BJ-105, WBJW-FM ORLANDO RADIO, TOM WEST AIR CHECK

And while were listening to Tom, I have added some slides, still pictures and 8mm film clips to the mix. The air check of Tom is probably circa early 1978 from the tunes played. The pictures span a time frame from late 1975 to 1979. Note the evolution of the control room mic from an RCA 77-DX, a Shure SM series to the popular Sennheiser MD 421. Tom West was a flamboyant
but well respected broadcaster having worked with Paul Drew and RKO, The Storz chain at KOMA and WQAM and of course Rounsaville Radio at WFUN Miami and the program director of BJ-105 Orlando.

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Entertainment

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• BJ-105
• BJ105
• WBJW
• Orlando radio
• 105FM
• BJ105 Florida radio

[EmstoneMusic]

Yeah, great...now check out my new songs on my company's website.

Mitchell Stone, Owner

Emstone Music Publishing

[daveedwards1051]

Like the firefly who accidentally backed into an electric fan, I am delighted to hear from Mitch, another BJ-105 alumni who has been very successful. During the Tom West era, Mitchell Stone handled the morning show, considered as the most important time slot on most radio stations. Today he is a writer/producer and the owner of Emstone Music. "Don't die with the music in you" is awesome. Seems like every one is getting ahead but me! Yours truly, "The Mystery Jock".

[daveedwards1051]

As I recall, the Mr. Disco bit was completely

spontaneous between Joe & tom with no script, just pure

ad-lib live on the air. The requirement to be an air

personality on BJ-105 was five years previous broadcast

experience unless someone extremely talented came

along. Broadway Joe certainly qualified and became a

vital part of central Florida radio for years after.

--continued--

[daveedwards1051]

--Broadway Joe continued--

Although not directly associated with radio now you

hear his voice everyday no matter what part of the

country you live in. He is one of the most successful

and busy voice over artists in the nation. Proof again

Tom had an ear for talent. Diamond Dave

[mfkershner]

Great presentation Dave. We all pulled off a great success without a lot of cash. I spent half of my time working trades for t-shirts, licence plates,etc. I have thought about those years many times. That was when radio was fun. The big chains and their bean counters took that away. I still want to know who belonged to those funny looking multi-colored smokes I found in the production room. Whoever, your fired. Got some great stuff if you want to add on to this. Let me know.

[JoeHursh]

WOW, Great job Dave! I was thinking about Tom West and found this. I was working at the Pine Hills HIS Store when Tom asked me to go on the Air as Mr. Disco. My first On-Air work. He also game me the name Broadway Joe when I went on BJ105 the next year.

[armyg8r99]

Great video Dave! Good to see some of the old memories from my early early early years. Let me know if you have any airchecks by Terry Long Sr... That's my Dad! He's been doing pretty good these years. Been fun recvently looking back on the old BJ105 days with him. I still remember 222 Hazard... right there in the middle of the golf course :) And my Frostie Rootbeer in a Glass bottle soda machine they had inside.

[bigmac965]

BRAVO! Tom set me on the path to my first radio job way back in '76, and I'm still runnin' my mouth and trying to be as good as the guys you see here... I love the 'no jingles' presentation.. Crank up the music right out of the spots and go! I'm thinking the only jingle I ever heard was an acapella "BJ105" out of a produced promo. These guys taught me how to do it... Great presentation here Dave! Thanks!