Join Us on September 2012 Newsletter of The Press Club of Cleveland From the President Rock Hall Panel Revisits WMMS’s Past and Ed Byers Speculates About Radio’s Future First off, it’s almost By Anastasia Pantsios, Cleveland SCENE Hall of Fame time and People who weren’t around or who were some full disclosure on too young to remember Cleveland in the Stuart Warner’s being ’70s and ’80s might wonder why anyone elected to the Hall of would make a fuss over a mundane “guy- Fame. zone” station like WMMS, with its bland As most of you know, commercial hard rock and its focus on Stuart has chaired The Press Club’s Hall sports and hot babes — appealing to a spe- of Fame committee for as long as I can cific group of males under 30. (L-R) WMMS’s staff; Walt Tiburski, Denny remember, which, in of itself, should In a special program, presented by The Sanders, Gaye Ramstrom, John Gorman, Billy qualify one for induction. But as we all Press Club of Cleveland and the Rock and Bass and moderator Jim Henke, curator, The know, Stuart’s journalism credentials are Roll Hall of Fame, five people who were Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. second to none. pivotal in creating the WMMS legend The instant we found out that Stuart’s spoke at the Rock Hall’s Foster Theatre Sanders, its evening air personality and name had been placed in nomination for about what made the station so dominant behind-the-scenes guide; John Gorman, the Hall, he not only stepped down as in Cleveland and so influential nationwide the hyper-competitive program direc- chairman, but departed the committee — and speculated on whether that influ- tor who took the station to the top of the altogether until after the election. John ence and dominance could be replicated ratings; Gaye Ramstrom, longtime sta- Betchkal then took over running the in today’s very different music and media tion sales rep; and Walt Tiburski, whose committee’s duties under the watchful climate. 45 years in radio management included eyes of Lynn Bracic and Debi Weslek at Rock Hall vice president Jim Henke lengthy stints at both WMMS and WNCX. The Press Club office. moderated the panel which included Billy Bass took the audience of about 50 — When the votes were counted, it wasn’t Bass, the station’s first on-air star and which included a couple of additional even close. Stuart was one of the top music director who laid the groundwork WMMS legends, sales rep and “Get Down” two vote-getters in the field of 12 nomi- for what the station would become; Denny continued on page 7 > nees and will soon resume his chairman duties in finalizing the details for the In Their Own Words: Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Prepares for Induction evening of Oct. 12 at The Hilton Garden Inductees express gratitude, humility in receiving honors Inn. In this issue, the inductees tell us On Oct. 12, five journalists will be I hired – who were responsible for the what the honor means to them. In the inducted into The Press Club of Cleveland’s success we achieved in making The News- meantime, Richard Stewart of DigiZoom Journalism Hall of Fame. Herald the fastest-growing suburban daily Media is lining up video testimonials The News-Herald’s Jim Collins, The Plain paper in Ohio. Any newspaper editor who which will be played at the induction. Dealer’s Ted Diadiun, WKSU FM’s Vivian isn’t totally immersed in and totally com- Obviously, for the inductees this is an Goodman, Advanstar’s Vern Henry and mitted to his/her community isn’t doing his unforgettable evening. But I am always Stuart Warner, formerly with The Plain job. Because of all those considerations, this impressed by the crowd reaction to this Dealer and now resident and owner of The honor is indeed meaningful to me. And you awards presentation. You really have to Write Coach will join an elite roster of 200+ can quote me. experience this ceremony to know why journalists who have received the honor. Ted Diadiun: My main emotions are so many people are impressed and come They spoke with The Byliner staff about humility and gratitude. back year after year. Registration for Hall being honored by a jury of their peers. I’m under no illusions that of Fame induction night is underway and Jim Collins: The fact that I will receive my contributions to this you will want to pay special attention to this honor merely reflects wonderful profession can the early bird pricing. The price is dis- credit upon the people that stand alongside some of the counted until Sept. 24. I worked