Wireless: 100 Years of WGY
Intimate interviews with the people behind the iconic voices known so well to Capital Region radio listeners. WGY's Mike Patrick speaks to WGY announcers, news anchors, and hosts spanning the last seven decades as we celebrate WGY's 100th year in service in 2022.
Episodes
January 12, 2022 • 52 mins
Many know Joe Gallagher from his long running weekend show that showcased his unique sense of humor and community-focused interviews. However, Joe actually started on WGY in 1983 in afternoon drive. He discusses his career in radio, WGY greats like Don Weeks and many others with WGY's Mike Patrick.
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January 19, 2022 • 38 mins
We call Jim Gagliardi "The Gold Standard" in the WGY Newsroom with good reason. There is no one quite like Jimmy.
"Gags" has been in broadcasting since 1968! Prior to WGY, he was a radio announcer on a "beautiful music" station. He also talks about his obsession with Gordon Lightfoot and the Moody Blues in a fashion that can only be described as "Gagliardi Style."
Jim currently anchors WGY News in afternoon drive and occasional wee...
"Gags" has been in broadcasting since 1968! Prior to WGY, he was a radio announcer on a "beautiful music" station. He also talks about his obsession with Gordon Lightfoot and the Moody Blues in a fashion that can only be described as "Gagliardi Style."
Jim currently anchors WGY News in afternoon drive and occasional wee...
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January 19, 2022 • 30 mins
Greg Foster was Program Director at WGY in the early 2000s and oversaw an award winning programming and news staff.
He discusses the evolution of WGY during that time period and some behind-the-scenes stories never before told publicly.
Greg Foster is still with iHeartRadio, working in Denver at another heritage radio station, KOA AM/FM.
He discusses the evolution of WGY during that time period and some behind-the-scenes stories never before told publicly.
Greg Foster is still with iHeartRadio, working in Denver at another heritage radio station, KOA AM/FM.
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January 19, 2022 • 31 mins
Aaron Brilbeck took on one of the hardest assignments of anyone in the WGY newsroom. On September 11th, 2001, Aaron went to Ground Zero following the attacks to report for WGY.
His description of those days in New York will send a shiver down your back.
Aaron also shares stories of his years as a television Anchor and Reporter and many other local stories that were covered during his tenure on WGY.
His description of those days in New York will send a shiver down your back.
Aaron also shares stories of his years as a television Anchor and Reporter and many other local stories that were covered during his tenure on WGY.
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January 19, 2022 • 36 mins
The heart and soul of WGY for 30 years was, and in many ways still is iconic morning man Don Weeks.
We speak with with Don's daughter Noelle to find out more about not just the broadcaster, but the father and the man who started the day for tens of thousands of Capital Region radio listeners for so many years. (BONUS: LISTEN ALL THE WAY TO THE VERY END FOR A SPECIAL PIECE OF DON WEEKS AUDIO)
We speak with with Don's daughter Noelle to find out more about not just the broadcaster, but the father and the man who started the day for tens of thousands of Capital Region radio listeners for so many years. (BONUS: LISTEN ALL THE WAY TO THE VERY END FOR A SPECIAL PIECE OF DON WEEKS AUDIO)
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February 7, 2022 • 26 mins
Chris Hunter is the Vice President of Collections & Exhibitions at the Museum of Innovation & Science in Schenectady, NY. He shares some of the most incredible stories about WGY's early years with WGY Morning Host Doug Goudie, including why WGY almost didn't happen and what brought Harry Houdini and Amelia Earhart to the station.
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February 7, 2022 • 26 mins
Talk Host Andrew Wilkow left a major impression at WGY as he joined the station during a time when WGY was looking for a fresh take on the news/talk format.
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February 7, 2022 • 30 mins
News Anchor Peter Rief is known for his one-of-a-kind news style and distinctive voice.
Peter had two runs with WGY and a long association with talk host Mike Gallagher in Albany and NYC.
Peter had two runs with WGY and a long association with talk host Mike Gallagher in Albany and NYC.
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February 7, 2022 • 26 mins
Tom McCarthy was one of the last music disc jockeys on WGY, serving for seven years starting in the mid 1970s. Tom has put in 50 years in the broadcasting business; an amazing feat!
