Wireless: 100 Years of WGY

Joe never worked for WGY, but he has more than enough cred to deserve his own podcast.
Joe was named the first full time Executive Director of the New York State Broadcasters Association in 1980, becoming President in 1986.
Joe is very passionate about the business, and he does have a connection with a former WGY/WRGB staffer by way of family.
Among the many stories he shares includes his first encounters with a guy named Limbaugh.

Doug Goudie started at WGY following the retirement of Chuck Custer after 36 years in the building.
He initially was paired with Kelly Lynch in what could be called a transitional period, before Kelly moved on.
Here, he talks about his reflections on the legacy of WGY at 100 years and going strong, his broadcasting background, not only radio but television, and why people call him "VB" (Hint, it doesn't stand for "Very Best.")

Many people consider WGY a part of their family.
In this case, a real life family really became part of our family.
We speak with Claudia Verruto to discuss her family and the connection to WGY.
It starts with her dad who sang on WGY in the 1940's, her aunt, who appeared on Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour, and was a regular with Earl Pudney, and then there's her brother, who did Radio Sales for WGY, eventually he became Sales Manager, and was once named Broadcaster of The Year!

Dave has been Chief Engineer for our stations since 2003.
He's the guy who fixes stuff when it breaks.
If he's not here, we're all out of work.
Dave did not start as a guy with a screwdriver, his broadcasting career started as a Rock and Roll Disc Jockey!
He talks about the early days and how he transitioned to become (in our opinion) the most important person in a broadcast facility.
A word of warning, there's tech talk in this podcast, pocket protectors not required but suggested.

A Hall of Famer, a Rock & Roller, and a legend in Capital Region Radio.
Dr. John has been broadcasting in New York State since 1973, in the Capital Region since 1977, and on PYX 106 since 1987.
John shares his first memories of radio as a child in Schenectady, of being involved with WGY, and of some amazing stories on the events and people who have been a part of this station. John also discusses his love of being a part of Honor Flights, bringing Vets to Washington, DC.

Larry Mossey worked for WGY for five years in the 1980's, and essentially did it all. He was a copywriter, a voice talent, we think he did some news, and he was a movie reviewer for Don Weeks. Larry shares some amazing stories of his time here, and of his first radio station, whose format was "Beautiful Music," and is now known as sister station PYX 106.
AND, Larry has an amazing new book we suggest you check out!
"Dead Air: A Highly Unauthorized History of Background Music on the Radio and Elsewhere," available exclusively through Amazon, is (in Larry's words) a history of background music, easy listening, elevator music, mood music, shopping music, beautiful music, muzak, exotica, and other kinds of music that was never meant to be noticed—and how it made us smarter, sexier and healthier. Today it's called ambient music, techno and trance, and we still don’t notice it, because we aren’t really listening.

Mary Rozak currently works for Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, prior to that, she was involved with News, both on television and radio, including her time on WGY. Mary learned how to "tell a story" and not just read a news story. Speaking of stories, she shares a very touching story about the events of 9/11.

Dan Miller has seven years of experience in the WGY News Room, starting part time, and becoming our first Overnight News Anchor. Dan talks about Hudson and his friendship with Ed Kostek, and the many co-workers during his time with WGY.

Wendy Voelker (formerly known as Wendy Glasser but we don't talk about that anymore) worked for WGY from 1999-2004 and worked with many Air Personalities during her time. She shares great stories of being Producer for Don Weeks, and discusses the many celebrities she encountered, including a woman who went on to become a major celebrity on her own named Rachael Ray.

Justin Fiet logged in nearly 15 years at WGY, and has lots of experiences to share. His first Producer gig was with J.R. Gach, but he also steered the ship for people like Scotto, Andrew Wilkow, Don Weeks, Chuck Custer and Kelly Lynch.

Ali Skinner spent time in television before working for WGY, and the News Junkie in her admits she preferred Radio News to TV. Here, she shares the story of how she got her job, including the time when she found out she was expecting a child, and at times needing to bring the baby to work with her, making "non children" co-workers like Read Shepherd. slightly...uncomfortable.

Ed Kostek, during the course of this podcast, revealed a personal connection with Mike Patrick involving the City of Hudson, and Mike reveals something he has never shared on the air. Ed also talks about some of the stories he was involved with on WGY, and also discussed the legacy of Broadcast Legend Paul Cassidy.

Rachel Davis has been with WGY since 2015. She started as a Producer for The Joe Gallagher Weekend Show, moving on to being Producer for WGY Mornings With Chuck Custer and Kelly Lynch, moving on to being Producer for WGY Mornings With Doug Goudie and Kelly Lynch, moving on to being Producer for WGY Mornings With Doug Goudie.
Additionally, Rachel is Co Host (at the same time) with Randy McCarten on the 99.5 The River Morning Show. She's the proud mother of two great kids, well three if you include Gallagher.

1. Jason Romano worked for WGY for three years starting right after college in 1997. During that time, he became a Producer for (among others) Mark Williams and Don Weeks. Prior to that, his first paid job here (he actually said he would work here for nothing) was as the Station Mascot for sister station 99.5 The River. After he left WGY, Jason enjoyed a long career with ESPN.
2. John Diblasi got his foot in the door at WGY from his time as a student at the then New School of Radio and Television. He worked here from 1993-1998. He shares some very personal memories of producing for Paul Cassidy, as well as his time together as the Producer for Don Weeks.