Beasley Media Group announces the following changes will be taking place within the company’s Philadelphia radio cluster:
“The Matt Cord Show with Steve Vassalotti” has officially replaced retired Radio Hall of Famer John DeBella mornings on WMGK-FM as of Tuesday, September 5th, 2023. The show is followed on the air by Eric Johnson (Middays 10-2 p.m. beginning on September 25th), Andre Gardner (2-7 p.m.) and Tony Harris (7 p.m.- Midnight).
Legendary Beasley Media Group Vice President of Talent Development and WMMR-FM/WMGK-FM Program Director Bill Weston has announced that he will be officially retiring following a successful 45-year radio career at the end of 2023.
Weston launched his highly respected radio programming career serving as the Music Director at WGRQ-FM in Buffalo. He subsequently went on to work at WIXV-FM in Savannah, WKLR-FM and WDYL-FM in Richmond, VA, WHJY-FM in Providence, and WAXQ-FM in New York City, before eventually landing at WMMR-FM and WMGK-FM in Philadelphia. Under his leadership, the stations garnered their highest ratings ever and earned multiple NAB Marconi and Crystal Radio Awards throughout the years.
“Over the past 45 years in radio, I’ve felt lucky to go to ‘work’ and help create, inform, and entertain our listeners,” said Weston. “I’m equally fortunate to have done so working alongside so many talented and passionate people. It’s been a privilege and I thank each and every one for their part in my success.”
WJBR-FM Program Director and afternoon personality Eric “EJ” Johnson will take over as the new PD of WMGK-FM upon Bill’s departure beginning on January 1st, 2024. During the transition period, Johnson will begin his additional on-air duties as the midday personality at the station beginning on September 25th.
“The decades of WMGK’s playlist lines up perfectly with the long-time relationships I have with the station’s on-air hosts,” said Johnson. “I’ve known Nighttime Host Tony Harris since the ‘70s, afternoon host Andre Gardner since the ‘80s, and I worked with Matt Cord at Y100 in the 90s! I can’t wait to join the team and get started on a station that I’ve been a fan of for many decades! Thank you, Joe Bell, Bill Weston, Bruce Beasley and Justin Chase, for this amazing opportunity!”
Current 97.5 The Fanatic Program Director and longtime WMMR-FM Assistant PD Chuck Damico will ascend as the new PD at Beasley’s legendary rock station, WMMR-FM when Bill Weston departs at the end of the year.
Damico, who started at the station as an intern nearly three decades ago, worked his way up the ladder at WMMR, serving as Music Researcher, Programing Assistant, part-time On-Air Personality, Promotion Director, Morning Show Technical Producer before becoming Assistant PD in 2004.
“I’m very excited that I have finally completed my 29-year job interview,” said Damico. “Seriously though, WMMR is the top rock station in the world, and I am truly honored to be the next PD. It’s a dream come true.”
A new Program Director for 97.5 The Fanatic will be announced later this year.
“Losing a legendary programmer like Bill is tough, but fortunately, we have a couple of veteran PDs in Chuck and EJ ready to step in and keep these great brands moving forward,” said Beasley Media Group Vice President and Market Manager Joe Bell.
