Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/205938
"So, where is WATD? We're located in Marshfield!" It's 11AM on a Sunday, and the quiet of the day gives way to the opening bars of Frankie Ford's 1959 hit, "Sea Cruise." So begins another week's broadcast of "Nautical Talk Radio with Captain Lou," one of WATD's most popular shows. Captain Lou has been inviting his listeners aboard with a hearty "Ahoy!" from WATD's studio off Route 139 in Marshfield for over 21 years. Spiritual programs on Sundays give way to special interest and financial programs. By late morning, it's time for that second cup of coffee and an hour of shooting the breeze with Captain Lou. Boaters from Gloucester to Cape Cod tune in from land and water to hear the latest nautical news, scuttlebutt, and guest interviews. While WATD has regular news, sports, weather, and music programming, its eclectic mix of special interest shows offer a range of options for listeners as wide as its coverage area. Whether you choose to have that cup of coffee with Captain Lou, or wake up earlier to talk birds with Ray Brown, or listen to some legal and financial advice, Sunday mornings ease you into the week. On Monday nights, hear local news and issues discussed in depth on Monday Night Talk, and chase that with South Shore Live's mix of lifestyle, food, and music happenings. Common Ground on Wednesday nights is a beacon to those needing help with substance abuse or those in recovery. By Friday night, it's time for The Alternative, a flashback to the days when Kenmore Square's Spit and The Rat were the places to be for live music. The station, found at 95.9 FM and www.959watd.com, is a throwback to a time when radio was local and interactive. Because of the variety of programming, its listeners are of a more modern, much desired demographic. According to their website, almost half of WATD's listeners are between ages 34 and 54; college educated; married with children; with an income over $100,000. Founder and owner Ed Perry has no plans to change what has been the secret to success for 36 years. Long the go-to spot for local news, weather, and traffic, WATD also famously broadcasts local high school football and basketball games. Perry is committed to being the source for information in emergencies too. He and his wife, Carol, first recognized the role WATD could play in an emergency shortly after they went on the air in December 1977. During the Blizzard of '78, the fledgling station stayed on the air for nearly a week, thanks to gasoline-fueled generators. The generators were refilled by on-air personnel who were also busy gathering and broadcasting emergency information to listeners. Perry believes that commitment to the community is even more crucial today. With the increasing amounts of severe storms in the region, he sees WATD as an information lifeline during emergencies. "More and more the area is becoming dependent on us when the power goes out. We become a major communications link—our backup generator lasts a week. We're trying to make this station a resource for the community, not just an entertainment and advertising center." Award-winning news anchor Katherine Perry, daughter of Ed and Carol, was part of that link to the community during last winter's storms. Listeners needing information called in, and the staff provided them with contact information for NationalGrid, NStar, and local emergency personnel. On-air staff read the same information every half hour for those able to tune in. She said, "That was the most astounding thing—we were getting a call every five minutes!" As the next generation of the family at WATD, Katherine confirms the mission—"first and foremost to serve the community." Having grown up in a more "corporate" radio era, Katherine was accustomed to the more homogenized Boston stations. But, she said, this year's storms and Hurricane Irene gave her a new perspective. "The Boston stations didn't realize the entire South Shore was still out and it wasn't covered!" She explains, "I grew up skeptical of it [local radio] because I grew up when everything was getting bigger and bigger. The issues that happen to you on a daily basis aren't covered in major markets. Covering issues that matter to our listeners, even though it means we stay in a smaller league, adds authenticity." Monday Night Talk goes deeper than the news, discussing both sides of those local issues. Hosts Kevin Tocci and Joe Rossi are on the air from 6:15pm to 8pm, and typically will have four featured guests. Tocci describes the show as "kind of a news magazine." Usually there is a roundtable-style discussion, rather than a call-in format. Tocci, WATD's Brockton Correspondent, said he tries to present both sides of an issue and let his listeners then form their own opinion. Tocci and Rossi try to have an elected official on each week, and recently hosted the first Brockton Mayoral Debate. Twice indian summer ~2013 57 87