(I used to write a bi-weekly column, RadioRadio, for Players magazine in the Tampa Bay area. The following story appeared in 1990.)

Interview: Eric Davis

By Bob Andelman

Wave Goodbye

Hey, Eric Davis!

Seeeeeee ya!

The long-time disc jockey at WHVE (102.5 FM) hung up the headphones for the last time in St. Petersburg Wednesday, June 13. He's planning to climb new mountains - literally - as the new midday personality at Atlanta's easy listening WPCH ("peach," get it?).

Davis says it's mostly coincidence that his departure is falling so quickly on the heels of Norm Hale's dismissal and the wholesale dismemberment of the staff at sister station WTKN (570 AM).

"It's a kind of a mutual thing," according to Davis, who worked at the station from 1982-85 as afternoon drive jock and returned in 1987 as production director before taking over the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. slot. "I didn't feel threatened on unsure of my job. I just think it's time to make a move and it's nice to be able to do it without any pressure. I'm looking to get to a little bigger market, get to do some things I haven't been able to do before. I can't wait to get up there and get into the mountains."

As one of the last veterans of the original, alternative WAVE, Davis leaves the station with fond memories but he confirms what many longtime listeners already knew: one-oh-two-and-a-half ain't what it used to be.

"This market has gotten real corporate, like a lot of markets have. I don't think that's all bad. It had to happen," he says, pointing to the shakeups at Q105, Power 93, 98 Rock, etc.

Any regrets?

"I've been a little disappointed with the ratings," says Davis. "We knew it wasn't mass appeal, but we thought the quality aspect would attract more listeners through word-of-mouth. But I think (with) all the times they messed with the format, a lot of people left."

As The Q Turns! Latest hire at Q105 is Johnny D., sliding into Brian Christopher's old 6-10 p.m. slot. D. previously worked at WRQN in Toldeo, Ohio where he "absolutely owned the night," according WRBQ General Manager Michael Horne.

Still no news on who will land the coveted afternoon drive shift. "We've identified the top two people we want for the position and we're in the negotiating stage," says Horne.

One person who won't get the job is Tramonte Watts.

"Tramonte will be leaving the station," according to Horne. "There's no timetable. He made a real strong push for the afternoon drive." Watts will remain at Q105 for an indefinite period as Edens Broadcasting - the Q's parent company - attempts to place him with one of its other stations. Don't be surprised it the popular Wattster doesn't turn up at 105 again in the future.

And doesn't he have a great radio name?

For anyone who may have joined us late, let's run through the Q105 air personality roll call and see where everyone is now:

Cleveland Wheeler: Back at the Q.

Mason Dixon: Still on salary but off the radio, doing "Mason's Movie" for WFTS TV-28

Brian Christopher: WNLT (95.7 FM), 7-10 p.m.

Bobby Rich: WUSA (101 FM), 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tramonte Watts: Q105 limbo

Jo Jo Walker: WYUU (92.5 FM), 7 p.m.-midnight

Ward Smith: WYUU, producer of "Robbins in the Morning," 6-10 a.m.

Rockin' Rico: WNLT

Nancy Alexander, Shauna Stevens, Arch Deel, et al: Still at the Q

Waitamminit, You Say! What about "Night Train" Lane?

"'Night Train' will go back on the air in his regular position (2-5 a.m.) when we put the rest of the staff on," says Horne.

Lane will also continue as part of the Tampa Bay Bucs broadcast team.

What, More Q105 Stuff?! Not surprisingly, Mike Horne is a little touchy on the subject of the mass exodus of air staff at 105. He says there has been very little turnover in the total station staff of 85 employees. "We haven't lost anybody that played a significant role here since the three guys (Dixon, Christopher, Rich) who left in March," he says. "The (other) people that are leaving are high-turnover at any radio station."

Not surprisingly, Horne has mixed feelings about the quick recovery virtually all former staffers have made. On the one hand he's glad they're all working, on the other he's not crazy to have them all as competitors.

"I was really pleased that Bobby Rich landed at 101," he says. "Brian Christopher, over at NLT, actually surprised me a little bit, only because I didn't mentally put them together. We're real happy the guys were able to find work and stay here in the market they obviously love."

Beam Me Up, Scotty! Traditional country music fans ought to check out WQYK-AM (1010). The station has dropped FM simulcasts to offer the Satellite Music Network's country programming, providing the first diversification of this format since WSUN (620 AM) switched from country to news/talk.

"It's a much more traditional sounding radio stations," explains General Manager Charlie Ochs. "It serves a group of people who have felt disenfranchised by modern country. There's a lot of traditional country that doesn't fit on a modern country station.

"It's very different sounding station than the FM," he says. "We put it on AM because people in the older demographic tend to drift to the AM band."

Personally, I've always argued against satellite delivered radio formats because they take the local identity out of radio. But this is a situation that seems to warrant such a move. Simulcasts serve no one. The Tampa Bay radio markets needs all the alternatives it can get and since that goal is served by satellite in this case, so be it. (Maybe Q105 will take note and consider tinkering with its AM {1380} simulcast.)

In other QYK news, Jay Roberts is still filling in for the departed Lou Ann Lovett during the 7 p.m.-midnight shift. Ochs says a permanent replacement should be in place soon.

The Big Wave! Gordon Obarski, GM of WHVE, says he's planning to "realign" the station this week. He wouldn't pop for details at presstime, so tune in to 102.5 or check back here in 14.

Congrats, Jay! Jay Marvin has indeed been hired for the late-night talk slot at WFLA (970 AM), as we suspected two weeks ago he would be.

Those Oldies But Goodies Remind Me Of ... 95ynf! More than a few people have been bugging me to ask 98 Rock Program Director Greg Mull about what they perceive as an increase in the number of "classic" cuts being played during the day.

So I did.

"We're not playing any more oldies," he says. "I'm occasionally dropping in a song we hadn't been playing. Every once in a while I go through the old library and say, 'This would be interesting.' I'm not messing with the nights. Yesterday I walked in with Blondie's 'One Way or Another.' And we played a Clash song. It adds some flavor; psychologically, it's got to make a difference.

"And I'm trying to play records that YNF (95 FM) doesn't play," he adds. "I don't want to play 'Layla.' I want great rock 'n' roll that's got an edge to it that hasn't been heard in a while."

One song he's toying with slipping in: Der Kommissar's "After the Fire."

On The Air! We've been pestering stations to provide advance details of special programming and WYNF (95 FM) Program Director Tom Marshall is the first to come through. Here's a few shows to mark on your eadio calendar:

6/17 "Superstar Concert Series: The Who"; midnight

6/18 "Rockline," w/Fleetwood Mac, 11 p.m.

6/24 "Superstar Concert Series: Moddy Blues"; 10 p.m.

6/27 "Knebworth Preview," live conversations with artists playing the big show with audience call-in participation; 11 p.m.

6/30 "Knebworth 1990," live concert from England featuring Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Tears For Fears, Elton John; Noon-10 p.m.

7/1 "Superstar Concert Series: Neil Young"; midnight

7/1 "Up Close: Rolling Stones"; 10 p.m.

7/4 "Rockline Special Edition" w/Robert Plant

7/7 "Rock Stars: The Allman Brothers," preview of the band's new album and includes new interview with Gregg, old interview with Duane, 10 p.m.

7/8 "Superstar Concert Series: Don Henley"; 10 p.m.

7/15 "Up Close: Rolling Stones"; 10 p.m.

Hey! Got a radio tip, rumor, gossip or question about radio? Drop us a line or call Players and leave a message. One of the RadioRadio snoops will get back to you.