Join us on Wednesday, February 15th, at the Bala Golf Club, for another fabulous luncheon. This one (better than the other one) is all about "MUSIC AND RADIO!"

Our moderator and emcee for the afternoon will be Broadcast Pioneers member Lew Klein. Lew was a former president and former chairman of the board of this organization. He was also co-owner of Gateway Communications and was the Executive Producer of "American Bandstand" during its Philadelphia run. Our panel will include these fabulous experts (in alphabetical order):

John DeBella, morning air personality on WMGK, 102.9 FM
Frank X. Feller, formerly of WIBBAGE and WYSP-FM
Ed Hurst, the legendary broadcaster for seven decades
Kenny Jeremiah, entertainer, formerly of the Soul Survivors
T. Morgan, currently, a WMGK-FM, 102.9 air personality
Bill Wright, Sr., the iconic "Rebel" of WIBG and WPEN fame

It all takes place on Wednesday, February 15th at the beautiful and historic Bala Golf Club, 2200 Belmont Avenue (across the street from the State Police) in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia. Just only minutes away from Channels 6, 10 and 17 and the radio stations in Bala Cynwyd.

Meet and greet (networking) starts at 12 noon, and a full-course lunch including salad, coffee or tea and dessert will be served at 12:30 pm. There will also be a crudité and cheese table. Cash bar available all afternoon!

The cost is still only $25 per person. This is our 7th year without a price increase! Cash bar available all afternoon. Plenty of FREE parking or valet service. The luncheon is open to all our members, their guests and any person in the industry or associated fields, whether active or retired. You do NOT have to be a member to attend. Call NOW with your reservation(s), (856) 365-5600!

Member Andy Musser
Broadcast Pioneers Annual Banquet
Hilton City Avenue, Philadelphia
Friday, November 18, 2011
(Broadcast Pioneers Photo by Joel Schwartz)

Member Andy Musser, 74, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2012. Andy broadcast Phillies play-by-play for more than a quarter of a century. Musser was inducted into our Hall of Fame three months ago on Friday, November 18, 2011.

Watch Andy being inducted!

Before each inductee spoke, we ran a two-minute video about their career and life. This is the video wer presented that evening.

Watch the video about Andy!

Before the banquet, member Mike Strug spoke with Andy Musser about being inducted into our Hall of Fame.

Watch Andy and Mike!

(Left to right) Broadcast Pioneers Chairman of the Board Gerry Wilkinson
Broadcast Pioneers Member Andy Musser
Broadcast Pioneers President Jerry Klein
Broadcast Pioneers Annual Banquet
Hilton City Avenue, Philadelphia
Friday, November 18, 2011
(Broadcast Pioneers Photo by Joel Schwartz)

Broadcast Pioneers member Andy Musser was born on Tuesday, December 28, 1937 in Harrisburg and grew up in a town of 4,000 people called Lemoyne, Pa (which is just across the Susquehanna River from our state capitol)..

Andy Musser
circa 1939

Andy Musser was the batboy for the Harrisburg Senators baseball team who play Double A ball. In 1958, Andy won the Junior Sportscaster award when he taped himself doing one inning of a Phillies baseball game. The award got him noticed and he did a couple of innings of a Phils game with Gene Kelly and the legendary By Saam.

Earl Wood, a visitor to our website, e-mailed more information about that broadcast:

As a boy growing up in Lemoyne, Pa.  I remember Andy, a tall lanky kid
who always wore a White Sox cap, but never knew why.

He won the contest conducted by the Harrisburg Evening News, or possibly the Patriot News.  At that time the Evening News was the predominant newspaper. To enter the contest you had to write a letter stating why you wanted to become a sportscaster.  His winning entry was printed in the paper but at the time I didn't keep a copy.

I listened to his broadcast of a Phillies game, which was the prize for winning, but my memory is that it only lasted an inning. As I recall it wasn't exactly flawless, but quite a feather in the cap of this soon to be professional broadcaster. I was two years behind him in high school but his reputation then was that of a knowledgeable sports guy; a soft spoken good guy.

He worked at WHGB, 1400 on AM in Harrisburg during his teen-age years. He was a radio announcer while still in high school.

Andy Musser
WAER, the Syracuse University Campus Station
circa 1958

After graduating college in 1959 from Syracuse University (where he worked as an announcer on the college station, WAER) with a degree in speech and dramtic arts, Andy when into the Army and did some work for Armed Forces Radio. Afterwards, he worked in the family wholesale electrical business. But that career line wasn't for Musser. He started working weekends at WHP-TV, Channel 21, the CBS affiliate in Harrisburg where he anchored sports and did the weather. He was also an announcer on WHP Radio.

