T
Talknet
Guest
Anybody familiar with WECQ in Geneva when the Weinfeld family owned it? Any interesting stories/comments???
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T
Talknet
Guest
Yes Casper....I was wondering what happened? It seemed like several of the family members were given positions when they had zero experience. They only had that station for a short time, I was wondering what happened? They had big plans for a group and then nothing! David Weinfeld was a good guy with alot of experience. I fully expected that group to go places!
Talknet said:
I was there from 80-82; it was my first gig. What was amazing about those times was the number of people who went on to have very successful careers in the industry. No small number of jocks eventually moved on from CQ-102 to large market jock and PD gigs.
Dave Weinfeld had a knack for hiring smart up-and-coming PDs and hungry, hard-working AEs. His brother Danny was a talented self-taught studio technician. The station always sounded good, both from a programming standpoint and technically; and advertisers genuinely loved the place. About the time I was hired, PD John Roberts (yes, the Clear Channel Dallas John Roberts) took the station from mainstream AC to adult CHR. We played just about everything on the chart, though rock music was heavily dayparted and we played about 40 percent gold. At the time, neither Rochester nor Syracuse had a CHR signal that could be heard well in the Finger Lakes, so we created a bit of a sensation. About the time I left, Dave was interested in buying a station down in Oneonta, but I don't recall that it ever happened.
T
Talknet
Guest
What surprised me is the fact Weinfeld did not move further. The station was sold in short order and David started an executive search operation (not radio) in North Carolina. Thats why I was wondering what happened.
I believe I was the first morning guy on WECQ in March 78. It was my first radio job after graduating from Buff State. It was a soft AC format
and I remember the midday guy was a guy named Dick Kuklinski. (Not the serial killer!!!). I think he was a old jock from Finger Lakes and Syracuse
radio. Dave Weinfeld hired me and fired me 8 months later..(Did I mention I sucked?) I have often wondered what happened to the Weinfeld's so I think
it's great someone started this post. I think the name of the Company was Astro Radio Communications. It was a great learning experience for me and
at the same time I was pulling down 125 bills a week!!!!!! It was also a great "Summer of 78" living in Sodus Point, NY!! It's driving me crazy but I can't
remember the name of the 1st news director. If it comes to me I'll post again. I think when I left the PD was a guy named Russ Akroid. Never heard of
him again. Thanks
Gary
Dallas, TX
and I remember the midday guy was a guy named Dick Kuklinski. (Not the serial killer!!!). I think he was a old jock from Finger Lakes and Syracuse
radio. Dave Weinfeld hired me and fired me 8 months later..(Did I mention I sucked?) I have often wondered what happened to the Weinfeld's so I think
it's great someone started this post. I think the name of the Company was Astro Radio Communications. It was a great learning experience for me and
at the same time I was pulling down 125 bills a week!!!!!! It was also a great "Summer of 78" living in Sodus Point, NY!! It's driving me crazy but I can't
remember the name of the 1st news director. If it comes to me I'll post again. I think when I left the PD was a guy named Russ Akroid. Never heard of
him again. Thanks
Gary
Dallas, TX
I can't remember the news guys name either, but he smoked like a chimney & was pretty funny. But I do remember the News Director became Patty Blue and I did news top of the hour beginning at noon & ending at 6:30pm. Monica Wilson and I were the news department after Patty left. Monica has been at BEN in Buffalo for several years. I don't recall what happenmed much after I left for Syracus ein 1986, but I do know that David sold the station (and we were a great sounding CHR!!) and his wife Marcia passed away.
And yes, Danny was a good self-taught engineer and it was Astro Communications. During my time at CQ, I worked with Bruce Barrows, Mike Smith & Randall C. Bliss, who last I knew was working in Charlotte NC for Entercom's oldies station there. Monica has been at BEN in Buffalo for several years. Also Gabe Sinicropi, who is now in Pa working for their baseball team & has a really good gig. He's a super guy. Some of my best radio memories are from CQ & like Gary, it was a great learning experience. And Gary, I hope you remember that news directors name! I'll try to think, too! Maybe Bill somebody?
And yes, Danny was a good self-taught engineer and it was Astro Communications. During my time at CQ, I worked with Bruce Barrows, Mike Smith & Randall C. Bliss, who last I knew was working in Charlotte NC for Entercom's oldies station there. Monica has been at BEN in Buffalo for several years. Also Gabe Sinicropi, who is now in Pa working for their baseball team & has a really good gig. He's a super guy. Some of my best radio memories are from CQ & like Gary, it was a great learning experience. And Gary, I hope you remember that news directors name! I'll try to think, too! Maybe Bill somebody?
mcbills said:
Could the News Director you're referring to be Mike Moran? What a great guy! He had already been there a while when I arrived in May '80, and he left a few months later.
