Channel 10 People
Broadcast Pioneers Luncheon
Bala Golf Club, Philadelphia
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
MARCH LUNCHEON REVIEW :
On Wednesday, March 16th, we celebrated the 63rd birthday of WCAU-TV, Channel 10 in Philadelphia. While WCAU-TV came on the air on March 15, 1948, the official opening of the station wasn't until Sunday, May 23, 1948. On that date, the station marked its formal debut with eleven hours of "special programs." Opening remarks for this luncheon were by Dennis Bianchi, president and general manager of NBC 10.
Our speakers included, in alphabetical order:
Bill Baldini, former street reporter for WCAU-TV, now NBC 10
Renee Chenault-Fattah, News Anchor for NBC 10
Herb Clarke, weathercaster for Channel 10 for 4 decades
Tracy Davidson, NBC 10 Anchor and Consumer Reporter
Jimmy Hirschfeld, former Channel 10 producer/director
Tim Lake, News Anchor for NBC 10
Steve Levy, former News Anchor/Reporter for Channel 3, 6 and 10
Terry Ruggles, News Anchor for NBC 10, WCAU-TV
Glenn Schwartz, Chief Meteorologist & Weather Anchor for NBC 10
Mike Strug, former street reporter for Channels 3, 6 and 10
Flying all the way in from Mexico just for this luncheon was Broadcast Pioneers member and former "Person of the Year," Gene Crane. Gene, by the way, was at the station when they signed on the air and he was our MC for this event.
We have postponed the presentation of the NATAS award to Big Al Meltzer because Al is under the weather with the flu. We will reschedule this part of the program for a future date.
Also, we had Jerry Francis, President of the Lower Merion Historical Society on hand as we signed the agreement transferring ownership of 450 negatives of WCAU-TV (taken during 1952 and 1953) from the Society to the Broadcast Pioneers' Digital Archival Project. We also displayed some photos from that wonderful collection.
Broadcast Pioneers member Renee Chenault-Fattah
Broadcast Pioneers Luncheon
Bala Golf Club, Philadelphia
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
PHOTOS FROM THE LUNCHEON!
Photos by Broadcast Pioneers President Jerry Klein
66 Photos of the Event!
These copyrighted pictures are protected under US Copyright.
Any usage without the express written permission of
the copyright holder is strictly prohibited!
Usage does NOT fall under "Fair Use" of copyright laws!
COMPLETE VIDEO FROM THE LUNCHEON!
Video by Steve Sacks and Brad Seecof of Metramedia Studios!
Watch in Windows Media Format!
COMPLETE AUDIO FROM THE LUNCHEON!
Audio by Dave Michaels & Bill Gellhaus!
Here's audio of the signing of the agreement transferring 450 four inches x five inches negatives from the Lower Merion Historical Society to the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. The pictures are of WCAU-TV during 1952.
Listen with Real Audio!
Listen with Windows Media!
Here's complete audio of the luncheon program celebrating 63 Years of Channel 10!
Listen with Real Audio!
Listen with Windows Media!
AND NOW A FEW WORDS FROM OUR LUNCHEON SPEAKERS!
