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WYFA Update!

J

Jack1580

Guest
To All WYFA buffs,

I normally do not post on message boards but when WYFA was mentioned to me it brought back a lot of memories. So I will try and plug in some of the holes. At the time when Drew Scott was there I was finishing up at WLIX. A good friend at the time Joe Manno help me get a tape to Perry Silver. I was hired part time in 1979. Gene Phifer was Chief Engineer, Scott Taylor was PD, Drew Scott News director, Joe Manno afternoons. I was hired to do part time weekends. Also a dentist by the name of Bob Star owned about 10 percent of the staion and also did Sunday Mornings. He recently retired from his practice in Patchogue..

When Drew left to join I believe INN news I became WYFA News Director and was hired full time. The Schedule then was Scott Taylor PD Mornings, Frank Glaz (great for knowing trivia we had contests to see if you could stump Frank on the air), and Bob James did afternoons. As time marched on Gene phifer left and Gene Heilly (Jim Saunders came on board as Chief Enginner and eventually down the road as PD. Scott Taylor left I believe to WBLI for overnights, then to WFIL in Philly. Frank Glaz left and moved to PA the last I heard from him and Don Stephen came in to do middays.. In the last year of WYFA great jocks like Kathy Cunningham, Steve Harpor, Jim Driscoll came through our doors.

I was let go about three months before the Station was sold to Jack Ellswoth by then PD Gene Heilly. They said it was budjet cuts. I moved on to WLNG at that time and did part time Sat. nights as Happy Jack. Never did radio full tim after that because of its in security. Not that any job is secure, but radio had the least in my view at the time.

WYFA was fun and I made a lot of good friends. Don Stephen was one of them. He also worked as PD at Brookhaven cable (owned by United Artisted at the time ) where he let me do a weekly interview show with Gene Heilly. Don also recommende me for a job as a a DJ at a dance club called the Plankhouse where his dad was a manager and Bob Ottone was my boss! What a great gig. It had health benefits which radio did not. Also when Don hosted Only Gold (on WBLI Sunday NIghts) if he needed an odd ball oldie I would provide it to him.

On a personal note WYFA was a good gig. While I was there my son Robert was born he is now 25 and I feel old. He is the pride of my life. I work at WALK on weekend overnites which works with my busy weekday schedule and I thank Rob Miller PD at WALK for this great oppurtunity. I have no airchecks of WYFA because I lost them in a basement fllood when I lived in Miller Place in the 1990's. IF there is any remote possibilty someone might have one of me I would be grateful, my son wanted to hear how I sounded back then. For me I like to think forward!

Added note Joe Mano was voice on AERO Mexico and day care spot on WYFA part II. Perry Silver voiced the other spots.

To all of you my best

Jack Nolan
 
> To All WYFA buffs,
>
> I normally do not post on message boards but when WYFA was
> mentioned to me it brought back a lot of memories. So I will
> try and plug in some of the holes. At the time when Drew
> Scott was there I was finishing up at WLIX. A good friend
> at the time Joe Manno help me get a tape to Perry Silver. I
> was hired part time in 1979. Gene Phifer was Chief Engineer,
> Scott Taylor was PD, Drew Scott News director, Joe Manno
> afternoons. I was hired to do part time weekends. Also a
> dentist by the name of Bob Star owned about 10 percent of
> the staion and also did Sunday Mornings. He recently retired
> from his practice in Patchogue..
>
> When Drew left to join I believe INN news I became WYFA News
> Director and was hired full time. The Schedule then was
> Scott Taylor PD Mornings, Frank Glaz (great for knowing
> trivia we had contests to see if you could stump Frank on
> the air), and Bob James did afternoons. As time marched on
> Gene phifer left and Gene Heilly (Jim Saunders came on board
> as Chief Enginner and eventually down the road as PD. Scott
> Taylor left I believe to WBLI for overnights, then to WFIL
> in Philly. Frank Glaz left and moved to PA the last I heard
> from him and Don Stephen came in to do middays.. In the last
> year of WYFA great jocks like Kathy Cunningham, Steve
> Harpor, Jim Driscoll came through our doors.
>
> I was let go about three months before the Station was sold
> to Jack Ellswoth by then PD Gene Heilly. They said it was
> budjet cuts. I moved on to WLNG at that time and did part
> time Sat. nights as Happy Jack. Never did radio full tim
> after that because of its in security. Not that any job is
> secure, but radio had the least in my view at the time.
>
> WYFA was fun and I made a lot of good friends. Don Stephen
> was one of them. He also worked as PD at Brookhaven cable
> (owned by United Artisted at the time ) where he let me do a
> weekly interview show with Gene Heilly. Don also recommende
> me for a job as a a DJ at a dance club called the Plankhouse
> where his dad was a manager and Bob Ottone was my boss! What
> a great gig. It had health benefits which radio did not.
> Also when Don hosted Only Gold (on WBLI Sunday NIghts) if he
> needed an odd ball oldie I would provide it to him.
>
> On a personal note WYFA was a good gig. While I was there my
> son Robert was born he is now 25 and I feel old. He is the
> pride of my life. I work at WALK on weekend overnites which
> works with my busy weekday schedule and I thank Rob Miller
> PD at WALK for this great oppurtunity. I have no airchecks
> of WYFA because I lost them in a basement fllood when I
> lived in Miller Place in the 1990's. IF there is any remote
> possibilty someone might have one of me I would be grateful,
> my son wanted to hear how I sounded back then. For me I like
> to think forward!
>
> Added note Joe Mano was voice on AERO Mexico and day care
> spot on WYFA part II. Perry Silver voiced the other spots.
>
> To all of you my best
>
> Jack Nolan
>
In reading your post, I realized before I got to the end just exactly who you were, when you said you had a 25 year old son...the pride of your life. So how's Robbie doing up at SUNYA? Still there I assume. Hope he is doing well at my alma matter. I knew him from a few years ago...on Sunday mornings!!! When you hear from him...tell him that both of "the only live guys on Sunday's" said Hello!!!
 
