ALAN ALMOND’S ‘PILLOW TALK’ SHOW OPENER WNIC-FM 100.3
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Previously, Motor City Radio Flashbacks presented Alan Almond’s signature 12 midnight sign-off theme,“Summer Madness,” by Kool and The Gang, from Almond’s nightly ‘Pillow Talk’ radio show on WNIC FM 100.3.
Today, we feature “Angela (Theme From Taxi),” a track from Bob James’ 1978 LP, “Touchdown.” “Angela,” was the signature (8 p.m.) show opener on Alan Almond’s popular ‘Pillow Talk‘ show.
Heard 8 p.m.-12 midnight weeknights on WNIC-FM radio nearly 25 years, the 1980s and 1990s, and several years into the 2000 decade, Detroit.
“This is Alan Almond, and I want to welcome you with open arms to the first hour of Alan Almond’s ‘Pillow Talk,’ on 100.3 WNIC.”
“ANGELA (THEME FROM TAXI)” * Bob James * TAPPEN ZEE Records (1978)
“SUMMER MADNESS” (12″ LP version) * Kool and the Gang * DE-LITE Records (1975)
WNIC-FM 100.3
During the ’80s, ’90s, “Summer Madness” was the closing instrumental piece heard fading out Detroit radio’s night-time favorite show, Alan Almond’s ‘Pillow Talk,’ weeknights, at 12 midnight on WNIC-FM 100.3 “Detroit’s Nicest Rock.”
“SUMMER MADNESS” * Kool and the Gang * DE-LITE Records (1975)
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).
DETROIT — “Detroit is suppose to be one of the worst cities in the country to get ahead . . . except in radio and television,” says Maureen Hathaway, station manager of of Motor City top 40 WHYT-FM.
Hathaway is one of a large number of women holding holding top exective positions in Detroit radio — vice-presidents/general managers, station managers, general sales managers, even owners. Radio is a business whose key jobs are generally held by men, and Detroit is widely perceived as a two-fisted blue-collar city. Yet women there have been able to make a more than significant mark in the upper echelons of radio.
“The radio market here is [one of the most] competitive in the country,” observes Elaine Baker, VP/GM of adult contemporary WOMC-FM. “Because of that, talent is recognized for what it is. Women have been able to move up the ladder because they’re good in what they do.”
Both Hathaway and Vicky Trondle, general sales manager of WNIC-AM-FM, surmise that Detroit is such fertile ground for women executives because extensive station turnovers in the recent past have cleared the way for capable, talented women.
“One of the biggest problems for women had been lack of opportunity,” say Hathaway. “Men were holding jobs they’d always held, but when turnovers occurred, women were there to take those jobs.”
Trondle add, “It took a long time for women to get the type of experienceit takes to run a large business.”
Trondle was promoted to GSM when her predecessor left to join former WNIC GM Lorraine Golden, who had formed her own company. Golden is now VP of Metropolis Broadcasting and GM/VP of its first property, the top 40/AC formatted WDTX.
The turnover theory doesn’t hold for Vera Green, VP/GM of urban outlet WJLB-FM, who brought the station from a No. 12 overall when she joined in 1982 to its current No. 2 status. She says, “Women has the least seniority, and so were the first to go.”
Green’s prior experience in the automotive industry left her with the perspective that the male concentration there and in Detroit’s other heavy industries “gave women other ways to achieve.”
“For women to excel in this market place,” agrees Suzanne Gougherty, national sales manager of WWJ-AM, “they had to look in other areas.”
The majority of the female’s executives started out not in the typing pool, but in the sales department. “It’s the business aspect of the radio station,” observes Gougherty. “Working in sales gives you an awareness of the bottom line . . . and GMs have to be aware of the bottom line . . . it gives an idea of the structure of the station.”
Operating in a predominately man’s world, Detroit’s female execs nevertheless all agree they have faced little or no gender discrimination in their positions. “There has probably been some, but I’ve been too busy to notice,” remarks Green.
However, says Betty Pazdernik, VP and GSM of top 40 WCZY-AM-FM, “I still think we have to do a bit more, be superior, excel.
“If I felt I wanted to do a tantrum, I wouldn’t do it,” she continues, “yet I’ve seen males fly off the handle, and its perfectly acceptable. If I feel like crying from frustration, I’ll leave the office. But, men are allowed to explode for the same reason with no loss of esteem. It’ll probably always be like that.”
