UTICA-ROME — Sixty-six years ago today, on May 2, 1947, federal regulators gave WIBX the green light to move to its current home at 950AM. Thanks to a former WIBX broadcaster, we’re pleased to share an aircheck of the switch from 1230AM to 950AM.
UTICA — Longtime fans of local professional sports in Utica might remember names like Mike Kalinowski and Tim Roye. Kalinowski used to call Mohawk Valley Prowlers hockey games on the former WRUN 1150. Even earlier, Roye hosted SportsWatch on WIBX and handled play-by-play for the long-gone Utica Blue Sox during baseball season. Today, they’re both working for major league teams.
LOS ANGELES — Broadcast personality Dick Clark, best known for shows like American Bandstand, the game show Pyramid and the annual New Year’s Rockin Eve specials on ABC, has died following a “massive heart attack” this morning in California. Clark, who was 82, made his very first appearances on radio and television in Utica, and graduated from Syracuse University.
ALBANY — Not many people have the honor of saying they were the General Manager of two prominent radio stations before turning 30, especially in a top-75 market. But Robert Ausfeld did just that, and after nearly four decades in radio, he’s set to retire at month’s end. Although Ausfeld was based in Albany, he oversaw one cluster of Utica-Rome stations for part of his career.
ROCHESTER — Back in the 70s, you might say Utica radio stations WRUN and WBVM had a rivalry that matched that of Ron Burgundy and Wes Mantooth in “Anchorman” — well, maybe except for the deadly back alley battles involving trident-wielding weathermen. But, just as Wes and Ron set aside their differences, so have these former local rivals.
UTICA/ROME — News/talker WIBX 950 turns 85 years old on Sunday. We hadn’t realized the big milestone was approaching until CNYRadio.com reader Jerry Reed sent in a picture from the very early days of the station — along with a history of the station he compiled in 1991. So we have not only a picture, but also a story to share this week!
UTICA/ROME — Even though Leatherstocking Media Group has controlled the programming on WUTI 1150 since September 20, the station is still owned by Digital Radio Broadcasting. As part of the FCC’s sale approval process, the pricetag on the sale has been revealed. Updated 10/20.
Updated 9/21 at 7:30pm - UTICA/ROME — The endless stream of music on WUTI 1150 is coming to an end. Owner Bud Williamson told CNYRadio.com late this evening that “1150 will be programmed by Leatherstocking [Media Group] starting tomorrow.” We presume WUTI will carry the same “CNY Talk Radio” lineup as Leatherstocking stations WFBL/Syracuse and WMCR(AM)/Oneida.
SYRACUSE — He worked as an on-air personality, a programmer, and even a station owner. We regret to pass along the news that Don DeRosa lost his battle to cancer yesterday. Former colleague Jeff Moulton tells us DeRosa passed at about 4:30 yesterday afternoon — while friends and former colleagues gathered in Syracuse for a benefit to help cover DeRosa’s medical bills. Updated 6/21 with calling hours and funeral information.
UTICA/ROME — We’re sad to report former (we’re talking decades ago) Utica radio personality and programmer Don DeRosa was recently diagnosed with cancer. Friends of DeRosa — also known to some by the nicknames “Polka Stoney” or “Donnie D” — are organizing a benefit to help defray the costs of DeRosa’s medical treatments. It’s happening on June 19th in Syracuse. Updated 8:30am with more info on DeRosa’s career.