Attention New York Radio Fans!
Apple Bites is a New York based radio newsletter published monthly by editor Vince Santarelli. Regular visitors of this website know of Vince. He's the guy who has all the statistics and "forgotten facts" about New York City radio.
As you will see from this sample issue of the newsletter, Apple Bites leaves no stone unturned when it comes to publishing news about the New York radio scene. Stories, insights, historical tid bits and interviews with New York's biggest radio stars are what subscribers receive every month.
This is a great newsletter to receive if you have an interest in New York City radio, past or present.
But, don't take my word for it... read through this sample issue! I offered to post it for Vince on this website because I thought that fans of New York City radio would be interested. We got such a huge response to the "Jim Kerr" interview that was recently posted that I thought our regular website visitors would want to know more about Apple Bites.
If you would like to receive it monthly, there is a subscription form at the end which you can mail in. Subscriptions are $25.00 for one year, or $40.00 for two years.
I subscribe and I recommend it highly!
Hey, it was worth it in this month's issue alone just to find out when Chuck Leonard's birthday is (see the "Birthdays" section)!
Allan Sniffen
Vince has offered to send another free issue of Apple Bites to visitors of this website! Just e mail your "snail mail" (regular post office) address to:
APPLE BITES
VOL. 3 - NO. 10 MARCH, 1998
WBLS SHORING UP
In an effort to restore WBLS to its former glory, PD Lee Michaels has gone into his past for a new morning man. Nationally syndicated Doug Banks who worked for Michaels at Chicago's WGCI back in the 80's has taken over the reins. There's a catch, though. Banks' show, which is currently an afternoon show syndicated by ABC Radio, will move to mornings, but still be syndicated. Reportedly, Michaels worked a deal with the ABC folks to move the show to mornings to accomodate BLS. Banks will still originate his show from the ABC studios in Dallas, Texas, but the promise is that it will sound local here in New York. To further localize the show, Michaels has said that Banks will broadcast from the BLS studios several times a month, and Michaels will make personal appearances on behalf of the station. Banks officially took over the show on February 16th and celebrated by broadcasting a 24-hour marathon morning show starting at 6 AM on Friday, February 20th. Michaels would not comment on the future of former morning host Sergio Dean or any other WBLS personality except to say that "there will be adjustments."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember Wendy Williams? Well she finally settled her contract dispute with Emmis Broadcasting and Hot 97 and has recently been heard filling in on the morning show at Power 99 FM in Philadelphia. Wendy says that she may do some weekend work in Philly while waiting to return to New York radio. Original speculation was that Williams would ride out her six-month non-compete clause and end up at WBLS. The hiring of Doug Banks at BLS might indicate that Inner City Broadcasting is serious about the restoration of WBLS. If this is true, having Williams in the afternoon drive slot would be the perfect one-two punch needed to make some noise in the R&B field again. Stay tuned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot on the heals of their best ratings showing ever, Mega 97.9 was struck by a tragedy of major proportions. Junior Hernandez, one-half of one of the most successful morning teams in New York radio, died of an apparent heart attack on February 4. He was 34. Hernandez collapsed outside the studios of Mega 97.7 (WSKQ), where he and partner Luis Jiminez teamed to host the second-most popular morning drive show in the city, eclipsing all but Howard Stern in the slot in the Fall, 1997 ARB's. Paramedics rushed Hernandez to St. Clare's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Hernandez began his radio career at WKAQ in his native Puerto Rico, hosting the country's top-rated morning show there. He moved to New York in 1985 where he worked for WADO. He moved to Mega in 1993 where he was host of the mid-morning shift. Following a brief stint in Miami, Hernandez returned to Mega in 1994 where he took over the morning show. Fellow workers expressed shock and disbelief about Hernandez's death, including afternoon host Paco who announced the news on the air. Listeners stood in line at the station to sign a book in memory of the fallen disc jockey. You can check out Mega 97.7's tribute to Junior Hernandez at their web site at www.lamega.com/airstaff/junior.