McGann out at WJAS
Pittsburgh:
A scan of 1320wjas.com shows that Mike McGann's picture is no longer there. Although a quick glance at the photos page (almost 10 a.m.) shows many of McGann's photos are still there. Mike has spent the past several years with WJAS as Program Director and afternoon drive host.
Update: Reached this morning via email, McGann declined to comment, saying only that "budget cuts are the rule in radio now --- it is what it is." PBRTV also asked Renda Broadcasting for comment; a company official could only confirm that McGann is no longer with the station, and was being replaced by John Tesh.
A native of East Liberty and Pittsburgh's eastern suburbs, McGann was heard in the 1970s and '80s on the former WIXZ (1360), WTAE (1250) and WTAE-FM/WXKX-FM (96.1). In 1983, he became vice president and general manager of WRKZ-FM (now WMHX-FM) in Hershey, later working in similar roles at stations in Allentown, Butler and Altoona, as well as for Bellefonte-based cable TV company Tele-Media Corp.
McGann returned to Pittsburgh to work at WJAS in December 2002. In 2006 he received the March of Dimes Achievement in Radio award for "best afternoon show" on a music station.
UPDATE (3/6/08): PBRTV thanks its readers for their comments and concerns about Mike McGann and WJAS. We have decided to close the comment box for this entry at this time.
Readers’ Forum
Great, I can’t wait to hear another 3 hours of John Tesh.
dm - February 06, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I enjoyed listening to Mike on my drive home, especially his Friday Flashback. He will be sorely missed in my Subaru but my Ipod (what’s in Your Ipod?) will find more airtime when I get frustrated with the more intensely formatted stations. Tesh is fine for fill-in when you can’t spend money, but at times when people are traveling quite a bit, live radio and local talent will always be preferred.
David Hall - February 06, 2008 at 11:32 pm
If all WJAS is going run is wall-to-wall John Tesh, then I’m going to listen to Toronto’s AM 740, which I can pick up on my car radio and laptop in Indiana County, Pa. 24/7.I know radio people are cheap (I used to be in radio), but McGann was one of the main reasons I listened to 1320. Tesh sure as heck isn’t.
Good luck, Mike. You deserve better.
Rick - February 07, 2008 at 01:13 am
I am so sorry to know Mike is no longer on WJAS. What a mistake!! I really enjoyed his music and his stories. He was always entertaining and got me through the afternoons with wonderful memories of growing up in Pittsburgh. John Tesh can never take his place. Local talent is definitely preferred. I’ll only be listening when Bill Cardille is on now.
Hope you show up on another station, Mike. I enjoyed your book, too.
Judy - February 07, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I really liked Mike and miss him! He and Bogut are the reasons I listen to 1320. If it was WJAS management idea to give him the boot, they are making a huge mistake. It’s 12:05 AM and John Tesh has been on since 3 PM. C’mon! I don’t mind a taste of Tesh, but 9+ hours a day!!! I am getting really tired of radio stations putting on non-local recorded programming. We NEED LOCAL talent on LIVE, especially during the afternoon rush. ALso, I’ve noticed a lot of repetition in Tesh’s canned pre-recorded tips, etc. in the last week or so. Bring Mike back! PLEASE!
Kathy - February 08, 2008 at 12:08 am
I am really disappointed in WJAS. First Doug Hoerth and now Mike McGann Two really enjoyable personalities. I sure hope Bogut isn’t next!Good luck Mike from an Old East Liberty Dilworth Alumni
Josie Santapietro - February 08, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I couldn’t believe that I wasn’t hearing Mike on my ride home. He kept me awake and entertained on the long drive home from work. I am missing him terribly. Best of luck to you, Mike. You are a class act.
Joyce
Joyce - February 09, 2008 at 12:52 am
There’s no measureable ratings for Renda’s two local stations now, and it seems like they are making sure that non appear.
A classic case of self-destruction.
