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Bill Tanner of WHYI, WPOW, WHQT Passes

I didn't know the man but certainly a giant in South Florida Radio. Sad not to see any mention of his passing on any of the South Florida radio and TV station websites I visited.
 
I first knew Tanner when he was at WJDX in Jackson, MS, in the early 70's when I was PD at WERC AM & FM in Birmingham; we'd compare notes, try to get good talent on the competitors out of our markets and things PDs in comparable markets did back then.

Then when I was named GM of Metroplex's Spanish langaugae station in Miami, Tanner was at "the other side of the building" and he was enormously helpful in building our format and suggesting promotions.

And in 1995, when Tanner went to consult Cecil Heftel in LA, he called me to work with him in programming.

He was a peer, an idol and a friend. Missed; not forgotten.
 
In watching the California Aircheck video in the link @Groove1670 posted, I'm a bit surprised at how "low budget" the setup at Power96 in Miami appeared to be, even considering it was 1990. Especially the fact that everyone opposite Tanner (bit players, the female announcer, the news guy) were all 3 sharing 1 single mic, with the announcer leaning in to intro the news, then backing away so the news guy could step up and do his thing. I think the small market FM I was working at, at nearly that same time had more/better gear. That's not a criticism by any means, I guess I just expected something different from a station like Power96 in a market the size of Miami.
 
Mikey Radio said:
In watching the California Aircheck video in the link @Groove1670 posted, I'm a bit surprised at how "low budget" the setup at Power96 in Miami appeared to be, even considering it was 1990. Especially the fact that everyone opposite Tanner (bit players, the female announcer, the news guy) were all 3 sharing 1 single mic, with the announcer leaning in to intro the news, then backing away so the news guy could step up and do his thing. I think the small market FM I was working at, at nearly that same time had more/better gear. That's not a criticism by any means, I guess I just expected something different from a station like Power96 in a market the size of Miami.
Click to expand...
Y-100 was the same way. I don't think budget was a issue, but it was what made talent comfortable and relaxed. One of my favorite studios was a dump, but to everyone it felt like home. A lot of new studios are expensive, high tech, but as cold and sterile as an emergency room. This group looks like they felt at home in that plain studio. I can relate.

It was also a different era. Staff spent more time in the studio. Comfort was important. Now you have perfectly designed studios with very little use.
 
I got my first radio job from Tanner, it was 1968. WKOR in Starkville, Mississippi. It was Bill Tanner's first PD gig. He was a great programming guy. He was the best at protecting the programming from those who might want to unknowingly compromise the station. T would not let that happen. I was lucky to work with Tanner at several stations, but those Y-100 days are especially memorable, the audience reacted heavy, the Miami Music scene was happening and South Florida was really growing! Great entertainment!
--Mark "In The Dark" Shands
 
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