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Broadcast Pioneers; the Official Historians of Philadelphia Radio & Television!

This is Gonna Be Another Huge Luncheon !
JUST ONE WEEK AWAY!

WOW! This is going to be HUGE! Our Wednesday, May 21st luncheon will be a "Tribute to Jim O'Brien." Make plans to be there! It's been a quarter of a century since the untimely passing of one of Philadelphia's most beloved broadcasters, Jim O'Brien. Jim was the main Channel 6 weathercaster and the mid-day news anchor. He's also known for being one of the Boss Jocks on Famous 56, WFIL Radio and co-host of Channel 6's "Dialing for Dollars."

RESERVE NOW! (856) 365-5600!

On our panel, we'll have:

Cathy Gandolfo, who worked with Jim at WPVI-TV and WFIL, Famous 56
Marc Howard, Jim O'Brien's former co-anchor/later main anchor on KYW-TV
Steve Levy, former Channel 6 newsman & former NBC 10 news anchor
Paul Norton, Jim's announcer on WPVI-TV's "Dialing for Dollars"
Joe Pellegrino, Action News Sportscaster when Jim was doing weather
Bill Russell, Jim O'Brien's stage manager, crew chief & lighting director

DON'T BE LEFT BEHIND! (856) 365-5600!

Our moderator will be W. Carter Merbreier (better known as Captain Noah). Carter and Pat (Mrs. Noah) had dinner with Jim O'Brien the night before his unfortunate skydiving accident. Making introductory remarks will be Broadcast Pioneers member Bernie Prazenica who is the current President and General Manager of 6abc, WPVI-TV. Plus, we'll play one of our Trivia quizzes based about Jim O'Brien's life. It will be hosted by Steve Ross, former WFIL Boss Jock. Winners will receive a DVD of Classic Television Shows plus a WFIL Radio keychain.

(856) 365-5600! CALL NOW!

Generous Kal, our own Vice-President Kal Rudman has decided that underwriting four $1,000 scholarships this year (given away at our April luncheon) wasn't enough. He's thrown two thousand dollars more into pot for two additional $1,000 scholarships. These two will be awarded at our May luncheon in the memory of Jim O'Brien. Way to go, Kal! The winners are:

Bunker Seyfert, a junior (Film & Video major) from Drexel University
Micah Haun, a junior (Cinema & Television major) from Drexel University

HURRY! CALL TODAY! (856) 365-5600!

This all will take place on Wednesday, May 21st, at the beautiful and historic Bala Golf Club, 2200 Belmont Avenue (across the street from the State Police) in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia. It's only minutes away from Channels 6 & 10 and the radio stations in Bala Cynwyd. Get Driving Directions!

(856) 365-5600! RESERVE NOW!

Meet and greet (networking) starts at 12 noon with a full-course lunch including salad, coffee or tea and dessert being served at 12:30 pm. There's also a crudité and cheese table. Cash bar available! The cost is only $25 per person and is open to all our members, any person in the industry or associated fields; both people now active and retirees. You do NOT have to be a member to attend. Make your reservations now by calling (856) 365-5600. It's going to be a great turn out. Attending this luncheon is the biggest "no-brainer" on the planet! Be there and say hi to old friends (and make some new ones).

WE'LL BE PROUD TO SEE YOU IN THE CROWD!

JIM O'BRIEN PHOTOS

1973
TV Screen Captures
Some Weather Screen Captures
Marc Howard, Jim O'Brien and others with President Carter
More TV Screen Captures
Dave Roberts & Jim O'Brien

JIM O'BRIEN AUDIO

WFIL, Famous 56 in 1971

OTHER ASSOCIATED AUDIO & VIDEO

Crossfire with David Madden - Tribute to Jim O'Brien (WFIL Radio)
Wally Kennedy talks about Jim O'Brien
Jim Gardner pays tribute to Jim O'Brien in 1997

JUST ADDED

Chris Wagner & Jim Gardner announcing the death of Jim O'Brien (VIDEO)
Jim O'Brien talks about Jim O'Brien & does the weather (VIDEO)

Jim O'Brien, Famous 56 clip from 1971, courtesy of Ron Turner and the Famous 56.com website. Ron supplied us with the video of the 11 pm newscast on the evening of Jim's death and the video from the 6abc tribute broadcast. We encoded it for our site.

Broadcaster Art Wolfe has Died!

Broadcaster Art Wolfe passed away on Monday morning, May 12th with his family by his side. Art was a former Sports Anchor and reporter for KYW Newsradio. Art was also the PA announcer for the renaming of Connie Mack Stadium and the opening of Veterans Stadium. He was also Sports Director at WPEN. He was 78 years old.

Art's Bio from our website

The Viewing will be this Friday, May 16th from 9 am to 10:45 am at the Klee Funeral Home, 1 East Lancaster Avenue in Shillington, PA. That's near Reading. 11 am services will be at the St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church, 133 West Broad Street in Shillington.

Help Us Save Our History !


The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia since our beginning in 1962 has maintained archival material of broadcast related items for our market. Help us save our past! Please!

We are looking for donated materials. If you have or know of anyone willing to contribute any broadcast memorabilia, please contact us at 856-365-5600 or e-mail the Broadcast Pioneers at pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com. This would include photos, scans, audio, video and articles. This material may also be used on our website.

Our Mystery Photo for May 2008

Click on the photo for more information!

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Check out Our Photos, History, Bios, Audio and Video Areas
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There's a nice, huge story on the Time Magazine website about Philadelphia Television in the Fifties. It mentions our website and draws from our material. Author Richard Corliss refers to this site as "invaluable...a trove of early TV memories for Delaware Valley nostalgiaholics." Visit it at: TIME MAGAZINE

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