By early 1971 both stations were on the air 24 hours a day, with WDRC FM airing separate programming 16 hours a day. But, in fact, the formats were almost identical except at night when FM aired longer album cuts. The ads promoted FM as "something else," but it really hadn't established a distinct identity.

(Right:) Rod Allen on Big D FM, April 25, 1971.

July 12, 1973 was one of Jim Harrington's last shows at Big D (he returned a month later and stayed for another year). The staff threw him a going away party.

(L-r:) Surrounding the seated guest of honor are reporter Joe Connolly, engineers Dan Maruszczak and Hugh Rainey, Betty Martin and Shirley Beaulieau from the Traffic department, music director Jim English, program director Charlie Parker, announcer Jay McCormick.

Dick McDonough - June, 1973


In late 1981, Steve Carlisle had
a hit song with the theme from a popular TV show; listen to the end of the customized WDRC version.

Dick McDonough (left) spent just under ten years driving Hartford home every afternoon on WDRC AM. At the time, he held the longevity record for any personality since WDRC began pop music programming in 1960.

Here are the other on-air longevity leaders in years:
Brad Davis - April 11, 1977-present (33+)
Larry Wells - spring 1981-present (29+)
Mike Stevens - mid 1986-August 1, 2005 & May 20, 2006-present (23+)
Doug Taylor - December 31, 1990-July 1996 & January 1997-October 10, 2008 (total 18)
Jerry Kristafer - August 9, 1982-December 5, 1997 & January 2008-present (17+)
Jack Carney - March 1993-December, 2005 (12.5)
Dick McDonough - November 18, 1968-October, 1978 (10)
Ken Gilbert - late 1980-May 14, 1990 (9.5)
Walt Dibble - May 19, 1968-April, 1977 (9)
Aaron Shepard - June, 1961-May 30, 1969 (8)
Bob Marx - August, 1975-1983 (8)
Lon Landis - October 16, 1970-1977 (7)
Joe Barbarette - January, 1962-May 18, 1968 (6)
Ron Landry - April, 1960-March 5, 1966 (6)
Dick Robinson - March, 1964-November 9, 1969 (5.5)*

* Dick was on the air 5 1/2 years but remained in sales until 1976