News Audio

Italian House Party Host, John LaBarca Has Passed Away

“LaBarca witnessed the ups and downs of the industry, transitioning from one station to another in the years following his departure from WICC.”

Published

4 months ago

May 31, 2023

Ryan Hedrick

John LaBarca, a beloved figure in radio known for his enthusiasm and pride in his Italian roots, has sadly passed away at the age of 76, as confirmed by messages on his Facebook page. According to Only in Bridgeport, LaBarca, affectionately referred to as the “jovial giant,” captivated audiences with his flagship Sunday program, Italian House Party, which aired on various local radio stations, most notably WICC.

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, LaBarca embarked on his career at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, where he quickly rose to the position of captain. This opportunity allowed him to cultivate his storytelling skills, captivating listeners with his engaging anecdotes and a knack for connecting with people. His tales revolved around relatable themes from his childhood, such as food, holidays, family, and music.

He also displayed remarkable generosity towards community organizations, utilizing his influential platform to support numerous charitable institutions.

LaBarca’s charisma was accompanied by a genuine sensitivity that allowed him to express tears and contagious laughter effortlessly. Embracing his bear-like stature, receiving a hug from him was a delightful experience filled with joy. Additionally, for a span of two decades, he served as the morning drive host on WICC from Monday to Friday, collaborating with esteemed individuals such as news director Tim Quinn and “Captain Traffic” Morgan Kaolian.

His immense popularity was evident when, following his departure from WICC in 2007, the station received an overwhelming influx of outraged phone calls from Connecticut and Long Island. LaBarca’s resonant voice and the station’s extensive reach had attracted a loyal following, extending as far as Long Island, a mere 20 miles away from WICC’s transmitter on Pleasure Beach.

The landscape of AM radio, reminiscent of LaBarca’s formative years, was undergoing significant changes, which LaBarca observed outside the broadcast booth.

“At one point, people grew up listening to me until corporate influence took over and lost sight of the true essence of AM radio,” he commented. “Instead of connecting with the audience, they opted for shows featuring confrontational arguments or rapid-fire conversations. AM radio has become excessively regimented.”

LaBarca witnessed the ups and downs of the industry, transitioning from one station to another in the years following his departure from WICC. However, recently, he discovered a new home at radio station WHLI, where he continued to share his Italian House Party with familiar and fresh listeners.

Ryan Hedrick

Ryan Hedrick works for WIBC in Indianapolis as a Morning News Anchor/Digital Content Producer. Prior to moving to Indy, he served as Assistant Program Director and Co-Host of the Morning News Express at WFMD. His career also includes stints at News Talk 103.7 FM in Chambersburg, PA, Sirius XM in Washington D.C., WBEN in Buffalo, NY, and WIBW-AM in Topeka KS where he earned the Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB) award for Major Market enterprise reporting in 2016. To connect with Ryan, find him on Twitter @SureToCover.

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News Audio

WDAY Host Jeff Left Retires After 50 Years

Left worked in New York City, Portsmouth, Columbus, Philadelphia, and Fargo.

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

Eduardo Razo

Courtesy: WDAY Radio Staff

WDAY host Jeff Left is saying goodbye to radio as he’s retiring after 50 years in the industry across the country. Left began his career in Cleveland, Ohio, when he was 17 years old, and his first on-air opportunity was reading traffic reports to listeners.

“I wasn’t afraid or nothing. ‘I-35 backed up 10 minutes’, and I’m just reading it,” Left said about doing his first live-reads. “I said to myself, ‘Is this it? This is fun!”

Those live-reads led to Left traveling the country and working at various stations throughout his 50-year career. He worked in New York City, Portsmouth, Columbus, Philadelphia, and Fargo.

Eventually, he returned to WDAY for a second time, working in sales, production, and as an on-air personality alongside Bonnie & Friends.

“I’m lucky enough to have 27 advertising awards, I’ve been published 23 times nationally…” Left said. “…I thought it was time, and so that is why I decided to retire.”

Beginning Monday, October 2, Jace Denman will join Bonnie & Friends as Bonnie’s new co-host.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].

News Audio

KQED Promotes Ernesto Aguilar to Executive Role

Since joining the radio station in 2021, Aguilar has been Director of Radio Programming.

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

Eduardo Razo

News/talk KQED in San Francisco is promoting Ernesto Aguilar to Executive Director of Radio Programming and Content DEI. Since joining the radio station in 2021, Aguilar has been Director of Radio Programming.

Aguilar reacted to his promotion on X, formerly Twitter, and shed light on details of what the new role that he’s taking over will consist of.

“Happy to share that my role at @KQED is growing,” Aguilar wrote. “I’m now Executive Director of Radio Programming and Content DEI. In addition to the exciting broadcasts we do, I’ll also now oversee diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the Content division.

“I’ll work closely with our Chief DEI Officer and teams to ensure our internal culture and our programming authentically serves the diverse Bay Area community we cherish. I’ll also be implementing annual Content DEI plans.”

Happy to share that my role at @KQED is growing. I’m now Executive Director of Radio Programming and Content DEI.

In addition to the exciting broadcasts we do, I’ll also now oversee diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the Content division. I'll work closely with our… pic.twitter.com/Z2gYKAYMNc
— Ernesto Aguilar (@eaXLR) September 26, 2023

Before joining KQED and heading to the Bay Area, Aguilar was Executive Director of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters and worked in Houston’s public radio scene. Furthermore, he thanked his boss, Holly Kernan, for entrusting him with the new role.

“Sincere thanks to @KQEDKernan, my boss, for her dedication and leadership on diversity issues,” Aguilar added. “Her support for devoting resources within Content is invaluable and a step I hope other organizations learn from.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].

News Audio

Chris Hayes Taking Podcast on Road with Live Tour

Joy Reid will join Hayes while the tour is in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Rachel Maddow is the guest for the New York stop.

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

Eduardo Razo

(Photo: Nathan Congleton/MSNBC)

MSNBC’s Chris Hayes is taking his Why Is This Happening? podcast on tour, as he’ll be hosting three live shows in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. Hayes has already made a stop in Austin, but the bulk of the tour is getting underway.

Hayes’ tour this fall will begin on Oct. 9 in Chicago, then head to Philadelphia on Oct. 16, and conclude in New York on Nov. 12. Furthermore, the MSNBC host won’t be alone, as he’ll guest, including some from his network.

Joy Reid will join Hayes while the tour is in Philadelphia; meanwhile, Rachel Maddow is the guest for the New York stop.

The All In host was recently in the news after it was announced that Inside with Jen Psaki will take over the Monday 8 p.m. time slot of Hayes’ show, with the change beginning on Sept. 25.

Nonetheless, Hayes will still anchor his show Tuesday through Friday, and Psaki will continue in her Sunday time slot at noon.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].