Category: Studio Pictures

WISL Radio Marks 50 Years – News Item Article January 16th 1998

by jjtreese, posted in Local Newspapers, News Articles, Studio Pictures, WISL Personalities

January of 1998 marked the 50th anniversary of WISL radio. By this time the station was owned by Charles “Mick” Haggerty and was suffering the effects of a faltering local economy. Within a couple of years Morning Man and WISL cornerstone Tom Kutza would leave the station and move on as Northumberland County Tourism Director and the stations (AM and FM) would be sold and the AM taken dark.

While tough times lay ahead, WISL was celebrating 50 years and looking ahead with high hopes. To mark the occasion, News-Item Staff Writer Mark Gilger put together a nice write up of the station for their January 16th issue. We feature this article in today’s post.

WISL Radio Marks 50 Years

BY MARK GILGER
STAFF WRITER

SHAMOKIN – WISL Radio in Shamokin, which has delighted thousands of listeners through the years with its wide assortment of programming, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The 24-hour, seven-day-a-week station, which is co-owned by Mick and JoAnne Hagerty of Pal­merton, is planning several prom­otions and live broadcasts from various locations during the up­ coming year. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty, who serve as officers for MJR Media Inc., purchased WISL Radio AM and FM stations on Sept. 4, 1997, after leasing both stations since May 1996. The AM station was purchased from Laurel Broad­casting while the FM station was bought from Northeast Broad­casting of Northumberland Inc.

Charles Petrie first station manager

WISL Radio was founded on Jan. 25, 1948, by Henry Lark at its current location at the corner of Rock and Sunbury streets, which is known as the Lark Building. The first station manager was Charles Petrie, Dick Owens suc­ceeded Petrie as station manager. Other managers through the years have included Bernie “Saks” Friedman, Art Sherman and John Berry.

Tom Kutza, popular longtime radio personality, has worked at the station for 37 of the 50 years it has been in existence. The dedi­cated disc jockey has witnessed a lot of changes in radio through the years and has many fond memo­ries of his radio work “We’ve carried it all through the years including basketball and football games, heart-a-thons, library Christmas tree projects, the Stanley Coveleskie monument project, numerous live remotes from different locations celebrat­ing special events, live broadcasts in the studio using the old boom microphones, religious shows, news talk shows, sports talk shows with Bernie Romanoski Sr. and many other programs,” Kutza said. Kutza, who has interviewed hundreds of celebrities over the years, added, “My favorite prog­ram of all time has been the ‘Let­ters to Santa’ show. I really love that program.” Kutza, 55, whose name has be­ come synonymous with WISL Ra­dio, started working at the station after graduating from high school. The “station historian” has many photographs and other keepsakes pertaining to the station. The disc jockey, who resides in Elysburg, said the biggest changes in radio today include more talk shows and updated equipment. “I love doing my talk show “ Kutza said. “That’s the highlight for me because I get to meet so many people. I love coming to work and I’m proud to be a part of this station and area. We have the most dedicated listeners in our community. I’m thrilled I’ve been able to work here so long and it’s really amazing for a small station like WISL Radio to be on the air for 50 years.”

Tom Kutza, seated, disc jockey at WISL Radio in Shamokin for 37 years, and station owner Mick Hagerty relax in the control room. WISL Radio is celebrating its 50th an­niversary this year. (News-Item photo by Mark Gilger)

Mick Hagerty had nothing but praise for the longtime radio per­sonality. “Tom’s is an institution at WISL. When someone thinks of WISL, they immediately associate Tom’s name with the station. His show is a tradition and we plan on maintaining that tradition for as many years as we can.” Hagerty said plans are being made to have Kutza conduct his talk show from his home to make it more convenient for the radio personality, who has endured health problems in recent years.

Mick Hagerty said various promotions are being planned throughout the year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the station. He said remote broad­casts will be done from different places including the historical Victoria Theatre in downtown Sha­mokin. Memorabilia trinkets per­taining to the 50th anniversary will be made available during the next several months. The station owner commented, “We plan to upgrade our equip­ment and hire more sales people and disc jockeys. We want to in­ crease our power on both stations (1480 AM and 95.3 FM). We also are looking into setting up a booth at Knoebels Amusement Resort so we can do live remotes from the park”

Hagerty said the format for the FM station, which features “old­ies” music, will remain the same while the programming on the AM station will be upgraded.

