WFUV - FishbowlNY

Don McGee Named Host of WFUV’s ‘Mixed Bag’

Chris O'Shea — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 09:10:43 +0000

Don McGee has been named the new host of WFUV’s award-winning weekly program, “Mixed Bag.” McGee succeeds Pete Fornatale, the iconic founder of the program, who died in late April from complications due to a stroke. McGee has experience working with Fornatale and has been the main guest host of Mixed Bag, which made him the perfect fit.

“It is gratifying, on many levels, to see Don continue as host of ‘Mixed Bag,’” WFUV’s general manager, Chuck Singleton, said in a press release. “As so many listeners have pointed out, he’s the obvious choice. As Pete Fornatale’s former producer and frequent substitute, Don has been primed for this role. Pete’s desire to see Don succeed him was always clear.”

Mixed Bag airs every Saturday night starting at 4 pm.

[Picture via WFUV]

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Remembering Progressive Rock Pioneer, Pete Fornatale Dead at 66

Jerry Barmash — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:33:31 +0000

Pete Fornatale, the man at the forefront of the progressive radio movement on FM in the late 1960s died yesterday after complications from a stroke at Manhattan’s Beth Israel Medical Center. He was 66.

Fornatale was an institution in New York radio, and at Fordham University’s WFUV. The Bronx native graduated in 1967 with a B.A. in Communication Arts. Fornatale remained on the school’s station until 1969. His future would soon be tied to WNEW-FM, with two decades at the station that long billed itself as the place “where rock lives!”

Another legendary air personality, Dennis Elsas worked with Fornatale at both stations. He was at the microphone yesterday informing listeners of Fornatale’s passing. Their friendship started 45 years ago. Still a student at Queens College, and working for the school’s radio station, Elsas found Fornatale by mistake on his alarm clock.

“I really enjoyed the show,” Elsas tells FishbowlNY. “…That accidentally hearing of his show, and liking what I heard, was the formation of a relationship, and we quickly saw that we had a lot in common.”

Fornatale had a misstep when he attempted to join WNEW in 1967, as he recalled to me in 2009.

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WCBS/Channel 2 and WFUV Top NYSBA Awards for Broadcasting Excellence

Jerry Barmash — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:22:13 +0000

At it’s annual dinner the New York State Broadcasters Association distributed Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting.

WCBS/Channel 2 was the big winner last night among New York City television stations, with five honors.

WCBS won awards for Outstanding Spot News (CBS 2 News at 11: Gas Explosion), Outstanding Hard News Story (Staten Island Bias Attacks), Outstanding Feature News Story (Robo-Tripping), Outstanding Locally Originated Newscast (CBS 2 News at 11: Tornados Hit NYC), and Outstanding Sportscast (Road to Glory: Feud in Foxborough).

WXTV, the Univisión owned-and-operated Channel 41, earned a nod for Outstanding Promotion Announcement or Series (X-Final), while WPIX/Channel 11, won for Outstanding Locally Produced TV Show (PIX Presents 2011 N.Y. International Auto Show).

A look at the radio winners after the jump

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Famed Rock DJs Carol Miller and Dennis Elsas Remember Legendary E Street Member Clarence Clemons

Jerry Barmash — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:24:08 +0000

Legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons who traveled with the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band for decades, died Saturday following complications of a stroke the week before. He was 69.

He was so much more than a part of the band. The “Big Man” could be considered a sidekick to “The Boss.”

Carol Miller, the legendary Classic Rock jock, who does the night shift on Q 104.3 (WAXQ), saw the Clemons/Springsteen partnership blossom, as Bruce’s first album hit the shelves in 1973.

Miller was still working at Philadelphia’s WMMR when the future of Rock was on display.

“Bruce came on first, alone in those early shows, and did ‘Does the Bus Stop…’ Then, he would bring out the band,” Miller recalls. “When Clarence started playing, to be completely honest yet corny, he literally blew everyone away.”

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WFUV Awards Lifetime Achievement to Longtime NBC Nightly News Anchor Tom Brokaw

Jerry Barmash — Mon, 02 May 2011 13:39:06 +0000

Last night, Tom Brokaw, now 71 and a special correspondent for NBC News, was on the phone reliving some of the past 10 years since 9/11 as part of the network’s coverage announcing the death of Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama Bin Laden.

It was just the latest in a long list of major events that Brokaw has covered in his stellar career.

Brokaw, who gave up his coveted Nightly News anchor chair six and a half years ago, is getting a special honor tonight.

He is receiving the Charles Osgood Lifetime Achievement Award in Broadcast Journalism from WFUV. Making the honor even more special, Brokaw will receive the hardware directly from Osgood, the veteran of CBS News, including Sunday Morning since 1994.

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New York Radio Veterans Weigh In On Ted Williams Saga

Jerry Barmash — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 09:08:08 +0000

You heard about the incredible story of Ted Williams who has been homeless throughout the last 20 years in Ohio. Williams, a former radio announcer who grew up in Brooklyn, has a second chance waiting for him.

Williams got lost on the wrong track with a combination of drugs and alcohol. This week, as part of the media frenzy, Williams declared that he has been clean and sober for two-and-a-half years.

“Having so many friends and family that have battled addictions, that really popped out at me,” Johnny Sialiano says. “I was really, really happy for him for that.”

Sialiano, known as Goumba Johnny, is a radio veteran who left WKTU in December after 15 years on air.

“He’s now bearing the fruit of all his hard work in beating his addictions. It’s just an unbelievable story,” Sialiano tells FishbowlNY.

(TVNewser has the latest on Williams’ numerous job offers.)

More reactions from notable radio personalities after the jump

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Remembering John Lennon: 30 Years Later

Jerry Barmash — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:04:45 +0000

Elsas and Lennon on September 28, 1974

Today marks the 30^th anniversary etched in the minds of Beatles fans around the world. John Lennon was murdered outside of his apartment building, The Dakota, overlooking Central Park.

“There was no precedent to any of this,” Veteran New York DJ Dennis Elsas reflects. “The assassination of a rock star, that was totally new.”

Elsas, six years earlier, had what many consider the definitive radio interview with Lennon. Elsas, working at the time for WNEW-FM, spoke with Lennon for two hours that Saturday afternoon. You can hear portions of that famous interview on Elsas’ website.

The legendary DJ for more than a decade has been an afternoon fixture at Fordham University’s WFUV (90.7 FM). He recalls for FishbowlNY that fateful night when the WNEW on-air staff and listeners mourned as one for the loss of the music and goodwill giant.
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