Harford County (March 28, 2005) -- Broadcasting legend and baseball Hall of Famer Chuck Thompson died March 6 after suffering a massive stroke at his home in Baltimore County. Thompson, who was 83, was the play-by-play voice of the Baltimore Orioles and Colts for decades, and was one of the most beloved broadcasters in local history. He came to Baltimore more than fifty years ago to broadcast the then-International League Orioles over WITH-AM. In the afternoons, he did a jazz music show for the station. Except for brief periods when he worked for NBC and the old Washington Senators, Thompson maintained a constant presence on Baltimore airwaves into the 21st century. Slowed in recent years by health issues, Chuck continued to voice radio commercials and make appearances at local events. He penned his autobiography, "Ain't The Beer Cold," about ten years ago. At the risk of sounding clichéd, the passing of Chuck Thompson truly represents the end of an era, and he will be greatly missed.

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Most of the furor over the format change at WHFS-FM has disappeared, now that the station has been "resurrected," sort of, on another frequency. The old alternative rocker, which had long been at 99.1, suddenly and without notice became Spanish WLZL-FM on January 12. The format change received national attention, and owner Infinity Broadcasting scrambled to save face. They quickly did so by changing their unpopular "hot talk" outlet WXYV-FM (105.7) to WHFS, and moving most of the 'HFS staff and music up the dial to the Baltimore station. Meanwhile, "El Zol," as WLZL-FM 99.1 has been dubbed, has enjoyed early success among the DC-area's Latinos, who represent about ten percent of the population.

Well now, for all you fans of "Uncle Allie," your prayers have been answered. Former WBAL-AM left winger Allan Prell has a new home in the Pacific Northwest. Prell can now be heard on KIRO-AM in Seattle. KIRO's website claims that Prell "hosted a number-one-rated show for 17 years on WBAL Baltimore." That's a stretch, but Prell did have his fans for sure, as well as his detractors. If you're as old as me, you might remember Allan Prell during his brief run as morning dj on the old WLPL-FM about 35 years ago. You can catch the new Allan Prell Show on the Internet by surfing to www.kiro710.com, weekdays between 9:00 am and noon Pacific - that's 6-9:00 am here.

Sportscaster Art Sinclair is in the news, and probably wishes he wasn't. The 61-year-old was charged recently with sexual assault on a minor. Sinclair, who's real name is Arthur Lapenotiere, is also recovering from quadruple heart bypass surgery performed in January. The alleged event occurred last November. Sinclair had been doing Baltimore Blast soccer broadcasts for WCBM-AM (680).

Another WCBMer, Les Kinsolving, has returned to the air following heart surgery. One of the area's more colorful talk show hosts, Kinsolving, a former syndicated columnist, came to Baltimore more than 20 years ago, working first for the old WFBR. Many of us will never forget seeing Les in his red WFBR sport coat being bodily tossed off the set of Morton Downey's old television show. Doubtful Les will either.

Up on Television Hill, WBAL-TV (11) has added Kate Amara as a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor. Amara comes from a station in New Hampshire. I happened to be watching her first day on the air and thought, "DECAF!" She was so hyper it looked like co-anchor Lisa Robinson was going to die. Kate has since toned it down a bit, so perhaps it was just the first-day jitters. Meanwhile, over at WBFF-TV (45), Patrice Harris has taken over as co-host of that station's morning news program. Harris replaces Jennifer DesMarais, who is now with WNAC-TV in Providence, RI.

Have a question or comment? Email me at gwhelton@yahoo.com.

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