Indiana Broadcast Pioneers

Indiana Broadcast Pioneers We’re archiving the rich history of Indiana broadcasting
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The Indiana Broadcast Pioneers was organized in 1979, following the lead of several other national and state groups. We are dedicated to offering opportunities for fellowship, education, public service, and the preservation of broadcast history. Ongoing projects include a quarterly newsletter, this website, the Richard M. Fairbanks Indiana Broadcast Hall of Fame, an exhibit at the Indiana State Museum, and occasional public programs featuring retired broadcasters. It is our hope to grow this website into an interesting digital repository for the rich history of broadcasting in Indiana.

05/09/2020

Join us this Thursday at 1:00 p.m. for the first in a series of Facebook Live events featuring Indiana Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame inductees as they reflect on their careers, share their favorite stories, and take your questions. Our first guest is the legendary Cris Conner from WNAP-FM.

05/06/2020
August 23, 2019 - Former Journalist Ken Owen Speaks at SPJ's 110th Anniversary Celebration

Happy 111th, Society of Professional Journalists. The nation's largest journalism org was founded on 5/6/1909 at DePauw University. I was honored and humbled to speak at the 110th celebration last year. #journalism #FactsMatter https://youtu.be/Sfmc6Zpo5Bc

The event took place outside of East College at DePauw University, where the Society of Professional Journalists (Sigma Delta Chi) was founded in 1909. Owen ...

Jim Gerard Obituary - Indianapolis, IN | The Indianapolis Star
05/04/2020
Jim Gerard Obituary - Indianapolis, IN | The Indianapolis Star

Jim Gerard Obituary - Indianapolis, IN | The Indianapolis Star

Jim Gerard James (Jim) Gerard, age 93, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 1, 2020, at Marquette Manor in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jim was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfathe

04/17/2020
Dave

Dave

Ray Rice is one of my all time favorite reporters.

Can anyone help Larry?
04/06/2020

Can anyone help Larry?

04/06/2020
Indy - On The Town

Indy - On The Town

Some good news for the people of Indy during these challenging times:

After more than a year in development, Ashton Wolf, Aaron Henze, Chris Zazzetti and Dustin Jenkins are thrilled to announce that their new TV Series, Indy - On The Town, will premiere April 5th at 11:30 AM on WHMB (AT&T U-verse channel 40 / Comcast Xfinity channel 9 / Charter Spectrum channel 22). "We're hitting the street to find out what you and Indy are all about!"

Here’s the promo video that got us on the air!

04/04/2020

Thanks Blaine Thompson for permission to share this. Please subscribe to and support Indiana Radio Watch.
http://indianaradio.net/

Indiana RadioWatch
Serving Hoosier Broadcasters Since 1998
3 April 2020
Good Evening,

This will be a short, but really important issue:

First off, the IBA sent me this communication from FCC attorney David Oxenford:

"The FCC has not extended the April 1 license renewal filing deadline for Indiana radio stations – even though the IBA requested a blanket extension. But the FCC did say that they have adopted a liberal policy for any stations that request extensions of time to file their renewal applications. Extension of time requests can be submitted to Audio Division Chief Albert Shuldiner, [email protected], by email and simply request additional time based on lack of resources or lack of access to necessary documentation. Outside counsel also are welcome to file consolidated requests in a single email on behalf of multiple stations or multiple owners. The FCC says that they believe they will be able to address these requests on a case-by-case basis. Also, to the extent that stations file during the month of April, even without a formal extension request, the FCC does not intend to take any enforcement action or impose fines in recognition of the current emergency situation. However, they strongly encourage those stations that can file on time to comply with the April 1st deadline. Under FCC rules, stations that file after April 1 extend the time during which objections to their renewals can be filed."

Second, I've heard about layoffs and furloughs at radio and TV stations. I'd like to compile a list of impacted people, so that I can share demos, websites, LinkedIn, contact information, etc. for interested hiring managers to see. If this impacts you, or you know someone who is impacted, please share my name and e-mail address. IRW reaches nearly one thousand readers, including owners, GMs, OMs, and PDs.

Last, I'd like to also highlight the great things that Indiana radio and TV stations are doing to serve their local audiences during this pandemic. If you have something to share, please e-mail me.

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support. Be safe and wash your hands!

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Indiana RadioWatch subscriptions are free. To subscribe, send an e-mail to [email protected] and we'll add you. After publication, we archive Indiana RadioWatch on the Indiana Radio Archive at indianaradio.net. Please e-mail us your news stories and employment opportunities.

