1986: WBUD; WHERE ALL THE GOOD SONGS HAVE GONE

I posted this on Facebook, but they do not allow for large size graphics and the column I wrote back in 1986 would not allow for a legible read. Gone are the days of the old fashioned radio "disk jockey." William B. Williams on WNEW, Alan Freed on WABC, and locally on WBUD, Jack Pinto, Herb Brooks, Rusty Austin, Bernie Cosnoski, George Bannister. Jack Pinto and his little sidekick "Cheery the Gremlin" followed me to my 1812 North Olden Avenue job at the old Trenton Bearing Company for many years back in the early 1950's. How we teens waited for the noon day broadcast of Herb Brooks' "Big Top Ten!" THOSE WERE THE DAYS, MY FRIEND, WE THOUGHT THEY'D NEVER END. But they did. Ahh, the memories!

1974: REMEMBERING THE AREA'S VERY BEST DISK JOCKEY

He was a standard with me all during my teen years. Jack Pinto was without a doubt one of the Trenton area's best disk jockeys. His morning radio program on WBUD was my constant companion each morning as I made my way to my dead end job at the Trenton Bearing Company on North Olden Avenue. I would stop at "Floyd's Diner" on North Olden Avenue near E. State Street, pick up a cup of coffee and a donut and ride along with Jack and his alter-ego "Cheery the Gremlin." Jack went on to try a stint in the big time with WNEW in New York, but didn's stay long. He returned to WBUD and it was great to have him back. It was my privilege to interview him on my "In Focus" television program on TKR cable back in the 1980's. He was a complete joy to talk to. I found him to be a very spiritual man who described the joy of being in the studio at WBUD each morning and watching a new day dawn. For him, it was a spiritual experience. We lost a great radio person when Jack left the business. Coincidental with his leaving was the arrival of the "music" we are listening to today in order to satisfy that 18 to 49 demographic who prefer screams, yells, fireworks, strobe lights, et al. . Easy listening music was moved to the music grave yard.

JoeZ said...

Tom: I think all of us enjoyed Jack Pinto and his show on the radio. Is he still with us and what's he doing?

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Anonymous said...

I was driving along a few years ago just before my retirement and was enjoying the music of the late 1950's that was on. I was really shocked to hear that I had tuned into WBUD and heard the voice of Jack Pinto. I thought I was in a time machine it was so good to hear him so many years later and having grown up with his voice (I'm early 60's), it was like going home again. Sadly, and this was only a few years ago, they sold the station a week later. But those last few shows were a real treat. Skip/Ed

Friday, May 20, 2011

Anonymous said...

Tom, if you allow me, let me spark a few memories of the big ... One, Two, Six-Oh Fun Time Radio. Aside from Jack Pinto we kids were amazed by the likes of Joe Pine and his "Controversy" show. Then there were the contests where they would give clues about a hidden key and we would tear up half the bushes in town. There was always something on BUD. Skip

Friday, May 20, 2011

Tom Glover said...

It's nice to know that I am not the only "BUD" fan! I go way back to the very first broadcast of WBUD in 1946 when Bob Kent hosted the "NIGHT OWL: show from 9 to 11. I remember the thrill I got when I phoned in to ask for an on the air request of "Sweet Sixteen to Millie from Tom. Millie Long was my first real girl friend. Those were such happy and innocent times. The last I heard from Jack Pinto was from the Levittown area of Bucks County.

Friday, May 20, 2011

1937: Harold "Bus" Saidt

I met Bus back in the early years when I was President of St. Anthony's Holy Name Society. I had called him and asked if he would be a guest speaker at a forthcoming meeting. Bus agreed. I was delighted. Sadly, when meeting night came, I think I recall that about 7 or 8 people attended. I was mortified. Sheepishly, I told Bus I was so disappointed at the turnout. It was announced in a prominent place in our weekly church bulletin. Bus was completely gracious. Undaunted, he went on with his presentation and those few members who attended enjoyed stories of his remarkable career. He was my personal hero during the years when he and Bill Hildenbrand announced for the Trenton Giants.

1938: THE TRENTON SENATORS

In only a few weeks, we will hear that annual announcement that all of us baseball lovers long to hear: "Catchers will begin reporting to spring training this week." I can hardly wait. I was not a baseball person back when the Trenton Senators were the local Trenton team. I came on the scene in the 1940's when Bus Saidt and Bill Hildebrand manned the WBUD microphones and did the home and away play by play of the Trenton Giants Insterstate League team. I was an avid fan! I remember the station breaks: "WBUD, 1490 on your dial, Morrisville Pennsylvania. This broadcast is sponsored by Stan Coney Rebuilt Engines, Morrisville Pennsylvania." Let me see....Wilbur Jackson, Maurice "Moe" Cunningham, Don Robertson, Pete Pavlik, Paul LaPalme, Manager Tommy Heath...Wow! Pleasant memories never die!

THIS FROM RALPH LUCARELLA: (Thanks, Ralph.)

Hi Tom: 1938 was about the time I was pretty active in baseball. It was two years after I played with the Schroths and I played in just about every league in the city except the Central Jersey League. That league was semi-pro and drew crowds at Wetzel Field to watch the Trenton Cadets play. Jiggs Corrado and Lusansky played in that league before joining the Senators. Other local players who latter played pro ball were Charlie Budd, Mintsey Mansak, Mike Masterpoli and Sam Masserini and a few others. I got to the point when I was playing most of the week and on weekends. Most of my buddies were out having a ball and I was on the porch waiting to get picked up. Once I found a girlfriend, I eased up playing and went to work at the post office. I ended up playing fast pitch soft ball in the Industrial League. You mentioned Bus Saidt in your statement. I would like to add a worthy tribute to him. He was my teamate on the 1936 Schroths and one of my best friends. He went on to become an outstanding sports announcer and we met when the 1948 Schroths were in the American Legion World Series in Indianapolis. He covered the game back to Trenton and really got excited when my brother Chuck stole home.

Best regards.