The Last Tape Show

 May 7th, 2022 on the final BWRP, Bud Weiser, Midnight & Rock Rolling

Welcome to the WTIT Photo Blog!

The largest group ever assembled around the WTIT Studio table. The shot taken during our 50th Anniversary Party! 4 of the original 5 DJs were here (Bud, Gary, Billy & Johnnie), along with every significant staff DJ since the First Five! (Cos, Rock, Midnight, Greg & Captain)

Standing from left: Bud Weiser, Gregarious Greg, Captain Morgan, Bouncing Billy & Johnnie Walker

Seated: The Midnight Plowboy, The Cosmic Commando & Galloping Gary

Hi, and welcome! This site is the easiest way to see the visual history of the WTIT Tape Radio DJs well over a 50 year period!  In 2017, we have had a celebration of our 50th Anniversary, with a 50th Anniversary Show & Party that happened on April 29, 2017. This picture is from that night. The story is on our website WTIT.net, and on our blog, WTIT: The Blog. Our photos are here! Just scroll down to see pics from 1967 to the present day. 

Glad you stopped by!

© WTIT 1967-2022

The WTIT Photo Collage

The photo collage of present and past

WTIT DJs created by James Austin.

© WTIT 1967-2021

Our 2021 DJ Staff Pic

 

Bud & Billy in "The I Formation" Again

 

 It was July 10, 2021 for what we called the "620th Session". We still refer to them as "tapes" even though with have not uttered a word on tape since 2YK. Yep, a LONG time. Our reel-to-reel tapes we used from 1967 to 1982. Between 1982 and 1985, Bud dubbed all the reel-to-reels to cassette. Now, you may hear that you lose quality on a tape when you copy it (unlike digital), Three separate cassette decks made everything go. Two were for music, the third for jingles. In 2000, we bought (at the time) the top of the line computer with a digital audio record system enclosed. It was a Sony Vaio. They don't even make them anymore.

As technology advanced, you no long need a special computer for audio recording. You just need one with enough memory (currently we use an HP with 2 TB) and external mixing board. What cost nearly $3,000 in 2000 can bought now for around $750. And the systems are so much better. We use iTunes to play music & jingles. Now Bud can be in on the party rather than working the cassette decks and before that the turntables. The quality of our first year in 1967 wad awful. We had a mono recorder and bad mikes.

By 1969 we had a stereo recorder and got better mikes. Now, the quality wasn't nearly as good as the radio. Now with digital WTIT sounds better than over-the-air radio just as Sirius XM does for the same reason. Our playlist consists of five types of music. In order of percentage of play WTIT's music consists of Rock, Alternative, R & B, Pop & Country. 2021 is the first year we added some country music. We've played country-rock since the 60s, but not straight country until recently. It's still only a tine portion of our 17,000 songs that we play. Most over-the-air (or terrestrial) radio stations play less than 1000! Some even fewer. That's why people complain, "I hear the same songs at the same time every day". While that's not true, it sure seems like it.

We will next record after Labor Day (the due date of Bud's 9th grandchild, ironically). We hope to have an internet radio station up & running this year. It's going to e a busy one here at WTIT.

In May of '21 Vaccinated We Meet Twice

 May 14th in the year of the common era 2021 we return after the pandemic, full vaccinated. From left: Gregarious Greg, Bud Weiser & Bouncing Billy.

May 28th, just two weeks later, we were at it again. Neither session resulted in comedy, but that wasn't the point. "Where Your Friends Are..." isn't a slogan. It's who we are and have always been. We're working on picking a date that works for all five. It will happen. In this shot from left top: Bud & Rock. Below: Midnight

A Full House in Bloomfield

On Friday February 28, 2020 we recorded session 614. It was our second time at the new "Johnnie Walker Studio" in Bloomfield CT. Our regular photographer quit, so we did a selfie. In the top are: Bud, Greg & Rock. Bottom Center: Midnight with Billy to his left, our right. We did not know that this would be our last full house, so far as Spring of 2021 because of the pandemic of 2020. But shots are being given!

The First Session in Bloomfield!

While technically we recorded twice previously in Bloomfield (Carter B's home where Teddy Q & Carter did two recordings in 1969.) But here we are in October of 2019 outside our new a big Bloomfield studio. We are pointing to the new "Johnnie Walker" studio sign. From left: Rock Rolling, Gregarious Greg, Bud Weiser & Bouncing Billy. Life is good for Bud!

The End of the Rockville Era

WTIT on the move again. After two years in Rockville in a small apartment, Bud was moving again. This was from July of 2019 the final Rockville show. Bud, Billy & Greg point out the last time with that studio sign.

Bud Attends Kingswood's 50th High School Reunion.

 

Four of the eight guys from Kingswood who were WTIT DJs. From left: Bull Durham, Bud Weiser, Carter B & Teddy Q.

Rock's First of 2019

Bud & Rock in April of 2019. He had a free night & we took advantage of it.

January 2019 Rolls In!

Billy, Bud & Greg

Johnnie Waker: A Celebration of His Life

Johnnie, along with Bud, were the only two guys who were there from the beginning to our 50th. Johnnie passed July 4, 1918. From left: Gregarious Greg, Bouncing Billy, The Midnight Plowboy, Bud Weiser, The Cosmic Commando & Rock Rolling. Bud did the eulogy.

Our October 2018 Session

Bud, Billy & Rock

Remember Jumping Johnnie Walker

Our first Tape Radio Show since we heard of Johnnie Walker's death. Bouncing Billy holds a candle in Johnnie's honor. Rock is far left, Bud far right. Gregarious Greg is next to Bud & Billy.

