In June 1985, shortly after
"That
Ad" ran in Radio and Records Magazine, Bob Neil, (Robert F Neil - Cox Radio)
couldn't resist responding from afar to what apparently he perceived as an assault
on his former station's staff. Bob(Neil), like many radio people, made a brief
career stop in Syracuse during the early 80's as Program Director of WYYY. He
arrived at WYYY/WSYR after having served under, and being a protege of, Jim Ashbery at
WFLA in Tampa. It was during his time at WYYY that relations between the two
stations (WHEN & WYYY) reached their lowest point. The environment was
unquestionably hostile. Legend has it that during this time, and at the behest of
Bob Neil, John Young produced the now infamous WYYY "parking lot"
I.D. Surely no love has been lost between these two
radio guys. Below a photocopy of Mr. Neil's 1985 letter to Mr. Carolin. In
response, Mr. Carolin pens an affectionate (?) note in the lower right corner...and
returns the letter to Atlanta. Today Mr. Neil reportedly wipes his feet frequently
at home on the WHEN/WRRB doormat that once welcomed guests to the lobby of WHEN's Syracuse
studios.
Text: June 24, 1985 -- Dear Bob, I couldn't help but get a great
laugh out of your ad in R&R. Of course you realize the station with the 15.9
always has the last laugh over the muffled AM station with a declining 7.5! Here's
hoping you'll see the "sixes". Regards, Bob Neil, Operations Manager, WYAY
Response: Nice to hear from you. Please write when
you get a 15.9 in Atlanta. Bob C.