Dave, I believe the newsman you are thinking of was Steve LeVeille, who has been holding down all nights at WBZ in Boston for several years now. According to his website www.RadioSteve.com he worked for you in 1978 before moving on to Phil Spencer's WCSS in Amsterdam. This thread has brought back many memories of listening to WECQ from my listening post at the time in Ithaca. I also worked with the late Dick Ferry in Elmira who always spoke highly of you
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RCB
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As you can all see, WECQ has it's place in history. What an incredible legacy for Dave Weinfeld. This thread is a part of history for sure when you look at the number of people who went on to successfuly careers after cutting their teeth on radio at CQ 102 and even those who are not in radio anymore but remember fondly the atmosphere in the hallways in the old quonset hut building.
I know that I have tried to recreate the CQ chemistry at other radio stations in the 20+ years since I worked at CQ.
Sad to note that this type of "farm team" radio station no longer exists.
Clearly David understood the business of radio, but was one of the few GM's who was talent friendly and willing to hire good people and them let them fly when the time was right. There was no sneaking around sending out airchecks at CQ, because Dave wanted to help folks find better jobs.
When Dave hired was interviewing me, he pulled a yellow legal pad sheet down of the wall to show to me. It contained the names of all the people who had recently been CQ'er and had moved on to bigger markets. It was a lengthy list and David was so proud of those people. That gesture is what convinced me on the spot that I wanted to be his PD at CQ.
After leaving CQ in '86 I emulated that tactic at many other stations to attract great talent and keep things out in the open. Dave used to say "if we can keep them for six months and they move on...so be it, the station was better for having them".
Lots of people talk about radio being a people business, but few actually practice that concept. Thankfully for all of us, David was one of the few who actually made good on that notion.
Some non CQ people have looked in on this thread have commented on it's length and content and to you I would say: Clearly this station meant a great deal to a lot of folks and this thread has allowed a lot of reconnecting and that is a great thing.
I know that I have tried to recreate the CQ chemistry at other radio stations in the 20+ years since I worked at CQ.
Sad to note that this type of "farm team" radio station no longer exists.
Clearly David understood the business of radio, but was one of the few GM's who was talent friendly and willing to hire good people and them let them fly when the time was right. There was no sneaking around sending out airchecks at CQ, because Dave wanted to help folks find better jobs.
When Dave hired was interviewing me, he pulled a yellow legal pad sheet down of the wall to show to me. It contained the names of all the people who had recently been CQ'er and had moved on to bigger markets. It was a lengthy list and David was so proud of those people. That gesture is what convinced me on the spot that I wanted to be his PD at CQ.
After leaving CQ in '86 I emulated that tactic at many other stations to attract great talent and keep things out in the open. Dave used to say "if we can keep them for six months and they move on...so be it, the station was better for having them".
Lots of people talk about radio being a people business, but few actually practice that concept. Thankfully for all of us, David was one of the few who actually made good on that notion.
Some non CQ people have looked in on this thread have commented on it's length and content and to you I would say: Clearly this station meant a great deal to a lot of folks and this thread has allowed a lot of reconnecting and that is a great thing.
Thanks Randy,
Am I dead? Sure sounds like a Eulogy doesn't it. When I hired Randy it was my dream to buy a lot more stations and build a group. I think we were about 5 or 6 years too early. Randy mentioned the Oneonta debacle. But if that hadn't happened I wouldn't have hand RCB for all those years and again in 1991 at Oldies 100.7 in Raleigh.
Under Randy's eye we tried to build a more robust station with a lot of community service and even sports. Our remotes for Happiness House were a real rush. To be able to help Handicapped children our way was great.
There was a lot less movement of air people for a few years. Sales went up big time.
I have a friend to this day Gary Burns who managed WHFM in Rochester and then PXY. Gary provided weekend gigs for a lot of our jocks which supplemented the meager wages we were able to pay. Plus it gave our people exposure in a much bigger market. Looked good on the resume.
As most of you knew. The relationship with my father and Danny was less than great. Finally I realized the only way to end it was to sell.
I had this idea if we could sell to someone interested in a group we might be able to have a group to run,
We sold to Lenny Ackerman who against my advice bought crap stations in Old Saybrook Ct and an AM stand alone in Hartford plus an AM/FM in a town in Pennsylvania whcih I bloced from my memory. That station was bought from a MOB guy from New Jersey whose son was running the station. When Ackerman asked him how he was financed the guy saiud " I don't think you want to know that. GULP!
