US Radio Trivia

1. The oldest continuous radio station in the United States, 9XM (later WHA) got its start at which university campus?

From Quiz Wisconsin, Pioneer in Radio

Answer: University of Wisconsin - Madison

Members of the University of Wisconsin Physics Department were experimenting with radio waves in the first decade of the 20th century. By 1915, they had helped create 9XM, the first radio station in Wisconsin - 9 was the north central region, X was for experimental and M was Madison. The station remained operational during World War I, when most other stations were off the air. The station acquired the call sign WHA in 1922 and remains broadcasting after a century. It broadcasts on 970 AM from a radio tower at the UW arboretum.

From Quiz Casey Kasem's "American Top 40"

Answer: July 4, 1970

The Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" radio show debuted nationally on the weekend of July 4, 1970. The first single played on the show was "The End of Our Road" by Marvin Gaye. The number one single on the episode was "Mama Told Me Not to Come" by Three Dog Night. It was also the last episode to feature the Beatles and Elvis Presley simultaneously having singles in the top ten.

From Quiz Radio Stations

Answer: World's Largest Store

The Radio Station's original license was filed by Sears and Roebuck who used the call letters as a bit of self-promotion. In those days, they really were the World's Largest Store.

From Quiz You're Listening to NPR, National Public Radio

Answer: a producer and content-provider or distributor for public radio stations

Note that 'National Public Radio' is a proper noun, the name of an organization that often goes by its initials NPR. Some people use NPR to mean public radio in the USA as whole, but this is incorrect. Unlike commercial network affiliates who are provided content in exchange for giving up commercial airtime at particular times of day, public radio stations purchase or subscribe to programs from NPR. Other content-providers for US public radio include American Public Media, Pacifica Radio, and Public Radio International. Radio stations are free to mix and match programs from various providers. NPR also manages (but does not own) the Public Radio Satellite System, the hardware which allows radio stations to receive programming from NPR and all the other content-providers.

From Quiz "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!"

Answer: Chicago, Illinois

"... at the Chase Bank Auditorium in downtown Chicago, here is your host ..." are among Carl Kasell's usual opening words. When "Wait Wait" came to my hometown of Salt Lake City, they entertained the locals at the University of Utah's Kingsbury Hall. Overall, it was an exhilarating, hysterically funny, and memorable experience. For anyone who enjoys the program and has the chance, I highly recommend going to a performance.

From Quiz "Free Beer and Hot Wings" in the Morning!

Answer: Producer Steve, Eric Zane, and Producer Joe

Although it it often suggested he should be called 'bleu cheese' or 'ranch dressing', Eric Zane joined the show after they say the 'dumb food names had been given out'. Producer Joe began as an intern, proving himself worthy to be Producer. Steve joined as an assistant to Joe in early 2009.

From Quiz More Old Radio Mysteries

Answer: "The Inner Sanctum."

"Inner sanctum Mysteries" was broadcast from January, 1941 to October, 1952 and produced over five hundred programs. The radio series spawned both a syndicated television series in 1954 and a series of "B" films in the 1940's.

From Quiz Car Talk

Answer: Tom and Ray

Tom and Ray Magliozzi are the mechanics responsible for the weekly radio show and newspaper column. They are both graduates of MIT and former teachers.

From Quiz "The Howard Stern Show", Last 5 Years

Answer: Richard & Sal

Great, hilarious clip of the two fake making-out, and lifting each other's shirts. Even the reporters gave it a laugh. All this while the poor employees left the building in shame.

From Quiz Old Radio Westerns

Answer: Victor

"The Lone Ranger" aired for over almost 3000 radio episodes beginning in January, 1933 and ending, on radio, in September, 1954. Dan Reid appeared in several later episodes of the series. His horse, Victor, was said to be a colt from the Lone Ranger's horse, Silver. There is some debate among "Ranger" fans about the name "Dan Reid." Some feel that this was the Lone Ranger's real name rather than his nephew's.

From Quiz Old Radio Mysteries

Answer: The Black Beauty.

"The Green Hornet" originated as a radio drama in the 1930, and subsequently expanded to movie serials, comic books, and a television series in the 1960s. Britt Reid, aka the Green Hornet, was the grand-nephew of the Lone Ranger. Both programs were created and developed by Fran Striker and George W. Trendle. Originally to be called just "The Hornet", "Green" was added because green colored hornets were considered to be the angriest.

From Quiz "A Prairie Home Companion"

Answer: Tishmingo Blues

"Tishomingo Blues" was written in 1917, with a story of Mississippi life. However, when it is heard on "A Prairie Home Companion", the lyrics are different, as the show is based in Minnesota.

