WHOO-AM 990Orlando
Original call Letters: WHOO
Originally Licensed: Dec 1947
Power: 50,000 Day/14,000 Night
Original City of License: Orlando
Owner(s): 1947-The Orlando Sentinel Star Co.
1951-Edward Lamb
1954-Ted Esterbrook
1958-Bluegrass Broadcasting (Garvis Kincaid)
1987-TK Communications
1997-Cox Broadcasting
2001-American Broadcasting Co. ($5 million)
2003-Radio Disney Group (subsidiary of ABC)
History Of Call Letters and Formats: WHOO--1947-Pop Broadcasting from the Fort Gatlin Hotel
WHOO-1968-Country "Country Gentlemen"
WMMA-1987-Adult Contemporary "Magic 99"
WMMA-1987-Oldies
WHTQ-1988-Rock (simulcast of WHTQ 96.5 FM)
WHOO-1988-Big Bands/Adult Standards (Music Of Your Life)
WHOO-1989-Classic Country
WHOO-1990-Rock (simulcast of WHTQ 96.5 FM)
WHOO-1993-Adult Standards (ABC Radio "Stardust" format)
WDYZ- 2001-Radio Disney-Children
History of WHOO
WHOO would broadcast from the Hotel Fort Gatlin in 1947.
WHOO, first owned by the company that published the Orlando Morning Sentinel and the Reporter-Star newspapers, went on the air on Dec. 5, 1947.
A gala grand opening event was held along with an "invitation only" reception and dance. Bob Chester's New York Orchestra performed and the "western" band the WHOOT Owls were introduced. In 1951 the newspaper company sold WHOO-AM 990 and WHOO-FM 92.3 to Edward Lamb, a Toledo attorney and broadcaster.
Chuck Wilson fills in some more history of WHOO. "... John Rutledge was the manager when I was there and he worked out of the "Executive Offices" in the Gatlin Hotel on Orange Avenue. The sales force was also located there. I believe everyone else was out at Silver Star Road, which is where the transmitter was located. To consolidate the operation (the Gatlin offices weren't that nice either), John moved everyone to a new location on Rosalind Avenue, but I'm not sure if there wasn't a short transition move for the Executive Office/Sales Staff from the Gatlin location to the Silver Star location prior to going downtown (Rosalind Avenue.) I worked as an announcer/traffic manager/sort-of program director/meter reader/pump primer on the FM side. I had to keep the pump on the well primed or the air conditioner wouldn't work! Anyway, when the building on Rosalind Avenue was remodeled (boy, did it look good!), everyone moved from Silver Star Road to the new offices downtown ... except me! You talk about desolate! There was nothing out there. The transmitter was so far out that they had to pipe in sunshine. I would get there at 5:00 am and leave at 1:00 pm and the only person I would see was the guy who relieved me at 1:00. At first, WHOO only broadcast from downtown and then they started broadcasting from the transmitter site after midnight. Few people realized the facilities at the transmitter were probably as good as, if not better than, any station in town...except, maybe, for
WDBO-AM 580. Somewhere around 1960-61 everything moved from Rosalind Avenue back to the facilities on Silver Star Road (is isn't cheap to move a radio station). John spent a lot of money remodeling the facility and it was great to have everyone back out there.
From Roger Simmons www.rogersimmons.com An ad from 1947 telling about ABC Radio Network programming coming to WHOO.
Martin Agronsky-sponsored by Orange Buick.
Long-time news figure. He began his career in newspaper, moved to radio, and
finally TV.
Journalist Martin Agronsky's career spanned more than 50 years.Agronsky was a pioneer in political convention coverage. In 1948, he reported on the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, and his interviewed Texas governor John Connolly on Nov. 27, 1963, just days after he was shot in the presidential motorcade. This respect was manifest when, during the civil rights protests in Selma, Ala., in 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. said that he would grant an interview only to Agronsky. Martin Agronsky died July 25, 1999, of congestive heart failure at age 84.
The Breakfast Club-Don McNeill's morning broadcast aired from 1933 to1968. McNeill's radio show became the longest running daily network show in history.
My True Story-Began in 1943 on ABC radio. The program ran for 17 years and was presented in cooperation with True Story magazine.
