Historic audio to be featured during WBAA's April 4 pledge drive
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - WBAA Public Radio from Purdue will have its One Day Spring Pledge Drive from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 4 on AM 920's 90th anniversary.
Throughout the day, the station will air historical audio clips from as early as the 1940s as well as a longer feature about the station's history. Bette Carson Mogridge, WBAA's operations manager, has been going through the station's audio archives to select the clips.
"Going through the audio files has brought back many memories. I think listeners will really enjoy some of the programs and voices from the station's past … their past," Carson Mogridge said. "The Dinner Hour aired weeknights at 6 or 6:30 for at least four decades. Many people in our community spent the beginning of their evening with the program. The recollections of Roger Priest and the theme music from The Dinner Hour will certainly be nostalgic for many listeners."
News director Mike Loizzo created a longer feature.
"Putting together a feature report on the early days of WBAA and what it took to get it on the air was an interesting experience. I learned something about the station's history and hope listeners learn something new. I think they'll have a new appreciation for the early days of radio," Loizzo said.
The station has added a history page to its website, https://www.WBAA.org, which is a work in progress. To date, the page includes radio scripts, newspaper articles, photos and audio from the 1920s through the 1950s, as well as audio from the station's 40th and 60th anniversary celebrations.
"We hope that the station's history and its impact on our community will encourage listeners who haven’t given their financial support to take that step this year, said development director Sally Lutes. "Current members have contributed more than $5,000 to match new member contributions during the pledge drive, and there will be other new member incentives throughout the day as well."
This year's spring goal is $160,000. Listeners can contribute anytime before the on-air pledge drive at WBAA.org, or by calling 765-494-5920.
Source: Sally Lutes, WBAA development director, 765-496-7794, lutess@purdue.edu