“WISL Radio Marks 50 Years” From The News Item January 16th 1998

Radio Station WISL: Broadcast News September 1949

by jjtreese, posted in Equipment, News Articles, Pictures, Studio Pictures, Trade Magazines

When WISL Radio signed on the air for the first time in January of 1948 it was truly a “state of the art facility.” The second floor of the Lark Building, a former bank, on Sunbury Street, was completely remodeled into a modern radio studio complete with a main control studio, news booth and a performance studio, in addition to administrative office. The walls were covered with acoustical tiles and the floor was finished with cork. This clean, new space was certainly a sight to behold.

The Lark Building on Sunbury Street Many Years Before Becoming Home to WISL Radio

Throughout the 1940′s and 1950′s RCA published a magazine entitled “Broadcast News,” highlighting the accomplishments of the stations that purchased and used their equipment. In radio’s “golden years” the equipment was as impressive as the media that they helped to produce. The chrome lines and Art Deco style of what would otherwise be very boring electrical equipment made studios into showpieces and RCA was very proud of their product. Almost every installation of the era was featured in this publication complete with fantastic pictures of the facilities they equipped. In September of 1949 WISL was featured in Broadcast News. Thanks to this magazine, supplied to us by western PA radio veteran Clarke Ingram, we can look back in time to see what WISL Radio looked like in the early years. Even more spectacular is the article that accompanies these photos, written by WISL’s first Chief Engineer B. T. Marshall. He outlines all the equipment and technical details of the WISL installation. The article has been transcribed for easy reading on the internet, and the original document is located at the end of this post in PDF format.

Less than 20 years later WISL’s transmitter building and the equipment contained within would be destroyed by fire. Click Here for information on the 1968 WISL Transmitter Fire.

WISL Directional Problem Solved With Four-Tower Array

By B. T. Marshall (WISL Chief Engineer)

Radio Station WISL (Radio Anthracite, Inc.) which is located in Shamokin, Pa., has been serving the anthracite region of central Pennsylvania for over a year. The new 1 KW AM broadcast station was conceived in the minds of a small group of public spirited citizens with a desire to provide complete local radio service to Shamokin community which lacked primary radio service at night prior to the advent of WISL.

ANTENNA ARRAY LOCATION

Engineering studies and surveys started in 1946 resulted in the filing of an application for 1000 watts on 1480 KC, with night-time protection provided (by a four tower antenna array) for existing stations on this channel. The antenna array (see Fig. 1) had to be located southeast of Shamokin in order to serve the purpose of its design. This particular area, at first, yielded no prospect for a suitable site because of the rising brush covered slopes of Big Mountain and the man-made ravines resulting from previous coal stripping operations. An aerial survey finally revealed a flat section, on the slope, large enough to accommodate the array. After a C.P. (Construction Permit) was granted, work began in June of 1947. Building construction and equipment installation proceeded smoothly. However, some delay was encountered while laying radials since huge rocks just below the ground surfaces mangled the laying plow. A highway rooter was finally equipped with a feed pipe. This massive piece of equipment pulled by a heavy duty “cat” planted 720 radials in four days. Equipment tests, shaping of contours, and proof -of -performance were started in the late fall of 1947. Due to the rugged terrain and danger of driving into stripping holes at night-the FCC granted permission to take field measurements in the daytime. Two-way radio was used to maintain contact between field cars and the transmitter.

STATION EQUIPMENT

The transmitter house and studios were completely equipped with the latest RCA equipment, including the 1 KW AM transmitter (BTA-1L), 76 series consolettes, 70-D transcription turntable, two complete audio, test and monitoring rack equipments and necessary RCA studio and control room microphones.

TRANSMITTER

The 1 KW transmitter and associated rack equipment were located as shown in Fig. 3. Transmitter design includes the RCA 250 watt transmitter (BTA-250L) which is used as the exciter for the 833-A Power Amplifiers which operate in a class “C” push-pull circuit. Plate modulation of the final amplifier is accomplished by two RCA-833A tubes, operating in class “B.” The complete transmitter occupies an approximate floor area of only 14.5 square feet. The studio consolette and turntables were arranged in front of the studio window as pictured in Fig. 3, to provide a convenient arrangement for the operator.

With both studio and transmitter ready for final equipment tests, WISL was granted permission for program tests in January 1948. All tests proceeded satisfactorily and since operation started, no air time has been lost due to equipment failure.

High Resolution Photo of WISL Transmitter Room.

MEDIA EXHIBITS

This is the original article as published in the September 1949 issue of “Broadcast News.”