Get rid of Bogut and Cardille and make a clean sweep!
I guess Cullen falls in with the political philosophy of the owners and she will be around (Ugh!) until the November elections, at least.
Radio in Pittsburgh sure is a sorry state. (Maybe we need another “sports” station. Perhaps “all Steelers, all the time!”) (Another Ugh!)
Mike Smalley
West Mifflin, PA
Mike Smalley - February 10, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I guess they figure they could save money that way by getting rid of McGann, i thought Cardille would retire first and then McGann would take his slot. Cardille should have bowed out gracefully and left it to McGann seeing is that Cardille probably only has a few good years left with the station. I wonder what will happen to the musical selections now that McGann is gone, he was program director as well as host. I enjoyed listening to him on the way home. John Tesh is ok but he is not good when your waiting to get home in traffic.
Mike Anthony - February 11, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I sent an email a few days ago to WJAS through their web site wanting to know what happened to Mike and Uncle Dougie. I made my points that John Tesh is on overkill with the endless hours of repetition and that I was seriously considering finding another station. Received a reply today saying release of both was due to budgets and that they are working hard looking to the future trying to decide how to develop things around John Tesh being their afternoon “anchor.” Not surprised by the reply, but I guess that confirms JT is here to stay! OH NO! Hope Mike and Doug move to another local station and I can once again listen to them! Today’s weather is just one example of why a local live anchor is needed for the afternoon rush.
Kathy (URL) - February 12, 2008 at 3:05 pm
John Tesh is boring and preachy. To think that he will be the “anchor” of their station scares me. What does the management think of their audience? Not much, obviously. I listen to Jack in the morning, but rely on CD’s in the evening drive time.
This had been the only station I could rely on for good music that wasn’t repeated every six hours and good DJ’s who appreciated the intelligence of their audience. Now, there is nothing left on Pittsburgh radio in the afternoon drive time.
Peg - February 13, 2008 at 3:04 pm
My husband always says Mike was the best part of the day. I thought he was pretty much at the top. Can’t believe you would let him go for John Tesh. What a mistake. Let me know if he is on the air locally. I will switch to that radio station.
Ginny - February 15, 2008 at 09:24 am
Thanks to all of you for listening, for your support over the last five years and for your kind comments.
I am hoping to stay in radio a few more years if not in Pittsburgh (my hometown) then somewhere warmer so I can play bad golf longer each year.
God Bless all of you
Mike
Mike Mcgann - February 15, 2008 at 11:47 am
What a shame. Now I can see why people listen to satelite radio and IPODs. When are managers in radio going to learn, you’ve got to spend money to make money. We so enjoyed listening to Mike and his flashbacks and bantering with the traffic personel. John Tesh for 9 hours no way. Needless to say (listen up, sponsors) I’ll be listening to CDs.
Norm and Marilyn - February 15, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I listen to Bogut on my way to work and McGann on my way home from work. Tesh is all canned comments and not worth my time. I switched to sports talk or FM. You lost an afternoon dedicated listener.
Greg - February 15, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Losing Mike McGann to the airwaves of Pittsburgh is a tremendous loss. I echo what others have said about listening to a hometown guy as opposed to a syndicated show. There is simply no comparison. In addition to the 3 – 7 shift, Mike did The Best of Broadway, an entertaining analysis and walk through some of the most popular theater productions. Sometimes those shows would co-inside with CLO offerings, which I found a most helpful insight. Let’s not forget his involvement in the community, with appearances at health fairs, home shows, the Regatta, etc., which is something many of the radio show hosts do not do. No matter what time of day or night, I could always turn on the radio, to WJAS, and hear Mike as he did so many of the commercials and announcements. I also wrote to the station and am not buying their story! If it was money they were trying to save, some of the other celebrity hosts make much more I am sure. With all he did they got a lot for their money. For everyone who writes in, there will be many who have the same thoughts but do not write for one reason or another. If that is the case, ratings will drop. Another smart station should pick him up so we don’t lose him here in the burgh.
