by Buzz Knight
As Radio Ink acknowledges current Programmers and legendary jocks of the past, I?d like to recognize three individuals who I had the pleasure of working with that made a difference in our industry and made an impact on me. John Mcghan, George Taylor Morris and Scott Muni.
John Mcghan was a former Programmer for NBC Radio and Taft Broadcasting who had a remarkable energy that connected with everyone he came into contact with. Somebody once described John as ?the PT Barnum of radio? and I think the description clearly fit. He LOVED the radio business and it showed!
John used to frequently remind everyone in the business around him that we were spoiled because we never had to wait on line to buy concert tickets to the hottest show of the year. He understood the power of the listener and treated them like royalty. John Mcghan believed that we should ?think like a fan and make everyone a star.? I miss John every day that I?m in the radio business and wish more people got to be around this? fabulous? personality.
John Mcghan passed away in the late 1980's. Pictured here from left to right are: John McGhan, James Young of Styx; David Benjamin, and Dick Ebersol. (Photo by Chuck Pulin)
George Taylor Morris (GTM) had an extraordinary career that included work at XM Radio, NBC Radio and
Infinity Radio. He also hosted a legendary syndicated show called ?Reelin in the Years? for many years that ran across the country. GTM was an original.
He loved the beautiful details of the music he played and had a passionate memory for every last fact. George Taylor Morris approached his career as a craftsman who was constantly curious and never afraid of reinvention. Back in 1997, he discovered the odd musical synchronicity between Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon and The Wizard of OZ and the story went viral even before viral was as huge a buzz generator as it is today. George was a gentlemen in a business not always known for gentlemen and he?s not forgotten. Morris passed away in 2009
Scott Muni became the most famous Rock DJ in New York Radio for his work on WNEW-FM. ?Fats,? as he was lovingly known as was a larger than life character who made radio his life. Every afternoon for three decades, he poured his heart and soul into his show and he became the voice of progressive rock radio. Scott?s relationships with the artists allowed him to create endless interviews with the greatest names in rock and roll. He not only connected with the New York audience but he educated and helped them discover the music that shaped a generation. It was a joy to experience Scott?s energy. I wish he was here today to challenge us to love what we do every day. Muni died in 2004.
I?m sure many of you have your own list of great co-conspirators that you encountered in your career path that you won?t forget because they had the same type of traits as the three I described. All of these? gents? were true characters in the best sense of the word.
Buzz Knight is the Vice President of Program Development for Greater Media. He can be reached at bknight@greatermediaboston.com
Knight was named among ?Best Programmers? by Radio Ink Magazine in 2007 and 2010. He has served on the programming subcommittee of the National Association of Broadcasters(NAB) and is currently a member of the Arbitron Radio Advisory Council and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) COLRAM Committee.
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