I have just been reminded by e-mail from J.W. Nittler, (sorry man, I got jet lag mind blank), that the 1st News Director under the Weinfelds was J. W. Nittler!!! I think that Mike Moran was after JW! Hey JW do you remember giving away the WECQ cigarette lighter holders? I remember playing god awful tunes like, Bluer than Blue and Magnet and Steel. I think those were the songs that led me to punk and heavy metal! ;D
This is a great thread. I love to read recollections about this area's radio history. It sounds like those were some great days. Too bad I was too young to be a part of it.
So, was WECQ co-owned with WGVA during the time period we're talking about? Or, did this come about later on?
I know the stations were co-owned until the early 90s when they were sold to separate owners. That's when 101.7 became WFLK, I beleive.
Also, was CQ live and local 24/7 back in the day? Or, did it sign off with all the other stations in the area at or before midnight?
I recall in the months prior to CQ becomming K 101.7, they were signing off nightly at 1:00 a.m.
BTW, Patty Blue can still be heard on the radio in this area. She is a volunteer at WEOS, and has been for many years.
Thanks again for the great historical posts. I would love to hear airchecks of this station sometime, if anybody has them to share.
So, was WECQ co-owned with WGVA during the time period we're talking about? Or, did this come about later on?
I know the stations were co-owned until the early 90s when they were sold to separate owners. That's when 101.7 became WFLK, I beleive.
Also, was CQ live and local 24/7 back in the day? Or, did it sign off with all the other stations in the area at or before midnight?
I recall in the months prior to CQ becomming K 101.7, they were signing off nightly at 1:00 a.m.
BTW, Patty Blue can still be heard on the radio in this area. She is a volunteer at WEOS, and has been for many years.
Thanks again for the great historical posts. I would love to hear airchecks of this station sometime, if anybody has them to share.
J
JohnW
Guest
I had a business in Geneva in the '70s and remember when the station started. It was started and owned by 2 men, one named Frank Shoupe. His partner's name was Ken (don't remember the last name, only that he had a connection to WYSL in Buffalo). They chose the call letters because of the "easy" inference, and the "Q" because Q was a hot call letter at the time.
JakeLongwell said:
1) The co-ownership with WGVA came later. At the time, WECQ was a stand-alone FM.
2) When I was there, were were 24/7 with jocks at all hours and God Squad and Casey Kasem on Sunday mornings. In the CHR format, the station had a crude live-assist system that was a holdover from the AC days. John Roberts edited all the sappier songs off the AC tapes and used what was left as the CHR gold library. The reel-to-reels were capable of seguing back and forth, but I'm not sure they were ever regularly used for that purpose -- even in the AC days.
I believe when I was there in "78" that the reel to reels were capable of segueing back and forth. There was a turntable but WECQ legend indicates that it was only used one time under the AC format. When the news director quit he had promised me he would play "take this job and shove it". The day he told me he was quiting I actually saw the Johnny Paycheck 45 in his hand but I was not present for the dastardly deed. Legend says that at 12:06pm when he signed off the news, the midday host, flicked the switch and Johnny Paycheck told the rest of the story. Legend says the News Director then went in threw his resignation letter on the desk and the GM chased him out the door and down the street!!! Disclaimer, (some names have been omitted to protect the innocent and the guilty)!
Gary
Dallas, TX
Gary
Dallas, TX
CQ 102 was stand alone in 1988 when I moved to Geneva. Gabe Sinicropi was the PD at CQ, and Mike Smith was also there. At some point in the very early 90s, WECQ and WGVA were both purchased by some outfit out of Maine, I believe, that knew nothing about radio, for 1.2 Million. CQ studios were moved from the metal building on Washington Street, to Lenox Road where WGVA is today (now along with WNYR, WAUB, WCGR, WSFW, WFLR AM (part of the day), and WLLW). For a bit, studios were in a trailer, while renovations were done to the building. Then, the company that thought they wanted to do radio, lost interest, and that was it. They were sold to George Kimble for a song, Russ Kimble got CQ, and this is where we are today.
The Finger Lakes has its own "Clear-Channelization", as most of the stations are owned by either Alan Bishop/Goerge Kimble, his brother Russ (WYLF and WFLK), or Pembrook Pines.
The Finger Lakes has its own "Clear-Channelization", as most of the stations are owned by either Alan Bishop/Goerge Kimble, his brother Russ (WYLF and WFLK), or Pembrook Pines.
Well - it appears I may know a few people here 
I know who "Casper" is - Hi Smone! The others I haven't figured out yet.
