Posted by Brett Alan on August 13, 2007 at 13:17:41:
In Reply to: Re: Wolfman Jack Was Better posted by John M. on August 13, 2007 at 12:15:36:
You make a good point; there don't really seem to be enough people out there who really make this feature work. Can we really come up with 52 radio greats per year?
Obviously, many of the people who would fit the category are no longer with us, although they could be featured through archival material as Wolfman Jack was last week. (I do, BTW, think Wolfman qualifies as a NY Radio Great. I think the only problem was that people expected a live show and didn't get one.) Then there are people who qualify, but aren't available because they work for other NY radio stations--Scott Shannon, Dennis Elsas, Carol Miller, Jim Kerr, Hal Jackson, and so on.
So how many people are legitimately left? Obviously the big names from CBS-FM's own past--Cousin Brucie, Dan Ingram, Ron Lundy, Harry Harrison, Norm N. Nite--all belong, although whether they will be available is another question. I can think of others who may be available--George Michael, Howard Hoffman, Ross Brittan, Tony Pigg, Jim Lowe. (Where's Dr. Jerry these days?) I'm not sure if those who are on XM or Sirius would be available.
My suggestion: limit the feature to once a month. Perhaps also do one posthumous/archival show a month, as well, but clearly advertise it as what it is. This would allow it to remain a special event and to keep to only those truly deserving of the title of "New York Radio Great". Not because I really worry about calling Randy Davis a "great", mind you, but because having the lesser-known jocks on there can tend to disappoint listeners and give them a negative impression of the whole concept.