It
wasn't just another holiday. July meant America's annual Independence
Day celebration. It was a very special Fourth of July in 1976 because
the United States celebrated its bicentennial.
In
the weeks leading up to July WDRC distributed thousands of
red, white and blue bumper stickers at McDonald's Restaurants around
Connecticut. Listeners could also pick them up in the studios at
750 Main Street in downtown
Hartford.
Program director Charlie Parker
created a Fourth of July contest involving giveaways of Beatles
and Beach Boys albums.
WDRC production ace Dave Overson produced a special feature
entitled "776: 7 minutes and 76 seconds - 200 Years of America's
History." You'll hear the voices of the 1976 airstaff starting
with Charlie Parker followed by Pete Ross, Jack Morgan, Ed Mitchell,
Mike Taylor, Walt Dibble, ?, Jack Lawrence, Pam Cross and Dick McDonough.

As
always, promotional genius Charlie
Parker dreamed up a series of contests including cash giveaways
for listeners whose cars were spotted with the #1 number stickers.

To
celebrate America's birthday WDRC also promoted a series
of concerts produced by Jim Koplik and Shelley Finkel:
- July
7 - Seals & Crofts with Loggins & Messina at New Haven
Coliseum
- July
11 - Stephen Stills, Neil Young & Poco
- July
14 - Jefferson Starship & Fleetwood Mac at Colts Park in Hartford
- July
16 - Jethro Tull & the J. Geils Band at Colts Park
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