So for a year I traveled all over the place for Lenny ( who was a nice guy but clueless about Radio trying to save his group. The only property that was worthwhile was CQ 102. Randy and Hogan were in charge in Geneva. The station kep growing. When my One Year contract was up I got a great job on Cape Cod as GM of Cape 104. A real top 40 Rocker. RJ Mackay and Paul Attea joined me.
The owner was Dr. David Roth a brain surgeon from Boston who was the Uncle of David Lee Roth..no kidding. In about 18 months we raised the billing about 40% and the ratings were super...plus I had a ton of promotions I brought to the station
I also worked for an Oldies station on the Cape (and it was then that Marsha died) My last C ape gig was for an FGM in Falmouth on the Cape where I worked for a Woman who knew nothing about radio. Her daddy bought her the station. She had been a bookkeeper. UGH
So that is just a small part of the later years. It is funny. I walk everyday (6 miles) and in the middle of those walks names pop into my head from those years. Here's one...Lillian "?Kelly" Peterson. She was a singer who we put out there to sell.
The Salesman in one of those pictures was Steve Laurenza (sp) and we had a newsman named Quentin ( last name escapes me)
Hey this has been a lot of fun hearing from so many of you. I would love it if each of you could post the names of Jocks , News people and Sales people from your era. It ties the years together.
Also don't forget the Chantacleer(sp) Restaurant where many of you stayed when you first hit town. Trade Out.
And of course the Pumpernickel with its Yankee Fan owner John. Drove thru there about 8 years ago and it was gone. razed!
Have a great weekend. Email if you like. [email protected] I look forward to more. Somehow I think we have only scratched the surface
Am I dead? Sure sounds like a Eulogy doesn't it. When I hired Randy it was my dream to buy a lot more stations and build a group. I think we were about 5 or 6 years too early. Randy mentioned the Oneonta debacle. But if that hadn't happened I wouldn't have hand RCB for all those years and again in 1991 at Oldies 100.7 in Raleigh.
Under Randy's eye we tried to build a more robust station with a lot of community service and even sports. Our remotes for Happiness House were a real rush. To be able to help Handicapped children our way was great.
There was a lot less movement of air people for a few years. Sales went up big time.
I have a friend to this day Gary Burns who managed WHFM in Rochester and then PXY. Gary provided weekend gigs for a lot of our jocks which supplemented the meager wages we were able to pay. Plus it gave our people exposure in a much bigger market. Looked good on the resume.
As most of you knew. The relationship with my father and Danny was less than great. Finally I realized the only way to end it was to sell.
I had this idea if we could sell to someone interested in a group we might be able to have a group to run,
We sold to Lenny Ackerman who against my advice bought crap stations in Old Saybrook Ct and an AM stand alone in Hartford plus an AM/FM in a town in Pennsylvania whcih I bloced from my memory. That station was bought from a MOB guy from New Jersey whose son was running the station. When Ackerman asked him how he was financed the guy saiud " I don't think you want to know that. GULP!
So for a year I traveled all over the place for Lenny ( who was a nice guy but clueless about Radio trying to save his group. The only property that was worthwhile was CQ 102. Randy and Hogan were in charge in Geneva. The station kep growing. When my One Year contract was up I got a great job on Cape Cod as GM of Cape 104. A real top 40 Rocker. RJ Mackay and Paul Attea joined me.
The owner was Dr. David Roth a brain surgeon from Boston who was the Uncle of David Lee Roth..no kidding. In about 18 months we raised the billing about 40% and the ratings were super...plus I had a ton of promotions I brought to the station
I also worked for an Oldies station on the Cape (and it was then that Marsha died) My last C ape gig was for an FGM in Falmouth on the Cape where I worked for a Woman who knew nothing about radio. Her daddy bought her the station. She had been a bookkeeper. UGH
So that is just a small part of the later years. It is funny. I walk everyday (6 miles) and in the middle of those walks names pop into my head from those years. Here's one...Lillian "?Kelly" Peterson. She was a singer who we put out there to sell.
The Salesman in one of those pictures was Steve Laurenza (sp) and we had a newsman named Quentin ( last name escapes me)
Hey this has been a lot of fun hearing from so many of you. I would love it if each of you could post the names of Jocks , News people and Sales people from your era. It ties the years together.
Also don't forget the Chantacleer(sp) Restaurant where many of you stayed when you first hit town. Trade Out.
And of course the Pumpernickel with its Yankee Fan owner John. Drove thru there about 8 years ago and it was gone. razed!
Have a great weekend. Email if you like. [email protected] I look forward to more. Somehow I think we have only scratched the surface
LOL the marathon weekends at PXY, I believe Bruce fell asleep at the wheel on his way back one weekend(thank God he wasn't hurt).