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6502 Emmons Dr.
Fort Wayne, IN | 46835 US

03/31/2020
June 21, 1973 - Two 12-Year-Olds Try Announcing A's-White Sox Game

I'll bet a bunch of us have something similar from our youth. Thanks for sharing this, Ken Owen.

My buddy Blake Dancer and I, Ken Owen, took a cassette recorder to White Sox Park (as it was then known). The audio -- digitally transferred 47 years later -...

03/30/2020
March 30, 1993 - Indianapolis 11PM Newscast (Complete)

March 30, 1993 - Indianapolis 11PM Newscast (Complete)

Debby Knox and Ken Owen anchor with Cliff Nicholson on weather and Mark Patrick sports. This is the replayed edition, which aired after midnight on 3/31.

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P.O. Box 902
Carmel, IN
46032

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(317) 770-0970

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Videos

Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame Spotlight
Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame Spotlight

Join us this Thursday at 1:00 p.m. for the first in a series of Facebook Live events featuring Indiana Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame inductees as they reflect on their careers, share their favorite stories, and take your questions. Our first guest is the legendary Cris Conner from WNAP-FM.

WIRE WIBC
WIRE WIBC

I believe it was Dana Webb who uploaded this a couple of years ago. It has 1970's scenes from WIRE, WIBC and WNAP. Ken Speck or Dan Stevens may be able to verify Dana made the film. I see Jerry Mason in one of the clips. I (Dave White) worked with him at WFMS as part of the new country music staff.

WISH TV Greats
WISH TV Greats

Patty and Stan are in the Hall of Fame. Maybe one of your should nominate Ken Owen? This was from 1989.

Hoosiers movie opens in Indianapolis.
Hoosiers movie opens in Indianapolis.

Patty Spitler's story about the movie "Hoosiers" from 1986.

Josh and I had the honor of working with Howard Caldwell on a couple of projects for the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. There's nothing like sitting at the feet of a master and soaking up wisdom.

Don of Don's guns and Bill Shirk Stunt
Don of Don's guns and Bill Shirk Stunt

Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame member Bill Shirk (a stuntman and radio entrepreneur) challenged Don of Don's Guns to lock him up in the trunk of his Cadillac in a way he couldn't escape. Bill won the challenge but barely under the time limit.

The City-WXIR TV Commercial
The City-WXIR TV Commercial

WXIR-Love 98 was sold to the Walt Disney Company in 2003. Prior to that time it was one of the nation's leading contemporary Christian music stations. The station, which began broadcasting in 1964, is currently owned and operated by iHeartMedia and uses the call lettters WZRL and has an Urban Hip Hop format. It's broadcast license is held by Capstar TX LLC.

The City-WXIR TV Commercial
The City-WXIR TV Commercial

WXIR-Love 98 was sold to the Walt Disney Company in 2003. Prior to that time it was one of the nation's leading contemporary Christian music stations. The station, which began broadcasting in 1964, is currently owned and operated by iHeartMedia and uses the call lettters WZRL and has an Urban Hip Hop format. It's broadcast license is held by Capstar TX LLC.

WIRE Radio TV Commercial
WIRE Radio TV Commercial

Dana Webb sent this video of a commercial for WIRE 1430. This was a fancy Hollywood style film commercial.

WIBC WIRE Radio Indianapolis
WIBC WIRE Radio Indianapolis

Here's behind the scenes material from WIBC and WIRE in 1978. Thanks to Dana Webb for sharing this video. And, yes, the curly haired overnight guy is Jerry Mason. He worked at WFMS when I, Dave White, knew him.

Inside The News WRTV 1979
Inside The News WRTV 1979

Return with us now to the days of Howard Caldwell, Clyde Lee, Barbara Boyd, Reid Duffy, and Bob McClain. Thanks to Jack Rinehart for making this available. This is from 1979.

Bouncin Bill Baker
Bouncin Bill Baker

Lots of us grew up listening to Bouncin: Bill Baker on WIBC. Before WIFE and WNAP, young people listened to Bouncin Bill on WIBC. Back in 2004, Art Baker produced this tribute to his dad with help from Dave White of DreamVision Media Partners.

Stan Wood Hall of Fame Biogrpahy
Stan Wood Hall of Fame Biogrpahy

Stan Wood was the weatherman at WISH TV for decades. Dave Smith was producer and did the voice over for this segment back in 2004. Dave White of DreamVision Media Partners did the video editing.

Joe Picket interviewed by Paul Udell
Joe Picket interviewed by Paul Udell

I found most of an interview/feature about Joe Pickett. It was done by Paul Udell, former WTHR anchor, from long ago.

