Misfits Audio is proud to air WPLP’s show, may they never be forgotten. Capt. John
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Narrator: David Fowler
Scrooge: Art Dineen
Bob Lassiter: The Second Ghost
Don Richards: Jacob Marley
Chris James: The First Ghost
Nanci Donnellan: Belle
Mary Turner: Mrs. Cratchit
Tracye Fox: Peg
Tony Venuto: Bob Cratchit
Lynn Robison: Fran
Ken Charles: The Solicitor
Dave Sweat: Fred
Art Dineen: The Third Ghost
Marti Costa: Marta
Mark Brewer: Two Men
Art Dineen: Two Men
Mike Serio: The Boy and Tiny Tim
Production Director/ Sound Effects/Mixer: Tony Venuto
Rebroadcast: MisfitsAudio.com Copyright 2010
For the fans of WPLP, they have a public page on Facebook and an alumni page on Facebook.
Letter from Mike Hennessy:
This version of a “Christmas Carol” was produced during the fall of 1985 for WPLP Radio, 570AM in Tampa Bay, Florida. WPLP was the first full-time talk radio station in the Tampa Bay area. Despite it’s ground-breaking role, it was always outgunned in terms of wattage and budget by more established stations in the market, not to mention night time interference from Cuba that was enough to blow it off the dial at times.
However, during the mid 80’s after being bought of bankruptcy by a Maine-based chain called Guy Gannett Broadcasting (pronounced “GAN-it or as we employees laughingly called it “Gigantic Broadcasting) WPLP increased its power enough to cover the entire market and (mostly) drown out Fidel and Co. During it’s hey day, WPLP hired some of the most brilliant talk hosts in the business (along with a few guys who could have tranquilized a roomful of hyenas). Among them David Fowler, a legendary host from Texas who battled a number of demons while putting on some of the most witty, entertaining conversation you could hear anywhere. He could also be a royal pain in the neck, but what a voice and what a talent. When he was released by new owners (more about that in a moment) David went on to another Tampa station for a few years, before drifting away and later dying almost completely forgotten. David here serves as the Narrator.
Art Dineen was our program director bringing a solid resume from Denver and other good sized markets, but despite a pleasant demeanor and great vocal talent (note that he seamlessly played three very different roles) he never caught on with the Tampa audience and his tenure as PD was marked by a sharp plunge in ratings which cost him his job. If anyone knows what happened to Art, please let me know.
Bob Lassiter who plays Jacob Marley was one of the truly rare talents in talk radio, a liberal host who was consistently entertaining, thought provoking and able to draw solid ratings. After helping put WPLP on the map, he went across town to “Brand X” and established himself, along with David Fowler, as the linchpin of the finest talk staff ever assembled in Tampa Bay market. Sadly, he became burned out on the business after an unsuccessful attempt to crack the Chicago market and died after a long battle with diabetes.
Don Richards, who plays Jacob Marley was News Director and gave me my biggest break in radio by firing me as a sports anchor and putting me on the street as a reporter. Don had great news judgment and was a steady hand at the tiller who later became program director when Art Dineen left. When the new owners took over (I’ll get to that in a minute) at WPLP, Don was released and went over to “Brand X” where he worked until he passed away from lung cancer in 2008.
Chris James was a perfect night time host who also served as the station’s movie critic. If anyone knows what happened to Chris I’d love to know.
Nanci Donnellan was our Sports Director and later became nationally famous as the “Fabulous Sports Babe” on ESPN radio. After briefly retiring because of health concerns Nanci is back doing a mid-day sports show in the Tampa Bay area.
Mary Turner was our Business Manager and co-hosted a dating show with one Bob Lassiter. They would later marry. I’ve never met a nicer person in radio than Mary.
Tracye Fox was our main news anchor and after the purge of 1988 brought on by the new owners she went on to become an Emmy winning TV news producer in Detroit.
Lynn Robison was a young lady just starting out in radio as a member of our news team and if I recall correctly went on to an excellent career in magazine writing.
Ken Charles served as Executive Producer for our talk hosts, among other roles and has had a fine career in radio currently in a management position with the Clear Channel group of stations in Miami, Florida.
Dave Sweat was just starting in radio as a board operator and he and I crossed paths again in the 90s, but he’s another person with whom I have lost touch. Dave, wherefore art thou?
Marti Costa worked in our sales and promotion department and did a fine job in front of the mic as well.
Mark Brewer was an account executive at the time and went on to become General Manager of WPLP before the new owners took over.
Mike Serio was a versatile talent who served as a very capable traffic reporter and has followed an outstanding career path that at one point included a stint as network co-ordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers radio network. Mike is now group manager for Salem Broadcasting’s Tampa Bay group of stations. It was Mike who rescued this beautiful effort from near oblivion. I’ll let him tell how that happened:
As I recall, Tony Venuto started working on this in October or November of 1985 and it aired only one time, on
Christmas Eve. Nearly all of the sound effects were hand made and Tony never got the credit he deserved for all the work put into this. When the smarmy jerks who took over WPLP, this reel to reel tape was tossed. I salvaged it, but when I tried to play it years later, all the splicing tape peeled off and had to be replaced.
Tony Venuto was our production director at a time when that meant using reel to reel tapes, grease pencils, razor blades and splicing tape to put together a production that matches in quality anything done before in the Golden Age of Radio or during today’s digital age. Tony is now living Iowa, but I can’t really figure out what he’s up to…
It’s heartbreaking to think how WPLP has become nothing but a ghost itself in Tampa Bay radio, and how many of the incredible people who worked there have either died or left radio. But now thanks to Mike Serio’s efforts and the generosity of spirit of Captain John Tadrzak it’s possible for the friends, fans and alumni of WPLP and all the wonderful people who made it a very special place can hear this very special presentation once again.
Mike Hennessy says:
Thank you again, Cap for helping me honor the people and the station that were the highlight of my radio career. This wonderful program deserves to be heard and there are no words to fully express my gratitude for your generous support.
Mike Hennessy
Steve says:
I am Don Richard’s son in law. Thank you so much for this. His granddaughter, born a day before he died, will love hearing this. You have no idea how happy this makes me.