MeTV FM ’ s DEEP CATALOG
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fter a 20 + year stretch on the air in Chicago ( WCKG , WLUP , and the Drive ), most music fans know Phil Manicki as a disc jockey . But before he became known on the air , Phil had a vibrant background in programming , and that history is helping him in his new role as the program director of MeTV FM ( 87.7 ).
“ I was the assistant program director at WPGU in Champaign-Urbana going back to the early 80s ,” he points out . “ That experience was just incredible for learning how to do things at that level , at that age ( his early 20s ), and it really set the foundation . My first gig out of out of school was at WWCT in Peoria ( one of the stations that is a finalist for next year ’ s Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ), which was a heritage radio station , so much history there . I climbed the ladder at that station , from night jock to music director to program director , and all the while the ratings went through the roof .”
After further programming stints in places like Youngstown , Ohio , Providence , Rhode Island , and Cape Cod , Phil came back to his hometown . “ I started at WCKG . And then I got hired at the Loop to do weekends . I had just started doing overnights on the Loop when they bought the Drive . Timing is everything . I was part of the first air staff at the Drive ( afternoons at first , then nights ). Being around that station while it built that loyal following was like getting my master ' s degree . The situation at MeTV FM right now is remarkably similar . When the Drive was starting , the songs that we were playing hadn ' t been played on the radio for a long time . It tapped into people ’ s passion for that music . And today , MeTV FM ’ s listeners are also passionate . Once again , we are playing songs that haven ’ t been played on the radio in years ! I feel like now I ’ m earning my PhD .”
In a time of corporate consolidation and cookie-cutter formats , the station ’ s incredibly large music library is like a breath of fresh air . “ I ' m hearing that a lot . Really , from industry people to regular listeners . I ' ll tell you this . Most radio stations that are heavily consulted and research out the yin yang play about , I don ' t know , 200 songs , right ? We play more than 10 times that amount . We play hits and deep tracks . Songs with horns and strings , Motown , singer / songwriters , disco , yacht rock , Frank Sinatra , Dean Martin . I mean , just the scope and the variety are incredible . Putting that all together and making it work is not as easy as it sounds . That ’ s where I ’ ve been really fortunate . Former program director Rick O ’ Dell did an excellent job . ( Production guru ) Bill Cochran is amazing . Those packages he puts together are really well-researched and fascinating . And the man who created all of this , Neal Sabin , is still here too . If he hears something he doesn ’ t like or feels like it doesn ’ t fit in , he lets me know about it . And that ' s the way it should be . I mean , this is his baby . He created this radio station . Rick O ’ Dell was
By Rick Kaempfer
here for a long time , and I ' m sure they were very , very comfortable with each other , and they knew each other very well . They trusted each other . It took a little time for me to get my sea legs .”
Working in that environment at Weigel Broadcasting , with all their TV properties , was also a change of pace for Phil . “ There are hundreds of people working here – literally hundreds . I know TV is the big dog ; I get it . Rich Koz ( Svengoolie ) is a great guy . He is so humble and cool . His attitude and those people on the TV side contribute to the atmosphere of this place . I ’ m the radio guy , but we ’ re all in this together .”
MeTV FM ’ s Phil Manicki
Phil ’ s favorite part of doing this job ? “ Every day is different . Every hour of every day of music is different . You know , I ' m looking at Frank Sinatra into the Commodores right now . Petula Clark into Friends of Distinction . I mean , Andy Williams , Lou Rawls , The Grass Roots , Dionne , Warwick . And just the depth of all of this . Elvis . Kenny Loggins , John Denver . For many of these artists we are the only station playing them . When they come to town , we ’ re the obvious choice for giveaways and things like that . For instance , Donny Osmond is coming to town soon . His people know we have the audience he needs to reach .”
What does Phil most want you to know about the station ? “ I think the biggest and most important thing about this place is the vibe of the radio station . It brings back those memories , whether you ’ re reliving prom , or your first date , or your first job , this music brings back those memories in such a strong way . Music can be so powerful . You may not have heard some of these songs since those days . There are some you ’ ve probably never heard , from artists you know well or artists you may not know well . Check out what we do . Give us a song or two . Even if you don ' t like the first song . What about the next song ? Oh , that song ! I just know the word ‘ Wow ’ will come out of your mouth . We are in the business of ‘ Wow ’.” april 2024 illinoisentertainer . com 19