Not a day goes by that I don't miss being on the air at WGCY. I particularly miss the
camaraderie I was able to establish with my audience.
When I first started at the station as a part-time announcer in June of 1986, I received numerous phone calls of encouragement from my listeners.
As the months and years passed, I became telephone pals with many of these folks, some of whose names, unfortunately, I no longer recall. Their support meant a great deal to me then as a young aspiring radio announcer, and the memory of these very kind listeners continues to mean a great deal to me today.
There were three announcers that I learned a great deal from during my time at WGCY. One of these was Bob Benefiel, the host of the immensely popular "Mr. B's Bandstand." When I met him I was a young man of twenty-two trying desperately to seem like a profound, serious, seasoned veteran of sixty. Mr. B was constantly playing pranks on me, such as leaving silly notes in the middle of my weather forecasts. Through his example I learned to not take myself too seriously and to employ a much lighter touch. I think I was a much better announcer for having known him.
The second was Chet Andrews. Chet was the last of the old-time, stand up newsmen. Unlike Mr. B, Chet was a rather serious man whom I'm sure didn't appreciate all of Mr. B's pranks. From Chet I learned patience, professionalism and delivery.
Finally, there was the legendary Laverne White. After I was finished with my airshift
on Saturday evenings at 6 pm, I would often stay behind to watch
the master at work. I sat, spellbound, as Laverne regaled me
with stories of his many exploits in the radio business. He was
always very generous with his time, always willing to give good
advice and even shared his Chesterfields with me. I learned more
about style from listening to Laverne than I possibly could have
picked up in twenty years of college.
Thanks, and God Bless you
all.
Posted by Warren Moulton
Congrats on your 25th. 25 yrs. wow, how time flies!!!!
Found your local station back then and have been listening ever since! Back then music was to old people stuff for me but I sure did love the morning news, while I had a kindergartener getting ready for school. That kindergartener is now 30 almost 31 years old. She was your first one to talk to Santa Claus on your station back then, I think you ran Santa maybe one yr. the week before X-mas at 4:00 pm. She loved that!! Then the 1st yr. you had Falcon Fan of the Game she was your first fan. I think that was 1994 or 95 and she won like 40 some dollars. Can't remember how you ran it back then, maybe it was number of points scored, but the Falcons made her alot of money that night.
Of course you know I love your trivia contest and all your other contest. I think that keeps a close connection to your listeners. Your local coverage is great! Your music is still alittle old for me but sometimes I find myself listening! Hmm maybe I'm getting older too! I really enjoy all of you guys and hope to be typing a note like this one in another 25yrs!
Keep up your fabulous work!
Posted By Suzanne Vetter
Quite a few years ago, WGCY had "bowling "with frozen turkey's at County Market, I was chosen to participate, I don't believe I did very good at all but it was a real fun thing.
Posted by a listener from Chatsworth
Christmas Music
The Birthday Club,
Speaking of Sports
Mr. B’s Bandstand
The Blue Room
Town Crier
The Tom Benefiel Show
Six minute News Summary from CBS News
Thanks for all of the 25 years of WGCY
Posted By David Ho
Gary Gave me an opportunity to work as a secretary. Gary is a good person.
Keep up the hard work Gary.
Posted by Jacob Sexton
My job driving truck during the week kept me from home a lot back when I was working. I did like it when driving home on Friday night I'd listen to Laverne White. His voice was like warm honey! I'd talked to him a few times on the phone. Nice guy.
I was pleased that after he left that Tom Bennefiel would carry on Laverne's work. I still make it a point to listen Friday nights as well as other times during the week now that I'm home. I even get in a request from time to time for music.
Congrats, WGCY on 25 years and make it 25 more.
Posted by Ken Brown
My favorite memory of WGCY is the live broadcast of the Old Fashion Christmas Show. It brought a warm, holiday feeling to watch the show unfold and listen to all the wonderful singers you had that night. I think the children enjoyed calling Santa. I know that night was a lot of hard work, but it was well worth it for your listeners! Thanks for 25 wonderful years!
