
01/20/2021
January 2004 - Watson's 1/2 Off After Christmas Sale
The Watson's Girl, Jennifer Eichler, appears in this commercial from January of 2004.
We’re archiving the rich history of Indiana broadcasting The Indiana Broadcast Pioneers was organized in 1979, following the lead of several other national and state groups.
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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.
Operating as usual
The Watson's Girl, Jennifer Eichler, appears in this commercial from January of 2004.
TV spots from January 24, 2010. Aired during NFC Championship game.
As seen in Indianapolis.
This is what remained on a VHS tape. Henry Winkler is seen before the national telethon tosses to a local segment with Jane Hersha.
Former WTHR-13 news anchor Andrea Morehead has filed a civil lawsuit against the station and its owners.
The Indiana Broadcasters Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2021 College Scholarship Program. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, March 3rd.
Indianapolis news reports from January 19, 1989.... Indiana's Dan Quayle would become vice president the following day.
This is the complete newscast, as anchored by Peter Jennings, including commercials. The lead story is on the new budget director, Richard Darman, on Capito...
Tom Cochrun and Betsy Ross anchor the program from Washington, D.C. The lead stories preview the next day's inaugural and the ascension of Dan Quayle to Vic...
https://youtu.be/5uvnF7azvXI Debby Knox
This was seen during the 'All-Madden Team' in Indy.
35 yrs ago today - https://youtu.be/dQSYipEq-t8
From the 'All-Madden Team' show. The Chicago Bears "Punky QB" was among the honorees.
Seen October 13, 2002 in prime time.
With Fred Kalil and Robin Miller, as seen in Indianapolis.
As seen in prime time. The Hoosier Dome and Vice President Dan Quayle are seen. There's also a 'Dateline' bumper.
Ted Koppel is joined by Rep. Newt Gingrich, Treasury Secretary Nicholas Brady, and Sen. Ernest Hollings. The recording stops before the show concludes.
36 yrs ago today - https://youtu.be/xivFuY5zdYQ
Tony Bennett performed at the new convention center's gala opening. Ken Owen covered the proceedings and anchors the broadcast along with Liz Berry. Mauree...
I found this unlabeled tape out in the wild -- some great history here. https://youtu.be/wG3AxbxNH78
Clyde Lee and Diane Willis anchor the coverage, with contributions from Norman Cox, Stacia Matthews, and others. Bob McLain has the weather and Ed Sorensen r...
As seen on WRTV in prime time. Updates on Congressmen Lee Hamilton and Andy Jacobs and on the Soards-Price race.
This spot ran during 'The Price is Right'.
As seen on January 11, 1995. Anne Ryder, Tom Cochrun, Bob Gregory and Don Hein made up the anchor team.
Indiana Entertainment Foundation - IEF
Tonight at 6 at WFYI, Kyle Long looks at some amazing Indiana country music pioneers!
Says Long, “Growing up in Hendricks County, it felt like a cultural vacuum. As a kid, it seemed like there was literally nothing happening. So looking back now, it's hard for me to believe that one of the most influential country singers of the mid 20th Century ran a nightclub just a few miles down the road from my former home.
Bobby Helms' Special Angel Club was named for his 1957 hit "My Special Angel."
The club was originally located outside of Mooresville, but around 1980 Helms moved the club to the Plainfield Plaza, a humble strip mall where my mother would take us for our weekly grocery shopping trips.
Today Helms is best remembered for his Christmas hit "Jingle Bell Rock," but the most consequential record he cut was "Fraulein." A number one Billboard hit in 1957, "Fraulein" broke sales records, staying on the country charts for over a year.
Listening to the song today, it might be difficult to understand why it was so impactful at the time. But if you look at the country charts in 1957, you'll see that "Fraulein" was one of the only pure country recordings to break the Billboard top 10 that year.
Other records from that time were either pure rock and roll, or early examples of the "countrypolitan" sound, featuring slick choral arrangements and heavy production. But "Fraulein" was just a fiddle, guitar, piano, and Helms' strong soulful voice.
"Fraulein" would later be covered by alternative/outlaw country artists like Willie Nelson, and Townes Van Zandt. The record was a global hit, and was even translated into Mandarin Chinese during the late '60s.
Bobby Helms started his career as a teenager, performing in the Monroe County area.
He eventually rose to prominence on the Bloomington, Indiana show 'Hayloft Frolic," broadcast on WTTV. Helms spent a few years living in Nashville, Tennessee after his breakout success - but soon returned to Indiana, where he lived until his death in 1997.
Tune in to Cultural Manifesto tonight at 6 on 90.1 WFYI to hear some early recordings of Bobby Helms, and other country music pioneers of Central Indiana.
Seen November 8, 1991 in Indianapolis.
Joined in progress and ends early, includes the entire Ben Woods weather forecast and Dick Rea sports. Anchors are Tina Cosby and Neal Moore. Lisa Tutman a...
Ken Owen is the Fort Wayne, Indiana news anchor. Instead of a Rick Dawson report, the wrong tape comes up.
From the personal archives of WANE-TV (Fort Wayne, Indiana) news anchor Ken Owen, who reported on the "whistle stop" rally. Pulled from Umatic tape.
Ken Owen and Liz Berry are the anchors. This is all that remained on a Umatic tape.
Adam Hambry shared this.
Spring 1997.
Tom Zaenger article on Fort Wayne TV news ratings from March 11, 1986.
A fun find in a file cabinet over here. :) Wil Hampton Dick Rea Mark Patrick
A fun find - a newspaper ad for my special report from the USSR from July 24, 1988.
As seen in southern Indiana.
This followed the CBS Sunday Movie, 'Unconquered'.
What can you tell me about Don Abbott? Can you direct me to a full biography? This links to an interview his nephew did with him.
https://soundcloud.com/jimmy-kennedy-880502383/don-abbott
Don Abbott a pioneer for radio, television, and advertising discusses his lasting media career including the founding of his own audio-visual company, Abbott Productions.
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46032
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Join us this Thursday at 1:00 p.m. for the first in a series of Facebook Live events featuring IBA Hall of Fame inductees as they reflect on their careers, share their favorite stories, and take your questions. Our first guest of honor is Cris Conner of WNAP-FM. UPDATE: During the broadcast, Cris will be joined by Bruce Munson and Tom Cochrun: a reunion of the original WNAP Morning Team, more than 40 years in the making.
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.
Patty and Stan are in the Hall of Fame. Maybe one of your should nominate Ken Owen? This was from 1989.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dana Webb sent this video of a commercial for WIRE 1430. This was a fancy Hollywood style film commercial.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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?
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 was one of the hosts of the nationally syndicated program PM Magazine. Here he interviews stuntman and radio entrepreneur Bill Shirk.
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.
Carmel Clay Historical Society
211 1st St SWMuseum of Miniature Houses & Other Collection
111 E Main StNational Association of Miniature Enthusiasts
130 N Rangeline Rd