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WNYR/WEZO (LATE 1970s): A CONTRARIAN VIEW

B

Burt

I notice it's popularly felt on this board that the WNYR/WEZO company culture was warm and family-like under Murray Green's leadership. And I'm not disputing that this may well have been the case among the on-air talent and sales folk. But, having been a lower-echelon employee at that complex for a time in the late '70s, I regrettably found that the atmosphere for myself and most of my fellow behind-the-scenes personnel ("broadcast operators" in the jargon of the day) instead took on a flavor of fear and paranoia that would not go away. So much so that in early 1978, following what I recall as a wholesale purge (myself included) at that level of the WNYR/WEZO hierarchy, at least a few of us "castoffs" briefly discussed pursuing a combined legal action against WNYR/WEZO/Malrite, based upon our collective treatment by our supervisor and his fellow station executives. (Because we ultimately realized such an action would amount to nothing but further damage to our own prospects for employment elsewhere in the broadcast industry, and since I realize that many of the WNYR/WEZO principals involved are today either deceased, retired, or employed in other venues, I'll choose to neither tell any specific tales nor name names.)

Sure, radio is a harsh mistress to everyone in some way or another, but I still believe that episode was well beyond the bounds of propriety for its place and time. And I'll be forever thankful for since having found a far happier avenue away from the industry entirely. But the "might have been" under more positive conditions still produces regret.
 
Fortunately when I arrived at WNYR-WEZO in 1981 working for Malrite and two of their GM's ( Murray Green and Len Hart) contained some of the happiest memories I had in my radio career. The entire staff was treated with respect. It was "fun" to go to work.

However I am sorry to read about the ordeal you went through.

I can attest that after Malrite sold the two radio stations, everything started going down hill from there when it came to the careers of long-time staff and the radio news department.

But I must add that when WEZO became WRMM, I did get to work with some great people like Gary Smith and Chuck Lakefield....just to name a few.
 
I was one of those newbies working as a jack-of-all-trades at WEZO/WNYR, apparently just before you, Burt, because I remember when Murray arrived. I have to say I felt appreciated. I was tending the automation for WEZO overnight, then writing news for Jerry Warner after 4am. I later worked in copy and production, and also jocked part-time on WNYR. I was hired away by WAXC to do news, but management there changed and the station withdrew the offer after I'd given Murray my two weeks' notice, and he let me rescind it and stay on the staff. He didn't have to do that.
 
For what it's worth, I worked there in the mid 70's and put in my time tending to WEZO's overnight automation, writing news for Jerry, and doing part-time on The Great 68. I felt VERY appreciated and picked up a great deal from my two supervisors, Dale Hartnett (WEZO) and Earl Morgan (WNYR). It was a good learning experience, and I agree with Mark that ... at least for us ... it was fun to work there. I was part-time, but one thing I'll never forget is the day I was hired. Even though I was only a PART-TIMER, Dale took me around and introduced me to office people I would NEVER see. I thought that was classy, and, to this day, I still do that whenever a new hire comes on board at our cluster.
 
I have a question..this goes back 30+ years.
I remember WNYR 680 Signing off the air at dusk - can someone tell me what the song was that they played everynight at sign-off. I can remember it being the same song, just as the announcer said goodnight.

Thanks!
 
I too worked there in the Dale Hartnett/Earl Morgan era. I had worked with Bob Kirby in Binghamton before he left for the AM drive slot on WINR, and when a midday spot opened up he recommended me to Bill Scarborough, the then GM. I showed up for an interview, and after exchanging a few pleasantries in the office, they immediately put me on the air for a live audition and left me there--pretty much on my own--for a full 4 hour shift! "Grueling" doesn't come close to describing the experience--new board, new format, new market. Whew!
Don Fox
 
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