before
leaving for WCKY in Cincy. Then I took his place at CKY when he moved to
WLW. Ron was later killed in a hang glider accident while a reporter for a
Baltimore TV station.
Harry Minnich followed me to WAKY and then left to do TV news in Winston
Salem, NC. I returned from Cincinnati to WHAS Radio, then moved to WHAS
-TV and then to the Courier-Journal where I retired in Dec. 2008. It is
remarkable how my career path continued to cross many WEKY/WIRV former
employees---Dave Bratcher (Mason Lee Dixon) of KXOK and WAKY fame,
John Quincy, Ralph Gabbard, Ralph Hacker, Buddy and Jimmy Kincer and
others------including you, Mr. Cox----a credit to the profession and a long
time friend, though we have not seen each other for several years.
My best to you and to all of those who once spun records at WEKY and ad
libbed spots from advertisements clipped from the Richmond Register.
Byron Crawford
Hey Dave!!!
Stumbled across the WEKY/WIRV Website and remember both stations very
well. I can still see you sitting at the board at WIRV and I can well remember
my mornings at the old Gates board at WEKY in late 1965 and part of 1966. I
did mornings at WEKY and then handled the Man on the Street show (with a
mic cord run outside the window) often with my sidekick Buckhorn in tow. He
was the life of the on the street program, a real life Forrest Gump, who loved
the cameo role on the air and was a favorite with listeners.
I also worked as the color commentator on EKU football one season with Jim
Reardon doing play by play. Jimmy Kincer was the station manager,and owner,
I presume. Dwight Goins and G.C. Kincer were jocks, and Harry Minnich came
from Hazard maybe to do news. His future wife, Francis, was a secretary at
the station.
I left WEKY in October 1966 to take a job as a full time newsman at WAKY
in Louisville, where Ron Statzer, formerly of WEKY, had worked before
leaving for WCKY in Cincy. Then I took his place at CKY when he moved to
WLW. Ron was later killed in a hang glider accident while a reporter for a
Baltimore TV station.
Harry Minnich followed me to WAKY and then left to do TV news in Winston
Salem, NC. I returned from Cincinnati to WHAS Radio, then moved to WHAS
-TV and then to the Courier-Journal where I retired in Dec. 2008. It is
remarkable how my career path continued to cross many WEKY/WIRV former
employees---Dave Bratcher (Mason Lee Dixon) of KXOK and WAKY fame,
John Quincy, Ralph Gabbard, Ralph Hacker, Buddy and Jimmy Kincer and
others------including you, Mr. Cox----a credit to the profession and a long
time friend, though we have not seen each other for several years.
My best to you and to all of those who once spun records at WEKY and ad
libbed spots from advertisements clipped from the Richmond Register.
Byron Crawford
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Bill Kelly writes:
Wow! This is great!
I was a DJ at WEKY in 1981-82 for Bill Walters and listening to the old
Million Dollar Hot Wax Weekend airchecks brought back a ton of memories.
Rob Ellis (Harkleroad) hired me after I dropped off my 'faked' aircheck.
That's the best word for it since I had never been on the air. I made it at home
using a cassette recorder and two sources for music! He called and said be here
at 5:30pm to undergo some training. After an hour and thirty minutes of
training, he promptly got up and said 'you're on!' My first break was horrible!
I remember trying to read the label as the record spun around 'cause I forgot
who was playing. I walked all over the record, finally blurting out "Gerry & The
Pacemakers on WEKY!" What a disaster, I thought, how could it have been any
worse! Then I blurted out the "F" word to myself, I thought. I pulled my
headphones off and wondered why I didn't hear any music from the studio
monitors. Yup. I cursed on the air in my very first break!
I remember working with Greg Stottlemyer, Gene Hardy, Rob Ellis and others
whose names escape me. Frank Ranicky, another former air personality, lives
here in Tallahassee and recently retired from WCTV-TV after several years as
anchorman. I've also connected with Vince Coakley who worked at WEKY back
in the early 80's. He's doing TV now as is Kirk Harnack who is a weatherman.
Rob Ellis left WEKY to work for WKQQ in Lexington and then on to work for a
record label. I saw him last in the Opryland Hotel for Country Radio Seminar
10-12 years ago. I went on to WFMI-FM in Lexington...KSTT-AM in the Quad
Cities...WJAD-FM in Albany, Georgia and then to WTNT-FM in Tallahassee. I
worked on air from 1986-2000 and then in the sales department through present
day.
