It was 30 years ago today that fans worldwide were saddened by the news of John Lennon's assassination. The former Beatle was 40 years old. Your editor was a bit too young at the time to remember and understand the news right when it happened. But one CNYRadio.com reader from Auburn shared his memories of how various local radio stations reported on and reacted to the tragedy.
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 -- Longtime local radio host Bill Keeler wants to collect 20,000 donated toys for needy children over the next two weeks. He's hoping a special concert tomorrow night at Utica's Stanley Center for the Performing Arts will help him get at least 25% of the way to that goal..
SAN FRANCISCO -- Several local radio stations may need to look for new programming, after the widely-syndicated Dr. Dean Edell announced yesterday that he's retiring from his medical advice show at the end of the year. The show has local affiliates in Syracuse, Utica-Rome and Ithaca/Cortland, among others.
NEW YORK CITY -- Local fans of former WSTM anchor/reporter Jeff Glor will have more chances to see him on TV starting in 2011. The current Saturday anchor of the CBS Evening News will take over the news desk at the CBS Early Show.
SYRACUSE -- Clear Channel news/talker 570 WSYR and CHR Hot 107.9 (WWHT) will team up for a 3-day long "Radiothon for Kids" to benefit patient care at the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse. The radiothon begins tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, and runs through Friday evening.
UTICA-ROME -- There are now two stations in the Mohawk Valley playing holiday hits around the clock. Just like last year, Lite 98.7 (WLZW) chose today, the day after Thanksgiving, as the date to make the change.
Updated 6:20pm - In the rush to get this done before heading out to Thanksgiving festivities, your editor forgot to insert the full-size photo into the article. It's here now -- our apologies!
AUBURN -- For our second week in a row, thanks to your reader submissions, we have a "classic" Picture of the Week! This one comes to us from Rudy Paolangeli, the former GM and morning man at WAUB in Auburn. It's a photo from a memorable promotion he did for the station back in 1960.
UTICA-ROME -- We already told you about the battle Time Warner is facing with Sinclair-owned Syracuse TV stations WSYT and WNYS. Now, the cable giant is reportedly in a dispute that could potentially result in Utica NBC affiliate WKTV being taken off the lineup.
SYRACUSE -- MOViN 100.3/96.5 (WMVN) will be adding The Remix Top 30 Countdown to its weekend lineup starting this Friday. Station manager Sam Furco tells CNYRadio.com the show, hosted by Hollywood Hamilton of New York City's WKTU, will air every Friday from 7-10pm.