Day: March 10, 2023

Peter Cavanaugh was in the right place, at the right time, with the right stuff. He launched his career as a disc jockey or “DJ” just as rock “n” roll was breaking through in a Big Way. He started that career at WNDR Radio in Syracuse, New York, in the late 1950’s. Peter has written a book about his life in Rock “n” Roll Radio, titled, “Local DJ, A Rock “n” Roll History”. We talked to Peter about those early days of his in radio, with the emphasis on his…

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You don’t always hear about Syracuse musicians who go on to greater fame and fortune. This time you will. Former Eastwood resident John Dittrich now plays drums for R.C.A /B.M.G. recording artists “Restless Heart.” How did John Dittrich do it? That’s what we wanted to know. Q – John, where did you live in Syracuse? A – Teall Ave. Then my family moved to Batavia, N.Y. Then we moved back to Drumlins. Q – What did your parents do that caused you to move around a lot? A – My…

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If you were growing up in Syracuse in the early 60’s, there was one Disc Jockey who stood out from all the others. His name was Bud Ballou. Bud’s non-stop joking and his “on air” patter became his trademark of success. Bud’s name also became synonymous with The Beatles. Very early on he was so captured with their sound, that he made them a featured part of his radio show. He was one of only a few people who traveled with The Beatles through St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Montreal…

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You know him as Jumpin’ Joe Whiting, but he could just as easily been called Mr. Rock ‘n’ Roll. For over 20 years now, Joe Whiting has been a driving force on the local music scene. His partnership with guitarist Mark Doyle led first to the formation of “Free Will, “then later “Jukin’ Bone” (R.C.A. recording artists), on to the Doyle-Whiting Band, and most recently “Back Bone Slip.” Joe’s put together a compilation CD which traces his recorded musical history from 1970 to the present. Titled “Buried Bones,” it features…

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