Perform a web search for WDDT and about the only thing you’ll find now are the tower coordinates and a mention in the travel guide for Greenville MS. Although, we have to wonder why a travel guide. Is the WDDT tower some place on a historic map?
One of the coolest pieces of history associated with WDDT is that way back in the early 1960s, the late Ron Lundy, who became one of the legendary 77 WABC New York jocks (and later, WCBS-FM 101.1), got his start at WDDT. And so it seems that every little AM station as SOME piece of its history tied to someone who made it big in broadcasting.
Someone else who did real well in the business who was at WDDT was this aircheck’s Contributor, Rob Grayson. Here he is heard on this under 3 minute scope of WDDT, a station which in 1973 is using a version of TM Century’s KNUS 99 (Dallas) jingles on air. You can hear in this PRISTINE recording, presumably mastered from the original reel, that even in 1973, WDDT’s tape equipment was a bit worn, and it shows on some of the jingles and spots. Otherwise, the audio is crisp and clean. Its nice to see that the tape itself held up so well 40 years after this recording was first broadcast.
About the Contributor: Rob Grayson writes,
At this time, I am the local host for Morning Edition on WKNO-FM, and program director for US 51 Country, WKBQ-FM in Covington. Plus, I still have Wilkerson Sound Studio running for my A-list of clients.
1973 the year I began my career. Love hearing some small markets
Sister just moved to Jackson. (Clinton)Ms.
Two things made this aircheck special; the use of TM’s “Accelerators” jingle package, and the Miami Dolphins beating the Cowboys.
This was 16-year old me, doing my after school job. Here I am 2 1/2 years later: //airchexx.com/2013/10/04/quickchexx-bob-gray-620-wjdx-jackson-mississippi-1976/
I was at one time program director for WDDT under the name “Phil Harmonic.” Got fired and ended up at WTUP in Tupelo…Moved to WPLO in Atlanta taking back my real name Bruce Nelson. Continued on to WMIL Milwaukee, KENR Houston, KNUZ Houston, WUPY Ontonagon Mi. I’ve been inducted into the CMA of Texas Hall of Fame, The Country Radio Hall of Fame in Nashville, and the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Dr. Bruce Nelson Stratton
Well, Bruce…. “Phil Harmonic” hahahaha. I guess nobody was going to figure out where to locate you, that’s for sure. Almost as bad as when I got hired to do weekends (initially, I ended up being the 7=midnight jock), this was a Country station and everyone used ‘frog’ names. WOGY Froggy 94 (94.1 Germantown Tennessee). I was Jumpin Jack Flash. How freakin corny was that?!!