Thursday, May 03, 2007

BREAKING NEWS: WDOK Hires Dan Deely For PM Drive

It's been speculated about here, but OMW hears it has been officially announced: Dan Deely will take the afternoon drive shift at CBS Radio AC WDOK/102.1 Cleveland.

Deely, the former afternoon driver at crosstown Salem CCM WFHM/95.5 "The Fish", takes the opening left when Chris Fox departed the station a while back.

WDOK program director (and OMW reader) Scott Miller talks about it in the official press release on Deely's hiring:

".. Before I comment on Dan, let me take the time to acknowledge the long list of talented people that I had the pleasure to interview and spend time getting to know. I wish I had jobs for all of them. There are many Cleveland radio veterans that are not working and that's a shame. That fact made the decision a difficult one.

At this time and the evolution of WDOK, Dan Deely brings a marquee presence to the station. Dan's market history along with his on air capabilities and his investment in the community are just the tip of the many qualities he brings to WDOK. Listeners love him, clients love him and the CBS Radio-Cleveland family welcomes him with open arms."

Deely starts in the afternoon drive slot next Monday, May 7th...

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I got to know Dan at Channels 19 & 43. Classy, professional and a truly nice person.

Here's hoping he does well at WDOK.

Anonymous said...

Some many cleveland personalties outta work, but I'll still air a syndicated show 7pm-midnight anyway and keep them out of work.

Classy.

Anonymous said...

Off topic, but did anyone else with Time Warner Akron have their digital and HD cable out untill around noon today?

Anonymous said...

Yep! Glad to hear I wasn't the only one. I had to leave for work so didn't know if it came back.

Anonymous said...

Dan is perfect in this spot.

Middle age guy, been here forever, soft spoken, fits in well with Trapper, Nancy, and Delilah.

Anonymous said...

What is to be made of the skuttlebut that Chris Fox got the ax to make room for Dan Deely when left WFHM? He was clearly upset when Sue Wilson left. It makes you wonder if they interviewed others for the position just to cover themselves for equal opportunity purposes.

Anonymous said...

I smell EOE, and much more than that! lol

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and good luck Dan

Anonymous said...

Just finished reading some of the sour grapes of the bloggers concerning Dan Deely. 1)Deely is a class act and a good fit for Soft Rock. 2)Chris Fox left for unknown reasons 3)Scott Miller and Chris Maduri are the most honest and above board broadcasters. I had the honor of working at WDOK IN THE LATE 80'S with Scott,Chris along with Ted Alexander(mid-days)Bobby Thomas(pm drive)Nancy The Lady In Red(7p-12a)and SUE WILSON WAS THE PD.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you on Dan. He is the right choice.

I agree with you on WDOK in the 1980s.

I do not agree that there should have been forced firing of Chris Fox to create a position for Dan.

It's no secret that Dan did not have the same relationship with Len than the one he had with Sue Wilson and wanted out.

Anonymous said...

I'm thrilled that Dan is coming back to Cleveland Radio and on WDOK. He's perfect for the Soft Rock format. The music is like what he used to play on Majic 105.7 and later Q104.

I agree with the force firing part. I don't think WDOK would force Chris Fox out just to hire Dan. Maybe Chris wasn't enjoying working at WDOK and wanted to move on.

I also think The Fish treated him like crap when he left. No goodbye to listeners. Nothing. I hope The Fish get someone other than Len to program the station.

Anonymous said...

Count me as one of those disapointed in WDOK's decision. This is not Deely bashing just an opinion.

Deely would fit much better with WNWV. WDOK is "out of the elevator" as they used to say. I would prefer a jock male or female more in tune with the music WDOK is playing today.

It is not a matter of age, shoe size, who hired him or why or anything else.

The gods of Arbitron will make the final decision.

Anonymous said...

That is radio today. No one gets to say their final goodbyes. It happened to Larry Morrow, Ravenna Miceli, Scott Howitt, Denny Sanders, Matt the Cat, Lisa Dylan, the last ten morning shows on WMMS and it will happen to Lanigan, Trapper and anyone else who is victim to a change. That is corporate radio.

The only exception I can think of was Jeff and Flash and unfortunately Jeff used his final show to bash WMMS and continued the rant on WTAM.

Deely is fortunate to have friends in high places and allowed another chance. It is A rare opportunity in this day and age.

Anonymous said...

David Lee Roth didn't get to say goodbye, either!

Anonymous said...

How long before Dum Mook and Mihalik get to say their final goodbyes. Even Liz Wilde thinks their show is unlistenable

Anonymous said...

Larry Morrow Johny Williams Dan Deely Jay Lynn and Jon Russell on a Hot AC station on Q104. The average age of that group was about 60. What was Q104 thinking during the 90s to have that group on the air. They would have made a great lineup at the Wave.

Anonymous said...

Their (MudMahalikMike) ratings were not bad. Not great but not bad compared to some of the other longer term morning shows. I think the bigger problem will be with stations like WMVX and WQAL. One is trying to be Cleveland's jack while the other has an identity of a jackass. Whatever, No Rules, we play what we want. How about playing what THE LISTENER wants.

Anonymous said...

Where is the World's Greatest Program Director now? Anyone know?

Anonymous said...

I think the World's Greatest Program Director is planning on bringing success to WMVX as their new program director.

Anonymous said...

"Larry Morrow Johny Williams Dan Deely Jay Lynn and Jon Russell on a Hot AC station on Q104."

no worse than the city's oldest local news team on the youth-oriented Fox network.

Anonymous said...

How do you figure Bill Martin Stacey Bell and Tony Rizzo are old?

Anonymous said...

I believe anonymous 7:15PM is referring to Wilma Smith and Dick Goddard.

And really, Bill Martin isn't exactly a "kid" at this point.

Anonymous said...

Between WMVX and WQAL the station that will turn its fortunes around will be the one that gets rid of their program director first and changes course to a format that is more defined. Whatever weekends and we play all kinds of music comes off as a flea market format.

WQAL was on a roll until about a year ago when they started trying to be all things to all people. WMVX survived as a button on the car radio. Occasionally you would hear something good. That may still be true with WMVX but WQAL's music has gone to pot and their jocks sound like they are trying to be cool. You either are or youre not. Whatever happened to Jen Toohey. She used to be entertaining. Now that voicetrack girl on WMVX even sounds better.

Anonymous said...

TO ANON 11:43: Bill Martin is old? He's younger then I am by a few years! Why, if I take my Metamucil, locate my walker and put on some fresh Depends I'd come find you and kick your behind.....as long as the Alzheimer's doesn't kick in!

Anonymous said...

WQAL needs to bring back Jay Lynn and the Midnight Express. Now that was entertaining radio!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Some many cleveland personalties outta work, but I'll still air a syndicated show 7pm-midnight anyway and keep them out of work.

Classy.


Very well said.

Anonymous said...

Fox 8's news team is a bit on the aged side:

Dick Goddard is 76. (his 75th birthday last year was heavily publicized, so just add one)

Wilma Smith has to be either pushing, right at, or just over 60.

Lou Maglio has to be in his 50's. (he's been in Cleveland over 20 years at WEWS first, then WJW)

Bill Martin has to be pushing/just over Five-O. (he was an original 10 O'Clock News reporter at WUAB)

Tony Rizzo is 46. (as admitted on his WKNR Radio show)

Stacy Bell I'd say is in her early to mid 30's, so she is the only main anchor without significant tread on her tires.

As far as Q104's jocks go, I think they are trying to be like Kiss 96, and get some of that younger demo by talking younger than what they really are.