closely with for 55 people who preceded me I need to give a huge shout out to Jane years at The News-Herald, in this group I’m joining. Christyson and Kathleen Osborne, for including 38 years as editor. But I’m humbled to be a putting together a remarkable Rock Hall I will accept this on behalf part of it, and grateful to those whose votes of a great many talented allowed my face to be on a plaque that will continued on page 2 > people – many of whom continued on page 3 > 28022 Osborn Road Cleveland, Ohio 44140 | 440-899-1222 | Fax: 440.899.1010 | www.pressclubcleveland.com 2 The Press Club of Cleveland September 2012 PRESIDENT FROM PAGE 1 James M. Naughton, Legendary PD, New York Times, program featuring John Gorman, Denny Philadelphia Inquirer Journalist, Dead at 73 Sanders and their counterparts from He made the news business fun - playing pranks on fellow workers - and his competitors WMMS’s glory days. Hard to believe it was 40 years ago this year that the legendary Editor’s note: obit, Naughton ran the Poynter Institute radio station came into its own and solidi- Sadly, all too often, for Media Studies until 2003 and prior, was fied Cleveland’s reputation as the Rock ‘n we see a name the Inquirer’s pranksterish executive editor. Roll capitol of the world. Kudos also go out from the past via Prior to that, he was the New York Times’ to the Rock Hall’s Margaret Thresher and an obit. Such is Washington correspondent. Mr. Gorman, too. the case of Jim Naughton figured prominently in What a milestone year 2012 is turning Naughton, former Timothy Crouse’s book on the 1972 cam- out to be. Aside from the ascent of “The Plain Dealer jour- paign press corps, “The Boys on the Bus.” Buzzard - WMMS,” this is also the 50th nalist who left an With his customary wryness, Naughton anniversary of Alan Freed’s Moondog indelible impres- liked to say he had covered the political Coronation Ball. sion on many of us losers: the 1972 Democratic presidential As we noted in our May program, this before departing campaigns of Senators Edmund S. Muskie year also marks the 30th anniversary of the for New York, Washington, Philadephia - and George McGovern, Vice President closing of the Cleveland Press and it’s the and “the big time.” Spiro T. Agnew’s resignation in 1973, 40th anniversary of the launch of WEWS James M. Naughton formerly of The President Richard M. Nixon’s Watergate TV’s Morning Exchange, which inspired Plain Dealer died last month in Florida resignation in 1974, Gerald R. Ford’s defeat ABC’s Good Morning America and a num- from cancer. He was 73, born in 1938 in the 1976 presidential election, even a ber of other morning network news/enter- in Pittsburgh and raised in Painesville. slice of Jimmy Carter’s one-term presi- tainment programs. While a student at Notre Dame, he worked dency. There is little wonder why Cleveland summers as a reporter at The Painesville But before all of that, he was the PD’s is such a strong media center, one which Telegraph; and graduated in 1960. well-liked chief political writer. When we certainly can be proud of. On this, the Simply put, Naughton wasted little time Naughton landed at the PD in 1962, he 125th anniversary of the founding of The in honing his craft, becoming a great was a seasoned and confident 24-year-old. Press Club of Cleveland, we are all so lucky reporter who loved what he did and loved “His copy was impeccable,” said the late to have shared in that rich history. – Ed having fun while doing it, often at the Don Bean, (Press Club Hall of Fame Class expense of his own management and the of ‘97). Bean was the PD’s police reporter competition. The stories are legendary. who became a reliable co-conspirator upon He once popped up at a presiden- whom Naughton would call in later years tial news conference wearing the head to obtain farm animals to plant in report- A publication of of a chicken costume; another time, in ers’ hotel rooms when campaigns passed The Press Club of Cleveland Philadelphia, he had two motorcycles roar through Cleveland. around his newsroom to liven things up. As PD political editor, Naughton’s elec- Editor “Good for morale,” he said. toral predictions became epic, such that Lee Moran “I love being in the company of people he was invited to speak at the City Club. Associate Editor who care about the written word, the oral “Naughton would show up wearing a tur- Maryana Bradas word,” Naughton once remarked, “But I ban and cape and toting a crystal ball,” also love the dark humor and a mix of Bean said.