Ted Heusel

A career begins

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Ted: The Early Years
High School and College
A career begins
The School Board Years
Saline Mill & Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
Family Man
A Radio Legend
Ted Heusel Day
Memories of Ted

Ted hits the airwaves!

Ted Heusel began his broadcasting career working part time at 1050-AM WPAG while he was in graduate school.  He also spent time as a disc jockey on AM 1290 WOIA.  In 1956, Ted became what was very likely the first radio-call-in talk show host in the world.  Ted was on the air at WOIA and decided to open up the phones and have listeners call to discuss an upcoming area election. 
In a 1987 article in the Ann Arbor Observer, Ted described the moment, saying, "I was running records one day and I decided, what the hell, let's start talking."
 

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A dapper young Ted

In addition to creating the radio talk show, and "open-lines" format where callers are not screened before going on the air, Ted Heusel was also the first radio broadcaster in Ann Arbor to give listeners daily police reports from the police station.  He was also the first to provide election night radio broadcasts from City Hall, The Couny Building, and schools during their elections.  Another accomplishment of note; Ted provided thousands of needy children with TEDDY bears over the years, thanks to his on-air solicitations during the holiday season.

In a 1995 Ann Arbor News article, the late Steve Filipiak said, "People trust Ted Heusel."  Filipiak added, that's what sets Ted apart from talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh, and Howard Stern.  Filipiak said Heusel is "homespun, and people admire his work wether in the Ann Arbor Civic Theater, or as a radio host.  He's a different breed."  Steve Filipiak was a long time friend, colleague, and mentor to Ted Heusel.  

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Ted with Lucy Dobson and Steve Filipiak

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Ted talks with young Mark O'Reilly in 1967

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Ted and two of his children on a remote broadcast.