Larry Battson has long been the go-to guy for TV shows needing an animal expert. Here he is with broadcast hall of famers Bill Shirk and Carolyn Churchman.

Jimmy Mack
Jimmy Mack

Jimmy Mack is known for Bandstand 13, as announcer for the talk/variety Don Melvoin Show, and Brain Game high school quiz bowl.. He also was booth announcer and presenter for countless commercials.

Joe Pickett
Joe Pickett

I found a commercial with Joe Pickett. Joe was familiar to WFBM TV and radio audiences in Indianapolis. Mike Piggott, do you have any other video we can share of your dad?

Howdy Bell Commercial
Howdy Bell Commercial

When things were quiet at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Howdy Bell was busy doing radio and TV hosting and announcing on WFBM now WRTV.

Tom Cochrun Interviews Bill Shirk.
Tom Cochrun Interviews Bill Shirk.

Tom Cochrun was one of the hosts of the nationally syndicated program PM Magazine. Here he interviews stuntman and radio entrepreneur Bill Shirk.

Don Hein, Hall of Fame Broadcaster
Don Hein, Hall of Fame Broadcaster

Don Hein is a member of The Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. Here's a brief sample of his work from the early 1990's.

Indianapolis Coliseum Explostion
Indianapolis Coliseum Explostion

Rick Dawson did this retrospective feature about the tragic 1963 explosion at The Indianapolis Coliseum. This is one of the worst disasters ever in our city. I wish they had Rick on the set with Ken Owen to introduce it.

Bob Donaldson profiles Bill Shirk of WHHH.
Bob Donaldson profiles Bill Shirk of WHHH.

Here's a very youthful Bob Donaldson doing a profile of one of our Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame Member, Bill Shirk. This would have been around 1993 I think.

This is from the local Fox morning news show in September, 1999. Traci Wells interviews Evan McBroom about a consumer electronics show in Indy focused on what we would call a "smart home' today.

Stan Wood Bio
Stan Wood Bio

Stan The Weather Man a/k/a Stan Wood was a fixture at WISH TV8. I'm pleased I got to know him. I literally was standing next to him looking up at the clouds the night the Blizzard of '78 began. He said to me "Dave, we're going to have a blizzard and people in Indiana don't know what a blizzard is."

Stan Wood Bio
Stan Wood Bio

Stan The Weather Man a/k/a Stan Wood was a fixture at WISH TV8. I'm pleased I got to know him. I literally was standing next to him looking up at the clouds the night the Blizzard of '78 began. He said to me "Dave, we're going to have a blizzard and people in Indiana don't know what a blizzard is."

Kay Field
Kay Field

Meteorologist Angela Buchman had a predecessor at WISH TV (and WTHR) in Kay Field. This comes from a WISH TV 20th Anniversary Special. Thank you Dave and Lucy Smith for sharing this. In 2007, Kay was inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.

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Comments

4/29/2004 -
https://youtu.be/WY3L2ohtjCs
4/29/1999 -
4/29/1999 -
https://youtu.be/DvT8eA4UiZk
My third 'Isolation Station/Pandemic Playlist' show for my college station, WGRE 91.5 FM Your Sound Alternative , went live today. Fun! https://youtu.be/fpR6yLC4lCk
Ray Rice is one of my all time favorite reporters.
Looking for the video of Ray Rice and I from a show on ABCs Foul Ups Bleeps and Blunders. We were with a flying squirrel,,
Found this and it reminded me doing Peggy's 59er Diner the time we taped two weeks of shows in one evening. As always the animals did great....Early 80s I believe...
Ever since I got the From Crystal to Color WFBM book I have been looking for the original transmitter location that was in the old school house on the South side. Looking in the book they give two coordinates. I'm not sure if one of those coordinates was a typo? One was 39° 40' N, 86° 10' W. I don't think that was the location because it is South of I 465. The second one was this one 39° 44' N, 86° 10' W and this one is closer to downtown but still South. I'm hoping somebody in this group knows exactly where it was. That last coordinates is very close to the present day 1310 AM WISH/WIFE/WTLC transmitter site. I'm posting up the locations with coordinates at the top of the page and then two maps pulled from Google Earth one of them is zoomed in. I have gone to images from 1941 but I have had no luck in finding remains of the the old WFBM transmitter site. I find it interesting that WFBM was once on 1190 KC which is now WOWO in Fort Wayne. If needed please download those pictures and zoom in. That 2nd location is close to or on Bluff road.
Anyone have any info on Jack O'Hara? It would be interesting to see something here on his TV career. I always though he was a very talented entertainer.
Some screen captures of localized programming from WTTV 4, 1986-88