For the love of mic: Frankie Day celebrates 15 years on the air

Frank Dittig’s two careers have just one thing in common — they’ve both been jobs he has loved.

And that’s where the similarities end.

Dittig, 79, owned an office supply store in North Versailles for decades before commanding the mic at radio station WKFB-AM, playing oldies tunes for listening ears. While the Hempfield man sold D&D Office Plus in 2013, he’s been playing music from the ’50s, ’60s and ‘70s since 2005 as Frankie Day.

“I just love doing this,” he said. “People can tell by my voice and my heart, I truly love doing this. This is my passion.”

Dittig will celebrate his 15th anniversary Saturday at the North Versailles station with friends and on the airwaves with a special show. He will be live for six hours starting at 2 p.m. with a Saturday edition of The Frankie Day Oldies Show which can be heard on 770 AM and 97.5 FM.

Dittig was plucked from his office supply store by the station owner, a customer who asked him to try out for a job at WKFB. Being a deejay wasn’t anything new for him — Dittig served as such during parties and events in the Lincoln Avenue District in Pittsburgh’s East End while in high school.

He was offered a job soon after the tryout. He continued operating the office supply store until 2013, when it was sold after 44 years under his ownership. Dittig started out deejaying on weekends, but was moved to the morning drive time slot. Now, his voice comes over the airwaves from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

“My phone literally rings all morning,” he said. “Everybody says all the time ‘Frankie, you play the greatest music.’”

He amassed 80,000 songs that listeners call in to request.

“If I don’t have the song, it’s probably not a good one,” he said, laughing.

Over the years, Dittig earned numerous honors, most recently being nominated as a Legend DJ/MC to the East Coast Music Hall of Fame. He regularly serves as emcee, introducing oldies acts around the Pittsburgh area.

Eric O’Brien has worked as a producer at WKFB and its sister stations since 2007. Working with Dittig during that time is a cherished memory, he said.

“(Dittig) is one of the nicest people I have ever come across in my life,” O’Brien said. “He has a big heart. I can tell he loves what he does.”

Dittig is looking forward to spending the afternoon with friends at the station and celebrating his work anniversary. It’s likely there will be more than a few ballads played during his six-hour special show — ballads are his favorites.

“It seems like only yesterday,” he said. “I’ve met so many wonderful people.”