Your extraordinary combination of recognizing talent, sense for what would appeal to the largest audience, and business sense is rare and looking back what made CQ stand out a great radio station. Randy nailed it, this kind of fondness so many year later, for an owner and GM is unheard of.
5 in the morning and just winding down from a packed house FL gig where a friend and business associate of some of ya'll joined us and I think will be chiming in.
Your extraordinary combination of recognizing talent, sense for what would appeal to the largest audience, and business sense is rare and looking back what made CQ stand out a great radio station. Randy nailed it, this kind of fondness so many year later, for an owner and GM is unheard of.
5 in the morning and just winding down from a packed house FL gig where a friend and business associate of some of ya'll joined us and I think will be chiming in.
DavidWeinfeld said:
Here's a name from 1980 that hasn't been mentioned so far: Brad Fitch (maybe the only WGVA'er to get hired at CQ102?). Brad did some part-time jocking, then moved to news full-time for a couple of months before joining the John Roberts exodus for the midwest. Another name, from overnights in 80, Bill Louis.
I want to pass along a big THANK YOU to “the real Paul Harvey” for remembering Steve LeVeille. His was the name of the news director I could not remember.
IIRC, the parade of news directors in the start-up days went like this: JW Nittler, Tom Terrico (who was ND when I committed my “gunman” gaffe [see page 5] – Tom saved the UPI headline news copy from that story and showed it to his mother who was visiting the following weekend – she was impressed with the late gunman’s flexibility), then some guy who was there for only about a month. I had forgotten about him, too, but now I remember that guy talking a blue streak at all times off air, and I do mean BLUE, if ya know what I mean. Then came Steve LeVeille and Joan Siefert. Steve was literally breath of fresh air over his immediate predecessor.
I have a box of tapes buried … and I mean buried ... in the garage somewhere, and I’ll bet I have a reel of outtakes of Steve doing a spot for me. It was for a clothing store. They were using co-op for Carhart and Dickie work clothes. Steve could not say Dickie out loud without laughing hysterically. Must’ve taken at least twenty takes. Great guy. From his picture on the WBZ website he doesn’t look like he’s aged a day. And I had a vague recollection of his being “transportationally challenged” and thanks to DCW I now fully recall Steve’s legal blindness.
I remember that Quentin guy that you brought up, Dave. If he wasn’t responsible for coming up with our CQ identity, he at least gave us a lot of background on why the term “CQ” had a legitimate relationship to broadcasting. I recall that we didn’t want to be just another “Q” station, and “CQ” was deemed not only unique but also more appropriate for our format and market positioning. Quentin Whomever was the one who brought up the historical significance of CQ being a general call for wireless operators, sort of the original “breaker, breaker.” “Seek you” was a general invitation for anyone on a given frequency to respond. And CQD was a Morse code distress call used on the Titanic. Fortunately, WECQ never sank to the bottom of Seneca Lake, although we dodged our share of “icebergs” in the start-up days.
Sales staff names: When we began the Weinfeld Era, in addition to Tina Boehm, Jack Kidd and myself, there was another young guy whose name completely escapes me. But I recall him frequently addressing Dave with “yeah suh, massa Weinfeld.” He lasted a month. If that.
Other AE’s while I was there were Liz van der Woud, Kay Something from the Pennysaver, a guy named Rossi from Canandaigua (was it WFLC?), and another woman from Seneca County that worked for the PennySaver – her name might’ve been Sharon. Don’t know. CRS has taken its toll on my memory.
I gotta clean out the garage … there could be a thirty-year old presentation tape out there. We were nothing if not creative. Especially Jack Kidd and his award-winning spots (doing both voices) for
Voice 1: Zuffaletto
Voice 2: Zollofluffo
Voice 1: No, Zuffaletto.
Voice 2: Zulu Yellow.
Voice 1: Zuffaletto.
Voice 2: Whatever.
Voice 1: Zuffaletto … the last word in photography.
IIRC, the parade of news directors in the start-up days went like this: JW Nittler, Tom Terrico (who was ND when I committed my “gunman” gaffe [see page 5] – Tom saved the UPI headline news copy from that story and showed it to his mother who was visiting the following weekend – she was impressed with the late gunman’s flexibility), then some guy who was there for only about a month. I had forgotten about him, too, but now I remember that guy talking a blue streak at all times off air, and I do mean BLUE, if ya know what I mean. Then came Steve LeVeille and Joan Siefert. Steve was literally breath of fresh air over his immediate predecessor.
