Bob Neil ... today
Bob Neil ... today
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.
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