On Audition
October 15, 1956
WRTI is the only station in Philadelphia to get calls from listeners---not on the quality of programs, not to ask for autographs, auditions or program guides, but to: "PLEASE RIDE GAIN ON THE LEVELS." ---------- ...the bulk of the column will be devoted to FM's first manager, Joe Rosenberg. ---------- Now for a quick round-up of other alumni: Tom Hughes has left WHOL for WRCV where he's working in the news department. ---------- Our list of thank you's continues to expand and this week includes Norm Childs. Norm spent all Friday afternoon cutting our much needed themes. Using the disk cutters is one of the trickest jobs at RTI and Norm is a master. ---------- WRTI-AM, Temple's radio station and WXPN, Penn's outlet, start their network operations today, via a live network linking the two campuses. ---------- At 7:49 straight up last Sunday, Joel Albert was relieved of his fraternity pin by Charlotte Finkelstein. Oh well, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Congrats to both. ---------- Gene Pompei saved the day - - - or shall we say evening - - - when he valiently rescued the girls in the newsroom Thursday from a giant cock roach after combatting the foe.
One young irate college instructor called the station three times in one hour to complain about having records blare in through his loud speaker while the announcer filtered in like the ghost of Hamlet.
The only way you can appreciate how annoying this can be is to listen to RTI---not off the line---but over a radio. RIDE THE MUSIC LOW. It seems to be distorting. Keep it between 60 - 80 and VOICE 40 - 60. Keep the monitor pot up to ten (10), otherwise you don't get a true picture in the control room.
IT'S THE ONE THING THAT REALLY TAGS US AS AMATEURS.
Joe is the one person, if an individual may be singled out, responsible for the birth and childhood of WRTI-FM. Joe was one of the last graduates from the College of Liberal Arts as a radio major. He started his life at 'RTI just like the rest of us, doing the little jobs that were necessary before a program could go on the air. He announced, too, of course. The first position he held was that of music director of our, then, one station operation. From there he moved into his last position, Assistant Manager of AM and custodian of the about to be born FM station.
WRTI-FM began experimental broadcasting in February of 1953. Its hours were eratic, and so were its programs. By September of '53 we were on full time with a carefully thought out program day. (That, incidentally, was the time when our collection of LP recordings was started. Music You Want became a much prized daily feature. For this show, we got our first records.)
FM went beyond the limits of the campus, therefore our programs had to interest others beside Temple people, and so they did. Joe will tell you, if you ask, how nice it was to receive cards and letters from outsiders who hear us and enjoyed our programming. Joe was manager of FM for three terms. During that time he brought FM from the erratic stage to a place of consistent, although not unexciting, programming. There were permanent features, of course, but Joe allowed room for new ideas to be tried, and if they were successful they became a permanent feature of FM programming. Part of this growth came because of the kind of guy Joe is---intelligent, steady, easy going, but firm. Joe says he learned a lot about leadership from FM.
After he left Temple, Joe entered the Army and worked in the TV and Film Division of the Signal Corps at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Now Joe is back in civilian life, and working in the business as Assistant Director of sales at WFIL radio and TV.
When I asked Joe about advice he might pass on, he spoke of the importtance of "broad concepts" in radio and TV. He feels that students should take advantage of all the phases pf Communications that are open to them at school. "When you ignore one, it hurts." His advice can be cuccinctly put this way. "Keep your eyes and ears open. Keep your mouth shut, and learn everything about every phase of broadcasting."
Next week this column, appropriately will feature Joe's successor, Steve Cohen.
Ellie Kurtz is now doing publicity and promotion work for the Campfire girls.
Al Schaff plans on a November wedding. Congratulations, Al and Pat. Good luck!
A group of our June graduates are now in the Armed Forces: Dan Wood, Lanny Frebowitz, Bob Apple, and Sheldon Levin. Bill Dean (a February grad) will soon join them.
I dislike repeating myself, but just once more; I would very much appreciate hearing from our grads. You're the raison d'etre of this column. Address all mail to Gloria Teblem, 1636 Point Breeze Avenue, Philadelphia 45, PA. That's it for now.
Irv Morgan (nee Margolis), supervisor in charge of AM operations, said that we will feed Penn starting today at 12:30. At 8 tonight, the network will switch around and we will carry 'XPN's shows.
The network was set up two years ago in an effort to bring greater variety and more hours of radio entertainment to both schools. WXPN will soon inaugurate FM broadcasting. Future plans are for a network of both FM stations.
This is the WRTI Old Gang Web Site.