Misc

Misc. Items About Central Florida Radio
This is the place I will post items of interest. Keep checking back.

Where Are They Now? 11-10-09
Steve Biddle, back in the 70's known on the air in Orlando as Steve Craig checks in. "...I started out my career in 1972, doing news and later the overnight shift at WKIS-AM 740. Then worked at a variety of stations, most notably at WDBO-AM 580 for several years, before moving to Daytona Beach, where I spent two years at WMFJ-AM 1450. There were other stops along the way at WLOF-AM 950 and WDIZ-FM 100.3. Moved on to Honolulu, where I worked for KIKI, and later KPOI-FM. Came back to Florida, met and married Sandie Corbin, who did the old "Mrs. Roger Holler" commercials when she worked at WKIS. We moved to PA in 1989. Three years ago we divorced. I did a lot of freelance voiceover/narration work, and went to work for Penn State Public Broadcasting. I was there for about 5 years, until June, when I was laid off along with nine or ten others. Time to start life over... so I came back to Orlando in August, 2009, without a job and not many prospects. Now, though, I'm hosting "All Things Considered" on WMFE-FM 90.7, using my real name, Steve Biddle. I'm now 55, and frankly, not sure what the future holds, as the position at WMFE is part-time and temporary. The job is open...but since I was hired as the interim host, I'm not at all sure whether I'll get it permanently.

Pat Duggins On His New Job 10-15-09
The Tuscaloosa News.com has an article on Pat Duggins, who spent 24 years in Orlando at WMFE-FM 90.7.

Garden Rebel's Roots 10-4-09
"The Garden Rebel" Robert Vincent Sims got his start in radio at a small Mount Dora radio station, WBGB-AM 1580. Thanks to Debra Courtright for sending along the following info in a recent email; "...We hired this kid out of college--Robert Vincent Sims---to do a one day a week "Garden Show". He is now nationally known as "The Garden Rebel". He is a super star who does national TV and Radio." Vince's national show is syndicated by the Radio America Network.

Where Are They Now? 6-11-09
Frank Reed is enjoying life in Arlington, Texas at KLTY-FM 94.9. Frank reminded me that he's coming up on 40 years in the business. "...amazingly its going to be 40 years since my start at WFIV-AM 1080 this August. Never in a million years did I ever think I would be doing this, this long, but I still love it..." Frank will be the guest speaker at the DFW Christian Chamber of Commerce on June 17.

Where Are They Now? 4-9-09
Zack Skyler who spent eight years at Orlando's WOMX-FM 105.1 as producer of the Scott & Erica Morning Show joins Shelly K for mornings at Hot AC WMEE-FM 97.3 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Skyler also served as Executive Producer for Greg & Melissa on KSTP-FM 94.5 in Minneapolis.

Brantley Slaughter posted 1/14/09
Brantley Slaughter passed recently. Greg Galloway talks of his memories of Brantley.
Brantley was our engineer at WORJ-AM 1270 and WORJ-FM 107.7 back when I was working at both stations in 1968-1970. He was a very nice guy and a great engineer. I remember one time we were having problems with our control board at the FM station in Winter Garden (license was for Mt Dora). The tower was so close to the building that it was causing problems with the sound. Brantley fixed the problem by covering the entire control room with copper mesh wire. That meant taking down all of the wall and ceiling panels. It was a mess. The room was about 10x10 and the room next to it was about the same size that held the transmitter and the bathroom. That was one small station. The tower was just a few feet from the building and it was very tall. Long since gone but my memories of Brantley and the stations live on.
We have also posted the obituary from the Orlando Sentinel here.

Where Are They Now?
11-20-08 Ric Russo at Tampa's "Q105" WRBQ-FM 104.7 drops us a line to let us know "...that former WLOF/BJ 105 morning show host and WLOF(-AM 950) Program Director Scott Walker, is now the Program Director at the legendary "Q105" in Tampa..."

10-13-08 Gina Jordan
Heard Gina doing a report from the NPR station in Tallahassee.

