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From left, an unidentified fan with Mike Lehman (in costume), Franco and co-host Jody Morris. (From The Day) |
I never worked at Q105, but I know so many people who did. They were the competition. This past weekend, WQGN 105.5 celebrated 30 years as eastern Connecticut's contemporary hit station. Franco, Jody and many others were reunited on air. I never actually met Frank "Franco" Carofano, but I feel I know him through his imprint on this legendary station. Franco's longtime Q Morning Zoo co-host Jody is a good friend from our stays across town at WBMW, and I know how excited she was to be back on the air even if only for a day. The eighties and nineties were a different time for radio, with less consolidation and automation along with a need for someone in the studio 24/7. 30 years ago, there were about half as many radio stations covering New London County as there are now, and Q105 owned the younger market. I knew the Q's first couple of program directors - Rick Everett and Neil Sullivan - just enough to know what strong advocates they were for realizing their visions of exciting and successful local hit music radio. An interactive morning show where the co-hosts have great chemistry is no small part of this success story, and I got the impression both Franco & Jody miss what they shared with their audience. I miss it too, especially at this holiday time when there are unique ways for a station to serve its community. This market has no shortage of stations in this area which continue to make that valuable contribution. Q105 pushes on today with a national morning show and local information updates which have found a successful niche. Whether it's local or national, compelling content, good chemistry and connecting one on one with the listener will always win the day.
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