September 1949 “Broadcast News”

WISL Hall Of Fame: Howard Hertzog a.k.a Scott Davis

by jjtreese, posted in Audio, Pictures, Studio Pictures, WISL Airchecks, WISL Hall of Fame, WISL Personalities
Howard Hertzog a.k.a Scott Davis in the WISL Control Room

Howard Hertzog was a very busy guy in the Shamokin Area. During his short life, he managed to pack in as much activity and good will as he could. Howard was an active member of the Jaycees and served on the committee that raised the money needed to purchase a heart monitor for Shamokin State General Hospital. Howard was also the co-chariman for the 1969 Shamokin Area Heart Drive. Remember LAREDO (the Lower Anthracite Regional Economic Development Organization)? He was also chairman for the 1969 Miss Laredo Contest. LAREDO was the organization that helped start the Glen Burn Mine Tour, Howard also served as a tour guide. He was President of the Shamokin Area Amateur Radio Club, and if that wasn’t enough he also worked at the Singer Store and at the Sun Ray Drug Store.

Howard was also a Disc Jockey at WISL using the name Scott Davis. He joined WISL in the late 1960’s and would work there until his untimely death in 1972. According to Hertzog’s daughter Angela, Howard struggled with heart issues his entire life. Scott Davis passed away while doing the night show on WISL on August 5th 1972, leaving behind his wife and two-year old daughter. He was only 33 years old.

We were able to get in touch with Angela last year and learn more about her father Howard. Angela was able to find some pictures of her father and even found a box full of old reel to reel tapes in the attic of her family home. Every time we are able to locate audio of WISL, it is a special thing, however this time the audio meant so much more. When her father passed away, Angela was only 2 years old. In conversation we learned that she had never heard her father’s voice. These tapes offered a very special window into the past and the chance for Angela to “meet” her father again. We were able to get a clean dub of the audio from the tapes she found, and what a treasure. We found radio shows, commercials, outtakes and sports broadcasts all featuring the voice of her father, Scott Davis.

Through the courtesy of Angela Hertzog we present to you Scott Davis!

AUDIO EXHIBITS

Scott Davis aircheck WISL 1971

Scott Davis Show for Scott Berkelson WISL 1971

WISL Saturday Line-Up Promo (Scott Davis Voiceover)

Shamokin Sunoco Stations – Inspection Commercial (Scott Davis Voiceover)

Pickwick Self Service Shoe Mart Commercial (Scott Davis Voiceover)

Alfie’s Boutique Commercial (Scott Davis Voiceover)

WISL Drop “Scott Davis Plays The Heavy Hits”

photo exhibits

  • Postcard from the Glen Burn Mine Tour – Howard Hertzog as a tour guide
  • Scott David In The WISL Control Room
  • Scott David In The WISL Control Room
  • Scott David In The WISL Control Room
  • Scott David In The WISL Control Room
  • Scott David In The WISL Control Room
  • Scott David In The WISL Control Room
  • Scott David In The WISL Control Room

WISL Hall of Fame: “The Morning Mayor” Tom Kutza

by jjtreese, posted in Audio, Pictures, Studio Pictures, WISL Airchecks, WISL Hall of Fame, WISL Personalities
Tom Kutza in the WISL Control Room – 1972

There are few names more recognizable in the Shamokin and Mount Carmel areas than Tom Kutza, and even fewer that conjure up such positive and happy memories. Of all the voices heard over the WISL airwaves, Tom’s was there the longest, spending roughly 34 years behind the microphone.

To many, it’s unimaginable to think that Tom worked anywhere else other than WISL, but believe it or not, there was a time that Tom was just a kid trying to break into the business. In radio, you needed to take whatever job or jobs you could get, and Tom’s break into the business occurred at two different radio stations in the late 1950’s, WBRX in Berwick and WPPA in Pottsville. Tom simultaneously worked at both of these stations on a part time basis, mostly as a news reader.

Tom Kutza Live before his days at WISL

To many, it’s unimaginable to think that Tom worked anywhere else other than WISL, but believe it or not, there was a time that Tom was just a kid trying to break into the business. In radio, you needed to take whatever job or jobs you could get, and Tom’s break into the business occurred at two different radio stations in the late 1950’s, WBRX in Berwick and WPPA in Pottsville. Tom simultaneously worked at both of these stations on a part time basis, mostly as a news reader.

In 1960 Tom would be offered a job at a station much closer to his hometown of Mount Carmel. Tom joined WISL in October 1960 covering the night shift and a program they called “Moonlight Serenade.” He would work his way up the WISL ladder, moving next to afternoon drive and finally getting a shot at the “big time” and the morning show in 1964. Generations of Shamokin residents would wake up to the Tom Kutza Morning Show, dubbing him “Shamokin’s Morning Mayor” over the years. Tom kept everyone up to date on, local news, weather, sports, school cancellations and yes even the school lunch menus.

