Grand Rapids Radio: WOOD’s Gary Allen To Retire

Gary Allen

Gary Allen, an icon of Grand Rapid radio personality for more than three decades, has announced he will retire this summer.

According to mlive.com, the WOOD-AM 1300 radio personality said on the air this morning that he’ll switch off his microphone on June 21 after 32 years on West Michigan radio.

“Hang it up after 32 plus years here at WOOD radio,” he said on the air today. “It’s been a fast 32 plus years.”

A familiar voice on West Michigan radio, Allen, age 66, joined WOOD Radio in 1981.

“Bruce Grant was doing the morning show, and I was doing his weather,” Allen said.

In 1989, Allen took over the 5-9 a.m. slot, Mondays through Fridays.

“Even though my day starts at 3 a.m.,” he said. “It's still a blast after all these years to come to work.”

Co-host Steve Kelly and producer Lauren Smith are to remain with “West Michigan’s Morning News” at WOOD Radio, a Clear Channel Media-owned station.

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