While many of us flipped burgers or bagged groceries in high school, Dave Roberts was reading the news on an AM station and (literally) herding cats as a 15 year old. When he toured Syracuse and saw the WJPZ prize van, and he met Hal Rood, Jim Remeny and more. He knew it was where he had to be.
After starting on overnights, Dave quickly climbed the ranks to news director and eventually VP of Business. That may sound like a strange trajectory, but Dave's always loved news (and meterology). And when the station was in dire financial straits, he knew he either had to write a check, or go collect checks. The first of course was not an option.
You'll hear about some WJPZ firsts in today's episode. Dave tells us how our non-commercial station managed to get beer money on the air, through a lucrative (and creative) campaign with Pabst Blue Ribbon. He also signed a sponsorship with the University's study abroad program, closing the deal in an unusual way. And at a time where NOBODY had voicemail, he helped set up the "Z89 line" - with 5 different mailboxes for contest information and more.
The real defining moment of Dave's time in Syracuse, however, was the bombing of Pan Am 103 in 1988. We chat at length about the emotion of those weeks and months, as well as the crucial role WJPZ played as an information resource for those who just couldn't wait for the evening news or the next day's newspaper. Everyone stepped up, comforted each other, and navigated the best they could.
By the time Dave graduated in 1992, Z89 had become a household name in the industry - his experience there landed him major market interviews, but he followed his passsion for meterology - and went to Ottumwa, Iowa. Then, there were stops in Missouri, Alabama, Fort Myers, Cincinnati, and Mississippi. Today's guest really fell in love with Jackson, Mississippi (before Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars did), and has made this market home. And yes, he got all his certifications along the way.
Throughout today's episode, you'll hear Dave talk about his love of Z89 and our family. And you'll also hear a great story about being trapped in Providence with Brian Lapis during a blizzard - and what happened next. And even a little bit about what WJPZ taught him about being a realtor.
The WJPZ at 50 Podcast Series is produced by Jon Gay, Class of 2002, and his podcast production agency, JAG in Detroit Podcasts.
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