I had forgotten about Dr. Bob Starr he put himself through dental school working as a DJ for WPAC-AM&FM in the '60's. And hosted a Medical Advice show on WALK in the mid '70's. What is it with DJ's becoming dentists? Also Jack if you read this, Do you know if AJ Manno from WRCN is any relation to Joe Manno?
 
> > To All WYFA buffs,
> >
> > I normally do not post on message boards but when WYFA was
>
> > mentioned to me it brought back a lot of memories. So I
> will
> > try and plug in some of the holes. At the time when Drew
> > Scott was there I was finishing up at WLIX. A good friend
>
> > at the time Joe Manno help me get a tape to Perry Silver.
> I
> > was hired part time in 1979. Gene Phifer was Chief
> Engineer,
> > Scott Taylor was PD, Drew Scott News director, Joe Manno
> > afternoons. I was hired to do part time weekends. Also a
> > dentist by the name of Bob Star owned about 10 percent of
> > the staion and also did Sunday Mornings. He recently
> retired
> > from his practice in Patchogue..
> >
> > When Drew left to join I believe INN news I became WYFA
> News
> > Director and was hired full time. The Schedule then was
> > Scott Taylor PD Mornings, Frank Glaz (great for knowing
> > trivia we had contests to see if you could stump Frank on
> > the air), and Bob James did afternoons. As time marched on
>
> > Gene phifer left and Gene Heilly (Jim Saunders came on
> board
> > as Chief Enginner and eventually down the road as PD.
> Scott
> > Taylor left I believe to WBLI for overnights, then to WFIL
>
> > in Philly. Frank Glaz left and moved to PA the last I
> heard
> > from him and Don Stephen came in to do middays.. In the
> last
> > year of WYFA great jocks like Kathy Cunningham, Steve
> > Harpor, Jim Driscoll came through our doors.
> >
> > I was let go about three months before the Station was
> sold
> > to Jack Ellswoth by then PD Gene Heilly. They said it was
> > budjet cuts. I moved on to WLNG at that time and did part
> > time Sat. nights as Happy Jack. Never did radio full tim
> > after that because of its in security. Not that any job is
>
> > secure, but radio had the least in my view at the time.
> >
> > WYFA was fun and I made a lot of good friends. Don Stephen
>
> > was one of them. He also worked as PD at Brookhaven cable
> > (owned by United Artisted at the time ) where he let me do
> a
> > weekly interview show with Gene Heilly. Don also
> recommende
> > me for a job as a a DJ at a dance club called the
> Plankhouse
> > where his dad was a manager and Bob Ottone was my boss!
> What
> > a great gig. It had health benefits which radio did not.
> > Also when Don hosted Only Gold (on WBLI Sunday NIghts) if
> he
> > needed an odd ball oldie I would provide it to him.
> >
> > On a personal note WYFA was a good gig. While I was there
> my
> > son Robert was born he is now 25 and I feel old. He is the
>
> > pride of my life. I work at WALK on weekend overnites
> which
> > works with my busy weekday schedule and I thank Rob Miller
>
> > PD at WALK for this great oppurtunity. I have no airchecks
>
> > of WYFA because I lost them in a basement fllood when I
> > lived in Miller Place in the 1990's. IF there is any
> remote
> > possibilty someone might have one of me I would be
> grateful,
> > my son wanted to hear how I sounded back then. For me I
> like
> > to think forward!
> >
> > Added note Joe Mano was voice on AERO Mexico and day care
> > spot on WYFA part II. Perry Silver voiced the other spots.
>
> >
> > To all of you my best
> >
> > Jack Nolan
> >
> In reading your post, I realized before I got to the end
> just exactly who you were, when you said you had a 25 year
> old son...the pride of your life. So how's Robbie doing up
> at SUNYA? Still there I assume. Hope he is doing well at my
> alma matter. I knew him from a few years ago...on Sunday
> mornings!!! When you hear from him...tell him that both of
> "the only live guys on Sunday's" said Hello!!!
>
Jack Nolan!!!
News Director at WYFA. I'll give you a hint Jack ..."BOOM another fatal traffic accident..it's 10am, I'm Jack Nolan WYFA news.
It has been years since I have seen or talked to you. Hope all is going well,
I'll figure out how to do this posting stuff and I will write again
 
