From the MCRFB radio notebook: 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986
WCZY-FM
DETROIT (August 1, 1981) — Bill Garcia has been hired away from WDRQ-FM Detroit to be program director at WOMC-FM. Garcia had been moving the Hot 100 formatted WDRQ into a more adult contemporary mode and into direct competition with Metromedia’s WOMC. Charter Broadcasting has WDRQ on the block. Garcia succeeds Dave Shafer, who’s moved over to WCZY-FM, which is running the syndicated Schulke II vocal-oriented Beautiful music format. END
DETROIT (January 22, 1983) — Dick Purtan is about to make one of radio’s more expensive walk across town, leaving CKLW to join Gannett’s WCZY Detroit. Not only does he have the biggest contract in WCZY’s history, topping the $200,000 paid him by CKLW, but he will also be featured on Gannett’s new U.S.A. Today Radio Network.
His current contract with CKLW expires March 1, but he’s already off the air there and it’s likely he’ll start before that at WCZY. Whatever the date, WCZY promises the biggest promotion blitz to ever hit Detroit radio. As for mornings at the Big 8, CKLW is planning to team up Tom Delisle of WDIV-TV Detroit with Purtan’s former morning partner, Tom Ryan, who will assume a larger role on the morning show. END
OPERATION GRADUATION 1985
DETROIT (June 1, 1985) — Furthering the efforts of the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and SADD (students Against Drunk Driving) WCZY-FM has come up with a promotional blitz targeting the various “prom nights” celebrations that occur annually at this time and often the cause of fatalities associated with drunk driving.
In a campaign known as “Operation Graduation 1985,” the station is seeking further to educate the youth in the Detroit area about the real dangers of drinking and driving. To get the point across, the station has enlisted the support of well-known musicians/artists Kim Carnes and the Beach Boys’ Bruce Johnston, as well as local celebrities and station personalities, who have recorded urging listeners to have fun but warning, “If you’re going to drink, don’t drive.”
Rather than attempt to dissuade kids from drinking, or attempt to have them drink less, the campaign is non-judgmental in this regard. The issue is not drinking, but drinking and driving. In that spirit, a “Parent/Student Agreement” is also being made available, and kids and parents are urged to read and sign it. Basically, the student promises not to drive with someone who has been drinking. Nor attempt to drive if he or she has been drinking. The student also pledges, “If I need a ride, I will call home for one.”
On the parent’s part, the order is a bit taller, stating, “”I promise to offer a ride to my child if she/he would need it . . . with no questions asked.” END
DETROIT (August 3, 1985) — Lee Douglas takes on additional duties at Gennett-owned pop outlet WCZY-AM-FM Detroit. He’ll continue programming the FM, as he has for the past two years, while moving into the vice president/operations post. Having taken the FM head-to-head with competitor WHYT in the latest Arbitron, Douglas oversaw the station’s switch to pop in June, and the combo is now broadcasting 24-hour simulcast. END
HOT 100 SINGLE SPOTLIGHT
DETROIT (April 5, 1986) — It’s great a record shows renewed strength and regain it’s bullet. Three records rebulleted this week. The first one, “Your Smile,” by Angela & Renee (Mercury) at No. 73, pulled in strong sales reports, and the record has now gone Top 5 at WCZY-FM in Detroit. END
– (Information and news source: Billboard Magazine. All excerpts culled as was first published from the dated editions as noted above).
