Indiana Broadcast History Archive

Ann Wagner Harper was the first female vocalist on television in Indiana and the first female disc jockey in Indiana. She was a talented vocalist, who hosted several singing shows and television shows. She later became chair of the Radio and TV Department and manager of WAJC at Butler University.

Early Life

Wagner was born in 1924 in Louisville, Kentucky, but grew up in Vincennes, Indiana. She attended high school at Saint Rose Academy in Vincennes, where she took voice lessons for four years. 

After high school, Wagner could not afford to continue her education into college, so she obtained a job as a telephone operator for two years. However, Wagner won a full ride scholarship to the University of Louisville after winning a vocal contest, where she majored in music and worked as a vocalist at WHAS radio in 1944.

Radio

Despite winning a full ride scholarship, Wagner moved back to Vincennes a year later after she decided she wanted to hone in on studying radio. In 1946, she began her career at WAOV, a radio station licensed to Vincennes. At WAOV, she served as a secretary, programmed music and hosted a singing show, “Silver Lining Time.” 

After working at WAOV, Wagner was hired by Indianapolis radio station WIBC, where she sang on “PM Party” with Sid Collins as her announcer. She also hosted her own 15-minute singing show “Annie’s Almanac.” 

Ann Harper Wagner with the Circle B Ranch group for WFBM. Photo Courtesy of In the Public Interest

Television

While working at WIBC, she began working in television at WFBM-6, and soon left WIBC to work for WFBM as an announcer in 1947. Wagner became the first female vocalist on television in Indiana and in 1950, the first female disc jockey in Indiana with her program “Make Mine Music” and the morning show “Party Line.”

Ann Harper Wagner with Ozzie Osborne. Photo courtesy of In the Public Interest

"Radio had been fascinating, but television was absolutely captivating."

Ann Harper Wagner

Returning to education

Wagner decided to “quit while she was ahead” and retired from radio and television to go back to school. She graduated from Butler University in 1963 and completed her Masters in 1968, while teaching speech and coaching debate teams at Lawrence Central High School.  

"My philosophy was always 'Leave at the right time. Quit while you're ahead. Retire a champ. Don't be a has-been in show business."

Ann Harper Wagner

WAJC

At the same time, Wagner worked with broadcaster Jim Phillippe at Butler. Phillippe reached out to Wagner in 1968, asking her for help with the radio and television department. Phillippe retired in 1987 and Wagner took over as the Chair of the Radio and Television Department and managed the university’s radio station, WAJC, until 1988.

WAJC was the only completely student-operated station at the time. The students ran everything, from the on-air staff to the program directors. Many students that worked at WAJC led successful broadcast careers. 

At Butler, Wagner taught the students about announcing and radio production and created two courses, "Broadcast Law" and "Music in Broadcasting." She encouraged her students to always be prepared and emphasized the importance of a good first impression.

Photo Courtesy of Ann Harper Wagner

Legacy

"I just feel that I have been just about the most fortunate person there ever was in my careers."

Ann Harper Wagner

In 1985, she was inducted into the Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Wagner died October 13, 2016, at the age of 92.

March 2025

By Lily Saylor