Caringer and Friends was a morning show on WHYN-FM from 1985 through 1988.  During that time the station was also known as 93-FM, and The Giant, WHFM.  The format went from AC to Adult Hits to Pop/Rock (The Giant) - then with an ownership change - back to AC.  It was a great station with lots of wonderful people.

Caringer & Friends WHYN - FM 1:29:88

Caringer and Friends was in Talk Radio for about 2 1/2 years from 2006 thru 2008.  Part of that time, I was also doing afternoon drive at WEBE-108.  Here are some clips from the show on WLAD.  Plus, a few bits from the show - and even one complete show air check.

WLAD

PETA

Cialis

bruce bye bye

Bear Grease

In 1993, I was out of full-time radio - working for American Comedy Network as a writer, producer, voice guy.  One of our stations was in nearby Hartford.  Program Director, Dale Carter asked if I would do Saturday mornings.  I stayed for a couple of years and loved every minute of it.

WWYZ

C&F Country 92.5 Halloween

Caringer & Friends WWYZ Country 92.5 7:3:93

Okay - so, I was hired to be part of the KC-101 (New Haven) Morning Crew.  But, the guy who wanted me in the show decided to quit.  That left me with the guy who didn't want me.  (Uncomfortable!)  So, the kindly management sent me down the hall to WAVZ, an underpowered AM playing Music of Your Life (MOYL).  The air check machine was connected to a radio - and the radio IN THE STATION had a problem picking up the signal!  I apologize for some of the quality.  But, I did have a great time in my short stay there (just before I went to mornings at WEZN-FM)

Caringer & Friends WAVZ 10:31:90

Had a great time during my stay at WHYN-FM - also known as 93-FM and WHFM - The Giant.  (93-HFM) We went through several music formats - but - it was always fun! This show was recorded on the day of an historic meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev in Washington,DC - exclusive audio with Gorby, Ronnie and much more!

Caringer & Friends WHYN - FM 12:8:87 - Reagan:Gorbachev

A show from October 1982 - after a first game loss by the Cardinals to the Brewers in the World Series.  I completely lost faith in the Cards - and said so several times.  Turns out they won the Series that year!  Pretty amazing voice work in this one.  Remember, that's all yours truly - solo.

Caringer & Friends KCMQ 10:13:82 - Day After A Strike

This is the station where Caringer and Friends started!  Started in Afternoon drive - eventually moving across the street to KCMQ to do mornings.

Caringer & Friends KFRU Fall 1979 Croutons Plus Bruce Jones Intv With Verna And Harold

Before the station was knows as FM 99.9, they had it rounded up to FM 100.  The music was softer - and, someone figured that it was easier for listeners to dial it in - if they didn't have to worry about that tenth of a point.  In any case, FM 100 became FM 99.9 a few months after I started working there.

Larry & Bill WEZN FM100 12:27:90

While I was Program director and morning guy at WHFM/WHYN-FM in Springfield, MA, I created a bit called "Wormgear Mall."  This list pre-dates the Wormgear Mall ads that I wrote and recorded for The American Comedy Network.  This is the birthplace of all the material that followed.  Remember - back there in the mid-80s Malls were still a very big deal!  These things were all recorded before digital studios were available.  Everything was recorded onto quarter inch audio tape on a stereo recorder - no multi-tracking in that studio.  So, everything was live - all the sound effects, music and voice work were done as they happened - which meant that I usually had those things cued on multiple turntables, cart machines and even other reel to reel machines - oh, and I had to read them without a mistake - or, the whole crazy process had to start all over again.

Wormgear Mall Max The Elf Apology

Wormgear Mall D&D Verna For Congress

Wormgear Mall D&D Strip Search Xmas 1987

Wormgear Mall - Verna's Department Store Xmas With Jingle 1985

Wormgear Mall - Brassiere Barn

When I started on-air in Springfield, MA the new owners of the station changed the call letters from WHYN-FM to just 93FM - on the way to changing it to The Giant, 93-HFM.  A short two years later, they sold the station for a huge profit and the new owners chanced the calls back to WHYN-FM.  No matter what name it had, it was one of my favorite places to work.

Caringer & Friends 93 FM 2:7:86

Caringer & Friends 93 FM 12:20:85

Caringer & Friends 93 FM 11:7:85

Caringer & Friends 93 FM 10:1:87

It was back in 1981, when my partner Bruce Jones and I decided we'd like to do a weekly radio series based on characters we did on our separate weekday shows.  I was doing morning, Bruce was doing afternoons - and together we did the Bruce and Larry on Saturday morning.  It was a labor of love - the most fun either of us had all week.  Sgt. Wormgear was a series I wrote on Friday nights before the Saturday morning show - it was all live and unrehearsed - but, I think it came off incredibly great!  Dig in and enjoy the few surviving episodes!

Sgt. Wormgear The Sgt. Meets Evil Dr. Magneto - Two Episodes (recorded Live Twice)

Sgt. Wormgear KCMQ Sgt. Meets Mothra & Rodan Melts A Plastic Tank

Sgt. Wormgear KCMQ Louie #4

Sgt. Wormgear KCMQ Louie #3

Sgt. Wormgear KCMQ Episode 3 Part 1, 2, 3

I actually was called on the carpet for this air check - and in truth, that kind of drove me from the business for good.  The big guy in Atlanta didn't seem to want me talking over so much of the 25 songs we played over and over and over again.  I was told to basically shut up and play the really redundant music.  I wound up at Apple for the next 8 1/2 years until I retired.  Best decision I ever made.  But, I still love - and miss REAL Radio.

WEBE

Larry Caringer WEBE JULY 4 08

Longtime radio guy - with air checks from stations I've worked for around the country.  When former Caringer & Friends listeners happen to find me online, they often send requests for air checks of bits they remember.  I dubbed these air checks directly from the air check cassette.  Quality varies - along with the audio levels.  The topics are interesting - if a little dated - but, the humor is still fresh.  Hope you enjoy my work from my work coast to coast!

Larry Caringer

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