WBAP’s Hall-of-Fame morning man Hal Jay is awaiting a heart transplant after collapsing at home last week. According to NBC Dallas, Jay shared the news with listeners Monday from his hospital bed at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
“I asked the doctors how sick I was, and they said real, real sick. The doctor said my heart was done. They asked me if I was allergic to anything and I said yeah, hospital bills,” Jay said jokingly.
On Tuesday, “Red Eye Radio” co-host Eric Harley shared some thoughts and well wishes for Jay. “Red Eye Radio” is syndicated by Westwood One and originates from WBAP in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
“In terms of radio, Hal Jay goes back with my dad further than I do,” said Harley. “My first day at this small-town radio station when I first started radio in 1984, my dad was listening to WBAP when he first picked me up. My dad said to me this (radio) would be a great hobby, but you might want to think about military or law enforcement as a career.”
Harley said he was motivated and inspired by Hal Jay and his longtime partner Dick Siegel to focus on pursuing a career in radio.
“In 1996, I went to work at WBAP,” added Harley. “I also did voices for Hal, and we executed live bits every morning. I just know in my heart of hearts that he’s going to pull through this just fine.”
“When you say the words, heart transplant, that’s a big, big deal,” added Harley. “This is a guy who has such a great outlook and cares so much about people.”
Jay has been with WBAP since 1981. He worked at radio stations in Kansas and Memphis before getting his big break in Dallas.