9-19-08 Drew Garabo
Drew currently works as a ticket account executive with the Orlando Magic. He continues to reach his fans with a weekly podcast at drewshow.com with co-hosts Ryan Valeriano of the podcast: Standup Orlando and the eccentric Johnny Diggs of Howl at the Moon in downtown Orlando. He continues to ride the crest of cutting edge radio now on the internet no longer terrestrial. Read more about Drew here: Biography

8-3-08 Don Gould Biography dropped us a note to let us know "...I've been at 10-10 WINS Radio (WINS-AM 1010) in New York City doing weekend morning sports since December 2006. I'm doing this to make just enough money to pay my enormous (and might I say unwarranted) property and school taxes and cover my golf expenses".

6-14-08 Gene Witt drops us a note: "...I was on the air for WKIS(-AM 740) as Gene Witt in Skywatch 1 from late 1983 through spring 1986. I proposed to my wife over the air live during one of my traffic reports. I was also one of the "traffic twins" on WOCL(-FM 105.9) "Cool 105.9" in the fall of 1985. I was alone in one plane, and another DJ flown by a pilot was in another. We would do the reports together. I'm currently a Captain for Delta Airlines, and my wife Kathy (who was the pilot for
WHOO(-AM 990)'s Sergeant Jim Humphries) is also a Captain with American Airlines..."

6-5-08 Lee Brandel of WFIV-AM 1080, WHOO-AM 990, WHOO-FM 96.5, WTLN-FM 95.3 and WTLN-AM 1520 is now station manager of WKTS-FM 90.1 ("The Bridge") in Kingston, TN.

6-4-08 "Slats" (Tim Guinane) checks in and let's us know he still has a hand in Central Florida radio. "...now just a semi-retired golf bum who works at Grand Cypress in the pro shop & v/t (voice tracks) 3-7pm Sundays on WJRR(-FM 101.1)." Biography

6-4-08 Carol A. Arvo (Carol Lewis) also checks in. "...I was a sales rep for WBJW(-FM 105.1) from 1976 through 1979 and remember many of the people that you have on the list. I worked with Jerry Peterson, Tom West (long gone) and
MF. Kershner, who I am still on touch with. My name back then was Carol Lewis and that is what the BJ people would know me as. It was a wonderful time to be in radio and we had so much fun. I still remember all the jokes that we played on each other, the famous book parties and the times we spent together at the “House of Beef” with other radio reps in the area. I left BJ in December of 1979 and went to Detroit, Michigan where I worked and met my husband, Tom Arvo who owned his own agency. We brought the agency back to Orlando in ’82-’83 where it still is and we are on Howell Branch Road, known as Arvo Communications, Inc. I still see a few radio people still working in radio and the industry. Our agency for the last 25 years specialize in the hospitality industry and I do not have the opportunity to work or buy local radio anymore.

4-16-08 Remember "The Hideout" with El Heffe (Dro Hinojosa) and co-host J Dubbs that ran on WTKS-FM 104.1 for a bit less than a year? Well, El Heffe has been named Program Director at Genesis Communications' talker, WWBA-AM 1040 and Sports Radio WHBO-AM 1470 in Tampa. He will also host "Next!", a weekday show from 9AM-10AM on WWBA, counting down Tampa's Top Five Stories of the Day.

3-25-08 Jon-David Wells checks in. The former morning host at WSTF-FM 101.1 has checked in. He is host of
"The Wells Report" at TalkRadio 570 KLIF, Dallas. You can reach him at jon-david.wells@cumulus.com

3-11-08 We've heard from Clare Carver (Bennett) formerly of WLRQ-FM 99.3. She is now working in Illinois on
WAJK-FM 99.3 and WKOT-FM 96.5.

