Never overwhelming anyone with its geographical size, Rhode Island has always managed to find a niche in the broadcasting industry. From the birth of radio through the start of the department store “wars” in the 1920s, Rhode Island radio became a national trendsetter.
The Shepard brothers created the Yankee Network, which launched the concept of sharing programming with affiliated stations. Several formats became standard-bearers for listening concepts throughout the country, from the Top 40 format of the 1950s and 1960s to present-day adult contemporary and sports talk radio.
Rhode Island personalities and stations have played a large part in overall industry concepts and growth. Salty Brine, Sherm Strickhouser, Jack Comley, Ed Pearson, Ernie Anderson, and Don Pardo are all names and voices familiar to audiences in the Ocean State and beyond.
Highlights of Rhode Island Radio:
• A portion of the proceed from the sale of the book will be used to establish scholarships for high school students interested in radio broadcasting as part of their college study.
• Images were supplied by several station employees and former employees, observers and family members within the radio industry in Rhode Island.
A broadcast veteran of 33 years, John Rooke has spent more than two-thirds of his career living and working in Rhode Island television and radio. Since he listened to his grandfather’
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