Moving on to Jazz FM and WYNE 1530

You may have noticed that I wrote a disclaimer regarding my employment status in regards to a related article. Well, it was an opportunity I honestly could not pass up. I had been in broadcasting with various stations in Erie since 1993 until I was one of the layoffs from WQLN Public Media (TV 54-1,2,3 and 91.3 FM.)  I was a small part of WQLN for 12 years and still have several friends who are either still there or no longer work there. It was a great team to be a part of, But you may recall I was one of three Engineers / Master Control Operators who was let go for automation of the TV side of WQLN. For over a year, I was collecting unemployment and job searching since I was let go last year. I was determined to no longer work in radio or TV with the future outlook not looking so promising, or so I thought. Recently, I saw a post on Facebook regarding a help wanted ad for WMCE “Jazz FM 88.5 / 104.9” and WYNE 1530. The position listed was for an assistant to programming / operations for Jazz FM as well as working with sister station WYNE 1530. I applied and had an interview with PD Michael Leal of Jazz FM and “Captain Dan” Geary who runs the show at WYNE along with some dedicated volunteers. The interview was more like three guys talking about how great radio could be and the potential for the Mercyhurst College stations. Yes both are smaller operations than where I had been in radio past, but the thrill of taking on much bigger radio companies really peaked my interest. The position is part time but one that the station had been trying to get approved for two years. With not much funding from the college to the stations, it’s up to those at the stations to get funding in order to be more self sufficient. For me it’s about starting over and a very exciting opportunity that could grow by leaps & bounds with a lot of hard work. Something I am very familiar with in the business. It’s also great to be a part of a team that is willing to work with me and can be flexible when I get another job. My passion now can be put in place on the AM and FM dial starting this week. You can find a link to hear either station at the following sites: Jazz FM is at http://www.erieradio.com/  or Great Oldies on WYNE 24/7 at http://wyne.mercyhurst.edu/.