Former overnight KDKA radio host reflects on lifetime in broadcasting

Jack Wheeler belongs behind a microphone.

"I like giving pomposity a mental hot-foot," says the retired talk radio host, but he has been best at giving listeners reasons to smile.

Six years ago, his boss at WJAS (1320 AM) said that Wheeler was the only 70-year-old he knew who thought like a 20-year-old. Wheeler, who has been out of radio for about one year, still thinks like an irreverent 20something. And if he gets back on air, he wants to pick up where he left off -- having fun.

The Albany, Ga., native started doing the overnight show on KDKA (1020 AM) in 1968. Radio listener surveys indicated that about 60 percent of all people listening to any Pittsburgh station during his time period were listening to him, he says.

Today, a typical local radio station is doing well if it has 20 percent of that audience.

Listeners put a face to that distinctive southern drawl in the early '70s. Wheeler's TV show, "Some of My Best Friends," aired at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays on KDKA (Channel 2) -- briefly. Most viewers preferred gazing at the stars on the competing "Hollywood Squares" than watching Wheeler interacting with everyday Pittsburghers.

His version of reality TV was ahead of its time.

The tendency to rock the boat appears to be in his genes. Wheeler's grandfather was a Confederate Medal of Honor recipient. Wheeler's mother, who was in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, did not mellow with age. When she was in her 90s and in a nursing home, she thought the staff was lackadaisical about changing her. "So she called 911," Wheeler says.

After high school and two years on a Navy mine-sweeper, he went to Mercer University in Macon, Ga.

"I was going to be a dentist, but I took a placement test to see what I was suited to do." His score suggested he was an only child. And that he missed a few weeks in Sunday school.

Wheeler was told to consider a career as a criminal lawyer. Instead, he considered radio.

After working at a few small Georgia stations, he moved to a bigger one in Jacksonville, Fla., doing the "Cracker Jack" morning show. Then he either managed or owned a few stations in the South before doing a talk show on a religious station in Jacksonville. He wanted something better.

Sending an audition tape to Westinghouse Broadcasting Corp. generated an offer to host the overnight show at its Pittsburgh radio station.

Wheeler thought he was a big star being on the 50,000-watt blowtorch that, back then, he says, could be heard in Canada and Hawaii. But a caller gave Wheeler's pomposity a mental hot-foot. "He asked, if I am such a big star, why was I on after 'Sermonette,'" says Wheeler. That program signaled the end of the TV broadcast day.

From KDKA, Wheeler worked at WEEP (107.9 FM), now WDSY ("Y-108"), from 1976 to 1977 before moving to Ft. Myers, Fla., to do work in broadcasting. He came back here to work at WJAS from 1991 until 2000. Then he went back to Florida until a health problem brought him back here for treatment. After recovering, he was on WWCS (540 AM) in Canonsburg for two months.

"Jack had a very, very nontraditional approach to talk radio," says Bill Green, senior partner of William J. Green & Associates -- and Wheeler's producer at KDKA from 1970 to 1972. "It was a lighthearted, fun show." Green's favorite celebrity guest was actor Vincent Price. "He wrote a cookbook for Sears. He was an absolute delight."

Wheeler has delighted his listeners for years. For example, he lampooned Pittsburgh stations that bragged about their airplane or helicopter traffic reports by launching "Hang Glider Traffic." His "traffic reporter" supposedly was perched atop the US Steel building, ready to glide around the city with updates. The "traffic reports" ended when the pilot supposedly flew into a plate glass window.

Wheeler also started a public service campaign to collect cigarette butts for the homeless. And when New York City had fiscal problems, he tried to nationalize the beggars in Central Park. But the overnight slot can have its dark side.

A woman called threatening suicide. He kept her on the air with him for several hours until the police traced the call and tracked her down in time.

Wheeler misses radio, but not every song. "If I never hear another Bobby Vinton song again, that will be OK," he says.

If he gets another gig, Wheeler hopes to start the "Enlarged Prostate Golf Tournament" to attract older celebrity players. The profits would go to cancer research. He also envisions a fund-raising event at a driving range with contestants trying to hit a man walking on the fairway in a suit of armor.

Wheeler has two grown children from his first marriage and none with Cynthia, his second wife of 20 years. He stays busy voicing commercials for some of his loyal advertisers or sailing his yacht.

Life is good for Wheeler, but it could be better. "I do not have to work," he says, "but for my sanity, I would like to."

On the clock

"Steelers Draft 2003," hosted by KDKA (Channel 2) sports anchor Bob Pompeani, will focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers players selected in the NFL draft. The live broadcast will originate from the Steelers' South Side training facility and from the Coca-Cola Great Hall at Heinz Field today at 7 p.m. on KDKA. Pompeani will talk with coach Bill Cowher, director of player personnel Kevin Colbert, KDKA sports anchor John Steigerwald and other pro football experts about what fans should expect from the new players.

Chickening out?

Do Pittsburgh country music listeners forgive the group for making disparaging remarks about President Bush when they were in England• After The Dixie Chicks interview on ABC's "Prime Time Live" on Thursday, the four-station Froggy network is monitoring listener reaction on a special poll at www.froggyland.com . Since their comments were publicized, radio airplay and album sales of the Chicks declined dramatically throughout the United States, says Frank Bell, vice president of programming for Keymarket Communications LLC, the owner of the Froggy stations. The poll results will be announced from 5 to 9 a.m. Monday on WOGI (98.3 FM), WOGG (94.9 FM), WOGH (103.5 FM) and WOGF (104.3 FM).

Bishop Wuerl's service

A special edition of "The Teaching of Christ" TV program that highlights the 15 years of ministry since Bishop Donald Wuerl's installation in 1988 will air at 8 a.m. Sunday on KDKA and at various times on the Christian Associates Channel on the city of Pittsburgh cable TV system.