From there, he went to WCAU Radio and sister station Channel 10 and then on to CBS. He also did radio work for KSDO, 1130 on the AM dial in San Diego, California.

Then he return to Philly, where he did Eagles (1965-1971) coverage, Sixers (1965-1971) and Villanova men's college games. He worked for CBS television from 1971 to 1974 where he covered the World Series, two Super Bowls (1972 and 1974) and two Masters events (1972 & 1973). He also did one NCAA championship game in 1975.

(left to right) Arthur Godfrey and G.I. Andy Musser
Armed Forces Radio
circa 1961

When By Saam left the Phillies broadcast booth in 1975, he was replaced the next year by two people, Robin Roberts and Andy Musser, who considered Saam to be his hero. Andy stayed with the Phils for over a quarter of a century, until his retirement in 2001.

Famed Phillies baseball player and 1997 inductee into our Hall of Fame, Richie Ashurn once said:

There never seems to be any fight for position or innings. I credit a lot of that to Andy Musser. He has always accepted that he’s the number 2 guy of the play-by-play people, and Harry’s number 1. He’s never tried to do anything about it.

It’s no disgrace being number 2 to Harry Kalas, but still, a lot of broadcasters from other ball clubs do have some competition among play-by-play guys. They’re fighting for innings, and that would be a problem. We’ve never had that here.

Speaking of Phillies Management, Musser once told someone from the New York Times:

I’ll tell you what. If they knew how much fun we have, they’d be charging us for doing these games.

After leaving baseball announcing, Andy became the spokesman for the Anchor Stream Brewing Company.

Phillies Announcer Chris Wheeler said:

He was such a big part of my life. He was a great person and a tremendous pro in the business. He could do anything. He was so easy to work with because he let you be yourself.

Phillies Vice-President Larry Shenk said:

Andy was the ultimate professional broadcaster, no matter which sport, and a good friend. We spent 25 great seasons with the Phillies. Like his mentor, By Saam, Andy never got too high or too low with what happened on the field.

Phillies President David Montgomery said:

Andy was a dear friend to many, an absolute gentleman, and a true professional. I had the pleasure of working with him for 26 years during which time he made a significant contribution to our club. Additionally, along with thousands of Philadelphia sports fans, I admired his versatility in announcing not only Phillies games but also his work with the Eagles, Sixers and Villanova Basketball. Since leaving the Phillies broadcast booth in 2001, Andy remained close to the club. We will all miss our dear friend.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 31st at 11 am in the Sanctuary of the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr. Andy ran their Men's Club for the last several years. They met on the third Wednesday of the month so that's why we didn't see Andy at our luncheons.

(Left to right) members Andy Musser, Tom Brookshier and Joe Pellegrino
Broadcast Pioneers' Luncheon
Holiday Inn, City Line Avenue
Wednesday, January 19, 2005

The Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church was also the religious home of member Herb Clarke who died two weeks before Andy.

(left to right) Ray Didinger, Beasley Reece, Merrill Reese
Jim Melwert, Vince Papale and Bill Vargus
Broadcast Pioneers Luncheon
Bala Golf Club, Philadelphia
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
(Photo by Broadcast Pioneers President Jerry Klein)

On Wednesday, January 18th, at the Bala Golf Club, we had a great luncheon which was a panel discussion "All About Sports!"

Our moderator and emcee for the afternoon was Broadcast Pioneers Board Member Joe Pellegrino. Our panel included these fabulous sports experts (in alphabetical order):

Ray Didinger, award winning sportswriter and broadcast commentator
Jim Melwert, street reporter for KYW Newsradio and avid sports fan
Vince Papale, former Eagles player and broadcast sportscaster
Beasley Reece, lead sports anchor for CBS 3 and the CW Philly 57
Merrill Reese, co-owner of WBCB and the voice of the Eagles
Bill Vargus, former WTXF-TV (Channel 29) lead Sports Anchor

It all took place on Wednesday, January 18th at the beautiful and historic Bala Golf Club, 2200 Belmont Avenue (across the street from the State Police) in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia. Just only minutes away from Channels 6, 10 and 17 and the radio stations in Bala Cynwyd.

44 Photos of the Luncheon!

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Complete video of the luncheon!

DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 10th!

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia will award in Spring of 2012, seventeen $1,000.00 scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students studying radio, TV, film production and associated fields.

Open to all communications students (and related fields). Student must either live in the Delaware Valley or attend school there. Available for current Sophomores and Juniors!

GET ALL THE INFO & FILL-IN THE FORM!

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.