WIDB History Chapter 28

WIDBeacon

Meanwhile, word had traveled around the state about WIDB. A group of high school seniors visited the station in mid-November. They were from Evanston, and WIDB was already a factor for them in choosing a college! Nine months before, WIDB had no space and did not exist. By mid-November, 1970 at least some high school students were visiting SIU to make a beeline for WIDB. "The first thing I looked for was the adults, the bosses, the professors, the "supervisors," said Gary Goldblatt, then 16, one of the visitors. "Then I realized that there were no "university officials" looking over the shoulders of the staff. The students were the bosses."

Gary was impressed with the professional demeanor and discipline. He observed Scott Barry (Mark Ferry) jocking and Allan J. Friedman doing news. "Each of them prepared themselves before opening the mike. There was a format to follow, and they respected it. After every break, there were comments and criticism. They were serious about broadcasting at WIDB. It made me wonder if I could measure up to that standard."

At any student station, turnover is high because people graduate or otherwise move on. There is always the challenge to constantly have an influx of qualified new members, as the senior members have one foot out the door. Although WIDB had been broadcasting only a few months by late fall quarter, 1970, General Manager Jerry Chabrian, Chief Engineer Dan Mordini, and Program Director Howie Karlin were having their last weeks at the station. By February, Charlie Muren was GM. By March, Bob Huntington was Chief Engineer. By April, Tom Scheithe was serving as Program Director.

In December 1970, Jerry was somewhat frustrated that the breathtaking momentum of the past year had slowed. But Jerry was a man of action. Irritated that the new state-of-the-art (circa 1970) Gates "President" on-air mixing console had not been installed, Jerry ripped out wires from the old Studioette console before break. (That Studioette console, half the size of the President model, then became the nucleus of the Production Room for years to come.)

Jerry’s actions forced the engineers to install the new board. They didn't like it, but it was a benefit to the entire station and listeners. As usual, Jerry did what was necessary to get the job done.

The specter of the war and draft continued to cast its shadow over WIDB. Prior to Christmas break, Jeff Esposito (Jeffrey Thomas) received his draft notice. Instead of being at SIU and WIDB Winter Quarter, he would be attending boot camp in the Army. He was regarded as one of WIDB's best jocks, and there was a sense of loss at the station. It also drove home the point that the war and draft continued to affect everyone.

As an outgrowth of Jeff's upcoming last show the staff got motivated to pitch in for a special programming effort. During exams, just before sign-off for break, WIDB would pull an "all-nighter." Students stayed up all night to study for exams, so WIDB would provide a program service all night long. The centerpiece of this would be Jeffery Thomas' last show. Sam Glick jocked the early evening, before Jeffrey [Hear this golden WIDB moment]. Jim Sheriffs came on later. Other staffers participated. Jim Rohr impersonated celebrity voices in mock interviews. Pat Becker impersonated an oversexed movie star. One of the higher moments occurred as Jim Rohr, impersonating Jimmy Stewart (the actor) claimed that he could receive WIDB on his clock radio "right next to KABC." Hear this golden WIDB moment

Although broadcasting 24 hours in one day seems tame by today's perspective, it was a big deal for the staff at that time. Many staffers gathered at the station for the broadcast. It was a party. This was the end of WIDB's first full quarter of broadcasting, and most staffers were feeling a sense of accomplishment.

WIDB was now firmly and fully established. The next goals were to maintain, improve and expand. They proved to be infinitely more difficult, and just as exciting, as establishing WIDB.