“With Theatre Talk on WBFO, I’m Jim Santella…”
“Are you ready for the Blues!”
These are two of the most iconic opening lines ever uttered on WBFO Radio, Buffalo’s NPR station. And I recall them as I reflect on the passing of Buffalo radio legend Jim Santella.
I first heard Jim Santella on WYSL-FM sometime around 1970. I was a teenager at the time who was dreaming of a career in radio. I was mostly a fan of Top 40 radio, especially the old WKBW. But I began hearing about this thing called “progressive radio” and the main man behind the microphone. I couldn’t even imagine at that age that one day he’d be my friend.
It took another 22 years. But then it happened in 1992. I was in the WBFO newsroom when our receptionist Kim Buckner told me Jim Santella was holding for me. “Jim Santella is calling ME?” I was so excited! I tried to calm down a bit, picked up the phone, and in my coolest voice said my name. And the rest is history.
Jim was calling to pitch the concept of Theatre Talk. He and Anthony Chase would spend four-and-a-half minutes every week conversing about Buffalo theater. This was quite revolutionary at the time. Radio reviews back then were entirely scripted. But a free wheeling conversation? Jim and Tony made it work. In fact, Theatre Talk, now on the air for 32 years, is the last link to my time at WBFO at the University at Buffalo.
On Thursday nights, Jim and Tony would make their way to our studios to record the next morning’s show. More often then not, dinner would be getting cold on the table at home because I’d still be at the station in an always fascinating conversation with Jim.
Some time in the late 1990s, Music Director Bert Gambini and Program Director David Benders came up with a brilliant idea. WBFO had been airing an hour or two of Blues each week with various hosts. The show had a tiny but loyal audience. So, when there was an opening for a Blues host, Bert reached out to Jim to see if he would be interested in hosting. Fortunately for us, Jim said yes. The show exploded! Between Car Talk and the Saturday Blues, WBFO became a top five Buffalo radio station on Saturdays with an average quarter hour audience topping 10,000 listeners. We even had more listeners than 97 Rock on Saturday afternoons. And it was all due to the talents of Jim Santella.
One of the special memories that only surfaced for me today is Jim’s annual Christmas show. He originally produced it for 97 Rock. But in the late 2000s, Jim dug out the old tapes and allowed us to play “Santella Claus” on WBFO on Christmas Day. What fun it was to hear Jim share holiday stories amidst rock Christmas tunes!
Jim was perhaps the most well-rounded professional in Buffalo radio history. He did it all! Besides the Blues, Jim at one point or another hosted progressive rock, album rock, jazz, country and oldies. He was stage manager for the Mark Russell specials that originated at WNED and aired nationally on PBS. As noted, Jim was a theater reviewer. A drummer. A University librarian. I believe he also taught college courses.
What a well-lived life! Thank you to his wife, Mary Lou Wiltberger, for inviting me into their home last Tuesday so I could offer a small bit of comfort to Jim. His legacy in Buffalo broadcasting is forever secure! Jim will always be remembered by all of us who were fortunate to have known him.
“Are you ready for the Blues!”
These are two of the most iconic opening lines ever uttered on WBFO Radio, Buffalo’s NPR station. And I recall them as I reflect on the passing of Buffalo radio legend Jim Santella.
I first heard Jim Santella on WYSL-FM sometime around 1970. I was a teenager at the time who was dreaming of a career in radio. I was mostly a fan of Top 40 radio, especially the old WKBW. But I began hearing about this thing called “progressive radio” and the main man behind the microphone. I couldn’t even imagine at that age that one day he’d be my friend.
It took another 22 years. But then it happened in 1992. I was in the WBFO newsroom when our receptionist Kim Buckner told me Jim Santella was holding for me. “Jim Santella is calling ME?” I was so excited! I tried to calm down a bit, picked up the phone, and in my coolest voice said my name. And the rest is history.
Jim was calling to pitch the concept of Theatre Talk. He and Anthony Chase would spend four-and-a-half minutes every week conversing about Buffalo theater. This was quite revolutionary at the time. Radio reviews back then were entirely scripted. But a free wheeling conversation? Jim and Tony made it work. In fact, Theatre Talk, now on the air for 32 years, is the last link to my time at WBFO at the University at Buffalo.
On Thursday nights, Jim and Tony would make their way to our studios to record the next morning’s show. More often then not, dinner would be getting cold on the table at home because I’d still be at the station in an always fascinating conversation with Jim.
Some time in the late 1990s, Music Director Bert Gambini and Program Director David Benders came up with a brilliant idea. WBFO had been airing an hour or two of Blues each week with various hosts. The show had a tiny but loyal audience. So, when there was an opening for a Blues host, Bert reached out to Jim to see if he would be interested in hosting. Fortunately for us, Jim said yes. The show exploded! Between Car Talk and the Saturday Blues, WBFO became a top five Buffalo radio station on Saturdays with an average quarter hour audience topping 10,000 listeners. We even had more listeners than 97 Rock on Saturday afternoons. And it was all due to the talents of Jim Santella.
One of the special memories that only surfaced for me today is Jim’s annual Christmas show. He originally produced it for 97 Rock. But in the late 2000s, Jim dug out the old tapes and allowed us to play “Santella Claus” on WBFO on Christmas Day. What fun it was to hear Jim share holiday stories amidst rock Christmas tunes!
Jim was perhaps the most well-rounded professional in Buffalo radio history. He did it all! Besides the Blues, Jim at one point or another hosted progressive rock, album rock, jazz, country and oldies. He was stage manager for the Mark Russell specials that originated at WNED and aired nationally on PBS. As noted, Jim was a theater reviewer. A drummer. A University librarian. I believe he also taught college courses.
What a well-lived life! Thank you to his wife, Mary Lou Wiltberger, for inviting me into their home last Tuesday so I could offer a small bit of comfort to Jim. His legacy in Buffalo broadcasting is forever secure! Jim will always be remembered by all of us who were fortunate to have known him.