Posted by Andy Blair
This was an absolute blast. The show simulated the format, pacing and energy of vintage Top-40 radio, specifically the Bill Drake formatted stations like KHJ in Los Angeles and CKLW in Windsor, Ontario. I used 1960s and 70s digitally remastered jingles, promos and contests from my collection and copied them to tape carts for airplay. The show also featured real vintage commercials for products which no longer existed.
As a weekend show, I had complete control over the contents. The show was a mix of well known tunes along with copious amounts of B-sides, as well as many album tracks which should have become hits in their time, but never did.
At 10,000 watts, we were getting calls and requests from most of Connecticut, Long Island and even parts of upstate New York.
Often long-distance listeners on the internet would also call in to make requests and comment on the show.
I had a key to the transmitter room and would crank the Aphex Compellor audio compresser settings WAY up to give our broadcast output that old-time sound of loudness and punchiness.
Every show was recorded on DAT or VHS-HiFi tapes and I’ve since remastered them to CDs for my aircheck collection at home. In fact, I’m listening to one right now as I write this!
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