Greg's "T" Makes This Shot

Bud, Billy & Greg

We Keep Rockin' in Rockville

Bud, Bouncing Billy & Gregarious Greg!

Welcome 2018!

First session of the new year. We are now in Rockville, CT in our "Rockin' Rockville Studio". We would be there in a small apartment for two years.

The Last Tape Show from Enfield

The Last Tape Show from Enfield, CT. The end of an era. Bud had some medical issues & had to retire. He sold his home in Enfield & with then his wife, and they moved to Rockville, CT. So in August 2017 our last studio in Enfield was toast. We called it "Studio 33 1/3", and it was our second Enfield Studio. We in Enfield since 2004 and we were in our house with Studio 33 1/3  from 2012 to 2017. Bill (left) & Bud are pointing at the studio sign to say, "Bye, Enfield!"

The One After the Big One - 50th Anniversary Goes On

In the "I" Formation are Billy & Bud. We recorded a take off on a local pawn shop called "Good Ole Thom's". Both DJs felt it was their best commercial spoof in a long time. August 19th will see our guys return.

WTIT IS 50! The Show & Party

We agreed that every major WTIT DJ was there (except for Gypsy, one of The Original 5, who has battling his health for some time now.) It was April 29, 2017. The very first recording was on May 5, 1967. Standing (from left): Rock, Bud, Greg, Captain, Billy & Johnnie. (Seated left): Midnight, Cos & Gary.

Johnnie, Billy Rock

 Bud & Captain

 Cos & Gary

Bill & Johnnie

Rock, Captain & Midnight

On the WTIT Deck. From left standing: Johnnie Walker, Bud Weiser, Bouncing Billy, Gregarious Greg & The Cosmic Commando. Kneeling: The Midnight Plowboy, Captain Morgan, Rock Rolling & Galloping Gary.

The One Before the Big One

Billy wanted to see Johnnie before the big night of our 50th Anniversary Show & Party. Bud wanted to burn off a tape number so that the 50th would be on Tape 600. We just played music & discussed the upcoming event. It was Sunday April 23, 2017.

The One Before Our 50th

The one before the BIG one. Johnnie Walker returned for our 50th about a week early so that we could have a great week long visit. I'm glad we did it. When Bouncing Bill picked him up to drive him to the airport it would be that last time we ever saw him. WE recorded a session before the 50th. Since we were at Session 599, it seemed to make sense to record so that the 50th was Session 600.

First Session of Our 50th Anniversary Year

On January 27, 2017 WTIT began our 50th Anniversary year. From left: Bouncing Billy, Rock Rolling, Bud Weiser and The Midnight Plowboy. We did have North Vietnam President  Kim Jong Un stop by and discuss matters with Siri.

Billy & Bud Complete 2016 Sessions

September 2016 A Trio of Fun

Bud, Greg & Billy

Billy & Bud Alone Again, Naturally

Bud & Billy

Our May 2016 Session

May 27, 2016  Billy & Bud

Our March 2016 Recording Session

March 11, 2016: Greg couldn't make it but Rock returned. Bud forced him to listen to the previous session's comedy, which was lame and long, but Rock survived... From left: Bouncing Billy, Bud Weiser & Rock Rolling

First Session of 2016: We Do a Sequel

One of the things that's happened here at WTIT that is rather unique is how we've morphed. In the past, when a DJ left somebody seemed to have a friend to step in. Johnnie Walker, who recently moved to Colorado is a case in point. He played little league with Gypsy Joe. On Joe's first night as a DJ, he brought Johnnie with him. We didn't know it, but that started the WTIT classic lineup. But now, instead of new friends joining in, it's old friends returning that fills the bill.

Bouncing Billy (left) recorded the very first tape with Bud and stayed with us from 1967-1985. Gregarious Greg (right) was the first DJ ever to take another DJ's (Gypsy Joe's) place. In 1974 this picture sums up the guys who were doing the most recording. Ironically, it was Johnnie Walker who introduced us to Greg. When Johnnie announced he was moving to Colorado, we asked Greg to join in his farewell.

Greg has returned to us a lot. He was the for our 10th, 20th, 30th & 40th anniversaries. He joined us to welcome Billy back. Then again to wish Johnnie a "bon voyage". We then asked Greg to return full time to replace Johnnie. Greg said yes.  Rather circular, don't you think? On this night we did a sequel to a show we recorded in 1974. That's the neat thing about WTIT. You just never know...

Wallbanger Returns to Record

It certainly has been an era when so many great friends and fellow WTIT DJs have returned to the fold. Bud convinced Harvey to return to Enfield and have a few new stories to add to their nearly 25 years of friendship. It was just a coincidence that the time Harvey chose was a week were WTIT was recording. From left we have Bouncing Billy, Harvey, Bud & Greg. You would never know from listening to the recording (Tape 590) that Harvey had never met Bill or Greg. There is something about both the brotherhood and familiarity of recording on WTIT that makes everyone comfortable. All  Harvey had to say after? "What great guys!" 

Our First Session After Johnnie's Exit

Bouncing Billy

Bud Weiser

We did a WTIT News, Sports & Weather. Rock has taken over the News Anchor chair. Bud stayed with sports and Billy, our very first WTIT Weather guy in 1967 return to his Weather Desk.

Rock Rolling 2015

The Midnight Plowboy 2015

Bud Weiser 2015

Johnnie Walker 2015

Gregarious Greg 2015

Bouncing Billy 2015

After Nearly A Half Century, Johnnie Walker Signs Off

Johnnie Walker, Bouncing Billy & Bud Weiser wait for the others...

Gregarious Greg arrives to Bud's hug...

Greg and Billy embrace...

Rock joins us...

The Midnight Plowboy completes our crew!