He had a lifelong passion for radio and spent many years doing what he loved, working for several Detroit-area radio stations including WXYZ-AM, WABX-FM, WRIF-FM, WCSX-FM, WLLZ-FM, and WWWW-FM.
It’s the start of another year, so it is time to dust off the crystal ball and look at what we expect to be the big regulatory and legislative issues facing broadcasters in the new year..
On December 12, Krol Communication’s WRSR-FM (Flint) aired a 12-hour radiothon with Shea Automotive and Brilliant Marketing, raising $71,000 for the Old Newsboys of Flint.
Gray Media’s WILX-TV (Lansing) announced this week that Tim Staudt, Co-Sports Director, has been selected for induction into the Gold Circle of the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Emmy Awards.
Over the holiday break, several radio stations in our state announced format changes and/or adjustments to kick off the new year. Markets affected include Grand Rapids and Traverse City.
Jerry St. James was a solo act in Washington, DC, Minneapolis and when he arrived in Detroit in 1977 at WDRQ. He was paired with longtime Motor City mainstay Jim Harper at WNIC. At his next stop he teamed up with Jeff Detrow, a northeast Ohio DJ, and the chemistry was instantaneous at Magic 95 WMJC (now WCSX 94.7).
Detroit has always been a bastion of great radio talent and one of the best was Bob Green. He was one of the original Key Men of Music at WKNR (Keener 13) rubbing elbows with legends like: Gary Stevens, Robin Seymour, Mort Crowley and Jerry Goodwin.
The MAB learned over the holidays that longtime broadcast engineer Donald J. Beans passed away on December 1 at age 84. Beans worked for the University of Michigan Public Radio stations WUOM-FM, WFUM-FM and WVGR-FM taking care of the radio transmitters for 19 years before retiring in 2006.
On December 11, Cumulus Media’s WJR-AM (Detroit) held its 14th annual SAY Detroit Radiothon, bringing in a record $2,494,040, beating its previous all-time high of 2.2m in 2024. The annual event is hosted by S.A.Y. Detroit Founder, author and WJR host Mitch Albom, who continues his mission of funding healthcare, housing, and community support programs.
Gray Media’s WILX-TV (Lansing) wrapped up their annual Toys for Tots campaign last week. The event’s goal is to bring smiles to children in Mid-Michigan. People were able to donate their new, unwrapped toys to either WILX or participating businesses across the region. Thousands of Mid-Michigan children will wake up to presents under the tree on Christmas thanks to those who donated this year.