Wednesday is a history making day as WDAD celebrates its 75th anniversary.
WDAD-AM 1450 signed on for the first time on November 4th, 1945 from the now Indiana Theater Building on Philadelphia Street. The station was managed by Indiana Broadcasters, Inc. with Paul Short as Company President, and as a CBS affiliate broadcast some of the most memorable national programs of the day including shows like Arthur Godfrey Time, Suspense, The Jack Benny Program, My Favorite Husband and Lux Radio Theater.
WDAD represented the first radio station in Indiana County, and Tony Renda, Sr., the CEO of WDAD’s now parent company Renda Broadcasting, said it was something he remembered quite clearly.
During it’s history, many of Indiana County’s familiar radio names came over the WDAD airwaves, including Jack Benedict, now Sports Director with Renda Broadcasting of Indiana, WDAD’s parent company. Other owners in the station’s history include Progressive Publishing in Clearfield from 1955 to 1989, RMS Media Management from ’89 to 2004, when it was purchased by Renda Broadcasting. Benedict has worked under all four ownership groups for WDAD, and said that back in the day, you had to do everything.
Ray Goss, who was part of the morning programs on WDAD back in the day, remembered how programming on WDAD changed over his time with the station.
Many memorable local programs were produced during WDAD’s time, including a music countdown show that Mike Cavanaugh, a former DJ and marketing consultant with the station, remembers quite fondly.
Another longtime staffer is Don Berkebile, who has been in sales at WDAD for more than 50 years, said that he has had fun in his time with the station.
But as to how WDAD has remained successful through 75 years, Tony Renda said that it’s the people that make up the staff and management of the station that is the secret to its success.
Congratulations to WDAD AM 1450 and 100.3 FM on their 75th anniversary.