3-3-08 Larry Novak let's us know that Susie Cerone can now be heard doing traffic reports on WEPN-AM 1050 New York's ESPN 1050

Don McNeill's Breakfast Club Broadcasts From Deltona

3-1-08

Don McNeill and his wife Kay were close friends of the Mackle Brothers, developers of Deltona Lakes (incorporated as the City of Deltona). Don was an early promoter of Deltona Lakes and brought his nationally syndicated radio show - the Breakfast Club - to Deltona on its first anniversary in 1963. There were 250 residents living in the fledgling community, set in a corner of 15,000 acres of scrub pine land scattered with oaks and palms, dotted with clear lakes. Nearly 350 homes had been built or were under construction. For Deltona 's first birthday, radio personality Don McNeill brought the world-renowned " Breakfast Club " to Southwest Volusia where he and his entire cast broadcast the radio show for the week of Nov. 18-22, 1963. The cast included Fran Allison as Aunt Fanny, comic Sam Cowling, and vocalists Mary Luckett and Bob Newkirk.
Don was called the "Voice of Deltona" in the community's early years and always showed up to cut the big birthday cake. (20 feet tall one year). Deltona was a "a fine, outstanding baby," McNeill said when he came to cut the first birthday cake. McNeill's visits, and Deltona's birthday celebrations, were documented in local newspapers and the Mackles' monthly newsletter, "The Deltona News," sent to Deltona lot owners around the world. The popular radio show originated in Chicago and was broadcast on more than 400 ABC stations and the Armed Forces Network. For Deltona's first birthday, he broadcast the show from Elkcam Park (Mackle spelled backward) on Lake Monroe for a week.
Some 2,000 fans crammed into the little community clubhouse, which still stands, to see Fran Allison as the gossipy Aunt Fanny, portly comic Sam Cowling and singers Mary Anne Luckett and Bob Newkirk. The show was a corny blend of jokes, inspirational poems and music, including a couple of songs about Deltona.

Where Are They Now? Posted 12-29-07
We heard from Mark Hellinger. We asked if we could share his email with everyone and he gave us the OK.

Happy New Year To Everyone !!! I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and remembered what Christmas is all about. 2007 has been a difficult year for us. Valerie's father passed away on October 16th. Soon after, my dog Lucy died after 12 years of being the greatest dog in the world. I miss her so much. In May, Valerie's son Gregory was shot on his way home from work in Miami. Thank God he is doing OK. Also in 2007, I found out that cancer was detected after I had a colonoscopy. Dr. Frank Lopez believes he was able to catch it just in time. I have to be tested on a regular basis. My father also battled colon cancer but the doctors believe they were able to remove the cancer. In 1985, my uncle Charles Hellinger, former mayor of Ontario, Ohio an co-founder of Jones Potato Chips Company, died from colon cancer. For those who know me, it's hard to believe that my little body can have so much trauma and survive. I remember in 2002, doctors at Grady Hospital in Atlanta told my parents that I had less than 48 hours to live after heart failure and kidney failure. I totally believe that God had his reasons for keeping me on this earth. I know for a fact that God brought me to Jasper, Georgia to reopen WYYZ Radio to be of service to hundreds if not thousands of people. I know for a fact that what we (the staff) at WYYZ was a blessing to many. Even though the past five years has been a struggle, there has been a lot of good that has happened in my life. I met Valerie in January of 2004. We were married six months later. Before January of 2004, I thought no one would ever want to spend their life with me. When I least expected it, God answered my prayers. During my illness, I know for a fact that many people prayed for me and that's why I am here today. No matter what 2008 might bring, I know that I am in good company. A wonderful wife and a God who loves me no matter what I have done in the past. I know that God does answer prayers so I am asking you to say a prayer or two for me, Valerie, and my family. I LOVE ALL OF YOU !!! HAPPY NEW YEAR AND PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH. LIVE EACH DAY AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST.

