Farewell to Hartford's Big D

(l-r) Yours truly with recently released WDRC staff
members Rockin' Ron Sedaille, Grahame Winters,
Mike Stevens, Floyd Wright & Jerry Kristafer

Connoisseur Media suddenly and unceremoniously ended a  57-year radio heritage the day they bought WDRC from Buckley Broadcasting and released practically the entire staff.  This was accompanied by a music format shift on their FM side from pop classic hits of the 70's and 80's to a more rock classic hits from the same general era.   The new company triggered a storm of protests on social media who missed the music and personality mix on the "Big D."   Meanwhile, Marlin's WCCC actually gave staffers past and present an afternoon to say goodbye to their rock audience last Friday before big religious broadcaster EMF came in and quickly added their "K-Love" contemporary Christian music network.   Some observations, if you please...

1. The new "102-9 drc" format will probably gain a foothold in Hartford, with some Big D listeners staying put and WCCC classic rock listeners fleeing Christian music.   WHCN "The River" will benefit, too.  WRCH and WWYZ just got a big gift.
2. Business is business and the new guys can do what they want, but the WDRC takeover was handled miserably from day one.  The Big D personalities deserved better.   Connoisseur didn't even handle the social backlash well.
3. I can't help but think yet another shoe will drop before long as Connoisseur looks to get another Hartford FM and broaden its portfolio against two big corporate group competitors.   John Fuller's WMRQ 104.1 is the only one left.    I know John pretty well and he had tried to buy WDRC himself, but I won't try to read his mind.  
4. The Big D appreciation party this past weekend was fantastic and I salute the fans who put this celebration together.   I hope they find suitable alternatives and don't depend on a return to the old format.
5. Since I've experienced a less than storybook ending in some past radio terminations, I know time heals all and you focus on people and things that matter now.   Radio can take a personal commitment and an end to that can sting, but you really will forgive if not forget.
6. Thanks for the memories, Big D!