WDEV
Encyclopedia
WDEV is a radio station
based in Waterbury, Vermont
, USA
. WDEV broadcasts on the AM
band at 550 kHz, and WDEV-FM, licensed to Warren, Vermont
, broadcasts at 96.1 MHz
. The stations' studios and offices are located near U.S. Route 2
in Waterbury. WDEV also operates a translator station, W243AT (96.5 FM), licensed to Barre, Vermont
, and can also be heard on a privately-owned translator, W270BR (101.9 FM), licensed to Island Pond, Vermont
. WDEV has been owned by Radio Vermont Group, controlled by the Squier family, since 1935.
A 2003 article in Harper's magazine cited WDEV as one of the best examples of independent radio broadcasting in the United States.
and the right-leaning True North
, are syndicated in), Music to Go to the Dump By, The Trading Post, music and sports. Mark Johnson and Anthony Pollina host local talk shows at, respectively, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays.
is an early-morning advertising block that consists of people calling in with three items or less (and only one car, unless the others are free or a parts car) to advertise them to the listening public. There is also a "Mailbag Edition", which is the host reading written submissions. These are almost always textual, with the occasional (and unhelpful) picture thrown in.
, station owner and operator.
Starting as soon as possible after 9, the show starts off with Ken talking to himself and Buster, apparently not noticing he is on the air. He talks to Buster as though he were a person; Buster makes no noise other than lapping at his water bowl and eating. After a couple minutes of this, Ken "realizes" that he's on the air, states the episode number (which he apparently makes up on the spot) and cuts to the theme song.
Following that, the show settles in to roughly an hour of odd songs, jokes the readers send in, and sporadic visits from Farmer Dave, who has run since 2002 on the "Undecided Cow Party" ticket for governor of the state.
The songs tend to be weird, and are an eclectic mix of rare recordings, home recordings sent in, and the occasional Tom Lehrer
song. Florence Foster Jenkins
enjoyed an extremely brief resurgence of popularity on the show, and occasionally a more 'mainstream' oddball tune, such as "I Like Chinese
" or "The Monster Mash
" will be played.
In March 2008, Buster died, putting this show on hiatus, until later in the year.
and Boston Celtics
radio networks, both of which are based at WEEI
from Boston. WDEV carries all regular-season and postseason Red Sox games, and airs most Celtics contests which do not conflict with baseball coverage. The station also broadcasts Norwich University
men's hockey.
WDEV also airs the weekly card of auto racing
from Thunder Road International Speedway in Barre, Vermont, where Squier is occasionally the P.A. announcer at the track. WDEV's other Motorsports programing, when there is no conflict, includes NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series events.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
based in Waterbury, Vermont
Waterbury, Vermont
Waterbury is a town in Washington County in central Vermont, in the United States. It is also the name of a village within that town. The population was 4,915 at the 2000 census.-Economy:-Industry:...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. WDEV broadcasts on the AM
AM broadcasting
AM broadcasting is the process of radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation. AM was the first method of impressing sound on a radio signal and is still widely used today. Commercial and public AM broadcasting is carried out in the medium wave band world wide, and on long wave and short wave...
band at 550 kHz, and WDEV-FM, licensed to Warren, Vermont
Warren, Vermont
Warren is a town in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,681 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Vermont is located in Warren. It is set between the two ranges of the Green Mountains, with approximately 25% of the town under Green Mountain National Forest...
, broadcasts at 96.1 MHz
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
. The stations' studios and offices are located near U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 in Vermont
U.S. Route 2 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that is split into two segments. Its eastern segment runs from Rouses Point, New York, to Houlton, Maine. In Vermont, US 2 extends from the New York state line in Alburgh to the New Hampshire state line in Guildhall. West of Vermont,...
in Waterbury. WDEV also operates a translator station, W243AT (96.5 FM), licensed to Barre, Vermont
Barre, Vermont
Barre, Vermont can refer to:*Barre , Vermont*Barre , Vermont...
, and can also be heard on a privately-owned translator, W270BR (101.9 FM), licensed to Island Pond, Vermont
Island Pond, Vermont
Island Pond is a census-designated place in the town of Brighton in Essex County, Vermont, United States. The population was 849 at the 2000 census...
. WDEV has been owned by Radio Vermont Group, controlled by the Squier family, since 1935.
A 2003 article in Harper's magazine cited WDEV as one of the best examples of independent radio broadcasting in the United States.