I have one old picture of me on the air flying around somewhere that I'll have
to send you.
Awesome sight!
Bill Kelly
Wow! This is great!
I was a DJ at WEKY in 1981-82 for Bill Walters and listening to the old
Million Dollar Hot Wax Weekend airchecks brought back a ton of memories.
Rob Ellis (Harkleroad) hired me after I dropped off my 'faked' aircheck.
That's the best word for it since I had never been on the air. I made it at home
using a cassette recorder and two sources for music! He called and said be here
at 5:30pm to undergo some training. After an hour and thirty minutes of
training, he promptly got up and said 'you're on!' My first break was horrible!
I remember trying to read the label as the record spun around 'cause I forgot
who was playing. I walked all over the record, finally blurting out "Gerry & The
Pacemakers on WEKY!" What a disaster, I thought, how could it have been any
worse! Then I blurted out the "F" word to myself, I thought. I pulled my
headphones off and wondered why I didn't hear any music from the studio
monitors. Yup. I cursed on the air in my very first break!
I remember working with Greg Stottlemyer, Gene Hardy, Rob Ellis and others
whose names escape me. Frank Ranicky, another former air personality, lives
here in Tallahassee and recently retired from WCTV-TV after several years as
anchorman. I've also connected with Vince Coakley who worked at WEKY back
in the early 80's. He's doing TV now as is Kirk Harnack who is a weatherman.
Rob Ellis left WEKY to work for WKQQ in Lexington and then on to work for a
record label. I saw him last in the Opryland Hotel for Country Radio Seminar
10-12 years ago. I went on to WFMI-FM in Lexington...KSTT-AM in the Quad
Cities...WJAD-FM in Albany, Georgia and then to WTNT-FM in Tallahassee. I
worked on air from 1986-2000 and then in the sales department through present
day.
I have one old picture of me on the air flying around somewhere that I'll have
to send you.
Awesome sight!
Bill Kelly
| I am starting a collection of WEKY Pictures. At this time, I only have a few. If you have pictures please send to: Coxde3@aol.com. Click Here for WEKY Pictures |
Dan Watts Writes:
Dave,
I was on the air there for about two years from 1989-1991 while I was at
school at EKU. I did the night shift after classes as well as some weekend work.
Some of the people that I remember working with are: Dan McBride…I believe he was
the PD; Vince Coakly, on the air; a guy named Chris something was on the air late
afternoons before me; a crazy individual that called himself something insane like the
Sunshine Superman or something like that worked the overnight shift; Ron Boyd I
believe was the owner at the time; Kyle Sowers did a lot of the news stuff; Rob Ellis
was doing sales; also remember Webber Hamilton and Greg Stottlemeyer doing EKU
ball games. That was a long time ago for me, but those are about the only people I
remember.
Since then I was on the air in Bowling Green and then got into the sales side in
Columbus OH, Wheeling WV, Scranton PA and now in Cincinnati.
A couple of incidents that I do remember. One is that I was working a long shift
on Christmas Day and one of the other jocks (can’t remember his name) brought some
leftovers from his family’s Christmas dinner to me at the studio. That was too cool
and I’ll never forget that guy remembering a poor lonely college student on Christmas.
Best wishes on developing the site!
Dan Watts
Dave,
I was on the air there for about two years from 1989-1991 while I was at
school at EKU. I did the night shift after classes as well as some weekend work.
Some of the people that I remember working with are: Dan McBride…I believe he was
the PD; Vince Coakly, on the air; a guy named Chris something was on the air late
afternoons before me; a crazy individual that called himself something insane like the
Sunshine Superman or something like that worked the overnight shift; Ron Boyd I
believe was the owner at the time; Kyle Sowers did a lot of the news stuff; Rob Ellis
was doing sales; also remember Webber Hamilton and Greg Stottlemeyer doing EKU
ball games. That was a long time ago for me, but those are about the only people I
remember.
Since then I was on the air in Bowling Green and then got into the sales side in
Columbus OH, Wheeling WV, Scranton PA and now in Cincinnati.
A couple of incidents that I do remember. One is that I was working a long shift
on Christmas Day and one of the other jocks (can’t remember his name) brought some
leftovers from his family’s Christmas dinner to me at the studio. That was too cool
and I’ll never forget that guy remembering a poor lonely college student on Christmas.
Best wishes on developing the site!
Dan Watts
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