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major League kudos to Z100 who recently picked up two awards at the Gavin Awards Ceremony, held in conjunction with the Gavin Convention in San Diego. Z100 was honored as Station of the Year in the Top 40/ Contemporary Hits category for major market stations. Z100 programmer Tom Poleman was named Program Director of the Year in the same format category. Also winning in the "Rap - Mixshow Personality" category was Kool DJ Red Alert of Hot 97. Steve Williams PD of CD101.9 was named PD/OM of the Year in the "Smooth Jazz & Vocals" category. In the "Urban" category, former WBLS MD Helen Little was honored as Major Market PD/OM for her work at Philadelphia's WUSL.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KISS has finally replaced Toya Beasley as music director. Wayne Mayo, who is the producer of Isaac Hayes and Friends, takes over the MD position. Early word is that Mayo will also continue on in his morning show duties. Beasley, of course, took over the PD job at KISS a year ago when Vinnie Brown stepped down.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starting March 2nd, Alan Colmes, who was last heard in New York signing off WNBC and then for a year on WMCA, will return to the New York airwaves as he takes over the 11 PM - 2 AM slot on WEVD. The move indicates that WEVD is ready to challenge for a share of the talk radio field. With Bill Mazer firmly established in the morning show and Jay Diamond recently taking over a regular afternoon shift, the addition of Colmes gives the station more of a presence in talk radio than they've had recently. Remember, of course, that EVD is also the backup station for Knicks basketball and Rangers hockey. Also remember that recent reports have MSG possibly looking to start a new sports station when the Knicks and Rangers contract is up with WFAN after next season. If MSG is looking to buy, and we're looking to sell, let's start upping the value of our station now. This could be interesting. Colmes has a web site: www.alan.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Z-100 late night host Lukas, has left the station heading for a morning gig at KDRE in Little Rock, Ark. Z100 is looking for a replacement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classic rocker Q-104 (no longer Q-104.3) has a new afternoon host. He's Mark Parenteau, a twenty-year veteran from Boston's WBCN. He takes over the 2 to 7 p.m. time slot, shifting Marc Coppola back to the 7-to-midnight shift. Parenteau was a mainstay on WBCN during the "golden age of album rock", but was dismissed last November. He was offered a weekend position at all-talk WRKO in Boston, but he preferred to work within the rock format. Welcome him to New York, Boston's loss is definitely our gain!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Danny Bonaduce, who officially started as the new morning host on Big 105 two weeks earlier than originally planned, held auditions for positions on his new morning show. The "Big Break" was held at Caroline's Comedy Universe on Broadway. Listeners started lining up for the chance to team with Bonaduce the afternoon before. The auditions, which were originally scheduled for 7 to 10 a.m., went past the end time in order to accomodate all of the hopefuls. The ususal Clinton jokes and impersonations were heard as well as hundreds of newscasts, weather breaks and traffic reports. Although some of the folks displayed genuine talent, the early betting has the slots on Bonaduce's show going to pros after all. The event, however, did provide some nice promotion for the new morning show. While Bonaduce's on-air partner has yet to be found, Big 105 is filling out the roster for the show's behind-the-scenes staff. Stacy Horton, formerly the broadcast coordinator at Universal Studios, has signed on as morning show producer. Wendy Lowy has also joined the new team as Bonaduce's executive producer. Lowy had been a producer and talent-booker for the Sally Jesse Raphael television program. Also at Big 105, Russ Egan has been named music director. Big 105 is still awaiting approval to change their call letters from WNSR to WBIX.