Dorothy Kilgallen Star Time-1947-
Breakfast in Hollywood-Tom Breneman's Breakfast in Hollywood was
a popular national program of the 1940s in which the host would visit with celebrities in a restaurant he owned. Breakfast
In Hollywood Opening
Galen Drake-Began his talk show in 1944 and continued until the 1960s. Sponsored by the Kellogg Co.
Ted Malone-"Westinghouse Presents"
Welcome Travelers-A daytime talk show, set in a hotel, that originated on radio in 1947. Host, Tommy Bartlett, claimed it was the first "call-in" radio program. Sponsored by Crisco and Ivory Snow.
Baukhage Talking-News and commentary by Robert Baukhage aired from 1942-1953. Hilmar Robert Baukhage announced the start of World War II in a historic on-the-scene broadcast from Berlin in 1939, then on Dec. 7, 1941, aired the first live newscast from the White House with a marathon eight-hour report on the Pearl Harbor attack; in Washington, D.C. With "Baukhage Talking" as his sign-on, the broadcaster was an NBC and ABC mainstay for two decades. Baukhage died in 1976 at the age of 87.
Bride and Groom-During each episode host John Nelson, would quiz real-life couples about their relationship. Then, the happy couple was whisked off for their wedding as sidekick Phil Hanna sang the couple's chosen wedding song. Afterwards, the couple would be showered with "gifts".
Ladies Be Seated-Began in 1947. It was an audience participation show originating from Chicago.
Allan Funt.
Paul Whiteman Club-Paul Whiteman was the DJ in this show that ran 1947-1948
Terry and the Pirates- This series was a fifteen minute five-times-a-week serial from the comic strip of the same name.
Terry Lee, was portrayed by Jackie Kelk, Cliff Carpenter, Owen Jordan and Bill Fein at different times during its radio run. Terry's buddy Pat Ryan was played by Bud Collier, Warner Anderson, Bob Griffin and Larry Alexander.
Jack Armstrong and the Sky King Show-30 minute program heard over ABC from 1947 to 1950 on a staggered broadcast schedule. One week Jack Armstrong would be broadcast on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule and the next week as a Tuesday-Thursday schedule, with Sky King on the opposite schedule. Wheaties was the sponsor.
Jack Armstrong
Sky King Show
Elmer Davis-News and commentary-well-known news reporter, author, the Director of the United States Office of War Information during World War II
Treasury Show-News
The Clock-Mystery-Originally broadcast in England then from New York and finally, Hollywood
Tales of Willie Piper-starring Billy Redfield
Darts for Dough-Sunday evening game show-sponsored by General Electric. Poni (Jane) Adams-contestant escort
Mr. President-Little known facts about our Presidents. Sponsored by Dr. Pepper and starring Edward Arnold.
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet-Fridays
From
Steve Kennedy
From
Dick Shane (Camnitz) a a 1966 WHOO music survey WHOO "All American"
Blazer Patch from 1966 period
Penny Post Card WHOO "Fabulous 50" Survey
Courtesy of Dick Camnitz
WHOO Personalities
Bob Andrews Biography
Gilbert Brooks
Tony Chastain-1958-Central Florida's first talk show host. From Bob Andrews; "...Tony was a very controversial figure, taking on such subjects as legalized prostitution, etc. (this in 1958); an extremely well-read person with no formal education..."
Dave Ralston
Mac Allen-Mon-Fri-6am-9am, Sat-6am-Noon
Jack Hayse-Program Director/afternoon drive
Rock Robinson
Photo Courtesy of Dick Camnitz
Ed Ripley-1959-
Frank Lynn
"Big" Bill Smith-was a radio technician in the Air Force at Orlando and worked the 6 to midnight shift at WHOO as the engineer and FM DJ. Rock Robinson worked the tower at Chastain's restaurant on Orange Blossom Trail at the same time. He often mentioned Bill on the air as "Big Bill Smith" at the transmitter site." Bill is 6' 8" tall.
