My broadcasting career spanned over 6 decades beginning on a sunny Saturday afternoon, April 29, 1961, in small town USA – Ironton, Ohio.
Ironton lies on the banks of the beautiful Ohio River in southeast Ohio while being entertained historically by a small 250-watt hometown radio station – WIRO that began in 1951.
Through my high school years, I joined the many teenagers who tuned to 1230 WIRO’s Joe Bowman and his ‘Sandman Serenade’ show nightly at 9 p.m. Joe would read the requests and dedications for songs while using the names of the listeners. If you heard your name mentioned by ‘The Sandman,’ it was all over school the next day.
I grew up listening to LOCAL radio and loved every incredible moment that graced the airways of an era that made radio great. Never did I ever imagine that one day I would become a DJ. However, fate has its way of catching us throughout our lives. It caught me while working at a bank in Ashland, Kentucky while needing to earn extra income.
Opportunity knocking
WIRO’s Hal Murphy offered me a weekend slot of playing the hits. I mentioned that I didn’t have broadcasting experience, he replied that I could be trained ‘on the job.’ I knew I would be walking into a room full of challenges and stress. However, I agreed and I reported to training on Saturday, April 29, 1961. Fearing I would be discovered working a part time job which was forbidden by the 2nd National bank, I changed my name to “MIKE TODD.” I got away with it for 2 years until being discovered in 1963 while working at WCMI’s Ventura Hotel window located downtown, Ashland.
My supervisor at the bank reprimanded me severely while ordering me to resign my weekend slot immediately or else.
My WIRO mentor was a very talented DJ – Noah Don Adams. I could tell Don was very talented as his broadcasting career skyrocketed onto to fame and fortune with National Public Radio and his popular program – ‘All Things Considered.’
Today, we share our Hallowed Hall of the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Don was inducted in 2006.
For the record, I must mention this. After about 20 minutes of showing me the console, turntables and how to follow the program log, he left for the parking lot stating that if I needed him to let him know.
On the log there is a space entitled “origin” and underneath was a commercial for a soft drink called Teem. The origin as to the location of the information of the drink showed simply – “ET.” I panicked and shouted for Don to find the commercial as I had no idea what “ET” meant. He quickly showed me a 33 1/3 LP disc that had the commercial cuts I needed to play. He told me that “ET” meant – “Electrical Transcription.”
After about an hour, I was really enjoying being on the air playing the hits, reading the weather and talking to the people.
Early in 1964, I was offered a position to join the staff of WIRO full time while working the mid-day shift and just like that – MIKE TODD was in broadcasting heaven!.
Memories of the Big I – WIRO
Here we go! First, you must love WIRO’s home location that was designated – RADIO PLAZA. The station was perched high upon a hillside overlooking Ironton’s Park Avenue and US 52. The huge control room window framed it all for us. Simply put, the view was breathtaking.
Here’s a litany of my memories from WIRO:
In 1965, my friend and air partner to be, Hal Murphy asked me to join him as his partner on his hit morning show – THE COFFEE GROUNDS SHOW from 7-9 a.m. In fact, WIRO zoomed to 1,000 Red Hot Watts in 1965.
However, I would have be back for the afternoon drive time which included his show – THE TOWN CLOWNS – airing from 4-6 p.m. This created a SPLIT SHIFT which was very tough, but I managed.
I will always be grateful to WIRO’s owner KEN AUBLE for giving me my start in broadcasting. He was a pioneer in our profession and he loved the element of being LOCAL.
My vivid memories at the BIG I include – The Sandman Show, Ken Jones and me with Russell Sports, Ronnie Bell, Johnny Dollar, Don Adams, Gary Shively, The Eccentric Millionaire – Ken Auble, Doc and Garnett Sexton,The Ironton Tigers with Johnny Dollar, WIRO Christmas parties, the Mike Todd Burger, the Memorial Day Parade, St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ashland, Sister Theresa and seemingly a thousand more.
Today you will find WIRO at Star 106.7 playing the hits of the 80’s, 90’s and today.
1967 brought me to Ashland’s Country Music Giant – 5,000-watt WTCR. My assignment was to be the new Program Director and host my Mike in the Morning show. My boss – Millionaire and Country Music Icon Connie B. Gay absolutely paved the way for WTCR’s huge market success in so many ways.
Our late 60’s staff were indeed second to none with Ron Mastin on midday and Greg Eliot anchoring afternoon drive, Wayne Bowman on weekends and Ron Lowe with news.
So many radio icons such as Chris Robbins and Mike Buxser joined our team over the years as well.
From the mid 60’s to 2022 totaling 57 years, you would likely find me behind the mic calling local high school sports to professional baseball with the Huntington Cubs. Next up was NKU Basketball and Thomas More University Football and later called NCAA Ohio Valley Conference Basketball from Morehead State on ESPN+.
Over the decades, I am very proud to have joined the staff of WLGC, WNXT, WMCI, WWHY AND WRVC.
I am very honored to have been inducted into the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2010, the CP-1 Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
Looking back, I will never forget that sunny Saturday, April 29, 1961, when it all began at WIRO – 65 years ago today.
I have been blessed in so many ways that have enabled me to gain success that I have enjoyed over these many years.
I retired from calling NCAA basketball on ESPN+ in 2022.
As that door in my career closed, another door of opportunity quickly opened as I proudly joined the staff of the Northern Kentucky Tribune as a weekly columnist.
It’s a distinct honor and privilege to represent the Tribune.
Today, 3 score and 5 later, I remember well all the magic moments in time I shared with so many wonderfully talented people. It’s been quite a ride.
THANKS FOR ALL THE MEMORIES!
Mike Tussey has “retired” from a 60-plus-year career as a legendary play-by-play announcer for over 2000 football, baseball, and basketball games, including most recently for ESPN+. His career also includes a stint in law enforcement, teaching and coaching, and writing books, including the “Touchdown Saints.” He grew up in Eastern Kentucky and now lives in Florence with his wife, Jo. He has opened another “Door of Opportunity” and is now a regular columnist for the NKyTribune.