1050 CHUM was part of my formative years as a kid growing up in suburban Buffalo, always listening to the radio and studying the air personalities' traits, acts and shtick. My radio geek friends and I continuously listened and enjoyed the Top 40 wars between 680 CFTR and 1050 CHUM, compared jocks, audio processing and studied the promotions.
When we visited Canada, we picked up a ChumChart. If 1050 CHUM tweaked its music or changed its clocks, it was duly noted. If a new jock came on board, we discussed it.
My course of study went back to the days when "Jungle" Jay Nelson did morning drive and progressed through the Jack Armstrong years, through dozens (if not a hundreds) of great 1050 CHUM air personalities, Roger Ashby, Mike Cooper, Mark Edwards, John Brodie, J. Michael Wilson (and Rodney), Bob MacAdorey, Pat St. John, Scott Carpenter, Terry Steele, Johnny Mitchell, Pat Holiday, Tom Rivers... the list is extensive; apologies for not including all the jocks who were part of the 1050 CHUM legacy. We even listened to the talk show that CHUM aired in early middays while it was a great Top 40 station.
Even while I worked at WYSL, WKBW, QFM97 - 97 Rock and WHTT, 1050 CHUM was always worth "checking out" and hearing. Yes, listeners moved to FM (as did jocks) but through it all, 1050 CHUM was a great radio education for me and a dozens of Buffalo radio personalities who appreciated great programming and outstanding jocks.
An era has passed. Thank you, 1050 CHUM. Speaking as a listener and a radio professional, you left your mark on me and hundreds of radio perosnalities better than me. Although you're gone, you will not be forgotten.
Jim Pastrick
former middays WHTT Mix 104.1
Professional Broadcaster, unaffiliated
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