Changing Of The Guard At Beasley Philly
• Beasley Media Group announced the following major changes inside its Philadelphia radio group, starting with the news that Bill Weston (left), legendary longtime PD of Active Rock WMMR & Classic Rock WMGK and Beasley VP of Talent Development, announced that he will be officially retiring at the end of 2023, capping off a successful 45-year radio career.
Chuck Damico (center), PD of Sports-Talk sister WPEN (97.5 The Fanatic) and longtime APD of WMMR will succeed Weston as PD of WMMR at the end of the year, and Eric “EJ” Johnson (right), PD/afternoon personality at sister WJBR (Mix 99.5)/Wilmington, DE will take over as the new PD of WMGK, effective January 1, 2024. A new Program Director for 97.5 The Fanatic will be announced later this year.
[Ed. note: In August Beasley announced it was selling WJBR to Wisconsin-based noncommercial religious broadcaster VCY America for $5 million. The deal is expected to close before the end of the year]
“Losing a legendary programmer like Bill is tough, but fortunately, we have a couple of veteran PDs in Chuck and EJ ready to step in and keep these great brands moving forward,” said Joe Bell, VP/Market Manager of Beasley Philadelphia.
Weston launched his career as Music Director at WGRQ-FM/Buffalo, NY. He went on to work at WIXV-FM/Savannah, WKLR-FM & WDYL-FM/Richmond, VA, WHJY/Providence, and WAXQ/New York, before his arrival at WMMR and WMGK. Under his leadership, the stations garnered their highest ratings ever and earned multiple NAB Marconi and Crystal Radio Awards throughout the years. “Over the past 45 years in radio, I’ve felt lucky to go to ‘work’ and help create, inform, and entertain our listeners,” said Weston. “I’m equally fortunate to have done so working alongside so many talented and passionate people. It’s been a privilege and I thank each and every one for their part in my success.”
Damico, who started at WMMR as an intern nearly three decades ago, worked his way up the ladder, serving as Music Researcher, Programing Assistant, part-time On-Air Personality, Promotions Director, and Morning Show Technical Producer before becoming APD in 2004. “I’m very excited that I have finally completed my 29-year job interview,” said Damico. “Seriously though, WMMR is the top rock station in the world, and I am truly honored to be the next PD. It’s a dream come true.”
During this transition period, Johnson will take over as WMGK midday personality, beginning Sept. 25. The Matt Cord Show with Steve Vassalotti has officially replaced retired Radio Hall of Famer John DeBella in mornings on WMGK as of Tuesday, Sept. 5. Johnson will roll from 10am-2pm, followed by Andre Gardner (2-7pm) and Tony Harris (7-midnight).
“The decades of WMGK’s playlist lines up perfectly with the long-time relationships I have with the station’s on-air hosts,” said Johnson. “I’ve known Tony Harris since the ’70s, Andre Gardner since the ‘80s, and I worked with Matt Cord at [WPLY] Y100 in the ’90s! I can’t wait to join the team and get started on a station that I’ve been a fan of for many decades! Thank you, Joe Bell, Bill Weston, Bruce Beasley and Justin Chase, for this amazing opportunity!”
