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History of The Big Band Broadcast

Hosted by Big Band Hall of Fame Inductee Chris Valenti, The Big Band Broadcast is the only Big Band radio show broadcast internationally whose format is 100% listener request. Recent broadcasts are temporarily archived here at WYYR.com 

First aired on New York's 1240AM WGBB in 1979, Chris entitled it Blast From the Past. The show originally featured both Big Band and early Rock & Roll, but lasted just a few years.

But later with a different name and a new format, it came back to 1240AM WGBB and made itself a staple for many years on both AM and FM dials including WBAU & WHPC both on FM... but soley as a Big Band program!

Dedicated listeners from New York's five bouroughs including Westchester County, CT & NJ called in weekly with their requests.

The Big Band Broadcast, started by its host Chris Valenti, and its approach of taking a constant barrage of listener requests was nothing new to radio. This was a common format fifty and sixty years ago.

But as usual with new technology, some of the things we've always enjoyed seem to disappear; including the 'All Request' radio program making it a thing of the past.

And as far as an 'All Request' Big Band radio program goes... there were none. It was over.

Hence, The Big Band Broadcast.

Because of the programs uniqueness and Chris' efforts to keep this great American popular music alive, ten years after its inception on February 9, 2002 Chris was bestowed the honor of being inducted into The Big Band Hall of Fame.

Also inducted that same day were legendary radio personalities Dick Robinson and posthumously the late Vic Knight.

Chris left traditional radio in 2006 in hopes of bringing The Big Band Broadcast to the rest of the world by broadcasting internationally on the internet.

It is now heard live Saturday nights on WYYR.com worldwide.

The station now receives countless requests from all over the world bringing the show to a whole new level while also introducing its music to a new generation. Our main objective for keeping it alive.

Please visit our Make a Request page to make your Big Band request and become a part of the show.

Listening to The Big Band Broadcast