Doug Hoerth

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Douglas Edward "Doug" Hoerth (born 1946 somewhere in New Jersey) is a disc jockey and radio personality from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

He had most recently been hosting an afternoon talk show (he had previously hosted mornings) on WPTT-AM after a long stint at the former WTAE-AM. He also was known for one of the East Coast's last doo-wop shows, which aired Sundays from 6PM to 12AM on WPTT's sister station WJAS. While at WPTT, Hoerth did in-depth interviews with such celebrities as Stacey Keach, Sally Struthers, Richard Dawson, Pat Boone, and the late Clayton Moore and Al Lewis.

He abruptly disappeared from WPTT and WJAS the week of Dec. 3, 2007, and all references to him were deleted from the station's website. On Dec. 7, Renda Broadcasting (the owners of WPTT and WJAS) announced that Hoerth's contract, due to expire on Dec. 31, was not being renewed. WPTT has yet to name a replacement.

He moved to Pittsburgh from Florida in 1980 to be host for a 7 p.m. to midnight talk show on the former WWSW-AM. He also was host of a Sunday night oldies show on the FM sister station - the original version of 3WS's "Sunday Night Oldies Diner," which competed against his Sunday Night Oldies Show on WJAS, which is WPTT's sister station.

In two decades, Hoerth has made the rounds of the AM dial: He went on KDKA in 1983, KQV (1410) in 1985 and the former WTAE (1250) in 1987. In 1998, ownership and format changes forced him out at WTAE, and he moved to afternoon drive at WPTT.

Hoerth was born in New Jersey and has been candid on the air talking about his status as a recovering alcoholic. He grew up idolizing New York disc jockeys like B. Mitchell Reed and Dan Ingram. Hoerth always harbored the dream of being in radio, but did not pursue a career. He was in his 30s and a partner in an exterminating business in Florida when he called a talk station during an "ask management" segment. Hoerth boldly stated he could do a better show than some of the station's staffers. Station manager Mike Harvey challenged Hoerth to come in and make good on his boast, billing him as "Rocky Douglas, the million to one shot." Hoerth's on-air audition went well, and he was encouraged to pursue work in radio. He attended a broadcasting school to learn the basics, and then worked for a number of stations in Florida. Harvey brought him to Pittsburgh when WWSW-AM launched a talk format as WTKN.

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