Live! From Upstate New York!
• Last week we reported that Townsquare AC WMSX/Buffalo, NY had downshifted to Soft AC and rebranded as 96.1 The Breeze. Now comes the huge news that market legend Joe Chille has been inked to do mornings on The Breeze, starting Jan. 21.
The move marks a welcome return to 96.1 for Chille, a member of the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame, who debuted on that frequency back in 1978 when it was WJYE. Chille ended up spending 34 years with the station as it transitioned from “Beautiful Music” to Soft Rock in the ’80s. Under Chille’s guidance as OM, WJYE became a powerhouse in the market, and was consistently the top-rated station for adult women in Buffalo until his departure in August 2012.
As The Buffalo News reports, for the past six years Chille has served as district supervisor for several Tim Hortons’ locations, and, as we reported back in January 2018 Chille has been doing afternoon drive across the street on Radio One Buffalo Oldies WECK (AM 1230 & FM 102.9). Chille remarked, “I am so grateful for the welcome I have received from not only management and staff at Townsquare, but also from friends, former colleagues and associates and listeners. I can’t wait to get started!”
• Moments after the news of Chille’s impending departure broke, Buddy Shula, owner/operator of Radio One Buffalo, LLC announced that Glenn Topolski will now lead all aspects of on-air programming for WECK-AM & FM and assume Chille’s former Monday-Thursday afternoon shift. Market fixture Danny Neaverth does afternoons on Fridays.
“Glenn has helped WECK’s rank into the Nielsen Top 10 since joining 17 months ago,” said Shula. “He has been with us from day one and is a person who lives and breathes radio. Glenn is a leader for the next generation on our industry.”
Topolski (left) is an 18-year radio pro, with the majority of his prior experience earned in Buffalo with Entercom and Townsquare Media. He also served as PD/MD at WSPQ-AM/Springville, NY and WMXO-FM & WOEN-AM/Olean NY. “Entering the top ten on a 1,000-watt AM station in Buffalo after 30 years is simply amazing and just the beginning for WECK Radio,” said Topolski. “Buddy is on a mission to make local radio a total listening experience again, and I truly believe that local, compelling radio is the only way the industry will survive. Buddy always has said, ‘great’ is not good enough, so we just keep trying to improve ourselves every day.”
• To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Entercom Classic Rock 96.5 WCMF/Rochester, NY, the company announced the kickoff of “Rockin’ for 50 Years,” a yearlong celebration to commemorate this remarkable broadcasting achievement.
“It’s very rare that a radio station hits this milestone anniversary in the same format, and we are thrilled to celebrate 50 rockin’ years of WCMF,” said Sue Munn, SVP/Market Manager, Entercom Rochester. “We’re excited to share this significant moment in the station’s history and celebrate with the Rochester community who has accompanied us on this journey.”
WCMF celebrate this iconic milestone with special programming and promotions throughout the year, including 50th Anniversary Album Side Saturdaysand Riffer Madness, featuring iconic Classic Rock guitar riffs. The station is also giving away some cool stuff, like a 50th Anniversary electric guitar signed by current WCMF airstaff. The yearlong commemoration will also include anniversary-themed merchandise and a new station logo highlighting the history and music of the past 50 years. To see a calendar of events and a photo gallery featuring iconic WCMF photos of the past 50 years, please visit WCMF.com.
