WMMR & WMGK/Philadelphia PD Bill Weston to Retire

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 14, 2023

Bill Weston

Beasley Vice President of Talent Development and WMMR-FM & WMGK-FM/Philadelphia Program Director Bill Weston will officially retire following a successful 45-year radio career at the end of 2023. Weston launched his radio programming career serving as the Music Director at WGRQ-FM in Buffalo. He subsequently went on to work at WIXV-FM in Savannah, WKLR-FM and WDYL-FM in Richmond VA, WHJY-FM in Providence and WAXQ-FM in New York, before eventually landing at WMMR-FM and WMGK-FM.

"Over the past 45 years in radio, I've felt lucky to go to 'work' and help create, inform, and entertain our listeners," said Weston. "I'm equally fortunate to have done so working alongside so many talented and passionate people. It's been a privilege and I thank each and every one for their part in my success."

WJBR-FM Program Director and afternoon personality Eric "EJ" Johnson will take over as the new PD of WMGK-FM following Weston's departure beginning on January 1, 2024. During the transition period, Johnson will begin his additional on-air duties as the midday personality at the station beginning on September 25.

"The decades of WMGK's playlist lines up perfectly with the long-time relationships I have with the station's on-air hosts," said Johnson. "I've known Nighttime Host Tony Harris since the '70s, afternoon host Andre Gardner since the '80s, and I worked with Matt Cord at Y100 in the 90s. I can't wait to join the team and get started on a station that I've been a fan of for many decades. Thank you, Joe Bell, Bill Weston, Bruce Beasley and Justin Chase, for this amazing opportunity."

Current 97.5 The Fanatic Program Director and longtime WMMR-FM Assistant PD Chuck Damico will become the new PD at Beasley's Rock WMMR-FM when Weston departs at the end of the year. Damico, who started at the station as an intern nearly three decades ago, worked his way up the ladder at WMMR, serving as Music Researcher, Programing Assistant, part-time air personality, Promotion Director, Morning Show Technical Producer before becoming Assistant PD in 2004.

"I'm very excited that I have finally completed my 29-year job interview," said Damico. "Seriously though, WMMR is the top rock station in the world, and I am truly honored to be the next PD. It's a dream come true."

A new Program Director for 97.5 The Fanatic will be announced later this year.

"Losing a legendary programmer like Bill is tough, but fortunately, we have a couple of veteran PDs in Chuck and EJ ready to step in and keep these great brands moving forward," said Beasley Media Group Vice President and Market Manager Joe Bell.