Programming
WDEV, founded in 1931, operates on both the AM and FM bands. Its programming consists of talk shows (some, such as The Eric Michaels Show, are in-house, others, such as the left-leaning Democracy Now!Democracy Now!
Democracy Now! and its staff have received several journalism awards, including the Gracie Award from American Women in Radio & Television; the George Polk Award for its 1998 radio documentary Drilling and Killing: Chevron and Nigeria's Oil Dictatorship, on the Chevron Corporation and the deaths of...
and the right-leaning True North
True north
True north is the direction along the earth's surface towards the geographic North Pole.True geodetic north usually differs from magnetic north , and from grid north...
, are syndicated in), Music to Go to the Dump By, The Trading Post, music and sports. Mark Johnson and Anthony Pollina host local talk shows at, respectively, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays.
The Trading Post
The Trading PostTradio
Tradio is the name given to a type of talk radio show format where listeners call in to buy or sell items. The concept of is analogous to classified ads in local newspapers....
is an early-morning advertising block that consists of people calling in with three items or less (and only one car, unless the others are free or a parts car) to advertise them to the listening public. There is also a "Mailbag Edition", which is the host reading written submissions. These are almost always textual, with the occasional (and unhelpful) picture thrown in.
Music to Go to the Dump By
Perhaps noting special attention is this odd programming block that runs "in memory of Marie" from 9 to 10 AM on Saturday mornings. It is hosted by Buster the Wonder Dog and his Faithful Companion, Ken. Ken is Ken SquierKen Squier
Ken Squier is an American sportscaster and motorsports editor from Waterbury, Vermont. From 1979-1997, he was the lap-by-lap commentator for NASCAR on CBS, and was also a lap-by-lap commentator for TBS from the time they had rights to NASCAR until 2000. Squier was the first announcer to give...
, station owner and operator.
Starting as soon as possible after 9, the show starts off with Ken talking to himself and Buster, apparently not noticing he is on the air. He talks to Buster as though he were a person; Buster makes no noise other than lapping at his water bowl and eating. After a couple minutes of this, Ken "realizes" that he's on the air, states the episode number (which he apparently makes up on the spot) and cuts to the theme song.
Following that, the show settles in to roughly an hour of odd songs, jokes the readers send in, and sporadic visits from Farmer Dave, who has run since 2002 on the "Undecided Cow Party" ticket for governor of the state.
The songs tend to be weird, and are an eclectic mix of rare recordings, home recordings sent in, and the occasional Tom Lehrer
Tom Lehrer
Thomas Andrew "Tom" Lehrer is an American singer-songwriter, satirist, pianist, mathematician and polymath. He has lectured on mathematics and musical theater...
song. Florence Foster Jenkins
Florence Foster Jenkins
Florence Foster Jenkins was an American amateur operatic soprano who was known, and ridiculed, for her lack of rhythm, pitch, tone, and overall singing ability.-Early years:...
enjoyed an extremely brief resurgence of popularity on the show, and occasionally a more 'mainstream' oddball tune, such as "I Like Chinese
I Like Chinese
"I Like Chinese" is a song written and performed by Eric Idle of Monty Python. It was originally on Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album from 1980 and later included on the CD Monty Python Sings....
" or "The Monster Mash
Monster Mash
"Monster Mash" is a 1962 novelty song and the best-known song by Bobby "Boris" Pickett. The song was released as a single on Gary S. Paxton's Garpax Records label in August 1962 along with a full-length LP called The Original Monster Mash, which contained several other monster-themed tunes...
" will be played.
In March 2008, Buster died, putting this show on hiatus, until later in the year.
Other programming
WDEV is an affiliate of the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
radio networks, both of which are based at WEEI
WEEI
WEEI is a sports radio station in Boston, Massachusetts, that broadcasts on 850 kHz from a transmitter in Needham, Massachusetts, and is owned by Entercom Communications. The station is one of the top-rated sports talk radio stations in the nation. Studios are located in Brighton, Massachusetts...
from Boston. WDEV carries all regular-season and postseason Red Sox games, and airs most Celtics contests which do not conflict with baseball coverage. The station also broadcasts Norwich University
Norwich University
Norwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
men's hockey.
WDEV also airs the weekly card of auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
from Thunder Road International Speedway in Barre, Vermont, where Squier is occasionally the P.A. announcer at the track. WDEV's other Motorsports programing, when there is no conflict, includes NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Sprint Cup Series events.