Tom Kutza at WISL circa 1960
Tom Kutza as “Captain Action”

Tom’s position as the morning disc jockey gave him great community visibility, and Tom was everywhere. He was the MC at local proms, the DJ at sock hops, dances and weddings, the live host at your favorite store and even the color commentator on the WISL sports broadcasts. Tom even had the chance to play super hero to his legions of adoring fans as “Captain Action” for an appearance at the Big N Department Store in Coal Township.

Tom’s position as the morning disc jockey gave him great community visibility, and Tom was everywhere. He was the MC at local proms, the DJ at sock hops, dances and weddings, the live host at your favorite store and even the color commentator on the WISL sports broadcasts. Tom even had the chance to play super hero to his legions of adoring fans as “Captain Action” for an appearance at the Big N Department Store in Coal Township.

Tom’s on air legacy included his years hosting the “Welker’s Furniture Polka Show” on Sundays. Tom recalled in a News Item interview…

“I remember one summer day walking from Springfield to my former home on Race Street (in Shamokin); I heard the polka show on every radio between those two points.”

Christmas was a special time of year in Shamokin and a favorite for Kutza as well. The popular “Letters to Santa” program actually dates back to the 1950’s and WISL newsman Jim Reilly. Reilly would gather letter written to Santa by children in the listening area and read them on the air. Years later, Kutza would ask if he could read the letters in the role of Santa Claus himself, a tradition that Kutza would continue even after leaving the station.

Tom Kutza Business Card 1980’s

Over the years, Tom welcomed many people to the WISL microphone. There were celebrities such as singer Frankie Laine, music groups such as the 1910 Fruit Gum Company, sports figure Stanley Covaleski, and almost anyone else that would have a chat with Tom. Kutza remembers…

“I really enjoyed doing the talk show over the years. We would get on the air and our guests would ask what we were going to talk about, and I would just say ‘I don’t know, we’ll just see how it goes”

Following their interview, guests would remark that Tom made it so easy. Tom had a way to always put his guests at ease, creating a fun and free atmosphere.

Tom’s days at WISL made him a part of the family for many in the Shamokin and Mount Carmel areas. People woke-up every morning to his program, listened to him at work and during their lunch hour, shook his hand on the street and did the polka with him on the weekend. Parents recorded his program and sent it to their children serving in Vietnam, in a way sending them a piece of “home.” Tom’s legacy in Shamokin continues to this day.

Tom Kutza, Master of Ceremonies at the Mount Carmel High School Prom in 1962

Tom’s stay at WISL ended in 1998, victim of a combination of Shamokin’s deteriorating economy and poor station management. However, Tom would take everything he learned in his 34 years on the radio and embark on a new career, becoming the Tourism Director of Northumberland County. His job now was to travel the county creating awareness of the many great thing that Northumberland County had to offer. Tom talked to children about history and the amazing stories of the past. He visited the senior centers to bring back memories of younger days and helped let others know all that Northumberland County has to offer. Tom would retire from the county a decade later.

While Tom may be retired he is far from finished. Tom is still keeping the memory of WISL alive, now online at www.WISL1480.com, Tom has revived the traditional “Sunday Afternoon Polka Program” every Sunday afternoon at 2pm. Every Christmas Tom teams up with the News Item to present his “Letters to Santa” program. The News Item still receives hundred of letters each year from children hoping to get Jolly Old St. Nick to read their letter.

Tom is also now a national personality, taking his Coal Region Christmas memories to a whole new audience with “Christmas Eve with Tom Kutza,” a five hour Christmas music and memories program. Originally broadcast on WBLJ (formerly WISL-FM) in Shamokin in 2005, in recent years the program has been carried on stations as far away as North Dakota and Florida. Tom has also relived the memories of WISL, being on hand at the WISL display at Shamokin’s Anthracite Heritage Festival meeting old friends and reliving great memories. In his spare time Tom enjoys life with his incredible and growing family.

AUDIO EXHIBITS

A typical Tom Kutza Morning Show open, Tom begins with a polka, then it’s Big Red to wake up Shamokin!

Tom’s trademark program close: “… put that lunch on…”

A Vintage Tom Kutza Program Liner

Commercial for Tony’s Store and Garage from May 13th 1994 voiced by Tom Kutza

The WISL Time Machine from November 27th 1989

The WISL Time Machine from December 1st 1989