(Blog originally posted on 7/2/7)
It's been a great week for Specs grads.
Gerald McBride has been doing a great oldies oriented show on Mix 92.3 for many years and it has been picked up by other stations around the country, and after what seems forever, it caught the attention of radio syndicator, Super Radio who will place it on stations in most major markets all over the U.S.
I must admit I was very naive about what it took to put something into syndication, but sure learned that it isn't something for the faint of heart or the impatient.
My sincere congratulations to Gerald for never giving up even when it seemed as if it was never going to happen.
It made my day to pick up the latest edition of Friday Morning Quarterback (FMQB) and lo' & behold, right there on the cover was Alex Tear! After departing WDRQ, he was named Operations Manager of Pittsburgh's WKST & WWSW.
FMQB did an extensive interview (click here for story) which focused on the challenges and rewards of running two very competitive stations in a market the size of Pittsburgh.
Alex has always been one of our favorite grads and we value his friendship. I wish him continued success. �
Just as I was recovering from the news about Gerald & Alex, imagine my joy when R & R arrived with a great article (click here for story) highlighting the amazing success of Alternative Rock WGRD in Grand Rapids, programmed by Jerry "JT" Tarrants (pictured right.)
The station has the highest ratings of any alternative station in the country and it's in in Grand Rapids!?!?
JT took over the programming a little over two years ago and with the help of a great morning show, "Free Beer & Hot Wings", the station has become the dominant rock station in the market and the most successful alternative station in the United States. Way to go JT!!
In case you think that all we do is keep track of our seasoned grads, NO WAY! Kevin Scollin just returned from a series of station visits "Up North."
His trip took him through Flint, Tawas City, Alpena, Cheboygan and Traverse City. He stopped at both radio & TV stations with one goal: to make sure when they have entry-level positions open that we're the first place they think to call.
In addition to our traditional employer contacts, Denise Lippert from our admissions department has been helping us break new ground in places we've never been before.
With the explosive growth of Internet use by newspapers, radio stations, casinos, hospitals and retirement communities, there are all sorts of new opportunities that didn't exist even a few years back.
I know, you're not revved up about retirement communities. But how about a whole TV net devoted to us old folks. Remember, it's all television.
That's it for this week. Hope to hear from all of y'all. Don't forget to keep in touch! Email me a line, folks!�
P.S. Check out this picture they posted of Alex Tear in "This Week in FMQB History." He's the 14-year-old to the right of FMQB's Fred Deane, circa 1997.