I have a box of tapes buried … and I mean buried ... in the garage somewhere, and I’ll bet I have a reel of outtakes of Steve doing a spot for me. It was for a clothing store. They were using co-op for Carhart and Dickie work clothes. Steve could not say Dickie out loud without laughing hysterically. Must’ve taken at least twenty takes. Great guy. From his picture on the WBZ website he doesn’t look like he’s aged a day. And I had a vague recollection of his being “transportationally challenged” and thanks to DCW I now fully recall Steve’s legal blindness.
I remember that Quentin guy that you brought up, Dave. If he wasn’t responsible for coming up with our CQ identity, he at least gave us a lot of background on why the term “CQ” had a legitimate relationship to broadcasting. I recall that we didn’t want to be just another “Q” station, and “CQ” was deemed not only unique but also more appropriate for our format and market positioning. Quentin Whomever was the one who brought up the historical significance of CQ being a general call for wireless operators, sort of the original “breaker, breaker.” “Seek you” was a general invitation for anyone on a given frequency to respond. And CQD was a Morse code distress call used on the Titanic. Fortunately, WECQ never sank to the bottom of Seneca Lake, although we dodged our share of “icebergs” in the start-up days.
Sales staff names: When we began the Weinfeld Era, in addition to Tina Boehm, Jack Kidd and myself, there was another young guy whose name completely escapes me. But I recall him frequently addressing Dave with “yeah suh, massa Weinfeld.” He lasted a month. If that.
Other AE’s while I was there were Liz van der Woud, Kay Something from the Pennysaver, a guy named Rossi from Canandaigua (was it WFLC?), and another woman from Seneca County that worked for the PennySaver – her name might’ve been Sharon. Don’t know. CRS has taken its toll on my memory.
I gotta clean out the garage … there could be a thirty-year old presentation tape out there. We were nothing if not creative. Especially Jack Kidd and his award-winning spots (doing both voices) for
Voice 1: Zuffaletto
Voice 2: Zollofluffo
Voice 1: No, Zuffaletto.
Voice 2: Zulu Yellow.
Voice 1: Zuffaletto.
Voice 2: Whatever.
Voice 1: Zuffaletto … the last word in photography.
"Quentin Someone"
It was "Quentin Johnson." I managed to touch base with him briefly sometime in the mid-90s, working for the AP in Washington DC, if I recall. Quentin was part of my favorite CQ 102 memory.
The morning of the first day of Spring (1980?), the forecast was calling for a spectacular, unseasonably warm day, and we decided to do the morning show from the parking lot. We rolled out a long mic cable, Quentin ran the board, and I went outside. I froze my butt off for the first hour, but we ended up with people driving by all morning to say hello. We pulled some old stuff out of the prize closet for a few giveaways. The sales department seized on it, started making phone calls to get prizes from clients, and we ended up giving away a ton of stuff as the "remote" turned into a day-long open house. Try that today, in any size market!
(Or with any other general manager!)
I also remember Earl Nightengale. He always started his recorded vignettes with, "thank you," assuming he'd taken a cordial handoff. So, once in a while, we'd have fun with him...
Uh...Earl, you're at half-mast, buddy... (zipper SFX)
"Thank you!"
The station sounded really clean, but there were a few odd bits of equipment. I remember the Advent home stereo speakers, probably something Danny picked up, which were decent monitors for the day, and gave the studio a really homey feel. There was also the McMartin board in producton, which could be made to bridge any other source with the studio headphones, sending unwelcomed distractions in to the jock, to hilarious effect.
I remember being blown away by the CQ 102 Summer Bride Contest, which sounded like it dropped in from a much bigger market. But then, the whole station sounded like that.
The station gained a reputation as a great stepping stone to bigger markets. I recall looking for a part-timer, and taking the outrageous tactic of advertising in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, specifically asking for applications by phone. We specified "no experience necessary," and I thought I could pick a voice from among callers. I wound up talking to "Jade Holly" on the phone, and she asked me why I'd consider someone like her, with no real radio experience. I told her, "I want someone with a great voice, a brain, and experience. For $120 a week, I'm settling for two out of three." It was only after we hired her I learned she was the estranged wife of one-time WHAM night talent Bill Masters.
Later, Jade moved to overnights on WHAM. I've always wondered if it was partly to get the chance to talk to he ex's old listeners, who frequently heard her mentioned by Bill. She was a very bright and interesting lady.
David, it may have looked like a "palace revolt," but our attempt at an agency was more about getting exclusive WGVA advertisers to widen their horizons than in getting in your revenue stream. But after a few months, Steve Cleere got a call from Bernie Ecclestone, offering him his dream job, working PR for the Formula One circuit, and took off for the UK. Almost immediately afterward, I was offered middays at WSAY/Rochester, which was built almost entirely from the former staff at WHAM.