Broadcast Pioneers member Gene Crane with Tracy Davidson
Broadcast Pioneers Luncheon
Bala Golf Club, Philadelphia
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
You can listen to the complete audio above but here's a selection of some of the things that were said:
“According to Gene Crane, I’m the best hugger at Channel 10. I’m honored to be here with these remarkable people… I have a lot to live up to. I’m very grateful to help carry on the legacy.” Tracy Davidson
“Thank God for the name tags… I think I’m the soul survivor of all the original announcers. There was a show referred to as the 'old-timer and the kid.' The kid was Bill Campbell! We were feeding eleven shows to CBS.” Gene Crane (Gene will be celebrating his 91st. birthday in May. He was Person of the Year in 2003)
“I’m going into my 20th year at NBC10. I’ve worked with some amazing people in front of and behind the camera. I’ve been lucky to have worked with a person who in large measure is responsible for my tenure. Steve Levy was always there for me.” Rene Chenault-Fattah (2009 Hall of Fame Inductee)
“Seeing all the people here, both current and former Channel 10 folks, it’s clear to me it’s all about the people. They are what make’s the difference. It’s great to see so many wonderful people…we miss you all so much.” Dennis Bianchi, President and General Manager of NBC 10
“When I was growing up, I didn’t realize how great a station this was. And all of a sudden I’m working with Steve Levy, who was doing live coverage of a guy who was stalking him. The guy was captured on live TV and when asked, he said, Steve Levy is God! So there I was working with God!” Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz (2010 Hall of Fame inductee)
The shortest speech of the day came from Herb Clarke when he was asked; would you like to say anything? Herb responded, “Not especially.” (Herb was 1990 Person of the Year)
“I remember watching Gene Crane and Willie the Worm. Paul Gluck brought me in and there I was for twenty years.” Mike Strug (2008 Hall of Fame inductee)
“Channel 10 has been my home for 37 years. I thoroughly enjoy the great friendships of the folks I met along the way and hope to get a few more years around here.” Terry Ruggles (2007 Hall of Fame inductee)
“I remember watching Steve Levy on Channel 10! And Gene Crane was the best mentor anyone could have… I thank you, Gene. A lot of good things happened during my 43 years at Channel 10.” Bill Baldini (2006 Hall of Fame inductee)
“With all the abuse that’s been heaped upon me today, now I know why I left! The Channel 10 building is full of wonderful people. John Facenda was the gold standard anchoring the news in Philadelphia. He was a great man. However, if I seem a bit nervous, you’ve seen the ratings when I worked at Channel 10… I’m not used to speaking to so many people at one time.” Steve Levy
“I started at WCAU in 1951 and stayed until 1973 when I left for New York. I’ve directed the NFL, the Philadelphia Orchestra and so much more. It was a great run.” Jimmy Hirschfeld
“I was honored to have worked with Gene Crane. I always admired his charm and the way he could change his voice. This is very humbling. To hear the positive feedback we’ve heard today from our peers is very, very appreciated.” Tim Lake
Broadcast Pioneers members Dean Tyler, Tom Moran, Bill Campbell and Andy Kortman
Broadcast Pioneers Luncheon
Bala Golf Club, Philadelphia
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
HEARD AFTER THE LUNCHEON:
“It was wonderful. I was actually on the 'Willie the Worm' Show. I Love the fact that Steve Levy is older than Willie the Worm. To see the giants of Philadelphia TV all at the same time in one room is amazing.” Clark DeLeon
“Not bad for a bunch of guys who were my 'enemies' for 40 years. They’re really classy guys.” Robin Mackintosh
“It was so nice to see so many decades of talent and how it’s been passed from generation to generation. It was hard for me not to well-up.” Terry Ruggles
“This was absolutely fantastic. To see so many people I worked with over the years was wonderful.” Mike Quinn
“I enjoyed doing this. I love all these people, especially the ones whose names I remember.” Gene Crane
“Seeing all these people was just the best.” Steve Levy
“This was wonderful. All these wonderful memories and to see the people and what they had to say was special.” Mike Strug
“It was great to see everybody after all these years. I was there (at Channel 10) for 43 years. It was a great place to work.” Bill Baldini
EDITOR'S NOTE: We had the opportunity to meet Patti Power at the March luncheon. Patti is a former Channel 10 producer. Patti and her associates are engaged in a Delaware Valley based non-profit that rescues dogs and cats from high-kill shelters across the country. To date, they have saved hundreds of dogs, but continue to have a need for foster and “furever” homes. Patti can be reached at "The Rescue Express" by calling (484) 557-6303.
© 2011, Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
Top photo originally donated by Broadcast Pioneers Board Member Bob Kravitz
Other three photos originally donated by Broadcast Pioneers President Jerry Klein
All Rights Reserved
The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com