WDRCOBG.COM: History2000+ (1/1/08)

History

November 5, 2000 - WDRC AM picked up a syndicated weekend program, "Broadway's Biggest Hits," hosted by Bud Wilkinson.

December, 2000 - WDRC FM unveiled a new logo and a new web site. Visit the WDRC AM web site here.

February, 2001 - WDRC AM began airing a musical format called The Best of Everything that includes everything from Adult Standards, Light Pop Favorites, Classic Country, Jazz, to Classical.

April 11, 2001 - Like many American radio stations, WDRC and DRC FM discontinued streaming audio on-line due to a demand by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists for increased royalty fees for commercial voice talent.

January 28, 2002 - WDRC AM dropped The Best of Everything and added talk shows from the Buckley/WOR Network. Following Brad Davis, Dr. Joy Browne aired from 10AM-1PM, followed by The Dolans 1-3PM. Dan Lovallo played music during afternoon drive. Bruce Owens was released and Jack Carney moved to 7PM-midnight on WDRC FM replacing Glenn O'Brien.

April, 2002 - Walt Pinto left as program director of WDRC AM.

April 11, 2002 - Brad Davis celebrated his 25th anniversary on the air as WDRC AM morning man.

May 8, 2002 - The Radio Factor with Bill O'Reilly began syndication; WDRC AM added the show from 12 noon till 2PM to capitalize on the well-known TV celebrity.

September 8, 2002 - WDRC FM began airing nationally syndicated Little Walter's Time Machine, Sunday nights from 10PM to midnight following Chris Ryan's locally-produced Sunday Night Sock Hop. Walter DeVenne hosted weekend oldies shows on several Boston-area stations since 1968.

August, 2003 - Little Walter's time was up and another specialty oldies show was added to the DRC FM schedule as Jay Gordon's weekly Elvis Only! was added to Sunday mornings, 7-8AM. The show was later moved to Sunday nights from 11PM to midnight. Jay was a Boston radio veteran who started the syndicated show in 1988.

June 2003 - Another local talk show was added on WDRC AM with Connecticut native Mary Jones, weekdays from 2-3PM. In addition to Brad Davis and Dan Lovallo in morning drive, the lineup included the nationally syndicated Laura Ingraham Show 10AM-12 noon; Bill O'Reilly from noon-2PM, The Sean Hannity Show from 3-6PM, Jim Cramer's Real Money from 6-7PM, and Michael Savage from 7-10PM. Dr. Joy Browne's syndicated show moved to 10PM, followed all-night by The Joey Reynolds Show.

March, 2004 - Both WDRC and DRC FM gave their web sites sweeping revisions.

April 4, 2004 - WDRC AM added another locally produced talk show to its Talk of Connecticut lineup, Simply Food with Prudence Sloane, heard Sunday nights from 6-8PM, bumping Dick Robinson's American Standards By The Sea to 8-10PM.

July, 2004 - WDRC AM gave its web site another makeover and a new URL: talkofconnecticut.com.

September 3, 2004 - WDRC FM dropped Oldies from its name and focused on music from the 1960s and 70s.

August 2, 2005 - John Saville replaced Mike Stevens on DRC FM's morning show.

September, 2005 - DRC FM dropped music from the 1950s and 60s and began emphasizing music of the 70s and 80s; the on-air slogan was Big Hits 102.9.

February, 2006 - DRC FM began reintroducing 60s music; the new positioning logo was Good Time Rock 'N Roll.

March 13, 2006 - WDRC AM's Dan Lovallo moved from mornings with Brad Davis to the afternoon shift, hosting a 3-6PM talk show, Tuned In To Connecticut. He replaced the syndicated Sean Hannity Show

December 2007 - longtime Vice President/General Manager Wayne Mulligan retired after a 38-year career at WDRC A/F. He was replaced by WDRC sales manager Eric Fahnoe, nephew of Buckley Radio President/CEO Rick Buckley.

Coming on January 15, 2008 - the return of Jerry Kristafer as morning drive host at DRC FM; Kristafer held the same shift from 1982-1997.