(Jack & George, entire seven-person news department, four top billers, most of the part-time staff....now, that was a palace revolt!)
I remained in music radio till 2000, became a talk host for a few years, left the business last year, and now make my living as a writer and podcaster covering the aviation industry. It was a treat finding this thread.
David, I still look back at WECQ as a high point in a largely satisfying career, and you're largely responsible. Thank you!
Paul Warren Plack
Aero News Network
It was "Quentin Johnson." I managed to touch base with him briefly sometime in the mid-90s, working for the AP in Washington DC, if I recall. Quentin was part of my favorite CQ 102 memory.
The morning of the first day of Spring (1980?), the forecast was calling for a spectacular, unseasonably warm day, and we decided to do the morning show from the parking lot. We rolled out a long mic cable, Quentin ran the board, and I went outside. I froze my butt off for the first hour, but we ended up with people driving by all morning to say hello. We pulled some old stuff out of the prize closet for a few giveaways. The sales department seized on it, started making phone calls to get prizes from clients, and we ended up giving away a ton of stuff as the "remote" turned into a day-long open house. Try that today, in any size market!
(Or with any other general manager!)
I also remember Earl Nightengale. He always started his recorded vignettes with, "thank you," assuming he'd taken a cordial handoff. So, once in a while, we'd have fun with him...
Uh...Earl, you're at half-mast, buddy... (zipper SFX)
"Thank you!"
The station sounded really clean, but there were a few odd bits of equipment. I remember the Advent home stereo speakers, probably something Danny picked up, which were decent monitors for the day, and gave the studio a really homey feel. There was also the McMartin board in producton, which could be made to bridge any other source with the studio headphones, sending unwelcomed distractions in to the jock, to hilarious effect.
I remember being blown away by the CQ 102 Summer Bride Contest, which sounded like it dropped in from a much bigger market. But then, the whole station sounded like that.
The station gained a reputation as a great stepping stone to bigger markets. I recall looking for a part-timer, and taking the outrageous tactic of advertising in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, specifically asking for applications by phone. We specified "no experience necessary," and I thought I could pick a voice from among callers. I wound up talking to "Jade Holly" on the phone, and she asked me why I'd consider someone like her, with no real radio experience. I told her, "I want someone with a great voice, a brain, and experience. For $120 a week, I'm settling for two out of three." It was only after we hired her I learned she was the estranged wife of one-time WHAM night talent Bill Masters.
Later, Jade moved to overnights on WHAM. I've always wondered if it was partly to get the chance to talk to he ex's old listeners, who frequently heard her mentioned by Bill. She was a very bright and interesting lady.
David, it may have looked like a "palace revolt," but our attempt at an agency was more about getting exclusive WGVA advertisers to widen their horizons than in getting in your revenue stream. But after a few months, Steve Cleere got a call from Bernie Ecclestone, offering him his dream job, working PR for the Formula One circuit, and took off for the UK. Almost immediately afterward, I was offered middays at WSAY/Rochester, which was built almost entirely from the former staff at WHAM.
(Jack & George, entire seven-person news department, four top billers, most of the part-time staff....now, that was a palace revolt!)
I remained in music radio till 2000, became a talk host for a few years, left the business last year, and now make my living as a writer and podcaster covering the aviation industry. It was a treat finding this thread.
David, I still look back at WECQ as a high point in a largely satisfying career, and you're largely responsible. Thank you!
Paul Warren Plack
Aero News Network
I hope some recollections from a former CQ102 listener will be welcome in this fine thread, too...
I grew up in Brighton, where the WECQ signal didn't quite reach, but I went to summer camp through most of the 80s on the shores of Seneca Lake, well within reach of the mighty 3 kilowatts. CQ102 was one of several popular listening choices at camp in the mid-80s, others including OK100 from Cortland, Rock 107 from Utica, 94 Rock from Elmira and Wingz 105 from Montour Falls. There were always a few yellow CQ102 bumper stickers floating around the camp each summer.
And speaking of bumper stickers, my most vivid recollection of my one visit to the WECQ studios, probably around 1985-86, was of the door to the studio that was covered with stickers from stations all over the country. Seemed like a fun place to work, and judging by this thread, it was!