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WKTU has rewarded the efforts of PD Frankie Blue, who guided the station from nowhere to a perennial top contender Blue, who started his New York career as music director at Z-100 in 1983, was given a two-year contract extension by Chancellor Media. He has been at the helm of the dance-music station since its debut in February of 1996 and has been responsible for the station's major promotions, including the "Last Dance at Studio 54" and, most recently, the 20th anniversary celebration of "Saturday Night Fever."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WWRL, who last year dropped their gospel format in favor of classic R&B, has announced a new deejay lineup. On Monday, February 2nd, Chrystal Holmes joined the small minority of female morning radio hosts as she took over the station's morning show. Program Director Bob Law, who had been hosting the syndicated "Night Talk" program, moves into the mid-day slot. Jerry D. is new to the afternoon slot and market veteran Vaughn Harper continues hosting the 6 to 10 p.m. show. Night Talk continues in its 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. slot, but is now hosted by former assistant Ron Daniels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CD 101.9 PD Steve Williams leaves for the same position at smooth jazz station KSSJ in Sacramento, Cal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mel Phillips, who most recently has been working in radio syndication, has joined WCBS FM as a programming assistant. Phillips is reunited with PD Joe McCoy, who worked for Phillips when Phillips was PD at WXLO IN 1972 and again at WNBC in 1976 (see the APPLE BITES PAGE OR SO WITH MEL PHILLIPS in our December, 1997 issue.) McCoy says it's great to have Mel on board and "I'm glad I didn't have to convince him too much to take the job!" Phillips' job will involve researching the weekend countdown shows and other specials. He says, "it's great to be back in radio and this is such a wonderful place to work. It's nice to be around such great people."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the tradition of WYNY, Y-107 revived the radiothon for St. Jude's Children's Hospital over Valentine's weekend. Just as YNY used to do, Y-107 did a live broadcast from the Woodbridge Center Mall in Woodbridge, NJ. And, of course, the country music community pitched in just as they used to with YNY. There were appearances by Bryan White and Chely Wright. A number of country artists called in with their support. When all was said and done, the station tallied $426,000 for St. Jude's. Nice job once again, brought to you by that damn format that just won't work in New York!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Malzberg who has been doing the Saturday overnight shift on WABC has now taken over the Sunday overnight shift being vacated by Curtis Sliwa. PD Phil Boyce says that the decision to hand the shift over to Malzberg was made because Malzberg did so well in his Saturday shift, tripling the ratings of the syndicated shows that WABC used to run.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's great to hear that Rocky Allen is hoping to be back doing the "Showgram" on WPLJ soon. Rocky reports that the therapy on his back is coming along nicely. He's now able to get around on crutches and using a cane, although for long trips he still has to use the wheelchair. Rocky hopes to return in several weeks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gossip columnist Liz Smith is calling it "Great Expectations!" Reportedly, WFAN morning man Don Imus and his wife Deidre are expecting a baby. Deidre is, reportedly, four months along now and doing very well. Big time congrats to the I-Man and Deidre.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WABC's Sean Hannity has done a fine job of filling in the afternoon time slot, but one very entertaining parts of his show is when he "trashes the lines." Listeners are given five seconds apiece to say whatever's on their minds. Supposedly, none of the calls are pre-screened and the results can be very, how should we say this, spontaneous.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once again this year, Cousin Brucie will host the Variety Children's Telethon. This year's telethon will take place on Sunday, March 29th from 10 AM - 3 PM. Ernie Anastos of channel 9 will co-host. Check your local cable guide for the channel in your area and please, if you watch, call them and make a contribution. All of the other CBS FM deejays will make appearances throughout the afternoon to help Bruce raise money for this very worthy cause.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEARD HERE AND THERE
