In celebration of college radio day, Long Beach City College paid tribute to Radio/TV department’s Doug Wood on Monday, Sept.30, 2024 at the FF building of the Trades,Technology and Community Learning Campus (TCC), formerly known as PCC.
Wood recently just passed away in early September of this year and was one of the founding members of LBCC’s radio station who helped instruct and furnish ideas to move the station forward and was a beloved professor and mentor to many students.
The event included live performances by Slushbox, a local Long Beach band, Riley and the Cosmic Cowboys, and Chad Bishop, who were fellow students that attended LBCC and had the Radio/TV department impact their lives.
College Radio day celebrates the impact that college radio stations have on their students, and aims to encourage audience members to tune in and become regular listeners
A big part of LBCC Radio/TV Department was founding member Doug Wood and his wife Judy Baker who hosted “The Doug & Judy Show” which the radio station was owned by Long Beach Community Television and Media Corporation.
Judy Baker made a special surprise appearance at the event to support LBCC’s Radio/ TV program which made everyone very emotional and delighted to have her presence there after her husband’s recent passing.
Long Beach public radio, better known as KLBP was first launched in 2018 and is now a licensed low power FM station broadcasting at 99.1 FM that offers entertainment, education, and discussions for Long Beach.
During the event each artist that performed was interviewed by LBCC student Sean Quinn who is majoring in broadcast journalism.
Each artist had a meaningful memory with LBCC and especially had a special connection with Doug Wood who influenced their future careers and aspirations.
Sharon Giarratano and Mark Wheeler, also known as Slushbox, previously attended LBCC and met in a music production class where their teacher divided the class into different genres that students enjoyed, and the two were the only ones that wanted to do rock n roll which is how it all started.
“I remember Doug in the early days of LBCC, he was just always helpful and he was just a great lover of what he was doing and it just came across to me that it wasn’t only a job for him he loved and enjoyed the Radio/TV department and everything that we had to offer,” Wheeler said.
Riley Hodges was part of the work experience program at his family’s business in Downtown Long Beach called “Shannons Corner,” which is where Doug would bring students to film.
“The special thing about Doug is that he kept everyone together happy and calm and I could literally talk to him about anything,” Hodges said.
Bishop was a former LBCC student in 2010 who was part of the music program, and one day his friend asked him to go to a radio show called “Doug and Judy” to submit his music.
“Doug and Judy were there in the very beginning and they gave me the confidence to continue my music career and play original songs and I felt very accepted,” Bishop said.
The importance of college radio has impacted students with developing their confidence, expressing themselves, and building a sense of community.
LBCC Radio and Television are very thankful for Doug and Judy and will continue to honor their legacy by continuing to build and grow the program to aid students and their passions in the field.