Mark Hellinger Wyyz1490@aol.com

Where Are They Now? Posted 4-20-07
From Rick (Saylor) Morgan of Rick and Dick fame;
"Just in case anyone ever utters the phrase, "Whatever happened to that Rick Saylor guy? Yeah, that 'Rick and Dick dude". Here's the scoop. For the past 13 years I've been doing morning drive for about 85 stations on the Hot Country format for the Jones Radio Networks in Denver, Colorado. I lost the Rick Saylor name back in Tampa in the late '80's when I was doing mornings for Mix96 (Morgan & Mimi/Morgan & Murphy) It's Rick Morgan now (Morgan in the Morning). I also do some part-time work for Clear Channel in Denver doing midday traffic reports for several stations. Doesn't everyone in radio have 2 or 3 jobs?

Follow-up Posted 2-1-07
Gary S. Wheeler aka Adam Cook, former program director at WXXL-FM 106.7 pleaded no contest to charges that he used the Internet to lure a child for sex and send sexually explicit photographs to a Citrus County sheriff's detective posing as a 14-year-old girl. Circuit Judge Ric Howard gave the 49-year-old a suspended 15-year prison sentence, meaning Wheeler won't spend jail time if he successfully completes 15 years of sex offender probation. Judge Howard also ordered him to pay $3,000 in fines, undergo electronic monitoring and register as a sex offender. Wheeler could have been sentenced to jail for as long as 15 years. Wheeler's wife was in court supporting him. Wheeler apologized for his actions, saying that he is "looking for a new start."

Radio Memories Posted 8-10-06
Bob Lipscomb the assistant Chief Engineer for Salem Media's five stations in Atlanta dropped us an email the other day. He reminisced about his CFLRadio memories.
"...My first exposure to radio was WEUS (now WLBE-AM 790) in Eustis, my home town, where as kids returning from the Saturday afternoon movies in the late 40's, we would stop by the studios and watch a live country-western band
playing on the radio. Later on in the late 50's while living in Winter Garden and in high school, I met the owners of WGOA (now WOKB-AM 1600) shortly after they started the station which was at that time a full service MOR station. They did a midday live show from the Citrus Tower over in Clermont five days a week. Another story I recall, is "Radio Hi Fi", WHIY, (now WRLZ-AM 1270) in Orlando having an announcer lock himself in the control room and play the song "Personality" (by Lloyd Price) all day long. After that it was called "Personality Radio" for a while. We later moved to Melbourne where I graduated from high school while working part time at WMMB(-AM 1240) dubbing taped commercials. This was prior to cart machines so commercials were all recorded on reel to reel tapes. I was eventually replaced by a new fangled device called a Gates Spot Recorder which put all the commercials on a paper roll size roll of tape and allowed the reel to reel commercial playing to be phased out. After graduating from Brevard Community College I went to work for Harris Corporation in Palm Bay but did a short stint as a weekend announcer/engineer for WMEG (now WMEL-AM 920) working from 6 PM to the 1 AM sign off. The studios were out in a near swamp West of Eau Gallie and I can recall attempting to read the news live on the air while swatting mosquitoes with my other hand.

Where Are They Now?
George Crossley Posted 7-31-06
George was the host of "In Defense of Liberty" on WTLN-AM 1520 and WTLN-FM 95.3 as well as one of the most powerful conservative Christian broadcasters in Central Florida. He was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lake Monroe as well as president of a group called Citizens for Decency. Crossley and Clive Thomas had many great debates over the viewing of the movie "The Last Temptation of Christ". What's he up to these days? He's' the head of the Central Florida Chapter of the American Civil liberties Union (ACLU).

Update on JJ Duling Posted 4-18-06
The latest email from JJ states: " I actually did not go to a station in Waco, TX but have been voice tracking for them for about 3 years all along. My new/current position is as Program Director at WLUE-FM (Adult Hits) and WQMF-FM (Classic Rock) in Louisville. I'm also a Clear Channel Oldies Brand Manager and am PD for CC's Top 75 Channels imitative, programming the H.D. "Cool Oldies Channel".

