Description by Steve Bleecker:
Harry Nelson had recently come from KFRC, and I got the call to “get my ass” (his words) to JBQ to do mornings! Almost as soon as I arrived… he left for Fargo, N.D. and JBQ’s FORMER PD, Brian Phoenix was called back to JBQ, to resume as PD! In between Nelson and Phoenix – we all had the best fun! The fun stopped as soon as Phoenix got back – he ‘let me go’ in early Jan ’84, and it wasn’t pretty! I was on a medical leave of absence – hepatitis – when
he came to my apt. – to fire me – as I was so sick, already! That’s when I got completely out of radio!
Curator’s Notes:
Radio is often a cruel business and while one programmer may love what a particular jock brings to a station, another may feel entirely different. That’s the way the radio business has always been. My advice to anyone wanting to join this rather unstable career field is that he or she should understand that each programmer has his or her own preferences as to voice intonation, personality, etc. It’s not entirely arbitrary and it’s not always fair, regardless of government employment rules.
This is a great aircheck. This is from the early 80s. It was a time when FM Top 40, by then called ‘contemporary hit radio’ (CHR) as opposed to ‘Top 40’, was just beginning to mature. 98 JBQ was typical of the BIG sounding hit FM stations at the time, spinning an image as a station bigger than life, this at a time when all CHRs had their own unique sound and personality. Steve has a unique personality, shown here in a music-intensive morning show as the sound of the 80s really started to ramp-up.
%20Portland,%20ME%20|%20July%201983){kind=link}
As the current PD of ‘JBQ….I TOTALLY enjoyed this! Was in Ellsworth/Bangor at WKSQ in ’83–working for one Mark Osborne–aka Jeff Ryder—former JBQ PD!
I wanna’ Thank Steve West for getting this one “on site” !
Given a little more time, either at JBQ, or in the business, generally…I remember
having my “Sights set” on a larger market…something about Boston kept “bangin’ around” in my head ! Oh well.
The true Steve Bleecker fans remember him on WROK in Rockford, IL..
Ralph Hollingsworth…OMG !~!! Thank you for Remembering, Ralph ! How I would love to speak w/ you ! bleek182@gmail.com ? Maybe webmaster Steve West can assist in my Qeust ? ! Thanks, Steve !
SUCCESS ! HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION W/ RALPH A FEW WEEKS AGO../.THANKS TO AIRCHEXX.COM…THANKS, STEVE FOR OUR “HOOK-UP”. AMAZING !
I interviewed with Brian Phoenix at WJBQ in 1980 I think it was. it was a tape of me on WTRY in Troy that I sent to him from an add in radio and records that got me up there. I remember the studio was in a house out in the middle of the woods somewhere and the bugs had wings like birds there! with what Steve Bleeker had to say I guess im glad I went out to the Utica/Syracuse area instead!
And I stunk so bad as a fledgeling DJ in 1980/81 I couldn’t have gotten a job there or anywhere outside of my hometown. Even there, doing occasional weekends while still in HS, I was so bad I’m surprised that the owner of THAT little station allowed me on the air!! But I had heard 98 JBQ back then and wanted to go there. Silly kid DJ…
Yipes Steve!!
I met you when you worked at WAXC radio in Rochester NY.
You gave me my love of radio..
Please contact me I’m so curious what you are up to today!!
Take care and smile,
Joe WJOE
Thanks, Tim Moore !
Joe Sirianni ! Thanks SO MUCH !