March 26, 2010 7:03 AM PDT
WAKO 103.1 FM & AM 910 HAS BEEN ON THE AIR 51 YEARS NOW.
EACH FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSERY [JUNE 9TH] WE THROW A BIG BIRTHDAY BASH.
SINCE WE SIT ON 11 ACRES AND MOW 6 1/2 AS A YARD WE COOK THE HOT DOGS,
HAVE POTATO CHIPS, SODA POP , PRIZES, BROADCAST LIVE OUT SIDE, HAVE THE
HUGE SOUND SYSTEM, THE WORKS. NONE OF IT TRADED OUT. WE BUY EVERYTHING
OUR SELVES.
KENT LANKFORD
WAKO 103.1 FM & AM 910
LAWRENCEVILLE, ILLINOIS - VINCENNES, IND.
March 26, 2010 7:24 AM PDT
1. Will be one year in June 2010
2. Still being on the air will be our celebration.
Any input on how to make a new stand alone station successful.
March 26, 2010 7:50 AM PDT
One of the stations I worked for signed on in 1941. We celebrated the 50th with a really fun contest. We tracked down former announcers and had them record a memory of when they were on the air. One of the guys talked about being at the tower when the manager told him the Japanese had just bombed Pearl Harbor. In the last line of the story, the announcer identified himself and wished the station a happy birthday. For the contest, we aired the stories without the last line and listeners had to call in and identify the announcer. On our anniversary, we aired the stories with the last line intact. Everyone we tracked down was excited to participate and every announcer was identified during the contest, even though some had been gone for 40 years. We had dozens of calls from listeners wanting to know where each announcer was now, and what were they doing. It seemed like a really simple event when we planned it, but it kind of took on a life of it's own and becamce one of the most fun promotions I have ever been involved in.
March 26, 2010 8:36 AM PDT
Our A.M. station has been on the air for 71 years. January of 1939. We're a small market with a city population under 30,000. One distinction is that our local funeral home has been on the air continually in all that time; six days a week.
As to celebrations, we do recognition every five years and at the least will change our on air promos, etc. However, when you hit the significant anniversary's like 25 and 50 years we put together a big promotion for the first quarter and then do smaller activities throughout the year.
Roger Emporia, KS
March 26, 2010 8:39 AM PDT
This is KWED's 62nd year.
When the station was 50 years old we did a special 3 hour broadcast and brought back many former staff members including the guy who was on the air the first morning the station signed on in 1948. The broadcast was full of great local Radio stories, and listeners called in to participate and relate some of their memories. It was followed by a luncheon for the entire group. We recorded it on tape and later to CD.
During the week of the 60th anniversary, we played vignettes taken from the 50th anniversary broadcast. Many of those who participated in the 50th broadcast had passed on or were so old they were unable be involved with the 60th anniversary, so we were happy we had the recorded material.
March 26, 2010 9:06 AM PDT
Our stations are all relatively new... the oldest being just over 40 years.
I don't like celebrating how OLD we are. It kind of goes in the face of how modern and hip we are trying to be. I am always on advertisers, telling them that "family owned and operated since 1732" does nothing to get customers in. No one cares! If they did, why is WalMart so popular? Which Dr. would you want... the one who graduated in 200 or the one who graduated in 1964? I think I'd rather see the one fresh out of college!
That's my opinion... and it's only an opinion! Looking forward to yours.
March 26, 2010 11:47 AM PDT
WMPO - AM of Middleport, Ohio celebrated 50 years of broadcasting last year. We hosted a private party/dinner for invited guests and a public reception. A local Chef created a vintage radio cake for the reception. We had special T-shirts and pens to give away. Former DJ's hosted the morning show our birthday week. They had so much fun being on-air again. Our founder (he isn't the current owner) gave a live interview that was very interesting. He told many tales about the station's early years. Our first DJ was the host of the private party and recorded an interview also. WMPO also sponsored food for the Chamber of Commerce Friday Morning get together during our birthday week.
March 27, 2010 5:44 PM PDT
WIBW-AM May 8, 1927 Gave away a new car on the 50th in 1977 Had trivia and historic features voiced by long-time advertisers/heritage businesses in the area for 75th and 80th Anniversary and had open house for listeners and community featuring archives of WIBW memorabilia.
WIBW-FM 1961 For 25th in 1986 found a 20 year old ('66 model) Mustang in the junkyard and with the help of many sponsors, restored it and gave the gorgeous "new" car away.