Tracey Young and Ken Dixon
Tracey Young who worked at WROD-AM 1340, WNFI-FM 99.9, WDOQ-FM 101.1, WBJW-FM 105.1 WOMX-FM 105.1, as well as WMGF-FM 107.7 and her husband Ken Dixon an air personality at WTRR-AM 1400, WLOQ-FM 103.1, and WOTS-AM 1220. Ken was also the production director at WBJW-FM 105.1, WOMX-FM 105.1 are both living in Orlando but neither presently works in radio.

Chuck Bennett Posted 10-24-05
Chuck was WSSP's morning man from 1985 until 1992 checks in. After a very successful run on WSSP-FM 104.1, I did mornings at Sunny 104.3 in West Palm Beach for two years. When the grind of the two hour commute from Melbourne to South Florida became too much in 1994, I started Chuck Bennett Productions to do freelance Radio and TV work - and I'm still doing that today from my studios in Melbourne. I also had the great chance to be the host of the weekly, nationally syndicated show "Dance Mix America" on over 60 stations each week for three years in the late 90's. Still here in Central Florida for the past 20 years - and still lovin' it! I must say that I do miss being on the air in Orlando daily, as it is a great market! Wanted to say hi to all of the people I worked with during my years in Orlando radio - Reagan Smith, Rich Kennedy, Dave Edwards, the gang at Florida Radio Network and all the folks at the old 740 when we were all on West Colonial Drive. They were great times! Everyone's free to visit my website to see what I'm up to at www.chuckbennett.tv

Names and More Names Posted 8-15-05
J. J. Duling formerly of WEBG-FM 100.3 is now at "Oldies 95" KGBO-FM 953.7 in Waco, Texas
Scott "Scooter" Sherwood (WOCL-FM 105.9) is now PD and Mid Day personality at KABG-FM "BIG
OLDIES 98.5 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Dutch Schaffer (WDVH-AM 980, WDBO-AM 580 & WDBO-FM 92.3) is now retired and currently living in St. Augustine.
Ed Tyll (WTKS-FM 104.1) is now doing stand up comedy in and around New York and New Jersey.
Gene Burns (WKIS-AM 740) is holding down the 7PM to 10PM slot on San Diego's KGO-AM 810
Pete Forgione (WHOO-AM 990) is the morning host at KWXY-AM in Palm Springs, California.

And so many folks ask me the whereabouts of the WEBG-FM 100.3 "Big 100" gang well here's the rundown.
Thanks to JJ Duling.
Chris Rivers is the new PD and afternoon personality at WXLY-FM 102.5 in Charleston SC.
Mike Roberts is working in the Production Department for Clear Channel-Orlando
Mike Harvey is concentrating on his nationally-syndicated Super Gold Saturday night Oldies party.
Bob Berry is looking at opportunities in and out of radio
Ron Willett left Clear Channel in early 2004 for other opportunities
J. J. Duling is currently in talks with a number of radio stations around the country for his next PD gig- otherwise, hangin' around Central FL, spending the summer with his girls.
Dave Kelly is working with Mike Harvey on SuperGold and continues on-air with Magic 107.7 occasionally
Deanne Schulz is now working with WB 18 television in Orlando

Bobby Sharpe, WLOF-AM 950 personality let us know he's hosting Saturday nights #1, 25-54 funk and dance show on "STAR 94.5", WCFB-FM 94.5. Bobby's been there just short of 5 years now. Bobby also worked at the old "Hot Rockin' Y-106" WHLY-FM 106.7 from 1983 until 1986. Then it was on to Philadelphia with his mentor Scott Walker at WCAU/WOGL. Bobby had a 10 year run there.

Before Arbitron There was Mediastat
Kris Earl Phillips sent along a sample of the ratings for the Daytona Beach market from 1972.
Thought you might like to remember the days when AM really was the dominant medium. Since Arbitron really was an upstart at that time, Mediastat was the ratings leader and used to do the surveys in the area. Brief and pretty much to the point...before the days of mega-demographics! BTW, I was doing 6p-Mid at the time on WMFJ. This was pretty
helpful around 'raise' time."

