Aircheck: Radio Stories

Rich DeSisto with Paul Kelly & Steve Raymond

AIRCHECK is a podcast about radio's personality from radio personalities. Whether you’re in the radio industry yourself, or have just have a love for the medium, each episode will take you backstage, in the studio and on the air at some of biggest radio stations in the country.  You’ll live vicariously through radio stories and celebrity interviews shared by those who were privileged to have these opportunities. Some have also shared the actual audio from those moments frozen in time.  For those who find themselves the result of “reduction in force” you’ll appreciate the words of wisdom and advice from some of the radio industries best; Program Directors, General Managers, Consultants, Owners, Trade Journalists and the Air Personalities themselves who have successfully applied their skillset elsewhere. Season 1- Season 4   Host: Rich DeSisto  WAXQ/New York, WMGK/Philadelphia, WBEN/Philadelphia, WYSP/Philadelphia, WPST/Trenton, WJBR/Wilmington, WDHA/Dover. WCHR/Toms River, WMGM/Atlantic City, WAMX/Huntington, WZXL/Atlantic City. Co-Host: Paul Kelly  WMGK/Philadelphia, WEZX/Scranton, WPDH/Poughkeepsie, and WZXL/Atlantic City. Season 5 Host: Rich DeSisto Co-Host: Steve Raymond Starview92/Lehigh Valley, WSBG Stroudsburg, WINK 106.3/Rhode Island, and WZXL/Atlantic City.   AIRCHECK is accepting guests for future sessions/seasons. If there’s a story to be told….and hopefully audio to complement it, from College Radio to AM/FM, Satellite, AIRCHECK will give it a listen. If you are in or out of radio and want to tell your stories, email: AirCheckMe@gmail.com. 

  1. NOV 3

    Legendary Radio: WZXL's Steve Raymond Talks Metallica & More

    Welcome to a brand new season of AIRCHECK! In this episode, hosts Rich DeSisto and Steve Raymond kick things off with a deep dive into Steve’s remarkable radio journey. From his early days spinning vinyl as a kid, to leading 100.7 WZXL for over 30 years, Steve shares the highs and behind-the-scenes moments of South Jersey’s beloved rock station.  You’ll hear legendary stories about live interviews with icons like Metallica, Kiss, David Lee Roth, Mick Fleetwood, and even a surprise visit from Joe Strummer of The Clash.  An encounter that would later be featured in a film. Rich and Steve reminisce about the wild days of local radio: inventive promotions, unforgettable mishaps on-air, and the genuine connections made with artists and listeners alike. Steve reveals how being in the right place at the right (or wrong) time led to the kinds of rock and roll moments that only happen in a true live and local radio environment. Whether you’re a radio junkie, a music fan, or just love a good story, this episode is a celebration of radio’s golden era and the passionate personalities that made it electric. Buckle up for a mix of nostalgia, laughter, and big-name drops as we launch a new season with a familiar voice at the helm...Steve Raymond! You can download or stream every episode of AIRCHECK from Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. You can also listen on YouTube. Ask your Smart Speaker to “Play Aircheck Podcast”. If you're a radio vet with a story to tell we want to hear from you. Email us at Aircheckme@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aircheckme Tell us what you think and your favorite episode!

    1h 9m
  2. New York Radio Legend Jimmy Fink: WABC-FM, WPLJ, KROCK to 107.1 The Peak (Pt 4)

    06/06/2022

    New York Radio Legend Jimmy Fink: WABC-FM, WPLJ, KROCK to 107.1 The Peak (Pt 4)

    (Season Finale - Pt 4 of 4) Jimmy Fink has been working in broadcasting for more than four decades….hosting shows on several major market radio stations, television networks, and production & advertising companies in the New York and Washington, DC metropolitan areas.   Over the years Jimmy has worked for ABC, CBS, and NBC, Rolling Stone Magazine, HBO, Cinemax, and syndicators like United Stations Radio Network, DIR Broadcasting and The Global Satellite Network. In the 80s & 90s, he spent 10 years at New York’s K-Rock (WXRK-FM), and wrote and produced several internationally syndicated radio programs including Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Continuous History of Rock & Roll,” “RockWatch,” and “New Waves” for NPR.   Jimmy’s a lifelong resident of Westchester County, New York, and dedicates a lot of energy to two specific charities: The Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Open Door Family Medical Centers, where he’s a past member of their Foundation Board.  Jimmy joined 107.1 The Peak/New York (WXPK-FM) near its inception in June of 2004. After seeing a bus poster for a new radio station and listening for a half hour, he knew he had to work there. He calls 107.1 The Peak the most creative station with the broadest format any radio lover could want to work for.   Part four of four, our Season Finale; Jimmy taking us into the studio during New York’s 95.5 WPLJ-FM reunion radio show from May 2019. He also reveals some funny moments during interviews with Elton John, Frank Zappa, ZZ Top, and how the late Rush drummer Neil felt about being famous. Jimmy talks about his current radio show on 107.1 The Peak (WXPK-FM) in Westchester NY, and one of his most remarkable moments of his career. It happened at New York’s 92.3 K-ROCK (WXRK-FM) with Howard Stern. You can download or stream every episode of AIRCHECK from Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. You can also listen on YouTube. Ask your Smart Speaker to “Play Aircheck Podcast”. If you're a radio vet with a story to tell we want to hear from you. Email us at Aircheckme@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aircheckme Tell us what you think and your favorite episode!

