Danny Wright, host of the syndicated overnight country show "Danny Wright All Night," is among the casualties resulting from the merger between Jones Radio Networks and Dial Global. The move could leave two local stations looking for a new overnight option.
The Jones/Dial merger is nothing new; it was announced in June. But it was just today that radio-info.com's Tom Taylor was able to get Dial Global to confirm Wright's pending exit from the company, this December. Taylor's report hints that Dial hasn't indicated whether they'll offer a replacement for Wright, or simply leave affiliates fending for themselves.
Danny Wright All Night is carried locally by Big Frog 104 (WFRG) in Utica and Froggy 97 (WFRY) in Watertown. WFRY PD/morning co-host James Pond tells CNYRadio.com, "Danny is a class act and will be missed by all at WFRY." He doesn't have a plan in place yet, but he'll let us know when he does. WFRG's Bill McAdams hasn't yet responded to our e-mail asking for comment.
Meantime, evening syndicated hostess Lia dodges the bullet. She'll reportedly survive the transition from Jones to Dial, retaining her 7p-Mid slot on WFRY.
I hope he gets involved with another company. I listen to parts of his program every morning, and he's a class act. He just knows how to keep the flow of the show.
Of course on weekends WFRG has the syndicated programs saying "call in and say you listen!"