NYS Broadcasters Association to Welcome Neaverth into 2007 Hall of Fame

ALBANY, NY (05/30/2007)(readMedia)-- The New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) today announced that Buffalo radio legend Dan Neaverth has been named to NYSBA’s 2007 Hall of Fame. The Orchard Park resident joins five additional Hall of Fame-bound nominees from the Albany, Rochester/Syracuse, New York City and Long Island markets, as well as previous Western New York inductees, George "Hound Dog" Lorenz (the “granddaddy of rock 'n roll” in the 1950s), Andrew Langston (founder, chairman and CEO of Monroe County Broadcasting Company) and E.R. "Curly" Vadeboncoeur (GM of the radio and television enterprise involved in the expansion of Newhouse Broadcasting). Neaverth will be inducted during gala banquet ceremonies at NYSBA’s 46th Executive Conference slated for June 25-26 at the picturesque Sagamore Resort Hotel in Bolton Landing.

"Danny Nevearth is a Buffalo institution and truly deserves this recognition and honor,” said NYSBA President Joseph A. Reilly. “During 43 years on the air, he became one of Buffalo's most listened to radio personalities, constructing an almost unmatched legacy of creativity and popularity.”

Neaverth began his storied career behind the microphone at Curran Studios, a broadcasting school in Syracuse. After graduating in 1957, he and his father took a road trip throughout Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania, where they visited stations and dropped off numerous audition tapes.

His first job was at WFRM in Coudersport, Pa., where the “big city kid” was the afternoon DJ, newsreader, interviewer, announcer and singer on the “Allegany Mountain Jamboree,” a live country music show with local entertainers. He also found himself doing farm reports and hunting stories.

After honing his broadcasting skills at WFRM for 18 months, Neaverth made a move to WDOE in Dunkirk. While he was there, his parents would send him the Buffalo papers. “One day I read that some guy from WBNY was leaving, so I went up there for an audition and got the job,” Neaverth said.

"Daffy Dan" was among the original jocks who established WBNY as Buffalo's first full-time rock station in 1957, etching his comedic identity alongside the likes of Lucky Pierre and Fred Klestine.

In October 1961, Neaverth moved to WKBW-AM. During his 26 years at the station he became a full-fledged star in afternoon-drive. His nightly 7 o'clock "changeover" crosstalk with Joey Reynolds soon became “must-listening” and he recorded two local hit singles — "Rats in My Room" (with Reynolds) and "Good Night, Irene."

In the early 1970s, Neaverth became KB’s morning man and quickly created a forerunner of the now-familiar morning radio team approach, highlighted by his "adventure" vignettes with newsman Jim McLaughlin. He was the first person to mount a serious audience-rating challenge to Clint Buehlman and eventually dominated morning-drive among most age groups. During his time at WKBW, Neaverth also handled the noon news weather duties at WKBW-TV 7, a role he much enjoyed for almost 10 years.

“I used old silent movie film clips in a humorous way. I would lampoon various local celebrities, politicians and even news and sports anchors,” said Neaverth, who instantly went from being a radio voice to a recognizable public figure used in hundreds of TV commercials. “I still get comments from people about how they enjoyed that.”

Neaverth maintains that the Blizzard of 1977 — one of the worst snow storms to ever hit the Northeast — did more for his reputation than anything else he ever did on the air and in front of the camera.

“It was brutal. You couldn’t see your hand in front of your face,” said Neaverth, recalling how many people thought they would perish. “I offered a mix of information and encouragement. To this day, people mention how I was like a beacon of hope in a hopeless situation. For one week, I managed to get home, kiss my wife and the boys, have something to eat, shower and get back to the station.”

However, station format changes were beginning to emerge. And, in the late 1980s, Neaverth made a smooth transition from WKBW to WHTT-FM, where his morning popularity continued to drive that station's success. He also had the opportunity to work alongside two of his four sons, Dan Jr., a sports reporter on the “Sandy Beach Show,” and Darren, one of the station’s salesmen.

A 2000 inductee to the Western New York Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Neaverth was an active member of the community during his extensive broadcasting career, supporting countless bike-a-thons, The Variety Club Telethons, public TV auction appearances, and Heart Fund fundraisers.

“Dan is a consummate Buffalo broadcaster,” added Bill Ransom, president and general manager of WKBW-TV 7. “Thirty years later he continues to be remembered for the sleepless hours he remained on air during the blizzards of ’77 and ’85. His 2,500 charitable appearances also remain legendary.”

For more information on NYSBA’s 46th Annual Executive Conference, call (518) 456-8888, or go to www.nysbroadcasters.org.

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Founded in 1955, the NYS Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) represents the interests of more than 600 television and radio stations in the NYS Senate and Assembly, the US Congress, and various other legislative bodies. NYSBA also offers a variety of services to help the broadcasters of New York State better serve their communities. For more information, call (518) 456-8888 or go to www.nysbroadcasters.org.

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Posted Wednesday May 30, 2007 at 09:21 am by New York State Broadcasters Association