Broadcasting Career

After finishing two years in the army (1967-69) I worked my way through Penn State as a radio announcer with WRSC-AM and WQWK-FM in State College, PA. Shortly after graduation I was offered the afternoon drive slot at WFBG in Altoona. I stayed 3 years, and in 1975 migrated to the Washington D.C. area to do 10p-2a with then 'Top 40' giant WPGC Radio (See the WPGC Tribute site). Leaving during the strike of 77' I moved to WCAO Baltimore, then on to Baltimore's WKTK as morning host. A year later I returned to Washington to try my hand at country music with KIX-106. Two years later I was promoted to program manager of WRMR, a position I held for the brief one year life of the station. I returned to the airwaves in 1983 with WMZQ and proceeded to make myself Washington D.C.'s top rated adult afternoon personality. I stayed for almost 10 years. More recently I was heard weekends on Oldies 100 (now Big 100), WPOC Baltimore, and in D.C. on WASH-FM.

My Last Radio Job, Hot 99-5

In early June of 1996 I was invited to temporarily join the morning team at WEBR (Bright 99-5) in Washington. Little did I know that within 3 weeks time the station would change hands and become WGAY, Washington's Lite FM.   I was it's first morning host.  Then in April of 1999 Washington's Easy Listening Station changed formats again, becoming DC's Jam'n Oldies, Jam'n 99-5, WJMO.  The new format required new everything, including new on air talent.  Luckily they needed someone who could belt out first class commercial production and lots of it.  I quickly moved from DJ to the commercial production position, enabling a smooth transition to the new format.  Within six months we were in DC's top five stations, but alas it didn't last.  In the spring of 2001 we became HOT 99-5, (WIHT) playing top-40 hits for the under 25 crowd.   All seemed to be going well, but in January of 2006, Bennett Zier, GM and other members of the management team resigned to become part of Red Zebra Broadcasting.  The new management immediately began replacing people.  As union shop steward I was among the first to go.  Within six months most of my friends were gone as well.  Such is the fate of broadcasting.

More?

If you want to learn more about commercial radio on the Web, try Radio and Records Magazine and Critical Mass Media Net.

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Last updated Monday, December 26, 2005
Keith MacDonald Miller email)