    24 min
  3. New York Radio Legend Jimmy Fink: WABC-FM, WPLJ, KROCK to 107.1 The Peak (Pt 3)

    06/06/2022

    New York Radio Legend Jimmy Fink: WABC-FM, WPLJ, KROCK to 107.1 The Peak (Pt 3)

    (Pt 3 of 4) Jimmy Fink has been working in broadcasting for more than four decades….hosting shows on several major market radio stations, television networks, and production & advertising companies in the New York and Washington, DC metropolitan areas.   Over the years Jimmy has worked for ABC, CBS, and NBC, Rolling Stone Magazine, HBO, Cinemax, and syndicators like United Stations Radio Network, DIR Broadcasting and The Global Satellite Network. In the 80s & 90s, he spent 10 years at New York’s K-Rock (WXRK-FM), and wrote and produced several internationally syndicated radio programs including Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Continuous History of Rock & Roll,” “RockWatch,” and “New Waves” for NPR.   Jimmy’s a lifelong resident of Westchester County, New York, and dedicates a lot of energy to two specific charities: The Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Open Door Family Medical Centers, where he’s a past member of their Foundation Board.  Jimmy joined 107.1 The Peak/New York (WXPK-FM) near its inception in June of 2004. After seeing a bus poster for a new radio station and listening for a half hour, he knew he had to work there. He calls 107.1 The Peak the most creative station with the broadest format any radio lover could want to work for.   Part three of four has Jimmy sharing about being on a Radio station that changes its music format….happened to him while working at more than one New York City station. Jimmy tells us what happened in 1996 when New York’s 92.3 K-ROCK (WXRK-FM) changed format from Classic Rock to Alternative Rock. We also hear what Jimmy hates the most about being on the air. Plus, Jimmy also shares with us his interview with Mick Jones of Foreigner, and his and his daughter’s encounter with Sir Paul McCartney. You can download or stream every episode of AIRCHECK from Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. You can also listen on YouTube. Ask your Smart Speaker to “Play Aircheck Podcast”. If you're a radio vet with a story to tell we want to hear from you. Email us at Aircheckme@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aircheckme Tell us what you think and your favorite episode!

    16 min
  4. New York Radio Legend Jimmy Fink: WABC-FM, WPLJ, KROCK to 107.1 The Peak (Pt 2)

    05/30/2022

    New York Radio Legend Jimmy Fink: WABC-FM, WPLJ, KROCK to 107.1 The Peak (Pt 2)

    (Pt 2 of 4) Jimmy Fink has been working in broadcasting for more than four decades….hosting shows on several major market radio stations, television networks, and production & advertising companies in the New York and Washington, DC metropolitan areas.   Over the years Jimmy has worked for ABC, CBS, and NBC, Rolling Stone Magazine, HBO, Cinemax, and syndicators like United Stations Radio Network, DIR Broadcasting and The Global Satellite Network. In the 80s & 90s, he spent 10 years at New York’s K-Rock (WXRK-FM), and wrote and produced several internationally syndicated radio programs including Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Continuous History of Rock & Roll,” “RockWatch,” and “New Waves” for NPR.   Jimmy’s a lifelong resident of Westchester County, New York, and dedicates a lot of energy to two specific charities: The Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Open Door Family Medical Centers, where he’s a past member of their Foundation Board.  Jimmy is currently doing afternoon drive on 107.1 The Peak/New York (WXPK-FM).  He joined the station near its inception in June of 2004. After seeing a bus poster for a new radio station and listening for a half hour, he knew he had to work there. He calls 107.1 The Peak the most creative station with the broadest format any radio lover could want to work for.   Part two of four includes Jimmy taking us back to those formative years of his radio career and how his contemporaries welcomed him. The story of 95.5 WABC-FM changing to WPLJ and how those call-letters came about.  He shares some moments with those legendary WPLJ DJ’s he was fortunate to work with, and that historical moment when WPLJ changed format in the early 80’s. We also hear about his conversation with Graham Nash plus his elevator encounter with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. You can download or stream every episode of AIRCHECK from Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. You can also listen on YouTube. Ask your Smart Speaker to “Play Aircheck Podcast”. If you're a radio vet with a story to tell we want to hear from you. Email us at Aircheckme@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aircheckme Tell us what you think and your favorite episode!

    23 min
  5. New York Radio Legend Jimmy Fink: WABC-FM, WPLJ, KROCK to 107.1 The Peak (Pt 1)

    05/30/2022

    New York Radio Legend Jimmy Fink: WABC-FM, WPLJ, KROCK to 107.1 The Peak (Pt 1)

    (Pt 1 of 4) Jimmy Fink has been working in broadcasting for more than four decades….hosting shows on several major market radio stations, television networks, and production & advertising companies in the New York and Washington, DC metropolitan areas.   Over the years Jimmy has worked for ABC, CBS, and NBC, Rolling Stone Magazine, HBO, Cinemax, and syndicators like United Stations Radio Network, DIR Broadcasting and The Global Satellite Network. In the 80s & 90s, he spent 10 years at New York’s K-Rock (WXRK-FM), and wrote and produced several internationally syndicated radio programs including Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Continuous History of Rock & Roll,” “RockWatch,” and “New Waves” for NPR.   Jimmy’s a lifelong resident of Westchester County, New York, and dedicates a lot of energy to two specific charities: The Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Open Door Family Medical Centers, where he’s a past member of their Foundation Board.  Jimmy is currently doing afternoon drive on 107.1 The Peak/New York (WXPK-FM).  He joined the station near its inception in June of 2004. After seeing a bus poster for a new radio station and listening for a half hour, he knew he had to work there. He calls 107.1 The Peak the most creative station with the broadest format any radio lover could want to work for.   Part one of four has Jimmy rewinding the moments when he was hired at the beginnings of two legendary New York City radio stations, WABC-FM which became 95.5 WPLJ and the NEW 92.3 KROCK (WXRK-FM). Jimmy also shares his greatest moments with musicians, including Robin Gibb of The Bee Gees and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. You can download or stream every episode of AIRCHECK from Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. You can also listen on YouTube. Ask your Smart Speaker to “Play Aircheck Podcast”. If you're a radio vet with a story to tell we want to hear from you. Email us at Aircheckme@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aircheckme Tell us what you think and your favorite episode!

    21 min
  6. From NY's Q-104.3 & KROCK to NBC: Brian Kelsey's Impact on Radio, TV & Voice Over (Pt 4)

    05/23/2022

    From NY's Q-104.3 & KROCK to NBC: Brian Kelsey's Impact on Radio, TV & Voice Over (Pt 4)

    (Pt 4 of 4) Brian Kelsey is a full-time voice-over artist. For the past 20 years, you've heard Brian’s voice on CNN, MSNBC, The Howard Stern Show, MTV, VH-1, NBC, CBS, HGTV and so many others. In addition, Brian voices countless radio stations across the county, and a wide variety of commercials.  Radio imaging, an audio book, a documentary, cartoon characters or 'movie trailer', know that Brian may be the voice on the microphone.  Brian started as a radio host and voice actor, working in New York City radio on legendary stations such as Q-104.3/WAXQ-FM and 92.3 K-ROCK/WXRK-FM. It was at K-ROCK where Brian met Howard Stern and began working for him as a writer, producer and as the 'voice' of the Howard Stern Show. After years of voice-over's and creating ridiculous bits for Howard, the opportunity to work for Martha Stewart presented itself. Brian became the host of a 4 hour live talk show on Martha Stewart Living Radio, nationwide 5 days a week. During this time he started doing appearances on Martha's TV show demonstrating DIY projects. As a licensed contractor with extensive knowledge in this space the visibility led to appearances on The Today Show, HGTV, FOX, and eventually landed Brian a short run home renovation television show on NBC called 'Kelsey On The House'. All along the way he played the role of editor, cinematographer, producer and continued in the voice overs industry. Brian also started a YouTube channel centered around media & tv/podcast production. This led to building a ridiculous television talk show set in his garage and ultimately seeing who is brave enough to stop by. Part 4 of 4, has Brian telling us about his mentors on the Radio and in Radio Imaging. He reveals some other project on which he has lent his voice. We also find out if he’s been successful getting Howard Stern on his new TV show. And who else he may have his sights on to appear as he continues to build the momentum of 10 Minutes With Brian Kelsey. You can download or stream every episode of AIRCHECK from Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. You can also listen on YouTube. Ask your Smart Speaker to “Play Aircheck Podcast”. If you're a radio vet with a story to tell we want to hear from you. Email us at Aircheckme@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aircheckme Tell us what you think and your favorite episode!

    19 min
  7. From NY's Q-104.3 & KROCK to NBC: Brian Kelsey's Impact on Radio, TV & Voice Over (Pt 3)

    05/23/2022

    From NY's Q-104.3 & KROCK to NBC: Brian Kelsey's Impact on Radio, TV & Voice Over (Pt 3)

    (Pt 3 of 4) Brian Kelsey is a full-time voice-over artist. For the past 20 years, you've heard Brian’s voice on CNN, MSNBC, The Howard Stern Show, MTV, VH-1, NBC, CBS, HGTV and so many others. In addition, Brian voices countless radio stations across the county, and a wide variety of commercials.  Radio imaging, an audio book, a documentary, cartoon characters or 'movie trailer', know that Brian may be the voice on the microphone.  Brian started as a radio host and voice actor, working in New York City radio on legendary stations such as Q-104.3/WAXQ-FM and 92.3 K-ROCK/WXRK-FM. It was at K-ROCK where Brian met Howard Stern and began working for him as a writer, producer and as the 'voice' of the Howard Stern Show. After years of voice-over's and creating ridiculous bits for Howard, the opportunity to work for Martha Stewart presented itself. Brian became the host of a 4 hour live talk show on Martha Stewart Living Radio, nationwide 5 days a week. During this time he started doing appearances on Martha's TV show demonstrating DIY projects. As a licensed contractor with extensive knowledge in this space the visibility led to appearances on The Today Show, HGTV, FOX, and eventually landed Brian a short run home renovation television show on NBC called 'Kelsey On The House'. All along the way he played the role of editor, cinematographer, producer and continued in the voice overs industry. Brian also started a YouTube channel centered around media & tv/podcast production. This led to building a ridiculous television talk show set in his garage and ultimately seeing who is brave enough to stop by. Part 3 of 4 has Brian revealing his love for one WKRP in Cincinnati character that did it for him. Brian also takes us to when he first started in Radio back in 1992, and how he joined two legendary New York City radio stations at points of format changes, just three years apart from each other.  You can download or stream every episode of AIRCHECK from Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. You can also listen on YouTube. Ask your Smart Speaker to “Play Aircheck Podcast”. If you're a radio vet with a story to tell we want to hear from you. Email us at Aircheckme@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aircheckme Tell us what you think and your favorite episode!

    26 min
5
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

AIRCHECK is a podcast about radio's personality from radio personalities. Whether you’re in the radio industry yourself, or have just have a love for the medium, each episode will take you backstage, in the studio and on the air at some of biggest radio stations in the country.  You’ll live vicariously through radio stories and celebrity interviews shared by those who were privileged to have these opportunities. Some have also shared the actual audio from those moments frozen in time.  For those who find themselves the result of “reduction in force” you’ll appreciate the words of wisdom and advice from some of the radio industries best; Program Directors, General Managers, Consultants, Owners, Trade Journalists and the Air Personalities themselves who have successfully applied their skillset elsewhere. Season 1- Season 4   Host: Rich DeSisto  WAXQ/New York, WMGK/Philadelphia, WBEN/Philadelphia, WYSP/Philadelphia, WPST/Trenton, WJBR/Wilmington, WDHA/Dover. WCHR/Toms River, WMGM/Atlantic City, WAMX/Huntington, WZXL/Atlantic City. Co-Host: Paul Kelly  WMGK/Philadelphia, WEZX/Scranton, WPDH/Poughkeepsie, and WZXL/Atlantic City. Season 5 Host: Rich DeSisto Co-Host: Steve Raymond Starview92/Lehigh Valley, WSBG Stroudsburg, WINK 106.3/Rhode Island, and WZXL/Atlantic City.   AIRCHECK is accepting guests for future sessions/seasons. If there’s a story to be told….and hopefully audio to complement it, from College Radio to AM/FM, Satellite, AIRCHECK will give it a listen. If you are in or out of radio and want to tell your stories, email: AirCheckMe@gmail.com. 

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