Episode 13: Bill Edwards and Progamming WALK

The Radio Tower

From the hills of Scranton to the shores of Patchogue Bay, Bill Edwards pursued a career in radio driven by his love of music. As program director at WALK on Long Island, he helped build the sound of the station through the 1980s and 90s.

On today's episode he takes us through the evolving history of music programming, from gut-level decisions to precise polling data to non-stop Christmas music (for which he may or may not be responsible). We also discuss his internship days at WABC, life during Hurricane Gloria, and the state of radio history at local stations.

Station Bibliography Scranton: WEJL Ithaka: WTKO NYC: WABC Long Island: WGSM, WGBB, WBLI, WALK, WLIM

Links

• When AM Ruled Music, and WABC was King (NYT)
• WALK 97.5 - Long Island Music Hall of Fame
• Memories of Hurricane Gloria Linger on Long Island 30 Years Later (Newsday)