The End Of An Era: Maurice Cohen Now The Former Owner Of WCAP

[Mark Watson]

  WCAP Lowell is now officially in the hands of Clark Smidt & Sam Poulten, 
as they sat down this afternoon with Maurice Cohen to sign the papers to 
consumate the sale of the station. Certainly a bittersweet day for Maurice 
Cohen, as he hands off control of the radio station that he started along 
with his late brother Ike. WCAP signed on the air June 10,1951 and he has 
spent the last 56 years there, assuming full control of the station when Ike 
passed several years ago. Clark Smidt announced the completion of the sale 
at 5:35 this afternoon on the "Afternoon Live" show, even staying around 
till the end of the show at 6 to take calls from listeners, many of them 
suggesting ideas to Clark on what they would like to hear.

   A few changes took place yesterday and earlier today prior to the 
completion of the sale: last night saw the debut of "Beatles & Beyond", with 
liners voiced by Clark, which features oldies from roughly 1955-1969, with 3 
Beatles songs an hour. This will run from 7PM to 5AM, replacing "Music & 
Memories". Also yesterday, new intros to the news and weather started 
running, along with new top of hour ID's, voiced by Dick Summer. There's 
also one that's voiced by Joe MacMillan. There will be more changes coming 
down the road, along with a makeover of the WCAP "Broadcast Museum", as new 
gear will be making it's way up the famed staircase. For now, WCAP's studios 
will continue to be where they've been since 6/10/51.

  I wish Clark & Sam all the best as they take WCAP into a new era and work 
to lure listeners and advertisers back to WCAP. I also congratulate Maurice 
Cohen on a remarkable 56 year run, and despite all the many offers for big 
bucks that were thrown his way over the years, he refused to sell until he 
felt the time was right and to sell to who he felt would continue to keep 
WCAP locally owned and operated like he had done. And Maurice still has an 
office under the new ownership, as was mentioned when the sale was first 
announced in August. He will remain with WCAP in an advisory role, which is 
a fitting tribute to all the years of Maurice & Ike Cohen's dedication to 
locally owned radio.

Mark Watson