With no respect intended to Mike and Jake and everyone else still working in FL radio...it's just not the same dialing around these days, compared with the "glory days" of the 80s when everyone was live and local all the time. I wish I'd airchecked more back then - all I have are some tapes of WSFW-AM signing off at sunset (stay tuned to NINEty-NINE, DOUBLE-you ess-eff-DOUBLE-you EFF-em), a little bit of WQKA, and some bits of Ithaca, circa 1985...
I grew up in Brighton, where the WECQ signal didn't quite reach, but I went to summer camp through most of the 80s on the shores of Seneca Lake, well within reach of the mighty 3 kilowatts. CQ102 was one of several popular listening choices at camp in the mid-80s, others including OK100 from Cortland, Rock 107 from Utica, 94 Rock from Elmira and Wingz 105 from Montour Falls. There were always a few yellow CQ102 bumper stickers floating around the camp each summer.
And speaking of bumper stickers, my most vivid recollection of my one visit to the WECQ studios, probably around 1985-86, was of the door to the studio that was covered with stickers from stations all over the country. Seemed like a fun place to work, and judging by this thread, it was!
With no respect intended to Mike and Jake and everyone else still working in FL radio...it's just not the same dialing around these days, compared with the "glory days" of the 80s when everyone was live and local all the time. I wish I'd airchecked more back then - all I have are some tapes of WSFW-AM signing off at sunset (stay tuned to NINEty-NINE, DOUBLE-you ess-eff-DOUBLE-you EFF-em), a little bit of WQKA, and some bits of Ithaca, circa 1985...
Scott Fybush said:
I tell ya I get no respect - no respect at all!
FYI...the Summer Bride promotion traveled with David to WECQ from WKST in New Castle, PA. I suspect that wherever you have gone, Dave, you left a Summer Bride promo in your wake. Always a sure moneymaker.
BTW, Dave, WKST is a sad state of affairs now compared to the days when you graced the facility on Savannah-Gardner Road. WKST and WBZY (nka WJST) are co-owned, they flip-flopped frequencies, and are both probably operated from a PC. ClearChannel sold them off to ForeverRadio of Altoona, PA. Not sure if the Ellwood City property was bundled into that deal. Mike Tobey, John Nuzzo, Bob Grant, Barbara Silverman, Herb Morgan, Dave Deal and Byron McConnel who always ended his Holiday Inn spots with "the Holiday Inn makes eating out a pleasure" (an interesting choice of words, I always thought). Now THAT's a trip into the WayBack Machine! Except for M-F 6a-9a, news, and high school sports, WKST is all satellite driven. Local radio just ain't local anymore.
BTW, Dave, WKST is a sad state of affairs now compared to the days when you graced the facility on Savannah-Gardner Road. WKST and WBZY (nka WJST) are co-owned, they flip-flopped frequencies, and are both probably operated from a PC. ClearChannel sold them off to ForeverRadio of Altoona, PA. Not sure if the Ellwood City property was bundled into that deal. Mike Tobey, John Nuzzo, Bob Grant, Barbara Silverman, Herb Morgan, Dave Deal and Byron McConnel who always ended his Holiday Inn spots with "the Holiday Inn makes eating out a pleasure" (an interesting choice of words, I always thought). Now THAT's a trip into the WayBack Machine! Except for M-F 6a-9a, news, and high school sports, WKST is all satellite driven. Local radio just ain't local anymore.
R
RCB
Guest
Well since David mentioned putting together lists of people who were there during our time at CQ, here goes.
I'm sure I can't re create the lineup of all the years I was there, but I think I can place folks in one of the shifts they worked.
Mornings
Tom Sherman
Dr. Dave
Mike smith
News
Dave Waples
Kim Young
Dawn Fratangelo
Patty Blue
Dave Carmichael
Monica Wilson(Wileba sp)
Marti Casper
Paul Attea
Middays
Evan Coleman
Bruce Barrows(Evans)
Gave Anthony(Sinicropi)
R.J. McKay
PM drive (this one's easy)
RCB (as Erin began every shift on tape "CQ 102, Randall C Bliss, that's my dad")
Nights
Uncle Louie
Dangerous Dan Lundy
Trevor Joe Lennon
Overnights
Paul Mcarthur
Mark Casti
Mike SMith
Marti Casper
In Sales during my tenure
John Hogan
Joan Gillotte
Nancy Van Damme
Nancy Chase
Mark Mothersell
(I know there must be many more, but can't recall)
On the front Desk Ginny Arnt
Traffic: Leslie Abraham, Chris Barrows
Promotions: Sue Groesbeck
Engineering: Danny Weinfeld.
Some Hightslights:
CQ 102 Summer Bride contest
CQ102 GRAND GIVEAWAY
Happiness House Radiothons
CQ102 Child ID program, one of the first in the nation, following the tragic death of Adam Walsh. Got a nice write up in R and R on that one.