Carol Ford, most recently afternoon drive host at KISS, is now hosting a weekend show at Z-100 and sounding as good as she ever did. Holly Levis, who last did mid-days at WBLS, is now hosting weekends at WQEW. Holly sounds good no matter what she's doing and she's a definite asset wherever she works! Pat McKay, who for six years hosted a weekend Reggae show at WBLS, is now doing weekend overnights at KISS. Earl Boston has moved from weekends at CD 101.9 to weekends at WBLS. Jeff Spurgeon, the last host of the Mix 105 morning show is now doing mid-day news at WQEW. Steve Powers, a great newscaster of WMCA and Channel 5 TV fame is now doing afternoon news at WQEW.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Rock is being inducted into the WSOU Hall of Fame. Rock, who started his radio career at the Seton Hall station in 1965, will be inducted, along with two others, at ceremonies on Saturday, March 14th. 1998 marks the 50th anniversary of Seton Hall University's WSOU. It also marks the completion of a brand new Million dollar facility. Reportedly, it's better than most medium market radio facilities. Rock commented on his induction, " What makes this exciting to me, among other reasons, is that I am one of a handful of people who started in New York area college radio on the air, and over thirty years later I am still performing on air, but today it's to the world seven days a week. Although to most people it's kind of a snore, the cosmic significance of still "doing it after all these years" and still loving it just as much, gives me a great feeling of accomplishment." Y-107's Ray Rossi will introduce Rock as well as give his bio at the ceremonies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following "help wanted" ad was recently spotted In the New York Times: "Shock Jock Wanted! Internet Radio. Manhattan-based entertainment co is launching the most outrageous 24hr network; if you think you can make 'Stern blush' & have at least 3 yrs broadcast exp, send resume & tape to: WWMG, 162 E. 64th St, NY, NY 10021. Attn: C. Farello. EOE."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WOGL is the CBS-owned FM station in Philadelphia and they, like WCBS FM, are an oldies station. They also have a Top 500 of All Time list. Here, for your information, is their "Top 10 of All Time": 1. My Girl - The Temptations 1965; 2. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers 1965; 3. In The Still Of The Night - The Five Satins 1956; 4. I Can't Help Myself - The Four Tops 1965; 5. Under The Boardwalk - The Drifters 1964; 6. Runaround Sue - Dion 1961; 7. The Twist - Chubby Checker 1960; 8. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me - Mel Carter 1965; 9. Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley 1956; 10. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley 1957.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS FM PD Joe McCoy tells us that there will definitely be a Rock & Roll Radio Greats Reunion this year. "It will be in June, but I can't say exactly when just yet," McCoy tells APPLE BITES. "There will be some other surprises to go along with the reunion." McCoy assures us that Ron Lundy will be back for the first time since his retirement. "I spoke with Ron recently," McCoy said, "and he's very happy in his retirement. He does miss the people that he worked with and , of course, his listeners."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Some slogans used back in the 20's and 30's: WEAF (now WFAN) - "The Voice of the millions." WHN (now WEVD) - "The Voice of the Great White Way." WMCA - "Where the White Way begins." WOR - "One of America's great stores."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORE FROM THE ARCHIVES
The call letters WMCA reportedly come from the old Hotel McAlpin. When WMCA first began broadcasting back in 1925, they're frequency was 880. The station located at 570 back then was WNYC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HE WHO LAUGHS LAST....
