Harvey Hands Off To ‘Throwback Nation’
• Legendary radio personality and executive Mike Harvey announced that, after more than 35 years as host of his nightly Classic Hits program, The Mike Harvey Show, and the Saturday Weekend Party with Mike Harvey on Westwood One, he’s hanging up his headphones on December 31. Racking up more than 500 affiliates over the years, Harvey has hosted the longest continuously running syndicated music show in radio history. “This has always been a challenge, but never a job for me,” Harvey said. “It has been a labor of love.”
It was concurrently announced that Harvey has forged a consulting and partnership role with the Sun Broadcast Group-syndicated Throwback Nation Radio, which will welcome the vast majority of Mike’s current affiliates, effective Jan. 1. Throwback Nation Radio, hosted by Tony Lorino (below, left) Monday through Saturday and Danny Hustle (below, right) on Sunday nights, launched in October 2018 and is focused on high-quality hits of the ’80s and ’90s. “Mike has been a pioneer of the broadcast industry, and his passion exudes is why Classic Hits become the No. 1 format in our business,” said Lorino. “While we won’t be able to replace Mike, a person I’ve idolized for years, but we will certainly honor his spirit, and continue the best possible interactive show we can for our listeners.
Harvey remarked, “When I decided to end the daily shows, I wanted to leave my affiliates in the best hands possible. I listened, critically, to all the available options, and only one struck me as warm, friendly and fun as I’ve always tried to make my own shows — Tony’s Throwback Nation sounds fresh, while still providing that warmth, friendliness and fun that bonds a station’s listeners.” He added, “We’ve built Tony into my shows to familiarize our listeners with him before I ‘took a bow.’ He’s been doing features with me several times per hour, and by the end of December will practically be a co-host. It’s a natural transition.”
Throwback Nation Radio is available in weeknight, weekend, or seven-night versions. For more info, contact SBG’s Rich O’Brien at 212-380-9338 or robrien@sunbgi.com. Reach Tony Lorino at 414-841-3243 or tony@throwbacknationradio.com, and to wish Mike Harvey well, email him at mharveyww1@aol.com, or visit The Mike Harvey Show‘s Facebook page, which will remain active.