Broadcasting Hobart's Lacrosse games. One of the finest sports broadcasts ever, marvelously produced.
The ledgendary CQ102 Election night coverage, with Dave anchoring, and every single staff member working, either in the station or scattered around the Fingerlakes, calling in reports.
And who could forget the annual staff christmas party at the station. the tradition was, that you drew names, and then you had to write a poem about that person and read it to them in front of everyone as you gave them the gift. We always dreaded that, but afterward you were thankful, cause it was very rewarding.
I'm sure I can't re create the lineup of all the years I was there, but I think I can place folks in one of the shifts they worked.
Mornings
Tom Sherman
Dr. Dave
Mike smith
News
Dave Waples
Kim Young
Dawn Fratangelo
Patty Blue
Dave Carmichael
Monica Wilson(Wileba sp)
Marti Casper
Paul Attea
Middays
Evan Coleman
Bruce Barrows(Evans)
Gave Anthony(Sinicropi)
R.J. McKay
PM drive (this one's easy)
RCB (as Erin began every shift on tape "CQ 102, Randall C Bliss, that's my dad")
Nights
Uncle Louie
Dangerous Dan Lundy
Trevor Joe Lennon
Overnights
Paul Mcarthur
Mark Casti
Mike SMith
Marti Casper
In Sales during my tenure
John Hogan
Joan Gillotte
Nancy Van Damme
Nancy Chase
Mark Mothersell
(I know there must be many more, but can't recall)
On the front Desk Ginny Arnt
Traffic: Leslie Abraham, Chris Barrows
Promotions: Sue Groesbeck
Engineering: Danny Weinfeld.
Some Hightslights:
CQ 102 Summer Bride contest
CQ102 GRAND GIVEAWAY
Happiness House Radiothons
CQ102 Child ID program, one of the first in the nation, following the tragic death of Adam Walsh. Got a nice write up in R and R on that one.
Broadcasting Hobart's Lacrosse games. One of the finest sports broadcasts ever, marvelously produced.
The ledgendary CQ102 Election night coverage, with Dave anchoring, and every single staff member working, either in the station or scattered around the Fingerlakes, calling in reports.
And who could forget the annual staff christmas party at the station. the tradition was, that you drew names, and then you had to write a poem about that person and read it to them in front of everyone as you gave them the gift. We always dreaded that, but afterward you were thankful, cause it was very rewarding.
Good to hear from people who knew about the station. Scott Fybush has a great Web Newsletter every week (fresh on mondays) I have been reading his pages every week for 4-5 years. He covers all the states save NC that I worked in. I have for a number of years thought about contacting him to tell him about CQ102. I just didn't want it to be seen as self promotion. Welcome to the disc ussion Scott.
And Paul Warren..so happy to hear from you, Still got that great voice?
Here's a couple opf names "Kev with the weather" Kevin WEilliams was out staff weather man from Rochester.
And Eileen Storms did horoscopes.
And last year I found Notebooks galore in the Garage...didn't smell too good of all of Marsha's commercials she wrote for us.. I always thought we had the most creative commercals anywhere. I remember the Sales people would run down to the house and have Marsha write s spec spot. Then our always great production staff would turn it into a masterpiece. i always felt that our advertisers got a bang for their buck.
And Paul Warren..so happy to hear from you, Still got that great voice?
Here's a couple opf names "Kev with the weather" Kevin WEilliams was out staff weather man from Rochester.
And Eileen Storms did horoscopes.
And last year I found Notebooks galore in the Garage...didn't smell too good of all of Marsha's commercials she wrote for us.. I always thought we had the most creative commercals anywhere. I remember the Sales people would run down to the house and have Marsha write s spec spot. Then our always great production staff would turn it into a masterpiece. i always felt that our advertisers got a bang for their buck.
Kevin Williams and I are still teaming up every morning
RCB said:
Don't Forgot Shari Smith, who is now at WHAM.
The Hobart Lacrosse games starting in 1988 became a co-production, with WEOS-FM. Split the expenses, shared the talent, and it worked very well. I worked with Gabe on setting this up, and it laid the foundation for some of the first nationwide NCAA broadcasts of the Lax Championships. Jon Wallach, Kevin Heilbronner (who is now the NBA Wizards PA announcer), Chris Carlin, Jonas Schwartz, and Dave Schwartz are some the broadcasters that continued broadcasting. Jon in the Boston area, doing PBP and studio work, Chris Carlin of WFAN and now SportsNY, Jonas Schwartz of Sports NY and WNBC TV, and Dave Schwartz is a sports reporter/anchor in Minneapolis.