Click photos for a full sized view

The Passing of a Legend
On January 29, 2005 an Orlando Radio pioneer passed away. John Rutledge was an integral part of what radio sounded like in Orlando, at WHOO-AM 990, WLOF-AM 950 and he also put WLOQ-FM 103.1 on the air. Visit our Tribute to John Rutledge and read his Biography

Late Night Reception
Gerald Lostutter sends along a video produced by himself and Jeff Steele. Ken Thorne provided the music. The video was sent to Late Night with David Letterman. Unfortunately NBC couldn't use it, but here it is.
What's the radio tie-in you ask? The exterior shots were filmed at the WCOT-AM 950 studios and tower also "appeared" in the film.
Late Night Reception

Where are they now?

Here's excerpts from an article in The Smoky Mountain News on former WTRR-AM 1400 owner Bill Reck now in Canton, North Carolina. You can read the full article at http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/06_04/06_09_04/fr_local_airspace.html

Local Airspace
AM radio retains a niche in mountain communities
By Sarah Kucharski

Stepping inside the doors of WPTL AM 920 in Canton marks a throwback to bygone era.

Plaid, high back armchairs wait in pairs for customers. An award for the best Dairy Month promotion — a spot that featured a Jimmy Stewart sound alike proclaiming the virtues of dairy products — hangs on the wood paneled wall alongside an early career Garth Brooks poster.

The station’s only computers whir away in the sound booths, ticking off timing sequences to ensure that local commercial breaks don’t cut in to the satellite music feed beamed in from Golden Springs, Colo. A low click and an in-house machine splices in local station identification — voiced by the station’s President and CEO Bill Reck — before the cross-country DJ jumps back in with another hit. Just across the five-foot wide room eight track tapes line the wall.

WPTL AM 920 represents one of the few stations of its kind left in the industry. Privately owned and operated by the same family since 1978, the station thrives largely due to its focus on local content, from school lunch menus to church news, high school sports to the Flea Market program during which listeners can buy and sell used goods on air.

“We compete with one key factor — local information and involvement,” Reck said.

The strength of loyal listeners

Loyal listeners are indeed one of the main reasons these AM stations stay on the air.

“I love speaking to somebody and knowing it’s somebody in our hometown,” said Ruby Rogers, a longtime WPTL listener.

Rogers said she tunes in for the station’s country, gospel and bluegrass music, as well as the church news and occasional sports game.

“I think it’s just wonderful that they still stick to stuff like that,” she said.

WLOF TOUR
On July 30, 2004 we had the pleasure of joining a group of folks that worked at WLOF-AM 950, Orlando, on a tour of the old studios. Wilma (my wife) took lots of pictures and we share those here.

My Daddy the DJ
Martha Cowell Calloway pays tribute to her dad Brad Cowell of WMFJ-AM 1450.

Bobby Andrews Remembers...

Bobby Andrews, son of radio legend Bob Andrews relays some great stories and personal memories about Central Florida radio and his dad.
On WLOF(AM 950)- "...The "weird beard" (Bill Vermillion) told me a story in the late 70's about the day WHOO(AM 990) changed to country. He and the others at WLOF caught wind of the move and proceeded to buy and borrow every country record they could get their hands on. At the time WHOO made the move, 'LOF started playing country too, confusing most of Central Florida."
On Bob's bio and flying-"...One thing your bio didn't include was your pioneering of "eye in the sky traffic reports". You got your (pilot's) license from that. One of the funny clips from 'LOF was their eye Chris O'Condor. You couldn't understand what he was saying due to prop noise, but it didn't matter. The engine started to sputter and you heard the plane go into a dive and the DJ would break in "We'll check back with Chris later".
About WDBO(AM 580)-"...Another great comedy spot ran on WDBO (in) 72-73 called the "Stoned Ranger". It featured a hippie cowboy "far out, Indian" and his sidekick Toronto. The traditional roles were reversed. When entering a country store, the owner states, "I don't talk to your kind" and the Indian replies, "That all right, him with me" Comedy use to have a big place in radio and I miss that."

