In April of 2009 we connected with Paul and he provided this brief history of how he, and friend Kerby Scott, got into radio:
In June of 1958 I came home from my FR year in college (Gettysburg) having listened to WCAO for the preceding eight months. They were among about ten US stations that were the forerunners of Top Forty Radio (“DJ’s play hit records and say funny stuff”). We had nothing like that in Williamsport, PA when I was in high school, but upon arriving back home I was told, “there’s a new radio station in town, and they’re playing ‘our’ music.”
I found the station on my car radio, and Kerby Confer (Scott) was on the air. He was a year behind me in HS and we had been friends – and done some stage shows – since eighth grade. Also, I was the bass singer in a doo-wop group when I was in HS – The Five Sharps. We stunk, but others told us we were pretty good. I can still sing a mean bass run!
I went to the station – 6PM, June 5, 1958 – went in, saw Kerb and said, “this looks like real fun.” He said, “It is, and we need an announcer. Why don’t you audition for the job?” I went to WMPT the next morning and auditioned, and was hired – .85c/hour. June 6, 1958. The first record I played on the radio was “I Wonder Why” by Dion and The Belmonts – and I’ve been wondering why ever since!
Within six months Kerb and I made a vow that we’d own a radio station together someday. By age 23 (1963) I was the Morning Man (and Emperor!!!) on the #1 station in the 12th market in the US, and I got Kerby his job there in March of ’64. From 1975 thru 1988 we owned and operated over fifty of them together, all over the eastern and southern US. What a kick it was for me to be in the ‘big city’ and experience all that it had to offer. Including getting acquainted with all of you young – and VERY GOOD – musicians. God, how I love radio!
A lineup of Paul Rodgers’ enterprise.
All Hail Emperor Rodgers
For a period of time at WCAO, Paul was presented as “Emperor Rodgers.” The bit included membership in the Emperor’s cadre of “Rodger’s Royal Commandos.” and his participation in promotional events that included donkey basketball, walking a lion in downtown Baltimore, and riding an elephant to lead the 1965 Circus Parade from the train station to the Civic Center. It was crazy times.
Paul (Rothfuss) Rodgers has written two books chronicling his start in radio as a teenager, his subsequent rise to prominence in Baltimore, first at WCAO and later at WCBM, and finally as an owner of radio stations throughout the eastern U.S. As of this date they are both available on Amazon.
(disclosure: both books edited by BaltimoreJam co-founder, Don Lehnhoff)
