Buffalo Radio: Layoffs, Ad Crunch Forces Personalities Off-Air

Listeners to music station WECK 1230 AM, 100.5 FM and 102.9 FM have noticed the recent absence of radio legends Danny Neaverth, Jon Summers and Harv Moore in a reorganization of the station lineup.

Listeners to WMSX 96.1 FM the Breeze have noticed midday host Juli Hinds has left the station.

DJ Anthony, the former evening host on WKSE KISS 98.5 has confirmed last week's report that his job at the Entercom Radio station has been eliminated, which has led to an online petition to bring him back. In addition, a couple of veteran off-the-air staffers have left their jobs with Entercom.

The Buffalo News reports WECK, the station locally owned by Buddy Shula. Shula confirmed that Moore, Summers and Moon Doggie are on furlough due to economic reasons from a downturn in advertising.

“My plan is to have them back on air as soon as possible,” wrote Shula. “They have all helped create the success that WECK is experiencing. Bobby O is temporarily doing our midday show. Cindy Chan has moved to afternoon drive from weekends.”

Neaverth’s morning appearances with Roger Christian ended a few weeks ago.

The changes were explained this way in a Facebook post on the station page aimed at its listeners.

In a telephone interview and a text message, the 81-year-old Neaverth said he hadn’t heard from Shula about how he was doing since leaving the station. He also questioned the idea his safety had anything to do with his being let go since he made his appearances on the morning show from his home.

Neaverth described his feelings about the changes this way: “Angry? No. Hurt? Yes. Not so much for me but for Jon Summers and Harv Moore, two of the most talented and nicest guys in broadcasting. In the current environment, most companies offer their employees an opportunity to take a pay cut or work less hours.

Danny Neavereth

Late Monday, Shula responded to Neaverth's remarks by calling them "dangerous and irresponsible to other legendary air staff working at WECK.

"Danny is the only personality I let go for economic reasons. The other legends of WECK will return when it is safe for their health. I wish Danny the best. I thank him for his service over the past few years at WECK."

As for Hinds, Mark Plimpton, who runs the Townsquare Media stations in Buffalo, confirmed she was let go. He added some part-timers were let go but a number of them remain.

“All moves were related to the Coronavirus,” wrote Plimpton in an email.

Now on to DJ Anthony, who was let go by the Entercom station 98.5. A sales assistant who had worked at the station since the 1980s also is gone and two front desk people and a person in promotions were furloughed.

Tim Holly, who runs the seven local Entercom stations, wrote in an email to the staff that “commerce has come to a near standstill and as result it is imperative that we reshape our business model to survive this catastrophic moment in time."

He said that led to the difficult decision to let go the popular DJ Anthony and put WGR-AM sports reporter Paul Hamilton on furlough. WGR is another Entercom station.