Posted by Lauren
I was doing laundry in my wringer washing machine the first day I heard WGCY. That wasn't so odd back then, as we lived on the farm. I remember hearing many Karen Carpenter songs, which we enjoyed. The format and music hasn't really changed over the years, and that is why your loyal listeners are still here 25 years later. When we travel, we cannot find a station that compares to WGCY. We especially appreciate hearing that you are from Gibson City, IL, and wish other stations across the country would identify their location. Best wishes for your next 25 years!
Posted by Marcia Scherr
You have no idea how great it was when you started streaming your audio so we could listen to your station in Cumberland Co.
I'm from Neoga and a good ten years younger than Bob and Rita Benefiel but remember them when they were in high school and I was 'just a kid' back then. It was great getting to listen to the last year or so of Bob's Sunday program.
Even though Bob is gone, I still listen. Great stuff and keep it up.
Posted by Bob Walk
I was shopping in tots n teens for grand-children birthday gifts when Terri (store owner) introduced me to a gentleman from WGCY radio and we have been listening everyday since! We enjoy your radio station and format plus the local news. Thanks for doing a good job and best to all of you.
Posted by Beverly Richardson
When the radio station started, it was a great thrill
for me. Our school and kids would get area recognition and our
fans that could not go to games could listen to the broadcast.
This also helped our fan base increase and become more aware of the
great students we have in Gibson City.
WGCY was a great tool for coaches to promote their
programs. This did not happen in a community of this size very
often.
All of our coaches were able to talk about their
athletes on the morning sports show. This also promoted our total
sports programs at Gibson City High School.
Gary and his staff did a great job of promoting the
station and it's programs. This was later expanded to many of the
surrounding communities.
When Gary came up with the idea of "Speaking Of
Sports" on Saturday mornings, all of the area coaches were able to talk
about their athletes. This created a lot of area friendships,
promoted sportsmanship, and great competition.
After a few years, WGCY established itself as an area
leader in sports. Many former athletes would call back and bring
us up to date on their lives. It was great for the community to
listen to the success that our high school graduates were achieving.
Our radio station has been very beneficial to our
progressive community. I congratulate them and wish them the best
of luck in the future.
Posted by Jack Cowgill, former boys' head basketball
coach at Gibson City and GCMS High School.
Hi Gary!
I remember taking my 4-H club, the Melvin Adventurers, to the radio station for a tour. As their leader I worried that everyone would behave and say the right things of course. I believe the first question asked was "why did you pick THIS kind of music to play?" (And now that I think about, I wonder if it was asked by one of the Killian boys! Ha-Ha) We had a good time and the tour was interesting.
Posted by Cheryl Kurtenbaugh
Aside from all the fun I had
working there, the thing that stands out in my mind was when, while
reading obituaries, a mouse streaked right in front of me on my desk! It
was all I could do not to scream my head off! (That still gives me the
shivers!) Happy 25th, All!!
Posted by Leigh Ann (Roth) Sharp
Lived next door to Mr. Benefiel at our summer homes at Trade Lake in Wisconsin. Great guy and he would take his Bandstand shows on tape to listen to up north. He would play it while outside cleaning fish and I got to listen to it. Great stuff. Got into WGCY when you started streaming audio on the net and Bob sent me an email telling me of such. Great station. Thanks from Minnesota.
Posted by Mike McGrath
Congratulations on your 25 years of service. I have
fond memories of calling in the JV basketball scores back when Frank was
playing at GCMS. I still enjoying listening to WGCY, especially your
basketball broadcasts. Blessings to you and here's to many more years of
success to all of you.
Posted by Derek Seig
What a fast 25 years! I am one who is always listening to WGCY. Trying to remember "outstanding memories" is difficult. (so many great memories) LaVerne White and Troy Hutchcraft will always be remembered. Gary and Frank have always brought excitement to broadcasted events. When there is a power failure, I realize how much WGCY is a part of my life. Gary,Jim, Frank, Tom, and staff are "The Best" and give so much.
Posted by Virginia Williams
Happy Anniversary!!! I listen all day, every day, my home radios are
tuned to 106.3 24 and 7, and I listen at work all day, too. I love the
music, the ball games, the weather, the music, the school events, the
music. Did I mention I really like your music? Thanks, and keep up the
good work.
Posted by Virginia Asper
Gary, congratulations on 25 Years!
Posted by Justin Kaiser, Director of Operations WGFA Radio Watseka
