The Pioneers of Top 40
Rock 'n" Roll Radio
Jack Gale
Jack's Radio Bio
"Whether you have your teeth or not, keep smiling!" That's one of hundreds of lines from Jack Gale. The Baltimore native has worked in all facets of radio and records. He's been successful in all of them. Jack's radio career 
began in 1944 at WBTM in Danville, Virginia. Gale paid his dues at stations in Cumberland & Salisbury Maryland, Petersburg Virginia, and some short stints at WCBM and WSID in Baltimore. Late in 1951 while in Cumberland Jack answered an ad for an opening at WSRS in Cleveland. He began to make his presence known there with his unique brand of "straight man" comedy and outrageous stunts. While in Cleveland, Gale made his first foray into the record industry, founding the Triple-A label. In 1955 Gale went to WTMA in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition to his on-air duties, he owned a record store and promoted concerts at Folly Beach Pier.
In September, 1957 Jack realized his dream. He was hired at WITH in 
Baltimore at the then huge sum of $20,000 a year. Gale maintained #1 ratings throughout the 50s and into the 60s. In 1962 he left WITH to work mornings at rival WWIN. Gale also met a young man he would manage and for a time, be guardian to. His name was Johnny Cymbal. Gale had a hand in Cymbal's Top 10 US hit of "Mr. Bass Man" in 1963. In the fall of '63 Jack took a gig at WMEX in Boston. In 1965 Gale received a call from former 'MEX co-worker Stan Kaplan who along with his wife had just purchased 61 WAYS in Charlotte. Gale became the morning man, PD, and part owner of WAYS. For the next 5 years WAYS was a phenomenal station. Innovative contests and promotions along with talented jocks made WAYS one of Top 40's all-time great radio stations. In 1970 Jack left WAYS only to be named "Disc Jockey of the Year' by Billboard Magazine. When he accepted the award at ceremonies in New York he alluded to the fact that he was the first unemployed DJ to win such an award.
Throughout the 1970s Jack and his wife Lovey owned and operated radio stations in Pizmo Beach California, and Fredericktown Missouri. After stops in jacksonville Florida (managing SPDQ) and Norfolk Virginia (WHNE), Jack tood a break from radio to launch Playback Records. With a catalog featruing music by recording legends like Frankie Laine, Willie Nelson, and Billie Jo Spears, Playback became the nations's #1 independent record label. By the mid '90s Jack was looking for a chance to do radio one more time. In 1996 he attended the 55th anniversary rreunion of WITH radio in Baltimore. Several months later, he sold Playback Records and returned (36 years later) to host the AM drive slot at WITH. One of the first comments on his first show was, "I'd like to thank WITH for keeping things together while I've been away". The station was sold shortly thereafter and changed format.
Now:
Today Jack and his wife make their home in Dothan, Alabama. Is Jack retired? NO! His voice is heard in virtually every state in the union on radio and TV commercials which he records from his home studio. With more than 50 years in broadcasting, Jack can now be heard in a collection of 35 one hour shows in the archive sectin on Ultimate Oldies Radio. Jack has written a fascinating book about his years in radio, entitled "Same Time, Same Station". To purchase the book email him at info@jackgaleradio.info, or visit Jack's website, www.jackgaleradio.info.
If that's not enough, late in 2006 Jack Gale bought his own radio station in Dothan Alabama, WEEL "The Big Wheel" or "Oldies 700". The station signed on the air at 5:45 am on Thursday March 1, 2007. Jack put a great sound on the air that was well received by many...and then sold the station in late 2007 after adding an FM an today maintains both his voiceover business and personal website.
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