The Scott Lowe Collection

PD Bob Hamilton narrates this station presentation that takes us through the broadcast day at WIFI 92 in the “Bi-Centennial City”. The on-air talent features Joey Morning Mitchell, Long John Wade, T.J. Lambert, Bo Weaver and Al Bandiero. Plus, you’ll hear a lot of contests and winners’ promos in this fast-paced eight-minute composite.

1540 WPGR was a 50,000 watt daytimer in Philadelphia that had been playing Oldies since 1981. With Jerry Blavat at the helm, the station became known as “Geator Gold Radio” in April 1992. I recorded this aircheck using the Sony digital receiver in the dashboard of my car. In this segment, Jerry is saluting the greatness of Philadelphia music. I have always enjoyed his bright delivery and how he shows his passion for the music. The Geator does it his way and often says, “I play my music from the heart, not the chart.”

This unscoped hour of Jim Nettleton on WCAU-FM comes from a friend of mine in Philly, who does not collect airchecks, but recorded this on reel-to-reel in early 1972. It’s an unscoped hour of “Golden 98” which was automated at the time. Nettleton (d. October 4, 2009) voice-tracked the Philadelphia station while he was working at WPIX-FM in New York.

This unscoped hour of Jim Nettleton on WCAU-FM comes from a friend of mine in Philly, who does not collect airchecks, but recorded this on reel-to-reel in early 1972. It’s an unscoped hour of “Golden 98” which was automated at the time. Nettleton (d. October 4, 2009) voice-tracked the Philadelphia station while he was working at WPIX-FM in New York.

[Description by Uncle Ricky] REELRADIO published an exhibit titled “Program Aids of ‘THAT HAUNTING THEME'” on Sunday, September 27, 2009, and I suggested (in comments) that if anyone wanted to produce a Halloween show incorporating this “scary” 1964 radio station thematic package, I’d stream it. Scott Lowe responded, asked me to send him some production elements, and this was the result. I found it very enjoyable, with just the right blend of familiar and strange halloween music, sfx, gags and genuinely interesting factoids about the tunes. As I told Scott, it was like “listening to the radio again.” And for me, particularly enjoyable because it was something produced for REELRADIO that, for once, was something completely new and fresh. Even better, I could find nothing seriously “wrong” with it, technically or formatically. I’m pretty picky about those things, so WOW – here’s someone who still knows how to make a radio show and have fun with sound. The number of listeners to our special Halloween stream for 2009 is a fraction of those who might sample Scott’s program on a “demand” basis. So, it’s a permanent exhibit because it was a wonderful contribution to our Repository and I want to share it with as many listeners as possible. Thank you, Scott! The China Smith Airchecks More to Come from The Scott Lowe Collection!

Shana(courtesy LA Radio People) Description and Great ‘scoping by Contributor Scott Lowe Shana was my PD at KPCC. It took a while to convince her to dig up something from her Top 40 past, but she eventually gave in and passed along an unscoped hour from early 1976. It’s the midnight hour at KFRC, and Shana is filling-in for Don St. John on a “Golden Weekend”. The log is packed with ten minutes of spots (12 units), and five are live reads. Lots of Johnny Mann jingles are heard, along with the more contemporary package from Joseph P. Cuff. Later this same year, Shana moved down the coast to KHJ/Los Angeles. Shana passed away July 17, 2015, of unknown causes. She was 62.

Shana(courtesy LA Radio People) Description and Great ‘scoping by Contributor Scott Lowe Shana was my PD at KPCC. It took a while to convince her to dig up something from her Top 40 past, but she eventually gave in and passed along an unscoped hour from early 1976. It’s the midnight hour at KFRC, and Shana is filling-in for Don St. John on a “Golden Weekend”. The log is packed with ten minutes of spots (12 units), and five are live reads. Lots of Johnny Mann jingles are heard, along with the more contemporary package from Joseph P. Cuff. Later this same year, Shana moved down the coast to KHJ/Los Angeles. Shana passed away July 17, 2015, of unknown causes. She was 62.

[Description by Uncle Ricky. This exhibit was contributed by Scott Lowe] Wayne Thomas demonstrates his “straight” production style and his “jive” DJ performance on this aircheck from WGRD in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Less than 8 months later, he moved to San Diego and KCBQ as China Smith. Wayne Thomas, WGRD Grand Rapids, February 1970

[Description by Uncle Ricky. This exhibit was contributed by Scott Lowe] It’s hardly two quarter-hours long, but it’s enough to hear that the newly christened China Smith has found his pace and polished his performance on KCBQ in San Diego. We wonder if the Hi-Lo contestant enjoyed her Woodstock poster? There are a couple of musical surprises, too. Thanks to Stormy Hunter for help with this restoration. China Smith, KCBQ San Diego, October 1970