Charlie Apple

Charlie "C.A." Apple (born 1941 - Penn Hills, Pennsylvania) is a veteran R&B and oldies radio disc jockey from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Apple began broadcasting at WPSL 1510 AM in Monroeville, Pennsylvania in 1966, and his career has seen stops at mostly small AM and FM stations in the Pittsburgh area. Along the way, he has amassed a cult following of fans who refer to themselves collectively as The Apple Corps.

Heavily influenced by fellow Pittsburgh DJ Porky Chedwick, Apple's announcing style often utilizes speaking in rhyme and makes extensive use of reverb. Like Chedwick, Apple's show specializes in what he has coined "Pittsburgh Oldies" or simply "sounds" from his own record collection - songs originally popular on a local basis, but largely unknown outside the area. The format includes blues, doo wop, garage bands, and novelty records frequently - though not always - by groups from the Pittsburgh area.

The trio of Apple, Chedwick, and Mike Metrovich are seen as founders of this peculiar Pittsburgh radio subculture which has endured continuously "under the radar" since the 1950s. Through them, several other DJ's have been inspired to host shows of "Pittsburgh Oldies" on area radio stations.

Charlie is well respected by the students he taught at St. Edmund's Academy in Squirrel Hill. Always challenging his students to think and act, of which he has a formal pupil budding Broadway star Christian Borle. For several years Charlie was a home room teacher who inspired his classes through 50's movie, The Body Snatchers etc., music, and free thought. A family man and a teacher Charlie also found time to be the Head Chaplain at the small Episcopal grade school.

See also:
* Porky Chedwick
* Mad Mike Metro
* The Apple Corps
* Pittsburgh City Paper article about Charlie Apple

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