From Quiz Dragnet-Joe Friday

Answer: Ben Romero

Ben Romero, played by Burton Yarborough, was Joe's partner for around a hundred shows, until Yarborough died suddenly of a heart attack. The next show was dedicated to Burton, and his character, Ben, died of a heart attack in that show, rather than be replaced by another actor. Joe was with Ed for a few shows, then put in a request for a new partner; Ben's nephew. His nephew didn't stay for very many shows and Frank was introduced, and became Joe's longest-running partner.

From Quiz Were You Listening?

Answer: WHAK NOW

Michael Feldman's weekly show, "Whad'Ya Know" is produced in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Monona Terrace. Michael also takes his show on the road throughout the country, so if he comes to a town near you, don't miss the opportunity to be part of a public radio classic.

From Quiz Radio Talk Shows

Answer: Laura Ingraham

The book, published in 2003, is Laura Ingraham's take on the "elite" in America.

From Quiz Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion"

Answer: Lake Wobegon

This is a small fictitious town of mostly Lutherans. He brings the news from Lake Wobegon every week in his monologue, usually near the end of the show.

From Quiz "Rick and Bubba" Part 2

Answer: "He ain't never been nowhere!"

Actually, it's Wanda's husband who is in the pen. That's why her boyfriend Willie is going on the trip with her.

From Quiz "Rick and Bubba" Part 1

Answer: Birmingham, Alabama

The show is broadcast from studios high atop Red Mountain in Birmingham.

From Quiz "The First Baseball Game"

Answer: Dan St. Paul

Paul Gilmartin performed the skit known as "Sister Joan", Joel Lindley performed "Trucker Clock", and "Wild Bill" Bauer performs "Uncle Arnie Plays Russian Roulette".

From Quiz Mark and Brian Radio Program

Answer: Birmingham

They hadn't met before they were teamed by the Program Director there. They left Birmingham in September 1987.

From Quiz Car Talk

Answer: Banjo country bluegrass music

I don't know why they have banjo music for their theme song.

From Quiz KTCK The Ticket

Answer: SMU Mustangs

Jub Jub does play by play for the Arena League Desperados and the Eagles. He is also the voice of Texas Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys.

From Quiz Lake Wobegon

Answer: Gateway to Central Minnesota

Lake Wobegon is located 'on the edge of the prairie'.

From Quiz Wisconsin, Pioneer in Radio

Answer: Stevens Point

WWSP in Stevens Point hosts what it bills as "The World's Largest Trivia Contest" every April. It attracts dozens of teams with hundreds of people for the 54 hour spectacle. The event has even inspired a film, "Triviatown" (2006). Appleton is also host to a major trivia event at Lawrence University, the Great Midwest Trivia Contest, which is held annually in January. The Lawrence competition actually began before Stevens Point, in 1966. The contest was held on WLFM radio until 2006.

From Quiz On The Monitor Beacon

Answer: A mixture of telephone switching tones

AT&T provided NBC with recordings of the tones sent by the phone company's equipment to complete long distance calls. The network's engineers filtered the tones and added the sound of an audio oscillator sounding the Morse Code "M" (for "Monitor"). The sound was immediately identifiable and unforgettable. It remained the program's signature for its entire twenty year run.

From Quiz Casey Kasem's "American Top 40"

Answer: Billboard

The Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" radio show counted down the top forty songs from the "Billboard" magazine's United States Hot 100 singles chart. These songs were considered the forty most popular songs by radio airplay and record sales.

From Quiz Radio Stations

Answer: Alliance, NE

KCOW is the AM Station of Alliance, NE.

From Quiz You're Listening to NPR, National Public Radio

Answer: Congress passed a law

NPR owes its existence to the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, which declares: "it is in the public interest to encourage the growth and development of public radio and television broadcasting, including the use of such media for instructional, educational, and cultural purposes". The Act advocates programming "responsive to the interests of people both in particular localities and throughout the United States" and "that involves creative risks and that addresses the needs of unserved and underserved audiences, particularly children and minorities". NPR began in 1970 primarily as a national news service, and then in the 1980s expanded to public affairs, talk, and entertainment.

From Quiz "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!"

Answer: Peter Sagal

"Wait Wait" listeners will instantly recognize Peter's voice. As a good host should, Peter skillfully and humorously interacts with callers, referees the sometimes rowdy panel, and of course, reads and comments on the program's questions and answers. The other names given as possible answers are all prominent people in the arena of public radio.

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Last Updated Jan 17 2026 5:46 AM

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