Paul McLane is editor in chief of Radio World.
Congratulations to the 2014 Hall of Fame Class at WVUD(FM) in Newark, Del. (otherwise known as my radio alma mater at the University of Delaware).
The following will be inducted in a May ceremony:
– Jerry Grant has hosted a Saturday night vintage R&B show for three decades (“Hip City Part 2”). Station manager Steve Kramarck reminds me that Grant has been a fixture in the Newark community for ages, and owned a familiar record shop on Main Street back when I was in school there.
– John Lupton is part of WVUD’s popular bluegrass and old-time country block on Saturday mornings. He and partner George Mercer have hosted “Rural Free Delivery” for more than two decades.
-Michael Nigro is a relatively recent graduate who served as the station’s music director and then program director. It was as PD that Mike took on the challenge of reworking the station’s block format to incorporate more student opportunities while maintaining its crew of community volunteer DJs. “Mike also started the movement towards rebranding our Internet (and now HD-2) student-only station, The Basement,” Kramarck said.
WVUD, known in my time as WXDR, was formative in my radio career. I’m glad to know that the station still seeks a unique mix of student and community air talent, and honors both.
Congrats to all.