Moves

Three well-known local Radio and TV folks have moved on to other things in life.

Let’s start with the retirees.

Jim Graci announced his retirement after 50 years in the broadcast industry effective June 28. That day in a Facebook post Graci said, “It was my dream to be on the radio since I was 10 years old. After 50 years in the most spectacular communications medium there is, it’s time to call it a career. I am retiring today!!!”

Most recently, Graci had been Branding and Programming Director for News WOKV-AM/FM in Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to that he held the similar role here at KDKA-AM/FM and also WTAE/WEAE-AM on 1250 years prior. Graci’s wife is Lindsay Cipsic who spent 25 years in broadcasting as well and served as morning host at WPHH-FM (96.1) in 1999-2000 before it became Kiss-FM.

Also retiring after 50 years is Phil Kirzyc, “The Kielbasa Kid”. Like Graci, Kirzyc had a similar path wanting to be in the business since he was 12. In his Facebook post he said, “Despite the odds I was able to carve out a decent living, raise a family, and have grandchildren to watch grow.”

Nearly half of Kirzyc’s career was spent at WDVE (102.5). But the last 10 years or so have been as morning host at WPKL (99.3 Uniontown). Prior to WDVE he had been host at WXXP – a station that still has somewhat of a cult following despite its relatively short-lived life on 100.7. Early on, Kirzyc worked for a station in Connecticut.

Finally, Pittsburgh’s loss is Indianapolis’ gain. Rick Dayton, who was recently let go from the afternoon drive host at KDKA-AM (1020; 1001 W261AX), announced Monday that he is Executive Reporter at WRTV which is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company. Before the afternoon drive shift, Dayton was the morning anchor at KDKA-TV where he was again the victim of deep budget cuts.

We wish every bit of luck and congratulations to all three of these gentlemen.