From Autos to Audio
Charlie Warren was as he says, “designing taillights,” in the styling department at Ford Motor
Company, when he decided to pursue a new career, part time at first, at WHFI, Birmingham (now
WCSX-FM) and WAAM, Ann Arbor.
From Middays to Mornings
His first full time gig was as midday personality on WITL, Lansing where, when arriving for work
one day, the music had changed from Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand to Buck Owens and
Kitty Wells. Today WITL is still the country music powerhouse of central Michigan, but with
names like George Strait and Carrie Underwood.
As Morning Personality on WPON, Pontiac (now WDTK), Charlie started his “Society for Silent
Snowmobiles Here” called “SSSH.” (coverage: The Detroit Free Press and Reader’s Digest)
Charlie also made an effort to clean up the Detroit muffler-strewn winter streets, by holding his
“Muffler Name It And Claim It” contest. The winning family collected a pile of 70 rusty mufflers.
(coverage: The Detroit News)
On Stage
Charlie made his first stage appearances, one as Bernard in “Death of A Salesman” at the
University of Detroit Theater, then as King Arthur in “Camelot” in a Pontiac Summer Theater
production.
To see what happened next, pack the car and head for Wichita.
Charlie Warren was as he says, “designing taillights,” in the styling department at Ford Motor
Company, when he decided to pursue a new career, part time at first, at WHFI, Birmingham (now
WCSX-FM) and WAAM, Ann Arbor.
From Middays to Mornings
His first full time gig was as midday personality on WITL, Lansing where, when arriving for work
one day, the music had changed from Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand to Buck Owens and
Kitty Wells. Today WITL is still the country music powerhouse of central Michigan, but with
names like George Strait and Carrie Underwood.
As Morning Personality on WPON, Pontiac (now WDTK), Charlie started his “Society for Silent
Snowmobiles Here” called “SSSH.” (coverage: The Detroit Free Press and Reader’s Digest)
Charlie also made an effort to clean up the Detroit muffler-strewn winter streets, by holding his
“Muffler Name It And Claim It” contest. The winning family collected a pile of 70 rusty mufflers.
(coverage: The Detroit News)
On Stage
Charlie made his first stage appearances, one as Bernard in “Death of A Salesman” at the
University of Detroit Theater, then as King Arthur in “Camelot” in a Pontiac Summer Theater
production.
To see what happened next, pack the car and head for Wichita.
Detroit Area and Lansing, Michigan
Copyright Charlie Warren
Sylvan Lake at sunset
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