Mr. Nolan;
This is Mr. Glaz. How the bleep are you ? You are correct that I moved to Pa. after being on the air at WYFA. I worked at WFMZ in Allentown until 1981 when I left broadcasting and have been in IT ever since. It's also funny you mentioned the trivia, because I compete in many trivia contests to this day. My kids are 23 22 and 19. I don't have an air check of you, but I have an air check of me, and I have a recording of the "Harrisburg Fumble", the Dickie Goodman-type parody that we did on 3 Mile Island, which you narrated. I now live in NJ. I still would love to get some sort of part time gig like you have, even have a "virtual air check". I keep trying from time to time. E-mail me at [email protected]. Oh yeah, I have always continued with my music. Check out www.lowtechman.com.

Frank
 
Kathy Cunningham lives in [EDIT] after having an work-related injury @ K-Joy. She takes came of her infirm mom alot. She's in great spirits. BTW.. whatever happened to WYFA (& WBLI's) Jim Driscoll (nee Glascock) ?

[EDIT-deleted by user request for privacy issues]
 
Jack1580 I remember I was calling you "Capt weekend" when you were working at WLIX. How have you been? I think it was Bob Buckman on the Aeromexico spot....
 
please tell Kathy Cunningham that LaLumia sends much luv...
I snuck her the first copy of Bowie's "Rebel Rebel" in 74,which she premiered for the USA on WBAB FM ,just took it upon herself to 'program' it in...along with The NY Dolls, during the 'shunned by radio' glitter rock days...
 
Hi! This is Perry Silver, the original owner and GM of WYFA in Patchogue. Jack, what nice memories your blog brought back to me about a very exciting time in my life, where we took the burned out shell of WSUF, and built a radio station dedicated to try and provide a new kind of companionship for the radio audience. The WYFA call letters were chosen (WWhere YYour F Friends A Are), as were what I hoped were friendly sounding air personalities, who attempted to connect and exude that friendly feeling to their audience.
Scott Taylor, Bob James, and Kathy Cunningham were to my way of thinking, best exemplified that kind of atmosphere. There were many others who joined their ranks, through the years that I owned and managed the station and I was very appreciative of their efforts.

It has been suggested that since we hired and had a number of really fine air talent, who for the most part were hired away because they were so good, by WBLI and other larger stations, that we create a WYFA site, calling attention to all of those personalities who past through WYFA doors, and what they are doing today. I'm sorry to say, that due to a fire, all of the air checks and tapes that I had of the station were destroyed. Therefore, I would greatly appreciate receiving from anyone who may have some off the air recordings of anyone who was on the air at WYFA, a copy of what ever you may have, so that we can create a tribute to all of them.

I'll be looking forward to reconnect with some of my old employees.

Thank you
Perry Silver
 
Wow, what memories .....

I was never one of your employees, Perry, but I do have some recall about many of the names that were mentioned in this thread. All of them were good memories......

1979 or so was when you'd assumed the master chef role at the former 1580 barbeque pit? .........

