Buffalo Radio: Carl Russo Retires At WGRF

Carl Russo In Home Studio

Carl Russo, a veteran radio personality, has retired from his afternoon drive slot at Cumulus Media’s Classic Rock “97 Rock” WGRF Buffalo after a storied career spanning over four decades. 

Russo announced his retirement via social media, stating he had given his two weeks’ notice and planned to take vacation time before hosting a final goodbye show on April 25. 

His departure marked the end of an era for the station, where he had been a fixture since the current iteration of “97 Rock” debuted in September 1988.

Russo’s radio journey began in January 1980 at WYSL Buffalo, hosting nights. That August, he took on a second gig at the original “97 Rock” WGRQ, working weekend overnights. He went full-time at WGR-FM in 1982 as the overnight host, later moving to nights in 1983. When the station shifted to an Adult Contemporary format in 1985, Russo left Buffalo, taking night slots at WFBQ Indianapolis, where he became the highest-rated Album Rock nighttime DJ in the U.S., and then at KZEW Dallas. He returned to Buffalo in 1988 when “97 Rock” relaunched, dominating the afternoon drive ever since.

Beyond WGRF, Russo contributed to Westwood One’s 24/7 Classic Rock format, hosting overnight shows syndicated to approximately 150 stations nationwide. He also lent his voice to commercial work across the U.S. and served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT at the East Seneca Fire Company, even acting as a Fire Commissioner for five years.