From the MCRFB news archive: 1966
Record Industry Crown McCarthy Detroit Top Air Personality
DETROIT — J. P. McCarthy of WJR is the king of the air personalities in Detroit, according to the record industry. McCarthy received 52 per cent of the votes of record dealers, distributors, one-stop operators, and local and national record company executives as being the major influence on album sales. They also attributed McCarthy with having vast influence in creating sales of Easy Listening singles.
James H. Quello, program director of the Easy Listening format station, said that McCarthy “seems to be able to pick them. He practically made Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass in Detroit.” A lot of the credit too, should go to music director Harold Lake, Quello said.
“We try to play the bright new beats that aren’t rock,” Quello said. . . .try to be cheerful and entertain and be sensible. McCarthy practically dominates all morning ratings because of his warm personality and the fact he keeps his show interesting. For instance, he has little gimmicks called winners and losers — sort of comments about topical matters. He also plays novelty records.”
WJR also scored as the major influence on classical record sales with 55 per cent of the votes. The programming of WJR has given the station tremendous billings. “Business in sales within the last year in a half has been absolutely fantastic,” Quello said. “We’ve definitely proved that there’s room in a market for all kinds of music — country music, our music, or rock ‘n’ roll.”
(Information and news source: Billboard; July 2, 1966).