Dan Taylor, who was out of a job when Mix 105 became The Buzz, recently got the last laugh. While counting down the top 20 of February 14, 1958 on CBS FM, Dan played the song "Buzz, Buzz, Buzz" by the Hollywood Flames. He introed the song by saying, "here's that magic word that will go down in radio history in New York as poverty!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BIA which annually presents the top radio billers has once again proclaimed WFAN the king of the advertising-money mountain. According to the report, FAN added close to $48-Million to the CBS coffers last year. The rest of the Top 10 included five more New York stations -- WLTW (Chancellor Media) was number two, WXRK (CBS) was number three. The number four spot went to WINS (CBS), WGN/Chicago was fifth, followed by Los Angeles Oldies station KRTH. WKTU (Chancellor) was seventh. Eighth place went to KKBT in Los Angels, KVIL in Dallas took ninth place while WCBS-FM (CBS) rounded out the top 10. The report goes on to point out that the difference in billing between number one and number 10 is a paltry $15-Million.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 YEARS AGO - MARCH QUICKIES
WHN news commentator Dean Lewis leaves the station, PD Allan Hotlen is replaced by former WMCA programmer Ruth Meyer. Norma Sams is named administrative assistant-programming at WRFM. Cliff Hesse is named program director at WMCA. Mayor Lindsay proclaims March 25, 1973 as "Country Music Day" in honor of WHN's recent format switch. Bruce Bradley of WHN emcees a country music concert tonight in Lincoln Center's Philharmonic Hall. A taped concert by the Carpenters will be presented on this Sunday night at 7:05 on WNBC AM & FM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The jury is still out on the new Big 105. We have to admit that a lot of the preliminary reports on Danny Bonaduce that we heard appear to be unfounded. Bonaduce is an adequate morning man for what Big seems to be doing. Our best description of Big, at this point, is that they're a nice, safe, sterile, completely sanitized version of what Mix 105 used to be. Danny Bonaduce doesn't really have to be anything special because the station itself is really nothing special - the final incarnation of corporate radio.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As noted previously, Q-104.3 is now simply Q-104. With the hiring of Mark Parenteau and their recent TV advertising blitz, it would appear that Chancellor is serious about going the classic rock route. All well and good. We've even heard comments from classic rock fans saying that they enjoy listening to the station. Some have even said that they enjoy the staton more than 'NEW. The new afternoon guy is nice and the TV ad blitz is nice, but what about Darian? We've said it before and we'll say it again - if you're going to pay this lady a lot of money to do mornings, why isn't she the subject of your ad blitz? The Spring book starts on April 2nd - shall we start plugging her on April 1st?! Am I missing something here? They plug the heck out of her on the station. What about the millions who don't listen?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An APPLE BITES Page (Or So) With.....
JIM KERR
It's hard to remember when Jim Kerr wasn't in New York radio. Up until July of last year, he had been a New York morning fixture for some 23 years. "It all started on a second grade field trip to the Detroit News and WWJ AM, FM & TV. I loved the atmosphere and was drawn, for some reason, to this world of media. It was every exciting and even though I was only in the second grade and couldn't really think of a career in an adult sense, I was young enough to play and so I would build, as many broadcasters did, my own fake little radio studio in the basement and broadcast to no one! When I was 14 years old, I really decided that I did, indeed, want to be on the air. I went to just about every radio station that I could find in Detroit. Some places were nice enough to give me a tour, most wouldn't even do that. Of course, none of these places had any job opportunities for a 14 year-old kid. I became aware of other radio station in other markets - Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti so I thought I'd try them. I took the Greyhound bus to Ypsilanti and went into WYNZ which was a 250-watt, non-directional daytimer at 1520. I spoke to their general manager and I think he wanted to let me down in a nice way when he said, 'sure you can be on the radio. All you have to do is sell $60. worth of commercials for every hour you're on the air. You give us the money and keep 15% for yourself.' He gave me some coverage maps and I left. A