WHOO-AM
990
Orlando
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Original call Letters: WHOO |
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Originally Licensed: Dec. 5, 1947 |
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Original City of License: Orlando |
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Original Frequency: 990 |
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Origin of Call Letters: |
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Original Power: 50,000 Day/14,000 Night |
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Original Location: |
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Original Format: Country |
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ABC |
Owner(s): |
1947-The Orlando Sentinel Star Co. |
| 1951-Edward Lamb | |
| 1954-Ted Esterbrook | |
| 1958-WHOO Radio, Inc. | |
| 1958-Bluegrass Broadcasting | |
| 1987-TK Communications ($13.5 million) | |
| 1994-Granum Communications ($11.5 million) | |
| 1997-Cox Broadcasting | |
| 2001-American Broadcasting Co. ($5 million) | |
| 2003-Radio Disney Group (subsidiary of ABC) |
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History Of Call Letters and Formats: |
WHOO--1947-Pop |
| WHOO-1968-Country "Country Gentlemen" | |
| WHOO-1971-Modern Country | |
| 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 and WHOO-FM
96.5 to Edward Lamb, a Toledo attorney and broadcaster.
| WHOO Personalities (The Country Years) |
| Clay Daniels-1958-1991-Afternoon Drive/Program Director-WHOO radio, Inc. Clay is also a singer, recording for SoundCot in the 19 70's. He, Roy Marler and Jeff Blair put together "The Three Amigos". Clay was the voice for Sonny King's Orange Buick in Orlando. In Memory |
| John Thacker-1967-Program Director-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
| Rock Robinson-1967-News Director-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
![]() Bob Nyles-1974-1988-Biography |
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| Here's Bob, with WHOO GM Bob Johnson in 1966 | The same two Bobs at WDBO in 2003 |
| FHP Sgt
Jim Humphries-Traffic Reporter In Memory courtesy of Dick Camnitz |
| Al Dunaway-6AM-9AM. 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-1970-Mid days for nine years, eventually taking over the program directors position in 1978. Mike left radio for WCPX-TV (now WKMG) in 1988. returned to Central Florida from Houston in 1996 to replace retiring newscaster Ben Aycrigg. Dallas, Texas to take a position as a TV weather reporter. returned to Orlando for four years, then back to Dallas. |
| Cecil West-1966-News Director-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
| Johnny Walker-1966-1968 |
| Bob Baker-1968-Program Director--WHOO Radio, Inc. |
![]() Bucks Braun-1979-1985-6AM-10AM Biography |
| Russ Wheeler Biography |
![]() Tom Haley-Biography |
| Alan Dennis | |
| Dave Raulston | |
Charlie Champion-Program Director
Here's the staff of WHOO-AM in 1984courtesy of Dave Edwards |
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| Al Risen In Memory |
![]() Large Larry English |
| Bill Frangus |
| Jim Maloy |
| Ray Beale |
| Allen Dennis |
| Ken White |
![]() Tony George |
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Greg Wolas-1973-1979 |
| Gary Roberts |
| Adrian Charles-News Director |
| Denise Gainer-Reporter/News Director |
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Greg Galloway-1970 Biography |
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Mac Allen-1966-1967-Mornings |
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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 |
![]() Rick Saylor-10AM-2PM |
Clayton Delaney (Ron Jones) |
Ron Frasier-mid-day |
Chuck Lowe Click photo for full sized view Courtesy of Dave Edwards |
Willie Clark-1993-''Community Forum'' |
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Tom Robinson-1981-1982- Overnights |
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Silent Sam the Segue Man-Overnights |
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Ron Fraiser-Mid-days |
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Lee Brandel-1980-1981-Overnights/evenings/mid-days/music director during our "hey days" getting #1ratings |
| Tom McCloud-1967-Traffic Reporter |
Other Names in WHOO History |
| Ralph Worster-1966-President-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
| O. C. Halyard, Jr.-1966-Vice President/General Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
| Bob
Hood-1966-Commercial Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc./1967-Station
Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc./1968-Vice President/General Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
| Bill Martin-1966-Chief Engineer-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
| Ted Grizzard-1967-President-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
| Ronald Nickell-1967-Vice President/General Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
| Billy Love-1967-Program Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
| H. Hart Hagan, Jr.-1968-President-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
| C. A. Baker-1968-Chief Engineer-WHOO Radio, Inc. |
![]() Bob Johnson-1974-General Manager |
| Bill Stakelin-General Manager |
| Thelma Tharp-1990-"Senior Networking"-Sundays, 8AM-9AM In Memory |
| Jim Poling-News Director |
| Kathy O'Neill-Traffic Reporter |
| Nate Webb-Traffic Reporter |
| Bill Early-1980-1984-General Sales Manager |
| Chuck Wilson |
| Jim Jordan-Vice President/General manager |
| Max Rein-1983-General Manager |
| Dan Jones- Assistant Chief Engineer |
| Polly Morgan-Sales |
| Charlie Masden-Sales |

From Chuck Wilson
WHOO
transmitter, studios and tower facility
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Other Programs In WHOO History |
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The Music Country Network-10 PM to 5 AM nightly |
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