I was at CQ for two stints - December of '83 - July of '86, and again from December of '87 to April of '91.
Eastco was the name of the company that bought the Weinfeld's out. Then they bought GVA from Lou Schwartz. As someone has said before they knew nothing about radio. After paying too much to buy the stations, they spent waaaay too much to upgrade the facilities in the WGVA building.
The Weinfeld's were fun to work for, if a bit eccentric. (I guess that was part of the fun) And, yes, a lot of talented people came though there on the way to bigger and better gigs. I've got a ton of pictures from my days there when we used to have an "Official Photographer of the CQ Morning Crew". The "Crew" at the time was me, Marti Casper, Gabe Anthony (Sinicropi) and Sue "Samantha Starr" Groesbeck. Bruce Evans (Barrows) was doing middays, Randall C. Bliss was the PD and afternoon drive, "Dangerous" Dan Lundy did evenings (The Top 5 at 9 ;D) and overnights were a few I remember - Mark Casty (Castiglione), Trevor Joe Lennon and RJ McKay. Also passing though while I was there were Shari Smith, Paul Attea, Eric Gruner, Wade Coleman, and probably many more I don't remember.
I know who "Casper" is - Hi Smone! The others I haven't figured out yet.
I was at CQ for two stints - December of '83 - July of '86, and again from December of '87 to April of '91.
Eastco was the name of the company that bought the Weinfeld's out. Then they bought GVA from Lou Schwartz. As someone has said before they knew nothing about radio. After paying too much to buy the stations, they spent waaaay too much to upgrade the facilities in the WGVA building.
The Weinfeld's were fun to work for, if a bit eccentric. (I guess that was part of the fun) And, yes, a lot of talented people came though there on the way to bigger and better gigs. I've got a ton of pictures from my days there when we used to have an "Official Photographer of the CQ Morning Crew". The "Crew" at the time was me, Marti Casper, Gabe Anthony (Sinicropi) and Sue "Samantha Starr" Groesbeck. Bruce Evans (Barrows) was doing middays, Randall C. Bliss was the PD and afternoon drive, "Dangerous" Dan Lundy did evenings (The Top 5 at 9 ;D) and overnights were a few I remember - Mark Casty (Castiglione), Trevor Joe Lennon and RJ McKay. Also passing though while I was there were Shari Smith, Paul Attea, Eric Gruner, Wade Coleman, and probably many more I don't remember.
A
alw
Guest
MikeSmithWNYR said:
Well, so much for anonimity and extra-secret code names.
Mike, I'll bet you were the kid in homeroom who waited till the bell rang and blurted out "Hey Miss Jones...you forgot to give us our homework".
alw said:
I thought 'Smone' was an extra-secret code name!
Besides, I'm safe - nobody could figure out who I am
Additional notes -
The ECQ calls were chosen for two reasons -
The "EZ" connotation noted before.
And they were broadcasting in Quadraphonic for a time. "Quad101" I believe was the moniker.
The 101.7 studios are now located in a small office space in the rear of a pair of strip malls on 5&20 next to Wendy's. The transmitter and tower are still in the same place, though the transmitter building is now much smaller.
While I was there, current and recurrent music were on carts, gold was on the reels out in the newsroom. Casey Kasem's AT40 Saturday and Sunday mornings, the King Biscuit Flower Hour Saturday nights - or was it Sunday nights?
Remember using the oscilloscope to get the carts in phase? And the photographic timer on the wall for song length and intro times?
The ECQ calls were chosen for two reasons -
The "EZ" connotation noted before.
And they were broadcasting in Quadraphonic for a time. "Quad101" I believe was the moniker.
The 101.7 studios are now located in a small office space in the rear of a pair of strip malls on 5&20 next to Wendy's. The transmitter and tower are still in the same place, though the transmitter building is now much smaller.
While I was there, current and recurrent music were on carts, gold was on the reels out in the newsroom. Casey Kasem's AT40 Saturday and Sunday mornings, the King Biscuit Flower Hour Saturday nights - or was it Sunday nights?
Remember using the oscilloscope to get the carts in phase? And the photographic timer on the wall for song length and intro times?
Hi Mike!! You are right--the Weinfeld's were a bit eccentric, (weren't/aren't we all)--and yes, that was what made it all the more fun. I loved that place. And I saw Gabe at a restaurant in Rochester last week. He's doing great. I was telling him about this thread, so maybe he'll chime in at some point. BTW, do YOU remember the name of the new director when I started there in 10/83? It was a guy and after he left Patty got the ND gig. I remember he gave me that old Humphrey Bogart poster & it's hanging around our bar downstairs.
I don't remember who was before Patty, but I sent an e-mail to Randy to see if he remembers.
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