few weeks later, I walked into his office with over $700. cash! I had been knocking on doors all over Ypsilanti and these merchants wanted to help the little 14 year-old kid with the brief case. Not only did I sell the commercials, but I also wrote the copy. When I showed up with the money, they put me on the air. This was in February of 1967. By the summer, they took all of my accounts, made them house accounts and gave me 50-bucks a week!" Jim then told me of how he helped a friend get in the business. "One Saturday, as punishment for a bad report card, my dad wouldn't let me go in to do my show. So I wrote up a script and sent one of my friends in to do the show. I listened at home and just hoped that everything would turn out all right. That was his first day on the air and he is now Jim Harper, the vice-president of programming and morning man for over 20 years now at WNIC the big AC station in Detroit." Except for a brief excursion to Orlando, Fla. and a trip to Washington, D.C. as a news stringer, Jim pretty much spent his early career in the suburban Detroit area. "It was July of '71, I'm now 18 years-old and the 'big time' called. I was hired at WKNR in Detroit, the top 40 AM station at 1310. I went there to do 6-10 at night using the name Robin Stone. That lasted a few months and then I went to WCAR in Detroit, doing production during the holiday season." That was 1971. Little did Jim know that the really big time was about to call. "In January of 1972, I heard about an opportunity at WDAI, the ABC FM in Chicago. I had just turned 19 and I called the program director up on a Friday. He said, 'yeah, we've got something, but we have to make a decision real fast. Air mail, special deliver a tape.' I had to run around to friends to find a good tape of myself. I got it all together and decided to personally deliver my tape. I hitchhiked to Chicago. It was January, Sunday night, and it was cold. I got into Chicago about 4 o'clock in the morning. I went into a little restaurant and drank a lot of coffee. I went over to 360 North Michigan Avenue, which is where ABC was, and waited for the program director to come in. When he arrived at his office, I was there waiting, handed him my tape and he hired me on the spot. So there I was, at age 19, the morning guy at WDAI in Chicago. In March of '73, I was promoted from morning guy on the FM, up to the AM station, WLS. I worked with Charlie Van Dyke, J.J. Jefferies, Fred Winston, John Landecker, Bob Sirott, Steve King and Yvonne Daniels. I was the production director and my regular shift on the air was Saturday night 10 PM to 4 AM Sunday and then back on Sunday morning at 10 until 2 in the afternoon. Working at WLS was truly amazing. Then in March of '74, I was transferred by ABC to New York to do the morning show at WPLJ. I was 21. It was March 17th, St. Patrick's Day and I was in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago. Monday morning, March 18th, I flew to New York and started at 'PLJ. During the April - May ARB, I flew back and forth, so I was on in New York and Chicago. This went on until the book was over. I did my last show at WLS and, except for a period when I went to PIX, I stayed at 'PLJ from '74 to '89." Let's talk a little about WPLJ. "They were, and still are, a truly unique radio station. We were successful in two very distinct formats. We were the top AOR station for years and years and years. In fact, we were number one 12-plus in the Birch ratings on the day that we changed format to Top 40, June 30, 1983. In the Top 40 battle, although we were ususally behind Z-100, 12-plus, we were generally ahead of them in adults. As an AOR station, 'PLJ was unique to New York in that it wasn't a cookie cutter AOR station. We played a lot of music that people today, wouldn't think of as album-oriented rock. In addition to the usual fare of Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, etc., we were also playing The Blackbyrds, The Brothers Johnson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder and stuff like that. It was a much broader music mix." I asked Jim what he thought made 'PLJ different from 'NEW FM. "I think 'NEW FM sounded a lot more serious than we did. We sounded more like we were having fun. I'm not putting down WNEW FM for what they were doing but our role was not to educate the listeners, our role was to entertain and have fun with the listeners." I asked Jim to tell me about his time at WPIX FM. "'PIX FM was fun. I left 'PLJ to go there because I was 24 years-old and stupid!! That was 1977 and they offered me a lot more money than I was making at 'PLJ. So I went. I had been fighting with Larry Berger, thinking that I should