Someone on another radio message board IDed the jingle package you used as one from TM, not from PAMS or (my incorrect two-cents) from Pepper-Tanner ......

WYFA sounded awesome, even while both extremes (off both A/C at the time were based) were eroding. And your name was synonymous with the sound of the station among the radio people on Long Island I'd talked to at the time. In fact, the last 1580 showing in the ARB's might have been with you at the helm .......

The closest I subsequently heard of that *sound* was from a local here in NE PA, Mount Carmel, now dark, WMIM 1590. Bill Erdman was the owner's name, and he wanted to hire me when I phoned him and asked, as a DXer and a former radio, what song they'd just played ('Show Me Heaven' -- Maria McKee).

I caught WLIM here one night at sunset at the depot, and called the fellow on the air. He mentioned me on the air to a parking lot filled with quite impressed people! It gave me a few social points at the place, at least for a while .....

Did your WYFA ever get reception reports and listeners from West Virginia during critical hours, the way I'm told that the old WPAC used to hear word of? ......
 
Hi Steve.

We did have a nice bunch of people at WYFA.

You are right. The jingle package came from TM in Texas, and not only did we gain credibility on LI, but, we were also heard in many areas to the south, including West Virginia.

After signing on, the station made it into ARB within its first year of operation, and each succeeding year after wards, while I ran the station. After the former manager of WALK took over, and he changed the call letters to WLIM, I don't think they ever made the book, again.

Many of our promotions, contests, and live broadcasts gave us a wider appeal. We gave away mink and fox coats, trips to Acapulco, Jamaica, Dinner and Broadway Shows in Manhattan, and even made someone a Millionaire. Well, okay it was only for a weekend.

Does anyone remember when I had Scott Taylor broadcast live from the middle of the Long Island Expressway calling attention to our morning Coffee Break, where drivers who pulled off at the next exit, could make a donation to one of my favorite childrens charities, and get some coffee and donuts, which were donated for the event by Dunkin Donuts?. Or when Jim Saunders would give out a prize to the first woman who showed up in the middle of winter, in a bikini at one of our remote broadcasts? Invariably, some woman would always brave the cold, as well as the snow, to get there, clad only in a bikini to win. I've recently learned that Gene Healy passed away.

Perry Silver
 
Jack Nolan...one of the very best newsmen and air talent that came out of WYFA! Great to see your post! Hope to be in touch with you now! Congratulations on being a daddy!

Perry Silver..one of the best General Managers and station owners..ever! Well versed in all functions of station operation.
Hired a wonderful crew with unique and exciting promotions that were not only successful..but memorable enough to be "clipped" by other stations!
One of the very few station owners that cared about not only the on air product..but for his employees as well as the listeners..ultimately!
With his former duties as GM of WIBG..he was well rounded to run WYFA 1580 "Where Your Friends Are"..which..is STILL the best jcustom jingle package of any Long Island station! It was produced by TM.
One thing Perry didn't tolerate was a lack of a work ethic. You HAD to bring your absolute best to the station..everyday.
That's one of the very reasons WYFA showed with Arbitron..repeatedly.

I am very proud to have worked there as WYFA and then again when Jack Ellsworth bought the station in '81 and changed format to Standards/Big Bands.
 
Jimi LaLumia! How are you? Yes indeed..you personally brought me the very first UK RCA records test pressing of David Bowie's "Rebel..Rebel"!
As Music Director..I was cheated out of a gold record..too..for being the first radio station to air it at WBAB...let alone first DJ to play.
When I informed RCA NY Regional..let's just say they were not only shocked but rather upset as they promised the "break" to WNEW FM.
"NEW FM's reaction was less than friendly!
They received the gold record..though.
Needless to say..both wondered where I got my advanced copy!
I never ratted you out! :*)
WHY would I? When your were personal friends with Mick Ronson and Bowie..himself and just wanted to "assist" in getting airplay!

Jimi..there were/are so many artists you helped along the way! Hundreds if not more owe you a debt of gratitude!

Do you still own Record Stop..the best record store in the world..now that original Tower/NYC has closed?

All The Best!
Kathy
 
Kathy:
Hello darling...
good to hear from you...
I never owned record stop:
I was around the corner, Jimi LaLumia's Record Connection, from 1987 until 2005, when my mom needed round the clock care and I had to choose between family and retail(I chose family)..
thanks for the kind words, I'd love to see you sometime, do an update in Good Times Magazine(which i STILL write for)
all the best
Jimi
 
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