More Hartford Stations | Conn. Radio Memories, ep. 5 | 2015 WWUH Documentary

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• published: 07 Jan 2016
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EPISODE 5 – Insurance City Radio – More Stories of Hartford Radio - Produced and Edited by Brandon Kampe In this episode, we look at several Hartford radio stations, past and present. We start with a look at WCCC, which was started in 1947 by Hartford jewelry store owner Bill Savitt. Bill Savitt used radio to boost downtown Hartford, and in turn benefit commerce downtown, including his own store. We’ll hear about early programming on WCCC, its popular children’s show that featured Ivor Hugh playing Leroy the Duck, and then we’ll look at its transition in the late 1960s into Hartford’s only all-request radio station under the direction of Rusty Potz. In later years, WCCC became home to Dick Booth (who later used the name “Sebastian”) and was the first major market station home of shock-jock Howard Stern. Then we look at a radio station that’s often forgotten – WTHT - the radio station of Hartford’s one-time afternoon newspaper, The Hartford Times. WTHT broadcast a man-on-the-street interview show called Hartford Speaks hosted by Una King, and had other personalities like Joe Girand and Ben Hawthorne (who became WTHT’s morning man after he left WTIC). We also look at the 1410 spot on the AM dial which started as WNBC (New Britain, Connecticut) and then became WHTD, later WONS, and after a merger with WTHT in 1954, WGTH. WONS had popular personalities like Jack Downey, and CP Patterson. Includes commentary by: Bill Hennessey, Ivor Hugh, Rusty Potz, Don Blair, Jerry Bishop, Ken Devoe, Ed Brouder, Barbara Davitt, Jack Lenhoff, Jack Borden, Jack Downey, Bill Davies, Jack Broitman, Debbie Savitt First, Sam Pasco, Bob Paine, Lani Jurev, John Ellinger, John Flemming, Fred Swanson, Bill Glynn, Dan Blume, Alexander Cohen, Charlie Norwood, Norm Hausman, Joan Cowie, Dick Bertel, Bob Ellsworth, and Steve Gilmartin. Includes archival audio of: Bill Savitt, Ivor Hugh, Jack Brooks, Betty Hugh, Morgan St. Germain, Rusty Potz, Dick Booth, Boston Bill, Dan Walker, Brooklyn Joe, Howard Stern, Una King, Bob Marr, Doug Maine, Bob Harrington, Joe Girand, Ben Hawthorne, Hal Harshbarger, Dick Richards and Dottie.