Every radio station needs that one special person who knows not only the history of the station, but the market inside and out. That one person who goes above and beyond — someone you simply can’t replace. Audacy in Miami is losing that person. Gayle Garton is about to leave the station she loved and has been a part of for 34 years. How time flies when you love what you do.
Gayle had the passion for radio and grabbed the first job she could in 1980 as a receptionist. Journalism degree be damned, she was drawn to what she heard coming out of the speakers and wanted to be a part of it. She worked her way up from the front desk and honed her craft at a couple of different Miami stations before walking through the door at the then-owned Jefferson Pilot stations in 1992.
Jefferson Pilot became Lincoln Financial, and that became Entercom, which eventually turned into Audacy. But while ownership and management changed, Gayle was a constant. She started on the weekend — remember that, live weekend talent? — and station programmer Rob Sidney was quick to realize Gayle’s potential. She was the first female voice heard on WLYF during the day. As a result, Gayle was promoted to music director, a title she would hold for 30 years.
More Than a Title
Gayle didn’t just occupy an office and a chair in the air studio for all those years — she was a valuable contributor. No matter who sat in the head programming chair, Gayle was there to offer direction. While my involvement with the station has been minimal, in every music sort with her and Brand Manager Michelle Stevens, her market knowledge proved invaluable.
There’s nothing better than having someone on your team who can recall every promotion, every market talent, and every song tested during her tenure. When Gayle said “that song never tested,” she was always right.
The Audacy cluster in Miami held a goodbye party for Gayle last week. She’s leaving not because her job was eliminated — not because Regional President Claudia Menegus and Michelle Stevens want her to go — but because she wants to relax at home and not see another G-Selector log. If Gayle had a bigger title, she would be lauded in all the trades. But she’s not the morning star or head programmer. Instead, she’s simply the person who made success happen and is one of the biggest reasons WLYF dominates the female demographic in Miami book after book.
A Lesson in Loyalty
Gayle’s 34 years at one station is a tribute not only to her, but to all the managers and programmers she worked with during that time. While it’s so easy to “bring in your own people,” each person in leadership recognized what Gayle was contributing to the success of the station. Through all the budget cuts and job eliminations, she even earned the promotion to Assistant Brand Manager. No matter who was in the corner office, they knew Gayle was a keeper.
As I salute the tenure of Gayle Garton, I urge you to look around your building and spot the “Gayle” on your team. Appreciate them and what they bring to work each and every day. Because just like the staff of WLYF in Miami, you will miss them when they are gone.
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Jim Ryan is a Music Radio columnist for Barrett Media. In addition, he runs Jim Ryan Media LLC, a consulting company which assists major market radio brands and top talent including national radio personality Delilah. Prior to relaunching his consultancy in 2025, Jim spent 15 years with Audacy/CBS Radio, serving as SVP of Programming. Among his responsibilities included programming WNEW-FM and WCBS-FM. His career includes additional programming stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston. Jim was voted the #2 PD of 2024 in Barrett Media’s Top 20 series in the AC category. He can be reached by email at Jim@JimRyanMedia.com.
