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Former WXTA Programmer 'Uncle' Fred Horton passes

ErieDJGuy

ErieDJGuy

Just read that Fred Horton succumbed to lung cancer today.

Never worked for Fred, as he was PD of WXTA after I got outa radio, but was certainly aware of his career accomplishments and his status
in the industry. Condolences to his family.
 
That's terrible news. I remember Fred fondly from his days at WBEE here in Rochester...so sorry to hear this.
 
He was indeed one and the same. He used that name when he did afternoons at WCMF in the early 70s, too. He worked for a brief time in the record industry (for Chrysalis Records, I believe), and then got into programming with Regional Broadcasting. Fred was, as far as I know, the first guy to "platoon" his music library to keep the rotations fresh. He did this at WAAL in the days when they owned the market as an AOR station (late 70s). He brought WTRY-AM back from near death in the mid 80s with a terrific sounding oldies format, and went on to work with WDRC and WSEN for Buckley. Fred was the guy who built WGNA when Barnstable bought the signal from WHAZ. Before Fred, they barely cracked a four share in Albany. Once he teamed up with Richie Phillips to do mornings, they built it into the market leading flamethrower it is today. Fred has been a friend since the late 70s, and I had the pleasure of working with him at Liberty Radio Group in the mid 90s, where he kept GNA running and oversaw WTRY and WPYX. He also was a big help with Liberty's Hartford stations, too.

Apparently, Fred was working with Rusty Walker on some programming projects even from his hospital bed. Now that's a true radio guy.

Godspeed, my friend.
 
Cary Pall said:
He was indeed one and the same. He used that name when he did afternoons at WCMF in the early 70s, too. He worked for a brief time in the record industry (for Chrysalis Records, I believe), and then got into programming with Regional Broadcasting. Fred was, as far as I know, the first guy to "platoon" his music library to keep the rotations fresh. He did this at WAAL in the days when they owned the market as an AOR station (late 70s). He brought WTRY-AM back from near death in the mid 80s with a terrific sounding oldies format, and went on to work with WDRC and WSEN for Buckley. Fred was the guy who built WGNA when Barnstable bought the signal from WHAZ. Before Fred, they barely cracked a four share in Albany. Once he teamed up with Richie Phillips to do mornings, they built it into the market leading flamethrower it is today. Fred has been a friend since the late 70s, and I had the pleasure of working with him at Liberty Radio Group in the mid 90s, where he kept GNA running and oversaw WTRY and WPYX. He also was a big help with Liberty's Hartford stations, too.

Apparently, Fred was working with Rusty Walker on some programming projects even from his hospital bed. Now that's a true radio guy.

Godspeed, my friend.
Click to expand...
I knew Fred when he was at WAAL and I was at WINR in Binghamton. WAAL was very much a powerhouse then and a lot of good people came out of The Whale. He will be missed.
 
My heart is just broken. The minute I met Fred, while attempting my 3rd comeback at WBEE, I knew our MM had hired a true pro, not just some kid they could get for low $. We hit it off instantly. He jumped thru quite a few hoops to make my rehire happen.

Fred had a huge capacity for love of life, laughter, compassion and forgiveness. We are all well aware of his broadcast ingenuity and programming talent.

In my eyes, if you didn't like Fred there was something wrong with you.

At CRS in 2002(3?), one of his last times attending the function, it was amazing how many people stopped him in his tracks, just thrilled to see him. Everyone from people he'd hired, fired and broadcasting magnets..............very successful people. We couldn't go 2 steps without being stopped. It was quite the experience.

Thanks to all for your kind words. I know they will be of much comfort to his daughters. They are to me and my daughter.

Best to you all.
 
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