Don Weeks

[Element9]

This may be old news to market veterans and posters here, but Inside Radio today (6/15/10) reports:

Don Weeks to retire. After 30 years hosting mornings on WGY, Albany, NY (810), Don Weeks announced today he’ll retire when his current contract expires later this year. Weeks says he wants to pursue other interests, including gardening, fly fishing and painting. “I may even write a book,” says Weeks, who’s been on Capital District airwaves for 50 years.

How does this affect WGY and the market as a whole? Who gets called up from the minors or off the bench?

-9-

 

[DougBroda]

During the news on WGY this AM, it was stated that a "nationwide search" is being launched by CC for a replacement.

 

[Orator1]

Good for Don. He managed to hang on (some say too long) in a cut-throat business for a very long time. 30 years at WGY. That's unheard of today. Don has managed to remain a decent man, which is more of a rarity in radio.

WGY has it's hands full to find replacement. Who knows if it will remain "local"....

Congratulations Don!

 

[THE_KNICKMAN]

I can remember Don Weeks when he was at then WAST-TV channel 13. (Some of us called it "WASTE".) He drew "Wally Weather", a cartoon charactor he created of which helped illustrate the weather forecast. He also was part of the Dick Tracy cartoon show that aired in the late afternoon. He played "Little Old Lady", "Mr. Pocransky" and "the Informer" who gave tips to "Chief Marty Mann" about criminal activity that led into the cartoon.

I also remember the so called "Balltown Road irregulars on WGY. "Granny Grub", "Zandro the magnificent", Crailo Coachfair" among others. He has done TV weather, advertising, radio; quite a varied broadcast career indeed.

 

[DToTheJ]

During the news on WGY this AM, it was stated that a "nationwide search" is being launched by CC for a replacement.

Time to play, "Where In The World Is Al Roney?"

(Yes, he's on AM 1300, but what are the odds CC will approach him with a "sorry, come on back, buddy" package?)

 

[Orator1]

(Yes, he's on AM 1300, but what are the odds CC will approach him with a "sorry, come on back, buddy" package?)

Not very.

 

[ADD1966]

I wish Don all the best in his retirement -- he's earned it after keeping the Capital District entertained all these years and keeping up his energy and passion for what he does. If he really does write a book, man, I can't wait to read it.

 

[talk fanatic]

Maybe VanZant will take his place. NOT!

 

[AxelM]

Ya know I wish Mr. Weeks well in his retirement too but let’s be real. Although I wasn’t around when he started his much of late touted career doing Manny the Mailman, Aunt Blabby or whomever, it’s obvious the guy stayed at the party too long. They ran out of his brand of tonic years before he decided (someone decided) it was 4am. My grandfather used to rave about Sherry Lewis and Porkchop, Milton Berle and a host of entertainers who when I see their stuff, I don’t laugh. Every generation has their “stars” whether they’re big fish in a big pond or big fish in a little pond like ours. Times change…tastes change. For posters to this board to suggest Weeks kept the entire Capital Region rolling in the isles for 50 years is really pushing it. Were that the case his numbers would have been constantly through the roof. Good luck certainly, but to call him a “Legend”? First and foremost the guy worked hard and had Lady Luck smiling on him. To survive the bloodbath that broadcasting has become has everything to do with being in the right place at the right time as we can all think of countless talented hosts who were tossed aside like bags of garbage. As for any book ideas Mr. Weeks, don’t let vanity get the better of your judgment and attempt some witty autobiography account of the famous you’ve rubbed elbows with. Much more valuable reading for us all would be your observations as to why, who, and how the industry went from one of greatness to the broken down heap of scrap it is today. Now that would be a lasting legacy to you. Good luck.