Too often today, we forget about broadcasting’s rich history and how much America’s legendary radio stations have meant over the years. There are certain call letters that really are iconic. Many have been forgotten amid the various changes in ownership. There was a time when your career goal was to work for one of those “network owned and operated” stations. I love when those stations acknowledge their history. Small things like KROQ claiming “world famous.” Or B-96 (WBBM-FM) in Chicago using the word “legendary” in their imaging.
WCBS-FM in New York just hired a new morning show, and I loved seeing Loren Raye use that word in the press release as she teamed with Trey Morgan. As a native of the area, she understood the history of those call letters. For years, 101.1 was the frequency where all the great talent ended their careers. Harry Harrison did mornings on WABC when it was the market’s dominant station. He moved to WCBS-FM in 1980 and did mornings there for over two decades. Other WABC alums — Cousin Brucie Morrow, Ron Lundy and Dan Ingram — all made the migration. It was the logical career transition.
A Detour, Then a Homecoming
Some would say the station did not evolve musically enough, and WLTW popped to the top of the New York ratings rankers in the late ’90s and early 2000s. In an effort to get noticed, the company made a short-lived move to make Monkee Mickey Dolenz the morning man before abandoning classic hits altogether. They then spent a few years as a Jack station.
Shortly after Dan Mason took over CBS Radio, he brought the classic hits format back on July 12, 2007. The radio world was healed, and all was good again. Dan understood the power of talent, and he assembled a great lineup for the launch, including future Hall of Famer Broadway Bill Lee. Under Dan’s leadership, revered talent Scott Shannon joined WCBS-FM in 2014. Dan Taylor moved from mornings to middays. While I was program director in title, all I really needed to do was schedule a good music log and let the talent do their thing. And maybe let Broadway Bill know when he crossed the line with content. The station had a vibe and was a fun listen, which is what a personality-driven classic hits station should be.
A New Morning Team With Z100 Roots
Current brand manager John Foxx faced a dilemma as he searched for a new morning show for WCBS-FM. Elvis Duran was not available. But he found a pair who worked in that Z100 studio. While Loren Raye got her start on Elvis’s show, Trey Morgan worked the opposite end of the day at Z100. His morning radio experience came in Dallas after he left afternoons at WNEW. While that was happening, Loren was the lone Yankees fan in Boston, doing mornings with the now-syndicated TJ on Amp.
As someone who has worked with both of them, I know they understand the gravity of the station and the time period they now host from the Scott Shannon studio. It helps to see his name every morning when they walk in. Create the future by drawing from the greatness of the past. And if you’ve got a heritage, claim it.
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