This station will always have a special place in my life, since it was my first job in NYC.
The station lasted from 1986 to 1996 as an Adult Comtemporary station. Owned by Bonneville Broadcasting Corporation, it was one of the top billing stations in the nation thru out most of it's life. Ironically, the 105.1 frequency since changing away from Mix 105 has seen four different formats and didn't score above a 2 share since Mix 105 went off the air on November 12, 1996 (until Jammin' 105's debut in 1998). These are some of the people who made it happen:
Bob Dunphy (PD 1985-1995) - Bob was the brains behind the operation, coming to NYC after programming in New Brunswick, NJ and Cleveland, OH. He presided over the change to WNSR from WRFM in 1986. Currently working as a GM for CC at their North Jersey stations.
Steve Weed (PD 1995-1996) - The second and last Program Director, He was a former air personality with a number of stations in the 70's including 99X/WXLO (nights) in NYC. He presided over the format change from Mix 105 to the Buzz. Currently working in Sacramento, CA as a PD at the End, a CHR station.
David Isreal (APD/MD 1989-93) - David is currently in Miami after a successful run as PD of WOMX/Mix 105.1 in Orlando, FL after a stint in the record business. Also, worked on-air each Christmas Day.
Linda Silver (MD 1995-97) - Linda came to NYC after a stint in Washington, DC near her hometown.
Bill Neal (1986-96) - Bill was the first morning man at WNSR, then moved to middays in 1990, and nights in 1993. He left shortly before the Buzz switch and went to Florida, where he worked part-time in Miami.
Jim Douglas (1986-96) - Afternoons (86-90), Mornings (90-93) then Middays to the end of Mix. A great guy to work with, now working on his native 'Island of Long' at WKJY and was heard on WCBS-FM filling in. Also worked at WHN part-time before coming to WNSR.
Liz White (1989-96) - News Director/Morning co-host throughout her stay, best remembered for working from her home after the birth of her first child, Emily. Now, works at ABC Radio News anchoring.
Alain Ross (1986-96) - Nights until 1993, then overnights. Before Mix 105, worked at WJLK-FM in Asbury Park and Y106 in Philadelphia (Ross Brittain was morning man prior to Eagle 106). Was the first morning personality at Y-107's country format. Now out of radio.
Steve Kamer (1986-94) - Overnights until 1993, then part-time until 1994. Steve's goal was to do voice-overs. He's currently the voice of Inside Edition and the new YES Network. Also on a number of commercials both in NYC and nationally. Steve is also the station voice for Newsradio 88/WCBS-AM in NYC and other stations around the country (including ESPN Radio 920 in Philadelphia). Contact him at www.stevekamer.com
Bob Worthington (1986-91) - Middays from 86-90, afternoons the next year until Dan Taylor joined the station. Hosted Solid Gold Saturday Night after Dick Bartley left. Worked in Baltimore at an oldies station doing PM Drive and occasionally part-time at CBS-FM.
Dan Taylor (1991-96) - One of the true radio pros, Dan worked at a number of NYC outlets including WHN (He signed the station off in 1987), WNBC, WYNY & WCBS-FM. Dan also was the last host of Solid Gold Saturday Night before it's demise in 1993. Back on mornings at CBS-FM.
Jim Kerr (1993-96) - Jim's been a morning man in NYC for over 20 years, most of it at WPLJ. Currently, he works Mornings at Q-104 and on Sirius on the 60's Vibrations and Country channels. Another radio pro who was a great guy to work with.
Jeff Spurgeon (1986-96) - The morning show producer for most of his time at the station, hosted the morning show during the last 6 months of Mix. Now middays at WQXR where he also worked as a newscaster and Sirius.
Karen Stewart (1993-96) - Traffic Reporter and member of the Morning Show with Jim Kerr. Had an on-air search for a guy she met at a bar during a snowstorm, he ended up her husband. Spent time at WNEW-FM working on their morning show. Now does news at WOR for the morning show.
Debbie Gross (1987-93) - Afternoon news anchor. She's working as Debbie Rodriguez at Newsradio 88/WCBS-AM. Also, worked at News 12 New Jersey and WNYW-TV Channel 5 since her time at WNSR.
Donna Vaughn (1994-96) - PM Drive newscaster, a native Long Islander, she's working out there at last report as a News Director.
Ted David (1986-88) - Ted served as News Director/Morning Anchor with Billl Neil during the first 2 1/2 years of WNSR. Ted also worked afternoon drive at WPIX in NYC in the mid 70's (he liked to end his show with Nights In White Satin (Long Version)). Ted worked at CNBC where he's been since it's sign-on as an anchor. Now, moving to CNBC Radio as an anchor.
Shelia York (1987-93) - Shelia is the answer to a trivia question--she was the last morning drive personality on WHN. She was the vacation relief person throughout most of her tenure, filling in various shifts. A Southerner by birth, she's had her first novel published 'Star Struck Dead' (link to Amazon)
Dave Charity (1990-96) - Another former WPLJ'er, filled in at Mix. From Middletown, NY where he worked at WALL before getting the call from WPLJ in 1975. He's an avid fisherman, and a former sportscaster.
Mark Mitchell (1986-96) - Spent almost 20 years working for Bonneville at both WRFM and WNSR. Now working for Shadow Traffic as a traffic and sports reporter. You hear him alot on WCBS-AM.
Chuck Camilic - Part-timer, has worked on Long Island and part-time in the 90's for WLTW/Lite-FM
Scott Rogers (1991-96) - Yep, that's me. Spent 5 1/2 years there working part-time, the last two doing vacation relief. Also, did production for two years. I'm now Morning News Anchor at WOBM-AM/FM in Toms River.
Joanne Cruise (1995-96) - Worked at WLTW before coming to Mix in 1995. She worked at WOBM-FM at the Jersey Shore doing middays throughout her the better part of the past decade. She's doing some movie extra work and has some radio irons in the fire.
Ray Daniels (1993-96) - Ray started as a Promotion Assistant before going on-air. He works at Shadow Traffic now and does free-lance work.
Tim Tyrell (1988-1997) - Started as production assistant, then production director. Worked with The Buzz Afternoon Show before moving to WNEW-FM in the production end of things. Also a struggling actor (appeared in Quiz Show). Involved with AFTRA as a NYC Board member
Jim Stagnitto (1986-96) - Jim was the director of Engineering for 105.1 both before and after the Mix 105 days (He's still there at WTJM). He also worked occasional fill-ins on the air...as he put it to me one day, he liked to "get behind the wheel and drive to make sure everything was working." One of the nicest guys and best engineers I've ever worked with in the business.
Others who graced the microphones at WNSR/WMXV include Dick Heatherton (1986), Dick Bartley (1986 - did AM Drive during the first month the station was on), Chris Welch (1996 - did overnights, ex-Kiss-FM and WBLS personality), Rosemary Young (89-92), Ray Rossi/Bobby Valentine (1995)(now at NJ 101.5 in the afternoons), Claire Stevens (news -1991, ex-Z100 mornings), Catherine Smith (news - 1993-94, fills in at the ABC Radio Network)
Updated 02/24/2008
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