be making a whole lot more money than I was making. We weren't far apart on figures when 'PIX came along with this enormous offer. Plus I had 13-week cycles on my contract at 'PLJ, but 'PIX offered me a firm deal. I stayed there a little over a year and then went back to 'PLJ. That was 1979 and I stayed for another 10 years. When I left WPLJ in 1989, Gary Bryan was the program director and that was the first time I was relieved because they wanted a show with more edge, more 'in your face.' My last book at 'PLJ was the Winter, 1989 book and we had a 3.7 12-plus share in the morning. After that, the ratings went into decline and it took 'PLJ a long time to recover those numbers." From there it was on to WYNY. "'YNY was a lot of fun. We did well. At our peak in Summer of '91, we had 3.6 12-plus share! Country radio audiences really have a deep bond with their radio station and they like to believe that the radio station is populated by their friends. I worked at WYNY for three years, I loved it and I had a great time. I liked the audience, I liked the artists. I remember Vince Gill walking into the studio one morning for an interview. He stopped at Burger King and brought us all coffee just in case we didn't have any! These 'platinum' country stars were just so nice. In my career, I've had lots of fun days. Working at WLS as the young kid amongst those giants was an experience I'll never, ever forget. Being morning man at 'PLJ for all of those years was probably the greatest experience I've ever had and one that I'll always be thankful for. But right up there, is those three years at 'YNY." Why did you leave 'YNY? "I left 'YNY because the station was being sold and it was beginning to go through a period of uncertainty. 'MXV wanted me and they had wanted me three years before and I thought that that would be a fun, stable place to go. So I went. WYNY wanted me to stay. I was reluctant to leave, but I was also happy and excited about the opportunity at 'MXV." What happened at 'MXV? "A new program director listened to the show and it wasn't what he wanted. Once again, he wanted an edgier show just like when I was replaced at 'PLJ. My last book at 'MXV, which was Winter, 1996 - adults, 25 - 54 - I had a 3.5 average quarter hour share and a 6.7 cume rating. We live, today, in a world where radio morning show hosts are supposed to be dripping with irony and cynical. You know, where you get a caller on the air and it's considered to be entertaining to make the caller look stupid. That, unfortunately for me, is what programmers seem to want these days. I tend to take a more optimistic view of life. I do a more positive, upbeat kind of a show. When I get listeners on the air, I like to showcase them and make them part of the fun. I try to do an informative, entertaining, fun, friendly show. Those days will certainly, one day, return. I'm sitting here waiting this out because there are a lot of shows on the air right now that are very similar to one another in attitude. Not everybody in New York finds that appealing. Eventually somebody is going to scratch their head and say 'we know somebody who has a 23-year history of being appealing. He must have been doing something right!' And maybe, they'll take a look at me again." I asked Jim who he liked in New York right now. "I love CBS FM. Some people say that it's a function of my age. I loved CBS FM when I was 21! Bill Brown is one of my radio heroes. Harry Harrison is now, and always has been, not a morning mayor, but a morning god. I have tremendous respect for that station and for the job that Joe (McCoy) and everyone has done there. One of the dreams of my life is that some day, somebody would let me, just once, do the Saturday Top 20 Countdown. The best thing about the countdown show is that you will always hear songs that you haven't heard in a long time, you know, the songs that hit number 14 and then disappeared. I also think that WLTW has the best music variety in the market. They play a wider variety of music than the rock stations. They also go back further with their oldies than the other AC stations do. It's fun to listen to them, I enjoy them. I think that Kurt Johnson did an amazing job over there and Jim Ryan has continued to build on that and has done a great job. I think that Pat Prescott, whom I worked with at 'QCD, is a really terriffic talent. I think that she has a real bond with her audience that is very special." What happened at 'QCD? "We were sold and the new owners had a different idea. They didn't want the kind of morning show that the previous owners wanted. There was nothing personal about that. I've also done talk radio because it's fun. I was Rush Limbaugh's