A history of WMPT Radio South Williamsport Pa, as well as radio in the Williamsport Marketplace. In addition a history of my time behind the microphone.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

WMPT Radio The early staff and early memories

I am always afraid that I might leave someone out, so if you notice the name of a missing staff member from the early years, please add it in the comment section.
The staff of WMPT in those early days was quite unique, if you could paint, build a wall, or run wires you probably had a job with WMPT. Some of those early names, Mike Sullivan, famous for the Sully Soda ( cherry soda consuming 2 before sign on), Dick Crownover, (Mrs. Crownover's favorite son), Mike Steinhelper, Paul Rotfuss, Kerby Confer, they went on to become multiple station owners and highly respected in the broadcast industry, Bill Stutzman, Woody Langley, (who went on to become a TV producer) Louise (Weezy) McLaughlin, Connie Hurst, Fred Plankenhorn, and Hal McCulus. I am sure there are other from those early days who I missed, but after all that was some 48 years ago. The first person I met was Dick Crownover at the time he was the Disk Jockey for the "Coca Cola Hi Fi Club" (often referred to in error as "Night Train") a Friday night dance in Montoursville at the Fireman's Social Hall on N. Loyalsock Ave. As a young "teenie bopper" I attended the dance faithfully and got to know Dick and eventually was allowed to come up on stage and help with music, even doing some D.J. ing myself during his breaks! WOW!!! It was during this time that I also met Harry Seltzer, more on him later, Bill Stutzman, and Fred "FP on MPT" Plankenhorn. Of The early staff I knew Dick Crownover the best, as I attended as many "record hops" as I could such as the Saturday Afternoon Royal Crown Cola Dance at the Naval Reserve Center on Sheridan Street and once in a while I ventured into foreign territory to the "Original Night Train Hop" (Sponsored by Pepsi Cola) at First Ward Fire Company on Main Street in South Williamsport. (I wonder if I got a pass to go to Night Train because I lived in the Borough for a couple of years when I was very young and went to the old Central Grade School on Southern Ave at Bayard St.) One thing that stands out in my mind was some of the dances that were done in front of the old Hub Men's Clothing Store in Market Square. The D.J's would set up in the store window and half of the square would be filled with dancers. American Bandstand had nothing on Williamsport and WMPT!!! To be sure those were really great days in Williamsport Radio, with show names to catch our attention such as Up and At-em, Mid Morning Melodies, Music For My Lady, The Platter Party, Disk Jamboree, Music In Hi Fi, The NIGHT TRAIN, and The Waxworks. A quick story from those early days, when WMPT went on the air, they were viewed as the "Kids station", but young adults liked the sound as well. After all there was some really great music played then. I think that Coca Cola was one of the first sponsors, after the late Zender "Dick" Confair (Pepsi Cola Bottling) told Dave Castlebury that he would not advertise, because the station would be gone in 3 or 4 months. For many years when ever Mr. Confair would come to the station (he was a State Senator for many years) who ever would meet with him always made sure to buy him a coke! I hope you enjoyed this bit of history form the dark corners of my mind, it is funny, it is writing itself.

1 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

So go to the Hub, Bub.
On the square but never square.
In down town Williamsport.
Get you school jacket now!

11:30 AM

 

Post a Comment

<< Home