Marty Gold came from my school Ithaca.
First office person was Donna Bennett whose family owned the Funeral Parlor.
The person who had a very long run with the station was Nancy Vandamme (she was D'Costa when she started.)
Nancy started in the Front office and was the jack of all trade. She was loyal and enthusiastic about the station. Nancy used to pass out the paychecks and I remember when she saw what the Sales People were making she came in my office and said "I want to Sell" And she did and well! Nancy and Jim are living in Florida and she has an army of grandchildren. Funnt story , when I moved to the Cape it turned out that I lived just down the street from her mother. And when I left the Cape I rented my house to her cousin.
First office person was Donna Bennett whose family owned the Funeral Parlor.
The person who had a very long run with the station was Nancy Vandamme (she was D'Costa when she started.)
Nancy started in the Front office and was the jack of all trade. She was loyal and enthusiastic about the station. Nancy used to pass out the paychecks and I remember when she saw what the Sales People were making she came in my office and said "I want to Sell" And she did and well! Nancy and Jim are living in Florida and she has an army of grandchildren. Funnt story , when I moved to the Cape it turned out that I lived just down the street from her mother. And when I left the Cape I rented my house to her cousin.
Wow, has this been a trip down memory lane! After two stints in sales at CQ, I went over to the dark side and went to the Finger Lakes Times. I've been here over 16 years now and have been the Advertising Director since 2001.
Dave, you were certainly a mentor to so many of us, both on air and in sales. I know I learned so much from my years there, and I still use some of your interviewing questions and sales incentives to motivate my staff. Remember the weekly $20...I am still using the same idea!
People all over the Finger Lakes remember CQ 102, it was truly a phenomenon and way ahead of its time especially for a small station. There has never been anything that has come close to it. All of you so proud of the things you have accomplished, and Dave, we all really owe you for giving us the chance to be successful!
For those of you who remember my ankle-biters, they are both in their thirties, the youngest Vinnie is a Lt. in the Navy and was married last summer. The oldest Jason served for three years in the Army and is now an estimator for a commercial construction company. He is engaged and the father of my beautiful four year old granddaughter.
Nancy Chase lives in Ohio, we still get together a couple of times a year and talk about the old times!
All the best to everyone, I can be reached at [email protected]
Diane Lahr-Smith
Dave, you were certainly a mentor to so many of us, both on air and in sales. I know I learned so much from my years there, and I still use some of your interviewing questions and sales incentives to motivate my staff. Remember the weekly $20...I am still using the same idea!
People all over the Finger Lakes remember CQ 102, it was truly a phenomenon and way ahead of its time especially for a small station. There has never been anything that has come close to it. All of you so proud of the things you have accomplished, and Dave, we all really owe you for giving us the chance to be successful!
For those of you who remember my ankle-biters, they are both in their thirties, the youngest Vinnie is a Lt. in the Navy and was married last summer. The oldest Jason served for three years in the Army and is now an estimator for a commercial construction company. He is engaged and the father of my beautiful four year old granddaughter.
Nancy Chase lives in Ohio, we still get together a couple of times a year and talk about the old times!
All the best to everyone, I can be reached at [email protected]
Diane Lahr-Smith
Actually, Donna Bennett, recruited from WACK by Jack Kidd and Russ Aykroyd, was second. Prior to her we had a young woman who was there at the start but left by summer. She bore a vague resemblance to Shelly Duvall and was all about “you bet your sweet bippy!” We challenged her traffic skills by “selling out” Memorial Day weekend (1978) with safety message packages. I think there’s a truck stop in Palmyra that still owes me money for that….
This is quite a bit like regression therapy. In some European countries they would pay us to do this. LOL
This is quite a bit like regression therapy. In some European countries they would pay us to do this. LOL
Brad Fitch was at Hobart. His father Larry Fitch ws the Sports Guy at WGVA. Brad and John Roberts and Tom Collins bolted for their dream job at an FM in Fargo South Dakota.(or was it North) I begged them not to go . I just didn't feel it was a great Career move. The harder I urged them to stay the more resolved they got to leave. I said if they really wanted to leave I would make some calls for them.
I understand it wasn't all that they expected (LOL).
I also remember Matt Farrand and Todd Holiday. I had a couple of Xmas cards from Todd a few years ago. He was in Delaware I believe.
I understand it wasn't all that they expected (LOL).
I also remember Matt Farrand and Todd Holiday. I had a couple of Xmas cards from Todd a few years ago. He was in Delaware I believe.
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