Chastain's Restaurant
Back in the 1960's and early 70's there was a diner type restaurant called Chastain's. It was on Orange Blossom trail. There was a two-story glass broadcast tower out in the front parking lot. Radio personalities would do their shows and give traffic reports on Orange Blossom Trail. Chastain's was located near the corner of Orange Blossom Trail (OBT) and Colonial Drive. The Chastain family took over the restaurant in 1956.


Thanks to Dick (Camnitz) Shane of WLOF-AM 950 for the post card of Chastain's with the broadcast tower in front .
Chastain's would close in 1996. According to "Uncle Russie", Russ Ross broadcasting from there were Pete Forgione of WFIV-AM 1080 and from Bill Barber, WHOO-AM (990) would also use the tower (when it was a rock station). There is and Army-Navy store there now.
From Bob Andrews of WLBE-AM 790; "..the tower that stood out front, overlooking OBT (Orange Blossom Trail) was known as the owls nest, and the C&W band, The 5 Owls performed there. They later built the Rainbow Ranch out near Big Tree Park, (in Seminole County, near Sanford) where they performed for many years. The tower was used for other things too. A DJ from WOKB-AM 1600, Eddie Lockwood, tried to set a "staying-awake record", up in the tower...he came within a couple hours of doing that. I was just coming out of Chastain's after a late night breakfast when I saw his head fall on the table...what some people wont do for publicity!..."
Check out more on Chastain's here

Highway 441 was the major highway through Orlando. This was before the advent of Interstate 4 and the turnpike. Tourists would eat at Chastain's and sleep at the Wigwam Village on their way to Gatorland attraction.

"Radio Tales..." Wonderful stories about radio personalities from Anne Jeffries

"WKIS(-AM 740) used to have a morning man named Al Dunaway and the infamous Bud Brewer did overnights. One morning Al was making the drive time "KIS cash call" and boy did he get a wrong number as the dialog went like this:

Al: Good Morning this is the WKIS cash call, what's your name?

Caller: Al?, what are you doing this is Bud.

Al: Well good morning Bud, can you give me the count and the amount?

Caller: Al, I don't think you understand. This is Bud...Bud Brewer...I work here.

Al: Bud? gee, how did I get your number.

Caller: Beats the sh*t out of me AL..!!

It seems that Al had awakened Bud who had just gotten off from his overnight shift. This "phoner" led to WKIS issuing a policy that all phone calls had to be taped in advance of being aired. It was a story frequently told at the media lunch table at Malcolm's Hungry Bear (restaurant) and "beats the sh*t out of me Al" had become somewhat of a catch phrase. One morning while working at WHOO-FM 96.5, Frank Vaught who was doing sports for the AM station, tapped me on the shoulder and called me into the production room. Much to my surprise Frank actually played me an air check of this infamous phoner, proving once an for all it was a true story.

"Being fortunate enough to be an accepted member of the lunchtime media group at Malcolm's (Hungry Bear restaurant on Colonial Drive-next door to the old Dancing Waters restaurant) I have many stories I can share. Back when Carole Nelson was doing news at WDBO-AM 580) she was having lunch one day at Malcolm's with the media group. (One of the nice things about Malcolm's were those comfortable captains chairs with arm rests at the tables.) Well one of the fellows at the media table was on the OPD (Orlando Police Department) force and as a prank, handcuffed Carole to her chair. After making a couple of jokes he got up, paid his check and promptly left. After about 10 minutes or so it became apparent that he was not returning and Carol needed to get back to the DBO studio for her newscast. Quickly running out of time they called a cab, loaded Carole and the chair in the back and headed for the studio. As luck would have it they made it back to WDBO just in time for Carole (still handcuffed to the chair) to grab her copy and do her newscast! From what I understand it was completely hysterical and proved Carole once and for all to be a "good sport".

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