Radio Split Ranch

From Rotterdam Roots to CBS Skies: Mike Augustyniak’s Story

Mike Augustyniak talks with me this month about his journey from growing up in Rotterdam to combining a passion for radio with a career in meteorology. Mike recalls early radio memories, pivotal storms that inspired him, internships at WGY and Channel 10, and his rise to work in a major market and for CBS.
The episode highlights mentorships, the challenges of local forecasting, the changing media landscape, and personal reflections on career choices and staying true to one’s passions.

Walt Adams: Forty Years on the Air and Still Counting

Longtime regional broadcaster Walt Adams is my guest this month. We talk about his 40-year radio career from an eight-year-old’s crystal set to major local stations and a beloved community morning show. Walt and I revisit his early days when we first met and the formats he's mastered from country to disco. Along the way we share memorable on-air moments, industry upheavals, charity work, and why local radio and mentorship still matter today. Enjoy!

Bucket-List Stations, Late Nights, and Life After Radio — A Conversation with Lisa Walker

Longtime broadcaster Lisa Walker traces her radio career from college station cassettes to work at major stations from coast-to-coast. Lisa shares stories about promotions, music directing, programming, bucket-list stations, and the tough realities of life on air. She also discusses her transition into a whole second career, the changing radio landscape, podcasting and retirement plans, with archival airchecks and reflections on how radio shaped lives in past decades.

From Welfare to the Airwaves: Jerry Crouth’s Remarkable Ride

On Episode 54 of Radio Split Ranch we sit down with veteran broadcaster Jerry Crouth to trace his life from a humble childhood in Rome, New York to a long career in radio. Jerry discusses his new memoir "Thank You, Mom," memorable moments like appearing on the Match Game, and the family traditions that shaped him.
The conversation also covers Jerry’s decades on Saratoga-area radio, the Singing Valentines program he built, his Oldies Show on 96.1 Star Saratoga, and how passion and chance kept bringing him back to the microphone.

From Shy Kid to Multi-Station Star: Marissa’s Radio Rise

I engage this month with Marissa, a Capital Region native whose 20+ year radio career spans local favorites and major markets. You'll hear how she overcame shyness, earned dream gigs at FLY92 and Boston stations, and adapted to modern voice-tracking across multiple stations daily.
Our conversation covers her start in radio, career highs and sudden cuts, the pandemic pause, recovery after injury, and how Marissa turned relationships and resilience into a thriving remote-radio career while staying true to her hometown.

Jason Keller: 30 Years Behind the Mic

This month's conversation is with a veteran broadcaster who traces his radio career from early inspiration and college radio through stations like WIZN, WQBK, WHRL and WGY to his current role at WEQX. His story  mixes personal anecdotes (including a surprise Howard Stern call and Don Weeks guesting), industry shifts like format flips and layoffs, and his personal reflections on reinvention — ending with his ongoing specialty shows and love for the craft. Here's a fun hour with Jason Keller.

From Drummer to Radio Legend: Jay Clark's 60-Year Airwaves Journey

Host Warren Garling interviews Jay Clark about his long radio career, starting as an overnight DJ in the Capital Region and rising to program director roles at major stations including WTRY, WPRO, WTIC, WABC, and KHits.
The episode traces Clark’s experiences in the Top 40 wars, format changes (including WABC’s switch to talk), programming and promotion lessons, memorable on-air moments, and his later work with Sirius and consulting before retirement.
You'll get behind-the-scenes stories about station strategy, promotions, mentoring talent, and how radio evolved from local personality-driven shows to today’s multimedia landscape. 

Fred Sidoti: From Basement Pirate to Radio Legend

Radio Split Ranch host Warren Garling catches up with Fred Sidoti, tracing his journey from a basement 100 mW pirate station to decades on Albany and Buffalo airwaves under many on‑air names.
The episode highlights memorable moments (Apollo 13, moon landing, Beach Boys, concerts and local radiothons), Sidoti’s station  moves and jingle aliases, and his later career as a corporate trainer and community volunteer—an affectionate, nostalgic look at a classic radio life.

From Record Hops to Radio Talks: Paul Vandenberg's Broadcasting Journey

Dive into a captivating conversation with Paul Vandenberg this month. Paul is a notable talk radio host and station owner in the Capital Region. As we kick off the fifth year of this podcast, we explore the evolution of local radio and TV broadcasting in the Northeast, highlighting recent challenges and changes within public broadcasting and commercial radio. Paul reflects on his journey from working various jobs to eventually owning a radio station. And he contemplates the future of local radio amidst a rapidly changing media landscape.

Behind the Mic with Brian & Chrissy: The Dynamic Duo of WGNA

Welcome to another captivating episode of Radio Split Ranch, where we take a nostalgic journey with Brian and Chrissy, the renowned morning team from WGNA in Albany. They share their roots as local talents, their chemistry developed over years, and how their passion for radio brought them unexpected recognition in the Capital Region.
Join us as we delve into their individual backstories, the challenges and triumphs of switching from a pop format to country music, and their unwavering connection with listeners and country artists alike. Experience firsthand how Brian and Chrissy's journey symbolizes the spirit of broadcasting and community engagement.