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Jim Somich...

F

FFoti1

Group,

It's with a very heavy heart to share that Jim Somich has passed on to the big audio processor in the sky...he was 65. Jim was a very successful broadcast engineer, as well as product developer. His career spanned radio, television, photography, movies, and just about any form of media imaginable.

Jim worked at KFI, KMET, WMMS, WHK, WHTZ, WJW, just to name a few of the radio radio stations. He built quite a number of UHF TV stations for Malrite Communications, where, at one time, he was Director of Radio Engineering. He was also involved in a few ventures: Somich Engineering, MicroCon Systems, and I'm sure a host of others. Jim, kept a private life, and ventured into some interesting and alternative aspects of it.

He was also the person, who took a chance on a goofy, long-haired, 22 year old kid. Stuck him under his wing, and taught him the ropes of radio engineering. If not for Jim Somich sticking his neck out for this passionate over-achiever, then Frank Foti would never have seized the opportunity to follow an exciting path in this industry.

More importantly he was, and will always remain, my friend. While there are many wonderful memories of him, we sadly will not be able to create new ones.

Be at peace, life and our industry lost a good friend.

-Frank Foti
 
dad always told me NEVER forget where you came from.Jim will always be remembered as a fine human being with a great passion for what he did and more importantly shared with others.Mentors are getting hard to find today, if you have one ,be grateful.i ended up being a combo man in the 60's and 70's and let me tell you they were hard to find.a gentleman ,Bill Jones taught me the ropes.he has passed too, but i think of him every day and thank god for letting me be in the right place at the right time.Rest in peace Mr. Jim Somich
 
I believe I had met Jim many many years ago at an SBE Chapter meeting in New York. From what I remember he was someone who really knew his stuff.
 
I'm very sorry to hear this.
Jim was a very likable guy. He gave me a big break when he handed me the reins of Z100. There is no doubt in my mind I would not be the person I am today without Jim Somich giving my career a healthy forward nudge.

Rest In Peace, Jim.

David Reaves
 
David Reaves said:
I'm very sorry to hear this.
Jim was a very likable guy. He gave me a big break when he handed me the reins of Z100. There is no doubt in my mind I would not be the person I am today without Jim Somich giving my career a healthy forward nudge.

Rest In Peace, Jim.

David Reaves
Click to expand...

David,

Here's the crazy part of it all. In 1978, Jim gave me my first big gig, as chief engineer of WHK/WMMS, in Cleveland. I was a VERY green kid of 22. Nine years later, as chief engineer of Z-100, and in the process of moving up to the be Director of Radio Engineering for Malrite, I hired Jim back to replace me at Z-100. A year later, he then handed the reins over to you.
 
Jim will truly be missed...

He had this knack for seeing your talents, and nudging you along to take advantage, and build on them!

Over the years he never let me forget that I should pursue my processing talents, and take them to the next level. After his absence for several years, we very recently got in touch with each other, and his gentle yet effective reminders were enough - and timed at just the right time- to get me finally moving on a track to possibly see my processing ideas come to light.

I can see how he was able to influence so many big names in the broadcast world. Wish I had more time to get to know him a bit better.

RIP, Jim. Thanks for your support, your encouragement. You will be missed!

-Cornelius
 
I didn't know him at all, but I have enjoyed his articles in various trade publications recently.

I read his article on processing in the February 2007 Radio Guide a few days ago. Does anyone know if the subsequent installments had been written and if they'll be published?
 
According to Barry Mishkind, we'll be reading more of Jim's work. I don't know if that means the entire series is already in the can or not.
 
wgliradio said:
According to Barry Mishkind, we'll be reading more of Jim's work. I don't know if that means the entire series is already in the can or not.
Click to expand...

I spoke with Barry on Friday. Jim had just delivered the rest of his parts to the series. He still had to do the final editing, but we will see the rest of it.
 
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