principal substitute for five years. I've done the Mary Maitlin Show on the CBS Radio Network, the Gil Gross show on CBS, the Jim Bohannon Show on Westwood One, did six weeks of Rambling With Gambling on WOR, Bob Grant's show on WABC, Joey Reynolds' show on WOR. For me, as a morning guy, to sit in John Gambling's chair was one of the most exciting moments of my whole, entire life! I was in awe of my surroundings when I got to say, 'good morning and welcome to Rambling With Gambling.' It was truly awesome!" Talking with Jim Kerr was truly an experience that I'll always remember. While some people might say he has a right to be bitter, he is not. He holds no grudges. All he wants is to be back on the radio. "We'll take 'QCD out of the mix because it was only five months, and go back to 'MXV. That's 1996. When I left in 1996 I had been doing morning drive for 22 consecutive years. In 22 years, an act can really burn out and it can really get old. And in 22 years, the audience can get really sick of somebody. At the end of those 22 years, my show was still in the top 10, and in women it was even higher. So I would think that any reasonably objective person would have to look at that record and say that I did pretty well."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPLE BITES CALENDAR FOR
MARCH
BIRTHDAYS
1 - VAUGHN HARPER - WWRL
7 - PETE LARKIN FORMERLY OF WNEW FM & SHEA STADIUM
10 - PAT PRESCOTT - WQCD
11 - JOHNNY ALLEN - WRKS
12 - CYNTHIA JAY WIFE OF WCBS FM'S BOBBY JAY
14 - BOB GRANT - WOR
14 - SEAN CORT - FORMERLY OF WRKS, WWRL
15 - MEL PHILLIPS FORMER PD WXLO, WNBC
15 - MISTER MAGIC - WQHT
15 - CHRIS WELCH FORMERLY OF WRKS, WBLS, WMXV
21 - PHIL PEPE - WCBS FM SPORTS DIRECTOR
24 - GEORGE MICHAEL FORMERLY OF WABC
27 - DR. BOB LEE - WBLS
30 - CHUCK LEONARD - WBLS & WQEW
31 - SAL SELLETTO - APPLE BITES NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT
DEATHS
3 - CHUCK BROWNING - WMCA - 1988
8 - JACK SPECTOR - WMCA - 1994
13 - SPANKY McFARLAND - WHTZ - 1988
16 - B. MITCHELL REED - WMCA - 1983
29 - DEE FINCH - WNEW (KLAVAN & FINCH) - 1983
RADIO ANNIVERSARIES
1 - WJZ CHANGES CALL LETTERS TO WABC - 1953
18 - JIM KERR STARTS AT WPLJ - 1974
24 - HARRY HARRISON STARTS AT WCBS FM - 1980
25 - B. MITCHELL REED DOES LAST SHOW AT WMCA - 1965
30 - WNSR CHANGES TO WMXV - 1992
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDITOR'S NOTE
First of all, I want to bring to your attention that I have taken on the additional duties of chief New York correspondent on the internet for Radio Digest. You can check out my reports, as well as other markets at www.radiodigest.com. Secondly, please note the new telephone number for APPLE BITES - 908-852-8648. Thirdly, as you may have already noticed, I have changed the presentation of APPLE BITES. As each monthly issue continues to grow with more and more information and features, I have found it necessary to print the issues on both sides of each page. This is, of course, a way of keeping my costs down, thereby keeping down the cost of subscriptions. Speaking of new features, "historical quickies" will now appear each month, giving you a brief look back on what was happening in New York radio each month, 25 years ago. Finally, I would like to congratulate Maria Martello, programming assistant at WCBS FM who recently became engaged to Chris Angelo, also a member of the CBS programming staff. Maria has been a big help to me in the past as I covered the happenings at CBS FM. She's also a very, very nice person and I wish her and Chris nothing but the best. Remember to check out the Radio Digest web site and I'll see you next month!
Vince Santarelli, Editor
Apple Bites - 720 Washington St. - Hackettstown, NJ 07840-2310
Phone: (908) 852-8648 - PLEASE NOTE NEW NUMBER
If you're reading someone else's copy of APPLE BITES and you'd like to get your own copy, or maybe you know someone who would like to have a copy of their own, now's the time to subscribe to APPLE BITES. Just fill out one of the subscription form below and mail it back to us, along with your check or money order to APPLE BITES; 720 Washington St.; Hackettstown, N.J. 07840-2310.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, please sign me up for a subscription to APPLE BITES. Enclosed you will find my check or money, made payable to "APPLE BITES," in the amount of $25.00 for 1 year or $40.00 for 2 years (circle one).
PLEASE SEND MY SUBSCRIPTION TO:
NAME:___________________________________________
ADDRESS:_______________________________________
TOWN:____________________ STATE:______ ZIP:_____________
Mail this form to:
APPLE BITES
720 WASHINGTON ST.
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. 07840-2310
Back to: