I think the real problem at WFYR was the ever-present shadow of the Grim Radio Reaper who hovered over RKO's corporate offices and our station. We were all treading water trying to make it look like our hopes were high and a rescue party would be along any moment. But, the sharks were near. We could feel them. It was just a matter of time before the station was sold.
Despite what loomed nearby, working in Chicago was great fun. I was offered great opportunities some people would give their right arm for which in some cases would make them qualified to run a station in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. One night I was asked to represent the station at Comiskey Park where I threw the first pitch out during a game between the White Sox and The Boston Red Sox. Now there's a perk you won't get in too many jobs. On March 17, the staff rode an antique “'FYR-engine” in the St. Patrick's Day parade, waving to listeners as we snaked our way through the heart of the city. St. Patty's Day could only be better in Ireland, itself.
Being new to Chicago, I used my ability to create parody songs in pursuit of publicity. I wrote parody songs about every newsmaker and every situation. It got me some press and definitely got me noticed. One song actually almost interfered with the court system, itself. In his Radio/TV column, Robert Feder from the Chicago Sun Times reported:
Jurors in the Operation Incubator trial of Morgan M Finley and Clarence McClain were told not to listen to WFYR-FM (103.5) morning man Corey Deitz, A defense attorney feared some of Deitz's topical song parodies - such as “Dueling Bribes” and “You Used To Give Me Your Money” - might prejudice the jury.
Morning man?
Yes.
A series of changes occurred within the first year of my tenure at WFYR-FM. General Manager, Dick Rakovan, who never sold his home back east nor moved his wife to the Midwest, decided it was time to bail. He must have either always known he was a short-timer or the font of the writing on the wall suddenly became larger. He was replaced by Drew Horowitz, a well-known Chicago broadcast professional. (continued)
