Albany NY Radio: WGY's Host Chuck Custer To Retire

WGY's Chuck Custer

iHeartMedia Albany’s News Radio WGY 810 AM & 103.1 FM has announced that longtime on-air personality Chuck Custer is retiring, effective December 18.

Custer has hosted the News Radio 810 & 103.1 WGY morning show with Kelly Lynch since 2011. Prior to that, he served as News Anchor and later moved to mornings as News Anchor on Don Weeks’ show. Custer also previously served as News Director and Program Director for News Radio 810 & 103.1. He the station in 1984 as Evening News Anchor

“For over 36 years, Chuck Custer has been synonymous with WGY,” said John Cooper, Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Albany. “From his time as the leader of the award-winning WGY News Department, his outstanding work with ‘Don Weeks in the Mornings’, his current co-host position with Kelly Lynch, and most importantly all the time he’s contributed to the people of the Capital District. Chuck has been the consummate professional. He’s a great broadcaster who will long be remembered.”

“Chuck has devoted much of his life to informing WGY listeners as well as serving our community with the WGY Christmas Wish campaign and annual Radiothon to benefit the Children’s Hospital at Albany Med,” said Kristen Delaney, Area President of iHeartMedia Albany; “we wish him a happy retirement.”

“It was a lifelong dream to work at WGY, a powerful, influential station with a great history and heritage,” said Custer. “I’ve been very fortunate to have such a great run here. I’ve worked with many tremendous and talented people, made many friends, and I have had an opportunity to take on many different challenges. For 36-plus-years, I’ve loved what I was doing and loved coming to work. Not many people can say that.”

“Chuck’s commitment to the WGY brand and its audience is one-of-a-kind,” said Jeff Wolf, News and Program Director for iHeartMedia Albany. “We should all be so fortunate to leave behind such a rich and enduring legacy.”

In a statement, Custer said  "Let me try to be succinct. It won't be easy after 36+ years. I am not sick. I am not unhappy. I am not being pushed out the door. But...I am choosing to walk out the door. I'm retiring. My last day on air will be December 18th.

"It's not a decision I make lightly. I love my job. I love working with Kelly and our world-class producer, Rachel Davis, as well as the great WGY News team and our Program Director Jeff Wolf. It's just time.  

"During my last annual physical, while complaining about some minor aches or pains, my doctor, without any emotion, matter-of-factly stated, "Well you're no spring chicken". Ouch. I know I'm not young but in my mind, I sure don't feel old. 

"The fact is, I'll turn 64 in March and I'm well aware that tomorrow is guaranteed to no one."