According to Frank Izzo, the contributor of this aircheck, Mitchell had the #1 morning show in the Capitol District for four years. Now, this is his final show. It’s GREAT AM Top 40, complete with TM (c) Fusion jingles and all!
Audio Player
Rick Mitchell – Last show on Musicradio 98 WTRY Troy, NY | February 16, 1979
BySteve West
Jul 28, 2013
By Steve West
Steve West is a 41 year veteran of broadcasting. His air work as a Jock and News Anchor includes six radio markets and over two-dozen radio stations. Steve is the founder of Airchexx.com and Hitoldies.net - All the BIG Hits!
Rick was truly one of the great talents in that market.
After staying on at WTRY-FM doing the morning show, Mitchell went to WQAR in Saratoga County in PM drive before going back to AM drive on WYJB (B 95.5) in Albany.
Came across this in a search for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and noted that Rick sounded exactly the same as when I worked shooting photos for the old Times Record from 1974-80. In those days I never moved the dial from WTRY as I cruised the Capital District looking for news. So here’s to Rick and Don and “Fred Peabody in the WTRY helicopter…” I really miss those days
I wish whoever found this could scare up some more Mitchell madness. This is some great stuff!
Thanks for the kind comments, guys…I do appreciate it! They were fun days!
Just got let go at latest gig….hope to bounce back somewhere in the Albany metro.
Have a great summer!
I was just remeniscing about my younger days and thinking about listening to WTRY as a kid on the radio in my bedroom. Found this site and thought I’d let anybody know how much that station made my day for so many years. Thanks for all the memories.
Ric was (IS !) a great guy ! Always so supportive to me…as I was doing radio (and “record hops”)in the early 80’s…after having just re-entered the business. I remember having a great “chat” with him during a chance encounter at Dunkin’ Donuts…across from Mohawk Mall…so warm and friendly…and he liked my style, too !
Thanks forever, Ric ! All the Best !
Steve
IN THE EARLY 70S I INTERNED (OR WAS A GOPHER) FOR JERRY TYLER AT WTRY ON HIS SAT. NITE REQUEST SHOW. THIS IS BACK WHEN THE WTRY STUDIO WAS STILL IN THE PROCTOR THEATER BLDG. IN TROY. ALTHOUGH I NEVER GOT TO MEET RIC BACK THEN SOME TEN YEARS LATER OR SO WHEN WRCK UTICA MOVED ME FROM NITES TO MORNINGS I TRIED AND NO DOUBT FAILED TO COPY THE RIC MITCHELL SOUND.
ric you were one of the oros of yesteryear along with jerry tyler rick bennett and billrock also rich hogan i remember meeting you in the 70s and the times will never be as good
I remember all of them. Whatever happened to Jerry Tyler? Is he still on the air?
Anyone remember WTRY’s Sales office led by Dick Vazanna? I worked for him in 1966 along with Freddy Fleitz, Jay Amadeo, Burt Schulman and a few others. The DJ’s of that era were Lee Gray (The Gray Thing), Rick Snyder (Put the coffee pot on Honey Bunny I’m Coming Home), and Newsman Bill Duffy.
I met my husband there in 1965, DJ ,Jim Lord. aka Jim Chaplin. We married in 67 and had a great life together. Jim died in 2009. I knew all of the people you named. often went to have drinks with them at the Hendrick Hudson Hotel, and the Lions den, a jazz place nr. the station. What a great time that was.
Rick plays on in The Villages, Florida ! He does a Saturday morning show on the Village’s radio station.
I remember you both when I worked at WDAE AM/FM in Tampa 1973-1974.
Does anyone know what happened to Rick Bennett?
I believe Rick Snyder said “make the peanut butter and banana sandwich, honey bunny, I’m coming home”