All agree that their stations hire for excellence, not gender.
“I’m looking for the best person for a job, when I hire,” says Baker. “I had a female program director in 1983 [Lorna Ozman], and we had a female sales staff — not because they’re woman, but for their skills.”
Woman applicants can look forward to advice and information on support groups when they go to WJLB, says Green. “We tell them to contact American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT), the Women’s Advertising Club in Detroit, Women In Music, and Women In Communications,” she describes. “We advise everyone, not just women, to read the trades and market reports. Women graduate as mass communications majors with no practical skills; we try to spread the word that if they’re considering internships, they can get them.”
Detroit’s women executives all stress that hard work, knowledge, desire, goal-setting, risk taking, and dedication got them where they are. “Don’t be overly conscious of your difference,” advises WHYT’s Hathaway. “You can be a lone wolf and succeed.” You’ve got to be part of the system, teamwork and company loyalty, that’s what has traditionally gotten men ahead. A lot of women feel they have to be Joan of Arc, but that just reinforces differences. Being a team player does not mean selling out.” END.
(Information and news source: Billboard; April 26, 1986).
Goldstein Appointed Josephson Vice President/Group Program Director at WNIC
DETROIT — “This is one of the toughest AC markets in the country,” says Steve Goldstein, who has been named Program Director of WNIC-FM-AM here. Goldstein is a man who should know. Coming here to program Capitol Cities’ “Hot Hits” outlet WHYT, Goldstein left that post to head the programming of Metromedia’s AC outlet WOMC before accepting the WNIC appointment last week.
Steve Goldstein, photographed here in 2004.
The position is just part of his overall duties with Josephson Broadcasting, for which he now serves as vice president/group PD. “We did some real good things with WOMC, and this is going to be a race, but WNIC continues to be the adult contemporary leader,” Goldstein says. “It’s a strong station with a great morning show and a great night show as well.”
The latter, a sultry AC offering from velvet-toned Alan Almond entitled, “Pillow Talk,” is definitely No. 1 in woman. You’ve got to hear this guy,” enthuses Goldstein.
With WNIC in such a secure position, Goldstein admits the lure and challenge is “the chain working with the other properties and the involvement I’ll have in the future acquisitions we’re planning to make. But right here there are some things we can do with WNIC.” Goldstein would not elaborate on that point.
Josephson also owns Columbus urban/AC combo WVKO/WSNY, Norfolk’s oldies and AOR WNOR-AM-FM, and Milwaukee’s AC- formatted WMGF. END.
(Information and news source: Billboard, November 24, 1984).
Price Communications Buys Josephson’s Detroit Combo
DETROIT — Leading Detroit adult contemporary combo WNIC AM-FM went through a rather sudden change of hands this past Wednesday, June 5, when New York-based Price Communications bought the outlet from Josephson Communications for roughly $19 million.
WNIC-FM logo in 1985
Explaining the reasons for letting the high-billing outlets go, Josephson’s Ed Christian refers to the firm’s “life’s cycle philosophy.” “We bought the station eight years ago for $3,000,000,” he says. “Now we can take that 19,000,000 and buy three new stations for six million and have a million to spare.”
Looking to build Josephson’s network, Christian says the firm will be looking at “less mature radio properties in smaller markets” and possibly a few TV stations. When the FCC approves the WNIC sale, Josephson will still be the proud parent of WMGF Milwaukee, WSNY/WVKO Columbus, WNOR AM-FM Norfolk and WZKC Rochester.
“It was a very quiet transaction because the station was not officially on the sales block,” noted Christian, who adds that the deal was strictly a “win-win” situation.
The latter statement is confirmed by Price Communications head Bob Price. Josephson’s corporate programming vice president Steve Goldstein says he intends to continue handling WNIC programming through a transition period of two to three months, after which he will return to Josephson full-time in order to “go after some new stations.”
As for the future of WNIC, it appears the business will go on as usual after the sale is completed. “The atmosphere around here is pretty optimistic, ” says Goldstein, while Price claims there are no plans to alter the successful AC outlet out of Detroit. END.
(Information and news source: Billboard; Jun 15, 1985).
