'On the Boss Station for the Capital Nation...'

Harv Moore 'The Boy Next Door' is a native of Pelham, New York but came to WPGC from Frankfort, Kentucky in March of 1963. Initially, he did nights till sign-off but within a few months was moved to mornings when Jerry G left for KYW in Cleveland, starting just days before the tragic JFK assassination.

Harv was also Program Director when Dean Griffith (Dean Anthony) left in 1964 for WMCA in NY until the arrival of Cousin Warren Duffy in 1966. He also served as Music Director from 1971 when Davy Jones left for WMAL-FM but was promoted to Program Director again in 1972 when 'big' Wilson vacated the position.

Harv continued in mornings until early in 1975 when he accepted an offer from former WPGC General Manager, Bob Howard to do mornings in Buffalo at WYSL.

Heard on this aircheck as 1965 began, young Harv had been doing mornings for approximately 14 months and had been the Program Director for less than 90 days. Much of the shtick that he was known for during his long run as the Morning Mayor was yet to come.

At this early stage in his development, Harv performs more as a DJ who happens to be on in the morning, as opposed to the bona fide morning man he would become. Yet his comedic tendencies are evident especially with respect to the use of 'wild tracks', particularly noticeable at the end of the tape. Listen for a vintage standup comedic performance from Bill Cosby in the Comedy Corner too.

Commercials abound in the course of this aircheck which covers approximately half an hour. During that time, more than a dozen spots are played. Harv does some of these live like for Miller High Life, Citizens' Bank of Maryland (now with Saturday hours!). But most are pre-recorded such as for Safeway (where thankfully, 'Food Is First!'), Dave Pyles Lincoln Mercury ('in compliance with Maryland law, closed on Sundays!'). Agency produced spots are heard too for Black Label Beer ('Mabel, Black Label!') and Jim McKay Chevrolet.

Defining the era, jingles are heard everywhere in this aircheck. All are from PAMS of Dallas including packages such as 1963's Series 25, 'The Happy Difference' and 1964's Series 27, 'The Jet Set'.

The unmistakable voice of morning news guy, MacNamara ('MacNamara here and I have news for you!') is showcased on Pulsebeat News as well as on a station promo touting WPGC's news coverage. Traffic in DC was light years away from the continual congestion that typifies the Nation's Capital nowadays. Relying on the resources of the AAA, reports were heard only once every half hour! Reporter, Dave Durham elaborates on various bottlenecks on local streets but never once even mentions the Beltway!!

Contesting consisted of the 'Good Guys Fun Club' in which serial numbers from membership cards were read on the air to win fabulous prizes like wristwatches, radios (AM & FM of course!) or record albums. In a variation on a theme, names were also read on the air for listeners to call in & win a Good Guys Sweatshirt. Incidentally, the Contest Line (JOrdan 8-8525) was not to be confused with the Good Guys Top Ten Tunes of the Week Line (LUdlow 1-1580).

Billing itself alternately as 'The Big PG' and 'Good Guys Radio', WPGC was quickly transforming itself from a colloquial daytimer in the Maryland suburbs to a legitimate Washington radio force to be reckoned with. Beatlemania wasn't even a year old in the States yet but in the short time since their arrival, driven by hordes of Baby Boomers entering adolescence, WPGC had more than become the equal of WEAM in Arlington and WWDC in the District, despite the AM having to sign off at sunset.

Long before most people even had an FM radio in their home, let alone in their car, WPGC-FM was breaking new ground in continuing the AM's programming till midnight each night. The Legal ID heard on this aircheck includes the familiar 'AM & FM, Morningside'. Not a full year had passed yet since January 27th, 1964 when the FM's City of License had been changed from Oakland, MD to Morningside.

Special thanks to Ed Brouder from Man From Mars Productions for this tape!

 

Small Print Dept.: This non-profit historical site is not affiliated in any way with WPGC Radio today or CBS Radio, Inc. Use of copyrighted material is consistent with the "fair use" provisions contained in §107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 due to the following characteristics: Use of copyrighted material is of a nonprofit, educational nature, intended for the sole purposes of research and comment and does not significantly negatively affect "the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work(s)." Use of registered trademark material is not subject to civil action or injunction as outlined in §1114 and §1125 of the Trademark Act of 1946 (the Lanham Act) due to the following characteristics of this work, and the registered marks published herein: Use of reproductions of registered marks is not for the purpose of commerce, nor is the use connected with the sale, offering for sale, or advertising of any goods or services. Use of reproductions is not likely to cause confusion, mistake, or deception as to the affiliation, connection, or association of this work with owners of published registered marks, nor as to the origin, sponsorship, or approval of this work by owners of published registered marks. Wherever possible, the copyright or registered mark owner's name has been noted near the copyrighted work or registered mark; however, all material used in this site, including, but not limited to, newspaper articles, syndicated themes, promos, commercials, photographs, playlists, press releases, ratings, airchecks, newscasts, traffic reports, sports reports, 'sound-offs', sweepers, bumperstickers and station logos, should be considered protected copyrighted material or registered mark with all rights reserved to the owner, named or unnamed. So there!