I was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, and on graduation from Canton South High School I carried my lifelong interest in music to Kent State University to major in Telecommunications, work at the KSU radio and TV stations, and get shot at (thankfully ineptly) on the side.
In 1972 I came to Youngstown as Continuity Director for the number one AM Top Forty station in town. After five years the station decided to take the leap into FM Radio, and The Wizard was born. Serving as one of the three voices of the new FM-rock station was a revelation, especially as the area became a mecca for up-and-coming bands making their first National concert tours. Groups I worked with during those years included The Police, Talking Heads, Judas Priest, Pat Benatar, The Outlaws, and actually just about everyone except KISS and Bob Seger (missed both of those by about 3 months!)
I started doing movie reviews for the YSU Jambar and the old Speed of Sound magazine in the 70's which lead to a syndicated series of weekly movie reviews in Pittsburgh, St Louis, Augusta, Georgia, Lima and Ashtabula, Ohio. Spent five years as resident movie critic for Good Morning Youngstown on WYTV.
In the early 90's consolidation became the new wave in radio and as stations were grouped together I found myself traded to another group for three Prince singles and a Rush EP to be named later. Turned out to be the best thing that could have happened and within 2 years I was acting as General Manager for four stations, including WBBG. Another round of consolidation brought us all to South Avenue under a Clear Channel flag.
Currently working as Promotions Director and Webmaster for all six Clear Channel stations, in addition to creating and maintaining all the station web sites, I get to dabble on the air on BIG 106.1 on Sunday nights.
Been married to Annie since '73, two daughters...Kristin, a lawyer in Manhattan married to Josh Ellison (also a lawyer), and Erin, a teacher in the Bronx married to John Toomey (attending Columbia University after a military career as a Green Beret with a Bronze Star - yep, proud papa in law!)
February 18th- The Vogues at Struthers Middle School. For information call 330-758-7617.
CLICK HERE to register to win tickets to Roots of Rock n Roll 38!
March 3rd - Roots of Rock and Roll 38 at Benedum Center in Pittsburgh with:
Sonny Turner's Platters
Kenny Vance & the Planotones
The Cleftones
The Marcels
The Dixie Cups
Pure Gold
Two shows, 5:00pm and 8:30pm. CLICK HERE for information
The Edsels came home to Youngstown for a January concert at Glenwood Middle School. Click Here to check out the pics.
The Idora Park Carousel finally got its long awaited unveiling under the Brooklyn Bridge in NYC! CLICK HERE for details onwhat is now called Jane's Carousel after Jane Walentas, who purchased the carousel in the 80's and has been painstakingly restoring it ever since!
The Top 100 Doo Wop Party Songs!
© 2012
