Aircheck: Radio Stories
AIRCHECK is a podcast about radio's personality from radio personalities. Whether you’re in the radio industry yourself, or have just have a love for the medium, each episode will take you backstage, in the studio and on the air at some of biggest radio stations in the country. You’ll live vicariously through radio stories and celebrity interviews shared by those who were privileged to have these opportunities. Some have also shared the actual audio from those moments frozen in time.
For those who find themselves the result of “reduction in force” you’ll appreciate the words of wisdom and advice from some of the radio industries best; Program Directors, General Managers, Consultants, Owners, Trade Journalists and the Air Personalities themselves who have successfully applied their skillset elsewhere.
Season 1- Season 4
Host: Rich DeSisto
WAXQ/New York, WMGK/Philadelphia, WBEN/Philadelphia, WYSP/Philadelphia, WPST/Trenton, WJBR/Wilmington, WDHA/Dover. WCHR/Toms River, WMGM/Atlantic City, WAMX/Huntington, WZXL/Atlantic City.
Co-Host: Paul Kelly
WMGK/Philadelphia, WEZX/Scranton, WPDH/Poughkeepsie, and WZXL/Atlantic City.
Season 5
Host: Rich DeSisto
Co-Host: Steve Raymond
Starview92/Lehigh Valley, WSBG Stroudsburg, WINK 106.3/Rhode Island, and WZXL/Atlantic City.
AIRCHECK is accepting guests for future sessions/seasons. If there’s a story to be told….and hopefully audio to complement it, from College Radio to AM/FM, Satellite, AIRCHECK will give it a listen. If you are in or out of radio and want to tell your stories, email: AirCheckMe@gmail.com.
Aircheck: Radio Stories
Steve Craig: From 99X to WRXP – A Radio Veteran’s Journey Through Atlanta & NYC (Pt 1)
(Pt 1 of 4) Steve Craig is the morning host on Atlanta’s 97.1 The River/WSRV-FM. Steve has been holding down mornings since 2012. His passion for the music and his listeners shines through the speakers every day. He describes it as being “like a bar conversation about the bands we love.”
Atlanta was also Steve’s home as the midday jock for 17 years on now-defunct 99X/WNNX-FM. During those years, alternative/modern rock was just starting to take hold of the music industry, and 99X was one of the Radio industry’s flagship stations for delivering this fresh new sound to its listeners. As a beacon for the format, artists knew how important it was to get their music heard on 99X, and would often be interviewed on-air by Steve. Some of those up and coming artists included Dave Grohl, Henry Rollins, and Courtney Love, as well as heritage artists at the time, like Johnny Rotten, Brian Setzer, and Boy George.
101.9 WRXP gave the Big Apple its taste of alternative/modern rock as “New York’s Rock Experience.” Steve was there for it, and worked alongside Rock Radio industry veteran, Matt Pinfield. Those years saw celebrities roaming the hallways on a daily basis…thanks to Matt.
Other stops along the Radio dial for Steve included time in Barstow/CA, Fresno, Salt Lake City, as well as Los Angeles/San Bernardino.
Part one of four with Steve has him sharing with us his connection to the Ramones. From sneaking into their show at the Whisky in LA, to a New York City street corner encounter with Joey Ramones brother Mickey Leigh. Plus his times at Atlanta's 99x that included a confrontation with Courtney Love
You can download or stream every episode of AIRCHECK from Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. You can also listen on YouTube. Ask your Smart Speaker to “Play Aircheck Podcast”.
If you're a radio vet with a story to tell we want to hear from you.
Email us at Aircheckme@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aircheckme
Tell us what you think and your favorite episode!