S. Brown - February 16, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I’ve been listening to WJAS for many years. In fact, I’ve been listening to the genre of music that WJAS primarily plays since my early teens back in the late 1960’s. I’m dissapointed that Renda has let go of Mike and Doug. I met Mike personally back in December and he is every bit as affable as his radio personality was. He even agreed to help me in a little project to identify some unknown recording artists that I have on a few old over-the-air tapes! I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. What I can’t understand is why the Pittsburgh area can’t support such a station as WJAS with local talent from dawn to dusk? For example, how can WEZV-FM in a much smaller market and possibly younger market in Myrtle Beach, SC, which carries almost the same programming as WJAS, have 3 daytime radio personalities?
Dennis - February 16, 2008 at 5:16 pm
How unfortunate that WJAS has canned Mike McGann. He has been one of my favorite DJ’s since he joined WJAS. He made great musical choices and I enjoyed his Friday Flashbacks and enjoyed his wit and repartee even more. I also enjoyed his Broadway’s best program. WJAS used to be my favorite radio station, but in the last few years it began, and seems to have continued, a downhill slide. There has been a continual increase in the canned programs and less of the distinctive qualities that I and so many others used to appreciate. Now there is only Jack Bogut and Bill Cardille left and who knows how much longer they will be there. I even noted several years ago that you had also tied Bill Cardille’s ability to provide some of the really special music that he would dig out or introduce us to because he was forced to accept a canned format. John Tesh, 7-12 pm was okay, but to replace Mike McGann, with an additional 4 additional hours of Tesh’s is asking way too much of your listeners. I also miss the Sunday Night Diner program, the music not the DJ. Doug Hoerth wasn’t much of a loss to me, he is way too obnoxious and offensive to women for my tastes, but the program was a loss. Fortunately, WWSW and WJAP have similar formats on Sunday nights. It’s too bad Renda Broadcasting executives have such little foresight and so little regard for its listeners. How much advertising do you think you can continue to retain if you lose your listening base.
Jennifer - February 17, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I’ll be looking for another radio station at 3:00PM. Mike was local and interesting and live and not Tesh’s canned comments. I can’t believe WJAS has dropped him for a syndicate. Linda
Linda Richardson - February 17, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I think it’s been a sad day since McGann left the station, It was always nice getting off work and knowing you had Mike McGann on the radio to listen to on your way home from work. I know it made waiting in traffic go by faster. I don’t care for the John Tesh Show how much of Tesh can we take, there is only so much we can take listening to Tesh Drone on and on about meaningless facts. WJAS is definately going down
hill. I will listen to Bill Cardille and Jack Bogut, I just don’t think i can stomach Tesh during drive time Tesh is better suited for the evening shift. Even then he gets sickening. I enjoyed those days when Bill Cardille would find those rare songs those rare old songs we have not heard in a while now, we are forced to here the same repetitive songs over and over again. Back then WJAS was a local station then you would hear Bill Cardille’s voice doing the commercials, Jack Boguts and later Mike Mcgann’s now it’s just a corporate mess right now. I Even the announcements now for the shows are some digital guy with a strange voice. What’s next John Tesh 24/7 on the station? Best of luck mike you deserve better hopefully you will appear soon on another local station in the market.
Mike L - February 18, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I’ve been listening to WJAS for about five years and I was very disappointed to hear of Mike McGann’s dismissal from the station. I really enjoyed listening to Mike as I drove home from work because he: 1). Gave his show that local touch 2). He played a wonderful variety of music 3).Fiday Night Flashbacks and 4). I enjoyed his daily banter with Lisa Pelke. Now there’s nine hours of John Tesh. Ugh. WJAS,please help me…I can only take so much “Wind Beneath My Wings“and news I can’t use!