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February 14, 2022 • 45 mins
Diane Ward put in 10 years in the WGY News Room starting in 1985, plus an additional five years in TV. Diane's main focus was as a street reporter and her favorite duty at WGY was producing detailed feature stories.
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February 14, 2022 • 48 mins
Bob Cudmore worked at WGY from 1980-1993, and is best known as one of the many hosts of the night time Talk Show "Contact," a show that also included previous hosts such as Bill Miller and Steve Fitz. The Amsterdam native is also a history buff, and during his time at WGY he interviewed past WGY talent such as Martha Brooks and Kolin Hagar.
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February 14, 2022 • 17 mins
Joe Pags is well known to Capital Region listeners and viewers from his time as a local TV News Anchor and as a Talk Show Host on WGY, a position he still holds every Saturday 1pm-4pm as he hosts his national radio show. Joe talks about how his time at WGY made it possible for him to get nationally syndicated.
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February 20, 2022 • 41 mins
WGY Morning host Doug Goudie explores the very beginning of WGY and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and State Senator Jim Tedisco bestow two special honors on WGY.
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February 20, 2022 • 40 mins
WGY Morning Host Doug Goudie showcases WGY's news coverage, the music era, and rarely told stories with local historian Chris Hunter. iHeartMedia's CEO Bob Pittman, has a special message for WGY and the Mayor of Schenectady, Gary McCarthy, gives WGY a special gift.
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February 20, 2022 • 42 mins
Former WGY Host Joe Gallagher is joined by many of his former weekend companions and plays a little WGY trivia for the station's 100th anniversary. Plus some classic comedy bits, including one by WGY's Don Weeks. Retired WGY morning man Chuck Custer also calls in to reminisce.
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February 20, 2022 • 85 mins
WGY goes live to the Kenmore Ballroom in Albany as the WGY Players, the Schenectady Light Opera Company and the Musicians Ma’alwyck perform a comedic adaptation of the first radio drama in history (which WGY pioneered) of Eugene Walter’s “The Wolf.”
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February 27, 2022 • 43 mins
Chuck Custer played a major role at WGY for over 36 years, starting in the newsroom as an anchor/reporter then becoming News Director and anchoring the WGY Morning News with the legendary Don Weeks. For ten years he was the co-host of WGY's morning show "Chuck and Kelly" with Kelly Lynch. Chuck discusses the big news stories he covered at WGY and his special relationships with Don Weeks, Joe Gallagher and many in the WGY newsroom.
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February 27, 2022 • 26 mins
Jackie Donovan has been a long-time broadcaster in the Capital Region, including three years at WGY. Jackie started at WGY as the Director of Operations for the Total Traffic Network, overseeing a staff who gave listeners a heads up to problems on the roads. Keep in mind, this was before we all could use a smartphone app for traffic. The staff had to actually call police, sheriff's and state police to verify traffic issues. Jackie ...
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February 27, 2022 • 34 mins
Jack Arnecke's professional radio career started in Schenectady in 1965, shortly after leaving Siena College. After working at various local stations, Jack joined WGY (and WRGB-TV) in 1972. He retired after a 42-year career in broadcasting. Jack talks about the many stories he covered, how he covered them, and shares stories of the many co-workers both on radio and television.
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March 6, 2022 • 136 mins
Paul Cassidy was an iconic weekend host on WGY. In the middle of a routine operation in 1996, he died. His death was sudden and unexpected.
On November 2nd of that year, the staff of WGY gathered on a Saturday morning during Paul's normal air shift to pay tribute to the popular personality.
WGY's Mike Patrick was able to salvage this tribute show. In it you'll hear people like Chuck Custer, Bob Cudmore, Joe Gallagher, Peter Rief, Do...
On November 2nd of that year, the staff of WGY gathered on a Saturday morning during Paul's normal air shift to pay tribute to the popular personality.
WGY's Mike Patrick was able to salvage this tribute show. In it you'll hear people like Chuck Custer, Bob Cudmore, Joe Gallagher, Peter Rief, Do...
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