Tom Hammett has joined the broadcasting team at AM-980 WDYN Radio alongside radio veterans Tom Sneed and Earl Freudenberg. "Dr. Tom," as "Hey Earl" dubbed him several years ago, has served as a station volunteer for a number of years helping primarily during Share-a-thons and other special events. Recently, Bob Circeo, who hosted the Going Home program from 4:30-6 p.m., determined his assistance was needed in taking care of his aging sister's declining health in Massachusetts. Bob moved to the Boston area on July 4.
The very afternoon of Mr. Hammett's retirement from 29 years teaching music in Hamilton County Schools on May 22, his radio training began in earnest. Mr. Circeo served as the primary instructor in basic radio technology and broadcasting skills. Mr. Hammett's first solo broadcast for WDYN was on July 2, and he has now completed his first full month of broadcasting.
Mr. Hammett said, "The first time I sat down at the control board, I saw a computer to my left, a computer straight ahead, and computer to my right, all of which are used to feed information and music into the multi-channel broadcast control panel. My thought was, 'How will I ever get this 747 off the ground?'" He has confessed that most of the feeling of panic has subsided.
His background in a wide variety of music styles, experience public speaking, recording studios, a lifelong love of radio and years of volunteer work at WDYN made him a likely candidate to assume Mr. Cercio's position on the afternoon broadcast schedule. Mr. Hammett hosts Going Home on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 4:30-6 p.m., and answers the telephone Prayer Line for the Wednesday morning Sonrise program with Earl Freudenberg from 7-9 a.m.
WDYN radio is affiliated with Tennessee Temple University whose format includes Southern Gospel music, news, weather, traffic, feature stories, church services as well as a variety of Christian programming.
The WDYN staff and university officials are excited concerning the pending return to the FM radio band in the very near future. WDYN will broadcast on FM 94.9 when all arrangements are finalized.