RichM - February 18, 2008 at 7:23 pm
First they fire Doug Hoerth and now Mike McGann. Two great losses for Pgh. and beyond. I listen on the web from New York, and now there’s only Bogut and Chilly Billy.
Good luck, Mike. I hope to hear you on the web again soon. Like Doug Hoerth, you deserved better, and so did your listeners.
Joe O’B
Joe O'B - February 19, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I’ve been a listener to WJAS for 10 years and enjoyed Mike on the afternoon spot….......he will be missed…......a class act.
Vectorpedia (Rick) (URL) - February 20, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I guess it started with O’brien & Gary. Now Mike is the latest to leave the Pgh. market. Hope he shows up at another local station. A little of Tesh goes a long way. Thanks for always taking my calls. My family and I will miss you.
Perry
Perry Weber - February 21, 2008 at 06:54 am
I am a former Pittsburgher and I would listen to WJAS anytime I came to Pittsburgh. I was so happy when 1320wjas.com came on the web and it became my favorite Internet radio station. After work I would read my email while enjoying Mike McGann and Lisa Pelke. And Mike’s “Best of Broadway” was a favorite too. Goodbye Mike and Lisa and goodbye WJAS in the afternoon. I’ve already had my fill of John Tesh.
RockFox - February 21, 2008 at 06:56 am
Renda Broadcasting has made a critical error in its decision to release Mike McGann. Mike is one of the few remaining Pittsburgh personalities that HAS A PERSONALITY! Mike McGann has a unique manner: his intelligent humor and resonating voice in relaying Pittsburgh stories is what Pittsburghers love and had waited eagerly to hear each day. Talents like Mike McGann cannot be replaced by impersonal monotones for the masses and cannot be replaced by superficial chatter from an impersonal, national front.
Linda Book - February 21, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Everyone pretty much covered all there is to say about Mike McGann and Doug Hoerth being off the radio in Pittsburgh. I am so certain these two very talented men will find work some place else. It’s us listeners I feel sorry for. I’m trying so hard to like John Tesh, but….UGH! He just knows EVERYTHING about all things. And, the music is just soso anymore. (not as much variety), which is sad considering all the music out there from which to make selections.
Gay Lehen - February 25, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Just heard Bill Cardille announce that Mike McGann’s mom passed away yesterday.
Kathy - February 26, 2008 at 10:22 am
I really miss listening to Mike and Doug. There’s no substitute for local talent. However, I found these enterprising DJ’s on 770AM that buy there own time and run a really nice oldies show every morning. Check them out.
Bernie - February 26, 2008 at 11:08 am
I listened to KDKA for years and then got fed up and switched to WJAS. Since I am an am listenerin the car and at home I guess I can find another station after 10am. Shame/shame.
Sam Lockerman - February 28, 2008 at 09:04 am
John Tesh is good in the evenings, but Mike McGann was a link to Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh happenings during the 3:00-5:00p drive time. Radio stations always say, “its the best move for the station”, but “is it the best move for the listeners?”
Diane Weber - March 02, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Since the people over at Renda (Especially WJAS) are concerned with their budget getting rid of Mike McGann
they should utilize the talent they have at the station right now. I think they should take Chris Shovlin and put him during the afternoon drive show. I think he would be good after the Bill Cardille show, he does well during the morning shows when he fills in for Bogut. I think that would be a good idea because the slot would be local, more listeners would listen because they already enjoy his sense of humor during the bogut show. I would much rather have the slot filled with someone local, rather than hearing John Tesh go on and on about how to lose weight. John Tesh says the same boring things everyday. I see so many smaller local stations which aren’t even in a major market doing a better job than WJAS, they seem to use so much of their local talent and WJAS could be a gold mind if they would use theirs.
Joe - March 05, 2008 at 12:03 am
I am trying to find someone to listen to on my ride home—-John Tesh just does not do it for me. Mike McGann made the ride home very enjoyable—-I miss his show!
sandy - March 05, 2008 at 5:02 pm