Ron Fraiser-Mid-days
Pete Porter-M-F-Noon-3pm, Sat-Noon-6pm/Music Director
Russ Wheeler
Gene Stuart-1962
Peter Jay (Pete Forgione)-Biography
Dick Shannon (Dick Camnitz)-1965-1966
Johnny Gee; WLOF, Rock Robinson; WHOO and Bill Vermillion WLOF
courtesy of Dick Camnitz
"Cool Chris" (Christopher Hanna)
Wild Bill Carter-From Dick Camnitz; "One evening in the late mid 60s, it was Wild Bill Carter who played "Hillbilly Heaven" over and over until a large crowd of listeners converged on the WHOO Rd studios breaking in and doing damage to the station. Bill was one of an entire station of DJs who were hired by WHOO from Chattanooga, Tennessee to attempt to catch
WLOF(-AM 950)."Bill Clifford-Weekends
Marty Stebbins-Biography
Tom Dooley (Tom Goins)-Midnight-6am-Mon-Sat
Bob Nyles-1974-1988-nights, afternoons/Music Director and sales Biography
Here's Bob, with WHOO GM Bob Johnson in 1966 The same two Bobs at WDBO in 2003
Al Dunaway-Mornings. Al would always have a "second call to coffee". Which was the second hour of his show.
From Bob Nyles; "...Al is retired and spends his time delivering emergency vehicles around the country..." You might recognize Al as the voice of Southeast Steel commercials.
Mike Burger-Mid days for nine years, eventually taking over the program directors position. Mike returned to Orlando for four years, then back to Dallas. Clay Daniels-Afternoon drive. Clay is also a singer, recording for Soundcot in the 70's. He, Roy Marler and Jeff Blair recently put together "The Three Amigos" for playing and profit. Clay is the voice for Sonny King's Orange Buick in Orlando.
Bob Grayson-Program Director
Bucks Braun-1979-1985-Biography
Russ Wheeler Biography
Tom Haley-Biography
Alan Dennis
click photo for full sized view
Dave Raulston
Charlie Champion-Program Director
Gary Anstaett
Bill Cody
Johnny Walker-M-F 3pm-6pm
Bob Baker
“Big” Billy Love-M-F-6pm-Midnight, Sunday-6pm-Midnight
"Large" Larry English
Here's the staff of WHOO-AM in 1984, courtesy of Dave Edwards
Jim Maloy-Mon-Fri-9am-Noon, Sun-Noon-6pm
Bill Frangus
Max Rein-1983-General Manager .
Jim Jordan-Vice President/General manager
Bob Johnson-General manager
Ray Beale
For years, WHOO would broadcast live shows from “The Rainbow Ranch” on the weekends, (later "The Joint in the Woods"), in Longwood. Read more about it here. http://members.aol.com/birdsbands/joints/jointslide/jointsl01.htm Location: General Hutchison Parkway, next to Big Tree Park, Longwood
Dave Edwards has been kind enough to supply much information and many of the pictures on this site. Here's a picture and information he sent. "...Around 1984 WHOO-FM changed it's name to "96 Country" to compete with "K-92 FM." The station became "Q-96FM" (AOR) just before Bluegrass Broadcasting sold it. (Here)...is the cover of the WHOO 2nd annual reunion booklet which was held at the central Florida fairgrounds in the fall of 1984..."
June Myers-1983-1985 Biography
Clayton Delaney (Ron Jones)
The Kingbird
Bill Michaels
Mike Goode-Afternoons
Steve Kennedy-Nights
Rick Saylor
Frank Vaught-Sports
Alan Spector-News
Other Names in WHOO History
John Rutledge (standing) and George Stuart (seated)
photo courtesy of Steve Rutledge
Steve Rutledge tells us about this photo of his dad, John. "The photo was taken between 1965 and 1967. He still had short hair and was wearing suits. That didn't last much longer though. George Stuart and my dad were great friends. George Stuart's (Office Supply store) was across the street, Rosalind, from the original WHOO. He was THE office supply guy in Orlando. He had three sons that went to Edgewater. I went to Boone. They were George, Jacob and not sure about the third one."
John Rutledge Biography In Memory
Cecil West
Roy Adams
Andy Wilson
Ken Bowman
Jack Hayes
Dick Wilson
Tracy
Chuck Golder
Dale Wright
Bob Hood-General Manager
Roy Nielsen
Bill Stakelin-General Manager