Author: Jim Feliciano

From the MCRFB radio notebook: 1978, 1984, 1985, 1986

Station Milestones

WNIC-FM

DETROIT (January 28, 1978) — Jim Harper, program director of WDRQ in Detroit, is heading over to WNIC, Detroit, to do a morning show at the Dearborn-based station. And Art Vuolo, one of the world’s greatest radio buffs, is the new promotion director at WNIC and its AM affilliate, WWKR. END

DETROIT (December 15, 1984) — Changes in the Detroit personality scene have WOMC’s Peter Carey staying in afternoons but moving to WNIC FM 100, where Steve Cassidy now serves as production director. Steve, as you’ll recall, joined WCLS  in the 9 to noon slot last week after a production directorship across town at WMJC. END

DETROIT (March 9, 1985) — Since Steve Gannon has exited the morning team of Harper, Gannon & You (Harper being Jim) on Detroit’s FM WNIC, rumors are milling around the Motor City have local comic Bruce Gerish slated as his replacement. END

DETROIT (March 30, 1985) — Joining Jim Harper on the “Harper & Company” morning show on WNIC Detroit is local singer/impressionist/actor Karen Paraventi. END

DETROIT (June 29, 1985) — WNIC-AM-FM Detroit puts it listeners to the test by asking the question, “What is the craziest thing you would do for Madonna tickets?” The winner was contestant Andrea Diddio, who dressed as radio sex-advisor Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Enjoying the gimmick was WNIC-FM  morning man Jim Harper and staff, as Diddio went on to sing Madonna’s “Get Into The Groove” live during his show. END

DETROIT (July 13, 1985) — Celebrating a true Independence Day last week was Dick Buller, who retired as sports director at WNIC-AM-FM in the Motor City. A long-time Detroit radio talent, Buller’s 38 years in broadcasting ought to give him plenty to ponder in his newfound leisure time. END

DETROIT (October 26, 1985) — A fourth WNIC Detroit staffer leaves that outlet to join newborn pop neighbor WDTX. That’s Jim Harper, who leaves the morning shift at WNIC to program WDTX. Per contractual agreements, Harper will hold on starting his airshift on WDTX until February. END

DETROIT (December 14, 1985) — Still in the Motor City, Price AC outlet WNIC lost longtime “Pillow Talk” host Alan Almond. No, Almond did not jump over to the newest Detroit pop outlet, WDTX, as several other WNIC staffers have recently. The air talent has jumped to AC competitor WMJC. Replacing Almond on WNIC as host of the 7-midnight program is Johnny Williams, a 14-year veteran at CKLW Windsor, Canada . . . WDTX has added another new ex-WNIC staffer: Mike Bradley, who comes on board as assistant-program director, starting February 1 in the new year. END

DETROIT (September 13, 1986) — Detroit’s “soft-rock” AC outlet WNIC is sending 100 of its listeners to Booth Bay Harbor, Maine, aboard the WNIC/Trans Air jet on September 3 for a one-day trip to New England. The day in Booth Harbor starts with a shopping spree and wraps up with a traditional clambake on the beach, to put a nice finishing touch on the last few days of summer left in the season. END

DETROIT (November 22, 1986) — Tired of print polls on your popularity of lack thereof? Try turning the tables on the press and, at the same time, garner some irresistible attention from your local media writers. That’s what WNIC morning man Mike Murphy is in the process of doing with his listener poll on some of Detroit’s best newspaper columnists. The votes are still rolling in, and the winning columnists will appear on Murphy’s new morning show on 100.3 WNIC. END

– (Information and news source: Billboard Magazine. All excerpts culled as was first published from the dated editions as noted above).